#not safe for pira

[fiddles-ifs]

i just realized marianna has a carabiner o7 thank you for your service

😏 you can thank maggie over @/fat-rolls-frictions for reminding me that Marianna needs a carabiner to feel safe.

Also here’s this picture from Twitter so the chat goes insane:

[furlantravelfashionblogger]

Visite o Jardin des Tuileries para ver a famosa pira olímpica em todo o seu esplendor! A famosa Chama que viajou por toda a França está instalada com segurança em uma lanterna de frente para a pira. Fique até a noite se puder para ver a pira subir aos céus! Você pode pensar que é a Chama Olímpica queimando por baixo enquanto a pira flutua sobre o horizonte parisiense... mas na verdade é uma mistura inteligente de névoa e luzes elétricas para criar um efeito mágico sem usar combustível. Paris 2024 permanece sustentável o tempo todo! #ExploreFrance #Paris2024 #OpenDoorsOpenGames

Visit Jardin des Tuileries to see the celebrated Olympic cauldron in all its splendour! The famous Flame that travelled all over France is safely installed in a lantern facing the cauldron. Stay till night if you can to see the cauldron take to the skies! You might think thats the Olympic Flame burning beneath as the cauldron floats over the Parisian skyline .. but it is actually a clever mix of mist and electric lights to create a magical effect without using fuel. Paris 2024 stays sustainable all the way! #ExploreFrance #Paris2024 #OpenDoorsOpenGames.

[plumblossomcafe]

Ch.1:The City of Freedom, Dragon Storm and Knights of Favonius

TW: Kaeya and Mentions of 18+

"Thoughts"

*actions*

Paimon: Finally, we don't have to camp outside anymore, but...the city folk don't look too cheery

Y/n: Everyone's been put out of place by Stormterror recently. But everything will turn out fine as Jean's with us!

Paimon: Jean?

Amber: Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius -- Jean, defender of Mondstat. With Jean on our side, surely even the vicous Stormterror will be no match for us.

Aether: "I hope she knows something about the God of Anemo"

Amber: Before I take you guys to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, I have a present for you, Aether. It's a reward for helping me clear out that hilichurl camp.

Paimon: He-Hey! Why doesn't Paimon get a reward?

Y/n: Yeah!!! I also helped!!!

Amber: Ahh...Because this reward is useless to you, Paimon and you already have this gift that I'm about to give to Aether Y/n. But I'll treat you both to a traditional Mondstat delicacy -- Sticky Honey Roast.

Paimon/Y/n: *excited* Sticky Honey Roast!

Amber: Come with me, we'll head to the city's ahh...high ground

After they get to the city's high ground, Amber presented Aether the gift

Amber: The present I want to give you is, A Wind Glider

Y/n: Outriders use them to ride the wind, and the people of Mondstadt love using them too, I especially enjoy using them!

Amber: I brought you here to give it to you so you can experience it right away!

Paimon: Oh, you're both really excited about these wind gliders, huh!

Y/n: Well, that's because the wind is the heart and soul of Mondstadt. It's very obvious, Paimon...

Amber: Alrighty then, enough talk! Let's give it a whirl! It's easy to use, but you still need to pay attention to my instructions

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After the gliding tutorial, the sky would turn dark quickly

Y/n: *looks up* The sky...

The dragon from before would return, and the people then start to run away into shelter as the dragon summons tornados

Amber: Run!!!

Aether: *gets sucked into the tornado and gets sent into the sky and starts gliding to prevent himself from falling*

Paimon: *with Aether* Huh? How are you staying afloat like this with just a Wind Glider?

???: I'm preventing your fall with the power of a thousand winds, Now, concentrate. See yourself grasping the wind. Harness its energy.

Paimon: *scared* Who...who said that!?

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After damaging the dragon

Aether: *accidently unaquipped his Wind Glider falling* Ahhh!!

Y/n: *makes a lot of bubbles in order to make a staircase for him to land on* jump on the bubbles to land!!!

Aether: *lands safely on the ground*

Amber: A-Are you hurt?

???: *clapping* You've actually got the power to go up against the dragon... Are you a new ally...or a new storm?

Y/n: "I'm a head out while their talking"

Kaeya: Also, Jean told me to go get you Y/n since you left headquarters even though you're grounded

Y/n: *gets stopped by Amber* Really now?

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???: Jean, what's the hurry? I thought we agreed to meet them here.

Jean: There have been sightings of Stormterror outside the city. Once we meet, we must...

???: Relax. I'll lend a hand when the time comes.

Kaeya: *carrying a squirming Y/n like a sack of potatoes* Jean, I've brought them

Y/n: Put me down, you one eyed wanna be pira-*feels Kaeya slap her butt*

Kaeya: "Heh, still as round, big and plump as ever, perfect for--"

Jean: *angry* Kaeya!!! Put Y/n down and don't do that!!!!

Y/n: *kicks his knees hard when he puts her down*

Kaeya: agh!! *tries to ignore the pain and explains to Jean what happened* ...And once it was over, I brought them straight here.

Jean: Mondstadt welcomes you, windborne travelers. I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. This is Lisa, our resident librarian.

Lisa: Oh! Are you sweeties here to help us out? You're both so adorable! Sadly, the timing is regrettable...Stormterror has caused quite a ruckus in the region since its recent resurgence. Simply put, Mondstadt's elemental sphere and ley lines are now akin to a yarn ball in the paws of a kitten. For a mage, it couldn't get much worse. My skin is one elemental particle away from a full-blown breakout.

Y/n: *confused* But you look the same as always, Big sister Lisa, you wouldn't change at all if that happens

Lisa: *giggles darkly* Do you want more grounding time, dear?~

Y/n: No thank you!!!

Jean: Anyways, if it weren't for this interference, the Knights of Favonius would have better ways to help you than just putting up missing person posters. We simply ask that you repose in Mondstadt while we help you seek out your sister

Aether: Alright, I really should help out as well.

Paimon: Paimon will help too!

Keaya: Good. In that case, we need a plan.

Y/n: Yeah, I don't think you're suitable for that Kaeya since you probably don't even have a brain to think to begin with since it's probably a block of ice like your vision. *crosses her arms and looks away with a huff*

Kaeya: *ticked off* Hey!!!

Jean: *sighs* With Stormterror now directly attacking Mondstadt, we may have an opportunity to cut this problem off at the source. Lisa has revealed the sources of Stormterror's power with her detection magic.

Lisa: Stormterror's ability to whip up these kinds of storms can be attributed to it drawing power from the temples.

Jean: Our objective is to deal with three of the four temples. I trust everyone understands why we are only dealing with three.

Paimon: Paimon doesn't

Aether: It must be a local thing...We'll ask later... *confused as to why Y/n is walking to a table where there's a globe*

Jean: Knights of Favonius, time is against us. The storm is rampant. There is no point in maintaining a defensive position. Alright. We need to take initiative and act before the situation escalates.

Y/n: *throws the globe at Kaeya's head*

Kaeya: ack!!!

Jean: *angry* Y/N!!!!!!

What beef do you think Y/n has with Keaya?

Also, I hope you guys enjoyed and leave any feedback that you guys have and the story quests I will do but in each region I will put them under the title of "Story Quest" but I'll only do the important ones and for past/current events like lantern rite, "Roses and Muskets", etc. I will also do and I'll also place them in the region that they belong in under the title: "Events"

[dolearning]

10 phần mềm quản lý trẻ em chất lượng

Tham khảo 10 phần mềm quản lý trẻ em chất lượng nhất:

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Net Nanny

MMGuardian

Norton Family

Qustodio

Ourpact

Screen Time

ESET Parental Control

Windows Live Family Safety

Kuru Pira Web Filter

Bitdefender Parental Control

Kidlogger

Spyrix Free Keylogger

Bài viết chi tiết: https://dolearning.vn/phan-mem-quan-ly-tre-em/

[tomlinspoooky]

okay this episode was,, meh

[pirakeet]

Neopets Active breach - more info

Trying to compile links and info, apologies for formatting. I don't know how to redit anymore.

Jellyneo Article credited with breaking the news (actively updated) TNT's reply on Twitter - Screenshots in my own post Reddit Masterpost on active breach Neopets Password Reset Link Neopets Password Limitations (and Solutions for Password Reset Errors) (Reddit post) My post with extra info re: potential issues with previously logged tickets (Reblogging @ayrenn extra info)

From TNT: Change password immediately

Password will need to be changed again once issue resolved

Change any sites with the same passwords or pins

More info about this Active Breach and previous leaks below the cut. (I tried my best)

Note: 1. My understanding/relevant vocab is limited. Will correct anything if/as corrections come in. 2. We only have limited info, people are speculating on potential risks with the better safe than sorry mentality - I support this ofc 3. HMU with any corrections/additions. This is not exhaustive

--- Previous Leaks:

Previous 2013 & 2016 leaks (years TBC) involved the same or similar access, with all user passwords being stored in plain text and leaked. The issue was resolved and after one of the leaks TNT force-changed every password slightly to prevent unapproved access. Example of the leaked info:

Username - Password - Email - Birthday - Location - Gender - IP - Name Pirakeet - Pirakeet1 - P@kt.com - 2022-01-01 - CA - M - 119.69.666.420 - Pira Keet

2022 Breach:

This is a current and active breach. As far as we are aware at this time, the user/s still have active access to the backend. This means that any changes we make to our accounts will be visible to them. It's a good idea to change your password in case they HAVE lost access. But we can't put our trust in TNT when they haven't told us t's safe to do. --- How it (likely) happened - A Timeline

2020 (TBC) a user on Twitter brought attention that it was possible to obtain a complete copy of the neopets code - however "There have been reports of people owning whole neo code since 2014" 2021 A reddit user posted that they had access to a a copy of this code 'It's not live of course, a snapshot from last year you could say" 2022 Said user begins sharing more up-to-date information, explaining "old code leak -> find exploit -> get db access" July 19, 2022 The following post is made:

Source: Bleeping Computer via Appuals NOTE: It is being reported that the user is offering full access to the user info for 4BTC and entertaining offers for full access to the live db + source code. But this *MAY* be a misunderstanding. "Vouch, I registered an account on the website and he sent the full entry," - pompompurin" (Source - Bleeping Computer) 20 July, 2022 Jellyneo breaks the news TNT Makes a Statement Yesterday: Previously mentioned Reddit user answered some questions:

"1. They used [Hacking/Exploit finding technique]. I had to spend months and get lucky lol. You can know the ip but that just leads back to a rented server so not easy knowing who. 2. No, breached server is not server we as users use 3. That he has the data is true (although there is a small part that isn't due to a misunderstanding)" [Further updates/Missing info will be added.] --- Credit Card/Bank Info:

TNT have provided a user the following reply to a ticket about this issue: "Your recurring payment is dealt by our payment processor which is completely separate from Neopets.com

Rest assured, your billing information was not associated with the situation at hand.

We do not store your billing information at all." u/porkchop_2020 - Post comment

You can take that or leave it depending on your trust level of TNT and/or understanding of these things (I have none) --- Personal Data sent to TNT in tickets:

Without any clear insight, we are speculating. But it entirely depends on how and where TNT stores/stored data relating to tickets (which for some has included personal identifying information and documentation). I hope it has always been via a third-party system/app/platform with added security. But unless someone can offer more insight, all we have to go off is ''they once saved all our passwords as plain text"

Here is a relevant opinion by u/_manders - (Original thread)

--- My Takeaway:

If you choose to change your bank/CC cards there is nothing wrong or stupid about choosing to be extra safe Absolutely change any offsite passwords that are the same/similar as your Neopets accounts though - we don't know how each company stores your info

--- Extra Links: Reddit post with some technical info and some practical advice in the comments

--- Why I didn't name the user:

Not that you can't find the info, but there is no proof of this users guilt or innocence as there have been MANY breaches and MANY leaks. The user suggests they have made reports to TNT, some of which eventually lead to bugs being fixed.

[tale-wind]

tw: body horror, violence, blood, self-harm

Bran broke the tar's surface with a heaving gasp and hauled Bautista's still body onto the shore, where he collapsed coughing next to him. "Bautista," he said hoarsely, and shook his shoulder. He didn't move. Bran pushed himself to his knees and knelt over him, panic clawing its way up his throat. "God, fuck, please, Bautista." He cradled his face in his hands and dug deep, deep within himself for that reservoir he was worried he'd used up, then stretched forth the flickering warmth he found there, desperately searching within Bautista—

And then he was tugged—yanked—into another pool of tar, the viscous substance filling his nostrils, his mouth as he was pulled through, choking him, enveloping him, swallowing him—

And he jolted to a stop, suddenly breathing freely, suddenly dry, and he retched, but nothing came out. It took him a few moments to register the sensations around him: heat, but without the damp heft of the South; hard stone and sand beneath his palms; indistinct chatter around him—but just as he settled into the environment it shifted; the floor beneath him was smooth, cold tile, and he flinched at a sharp wooden pounding above him—then silence, broken only by a ticking clock, and the carpeted floor of a narrow, air-conditioned hallway—and back to the heat. Bran almost didn't trust himself to get up, still nauseous and light-headed, expecting another shift.

But he forced himself to his feet anyway, and found himself in a cafeteria—canvas walls and roof over a stone floor coated in sand—filled with men in tan combat fatigues. Conversation and laughter flowed all around him, but no matter how he tried to focus, he couldn’t make any of it out.

Something invisible pulled at him, and when he turned to follow it, he saw him—his face was younger and gaunter, but Bautista sat in the middle of a throng of his fellow soldiers, his dull eyes boring a hole into his empty cafeteria tray. “Bautista?” Bran said, but his words were swallowed by the cacophony of voices. “Bautista!” he said again and stumbled towards the table. Bautista didn’t acknowledge him—no one acknowledged him. The soldier on Bautista’s right jostled into him with a laugh, then returned to his conversation without noticing the lack of reaction, or the way his hands trembled in his lap.

Another soldier approached Bautista from behind. He went rigid when the soldier clapped a hand on his shoulder, and his eyes sharpened when the soldier said something to or at him, then turned around to laugh with another group.

It was the turn that did him in. If he hadn’t turned, he would have seen something in Bautista’s face snap, and he would have seen Bautista seize his tray in a white-knuckled grip. But he did turn, and so he remained blissfully unaware. Once the tray crashed into the back of his skull, he stopped being aware of anything for a while.

There was a moment of quiet and stillness as the soldier crumpled, then the cafeteria roared to life as Bautista hauled back for a second swing, his face twisted in anger. Soldiers swarmed him, wrenching the tray from his hands, and then grabbing his arms when he kept swinging his fists. Bautista roared as he pushed against the tide of bodies. To most, it probably sounded like base, instinctual fury, and it was, in part. But Bran had felt that sound rip from his own throat often enough to recognize the anguish in it.

“Idiot,” said a voice from next to Bran.

He whirled to find Bautista—his Bautista—standing there, watching. But he was still covered in dripping tar, and Bran involuntarily stepped backwards when he saw his that his eyes, fixed on the scene, were pitch black, sclerae and all.

“Couldn’t have held it together for ten more minutes,” Bautista continued tonelessly. “Look at you. Throwing your whole life away. Over what?”

At that moment, the fight all at once left the young Bautista like air leaving a balloon, and he went limp in the arms restraining him. “Weakling,” Bautista said.

The world lurched around Bran. When his senses returned, the cafeteria in Iraq had been replaced with a severe courtroom, and he was standing between the defense and the prosecution. A uniformed man—his features blurred—sat at the podium overlooking the room, with the seal of the United States Marine Corps looming behind him. The jury box was empty.

“Corporal Marcus Alejandro Danum Bautista,” the judge said, and there was a scraping sound from Bran’s left as the younger Bautista, his olive green service uniform immaculate, stood as straight and still as a statue. The judge consulted a document laid before him, and continued, “You are charged with a count of aggravated assault against a fellow Marine. How do you plead?”

“Guilty,” he said immediately, “your honor.” The JAG officer next to him—whose face was also indistinct—said nothing.

The judge gave him an appraising look. “...Well, that simplifies things,” he said, and looked down at his files. When he opened his mouth again, his voice was suddenly muffled, as if someone had stuffed cotton in Bran’s ears.

“Not even going to put up a fight,” Bautista’s deadened voice scoffed from Bran’s right, and he turned to see him standing at the prosecution’s table, looking past Bran at his younger self with his eyes still fully black. Fat drops of tar continued to fall from his body to the tile floor, congealing at his feet. “Just bending over and submitting. It’s what you do best.”

“That’s not true,” Bran protested, but the words tasted like ash on his tongue. Every time he’d sneered and dismissed Bautista as a bootlicker, a doormat, a lapdog, rose from the depths of his memory at once and rang in his ears. He swallowed, ignoring the sound of his own voice, and said, “Bautista, it isn’t—”

“...dollars,” he suddenly heard the judge say. “Furthermore, you are hereby given an Other Than Honorable discharge. This discharge will be considered Dishonorable for Veterans’ Affairs purposes. You will be barred from reenlisting in the United States Armed Forces or reserves...”

The Bautista to Bran’s left clenched his jaw as he stared into the Marine Corps seal with dampening eyes. The Bautista to Bran’s right dropped his blackened eyes to the floor. “Coward.”

“Bautista—” Bran said, starting towards him, but with the crack of the judge’s gavel, he tripped over a chair, and he fell face-first onto the—

Carpet. The sound of the gavel was now the soft, hesitant knocking of knuckles on wood.

“...Dad?”

Bran looked up. Bautista was a large, physically imposing man. But here in this hallway, wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants, his shoulders hunched as he waited with his knuckles resting against a closed door... Even looking up at him from the floor, Bautista had never looked smaller to Bran.

“Dad,” Bautista repeated, “can I come in?” He paused and swallowed, listening for an answer.

None came.

Bautista leaned his forehead and palms against the door. “Please, can we talk?” he begged quietly, his voice cracking.

The clock in the hallway continued to tick.

“Why should he?” came the monotone Bran had come to anticipate. There was the tar-splattered Bautista, standing on the opposite side of his younger self from Bran. “Why should he want anything to do with a failure of a son?”

The younger Bautista’s face scrunched up. He closed his eyes and sucked a breath through his teeth as his shoulders quivered.

“You staked your whole life on your family’s proudest legacy. And then you went and fucked it all up.” Water seeped through the younger Bautista’s squeezed eyelids. “Disgraced your father, his father, and his father.” He shoved a sob back down his throat. “What good are you to anyone now?”

The younger Bautista slumped to the floor, shaking. “Worthless,” the other Bautista continued. When Bran looked back up at him, he saw a black rivulet trickling down his cheek from an inky eye. “Ungrateful. Useless. Selfish.”

“Stop it,” Bran snapped.

“Stupid. Good-for-nothing. Fuck-up. Waste.” The one rivulet became several, leaking from both eyes.

“Stop it!” Bran repeated. He strode over to him and shook him by the shoulders. “Bautista—Marc—you gotta wake up!”

“Lachlan,” Bautista said, his voice distant, and sludge burbled from his mouth. He continued to look sightless into the middle distance. “I tried to keep you safe. From the anomalies, from PIRA, from yourself. From me. But I wasn’t good enough.”

“I’m right here! We can still make it out of here, Marc!”

“Not strong enough. Not smart enough. Not kind enough. Not—”

Bran grabbed Bautista’s face, his fingertips pressed to his temples, and brilliant emerald light seared the hallway away. Wincing, he closed his eyes, but then a burning pressure began to bear down on his skull. tHiS iS nOt YoUr DrEaM, that familiar voice snarled.

Bran cried out, but gritted his teeth and held fast to Bautista. “Not yours either, fucker,” he hissed. “Piss off.”

Through his eyelids, the green light grew brighter, and the voice howled in rage and pain. The light blazed into almost white, and the howling dissipated. A heartbeat that he somehow knew was Bautista’s pounded in his ears.

Bran took a deep breath. His turn now.

Images—scenes—flashed through his mind as he poured the warmth now blossoming in his chest into Bautista. Bautista letting Bran hold his hand through a panic attack. Throwing himself between Bran and a charging anomaly. Listening to one of Bran’s favorite CDs in the Jeep while he thought Bran was sleeping in the passenger seat. Offering Bran a coffee tin to keep a tiny marigold. Blazing a path through the woods with a bleeding Bran in a fireman’s carry. Cleaning and bandaging the blood-soaked gashes across half of Bran’s face in the woods. Cleaning and bandaging the blood-soaked gashes across Bran’s forearms and thighs in a motel bathroom. Casually shoulder-checking Bran outside of a diner. Coaxing Bran gently from a locked room after chasing everyone else away. Both of them laughing over some stupid joke while driving. Kneeling and holding Bran while he sobbed into his shoulder. Clasping Bran’s hand and intertwining their fingers outside Warden Forest.

“You asked me once if I thought you were a bad person,” Bran said. “And I didn’t say anything then. I mean, you were asking rhetorically, but...” He searched the void of Bautista’s eyes for a glimmer of something, anything. “I’ve been with you practically every day for the past two years. I’ve never known anyone more selfless, or dedicated, or loyal, or careful, or honest, or humble, or brave. I’d have been dead plenty of times over if not for you.”

He leaned forward so their foreheads touched. “You never gave up on me, no matter how shitty I was, no matter how dangerous things got. So I’m not going to give up on you, Marc Bautista. And I’m not going to let you give up on yourself.“

The space around them rumbled and the light became blinding, and Bran was thrown backwards. He landed flat on his back, finally feeling grass and mud beneath him once more. Solid. Real. He opened his eyes and saw the gnarled, bare tree branches reaching for the gray sky above, just as before. The mud squelched beneath his palms as he pushed himself upright and scrambled towards Bautista, still lying where he remembered. “Come on,” he whispered. He reached out and grasped his shoulder.

And Bautista rolled onto his side with a spasm, hacking and hawking up tar.

After a few moments, with Bran clapping him between the shoulder blades to help, the heaving passed, and Bautista sat there a moment to catch his breath, his head bowed. When he looked up at Bran, his eyes were his own—sclerae white, irises earthy black instead of inky—and they were full of trepidation.

If Bran were standing, he would have collapsed in relief. “Marc,” he said.

Bautista’s face crumpled, tears of water carving lines down his dirty cheeks, and he threw himself at Bran. He clung to him like he was afraid he might disappear, bawling into his shoulder, and Bran’s composure quickly cracked and fell apart in return.

In spite of everything—behind them, around them, ahead of them—they were alive.

In spite of everything, they loved, and were loved.

The storm had not yet passed. But it had not yet beaten them.

And they were not alone.

[joonkorre]

its crazy late but

@drarrymicrofic prompt: blanket fort

(there’s no plot. none. just dudes being guys, guys being pals)

(caution: not very micro, more like a one shot. a whole lot of anecdotes. i’m writing this under a blanket with snow beating at my window, so of course this has to be very soft and warm. you have been warned)

“Hello?” Harry says into the dark. He’s just gotten home and instead of seeing the familiar orange hue of their beetle-shaped lamp (a gift from Luna, of course), there’s a single sliver of moonlight slipping through the curtains. Nothing else seems to exist in the living room but the echo of Harry’s greeting. Tangerine and sage drift into his nose, followed by the bitter tang of smoke. The scent of Draco’s favorite candle, newly extinguished.

Draco just left. Discovered a breakthrough in his research and fled to the Ministry lab, maybe.

Harry sighs. Unlaces his boots and hangs up his coat absentmindedly only for it to crumple onto the floor. Another sigh. He bends and retrieves it, deciding instead to throw it in the laundry bin. Might as well; he’s been trudging around in Dayhound mucus for hours and neither his dragonhide boots nor coat were spared. 

Walking into the kitchen, Harry grabs a glass from the drying rack and pours himself water from the pitcher in the fridge. It’s ridiculous how a simple act like this can drain his energy so, but it does. Curse breaking isn’t a walk in the park; even walking hurts, considering the amount of magic he expends on shite like a 500-year-old wailing locket on a day to day basis. Exposure to different kinds of magic - dark, Old Magick, elemental, countlessly and endlessly more- for 8 hours straight more often than not result in a fierce ringing in his temples and pinpricks on his skin.

After years of doing it, he can scarcely tolerate one Portkey trip from wherever he’s assigned to back to the main headquarter before getting uncontrollable shivers. Another 30 minutes on the metro, then a 10-minute walk home. In addition, Harry has to sleep for at least 8 hours every night to replenish his energy. Morning comes, he wakes up, Apparates to the headquarter, and the cycle continues.

Why does he even stick with curse breaking at this point? Right, a wry grin graces Harry’s lips, Draco thinks the uniform is hot. Oh, and can’t forget the job benefits, insurance, whole nine yards.

With the glass now rinsed and settled once more on the drying rack, Harry drags his feet to the bedroom. The clock - an antique Draco stole from his cheating ex - hits 7:18 PM, but getting ready to go to sleep sure sounds like a decent idea. Harry palms the back of his aching neck and winces. He’d go shower, scrub the dirt and tension off his limbs, and maybe heat up the leftovers from two days-

“There you are. I was wondering how much longer drinking water could take.”

Harry looks up from his slippered feet to see Draco. Or, more specifically, Draco’s silhouette. Behind some kind of white cloth. A white cloth that’s conveniently placed where the focus of the bedroom should’ve been. 

The relief at seeing his husband evaporates.

“What,” Harry says, “where’s our bed.”

Draco’s silhouette crawls to the opening of the cloth… tent-shaped thing. Pewter grey eyes peer at him behind strands of near-platinum blonde, its icy color soothed by the orange tint of… ah, so he’s brought the bug lamp in here. Neat.

“I,” Draco answers. Pauses. “Might have brought it somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else.”

“Yes.”

Harry shakes his head. An exasperated chuckle escapes his lips.

“Is ‘somewhere else’ the recycling center?”

“Why,” Draco flops down on the floor, appearing tired of holding himself up on his elbows for more than 10 seconds. It’s peculiar to see, the gesture a bit ungraceful for someone like him. Harry is helplessly in love amused. “Do my ears deceive me? Am I being confronted, cornered, accosted for being a good husband? Were the 5 minutes it took to Shrink and Levitate the wretched old thing away from our safe haven worth your condescension, dear lover?”

“I guess I did say I hate-”

“Correct!”

“-the headboard. Nothing but the headboard. Yesterday. While I’m half asleep. Baby.”

“Oh, pish posh, I hate it too! In fact, I’m doing us both a favor disposing of the entire thing altogether.”

“God, however can I thank you? I mean, you did rid us of our bed where we sleep on.”

“You can thank me by taking off those horrid gears faster and come here,” with that, Draco crawls back to where he was sitting before.

“You love these gears,” Harry says, hanging his harnesses and tool belt in the closet and walking into the bathroom for a quick shower, “you love them against your ba-”

“Put a lock on that filthy mouth, Potter, what will the Daily Prophet think?” Draco’s yell almost drowns out the shower spray. Harry laughs, his stomach hurting for the right reason at last.

When he re-enters the bedroom, Draco is leaning out from the tent thing.

“Come, get in, get in,” he beckons with a hasty wave.

Harry points to his wet hair with the hand holding his towel. Draco clicks his tongue and waves his hand more aggressively.

His husband’s level of theatrics is directly proportional to how slow Harry is at doing what he says, so he nods, fondness overflowing, and obeys.

“What’s all this?” He crouches and crawls in, eyeing the collection of pillows and quilts surrounding Draco and what would be Harry’s seat. It seems that he had also lugged in the chairs from their dining room to provide some structural support for the tent.

“A blanket fort, lover,” Draco says, his gaze tender. Harry’s finger tips tingle with every touch of cotton, linen, silk, as he gets situated. It’s been years and years and years and years, and Harry can never get used to, can never take for granted, the weight of his husband’s undivided attention.

“Huh,” he says, sitting down with an ‘oof’, “isn’t this for kids?”

“A blanket fort is a blanket fort,” Draco takes the towel from Harry’s arm and puts the throw pillow Ron knitted in his lap. He hits a button on the laptop in front of them, and Harry’s favorite jazz collection plays. He blinks. He thought Draco would play his questionable atmospheric-white-noise-POV-you’re-having-tea-in-a-gothic-vampire-library playlist, the weirdo.

Velvety smooth sax flows through the air. Harry exhales, easy and content, and lets Draco tilt his head. He towels Harry’s hair, massaging unhurried circles on his scalp and varying the degree of pressure. In no time, his head lolls forward, eyes closed, chin a breath away from his well-worn shirt. A slender, pale hand cups his cheek and holds his head up and steady. Meanwhile, the hand’s owner leans out of the blanket fort to get something.

“Ow.” A grunt. Harry smiles; most likely a cramp from all the leaning.

Then, his husband reseats himself, this time with a smell. A mouth-watering, delicious smell, tickling the back of Harry’s nose. He opens his eyes to see Draco lifting off the lid of a ceramic bowl perched on a tray, steam floating out and fogging Harry’s glasses. It’s purple yam soup, topped with chopped up shrimp and ground beef.

“Your usual order from the Viet place nearby whenever Pepper-up isn’t sufficient,” Draco murmurs, placing a spoon in Harry’s hand, his words warm against Harry’s temple. Huh, he didn’t think Draco would notice. “You said today you’d deal with those disgusting booby traps you showed me, thus I reckoned I should put the yams on our counter into good use.”

Harry stares at the soup, stunned. Draco must have taken his expression as something else.

“Oh, right,” he says, “I heated it up on the stove, but you were taking atrociously long so I casted a Heating charm. Let me take it off, okay?”

Draco flicks his hawthorn wand, a hand squeezing Harry’s shoulder as if he could see the prickling running up Harry’s nape.

He turns to look at his husband. When Harry’s career was starting to take its toll on his magical core, Draco didn’t hesitate to dive headfirst into Muggle living. Easier said than done, and it took months for him to stop frowning at the “absolutely bizarre, Potter, bizarre” appliances, but he got there in the end. Despite his constant bitching about everything, Draco not once raised a word about the drastic switch, effortlessly guiding Narcissa to gossip about the Albescu clan’s abhorrent matriarch when she asks about how he’s faring.

“Gosh, I,” Harry says. Mumbles, really, into Draco’s collarbone, filling his brain with the woodsy aroma of potion making that no amount of expensive body products can mask, “that’s lovely, baby, thank you.”

“Eat,” Draco says, rubbing his chin on the top of Harry still-damp hair and messaging his tense neck. Harry knows he’s breathing him in too. “Or I’ll have to heat it up in the kitchen again, and forgive me but I’d rather stay here for the next 12 hours, at least.”

“Lazy arse.”

Draco laughs, a momentary rumble of his chest, then moves forward to click something on the laptop. Harry’s on his fifth spoonful of pure comfort when the jazz music stops, and on the blank wall opposite from their blanket fort is the title card of a movie. Strange, Harry didn’t even notice the mini projector. He squints.

“Why is there Korean subtitles?”

“Lover,” Draco tosses a napkin at Harry’s crossed legs, “what is watching movies online without the occasional bout of piracy?”

“Pira- piracy,” Harry chokes, the hot soup stinging his palate, “we have a Netflix subscription.”

“You can’t find shite like this on Netflix.”

“Of course we can. Baby, we don’t know anyone who’s good at computer stuff and can deal with the viruses.”

“There’s no virus here, I checked.”

“How,” Harry stresses, “and again, piracy.”

“Sometimes,” Draco says, lowering the speaker volume, “not doing crimes… is worse.”

“What the fuck,” the main character, a square-faced woman with a python around her neck, has a monologue in a completely different language. “What the fuck? Is that Italian?”

“Yes, but I’m French.”

“And?”

“And they’re both Romance languages. I can understand certain words and translate it for you.”

No, he can’t.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Keep eating,” Draco settles amid the pillows, long hair settled on his satin-clad chest, white against emerald. Harry sneers at him - an unfortunate habit he’s gotten from Draco - and turns to watch the movie.

True to his words, Draco translates every dialogue and mimics the characters’ voices with zeal, contradicting his stoic expression and somber, interlaced hands, looking like a cranky judge having to deal with reckless teenagers on their anti-authority phase. Harry can tell that he doesn’t understand a thing, and soon enough he’s woven a story about how the thriller-mystery they’re watching is actually a vicious custody battle over a duck. For each of Harry’s occasional snicker at the absurdity Draco has thought up is a playful kick at his ribs.

Minutes pass. With Harry’s bowl now emptied, he puts it on a chair and goes to wash up. 

The moment he sits back down, Draco’s big toe pokes at his spine. Getting the memo, Harry grins and reclines on the pillows. His left side is flushed against Draco’s right, the kinks in his neck eased off from the angle. They, as per usual, gradually get closer to one another, and at some point, Draco lays his head on Harry’s chest and ear on his beating heart. It’s calming to him, Draco had said when Harry asked, on the third night of their honeymoon. With the war long behind them, there was nothing to fear. Only the constellations existed as their witnesses.

“You died, Harry,” he had whispered, full and tipsy. “It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen, despite all the shite I made you go through.

“You were so far away in Hagrid’s arms, I couldn’t see your face,” the night had been blinding, but his eyes had found Draco’s anyway. “It felt like my heart died with you.”

Harry had kissed his forehead and hugged him close. His heart had always been there for Draco to take.

“What’s up with the blanket fort?”

He has a lapful of Draco, a lungful of peach and cedar scented shampoo, and the sleepy timbre of his husband’s voice against his chest. The Italian movie is the last thing on Harry’s mind. 

“I wasn’t aware of its existence growing up,” Draco says. “Having anything other than an immaculate bed when one wasn’t sleeping was uncouth, see, so you could imagine my surprise when Teddy demanded to play in something as messy as a fort so often.”

Harry doesn’t need to imagine it; he had witnessed it himself. Draco, freshly released from a two-year sentence in Azkaban, mellowed and tentative, yet determined to reconnect with his mother’s sister and his nephew. Harry had been wary too, standing in the corner of Teddy’s bedroom, staring at the fuzz of blonde on Draco’s shorn head and his weak gait. Teddy, the darling boy with his clumsy hold on Draco’s thigh, afraid that the haggard man would trip without help, had led him to his play area.

“Fort, fort,” the boy had screamed in Draco’s ear, but he hadn’t flinched. He had nodded and gone along with Teddy’s babbled directions, then sat back on his heels and fixed a wide-eyed stare at the monstrosity Teddy had called a fort (his designing skills were, unsurprisingly, underdeveloped at the mere age of two). 

Swiveling his head, he had gawked at Harry, who had still been standing in the corner with his arms crossed, confusion and hysteria in the arch of his aristocratic brows.

It had been the first time he had looked at Harry in the eye for years. In seconds, it was 6th Year all over again, with him watching Draco pushing his food around with a fork from across the room, unable to look away. Obsession, a voice unlike Hermione’s helpfully defined, had slithered up and under his skin. It had remained there for years, stubborn and ardent, an emotion he had tried to leave behind time and time again. He’d never succeeded.

It’s Draco, after all.

“He never let anyone but him enter the fort, remember? Back when he’s still making us build it for him?” Draco’s fingers tap a random rhythm on Harry’s stomach. Harry tightens his arm around him, shifts a bit. “So many forts and I still didn’t know what it’s like to be in one.”

Somebody downs a shot in the movie. Harry doesn’t quite register it. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a proper one either until now. Didn’t have enough space in the cupboard. Plus, the hanging around the beds at Hogwarts felt pretty cozy by themselves.”

Draco hums. “Mhmm, I say. Another ‘first’ for us.”

Harry glances at the crown of his head. The man doesn’t sound surprised; Harry wagers that he already knows and decided to make one for the both of them today.

They continue to watch the movie in silence, whites and blues and purples flooding his sight, until Draco yawns and Harry blinks his eyes shut for far too long.

“Baby.”

“Hmm?”

“Sleep?”

“Yes.”

“Where, then? We have no bed.”

“I still maintain that I made the right choice”

“Jesus Christ, you’re so rash for an academic.”

“Well, in my professional opinion, sleeping in a blanket fort every blue moon does wonders for one’s quality of sleep,” Draco gets up on his elbow to smirk at Harry, “we can look at other beds tomorrow, can’t we? Now hush. Rest.”

“Ha,” Harry says, at least 5 more words to follow up on that just on the tip of his tongue. But then Draco runs a gentle hand through Harry’s hair, taking his time with it, the remaining hints of Harry’s migraine from work fading with every curl of hair carefully unknotted. He mumbles this and that, silly, insignificant things, engrossed in his task, and Harry listens carefully as his eyelids lower.

Draco takes off his gold-rimmed glasses (so sweet and soft Harry can barely feel it), cleans them and puts them on a chair. Through half-lidded eyes, Harry watches him cover them both with a quilt and return to Harry’s chest, curling up like a cat. Draco’s arm is around his midriff, peach and cedar pervading his senses anew, and Harry forgets whatever he was going to say.

Cold ankles pressed against bare calves, Harry is already deep asleep when the credits roll.

[seachranaidhe]

IRA safe-house child rapist is son of Maze escape mastermind Larry Marley

A NORTH Belfast man convicted by a court in Dublin of sexually assaulting two boys at an IRA safe house more than two decades ago was yesterday named as Seamus Marley.

Seamus Marley was convicted of sexually assaulting the boys while staying at a ‘Republican safe house’ more than two decades ago Picture: RTÉ

Reporting restrictions had previously prevented the 45-year-old being identified. Last…

[fiddles-ifs]

sorry if this makes you uncomfortable but who of the ROs are doms and who are the subs

Everyone is a switch until fanfiction insists otherwise.

[happy-beeeps]

Salty kisses

gif not mine!!

Pairing: Obi-Wanxsenator!reader

Rating: PG13, things get steamy for like three seconds

WC: 3k

Summary: Balancing life and war has been straining, so under the guise of a festival, Obi-Wan accompanies you back to your home system for a vacation along the beach, romance ensues.

AN: I’M BACK!!!!!!! I’m finally settled, I’ve started school, and I’m ready to write. Thankful for my online friends who were so patient with me, and my readers who still follow :,) y’all mean the world to me!!!

* * *

Your hands wind their way around Obi’s broad shoulders and rest along the roughed up linen of his vest. The muscles in his shoulders climb nearly up to his ears as they tense up, his eyes raking over mission reports that glare across his datapad. It’s funny, the way he reminds you of yourself in this moment you can almost see him in your office, sitting behind your glass desk going over bills and speeches.

“You’re on leave and yet you still work too much,” you chide, pressing a soft kiss against 

his bearded cheek. He turns up to smile at you, and the circles that grow under his eyes alarm you. He hasn’t been sleeping well and you know it. “The council let Anakin take the lead for the next few weeks on the front, they thought I needed time to rest.”

“The war is coming to a tipping point, and they need you ready.”

“That is precisely my assumption.” With that, he leans back onto the chaise in your living space and wraps an arm around your shoulders. “Do you ever just want to escape, just go somewhere else?” His brows furrow up at you,

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“I want to get away from it all, I want to lay somewhere beautiful with you and just be two people, I just want to forget about the war, forget about politics, and just be in love.” You sigh, resting a head on his shoulder. Suddenly, it strikes you. “Obi-Wan, I want to go home.”

“Home? We are home! Do you mean, Spira home?”

“There’s a festival this time of year, it isn’t the most important tradition, I planned on skipping it this year anyway so the council wouldn’t have to send anyone, but if you’re already on leave and you’re supposed to be protecting me anyway…”

“I… suppose you could pose it to the council? I can’t guarantee they’ll agree, they may need me available for anything that poses a threat on any front.”

“Well then I’ll just have to ask nicely.”

Obi Wan sighed at that, he knew better than to argue with you when you got like this, all stubborn and full of emotion. The kind of emotional complexity he wished he could dip into. With your help, he’d finally been able to start expressing himself, and actually start feeling. Plus, he had to admit, as you spoke, you were selling him on it more and more. It was a sun celebration, he had gathered, and it included festivals and dancing and delicious food along Spira’s warm beaches. Now, however, you had reminded him how perfect an assassination attempt would be, both encouraging him to come with you and inadvertently increasing his anxiety towards the trip by a landslide. You, on the other hand, were content that your plan was falling into place, and busied yourself by dressing in your most senatorial garb to go pitch your concerns to the council. 

* * *

“Your concerns, we do see, Senator. Unsure we are, of our abilities to spare a Jedi to guard you.” Master Yoda began, as you stood projected before the council. You had carefully planned your appearance, your most feminine gown, the biggest girls. Obi-Wan could see it, you were making yourself look weak, fragile. Even though he knew you were simply sitting in your office just a quick trip away, he just wanted to reach through the holo and protect you.

How hard it was to guard his thoughts against Master Yoda.

“We are approaching a breaking point, I’m unsure if we’ll be able to spare a Jedi for the entire duration of the festival.” “Master Windu, I assure you, my presence is only needed during the first half, perhaps even a few less days. Surely there must be some Jedi you have available, I feel exposed in such travel and going to such an event like this, where I’m expected to be.” Master Windu thought for a moment, running the calculations through his head. If he was any closer to saying yes, he didn’t show it. Shaak Ti, though communicating through hologram herself, could see the desperation in the young woman’s voice. Desperation and, something else, something she couldn’t quite place. Longing, perhaps? “Master Windu, do we not have Master Kenobi on leave at the moment? Surely he could do council work during the days of the festival and guard our lovely Senator?” With a snicker, Yoda piped up at this, sending a smile to Obi-Wan, and then to yourself. “A point, Shaak Ti does make. A waste it would be, to have Master Kenobi here, and you unprotected. Go with you, he shall.”

“For half the festival.” Windu added. 

You smiled at home graciously, before beaming at Obi-Wan. “Wonderful. Half the festival indeed.”

* * *

“Obi, can you make sure you count three garment bags? The large ones?”

“Love, surely you don’t need two bags, and three garment bags? We are only going six days.”

“You are forgetting that I am there as Senator, and I’ll be in my parent’s estate. My mother is one of the best dressed socialites on Spira you know.”

“Your, your parent’s estate?”

“Of course! It’s customary for families in Spira to have their own land, as you age, you move into your own bungalow, but on the family land. We’ll be staying on our own, but it’s expected for me to be with my family for the festival, and as my bodyguard, you have to come.”

“I suppose I never thought that I’d be meeting your parents.” Obi-Wan said, busying himself with anything he could as you rose and walked over to him. Wrapping your arms around his waist, you kissed his neck. “Are you nervous about meeting my parents? They’ll only know you as my bodyguard, as a Jedi.”

“But what if, what if one day we told them, and they knew? Surely I must make a good impression.” You smoothed his hair and rested your hand along his cheek. He pressed a small kiss to your palm before you spoke again. “Master Kenobi, I don’t think you’ve ever made a bad first impression.”

Wardrobe packed, schedule created, you and Obi-Wan stood now on the platform outside your ship. You were dressed in a light, flouncy gown with a bright chartreuse color, hair long down your back and pushed out of your face by an ornate, beaded band. Padme had come to see you off, her belly just barely peeking through the heavy fabrics she covered herself in. You wondered if any would begin to notice that her tiny frame was benign dwarfed by her gowns, and ask questions on why. “Have a wonderful time!” She whispered in your ear as she hugged you close. Obi-Wan was assisting your security detail in loading the ship, and preparing any last minute suggestions he could. Even with his presence there, he was still worried about your safety. You pressed your hands against your friend’s stomach, still too early to feel any kicks, but the knowledge that something was happening there was enough. “Be safe,” Padme said, and with a slight wink added, “and not just from assassins.” You rolled your eyes and laughed before glancing at Obi-Wan over your shoulder. “Well, I should be off!” With a final wave goodbye, you and Obi-Wan boarded the ship, setting off on your retreat.

* * *

If Obi-Wan had seen a more beautiful planet, he would be surprised. Turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, speckled with bungalows and multicolored homes along cliffs and sandbars, spreading inwards into the island. From his understanding of it all, the capital was located more inland, but most family land was spread out along the beaches. Your property in particular was only a few klicks away from the bustling city center. As he understood, this main island was named Ataria Island, and the main city was Ataria city. You descended into the city, and stepped off the ship into a small crowd, dignitaries and politicians were there to greet you, showering you and Obi-Wan in flowers of every size in color. You had told them this was a formality, but to expect even more with the Sun Festival. It had been awhile since you had been home, too many rotations to count, and you missed the way the sun warmed your skin, or the way the salty air was already attaching itself to your hair and face. As you and Obi-Wan climbed into the monorail, you wonder if this was new for him, if a system like this was something he had ever been to before.

The monorail ride to your land was quick, blurring past all the multicolored homes that lined entrances into family settlements. Seeing the colors of the homes, the fauna, even the creatures here, Obi-Wan began to see where your colorful wardrobe got its inspiration. You soon traded the monorail for a speeder as you neared your land. As the speeder pulled into a plot near a few tall cliffs, the sprawling landscape ahead of him changed. Houses of white, blue, pink, green, and yellow peaked out amongst leafy trees and meilroon fruit bushes. There were some families outside, and all of them waived to you with excitement, and you waived back with a massive grin. Suddenly, it struck him. “Does your entire family live here?”

“Of course! That’s tradition, everyone who lives here is related somehow, whether it’s through marriage or blood. Husbands and wives get to pick which land to live on, those who are more commercial stay closer to the city center, but my family has always loved being waterfront.” Waterfront you were. The speeder stopped in front of a large white house with transparisteel covering every wall, you could see the bright water and sunlight practically drip through the house. “Well with views like this, I suppose I see why everyone seems to stay on your family’s land.”

“That one over there,” you gestured to a yellow house with artistic white accents, wrapped in vines and flowers, “Is mine, we started building it when I was just a representative. This white one is my parent’s. They’re the heads of house as of now, the land was left to my mother.”

As if on cue, two people stepped out onto the porch. Your security staff began bringing in your luggage, taking it down the path into the yellow house, while Obi-Wan helped you out of the speeder before turning to face your parents. “Relax my love.” you whispered as he helped you out, before turning into a full bodied sprint into their arms. “Mum, Dad! Hello!”

“Darling! We’re so happy to have you home. We’ve been seeing things on the holo, all the threats. We’re so proud of you, we think Spira is doing much better with the protection of the Republic-” your dad said, before your mom chimed in, “Darro, stop it. Our little one is home with us for holiday, surely politics can wait.” Your mother seemed to be a kind woman, and Obi-Wan could see where your intelligence and compassion came from. Your father however, was a spitfire, yet he could see there was a hospitable streak. He chose this moment to break the comfortable silence that settled around them to introduce himself. “General Obi-Wan Kenobi, I was sent on behalf of the Jedi Council and the Republic to keep her safe this week, no harm shall come to her, or any of you, while I’m here.” He’d said, hoping to sound confident. It was funny, Obi-Wan was a confident man, he was suave and well spoken, yet speaking to your parents terrified him. You would tease him about this later, he was sure of that. “Pleasure to meet you General Kenobi, your reputation precedes you. I’m grateful for your commitment to our daughter.” you stifled a smirk at that one. “I’m Darro Olpher, and this is my wife, Sella.”

“It truly is an honor to host a Jedi Master in our home. I’m assuming you’ll be staying with our daughter in her home?”

“If it isn’t too much trouble, it makes it much easier to protect her.”

“For our daughter’s safety, nothing is too much trouble.”

The festivities started tomorrow, and for that you were grateful. Today had already been a day of family reunion, and that came with its own parties. You had indulged in more than your fair share of wine. Ever the gentleman, Obi-Wan had helped you home and left you to dress, biding his time meditating on the oceanfront balcony of your home. You found him there now, tunic discarded around him, settling for more comfortable trousers and a light, open shirt. “It is beautiful here, I can’t imagine why you’d ever move to Coruscant.” He said as he felt you approach next to him. Careful to smooth out the hem of your short sleep gown, you sat next to him and rested your head along his shoulder, ignoring the way his beard tickled the top of your forehead. “It is amazing, but I had a calling to help people in any way I could. My family solidified that.”

“Your family are lovely people.”

“And they adored you, even just as a Jedi,” he leaned down and kissed the top of your head at this, “they’re just… blinded.”

“How so?”

“My mother and father moved here when they were wed, my mother comes from a long line of professional athletes, Spira is known for its water sports. She was a water dancer, and a very good one at that. My father’s family owns a large hotel, not the biggest by any means, but a large one at that, and has awarded him a large fortune. Their land is closer to Atari City, we’ll need to visit there later. I guess I’ve lived a very charmed life, and I know that isn’t the same for everyone.”

“So you jumped into politics to make a difference and help your citizens?” “But not just mine, sure, I wanted pay rates to go up for the off-worlders who move here, I wanted the quality of life to increase, to protect our land, but I accomplished that as a representative. Most of this has been a work in progress before we met, before the war, when I was just a Senator and not a target, but I’ve been trying to increase our outreach. Hire more people, create more opportunity, and lower spaceport fees to welcome others. We're establishing an artists colony here! And soon, maybe even farming.” you stood up and leaned against the railing, looking at the sparkling water under the moonlight. “People were afraid to vote for me because they thought I would be just another heiress.” you said, breathing out a sigh in frustration. “But look what you’ve accomplished darling,” Obi-Wan held you waist from behind and stared out at the water with you. After a few minutes of comfortable silence settling around you like a light shawl, he spoke again. “Would you say the water here is warm even at night?”

* * *

“You bloody liar this water is not warm enough for a swim.” Obi-Wan had shouted as he stared up at you from the ocean. You were standing above him on the cliff he had just jumped off of, smirking at him.  “Stop being a baby, the water is fine, plus it doesn’t matter whose right. I’ve got the high ground!” You yelped, taking a running start before meeting him in the salty waters below. Your head popped up beside his, and you splashed a little water up at his face. He smiled over at you instead, pulling your hands and bringing you over to a little sandbar. When he found his footing, he settled instead on wrapping you up in his arms and placing your legs around his waist. His calloused hands settled on your back and gently cupped your cheek as you pressed your forehead against his. You loved seeing him like this, the slightest hint of freckles bridging his nose, sandy hair smoother back from the water. “I love you, more than I can ever get to show you, and that is my biggest weakness.”

“You show me everyday, you don’t need some grand statement or some testimony to prove it.”

“What if when this is all over, we run away, we come here, we stay in your little yellow house and you paint pictures and I’ll drive the monorail?”

“Obi, I could never ask you to do that.” You sighed, and he smiled back, “I know, and I love you even more for it. Had you ever said the word-”

You cut him off with a kiss. His hands wrapped even tighter around you, pressing your body against his in the cold water, squeezing you so tight you’d think you were made of stardust and he was just trying to hold pieces of you together. Likewise, you were breathing him in. The taste of saltwater on his lips, the air clashing with that fading scent of his, something woodsy and leather. It was being replaced with something new, ocean air and linen. You could drink this moment in, hands in his hair, arms around your bare back. The moments you got were scarce as this war neared completion. You had seen the plans, soon enough Anakin and himself were being sent to a far off dusty planet, the siege was supposed to last a while, and they were still hunting for Dooku and Grievous. These few days were most likely all you would have for a while. But they would be enough.

When he finally pulled away, pressing soft kisses into your shoulder, your neck, anywhere he could, love swelled in your chest just looking at him. Frankly, for him, it was the same if not worse. To Obi-Wan Kenobi, you were the one who hung the stars in the sky, the one who all beautiful things were created for. He twisted you off his waist and onto his back as he swam toward the beach.

“Come on my love, let's go back home.”

[stealoncepaytwice]

Lorna's gift

Lorna stops by Isfet’s apartment to drop off a large Christmas tin, a label on which reads ‘From: L.D.’ She knocks, but doesn’t wait for him to answer before leaving. Inside is an assortment of cookies: salted caramel, ricotta, barfi, double chocolate chip, honey, and glazed sugar cookies.

There’s also a note:

Sorry, these are blood-free - I hope you still like them! :)

Isfet almost jumps out of his skin when there’s a knock on the door. He quietly approaches the door and peers out the peephole, and when he sees no one there, he waits, in silence. For about ten minutes, before he decides it’s probably safe to slowly open the door and peer out down the hallway. He narrows his eyes at the package, then realizes it’s a cookie tin.

He’s fairly certain it’s from Lorna, since she knows where he lives, though he’s baffled regardless. When he opens it at his kitchen counter, though, he almost crawls out of his skin again. A lot of these are the same cookies Logan had talked to ‘Sam’ about only last week. L.D.??

There’s no fucking way. And when he thinks about it for more than three seconds, he realizes it makes sense that they’d have the same taste. Could be childhood favorites. Maybe their mom, or dad, or whoever, made ricotta cookies for them when they were kids. Maybe it’s a genetic tastes thing. Whatever. Still, the coincidence has him on edge.

But... he’s going to enjoy the sweets anyway. Turns out barfi really is a lot like sheer pira, which... he was not expecting to be eating this Christmas.

[secretsfromwholecloth]

Right, I’m bored, time to fuck around with picrews and talk your collective ear off about my Warden. (Heh, that’s not going to confuse anyone given how much I post about Dragon Age, right?)

So then. Here’s Cecilia Irizarry.

Her fellows at PIRA call her Izzy, thanks to that thing where English speakers equate number of syllables with difficulty of pronunciation, so most of them flatly refuse to say “Irizarry” unless forced to.

That said, she’s happy enough to go by it in situations where she wants some privacy—strangers assume it’s short for Isabel and don’t think to look for a Cecilia.

If any of her associates start calling her Ceci, something big has happened. Possibly not something good.

Makeup? Accessories? That’d require her to willingly look in a mirror and be conscious of what she looks like more than four times a year. Yeah, no, not happening unless something major changes.

So far, she leans arrogant, apathetic, stoic, and cautious, but only barely (far and away her highest stat is caution at 59%, others are in the 51-53% range). We’ll see what changes over the course of the story.

Her timeline has Marc Bautista, Asad Nazeri, and fem!Trace. The original plan was to have her friendship with Bautista develop to the point where she starts feeling safe and then have her fling herself at him bodily, but I have read some very intriguing things on here about possible upcoming material that make me not want to do any planning until I’ve gotten further into the story with her.

Even the original plan was never going to exclude some awkward inadvertent flirting with the others, of course. Just ask Nazeri.

Hugging the tea during That One Scene You Know The One was such a me thing to do that I couldn’t not take that option, so yeah, she’s a tea-hugger now.

I don’t know if it was inevitable or just my choices, but she got roughed up a lot during those first couple of chapters. She’s going to be giving Bautista, Nazeri, and anyone else who takes it upon themselves to care about her regular heart attacks as they get closer, isn’t she?

[theemanimitwanitch-blog]

Guest Friendly Hotel In Bangkok 2020

I have compiled a list of affordable and luxury hotels in Bangkok and you can easily choose the hotel that suits your needs and budget, read our full article Guest Friendly Hotel In Bangkok   

Budget Guest Friendly Hotels In Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit Soi 1

1.Legacy Express Bangkok Hotel

(Best Guest friendly hotels in Bangkok)

Legacy Express Bangkok Hotel – Lobby

Rating: 3.6

Address: 29 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Distance: NANA PLAZA (1.2 km), SOI COWBOY (1.5 KM)

The Legacy Express Bangkok Hotel is located in Sukhumvit Soi 1 and lies nearby the Nana BTS station and also the Phloen Chit. The rooms are well-equipped with modern infrastructure and the furniture is quite comfortable. The hotel is quite clean and all the rooms are provided with access to free Wi-Fi. It is one of the best guest friendly hotels in Sukhumvit Soi 1.

Facilities & Services

24-hour reception and concierge

24-hour security and CCTV

24-hour maintenance

Elevator access to floors

Daily housekeeping services

Laundry & dry cleaning services

Business Center services (photocopying/ faxing services)

Free High-speed Broadband & wireless internet connections both in-room and in public areas

Two internet stations in the Lobby

Car rental and tour arrangement (contact reception)

Room Service

Airport Transfer

The Legacy Express Bangkok Hotel, though a guest friendly hotel, requests guests to provide their ID card at the reception solely for security purposes.

2.ASPIRA SKYY Hotel

ASPIRA SKYY Hotel – Bedroom

Rating: 3.6

Address: 88/8 Sukhumvit 1 Alley, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 105 0888

Distance: NANA PLAZA (1.6 km), SOI COWBOY (2 KM)

The Aspira Skyy Hotel is situated in Sukhumvit SOI 1 and yes, if you love to have a guestfriendly hotel at a quiet location, then I would recommend you to check out Aspira Skyy Hotel as this is a perfect choice when you need to enjoy your night with your girl in peace and relaxation. Furthermore, the hotel rooms are quite modern, clean and very comfortable. The mattresses are very soft and the beds are queen-sized which is quite good if you love a threesome!

Facilities & Services

Concierge Services

24-hour Reception

24 hour Security

24-hour Maintenance Support System

Room Service from 6:00 am – 10:00 pm

Limousine and Transportation Service

Babysitting (On request with advance booking)

Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Halal Food Available

Parcel and Postal Services

I personally contacted the hotel and confirmed if they are a guest friendly hotel and they informed me that they are a guest friendly hotel that does not charge any fees from the guests.

3. Best Western Premier Hotel

Best Western Premier Hotel – GYM

Rating: 4.0

Address: 78 Sukhumvit 1 Alley, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 256 0677

Distance: NANA PLAZA (750 M), SOI COWBOY (1.9 KM)

I love this hotel because of its location. The USP of this hotel is that it is just a walking distance from the hot spot Nana Plaza. So, getting a girl is not very tough. Furthermore, this hotel does not charge the guest any kind of  fees which is the cherry on the cake. Also, there is a tuk-tuk service offered by the hotel free of cost, which helps reduce the travel time. I found the staff very courteous, friendly and they speak good English, which gets rid of any communication barrier.

Facilities & Services

Non-Smoking Hotel

Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet

Concierge desk

Business center, Meeting room, Fitness studio

Outdoor swimming pool

Pool Bar, Restaurant, Wine Lounge

Tuk Tuk service

Valet parking

CCTV

24-hour room service

Luggage storage (Short Term)

Laundry / dry cleaning service

I had also emailed the hotel when I was enquiring regarding the services, about the charges for guests. They indicated that there are no joiner fees charged, however, the guest would be required to provide their ID at the reception solely for security purposes.

4. Furama Xclusive Sukhumvit Hotel

Furama Xclusive Sukhumvit Hotel – Exterior view

Furama Xclusive Sukhumvit Hotel – Bedroom

Rating: 4.0

Address: 27 Sukhumvit 1 Alley, Klongtoey-Nua Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 255 4224

Distance: NANA PLAZA (750 M), SOI COWBOY (1.8 KM)

The hotel is one of the best guest friendly hotels which is just 10 minutes away from the hot spot Nana Plaza and also BTS. Their rooms are very spacious and you also get free Wi-Fi which is great. The rooms in the hotel have modern infrastructure. Every room has an AC, a minibar, and a safe. The best part about the rooms is their bathrooms – they are spacious and have complimentary toiletries. The hotel also has a great outdoor pool.

Facilities & Services

Outdoor pool

Family-friendly

Dry-cleaning service

Laundry facilities

Outdoor pool

Fridge, Microwave, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Air conditioning

Minibar

Bathrobes, Free toiletries, Hairdryer, Shower/bathtub combination, Towels

Flat-screen TV, TV channels

I had contacted the hotel regarding guest charges. And yes, you guessed right! They are a 100% guest friendly hotel. They would need the guest to present their ID for security reasons.

5. Fusion Suites Hotel

Fusion Suites Hotel – Bedroom

Fusion Suites Hotel – Lobby

Rating: 3.9

Address: 143, 61-62 Soi Sukhumvit 21, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 665 2644

Distance: SOI COWBOY (400 M), NANA PLAZA (900 M)

This is a very new hotel and has a very modern infrastructure in addition to some of the latest amenities that you wish from a hotel. The rooms have modern art adorning the walls which are quite comfortable. The staff is very friendly, helpful, and genuine. The hotel is 100% guest friendly and you will have an amazing time at this hotel for sure.

Facilities & Services:

Wi-Fi in public areas

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms

24-hour front desk and an express check-in and check-out

Concierge Service

Luggage storage

In-room massage

Restaurant and Bar, Coffee Shop

Business Center, Cigar Room, Library

Daily housekeeper cleaning service

Laundry service, Room Service, Wake up call service

Elevator

Taxi service, Tour service

On contacting the hotel regarding the guest charges, the hotel stated that they are 100% guest friendly but they require the guest to provide their ID card for their security purpose. Additionally, they also mentioned that only 1 guest is permitted in the room.

Sukhumvit Soi 2

1. iCheck Inn Residence Sukhumvit Soi 2

(Best Guest friendly hotels in Bangkok)

iCheck Inn Residence Sukhumvit Soi 2 – Lobby

iCheck Inn Residence Sukhumvit Soi 2 – Bedroom

Rating: 4.0

Address: 71 Sukhumvit Soi 2 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +662656 9877

Distance: Nana plaza (550 M), Soi Cowboy (5.8 Km)

This hotel is the closest to Nana Plaza which is a well-known hot spot popular for its nightlife. If you love staying near all the bars, this hotel is the best budget-friendly option you can get in this location. The rooms are nice despite it being priced quite low. The beds are huge and have soft mattresses with the best quality bedspreads. Every room is provided with Wi-Fi as well. The staff is friendly and speaks good English.

Facilities & Services:

Club Aspira benefits (reward program)

Complimentary Tuk-Tuk service (scheduled)

Complimentary self-service laundry room 24 hours (washing machines and ironing board)

Minimart

Air-conditioned rooms, En-suite with walk-in shower & toiletries

Electronic key card access

Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel

24 hrs complimentary coffee, tea at Chill In the lounge with pool table, Designated smoking area

Elevator to all floors

Flat-screen Cable TV

Laundry/ Dry Clean service

Electronic Safety Box, Minibar, Refrigerator, Electric Kettle

Iron & Ironing board. Hairdryer or DVD player available upon request

On enquiring about the guest charges, the hotel indicated that they were a guest friendly hotel that does not charge the guest any fees. The guest would only have to provide their ID which is for the hotel’s security purpose.

2. The Majestic Grande Hotel

The Majestic Grande Hotel – Lobby

The Majestic Grande Hotel – Exterior view

Rating: 4.0

Address: 71 Sukhumvit Soi 2 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 656 9877

Distance: Nana plaza (100 M) Soi Cowboy (5.4 Km)

The Majestic Grande is-star hotel which is located on Sukhumvit Soi 2, and is within walking distance from Nana Plaza. In my opinion, this Grande Sukhumvit hotel is amongst the best hot which is mid-priced in the area, from the perspective of comfort and location. Nana Plaza is about 5 minutes from the hotel and there are plenty of restaurants around the hotel.

You can find the best Indian and Arabic food as well as Thai food. The hotel has modern rooms which are spacious. The beds are huge with soft pillows and sheets. The furniture and decor are quite stylish. All the rooms have a big LCD Tv and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, the bathrooms are quite huge with some luxurious jacuzzi-style bathtubs.

Facilities & Services:

Key-card room security

High-speed wireless access Internet in all rooms

Flat Screen TV 40”, Extensive choice of TV channels

Full bathroom amenities, with hairdryer and shaving mirror

Complimentary tea/coffee making facilities, Mini-bar, and refrigerator, In-room safe

Multimedia Hub (in-room).

Bathtub and separate shower cubicle (in selected rooms)

24-hour room service

Concierge service

Limousine, airport transfer, tour/excursion, and car rental services.

Car parking space with valet services.

Laundry and dry cleaning, including same-day service

Baby cot and rollaway bed on request, Babysitting service

Heat detectors, smoke detectors, and sprinklers

The hotel is very guest friendly and does not charge any joiner fees. I have personally verified this with the hotel staff.

3. Hotel Solo Sukhumvit 2

Hotel Solo Sukhumvit 2 – bedroom

Hotel Solo Sukhumvit 2 – swimming pool

Rating: 4.0

Address: 67 Sukhumvit Soi2, Sukhumvit Rd. Klongtoey Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 656 7850

Distance: Nana plaza (550 M), Soi Cowboy (5.8 Km)

This is a 4-star hotel which is smaller in comparison to Majestic Grande but has modern and stylish rooms. The hotel was built in the year 2009 and has been renovated in the past few years, thereby giving it a very modern and updated interior decorating with huge windows.

The rooms are pretty spacious and quite comfortable, and they come with queen/king size beds based on the type of room. The hotel has a swimming pool on the rooftop which gives you a great view of downtown Bangkok. It is just a ten-minute walk from Nana Plaza. This hotel is my favorite mid-priced hotel which is guest friendly as well.

Facilities & Services:

Free Wi-Fi

24-hour reception

Indoor lounge, Outdoor swimming pool

Doctor on call facility

Private Guest Elevator, Rooftop Bar / Lounge

Childcare, Business Center

Swimming Pool

Concierge Service

Laundry Service

Free / Valet / Secure Parking

Disabled / Wheelchair Friendly

minibar, in-room safe, 32” LCD flat screen

Tuk-tuk service

On personally verifying with the hotel staff, I have confirmed that this hotel is a guest-friendly one with no joiner fees. However, the guest might have to provide their ID for security reasons.

4. OYO 231 Aspen Suites Hotel

Aspen Suites Hotel – Bedroom

Aspen Suites Hotel – Swimming pool

Rating: 4.0

Address: 65/1 Sukhumvit 2, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 638 1888

Distance: NANA PLAZA (500 M), SOI COWBOY (1.1 KM)

The Aspen Suites Hotel on Soi 2 is just 5 minutes away from Nana Plaza. This hotel has the on-demand shuttle tuk-tuk which will take you to the main road in case you want to use this service.

The Aspen Suites has won the “Certificate of Excellence 2014” award on TripAdvisor. The rooms in this suites hotel come with large beds, comfortable and modern furniture. Every room has a microwave, an electric kettle, a flat-screen tv with a DVD player, a safe, etc. The Wi-Fi is pretty decent as well. The staff here is very attentive, friendly, and pleasant.

Facilities & Services:

Swimming Pool, Fitness Center

24-Hour reception and concierge

24-Hour Maintenance and security services

Internet Stations

Airport Transfers (Chargeable)

Room service

Non-Smoking Rooms (On Request)

Restricted elevator access to rooms

Daily Housekeeping Services

Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services

Free Wi-Fi access in the lobby area

Secured car park, Complimentary Tuk-Tuk shuttle

Nursery school nearby and babysitting services on request

I contacted the hotel to know more about the joiner fees for guests. However, the hotel is a guest-friendly one and does not have any joiner fees. However, the guest will have to provide their ID at the reception for the purpose of security.

Read The Full List Here: https://www.girlfriendlyhotelbangkok.com/

[thedwarrowscholar]

Hail, Noble Scholar! I have a question for you, if your studies allow you a second to spare towards the idle musings of your fellows. Given the similarities between Dwarves and Diaspora Jews, how would you say our Noble folk feel about Klezmer music? Understandably, accordians are not chronologicaly sound in Middle Earth, but otherwise... Thoughts?

Well met!

For those not familiar with the type of music talked about here, Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. It’s (usually) the type of lively dance tune (or instrumental pieces) often played at Jewish weddings and other celebrations. Sadly, we don’t know that much about dwarvish music, but we know enough to discuss it a bit more and compare it with Klezmer I think.

“Now for some music!” said Thorin. “Bring out the instruments!”  – The Hobbit, Chapter I An Unexpected Party

Let’s first have a look at the instruments and sounds both of these musical genres are known for. The details listed below on “Dwarvish Music” are plucked directly from Chapter I of The Hobbit by the way. Though there may very well be other instruments used by the dwarves, only these were mentioned to have been used by the company. These were the instruments as well the Company used to perform “Far over the Misty Mountains Cold”.

Klezmer: Violin, Cymbalom, Clarinet, Accordion, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Double Bass, Cello, Flute (Generally instrumental)

Dwarvish Music: Fiddle, Flute, Drum, Clarinet, Viol, Harp (with Deep-Throated Singing)

One big difference we see when we look at the above list is the lack of vocals in Klezmer. Now, it must be said that at weddings a Klezmer band is traditionally accompanied by the vocal stylings of the badkhn (wedding entertainer), but that seems to be the general exception and not the rule. Dwarvish Music has an emphasis on singing, which Klezmer generally lacks.

This illustration of the dwarves making music in Bilbo’s hobbit hole is by The Brothers Hildebrandt.

“And suddenly first one and then another began to sing as they played, deep-throated singing of the dwarves in the deep places of their ancient homes”

The above line from The Hobbit tells us a lot about Dwarvish music. Firstly, that it likely used perpetual canon (round) - where a minimum of three voices sing the same melody, but with each voice beginning at different times (which they nailed in the movie I think). Secondly, it tells us that this is likely an ancient tradition. Seeing that non-dwarves were around on this particular occasion, and the secrecy dwarves have for their own tongue, it is logical that they would sing in the common tongue (as they did); but I would fully expect the dwarvish language to be preserved in this ancient musical mode (as is the case often with a language that has become a language or lore largely) - and sung in that tongue when the audience would be all dwarves. Another element we mustn’t just glance over is the “Deep-Throated singing”. When most of us hear “deep-throated singing” we think of Tuvan or Mongolian throat singing. Here there is no mention though of the typical simultaneous pitch singing that is so characteristic of Tuvan throat singing (nor is this kind of Throat singing known for its perpetual canon in choir). 

With that in mind, I am more inclined to believe it refers to very deep singing or (at best?) a deep-throated singing that has one pitch. When we look around in the world for such deep-throated singing that often uses canon we find only a few examples of it. One such example is The Sardinian “cantu a tenòre”, where each singer has a distinct role in the deep-throated chorus and the repeated canon is a distinct feature. Listen for a moment to the next fragment of a typical “cantu a tenòre” and as you do, in your head replace the Sardinian latin sounds (and the nonsense syllables - for example bim-bam-boo) with the lyrics of Far over the Misty Mountains cold (maybe even in Khuzdul)… I’m no musician, but I for one could see this work, especially if we add the instruments to the mix.

Ballu Seriu starts with single voices (Oche, Bassu, Contra, Mesu Oche).Tenores di Bitti Mialinu Pira. Live recording in Modena, June 2011.

Food for thought… but we are being carried away here, back to our topic at hand. Looking at the instruments here we clearly see a few similarities between Klezmer and Dwarvish music (flutes, violin/fiddle, clarinet, etc…). But on the other hand, many of the instruments that are so typical about Klezmer and its sound are lacking completely from Dwarvish music.

I think we can safely say with the above in mind that Dwarvish Music (at least the genre played by the company - as we have no idea IF there are other dwarvish musical genres) is distinctly different from Klezmer.

So on that note, though Tolkien ensured Dwarves have much in common with the Jewish people, their music seems to be of a slightly different style. Then again, we can’t rule out that Dwarves would not have played a more lively (typical Klezmer) tune at a wedding or other celebration, after all, the meeting at Bilbo’s house was hardly cause for celebration and their song was a solemn moment.

Ever at your service,

The Dwarrow Scholar

[white-queen-lacus]

La porta rossa 2 - finale -

So, the end has come. I truly could expect everything but that kind of end. Well... at least, about the culprit... 

I loved the fact that almost all of this season’s episodes began with Anna’s dreams. The first episode began with Anna dreaming of her and Leo in the bed, cuddling and talking about the little Vanessa who was still in her womb, when suddenly he reminded Anna that he was dead. There was also the dream of Leo and a young Vanessa singing together in the karaoke (like Jamonte and his daughter) and there, Leo asked Anna to not leave their daughter, and in the final episode, Anna dreamt of Leo asking her why she did cheat on him even when he had come back and Anna answering that he was dead. The two final episodes told about family, bonds, and jealousy. We are given a partial truth said by Jonas, who was questioned by Jamonte and Paoletto (btw Paoletto is the new best inspector even though he still isn’t at Leo’s level XD). Jonas proves himself as smart as his son (oh, how much I have dreamt of saying this about him!!), who is watching the whole scene. And finally, Jonas is able to feel Leo’s presence and to warn him: Leo mustn’t interfere with life again or it will be dangerous. Leo is visibly p*ssed off and upset because he wants answers. He needs to prevent his daughter’s kidnapping and he believes that Jonas is the key. In the meanwhile, Vanessa (the elder), is always more and more involved with him, something that scares Leo. He knows that she is in love with him, but he tries to push her away because he doesn’t want to put her in danger, and moreover, he prioritizes his daughter.  Anna, still in a Questura’s cell after her spontaneous submission, is still trying to figure out how to incriminate a Public Prosecutor (Alessi). Together with Jamonte, she finds her way, but she decides to be arrested (for real) in order to give her colleagues the chance to act undisturbed (she, along with the forgotten XD Piras, is a DA too).  At the same time, while Vanessa, acting on her own, ends up being caught by Alessi, and is struggling for her life, Paoletto and Stella (they make an amazing team/couple), always followed by Leo, find a link between the deaths of Rambelli and the dialer (and Leo realizes that the same gun was used to hurt Jonas, thirty years before).  Then, Leo, invoked by Vanessa, tries to help her by using his telekinesis and secures the door in order to prevent Alessi and his fellow to come in and kill her. Vanessa, visibly distressed and upset, this time feels totally abandoned by Leo, who, as desperate as her, is trying to find his daughter... who’s been kidnapped during the fireworks. Later, we find out that the culprit is... Leo’s mother, Silvia. The woman is definitely out like a balcony, and she is like that since ages. Fearing that the love of her life, Jonas, wanted to run away after a robbery (in which the book of the Count of Cagliostro = logbook of the Phoenix = the key to arresting the members of the sect, was taken), she shot him (unbeknown to her, Jonas, as a ghost, had seen everything). Then, when Jonas had wakened up after the coma, she killed the dialer (who worked for Rambelli) and Rambelli (who was the only one to know that she had tried to kill Jonas). Silvia wanted to take the little Vanessa, who was her son’s living part and running away with Jonas, to have a second chance.

Then, when the elder Vanessa’s story is resolved when Stella and Paoletto find her and arrest her kidnappers (as well as the head of the Phoenix), while Anna and Jamonte, who are on little Vanessa’s kidnappers’ traces, arrive at the old building site. Here, we assist at a truly deep and tragical moment. Silvia is found by Jonas and the two of them have an honest and critical conversation. All the truth is exposed and Jonas, who took his granddaughter with him, makes Silvia understand that they have never had the chance to be together, nor they have and will have a second one, because their son, who’s watching them and who’s with them, won’t allow it, not to the detriment of his daughter. Leo, in fact, tries with all his powers, to stop them, until they come on the rooftop, the place where Leo was killed. Here, Leo understands that his father had always known about him, since the beginning and he was with him even at the time of Leo’s death. Silvia, feeling completely alone and powerless, ends up suiciding, and right before crossing the red door, she sees Leo. The scene was definitely agonizing. She recognizes her son immediately and tries to caress his cheek. Leo, full of sorrow, grief, and pain, moves his cheek away. Silvia only tells him that he’s like she’s always imagined he could be, then she passes away. Few moments after, Anna (who has understood that Leo was still there) and Jamonte, reached for Jonas and Vanessa. The little girl is safe and Anna can finally know that Leo saved both.

Then, while life goes on (the Phoenix is definitively erased, Stella and Paoletto come back together, Jamonte and Jonas come both back to each life), we see the best scene after Anna and Leo’s temporary reunion. Anna is cuddling her little Vanessa, sitting in her bedroom, asking if Leo is there. Then, she asks Leo to hug both and he does it. Anna, for the first time in a long time, feels Leo’s presence strongly and they abandon themselves to a moment of deep emotion (and for us viewers, a moment of desperation because he can’t be with them anymore. ;___;). Anna tells Leo if he can see how beautiful their daughter is and that she looks like him, then she hopes that she hasn’t inherited her dad’s bad temper. Leo silently smiles and replies that Vanessa is beautiful and he hopes she’s taken everything from her mother. Then, Anna thanks him for his protection but also asks him to leave them. Anna can’t live with him like this, because their lives must go on and he’s no longer with them. Leo, upset, agrees, by claiming that he would do everything for them and says farewell with his favorite gesture (the fist in the air). Just in time, Anna sees him in the mirror, but she can’t do anything and she hugs Vanessa, crying. At the end, Leo, coming back to the place of his death, says farewell to Vanessa, asking forgiveness for what happened and claiming that the more he stays in the world, the more his beloveds are in danger (like Jonas had said). While reaching the red door, anyway, he can’t open it. Vanessa, still tied to him, full of resent, jealousy and doubts (Leo is her shadow, but they don’t know the reason yet), prevents him from passing away, so Leo is trapped, this time, in the living world, against his will.  So... La Porta Rossa 3 is waiting for us now!!  I can’t wait to watch it! This season was an amazing rollercoaster, totally unpredictable, touching, full of mysteries that even Urobuchi couldn’t do better, with supernatural events wonderfully merged with reality. Each character was wonderfully written. Leo’s desperation was tangible in every episode. We could see that he would have been a great dad for Vanessa, totally fond of his little one and he and Anna would have overcome their divergences if only he could have been together again. Both proved to be the best inspectors and Anna’s resolution, along with her drama as a mother with post-partum depression were powerful. Then we finally found out the truth about Leo, Jonas and Rambelli’s link. I could never think that Rambelli was the one who gave Leo the surname Cagliostro, but he did for irony. The scene of the meeting between Leo and his former mentor/killer was OMG to watch. “You were like a father to me.”, “But you were not my son”.... RAMBELLI YOU BASTARD!!! I hope he’s rotting in hell.  I’m not this satisfied with Vanessa, instead. She fell in love with Leo (ok dear, I can understand you, but... seriously... he’s a ghost!), she put herself in danger in order to have him saving her multiple times, she forced him to stay when she knew perfectly how staying was suffering for him... she revealed herself as an immature girl. And now, she’s been kidnapped from someone who’s studying the mediums. What will happen next? I can’t wait!!! In the meanwhile, let’s remember that... END DOESN’T EXIST. <3