#green mountain vista

[galaktikmermaidcosplay]

Traditional Kids in Dallas A medium-sized elegant boy's room with a beige floor and gray walls is shown in the picture.

[rokberglez]

Kids Room - Traditional Kids Example of a mid-sized classic boy carpeted and beige floor kids' room design with gray walls

[orofeaiel]

Green Mountain View

[docileeffects]

[smallpotatoes-dandelions]

Lakagígar, Iceland

[christinatravel]

The beauty of this mountain is unparalleled! 🌟🌅

[lizouri-likes-photography]

I'm adding Pakistan asap to my travel bucket list!

Baltit, Pakistan (by toufeeque)

[malicedragoness]

Kinktober Day 2 - Bath/Shower

Characters: Syzoth x GN Titan!Reader

Word Count: 782

Synopsis: Titan Reader has been busy piecing together their timeline after the battle with Titan Shang Tsung. Syzoth decides to help them unwind a bit in a hot spring.

Notes: Not beta read, we die like men! And I know it’s not technically a bath, but who’s gonna stop me? Lol

Warnings: Sex in a hot spring, oral sex (no gender specified)

Kinktober 2024 tag list: @bihanspookies

An exhausted sigh left your lips as you lazily unlatched the buckles of your armor. After Titan Shang Tsung had been dealt with, there have been lasting repercussions to your timeline that you have been diligently working on solving with Geras. The mere existence of other timelines had thrown you for a loop. Much less being summoned by Liu Kang to help defend his world and the worlds of others.

After a few grueling months with not a moment to yourself, you decided to break away for a few minutes to bathe in the hot springs of your quiet mountainside. When you shaped the world, you carved a safe haven for yourself in a beautiful part of the world.

Constructing a small bath house for yourself on the peak of a mountain. Ivory stone walls formed a protective barrier from any who could stumble upon you. The roof and one of the walls opened up to reveal the perfect vista. Lush, green forests, gorgeous mountaintops, serene skies, and the swirling warmth of the springs.

The perfect place to bathe and rest your weary bones. Your armor slumped to the ground with a heavy thump. Your robes soon join the pieces of metal, eager to soak in the blissful warmth.

Once bare, you crack your toes on the dewy grass before lowering yourself into the shimmering water. The steamy depths send soothing tingles throughout your nerve endings. Like a warm caress traveling up your spine, gently massaging every atom of your body, down to your bones.

A pleased sigh leaves your lips, sinking into the hot spring until it meets your chin. You close your eyes, listening to the gentle sound of the water and leaves fluttering in the wind.

Only one person could make this even better.

A faint shuffling could be heard, causing a smirk to tug on the corner of your lips. If not for your enhanced hearing as a Titan, you would have been none the wiser.

“I was just thinking of you, Syzoth.” Your eyes hold a teasing glint as you gaze at the wall to your right.

A thud could be heard as heavy feet landed on the soft grass. The air rippled like a calm lake being disturbed by a thrown rock, as the Zaterran’s reptilian visage appeared.

Syzoth cut a menacing figure. Muted green-yellow scales decorated a hulking, muscular body. Sharp claws, broad shoulders, powerful tail, and taller than any human you’ve ever met.

He crawled to the edge of the hot spring, muscles rippling with each step. You watched in fascination as he plunged head first into steaming waters, completely immersing himself, until even his tail was underwater.

Little bubbles floated to the surface as he swam his way over to you. A gentle glow emanated underwater for a brief moment.

Soft hands glided up your legs, causing a shiver to run down your spine. A human face poked just above the surface, revealing mischievous emerald eyes.

“Syzoth!” You jump up, letting out a surprised laugh when his hands tease your sides.

Syzoth stands up, water cascading down his toned body, making your heart skip a beat. “You finally decided to grace me with your smile.”

His hands cup your face and he leans his forehead against yours. A low, affectionate growl rumbles in his throat.

“I’m sorry, love. I’ve been busy.” You murmur, basking in his comforting presence and the warmth of his hands. You always wondered how they could be so soft in his human form, when his clawed hands were rough and thick.

“I know. You’ve done amazing.” He presses his lips to yours in a chaste kiss. Oh, how you’ve missed those lips!

“Let me show you how much I’ve missed you,” he whispers into your ear.

His warm hands travel down your wet body, caressing every groove and dip. Open mouth kisses slowly trail down your neck, your chest, and lower abdomen, until Syzoth’s head submerged in the water to kneel before your needy sex.

You feel his elongated forked tongue licking a long stripe along your arousal. His smooth tongue swirls, licks, and teases you relentlessly. Your hips try to buck against his mouth, but he holds you down with clawed hands, refusing to let you move an inch. Making you submit to his sweet onslaught.

“Syzoth…” You whine, gripping the edge of the hot spring.

Bubbles break through the surface as his movements speed up. Plush lips greedily suck on your sensitive flesh. Scaley tail swishing in the water.

You tilt your head back and close your eyes.

It’s been too long since you’ve felt Syzoth’s loving touch.

The world can wait. Right now, you need him.

[di-in-al]

~Drifting Into Desire~ Katsuki Bakugou x Reader PART I

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After studying abroad in America, Y/N returns to Japan with big dreams and a degree in hand, only to find herself struggling to meet societal expectations. Pushed too far by her uncle Aizawa, she becomes entangled in the thrilling yet dangerous world of street racing, battling her own aspirations and rivalries. Particularly her rivalry with the King of Musutafu Pass, Katsuki Bakugou.

>Bakugou x Reader, Shinso x Reader

>Warnings: Profanity. Implied sex. Sexual themes. Smoking.

>Word Count: 2.7k.

>A/N: Hi! I've had this idea for a while. It's lightly based off of the anime Initial D, with our fav MHA characters. I'm planning on making this a series, so I hope you stick around for the ride!

>Tags: 18+ only + future smut: minors and empty blogs DNI + all characters are over the age of 21 + 1990's themed (No quirks) + repost + reader insert

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As the sweltering heat of summer began to wane, a refreshing chill hovered in the air, whispering promises of change. The whispers flew past your ears, picking up loose strands of hair and dancing with them. The drop top to your car has been tossed back, allowing you to see the changing leaves as they fall into the reckless abandon that is Musutafu Pass. A location renowned for its breathtaking vistas and winding roads that seemed to twirl gracefully around the mountain itself. 

As you navigated through winding rural roads, you felt the warm embrace of late summer still lingering around you, but as you ascended, the atmosphere shifted. Cool air swept in, wrapping around you like a soft blanket. It was a gentle reminder that the exuberance of summer was drawing to a close, making room for the crisp vitality of autumn.

Musutafu Pass is famous for its spiraling descent, a serpentine route that captures the thrill of driving while offering eye-popping views. The road twists and turns, encasing the mountain, each bend revealing a new perspective of the natural beauty surrounding it. This enchanting drive is not just a means of getting from point A to point B; it is an experience that invites you to become one with the landscape. This fact grabbed the interest of a certain group of people.

Street Racers.

As you reached the base of Musutafu Pass, the sun began its slow descent, determined to rest its eyes for the day. You accelerated with eagerness, your heart beating in rhythm with the car’s engine. The drive up the mountain brought forth a sense of childlike excitement, reminiscent of road trips taken in the blissful days of youth. Each turn felt exhilarating as the sprawling hillsides moved closer and the golden leaves began their transformation, shifting from deep greens to vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow.

Along the way, you paused to absorb the views. Each glance outward revealed a canvas painted by nature, where the late afternoon sun highlighted the rugged terrain. The mountains stood proud, their craggy peaks contrasting sharply against the fiery hues of fall foliage. The air felt electric, teeming with anticipation as the landscapes shimmered in the waning light of the day.

It was a moment of serenity amidst an ever-busy world—a chance to breathe in the crisp mountain air while allowing nature’s beauty to captivate your senses. You took in the sounds around you: the rustling of leaves, the loud hum of your exhaust, and the gentle breeze dancing through the trees. Time seemed to stretch, inviting reflection on the passing seasons and their significance.

As you ascended further, the shadows grew longer and the chill in the air deepened. You felt the need to reach the summit quickly, not just to catch the views, but to relish the changing of the guard from summer to fall in this picturesque paradise. You accelerated slightly, eager to witness the breathtaking panorama that awaited you.

Upon reaching the top, you were rewarded for your journey. The expansive view opened up, revealing a majestic landscape of undulating hills and valleys, now cloaked in the warm colors of autumn. The setting sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow that illuminated the spectacular transformation of the world below.

The hum of the engine faded to silence as you turned off the ignition, an intimate moment of calm before the chaos that always surrounded your passion. With a steady hand, you pulled the e-brake, feeling the weight of the car resting securely on the side of the mountain road. You stepped out, the cool air wrapping around you like a familiar old coat, both comforting and chilling. Your heart raced in tune with the memories of asphalt and adrenaline that flooded your mind.

A year had passed since you returned to Japan from America, where the rhythm of lectures and study halls echoed in your head like a forgotten melody. You had aimed to seize your life, to transform the dreams that danced just out of reach into a tangible reality. But the moment you set foot back on Japanese soil, the thrill of the classroom quickly faded, replaced instead by the weight of your uncle Shota’s expectations. 

Pulling a pack of cigarettes from your pocket, you ignited a flame, watching the red glow travel towards the burning tip with a sense of both resignation and rebellion. With each puff, you let the bitter smoke swirl around you, consuming the fears that danced at the corners of your mind. The ashes drifted away, disappearing into the abyss below, just like the plans you’d made for your future. 

Shota had questioned you relentlessly since your return. “When will you use that fancy education to get a real job?” he would ask. His voice bore the burden of disappointment, a reminder of every underachieving day spent behind the counter of a coffee shop rather than on the racetrack where you longed to be. To him, success had a defined shape—one of stability and societal approval. To you, it manifested in the rapid consumption of fuel and the roar of engines translating raw potential into sheer power. 

Yet despite the ticking clock of responsibility, your mind remained quenched by only one pursuit: racing. The siren call of the open road was an irresistible temptation—a seductive promise of freedom. It was the rush of drifting around corners, the exhilaration of overtaking competitors, and the sweet taste of victory that gnawed at you like a relentless itch. Racing wasn’t merely a passion; it was the cure for the noisome thoughts that crowded your brain. 

You stood at the edge of that mountain, gazing down the winding road that curled like a snake through the lush green valley. This was where it all happened. The thrill of racing wasn’t lost to memory; it pulsed within you. All of your thoughts converged here, each day propelling you closer to the moment when you could reintegrate your life and racing as one. 

But how?

When the roar of an engine beckoned you like a lover calling your name in the night. 

Your heart raced as you felt the weight of time pressing upon you. You took one last drag of your cigarette and flicked the glowing ember over the cliffside—a symbolic gesture of letting go of the ashes of expectations. You could stand still and succumb to your uncle’s pressure, or you could dare to awaken the engine of your soul. 

The choice danced in your mind like the tires that would soon grip the pavement. You took a deep breath, filled your lungs with the cold air infused with the scent of adventure, and exhaled the burdens of yesterday. 

With renewed resolve, you climbed back into your car, the familiarity of the leather seats embracing you as the engine roared back to life. The world outside thrummed against the cage of metal and glass, but within, your spirit soared. 

As you merged onto the winding road, a smile crept onto your lips. The race wasn’t just a distant dream but a promise to yourself. It was time to find your place in the world—one drift, one acceleration at a time. Everything else would have to wait; the siren song of racing was calling once again, and this time, you were ready to answer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your pop up headlights whirred as they closed, causing a small grin to take over your face. The air had chilled even more, nipping at your cheeks as you made your way to the stairs up to your apartment. With a look over your shoulder, you noticed your roommate's car parked. Momo was probably long asleep by this point, her strict schedule having a death grip on her. 

You ascended the stairs, fumbling your keys to find the correct one. Unlocking the door, it swings open, surprising you with light flooding through. You step in, removing your shoes and replacing them with slippers. 

Momo must still be up.

As if she heard you, she comes around the corner from her room. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, and she peered at you with relaxed eyes. 

“You were out late. Running the pass?” She could read you like the back of her hand. 

The two of you had been best friends since grade school. By each other’s side until college approached. She attended UA University here in Mustafu, while you went abroad. 

“Yeah.” Was your quick response, and as you walked by, she scrunched her nose with disgust. 

“And obviously smoking cigarettes again.” With a scoff, she turns and retreats back to her room. You only gave a small chuckle as you stripped your jacket and hung it up. 

“It’s called an addiction for a reason.” She returns with a disgruntled look on her face, tossing a stack of papers in your direction. 

“Yeah, well, those can be broken,” She flipped through a couple pages before directing your attention to some models. “Here’s the modules you asked for. We can go out tomorrow and run them, see if they’re any good.” 

The two of you belonged to a street racing team known as Impact Velocity. IV for short.

A newer group, you guys just came together a little under a year ago. You decided to take a year to work on every dynamic before taking to the streets. 

“Once we're done, we should have a group meeting. I think we're close to being able to race.” You gave her a nod, and with that, she returned to her room. 

“Get some rest, Y/N. You look like you haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since you came back.” Her motherly tone caused you to roll your eyes, and nod your head. 

“Thanks, mom. That’s a great morale boost.” Her chuckle floated through the air as her door clicked close. Taking a peek at the pile of papers in front of you, your eyes began to throb. A migraine was starting to form behind your eyes, and you took that as a sign to meander your way to the shower. 

The bathroom filled with steam as the water poured from the spout, the mirror reflecting an image of you undressing. Pulling your hair out of the confines of a claw clip, you brushed through it a couple times. Entering the hot shower, you hoped it would wash away the agonizing feeling of being in a constant tug of war with your own mind. 

It didn’t, but you hoped some shut eye might help. Reaching your room, you towel dried your hair as you pressed play on the voicemail, it shining bright with the number one. 

“Hey, it’s me.” Shinso. You threw the towel in the dirty clothes basket, and snatched up your pack of cigarettes. Waiting on him to continue, your feet pad over to the balcony attached to your room. 

“I haven’t seen you in a couple days, and I was… thinking about you today. If you are free tonight, I could swing by. Lemme know.” With that, the machine beeps and erases the message. The lit cigarette in your hand burned with each puff, the smoke swirling around and thankfully away from Momo’s room. 

Hmm. Hopping up on the balcony rail, your feet dangle in the cool breeze. You contemplate Shinso’s offer, knowing there was more behind his words than what the voicemail led on. 

He’d been a student of your Uncle’s, often coming over to the shared house of you and your uncle to study. You’d moved in with him while you got back on your feet, and had the chance to meet Shinso. He’d been timid at first, but eventually the two of you realized you had more in common than originally thought. He was a racer as well, a fact that was hidden to your uncle. 

Things quickly changed into something more. The two of you sneakily meeting up late at night and taking out frustrations on one another. Things didn’t change once you moved in with Momo, not wanting her to know about two teammates being intimate behind closed doors. You contemplated the voicemail, knowing you shouldn’t.

You finished your cigarette, tossing it and making your way back inside. You picked up the phone, dialing a familiar number. 

It rang once, then twice before it was picked up. 

“Hey, you.” Shinso’s husky voice answered the other end, and it sent a warm feeling straight to your core. Your cheeks heated up, and you tried to suppress the grin taking over your face. 

“Hey, you wanna head over?” Your voice seemed strong, even with your crumbling resolve. A chuckle rang out from the other end, and that only sped up your demise. 

“You know, you make me feel like a piece of meat when you get straight to the point like that. Shame on you.” On the other end, you could hear his car start up, almost as if he was waiting for your call.

His comment made you scoff, with a smile.

“You called me first!” You hush yelled, not wanting to alarm your ever watchful roommate. 

“I’m fucking with you, sweetheart. I’m on my way.” You let out a small ‘kay’, and hung up. Putting the phone back on the holder, you walked over to your bed and sunk down on it. Picking up your current read from your bedside table, you read to pass the time.

You could hear his Nissan 180sx from a mile away, but he was always careful to coast in neutral as he pulled up. You peeked out, watching as he silently exited his lavender colored car, tucking his keys away. He ran a strong hand through his half up purple locks, pushing pieces that had escaped out of his eyes. 

Climbing up a vine covered trellis, he landed on your balcony with a thud. His lavender eyes met yours, and a wicked grin crept up his face. 

“Lemme bum a smoke.” He asked, not taking a step into your room yet. Your eyes rolled back, leaning forward and setting your book down. 

“And you say I’m the one that uses you..” Your fingers pulled back the top of your cigarette pack, extending it towards him. He leaned forward, both hands on the balcony railing, and snagged one with his lips. He watched as you flipped open your zippo, and ignited it with a quick flick. You protected the flame from the harsh breeze with a cupped hand. His lazy eyes stayed latched onto your face as he puffed the cigarette to life. Leaning back, he peeled his eyes away from you and onto the city in the distance. 

“We gonna race soon?” Smoked flowed with his words, and you nodded. 

“Give it a couple weeks and I think we’ll be good to go. I need you to take a look into the Miata for me. Momo came up with a couple modules for me, and I think I’m gonna need some things tuned to fit.” He nodded his head, turning in your direction. A moment of silence passed as you tried to wrangle your fleeting thoughts. 

“What’s on your mind? I can hear your intruding thoughts from here.” You shook your head, and looked away. 

“Same old, same old.” You didn’t care to elaborate, him already having heard the tirelessly plaguing thoughts you always had. 

Fingers grasped your chin, turning towards him. His heavy lidded eyes peered down his nose at you, rubbing the pad of his thumb against your bottom lip. He coerced your jaw open, taking a long drag from the cigarette elegantly trapped between his pale fingers. 

Leaning forward, he exhaled smoke into your mouth, the nicotine sending your mind ablaze. His lips followed the smoke, carefully grazing your open lips. 

“Lemme help you forget it then, sweetheart.”

part II

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A/N: If you got this far, thanks! This was very wordy I know, but there's gonna be more interactions from this point forward. I'm hoping to update every Sunday night!

di-in-al <3

[differenteagletragedy]

A Baxter songfic based on "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day. Do people still write songfics lol I'm sorry

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go So make the best of this test, and don't ask why It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

Baxter sat primly in the small airport in Prism Vista, legs crossed and his bag at his feet. Vacation was over, and it was time to head back to Virginia, back to college and his real life.

His shoulders were tense, his jaw slightly clenched as he stared vacantly in front of him. His hands were clutched a little too tightly in his lap. If anyone who knew him had seen him, they would have been able to tell that he was upset.

You would have been able to tell he was upset. Because despite his best efforts, you did know him.

As he sat there, waiting for the red-eye that would take him across the country, he tried, over and over again, to tell himself that leaving you didn't hurt, not really. It was a brief little ache, a sting -- nothing truly meaningful. You'd forget about him, he'd forget about you, and if you did remember each other, it would just be a pleasant little memory, a novelty.

A mountain stream, sprinklers in the summertime. Fireworks, again and again and again.

One season on the cusp of adulthood. You both had a lifetime ahead of you -- how could it possibly have meant anything?

It's something unpredictable But in the end, it's right I hope you had the time of your life

It took movement around him to realize that his plane was boarding. He shook off the thoughts of you, of all the days and nights you'd shared over the past few months, and stood, moving to get in line.

It was such a strange feeling, leaving you after everything. Part of him desperately wanted to stay, and part of him felt so stupid for even imagining that was a possibility. That you'd want him for longer than a summer. He felt weak and naive to even let himself that you'd want him to be yours for good.

Another part of him -- the part of him that was in control, that was always in control -- fought to keep all those little but loud parts in check. It had been a while now since he'd decided it would be best to slip through life with everyone at a safe distance, and he didn't want to go back to being vulnerable enough to need someone.

So it was fine, he told himself. This was a temporary pain. Nothing significant. Nothing that mattered.

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time Tattoos of memories, and dead skin on trial For what it's worth, it was worth all the while

But as much as Baxter didn't want to believe it, he was a sentimental person. The souvenir you'd given him on that first date, wrapped safely in a bag with a cheap feather boa and a khaki shirt, was proof enough of that.

So when he was settled in for the plane ride, tucked in on himself in the window seat, he let himself remember.

He remembered the countless late-night talks about nothing and everything, the feeling of you in his arms while you danced. The way you looked when you laughed, and how good it felt when he made you laugh. He remembered the taste of you, when it was sweetened by ice cream or made salty with tears. He let himself remember it all.

And when the plane circled over the ocean before coming back towards land, he let himself look there, too. He took in the expanse of the water below him, saw how it stretched out to the horizon in the light of the city.

He was still scared of it -- terrified that if he ever stepped foot in it, it would swallow him whole.

But that night, looking out as the waves crashed into each other, the fear wasn't quite so deep. Because he'd been swallowed up by you and survived it. Hadn't he?

It's something unpredictable But in the end, it's right I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable But in the end, it's right I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable But in the end, it's right I hope you had the time of your life

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #21: Vistas

Prompt: shade || Master Post || On AO3

---

One of the particular joys of a new adventure is experiencing all the color in the world.

Alphinaud is more of a portraitist than a landscape artist, but as he walks beside Alisaie as Erenville guides them on a tour, the beauty of Tural makes his fingers itch for a tin of watercolors or soft pencils. Tuliyollal alone is such a riot of color it makes his head spin. The Turali seem to prefer to leave their stone structures and monuments unpainted, letting the reliefs and carvings stand in stark serenity, but that merely makes every bit of decoration pop all the more.

Awnings and thatched roofs, wooden homes and myriad market stalls, and never mind all the trees and ferns and flowers that fill the city’s walls: all of it bursts with colors familiar and not. And the people! The Turali love color as much as the Hannish, clearly, and their ponchos are beautifully woven and dyed in a multitude of patterns that boggles his eyes, and even the Landsguards’ armor are full of exquisite colors and textures. To the unfamiliar, it would all seem garish, but from his experience in Thavnair, Alphinaud knows this is but how the people reflect their home, the wondrous flowers and birds and scalekin that dwell within their lush rainforests and upon their soaring mountains.

Mentally, Alphinaud begins mixing his paints in his head, trying to find the right balance to capture the hues of a Hanuhanu’s iridescent feathers or a Pelupelu’s crimson poncho. He will need to pay a visit to the markets to find more pigments, of course, especially as his own supply won’t last long in the face of Tuliyollal’s rich vibrancy. And what better way to learn of color than to see what the Turali use themselves? It will be quite fun to see how to recreate that utterly fantastic green of a quetzal’s wings, or the lovely dusky blue of a Boonewa shopkeep’s scales.

“Make sure to mark your used paint water cup,” Alisaie mutters beside him, clearing recognizing the glint in his eyes.

“It was one time,” he grumbles good-naturally.

“That I know of,” his sister says, not bothering to hide her grin.

Erenville chuckles ahead of them. “There are a number of artisans in Bayside Bevy and Wachumeqimeqi who would be good sources for supplies,” he says. And then, gently sly, he adds, “As well as a few juice blenders to wash away the taste of any absent-minded mistakes.”

Alisaie laughs heartily, and Alphinaud sighs in feigned exasperation of their teasing.

No matter. There’s much to explore of Tuliyollal before he can find a quiet moment to begin a sketch. And in the meantime, he will commit each new color he sees to memory, in the vain hope to capture even a fraction of the beauty of this incredible land.

[queenarahbo]

Confession Under The Northern Lights

Cynthia takes Diantha to a cabin on Mount Coronet to see the northern lights. Fluffcember Prompts Used: Day 5: Northern Lights Day 7: Condensed Breath Day 21: Cabin in the Snow 12 Days of Christmas Prompts Used: Day 3: Accelerated Heartbeat/ Kissing in the Snow/ "Here, take my coat."

Guys I hate this title so much.

“Thank you again for bringing me with you. I never realized how breathtakingly beautiful Mount Coronet was,” Diantha said, her voice filled with awe as she settled onto the wooden bench that overlooked the lower mountain range, the frosty air tinged with the scent of pine and earth, yet fresh with snow.

“Of course,” Cynthia replied warmly, placing two steaming mugs of fragrant tea—swirling with hints of mint and eucalyptus—on the bench between them before joining Diantha. She couldn’t help but smile as she admired her companion’s wide eyes, reflecting the magnificence of the snow-draped peaks framed against the twilight sky. “But it’s not like you haven’t seen the mountains before,” she pointed out teasingly, raising an eyebrow.

“Sure,” Diantha retorted, her gaze fixed firmly on the breathtaking vista, where the snow glistened like diamonds under the fading sun. “But they are nothing like this.”

Cynthia hummed lightly in acknowledgment, pausing as she noticed her friend tugging her sweater tighter around her out of the corner of her eye. The frigid chill of the mountain air nipped at her skin. “Here, take my coat,” she offered, her voice gentle.

“No, you need it. It’s far too cold to go without one,” Diantha protested, reaching out to stop Cynthia as she started to remove her navy winter coat.

“Dia, I’m used to this kind of weather,” Cynthia assured her, lightly moving Diantha’s gloved hand aside and wrapping the coat around her shoulders. “Besides, you won’t want to miss what’s coming.”

“Come on, you still haven’t told me what this is,” Diantha pouted playfully, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.

“It’s just a few more minutes,” Cynthia replied, glancing at her wristwatch under her glove, the metal cool against her skin. The mountain range was cold all year, but the winters could be fierce. The sky was darkening, casting a shroud of stars above them. She felt the cold creeping in now that she had shed her coat, but the thrill of the impending display warmed her soul. Lifting her steaming mug to her lips, she savored the comforting aroma and took a large sip, letting the warmth infuse her.

Then, without warning, the sky erupted into a stunning array of vibrant greens and soft blues. Wisps of ethereal light danced across the heavens, their colors spilling down like liquid emeralds over the snow-covered landscape, illuminating the mountains in a magical glow. This was the moment they had been eagerly awaiting—the northern lights.

Diantha gasped, her breath hitching in her throat as she absorbed the breathtaking spectacle unfolding before her. “Amazing…” she breathed, her eyes wide and entranced, captivated by the ballet overhead.

Cynthia’s heart swelled with joy; she knew deep down she had made the right decision in bringing Diantha to the secluded cabin. It had been her sanctuary, and she vowed to thank Candice later for allowing her to borrow it.

For several long, serene minutes, they sat in spellbound silence, side by side, each lost in the beauty of nature and the moment, until Cynthia felt the urge to break the stillness. “It’s you,” she whispered softly, her voice barely a murmur against the backdrop of the shimmering display, her gaze shifting to Diantha. “It’s always been you.”

Diantha’s expression morphed into one of confusion, brows knitting together as she replied, “Pardon?”

“I can’t pretend anymore,” Cynthia confessed, her heart racing as she reached out, grasping Diantha’s hands in her own, urging her closer. “I love you.” With those words, Cynthia’s heart thundered in her chest, the weight of vulnerability crashing over her. She hadn’t planned to say it; the confession had flown from her lips unbidden, yet now that it was out, she felt the gravity of the moment.

As she averted her gaze, a wave of uncertainty wrapped around her heart, and Cynthia caught a fleeting glimpse of Diantha’s expression transformation, shifting from surprise to something deeper. “I love you too,” Diantha finally breathed, the words spilling from her lips like a long-buried secret, igniting a flicker of hope within Cynthia’s soul that had been dormant for far too long.

With a tentative movement, Diantha reached forward, her fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against Cynthia’s bangs, the touch as light and tender as a whisper. She bit the inside of her cheek, fighting against the anxious flutter in her stomach, her heart racing at the weight of the moment. Cynthia still hadn’t met her gaze, and a swell of determination surged within Diantha. Resolute, she closed the distance that had felt like an eternity between them.

As Diantha leaned in, the frigid air vibrated with tension, mingling their breaths into soft, white puffs that danced in the chilled night. She pressed her lips against Cynthia’s, a gentle caress that felt electric, eyes fluttering shut as if sealing off the world outside.

The sensation was nothing short of euphoric; the numbness that had settled in her limbs was now transformed, coursing with intoxicating emotions rather than the icy fingers of winter. Time seemed to dissolve around them, the vibrant light display that had once captivated them now fading gently, allowing the serene embrace of starlight to reclaim the night sky, casting a magical glow over the two of them.

As they slowly pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, Diantha intertwined her fingers with Cynthia’s, their eyes locked in a shared moment of warmth and understanding. “Let’s go inside and get warm,” Diantha suggested her voice a soothing whisper that filled the space between them. A smile blossomed on her lips as Cynthia nodded in agreement, her eyes shimmering with newfound brightness. At that moment, everything felt right, as if the universe had finally aligned, anchoring them in a shared reality where they belonged together.

[ur-haruspis]

SHIELD WORLD 0001 // REQUIEM

Only now does Requiem’s long-forgotten beauty greet me. Here, for thousands of kilometers on all sides, off into silvery-green haze, spreads a wide, high-ceilinged vista, illuminated by tiny sunlets flaring like brilliant green flowers. Sculptured mountain ranges sparkle with crystalline chunks of mineral-hard ice, awaiting heat to create another sanctuary for Lifeworker specimens. A stab of sharp pain at that sterile, unfinished landscape. But no Forerunners will be brought here. All that I push back into the depths of mind and memory. I have but one duty now, and that is to see my husband locked in his Cryptum, and all of his crimes with him.

[corgate-epistolary]

May 6th, 624

(Transcript under the cut) (Read on Ao3 HERE)

[Written on off-white writing paper with a smooth but lightly textured hand, in golden yellow-brown ink, in cursive. Letter was folded into its own rectangular envelope, and sealed with a wax seal depicting a cat surrounded by moons, mountains, and window-like arch frame. The wax seal is gold, olive green, and silver swirled together, and pooled in an oblong rectangular shape]

Elowen Vance, A.Mg. Corgate Village Post Office

May 6th, 624 [the number 6 bears evidence of having been altered while the ink was fresh, from a 5 to a 6]

Eris Mirrows, A.Mg. 87 Lancedragon Street Avalon

Mx. Mirrows:

I am sending this down for posting with the team that brought up our bulky supplies, so if you have sent me a reply I have not yet seen it.

What a place these ruins are!  [scratch-out] And the mountains themselves!  I am very glad I had some shorter skirts made for the practicalities, for it is all rocks & clambering about.  We are on the ocean side of the [scratch-out, “mountains”] ruins, and each evening I see the sun set across the water - though in truth I saw little our first night, as there was much fog.

The whole air is alive with the scent of the trees, which are both unmistakable pines & also quite strangely fashioned.

[end of page 1]

They smell quite sweet, mingling with the ocean & the kelp & a general sense of earthiness.  It is all wild loveliness, & each vista is more wondrous than the last.

The ruins we have yet seen little of, with all the setting-up & organizing.  What little I have seen seems to align with the general knowledge of the place - a city, no, a town, of great & concentrated magic.  The oddest thing is that, within its borders, one feels a queer… tingling?  It is as if each molecule in the body has been made more alive.  This is of course fascinating, as no known magic can persist beyond the life of the caster.  But then again, that is indeed the purpose & focus of our time here.  Obviously, there is some mechanism by which this town’s ruins could remain cloaked for all of living memory.  Would you look in the university library on my & Mg. Hawkins’ behalf with regards to any information on lingering magics, or perhaps folklore of unnaturally long-lived creatures in these

[end of page 2]

mountains? We would both be most thankful.

Let it also be noted that I feel no change of psyche.  I feel entirely & utterly myself, just unusually invigorated & ravenous for all life.

Mg. Hawkins is doing quite well, and has overseen the construction of our base of operations with admirable efficiency.  It is always quite fascinating to see how organized a magician can be when they put their mind to it, is it not?  We now have a trio of cabins, quite well-appointed & comfortable.  The first is Mg. Hawkins’ living quarters, the second is mine, & the third (& largest) is a workroom for Mg. Hawkins, as well as [scratch-out] an ad hoc guest quarters if there should be a need.  I am ever grateful for the privacy of my own cabin, so that I may rest & [scratch-out, “rf”] reflect on the day.

I am hoping this letter finds you in good health & I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Ms. Elowen Vance, A.Mg

[end of page 3][end of letter]

[christinatravel]

Mountain trees 🏞️💙

[eluvisen]

Carefully, A Flame

Fandom: Baldur’s Gate 3

Characters: Karlach/fem!Tav

Rating: T

Summary: A simple evening offers it all: stars, company, and a shift in the path. Karlach and Rhodeia can’t touch, but they can talk. And there’s a much-needed conversation to be had—about touch.

—

It’s a nice little hike, the night all bright and silvered. Fluffy clouds frame the edges of the sky above, too soft to cage the stars. Karlach can’t quite feel the cool night, not with her engine playing chaperone against the charms of nice breezes as well as pretty half-elves, but it’s enough to tell her she’s not in Avernus. 

Karlach takes in a deep breath as they reach the top of the bluff, finding a grassy spot to sit down in. Her lungs fill with the gloriously dewy night-smell of green things. But there’s no slacking off—she has to keep one eye on Rhodeia as she sinks to the ground, make sure she’s out of burning range.

Once they’re both settled side by side with a safe—if frustrating—distance between them, Karlach leans back on her elbows to take in the view. The mountain lowlands roll on all sides in blue and grey, grass fields rippling like the hide of some great sleeping creature. And who’s to say it isn’t some grand beastie when all that life sings out there in the dark? Beyond the plains, the distant Chionthar is a silvered road leading straight home.

“Gods, what a view. And the stars! Look at them all. Can’t get a vista like this anywhere in Baldur’s Gate, sorry as I am to say.” Looking up, Karlach traces the patterns above with her eyes. “Think that’s the Woman Warrior, ey? And the Tears of Selûne! The rest, however, are a wonderful mystery.”

She glances sideways, only to discover that Rhodeia has rolled onto her side to watch her instead of the stars.

Karlach arches an eyebrow, but she can’t help the way her mouth kicks up at the corners. “Thought we were here to stargaze, not Karlachgaze.”

“The stars are a familiar beauty. But I’m beyond fortunate that I can be here next to you.”

A giddy laugh bubbles up in Karlach’s chest, lighter than she’s felt in—a long time. “Godsdamn. You have an easy way of making me feel breathless, you know?”

[Read on AO3]