#it's refreshingly sour!!!

[permanentlyexhaustedpigeon247]

Grape - lemon - Fanta mojito.

Taste? good, little too much lemon

Mint? not available

Try again probably with added sugar (and a little less lemon )

[liliannadelaphinehartifelt]

Alastor - [ DEVOTION… PT.1 ]

xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxx

[ NSFW ] + [ MDNI ] + [ SLIGHT AGE GAP ] + [ ARRANGED MARRIAGE ] + [ BREEDING KINK ] - ( there’s a lot to unpack in this one, I know, but you’ll enjoy it.. also pls kindly lmk the artist for the fanart I used so I can tag them thx! )

xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxx

Alastor Hartifelt was a fantastic husband.

No one could deny that.

Especially not his darling wife of one year and counting.

You, his sole companion during childhood, dawning from a rich family that occupied an estate near his family’s plot of farming land, and exceptionally infatuated with him early into your friendship.

From the very first time you met him out in the sprawling green meadows of Louisiana’s swamped countryside you found comfort in each other even amidst being ignored or teased by other children.

Their shared hatred and resentment towards you and the older boy cultivated an odd but strong bond between you two, and soon your strife to fit in seemed less appealing than being his truest friend.

Alastor immediately became protective of you, finding your shy nature welcoming like his own mothers, but also irritated by those who wished you harm for the simple fact that your family was better off than their own.

If anyone dared to pick a fight, tease, or berate you Alastor was right there to come to your aid. You’d tell him time and time again that fighting for you wasn’t worth it, that seeing him hurt wounded you more than their words, but for some baffling reason he’d never head your pleas.

Why?…

In retrospect Alastor wasn’t sure of the reason himself but he was certain it had something to do with the way you returned the favor by protecting him in your own subtle ways.

Your arms remained wide open when he needed an embrace, voice full of tender understanding when the two of you held quiet conversations late into the evening, and generally being his safe place when the rest of the world refused to be.

You were his darling from the very beginning…

His everything…

Yet, Alastor wouldn’t dare say it aloud..,

The two of you couldn’t be more different to those who observed your relationship from the outside. Alastor held an air of confidence wherever he went, suave, and well mannered. He could be cunning when provoked, dangerously charming to get his way, and refreshingly decisive under any amount of pressure.

A man every woman in New Orleans wanted, craved even, but it was well known the famous radio host had you at his side.

You, the city’s undisputed princess, daughter of a wealthy businessman, but regarded as the furthest thing from a ‘spoiled brat’. It was expected for those in higher circles to have sour and condescending attitudes but you proved to be different. Soft spoken, interested in the arts more than being out on the town, and some might’ve considered you ‘sheltered’ in terms of upbringing.

The contrast between Alastor and yourself brought about many whispered rumors and questions.

“How’d a sweet little thing like her end up with him?”

“Doesn’t he want someone better suited? Whats so special about her?”

“I hear, he married her for the fathers money. Don’t blame him for it either…she’s a real peach…”

“A little young for him don’t you think? She’s a lovely broad though…”

You’d heard it all. Every sort of rumor or piece of gossip people had to offer you’d picked up on rather quickly and at first it bothered you, but overtime seeing Alastor act indifferent to the scandalous comments made you less weary of them.

He’d never entertain the scrutiny, choosing to remind you his decision to marry wasn’t fueled by any ill will and as his wife you’d never need to worry about him caring for you.

Alastor’s always had, even when he’d left New Orleans to build his career he still thought of you from time to time, but that’s all he’d ever done.

Cared for you…

Love seemed to allude his spectrum of emotions and vocabulary. Yes, he shows you affection, buying expensive gifts, making sure you never lifted a finger for anything other than cleaning or cooking when needed, and proudly showing you off on his arm at parties and social events he attended.

Yes, he strived to hide his murderous tendencies, taking extra lengths to shield you from his ‘hunting’ escapades by planning them weeks before, and then going as far as discreetly cleaning his bloody clothes and weapons the night he returns while you slept soundly in your shared bed.

Alastor took great care in showing you he cared but defining his love for you was never addressed.

Not even on your wedding day.

It was as if he’d scripted his vows to say nothing of the emotion and even avoided saying “I love you” back when you’d accidentally let it slip out during your own speech for him.

You hadn’t pressed the issue at all, knowing Alastor struggled with concepts of intimacy and devotion since childhood, but the lmawing teeth of doubt pricked your skin harder with each passing day of your marriage.

Had you made a mistake agreeing to marry him?

Was he seeing someone else?

Someone knowledgeable of the world, maybe more experienced in life than you were, or more attentive?

Was she prettier?

Were you not his kind of woman?

Where did he go so late at night, at random times of the month, with a leather bag in his hand and a wide smile on his face?…

Had Alastor been seeing another woman for a whole year and you were just too oblivious or infatuated to notice?

Did he even like you anymore? Could he ever love you…?

Were you not enough for him?

Thoughts plagued your mind constantly, causing you to be quieter than usual, and less receptive to Alsstors lingering presence.

Your back was to him, giving a good veiw of your small frame as you cooked in the large kitchen. The familiar sight brought a smile to Alastor’s face. You were so focused, hair tied back by a white silk bow, and a sheer floor length robe to match.

He’d bough both for you only a week prior, claiming he couldn’t just let the items sit in the display window when you’d been staring at with such bright stars in your eyes, but in truth Alastor had imagined you wearing it just as you were now and couldn’t resist buying it on the spot.

Your husband remained silent as he watched you waltz around the kitchen, chocolate brown eyes peering over the top of his glasses as he did, but his smile faltering seeing the distress in your delicate features.

You weren’t the type to frown often, always emitting warmth and sweetness, so the rare appearance of anguish in your expression perplexed Alastor.

What had upset his darling wife?

Who would he have to kill?….

Asking what was troubling you would surely give him answers to both questions.

He stepped forward, coming from round the corner to enter the kitchen fully before striding over to stand by your side as you began to mix what he assumed was dessert in a bowl.

Albeit, he was probably right knowing you had a vicious sweet tooth.

“Strawberry cake I presume?” Alastor finally speaks, making his presence known with a cheeky remark, and you nearly jump out of your skin hearing his silky voice resonate around the room.

Your head snaps up to look at him, eyes wide with slight surprise, but they quickly soften as he smiles. A blush creeps onto your cheeks as he steps closer, initiating his usual habit of brushing a stray strand of hair from your face before kissing your temple gently, and only pulling away when you squeak out a greeting back to him.

“H-hi Al…you’re home a bit earlier than I expected…” you swallow thickly, staring at him adoringly for a moment before lowering your gaze as tinges of guilt build in you. “I’m sorry dinner isn’t quite ready yet…” you whisper, feeling shameful, and more agitated with yourself than before. Alastor had and would never berate you, unlike most men of the time he saw no benefit in treating his wife like a slave, and made an effort to remind you not everything had to be perfect.

“It’ s alright, darling. You needn’t rush yourself,” his voice is low, simmering with reassurance as he lifts your chin with his thumb and pointer finger. You smile nervously as your eyes meet his again, his touch firm and electrifying all at once, and your tummy doing several flips when he smiles back at you.

Alastor studies your face, attempting to pinpoint the source of your masked sadness, “You seem…troubled, sweetheart. Is there something wrong?” His genuine question brings a shock to your heart, tongue going numb as you race to think of a believable reason for your dampened mood, “I…I just had a little mishap with this cake batter is all!..”

You step away from him, turning to face the semi clean counter with a false air of cheeriness surrounding you. The fear of sounding needy and demanding while telling Alastor the truth keeps you from being honest with him outright.

Fake it.

I shouldn’t worry him with my insecurities or doubts…

It might push him further away…

The whisk in your hand spins in tight circles as you focus on mixing the overdone batter, beginning to thicken itself more than necessary as you kept going, using the task as a distraction from Alastor’s keen observance.

Something was wrong.

He was sure of it now.

His eyes narrowed behind the circular glasses, hands finding your waist as he came to stand behind you, allowing his chest to press against your back, and his head lowering to tuck into the crook of your neck.

A shiver racked your body as he exhaled a long, steady breath onto your skin. Your hands faltered, flurried movements becoming lax as you froze in his embrace, “When’d you start lying to me, ma chère…” Alastor mumbled into your ear. Every nerve in your body was on alert, shocked that he’d went much further than his usual bounds of physical affection, but pleasantly delighted he’d given it to you.

“M’ not lying,..”you try to uphold your lie through rising pants, tempted to moan quietly feeling his lips graze behind your ear, neck, and bare shoulder while your robe shifted lower. You weren’t certain if Alastor was inching it down by his own accord or your subtle squirming against him was to blame.

The ending result was the same either way. Your upper body gradually becoming exposed to his leering gaze and the cool air. Alastor hummed, the sound rumbling deep in his chest and flooding your mind repeatedly as he placed chaste kisses on your neck.

“I wish I could believe you, darling…” he chuckled lowly, hands inching towards the lace ribbon keeping your gown tied shut, and with one gentle tug he rendered the fabric useless. “Al..” you whined in slight surprise as he snatched the ribbon off, letting it unravel into a small pile on the tile floor before sliding his cold hands up the expanse of your heated torso.

Nothing.

You were wearing absolutely nothing underneath the thin robe and Alastor audibly groaned when he realized it.

Had you planned on this?

Were you just waiting for him to venture further with you?

All this time he’d watched you frolic and pace around your shared home, wondering what was hidden under you seemingly modest clothing….just to find you wore nothing at all…

Oh, what a rare occurrence it was for him to be such a blind fool.

Your hands flew to grasp Alastor’s wrists as he held you tighter, kneading your soft flesh lovingly, and taking his time to admire every dip and curve you had to offer him.

“Al…please..” you begged, visibly shuddering as he nipped at your neck and played with your breasts. “I won’t go any further until I hear the truth from that pretty mouth of yours, sweetheart…”

Damn it….you cursed yourself, slowly losing the will to think as his lips found the most sensitive area on your neck, bruising it with his tongue teeth until you whimpered and rushed out a jumbled explanation for your heavy mood.

“I…Imscaredyoudomtlovseme…th-that you d-don’t want me- Ahm…” you soft voice reached a new octave as your husband slid his free hand between your thighs to cup your mound, gingerly kicking your legs apart with a nudge of his foot against your own, and you tensed all over as he did so.

Fuck, he could definitely feel how desperate you were now, essentially a mess already without Alastor doing much of anything, and embarrassingly unable to control your arousal.

“Love, hm? That’s what’s troubling your precious mind?…” Alastor mulls over your confession, able to maintain his composure despite heat rushing straight through him to the head of his cock as he slid two fingers into your dripping cunt. You jolted from the sudden intrusion, head lulling back to rest on his shoulder as he pumped them in and out of you at a leisurely pace, curling his deft digits fowvard every so often to make you shiver.

His thumb found your clit, pressing defined circles into it as he began to ease your worries, “Love, ma chère, isn’t what I feel for you..” Alastor lets out a soft laugh, trying to calm his own mind before clarifying his vague statement all while pushing you near the edge of your first high.

“No….I feel much more than love for you, my dear. Devotion is a better term…obsession at times…” he admits the darker side of his affection through heavy breaths, cock twitching in his dress pants when you mewl in understanding. Your warm cunt suffocates his fingers for a moment, walls fluttering as the knot in your core threatens to undo itself, causing Alastor to sharply exhale from the inviting fluctuations.

Your lips parted to warm him of your impending orgasm but only a strained moan tumbled off your tongue. Alastor needed no other sign to tell if you were close, inwardly prideful he could make you come with ease.

“Go on, come undone for me , darling,” he insists in a hushed groan, his fingers stretching your walls in a fluid rhythm to drag your climax out, and you could’ve tumbled to the floor from the sheer intensity of the knot inside you snapping on his command.

Thankfully his taller frame kept you securely trapped between him and the counter that you soon found yourself sitting on the edge of after Alastor slipped his hand away from your throbbing cunt.

You watched with a dazed eyes as the older man licked a stripe of your cum off his fingers, brown eyes sliding shut as he let out a satisfied grunt before staring at your willing form perched on the counters edge.

The sight drew a his hidden hunger closer to the surface, toying with his self control as he took it in, and urging him to act on a primal instinct he’d only ever describe as “intense affection”.

Was that a flash of red in his eyes just now?

No , it couldn’t be…

You weren’t left much time to decipher the hungry glint in his eyes before Alastor reclaimed his position near you. His slender waist slotted perfectly between your thighs, the robe now draped off your back, and your hair gradually falling loose from its simple updo as his hands traced your sides.

“Love, sweet girl, is for lonesome fools…” Alastor pressed his forehead to yours, letting you chase his lips for one heated kiss after the next, and only denying you another to whisper against your soft and slightly swollen lips.

“Neither of us are alone or fools, correct?” He huffs as you nod slowly, bringing your hands up to undo his tie, and then proceeding to expertly unbutton his vest and dress shirt.

The general charm that Alastor maintained completely dissolved into pining under your gentle fingertips, an almost desperate shot of adrenaline consuming him as you peppered kisses along his jaw and neck.

If what he said was truly how he felt about you…it was enough to stamp out your doubts, allowing the adoring side of you he’d grown familiar with to resurface, “No…we aren’t,” you respond with a small smile.

He tips your chin up, placing a deep kiss on your lips as he shrugs his shirt and vest off, setting his glasses to the side as well before reaching for the leather belt on his waist.

You paid his actions no mind, busy with fighting his tongue for dominance, but admitted defeat quite fast as his wandered your mouth in expert fashion.

Your soft hands passed over his chest, moving up to tangle in his soft curls, gently tugging the strands to earn a groan from him. Alastor pulled back, a single line of spit connecting you two as he did so, and his hair falling in front of his eyes as he stared down into your tear glossed gaze, “You’re mine, ma chère. Til death and beyond…”

You nod, halfway coherent, but mustering the will to answer him with a content smile.

“Til death…” you repeat the phrase, mind reeling further from logical thinking as Alastor hummed hearing your dazed response, head nestled in your neck once more before he trailed open mouthed kisses down the expanse of your trembling frame. He brought himself as close as possible to you, smiling on your skin as you gasp quietly feeling his clothed erection press flush against your bare stomach, leaning further back in his hold embrace him better. You feared making a mess of the counter but as Alastor trailed his lips down your body and kneeled between your legs he gave one swift snap of his fingers to eliminate the obstacle entirely.

What?….How in the world did he do that?…

Your curiosity would’ve prompted you to ask him about the absurd occurrence if it weren’t for the anticipation rushing your blood as he came face to face with your cunt. “Alastor?…” you squeaked his name softly, attempting to close your legs when he sighed out a warm breath on your glistening folds, but he held them open using one hand with ease. The other resting steady on your waist, guiding you to lay back onto the cold marble countertop, and lingering there as you obeyed his wordless command.

“Good girl…” he praised, tone deepening as you whined quietly, the sound morphing into a loud moan as he lazily flicked his tongue over your slit once…twice…and a third time.

“More…” you pant in the midst of moaning, head craning to the side while your back arched and the urge to scream built in your chest as Alastor obliged your request with vigorous intent. He hummed melodically as your taste seeped onto his tongue, walls ever so sensitive as he explored them tirelessly, and a smirk playing on his lips as you writhed in pleasure.

Your face was soon flushed completely, eyes watering as they rolled slightly with each pass of his tongue over your cunt, and your small hands returning to tug at his soft brown hair. Another coil spiraled in your stomach hearing him groan in response, seeming to enjoy how roughly you pulled his hair, and his gaze drifting up for a split second to get a good view of your satiated state.

Seven hells….she looks even lovelier like this…

Alastor unconsciously drags you closer to his face, not caring at all when you lock your legs around his head and cry out from the borderline bruising hold he has on you now. “Oh god!…” you yelp, throwing him a bewildered glance before tossing your head back as he lapped at your clit like he’d starve to death without it, and the relentless attention to your bundle of nerves was the last thing you could comprehend before the knot unwinded itself.

Your vision blurred over, everything starting to spin as your cum gushed into his mouth, and the tears you were fighting to hide slid freely down your face as he downed every single drop your body offered.

It was all too much, the hunger in his eyes, his hold on you, and your high that never seemed to subside even as he broke away from your cunt with a satisfied smile on his face.

It was all too much at once….

Your head buzzed with euphoric afterthoughts, incoherency daring to cloud your senses entirely, but the sound of Alastor’s voice near your ear successfully halted the sensations long enough for you to comprehend what he was saying.

“You taste divine, ma chère…” his musing flusters you, a light shade of pink coating your cheeks as he dips his head to steal a kiss from you, “Al…” you sigh into his mouth, biting back a keen smile, and wrapping your arms around his neck to keep him near.

He chuckles hearing the unsteady tremor in your tone, adding onto his compliment after capturing your parted lips in another deep kiss, “I presume you’ll feel just as wonderful with me inside you, sweetheart…”

His assumption proved true. So much so that the moment his cock passed through your slippery folds a heavy groan of your name was the first and only thing he could manage to say. “Y/n….mon amor…” Alastor held you underneath him, not daring to move without completely relishing in the way your cunt wrapped around him first, and your broken moans dizzying the last bit of self control he was clinging onto.

You tried not to seem overwhelmed, with your legs wrapped around his waist, and your hands cupping his face to keep him as close as possible while your body adjusted to his size. With furrowed brows and a soft smile you praised your husbands well endowed length as he finally drew his hips back, leaving nothing but the head his cock resting in you.

“You…feel…s’good….” You whisper, breathless as he slams back in, swallowing your pleased cries with one tender kiss after the next. He tasted like you, hints of bourbon lingering on his tongue from the drink he’d poured himself before leaving the station, but your essence more prominent than ever.

All that he was, all that he did, and would ever do revolved around you.

His darling wife…

His one and only….

It showed through the sweet phrases he muttered against your lips as he took his time to please you, pace slow and deliberate, but the execution precise and cutthroat.

You weren’t sure when you’d raised your voice, crying out louder as he abused your sweetest spot continuously, and only going silent when a inaudible scream begged to leap from your chest while his cock bullied into cervix. Stars collected in your vision, hands clawing at Alastor’s back as you tried to hang onto reality for dear life, but failing miserably when he sped up his thrusts.

A subtle laugh passed his lips, eyes glinting with greedy lust as your head flew back, exposing all the love bites he’d left on your delicate skin, and the sight caused his cock to twitch inside you.

“F-fuck….Al!” Your eyes watered once more, sliding shut as a familiar pressure built in your core, rapidly gaining density the longer Alastor fucked into you.

He groaned at the sound of you shouting his name in such a twisted mix of ecstasy and anguish. Your soft voice becoming tainted with an edge he’d never imagined it could have. “Close already, my dear?..” he teased you, smile as smug as ever as he stood up straight, hands gripping either side of your hips, and his gaze lowering to where you two connected.

“Look…at…that…” he mused, suddenly slowing his thrusts to a painfully harsh pace, fixated on the way your cunt continuously creamed on his length. Alastor bit his tongue to keep from growling at the view, barely registering your whines and pleads for him to go faster.

“Al…Alastor…please..m’ begging you…please…” you felt your thighs shake as he continued his lazy strokes, clearly wanting to drag the ordeal out for his personal entertainment, and his lack of sympathy for your plight in that moment edged you even closer to cumming.

He knew it too…

That infamous grin on his face as he watched you resort to quiet sobs and desperate moans was a sure sign of the fact…

Alastor knew you needed him, loved him, lived for him..

“Please what, mon chere?” He bit his lip, unhooking your legs from around his waist to push them to your chest, giving his cock a new angle to stretch your cunt with.

You felt like passing out then, all strength evaporating from your body as he reached places inside you that surely didn’t exist before. His taunting didn’t make your dazed state any better, “Please, ruin you? Please, love you?… Let me hear you loud and clear, darling..”

Before you could register the words they flew from you mouth in a hushed flurry of need.

“Please…love me…fuck me like you love me…use me…I don’t care anymore…”

Alastor immediately rewarded your answer, wasting no time as his hips snapped into yours feverishly, flooding the kitchen with the sound of skin against skin.

“Lovely…” he cooed, voice thick with tension as he stared down at your overstimulated form, and within seconds of the praise slipping off his tongue you came undone. He followed shortly after, not caring to ask where you wanted his release, and you made no protest as the warm white liquid spilled inside you.

All you could do was stare, mouth falling open as he fucked his cum deeper, “It’s high time you became a mother, mon chere. You’d like that wouldn’t you?..” Alastor rambled, hardly coherent as his high coursed through him, but his statement crystal clear to you.

“Yes…” you whimper in response, walls clenching his cock as the thought of carrying his child sprung into your mind. “I’d love it…Al.”

His heart nearly stops as a genuine closed eye smile graces your face, a light blush painting your cheeks as he kisses them gently while gingerly slipping his softened cock out of your leaking heat. Alastor then lets your legs fall, lifting you to sit up straight on the counter again before wrapping his arms around your waist.

You hang onto him for balance, feeling entirely small in his grasp, and finding comfort in the embrace as exhaustion trickles in.

Alastor breathed in your sweet scent, beginning to pull your robe back on your tired form before reaching for his dress shirt. He was careful not to stir you away from his chest as he shrugged the clothing back on

“I’d love you and our child more than anything…” he nonchalantly mumbles, kissing the top of your head, and chuckling when your tied eyes go wide with undeniable hope.

“More than anything?…”

“Anything, my dear…” he repeats himself with a soft smile, bringing a hand up to push fallen strands of hair from your face.

That was when it occurred to you…

Alastor Hartiflet could love…

He’d always been able to….

And he loved you enough to share it with another…

How surreal….

xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxx

This entire 1st part was brought to you by the Great Gatsby movie soundtrack…❤️ you’re welcome… ;)

[ BONUS CONTENT + ]

Actually it MIGHT BE 12 inches if we are being honest… ❤️ credits to creator.

[softshuji]

"Are you trying to get me drunk ran Haitani?" You say, vaguely eyeing the champagne flute he's holding out to you by the stem. The faint bubbles are still popping as they curl to the surface and you sense the sharpness of crisp apples on the air.

He snorts, open and carefree and warm. "Wow seen right through me haven't you? But no, I'm not."

You eye him shrewdly, and suppress a shiver when a particular cold kiss of wind blows in through the window left ajar and he turns to close it with his elbow before delicately placing the flute between your fingers and lounging beside you on the L shaped sofa that curls around the fire in his office.

"That sounds like something that someone who's trying to get me drunk would say." And despite your resistance, you take the glass happily, and kick off your heels under the coffee table, your neck leaning on the end of the sofa, a small sign sneaking past your lips that you hope he misses.

He's quick to laugh, quick to smile, a grin that's all teeth and warmth, the ends of his canines sharp and dazzling even now that it's dark and only the faint orange glow of the burning embers lights up the otherwise shadowy office. "True," he says. "But maybe I'm just enjoying your company. Can't I do that?"

You give him another look, one that's knowing, one that he reads easily. "You can but I know it's always something with you."

A hand flies to his chest in mock indignation. "I'm rather offended by that. You should learn how to take some things at face value you know. Sometimes people do like to just hang out with you."

You take a sip of the champagne and it's chilled, as sharp as you expected, a slight fizzle on your tongue that washes refreshingly down. "I take nothing at face value, especially when it has a face like yours."

And it's a little clipped, laced with a bite and a venomous coating and he doesn't take the bait, just let's the warm boyish smile tighten around the edges, the faint smile lines twitching. "They weren't lying when they said you were mean huh?"

And this time you're indignant, the champagne suddenly sour on your tongue as you sit up in defense of yourself. "Who said I'm mean?"

He raises a hand in surrender, the other placing the flute on the coffee table. "not mean as such, just cold, a bit distant."

"Who said that exactly?"

And he returns the shrewd look, a fox toying with prey, like he knows something you don't. "That's on a need to know basis. More importantly however, it's unfortunate that you think I'm just humouring you like this."

You huff, avoiding his eyes, avoiding the slice of moonlight that has the lilac shimmering almost translucent. "You are. You know you are."

He can't help it, the slight edge to his words then. "Don't tell me what I know and don't know." And then regrets it immediately when you seem to cower and shrink against the edge of the sofa, your champagne glass halted and suspended in the air.

Then, to soften the blow, to soften it all. "I like to be around you. Not for any particular purpose, but just because I do. I wish you'd let me without thinking there's some ulterior motive."

And it's warm, curling with love and your heart falls, drops off the edge of the cliff into your stomach. You don't respond, don't do anything but flick your eyes to his and take a sip from the flute and the silence is heavy, thick with anticipation, the firelight too close.

"You wouldn't do that, not with me. And you don't have to lie, it's okay. I know there's much better out there to spend time with," you say eventually , tongue thick, sticking to the roof of your mouth as you make the concerted effort to avoid the outline of him next to you.

He laughs, without Mirth, tight and withdrawn. "Whatever you say princess." He drains his flute and makes to stand, shrugging his jacket on as he does so, the entirety of him now wired and distant, a coldness seeping from his bones that you sense as he turns from you to the door.

"well, have a good night, I'll see you tomorrow," he says, the holster now back in his dress pants, car keys and wallet thrown haphazardly into his pockets and avoiding you and the thunderous boom of your heart you swear he can hear.

"You're going?" You say, a little needy despite yourself, leaning forward against your wishes to his back, your hand almost reaching for him against your volition. "already?"

"Hm, yeah, busy. Got a job to do before I go back. Lock the door on the way out." Then, as an afterthought, voice hushed, and worried, slight undertone of upset laced in his words. "Think about what I said. Goodnight princess."

And the door opens and closes as he slips out, the firelight dancing on the walls as his steps get further and further away, and you, staring at the door, as if your want could make him come back, could make it any better.

Or make you any less you.

[eeboshmeebo]

🍪Char'cute'rie🫖

🧀

You browsed through the various cheeses and dried meats the store had available. Smoked gouda was good, but not complex enough despite it being savory and strong. Perhaps a goat cheese? A bit gamey, but also soft, gently tangy and easy to pair with or spread onto vegetables and crackers.

Maybe a sharp cheddar. Tangy, salty, with an aged bitterness that mellowed it all out. Not to mention the array of dried meats! To counter such salty, rich flavors, a refreshingly light mozzarella or brie would pair better.

Or maybe..!

"Darling, I know you really like choosing the ingredients yourself, but you shouldn't bend over like that for so long. It isn't good for your back."

You didn't jump, since he had an arm wrapped around your shoulder for quite a while now. You turned to look at him, a fond smile on your face as you set down a packaged piece of blueberry goat cheese back into the store's display.

"Says you, Mono-bon. Isn't your arm fully asleep by now?"

"Perhaps. But I trust that my beloved, gorgeous armrest wouldn't mind."

"Five dates, and finally a promotion to armrest? Awww, I'm flattered."

After a small period of silence, both of you started giggling. You leaned into his touch and he moved closer to you, nuzzling your shoulder.

"This feels like I'm getting dogfood shoved into my mouth." Rin grumbled as he grabbed any cheese and meat that caught his eye suitably.

"You could've split up and gone with Ibara and Shishida instead of being a third wheel, y'know!" You called out to him, a grin on your face while Monoma continued to nuzzle into your shoulder.

"Bleh. Don't remind me, I'll just go do that now."

"Pff-heh. Okay, see you later."

Both you and Monoma finally settled on some aged salami and a few cheeses you trusted his taste in. After browsing a bit more, a suitable herb garnish and dried fruits along with fresh ones were chosen as well as a few choice unsalted nuts.

At the self-checkout, however, you got an idea.

"Hey, how does some browsing at the farmer's market sound? We have some extra time to use, after all, and there's baked goods over there."

Monoma contemplated that for a few moments, his hands scanning the items in the basket he had brought before he finally said something.

"Yeah, that sounds pretty nice now that I think about it. Also, nope!"

You were so close to finally paying, but he tapped his card against the screen and paid before you had a chance to even swipe yours.

"Aww, no faaaiiiir." You whined, pocketing your own card in favor of complaining lightheartedly.

"You can spend your money at the farmer's market later, alright sugar?"

"Mm-hmm."

And so, to the farmer's market you both went.

🫖

You looked around the market, Monoma's hand held in your own. You both walked through the market searching for anything that'd catch either his or your interest before you both were standing in front of a beekeeper's stand.

"Ooh, do you think these little charms are handmade? They're so adorable!"

You gushed over the small bee charms that were on display next to the honey. Small and shiny with big, shimmering eyes and wonky little blue wings.

"They're kind of cute. Lumpy, but cute." He murmured, though he was perhaps eying them a bit too much to sound so disinterested.

Immediately, you slapped some cash on the table that you had sneakily counted out earlier and took two matching bees.

"Wha-!?" "You said that I could pay this time~!"

The look he got on his face was both sour and sweet, like a cherry. On second thought, you could've sworn there was someone selling cherries in a stand up ahead...

"Hnnnn."

Monoma made a sound like he was grievously wronged (was sent to detention for harassing class A again) when he saw that you were ignoring him in favor of looking at other things. You let out a breath of endearment as you clipped one of the charms to his clothes and kissed his cheek.

"I was just thinking about cherries, hun. How about we go get some for dessert?"

"Mmnnnn... sure! I just want an extra 'treat' when we get home later."

"Sure, sure. I'll make as many treats as you want later."

He pouted, since he felt that his message didn't get across properly, but he let you drag him along to the (and buy) cherries anyways and soon the smile returned to his face.

"These cherries remind me of you, somewhat." You said, picking up one by the stem and examining the yellow and blush-red fruit closely.

"Oh, really? Well, I can tell you that I'm better than some bite-sized fruit-"

"Nom~"

Monoma froze up as you nibbled his earlobe, tracing your tongue behind his ear before pulling back and eating the cherry you had in your hand earlier.

"In public???"

"Yep, in public. I can't let you get jealous over a fruit so easily, y'know~?"

He huffed while holding his ear, but the sparkle in his blue granite-hued eyes showed how pleased he was with your sudden tease. In retaliation, he wrapped an arm around your waist.

"How'd you like that for teasing, you little macaron?"

"Nnnn... I say that I like this very much, croquembouche."

"Croquembouche? Well, I'm definitely much more than a pile of sugary pastry, I assure you!"

You teased each other back and forth with smiles on your faces, walking out of the market with a bag with each person before Monoma abruptly stopped and pulled you over, for once, to look at a potter's stall... or, what was supposed to be a potter's stall.

The potter who seemed to also be the stall owner wasn't there and there was nobody there to watch over and sell the goods. At least the prices were visibly labelled next to the various cups and bowls. Seems like the stall owner trusted the other stall owners to prevent anyone from stealing.

"Hn."

You both made eye contact with each other, silently agreeing on an activity you both did when presented with a lot of options.

You put one hand over Monoma's eyes and he put one over your eyes, covering each other's sight before reaching out and grabbing one cup on the table each before the reveal.

You had chosen a cup that felt the best against your hand. It vividly reminded you of Monoma, who had chosen one that was just the right weight and glaze in his hand when his eyes were closed, that reminded him of you.

"...we're definitely buying these."

A quick decision. Looking at the prices on the cups, they were a small luxury but also high-quality, so you left the money on the table (and enjoyed Monoma's disgruntled look as you did) before leaving the farmer's market.

Your friends (Monoma's classmates) were waiting in a car. Apparently, they were searching for you after Shishida confessed that he couldn't find you and him in the store anymore. Oops.

🫕

At the dorms, you washed the cherries and cut them into halves to take out the pits before arranging them on the charcuterie board.

A perfect blend of red, yellow, orange, pink, white, beige, brown and green was arranged on the board. Fruits, nuts, salted and dried meats, garnish herbs, and milk chocolate chips sprinkled across the board itself with a small container for the toothpicks.

Someone took one of the toothpicks and also took a bite of cheese.

"Hey, aren't you on a diet?"

You turned to face Monoma with a slight glare, taking off your gloves and pinching his cheek that had gotten noticeably rounder ever since you started dating him.

"Ow! Yeah, but a little cheese won't hurt anybody! Besides, calories aren't real, just science fiction."

He winced a bit after you pulled your hand back and rubbed the place on his cheek that still stung. His eyes teared up a bit and his lower lip started to tremble...

"...fine, you can have some more along with the 'treat' I promised you."

Immediately, Monoma's teary eyes and pitiful expression went away like a dandelion seed in the wind as he took a few more pieces. The toothpick he had now looked like a mini kebab that he constantly nibbled on.

You could kind of see the comparison between him and a Roborovski dwarf hamster from how he was nibbling on it. Cute.

...

You kissed him on the cheek where a small mark had started to redden. He quickly lit up like a lava lamp and almost dropped his snack before he ate the last of it.

"Time for that treat I promised you, Monoma~!"

"Wha-?"

He followed you to his dorm, his mind working furiously at a speed definitely not used for studying before his eyes widened. His realization came too late, however, and you dragged him into his dorm before locking the door behind you both...

💝

Kuroiro bitterly chewed on some cherries, having seen Monoma and his partner run off to their dorms and leaving only half of the charcuterie board's contents left for the class.

"Isn't he supposed to be on a diet? He's always off eating some fatty food of some sort with his... ugh."

Awase patted Shihai on the back, eating a chunk of cheese that he had picked up earlier.

"He's probably working off those calories right now! With his partner! And... and..."

Awase trailed off as he realized the many possibilities that Monoma might be doing something that only someone with a partner can do, with you.

"Just shut up at this point, you dumbasses. You're just gonna make yourselves feel more like single dogs the more you guys talk." Kamakiri grumbled, stabbing a piece of a cherry with one of his blades and almost swallowing it whole if not for the fact he needed to chew first.

"Rin taught me that, by the way. The term 'single dog'. He's pretty good at insulting people when it gets down to it."

And with that, Awase and Kuroiro settled back to snacking before Kendo caught them to scold them both about snacking so late at night.

🏵️

[Bonus]

The potted plant opened its eye discreetly, surveying the market for his friend.

"He can't keep doing this. Really, what if the cash and goods were stolen?"

He had hidden the money under his flowerpot a long while ago for safekeeping. Long leaves sure were a blessing! Though, he finally caught sight of his friend (and his friend's two children) soon after.

"...oh well. He's having fun. It's not like I can stop him."

He closed his singular eye afterwards, taking a nap now that he was assured that he wasn't left behind. Again.

[animehouse-moe]

Link Click Season 2 Episode 4: Let It Unfold

As we enter into the heart of this season in terms of story, the opening of this episode does struggle a little bit with some all-too-convenient exposition about Qian Jin, which thankfully the latter half makes you forget all about. Potentially a bit of rough writing to give viewers information, as we slip into the past we shed those struggles and present a more expected but refreshingly different plot line. Certainly still a good episode, and certainly still a good bit to talk about.

So like I said, the episode itself doesn't start off incredibly strong by any means. It details all the information leading up to the current events: the phone missing, the picture Lu Guang has, Qian Jin's past, and so on and so forth. I don't think it's explicitly bad, but it feels like rushed writing for the story. A big old exposition dump from multiple parties, it feels like. Personally, I definitely believe they could have done a better job with conveying the information, but I also think it would take considerably more screen time to do so which is where this tradeoff stems from in the first place most likely.

Anyways, I'll just quickly expand on a few of those key details here.

Qian Jin's contact with Xixi. They're obviously aware of one another, but apparently were not working together explicitly at this moment. Qian Jin's surprised to hear that his lackey doesn't have Liu Min's phone, but isn't unaware of who's calling or shocked at the phone call when (presumably) Xixi makes contact.

Qian Jin's past. A by the books cop that gets turned sour after the death of a loved one. It's not a novel story by any means, but is clearly the foundation for some sort of interaction with Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi. It does make me wonder though if Xiao Li will play a role in talking down Qian Jin, or if Cheng Xiaoshi will take over Xiao Li himself, since he's the one who oversaw the murder case.

And the last piece: the weight of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang's powers. Not quite exposition, but definitely the most important piece of dialogue through this front half. It continues to establish the regret and grief the pair feel over their previous forays into the past, and their hesitation and wariness of continuing with it once more. It's the natural conclusion from the first season, so I'm glad to see it referenced so heavily whenever the past arises between these characters.

Anyways, into the past we go with Cheng Xiaoshi as Xixi. I think similar to the first half there's not a world of stuff to talk about, but overall it's the much stronger and more put together sequence in the episode. The struggle of a single mother with a mute daughter is felt rather quickly through the story, and Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang are firing off piece after piece of information for the viewer to soak up.

Overall, it's a really solid sequence that teleports viewers back into the season 1 mindset as we explore experiences of the past and their regrets, challenges, and fears. Considering how well fitted it is to the overall idea of this season, I'm really curious to see how they move forward and how often we find ourselves diving back in time.

Regardless of my thoughts though, as I just said there's quite a bit of info here and there to take in, so let me highlight it really quickly.

We'll start off with this interesting notion. By pulse alone, the doctor could tell something was different with Xixi. This itself means that when Cheng Xiaoshi takes over the body of a person, they exert physical changes to some degree. Arguably only temporary changes, but a stronger pulse and physical capabilities were shown here specifically.

It's also just funny because Cheng Xiaoshi was worried about this specifically.

Next up is the eyes of the mother. This one makes things more complicated, as she shares the same eye color (but not pupil shape) with Lu Guang. Equally as interesting is the fact that Xixi's original eye color (that reddish-pink) does not come from her mother, but presumably her father? Considering that, is it possible that Xixi's father is the source of Lu Guang's abilities, and that the father (who has Xixi's eye color) is the one chasing Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang? That presents the question though of why a father would attempt to kill his own son, which is the right kind of dramatic for Link Click, if not a bit of a stretch.

Next up is our first callback to the opening, our stuffed animal. I know it doesn't look exactly alike the 3D one because of the style, but if you pay attention the design on the ears is the same. A rounded triangle on one, and a star on the other.

This indicates to viewers both the number of pasts we visit in this season, and also the order of them. We've started with the stuffed animal, will move onto the gun, and finish with the diary. Now, I'm unsure of who the diary may belong to, but I'm somewhat confident that the gun story will be related to Qian Jin who's past we learnt of today.

The next piece is this curious question: the deceased owner of a phone that was texted information about Qiao Ling. The name is Liu Lan, which has the same surname is Liu Min. Are they actually related? Is Liu Min the real brother of Xixi? It raises an incredible interesting question of just how things came to be, and if it actually is Liu Min that's Xixi's brother, or if there's any relation to Lu Guang. Incredibly curious detail to reveal, that I'm very interested to learn more about.

And last but not least, Cheng Xiaoshi's realization. Is it Liu Min's father that touches Xixi's mother on the shoulder? Or is it someone else that Cheng Xiaoshi would recognize? Whoever it is, their expression relays the notion to the viewer that Cheng Xiaoshi knows the person that's in front of them at this moment.

From here, we end the episode with (presumably) Xixi waiting for Cheng Xiaoshi to discuss things with him. Are they planning on airing out all of the pasts to provide a reversal of events? Knowing the past they now aim for the future? It's an interesting question to pose, but without knowing what it is that (presumably) Xixi wants to tell Cheng Xiaoshi, it's hard to say for sure what direction we'll be moving in with the next episode.

Building a mystery atop several smaller mysteries, all the while taking into account timelines and order of events can be challenging. So far though, Link Click S2 seems to have a pretty confident read on how it wants things to go down. At times it might be a little too literal with how it hands out information, but at its core it still aims for the heart like season 1 did, which leaves me very hopeful for how things go as we continue on here. Very much looking forward to the next episode.

[runby2]

You mentioned snow cones, what's everyone's favourite flavor?

answered by honey🐈

my favorite flavor is cotton candy or birthday cake! or coconut!! i'll take a quick role call to everyone near front.

kristoph wanted pineapple today, because he thinks "it's the type of day where a refreshingly light tropical flavor will be the best!"

klavier likes watermelon! especially the sour kind! or green apple! or blue raspberry... he has a long list but those are his top favorites!

apollo likes strawberry, or he also said he'd like to try mango!

angel would also like watermelon!

dahlia says cotton candy, or tigers blood!

[cantsayidont]

SNOWFALL (2017–2023): Engrossing if often heavy-handed FX crime drama, co-created by John Singleton (with Eric Amadio and Dave Andron): a fictionalized account of how a CIA operation to fund anticommunist Contra death squads in Nicaragua in the 1980s sparked the crack cocaine trade in the U.S., focusing on a bright young Black man named Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), who becomes L.A.'s (fictional) first crack kingpin in increasingly uneasy partnership with twitchy, dweebish white CIA officer Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), who will do almost anything to keep the money and guns flowing, with ultimately ruinous consequences for all concerned.

As with any serialized drama lasting six seasons, the pacing is uneven and some plot threads get dropped without resolution, and like Singleton's early films, it can't resist periodically veering into contrivance-laden melodrama (although it's at least less strident than BOYZ N THE HOOD or HIGHER LEARNING). However, it's consistently interesting, anchored by some very strong performances — particularly Idris and Angela Lewis, as Franklin's aunt Lou — and its '80s setting is more convincingly realized than many recent period pieces, with a few nods to the life of Singleton himself, who was a teenager in South L.A. at the time the story takes place. Probably its biggest flaw is that its Latinx characters, even the ongoing ones, are rarely allowed to rise above stereotype (and the most complex Latina character, played by Emily Rios, departs after Season 2), although nearly all the Black characters, who are centered throughout, are refreshingly three-dimensional.

CONTAINS LESBIANS? Franklin's Aunt Lou — one of the show's best characters — is bisexual, and in the early seasons has a difficult, on-again-off-again relationship with a ruthless lesbian club owner (Judith Scott). VERDICT: Doesn't quite live up to its more grandiose ambitions, and the unnecessarily protracted, relentlessly downbeat finale leaves a sour taste, but it's still among the best shows of its genre: BREAKING BAD without the blorbofication, THE WIRE without the paternalistic cop apologism. Note that the final season needs CWs for threats of sexual violence, which are pretty rough.

[bakageta]

Sliding in under the wire, here's my final fic for the AU roulette! This one is a Vampire AU. I went with emotional vampirisim, because there's already enough threats of cannibalism in canon. I have vague ideas about how things happen differently in this AU and I might end up writing more for it later. @kitausuret, I wrote about ya boi again!

Their patrol was wrapping up when Venom caught the scent of the most deliciously complex and tangled depression. It was the kind of deep darkness that ate people up. The kind of thing they tried to save people from, at least for a little while. It made their mouth water.

Whoever gave off that intangible aroma was just below them, at street level, huddled in a bus shelter. Eddie thought it was odd. The bus had pulled away from that stop a minute ago at most, surely the person hadn’t just missed it? The flavor profile they detected was all wrong for that. More bitter and resentful than angry and frustrated. 

Venom slipped to the ground in a nearby alleyway, and Eddie Brock approached the bus shelter. By the time he reached cover he was damp from the misting drizzle that hadn’t affected him at all as Venom.

“Hell. Did I just miss the bus?” Eddie asked as he shook himself off as much as he could without getting the other person wet. As best he could, Eddie put on the persona of an inoffensive every guy who just happened to be more than 6 feet tall and built like a brick shithouse.

"Yeah." The person was bulky, strawberry blonde, and resigned to conversation. He was also, Eddie noted belatedly, sitting in a wheelchair and not on the shelter's bench. The man would probably be more wary, he assumed, which would make it harder to lull him.

"You miss it too?"

The man snorted. "The wheelchair lift was busted."

"That’s awful." Eddie sat in the middle of the three seat bench and draped his arms across the back rest. His left hand was as close to the other man as he could get while not looking like anything more than a big guy taking up space. Hopefully his other would be able to reach.

"It's life." The man shrugged. 

"Doesn't mean it's okay." Eddie gestured widely with his far hand. “But it’s not really something guys like us can solve on our own.�� For a moment, Eddie thought about mentioning the work he did at the F.E.A.S.T. center before thinking better of it. It would definitely come across as patronizing. “I’m Eddie.”

“Flash,” the man said, and his challenging stare made Eddie realize that Flash was probably his name.

“Flash,” Eddie confirmed. Some of the tightness at the corners of Flash’s eyes relaxed. “Do you mind if I practice a monologue? I’m working on my delivery for a community play.”

“Sure, better than awkward silence or small talk.” Flash shrugged. 

"True." Eddie slid into the monologue, one he was actually working on, and built slowly in dramatics. Less than a minute in, Flash was being lulled. It seemed he had assumed wrongly. Eddie hadn't even needed to draw on the harmonics of Venom’s voice to get him into the distracted state of mind that would let them feed on his emotions without Flash noticing what, exactly, they were doing. 

His other reached out from Eddie’s hand and bridged the gap between them. The moment dark alien flesh touched Flash, his emotions opened to them  completely. His depression was a wide bowl of thick, cold soup before them. It was refreshingly tangy and sour, different than their usual fare of criminal terror, innocent discomfort, and the sincere gratitude of those Eddie helped. They swallowed saliva, as Eddie’s body reacted physically to the psychic meal in front of them. 

Wildly, Eddie thought that if more people were like Flash then he wouldn't need his other to sate the hunger their symbiosis had burdened him with. The symbiote prickled complex guilt-apology-resentment-fear at him and he apologized to it as it started lapping up Flash’s depression. Chunks of the man's anger, hate, and bitterness caught on their currently metaphorical teeth like the meat and vegetables of a stew. 

Tangy fear ran down their throat. Flash had somehow woken up. 

"Stuh– stop!"

They did. Eddie went so far as to move to the furthest corner of the bench to his symbiote’s disgruntlement. That had never happened to Eddie in the time he’d been with his other. Flash wasn’t quite backed into the corner opposite him, but his hands were poised over the wheels of his chair ready to charge past Eddie. 

"What the hell was that?"

Eddie also wanted to know. Flash should have been out for as long as they needed him to be while they ate his depression. 

Good match. The symbiote communicated with rare words. Compatible. Want. Like. Love?

Darling? Eddie prompted. Emotions ebbed into his mind: they were his other's from when it first tasted him. It felt the same way now. Apparently the symbiote who'd turned him into an emotional vampire had a type. 

It squirmed but made no denials. 

"–you okay?" Flash had rolled closer to them for some unknown reason. "I just wanna know what you did, I feel… not better. But less like shit."

"I– we–" Eddie raised his left hand still covered in the symbiote's writhing feeding tentacles. It took the opportunity to wave at Flash with several. "We were eating your depression. It's not permanent. It'll be back, but it's easier to do something about it when you're not drowning."

"Can it be permanent?" Flash had looked away from them, up the street where neon lights blinked in the wet night. There were a few shops. A few bars, too.

"Not." Eddie swallowed roughly "Not if you want to keep feeling other things."

"That sucks."

"Yeah." 

The next bus was still at least five minutes out, but it wasn't like Eddie and his other needed to wait for it. He turned to leave, symbiote resisting his motion like cold molasses in his muscles, when Flash called out, “You aren’t waiting for the bus?”

“No.” Then, with a nudge from the symbiote, Eddie rolled his eyes and his shoulders and Venom stepped into the rain. “We have other ways of getting home.”

Flash’s eyes widened, almost like he recognized them. Surprise and curiosity radiated from him. It wasn’t the reaction Eddie had expected. The symbiote, however, was smug and pleased at being proven right.

“If you’re not waiting for the bus then what about the play? Is that real?”

“It is.” They confirmed.

“When is it?” Flash rolled to the edge of the bus shelter. “I need to get out of the house more anyway.”

“Next Saturday, at the F.E.A.S.T. Center gymnasium. The doors open at six pm, if we remember correctly.”

“I’ll see you there, then,” Flash said with a grin. “We will look forward to it.” Venom said as they slung up and away, Flash’s grin mirrored on their own face.

[hyacnthis]

@cowpers: “men can often cause much more trouble than they are worth.”

one. two. three. it is all hyacinth can bare to focus on, the rise of her chest … a beat … the deflating of her lungs. is it too early to feign sick and leave for home? a glance toward her laughing mother answers this chain of thought for her. bulbs flicker and come to life overhead, something which hyacinth chalks up to be something of a bizarre aesthetic spectacle. gas lamps, hardly a new invention by the time of her first season on the marriage mart, but for such a warm glow to cast an incandescent golden glow over the stifling ballroom … apparently a spectacle indeed, if the delighted (read: drunken) whoops of her fellow ton are anything to go off of. there are three direct routes of escape, should she be able to squeeze through the throng of partying young misses and mamas. blue eyes hone in on the door to a balcony, that of which is conveniently located beside a refreshment stand. perfect. fresh air, and a douse of room temperature water should right her. she’s only been to a handful of parties this social season, having made her debut a month beforehand, but she already finds herself a master of practised social etiquette. this is something handy, as it’s second nature now to bow her head and smile at any debutantes she glides past, nary a single troubling thought evident on her face. 

the route to the refreshment stand took longer than what was expected, if her tired cheeks and sore neck are anything for her to judge. pale hands grasp a refreshingly cool glass, and hyacinth finds herself grateful for small mercies tonight, such as attentive staff. it is only when she’s sure that enough attention is being afforded to the outrageous newlyweds who take the floor, seemingly unashamed of their hasty marriage only the weekend before, that she allows her painted lips to tug downward, the only hint as to any sourness about her this evening. a saccharine gaze follows the figures of the lord isaac fitzroy and his newest catch, miss mary beresford.

“men can often cause much more trouble than they are worth,” a voice from the right. knowing the happenings of the ton, including keeping notice of anyone in said ton, is something which hyacinth bridgerton prides herself very much on, thank you very much … which is precisely why her head whips toward the direction of the incoming voice. cressida cowper. 

her spare hand goes to smooth her dress, a nervous habit undoubtedly picked up from one of her more anxiously inclined sisters. “miss cowper, i did not expect to see you this evening. it has been … some time.” there is no malice in her voice, merely surprised curiosity. 

[makibeni]

Ch. 60- A Truth Unspoken

The theater was nearly empty, save for a disinterested scattering of disinterested shadows. Kobeni had taken a moment to excuse herself, leaving Makima alone with her thoughts. Overall the date was going well, she thought, the girl enjoyed her meal, and the two had exchanged a quite pleasant conversation throughout. It had been longer than she'd realized since they'd had the chance to just talk, exchanging simple words and laughter over topics of no import. It had been a refreshingly sobering reminder that love was more than suffering and grandeur, that there was so much joy left to be found in the company of her beloved. It was then when a drop of sour tinged her sweet smile, as it appeared beside her. She'd hoped for it's resignation, or at least a reprieve for the night, but it's spiteful darkness slid it's way through the shadows like a morose ooze, tainting the air around itself. The displeasure on Makima's face only grew as it seemed disinterested in anything besides looming, an uninvited guest she couldn't be rid of. It spoke no words, it never had, lacking the inclination or perhaps the ability, though she'd never found it hard to understand. There was a time when their goals had aligned, where she saw no other path and the dim glow of it's septic eyes proved a light to follow, the only guide she'd ever known. But she'd found a new light, one which shun brighter and with a resplendent warmth to chase away the shadows, one which she'd abandoned it for. She glanced at it, only for a moment, pulled in by it's sickening glare, every thought spared for it bringing her mood down, but it's writhing shadow wouldn't let her go.

"W-what's wrong?"

Makima turned, snapping from her brooding as the girl's voice filled her ear.

"Oh... nothing, I just... remembered something unpleasant"

Kobeni took her seat with a worried look, unsatisfied with the woman's vagueness. She thought about pressing the issue, not wanting to let Makima wallow in whatever stupor she'd fallen into, but anxiety kept her best intentions at bay. Offering what support she could muster she slid her arm along the seat rest and grabbed hold of Makima's hand, the gesture receiving a longing look and a slight smile from the woman's face. Kobeni turned her attention to the screen, satisfied for the moment that even if she was unable to provide solutions she could at least offer reprieve. As the film went on, she could feel her emotions, how she'd squeeze tighter as the tension built, her expression excitedly dancing along with the characters, never letting go of the girl's hand all the way. It was endearing, a side of Makima she rarely got to see, but delighted in just the same.

As the night wound down the two made their way to their final destination, a walk along the shoreline, flanked by icy black waves of moonlit sea. It was peaceful, the distant sounds of the city washed away by the rhythmic wash of water along the sandy beach. Yet even now, everywhere she turned she saw it, staring back at her with it's vexing persistence.

"Makima I... I can tell you're upset... please, could you just tell me what's wrong?"

She didn't turn to face her, casting her gaze towards the ocean and her thoughts to the hurricane brewing inside of her. The date was almost over, she only had to keep herself together for a little longer, soothe the girl's worries and finish on a high note...

"It's nothing I haven't dealt with before, I'll be alright, really."

Kobeni grabbed her arm, insistent upon her concerns and unwilling to let the woman simply brush off her struggles, not while she had the chance to intervene.

"That's not the point I... I wanna be there for you too... I wanna be someone you can rely on... please..."

Makima turned to her, wrapping her arms around the girl in a cold and awkward hug. There was a reluctance, a fear of insincerity that kept her at bay, as though she feared deception through an act of affection was a line too far, and floundered at what to do.

"I never want to lie to you, I just... don't know if I'm ready to tell you the truth yet..."

Her words seeped into the girl's ear like venom, a blooming seed of anxiety blossoming into a grove of second guessing and worry.

"W... what do you mean...?"

Kobeni pulled herself away, the woman showing her back once more, digging her fingers into the railing beside her to try and regain a measure of composure

"M-Makima? W-what do you m-"

The girl pulled on her arm, enough to catch a glimpse of the tears streaming down her face and cut the words from her own tongue with a quiet gasp. Makima retreated back, shutting her eyes and gritting her teeth, trying as she could to stem the tide of tears. It was all falling apart, words slipping from her tongue like a frustrated cry now bringing forth retribution for her incapacity. If only she'd been stronger, if only she hadn't faltered begged for help, she could be happy, she could have had her, and now she was slipping from her fingers as the thread unwound. The light began to fade, leaving nothing but darkness and the pale yellow dots before her, just where they'd always been, awaiting her fall. Then suddenly, she felt a warmth around her waist.

"I don't know what's wrong but... I wanna be with you... I wanna help you however I can... y-you can tell me when you're ready... okay?"

The girl held her tight, declaring her sincerity and her love as the tears streamed down Makima's face. Her breathing was relaxed, her heartbeat steady, a reassuring fixture to guide the woman back to shore.

"What if I never will be..."

She closed her eyes again, unsure and unsteady, disbelieving in her own capacity to accept a love so freely given.

"That's fine too... as long as I can be with you... that's all that matters to me"

[endofapaige]

A London Day in the Life and a Little Theatre Review

Anyone who knows me will know my three joys in life, in no particular order, are: cinema, books and musicals. Obviously, books and cinema are much more accessible than musicals nowadays, and 300x more affordable. I mean I have access to the soundtracks but writing reviews about soundtracks doesn’t sound particularly substantial. Anyway, end of May or early June this picture-perfect afternoon (it actually was) my friend Georgia and I were sat in my bedroom trying to revise for our A Level exams. We were bored. Georgia and I spend money when we’re bored. And that ended with us in debt but a day trip to Central London booked to see Dear Evan Hansen.

With the release of the movie starring Ben Platt, who now is the Evan Hansen thanks to him bringing the character to Broadway for the first time, being released October of last year, which I saw in cinema, I didn’t go into this musical blind like I usually do with such shows. I’m going to see Book of Mormon next month knowing 4 songs at most. However, by no means did it sour my watching of it in the slightest.

For those of you who don’t know, Dear Evan Hansen is a musical production that follows depressed, anxious teen Evan as he falls into a spiral of lies following the death of his high school classmate Connor Murphy. It’s a heart-breaking yet refreshingly comedic take on mental health and suicide with the key message of ‘you will be found’.

The current face of Evan Hansen in London is Sam Tutty, who from a plethora of YouTube videos I discovered was insanely and unfairly talented. However, we had Marcus Harman in the titular role. Also disgustingly talented by the way. He played the role to perfection, with the incredible vocal range and the very Ben Platt-like gestures and stutters I loved in the movie. So perfect in fact it took us until the interval to actually realise it was an understudy at all (we we’re sat right at the back and we’re both relatively blind so that could’ve been it).

The highlight of the show had to be Rupert Young though, who played Connor’s dad, Larry. With vocal abilities that make your jaw drop to him being the reason I finally let loose a tear, it’s no wonder his CV on the DEH website is so bloody long. (As I write this I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually getting the actors right, I’m going completely from vague face shape I remember and the pictures on the website).

As with every live performance, there’s a couple of mishaps. We had a wrong line in a song, a timing issue in the opening song and a couple of pitchy harmonies. None of which really ruined it though so I can’t spend too long grumbling about it. Plus, there were so many good parts that largely outweighed everything else. The set was incredibly cool, I cannot wrap my head around how they can just walk on and off moving sets without tripping over their own feet. Jack Loxton, who played Jared, was hilarious the entire way through. And I adore all the extra dialogue they cut out of the soundtrack, partly because I’m never quite sure what’s scripted and what’s improvised and partly because that’s the bit that gets me obsessed with the characters to the point, I start muttering the extra bits I remember in the gaps when I’m singing the songs in the car.

When comparing it to the movie it’s a tricky one, because at the heart of it all the film is an incredible remake of the stage production. Though I think it’s easier translating stage script to screen than it is with the likes of a novel. The movie cuts some of the best songs, namely Disappear and Good for You, both of which were my highlights of the stage show. It’s hard to be mad though, because watching it on stage you can tell the songs we’re written to be performed live, and the film wouldn’t have done it justice at all. Obviously on stage you miss the cinematic elements with the camera shots and time cuts. A lot of the show consists of two characters stood in boxes of light taking to each other via the internet, a device that shouldn’t really work on stage, but DEH does do quite well, however it’s an easier watch in the movie. There’s also a repetitive flashback sequence of Evan running towards a tree in the film that was beautifully shot and adds that sense of ‘oh fuck’ to the film as we learn more and more about how Evan broke his arm. Something the show loses, however the show’s final reveal of this in a scene with his Mum which was much better done and hard-hitting than in the film. The show also incorporates a lot more of Connor Murphy whereas the film leaves him behind for the most part (physically I mean, the entire plot is about him, he’s mentioned throughout the entire thing) after the first act. The pop up of Connor throughout the show made it for me, embarrassingly he might be one of my favourite characters, no matter how much they antagonise the poor kid.

Overall, I don’t think anything quite compares to a good musical and this was a great one. We had an all-boys school school trip sat in front of us, they must’ve been 15/16, and a lot of them were crying, so when I tell you it’s heartbreaking. I really and truly mean it. But don’t let that deter you, and if you can’t afford to see the musical, which is closing for good on the West End and Broadway very soon, I’d definitely recommend watching the film as soon as you can. It’s not far off a masterpiece.

While I’ve got you, if you’re still reading of course, the day didn’t start and end with seeing Dear Evan Hansen. We spent the entire day in London and got up to some cool stuff. So, if you care, I’m not subjecting you to an entire blog post about it, but I’ll run you through it quickly. We started our day in Euston, where we walked off the train saw some attractive lad in a suit and tried to decide if he was going to a wedding and if he was actually attractive or he was just in a suit. We made our way to Taco Bell, which was my choice I’d never had it and wanted to try it, while we sweated in the 25º London heat and I tried to keep my bra covered by my top. I’ve never faced such a difficult feat. Taco Bell was average, I got a crunchwrap supreme and realised a bite in that when I’d dislodged my braces the other day I can no longer bite or chew on my back teeth. Not fun.

We made our way to the theatre, sweating some more, walking past all the other theatres and advertisements for musicals, Georgia and I pointing at them and claiming we want to see that one every few seconds. In the theatre we were sat next to another attractive lad, spent the wait for the show to begin deciding if he was actually attractive or he was just taking his Nan to see a show (incredibly cute).

After the show we wandered into Forbidden Planet, I walked around the whole shop pointing at overpriced collectibles claiming that I can’t afford them. Oh, how tempted I was to spend £140 on a Mjolnir replica though. We accidentally walked into a book signing, we googled the guy while we were stood there, found out he’s a comic book artist for DC. Incredibly cool.

The only must we had for the day other than seeing the show was to go to Waterstones Piccadilly, considering we are both massive book lovers and it’s the biggest book shop in Europe. Luckily, I didn’t spend a month’s wages in there but as we walked in, I did see a big pop up that the set of Charlie Spring’s bedroom from the Heartstopper show was still up, which I was convinced closed down last week following London Pride, you can imagine how excited I got. Heartstopper is one of my biggest hyperfixations at the minute. The Waterstones was beautiful though, spread across 7 floors, most of which had little bookish knickknacks like a set from Where the Crawdads Sing, the swinging bench from the Bridgerton show (which I unfortunately didn’t take a picture on) and a massive LEGO Harry Potter statue. Highlight of my day.

We then got lost, obviously, and somehow ended up in Trafalgar Square. We went full tourist. Walked to Covent Garden, there was some street performer who got some poor man to climb under his legs with a chain. Twice. It was very odd, and he took too long to get it over with, so we left before he finished his act. Leicester Square we saw another street performer, couldn’t tell you what he was doing I couldn’t see over the people. But we did see some very very very big posters for Thor: Love and Thunder. I think the remnants of the premiere were still floating around.

We got the tube from Leicester Square back to Euston, in traditional Londoner style, and Georgia and I decided that our future would be spend in that city sharing a shitty little one bed we can barely afford with two jobs, but it’d be worth it for the vibes. And with a pasta salad from the M&S Food Hall, we were back on the train on the way home. Exhausted.

Now I’ll let you go and watch Dear Evan Hansen while you and I both hope I post something at least before I end up at University with no time to spare again.

[sdgzdgjh]

Discovering Banarasi Paan and Exploring Williams Landing’s Food Delights

The Banarasi paan holds a special place in the hearts of Indian culinary enthusiasts. Unlike regular paan, Banarasi paan uses distinct ingredients and specific preparation techniques. The flavors stem from a blend of spices, fresh betel leaves, slaked lime, and a selection of sweet, sour, and aromatic ingredients. The result is a balance of tastes and textures that provides an unmatched experience for the palate.

The journey of Banarasi paan from the ancient streets of Varanasi to international cities has been a flavorful one. Today, specialized centers have emerged around the world, known as Banarasi Paan Centre locations, where locals and visitors alike can taste and experience this iconic treat. Each of these centers emphasizes authenticity, using ingredients sourced directly from India and preparing the paan in traditional ways. From the classic sweet paan to newer varieties, these centers allow people far from India to taste and enjoy a piece of its culture.

Traditional Meets Modern: Fusion Flavors at Banarasi Paan Centres

In Banarasi Paan Centres, authenticity doesn’t only mean recreating a traditional recipe but also reimagining it to suit contemporary tastes. Some places offer twists on the classic, such as chocolate-covered paan or paan stuffed with innovative fillings, catering to adventurous food lovers. These centers have become hubs of cultural fusion where people from diverse backgrounds gather to experience the rich heritage of India, enjoying paan alongside discussions about its origins and significance.

Banarasi paan isn’t just about taste; it is also about ritual. In India, offering paan signifies warmth and hospitality. Today, this traditional gesture has transcended borders, as Banarasi Paan Centre around the world introduce the art of paan preparation and enjoyment to global audiences. The mix of heritage and modern flavors at these centers has contributed significantly to the growing appeal of the paan.

Williams Landing: A Culinary Crossroads of Global Flavors

Located in the heart of a culturally rich region, Williams Landing has rapidly become a destination for food lovers. Here, food menus cater to a variety of preferences, combining traditional flavors with modern twists. The Williams Landing food menu presents options ranging from classic dishes to fusion cuisine that surprises with innovative ingredients and presentation.

From vibrant cafés to sophisticated dining spots, Williams Landing offers a blend of cuisines that appeals to everyone. The food menus here are thoughtfully crafted, considering both cultural roots and the contemporary preferences of the modern diner. It’s a place where visitors can indulge in everything from refreshing salads to rich, indulgent desserts, often inspired by international flavors and recipes.

Exploring the Unique Flavors of Williams Landing Food Menu

TheWilliams Landing food menu is known for its versatility, offering everything from comfort food to gourmet experiences. Traditional dishes are often reimagined with unique touches, creating meals that reflect the area’s multicultural community. For instance, diners can explore Indian-inspired dishes, Asian flavors, Mediterranean classics, and local Australian ingredients, all in one sitting.

The dining experience in Williams Landing is not limited to familiar tastes. Many restaurants experiment with combinations of flavors, textures, and spices, creating unique dishes that are both nostalgic and refreshingly new. For example, traditional pasta might be paired with locally sourced herbs, or classic Asian stir-fries could be infused with Australian spices, showcasing how regional ingredients can be blended with international cuisines.

Banarasi Paan and Williams Landing: A Fusion of Cultural Tastes

In recent years, Banarasi paan has found a unique place in international food scenes, including in locations like Williams Landing. The area’s openness to global flavors makes it an ideal spot for Banarasi Paan Centre outlets, where locals and visitors can experience the paan's distinctiveness. A fusion of flavors like Banarasi paan alongside the expansive Williams Landing food menu reflects the evolution of global culinary trends.

A few establishments in Williams Landing have even begun incorporating paan-inspired flavors into their own dessert menus, offering fusion desserts that capture the essence of Banarasi paan. This incorporation of paan into desserts and drinks speaks to the universal appeal of the paan's unique flavors and the demand for new, exciting taste experiences.

The Future of Food and Fusion in Cultural Hubs

With food being a bridge between cultures, places like Williams Landing are becoming key to culinary fusion, welcoming diverse tastes and traditions into their dining scenes. The popularity of Banarasi paan in this setting exemplifies how unique cultural foods can thrive in new environments. By blending the traditional charm of paan with the dynamic flavors of the Williams Landing food menu, the dining culture in Williams Landing has become richer and more varied.

Moreover, the presence of cultural food centers like Banarasi Paan Centres in international communities fosters cross-cultural exchanges. Visitors learn about the cultural heritage behind each dish, creating an appreciation for the origins of their meals. In a world where traditional boundaries are becoming more fluid, places like these provide opportunities for people to experience authentic global flavors and form connections with diverse cultures.

A Culinary Journey Awaits

The rise of Banarasi Paan Centres and the varied Williams Landing food menu are excellent examples of how food can bring people together across cultural divides. With traditional foods like Banarasi paan being appreciated far beyond their origins, and the innovative twists found in Williams Landing, food lovers have a world of unique tastes at their fingertips.

Whether you are drawn to the tradition of Banarasi paan or are curious about the diverse offerings on the Williams Landing food menu, both provide an avenue to explore cultural heritage through taste. As food remains one of the most celebrated forms of cultural expression, destinations like these continue to broaden our understanding of the world, one flavorful bite at a time.

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DRAGON FRUIT LEMONADE – RAZ VAPE TN9000

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Flavor: Immerse yourself in the exotic with the Dragon Fruit Lemonade Raz TN9000. This unique blend marries the intriguing taste of dragon fruit with the zesty snap of fresh lemonade, creating a refreshingly delightful vape experience.

Introducing Dragon Fruit Lemonade – RAZ Vape TN9000, a tantalizing fusion of unique dragon fruit and zesty lemonade, offers a powerful and energetic vaping revel in.

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The particular dragon fruit flavor is complemented by the use of a tart and tart lemon zest base, which provides an lively twist to the vape. Zesty lemonade packs a burst of citrus goodness together, creating a surely ideal stability of candy and sour that tempts your taste buds.

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Which Flavors of Orion Vape Pods are Most Loved

When it comes to vaping, the choice of the flavor can make all the difference between an enjoyable, no matter the quality of the e-liquid itself. As the vape market keeps on growing, Orion proves to be a pod system preferred by vapers. However, the range of possibilities is unlimited, making it difficult to determine what are the most favored ones. In this guide we will be analysing the top flavors of Orion vape pods, that have put Orion on the map of successful vape pod brands. From fun fruity mixes to sinful luxuriousness, these flavors will satisfy your senses and convince you to return for more and more.

1. Orion's Mango Tango

Take the breath out of your boredom and find the paradise with Orion's Mango Tango pod. Oozing with the natural tangy-sweetness of ripe mangoes, this tropical flavor will surely take you back to the weather of summer if you are a vaper who just cannot get enough of it. Every inhalation of this vaporizer will bring you an addictive feeling of fresh tanginess that will make your taste buds dance and keep you wanting more. This is no secret: Mango Tango is one of those Orion flavors that keeps on being on the list of the best.

2. Orion's Blueberry Blast

Get carried away by sweet berry calamities with Orion's award-winning Blueberry Blast pod. This vape liquid comes in a form of ripe blueberries juice, and that's why it's irresistible for vapers who are keen on the sweetness of fresh fruits. It reminds of nature's freshness and give a blast of energy to us.

3. Orion's Lemon Zest

Vapers who look for a fresh and sour note shall choose only Orion's Lemon Zest vape pods. Enriched with the tone of lemons, this citrus hustle is undoubtedly a reviving escape for any time of day. Its lively and refreshing taste makes the Lemon Zest Orion flavors stand out from other varieties. It is, perhaps, one of the most sought-after of all Orion pods' flavors.

4. Orion's Strawberry Fields

Discover the difference with Strawberry Fields by Orion and the sweet serenity it provides. This vape juice is strawberry-heaven with its satiating flavor of ripe strawberries, which is a deliciously sweet bliss for the senses. Every breath, like a walk through a sunny strawberry field and notes of sweetness that remain on the palate, is a memory that lingers delightfully after a deep inhale and a long exhale. It's not surprising at all that this Strawberry Fields is a craved-for flavor on the market by vapers.

5. Orion's Minty Fresh

Vapers looking for a crisp and refreshing menthol hit will find Orion’s Minty Fresh vape pod right to the point. It is best to reach for this best vape juice with its refreshingly cool and crisp taste when you want to feel nice on warm and sunny summer days. Minty Fresh is either stand-alone or herbal flavor you can love with minty sensation that reanimates you and leaves you with that refreshing feeling.

Conclusion

Orion's vape pods provide a multitude of flavors that are of your choice, thus, they are ideal for all taste buds. If you're having a tropical vacation with your friends and family, then go for Mango Tango and if you're looking for something different from berries, you can try the Blueberry Blast. Shoot your taste buds at the VapeDisco, the place where you can find a new favorite taste today. com, where all products are tested and of highest quality, and buyers are always satisfied.

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The Enticing Range of Loon Vape Flavors

Loon vapes have gained significant popularity among vaping enthusiasts for their extensive variety of flavors. This guide explores the diverse flavor offerings from Loon, categorized into two main types: Loon salts and Loon disposable vape flavors. Both categories boast a range of enticing options that cater to different preferences and vaping experiences. Loon Salts Flavors Mint Crush is a refreshing escape in every puff. Infused with the essence of crushed mint leaves, this flavor is perfect for those who appreciate a clean, invigorating taste. Ideal for sunny days, Mint Crush offers a breath of fresh air, making it a favorite for spring and summer vibes. Iced Lush brings the taste of cool, watery watermelon on a bed of crushed ice. It's the perfect companion for summer evenings, offering a mild and refreshing flavor that hydrates and delights the senses. This flavor is a go-to for users looking to cool down and relax. Blue Lightening is a vibrant concoction of blueberries mixed with a tangy twist. It stands out not just for its bold flavor but also for the pleasant aroma it releases, creating a delightful atmosphere around its users. It’s a flavor that captures attention and amazes the crowd. Blue Razz Slushy locks in the sweet taste of blue raspberries in a frozen delight. This flavor is particularly popular among those who crave a sweet yet icy experience. It’s like enjoying a chilled fruit slush on a warm day, satisfying and full of flavor. Bowzer Berry is a fusion of summer's finest fruits—watermelon, strawberry, and kiwi. This blend offers a rich, multi-layered flavor profile that bursts with freshness with every puff. It’s particularly appealing during the warmer months, providing a refreshing fruit salad experience in vape form. Loon Disposable Vape Flavors Iced Pineapple Express combines tropical island pineapples with crushed ice to deliver a beachy freshness. This flavor transports users straight to the tropics, offering a sweet, chilled pineapple taste that’s both refreshing and invigorating. Frozen Grapes offers a cool, sour minty take on grapes. It's designed for those who enjoy a hint of tartness with their cool, delivering a unique flavor that satisfies the freshness cravings while providing a distinct taste experience. Gum Mint replicates the sensation of chewing mint gum. This flavor is all about refreshing your palate, offering a minty blast that freshens your mouth and invigorates your taste buds, making it perfect for an after-meal vape or a palate cleanser. Strawberry Watermelon combines the juicy, sweet flavors of two beloved summer fruits. This flavor brings a powerful burst of freshness, ideal for hot days or whenever you need a sweet, hydrating treat. It's like a drink of fruit juice in vape form. Creamy Frostbite takes the coolness of mint to another level by enhancing it with ice. This flavor offers a smooth, creamy mint experience that feels both luxurious and intensely refreshing. It’s perfect for those who love a cold snap in their vape. Frozen Mango is for tropical flavor enthusiasts, featuring the creamy, lush taste of mangoes mixed with the coolness of ice. This flavor delivers a rich, fruity experience that's both satisfying and refreshingly tropical. Berry Lemon Bubble Gum combines the tartness of blackberries and sour lemon with the sweet allure of bubble gum. This unique blend creates a complex flavor profile that is both playful and satisfying, perfect for vapers looking for something different. Bad Bull is designed to energize and empower. This flavor embodies the essence of strength and vigor, providing a mood boost with every inhale. It’s perfect for those moments when you need an instant pick-me-up. Iced Pineapple brings a tropical punch to the table, featuring a vibrant pineapple flavor chilled with ice. It’s a refreshing choice for those who love fruity, tropical tastes, offering a sweet and icy experience. Orange Fantasy is a dream come true for citrus lovers, blending the tangy flavor of orange with a hint of soda. This flavor is irresistibly refreshing, perfect for a sunny day or when you need a bright, zesty lift. Conclusion Loon vapes offer an extensive assortment of flavors that cater to a wide range of tastes, making them a popular choice among vaping enthusiasts. The collection includes both Loon salts and disposable vapes, each available in a variety of flavors. From the invigorating Mint Crush and the summery Iced Lush to the complex Berry Lemon Bubble Gum and the robust Bad Bull, each flavor is crafted to provide a unique vaping experience. Fruit flavors like Bowzer Berry mix summer favorites such as watermelon, strawberry, and kiwi, while exotic tastes like Frozen Mango bring tropical escapades to life. Traditionalists can enjoy the classic essence of tobacco, and those seeking a refreshing twist can opt for the myriad of icy options like Creamy Frostbite and Frozen Grapes. Each Loon vape flavor is designed to deliver a distinct sensory experience, ensuring that all users, regardless of their preferences, find something to enjoy. Read the full article

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Good taste in kimchi is a harmonious blend of tangy, spicy, and umami flavors, achieved through the meticulous fermentation of vegetables, primarily napa cabbage and Korean radishes, with a variety of seasonings including chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and scallions. High-quality kimchi possesses a crisp texture, a deep red hue, and a complex flavor profile that evolves over time, ranging from refreshingly crisp and mildly spicy when fresh to more intensely sour and pungent as it ages. The best kimchi is often judged by its balance of flavors, the fermentation technique used, and how well it complements other dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience with its unique taste and health benefits.