#dry fruit gift basket
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gtagiftbasket · 8 months ago
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Gift Basket Hacks: Elevate Your Dry Fruit Presentation
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Dry fruits are a healthy and delicious gift option, perfect for any occasion. But let's face it, a bag of prunes doesn't exactly scream "festive." Fear not, gifting guru! With a few clever hacks, you can transform your dry fruit selection into a show-stopping centerpiece in any gift basket.
Preparation is Key:
Visual Appeal: Sort your dry fruits by color and size. Apricots, golden raisins, and cashews will create a vibrant mix, while darker fruits like prunes and dates can be arranged for contrast.
Freshen Up: If your dried fruits seem a little dull, a quick refresh can make a big difference. Plump raisins by soaking them in a little rum or orange juice for 15 minutes. Apricots and mangoes can benefit from a light dusting of edible glitter for a touch of sparkle.
Container Creativity:
Ditch the Bag: Skip the boring plastic bags that come with store-bought dried fruits. Opt for clear cellophane bags or small decorative boxes. These allow the vibrant colors to shine through and add a touch of elegance.
Layer it Up: Create visual interest by layering different colored fruits in your container. Start with a base of a darker fruit like prunes, followed by a layer of golden raisins, and top it off with vibrant apricots or cranberries.
Think Outside the Box (Literally): Don't limit yourself to traditional baskets. Mason jars, decorative tins, or even beautiful mugs can be transformed into unique and reusable containers.
Sweet Additions:
Chocolate Drizzle: For a touch of indulgence, melt some dark chocolate and drizzle it over your arranged dry fruits. This adds a luxurious element and makes them even more irresistible.
Nutty Nachbarn: Complement your dried fruits with a selection of roasted nuts. Almonds, pistachios, and pecans add a delightful textural contrast and a touch of healthy fat.
Spice it Up: For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle a touch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of chili flakes over your display.
Edible Flowers: For a truly show-stopping presentation, consider adding a few edible flowers like pansies or violets. These add a touch of whimsy and sophistication.
Presentation Perfection:
The Finishing Touch: Don't forget the finishing touches! Tie a colorful ribbon around the container or add a decorative pick for a festive touch.
Personalize it: For an extra special touch, consider adding a handwritten card with a heartfelt message or the recipient's initials made from dried fruit slices.
Bonus Tip: If you're feeling extra crafty, line the bottom of your container with shredded colored paper or crinkled tissue for an extra pop of color and visual interest.
With these simple hacks, your dry fruits will go from ordinary to extraordinary. So, the next time you're looking for a thoughtful and healthy gift, consider a beautifully presented dry fruit arrangement. It's sure to leave a lasting impression!
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farzanatrading · 1 year ago
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Choosing Ready Made Boxes Online Sharjah is first and foremost a genuine expression of love and care. It shows that you have given thought to choosing a gift that reflects the well-being and happiness of your loved ones. Giving fruit sends messages of encouragement and appreciation, creating a warm connection between you and the recipient.
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keralagifts · 1 year ago
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Show your love and appreciation for your dad this Father's Day by sending him special Father's Day Gifts to Anchal. Browse our collection now! Gifts like Father's Day Cake, Father's Day Flowers Bouquet, Father's Day Dry fruits Gift Pack, Father's Day Fruit Basket, Father's Day Gift Hamper etc. You can Send Gifts to Anchal from Anywhere in the World through our Online Store.
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giftdubaionline · 2 years ago
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Traditional Special Gifts for Ramadan and EID
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Gifts for Ramadan and EID
Traditional Special Gifts for Ramadan and EID The Holy Month of Ramadan is one of the most significant months in the Islamic timetable This is a special time that brings families and communities closer together. It’s a Tradition to bring gifts similar as food and incense to a host’s home as an act of love, Kindness, and Respect. The end of Ramadan is the launch of Eid Al Fitr, which means the ‘jubilee of breaking the fast ’. The stylish occasion of Eid makes sure everyone from associates and musketeers and extended family members exchanges gifts to partake in their gratefulness. Gifting is an important tradition in Arabia, recognizing close bonds and strong connections. According to Islamic Book, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would frequently give and admit gifts of incense, beast, apparel, and especially food, which is why it’s come to an integral aspect of indigenous culture.
Take a bite into the Traditional Food & Gifts for this EID and Ramadan month with GDO
Dates and Nuts
Enrich your tastebuds with Premium Dates. Get the Best Arabic Dates in Dubai, and Send Gifts Online to friends and family in Dubai. Take a bit into crunchy pistachios, cashews, and almonds, and Celebrate this Ramadan with the Best Dates and nuts in UAE
Dry Fruit Basket
Dry Fruit Basket is the Traditional way of Celebrating Ramadan month, especially during iftar. Get The Best Enriched dry fruit basket with a gift option to offer your dear ones on Ramadan. The crunchy almonds, cashews, and pistachios will relish their taste buds and express your love and care for them in the best way.
Fruit Baskets
Ramadan cannot be complete without Fruit Baskets, especially during iftar. Playing to get fresh and healthy gifting Optional and also planning it to be Grand. With GDO get the Best Fruit basket in town that fits your budget and share love and good health with your dear ones this Ramadan month.
Cakes
Cupcakes and celebration Cakes make the moment alive Gift Ramadan Cakes to your Homes and witness the Love that blooms in your Family. With GDO you can get the Best Ramadan Cakes and Iftar cakes that brighten your face and your heart at your Home
Get the Best of Traditional Gifts for this Ramadan and Eid. Send Gifts to all your friends and family members with GDO and celebrate this Ramadan season with the Grace of the Lord Almighty. Dive into the divine touch of traditional Ramadan gifts and sweets and treats from GDO family.
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uno-san · 3 months ago
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True to His Word (Stanley Pines x Reader)
Greetings! @princeasimdiya12 requested a special Aladdin Inspired short that was a delight to write! I didn't follow the prompt to the tee but I hope that you enjoy what I cooked up regardless. And to those in my inbox, have no fear! For YOUR 🫵 request might be next. Stay turned!
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On dry and scorching days like this, traversing through a crowd of folk buying and selling wares was like a death sentence. Not only did the added body heat of the crowd make you dizzy but the added cramped space reminded you of the very prison you were trying to escape from. Your home. The palace to be more specific, but certainly where you grew up.
It was only from your place of privilege that you could call your position as princess a curse. Knowing that your life didn’t simply just hold fancy banquets that filled your belly or expensively imported fabrics from countries that most peasants couldn’t even conceive, it also held a role for you to play. A script that you shouldn’t dare stray from in fear of everything around you crumbling into nothing. The pressure of failing hundreds of years worth of ancestors.
You know. Easy responsibilities of a princess.
Perhaps that’s why as of late you’ve taken to finding your way out from behind the palace’s walls. Without protection of your family and city guard you could simply exist. Not practice another language, skills to attract a suitor, or bend under the will of your parents.
This was your chance, even for a few hours, to be free. With either being yourself or even discovering what kind of person you are without outside pressure. Even getting the chance to know the citizens that you will one day rule beside your partner was a gift that most royals often refuse.
Your attempts at rebellion had been successful only a few times which wholefully gave you a disadvantage when visiting a street market for the first time. Was it always this busy? Or was today a celebration of something far beneath your station that you weren’t even aware of it? Admittedly it did make you miss your palace servants. That pang of homesickness frustrated you after all that talk of freedom. Though perhaps old habits die hard.
“We have newly brought in dresses from our sister nation, for the low, low price of-”
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are available here! Straight from the ground and into your hands for the best prices. Fill your basket and get-”
“Offering trades for any one of my wares!”
Hearing one sales pitch after another was like hearing a cacophony of balls all at once. Maybe you were even being rung yourself as you struggled to walk without getting knocked around by someone far sturdier than you. The hustle and bustle of the market didn’t even allow you the chance to give apologies from the invasion of space.
Your heart raced with all the stimuli you had yet to grow accustomed to, pounding away at your chest as if you didn’t have enough things bumping into you already. It was nearly too much for a pampered princess. Almost. After all, if this is what the general populace have to deal with on a day to day basis, shouldn’t it be your duty to understand their plight on a more personable level?
Suddenly a hand shot through the crowd to grasp onto yours. The contact was enough to knock both the wind and confidence out of you before you were dragged out of the market and off your feet. Looking ahead to see who had grabbed you proved fruitless with everybody you were being brushed past. Even your cries of protest were outbid by the various merchants already calling for attention.
Have you been found out? Was it the guards? Or worse? Some criminal looking to make a big buck with the kidnapping of a princess. The thought made you pale. That, and the ever looming alleyway that you’ve just now realized you’re pulling into to get out of sight from the main streets of the open market. At least it wasn’t claustrophobic.
“Hey!” Your voice finally boomed in the stone alleyway, “I demand that you release me immediately or else I-”
You were shoved against the wall. Your shoulder blade nearly scratched against the coarse surface but a large hand covering your mouth stopped your wince of pain. Staring back into your wide eyes were a pair of brown ones that were dark and foreboding. The man had tanned skinned from days spent out in the sun while his long brown hair was pulled into a low ponytail that hung off of his shoulder. There was a roughness to the man that made you scared, yet…intrigued as the hand used to silence you lifted itself. In its stead the man raised a finger to his mouth for a ‘Shh’
Just outside where you two hid the sound of rushing footsteps dragged your attention to the source. In small groups were guards dressed in armor you could recognize from being from the palace. Your family’s personal colors. Not the city. Though they did not have their blades drawn they still traveled with an urgency.
“Gah, where did she go?” One voice growled while they skulked passed while seemingly not noticing or caring to check the alley you were hidden in, “Scatter and find her now.”
With a scattering of ‘Yes, sir’ the sound of their ever growing search became distant. You still held in your breath as your gaze cautiously slid back towards the stranger. His attention was still towards the entryway to the alley, leaving the positioning of the light streaming into cast harsh shadows across his face to highlight his sharp jawline. The sun nearly made his eyes glow gold.
In spite of the situation at hand you found yourself turned red.
Thankfully only an eternity passed before the man let out a sigh of relief and turned to address you, a wide grin nearly splitting his face in half while he allowed air to flow between your bodies again.
“That was a close one, eh?” He winked at you, “Saw them tailing ya for awhile now. Luckily your pal Stanley was here to help out or who knows what might have happened.” The man, now identified as Stanley, patted your shoulder before stepping out to the entrance to look both ways for any incoming trouble. “What’s got palace guards so hyped up about ya anyway? Must have stolen something good, or…”
His gaze swept back to your still bewildered form and hummed. Was he trying to judge your character at this moment? Or maybe even recognize you as the princess of this city and realize what a prize he’s just passed up.
The palm of your hands finally grew sweaty and you moved to wipe them off on the fabric of your cloak that hid a majority of your form, only allowing your finer curves to shine through. Had you really been so reckless? A part of you was beginning to understand your family’s paranoia a bit better.
“-princess?” “WHAT?”
Stanley gave you a look, “I said, ‘or pissed off the princess’ since you’re, well…y’know…attractive, or…” Now his own pause gave way for awkwardness. His eyes wandered to anywhere but your growing smile before he coughed, “Forget it. Anyways, I’ve got some stuff of my own to attend to so I gotta get-”
“Thank you,” You politely interrupted, raising a hand to tuck away a strand of hair when a ray of light hit the golden bracelet wrapped around your wrist. It had been a gift from your family last year for your birthday and since then you’ve hardly taken it off, even with your peasant disguise. Again he began to stare so you quickly added, “You didn’t have to go to the trouble of helping me out, but you did. I hope to one day pay you back.”
“Oh, pffft, don’t worry about it! Besides, the street trash has to stick together, don’t we? We’re a rare species, me and you.”
‘You and I’, you internally corrected.
He stepped forward with an arm outstretched to wrap around your shoulders, guiding you further into the alley without much resistance from you. Though he did not draw you in, Stan did take charge in what was soon becoming a casual stroll through the streets. Every now and then you’d catch him eyeing your surroundings as if more palace guards would jump from the shadows at any moment to drag you away once and for all.
“Listen…How about your pal sticks around for a bit longer? You might be a rat like me but I can tell you’re new to these streets. I’ll just keep an eye on ya. Make sure the heat has gotten off your back.” Again he winked.
You blushed in return and you caught his grin from the corner of your eye while you glanced away to gather yourself, “At any point should I be worried about you as my guardian?”
“Eh, was gonna rob ya at the end of the night so you’ll be fine ‘till then!” The uproarious laugh that followed afterward made you join in with your own, though not as powerful as Stanley’s.
__
The two of you conversed for a long while. At first it was mainly comprised of Stanley telling jokes that you’d have to either genuinely or politely laugh at, or he’d take his time telling a daring story of some petty theft he’s done in the past with an excitable gleam in his eye. Having no actual street experience of your own you did your best to contribute to the conversation with a few embellished stories of your own.
Though the mood remained light you did catch the occasional glance of Stanley actually trying to take care of you. Either with keeping an eye down the path you both walked, or drawing you into his side in a near embrace when somebody brushed past you to attend to their own business. You felt selfish in relishing in the attention. Especially when you had loathed the same sort from your family.Yet despite all of his talk, Stanley still felt so…safe.
Eventually a silence fell between the two of you that was only filled with the soft dragging of your shoes against the paved ground beneath you. With the sun beginning to fade away you could also just faintly hear the chirp of the bugs that came out at night. It was the exact sort of peace you were hoping to find outside of the palace.
Stanley broke the silence first, “So, ever plan on telling me why?”
“Hm?” You cocked your head.
“The guards,” He reminded you, “Why were the palace guards chasing ya?”
Choosing not to respond straight away you kept your gaze fixated on the ground, drawing in air from between your teeth. You’ve had all this time to come up with a lie. Had you been so preoccupied in his presence that basic safety wasn’t a priority? In the face of your silence Stanley fell out of step with you, instead standing with a stern look in his eye that made you want to shrink in on yourself.
“Don’t try and tell me ya stole something. Else they would have made a ruckus when they found ya, but they didn’t. They tailed instead.” The thoughtful expression he held felt almost unfitting on the man you hardly knew, “Not that I’m paranoid or anything, but-” “THERE SHE IS!” Before the shock could even hit your system Stanley was dragging you behind him again. This time you were able to scramble on your feet faster than before. The peaceful sounds of the night were replaced by the pounding of your heart in your ears. Glancing over your shoulder you could just make out the silhouettes of your pursuers who were hot on your tail.
Stanley’s attention remained ahead. He’d take you left from right without a moment's thought as to where the two of you were actually headed. That became abundantly clear when Stanley finally made a wrong turn. A dead end that branched off to another dead end filled with discarded crates from shipments long past. You heard him curse beneath his breath before trying to find an alternative route. It was too late.
Sensing that the jig was up you unceremoniously placed your foot on the curve of Stan’s ass, shoving with all your might to kick him back into the alley and plummeting into the boxes below. He was left swearing from the fall while you hurried to smooth out your outfit as if to suggest you hadn’t done anything wrong by evading the guards all day who, at this point, managed to catch up to you.
You stepped forward to the clearly out of breath party to stop any perceptive eyes from spotting Stanley. The leader of the pact, whom you unfortunately did recognize, was the first to step forward. Not with a sword in hand but a furrowed brow. “Princess,” The man emphasized as if to ensure Stanley heard, “You’ve been fleeing from us all day. Do you have any idea how worried your parents are?” His tone was polite despite the venom hiding behind it. He didn’t like playing babysitter for someone like you.
“I apologize for making you run around all day. I was being selfish for wanting some outside air. Your dedication in doing so however will be rewarded by my father,” A part of you truly did feel sorry, and prayed that your politeness would soothe over what was sure to be a fight the moment you stepped behind palace walls. When he didn’t reply right away you bit the inside of your cheek.
His eyes must have burned themselves into your soul before he faced away from you. Immediately he began to bark orders to his still recovering guards. Secure a path to the castle, inform his royal blaah, blah, blah blah, blaaaaah…
You were back to being a treasure to protect. Without voice or opinion. For having people’s lives revolve around you it felt like a karmic justice to have none of your own. Deciding to play further into your role you folded your hands into each other, offering no opinions or comments. It would have been infuriating if you weren’t given the opportunity to slide your gaze towards the branching off alleyway where you had kicked Stanley into.
Stanley’s presence nearly made you gasp aloud as you had expected him to have abandoned you long ago. While he still made an effort to hide from the sight of your guards you could barely make out his head poking out from between boxes. It appeared he had time to process the reveal of your status as a princess as his face had a clear look of ‘Really?’
There was an almost embarrassment to it as well, considering all that he had to say about you earlier. Yet in spite of the fear that you would retaliate against such behavior he still stayed. From the shadows he made an obscene gesture that made you giggle and cover your mouth, your bracelet clattering soundlessly against your-
Soundless?
Your eyes snapped to your bare wrist that sported a light tan line. Immediately you search the area around you in the hopes of a light reflecting back from its metallic band. A soft whistle dragged your attention back to Stanley who had swirling on his finger-
Your bracelet.
His grin was infectious as you soon copied it. The bracelet may have been a gift yet it wasn’t one to be robbed with abandon. You had many more like it back at home.
Stanley winked at you while taking a step back into the shadows, out of reach of both the guards and you with each passing second. It was just as you heard the murmurings of your group beginning to prepare for their trip back that you noticed Stanley mouthing to you before he was gone himself, “Told ya so.”
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cakerybakery · 2 months ago
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It didn’t take long for Lucifer to wiggle his way back into his bunny’s burrow after the whole huge tits thing. Three babies weren’t just difficult to care for by himself, it was downright impossible for Adam to do it alone.
Lucifer became his contact to the outside world as well. Letting Adam know the goings on in the hotel and hell. Helping to keep him sane in the dark room he refused to leave.
It took Lucifer a week of pampering Adam with fresh fruits and sweet treats, of rubbing his sore back, and grooming Adam to convince Adam to let Lucifer at least tell Charlie about her baby brother and sisters.
Charlie had been worried for months about Adam but having learned about boundaries during an incident with Angel she’d figured she’d leave him alone and had once a day simply knocked on his door to ask if he was okay. Finding out he had been pregnant and was just over protective had been a huge weight off her mind.
“I was worried he was depressed.” She sighed. “But I didn’t know male rabbit sinners could get pregnant. Oh no. Does he know who the father is? Maybe he’s upset about that? Should I made him a gift basket? Yes! I’ll put in baby things, and stuff for him too! Would it be too far to put in information about contraceptives? I’m not really as up on preventing rabbit sinners from having babies as I should have been. Maybe we can have a lesson on-“
“Charlie!” Lucifer interrupted his eldest’s verbalized stream of thought. “You have to be a pretty high ranking demon to get a male rabbit sinners pregnant. So it’s not really an issue. That being said, if I can talk him into it, would you like to meet your new brother and sisters?”
It took a tick for Charlie to squeal in delight that the triplets were her siblings, than her face contorted to disgust as she realized that meant her dad and Adam had boned and she’d just effectively told her father he needed to use condoms when he fucked Adam to prevent more babies.
She wasn’t wrong through, he supposed. He knew there was a good chance Adam would get pregnant, especially the way they fucked that week. There had just been a bit of a disconnect between his brain and his dicks. It was two against one. Hardly fair. By the time his brain got a say in the matter Adam’s scent had already changed and it took him a couple days to work out why that happened.
Adam wasn’t up for sex. He was still very sore, too human to be up and ready to be impregnated again. But even when he was, Lucifer needed to remember to think and to prevent another pregnancy for a while.
The triplets had to be way more independent. And Adam wasn’t going to let him near him for a while yet so that was a problem for future Lucifer.
However, he wanted Charlie to meet the triplets while they were still little, so when he returned he was extra careful to clean himself. Junior was crying and Adam was trying to comfort him but he only had two tits and the girls were already there.
Lucifer picked the boy up and gathered a bottle of extra milk from the fridge. He warmed it with a spell and fed his son.
Another reason Adam didn’t leave the room. He was producing more than enough milk but didn’t have enough tits for all three at once. He needed to pump so the odd one out could be fed by Lucifer.
Once the babies were all fed, dry, and back asleep, Lucifer set to work. He massaged Adam’s back as Adam pumped. He whispered sweet nothings in Adam’s cute lop ears all about how wonderful and handsome he was.
Adam just, uh huhed, and rolled his eyes.
So Lucifer started a bath for his bunny, conjuring every little bath item he could think of. Bubble baths, and flower petals, things that fizzed and changed the colour of the bath. He even conjured a little rubber duck with lop ears that stirred up more bubbles as it floated along.
He helped his poor sore bunny into his bath to soak and Lucifer trimmed and polished Adam’s nails.
“Okay, what do you want? If it’s sex, no. No amount of pampering is going to convince me to let you tap this before I’m ready.” Adam was stern but he reached out and stroked Lucifer’s hair.
Lucifer leaned into the petting, following the hand back to the tub and laying his head down on the edge so Adam could scratch at the scales on the base of his skull and back of his neck. He’d be shedding soon and wouldn’t mind if Adam helped get the stuff on his back. It could be so itchy.
Adam caught on quickly to Lucifer’s attempts to soften him up this time.
“Hmm, no. Not that. I know you’re not ready, yet. It’s a big ask though.” Lucifer tried to enjoy the head scratches before Adam tossed him out again for his ask. “Can Charlie come see the babies?”
The hand paused. Adam sighed. “Pick a day. We can clean up, get the kids all washed and fed, and then she can come visit. But she has to wash her hands and not be sick!”
Rising up, Lucifer threw himself at Adam in the tub. Hugging him and kissing his face in thanks. The bath water sloshed and spilled from Lucifer’s jump into the tub and they lay there not minding the mess one bit.
“If you were ready, I’d show you just how thankful I am.” Lucifer nuzzled Adam’s neck.
Hands held Lucifer close and Adam moaned from the attention. “I suppose, a hand would be fine.”
Lucifer slipped down a little to grasp Adam’s half hard dick and pumped it. He kissed the thick tuft of fur on the center of Adam’s chest and nuzzled the swollen pecs.
Adam moaned and pushed his head away. “Cut that out, I’m going to spring a leak.”
Licking Adam’s palm, Lucifer grinned. He scooted further down the tub he took a deep breath and dove his head underwater. He wrapped his tongue around Adam cock and licked it while he deep throated his beautiful bunny’s dick.
The water sloshed as Lucifer stayed under to please his lover. He took his time, going slowly up and down the shaft until Adam’s hand encouraged him to go faster.
He swirled his tongue around the head and drove the dick deep in his throat easily, he’s eaten prey whole before, Adam was an impressive size but still not the largest thing Lucifer had shoved in his mouth. Both hands grasped his head and held him there as Adam came down his throat.
Letting go, Lucifer pulled himself up along to Adam’s face, keeping himself submerged in the water below his eyes.
Adam kissed his forehead, “that felt real good... How long are you going to stay under there?”
He sat himself up, “I could stay under for another forty minutes or so.”
Adam’s ear flicked and he turned his head slightly. “Well, I think we should get up. I hear Alice stirring.”
The bubbles were nearly gone anyways. Plus, Lucifer didn’t take his clothing off before getting into the tub so he needed to change.
Getting out, Adam gave an involuntary shake to get the water off before grabbing a towel to dry himself.
With a snap of his fingers, Lucifer dried the room. Adam would be along after caring for the kids to give it a quick clean by hand. Adam preferred the smell of soap to just the absence of dirt. He dried himself off as well.
He tried to slip out of the room without Adam realizing but was grabbed by Adam and he had to put up with Adam brushing his hair until it was soft of fluffy. Lucifer preferred it styled up a bit with gel but Adam made his preference clear. Lucifer squirmed in Adam’s arms but unless he wanted to kick and risk hurting his bunny there wasn’t much he could do but put up with the grooming.
Adam sniffed his hair then nuzzled him. “Good, you smell clean.”
Lucifer was set free as Adam went to dot on their babies. He could hear Alice fuss as Adam fussed over her. Cleaning her ears, softly brushing at the cradle cap on her scalp hidden mostly by the hair, wiping away a little bit of spit up from her cheek with a cloth.
“Sorry little lady, but better you than me.” Lucifer quickly put his hair back up how he liked. Adam would be too busy with the babies now to clean out the gel and brush it back down. He’d be in for it later as he was forced to sit still and be groomed for the night before bed as Adam didn’t like the smell of gel in his nest.
Being groomed was the price he paid for falling for his little bunny, though. Fastidious sinners, the lot of them. He wasn’t looking forward to having at least four of them insisting he needed to be groomed. Considering how often Adam spent fussing over his own hair and ears, the daily baths and evening showers. Lucifer had never been so throughly clean, not even in heaven where there was no dirt out of place.
He sighed, “at least he uses a brush and doesn’t lick me.”
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svaints · 9 months ago
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Seeing your rules for Rollo, I am genuinely interested of a Rollo x baker reader, especially with trying to befriend him, I just find the idea cute-
Like- what if reader tries to befriend friends him by giving him some bake goods as a gift ( especially croissants )
|𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐼𝑆 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎. 𝐴𝑙𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑟.
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𝕽𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖔 𝕱𝖑𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖊 | 𝖘𝖋𝖜
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟, 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞
I couldn't tell if he was ignoring or disliked me in some way or form. Was it because he was annoyed or bothered? I wouldn't know, not ever. Everytime I made an approach he's 'busy' with a book, his assignments, a letter, talking to the staff or his vice president and assistant, it's always something.
The thing was I wanted to be his friend, he was alone when I'd see him anywhere. Everyone said he was rude at times but appreciate some traits of his such as being the smartest student and being helpful at times...but what else is what I'm saying.
He's mysterious to me, I'd like to know him better than knowing him based off people speaking about him.
Therefore, around 5 am I woke up early enough to bake.
Every time we're outside for lunch, I see him eating the same thing. Grapes and bread.
"Would he like any bread though? What if he doesn't like banana bread?" I thought.
So I began making plain croissants.
1/4 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, chilled
Mixing was majority of the process to say the least...In a large bowl I combine flour and salt before adding the yeast mixture, then added everything else but butter and mixed enough till it formed into dough.
Rolling out the dough into a rectangle was fairly easy, I placed the butter in the center and folded the dough over it then again before folding it into thirds, repeating it a few more times.
The final dough was cut into triangles and rolled them into croissants, finally, I prepared a baking pan with the butter and placed them carefully onto the pan.
Meanwhile, I looked around for a spare basket i wouldn't be using anymore but that wasn't damaged either. I found one after a min or two and placed a small towel with elegant prints thinking it would suit his style more.
I placed a few fruits such as grapes of green and purple as well as daffodil from the fresh blooming garden close to the school that I started thinking it would hint the friendship I wanted to build with him.
Come to think of it, what if he doesn't accept my request? Like the other times he turned me away before I even got close to him. He didn't even speak he just left before attending something/someone.
It was worth the try.
After 20 mins then I pulled the croissants out to chill and got another small towel to wrap them all up before placing them in the middle of the basket.
The way it looked with the grapes around and small flowers on the side looked lovely, especially with how the baskets outer layer was decorated.
It was 6:34 am once I made my way to the school grounds and towards the student council office. It was a lovely morning sorta cold, but the view made up for the golden sky mixed in blue on my left.
I walked further into the school grounds and to the office before trying to open the door knowing Rollo may be awake during these hours, he always is to clean and kept the school tidy. I try opening the door again but it was locked.
I sighed setting the basket down beside me and began pulling it open again thinking because I had my hands full I must've not twisted the door knob enough.
"What are doing up so early?"
The sudden question snapped me out and I looked over my shoulder seeing Rollo looking a bit suspicious. He looked down at the basket and then at me. "So?"
I sighed picking it up, "It's unfortunate we get to talk for the first time with me trying to get into the council room but I probably wouldn't have any other opportunity to so I made this for you. It's small but the intention for this is a lot more than what you think..."
His expression was blank showing a hint of concern. He took the basket inspecting it, noticing the daffodil staring at what seemed every detail of it and the grapes before the croissants wrapped up the fresh smell filling his senses.
"I apologize for my actions. I take my responsibilitys serious...Honestly, I have seen you from the corner of my eye and everytime my attention is set to you, something comes up or I'm busy, but please don't take it personally. I don't mean to purposely stray away."
Rollo smiled a bit opening the door for us. I walked in before him as I replied to him. After we cleared the misunderstandings, he invited me for a cup of tea later after school to hand him the recipe for the croissants since he loved them so much.
He was a bit quiet letting me do most of the talking but I'm sure he just wants to know me first before opening himself to me and I was fine with that.
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balkanradfem · 1 year ago
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I love being a little gatherer in nature. Filling my little basket with plants and herbs and little seeds and maybe even fruit. Going home all warm with joy because I found so many lovely little nature gifts. But then when I get home and all that stuff needs to be taken out, washed, cleaned, processed, cut, put to dry, organized or stored? Well then I'm like this fucking sucks.
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azne09 · 10 months ago
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Satul Umbrelor
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Author’s note : This text is an alternative version of the village of shadow’s fairytale from the prologue and epilogue of the game. This version is centered on the original characters of a fan fiction I’m working on. Please feel free to remark any spelling mistakes and typos ! English isn’t my first language.
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   Once upon a time, there was a brother and a sister who lived in a very small house with their sick mother. The little brother was brave and dauntless, with innocent eyes blue as clear as the summer sky. But he never listened to his sister’s commands and always did as he pleased.
      The older sister was kind and patient, with beautiful red hair as bright as the oven fire. But she always scolded her brother and was sure that she was always right about everything.
      One day, the little brother decided to go into the woods with his friends to search for berries. Before he left the house, his sister warned him :
     “Listen to me and be careful ! Do not wander too close to the dark forest ! Or else, you will get lost, and the Enchantress of the Village of Shadows will eat you !”
     The brother didn’t care to listen, and went into the woods happily chanting. After searching and searching through the bushes, his friends rejoiced with their baskets full. But the little boy’s basket, however, was empty.
     After his friends went back home to show their mothers the fruits of their picking, the little boy was left all alone in the woods, upset. Sitting on a tree trunk, he threw rocks on the ground while cursing the bushes for not giving him any berries.
     Suddenly, a black raven flew over his head and landed on a branch.
     “Croaak croaak !” says the raven. “Come to the Village of Shadows, little boy ! You will find loads of berries in every bush ! The most delicious ones you will ever find !”
     Ignoring his sister’s warning, the little boy jumped back on his feet and followed the raven down to the dark forest’s entrance.
     Meanwhile, at home, the older sister waited for her brother to come back. The clock was ticking fast, and soon the night would fall outside. So, the sister decided to search for him herself, and went into the woods.
     After calling his name in vain, a snake hissed at her to come closer.
     “Psssss psssss !” says the snake. “Be quick, be quick dear girl ! Your brother hassssssss gone to the dark foressssssst ! You must hurry to ssssssave him, else the Enchantressssssss will eat him ! Be quick, be quick !”
     Horrified, the sister thanked the snake and hurried into the dark forest. As she walked through a path of crooked trees and twisted thorns, the girl continued to call for her brother. She called his name again and again, until her throat went dry.
     She stopped by an arch of trees, and opened her water bottle. But at that moment, three little bats crawled from the branches of the trees and pleaded :
     “Oh please, generous girl, let us drink with you ! We are so thirsty, we do not even have the strength to fly anymore !”
     So, the young girl poured the water in her hands, and allowed the three bats to drink until the last drop. Their little stomachs full again, the bats flew around in joy.
     Suddenly, a voice called out to the girl, and the King of Bats appeared.
     “Forgive me for intruding on your forest sir,” the girl said with a bow. “I am searching for my brother. Please, have you seen him ?”
     “Alas, dear girl, I have not seen him.” the King said “But I shall reward your generosity with a gift. Come, dear girl, quench your thirst.”
     The three bats gave her a silver cup, and the King of Bats bit his right wing to pour some of his blood. The girl smiled, drank the sweet blood from the cup, and thanked the King and his subjects.
     After leaving the forest, she ended up roaming around an abandoned cemetery, covered by a freezing fog. As she walked across the tombs, shaking in her poorly stitched dress, she heard the sound of snobs. Frightened at first, the girl continued to walk until she found a garden of weeping flowers.
     “Oh please, compassionate girl, pick us up and put us on those poor soul’s tombs ! We wish to keep them company until our last petals drop, so they do not feel lonely anymore !”
     So, the young girl picked up the flowers one by one, mixing them together to create colorful bouquets, and carefully laid them down on top of every grave. 
     Suddenly, the wind began to blow, and a Dark Weaver appeared.
     “Forgive me for intruding your graveyard sir” the girl said with a bow. “I am searching for my brother. Please, have you seen him ?”
     “Alas, dear girl, I have not seen him.” the Weaver said “But I shall reward your compassion with a gift. Come, dear girl, warm yourself up.”
     In a blink of an eye, the Dark Weaver turned the fog into a beautiful gown, embellished with colorful flowers. The girl smiled, twirled around joyfully, and thanked the Dark Weaver and the flowers.
     Still looking for her brother, the girl embarked on a little boat to cross a perilous lake. Her stomach growled as she watched the fishes jumping across the waves, before a shark appeared on the surface. The girl screamed at first, before noticing that the shark's fin was bleeding.
     “Oh please, merciful girl, heal my wound ! It is so painful, I barely even have the strength to swim anymore !”
     The girl waved at the shark to come closer, and tore a piece of her precious dress apart to wrap it around the wound as a bandage. Feeling much better, the shark swam around, joyfully splashing some water on the girl who laughed along.
     Suddenly, the waves began to rise higher and higher, and the Fish King appeared.
     “Forgive me for intruding on your lake sir.” the girl said with a bow. “I am searching for my brother. Please, have you seen him ?”
     “Alas, dear girl, I have not seen him” says the King. “But I shall reward your mercy with a gift. Come, dear girl, fill up your stomach.”
     The King gave her two of his scales, one warm and salty, one fresh and sweet. The girl smiled, satisfied her hunger, and thanked the Fish King and the shark.
     Once she reached the shore, the girl ended up in a kingdom made of steel. Two wolves soldiers were guarding the entrance in their armors, but they both were asleep. 
     And as the girl advanced, she found out that the entire kingdom was asleep and that every gear was still, covered in dust and webs, rusting and rotting.
     A little wolf cub howled at her, and took her to the kingdom’s castle. Inside, the wolf cub guided the girl until they stopped in front of a rusty statue in the shape of a horse.
     “Oh please, gracious girl, lift the curse of our kingdom ! Since its heart has stopped, time has stopped as well !”
     “But how does one lift such a curse ? How can I make its heart beat ?” The girl asked herself out loud.
     With only one idea in mind, she placed a gentle kiss on top of the statue’s head, and all the rust and dust vanished away. 
     The mechanical heart started beating again, the gears began to turn, and the wolves howled in joy as they awakened from their slumber. The kingdom regained its shining golden colors, and the people celebrated their freedom.
     Suddenly, the statue turned into an Iron Steed, adorned with gold, and spoke to the girl :
     “Thank you, dear girl. Only a kiss can make one’s heart beat. The curse is broken, and I shall reward your graciousness with a gift.”
     The Iron Steed bowed its head before her, allowing her to take the golden crown on its head. The girl smiled, put the crown on her head, and thanked the Steed and the wolves. Then yet again, she asked her question : 
     “I am searching for my brother. Please, have you seen him ?”
     “I know where you can find him” The Steed told her. “I will take you to the waterfall behind which the Enchantress lives, but I will not go any further.”
     Overjoyed, the young girl hugged the Steed, climbed on its back, and galloped away to the Enchantress’s domain. Soon they reached a waterfall of night sky, with stars falling down from the sky. 
     The young girl got off the Iron Steed’s back, thanked it once again, and passed through the black waterfall under the mocking sneers of ravens. She walked and walked into the unknown, crying out her brother’s name.
     Suddenly, a light appeared, and the darkness swirled around it like a storm. In a magical cloud of stars, The Enchantress appeared before the young girl’s eyes, maleficent, yet magnificent.
     “Oh please, lady of shadows,” pleaded the young girl “set my brother free ! He is just a boy and he is so little, he doesn’t know any better !”
    The Enchantress spoke with a cruel voice.
     “The more you get, the more you crave. If you have nothing to offer me then I have nothing to give you back !”
     The girl offered her the golden crown that the Iron Steed had given her. But the Enchantress only laughed.
     “Foolish girl ! I am queen of this village ! All the crowns and the jewels, let it be made of gold, silver, or bronze, are already mine !”
     So instead, the girl offered her a piece of the fresh and sweet scale that the Fish King had given her. But the Enchantress simply laughed again.
     “Foolish girl ! I am queen of this village ! All the fishes of the lake, whether big or small, from their bones to their scales, are already mine !”
     With a gulp, the girl offered her the flowers of the dress that the Dark Weaver had given her. But yet again, the Enchantress mocked her.
    “Foolish girl ! I am queen of this village ! Every flower of the land, blooming or not, from their stem to their petals, are already mine !”
    Desesprate, the girl offered her the few drops of blood left from the cup the King of Bats had given her. And all she received was, once again, the Enchantress’s vicious laugh.
     “Foolish girl ! I am queen of this village ! My subjects, from their hair to their blood, and their souls, are already mine !”
     Appalled by her wickedness, the young girl begged the Enchantress in the name of everything good in the world. But her heart was as black as the starless night, and made of nothing but coldness but evilness.
     So, with tears in her eyes, the young girl offered her all she had left. With a sharp raven’s feather, she cut off her beautiful red hair, and gave it to the Enchantress. 
     Surprised by her determination, the Enchantress did not laugh. She observed the gorgeous red hair carefully, before breaking the silence with her words :
     “Very well, foolish girl. I shall reward your perseverance with a gift : I will set your brother free, and you shall take him back home with you. However, if you dare take one single glance behind before reaching the exit, then his soul will remain in my village forever !”
     The girl nodded her head, and the darkness twirled around the star once more like a storm. The Enchantress vanished, and the little brother appeared frightening the ravens away with a wooden sword. He ran into his sister’s arms, crying tears of joy, as she held him tight against her heart.
     “Oh dear sister, please forgive me !” he cried out “I promise that I will always listen to you, and that I will always be very careful ! I love you more than anything in the world !”
     “I love you too, sweet brother. Let us go back home to mother ! But whatever you do, do not look behind you !”
    Hand in hand, the brother and the sister passed through the dark waterfall, and began their journey back to their home. As they walked through the Kingdom made of steel, the Iron Steed and the wolves howled :
     “Be quick, be quick, gracious girl ! But do not look behind you !”
     Then, they embarked on the boat to cross the perilous lake. And as they navigated, the Fish King and the sharks rose the surface to say :
     “Be quick, be quick, merciful girl ! But do not look behind you !”
     Once they reached the shore, the sister took her brother’s hand and led him across the cold graveyard. And as they walked through the fog, the Dark Weaver and the flowers whispered :
     “Be quick, be quick compassionate girl ! But do not look behind you !”
     Finally, they reached the dark forest and began running towards the sunrise’s light ahead of them. As they ran through the crooked trees, the King of Bats and his subjects chanted :
     “Be quick, be quick generous girl ! But do not look behind you !”
     But suddenly, the young girl tripped and fell over a thorn. And her little brother, who loved her more than anything in the world, looked behind to help his sister back up.
     Disaster ! Suddenly an immense flock of ravens flew across the trees, and the voice of the Enchantress filled the entire forest like a piercing thunder :
     “Reckless boy who nevers listens ! Now, your soul belongs to me ! You will never leave this village, never !”
     Taking one last chance to save him, the young girl pushed her brother into the light, sacrificing her soul, as a wave of black feather swallowed her whole. 
     The boy cried out his sister’s name, but it was already too late. The crooked trees of the forest fell down, blocking the entrance to the village, forever.
     Realizing only now what he had done, the poor boy fell to his knees and cried. The snake appeared once again, and rested its head against him as it hissed :
    “Unfortunate boy. It isssss because you loved your sister sssso much, and because she too loved you more than anything in the world, that you have lossssst her forever.”
     So, the little boy went back home alone, with an empty basket and an empty heart. And as he grew up into a tall strong man, he taught his children and his grandchildren to be generous, compassionate, merciful and gracious. 
     But also to always listen to their parents and their elder brothers and sisters. And to never ever wander close to the dark forest. Or else the evil Enchantress will eat them.
     And in the Village of Shadows their soul will forever remain.
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victoriantreecat · 1 year ago
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Blackberry Winter
Lets imagine there are blackberry bushes along the walls of dogwarts.
They're brambles, good for defences, good at guarding the high walls. Early on, they gave some extra food for the villagers, so they didn't get tired of the carrots they farmed. In the hot months the shiny fruits gleamed and glowed against the thick foliage, picked at by birds but still abundant.
Their juice was sweet and stained the lips of all. The king and his hand gathered baskets and brought the delicious morsels as gifts to their brothers in arms, all feasting on a rich harvest, a bountiful banquet.
But the cold- a sudden snap, a dogwood winter, it came and it killed.
The night winter came, the blackberries froze.
The vines sickened in the sharp cold. Frost shrunk the leaves, stripped the branches bare, but for their thorns. The birds had once spread the delicate seeds, but now the food waned and the birds went.
The chill was deep. Bone deep, although the king never seemed to feel it- then again his skin was cool as stone. Little comfort came but for nights the by campfires and the cold comfort of the distant stars.
Ember baked loaves grew thinner and carrots rotted under piles of snow. The moon stole away her sister, snow-filled clouds smothered her. The banners stained the drifts a bloody mess.
But perhaps in all this someone had the foresight to take some berries, pat them dry, and place them by the furnace to store. Let's say the Hand tucked some away for when the chill sunk too deep, for a rainy day, for a hoped-for celebration feast.
It's in this heart stopping cold he takes them again, takes pine needles from the bitter slopes, takes honey from the precious stores below. He soaks them in the snow-melt, strains them gently out, makes tea- adding pine and wild mosses, boiling 'til it lightly simmers. He grinds the renewed berries, and purple the juice runs down- scooped up in careful fingers, mixed with honey, mixed with salt.
Now on ember baked loaves, flat and dusted with dark soot, he spreads the makeshift jam, a violet stain vivid, soaking through spongy bread. As purple as the sky is bright when it peeks through stormy clouds. As deep as the lasting look into the eyes of a lover. As rich as silken cloth with royal Sidonian dye, trimmed with gold.
And of course, a royal treat, then it must be shared with kings.
So to the King the Hand brings this secret delight. A sweet, staining surprise that, perhaps, brings a smile to the bloodied face.
A dipped finger, touched to the tongue, reveals the honey-bright and ambrosia-sweet taste. The berry's flavour entwining itself among their senses, blossoms out in renewed life. And the dark, swirling tea brings a bittersweet warmth to their bones. Like red infused with green, with blue, the warming tea diffuses through their worn out limbs, replacing, just so briefly, all their fear.
Let us imagine tender words suffused with love that dance in the curling breaths they speak into the winter air. Dwell on the gentleness of these who live, surrounded by rock and ice and sand and snow.
Let's imagine the fingertips, warmed by wooden cups, clutching for more. Eyes drooping in sweet sleep. Cups lying long empty. Reams of poetry spilling from purple-stained lips. Soft humming songs echoing off the harsh walls.
The slowly fading, lingering taste of blackberries.
And all this while still the brambles snarl around the frozen stones below the ramparts, and the cold digs it's claws closer to their hearts.
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linnorabeifong · 1 year ago
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Some Adorable Linzin
This work still needs some major editing and I have a love-hate relationship with it. Might delete parts, can't decide whether or not to write part two.
"Heels"
Tenzin always felt something for Lin. From the moment she was born he was infatuated with her. She was his favorite playmate, his first friend. Even as a toddler he would follow after her as she clumsily stumbled and wobbled about the island.
She was his closest friend when he was a boy. He would find her up a tree after one of her frequent arguments with Su and use his airbending to propel himself up onto the limb next to her. She would shoot him a jealous glare that would soften when he produced mangoes from the pockets of his robes. Every time she would smile and thank him, “My favorite ! You remembered.” she would squeal excitedly before biting into the fruit and letting the juices dribble down her chin. They would spend hours up in their own little world above everyone laughing and holding hands.
She returned the favor, arriving at the island with pastries she had made herself. Offering him the pineapple buns. The golden patterned crust is crispy and covered in crunchy sugar crystals; the bun underneath is soft. He asks her where she learned to bake like this, and she tells him all about a book of recipes she found at the library. He loves the way she speaks with her hands, so animated and excited. He bites into another bun. Them being made by her hands make them infinitely sweeter. She begins bringing them more regularly and they quickly become a favorite breakfast, buttered up and unceremoniously dunked into mugs of milk tea.
His heartbeat fluttered as they sparred. He could see her muscles tense as she created a wall of earth and pushed it towards him, hoping to break his concentration. He sidesteps easily, and uses his airbending to try and sweep her feet from underneath her. Her horse stance is too stable for him to succeed. “That old trick twinkletoes ?” she says. She knocks him over with a clod of earth to the shin. “Stop making this so easy for me” she groans. He smiles, she is right where he wants her. If his bending won’t work he’ll win this match the old fashioned way. He grabs at both of her ankles and pulls her down with him. They roll about on the ground until finally she claims victory. She gets up and parts her lips, showing him her teeth. He stands and shakes her hand “Good match” he says, “likewise airhead” she says pressing her hand against the new tattoo on his forehead before grabbing her things.
Citrus season comes and Tenzin climbs the trees around the island. Using his airbending to reach the very tops where the largest juiciest fruits await him. He spends hours filling baskets, then makes his way to her apartment, knocking politely before bestowing his gift upon her. She grins at him and bows her head as she accepts it. Something about the way her lips purse as she enjoys the sour fruit makes his heart race. The way she hums her satisfaction, before handing him the other half of her snack made him desperate for air. The way she makes eye contact with him as she sucks a grapefruit dry. Tilting her head, glancing at him curiously through her heavy lashes, when he explains that they are too bitter for his liking. It all enchants him.
She reciprocates, bringing him to Narook’s for some noodles with a few of her friends. Two chatty girls greet him politely, and a stocky boy eagerly shakes his hand. Then a stranger nods at him and steals his seat right next to Lin.
Apparently he is her boyfriend, some shifty fire bender who never took his hands off her. Draping an arm over her delicate shoulders, a hand holding hers, fingers reaching underneath the table for her shapely calves or shockingly a palm resting on her thigh. Blatant. Suggestive even. Some would say possessive. Tenzin is red with rage, who does this man think he is ? Just touching Lin Beifong like that. Casually. In public. Does he have no concern for her reputation ?
She giggles. Lin Beifong giggles. A sound he hasn’t heard in years. The boy looks at him grinning before he wraps his arms around her waist. She bats at his hands playfully before returning to the story she was telling. Tenzin makes eye contact with the bastard again. In spite of his vow of pacifism, he wants to connect his knuckles with the cad’s jaw.
“Got a problem ?” the boyfriend growls at him. “Kenny be nice,” Lin says, placing her hand gently on his arm. Then she takes her other hand and places it on his jaw. The jaw Tenzin wanted to break. She rubs her thumb across his stubble, then boops his nose with her pointer finger and laughs. A delicate, feminine sound. A sound that scoundrel doesn’t deserve to hear. She leans into him, pressing her chest against his “Remember what I said earlier,” she says softly before whispering in his ear. She is not loud enough for anyone at another table to hear her but unfortunately not quiet enough for Tenzin to miss what she said: “Bad boys don’t get dessert”. Tenzin thinks he is growing to be sick all over the table after hearing those words from her lips. Those indecent words directed at such a filthy lowlife.
One uncomfortable hour later the meal is finally over, thank the spirits. On their way out she grabs him by the wrist and takes him aside, “Sorry about Ken being an ass earlier, he’s just jealous because he thinks you have a crush on me. Silly, right ?”
It was silly, right ? He most certainly does not have a crush on her. That is a ridiculous notion.
A few months later the boy dumps her.
Over summer Lin joins the police academy, hoping to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
One day he bumps into her. Lin is walking to the university for a guest lecture and Tenzin just so happens to be attending the same one. He walks behind her. Noticing the way she swung her hips and swayed as she walked. She is graceful in a peculiar way. Short strides, quick steps, she looks like she is floating. He had never noticed it before but now her walk is accentuated by the little heels she is wearing. Her well turned ankles are on full display. His throat runs dry.
He catches up to her and they talk on the way to class. During the lecture he is distracted. Instead of listening to the difference between Malum Prohibitum and Malum in se he is admiring the way her pencil skirt clung tightly to her curves. The way the pink blouse she is wearing is exposing her long lovely neck and sharp collarbones.
Her soft hands brush against his when she reaches for a pen. She begins quickly jotting down notes. He reaches out for her free hand, intertwining his fingers with her delicate slender ones. She smiles at him. He looks at her hand in his. They fit together perfectly.
Bumi visits the city while he is on leave for a few days and drags him to a fire-nation bar. While Bumi is ordering his second whiskey Tenzin notices her drinking with the other recruits. She is obviously drunk. Laughing too loud at the jokes, nearly falling out of her seat. Some man Tenzin recognized reaches out a hand to keep her from falling off the stool. He returns to his conversation with Bumi. He turns his head when he hears whooping and cheering. The men had convinced her to go out on the dance floor. A slow song was playing. Lin was performing a fire nation dance. Her steps are careful and slow. She shakes her hips suggestively. The other recruits begin whistling. She shakes her head at them before resuming her dance. She quickly spins. Then she holds her arms up over her head and begins moving her hips in a circle. She speeds up and gets lower and lower. Tenzin is convinced that she is the only woman outside of Ember Island that can move like that, so smooth, so fluid. The entire bar is watching and cheering. Tenzin is entranced. She has slowed the motion down, holding her position for a few moments before the music speeds up again. She gets up and finishes her dance.
“Oh you’ve got it bad for Beifong” Bumi teases him. “I don’t” Tenzin insists “Tenzin you’ve been staring the entire time we’ve been here” Bumi counters. Tenzin flushes. Had he really been that obvious ? “Go on, go ask her to dance,” “I’m not a good dancer” “She’s good enough for both of you”
Bumi pushes him towards the dance floor despite his protests.
“That was amazing,” he says. “Would’ve been better if I had my fans,” she responds.
Lin smiles at him. “Dance with me ?” he asks hesitantly. She nods. He places his hands on her waist, she shakes her head before taking them and placing them on her hips “this is how they do it on Ember Island,” she explains. The dance starts slow and awkward. Lin steps on his toes multiple times, she really is drunk. Eventually Tenzin remembers the dance he learned on vacation long ago. He doesn’t remember it being done with the partners so close. He won’t complain about her warm body being pressed against his though. Her face is buried in the crook of his neck. She is tired. They fall into a rhythm. Swaying together against the music. Chest to chest. He spins her a few times. Then as the end of the song approaches he dips her. He can hear the gasp leave her lips. He holds her in that leaned back position for a moment.
“If you drop me Twinkle Toes…” she threatens. “I won't,” he promises.
He pulls her back up against him. She stumbles and he quickly catches her.
“See, I would never let you fall,” “Promise ?” “Promise”
It is getting late and the bar is closing now. Everyone is heading home. Lin is stumbling, her heels do little to help her. Her shoe is caught on the uneven asphalt, her ankle twists unnaturally. She hisses in pain. Tenzin catches her again. She heads over to a bench, sits and reaches down to take off her shoes.
“Allow me,” Tenzin says, removing the heels. Holding them by the straps with one hand. Tenzin then scoops her up bridal style.
“Tenzin what on Kyoshi’s earth are you doing ?” “Carrying you home,” “I can walk” “Barefoot ?” “Yes” she says like it is the most obvious thing on the earth. “You could step on broken glass” “I won’t, I’ve walked around the city barefoot my whole life” “Why do you do that ?” he asks. He genuinely wants to know. It’s a peculiar habit and a dangerous one with how dirty the streets are. “It makes me feel grounded. I'm closer to the earth. I can hear it better, and I can’t use my seismic sense with shoes on” she explains.
He realizes now how vulnerable she is in his arms. Up in the air, away from her own element. If he falls she can’t catch herself. She can’t feel her surroundings, or the vibrations of the ground. Can’t sense his heartbeat or anyone approaching. She is stripped of one of her senses. Vulnerable. Yet she trusts him because if she really wanted down she would be.
She curls up against him, he can feel her heartbeat. Fast, nervous. ‘Is this what seismic sense is like?’ he wonders. He readjusts her in his arms and begins walking. She shivers. She isn’t dressed for the nippy autumn weather at all, he wishes he had a jacket he could toss over her.
Lucky for him he doesn’t have to carry her very far, she lives in the area. Getting her to her apartment building is an easy task… getting her into her apartment not so much. He has to carry her up two flights of stairs.
“Tenzin, you can put me down now” “Nonsense” “Tenzin, I’m heavy” “No, you’re not” he says, panting despite being only halfway there.
Eventually, they reach her apartment. Tenzin still won’t let her down. She sighs, and gives him her key. He manages to unlock the door and push it open with his foot without dropping her or her shoes.
Toph is sitting on the sofa waiting for them. “So, you finally brought someone home. I was beginning to wonder when you’d get over that boy” “Mom,” Lin says incredulously. “It’s not like that, Miss.Beifong, she injured her ankle,” Tenzin quickly explains. “Call me chief or Toph, airhead” she says before her lips curl into a devilish grin. “You and twinkle toes, huh ?” she inquired. “We’re not together, mom,” Lin insists. “Uh-huh. Have fun, use protection and be quiet, your sister is sleeping,” “Mom !” Toph just laughs and heads off to her room.
Tenzin lays Lin down on the sofa, and places her shoes at the door. Grabbing ice from the fridge he notices her attempting to get up. He stops her with a glare before looking over her ankle and placing the ice on it. It’s beginning to swell. She grits her teeth. “I’m no healer, but I think it’s sprained,” he says as he takes her foot in his hand and rotates her ankle, trying to see the range of motion. She grunts. He heads into her bathroom and fetches some bandages from the medicine cabinet. He removes the ice and tightly wraps her ankle. He can hear his mothers words in his head, guiding him through it, ‘compression should lessen the swelling’. Who knew that all the time spent watching his mother at work would come in handy ?
Lin looks anxious. “You should probably go see my mom in the morning and take it easy for a few weeks,” he explains. “What ? I can’t. I have my fitness test next week” he shakes his head at her. “Take it easy, doctor’s orders”. “Thank you, Tenny,” she says after a long pause. She hadn’t called him that in a long time. Not since they were little.
“You’re welcome,” he responds as he places the bag of ice in the fridge and heads for the door. “Tenzin, what’re you doing ? It's midnight there are no ferries,” She was right of course, and he hadn’t brought his glider. “Why don’t you stay the night ? We can have a sleepover like when we were kids” she continues. Toph was already making insinuations, he can’t imagine what she’ll say if he stays the night, but he has no choice. “Alright, thank you Linny,” he responds.
With that matter settled Lin heads to the restroom to get ready for bed. Tenzin follows suit after she is done. He is just about to fall asleep on her sofa when he hears her calling for him.
He opens the bedroom door to find her in her pajamas underneath a mountain of blankets. “Tenzin, do you mind lying with me ? I can’t sleep,” She says. She stares at him, waiting for an answer, worrying her lip with her teeth. She never did like to sleep alone. Tenzin remembers how whenever she had to stay on the island as a kid how she would always sneak into Kya’s bed. Every time his parents would find them snuggled up side by side.
“Why not ?”
“I’m cold and it’s too quiet,” she whispers. He wonders how anyone could be that cold in thick flannel pajamas and underneath four blankets but seeing those green eyes staring at him, he can’t help but give in. He climbs into bed. He is much too hot with his robes. He stands up. Lin reading his mind again, averts her gaze. He removes the heavy robes leaving him in only his undershirt and pants. He is fully covered but he feels naked. He settles in, careful to maintain a distance between them.
“Thank you,” “Goodnight”
He wakes up to her head on his chest and her legs intertwined with his. He can hear her breathing. See her chest rise and fall. She looks so…peaceful. He wishes he could see that expression on her face more. A soft smile, closed eyes. He does not want to hear what Toph will say. He sits, enjoying her warm weight just a little longer before he has to return to his responsibilities. After a few moments he gets up and throws his robes back on, carefully creaks open the door and closes it behind him. He uses his airbending to walk down the hallway silently.
He is nearly there. He trips on something as he reaches the door. He falls loudly. He looks down. Those damn heels. He hears footsteps. Shit. He woke her.
He looks up expecting to see a grumpy Lin, instead Toph Beifong approaches him, “Good morning to you too loverboy, looks like somebody slept well,”.
He was never going to hear the end of this.
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gtagiftbasket · 7 months ago
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The Ultimate Guide to Crafting DIY Eid Gift Baskets
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the conclusion of Ramadan, with pleasure and celebration all across the world. It's a time to celebrate with food, family get-togethers, and gift-giving as a way of showing gratitude and love. Creating a DIY Eid gift basket according to the recipient's preferences is one of the most creative ways to express your love and affection this Eid.
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Introduction to DIY Eid Gift Baskets
Eid gift baskets are a delightful way to express your love and appreciation for friends and family during the festive season. These personalized baskets are filled with carefully chosen items that cater to the recipient's interests, making them a truly meaningful and memorable gift.
During Eid, the act of giving holds special significance, reflecting the spirit of generosity and compassion embodied by the occasion. By crafting a DIY Eid gift basket, you not only showcase your creativity but also convey your heartfelt wishes to your loved ones.
Choosing the Right Theme for Your Eid Gift Basket
When creating a DIY Eid gift basket, it's essential to consider the recipient's preferences and interests. Whether they're a food enthusiast, a beauty lover, or a bookworm, tailoring the theme of the basket to suit their tastes adds a personal touch to your gift.
Traditional themes inspired by Eid motifs and symbols can evoke a sense of cultural pride and nostalgia, while modern themes infused with contemporary elements offer a fresh and stylish twist to the traditional gift-giving tradition.
Essential Components of a DIY Eid Gift Basket
A well-curated Eid gift basket should contain a mix of items that cater to both the recipient's practical needs and their indulgent desires. From delectable treats and gourmet delights to luxurious self-care products and thoughtful trinkets, each component contributes to the overall appeal of the basket.
In addition to selecting high-quality gifts, don't forget to embellish your basket with Eid-themed decorations and accents, such as festive ribbons, sparkling ornaments, and handwritten notes conveying your warm wishes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Eid Gift Basket
Creating a DIY Eid gift basket is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to unleash your creativity. Follow these simple steps to craft a beautiful and personalized gift basket that will delight your loved ones:
Gathering Necessary Supplies: Start by selecting a suitable basket or container to hold your gifts. Gather a variety of items that reflect the chosen theme of your basket, including treats, trinkets, and decorations.
Assembling the Basket: Arrange the items in your basket in an aesthetically pleasing manner, keeping in mind balance and symmetry. Layer the larger items at the back and fill any empty spaces with smaller items or decorative filler.
Adding Personal Touches: Customize your basket by incorporating personal touches, such as handwritten notes, custom-made items, or photos that hold sentimental value. Consider including a heartfelt message or card to convey your warm wishes and blessings.
Creative Ideas for DIY Eid Gift Baskets
The possibilities for DIY Eid gift baskets are endless, allowing you to tailor your gifts to suit the preferences and personalities of your recipients. Here are some creative ideas to inspire your gift-giving endeavors:
Family-Oriented Baskets: Create a family-friendly basket filled with board games, movie night essentials, and gourmet snacks for a fun-filled Eid celebration.
Gourmet Treats Baskets: Indulge the foodies in your life with a basket brimming with artisanal chocolates, gourmet spreads, and exotic teas sourced from around the world.
Spa and Relaxation Baskets: Treat your loved ones to a pampering experience with a spa-themed basket featuring luxurious bath products, scented candles, and plush robes for ultimate relaxation.
Tips for Personalizing Your Eid Gift Basket
Personalization is key when crafting DIY Eid gift baskets, as it allows you to create a truly unique and meaningful gift that resonates with the recipient. Here are some tips for adding a personal touch to your gift baskets:
Adding Custom-Made Items: Incorporate handmade or customized items that reflect the recipient's interests or hobbies, such as personalized jewelry, monogrammed towels, or handcrafted artworks.
Incorporating Cultural Elements: Infuse your gift basket with elements of your cultural heritage, such as traditional handicrafts, festive decorations, or culinary delights that evoke fond memories of Eid celebrations past.
Budget-Friendly Options for DIY Eid Gift Baskets
Crafting a thoughtful and memorable Eid gift basket doesn't have to break the bank. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can create beautiful gift baskets on a budget. Here are some budget-friendly ideas to consider:
Utilizing Recyclable Materials: Instead of purchasing expensive baskets or containers, repurpose items you already have at home, such as mason jars, wicker baskets, or decorative boxes.
DIY Gift Ideas: Get creative with DIY gifts that are both meaningful and budget-friendly, such as homemade cookies, infused oils, or handcrafted candles. Not only are these gifts cost-effective, but they also add a personal touch to your basket.
Presentation and Packaging of Your Eid Gift Basket
The presentation of your Eid gift basket is just as important as its contents, as it sets the tone for the recipient's experience. Pay attention to the details when packaging your basket, focusing on aesthetics and visual appeal.
Choosing the Right Container: Select a container that complements the theme and style of your gift basket, whether it's a rustic wooden crate, an elegant wicker hamper, or a decorative gift box adorned with ribbons and bows.
Wrapping Techniques and Embellishments: Use creative wrapping techniques to enhance the presentation of your basket, such as cellophane wrap, tissue paper, or fabric bows. Add embellishments like ribbon, twine, or dried flowers for a finishing touch that adds charm and elegance.
Meaningful Gestures with DIY Eid Gift Baskets
Beyond the material value of the gifts themselves, DIY Eid gift baskets are a heartfelt expression of love, thoughtfulness, and generosity. By investing time and effort into creating personalized gifts for your loved ones, you not only demonstrate your appreciation for them but also strengthen your bonds and create lasting memories.
Sharing DIY Eid Gift Basket Ideas with Friends and Family
Spread the joy of gift-giving by sharing your DIY Eid gift basket ideas with friends and family. Host a DIY gift basket-making party where guests can come together to create personalized gifts for each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community spirit.
Encourage others to embrace the spirit of giving by sharing your creative ideas and tips for crafting thoughtful and meaningful Eid gift baskets. Whether it's through social media, blog posts, or word of mouth, inspire others to celebrate the joy of Eid by spreading love and kindness through personalized gifts.
Eid Gift Basket Etiquette
While the act of giving is a cherished tradition during Eid, it's essential to observe proper gifting etiquette to ensure that your gesture is well-received and appreciated. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind when presenting DIY Eid gift baskets:
Dos: Personalize your gift basket based on the recipient's preferences and interests. Include a heartfelt message or card expressing your warm wishes and blessings. Present your gift with humility and sincerity, focusing on the sentiment behind the gesture rather than the monetary value of the gifts.
Don'ts: Avoid giving gifts that may be culturally insensitive or inappropriate. Refrain from overspending or going beyond your means to impress the recipient. Respect the recipient's privacy and preferences regarding gift-giving traditions and customs.
The Joy of Giving and Receiving DIY Eid Gift Baskets
As the saying goes, "It's the thought that counts," and nowhere is this sentiment more evident than during Eid celebrations. The joy of giving and receiving DIY Eid gift baskets lies not in the material value of the gifts themselves but in the love, thoughtfulness, and effort that goes into creating them.
By embracing the tradition of gift-giving and exchanging heartfelt tokens of appreciation, we strengthen our bonds with loved ones and foster a sense of unity and belonging within our communities. Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of a DIY Eid gift basket, cherish the moments of joy, gratitude, and connection that it brings.
DIY Eid Gift Basket Ideas for Different Age Groups
Eid celebrations are inclusive of people of all ages, from young children to elderly relatives. When crafting DIY Eid gift baskets, consider the age and interests of the recipients to ensure that your gifts are well-suited to their preferences.
Kids' Gift Baskets: Fill children's gift baskets with toys, games, and sweets that cater to their age and interests. Include fun activities such as coloring books, puzzles, or craft kits to entertain them during Eid celebrations.
Adult-Themed Baskets: For adults, consider gift baskets filled with gourmet treats, fine wines, or self-care products for a relaxing and indulgent Eid experience. Tailor the contents of the basket to reflect the recipient's tastes and preferences, whether they're a foodie, a wine connoisseur, or a wellness enthusiast.
Incorporating Technology into DIY Eid Gift Baskets
In today's digital age, technology plays an integral role in our daily lives, even during festive occasions like Eid. Consider incorporating technology into your DIY Eid gift baskets to add a modern and innovative twist to traditional gift-giving.
Digital Gift Cards: Instead of traditional gift cards, opt for digital gift cards that can be instantly delivered via email or messaging apps. Choose retailers or online platforms that offer a wide selection of products and services to cater to the recipient's preferences.
Personalized Playlists: Create personalized playlists or music compilations that reflect the recipient's musical tastes and preferences. Include a mix of Eid-themed songs, traditional melodies, and favorite tracks to set the mood for festive celebrations.
Digital Photo Albums: Compile a digital photo album or slideshow featuring cherished memories and moments shared with the recipient. Include photos from past Eid celebrations, family gatherings, or special occasions to evoke nostalgia and create a sense of connection and camaraderie.
Conclusion
Crafting DIY Eid gift baskets is a heartfelt and meaningful way to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr. By personalizing your gifts and tailoring them to the preferences and interests of your loved ones, you not only express your love and appreciation but also create lasting memories and strengthen your bonds with family and friends.
As you embark on your gift-giving journey, remember that it's the thought and effort behind the gesture that truly matters. Whether you're crafting elaborate gourmet baskets or simple handmade gifts, let your creativity and sincerity shine through, and spread love and joy to all those around you.
Unique FAQs
Q: Can I reuse items from previous gift baskets to create new ones?
A: Absolutely! Repurposing items such as baskets, ribbons, and decorations not only reduces waste but also adds a touch of nostalgia to your new creations.
Q: How far in advance should I start planning my DIY Eid gift baskets?
A: It's never too early to start planning! Give yourself ample time to gather supplies, brainstorm ideas, and craft your gift baskets with care and attention to detail.
Q: Are there any traditional Eid gifts that I should include in my gift baskets?
A: While there are no strict rules, traditional Eid gifts such as dates, sweets, and perfumes are always appreciated and can add a touch of cultural authenticity to your baskets.
Q: Can I personalize my gift baskets for friends of different faiths or backgrounds?
A: Absolutely! Personalizing your gift baskets based on the recipient's interests, preferences, and cultural background shows thoughtfulness and consideration, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Q: How can I ensure that my DIY Eid gift baskets are environmentally friendly?
A: Opt for eco-friendly packaging materials, such as recyclable paper, cardboard, or biodegradable packaging peanuts. Choose sustainable gifts and treats sourced from ethical and environmentally responsible suppliers whenever possible.
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farzanatrading · 1 year ago
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Choose Farzana Herbs Online Sharjah that provide a variety of health advantages have been abundantly offered by nature. popular herbs, including basil, which has immune-boosting characteristics, turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory benefits, peppermint, which has digestive-soothing properties, and lavender, which has calming features, can all significantly improve your general health and well-being.
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mediumtires · 2 years ago
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omg please tell us more about annoying (affectionate) in-law niki
he walks in on them in spa, when toto is sure he’s locked the door to his office and “he wasn’t supposed to be here christian i swear”. that’s when he finds out. he looks at them, frozen in shock and terror, and he can see their lives flashing before their eyes so the only thing he says is “carry on” and he closes the door on his way out. after that, nothing changes. next time he sees toto he gives him a little smirk and makes a comment about senna and prost and that’s that. pulls christian to the side at the next race and with a stern look tells him he can mess with toto on track all he likes but if he breaks his heart off track, he’ll do something about it. (what he really says it, “you know what toto has done for mercedes” and “i really hope he marries once and sticks with it” and “you two better not mess this up”). they talk about niki officiating the wedding but in the end they know niki would hate that. still on the day he sits in the spot next to toto’s mother because he refused to be best man and holds a speech so dry and heartfelt at the same time he makes everyone cry into their very expensive dinner. niki’s wedding gift to them is a potato masher because he thinks it’s a kitchen staple, but he also clears St Anton for them with one phone call so toto and christian can go skiing for a full weekend without having to worry about being seen. when his health declines he frequently calls toto for updates on the team and christian for updates on toto. he talks health with christian and work with toto and refuses to let either of them baby him. they send him a fruit basket that he sends back with a “fuck you” note attached to it. then he calls to shout at them for sending him a fruit basket. he doesn’t say goodbye because niki doesn’t believe in goodbyes. but they had his full support until the very end and he leaves them with the certainty that their secret is worth protecting.
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giftdubaionline · 2 years ago
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Ramadan 2023 Iftar Snacks and Gifts - Food Ideas
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Ramadan Gift Ideas
Iftar evenings are always Special in this holy month of Ramadan, Ramadan Gifts 2023 falls from Mar 21 to Apr 20. This is the month of intense Prayers and Fasting, These reflect the Love, Grace & Nobility of the People. Iftar is an auspicious occasion for Muslims all around the world, where everyone gets up before sunrise for a meal and fasts until sunset. Family and Friends come together to breakfast with an iftar meal. Let’s see the Best Crunchy, Tasty, and Healthy Ramadan Food and Ramadan food Ideas in UAE Get the Best Heartly Satisfying Iftar Food and Ramadan treats from GDO.
Ramadan Fruit Basket Delivery
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Iftar Feast cannot be completed without Fruit Baskets. If you are looking to go with a fun and healthy diet and also planning it during a Grand Celebration like Ramadan Month, Tasting the Premium Fruit Basket is the Right Choice for you this Iftar Eve. With GDO get the Best Ramadan Fruit basket in town that fits your budget and share Love and good health with your dear one this Ramadan month.
Iftar Dry Fruits and Nuts
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The Traditional way of rejoicing in Iftar is to get the Best Mixed Dry Fruit and Ramadan Dates Gift Basket, especially during this Ramadan month. Get the Best Enriched Dry fruit basket for your dear ones this Ramadan. Get a chance to taste the Best Crunchy almonds, Cashews, and pistachios that will relish your taste buds.
Ramadan Cakes Online
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In this Ramadan festival Cakes are decorated with a variety of Ramadan themes to bring the Ramadan spirit into your homes. Get the Best Ramadan cakes at the Best prices. You can gift them to your family and friends and brighten their happy faces with smiles and love. Get Ramadan Cakes Instant Delivery to your Doorsteps today https://www.giftdubaionline.com/gift-delivery-by-occasions/ramadan-gifts
Best Ramadan Chocolates
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Get the Best Ramadan Chocolates Gifts in Town, With GDO get a 15% Flat offer on all your delicious chocolates. Share your Sweetness and Love with your friends and Family. With GDO you can get the Best Ramadan Chocolates in UAE delivered to your doorsteps. Celebrate this Iftar with the best GDO chocolates.
Ramadan Sweets and Cookies in UAE
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Arabic Sweets Online and Cookies are all part of the tradition. Savour through your favorite treats and cookies and get them instantly delivered to your Door. Celebrate this Ramadan with Fresh and yummy Handmade Ramadan sweets and delicious Ramadan Chocolates.
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possumsandprose · 1 year ago
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Elriel Part 5: Darkness and Light
Just in time to post this-enjoy!
TW: none, just fluff
Word count: <1K
I let out a sigh. I had been painting for hours now, had been working on this particular piece for weeks. Nyx sat on the floor beside me, babbling happily. I smiled at him. He truly was the greatest joy in my life, and I had found motherhood to be such a gift. I scooped him up to prevent him from knocking over my paint bottles, gave him a swift kiss on the forehead, and then set him down on top of the dresser where he could see my painting. "What do you think, my little one?" I asked him. He laughed, and fluttered his tiny wings. Rhys had said he would be able to fly by the end of the year, and I smiled ruefully at the destruction that was sure to come then. I looked back at the painting. I didn't know why I'd decided to paint it, but it felt...right. On the left side was Elain, gorgeous as ever, surrounded by a golden light. Her curls were illuminated by a halo of shimmering sunlight, and around her flowers bloomed, all different kinds-roses, lilies, irises, hydrangeas, daffodils, and some I couldn't even name, had only seen her tending to in the garden. On the right was Azriel, wreathed in shadows, his massive wings unfurled, and around him, broken weapons, bones of all shapes, and pools of blood decorated the canvas. But in the middle...in the middle their hands were joined, and the shadows and light melded together. I thought back to when I had first seen them together, and had believed that Elain would cling to Azriel, and that her light would compliment his darkness so well. Elain needed someone who would not underestimate her, who would believe in her, who would truly see her as no one else had. And Az...Az needed a friend, someone who was kind and gentle, unlike the rough upbringing he was given. He needed someone who could care for him, and would not be scared of the power he wielded, nor put off by the scars he bore. We of the inner circle loved him, of course, but he needed something-or someone-else. And I thought Elain to be that someone, and my mind never changed.
I packed away my art supplies, set out my painting to dry, and scooped Nyx up. I considered going straight back home, but I remembered that Elain had asked me to stop by and help her taste some new recipes. I looked at the clock. I would be about an hour earlier than intended, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind. I winnowed swiftly, leaving Nyx in Mor's care, then directly into the living room of the townhouse. I inhaled deeply. It smelled lovely as always, with the scent of freshly baked cookies, warm buttery pastries, and the sweet scent of fresh jam. Elain had recently gotten into jam making, after Nuala and Cerridwen had pointed out that particular use of the fresh fruit she had harvested from her trees. I walked to the window and looked out at the orange grove. And...there. Elain was on the ground, carefully mulching the trees, and flying on the top, picking oranges from the trees, was Azriel. I watched them for a minute, Elain telling some story I couldn't hear, and Azriel listening with rapt attention. As the shadows drifted down, swirling through her hair, dancing around her fingers, evening out the mulch, she smiled, and blew a kiss to the small black wisps. Az landed next to her, and set down the baskets. They walked over to a bench, Elain still talking. They sat, and Elain was almost glowing with excitement, her joy nearly manifesting in physical form. And Az, he was the reason she shined so brightly. I was sure that Elain could have told that story to any one of us and not been as happy as she was telling it to him. I thought back to my painting, of their joined hands, and if I had had any doubts before, none still remained, for I knew that Azriel's darkness let Elain's light shine, and her light brought out the best of his darkness. I smiled, for I knew that they would be happy, happy just like Rhys and I were, and I was so joyful that they would be the next match in our happy family.
Taglist: @elriel-month
A/N: This one was super duper short, but I really loved it and enjoyed writing from Feyre's POV. Thank you all for your support so far, it means a lot <3
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