#feria Meet Up

[jujuygrafico]

Jujuy: Nuevo destino para Bodas y Romance

Jujuy: Nuevo destino para Bodas y Romance Jujuy firma convenio para promocionar el destino como lugar de bodas y romance, impulsando su identidad y servicios especializados.

Jujuy firma convenio para promocionar el destino como lugar de bodas y romance, impulsando su identidad y servicios especializados. Jujuy: Nuevo Destino para bodas y romance En un esfuerzo por diversificar su oferta turística, la provincia de Jujuy ha firmado un convenio marco de cooperación para promoverse como un destino de bodas y romance. El acuerdo, firmado por el Ministro de Cultura y…

[setonhillcordoba23]

Córdoba has been a fun city to explore. Our first night here, MJ and I got ice cream with Jake and Richard and every night since, I’ve been able to do something fun. One of my favorite parts of this trip was going to La Fontana. I was able to meet a lot of people my age who are here for Erasmus or just locals. I’ve been able to see a few of them again at karaoke and we plan to meet up at the fair this weekend. La Feria was an interesting experience. I’m not a huge fan of large groups and I think that was probably the largest crowd I’ve ever been in. It reminded me of a large town fair but a little more personal. To begin the weeklong celebration, fireworks were shot of the the big arches were lit up. It was cool to watch. After, a few others and myself went to get some drinks. The bartender was very confused when we asked for “zumo de piña con ron.” He ended up giving us pineapple juice and ice cubes. It was a funny way to officially start off our night. Next, we tried el rebujito. I thought it was ok, it didn’t have any distinct flavor/taste to it. I’m not sure if I will get it again, but it was something new to try. After our drinks, we walked around a bit and looked at the casetas. Some were very busy (the first one we went into was loud and crowded) while others had a comfortable crowd. We didn’t do too much except walk around to see what casetas were at the feria. To end the night, I got a Nutella stuffed churro that was delicious! My first time trying churros was at Academia Hispánica. I definitely like the ones filled with chocolate the best so far! We were all pretty tired after a few hours and decided to head back home. After getting some sleep, I went out to a small cafeteria with MJ, Olivia, and Kasey. I got a mocha and pastry. I’ve tried so many different pastries and breads since coming to Spain. After brunch, we went to a few stores to get an outfit for the feria. I was shocked to see how many people were dressed! In America, most people wear shorts and tank tops or “comfortable clothes” to the fair. Not here, everyone was dressed so nicely. That was definitely a culture shock for me. While I don’t think I was underdressed Friday night, I definitely could improve to match the style of the Spaniards. After experiencing one night at the feria, we have plans to go back later tonight. Hopefully the rain stops soon!!

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

5th February >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr 

on

Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time.

Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Red: B (2))

(Readings for the feria (Monday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13

They brought the ark of the covenant into the holy of holies, and a cloud filled the temple of the Lord.

The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes, the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel, came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the City of David, which is Zion. All the people of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival in the month of Ethanim (the seventh month). When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark; they carried the ark of the LORD and the meeting tent with all the sacred vessels that were in the tent. (The priests and Levites carried them.)

King Solomon and the entire community of Israel present for the occasion sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen too many to number or count. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary, the holy of holies of the temple. The cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark, sheltering the ark and its poles from above. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel at their departure from the land of Egypt.

When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the LORD’s glory had filled the temple of the LORD. Then Solomon said, “The LORD intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10

R/ Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. Let us enter into his dwelling, let us worship at his footstool.

R/ Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Advance, O LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty. May your priests be clothed with justice; let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy. For the sake of David your servant, reject not the plea of your anointed.

R/ Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Matthew 4:23

Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 6:53-56

As many as touched it were healed.

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

--------------------------

Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr 

(Liturgical Colour: Red: B (2))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chose the weak of the world.

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Acclamation

1 Peter 4:14

Alleluia, alleluia.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 9:23-26

Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[meauxhausint]

Variety Magazine interview with CO-CEO+ CELEBRITY PUBLICIST DES DUHFAUX

VARIETY MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH DES DUHFAUX

Interview conducted by Francis Pulinz

The entertainment industry Has a lot of different "go-to " people When you're trying to make it in the business and or become a notable celebrity. (Talent usually helps). In past times most people who needed entertainment work hired an "agent" to find them the right gigs and in the music industry "managers" were essential for keeping potential gigs and venues interested in hiring certain acts. Then once you become famous, the next most essential thing u need is either the right pr team and or publicist to put your talent and accomplishments on display, to the world. Primarily, planet Earth.

MHI MEAUX HAUS INTERNATIONAL is a PR (public relations) agency that was founded by celebrity PUBLICISTS Suzette Feria & Des Duhfaux. The former colleagues (and Co-CEO$) started the agency from the ground up with basically a handful of celebrities as clients to begin with. Des Duhfaux , who is in charge of the business for zone 3+ 4. And suzette (who is stuck on planet Earth), manages zone 1 +2.

Since this branch of variety mag is situated in late zone 4 , we got in touch with the very private + withdrawn celebrity publicist EXTRAODINARE herself, Des Duhfaux, for a very exclusive interview.

VM: Good to have u here Des, how are things?

DD: things are ok, I'm still stuck here on another planet, after all. But I'm optimistic.

VM: SO, u came from earth, I guess. Sorry about all this.

DD: no problem, when work calls I have to answer. I'm drawn into adventure. As the witch wizard of the northeast, I'm in demand. So as long as it doesn't conflict with my family life, I can stay a little longer to assist.

VM: Let's get to the point. You're a celebrity publicist and Co-CEO of your own PR company. Was that started here or there?

DD: I completed my schooling on Earth. I intermitedley have traveled to and from here and earth to complete the remainder of my professional degrees. I have a bachelor's degree in marketing management from UCLA. A certficate in public relations from UC IRVINE + A MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS/ IMAGE MANAGEMENT FROM CAL STATE FULLERTON. all between zones 2 and 3. Well mostly 3 on Earth.

VM: ok so the celebrity client base. Who are we dealing with here?

DD: um, what do you mean?

VM: MHIS CELEBRITY CLIENTS.

DD: Gwen Stefani, Cole Sprouse, Cameron Diaz, Margot Robbie, Diplo, The white stripes, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson, Anthony Karlo, Suki Waterhouse, Bill Skarsgard+ many more. Some of our brands are Origin natural energy, Waikea water, Fenty beauty, nudestix + sapphire sky cosmetics.

VM: Are you ever "starstruck" when meeting new celebs for publicity projects. ?

DD: Barely. I'm pretty used to networking with famous people. I come from a somewhat famous family background as well as my own personal endeavors- to say the least. And client /publicist confidentiality is the MOST important tool when creating promotional packages for celebrities. If any personal info about the celeb leeks that they don't want in the press or public eye, our PR team makes sure it's avoided. Yes, it's a tough job, very hard , but somebody's gotta do it…(laughs).

VM: Let's jump to what I'm reading here about your own entertainment career. Is celebrity publicist Des Duhfaux desiring to become a celebrity herself?

DD: Is that what it says? Ok well yea I'm working on new music under my stage name "Caryn Mixx" . I don't want to give too much away. But it's set to premiere in zone 3 @some point soon.

VM: Cool, so you are a musician too?

DD: my voice is my instrument, + light keyboard as well. So it's set .

VM: Interesting, I'll make sure to check that out. And you mentioned family life, or is that too private to discuss?

DD:: no . Not private, very public actually. I've spoken about my two failed marriages, virginity after rape + being an all around reformed human being that's taking it all in stride.

VM: rape? Sorry to hear that

DD: late years of high school. A student I had home studies with violated me at our designated testing location. I was mortified. Then two days later his older brother showed up + threatened to " bash my head in" if I told anyone. I was scared stiff.

VM: Did the case ever get reported?

DD: I didn't find the courage fast enough. This interview is it's debut.

VM: SO..that's why u feel two marriages failed?

DD: look, I'm going to be quite frank. The traumatic aftermath of rape had an affect on my psyche for roughly 3 yrs. I" revirginized", generated my next set of goals and moved on with my life. Around that point I enrolled in college and met my first husband.

VM: so what was that like?

DD: well mostly emotionless looks of love, "hand holding", & watching old classic films together+ that was about it. No sex.

VM: no sex?

DD: no sex. No trust. Has to be trust, then "relationship notary", and then more trust, then family approval, then possibly another glance at the possibility of intimacy.

VM: I see, ok so then the next marriage?

DD: after the first marriage I went back to working on my public relations internship through UC IRVINE in accordance with my public relations certificate. I met him through the college systems as well. It didn't work out because for some reason men want intimacy with a person they barely know. I'm still baffled as to how holding hands and kissing? Just isn't enough? Anyway, I'm over it.

VM: and you grew up in Burbank, CA?

DD: that's slightly off subject, but, yes.

VM: well is there anything else we should know about Des Duhfaux celebrity publicist+CO- CEO of MHI?

DD: Yea, that I'm from early zone 2 most specifically. Suzette, my partner + I grew up together, same everything. So we have a deep appreciation for zone 2, but, realistically I've been set to 1 and 3 to work on projects for other personas numerous times, so I'm not just involved in the publicity process, I'm a part of the "craft work" and onset process as well, by default.

VM: That's good news, well it was lovely talking to you.

DD: Oh sure, yea, thanks, u2.

[translationandbetrayals]

Beyond Borders: Anime and Manga's Influence on Chilean Society

Anime and manga, two distinctive forms of Japanese entertainment, have not only conquered their home country but have also made a significant impact on cultures worldwide. In the case of Chile, this influence is super apparent. Over the past few decades, anime and manga have grown to become more than just imported cartoons and comics; they have become an important part of some Chilean people. This essay explores the cultural impact of anime and manga in Chile, shedding light on the reasons behind their popularity and the ways in which they have influenced the local culture.

The surge in popularity of anime and manga in Chile can be attributed to several factors such as accessibility, local events, fan clubs and online communities, cosplay culture and so on. 

First of all, we can all say the internet has played a fundamental role in making anime and manga accessible to Chilean audiences. Streaming platforms, fan-subtitled episodes, and scanlations of manga have made it easier for fans to engage with this Japanese media. Subsequently, Chileans can watch the latest anime episodes and read manga chapters, often within hours of their release in Japan.

On the other hand, the establishment of anime and manga conventions in Chile, such as "Anime Expo" and "Feria Internacional del Comic y Manga," has fostered a sense of community among fans. These events provide a platform for fans to come together, meet their favorite voice actors, artists, and authors, and immerse themselves in the culture.  In a similar way, Chilean fans have formed numerous fan clubs and online communities dedicated to anime and manga. Social media platforms and forums enable fans to discuss their favorite series, share fan art, and organize events, further strengthening the community.

Also, Cosplay, the art of dressing up as anime or manga characters, has grown significantly in Chile. The cosplay community plays an active role in local conventions and events, contributing to the broader pop culture landscape.

In short, anime and manga have established themselves as an integral part of the culture of some Chileans. Their accessibility, coupled with local events and online communities, has created a vibrant fan base.. Despite some criticisms, it is undeniable that anime and manga have enriched Chilean culture by promoting creativity and fostering a sense of community among its fans.  - Catalina Albornoz R.

[mr-divabetic]

The happy healthcare host, Mr Divabetic raises awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way at the American Diabetes Association's largest Latino event of the year -- Feria de Salud, at St. Mary's Park in Bronx, NY. The annual Feria de Salud Festival offers free health screenings and education to South Bronx residents about diabetes. Play along with Mr. Divabetic as he challenges various American Diabetes Association staff members, Dr. Ileana Vargas - Rodriquez, Mimi Gonzalez BS, RN with the food game, 'Serve, Taste or Trash!' You might be surprised by the results. In the game, players are given three choices of fruits and vegetables. You must decide which one you'd serve, which one you'd taste and which one you'd trash. Before you decide to "trash" a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren't crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones. And the texture is crispy, rather than mushy. Mr. Divabetic is a 2011 WEGO Health Activist Award finalist and the happy healthcare host of Diva TalkRadio. Diva TalkRadio is Divabetic's dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel where tens of thousands of fans, followers and listeners turn to laugh a little and learn a lot. The channel features a line-up of live and archived programs and specials. Guests include health care professionals, beauty, image/style and fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of and affected by diabetes. Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red tomato carpet at Divabetic - Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, Fashion's Night Out in New York, NY, Central Farm Market in Washington, DC, the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012.

[latestphonezone]

All you need to about myrla feria - a very famous name on instagram

Myrla feria is a very famous name on instagram. It might be a very crazy thing or very strange thing to marry a person whom you have not met before the day of your wedding. Isn't it too crazy? 

She had married to a person whom she had not met till the time of marriage. Marrying someone is known to be a thing which will last forever in the life of the person and because of which marrying to someone without even meeting is considered to be a very strange idea for a person be it a girl or even a boy but still after that she attempted to married a very wonderful person without even meeting and just talking to them regularly over the phone.

This thing basically made her a very famous personality on Instagram because of the steps she had taken to marry a very strange person and live with them for a life long. 

Basically she did a television show married at the First sight, which is the super duper hit over the television and with states that the people in the show who are casted are not met even once in their lifetime before getting married. Basically they initially are attempting to make love powerful by adding the potential love to the lives of the people and the power couples.

Here are some of the top 4 and major things that everyone should know about myrla feria:

1. She had not seen the married at the first sight before being the casting of the show

Basically, she never have seen the cast of the show married at the first sight ever before the show. In the very recent interview, with the studio dish, she has opened up about the start of the casting process in which she explained how the casting process was done and she had never seen the husband in the show ever before and simply married him on the show.

2. myrla feria studied in the early education and studies 

She did her education in the early times only. In fact, she did attended the university of the texas in the U.S.A. in which she received the bi-lingual degree. Along with the same, she also had the master degree in the public health from the same institution in the U.S.A.. 

3. Married at the first sight was the very first experience of myrla feria on the T.V.

Some of the people were wondering why she chosen to be the actor of this type of the show on the T.V. and it is not yet very much famous that the same show is considered to be the very first show or casting thing of her on the T.V. Along with this opportunity she was also looking for some of the other opportunities as well in which she was looking for some normal and convenient role.

4. myrla feria is a very private and an introverted person in real 

It is not known to everyone that she is an introverted and also a very private person in real life, which means she does not like to share much about the personal life of her such as her family, her friends, her next moves, etc.

In fact, people all across the globe will not be able to see the personal stuff in any of the interview or any of the social media handle of her, which shows that she is a private person and introvert.

[full-potential]

Tough Feedback & Cleaning House!

Hello Full Potential beings. It's another great day to be alive! We have a really wonderful Feria (Farmers market) here where we live. It feels like all the villagers get together and offer their gifts. It really is a beautiful gathering. I'm listening to some classical music as I channel what today's post is about. I normally just share what feels relevant and then it flows from there. SHIFT IN COMMUNICATION WITH EMMA I'm on Day 2 with no communication with Emma. Last we spoke it felt like we were at odds with how we wanted to proceed. I felt like she should just melt into a flow with me and Alexandria and she wanted to personally connect with me separately from my relationship. I didn't feel that this was in the highest or best interest of all so I felt into the conditions of only connecting with her if we could all be together.. and shared that with her. And alas this is where we are today. Having our last conversation two days ago. There is something about not communicating or connecting that begins a more rapid shift in my mind and body .. quick to adapt to my environment I suppose. I love her and I can appreciate all the beauty we shared. I just don't feel as 'addicted' to the connection as I was. It feels like it was a kind of drug and a reliable source of meeting some need that no longer feels there. I do expect that at some point in the (hopefully near) future we will reconnect in healthier ways and deepen our friendship and love. This current hiatus however has also allowed me to consolidate my energy and focus more with Alexandria. I'm sure she feels it as our relationship has continued to blossom. And we uncovered some negative energy I had around relationships, for example feeling like I was carrying a lot of pressure to support my partner (and partners in the past), my family and putting a lot of energy into multiple projects that benefit everyone. And last night and I could really feel her desire to be an equal partner and adding as much value as possible. TOUGH FEEDBACK This morning we had a great discussion about how our reflections to each other may not always be liked or wanted, but are helpful. For example my reflection to her about her vape pen (nicotine) eventually caused her to throw it away. Even though there was a part of her saying 'don't tell me what to do'.. I was just reflecting how it made me feel. And that lead her to get rid of it. And then her, reflecting to me how it makes her feel when I consume weed or alcohol. There's a part of her that feels sad. I didn't know that. She feels like a part of me isn't there and there's a slight disconnect. Knowing that makes me want to do less of it, if at all. In fact every time I smoke a couple days in a row, when I stop I go through a 3 day valley.. where it feels my system is coming off of it. The first day is OK and the second day (like today) is the lowest part of the dip and day 3 I start rising out of it and by day 4 I'm good. Then my energy naturally starts increasing until about 2 weeks without it I feel at very high levels of sustainable energy so Iong as my diet is good. CLEANING HOUSE! Now that I understand that more, plus how it makes Alexandria feel when I do it.. I really feel I'm going to double down on cleaning up my system and doing things that help me feel naturally high.. like adventure, sports and meaningful things. I see substances as a short cut that depletes the system of the opportunity to get high naturally from doing the right things in my environment! MAIN POINTS So I think those are the two main points from today's post:A - Find someone you can trust (like a partner) to give you real feedback about your behavior. Even if you don't like their feedback, see if that information as something useful to help you improve. B - Look at what you consume (food, drink and/or substances) and ask yourself what you can start removing from your consumption to clean up your system, feel more clear and alive naturally. If you decide to go on this journey of getting feedback and cleaning up your system, do let us know in the comments below (with future posts as well) as I feel these are some of the most positively impactful things you can do and I'd love to join you for the ride! Read the full article

[apexart-journal]

Sonia Paulino Love Outbound to Montevideo, Day 21

Yesterday was a very nice day. Anticipated heavy rain had mostly dissipated to light drizzle. I felt honored to have been invited to visit Valentina's family's vineyards. They picked me up at the Airbnb with an assortment of both sweet and savory bizcochos as breakfast snacks for our hour or so drive through country roads and high hills. Fran asked "Are we there yet?"

On our brief tour of the farmland we munched on deliciously sweet harvest ready grapes while talking about her great-grandfather's migration story, her grandfather's recent passing at 100, and her brothers' intentions to continue the family's legacy. 

We then drove through Piriapolis. Established in the late 19th-Century, it is one of Uruguays earliest resort towns for international ship-setters, but currently frequented mostly by middle-class locals. It is quaint and charming with art deco flourishes. We stopped for a chivito and burger for lunch where we discussed their impressions from their recent visit to NYC, including: the astonishing cost of real-estate, the absurdity of so many women's excessive use of makeup (most don’t wear any at all here), and the marvels of thin crust pizza and bagels and lox. 

We continued on to the more modern resort town, Punta del Este. With its luxury hotels and designer shops, it is mostly frequented by wealthier locals, Argentinians, and international jet-setters. The rain and fog allowed for an unusually atmospheric and uncrowded view of "Los Dedos". We walked a bit and sat to enjoy ice cream together before I headed off to walk another mile to Punta de las Salinas, the southern-most point of the country and where the river and the ocean meet. I scrambled down the rocky point to touch the water, then turned right around to catch a bus home.

THE SUN was back today, so I headed out a little earlier than scheduled to visit the famous Feria de Tristian Narvaja. It is a maze of a flea market with rows of vendors on sidewalks and streets selling everything from aquarium fish to home furnishings and anything in-between. "Torta tres leches!" "Tengo termómetro!" It felt like the whole town was there, locals and tourists alike. I tired of looking for nothing in particular, so I filled my tote with fruit & veg for the week and left around noon, as THE HEAT and the crowds seemingly doubled.

Walking home from the bus stop, the very few people I saw in the neighborhood carried beach chairs and mate north to the park or south to the beach. It is a four-day weekend during Carnival that is also called Carnival.

I put on a nice blouse for an 8pm play at Teatro del Sol tonight, and toned down my red lipstick. A tablado about Carnival tablado, or a parody about parody. I sweat through my blouse on my way there, and it occurs to me how nice it is to enter a theatre or museum and not have to go through metal a detector or have to have your bags checked for guns or whatever. 

[writings-of-a-narwhal]

hello hello!

here’s my pinned post!

about me

- elle or fable - she/her - almost 20 - been part of writeblr for a while but my activity has dipped the past couple years, but i try to be around when i can!! - i tend to write a lot of fantasy and two of my wips involve a war. speaking of wips, i have so many but i’m just going to list a few below the cut! - always open to chat! feel free to send messages or asks anytime!

my wips

[link to image]

🌑 and the moon sets 🌑

🌒 fantasy 🌒 3rd person / shifting pov characters maybe? 🌒 war / tragedy / fighting / death / magic

the basics:

yamatochi (based off of sengoku era japan) has been at war for decades, centuries even. there are many clans involved in this war, each lord scrambling to make their claims on the land. some have good motives, some just have greed.

neoma takeda is the heir of the takeda clan, the only surviving relative of lord genkei takeda. her mother died just a few short days after neoma was born. after that, they were raised in the castle by their grandfather.

all neoma wanted to do was be kind, to make others happy. the wish of a young child. but with the reveal that her magic is that of a dragon - that she is a dragonheart - everything changes. genkei takeda goes from wanting to marry neoma off in a marriage alliance to wanting to use her as a weapon.

he brings them to the battlefield for the first time when they are just twelve years old.

by fourteen, neoma has learned more of violence than they ever wanted to. they have also learned how horrible their grandfather truly is. they're fed up with it. they kill him and light the castle on fire.

after that, neoma takes the lead in the takeda clan. she deals with assassination attempts, poisonings, betrayals, and the horrid reality of war itself. all in the hopes of making yamatochi a better place.

🌒 main characters currently 🌒

neoma takeda (she/they/he)

murakami family: isao (he/him) rin (she/her) akito (he/they) kazuyuki (he/him)

takashi sato (he/him) hanzo arashi (he/him)

kaiyou nakamura (he/him

full character list here

[link to image]

☀️ broken thrones ☀️

☀️ fantasy ☀️ third person / multiple povs ☀️ conflict / war / rebellion / found family / romance

☀️ the basics ☀️

rosar, the youngest princess of feria - a country no outsiders know much about - is kidnapped. by who? no one knows. but her eldest sister, amary, isn't going to let that go. she begins searching for rosar and ends up following a lead to issera....

there's a rebellion in issera, one that's been going on since the prince, athum, tried to escape the palace with his baby sister. he ended up dead and the infant went missing. the queen tightened her grip on the country, and the people couldn't stand it.

culraes is one of the rebel leaders, a burning young man with anger brighter than the sun. he meets amary in the worst of ways but ends up agreeing to let her travel with him -- after an order from his superior, that is.

while culraes seeks to claim the queen's head, amary is asking questions and trying to find her sister. and perhaps their goals are linked more closely than originally thought...

meanwhile, with the death of the king in feria and the kidnapping of rosar, the queen of feria and her middle daughter are left to pick up the pieces and try to make the kingdom a better place. they face opposition from the courts, especially as princess eira tries to make magic legal in the country so the people don't have to live in fear. she consults with many, but can she truly make feria a better place?

☀️ characters ☀️

in feria:

queen ianthe braddock (she/her) princess eira leilani braddock (she/her)

finlos holmwood (he/him)

lumi rosewood (she/her)

barrow reeves (he/him) marigold reeves (she/her)

in issera:

jeris (he/him) raisha (she/her)

warin (he/him) lei'ya (she/her) bau (they/them) jayi (she/her) culraes (he/him) sazai (she/they) maya (she/her) tasiriti (she/her)

ishmael (he/him)

queen jayah (she/her) athum (he/him)

faline amaryllis "amary" braddock (she/her) princess rosar aviana braddock (she/her)

🎶 a song of darkness and light 🎶

🎶 fantasy 🎶 third person / multiple povs (?) 🎶 adventure / friendship / hope / past traumas / conflict

🎶 the basics  🎶

valentine washes ashore on the beach of the country that used to be ethriland. now covered in what seems to be carnivorous shadows and the creatures that reside within, it’s an uninhabitable land. ashal, having been commissioned to investigate the source of the darkness, finds valentine. though the two used to be childhood friends, there’s a rift between them. but they have to work together now to survive. 

having grown up in a lonely world of shadows, aria knows nothing except the inside of the palace she’s grown up in and the one who raised her; rune. however, all this changes when one day, two people come tumbling into her life and open up a whole world of possibilities.

leaving her home, everything she knows, aria follows these two. rune comes along; they are not going to abandon their charge now, now when she’ll need them the most. 

as the group travels, they find a way to ease the darkness; there’s a certain power in songs that had been long forgotten. it’s a magic aria discovers that she holds. but does she have the ability to restore the land to what it was?

🎶 characters 🎶

valentine (he/him)

ashal (he/him)

aria (she/her)

rune (they/them)

gilbert (he/him)

[queenetoilewrites]

Survival Guide For Ladies/Maids in Waiting

So you're a noblewoman at the imperial/royal court, when you and your family receive word that you've been selected to become a lady/maid-in-waiting for the Empress/Queen/Princess by the Emperor/Empress. Problem is, you have an idea of what the job entails, but no idea how to survive and hang on to your position at court. According to @inky-duchess​ (thanks for the help!), the key is to remember the acronym LOCS: Loyalty, Obedience, Comportment, and Secrecy. Be loyal to your mistress, know how to follow orders and directions (she says jump and you ask "How high, your majesty/highness?"), know how to behave, and always keep your mistress' confidence. Follow these basics of being a lady in waiting and your female character will quickly become a favorite of her mistress and hold her position for a long time.

Know your place: There’s a pecking order for a reason

Even among the ladies/maids in waiting, there’s an established hierarchy that you're required to follow without question, this hierarchy governs who gives orders to who and who has permanent access to the empress/queen. The textbook ambitious lady will use it as an excuse to kick up a major fuss about precedence when she feels that her treasured position as the favorite is being threatened by a newcomer. For example, the hierarchy for the ladies/maids-in-waiting tasked with serving the Queen of France/Empress of the French goes:

Mistress of the Robes

First lady of honor

Dame d'atour

Dame d'honneur/Dame du Palais

Filles d'honneur/Demoiselles d'honneur (maids of honor)

Première femme de Chambre ('First Chamber Maid')

While the mistress of the robes was the highest ranking in the hierarchy of the ladies serving the Queen, the first chamber maid was the only woman in the queen’s household aside from the maid of honor allowed to have the keys to the queen’s rooms and permanent access to the queen. This gave her the opportunity to filter requests of meetings, audiences and messages to the queen and made her a de facto powerful person at court, where she was often flattered and bribed by the courtiers. Any lady or maid-in-waiting worth her salt will know that she has to be clever and useful to her mistress in order to get far at the imperial/royal court, and willing to know when to concede to those above her in the pecking order. Many court ladies in my WIP have received the honor of being promoted to where she directly served the Empress Consort because she either proved herself to be clever or demonstrated loyalty to the imperial family.

Loyalty: Don't be like Littlefinger

A lady/maid must always be loyal to her mistress, otherwise she could experience a major fall from grace, even more so if her mistress the empress/queen/princess is on the exact same page as her husband the emperor/king/prince and she's not his mistress. That means absolutely no following orders from anyone outside of the imperial/royal household, she was hired to serve the empress/queen/princess only. Without royal favor you are just as expendable as anyone else in the service of the imperial/royal family, they can easily replace you with a new favorite if they discover that you've been disloyal, and if you don't like that and have the audacity to try and read the empress/queen/princess then there's being reassigned to lower in the hierarchy under the excuse that you're still technically serving the empress/queen/princess. Loyalty can earn you honors, jewelry, or an advantageous marriage. Being disloyal could earn you being distanced from the inner circle of the empress/queen/princess. Good examples of ladies/maids in waiting (and good inspirations for a loyal lady-in-waiting character) who were loyal ride or dies to their mistress include Catherine Champernowne of Kat (Kat Ashley; lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I), Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria (lady in waiting to Queen Mary I), and Maria de Salinas, Countess Willoughby (lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon).

Obedience: No, that wasn't a request

A lady/maid is required to obey her mistress regardless of what her mistress asks of her, even if her orders are ridiculous or dangerous, her maid/lady could be asked to jump and her response is required to be: "How high, your majesty/highness?" Your character does what her mistress asks, when her mistress asks it of her. No back talk, and no refusing, otherwise she'll fall from favor. She speaks when her mistress tells her to speak, and she doesn't speak out of turn. Once again unless she's the mistress to the emperor/king, has an influential family that her mistress' husband the emperor/king doesn't want to alienate, or she can't be banished from her mistress' inner circle for a reason (such as the husband of her mistress using her as leverage against her family because he suspects them of plotting treason), she's just a mere lady/maid who can easily be replaced with a new favorite who will obey her orders without any questions.

But sometimes obedience can lead her to the execution block. If her mistress is sneaking a lover into her bed, and she had a hand in getting the lover there to begin with, she had better pray that her mistress or her lover don't implicate her as thanks for her help because saying "The queen (or empress) was the one who commanded me to help her sneak him in and I couldn't deny her request!" doesn't absolve her of her integral part in helping her mistress cheat on the emperor/king and potentially muddying the royal bloodline since people are going to doubt that the king's kids are truly his if his wife had an affair. If her mistress wanted to make her and her fellow ladies into spies whom she slips into the beds of her enemies to gain intel like Catherine de' Medici did with the Flying Squadron, guess what she’s doing?

Comportment: Mind your Ps and Qs at all times

A lady/maid has to know how to behave herself both in public and in private with her mistress. She can be friendly with the royal she's serving, but she can't hang off her or call her mistress names then claim that she was "just joking" when her mistress takes offense to her behavior, being friendly is okay until you cross the line. The Empress/Queen must be respected even by her best friends, especially if they are in public. Think of it as like being friends with the wife of your boss, you can be playful with her, but up to a certain point. While the lady might be a subject to the monarch or his mistress, her mistress is his legal wife and the crowned Empress/Queen (especially if her husband is the type of man to reproach his mistress for flagrantly disrespecting his wife and her position), you have to play nice with her in order to retain the favor of the Emperor/King. Now if the Empress/Queen is a monarch in her own right, this complicates the matter because she’s not just disrespecting her mistress, she’s basically disrespecting the monarch of another country.

Do not let her behave like Sarah Churchill did to Queen Anne (your husband writing in a letter to you that the Queen “should make good political use” of his victory in battle isn’t a good excuse). A lady/maid is not allowed to verbally abuse her mistress or tell her to shut up about jewels and unlike Sarah, she would (and should) know better. Anyone else would have dropped her from her inner circle on the spot the very first time she verbally abused her. She can argue with her mistress, but only to a certain point. It should never, ever elevate to a shouting match for any reason, especially if the empress/queen is ruling in her own right. Any empress/queen who is ruling in her own right can ultimately spell the end of your social and political advancement, seeing as her favor depends solely on the Empress/Queen.

Secrecy: Don't spill the tea sis!

A lady/maid will be expected to keep secrets for her mistress, no matter what the secret is, even if she doesn't approve of it. The empress/queen has just found out that she's pregnant with a son and wants to keep it a secret so her husband's mistress can't sabotage the pregnancy since the son of the crowned empress/queen will be the heir regardless of if his mistress has a son? Is she planning to switch her seven children to the school that traditionally educates the Imperial/royal family because the former best friends of her eldest daughter have all turned on her and the girl behind it all tried and failed to get her expelled? Has she confided to you that she's worried that if the prime minister finds out about her plan, he might intervene in his capacity as friend to the monarch and convince her husband that it wouldn't be in the best interest of the crown prince and his siblings to abruptly transfer them out halfway through the school year over one child having problems with her friends? She had better keep that secret, otherwise the empress/queen can and will hold you personally responsible for the loss of her son and the long-awaited heir to the throne or if the prime minister does intervene with her husband. This involves anything like leaking letters alluding to a love affair (looking @ you, Sarah Churchill; you’re lucky you weren’t around for Henry VIII) between her and her mistress or anyone else.

The trust of your empress/queen is like a mirror, once you crack it you can put it back together with but her trust in you won’t be the same and she will begin to confide in another lady/maid about her personal matters, seeing as her former confidant has already proven that she cannot be trusted. Her loose lips make her a massive liability to the monarch and the state and any emperor/empress/king/queen who is worth their salt will recognize this and put her in a position where she is virtually useless to those seeking intel on the monarch from the get go.

He's not worth it: Don't bang her husband if she's calling the shots

Listen to what I'm about to say very closely: It doesn't matter how hot the prince consort is, or how nice he is to her, not one bit. If he takes her as his mistress and parades her around openly, the reigning empress/queen will not be very amused with her, and will definitely make sure she doesn't progress socially or in regards to precedence. He may lavish her with money and gifts, but he can't do much aside from that without openly insulting his wife. Yes, he's allowed to see her as the apple of his eye, but she's still banging the husband of her monarch. Everyone at court will ostracize her for disrespecting the monarch, even more so if she's being a pain in the ass for the imperial/royal court and kicking up a fuss about precedence and favoritism. Her lofty position as mistress/favorite to the prince consort only lasts as long as he's consort to the monarch. Once one of his children succeed their mother as monarch, they have no real reason to extend their father the money to keep his mistress once they hold the purse strings, unless they stand to gain something from it.

It's even worse for the lady/maid if her mistress is the reigning monarch in her own right and he's her consort, seeing as if her husband is only her consort, she can only get so far on his favor alone since his wife is the monarch. She's the ruler of the country, and he's nothing at court without being married to her. If she's the mistress/side piece to the prince consort, she'll be openly ostracized by everyone at court save for the prince consort seeing as she's being a pain in the ass and openly disrespecting her monarch/mistress by hopping into bed with her husband. The more powerful people at court (who are favored by the empress/queen herself) will not hesitate to throw shade at her family seeing as the prince consort can’t really come to their defense on account of the fact that doing so would be an open/major insult to his wife.

[captainthane]

Lineage and Ancestry (Part 1)

A few weeks had passed since the group came back from the road trip. For the most part, it was memorable and unforgettable. Many fun and sweet moments were shared. The group bounded more and were a very solid group of friends. Lea and Tom started as alone; they were now with the most incredible beings they couldn’t even imagine in the first place.

However, the end of the trip ended on a bittersweet note. Lea and Tom were put in the front line of what seemed to be ideological conflict among the demons and the angels. In this chaos, Lea had to unleash some weird unknown power to protect the people who brought her happiness and joy into her life. While, on the other hand, Tom received a little push from an ally.

In any case, after the trip was over and everyone went back to their daily lives, Lea never talked about what happened. She never said a word or shared a thought. It was like she was forcing herself not to think about it. That kind of behaviour worried Colan and Vylixia. Maybe it was the time for them to tell her the truth? That was going to be another hell of a trip…literally and figuratively.

So, one day, Colan and Vylixia approached Lea who had just finished a freelance project. They were unsure but it was important to do it.

- Hey Lea. How are you feeling? (Colan)

- Oh, I’m good. Just sending this project so I can get paid. (Lea)

- That’s awesome! But…have you ever considered what happened at the end of our trip? I mean…(Vyilixia)

- Not really…I still don’t understand when I…it didn’t feel like me. (Lea)

Lea scratched her arm as she was nervous just remembering the fight against this angel guy. Colan put his hand on her shoulder.

- I know it’s scary. It’s okay to be. (Colan)

- It’s just…we have the answers about it. (Vylixia)

- For real?! (Lea)

- Yes. But for that, we need to go somewhere. You actually have to meet someone. (Colan)

- We have to go to our homeland…Hell. (Vylixia)

Lea was taken back by this sudden information. She already went in Hell two or three times. First time was because of kidnapping…which had a positive end…but still. She just tried to move on from it. Hopefully, the other times she was with Colan’s mothers. They were nice people.

- Do you trust us? (Vylixia and Colan)

- I do…(Lea)

-bThen hold our hands and close your eyes. (Vylixia)

She sighed, stood up from her chair, held their hands, closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. In barely a few seconds later, she could feel huge heat as she opened her eyes. The sky was as red and orange as it could be while she was already sweating from the heat.

- Remind me…what is the average temperature in Hell again? (Lea)

- Probably between forty and ninety Celsius degrees. (Colan)

- But now you can find places where it can be around twenty-five Celsius degrees thanks to the work of the Gardener and his workers. Demons couldn’t dream of that centuries ago as our parents would tell us. (Vylixia)

Lea looked around to observe her environment. She was in some kind of park and she could see buildings and skyscrapers. She was in one of the cities Hell developed. There were many demons not far from the trio. She was slightly anxious as she swallowed by reflex.

- Guys…they are looking at me. (Lea)

- Don’t worry, they are all mostly harmless. They are only curious and quite intrigued to see a human here. They probably wish to welcome you and flirt with you. Nevertheless, I’m here to prevent that so we can be directly on our way~ (???)

Lea jumped as the trio turned around to see a tall grey skin demon. It took only less than a second for the young trio to recognise her.

- Hi mom~ (Colan)

- Hi aunt~ (Vylixia)

- Hello my children~ (Ennor)

- Madam Ennor! It’s good to meet you again! (Lea)

- Please, I told you before to call me Ennor~ (Ennor)

- Alright! (Lea)

- Follow me~ (Ennor)

Lea and the young demons nodded. They began to follow Ennor as they were walking in the city. Slowly and surely, they were going to leave the city to take a path through some forest. Lea was red because of the heat but also because of the demons she came across.

- I forgot that demons tend to wear way less clothes than humans…which is understandable considering the environment of Hell. (Lea)

The three demons giggled and smiled. Ennor turned around and winked at Lea.

- It’s our culture~ And you were lucky~ Most of the ones you saw decided to have slightly more clothes on to not embarrass you too much~ Furthermore, my son and nephew were smart enough to not teleport you in one of the “naked” places we have in the cities. (Ennor)

Lea blushed so much that she was sure to be as red as the sky above her.

- What…what are those?! (Lea)

- Basically, demons can be free from all their frustrations or can look for chilling time. The best comparison…it’s like a huge outside spa. It’s also very restricted. Since you have more and more demon children these days, these places are magically protected and you cannot enter it if you are not in age and mature. (Vylixia)

- Plus, the most respectable and honourable demon guards keep an eye on the behaviours. (Colan)

- I was the one who trained and taught these guards~ It’s about having fun and fun only. Never about discomfort or hurting someone. (Ennor)

- Oh…that’s cool actually. Some humans should definitely need to go through such teaching. (Lea)

- Fair point. (Ennor)

They kept walking for several more minutes in this beautiful forest. It was very similar yet so different from the ones on earth. At least, she had that same tranquillity if she was in an earth forest. Suddenly, the heat slowly decreased to be replaced by a cooler sensation when the forest opened to a large centre and in the middle of it; a beautiful big fountain.

When they came closer to this fountain, a demon was already present. This demon turned to look at the group. When Lea made eye contact with the demon, she felt a reassuring and odd familiar feeling. Like she already knew who that person was somehow. It was a good and relaxing sensation.

- Greetings Lea. My name is Shanya. You and me have to talk. (Shanya)

------

And finally a new narrative arc and story for some of my characters ^^ I hope you will like it ^^ thank you for your constant support ^^ it means a lot ^^

The illustration was made by @wildstarfan​ (it was a commission I paid her ^^)

Lea, Colan, Vylixia, Ennor and Shanya belong to me

Okaria et feria belongs to me and @wildstarfan

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

22nd August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Our Lady, Mother and Queen

  on

Tuesday, Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time.

Tuesday, Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Tuesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Judges 6:11-24a Go and save Israel; it is I who send you.

The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to save it from the Midianites, the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “The LORD is with you, O champion!” Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ For now the LORD has abandoned us and has delivered us into the power of Midian.” The LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.” “I shall be with you,” the LORD said to him, “and you will cut down Midian to the last man.” Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you, give me a sign that you are speaking with me. Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you and bring out my offering and set it before you.” He answered, “I will await your return.”

So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour in the form of unleavened cakes. Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, he brought them out to him under the terebinth and presented them. The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and unleavened cakes and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth.” When he had done so, the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held, and touched the meat and unleavened cakes. Thereupon a fire came up from the rock that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes, and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight. Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD, said, “Alas, Lord GOD, that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!” The LORD answered him, “Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.” So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD and called it Yahweh-shalom.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:9, 11-12, 13-14

R/ The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace To his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope.

R/ The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.

R/ The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R/ The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Gospel Acclamation 2 Corinthians 8:9

Alleluia, alleluia. Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 19:23-30 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------

Our Lady, Mother and Queen 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Isaiah 9:1-6 A son is given us.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R/ Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or R/ Alleluia.

Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.

R/ Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or R/ Alleluia.

From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory.

R/ Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or R/ Alleluia.

Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?

R/ Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or R/ Alleluia.

He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor To seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.

R/ Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Luke 1:28

Alleluia, alleluia. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 1:26-38 You will conceive in your womb and bear a son.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[meauxhausint]

"VANITY FAIR spring 2016 SPECIAL ISSUE. INTRRVIEW WITH CEO & CELEBRITY PUBLICIST DES DUHFAUX.

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY WILMA ETHERHAM

VF: WERE GLAD YOU ACCEPTED OUR INTRRVIEW REQUEST DES, HOW ARE YOU?

DD: OK, THANKS.

VF: SO THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT BEING A CEO OF YOUR OWN PR AGENCY AND BEING A PUBLICIST TO THE STARS IS WHAT?

DD: GOOD QUESTION. WELL IM CO-CEO OF MHI (MEAUX HAUS INTERNATIONAL). MY TRUSTED PARTNER SUZETTE FERIA & I STARTED THE AGENCY TWO YRS AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE. WE BOTH WORKED AS PUBLICISTS PRIOR TO BECOMING CEOS. I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL LAST YEAR TO GET MY MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS/IMAGE MANAGEMENT. SO IM SET. ANYWAY, THE MOST INTERESTING THING WOULD BE THAT PEOPLE DONT REALIZE THE LEVEL OF WORK AND FOCUS IT TAKES TO PROMOTE PERSONAS OF YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS AS WELL.

VF: HMM OK, WELL I REMEMBER READING YOUR FIRST PUBLICIZED INTERVIEW WITH " THE MAGAZINE" & YOU MENTIONED HAVING BEEN MARRIED TWICE (NO KIDS), AND THAT YOU ARE HOPING TO MEET SOMEONE THATS RIGHT FOR YOU EVENTUALLY? HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

DD: NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IM STILL THE SAME ACCOMPLISHED 23 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, WITH TWO FAILED MARRIAGES UNDER HER "ELECTRO MAGNETIC BELT" (LAUGHS). CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF WOMEN CAN DATE AND OBSTAIN FROM SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. I DIDNT GIVE UP MY VIRGINITY ON PROM NIGHT WHEN I LIVED IN ZONE TWO -YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IM NOT THAT "PROMISCUOUS" GAL THAT JUST CANT KEEP HER LEGS CLOSED. IM NOW LIVING IN ZONE 3 BUT IM JUST DATING, ENJOYING SINGLE LIFE- SANS THE SEX. I DIDNT TRUST MY PAST HUSBANDS ENOUGH TO HAVE SEX BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THEM WELL ENOUGH IN MY OPINION.

VF: SERIOUSLY?

DD: SERIOUSLY.

VF: WELL YOU DONT MEET MANY 23 YEAR VIRGINS THESE DAYS. ARE YOU VERY RELIGIOUS?

DD: I AM A BELIEVER IN GOD.. I WORSHIP SATAN.

VF: REALLY? INTERESTING. SO ARE YOU STILL PLANNING TO START A CLOTHING LINE ?

DD: YES IM WORKING ON MY DEBUT COLLECTION FOR "BOFE" APPAREL & COUTURE. THE APPAREL IS FOR DEPARTMENT STORES & SELECT BOUTIQUES. COUTURE FOR THE RUNWAYS AND SELECT RETAILERS. IM EXCITED.

VF: SO YOU WERENT MARRIED TO ANYONE FAMOUS OR NOTABLE?

DD: NOPE. JUST REGULAR GUYS.

VF: WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DATE SOMEONE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?

DD: LET ME BE FRANK ABOUT THIS. I AM ALREADY DATING PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY, BUT IM STILL NOT READY TO HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AT ALL. AND IF ANYONE THINKS THAT MARRIAGE WILL DO IT THAT MAY NOT DO IT EITHER. BUT IM WAITING ON WHATEVER WILL DO IT.

[milasartblog]

New place

Despite that angels don’t really need to work as they can use powers to do their job good, the psychological support is still important for most of them. Her job was not the easiest one, but she chose it for herself. And yet, if with angels she has great experience, she had zero experience with demons. Nicole’s experience with King of Hell is a separate one as it was Michael’s request.

Nicole: It’s almost time for our session. Ugh, why do I have a feeling that he will use this trick again on me? Well, guess this is my price for accepting such request. Still, not every specialist has a chance to gain such experience, talking with King of Hell himself. Not even mentioning that he can be...someone else than just a "demon". I’m still surprised that no one besides Noel knows about it. Maybe it’s for the best.....I wish I could interact with more demons.

She looked at the clock, then felt an energy flowing in the room. It was a sign that he will appear soon. Nicole prepared her papers and pen as turned around to see that her client was already here.

Nicole: You're not late this time, sir Lucifer.

Lucifer: And you're still being formal as usual~

Nicole: You know that it's a neccessity for my job. Therapist and clients should have neutral-

She couldn't finish her sentence as she looked at Lucifer, who was wearing the lingerie, then she looked at herself. Her face got stunned as she covered herself.

Nicole: Are you kidding me??! Not again!!

Lucifer: What? It's more comfortable like this~ Plus, I thought that you got used to it~

Nicole: Ugh, you're impossible.

She snapped her fingers and both Lucifer and her were in casual clothes. The demon made cute upset face.

Lucifer: Awww, again these boring clothes. Well, guess I have to stay like this for an hour.

Nicole: As it should be. Now, shall we start?

Lucifer nodded as they both took a sit and they began the session. It was another usual session, just topics vary from time to time. But most of them were about the confidence. It's surprisingly how King of Hell himself can't be confident sometimes. Well, when you have to guard the nephilim from someone who tried to lure him to their side and then almost kill him, then your confidence sure will stagger. Lucifer didn't tell about Ghemora and Nazeel to Nicole, tho about the last one she could have some guesses. Still, coming to her for help was one of the best suggessions that his beloved made.

Nicole: Well, i can only suggest to sort the problems and situations.

Lucifer: Sort? Like trash?

Nicole: Well, that's not the best comparison, but something like this, dividing them. For example, those that you can handle yourself better solve now. Those that require a help from the closest people can vary from not neccessary to very neccessary. The key point here is communication.

Lucifer: Do i have to talk to myself if i'm solving things alone?~

Nicole:....*sighs* If it helps boosting your confidence, then sure. Comments can organize your thoughts and steps.

They kept talking untill the time of their session was coming to its end. Time flies fast as mortals tend to say, but when it's about Heaven, Purgatory or Hell, it's almost like if the time wasn't actually here.

Nicole: Well, it's time to finish our session.

Lucifer: Seems like it.

Nicole: Hope this conversation helps you, sir Lucifer.

Lucifer: Again with formalities~ Just Lucifer is enough, really~

Nicole: If you say so, Lucifer.

He smiled as looked down for a moment before getting up and getting ready to leave. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at Nicole.

Lucifer: Look, Nicole.

Nicole: Yes?

Lucifer: I was thinking about something recently. Would you like to work in Purgatory as a therapist both for angels and demons?

Such suggestion made Nicole stunned, but also curious as she tried to stay professional.

Nicole: In Purgatory?

Lucifer: Yep. There angels and demons come across quite often and most of them will be glad to have a psychological support like you. Well, at least I think so. Plus, it can be quite an experience for you as a therapist.

The angel thought for a moment, trying to find any trick behind it. But surprisingly, he was looking right into her eyes, nor she could sence any demonic energy. Still, she couldn't help, but wonder.

Nicole: Why do you suggest me such thing?

Lucifer: Are you doubting me?~ Hehe, no surprise, I'm a demon after all~ But my intention was to thank you for the support you gave to me for such long time. Maybe it's strange for divinity to ask for help a therapist, as, you know, we are so poweful and so. But reality sure gave a huge slap to my face, showing how brutal it is and how things can be for real.

Nicole: I would actually replace slap onto punch. It sounds more brutal.

Lucifer: Hehe, yeah. Anyways, I thought that maybe with new place you can accomplish your goal: to help everyone, not only angels. And maybe learn something new.

Nicole looked down in a thought. It was a great opportunity for her to understand the angel and demon psychology, how they can be different from each other, or even have something in common, and maybe how they can co-work with each other. Plus, it was a chance for her to see Purgatory herself.

Nicole: Alright, as a thank you, I will accept such suggestion. But as far as I remember, lady Lilith is in charge of Purgatory. Will she accept me as a therapist of Purgatory?

Lucifer: I'm sure she will~ We can even go and talk to her right now~

Nicole: Wait, now?? But-

She couldn't finish the sentence as they both were teleported to Purgatory, to the meeting room, where right now was Jikan. He jumped a bit from the surprise, but seeing that it was Lucifer, sighed with relief.

Jikan: My King, it's surprising to see you here. Did something happen?

Lucifer: Oh, not really, Jikan~ I just wanted to chat with my Queen. Is Lilith here?

Jikan: Yes, she is. Let me tell her that you're here.

And he went quickly towards the way Lilith was. Nicole stood still, a bit stunned by sudden teleportation. The waiting was not destined to be long as Queen of Hell came to the duo.

Lilith: Oh, Lucifer, i didn't expect to see you here~ Are things going well? And who is it with you?

Lucifer: Things are doing like they usually do~ And this is Nicole, angel therapist that helps angels psychologically and is interested in demon psychology. And also a therapist who helped me during some...tought times.

Lilith: Oh, I think you have told me about her once. That's surprisingly nice of her~

Nicole was frozen for a moment, fixing her glasses and looking at Lilith. Unlike Lucifer, queen was more dressed and polite, which surprised her more. She bowed.

Nicole: It's honor to meet you, lady Lilith.

Lilith: No need such formalities, Nicole~ I don't bite~ It's first time I hear that such angel like you is curious about us demons, not to mention helping Lucifer mentally.

Nicole: Umm, it's more for gaining experience. Plus, a personal request from sir Michael.

Lilith: Right~ So, let me guess, you suggested her to work in Purgatory and you want to ask my approval?

Lucifer: Yep.

Lilith: I see. Well, I'm fine with such idea~

Nicole: Wait, r-really?

Lilith: Of course~ People here will be glad to have such mental support like you~ Plus, you can gain more experience here~ Tho, some demons don't neccessary need it, but to give it a try is never bad.

Nicole took a moment to think of everything. Doubts crowled on her back. Won't it make her relationship with her sister conflicted? And what Noel will think of her? It was a chance for her to understand demons more, and she couldn't let it go like this. Her face looked upset for a moment, but quickly shifted to the working one.

Nicole: I'm so sorry if I sound selfish, but if I accept this offer, will my workplace in Heaven still be active?

Lilith: It's up to you. You can have both cabinets here and in Heaven. Maybe even one in Hell if you want~

Nicole: I see. Well, then I accept this offer, but under one condition. Everyone, who comes to my place should wear clothes.

Lucifer: Aww, really? Even in Purgatory?

Lilith: I can agree to it~

Lucifer: You too?? Man, you women are evil sometimes.

Lilith: Sorry not~ Anyways, want to talk about it at my office? We can discuss the time and place and other stuff that is required for you.

Nicole: Sure. But before we go, I want to express my thank you for the suggestion, sir Lucifer.

Lucifer: It's fine. Just doing what is the best. Tho i'm still not glad for the condition.

He made an irritated face as Nicole and Lilith giggled. They said goodbyes to each other before going to their own paths. Who would've known that such opportunity will knock on Nicole's door. She wasn't expecting it either, but if it means to achieve her goals, then this chance should not be missed. And Nicole will sure not let it go away.

-------------------------

And that's another story for the universe^^ So sorry for not writing anything with Okaria et Feria for a long time X'D Hope you will like it^^

Nicole and Lucifer belong to @wildstarfan and @milasartblog (both me)

Lilith belongs to @captainthane and @wildstarfan

Jikan belongs to @captainthane

Okaria et Feria belongs to @wildstarfan and @captainthane

[loudsuitlover]

Doctor Harry XVIII.

A/N: Harry meets Indie’s mum. Indie’s mum meets Harry. Indie is no longer Indie. 

INDIE’S POV

Harry and I lie on my bed as we both work on our laptops. He’s gathering some data from his patients’ record for some smart research of his and I’m trying to study Anaesthesiology. It’s very convenient to have him here really because he’s great at explaining and he kisses me after every explanation too.

I haven’t been keeping track of the time, so I didn’t know it was that late until my mum knocks on my door. I give Harry a terrified look but he just smiles and shrugs, letting me decide what to do with my Mum.

“¿Nena?” (Baby?)

“Sí.” (Yes.)

“¿Puedo pasar?” (Can I come in?)

“Eh… Sí, sí, pasa. Estoy con un amigo.” (Uh… Yes, yes, come on in. I’m with a guy friend.”

“Oh, is Jason with you?”

“No, no es Jason, mamá, pasa.” (No, it’s not Jason, mum, come on in.)

“Ah, ¿habla español?”

My mum finally opens the door and her dark eyes set on Harry and me on my bed. He’s sitting down with his back against my headboard and I’ve sat up next to him but there’s still lots of space between us. Nothings looks suspicious, especially for someone as innocent as my mum. She gives him a smile.

“No, no hablo español.” Harry says in a very awkward but very cute Spanish.

I give him an amused, surprised smile and he wiggles his eyebrows.

“Oh, I’m sorry, then.”

“No problem.” He smiles.

“I’m Alicia.”

My mum walks over to my bed and shakes Harry’s hand and I just stare at their interaction. This is so awkward. I’m going to kill her.

“I’m Harry. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” She smiles. “Are you staying over for dinner? I just came to ask you what you wanted for dinner and to say hi” she giggles “but I didn’t know you had visit, nena.”

Harry’s eyes set on me as if he was asking for permission. I don’t like that. I guess he’s just sending me an SOS because I don’t think he’s going to want to stay over and have dinner with the Fernandez girls but I like it when he’s his own person and takes his own decisions so I raise my eyebrows.

“Do you want to stay over for dinner?” I ask him.

“If you’re inviting me, then yes.”

“Of course she’s inviting you!” My mum horrifies.

She’s probably freaking out at how blunt I was to Harry. If she knew… Harry grins. There he is, he’s amused with this. He’s probably going to make fun of me for this dinner for ages.

“No se hable más. I’m cooking Spanish food” My mum giggles excitedly and I smile amused. “How do you feel about corvina con esparrágos trigeros?” She asks me for Harry doesn’t understand her.

I nod.

“Ask him.” My mum tells me. “I don’t remember how you say esparrágos trigeros… He pasado demasiado tiempo en España esta vez… Y dile que son españoles, ¿eh? Que son de tu abuelo.” She smiles.

“She asks if you feel like having Spanish wild asparagus.” I smile amused.

This is so Spanish and Harry is so British. I imagine him on my abuelos’ country house and can’t help but smile. They couldn’t talk to one another for my Abuelos don’t speak any English and he’d probably struggle to even introduce himself.

“They’re from my grandpa’s vegetable garden back in Spain.”

“I would love that. Grasias.” He adorably says.

My mum and I both giggle like smitten teenagers before she leaves and Harry gives her a charming smile. We keep silently working until about 45 minutes later, my Mum texts me that dinner is ready.

Harry smiles amused as we make our way downstairs.

“I guess I don’t have to tell you we’re just friends.”

He chuckles.

“Yes, friends who sleep with each other.”

“See? That’s the part my mum is not interested in.”

He smiles.

“Are you afraid I’m going to embarrass you?” He half jokes.

I think I am.

“No, I’m afraid my mum will.”

“I can’t wait for this to begin. Do you think she’ll show me your baby pictures?”

“Just friends.” I point a finger at him right before we make our presence known on the dining table.

Coco is setting empty wine glasses on the table. Oh, boy, she’s going all out. I really hope she at least hasn’t changed her clothes and appears with a red carpet dress and a hairdresser’s bun… She didn’t, thank God.

“Please, take a seat.” She tells us as she sets the corvina on the table.

It reminds me of the gilt-head bream I tried to cook for dinner the other night before Harry and I ended up having sex on my couch and my fish ended up burnt and the bits I could save part of Coco’s salad the next day. She didn’t mention how dry it was, but that was probably because of the amount of olive oil and vinegar I used to season it.

“This smells delicious.” Harry compliments my mum’s cooking playing Prince Charming and she smiles.

Good try, but my Mum already knows she’s a great cook. Still, it was polite.

“Hi, Coco. How are you?”

“Hi, Harry. I’m fine, and you?”

“I’m good, thank you.”

My mum sits down next to Coco leaving Harry a chair next to mine in front of them and tells us to help ourselves. I take Harry’s plate and serve him first under my mum’s attentive stare. This is probably surprising and amusing Harry. I bet he never imagined I would treat him like an actual guest but my family raised me to be a great host.

“Thank you, Blue.” He says.

A timid smirk takes over my lips that he can’t see and I shake my head before I grab my own plate and serve some fish and asparagus for myself.

“How did you call her?” My mum asks.

I tense up. I let him call me Blue because I know what it means to him. It’s that Elvis Presley’s song that he likes and I actually like it when he calls me that. I’d much rather have him calling me Blue than baby in front of my mother anyway. Harry stiffens on his chair though. I’ll let him be nervous for this one. That’s what happens when you overstep.

“Did you call her Blue?” My mum’s eyes widen.

“Isn’t that my name?” I smirk as I sit back down next to him.

“Yes, it is.” She smiles. “It’s just… You… People don’t usually call her that.”

Harry nods.

“I know. She doesn’t actually let me call her that but I knew she wouldn’t call me out in front of you.” He explains.

My mum laughs out loud before she also serves herself some dinner. I can’t believe he just said that. How can he be so shameless?

“Harry, why don’t you bless the table? You know, say thank you for this food.”

His green eyes widen as he stares at me. We’ve never done that in this house but I’ve had dinner with him times enough to know he doesn’t do that either. Coco giggles under her breath. My mum doesn’t say anything because she doesn’t know whether I asked him to do that because that’s something he normally does so I just wait for the fun to begin. He clears his throat.

“I… Uh, I’m sorry but I’ve never done that. I don’t want to like do something bad and be accidentally offensive but you can do it in Spanish if you want.”

“She’s just messing with you, Harry.” My mum swats my head and Coco laughs.

“¡Mamá!”

“De verdad, Blue, ¡qué vergüenza, por Dios! Compórtate.” (Seriously, Blue, that was embarrassing, for the love of God! Behave yourself.)

“Mamá, pero si a Harry le encantan las bromas. Isn’t that right, Harry? Don’t you love jokes?”

“I love a joke as much as the next guy.” He smiles.

“Oh, do you?” My mum smiles. “Then how would you like to hear a funny story about Blue?”

My eyes widen and my cheeks tinge red. Harry lowly chuckles next to me and Coco laughs and shakes her head.

“Eso te pasa por meterte con el invitado.” (That’s what you get for messing with Mum’s guest.)

“I remember this one time when Blue was over sixteen years old.”

“Mamá, no, no, la de la feria no.” (Mum, no, no, not the one on the fair.)

She nods and smiles mischievously.

“We were in Spain for the summer holidays and my family is from a small town in Spain and lots of small towns in Spain have these summer festivities where we have like a fair and free concerts and things like that so we were at the fair and there was this attraction that consisted on punching like a small punching bag that somehow quantifies the strength you have.”

I bring my hand to my face at the memory and Coco starts laughing.

“It was amazing.” She adds.

Harry glances at me with a teasing grin on his pretty face.

“So my son Rio challenged Blue and he hit it first. Blue’s very competitive so she got ready” my mum starts making gestures with her hands imitating me and I purse my lips trying not to smile “and she hit it so hard it effectively stick to the ceiling of the machine” my mum nods “for a few seconds and then when she was being all sassy to Rio because she had won, the punching bag came back and hit her on the back of her head.”

My sister holds her belly as she gives us a demonstration of her silent laughter and Harry laughs out loud too.

“That’s such a great story.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I nod.

“And this is delicious, Alizia. Did I pronounce it right?”

“More or less.” My mum giggles. “You can call me Allie, if that’s easier.”

Well, she really liked Harry. I understand, he’s being all charming and all smiles for my family. And he’s very handsome too. I’m both my mum and my sister are thinking that.

“So, Harry, do you study with Blue?”

His eyebrows raised on his forehead.

“Kind of.” He explains. “I’m a doctor but you know we study all our lives so yeah I study with her sometimes.” He smiles.

“Oh, you’re a doctor already?” My mum nods. “And do you also know Blue’s friends or just her?”

“No, I know them.”

My mum nods. I know that was her way of trying to find out how we met. I also know she probably doesn’t think we’re just friends anymore. I give her a smile and raise my eyebrows at her stare. Oh, no, she’s trying to figure it out.

“And where are you from? I hope you don’t mind me asking.” She smiles.

“I don’t. I’m from Bellamond.”

“Oh” Coco’s lips part as she looks at him as if he had just admit he was raised poor.

She’s so tactless I want to hit her on her head. I kick her under the table and she stiffens and frowns at me. I widen my eyes warningly at her and she just pouts and look away.

“That’s a very nice village.” My mum says. “You know I’ve painted quite a lot there. In that river that goes down the bridge to the train station.”

“Oh, yeah” Harry grins “My mum lives like seven minutes away from that bridge. I used to hang out on the river banks when I was growing up.”

“Oh, you did?” My mum smiles.

“Yes, I wish I could see one of your paintings. I bet they bring me nice memories.”

My mum loves that. He’s good.

“That’s what my paintings are all about.” She celebrates. “Maybe you could bring him to the next exhibit, nena.” She tells me.

“Sure.” I lie.

Of course not. I won’t just walk around with him on my mother’s gallery. That’s not what exclusive friends with benefits do.

“I would love that.” He explains. “Maybe it could be our next date.”

I choke on my corvina. My mum’s eyes widen and her lips part and Coco grins like she was in love. I’m going to press my hands down his throat and kill him.

“I’m kidding.” He explains. “I did say I like a joke.”

“I hate you.”

Coco laughs before she gets up from the table and starts picking it up.

“I’m going out.” She announces.

“With Chicco?”

Coco shakes her head. She waits until my mum is out of the room to tell us.

“Guido asked me out but don’t tell mum. You know how she gets.”

All excited and completely gone planning tacky weddings and doing ceramics. I chuckle.

“Don’t worry.”

“Guido Matteoti?” Harry asks her being the nosy soul he is.

She nods and Harry smiles.

“Well try not to break his heart, Coco.” He warns. “He’s one of the few decent ones of his kind.”

I chuckle while Coco takes both our empty plates and shakes her head.

“You guys are the perfect match.” She says.

I throw my head back and laugh while Harry just grins and raises his eyebrows.

“Too bad we’re just friends.” He shrugs.

This time it’s Coco who laughs before she walks away from the table. Harry slaps my thigh gently before moving his hand up and down grinning at me.

“I didn’t know you were so strong, baby.” He teases me.

I click my tongue and swat his arm.

“Stop it, you idiot.”

He chuckles and rests his left elbow on the table, tilting his body so he’s facing me and he raises his eyebrows as he wriggles his fingers.

“Come on. I’m a right-handed. I’m giving you a leg up.”

I roll my eyes and stare at his hand. He’s going to win. But I still please him and he grins when I hold his hand.

“Okay, ready, set, go.”

I push his hand as hard as I can but he’s not budging. At least he’s not pushing mine back either. I’m frowning and my entire face is wrinkled as I try to push his arm down but he just chuckles.

“Are you done?” He asks me.

I purse my lips and he chuckles.

“Careful, love” he pushes my arm back until it lays on the table easily “wouldn’t want to hurt you.” He chuckles.

“Don’t be so full of yourself, Styles.”

“Styles?” He laughs. “You really are competitive, hey?”

“And you really are conceited.”

He chuckles. He’s about to say something when my mum walks towards the table with two bowls of natillas con galletas and she sets them in front of the two of us.

“I’m taking Coco to her date.” She tells us. “She thinks I don’t know but she’s wearing lip gloss. Una madre sabe esas cosas. Those are natillas, Harry. It’s Blue’s favourite dessert.”

“Gracias, mamá.”

“Grasias, Allie.”

My mum smiles.

“See you, guys. It was very nice meeting you and having you for dinner, Harry. You can come anytime you want.”

“Thank you for having me. Well, it was really delicious so I’d gladly accept any future invites.” He smiles at me.

I roll my eyes. I get a spoonful of natillas so I don’t have to say anything but he’s smiling even if he’s trying not to as he tries my mum’s natillas aka the best dessert in the world.

“Fuck” he frowns but I know that face, that’s his appreciation face.

“I know, it’s the best dessert in the world.”

“It’s delicious” he agrees “but it’s not the best dessert in the world.” He smirks mischievously.

“Pancakes are breakfast, not dessert.”

“Wasn’t talking about pancakes.” His green eyes set on mine.

When I understand he’s talking about me, my cheeks tinge pink and I look away. He’s so dirty.

“You know” I change the topic “I’m a little worried about Marie and your friend.”

“Adam?” He sounds surprised. “Don’t worry about him. He’s harmless. He’s probably not the kind of person you think he is.”

“Why do you say that? Who do you think I think he is?”

He widens his eyes and shakes his head as if he was lost with my question and I chuckle. He’s got the sense of humour of an elderly man.

“You probably think he’s a womanizer selfish prick.” He shrugs. “Just like you think of me.”

I frown. That’s not what I think of him. I mean, it’s not all I think of him. I also think he’s smart and caring and affectionate and lovely but I won’t sweet talk to him.

“He’s not like you think.”

“How is he then?”

Harry shrugs.

“He’s kind.”

“Then how come he doesn’t have a girlfriend? How old is he?”

“He’s twenty-six.” He smirks.

“Why are you smiling? He doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he?”

“No.” He laughs. “It’s just funny how judgy you’re being.”

That offends me. I’m not being judgy, I’m just protecting my friend. Marie goes all out when she’s in love and she falls in love so easily and I do not want this guy to hurt her because she’s one of the best people I know.

“I’m just asking because I care about Marie.”

Harry nods.

“I know.”

“Is he like you?”

“Meaning?” His green eyes set on mine.

“Meaning, does he not do girlfriends either?”

Because that’s not the kind of guy who can be with Marie. His eyes seem to be tremendously amused with this.

“Not at all.” He chuckles. “He had a girlfriend for several years but they broke up after the accident.”

“What accident?”

His green eyes turn darker and he coughs.

“He was in the car with Gemma. I thought you knew.”

“How would I know if you didn’t tell me?”

He shrugs.

“I thought you had put two and two together.”

I shake my head. He gives me a sad smile.

“What I’m worried about” he adds “is your friend.”

“Marie?” I all but yell. “She’s lovely!”

“As lovely as you are? Because in that case we have a problem.”

I roll my eyes. He thinks he’s so funny.

“Real lovely” I defend my friend “she really is lovely. She’s nothing like me.”

It’s true. She isn’t. She’s sweet and caring and affectionate and lovely and lovable. His green eyes study me for the longest minute. I wish I could know what he’s thinking. I give him a questioning look and he sighs and pushes his empty bowl of natillas away from him.

“He’s got erectile dysfunction.” He tells me.

My eyes widen. But he’s twenty-six years old! My lips part. Oh, oh.

“After the accident, he had a lot of internal bleeding and he had a surgery. Well, actually, a few. He’s actually lucky all he got as a repercussion from the accident was that.” Harry explains. “But it’s really hard for him to even open up about it and it’s also hard to find someone who doesn’t care about that.”

“But… Can he not have sex at all?”

Harry sighs.

“Well the penetration is just part of sex and it’s not even mandatory. I mean if anything, the one who has trouble having an orgasm is him but, yes, he can have sex. He just has a prosthesis.”

I nod. I’ll google that afterwards because I have no idea how that works and I’m not about to ask him and make the whole thing even more awkward.

“But it’s still complicated. He’s gone through hell, Blue and I wouldn’t like someone else hurting him.”

The way he worries about him makes my heart swells for him. Granted, nobody wants their friends to suffer but I’ve never heard Harry talk that way about anyone. He really cares about his friend and that’s fucking hot to me. Everything he does is hot to me. Except when he acts like a vain jackass.

“If Marie hurts her, I don’t give a fuck she’s your friend. I want you to know that.”

Is he threatening us?

“Well, the same holds true for you. Marie is not as superficial as you think us posh girls are and even then, Marie is a lot better than me. She’s a lot better than everyone. She would never put someone down because of something like that. And if Adam hurts her, I don’t give a fuck he’s your friend.”

Harry smiles and nods before he leans in and brings his mouth close to mine.

“Give me a kiss.” He demands.

I smile before I do as I’m told and feel him smile against my lips before I lick his and deepen our kiss. He hums on my mouth and his fingers find my ponytail and take it off.

“I love your hair down.” He whispers.

“I’ve noticed.” I giggle.

“You look like an angel.”

He presses his lips against mine again. His hands move down to my ass and he pulls me to him so I stand up and straddle him and he smiles.

“You have nothing on the oven, right?” He jokes.

I laugh but keep kissing him so our teeth collide more than once. He runs his hands down my hair and cups my cheeks as he deepens the kiss. He hums.

“I want you, Blue.”

“Have me then.”

My voice sounds almost adolescent but my pulse sped up and my lungs flap humidly. It’s that easy for him. He just has to say that. He smiles against my lips but his tongue licks mine and his hands caress my back.

“What do you want to do, baby? Or better, what do you want me to do to you?”

I’m already wet. He’s going to dry me like a grape under the sun.

“Don’t be shy, love. Not with me.” He licks my lips. “You asked me to take you bare and to go harder the other night. Are you going to get shy now?”

“That was the heat of the moment.” I joke.

He stiffens under my touch and I know he’s panicking a little but I let him feel my smile against his lips so he knows I’m joking. He squeezes my hips tight as a sweet form of punishment.

“You scared me.” He whimpers like a boy. “You don’t regret it, do you?”

I cup his cheeks with both hands and force him to look at me. I can’t believe he’s second-guessing what happened the other night.

“It was the best sex I’ve ever had.” I confess and he grins.

It was also the first time I had someone bare but I’m not going to tell him that. This is enough confidence boost for today. When I set his face free, he presses a kiss on my cheek.

“Tell me what you want.”

I don’t know why I’m being shy. He has never made me feel anything other than wanted and desired during sex but I have to look away from the intensity of his stare.

“How can you be so shy now if you were yelling for me to go faster just three nights ago?”

“I was very turned on then…”

“And you’re not turned on now?”

Of course I am. My sex is swollen and dripping under my underwear. He would giggle if he touched me now. He grips my hips and lifts me from his lap, sitting me down on the table before he stands between my legs. Pressing one hand on my low back, he pulls me close to him until there’s no air between our bodies.

“I know you are.” He cups my sex through my tights and presses a kiss on my jawline. “Being close to me turns you on. I know it does.”

I clench my teeth but my lustful eyes probably give me away. I hate that he’s so confident about his effect on me. It makes me feel weak that he’s so sure of the power he has over me.

“I know because it’s the same for me.”

His confession parts my lips and I stare at him as if he had just given me the solution to every problem in the world.

“Tell me what you want, baby.” He whispers on my ear. “I’ll do whatever you want. I’m already only yours, you know that.”

His words charm me and with all the confidence I was lacking minutes ago, I wrap my legs around him and pull him closer pressing my knuckles on the back of his thighs. I devour his mouth and he groans but pulls away.

“Talk to me.”

“I… I want you to… Fuck me on this table.”

His pink lips part and his pupils dilate. I don’t know if that was enough. Now that he agreed to have sex only with me, I’m afraid I won’t be enough. After all, I’m not very experienced and I’m afraid he’s afraid to hurt me, what with how careful he’s been with me and all that.

“Baby…” I croon.

His eyes grow darker as I use the pet name he uses with me all the time. I try to go about this in the sexiest way possible. As if I was the one with the situation under control. I press both hands on his chest and licks my lips staring deeply into his eyes.

“I want you to do to me whatever it is you want.” I whisper before I press a kiss on the corner of his mouth and then his cheek and his earlobe. “Whatever turns you on, love” I lick his earlobe “Make me yours…”

“Jesus Christ, Blue.” He gasps.

It’s working? I think it is.

“It’s you.” He says out of breath. “You turn me on all the fucking time, love. With these thighs” he squeezes them against his hips “and this body, love, and the sounds you make… You drive me crazy.”

His fingers caress the skin on the side of my exposed neck as his green eyes study mine.

“Take this off.” He whispers, pulling at my sweater.

“No.”

He panics but I smirk devilishly.

“You do it.”

“Fuck” he giggles “I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

He takes my sweater off and doesn’t waste another second to cup my breasts and squeeze them on his hands. His mouth attacks my neck and I throw my head back and puff air out as he kisses my skin. His hands feel amazing on my breasts. I never thought having my breasts touched could feel this good but every where he places his hands seem to set on fire.

He pulls my skirt up my hips and holds it on my waist and grabs the hem of my tights pulling them harshly down my legs. When I kick them off me, his fingertips find my lace underwear and I hear his breath hitching on his throat. He looks down between my legs so as to see my underwear.

“This is fucking sexy.” He whispers, caressing my underwear with his fingertip.

I cup his cheeks and bring his face closer as my mouth attacks his neck. I kiss, suck and nibble his skin as my hands work on the button and the zipper of his jeans and he growls and squeezes my ass cheeks on his hands.

“You’re killing me, baby.” He groans.

He lets me kiss his neck as I please but when my hand finds his arousal, he growls and turns me around so my belly is against the table.

“I want to fuck you like this.” He whispers on my ear. “Take you from behind and ruin you.”

I moan as he squeezes my breast on his hand.

“So fucking pretty.”

His hand pulls down my undies harshly and he caresses my ass before he slaps me. I gasp and moan at the sudden contact.  

“I love your ass.” He squeezes the flushed skin on his hand. “It’s so perfect.”

“Harry, please, fuck me. I can’t take it anymore.”

I feel his chest rumbling as he laughs behind me.

“Glad to see you’re not shy anymore… Just minutes ago you couldn’t tell me what you wanted and now look at you, begging me to fuck you on your mum’s dining table. Such a dirty girl, Blue… My dirty girl.” With that he thrusts inside, all the way, and my eyes roll to the back of my head.

The feeling is exquisite. Having him inside me, warm and hard, as he holds my hips and move my body up and down against the wooden table. I wish we could stay forever like this, where there’s nothing but him and I’m nothing but the part of me he’s touching.

“Harder, love” I whisper “Fuck me as hard as you can. Ruin me.”

“Fuck, baby.”

He thrusts hard and fast in and out of me and I don’t even know how he can be so good at this. It’s ridiculous. He tangles his fingers on my hair and pull me up the table until my bare back hits his chest and his other hand finds my clit. He presses frenetic circles on my soaked bud of nerves.

“You like it like this?” He groans as he pushes inside me. “You like it when I fuck you hard and fast, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes…” I gasp “God, Harry…”

“I’m not gonna last long, baby. You drove me crazy.” He whimpers. “Are you gonna cum for me?”

“Yes.” I gasp. “Just keep… I’m so close… Fuck, love, you’re amazing.”

“So are you, my love.” He presses a kiss on my shoulder. “Baby, I can’t… Take it. Oh, fuck!”

He all but screams behind me as I come undone. My whole body shakes and my legs fail me so the hand that was on my hair wraps around my waist and keeps me in place. His thrusts become sloppier, slower and deeper as he unloads inside me.

If this isn’t what heaven feels like, I don’t know why the call it paradise.