#lost in kathmandu

[fanartka]

...Sometimes I can draw like this

Huh, and my favorite one :^)

I love this scene, it's so pity it was deleted. Stephen is so kind and vulnerable there.

[thetruthwilloutsworld]

Instagram samheughan

PT 4

We hike along the main trekking trail in the Kumbu Valley. Stopping at several lodges, a real bed and warm fire are welcome after two weeks of tents at high altitude. Stray dogs, yaks and perhaps even a snow leopard keep us company. Memorial hill for climbers lost on Everest a sober reminder.

We climb Kala Pattar 18,500ft at sunset and watch the sun bath Everest and Nuptse in golden light. Headtorches guide us back to the warmth, beer, cards and bowls of steaming noodles. Gorak Shep and then finally Base Camp Everest. We scour the ice fall for ancient climbing equipment and unique stones.

Then, we catch a taxi, a helicopter down the valley past Syngboche village, sleep in a real bed and breakfast with views of Everest and the upper Kumbu Valley.

Returning to Kathmandu and the real world, what an adventure. Like a high altitude dream, did it even happen... I want to go back x

Posted 21 December 2024

Pictures 2/2

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

Of Magic, Miracles, and Moonlight

a Stephen Strange x OFC Romance

genre: pre-Infinity War, slow burn romance, older man/younger woman, teacher/student to friends to lovers characters: Stephen Strange, Wong, Teyla of Hadeeth (OFC), Moraine of Hadeeth (OC), additional OCs as Kamar-Taj staff rating: general audience to begin with, later chapters contain 18+ material

Ch.One | Ch.Two

Chapter Three

Normally, Masters conducted training in a variety of disciplines, in the main courtyard, or in the smaller open air spaces of the Kamar-Taj complex, regardless of the weather--for sorcerers-in-training required preparation enough to utilize their skills in unpredictable or adverse conditions.  Even during monsoon season, this policy was seldom suspended, with the occasional rare exception; and by long-standing tradition, outdoor sessions were canceled only at the discretion of The Ancient One.  Since her loss, such a situation had not yet arisen—so it was inevitable that such should fall in a week where Stephen was in residence there, far from his place as Master of the New York Sanctum.

From June through early September, Kathmandu saw rain daily, with intermittent evening thunderstorms.  Steven Strange felt every day of that rain as a heightened ache in nearly every joint of his hands.  He hadn’t needed to check Doppler radar online to know that a doozey of a storm was headed their way; he’d felt the drop in barometric pressure several hours in advance, and the damp in the air announced itself spectacularly in a persistent, bone-deep throb that did it’s best to distract him from every task he set himself to.  Adding insult to injury, his tremors had intensified to the point of equaling those of the beginning months of his recovery.  Meditation helped to some extent, but the discomfort remained a constant, like white noise in the background as he moved throughout his day.  He kept to himself most of the day, focusing in the later hours on preparing himself to meet with Teyla for their first “lesson”, scheduled after the evening meal.

The winds lashed the rain against his back, while he crossed a courtyard lit by the flash of lightning, the peal of thunder distant enough to inform him that the worst of the storm had finally passed overhead. 

She was waiting for him in the library, as they’d arranged, engrossed in a text he recognized from his own early studies, and scribbling notes in a hand that would rival the worst of any doctors’ that he’d known.     

Stephen cleared his throat to announce his arrival, but Teyla’s eyes remained cast upon the book in front of her.  “Come here often?” he quipped, vying for her attention, swiftly realizing she probably wouldn’t get the humor of that old, banal pick-up line.  He set his rucksack on the table, then took the seat opposite her.

She looked up with a start, then smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry, Doctor Strange—I got a little lost doing the translation here.”  She slid the book across the table to him.  “It’s the third passage down.  I can’t tell if it’s require or recommend.”

He read the passage through, recalling the difficulties for Novices, of translating Sanskrit on sight—made doubly hard, he reckoned, as she might need to translate it first to English, and then into Hadeethan.  “It’s ‘pay no heed to’,” he told her, pointing to several words proceeding it, “You need to look at it in context to get the true meaning.”  He slid the book back to her.

“Oh—of course!  Now it makes sense.” She crossed the incorrect word off her notes, than laid her pencil down, “Thank you, Doctor.  I have been stuck a while, trying to work it out.”

Strange reached into his rucksack and pulled his tablet out.  “I’ve found this indispensable for translating ancient languages—saves a helluva lot of time.”  He handed it to Teyla, who looked immediately perplexed by the device.  “I don’t suppose you’ve got one of these,” he asked.  She shook her head solemnly.  “Okayyyyy—well how about I leave this with you for the evening?  It’ll make the hours ahead much more productive for you.”

“That is very kind of you, Doctor Strange, although…well…I have no idea how this thing…”

“This tablet,” he told her.

“Oh. This…tablet.  I have no skill with such a tool.”  She offered it back to him.

“Well, this one isn’t difficult at all.  Let me run through its functions for you, and I’ll bet you’ll be breezing through it in no time.”

Stephen went over the basics, and then showed her how to access various websites pertinent to her studies, including a translation site that he had relied on to get him through his early training.  Once she got over her initial distrust of the technology as a sufficient aid for study, Teyla adapted readily, and proved to have a defter hand with it than he had anticipated

Next, he removed several books from his pack and set two of them in front of her. “Now, these texts provide an introduction to clairvoyance and divination.  I want you to take some time over the next couple of days, read them through.”  Teyla picked one up, and then the other, running her fingers across the titles embossed on the covers.  “I’ve bookmarked some sections that I think have a direct bearing on what we’re trying to accomplish here,” he told her, “And if you feel ready, I encourage you to try what exercises you find worth your efforts.”

“I will do my best,” she nodded, “Master Salma said I will be mapping unchartered territory.”  She looked down, quietly admitting, “I find it all…very…intimidating.”

“No one will be judging you, Teyla.”  She met his eyes at that, searching for assurances.  “I promise,” he added, “And if we’re lucky, Kamar-Taj will learn as much from you, and you from us.”

Relief dawned first in her eyes, and then spread softly across her face, “I must admit my mentors on Hadeeth were frustrated when they could not provide teaching enough for me to harness and refine my raw ability for divination.  I pray that your efforts to guide me will not be a waste of your valuable time.”

“No effort to teach is wasted when the student is sincere in their desire to learn,” he assured her, his voice low and persuasive, “And that is something I’ve learned as both a student and a teacher myself—and not just of the mystics arts.  My medical training was more than a decade long process.”

Strange pulled a plain, leather bound book and pen from the side pocket of his rucksack, “One of the simplest things you can do is keep a record of your dreams.  The texts advise you do so nightly—or at least as often as you are able to recall your dreams upon awakening.”  He slid the items across the table to her.  “Whatever details you can remember without concentrating too hard—otherwise your waking mind will try to add definition to things that don’t make sense…”

Teyla nodded, growing excited, “Why yes—immediately record the images and the events of my dreams.  How have I not thought of this myself!  To keep a…a dream…”

“…journal,” they finished together.  She grinned at him, “Your wisdom has already surpassed that of my Hadeethan teachers.”

He chuckled, “As much as I’d like to, I can’t take credit for the idea, Teyla; it’s a basic beginning in most of these texts.  Keep in mind, your best results will come from writing down your first thoughts, no matter how confusing or jumbled they may be.  Don’t give your mind a chance to filter or rearrange them in a search for meaning.”

“Yes, yes,” she murmured, “I understand…”

“And your feelings, Teyla.  How you felt throughout the dream—and how you feel upon awakening.  Even if you wake mid-dream, or in the middle of the night,” he stressed, “Write it down.  This should help us see patterns in your dreaming, and eventually enable you to distinguish normal dreams from the prophetic ones.”

And there it was:  that light in her eyes and upon her face that reminded him of the simple joy of having an avenue of learning open up before him.  As exacting as his medical studies had been, there had always been the deep satisfaction of just knowing he was on the path to knowledge meant for him.  And again as he began his studies at Kamar-Taj.  As a physician, Stephen had seen that light from time to time, in his best student interns—and had forgotten it could be equally satisfying to the teacher who invoked it in their charges.  From a task he’d initially dreaded, he was suddenly glad the situation had forced him to become Teyla’s mentor.

Pleased that he had actually given Teyla something concrete in the way of guidance, Stephen asked how she was faring in her other training.  Though she maintained that she would have no need for the physical defensive skills when she returned to Hadeeth, she admitted she was impressed watching the Masters of those disciplines at work—and that she felt every moment of her own workouts in the aching muscles that followed in the aftermath.

“Oh yes, they can hurt like hell the first week or so,” he laughed, “But I guarantee you’ll feel fitter than you have in your whole life by the end of the second.”   

Eventually, their conversation made its way back to the subject of her studies with Stephen.  “The texts I’ve read so far--I have to admit that they’ve left me curious, Teyla.  Would you mind telling me what it’s like?”

“The…the dreams?”  She seemed surprised he had asked so plainly.

“Yes.  How do they work, exactly?”

Her face scrunched and her eyes took on a faraway look as she considered how to answer.  “The dreams have always been with me, as…as far back as my memory goes.  As a child, I had no idea they were any different from the dreams of others—and so I found no need to speak of them aloud.”

Quietly, Stephen prompted her, “So when did you realize that they were different?”

Teyla’s voice and manner grew solemn as her recollection came to life.  “I was…hmmm…seven years of age.  Seven Earth years.  And I had dreamed a dream for three nights straight—of my closest friend, Meandra.  It was a simple dream, and I had no inclination to question it.”  She closed her eyes, enrapt in the pictures her mind created.  “Meandra slept beneath a midnight, moonlit sky.  Fast asleep; she lay upon a bed of moss beside a small creek.”  Her mouth drew into a small, fleeting smile.  “My child’s mind believed the dream arose from anticipation of a nature walk our teacher had promised to us.  I would never have guessed it was a dream of warning.”

“Teyla,” he murmured, “Whatever happened, I’m sure you shouldn’t have blamed yourself.”

She sighed and looked back to him.  “Child that I was, it could not be helped.  When Meandra wandered away from the group, nobody noticed until we prepared to leave the forest.  The adults searched well into the night, but found no sign of her.  We all feared that she was lost to us.”

Stephen remained silent, considering the weight of guilt she may have borne, and at so tender an age.  Seeing his concern, Teyla shook her head, “No, good Doctor, it was not a fatal loss—though if I had been less afraid, I might have ended everyone’s woes all the sooner.”  She shrugged, and cast her eyes away shamefully, “Through a bitter night, I struggled with my fear that a simple word of warning might have spared Meandra losing her way.  And even worse, I fretted that through my dreams, I had worked some sort of dark magic as I slept, which might have cost my friend her life.”

Compelled by sympathy, Stephen took her hand—gingerly, for the continuing discomfort in his own.  “You were just a girl; surely no one could expect more of you,” he reminded her, “I hope someone was wise enough to tell you so.”

“Indeed,” she nodded, “With the dawn, I sought my mother out, and revealed my dreadful secret.  She bid me wait but a little, so that she could give the searchers a description of where Meandra might be found—and when she returned to me, she gave me only love and comfort.”  Teyla’s pretty eyes were soft with that memory.  “Meandra was not too worse for wear, and was swiftly reunited with her family.  And after I had rested a while—still afraid to sleep, lest I might dream dreadfully—Mother explained the nature of my gift.  She called it a blessing, and told me it promised a noble destiny if I could learn to use it for the good of my people.”

Resisting the urge to tell Teyla that laying such a charge on a seven year old was extremely poor parenting, Stephen ventured a guess, “I suppose she feels you’ve come of age to fulfill that destiny?”    

“Even so,” she admitted, “But know, good Doctor, that this is my hope as well.”

“Of course,” he told her, “I would expect no less.”  Strange withdrew his hand from hers, beginning to gather up the few materials which he now judged too elementary for Teyla to find of use.  He winced as he lifted one of the heavier volumes, cursing under his breath as he lost his grip and it landed on the table; the thud echoed through the quiet of the library.

Teyla met his eyes for only seconds, but he read her clear understanding in that brief moment, before she looked to his hands.  There was no hiding the tremor in them, but he tried to make light of the moment; sighing with feigned exasperation, “I need to remember this sort of heavy reading requires both hands to be effective.”  His self-deprecation fell short of lightening the moment.

“It is the rain, is it not,” she asked cautiously, although Stephen was sure she knew the answer already.  Teyla’s eyes lingered once again upon his hands, as though committing the network of scars to memory.

“Yes,” he shrugged, downplaying the degree of his discomfort, “Nature’s little way of keeping me humble.”

“Yet the magic you have worked with them is already legend among the students here.”  She smiled at his surprise, “Did you not know?”

Stephen clucked his tongue, “Yeah…well…legends are usually half exaggeration anyway.  At least here on Earth.  You should take those stories with a grain of salt, Teyla.”

“As you wish, Doctor Strange—but their unstinting admiration of your deeds is genuine.”  Demurely, she cast her eyes away and added, “A true hero I have heard you called; one who single-handedly battled one of the darkest forces in the multi-verse.”

Stephen waved her praise off (the simple movement enough to set the joints in that hand throbbing again), “Honestly, Teyla—I only did what any Master here would do if faced with such a catastrophic threat.”

The tilt of her head and her sympathetic little smile spoke her response well enough, leaving Strange feeling a bit self-conscious.  Standing up to leave, he would have changed the subject, but that she asked after his hands again.  Irritated at her dogged attention to his private pain, he tried his best to answer impassively, “I appreciate your concern, Teyla of Hadeeth, but this is a topic I’d rather not discuss.”

“Forgive me please, Doctor Strange.  I would not, for all the world, bring you further pain in this regard.”  Teyla bit her lip, looking uncertain for several moments.  “Please, do not be angry—but as we have discussed my dreams—and as I am under your tutelage in this regard--there is something I must share with you.”  

Between the fresh flare of pain in both his hands—and Teyla’s seeming obsession with his wounds—Stephen’s patience was nearly frayed; he inhaled sharply, “What must you share, that cannot wait for another day?”

The young woman from another world blinked several times, her eyes misted over with unshed tears.  “It is only that…that…”

“Yes,” he asked through gritted teeth.

“I have dreamt of your hands, Doctor.  And not only since I arrived at Kamar-Taj.”  Visibly trembling, Teyla rose from her seat, to face him squarely across the cold distance between them, “I have dreamt your hands many times over, from the day I came to Earth to live with my father…and in the ten Earth years since.”

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buy me a coffee?☕

[the-kirbe-anon]

Hey, so it's a really long story But I've been drivin' all afternoon (I-i-i-i-i've) (Drivin', drivin', drivin', drivin') I've been drivin' all afternoon But I hate to say it, I won't be there soon And though I'm late, you know I just can't wait To come home to my slice of heaven on toast But my Grand Prix broke down without fail Another flat tire and another nail I miss your smile but this could take a while 'Cause this "Road Closed" sign says there's no way around No, first I felt kinda sad but I said out loud "You know, this isn't so bad?" Your photograph on my dash knows it's true It might take me forever, but I can't wait to see you I've been trudgin' since 2 AM On the side of this highway, 'cause back there when I patched that flat, I ran on fumes And that was a bad move 'cause yeah, I ran out of gas The heavens opened, the rain came down Now I'm soaked to the bone, but I'm homeward bound So I just don't care how much I have to bear 'Cause you'll be there when I walk in through the door So down this road I will run and only stop to buy you A bouquet for no reason Hey, it's kinda crazy what daisies can do It might take me forever, but I can't wait to see you Well hey, I'd say that the real question is Am I unavoidably detained Or extremely fashionably late? There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained It just really hasn't been my day But, I'm on my way Am I unavoidably detained Or just unbelievably, insanely, fashionably late? There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained It just really, truly, hasn't been my day But I'm on my way If I blew in by daybreak, I'd be in luck I'd hand you a coffee right when you woke up But my ETA just jumped to MIA And I'm so lost, my mind is startin' to stray Let's say I fly to Kathmandu To show the whole world I got a lot to prove But all I find is all these highways wind And lead back to my slice of heaven on toast Oh, would your heart kinda glow if I held your hand And I promised to stay home? Hey, when I blow in that's the first thing I'll do It might take me forever It might take me forever But I love you forever, and I can't wait to see you Yeah Woo, hey, I'd say that the real question is Am I unavoidably detained Or extremely fashionably late? There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained It just really, truly, hasn't been my day But, I'm on my way Am I unavoidably detained Or just unbelievably, insanely, fashionably late? There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained It just really, truly, hasn't been my day But, I'm on my way, yeah I've been drivin' all afternoon But I hate to say it, I won't be there soon

It was just starting to drizzle as I walked out the door

But I’ve delivered papers in the rain like that before

Three thirty in the morning, I was happy as a lark

As I grabbed my bike and rode into the dark

I pedaled through the neighborhood, the weather on my mind

The wind was picking up and howling louder all the time

The sky churned like a cauldron and the distant thunder roared

And I knew that I was in for quite a storm

A little rain never hurt no one so I kept pressing on

And I tried to tell myself, it’s always darkest before the dawn

Lightning struck an oak tree as I leapt off my bike

The sirens started wailing but there was no good place to hide 

I knew without a doubt, there was a twister touching down

So I crawled into a culvert to wait it out

The little bit of courage I had left was almost gone

But I tried to tell myself, it’s always darkest before the dawn

And then the nightmare started, it got deafeningly loud

Everything fiber in me screamed out but I couldn’t make a sound

The whirling of a vortex, a violent carousel

It sounded like a freight train was dragging me to hell

And this was my prayer, “save me from this terrible nightmare” 

That was when I saw my family with my eyes shut real tight

Would they know how much I loved them if this was how I died?

No, I vowed I’d not be murdered by a monster in the sky that night

But if I went home to heaven, at least that’s where I'd belong

Yeah I tried to tell myself, it’s always darkest before the dawn

So I kept hanging on

I kept hanging on

The shadows slowly melted as I was hunkered down

Till at last the worst was over, the storm was dying out

I crept out of that culvert and I went weak in the knees

Cuz what I saw was a somber sight to see

There was nothing but destruction and wreckage in that town

Cars were upside down and houses leveled to the ground

A twisted trampoline was hanging from the power lines

I blinked a tear back cuz I felt lucky to be alive

And that was how I learned to live when you can run but you can’t hide

How to feel trapped in a tunnel but come out the other side

Cuz with all the stormy weather in the world, you learn to take

Life one storm at a time, you don’t have to be afraid

And now when there’s bad weather on the way, I stay calm

And I keep hanging on because it’s always darkest before the dawn

And I keep hanging on

I keep hanging on

[romerona]

Chapter 10: The bazaar.

-In which the daughter of the Lord of Darkness who was born with the sole purpose of destroying the universe falls in love with Peter Parker.-

Masterlist.

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

It was the end of Sharad and the start of Shishir, the coldest months of the year, well at least in Nepal, where the usual high temperature turns chillier, but at the moment Carina's robes were enough to cover her from the changing winds as she walks the streets of Kathmandu with Stephen Strange, who naturally likes to doubt Carina's sense of direction and knowledge.

"Are you sure we're not going to get lost?" He asked for the fifth time since they had left the sanctum.

Suppressing an eye roll, Carina yawned tiredly while nodding her head, again. "I've walked these streets my entire life, Stephen, have some trust."

"I'm just being cautious, I just happen to know some people around here are not the nicest." He told her, eyes observing the streets.

"Stephen, there are bad apples everywhere in the world," Carina said, as she stopped to give a praying old woman an apple and a few coins. "But we must not be afraid, instead we should have courage and be kind."

"Who told you that one? Let me guess, The Ancient One?"

Carina shook her head, grinning up at him. "Nope, Cinderella."

"... Right," Stephen scoffs a laugh.

Thankfully, they arrived quickly and without trouble at Asan, the historic bazaar, where you can buy anything from spices to textiles, bullions, electronics and food items. The market colours were vivid and bright, which was always enticing for Carina no matter how many times she walked about the same streets.

Stephen and Carina walk past a variety of merchandise and a diverse range of products through the mass of people, a familiar woman, Chaha, caught her eye, she's the one Carina usually goes to buy her paintings, but before she turns to Stephen whose eyes were roaming around the colourful streets.

"Okay, there's a place just down the street to buy your razor, and anything else if you need," She informed him, pointing at the one store on the kiosk. "Just tell him you're from the Kamar-Taj when you get everything you need."

Stephen nods, glancing at the little store before looking down at her. "Where are you going to be?"

"Just buying a few paintings, don't worry you'll be fine, I won't be gone long." She teased him before a yawn broke out of her making her cover her mouth.

"Alright, I'm leaving." Stephen rolled his eyes, before beginning to walk away without another word leaving Carina to walk towards the shop of paintings.

"Namaste, Chaha-ji," Carina greeted the woman with a smile who smiled back. "तपाईंलाईकस्तोछ?"

"म ठिक छु, तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?" She said, greeting her back

Carina nodded. "म ठिक छु, I'm here to buy more paintings."

"Of course, what colours you want today?" said the woman, "I have new colours, see..."

Chaha showed her plenty of 'new colours', which were the same old colour but more pigmented, Carina ended up buying the same pallet of colours as always, a new brush and a brand new sketchbook, which was much needed.

She bid the woman goodbye before going to search for Stephen, smiling at a few people she knew from her previous visit here and there.

"I'm telling you, I'm with the Kamar-Taj." Carina heard him before she arrived. Stephen was annoyed.

"No, no you pay." said the owner of the shop.

Stephen sighs. "You're not listening to me– "

"शुभ - प्रभात," Carina entered the shop, Stephen did look indeed annoyed but a quick relief passed through his eyes when he saw her. "यो मान्छे मालिकहरूको भाग हो, उसले तपाईंलाई तिर्नु पर्दैन, सर."

The man made a noise in the back of his throat, "मैले उसलाई पहिले वरिपरि देखेको छैन."

"ऊ नयाँ छ, अब मलाई रेजर दिनुहोस्," She nudges her head at the things on the counter with a tight smile.

He sighs taking a plastic Bach from under the table and placing the stuff inside it. The man gave Stephen the plastic bag with a curious look, who took it with narrow eyes. "Thank you."

"धन्यवाद." Carina repeated, before leaving the store with Stephen following her.

"Talk about stubborn." Stephen rolled his eyes, huffing. "I told him five times that I was part of the students,"

"He said he hadn't seen you before, he was just cautious," Carina told him,

"How many people does he get wearing old robes and telling him they're from the sanctum?" He scoffs, a sarcastic end to his words.

Carina shrugged, "It's not a secret the temple pays a few stores for the exchange of goods, some people take advantage of that, not to mention that beard of yours didn't help."

"Funny." He deadpanned,  "And what was I supposed to do? Show him my certificate of the sanctum or something?"

"It's neither of your faults, but now he will remember your face if you ever go back..."

Carina's eyes travel through the shops, lighting when she smelled the familiar scent.

"That'll be a hard pass–"

She grabbed Stephen's sleeve and pushed through the crowd, avoiding a few bikes on the way ignoring the man's protest and questioning.

"This is the best Chana Chatpate, and you are going to try it," Carina said, doing a short line to buy two portions.

Stephen sighs in defeat and nods. "You could have just said you wanted to come here instead of dragging me all the way."

Carina yawned, rolling her eyes. "Stop complaining, I'm hungry."

There were another two people on the line when her eyes caught the pretties pink bag she had ever seen. She turns to Stephen muttering a quick. "Stay here, I'll be back soon."

Without waiting for his response, she made a beeline to the store, which was showcasing soft silks, pretty bangles, woollen garments, artefacts and a few other things, the list is truly endless. The shop was not part of the list the sanctum paid to, meaning she needed to use her emergency money.

She approached the owner and asked. "यो झोला कति हो?" Pointing at the pink flowery bag.

The man told her the total, adding that it was a good quality bag, and that it was fashionable for young girls. Carina doubt it was, as it looked quite old, but she liked it nonetheless. It was a bit pricey but she could get it if she abstain from buying her chatpate, which she had to pay for as street food was also not on the list.

Other than the paintings, Carina never buys anything for herself, when she visits with the ancient one it was usually a quick visit as the woman was a busy person, and when she comes with Wong, he's usually telling her that 'attachment from the material is detachment from the spiritual, so she doesn't even look at anything else, but now, she's with Stephen who she was sure couldn't care less if she does buy it or not.

"ठिकै छ."  She told the man, giving him the money.

When she had a hold of the pink bag, she felt a rush of excitement, a giddy feeling. It was definitely worth it, buying something for herself was so gratifying, that even her hunger went away.

Skipping back to where Stephen was making line, she got there just in time as the last person left with their food. She motions the worker for just one portion before paying, using the last of her emergency rupees.

"What about you?" Asked Stephen, once the worker gave him the food wrapped on a page of the newspaper.

Carina grinned and showed him her new pink bag, "It was this bag or food, and I felt it would feed me more if I bought the bag."

"That's an unhealthy logic," Stephen mumbled not looking impressed by her choice.

Carina brushes her fingers over the bag. "It's the first purchase I ever made for myself, Stephen, ever."

"Alright, alright." He hold his free hand up as they moved through the streets. "Good for you, then." 

"It's so pretty, isn't it?"

Stephen regarded the bag, "I supposed, not my favorite color thought."

"Well, It's my favourite colour."

"And that's what's important," Stephen said before looking down at his chatpate. "Now how do I eat this?"

Carina giggles, pointing at the small chopped cardboard, "With that,"

"That's not hygienic," Stephen said, making a face.

"Try it," Carina rolled her eyes.

Hesitantly, Stephen grabbed the rectangular cardboard, scooped some chatpate on it and shoved it into his mouth. Carina watches expectantly as he chews it, face not giving anything away.

"So?" She asks when he swallows.

He looked at her and grinned softly, nodding his head. "It's pretty good."

"I told you so," She laughs triumphantly, pushing him slightly. "Never doubt me, Strange."

"Hard not to but I'll try."

As they were walking back to the temple, Carina yawned once again, making Stephen turn to her. "Did you not sleep last night?."

"I... it was just a bad night." She told him, avoiding his eyes, taking her necklace in her hand.

"Are you sure?" He asks, eyes narrowing as he places a hand on her forehead. "You look a little sick, are you coming down with something?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired that's all " She rolled her eyes, pushing his hand away.

"Okay, fine," Stephen said, turning back to his food. "You want the rest? I'm full."

Carina nodded happily, taking the paper cone from him. "Thank you."

She was glad Stephen dropped the subject because in a way she was telling the truth but in a way she was also lying, it was a bad night of sleep but not just that. It started with soft murmurs, soft undecipherable whispers that woke her up at night, Carina just wrote it off as a figment of her imagination, a short-lived nightmare, maybe she's finally experiencing PTSD  after that night with the Zealots, they come every night and leave every morning. It was tiring but she'll rather keep it to herself, she'll only be a burden.

"So, there's a full moon party in a few nights, you should go," Carina said, not wanting to start thinking about the whispers. "You know, after you shave."

Stephen glanced at her, ignoring her last comment. "What's that?"

"A party we throw every other month to celebrate the completion, fertility, abundance, and transformation that the full moon brings, but in reality is just an excuse for the adults to abuse of all the Ale that the Kamar-Taj has stored and for the kids to eat all the sweets on the dessert table." She shrugged, taking a bite of the chatpate.

"I might make an appearance, do you often go to those parties?" He asked.

Carina nodded. "They always project a movie for the kids, this month is Atlantis: the lost empire, and I happen to like Disney movies."

"Yeah, I've noticed," Stephen told her, before scoffing and glancing down at her amusingly. "And who says Ale, anymore?"

"I do, it's more sophisticated."

"More like prehistoric."

A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter. Please, tell me if you want to get tagged.

[abeyyabhishekh]

"Am I 10, or 12, or 22 (the sum)?"- I guessed standing in front of the mirror, while everyone was asleep. My eyes were itchy and red. It was the 3rd night i hadn't slept in a row. I stayed awake for long enough, i began to see things outside reality and began to go insane bit by bit. First, my senses refused to collaborate, then I had difficulty recalling things. I became a confused, indecisive creature that walks on earth. I lost track of time. I didn't just become illusioned, i became the very illusion myself. Suddenly volunteering for the grand magic trick done by God himself.

Then i slept, for a very brief period, like 1/3rd of a minute. I didn't remember falling asleep either. I just remembered waking up in the middle of Fluid class. Did I just nod off? I asked Adesh, then told myself to have a nap or, i stroll back home, but what I did was studied the whole period with my red itchy sleepy eyes. I waited for the night, then for the morning. Everything was going in a loop, even the issue of lack of sleep itself. I was downhearted because I couldn't sleep, i couldn't sleep because I was downhearted. "Isn't it a paradox?"- I asked myself. "Ofcourse yes, Everything is a paradox. A recurring pair of events. A program."- I answered myself.

"Insufficient sleep can increase your chance for dementia in the future" the healthcare column of 'The Kathmandu Post' i follow say. I read, then closed the browser, drank a glass of water. I had heard that an average human sleeps for 1/3rd of his life. I had also heard, How 1/3rd of our life is wasted before we can finally think for ourselves. How little time is left to accomplish. It is only in what remains that we do so much; finish study, obtain a degree, work our ass off, contribute to society, make friends, fall in love, marry, travel, find ourselves, lose ourselves, come to terms with god, see sunsets, form opinions, experience the true 'wakefulness'.

Yet when i look around, what i see is a monotonous cycle of continuous events with no intervention. It makes me ponder death. I think of "what i would have to look back on in the past, when I'm in the future myself? What will be there to reflect upon, when at last, death will arrive?" My eyes will dilate, my jaw wide open – not in fear but in awe. What after? I wonder.

Well, sleep. Sleep well.

There was a knock on the door. Bhai had knocked the door to wake me up. The sun had risen. I walked to washroom.

"Am I 10 or 12, or twenty 22 (the sum) ?"- I guessed standing in front of the mirror, while (not) everyone was in sleep. My eyes were still itchy and red. 3rd night in a row I hadn't slept.

Without thinking of anything more, I washed my face and left for 'Fluid' class.

[chrissorensen]

So sad to hear about the plane crash in Nepal yesterday. I flew this exact route from Kathmandu to Pokhara on Yeti Air when I was there shooting for an NGO in 2014. Nepal can be a risky place to fly within the country with the mountains and weather, but an amazing, beautiful place with wonderful people. Some pix from Kathmandu and Pokhara from that trip. Thoughts with the families and friends who lost loved ones. . #nepal #kathmandu #pokhara #fuji #fujix #fujifeed #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_us #travelphotography #travelphotographer #travelbug #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #instatravel #wanderlust #roamtheplanet #bestplacetogo #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #mytinyatlas #travelgram #suitcasetravels #travelholic #traveler #aroundtheworld #globetrotter https://www.instagram.com/p/Cne_HcTO6x0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[trendingnews19]

Kathmandu, The tradition of musical chairs continued in Nepal politics in 2024. Coalition equations changed yet again with a dispensation perceived as pro-China coming to power, a development India viewed with caution. Nepal 2024: Politicians play musical chairs, new PM does balancing act between India and China K P Sharma Oli, 72, became prime minister for the fourth time to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability to the Himalayan nation. In July, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', 69, lost a trust vote as Oli's Communist Party of Nepal withdrew support to his government after inking a new power-sharing deal with the largest party in the House led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. Under their deal, Oli will hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Deuba after 20 months. The year began with a visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal in January, and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba visited India as the year came to a close. Rana also visited earlier in August, a week after India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri came to Nepal to discuss cooperation in sectors like trade, tourism, connectivity, water resources, energy, disaster management, agriculture and defence. During his visit, Jaishankar announced that India will provide ₹10 billion, equivalent to USD 75 million, in grants for reconstruction work at earthquake-hit sites in Nepal. India also continued to fund infrastructure projects in health and education under the High Impact Community Development Projects agreement in remote areas. Endowed with several Himalayan rivers, Nepal reached an agreement with India to export 10,000 MW of electricity in the next 10 years. In October, Nepal, India and Bangladesh also signed a tripartite agreement for exporting electricity to Bangladesh through Indian transmission lines. Four years after it unveiled a controversial map that showed Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani territories within its own boundaries, Kathmandu announced that a new ₹100 currency note will feature the changes. India has already termed the revision of the Nepal map as ‘untenable’. Ironically, a Chinese company has been awarded the contract to print the new notes. China and Nepal reopened their traditional border trade points in May, two months after then deputy prime minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha visited Tibet and urged Beijing to do so. Oli has insisted that Nepal maintains friendly relations with both India and China in a “balanced” manner, and said that occasional problems between neighbours are “natural” and can be resolved through an “open dialogue.” He broke with the usual practice of Nepal PMs making India their first destination in the neighbourhood after assuming charge, and embarked on a China visit in December. The only exception to this practice over the decades has been Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in 2008. During Oli's visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a 500 million RMB grant to Nepal and pledged efforts to advance their strategic partnership. Nepal and China signed 10 agreements, including the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation framework. Nepal has been part of the China-promoted mega connectivity effort since 2017 but no project has actually been implemented yet. India is wary of the BRI, often seen as a device to further China’s global influence with investments to build infrastructure. The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 was also celebrated in Nepal’s Janakpur, believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita. The year was no exception to Nepal's staple of Himalayan problems – floods and earthquakes. Floods and landslides created havoc in September, killing more than 241 across the country, including 56 in the Kathmandu district. Nepal suffered an estimated loss of 17 billion Nepalese rupees. Mount Everest continued to draw global attention with 291 foreigners and 473 Nepalese, including Sherpas, making it to the 8,849-metre peak. Nepal’s veteran mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa, 55, created history in May by scaling the world’s highest peak for the 30th time. Purnima Shrestha became the first person to summit Everest three times in a single climbing season while yet another Nepalese, Phunjo Lama, became the fastest, climbing it in 14 hours 31 minutes. The rush to climb Everest generates its own set of problems for the fragile region. The army held a two month campaign to remove 11,000 kilos of waste from the area. It also brought down five bodies of climbers who had died on the mountain’s slopes. Nepal is setting itself up as an LGBTQ-friendly destination, and has held events promoting “Pink Tourism.” This is after Anju Devi Shrestha, 33, and Suprita Gurung, 33, became the first lesbian Nepalese couple to get their marriage registered at a local municipality. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

[buzz-london]

THE LIVING GODDESS OF NEPAL: girl possessed by a deity who can't touch the ground

In Nepal there is a millenary tradition that venerates a living goddess, a little girl called: Kumari. It is practically impossible to become one: the chosen one must be a virgin child who has never bled in her life, who has never lost a single milk tooth and must respect 32 auspicious traits. 

However, the life of a Kumari is not easy at all. She will no longer be able to touch the ground with her feet, nor leave the house except for special celebrations until her first menstrual cycle, when the spirit of the Goddess Durga will leave her body to choose another girl. I flew to Kathmandu to meet her and tell you this incredible story. Good vision!

[fanartka]

Imagine that the Ancient One really kicked Strange out of Kamar-taj, maybe for a couple of months, to test his sense of purpose, maybe forever, looking through her doubles into other worlds of the Multiverse, where the Stranges destroyed their universes... Without money, without hope, he was trying to survive, lost on the streets of Kathmandu. And only one faithful friend warmed him on cold nights and protected him from attackers.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

We hike along the main trekking trail in the Kumbu Valley. Stopping at several lodges, a real bed and warm fire are welcome after two weeks of tents at high altitude. Stray dogs, yaks and perhaps even a snow leopard keep us company. Memorial hill for climbers lost on Everest a sober reminder.

We climb Kala Pattar 18,500ft at sunset and watch the sun bath Everest and Nuptse in golden light.

Headtorches guide us back to the warmth, beer, cards and bowls of steaming noodles. Gorak Shep and then finally Base Camp Everest. We scour the ice fall for ancient climbing equipment and unique stones.

Then, we catch a taxi, a helicopter down the valley past Syngboche village, sleep in a real bed and breakfast with views of Everest and the upper Kumbu Valley.

Returning to Kathmandu and the real world, what an adventure. Like a high altitude dream, did it even happen... I want to go back x samheughan PT 4

@samheughan PT 4

BTW, I knew you would pass by Syangboche for views of Everest, enjoy a tasty breakfast, and look out at the beautiful Mount Everest 🗻 A perfect combination of adventure and luxury before returning by taxi 🚁 to Kathmandu and ending the journey.

If you want back one day, you must take altitude much more seriously. Acclimatise takes longer than you expect. There is little you can do to acclimatise at lower altitudes before arriving in the Everest region, and you have demonstrated it in this trek to the EBC 🥾

Posted 21st December 2024

[thetruthwilloutsworld]

Instagram samheughan

PT 4

We hike along the main trekking trail in the Kumbu Valley. Stopping at several lodges, a real bed and warm fire are welcome after two weeks of tents at high altitude. Stray dogs, yaks and perhaps even a snow leopard keep us company. Memorial hill for climbers lost on Everest a sober reminder.

We climb Kala Pattar 18,500ft at sunset and watch the sun bath Everest and Nuptse in golden light. Headtorches guide us back to the warmth, beer, cards and bowls of steaming noodles. Gorak Shep and then finally Base Camp Everest. We scour the ice fall for ancient climbing equipment and unique stones.

Then, we catch a taxi, a helicopter down the valley past Syngboche village, sleep in a real bed and breakfast with views of Everest and the upper Kumbu Valley.

Returning to Kathmandu and the real world, what an adventure. Like a high altitude dream, did it even happen... I want to go back x

Posted 21 December 2024

Pictures 1/2

[nepalniceties]

650 Nepali Passport Applications Collected in Malta, Over 10 Million Revenue Generated

A mobile camp organized by the Department of Passports, Kathmandu, and the Nepali Embassy in Spain has successfully processed 650 e-passport applications in Malta. The camp, held over five days, aimed to provide essential services to Nepalis residing in Malta, including passport renewals, replacements for lost or damaged passports, and new passports for children born in Malta. The camp primarily…

[longpahern]

Meditation and the Monkey Mind?

Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, bad, and insulting. This is a pity, as the point is lost, the ego is consisted of, and a natural human defense boosts. We are anticipated to be the "king of the primates," aren't we? The exceptionally actually extremely very first time I heard the expression, "monkey mind," in regard to meditation, I thought about Swayambhunath Stupa, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Normally, this is called, the "monkey temple," and it made me laugh within, as monkeys need assistance in human settings. The image of without support monkeys entered my head, and I was decreasing laughter throughout a substantial conversation. Monkeys can be problems, when made it possible for to walk without some support, and it is the precise exceptionally precise very same with the unskilled mind that varies from based upon subject, without getting much attained. Please do not waste time being outraged by the term, and effort to take a look at the amusing side. When you allow yourself to enjoy life, and effort not to take anything too seriously, you can see that monkeys do not have it so bad. Really regularly, the human mind invests serious time safeguarding, worrying, posturing, impacting, fearing, and experience embarrassed, to get a kick out of life to its optimum capability. You are not your mind. You are liable for your actions, nevertheless various things occur in the concept treatment before you toss down the onslaught. Whether the experience is, excellent or bad, you process it into action, or treat it as a brief lived concept that passes and may be forgotten. If you have a fast lived wicked concept and it passes - should you waste time experience guilty about it? Mankind has the ability to impact deep place, and establish numerous facts, however separating what is spiritual, from what is wicked, has in fact been an issue for numerous years. The disconnection from your inner self, nature, and God, has actually in truth triggered severe confusion. Thank God for meditation; it allows you to harness the power of the mind, settle, and focus, on one subject at a time. If you take the time for a daily meditation practice, your decision-making treatment will be much more clear and managed. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with a lot more regard, thankfulness, and a bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, unfavorable, and insulting. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with a lot more regard, thankfulness, and a bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, bad, and insulting. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with a lot more regard, appreciation, and a little bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, unwanted, and insulting. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with even more regard, thankfulness, and a bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, bad, and insulting. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with a lot more regard, appreciation, and a bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, bad, and insulting. Conclusion result will be to take an appearance at the monkey with a lot more regard, appreciation, and a little bit of humor. Some find the term, "monkey mind", troubling, bad, and insulting. Thank God for meditation; it allows you to harness the power of the mind, settle, and focus, on one subject at a time. Conclusion result will be to have a look at the monkey with a lot more regard, appreciation, and a bit of humor.

https://click4information.com/lifestyle/meditation-and-the-monkey-mind-5/

[todayworldnews2k21]

India Crash Out Of SAFF Women's Championship After Losing To Nepal In Semi-Final | Football News

India crashed out of the SAFF Women’s Championship as they lost to Nepal 2-4 in penalty shootout in the semifinal match marred by utter confusion after the home side held up play for more than one hour in protest against a decision of the referee in Kathmandu on Sunday. Nepal will play Bangladesh in the final. In the first semifinal, Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 7-1. Played in front of a packed…

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Image Souce: AIFF   -AIFF Media Team KATHMANDU, NEPAL: India took their appointed place in the semi-finals of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 alright, but failed to solve the Bangladesh riddle again as they went down to their neighbours from the eastern borders 1-3 at the Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. All the goals came in the first half. Though India had ensured a place in the last four even before the start of the match, the defeat reduced them to the runners-up spot in Group A with three points in their kitty. Bangladesh, who struggled during their 1-1 draw against Pakistan, ended with four points. A half an hour of midfield domination by Bangladesh initially proved the source of trouble for India as Afeida Khandaker (18’) and Player of the Match Tohura Khatun (29’) scored to put the defending champions on the saddle with a 2-0 lead. Khatun struck another in the 42nd minute to widen the lead before skipper Bala Devi reduced the margin with a deft header after Dalima Chhibber sent the cross from the right. This was the 12th time the two teams met in the international arena. The result came in India’s favour on nine occasions and once it was drawn, but the two defeats came in back-to-back matches now. In 2022, India lost to Bangladesh in the group stage before surrendering their crown of five-time champions in the semi-finals. There was no reason to believe it was a one-sided contest on Wednesday, whatever the scoreline suggests. India woke up well after conceding two goals and made attacks that could have fetched goals. A cross from Ranjana Chanu from the left in the 35th minute had a goal written all over it, but Bala Devi’s shot from close was blocked by an advancing Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma. The Bangladesh custodian came to her team’s rescue once again in the second half when substitute Jyoti barged in to take a strong shot. Rupna was not to be beaten, this time, too. Jyoti was in the thick of things a few minutes later again. This time substitute Rimpa Haldar, who made her debut, was the provider, but Jyoti was a trifle late in reaching the ball. All said and done, the match was won and lost in the first 30 minutes when Bangladesh picked up two goals to take charge of the situation. In between, India suffered a setback when midfielder Anju Tamang had to make way for Aruna Bag because of an injury in the 27th minute. It severely dented the Blue Tigresses’ attacking options. All of India’s troubles were generated by dipping crosses in the box. The first goal was off a corner and Afeida Khandaker lobbed it past Panthoi Chanu. India conceded the second goal when a hopeful lob from the left saw Khatun rushing in to take advantage of the situation. Her second strike, however, was a pile-driver from just outside the box. India 1 (Bala Devi 44’) lost to Bangladesh 3 (Afeida Khandaker 18’, Tohura Khatun 29’, 42’) India: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (GK); Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Juli Kishan, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi (Soumya Guguloth, 80’), Dalima Chhibber (Rimpa Haldar 52’); Sanju, Sangita Basfore (Linthoiingambi Devi Maibam 80’), Anju Tamang (Aruna Bag 27’), Grace Dangmei; Ngangom Bala Devi (C) (Jyoti, 52’), Manisha. The post India go down to Bangladesh to finish runners-up in Group A appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link