#lucy island icons

[slashericons]

Megan — Fear Island (2009)

[lemotmo]

I tried to copy it but for some reason it won't copy and I need someone else to know. Ali answered an ask comparing Taylor and Tommy and mentioned all the similarities but pointed out something I had not even realized. They both kissed Buck over an Islands in the Stream cover from Madney and then Jennifer (it was worded better but younger what I'm saying 🤣). Those relationships really are mirrors of one another. What are your thoughts on the Taylor/Tommy comparisons? I'm so curious to hear yours now as well!

Ah really? So sad that it didn't copy. But I'm sure you got the gist of it.

That's an interesting comparison indeed. I knew about this one actually.

When Jennifer sang that song during the wedding scene I immediately noticed how a part of the lyrics matched with Eddie and Chris and it just fit them so well. I forgot what the specific lyrics were, but I remember thinking that this couldn't be a coincidence.

Then later I read about the Taylor & Tommy connection and I was even more convinced that this wasn't a coincidence.

Here we have the iconic Madney singing their song as friends, when it was obvious that they were crazy about each other. Then in season 7, we have the iconic Jennifer singing their song for their wedding. Talk about an epic love story. 😍

Both Taylor and Tommy were 'surprises' for Buck. He didn't set out to have a relationship with either of them. He just kinda fell into something with both of them.

With Taylor it remained 'casual' for a very long time until it grew a bit more serious when Eddie had been shot. Buck wasn't in a great headspace back then, worried about Eddie and traumatised because of the fact that he saw him get shot in front of him. So Buck was in a fragile state when Taylor came to his apartment, kissed him and they started something. Basically, Buck fell into a relationship and who was in the middle of it? Eddie.

Sound familiar?

It should, because seasons later in season 7, we get the same scenario. Once again Eddie got hurt, but this time he was the one to do the 'hurting'. Why? Because he was jealous of Eddie spending all of his time with his new friend Tommy. So he lashed out in frustration and hurt Eddie. Once again, Buck was in a fragile state over him hurting his friend, unsure if Eddie even wanted to talk to him. And who shows up? That's right. Tommy. The man came to his apartment, seemed very surprised that Buck had been after his attention, kissed him and they started something. Once again, Buck fell into a relationship and who was in the middle of it? Eddie.

So yeah, the parallels are definitely there. We all know how Bucktaylor ended right? Buck kissed Lucy, asked Taylor to move in with him out of some misplaced sense of guilt, told her about Lucy and then proceeded to break up with her after some time because he realised she wasn't what he needed.

Following that pattern...

Lucy isn't there to kiss anymore, so who could possibly come in between BT this time? That's right: Eddie. Now, I don't think they'll take it as far as kissing this time. Buck will most probably come to some realisations about his feelings for Eddie and then proceed to break up with Tommy, because he will realise that Tommy isn't what he really needs.

So yeah, that's my take on this Nonny. I hope it makes some sense to you. I'm not delusional enough to ever think that my answers will ever be as eloquent as Ali's. But I always try to do my very best.😋

[earlycuntsets]

pt. 2

parts (1, 3, 4)

earlycuntsets.org sourced - where I got all my mcr pictures

first of a series. due to tumblr limits on how many links you can post. this full idea will be continued on future posts. here is 2007-2010. this is pictures. will make a separate post for youtube/recordings.

been needing to fully source my website so here we go! wanted to share with other kool mcr fans.

old fansites/website appearances:

08/11/2007 tampa fl - ishotyourband.com

11/13/2007 sheffield england - blackvelvetmagazine.com

04/02/2008 san jose ca - cluelessdoll18

11/30/2010 - iheardradio

12/05/2010 tampa bay - 97x

12/12/2010 91x rex the halls san diego hollywood icon magazine

flickrs:

07/28/2007 san bernadino ca - joey malone & scarlet lark

07/29/2007 mountain view ca - lex

07/31/2007 kevin and beans breakfast hollywood ca - alex rausch

08/03/2007 san antonia tx - diana

08/04/2007 dallas tx - kenneth smith

08/07/2007 charlotte nc - brittany davis

08/11/2007 tampa fl - tracie stockwell, melissa turner, matt downham

08/15/2007 long island ny - maria newman, miles tsang, paul sherwood, carrie musgrave

08/17/2007 blossom music center cuyahoga falls oh - rachael barbash

08/19/2007 bristol va - kyle gustafson

08/21/2007 toronto ca - taylor christina

08/22/2007 detroit michigan - dominique canning

08/24/2007 mansfield boston - dan gonyea, allmyoxygen, ashleyspotlightrocks

08/25/2007 camden nj - steve trager, cary liao

08/31/2007 noblesville in - eatthislight

09/01/2007 tinley park il - april a taylor

09/03/2007 denver co - liz sawyer

11/03/2007 milano italy - fabrizio galeone & luca fill

11/15/2007 london uk - emma webb

11/30/2007 sydney australia - kate walton

12/09/2007 kuala lumpur malaysia - jin lim

12/11/2007 singapore - phook afg

1/27/2008 taipei, taiwan - jo

2/15/2008 rio de janeiro - charline messa

2/18/2008 sao paolo brazil - 115th dream, alexandra m, mariel g.m., fernanda, alfredoow

2/24/2008 santiago chile - sisforstph, felipebored, francisca

2/27/2008 caracas venezuela - natalia feliu, alxgt

03/30/2008 las vegas nv - sarah dope

04/08/2008 portland oregon - ciera walters

04/12/2008 mexico city - tony francois

04/17/2008 chicago il - sarah

04/27/2008 frisco tx - kenneth smith

05/09/2008 nyc ny - maura

08/01/2009 the roxy hollywood ca - jessxrevenge, lex, daniel rodriguez

10/23/2010 london uk - alessia cifali, justine trickett, lucy roth, justin ng, sarah tye, solange moreira-yeoell, emma webb, immy

10/24/2010 manchester uk - emilyisabelle, hayley johnson, sinead granger, frankie cooksie, paul

10/25/2010 edinburgh uk - emilyisabelle, hannah drake

10/30/2010 amsterdam - samantha, kimviciousphotography, stacey van shaik

10/31/2010 london uk - rikdom

11/01/2010 paris france - manuela, apoline mariotti, jem

11/11/2010 mcr in session for bbc radio maida vale - rhodri jones

11/22/2010 los angeles ca - andi tedesco

12/01/2010 nyc ny - ahorsewithnoname

12/03/2010 roseland ballroom nyc ny - kenny shin, rufus, jeremy wood, miwa sakulrat, ludovica ciccarelli,

12/08/2010 kansas city mo - todd zimmer, scott spychalski, wendy vong,

12/10/2010 101 not so silent night san jose ca - theowlmag, shannon gilb, scernea

livejournals:

08/10/2007 west palm beach - pookie_ray

part 3 here

[maguro13-2]

[Apotos (Day) by Fumie Kumatani]

Happy : I love Greece! And this Chocolate Chip Sundae Supreme look tasty! I love it! I love it!

Lucy : So what does it make for us to be so reliable in these here parts of Greece?

Erza : Oh I don't know. I mean, Greece is okay. This is where the Olympics originated at, it's probably a home to the Gods of the Earth.

Lucy : Oh yeah, I know lot about Greece, ancient history, facts about the Gods of Greece, famous warriors like the Spartans, and Mount Olympus. But what about mythology?

Erza : Mythology? Oh yeah, Mythology, it's a great historical fact mythology is all about powers of the Gods, lot of warriors came to be in the name of Sparta and Olympia. But I think it's clearly satisfying that this is a wonderful paradise. But I think we will get along with this new profound ways of seeing the good ways of Olympus, I mean "Good ol days of Olympus".

Lucy : Olympus is, Olympus does. Mykonos and Santorini are great inspirations for Windmill Isle. But what does Greece have to do with the Mykonos and Santorini thing in the Sega Worlds. Something like Blue Coast or Water Palace Zone, I think those places are based on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. You sure about Greece having weird suspicions of Kratos?

Erza : Kratos. Yeah, he's probably in greatest desires of going against the Gods.

Lucy : Hercules? The hero of Greece?

Erza : Such a fine pleasant way to care of things for the great hero of Greece himself. But he do cherish things for Meg.

Lucy : Hades?

Erza : Still thinking about Hercules after foiling his plans.

Lucy : Underworld?

Erza : Not as a good as always, but the Underworld is really a good place of Greece in Mythology. Now I've seen all the glorious details in all of Greece. Let's just that Greece is the wonderful that is the birthplace of the Olympics and the home of the Gods, as well as the Windmill Isle. Thinking about it. I just don't know why is it so hard to find the details about this world complaining the secrets of Greece? Is it something about the place of torment. Blades of Olympus, Chains of Olympus, and everything else Olympus has done something for Maybe Olympus can be the great source of the Gods. Greece has been pulling the strings when Zeus reign over mortals against the God of War himself Ares.

Lucy : Ares, what does Area know about God of War? I've seen Natsu playing that game when he was at the debut preview during the days of you being Clear Heart Force's elite. I've seen everything about playing a God of War stuff, but I thought Mars was the God of War, oh, that's the name of a planet.

Erza : Yeah, yeah. Same as ever. Well, Greek Yogurt and this Moussaka is quite delight. I find it tasty! It's really good with the textures and flavor, but I have a common sense that this iconic dish taste better like lasagna and more importantly, it's very exquisite and edible to eat.

Lucy : Maybe you are right, heck! Who knows maybe we can a little free time in this wonderful friendship of ours.

Happy : But what about the Underworld's second coolest place of all? I bet Greece's underworld second place could be Hades's locker room, or even his secret stash, or probably his room full of drips.

Erza : Well, yeah, you said that. I would probably tell jellal about this arc incident thing with Natsu going on. Hope he doesn't bite on my "Tail" feathers about this incident.

Lucy : Well, glad we are having this conservation so well, Erza. But never forgot to mention that the Underworld's deep abyss, AKA "Tartarus" or "Tartaros" as we call it--

Erza : Wait. "Tartarus?" What do you know about "Tartarus" or "Tartaros"?

Lucy : It's one of them places that Hades had in the abyss, it's used as a dungeon for tormenting and suffering for the wicked, eh? And it's also the name of the guild that we encounter.

[River Twygz Bed theme plays]

Erza : Tartaros? Guild? Dungeon? Torment? A place of suffering?

*Voices overlapping*

Erza : No...Not that place...Not that name...That name that...we had to suffer and I was lucky enough what would happen if we were slaved in Tartaros for all eternity or whatsoever. Not what happened after that She-devil Kyoka did this to us! I will never forget that.

Lucy : What? You don't remember Tartaros. Tartaros was the name of that guild who we face against, but in the end it turns out that Tartaros has now been sued by Hades for taking the name Tartaros, but let's just to be sure that it ended on all terms on legal cases with the copyrighted names, but thank heavens, I am so fed up with an overrated/underrated guild that tormented us like pieces of trash and garbage.

Happy : Yeah, it's one of the worst things that villains ever did to us, Erza. But...who are we trying to convince?

*the word "Convince" is echoed*

[The Evil Giygas Attacks plays]

Erza : ....?

Lucy : Erza. Aren't you going to say anything?

Erza : ...(breathes heavily)

*images flashing*

Erza : No...I don't want to be tortured by them anymore! Naked. tormented, slaving me, all those painful memories, those dreams, and even the nightmares.

Lucy : Erza what's wrong?

Erza : I...Hate...them. Tartaros. Guild. Torment. Bad.

*Images flashing rapidly*

Erza : What is even happening to my life!? What did I ever deserve to be a slave to other women?!

*Erza twitches*

Lucy : Wow, I guess that this whole Tartaros thing has gone off your head. But...You okay Erza?

Natsu : Hey, Scarlet? Why are you twitching like that? You've been hitting the sauce again?

*Erza starts shaking*

Erza : I...don't want to be...tormented...by....*Screams in agony*

*DBZ SFX : Collapse*

Lucy : Oh my God! Erza!

Happy : Someone call a therapist!

Natsu : Someone google Web M.D!

*scene later flips*

Natsu : Good news, Erza finally learned some physical therapy with some health insurance to hope that we may recover from the Tartaros trauma. It traumatized all of us, who says anything about Tartaros, the name of a guild which was named for the deep abyss?

Happy : What? You told us that Tartaros would be the perfect thing. But Erza is good from her Therapy session.

Natsu : And...?

Happy : She'll be good as new! Oh look, she's coming back from therapy and-Oh boy, I don't think she's happy about it.

*STOMPING ANGRILY*

Jellal : Erza! You're back! How was Therapy? And why are you furious all of a sudde-

*GRAB+STEAM BLOWING*

[Kraid Theme by Kenji Yamamoto]

Erza : *furiously* I'LL TELL YOU HOW MY THERAPY WENT! AFTER ALL THE TORMENT AND THE SUFFERING, I SUFFERED A LOT FROM OTHER WOMEN AND TENTACLES, DO YOU THINK THAT FANSERVICE WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY OF ME GETTING TORMENTED BY A BADASS IN DISTRESS!?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE TREATED BY OTHER WOMEN!?

Jellal : Erza...But...the villains of Fairy Tail were supposed to be smart and elegant, not make them sadistic or go cray-cray.

ERZA : YA DAMN RIGHT THEY ARE! I'VE BEEN DOING ALL THE HERO STUFF IN EARTH-LAND WHILE I WAS TORMENTED IN THE DUNGEON AS A NAKED SLAVE OF TORMENT, WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM, AN R-RATED HERO IN DISTRESS!?! I DIDN'T COME ALL THE TO TARTAROS TO BE TORMENTED, WE CAME ALL THE WAY TO BEAT THEM FAIR AND SQUARE! THIS GUILD, THIS WOMAN, AND THIS WHOLE TORTURING AND ENSLAVING ME ARE THE WORST THINGS THAT HAS EVER DONE TO MY LIFE! SO HELP ME, I WILL KILL THEM WITH MY--

*POIK*

Erza : Ugh! (now dazed) Can I please tell someone help me to get my blankie...

*DBZ SFX : Body Lands*

*erza snoring*

Virgo : Don't worry, she'll be fine in about hours.

Natsu : Okay, guys. Let's pretend that we never heard about another Dark Guild that almost made us loose our sh*t and start all again. Agree?

All : Agree.

Natsu : Pretend after me, Who in the gosh forsaken world was someone's idea that is responsible for the Etherious and that cruelty of Tartaros in the first place!?

*They all look at Zeref in huge disappointment*

Zeref : *nervously chuckles* Sorry about making E.N.Ds...That was me.

Natsu : I know, Bro! I know that it's not your fault,but could be.

Lucy : Okay...We believe in you. Sorry for getting into a conflict with those guys like that.

[theboredandkindaweirdhisotrian]

Something that got me thinking:

I'm in a Narnia fans Facebook group and recently someone posted about how the one thing that bothered him the most about VDT the 2010 movie was how of all the things they've changed, they kept the albatross at the Dark Island, because it makes no sense in the context of the movie.

I commented on maybe because they put it in, because of how iconic the whole scene was and of course here's the line, "Courage, dear heart". But the more I thought, the more I wasn't sure if I remember the albatross saying the line. I spent some time browsing for a clip of the scene untill a fellow member commented that the albatross has indeed not said the line to Lucy. I thanked that member and made a notion how VDT feels off because Aslan isn't a tangible presence in the story and found myself agreeing, that in the context of the movie, the albatross makes zero sense. I'll elaborate here:

Sure, there were changes, even major ones in both LWW and PC. But in both, Aslan was a presence to be reckoned with. Without him, efforts felt shortfallen and misguided. In LWW the children would not win against the witch. Say what you want about that river god and walking trees, the old Narnians were fighting a losing battle without Aslan. But not VDT. Just think about it: Untill the Pevensies get into Narnia, it's fine, but then it's like, they sail to the Lone Islands, get captured, managed to escape and learn about the Green mist™, who kidnaps locals because it's very naughty. Immediatley they get a supposed magic mcguffin sword, are told to get the whole set of 7 and place them on some magical table so the Green mist™ will be vanquished and released the poor sods it's hoarded over the time. Note how I never mentioned Aslan and it's the same hecking plot of the film. All mentions of Aslan in the film, however, like "he sent us" and "that's his sword" and "his table", etc. feel contrived and forced. Someone followed up my comment, saying how I put into words why VDT doesn't feel Narnian.

Because it's Aslan. Without Him, it's just another generic fantasy world.

With all the news we're getting about there's some serious goings on about the Netflix project, that's now what I'm afraid it'll happen and it will suck. So to anyone on the project with any shred of artistic integrity of any sort, learn from this, please.

[savage-rhi]

Mending Shadows // Chapter 20

Summary:

Y/N was a simple Scavenger of Lucis, until meeting a deadly blow at the hands of an infected creature. At the crossroads of death, they are found by Niflheim’s cryptic Chancellor with his own agenda. Now bonded to Ardyn Izunia, and tossed into the world of Niflheim, Y/N struggles to cope with their new life as an Imperial Icon all the while battling their feelings toward their fate and that of Ardyn’s.

Click here to read on AO3

The palace halls to the residency were quiet. Save for the shuffling of Imperial Help preparing to turn in for the night. Ardyn made note how there was not so much a peep while he ventured to his dwelling. He sighed while adjusting the large grocery bag he had been carrying with his left arm. The contents rattled, and at first Ardyn assumed something had gotten loose. He paused in his stride, lowering the bag to look over his wares. There was nothing amiss, and thus he pressed onward. 

After fumbling with his keys--and nearly dropping the bag--Ardyn closed the door behind him once he reached home. He sat the grocery bag down at his feet while he tended to locking up. Once that was settled, did his eyes land on the large clock in the living room. Seeing that it was 10:45pm, Ardyn furrowed his brows. He knew he had been out long, but could’ve sworn it was 8pm just moments ago. Sighing, Ardyn knew it was useless to dwell on such mishaps. He still struggled with conceptualizing time although it had been decades since he had been awakened from Angelgard. Not that he would be bold enough to admit that to anybody. The thought of it made him grimace before he picked up the grocery bag, and carried on with his mission. 

Ardyn pressed the kitchen doors open quietly. He nearly jumped when he saw Tuti at the counter, putting away some dishes from the sink. She in turn gasped, and fumbled with one of the plates in her possession. It was by the fortune of the gods she didn’t drop it, having caught the edge at the last second. 

Once the initial shocks were worn, Tuti glared at Ardyn with contempt then went back to cleaning. 

Ardyn breathed through his nose, making a face while he tried to uphold some sort of civility. He walked over to the kitchen island, and sat the bag down while clearing his throat. 

“I won’t be needing your services for the rest of the night.” 

“Noted,” Tuti replied with a flat tone. 

“That goes for Y/N as well. You’re dismissed.” Ardyn added. He observed Tuti stiffen, and with a defeated sigh, she put away the last of the plates she had been cleaning. Once done, did she begin to dry her hands off with a towel hanging from the arm of the oven in front of her. 

“How is Y/N fairing?”

“Y/N’s resting right now. The flares today were dreadful.” Tuti wiped the last of the suds off her hands with her apron, and approached Ardyn. She was careful not to get too close to him. 

Tuti let out a breath. “Will that be all, excellency? I have much work to do outside of your quarters. I don’t want to keep the Palace Warden waiting.” 

If she was going for subtlety, she’s failing at it… Ardyn bitterly thought. Tuti’s disdain wasn’t easy to cloak. She wore it on her sleeve much like her bubbly persona. Ardyn fought against his instinct to shoo her off for insubordination, but he reminded himself that although he didn’t like her, both he and Tuti cared for Y/N. 

“Before you leave, I have something for you.” Ardyn took a few steps toward the kitchen island. His right hand rummaged through the grocery bag, and he pulled out a small pink rose and an envelope. 

“What’s this?” Tuti whispered, raising a brow as Ardyn approached and handed off the items to her. Her fingers pinched at the envelope, feeling how full it was. Conflict brewed in her eyes while she admired the pink rose. As much as Tuti wanted to throw it back at Ardyn’s face, she appreciated the beauty of the flower too much to insult its radiance. She carefully tucked the flower behind her right ear, and began to open the envelope. 

“Consider it tip for taking care of Y/N on my behalf.” Ardyn watched as Tuti’s eyes nearly bulged out from her skull. He faintly smirked before going neutral. 

“That’s almost five months of salary.” Tuti murmured under her breath. By the mercy of the gods did she gather strength to peer up at Ardyn, and glared at him. “I’ll have you know, that you can’t just buy someone’s forgiveness.” 

“I’m well aware,” Ardyn said as a matter of fact and sighed. “Is it working though?” 

“Well,” Tuti breathed. She counted the bills in the envelope and shook her head. “If I remember, the gods forgive all sin on Sundays. Including someone selling their virtue.” 

Ardyn let out an amused huff, watching Tuti carefully tuck the envelope into the back pocket of her apron. He was about to say something, until Tuti held up a hand and cut him off. 

“Please, I don’t wish to have a conversation anymore Chancellor. I want to perform my duties, and turn in for the night.” 

“Very well,” Ardyn gestured with his head toward the exit. “Don’t let me keep you.” 

Tuti offered a bow, and walked over to the doors. She paused for a moment, turning her head to the side to watch Ardyn go back to pulling things out of the grocery bag. There was a lot of food from what she could gather. A soft sigh left her lips, and Tuti cleared her throat. 

“Chancellor,” 

“Yes?”

“Y/N was adamant about speaking with you despite…well, what happened. You needn’t worry.” Tuti murmured. The face she wore was a mix of disappointment and awe.

Ardyn gave a firm nod after he hummed in reply, then continued to carry on, not paying heed to Tuti as she finally left. 

Hours later, Ardyn carefully approached a large bed. His eyes combed over Y/N’s resting form that was draped under the blankets. He paused when he saw their feet dangling off the edge, noting the scourge veins bulging out. Ardyn could only imagine what the rest of their body looked like. The thought nerved him and Y/N’s shallow exhales didn’t help. If anything, he felt worse about what happened this morning.

Hovering above Y/N, Ardyn canted his head while examining their features. They were lying on their side, half their face buried into the large silk pillow below. The scourge marks pulsated when Y/N drew in breath. Ardyn closed his eyes, focusing his own darkness on the daemonic aura that coursed through Y/N’s veins. A crackling sound echoed against Ardyn’s ears, and whispers began to rise and fall. His own conscience was nearly drowned out by the noise, but he firmly repeated in mind for the shadows to cease. When he opened his eyes, the world became silent again. 

Though Y/N’s infection was not even a fraction of Ardyn’s ailment, he could feel the toll it had on their body and the struggle to remain alive despite the horrendous pain. With resentment, Ardyn glared at the dark webbing on Y/N's skin. He crouched down until he was on his knees. His face now level with Y/N and the mattress. 

Thoughts ran through Ardyn as he sighed through his nose. He wondered if Y/N would be upset with his presence near considering what happened. Ardyn wasn’t one to apologize, especially in this incarnation as Chancellor, but even with all his justifications he couldn’t let this slide. Not when he knew in his heart of hearts, that he was in the wrong. 

“Y/N,” Ardyn murmured softly. His right hand reached to touch their neck, fingers gliding over skin until his palm gently cupped their cheek. He watched the scourge veins begin to recede; the darkness having listened to his plea from before. His features perked when Y/N groaned, and their eyes fluttered open briefly. 

“Y/N,” Ardyn leaned forward. His nose pressed to their skin, inhaling their scent before drifting up to their ear. A tired mix between groan and giggle left Y/N’s mouth, and he couldn’t help but smile like an idiot. 

“I have something for you.” He whispered into the shell of their ear.

“That’s a lie,” Y/N muttered exhausted while they stirred more from their rest. “We both know you don’t like charity.” 

Ardyn chuckled against Y/N’s hair. His lips gently pressed against the side of their head before he pulled away. He met Y/N’s weary gaze, and the marks he had left upon their skin. He felt nauseous gazing over the black and blue texture. 

“I’d like for you to join me at the table if you have the strength. I made us a meal.” 

Despite how drained Y/N felt from the scourge, their brows raised in surprise. “You didn’t have Tuti do that on your behalf? I’m shocked.”

“No. Not this time.” Ardyn admitted with a smirk. “Believe it or not, I can perform menial tasks by myself. I just choose not to.” 

“What’s the occasion? I thought I was in the hot seat.” Y/N’s voice trailed off and they swallowed. 

“You’re in no such position with me,” Ardyn shook his head. He moved a stray strand of hair out from their eyes, his touch lingering. “I...wanted to do this for you.” 

“This morning--”

“No, let’s not speak on it right now. Later we will. You have my word. ” Ardyn interrupted. His amber eyes lingered between Y/N’s mouth and their hair. Before he got too lost, Ardyn retreated his hand away from them and he gestured with his head to the chamber doors. 

“Let’s get you out of bed. I don’t want the food to run cold. Do you need assistance?” 

“Yeah,” Y/N nodded and winced when they moved their left foot. 

“I can carry you?” Ardyn offered. 

“I’d like to do this myself. Just let me lean on you.” Y/N murmured. They didn’t notice the hurt that crossed Ardyn’s face at their decline. 

Taking in a few deep breaths, Y/N let out a cry and forced the upper half of their body to rise from the bed. The motion felt as if they had run their entire body through a thicket of barbed wire. With every movement they made in the trench, it only ensnared them further into the spiky ends that dug into flesh. When Ardyn attempted to help, Y/N shook their head and gestured for him to stand down. They were surprised at his compliance, given the fierce look that carried through his eyes.

Y/N started to flex their fingers, getting them to wake up. After the wave of pain died down, did they gather the strength to stand. On their feet, Y/N wobbled like a bookcase whose shelves were not properly lined up. Their feet felt static as did their blood. The scourge constricting around their calves like snakes didn’t help with their balance, and caused them to fall forward into Ardyn’s chest. Through a muffled yelp, Y/N felt their body adjust as Ardyn gently pushed them back and went to their side. He coaxed Y/N’s body into leaning against his own, while his arm went around their waist for support. After finding their balance, did Y/N motion for Ardyn to move and begin their trek to the kitchen. 

The walk was a quiet affair, minus the whimpers and occasional groans that fell past Y/N’s lips. Every once in a while, Ardyn glanced down at Y/N to assess them; noting that their body had been severely taxed. He started to second guess waking them up in the first place, seeing the grey bags under their eyes. There was also the proximity piece that had his blood quake with each step. The texture of their skin, the sweet smell of their own scent intermingling with the essence of the scourge, and the weight of their body against him had Ardyn worried he’d go haywire. His pulse rose unsteadily, wondering if perhaps he himself was becoming ill. 

The second Ardyn felt Y/N’s breath faintly tickle the underside of his jaw, he stopped and let out a disgruntled sigh. “This is taking far too long.” 

“We’re almost there,” Y/N protested, and gestured with their chin to the kitchen doors. All they had to do was cross through the living room space. From Y/N’s perspective, it felt like miles of uncharted territory laid ahead given how much they ached. Nevertheless, they didn’t want to throw in the towel just yet. 

“I don’t understand the insistence of prolonging your suffering.” Ardyn countered, furrowing his brows at them. 

“It’s not that I don’t want your help,” Y/N gritted through their teeth while feeling the scourge slide across their legs. It felt like their skin was being flayed. “If I can’t do this on my own, I'll--” 

“Y/N,”

“Yeah?” 

“While I admire your tenacity, I’m imploring you to let me help.” 

Y/N sighed in defeat. “Ardyn--”

“I tire of hearing you moan in my ear every second.” 

Of all the things he could’ve said, Y/N didn’t see that coming. Sensing his discomfort, Y/N felt blush rising in their cheeks. Whether it was from their embarrassment or wanting to play off the severity of the scourge flare, they felt emboldened to make a jest. 

“You know,” Y/N coughed. “Most guys would be into that.” 

The look he wore was priceless. A mixture of disgust and intrigue traveled across Ardyn’s face, and Y/N couldn’t help but snicker. 

“I didn’t take you for a minx.” Ardyn huffed.

“Between the two of us you’d fit the bill of that better than I.” 

“Oh, that’s quite sinful! It’s rather sweet you acknowledge my prowess.” Ardyn teased in a sinister fashion. 

“I...” Y/N struggled to speak. “I wasn’t complimenting or--” 

“Then what we’re you implying, darling ?” 

He held Y/N’s gaze for several seconds, watching their laughter turn into nervous chuckling. Ardyn couldn’t help but smile at how pink Y/N’s face had become.  When they were at the precipice of expressing fear--at how he lurked over them like a serpent hypnotizing it’s prey--did he strike. 

“H-hey!” Y/N exclaimed, feeling their body and the world shift as Ardyn swept his arms underneath their form. “What do you think you’re doing?” 

“I’m speeding things up,” Ardyn teased, smirking proudly when Y/N instinctively wrapped their arms over his shoulders while he carried them like a newlywed bride. “By the way, you’re quite welcome.” 

“Damn you…” Y/N muttered under their breath, trying to ignore the laugh he let out at their expense. Their pride was wounded, but Y/N would be lying if they didn’t appreciate Ardyn pulling off that little stunt. Their aching body certainly respected what he had done, giving a much needed break. 

As Ardyn walked them both to the kitchen, Y/N felt their face grow warm when they caught a whiff of his scent. He always smelled rich, like sandal and rosewood; strong and earthy. The sweet undertone that intertwined with his usual musk had Y/N feeling an impulse to bury their face into his neck. It reminded Y/N of the fermented smell the scourge gave off, without the rotting stink. Whatever it was caused by, be it the long day at work or if he was trying something new, Y/N felt their nerves tremble as scourge and blood rushed through them. 

“Here we go,” Ardyn’s playful declaration stopped Y/N from succumbing to their urge as he gently plopped them into a chair. He was careful to push it in toward the table once Y/N got comfortable, and he ventured to the chair next to theirs and took a seat. 

Y/N's eyes widened, gazing upon the meal that Ardyn had laid forth. There was a fish of some sort on their plate, topped with a brown butter sauce. It was well seasoned with a nutty fragrance akin to hazelnut. The bed of salad it was placed upon looked just as delectable as the main course, and quite unusual. Y/N could see a mixture of apple slices with gouda cheese, red onion, olive oil, sunflower seeds, and another vegetable that smelled similar to a turnip. 

Y/N had never seen a meal like this before, not at the Gala, and certainly not when Tuti or other Imperial Help delivered meals to the residency. Y/N could scarce believe that Ardyn played a hand in this concoction. 

“What is this?” Y/N asked while using their fork to poke the meat. They couldn’t help but let out a laugh, shaking their head. “This has got to be take out.”

“I assure you, it’s no such thing.” Ardyn chuckled with pride, glancing between the meal and Y/N. “It’s grilled bass, and the salad is made with kohlrabi. I haven’t made this in over 2,000 years. Try it, and tell me what you think.”

2,000 years…?  Y/N almost had the audacity to jokingly ask Ardyn if this was his first time making anything in his life. Alas they relented, but the message sunk in how long ago that was. It certainly explained why the dish looked unknown, and just like it’s creator, otherworldly in a sense. 

At feeling their stomach rumble, Y/N eagerly and with caution took a chunk of the bass meat with their fork and brought it to their mouth. They blew on the meat a few times, feeling the steam rise off the scales before consumption. 

Different tones of flavors exploded against their tongue, and Y/N had no idea how to label each and every taste; for it blended together in a beautiful dance. Their expressions must’ve been concerning, for Ardyn looked worried. That is until Y/N went ravenous and began to eat more of it. 

“Wow,” Y/N murmured in between chews. 

“Well?” 

“It could be poison and I’d still eat it!” Y/N exclaimed in between bites, causing Ardyn to laugh. 

“Where were you 2,000 years ago?” He mused. 

“Somewhere in the dark. Not even an egg or sperm yet,” Y/N teased, blushing when Ardyn snorted at the crude remark. “Why do you ask?” 

“Well,” Ardyn began to carve the meat on his own plate, taking a small bite himself. “This was a poor man’s feast by the standards of yesteryear. Not many cared for it.” 

Y/N furrowed their brows. “I thought you said you were royalty?”

“That’s correct.” 

“But you ate poorly?” 

“Hmm hmm,” Ardyn nodded. His expression softened, almost appearing morose. “When I became a healer full time, I had forsaken royal decadence and relied upon the charity of those I serviced. Many didn’t have the means to pay, so if they offered food and shelter, I took it with grace. Overtime, I grew to love dishes like this one and I learned to prepare it myself.” 

“Why did you put yourself through that?” Y/N watched Ardyn’s amber eyes curiously roam over them. They couldn’t tell if he was intrigued or appalled by the question. 

“I mean, the way you are now or what I’ve come to know of you, it’s like you’re speaking about another person.” 

There was a long pause as Ardyn mulled over Y/N’s statement. He himself was puzzled at his own discernment. Furrowing his brows, he carefully reached for a bottle of wine that was in the middle of the table between himself and Y/N. 

“Do you remember our conversation long ago in Lucis, when you asked how I became as I am?” 

Y/N nodded. Their eyes darted to the wine bottle as Ardyn popped the top open, and poured himself a glass. 

“You said your kindness cost you everything.” Y/N murmured in reply. 

“Correct,” Ardyn met Y/N’s eyes, and gestured to their empty glass, offering to pour a round for them. He smiled faintly when they gave a nod, and proceeded.

“Back then, the blight or what became known as the star scourge made it’s debut when my brother and I were both young men. As it grew, Somnus believed that culling the flock was a necessary evil to prevent the spread. I found through my practice that certain people were predisposed to the scourge, while others were not even if they were around the infected. Alas, they were still carriers. My brother justified more sacrifices because of what I had discovered. Even with the knowledge that I could cure the infected myself, he wouldn’t budge from his stance.” 

Once he topped off Y/N’s wine, Ardyn gently slid the glass to them. “One day, I excommunicated myself from the kingdoms council under the guise that I was going on a pilgrimage, in honor of mine and Somnus’s late mother. I was to be gone for six months, but six became nine and nine became twelve. I traveled across Lucis healing those afflicted; trying to show the people, and Somnus that there was another way besides bloodshed. Hence, I became quite acquainted with peasantry and cuisine.” 

While Ardyn gave no reason to lie, there were some things that didn’t add up for Y/N. If it was true, that he could cure the scourge, then why did he drag them through this whole mess? It was one of the many questions that fired off in Y/N’s mind. They mulled over his story while taking another bite of the fish while he nursed generously from his own wine glass. 

“There’s no cure,” Y/N shook their head. They glanced over him, trying to find a hint of deception behind his confused gaze. 

“Pardon?” 

“How did you heal people from the scourge?” 

“How do you think I became Adagium?” Ardyn huffed with a smirk.

“I don’t know, you tell me.” Y/N countered with a laugh. It seemed Ardyn was more or less amused by the banter. Alas he sighed, as if preparing himself for a long winded speech before the Imperial council. 

“Well, I…” Ardyn bit his bottom lip while contemplating his choice of words. It had been a long, long time since he reviewed his past history. He had purposefully tried to dispose of his old self, letting the daemons inside his body eat away at him, and Ardyn was shocked he had quite a vivid recollection the longer he dwelled on it. 

“If it’s not something you want to discuss--”

“No, no,” Ardyn shook his head, gesturing with his right hand for Y/N to cease. “I assure you I have nothing to hide." 

“I can tell you’re lying.” Y/N snorted. “You’re nervous about it.”

“Am I that obvious?” Ardyn raised a brow. He smiled amusingly, seeing Y/N nod to his remark. 

“I have an idea.” Y/N suggested. 

“Let’s hear it then.” 

“If you don’t think you can tell me in five sentences or less how you became Adagium, then it’s probably something we shouldn’t discuss.”

To say Ardyn was perplexed as an understatement. He chortled before speaking. “I must’ve already drank one glass too many. Did I hear you correctly, five sentences or less?” 

Y/N nodded with a smile. “You sure did.” 

“I’m afraid I’m not following?” 

“In my experience, if a person is open and willing, they can get to their point within five sentences or less. Anything more, and they’re either lying or it hurts too much.” 

Ardyn hummed in thought at Y/N’s proclamation. He took another sip from his wine glass. 

“I suppose this mentality comes from your days as a Scavenger, no less?” 

“You’d be correct.” Y/N smiled, fiddling with their fork against some of the apple slices beneath the grilled fish. 

Ardyn was quiet for a time. Neither he nor Y/N said a word to each other while the latter continued to eat. Once they finished off the fish, and began working their way to the salad, did Ardyn let out a breath. 

“Challenge accepted,” He proudly mused, earning a double take from Y/N. He chuckled at their expense, eyes glancing at his own meal he had barely touched.

“The gods blessed me with the power to cure the scourge at the expense of my own health. I thought it was a worthy sacrifice, to forsake one for the many. Each time I took the darkness into myself, a little bit of my soul withered away. I fought it off as long as I could, but Somnus brought out the worst in me. He took away the only anchor I had left, keeping me human.” 

Each word was a pebble, which evolved into jagged rocks. By the time Ardyn finished his five sentences, Y/N could hear the pain in his voice that he desperately tried to cover with loathing. It all made sense how he got from point A to point B, and it should’ve been so obvious. Y/N felt like a fool for not putting the pieces together sooner. 

“Your anchor was Aera, wasn’t it?” 

The gasp left Ardyn so abruptly, it startled Y/N. They carefully watched him, seeing how every muscle in his body tensed as if he had been struck. The way his eyes bore into Y/N, had them wondering why he hadn’t screamed nor yelled yet. 

“Where did you hear that name?”

“I think I saw a memory of yours this morning.” Y/N replied cautiously. They could tell he was trying hard to keep himself together, and decided not to leave too much hanging for Ardyn’s sake. “After you struck me, I blacked out and woke up to a battle. There was a lot of blood, and I was losing. The man I fought, he was going to deliver the final blow until Aera got in between us. She died in my arms.” 

Ardyn was silent for what felt like ages. He never once blinked nor took his eyes off of Y/N. 

“What did you feel, when you held her?” 

“What?” 

“Answer the question, please.” 

His demand was neither imposing nor was it gentle. Y/N was beside themself while they tried to recollect those tender feelings they experienced. It was so hard to describe, yet the memory felt as if it had always belonged to them.

“I didn’t feel real anymore. All I felt was my heart, and everything about me, shatter. I kept so many from dying, yet I couldn’t keep the one person I cherished most alive. I felt all of Eos crumble in my arms.” 

Y/N hadn’t realized they had been crying until Ardyn had passed them a napkin. They sniffled, feeling their face flush and murmured a quiet thank you under their breath. After wiping their eyes, did they swallow back the remaining tears. Y/N felt foolish. This was after all, a memory of Ardyn’s, but they felt some ownership of the weight. 

“I saw what your friends did to you, back at the Quay. Everything.” Ardyn finally spoke up. It was now Y/N’s turn to handle the shock of such a declaration. He could see the fright in their eyes, and slowly began to regale. “I see why you were so miserable when you showed up to the inn. You really loved them all, didn’t you?” 

Y/N nodded. “And you really loved Aera.” 

Ardyn sighed through his nose. He made a fist, knowing this wasn't something he could shelter away. Y/N knew too much. 

“Was this a bleed through?” 

“Yes, yes it was.” Ardyn admitted. There was no use in trying to lie for the sake of pacifying. He knew deep down that Y/N knew the truth to begin with, but they needed validation for it to feel legitimate. He lingered on what happened in the morning, and everything he had experienced up to this point. 

“Y/N,”

“Yeah?” 

“The sylleblossoms weren’t your fault, nor were they Tuti’s or even Commander Pierce’s boy.” Ardyn averted his gaze, fixating at what was left of his wine. “I had a night terror about Aera, among other things. There was much blood in it.” 

“So the flowers did make you crazy.” 

“I'm not good at apologizing,” Ardyn bit the inside of his cheek, reminding himself that he needed to set things right even if it cost him his pride. He turned his full attention to Y/N, letting the shame that had been bottling up inside of himself come through his tired eyes. 

“I know I’ve attempted to rectify the situation with a meal, but I know that can’t suffice for what I’ve done. A sorry won’t sit well with me, and I doubt the same on your end. So…name anything, and it shall be yours.” 

Y/N was taken aback. “Anything?” 

“Anything,” Ardyn emphasized. “It can be at my personal expense or not. It’s only fair.” 

“Would you mind if we did a raincheck?” 

Ardyn was visibly confused at first. In the rare event he had found himself owing someone a favor, said persons jumped the gun in a heartbeat without thinking twice. There was always something to be gained from cornering the Chancellor. That had been Ardyn’s experience in Niflheim for decades, up until now. Y/N had puzzled him many times, but this was a moment that Ardyn filed away in his subconscious; there was no hidden motive with them. Perhaps there never was. Not even when he was so certain in the early stages of their partnership. 

He searched Y/N for any sign of deception, and alas was met with a smile. It was simple and conveyed enough to give him grounds to return one in favor before speaking. 

“Just say the word when the time comes. I’ll honor it.” 

“I’ll hold you to that.” Y/N mused. Their body tensed for a moment as they eyed the rest of their plate.

Y/N would be lying to themself if they didn’t feel at odds with the situation they were in with Ardyn. They had their share of physical altercations. It was something that unfortunately Scavengers would come across at one point or another, be it petty disputes between fellow workers or fighting off folks who had no legitimate claim to treasures. Had this been anyone else who had struck them down, Y/N knew redemption would be off the table. Had anyone acted like Ardyn, Y/N wouldn’t have stood for it. They swallowed, realizing the vast number of exceptions they allowed for him. The epiphany was both enlightening and held alarming context.

Y/N couldn’t afford to dwell on their leniency any further. Not when the scourge pinched at their swollen eye where they had been hit. They scanned over their plate. For as good as the food was, Y/N didn’t know if they could stomach anything further. At the very least, Y/N decided to eat a little bit more of the salad and finish off the wine; out of courtesy for the labor Ardyn had put into it. 

The rest of dinner went on quietly as Y/N and Ardyn ate. Neither party said a word, nor paid much heed after the conversation died down. It was only when Ardyn saw Y/N displaying obvious signs of fatigue did he finally pipe up.

“Tired?” 

Y/N smiled. “Exhausted and full.”

“That’s quite unfortunate,” Ardyn mused. “I made dessert, but I suppose that can wait for morning.” 

“Well,” Y/N hummed in thought. Their stomach felt like it was going to distend, but much like Ardyn, sweets were a temptation they couldn’t overlook so easily. “Maybe I can have a little bite?” 

Ardyn chuckled, shaking his head. “There’s no need to force yourself. Besides, there is another matter I need to discuss with you before we depart for bed.”

“Oh?” 

“How do you feel about weddings?” 

Y/N made a face, unsure what he was driving at. The question came so far out of left field, that he might as well should’ve asked if Eos was flat or spherical. 

“I’ve…never really been to many. Well, huge ones. I’ve attended small unions before. Why?” 

“You and I are needed for an engagement in Accordo, an arranged marriage.” Before Ardyn could express anything further, he saw the shocked terror that danced across Y/N’s face along with a blush that could rival the richest of burgundy silks that Aldercapt owned. He did a double take, making a face before the dots connected and he cackled like a child who had gotten away with stealing. 

“Oh come now!” Ardyn said in between fits. “I wasn’t implying us!” 

“Oh damn the six…” Y/N let out a breath in relief, shaking their head as Ardyn continued to laugh at their expense. They shot him a glare, their face feeling warm from misconstruing the situation. 

“You know, you could’ve worded that better.” 

“The fault lies with me there, I’ll admit that.” Ardyn snorted. He let out a breath, and smirked. “I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad, considering we seem to know each other inside and out at this point, quite literally…”

“What?!” 

“Moving on!” Ardyn raised his voice with a snicker, taking hold of the reigns before Y/N had the chance to verbally beat him down for the tease. “The betrothal is between an Accordian Senator, and a Niflheim Lead of Office. The Accordo envoys are hopeful this union will quell any rebellious tendencies in their own countrymen. Given the prestige of both parties entering the marriage, the engagement not only requires the presence of my company but that of yours.” 

After Y/N got over the embarrassment of Ardyn’s not so clever flirtation, did they listen carefully. Something didn’t add up for them. 

“Not that I’m opposed, but why do I need to go? 

“Being an Imperial Icon, it’s imperative you attend and leave a good impression; not only to make Niflheim look generous for taking you in, but to perhaps sway public opinion about Lucis and the monarchy.”

“What you’re saying is, you want me to talk shit about my homeland.” 

“Maybe not so vulgar in language, but yes.” Ardyn could see the reluctance in Y/N’s features. “I had a feeling you’d have a qualm, therefore I’ve already put together a script of sorts. We can go over it along with your other obligations this week.”

“Alright,” Y/N murmured. This shouldn’t have surprised them, but there was an uneasiness in Y/N’s stomach that refused to go away.

“Given what I know now,” Ardyn cleared his throat, earning Y/N’s eyes. “I understand this isn’t easy. However, we both have parts to play in this theatrical piece until the dust settles and I can make due on my oath.” 

“Don’t get me wrong, I get it.” Y/N remarked, feeling the weight somewhat shift off their shoulders at what Ardyn said. “That doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. You were once a Lucian. I’m sure it was difficult for you to fully cut ties despite what happened in the past.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Ardyn replied nonchalant. He let out a huff while his mind briefly recalled his 2,000 year exile, and the months after Verstael had freed him; only to chain him to a different cage. “Be grateful Verstael isn’t the one mentoring you. He certainly ensured my wings were clipped when it came to sentiment for Lucis, whatever was left of my adoration anyhow.” 

“Trust me, between an immortal monster and a guy who ages like a balding goat, I’d take the immortal any day.” 

Although initially appalled, Ardyn laughed at the candid remark. He felt some relief as well hearing Y/N join him in that regard. 

“Ah, you flatter me so!” 

“Eh, don’t get used to it.” Y/N countered with a giggle. 

“I’ll make note of that.” Ardyn grinned. He soon faltered when his eyes locked on Y/N’s. For a split second, there was a look of awe in their gaze that had his knees shudder; as if they would buckle though he was sitting down. It occurred to him Y/N must’ve caught on that something was amiss, for they shyly looked away. 

“I’d…like to try something.” Ardyn whispered, earning Y/N’s attention once more. He himself wasn’t sure where this was coming from, and although composed, inside he was petrified. “Is it alright if I touch you?” 

“Touch me?” 

Ardyn gestured to his own face to emphasize where. 

“Oh,” Y/N swallowed. Their stomach twisted in a painful knot, only soothed by nerves that seemed to be running amok in bliss. The contradiction was so strange. “I guess so…”

“No, this won’t do.” Ardyn shook his head. He scooted his chair so he could get closer to Y/N. Once settled, he continued. “It’s either an enthusiastic yes, or nothing at all.” 

“I didn’t take you for a consent type of guy.” 

“In some circumstances, it certainly calls for it.” Ardyn mused, trying to not venture into territory that could land him in hot water. Although he was certainly tempted to make a flirtatious jest at Y/N’s expense, it wasn’t worth making his heart rock further against his ribs. 

He gestured his hands out to Y/N, palms up, as if he was making an offering to the six; all the while demonstrating there was no weapon to be had. Y/N couldn’t help but notice that some of his fingers were shaking. 

“May I?” 

The softness of his voice pulled Y/N away from studying his palms any further. With another gulp, they nodded before giving a definitive answer. 

“Yes.”

His hands slowly reached out. Y/N’s shoulders tensed as did the rest of their muscles. Their eyes fluttered shut. Trembling, Y/N could feel Ardyn's hands cup their face, thumbs smoothing over fears of endangerment while pressing firmly yet gently against their bruises. They couldn’t help but wince, letting out a pained grunt. Ardyn’s soft hush made the trembling worse, but more so in their legs and feet. It was so strange, the power a voice could have over someone. 

A voice… Y/N furrowed their brows. For the briefest of seconds, they could hear an inhuman sound cradling the inside of their skull. There was no way to decipher what was being said, but Y/N felt on a primal level, that they understood what it meant. The image of Outpost 98 and the explosion flashed behind their eyelids, and then a tender bout of pain radiated against their face; causing Y/N to grimace. 

Before their mind could follow the voice any further down its dark path, they felt something warm under their skin; as if the life force of Eos had been taken into their blood and massaged all the knots and pains away. This felt different from when Ardyn would redirect the scourge. This was something else entirely. 

The chain of events lasted for a minute, but to Y/N, it felt like forever. Their eyes fanned open, meeting Ardyn’s deep amber eyes as he carefully looked them over; his hands remained in place, daring not to let go of them. 

A crooked smile fell upon his lips, and Y/N couldn’t help but mirror him. It was bizarre, seeing him in the state of awe he was growing into. 

“You’re healed…” He muttered as if he himself couldn’t believe it. “I never thought I could do that again.” 

“The blackeye, its gone?” 

Ardyn quietly hummed with a nod.

“How did you--”

“I’m not sure,” Ardyn whispered to himself. He adjusted the placement of his hands on Y/N’s face, brushing some strands of hair out from their eyes before his thumbs began to rub small circles into their cheeks. “Are you alright?” 

“Yeah,” Y/N murmured, faintly nodding against his touch. The sweet scent that had been whiffing off of Ardyn’s body began to make a comeback, and Y/N couldn’t help but lean in. If they didn’t know better, he was having a similar reaction. There was a look in his eyes that was intense, as if he had been put under a spell and couldn’t withhold the reactions his body was going to have. 

Y/N could feel the air from his nose hit their flesh. The hitch in his breath gave way he was inhaling their scent. Somehow, Y/N knew this had to be the scourges doing; drawing them together like two magnets. Fear and something else intertwined in Y/N’s chest as they tilted their chin up, their face gently pressed against the stubble on Ardyn’s cheek. His breath hitched again, Y/N heard him swallow, his fingers shuddered against their face, and then his strong nose brushed against theirs. 

“Ardyn--”

In a split second, the spell was broken and he let go. Ardyn hastily retreated, albeit not in a manner to suggest he was disgusted. His eyes blinked several times, seemingly confused at his actions. 

“I...I don't--”

Y/N breathed out. “That was…”

“Peculiar?” 

“Yeah.” Y/N nodded. 

They both acknowledged one another, as if trying to see if each had been hurt before Ardyn made his move. He let out a sigh then forced himself to his feet and began to gather up the plates and silverware, no longer wishing to indulge Y/N. 

Y/N furrowed their brows. “Ardyn?”

“You go on to bed,” He replied gently. “I’ll get this cleaned up.” 

As much as Y/N wanted to pry further, they found themself frozen; unable to say a word. Whether it was from their own nerves, the scourge bubbling in their stomach, or something else entirely it didn’t matter. Y/N whispered a good night, got to their feet, and somehow through the pain, coaxed themself to return to their dwelling within Ardyn’s residence. 

They didn’t realize he had long stopped collecting the dishes, and watched them walk away. Ardyn's fingers grasped the plates with a firm grip as he fought against calling Y/N back to him. 

[star-mum]

Live Star Reaction - Yellow Jackets 1x1

The worlds most awaited installment of the series: “Yellow Jackets” (aka @fayesdiana finally gets what she deserves)

WE STARTING WITH ACTION OKAY

Oh not the snow, Ik what happens here

YEP DEAD

VERY GORY SHIT (Kinda love ngl)

“I mean that could’ve been me” AWFUL VIBES FROM THIS LADY

Is this a therapy session ???? Or like a documentary of some kind

1996 !! Soccer makes me so nervous, I do not have the coordination for that

Okay without knowing anything about anyone my faves are Jasmine’s character (cause I already know her <3) and the blondie with the mullet (she looks cool and my sister and I almost picked her the casting of her story)

STRAIGHT SEX ????? IN MY MURDER LESBIANS SHOW ???? Terrible, revolting even

Iconic wardrobe tho

I was about to go “more straight sex?” NO ! We win today !!

Shauna... that’s the girl who was with Jackie (?)

“That I’d say you’re lying” “Then you’re still in touch” GAGGED, she got you there

Natalie, that’s another one (I’ll learn all their names eventually)

NATALIE IS THE BLONDE WITH THE MULLET !!! OKAY !!!!

“Lets hear for the boys” BOOOOOOOO

who’s the girl with the glasses ? You know besides a huge fangirl

STATE SENATOR ??????? Okay Taissa/State Senator/Jasmine

Oh Laura Lee is either dying IMMEDIATELY when things go to shit or she’s KILLING A BUNCH OF BITCHES

THE BONE OUTTA THE LEG ??????? I literally let out a “CARALHO” and just sat there with my mouth open in shock for several minutes (holy fuck)

“He asked Jeff to ask me to ask if you were gonna be there” that’s kinda.... pathetic ...? Like maybe if they were middle schoolers that’d be cute or whatever but cmon dude

“lucy in the sky with diamonds” so... lsd (?) or cocaine (?)

“Cat fight” dude they’re gonna punch each other to death...

I’m glad they’re all lineup, maybe now I’ll learn all their names (I won’t)

“Also I like your Pilgrim hat” definitely lsd

Yeah not a great place (physically AND mentally) to try lsd for the first time, Nat... that’s how you go on a bad trip (trust me, I actually learned about this in class)

Uhhh I don’t feel good about letting your friend who’s WASTED in the car alone with a guy, Jackie.... cmon be smarter (oh that’s her bf, wHO FUCKING CARES)

WHAT ?????? AGAIN ?????

Well, I wasn’t talking about *that* danger but yEAH THAT TOO

Secret safe (??) OH ARE THOSE THE “LOGS” OF WHEN THEY WENT MISSING ???

Okay so the ones we know FOR SURE survived are Shauna, Taissa and Natalie

“I can’t believe your dad paid for a private plane” daaaaaamn Lottie

“And here, a good luck charm” Jackie that’s gay (I’d know)

“No signs of the others” WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT ?????

Heeeyyy Natty.... where you going with that fucking gUN?

Listen, okay yeah you’re stranding on an island with no way out... you’re GONNA start killing people... but exactly HOW quickly would it turn into a Cult? is my question

MISTY !!! OH MY GOR !!!! CHRISTINA RICCI ?????? WAS NO ONE GOING TO TELL ME CHRISTINA FUCKING RICCI WAS IN THIS SHOW ????

awwwwnn she’s an abusive nurse ;-; GODDAMIT, cAnt have SHIT in here

WAS THAT LAURA LEE ???? The one that fell off the plane ???? WAS I RIGHT ????

(Twas not, I was only confused by another blonde with straight hair, fORGIVE ME)

[hollywoodfamerp]

Welcome to the Soneva Jani! 

“Soneva Jani is nestled within the tranquil waters of the Noonu Atoll, where sun-drenched blue skies and azure seas stretch out in every direction. One of the world’s lowest density resorts, there are just 51 over-water and three island residences, the largest and most luxurious villas in the Maldives, each designed for the ultimate privacy, space and breathtaking ocean views. Relax in iconic Water or Island Villas for the ultimate indulgence.”

UNDER THE CUT, YOU’LL FIND THE LIST OF ROOMMATES!

Unless we got a message from you telling us you wanted to be with a specific person or were not in the ships list - you were included in the generator. If you do not see your FCs name on this list, please message us POLITELY and let us know - sometimes a name gets missed getting put into the generator. We’re human and it happens! At the same time, if your FC is on there twice by any chance then please let us know. Again, mistakes happen. As we accept new applications and people come into the group before AND during the event, this list will be updated. Same will go for if people get unfollowed or ask to leave the group. We posted the pairings in advance so that you may reach out to your roommate and get new interactions going! Even if a mun is on hiatus, be sure to reach out to them so that you can see if you can head-canon some interactions or plan for something when they are off hiatus. All trips are to encourage new interactions and unlikely connections!

PLEASE LIKE THIS NOTICE WHEN YOU HAVE READ IT AND SO THAT YOU CAN KEEP TRACK OF THE LIST UPDATES!

Akanishi Jin and Lee Sunmi

Alexis Kaufman (Alexa Bliss) and Taylor Swift

Ana de Armas and Eiza Gonzalez

Andrew Garfield and Lily James

Andy Biersack and Camila Mendes

Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow

Anya Taylor-Joy and Renee Paquette (Renee Young)

Ariana Grande and Florence Pugh

Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair) and Billie Eilish

Ashton Irwin and Luke Hemmings

Austin Butler and Wong Kunhang (Hendery)

Ava Max and Geoff Wigington

Awsten Knight and Miley Cyrus

Bella Hadid and Nick Robinson

Ben Platt and Emily Bett Rickards

Beyonce Knowles and Gong Yoo

Bill Skarsgard and Lucy Hale

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Brett Tucker and Sarah Drew

Brittany Baker and Tyler Hoechlin

Bruno Mars and Shelley Hennig

Byun Baekhyun and Timothee Chalamet

Camille Rowe and Elizabeth Gillies

Carrie Underwood and Molly-Mae Hague

Cate Blanchett and Julianna Margulies

Chace Crawford and Kaia Gerber

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten) and Jackson Wang

Choi Minho and Kim Ahyoung (Yura)

Choi San and Jeon Junkook

Chris Evans and Jade Chynoweth

Christian Yu and Kim Jisoo

Christopher Bang (Bang Chan) and Hwang Hyunjin

Cindy Kimberly and Niall Horan

Colby Lopez (Seth Rollins) and Rebecca Quin (Becky Lynch)

Crystal Reed and Valentina Zenere

Damiano David and Olivia DeJonge

Diamante Quiava Valentin Harper (Saweetie) and Kim Hongjoong

Dove Cameron and Noah Cyrus

Dua Lipa and Jonathan Good (Jon Moxley)

Dylan O’Brien and Maika Monroe

Dylan Sprouse and Madelyn Cline

Eduardo Franco and Peyton Meyer

Emilia Clarke and Jake Gyllenhaal

Emily Osment and Meryl Streep

Emma Mackey and Nick Jonas

Emma Stone and Maura Higgins

Florence Welch and Gigi Hadid

George MacKay and Saoirse Ronan

Grace Van Dien and Harry Kane

Grace Van Patten and Lily Collins

Hailey Baldwin and Joey King

Huh Yunjin and Jerome Flynn

Jamie Campbell Bower and Zendaya Coleman

Jesse Lingard and Ryan Gosling

Jessica Chastain and Robert Pattinson

Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson

Joe Keery and Maya Hawke

Joseph Quinn and Riley Keough

Jung Yoonoh (Jaehyun) and Lee Taeyong

Kang Seulgi and Karlie Kloss

Kathryn Hahn and Liam Hemsworth

Kehlani Parrish and Selena Gomez

Kim Jongin and Lee Taemin

Kim Jungwoo and Lucas Wong

Kim Namjoon and Min Yoongi

Kim Taehyung and Jung Wooyoung

Lee Donghyuck (Haechan) and Mark Lee

Lee Felix and Lee Know (Minho)

Lili Reinhart and Zoe Kravitz

Louis Tomlinson and Ross Lynch

Lupita Nyong’o and Tessa Thompson

Madelaine Petsch and Otto Wood

Maia Mitchell and Mike Faist

Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan

Mason Mount and Taylor Hill

Mazz Murray and Shay Mitchell

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete (Megan Thee Stallion) and Park Seonghwa

Meghann Fahy and Victoria De Angelis

Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) and Pamela Martinez (Bayley)

Natalia Dyer and Tom Holland

Perrie Edwards and Sabrina Carpenter

Shawn Mendes and Sydney Sweeney

Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron

Xiao Dejun (Xiajun) and Yoo Jimin (Karina)

Lauren Jauregui and Elizabeth Olsen

Zoey Deutch and Park Jinyoung 

Alycia Debnam Carey and Hailee Steinfeld

Pedro Pascal and Sadie Sink

Avril Lavigne and Olivia Rodrigo

Sarah Hyland and Jenna Ortega 

Jade Thirlwall and Kathryn Newton

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

Promo time!!

Hm?

Oof a body

Uh oh a specific killer 😬?

Ope nope a pentagram o.o

OPE NOPE BOTH 😭😬

YOOO MEKIA'S NEW HAIR oh my gosh that's slaying so hard

Oh gosh I.o

I wonder how many 😬

Ope her husband o.o?

Out committing another murder 😬 o.o?

NOPE ope O.O

So her/another family member or somebody else is continuing it o.o uh oh 😭 xd

Oh gosh xd

Well that's gonna be DRAMATIC and I am looking forward to it it looks so fun :D

Loving again the look that it'll be more of them all working together!! I'm loving that so much this season :))

Well, that's about the last of my last thoughts, so now it's onto the. . .

REVIEW

I loved this episode!! I thought it was really good :D. The scary vibe was really cool lol :). And while the isolation would've been interesting, I think it fit well into the time slot it was given, and I'm glad we got to see the others still. Also, again, it helped us move storylines along without wasting time, which is something that unfortunately needs to be done in this shorter season 😭. Still, besides Aaron and Celina maybe being a bit quick (but I'm not mad about it lol), nothing seems too rushed! Anyway, it was a really great episode :D. Loved all the plots :)! Also there were some really hilarious moments XDD 😂. Even a laughing emoji, I know, I'm crazy lol (thought about just saying "wild lol", bc it's just something I don't tend to do).

Also,regarding this review: again, not quite as serious as my main ones lol

Anyway!

Onwards to the characters/individual plotlines/details :))

I'm really glad I got to watch this tonight by the way, if not live :D it was a cool episode :)!! I nearly said live just a second ago though lol, and I was like ". . what am I talking about? And what am I actually trying to say here lol" xD. That's what I had to do to get here lol. Anyway!

Back a week later lol. I want to watch last night's (the next one compared to this review) episode tonight, so this will be quick lol.

Loved seeing my besties Angela and Nyla!! They didn't do too much in the way of actually stopping what was happening in the island, but I do think it's definitely a good thing they showed up. They got everything sorted and hey, they got a little vacation out of it too. And got to be epic 🥰. Slay, I love them <33. I did miss Wesley though lol, and James too. Also Gray just being like "whatever" was iconic lol.

Tim, Lucy, and Celina's case was wild lol!! I am glad they didn't just dismiss it, and actually figured out what happened. Even with the mind games, Celina seriously slayed this episode :DD.

LUCY MADE DETECTIVE!!! YAYYY WHOO CONGRATS GIRL 🥳🥳🥰🥰🥰. She did get 17th, but you know, it counts!! She slayed anyway <33. And the scene at the end with her and Tim was so cute 🥰🥰. Your honor I love them so much 😭😭❤️🥺🥰.

I don't remember what Aaron did much, but I do remember that him and Celina are doing better!! And I'm really glad for that :). They could be cute together, but I love them as friends and I really think it was just his trauma. Glad they're doing better now though :)).

John and Bailey!! Using his first name since it's his honeymoon lol. He deserves it xD. Anyway, I am so glad they're okay lol. Kinda idiots for going to people's houses in the middle of the night and what not, not to mention following murder sounds, but hey xD. What can you do lol, they're heroes. Anyway, these trouble magnets made it xD. And hey, at least they had a bit of honeymooning in there lol! I am glad they got their bit at the end though :')). It sucks the actual thing didn't work out too well, but I'm happy for them overall <3.

Overall, I really loved this episode! I thought the format was cool, and even if it would've made it feel more isolated, I'm glad we didn't just see Bailey and Nolan. Plus, everyone else had plots that did need moving along. Still, it was really enjoyable! Loved the creepy vibes, it was so fun :D.

So yeah! I really liked this episode, it was a nice switch of pace from what it usually is. I'm excited for the next one! This has been my review of. . .

The Rookie, Season 6, Episode 3: Trouble in Paradise

I loved it! I'm so excited for the next episode, it looks super interesting. And, of course, dramatic :)! I'll be back next time for my review of. . .

The Rookie, Season 6, Episode 4: Training Day

See you then!

[lokesheadcanons]

Let me make this perfectly clear. This is NOT A ROLEPLAY BLOG

As such you're free to reblog from here, I would love asks in return though. All ask memes are tagged with just a simple #memes tag I use this sideblog to devolop discord muses and fanfic muses.

MINORS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.

CURRENT TOP MUSES I AM REQUESTING HCS FOR

Haruka Tenou - Sailor Moon

G'raha Tia - FFXIV

Cloud Strife - FF7/FF7R

MOST ACTIVE MUSES

Zack Fair - FF7R / Crisis Core

Noctis Lucis Caelum - FFXV

Izuku Midoriya - BNHA

Keigo Takami - BNHA

Sun Wukong - Mythos

Souji Seta - Persona 4

Yuugi Mutou - YuGiOh

Archer / Link - Zelda (BOTW/TOTK)

Naruto Uzumaki - Naruto

Sakura Haruno - Naruto

Shikamaru Nara - Naruto

Satoshi / Ash Ketchum - Pokémon

Hades - Mythos / Noragami AU

Seto Kaiba - YuGiOh

Test Muses

Urianger - Final Fantasy XIV

Steve Harington - Stranger Things

Nimona - Nimona

Other Muses

Sora - Kingdom Hearts

Credits:

most icons are by @dresspheres (any others will be credited as I use them) all post banners come from @cafekitsune art icons of G'raha Tia used with permission from back when I was still a roleplayer and the art is by @destiny-islanders & @mightier

[legion1227]

74 shows I watched this year: Ranked from least favorite to Most

74. Resident Evil (2/5)                    (Lance Reddick Wesker is only good thing)

73. Mike (2.5/5)                             (Poorly paced)

72. Shenmue (3/5)                         (Decent animation, middling plot)

71. Murderville (3/5)                       (Peaked with Conan o Brien episode)

70. Wednesday (3/5)                      (All the guys in the show suck)

69. Haikyu!! (Seasons 1-2) (3/5)       (Cute, but not for me)

68. Ms. Marvel (3/5)                       (Liked first half more)

67. The Walking Dead (Season 11: Parts 2 & 3) (3/5)     (Decent final ep)

66. Doom Patrol (Seasons 1-3) (3/5)              (Great cast)

65. Assassination Classroom (Season 2) (3/5)    (Season 1 was better)

64. Bel-Air (3.5/5)                                  (started fine, lost steam)

63. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (3.5/5) (great to have Jack Black back)

62. Euphoria (Season 2) (3.5/5)     (Enjoyable schlock)

61. Violet Evergarden (3.5/5)         ( Amazing animation, likable main lead)

60. The Orville (Seasons 1-3) (3.5/5)        (season 3 elevated the show)

59. The Righteous Gemstones (Seasons 1-2) (3.5/5)   (chaotically endearing)

58. Book of Boba Fett (3.5/5)              (Should’ve focused more on Boba)

57. Tekken: Bloodline (3.5/5)            (other characters needed more screentime)

56. The Proud Family (Seasons 1-2) (3.5/5)    (Penny is my favorite character)

55. Schitt's Creek (Seasons 5-6) (3.5/5)    (Not the funniest, but I love the family)

54. Reacher (3.5/5)              (Strong first half, kinda falls apart 2nd half)

53. Insecure (Season 1-3)       (Issa and her friends are an intriguing bunch)

52. Disenchantment (Season 4) (3.5/5)     (luci, bean, and elfo, fun trio)

51. Handmaid's Tale (Season 5) (3.5/5)   (its very good, almost great)

50. South Park (Season 25) (3.5/5)    (wayyyyyy too short for a season)

49. The Last Kingdom (Season 1-2)    (Dreymon as Uhtred is a good main lead)

48. Moon Knight (3.5/5)        (oscar isaac is amazing in the role as moon knight)

47. Re: Zero (Season 1-2) (3.5/5) (fun cast and action sets)

46. Baki (Season 1-3) (3.5/5)      (over the top action fest thats a roaring time)

45. Black Mirror (Season 1-5) (3.5/5)    (mixed bag but mostly good episodes)

44. Code Geass (Season 1-2) (3.5/5)    (lelouch is a good anti-hero) 

43. Whose line is it anyway (CW seasons 1-7) (3.5/5) (bit predictable but still hilarious)

42. Love, Death, and Robots (Season 3) (4/5) (best season they had yet)

41. Archer (Season 13) (4/5)  (RIP Jessica Walter, still managed a solid season w/o her)

40. Zootopia+ (4/5)   (episodes that are as gratifying as the movie)

39. Baymax (4/5)      (Baymax helping others is just so cute) 

38. Baki Hanma (4/5)   (more focused than other seasons)

37. Rick and Morty (Season 6)  (4/5) (Big step up from season 5)

36. Avenue 5 (Season 1)  (4/5)   (Uproariously funny)

35. Legend of Korra (Seasons 1-4)       (4/5)  (besides season 2, its incredible)

34. Scrubs (seasons 1-4)  (4/5)  (carried by great character work)

33. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Seasons 1-6) (4/5) (last 2 seasons weak, iconic tho)

32. Jeen-yuhs (4/5)           (the kanye fall of is so damn depressing)

31. Stranger Things (Season 4) (4/5) (another solid season for the show)

30. Vikings: Valhalla (4/5)   (savagery at its finest)

29. She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (4/5)   (Jen Walters and cameos are dope)

28. What We Do in the Shadows (Season 4) (4/5)  (season 3 was better)

27. The Witcher (Season 2) (4/5)    (better than season 1)

26. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (Stone Ocean) (4/5)   (beautiful ending)

25. One Piece (Whole Cake Island & Wano Arcs) (4/5) (peak storytelling)

24. Tales of The Jedi (4/5)   (love what they did with Ahsoka and Dooku)

23. Atlanta (Seasons 1-3) (4/5)     (Prefer seasons 1 & 2 over 3 just a bit

22. House of the Dragon (4/5) (confusing names, but compelling family drama)

21. Dexter (Seasons 1-4) (4/5)   (Serial killer drama at its finest)

20. Blindspotting (4/5)  (4/5)     (lack of Diggs and Casal is felt, still great tho)

19. Obi-Wan Kenobi (4/5)   (return of mcgregor and Christensen was lovely)

18. The Sandman (4/5)   (Excellent cast with clever ways of dealing w/ enemies)

17. Umbrella Academy (Season 3) (4/5) (great but hate what they did with Allison)

16. Big Nate (4/5)  (loved reading the books growing up, cute show)

15. Arcane (4/5)    (one of the best video game adaptations)

14. Demon Slayer (Season 2) (4/5) (love way more season 1)

13. Chainsaw Man (4/5) (animation and characters are fascinating)

12. Cuphead (Season 1-3) (4/5) (an even BETTER video game adaptiation)

11. Regular Show (Season 1-8) (4/5)  (wild, ride of a show from start to end)

10. The Boys Presents: Diabolical (4.5/5) (superb snack to quell Boys hunger)

9. Mob Psycho 100 (Season 3) (4.5/5) (beautiful sendoff to amazing people)

8. Smiling Friends (4.5/5)   (funniest show I’ve watched in a long time)

7. Peacemaker (4.5/5)    (funny, but has better action and drama)

6. Harley Quinn (Season 3) (4.5/5)  (top tier character arcs

5. Don't Hug Me I'm Scared (4.5/5) (wayyyy funnier than I thought it would be)

4. Barry (Season 3) (4.5/5)  (balance of comedy and drama is masterful) 

3. Attack on Titan (Season 4 part 2) (4.5/5) (only 1 subpar episode)

2. The Boys (Season 3) (4.5/5)      (the best season with the best episode)

1. Better Call Saul (Season 6) (5/5)       (literal PERFECTION) 

[goaldngel]

Iconic

•

🎶ac: me

•

🎼song: Solitude by M83 (Felsmann and Tiley reinterpretation slowed and reverb version)

•

🎬subject: (they’re not in order sorry)

Interstellar, Inception, Midsummer, Avatar, Coraline, Inglorious bastard, Killbill, Ounce upon a time in Hollywood, Harley Quinn, Arcane, Detroit become human, Assassin’s creed 3, The last of us, Life is strange, Pulp fiction, Romeo + Juliet , Titanic, Lolita, Star Wars , Harry Potter, Parasite, Squid game, Amelie poulin, Super man, Pearl, The great gatsby, Cyberpunk, Django unchained, Shutter island, The shining, Red dead redemption 2, American psycho, Don’t look up, Hunger game, Ghost in the shell, Transcendence, Alice in wonderland, Lucy, Blade runner, Divergent, Dune, Alita, Arrival, Lost in translation, Tomb raider, Ghost of Tsushima , Until dawn, Eternal sunshine, A girl from nowhere

[robertgolfcartrentaltips]

Florida’s Best Road Trips: Scenic Routes and Stops

Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Buckle up for Florida’s best road trips! From the stunning coastlines to charming small towns, Florida’s scenic routes offer something for everyone. So, let's hit the road and discover some hidden gems.

The first stop is the breathtaking Overseas Highway. This iconic route takes you from Miami to Key West, weaving through a series of bridges and islands. Picture yourself driving with the ocean on either side, the sun shining, and the wind in your hair. Don’t forget to stop in Key Largo for some fresh seafood and snorkeling.

Next, let’s cruise along the Gulf Coast on the Tamiami Trail. This road trip is ideal for nature enthusiasts. Start in Tampa and make your way to Naples, passing through the heart of the Everglades. Feeling adventurous? Rent a golf cart in Everglades City and explore this unique ecosystem up close. Keep an eye out for alligators!

For a touch of tranquility, take a detour to Port St. Lucie. This hidden gem offers serene beaches and lush parks. Rent a golf cart to explore the area's scenic spots and discover local eateries.

Finally, finish your journey on the Big Bend Scenic Byway. This route showcases Florida’s diverse landscapes, from forests to coastline. Start in Tallahassee and head to Apalachicola, where you can enjoy fresh oysters and charming southern hospitality.

So, what are you waiting for? Florida’s scenic routes are calling. W Take a detour to discover hidden beaches, charming small towns, and delicious local cuisine. Pack your bags, grab your camera, and set off on a journey that will leave you with stories to tell for years to come. Happy travels!

[chokhidhanipalacehotel]

Family Fun Retreats: Best Resorts for All Ages

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters: spending quality time with loved ones. Family vacations provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect, create lasting memories, and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. When it comes to planning the ultimate family retreat, choosing the right resort can make all the difference. From exciting activities for kids to relaxing amenities for adults, the best resorts cater to guests of all ages. Here, we'll explore some of the top family-friendly resorts around the world, including the best resort in Jaisalmer, where fun and relaxation go hand in hand.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Orlando, Florida):

Nestled in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, this iconic Victorian-style hotel offers a magical escape for families. With its proximity to Disney theme parks and enchanting amenities, including themed pools, character dining experiences, and fireworks views, the Grand Floridian ensures an unforgettable vacation for Disney fans of all ages.

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos):

Known for its all-inclusive luxury and endless array of activities, Beaches Turks & Caicos is a paradise for families seeking sun, sand, and sea. From water parks and snorkeling excursions to gourmet dining and nightly entertainment, there's something for everyone at this Caribbean gem.

Great Wolf Lodge (Various Locations):

Offering indoor water park thrills year-round, Great Wolf Lodge is a favorite among families seeking wet and wild adventures. With slides, wave pools, and splash zones galore, this resort guarantees hours of fun for kids and kids at heart. Plus, cozy accommodations and family-friendly dining options make for a hassle-free getaway.

Club Med Sandpiper Bay (Port St. Lucie, Florida):

As the only all-inclusive resort in the United States, Club Med Sandpiper Bay caters to families seeking both relaxation and recreation. With activities ranging from tennis and golf to trapeze lessons and cooking classes, there's no shortage of ways to stay active and engaged. Meanwhile, parents can unwind with rejuvenating spa treatments and gourmet cuisine.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Ko Olina, Hawaii):

Set against the stunning backdrop of Oahu's western shore, Aulani immerses guests in the rich culture and natural beauty of Hawaii. From luaus and ukulele llessons to snorkeling adventures and sunset beach parties, families can experience the spirit of aloha at every turn. And with luxurious accommodations and world-class amenities, relaxation comes easy in this island paradise.

Whether you're seeking thrills at a theme park resort or tranquility by the beach, these family-friendly retreats offer something for everyone. By choosing a resort that caters to guests of all ages, like the best hotel in Jaisalmer, you can ensure that your next family vacation is both memorable and enjoyable for the whole family. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

[whatsonmedia]

Wednesday Wisdom: New Books to Enrich Your Soul

Explore new dimensions of literary enchantment with “Wednesday Wisdom: New Books to Enrich Your Soul.” Delve into Gabriel García Márquez’s posthumous novel, “Until August,” a tale of love and self-discovery. Discover memoirs from Billy Dee Williams and Lucy Sante, alongside captivating narratives from Maurice Carlos Ruffin and Marie-Helene Bertino. Open the door to wisdom today.

Until August by Gabriel García Márquez

Gabriel García Márquez’s posthumous novel, Until August, explores a complex woman’s desires. Ana Magdalena Bach, a seemingly contented wife, takes a yearly pilgrimage to a Caribbean island. There, amidst the sultry atmosphere, she embarks on a passionate affair every August. As years pass, these encounters challenge her understanding of love, freedom, and the choices that shape a life.

Published in 2024, this Márquez masterpiece delves into themes of regret, self-discovery, and the enigmatic nature of love, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and the renowned author’s magical realism style.

What Have We Here? by Billy Dee Williams 

In his memoir, “What Have We Here? Portraits of a Life,” actor Billy Dee Williams chronicles his eight-decade journey from a Harlem childhood to Hollywood stardom. Williams details navigating racial hurdles in a predominantly white industry, while achieving success on Broadway and landing iconic roles like Lando Calrissian in Star Wars. This New York Times bestseller offers a captivating look at perseverance, artistry, and a life filled with encounters with legends like James Baldwin and Diana Ross.

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Discover the compelling narrative of “The American Daughters” by Maurice Carlos Ruffin. A captivating historical tale centered around Ady, a spirited young girl ensnared in the grips of slavery in New Orleans. Ruffin intricately weaves together the bonds of family, friendship, and resilience as Ady navigates the complexities of her world. Through her encounters with the enigmatic Lenore and the clandestine society of The Daughters, Ady finds the courage to forge her path towards freedom.

Ruffin’s masterful storytelling unveils a narrative of hope and triumph, highlighting the power of unity and determination in the face of oppression. “The American Daughters” is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. And the enduring strength found in community solidarity.

I heard her call my name by lucy sante

In her poignant memoir, “I Heard Her Call My Name,” Lucy Sante, a celebrated author, recounts her late-in-life gender transition. Weaving together her artistic achievements with a yearning for authenticity, Sante details the internal struggle that shadowed her success.

This introspective journey explores the complexities of gender identity, societal expectations, and the courage it takes to live as your true self. Praised for its clarity and honesty. “I Heard Her Call My Name” is a must-read for those seeking to understand gender identity. And the power of living authentically.

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

Dive into “Beautyland,” a captivating blend of science fiction and coming-of-age. Where Adina, a young woman in Philadelphia, discovers she’s an alien on a mission to document humanity’s quirks and emotions.

Through fax transmissions (yes, faxes!), Adina grapples with earthly experiences, from the profound to the peculiar. All while questioning her identity and place in this strange, beautiful world. Bertino’s debut novel is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human, perfect for fans of both literary fiction and imaginative sci-fi.

[fictionfromafar]

New publisher Foundry Editions to launch this summer, bringing stories from the Mediterranean Basin to English readers

LAUNCHING JUNE 2024

London, Thursday 1 February 2024. The new independent publisher Foundry Editions is excited to announce its launch in Summer 2024, publishing the first three English-translation titles from their award-winning catalogue of stories from and about the Mediterranean Basin.

Based in London, Foundry Editions is founded by Richard Village, a passionate linguist who speaks Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese and has always had his ears and eyes open to exciting writing in these languages. Foundry Editions’ ethos is threefold: a love for discovering and sharing new voices, a love for the Mediterranean and the people and lands that surround it, and a love of internationalism and reading across borders.

The independent publisher aims to bring to the attention of the English-speaking world literary gems written in languages from the Mediterranean Basin, with high-quality translations always produced directly from the original language.

Richard Village said, “We are on a mission to uncover authors who are new to English speakers, and to share the joy of reading their stories, which come from a part of the world that has always been a source of cultural and emotional inspiration for English-language readers.

“Foundry Editions wants to bring that writing to a wider audience. Because of the increasing acceptance of non-Anglophone cultural output as part of the mainstream and the more porous nature of national and linguistic boundaries, the need for dedicated presses who can satisfy the increasing demand for international fiction and have the courage to bring it to market, is also growing. We want to be an exemplary part of that significant cultural movement that puts quality translated fiction into the hands of readers.”

All Foundry Editions titles have been beautifully designed with a consistent branded look, created by Richard and Hélène Marchal from Murmurs Design. The striking aesthetic is inspired by iconic design and artists from the origin countries and reflects the distinctive nature of the countries and regions represented, as well as the bold and transporting quality of the writing.

Foundry Editions will be launching their catalogue from June 2024 with three titles for summer that not only showcase the quality fiction the Mediterranean Basin has to offer but offer unique social commentaries and viewpoints from the region.

The first country to be spotlighted is Cyprus, in Constantia Soteriou’s inventive novel BRANDY SOUR, translated from the Greek by Lina Protopapa. Set against the backdrop of the Cypriot civil war, Soteriou cleverly uses Nicosia’s iconic Ledra Palace Hotel – built in the fifties as the first grand hotel in the region, and a symbol of the island’s modernisation – as a metaphor to explore the turbulent history of the Republic of Cyprus. Winner of the 2023 National Book Prize in Cyprus, The Guardian’s Lucy Popescu describes it as a “story that celebrates human resilience and deftly takes us through the years of the Cypriot conflict.”

Foundry Editions’ second title hails from Italy, bringing Maria Grazia Calandrone’s critically and commercially acclaimed autobiographical piece, YOUR LITTLE MATTER, to English readers for the first time. Translated from the Italian by Antonella Lettieri, Calandrone explores the heartbreaking reasons why a mother might abandon a child, in turn giving voice to the impoverished, marginalised women of the Italian South. Shortlisted for the 2023 Premio Strega, Your Little Matter combines poetic and philosophical insight with forensic investigation to reflect on a real-life case which helped prompt social and legal reforms in Italy.

Lastly, Foundry Editions turns its attentions to Spain with its third, atmospheric title, FAR. Written by one of the queens of Spanish noir, Rosa Ribas, and translated from the Spanish by Charlotte Coombe, Far is Ribas’ first foray away from crime fiction. Painting a truly evocative picture of post-crash Spain, Ribas’s satirical novel places her unnamed characters in an urbanisation in the middle of the nowhere, one of the many that were built in Spain, but never finished due to the country’s financial crash.

Foundry Editions will be publishing one further book this year, eight books in 2025, with the ambition of eventually publishing between ten and twelve books a year, and will release further info in due course. Find out more about Foundry Editions on their website here, and follow the latest updates on Instagram via @foundryeditions.

For all publicity enquiries, interview requests and review copies, please contact Midas:

Hannah Bright | Hannah.Bright@midaspr.co.uk | +44 (0)7476 968 336

Emily Laidlaw | Emily.Laidlaw@midaspr.co.uk | +44 (0)7384 268 734

Website:

Instagram: @foundryeditions

Foundry Editions titles are sold by Inpress and are distributed by BookSource. For further information, please contact:

Inpress | enquiries@inpressbooks.co.uk | +44 (0)191 230 8104

BookSource | orders@booksource.net | +44 (0) 845 370 0063