#i know europe has many cities shut up

[deklo]

not to sound like an american…but do cities in europe have advertisement billboards…..

[thatsdemko]

they want us to be - m.mount

masterlist

pairing: Mason mount x fem!reader

warnings: angst + me having a lack of knowledge of the transportation systems of Europe

a/n: yeah I’m sorry about this one..

the train ride in from London to Manchester was long and brutal. you’d think somewhere along the lines you’d just move half way in between your best friend and your current job, but moving in this economy was proven to be rather difficult. so the train it was.

the cities and empty towns pass by you in a whirl and before you know it you’re the next stop: Manchester. you’d gathered an overnight bag that feels weightless as you pick it up and move out of your seat towards the exit. you thank the man who helps you off and find his car. it doesn’t take long, it’s the most expensive one in the parking lot.

“hey!” his head snaps up from his phone, whatever it was becomes completely irrelevant once you’re in the warm car and tossing your back in front of your feet.

letting out a long sigh you take a look over at him. his hair still has patches of blond showing and the buzz cut is much shorter than you last had seen it. “hey,” you let out finally. leaning over the center counsel you wrap your arms around him, “why’d you cut your hair?” you gently run your finger tips over the rough ends of his hair before he quickly pulls away, a blush creeping to his cheeks.

“you don’t like it?”

“I’ve expressed my dislikes for it many times.” you’d recall for him the last time he’d cut it short, you couldn’t look him in the eyes without laughing and you’d think he’d learned his lesson that the look wasn’t meant for him, yet without your supervision Mason still went ahead and did so.

“yeah well you’re not my girlfriend so you don’t make the calls.” his bitter tone shuts you up. you result back into looking out the window much like you did the whole train ride here. was this how it was going to be?

LAST TIME | Manchester

“come on, come on! say it again, please.” you laugh, your body leans forward against the wooden table tops as you wait for masons giggle fit to end before he turns serious and does his best impression of his coach on the sidelines.

“you’re getting really good at it.” you lie, or maybe it was flirting. the alcohol in your system had you looking at Mason differently than normal, and it’s not you to blame when he wears a tight black shirt and grey sweatpants that could have any girl swooning in admiration of his biceps.

“am I? I only learn from the best impersonator myself.” he gestures to you in front of him, “give me your best Ben impression, I forgot what he sounds like.”

“you chatted with him on the phone two hours ago!”

it’s his turn to lean in, his hands pressed against the cool table tops as he watches you take a swig from your pint of beer, “and I’ve seemingly forgotten what he sounds like! come on, do it!”

rolling your eyes you give him what he wants and a roar of laugher escapes from him. the sound fills your heart and makes your chest feel fuzzy and your head starts to spin. was this what it felt like to fall in love? was the feeling of falling supposed to be this intoxicating?

“is it crazy I miss London?” he looks up from the empty pint in front of him, his hands awkwardly cup the glass trying to find anything to occupy the numbness in his chest when he mentions his previous home. while Manchester was beautiful and different, you didn’t live here. you lived a train away and that killed him.

“I don’t think it’s crazy, mase. this was a big change— and may I mention a good change.” you reach across the table, your sweaty palm touches the back of his hand and pulls his attention away from the table.

“I guess I just miss you.”

oh. you feel a tightness in your chest as you pull your hand away and sink against the back of the chair.

“I shouldn’t of said that I’m sorry—“

“no. don’t apologize.” you cut him off, “I miss you too.”

a relief washes over his face to hear the words back. there’d been plenty of new friends and faces for him to kindle a connection with, but no one could hold a candle to what you two had. there was an undeniable chemistry that sparked since your teen years and carried on, it’s what made you two inseparable despite the commute.

“I’m sorry, I’m being like the worst drunk ever.”

you shake your head. reaching your hand across the table again, “don’t say that. come on, let’s just go to bed? maybe we just need sleep.” you suggest and he agrees. he trails behind you into his master bedroom that’s practically untouched. the space is so clean and barely lived in, it’s almost uncomfortable to look at.

“will you sleep with me? I don’t think I can be alone right now.” his finger tips grab a hold of your hand, the warmth sends a shock wave through your body making you turn in his direction. he’s standing in the doorway of the bedroom, his large body blocks you from seeing the rest of the room as his eyes plea for your attention.

“mase, that’s dangerous.” you warn. the last time you’d slept in the same bed was the same night he’d gracefully taken your virginity and ever since then you could never see him naked without your ovaries having a reaction to him.

he wets the bottom of his lip with his tongue, his beautiful brown eyes are glassy and convincing, you press your lips against his for a brief second, “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

“can’t you stay with me forever?” he whispers half jokingly but half serious. you pretend you don’t hear him and just climb into his bed while he undresses himself.

“I mean what I said. I want you with me forever.”

NOW | Manchester

“pint or glass?”

“glass.” you say setting your things down into the living room and waiting for Mason to come back in. you stare out the large floor to ceiling windows out at the city. the grey clouds and dark skies feel different here, in London you felt safer from the storms, but here? there was something chilling about the look.

“how’s Ben? anything new happening with Chelsea?” he moves into the living room and sets your glass down on a coaster. he takes the seat closest to where you’re standing and watches your eyes move from cloud to cloud and person to person.

“joão left.”

“so I’ve been told.” he says making your head turn in his direction and offer him a small smile before taking the seat next to him.

“but Bens good, he just moved into my building.”

a shocked expression lights his face making you snort, “what? you’re surprised we get along now?”

he nods his head enthusiastically, “yes! it took months for you two to get along!”

“months?! I’d say weeks, he always had a problem with me.”

it’s masons turn to snort making you give him a look of surprise, “he just had a thing for you and then he realized you only like me so he gave up.”

you fight the urge to tell him it wasn’t true. you fight the urge to tell him the reason Ben moved in was because he was with you. the reason you couldn’t stay with Mason forever was because Ben chilwell was your idea of forever.

“well I think he still has a thing for me.”

Mason rolls his eyes whipping out his phone from his pocket, “you want me to tell him off? I can tell him you still have feelings for Christian—“

“no! oh my god one time! I said one time I liked Christian for a week!” you launch your body onto his and try to fight him for the phone while he types and clearly whoever it was, it wasn’t Ben. because the person on the other end responded faster than your boyfriend actually would.

“who are you actually texting?” you press, a cheeky grin on your face, “come on, I know it’s a girl none of your mates respond that fast!”

he puts his hands up as a white flag and admits from start to finish about the new girl he was talking to. he’d mentioned how she was awfully similar personality to yours and how he really liked her, but he fails to admit she’s not you. he likes her enough to keep things going, but she lacks the personality you have.

“I’m so happy for you.” you whisper, voice sounding breathless and a mixture of emotions settled into your chest. you’re happy for him, and this is exciting news, but why did it hurt? Ben was your boyfriend who you so dearly loved, but why was Mason moving on the worst thing you could ever hear.

you guess it’s true, maybe you two were meant to be but you’d never know until you stop loving others and love each other.

[gemsofgreece]

A documentation of the Sortie of Missolonghi, 1826 from the Ottoman perspective

If you follow certain Greek blogs here or Greek history closely, perhaps you know by now that the Greek War of Independence (also known as the Greek Revolution) is a paramount historical period in the collective Greek conscience and certainly the most formative for the emergence of the finally statutory Greek national identity. Furthermore, it is also a major historical event of the Romantic Period, playing a significant role in the fall of empires, the establishment of democratic institutions but also the rise of ethnic states. While all this is not well known nowadays abroad, at its time it affected a considerable part of the world and it also birthed the biggest and most notable Philhellenic movements. West Europe studied and explored the pre- and post-revolutionary Greek world extensively. Nevertheless and maybe unsurprisingly, Turkey, the state descendant of the Ottoman Empire, never shared the sentiment. The Greek Revolution is rarely if ever discussed in Turkey and in Turkish schoolbooks it is presented as a minor revolt of ungrateful subjects that could not potentially harm the status of the mighty empire (that entirely dissolved a century later). The truth is that Turkey has an enormous archive of Ottoman documentation regarding the Greek revolution but there is no intention so far for it to be examined thoroughly and properly.

Here is however a letter, written by Netzip Efendi (hope this is written correctly), a representative of the pasha of Egypt to Constantinople after he was sent to Missolongi, to witness the siege of the city and ensure the cooperation of the Egyptian soldiers with the Ottoman Turks [context: Egypt was then a part of the Ottoman Empire and as such, Egyptian soldiers were sent to assist in the fights against the Greek revolutionaries]. This is a recollection of the events of 10 April 1826 (hence why I am posting this today), the day of the Sortie of Missolonghi, again, from an Ottoman perspective:

"The unbelievers [the Greek Christians] had fortified Missolongi so well that it was impossible to conquer it by assault. Although the islands Vasiládi and Anatolikó - the key to access Missolonghi - were taken and the isolation from land and sea was complete, for about fifteen days, there was still supplementation passing with small boats from Petalás island, as the natural landscape around Missolonghi made this possible. However, the Austrian consul in Préveza [the Austrian Empire had good relations with the Ottoman Empire and was opposed to the Greek Independence struggle] informed Ibrahim pasha and he shut those passages with fortifications, cannons and soldiers. When it was clear the bandits [the Greeks] were exhausted by the starvation, they were offered an amnesty several times according to the Sharia Law. But when they were given the document with the conditions of Ibrahim and Reşid Mehmed [who was known in Greece as Kioutahís and was ironically and tragically of Greek Orthodox descent...!] pashas, where they were explaining the procedure for the amnesty and they were annoucing the Sultan's mercy and grace, the bandits [Greeks] expressed their animosity and disdain with arrogant words, saying: 'We cannot surrender our seven thousand blood-stained weapons with our own hands'. They were hoping that supplies and soldiers would still arrive to support them and indeed thirty-five to forty boats with bandits showed up and a ruthless combat against the Imperial Navy commenced and lasted for two days. Thankfully, they weren't able to cause any harm to the Imperial Navy, even with their fire ships, while they suffered many losses and retreated towards the straits of Zakynthos and Petalás islands. The bandits in Missolonghi were then in despair. A muslim captive who fled from Missolonghi transferred to us the information that on Saturday sunset, the fourteenth day of Ramadan [10 April 1826] there would be even more reinforcements for the besieged coming from the mountains north of Missolonghi, behind the rear of our army, and then there would be a signal and the unbelievers inside Missolonghi would take their women and their children and they would all together launch out of the city. Immediately we took all necessary measures. Indeed, on Saturday evening, there were movements detected on the peaks of the mountains and a little later the bandits with their women and children exited from the eastern coast of Missolonghi. Since there were Egyptian soldiers on that side, when the Greeks attempted to pass through the fortifications, our soldiers confronted them with bravery and persistence, hitting them with the artillery and the rifles. Some of the unbelievers could not proceed farther and returned to Missolonghi, while others, ignoring their losses, ran towards the mountains but our soldiers followed them and slaughtered them on the way. During the sortie of the unbelievers the sky was cloudy. However, after their sortie, by Allah's grace, the clouds were gone and the moonlight was as strong as sunlight. At that moment, Colonel Hussein Bey of the 7th Order of the Egyptians launched with swords inside Missolonghi, through the fortifications in the sides from which the unbelievers had appeared. The bandits had placed gunpowder inside holes they had dug inside the city, and given that the windmill in the harbour of Missolonghi was a fortified stronghold, they had placed gunpowder there as well, and about three hundred unbelievers were trapped there too. At the dawn of Sunday, as they were lighting up the gunpowder and blowing up the holes, the sound of the explosions was relentless. Most of the bandits were blown up, very few were killed by the swords of our soldiers but our soldiers were allowed to pillage women, children and fortunes. Glory to Allah, it was a big victory. 1,734 pairs of ears were collected by the army of Ibrahim Pasha and 1,015 pairs collected by the army of Reşid Pasha, a sum of 2,749 pairs of ears were sent to Constantinople to be displayed and set an example."

Sources: Kathimerini newspaper, excerpt taken from the article written by Şükrü Ilıcak, Doctor of History in Harvard University and postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean Studies and Aristides Hatzis, professor of Philosophy and Methodology of Law in the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, with the assistance of Anna Athanasouli, PhD candidate of History in the University of Crete.

The stats of the battle according to Wikipedia:

[chevvy-yates]

WIP Wednesday

Got tagged by noone and making a new one!

But I tag: @dreamskug and @astarionhistears, @gloryride, @nervouswizardcycle, @streetkid-named-desire, @koda-shoulda-woulda-but-didnt, @robininthewoods90, @ouroboros-hideout, @wraithsoutlaws, @dustymagpie, @therealnightcity, @elvenbeard, @heywoodvirgin, @86maylin and @itzsassha – also everyone who likes to do it as always and no pressure!

Today I'm gonna talk about Thyjs on my wip as these unfinished thoughts have been sitting in my drafts for quite a while, so expect only a long text post — my mind still circles a lot about him how to portrait Thyjs the best way — mostly in writing but also in pics.

I know he looks all sweet and cute when he's together with Ryder, and I imagine he can be funny as well especially with his cute Dutch accent, but I think he definitely needs to have some negative trait too, since he's definitely 'the most sane' when it comes to uh … 'problems as a Night City citizen'? – as he's not from NC – and Europe being different than NUSA.

Since he's a soldier I think he should definitely have some form of ptsd. There is no way he doesn't have that.

The sudden loss of almost all of his squad definitely was the most traumatic event that happened to him, but also eventually led to him accepting he has to talk about that and accept and allow his emotions to come through, too.

I'm no expert (more likely a noob) when it comes to ptsd but I think losing his father two years prior made him more 'unemotional' than before as he was also drilled by Militech to be a war machine — to be strong, have less emotions to the point to shut them down. Maybe also combat stims provided to bring emotions into the background? (have to look it up).

He didn't see it happen how his father died, but he found footage later after he began to try finding out why and what really happened (Cynosure) that eventually leads to the traumatic end of his squad the more he found out. He always thought his father was indestructible. He looked up to him.

His tie with his father and mother was good, so no trauma through his childhood except when he got mobbed by other young teenage trainees for his albinism at first <- turned him into the direction: "show them you can do it nonetheless, that you can beat them in training", which led to Thyjs being one of the best soldiers in the end -> brought him to KCT and into the international spec ops team after many deployments worldwide.

So I think along his way to become a soldier and various events more or less traumatic (as he's seen a lot of death, destruction and had to kill on command, without mercy and even torture captives for information, was struck by lightning and the loss of his left forearm) he started developing some emotional numbness or psychical numbing. His affectivity went into the background (as he is not interested to form special bonds or a love relationship) and he's more distant towards the normal life as he doesn't have one (e.g. may not have spent his free time with typical army spare time activities like his other mates did. Instead he used it to train/educate himself even more). He cannot enjoy simple daily life and has to learn how to integrate again after the accident as his soldier career has ended. The loss of his future expectation lets him have no perspective at first and he feels empty inside and utterly betrayed by Militech. The army was his life.

Thanks to Ryder he is able to join the merc team and finds a new purpose (help and mostly protection of the team). Through Ryder and the others he learns to integrate himself into 'the normal' life (as I don't see merc life on the same level as soldier life). Night City is at first ofc too much for him so he often goes back out into the badlands to find some 'peace', away from the noise, time to think and breathe, process it all, grapple with all the new impressions and emotions that hail down on him. He needs some time-out once in a while to process the 'daily life' he consumes now every day as well. That may explain why he’s still a bit more distant towards Ryder/the team for a certain while as he has to learn how to get around with each of them and especially the impulsive character Ryder has until he knows him better, as he got offered to live in Ry’s flat. 

Then he discovers he slowly develops feelings for Ryder he never had felt before ever. They are subtle at first but get stronger and he accepts them eventually and starts to allow himself to show them to him. He rediscovers what feelings truly are, what joy is and how you laugh with a bright earnest smile on your lips and what it is to be in love with someone.

Last time he may have felt real and pure joy was when he was a child. As a small boy, before Militech school started, he was always obsessed over flowers and loved to draw. Now that he's a merc with having more spare time he begins to pick this up again and that's why he goes (and even asks Ryder to come with him) to art galleries and starts thinking about making art as well or just buys a bouquet of flowers he looks at for hours. Goes back to listening to classical music too. I think this is sort of his 'own' therapy choice to get back into normal life. He definitely sees a MedTech for treatment as well who may have suggested to him to just do that once they found out what Thyjs 'does enjoy'.

This will probably be super hard to write and I'll never reach that goal in perfection either but I try at least to steer it this way, be it only details or Thyjs talking about it.

Thyjs also opens fully up only to Ryder. He may be friendly to everyone (as he's learned to keep a fake 'joy' smile) and also likes everyone in the team but he only talks about his true insecurities in every detail with Ry. The rest of the team only gets a superficial version of it. That is my plan.

I always picture him more like a peripheral figure when the team enjoys e.g. a billiard play in The Afterlife. He's the one who just sits in the corner and watches rather than plays billiards. He's trained to watch the area and surroundings nonstop, so it's hard for him to let go of that fully — at least for a while.

Idk if Ry and Thy will ever argue about something. It's likely to happen but I can't think of any situation yet. I really do see them as one heart and soul and that they complete each other. Thyjs, being totally reserved, learns Ryder to be calmer while Ryder, being totally impulsive and full with all of kinds of emotions, helps Thyjs to rediscover and let out his emotions as well on top shows him how to live more normal (as merc life also is not that normal).

In fact I think everyone of my boys (except Jay maybe - maybe not, maybe he's got it too) had their own ptsd moments they have to fight with more or less each day. I don't want to analyze it entirely but thinking about it is just very interesting. But as said I'm no expert in that but I doubt there will be someone pointing their finger at me telling me "this is false what you wrote" in the end, so I spent my time with thinking about it and write down and share some bits and pieces.

Kudos if you read all this <3

—

*I've watched a video about a German former KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte) soldier not long ago who has ptsd that came along with psychic numbing and he told a bit about what he did and still does to integrate himself into normal daily living, surround himself with people, regain his emotions (like to laugh) and for him it is working with animals as he has now four dogs. Hard to explain. But I got inspired by that and now I'm trying to figure something out for Thyjs what might be good for him to get back into a 'normal' life as he's no soldier anymore.

[tetsunabouquet]

Heir To The Lands Chapter 56

Of Clues And Warcries Masterpost

The steps they took in the Silent City fell hard on their ears, no matter how lightly their footwork was as to not disturb the Silent Brothers. The noise boomed and their hearts thumped at their throats. Tessa stopped in front of the closed off ward to Idris, her heart racing in a way it hadn't had for many years. At least Jem and Mina were safe. Finding solace in that thought, she turned to the group behind her. "Alright, once we enter Idris, we have to find Manuel as soon as we can. If anyone sees us and dares to attack, don't hesitate. We have to fight back, or else the Princes of Hell will begin on their invasion on Earth. Idris with all of its history of Shadowhunters, will be lost if we hold back." Her grey eyes settled on Kit, as of course they would and he nodded as he looked back at her. She didn't wanted to lose the perfect family she had built for herself, but when one deals with Shadowhunters, one had to face the music. And so, Tessa took down the wards.

Magnus' living room was filled with more people then he would like. Everyone of the earlier meeting was present again, but this time, Ragnor and Kieran had also joined the group. It wasn't every day the Unseelie King plopped down on his couch and started cooing all over his cat, looking like he could steal Chairman Meow from the household at any moment. Under normal circumstances, he would have pondered if he could sue the Faerie King for pet theft if it were to come down to it, but now he had no time to think about any of the sort. "Alright, we've gathered today to discuss the Seelie Queen. Let's go over this mess and establish the current dilemma first," Alec said, his pale hands gesturing to the table with all the documents. "We still don't know who returned the documents, but generally, they've returned in one piece. However, the recent actions of the Seelie Court suggest Janus did read through some of them before returning to Faerie. I had Maia scan the areas near the exit, and they did manage to find quite some blood and traces of something heavy having been dragged around. She thinks whoever has intercepted Janus, suffered at least one casualty but that they have already cleaned up the body. Tessa's reports about Jaime and Ragnor's tests confirm the Seelie Queen has partnered with the Princes of Hell and that they're trying to garner control of Faerie," Alec took a deep breath before continuing, "Now here's my plan, I feel like we need to do at least the three following things. One, we should find whoever managed to intercept Janus and retrieved the Clave documents in our behalf. Whoever helped us, likely knows more about the Seelie Queen's plans then we do. Secondly, we have to shut down all the roads to Faerie specifically leading to the Seelie Court before she's found a way that allows the Princes of Hell to pass through the wards between our world and Faerie. Thirdly, we need to come forward in a new political alliance to the Unseelie Court, which would allow all wild fey loyal to us and Nephilim to join their ranks so we can turn the tides against the Seelie knights slaughtering Kieran's men. Me and Kieran will do the latter, Magnus and Ragnor will take down the roads and I want to ask of every single one of you to track down whoever bested Janus so we can strike an alliance with them as well." Everyone exchanged glances and Lily decided to speak up first, "I never told Janus during our meeting, but I smelt someone nearby when I was about to leave. I never went after her because my gut instincts were telling me to wait out why she's here as I haven't seen her since I left China behind for good. Her name is Shuhua Wang and she's a warlock from Taiwan who was travelling to Europe at the time. I accompanied her but we parted ways in Russia. It's likely to assume she's working with the group trailing Janus. I hope this information makes you consider how sorry I am." "We don't blame you for being manipulated Lily." Cristina said kindly, "So how about we search for this Shuhua?"

[kikithedreamerwriter]

OC!Sayuri x Bayverse!Leo

🗣️: @akesdraws-blog @m1dnyt3-w0lf @tinkabelle19 @sharpwindow @pheradream-15 @fyreball66 @shinzowosasageyoooo @miss-andromeda @m1dnyt3-w0lf

⚠️: mentions of signs of anxiety and depression, suicide, injury, and typos

“Yes.”

It has been six months since Sayuri and Leo have met. After introducing Sayuri to his family, the blue-clad turtle found himself spending even more time with her. Hour-long conversations via phone, various exchanges of memes, recommendations, awkward selfies, hangouts at the Lair, and weekly movie viewings at Sayuri’s apartment. As time passed by, the two of them became inevitably closer and closer. Eventually, Leo felt the pressure of confessing… especially with an upcoming mission looming over his head. The turtles were recently tasked by the feds to deactivate a mysterious nuclear weapon somewhere in Eastern Europe. The specifics weren’t very clear yet. Since they were still technically under the NYPD, jurisdiction was already ambiguous as it is ever since the U.S. government found out about the four mutants who averted the Kraang invasion crisis. This was a high-stakes assignment and the people who were operating it were in even higher places.

Ever since the assignment, Leo spent many nights lying awake in the dark conceiving the perfect manner in which he would finally confirm to Sayuri… the girl of his dreams… his true intentions.

It was a Saturday when Leo came over for the usual movie date. Tonight, it was a viewing of Sayuri’s all-time favorite, Spirited Away. In the final scene, as Chihiro drove away with her parents from what seemed to be a strange land of dragons and olds witches and spirits bursting from bathhouses, (and with the teapot empty and the snack tray depleted) Sayuri and Leo sat comfortably on the couch, their thighs grazing beneath the quilt. Leo loved nights with her like this, especially when they talked. He adored that Sayuri saw the world so differently than he did. He was a realist. She was a dreamer. Their conversations were a tangent of different perceptions. Somewhere only they know.

“What do you think?” Sayuri turned to him.

“I think it’s… a little weird,” Leo remarked. “Magic is weird overall, but names having magic? Things are just what they are and people just name everything for the sake of differentiating them from other things. I think… Chihiro could have probably gotten out of there with her parents without going through all that.”

Sayuri smiled.

“When Chihiro’s parents were turned into pigs. Herself, her memories, her name, was all that she had left.”

Leo gazed at her intently.

“Yubaba wanted to take Chihiro’s name not just to have power over her, but to make her lose her sense of self and be spirited away forever… literally.”

Sayuri’s gaze met his.

“When I first knew your name, I thought of the painter and the scientist, Leonardo Da Vinci. But when I got know you, his name… his memory… didn’t mean so much to me anymore because the Leonardo I know…”

“Is a fearless…”

“Quoting Raph I see…” Leo muttered.

“Oh shut up and let me finish,” Sayuri rolled her eyes. “A fearless mutant turtle leader. Living with his three other brothers in the sewers of their beloved New York City. Whose heart may not be necessarily on his sleeve… but is true and good to anyone who knows it.”

A beat.

Leo faltered at the intensity of her beautiful stare, iridescent from the yellow glow of her living room lamp.

“Sayuri…” he called out her name breathlessly.

“Yes, Leo?” She replied quietly.

“I want you.”

Sayuri could have sworn her heart stopped mid-beat.

“I’ve been up so many nights thinking of the perfect way to say this,” Leo breathed. “But I want us to be together. I meant it when I said that you were beautiful to me from the first night I saw you and… you’ve become even more so every moment we spent together… I-I am hopelessly in love with you Mizuno Sayuri.”

“Leo—“

“You don’t have to answer right now,” Leo interrupted her, grasping her hands. “I’m gonna leave soon… and I couldn’t go without telling you. If whatever you say right might hurt me, I’d rather I take it the next time I see you and then… I’ll carry it for the rest of my life.”

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃

It had nearly been a month since that night and here Sayuri was… in Leo’s bedroom in his sheets and holding them to her. Ever since their departure Sayuri visited every night, even more so than April. She kept Master Splinter company, cooked for him, and helped keep the dojo clean. She would dust Donnie’s computers, feed Raph’s pet turtle, and even catalog Mikey’s games. But most of all, she would stow herself away in Leo’s room, caring for his bonsai, reading his books, burying herself in his sheets. That’s where April found her.

“Oh honey,” April sighed as she sat at the edge of the bed. “I’m sure they’re okay…”

“They were supposed to be back a week ago…” Sayuri whispered.

April gazed at Sayuri sadly, she had been so anxious and it had never been as bad as this week. The constant impulse to clean, the dark circles under her eyes, and her declining appetite… April was surprised that Sayuri could still keep up with her studies at all! Sighing, April tugged Sayuri gently into her arms.

“You love him, don’t you?” April whispered. Sayuri turned her, eyes glistening.

“Can I tell you something?” Sayuri asked her quietly. “Something… I haven’t even told Leo?”

April nodded.

“I think I’m cursed.” Sayuri said.

“Why do you think that?”

Sayuri swallowed.

“The people I love… they tend to leave me.” She fumbled with her fingers. “My father… was a renowned karate sensei. He was always so busy with karate that he never really had time for me and brother. My mother was the one who was always with us… God, I remember her smile so clearly… It made me feel like everything was okay. But when I grew up, I began to hate it… I didn’t know then that she was so… sad.” Sayuri laughed, shaking her head.

“My father was the love of her life you see, so when he left one morning and never returned… it broke her heart.”

“Oh Sayuri…”

“He chose his dreams over his own family. Mom was so heartbroken. So dead inside… that she decided it would be better if she was dead in the outside too…”

April stared at her with wide eyes.

“She slit her wrists in her own bathroom… t-there was so much b-blood…” Sayuri inhaled. “And then she was gone…“

“I’m so sorry Sayuri…” April held Sayuri closely. “I’m so sorry you had to see all that. But you’re not cursed. Hiro-“

“Hiro’s in California n-now.” Sayuri breathed shakily. “I know that someday I will come home, but will he? And what of Leo? What if doesn’t come back to me?”

They stayed silent for a little while.

“I don’t know why bad things happen,” April whispered. “I don’t think anybody does… But I know that more often than not, they happen to good people. You’re a good person Sayuri. I see it in you, and I think… it’s one of the reasons Leo loves you too…”

Sayuri turned away.

“He asked me to be his the night before he left…”

April gasped quietly.

“I didn’t even have the courage to say ‘y-yes...’ What if he never hears me say it?” Sayuri cried. Tears were now streaming down April’s face… happy ones.

“Oh honey,” April laughed. “Now I know he’s surely coming home! Don’t you see? He has you! And you’re so wonderful, Sayuri…”

“Thank you, April…” Sayuri sighed into her shoulder.

Just then, Casey opened the door. He caught April’s wet eyes and chuckled. Casey quietly stepped aside, and in his place stood Leonardo, his brilliant blue eyes only for Sayuri’s slumped figure. The upper left quadrant of his shell was plastered and bandaged. A small scar or two marked his right cheek. April smiled widely before weaning Sayuri from her shoulder and turning her cheek towards the door. Sayuri stilled in her arms as she beheld his intense gaze. Leo grinned, limping into his room and April quickly exiting.

Sayuri stood abruptly as if time had pressed ‘play’ again and leapt into her terrapin’s arms. For one moment, they regarded one another intently in the warmth of their intertwined embrace. Sayuri raised her shaking hand to cup his green cheek.

“Sayuri-“

Before he could say another word, Sayuri pressed her lips against his. Leo could see the tears that hung from her eyelashes then saw nothing else as he closed his eyes and buried his hand into her hair, deepening the kiss. He could feel her all around him, like a delving into an oasis after a long walk in the desert. Sayuri moaned as the their lips moved in unison. This felt real. This felt right. It reminded her of the first time they met all over again... Being cast into the darkness and then falling from the sky among all the lights in his arms.

In his mind, Leo conceived of so many ways in which their first kiss would happen. On a date, in the rain, on her couch… but never quite like this and it was oh so perfect. Who would have known? That a mutant like him, could ever be kissed — be loved by someone like her?

They leaned their foreheads together, taking deep breathes. Sayuri was looking at him the same way he was looking at her.

“Yes,” Sayuri exhaled.

“Yes?” Leo replied in disbelief.

“Yes,” Sayuri nodded vigorously, tears racing down her cheek. Leo wiped them with the pad of his thumb as he leaned once more to capture her lips.

At the entryway, Master Splinter, Casey, April, and his brothers stood quietly, peeking through the creak in the door.

“He’s whipped,” Raph smirked.

“I’ll say,” Donnie remarked, amused.

“They’re really going at it,” Mikey giggled.

“Alright, alright,” April whispered. “Let’s give them some space.”

Master Splinter stood alone at the threshold smiling at the pair of them before closing the door as quietly as he could. Sayuri was seated in her lover’s lap, head laying against his plastron as he delicately stroked her hair from her face.

“I know what you mean now,” Leo breathed. “About names being magic. There was a time I was bleeding out—“

Sayuri was about to perform a full assessment of the bandages on his shell when Leo swiftly took ahold of her fingers.

“I’m okay,” he assured her as he noticed her eyes glistening again. “We were ambushed. I… I thought I was going to d-die… and when I started to forget your face… all I could remember was your name…”

“Oh Leo…” Sayuri sighed.

“And before I even knew it, we were going home… you kept me alive and I was so nervous that if you actually said ‘no…’ I wouldn’t have the slightest idea of how to move on… so thank you, thank you for saying ‘yes,’ thank you for being mine…”

“Why do you always have to say everything, first?” Sayuri huffed with a laugh as she began to wipe away the tears that had slipped from her eyes. Leo chuckled as he leaned his forehead against hers.

“Hey, I wanted to kiss you first.” Leo defended.

“I’m not the slow one,” Sayuri teased.

“Are you seriously saying that because I’m a turtle?”

Sayuri giggled.

“Glad you caught on.”

A playful growl reverberated in Leo’s throat as he attacked her neck speedily with kisses. Sayuri squealed, hands pushing at his plastron in a futile attempt to evade her mutant lover as they fell into his sheets.

[sweatersexual]

Time to return to Magical Industrial Revolution Western Europe Featuring Even More Soot and Exploitation

I feel you, Vin. Better the wolf you know and all that. But it's time to spread your wings, girl!

Ulef is juuust drunk enough to assume she's coming on to him. At least he's not an ass about it, hence why she picked him

Reen said Vin's mother gave her the earring, not their mother? Are they half siblings?

Oh FUCK OFF ULEF I thought criminals knew better than to be fucking snitches

Okay here we go time for Kelsier to fucking obliterate Camon

He knocked him out but is he dead? Idk if I want him to die more spectacularly or if I just want him off the damn page

Make him a beggar? Okay he's clearly going to try getting revenge on y'all later, I guess Kelsier finds that amusing though. I get where he's coming from, sure, make Camon live so he can suffer, but see, I really wanted him to die

TOO HARSH on CAMON? Shut up Dox

Lol yeah telling a teenage girl she has nothing to fear will definitely get her to relax while alone in a room with two adult men who just killed some cops and who are trying to give her alcohol. Good job guys

Okay so the caste system works the way I thought it did. Still unclear what a Misting is though. They're allomancers, but not part of the regular nobility? Scary, but not as scary as an Inquisitor? Okay

Kelsier and Dockson are NOT beating the creepy man allegations. Good on you, Vin, you SHOULD be distrustful of anything they try to get you to drink. I cringe to think of the horrible situations that must have trained her to be this wary

There's explanation I was waiting for. And damn, Vin's mother tried to kill her? I imagine the Steel Ministry might've been on to them or something. And Vin's just remembering this offhand because it's not even the most recent or staggering of her many traumas. This poor kid 😢

So they're still hanging around this safehouse even though the Inquisitor who was after them isn't dead? Distracting him was enough to shake him? Was it a magical trail he was following? I guess they did kill the ministry informants, so the normal methods of tracking them seem to have been foiled. Still, if I were these guys, I'd be getting the hell out of dodge

Ah, so Kelsier is a member of the Cosmere Dead Wife Havers Club. Quite the institution I've been told

Lmao Kelsier is Scadrian Chuck Norris

Vin honey, you can do so much better than flunkying to any of these douchenozzles. I can't wait to see her come into her own

Fancy digs #3 let's goooo

Ah so this isn't a heist, it's a coup. Well - a coup AND a heist. Fun!

Um. Koloss? Those don't sound fun. And how do you know the Lord Protector won't have them destroy the city out of spite?

Ooohh what's the 11th metal? Aluminum?

Well I suppose the Lord Protector can't call in the koloss if you kill him

[karagin22]

Europe has gone, and Asia - surrendered to authoritarianism, nonsense like the 'leader principle', totalitarianism, all the bonds placed on liberty which treat men as so many economic and political units with no importance as individuals. No dignity - do what you're told, believe what you are told, and shut your mouth! Workers, soldiers, breeding units... A rational anarchist believes that concepts, such as 'state' and 'society' and 'government' have no existence save as physically exemplified in the acts of self-responsible individuals. He believes that it is impossible to shift blame, share blame, distribute blame... as blame, guilt, responsibility are matters taking place inside human beings singly and _nowhere_ else. But being rational, he knows that not all individuals hold his evaluations, so he tries to live perfectly in an imperfect world... aware that his efforts will be less than perfect yet undismayed by self-knowledge of self-failure." From politics I have come to believe the following: (1) Most people are basically honest, kind and decent. (2) The American people are wise enough to run their own affairs. The do not need Fuehrers, Strong Men, Technocrats, Commissars, Silver Shirts, Theocrats, or any other sort of dictator. (3) Americans have a compatible community of ambitions. Most of them don't want to be rich but do want enough economic security to permit them to raise families in decent comfort without fear of the future. They want the least government necessary to this purpose and don't greatly mind what the other fellow does as long as it does not interfere with them living their own lives. As a people we are neither money mad nor prying. We are easy-going and anarchistic. We may want to keep up with the Joneses -- but not with the Vanderbilts. We don't like cops. (4) Democracy, or a Republic, is not an automatic condition resulting from laws and constitutions. It is a living, dynamic process, which must be worked at by you yourself -- or it ceases to be democracy, even if the shell and form remains. (5) One way or another, any government that remains in power is a representative government. If your city government is a crooked machine, then it is because you and your neighbors prefer it that way -- prefer it to the effort of running your own affairs. Hitler's government was a popular government; the vast majority of Germans preferred the rule of gangsters to the effort of thinking and doing for themselves. They abdicated their franchise. (6) Representative Democracy is the most efficient form of government ever invented by the human race. On the record, it has worked better in peace and in war than fascism, communism, or any other form of dictatorship. As for the mythical yardstick of 'benevolent' monarchy or dictatorship -- there ain't no such animal! (7) A single citizen, with no political connections and no money, can be extremely effective in politics. From Take Back Your Government - A Practical Handbook for the private citizen who wants democracy to work. By Robert A. Heinlein.

[momo-de-avis]

Oh, that Jeronimos gossip sounds interesting. What do you mean, it was a scandal?

In the 19th century, everyone in Europe was traversing an identity crisis and sought to define their own nationalism. So nations in europe looked back at their past and tried to think, which moment of the past signified our biggest glory? The answer to this question is whatever revival you see in the country's capital city. Paris with Gothic. England with Tudor. Greece is easy to answer. Italy, take a guess.

Well we realised, it has to be Manuel I, because that's when we were an EmPiRe. Glorious constructions! Colonialism! Imperialism!

More so, at this moment, and this when the subject of Art History is being developed into a field of studies and not just an "I have opinions" type of thing, people figured it was at this moment that Portugal, because it had so much money, developed its own style. A style uniquely portuguese, an architectural language that willingly (willingly!) rejected the renaissance, which could only mean we were SO POWERFUL. A style that is comprised of all these new ExOtIc things we were discovering across the globe, and which apparently celebrates the discoveries because wow look at all these ropes on these windows!

On a side note: now that we're in 2023, that is 90% false. Most art historians disagree that Manuelino is an architectural style at all. The "ropes" are not ropes and never were. There is some "exoticism" in the buildings, yes, but they're not there because "haha white man never seen an elephant before". They're actually symbols of power and they're documents of events that happened in history. Fun stuff, but as usual, the romantics were wrong.

So with this settled among the portuguese people, everyone decided we must find the most glorious example of this architecture! And hey! We have it! It's the Jeronimos Monastery! The greatest gem of Manuelino!

Just one problem.

In the 19th century, the monastery was in ruins.

In 1833, religious orders were annhiliated off the face of this country, for several reasons that to this day bother the shit out of historians, but the fact of the matter is that we have a fuckton of them, way to fucking many, and they're been hoarding shit like fucking dragons. To give you an idea, there was so much shit (and I mean art, jewellery, paintings, sculpture, etc) that entire wings of the National Museum of Ancient Art were FILLED with just the crap found inside these convents.

The Jeronimos Monastery was one of the many shut down, the monks then had to go elsewhere (which is when they sold the recipe for the custard tarts of Belém to the store that is still today, and why it is still a secret). Soon after, the Monastery became home to Casa Pia, which is kind of like an orphanage for the non-portuguese people.

When this debate was happening, the monastery was in near-ruins. I mean, completely run down. So it was a huge shame at the time.

Now, mind you, this is the kind of debate that the average Zé doesn't give a shit about, and at the time, the government wasn't really concerned about this.

Enter Alexandre Herculano, and Almeida Garrett got his hand in this too. The historian decided to raise a campaign to call everyone's attention to the sorry state the monastery was in, and how shameful it was for us, the portuguese, to leave such a building to be in such a state.

It was also around this time that the word "manuelino" was coined. Vernhagen comes up with the term, but it's Almeida Garrett (WHO WAS ENGLISH, I HAVE TO KEEP REMINDING EVERYONE HE WAS ENGLISH) defined the style.

Herculano's campaign worked, and the government decided to find a project to recover the monastery.

This is when the scandals starts.

I don't know from memory, but we're looking at something like 6 different architects who were rejected. Now, this is the 19th century, a time when the concepts of "restoration" and "conservation" are being discussed. For a quiuck rundown on the two: in western europe, there's Conservation, led by John Ruskin, who defends that buildings should have no intervention, but instead, we should do our best to preserve them and then let nature run its course, until collapses. And then there's Viollet-le-Duc, in France, who defends Restoration: that we absolutely must intervene in buildings, and we are free to rebuild parts of it and make additions, even if they are 500 years away, but to do so, we must use modern materials such as iron or steel, so that the untrained eye can immediately see that this is different, and thus this must be recent. In Portugal, we mostly follow Viollet-le-Duc's perspective.

So, with Viollet-led-Duc being the favoured theorist here, when we talk about "restoring" the monastery, we're talking about heavy intervention. But this was still fresh, so the enlightened individuals at the time took this to mean "let's just make shit up".

The entire souther wing of the monastery, what is today the archeological and naval museums, was made up. Admittedly, it was rebuilt based on what it used to look like, but... much more. Compare it with this painting from, I believe the 17th century:

There's something really funny here, which is: the monastery was in a shit state because of neglect. The 1755 earthquake actually, and miraculously, barely affected Belém.

You see that tower there? That is the original belltower. It's simple, because that's the dominating style at the time, and what the original architects went for. Today there's this thing

this was designed by an architect who, and I am sighing as I type this, came up with this shit, "an indian-style dome", to honour Vasco da Gama's achievements and our presence in India. It's no wonder this shit was Salazar's wet dream.

Eventually, they just keep adding shit. The entire southern body, as I stated, is one of them, which used to be the dormitories. When you look at what the monastery looks like today and compare it with the 17th century painting, you'll notice that the 19th century version is "a lot more". There's just a lot more shit going on. They basically waged on verticality, and added and added shit to make the monumento not only more vertical, but more symmetrical, which is NOT what was going on with the monastery before this.

If you look at that painting, you'll notice that there's something there that is not in the monastery anymore. Where today is the main entrance, kind of like a closed atrium that leads you not only to the monastery proper but the façade of the church (the western portal), in the painting, it has a massive body built on top of it. That body is gone, instead there's an open space, that ugly ass dome, and two spires opposite from it--both a 19th century invention. That "body" was meant to be one of two things: a sort of customs for every commercial ship coming from india, or a connection to a Palace Manuel I might have wanted to build here (this second one seems most likely to me). They tore the whole fucking down.

Then comes the graver thing.

So, by 1880, 12 projects had been submitted, each one of them is fighting for dear life to reconstruct this shit. At one point, this became a political matter. There's a lot of background to why this became such a heated debate: the britsh ultimatum, for example, really depressed the people enough that it was the perfect event to speak of Portugal's clonial past with nostalgic tears, and then there was this massive mound of stone that was falling apart that was supposed to signify this lost glory. Restoring the monastery meant restoring PORTUGAL'S PAST!

In this wild fever of "making shit up" and, as one intellectual of the time called it, I sincerely don't remember who but I can still hear my professor quoting this in class, "make Manuelino more than Manuelino truly is", then comes, I think he was an italian architect, and he has a GREAT idea.

Let's build a fucking tower.

Now, this tower was supposed to go in the middle of the southern body, standing where today is the main entrance to the Archeological Museum.

Let's look at this again

As you can see, no tower.

(Slight edit: there is a tower, but it's barely tower, it's so tiny I didn't even consider it a tower lmfao this thingw as really not bothered about VERTICALITY)

Like, I cannot highlight enough how 90% of what you see here today is just entirely made up, a completely made-up version of Manuelino that is NOT what we know Manuelino to be today, and a reflection of 19th century nationalism (which, to be fair, is different from Salzar's nationalism, though in a way that a rightist grandpa is different from his rightist grandson). But the tower was the epitome of this, and when shit got so wild they FINALLY stepped back and said "maybe we took it too far".

This italian guy goes ahead and just starts building the tower. I dont' remember the exact height, but this tower was HIGH. So high, immediately people who knew their shit told this guy it couldn't hold, because the building was from THE FUCKING 16TH CENTURY and didn't have the tructure to hold so much vertical weight. My man gave no shits. This is about when the myth of gothic being "high constructions cause people were trying to reach god" comes along, so they kinda thought this was the proper way to honour Manuelino and make it, as the mysterious dude said, more manuelino than manuelino truly is.

Here is an engraving of HALF of what it was supposed to look like, made during construction:

In 1878 construction starts. In December, the entire thing collapses, killing 10 workers.

This is exactly where this very famous photo comes from

This is what the Monastery looked like after it was botched and botched repeatedly. It started off as the gem of manuelino, and ended as the duchess of Alba of monuments, essentially.

This was so scandalous, EVERYONE wrote about it. Not only had further damage been caused to the monastery, it had caused the deaths of 10 workers. Those who had been trying to warn everyone to maybe don't overdo it, finally had their time to shine.

My absolutely favourite criticism comes from Ramalho Oritgão, who said about this new tower: "It couldn't fall from old age, so it fell from shame."

They had to abandon every project from this moment on. Reconstruction of this part of the moment would resume quickly, but they abandoned the idea of a tower altogether. But the entire campaign would only come to a complete end in 1940, by when this entire area of Belém became a fascist's wet dream to welcome the Portuguese World Exhibition. By then, however, MOST construction was concluded, and it was just soom rooms that were wrapped up.

The most interesting thing about this is that one of the people who witnessed this collapse was an englishman who would go on back home and, inspired by this event, build his own church, his own massive tower, and then do it disproportionately so it would collapse, all because he was so fascinated by this event. I keep forgetting who this was and what church we're talking about. I keep getting Fonthill Abbey but I'm not sure if that's it. And the reason he did that does have to fo with Ruskin's conservationism theories, where, if you're going to preserve things until the end, then you're going to love ruins (which is why so many british gardens have these small made-up ruins to discover), so this guy really wanted to build a church that would look like a ruin, couldn't come up with it, came to Portugal, witnessed this shit, and... voilà.

[tommyoboe]

OSLO 2024.

Hiya. How are you doing. I'm OK, just a bit exhausted after what has been a draining year. I reflected on a deeper level in my Year Two entry but I have spent much of the time feeling quite unhappy.

Not to shut this away, but I did go to Oslo three weeks ago, and had a fantastic time.

This is an underated city with much to give, and this post summarises a few of my personal highlights during three whirlwind days in the Norwegian capital.

The purpose of the visit was to audition for a coveted oboe spot in a top orchestra. To be selected to take part was exciting for sure. However, I felt a sense of unease as I approached my Airbnb in the district of Grønland, with the outside of the building this tall unwelcoming gate, and inside an austere courtyard revealed itself. I had to take a few moments to really calm myself once inside, as this was my first solo trip abroad since the pandemic of 2020. I then realised the need to take control and make this trip one that I could look back on fondly, so I began to do that.

The Airbnb I chose was ideal for my short trip. My host was highly responsive and helpful and good to chat to. I ended up having a much more comfortable stay than anticipated, with a large cosy room that I could happily retire to at the end of the day with sofa and double bed. Grønland itself is a diverse part of town, with many amneties in walking distance, including huge supermarkets, coffee shops and next door to us was a beautiful bakery that supplied my breakfasts! Backstube had a fabulous array of goods to choose from each day. I honestly don't think I've seen much like this in the UK, and to have this just next door was a delight.

I enjoyed exploring the neighbourhood of Grünerløkka. Here I took in colourful streets in pastel blues and yellows; starry lights hooked to otherwise shedded trees; streetlights aplenty, and the world's best coffee shop, Tim Wendelboe. My fascination and love of coffee is no secret, so I was in my happy place in this cosy corner of the city. I just had a filter coffee (from a filter menu, yes please!) to accompany my walk, but oh my god it was amazing. Fruity and warming and just uplifting.

Oslo really knows how to light up its streets. The sun doesn't rise in winter until almost 9am and by 3:30pm it has just about set, but you don't feel this at all when you're hugged from every angle by these vibrant lights. Some are more Christmassy than others with it being December, but not overtly so. As I transversed on to narrow paths, I was surrounded by apartments characterised from above by their lit facades, and this was really lovely.

After a brief practice of the material for the following day's audition, I took myself out for a solo meal. I did feel soemwhat strange going to a restaurant by myself, but if I do more travelling around Europe, it's definitely something I would do again. I felt the warm embrace of Mamma Pizza straightaway, and the carbonara was possibly the best I have had in all my years in this existence. I returned to the flat with a full and satisfied stomach and mind as I settled down for the night.

I had the pleasure of staying with another oboist doing the same audition as me during my time in Oslo. It was a surprise when I found out but we quickly got chatting and were supportive of each other in our joint aim. We fuelled ourselves on the audition morning and embarked to the Opera House for the main event. Here we met around twenty other oboists before we were taken to a waiting room. We then drew lots to decide the order of play. I was third so was escorted to a practice room to warm up. I proceeded to play a bit, mostly little scales and long notes, before putting my oboe down and relaxing briefly. Things were taking a while, and my understanding was that when the first person to audition was selected, we would move rooms. I was incorrect in this assumption, and was hasty when I was informed it was time to do the audition. In that moment I felt I fucked it, as when I went to the room to play behind a screen, I was shaky and nervous, not feeling composed as I bumbled through an accurate but under confident set of excerpts. I knew by the end of the audition it hadn't gone to plan, but that's OK.

The news came a couple of hours later, once I had had time to relax and socialise with some of the other oboists. Just five of the candidates reached the second round, so the rest of us were on our way, including me and my new flatmate. It was actually fine, and I know not to make assumptions again. I was happy in the moment to have just put myself out there and do something properly meaningful.

We walked through the striking Barcode Project and back to the Airbnb to debrief. That didn't stop me from heading swiftly back out to explore. I immediately set myself up at Papegøye with a filter coffee and chocolate chip cookie, and there I embraced yet more cosiness, letting the world go by with a book. It was basically perfect. I took a long walk back to Grünerløkka to browse shops and survey food options. I didn't stay long with the impending rain, but bought some small gifts and some pasta for my tea back at the flat. And then I gave myself ample time to sleep for once in my life, which felt terrific.

My final day was one to simply relax and enjoy everything Oslo had to offer. I enjoyed yet more pastries and carbs for breakfast with a warming tea, as I looked over the neighbourhood rearing itself up for the day. I particularly liked being right in the middle of the action, which feels far more common in European cities to UK ones. The UK seems desperate (tragically) to be more like the US and build vast swathes of surburban land with no real life in the most remote places, rather than idyllic little villages and communities within cities, as the Europeans triumph in.

I stuck to the centre on this last day, taking in a beautiful sunrise followed by coffee and a sandwich at Fuglen. This was perhaps my favourite moment of the trip. It was so comfortable in this charming coffee shop, with a positively vintage feel in decor and atmosphere. It was here I gave myself time to properly reflect on the last couple of days, realising the audition had made me a better musician and want to be more spontaneous and life affirming.

Continuing through the elegant streets, I found the main shopping district, with personal heavyweights of wonder including glorious Paper and Tea, Cos, Zara, Fjällräven and Rains. There was even a Marimekko store, which I chose not to go in but looked very cute indeed.

Oslo was just a wonderful place. It was full of inspiration; a lovely mix of old and modern; superb coffee; and just a severe lack of anything bad. Even with Grønland appearing slightly more rough around the edges compared to the rest of the city, it was still a great place to stay. And I would happily make the return.

I go home for Christmas tomorrow. All I can think about currently is how heavy my suitcase is so I'm going to distract myself with a shower and hot chocolate and see you in the new year for my next entry!

Before I go, here are my favourite tracks of the season:

Guess Who's Back - Midnight Generation

Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode

Enemies - Magic City Hippies

Kurrajong Hotel - Butter Bath

Dark Love - Miami Horror, Danny Pratt

Electric Company - Hector Gachan

Halilim Halilim - Sababa 5, Yurika Hanashima

Beautiful Faces - Declan McKenna

In The Dark - Roosevelt

Unforgettable Feeling - Munan

Can't Be What You Think - Sports

Perfect People - courtship.

Within You, Within Me - Meltt

Shotput - Still Woozy

NQA - tomy wyne

Half the Man - Tokyo Tea Room

3AM - DRAMA

Brincadeira De Amor - Marizinha

Zizia - Kainalu, moonfruit

Cortes Modernos - CLUBZ.

Ha det.

[facelessinthecrowd]

Okay, I know like 1 person will probs see this, but for my WWII verses, Meg's timeline looks roughly like:

- Leaves America roughly the same time the Great Depression starts, so 1929/30

- Can't face going back to France, so instead opts to settle in Berlin, Germany. It's a new city with lots of faces, plus no-one knows her which is a bonus!

- During this interlude is mainly where her Cabaret verses take place. She befriends basically everyone at the Kit Kat Klub, and they become an adopted family to her.

- Obviously tensions rise as H*tler comes to power. Meg watches the W.iemar Republic disintegrate and the N*zis rise to power.

- The Kit Kat Klub is forcibly shut down; most of its patrons and workers disperse or are arrested and she loses her adopted family.

- After WWII breaks out, Meg soon finds herself working for the resistance in Berlin. As a woman of the night, she soon finds that soldiers of this formidable occupation are just as easy to manipulate as any other man.

- She uses her position to gain intel and feed it back to the resistance. At times, she is in an advantageous position to dispose of certain characters herself, but it is a high risk game she is playing.

- There are many close calls and she ends up moulding multiple identities to evade the regime and continue the work of the Resistance.

- She loses many allies throughout the duration of the war, and she is also forced to do many things out of necessity which sits uncomfortably on her shoulders.

- After the end of WWII, Meg can't stay in Europe and ends up back in New York. Despite it being familiar, the culture shock of having departed from a country torn apart by war and arriving in a country that was an ally, but simultaneously so far removed, is almost too much to handle.

- Being fluent in three languages, Meg starts looking for secretary work which she soon secures.

- The reality of her lived experience during the war has no space in this country, so she rarely speaks of her experiences or life before arriving back on American shores.

[proven456]

District Heating

It is the site of one of the pilots where the EU-funded R-ACES project will check waste heat management tools it has developed to create ecoregions . These are industrial areas where companies collaborate, exchanging excess power flows to scale back emissions. Nyborg’s excessive rate of renewable vitality sourcing and the large-scale participation of locals in the district heating system make it a great example of how to bring heat networks nearer to residents and local businesses.

Reducing the value of upkeep and carbon footprint are key drivers for all users, in addition to enhancing the sustainability and suppleness of vitality administration. District Heat networks provide these lowered costs, in addition district heating system to rising revenue by promoting extra power to external businesses or the grid. Sweco has been involved in driving the delivery of renewable and lower-cost heat via district heating projects for so much of many years throughout Europe.

Currently solely 2% of houses in the UK are connected to district heat community, which the government goals to extend to 17% by 2050. Previously, many purchasers have been left with out access to any impartial adjudication. While all mains fuel or electric heating customers could escalate complaints to the Energy Ombudsman, it didn't cowl clients of district heating networks not a part of the voluntary Heat Trust scheme.

Seen as a key strategy for decarbonising our heat dense cities, when coupled with a high-temperature water source heat pump the result is a 2050 prepared answer that can be carried out now. The Leeds PIPES scheme is being developed by Leeds City Council alongside power company Vital Energi. The community has obtained £4m funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) by way of the Leeds City Region Growth Deal. An extra £5.8m of European Regional Development Funding has been acquired district heating uk to help to connect 1,080 council houses in the Lincoln Green space. The innovative Leeds PIPES community was named following a collaboration with the local Co-operative Academy, Year 9 pupils labored with the members of the Leeds PIPES project group to know how the heat community would work and the advantages it might convey to Leeds.

Heat recovered from the information centre’s water cooling system will provide the network’s main source of warmth, and shall be distributed by the warmer of the two pipes. Customers requiring heat will hook up with the ambient loop through an area heat pump system. Following campaigning from the NHF and others, the government has confirmed that heat network prospects are eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. Some heat community prospects who are metered may have obtained these funds directly from their electrical energy provider. Meanwhile, other heat community customers (as properly as others who wouldn't have a direct relationship with their electricity supplier) will obtain the £400 by way of the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding portal, which they will want to apply to before 31 May 2023.

The system was put in when the property was built within the 1970’s and delivers heat and sizzling water by way of a community of mains pipework throughout the property. Up till fairly just lately it was finest practice to keep the flow and return temperatures fairly district heating projects uk shut, as older, non-condensing boilers struggled to deal with a major distinction. However, modern condensing boilers work nicely underneath these conditions, so if you’re tasked with designing a heat network, I’d urge you to make use of this to your advantage.

and without contributing to city air pollution. This might appear overwhelming, especially given the quite a few instruments and systems that should be coordinated often. Managing teleheating meter databases, customer portals and massive quantities of knowledge that include it require an built-in approach. The project has been classified as B/0, requiring an environmental evaluation to find out the potential environmental impacts, both constructive and unfavorable, and to determine compliance necessities with relevant national, EU or World Bank standards. The project is intended to enhance the present district heating service of town of Lviv in western Ukraine and to rework it into an efficient enterprise run on commercial rules. Commercialisation of the district heating companies will embrace the involvement of personal power financial savings companies which is able to act as brokers in installing and maintaining meters, billing and collection.

cheaper heating and cheaper cooling than standard methods, in addition to proving heating and cooling with a very low carbon footprint. With so many advantages on supply together with lower carbon emissions and vitality invoice financial savings, a change in the finest way district energy is regulated, making it simpler for customers to commit could come sooner quite than later. For all the advantages that district heating has to supply, there are a number of problems when putting district heating it into apply. The largest of these potential issues is that district heating is far more simple to plan and implement for forward of buildings being built, rather than retrofitted. It’s all about taking power launched as heat from a variety of vitality sources and connecting to energy shoppers by way of a system of extremely insulated pipes. Our groups goal to take the complication out of boiler rent for district heating services.

District Heating Delivery, handling and storage of district heating is a specialist ability. Pipework typically comes in 12m lengths or massive rolls and like all large deliveries and crane lifts it has the potential to be harmful if not dealt with correctly. We can oversee the supply, dealing with and storage of district heating pipework, plant and equipment, creating secure compounds and lay down areas and our expertise is invaluable on tight, busy developments and premises. We have expertise of organising every thing from short-term visitors lights and diversions by way of to street closures and various public transport methods. ICAX has developed a District Energy Management System ("EMS") to manage the switch of thermal energy from the times and places it is most cheaply available to the instances and places where it's most needed.

[hcartspill]

"Eh. I mean, they're practically holding me hostage here. It's all transactional, and I'm certainly not gonna be the one getting fucked over." She interjects with a small shrug.

"Shut up. Like 'Mr. Robot'?" Her wonder-struck reaction is nothing short of amusing. "That's so fucking cool. Holy shit." She obviously had enough critical sense to tell reality from fiction, but she still couldn't help but be excited at the coincidence of it all. Many of her drug-induced sleepless evenings had a show or film running in the background; this show in particular had been her go-to when she was writing the band's debut album, and the stress from moving to their first apartment in LA had tested her discipline to write as often as she’d been doing up until that moment. "…Okay, sorry. Fangirl moment over here." She cringes at herself. "But yeah. I'm pretty sure some guy does that job. Although some crazy shit has happened. One time when we were touring Europe, they broke into our van and stole one of our hard drives, as well as some equipment. And you know how that works: we had to scrap most of the project we were working on because of the leaks. It sucked. We were in the groove, you know? Writing songs in every city…" And constantly fucked up, she refrains to add. "Maybe we'll rework them someday. Who knows?” She sighs. “They always request this one song we recorded in Prague."

A knowing smirk tugs at the corner of her lips with his statement, growing bigger with the question that follows. "That's a very journalistic question. You might wanna think of switching careers." She jokes as she thinks of her answer. "I would say that it definitely exerts some pressure, but it can be good if you know to see it that way.” In that moment she’s handed her drink, and she takes a sip of it before continuing. “… Sure, all aspiring artists dream of getting to do what they love and share it with the world, but the truth is that only a few are cut out to deal with the implications of it. Me? I always knew what I was in for. And I'll gladly give back to the people who allowed me to get this far. As an artist, you surrender so much of yourself in an attempt to connect with the public... more so in recent times. Culture has made being famous almost like being cannibalized." She delivers this last quote with certain bitterness, eyes looking away deep in thought. "...Do you smoke?" Adela asks suddenly, head tilted towards him as if to indicate she's still anchored in their conversation.

"Oh, I see", he chuckled when she declared that her label was paying for the whole party and that he could simply put both of their orders on her tab. "They're very generous." For some reason, it hadn't occurred to him that she might be just getting free drinks everywhere she went. Hell, she most likely not only got free drinks, but also monetary compensation simply for showing up at certain promotional events. He called over the bartender one more time, ordering a Gin and lemonade for her and sazerac for himself.

There were a million things he could probably ask her. About her life, what kind of people were around her, what she thought about this city, what she thought her life might have looked like if she never started singing. But she was faster. She asked him what he did for work and while he was unsure why she wanted to know, he was grateful for the question. "Cyber security", he replied confidently because if there was one thing in this life he was good at, it was his job. He wouldn't exactly call it a passion, but he was experienced and it was one of the few things he took pride in. "I keep hackers from breaking into systems they're not supposed to access. Private files, images, messages, any form of digital and delicate information...you have social media, right? I'm sure your label has someone like me on the payroll to keep your music from getting leaked early. Well, if they're doing their job correctly..."

He showed her a vaguely apologetic smile, as soon as he realized that there really wasn't much more to it than that. Before he knew it, he was voicing an earnest thought: "Sorry, I don't mean to bore you. Our lives are very different, I think. If I may ask...what is it like to have so many eyes on you?"

[randomshyperson]

Seeing u getting many requests there, that's really cool you deserve it (though I hope it doesn't overwhelm u or smth). May I request smth? A WandaXReader where they're always arguing and being sarcastic to eachother but it's just sexual tension. Maybe smth with the lines "why are u laghing did I tell a joke?" "why don't u look inside my head and find out". I think it would be pretty cool. It doesn't have to be smutt though, only If u fell like it (also a dom!reader would be nice). Thank you!

Hello Anon! Hope you’re doing fine! 

Sorry this took long. It was really hard to write actually, because I don't feel anger towards Wanda and thinking about fighting with her was really weird haha But I hope you like this. 

Attraction and Reaction / / AO3 

Warnings: 18+, Smut, language.

Words>  2.415k (One)

Part Two Here

It was no secret on the Avengers team that you and Wanda did not have the best of relationships. 

There were numerous warnings from Steve and Tony, and even Natasha, due to the number of arguments and disagreements that took place. You were sure that no action was taken just because you two function well on the battlefield, even if you don't get along off it.

At this moment, for example, you were in a meeting with the rest of the team about the next Avengers mission, but you weren't really paying attention as you scribbled on your notepad. And then your cell phone vibrated, and you pulled it out of your pocket to check it.

- Can you pay attention, Y/N? - Tony asked, and you looked away from the notification of a message from Carol to look at him. But before you could answer, Wanda muttered with irony:

- Typical.

You blinked, feeling a familiar irritation fill your entire body.

- Is there anything you wanna say to me, Maximoff?

- Just for you to fuck off.

You were going to hit back with a angry response, but the team let out a loud impatient grumble.

- Don't even start! - Tony ordered with a serious expression. - I need to go over all this, you can kill yourselves after the presentation.

- No one is going to kill anyone. - said Steve, and you giggled. - Just continue the presentation, please.

Tony rolled his eyes and resumed the presentation. You let out an impatient sigh and tried to pay attention. Fortunately it wasn't much longer before Tony finished. As the members began to get up, Steve signaled for you and Wanda to stay in the room, and you grumbled as you sat back down, throwing your feet up on the table.

- Girls, this can't go on any longer. - Steve said in a serious tone.

- I don't know what you are talking about. - You mock with your arms crossed. Steve doesn't laugh.

- I'm not joking. - He warns. - You need to work out your differences.

- Things would be easier if Y/N wasn't such an arrogant jerk. - Wanda says, and you let out a wry exclamation.

- If Wanda wasn't completely mental and stubborn it would also be easier for us to get along.

Wanda turns in her chair to look at you, her expression of anger.

- Oh, I'm the unstable one? Remind me who is known to lose her head around here?

You roll your eyes impatiently, but before you can respond Steve shouts.

- Stop it, you two, that's enough. - He says. - You are suspended from the next mission.

- Excuse me? - you exclaim looking at him.

- Until this conflict is resolved, you will work together. - He clarifies and you let out a nervous laugh, frowning. - You will be team partners, and you will learn to get along. That is my final decision. Now you can go.

You get up from the table in annoyance, and hurry to leave, with Wanda right behind you. As you stand in the hallway toward your rooms, she shouts:

- This is all your fault! You have to talk shit all the time, don't you?

You let out a wry laugh as you stop walking and turn toward her.

- You're so annoying. - You grumble with your hands in your pockets. - I can't believe I'm going to be stuck with you.

Wanda lets out an annoyed sigh, and you notice her reddened eyes and the magic slipping from her fingers, and you look at her in defiance.

- Come on, do it. - You tease. - I dare you.

- Girls! - shouted Natasha as she turned into the hallway, and quickly got between you and Wanda, putting her hands on her shoulders to calm her down. Wanda blinked in confusion, lowered her hands and her eyes returned to normal. - You two have lost your minds, haven't you?

Your heart was racing, and you thought it was the adrenaline. Licking your lips, you let out a laugh and gave Wanda one last angry glance before turning and heading for your room.

//-//

Steve was really serious about the suspension. The vast majority of the team was out of the tower heading to some city in Europe, and you and Wanda were basically grounded in the tower while Steve left Bucky checking up on you two.

At that point Bucky assigned you and Wanda to train together, and you didn't understand how the best alternative to resolve conflicts was to make you fight, but you didn't question it.

- I want a clean fight, girls. - He said sitting on the stool beside the mat, while you and Wanda climbed into the ring from opposite sides.

- Tell it to the little witch, there. - You retort, looking at Wanda, and she frowns at you.

- You're really going to piss me off before you fight me, aren't you?

You roll your eyes, getting into a defensive position. Bucky lets out a chuckle, getting to his feet. He picks up two sticks, and hands one to each of you.

- You two need to practice using bladed weapons. - He explains and sits back down.

And then you advance on Wanda, who narrowly defends your blow. She counterattacks with the stick towards your legs, but you jump and throw the stick at her, who ducks quickly. You take two steps back, preparing to attack, and as you launch a series of quick strikes which Wanda fights back, you manage to trip her, and watch with a wry smile as she falls backwards onto the ground looking extremely annoyed. But your smile dies when Wanda punches the tatami and her magic escapes, throwing you away.

You fall backwards, feeling your whole body boiling with rage, and get up quickly, but Bucky has already stepped onto the tatami and gets in front of you before you can reach Wanda, who has also gotten up.

- Let's just calm down, okay? - He says seriously, looking between the two of you. - A five-minute break? And no magic next time.

Wanda rolls her eyes, turning to leave the mat. You start to take off your training gloves. 

- What's the matter with you two? - Bucky asks looking really curious. You roll your eyes impatiently.

- I don't want to argue about this again.

Bucky lets out a sigh, leaving the ring. You look around, and notice that Wanda is in the corner of the room, drinking some water. She is sweaty, and her hair is disheveled, and you look down at her exposed collarbone, feeling your throat suddenly dry. You imagine yourself kissing and biting the exposed skin as she moans your name. You blink, trying to push these thoughts away, and then step out of the ring.

- I don't want to practice anymore. - You announce it before you leave. You think Bucky says something, but you have already left the academy.

//-//

Bucky decided to try a different tactic to improve your relationship with Wanda. He described it as a trust technique, which was something he and Sam tried for a while. 

So here you were in one of the empty rooms of the complex, sitting in a chair facing Wanda. Both of you had your arms crossed.

- Let's get started girls. - announced Bucky, standing in front of you. - I'm going to ask you some simple questions, and I need you to answer them honestly.

- Yes, sir. - You retort with mild irony, but Bucky doesn't mind.

- Y/N can you tell me something you like about Wanda?

You let out a dry laugh. But seeing Bucky's expression, you realize that you are going to have to answer.

- I like it when she shuts up. - You retort, and Wanda lets out an annoyed sigh.

- And I like it when you are not around.

- And I...

- Enough! - Bucky interrupts angrily, pressing his fingers to his forehead. - Let's try something else then. I have brought you a list of questions.

- This should be interesting. - You sneer as Bucky walks up to the living room table behind the papers.

When he reaches for the papers, he decides to stand against the table, looking at you.

- Well, Wanda. Tell me, what behavior do you think Y/N should change towards you?

Wanda smiles wryly.

- I wish she wouldn't talk to me.

- That's fine with me. - You retort grumpily, and Wanda looks at you angrily. Bucky sighs with impatience.

- I am serious. - He says. - Do you even know when this conflict started?

You laugh.

- I'm not the one who brought the enemy back to the team. - You point to the time when Wanda fought alongside Ultron.

- Seriously? - She replies incredulously. - Of course you had to bring that back.

- They are just facts.

- The only fact here is that you are an arrogant jerk...

- You just know two adjectives, don't you? - You mockingly interrupt.

- Oh, I have other adjectives for you, yes. - She retorts with irritation, starting to list them on her fingers as she speaks. - Immature, rude, selfish...

- Don't forget hot. - You hit back with a smile, and Wanda rolls her eyes, but before she can continue, Bucky gets up from the table.

- Okay, you guys are going to do the silent exercise. - he says. - Five minutes looking into each other's eyes. Now.

- You're kidding, right? - You retort incredulously, but Bucky's expression is serious.

- Now. - He repeats and you roll your eyes before looking away from him to Wanda.

It's weird, especially in the first few seconds. She looks at you with an impassive face, and you look at her with the same expression. And then you realize that she has very beautiful eyes. Has it been five minutes, you think, starting to feel strange. You hold your gaze, but your thoughts start to wander, and you imagine that you want to leave. But looking at Wanda like this, your thoughts begin to take a completely different turn.

You imagine Wanda sweating like that day at practice, only this time she's with her legs spread wide while you fuck her on your bed. Then you imagine her spreading her legs for you now still sitting in her chair, while you kneel down and touch her until she loses all control.

You also imagine pushing her down on the table, fucking her until her scream. 

And then a noise startles you, and you blink in confusion, looking away.

- Damn, sorry. - Says Bucky looking at his cell phone that is ringing and vibrating in his hand. - It's Steve. It might be about the mission. Try not to kill yourselves while I talk to him.

Bucky rushes to answer it and out of the room, and you let out an impatient sigh. Getting up, you walk over to the desk, looking at the notes he has made.

- Couple therapy techniques. - You read aloud with irony. - This is a joke.

- We wouldn't be here if you weren't such a pain in the ass.

- Yes, it's all my fault. - You retort, throwing the papers on the table and leaning on the furniture. 

- Are you implying that this is my fault? - she replies angrily. - You're the one who has hated me for no reason since I came here!

You blink in surprise and then you're laughing. You never hated Wanda. Your laughter seemed to irritate her even more because she stood up and assumed an aggressive posture.

- Did I tell a joke, by any chance? Why the hell are you laughing? - She asked irritated, you bit your lips, she was hot as hell with her jaw clenched.

- Why don't you take a peek into my mind and find out? - You challenged, looking at her with intensity.

Wanda looked slightly surprised, but didn't flinch. And then her eyes turned red, and you showed her exactly how you felt about her.

You moving towards her, grabbing her around the waist and kissing her mouth firmly. Your tongue in her mouth, as she moaned against you. Your hands going down a little, steadying her before lifting her onto your lap to carry her to the table and have her sit down without breaking the kiss. 

Once seated, you would move your kisses down her collarbone, sucking on her skin until it was red and sensitive, while your hands went inside her shirt at the waist and up to her breasts. You imagined Wanda moaning in your ear, asking you to touch her. And then you would. 

Guiding your hand up her thigh, you would lift her skirt, running your fingers along her skin, until you touched her where she wanted you to. And you would kiss her hard when you reached it, hard enough to make her lose her direction. 

You would start by superficially caressing her through her panties, until she began to tremble and push her hips against you.

Then you would push the panties aside, and penetrate her all at once, feeling her hot and wet in your fingers, while she moaned loudly against you.

You would bring your hand to her hair, pulling gently to expose the collarbone you wanted so badly to kiss, while Wanda would get overwhelmed with such intense satisfaction. You would push your fingers into her until her walls tightened around you, and she began to spasm, whimpering."

Wanda stumbled backwards with a surprised exclamation and a breathless sigh, the sound of the door opening and Bucky entering the room woke her up. You licked your lips, feeling extremely turned on by the playfulness.

- I see you didn't kill yourselves while I was away. - said the soldier, putting away his cell phone. Then he looked up at you two, and frowned. - Is everything okay?

You cleared your throat, trying to smile. But then Wanda spoke first.

- Everything's great. - Her voice came out a little hoarse. - We talked a little while you were out there. - She lies, but you cover it up. - Y/N and I are going out together for a while, to try to resolve this situation without involving the team.

Bucky looks really surprised, and you bite your lip to keep from laughing, and then Bucky smiles.

- Wow, that's great news! - He says - I am proud of you guys.

- Can we go now? - Wanda asks looking anxious. 

- Sure, go ahead. - He says, still smiling. Wanda looks at you and the gleam in her eyes makes your stomach turn with anxiety.

You walk silently out of the hallway, and there is such tension in the air that it is hard to breathe.

About five minutes later, you are in your room, settling your differences in the best possible way.

[yandere-romanticaa]

queen!!!!

i'm literally dying with this au

istg that ur so on point with the yoichi part bc he's the first anime character I really liked and i'm sure that since the moment he arrives to this universe i'd be so obsessed and fussy about him.

and lest my beloved. I'd definitely tease him so much bc he's adorable but also to annoy him. bet he'll get pissed if you're hot & cold just to get a rise out of him

thanks for the food and I love you 🥺❤️

So happy you like it!!!!! ❤️❤️😍😍😍✨✨✨💒💒💒

Yoichi is literally a puppy and he's so soft for you 😭😩 I imagine that the reader would feel like the world's biggest nanny because the Shinoa and Guren squads have just forgotten how to act in a normal society and you have to teach them a thing or two‼️ Plus, they probably have a lot of mental baggage which is just depressing. Get them all a therapist, thank you very much!

I also didn't even talk about Narumi, the rest of Guren's squad, Chess, Horn or Lacus and Rene LMAO they're all fun too!!

THE VAMPIRES THO...... AAAAAAA they're so used to being in power and in control that they can't fathom the fact that they have to be so low key now 😭 Lest used to be the king of Europe, what do you mean he can't take his rightful place back?! He's probably just really hungry tho ngl

I also imagined that the vampires also end up causing an uproar of sorts because some of them really just don't bother to clean up after themselves after they eat + they don't care how many people they kill (ie. Lest, Ky, Krul, Lacus, Chess, Horn, MAYBE Urd but he needs to be in a mood, he probably won't be so careless like that!). Even if they do clean up all of the evidence and leave nothing behind, there's still the fact that there will be a MISSION PERSON on their hands.... oof. Everyone is talking about a terrifying serial killer running around the city when in reality it's just a gaggle of vampires who follow you around all day because they have nothing else to do. If things really do get out of hand, the reader might say something stupid like the city will get blown into bits if the world discovers that vampires are indeed real, AND they're from another dimension?

You show them Reddit and they're already spooked.

Or, you tell them, they will get kidnapped by the world government and they will be experimented on. Hah.

Or, perhaps worst of all, vampire lovers start flocking to them, BEGGING to be turned into vampires themselves, they want to see it all, omg you're all so cool! (YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT PEOPLE REALLY WOULDN'T DO THIS!!! JUST IMAGINE THE DISCOVERY OF REAL LIFE VAMPIRES, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE OBSESSED!)

These three reasons are something you discuss with them and it's more than enough. Don't worry, they'll keep their mouths shut....

As for Lest - bully him. Let him suffer, he's into it, he just doesn't know it. He's so soft for you, you make his dead heart feel alive again and he feels like shredding you to bits because of that. I also just can't shake off the headcanon that he just really likes to draw you, that's his new hobby in this world. His hobby is drawing you though, in really pretty clothes because he's old and has taste. Don't point it out to him though lol

[danielxricciardo]

Winner

Summary: You met Pierre at the Brazilian Grand Prix and for 3 months you couldn't get in touch.

Warnings: fluff, like 2 swear words

Word count: 2.3k

This one was requested by @jugasly and I know it is not exactly what she wanted but I really tried and I hope you liked it!

Avenida Paulista's Boulevard catches the eye especially through the skyscrapers similar to those in the big North American cities. Brazil's most modern city has much to offer tourists around the world. The most beautiful museums in South America can be found here, the shore is furrowed with lots of sunny beaches. And its nightlife has attracted many tourists.

The largest city in South America makes New York look small. The buses make an unbearable noise and black smoke spreads over the upper floors of the skyscrapers which, through the heat that maintains it during the day, turn the city into a real hell.

I felt myself waking up but I was determined to keep my eyes closed for a little longer but in a few seconds I was awakened violently by the sound of car engines. That's what I deserve for booking the hotel next to the Formula 1 circuit.

You reluctantly got out of bed and went to the window. I saw how the Formula 1 cars are brought on the circuit and I look at my watch. Fuck, it was pre-qualification practice, did I really sleep that much? Honestly, I arrived in the room at 5 o'clock and at 6 I fell asleep so I shouldn't have been so surprised that I slept in.

I was in Brazil with my two best friends to watch a Formula 1 race live and we chose Brazil because we needed a good reason to leave Europe and visit South America for a week, right?

I woke up my friends and in less than half an hour we were leaving the hotel, running, with a big cup of coffee in our hand.

We passed quickly through the front gate, all we needed now was to find our seats.

All around us could be heard the cars speeding on the circuit. My skin was goosebumps and I was looking at my friends who had the same smile on their faces that I think I had.

We find our seats and watch the last 15 minutes of training. We held in our hands the tickets that gave us access to the paddock. We were going to go there after the drivers returned to the garages.

My eyes were searching for Aston Martin Hospitality. I knew that if I returned home from this Grand Prix without an autograph from Sebastian Vettel for my father, I could very well stay in Brazil for the rest of my life.

Being so focused on looking for the green building, I didn't realize that someone was coming in front of me only when I hit a hard chest. I heard my girlfriends gasping. Fuck, I just hope I didn't run into Toto Wolff.

I open my eyes slightly and see a driver's suit, white and blue. Alpha Tauri?

I look up at the driver's face. To be damned. Pierre Gasly. With ruffled hair and a red face, Pierre Gasly was in front of me.

"I'm really, really sorry, I didn't look where I was going. Sorry!" I say and take a step back, stepping out of his personal space.

As I walked away from him, I saw that he was not alone but with Pyry.

"It's okay, I wasn't looking where I was going either," he says, running his hand through his hair, trying to fix it.

I smile at them and then I look at my friends giggling at our embarrassing date.

Pyry motions to Pierre to someone behind me and that makes him take his eyes off me.

"Oh, I have to go," he tells me. "Have fun."

I stood still for a few moments, unable to move. I just met my favorite driver and it couldn't be more embarrassed than that.

"The first meeting with your children's future father was very good." my best friend, Lila, tells me.

"Shut up."

The fact that I found Aston Martin Hospitality and managed to get the autograph for my father and I could take a few pictures with Sebastian Vettel erased the embarrassment caused by the disastrous meeting I had with Pierre Gasly.

For a little time.

As soon as we got out of Aston Martin Hospitality Lila pulled us to McLaren Hospitality, hoping to meet Lando Norris and take some pictures with him, about 100, but who's counting, right?

I was with my head on the phone, sending my father some pictures I took with Sebastian Vettel when I came across someone, this time I lost my balance and I was about to fall but two strong arms caught me. Pierre Gasly, again.

"Honestly, we should stop meeting like this, you could get hurt," he says and laughs. "Are you ok?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," I say and bite my lip. "I should really start looking where I'm going."

My friends secretly took pictures of us.

"It's the second time we've met in less than 10 minutes, maybe the universe wants to tell us something, don't you think?" he says and holds out his hand. "Pierre."

I hold out my hand and smile wide. "Y/N."

I turn my gaze to Lila and Erica, presenting them to Pierre as well.

"I hope you feel good in the paddock. So far, the world has been nice to you and your friends?"

"Yes, everything has been good so far. We've only been to Aston Martin and they've all been very nice to us. Except for a few people who don't look where they're going, we haven't had any unexpected events." I say and laugh.

Pierre starts laughing too.

"Yes, I will try to look after you from now on and avoid you. I don't want to be the reason you fall. Although, if something happens, I know the medical team and you don't need medical insurance here."

I asked Pierre if he wanted to take some pictures with me and he accepted immediately. At least that's what I can do after I've run into you twice already.

For the next few hours, Lila and Erica, and I walked from one Hospitality to another, looking for drivers. They were all very nice to us and agreed to pose with us.

When it was time to start qualifying, we went to the room provided by McLaren for guests to watch.

I followed Pierre's position in the standings, Lila followed Lando's position and Erica followed Max's position. All three of us breathed a sigh of relief when the three boys passed into Q3.

Lando will leave from the seventh position tomorrow.

Pierre will start from the fourth position.

Max will start from pole position.

The three of us went to the hotel, ready to rest well for the next day.

If the atmosphere for qualifying had seemed charged to me, then the atmosphere before the race could not be described.

Yesterday everyone was behaving nicely and they were smiling. Now everyone was running past everyone, there were many screams and many curses could be heard. And everyone was frowning, not a smile in sight.

We didn't see any drivers, so we headed to McLaren Hospitality to get comfortable for the race. I unwittingly was disappointed. I wanted to see Pierre before the race to wish him good luck.

Although I hadn't wished him good luck, Pierre was lucky. He finished the race in second place, behind Max Verstappen. I was very happy and I wanted to go and congratulate him as soon as possible.

I watched the award from the window, filming and taking pictures which I was sure I would cherish for a long time to come.

"Congratulations!" I scream when I see him and he looks at me. "It was a very good race, congratulations!"

"Thank you!" he says and smiles at me.

I asked my friends to take some pictures with the trophy and champagne and then Pierre left, being shouted by someone from the team.

"Stay here, I'd like to see you one more time before you have to leave."

I could die then and there when I heard his words. Pierre Gasly wanted to see me again.

It's just that it hasn't happened before. We stayed there for another two hours and Pierre could not be found. It was getting late and everyone was starting to leave, so we left.

Monza is the most important economic, industrial and administrative center of the Brianza sub-region, being the third-largest city in Lombardy, with a population of about 120,000 inhabitants. When people think of Monza, the first thing that comes to mind is the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix that is held here every year.

Although many may think that Milan eclipses this smaller city, Monza should not be dismissed, having an absolutely sublime historical architecture, such as the Cathedral and the Leoni Bridge, but also features the huge Parco di Monza and of course the famous Formula 1 Autodromo.

The historic center of Monza stretches over a large area and in this area, you can find most historical sites and a guided tour of the history of cities.

Three months have passed since the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Three months since I first saw Pierre Gasly.

Although I have pictures of the two of us, I can't help but regret the fact that I didn't see him then; I will probably never see him again.

The exams passed and to relax completely my father and I got tickets to the Italian Grand Prix.

What I didn't know was that my father had taken VIP tickets.

That means we're going to the paddock.

Does that mean I can meet Pierre?

I tried not to have too many hopes, in the end, there are thousands of people there, I can't meet him, can I?

I didn't meet him on Friday. It had been the two practice sessions, everyone was as relaxed as possible, my father took pictures with everyone he saw, but Pierre was nowhere to be seen.

On Saturday we were late and did not catch the practice, but we saw the qualifications. Pierre starts from the tenth position. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations for tomorrow's race for Pierre.

And man I was wrong about that.

The whole race I was speechless. I heard my father from lap 23 and to the end cursing the accident that took Charles Leclerc out of the race.

My eyes were only on car number 10. I had the impression that I was blinking only when the camera moved to another car. I forgot to breathe when I saw the overtaking he was doing.

But he won.

Pierre Gasly won in Monza. His first ever Formula One career win and it was my home race.

Before we went out in the paddock looking for Pierre, after the premiere, I wiped away the tears I didn't know I had.

It wasn't hard for me to find him. Where there were a lot of people screaming and chanting, he must have been there too.

And I was right. He is enjoying his first victory with the whole team. Everyone wanted to hug and congratulate him.

As if he noticed my presence among the hundreds of people who were there, Pierre looked at me. I noticed his face light up and he came towards me.

"Y/N!" he says and hugs me.

I'm sure my father was shocked somewhere in the back. I hadn't told him that I had met Pierre, but after this hug, I will definitely have to explain to him what the situation is.

"Congratulations!" I tell him and I smile broadly. "First victory! Wow!"

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"I was lucky."

I laugh and hit him playfully in the shoulder.

"With Hamilton being penalized? You would have overtaken him without that penalty."

He looked into my eyes.

"I haven't found you after the race in Brazil."

The fact that he remembered had taken me by surprise. I was sure he couldn't remember the fact that he had proposed to me to stay on the circuit so that he could see me one more time.

I was sure that the second he left, he forgot what I looked like and forgot my name.

But no. He still knew me. He still knew my name and knew we had to see each other.

"I haven't seen you there before and I left after about two hours, it was getting late."

"I'm sorry, the teamwork had taken longer than I initially anticipated. When I went to look for you, no one was there. Then I realized I didn't even have your phone number. I tried to look for you on Instagram, but do you know how many girls are there with your name?"

I laughed.

"Well, I could give my phone number to the race winner now, if he wants it, of course. Do you think he would accept it?" you ask laughing.

Pierre blushes and bites his lip.

"I'm sure he would accept."

I take out of my bag the notebook and pen I was carrying with me to receive the drivers' autographs and write my phone number. I hand him the sheet just as Pierre is being taken by some engineers to the garage to celebrate the victory.

I laugh and wave at him.

I was at home with my father, watching a boring movie on Netflix. I've been looking at the phone constantly since last night, waiting for a message from Pierre but I haven't received anything.

"Ugh, this movie is so boring," I say and take my phone off the table. "Let me look for a more interesting one."

That's when I receive a message from a number I didn't save. I received a picture.

It was the picture with the prize Pierre received.

"The winner of the race has received your number and is wondering if you are free to dine with him."

I bit my lip, unable to control the smile on my face.

"If the winner of the race wants to go out on a date with me, who am I to say no?"

"8 o'clock?"

"I'll send you the address right away."