#blossom tree sample

[dazfashionz]

The blossom tree

This sample has an important meaning to the Japan citizens. I was inspired by the Japanese drawings and pictures of the blossom tree and thought of creating my own to present my research pages with.

Using my textiles and artistic skills,I wanted to experiment with some different techniques using hand and machine embroidery to show how they would look like together. The cotton pads were an extra material added that I thought would look more effective together with the bright pink beads stitched on.

To create this sample, I selected my two materials and chose a plain white fabric to put under the clear detailed fabric. I stuck them together and ironed them so they do not come loose. Then I sketched out lightly the branch in pencil where I need to sew and used the domestic machine to go over with brown and finish the branches. To add more realistic tones, I used a lighter brown to go over the brown showing the textures of the branches. I then moved onto the cotton balls and stuck them down to the fabric lightly as I want them to look 3D. After that, I used hand embroidery with French knots technique to add more texture in this sample before adding the beads.

Overall I am pleased with this sample and it looks exactly how I wanted it to look by using multiple techniques in one to show development and experimentation throughout.

I think this technique would be very effective on garments and the rest of my designs and this would be a good sample to repete in the future on my designs. although I would change the steps of the techniques around to make this easier by putting the needle trough the material.

[geopsych]

Catalpa time! For a very brief time they are glorious. Here’s a sampling of pictures I took this morning at the park. All 3 catalpa trees are in bloom although at different stages. Blossoms were floating down the stream.

Tell me if you would rather have me post some separately.

[thosefaroffconstellations]

פריחת השקד 🌸

Almond blossoms 🌸

Took a lot of inspo from Alphonse Mucha for the framing!

Some cool Jewish almond facts:

Almonds (Shaked/שקד) signify zeal, speed, and faithfulness.

Almond trees are the first to bloom in Israel, which is why Chazal decided that that time would be the new year for trees (Tu B’Shvat).

Yirmiyahu is shown an almond tree as a sign that ה׳ carried out his word.

The cups of the menorah were shaped like almonds.

When Aharons position as Cohen Gadol was challenged, ה׳ ordered that each tribe took a staff with their name engraved in it and whichever staff bloomed signified the choice of ה׳. Aharons staff (levi) blossomed with ripe almonds! The staff was kept in the beit Hamikdash with a sample of Mahn and stayed in bloom for centuries!

[starfinss]

Efflorescent — Tighnari

𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮: Genshin Impact

𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨: Tighnari + Reader

𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: NSFW

𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵: 8,495

𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺: Triggered by unseasonably cool weather, Avidiya forest is alive with rare flora. Upon going to investigate it, you and Tighnari get more than you bargained for. 

It was supposed to be an ordinary expedition. And by all accounts, it was, until you found that stupid clearing.

The weather that week was uncharacteristically cool for Avidiya Forest, as ushered in by a passing thunderstorm, and the change in temperature had caused flora that rarely bloomed to come to life, painting the forest with splashes of color, and it wasn’t until a few days after the storm that you began to take notice of the unusual plants.

So when Tighnari had rushed to your room that morning, rousing you from your slumber, you were just as excited as he was to go look for rare samples.

The conversation as you walked into the tree line was full of quiet excitement, the clinking of the glass sample jars in your rucksack almost musical against the morning stillness. You were used to the characteristic balmy humidity that was omnipresent in the rainforests of Sumeru, and the cool breeze felt lovely against your skin. The sky was perfect blue, cloudless and painted with streaks of gold and marigold hues as the sun rose.

The Akademiya would never allow this.

You smiled to yourself at the thought, knowing full well how strenuous it would be to get permission to do this if you were still with the Akademiya. You’d have to talk to your instructors, get permission, write a paper, write another paper, write a proposal, and the list goes on. It was all far too much for you, when all you ever wanted was to go out and discover.

“What are you thinking?” Tighnari asked, head cocked slightly to the side, eyes inquisitive.

“Just about how nice this is,” you replied, pulling your rucksack up higher on your back.

“It is quite beautiful,” Tighnari said fondly, “I wonder if we will find any Avidiya Lilies.”

You hummed in assent, your interest showing in the way your eyes lit up. You’d only seen the flower he mentioned as a bud, coiling along vines encircling trees. It only bloomed when it was cool enough, just after a storm, and since the cool had lingered, you were wondering if the flower had remained in bloom, just as Tignnari was wondering.

Small animals skittered past you as you walked, shroomboars and foxes paying you little mind, as they were used to the presence of the forest rangers such as yourself and Tighnari. You loved it out there; totally at one with nature, and filled with a sense of peace like no other.

Avidiya Forest was like a living organism, so full of vibrancy and life, awash with color and all sorts of smells. If you were hungry, you could stop and forage for mushrooms. If you were thirsty, there were plenty of clear streams you could drink from. Nature provided, and that was one of your favorite things about it. You took a deep lungful of forest air as you walked, a smile spreading across your face.

“There!” Tignnari cried, his voice hushed as he knelt beside the path, “creeping silkweed.”

You knelt beside him, studying the small, pale blue blossoms, which were blooming on a fallen log, attached to a delicate vine. Your fingers brushed against the fragile petals, and you withdrew your shears from your pack.

Carefully, you snipped off a segment of the vine, packing some soft dirt and clear water from a nearby stream into the jar before adding the sample. With a satisfying click, you screwed the lid closed, replacing the jar in the rucksack.

“I’ve only seen those in bloom at twilight, and even then, they often stray closed. It’s amazing to see them in bloom right now. When the conditions are right, they’re supposed to glow. It’s very beautiful.”

You stared at the remaining flowers on the vine, admiring the way the pale blue of the petals tapered off into white the closer it got to the soft yellow of the center. Veins of deep indigo laced up and along the petals, a beautiful contrast to the gentle color.

You stood when Tighnari did, listening intently to the information and facts he was giving you, happy to have the field experience rather than just looking at drawings of plants in a dusty textbook.

Tighnari looked like a painting in the fresh morning light. The dark of his hair was a sharp contrast to the lush green around you, the chartreuse of his bangs elegantly framing his pale, delicate face. Your face felt warm as you watched him, and when he saw you looking, he gave you a friendly smile.

“Is there something on your mind?” He asked gently, his eyes genuine, and you blushed, tearing your gaze away from his face.

“No, I was just listening. You were talking about the hypanthium of the silkweed blossoms?”

Tighnari nodded, eyes lighting up as he continued on talking about the various parts of the flower, and you went right on listening.

It wasn’t until about two hours later, when you were sitting down to rest and refresh yourselves when you caught your first lungful of something new.

You paused mid-gulp as you drank from your waterskin, moving the spout away from your lips as you took another deep breath. It was something you’d never smelled before, like jasmine and lavender, vanilla and lemongrass. It was indescribably scrumptious, smelling of earth and flowers, of your favorite incense, all at once, shifting, sending your senses into overdrive, even if it was still rather faint, requiring several deep breaths to get another whiff of; the kind of scent that you had to take several lungfuls to fully appreciate, or to even place. You had to wonder, out of academic curiosity and for more selfish reasons, where exactly that wonderful scent was coming from.

“I see that you smell it, too,” Tighnari mused.

You nodded, and suddenly, you were aware of how nice Tighnari’s voice was. It was musical against your ears, making you smile.

“It’s new,” he continued, frowning, “I’ve never noticed it before, and with my oversensitive olfactory system, it would have been very evident.”

“Is it dangerous, do you think?” You asked.

“I doubt it,” Tighnari said, glancing sidelong at you, “do you know of anything that would smell like this?”

You shook your head. “It smells like… like many things. All of them are wonderful. Maybe it’s supposed to draw in certain insects, or animals. I don’t know what made it this strong. That’s interesting.”

Tighnari’s brows pushed together, and he was clearly deep in thought.

You’d never noticed just how good looking he was before. You already knew that Tighnari was handsome, that was obvious. You were attracted to him, as many undoubtedly were, and he was a very dear friend. But right now, lit by the sun filtering through the canopy above, he looked more incredible than anything you’d ever seen. With him this close to you, you could smell the earthen scent of his soap, and—

“I’d like to take a sample.”

His voice snapped you out of your staring, and you coughed to hide your embarrassment.

Get ahold of yourself. Think about all of that when he isn’t less than a foot away. Collei already teases you enough.

Truthfully, you wanted a sample, too. You were always hungry for new information, and this was no exception. You eagerly pulled a sample jar from your rucksack, passing it to Tighnari. He sniffed the air once, then a second time, before motioning for you to follow him.

“I learned about plants like this in the Akademiya,” Tighnari explained, “they’re bait, like you said, for small animals and insects. I don’t think the plant is carnivorous, it’s just a way to spread the pollen around, since the scent is nearly irresistible. I’ve never heard of it affecting humans, or my species, this strongly before, however.”

You remembered something like that in a textbook, but the name of the flower in question escaped you. Also, the flower you were thinking of usually affected animals roughly the size of a squirrel or a fox, and not the size of a fully grown person.

The scent got stronger as you walked, off the beaten path and into a clearing.

You stopped after stepping past Tighnari, your breath caught in your throat as you took in the sight before you. There was a waterfall tumbling off a cliff and into a clear, glimmering pool. The pool was lined with stones worn smooth, as well as large slabs of slate. Patches of young grass were peeping through the cracks and bleeding into the small, surrounding meadow. Soft, golden sunlight was scattering through the leaves, casting speckled patterns across the grass, gleaming on the water.

Finally, there, growing on the stone wall, nestled in a curtain of vines beside the waterfall, was a blanket of lotus-like flowers. They were reddish pink, some tinged purple, with multiple layers of petals circled around a small yellow center. Filaments, thickly coated in pollen, were protruding from the flowers’ centers, and you imagined that this was the most likely cause of the powerful scent.

“There they are,” Tignnari said, and you were suddenly hyper aware of his athletic form at your back. The scent of that soap you noted earlier was mingling deliciously with the overpowering fragrance of the flowers, with the scent of his skin, which was somehow all you could even think about now.

“Yeah,” you said, clearing your throat and turning to face your companion, “any idea what they are?”

His brows furrowed, lip catching between his teeth as he pondered your question, and you couldn’t stop yourself from admiring how unbearably attractive that simple action was. You swallowed thickly, turning away from him about three quarters, just to give yourself some time to breathe.

If only you could remember the effect those flowers had on such animals, but, as it often happens in times of need, you were drawing a blank.

It was Tighnari’s turn to clear his throat, and the intonation made the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

“Shears, please,” he said, and you forced yourself to nod as you passed them to him, a jolt of electricity passing up your spine when his fingertips brushed against yours. He clearly felt it too, because he looked at you for a handful of seconds before gingerly pulling away with the shears.

Blushing, you trailed after him as he approached the tangle of flowers.

Tighnari’s eyes were lovely. Two toned, fading from brown into forest green; eyes like you’d never seen before. They were one of your favorite things about him, among other things. The cut of his jaw, the way the space between his eyebrows creased when he was focused, as he was now, carefully taking a snipping of a couple of the fragrant blossoms.

You forgot to breathe until he handed you back the jar, and that was when you got your first direct hit of the scent. It was like being kicked in the chest in its intensity. It made you dizzy, as you cradled the blooms in your hand, putting soft dirt and water into the jar, placing the flowers down and fastening the top. You put the jar into your rucksack as carefully as you could with your hands shaking as badly as they were before you gently pushed the bag aside and sat down on the soft grass.

Your head was spinning. You could hear your own heartbeat in your ears, like how you can after you’ve been running.

“I need to rest,” you said.

“It’s the scent,” Tighnari said, his voice lower than it was before, “something is… wrong.”

Oh, Gods. You were getting warm. And not normal Sumeru weather warm, worryingly, feverishly warm. You pulled your shawl off, draping it over your rucksack and rolling up your sleeves.

Tighnari rolled his shoulders back, softly breathing as he sat down beside you, and you could feel that heat spread across your body at an alarming pace. You could hardly take your eyes off him, and you watched with rapt attention as his tongue flicked out to wet his bottom lip. What were you feeling?

Everything was warm and getting even warmer; everything was hot, and you felt like you were suffocating.

“Stop that,” you blurted, “stop— everything.”

Tighnari looked puzzled. “Stop— stop what? I’m not doing anything.”

The crease between his eyebrows was back as he studied your face, and you felt yourself grow miserably warmer.

“You’re perspiring,” he said, softly, “I am, too. Whatever this is, it is affecting both of us. Your breathing is accelerated, as well.”

You realized it was. Your breath was coming in quick, shallow bursts, and you consciously tried to take deeper breaths. You quailed away in surprise and needless alarm when he reached for you, and when he pressed two of his fingers to your pulse point, you felt like an electric shock went down your body, stronger than when he’d touched you before when he took the shears.

“Your pulse is very quick,” he noted, “but still strong. It’s much too cool for you to be suffering from heat stroke, but it is hot out here all of a sudden, isn’t it?”

You nodded absently.

“Mydriasis,” he muttered, “I suspect with myself, as well. Archons, it really is too warm.”

Sure enough, the dueling color of his irises was thickly ringed around the pale circumference of his pupils, which were widely dilated. His breath was quick, matching yours, and you felt heat begin to simmer beneath your skin, nearly suffocating where his hand still lingered, though gloved, against the skin of your throat.

Your own gaze fell to his lips, soft and full, and you realized just how badly you wanted to kiss him. You’d wanted to kiss him before, in several instances, but doing so would irreparably damage your platonic friendship, which was the last thing you wanted. Now, you could not give less of a damn. You’d give anything to feel his mouth against yours, to feel his skin—

Stop. Stop, Archons help me.

“The scent,” Tighnari said, voice lightly breathless, “there’s a-a correlation between the scent and these symptoms, I think the microgametophytes in the air, combined with the odor is having a physiological effect, on the both of us.”

It took you a handful of seconds to process his words, because the sound of his voice was suddenly the most distracting thing in the entire world; no song you’d ever heard could compare, and the heat beneath your skin was becoming nearly unbearable.

“Pollen,” you said, your brain catching up, “you think it’s the pollen?”

“Yes,” Tighnari said, the hand on your throat dropping to the curve of your shoulder, “it resembles oxytocin, in a very heavy dose, coupled with accelerated lutrophin production, driving reproductive urges.”

It clicked in your head.

Your face turned several shades of red, and you nodded once. Of course. What better way to spread the pollen than to draw in whatever unsuspecting animal, slather the stuff on its fur or whiskers when it leans in for a sniff, and then passing it along when said animal gives in to its reproductive urges and—

“A-an aphrodisiac.”

Tighnari’s eyes darted away from your face, then back to meeting your own gaze.

“Correct.”

The implication hung heavy in the already suffocating air as the sounds of your breathing overlapped, interrupted only by the thrum of the waterfall.

“T-the water,” Tighnari said, his voice strained, “we should—”

“Tighnari,” you said, addressing him, and you intended to continue speaking, until you noticed the way his breath hitched as you said his name. It sent a wave of suffocating, shameful arousal down your body, and you tried your best to ignore it. His hand against your skin was searing, even through the glove, and it took everything in you not to reach out and touch him.

Oh Gods, oh Gods, oh Gods—

“The water,” you repeated, finally, your eyes flicking to the waterfall, “right. Let’s wash off.”

You figured that this plan was flawed, as the water was probably saturated in the pollen, but you were so overheated that as you hurried to unfasten your clothing, the feel of the air against your skin was a mercy. You pulled at the various buckles fastening your Forest Ranger uniform to your body, pulling off your blouse, then your shorts and boots, but as you did, something caught your eye as Tignnari moved to unfasten the toga he wore over his clothing.

There, straining at the front of his trousers, was a distinct shape against the dark fabric. It was hidden by the excess cloth before, but now that this was gone, the evidence of the pollen’s effects was more than evident.

But you weren’t the only one with wandering eyes.

You realized that Tighnari’s eyes were riveted to your bra-covered chest, to the now-exposed skin of your waist, and you watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. An exquisite flush painted his perfect, pale cheeks as he realized you saw him looking.

Quickly, he pulled off his gloves, then tugging his sweatshirt over his head, leaving him bare chested, and oh, you were an absolute goner. His chest was much more muscular than you imagined (and not that you did), toned and lithe and lean, with hard ridges of muscle in all the right places. Of course, he’d have a great body, you reasoned, with all the activity he does, and like the other rangers, you were certain he stuck to the strength training and cardio work you were supposed to do to keep in shape.

You tore your hungry gaze from his body, standing up to step into the water, which was colder than you expected, reaching your mid thigh as you stepped into the pool. You tried to focus on you and not how the space between your thighs was aching, and you stretched your arms over your head with a breathless sigh.

A soft splash filled the air, and a ripple traveled across the surface of the water as Tignnari stepped into the pool as well. When you turned on instinct to look at him, you wished you hadn’t, because you were helpless, your eyes raking down his defined chest, lingering on the thin threads of battle scars, his body tapering off into a trim waist, where his underwear hung low on his hips. It took every ounce of your waning willpower not to jump him right there.

His erection was even more evident through the thin cotton of his underwear, and you realized you could see the flush of pink through the now damp fabric as it clung to his skin, and absently, sinfully, you wondered what it would be like to put your mouth—

No, no, no—

But then your focus was brought straight back to him as he moved closer, his hand reaching out to catch a droplet of water traveling down the curve of your waist with his thumb. His eyes weren’t shy with their wandering, and you knew it was the pollen talking, but Gods, it felt nice, for him to look at you like you were the most exquisite thing he’d ever laid eyes on.

“I-I apologize,” he whispered, but he didn’t sound apologetic.

His hand remained on your waist, fingers tracing a pattern against your skin, causing you to shiver, and your own hand rose to catch his wrist, stopping him. The feel of his skin on yours was like someone applying a salve to a burn, and you had to stop yourself from sighing embarrassingly in pleasure at the sensation.

“Terribly sorry,” he said, sounding even less sorry, and his voice was lower than you’d ever heard it, “I— I can’t seem to help myself. I will go to the far end of the pool—”

“It’s fine,” you said, a little too quickly, your voice light and breathy.

You realized a little too late that you were moving closer to him, and by the time you had, you could feel his breath fanning against your skin, sending violent shivers down your body.

There was a warning in Tighnari’s eyes, but not a particularly firm one, that disappeared with every passing second as his gaze fell to your lips, raking down your body, and you almost lost your composure when he caught his lower lip lightly between his teeth again.

“May I—” Tighnari asked, finally, a note of need leaking into his voice, “may I kiss you?”

Your breath left your lungs in a dizzying swoop as you gave in.

“Gods, yes.”

That was all it took for him to surge forward, his lips connecting with yours more gently than you expected, but that didn’t stop you from tangling your hands into his hair, pulling his body close to your own. You felt his arms wind around your waist, holding you flush to him, and when your tongue swiped along his lower lip, he didn’t hesitate to give you access.

And everything rapidly went downhill from there.

The kiss was messy and uncoordinated, your tongue tangling with his, and you felt one of his hands rise to cup the base of your skull, holding your mouth to his, only separating every so often if only to reconnect. You were suddenly being crowded against the edge of the pool, his arms going on either side of your body to cage you in. Your thighs parted as his hips moved against yours, and he groaned lowly into your mouth when you finally made contact with him where he needed it most.

He was so hard. It had to be uncomfortable to be confined by the little fabric he was wearing, and you wanted so badly to touch him, but he beat you to it, one of his hands trailing up your body to palm your breast through your bra before fumbling with the clasp. You were about to lift a hand to assist him when he managed to unhook the garment, and you broke the kiss briefly to discard it.

“I can’t stop,” Tighnari mumbled against your lips, breathless.

“Then don’t,” you urged, and Tighnari’s grip on your body tightened.

His palm felt like perfection on your flesh, and you whined into his mouth when he rolled your nipple between two fingers, tugging gently and making you arch your back into his touch. His hands were calloused from years of working with them, with the soil, with his bow, and the rough skin sent delightful tingles up your spine.

Your hand slid down his torso, feeling the dips and curves of his defined abdominals, and you reveled in the sound of his breath hitching, his muscles tensing as your fingers crept closer to where the waistband of his underwear met skin.

“Can I—” You started, and he nodded, reconnecting your lips in a chaste kiss.

“Please,” he panted, “please.”

You’d never seen Tighnari anything but composed, so to see him like this was as disarming as it was arousing. You palmed him gently through the thin fabric, and at the sound of his breath catching sharply in his throat, you pressed a little harder.

That elicited a more extreme reaction. Tighnari groaned against your lips, a sound that prompted a cry of your own, and his hips pushed forward against your hand. You squeezed him through the fabric, your fingers dipping past and grazing just the very base of him, making him shudder, a stricken hiss escaping his lips. Fascinated by his reaction, you teased the clearly sensitive flesh with the soft tips of your fingers until he caught your wrist.

“Don’t tease me,” he murmured, his voice firm.

Tighnari guided your hand to his waistband, and you slowly pulled it down to tug him free. You paused for a moment, breath unsteady as you took in the feeling of him against your palm. He was thick and heavy, and long enough to make you dizzy with arousal. He groaned softly as you explored the new territory, mapping out the spots you knew contained the most nerve endings with your fingertips. Finally, you wrapped your fingers around him, stroking slowly.

“Oh,” he gasped, eyes half lidded as he broke away from your mouth, “oh.”

You rested your forehead against his as you looked down to where your hand was encircling him, and you felt him throb against your palm, the tip of his dick visibly twitching. You bit back a moan as his breath expelled itself through gritted teeth.

“Rub the tip— yeah.”

An obscene moan fell from his lips as you slowly circled the tip of his cock with your thumb, and you spread the leaking precum around the sensitive flesh, aiding in your motions as you stroked him, long and slow.

“Fuck, that’s good,” he muttered, eyes slipping closed.

Gradually, you sped up, squeezing where you observed that he liked it, and he grabbed at your body, hands on your breasts, the curve of your ass, and you knew he was unable to focus on anything other than the sensations he was feeling at that moment. He let out a quick, stuttering exhale as you squeezed gently, biting back a groan.

You picked up the pace, and he was canting his hips along with your hand, his breath leaving his lips mixed with an incoherent praise as he buried his face in the crook of your neck, sharp teeth sinking into the soft skin of your shoulder. He laved the damaged flesh with his tongue, soothing it, and you couldn’t help but moan, thighs rubbing together in a futile attempt to alleviate the pressure building there.

Tighnari’s mouth trailed down your torso, his lips closing around one of your nipples, and you gasped, back arching, your free hand flying to his hair, the sensitivity making your head spin. You knew it was the pollen heightening your senses like this, but Archons be damned if you weren’t enjoying it. You wanted him inside of you more than you’d wanted anything in your life. You wanted anything inside of you. And so, when he pressed his palm between your thighs, his head rising to lock his lips against yours, it was like he’d read your mind.

“Dammit, You’re so wet,” he seethed, breath heavy, expelling through his teeth, “I can smell it; how aroused you are. You’ve wanted this, haven’t you?”

Your face turned pink, but you nodded, squirming against his hand as he pushed your panties aside, his fingers finally sinking inside of you.

“Good,” Tighnari said, breathlessly, “I’ve wanted this, too.”

You cried out into the crook of his neck as his fingers filled you, stretching you so perfectly, and you were helpless as you ground your hips down, your fingers tightening around Tighnari’s cock, drawing out a needy groan.

He wanted this, you dully registered, just like you did. That meant he liked you, he felt the same, he— oh Gods you couldn’t think.

“I love the way you touch me,” he whispered, his voice hushed and chaste, “don’t stop, please.“

He whispered more hushed praises into the crook of your neck, hips bucking as you stroked him faster, and his thumb found your clit, making your legs tremble. His fingers weren’t very practiced, but he knew where he was touching, finding every spot inside of you with a certainty that made your knees feel weak, and you gasped sharply, inner walls fluttering around his fingers, making him groan. The pressure on your clit increased, making your hips jump, your heartbeat pounding in your ears, and it wasn’t long before you were grinding down onto his hand like a bitch in heat.

“Tighnari,” you gasped, head falling back.

“Our tactile receptors are affected by the pollen,” Tighnari said, ever the academic, even like this, “making us more sensitive, increasing oxytocin, making everything more intense.”

You were barely able to formulate a response, your brain fogged with desire so strong it was making you dizzy.

“Just don’t stop,” you gasped, back arching into his chest,

He curled his fingers inside of you, making you cry out.

“Not a chance.”

All eloquence and academic vocabulary flew out the window as you stroked him quicker and quicker, his words replaced with moans of ecstasy mixed with your name, muffled by your skin or filling the open air. You felt him twitch against your palm, his hips bucking harder, and from the deliriously pleasured expression on Tighnari’s face, you knew he was close.

“Fuck,” he gasped, “don’t stop, please, please—”

He was going to cum, and you could tell by the way his thrusts grew uneven, eventually stilling to let you control the pace, working him closer and closer to his release, making him hiss through his teeth.

“Ah… shit,” Tighnari blurted, his jaw clenching, face laced with a stricken expression, “don’t stop, I’m so close—”

You wanted to tell him you weren’t going to stop, but all you could manage was a desperate moan as you ground down on his hand, your head falling back at the divine pleasure, and Tighnari’s groans of ecstasy grew louder, mixing almost incoherently with your name as you continued to jerk him off, your rhythm in tandem with his own as he worked his fingers inside of you.

Your climax was creeping up on you faster than you wanted it to, urged on by the increased sensitivity from the pollen. Your free hand knotted in his hair, your fingers raking upwards to wrap around the base of his right ear, making him groan.

“M-my ears— Not usually that sensitive,” Tighnari stammered, puzzled, his expression hazy, “feels good normally, but not— oh.”

You hummed in assent, fingers rubbing where his ears met his scalp, making him cry out against your skin, the combination of sensations clearly overwhelming to him. His fingers were now curling inside of you, making your eyes roll back in your skull, hips moving with his hand as you squirmed in his hold.

All it took was one more squeeze at the base of his dick to send him over the edge.

“C-cumming, I’m cumming,” Tighnari’s gasped, and with a final buck of his hips, your fingers were coated with white, dripping down your knuckles, painting your stomach, and there was so much of it, hot against your skin. You worked him through his climax with sure, even strokes, and he wasn’t softening, even as you milked him dry.

The sounds he made were madly erotic, his face the perfect picture of ecstasy as he rode out his blissful high, his ears drooping to the sides of his head as his face pressed against your shoulder, teeth sinking into your skin once again.

He yanked your hand away abruptly, even as he continued to twitch, and you were suddenly on your back, laying at the side of of the pool, his hands tugging your panties down and off your legs. He held your thighs apart, pinning you in place as his mouth took the place his hand had been, his tongue hot against your cunt.

Your cries were far too loud, but you were beyond caring about volume as he held you down and devoured you, your clit trapped under his tongue, between his lips, and you were aching to be filled, but he wasn’t giving you that satisfaction, not yet. You were already so close, and all it took was that one final push before you toppled over the edge, sobbing his name, your hands knotting in his hair, but he didn’t even slow, not even as you convulsed under his touch.

Tighnari’s tongue flattened against your clit, dragging up in broad strokes, and you felt your head pitch back, gently knocking against the stones beneath it as you tried to close your thighs instinctively, but were barred from doing so. You felt Tighnari’s hands grab at the backs of your knees, hitching them over his shoulders as he moved closer.

“Please,” you cried, desperate and dizzy with torturous desire, “please, please, fuck me.”

You heard him, felt him snarl against your cunt, more animal than human as he sped up his pace, taking your clit into his mouth and sucking hard enough that it made stars dance across your blurry vision. You were suddenly cumming so hard that you couldn’t even breathe, your mouth wide open in a silent scream, back arched off the ground, your hands locked in a white knuckled grip in Tighnari’s hair as you clenched down hard on nothing.

He was gentler this time as he helped you through your climax, pulling away finally when you were incoherent with pleasure. You lay there, panting hard, your eyes half open as you tried to recover, but even that wasn’t enough. You could still feel the effects of the pollen coursing through your system, and from the way Tighnari was looking at you, it was the same for him.

“I’m on a birth control tonic,” you said, propping yourself up on your elbows to look at him, “just— please, Tighnari, I feel like I’m burning inside.”

Tighnari’s hands went to rest on your parted thighs, pulling you forward and towards him, to where he stood, still thigh-deep in the water. Your own legs were submerged up to your knee as he pulled you flush to him, his cock pressing against your pubic bone.

“I won’t be able to stop,” Tighnari warned, “I apologize if it becomes too much, but I can’t promise you that—“

“Please,” you whined, growing more and more desperate, “I need you, I can’t take this anymore.”

That was all it took. Tighnari nodded a single time, once he was sure of your consent, and he reached between your bodies to line himself up with your entrance, slowly sheathing himself inside of you.

You made a soft, breathy whine as he filled you, a sound he juxtaposed with a heavy groan. The stretch was almost enough to send you over the edge right there, and if it weren’t for the effects of the pollen, you’d probably have felt more pain from the intrusion, but all you felt was a dull ache and a hint of discomfort.

“Oh, Gods,” Tignnari whispered, and you watched his hands flatten on the stones beside your hips, muscles tightening as he took in the new sensation.

His head tipped forward, his breathing heavy and uneven, and you used your thighs to pull him closer, disregarding the whisper of pain in the back of your mind as the pure relief of being filled up overtook you.

“Stay still, stay still,” he growled, the very threads of his control slipping away as he spoke, the warning clear in his voice, but you didn’t listen, pulling him forward again.

Your actions were met with a sound that was produced deep in his chest, like a warning an animal would give, and it hadn’t even occurred to you how the pollen would affect someone like Tighnari, someone with non-human heritage as opposed to yourself, and as he drew himself out, only to press back in again, your mind went blank, all semblance of scientific curiosity tossed out the window.

Your cries of pleasure mixed with his as he repeated the motion, again, and again, and again, and oh Gods, you couldn’t even think. The pace he adopted was clearly with your comfort in mind, but it was rapidly becoming not enough. You needed more, all you could fathom was how much you needed more.

“Faster,” you gasped, your voice barely there, but he heard you, as evident by the way his ears perked up.

Tighnari snarled, his grip on your body tightening, and when you whimpered, he lost control completely.

His fingers were sure to be pressing bruises into your flesh from how hard he was gripping your body, but you didn’t care, not when every cell in your body was demanding more, more, more. You were vaguely aware of your volume, and you put the back of your hand over your mouth in a half hearted attempt to quiet yourself, but it basically did fuck all, especially when Tighnari reached up to yank your hand away, pinning it by your side.

“I want to hear you,” he rasped, “every single sound you make, I want to hear it.”

Your brain fogged further with desire, fueled by the low, rough timbre Tighnari’s usually gentle voice had adopted, and you whined, back arching off the pleasantly cool stones beneath your body. With his words, every last shred of dignity that you’d feebly been clinging to evaporated.

Tignnari hiked one of your legs over his shoulder as he inched closer, rolling his hips in a way that made stars blast across your hazy vision. You’d never been this aroused before in your life, and all you could do was squirm and cry out as Tighnari fucked you absolutely dumb.

“Need more,” Tighnari hissed, his hands sliding along your body, “need more, needmoreneedmore—”

He let out a low, keening moan as you tightened around him, your hips bucking against his, toes curling. You felt like your sanity was slipping through your fingers like a palmful of sand, and you realized with a sudden shock that you were about to cum, and you were about to cum hard.

The climax hit you with the force of a tidal wave, and your body went stiff, back arching off the stones, hands scrambling for purchase and finding nothing. Your mind was a sea of empty thought, stars bursting across your vision as you convulsed, pulsing around Tighnari’s cock, and he wasn’t even pausing, a snarl tearing from his chest as he pushed deeper inside of you.

Your continued climax was making you lightheaded as you panted for breath, the decline less of a decline and more of a work up to yet another peak as Tighnari kept a steady, dizzying pace, making your eyes roll into the back of your skull. Everything was too much, but it still wasn’t even slightly enough, a bizarre oxymoron that sent shockwaves dancing across your electrified nerves.

Tignnari twitched inside of you, making you whimper, and you looked up at him through your lashes, watching his face. The mask of delirium was back, Tighnari’s eyes wild as he drove himself towards his own climax with deep, even thrusts that grew more and more unsteady.

“Take it,” you heard him rasp, “take it take it take it—”

He shoved himself all the way inside of you, and with a sudden shout, he twitched sharply, and you could feel him filling you, stuffing you full with searing heat. Somewhere in the back of your pollen addled mind, you were glad that your birth control tonic kept you from getting pregnant with a guarantee.

You could feel his cum leaking out of you, and when he noticed, his fingers swept along the curve of your ass and shoved the liquid back inside of you, a sensation that made you let out a startled moan.

Without pulling out, Tighnari was shifting, switching places with you on the stones, where the sat himself down, with you in his lap. The sudden change of position caused you to sink down, pushing him deeper inside of you, a sensation that made you gasp sharply. You appreciated some aspects of the shift, however, as this gave you full access to his body, and you wrapped your arms around his shoulders as his hands found your hips, dragging up and along your waist.

He said nothing as he found your mouth, joining it with his in a kiss far more gentle than you’d been expecting, an expression of affection amid the suffocating lust that afflicted you both.

Slowly, you moved, rocking your hips as you sank back down onto him, a motion that made you cry out, a sound that mingled almost musically with his own cry. His nails dug into the plush of your thighs, one hand sliding down where you were joined with him to rub circles against your clit, an action that made you stiffen sharply, almost started by the burst of sensation.

His mouth left yours to trail down your throat, teeth grazing against the spot he’d bitten before and making you shiver. He was moving with you as you rocked your hips, one hand on your waist to help you along, his hips bucking to meet you every time you sank back down onto his cock. You heard him whisper your name, and you bent to kiss him again, an action he returned with vigor.

Your fingers combed through his hair, meeting where his ears met his scalp, and you heard him gasp into your mouth as your nails grazed against the sensitive skin. He broke the kiss to tuck his face into the crook of your neck, keening desperately, his grip on your waist tightening.

“Keep touching me there,” he finally managed, and who were you to deny him?

Your nails dragged along his ears, making him groan, and you felt his arm wind around your waist, taking over controlling the pace as he pushed you down onto his cock, guiding you as you moved. You somewhat appreciated it; your thighs had been growing sore. You assisted him by rolling your hips as you moved with him, something he rewarded with a sharp buck of his hips, making blurry stars scatter across your vision, a shrill whine tearing itself from your throat.

Tighnari pressed down on your clit, making you tense, teeth gritting and eyes squeezing closed, and you felt him trail open mouthed kisses down your throat, overloading you with sensation, and you sobbed his name as he tugged you closer, filling you so completely. You felt like you were going insane, and not one part of you wanted it to stop.

You couldn’t even speak as your climax drew closer, only able to let out a strangled cry as Tighnari’s teeth sank into the delicate skin of your shoulder, the pain barely noticeable as it mixed with the overwhelming pleasure. If anything, it just heightened it all, your nerves going off like fireworks under his touch.

With a sudden gasp, your climax slammed into you, making you still as the sensations hit you with enough force to make you dizzy. You were vaguely aware of the sounds Tignnari was making as you tightened around him, muffled by your shoulder, and you were suddenly under him again, sprawled across the stones once more, hands pinned above your head with one of his as he fucked you at a near punishing pace.

His eyes locked onto yours as he moved against you, and you couldn’t even imagine what your face looked like. You could feel tears of overstimulation on your cheeks, sweat on your brow, and you were sure you were an absolute wreck, but so was he. His hair was a mess, the chartreuse of his bangs intermixing with the dark of the rest of his hair, and his face was flushed a rather lovely pink, eyes half lidded. His ears had fallen to droop on either side of his head. His lips were kiss swollen and pink, and you were sure your own were the same.

Tighnari’s free hand slid down your body to hike one of your legs up around his waist, gripping at the plush of your thigh, and you whimpered as his nails bit into the tender skin. You were so sensitive it was almost unbearable, and you tossed your head back when his thumb pressed your clit again, letting out an unrestrained wail, tears beading in the corners of your eyes, and you felt Tighnari kiss them away before joining his mouth to yours once more.

You knew he was going to cum from the unsteady way he was breathing, and you were too, far too sensitive to stand anything else. You didn’t know how much more you could take; everything was blurring together in a cacophony of noise and sensation that left you straining against Tighnari’s grip on your wrists.

“Fill me, please,” you gasped abruptly, surprising even yourself, and Tighnari pulled back from your mouth to gaze at you, eyes wild.

“That’s what you want?” He snarled, “you want me to stuff you full of my cum? yeah? You wanna be filled?”

You nodded rapidly, his words making suffocating arousal course through your veins, and you felt him pick up the pace, forcing you into another dizzying climax, your back arching sharply off the ground. You could just barely hear him whispering praises over the thrum of blood in your ears, and you let out a strangled whine as his mouth connected with your nipple, making you thrash in his hold. He wasn’t even letting you breathe, and all you could think about was him, all around you, mixing with the scent of the pollen in the air in an intoxicating fragrance.

Mercifully, he removed his hand from between your bodies, simply resting it on your hip as he chased his own climax next, whispering your name and filthy praises as he drew closer and closer, his pace growing uneven.

He finally reached his end with a low, nearly possessive growl, holding onto you with a bruising force as he stuffed you full once more, heat blooming in your belly, uncaring about the way his cum was leaking out of you. His teeth were gritted, eyes squeezed shut, and you felt his grip on your wrists loosen just enough that you could wrestle free, so you pulled him down to meet you in a fierce kiss.

He finally slowed, his breath heavy and uneven as he came down from his high, his forehead resting against yours as he remained still, softening inside of you. You relaxed back onto the stones, pleased by the cool temperature they brought, soothing against your burning skin. Your breath was still quick and thin as you recovered, and you could still smell the pollen in the air, but exhaustion was taking over, forcing your eyelids to close.

Tighnari pulled out of you, and you whined at the sudden emptiness, but recovered quickly as he tugged you onto the grass and to his chest, nose nuzzling into your hair where he pressed a kiss. Neither of you were able to speak, completely spent, and you shifted slowly to wrap an arm around his bare waist. The pollen’s scent was falling into the background as the exertion began to wash over you, and you could tell it was the same for Tighnari.

You were asleep in a matter of seconds, pressed close to him.

Warm.

You were warm. And it was dark. Well, darker. You’d been sleeping, you knew that much. The sounds of Avidiya Forest were present around you, as well as the sound of a waterfall. Your brain was lagging behind as you woke, still groggy from such a deep slumber.

You were pressed against something solid and warm and breathing, and when you opened your eyes, you almost jumped from your skin.

Tignnari was laying beside you, sound asleep. He was holding you in his arms, in a possessive, tender way, and it was suddenly all flooding back to you. The pollen. That damn pollen.

Your brain finally caught up, and you remembered. You expected you should be sore, but you weren’t. You felt more satisfied than you ever had before, completely rejuvenated. You lifted your head to look over at the curtain of flowers, only to find that the blossoms had closed, taking the pollen’s scent with them. It had also fallen dark, the sun already setting. You’d been asleep for a while, but after that, you supposed that wasn’t surprising.

You focused back on Tignnari. He looked so peaceful in his sleep, so relaxed. Every bit of tension had been drained away, leaving him looking soft and gentle. You reached a hand up to cup his cheek before you could stop yourself, and he started you when he leaned into your touch.

“Hello,” he said, voice still thick with sleep, and you felt your cheeks beginning to warm.

“Hi.”

And there was your anxiety. What if Tighnari thought that what you’d just done together was a mistake? Things surely wouldn’t be the same after that, you knew that much. He couldn’t just fuck your brains out and then act like nothing happened. That wasn’t how Tighnari was.

But then, he was leaning in to kiss you, and every single doubt was expelled from your mind. It was a soft, gentle kiss, full of tender emotions and care, and it made your heart stutter in your chest.

“Was I too rough with you?” He asked after pulling away, and you shook your head.

“No. It was… it was good.”

Tignnari raised his eyebrows. “Just ‘good?’”

You blanched. “N-no, it was more than good. It was amazing.”

A soft, tender chuckle. “I was only teasing you. You were amazing, too.”

A few moments of comfortable silence passed before he spoke again. “That wasn’t how I imagined that happening for the first time,” he said, a laugh in his voice, and you turned to look at him, trying not to show the surprise on your face.

From the way he was smiling, soft and affectionate, you’d failed on that front.

“I fell in love with you quite a while ago,” he said, “I thought I’d been clear in my advances, but maybe not. I care for you very deeply, though. If you don’t feel the same, I—”

You cut him off, scoffing derisively at the sheer absurdity of that statement, with a kiss. He held you to him, cradling your face in his hands, until you both ran out of air.

“There’s my answer, then,” he said with a smile. You answered him with another quick kiss.

“I love you, too,” you said, “I thought you didn’t feel the same.”

Tighnari snorted, eyes glittering with mirth. “I suppose we’re both a little dense, then.”

You sat up, stretching your arms over your head. “We should wash up. And head back. It’s gotten late. We’re probably missed.”

Tighnari sighed, sitting up beside you. “As much as I’d rather stay here with you a while longer, you’re most likely correct. Collei is probably beside herself with worry.”

You stood on unsteady feet, and Tighnari followed you to the clear pool. The two of you rinsed your bodies off until you felt sufficiently clean before redressing. You were careful to make sure your sample jars were well sealed before you picked up your rucksack, shrugging it onto your back.

“Ready?” Tignnari asked, and you decided he looked lovely in the first rays of moonlight. You smiled at him, taking his outstretched hand in yours and squeezing.

“Yeah.”

Hand in hand, you walked back to Gandharva Ville, basking in the natural symphony of the forest.

Fin.

[maiochiruhanabiraaa]

Seville's Heartbeat (Pablo Gavi.)

Summary: Gavi proudly introduces his girlfriend, Y/N, to Seville's rich culture through historic landmarks, local cuisine, and flamenco. Their journey culminates at the Feria de Abril, where Y/N joins in the festivities, deepening their bond and beginning their shared exploration of Seville's traditions.

Gavi had always been proud of his hometown, Seville, with its rich history and vibrant culture.

When he met Y/N, his foreign girlfriend, he couldn't wait to show her everything that made Seville special.

One sunny morning, Gavi took Y/N on a stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the old town. The air was filled with the scent of orange blossoms as they passed by centuries-old buildings adorned with intricate Moorish architecture.

"This is the Real Alcázar," Gavi explained, pointing to the majestic palace ahead.

"It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the gardens are absolutely stunning."

Y/N was captivated by the beauty of the palace and its lush gardens, where peacocks roamed freely among the fountains and orange trees.

She took countless photos, wanting to remember every detail.

As they continued their walk, they stumbled upon a bustling market in Plaza del Salvador.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and grilled meats wafted through the air, tempting them to sample traditional Andalusian delicacies.

"This is where locals come to shop for fresh produce and enjoy tapas," Gavi said, ordering a plate of jamón ibérico and manchego cheese for them to share. Y/N savored the flavors, delighted by the authenticity of the food.

In the evening, Gavi surprised Y/N with tickets to a flamenco show at a small, intimate tablao.

The passionate music and intricate dance moves left Y/N spellbound, her heart racing with the rhythm of the castanets.

"This is flamenco," Gavi whispered, his eyes fixed on the stage.

"It's more than just a dance; it's a way of expressing emotions and telling stories."

Y/N nodded, understanding the intensity and passion behind the performance. She could feel the energy reverberating through the room, connecting her to centuries of Andalusian culture.

On their final day together, Gavi took Y/N to experience the Feria de Abril, Seville's famous spring fair.

The fairgrounds were alive with color, filled with hundreds of casetas (decorated tents) where families gathered to eat, drink, and dance sevillanas.

"This is our most cherished tradition," Gavi said, leading Y/N into a caseta where his friends and family awaited them.

They were welcomed warmly, and Y/N was introduced to everyone as Gavi's girlfriend from abroad.

Throughout the day, they indulged in traditional dishes like paella and churros, and Y/N even tried on a colorful flamenco dress, joining in the dancing with newfound friends.

As the sun set over the fairgrounds, Gavi and Y/N sat together, savoring the moment.

"Thank you for sharing all of this with me," Y/N said, leaning against Gavi's shoulder.

Gavi smiled, knowing that he had given Y/N a glimpse into the heart and soul of Seville.

"There's so much more to explore," he said softly, his hand finding hers.

And as they watched fireworks light up the night sky, they knew that their adventure together was only just beginning.

[luvolani]

A/N- 𝗌𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝗂 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿ir𝗆𝖾𝖽 𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗌 a 𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝗀𝗎𝗒! 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖿𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒! 𝖲𝗈 𝖺 𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝖿𝗅𝗎𝖿𝖿 𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗍!.

𝖭𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗆𝗂 𝗄𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗈 𝗑 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋<𝟥

Y/N had always found solace in the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the gentle hum of the bakery's daily bustle. Ever since she started working there, it had become more than just a job—it was a place where she found herself looking forward to each day, eager to greet familiar faces and serve up pastries with a smile.

One particular face had caught her attention more than others. A man with a distinguished air about him, clad in a neatly tailored suit that spoke of professionalism yet softened by an approachable demeanor. His blonde hair seemed to catch the sunlight just right, framing his face in a way that Y/N found strangely captivating. But it wasn't just his appearance; there was something about the way he carried himself, a quiet confidence mixed with a hint of mystery, that intrigued her deeply.

She had started to notice his regular visits, often in the late morning when the bakery wasn't too crowded. His orders became familiar—always a cup of tea, sometimes accompanied by a pastry or two. Y/N took it upon herself to memorize his preferences, finding a strange satisfaction in ensuring that his tea was brewed just right and his pastries were fresh and tempting.

Then, one fateful day, as she placed his tea before him with a gentle smile, she found herself slightly tongue-tied as she asked, "Here’s your tea! Mr…?"

He looked up from his phone, those piercing yet kind eyes meeting hers with a small smile. "Nanami… Nanami Kento," he replied, his voice smooth and deep, sending a pleasant shiver down Y/N's spine.

"Mr… Kento," she echoed softly, the sound of his name hanging in the air as she fought the urge to blush.

He chuckled softly, his amusement evident. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone warm and inviting.

Y/N felt her cheeks flush despite herself. "No… No! I’m fine, sorry. I got a little distracted. Here’s your usual, Mr. Kento!" She hastily placed the tea in front of him, hoping her embarrassment wasn't too obvious.

He smiled again, a smile that reached his eyes and made Y/N's heart skip a beat. "Thank you," he said graciously, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he picked up his tea and left, leaving Y/N to watch him go with a mixture of admiration and curiosity

♡ꕺꕤ♡ꕺꕤ♡ꕺꕤ

The evening air was filled with a sense of anticipation as Y/N and Nanami Kento strolled through the bustling streets of the festival. Colorful lanterns swayed gently overhead, casting a warm glow that illuminated their path as they weaved through the crowd, exploring each little shop and stall that caught their interest.

Y/N couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement as she walked beside Nanami. His presence was both comforting and exhilarating, and she found herself admiring how effortlessly he seemed to navigate through the throngs of people, occasionally pausing to examine a handmade trinket or sample a local delicacy.

They laughed together over silly carnival games, with Nanami graciously winning her a small plush toy after a particularly competitive round of ring toss. They shared bites of cotton candy and sipped on freshly squeezed lemonade as they continued their leisurely stroll through the festival grounds.

As they approached a quieter corner away from the main festivities, Y/N glanced up at Nanami, her heart racing with a mix of nervousness and excitement. "I'm really glad we decided to come here tonight," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of sincerity.

Nanami turned to her, his gaze warm and attentive. "Me too," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's been a wonderful evening."

They found a bench under a canopy of cherry blossom trees, the soft petals drifting lazily in the breeze around them. Sitting side by side, they shared stories of their childhoods, dreams for the future, and their favorite moments from the evening so far. The conversation flowed effortlessly, each word deepening the connection between them.

As the festival began to wind down and the crowd thinned out, they started to make their way back towards Y/N's neighborhood. The streets were quieter now, bathed in the soft glow of street lamps that cast long shadows across the pavement.

When they finally reached Y/N's doorstep, they paused, reluctant to let the night end just yet. Y/N turned to face Nanami, her heart pounding in her chest. "I've had a great time, Nanami," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity and a touch of nervousness.

Nanami smiled warmly, his eyes meeting hers with a depth that sent a shiver down her spine. "I have too," he replied gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before either of them could say another word, Y/N felt a surge of courage wash over her. Without hesitation, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his, the kiss filled with the sweetness of the evening and the unspoken feelings that had been building between them.

For a moment that felt both fleeting and infinite, they stood there, lost in the warmth of each other's embrace. When they finally pulled apart, Y/N couldn't help but smile shyly at Nanami, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration.

Nanami looked at her, his expression soft yet filled with unmistakable affection. "Goodnight, Y/N," he said softly, his voice tinged with a hint of laughter as he watched her retreat inside her house.

Y/N closed the door behind her, leaning against it with a contented sigh. She could still feel the warmth of Nanami's lips against hers, the memory of their first kiss lingering like a promise of more to come.

As she glanced out the window at the moonlit street, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Tonight had been magical—a festival of lights, laughter, and the beginning of something beautiful with the man who had captured her heart in ways she had never expected.

ꕺꕤ♡ꕺꕤ♡ꕺꕤ♡

The soft strains of their chosen melody filled the air as Y/N walked down the aisle, her heart brimming with confidence. Nanami stood at the altar, his eyes fixed on her with unwavering love and pride.

During the ceremony, they exchanged vows they had penned themselves, promising unwavering support through life's joys and challenges. With exchanged rings, they sealed their commitment, each knowing they had found their soulmate.

As they kissed as newlyweds and cut their wedding cake, surrounded by loved ones, Y/N felt overwhelming certainty. This was the man she wanted to embark on the next chapter of life with—a journey of love, happiness, and shared dreams.

ꕤꕺꕤ♡ꕺꕤꕺ♡ꕤ

Nanami! Come quick!" Y/N's voice echoed through their home, urgent and filled with excitement. Nanami hurried to the room, swinging open the door to find his six-month pregnant wife holding their two-year-old son, Milo, a radiant smile on her face.

"Milo said his first word!" Y/N exclaimed, her eyes wide with joy.

Nanami's expression lit up with surprise and delight as he rushed forward, kneeling beside them. "Come on, Milo, say it again for Daddy," he urged gently, his heart pounding with anticipation.

Y/N hugged Milo affectionately and turned him towards Nanami. Milo, with his curly blonde hair, looked up at his father and said, "D-dada!"

Nanami's smile widened into a grin as he scooped Milo into his arms, overwhelmed with pride. He glanced at Y/N, whose cheerful expression mirrored his own joy. "I have to record this moment, be right back!" Y/N exclaimed, waddling off to grab her phone, ignoring Nanami's reminder to be careful with her bump.

Later that night, as the house quieted down and Y/N tucked Milo into bed, she took a shower and began to drift off to sleep. Nanami turned towards her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Why are you so touchy tonight?" Y/N asked, turning to face him with a soft smile.

"Maybe because my wife is so beautiful and has blessed me with two children," Nanami replied, his voice filled with warmth and adoration.

Y/N smiled, snuggling closer to him. "I've been thinking, we should name her Malaysia," Nanami murmured, rubbing her back gently.

"Mm... sure, I love it," Y/N agreed, content in the embrace of her loving husband and the joy of their growing family.

[recklessfiction]

What to Do when you Travel to the City

There's a great nightlife. Long stretches of city blocks radiating blinding neon, frenzied beats thrumming up from the asphalt, humming along to the violent slaughter taking place around you. Let your cheek and lips be painted red by another, fall into feverish affections, rhapsodize.

Prior to 5:30 AM weekdays, all Skytrains will be making scheduled detours into the throat of the God of Deep Anguish. Customers traveling between West Broadway Station and 5th should plan for at least 20 minutes of extra travel time and prepare for some crowding on trains and platforms.

The Gardens of Excess will be having their annual Summer Flower Festival this July. Please remember to keep emotionally malleable individuals out of reach of the fruit trees. Employees of The Gardens will not be held responsible for any marriage or germination that may occur between guests and the Unrelenting Abundances.

The beaches that surround the City are great to visit with the entire family. The sand burns the soles of your feet and pierces your skin when kicked up by the wind. The only escape is the ocean and it has been reaching for you all the while. You did not notice the rising tide but now it has reached well past your waist and it pulls. You feel the ground disappear beneath your feet and then...nothing but the sea. You fight to keep your head above the water but it tugs at your ankles, impatient and eager to embrace you in full, to show you its depths. This is a struggle you will not win.

The Night Market is open once again! From April to November come by and sample strange, fermented corruptions, experience Death In Perpetuity, and stock up on gifts for Christmas like featureless iron masks, the gift of prophecy, or a seat on the throne of a kingdom in dreams. Whatever your wishes are, the Night Market is a great place to strike an unpleasant bargain, win or lose yourself in hand to hand combat, or just people watch.

Be sure to visit the dungeons while you're here. Our Wizards have made sure that every moment you spend within these vile halls is both foul and incredibly distressing. You will encounter incredible creatures not from this plane of existence and many have even carved out their own eyes when faced with the horrors. Hundreds enter the gates every year and none have ever emerged but you could be the first!

As host to many cosmically traumatic events such as the divine nascence of The Stairs and the cataclysmic joining of Man To His Beloved and Wretched, the City boasts a number of unique and exciting tourist destinations. Witness first hand the crater left in the wake of Her Movement or the forest that blossomed forth at the climax of the Great Pestilence. Keep up to date on weather reports and the movement of the beings by downloading our city's informational app or visiting our website.

[improvised-finish]

(Count)Down to Dawntrail - Free Day

One of the things Lehon'a did while winding down after the... excitement of Endwalker was help out the Doman Enclave! It was slow going, contributing odds and ends she'd scrounged from her adventures to raise the funds for each project, but even she had to admit, it was immensely satisfying to see each project come to fruition and bring joy to the people living there. Before she knew it, the final project had been completed, and they'd all come together in the garden for the lantern ceremony to celebrate the occasion!

Now she comes to visit whenever she finds herself in Othard, sampling the local tea and taking some time to enjoy the blossoming trees and the lanterns adorning the beautiful architecture. It might be a while before she makes it back, however, given her upcoming voyage to Tural!

--

And to all the folks who might get to see this, thank you for sharing your amazing creative works and fun characters with me. Whether just posted here, or in one of the discord communities we might share, it's been so invigorating being involved in a creative community again. I've probably written and done more creative work in the last 4 months than I did in the previous 4 years, and that's largely thanks to the inspiring work I've seen here jump-starting my own creativity.

I can't wait to see what you all make in Dawntrail, and I hope to see you in the game too (once server travel is back, of course)!

A nice relaxed end to these (though I actually did this one before Dawntrail and Endwalker)! I'd wanted to do something with the Yanxian Merchant's Haori for a while now that I'd finished the restoration and actually acquired it, and I thought that the completed garden might be a nice spot for backdrops. Never been more pleased to be right!

And with that, the countdown to Dawntrail is done! Safe travels, and I and Lehon'a hope to see you all in Tural!

[ateez-ana]

Ana on Instagram

a view of Ana's first post in the last 72 hours

second post

liked by im_ovation and 890,990 others

lalanabanana picnic in paris with the best photographer

Hongjoong and Ana are in Paris to attend the fashion week that is taking place in the city of love, they both decided to walk through the city and have a picnic, many fans and reporters saw them walking hand in hand during the day and leaving the hotel where they were staying for a night walk along the Seine River, the photos uploaded by Ana are a small sample of the small and intimate experience that the couple had in Paris, which has raised rumors around the ship

In the heart of Paris, amid the grandeur of Fashion Week, romance blossomed between Hongjoong and Ana, They strolled hand-in-hand through the cobblestoned streets, their whispers echoing in the romantic ambiance. They paused at a quaint park, sharing a picnic beneath the shade of a chestnut tree. Ana's laughter punctuated the air as Hongjoong's gentle touch sent shivers down her spine. As night fell, they embarked on an intimate walk along the Seine. The city lights danced upon the water's surface, casting an ethereal glow over their stolen moments. With no witnesses save the stars above, they kissed, their love a secret concealed from the world. Ana's social media posts from that day hinted at their clandestine adventure, sparking rumors among their devoted fans. The public remained oblivious, but the shared glances and whispered promises spoke volumes of their newfound connection. And so, in the city of love, Hongjoong and Ana's romance remained a sweet secret, cherished only by two hearts entwined.

third post

liked by im_ovation and 990,987 others

lalanabanana it has been such a great honor to be part of louis vuitton dinner gala What an unforgettable night

Ana, a radiant vision in a cerulean gown that shimmered like moonlight on the Seine, was the epitome of elegance at the Louis Vuitton gala. As Ateez's ambassador, she graced the red carpet with a captivating smile, her presence radiating warmth and charisma. Beside her stood Felix,  member of Stray Kids, who sported a classic black suit that accentuated his sharp features. 'Ana's dress is absolutely breathtaking!' gushed a fashion critic, capturing the collective gasp that swept through the crowd. 'It's a bold yet sophisticated choice, perfectly complementing her ethereal beauty.' 'Ana is a vision!' exclaimed actress Cate Blanchett. 'Her dress enhances her natural beauty.'

'Felix looks effortlessly suave,' another commentator chimed in. 'He embodies the timeless charm of Louis Vuitton.' At the dinner table, Ana and Felix shared a quiet conversation, catching up on their busy schedules and exchanging playful banter. Their easy camaraderie, built upon years of friendship, was evident in their shared laughter and knowing glances. They were two stars, shining brightly on their own, yet finding comfort in each other's company, a testament to the unspoken bond between two souls who understood the demanding world they navigated.

fourth post

liked by im_ovation and 999,987 others

lalanabanana Congratulations on 10 years of @nicolasghesquiere A big thank you for inviting me, the last show of fashion week ends in style

The air crackled with anticipation as Ana, walked into the Louis Vuitton show. It was the final night of Paris Fashion Week, and Nicolas Ghesquière, celebrating ten years at the helm, had invited her to be part of the exclusive guest list. Dressed in a tailored, ivory ensemble, the press buzzed with excitement. Her outfit, a stark contrast to the usual bold fashion choices on the red carpet, drew a sea of flashbulbs.

'Ana’s understated chicness is a refreshing change,' one fashion critic declared, noting the nine white flowers delicately embroidered on the bodice, each representing a member of ATEEZ. 'It’s a subtle nod to her group, while still embodying Vuitton’s elegance.'Her fans, known as ATINY, were ecstatic. The internet erupted with photos and videos of Ana, her smile radiant as she greeted fellow guests.

The after-party was a whirlwind of champagne, laughter, and celebrity sightings. Ana found herself chatting with Sophie Turner, discussing the beauty of the collection, and later, dancing with Emma Stone. Videos of her laughing and enjoying the night with her new acquaintances went viral, generating even more buzz for ATEEZ. 'It was an incredible experience,' Ana said in a post-event interview, her eyes sparkling. 'The collection was so beautiful, and I especially loved the celebratory feeling of the night. It was a true honor to be invited.' As she spoke, she gently touched the flowers on her dress, her voice softening. 'These represent my brothers,' she said, a hint of pride in her tone. 'Each petal represents their individual talents and the unique bond we share. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected, even when we’re apart. The night was a testament to Ana’s own rising star. She wasn't just a K-pop idol; she was a fashion icon, a force to be reckoned with, a young woman embracing her individuality and using her platform to promote her group and her values. And the nine white flowers, blooming on her dress, were a silent testament to the love and loyalty that bound her to ATEEZ.

fifth post

liked by im_ovation and 890,999 others

lalanabanana Morocco time, now my day smelled like 8 men again, how loving, ready to rock the desert

The day Ana returned to the others was the day before her presentation at the festival in Morocco, so they had a few hours in the afternoon to rest in the pool, where Ana gave the boys the gifts she brought them. From Paris to each one, Hongjoong and Ana looked even more romantic than ever, which caused the boys to tease them and wonder how much the couple did on the short trip they had together.

[staycalmandhugaclone]

"Flowers" - Crosshair x Doc

@narcissa-of-kaas tagged me in a Six Sentence Sunday challenge, which I decided to use to fulfill a prompt for my clone x reader bingo card. I... was unsuccessful with the 6 sentences thing... but 10 is still pretty damn impressive for me, so... here yuh go.

Btw, this is totally canon in Doc's Misadventures - it's just a couple arcs ahead of Breaking Point so enjoy a little glimpse of better things ahead! Alternatively, it can totally be read as a gender neutral stand alone!

Warnings: a fluffy kiss?

Words: 383

There were many types of silence with Crosshair: some screamed so loudly, I wanted to clasp my hands over my ears and beg him to stop, while others were gentle, as if I could feel the brush of his fingers against my skin absent even a moment’s touch. This was one of those moments, quiet and soft; even the rustle of dried foliage freshly shed from the towering trees sang only in whispers beneath our feet.

Despite the changing seasons, flowers still clung to the waning heat of fall, illustrating their grandeur in hidden bursts of color revealed only from an occasional gust of wind freeing them of the autumn blanket of fallen leaves. He said nothing as one such moment allowed just enough time for me to take note, breath catching slightly in a joyous gasp as I quickly moved from his side. When I returned with a pair of nearly gold, rosette blooms, he merely cocked his brow, but there was a fondness in the subtle tilt of his lips that left me beaming, and I happily handed him one in that same, gentle silence.

His expression briefly flashed to one of dismissal, but he quickly caught himself, jaw tensing as he seemed to struggle for several seconds over how to respond before finally, hesitantly, accepting the tiny offering. I so nearly relieved him of the uncertainty clearly overwhelming him, but held myself still, admittedly struck by the rare display of flustered doubt before me, and my glee only grew as, after far too much thought, he tentatively tucked the stem into the lip of his chestplate, cheeks darkening beneath a deep blush.

Without a word, I stepped in front of him, free hand reaching up to slip around his neck as I pulled him down into a kiss, smile beaming even as my lips toyed lovingly with his. Meeting his eyes as I leaned back, I brought my own flower to my mouth and bit into the blossom with a quiet laugh, savoring the way his eyes widened in understanding, blush growing violent. Still, I heard his short scoff after I returned to the trail before us, glancing back just in time to see him sample one of the lesser known delicacies of this stunning world with a begrudged resignation.

Tagging for this challenge (even though it's not Sunday anymore): @echos-girlfriend @burningfieldof-clover and @starqueensthings

Click here or message me if you'd like to be added to a taglist!

Click here for my Masterlist.

Taglist: @arctrooper69 @ct-0113 @padawancat97 @eclec-tech @kixs-husband @atomickidsoul @jennrosefx @echos-girlfriend @starqueensthings @burningfieldof-clover @manofworm @merkitty49 @fives-girlfriend @idoubleswearimawriter @abigfanofstarwars @chopper-base @daftdarling222 @pb-jellybeans @skellymom @bacta-the-future @rosechi @legalpadawan @pentaghasm @actuallybarb @snow-dragon-rider @like-a-bantha @ew-wtaf @solstraalaa @drummergirl1701 @shersten-the-gold @shewhoneveryields @6oceansofmoons @get-wr3ckered @dangraccoon @goddessofcongeniality @ji5hine @dathomiri-mudpuppy @anotherschuylersister @inneedsoffanfics @llamakiller101 @totally-not-your-babe @the-cantina @captainrex89 @delialeigh @blondie-bluue @wanderer-six @ray-rook @saraokee @literallyjustanerd @andimancan

[tiredflowercrown]

there's no bandage (to lessen the damage)

Hehe @panthera-tigris-venenata you wanted all three right? You wanted this right? Are you prepared for what you asked for? I'm not sure you are but oh well.

Trigger Warning: Dehumanisation, Unethical medical practices, Human experimentation

All vauge, but you have been warned

CJ had always been reckless. Ever since she could walk she had been getting in trouble, running into situations she shouldn’t belong or climbing up masts. She was rambunctious and loud and free.

There was no one really free on the Isle like CJ was. A luxury granted to her by her siblings, who held so much fear on the Isle no one dared touch her unless they were a fool. She ran from place to place doing as she pleased. So it was no wonder that it was these habits that did her in.

CJ had been enjoying Auradon. There was so much for her to explore, to find, to steal, to simply wreck havoc upon. Running from place to place, kingdom to kingdom, was exhilarating. She finally had people willing to give chase. The thrill of the hunt had been the most addicting thing she had felt yet.

So when the guards got close, within eyesight, and she ran, her voice bubbled with laughter. Crazy psychotic laughter. The only kind she knew, well the only kind she let the public know she had a reputation to protect. It rang out for miles, hiding her in the scenery to most, yet one guard kept her eyes on her, tracking her through the trees and brush, waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect shot.

CJ had stopped for a breath when it happened, standing on a branch, a huge smile across her face. The arrow in her chest took all of that away. She fell, shock replacing her smile, blood quickly blossoming along her shirt. Upon hitting the ground, the audible crunch of bones had even the guard flinching.

She approached closer, careful due to CJ’s known trickery, calling in the fall and potential capture of a wanted fugitive. The young girl just lied there. She seemed so simple, so small with her quickly blood soaking shirt and glassy eyes.

Somewhere on an Isle miles away, two people scream. A piece of their heart gone. They don’t know how. They don’t know why. Just a sinking gut and a searing pain telling them everything they need to know.

“She’s dead. The fugitive is dead. Prepare for extraction.”

The guard looked mournfully, remembering the details of the profile she was given: Calista Jane Hook, Age 14. She had only been a child.

No. She couldn’t think like that. The fugitive was dangerous for a reason. The property damage and millions of stolen goods spoke for itself. No. The world was far better with it out of it. (It had to be right?)

The body is taken in. A full work up is done. Medical tests and examinations. A full autopsy. A full cause of death and all the contributing factors. Everything is done. No stone is left unturned. No one had ever gotten a chance to truly see what the Isle had done to people before, they didn’t want to miss a single detail. Not when something so fascinating, so rare was in front of them. A whole study at their disposal, no ethics board sitting in their way. Not when there was no eligible next of kin. Not when there wasn’t a single soul who cared about the dead fugitive.

In a castle miles away sat a girl searching. For a way to talk, to get her back, to make a deal. A life for a life. Anything. She didn’t mean what she said. She didn’t want to be alone, didn’t want to be in a world without her wildfire. She couldn’t do this without her.

Finally after much pushing from the Crown, the fugitive’s body was released, but not without plenty of samples taken to continue testing. When it finally reached the hands of one Freddie Facilier, she wept at the loss of her dear CJ, who was almost unrecognizable. She was lifeless, none of her abundance of energy to be seen. Massive chunks of her hair were missing, surgical lines across every limb of her body. Every part of her dissected.

She crafted letters, being careful of who saw her. It wouldn’t do to have her surprise ruined. She mourned and buried her wildfire. CJ deserved to rest, deserved to be left alone from Auradon’s pain and torture. She watched and waited for vengeance, it didn’t belong to her, not really. And the sea always helped the sea, a ship couldn’t sail without waves. They grew closer and she grew more content, they will avenge her. They will avenge CJ.

When the siblings finally reach Auradon, it will burn. Their fury will reach levels never seen before. Lives will be taken, buildings broken into and burned. Every inch of what had been done to their sister, every reminder, every document will be destroyed. They don’t deserve her or the knowledge that their “research” on her gave them.

But it will never be enough.

Because Calista Jane will remain dead. She will remain in the ground (Or in labs never found.) She will never speak again. She will never laugh again. She will never run again. She will never be again.

Only the memory of her will remain untainted. And even that is not enough.

[geopsych]

I took way too many pictures this morning and this is the reason it sometimes takes a long time for me to post. I take lots of similar pictures and have to go through them and compare and decide which to post. This is just a small sample of the ones I took today of the park and catalpa trees and catalpa blossoms and my garden and other sites along the way.

I don’t know why I’m like this tbh. I guess I just don’t like to miss out on beauty.

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

I don’t know if you’re still doing the trick or treat thing, but I am dying for some Bagginshield fluff, featuring my favorite berry, maybe? 🥺🫐

Sorry I couldn't get this out last night, but here's some blueberry fluff!

Try It?

Pairing: Bagginshield

Type of Treat: Fluffy

Word Count: 662

It was a wondrous day for a walk through the mountainside. When Thorin had asked for Bilbo’s hand, he had made sure the dwarf realized how important sunshine and outdoor walks were to him if he were to remain in Erebor. Exactly four days later, there was a balcony and hidden set of stairs outside the royal apartments. Dis and Balin did nothing but chastise Thorin for how reckless that was, but Bilbo was completely enamored with the dwarf’s ingenuity. Their wedding had been the happiest day of Bilbo’s life.

Wandering through what Bilbo referred to as ‘the gardens’ he took stock of all the plant life returning to the mountains in the wake of Smaug’s demise. Many of them Bilbo was familiar with, but there was the occasional plant or two that Bilbo had to have Ori help him look up the name for it. Nearing the end of his walking trail, Bilbo checked on what he had assumed was a tree growing in only to be met with a beautiful sight!

Fresh wild blueberries were blossoming, thick and full and nearly bursting. Bilbo’s mind was racing with all the recipes he could make with a basketful of them. He might even have enough for a pie! Taking off his jacket, Bilbo created a makeshift carrier for the berries plucking as many as he could. He cursed his inability to reach the higher ones and vowed to come back with a basket and Thorin later for a respectable berry picking. 

Once he had as many blueberries as he could manage, he folded them carefully into his jacket and carted them back up the mountainside. Not quite enough for a pie, but more than enough for some tarts! As soon as he was back in his and Thorin’s suite, he made his way straight for the kitchen. Fully stocked and furnished, a wedding gift from the family Urs. 

“Bilbo, what are you doing?” Thorin asked amused, finding him hours later covered in flour and smelling of pastry dough.

“Look! I found blueberries today! We can go back tomorrow and gather the rest of them and maybe can them or turn it to jam…why do you have that weird look on your face?”

Thorin’s grimace seemed to be twinged with guilt when he admitted. “I don’t like blueberries.”

Bilbo was aghast. He had never heard of someone not liking blueberries! “What? Whyever not?”

“The fruit itself is yellow but somehow it has a purple juice? It is…odd. And then I’m not a fan of the outside texture.”

Bilbo’s mouth formed a perfect ‘o’ of understanding. “You’ve only ever had them raw, not baked? Would you be willing to try a tart of mine to see if you would like it?”

Thorin looked uncomfortable, and Bilbo was quick to reassure him with a kiss. “You don’t have to. In the Shire, we believe food should be enjoyed, not forced. I’m not trying to pressure you.”

“If they were blackberries…believe me, amrâlimê (my love), I would have them devoured in a heartbeat. But blueberries…”

Bilbo kissed Thorin again, more thoroughly. “It is perfectly alright, my dear. I’m sure there are members of the Company that would be more than willing to…”

Thorin suddenly grabbed Bilbo and kissed him again, his tongue exploring its way into Bilbo’s mouth. Not that he was complaining in the slightest.

“Are those the blueberries I taste?” He asked when he finally pulled away, a wondrous look in his eye.

Bilbo smirked. “Well I had to sample the tarts to make sure they were edible.”

Thorin rolled his eyes and shook his head before taking a step towards Bilbo’s cooling tarts. He hesitantly picked it up, gave it a sniff, before popping it in his mouth. Thorin’s eyes grew wide in amazement, and he quickly ate five more after it. It was then that he and Bilbo found out that blueberries Thorin liked. It was grapes he had an issue with.

[skvaderarts]

These builds use DLC items, so just a heads up! More details about each build are below if you are curious. Thanks for voting! And if you spread the poll, EXTRA THANK YOU! I appreciate it! A larger sample size makes this more fun!

Saint of the Bud: An Arcane/Faith/Dex Scarlet Rot build using the Antspur Rapier with the Poison Flower Blooms Twice Ash of War and the Poleblade of the Bud. The Ant Skull Plate shield is a great contender for this build. I'll also be using spells such as Pest Threads, Pest-Thread Spears, Scarlet Aeonia, and Rotten Butterflies. Will use the rotten stray summon and makes liberal use of crafted items such as rot pots and fly pots. Wears the Full Bloom Chest piece and the Mushroom Crown for a truly unhinged look. Utilizes Maleina's Great Rune/Rykard's Great Rune.

Finger Witch: A Strength/Intelligence build with a possible touch of Arcane. This build specializes in finger weapons and spells. Uses a dueling shield. Both the Gazing Finger and the Ringed Finger scale best with strength, and despite the scaling of the staff that boosts finger sorceries requiring arcane for a spell class that USES NO ARCANE (Fromsoft stop doing crap like this. I like arcane staffs, but this was a weird one to pick for that) I will be using it and possibly adding the oracle bubble spells so that I have something to do with the Arcane requirement late game. It utilizes all of the finger sorceries such as Glintstone Nail, Glintstone Nails, and Cherishing Fingers as well as both finger weapons. One hammer and one colossal weapon. An interesting combo, to be sure. It will also use the new finger summon and the finger robes which are VERY disturbing looking. Utilizes Morgott's Great Rune/ Radahn's Great Rune.

Blasphemous Knight: A Dexterity/Faith (optional intelligence) build that uses the Blasphemous Blade (Which, funny enough, I've actually never tried despite how popular it is!) and the Spear of the Impaler. It included the now-fixed Messmer's Flame Incantations which include Rain of Fire, Messmer's Orb, and Fire Serpent. It may optionally include Rykard's Rancor (which is where in intelligence requirement would come from since it needs a whopping 40 Intelligence!) and could possibly include the Blood Incantations but only if Arcane is added to the build, so that's not likely. The core build is just the Messmer fire incantations and the two remembrance weapons. Wears the Hoslow/Messmer Knight sets. Utilizes Rykard's Rune. Still seems like a fantastic build!

Putrescent Death Bird: A Strength/Intelligence/Faith/character with an optional touch of Arcane for status build-up. Themed after the Death Birds. Wears the Death Gravebird's Blackquill set. The set boosts jump attacks like the Raptor's Black Feathers set in the base game. They specialize in different types of death sorcery. They can cast spells such as Rykard's Rancor, Ancient Death Rancor, Spectrial Rings of Light, Explosive Ghostflame, and Vortex of Putrescence. Not Tibia's Summons, though. I have standards. Putrescence Cleaver, Helphen's Steeple, and the Spirit Glave. The Eclipse Great Shield would be a good pick. Essentially, It's a very fancy frost build. Utilizes Radahn's Great Rune.

Beastial Tree Sage: A Strength/Faith build focused on pure holy damage. (which is shockingly good in the DLC but more tricky in the late main game due to the number of bosses with extreme Holy resistance.) The weapons consist of two colossal weapons that both scale to Strength and Faith and an optional dagger for a faster option if needed. Those are the Great Club and the Shadow Sunflower Blossom. The dagger is the Cnquedea. The Erdtree Greatbow is also a great fit for this build and will be included as an additional ranged option. They would specialize in Beastial Incantations such as Stone of Gurranq and Gurranq's Beast Claw as well as Holy spells like Wrath of Gold, Elden Stars, Land of Shadow, and Crucible Incantations such as Thorns, Bloom, and Breath. Wears Freya's set and uses Radahn's Great Rune.

Fire Prelate: A build focusing on strength and Faith. Utalizes the Prelate's Inferno Crozier and the Cranial Vessel Candlestand. It also uses the Giant's Flame incantations, such as Giant's Flame Take Thee and Flame Fall Upon Them. Uses either the Hoslow Set or the Fire Prelate set for cosplay purposes. A very powerful and versatile fire build. Uses Radahn/Morgotts/Malenia' Great runes. BONK.

Spellblade Cannoneer: A Strength/Int Build using the Moonrithyll's Knight Sword, the Great Mace with Waves of Darkness, and Rabbath's Cannon. It also may use the Jellyfish Shield, Carian Dueling Shield, or the Cuckoo Great Shield. It utilizes Carian Sword Sorcery such as Magic Glintblade, Greatblade Phalanx, Carian Peircer, and Carian Greatsword. It also contains Glintstone Sorcery such as Gavel of Haima, Cannon of Haima, Spiral Shard, and Loretta's Greatbow, and Moon Sorceries such as Rellana's Twin Moons. It uses Relanna/Loretta's armor sets and Radahn's/Morgott's Great Rune.

SO! Thanks for reading! I appreciate your interest in my builds XD If you want the stat sheet for any of these, just let me know and I'll post them! And if you want to see these builds in action, I'll be streaming them on Twitch. I'm SkvaderStreams. Original, I know lol! But feel free to come and lurk. It's a good time! Thanks again! It's always fun having someone to share my build ideas with. If you ever want one, let me know!

Have a great day!

[cleolinda]

Honey in perfume, feat. Bee (Zoologist, 2019)

(Picture from the Zoologist website, obviously, and not my magical cottagecore abode)

I am a big fan of (wearing very small amounts of) sweet gourmand fragrances, including sugar and honey notes. “Notes,” of course—nowadays, it’s not the real thing. While I have seen at least one or two indie companies touting actual honey in their honey perfumes, for the most part, it's an aromachemical: phenylacetic acid, derived from beeswax and generally combined with other notes to create an accord. This Fragrantica article tells you everything you could ever want to know about the chemistry of honey perfumes, including:

"Honey absolute" is generally beeswax absolute (technically not even an absolute), which has "a relatively mild scent, reminiscent of hay and tonka beans with waxy and honey undertones."

"Phenylacetic acid itself, in high concentrations, has a sickeningly sweet smell, really reminiscent of honey, with sour, powdery and floral nuances. In its composition, the nuances of tobacco and chocolate are clearly distinguishable – one, without imagination, can also describe them as a strong animalistic urinal smell, vaguely reminiscent of civet."

If you saw barrels with a bee symbol in Breaking Bad: that's the stuff. It is, in fact, used to make meth.

Other notes/aromachemicals used in various honey bases (abridged): vanillin, heliotropin, coumarin (often tonka bean), violet (ionones), hyacinth (phenylacetaldehyde), rose and wax (geranyl acetate), and a note only found in citrus blossom honey: methyl anthranilate.

In the "mellis" base: "benzyl salicylate (balsamic, herbaceous) and eugenol (cloves), [...] patchouli, hydroxycitronellal (lily of the valley), woody notes, spices, and coumarin." This is a foundation used in many of the classic older fragrances like Youth Dew (which my grandmother used to wear), Opium, and L'Air du Temps.

If you're interested in the chemistry, take a look at the article—the parts I'm quoting are only to get across the palette of scent possible in a honey fragrance. Guerlain creative director Sylvaine Delacourte also reels off an exhaustive list of honey notes in perfumery. I'll quote four of them:

Miel de Provence (Firmenich base): "tobacco, aniseed, honey, curry, immortelle, coumarin, hay"

Beeswax Absolute: "quite buttery, very honey-like, broom-like"

Phenyl acetic acid: "honeyed, fruity, dirty, a little blackcurrant"

Tabac Turc Absolut: "honey, animal, leather"

Dance break for further reading:

Fragrantica: Beeswax in Perfumes

Perfume Society: "We love what the nose Christine Nagel has to say about this ingredient: 'Honey has two facets – half devil, half angel. In Ambrée structures, it has a sweet, comforting effect, taking you back to childhood. But a small touch in a feminine structure can be extremely sexy…'"

Bois de Jasmin: Sweet Honey Water: Perfume Recipe from the 17th Century

Also at Fragrantica: Best in Show: Honey Fragrances (2020). Now, if I had a money tree, I would probably go straight for samples of Back to Black (Kilian), Scandal (Jean Paul Gaultier), Poison (Dior), Chergui and Miel de Bois (Serge Lutens), L'Instant de Guerlain, and Honey and the Moon (TokyoMilk). The sample I actually ordered was what I felt must be The Honey Scent of All Time:

Bee (Zoologist, 2019)

I had actually never tried a Zoologist fragrance before this; they're famous for animal-themed scents that range from the imaginative to the, uh, challenging. (And the infamous.) Here's the official description:

Like the frantic hustle of the bee through a maze of multi-faceted scents, Zoologist Bee delivers a surreal experience. The rich aroma of honey captivates, while alluring florals, royal jelly, animalic beeswax and regal incense unite to create a buzz, offering excitement, and the sweet rewards of life.

Perfumer: Cristiano Canali Top Notes: Orange, Ginger Syrup, Royal Jelly Accord Heart Notes: Broom, Heliotrope, Mimosa, Orange Flower Base Notes: Benzoin, Labdanum, Musks [synthetic], Sandalwood, Tonka, Vanilla

Now, glance back up at all the background business we just went through: heliotropin, coumarin (tonka), citrus that could include methyl anthranilate. Sylvaine Delacourte invokes mimosa and broom in her full list of notes—

But then: royal jelly apparently has a cheesy, condensed milk scent; she also mentions that beeswax absolute can read as "buttery." For that matter, her mention of a "butyric" honey aromachemical is a bit alarming: it's the "rancid butter, parmesan cheese, and vomit" note that makes Hershey's chocolate so objectionable to people who didn't grow up with it. Like, it's all here if you google know what you're looking at. It's all fun and games until the bee cheese comes out.

And then, labdanum, as you might remember, is the key ingredient in amber accords, where it's often blended with benzoin and vanilla, so we're going to get a warm, resinous, highly projective effect as well. I love amber, but I have to apply it exceptionally sparingly: it's LOUD.

What I'm getting at is, once you look more closely at the notes and the chemistry: I am not surprised that some wearers report a claustrophobic feeling like their head is stuck in a beehive. If your skin chemistry emphasizes the floral notes, it's said that you'll feel like you're right there soaring with the bees among the wildflowers; if you amp the cheesy, waxy, or A M B E R notes, well. There's nothing I can do to save you now. Remember Tabac Turc Absolut ("honey, animal, leather") up there? Or that phenylacetic resemblance to civet? Zoologist is famous for (surprise!) their intensely animalic fragrances. We don’t know exactly what Cristiano Canali used, but we sure do know what’s possible. You are IN that hive with the bees. Hope you brought some pollen as a hostess gift.

I always apply, like, three entire molecules of perfume when I first try something, so I was fine. On me, Bee has a creamy-yet-powdery "texture"—not dairy, not "old lady" powder; something almost tactile. The honey itself is primarily what I smell, and it’s "high" in my nose; I think I would have preferred a deeper note, like the dark clover honey I use in my tea, but it's nice. I don't specifically smell any ginger or florals—maybe a little citrus. Nothing cheesy or objectionable, barely waxy, just a general sense of hive. But Bee does seem—alive. It seems to move in the air around my wrist.

And it persists for hours, despite how little I wore (three different occasions), especially since my skin does amplify amber notes. If you find yourself in trouble, it is not going to wash off. DO NOT SPRAY BEE ALL OVER YOURSELF. DO NOT. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHOICES. I really enjoy honey fragrances and this one in particular, but—you have been warned.

Addendum: It was extra fun to edit this out on the deck under a cherry laurel with about 7-8 bumblebees circling overhead. They were chill.

[hiraeth-witch-11]

Magnolia Jasmine

Part 1: Pilot

Warnings: canon typical violence, explosions, some fear, mommy issues, wasps

Word Count: 2400

You are a disappointment to your mother, this you know. Your mother is fierce, beautiful, and brilliant. She is also controlling, particular, and unpleasable. You share the same fiery red hair, but that’s where the similarities end. You take after your dad and his family. Even your hazel eyes are from him. You think your mother secretly resents you for being so little like her. She had never confirmed it, and your dad wouldn’t really talk about it, but you think she had gotten pregnant with the sole purpose of having someone with her abilities to follow in her footsteps. Why else would she have approached your dad, someone who came from a family with plant based abilities, seduced him and gotten pregnant all within the span of 2 months? And as soon as she was pregnant, she broke off their relationship and had a shared custody agreement ready to go. With how you were raised, that’s the only explanation that makes sense.

“Again, Magnolia. You are supposed to be growing a tree, not a rose bush.”

“It’s not working, Mom.”

“If you actually tried, it might.”

“Or maybe, I just can’t grow trees. Maybe I can only do flowers like Aunt Nicki.” You love Aunt Nicki, always look forward to visiting her. She can’t grow without plant material, and she can only work with flowers, generally pink for whatever reason, but she’s kind and she teaches you the different meanings of different flowers.

“You are my daughter, you should be able to do much more than your father’s side of the family can. You just need to apply yourself.”

Your mother had been telling you this for years. Ever since you first started walking, dandelions popping up wherever your bare feet touched the dirt, she had been laser focused on growing your power. You are 12 now, and you can bloom all kinds of flowers, many weeds, and several vining and tropical plants. Your father is always impressed when he visits, but it’s not enough for your mother. She expects you to be able to grow anything she can, or could when she was younger. But in the 11 years you have been using your power, you have never grown any trees, edible food, or even grass. It was difficult for you to grow anything that did not blossom at some point, unless you already had a sample of the plant next to you while you tried.

“I am trying, Mom. I promise!”

“At your age I could grow and manage an entire greenhouse full of exotic plants with ease. You can barely keep some of your sunflowers alive without touching them day and night. You need to try harder.”

You dig your fingers back into the dirt and put all your energy and focus towards growing a tree. So much so, that you don’t notice the blood starting to run from your nose until your mother grasps your wrists and wrenches you away from the ground.

She wipes below your nose with her thumb and shakes her head. “Disappointing. Go inside and clean yourself up. We’ll try again tomorrow.”

You go inside and wash your hands and face. It’s barely 6 and you are exhausted. You sleep through dinner and until your mother wakes you up at sunrise the next morning. You hate summer break. It just gives her more time to ‘teach’ you.

It continued this way for years and you made very little improvement in the diversity of species you could grow. You did, however, begin to excel in maintaining your plants from a distance. Much to your mother’s horror, you could even keep cut flowers preserved at a distance for days longer than was natural.

“I don’t understand why you insist on killing your plants for your own amusement, Magnolia. Cut flowers are just awful.”

You turn your back to her and roll your eyes. “The flowers will die eventually, Mom. This way they can share their beauty with others before they do.”

“I thought I raised you better than this.”

“Aunt Nicki cuts flowers all the time. The plant doesn’t feel pain like we do, sometimes cutting the flowers even helps with growth. You have to prune some things for them to thrive.”

“If you had better control of your power, you wouldn’t need to.”

You sigh, it was never enough for her. Even when you were 16 and began to communicate with bees and hummingbirds and butterflies, she was still disappointed.

“Dad said his great grandma could do it too! Isn’t it cool? They follow me around sometimes, which can get annoying, but they love when I bloom flowers for them!”

“You take after your father’s side of the family too much.”

  Looking back, you think that is the exact moment you decided you were going to move far away from her one day. You won’t be a tool to further her sometimes extreme planet first agenda, even if you were powerful enough, you decide that you want your own life. 

It had always been a given that you would go to college. Both your parents had their doctorates, though your father often told you his had been more trouble than it was worth. Instead of staying in state for school, you applied to places across the country. You may not have been as powerful as your mother, or a genius like either of your parents, but you are smart. Smart enough to graduate highschool near the top of your class. Smart enough to get into NYU and be granted a large scholarship.

“How do you plan to go? It’s expensive and halfway across the country.”

“I have some money saved, I can at least afford the first year if I get a job there. I wanted to ask if I could borrow some money from you. I plan to pay it back, with intere-”

“Absolutely not. I will not pay for you to leave and go to school that far away. You are supposed to be here, with me, practicing.”

“I am never going to  be as strong as you, Mom! And as much as I love the planet and hate how much people are killing it, I don’t want to be an ecoterrorist like you were. I want to go to school and learn and maybe make friends. I want to explore things and figure out what I want to do with my life.”

“Go ahead then. Be ungrateful and leave me here. When you run out of money, you’ll be back.”

Your dad had a much different reaction than your mother.

“I’m so proud of you, Blossom! You are going to be brilliant in whatever you choose to do. Now, I don’t want you worrying about money and working too hard while you’re supposed to be studying and enjoying your youth. I’ve been building a college fund for you ever since your mother found out she was pregnant. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”

You are practically speechless when he shows you the account and helps you set up automatic tuition payments. Your mother refuses to speak to you the few weeks leading up to your move in date and you are happy when your dad asks if he can come with you to help get settled.

The years go by fast. You alternate holidays at your parent’s homes and spend less and less time with your mother. You rarely speak to her at all, sometimes months go by without a word. Your dad is better about calling you, but he gets distracted easily. At some point near the end of junior year, you decide you want to open up a flower shop. Thanks to the college fund from your dad, you have been able to save some money during your years at school. After graduation, you spend a couple years working two jobs. One in plant based research and another at a high end flower shop. You even add in a third job waitressing for a while. But it isn’t until your grandma dies and leaves a large chunk of money to you in her will that you are finally able to open up a tiny store just before your 25th birthday.

Your affinity for plants gives you an edge and saves you a lot of time and money. You keep many pots of live flowers growing in your store and in your tiny apartment. Your customers appreciate seeing how fresh your flowers are, sometimes you even cut their selections in front of them.

You aren’t necessarily hiding your power by studying botany and opening up a flower shop. But this is New York City, and there are much stranger things to notice than a girl with a metaphorically green thumb and a downright friendly relationship with most pollinators. People don’t mind that your flowers stay fresh longer than they should and the plants you sell thrive and grow under near impossible conditions. They don’t mind, likely because they either don’t notice or there are much worse things to be concerned about. Things like electricity controlling criminals and flying, goblin-like villains. 

It’s not that these were daily concerns, far from it. Spider-Man usually kept people safe and you were happy to leave the crime-fighting to him. Except for today. Today, the news alert on your phone has notified you, a few minutes too late, that Spider-Man has been seen fighting a wasp swarm that seems to be controlled by a team of men through some technological device. Too late, because you are currently watching this from behind a dumpster, having run into the alley the moment the explosions started. It looks like less of a fight and more of Spider-Man trying to stay out of the swarm’s reach while doing his best to thin them out and keeping civilians out of harm's way as the men reek general mayhem. His suit doesn’t seem to be sting proof and even with his extra durability, the wasps aren’t only attacking him. Enough stings can cause serious injury, especially in children.

So on this random day in May, you decide to take your first real dip into the world of vigilantism, in a much different way than your mother had ever intended for you. You tuck yourself closer to the wall and you tightly wrap yourself in a suit of vines, masking most of your face in soft pink petals, and weaving soft thin stemmed flowers through your hair until it is tightly braided and concealed. All this takes you less than 5 minutes, your mother would have expected you to do this in less than 1, but you were out of practice.

The first time you figured out how to use your flowers as clothing, you had been 13. Your mother used to wear costumes made of green vines when she was younger, so you scoured the internet for pictures and then diligently studied the way the vines overlapped and intertwined. It had taken you weeks to form something solid and relatively comfortable over your own clothing, but it had been worth it. That was one of the only times your mother had ever been proud of you.

You take a deep steadying breath, then dash back out into the madness. Start small, you tell yourself. Much of the street has been blocked with cars and debris, preventing people from easily escaping, especially the group of elementary school aged children hiding behind their chaperones. This you can help with. You sprint towards them, crouching once you are close, placing your bare palms to the pavement and summoning sturdy vines, mainly composed of kudzu, and instruct it to twist itself into steps, creating a bridge over the worst of the rubble.

“It’s okay, you can come out,” you wave to the children and their 3 supervising adults. Another blast across the street sends vibrations through the ground and a few screams are audible. The kids are terrified and the adults aren’t much better. “Hey, I’ll keep you safe, all you have to do is climb a few feet and you can get outta here.” You beckon them closer and this time they respond.

Half of them are over the structure when a swarm of wasps notices the movement and charges. I can help with this too, you reassure yourself as you reach out pseudo-telepathically to the insects. We are all nest-hive-friends-harmless. Calm-soothe-safe.

It’s hard to directly translate anything you communicate to pollinators, most often it’s more of an impression or image that you send towards them. A feeling or direction. These wasps are confused, the technology controlling them is sending impulses they don’t understand and your instructions are conflicting. You decide it’s best to send them as far away from here as possible. Home. Go home. Leave-flee-fly-away. Home.

The swarms all follow your instructions, breaking free of the control of whatever tech the villains had created. Another explosion almost knocks you off your feet and you turn to watch Spider-Man get thrown back against the building from the force of the blast. 

You have no idea what these guys are after, maybe they just want to blow shit up and kill Spider-Man. You would really like to go back home, but the masked hero isn’t getting up fast enough and the bad guys are pointing their weapons at him.

“Frick, okay, here goes nothing,” you tell yourself as you kneel and place your bare palms on the cracked pavement. Thorny vines of roses reach up from the ground around Spider-Man’s assailants, wrapping around their weapons and yanking them down and to the side until they are no longer pointed at anyone. Spider-Man takes advantage of your distraction and quickly wraps the 3, now unarmed, men in webs, removing any remaining tech from their wrists and leaving them to dangle from the ceiling. You take this as your que to leave, you aren’t needed anymore.

You disappear into an alleyway and remove your plant based suit, before speed walking home as fast as you could.

*****

Spider-Man had noticed you while he was busy dodging explosions and angry wasps. Briefly, he had worried you were another threat, but that fear left once he saw you help the kids and disperse the wasps. It hurt like hell when he got caught between two blasts and slammed his head against the wall. He was preparing to dodge the coming fire even with his bruised ribs and ringing ears, but you had saved him the trouble. 

He wishes he could have talked to you or even just thanked you before you disappeared. At least he had a handful of flowers to take home to Aunt May tonight.

******

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