#and frost a cake w precision

[eveninglakehomeworld]

so, in case you were wondering, that Nevarran Hazelnut Torte from DA: Veilguard is in fact very yummy! this is Emmrich's mother's recipe, which Lucanis makes for Rook, taken straight from the game!

recipe is transcribed as-is from the game below, with any additions/changes we made [in brackets].

CAKE: One and a half cups of sugar Two cups of finely ground toasted hazelnuts Three quarters of a cup of sifted flour Two teaspoons of baking powder (sift into flour) Eight eggs, whites & yolks separated One and a quarter cups of apricot preserves Apricot liqueur for brushing ICING: Eight ounces of chopped up dark chocolate One cup of heavy cream Pinch of salt Two tablespoons of orange liqueur or rum or strong coffee (if wanted)

INSTRUCTIONS: Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and light yellow. Beat egg whites in fresh bowl. Mix ground hazelnuts into the egg yolk and sugar. [my partner also added a teaspoon of vanilla extract here.] Slowly add flour, then GENTLY!!! fold in egg whites. Butter and flour two eight-and-a-half-inch pans [we used 8 in.] Bake around an hour, 325 degrees. Take cans from pans, cool, split in half. Brush with apricot liqueur. Warm apricot preserves, strain out skins. [partner put skins back in a pan with the apricot liqueur before brushing it on and let it warm up a bit to cook off some of the alcohol taste bc he didn't like it lol, then he strained the skins back out again and brushed that on.] Spread preserves across cakes, then some icing, as you stack. decorate with icing and whole hazelnuts! ICING: Gently boil cream, then pour over chopped up chocolate. Add pinch of salt for taste. Stir, then let rest for 15-20 minutes to make sure it's all melted. Cool completely, then whip it up and decorate the cake. Can add in coffee or liqueur (or both) to taste. Can also add in ground hazelnuts when whipping up the icing, to add texture.

other notes:

my partner made chocolate bark for the outside of the cake. tutorial for that here! we didn't add toppings of course, just the plain chocolate.

we kind of just freestyled the decorating in general... we put some shucked hazelnuts in a plastic baggie and smashed them with a meat tenderizer to get the little pieces we sprinkled/dusted on most of the top, lmao. saw someone else make this cake and draw the mourn watch symbol on the top with icing which was v cute!! wish we'd had the time for that!!

[pascalpanic]

Caffeine Rush: Chapter Three / Cappucino

Summary: Javier shows up to your coffee shop again, at an ungodly hour.

W/C: 3K

Warnings: food/eating, coffee, implied age gap (reader is about 25)

A/N: I don’t have anything to say I just hope you guys enjoy :)) OH JK YES I DO: I’ve decided that Caffeine Rush will come out on mondays or tuesdays, alternating every week!

previous chapter || next chapter || masterlist

Cappuccino: two-thirds frothed milk, one-third espresso. Light and airy, full of fluff. Has a stronger coffee flavor than a latte.

As you drive him back to the hotel, you smile over at him. He looks so gorgeous, his dark hair dampened from the snow, his lips soft and extra pink from being pressed to yours. “How long did you say you’re in town for?” You ask him.

“A month,” the man tells you with a nod. “There’s a whole policy with vacation time. Use it or lose it, basically. They told me I had to use it now, so I told them to give me a month. I really have about… three months saved up now,” he chuckles.

The thought makes you grin. Javier will be here for Christmas. He’ll be here for New Year’s- that is, if he’s staying.  “And what are your plans for it?” You ask softly. You hope whatever they are, they won’t take him away from you.

Javier is eating the second red velvet cake in the passenger’s seat, and you giggle at the sight before turning back to the road. Crumbs gather on the top of his shirt and in his mustache, flecks of red in the warm brown.

He smiles at your laughter. “I have none. I have no work to do. I can’t go back to Colombia early- well, I could, but I won’t be working so it wouldn’t be worth much,” he sighs, thinking aloud. “I could go home and visit my father, but I couldn’t stay there for very long. My hometown is a place you only want to stay for two or three days, at most.”

Your eyes watch his face, that surprisingly soft skin and how it moves with his expressions. Your eyes are holding a question, even if you don’t ask it aloud. Javier can read it without your words as he turns to look at you. “I’ve heard D.C. is nice over the holidays,” you offer softly. It’s less of an offer and more of a silent question: please stay. I want you to stay.

Turning back to you, there’s cream cheese frosting in his mustache and an adorable smirk on his face. Just when you thought it was impossible for this man to be any more beautiful. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. Then, like I said earlier, I have time to properly romance you.”

You grin and stare at the road. “I don’t normally kiss on the first date. I don’t think it’ll be hard for you to romance me,” you tease. “I can be your personal tour guide to the city. I only work mornings, so we can do whatever we want all day and night. Which is good, because the Smithsonians are only open during the day, and I want to take you to all of them.”

You ramble when you’re excited. Javier can already tell, can see you slowly leaving that shell you’ve hidden yourself in through all of your time in D.C. Your eyes glimmer in excitement as you consider the things you can do, the places you can take him.

Javier smiles back. “You’ll have to show me everything. I’ve never been here for anything other than work.”

“Oh, trust me,” you laugh. “I know all the best parts of the city. You’ll never be bored with me around.”

Javier’s immediately certain that’s true.

-

You told Javier last night that you work from 5:00  to 10:30, and he told you he’d swing by for a coffee. What else did he have to do without you?

What you didn’t expect was for the door chime to jingle at precisely 5:34, and for the customer that enters to be none other than the newest head of the DEA’s investigations into the Cali Cartel.

Rushing around the counter, you laugh and throw your arms around him. “Hi, Javi,” you chuckle and bury your face into his neck. He wears a warm red flannel and dark blue jeans, boots beneath them and a thick black coat over it all. He smells like soap and aftershave.

“I’m starting to like the fact that you’re a hugger,” he laughs as he hugs you back, resting his head on top of yours.

You break away and brush off your apron. “When I said you should come visit me, I meant, like, at normal human functioning hours. Like, maybe 9 or something.”

Javier frowns a little as he looks at you. “This is when I normally get up. Later than normal, actually,” he shrugs and puts his hands in his pockets. “You got a dark roast this morning?” He asks as he nods his head to the side, gesturing to the big vats of brewing coffee.

You smile at the question, chuckling a little. Of course he’s observant and remembers little details- it’s his literal job. “We do. Large redeye?” You ask, already heading behind the counter and back to the ceramic mugs.

The man tilts his head. “Actually… I think I changed my mind. Can I do another peppermint mocha?” he asks, a shy look on his face.

Looking up at him, you bite your lip at his expression. He’s so goddamn cute, really, even when he’s being ashamed for something stupid. “You don’t have to be shy about it,” you tease and nod. “There’s nothing less manly about you for ordering something sweet. In fact, most of the sweet drinks we make here are ordered by the business guys or Congressmen.”

Javier chuckles and leans forward on the counter on his elbows. “Oh, yeah?”

You nod and laugh at the memory of other customers. “Matthew, he works at the senators’ offices downtown, he’s a regular. He orders a caramel frappe with marshmallow and vanilla. Full shots of both.” As always, you happily chat as you make the recipe you know by heart.

Javier’s brow furrows. You’ve known the man maybe 24 hours, but you’re starting to get a good read on him. You can tell when he’s confused or worried or happy or stressed by the way his eyebrows position themselves. This one is a lighthearted confusion. “What’s a frappe?”

Your eyes glimmer with uncharacteristic excitement for so early in the morning. “Wait. So you’re telling me you’ve never had one?”

He shakes his head, pulling his leather jacket tighter around him. The shop is cold this early in the morning, before the body heat of customers and the steaming espresso machines warm the building. “No. What is it?” He asks again.

“It’s delicious, oh my god,” you grin. “It’s kind of like a coffee milkshake. It’s frozen and creamy, blended with ice and coffee. It’s my favorite in the summer, when hot drinks just feel too much.”

“So it’s light?” He asks, gratefully accepting his ceramic mug when you hand it over. It’s peaked with foamy white cream and pieces of candy canes. Javier thinks it reminds him of you. Soft, warm, sweet and indulgent. Energizing. Not like anything he’s ever had before, but he’s already addicted.

“Not really. Like I said, it’s really creamy. It’s like a milkshake, really. That’s the best way to describe it. Do you want me to make one and you can try some?” You offer as you stir the spare espresso shot with a little cream and sugar in a to-go cup for yourself. The warm sugary scent rises and you smile to yourself.

Javier shakes his head. “Not if it’s a cold drink. It’s too cold outside anyway. And in here. You do have heating in here, right?” He asks dryly as he sips the hot drink. You can see his broad shoulders soften, the tension rising into the air with the steam from his mocha.

You roll your eyes but shrug. “It’ll get hot in here later. I just appreciate that it’s cold now,” you chuckle and chug the espresso shot, tossing the paper cup into the garbage. “What can I get you for breakfast?” You ask as you nod to the pastry case further down the bar.

He shakes his head. “Don’t eat breakfast.”

You frown. “That’s going to have to change. You seem like the type who doesn’t take care of yourself, thinks he’s too good for it,” you tease and fold your arms on the countertop, leaning into it.

Javier scoffs. “I am not too good for breakfast,” he says, amused.

“Then eat.”

The mustached man rolls his eyes. “Fine. Maybe I don’t take very good care of myself, but I don’t need you to take care of me.”

That makes you frown. “Well, that’s too bad, because if you want to kiss me like we did last night, you’re going to have to let me take care of you, Javi.”

Javi. No one ever calls him that. He’s always Agent or Agente Peña, usually just Peña for the sake of convenience. Those who know him better call him Javier, people like Steve or Trujillo. True, he asked you to call him Javi, but the name is like a song from your lips, as soft as calling him baby. He absolutely fucking loves it. Can’t get enough of it.

You begin to babble on about the baker here and his skills, talking about the various treats beneath the glass case. There are muffins and scones, donuts and sweet breads, croissants and various puff-pastry delicacies. Javier is overwhelmed. He normally doesn’t eat many sweets, even though he loves them.

A cinnamon-sugar sprinkled pastry twist calls to him. He asks for one of those and insists that he pay for it, even as you wander away from the cash register to prove he can’t pay.

Javier stands at the bar as you make yourself your own hot drink, chatting as you stir the syrup with the espresso. God, you love that mustache, you think as you smile to yourself and look down. “So. How did the mustache come to be?” You ask him, smiling and tilting your head to the side in question.

Javier raises an eyebrow. “This?” He laughs, smoothing it down with his forefinger and thumb. It brushes out some sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar from his pastry and you bite your lip to hold back a laugh.

You both have to talk a bit louder as you begin steaming the milk for your cappuccino, but it hides your giggle as you say your next words: “Yes, the porn stache.”

“Hey,” he frowns and sips his drink, setting it back down and smiling again. “It was a thing with my father. When I turned 30, he told me I was a real man now, and real men wear mustaches. He always had one, so I said okay. He shaved it for me and taught me the right way to do it and everything. I liked the way it looked, and it stuck, I guess,” he shrugs and chuckles.

“Really? Because that thing looks straight out of 1975, but I don’t think you’re old enough for it to be that old.” You giggle. The mustache is very retro, certainly behind the times and the fashion of ‘93. “You can’t possibly be… what would that make you from ‘75… 45?”

Javier shrugs. “Well, you’re not far off. I’m 40.”

Your brow furrows. You certainly hadn’t expected that. He looks so young, really. 40 wasn’t even a thought in your mind- maybe a stressed-out 30. “Really?” You ask, though you doubt he’d lie and make himself seem older. He should probably know that you’re around the proper age you are, seeing as you’ve told him about just finishing grad school.

He frowns too. “Is that a problem?” He asks hurriedly, standing up straight from his hunched position, where he leaned over the counter to be closer to you.

“No, no,” you shake your head, and his body relaxes. “Of course not,” you smile and put your hand over his. “You just look really young for 40.”

Javier shakes his head, smiling a little at the compliment. He doesn’t get many of those, the ones where people tell him he looks young or he’s cute or any non-sexual compliments in general. “No I don’t. You’re just being cute.”

“No!” You laugh happily. “You saw my face. You’re a special agent of the D-E-A,” you say, drawing out the letters. “Head of the Calí Cartel investigations. You can read me like a damn book, Javi,” you smile at him. “Tell me, do I look like I’m lying?”

Javier shakes his head, the smile growing wider and his cheeks turning a slightly warmer shade. These kind of honest, pure and uncomplicated compliments make him almost embarrassed. “Yeah, yeah,” he sighs, brushing it off.

You’re absolutely beaming by now. “You’re not used to this, are you?” You tease as you scoop the foam from the milk pitcher into your ceramic mug, with chocolate and almond syrup in the bottom already. Mandy’s in the back stocking something, and no one else is in the shop yet. With this privacy, you lean across the counter, and Javier matches your position.

His face is painfully close to yours. You can feel his coffee breath, and you giggle softly. “Hey. Javi.”

“Yeah?” He asks teasingly.

“I like you a lot.”

Javier laughs genuinely, kissing you softly for a moment before breaking away and standing up straight again. “I like you too, abejita,” he says and finishes off his peppermint mocha.

“What does that mean?” You ask him. You’re nearly fluent in Spanish, from having studied it for years, but the word is unfamiliar.

“Little bee,” he chuckles. “You’re fluttering around this coffee shop like you’re on an adrenaline rush and it’s 5:30 in the goddamn morning.”

Little bee. It makes your heart race in your chest like a bee’s wings, a million beats per second. Goddamnit, this Javier knows what he’s doing, you think to yourself. He must be doing this for the sole purpose of stealing your heart; why else would he be this fucking sweet and sexy and flirtatious?

“It’s the caffeine rush,” you shake your head and wave a hand dismissively. You’ve already chugged a few shots of espresso, and your chocolate-almond cappuccino is about halfway gone now. Either way, Javier makes your resting heart rate double just from looking your way.

“Sure,” he teases and raises an eyebrow. “I’m gonna hit the bathroom. Be right back.” He sticks his hands in the pockets of his heavy wool coat as he heads to the restrooms, near the front of the store.

You take his mug back and Mandy wanders out from the back. “Wow. Who’s got you so chatty?” She asks out of genuine curiosity. She didn’t see Javier come in or go to the bathroom.

You’d talked with Mandy while you prepared the store, filling her in on all of the details of last night’s date with Javier. “It’s, uh, Javi, actually,” you laugh softly as you pull more espresso shots to make him another peppermint mocha.

“You’re kidding,” the woman squeals, her curls flipping over her shoulder as she tosses them back. “Why is he here so early?” She asks in confusion, making herself a drink on the machine next to you.

Your foot taps out a quick rhythm against the tile floor beneath you, the energy already flowing through your body. “Beats me. He says he wakes up this early normally. I don’t know if I believe it, but…” you shrug and stir the shots into the peppermint syrup, scooping chocolate chips into a steaming pitcher with milk and putting it under the steaming wand.

“He’s in the DEA, isn’t he?” She asks. “Maybe they start work really early in the morning. I’ve heard they work really long hours.”

“Well, he did say he works a lot,” you nod. “I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. He’s here now and he’ll get to see me cry my way through the morning rush,” you say sarcastically.

Mandy nudges your shoulder. “Says the most competent barista who works here,” she scoffs. “You have everyone out the door in under three minutes. That’s no easy feat.”

“Okay,” you roll your eyes and pour the chocolate milk into the syrup and espresso, stirring it with a long, twisted spoon. “I doubt that, but thank you.” You swirl a perfect peak of whipped cream on the top, then sprinkle the candy cane pieces on.

“I think she’s right,” you hear Javier’s voice from the other side of the counter.

“Stalker,” you tease and put his mug in front of him.

“Am not. Just think you’re good at what you do.”

“I made you a refill,” you say, ignoring his compliment. “Oh, Javier, this is Mandy. You might remember her from yesterday. Mandy, this is Javier.”

She nods and shakes the hand that Javier offers. “Nice to meet you- well, again,” she says with a bright smile. “You got the prettiest girl here.”

“Mandy,” you roll your eyes. She just laughs as she makes her way to the back of the store again.

Javier watches her then turns back to you with a smile. “I think she was right on both of those,” he comments with a smile on his face.

“Go sit down, stop flirting with me, and drink your damn coffee, Javi,” you teasingly scold him with a smile, turning away to go wash the steaming pitcher and spoon you used to make his drink.

Another customer walks in the shop. You can tell from the jingle of the bells on the door. With that, Javier finds a table in the lobby and sits at it, reading the daily newspaper and sipping his peppermint mocha. He’s starting to see why you’re so addicted to these. To him, they taste like you. -

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers  @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867 @greeneyedblondie44 @hunnambabe @astoryisaloveaffair @emesispo @pedritobalmando @magikfanatic @yooforia @oceanablue @sara-alonso @pedrosmustache @feelingmadclever @hnt-escape @radiowallet @obsessivelysearching @sugarontherims @a-court-of-feysand-and-elorcan @linnie0119 @1800-fight-me @autumnleaves1991-blog @toilet-keeper @evelynseventyr @metalarmsandmanbuns @shannababyy @sambucky21 @princess76179 @starless-eyes-remain

[pillow-anime-talk]

mistletoe. {pt.1}

synopsis: A little joke on Giyuu, making gingerbread cookies with Edward and a date with Ryouta.

# tags: scenarios; christmas!au; current relationships; romance; fluff; sfw

includes: female reader ft. giyuu tomioka {kny} + edward elric {fma} + ryouta kise {knb}

part two {click}

author’s note: for @yvsevie​, my precious smol baby. i love you.

— GIYUU

It was the first Christmas you spent as Pillar, as Giyuu’s girlfriend, and as teacher of your first and also last tsuguko. You didn’t mind spending Christmas like this; frankly, could anyone think of feasting at the moment when bloodthirsty demons and other strange creatures were running around each villages or towns? That’s why you spent your time training in your estate with a young boy who would replace your Ice Pillar position in a few next days, weeks, months or years.

“... We should take a short break, right?” You asked, seeing your successor breathing harder and harder. “I’ll go get something to drink and you can sit on the engawa.” You put your katana into its scabbard and then headed towards your home. However, when you entered the small kitchen, you chuckled at the sight of Giyuu who was sitting at the table, drinking his coffee as if he were at his own home. “Well, hello. Why didn’t you say ‘Hi’ to me earlier?” You asked, taking out two glasses.

“You were training, so I didn’t want to disturb both of you.” He replied calmly, setting the black mug on the wooden table. “Are you two finished yet?”

“We’re taking a break.” You poured cool water and then you stood in front of your dark-haired lover. “You would like to sit with us?”

“Yes, why not.” He smiled gently, then walked with you towards the entrance to the pretty, snowy garden.

When you got outside, however, your frowned as you determined that your heir wasn’t in the garden. Instead of his light blue haori and long blonde hair always pinned up in a ponytail, you noticed a little, white note. So, you picked it up quickly and read the content on the paper:

‘Sorry, sensei! I forgot that I had to help my mom bake a cake for Christmas! So see you tomorrow.

PS. Look up :D’

You frowned, and when you looked up at the wooden roof of your engawa, your cheeks automatically flushed a bit at the sight of a small sprig of mistletoe attached to a wooden beam with a thin string. Giyuu glanced at the same place, and seeing the little plant, he only smiled slightly under his breath.

“Your successor is quite funny, don’t you think?”

“Yes. It is true. He will replace me very well.” You giggled, letting your mouth taste the flavor of coffee and something sweet that you couldn’t identify at first.

Nevertheless, this little joke made you feel the magic of Christmas, despite the lack of a Christmas tree or gifts, and you were incredibly grateful to your beloved student for that.

— EDWARD

“... Edward! Stop throwing flour at me!” You looked imploringly at your fiancé, and he just giggled as he looked away at the huge, metal bowl in which he mixed hot water with powdered sugar to make frosting to decorate your cookies. You sighed softly under your breath, then returned to kneading another dough with your hands. After a while, however, you felt the white dust, commonly known as flour spread around you one more time. “E-Ed! Please!”

“Sorry, sorry!”

“Do it again and I swear you’ll sleep naked outside.” You spoke in a serious tone of voice, even though both of you knew you would never let him freeze to death, much less during the holidays, even more the first holidays that were supposed to be full of guests.

Alphonse and Mei with the smol panda were to appear! Also Roy with Rize and dear major Armstrong. Of course, Winry with her boyfriend, her grandmother and their cute dog were also invited. Gracia with Elicia cannot be forgotten. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis too and even Ling Yao with Lan Fan as well. There were supposed to be many of your loved ones, so you had to make just as many food, cakes and cookies. And Edward didn’t make it easy for you, because instead of helping you, he was throwing flour, sugar, cocoa and edible, colorful sprinkles or glitter at you.

Like for example now; once again you felt something hit your head and it turned out it was a handkerchief, rolled in a small but quite hard ball. So, your hands  slowly backed away, then you wiped them on your red apron and you turned just as slowly towards your boyfriend, smiling at him as if you were telling him you were going to break his neck or crush his long legs. Edward, however, only chuckled and then walked closer to you with the same dumb smile he always had on his lips when he knew he had done something silly but funny.

“Sweetheart, don’t be upset. Christmas isn’t the time to fight! Better look up, my pretty angel.” His broad smirk made you sigh again loudly and loosen your tense arms. Nevertheless, you looked up and the first thing you saw was Edward’s hand holding a small twig of green mistletoe. You glanced at him again, laughing to yourself.

“How old are you to still play this?” You rolled your both eyes and was about to go back to your dark dough, but the blonde man grabbed your waist and pulled your body much closer to his more muscular one. He placed a tender, quite long kiss on your lips, and when the caress was over, Edward rested his forehead against yours.

“I’m old enough to still giving you stupid reasons to keep kissing me.”

— RYOUTA

“It’s... It’s so beautiful here.” You whispered under your breath as you looked around. “W-Woah. I...”

Kise took you for a ride in his car, however, two minutes ago he parked the car on the side of the road and then grabbed your smaller than his hand saying he had a little ‘surprise’ for you. Of course you went with him and it turned out to be a breathtaking view of the city, all lit up with colorful lights and sweet decorations. It was also snowing a bit so everything looked even more magical. You were incredibly surprised, of course most positively.

That’s why you turned to smile at the blonde-haired young man, and he only returned your facial expression, but then coughing delicately so that you would open the shiny eyes you closed a few seconds ago.

“You have a gorgeous smile and I love it the most in the world, but I think...” He started quietly, suddenly taking something green from his coat pocket. After a second it turned out to be mistletoe. You chuckled under your nose and your loved one looked at your flushed face again. “I think I deserve more, princess. All the more so because it’s Christmas day... You know.” He said in an amused, but still gentle and emotional voice, at which you only giggled again, standing on the tips of your toes or rather your shoes, to be able to reach his pretty face, and more precisely to his lips which tasted of coffee and chocolate-nut cake.

The kiss was slow, but very warm, and although your lips were cold due to the temperature outside, this peck gave the two of you a lot of heat on your hearts and cheeks. You even smirked during this wonderful caress, grabbing the boy by his soft, pale skin. The fabric of your wool gloves tickled Kise a little, but he didn’t pay much attention to it; instead, he kissed you once more, but this time on the nose that was red from the cold, and on the forehead, covered in the material of the cap, perfectly matching your gray gloves.

“... Thanks for showing me this, Ryouta. It’s really, really amazing.” You whispered, glancing once again at the colorful and white lights that decorated your whole city, including all the trees, buildings and houses. “I didn’t expect to see something like this in my life.”

“Then get used to it, because next year I’m going to take you to many other equally cool places.” The sincere tone of his smooth voice, and another short kiss on the cheek, made you cuddle closer to the side of his massive body.

In meantime, you still watched the magnificent sights and thought about where you both should go next time.

[clownsgobeepbeep]

Scent of Valerians

Finally, I now present to you the first part of my storyline that takes place in the future~

In this first part, not very much happens but it is still important uwu Things start out a little calm 

@post-itpenny @grotesquegabby Although it’s minimal, some of your characters are in this

Part Two

Finally, October had come to be. 

There was no doubt that the weather was at its best now that nearly everything was covered in hues of orange, even the abode belonging to the one who dressed in crimson.

With a stretch and a soft yawn, she awoke in the luxurious bed before her fingers and long nails gently trailed across the velvet blankets over her lap. Once her green eyes had ceased their fluttering, they glanced to the window as only orange was in sight.

“Oh, is it time?” she yawned once again before lowering her hand and removing her blankets off of herself to get off her bed, slipping on her robe to look through the glass. The woman gave a smile as she heard knocking on her bedroom door, responding with a snap before it opened and in came a maid.

“Miss Velvet, I have your tea ready.”

“Wonderful, set it down on my vanity.” the woman motioned behind her before hearing a tray be set down on her vanity, her door opening again before being shut close.

Velvet took one glance to the outside where, in the distance beyond her front yard, was a pair of kids walking around with pumpkins in their arms. Oh yes, it really was that time of the year which was just wonderful, meaning it was time that everything red in her house be turned to orange.

She turned around and walked towards her vanity, sitting in front of it as she took her teacup and sipped from it. Once she set the cup down, she looked into her mirror to apply some lipstick, red of course, even with the new season. Her focus was on her lips despite being able to apply the makeup with such ease and precision, yet she almost made a mistake when she noticed something in her mirror.

A glowing pink.

Velvet whipped around to look at her window where she caught a glimpse of the sight, furrowing her eyebrows whilst blinking in surprise. The hue was gone, she knew it had very well been there and nothing would convince her otherwise. She stood up from her stool and walked over to the window again, taking a good look at the entire area as she bit her lip. She was then slightly startled at the sound of knocking on her door again.

“Come in.” she shut her eyes with a sigh, turning to see another maid walk in with a bouquet of roses.

“Miss Velvet, this was on your doorstep.”

“Who is it from?” Velvet approached the maid who gave a soft shrug.

“I’m sorry, there is no name and it just appeared with the sound of your doorbell.”

“Well, place it down then.” Velvet turned to the window once again before the maid eventually left, closing the door again.

The woman gave one last glance at the window before returning her gaze to the bouquet, nearing it and placing a finger on a single petal which brought a sensation through and to her head.

“W-What are you doing!?”

“No, no…that can’t be. Get away from me!”

A scream.

“Hm, not even by doing this am I impressed. You’re still such a disgrace, why did I let you live?”

A scream.

“This isn’t you!”

A scream.

“There’s nothing you can do about it, I’ve finally won this game.”

A slash as if flesh had been sliced.

“You stole my fucking life away!”

“We want to stay.”

A choking sound.

“Please not this way! Not like this!”

Velvet stepped back in shock with a gasp, hundreds of images having flashed before her eyes...so many of her loved ones in them. There was one, however, who appeared in nearly every single one, a panic coursing through her as she turned and rushed to her nightstand with a hand reaching out.

“My phone...where is it…” she breathed out, looking inside her drawers, the ground, everywhere that her cellphone could have fallen to. However…

“You looking for this?” a voice asked behind her, so Velvet turned with bewilderment written all over her face, especially as she noticed her phone in a hand.

“What are you doing here? How did-”

“Enough of the chit chat. It doesn’t matter.”

“Give me my phone back, I need that-”

“Who you gonna call? Your brother?” the person asked before turning on the phone, eyes skimming through the screen. “He’s too busy right now, just as everybody is. Don’t you remember about the party happening in a few days?”

“Give me my phone!” Velvet yelled before giving a face of surprise upon the sigh of glowing, pink eyes come from the person. “You...you’re the one-”

Before she was able to finish her sentence, Velvet felt herself be pulled towards the person who took hold of her throat, then swinging her to throw her to the side where Velvet expected to hit a wall. However, she opened her eyes to see that she instead continued falling back as a darkness surrounded her.

“What is this!?”

“Where you’ll be staying so you don’t ruin my agenda.” she was told as the person closed their hand into a fist, Velvet noticing that this darkness was in fact another place, and another place that was starting to shut.

“No, stop! You can’t! S-”

The hole was now closed and the other person gave a smirk, then glancing at the phone which began ringing. So, they let the phone continue ringing until it eventually stopped, throwing it down to stomp it.

____________

“That’s so weird, she didn’t answer.”

“Maybe she’s busy shopping. You know how she can be when it comes to her shopping.”

Through town rode a limousine, inside sitting was a pair of woman who sipped on some soda provided inside. Typically it would have been quite comfortable sitting inside a limo with so much space inside, but this was no doubt an exception due to it being nearly filled.

“Speaking of, I think we just turned into Velvet a while ago.” laughed the blonde of the two as she motioned to all the bags and boxes inside. “But then again, anything for my little oyster.”

“You really are going all out this time, huh?”

“Oh no doubt about it. I mean, I even bought all the pumpkins in that farm we visited the other day.

“Jelly, what!?”

“Yeah, I bought the entire farm of pumpkins which are being delivered to my house today. So, Ula’s going to sleepover at Cosmos and Vespers’ so she won’t see the shit ton of pumpkins before the party.”

“Oh my god.”

“No god here Maggie.” Jelly finished her soda before opening another as she motioned to the things inside the limo. “Only Ula.”

“Anyways, where are we even going to next? I don’t think we’ll be able to fit anything else in here.” Maggie glanced at the bag next to her, reaching inside as she held a black jug. “What is this fake blood even for?”

“The party, duh.” Jelly put the jug back inside. “Anyways, we’re gonna give my baby brother a visit to check up on how he’s been progressing.”

“Ah, the cake and desserts.”Maggie licked her lips.

“We’re going to check on those things, not steal Pepper’s cupcakes.”

“Aw.”

_____________

“No, no! Wait, not like that!”

“Pepper please, that’s how it looks in the ske-”

“Noooo!” exclaimed the redhead before his brother in law stepped away with an icing bag in his hands. “No!”

“Pepper, what-”

“This is not icing! It’s frosting!” Pepper tapped the screen of his tablet where there was a sketch of a cake, a small note clearly reading ‘frosting’.

“Pepper it’s the same thing!” exclaimed Vespers before Pepper tugged at his own hair.

“Vespers! Icing and frosting are not the same thing!” Pepper motioned to the icing bag Vespers held. “Icing is thinner and glossier! Frosting is thick and fluffy! Besides, you’re using the wrong color!”

“Okay, okay! Geez.” Vespers set down the bag before walking around the large table that was in the back of the bakery belonging to Pepper. Pepper could work on the freaking cake, maybe like that he’d stop yelling at Vespers every five seconds.

“I’m gonna work on the cookies then.” Vespers muttered out before approaching said desserts which had been baked a while ago, now chilled and ready to be decorated.

Now that it was October, things were obviously pretty tight due to the nearing deadline everybody would have in just a few days. Everybody had pitched in to help out with what was now Ula’s next birthday party, and boy was her mother really going big with this one; it was practically a  Sweet 16, but for the age of 21.

Vespers agreed to help Pepper and Belinda out with the desserts and cooking, Ferry too as well as a few others who were doing their own things elsewhere. The moth was excited about helping Pepper but...he was realizing that it was a hassle, but honestly, he couldn’t blame Pepper. Things had to be perfect.

“Dad, can I have a cookie?” came another voice which made Vespers look to his side where he saw his little girl.

“Oh sure, I don’t think your uncle would mind.” Vespers glanced at Pepper who was too focused on frosting one of the cake’s stories in orange.

“Thank you.” Phoebe took the cookie before taking a bite. “Oh yeah, you guys have company.”

“Company!?” both Vespers and Pepper exclaimed before turning to look at each other in a panic.

“Hide the cake!”

“Hide everything!” Pepper rushed to grab a sliding screen which he started to pull to hide everything they had been working on, until Phoebe spoke up with a giggle.

“Why are you guys worried? It’s just Aunt Jelly and Maggie.” she grinned before her father and uncle stopped what they were doing, feeling like total idiots before said pair walked into the back.

“What are you doing?” Jelly blinked at the two men who nervously laughed to themselves.

“We were...hiding...stuff…”

“We thought Ula and her friends had come over.” Vespers explained before another door opened, this one being the one that lead to the alley behind the shop which made Vespers and Pepper freak out yet again.

“Hi Aunt Jelly!~” came the cheerful voice belonging to Bubbles who pranced inside.

“Ah, Bubbles!” Pepper smiled at the sight of her. “I’m so glad you’re here! Your uncle Vesp and I kinda need help, and-”

“Oh, no.” Bubbles shook her head. “I’m not helping out with that, you guys already have more than enough help. I don’t even know why you guys are putting so much work into a silly party.”

“Bubbles!”

“Don’t be such a dick.” Phoebe commented before Vespers gasped rather loudly.

“Phoebe!”

“Fine, don’t be such a bitch.”

“Phoebe!” Vespers gasped again before he grabbed Phoebe’s hand to drag her to the front of the shop whilst the others were left alone.

“Anyways, I just came to tell you that I’m going to the pier with my girlfriend.” Bubbles announced before Pepper gave a deep frown. “So don’t look for me, bye!” 

“What was that about?” Maggie blinked at the now closed backdoor before she and Jelly’s eyes darted towards Pepper who gave a shrug, preferring not to explain anything. Especially not after the time things got rather tense with Bubbles.

“Anyways Jonesy, what are you doing around these parts of town?” Pepper grinned as he lay on a table which was surprisingly empty, even propping up his elbow to lay his head in his hand.

“I wanted to see what you have done.” Jelly replied as she attempted to look behind him, but Pepper dragged himself so that her view was even more blocked.

“Mmm, well, how about you instead come back the day before? That way-”

“Now.”

“Okay.”

Pepper climbed off the table before moving away the screen he had attempted to use, revealing the work done by him and Vespers, a few others as well.

“Pepper...what the fuck.” Jelly blinked at the sight of all kinds of Halloween themed desserts, Pepper feeling his smile fade as Maggie looked at each of the siblings in confusion and worry.

“Jelly?” Pepper grasped his own hands, starting to rock himself on his heels. “Do you...um, me and Vesp worked really hard on these things and-”

“It’s amazing!” Jelly exclaimed before approaching the desserts and admiring each one with a twinkle in her eyes, Pepper sighing in relief before furrowing his eyebrows as he noticed a thief.

“Hey, hey! You put that cupcake down!” he frowned at Maggie who stopped to stare at him, then bringing the cupcake closer to her mouth. “Jelly!”

“Children, please calm down.” Jelly waved a hand at the red heads while she still admired all the treats prepared. However, she then turned her attention to her purse as the Halloween theme came from it, and she reached in to take out her phone, then answering it as she ignored Pepper and Maggie behind her.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. D’Vitt. Hi, I hope you’re not busy.”

“Oh hi Schrader, what’s up?”

“All the pumpkins arrived to your house and are currently in the backyard. The kids and I started carving a few but there’s still some work left to do.”

“Don’t worry one bit Schrader, you’ve already do-”

“Mom!” came another voice on the line. “Mom! You should have seen Schrader! He cuts pumpkins so awesome! He made a scary face on a giant pumpkin!”

“That’s very nice Cordelia, but can you put Schr-”

“And then he said my gift for Ula was awesome! And-”

“Cordelia give the phone back to Schrader.” said another voice, no doubt Davey’s, right before Cordelia’s voice faded away. Jelly could still hear her though, possibly arguing with Davey.

“Mrs. D’Vitt, it’s me again.” came Schrader’s thick accent which  made Jelly chuckle. “I wanted to call you to also tell you that something came up at the garage, so I’ll be going there for a bit and I’m bringing along the kids so they’re not alone at home. Is that alright with you?”

“Of course it is, I trust you Schrader. Just make sure to not let the axolotls in the backyard. We can’t have them chewing on any pumpkins.”

“Yes Mrs. D’Vitt.”

After a few more words being exchanged, Jelly put her phone away and turned back to Maggie and Pepper, the latter still upset as Maggie had already taken a few bites out of a cupcake that she was still eating as she was on the phone herself.

“Maggie?”

“Hm?” Maggie turned to Jelly with some frosting on her cheek.

“Silly bird...something wrong?”

“Oh no, just got a call from Ama is all.” Maggie then took another bite of her cupcake as she listened to the phone and answered some more. “Yes I’m talking with your aunt Jelly. Where’s Ula right now?”

“Where are they at?”

“Your park.”

“Ah, I see.”

“You’re gonna pay for that.” Pepper whispered into Maggie’s ear as she had just finished the cupcake, then pushing Pepper away as he let out a sound of distress.

____________

“Was that Pepper just know?” Ama asked into the phone as her eyes looked to the front, waving before Ula sat with her on a table.

“Is that your mom?” Ula asked before taking a bite out of one of the cupcakes she had gotten for her and Ama.

“Yeah, your mom’s there too.”

“Where are they at?”

“Your uncle’s bakery.”

“Ah, I see.” Ula nodded before turning to look to the side, enjoying her cupcake with a smile as her eyes twinkled at the sight that was her mother’s park. Everything as beautiful, but everything was even better now that October had come; things were themed to a dark Alice in Wonderland which was absolutely delightful.

Her eyes then darted to the other side as Ama continued talking to Maggie, landing on one of the popular roller coasters. A train was just going up the first hill, Ula then growing a bit startled once it plunged down the steep down as screams were heard even from that distance.

______________

Screams were heard.

Screams had made Velvet look up in complete surprise, especially as a new light poured into the void she sat in. Her eyes blinked at how bright it was, perhaps after having spent a while there. But if she was being honest with herself...it didn’t feel like it had been a very long time.

“W-what are you doing!?”

No. Oh no...things were starting.

Velvet stood up as a choke sounded out, the light up above being slightly blocked as something went through it. She could tell it was coming down and so she extended her arms out, a body falling right into them.

“S...you were also-” Velvet started, then looking back up at the light which slowly disappeared once the opening had closed yet again.

“We need to find a way out of here...you must know the way, yes?”

The person in Velvet’s arm gave a worried look, shutting their eyes before silently shaking their head.

[roses-and-oceans]

Convergence.

A/N: I’d like to thank @ubeshibe @wolfyfloofs @gladiolus-mamacitia for keeping my Twin AU alive with their love. So here’s a fic where all the twins exist in the same universe. This is based off Doodle’s comic ahhhAAHHHHHH.

Also, if you’re not familiar with my Twin AUs, Here are the headcanons; more info and doodles can be found on my masterlist~

also, tagging: @chemicalkiddo, @nemo-ne-impune-lacessit, thank you guys for your support for my au <3

I listened to La Vie en Rose by Pomplamoose over and over while writing this it seemed to fit it somehow lol. 

Caelum Twins | Argentum Twins

Scientia Twins | Amicitia Twins

It all began with a cough from a passing councilman. Or it could have been a sneeze. Aurelio found himself sneezing up a storm as he put books away for that evening; the Citadel library was empty except for his echoing sneeze. With that, he prayed to the stars and Gods above to spare him the from the flu.

The brothers and sister group of the Caelums, Scientias, Amicitias and Argentums were out enjoying a night out together. It was a rarity; Vega was home for the winter break and staying with her brother, Noctis. Aster was back home from guarding the Wall, which was a relief for Gladio and both Ignis and Aurelio were not working late tonight. No doubt, Noctis would have pulled strings to get them all to come out. With the eight of them, they were all able to fill a lazy susan table. As everyone was eating fried rice, noodles, flanks of barbequed pork, sweet and sour chicken, and sauteed veggies (except Noctis), Aurelio felt the beginnings of a headache. Vega was spooning chicken onto her plate in great quantities when she noticed Aurelio massage his forehead, “You alright?”

Aurelio winced at the volume of Aster’s and Gladio’s guffaws and sniffled, “Yes, I think so. Just a headache, I’m afraid.”

Vega gave him a knowing look and said, “I’ve got you covered.”

From her purse, she pulled out a small bottle of naproxen sodium, and shook out two tablets, “That should do it. Let me know if you need more.”

Aurelio thanked her. The pills were like rough stone going down.

The pills weren’t enough; Aurelio woke up the next day with a fever, sore throat and a plugged up nose. He wrapped himself up in his comforter and set himself on the couch. His little black cat Fish hopped up on his lap and started rubbing up against him. He gave her a quick cuddle and set her down on his lap. He reached for his phone and as he clicked the screen to life, he immediately put it back down. The screen was far too bright to handle. Fish purred next to his ear and rubbed against him again purring loudly.

“Can you tell Ignis that I’m sick, Fishie?” He asked pitifully. She gave a little mew and sneezed herself, spraying Aurelio’s ear.

He scribbled note hastily and tucked it into Fish’s collar and let her out onto the fire escape. She climbed up to the floor above and started meowing right at Ignis’s window. She meowed and meowed until Ignis plucked her from the windowsill and plopped her right on the couch, “Alright! I heard you the first few times, whats the matter?”

He saw the note on her collar and he unfurled it.

“Oh, bother, dear brother…”

Ignis sighed and Fish blinked at him with her deep blue eyes. “What a fool, my master is,” her eyes said.

Ignis nodded in agreement. As Ignis gathered his things, Aurelio wailed in his apartment, “Igniiiisss, I’m out of tissues, I can’t breaathee!”

Ignis found Aurelio in his apartment buried deep in his blanket, a bag of used tissues at his side. His cheeks had taken a ruddy hue and he was half asleep.

Ignis touched his twin’s forehead and it was just as he feared; Aurelio’s fever was running high. He sighed and tried shaking Aurelio awake.

Aurelio groaned weakly, “I think I’m a bit ill.”

“A bit ill? I could fry an egg on your forehead.”

Aurelio groaned again and settled back on his couch. His face was just peaking out of the pile of blankets. He looked at Ignis dejectedly and Ignis got up to make a phone call.

“Hello Aster. Might you be able to do me a favor?”

**

Aurelio was still covered in blankets when he and Ignis had arrived at Aster Amicitia’s apartment. Aurelio had started to shake, “W-why can’t you take, take care of me today, Ignis?”

“I’m very sorry, the prince needs me today, I can’t stay with you. And if I remember, we agreed that we would stay away from one another, to isolate the illness.”

Aurelio slumped into Ignis’ shoulder with a whine, “I don't remember such a silly thing. And just call Nooctt, pleaasee.”

Ignis rolled his eyes and sighed; Aurelio always got needy when he was ill. It was worsened with his delirium the fever had brought on.

“No, I can’t. And you promised!”

Aurelio had started kicking up such a fuss that Ignis had to pick him and carry him bridal-style all the way to Aster’s door. By the time Aster had answered the door, Ignis was struggling under the deadweight that Aurelio had set. He practically threw his brother into Aster’s arms with a, “Be strong for mother, Aurelio.”

“Ignis, what the hell?”

“You’ve got this covered right?” Ignis didn’t even wait for Aster to reply, he was practically sprinting out of the apartment complex.

“Hey! IGNIS?! YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE ME WITH YOUR SICK BROTHER!”

Aurelio peered up at Aster with watery eyes, “Gladio?? Aster?? I can’t see, I don’t have my glasses.”

Aurelio decided that maybe he could tell by the scent of his cologne. He sniffed, “… I can’t smell, my nose is too clogged…”

Aster grumbled under his breath and set Aurelio down on his futon and asked, “Have you taken any medicine yet?”

“Cough syrup… Ignis ran out of medicine and I didn’t have any.”

Aster hummed, “I don’t have anything for what you’ve got, bud. I’ll make a quick call, though, don’t you worry.”

“Thank you,” Aurelio said, his voice quivering.

Aster couldn’t help but laugh at his poor friend’s misfortune. Aster reached for his phone and as he unlocked it, his apartment buzzer went off. He went to answer, “Yeah?”

“Aster, dude, open up! Hands are kinda full!”

Aster was taken back, “Cassiel? Don’t you have the key?”

“Like I said hands are full, I’m using my forehead to press the button.”

He buzzed Cassiel in and a minute later, the door burst open. Prompto and Cassiel came in, looking as identical as ever down to the last freckle. They each had bags and bags full of things.

“We heard Aurelio was sick,” they chimed together.

“We brought stuff!” Prompto waved a bag cheerfully.

Aster waved them in, a hand clapping each Argentum on the shoulder, “Great timing! I’ve been gone for months, I don’t have anything in my place.”

Aurelio greeted Prompto and Cassiel as enthusiastically as he could. Cassiel set about making cups of tea, walking around the apartment as if it was his own home.

“How do you like your tea? Sweet, unsweetened?”

Aurelio made to answer, but was overcome with a coughing fit and he retreated into his comforter. He didn’t come out until his face was red and he wiped a bit of spittle from the corner of his mouth.

“Honey, if you please.”

Cassiel nodded and Prompto sat down next to him. He held a thermometer in his hand, “Open the hatch.”

Aurelio held the thermometer under his tongue and winced at the pounding in his head.

“Can I ge-”

“Minutes almost done, hold tight.”

Aster sat down next to Aurelio and the sick man slumped against him. All Aster could do was give him a sympathetic pat.

When the thermometer beeped, announcing Aurelio’s 102°F fever, Aster said, “Wonder what got Ignis so busy today.”

As Aurelio gulped down his tea and cold pills, he rasped, “He’s been working late for the last few weeks. I think it’s in preparation for something in Niflheim. It’s months away from being complete, should be in the summer that it should pop up again.”

Aster nodded, “I would hope it’s something good then.”

**

Vega poured herself a cup of tea while waiting in the Citadel garden for Ignis and Noctis. She picked at her nails, eager and sort of anxious to tell them something that had been troubling her. She wished her hair was longer; she had cut it short to stand in for Noctis at a gala the last time she was on school break. She missed toying with the long strands.

She heard echoing footsteps, so she stood. Noctis came first, followed by Ignis and Gladio. Noctis ruffled her short hair as he sat down, Ignis gave her a little bow and Gladio said, “How are you, Royal Princess?”

“I’m good, nice to be home.”

“Training tomorrow at 7pm, sharp.

Vega rolled her eyes, "Good, I get to kick your ass again.”

Gladio gave a hearty laugh as he stood against the wall and she smiled as she took her seat.

“Thank you for organizing this tea for us, Vega,” Ignis said, “But I’m afraid we might have to cut it shorter than anticipated, I have a meeting and Noctis has his training.”

Noctis sighed and frowned, “Oh, c'mon Specs, Vega’s here, I just wanna relax-”

“Tomorrow, your highness, you should be free.”

Noctis relented with a “bah,” and reached for a slice of cake.

“Cake before training?” Vega tried stealing some off Noctis’ plate, “You’re gonna make yourself sick.”

Vega was successful in taking a piece with her force, much to Noctis’ chagrin. She paused in thought as she licked the frosting off her fork.

“Ah, I suppose you’re old enough, just aim for Gladio when you puke.”

Ignis managed to stop himself from snorting into his tea, “No, I don’t think that’ll be good for either of them. They’ll end up worse than my poor brother.”

Vega had been ready to sip from her tea but she placed the cup back down, saucer and all, “What happened with Aurelio?”

“He’s indisposed, nasty bout of flu.”

Vega raised her eyebrows, “Is he okay?”

“He’s a grown man, he can take care of himself.”

“He’s Aurelio; He’s alot like you but you know how he gets.”

“That’s precisely why I left him with Aster.”

“You left him- you do realize you left him with someone who doesn’t even have crumbs in his fridge? He’s been gone for months!”

Ignis sighed, “I’m not a fool; I sent Cassiel and Prompto with supplies.”

Vega propped her chin in her hand and her elbow against the table, “Lords almighty, Igs. I know things are tough with the councilmen right now- mind you, Noct’s been talking my ear off.”

“Aurelio does get rather difficult when he’s ill,” Ignis had the tiniest bit of grace to look slightly ashamed, “Which is why we agreed on not caring for one another while ill. I’d rather not say something too brash by accident and offend him.”

Vega sighed and nodded. She got up and said, “I’m gonna go check up on him, just in case.”

Noctis tugged at her sleeve, “Hold up, you said you wanted to tell us something.”

She had almost forgotten.

“Ahh, its not that important, it can wait.”

“Nonsense,” Ignis said and he finished his tea, “Pray tell. We might not get a chance to talk later.”

Reluctantly, Vega sat back down. She took a deep breath to calm herself but she felt her heart pound heavier.

“I’m not going back to school after break.”

Ignis dropped his fork, “Y-You’re dropping out? What ever for? Are you failing?”

Vega could feel Noctis’ eyes bore into her and an uncomfortable heat went through her, “It won’t be forever, its just a gap year! I still haven’t chosen my major…”

“Vega, I thought we discussed this-,” Ignis began but Vega interrupted, “You know my heart isn’t in government. You’ve known that! Medicine is good and all, but that’ll take years and I’ll be stuck, an-and I don’t want that.”

“Well, what do you want to do, Vega?”

She hated that question so much. She never had an answer.

“I don’t know…”

Ignis sighed and she could tell he was trying to collect his remaining patience.

“Why don’t you stick out the remainder of the semester? Maybe by then you’ll figure out whatever you want to do?”

“Ignis, I’m going crazy there. I like school enough but I’m not going anywhere with it. It’s like being stuck-”

“Stuck in a cage with no where to go,” Noctis finished for her. She looked at him, and he held a somber look.

“What do you think Dad’ll say?” Her throat had gone dry.

Noctis looked away and his eyes settled on the table, “I dunno… You’re gonna need to talk to him yourself.”

Vega shut her eyes and let out all the air she had been holding in.

She didn’t look at either them for fear of seeing disappointment in their eyes. She got her motorcycle helmet from under her chair and she started walking out.

“Hey, Vey,” Noctis called out. Vega spun just in time to catch his keys. It was a new set of keys. He had talked about driving around with her, to hit up their old haunts, places she hadn’t been to in a while.She

Vega shook her head and tossed his keys back.

**

The ride from the Citadel to Aster’s apartment was enough to relax Vega enough. She was buzzed in with a “Holy Crap...” from Aster and right when she entered the hallway, she smelled burnt rice. She practically sprinted down to Aster's door and started pounding on it.

Cassiel answered the door and the burnt stench followed. Vega covered her nose with her sleeve. He greeted as casually as he could, “Hey Vega! How are you?”

“What in the gods are you guys doing?” She pushed past him and found Prompto opening the window in the kitchen and Aster trying to scrape the rice off the pot. Vega couldn't have come at a better time.

She spotted a very sorry looking Aurelio on the futon, lying back with his eyes half open. Vega shook him gently, “Hey, how are you?”

“Vega? What's that smell?”

“Someone other than your brother trying to cook,” she said with a smile. Aurelio chuckles turned into coughs and she touched his forehead. His fever was still burning on and he said, “Gods above, I feel awful.”

“You don't look too good, either, sorry to say.”

“I just want to go to bed...”

Vega started to kick herself for not taking Noct's car. She said, “Let me see what I can do.”

She went over to Aster, who was soaking the pot in hot water. Prompto and Cassiel were trying to read out a recipe from their phones. They were arguing over whether they could feed it to Aurelio or if they would be able to make it in the first place. She said to the three men, “You guys mind if I take Aurelio back to his place? I think it'll be better...”

“Aww but we wanna help!!” Prompto and Cassiel cried. Aster pouted at them, “Yeah and you guys almost burnt down my kitchen. I was supposed to hang out with Nyx tonight but I gotta stay and clean up.”

Cassiel frowned, “I'm sorry, big guy.”

Vega took out her phone, “Alright, how about a game plan? I'll take Aurelio home, you three clean up, yeah? Team Argentum can take over cleaning when you need to get going, Aster.”

“Will you be okay with Aurelio?” Aster asked as he took out cleaning sprays from under the sink.

“Yeah! I'm in college, I get sick all the time. I can handle it from here. Can you guys watch my bike while I get Aurelio settled?”

Cassiel and Prompto gave salutes.Vega called a taxi.

**

Immediately after arriving (and after Vega had to break in to collect Aurelio's forgotten keys and glasses), Aurelio crashed onto his bed. Vega was able to coax some toast and juice with medicine into him before he passed out. She left a note next to his pillow saying that she would be at the store and called a taxi to take her back to Aster's to pick up her motorcycle.

She picked up a bit of fruit and some chicken to stew, if Aurelio felt he was up to it. She also picked up some tissues, frankincense oil, some honey and lemon. These were her staples for survival back at school when flu season hit the campus. She'd pick up more later if need be.

She was setting a pot to boil and looking for a cutting board when Aurelio shuffled into the kitchen. His hair was mussed up and he rasped out, “I think my head might explode.”

“That's not good,” Vega said as she reached out for a mug, “Want a cup of tea?”

“Yes, please.”

She prepared his tea and he perched himself right at the counter. He was in his scruffiest cardigan and shivering. Vega stuck a thermometer in his mouth before he could take a sip of his tea.

She laughed at his pout and when she finally found the cutting board, the thermometer went off. She plucked it from his mouth.

“Hmn, 101.5. What was it the last time your temp was taken?”

“I dunno, I think I was dead.”

Vega laughed and handed him his mug, “How so do you feel about having a bit of chicken stew?”

“That would be great, thank you.”

Vega sent him to the couch to settle with a movie and set herself to dicing carrots and onion. She set the chicken, veggies and some herbs to boil then simmer. She set a timer to an hour and she sat next to Aurelio. He looked about ready to doze off again. He shifted when she sat and said, “Wont be for another hour, sorry.”

“No hurry, I'm not all that hungry yet.”

She nodded and pulled her knees to her chest. They sat and watched the movie in silence for a minute and Aurelio said, “I can't thank you enough for being here. But why?”

“I'm not up to much most days,” Vega yawned. She looked at him, “Honestly, I don't mind, it gives me something to do.”

“How kind of you. Really, I-”

“Don't mention it, its no big deal.”

Vega turned to watch the movie. Aurelio asked with a light air, “How has school been?”

Vega shook her head, “I'm dropping out. Or well, taking a break for a year.”

“Has it been that tough?”

She sighed, “I'm just tired... I don't know what I'm doing there, to be completely honest.”

Aurelio scooted to face her. She looked at her knees, “My grades are fine... I just don't think I'm all that passionate enough about anything to pursue a degree.”

“Hmn.”

“Ignis wasn't too happy to hear.”

“Well, that's Ignis, dear. He's already got things figured out, he's always finding more things to figure out.” He paused to blow his nose.

Once the trumpeting petered out, he said, “You just focus on what you want to do. You're still young and though you may be royalty, you're human.”

Vega felt her eyes sting slightly and her voice was small, “What if my father is disappointed in me?”

Aurelio took her hand, “Now, I know that to be impossible. He'd want what's best for you. Understand?”

Vega nodded and whispered, “Thanks.”

They continued watching the movie until Vega's timer went off and she went back to fixing up the stew. Aurelio had dozed off while she finished and she brought him a bowl. He downed some medicine and fell asleep again. Vega picked another movie to play and found her thoughts drifting back to this afternoon. She knew Ignis meant well; he'd been a great help though the past few semesters when she felt herself close to losing her mind. They'd all talk about it more later. She'd talk to her father when she got the chance.

For now, she closed her eyes and let the movie lull her to sleep.

[zibizuba]

Un-Retouched Photos of Famous Celebrities

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You’ve undoubtedly seen retouched footage of celebrities, however what about unretouched movie star footage? It’s inconceivable to undergo a grocery store line with out seeing not less than one shiny, fabulous way of life journal that includes an unrealistically engaging movie star flashing a vibrant, white grin at you. Clearly, your first thought is often, “Wow, he/she is scorching.” However sadly, your second thought is often, “Wow, I might by no means appear like that.” Thus is the psychological impact of media “airbrushing” on our perceptions of what lovely female and male people ought to appear like.

Some celebrities have taken it upon themselves to reveal this necessary situation by leaking unretouched pictures of themselves from earlier photoshoots. Different celebrities, nevertheless, have been unwilling members on this anti-Photoshop campaign, and have seen their unretouched footage leaked on-line by militant media critics and ardent followers. Normally, the movie star pics are met with a collective shrug and a basic consensus that the celebrities are nonetheless scorching, even with out Photoshop. However different instances, the nonphotoshopped photos and footage of celebrities with out make-up trigger precise controversies, as within the case of the Nice Beyonce Leak of 2015.

Many individuals suppose these footage of celebrities unretouched are humanizing, even after they nonetheless look unrealistically lovely. As an example, it’s good to be reminded that Madonna isn’t as ageless as we thought, or that Britney Spears nonetheless has her tramp stamp in spite of everything of those years. Plus, there’s at all times a component of bravery in releasing untouched pictures of your self, whether or not you’re stunningly engaging or not.

Britney Spears

BritBrit launched unretouched pics from a 2010 Candie’s marketing campaign to show the stress placed on ladies by the media to look excellent. The non-airbrushed pics revealed that she had been considerably slimmed down and that her again tattoo had been eliminated.

Beyoncé Knowles

The Beyhive went cuckoo in early 2015 when a Beyonc é fan website launched unretouched pictures of Beyonc éin her pure, true-to-life kind. The pictures had been from a 2013 L’Oreal marketing campaign – you’ll be able to see the completed advert on the best. So she has some blemishes… who cares?

Madonna

Her Madgesty misplaced a little bit of her regality when un-retouched pictures from Interview journal leaked on-line in 2010. Perhaps she’s not as ageless as we predict.

Kourtney Kardashian

Irritated with OK! journal’s apparent Photoshopping of her post-baby physique in 2010 (at proper above), the brand new mother launched un-retouched pictures to the media to present a extra reasonable impression of what she seemed like.

Religion Hill

Jezebel uncovered this un-retouched picture of Religion Hill from a July 2007 cowl of Redbook. You possibly can see the place editors spruced up the already beautiful nation singer. Principally, they slimmed her arms, lightened her hair, thinned her smile, and customarily made her appear like that robotic that she performed in The Stepford Wives.

Lena Dunham

In 2014, Jezebel leaked un-retouched variations of the pictures from Dunham’s Vogue picture shoot. Amongst many modifications they identified was the truth that although Dunham was fully redone, Adam Driver’s face and physique had been left untouched.

Jennifer Aniston

Jezebel  fought to keep this un-retouched image of Jennifer Aniston on its website as a option to make us take into consideration how journal editors anticipate even lovely folks like Aniston to undergo digital touchups. The un-retouched picture is from a 2009 situation of Australia’s Madison journal.

Ronda Rousey

The UFC fighter was despatched an image of an look she made on Jimmy Fallon’s present to share on social media. Besides it was altered to make her arms look much less buff. Rousey was having none of that, and posted the unique and retouched pics side-by-side, vowing that she’s pleased with her physique, and it gained’t occur once more.

Khloé Kardashian

Khloe Kardashian launched this un-retouched picture from a 2015 picture shoot with Advanced Journal after critics known as it out for being photoshopped. In an Instagram comment beneath the picture she says, “Give me an oz of credit score for my day by day exercises!” She principally appears the identical (rattling lady!) in each pictures.

Jessica Simpson

After everybody and their mom began commenting on Jessica Simpson’s weight acquire in 2010, she determined to go un-airbrushed on the quilt of Marie Claire as a option to level out society’s unrealistic expectations of ladies. It solely form of labored: She nonetheless managed to look unrealistically engaging, even with out airbrush wizardry.

Bethenny Frankel

When folks began complaining about Frankel’s unrealistically glowing look in an anti-fur advert she did for Peta, she bought fed up and launched un-retouched pictures from the picture shoot.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s un-retouched pics in a 2009 version of Life & Type had been meant to make some form of assertion, however the one assertion they appeared to be making was, “I’m nonetheless scorching with out Photoshop.” Can you continue to name your look “pure” in case your face is caked in make-up?

Sadie Frost

Jude Legislation’s ex-wife appeared au naturel in Grazia journal to point out that older ladies can nonetheless be lovely with out Photoshop. Largely, it simply made folks jealous of her toned, curvy physique, which she nonetheless had at age 40, after having a number of youngsters.

Jessica Alba

It’s not clear why the digital wizards behind this Campari advert felt the necessity to photoshop Jessica Alba, who’s already an above common trying lady. She appears completely advantageous within the un-retouched pictures, which leaked on-line in 2008.

Pleasure Bryant

Parenthood‘s Pleasure Bryant appeared bare and un-Photoshopped in Harper’s Bazaar as a option to make an announcement about ladies’s our bodies and yada yada… no matter. She nonetheless seemed amazingly engaging.

Jamie Lee Curtis

In 2002, Jamie Lee Curtis, unofficial spokesperson for previous folks’s digestive points, appeared in Extrajournal with out digital alterations. Her look might be the bravest one on this checklist, contemplating the truth that she doesn’t have a freakishly excellent physique.

Claudia Schiffer

This preternaturally engaging supermodel appeared nude and un-retouched in Tank journal to point out what an “common, reasonable 40-year-old physique” seemed like. Her phrases.

Jennifer Lopez

When unaltered (however nonetheless beautiful) pics from J.Lo’s 2011 marketing campaign for L’Or éal surfaced, they did nothing to calm anybody’s insecurities about their very own our bodies.

Demi Moore

When folks began murmuring about Demi Moore’s unrealistic-looking legs on the quilt of W journal in 2009, she launched her “authentic” pics to the media to show that her shoot had not been altered. Sadly, the unique pics (at proper) look nearly precisely the identical and don’t actually show something.

Jennifer Hawkins

Once you’re Miss Universe 2004, is it actually courageous to point out up unaltered and nude in {a magazine}? Or are you simply rubbing your hotness in everybody’s face?

Anjelica Huston

Un-retouched pictures of Anjelica Huston appeared in movie star photographer Johnny Rozsa’s 2010 picture guide  Untouched.

Carmen Electra

This unaltered picture of Carmen Electra appeared in Untouched together with Anjelica Huston’s image.

Marion Cotillard

Cotillard’s un-Photoshopped look on the quilt of Self-importance Truthful is among the most lovely of this checklist.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

One other magnificence included within the unaltered picture album Untouched was Mrs. Michael Douglas.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah seemed smoldering on this unaltered picture from movie star photographer Johnny Rozsa.

Holly Madison

Hugh Hefner’s ex, Holly Madison, appeared in Life & Type in all of her unedited glory, which principally meant that there have been just a few extra wrinkles on her than regular.

David Duchovny

This untouched pic of David Duchovny appeared within the guide  Untouched, suspenders and all.

Sandra Bernhard

She’s by no means been conventionally engaging, however Sandra Bernhard appears shockingly lovely on this un-retouched pic from Untouched.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Johnny Rozsa’s muse for Untouched’s cowl picture was none apart from Daniel Day Lewis.

Zendaya

Zendaya posted this side-by-side look on Instagram after Modeliste Journal used photoshop to slim the 19-year-old’s thighs and waist. Modeliste has since taken down the photoshopped picture at Zendaya’s request.

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Global Cakes Frosting & Icing Market to 2022 : Rich Product, Betty Crocker, Pinnacle Foods and CSM Bakery Solutions

The market research data included in the Cakes Frosting & Icing report is the result of substantial primary and secondary research activities. The report segments the global market for Cakes Frosting & Icing on the basis of manufacturers, product type, applications, and regions. In this report, each segment is studied thoroughly and statistics are presented in detail. The report offers a precise

[zibizuba]

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You’ve undoubtedly seen retouched footage of celebrities, however what about unretouched movie star footage? It’s inconceivable to undergo a grocery store line with out seeing not less than one shiny, fabulous way of life journal that includes an unrealistically engaging movie star flashing a vibrant, white grin at you. Clearly, your first thought is often, “Wow, he/she is scorching.” However sadly, your second thought is often, “Wow, I might by no means appear like that.” Thus is the psychological impact of media “airbrushing” on our perceptions of what lovely female and male people ought to appear like.

Some celebrities have taken it upon themselves to reveal this necessary situation by leaking unretouched pictures of themselves from earlier photoshoots. Different celebrities, nevertheless, have been unwilling members on this anti-Photoshop campaign, and have seen their unretouched footage leaked on-line by militant media critics and ardent followers. Normally, the movie star pics are met with a collective shrug and a basic consensus that the celebrities are nonetheless scorching, even with out Photoshop. However different instances, the nonphotoshopped photos and footage of celebrities with out make-up trigger precise controversies, as within the case of the Nice Beyonce Leak of 2015.

Many individuals suppose these footage of celebrities unretouched are humanizing, even after they nonetheless look unrealistically lovely. As an example, it’s good to be reminded that Madonna isn’t as ageless as we thought, or that Britney Spears nonetheless has her tramp stamp in spite of everything of those years. Plus, there’s at all times a component of bravery in releasing untouched pictures of your self, whether or not you’re stunningly engaging or not.

Britney Spears

BritBrit launched unretouched pics from a 2010 Candie’s marketing campaign to show the stress placed on ladies by the media to look excellent. The non-airbrushed pics revealed that she had been considerably slimmed down and that her again tattoo had been eliminated.

Beyoncé Knowles

The Beyhive went cuckoo in early 2015 when a Beyonc é fan website launched unretouched pictures of Beyonc éin her pure, true-to-life kind. The pictures had been from a 2013 L’Oreal marketing campaign – you’ll be able to see the completed advert on the best. So she has some blemishes… who cares?

Madonna

Her Madgesty misplaced a little bit of her regality when un-retouched pictures from Interview journal leaked on-line in 2010. Perhaps she’s not as ageless as we predict.

Kourtney Kardashian

Irritated with OK! journal’s apparent Photoshopping of her post-baby physique in 2010 (at proper above), the brand new mother launched un-retouched pictures to the media to present a extra reasonable impression of what she seemed like.

Religion Hill

Jezebel uncovered this un-retouched picture of Religion Hill from a July 2007 cowl of Redbook. You possibly can see the place editors spruced up the already beautiful nation singer. Principally, they slimmed her arms, lightened her hair, thinned her smile, and customarily made her appear like that robotic that she performed in The Stepford Wives.

Lena Dunham

In 2014, Jezebel leaked un-retouched variations of the pictures from Dunham’s Vogue picture shoot. Amongst many modifications they identified was the truth that although Dunham was fully redone, Adam Driver’s face and physique had been left untouched.

Jennifer Aniston

Jezebel  fought to keep this un-retouched image of Jennifer Aniston on its website as a option to make us take into consideration how journal editors anticipate even lovely folks like Aniston to undergo digital touchups. The un-retouched picture is from a 2009 situation of Australia’s Madison journal.

Ronda Rousey

The UFC fighter was despatched an image of an look she made on Jimmy Fallon’s present to share on social media. Besides it was altered to make her arms look much less buff. Rousey was having none of that, and posted the unique and retouched pics side-by-side, vowing that she’s pleased with her physique, and it gained’t occur once more.

Khloé Kardashian

Khloe Kardashian launched this un-retouched picture from a 2015 picture shoot with Advanced Journal after critics known as it out for being photoshopped. In an Instagram comment beneath the picture she says, “Give me an oz of credit score for my day by day exercises!” She principally appears the identical (rattling lady!) in each pictures.

Jessica Simpson

After everybody and their mom began commenting on Jessica Simpson’s weight acquire in 2010, she determined to go un-airbrushed on the quilt of Marie Claire as a option to level out society’s unrealistic expectations of ladies. It solely form of labored: She nonetheless managed to look unrealistically engaging, even with out airbrush wizardry.

Bethenny Frankel

When folks began complaining about Frankel’s unrealistically glowing look in an anti-fur advert she did for Peta, she bought fed up and launched un-retouched pictures from the picture shoot.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s un-retouched pics in a 2009 version of Life & Type had been meant to make some form of assertion, however the one assertion they appeared to be making was, “I’m nonetheless scorching with out Photoshop.” Can you continue to name your look “pure” in case your face is caked in make-up?

Sadie Frost

Jude Legislation’s ex-wife appeared au naturel in Grazia journal to point out that older ladies can nonetheless be lovely with out Photoshop. Largely, it simply made folks jealous of her toned, curvy physique, which she nonetheless had at age 40, after having a number of youngsters.

Jessica Alba

It’s not clear why the digital wizards behind this Campari advert felt the necessity to photoshop Jessica Alba, who’s already an above common trying lady. She appears completely advantageous within the un-retouched pictures, which leaked on-line in 2008.

Pleasure Bryant

Parenthood‘s Pleasure Bryant appeared bare and un-Photoshopped in Harper’s Bazaar as a option to make an announcement about ladies’s our bodies and yada yada… no matter. She nonetheless seemed amazingly engaging.

Jamie Lee Curtis

In 2002, Jamie Lee Curtis, unofficial spokesperson for previous folks’s digestive points, appeared in Extrajournal with out digital alterations. Her look might be the bravest one on this checklist, contemplating the truth that she doesn’t have a freakishly excellent physique.

Claudia Schiffer

This preternaturally engaging supermodel appeared nude and un-retouched in Tank journal to point out what an “common, reasonable 40-year-old physique” seemed like. Her phrases.

Jennifer Lopez

When unaltered (however nonetheless beautiful) pics from J.Lo’s 2011 marketing campaign for L’Or éal surfaced, they did nothing to calm anybody’s insecurities about their very own our bodies.

Demi Moore

When folks began murmuring about Demi Moore’s unrealistic-looking legs on the quilt of W journal in 2009, she launched her “authentic” pics to the media to show that her shoot had not been altered. Sadly, the unique pics (at proper) look nearly precisely the identical and don’t actually show something.

Jennifer Hawkins

Once you’re Miss Universe 2004, is it actually courageous to point out up unaltered and nude in {a magazine}? Or are you simply rubbing your hotness in everybody’s face?

Anjelica Huston

Un-retouched pictures of Anjelica Huston appeared in movie star photographer Johnny Rozsa’s 2010 picture guide  Untouched.

Carmen Electra

This unaltered picture of Carmen Electra appeared in Untouched together with Anjelica Huston’s image.

Marion Cotillard

Cotillard’s un-Photoshopped look on the quilt of Self-importance Truthful is among the most lovely of this checklist.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

One other magnificence included within the unaltered picture album Untouched was Mrs. Michael Douglas.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah seemed smoldering on this unaltered picture from movie star photographer Johnny Rozsa.

Holly Madison

Hugh Hefner’s ex, Holly Madison, appeared in Life & Type in all of her unedited glory, which principally meant that there have been just a few extra wrinkles on her than regular.

David Duchovny

This untouched pic of David Duchovny appeared within the guide  Untouched, suspenders and all.

Sandra Bernhard

She’s by no means been conventionally engaging, however Sandra Bernhard appears shockingly lovely on this un-retouched pic from Untouched.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Johnny Rozsa’s muse for Untouched’s cowl picture was none apart from Daniel Day Lewis.

Zendaya

Zendaya posted this side-by-side look on Instagram after Modeliste Journal used photoshop to slim the 19-year-old’s thighs and waist. Modeliste has since taken down the photoshopped picture at Zendaya’s request.

Associated

Artykuł Un-Retouched Photos of Famous Celebrities pochodzi z serwisu PENSE LOL.

via PENSE LOL