#everbright kids

[mycountrystvsucks]

[wangxianficfinder]

There was this fic that I wanted to rec and can't find ;__; It's a modern AU where sometimes people who died get brought back suddenly due to an "administrative error upstairs" and it happens to Wei Wuxian, who gets brought back and is thrown in Lan Wangji's and Sizhui's life. Sizhui is currently working on a school project with the other juniors and Wei Wuxian died in a car accident (he was out getting milk) and he was an investigative journalist. If anyone knows it, please share ;__;

Could this be

FOUND! sudden nature series by everbrighter (M, 97k, LWJ & LSZ, wangxian, modern w magic, 5+1, Awkward Conversations, Parenthood, Father-Son Relationship, Mental Health Issues, Teenage Rebellion, Kid Fic, Past Character Death, Grief/Mourning Resurrection, Family Bonding, Getting to Know Each Other, Pining, Sexual Tension, Pre-Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Acceptance, Getting Together, Slice of Life Recreational Drinking, Implied Sexual Content, Sharing a Bed, Love, Tenderness Cuddling & Snuggling, Marriage Proposal, Established Relationship, Baby Fic)

~Mod L

[wangxianficrecs]

sudden nature by everbrighter

sudden nature

by everbrighter

M, 94k, wangxian, series complete (6 works)

Summary:  

sudden nature takes too soon what she conceives no this isn't the way it's supposed to be, supposed to be

My comments:  Very interesting premise, in which the Afterlife is evidently a dumb-ass bureaucracy, just like what we've got here among the living... and sometimes there's an administrative error or whatever, and someone gets returned. The main two stories are Care (3) and Thirty Seven (4). Care is Wei Wuxian's first week back from the perspective of 16-year-old A-Yuan, who is pure and good and TERRIBLY stressed out b/c he just wants to process that he has two dads now, but instead has a big project presentation due in a few days. (He has a couple of panic attacks. His friends are good boys, too.)

Thirty Seven is wwx's POV, and he's... a mess. He doesn't really understand why he's back, and the body is so brand-spanking new and unfamiliar that every single thing is overwhelming. Also, he doesn't want to impose too much on Lan Wangji and A-Yuan. So, you know, lack of communication, misunderstandings, self-worth issues, angst, feels, sharing a bed, the whole nine yards.

Excerpt:   from thirty-seven just b/c i thought it was so gorgeous and apt:

Lan Zhan doesn’t smile the way most people do. Most people concentrate their joy into the shape of their mouth and the lines around their eyes. Lan Zhan takes his happiness and distributes it evenly through every cell in his face. There’s less mouth and eye action, but it’s plain. He looks well indeed.

modern au, modern with magic, teenage angst, parenting, parent-child relationship, lan wangji is a good dad, grief/mourning, mental health issues, kid fic, 13 years, emotional comfort, stress, panic attacks, family feels, angst, misunderstandings, lack of communication, self-worth issues, pining, feels, sharing a bed, domestic, fluff, school project, engineer everybody, administrative error, resurrection, bureaucracy, getting together, adorable juniors

(You may wish to REBLOG as a signal boost for this author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[paperbackribs]

A pretty flower for a pretty boy

Summary:

Steve woos an Eddie who is oblivious until he's not or 5+1 times Steve romances Eddie with flowers.

----

One

It starts with a daisy.

They're in the backyard of his and Wayne's new, government-apology house. It's that time of night where you don't know if it's still today or if it's tomorrow, crickets loud and leaves singing in the gentle wind.

Steve's hair is woven in amongst his own, the crown of his head a steadying presence against him, as they pass the joint between them. It's in Eddie's fingers when he hears the rustle of Steve turning over on his side, right hand propping him up with the left twirling a delicate white and yellow daisy.

Eddie's breath is already caught in his throat with Steve hovering over him, the smoke waiting to be exhaled. The other boy is perched as if he's ready to lean down and kiss Eddie like he's one of his regular Friday night dates.

And then Steve moves in further and Eddie imagines for a moment that he conjured the motion with his thoughts. Slipping into his space, using that left hand to brush back Eddie's curls and secure the flower behind his ear.

"There," Steve smiles. "A pretty flower for a pretty boy."

The smoke catches in a sharp inhalation that he didn't have room for, the fragrant air expelled roughly and without his usual elegance.

"Jesus Steve," he coughs out, eyes watering. "you old flirt, give a girl a warning before you pull out the moves."

Steve's eyes are bright in the night, a contender against the stars. "I thought it was a good one."

Eddie's got his heart back under control now, having wrestled it into a stranglehold as soon as it started to peek up in interest. "8 out of 10 for execution, but a five for originality."

Steve laughs, falling back to his position against Eddie on the cool grass. "I'll take it."

Two

It's rosemary, parsley and mint next.

It's a Sunday, which means that Eddie has spent a long morning and most of the day leading his lambs through the dark land of Everbright.

He's pretty sure that the boys' stink has imprinted in the Wheeler's dank basement like a skunk infestation, but it's the biggest space they have to play D&D at this point. Erica puts up with it, but the other girls apparently agree with Eddie's assessment, refusing to subject their noses to the burn. Lucas and Mike have been making noises about roping Steve in for his big-ass house instead.

Dustin was enthusiastic and he's betting that the kid reckons he'll get Steve playing through sheer proximity. Eddie's not opposed and he'd love to see Steve with his own character. The man has surprised him enough in life, he'd love to see what he'd do in a campaign.

So Eddie may be musing a little about his next twist for Everbright, a little about Steve playing, and a little about Steve dressed as a barbarian in leathers and fur when he slips into an unexpected scene in the kitchen.

Steve, holding Wayne's hand, is pressing the older man's thumb into a pot positioned by the windows. The afternoon sun is still bright enough to create a halo around Steve's locks, the brilliancy of it against the gentleness of the scene has Eddie rubbing at his eyes. Convinced he's conjured some sort of homoerotic, Renaissance painting.

"You see," Steve murmurs -- not helping Eddie's pinging thoughts from leather and fur to soft embraces. "It's just that side of dry, which is when you know it needs to be watered."

"Uncle Wayne," Eddie whines with purpose, making Steve jump and twirl to face him. "I can't believe you've seduced another one. Can't you leave any for me?"

Wayne's expression is unimpressed as he pulls his hand out of the pot. Eddie has long lost the ability to get a rise out of his uncle, which actually makes him feel comfortably warm at the thought of being known so well for so long.

Steve though is a little flushed, looking like he's been caught out. But he recovers quickly to lean over the kitchen island, propping his forearms down and craning towards Eddie.

"What can I say? I like an older man." Steve winks at Eddie and Eddie refuses to think about how he's one month older than Steve. But he does take the opportunity to get in Steve's space, leaning down and mirroring his posture.

"There's old, Stevie, and then there's punching above your weight. You'd never keep up with a real man like Wayne."

Steve hums, smiling into Eddie's face like he's a flower facing the sun. "I'll just have to see what other fella will take me on board then."

"Uh huh, and soil is your seduction of choice?"

"Steve here brought a few herbs for us."

The boys both jolt at Wayne's voice. Eddie, for one, had forgotten they were not alone. Steve's body and smile and that hint of spicy cologne filling all his senses.

Steve stays where he is though, grinning back at him, but Eddie takes pity on his poor gay heart and reels dramatically away from his tragically heterosexual friend.

He spins and flutters over to Wayne, who's leaning against the counter with amused eyes as he watches his nephew make a fool of himself. Eddie has a running tally on all the ways he has been a fool lately.

Behind the man are three pots with some type of shrubbery in them, Eddie takes one look before turning back to the rest of them. Palms to the sky in mock surrender.

Steve crowds in on Eddie's other side, chest pressing into his upper arm. It's a belated house-warming present, Steve explains.

Wayne had mentioned he'd like to try cooking more since they have a decent kitchen now and Rosemary's great for roasting, parsley for pasta sauce, and mint just because it smells great. It'll also keep other bugs away, Steve assures with a happy smile.

Eddie just lets him talk, leaning back slightly to rest his back against the island. Watching as Steve explains to his uncle how best to care for them, when they need to be shaded and how to cut for when he wants to use them.

Eddie's not convinced on the cooking--Wayne's signature for any dish is the slight whiff of burnt food--but he sure is enamoured with the boy taking time to explain this to his uncle. Who had probably heard a throwaway line from either Wayne or Eddie and carefully brought a gift to support the new endeavour.

Yeah, Eddie thinks, Steve keeps on surprising him.

Three...

The full story is available on Ao3 since I thought it was bit long for a tumblr post.

[alysvolatile]

let down your hair (aloy + zo, hair woes)

I’m trying out some smaller pieces to get more comfortable with the characters - and get better with non-shippy stuff. PROMPT from the lovely @everbright-mourning in the GAIA Gang Discord:  Zo + Aloy, long hair woes and washing

let down your hair After about ten minutes of Aloy grumbling to herself as she tries to work out where to start with a birdsnest of tangles that’s set up shop in her hair, she hears Zo sigh and ask, "Would you like a hand with that, Aloy?" It's late in the evening in the Base - Erend and Kotallo are deep in their game of Strike at the other side of the room, and Varl is talking with Alva in the archives, so Zo's words only carry the short distance to her in the low hum of the underground bunker. Her hands pause in their task - her first instinct is to say, "No, don't worry, I've got it," and keep up the tedious task. But she's tired. It had been a long day's ride on a Charger from Scalding Spear to the Base, and that's not even taking into account the battle with the Slitherfang that had delayed her arrival here. There are all sorts of things in her hair and she can’t tell if the biggest mass of hair is melted together or just hopelessly tangled, and she's tired, so she finds herself saying, "Yes, Zo, please," just as quietly as the other woman had asked. Zo gracefully hops off the stool she's been using as a perch and sits next to Aloy on the low bench. The smell of pine is there suddenly, soft and fresh, and Aloy recognizes the smell from the soap she'd seen in Plainsong. "Turn a bit away from me?" Zo murmurs, and Aloy finds herself turning without a thought. Hands in her hair. It's a feeling that she hasn't felt in, well, a while. *Since before the Proving, when Rost put beads in her hair for luck and a special twist for courage*. The memories hit her like a blade in the gut and she pulls in a breath. "Ah, I'm sorry - did I pull too hard?" Zo asks, concerned. Aloy breathes out, slowly, easing into the motion as Zo separates out the biggest area of concern. She really, really hopes that the chunk of hair isn't melted - it's big enough that she might have to even out the length for all of her hair, and the events with the Ceo are still too soon for her to face shoulder-length hair. "How's it look? Salvageable?" She hazards a glance over her shoulder and catches Zo's eye with a wry smile before turning away.  Zo takes the hair in her hands and investigates it gently before working to untangle it. "It's not as bad as it looks, I think," she says, a smile in her voice. "Although I am curious how you managed to get a whole branch and flower in this chunk?" "You're kidding - it must have gotten in there when the Slitherfang knocked me into the cliffside," Aloy says, and turns to look over her shoulder at what Zo’s pulled from the tangle of hair. Sure enough, there it is - a piece of a creeping vine, only slightly damaged, with a wilted Pale Bloom flower at the top - tangled with a few strands of her flame red hair. As Aloy takes the flower, Zo sets back to work at the offending knot - and free of  the debris that she'd removed, the tangled hair is quickly set to rights. “A Slitherfang?” Zo asks, incredulous. “You didn’t mention that you fought one of those on the way here.” Her voice lilts a bit, teasing. “In fact, I’m pretty sure you said that you had a pretty routine ride here. How was the fight?” Aloy looks at the flower, bruised but blooming, and feels Zo's fingers work out the mess of her hair. This is nice, she thinks, surprised, and leans back into the feeling. Maybe sharing isn’t…quite so bad. “The fight? Well. I was looking for a Charger to override outside of Arrowhand when the wind picked up and things felt a bit off…” The story comes out more easily than she’s expected - almost like it used to feel when Rost would ask her how her training had gone for the day. Zo is the perfect audience - she asks questions when the conversation lulls, and more importantly she doesn’t say anything when she doesn’t need to. It’s almost a surprise when she feels Zo’s hands run through the whole mass of her hair, crown to ends, without hitting a tangle - Zo’s detangled the whole unruly mass of her hair. “All done,” Zo smiles. “Not too bad, I hope?” Aloy finds herself smiling in return. “Not at all.”

[mha-platonic-yanderes]

Settling In: Family Dinner

Inspired by @i-cant-sing

If there was any word to describe the past week, you would choose quiet.  A schedule was set for your time spent here and rarely it would deviate. Rei would wake you up to watch the sunrise with you and  you’d get ready for the day with her. The outfit she chooses always sits on the bed waiting for you while she does your hair. Mornings are spent in either the sun room or the library, with Rei always watching. Though, she leaves to cook. She always left you to cook. If nobody else was home, that means you’d be left alone. Fuyumi would come by for dinner some nights and take your afternoons. Enji wasn’t home during the day, but joined you all for dinner every night before you could retire to your new room. Even if the schedule is slightly smothering, it’s easy to keep up with.

There were no chores or responsibilities for you to do, unlike your old homes. It was relaxing—too relaxing. There was no stress, so you created some. Tonight, instead of Rei, Enji, and maybe Fuyumi, the other two Todoroki children were coming over. You don't know what to expect, so you stress over it.

Fuyumi warned you that they weren’t as accepting as she was, that they weren’t as involved with the family as she was. You don’t want to make a terrible first impression. You don’t want your new siblings to hate you.

Fuyumi comes home earlier than her siblings, coming immediately home from work. Meetings, she says, that’s why she couldn’t have come sooner. You remember that she’s a school teacher. It’s easy to imagine what those meetings are about. Though, she doesn’t give you time to daydream about her, as she’s asking you questions.

“So Y/N, you’ve been here a week? Have you been enjoying your time here?” Fuyumi does your hair, extremely careful not to hurt you. She’s taken this responsibility from Rei for today. Rei’s been busy at the store and in the kitchen all day, leaving you with Fuyumi. You don’t mind that; she’s nice.

“It’s quiet.” You don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing, but it’s the truth.

Fuyumi takes it well, “That’s good. Mom picked out some good books for you, did she?”

The library in the Todoroki estate may be massive, but most of those books Rei says are too mature for you. She’s regulated you to books below your reading level. They’re for children younger than you. But she doesn’t like to watch television and the laptop they’ve provided has only been gathering dust.

“If I’m honest, they’re a little boring.”

Fuyumi chuckles, “She’s a little out of touch from reality at times. I’ll grab you some books you’ll probably like better. I used to do a lot of reading when I was your age.”

“What’d you read?”

“Romance, mostly.” Fuyumi admits, “occasionally fantasy. I wasn’t trying to read anything too dark and neither should you.”

Too dark. Too mature. You wonder where that threshold is for them. You suspect it’s a lot higher than most people’s standards. You don’t dwell on this thought too much longer. Finding faults in your caretaker’s lifestyle isn’t the best way to stay in their good graces. 

“How was school this past year?” She rests both hands on your shoulders. She’s done with your hair, but she isn't letting you go. You could probably move her to get out, but there’s no need. Fuyumi is nice and interested in what you have to say. Why would you leave her?

“Alright.” You reply. Even if it isn’t the truth, you wouldn’t speak it, “Don’t know where I’m heading now, though. We’re too far from my old school.”

“Father mentioned Somei and Mom talked about homeschooling.” Fuyumi replies, “We’ll have to see which one concedes first.”

You can’t imagine Rei fighting Enji on anything, especially something as trivial as where to take you to school. Though, you’d prefer if she concedes. Homeschooling seems like a nightmare.

“Oh, alright.” You respond. There’s nothing else to say on the matter and you hope Fuyumi lets up soon because you don’t know what to talk about anymore. Almost like a savior, a knock is placed on your door. It isn’t as strong as Enji’s—Fuyumi and Rei don’t knock at all—so, you assume it’s one of the brothers.

Fuyumi calls out to the person on the other side for you, “Hold on!” She finally lets up to open the door. You fiddle with the edge of your dress. The tulle is a bit itchy, but the smooth, holographic hearts covering the entire dress provide a nice change of texture. 

You look up to see a tall, white haired guy. He’s broad, built like Enji as opposed to Rei. Though, the rest of his features seem to come from her. He stands in the doorway looking at you, then back at Fuyumi—who’s back to holding you on your shoulders again, causing you to continue to sit still in the vanity’s stool.

He takes another look at you and your fingers fiddle with the dress more. He’s unnerving and hasn’t said a thing he walked in. You start to speak, but he looks up at Fuyumi and asks, “What kind of quirk bullshit has justified this?”

That’s not what you expected. 

You think to object, no quirk stuff has happened here—at least, that you know of. Though, Fuyumi immediately comes to your defense, “Natsuo! You can’t just ask something like that! Have some respect.” 

“Do you really expect there isn’t an ulterior motive behind this.” Natsuo replies, “You know how he is with quirks.”

“He’s gotten better!”

“Prove it.”

“Uhhh, Natsuo, sir.” You break up the siblings' argument, “No quirk stuff has happened, really.”

He grabs a hold of your arm, looking at it thoroughly before heading to the next one. You don’t know what he’s looking for. Bruises? Burns? Scars? You have none of them from your time here. 

You wouldn’t have anything quirk related anyways—you’re quirkless.

“Is this the lie he’s told you to say?” Natsuo asks, “You aren’t going to be able to lie. I see through his bullshit.”

“Natsuo!”

You want this conversation to end. Natsuo’s and Fuyumi’s hands are both icy cold and you don’t like the attention. Plus their argument is painful to listen too, especially considering it’s about you.

“Natsuo, sir…” You say, “there’s no quirk… anything. Really! I don’t have a... quirk.”

He lets go of your arm and it drops to your side. He stands up again. Fuyumi lets your shoulders go, moving to your side.

“Hey, chin up kiddo!” Fuyumi replies, smiling her everbright smile, “there’s nothing wrong with that!”

You didn’t even realize you were staring at the ground, but your feet soon come into view through watery eyes. Fuyumi’s fingers wipe away the tear that slips through.

“Hey, sorry kid.” Natsuo’s hands are in the pocket of his jeans and his shoulders are raised, “I have the habit of assuming the worst.”

“It’s fine.” You reply, laughing through the soft tears, “I should be over it by now, anyways.”

“Let’s head out of here.” Fuyumi takes your hand, leading you out of your room, “Father should be bringing Sho home soon. He’ll just love you, he won't be able not to."

Despite the ominous nature of Fuyumi’s statement, you let yourself willingly be led to the living room. Besides, where else would you go, anyways?

___

Gratefully, the three of you leave your room. The room was getting tense between the sibling pair. You don’t want to be the reason they fight, do you? They always look so close in the photos on the wall—even if nobody looks happy in those photos.

Natsuo leads the way. He walks with his shoulders back and his head held high. He has confidence, something you’ve started to lack now that you’re around all these powerful quirk users. You feel the cool air radiating from in between him and Fuyumi. She walks right behind you. If you stopped, she’d crash right into her. 

But you don’t stop. You walk down the hallway and head towards the living room. There, two figures step in through the door. The first is the boy with half red hair, half white hair. The photos on the wall show him to be significantly younger and without the bright red scar covering one eye. He wears U.A.’s school uniform. One of the old children in your last home went there as well. The other person is Enji. He’s in his hero uniform still—flames and all.

Before anyone can say anything, Natsuo speaks up, “Father’s not using her. I already asked. She’s quirkless.”

He doesn’t say it in a negative way, but him bringing it up at all stings. You’re inadequate compared to them. They all scream of powerful quirks, but you don’t even have a quirk to begin with.

And now, you’re getting the suspicion that quirks are what this family truly cares about. Which leaves you in a terrible position—quirkless, surrounded by powerhouses.

“Alright.” Shoto deadpans, then slips his shoes and coat off. A cool wind blows in from outside, but it’s no different than standing between the cold Todoroki children.

Enji asks his sons, “Do you really think so low of me?”

“Yes.” Natsuo and Shoto reply instantly.

Luckily, Rei comes to your rescue, guiding you to a seat at the kitchen table. Whilst they talked, she set everyone’s plates wordlessly. She cooked this meal for everyone and you feel a slight pang of guilt, knowing that six mouths is a lot to cook for. You had smaller homes than that, which sometimes saw it too tiring to cook for their size. And Rei cooked a lot—much more than she’s cooked for the other meals you’ve had here. 

Your plate is filled. You can’t imagine that you’ll eat all of this, but you’ll eat as much as you can. You wouldn’t want to make Rei sad, now would you?

“Thank you Rei, for dinner.” You reply, before taking a bite. As you sigh in pleasure, Rei’s other children echo their thanks. The food is so good that you block out all sound in order to focus upon it.

“Y/N, are you there?” Fuyumi jokes from her seat beside you.

“Oh! Uh, yeah.” You exclaim, then ask, “Did you need something?”

“Father just asked how your day was.” Fuyumi replies.

You tell him, “It was good.” He sits at the head of the table, just like last time. You don’t sit next to him, Fuyumi does. You sit directly one seat to the left than the seat you’ve been sitting in. You don’t mind, especially because to the other side of you is the one brother you’ve barely heard speak: Shoto. 

He looks at you—he’s watching you. You can see him do it out of the corner of your eye. It’s unnerving to say the least. But you put your head down and continue eating, making sure to pay attention. Luckily, they don’t ask you too many questions. Most of the attention is on Shoto and Natsuo. They’ve returned home—the family all together, Rei calls it. You don’t ask about the other boy in the photos. He’s obviously not a part of the family anymore.

“May I be excused?” You ask as soon as you're finished eating, not keen to just sit there and listen to their conversations.

Enji doesn’t hold you back this time, giving you a silent nod. You take your plate to the kitchen and then head to your room, making sure not to bother them anymore. You don’t want to be seen as a bother anymore than you already are, do you?

[supportingeducation]

Mike Huckabee Takes Half a Mil from DoE

Mike Huckabee Takes Half a Mil from DoE

Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, apparently isn’t done taking advantage of the state he’s decided to call home. This time, he’s targeted the Department of Education. EverBright Media, a company co-founded by Huckabee, is known for publishing alternative history books for kids, with a heavy right-wing bias. These are sold to school districts, often with a built-in automatic renewal plan…

[composereggwrites]

Fire the New Guy

Title: Fire the New Guy Fandom: The World Ends With You (twewy) Rating: G Word Count: 496 Characters: Yoshiya “Joshua” Kiryu, Neku Sakuraba, background reapers, 1 unnamed OC Warnings: None Summary: There’s a new Reaper in the Pad. Neku just wants to visit Josh. Fluff and Humor Author’s Note: For @meredithsock who said a thing and then I wrote this at midnight last night!.

“Could one of you please restrain your new child? I’d like to visit my boyfriend in peace.” “This yoctogram is the current excuse of a Conductor,” says Sho, and Neku has to hold back his own laugh. The kid in front of him is a pipsqueak.

AO3

There’s a new Reaper when Neku walks into the Dead God’s Pad. He knows this because when he walks in a loud voice goes, “Who the fuck are you?”

Neku blinks and stares at the Reaper, the one now standing in his face, wings flared to puff themselves up. Despite this, they’re a solid three inches shorter than Josh, at least nine shorter than Neku.

“I’m Neku, and if you could get out of my personal space, that’d be cool,” he says, nonplussed by the tiny ball of rage in his way.

“Why should I do that? How do you even know about this place, you’re alive? What the hell?” They look around for support from the other Reapers, only to frown when they see the others rolling their eyes. Kariya is stifling laughs with his hand. Uzuki is scowling. 777 and the band have gone back to practicing, to the displeasure of the others in the room.

“Could one of you please restrain your new child? I’d like to visit my boyfriend in peace.”

“This yoctogram is the current excuse of a Conductor,” says Sho, and Neku has to hold back his own laugh. The kid in front of him is a pipsqueak.

Neku pushes by the Reaper and heads down the hallway. The newbie is at his heels the whole time.

“You can’t just do this! Only the Conductor is allowed to see the Composer!” The statements evolve, becoming more high-pitched as Neku ignores them all.

White light glows in the distance, drawing ever closer as Neku approaches the star, the heart of Shibuya. Sitting on the throne is Joshua, in his everbright Composer form, cheating by making himself eight feet tall instead of five. The pulse of Shibuya thrums, it’s base vibrating in the concrete beneath his feet, as his stride remains steady.

Threads connect the Composer to all of Shibuya, invisible to most, woven into his core. Near the star, however, time and space warp, the fabric becomes visible to Neku, out of the corner of his eye.

The new Conductor has stopped, fifteen feet away, and stares in abject horror, jaw dropping, eyes about to explode, as Neku plops himself down in Joshua’s lap. He gives them the finger as Josh wraps an arm around him.

“You’re new guard dog is awful at their job,” he says in lieu of a greeting. “Thought I was a threat, didn’t even try anything besides telling me I couldn’t come down here.”

He can hear Josh roll his eyes, echoes of the gesture hidden in the Music. “I will deal with them later.” With a wave of his hand, the petrified caricature of terror akin to someone shitting themself is teleported away.

Neku tugs Joshua’s head down by the flowing plasma of his hair, kissing the feather-soft lips. “You set that up, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did, dear. How else am I to test the new hires?”

Neku laughs and kisses him again.

[tokidokifish]

just to round things out, here are the last two members of sera, merry, and sindriel’s adventuring party, caladenia everbright and harlow farandnear.

caladenia is half-drow, half-high elf whose mother died giving birth to them, leaving them in the care of an extreeeeeemely racist grandfather, who apparently decided to see if he could refine emotional abuse to an art form.

unlike seraphine, caladenia was deeply religious, dedicated to their patron corellon larethian with an almost fanatical passion in a desperate attempt to prove themselves to their grandfather, but actually struggled significantly as a paladin due to a deeply flawed understanding of corellon, because it turns out taking advice on religion from your hateful family doesn’t always turn out great.

after joining the party and just getting away from their grandfather in general, they were able to cultivate some semblance of self-esteem and realize they didn’t owe the bastard fucking anything. they also got a lot better at the whole paladin thing when they pledged themselves to eilistraee (after a not insignificant amount of friction with seraphine regarding their extremely different forms of worship).

caladenia was also childhood friends with sindriel and carried a torch for him for a pretty long time (until they realized what sindriel had known for ages: that caladenia wasn’t REALLY interested in him, simply the high elf ideal that sindriel represented). suffice to say they didn’t really get along with seraphine for QUITE A WHILE, but after calming down and working out some of their issues the two of them ended up as extremely close friends. caladenia and harlow are the godparents to all of sera, merry, and sin’s kids, who consider them family.

harlow is an absolutely normal dwarf mage with nothing terribly special about her jk she’s a dragon.

[enigmatoys]

Remote Control Lambo #enigmatoys #freeshipping #toy #kids #toys #kid #r/c #Remote #remotecontrol #car #freegift #boy #girl #everbright #lamborghini #veneno #orange #racing #car #speedway #raceway www.enigmatoys.com

[reiyakhu]

Rice Puff Making at Tea and Rice Resort - Yilan, Taiwan

During my 5-day tour in Taiwan, I was able to visit three leisure farms in Yilan County and one of them is Tea and Rice Resort.

Photo courtesy of http://young100.ilc.edu.tw/

Located at No. 48, Section 2, Yongxing Road in Dongshan Township, Tea and Rice Resort was once a warehouse that has been partly converted into a museum that serves as a learning center for kids and even for adults! 

Tea and Rice Resort offers fun interactive activities such as mushroom planting, bento making and rice puff making to promote agricultural awareness and to achieve a better understanding about the importance of agriculture in the community.

They also offer a farm-to-table organic dining experience at their restaurant to showcase their farm fresh produce.   

They have a wide range of tea, rice and other agricultural products available at their shopping center. 

We were given a brief tour of their museum and had an introductory course on rice processing before we proceeded to making our very own rice puffs.

The first step of processing rice is to feed the grains of unhusked rice into a rice huller to remove the chaff. Here, Jaison Yang of Travel Warehouse volunteered to load the rough rice into the rice huller. Once turned on, the two abrasive rollers turn at different speeds to remove the chaff before it passes through the machine as brown rice.

The brown rice is later fed into a rice miller to remove the bran layer turning it into white rice. The whole process surprisingly took little time. 

Jude Bacalso, Cebu Daily News editor, placed a kilo of white rice into the rice puffing machine which was then sealed tightly so pressure can build up inside. As the machine was heating up to puff up the rice, we were all asked to stand back and cover our ears. Just right before the machine released all the pressure, the guides shouted “BE PO NGA!” which is a warning that something will explode. Sure enough, we heard a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot. 

The rice puffs were gathered and transferred into a ginormous mixing bowl... 

and brown sugar syrup was added to make it sweet and sticky.

Photo Courtesy of Jude Bacalso

We then popped them into heart-shaped pans and let them sit for a couple of minutes to cool and...

Ta-dah! This crunchy snack reminded me so much of a Cebuano treat called ampao that I wanted to take it home with me to show family and friends. But alas, I wasn’t able to because I devoured it immediately. It was irresistibly good. 

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience! Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm 

[greatrunner]

everbright-mourning replied to your post: Ginger beer is the worst, how do people drink it?

I’m quite fond of it but I like liquorice too so idk.

It’s funny you should mention liquorice, because I don’t like that either :p (mostly because I made the mistake of eating it when I was sick as a kid and now it’s irrevocably tied to that feeling).

[clotheshorse10]

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