#definitely not a crazy dog expression at all. No beautiful and serene.

[theminecraftbee]

[image ID: my dog, Morgan, a golden retriever, sitting and looking at the camera while wearing a collar that makes her look like a sunflower. /end ID]

advice from the morgan dog today: you can be a beautiful flower! and if you are. you can also grab the petals to eat and chew on. bonus benefit to being a beautiful flower,

[headoverjojo]

Can I ask for Buccig with a S/o that has a lot of unusual pets? Like, they thought it was cats, dogs, even fishes or birds but nooo, one day they come out with a big ass snake on their shoulders 'She thinks I'm a tree' and then a giant tarantula 'He likes to high five!', and there's more from where these two came😈😂

Hi there, honey!! Aaaaaa I had so much fun writing iiiittt 😂😂😂 I tried to variate a bit the types of pets, putting in “weird” domestic animals, two for every of them! And I already apologize for the idiotic names I gave them, lol

Bruno’s gang with a s/o who has a lot of unusual pets

(Under the cut for length!)

Bruno Bucciarati

When he was a child, Bruno always wanted a pet. Unfortunately, his family couldn’t keep one, as his mother was allergic to cat fur and a dog would have been too demanding; so, Bruno never had one, even a hamster. Growing up, he never had the chance to have a pet, as he was always busy with Passione affairs, so he’s enthusiast when his s/o tells him they want him to know their adorable pets! He can’t wait for it!

While he goes to their home, he wonders which kind of pet his s/o has: a cat? A dog? Maybe a domestic bird? He’s so curious! And he’s absolutely shocked when, the moment they open the door, they show up with a big snake wrapped on their shoulders. His shocked expression is priceless! They can’t help but laugh loud, when he asks, in a whisper, if this is the “adorable pet” they said they had. At their nod and “Be gentle with Leroy McRoy!” Bruno could just whisper their snake’s name while they guided him to the living room, still laughing their ass off seeing his reaction.

The chameleon was more bearable, for Bruno. It was small, cute, in a certain sense… even if Bruno still isn’t over Leroy McRoy, he finds to like more Frizzy, their chameleon. In particular, Frizzy seems to like to nestle on Bruno’s shoulder and observe everything from here… All in all, it’s not bad, Bruno has to admit. Leroy McRoy and Frizzy are not the pets he was expecting, but… they’re lovely, in their way. He grows fond on them, helping you more and more to take care of them, even of Leroy McRoy. He has no problems in feeding him, but he’s still a bit reluctant to let him come on his shoulders! Especially because Frizzy is basically always here. He seems to like more Bruno than his original owner!

Leone Abbacchio

When he was little, Abbacchio had a dog, but they died when he was still a little child, so he doesn’t remember a lot of them. After them, his family never had anymore a pet, but Abbacchio never felt the urge to have one at home. When, then, he started to attend the Police academy and then he became a policeman, the possible time to dedicate to a pet became lesser and lesser, so he decided to never keep one. An animal was a serious duty, it wasn’t a joke: if he couldn’t take care of it properly, it was better not to have one at all!

He’s intrigued when his s/o says they, in fact, have a couple of pets. One seems already a great deal, but two… he admires his s/o for their love for animals! It’s not a common thing, all in all. He gladly accepts to come to their house to meet their pets, hoping them to be something small, such as an hamster or a small bird… even if he had familiarity with dogs, especially German shepherds, as, when he was a policeman, he had to go with the Squadra Cinofila, a couple of times, but he generally prefers smaller animals.

Well… his s/o has small pets, yes, but they’re definitely not a hamster or a bird, or something common at all. The moment he enters their living room, a red flash hops from the top of the bookcase to his head, almost making him freak out. His s/o is fast to grab it, whatever it was… and to introduce it to Leone. Red Nut, this was his s/o’s squirrel’s name, stares at Leone with unreadable eyes, squirming to try to free himself and run again on the man’s head. Leone just stays at a safe distance from him, glaring at him all the time, to his s/o’s utter amusement. It goes better with his s/o’s other pet, a quiet and cuddly hedgehog called Pinuccio that loved to roll up on his lap and gt belly up to be cuddled. Abbacchio can’t help but to huff a laugh, every time Pinuccio does it, while gently patting his soft belly. He never knew hedgehogs could be so cute!

Guido Mista

Mista never had a pet that was “just his”, nor a proper domestic pet, for all the matter. He was used to have around stray cats and dogs; he and his family feeded them, but they then slept somewhere else, not at home. They had their routes, their places; they were free. They let themselves be cuddled for a little, before getting up and trotting away again. Mista never felt the urge to keep one of them at home: wherever he turned around, a new dog or cat was waiting for a cuddle!

He’s happy to know, however, that his s/o has few animals! He just hopes they don’t have four pets… it’s be a disaster! He’d immediately bring them a fifth one. Everything, but not four! He relaxes just when his s/o reassures him that they have two pets, so everyone is safe from the Armageddon. Guido enters their home way more serene than before, ready to face… what? A cat? Two dogs? Oh, no, his s/o’s pets are far from this, he immediately notices, as they hand him a… what? A big lizard? They say it’s a bearded dragon and their name is Lizzy. From Lizard, they say, and he can’t help but to chuckle. Of course, he had to expect it…

Between Guido and Lizzy there’s immediate tuning. They’re both pretty chill, Lizzy has found such a nice spot on Mista’s shoulder where she can relax and nap… their other pet, however, it’s totally something else. He… doesn’t even know if it can be considered a pet. Can a tarantula be considered a pet? A tarantula named Octa? They say hell yes, all while keeping her on their hand. Mista never felt so disgusted and morbidly fascinated in one time. He even tries to keep her on his hand, but he manages to do it for just few seconds, before asking them to please take Octa on them again, making them laugh while they accomplish. Guido definitely prefers to stick with Lizzy!

Narancia Ghirga

When he was a child, his family used to have a cat. His mom loved that cat; it was a beautiful orange cat and they had been around since Narancia’s birth. However, after his mother’s death, his father immediately gave away the cat, breaking Narancia’s heart. Having the cat near was like still having something that remembered him for real his mom… from that on, he never had any pet, even if he shared a makeshift shelter with some stray dogs or cats, when he lived in streets.

He’s enthusiast to know that his s/o has pets! And curious too: dogs? Cats? Or something else? In his heart he can’t help but hope it’s a big, fluffy dog! Or a fluffy cat. In any case, a fluffy pet would be wonderful! He comes to their house full of curiosity and enthusiasm and this is repaid when, the moment they open the door, Narancia is literally assaulted by a…small pig? Oh boy, he can’t believe it! It’s such a tiny, cute pig! He picks them up, chuckling when they brush their soft muzzle on his face, softly grunting. It’s so cute! And their name is Babe, his s/o says. Narancia can’t stop to cuddle Babe! It’s just so cute…!

Their other pet is a goose. Narancia is totally baffled! A goose as domestic animal?! Is it even legal?! Well, not that he cares so much about what is legal and what is not, all in all. The goose, named Guendalina, reveals to be clingy to his s/o, she’s better than a guard dog! If he comes close, she starts to quack like crazy and she even tries to separate them! Sometimes, Narancia does it on purpose, going to smooch and hug his s/o, laughing loud when Guendalina comes running, flapping her wings and quacking like crazy. It’s like a clingy baby! And, while Guendalina is basically his s/o’s guard, Babe is basically Narancia’s kid. They’re always in his arms, when he’s at his s/o’s home, and he often jokes saying that Babe has in fact adopted him! In general, Narancia loves his s/o’s pets; they’re not pets you can expect to find in a house, yes, but they’re too precious not to be loved!

Pannacotta Fugo

When he was a child, his parents never wanted to keep a pet. His mother hated the thought they could leave fur around and his father didn’t want his son to have a distraction from his precious studies. Fugo always dreamed to have a pet, first just to challenge them and their prohibition, then because he wanted to have a friend. Outside his grandma, he had no one to talk to, to hug… he wanted a friend. If this friend had or hadn’t fur, he didn’t care. He just wanted to… be loved. And to love. Taking care of a pet seemed a good solution.

Of course this didn’t happened and Fugo had to archive this desire in order to focus on more pressing matters. When his s/o tells him they want to introduce their pets to him he’s so happy! He can help them to take care of the pets, he can… cuddle them, even! He can’t wait to see them. His s/o had been pretty mysterious about their pet’s species, so Fugo is horribly curious! Cats? Dogs? Hamster? He doesn’t know? When he finally enters their home, a loud croak made him jolt. What was it?! His s/o, chuckling, whistles and, after few seconds, a splendid crow lands on their arm, staring at Fugo with black, intelligent eyes. He’s a bit puzzled when his s/o says the crow’s name is Archibald, but whatever. It fits, he thinks, gently rubbing Archibald’s beak and gaining back few gurgles of bliss.

But it’s not ended here: his s/o has another pet. This time it’s not a bird, but…. a scorpion. Fugo shivers, when they proudly show him their scorpion -names Klaus, as the singer of the band Scorpions-, and absolutely refuses to take it on his hand, as they are doing; he even pleads them to put it back in his terrarium! He doesn’t like a lot insects, spiders and such, so he absolutely stays as far as possible from Klaus, being content to just spoil Archibald. He’s such an intelligent crow… Fugo adores him! He even tries to teach him some simple word and action, and he learns it! His s/o always chuckles, seeing how proud he is of their little crow, like a proud father!

Giorno Giovanna

Giorno never had a pet, even if he always vehemently desired one. He always was a sweet and affectionate kid, even if he had to hide it all, not to be beat or bullied more than what he already was. He always took with him some biscuits and, when he met one of the many stray cats or dogs, he always made sure to give them a small treat, smiling when they, as to thank him, licked his hand or brushed on his legs.

In general, Giorno loves life in all its form, and so also in form of animals. He’s happy to know that his s/o has a couple of pets they absolutely want to present him! Giorno is thrilled, now, and can’t wait to go to their home and see them! When he finally comes, the first to welcome him is a stoat, a beautiful stoat named Mr. Muffin. Mr. Muffin is an affectionate stoat! He loves to wrap around people’s necks, Giorno’s in particular. Giorno is always warm, he seems to emanate warmth and even light…. Mr. Muffin loves it. And Giorno loves Mr. Muffin: he never loses the chance to pet him, when he’s at his s/o’s home, and he always softly smiles when Mr. Muffin rolls up on his lap, to take a warm and safe nap.

Their other pet is a toad named Tassony. Giorno was more than baffled from knowing that they named their toad after a cedrata, but, oh well, he has seen worse. Tassony does basically what all toads to: croaking, hopping around, eating bugs… Still, toads and frogs are still among his favourite animals, so, every time he can, he’s going to feed Tassony, even with Mr. Muffin wrapped around his neck. It’s such a joy to see him taking care of his s/o’s animals! He seems to be born to do this!

[oh-warukunai]

Hangeauweek - Day 3: School

Trigger warning: Bipolar disorder

A/N: I literally just translated this from my original version in spanish, so bear with me here. 

Title: Three

She would’ve liked to say her school years were good. She really did. When her colleagues shared all those stories of foolishness and high school crushes she listened to them as a far away tale, difficult to understand.

“What about you, Hanji? Did you do something crazy with your classmates?” Nanaba looked at her with wondering eyes. Hanji had kept herself unusually quiet the whole conversation.

“Not so much, if I’m being honest” she answered with a shrug. She gazed at the day outside her window, the summer warm that didn’t penetrate her office. She pretended to be a bit more focused in her work than in the casual chatting, but Nanaba was persistent when she wanted to.

“I don’t buy that at all! Someone like you! I bet you did so many wild shit they became normal to you” she laughed; but her laughter stopped abruptly when she noticed Hanji’s expression. A private look that was did not seemed focused on the topic at all.

“Just say yes, Levi! Tell me we’re going to leave this place for good! I can’t keep going like this, everyday, all the time”

“Of course you can, you have to! The hell you want? To end up like me?!” His voice was sharp

“Would that be so bad? You are free, you can do whatever you want” she insisted

“I do whatever I want because no one cares. That’s not freedom”

Nanaba touched her shoulder. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all. It’s just… that I really don’t have anything interesting to say on this subject. Just boring teenager stuff”

Nanaba got up with a frown. The conversation had became uncomfortable, there was a certain tension in the air that Nanaba preferred to avoid with the excuse of making more coffee.

Hanji stayed there, still. Ignoring that endless report in her screen that she still hadn’t finished, remembering things that she had tried hard to forget, stories that belonged to an fathomless past.

“The psychiatrist put the documents over the desk and examined Hanji, with the kind of look that tries to read the mind. The doctor then turned her gaze towards Hanji’s mother.

           “You understand what I’m saying, right?” 

           “You’re saying that my daughter has Bipolar Disorder. A sixteen year old girl! I’ve been reading, you know? Don’t you think I haven’t. I’ve been reading that that thing isn’t easily diagnosed on a teenager, it’s usually adults that…

“That’s true, it’s not easily diagnosed, but I’ve been seeing Hanji for over a year. The diagnosis is clear.

“No, no” her mother shook her head. “That’s a mental illness and my daughter is not mentally ill. Are you telling me she’s mentally ill? Like the kind of people that would wonder the street, screaming nonsense all over the place”

The doctor moved in her seat, with an obvious awkwardness. “Hanji, I think it’d better if your mother and I discussed this in private. Please wait outside” Hanji hesitated, gave up in the end. While she was closing the door, her mother muttered those damn words.

           “She’s not crazy, doctor!

Hanji sat at the waiting room, took her headphones and tried to focused on something else. So what if she was bipolar? Or was it “have” bipolar? Whatever! It didn’t matter, she would still be miserable, the difference is that feeling would now have a name. Yes, she tried hard to bring logic into it, but she wasn’t successful. She found herself covering her eyes with one hand and the tears streamed down the sleeve of her school uniform. She drowned the pain as much as she could.

A touch of a hand made her jump. When she looked up, she hesitated. She knew that person well, but never expected to see him there.

           “Erwin, what are you doing here?” the boy was a class above her and they have exchanged a couple of words more than once. They were both grade A students, but Erwin was also on the football team which gave him a popularity beyond her reach. She felt intimidated, but she managed to mask it.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“No” Hanji remembered that Erwin had lost her father not so long ago in what everybody said was a horrible accident. There was a reason he was seeing a shrink too. Erwin gave a empathetic smile and relaxed in his own seat.

“Me neither”

Hanji took off her headphones. She did not said any other word, but also stopped crying. For a moment, she breathed in peace with the silence, Erwin’s presence gave her a serenity she could not put into words”

Hanji’s mood was already ruined after Nanaba’s inquisitive question. No, her school years where marked by an unique adolescence, filled with meds, doctors and pain.

She lied on her stomach over the couch, trying to hide from the world for just a second. Nonetheless, she knew herself pretty well and nothing good could come from locking herself into her own mind. She grabbed her phone and looked for the name that would ease her mind, the one that could definitely understand her.

The velvet voice on the other end said hello to her with the surreptitious warm that was so usual on him

           “Can I ask you something?”

“You will ask even I say no, right?

“Do you remember anything good about our school years? The teenager years? I can’t… I can’t remember anything”

Levi stayed silent for a couple of seconds

“Nothing, you say? Nothing good? I can’t believe you”

“There was nothing! I just can’t recall anything. I just remember my mom thinking I was crazy, my nonexistent father, my cruel brother, the bullying in school, the depression and the mania. It was not a happy time like everybody says it is. I know you see my point”

“Hanji, did you really called me to ask me this? I’m a bit busy, let’s talk about this later…in some other time”

Hanji nodded, but her heart sank. After hanging up, she looked at the roof until absolute boredom, until she had counted all the stains and identified a half-dead fly. If Levi didn’t want to talk about it, nobody would. Erwin didn’t like to remember the past, ever. Levi, in the other hand, was not afraid of open bitterness. She was certain no one else could understand what it was like not being a “normal” teenager, to feel like a share of what everybody in the world has had a taste had been stolen from her.

The bell of her apartment rang and Hanji was ready kick out anyone who dared interrupt this moment.

“It’s me”Hanji recognized the voice. She opened the door and Levi stood there, with a coffee in one hand. He gave it to her. “Here, it’s the one you like, with the cream and that ridiculous amount of cinnamon”

“Thank you” her words sounded like an interrogation. “What are you doing here?”

Levi did not answered, but invited himself into the apartment.

“I can’t believe you said you had no happy memories from back then”

“Levi, you more than anyone can understand me! You were kicked out of your home, you had to work for a living when you were fifteen, you were always about to drop out. That’s worse than what I experienced. I know you did overcome all of that, you have that great job, that beautiful home and the most adorable dog, But that doesn’t mean that anything before that wasn’t absolute trash”

“No, you don’t get it” Levi got close and put his hands in each of Hanji’s shoulder. “We were together, weren’t we? You, Erwin and I. After we met, we were always together. That’s the good thing that happened to us”. Levi’s voice was almost a whisper, but Hanji felt like it slapped her in the sweetest way, “Yes, a bipolar girl, an orphan guy and other one abandoned by the only family he had left was not the most brilliant or positive group, but we survived. We survived, because we stood together all the time” Levi’s eyes met her own in a way that felt so intimate. “Don’t you remember that?”

Hanji covered her mouth with one hand, the thoughts were spinning in her head. With her free hand she grabbed Levi by the neck and pull him towards her to hug him. She hugged him so hard Levi had to push away just a little bit to have room to breath. Hanji hugged him to the past, until those years that she will, from now on, remember as the time she met the most important men in her life, the first ones she truly loved. She will only remember them and blur the rest. Only the three of them chatting at the park, lying in the grass, looking at the sky, dreaming about a future that already arrived.

[randomnessunicorn-imagine]

✒️ DDLC- Fanfiction ✒️

{ Hello, friends!

This is the second serious Fanfiction I write for DDLC. It’s a long fiction and so I decided to post a new chapter every Sunday, hoping you’ll be interested to follow it. The inspiration for this story came out of nowhere and I don't have a lot to say, but I wanted to write something about Monika, she's my favourit girl.

JUST MONIKA, DON'T FORGET! 

Don’t even forget to like and reblog! }

FIRST CHAPTER: In the wood

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

( Mark Twain )

Once upon a time there was a princess of immense beauty who owned an extraordinary power, the power of realizing dreams, to make every human fantasy come true.

The Princess was a girl with a generous heart and a great intelligence. The preciousness of her soul could be compared to a diamond, her beauty shone more limpid than the sun, and her eyes were like two precious stones embedded on her delicate face.

Knights from all over the kingdom came to the castle to play a tribute to the great Princess, not only to admire her wonders, they came here also for proposing to her, because they all desired to possess the absolute power her natural gift would have donated to them.

There were many stories about her magnificent prodigies, in fact, one of her touch gave sight to a blind man from birth, her soft laughter was able to alleviate the suffering of a broken heart and her caress was capable to heal a young moribund man, giving to him the breath of life.

Despite her grand fortune, a great pain tormented the spirit of the charming princess, because she had not yet found her true soul mate among them, her special person, the one who would have loved her sincerely, seemed inexistent.

"Oh, it's a wonderful story, Y/N!" the little Sarah said as her eyes shone with joy.

"Yes, it's a beautiful tale!" Said the other girl named Cassandra, enthusiastic.

"I'm glad you like it, but now it's time to sleep, girls!" you replied to your two younger sisters but they looked at you with a displeased expression.

"No! We want to know the end! Does the princess find her true love?” They shouted in unison.

"I don’t know, the only thing I know is that the two of you have to go to sleep," you said, giving them a kiss on their foreheads and they sighed.

The two girls did not seem to agree with your decision and you had interrupted the story at the most interesting moment but it was late and for them it was time to close their eyes and fall to sleep.

"Ugh! It's not fair!” Sarah complained.

"Yes, you always interrupt when things get interesting!" Cassandra also protested.

"No, I promise tomorrow we will continue, ok?" You said, taking the book and closing the door behind you and then the two little girls stopped complaining because they were actually tired and so it did not spent a lot of time before they were welcome in the realm of dreams.

You were not a great lover of literature, but the children’s fables, especially the bedtime’s stories, had always fascinated you. You found those tales wonderful, full of magic, surreal characters, fairy and enchanted worlds, all this was so marvellous and sometimes you dreamed of being a child but you knew in the real world, there was no princess who would realize your desires. You were smart enough to be able to realize your own dreams by yourself without magic or tricks.

.

.

.

You have always been different compared to other girls, you have never desired to appear feminine, gallant or beautiful, you did not want to impress anyone but, on the other hand, nobody would define you as a rude or arrogant person. You were a friendly girl, who loved adventure but she got into troubles so many times.

Many people defined you as a tomboy because your passions disagreed with the classic passions of a girl. Despite the fact that a hobby was still a hobby and certainly they could not be classified according to people’s sexuality, but you have never considered stereotypes so credible and reasonable and so you defined them as a sort of mental dictatorship, something sneaky, which did not allow to people to realize their own ambitions or accept completely themselves.

You were a girl but it did not mean you could be defined as delicate, scared or weak, maybe you were a bit naive and impulsive, you were a grand dreamer, but all people were made in their own way.

You loved climbing trees, many of your friends called you chimpanzees and you jumped, moving like a primate to make fun of them and you all had a lot of fun doing this game. Other times, you walked through the forest, in fact you took long walks, without a specific destination. You listened to the singing birds, to the rustle of the leaves, to the little animals that were jumping everywhere, and every nature’s sound caressed your spirit. This was your definition of freedom.

Your young soul lived for the adventure, exploration and discovery, and once again, you donated to yourself a pleasant walk by the riverbank.

Your destination was unknown, like all the other times, but you decided to follow the riverbed and see where it would bring you. You knew this forest like the palm of your hand and therefore you would not have lost.

The peace that surrounded you inspired you a melody, you started to whistle while you looked around and you realized that something in the landscape around you had changed. The atmosphere became darker, the birds had shut up themselves, and a cold wind began to howl, freezing your skin. All this was so strange, gloomy and ghostly, that your heart began to beat relentlessly.

The bush was so thick that it was impossible even to glimpse the sky, you could not explain this sudden change of climate, it was completely bizarre.

You have continued to walk, following the steps that had brought you here and trying to find your way back, but everything seemed different, you did not recognise this area of the forest. The forest you were supposed to know so well became a labyrinth, maybe the same grave of your torn life but this thought was too miserable to be thought so you kept walking.

Suddenly, a mysterious noise echoed in the air, it was the verse of a ferocious animal. You turned around, finding yourself in front of an aggressive wild boar that was about to target you. Evidently, this mad weather made it very nervous and you were so unlucky to be in the wrong place and time.

Being attacked by a crazy beast was not in your scheme and, with a rapid step, you moved away, running away even if that animal was chasing after you and it did not intend to leave you alone.

As the forest became duskier and more insidious, that boar was about to take you, it was so close but you did not have the courage to look your back and so, with a big jump, you tried climbing a tree even if it was steep and slippery but you could not give up now. You climbed, reaching a higher branch, you did not know if it was the right solution but that beast could not climb a tree, but it could still torment you and, indeed, the ferocious boar started hitting its head against the tree. You doubted it could destroy a tree but this situation was not pleasant at all and the only thing you could do was waiting.

Suddenly, another sound made your guard up and you hoped, it was not the boar’s boyfriend who wanted to take its revenge on you.

Nothing bad happened because from behind a tree a girl appeared, she was a beautiful and mysterious young woman with light brown hair, which she carried in a ponytail, she was well dressed, she wore a long dress with floral patterns and, after her appearance, the boar calmed down as if that girl donated to it serenity.

“Hey, Jude, that’s not the proper way to behave, be kind with our guest.” Said the girl with a soft tone of voice and then the boar called Jude approached the girl, cuddling her. It seemed another animal and all the ferocity showed before disappeared, it was incredible but you were still too scared to get down from your safe tree.

“Uhm…” you did not know how to comment, you were very confused.

“Oh, sorry for her behaviour, she’s a good pet but sometimes she’s overprotective, she’s just like a guard dog.” The girl said, laughing softly, “I assure you she won’t hurt you, you can come down unless you are a sort of Cosimo* and you actually love living on trees.” She said, and then you found your lost courage and you jumped down.

“Who’s Cosimo?” you asked, scratching your head.

“A guy who decided to spend the rest of his life on trees, he did everything up there and he has never came down, quite funny, don’t you think?” she explained even if you have never heard about it.

“Everything? Cool!” you said and you wondered about how it would be to live on trees.

“He’s the protagonist of an old and very fascinating novel and I’m Monika, nice to meet you!” she introduced herself, smiling, and then the two of you shook your hands.

You also introduced yourself and she remained a little surprised since your name was of a girl but your appearance said otherwise since you looked a lot like a boy, since your hair was very short, even your facial features were very masculine, your androgynous beauty stunned her in a positive way.

“Thank you a lot for saving me.” You thanked her, smiling with gratitude.

“I’m truly sorry and, to make amends, be my guest.” She proposed and you were actually very curious about this girl, she seemed very nice and friendly, so it would be rude to deny such a polite offer.

“Oh, I’d be glad, thank you.” you answered and then you and her walked through her house, followed by that boar which was very tranquil and docile now, and every sentiment of anxiety and fear abandoned your heart.

NOTES: * Here Monika refers to the book “The Baron in the Trees” of the famous Italian writer Italo Calvino. It’s the story of a young boy who decides to spend the rest of his life on the trees and he never comes down from there. It’s a very interesting story, and one of my favourite books.

[ To be continued ]

See you next sunday for the new chapter!

[stylohotmilo]

How to Relax - Hong Kong

A second part to the How to Relax series, this time a city edition which couples as a belated guide to Hong Kong. My friend and ex-colleague Samantha had brought me to a few beautiful spots in Hong Kong during our work trips, and I came across others unintentionally. I browse the travel site Sassy Hong Kong quite often and I love their neighbourhood guides. Most of the time I would plan to visit a café or shop but on my walk there I would pass by other wonderful shops or even a neighbourhood that's full of treasures. These little expeditions helped me realise that Hong Kong has so much more to offer than just shopping and food. The hidden spots I'm mentioning here are great if you'd like to enjoy a quiet afternoon or unwind after a long day. I will be sharing them according to the neighbourhoods they are located within, and hopefully this makes it easier for you to plan your trip! Central and Sheung Wan The Central and Sheung Wan subway stations are located close to one another, so I thought I'd just group them as a single neighbourhood. I visit Central a lot because it's close to airport express station - it's a great spot to visit if I have some time before the flight. Central and Sheung Wan are homes to a few independent arts centres in Hong Kong like PMQ and Tai Kwun. They are hubs to some of the best design and souvenir stores, but what I really love are the pop-up exhibitions you can find there. There's always something new whenever I visit them. If you're visiting PMQ, make sure to drop by local design store Kapok and Found MUJI. You will also find some cool cafés and restaurants there. Tai Kwun, on the other hand, is a new arts centre and it used to be the old police headquarters of the city. Their very first exhibition was about how the space was used as a police headquarters and you could even visit the jail just to get a sense of how it felt. There's a performance space as well, and publisher Taschen and home goods store Loveramics have shops there too. Another area within Sheung Wan that I visit often is the Tai Ping Shan district. You'll find lots of Chinese art galleries and antique shops there and the area houses my favourite café in Hong Kong, Teakha. Teakha is a lovely spot to visit on weekdays when it's quieter. I love their chilled teas, scones and avocado toast, and it's so nice to sit outdoors and people watch while I'm enjoying my meal slowly. The antique street is a flight of stairs away, and Man Mo Temple is also nearby. I like to visit the Buddhist temple and pray for good health for my family, then walk to Teakha for a quiet meal. That makes a perfect afternoon for me. Tai Hang, Tin Hau Tai Hang is a small neighbourhood within Tin Hau (nearest subway station is Tin Hau) and it houses some of the best restaurants and local eateries in my opinion. If I'm lucky, I get to stay at Little Tai Hang during my work trips. I love to stay at this boutique hotel because the staff is so friendly and it feels like home with the cosy interior. I visit Plumcot to grab a pain au chocolat or an almond croissant for breakfast. I've tried and loved their canelé that sometimes appear on the menu too. For lunch, I like to visit 顺兴茶档 for their 滑蛋三宝饭 (scrambled egg rice with roast pork, shrimp and beef - Google this to be blown away), and 炳记茶档 for their pork chop noodles. Locomotive restaurant serves a generous and yummy bowl of Vietnamese pho as well. If you're visiting Tai Hang, be sure to visit Kanamono Hardware Store too! It's a cute and tiny store that sells all sorts of hardware. I've featured the store in a previous post and I've bought quite a few interesting objects from them ever since my first visit. The Minimal is another little store beside Kanamono, and although it goes by the name 'The Minimal', that's definitely not the case because it's a treasure trove for vintage finds like vintage toys and tableware. Tsim Sha Tsui If you've been to Tsim Sha Tsui, I think you'll find it odd that I've placed Tsim Sha Tsui within the list of recommendations on 'quiet spots of Hong Kong'. It's far from quiet since it's a crazy shopping district and packed with tourists. However, I've managed to find serenity and calmness in my own way when visiting Tsim Sha Tsui. If you're there, be sure to visit my favourite outlet of the Eslite bookstore. Eslite is a mega bookstore from Taiwan, and I'd say it's more of a lifestyle concept space since you'll find boutique shops within the bookstore as well. There's a quiet café and tea place within the Tsim Sha Tsui outlet and you can even get to enjoy the view of the harbour there while sipping on your drink. Although Eslite offers more Chinese books than English, it still feels really nice to spend the afternoon browsing the books and magazines at your own pace. I also really appreciate the store for allowing and even encouraging customers to browse their books by providing ample seats around the space. If you fancy more coffee, % Arabica from Japan has also opened a small space at the ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. I like to grab a takeaway, then walk to the Harbour City mall to find an outdoor space that provides a scenic view of the harbour. Best time to visit is during sunset - the view from the mall allows for an expansive view of the sun setting. Wan Chai Last but not the least, Wan Chai. I've only explored the area during my last trip, but I'm pretty sure that I will be back again. I followed Google Maps hoping to find a zero-waste grocery store Edgar, and I had to climb a very long flight of stairs to get to the shop. However, upon reaching the top, I found a hidden neighbourhood with fancy Vietnamese restaurants with the most amazing interior, cosy cafés and lifestyle concept shops. Also chanced upon a modern teahouse Basao Tea and I sat outdoors sipping on a Traditional Smoky tea blend while watching people walk their dogs and bringing their kids around for the Christmas festivities that's already happening in the neighbourhood. I attracted quite a few glances from passing strangers, and some stepped in after watching me enjoying my tea! It was one of the most relaxing afternoons I've ever had. I hope that these are recommendations you'll enjoy and appreciate as much as I did. And I guess the lesson for me is that it can be easy to live slowly and more mindfully in a bustling city like Hong Kong. I managed to chance upon these secret corners because I set out with little expectations, and my goal was simply to have a quiet morning or afternoon with myself. With that in mind, I paid more attention to what was around me, ventured to new neighbourhoods and ignored the passing time. I hope that you'll have fun at your own little expeditions too!

[zombizombi]

i think it’s fly when you stop by for the summer

The mountains were beautiful. Jeff loved going home in the summer -- Christopher and Bethany always visited with the kids for at least a month, and even though he’d gone back to Vegas early with them last year, Jeff had a feeling that staying out in the mountains and visiting Calgary would be good for him. Hell, any escape to a different place would be good for him. And, after a rough playoff season that ended with their elimination in the second series, it seemed like Kent could use a break. New York and his mother’s new family never sounded very relaxing, and Jeff remembered how lonely Kent had seemed last summer.

He would love it in Alberta. The mountains were like medicine. Jeff knew his parents wouldn’t mind his bringing someone home to visit, and Chris and Bethany would be thrilled to have extra hands with the kids. Kent would likely get stuck in Jeff’s room with him, but that was fine. They roomed together all the time on roadies, so it wouldn’t matter.

“Come to the mountains with us,” Jeff said. They were eating dinner before heading out to the NHL awards.

Kent looked up from his stir fry. “What?”

“This summer,” said Jeff. “Come visit. You’ll like it, I promise.” He took a large bite of his own food. “Chris and Bethany’ll bring the kids and my parents won’t mind, it’ll be great. You’ll love Calgary. I’ll take you to the Stampede. It’ll be fun.”

It took a bit more convincing than that, but eventually Kent agreed to come to Canada after seeing his mom in New York. His mother was pregnant with a new baby, anyway, and he didn’t want to be underfoot. Things sounded strained, in Jeff’s opinion, but he knew it wasn’t really his business.

His business mostly involved making Kent smile.

Jeff resolved to take Kent hiking and out to the rodeo and the dinosaur museum, the kind of fun, innocent things a guy ought to be doing during a summer off. They worked it out so that Kent would visit his mother in New York before coming to Calgary at the beginning of July, where he’d stay for a month and a half. When Jeff asked his parents if they minded, their response was enthusiastic. Apparently, Christopher had mentioned Kent to them, too.

He picked Kent up at the airport by himself, ignoring the curious stares of people who recognized him. Kent waved as soon as he saw him, a smile breaking across his face.

“Hey, man,” Jeff said. Kent’s flight had come in early. “Hungry?”

“Starving.” They headed for the car.

“How d’you feel about pancakes?” Jeff asked, putting on his seatbelt. “Because we’re about to eat so many fuckin’ pancakes.”

“It’s a sin to turn down breakfast food,” Kent said. He glanced at the radio. “What is this?”

“Nope,” said Jeff, “shut it. My car, my music.” He paused. “You know it’s Rush.”

Kent groaned.

After he’d fed Kent and shown him some of the city, Jeff took them home to drop off his stuff. As he’d suspected, his parents expected Kent to stay in Jeff’s room -- Christopher and Bethany and the kids all stayed with them when they visited in the summer, which meant that their guest rooms were full. Jeff took Kent down the hallway to his room, apologizing.

“It’s fine,” Kent said. “Seriously. I don’t care.” He dropped his bag on the floor.

“I can get an air mattress or something,” Jeff said. They’d slept in the same bed often enough that he hadn’t thought about it until he saw Kent’s measuring glance at the single queen sized bed in the room.

“Why,” Kent asked, “you worried I’ll cuddle you?”

Jeff laughed. Worried? Not at all. “You should be so lucky,” he said.

“Your cohort of women would kill me,” said Kent.

“Whatever,” said Jeff. He didn’t have a cohort of women. And if he had, he wouldn’t care about them, anyway.

When they went back downstairs, Jeff’s mother met them in the kitchen. “You boys going to the opening ceremony?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Jeff said. “Where’s Chris?”

“Julianna’s sick,” she said. “I don’t think they’ll go with you tonight. But you go and have fun --” she smiled at Kent, who smiled back. “Both of you.”

“Thank you for having me, ma’am,” he said.

Jeff leaned over, kissing his mother on the cheek. “We’ll be back later.”

“Your mom is so nice,” Kent said, as they walked out to get back in Jeff’s car.

“Yeah, she’s cool,” Jeff said. He turned the key in the ignition.

“Where are we going?”

“We’ll get there in time for the dancing exhibition,” Jeff said. “My cousin’s dancing this year, so we gotta go. And then there’s a tipi raising contest, so I thought we’d go to that.” He glanced at Kent. “I’m assuming you don’t wanna stay out drinking all night, so… I thought we’d do other stuff.”

He felt warm seeing the small smile on Kent’s face.

It was crazy at the Stampede. They were there pretty early, but it was still full of people. Kent and Jeff blended right into the crowd, right up until the moment they walked into the Indian Village and Jeff caught sight of his cousin.

“Hey! Jonas!”

Jeff found himself quickly saying hi to a bunch of people he knew, being invited to come drum with old friends, and just generally losing sight of Kent pretty quickly. It was easy to do.

They spent most of their first night out in the Indian Village, looking at the tipis and wandering around. Jeff tried to encourage Kent to ask questions if he had any, and he had fun introducing him to various people he knew. By the time they went back to Jeff’s parents house, Kent was yawning -- he’d gotten up early for that flight.

Jeff knew Kent was tired when he didn’t dream.

The next day, Jeff figured that taking Kent to see as much cowboy bullshit as possible would be the most fun and typical way to pass time. There were only about a million things to do, so they started with agriculture and went from there. For some reason, Kent seemed to really like listening to people talk about what they did, and he definitely liked petting animals. His eyes went all soft as he stroked a horse’s nose, and Jeff smiled.

Asking him to come was a great idea. He’d have to remember to take Kent to the dog bowl.

After walking through vendor halls and looking at things for sale, Jeff was too hungry to do anything other than eat. They strolled around the midway, finding plenty of things to eat -- and drink. Kent surprised Jeff by actually drinking with him, and when they sat down to watch chuckwagon racing, he sat closer than usual. Jeff expected a fun, boisterous time, but he hadn’t counted on Kent being so upset by a wreck. They left after Kent’s third question in regards to whether or not the horses would be okay.

Maybe Jeff needed to alternate Stampede with something gentler.

He knew just the thing. A day trip to Banff would be beautiful. They could get up early to get in the car and make the drive over to the Banff from Calgary -- it took about an hour and a half, but the country was pretty and Jeff wouldn’t mind driving.

“Hey,” he said, as they walked up to the house that night, “you wanna skip Stampede tomorrow and go hiking? Stoney-Nakoda day isn’t until Tuesday, so it’s no big deal.”

Kent’s surprised expression brought a chill of regret to Jeff’s stomach. Of course he’d want to go hiking, away from all the people. “Yeah,” he said, as if he couldn’t believe Jeff was asking him to go somewhere quiet. “That’d be awesome.”

“Cool,” said Jeff. And then, “you know we’re not just gonna always party here, right? The Stampede’s just a big thing.”

“It’s fine,” Kent said.

His nightmare woke Jeff up halfway through the night.

In the morning, they woke up spooning and neither of them said anything. It was one bed, things happened. Right? Jeff went downstairs to make coffee before Kent had a chance to mention it.

It was an easy drive out to Banff, one Jeff had made what felt like hundreds of times. The sky was clear and they had strong coffee in hand, and Kent stared out the window, taking in the scenery.

“Pretty, huh?” Jeff said.

“It’s really beautiful here,” said Kent.

Jeff drove them to Waterfowl Lake’s campgrounds, parking the car in the cul-de-sac for Chephren Lake hiking and putting up a sunshade in the windshield. He figured they’d do Chephren first, and then if Kent wanted something more challenging, they could do Cirque Lake.

Jeff preferred Cirque Lake, but it was nice to pick something easy to start with.

It was beautiful no matter where they looked. The hike started with crossing foot bridges over the turquoise water of the Mistaya River. Kent stopped to stare at it for a little while, enchanted with the water.

“We haven’t even gone anywhere yet,” Jeff said. He laughed and tugged on Kent’s arm. “C’mon.”

Chephren Lake was a popular trail, not difficult at all. It was heavily travelled and relatively flat, but it lead them through the lush, aromatic forest. It was the smell of summer, comforting and serene.

They crossed log bridges over little streams and muddy patches, continuing through the forest until they reached the shoreline of Chephren Lake. It was even more blue than the Mistaya River, and the view was stunning. Rugged mountains surrounded the exquisite water, and it was a view that never ceased to make something in Jeff’s heart feel clean.

“Here we are,” Jeff said. A slight breeze stirred his hair. It had been a bit of a steeper climb to get all the way up, and it was hot out. He motioned with an arm. “Chephren Lake. And that --” he pointed. “That’s Mount Chephren.”

It was worth it for the look on Kent’s face. “Oh,” he breathed, eyes wide as he took in the sight of the mountains kissing the sky.

Jeff smiled. “Yeah,” he said, fighting the urge to grab Kent’s hand. “It’s perfect.”

He wasn’t looking at the mountains.

( missed the rest? find it on AO3! )

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/volcano-bay-orlando-fl/

Volcano Bay Orlando - You Won't Want To Miss This One!

Everlasting happiness is the theme at Universals themed water park, the incredible Volcano Bay.

Volcano Bay is an expansive 28 acre water park brimming with 18 exciting attractions. Whether you are an adrenaline-fueled thrill seeker or a mellow master of relaxation, Volcano Bay has something for you.

Once you step into this innovative water park you'll find yourself immersed in the Waturi way. "Water is Life. Life is Joy." That's the fundamental philosophy of the Waturi islanders of Volcano Bay. You'll be transported to this fantastical Pacific island paradise filled with wonder and beauty.

TapuTapu Wearable

When you enter Volcano Bay, you'll be welcomed into the Waturi family and presented with the powers of the TapuTapu wearable.

The TapuTapu is a waterproof, wearable "watch" of sorts. Wear it onto your wrist and unlock an new and innovative park experience.

No Need to Wait in Line: The Waturi people are really serious about all that everlasting happiness stuff. Use the TapuTapu to hold your place in a line by touching it to the ride entry totem. The TapuTapu will alert you when it is time to return to the ride. Simply touch the totem again to gain access to the ride.

No Need for Cash: You can link your credit card to your TapuTapu and use it to pay for food, drink and merchandise throughout the park.

Replace Locker Bands: You don't need an additional band or key to access your locker. TapuTapy will open it up just like magic.

It's a Magical Play Thing: There are interactive experiences throughout Volcano Bay. Your TapuTapu will initiate shooting water spouts and illuminate images in the cave inside the Volcano.

Keepsake Memories: There are interactive photo ops throughout Volcano Bay and your TapuTapu will keep track of your photos.

The 4 Unique Areas of Volcano Bay:

THE VOLCANO

Krakatau is the monumental heart of this intriguing island, soaring 200 feet into the sunny sky. Vast waterfalls tumble from the volcano by day and as the sun sets, the waters transforms into red lava.

At Krakatau, you'll enter the volcano to find a unique array of thrilling water slides:

Krakatau Aqua Coaster: This four-person canoe travels through the dark and misty interior of the volcano, leading to a stunning exit through a magnificent waterfall

Ko'okiri Body Plunge: This traditional tribute to Vol, the Volcano God, will have your adrenaline kicked into high gear. The 70-degree drop through 125 feet of slide will end in a phenomenal splash. You'll plunge to the bottom in 7 seconds.

Punga Racers: Kids will go crazy for this four-way race. Riders hop aboard manta ray mats and speed toward a watery finish.

Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides: Grab a brave friend and experience a thrilling jump from the volcano as drop doors simultaneously open into intertwining tubs. The best part? The tubes are clear so you can see the pure joy (or terror!) on your friend's face as they take their own exhilarating fall.

WAVE VILLAGE

The serene Wave Village is where you'll find Waturi Beach and The Reef.

Waturi Beach: This large lagoon is a multi-directional wave pool at the base of the towering volcano complete with sandy beach. Sit back, relax and enjoy a beach break in the middle of Orlando.

The Reef: Hang out in The Reef and relax in the calm waters and waterfall. Watch daring riders of the Ko'okiri Body Plunge - the clear tube leads right through The Reef's pool.

RIVER VILLAGE

The River Village is a welcoming spot for all guests. Here you'll find activities suitable for even the youngest members of your family.

Honu Ika Moana: This two-in-one attraction takes multiple riders on two twisty slides that resemble the Waturi tradition of riding underwater on sea turtles or riding the waves on whales.

Runamukka Reef: This adorable 3 story coral reef boasts shooting geysers, water guns, slick slides and playful dump cups. Whimsical sea creatures create a pleasant border around this kiddie paradise.

Tot Tiki Reef: This charming play area will be a hit with the pint-sized members of your crew. Smaller slides, a kid-sized replica of the volcano and lots of spraying fountains provide big fun for little guests.

Kopiko Wai Winding River: This mammoth lazy river covers a lot of ground, connecting nearly all of the water slides in the park. That means you won't ever have to leave the water - just float on down the Kopi Wai to your next destination! Relax as you glide beneath the lava rocks and Stargazer’s Cavern where you can see the magical night sky above.

RAINFOREST VILLAGE

This exciting rainforest is a perfect spot for those seeking thrilling adventure. In the Rainforest Village you'll find some of the most exciting attractions in Volcano Bay:

Taniwha Tubes: These twisting and turning slides are inspired by the native puka trees. The slides twist like gnarled roots and take guests on a crazy ride. All we can say is beware of the cheeky tikis!

Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides: Daring, gutsy, heroic, these are traits you'll need to make it through this sensational six-person raft ride. Spin and slide your way through a volcanic gorge and hang onto your hats (actually, you definitely should NOT wear a hat on this ride) during a moment of zero gravity.

Puka Uli Lagoon: A hideaway, complete with bongo drums and spraying water, for little visitors who need a relaxing moment.

TeAwa the Fearless River: A whitewater rafting experience complete with wild waves and swiftly speeding water.

Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slide: Aptly named for some of the phrases riders might utter, this pair of water slides are unlike any others. Start at the top of a cliff on the Ohyah slide, which will end in a four-foot drop into the first pool. Next, pass over the swaying rope bridge and hop onto the Ohno slide, which plunges you into a pool from a six-foot drop.

Chow Down at Volcano Bay

With over 60 dishes to choose from in several dining locations and watering holes, Volcano Bay is taking theme park dining to a whole new level.

Wave Village:

Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club: Located at the base of the volcano, you can enjoy dining and relaxing while being lulled by the pleasant sound of lagoon waves. Delicious island flavors abound in dishes like Coconut Crusted Fried Chicken and Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches. A grab-n-go menu is available for those looking for a quick bite - salads, sandwiches, sushi, and fruit make for a delicious and fast meal option.

Kunuku Boat Bar: A beached canoe named for mythical fish is the perfect spot to grab a refreshing drink. Frozen drinks, cocktails, draft beer and soda can all be found at the Kunuku.

Rainforest Village

Bambu: This shady retreat built with bamboo is a great place to grab your favorite dishes, with an island twist. Burgers on King's Hawaiian rolls, pretzel dogs with pineapple salsa, and pineapple upside-down cake are just a few of the gems you'll find at Bambu.

The Feasting Frog: Grab a seat on the patio and enjoy gazing at the adorable frog-shaped restaurant. This taco spot offers quick and delicious tacos topped with unique signature ingredients like pineapple salsa and Jicama slaw.

Dancing Dragons Boat Bar: Another boat-shaped stand where you can grab a tropical drink to help you unwind.

River Village

Whakawaiwai Eats: Located on the banks of the river, Whakawaiwai offers diners some truly spectacular dishes like signature pizzas, tropical salads, and plenty of tempting treats for the little ones.

Upgrades at Volcano Bay

Cabana Rentals

Rent a private cabana to relax and unwind during your time at Volcano Bay. Padded lounge chairs, complimentary fruit and snacks, refrigerator with bottled water, towel and locker service, and concierge service with an exclusive menu are just some of the amenities you will enjoy in your cabana. Single story and two story retreats are offered.

1 and 2 story cabana rentals at Volcano Bay

Single Cabanas hold up to 6 guests and start at $159.99 per unit, per day plus tax. For elevated views choose an upper deck, or for easy access choose the lower deck.

Family Cabanas are available for up to 16 people and start at $299 per unit, per day plus tax.

See details of Volcano Bay Cabanas: Cabanas

Premium Seating

You'll no doubt be spending the whole day at Volcano Bay so you'll need some space to flake out. If you don't want the hassle of finding a place to sit when you are ready to relax, then Reserved Seating is the answer.

This upgrade includes two padded loungers, an adjustable canopy, a storage lockbox and an area attendant to take food orders.

Prices are $29.99 per lounger, per day plus tax. You can also rent towels if you don't want to take your own.

See Volcano Bay Premium Seating details: Premium Seating 

Universal Express

Although the TapuTapu is super helpful, eliminating the need to stop by a ride in the first place takes it one step further. The Universal Express Pass allows you to ride the rides when you're ready. It will be loaded onto your TapuTapu wearable, so you won't need to carry anything around. There are several options for Volcano Bay Express Passes, which start at $19.99 for the regular pass, and from $39.99 for the Unlimited Express Pass. Krakatau Aqua Coaster is not included in Express Passes. See Volcano Bay Express Pass Details: Express Pass

So How Much is Volcano Bay?

A one day ticket starts at $80 for adults and $75 for children aged 3-9, but with annual pass upgrades, pass blockout dates, multi day values and limitations on Florida Resident Passes, we'll let our friends over at Orlando Informer explain all that to you. They've done a terrific job of breaking down all the options and prices. Take a look here: Complete Guide Ticket Guide

With a variety of thrilling attractions, fantastic dining, entertaining areas for little ones, and a friendly, relaxing atmosphere, a visit to Volcano Bay is sure to be an awesome experience for the whole family.