#god bless brazilian women

[lullybaju]

what would brazil be like if there were no female athletes in their team?

[pumukli74]

Singing heart

Part 2

Pairing: Jude Bellingham x Reader

Summary: You work in a club in London, where you meet Jude, who is celebrating a Champions League victory with his teammates. Jude is a true alpha, handsome, rich, famous, living a life of comfort and luxury that others can only dream of. He was a man from head to toe, down to the smallest detail. He towered almost two heads above you, looking down at you from the clouds with his radiant eyes. Every movement of his muscular body, a wry smile flashing at the corner of his mouth, a wink drove his fans and opponents alike crazy. You wanted to touch him, hug him tight. Hearing his voice, tingling with his breath flipping over your skin. You wanted to laugh. To kiss. Lying next to him, waiting for your heartbeat to return to normal. You were happy because he didn't need anyone else. Only you. For a while.

a/n: This is my first time writing about Jude , so hope you’ll like it

( english isn't my first language )

Jude stood clutching the railing of the upstairs balcony as he surveyed the realm below. It was one of the most extravagant places he had ever been, at least in England. Lots of glitter for those who can really dig deep into their pockets. Tonight, the events took place under the sparkling light of crystal chandeliers, greed mixed with beauty and depravity, dressed in gold and diamonds, sipping free drinks.

Vini appeared next to him at the railing, grinning and pressing another glass of whiskey into his hand.

- I think I should congratulate you on a successful evening, kid - Grinning, he patted him on the back a few times, and Jude had to be careful not to spill the precious juice. It would have been a great shame for him.

- I can't complain - he nodded, but he didn't pay attention to his friend, he was still thinking about the young girl hiding behind the dressing room door, meaning you.

- My friend, I am extremely grateful that you thought of the team - Vini grinned at him, Jude just waved.

- This is the least.

- Yes for you, but it's a gold mine for us - The Brazilian soccer player's attention wandered. "Or heaven.

Yes, he was right. Heaven. Camavinga was standing next to one of the tables, his black jacket had already been left somewhere, his white shirt stretched over his muscular body. Next to the French man stood Dutch model Laura Celia Valk in a piece of fabric that could hardly be called a dress. They were talking to a couple. The man had short brown hair and a well-kept beard, covering a pale, middle-aged face and a sneer-smiling mouth that was clearly visible even from a distance.

- Rhys Ifans.

- What do you know about it?

- He is a famous actor. I'm not surprised to see it here.

- Blessed Gods! - Jude hit Vini on the shoulder. - I'm curious about the young woman!

- That would be me too. Good, good... Forgive me! - Jude's look could kill. His eyes, which were usually brown in color, thickened to black.

All the women in the club were the same, there was nothing unique about them. They are exotic and sweetly enticing, just like the black-haired beauty at his side before. He knew it was all just an appearance. Members of their kind have already flooded the streets of London, dressed in cheap clothes, bejeweled with fake jewelry, the paint on their faces a thick, colorful plaster. The superficiality of the sultry whispers burning his ears bored him to death. Finally there he was. Ifans had his arm around the waist of a stunning red haired woman. Jude couldn't take his eyes off her. Those full red lips and damn that silver scale covered body with full breasts and shapely butt.

And then you looked up as if you sensed someone staring. You held his gaze for a moment before turning back to rejoin the conversation. You were breathtaking, a real beauty and you knew that about yourself. You could have wrapped anyone around your finger, but not even one man caught your attention tonight. Until now. You already noticed him before, the English national team player, the savior of Real Madrid, he was the devilishly beautiful Jude Bellingham. You caught the eyes promising a thousand pleasures again, and you immediately knew how much your body and soul thirsted for him. You would helplessly accept the attack of his lips, the curious roaming of his palm on your sensitive body.

Rhys Ifans' arm was still clinging like a snake to the beautiful woman standing next to him, his fingers pressed deep into her hip. Jude beckoned the passing waiter over for another glass. He pushed it up quickly, wanting to dull his mind for the short time his groin took over alongside his heart. He wanted to kiss your soft lips, run his fingers through your fine hair, feel your arms wrapped around his neck and legs around his waist.

You would helplessly accept the attack of his lips, a strange but familiar tingle would run through you at the invitation of your tongue to dance, thickening as a knot in your stomach, only to rage like a storm later. Your breathing would become more and more frequent. Obeying your burning body, you would watch as Jude's fingers tore the flimsy material of your dress to shreds.

- Hold on to me! - would pick you up, to which you wouldn't even have the strength to react in your stupor. He would sink into you without any tenderness as he nibbled on the sensitive skin of your neck, marking it as well. You would be his property! You would move with pleasure, panting loudly, above you the wondering moon and the envious stars, under your feet the blessed mother earth red with your passions.

You were so engrossed in the promising brown eyes that you completely forgot about the people standing next to you. You only woke up to a blood boiling smile and a warm palm caressing your waist.

[remindersofgrace]

Beloved Imitators

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:1-2

A couple weeks ago, our family had the opportunity to travel to Zakopane, Poland for Pioneer’s Euroconnect Conference 2023. My husband Eden is a board member of the US branch of Pioneers, which is an organization that sends missionaries to plant churches and make disciples in unreached people groups around the world. Being part of this organization has shaped us in such huge ways, and we’ve been so encouraged and inspired by these men and women who are humbly and wholly surrendered to God no matter the cost, who abide in and embody the love of Christ in such a beautiful way. Pioneers invited board members and their families to attend a regional conference for missionaries working in Northern Europe, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend. After an 11 hour flight to Munich, and another hour flight into Poland, we arrived and spent our first few days in Kraków. 

The next day was Easter Sunday, so Eden found an evangelical church nearby our hotel, where we joined up with Steve (the president of Pioneers-USA) and Arlene Richardson (his wife and my hero) to spend Easter morning worshipping with an international church, singing in both English and Polish, and unexpectedly running into a Pioneers team working in Manchester, England. We spent the day with this team, eating pierogi’s in the Market Square and  grabbing gelato with the Richardsons. 

We got to explore the market at night, with sizzling meats, huge vats of sauerkraut, yummy Polish pizza called zapiekanki, and Kürtöskalács Chimney Cake with nutella inside. 

 The next day, we took a 2 hour bus ride to Zakopane with a team from a church in Ohio who was coming to the conference just to take care of our children (God bless them!). The conference began the next day and it was such an incredible time of seeing the beauty of the global church expressed in so many cultures and languages. Our kids were so incredibly loved on and were the most social that I’ve ever seen. To be in a room with 150 people who were living out their faith in humility, boldness, love, and surrender to whatever God desired for them - my heart was so filled up and encouraged. 

Moments I don’t want to forget: 

- meeting the Oliviera family on Easter Sunday - a vivacious, loving Brazilian family with a daughter and two sons who were some of the greatest kids I’ve ever met. They doted on any kids and I am praying my kids grow up to be like them one day. So much love from this family. 

- meeting the Parodi family - JC, Gema, and Sarah. Loved watching this family worship with such joy and passion amidst hardship and loss. Sarah and the worship team led us in such beautiful multicultural worship, in so many languages and styles. I literally could not stop crying during every worship service, it was so powerful to witness and God’s presence was profoundly felt. There is something about knowing the history of suffering in some of these missionaries and to see them pouring out their praises, declaring the goodness of God - it built up my faith so much. 

- being stopped by a young Australian man in a Turkish kebab restaurant in Zakopane. He asked us what we were doing in Poland, and I responded, “Oh, we’re here for a conference.” He asks, “Oh, is it a Christian conference? Do you know Steve Richardson?” The Richardsons had just told us the day before about how they had met such a wonderful random group of young people while waiting in line for hours to visit Auschwitz. The odds were just too crazy! 

- listening to Jenn Chen’s beautiful talk about living as God’s beloved. Realizing how many strongholds I have just allowed in my heart that are rooted in fear, barriers that have often kept me from receiving God’s love in its fullness. 

- taking a cable car up to the top of Mount Gubalowka and getting to share a meal with Eric and Ellen Peters. I look up to this couple so much, and hearing story after story from missionaries whose lives were so impacted by their care and prayerful presence was just so powerful. 

- Running into Sandro who graciously carried my son up the entire mountain to where we were staying

- staying up until almost midnight with a group of ladies who invited me to let Eden put down the kids and to join them for tea, meeting Aselia, a lovely Kazakh missionary whose testimony impacted me deeply. 

- getting free babysitting (woot woot) and getting to have a dinner date with Phil and Ann Baur, hearing about their lives and just enjoying them so much. 

- having a time of multigenerational prayer with the youth, hearing the testimony of a 12-year-old who was assigned to pray for the parents in the conference, and her having such a profound intimate moment of God speaking that moved her to tears as she shared. Watching young people worship God with their hands raised, knowing how many of them have dealt with isolation from being the only Christian in their community, of pressures without and within, but having a deep, living, sustaining relationship with God that isn’t just riding on the coattails of their parents’ faith. 

- A powerful message from Kefas, a Nigerian pastor turned missionary in England. Him sharing the story of Amadu. 

- getting to share intimately with a group of 2 other ladies about some of the things we were having a hard time entrusting to the Lord. Was so encouraged by their vulnerability and got to pray together. 

- getting to have lunch with John and Jenn Chen (another couple that are my heroes, do you notice a theme here?) and getting to connect and share our lives together. 

- learning about each of the needs and opportunities in the countries in Northern Europe, praying in our small groups. 

- Had a less than gracious moment with Talitha after she made a mess. Had a time of apologizing to her, that I wanted to be more calm and less reactive, that I will always love her no matter what and she said ever so sweetly that she loves me so much. I told her that I’m so glad I’m her mommy, and she said she’s so glad she’s my daughter. 

- sharing in our small groups about the people that have been vessels of God’s love for us. So powerful to see the impact that consistent and faithful love and care can have on a person. 

- Our kids starting to have hangry meltdowns while waiting for our lunch and how Arlene quickly jumped into action, cutting off a large piece of her burger and insisting that we take the majority of her fries which just communicated so much love and care to us. 

- Hilder giving our family a sweet little photo session, sweet time of connecting with her

Takeaways that I want to Remember:

- From Jenn’s talk: 

- We don’t need to make our life work on our own.

- Vulnerability is letting others see the gospel at work in our lives 

- What if we saw ourselves as we really are? As beloved? 

- God wants us to keep pulling off the layers and taking off the masks that are keeping us from experiencing him fully

- What would it look like to let go of our ego and our fear? To just be so consumed by God’s love? 

- Our God is a global God - He can be praised in every language, no culture is outside of Him. It was so beautiful to see a different side of God as people all worshipped in their cultures. 

- We are all Amadu’s. Kefas shared a story about a man named Amadu who, in an effort to get the missionaries out of his area, invited the missionaries to a meal before a pot of soup. He then defecated in front of them, wiped himself with his hand, and put his hand in the soup. Somehow, Kefas was able to stay, to actually take the soup and drink it, and that single act of gracious response melted Amadu’s heart and he gave his life to Christ. We are all those who did heinous acts, and yet the love of Christ pursues us. His grace overwhelms us and will not let us go. 

- Jenn, during our meal, confirming to me after I shared about my insecurities and struggles with comparison that “you will glorify God in the Carolyn way.” 

- From Alan’s talk: 

- We are the visible portrayal of the invisible.

- We both obey and portray Jesus, we are a pointer to who He is. 

- Mediate means to be a vessel 

- The way we can impact others is by imaging Christ in their lives. We are in God’s family, so we are part of the family business. 

- Loving others with God’s love is the fulfillment of our priestly duties. We must legitimately reveal Christ to others. 

What a privilege to meet these men and women and to be able to see into a glimpse of all that God is doing in hearts and lives around the world. I couldn’t capture it the way I wanted to in writing, but this will do for now. 

[aneenasevla]

Red Velvet - Chapter 7

MasterList / Akane’s profile / Last chapter here

Chapter 7 - First Snow

Himuro has never felt so at peace as he did in these last  two months.

To begin with, he had won a match within the Kengan Association, securing yet another new property for his boss to further expand Ginokuniya Bookstore's business and, as a bonus, he had received a large commission to put him at ease regarding financial matters for the next few months.

Afterwards, he got a little closer to one of Tomori's friends who had become interested in him and asked for his contact information. Her name was Mariko, and she had a very refined taste for drinks and cocktails, so they were getting along quite well. A friendship with benefits to keep him warm in those cold days.

And finally: it had been two months since Rihito had stopped bothering him with his constant whining and requests for alms in the form of girls' phone numbers. The truth was that Rihito no longer complained about his lack of luck with women, because through some miraculous intervention from some merciful god, he had become able to attract them on his own.

May God, the devil or whatever bless Agata Akane, because she deserved it. 

His phone buzzes, and a text appeared in his friend's group chat:

Dickhead_Tokita:

Kanami invited you guys for a hotpot here at our house on christmas eve 

we’ll have karaoke and dancing games, according to her

come if you want

EggHead:

If it has karaoke and just dance, tomori is already in for sure, and so am I LOL

Himuro smiles at this, setting the dishes aside and drying his hands on the tea towel so he can type.

Gigolo_Master:

I’m in!

is it okay if I bring a friend?

miss kanami knows her as far as I know

it’s one of the girls tomori introduced me to 

GiantKiller:

I’m going to spend Christmas with my family this year, guys, sorry 😔

But even if I went to this hotpot, I would be just third wheeling

EggHead:

c’mon, man, hiro and mr. paikon are single too, they’ll probably also go

and koga and ryuki, and kazzy… 

GiantKiller:

True, but I still can’t go. My bad

Dickhead_Tokita:

no, the two kids and yamashitakazuo also have plans

kaede went on vacation

it’s just us

Gigolo_Master:

lets fill that house up then

I’ll bring my friend

we need more women for that party lol

and don’t worry kaneda

will you also spend new years with them?

GiantKiller:

I can spend it with you guys if they don’t force me to stay with them 😆

Gigolo_Master:

try to show up, we’ll spend new years eve getting shitfaced lmao

I finally got a day off on the 31st guys

the first in two years, holy shit

we can’t miss this opportunity

EggHead:

well, if we do that on a safe place, I’m in

Dickhead_Tokita:

the message is given anyway 

we can inform ichiro later 

Gigolo_Master:

I haven't heard a peep from him since afternoon

he must be out on the razzle somewhere

or getting busy with miss agata 😏

EggHead:

Oh damn xD

ATTA BOY 

Chu-cha-cha-chu-chu-cha 🎶

GiantKiller:

You really liked this brazilian funk thing, uh 

Gigolo_Master:

LMAO

I swear to you guys

you have no idea how PEACEFUL my life has been in the last two months

first okubo got a girlfriend and stopped being a pain in my ass

and now rihito finally got a fuckin grip and learned the bennefits of kissing and not telling

or fucking and not telling in this case LOL

and consequently he stopped bothering me too

I’m living the fuckin dream

Dickhead_Tokita:

that’s what I call a christmas miracle

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

nope, you learning how to get outta the convo without kicking yourself outta the chat is what I call a miracle

dumbass

and good evening guys

Gigolo_Master:

speaking of the devil

there he is

good evening loverboy

Dickhead_Tokita:

hey there is an invitation up there in the chat

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

I saw it and I’m also im!

especially since we'll be eating auntie's food

hell yeah 😎

hey can I bring someone too?

EggHead:

I already know who it is

Dickhead_Tokita:

Kanami said she knows the organ thief, and she does not steal organs 😎

so its fine

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

my guy, she steals other things

not organs, but sometimes what comes out of them LMAO

but yeah, its her

she's already an old friend of the bakery staff, so I think it'll be alright

Dickhead_Tokita:

so she steals blood then?

I do that too, but with my fists 😎

GiantKiller:

Seriously, guys, quit with these jokes Ohma never gets 🙄🙄🙄

Dickhead_Tokita:

I actually got it, kaneda

you are the ones who did not get mine 😎

Gigolo_Master:

and seriously kaneda

you're asking rihito to stop being an idiot, basically

its like asking water to stop being wet 

just give up

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

🖕

EggHead:

man I don't know if ohma is dumb or if he just pretends to be

Dickhead_Tokita:

you will never know 😎

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

anyway

I'm too busy to try to understand what's going on inside tokita's head

but I'll go to the hotpot, it'll be dope

Dickhead_Tokita:

alright, I will tell kana

she told you guys to bring drinks, minus okubo, who will come with tomori

he can bring some soda

EggHead:

fine be me 

but the party is in two weeks, isn’t it?

miss kanami really likes to give invitations in advance, doesn't she?

GiantKiller:

Well, she’s a business owner 

She needs to be organized 

And early invitations help us to prepare accordingly 

It helps you guys, in that case

Dickhead_Tokita:

well, now the message is definitely given

Gigolo_Master:

drinks are kinda my thing, so we're covered

I'll tell my friend to bring some too

speaking of which, mr. ohya gave me a nice gift

do you remember that pricey sake called Kotozakura?

he gave me a full bottle!

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

damn himuro

that’s what we’re talking about!

this is getting better and better!

EggHead:

HELL YEAH!

Dickhead_Tokita:

if you start to drink too much and do some stupid shit, I will kick you guys out

kanami said that

Gigolo_Master:

relax, we’ll behave

you heard that, rihito?

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

for fuck’s sake

I didn’t do anything!

I’m just chilling! 

Dickhead_Tokita:

said the guy who got arrested about 4 times for doing dumb shit after drinking

And you say I’m the dumb one

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

shut up, I’m not the only one!

okubo also got arrested with me

but you fuckers always forget about that

you guys are obsessed with me, I swear

do want me to fuck you too or something?

Dickhead_Tokita:

what, are you mimicking your friend now?

are you also a cannibal? 😎

EggHead:

damn, I went to drink some water and came back only to be accused of past shit

CANNIBAL LMAO

first an organ trafficker and now a cannibal, this shit only gets better LOL

Dickhead_Tokita:

If you bring her, you will be the dish, not us 😎

EggHead:

fuck, and that makes so much sense

he called her a "sword swallower"

that's why he's so quiet now LMAOOOOO

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

you guys can go suck a bag of dicks

fucking assholes

anyway, I’m kinda busy here

I’ll take to y’all later 

Gigolo_Master:

too busy fucking and not telling?

Dickhead_Tokita:

(answering to @Mr_Iron_Fingers) Nah, I like mangoes better 😎

Gigolo_Master:

DAMN OHMA

what’s happening to you

you’re scaring the hell outta me

Dickhead_Tokita:

???????

Why?

EggHead:

since when do you make this kind of joke? o.O

Dickhead_Tokita:

I learned from you guys 🤨

I’m not deaf, and I’m a quick learner 

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

Hell yeah bro!

you’re finally learning from the master, eh, seaweed head

I’m so proud!

you’re going places!

Gigolo_Master:

weren’t you busy?

Christmas came early?

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

Fuck you!

it’s ‘cause you guys won’t shut up!

Dickhead_Tokita:

what a short attention span 😎 

GiantKiller:

I think I finally got it, Himuro

Ohma uses the smiling face with sunglasses emoji to make it clear that he’s joking

Dickhead_Tokita:

yes, and I’m doing it right now

koga says it helps making things clear

if I don’t use it, everyone thinks that I believe all the shit you guys say

kaneda almost started crying last time

and koga thought we were going to spar in the middle of the night 

he waited about 30 minutes for me and almost froze from the cold

GiantKiller:

Oh, poor kid 🤣🤣

He’s okay, right?

And thanks for your concern, Ohma

I can tell when these three are joking, but you almost never change your tone when in or out of the chat

I really thought you went to call the Kure that time 😭

Dickhead_Tokita:

he survived 😎

and just remember that I would have to pay an arm and a leg

the kure would never work for me for free, and I don't want it either

raian is my friend, but I don't want anymore favors from the Devil 

he's more of a cannibal than ichiro's girl 😎

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

RIHITO

GODDAMMIT DUDE

how many times do I have to tell ya???

and she isn’t my girl

she’s just a friend that I fuck occasionally 

Dickhead_Tokita:

change my nickname and I will think about using yours

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

for fuck’s sake

(@Mr_Iron_Fingers changed @Dickhead_Tokita’s nickname to @Kelpthullu)

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

there

happy now?

Kelpthullu:

my name isn’t Kelpthullu, dumbass

fuck it, now you’re Ichiro forevermore 😎

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

DUDE FUCK YOU

Kelpthullu:

go cry about it on Cannibal’s shoulders 😎

Gigolo_Master:

holy shit rihito

even ohma is making fun of you

you’re out of your game lol

Kelpthullu:

I'm also inspired today so don't get used to it 😆

this must be the afterglow you guys talk about so much

Gigolo_Master:

LMAOOO

seriously, guys, I’ll be off now

my shift is almost over and I have to catch the train home

I’ll talk to you later

Kelpthullu:

I’ll be off too, I was going to just send the invitations but got carried away

later

And the chat went silent after that.

Himuro puts his phone in his pants pocket, still laughing to himself. Adding Ohma to that group chat had been the most genius idea they had come up with. Now only quality jokes came out of there.

He finishes stacking the glasses and heads out to clock out; he couldn't wait to get home and take a hot bath. It was freezing cold now. Soon the first snow would fall. It would be the perfect time to stay under the blankets with someone...

…

And at another establishment, on the other side of town, another member of that group chat was enjoying the evening in the exact same way.

"Rihito, are you okay? You're looking at your phone like you want to punch it..."

Rihito starts a little, turning his head to look over his shoulder. He was sitting on the edge of the huge bed, in one of the several rooms in the luxurious Gold Pleasure Club building, in the company of two beautiful employees who were willing to warm him up on that cold night, the three of them resting from the night's activities. He smiles awkwardly, trying to contain his anger.

"Oh, it’s okay, girls, relax. It's just my friends talking shit in our chat group, as always. I'm turning off notifications."

"Anything interesting there?," One of the girls, a curvy blonde, bites her lip. The other one, who talked first, had dark skin and curly hair.

"Nothing as interesting as you!," He lies down again, and they both laugh when he hugs them, bringing them close to his huge chest. And he does it without grabing them too enthusiastically, which was a very welcome development "I was feeling so lonely today... you guys just made my night better."

"Yes, you've been coming here alone these last few months. So Okubo really got a girlfriend?," the dark-skinned one asks.

"Yep! And now he's out there, too busy being all cute and disgusting with her," He pretends to sniff, his tone playfull "He's too good for his brothel bro now..."

"That's so mean," the blonde pouts, "Leaving his friend behind like that..."

"Well, at least we still have this hottie here to keep us company," the dark-skinned one puts a leg over his hips, smiling "But man... is it just me or you got sexier?"

"Yeah, you made me shiver all over," the blonde laughs "Even more so when you asked me to sit on you."

"C'mon, I pale in comparison to you," He laughs slyly "And I really developed a taste for that, I won't deny it. What can I say? I see these smooth, soft skins and I already want to kiss them all over...," He pretends to try to bite the dark-skinned one, who makes a sound that was half a scream, half a high-pitched laugh, playfully pushing him away.

"Oh, okay, that's enough," she gets up "Let us clean up, you animal. Come on, Naoko," she calls for the other one.

"We'll be right back," she kisses his neck before getting up.

"Alright. I'm just going to stay here and laze away...," He smiles as he stretches, dropping back onto the bed with a satisfied sigh. Wow, what a great way to end that night! Good booze, some snacks, two beautiful girls on each arm... was there a better way to live life?

"It's just a shame Akane is so busy with that evil lair she calls a hair salon..."

The thought makes him open his eyes. Akane and he had gone out together a few more times in the last two months, to eat or to dance, and they always ended the night at some small love hotel or at her apartment, if they were close enough to it. He honestly preferred the apartment; he had developed a taste for colorful walls and tacky decor, especially the hot pink monster that was the couch. Just as he had enjoyed Akane's company too. So much so that he even missed it. She was busy during the end of the year, with women appearing one after the other in the salon, wanting to get all dolled-up for the holidays in an attempt to impress uninterested husbands. So he had to seek company at the Gold Pleasure Group, which always ended up emptying his wallet. He couldn't wait for the year-end bonuses... 

He hears a very low buzz and some giggling in the bathroom of the suite, but what caught his attention the most was hearing his name.

He raises his head immediately. Oh, were they talking about him? A mixture of strong curiosity and fear took hold of him. Were they arguing about his performance? Those giggles were worrying... unable to resist, he got up from the bed and went to the bathroom door, as silently as he could, putting his ear close to the door to hear better. 

"... when he got closer I thought he was going to grab me, but then he brought me closer slowly, and gave me a sniff on the neck… wow, I got goosebumps…," he heard the blonde say.

"I saw it... but I was too busy feeling him inside me... where did he learn to do that?"

"Girl, I wouldn’t mind if he comes after me again, I swear to you…"

"I know! He’s much better than before. What happened to him?"

"I don’t know, but it was good… a winter miracle, I’m actually cumming for the first time in months…"

They begin to laugh coquettishly.

"Stop, that sounds so wrong…"

"Am I lying?"

"I was luckier than you then… but it’s true, he’s really getting better."

Rihito had to make an absurd effort not to run to the window, throw his fists in the air and scream in triumph for the entire fucking district to hear.

Damn, he had done it! Two girls loved his performance, and not out of pure pretense so as not to hurt his ego! He had truly learned how to be a good lover!

“And it was all thanks to her!”

And again, thinking about Akane brings that warm joy deep in his chest. Damn, he was going to make that woman moan and scream so much the next time they met! She deserved all that and more.

"Oh... damn," he heard the dark-skinned one say.

"What is it?"

"Our time is running out... shit, I wanted him to give me head too."

"We can ask him later, outside…"

"For free? No, he'll get used to it."

"Yeah…," she sighs "It’s a shame… but we’ll offer our services if he comes later, okay?"

"Hell no, I want him for myself."

They both laugh louder.

"Okay, let's go, we have to tell him anyway...," he hears footsteps.

He starts for a second, running away from the door and lying back down on the bed, trying to strike a relaxed pose on the sheets, with his arms behind his head and one leg casually bent up. That's it, a badass pose, he had to keep good impressions with the girls...

They look at him, picking up their dresses from the floor while smiling at him.

"Sorry, Rihito, we have to go."

"Yeah, time's up…," the dark-skinned one says in a sad tone, which he learned was genuine.

"So… are you going to come visit us again?," the blonde smiles.

"Oh, it’s a shame, I was loving the company," He smiles at them, "And I intend to, when my wallet is a little fuller again, hahaha! But it was really worth it. You two are wonderful," He coos, in a deliberately sugary tone to make them laugh.

And they really laugh, one of them waving her hand shyly. They quickly put on their clothes and leave.

"Oh, you still have another half hour, so just relax," the dark-skinned one says "You already know how it works."

"I know! I'm going to stretch here a bit. Good night," He blows kisses to them, and they laugh again as they close the door. He takes another deep breath, stretching and hugging a pillow.

That bed was really huge, warm and comfortable. But strangely, he missed something. Preferably something a lot more... fuzzy.

He opens his eyes again. And here come those strange thoughts... it was probably because she had been mentioned in the group chat, when he had received carte blanche to take her to Kanami's house, at the upcoming Christmas party that their friends would throw.

He frowns. Would inviting her be too weird? They weren't dating or anything, just having fun together every now and then... but damn, they were friends now, weren't they? What harm would it do to want to have some fun with a friend, especially among so many others? He finally makes up his mind, grabbing his phone from the dresser next to the bed and searching for a specific chat.

Himbo_King🦍:

hey miss lumberjack

are you busy? lol

She takes a few minutes to respond.

Boss_Bitch🍑:

hey he-man ❤️

I’m home now

Himbo_King🦍:

I have an invitation for u

do you have any plans for christmas eve?

Boss_Bitch🍑:

I’ll be busy during the day

those hags love to show up at the salon on short notice

but I’ll be free after 5 o’clock

we’ll have the next day all for ourselves ❤️

why?

Himbo_King🦍:

great, it's a nighttime event anyway

our friends are planning a hotpot for christmas eve

at miss kanami’s house

you’re invited

we’ll bring booze and ours empty stomachs lmao

Boss_Bitch🍑:

wow, really?!

Butch’s gonna throw a party?? And she’ll cook???

she never baked me a loaf of bread without charging me for it!

damn what a Golden boy doesn’t do to a bitch’s humor LMAO

A fuckin christmas miracle indeed 

I’m in! Christmas Eve, right? 

Himbo_King🦍:

yeah, but quit with the Golden boy shit lmao

that sounds so fucking gay

I’m a Fuck-Buddy with a capital F 😎

and anyway, her boyfriend eats like he’s about to starve

he must have convinced her lol

Boss_Bitch🍑:

I’m talking about HER Golden boy, dumbass LMAO

and yeah, that must’ve been it

Butch’s the kind of girl who grabs men by their stomachs 

and you’re a Golden Retriever, yea, but far from a Golden boy, get a fuckin grip LOL

Himbo_King🦍:

ooh, got it

but he isn’t golden either

he’s a cosmic horror creature coming straight from the depths 🐙

then he found his own Amazon

you’ll met him at the party

Boss_Bitch🍑:

well fuck

I’m curious now, he doesn’t seem bad…

is he such a pain in the ass?

anyway, forget about it

I got worried that Butch was with some good-for-nothing pos, but I remembered that she would’ve kicked him to the curb if he was that bad

that woman is terrifying 

Himbo_King🦍:

believe me, I know that lol

and don’t worry, he’s nice

he’s one of my bros

he’s just dumb as a roch

*robs

*ROCK

DAMMIT

Boss_Bitch🍑:

LMAO I got it

anyway… are you coming or will you stay there, scratching your balls?

or did you already have fun and just wanna chat?

I guess it’s the third option, you usually show up earlier than that

Himbo_King🦍:

hey, is this an invitation?

I can crash at your place, no problem at all

I prefer your nails to scratch my balls anyway LMAO

and sorry, you were busy at the salon today

I thought I would be a bother if I showed up

Boss_Bitch🍑:

well, if you went straight to the salon you wouldn’t come out alive LOL

but you’re welcome at my place

speaking of which, I still haven’t crashed at yours

do you have a roommate? 

since you do not bring any girls there lol

Himbo_King🦍:

I was talking about waiting for you at your doorstep, dummy

I won’t steep a foot in that chicken house you call a salon ever again LOL

I thought you were too tired to do anything, but if not, I’m coming

and yeah, you still haven’t see my place

I also live alone

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

A massage from your fingers would be really nice, not gonna lie

and well, I’d like to come to your place, but you can come to mine today

and since you must’ve already fucked some bitch today, I'm going to prepare a bath 

I won't kiss a mouth that tastes like other chick's pussy LOL

Himbo_King🦍:

dude fuck you LMAO

alright I'll tidy up before I go

gotta rinse my mouth to meet Her Highness' demands lol

I’ll be there in 20m

man its so fucking cold!

a hot bath would be really nice, specially with good company 👅 

Boss_Bitch🍑:

exactly

you really think that I’ll waste water just to wash your stinky ass?

you must want some glitter-filled bath bombs too, oh my

maybe for me cause this bitch here likes to smell good, but you?

only if its like when we're on my couch

you on top of it and me on top of you 🍑🍆

Himbo_King🦍:

have some shame, you demon LMAO

I’ll give you some real bombs after the bath, not before

right on top of your pink-pornstar monster 

no, seriously, I’m coming

want me to bring something?

chocolate, some beers idk

Boss_Bitch🍑:

dunno, bring some noodles or anything we can microwave

and yeah, beer and chocolate sounds good too

oh yeah I almost forgot

bring your sausage and two eggs causa I’m starving LMAO

I mean, if there’s anything left for me 😗😗

if not, we can do netflix without chill LOL

Himbo_King🦍:

fucking hell woman LMAO

you wanna make me run like the fuckin wind or something??

I need to be careful, I don’t wanna get run over lol

but alright then, beer, chocolate, instant noodles, my sausage and two eggs

that’s my grocery list

be there soon 

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

man take your mind outta the gutter 

I just want a sandwich 😇😇 

Himbo_King🦍:

yeah, sure you do

a sausage and eggs sandwich

whatever, I’ll bring everything

kiss on ya tits 🍒

He then leaves his phone aside, going to the bathroom to take a quick shower, just so he doesn't show up in her apartment smelling like perfume from two different women. They weren't dating, but it was all about respect and consideration.

About ten minutes later, he had already paid for his stay, gone to a convenience store nearby and bought everything she asked for. He had even bought more than one chocolate bar, because in that cold weather, a sweet treat sounded really good. He walks through the busy streets of the outskirts, the extremities of his body slowly becoming numb from the cold. Holy shit, it seemed like winter was getting more intense with each passing year, and it wasn’t even snowing yet! He lets out a shaky breath, the air leaving his mouth and condensing into smoke, hanging in the air. He then makes up his mind, taking out his phone and sending a private text to Okubo.

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

seriously, man

let’s bring some quality booze for the hotpot

if it’s cold af now, just imagine how much worse it’ll get til christmas

Okubo answers pretty quickly; he must’ve already been on his phone.

EggHead:

I’m counting on that bro

I’m shivering all over and I’m not even outside wtf

I’m on my car, with the heater turned on and everything

wyd man?

your space heater broke or something? lol

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

I’m leaving the golden pleasure club  now

all alone in a cold winter night, all because my brothel bro found a bedmate to keep him warm

I’m going to akane’s house

EggHead:

lol you’re one to talk

you have a bedmate too, she’s just not your gf

anyway, I have to go now, I’m kinda in a hurry

I have to get there in time before the First Snow falls 🥰

Rihito frowns, the sight of that emoji sending shivers down his spine.

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

First Snow?

and what the hell is up with that emoji??

dude, are you gay? 🤨

EggHead:

I should ask you the same lmao

you never heard about the First Snow thing? I read about it recently 

it’s a thing about couples watching the first snowfall of the year

it’s said that, if a couple watch it together, their relationship will last forever

it’s the kind of cute, cheesy thing tomori likes 

will I get something good in return? For sure

so I’m in 😁

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

… Okubo Naoya

my man

my guy 

my chummy chum

that was the gayest shit you've ever said on this chat

fuck that first snow crap

why are you making excuses to get laid? Just get under your sheets with her and that’s it

you can watch that first snow from the window while you’re pounding her

EggHead:

says the guy who twerks like a bitch LMAO

and my girl like this stuff, man

if that makes her all wet for me, so be it LOL

and besides, it’s fun!

getting under the sheets with a hot cocoa mug and my chick to keep me warm sounds fuckin awesome, 10/10

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

LMAO you fucker

I knew it, you’re a pervert just like me afterall

but whatever, do what you want

I don’t need all that to get laid, I’m a very simple man

and I only twerk if I know that’ll get someone twerking for me in return

EggHead:

see?

it’s the same principle, dumbass

my girl only asks for a bit of snow

yours asks for you fucking dignity LOL

Mr_Iron_Fingers:

what dignity LMAO

I have way more dignity than a mf who’s gonna watch some stupid snowflakes fall

drinking hot cocoa and eating some sissy cookies

while he waits for his missus to get in the mood

but again, do what you must to get a good fuck, that’s not my problem

have fun

and tell tomori that akane will be at the hotpot

EggHead:

hell yeah!

alright, go twerk and have some fun yourself

send my regards to your Cannibal LOL

And his icon goes offline. He must already be on the road.

Rihito thinks about calling Okubo every name under the sun, but it wouldn't be funny since he wouldn't see those messages until the next day, after spending the night fucking his girlfriend to the sound of crackling fireplaces and snow piling up on the windowsill. And like the helpless romantic that he was, he would be too happy to care about some dumb insults. It wasn't even worth wasting time.

He huffs and puts away his phone, picking up the bags with his purchases and walking faster, eager to get away from the cold. He didn't need all that cheesy bullshit. He had found a friend who disliked them as much as he did. And they were both going to enjoy that cold as it deserved to be enjoyed, yes sir.

The relief is great when he finally sees the dirty block where Akane lived. The good thing about that freezing cold was that the smell of garbage and cat piss was much less pronounced.

He goes up the stairs; the place was strangely quiet for such a neighborhood. Normally he would hear some ear-splitting music from some apartment, or some crazy couple in the middle of a screaming match or even cats fighting or mating on the roof. But the night was completely silent. Which was actually good, at least the walls were thick.

He knocked on the door and a moment later she opened it. She smiled and opened it completely when she saw who it was. She was in her homely clothes, with her glasses and a loose shirt, and barefoot.

"Hi," she lets him in and closes the door, giving him space and grabbing the bags he was giving her "Get in the bathroom, I'll put the groceries away and I'll be right there." 

"'Night!," He greets her with a smile, his face red from the cold, but it didn't seem to have affected his mood at all "Sorry for coming this late. If I had known that you'd be free after work, I would've come straight from work," And after taking off his shoes, he heads towards the bathroom, without thinking to much. He had been visiting that apartment for two months now. They were already past the formalities.

"Sorry, I also thought you were busy. I remember once you were working late on a last minute delivery, and the next day you had a match scheduled," She says while putting things away.

"See? It’s not just you who’s racing against the clock because of a job," He comments, raising his voice as he opens the door to the bathroom, already taking off his clothes and folding them over the basket next to the sink "Year's end has been pretty busy, but after the holidays we'll be able to make the most of it..."

Rihito had seen that bathroom before: it was tiny, but organized and very clean, and of course, a bit cluttered, with colorful things on the shelves, some motivational pictures (his favorite was the one were it was written “one shit a day make your problems flush away”) and some little decorative plants. It still was way less eye-catching than the rest of the house (no piece of furniture had surpassed the vintage-porn couch yet), but still, he doubted he would ever meet a more extravagant, wild and exigent woman when it comes to home decorations and her own appearance, but that still had a no nonsense attitude and was as foul-mouthed as a truck driver. 

This stark contrast, to this day, made his head spin so much that he simply went with the flow while trying not to laugh to himself as he undressed.

As she had said, the bathtub was already filled with hot water, which was good for the cold night; it was a little shallow because otherwise, given its size, the water would overflow. He was a big man, afterall.

A thought comes into his head, “She thinks about everything, doesn't she?”

The sudden thought ended up eliciting a mischievous half-smile from him. Yes, that woman thought of everything, including the best ways to take advantage of a poor motherfucker who until recently was a lost cause in terms of interactions with the opposite sex. But he would never complain about that, because he was learning a lot from her. Not only to be a better lover, but to be a better friend and person as well.

He enters the bathtub after having undressed completely, closing his eyes and letting out a low sound of pleasure as the hot water enveloped him, up to his chest. He rested his arms on the edges of the bathtub, throwing his head back a little "Damn, this is one of the best things you could do at the end of a long day... you can almost nap in here..."

"I do it often," Akane appears at the door, coming closer to him "Even more so after I had a really busy day," she sits on the closed toilet seat, on the edge of the bathtub, enjoying the view "Feel free to relax."

"I already am…," He jokes, smiling at her "But what about you? A bathroom isn't the best place in a house to keep your clothes on, you know…?"

"I know... I'm just enjoying the view for now...," 

"Oh, feel free to enjoy it, but you can also enjoy it while your sausage is warm from the water," He laughs, while she gets up and opens a side cabinet, where there were some hygiene products "So... are we going to have a party at Butch's house?"

"Yes, we will! A Christmas party with everything we could ask for, a courtesy from Aunty! But we still need to bring booze."

"Aunty? You're hopeless, man, if she hears you...," She laughs softly, taking a weird little ball from the cabinet "Anyway... I'll go for a casual look, since the girls will be there, and Kanami's house usually has a more cozy atmosphere."

She takes off the loose shirt she was wearing, and... oh, what a surprise, she wasn't wearing anything underneath. She takes off her glasses too, throwing her curls around to loosen them. She sighs, approaching the bathtub and throwing the ball she had in her hand inside of it. The ball hits the water and immediately starts to sizzle, releasing good-smelling bubbles.

"Yeah, it's some sissy shit but I love it. Shut up," she says as she was getting into the tub, and the water overflows when she sits on his lap.

"Hnn…," He shivers slightly, the middle of his legs being duly graced by her ass, which for him was very welcome "I deal well with other people's sissy shits if I'm well rewarded for it, you know," And he hugs her to his chest, bringing her closer, one hand already going to lazily play with one of her tits.

"The view is enough for you, don't lie," she uses a little bowl to catch some water and pours it on his head, wetting his hair "Did you come to spend the night here? "

He closes his eyes so the water doesn't get into them, blowing some, the droplets spreading around "Yeah, the view is pretty awesome... and I'd like too, if that's okay. It's freezing cold outside... returning home in the early hours of the morning would be torture... it could start snowing today."

"The forecast said it was likely," he feels, still with his eyes closed, her nails massaging his scalp, applying some kind of shampoo with a subtle scent there "In that case, you’re more than welcome. I think I have something in my room that might help you. If I remember correctly I have a pair of sweatpants, so you don't tease me early in the morning," and she laughs softly.

He laughs along with her... and then wonders how a single woman, who lived alone and was so thin could have sweatpants that fit him. Was it someone else's? The thought wasn't the most pleasant, but damn, it was either that or his dick would shrink two inches from the cold, and that was the last thing he needed that night.

"Fine by me. And I hope it's not yours, because if it is I'll finally find out how guys who have a fetish for wearing panties feel, hahaha!"

"Hahaha, no, dumbass, I bought it for you," she presses her nails into his scalp, laughing "I knew that one time or another you'd end up spending the night here, so I took precautions," She throws some water in head head, rinsing his hair.

He chokes on the water, such is his amazement. He wipes his eyes quickly, blinking awkwardly at her.

"What… did you buy me sweatpants? Really?!"

"And why not? Or do you prefer to sleep in jeans?," She raises an eyebrow "I don't think so," She continues to wash his hair, her expression unchanged, but still seeming a little embarrassed by his surprise; her already small mouth had turned into a pout due to her full lips.

 "No, that's not it! It's just...," He doesn't know what else to say, even more disconcerted when he sees her embarrassment. He tries to get back on track by hugging her again, his hands around her hips, her breasts pressed against his chest. And for the first time in two months, the proximity didn't turn him on. It only increased that strange heat in his chest "It's just that no one had done something like that for me before. Damn, woman... you're making me feel like a fag here, making me all emotional like that, hahaha..."

"Then shut up and just accept it," she laughs a little "And that's not fag shit, you're just happy, and even though it's for a silly reason. It's just like you," she shakes her head "An extroverted through and through," and she continues playing with his hair "And you're my friend, so... it's just consideration, no big deal. "

He laughs through his nose, thanking the heavens from the bottom of his heart for the water she poured over his head, since he could use it to disguise any sign of emotion. Because for a tiny second, he felt his eyes burn. And crying in front of her would mean exposing a fragile side of him that he flatly refused to expose, even more so to that woman, who he wanted to continue seeing him as a friend, protector and a respectable sexual partner, and not as a crybaby who needed to be comforted all the time. He tries to interrupt that flow of disconcerting thoughts by closing his eyes, enjoying the caresses on his scalp while hiding his face on her chest, between her breasts.

"Fuck, you're such a… no, seriously, thank you. Now I’m going to think of something nice to give you in return…"

"Nah, you don't have too," she rinses his hair again, putting the bowl aside and grabbing a soap bar "I did it for myself too. Now seriously, let me finish washing your hair. It's a mess and I can't stand seeing it like that."

"I didn't have time to take care of it these days, my bad. And it wouldn't cost me anything to give you something too, come on. I usually only bring you food when I visit, not counting my sausage," He jokes in an attempt to push those strange emotions deep down in his gut again "What would you like to get? An appointment at a nail salon? Some extensions for your hair? A pair of stilettos that can be used as weapons if necessary?"

She laughs at the last one, shaking her head.

"I don't need any of that," she looks at him, and her expression is strange "Okay, you'll accompany me on a thrift store hunt. Don't make that face, you'll have fun, I guarantee it."

"... Alright then," He nods, sighing "I want to return the favor, afterall. Let’s go hunting for cheesy things to buy at a bargain price. Maybe some heart pillows to match your monster in the living room, so I have somewhere to rest my head while you ride me," And he slowly squeezed her buttocks while he lightly nibbled between her breasts. She laughs at the answer.

"You really liked my couch, huh," she jokes, shivering with his touches "Wait until you try my bed…"

He looks up at her "Good idea. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've never been in your room before," He says, surprised. Akane had never invited him into her room, and he had never suggested for them to go have sex there, both because he respected her need for privacy and because he really liked that fuzzy monstrosity in the living room. And now he wondered why she had that preference "You never invited me and I never asked..."

"Oh, it's because it's messy," She blushes a little "It's where I keep my stuff... and I have a lot of stuff," she concentrates on scrubbing his skin so she doesn't have to look at his eyes "And it's also where my sewing supplies are, so expect to see patchwork everywhere."

"Oh... believe me, I have no room to judge. My place is messy too," He shrugs calmly "Mess has never bothered me. And honestly, all things considered, I might like it as much as I like the rest of your place. All this cozy cheesiness and such," And he relax underneath her hands, enjoying the feel of the soap sliding across his skin, the hot water undoing all the tension in his muscles accumulated throughout the day.

She smiles. "I'm glad you don't mind. And it's also not fair for me to make you sleep on the couch when there's so much space on my bed... and it's a cold night too, so your presence is more than welcome," she runs her hands over his face and then stops "Oh, I didn't notice... you didn't shave before coming?"

"I'll gladly accept the offer, ma’am. And I ended up leaving it like that, I jumped outta bed in a hurry and didn't had time to shave," He pouts at the way she pressed his cheeks, smiling like the cute idiot he was "Do you like it? If so, I can leave it like this more often."

"Look, I don't mind shaving, I like it both ways, but this looks great on you too," she smiles, and then lets him go, becoming more serious "Okay, you're all clean. Now get out and let me wash myself up too. You take too much space," she bites his neck "Use that big whit towel on the basket. Now scram."

He shivers at the bite, laughing afterwards.

"Hey, I let you wash me, didn't I? It's only fair that I return the favor," He raises an eyebrow, smiling as he picks up the soap and the sponge "You know how good I am with my fingers. Don't you want to try 'em out in other areas?"

She smiles "You'll end up just groping me and making me horny. We won't be able to leave the bathtub even after the water gets cold...," she squinted at him "If you want to do it so badly then be chaste about it, you pervert."

"Are you doubting my ability to behave and do things like that without ulterior motives? ... Yeah, you wouldn't be the first or the last," He snorts, pouting when she laughs "Seriously, I want to try! I'm feeling quite generous today, so you should take the opportunity. And besides, I prefer to do our funny business on your bed, because this water will soon cool down."

"Stop messing around," she turns her back, sitting on his lap and moving her hair away "And don't make me wait," she looks at him mischievously.

"So fucking bossy...," He grumbles, but promptly obeys, rubbing the soap on the sponge and then sliding it across her skin, slowly, cleaning and adding some light pressure from his fingers on her muscles. He takes the opportunity to kiss her on the back of the head in the meantime, as innocently as he can, while bringing her closer so he can wash her chest too.

She smiles and lets him do it. She seriously thought about provoking him with moans, but when she felt his effort, she held back. But that didn't mean she couldn't relax with the massage he was giving her, even if involuntarily. He had said he had strong hands and she knew he did. But there was something about it, even though he knew how to control that strength well, he still had a somewhat rough touch, one that she liked, because, all things considered, he was extremely gentle with her.

Some intrusive thoughts came to ruin the mood, stupid memories of painful touches long ago, coming from people she thought she could trust, which made her tense.

She feels his fingers pause momentarily, seeming to hesitate. And then she hears him ask, "Hey... am I making you uncomfortable? I'll stop if you want to, okay?"

"No… it's not you. Just some annoying stuff that came to my mind. Don't worry. It's just old ladies gossiping and things like that," she diverges the subject.

"Hnn... okay," He says simply, realizing that she didn’t want to extend the subject. He felt a certain relief in parts, because he was terrible with traumatic or sentimental issues. But on the other hand, he also felt a certain guilt. He remembered all the things his friends had already told him, about how inconvenient and clueless he could be about things like personal space, especially when it came to women. After a few good blows to his ego, he had become much more aware of those flaws. And he felt distressed at the thought that he might be inflicting them on her.

He tries not to think about it too much, finishing with her chest, managing not to play with her breasts too much, and then imitates what she did with her hair, putting shampoo in his hand and rubbing it slowly, taking the opportunity to appreciate the various colors that appeared beneath those golden locks. He smiled with himself.

"That seems like a lot of work. Do you do things like that in the salon?"

"Not often, and not in colors like these. I use more of the normal ones, black and shades of brown... sometimes a redhead when someone gets divorced, ahahahaha," She says, being happy to have a new subject to focus on "I do more haircuts and hairstyles that use hairspray, and to not lose practice, I test it on myself. There are times when I wanna die of boredom, but old ladies at the salon are pretty good friends. There are times when they treat me like I'm still sixteen, but oh well, what can I do...," She leans back against his chest "It's not like I've changed much since then," She smiles, relaxing.

Okay, she seemed relaxed enough, so he wasn't the problem. He sighs in relief.

"I can relate to that, hahaha," He bends down a little to touch the curve of her neck with his nose, still massaging her scalp "And most of the clientele must be old ladies, right? It must be boring as hell. I'd schedule an appointment with you there if it wasn’t for the anti-male brigade that threatened to fry my eggs, hahaha.”

She laughs again, "Exactly... but they're right. That salon is a woman-only temple, and there are things that men cannot hear under any circumstances. And… you can still book an appointment with me, right here at home. I’ll give you a discount. I love doing freelance jobs," She turns her head, looking at him "Because they're always the most fun".

"I'm in! I'll just wait for the end of year bonuses to come in, I kind of emptied my wallet...," He makes a face while picking up water with his hands "Close your eyes...," He instructs before pouring water over her head "Thank fuck the guys came up with this hotpot, because otherwise I would spend Christmas eating noodles in my apartment or in a bar, drinking my ass off, hahaha..."

"Hey, what about me? You have me too, dummy," She whimpers "I would probably be watching movies or getting drunk at home or making things to wear or give as gifts next year," she helps him rinse her head, and then she gets out of the bathtub "Shall we?"

"Uh... would you stay with me for Christmas, if we didn’t have another party to attend?," He blinks, and then he smiles, getting up from the bathtub to go with her "I would be in! It's just that I thought you would have arranged something else if I hadn't invited you, like a night-out with your friends, or a party with your family..."

"I don't have any family," she dries herself, handing him a towel meanwhile "Well, not anymore. I don't want to spend the holidays with the salon ladies either. My Gyaru friends, or ex-Gyarus, already had their own plans too. I remember one invited our group to an Izakaya but everyone else declined, so if it was just me and her there it would feel like a date, according to her. I told her to stop being dumb and she told me to fuck off. We ended up not going out, afterall," she shrugs.

"Well, I made that invitation at the right time then, haha ," He laughs a little, trying to hide a sudden outburst of sympathy by hiding his face in the towel as he dries himself. So she didn't have a family? He understood the situation perfectly. Biological family had always been a sensitive topic for him, so he understood her need to not talk about it more tha necessary. He didn't need any fucking biological family anyway. He had a stepfamily with all the friends he had made in recent years. And maybe she had something like that too "And ex-Gyarus, huh? Traitors to the lifestyle? 

"More or less. They just changed their views, it's normal. Some of them still keep some remnants of it, but it's like something from a punk phase or a rebellious phase, you know. At some point there are people who find those studded coats a pain to wear, and there are girls who, when they leave their teens, realize that that lifestyle doesn't suit them. I… well, not only does it suit me, but I embrace it…" 

"Hunf," He sniffs with a certain haughtiness, one hand on his hip while the index finger of the other scratches his nose "So it's just you and me, the pillars of fidelity to a lifestyle, while the rest conforms over time. I won't stop bleaching my hair, and you won't stop being a Gyaru, and that's what makes us badass, hehe," And he playfully pats her on the hip, making her smile. 

"Yes, in my case I was never anything else. I've always had this tanned skin, y'know. My friends were jealous because I didn't need artificial tanning to achieve this tone," she covered herself with the towel until she remembered who was next to her "C'mon, I'll show you my room. Your pants are there anyway."

And she leaves the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel, putting her glasses back on her face.

He follows her quickly, drying his hair and shoulders too, not bothering to tie the towel around his waist, either "I'm right behind you. And you can tan so easily... the beach would be another nice place for us to go, just so I can see it with my own eyes," He smiles, enjoying the sway of her hips without any shame.

"I'd love to. It's been a while since I've been to the beach, I'd been a little... eh... uninterested. But I intend to in the near future, I love summer," they quickly arrive at the bedroom door "And... eh... sorry about the mess in advance."

She opens the sliding door, and Rihito smells the pile of clothes (clean but put away) before he even enters. Yes, as he suspected, the bedroom was the largest room in the house, but it seemed small with the amount of things piled up there, and none of them, interestingly, were decorative. There were at least three closets, one with a huge mirror on the door, the other two made of wood, and they all had clothes inside, organized on hangers. On the other side, there was a shelf full of drawers with labels, saying “silk”, “chiffon”, “polyester”, “beads” and others. In another corner, barely visible, there was a very vintage, old-fashioned sewing machine, black and with a foot crank. The environment looked like the dressing room of a famous artist or the home of a costume designer who shared the apartment with the tacky owner who owned the couch. In the center, beyond the window on the wall, he wasn't surprised to found a double bed with a heavy, plush duvet, with a Frankenstein-like amalgam of hundreds of different, furry animal fur prints. Saying it was tacky would be an understatement, but he already knew it was all her: so tacky that it was actually beautiful.

"Yeah... this is my... eh... my bedroom-studio," She looks at him, blushing "I told you I sew most of my clothes".

He smiles a lot as he enjoys the immensely colorful and extravagant mess "Wow, would you look at that. The pink monster in the living room swallowed the 70s and threw everything up right here, eh," He laughs at her "I loved it, like the rest of the house, hahaha! And yes, you said you sew your own clothes. Did you find that sewing machine at a thrift store too? I think one of these costs a fortune on the internet."

"No. It's a family heirloom," She smiles a little tenderly "It was from my mother's side. But it was the only thing besides me that she left, and this beauty still works today, so it's still with me," She nods "It must already have a soul within itself, with how old it must be."

"Ooh…," He nods, trying to hide his embarrassment, wondering if he should say something. Damn, he was starting to get frustrated with his own insensitivity. Well, the others had always told him... "Maybe it has, who knows? If you took such good care of it all these years... it must've become the protector of the apartment or something. She and that pink monster, beating the shit outta intruders to keep them from disturbing the Force, haha."

"Ahahaha… very likely. If you were surprised by my pink monster, then it must definitely have a sense for disturbances in the Force. It's aura is very unique, as Butch said," she covers the machine and the table with a heavy cloth. She was probably working on something before he arrived "And again, you reacted much better than I expected...," she opens an embarrassed smile, blushing a little, as she sits on the bed.

"I didn’t react badly to your vintage porn couch, why would I react badly to your room?," He shrugs, unconcerned "I already told you, I like the atmosphere in your apartment. All the cheesiness is fun. And I find it cozy. It's not like those houses of stuck-up rich people that look more like a dentist's office, where everything is white, cold and there's not even a fucking plant in a corner. It's a house that really looks like a house, where there are people actually living, not just existing. Do you understand me? Or am I talking nonsense? I don't know, I just know that I like it and that's it."

She smiles "Yeah, I understand, and I think the same. I like colors," she lies down on the bed "And interesting things to look at. And you can get a sense of the personality of the person living there. I think you look at a jaguar print on a dress in a store and think 'Akane', right? Or cheesy and furry things in general."

He... he had been a little amazed to find that she was right. How many times in the last two months had he passed by a thrift store on his way to the fridge or the gym, seen things like leopard print rugs or pink plush dice and immediately thought that Akane would to have one of those? Four? Five? It was kind of impressive that he was able to remeber her tastes that well and had learned to make associations automatically, without anything needing to remind him of that. Was this what happened when you became intimate with someone? Did things that reminded you of that person start to appear frequently? Or have they always been there and you simply become more interested in them?

He didn't know, and that complex monologue was already overheating the simple machine that was his brain, leaving him frustrated. He dispels those conjectures by doing what he does best: smiling and being a hopeless pervert.

"Sometimes. And what reminds you of me every day? The sausage you buy at the butcher's?"

She laughs loudly and turns her back to him on the bed, still laughing, even letting out a light snore before composing herself "No... not exactly...," she doesn't turn around, letting him look at her back "But now that you mentioned it, I'll put it on the list."

Her back, exposed like that, naked and sporting those almost imperceptible bikini lines, was too tempting for him to resist. He approaches, climbing onto the bed, supporting himself on his elbows and knees above her, and she feels his lips touching the base of her neck, descending with a slowness that makes her shiver.

"I want to hear about the other items on that list later…"

Akane shivers at his touch, smiling a little, turning her head so he has better access to her neck "Oh... I have some... like... I was watching a movie where one of the guys was splitting wood and he picked up the wood and ripped it in two with his fingers. For some reason it reminded me of you and that coin. I see… hnmm… a fit guy leaving the gym, then I… you're going to think it's crazy, but I keep thinking that you could easily beat his ass. And also... cats. Big cats...," she turns around, pulling him into a hug, while sighing "And for some reason a very big and fluffy golden retriever from a neighbor reminded me of you, but I apologize for that, because I laughed," she laughs softly.

He had to hold back for a while not to grab her right there, exultant with the comparisons as he returned the hug "Splitting logs in half, huh? Yes, I can do that, I'll even show you later if you want... and I certainly have the capacity to beat some gym rat's ass, but it won't happen because I don't want to be arrested, hahaha! And I'm a leopard, lady, just like you... but a golden retriever?," He blinks. And then he smiles scathingly "I'm a leopard, but I can also be a dog. Raawn!," And he nibbles her neck, then licks it.

She gasps, laughing, and hugs him more "Ahaha, hnmmm... I know, but part of it is because you're both blonde and cute," she then blinks, a little surprised by what she said, making a pout.

He looks up at her, equally surprised. Boy... had she called him there to have sex or to make him all disarmed and dumbfounded every five minutes? He manages to recover relatively quickly, however, smiling mischievously "Oooh, I think I understand... today you want me to be cute, then? I can do that. I'm going to be adorable," And he kisses her, his tongue asking for passage, his cock slowly brushing between her legs.

"Ooh," she lets him kiss her, and thanks the heavens that he is stupid, or at least ignores these things. She didn't really want to think about it. She hugged him with her legs, passing her thighs along his sides "Yes... but not too adorable, I'm not made of porcelain," she jokes, and her nails passed over his torso, tickling him in a good way "I'm not much in the mood for foreplay, anyway," she looks at him, biting her lip; her eyes were light brown, but like when she was using blue contacts, they were very intense.

He shivers with the feeling of her nails running across his skin, with the heat between her legs, and especially with the words spoken. He was already getting hard as a rock "Hnnn... not even a little tongue? We're being very straightfoward today...," He jokes, his hands massaging her breasts, his thumbs playing with the nipples until they become hard.

"Oonh… I like it, but when I'm a bed with you like this I get wild," she runs her nails through his hair, letting him play with her, panting softly "Hnmm…. so much so that...," she pushes him away a little and turns onto her stomach "I want you like this...," she pushes her buttocks against the middle of his legs, her torso on the mattress, looking at him "Choose your entrance...," she says in a malicious moan "As long as you come in slowly."

He kneels on the mattress, and she sees, over her shoulder, the exact moment his brain turned off and everything else turned on, his green eyes becoming a little unfocused, delight written in every line of his expression.

"Damn, that's the best invitation I’ve been given today…," He leans over to kiss the tattoos on her thigh, moving down to her buttocks afterwards "I accept it… but doing it dry like that won’t be good for you, right? Don't lie to me, you want some of this...," And she feels when his fingers slide from bottom to top along the line of her sex, massaging it, searching for her clit and gracing it as soon as they find it. 

And he is surprised when his finger practically sinks into her heat when he presses a little, before reaching the clit. She gasps more when he moves, shivering all over.

"Ahnn.. I told you… ooh…," she looks at him "But don’t stop, please…"

He would be a complete idiot if he didn't comply with that request. He goes back to kissing and licking her buttocks, positioning his arm more comfortably and then moving his fingers back and forth, moving his phalanges to massage her insides, especially that little elevation he felt when he went up to where her clit was. And all the while he was admiring how wet she was, running on his fingers, his mouth watering at the sight.

"Damn, you got like that without me barely touching you... all this just by imagining me fucking you? Hnn?," He asks in a hoarse growl "Naughty girl... "

"You already know who I am…," she says between moans, looking at him "And I know you were already getting a hard-on just with me invited you in, you big dog. Just me calling you-aaah!," She trembles all over, arching her back, when he touches a sensitive spot beyond her clit.

"Dog... you know what happens when you provoke a dog, right?," He takes a bite there, on the juicy flesh of her buttocks, sucking a little to leave a reddish mark and smiling mischievously at her reaction to the capricious work of his fingers "You get eaten... both ways. Only one thing at a time...," And he presses his face against her ass, giving a nice lick from bottom to top, from her sex to that tight hole between the buttocks, and her stays there, his tongue caressing it while his fingers work vigorously. 

"Aaaah...," She trembles all over "Oh, fuck yeah... Rihito, this is torture," she doesn't make any move to stop him, however "I love that tongue, and those fingers, ooh... they make me melt, aahn...," she was so wet that her juices ran down his fingers.

Her praise made him even more hallucinated, hard as a rock, and even more desperate to devour her and extract more of those sounds. He makes her lift her buttocks so he can move his arm more freely, loving the sight of his fingers moving in and out of her, the pink flesh hugging them in a way that makes him ache for his dick's turn. He licks her butthole in the meantime, kissing it afterwards, saying in a low growl, "Ask for it. And don't play coy with me. I want to hear it, Akane..." 

"Ahnn… eat me, c'mon… fuck my pussy and fill my ass up...," She asks, and in such a sultry way… she even wiggles her buttocks in his face "I know you want it too…," she leaves her glasses on the bedside table and when she comes back, she hands him a package. He knew exactly what it was.

"Fucking hell, woman...!," He takes his soaked fingers out of her, almost panting with excitement, bending down to give that juicy flesh a long lick before picking up the condom, wraping himself up as quickly as he can before positioning himself, his huge hands firm on her hips "Yeah, lift that ass for me... hnnnn...!," And he shivers as he enters her all at once, being immediately pressed into that delicious, warm grip that made him a little dizzy "Fuck, there's- there's nothing better to do in this cold...!"

"Aahnn!," She moans loudly "That's it, c'mon, fuck me! hmmm!!," she lifts her torso a little, to arch her back more "Say you love this, say you'll always want to fuck me!"

She was a vocal girl, she knew that, but she always had this fear of being foul-mouthed with her partners, so much so that she had heard complaints or even hands over her mouth several times... but with Rihito... no, with Ichiro, she knew that he loved every note and every sound she made, and he even asked for more. This euphoria was everything to her.

And holy fuck, how much he loved it. He holds her even tighter, grunting like the dog she accused him of being as he thrusts into her, slamming his hips into hers with loud, wet sounds, rotating his hips to make sure he hits her in all the right spots "Damn, I want...! I want to fuck you every day, all the time, I can't stop thinking... hnnnn...! Thinking about those beautiful tits, that ass, that pussy...! And your face..."

She raises her torso even more, placing her back against his chest "I want it too, I'll never get tired of such a hot motherfucker, aaaahn!," She grabs his neck, bringing his head to touch her shoulder "Oohhh yes, I love it... more... hold me tight, don't let me get away... Ichirooo...!"

And the sound of his real name was like a magic word. He grabs her willingly while biting her on the shoulder, growling, keeping her in place like a male cat biting a female's neck, the pounding of his hips against hers becoming even more merciless.

"Gruunf...! I'm not going to... you're gonna stay here with me, you're gonna let me fuck you and make you come all night, you're not gonna leave my side...!," And one of his hands moves between your legs, his fingers firmly on her clit, his strong, hoarse breathing in her ear, an extremely welcome sound as an accompaniment to those wet pops.

"Aaanh! Yessss...!," she moans loudly, and when she is touched she practically whines, facing him, her breasts bouncing with his thrusts "K-Keep going, Ichiro, I love when you fuck me like that, uughnn... I love it...!," The view of her mouth open, her sexy face, with her eyes closed facing a window showing the dark night sky, the snow falling outside... it was something that would remain engraved in his memory.

He stares at the window with snow piling up on the eaves, the dark sky seeming to be dotted with white spots that fell in a slow dance, the ecstasy of the climax arriving seeming to make the scene more surreal, intimate, cozy... and then he lets out a deep sound of pleasure, the back and forth getting rougher, as well as his fingers "Fuck, Akane...! I'm almost there, come with me, squeeze me tighter...!"

"Aaannn, me too, Ichiro… don’t stop-aaahh! Ahhhnn!," She squeezes him hard, with her arms and with her insides, while shaking hard, bouncing on top of his dick while riding her climax "Ohhh... Ichiroooo... I love... oohhh..."

"A-Akane...! hhnNNG...!," He locks his hips, holding her tight against him, and damn, cumming hard while he was inside that wonderful woman while snow was falling outside in the silent night was an almost magical experience, fuck how cheesy that is sounded! He then goes limp, resting his forehead on her shoulder, breathing heavily. She feels his lips sliding there, on her skin, in a small kiss. "Holy shit... I love it too... shit, I've really missed you..."

He ends up sitting on top of his own legs while she sat on top of him, still panting her, leaning against him.

"Oh... me too," she turns her head and kisses him. "Hmmmm," she lets him go slowly, looking into his eyes. In that light, her eyes were even more bright, and she looked at him with a face full of want that gave him goosebumps.

He looks back at her, his eyelids heavy, his face sweaty and his breathing still labored. Her eyes looked like a cat's in the dim light, bright and penetrating... yes, there was no better nom de guerre than 'Panther' for her. He smirks, a shiver running down his spine. "Good to know... because I didn't forget that request of yours... about filling your ass up. Just let me recover first...," He gets rid of the condom (good thing there was a little trash bin next to the bed. She'd certainly thought of everything, huh), and then makes her turn over onto her back, slowly laying on top of her. A hand goes up to her face, giving her another kiss, and then he rests his head between her breasts, an idiotic smile of satisfaction taking over his face. "You're so fucking hot that I can barely stand it, haha…"

"Hnmm... with someone as hot fucking me, is hard not to be," She hugs his neck, keeping his face between her breasts, caressing his head. "Hmm... I love this feeling... the aftergloow ... hmm," She hugs him more "It makes me melt..."

"Me too... I don't even want to get out of bed to eat...," He murmurs, almost moaning with her caressing his hair. "Even more so in weather like this, hnnn... damn, this bed is almost as good as the pink monster in the living room, yes sir..."

"Haha, I told you… good thing there's enough space for both of us and very warm blankets…," She pulls out a pillow and adjusts herself on it… then she lifs her eyes and sees it. "Oh, just as the forecast predicted. It's snowing outside… it's a very nice sight when you're inside a cozy room, right?"

"Hell yeah!," He turns over in bed too, looking at the window. "I kinda saw it two minutes ago, but I ended up forgetting. You are a sucker of memories, as well as souls, hehehe!," And he puts a hand on her back, watching the snow fall with a happy smile "The first snowfall of the year…"

"Hnmm… yeah…," she says nothing more than that, caressing his head with her nails, as if combing his hair, a smile on her lips.

He reciprocates by caressing her back more, his fingers very gentle, almost affectionate, seeming perfectly happy to just stay there, enjoying the moment with her. He covers them both with the blanket (colorful, fuzzy and patterned, because if it weren't, it wouldn't be Akane, after all), murmuring against their skin, "Thank you for inviting me to come here. On a night like this, it's better to sleep with someone than alone."

"I agree... and I wouldn't leave you in the cold like that, honey," She kisses him on the top of his head. "Thank you too."

In the silence of the room, with his body still not very tired, his thoughts did some pirouettes until they reached what his friend had said. The First Snow… He chuckles. 

"Hey, lemme tell you something funny. I exchanged a few texts with Okubo before arriving here. Guess what he was gonna do with Tomori," And he indicates the window, which had already accumulated a certain amount of snowflakes on the sill, with a gesture of his head.

"Let me see… Tomori and I are birds of a feather, but she loves cheesy shit… so some really good sex, with hot cocoa and fluffy blankets on the side?"

"The Egghead loves that shit too, even though he doesn't admit it, that's why they're perfect for each other," He laughs more "And that's exactly it, but that would be the consequence of their original plans. They went to see the First Snow," He rolls his eyes with a smile that she saw was more affectionate than mocking "Some kind of winter magic and whatnot…"

"Really? What kind of magic?," She blinks "Never heard of it...," She blinks,  and then she seems to remember. "Oooh, it's a Korean superstition about the first snowfall of the winter," She smiles at him. "It's just that they believe that if a couple confess to eachother as soon as the First Snow falls, the love between them become pure as snow, so it will last forever...," She laughs softly "Tomori kept telling me that, and she and I watched some Korean soap operas that had that trope in them. Kinda cute, but… that's… eh…," She sighs, looking disbelieved.

"Oh, so it's Korean? I didn’t know that. But yeah, that's exactly it! The gayest shit to end all the other gay shit," He has a small coughing fit while laughing. "My bro was never into that stuff, but he found a girlfriend and immediately let the hopeless romantic that always existed inside him come out," He pouts , making kissing sounds, and then he looks out the window at the snowy night. "Eh, he's as happy as a clam, and that's what matters..."

He turns to her. Then he notices her thoughtful expression. The smile fades from his face.

"Uh… I'm just joking, okay? I don't think less of those who believe in that stuff, I just think it's funny..."

"It's okay. It's not like you can actually kiss someone under a snowfall and shazam! True love...," She snorts, shrugging a bit. "But I'm happy for my friend. Good for them..."

"... Yeah," He looks at the covers, before looking up once again, admiring the dark winter night outside. "I don't have any experience in the department, so I can't say much. But I know that, with those two specifically, it wasn't a Disney movie or all the shit we see in soap operas. I saw everything unfold from the beginning. I know they built something nice and solid together. So this First Snow shit seems a bit unnecessary in their case. But yeah... I'm happy too." 

"Huhum…," she strokes his head once again. "Tomori told me some things while it was all happening, but I couldn't do much for her, unfortunately. I was in a tight situation myself, but when I managed to settle everything, I went to talk to her, and she told me that they had sorted things out. I was happy for her, she'd been waiting for her special someone for years, and she was lucky enough to bump into her idol at Butch's bakery. But seriously, was that pure coincidence? You guys saw the bakery, got in to have a quick snack and boom! Instant meet cute?"

"Actually, we found out about the bakery through Tokita and his employer, Mr. Yamashita," He tells her, smiling again. "Some crazy things happened that made Miss Kanami need help, and our friend group ended up offering themselves. Because of this, Okubo, Himuro and I decided to go visit the place. We were curious to meet the buff baker," He laughs softly. "And what a surprise we had when the cute  subchef had a burst of happiness when she saw Okubo and ran over to ask for his autograph. You should've seen his face, the happiest dumbass in the whole world, hahaha…"

"Ooh… so it was thanks to the buff couple? How interesting...," She smiles too. "And cute... she got the romance she wanted so much. Now my chest feels all warm, "She looks at him. "And your face looks pretty warm too," She laughs.

He laughs too, all happy, pushing his face between her breasts even more.

"Girl, it'll be warm for the whole night if you let me stay here. But anyway! The Seaweed Head was the pure definition of a clueless virgin, and then, out of nowhere, he and Aunty fell in love. Three months later it was Okubo Tomori's turn. Mr. Yamashita says that Tokita finding someone was the event needed for  some cosmic lock to open, and them things snowballed from there. What do they call this stuff again...," He frowns a little, making a face of hilarious concentration before continuing. "Oh yeah! Butterfly Effect."

"Interesting. And a clueless virgin? Really? A handsome guy like that? He must've been traumatized to his core. Maybe someone fucked him and he ended up not liking it," She wonders. "I've seen people like that."

He shudders, making a slightly scared face.

"Don't joke about these things, Phanter. And anyway, he's not even that handsome! He just has that sulky face that a lot of girls like, I don't know why...," He makes a jealous pout. "But anyway, I don't really know what happened to him, but I know he had a fucked up childhood. And meeting Mr. Yamashita, us and, later, Miss Kanami, gave him the chance to live like a normal person. That's it. He's even making double entendres in our group chat nowadays, the clown..."

"That's good to know," she nods, and the she looks at him, raising an eyebrow "And I wouldn't call it a 'sulky face'... it's pure presence, the aura of someone who doesn't playt around. You know, that person who enters a saloon in cowboy movies, and everyone inside stops whatever they're to look at his face. They're all tense, already thinking that he's going to shoot everyone if someone messes with him... that's what I'm saying. This type of person has this kind of presence for two reasons," She raises two fingers, pointing at eachone. "Either someone fucked him up and he's trying to get revenge, or he ruined a lot of people's lives and enjoyed doing so. In general, women like this kind of guy because it's the aura of someone who doesn't need to prove anything to anyone and has a lot of self-confidence. A lot of girls are deceived by that and fall into his web." 

Her tone, he noticed, was not that of someone who admired this kind of man. She sounded like someone who had seen a lot, to the point of being able to analyze these things from afar and not fall for the trick.

"... Alright, fair enough. Can we stop talking about the Seaweed Head now, please?," He asks, almost whimpering, hugging her tighter. Damn, it was quite a sight, a man that size acting all jealous. It seemed that he didn't get even more mad only because he realized that she was speaking as an analyst and not as an admirer.

"You can have all this confidence too, you know?," She smiles at him, when she notices the pout he made.

He looks up at her. And then he smiles happily.

"I already have it. All thanks to you."

Her eyes widen as she blushes. She was going to tease him about also being fucked too boost his confidence, but he caught her completely off guard. Shit, why did he had to attack her with a cuteness combo? The entire sentence she was formulating went down the drain in her conscience and her chest began to complain about the blow, so she looked away so as not to stare at that human golden retriever with leopard claws.

"T-That's good to know... I was good for something," She opens an embarrassed smile, still mortified. "I'm happy to have helped you, yeah..".

"Don't talk as if your help wasn't a big deal, or I'll be forced to fuck you even harder just to reinforce the message," He stretches a little to reach her lips in a quick kiss. And then he lifts himself up a little, sitting up and taking the covers with him. He calls her as he pats his own lap, smiling more, "Now, since we've succumbed to all that cheesy shit, how about we just go with the flow? I can wear the sweatpants you bought me and then we can stay here, watching the snow fall until we feel hungry," He looks out the window, his eyelids getting heavy, his expression serene. "I have to admit, it's really pretty…"

She looks at him again, her eyes glistening. It was the third time he's seen her with that slightly surprised, even helpless look, as if he had break down a wall that was surrounding her. But it always lasted half a second, with her smiling a little mischievously and shrugging. "Heh. Alright then. If you're going through Hell, walk as if you own the place...," She hugs him, resting her head on his arm "... which I do, since I'm a she-devil."

He laughs loudly, hugging her eagerly and throwing the fluffy covers over the two of them. "Well said. And you can sit on my lap whenever you want while we're doing so, hahaha!"

"Careful what you wish for, big guy," She jokes more, tickling his ribs a little. "Because I’ll do it."

"As if I were going to stop you in any way...," He smiles in the same way after laughing with the tickles, reciprocating with a firm grip on her tattooed thigh. They ended up getting into a playful fight, while she furiously tried to tickle him and he calmly parried her blows, barely using any strength. As expected, Rihito ended up winning, pinning Akane by her arms to the bed. Their movements caused something to fall from the bedside table with a thud, and when they realized with alarm that it had only been a plastic lamp, neither of them could hold it, laughing loudly. 

Deciding the game was over, but still laughing, they arranged the pillows so that they made a soft backrest where they could relax, slouching on them under the covers.

And then they stayed there, hugging each other, watching the first snow of the year fall.

[chloeworships]

Quick Updates:

I was shown a stadium that was completely trashed and more than half the seats were empty. Men were standing around with their faces covered. Then I saw the Palestinian flag as a filter overlaying the stadium. Right beside that to the bottom left hand corner the LORD showed me the word

"SIN"

This vision reminded me of what is happening in the UK and in some other places. The LORD just said "riots". This stadium reminded me of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) soccer stadium in Toronto.

2. I was shown my beautiful Jamaican flag. I saw my people celebrating again but I was not told of the reason for this celebration. Nevertheless, expect good news!

3. I also saw a bald headed man holding a massive Brazilian flag. Again no reason for this was given. He seemed proud to represent his country.

4. I dreamt of Saudi Arabia and a family there... a very wealthy family. I dreamt of a mans wife and their daughter, who is young. A toddler. This is such a good woman and she is beautiful. The LORD revealed to me that she is beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. I saw her shopping at a mall on an escalator and she was with her daughter. Treat this women well, my loves. Her husband (whoever he is) is blessed to have her.......

I saw another woman attending post-secondary school but she was being criticized for that. There were rumours about her not wearing her hijab. It is a LIE. I saw her walking into class and getting ready to sit down and learn ALONE with her hijab. There were others in the lecture hall but not too close to her. If allegations have been brought against such a woman, she is innocent. These allegations are FALSE. She was wearing a blue dress shirt and a long light brown sweater with a shoulder bag. All she wants to do is become better educated. May the LORD protect her and may those who have brought such a serious allegation against her be put to shame. Her cause is noble.

5. Another BIG grizzly bear was shown to me. It had emerged from the forest with massive teeth. It appeared ready to attack. Remember Elisha.

6. I was shown 3️⃣ rats… perhaps they are the three blind mice 😅 I was shown them with a public figure. Are these his “Boyz”? When God shows me this he’s letting me know there is someone in your camp that can’t be trusted. Specifically, they are, as we Jamaicans say, “carrying news” 🗞️ about your business (both professional and personal) or operation. You have a MOLE. Why is this? Why are they carrying news to someone else??? 🤔 The city of New York is relevant. I also heard the name “Nicki” 👀

[lailoken]

‘:Pharmacopoeia: [Pt. 3]’

—

“Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.). Formerly classed as "Tree Daturas", these arboreal Nightshades are grown as ornamentals in tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean-climate regions. In the Sibundoy Valley of Colombia, Angel's Trumpets were used for divination, prophecy, therapy, and for learning sorcery. Elsewhere in South America, B. sanguinea, Bloody Angel's Trumpet, was employed for Tonga, a narcotic Philtre imbibed by priests of the Temple of the Sun at Sogamoza. In other traditions, the Herb was ingested to reveal treasures concealed in ancient graves. Brugmansia potions were also administered rectally to male initiates until a coma or Visionary Sleep resulted, wherein Spirits of the Ancestors would appear to give guidance to the boy for his new life as a man.! Traditionally, the seeds are powdered and used to compound sundry magical brews. After the drinking the potions there follows a violent narcosis, thereupon crowned by sleep interspersed with waking visions of the Spirit Realms and the Dead. Effects on the Physium are characterized by confusion, often follow'd by stupor, slavering, trance or violent convulsions. This gives way to narcosis or sleep lasting up to 4.days, intermittently mingled with the appearance of Spirits, Gods, phantasms, and Shades of the Dead. Other philtre-brewing praxes using this fragrant Celestial Horn include scraping the Pith from the inside of stems and making a decoction thereof.

Brunfelsia (Brunfelsia spp.). Another visionary Nightshade, the precious juices of this Herb are employed as a visionary Philtre by the Kachinaua of the Brazilian Amazon. Those drinking of the potent beverage are catapulted into the Spirit Realm, where they must do battle with Dragons, Jaguars, and other animal souls, in order to determine outcomes in the Material World.

Cup of Gold (Solandra spp.) Twigs of Solandra brevicalyx and S. guerrerensis have traditionally been brewed as a visionary Philtre by the Huichol. As this is another honored member of the tropane-bearing nightshades, caution is advised. A Vine of great Beauty and profound presence, it may be grown with ease in the sorcerer's medicine-garden, given a subtropical or Mediterranean climate and a sun-blessed location.

Hawaiian Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) The Seed of this convulvulaceous plant may be considered a Visionary whose potencies are well-extracted into water to create a very peculiar Sacramentum. The seeds are best used phytognostically for Chronomantic Journeying, those black arts by which the very strictures of Time are bent as a withe by the Sorcerer. The Seeds may be employed as well for atavistic invocation and distant memory retrieval. Their essence also aids in the voluntary projection of the Dark Body through the Aether, known to the Wise as Sabbatick Flight. 5-13 seeds should be removed from their respective pods, and ground. The powder is steep'd in 50 ml. cold water for several hours, then drunk. The seeds engender a languid visionary state sympathetic to various thaumaturgic and theurgic magics. The Herb may induce induces mild nausea or dizziness in some persons in the first hours prior to the Phytognostic state; as such, a strong tea of fresh Ginger, may be used to check disturbances of the physium. Persons with a history of liver disorders should avoid internal use of this Herb, as should pregnant women. Feelings of restfulness and tranquility may persist for up to a day following the consumption of the Sacrament.

Henbane (Hyoscyamus spp.) Like other nightshade kin such as Mandrake and Belladonna, Henbane is rich in hyoscyamine, scopolamine and other visionary tropanes. As an Elixir Sacramentum, it is best suited for potions of theurgic shape-changing, lycanthropy, and work with Bestial Atavisms. Taken internally, Henbane bewitches the Central Nervous System: initially stimulation arises, soon followed by confusion, stupor, and disturbing visions. Overdose gives rise to central narcotic paralysis, coma, and death. If leaves are desired for tincturing or drying for Magics or Medicines, the tops of the Plant should be collected while in full flower; if the species being grown is biennial, leaves and flowers of the second year are preferable to those of the first. Bilsenkraut, the German name, gave the Bohemian city of Pilsen its name, whose strong be, augmented with the seeds of Henbane, later became famous as Pilsener. Modern formulae for this Beer omit the intoxicating Herb.

Ledum (Ledum palustre, L. groenlandicum). Also known as Wild Rosemary or Marsh Tea, Ledum appeared in ancient European beers as a delirium-producing adjunct. These beers have been proposed as a sacrament of the raging, zealous Berserkers of Northern Europe. Ledum has been used in folk medicine to destroy external parasites; pregnant women should avoid Ledum, as also should those wishing to employ it as an abortifacient, as the effective dose is often a hair's breadth from the lethal dose.

Mandrake, True (Mandragora officinarum). Philtres made from the Witch-Root were at one time esteem'd aphrodisiacs. In some medieval recipes for magical brews, the Root was prepared by rotting in water for two complete lunar cycles, until it was transmogrified into a malodorous green pulp; then it was used in this form, or in a gruel, or added to a brew with sundry ingredients. A virtuous Tea, brewed from the Leaves, was also made. If integrity of taxonomy and potency is assured, tincture by covering the dried, sliced Root in supreme quality spirit, allowing the Virtues two moons to infuse. The resulting golden tincture is then be tested sparingly for its goodness, and its use in potions judged accordingly.

Psilocybe Mushroom (Psilocybe spp.) The Psilocybe kin are many and varied, in personality, predilection, and preference. Of especial joy to the Green Sorcerer is Psilocybe azurescens, very small, aureate of cap, dark blue to black of stipe. In Powers they may be considered to fall under the resplendent, ignified domain of Lucifer, the celestial light-bearer bringing all the good gifts that illuminate and empower our Arte. The qualities so expressed may be termed both empyrean and infernal; angelic, illuminating, transgressive, and quickening unto the fires of the Royal Arte. To exalt the Celestial Fire of this, our Holy Bread, fourteen grams of the dried mushrooms should verily be reduced to a powder, then interred in a Ritual Bottle having a capacity of 250-350 ml., and covered with the finest honey. Let this elixir be stirred once a day for a week, then set to rest for a moon's time. As an illuminating nocturnal Sacrament of Solitude, two to three spoonfuls should be mindfully savour'd. 'Witches' or Crows's Bread is a term of the Curren generically applied to a wide range of sacramental materials which may be ritually consumed in juxtaposition to the Vinum Sabbati. Of such Bread is Our Mushroom, ancient of Mystery and Aureate of Light.

San Pedro Cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi). The use of the cactus as a vision- sacrament in Peru dates to at least 1300 BC. Centuries after christianization, folk healers still prepare ritual brews known as Cimora, employing sundry other cactaceous species-and at least one Campanulaceous Herb whose identity as yet is a mystery- as admixtures. The Cactus is easily grown, and is a most potent Ally. Many different species of Trichocereus are mescaline-bearing; the rarer T. peruvianus is more potent and worth the rigours of a plant-pilgrimage. For preparation, the outer skin and the first five millimetres of white flesh beneath it are removed and simmered in triple its volume of water for at least 5 hours, adding water as needed. In general, when brewing of the plant a phytog- nostic decoction, use 1.5 feet of the Cactus per celebrant.

Scopolia (Scopolia carniolica). In the Middle Ages, the Herb was used in folk medicine as a narcotic and an ingredient in love potions. It was an important drug in Renaissance apothecaries; the plant was also used as a lethal poison. Scopolia is associated with magic of a licentious sexual nature in the folklore; in Romania, the roots were used as a substitute for Mandrake. Its place in the Nightshade family suggests it may have been an ingredient in witches' unguents and brews.”

Ars Philtron:

Concerning the Aqueous Cunning of the Potion and its Praxis in the Green Arte Magical

by Daniel A. Schulke

[traumacatholic]

Our Lady Aparecida - Our Lady Revealed - (Portuguese: Nossa Senhora Aparecida or Portuguese: Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the traditional form associated with the Immaculate Conception associated with a clay statue bearing the same title. The image is widely venerated by Brazilian Catholics, who consider her as the principal patroness of Brazil. Historical accounts state that the statue was originally found by three fishermen who miraculously caught many fish after invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Lady Aparecida, a son of yours who belongs to you unreservedly "totus tuus" called by the mysterious plan of Providence to be the Vicar of your Son on earth, wishes to address you at this moment. He recalls with emotion, because of the brown color of this image of yours, another image of yours, the Black Virgin of Jasna Gora. Mother of God and our Mother, protect the Church, the Pope, the bishops, the priests and all the faithful people; welcome under your protecting mantle men and women religious, families, children, young people, and their educations. Health of the sick and Consoler of the afflicted, comfort those who are suffering in body and soul; be the light of those who are seeking Christ, the Redeemer of all; show all people that you are the Mother of our confidence. Queen of Peace and Mirror of Justice, obtain peace for the world, ensure that Brazil and all countries may have lasting peace, that we will always live together as brothers and sisters and as children of God. Our Lady Aparecida, bless all your sons and daughters who pray and sing to you here and elsewhere. Amen.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

In Remembrance of Marielle Franco

Today is the birthday of Marielle Franco, a Black Brazilian activist/feminist and sociologist who was killed 3 years ago after she became a politician to champion her people against police brutality and anti-Blackness. She was a queer woman and her death was a huge blow to human rights in her country.

If you read my Black Boys Bloom Thorns First (Vol 1 & 2), I based my character Negra Lia (Erik’s play aunt) after her. In my story, I made her sister Soliel queer instead of Negra, because I didn’t want to write a story in which the queer characters are killed. In this way a Black queer woman gets to live and continue the work of getting other Black people...Black women in particular, free. Marielle’s death shook me up because I had just learned about her work in Rio through some Black Brazilian Women activists whose work focused on Black consciousness, Black Brazilian history and culture. It’s always exciting to see Black women in the diaspora rising up and doing the work. She became a politician to make serious changes, and she was such a threat that they assassinated her in public. It messed me up to see her stolen from us like so many of our progressive freedom fighters. I know as an openly queer/bisexual woman she faced a lot of shit. God bless her spirit and I hope her daughter is doing well.

[onevida]

“Ludmilla is the first black latina woman to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify”, headline.

According to article published by Capricho.com, Ludmilla, Brazilian funk singer has hit the record on September 2nd 2020 on music stream plataform Spotify. 

On her Instagram, comemorating the hitmark, she posted that (translated from Portuguese):” I’ve never imagined this. I’m so happy. There’s a movie playing on my head with all that happenned in my life. There were no instructions, no manual, I had nobody to guide me, on how I would to be strong and brave... And that one day it would work out. I had no one. I was persistent and very blessed by God. And there I’m, at shock. I’m trying to digest this hitmark and have this wonderful day. It seems I’m living a dream”.

She also has a playlist with songs by black brazilians on the rise, curated by her: “Nossas Descobertas”. 

Besides her music, she oftens talks about the discrimination she faced all her life as black and bisexual woman (who’s now married to Brunna Gonçalves, whom is featured in some of her MV’s).

Links: Her spotify | her Youtube Channel 

Obs: always rememeber; LATINIDADE (a.k.a “being latine/latinx”) does not imply race, it’s a cultural trait - Latin America is a diverse region with people of many origins, many different countries (diverse like the U.S, like South Africa, like Australia etc). Black women included, thus the need for more representation.

More posts on Afro-Latin(o/e) representation: Influencers & look slayers Part 1 here,  Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Iza & Amara, Afro Hair Empowerment March in Salvador Brazil 2016.

[normal-thoughts-official]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHDBpb/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHCTwq/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHUxHb/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHDxww/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHCtVm/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeHHCvo3/

She's hilarious but there's two videos where she starts to speak more mumblingly

ok first of all these are brilliant and i'm losing my mind and i love you, thank you for curating these to me.

i will transcribe them in a bit but i just felt the need to leave this "little" (it's long sorry) note:

as someone who's been raised catholic i just want to say that she is pretty wrong about almost everything she said about catholics, and i say that as someone who hates catholicism with my whole mind body and soul and who's been traumatized by this stupid fucking faith to the point where i can't get into a church without breaking into sobs dauihdasiuh. the catholic guilt is real but catholics are absolutely allowed to divorce and use contraceptives, and also have sex before marriage. the first one is met with some guilt esp from women altho honestly i think it's more due to mysoginist reasons than religious reasons, and the second and third ones are commonpractice and if you say that it's wrong and bad everyone will think you're a fucking weirdo

and even with the divorce thing, while the guilt is there (im pretty sure half the reason my mom doesn't divorce is because she would feel guilty about it, although again, i feel like that's got very little to do with religion and way more with internalized mysoginy), i cannot stress enough that divorce is allowed, almost everyone i know has divorced parents and they're all catholics. the church's official position is kinda weird (as of now pope francis basically said that it's "morally necessary" in some cases but he also referred to ppl who divorced and remarried as "imperfect", but like, it hasn't been forbidden for years, so much so that people get second marriages at catholic churches literally all the time, and i kinda feel like ppl overestimate how much ppl care about what the pope says. at least here in latam, cuz we've always kind of freestyled religion since it was imposed on us anyway, but like... in my experience the average catholic practitioner is INCREDIBLY less conservative than the vatican and i feel like most people don't even know what the pope says or doesn't say. and i'm saying that as someone whose grandfather almost became a priest and only gave that up because he fell in love with my grandmother, and he's been a ferverent catholic his entire life. also two of his kids divorced, one married a divorced woman, one is gay and living together without marriage with his divorced boyfriend, one never married, and one had two kids before marriage which necessarily means that they fucked, and none of that was ever a problem to him. oh, also, my dad had divorced AND he was a buddhist when him and my mom married. currently he is a spiritist)

i think it might be possible that u technically have to ask for "permission" to the church to remarry in church, but in practice i think it's more of a ritualistic thing than actually asking for permission, cuz i've never met a single person who had them say no. it was pretty much "hey local bishop guy so my husband sucked and we divorced can i marry again" "sure lol". obviously it sucks that you even have to ask, but it's nowhere near as strict as people seem to think

the contraceptive thing is also absurd. like i cannot stress enough that my family would absolutely flip if they found out i DIDN'T use contraception. that was always something that my family reinforced very strongly, ESPECIALLY my grandpa. i've never met a single catholic who does not teach their kids to use contraceptives. my high school was catholic (literally named the Holy Cross, fun times, although they didn't impose the faith or anything. in fact almost half of the students in that school are jewish, but like, still, there was a priest in the school board) and we were taught to use contraceptives, put the condom in a banana and the whole pizzazz during biology class

like yeah the bible says not to but it also says not to mix different fabrics and that doesn't mean it's actually a thing that's reinforced in most catholic communities doaihdaj at least not here in latam. in here non-catholic christians are actually way more hardcore about the puritanism rules than catholics are, particularly evangelicals, which are kind of overtaken the catholics' traditional role of being colonialist fuckers as they are mostly from the US so they come to further US imperialism through religion here. watch out catholic church they're coming for ur crown

and even outside of puritanism, "non practicing catholics" are absolutely a thing like ppl who are catholic but don't even pray or go to church, much less care about that shit douahdsaohj so like the stereotype that all catholics are like the very small minority of hardcore catholics is like the stereotype that every muslim lives by the ultra-conservative muslim rules. it's not true and it's stereotypical and taking the minority ultra conservatives to be the rule when they are not

there's also the fact that there are many different currents of thought inside the catholic church (a little bit like with judaism although way less flexible than judaism is), some of which are very conservative, some of which are progressive. here in latam in particular the teology of liberation is extremely popular (it's the one my family subscribes to, and i'm pretty sure it was actually born here in latam) and it's pretty progressive. for catholics, that is

and like mandatory disclaimer that i am coming from my own experiences with latam catholicism, which i feel is different from other catholic countries - my polish friends for example have experiences with catholicism that are a lot closer to those stereotypes than mine ever were - but since most of the catholic population in the world is brazilian (like me), and second place goes to mexicans, i feel pretty comfortable taking it as a ruler to measure general catholic practices

with that being said, however, the catholic church can choke and die in a fire as it is a symbol of colonialism first and foremost, its proselitism is one of the worst things ever, and even the progressive currents are still way too damn conservative for my tastes. i just don't feel comfortable transcribing something that i know is incorrect and stereotypical (and that in some cases is used to further oppression like with the Irish in the UK or armenian catholics, and i've even had some US-diaspora latinos hear some incredible things from gringos who assumed they were catholic, or, in their beautiful words, "had latino religion". but obviously in most cases catholics are the oppressors, especially here in the third world)

also, her assessment in the third video is absolutely correct. A/B/O IS just conservative gender roles born of christian and catholic imposition transposed to a fictional world where the genders have slightly different names, which is why i, as a rule, hate it dauhdsaiuhdauhda and even though the assessment that catholicism is thaaat much more conservative than other christian religions (it's absolutely not, it's Exactly As Conservative) isn't true, catholicism is still where most if not all of western conservative rethoric is born of, and ugh, it's so refreshing to see someone understand this and put it into words so well

so yeah keep that note in mind but anyway, transcriptions:

[Video transcription #1: in reply to a tiktok question, which says, "now i'm thinking about the catholic guilt that would come with it oh my god". user @Omarsbigsister is saying, "good morning", she then covers her mouth as she starts to laugh, before continuing, "I guess I'm the religious omegaverse tiktoker now. I did not know catholic guilt was more than just sex, I thought it was just about sex, but nO. people who are catholic, if you don't know, they get guilt over every little thing, they get guilty when they eat, they have guilt when, like... [dismissive gesture] they have fun... it's messed up *cut* [mumbling i don't understand, sorry] in which you HAVE to be bonded before... *sticks tongue out* *cut* and catholics, from what i know, uhm, cannot get divorced, so you can't be unbonded, you're stuck for life with that alpha or omega, and then you can't use contraceptives so if you have a heat or rut, good luck, you cannot escape it, and on top of that, they preach abstinence, right, so if you're having a heat or rut in your teen years you just gotta deal with it alone like you are not allowed to be bonded, so, that would be really intense."

#2: in response to a question, which said, "follow up question: if in the real world hijabis are women, in ABO universe would hijabis be omegas of all genders?". the user is shown stroking her chin in contemplative silence for a long time, before she says, "actually, both men and women have to wear a hijab, it's just more visible on women, but men also have to cover from like, the neck all the way down... so like when you see them [mumbling i don't understand, sorry] that's their hijab. *cut* Islam is actually treating men and women, like, fairly somewhat equally, so, I feel like in omegaverse alphas, betas, and omegas would all be held to the same standards, and alphas and omegas would also be held by the same standards but then culture would ruin it, just like western culture has ruined it. for your other question. 'would muslim families prefer betas more, and would betas be spiritual leaders', i feel like everyone prefers betas more, but then also Islam came to like, uplift women [a written note then shows up, which says, "like girls are seen as a blessing to have as kids"], so like omegas would be seen as like, a blessing to have as a child.

#3: in response to another tiktok question, which says, "fun fact bestie you cannot get divorced in the catholic religion even if your spouse is abusive and horrible to you so in omegaverse how would that work?". she replies, "the reason that Abrahamic religions seemingly fit so well into the omegaverse universe is because catholicism specifically and christianity, uhm, all the gender norms and all the cultural norms especially in the west came from catholicism and christianity, they were forced on people, and then you know, people might not be religious, but the norms stay. but now you have omegaverse which is basically just a bunch of like youth exploring the youth through this, like, werewolf fanfiction trope, using all these gender roles that you have in society on their head, so, really, what i'm saying, is that... omegaverse is just catholicism fanfiction"

#4: she looks at the camera and says, "getting islamophobic comments is one thing, but getting islamophobic comments that say that muslims cannot be in the omegaverse".... she then breaks into laughter for a solid 30 seconds

#5: she is shown reading out loud, in a mock-outraged face, a tweet that says, "about to murder tiktok they try to make Ramadan a 'quirky' trend. it's a religious holiday. stop it, get some help. /srsly /g.", then a follow-up tweet, which says, "saw a tweet saying on tiktok they are asking questions about how ramadan would work in omegaverse. i'm done with y'all, just say you disrespect muslims and go". then another tweet by a different user, which says, "i tried to read, i got secondhand embarrassment-" they then break out of character and say, "oh, that's fair," before going back, "if it wasn't ramadan i'd be boxing those people right now. those people should be ashamed to even think that way wtf". then another, which replies, "well i'm not celebrating it, so as a non-muslim, i'll happily box them". then, back to her normal voice, she says, "i really was just making a silly little tiktok and seeing that stuff really hurts... i'm just kidding, i can't keep a straight face. you like minecraft youtubers, what are you gonna do to me? what are you gonna do to me?"

#6: in reply to a tiktok ask, which said, "prince philip was an omega". she slowly films herself as she takes a walk, finds the nearest trash bin, and tosses the phone there, before putting the lid over the box. end ID]

[thetldrplace]

Courage and Anxiety

I have tried over the past two years to keep in touch with my two sons ever couple of weeks. For my youngest son, who lives in Vegas, that means a phone call every couple of weeks. He isn’t the loquacious type, so I usually need come to the table armed with some topics, but I almost always have a variety of different thought trains I’ve been considering over a few days, and some of those will come in useful. As it happens, we got to talking about the prevalence of anxiety in younger people these days. I asked him if he had noticed his own age group or those he works with if they mentioned this as a problem. He had in fact heard from several that seemed to suffer from it. But then he mentioned that every one suffers from some level of anxiety in certain situations. I guess I had for whatever dumb reason, just forgotten about this fact. I too get anxious in certain situations. Who doesn’t? 

Lots of people are extremely afraid of speaking in front of others. I had a friend in school that would get physically ill on days when we’d have to do a speech. Another obvious and probably universal fear is boy/girl stuff- feeling an attraction to someone but not knowing if they’re going to reciprocate. At some point, you just have to jump out there and try it. Over time, we learn to read signs and figure out when someone has an interest… or not.

A couple of things I listened to recently has this on my mind. The first I ran across was a series of youtube videos by a young woman named Courtney Ryan. She gives, I guess, what would be called lifestyle/dating advice. Now I’m not in need of any dating advice, but I was fascinated by the kinds of things she, and apparently young people her age are dealing with. The dating world she describes would probably be anxiety inducing in the most emotionally healthy people. But I have no way to know if it’s really any worse than it was when I was younger.

But that brings me to another discussion I listened to between Bret Weinstein and Iona Italia. Iona Italia is an argentine and a tango dancer. Bret himself, while growing up here in LA, spent a lot of time in Latin America, where he mentioned that couples dancing is still very much a thing. One of the components of a culture of couples dancing is a sort of formalized ritual of dating/mating. Dance becomes a way young people learn how to read each other. They do so within the societal structures that are laid out- so that each can learn what to do and what to expect. As they practice, they learn to navigate the dynamics- what works and what doesn’t.

We, here in the US, haven’t had a couples dancing culture since probably the 50s, so only the older folks at this point would have grown up with this sort of thing. The tango dancer, for example, describes one of the formalized rituals in the search for a partner. A young man will look around the room and try to catch the eye of a prospective partner. If she catches his eye and is interested, she will hold the look. At that point, he will nod his head and make his way over to her, and they will begin the dance. If she isn’t interested, then she will break contact and keep looking around. Undoubtedly something like this dynamic is at play in various activities where men and women interact. One typical one I notice is on the elevators at work. Both men and women, if uninterested in any conversation, will simply turn away and intently stare at their phone. If they are off their phone, I understand they are ok with me saying a few things to them.

Returning to the dance rituals, the dynamics are more formalized, and that gives the interplay enough structure that those involved know what to expect, and gives them the chance to learn how to play the game. There were many more examples of this in the dance itself, but for now, you get the picture. 

I have a friend, a Brazilian woman, who is afraid of a lot. She has asked me at various times how I did things without being afraid, and the thing is, I AM afraid at times. The difference is that she won’t do the thing if she is afraid, whereas most of us face up to the fear and do the thing even when we are. Courage, by definition, requires one to be afraid of the thing when facing it, otherwise there is nothing to overcome.

I admire those that face their own fears. They build their own character in facing tasks that seem daunting, and yet forge ahead. It of course helps those of us that are believers to know that when we do what the Lord is calling us to, he will equip us with everything we need. We might be blindly forging ahead, according to what can see, but we fully know and trust that the God who called us to such a field knows exactly what is needed and will supply it graciously. But a big part of that faith is still going to require we step out in spite of our fears.

But it’s in those moments of doubt and in the face of fear, that courage rises up and we find the strength to step out. I’m sure the Lord will bless you and reward you for doing so.

[aion-rsa]

American Gods Season 3: Who Are The Orisha?

https://ift.tt/3r2NS26

This article contains spoilers for American Gods season 3 episode 4.

American Gods star Yetide Badaki, known to fans of the show as love goddess Bilquis, has an upbringing as unique as any fictional character from Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel. 

She lived in England for three years, has lived in American since age 12, and went to college in Canada, but Badaki’s roots are planted in the soil of the country of her birth, Nigeria. Nigeria, Africa’s largest country, serves as the centerpiece of the larger tribal community known as Yorubaland along with Benin, Ghana, and Togo. Yorubaland is home to 55 million people and was one of the largest sources of the enslaved people to the United States of America. It’s also home to spirit world entities which are now about to enter into the American Gods’ canon: The Orisha.

Far from being a relic of the past, the Orisha still play an active part in African religion to this day, and it was something that Badaki was keen to see brought to the screen.

“There are quite a few fascinating gods and goddesses that I’d like to see, but my answer would be the Orisha,” Badaki said when asked about possible additions to the American Gods pantheon. “I can’t wait for everybody to meet all of them.”

The Orisha are hinted at in episode 2, when a young Shadow Moon stares at a cover of a magazine touting the beauty of Nigeria, with the face on the cover of the magazine speaking to him. Their proper introduction comes at the beginning of episode 4 “The Unseen,” where slaves break their shackles with the help of the Gods of their old world, with the Orisha promising, among other things, freedom and their strong blessing. Four new members of the pantheon of American Gods are pictured: Chango, Oshun, Yemoja, and Aye. 

In the original Yoruban tales, the Orisha are spirits sent by Olodumare (the source of creation) to guide all creation, with particular emphasis on the guidance of humanity as seen in the cold opening of “The Unseen.” The number of Orisha varies depending on the telling, with the group being either 400, 700, 1440, or more than anyone can think of, plus one more. That extra plus one, always handy on a guest list, ties the number of Orisha to a sacred number in traditional beliefs. 

Orisha straddle the world between the realm of spirits and men, with Orisha being either spirits born into the bodies of humans, or humans who have done such great deeds in life that they become Orisha through the power of their actions. They also serve as intercessors with Oludumare, speaking on behalf of their followers according to their areas of experience.

So just who are these Orisha and what are their particular interests?

The most noteworthy initial appearance is that of Chango, who breaks the chains to free the captive in the fields. Chango, played by Nigerian-American rapper and actor Wale, is the most fearsome and dangerous of the Orisha. An early leader of the Oyo Empire, Chango was a vengeful conqueror whose seven years at the head of the kingdom marked by constant warfare and conquest until his palace was struck by lightning and killed. 

Chango is known as the God of Iron who casts down thunderstones to smite those that displease him with lightning, and stones formed by lightning strikes are sacred to his followers, who span across the African diaspora from traditional Yoruba worship to Santeria and both Haitian and Louisiana variants of voudou/voodoo. Chango, as befitting a warrior, is represented by his two axes, the thunder of both sky and drum, and the color red. He is a renowned ladies’ man (he has three wives, after all) and the Orisha known for his ability to dance and love of a good party. Fittingly, his consecrated worship day is Wednesday, a fact that I am certain will be important later.

Alongside Chango is his queen and wife, Oshun, as played by American singer and actor Herizen F. Guardiola. Alongside Chango, Oshun has been widely adopted across a variety of religions, with an especially strong presence in the Afro-Brazilian religion Candombele, where she is revered as the Lady of Gold and is a patron of wealth and prosperity, with the bright yellow of flowers and the ritual fan called the Abebe being associated with her worship. As queen and wife, she is also known as the protector of pregnant women and children, and a powerful goddess of love. 

Read more

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Her name is linked to Nigeria’s Osun river, and in traditional Yoruba beliefs, she is the goddess of fresh water and waterfalls, with her worshippers paying tribute to her at lakes, streams, and canals; as the messenger of the Orisha, she is commonly associated with peacock feathers, having transformed herself to get a message to Oludumare during a great drought. In Cuba, she is celebrated with a type of violin performance known as Violin for Osun, a blend of Western classical music and Cuban popular music; Guardiola’s father is a Cuban reggae musician, making this a fitting pairing.

Yemoja, played by Bridget Ogundipe, is another powerful spirit tied to water and birth, as she is the mother of humanity. When her water broke at the birth of the human race, it created the very waters of the rivers and seas that sustain us. As such, she has a powerful tie to motherhood and is a goddess pertaining to everything related to women, from conception and parenting to love and the “feminine mysteries”. As befitting a good mother, she is very slow to anger, but capable of great destruction as anyone who lives on a flood plane could attest. 

As someone tied to both womanhood and the water (rivers in Yorubaland, the ocean and seas throughout the Caribbean diaspora), she is often depicted as a mermaid, or as a nursing mother. (Her name is a contraction for the Yoruban words that translate ‘mother of fish children’.) Her colors are the colors of clean water, blue and crystal, and her symbols are anything related to the ocean, from shells and fish to anchors. Festivals are held for Yemoja throughout the world, particularly in Cuba, Brazil, and Uruguay, with worshippers traveling for miles to congregate at beaches and shrines and send offerings out to sea for Yemoja in small boats.

Last, but certainly not least, is Aye, played by Karen Glave. Of all of the Orisha, who all go by a variety of names depending on what religious tradition they are a part of; she is the one that is most difficult to track down. Yet, of all the Orisha, perhaps she is the most powerful. Aye is the Yoruban version of Mother Earth. More than simply being the planet on which we all tread, Aye is the force of creation given life. More than just a mother figure, she is a creator figure; a Yoruba saying goes “You have Aye; I have Aye; we all have Aye in our pockets.” 

To attempt to sum up Aye in a single phrase? She is power. Specifically, the power of Black women. Gestating life, creating a work of art, building a town, organizing a revolution? All of these things fall under the purview of Aye, because she is the great creative force without whom the Earth would have never existed; the male Orisha attempted to leave women out of the creation process and failed miserably until Oshun agreed to participate and Aye was born. As such, it is the labor of many working together who tap into Aye’s great power, a collective greater good in which displays of wealth are forbidden and sharing is not encouraged, but required. If you have ever known a kindly older woman who could cure a cold by administering a hot drink and applying salve, you have known one of Aye’s iyalawo (mothers of mysteries).

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

When your spirits cross oceans and spread out across thousands of years, dozens of countries, multiple languages, and four continents, having accurate information can be an issue. The information presented above is by no means exhaustive, as the Orisha themselves cover many skills and cross many boundaries depending on the belief system examined. As the Gods changed in their time in America, the Orisha have changed throughout history thanks to the power of syncretism with Roman Catholic saints, Islam, Pentecostalism, Chrislam, and many, many other beliefs.

While I have done my best to explain the powers of the Orisha, no mere mortal would ever be able to limit the power of an Orisha to text on a page.

The post American Gods Season 3: Who Are The Orisha? appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2Mclc8h

[nekomiras]

hi, yes, please proceed to shove your culture up my ass and tell me more of your Brazilian Folklore AU

Honey just know that this AU has so many brazilian terms

But for real? Every folklore is fucking incredible! I just happen to be brazilian and like my country enough to make an AU out of it, I got some famous and not-so-famous characters from stories I heard when I was a kid and put them on the bbs bois, their myths were changed to fit them better, them very quickly explained are:

Evan: Trique, also known as Saci-Pererê, a fucking prankster, he appears on a small swirl and can be catched with a sieve and a glass bottle

Delirious: Iara, a good looking heir of a tribe with a bunch jealous siblings that tried to kill him so he wouldn’t become the heir, he actually killed all of them! But dadelirous didn’t like it and decided to sacrifice him for the gods of the rivers, but the gods actually thought Del 2 qte 2 die and he became a merman that protect the rivers from people with hate on their heart

Moo: Mula-sem-cabeça, normally they’re women who fell in love with people they shouldn’t, it’s a curse that at night they become horses with fire in the place of their faces that are attracted and scared of things that reflect their light and atack it, people say that if you ever see a mula-sem-cabeça you should hide your nails and close your mouth and eyes. Mulas-sem-cabeça are normally really sweet people that couldn’t help human emotions, it’s one of the stories I changed the most and it’s a really sad story now :(

Nogla: Muiraquitã, it’s a lucky amulet!! It’s said that when a muiraquitã touches a rock it takes the color or the shape of the specific one that touches it, if you keep a blessed rock you get good luck!!

Wildcat: Onça Maneta, it’s the spirit of a jaguar that was killed by a hunter, he got so angry he refused to actually die until he kills every single person that endangers the forest, he can be a total sweetheart to people that are not causing problems tho!

Scotty: Boto-cor-de-rosa, the pink dolphin. He fell in love with a human and was blessed by the gods of the rivers and Delirious so he’s able to take the human form of a man at nights without moon so he can be with his loved one, this is another one that I changed a lot!

Smii7y: Florzinha!!!! He’s an small fairy that pranks people that I mean to the flora, he lives inside flowers and pull people’s hair when he wants attention!

Cartoonz: Boitatá, a fire snake, his fire is as bright as the sun, he can activate it at his will but he keeps is deactvated while he’s around other people after what happened with him and Ohm :(

Ohm: Guaraná, he’s just a loved boy who once met Toonz and they became friends easly!! But unfortunately one day he looked at his fire and started getting blind before Toonz made him stop staring, it was a lost cause tho, the God of the Sun seeing what happened decided to help out, he made Toonz take Ohm’s eyes out and bury them, from there it grew a plant with fruits that looked like eyes, Ohm got the ability to be the eyes of the forest and see everything that happens around, he normally keeps some eyes closed because it can be reallu overwhelming. His and Toonz story were changed A LOT from the original myths!

The last one I have noted is Mini as chupa cu, it’s just a meme that you gonna have to search in the translator to find out, I’m not sorry!

The ones that don’t have myths are either normal humans or I just didn’t find a myth for them yet!

[olivia-calidamn]

6, 16 esme, 16 beatrice

current favorite brotp, and a song for them

Tom this was insanely hard but i’m gonna pick Jacquelyn, Gustav and Larry so The Gay Trifecta and either say Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul by Meatloaf from RHPS or Playing With The Boys by Kenny Loggins from Top Gun (??) Hot Patootie would be them messing around in the City at night and like. Playing With The Boys would be ideally a volleyball match lmao

or the Baudelaires and Kids Of Tragedy by Suzi Quatro ie. the perfect credits song for the entire series i absolutely love Suzi Quatro and Kids Of Tragedy

3 headcanons for Esmé

she hates people, not ‘cause they’re gay or bi or trans or nonbinary, etc., she doesn’t like the concept of people, fuck do people annoy her unless they’re giving her their undivided attention and adoration and honestly working in the financial sector would do this to someone; 

she likes women, babeyyyy; 

she tries to hide it very well but her Girlfriends learn she can be Influenced™️ by being offered a Shiny™️ object so like, they’ll say to her “Esmé if you come to this dinner with our VFD pals and you don’t try to tear up Beatrice on sight we’ll give you this Shiny™️” and she goes “gimme”; 

also Georgina is the absolute Esmé Expert™️. her Girlfriends go to Georgina to ask about Esmé and what Georgina doesn’t know about Esmé isn’t worth anyone else knowing or she’s hidden it deep inside oops

3 headcanons for Esmé

ooh!!! okay lemme see

oh she is a goth. Beatrice is goth. i mean. the bats?? no doubt she wore black a lot?? the fact that so many guys and girls wanted her to be their Goth GF™️??? idk maybe by like, the Baudelaires she’s very nuanced and refined in her goth so she’s very Morticia about it and hey the most recent photo we saw with Beatrice and the rest of VFD was from easily like 20 years ago maybe she wore the pink blouse so she and Quinn could be matchy-matchy idk but imagine the Bauds reading the Addams Family comics or watching the 60′s show and seeing Morticia and doing a double take at their Mom;

the absolute CORE of VFD drama. if nothing’s happening in VFD she will find something to happen and shake up everything. she’s a messy bitch who lives for drama and i support her;

i love C’s idea of Brazilian Beatrice!! Beatrice teaching the Baudelaires both English and Portuguese so they grow up bilingual (i have a fic i’m working on where Sunny’s saying Portuguese words as well as English/her Babble) which is awesome i wish i’d grown up bilingual or at least remembered more of languages i’ve learned;

oh my god y’know how there’s an Esmé Squalor Fan Club what if there was a Beatrice Baudelaire fan club tho most of the members would be VFD members as well now i think of it lmao;

now a headcanon concerning both Esmé and Beatrice which yes is very common but like. they had a messy relationship and a messier breakup. it was like a new schism in VFD:For Esmé and For Beatrice. Jerome took Beatrice’s side but Esmé is completely unaware. Georgina kept switching sides just to piss Esmé off. Jacquelyn didn’t want to be involved so she was eventually the one who began disbanding the New Schism - after she gave both of them a pair of boxing gloves and told them to go to town. a tooth may have been knocked out. neither of them owned up to it so they didn’t prove one was better than the other. no one knows who the tooth belongs to but Beatrice, Esmé, and a City dentist.

[philipchircop]

DULCE LOPES PONTES:  FROM SERVING THE SICK TO NOBEL NOMINEE

Brazilian Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes was declared a saint together with three other women —Mother Mariam Thresia, Marguerite Bays, Mother Giuseppina Vannini— and John Henry Newman today, Sunday 13th October, during a Canonization Mass in St Peter’s Square.

Her secular name was Maria Rita, and she was born in Salvador de Bahia in 1914. After her mother died, she went to live with her aunts. When she was 13, they took her to visit one of the poorest areas of the city. Maria Rita was so struck by what she saw that she began dedicating herself to the poor and needy of her neighbourhood.  

Love and service

Maria Rita was particularly devoted to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and felt a strong calling to religious life. She said she was ready to perform the "small acts of love" that Jesus transforms into great works.

After entering the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God, she became Sister Dulce, her Mother’s name, and spent her time attending to the local poor and destitute. Eventually, she founded the Sao Francisco’s Workers Union and opened a clinic, a library, a school and even cinema for the poor.

A hospital in a henhouse

As Sister Dulce’s reputation grew, so did the number of people seeking her help and attention. She started out housing them in abandoned buildings in a rundown area of Bahia, known as “Rat Island”.

After a series of evictions, Sister Dulce’s Superior said she could use the henhouse attached to the convent, on condition she took care of the chickens. She did: by feeding them to her sick patients. That chicken coop was later to become the present-day Santo Antonio Hospital, a 1500-bed health care centre specializing in cancer treatment.

Nobel Prize nominee

Sister Dulce herself developed serious respiratory problems and had to spend 16 months in that hospital. It was there that Pope John Paul II came to visit her while he was on a trip to Brazil in 1990. The President of Brazil had already nominated her for the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of her work with the Charitable Works Foundation of Sister Dulce, which she founded in 1959.

The "Mother Teresa of Brazil", as she was known, died on 13 March 1992 at the age of 77. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed her Blessed on 22 May 2011.

Source: Vatican News  (https://www.vaticannews.va)

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 2, Chapter 16

"I ain't tryin' to think about it, no Yeah, I said it, boy, get up inside it I want you to homicide it Going slow and I want you to pipe it Anything I kinda like ya Up against the wall, we don't need a title

Yeah, I said it Yeah, I said it, baby Yeah, I said it, man fuck a title…"

"Yeah I Said It" - Rihanna

Califia laughs as she twists and turns around Erik.

They spar together on the rooftop patio, their new cords swinging from their waists. Lia and Soliel jump in every now and then to test Erik and he skirts around them. Doing handstands and side flips that make them clap for him.

Lia sings an old capoeira fight song as Soleil claps along with N'Jobu who sits on a chair watching his son match his skills with hers. Her son is fast and he is bold. He is not intimidated by Califia's assertive kicks and leg work. Soliel joins Lia in singing and Califia holds up her hands. Erik saunters up to her by swaying low on the ground, his hips and legs and arms rocking back and forth in tandem before he presses his hands into hers and they dance together. Her eyes gaze into Erik's and she sees mischievous twinkling there. He breaks away from her and backflips into a handstand and uses his legs to come for her. She backflips into a handstand too and their legs and feet strike at one another twisting and twirling in offensive and defensive moves.

Califia widens her legs into the splits and Erik does the same. Rotating her feet and legs she has her son mirror her, training his core strength. Erik wobbles a little but he stays in tune with her lead.

She spins out and returns to her feet and he does the same until she makes her body small and dangerous, jabbing her hands onto his shoulders catching him off-guard. He falls over but regroups by spinning around trying various kicks on her. She allows his kicks to connect with her thighs and knees so that he can feel what his strength can do. She is impressed when he runs full throttle toward her planting his right foot on her bent thigh to catapult himself into another backflip. When he lands, he is in full ulwa mode, his hands spinning so fast and hitting her sides that she has to move quickly to defend her midsection.

She uses spinning and low ginga moves to block him until N'Jobu jumps in.

"JaJa!" N'Jobu calls and Erik turns to find his father in fight mode. Califia taps out and stands next to Lia and Soliel.

It is rare for her to see N'Jobu do any ulwa in front of others, but he seemed ready to take on Erik since he was switching up art forms. She found it thrilling to watch her little boy calculate moves so fast and flow into either fighting form when he felt the need. N'Jobu's size was the only thing holding Erik back from really teaching N'Jobu a lesson. She could only wonder and marvel at what Erik could do to his father when he was bigger and stronger. Creating a new mixed martial art form perhaps. Right now, his moves were seamless.

Erik's face became serious while working out with his father. N'Jobu called out Wakandan words that Erik knew. They sounded like movement instructions and Erik flowed accordingly. Until he was running up on his father like he did the man in the corner market.

"Jesus!" Lia exclaimed as Erik wrapped his legs around N'Jobu's neck. N'Jobu pulled Erik down from him.

"Where did you learn that?" N'Jobu asked.

Erik sat down on the cement patio panting and wiping sweat from his forehead.

"I just do it," he said matter-of-factly.

N'Jobu glanced over at Califia who shrugged. N'Jobu smirked and patted Erik's head.

"N'Jobu, that style of fighting is so fluid, so much like us," Lia said.

N'Jobu spent some time showing Soleil and Lia a few moves. Erik joined in and Califia watched them all. Especially N'Jobu. He had taken off his jacket to fight in his t-shirt and sweats, and his biceps flexed as he played with Erik and her friends. A breeze came through and ruffled Soliel's hair, the long curly pitch-black tresses flowing around her face as she spun around N'Jobu and Erik, pushing Lia into their path as she tried to block herself from Erik's hands that stuck out like sharp pincers. Lia swiped a leg that connected with N'Jobu's foot and tottered him back. He stumbled into Califia.

She grabbed a hold of his arms to keep her balance and when he twisted around to look down at her she felt a sense of déjà vu again. The feeling was visceral, his touch activating her always active sense memories. She thought of the first time he saw her spar with Bakari. His eyes had caressed her every move then. She had been sweaty, high, and feeling incredibly attracted to him. He was in relationships with several women, and that night after he first saw her do capoeira, she watched him in a private Karaoke Bar maneuver two of his lovers like an illicit tango. One of the women became one of her close friends. Serah. The woman who told her that this man fucked like a God. That he was loyal. And loved women.

At this moment she was feeling soft and loved and blessed to have him in her arms. That first stumble and touch from so long ago led to her being there, and behind them was the fruit of their union, a spitfire child who was brilliant and showing great athletic prowess. She began to have a yearning, a maternal tugging. Maybe it was time to make another little one. Maybe it was time for their baby girl to come along.

She leaned her head up and captured N'Jobu's lips in hers. She heard the heckling from Soliel and Lia. Their quick smooch was interrupted by the arrival of Marisol and Aunjanue with bags of ice cream and a small cake to celebrate their baptisado success. Erik ran after Marisol who held up a bag with the chocolate flavor that he loved. The two children ran into the kitchen to grab spoons and bowls.

Lia walked over to Califia and touched her shoulder.

"We should probably start getting ready after the cake and ice cream," Lia said.

They were going out to a local club to dance and celebrate. A little adult time. N'Jobu had originally planned to stay with the children until he learned that a newly divorced Axiel and some of Soliel's other male friends were joining them. Her playing coy about all their nighttime plans seemed to spurn N'Jobu into coming along just to keep an eye on her.

She still found it amusing that a man who was raised as a Prince, with all the trappings that came with it, a man who could have any woman he desired, got his boxers in a bunch when it came to little old her. When she was feeling especially horny for him, she would manipulate that need in him to keep other men away from her. She didn't think it was insecurity on his part, but this deep-set urge to have dominance over what belonged to him. That shit turned her on in the worst way. It was manipulative, but sweet baby Jesus, when she used it against him, played upon his need to covet her, he would get up in her guts and make her pussy sore. The type of soreness she liked every now and then. She needed him to punish her folds from time to time. Make her back and neck ache something fierce. Bruise her thighs. It made her feel powerful. Wanted.

Lately, she was needing that feeling more and more from him.

Once the children had been stuffed with too much sugar and dairy, Califia and the other adults bundled them up and dropped them off to be watched overnight by Lia and Soliel's parents.

She could feel N'Jobu's eyes on her ass as she walked arm in arm with Lia, swinging her butt cheeks a little too hard while wearing the sexy little blue dress she bought at the Bazaar just for their evening out. The first half of their evening was spent bar hopping and catching a late dinner at a steakhouse. Soliel's two male friends, Martine and Joao were funny and hit it off with N'Jobu quite well.

The local hip hop club was having a soul night, so the music was a mixture of Sao Paulo R&B & hip-hop with a few American songs thrown in, and a new trend in Brazilian music loosely translated as "gutter rip". It was a hard type of sound that was bubbling up from the streets and she loved it. She planned on bringing it back to the States with her to use in her dance classes.

Axiel was already out on the floor of the club. The place had a wooden roof with no real walls, just giant cement pillars that held up the roof, and an uncovered patio section that had couches and chairs spread around so folks could watch the floor and catch cool breezes and smoke. Califia wasted no time shimmying up to Axiel with Soliel and shaking her hips. Aunjanue kept Martine and Joao occupied with Lia. She saw N'Jobu hang back, taking in the scene, his eyes never straying from hers too long. When the dance floor grew dense, she waved her hands for him to join her.

She loved dancing with her man, but he wasn't the type to become flamboyant with his moves. He had confessed to her long ago that he loved to just kick back and watch her move. He was a very good dancer himself but never seemed to want to indulge too much when they went out. Probably because he didn't like attracting too much attention. However, his being insular and relaxed seemed to attract the women there and soon Califia found herself surrounded by chicks ready to pick up the slack if she faltered any time. N'Jobu held her waist, turning her every now and then so he could look at her from every angle.

His eyes flitted around the place, checking things and people out. She wanted him focused on her, but the open space had so much going on, and there were so many interesting people to look at. She had to admit her eyes were wandering and peeping the hot guys gyrating hips around her. She also had to admit that the women there were straight fire, so N'Jobu's wandering eye was understandable. She found herself staring at a lot of the women herself, admiring their outfits and hair, and occasionally gawking at some of their bodies. This part of town was very Black, and the African ancestry was prevalent by the high number shelf booty many the of the baddies were slanging around in tight outfits that left nothing to the imagination. Califia thought her dress was provocative by being short and tight, but compared to some there, she had on a nun's garb. And she wasn't mad at them. Sometimes it was good to be out there free with one's body. Being in their thirties now, she and her female friends moved around like mature club doyennes who could still bring it. It was evident by the number of younger men rushing up on them.

When N'Jobu bought her a drink at the bar, she wasn't surprised at the assertive plays made for him even while she was standing there. He had a lot of eyes on him when they were on the floor shaking it up. He passed on going back to dance again so soon, so she tossed back a calimocho and a cinnamon stinger shot and made her way back to the dance floor and back to Axiel who grabbed her hips in time to the new music craze.

Feeling loose, she tossed her ass back on Besouro, her eyes on N'Jobu as he waded through women chatting him up who thought he was American and available. Liquor warming up her veins and hard beats heating up her thighs, Califia felt her pussy jump when she saw N'Jobu lean in towards a big girl with a gorgeous smile and major curves who giggled at whatever N'Jobu was telling her. Him just talking and smiling was so damn sexy to her. And each time he had to lean in to make himself heard over the music by whispering in a woman's ear, Califia could clearly see the women reacting to the intimacy of his warm breath on their ear. He smelled like a million bucks and the robin egg blue shirt he wore made his melanin pop. He wore the thick silver chain she bought for him for his birthday and the midnight black jeans he sported gave him a casual but classy look. She kept admiring him as she danced. The woman he was with introduced him to one of her friends. She watched him shake the new woman's hand and order himself another drink. He wasn't even thinking about her cheeks slapping against another man's crotch. Nigga.

A tad bit miffed, Califia focused on the dance floor. So many fine men. The cinnamon stinger had her lifted, and she soon forgot about N'Jobu and concentrated on the sensations of the liquor in her system. She was now a mestre. All the long years of hard work and intense discipline had paid off. She was proud of herself. And she was proud that Erik was able to witness it. She needed him to see what he could do in the future if he wanted it as she did. Studied hard. Practiced. Focused on the outcome of his goal. Strict discipline. Visualizing himself achieving his goal. Her little boy was a badass and she took great pride in teaching him. She felt honored to be his mother.

She smiled to herself and let her arms wave in the air. Someone passed around a community joint and she clipped it, snagging two good puffs before passing it along and moving away from Axiel and joining Soliel. She was hunched up on a dude who was grooving deep and Califia tried to match his intensity.

The weed hit her hard, surprising her, and she became one with the music, her body slowing down and just vibing. The DJ tossed in some classic carnival sounds and the samba beats mixed with the gutter rip took her away. She felt like she was twenty again and up for anything. She twirled from dude to dude and enjoyed herself.

The deep bass reverberating from the massive sound system hit her chest hard and she couldn't help but groove to celebrate her achievement. She didn't have to worry about looking after Erik tonight, she could sleep in and worry about herself. She wouldn't see her son until later the next day, and that meant she could enjoy N'Jobu for a few hours alone. Such a rare occurrence. Adult alone time. Thinking on it heated her up. She wanted to look at her man's skin, stare at the way he walked, and drool over him as if she was just meeting him for the first time tonight. He looked so damn fine and was so nonchalant about it, even in a room full of equally intoxicating men. He was her Prince. Thinking on it more, she loved the fact that her man was royalty. No one else knew it, but they felt it while being in his presence. Even as he sat back at the baptisado being supportive and not attracting attention to himself, he was still capturing the attention of other men and women.

She herself could still feel breathless being around him. The liquor and weed had her feeling emotional and she found herself getting a little misty-eyed knowing that he had chosen her, some regular Oakland girl, and made her his secret Princess. Of all the women in the world he could've fallen for or been with, he aligned his life with hers. She wasn't rich or pursuing a lucrative career. They would probably have to live in their townhouse for many years before even considering a bigger place once Erik grew older and they added more children to their family. Unless he took them back to Wakanda, he would have to hide his full self as a simple man making a living cutting hair, hiding from his own people so many secrets. She wiped her eyes. He chose her. Gave her their beloved son. He loved them both unconditionally.

Spinning around she saw N'Jobu on the floor with the big beauty and another sexy young thang who was clutching his back. Califia felt her lips curl up. Should she go over and snatch him away? Or let him do his thing—

The hand snagging her elbow were assertive. She blinked when she was spun around. Martine's light beige-colored skin was sweating up a storm. She could feel the hot moisture from his body flicking onto her own drenched arms. She moved with him, pressing her breasts into his chest just to see what it felt like. She wanted to be flirty and naughty and did her best to be sexy without crossing the line. She wanted her man to feel a certain way and do something. She wanted him to come get her.

Two songs had come and gone before her eyes flitted over to find N'Jobu back at the bar speaking closely to another woman who had her hand on his arm and was running her fingers back and forth. He wasn't even paying attention to Califia. He had a drink in his hand, and when he finally checked the floor for her, he raised his glass to her, not even caring that a handsome stranger was all on her. The man was bumping into her ass in time to the music, taking advantage of her flirty behavior and N'Jobu wasn't even reacting like he normally would.

Nigga.

Lia brought her another drink on the dance floor before bopping off with her boyfriend who had finally arrived. The club was really hitting its stride by then and the thick crowd made it hard for her to track N'Jobu from the dance floor.

She walked around the club looking for him, thinking he had gone to a restroom, but she found him back on the floor with the woman who had her arm on him at the bar. The woman had body for days and Califia felt a bit intimidated watching her throw her big ass on her man's groin. When N'Jobu reached down and grabbed her hips to bump against her, Califia felt her pussy jump in her panties. She watched N'Jobu clutch the girl's hip with one hand while his other hand treked up her back and gripped her neck…

Califia felt like her face was sweltering. She didn't want to admit it but she knew her panties were hella damp. Strange. Observing him with other women made her feel so excited. She got to see how he moved, see how it must look when he was on her. He was just so smooth when he worked his eyes and lips. Once he had a woman in his crosshairs, he could go in for the kill just by speaking her name with his voice. His fake American accent was just as sexy as his normal voice.

The girl was winding her hips and she was looking back at him. Califia knew that look. It was telling him he could have it all. Right there on the dancefloor. And N'Jobu was grinding on her knowing he could take it. Califia knew his dick had to be hard. The music playing had everyone on the floor thirsting and dry humping. Now N'Jobu's girl was putting her hands on her knees and bouncing on her man's dick a little harder. This was going a little too far now.

The music switched up and the crowd screamed their approval and more people rushed the floor. Califia pushed her way through the bodies, her eyes furtively searching for her man. This shit was not playing out how she imagined it would. Some other bitch was getting a taste of that Daddy Dick. She felt the opening of her pussy clench involuntarily thinking about his thickness. Califia knew what that bulge felt like the first time she encountered it on her ass. She sure as hell was not about to share it.

She couldn't find him.

In a drunken panic, she actually thought he left with the woman.

She ran out to the parking lot, her heels making her run clunky. She called out his name. He was nowhere to be found.

"Cali, you alright?"

Axiel held her arm.

"I can't find N'Jobu."

She hoped her voice didn't sound distressed.

"He's around here somewhere, I saw him a minute ago."

"He's not good with the language, so I just want to make sure he's okay," she said trying to sound cheerful.

"I'll look in the men's room."

"Thanks," she said walking around the back, eyes glancing around the outdoor lounge area.

She saw a few couples making out against the posts that held up the roof of the establishment. As she moved further away from the inner part of the club, the only light she had to see were the stars and a few outdoor heating lamps that glowed. The music was thumping hard, the vibrations rumbling all the way to where she was standing.

"Come here!"

She felt rough hands lift her up and carry her toward a large storage shed and slam her against the side. A brazen mouth was on her neck, sucking the skin like he wanted to cannibalize her flesh. His breath was hot, his saliva hotter as he reached under her dress and yanked her panties to the side…

He knew exactly what she was trying to do.

From the way her ass twisted when she walked into the club, to the way she clung to dance partners while staring at him, N'Jobu knew Califia was trying to get a reaction out of him. But instead of playing into her little game, he purposely mirrored her behavior, giving her a taste of what she was doing.

She was not liking it at all, and it made him laugh internally. He played it low key, not really asserting flirtatious behavior. All he had to do was play the quiet American in a foreign country and the women flocked to him. Especially the younger ones who were not impressed with men grabbing them as they danced, or yelled at them as they walked past. He just sat in the cut and minded his business while sipping his liquor and not gulping it down. He knew how to speak basic Portuguese to get around and order food and drinks, but he pretended to be helpless trying to get a rum and coke and he was instantly rescued. His eyes kept checking for Califia, and whenever they met, he would give her a coy smile or wave and then turn his attention to whatever woman was in his personal space.

He saw her dancing with Axiel on and off, but Besouro was drinking hard and flirting with every woman in his vicinity. Divorced for nearly four months, Axiel was a like a kid in a candy store sampling every sugary sweet that walked his way. N'Jobu wasn't compelled to do anything when the man was play slapping Califia's backside in time to the hard beats rattling everyone's eardrums. If she thought she was making him jealous, she was sadly mistaken. He ignored her again when a fair-skinned man with thick muscles reached for her when a new song blasted out from the speakers. Her eyes kept watching N'Jobu instead of her dance partner, and he kept on feigning interest in the other women. Which wasn't hard. The women were incredible and openly letting him know he could get it. One woman was absolutely vulgar whispering in his ear the things she was ready to do in the club. He stood there and listened, actually intrigued until her boyfriend stepped to him and ushered her away, giving N'Jobu a stern look of disapproval.

The rum and coke loosened him up, giving him more confidence to try and use more Portuguese while speaking to the new girl hitting him up at the bar. Her body should've been arrested for causing a public disturbance. Every man in the spot was checking for her thickness. Ass for days. Tits sitting pretty. He had to tell her that he was there with his woman to make sure his buzzed state didn't have him fucking up in public. But this beauty didn't give a damn about Califia.

"She left you here at the bar alone?" was the rough translation he was able to make out when the woman eased closer to him, stroking his arm.

"I don't like this song," he said.

The woman, Maya, took his hand and switched over to English.

"I'll make you like this song," she said dragging him toward the dance floor.

Maya moved like she owned the world, and N'Jobu found himself reacting to her. She was cute and sexy and when she turned around to let him see what she was working with, he couldn't help but groan at the sight.

"You are dangerous," he said.

"I know," she said.

They danced and he had no shame staring at her. His eyes bounced around searching for Califia and he saw her watching him near the bar. He reached for Maya's hip and ran his other hand up her back and held her neck. Maya backed her ass up until it was hitting his dick, and he still felt no shame when a slight erection sprung up. He thought of what he would do to Califia when they returned to Lia's place. The children would be gone. Lia would be staying with her boyfriend. They had the flat to themselves. He was going to serve her some deep dick. Thinking about her thighs and how he was going to make her scream had his cock thickening against Maya's plush cheeks. He wound his hips knowing Califia was seeing everything.

The music shifted and he pulled Maya away from his stiffness. She wanted more, and her hand stroked his bulge.

"That's not for you," he said smiling and removing her hand, "Thanks for the dance."

He searched the room for Califia, but the packed floor had him moving around. He caught sight of her and she was turning down dances from various men. She was looking for him and moving in the opposite direction. He followed from a distance, enjoying the view of her from the back. Her dress had her cheeks bouncing while she walked. All that weight sitting nice and fat. Damn, the older she got, the better looking she got, and her backside had him weak still. He was ready to get all up in that ass. It was time to go. He needed to bust several nuts inside of her and on her. He was going to be loud and aggressive as hell.

He went to use the restroom first.

"Wait—!"

He thrust his fingers down her throat to shut her up, his eyes molten orbs ready to melt all of her.

"You think I don't know what you were trying to do?"

Over his shoulder, she saw people watching them. His other fingers still held her panties to the side. She wiggled a bit, wanting him to touch her core, but he kept his fingers in place.

Axiel walked towards them and stopped short when he saw N'Jobu hemming her up against the shed. She was gasping, her eyes staring at Axiel. The man pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He watched them, not bothering to leave.

"You love being a brat, don't you?" His American accent was gone. This was pure Jobu magic.

"You think I care if you purposely let them touch you because you want to get a rise from me?" He whispered in her ear.

"I know you were getting hot watching me, eh? You saw that fat ass on my dick—"

She whimpered when he said that, her lip trembling from the thought of his erection being rubbed on by that other woman.

"If I touch you right now, would your pussy be dripping, girl? Hmmm?"

Pleasetouchmepleasetouchmepleasetouchme…

"Is your pussy wet, baby?"

He still would not touch her. She could feel the air on her vulva and that in itself was making her labia twitch with longing. Her private parts felt engorged to the point of discomfort. She needed release. Her clit was in critical condition and only his fingers or dick could save it.

"Get your ass back inside the club," he hissed at her.

Her eyes looked at him confused.

"I'm going to teach you a lesson about trying to tease me," he said.

She reached down to pull her panties back in place.

"Nah. Leave that shit twisted to the side. I need easy access. You better not touch yourself either."

She fixed her dress, but the taut angle of her panties rubbed one side of her vulva, making her legs tremble.

"Get to stepping, girl. I'm not playing with you."

He smacked her ass and she walked in front of him. Axiel still watched them as they moved past him.

"Everything good?" he asked.

"Peachy," N'Jobu said brushing past him. He slapped Califia's right ass cheek hard and Axiel heard and saw it happen. She felt her bottom lip drop open.

"Keep moving," N'Jobu demanded.

They entered the dance space and found the others sitting around a low table on mix-matched couches.

N'Jobu sat down on an empty spot and Califia sat next to him. Axiel sat across from them in a wooden chair that had seen better days. The music was rough, rugged and raw, and their little party flocked to the floor except for Califia, N'Jobu, and Axiel. Martine and Joao stayed perched behind them on another couch that was back to back with their own.

"Music is fantastic," Axiel said.

N'Jobu's hand slipped down onto her knee then drifted to her thigh. She could still see Axiel watching them. His eyes caught N'Jobu's movement and he turned his head to pretend like he didn't see her man's hand easing under her dress. Her breath hitched when she felt N'Jobu's fingers stroke the sensitive nub of her wet clit.

"Ready for me already?" he asked loud enough for the men to hear. If she weren't already sweating enough, she could swear her moist face would catch on fire.

"Goddamn, this pussy is so wet. You trying to tell me something?"

Now she was really feeling turned on and embarrassed. He was going to talk shit with them all right there. Play in her pussy while the men she was trying to make N'Jobu jealous with sat there and listened to her body give in to this wily Prince.

One of the men she had danced with earlier strolled past with a drink in his hand. He glanced over at her and N'Jobu. When his eyes drifted to her lap, even he could see what was happening under her dress and he moved right along. She turned to look at N'Jobu and his eyes were on hers. Playful and sinful was the way he gawked at her. His lips curled into a smirk as he pulled on her clit ring.

"Oh, Gawd…" she tried to whisper but the slight tugging was unbearable. Her lips twisted up trying to stay quiet.

"When I get you back to Lia's….." N'Jobu teased. He bit his bottom lip and pulled her in closer so that her legs shifted toward him giving him better access to the apex of her thighs while her dress still covered his hand. He let his index finger tease her folds, parting them slightly so he could dip the tip inside of her. "Jobu….shit…don't…."

"Don't what?"

Her eyes fell on Axiel who was shifting his legs in his seat.

Her head dropped onto N'Jobu's arm and he flicked the tip of his finger on her clit again and she hissed, biting his shoulder, her heated pants barely constrained to his ear. When he looked at her eyes, she shut hers tight. The smug look on his face irritated her because she was at his mercy. As self-conscious as she was knowing the men sitting near them were well aware of what was happening to her, she didn't want him to stop. The discomfiture only aided in the gratification she was experiencing while being put on display. The other men wanted to be the ones with their hands and fingers under her dress, manipulating her folds, inserting their eager digits into her center. But this was N'Jobu's pussy. And he was reminding her of that. Her hand dug into his arm now. He tugged on her clit ring and then pinched her labia together in rhythmic tweaks with his slippery thumb and ring finger.

"Tell me why your pussy is so wet."

She wanted him to stop talking so loud. Axiel could hear everything, and so could Martine and Joao.

He pulled her head back forcing her to look at him.

"Don't hide now. Tell me. Huh? Why are you dripping all over my hand?"

He pinched her clit again harder and she winced from pleasure. Axiel was really twisting in his seat now. She heard Martine and Joao talking about her in Portuguese. They were enjoying what N'Jobu was doing to her in public, telling her to cum on his hand so they could hear what she sounded like. She tried squeezing her thighs together to control N'Jobu's hand but he stuck a finger inside of her and the pressure he exerted there made her stomach quake.

"Keep your legs still."

His eyes grew darker and his voice hit that bottom tone that let her know he was to be obeyed. His finger made small teasing circles inside of her and then she felt his thumb press against the skin between her pussy and her anus. He pinched her again and the sensation of his index finger pressing down on his thumb in that small space between her legs made her squeeze her eyes shut once more and buck her hips. She wanted to cum so bad. What was worse, she wanted to cum in front of the other men. She wanted the humiliation.

His lips suckled hers and she was grateful to have his mouth on her. His tongue licked the seam of her lips and she widened her mouth to grasp his, but even his lips and teeth teased her with incomplete kisses. She moved her hand up to grasp his face and hold him still. But he flicked his tongue around her lips some more before biting her bottom lip and releasing her. She couldn't control the groan of frustration that slipped out of her.

"You mad?" he said. He laughed at her and flicked her clit again. Her throat let out an exasperated chuffing sound.

"You're not getting what you want? Daddy playing too much?"

The smirk on his face pissed her off. He was aware of how she felt. He didn't care.

"You like thinking about me fucking other women, don't you?"

He slipped two fingers inside of her, going deep and tapping on her spot.

"You can't lie and say you don't, I can see how your body is reacting with me just talking about it. Thinking of my dick inside of Maya…that last girl I was dancing with… she got you panting and wetting your panties…oh shit, your pussy is pulling on my fingers…you want to see Maya bouncing on Daddy's dick? Is that what you want to see? How Daddy would make her pussy feel good?"

"Fuck…," Califia grunted. She reached out and grasped N'Jobu's neck. The image he painted was what she was fantasizing about when she watched them dance together.

N'Jobu laughed at her again and pulled his fingers from her center. He pulled her panties back into place.

"Go dance with your friends. I want to watch you," he said pushing away from her. Her body wanted to melt into the couch. He had her on the edge of no return. Just rubbing her thighs together caused electrical sparks to shoot through her skin from her neck to her toes. She felt ripe and gushy and so ready to break apart from his touch. Her nipples were poking through her bra and even the slightest rubbing against the silk material shot tendrils of heat to her middle. She didn't think she could stand up without stumbling on jittery legs.

N'Jobu shoved the side of her thigh, forcing her to move. She couldn't even look at the other guys because she knew their eyes were on her. They knew that she was wet and her carnal scent was on N'Jobu's fingers.

She could see Soliel, Aunjanue, and Lia dancing together, so Califia focused on walking stiffly toward them. They grabbed her arms when she appeared before them and for the first time in a long time, she felt shy about dancing in front of him. He knew her body inside and out, knew what it could do while fighting or fucking. But at that moment, dancing for him in public seemed so much more intimate. She felt naked in front of everyone. When she glanced over at him, he was still sitting on the couch, his legs relaxed, and thighs wide open. His face looked languid but also expectant. She wanted to go back to him and sit on his lap, drape her legs over those thighs. She exhaled through her mouth and saw Martine smile at her while Joao sipped from a shot glass. Axiel sat back in his seat watching the room, but his eyes gave furtive glances her way.

N'Jobu let the fingers of his right hand roll a bit, signaling for her to move.

She turned away from him and hid behind Soliel and Lia. Aunjanue sparked a joint on the floor and discreetly blew a long puff of smoke into Califia's mouth.

"Girl, you need to loosen up. You look so uptight," she said.

Califia grabbed the joint and took a few more drags before she was able to calm her nerves and the jumpiness in her skin. Her fingers stroked the soft material of her dress and the world began to slow down along with the music. The women's laughter carried her into a place of peace and deep sisterhood. These were her girls. The women who carried her through dark times. Women who loved her and loved her son fiercely. Her hands entwined with Soliel and Lia's and they spun together and bumped asses, shared more weed, and partied together like the night would never end. The sensual feel of sweat on her skin and the soft bodies of her friends pressing into her made her tune into the lovely sensations of her own physical joy. Limbs moving so smooth, her head shaking to and fro, loose hair bouncing around her face…she felt so free.

Floating sensations had her moving her hips and rolling her neck. Soliel had her backside up against hers and they moved in tandem, lowering themselves down and moving back up. They turned and hugged each other, pulling Lia into the group hug as Aunjanue took pictures of them with her cell. Soliel went off with her dancing and Califia called out to her as Lia jumped in and tried to show them both up. Negra Lia, a living Goddess, a woman who made a way out of no way to lead other women to freedom and self-empowerment. A woman who would possibly be a world leader.

Erik was a great admirer of Soliel and Negra Lia. When they would sit in Lia's kitchen and talk of the future, Erik would sit at their feet and listen, his eyes scanning the room to take in their conversations on men, politics, and how they wanted the world to be for their children. He would ask questions and she never asked the women to filter their words or actions. He heard cussing. Sometimes he watched them roll weed and smoke it while contemplating music when Marisol wasn't around. She let him sip a capful of wine if they made dinner calimochos and complained about the nighttime telenovelas they watched. She thought he would want to spend time with his father out and about if the women were watching the Brazilian soap operas, but instead, N'Jobu would sleep or read in the guest room while Erik sat up under the women watching the corny shows. Erik said it helped him with his Portuguese, but she suspected he was into the trashy stories too.

There were times she would insist that he allow the grown women to be alone without his presence, and he would get such a look of hurt on his face. N'Jobu had to take him aside to explain what a hen party was just so he wouldn't take it personal. During those private times, N'Jobu would take Erik for a walk through the favela.

Thus far this trip was by far Califia's favorite with her family. Erik was old enough to gain so many fond memories. He made numerous friends through Marisol, and everyone was looking forward to seeing if he would become a mestre like her one day.

Califia's mind spun with thoughts and warm feelings. She rocked her hips in place and turned to look at N'Jobu and her heart went to her throat. He was walking toward her, the music feeling like their own theme song as he took long strides to reach her. She closed her eyes and lifted her arms feeling his hands pull her waist toward him. When she looked up into his eyes, she saw nothing but love there. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rocked in time to the music with him.

"Let's go," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her away from the floor. Soliel, Aunjanue and Negra Lia only smiled and blew her kisses.

N'Jobu didn't rush them out of the space. She was able to see some of the women who he danced with watch him as he ignored their faces and led her toward the row of cabs waiting on the street.

N'Jobu chose one that was idling and ready to go. They climbed into the back seat and he gave directions to Lia's place to a fairly young dude with a wide smile. The cab barely left the curb before he was pulling her on his lap facing him.

Her glassy eyes let him know she was going to pop if he kept touching her.

He had no idea where the extreme control over his own faculties came from, but he focused all of his attention on stimulating her to the point of exhaustion on the couch. When she became frustrated, he knew he had her, and by then, he just wanted to watch her dance. He needed the respite to get himself together. He didn't want her to dominate him. He wanted to push her to her limit. Get her pussy so engorged and fat and ready for his cock. They had the opportunity to explore each other without disturbance and he needed to take advantage while he could. Time alone was so rare.

He watched her smoke weed and play around with the women, but something transpired that shifted her on the floor. She began to move the way he liked and he fought to not rub himself in public. He took so much pleasure from watching her move. An ecstasy would come over her face not much different from when she came sometimes. It was beautiful to witness. Forcing her to dance for him also made her self-aware of the men who watched her too after he played in her pussy and spoke loud enough for them to hear what he was saying.

Watching her dance, he imagined what she would look like back home in his suite inside the palace. He could picture her naked on his balcony overlooking the royal garden, swaying her hips, her breasts illuminated by Wakandan moonlight and stars. He would make her crawl to him onto the royal bed they would share where she would ride him and he would hold her so tight. All of Birnin Zana would hear their cries of release.

When her hands began patting her thighs, he was ready to leave and went after her. He danced with her for a bit, but her heated softness pushed him to vacate the premises. He was ready to spread her wide and dig into her deep. He was ready to show her how much she meant to him and pleasure her for hours on end.

Inside the cab he pulled her onto him, his control slipping a bit when he ripped her panties off and began spanking her. Her heels were pressed against his hips while her thighs were bent against his sides. Her wet vulva was planted on his bulge and her head rested against his neck. She had trembling arms hanging around his neck.

He pulled her dress up to bunch around her hips as he laid into her cheeks. The cab driver glanced at him from time to time in the rearview mirror. N'Jobu told him in basic Portuguese to mind his business and he would get extra money for ignoring them.

"…tell me if it gets too much…" he gasped to her, unable to stop his hand from smacking her ass as he spoke of their safe word. Each time his hand connected to the fleshy globes, he couldn't help but release a grunt as her pussy bounced on his dick in response and she whispered in his ear, "Spank me hard."

His battle for control was on struggle mode. He could feel the head of his dick becoming slick, and he wanted to unfasten his pants, but he didn't want to fuck her in the car, and he knew he would if he allowed her folds to touch the sticky heat of his erection. He used one hand to hold her waist and the other to beat the shit out of her cheeks.

"Dammit!" he yelled when she shifted on his dick and he felt the friction rub him. He was so rigid and his balls felt like heavy stones weighing down his pants.

The cab encountered traffic and they were stuck at an intersection, so the cabbie could hear everything, and N'Jobu didn't give one fuck.

He slipped his fingers down past her ass and let it hit the back of her vulva and she jumped in his lap. Her pussy lips were so swollen, even more so since he began spanking her senseless. Concern crept up on him. How long would this traffic be? He needed her on a bed fast and this cab was barely crawling. The way she was trembling on him after each slap, he knew she was moving closer to orgasm, and he wasn't ready to let her do that until he was rooted deep in her. And he couldn't stop spanking her because they were both in the headspace they craved.

His body was so hot and he was sweating with her pressed so close into him. He knew they should stop before he made her cum. He rubbed her backside tenderly and tried slowing his breathing down.

"…don't…don't stop…" she huffed into his neck.

"Shit!"

He unleashed more strikes on her ass and then took both of his hands to squeeze, lift, and separate her cheeks.

"You okay? Can you handle more?" he asked, his voice shaky like his legs.

"I want more…"

"You want more?"

"Yes, please…I…I want more…you're making my pussy feel so good…"

"…that fat pussy feeling good…you better not cum yet…you're being such a good girl for Daddy…you cum when I tell you…"

"DaddyDaddyDaddy…."

She chanted in his ear as he slapped her vulva from the back. When he put that deep Oakland cadence in his voice, she tried grabbing for the opening of his pants but he pulled her hand away. Even though he was a Prince and she loved his natural Wakandan accent, she would go buck-wild when that Oaktown vibe spewed out of him when they became sexual.

"Please, fuck me Daddy!"

Her mouth was hot on his neck and her tongue flicked the skin there. He heard the cab driver make a sound after Califia begged N'Jobu to take her right there. It sounded like a groan.

"I want you in the bed—"

"I can't wait that long—"

"Yes, you can—"

"No, I can't! I want your dick now!"

The brat was coming back and he heard the pout in her voice. He took this as a sign of disrespect and smacked her for a full round until she was grinding in his lap. He lifted and separated her ass cheeks once more and she hissed from his touch on her sensitized skin. When his pinky finger grazed the back of her vulva again her behind clenched up tight.

The cab driver glanced back at them and his eyes grew big when he saw N'Jobu's hands spreading Califia's cheeks, her wet pussy just wide open and glistening. The man turned his head quickly.

Slow down.

N'Jobu turned his head so they could kiss, big, wide, open-mouthed kisses that had their fleshy lips feasting on one another. He just held her ass in his hands and she stopped grinding into him. They had to hold on until they made it to their destination.

When he came up for air from her lips he was transfixed by her face. True ecstasy was etched there. Great Bast, he couldn't wait to penetrate her, ram his cock into her until they were fused together. Get deep until he was breathing for both of them.

He kissed her again and her lips were puffy and sensitive from his attention. He could feel the itchy sensation in his own lips when they kissed for a long time. He rubbed her back to bring her down from his harsh spanking. She shuddered when he patted and smoothed his hands over each ass cheek. She arched her back to stretch a bit and he allowed her to wiggle her legs for circulation, but he wasn't going to let her change her position. Instead, he just held her still and thrust his hips up to let her slit rub him a bit. Just enough friction to keep him hard but not spurting in his pants. He kept Califia's head held into his neck again, and her breathing was just soft pants that was music to his ears.

"I'm going to make a big ole mess in this pussy. You know that, right?"

"Yes," she whispered in his ear. It was a struggle whisper, any energy she expended now was dangerous, her clit was a detonator ready to explode the rest of her.

"We have to use a lot of lube. I'm going to be in your pussy for a long ass time, girl."

Her breath shuddered.

He kissed her shoulder.

"We better do it on the floor. I'll break that fucking bed…"

He heard the strain in her voice as she tried to say his name.

"I know you want me now. But we're almost there. You want the cab driver to see me punish your tight pussy?" He pulled her cheeks apart again. He could see the cabbie was driving carefully with one hand on the wheel. The other hand wasn't visible but there was movement in his lap.

N'Jobu continued to rub Califia's lower back. The cab turned onto Lia's street and when it stopped, it took a long time for Califia to crawl off of his lap.

"Fuck me right here," she said, not caring about the cab driver sitting there waiting for his money.

Her ass was still visible and N'Jobu could see that the cabbie wasn't shy about tugging on his dick watching them while they spoke.

"You got my man up there feeling on himself," N'Jobu said.

"He'll never see us again. Let's give him a thrill. It'll be his tip," she said kissing the side of his neck and running her tongue in his ear. She sat back on him and began grinding on him. The movement of her ass on his lap made the cabbie tug harder on his cock.

Califia spoke to the cabbie in Portuguese. He was listening to her words but his eyes were on N'Jobu.

"What did you tell him?"

"That he could play with his dick and cum while you played with me."

She looked back over her shoulder and stared at the cabbie. The man spoke to her and then Califia giggled.

"What?"

"He wants your permission. He doesn't want you to beat him up for cumming if he watches. He said he liked it when you were spanking me."

"I don't know, girl…"

"You let Axiel, Joao, and Martine watch while you fingered me in the club, along with whoever else may have walked by—"

"But you were covered up—"

"They knew what was happening—"

"Look, I just want to get you inside and get in this pussy," he said rubbing her backside. His fingers dropped down to her vulva. The street was not well-lit, so the cabbie could probably only make out a little detail. She sucked on her teeth when he touched her labia.

"Daddy," she uttered, and the sound of those two syllables made him thrust his hips up. She made it sound so vulgar. This was his woman on his lap. But she was turned on by the thought of another man watching him play with her.

"Is this what you really want?"

"Yeah. I want him to see what's yours."

"Just spanking."

"Just that."

N'Jobu looked at the cabbie.

"Tell him he can jerk off and watch then."

Califia's hand reached up and turned on one of the overhead car lights.

"Damn, girl. We don't want the whole neighborhood watching," N'Jobu said reaching up himself and flicking it off.

"But I want to see his dick—"

"You need to concentrate on my dick," he said in a rough tone.

Califia's voice became sultry, and somehow the Portuguese she spoke sounded really nasty rolling off her tongue. N'Jobu saw the cabbie unzip and reach into his pants. His strokes were long and steady and they both could see the man had an average-sized uncut dick with a thick mushroom cap from the lights of his dashboard.

N'Jobu reached up and turned her face to look back at him.

"Hey. Focus on me," he said in a gruff tone.

"You don't like me looking at his dick? Think I might like his more?"

SMACK!

Her head snapped forward when he struck her and her gasp melted into a whimper. He used both hands to alternate striking her plump ass. They could hear the cabbie's grunts and groans.

"What did he say?" N'Jobu asked when the cabbie spoke under his breath.

Califia was staring down at N'Jobu, her eyes taking on a glazed look. He could feel her thrusting her ass out, trying to poke it out so the cabbie could see it all.

"Harder…he said to go harder…oh Jobu, I can hear him playing with his dick!"

He slapped the underside of her ass to create new stinging sensations for her. She was getting off knowing another man was flogging his meat because of her. He himself was getting off watching her gain pleasure from it.

His hands gripped the thickness on the sides of her ass and jiggled it and they both heard the loud moan from the cabbie. N'Jobu looked over and saw the pained look on the man's face as he nutted into his own hand, his eyes glued to Califia's thick cheeks.

"Let's go," N'Jobu said pulling down her dress to cover her ass.

Califia crawled off of him searching for her torn panties.

N'Jobu reached for his wallet ignoring the humongous tent in his own pants. He drew out a wad of cash and tossed it on the passenger seat next to the cabbie.

Stepping from the cab, N'Jobu reached back and helped Califia out. Her legs were like jelly as she took a moment to get the blood circulating properly. She pulled down on her dress and entwined her fingers with his. Neither of them bothered to look back at the cabbie. They were eager to climb the stairs and get into Lia's place.

N'Jobu made Califia walk up the stairs ahead of him, forcing her to hitch her dress back up to reveal her backside. Her ass was reddened and her pussy was glistening. She stopped every now and then to arch her back and widen her thighs so he could see what he was about to get.

When they reached the apartment, Califia went to the restroom and N'Jobu went into the guestroom, turned on the lights and threw the mattress of the bed onto the floor. The small double bed had a weak frame, and he knew he was going to be knee deep in his woman. The cement floor would be their support.

He took off his clothes and placed them on a side chair. He rummaged through her suitcase and pulled out the bottle of lube she brought for them.

He was slicking up his cock when she walked in naked. He watched her place her clothes on top of his.

"Get on the bed," he said stroking his length up and down, letting her see how much better his dick was compared to the cabbie. He pulled on his heavy balls while she situated herself for him. There were so many positions he wanted from her and so much time to do it in.

She lazily let her legs fall open as she laid back on her elbows watching him with lust-drunk eyes. The way she was staring at him made him think that she felt like she had the power right now.

"You tried to make me jealous," he said.

She smirked, but he didn't smile back at her. When he did that, she knew she was in trouble.

"Bay-bee…," she whispered, trying to get back in his good graces. He knew she was ready to have an explosive orgasm. He had tortured her pussy all night, and she didn't want to drag it out again. Too bad. She shouldn't have been playing with him.

The arrogance jumped out of him. She needed to meet Prince N'Jobu again.

"Whose dick is going to be better than mine?"

He stepped over to get his personal satchel stuffed at the bottom of his own suitcase.

He pulled out two separate containers.

One contained a silver cock ring. He twisted it around the glans of his dick and her eyes grew big.

The second box contained the gold slugs that he only wore at home in Wakanda. He went to the mirror in the room and slipped them on his bottom teeth. When he turned around to look at her, she had her fingers playing with her pussy. Although her pubic hairs were trimmed short, he could see how damp she was from his touches and spanking, her juices making the hair there shine as if they were heavily oiled.

"I did not give you permission to play with my pussy."

The bass in his voice made her blink.

"Jobu—"

"Nah, that's not my name. You best come correct. You know who the fuck I am."

Her hands dropped to her side.

He spoke to her in Wakandan, making the hard clicks and robust tone of his voice let her think she was in big trouble. She had no idea what he was saying and that was a good thing because his words were filthy. He was having fun. Telling her how he was going to stretch out her pussy and break her fucking back because she had the best slit in the world. But the tonality sounded harsh to her ears because he made sure to keep his face hard when he spoke. Her eyes were fixated on his teeth, the gold slugs gleaming in his mouth. The better to nip and bite her with. He let his eyes narrow as his eyes raked up and down her body. His tongue rolled over his bottom teeth tasting pure gold.

"Stand up!" he barked at her.

She jumped up and her hands dangled in front of her body like she was trying to cover herself. There was confusion in her eyes.

"What's my name?"

"N-N…N'Jobu?"

"Tried to make me jealous, as if some random man compared to me in any way, and now more disrespect?"

He stepped to her like he was in the throne room back in Birnin Zana. He grit his teeth and when she saw those slugs again and saw him grip his dick the way he did, the fancy cock ring emblazoned with Wakandan symbols now dripping with his pre-cum, it clicked in her mind. Her whole demeanor switched up and her eyes widened again. She bowed to him and stepped back from him in a submissive stance.

"Your Highness, Prince N'Jobu."

His dick throbbed so hard in his hand when he heard her say the words.

"Much better," he said trying to hold on to all modicum of supremacy over her in this moment. If he slipped up, let her take on any power over him, he would weaken before her and let her have her way with him. And he didn't want that. She tried to manipulate him all day, and she had to pay for trying to cuckold him.

He laid down on the bedding and tucked his hands under his head. Staring up at her, he let his eyes drop down to stare at her folds. Her pussy was ready. He pointed to the lube next to the bed.

"Prepare yourself," he commanded.

She bent down and grabbed the bottle and squirted a significant amount of lube on to her hand. She rubbed her vulva, squirted more lube on her fingers and inserted them into her pussy. He tried his best to keep his face neutral as she opened up her labia for him, trying to diminish his authority. Her two fingers slipped in and out of her vagina and he could hear that creamy sound so loud in the room. He gave a small gulp and prayed that Bast would give him strength not to cave into Califia's seductive ways. He made a loud exhale when her fingers pulled out and rubbed her clit ring. She almost had him. But he smiled at her and held his massive erection up.

"Come service your Prince." The demand was clear in his voice.

"Bay-bee," she whimpered staring at the cock ring circling his wide glans.

"What did you say?'

She swallowed hard and took a small step toward him.

"Your Highness—"

"Come here. Now."

She knelt down on the mattress and crawled over him. When her breasts were hanging over his chest he reached up and pulled her down close to him, holding her face into his neck, basically the same position she was in when they were in the cab.

"Put this royal dick in that juicy pussy you disrespectful—"

He smacked her ass so hard that she didn't even hear the last part of his sentence. She lifted his heavy cock and sat back on it, sliding so hungrily with ease until his balls were covered in her juices to the hilt. He groaned hard, his grimace making his slugs visible and she moaned when she saw them. He bit her shoulder hard.

"I'll fuck you so good, Your Highness," she said lifting her lower half and dropping back down on him.

"You better, you already know pussy is lined up and waiting for me out there."

He watched her eyes go from lust-filled to jealousy.

"They knew a Prince when they saw one and were ready to give me good Brazilian pussy. Right there on the dance floor if I wanted it…."

She was bouncing on him already, twisting her hip each time her clit hit his cock ring. She stared down at the slugs in his open mouth and rode him harder. His breath hitched, but he tried to stay strong talking mad shit to her.

"Maya wanted this dick so bad. You saw her throwing it back at me. She probably knows how to handle royal dick. Whatchu think? Could she take all this dick better than you?"

She pressed down into him, her lips sucking on his neck, her tits smashed into his chest as she moved her hips and ass up and down. He just laid there, not moving anything except his hands holding her hips, his eyes watching her big ass jiggle.

"She had a nice fat ass too, shit was soft and round, I bet she could take a good pounding—"

She groaned so loud it made his balls tingle.

"You want me to show you how I would fuck her big ass?"

His erection felt harder in her pussy. She was really slamming down on him.

"She felt on my dick after we finished dancing. I told her this big dick didn't belong to her. It's all yours Califia."

"Ohhhhh, bay-bee!"

"This royal dick is all yours…oh…shitttttt…."

She was squeezing his erection, her walls gripping and releasing in time to her thrusts down on him. His toes curled up.

"Oh my Bast, you're riding the shit out of this royal dick!" he yelled. He held onto her back tight and just let her work his meat down to the bone.

He could feel the pressure on his glans from the cock ring. They had already been going at it for twenty minutes, it was time for the ring to come off.

"Lift up, lift up!"

She raised up off of his cock with a loud wet noise and sat on her side. He reached down and removed the cock ring. He looked down at her.

"Let me show you how I would fuck Maya."

He forced her to get on her hands and knees and when he penetrated her, she started wailing from his deep thrusts.

"See…a big ass like hers…she has to have a big dick hitting those walls like this. While you were busy letting these fat cheeks slap against common dick, Maya was getting this…your royal dick. Is that what you wanted?"

"No!" she screamed. He chuckled. She was getting mad now. She was still dripping from him talking about Maya, but she hated the idea that she let another woman get a feel of what belonged to her. Regret was a helluva emotion.

"I think she'd like this…mmmhmmmm, my balls slapping against her pussy just like this, huh, baby? Does it feel good?"

"Gawd, yes!" she screamed. She held her arm out behind her, and N'Jobu grabbed her hand to help get the angle right. His dick was gleaming from her juices and the lube they slathered on themselves. He was ready to bust just watching her cheeks slap his balls.

"Would you let me cum in her pussy, Califia?"

Califia's back and ass cheeks glistened with so much sweat. Her head drooped down once his balls really started slapping against her clit. She was done for. All he had to do was tell her she could cum and she would do it.

"Goddamn, thinking about that woman's fat ass is gonna make me nut. I'ma let this royal dick cum in your wet slit. Maya wanted this dick so bad—"

Califia snatched her arm back from him.

"Martine and Joao wanted this pussy," she said.

"What?"

He gripped her hips hard and slowed down his thrusting.

"Axiel too. And the cab driver. They know royal pussy when they see it."

What. The. Fuck.

N'Jobu pulled out of her and turned her on her back. Her eyes were hard and her lip was curled up like she was mad.

"You heard me, Your Highness."

His dick was still jumping from being inside her tight heat and he could see all her good pink waiting for him to spill inside of her. He slid his fingers around the tip of his dick and squeezed so she could see his slit.

"No one's getting in this pussy except for me. Watch your mouth."

"You watch yours. If I'm your wife then that makes me a Princess, don't it?"

He laughed at her and her eyes looked betrayed.

He pulled her leg, dragging her down to him and pushed her legs back open.

"You just keep these legs open and let me nut in my pussy," he said bending his head down to suck and then bite her right nipple.

She slapped his face.

N'Jobu jerked up releasing her nipple. The sting from her hand still rocked his face.

"What's your fucking problem?"

"You."

He reached for her legs again and tried prying them back, but she pushed back from him and stood up.

"You ain't getting shit from me," she said walking to the bedroom door.

"Where the fuck you going?!"

He jumped up from the bed and followed her. When she tried opening the door he slammed it shut and pushed her up against it.

"I want to hear you say it. Tell me I'm a Princess—"

"Get your ass back on that bed and take this dick—"

"Not until you say—"

He grabbed her left leg and lifted it up while gripping his cock in his hand. "You play too much, Califia," he said.

He thrust up into her and knocked the breath out of her.

"Play too fucking much," he said.

Grabbing her hair, he pumped into her, the sound of her back hitting the door just as loud as his grunts. He stared into her eyes.

"I am Prince N'Jobu. House of Udaku. Son of King Azzuri the Wise. Son of the Compassionate Queen, Niyilolawa. I am the Golden Jaguar chosen by the Great Panther Goddess Bast from on high. Father of N'Jadaka, The One Who Brings Down Thunder. Know who the fuck is banging the shit out of you right now!"

Califia lifted her other leg and wrapped it around his hips as N'Jobu worked his back and leg muscles to pound her against the door.

"Acting like some impetuous little brat. Making me jealous over who? Bitch, I'm the only real nigga who can handle this pussy."

He hit a spot inside of her that made him hunch up against her.

"Take all this dick!"

She was just heavy breathing clutching onto his back. He still couldn't believe she had slapped him. He couldn't believe that shit had him turned on too. He smothered her lips with his own, sucking on her tongue until she released his mouth screaming, "Please!"

He leaned back still clutching her waist.

"Cum on this royal dick then," he said, his eyes holding her lusty gaze while he pushed in as far as his cock could go.

"Oooooohhhhh."

Her eyes rolled back then squeezed shut as her mouth took in short puffs of air as her body unraveled around him. He felt the intense pulses of her walls around him as her orgasm flowed ensnaring him. Her face. That damn face caught him again and he felt himself spurting deep within her and yelling her name so loud he was sure Lia's neighbors heard them. When he felt her spasms stop, he pulled out of her.

"Hurry up and go pee," he said catching his breath.

When she stumbled out of the bedroom he went into the kitchen and poured them two big glasses of ice water. He watched her come out of the bathroom stretching her body and he felt his face go flush looking at her. He handed her a glass and they both gulped down the fluid. They were dehydrated and still horny for each other. She crawled onto his lap as he sat at the kitchen table and they kissed for a while. She liked rolling her tongue across his slugs and he brought his mouth to her breasts, biting her and rolling her nipples with his fingers. She was sitting on his dick in no time and he fucked her the way she needed to be fucked.

"I'm the throne you sit on, girl," he whispered in her ear.

He watched her tits bounce then stared at his dick taking care of her needs.

"Your pussy feels so good," he said.

"Yeah," she answered. She was gripping his shoulders and watching his face as he watched her pussy stretch around his dick with each thrust he gave her.

"Where do you want me to cum, baby?"

"On my face."

"Get ready," he said.

She lifted off of him when he began to grimace and called out her name.

She dropped to her knees and looked up at his face. He stroked himself taking in all of her beauty.

"Play with your pussy for me," he said adjusting the angle of his dick, pressing it closer to her face.

Her fingers dropped down rubbing her folds.

"Cum on my face, Your Highness…Prince N'Jobu," she purred.

A fantasy made real.

Hot ropes of his creamy white shot out and coated her face. It was a big ole mess and he loved it.

"Only for a Princess," he said and she smiled.

He reached down and played with her tits, pussy lips and clit until she came on his hand with him calling her Princess for the rest of their alone time.

Chapter 17 HERE.