#also look at spurge’s ARMS

[babygirlspurgeon]

happy donut day!

[itsthegirlonline]

Thorough work | Geralt of Rivia x reader

You’ve been sent to Kaer Morhen to research witchers during the winter. One witcher in particular has caught your interest. Geralt is sick of being a test subject and is fed up with your questions so he shows you a better way the two of you could be spending time together.

A/N:  Geralt x female!reader, smut, 18+ content, NSFW.  Feedback and a reblog if you like it would make me very happy!

You watch the witcher as he works on his potion. Whatever ingredients he’s putting in it don’t look very tasty. For the past week you’ve been scribbling notes, eager to learn about the witchers. However you’ve paid extra attention to the witcher working in front of you. You’ve tried spending the same amount of time with each witcher but you’ve failed miserably. This one doesn’t just leave you with burning questions but also with burning desires.

“So, what ingredients are in there?” you ask from your position seated on a table behind him.

Geralt grunts. He isn’t a talker and he clearly doesn’t like being studied. None of the witchers do. They’re always busy during the day but they know how to relax in the evening. Lambert, one of the other witchers, didn’t hesitate to invite you for their antics on the first night and you’ve been joining them every evening you’ve been here.

“It’s veratrum, stramonium, hawthorn, and spurge,’ Geralt answers after a while. You furrow your brows as you write the ingredients down in your worn journal.

“That combination should be deadly. How come it isn’t for you?’

Another grunt. He puts the vial down and turns to you. His stare is intense and you’re sure that gaze could send people and even some monsters running. The intensity doesn’t scare you however. His annoyance seems more of a mask than what he’s truly feeling. You’re just not quite sure what’s underneath it.

“Interesting answer. Can I quote you on that?” you say a bit amused by his usual grumpiness. Your muscles are sore from sitting in the same position for a while so you stretch your arms upward, inevitably pushing your breasts forward.

‘Besides the changes in my body… I’ve been drinking it since I was a child,’ he explains. His voice has turned gruff and suddenly you’re aware of your pose. You know what the potion he’s making does, but you still ask the question just to push Geralt a little.

‘What does it do?’ you ask expecting another grumpy reply. He doesn’t react how you expect him though. His gaze changes, amber lightning now sent your way. It’s like you’re trapped in it and can’t move.

‘You sure ask a lot of questions with that pretty mouth of yours,’ he snarls. You jump at his tone but still can’t seem to move. Maybe you’ve pushed him too far this time, misread his mood. He prowls closer.

‘What do you want to know, Y/N?’ he drawls. Step. Your heartbeat picks up. ‘Do you want to know every little detail about me?’ Another step. He’s smiling. It’s not scary. It’s not reassuring. It’s all devastatingly handsome male.

He’s dangerously close now. ‘Do you wonder what my hands can do besides killing?’ His voice is lilting. Magnificent, deadly man. Your instincts finally kick in and you move to jump off the table but he’s already in your space. He pushes between your legs and your face is now only inches apart from his. Your heart is thundering in your chest and desire is pooling between your legs. There’s no doubt your undergarments are soaked already.

‘Do you wonder what makes me hard? Do you wonder what makes me scream?’ the witcher growls.

His words send sparks through your body. A moan escapes your lips and it sends a new wave of heat to his eyes. In the blink of an eye he grabs the back of your head and pulls you to him. His lips are on yours and shock has you opening up for him before you know it. He doesn’t waste time and immediately slips his tongue inside, exploring, taking, claiming.

His grip on your hair is tight and he uses the leverage to pull your head back so he can lick the column of your throat while his other hand slides over your body. A shudder racks your body.

Geralt hums and a grin spreads on his face.

‘And? Do you wonder?’ he rasps. Gods, this is delicious torture. A sharp tug on your hair makes it clear he wants an answer.

‘Yes!’ you hiss through the pain. He chuckles.

‘It seems we already have the answer to one those questions’. He rolls his hips against the apex or your thighs. Yes we do. A short burst of pleasure zings in your core. His cock is rock hard, straining against his pants. You moan when he rolls his hips again.

‘Such a good girl for me,’ he drawls. ‘Do you want my cock?’ Feather light kisses caress your throat in between words. ‘Yes,’ you whimper. ‘please’.

Another chuckle. ‘I want to do a bit of my own research first’.

You yelp when he tears your dress open from the front. Your breasts spill out and meet the cool air. They’re not cold for long though. Geralt nips at your nipple before soothing the small hurt with his tongue. Your other breast gets the same treatment. The small amount of pain is exquisite in combination with the soothing laps of his tongue. When you bring your hands up to touch him he grips them and holds both your wrists in one hand behind your back.

‘Tell me what you want,’ he growls. His breath hits your face.

‘Kiss me’. Your voice is little more than a whisper. He raises an eyebrow and you know what he wants. Only for a small moment does your pride stand in the way.

But you shove it aside. ‘Please’.

He takes your mouth in a searing kiss and you return his intensity. ‘Touch me, please,’ you gasp when he gives you a moment to breathe at last. Before you know it the rest of your dress is ripped and you’re completely naked. He takes a moment to appreciate your body. You wish he would take his clothes off as well. He’s still fully dressed which makes you all the more vulnerable.

‘Here?’ he asks mockingly as he drags a hand up your thigh, stopping mere inches from your core. He’s making you pay for all the questions you asked him this week.

‘Ask me properly’. There’s no mistaking the primal command in his voice.

‘Please touch my cunt’. At this point you’re not above begging. His gaze rakes over you once again, assessing. ‘Do you trust me?’ he asks at last. Magnificent, dangerous,…Yet you nod because you do trust him. He wouldn’t hurt you. Not in a way you don’t like anyway.

‘Lay down,’ he orders. You obey and lay flat on the table. He rips two pieces of fabric from your dress and uses them to tie your hands to the table legs.

His hands are on you again and finally he drags a finger along your slick heat. ‘You’re so wet for me, Y/N,’ he groans. The thumb of his other hand is circling your clit. Two fingers slide into your cunt and start pumping.

‘It was torture, you know? Having to endure your questions all week. It was torture because every time you opened that pretty little mouth of yours, I imagined putting it to better use,’ he rasps. Another moan escapes past your lips as images flash across your mind. ‘That’s it. Let me hear what I do to you!’ he growls.

It’s not like you have much choice in the matter when he adds more pressure to his thumb and draws faster circles on your clit.

‘Time for another question,’ he drawls. ‘I wonder how long you can take this without coming’. Gods, no. ‘Don’t come before I tell you to or the fun ends’.

‘Geralt!’ you whine, pulling on your restraints. You want to be closer to him, to touch him. As if sensing what you need, he leans closer to kiss you and claims your mouth again. When you’re desperate for air, his lips move on to your breasts. He starts his offense of nibbles, kisses and suckling.

It takes only minutes before you’re a delirious, panting and moaning mess. You’re close. So close. It feels as if you’re going to burst out of your skin if you can’t come soon. ‘Geralt, please! I can’t… I can’t hold it back anymore,’ you whimper.

‘You can. You will,’ he growls. He withdraws his fingers and just as you think you’ll get a moment to gather your withs, he licks your slit. Your brain short-circuits and you start struggling against your restraints in earnest. The pull on your wrists is the only thing keeping you grounded and you’re grateful for the thick walls of Kaer Morhen so no one can hear your screams and other noises.

‘Please, please, please,’ you moan.

Geralt is lapping your cunt like a starving man. After a while he adds his fingers into the mix again. ‘So wet for me,’ he drawls. ‘Such a good girl’. You love the praise and try desperately to hold on but your control is slipping…

‘Come for me!’ he growls finally. Your orgasm rips through you and for a moment your vision goes black.

Through your haze you barely notice him stripping his clothes off and removing your restraints. The world is finally coming back into focus when his lips crash on yours again. Your own taste on his lips makes you wanting for him again. He pulls you into a sitting position without ending the kiss.

‘Fuck me, Geralt,’ you whisper against his lips. A tight squeeze of your butt gives you warning. ‘Please, fuck me,’ you quickly correct yourself. He chuckles but groans immediately after when his erect cock brushes your abdomen.

‘Well, good girls deserve rewards, don’t they?’ he rasps. Before you know it, he lifts you off the table and puts you on your feet. ‘Turn around’ he orders. Like a good girl, you do as you’re told. Your hands are gathered in one of his and held on your back. His other hand pushes you down on the table. The wood feels rough on your breasts but it’s also cooling.

Geralt positions himself behind you and pushes in with one fluid thrust. You gasp. His cock doesn’t just look big, it feels big too and it makes you feel incredibly full. He doesn’t give you time to get used to his girth and starts fucking you. The laboratory is filled with your sounds of pleasure.

‘Such a tight little cunt for me,’ he groans.

You move your hips in time to his thrusts. ‘Yes, fuck yourself on my cock’. His voice has gone feral. The hand that isn’t holding your wrists is playing with your clit again.

‘I’m close,’ you moan. He pulls out only to turn you around and set you on the table before he plunges in again. Finally your hands are free to roam his body. His powerful thrusts have you holding on to him. One of his hands is in your hair while his other resumes playing with your clit. He presses a kiss to your mouth. ‘Look at me,’ he orders while his blazing amber eyes burn into yours. You didn’t think it was possible but he starts fucking you even harder.

‘Come for me’. Another order you have no other choice than to obey. A flick of his thumb on your clit has you falling apart while you hold on to him. You hear a loud roar that lets you know Geralt has found his climax as well. You feel him spill inside of you while he rides it out.

He wraps his arms around you and presses you close to him. You hold him as well while your forehead rests in the hollow between his shoulder and neck. It takes a few minutes before either one of you moves. Geralt is the first and presses a kiss to your hair. You look up at him.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk so much,’ you say, a smile playing on your lips. He smiles back at you and it warms your insides.

‘Well it seems you’ve learned more about me than you thought you would,’ he retorts. That’s true. Your afternoon in the laboratory has learned you more about the witcher than a whole week of one sided conversation. Yet there’s still one question on your mind.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asks.

‘I still wonder what makes you scream,’ you admit. Geralt huffs a laugh.

‘You can still find out. You’re not leaving anytime soon, right?’ he says. There’s worry next to the amusement in his eyes. His answer proves he would like a repeat of this afternoon just as much as you.

‘No. I’m not leaving anytime soon. After all, I like to deliver thorough work,’ you say. He smiles at you in return and squeezes you one last time before letting you go to sneak to your room so you can change before the other witchers get back from training.

[startanewdream]

Hi Mah, could you write something about Jily in a world where Voldemort doesn't exist? Or, Jily + baby Harry.

If you don't want to, it's okay! Thanks ❤️

Sorry for taking so long! Hope this brightens your day with Lily watching Harry growing up and so not ready for it (no Voldemort mentioned as requested). Based on a real conversation I heard yesterday!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first time she hears it, Lily thinks she was mistaken.

“What, Harry?” she asks, feeling a strange weight on her chest.

He turns to her again, an innocent smile on his lips. “Can I have another cup of chocolate, Mum?”

Yeah, she heard it right the first time. And it’s as bad as she thought. Mum.

She looks at her son, really stares at him trying to understand what’s prompting this difference in his treatment of her. It doesn’t look as if anything has changed from yesterday. Harry still looks like her six-year-old son, a few weeks away from turning seven, average height for his age, with a face that’s becoming more and more like his father everyday, shining green eyes behind the round-glasses he wears.

He doesn’t look any older than he is, no sudden spurge, no change at all, and yet he has called her Mum.

Not Mama.

“Sure, Harry,” she says slowly. “Mama will prepare for you, okay?”

“Thanks, Mum.”

Mum. Well, she reasons to herself as she warms the milk, it’s better than “mother”, that exaggerated formality that she has heard in other circles and that’s not at all how she and James wanted to raise Harry.

And, well, she couldn’t expect that Harry would call her “Mama” all his life. It is a childish call and Harry is not… is not a child anymore?

No, he is just six. Not her baby anymore, she can accept that. After all, Harry already manages most of his routine by himself; he wakes up alone to go to school—he goes to school—, he remembers to brush his teeth at night, he helps her take care of their garden and all. He is a fine little kid.

Not so little anymore. Soon not even a kid. Merlin, how fast has he grown up?

“Mum?”

Lily blinks, turning off the stove in time to just avoid the milk to spill. Her hands are shaking as she finishes the chocolate, offering it to him. Harry smiles at her in thanks, drinking the chocolate despite the warmth—like her, he prefers his food always hot—and giving himself a mustache in the process.

“Hey.” She grins at him, using the back of her hand to clean his face before he can use a napkin. Lily doesn’t think she is ready for that display of maturity from her son.

“It’s good,” he says gladly, swinging his feet in the chair, still unable to reach the ground. Then he jumps out of the chair. “Can I play outside now?”

“Sure,” she says and, for good measure, she messes with his hair. Harry giggles, but a part of Lily just waits for the day her son will go all teenager and complain about this caring gesture, will move away from her touch. “Leave the cup in the sink.”

Harry nods. He has to stay on his tiptoe to reach the stove and this also warms Lily a little. He isn’t that old yet.

She watches him play outside all day, debating with herself when he will stop having patience to play with his figure toys, his imagination. When he will ask for a real professional broomstick, or when he will be able to actually ride it; when he won’t have time anymore for his old mum, so grown-up and unlikely that baby she held in her arms, that reached for her with plump arms crying happily for his “Mama”...

“What is bugging you?” James asks, coming to her side and placing his arm around her waist. Lily lays her head over his shoulder.

“Harry is growing up.”

“Well, fawns grow into stags,” he says reasonably. “But there is still time.”

Lily sighs. She supposes James is right, but then she thinks she barely saw the last seven years going by. What if she blinks and then he is taller, no baby fatness in him anymore, having no time for his mum?

“He is just so cute like this,” she whispers. She still can hold him in his arms after all. There is a strange desire to freeze him as he is. “But soon he will be going to Hogwarts—we’ll have to go to Diagon Alley and buy his stuff and he’ll already be old enough to have a wand—”

“Oh, I can’t wait for all the Hogwarts letters telling me about his detentions,” James says, grinning. “Hope it’s big enough for a Howler, my parents never send me one.”

“That’s because Monty and Mia pampered you.”

“Well, there’s that.” He laughs. “Or maybe he will be a good student like you. No detention. Prefect even.”

“Nah, Sirius influences him too much.” She bites her lip. “We raised him well, right?”

“We still do,” James notes. “What has caused this?”

Lily flushes. “He called me ‘Mum’”.

James blinks. “You wanted him to call you ‘Lily’?”

“No, it’s just… he used to call me Mama. You know.”

“He calls me Dad,” James shrugs, unconcerned. “I think it’s normal? The other kids in school call for their mum, not mama. He is just trying to not sound too childish.”

“I know.” Lily sighs heavily. “It doesn’t make it any easier.”

James kisses her forehead tenderly.

Later that night, Lily goes to Harry’s room to tuck him in for the night. Harry accepts it without complaint, but when she looks around, she realizes his plushies aren’t there anymore.

“Where’s Godric, Harry?” she asks, thinking of the old lion plush that was his favourite. Harry shrugs.

“In the trunk.”

“Oh.” She pauses, collecting her thoughts. “You used to love sleeping with him.”

“I can sleep alone, Mum,” he answers as if she is being silly. Oh, dear.

“Yeah, you can.” She kisses his cheek and is glad when Harry doesn’t grimace; Lily doesn’t think she is ready for her son to reject a bit of motherly attention. “You are my brave cub lion on your own.”

He giggles. It’s a pure sound, happy and so childish, that she feels a strange relief with it. He is growing up, but maybe this will be slow. She hopes she can enjoy every second of it.

Lily caresses his hair until Harry’s eyes start to close, his expression easing even more, then she stands up.

“Goodnight, Harry.”

He rolls in the bed, almost sleeping already. “Goodnight, Mama.”

She pretends his slip doesn’t make her beam all night.

[dreamieofu]

Yours

pairing: mark x [f] reader   word count: 4.7k genre: strangers to lovers!au, college!au, smut, sexual themes, so much fluff.  summary: Mark is a familiar face, and one night when he asks you to hang out. warning(s): a lot of flirting, slight alcohol consumption, a small bar fight, a lot of kissing, protected sex, slight cockwarming, slight fingering, slight dry humping, tell me.. if there’s more this is my first time writing smut lol.

That’s the thing about love.

It’s unexpected. And this story is short, intense but plays like a record in the back of your head.

He was once someone you’d walk by, a distant stranger. You notice him in the corner of your eye, sitting at the cafeteria. Along with one of your classmates. It seemed to be that way, seeing him at the corner of your eye, around the shop nearest to your dorm. Catching him walk by you, on his way to class.  

A familiar face.

You didn’t think much of it, until you started seeing him more often; curiosity swirling in your mind, each time you’d find yourself looking his way.

Maybe it was his smile, or maybe the way he’d have his hands in his pockets. His stand, as he talks with friends. He was a familiar face, with no name attached to his small loop-sided smile.

It was that one night, near the steps at the front of the dormitory, you see him socialising with your classmate. At first you wanted to greet your classmate with your best friend, Renjun, but the way the boy would smile with his eyes, shots an arrow through your heart.   “Hey,” You gleam, walking towards them. Slightly peering over at him, soaking up the image of him and his hair. The way he stood there, cosy in a grey hoodie and khaki pants. You’d be lying to yourself to say you didn’t walk over in hopes of getting to know him. Your own personal mystery boy. While you introduce yourself, you also don’t fail to notice how much more endearing he was up close. Doe eyes, and a small mole on his cheek, your eyes trailing to find identical ones on the left side of his neck. He speaks, while a small smile creeps up on your cheeks, finally hearing a name for your mystery boy.   “Well, I’m Mark,”.

And just like that, you found yourself in an already blossoming love for him.

You exchanged numbers the night you learnt his name. Slowly, your both grew closer. Mark would go opposite the dorms on most days, hanging out with his friends, drinking beers and dancing around with them. You could see him below from your window, in a not so creepy way. Just admiring the way he laughed with them, and how he’d dance completely immersed in his element.   You send him a message. [6:30pm] I can see you from my window…

You hiccup a small giggle watching Mark instantly look up. His eyes searching for you mindlessly. This time Mark was sat at one of the tables nearby, his phone in his hands, hidden under the table slightly away from his friend, Donghyuck. Even from afar, you see a smile curve his left lip.

Mark [6:31pm] oh yeah? I can’t see you though.

He looks back up from his phone, trying not to be obvious to Donghyuck, that he’s looking for someone. Looking for you.

You exchange a few texts, whilst you watch him from your window. It was fun, the way he would message you from below. The way he would look up to the windows, almost as if he was looking right at you, yet not knowing where you were at all. You move away from your window sighing.   “He’s so cute…” sounding almost exasperated, Renjun chuckles at your words throwing a pillow at you from where he’s sat. You roll your eyes, moving the pillow onto your bed as you sink back into your position. You look out the window again, ignoring Renjun’s laughter.   “It’s obvious that you’re both flirting with each other,” Renjun explains, walking over to your bed which was right next to the window. He looms over the edge of your bed standing in front of your window to look down. He’s quick to find Mark. “I mean, he is cute. Look at him sitting there,” He laughs again, his tone slightly teasing you.   “I know! I’ve been looking at him for too long.” You turn you head at Renjun then back, returning to the window to sneak another glance at Mark.

“Why won’t you make a move? You never know, he could think the same thing about you.” Renjun’s suggestion is tempting, but you’re not very vocal about feelings. Especially if it’s romantical ones for boys you barely know.

But that was as far as you got. Small flirtatious interactions, but never anything like a date. You didn’t have many opportunities to be with him alone, too caught up with other friends. But one day, going home after a day of class, you bump into him and he’s alone.   “Mark!” You call out, with a big smile. You see him turn his head, catching your eyes. His face warms up watching you approach him, looking soft and returning your smile. But just as you get a step close to him, Mark engulfs you in a hug.

The hug was nothing you were expecting, he smells something almost like watermelon candy and it whiffs over you, filling your senses.  Mark’s chest is broader than you imagined, and his arms hold you tight. One of his hands around your middle back, and the other was gently placed at the back of your head bringing you close. His embrace lasted a second too long, before he pulls back, the same loop-sided smile holding his high cheeks. You feel like your heart was being nailed down against your chest, by how hard it was beating. Mark whispers a small “Hey,”.

You feel a little lost in his eyes as you reply, “How was your day?” And Mark smiles even wider at your question.   “Better now that I’ve seen you,” The thing is, Mark knew he was being direct with his flirting. Hoping you’d pick up, and in some ways you did. Mark notices you, probably the same way you have all along. Mark is forward, but in some sense socially awkward. However, when he finds himself in contact with you, things just flow. He doesn’t mind making the obvious vocal, he’s made comments about how he finds you cute. And each time, you don’t believe him. Throwing his words over your shoulder with a scoff and a nervous laugh. He likes the reactions he gets out of you, likes the way you’re nervous under his presence. “I’m going to hang out with Donghyuck later tonight for a drink. Wanna join?”   You radiate heat, both from the close proximity and his proposal. The tension between you two feels a little too much, and you swear his eyes are glistening. He looks pretty today. “I guess I’m free.” You agree.   “Cool, I’ll see you at the bar opposite around 8pm?” You nod at his words.

The time between this moment and 8pm stretched until you find yourself in your room sulking to Renjun.   “I can’t believe he asked me out!” You end your sentence with a whisper scream. Renjun was laid on your bed, on top of your covers one hand holding his head up as he looks at you bored whilst you finish your monologue.   “Well, he was bound to. I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised.” He rolls his eyes at you playfully. “As if you weren’t flirting in all the texts you send each other.”   “That’s not true!” Trying to deny all the times Mark’s messages wouldn’t fail to put a small smile on your face. Renjun says silent with a smug look.  “Okay, fine… We flirt a little… So what? I can’t flirt?” You fight back your past thoughts, knowing Renjun’s quick to call you out anyway.   You push yourself up from your desk, walking towards a full body length mirror. You look at your appearance, a spurge of confidence glowing. You admit that you were excited, as much as you were stressing over it all. “I mean, it’s not like we’re alone, alone. Donghyuck’s going to be there,” You drop your shoulders and pout.   “I mean, he could be just testing waters,” Renjun explains. You do know, although Renjun is your best friend (nothing more), he is a boy and to some extent, knows things like this.   “I guess… Wish me lucks?” You turn around to him, smiling over your shoulder.   “You don’t need it. Be yourself.”

You walk through the bar by yourself, heart racing with slow steps. You pass through dim lights and strangers, finding yourself deeper into the venue. Old vintage posters hung against the narrow walls, the smell of cigarettes surrounding you as music plays in the background. You finally find him. Sat across Donghyuck, with two pints of beers placed in between them as they laugh with each other. Mark notices your figure approaching, looking up at you through his eyelashes. An innocent smirk gracing his lips as Donghyuck silently moves over. You take that as a signal to sit next to him, as you sit across Mark with a breathless, “Hi,”. Donghyuck quietly giggles at the interaction. His hand covering his muted laugh.   “Would you like something to drink?” Mark asks, already getting up from his seat. Your eyes trail and follow his stance as he casts a shadow over your frame. He stands there in a graphic tee which is slightly tight, highlighting his figure. Not that you were staring too much, but he has a nice build. You swoon to yourself at his offer, licking your lips, “Surprise me,” You reply in a tone a tad bit too sultry for your liking, which doesn’t go unnoticed by the two males looking at you. Mark chuckles deeply at your response, a few of his top teeth showing as he nods off with a finishing smile. He walks into the crowd, away from the table and you watch his back.   “Cute.” Donghyuck gains your attention as you whip your head towards him, flushed.   “No,” You squeak, flustered. Because clearly he was referencing what just happened between you and Mark. Donghyuck just lightly laughs at you, taking a swing at his drink. You two talk casually for a few moments, before Mark returns, placing a red fruity looking cocktail in front of you.

“Surprise,” Mark gestures to the drink with a cocky eyebrow, taking his seat opposite you again.   The night goes by really nicely, Donghyuck is funnier around Mark. It was a feel-good vibe, getting to know both of them. You liked Mark’s drink suggestion a lot, so much so, he bought you 2 more throughout the night. Much to your dismay.

You finally felt like you were getting to know Mark outside his flirty day-to-day messages. He really did live up to all your daydreams so far, and you can’t pinpoint what it was about him that kept you so intrigued. Mark ever so often gazes at you, as if to silently ask if you’re okay. It’s comforting, knowing he cares about that.

His foot slightly nudges yours under the table. It causes you to look up from your drink, Mark looks back up at you innocently. The side of his leg brushing ever so gently against the side of your calf. You gulp slightly, watching him slowly move his body forward, away from the back of the chair. His eyes never leaving yours as he does so. Donghyuck is off on his phone, and Mark’s gaze is so intense you have to look away. Incredibly shy under his hold.

Loud shouting interrupts the moment.

Two men at each others lungs while others try and separate them. Their voices are distance but become more clearer when they approach your table faster than you realise. They’re too drunk to balance themselves as they slightly knock over against your shared bench with Donghyuck. Donghyuck instinctively puts an arm behind, to block them from pushing further. It gets a little out of hand when they knock against the bench once more, pushing your body against the table for you to gain steady balance from the impact. Mark notices your distressed look, “Come,” He mouths to you, knowing the fighting men were too loud for you to hear him. You got the point, once they backed off a little. Standing quickly, Mark mirrors you. He lets you sit in the inside of the seat, against the wall and he sits beside you again. This time, his warm hand holds one of yours from under the table. Donghyuck is safe, looking behind his shoulders looking at the guys. The argument sounded really drunk influenced and pointless, and it makes Donghyuck disinterested. Mark holds your hand close to his belly, over his lap as he looks forward, watching as Donghyuck does. But you’re looking at Mark ever so gently, touched that he’s trying to silently soothe your panicked thoughts.   The guys fighting finally cooled off and were escorted outside. “It’s common around here,” Donghyuck is the first to speak, his head motioning backwards swiftly referencing the guys who just left. “I’m going to use the toilet,” He clicks his tongue, getting up and leaving. Mark never lets go of your hand the whole time.   “Are you okay?” He asks, concern swimming in his tone as he looks at you. You were flustered since it happened all so quick. You nod though admitting, “I’ve never really seen something like that happen,”. Mark gives you a small sympathetic smile. He gives your hand a small squeeze as reassurance and it makes you feel safe. You’re grateful that they helped you from getting hurt, you don’t go out to bars or pubs often, so this experience was new. You both stayed in comfortable silence, looking at each other fondly. Only for a few short moments though because Donghyuck returns to the table.   “Anyway,” He coughs, breaking yet another one of your moments. “It’s getting late, how about we start heading back?” Donghyuck suggests, grabbing hold of his jacket that he took off earlier that night. Mark lets go of your hand upon hearing that, and gets up along with Donghyuck who stood waiting.   “Come, let us bring you home.” Mark smiles down at you, and you feel sad he let go of your hand. You stand with him, as Donghyuck leads you all back outside. The air was cool, and the same two guys were still arguing in the distance, away from the place you just left. You trail behind Mark and Donghyuck, hugging yourself as you all walk through the glass doors of the dorm’s reception entrance. Mark presses the buttons in the lift. He stayed on one of the top floors, and you lived on the 5th. Both Donghyuck and Mark drops you to your dorm door. Making sure to see you go inside, Mark stayed leaning against the side of your door as you stand in the tiny hallway entrance that leads to your single room. A smile on his lips as he says “Goodnight,” Donghyuck mirroring his words before they leave and you close the door behind them.   You were alone again, smiling to yourself at tonight’s events. Missing the way Mark held your hand. You take off your coat and place your bag down before turning on a lamp. You were about to change before you hear a knock on your door. You tilt your head at the sound, questioning if you heard correctly. You stride towards your door anyway, curiously opening the door to find Mark standing there. “Mark…” You say softly as he smiles at the way you say his name. “How come?” You continue, a bit lost for words as you step back widening the door. Mark took this as an invitation to walk into your room. “I was on my floor, but I wanted to see you again,” Mark confesses. He stands in the middle of your slightly glowed room. The small lap emitting a soft yellow glow throughout the room. Mark’s quick to scan your room and you silently thank yourself for cleaning up earlier today.   “You wanted to see me again?” You repeat his words, shutting the door and locking it for extra measure. You walk towards him, your throat feeling a bit dry. You gulp down the dryness, all of a sudden feeling vulnerable because he just stands there with an unreadable expression on his face. “Yeah, I wanted to do this,” He speaks with confidence, closing the distance between you in seconds. He’s quick to effortlessly find purchase at the base of your neck, bringing your face close to his in a swift movement. Taking you by shock. But before he even dares to kiss you, there’s silence. A complete juxtaposition to how he was confident a beat ago. You watch him flutter his eyes close, his lips barely a breath away before he whispers to you ever so quietly, “Just tell me if you don’t want this and I’ll stop.”   Your breath hitches in your lungs, as he delicately kisses your bottom lip. It’s just placed there for a second, barely a kiss. Before he continues, he lets you talk. You don’t say anything though. Mark takes the initiative to pull you closer this time, his other hand around your waist as you relax under his touch. He kisses you again with intention.   This time, he feels assertive, and yearning. You melt into his kiss, finally settling into the curve of his jaw. Holding his face, his smooth skin warm under your palm. This gesture makes Mark smile into your kiss, finally feeling you accept and kiss him back. The kiss is sweet, and his lips plush as he moves them along, just perfectly, his tongue lining against your bottom lip parting them. You welcome him with a small whimper, and he steps backwards. You mindlessly dance with him towards your bed as you both kiss each other with open mouths and open hearts.   The back of Mark’s legs meet the side of your bed as he falls backwards, sitting down. You follow him forward, and gently bite his lips as he giggles. He uses the back of his hands to move further into the bed making room for you. You find yourself straddling his lap, reconnecting your lips together once again. “I think I like you,” Mark suddenly confesses, his heart thumping hard against his chest as he looks at you. The way you place your hands against his chest steadying your balance, you’re speechless. Both because of how he kisses you, and how you’ve ended up in this position. Mark is eager as he holds your hips in place, “Maybe a bit too much,” He chuckles. You smile, letting your weight sink onto his lap as your forehead falls on top of his with an elated smile.   There’s undeniable tension, you both feel it, and more so under you. Mark is noticeably hard, but you choose to stay silent about it. Liking the way you’re so close, and he feels just as vulnerable as you. You give him one small peck, before replying, “I like you too,”. This is all the confirmation Mark needs before he kisses you with more hunger. A feverish tension connecting you both, as his fingers slip under your shirt, gripping and pulling you down against his crotch. You laugh to yourself at how cute he was, trying to hint at you. Pulling away from the kiss, Mark finds a new journey along your neck and behind your ear. Easily finding all your sensitive spots as if he’s known your body forever. You moan embarrassingly, as he detaches his now swollen lips. Eyes now hooded as he reaches behind his head, his jacket already placed else where in the midst of making out. To then grab the collar behind his neck to take off his shirt. You lean backwards a bit, giving him room as your eye the way his bare skin was slowly being exposed under the soft light. The dimness contouring the light outline of his torso. His head pops up with a dorky smile, throwing the shirt over your shoulder. You giggle at his gesture, finding confidence to kiss along his jaw, meeting and kissing his tiny moles on his neck with open mouthed kisses. He likes the way you kiss him and you can tell, by the way his fingers traces along your back. Mark’s hands grips your ass bringing you both closer together. This move makes him fall backwards. You move along with him as he kicks off his shoes and socks, he’s laid back as you move above him more comfortably. You stay straddling him, looking down as you shyly tug the bottom of your shirt. “Close your eyes,”.   Mark seemed to find this endearing and he complies. Closing his eyes much to his dismay, he feels you get up from your position. He stays silent though, knowing you weren’t going anywhere. “Now open…” Mark barely hears you, as he supports himself on his elbows. He opens his eyes to find you standing near the bed, arms around your waist hugging yourself. It was obvious you were shy and nervous, but there you stood. And Mark swore he’s never seen anything as beautiful as you in that moment. Bitten lips, soft skin, glossy eyes and the light from the lamp glowing through the small strands of your messy hair. Mark stands in front of you, unzipping his trousers as he does so. Eyes connecting with yours as he takes them off in front of you. You gulp, feeling feverish under his gaze. The air so thick, as he steps out of his trousers and kicks them away. He reaches out his hand for you to hold, to guide you to the bed. It’s so quiet in your room, you can literally hear your heart ringing against the tips of your ears. “Just tell me if you don’t want this and I’ll stop,” He repeats his earlier words, but now he’s above you. His hands supporting himself against the sides of your head. His hair hanging above your face, tickling your forehead. You scrunch your nose when he smiles at you, “I want this, and I want you,” You whisper, lifting your head to meet him against his lips. Arms looping from his arms that caged you, to hold him around this shoulders connecting from behind his neck. He kisses back, pushing more force as he lets himself relax in your arms. He supports himself flat with his elbows, his legs shuffling between yours. He feels even harder than before, now barely clothed. And he makes sure you know of it, by grinding it against your clothed entrance. You stay kissing him for long moments, the sounds of his breath hitching when you scratch your nails along his bare back. He pulls away eyes still closed, “Condom?” Mark sounds breathless and needy.   You nod, no words forming as your hand reaches to the bedside table. You blindly search through the drawer for your tiny black bag of free condoms the university provided. Mark chuckles when you tap the bag against his rib. He opens his eyes, and smiles to himself.  This time, he straddles you. After taking off his boxers and rolling the condom on. He looks at your hooded eyes through his eyelashes, sucking in his bottom lip when he finally has the condom on. You don’t fail to notice how pretty his fingers looked wrapped around his cock, the size he was and how this was happening. He throws the bag on the floor, before finding your lips again. You yelp in his mouth when his fingers moves along your slit, pushing against the cotton material of your underwear. Your arousal so evident against the material. “You’re wet,” Mark speaks of the obvious with disbelief. He can’t believe he’s managed to get you this wet, with just kisses. It ignites something in him because you find him pressing aside your underwear, hearing his finger lining upwards to collect your wetness briefly. He lifts them and places it in between your kiss, moaning as you both taste yourself on his fingers. Tongues licking at each others briefly.  You whimper when he returns his fingers, this time playing around with your essence and your entrance, “So wet…” He whispers to himself. He barely grazes your clit, before he kisses your neck. Mark’s head resting at the crook of your neck, marking you, when he lines himself up to your entrance. Your wetness easily hugging around the head of his cock. He bites down on your shoulder, finally moving forward to start filling you up. You open your legs wider to accommodate him, gasping at the stretch, nails digging into his shoulders. He teeth lets go of your shoulder to moan breathlessly against your ear, nibbling while he bottoms out.   “F-fuck,” He mutters, “it's so warm inside you,” whispering along with your whimpers because he doesn’t move. Your walls welcome him with love. He’s sinking into your warmth and it makes him crazy.  He only moves once he hears you moan out his name exasperated. “Ma-Mark…” and he starts.

Swift and precise with his thrusts, buckling up into your walls, as your mouth hangs open. He grunts when you clench around his length. “You’re so good, you feel so good,” He praises you, adorning you with his lips, and gentle kisses. He hovers above your glistening glossy eyes, looking into your fucked out expression from his movements. He doesn’t let go of your gaze, hitting into you harder making you bite your lip and knit your eyebrows together. His eyes intense and dark. You hold your clench around him when he speeds up, the way you moan his name like a chant, encourages him to speed up. He feeds off how you thrash your head, moaning and breathing with each thrust he gives you. Rolling his hips as you stick out your tongue. He welcomes you into his mouth, sucking onto you hard, fucking into you double.

“You make me feel so good…. Just like that,” You confess breathless, and he rolls his eyes at how muffled you sound. His hand trailing from your ankle, ghosting above your skin and making you follow along. One of his hands holding himself, while the other fiddles with your harden nipple. You gasp, licking your lips as he lowers his head. Mark’s lips attach onto the bud, sucking and rolling his tongue around. Needy you latch your legs around his waist as he thrusts deeper than you could have previously imagined. You choke on your spit, as he knits his eyebrows accidentally bitting your nipple.

His skin glistening with a sheen of sweat, “Pretty girl,” He kisses your cheeks, and you feel close. You clench onto him harder and tighter the closer you get, and he notices. This makes him speed up, chasing ecstasy, eyes peering over your expressions. The sound of skin slapping, and uneven breathes fill the room as you cum around him. Mouth hung open, your blunt nails running at his back, red lines of love and he’s in awe. Mark’s lips crashing into yours in a whimper. Your legs slightly shake around his figure, falling limp, but Mark doesn’t let up his movements. Chasing your orgasm with his, and he does seconds later. He stills himself above you, holding his breath as you feel him pulse inside of you. His orgasm lasting longer than he’s used to. Warmness sticking your bodies together as his strength gives out. Mark lets his body fall next to you, head spinning, trying to catch his breath. “Fuck…” He whispers to himself.   “We just did,” You smile turning your head, watching as his chest heaves, his hair pressed against his forehead. You rest your palm on his chest, feeling overwhelmed with everything. His heartbeat under your palm. Mark still had so much to show you, you both know it. And you’re excited to find it out. He lets out an airy laugh because of your words, his head now turning in a similar way to see you. His body turns to you also, his hand resting against your face as you look at each other. The tension settling in and feeling like adoration. “Will you be mine?” Mark sounds nervous, which you find really funny considering the deed you both just did together. Nonetheless, you smile at his words, feeling self-assured and vulnerable as you reply, “I’m already yours.”

[rosepetals-flyingbirds]

These Monsters.

With: Geralt x Reader.

Word Count: 2,436

Another town, another search for a monster so Geralt could gain some coin.

Roach walked slowly and Geralt gazed at the new town, it was dirty and smelled weird. Common.

Sometimes he wonders about Jaskier's questioning of retirement. Geralt chuckled at the thought, where could he possibly live after retirement?

"Oh shit! You bloody bitch!" A man yelled and Geralt searched for the disturbance. "Stop meddling."

"I ain't! I'm asking politely and with coin for the dog!"

"Stop caring so much. You and your damn dogs!"

Geralt got off Roach and walked close to the scene. "Don't curse them! Their lives matter more than yours." You yelled.

The man held your forearm. "Oh you-"

Geralt approached and the man looked up at him, he wasn't short, but Geralt was gigantic. "Do we have a problem?"

The man looked at him up and down. "Don't meddle, Witcher." He spat on the floor and Geralt looked at you.

You knew he wanted an answer so you chuckled. "This man refuges to sell me his dog, even though he is a monster that is selling him for terrible people who will kill him for rituals."

"Rituals my ass. There are using them for magic."

Geralt glanced at the man and then noticed the dog that was being held by a firm rope. "Selling?"

You nodded. "Yes."

"Why won't you sell for her then. Its the same price?"

The man rolled his eyes, not believing the annoying you and a Witcher was bothering him. "Its! But this is about my pride."

You laughed in mockery making the man angrier. "What pride? Your assassin!"

Geralt looked at you with gleam with his eyes, you were short, probably couldn't handle a sword for your life if needed, but there you stood causing chaos to save an animal. Then he looked at the man again and extended his hand to grab the dog's rope. "Give her the dog, it'll be for the best."

The man looked at the Witcher's hand and looked offended. "Don't touch my dog!"

You intertwined quickly making Geralt smirk at your ferocity. "Is not yours! You're selling him to slaughter!"

Geralt looked at the man again and gave him a look of knowing. "Give it to the girl, now."

He looked at you, the scared dog, the Witcher and rolled his eyes he took the coins from your hand and marched to the opposite way mumbling some curses.  

You kneeled on the floor and caressed the baby's head. "Hello girl, we will go home okay?! You will be treated with respect."

Geralt could walk away, he should have, but his feet were glued to the spot. Why did you care for such a small creature? 

Fighting with dumb people to save them.

Realizing the broadening figure that still stood near you, you stood up and held the damned rope. "Thank you, for helping me. Honestly, that asshole wouldn't give in and I was desperate."

He hummed and a small smile broke his lips. "You? Desperate?"

"Yeah, because if I stole him then they would kill me, probably anyway. I have stolen others before and... if I die all of this will be hopeless."

"Why do you care so much?"

"They are alive beings, man's best friend! And they betray them and its disgusting!" You saw the pretty horse in a few steps away and by the black bag that was propped by the horse's side, you connected it to the man with white hair and striking eyes. "Is she yours?"

Looking at Roach he nodded. "How did you know?"

"Well, for one she is well treated, that gives away a lot, and I've never seen you before."

"I'm a Witcher, I'm searching for a job."

"You kill monsters." You thought out loud. He nodded and you looked at the curious people that were going outside their houses just to look at him. "If I had enough coin I would give you to kill these monsters." Geralt knew you meant the people and he found that amusing. "Well, I will go now. Thank you for helping me and if you ever need help or a cup of tea, or ale," You chuckled. "I live deep in the woods, you'll probably hear the dogs if you approach."

Smirking at you, Geralt saw you walking away.

                           …

Nearing your house you held the baby in your arms and opened the door carefully, you allowed your other dogs, or as you call them, children, to smell the new baby and you went to cook something for them.

As you prepared the food your attention went to the Witcher you met in town, how he helped you made you smile. 

Yes, he was very very, painfully so, handsome; But the fact that he helped you when everyone else called you crazy was amazing to you. And how his horse was so well treated made you smile believing he cares for the animals too.

You placed the dogs' food in the table waiting for it to cool off and took the new baby to wash her. "Hello you, you have been through some rough time uh?!" She shaked with the water and you tried to go as quickly as you could so you could dry her up.

In the end, you rubbed a towel in her fur and went back to the kitchen placing the food on the floor and watched the nine rescued dogs eating.

                           …

Geralt found a job, a ghoul. It was stealing dead bodies at the local cemetery, and of course everyone was afraid of the 'demon that is destroying our ancestors' as the blacksmith said.

It wasn't easy, and at the end of the fight, he was embraced in ghoul's gut and a wound in his thigh.

"Fuck." He grunted and threw the body in the floor, he watched the almost opened graves but avoided it, he was paid to kill the monster, not to clean it's mess.

He walked back to town limping a bit, the beast's nail perforated his thigh and he needed to find Roach and take one of the potion elixir that helped his witcher magic heal him faster, the one made with veratrum, stramonium, hawthorn, and spurge.

On the way back to town, where he would rent a room he heard a bark, well, a bunch of. He thought of you along the day, the people he met in town where rough, most of them didn't have their teeth, nor education for the matter.

Yet you shone upon them, not only because of the gentleness with smaller creatures, but also how good you looked. 

As if you ran off a castle. 

You did invite him earlier did you not?

Letting a grunt he tried to decide if he should or shouldn't go visit you.

Following the barks he reached a small house, no dogs outside being locked in chains, he peeked inside and saw by the window a dog with white neat fur. So you let them inside too?

A lot of barks erupted as if the dog in the window told the others that a visitor was approaching their home and they didn't know if Geralt would hurt their human or not.

You approached by the window to call the dogs but realize he was outside.

Quickly you opened the door and looked at him up and down, the smell of guts was strong but the injury in his thigh was prominent by your eyes. Even with the dark cloth of his trousers covering it you could see his blood, then it might be disastrous.

"What happened?"

"I found a case."

"I can see that." You smiled but he could see the fear in your eyes, not because of him, which made him feel comfort. "I, uh, can I help you? Do you wanna bath I think I have some herbs ointment here." Geralt looked at dogs howling at him and you shushed them making them stop. "Come in."

"I, I don't want to get your house dirty with ghoul's guts."

You smiled and shrugged. "I don't know what that is but I don't mind."

As Geralt walked in you spoke with the dogs. "Luna, Ásia let him in, he is a friend."

Geralt looked at them and followed you to what looked like a bathroom. "I don't know your name." He spoke with a grunt and you smiled. 

"I don't know yours either." He hummed and you grabbed a towel for him, and searched for a tunic and trousers big enough to fit him. 

Geralt looked at the water buckets and you told him he could use them. Getting back at the bathroom you placed the clothes in a chair. "I don't know if they will fit but I believe it's better than these ones." You pointed to his clothes. 

"My name is Geralt. Geralt of Rivia."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Y/N, Y/N of... here? I guess." Seeing he used the buckets of water you would use before his arrival you pointed to the sponge and allowed him space to clean up. "I will be outside."

Geralt appreciated the gesture and got out of his clothes slowly to not hurt his thigh further, gladly his healing process was way faster and efficient than humans.

You went to your kitchen to fetch something for him to eat, Geralt was a Witcher, he hunted monsters, killed them and with that he automatically helped people too. Why people hated them? 

You knew the dumb tales, and the stares everyone threw at him earlier on made you upset.

He wouldn't hurt you... would he?

Ruby, the most caring dog you had, patted you in the thigh as if asking what was wrong. "Its okay boy."

                       …

Sometime later Geralt opened the wooden door and you looked at him wearing the loosest clothes you had, but even then they were a bit firm in his body.

"How is your thigh?"

Geralt sat in the chair near the table and you placed a wooden cup with ale for him, and as you have placed the bread, fruits in the table ere you sat to make him company. "Better, it will heal overnight." He drank the whole cup and started to eat the bread.

"How?"

"Magic." He answered simply, not revealing how the magic could help him much less where his magic came from.

"You don't talk much do you?" He smiled and looked at the almost destroyed bread he was eating.

"I'm sorry."

"No it's okay, I'm just curious about you. Magic you say uh?!"

"Yeah."

You saw him looking at the fruits as if something was missing. "I'm sorry but I don't have any type of meat here, I don't hunt nor buy it."

"It is okay, you're very generous."

Geralt felt something touching his feet and looked at the dogs surrounding him.

"They like you."

"How?"

"Well, they are not barking and are asking for bread." You smiled.

"Should I give them?" For a moment you swore you saw a glimpse of worry in his eyes.

"No no, they already ate and bread isn't good for them." He nodded and you served him more ale. "So, where you'll sleep tonight?"

"I will find a room in town."

"You'll leave tomorrow?"

He got silent for a while, deep in thought. "Yes."

In that would be the last time you saw him, or any Witcher to be straightforward. "You'll go home?"

"I don't have one."

"Not even in Rivia?"

"Definitely not in there."

"So you go from town to town? All over the state?" He nodded. "I don't know if I would be able to do that." Geralt smiled at your sincerity, almost everyone he met annoyed him about their lives and how lucky he is for traveling, when it isn't luck, its a curse. He was transformed into a Witcher and didn't have the luck of having a home or a family. "Well, I will wash your clothes. Or you want to take them dirty and all?"

You awaited for the answer and Geralt opened his mouth, but shut it quickly reconsidering his words. "If it won't be an inconvenience I would appreciate it."

"Sure thing." Leaving the kitchen you grabbed the stained clothes in the bathroom and went outside to wash them.

Geralt stood up from the chair and moved at the place, the dogs were looking at him contemplating the weird man in their home, he sat in the couch and propped his back, letting a sigh of relief. He was exhausted, days sleeping in the woods because of the search for a job. So finally feeling a warm house with a comfortable sofa was amazing to him.

Half of an hour later you entered your home again and placed the clothes in a made-up line near the fireplace, it was cold outside so it wouldn't dry them with the same efficiency.

You saw three of the dogs sleeping near the fire, two under the table and then the one you rescued earlier in the sofa, near a very tall Witcher. Geralt was passed out, you studied at him and then at the door, he said he would rent a room in town earlier on, but you wouldn't wake him up when he was so obviously relaxed.

Going to your room and finding the other three dogs near your bed, you petted one of them and grabbed a blanket you had made recently, you placed it in Geralt's body and gazed at him seeking for any sign of discomfort.

Finding none you walked back to your room and closed the door. Putting a small dagger you had under your pillow, you sat in bed and caressed your dog, Ubbe. Geralt wouldn't try something bad, you were sure of it, but to be sure you had to at least be prepared.

And as for Geralt, he slept better than he had in days.

                          …

The night passed and he woke up with a lick on his face. Grunting he opened his eyes and saw the dog he helped you buy the day prior, he smiled at the small creature and sat in the sofa stretching his sore muscles, touching his leg he realized the injury was apparently gone. And looking at his surrounds he smiled at how the sun rays swept in the atmosphere making everything look warmer, brighter, and better. 

And adding the place to the way you treated him with nothing but gentleness he smiled. Yeah, people were shitty but sometimes he was blessed by meeting good souls.

And he will try his best to treat you with nothing but.

                      …

[the-headbop-wraith]

3 _ 47  A Goodbye Letter

 Kingsman Mechanics didn’t usually pick out supplies with smaller distributors, but occasionally Arthur would roll around to collect some of the less essential equipment which had a habit of wearing out. Sometimes it was worth it to spurge a buck if the use was versatile enough, while other equipment had components that wore out regularly and it required periodic maintenance. Other assets he did like to snag spur of the moment, typically for his personal work such as on his arm, or when he needed inspiration for new gear that was hitting the market.

 It was always such an outlet to head out of town and browse the techno shop, supplied with quality parts and computer components for modest prices. One division of the shop displayed aisles of industrial shelving, with test gadgets up top for casual shoppers. Other portions of the store dedicated inventory to domestic living, or industrial distribution. It was likewise one of the nearest shops that carried valued craft supplies for largescale modeling, such as welding and do-it-yourself engineering. For Arthur’s needs, he was aiming for some new soldering parts to boost the efficiency in a refurbished arm.

 There were advantages to a custom made mechanical arm. Dealing with corroded bolts and nuts or working with a stubborn, over twisted bolt was not the issue it used to be. However, it wasn’t a real arm, some of the angles he used to twist into for reaching sections of a car was now troublesome, and his false arm had limits different to a limb of flesh and blood. The circuits and servos didn’t mend on their own over time, if something inside the arm ceased altogether the whole arm crapped out. He couldn’t call for ten and give the arm a chance to heal, anything that needed fixing Arthur did so in his spare time. To avoid those complications, rotors and gears required maintenance; the harder the work, the more frequent the checkups. Circuits burnt out due to overuse – sometimes it overheated – wiring frayed of came loose from the excessive movement and prolonged abuse.

 And dear gods, did he abuse his arm.

 He moved down the large lane, checking his phone and comparing the listing to the names and brands of spooled wires in bins. A metal with a higher heat tolerance was more expensive, but it would endure more hours. However, he needed to construct a better housing for the circuit line to prevent the insulation getting snagged. One of the first arms he built, he totally forgot to factor in gravity and momentum; the wires were not secured like they should’ve been and the model was short lived. He didn’t even make it through the first (return to) paranormal case, they didn’t even arrive to the destination before the thing died.

 With a shudder, he tossed the elected spool into his basket. Within, some large crates of craft metal for repairing cosmetic areas of the shop. Some lowkey cheapy materials he bought offhand, rather order wholesale. Some test gear to burn through before reaching out to large distributors for orders.

 Next, he ventured to the aisle for hosing and insulation components. A new building line for storing energy for the battery would extend the functionality of his arm. The only thing he could do while resting was recharge the internal battery, big whoop.

 On his way to the aisle, Arthur dithered and gave his space a brief examination. The creeping sensation that someone was watching, or someone followed him. It was no mistake, he knew that sensation better than a burn. No way this was paranoia. Never would he attribute his instincts to paranoia.

 For now, he played it cool. It was more to the hope that being out in public would deter something malicious, but he wouldn’t let on about his suspicions. Once he reached the parking zone, he’d have to be on his—

 In his ruminations, Arthur almost didn’t react in time to avoid the basket that eased out into his path. However, his reflexes remained uncontested, and he managed to swerve despite his gimp arm.

 “Holy crepes! I’m so sorry, excuse—” He shut up, and mayhap his face drained of what little color it had. In his path stood….

 MAMMA PEPPER!

 The stern face, the tight shoulders, the imposing aura. Arthur purposefully avoided the Pepper Paradiso, the whole Pepper Bushel – save one vengeful spook – nononononononononononononononononononoNO! Why is she here? He avoided all the grocery stores in all their small town, save for the few times he had to go out and pick up foodstuffs because his Uncle was too sick or swamped with work, whatever – he couldn’t let Uncle Lance go out, even if he insisted he was fine – she couldn’t be here, not in the sacred mechanics haven. The last frontier of casual shopping, and freedom from the accusing eye. This was inconceivable!

 Arthur opened his mouth, but words abandoned him. His throat generated an eerie whine. “Ack.”

 “Arthur,” Mamma Pepper spoke, voice icy, but somehow heated and thick. “I haven’t seen you in some time. You and Vivi, don’t come by anymore. Do you?”

 Any shape or form of human vocalization was beyond Arthur. He clenched his jaw, choked back a swallow, and tried for a syllable. “Uh.”

 “Are you all right? Should I leave you?” She pulled the basket backwards, though there was plenty of room for Arthur to move onward.

 “No,” squeaked Arthur. “Uh… it’s all right. I mean, I’m fine. It’s okay.” He took a breath. Without a word, Mamma Pepper stood, rigid and impassive. “Yeah. It’s fine. Um, Vivi… she uh, she—” He stalled when Mamma Pepper raised a hand.

 “I see. I didn’t mean to intrude.” She tightened her grip on the basket. “I try not to push, but I also don’t want you both believing you are not welcome. You are always… welcomed at the Pepper Paradiso. Does it help when I remind you?” She peaked one critical eye at Arthur.

 He nodded. “It… yes. I appreciate the offer.” He glanced aside, then, checked the supplies in the basket. Industrial Gas Connectors, among other parts and pieces from gauges to replacement dials. “How’s the restaurant doing?” Mamma Pepper seemed to frown. Seemed to. And sighed.

 “Business as usual.”

 “I didn’t mean the business,” Arthur interjected. “I was talking about your equipment. I meant to call and ask, if you… needed some maintenance work? I could come by sometime. I can bring, eh… Vivi. She’d like to come by too, I think. I’d have to ask. She’s been, um…” reflexively, he reached over to grip at his metal wrist, “been doing, erm… well. Yeah. I wanted to ask….” He stalled.

 Mamma Pepper’s stare became harder, more critical. But there was an underlying softness he could scarcely discern.

  __

 For the past month Lewis spent the bulk of his time at Vivi’s apartment, while she was out at work or checking in with Arthur during days off. Though she recognized Lewis wouldn’t remain the whole time locked away or secluded from the world, he left notes when he was jamming off and for how long he intended to be. Where he went remained a mystery, which she was not super eager to inquire about but she did remain curious. She was more apt in reading his nonverbal cues and perhaps a little underestimated in her abilities, given her experience with paranormal creatures.

 Today was one of the first times she hauled Lewis out, though he was foremost invited to change up his ‘routine’, whatever that consisted of. For a bit, he pretended to give the offer some thought – while he hovered midair looking pretty relaxed. It wasn’t a huge surprise that he went along, not that he had a schedule or anything to keep on task with. Aside from shopping runs, a task reserved for the evening, with funds set out for his personal use, and having no real needs of his own. He spent the money on making sure Vivi was well stocked, so poor-poor Mystery wouldn’t have to watch his partner drink those awful canned teas.

 This day was not one to be in any particular place, with an established time to return on. It was a rare day to get out there and go nowhere, spend time in each other’s company.

 And Vivi felt like she was getting to know a Lewis better. She wasn’t certain which Lewis she was becoming more aware of, since there was a difference between Lewis Pepper when he was living, and the Lewis postmortem – if she was to put it indelicately. There were not enough notebooks and folders in the Box which gave her insight into Lewis Pepper, not enough pictures to rekindle memories stolen from the pools of reflection. It didn’t matter so much that she remembered who he was, but that she knew who he is. It bothered her that she lost what once was, and might never be able to take it back.

 A braided crown of stems and flowers alit on Vivi’s head. She took it down and gave the hoop shape a brief scrutiny.

 “Not my best flower crown,” Lewis admitted. “But not a lot of flowers ‘round here.” He held a short stem between his teeth, and gave a comical southern draw.

 “Is it imbued with special, mystical properties?” She turned the crown over and over. Lewis’ voice hitched, as he cackled.

 “No, Vii. Not everything needs special secret magic to make it special.” He grinned. “It’s an old fashioned, unremarkable, flower crown.”

 Vivi set the crown back upon her head. “Plants always have a charm about them, through the winter they endure. I don’t know what it is. The dormancy, the anticipation of reawakening post a harsh and relentless season, something previously viewed as unsightly, reviving, blooming. Hmm… I hope we can have a snowfall before the cold ends.”

 Lewis shrugged. He leaned back against the tree they sat beneath, shaded from the sun by the thin branches brimming with miniscule buds. “One more snow fall wouldn’t be too bad, though I always love the colors of spring. I’m eager for the return of some color.”

 Across the open field of the park, Mystery darted by like a bullet. As if a vengeful spirit was snapping at his tail. Like he was racing his own shadow.

 Vivi reclined back and rested her head on his thigh. “Hey.”

 “Hmm?”

 “When you leave your notes? Do you actually go out somewhere, or… do you sometimes rest too?” she pondered. “I get this feeling you’re not gone completely. Like you’re still there, but unresponsive. Resting?”

 Lewis reached a hand up and scratched at his cheek. “Uh, perceptive much? Sometimes I am a little weary and can’t fully manifest, like the way you… know. Since I can’t just be, I don’t want you to worry. Other times, I’ll find my way to the van. It… is a place where I feel at peace. Dunno why that is.”

 Vivi pulled her hands up and folded them over her middle. “Hanging around with the living still overwhelming?”

 “It’s a lot of energy to deal with. I can’t really escape it.” Vivi smirked.

 “And how’s the van coming along?”

 Lewis wheezed, “Slowly.”

 Vivi tilted her head back further and gazed into the rich azure sky. “What about you? Not that it matters right now, but you’re not casting a shadow. That only happens when somethings on your mind, or you’ve pushed yourself a little too much.”

 Lewis reached over and tucked back a loose hair under the woven crown. “That’s nothing to worry about, I’ve been more active than usual. I guess it’s not so noticeable when we’re doing the travel gig, and you’re focused not on me.” He offered a sly waggle of his brow above the sunglasses, and Vivi responded by squinting back suspiciously. “Mi queria, don’t worry so much. If I thought something was off, you’d be the first person I’d go to.”

 Vivi scoffed. “You better, buster.”

 Mystery sprinted over and gave pause, long enough to tumble down beside Vivi and roll in the scraggily grass. “Mystery!” The wily hound snatched the crown from her head and took off, his yapping suspiciously rebounding like cackling laughter. “You give that back!” Vivi flew up, scrambling to get on her feet. Lewis was up immediately, skiing forward.

 “Oh! I absolutely will catch you! Don’t you doubt it!”

 The ears and hair on Mystery shot up, and he was off faster than a beam of light. Lewis dove after the dog, zigzagging in wild patterns and grabbing at thin air upon every duck and slide Mystery pulled. The grass beneath Lewis’ heels scorched upon every twist; try as he might though, the pup was unattainable.

 Before Vivi could fully devote herself to the chase, the muffled hum of her phone went off. She almost went ahead and left the phone beneath the tree, tucked away safely in the backpack, but decided better and picked it up. “Arthur?”

 “Hey,” replied through the phone.

 “Didn’t expect a call from you. Is everything okay?” She spun around and watched as Mystery made a wide turn, with Lewis hot on his tail. Literally. When Lewis spied Vivi on the phone, he abruptly broke out of his glide and jogged over. “Hmm?”

 “What was that? Is Lew there?”

 “Yeaahhh… Lew’s here.” She grinned up at the aforementioned specter. Lewis’ appearance flashed and shimmered, he set his hands on his vest and tugged. “Arthur says hi.”

 “Tell him… hey, back for me?”

 “Lew says Hay.” Arthur laughed. That was a good sound.

 “I was callin’ to see if you were busy tonight, I have something I wanna ask.”

 Vivi stepped back into the shade and leaned on the tree. “You can’t ask right now, over the phone?” Mystery padded around the side of the tree, lil crown looped over one ear.

 “It’s ahh… a lil complicated, to talk about. Actually, you and Lew both.” Arthur didn’t sound super fortified himself, but his words came through. “Would Lew be willing to come by? If not, that’s okay too. It’s up to him. But he can come by too, I could talk to him.”

 Vivi looked over to Lewis and hit the mute button on her phone. “He wants to see you.”

 “I got that.” Lewis’ appearance dimmed, the burning eye behind the sunglasses glistened in the shifting fractures of his projected appearance. For a moment, Vivi thought he would vanish or lose his grip.

 “You can say no,” she affirmed. “You don’t have to give a reason. He’ll understand.”

 Lewis snatched her hand before she could work at the phone screen. “No, espera. I’d like to see Artie.”

 “You sure?” You and he… you think you’re up for it?”

 “Yeah.” Lewis took the little stalk of grass from his mouth and tossed it. “If he’s cool, I’d be down for a visit.”

 Vivi unmuted her phone. “Hey Art, you still there?” Arthur replied with a hum. Some background noise came through his side, it sounded like traffic or machinery. “What would be a good time for us to swing by?”

 “Around seven, a little after,” he offered. “I’m running some errands, so no rush. You don’t sleep, do you?”

 “Mmm,” Vivi mocked contemplated. “It’s not in my schedule.” A sound akin to static emitted, and she took it as Lewis best attempt at clearing his throat. “Sounds good.” She wondered briefly, but dismissed the thoughts. “We’ll see you then.” She clicked off the phone and made certain it was closed out.

 To Lewis, “He sounded tense and anxious. I didn’t want to ask.”

 Lewis went over and took the crown off Mystery’s head, and set it back on Vivi’s blue hair. “If there’s a problem, I can duck out. Not that I mind a meet, some nonbusiness would be a nice change.”

 Vivi peered at him quizzically. “I don’t think there should be. He’s put a lot of work at the shop, and that helps. But we’ll see.” She began walking, with Mystery picking up the pace by her side and Lewis at her shoulder. “Anywhere else you wanna roll by and check out?” She fitted her hand into Lewis’ and gripped his fingers.

 In a flash of embers, Lewis lost his very convincing living appearance and stood frozen mid stride. At least the park for the time sat empty.

 Vivi stiffened. “Fuck!”

 __

 Another crate of supplies went into the back of the work truck on loan. The parts and materials sat on high value, even the copper was an easy swipe if some lowlife happened by and recognized the glossy hull. With all the valuables packed into the front seats, Arthur shut and locked up.

 Paths of sidewalk wound around the patches of desert xeriscape and clumps of cactus, cutting the sidewalk and parking zone into jagged portions. An expansive patio rolled out from the building entrance, fitted with a wide awning and short fence to divide the patio from the walkway. A few tables sat, awaiting company on the chilly day.

 Arthur moved through the opening of the fence, his gaze taking in faces, his apprehension spiked higher. He didn’t see any familiar faces, but that didn’t reassure him. It was chilly, and his metal arm shifted in the sling; the only arm covered at this time. It would be best to leave, this wasn’t a good idea. He’d call, apologize. She’d understand. He hoped she’d understand. He took a step back. On the thoroughfare traffic picked up, though none of the vehicles cruising by slowed or pulled into the parking lane. Not yet. But soon….

 The entrance to the café swept open and a familiar face glided out. Arthur grimaced, but hadn’t given his legs the memo to relocate. That would’ve been hella rude.

 “I’m glad you could make it.”

 Arthur put a hand to the low top of the fence at his side, but reframed from leaning. He was certain if he did anything but stand, he’d collapse.

 “Yeah. I had a,” he stammered, struggling to collect his words, “a last pickup. Have you been waiting long?”

 Mamma Pepper stood stock still, statuesque. “Not long at all. It’s chilly outside, I have a table waiting.” It sounded almost like she was inviting him into her own restaurant, though Arthur wasn’t sure why this out of the way café.

 He checked the area over before stepping forward. One foot, then the other, steady. “This place. It’s new.”

 “I assisted the owner’s in getting set up,” Mamma Pepper supplied. She held the door for Arthur, until he ventured in of his own pace. “Sometimes my family offers taste testing, and vice versa.”

 Arthur concealed the little twinge that ran through his spine. “Awesome.” The interior was not splendid or over done, but simplistic with a homey charm. At the furthest side of the room, logs crackled and churned within a brick fireplace. From the ceiling, rustic lanterns hung. The dim light competed with the sparse interior tables, and the little candles flickering. One table at the furthest wall harbored a mug of steaming liquid.

 “Take your time, if you choose to order,” Mamma Pepper spoke. “There’s no rush.” She left him and weaved around the tables, until she reached her target. She pulled a chair out, and then took her seat at the table across from the vacant chair. A blatant invitation, if he ever saw one.

 Despite a line, Arthur went ahead and made an order. After the barista took his name, he ventured over to the location Mamma Pepper claimed. She was sipping at the beverage. “I never gave that sorta theme much thought,” he admitted. “They offer some interesting… mixes.” Concoctions sounded rude.

 Mamma Pepper nodded and hummed. “Coffee and tea blends, with traditional staples. I wanted to tell you about it sooner, but I didn’t want to intrude.”

 “Ah.”

 “How have you been?” She squinted one eye at Arthur. “I expect well.”

 “Y-yeah. We… uh, Vii and I, we’re still at it.” He rubbed the back of his head with the heel of his palm. “Doing investigations. Y’know that.”

 “Nothing stops that girl.” A hint of a smile graced Mamma Pepper’s face. “I’m glad to hear.”

 The barista brought by Arthur’s beverage, exchanged conversation on how the two were doing, and left. It was a joy to focus on something else, if even briefly.

 “What did you get?”

 Arthur gave the warm liquid a try. “One of the trademark Hy-blends.” He wasn’t a stranger to abominable tea and coffee concoctions, or anything to spark his brain and keep his eyes open on the longest of long roads between towns. But this was really good, the appropriate balance of strength to mellow, with perhaps too much cream making it thick like ice-cream. But good nonetheless. It wouldn’t keep his heart beating, but it was flavorful.

 His mind worked to bring forth the questions, to inquire about how a family went on in the absence of a loved one. How did one approach the topic, and when was it an appropriate time? There was no reason to approach that at all, no reason to drag it forward if he could avoid it. He sipped his beverage, trying his darndest not to quake.

 “You have a way with the machinery,” Mamma Pepper went on, through the absence of substance. “The equipment gets fixed – mind you – everything works without hitch, but it’s not the same. I can’t put my finger on what’s different. Your help was appreciated.”

 Arthur slunk down in his seat a bit. “Yeah. Mn, sorry ‘bout that. Not, uh….”

 “Arthur,” she stated, firmly. “I’m not disappointed. I’m trying to explain that we missed you. We missed Arthur, not Arthur the mechanic. Just… Arthur.” She sipped at her drink.

 “Oh, right.” He looked around at the dimly lit space, the steady stream of customers. “Have you helped other restaurants get opened up? It’s pretty sweet, nothing like the Pepper Paradiso. Er, it’s more… rustic, I guess?”

 Their exchange seemed to fall into place after that, with Mamma Pepper going lightly over a few changes at the Pepper Paradiso. The two caught up on how they were getting along, while skittering aside from the topic involving Vivi. Arthur wasn’t certain how to approach that grape vine, but Mamma Pepper’s questions were careful. It almost felt normal, like he wasn’t cowering under some terrible weight and suffocating. He could breath a little easier, his replies coming with minimal hitch – when he didn’t think about the now. She did admit her family kept up to date with Uncle Lance, which surprised him. Lance never let on he stayed in touch with the Peppers, though given his Uncle’s pokey (though prying) it was a little obvious.

 As the minutes ticked by, Arthur did become comfortable with a topic delving into how Vivi was keeping. He didn’t want to elaborate a whole lot, but he wanted to assure Mamma Pepper that in the least, the blue-headed investigator sleuth had asked about the family. He wasn’t sure where to go from there, but Mamma Pepper filled in the blanks. She offered cheerful accounts of how the girls were growing so fast, what grade they were in now, and the mischief. It was all good conversation, pleasant and cathartic about the little things. Mostly mundane, and some entertaining and exciting. And when Arthur talked about the hamster he adopted, and built prosthetic wheels for, Mamma Pepper even smiled.

 __

  It was a little after six and the sun was in full set, when Vivi biked her way up the sidewalk beside Kingsman Mechanics. With her trotted the Mystery, prancing like a gazelle and very undog-like, but who was paying attention? Staff hadn’t cleared out completely, though the garages had long been shuttered and locked; barring the entitled customer from trying to get a simple (two hour) fix done on their car at the last minute. Vivi coasted up the empty carport and set her bike beside one of the sign poles for reserved parking, and latched the chain. Then, went over to the entry door and knocked. While she waited, Mystery turned his nose down and gave the area a brief scout.

 “I know you can open the door, but I’m not keen on sneaking in.” As per usual, she wore one of the work backpacks, and in the side pocket sat a snug flashlight.

 To Mystery, “You can run off for a bit, if you need. I think we’ll be fine.” This time, she gave the doorbell a buzz.

 Mystery raised his head and gave Vivi one of his, “give me a break,” looks. He trotted back over.

 In due time a wobbly, hazy form swelled beyond the dim barrier of the door. The door unlatched and opened; Uncle Lance stood there, somewhat surprised. “Aye, hey Vivi. Mystery.” He nodded to the dog as he padded by, welcoming himself in without prompt. “Arthur expectin’ yu?”

 “Yeah,” she gasped. Upon entry, Uncle Lance secured the door behind them and pocketed the keys. “We’re a bit early… I had a few stops to make. Is he not in?” She fell in step behind Lance as he led the way, through the dark passage. Most the lights through the main workshop remained off, only the soft lamps offering radiance, enough to keep people from stumbling into each other or getting lost.

 “Naw, been out all day.” Lance rolled his shoulders and stretched up one arm, gripping at the socket. “I should replace both arms,” he muttered. When he lowered that arm, he checked his watch. He didn’t wear a watch. “Not too worried. Ceptin’, I don’t have a ride out of ‘ere.”

 Vivi couldn’t help but set a hand over her face and stifle the snicker. It was usually her or Arthur winding up stranded due to shared vehicles, if her bike was not available (though Arthur would first eat a healthbar than ride her bike). Now, it was Uncle Lance’s turn.

 “I’m so sorry about that.”

 Mystery yapped. It was a distant reply, given that he was now patrolling the work garage.

 “Can’t be helped. I’m just glad whatever nonsense yu get involved with, you came out safe.”

 Vivi grimaced and bit her lip. “Yes, very glad. It could’ve been bad.” Unbeknownst to Vivi, the flashlight flickered sporadically, until it sputtered and went out entirely. Crackling webs of fuchsia detached and dispersed off through the murky air.

 Lance swung away from heading toward the office and gestured. “Something up with that flashlight?”

 “Huh?” Vivi twisted herself in order to view the aforementioned electric torch. “Uhh?”

 “I seein’ you haul that there thing around.” He tugged on his beard, in thought. “Well, not lately…. You’re not planning on doin’ no spook snoopin with Arthur? Ya’ll are on break from that job-work, eh? A vacation, ain’t it called?” He fixed Vivi with a ferocious, accusing glare – the shadow around his eyes intensifying to the tenth power. “Ain’t it, girl?”

 Vivi sweated. How was it possible for someone so opposite of tall, to be so imposing. “N-no, Uncle. We… I swear….”

 “I pay Arthur to do one of two things.” Uncle Lance counted them off on his fingers. “Work. An’ Rest. Ya got that!”

 Vivi grabbed at her scarf. Oh sweet mother of gods, Lance looked set to unite with his rifle. “No! Absolutely NOT! Er, I… it needs to be looked over. I forgot to hand it over to Arthur, it was my fault! I was careless!” Lance’s features became more relaxed, and she risked a breathy exhale. Crisis averted.

 “Ah. Groovy.” He pivoted and began walking, saying over his shoulder, “Call me when he gets in. And if you need somethin’, there’s chicken wings in the fridge.”

 Vivi waved after him. “Kay! Thank you!” And then raced off, shooting into the corridor and charging up the stairs. Down the hall, the door to Arthur’s work room awaited ajar, and she barreled in.

 A flash of embers all but blinded her. The rose-tinted blaze faded out leaving a hard, burnt fragrance throughout the room. “Lewis! Again?” She wobbled aside when Mystery shoved his way in through the doorway. “How does this keep happening?!”

 “I thought you were Uncle Lance!” came the disembodied retort, somewhat crackly.

 Vivi shut the door and checked the corkboard with the pinned schematics. “Why didn’t you wait then?” None of them were burnt, which was good.

 “I got bored.” In a fuchsia surge of flames, Lewis shape reappeared. A skull and death suit, and then a fizzing surge of embers swirled about the skull and fitted the spirit with cheeks and a jaw, a living memory. “And… I kind of wanted to check the place out.”

 Vivi studied Lewis for a moment, but said nothing. That was fast, though he hadn’t shed the death suit yet. “Okay. I’ll send Art a text, let him know we’re here. Make sure we don’t surprise him.” She set the backpack on the couch and rummaged through it. Mystery hopped up onto the cushions and curled up, his eyes tracking Vivi’s work. Up until she pulled up the laptop and her phone. “Aw. No power.”

 She and Mystery turned their eyes to Lewis.

 The spirit glanced aside and tugged at his tie. “You did ask earlier, didn’t you?”

 Vivi pointed to her little phone. “There is a battery in here. It has only so much power.” Mystery growled and yipped.

 “Be thankful your apartment covers utility costs.”

 Vivi grumbled under her breath as she rooted around her backpack for the charger. “I forgot it. I know better.” Mystery bounced off the couch, within seconds he was back with Arthur’s charger clamped in his teeth. “Thank you. I probably have to hook up my laptop too.” She tsked, this was cumbersome and she knew better.

 “I’m sorry!” Lewis swiped off the embers crackling at his vest and shirt sleeves, the same way someone would straighten out wrinkles.

 “No you’re not,” Vivi snapped. “You shouldn’t be. It’s not your fault.” Thankfully, she never took the laptops charger out of the backpack; let alone disconnected it. She hooked it up to a surge bar and plopped down on the couch once more. Lewis sat down beside her.

 “Watcha lookin’ up?”

 “Emails. There better not be emails in my damn emails.” She went through the mail icon and sighed. “Of course, it’s from Duet.”

 “Joy o joys.”

 “A list of assets for review.” She closed out the email. “I’ll look at those later.” She pulled up a new tab, and began researching how to stop spirits from syphoning battery life on the Paranormal Corner site.

 “Maybe… I should go for a bit.” Lewis glided out of his seat, up until Vivi caught the tail end of his vest and hauled him back down. “Or not….”

 “Atta boy.”

[this-is-what-makes-us-fandoms]

Back Home || Fairy Tail ||

Laxus has to go help his family and friends on Tenrou Island but that means leaving you alone. Reluctantly you let him go while he sends you to Fairy Tail, where you can stay until he comes back. Fairy Tail welcomes you with open arms and you wait for Laxus there. You wait for a long time, and then the news of Tenrou comes, leaving you completely devastated and hopeless. You don’t think you’ll ever see Laxus again and then seven years pass.

Pairing: Laxus Dreyar x Reader

Warnings: uhh hopelessness?

Words: 1.5K

A/N: so this was inspired by a Laxus fic I'm currently working on but I wrote this first as like a beginner snippet and now I wanted to post it somewhere for feedback lmao. Also this is the only thing I’ve been able to manage to put into words... So, hopefully this triggers a writing spurge and I start cranking out more material.

“Do you really have to go?” You asked, voice soft.

“I do, I may not be a part of the guild anymore but they’re still my family,” He told you sincerely.

You wanted to cry and beg him not to go but he had to, he had to help his family. So, instead you nodded and held back tears, telling him to go before it was too late. He smiled softly and rested a hand on your hand, ruffling it lightly. He told you not to cry, he wasn’t going to leave you with nothing, he’d make sure you’d have somewhere to go. He gave you a map with directions to the guild he once called home, telling you they’d take care of you there; at least until he got back. You nodded and wiped away the few tears that managed to escape, if he trusted them so much then you did too.

You leaned in and gave him a hug, telling him to stay safe and to come back to you in one piece. He gave you a grin and nod before he was gone in flash, the only thing left in his wake was a scorch mark made by his lightning. You smiled at the place he once stood before turning and making your way to the guild he told you about, never once thinking that that’d be the last time you’d see him.

You had managed to get to the guild, they had been kind enough to accept you. You had told them that a friend has sent you there, that he said you’d be safe there. He was right, during your stay they had been nothing but kind and protective, especially during the time that the strongest members of their guild had left.

You waited there for days, each day that passed, your heart worried more for Laxus’s safe returned. And then came the news, the fall of Tenrou Island and it shattered your heart. He was gone, Laxus was gone, they had lost whatever battle they had.

It was quiet that day in the guild as everyone mourned the loss of their friends, and that silenced followed for days after that. Search parties that been sent out to try and find any of the members that had been sent out but there was no luck. They were all gone, the entire island had sunk into the ocean with them still on it. Fairy Tail was never the same after that, you were never the same, even after you decided to stay at the guild.

-

You walked into the guild, just back from a job but already ready to take another one. Your guild members greeted your warmly, the ones that remained at least. You said nothing in return as you walked over to Macao, handing him part of the wages that you earned from the job. You didn’t say anything to him, simply walking over to the board for another job.

“Going on another job already? Maybe you should take a break, {Name},” Macao said.

“The guild can’t afford that,” You simply replied.

You grabbed your next job before turning away from the board and looking back at the few members staring at you. You walked back over to Macao and set the sheet right in front of him, showing him the next job, you were going on.

“The guild can afford a day without you working, ya know,” He said.

“Maybe… but I can’t,” You whispered that last part, your heart clenching just a bit. “I’ll be back soon enough.”

You turned on your heel once more and started walking towards the door. “Blue Pegasus say they might have found something.” You heard Wakaba say, making you stop.

Hope wanted to flood your entire being but you didn’t let, you couldn’t, not when you were finally starting to move on. It's been seven years already, if they didn’t find them then, they wouldn’t find them now. As much as it hurt you, you had to accept that Laxus was gone, he was never coming back no matter how much you wanted it.

You continued walking, choosing to ignore what Wakaba had said in order to keep going. The two older men sighed heavily as they watched you leave. They knew how hard this was for you, you had lost the only person who had shown you kindness when you were all alone. Yes, they knew that Laxus had been the one to send you their way and that he had joined the others at the island. You had told them when you realized that he wasn’t coming back and that you were alone once again. But you weren’t, they made sure you wouldn’t be when they made you a Fairy Tail member.

After that, you took on job after job as a way to distract yourself from the reality of him being gone. It was because of this that the guild was barely scrapping by with their payments. Although everyone was grateful that you were providing for the guild, they still very much worried about your well-being. They worried that all the stress of taking on jobs would affect your health. They already lost so many members of the guild, they couldn’t afford to lose another.

But you never listened, it was more painful to take a break than the job load you took on. And they couldn’t really stop you from taking on all these jobs, not unless they tied you down.

-

A few days passed and you were on your way back to the guild, back from another successful job. It was an easy job like always, nowadays the only jobs Fairy Tail ever really got were the ones no one else wanted. You didn’t really care, just as long as they gave you something to do.

You reached the guild doors and gently pushed the door open, your presence noting your arrival. You expected the usual small greeting from your guild members but it didn’t come. Instead you were greeted by loud voices and a livelier guild hall than the one you left. You glanced around and noticed how it was more full than usual, full of unfamiliar faces.

“{Name}! You’re back just in time!” Macao cheered.

“What’s going on?” You asked.

“We did it, {Name}-Nee, we found the others,” Romeo told you.

They…found the others? You spotted blond hair, hope quick to fill you as you laid eyes on the person you missed the most. He was sitting with a scowl on his face looking exactly like he did seven years ago. This couldn’t be, he was gone, he had been gone for seven years. But here he was, sitting and pretending he wasn’t enjoying the celebration in their honor.

“Laxus!” You uttered before beginning your sprint over to him.

You jumped into a hug, wrapping your arms around his torso and burying your head in his chest. You were quick to gain his attention and everyone else. You were certainly new, no one had ever seen you before so you must’ve joined the guild during those seven years.

“Hey, just want do you think you’re doing?” His voice rang out.

You pulled away, a pang hitting your heart as you realized he didn’t remember you. “Y-You don’t recognize me?”

He furrowed his eyebrows as he studied your form, was he supposed to know who you are? You didn’t blame him for not recognizing you, you weren’t the same 15-year-old from when you first met. You had grown a lot, you’d gotten a bit taller, your figure had changed and matured in many aspects. You weren’t a kid anymore; you were a young woman now who was forced to grow a lot these past seven years. But a lot had remained the same, like your soft doe-like {eye color} eyes and your gentle smile.

“{Name}?” Laxus uttered softly.

You nodded slowly in confirmation, happiness filling your entire being that he was sitting right in front of you. You were pulled into another hug, this time initiated by the blond himself, squeezing you tightly. He was so happy that you had made your way to Fairy Tail, that you had been kept safe for the past seven years. You couldn’t help but let tears of joy slip past your eyes as you were finally reunited with Laxus.  

[princelockedinatower]

Slow Jazz

**Fluff without plot**

like porn without plot but cute and PG and gay

Also I did 0 editing or revising cause yolo, hope you guys enjoy :)

Soft silk sheets. A mini spurge courtesy of my last trip to target. Everytime I go I swear to myself I’ll only get the thing I went there for, and everytime I come out with a leather bound journal, pack of erasers, pajamas or something christmas related among a cart full of little knick nacks and cool jizmabobs. 

I stretch out, flopping over onto my back as I do and listen to the songbirds outside the window, their nice singing threatening to lure me back to sleep. For a few moments I do, feeling at peace despite the growing need to get to up for the day.

“Morning Adrian,” my husbands gruff though gentle voice awakes me. Shifting to half sit up I see him standing at the door, red hair messy, wearing only sweatpants, a gold ring around his finger with two cups of coffee in his hands “Coffee?” he asks lifting up a cup.

I give a lazy smile and nod, sitting up against the headboard as he crosses the room and carefully gets on the bed. After handing me my cup he cuddles up to me with his head on my shoulder even though he’s the taller one. 

I sigh smiling, letting my eyes wonder over the room, there’s a picture of us on our wedding day, both in suits, in a cheap dollar store frame on the dresser, clothes spilling out of it as normal. Mismatched curtains on mismatching curtain rods pulled back to let the early morning sun in to rest on the rugs covering our small bedroom. Nothing’s too expensive, not even the china passed down to us that was bought at a gas station way back when but everything’s nice, warm and cozy.

“Adam?” I say, pausing to take a sip of my coffee “Do you like how we live?” 

Adam looks up at me and grins, a tooth missing “I wouldn’t change a thing,”

I smile, moving to press a kiss to his lips, the bitter taste of coffee on him. 

I pull away, getting off our bed and crossing over to our dresser “We should probably open the clinic soon,” I say digging through our shirts drawer looking for a specific one “What time is it actually?” I ask.

Adam suffles on the bed for his phone as I find the lime green scrub shirt I was looking for that brings out my darker green eyes “Eight twenty-six, we’ve got thirty-two minets,” he answers bolting up from our bed to join me in search of clothes. 

Adam’s still searching for pants when I start fussing over my long brown wavy hair in the bathroom mirror. I get it tamed as he asks “Where are my black and red scrubs?” 

I walk over to a basket of clean laundry and after digging for a millisecond I pull out the matching shirt and pants “You mean these?” I chuckle and grab my white doctors coat. He laughs, grabbing them from me and shoves them on. 

Together we dash down the flight of stairs to the backroom of our clinic we own and live above. Bustling out into the waiting area I see a few patients waiting and our receptionist, Clark talking on the phone. 

Upon seeing us he puts whoever was on the line on hold and hands me a clipboard “Dr. Devorack Room 1 is waiting for you,” he pauses reaching for another clipboard and giving it to Adam “Nurse Adam Room 3 is the Kylands, they’re here for their immunizations.” 

Clark goes back to the phone as Adam and I go off to do our duties. Before I slip into the first room I catch Adam’s eye and blow him a kiss, he smirks and rolls his eyes as I slip into the room. 

I smile gently at the small kid and mom who both look worse for wear. The kid looks about to be about six and the mom about mid thirties, both extremely tired and the kid has a few tears running down his cheeks, more coming whenever he swallows. 

“Hi, I’m Dr. Devorack,” I say sitting in the swivel chair at the desk “What seems to be the problem?” 

The mom rubs her eyes and tells me her son’s throat really hurts to the point he hasn’t eaten yet today. I nod and ask the kid to hop up the table while I grab a tongue stick. 

Gently I feel his throat which is swollen and hot then ask him to say “aww” for me. Little white dots line his throat and I decide to take his temperature. It reads 38.1*C and I start typing in my computer “Your son has a case of Strep Throat, so I’m going to give you a precription to give to him for ten days,” I say printing off the required sheet “Make sure he takes all ten days or the infection might come back.” 

She nods thanking me, visibly relieved as I stand and get the door for them. A warm feeling spreads from my chest as I smile, something about helping people makes me feel this way. Grabbing the clipboard I head back to the waiting room with the mom and kid. 

Clark already has another clipboard for me when I reach his desk and I let myself fall into the familiar routine of helping patients all day long, only stopping for a quick lunch with Adam, Clark and our other nurse Natasha. 

Closing time rolls around at five, Clark and Natasha going home before I finish with my last patient of the day, Adam doing some paperwork while he waits for me.

I wasn’t going to take them honestly, they came in on the dot and Clark was already out the door with Natasha on his heels. I can’t blame them, it was friday night and they were both off tomorrow. 

What changed my mind was the dad’s dirty work clothes like he came directly from work, the younger daughters pained expression and the older kid’s school workbook as she was writing in it while walking. She even bumped into the reception desk she was so focused. 

So I took them into an exam room and introducing myself the daughters homework caught my eye as she sat down to work on it “What class is that for?” 

“Health Sciences,” she answers without looking up “It’s a basic intro to the medical field, right now we’re working on identifying basic long term illnesses and before that common bacterial and viral infections.” 

I nod finding it pretty cool they offered classes like that in highschool “Want a little hands on experience?” I ask disregarding the fact it would make this a lot longer.

She looks up at that and stares a little “Uh, yah that’d be awesome,” she says standing up and I motion for her to take the lead with her little sister up on the table. 

She lets a nervous laugh out before asking what the problem is to her little sister. She complains about her ear hurting and tugs at it. The older sister nods and asks her if she’s had any headaches, trouble hearing or balancing and a few other symptoms. 

After her little sister answers she turns to me and asks if I can take her temperature and look in her ear. I agree with a grin, knowing she’s doing a pretty good job for a teen with zero medical training. 

“Her temperature’s thirty-eight point six and the inside of her ear is red and inflamed,” I tell her, tossing the little earpiece in the trash “Diagnosis and recommended treatment?” I ask sitting at the desk. 

She smiles shyly “Ear infection, probably AOM so I’d write a prescription but wait a day or two to see if it gets better on it’s own,” 

I nod my head “I concur with your diagnosis and treatment,” I say writing out a prescription then getting the door “Keep studying kid you’re headed places,” I say as she walks by. 

She beams and practically skips out the door before I lock it for the night. 

I head up stairs into the living room, the smell of salmon hitting me as I walk past the grey couch with it’s peculiar pillows and tables with scattered candles and pictures on them to the kitchen. 

Adam stands at the white counter mixing a salad, his back to me as I walk up and snake my arms around him. He chuckles but continues mixing as I rest my head on his shoulder, given I have to go up on my toes to do that. I hum into his ear “They’re doing a Midsummer’s Dream tomorrow at the live theatre,”

“Oh?” he says moving the bowl away before turning to face me, letting his hands trail up my sides then back down to my back “That sounds nice.” 

I press against him letting my head rest on his chest, the scent of his cologne making me sigh “We should make it a date, and get dressed up for it,” I say nuzzling further into him “Maybe even go out for dinner,”

“Let’s do that,” he says lightly pushing me so he can look at me “Spaghetti Factory for dinner?” he asks, the timer for the fish going off.

I nod and cross the kitchen to grab plates and cutlery, Adam pulling the fish out of the oven. He plates our meals meticulously for fifteen minets as I watch him, my stomach nagging at me to just grab the plate and eat. I push the thought out of my mind because I know Adam loves doing this, as evident by his grin. 

We end up eating in the kitchen, me up on a counter and Adam cross legged on the floor, talking about how Romeo and Juliet could have turned out if Romeo had been in love with Tibalt. The conversation eventually lead to us making dick jokes and our sides hurt from laughing too much we couldn’t breathe. 

Coming down from our fit of laughter we catch each other's eyes and smile.

“Follow me,” Adam says softly getting to his feet and slipping his hands in mine. I do as he asks, getting down and letting him lead me into the living room bathed in a dusty orange light from the setting sun. He lets my hands go in the middle of the empty floor and walks over to the old record player we have. 

Choosing a disc he places the needle on it and a slow jazz song plays as he wraps his arms around my waist and I reach mine up to wrap around his neck. We sway to the music for what feels like hours and I can’t help but believe I’m the happiest man alive. 

[gardeninghowto-blog]

Which gardening tools are essential for gardening?

Do you have a favorite garden tool? Something that you keep within arm’s reach every time you go into the garden? What do you use to make digging, pruning, growing or harvesting better for the back or more soothing for the soul? The “can’t-live-without-it” tool will vary from gardener to gardener, region to region and season to season.

Here’s our top 10 list, based on interviews with gardeners in the Southeast who range in experience from serious home gardener to nursery owner — and everything in between.

Tips To Starting Your Own Home Compost Project

It’s just the start of a discussion. Tells us in the comments section if we’ve overlooked one of your favorites – or how you use the items in our list differently than we’ve described.

In the meantime, in no particular order the tools that made our list:

1. Scissors. Karen Converse, a master gardener in DeKalb County, Ga., says plain household scissors, nothing fancy, are her first choice of garden tools. She just sticks them in a pocket and uses them to deadhead flowers, snip herbs, harvest small vegetables such as peppers, open a bag of potting soil or a seed packet or cut string. She still remembers the day a professional nurseryman saw her using them in her community garden plot and remarked that any real gardener always carries a pair of scissors. Robert Wyatt, a retired professor of botany at the University of Georgia, uses a pair of heavy-duty garden scissors with plastic-coated handles to harvest vegetables.

2. Weeders. Manufacturers give them different names, but one that is at the top of several lists goes by the common name of “dandelion digger.” That’s appropriate because these little tools are perfect for prying up weeds with taproots (like dandelions!) and crabgrass. They work well because they have a long, slender business-end that looks like a cross between a notched screw driver and a two-tine fork and are made to penetrate easily into the soil and remove weed roots from deep in the ground. The fork points are narrow and sharp enough to surgically coax out wood sorrel, spurge and annual bluegrass that like to hide in ground covers.

Tips For Growing Cherry Tomatoes In Pots

3. A soil knife. The Hori-Hori is a hands-on favorite of several gardeners we talked with. This is a Japanese tool with a stainless steel concave blade with a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other. It can be used for cutting through roots, transplanting, dividing perennials, slicing through sod, weeding, removing bonsai plants from pots and many more garden tasks. Van Malone, an avid gardener in North Atlanta, recalls forgetting it was in his car when he went on a business assignment to a federal nuclear facility in South Carolina. Because it has a seven-inch blade and the maximum blade length allowed at the facility was six inches, guards at the entrance to the plant told him that he would have to dispose of the tool. He complied by driving back down the road, hiding the tool in the woods off the property and retrieving it on the way home. (Now that’s a favorite tool!)

Vegetable Container Gardening For Beginners: Top Things To Consider

4. Pruning shears. Andy Sessions of Sunlight Gardens Nursery in Andersonville, Tenn., loves her Saboten Model 1210 from Japan for one simple reason: the blades are sharp. How sharp? At the local farmers co-op, where she buys her pruners, they are called sheep toe trimmers. She also likes them because of their small size and light weight. She uses them to prune woody perennials and finds them so effective that she gives them as Christmas gifts to gardening friends. Other brands that drew praise were Felco and Corona.

5. Water hoses and water wands. What could be more important as much of the country suffers through record-breaking heat and drought? Amanda Campbell, manager of display gardens at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, says these are a staple. Her favorite brands are Gilmour hoses and Dramm wands with a shut-off valve. The shut off is the little brass piece that lets you turn the water on and off without constantly going back and forth to the spigot.

Tips To Growing Tomatoes From Seeds At Home

6. A shovel. But not just any shovel. Wyatt, the retired UGA professor, likes the Sharpshooter. It is a small, compact shovel with a long, narrow blade that is curved and digs deep holes. He says he finds it a lot more efficient than a long-handled, broad-bladed traditional shovel for digging in hard clay soil where he may hit occasional rocks. The Sharpshooter blade can also be sharpened. Rene Freie in Peachtree City, Ga., likes the Kombi shovel, which looks as much like a Samurai weapon as a digging tool. Its jagged edges make it efficient for cutting through roots and compacted soil. Campbell also likes to use a snow shovel for spreading mulch, scooping debris and putting out topdressing. Just when you think you’d thought of everything! As an alternative to a shovel, Shelby Singleton of Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville, N.C., likes to use a mattock. She says they are great for digging out small stumps or digging in clay. They are available in a small, hand-held size and a large shovel size. Singleton likes them because she says they are more effective than a shovel and don’t require as much strength.

7. Rakes. As with shovels, not just any rake will do. Different rakes serve different purposes. Campbell particularly likes a shrub rake because it will fit into tight and small spaces better than a big fan rake. She likes to use fan rakes to rake off leaves, mulch, and tidy up when collecting the last debris. She also uses hard rakes to move leaves and mulch, but likes to flip it over and use it to move soil and compost, fine-tune grading in annual beds and smooth out soil. After putting soil in a planting hole, she says the hard rake is a great tool to smooth out the soil and blend it in with the rest of the bed.

8. Saws. Wyatt likes a fixed, pull-to-cut saw with a slightly curved blade to prune woody plants. He uses a Corona RS 7385, for example, to cut cleanly and quickly through fairly large limbs. It can also be used to cut down small weedy trees. Others prefer a bow saw for pruning and shaping trees or clearing out undergrowth. Still others prefer a folding saw for its portability. The type of saw depends on the need. Anyone see a pattern here? Of course, you can always keep a pair of loppers handy. But, with pruning shears and a sturdy saw in your gardening tool kit, you likely won’t need it.

9. Loop hoe. Shawn Bard, another master gardener in DeKalb County, Ga., loves this modified hoe for edging and weeding. By using a back and forth motion, she says the blade is perfect for slipping beneath the top layer of soil and scraping the roots out of the dirt. Because the weeds come up very easily and the corners on the loop hoe make excellent edgers, she says it’s a great tool to tidy up beds. The other thing it does very well is cultivate the top layer of soil, which makes it perfect for mixing fertilizers or compost into the top layer without disturbing the soil structure beneath. This is especially handy if you want to add fertilizer or compost to a bed that is already planted or if you want to remove weeds or overgrowth in a bed that’s already planted.

10. A hat. Alan Armitage, a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia, told the 2011 Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., that he makes any student who comes to an outdoor class without a hat write an essay on skin cancer. That’s worth remembering each time you head into the garden.

The almost-made-it list

There were many other worthy suggestions that didn’t make our top 10 list. Some of these include: • A Tip Bag by Bosmere (for debris) • A kneeling pad • Gloves • A corn husk broom • A rolling cart to carry large shrubs or trees to a planting destination. • And this one, offered with a smile and a chuckle: a golf bag and cart with wheels and a handle – to carry shovels, rakes and other tools into the garden.

In the end, the list differences aren’t important, Campbell points out. What’s important, she says, is to always buy quality products. Quality tools, she emphasizes, make all the difference in the world in enjoying working in the garden.

Check this https://www.justhomegardening.com

What tools are your favorites, how do you use them and how do they make gardening more enjoyable?

[dansnaturepictures]

2/6/22-Bank holiday at Bentley Wood

An insect adventure began instantly as I got out of the car at Bentley Wood when I saw a Downlooker Snipefly landed on the car in the sunshine before flying off which I took the second picture in this photoset of. A beautiful insect with pretty see through wings. I saw a similar species a Marsh Snipefly last year here on a brilliant sunny day an important part of our early summer last year. I saw another of the Downlooker Snipeflies in the grassy area by the car park which we explored today a lovely new insect to learn today. I enjoyed seeing a second Green Tiger beetle here this year and second overall this year so far after one when we came here last in May and I quickly saw a Swollen-thighed beetle too today which was great.

Fritillary butterflies were our main focus as a goal to see today and one battered butterfly coming to its end a bit a piece of both Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Marsh Fritillary were my butterfly highlights today getting great views again of these two stars of recent weeks for our butterfly watching. The Marsh Fritillary we saw well with wings closed I have not often seen them with wings closed before they are a well coloured gem of a butterfly. I took the fifth picture in this photoset of this butterfly. There were a fair few Speckled Woods around today as well as a Red Admiral we got close views of which was great.

On and around a couple of ponds we like visiting here it was teeming with stars of the visit here last time Large Red Damselfly and Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly, with some Four-spotted Chasers mixed in too. Some of the cloud of these stunning damselflies landed on my Mum’s hat and arm allowing for wonderful intimate and quirky moments in nature today. It was nice to see the chasers landed for a fair while and I also got the epic sight of two Broad-bodied Chasers mating in the air locked into the lovely heart shape. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of one of the Broad-bodied Chasers. The damselflies were joined together matting too, a wealth of life around this pool.

Leading the bird highlights of the walk was a truly breathtaking few minutes in these sun kissed precious woods when we heard as we often do here it is a good spot for them in the season a Cuckoo calling. Then we heard it extremely loudly which was phenomenal, and also head a second calling further away. Perfect for a bank holiday and during #30Days wild when I am reflecting on the power and peace of observing, photographing and immersing myself in nature, it was the personification of tranquility and the happiness it brings me in these wonderful green woods. I also had great moments with two more of my favourite birds seeing and hearing a Green Woodpecker and then a Buzzard soaring beautifully against the bright blue sky later on in the walk. It was a walk on a sunny and very warm day where I really admired the varied emerald glow of the rich woodland. I took the third, fourth with the sun shining well through trees, sixth and eighth pictures in this photoset here today. 

One lone late bluebell and early foxgloves in my year as well as my first beautiful pink ragged robin of the year defined the great meeting point it was for flowers at this key part of the flower season, a meeting between spring and summer perhaps. I also liked seeing lots of tormentil, spurge including great lines of it in the landscape which looked beautiful, wood sage leaves, thistle leaves, speedwell, buttercups, ground ivy, possible bugle, spotted orchid, white clover, little stitchwort type flower and another beautiful ivy type flower I think. There were nice pretty grasses today too and I loved looking at many of the trees especially noting pine trees well today.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first ever Downlooker Snipefly, two of my favourite birds the Green Woodpecker and Buzzard, two of my favourite butterflies the Marsh Fritillary and Red Admiral, one of my favourite moths the Five-spot Burnet, two of my favourite dragonflies of the Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chaser, one of my favourite damselflies the Large Red Damselfly, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Speckled Wood, a white butterfly seen quickly, Common Blue damselfly, Green-tiger Beetle, Swollen-thighed Beetle, a few moths and I heard another of my favourite birds the Cuckoo, Song Thrush, Grey Wagtail and a usual swarm of bees around a tree we see.

We called into Hoe Lane on the way home to try and allow my Mum’s partner to see a Tawny Owl that we saw so well here the other week he wasn’t with us that day. We didn’t see it today but did enjoy some lovely views of two lively Great Spotted Woodpeckers flitting around here making it a great day of woodpeckers. We also saw a Red Kite well, Swifts gliding in the sky, lots of Woodpigeon, Rook, a lovely pink flower in the sun with some more with it I believe crane’s-bill I took the tenth picture in this photoset of this and ninth looking towards beautiful oaks here in the bright sun and I also enjoyed seeing cleavers, wood avens, cow parsley and water dropwort well. We heard a hooting call in the trees so that could have been an adult or young owl but we couldn’t be sure. Swift and vetch were nice sights on journeys today and I also enjoyed looking at the cornflowers in the back garden and others and some of the usual set of garden birds from home today. Seeing a Woodpigeon on the balcony intimately was great tonight. I took the first picture in this photoset of a lovely yellow flower in the garden. There were pretty sky scenes as the sun went down tonight at home with great colour and brightness with a lovely little crescent moon again tonight which I enjoyed seeing.

A lovely way to spend a bank holiday. Congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee. I wish you all a lovely weekend.

[enson1322]

Digital marketing services company in Bengaluru @ it requires an efficient team to assist cope

You have got to tug a timber log by myself and you need to take help of five human beings to boost the equal log, there may be a difference in both the instances. Within the latter case, you may easily pull up the log. A crew makes things smooth, there  Digital Marketing Services Company Bengaluru are very less to no jobs where you don’t require a team. With many heads, arms and brains operating rigorously for the identical project it becomes less difficult for you to finish the task inside time and with performance. In content advertising there may be a list full of factors to be done and that too on a day by day foundation, it requires an efficient team to assist cope up with those responsibilities inside the simplest of methods viable. You need a creator, a pictures character, a guy who can reveal the insights and come up with measures to tug off extra numbers and people to accomplish diverse duties making plans, framing & executing a campaign there also want to be one guy who can be able to sew a lot of these sources into one. Being in a team usually facilitates as you all have each other’s back.

Where do you get ideas from? What is your suggestion? Whom do you are looking for while you are in need of a few recommendation? Have you ever faced creator’s block? Such form of questions make rounds in particular whilst you are in the creative area as generating ideas on a day by day or to be precise hourly foundation ain’t smooth. It drains your mind to the core that sometimes you don’t discover the precise words which you without a doubt want. That’s where being flexible & adventurous comes to play. A weekend off to the beaches or on the mountain, so pretty hours at a meditation center, in the park or with a puppy, a recreation session (each outside or indoor) allow you to regain your misplaced allure. 2019 noticed a few highs & lows in the digital area. Where brands became greater of an answer company than the provider issuer, the online sales and on-line advertising noticed a fast spurge in price range spends, impressions & attain it additionally had its proportion of lows wherein the Facebook facts  Digital Marketing Company in Bengaluru breach turned into the center factor of debate which value rm. Lederberg's goodwill an great fortune even to a level that he had to apologize in front of the Yankee congress. 

Whats app enterprise saw a boom in customer acquisition and groups beside the point of the size and comparison were opting for its feature. For the primary time, we saw whats app advertising and marketing whats app business. Changes in era and algorithms hit instantly to digital marketers first as we are the ones who are accountable for approach building and dealing with an explosion of channels, formats, and statistics for customers and adjustments in tech meant adjustments for us. Also no longer to forget about that even customers are extra aware about how they’re being advertised to and how their data is getting used—and they need more manage. In these days’s weblog, based totally on the advertising and marketing flows and today's enhancements we’ve seen, we can forecast the future and speculate the trends that could rule 2019. Simply have a glance. 

1. Google advertising platform

substantial utility and over-reliance at the google advertising platform in which you could be more person-focused and create in addition strategies primarily based at the consumer insights. Mp presents you with whole access to all of your facts and additionally helps you to manage it and look at it on a real-time basis. To cope with new realities, marketers want tools that make it smooth to get higher results from their advertising in a manner that places privateers first. The gm efficaciously brings collectively double click digital advertising and the google analytics 360 suite to help you plan, buy, measure and optimize virtual media and customer stories multi function vicinity. Mp allows you deliver extra relevant and effective advertising whilst making sure that you admire your clients’ privateers and provide them manage over their statistics. 

The gimp's analytics 360 suite includes the subsequent:

display & video 360

seek advertisements 360

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Visit Site:-- https://medium.com/@ensonjuriya/digital-marketing-services-company-in-bengaluru-head-to-the-local-library-where-you-could-locate-c47d1609bfdf

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[fredrickarbon]

Most essential tools for gardening

Do you have a favorite garden tool? Something that you keep within arm’s reach every time you go into the garden? What do you use to make digging, pruning, growing or harvesting better for the back or more soothing for the soul? The “can’t-live-without-it” tool will vary from gardener to gardener, region to region and season to season.

Here’s our top 10 list, based on interviews with gardeners in the Southeast who range in experience from serious home gardener to nursery owner — and everything in between.

It’s just the start of a discussion. Tells us in the comments section if we’ve overlooked one of your favorites – or how you use the items in our list differently than we’ve described.

In the meantime, in no particular order the tools that made our list:

1. Scissors. Karen Converse, a master gardener in DeKalb County, Ga., says plain household scissors, nothing fancy, are her first choice of garden tools. She just sticks them in a pocket and uses them to deadhead flowers, snip herbs, harvest small vegetables such as peppers, open a bag of potting soil or a seed packet or cut string. She still remembers the day a professional nurseryman saw her using them in her community garden plot and remarked that any real gardener always carries a pair of scissors. Robert Wyatt, a retired professor of botany at the University of Georgia, uses a pair of heavy-duty garden scissors with plastic-coated handles to harvest vegetables.

Gardening Tool Set for Mom http://www.homegardeningplans.com/choosing-the-best-gardening-tool-set-for-mom

2. Weeders. Manufacturers give them different names, but one that is at the top of several lists goes by the common name of “dandelion digger.” That’s appropriate because these little tools are perfect for prying up weeds with taproots (like dandelions!) and crabgrass. They work well because they have a long, slender business-end that looks like a cross between a notched screw driver and a two-tine fork and are made to penetrate easily into the soil and remove weed roots from deep in the ground. The fork points are narrow and sharp enough to surgically coax out wood sorrel, spurge and annual bluegrass that like to hide in ground covers.

3. A soil knife. The Hori-Hori is a hands-on favorite of several gardeners we talked with. This is a Japanese tool with a stainless steel concave blade with a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other. It can be used for cutting through roots, transplanting, dividing perennials, slicing through sod, weeding, removing bonsai plants from pots and many more garden tasks. Van Malone, an avid gardener in North Atlanta, recalls forgetting it was in his car when he went on a business assignment to a federal nuclear facility in South Carolina. Because it has a seven-inch blade and the maximum blade length allowed at the facility was six inches, guards at the entrance to the plant told him that he would have to dispose of the tool. He complied by driving back down the road, hiding the tool in the woods off the property and retrieving it on the way home. (Now that’s a favorite tool!)

4. Pruning shears. Andy Sessions of Sunlight Gardens Nursery in Andersonville, Tenn., loves her Saboten Model 1210 from Japan for one simple reason: the blades are sharp. How sharp? At the local farmers co-op, where she buys her pruners, they are called sheep toe trimmers. She also likes them because of their small size and light weight. She uses them to prune woody perennials and finds them so effective that she gives them as Christmas gifts to gardening friends. Other brands that drew praise were Felco and Corona.

shallow microgreen trays http://www.homegardeningplans.com/shallow-germination-trays-microgreen-trays-growing-your-own-vegetable-confetti-heaven

5. Water hoses and water wands. What could be more important as much of the country suffers through record-breaking heat and drought? Amanda Campbell, manager of display gardens at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, says these are a staple. Her favorite brands are Gilmour hoses and Dramm wands with a shut-off valve. The shut off is the little brass piece that lets you turn the water on and off without constantly going back and forth to the spigot.

6. A shovel. But not just any shovel. Wyatt, the retired UGA professor, likes the Sharpshooter. It is a small, compact shovel with a long, narrow blade that is curved and digs deep holes. He says he finds it a lot more efficient than a long-handled, broad-bladed traditional shovel for digging in hard clay soil where he may hit occasional rocks. The Sharpshooter blade can also be sharpened. Rene Freie in Peachtree City, Ga., likes the Kombi shovel, which looks as much like a Samurai weapon as a digging tool. Its jagged edges make it efficient for cutting through roots and compacted soil. Campbell also likes to use a snow shovel for spreading mulch, scooping debris and putting out topdressing. Just when you think you’d thought of everything! As an alternative to a shovel, Shelby Singleton of Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville, N.C., likes to use a mattock. She says they are great for digging out small stumps or digging in clay. They are available in a small, hand-held size and a large shovel size. Singleton likes them because she says they are more effective than a shovel and don’t require as much strength.

7. Rakes. As with shovels, not just any rake will do. Different rakes serve different purposes. Campbell particularly likes a shrub rake because it will fit into tight and small spaces better than a big fan rake. She likes to use fan rakes to rake off leaves, mulch, and tidy up when collecting the last debris. She also uses hard rakes to move leaves and mulch, but likes to flip it over and use it to move soil and compost, fine-tune grading in annual beds and smooth out soil. After putting soil in a planting hole, she says the hard rake is a great tool to smooth out the soil and blend it in with the rest of the bed.

How to Revive An Air Plant http://www.homegardeningplans.com/how-to-revive-an-air-plant

8. Saws. Wyatt likes a fixed, pull-to-cut saw with a slightly curved blade to prune woody plants. He uses a Corona RS 7385, for example, to cut cleanly and quickly through fairly large limbs. It can also be used to cut down small weedy trees. Others prefer a bow saw for pruning and shaping trees or clearing out undergrowth. Still others prefer a folding saw for its portability. The type of saw depends on the need. Anyone see a pattern here? Of course, you can always keep a pair of loppers handy. But, with pruning shears and a sturdy saw in your gardening tool kit, you likely won’t need it.

9. Loop hoe. Shawn Bard, another master gardener in DeKalb County, Ga., loves this modified hoe for edging and weeding. By using a back and forth motion, she says the blade is perfect for slipping beneath the top layer of soil and scraping the roots out of the dirt. Because the weeds come up very easily and the corners on the loop hoe make excellent edgers, she says it’s a great tool to tidy up beds. The other thing it does very well is cultivate the top layer of soil, which makes it perfect for mixing fertilizers or compost into the top layer without disturbing the soil structure beneath. This is especially handy if you want to add fertilizer or compost to a bed that is already planted or if you want to remove weeds or overgrowth in a bed that's already planted.

10. A hat. Alan Armitage, a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia, told the 2011 Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., that he makes any student who comes to an outdoor class without a hat write an essay on skin cancer. That’s worth remembering each time you head into the garden.

The almost-made-it list

There were many other worthy suggestions that didn’t make our top 10 list. Some of these include: • A Tip Bag by Bosmere (for debris) • A kneeling pad • Gloves • A corn husk broom • A rolling cart to carry large shrubs or trees to a planting destination. • And this one, offered with a smile and a chuckle: a golf bag and cart with wheels and a handle – to carry shovels, rakes and other tools into the garden.

container plant ideas front door http://www.homegardeningplans.com/6-gorgeous-container-plant-ideas-for-front-door

In the end, the list differences aren’t important, Campbell points out. What’s important, she says, is to always buy quality products. Quality tools, she emphasizes, make all the difference in the world in enjoying working in the garden.

What tools are your favorites, how do you use them and how do they make gardening more enjoyable?

[suhsexual]

Dating Mark

I Taeil* I Hansol* I Johnny I Taeyong I Yuta I Kun* I Doyoung* I Ten I Jaehyun I Winwin* I Mark I

*coming soon

A/N: I was asked a while ago after my Dating Taeyong to do Mark next, so here it is. I’m so sorry I can’t remember who asked me to do mark next but I hope you see this and sorry for the long ass ride wait~

oKaY LeTs dO tHiS

I see him being the “quiet” kid in school

Like obvs he has his group of friends

And when he’s around them he’s energetic and outgoing

But the second he steps into a class that none of his best friends are in, he gets all coy etc

Almost like they’re his source of energy(?) ygm

But anyway

He’s a Junior  

He’s a lil above average in most subjects

But literature  

J E S U S  

He is so good at it

And it’s his favourite subject  

Win-win situation lmao winwin

Also music

He’s really good at music  

Okay so moving on

He’d be in the library on a Friday after school, and he’s in the Sci-fi section trying to find a book he hasn’t read yet

Which is almost impossible

Bc He’s read basically all of them

He gives up and goes to look somewhere else

But he sees a book on the librarian’s desk

F I N A L L Y  

Something he hasn’t read

He picks it up and starts to flick through it, skimming over the pages and turning it to read the blurb

You come out of the restroom in the library and see a really cute guy looking over the book you just had the librarian check out for you

You were tentative to go over and tell him you just checked it out but you told yourself to get a grip and tell the r e a l l y  c u t e  guy the book was yours

“Oh, hi-Er I just checked that book out.” You’d say really shyly

He looked disappointed at first and you caught onto this, but he kindly smiled at you, a small dusting of pink on his cheeks

“Sorry, I didn’t realise. It looks good.”  

You nod with enthusiasm as you try not to freak out about the book. It was a new one by your favourite Sci-Fi author

You had to keep it cool bc you didn’t want the cute guy to think you were weird for freaking out too much

“Let me know when you’re done with it. I love that author.” He shot you a coy smile before making his way out of the library  

You felt your face heat up slightly once he had left

You two had another encounter the following Friday

You were returning the book and saw the cute guy from the previous week, wandering through the stacks yes you finally admitted he was cute

You walk over to him, tapping him on his shoulder

He turns and sees you smiling up at him, again you notice a small dusting of pink on his cheeks

“Here, I finished it. It’s so good.” You once again were trying to hold back from gushing about the book and the author

But you needn’t worry

Bc Mark did it for you

“Yes! Man, I’ve been waiting to read this for a while and when I saw it last week I tried not to freak out too much.”  

You stood there gaping at him

He realised how he probably just freaked the unkown pretty girl out a bit

“What’s your name?”

Your question taking him by surprise  

“Mark-”

“Well Mark…”  

You couldn’t hold back any longer

You joined in with him

And oh my god he was so happy  

After sitting down at one of the tables in the corner or the library for about 3 hours you were both kicked out bc it was closing time

It was getting dark quickly so he offered to walk you home  

Which you gladly accepted  

Once you reached your house you bid him farewell  

And as you were walking in he called for you

“Lets do something tomorrow.”

He was shocked with his own spurge of confidence

“I’d love to.”

Fast forward a month  

After your first outing, you guys had to the public library followed by some hot chocolate at the local coffee shop, you two started dating.

It was the cutest things his friends had ever seen

Their lil mark had his first girlfriend

You didn’t realise most of his friends were upperclassmen tho

And they liked to poke fun at the two of you

“Aw have you guys kissed yet?”  

“Shut up Johnny.”

“You can tell us you know~~”

“I swear to god Donghyuk.”  

Donghyuk was a sophomore but still poked fun at Mark

You personally, found it hilarious

He’d always go to your house

Whether it was to watch movies

Cuddle

Or even just read together this was your favourite

You’d be sitting on the sofa while he lay down, resting his head in your lap and you both read different books

Eventually, he was confident enough to show you his rapping

You knew he rapped but he was too shy to show you so you were really excited when he said he’d show you something he wrote recently  

Once he started, you were hypnotised by the flow of his voice as he let the words trail out of his mouth effortlessly  

When he finished his cheeks would become red and he’d look down shyly

“I wrote it for you…”

You saw how coy he was being and it made you heart melt, you called his name and the second he looked up you planted a sweet, short kiss on his soft lips

“I love it.” You’d smiled at him as he pulled you into him, wrapping his arms around you as you buried your face into the crook of his neck.  

[arcs-and-blah]

well it’s that time of week again when i can barely bring myself out of bed so to counteract that i’m gon do a thing that always makes me happy.

i know i prob talk about this a lot, but just bear with me please i don’t like mental illnesses. anywho.

OTP Disneyland HC fluff!!

warning: really really really long under the cut bc yeah helps me mentally and i just love disney so much plus know the place like the back of my hand so yeah here we go!

before even entering the park, Nijimura and Akashi walking through the big Disneystore outside of the parks (i’m talking the Anaheim one)

Akashi picking up a lot of the toys one after another bc. theyre. so. fluffy. and just staring at them as if they will come to life and talk or something. Nijimura takes a pic of all of them, some Akashi’s looking back at the cam, some still staring at the toy

ears! all the ears! of course they get a pair each, but which ones bc they’re all so great! personally, i like Akashi with the sorcerer’s apprentice headband hehe

after a while, Nijimura needing to steer Akashi out of the giant store bc come on sei there’s still the actual parks we need to get to sei we’ll come back later there’s more inside! sei!

it’s Akashi’s first time, so Nijimura just catching Akashi’s first reaction once like entering the entrance gates or maybe when walking under through the little tunnel to Main Street USA

Akashi just like “Shuuzou, stop” playfully trying to get the camera out his face but they’re both laughing and Nijimura still got the shot

picture’s with characters!! finding dapper Mickey Mouse right off the bat! oh my Akashi already in the Disney vibe so acting princely to the princess face characters or something!!

just interaction with characters in general! Nijimura laughing when Peter Pan pulls Akashi aside and comments on his hair >///<

Nijimura making sure Akashi doesn’t notice more of the shops at Main Street bc there’s really just more to do than just look at souvenirs

photos at landmarks! like the partners statue and castle!

Nijimura stepping it up and playfully treating Akashi like royalty outside the castle bc Akashi really is a little prince damn it. or princess. Akashi’s not as amused, but still smiling at Nijimura’s laughter

sword in the stone and king arthur’s carousel in Fantasyland! Nijimura messing around and replacing ��arthur’ with ‘Akashi’ in snapcatch or whatever. and for some reason just watching to see if Akashi really will somehow pull out the sword bc it happens and this is Akashi. (it doesn’t)

carousel is their first ride bc Akashi likes horses and all plus the line is usually the fasted. Akashi joking around for once calling his horse ‘Yukimaru II’

teacups!! Nijimura telling Akashi about how fast he and his siblings always go, Akashi like ‘don’t u dare’, and Nijimura taking that as a challenge. they go on like Snow White or Pinocchio next bc something slower to calm down their motion sickness. Nijimura had to help support Akashi as they got out the cups >/////<

trying on more hats at the Mad Hatter’s hat shop!!

Tomorrowland after Fantasyland! Autopia! Akashi ‘driving’ for the first time and he is awful. they’re constantly like jerking around and getting the car to hit the thing that’s supposed to keep it straight, you know what i talking about? Nijimura feeling sick for the second time that hour

Star Tours!! Space Mountain!! haha Nijimura loving how disheveled Akashi’s hair turns out after the fast pace/speedy ride.

Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters!! Akashi just flat out high score man. Nijimura’s more like ‘how!?’ bc seriously!

by now they’re prob exhausted but still so much to do! so they take the train to New Orleans Square. just. either Akashi resting his head on Nijimura’s shoulder passed out or Nijimura leaning against Akashi when resting. either way, soft fluff on the train!!

knocking Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean right there. they’re both really cooling rides, so more nice resting from walking around and the southern california heat.

speaking of getting away from the heat. Splash Mountain. the two got the honors of sitting at the front, so Nijimura made Akashi sit at the very front. the music and animatronics are really nice, but Akashi’s not as happy after the ride when he’s drenched.

‘come on sei, it’s not that bad! you’ll cooling down! and look i got wet too’ ‘no really considering i blocked most of the water from you. u planned that didn’t u, shuuzou’

Winnie the Pooh ride!! their first mention of their children bc they see Pooh and ohmygosh it’s Mura hehehe!

they remember their children and remind themselves to grab souvenirs for them too

rocky rides next! Indiana Jones! Thunder Mountain! i’m debating either, with two fast and rocky rides in a row, Nijimura or Akashi getting motion sick again~ either way, they sharing a Dole Whip to cool down their sickness! yay cool sweets!

heading back to Fantasyland, but THERE’S A PARADE YAY!!

it’s cramped so like Nijimura is standing right up against Akashi from behind (height so he can still see man) and just lovingly holding Akashi from behind. Akashi like ‘Shuuzou, it’s hot out’ but not really super complaining bc still loves his boyfriend draped over him and listening to him (niji) hum along with all the songs playing during the parade. fluff!

psst! Akashi taking a selfie with Nijimura and that his new phone wallpaper~

parade over and now back to Fantasyland where they check out the smaller rides again! Dumbo! Alice! They go on Small World and yeee!! Nijimura definitely fell asleep when Akashi was busy admiring the dolls. it’s just so cool inside and slow and boat and yee!!

it’s Akashi’s turn to take photos of Nijimura

bonus, Akashi waking Nijimura up near the end by scooping up the water with his hand and just splashing him! loving noogies from Nijimura ensured!

Akashi’s prob humming the song as they walk off the ride

they head back to the castle to get ready for another parade and FIREWORKS!!!

when they manage to find a spot, Akashi probably waiting while Nijimura offer to get snacks or something bc yeah still gon be a while before everything starts. Nijimura coming back to a bunch of little girls convinced Akashi was somehow a prince and he’s never gonna let him live it down man.

parade of lights! and afterwards fireworks!

romantic firework date!! Akashi’s captivated by the beautiful fireworks and all the music while Nijimura’s just happy with watching Akashi light up as brightly as the fireworks. and it’s night and a lot more cooler now, so Nijimura wrapping his arms around Akashi again and yeeeee!! fluuuuff!

hehe a bit more rides or re-riding rides! looking at photos that were taken by the staff at the photo shop place

sadly, its the end of the perfect date... kinda. back to the shop where they find stuff for their skittle children!!

‘sei...’ ‘don’t worry, i have enough pocket money to spurge’ ‘that’s not what i was talking about. youre gonna spoil them’ Akashi feeling generous hehe

PERFECT DISNEYLAND DATE

guys. let me know if u actually went through all that bc honestly that’s 40 bullets man. also, share your disneydate thoughts please!! it’s my go to happy place and honest to god i actually am feeling lighter with this hehe.

and this is just Disneyland. I’ll save California Adventures for another day hehe~

[keidas0]

  This is John he does the weather forecast at Wimpole

He’s being hanging around Wimpole for sometime now and knows all the ins and outs of the weather, today he said it was dry. I could have told him that!

Pollarding a willow by the lake

March was the month for tree surgery and a very good friend came to help (paid of course) plenty to do what with Storm Doris.

An old horse chestnut to do

Done

There were quite a few trees to do this year in the park and woodlands, one horse-chestnut tree required re pollarding, this one was blown to bits many years ago but now needed to have a hair cut, short back and sides as the regrowth usually plucks out as the limbs get larger.

Another reshaping

Another one was looking somewhat dead so we reduced it to save the bulk, just as well as while the work was going on a barn owl popped out of a hollow section in the tree. I have to say since the in hand estate went organic and more grassy margins put in the owl population has increased at least five fold. His home will last a lot longer now.

Below is a small gallery of some of the tree surgery work undertaken this year and removal of timber.

Ash tree reduced because of a fungal infection

Taking a break up the willow

Carting away the storm damage in the woods

Carting timber

Making safe along the woodland walk

Willow pollard job in progress

Carting away the timber

Carting timber

Nearly done with the willow pollard

Pollarding an old willow

Onwards and upwards

Reducing lateral limbs on a horsechestnut

  Rotholes

Cornet cutting

One of the many things you have to think of when working on veteran trees is the micro habitats, ruthless, deadwood and cavities can be used by all sorts of wildlife , birds bats but also invertebrates so we retain these where we can. Is can be achieved by limb reduction but rather than leaving a flat cut we actually make the cut look natural which does indeed make the tree look like its storm damage but it can also help harbour tree-dwelling insects like solitary wood wasps and the like.

While extracting some timber from the old southern gate house adjacent the A603 near Orwell we found a coat of arms split in two which must have adorned the long-lost southern gate house to Victoria drive. With a little help the coat of arms is actually the Order of the Garter.

First section of a coats of arms

Second section of a coat of arms

The order’s emblem is a garter with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense (Middle French: “shame on him who thinks evil of it”) in gold lettering and this is what is carved on the outside.

Philip Yorke (1757-1834), Third Earl of Hardwicke by Sir Thomas Lawrence

Wiki                 ‘The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry and the third most prestigious honour (inferior only to the Victoria Cross and George Cross) in England and the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England’s patron saint. Appointments are awarded at the Sovereign’s pleasure as a personal gift on recipients from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. Membership of the Order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g. members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs). New appointments to the Order of the Garter are always announced on St George’s Day (23 April), as Saint George is the order’s patron saint.’

Shattered dreams

The 3rd Earl of Hardwicke became a knight of the Garter in 1803 until his death in 1834.

With the help of the timber crane we removed the stone work and ferried it to the gardeners shed where they then installed it along the explorers path and also added some ferns, both pieces together must have weighed about two tons so not an easy installation. Wonder what other treasures lie within the woods at Wimpole.

Last of the hedge laying for the year

The last hedge laying job was to finish off the hedge we had already laid sometime back but had not finished the binding, all the binders came out of an overgrown elm hedge, plus we cleared up the fire wood and Jacob found it easy to move his sheep as they could scuttle off through this hedge, definitely sheep proof.

Heges that keep sheep in

Plenty of firewood too

Sharpening the tools of the trade

We also had the hedge laying course which was well attended, but prior to the day all the tools had to have a sharpen, sharp axes and billhooks make for easy work. Notice the new method we use!!!!!! Actually because we use a sand flapper disc  with a fine grit its easy to get perfect edges and especially useful when you have the course tools to sharpen.

Laying the pleachers

Binding

A bit of a dull day but the last section of hedge was laid next to Cobbs wood farm and we used elm binders again. A lovely day with the course participants who I hope learned a lot and enjoyed themselves.

Over twenty bodgers now attend the monthly meeting

The next day after the hedge laying course we had the Wympole green wood workers at Cobbs Wood farm, an unusually large amount of people turned up to enjoy the day including passerby. It was also pleasing to have a few youngsters having a go with one young man turning a well made dibber on the pole lathe. A new venture for the group was procure some good straight oak about a foot long and one and a half feet in diameter for the purpose of making oak shingles.

Shingles

To make oak shingles you have to cleave the oak in half then half again and again and again until you get thin wedges which are then cleaned up on the shave horse with a draw knife. A small gallery of the day is below.

Shingle making

bowl turning

Is that John cheating!!!

Ray Iles draw knife

Spitting the maple

a young mans first rounders bat

Is that allowed!!!

Shaving the wrong thing :-)

Spatular making

Shaving

  Rat catcher

Still plenty of rats about and a job for the jagdterriers who rather excel at catching them.

Ploughing

Slacked soil

Meanwhile Albert was single handily ploughing and cultivating the spring cropping land, time was of the essence as both spring wheat and barley had to be sown before the end of April. However a dry spell stopped the plough land from slaking so the power harrow had to be employed to make an adequate seedbed.

Southern lodge from Cambridge Road farm and ploughland

Farming is always quite risky because of the weather, this prolonged dry spell will slow the germination down.

Jacobs sheep went to market

Fine carcass conformation

gimbals

Jacob who has a large flock of sheep that graze on the arable ley land in the winter(clover lets that build up fertility on the organic farm) invited me to go to an abattoir in north Cambridgeshire so I took the day off and went to pick up the hoggets he had taken up the week before. I was very impressed by the cleanliness of this quite small abattoir and doubly impressed with the quality of the Dorper sheep carcasses most weighing in at over 45kg dead weight. Interestingly I was able to purchase minced raw meat for the dogs, a much healthier way to feed them.

The night run and toasted marsh mallows

Toasted marsh mallows

During March Wimpole hosted the night run and most of the estate was open to the general public with some of them taking the chance to do a late night walk through the parkland with toasted marsh mallows up at the folly for a reward.

Water water everywhere

On the wildlife side things where beginning to happen, spring was on its way.

Toads galore

Sweet violets

Sweet violets were blooming all over the estate and down by the lakes there were literally thousands of primroses but the most surprising site was the hundreds of toads we found spawning in the top lake and the stream flowing out of the bottom lake, I have not seen such a sight at Wimpole for nearly thirty years and having seen thousands of toadlets and froglets in the flower rich folly field I strongly suspect that they thrive in grasslands which have plenty of insects and to get these you have to be organic and have very diverse grasslands.

Primroses

Spurge laural

            Below are some landscape photographs of the month.

f

  More chipping, yawn!

More steaks required.

After all the tree surgery we started on the chipping and clearing up, easy to make a mess but a lot harder to clear it up.

Loads of maintenance to do

There was also the brick wall that blew over in Storm Doris, to get access the little spinner had to be thinned and as usual we made use of as much of the arisings as possible, as it turned out we made 200 stakes for next year.

New starter motor for the ford

Oh boy, vehicle maintenance is an ongoing job, the Mitsubishi needed some TLC while the Ford ranger needed a new starter motor, not an easy job but actually easier than putting one into a landrover defender. I wonder what April will bring?

March a time for tree surgery, hedge laying and spring He's being hanging around Wimpole for sometime now and knows all the ins and outs of the weather, today he said it was dry.