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wendimydarling · 4 years

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Cover the Mirrors

Summary: Amber is earning a masters degree in mythology and folklore; when a handsome stranger sweeps her off her feet, she’s left wondering how, and struggles to keep up with his lifestyle.

Pairing: Vampire!August Walker x OFC (first person reader)

Word Count: 6826

Warnings: Alright, we ready to get into the menu of delights we will be reading today? Okay but seriously, if you are triggered by anything on this list, it is your responsibility to not read this work of fiction. The warnings are as follows: manipulation, subtle exhibitionism, fingering, penetrative sex, mention of oral (male receiving), biting, clawing, choking, blood, male violence, gore, non-con, rape, spitting, fear play, primal play, breeding, mention of death, torture, and potentially cannibalism, if you squint.

A/N: Okay so this story is based off of this thread where @killjoy-assbutt-1112 gave me a fic title, but I added another twist to it that I’d been brewing for months; I was excited about it but now I’m not. Whatever, I’ll give it to you anyway. Sources for my vampire lore came from here and here. Cover art was made by me; August was drawn by the amazingly talented @cheyentjj and has been used with her permission. Thank you so much to everyone who brainstormed with me, and a special thanks to @agniavateira for betaing!

“If you look at the Slavic region, vampire folklore runs rampant. One especially interesting specimen is the Pijavica. The Pijavica (translated “leech”, or “drinker”) was a rare species of vampire— traditionally male, and a powerfully strong, cold-blooded killer. The potential for conception is most commonly believed to be through the incest of the deceased with his mother during his life, though some believe that one can be created through the exceptionally malicious and evil acts of the deceased before his death.

The birth of a Pijavica is attributed to many different causes, including suffering an “unnatural” or untimely death such as suicide, excommunication, improper burial rituals, or even simple causes such as an animal jumping or bird flying over either the corpse or the empty grave, being conceived on certain days, or being born with a caul, teeth, or tail.”

I paused my typing, fingers leaving the keyboard in order to brush loose strands of hair from my face. Around me, the baristas of my favorite coffee shop were buzzing like worker bees in an old hive; they were gearing up for the lunch rush, and I realized I’d been here four hours already.

This place had long been my go-to study zone. It was small; there was just enough hustle and bustle to keep me from descending too deep into the abyss of studying and yet, it had the respect of the patrons that a library does. The owner, Fred, made sure that conversations were kept in hushed tones, courteous to those of us who needed to work in noise instead of quiet.

“If ya wanna be loud, go sit at a Starbucks!” He’d huff at those who didn’t heed his warning.

My eyes took in the familiar surroundings as I stretched. An oversized wood-burning fireplace filled the wall next to the vintage cash register; it was sandwiched between two built-in bookcases housing stories of all kinds that were meant to be read and enjoyed. The old stone clackling ran all the way up the wall, and a custom mantle made from an old oak tree that had fallen in Fred’s backyard sat delicately above the firebox. Yes, this shop was magical. It held a special place in my heart, and I’d visited so often that old Fred had deemed the table I sat at as “my table”. It was always kept reserved for me.

I reached for my coffee without looking; my brain needed more caffeine. I’d spent months on this master thesis, and yet for some reason, the notion of vampires was such a struggle. I didn’t understand the fear of those who lived back then. The origins of bloodsuckers were chaotic, the “treatments” laughable and still, people were willing to kill their own offspring over such nonsensical superstitions. Cold drops of stale roast hit my lips in a harsh reminder that I’d finished my previous dose. I sighed heavily and dropped the cup to the wooden surface of my table. Eyes closed, I laced my fingers around my neck and drew my elbows together to stretch my spine. Coffee. I need more coffee.

“Having trouble?”

A man’s baritone, smooth as whiskey interrupted my thoughts. My body jolted at his leisurely tone, and I nearly tumbled off the chair as my eyes snapped open to view the intruder. Sitting across from me was anything but a man; I was in the presence of divine artistry, two breathtaking orbs of gray-washed sky centered below auburn curls that adorned his perfectly symmetrical face. A sharp nose pointed to his strong jaw, while an amused smirk tugged at the corner of lips that I’m certain could send even a nun to her bedroom for self-maintenance. He wore a crisp, pinstripe suit, the buttons of his dress shirt undone sinfully low, revealing a smattering of additional curls.

My oversized turtleneck sweater and leggings suddenly felt subpar.

“The name’s Walker,” he mused further, gesturing a large hand toward the empty paper tumbler that was now lying on its side. “What were you drinking?”

“I--I um,” I fumbled with my words, embarrassed by my sudden inability to form a proper sentence. “I had a flat white? With two extra shots of espresso.”

The man named Walker had the cup in his hand and was out of his chair before I could blink; he was already ordering another coffee by the time I managed to process his intentions. I watched him hand the barista a bill I couldn’t see, but by the shocked expression on her face at the man’s declination of the change, it must have been a sizable amount. He sat down at the table again and stared at my chest unabashedly, making it clear he wasn’t just looking but imagining as well.

I should have been offended or felt objectified, but instead I felt drawn into his gaze.

“Having trouble?” He asked again, gesturing this time at my laptop.

“How long were you sitting there?” I blurted out, still too flummoxed to answer his question. Walker laughed and I swear, time stood still. Never in my life had I heard something so beautiful.

“Long enough.”

His reply was short and cryptic, a dismissal of my burgeoning curiosity. The barista chose that moment to bring two orders of coffee to the table, offering both of them to Walker by mistake. I took in her awestruck countenance, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that if my face matched hers I’d sink to the floor and die of shame. That notion shook me from my stupor and I was finally able to address his question.

“It’s my master thesis,” I explained, taking a sip of the scalding liquid he handed me. “I’m a History major, with an emphasis in mythology and folklore.”

I took another sip and tapped my phone, large numbers greeting me on the screen. Numbers that told me I was extremely late.

“Oh my god I have to go, I’m so sorry!” I apologized, scrambling to pack my things. In my haste I knocked my drink off the table. Resignation sunk in deep, submission to the knowledge of further humiliation at the impending spill. None came however, as Walker caught the drink in his hand before it crashed to the dark tiles.

“Thank you,” I murmured, gawking at him in bewilderment. Who was this man?

“It’s my pleasure,” he said, standing to help me collect the remainder of my books. “I’m interested in your thesis, could we perhaps discuss it over dinner? I don’t want to keep you from your next engagement.”

“I—” I stared at him, his face open and inviting. I’d been asked out before, but never this abruptly, and never by someone who looked and behaved like him. It sounded like an adventure…or a good story to tell on girls’ night at least.

“You know what, sure. Why not?”

I scribbled my number onto a napkin and slid it his way, grabbing the rest of my gear and heading toward the door. As I pushed against the hard metal, Walker’s large fingers caught my wrist, wrapping around it like ivy wraps around a lamppost. They were cool to the touch and yet somehow, my entire body immediately felt heated.

“We forgot first names,” he chuckled, “I’m August.”

I grinned sheepishly, pulling my arm from his surprisingly firm grip. The clank of the metal door handle resonated with the introduction I threw over my shoulder as I left the warmth of the shop and the handsome man behind.

“Amber.”

It took August a full week to call me. I felt like a fool; Did I leave on a poor note? Had I offended him somehow? Did he simply decide to change his fucking mind? I was kicking myself for saying yes; how could I have agreed to go on a date with a complete stranger? Now that I was no longer in his flustering presence, I began to see reason again. I knew nothing more than this man’s name, and the fact that he was more than likely rich. He could be a cold-blooded killer for all I knew, and I had every intention of telling him off.

I was in my apartment when he called. Still stuck on my thesis, I was currently unable to determine how best to explain the theory behind the sexual appeal of vampires. In my frustration, I hung upside down over the side of my bed, reading a book that discussed the many different works of literature revolving around vampirical romanticism and hoping the blood rushing to my brain would help me ascertain how to go about my explanation. The book was written by two authors who essentially argue the whole time, one of them convinced that the human fascination with vampires stems from the cannibalistic nature of bloodsucking or that it alluded to other bodily fluids such as semen, whereas the other stood firm in his belief that it held a much simpler cause; it was nothing more than the presence of oral fixation and sadism that caused the fantasy to plant its seed.

My phone vibrated but I ignored it, too engrossed in my book to be bothered with answering. I was so close… the answer was right there, it just continued to escape me. It wasn’t until my phone vibrated a second time to notify me of a voicemail that I put the pages down and picked up the electronic device.

The moment I heard August excusing his delay in calling to a work emergency, I immediately sat up and hit redial. There was something in his voice that made my heart quicken and my pulse race; it made the hair on my arms stand on end. I regretted sitting up so fast as it rang, the blood surrounding my brain draining quickly into the rest of my body. August answered on the second ring.

“Hi, Amber.”

“I—hi.”

I rolled my eyes then flinched in pain, congratulating myself sarcastically on how pathetic that response sounded with a slap of my palm to my forehead.

“Please, allow me to apologize again for waiting so long to call,” August insisted, seemingly unphased by my lack of vocabulary. “I still intend to take you to dinner, that is if you haven’t written me off completely.”

“No it’s fine, I totally get it,” I assured him. I had completely forgotten my earlier annoyance. He had explained it after all, and it could happen to anyone.

“Perfect. I’ll send a car tonight then, at seven. Wear something revealing please, I wasn’t able to see that pretty little neck of yours last time.”

My insides shook with an unexpected pang of shocked arousal at August’s request. The sexual confidence saturating his tone had me instantly reduced to nothing more than a deep desire for him to drag me to my knees by my hair. Why I wasn’t offended by the dominantly abrupt way this man spoke to me, I’ll never know. I put on the best flirty air I could manage in my stupor.

“I think I can manage that. Might have to charge you though.”

August laughed for the second time since I’d known him and I smiled, proud that I’d caused such a melodious sound to grace this earth.

“I like your spirit; you’re gonna be fun. I’ll see you tonight.”

“I—okay bye,” I managed to say before he hung up. I stared at my phone stupidly, as though I thought he was going to call again. Instead, the large clock face glared up at me like it always does, an ever present reminder that I live on a different plane of time than the rest of the world. I fell back on the bed, thinking about the man named August.

He likes my spirit? I hadn’t really shown him much, I’d been unable to do anything but stammer and trip over my words like a schoolgirl would when confronted by the cutest jock at school. What could he possibly see in me? The woman I truly was, the one I knew was underneath the bumbling idiot finally answered me. You’ve got three hours, Amber. Show him what you’re made of.

Resolve set in, and I bounced off the bed and walked toward my closet. For whatever reason, he’d chosen me, so I was going to let my confidence in that thought override all the self-doubt that was threatening to surface. I pulled my favorite dress from the hanger and set out to work. He wanted revealing? Then revealing is what he’d get, but I was going to do it my way.

The car was punctual, though I was less so. I scrambled to put diamond studs in my ears while being driven to some unknown location, my nerves making my hands shake. Once again, the notion that I could be driving to my death crept up my spine, but I brushed it off. Rich men send cars, it’s what they do. And I am an intelligent woman, I wouldn’t let myself be put in that situation.

Would I?

Touching the final stroke of Red Wine lipstick on my lips, I pulled my loose curls over my shoulder to expose my neck and put my things in my vintage black clutch, staring out the window at the ancient building that housed the most expensive club in town. I was suddenly grateful I’d chosen such a fancy dress. I fidgeted with the soft hem of the sleeve at my wrist, drawing it back and forth between my fingers while I waited for the driver to come to a stop.

I saw August there waiting, looking sharp as ever in another expensive three-piece suit, buttons undone just as low as the first time. This time however, I felt much better matched to his attire, and my confidence rose right next to my excitement. August came down the steps to open the door and I took his hand, hiking the burgundy velvet up to my thigh so that I could exit the car smoothly. The heavy fabric dropped to the ground the moment I freed it from my grasp, allowing August to study how I’d chosen to honor his request.

August drank in my covered form, taking in the way my dress hugged my curves and accentuated what it needed to. His eyes darkened as they lingered on the single large triangular section of bare skin that started at my shoulders and came to a point between my breasts, and I watched his tongue dart out of his mouth softly. He looked downright hungry. August stepped closer, fingertips grazing the flesh on my collarbone before he fastened his grip onto my nape and inhaled the hair at my temple deeply, pressing his lips to my ear.

“You are simply mouthwatering,” he growled, low and possessive. His hand released my neck and slid down to the small of my back, sending a shiver down my spine. My insides quivered at his touch, fragrant drops of dew pooling rapidly in the flimsy lace that guarded my mound from potential intruders.

“You wanted to see my ‘pretty little neck’,” I teased his earlier arrogance, lifting my skirt to traverse the steps leading inside, “I thought I’d frame her for you, give her the spotlight.”

August cocked an eyebrow at me in amusement, sensing my challenge. His fingers dug into my hip a little harder than necessary as he guided me through the establishment with nothing more than a nod to the hostesses. Apparent jealousy marred the face of one, and I thought I saw a hint of worry on the other. We were gone before the emotion could register in my mind.

I was escorted to a private booth in the upstairs of the establishment. While the first floor was crowded and full of people, the second floor was empty; August had requested it for our use alone. I could hear the hum of nightlife below, the haunting, non-lyrical melody of a soft alto wafting over the balcony as we walked past, the whispered promise of an enchanting night. A few tables and chairs were strategically placed on the floor, hugged by back-to-back rounded booths on either wall. Light ethereal curtains hung on either side of them, offering privacy from the guests who would typically sit in the next box over. August led me to the corner booth nearest the balcony so that we could look upon the stage if we chose.

“Our table, milady,” he joked, leaving a wet kiss on the back of my hand. Though the charade was seemingly in jest, it could not have been farther from it. His piercing eyes never left mine and I gasped at the feel of his brazen tongue on my skin. The suggestion of what he could do with it hung thick in his gaze, lacing the air with the succulent first tendrils of decadent tension. Playing along, I took a sharp breath and curtsied. I stayed low as August stood to show him the appeal of my figure at this angle, tilting just my head to look up at him. He stood there, head held high like a king, and the smile I received at my display was downright sinful.

“What a treat you are,” he murmured, cupping my chin briefly. My breasts swelled as I stood, consenting August the claim to chivalry by way of settling me into the alcove. He swept my hair over my shoulder again, trailing a single finger down my neck in admiration before taking his own seat. My insides were nothing but a pile of kindling, and every touch he gave was a spark that threatened to ignite the dry leaves into a burning flame of need.

The courses came and went just like those moments, every phrase emphasized with physical intimacy of some kind, whether it be just a gossamer brush of his fingers on my ear or an intentional grasping of my hand. He went as far as to boldly stroke the back of his knuckle along my cleavage, making me dizzy with desire. Each touch was avaricious—like he owned me—and I had zero qualms about letting him.

We ate our fill, but August made no move to leave the comfort of our small corner. With the noise of people below dulled by the far reaches of our seclusion, it was easy to converse. I told him more about my master thesis and the Pijavica, how they could read minds and enjoyed the power of persuasion, how they were impervious to all but decapitation, and how only their offspring could kill them. He listened intently, sharing tales of his own career. It was how I discovered that he was a doctor.

“I don’t practice anymore though, I prefer to study and learn. Specifically, I’m attracted to tears.”

“Tears?” That struck me as odd; it wasn’t often you came across someone who had such a unique field of study. “Why tears?”

August swirled the whiskey in his glass and downed it abruptly. He subtly indicated to our attendant for another before continuing his explanation.

“I’ve always had a fascination for the small things, things that people don’t seem to think matter; the mind-body connection, you know? For example,” he brushed a thumb over my cheekbone, “Did you know that the cellular structure of tears looks different based on the type of tear?”

August cupped my neck with both of his hands, tilting my head this way and that, his calm features set in measured focus as he spoke.

“Basal, reflexive, emotional... they all look different.”

I closed my eyes, letting him caress my skin. August’s touch was intoxicating, addicting. Even his scent was an aphrodisiac to my senses. I couldn’t get enough of it, lured ever closer to his sturdy frame, letting him manipulate my body how he saw fit. He nuzzled my hair, his soft spoken words dripping with lust into my ear.

“In fact,” he went on, “Even among those categories they differ, dependent on the stimuli.”

I could feel his breath on my neck, his lips surrounding the pulsepoint in my veins as he spoke, my jaw his destination. A hand snuck under my skirt, skimming along my trembling skin toward the seeping treasure that awaited him at the end of his journey. I spread my legs willingly, inviting him into my deepest of secrets. August hummed as he went on, sending spirals of tingling vibrations through my chest.

“The sting of onions, the sadness of grief… the satisfaction of overwhelming pleasure.”

“August…” I breathed, but my voice was severed as August simultaneously laid claim to my mouth and my womb. Thick fingers penetrated me in the same moment as his probing tongue, and it was in that moment I knew I was lost; August Walker could pull everything from me and I wouldn’t care; I’d want it, need it. He had spent all night teasing me, testing me, manipulating me and filling me with nothing but a desire for more, leaving me empty and wanting. He had succeeded, I now craved him above all else in this world.

August lifted my skirts, hoisting me with little effort to straddle his lap and I cried out in shock. The sound of my sudden impalement on the thick steel of his manhood was camouflaged by the crowd of people below; no one heard the echo of carnal awakening that sang through the air. When had he undressed? I bit my lip as he sank deeper into my core until the salty bitterness of copper and iron stung my chin. August’s eyes fell to the red droplet, darkening until the only color left in his pale irises was the very absence of light. With a hideous growl he ravaged my mouth, tasting every inch of my bruised lips with the hunger of an animal that’s been caged for far too long.

Thrill and terror tangled themselves in my mind, weaving an intricate web of wanton desire inside of me as August took me right there in the booth. Time itself seemed to halt, the room disappeared. Were we still in the club? Was it still the dead of night? Did I still require oxygen to breathe? Or was my life source now August’s touch, the light in my very soul dependent upon his kiss?

I didn’t notice when we left, nor when we arrived at a house that overlooked the city. I didn’t notice the lock on the basement door, or the fresh garden in the yard. I didn’t notice the continual rising and setting of the sun. I didn’t notice when I grew hungry, nor when I grew tired. I didn’t notice, not anything but passion, need, and desperation.

I didn’t notice.

Sleep drained from my limbs slowly. I awoke to black silk caressing my skin, dim sunlight shining through the wall, diffused by a covering of clouds that hung in the sky. It confused me that it was coming through the entire wall, until I realized that said wall was simply one large window, and the room I found myself in was built into the rock of an obsidian cliff overlooking the city. The room was minimally decorated in dark tones that coordinated with the nature outside, save for a striking, golden painting of a woman crying on the far wall. I clearly wasn’t home, and last night’s events slowly returned to the forefront of my mind.

August.

August was, without a doubt, the most attentive lover I’d ever had. Memories of his lips, his scent, his god-like physique that was surely carved from marble entertained my thoughts, returning my mind to the pleasure I’d never experienced in my life. Chills ran up and down my skin, alighting in wonder as my hand drifted to my sex. My fingers found my petals, swollen from overuse, aching in the dull agony of satisfaction. I stroked them gently, soothing the pleasant tenderness, moaning softly as the blood rushed to swell my clit once more, my other hand slipping beneath the silk to join in the heavenly edging torment.

A sharp, sudden sting at the brush of my inner thigh caused me to cry out, my hands snatching away from their play. I sat up, peering beneath the sheets to discover a semi-circle of divots cut into my leg. Is that a… a bite mark? I pulled at the skin and felt the dried blood crack, a small pinprick of new red seeping through the scab. I lunged from the bed to stand in front of the full-length mirror in the corner and look for other signs or markings, but what I found made me gasp.

Bruises peppered my neck, chest, hips and thighs. A few other crescents were scattered amongst them, standing out against the dark patches that shaded my skin. I took a physical inventory then, feeling the soreness in my jaw from being stretched by his cock, the ache of my neck from having my hair pulled, the shaky feeling of muscular fatigue in my legs from being tensed by orgasm after orgasm. I thought I detected a slight sheen on my skin, but I couldn’t tell if that was from the tremulous bliss of a satisfying fuck, or if it was the sweat and oil caused by said satisfying fuck. Either way, I looked happy and content. I grabbed August’s dress shirt from the floor and threw it on as I left the room to explore.

The bedroom led to a hallway, the wall to my left still nothing but expansive glass that showed off the impressive view. On the other side were large, black and white abstract prints, hung evenly spaced against dark panels. To the left of each was a shadow box with an ornate glass vial inside; each bottle was thin, no longer than my palm and differing in design from the others. Tiny, intricate patterns were painted on the outsides in white, blue, and gold, and gold stoppers sealed each one. When I entered the main room, I discovered a curio cabinet that housed at least a hundred of them, and I leaned in to look at how varied each one was.

“Victorian tear catchers,” August’s voice was suddenly behind me and I whirled sharply, startled. He chuckled at my alarm and I laughed with him, enjoying that glorious sound.

“They’re beautiful,” I murmured, turning back to look at the delicate glass. August pulled me against his naked chest, nosing my hair and kissing my neck.

“Yes you are,” he whispered, earning an eye roll from me. August chuckled and opened the cabinet.

“Would you like one?”

“Really?”

I looked at him, stunned. He simply nodded his head in the direction of the vials and I examined them, selecting one that had a white pattern on it that looked like lace.

“Mmm, a good choice. Perhaps I can collect tears of ecstasy for you,” August whispered. The thrill of what he was implying awakened my senses, and I let him lead us slowly back toward the bedroom. I felt like teasing him, so I delayed a bit by asking about the art on the wall.

“What are those?” I pointed to the first print, a cross-hatching pattern that looked like it was made of sewing pins.

“Those are tears of grief,” he stated, stopping in front of each as he walked me gradually down the hall.

“A yawn,” he said of the next, a white background with dark, fern-looking splatters. August traced his mouth along my jaw, his hand dipping beneath the button of his shirt to play with the sensitive nipples he had rediscovered. I keened as he continued shifting us toward the kitchen, struggling to keep my composure. The next print was a much darker gray, and it looked like it was covered in snowflakes.

“Any guesses?” August asked, mouthing my earlobe in tandem with the flick of his thumbs over my hardened nubs. I whimpered, my knees weak in his lustful embrace.

“Uhm… cold air?” I rasped as he sucked on my neck. August chuckled through his nose, the vibrations of his voice rippling through my chest to connect with his teasing fingers.

“Onions.”

“Yeah okay.”

I tilted my head so that I could kiss him, but suddenly the thought of onions turned my stomach. I lurched, pulling away and gagging slightly. Instead of concern, August smiled knowingly, seemingly unbothered by my retching.

“I see morning sickness has set in. It’s a little early and I had hoped you’d be able to avoid it, but alas, that’s not the case.”

My head swam suddenly, confusion mutilating all thought. I backed away from him.

“Morning what? What are you talking about?”

August took a step toward me, placing a hand on my belly and lacing his fingers in the hair at my nape.

“Women always taste better after they’ve conceived. And I can keep them longer; they make much more blood when they’re host to a fetus.”

I pushed against him, turning away and vainly attempting to process his words. Pregnant? Taste better? Blood? My eyes focused on a card I hadn’t noticed earlier in the shadow box, a single word printed on it.

Bridgette

“Isn’t it ironic,” August mused, tracing my collarbone with a thick finger, “That five weeks ago, you had a chance encounter with the very thing you’ve been studying for months, and now you carry his child.”

The room spun. I couldn’t think; my brain refused to process the nonsense he spoke.

“Five—five weeks?! No that’s not possible, our date was last night!”

“It’s more than possible, sweet morsel. Think about it.”

Bile rose thick and acrid in my throat then, threatening to spill. Memories and time started filtering into my mind, replacing the fog with everything I’d lost. The last puzzle piece clicked into place, confusion all but disappeared and I was left with nothing but the cold, terrifying truth. Pijavica. Vampire. Monster.

I’d fallen into the clutches of a monster.

I did the only thing I could think of; I slapped him as hard as I could and took off through the house, ignoring the sharp pain of a chunk of hair remaining in his hand. My heart pounded in my chest, desperate to be free of this sudden nightmare. I slammed into the front door and grabbed the handle, a strangled sob catching in my throat when it wouldn’t open.

I rattled the door knob, panic consuming every fiber of my being. Suddenly, it wasn’t just my life I was fighting for; apparently there was a life inside of me that needed protecting. The child of a Pijavica that was depending on me to escape, so that he could come back and kill his father. I have to get out. I gave up on the door in anger, spinning around and looking for another way.

“Do you know why I chose you?”

I heard August’s voice again, but he was nowhere to be seen. His voice came louder, penetrating my mind. I have to keep moving.

“It was because of your name; they match your eyes.”

I whimpered at his words, sneaking my head around a corner to survey the living space for some form of an exit.

“Amber has a historical application, you see,” he went on, louder. I dashed over the floor, desperate to be gone from him. Door after door remained locked, and my terror grew with each attempt. Every now and then I could hear August, whether it be a rustle of fabric or the knock of his foot on the wooden floor. The scholar in me knew that it was on purpose, that he was luring his prey, giving chase to his food, and yet my rational mind refused to take charge. I was being led by my flight response, and his jarring monologue wasn’t helping.

“Throughout history, whenever a goddess cried it was typically tears of amber, save for the goddess Freya, who cried gold. You met her in the bedroom.”

His laughter echoed through the dark walls of his lair, and chilled me to my core. It was no longer a beautiful sound, but grating and horrible. I was nothing but a petty human to play with, some toy that he could eat when he tired of me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I came to the last door. Dear God, please let this one open. To my utter relief, the door swung wide and I was met with stairs. Stairs went down, and we were on a cliff. Down was good. Down meant freedom.

I clambered down the steps and flung open the door at the bottom, stumbling into the room and falling to the floor in horror and fear. There in front of me, was nothing but mirrors. A maze of mirrors, each one showing me my trembling features, mocking me, letting me know just how fucked I was. I turned back, intending to go back up the stairs and try another way, but August’s silhouette stood at the top, preventing me from going back into the house. I heard a scream and realized it was my own.

Scrambling off the floor, I took off into the maze, blinded by my tears.

“Each of those girls made it this far you know,” August taunted. I heard the slam of the door and nearly choked as I ran. “You’ll die in this room, just like they did.”

His nonchalance, his continual unconcern about chasing me, his arrogance that he would no doubt catch me made me so angry. I raced from path to path, growing ever more frantic every time I reached a dead end. I didn’t even know if this room had an exit, I just knew I had to keep moving. I tripped over something as I rounded a corner, screaming when I saw what it was.

“I see you found Bridgette,” August chuckled, and I looked up from the skeleton to see his hideous face marred with a sinful sneer. I gasped and took off again, turning this way and that. Hitting another dead end, I doubled back and ran smack into August’s broad torso. He caught me and held me close as I screamed, ripping his shirt from my body. He spun me around, pinning my wrists between my back and his belly, trailing his fingers languidly over my naked frame in an inspection of his handiwork. My jaw was gripped in an iron vice and August forced my gaze to the mirror.

“Do you see what I see?” he mocked. I could only stare in horror, for nothing but my own terrified expression stared back at me.

August had no reflection.

“Out of all the patterns in the world, do you know which tears are my favorite?” August continued to torment. He inhaled my hair deeply, snaking his tongue along the length of my cheek, tasting the stains my tears had left in their wake.

“Fear.”

I heard August growl as I fought against him, his iron grasp caging me against his cool skin, more of the cursed moisture pooling in my eyes. Glassy drops fell, retracing a new path toward my chin but August just kissed them away, shoving me to the floor when my knees buckled of their own accord. He let go of my hands to fidget with his slacks, pulling me back toward him every time I tried to crawl away as a parent would to a petulant child. On the third attempt he snapped my knee, a scream tearing from my throat in my woeful submission to his desire.

Finally free of his clothes, August lifted my hips, lining his rigid cock up against my sweat-soaked folds. He dove into my treasure without care, forcing his way into the depths of my belly, stretching and tearing my walls until he was fully sheathed. Strong arms wrapped around me again, and I felt two sharp points prick the junction of my neck and shoulder. I cried out and thrashed in fierce protest, knowing that small pinch was just a warning of oncoming pain.

August’s teeth punctured my skin easily, shredding muscle and sinew until they hit bone. I howled in pain as I watched blood drip from the wound, a familiar crescent shape joining its brothers on my body. Searing heat shot through my neck with his first draw of thick plasma; the violent removal of blood causing an intense burn that I felt all the way down to my injured leg. August released my neck and I clapped a hand over the fresh wound.

I looked over my shoulder at him; his head was tilted down, mouth still full of my blood; the lack of a reflection behind him unsettling to my senses. August opened his wicked maw slowly, dark scarlet trickling from his lips onto the junction where my hips met his, run through by his sword. He looked up at me with a nasty grin, bloodstained fangs curdling my stomach. I closed my eyes and turned away as he swiped a hand through the mess. His fingers penetrated my core alongside his cock, deaf to my sobbing objections.

“You’d better open your eyes, pet… This needy little cunt is dripping, I’d hate for you to miss it.”

August emphasized his sick joke by grasping my hair, shoving my head to the floor, forcing me to look once more into the polished glass. My desperate wails for mercy were all that kept me grounded as I watched him thrust, my battered hole be stretched beyond capacity. Nothing but empty space plundered my core, crimson air bruising the very place within me that only just last night had been treated with such tenderness and care. Not last night. His slick fingers found my mouth and violated it effortlessly; no amount of pressure I could apply would break through his tough skin.

“God, you look so beautiful.”

August pulled me up and took to my neck with fervor, latching onto the broken sliver of skin like a leech. The more he drank, the weaker I became, until there was no resistance left within me. I could see the color drain from my bloody face, I could see black slowly creep into my vision, but I was powerless to stop it. August was in charge, he held my entire existence in his hands, and he intended to extinguish it. I closed my eyes again, accepting my fate.

I was going to die.

One of my favorite places to visit is a small outdoor cafe, very near the coffee shop where I met Amber. Mmmm. Amber. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of that tantalizing woman.

She lasted so much longer than all the others, you know. I was able to feed off of her nearly three full months as she hung there in my basement, until the last drop of her tantalizing nectar was finally extracted. She smelled of carraway and saffron, tasted of sweet mulled wine, and with the rich, heady, piquancy of her fertile womb seasoning each sinew, every inch of her opulent flesh begged to be consumed. I must admit, I should have dispatched of her sooner, but fascination overtook my curious mind as her own was consumed by insanity.

First it was freedom she asked for, and then death. Sometimes she would beg to speak to her mother one last time. But by the end, she only asked for one thing.

“Please,” she would whisper, “Please… Cover the mirrors. Just cover the mirrors.”

She asked so nicely, but how on earth could I hide such beauty? Her tears were just as rare, you see. They hold a beauty unmatched by any of the others that hang on my walls. I’ve never seen such a fear pattern like hers; it is more exquisite than the dawn of a misty spring day in the countryside, more beautiful than a woman at the height of euphoria. And they way they sparkled against her skin, lustrous tracks that wound down her temples and through her hair, glinting in the mirrors with each slow rotation of her inverted body... well, it was as if I was living among the stars. Adding her ashes to my garden was such a shame.

I sat at that little cafe, eyes closed, viewing the world through my enhanced scent. Each drop of bitter coffee, the pollen of a nearby bee, the oil in the bike chains of two clumsy humans as they rolled past; each note and fragrance alerting me to its owner. A familiar scent reached my nose and I turned my head sharply, focusing on it.

Carraway… Saffron.

I smiled softly, opening my eyes to greet the woman that now sat at my table. The honey irises that had intrigued me all those months ago met mine and I chuckled low.

“Amber.”

Read on AO3.

#august walker #august walker fanfic #august walker fan fiction #august walker fanfiction #august walker fan fic #august walker smut #vampire!august #non-con tw

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acommonloon · 3 years

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Jim Murray is an old guy who writes sexually suggestive reviews about whiskey and publishes it as a bible. Ewwww on many levels! It's not surprising a "Man" his age wouldn't view the objectification of women as a negative. Women have traditionally, biblically, been objects, if objects of love and affection, in our patriarchy. I'm sure JM loves women, and whisky, and hats...

Full disclosure, I usually pay little attention to whisk/ey reviews. What something tastes like to others, is irrelevant to me. However, I've always been a fan of Alberta rye. Until recently it was usually sold and most lauded under American labels like Whistle Pig, Mastersons, or Jeffersons etc. So when JM anointed the Alberta Premium his whisky of the year, in his Whisky bible, I noticed.

After that, for much of the year I spotted it only on the top shelf usually behind the counter with allocated bourbons. I once asked and was told it was priced at $189. I laughed out loud. The other day I spotted it in a shop for $61.99 so I picked it up as a Christmas present...for me. I immediately took it to a friend's house to try it.

In short, at first taste, I was flabbergasted and not in a good way. I'm a high test drinker meaning I prefer whisk/ey to burn and warm me down the middle. Some around here call that warmth the Kentucky hug. There you go, personification without sexualization. This one was so hot, my palate didn't register anything else. My friend liked it more than me. I added a bit of water, which I rarely do, and it opened a some but still I thought it a simple dram. Certainly not deserving of Whisky of the year.

That was a bit more than a week ago and I've decided to try it again. This time, before trying, I drank some water and sucked on a mostly tasteless cracker to offset the taste of lunch. Chili and saison flavors can hang about. This time was a whole different experience!

Often, I've found whisk/ey tastes significantly different after the bottle has been open for awhile. It's certainly not always better afterwards but sometimes it is. Also my palate isn't always the neutral and discerning blank slate I wish it were. Too many times things taste different than I know they usually do. Many times I've thought something tasted wonderful but never good as that first time. Sometimes things I don't like on first try, I like it better the second time around. "Try it till you like it" has long been my attitude. I've given up on a few things well, really only liver.

This time the rye was...still very hot but not overpowering. I could appreciate the silky texture of the liquid even though the alcohol vapors were burning my nasal passages. They didn't overpower all the flavors present as much this time but were likely hot enough to cauterize Covid. Tell your GOP friends! To be clear this isn't a fragrant dram but is a bit more complex than I first perceived. It's buttery and nutty in a way that reminds me of Texas bourbon or some Wild Turkey bourbon but oddly not WT rye. The finish is long but the flavors don't change. Even with a bit of water added, things are pretty staid. Eh, it's not bad.

Damning by faint praise I think is the phrase. Had I tasted this before hand, I'd have never purchased it. For me, one who really likes hot whiskey and rye, this is, on its best day, not bad at best.

#rye whisky #alberta premium #not bad at best

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katipatangbeer · 3 years

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Three Reasons Why Craft Beer Is So Popular

Why craft beer is so popular is something we may never truly understand. It has grown exponentially in recent years due to the explosive growth of microbreweries, the availability of better molds and yeasts for brewing, the wide variety of recipes available, and the ever-changing tastes of drinkers. Craft beer is not an alcoholic beverage, it is a beer made by brewing it at home, and using whatever method and process is necessary in order to create a quality product.

It should be noted that many people incorrectly believe that craft beers are not authentic or even contain any more alcohol than regular beers, and that they have no taste. This couldn't be further from the truth. Craft beers have been around since before the US even existed and have been consistently gaining popularity among consumers ever since. The word "craft" in the name it typically refers to a small brewer who is capable of producing low quantities of beer, usually made utilizing traditional, age-old ingredients rather than adding foreign ingredients, and with an additional twist for authenticity. Many consumers appreciate the fact that microbreweries are able to use whatever flavor or variety they want, instead of being limited to the stock ingredients that are traditionally used by brewers.

Beer brewing is fun and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. It also offers a great way to learn about different types of beverages, including the difference between German pilsners and wheat beers, and learning the difference between British ales and Irish whiskey. Not only do these enthusiasts enjoy tasting the beverages, but also doing so allows them to develop a better knowledge of how each type of beverage is created and enjoyed.

In addition to the pleasure gained from tasting the beers, another reason why craft breweries continue to be so popular is because of the upkeep that goes into making the best, hand-crafted beers on earth. Small breweries are often started by a single person or a small group of dedicated individuals, and as such are easier to start and more affordable to purchase materials for than larger, more established breweries. Also, smaller breweries are able to offer a wider variety of offerings to their patrons, thanks to the smaller amount of space they have to work with. For example, while big breweries may have a wide variety of products that can be offered to their patrons, small breweries often have to rely only on their own personal catalogs to decide what products to put out.

One of the most important reasons why craft beers continue to be so popular is because they offer drinkers a chance to experience a taste that many drinkers just cannot get when they order off of the shelf at their local supermarket or local liquor store. Many shoppers are often put off by the taste of many beers on the shelf, simply because they have not had the opportunity to sample many different types of brews. For those who enjoy trying new blends of beers, opening a bottle and taking a taste is an experience that no one ever forgets. This is why those who enjoy drinking beers on a regular basis will often drink nothing but low-abv beers if they do not get to try the different flavors available. This is also why many restaurant and bar owners are adding low-abv beers to their menus, as they know that the taste is often much better than the taste of premium, store-brand beers.

Another reason why the craft beer is so popular is because many people find it easier to match it to their lifestyle and character rather than their lifestyle and character. For instance, if someone is looking for a quick pick-me-up that they can feel comfortable reaching for in a stressful situation, then a low-abv beer will often be a good option. Many people, especially those who live in small towns, are used to buying big, bold beers like Stone Brewing and Allberg's Select a.k.a. "The Biggest Beer In Your World" prefer to grab a low-abv beer with their lunch to help them deal with a hangover the next morning. Those who tend to be very social and open to trying new blends and styles of beers may have difficulty picking out a craft brew that fits that description, but there are options, such as considering low-abv versions of the more popular beers available.

#craft beer #Alcoholic beverages #craft brewery #kati patang #Indian craft beer

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tabletoptrinketsbyjj · 5 years

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Trinkets, 32: Interesting baubles, semi magical objects and items touched by mystery.

A heavy copper coin on which the face on the coin has been carved into an elegant skull. Knowledgeable PC’s will be able to recognize the mark as the symbol of a local thieves guild and can find a saying in thieves cant carved around the edge of the coin.

Genevieve's: A small tin canister containing a few dozen candies that (According to the labelling), were accidentally synthesized by the gnomish alchemist Genevieve Boghopper. They're big lumpy balls that rapidly change colors, each representing a different flavor, until they come into contact with saliva. The instructions mention that trying to put it in your mouth at the right moment to get your favorite flavor is a challenge and fun game.

A worn but well-polished, silver inlaid gavel.

A complex abacus made with snail shells.

A long-stem pipe made of bone, carved to look like a devil.

A palm-sized mechanical crab that looks more like a tin can with metal legs and claws attached to it. Winding up this device causes it to skitter and jump about snapping its claws until it falls over. Apart from amusing small children, the item doesn’t seem to have any practical use.

A bracelet of halfing design, carved from a single moss agate.

A metal cylinder that smells at all times of burnished copper and a slight whiff of sulfur. When shaken, a rattling noise emanates from inside of it.

A slim wand that leaves a trail of faint sparkles behind as it moves through the air when being used as a focus for casting magical spells.

Stone Sleeve: A stone sleeve is little more than a narrow cloth tube that is tied to the inner forearm so the opening rests in the palm. The sleeve can then be filled with up to six good-sized throwing stones or sling bullets. The sleeve can be opened with ease, allowing the bearer to arm himself with one of the rocks stored within as a free action.

—Keep reading for 90 more trinkets.

—Note: The previous 10 items are repeated for easier rolling on a d100.

A worn but well-polished, silver inlaid gavel.

A complex abacus made with snail shells.

A long-stem pipe made of bone, carved to look like a devil.

A bracelet of halfing design, carved from a single moss agate.

A metal cylinder that smells at all times of burnished copper and a slight whiff of sulfur. When shaken, a rattling noise emanates from inside of it.

A slim wand that leaves a trail of faint sparkles behind as it moves through the air when being used as a focus for casting magical spells.

A small sapphire ear cuff carved in the shape of a creature’s fang

Song Collar: A set of iron tubes designed to aid traveling musicians in learning new or complex compositions for the lute, violin, or another similar stringed instrument. Built to fit snugly over a normal quarterstaff, this item consists of a long metal collar that slips down over the top half of the staff, roughly two feet long for a typical staff. The metal's surface is covered with rows of small, dimpled indentations, ostensibly to provide a better grip on the staff. In reality, these indentations correspond with the fingering for a piece of music to be played on a preferred instrument of the owner. Song collars crafted gnome engineers as training tools for journeymen, enabling them to practice chords and notes while traveling without attracting attention. A creature can actively learn or practice an instrument while traveling and maintaining a normal walking pace. While practicing on the move, the bearer suffers disadvantage on perception checks and is only considered to be practicing half as quickly as normal. For example a PC attempting to learn ho to play the lute who trains while walking for eight hours is only considered to have practiced for four hours towards becoming proficient in the instrument.

A knight’s banner consisting of a vertical black rectangle with a black rook eclipsing a white sun on a field of black and purple.

A cut and polished piece of glass that could almost pass for an actual gemstone.

A dwarven brass puzzle cube with runes on it. Numerous rectangular pieces are interwoven with each other, and need to be moved in a particular order to take it apart. After completing the many puzzles require to take the object apart, the bearer can see that the core is just a small sphere with the words “So you think you’re smart do you? Shove off!” written on it.

An acorn with little green sprouts that retreat back into the nut when exposed to sunlight.

A stein decorated with a design depicting a fearsome kraken tearing a ship apart during a tumultuous sea voyage. Golden threads decorate the bottom of the design and line the polished metal lid of the stein.

A little toy wagon with a coffin, drawn by skeletal horses. As the wheels turn a scratching sound can be heard from inside the coffin.

A mirror that shows the reflection of the viewer as if they were the opposite gender.

An ivory flute mouthpiece, noticeably lacking in the rest of the instrument. When held to the mouth, the rest of the flute coalesces. Its ghostly blue form is semisolid and always produces sweet but strangely sad notes.

A simply painted, wooden jester’s mask with an unsettling smile carved in. The eyes show the same glee that a child shows as they burn ants with a piece of glass, not fully grasping the value of life. This mask mildly compels to bearer to tell jokes, pull pranks and play tricks, although cruel and twisted ones more often than not.

A smallish oaken strongchest, bound in bronze. Inside it rests four fat, tightly-packed pouches of waxed linen filled with a brilliant scarlet dyestuff and three dried bundles of the ruddy, weedy herb of unknown type the dye was rendered from. One bundle is tied with a crude map to the source of the herb.

A hollow, seamless, clear quarts cube with unknown beasts carved in negative into the inside.

An ocarina made out of a large beetle exoskeleton. When played, the sound is not dissimilar to a cricket’s chirp.

A cultist's rod made of salt encrusted driftwood. Snail shells and crab claws are attached to twine that wraps around the top of the rod.

A stein made of silver and ivory depicting a scene of a picturesque dwarven mountain village.

A mechanical puzzle made of a blue crystal surrounded by an intricate pattern of pieces of wood, inscribed with strange symbols and fastened together with black cord. The crystal contains a number of interlocking pieces, which can be carefully taken apart and maneuvered through the cords and wood.

A a squat, round bottle with the bottom half wrapped in twine containing a rare distilled spirit from desert regions known as Aleaqrab. More commonly referred to as Scorpion Whiskey, the liquid is a dark, rusty brown, and is similar in viscosity to maple syrup, though it’s not nearly as sticky. The thickener is hidden at the bottom of the bottle: a scorpion tail, severed from a living creature. The tail is removed and immediately dropped into a full bottle of barley spirit; the mixture of blood and venom give the drink its trademark color and flavor, along with an unusual extra kick. Aleaqrab is traditionally drunk as a shot. It smells metallic and vaguely briny. It has a strong copper flavor with notes of honey, and a piquant burn closer to a hot pepper than regular alcohol. Drinkers of weak weak constitutions often find that the scorpion venom causes their mouth and tongue to go numb for hours after taking even a single shot.

A broken crow skull. The missing pieces of the skull have been replaced with carved, polished and smooth green crystal.

A finely crafted silver hand mirror. Whomever looks into the mirror will see an idealized version of the person they are currently thinking of.

A monocle that when looked through shows a brief memory of the wearers biggest regret.

A paper with an illustration of a beautiful woman with ink hearts around it and the name of a city. On the back is a love poem dedicated to the woman. A well read PC will recognize the woman as a purely fictional character from a romance novel.

A handheld sounding post-horn. The instrument has detailed, graphic engravings of humanoids being torn asunder by sword and axe. A single blow of this horn will surely strike fear in any tribe or group that has the misfortune of being a target for conquest.

A scrap of parchment with detailed drawing of a demonic ritual circle

A shuttered bullseye lantern shaped like a screaming mouth. It contains a stubby black candle that burns far slower that should be possible.

A small figurine made of soapstone carved into the shape of a snail wearing a saddle.

A plush doll of a male human wearing hunting clothing, a crossbow and a sword. There's a slit on the doll's back allowing it to be turned inside out, turning him into a black dire wolf. Both only have one eye.

An onyx carved into a small coin. The obverse sigil is a simple flat line denoting the void. The reverse a phrase in common that reads “No barrier will hold back my anger.”

A wooden hand cranked coffin shaped box that, when opened, reveals a set of domino tiles made of grey bones.

A satchel containing a cloth measuring tape, a hammer, saw, shovel, and a small box of nails. All of the objects, including the satchel are sized for a small child to use and a perceptive PC can find stitching on the interior of the satchel that reads “My Little Undertaker”.

A set of panpipes fashioned from a tree struck by lightning.

A sturdy leather wallet branded with the symbol of a pair of spears crossing over a shield. It contains a full set of certified identification papers denoting that the bearer is a corporal with a good service record in a well respected mercenary company. The section containing the member's physical description (Height, weight, sex, race, eye, skin and hair colour) is completely blank and could be filled in by anyone with half decent handwriting.

A rose-cut golden opal wrapped carefully in twine.

A clockwork depiction of a hag stirring a cauldron with two withered cloth arms. As the stirrer is cranked, a haunting tune plays. As the tune crescendos, a scream is heard and a child's head pops out of the cauldron. To reset the toy, the child's head must be pushed back into the cauldron.

A talisman carved from jet, in the shape of a panther’s claw.

A waterproof scrollcase filled with parchments covered in artificer's diagrams for various inventions, mainly those relating to what looks like attempts to create flying machines. The case contains a fair bit of sawdust, metal shavings and other evidence that the arcane engineer may have already started construction.

A glass skull wrapped in taut, tanned humanoid leather.

A bone smoking pipe. Its stem is too short for the smoking of poppy-seed and the bowl is too small for any substantial amount of tobacco.

An artificial hand carved of bogwood with silver inlays indicating the location of every bone in the wrist, palm, and fingers; all labeled in a looping, unknown script.

A perfectly preserved human heart, encased in a clear glass cube.

A box compass, hard leather, scuffed, and no larger than a snuffbox. Reveals a sphere struck through by a red needle, suspended in a crystal ball filled with clear liquid. The needle points north, even if rotated in three dimensions.

A cast iron fly, large as a chicken's egg. The legs are bent, and a wing is missing. Tucked between the legs is the remnant of a mounting track, the kind used to attach ornaments to connection pins on metal armor.

A cloisonné dreidel. Each face, gold-leafed lead set with colored garnets, depicts a geometric face, each bearing a different expression: Bare-toothed anger, sneering disgust, white-eyed fear, and twisted, wretched misery.

The Pipe Pipe: A smoking pipe that doubles as a musical pipe. If the bearer smokes and plays the instrument at the same time, he can magically control the shape of the smoke, creating small billowing forms.

A copper cicada tarnished blue-green. Large enough to fill the palm. The hump of its thorax is set with a large malachite cabochon. Some examination reveals said cabochon is a button. Its mechanism, though somewhat stuck with age, causes the cicada's wings to lift, revealing a small, oblong storage space in the abdomen. The wings must be reset manually. They click into place, locked tight.

A fragment of bone, obviously the concave top plate of a human cranium, edged with pitted gold. Three inches wide and carved on the inside with cramped script. A reader adept in Abyssal will discern an outdated version of a prayer to the Dark Lord of Random Evil Domain carved within.

A heavy glass heart that is perfectly to scale with a human heart. The object is crafted of dark, smoky glass and has a hole for dipping in the gaping atrium that is filled with the gummy remnants of old, reddish resin, perhaps ink.

A flute, tuned to an odd key, made from bone of an unknown creature.

A red brass sphere, slightly pitted. It rings dully when shaken and feels as though some thick liquid or sand shifts inside. If shaken vigorously, it becomes chillingly cold. A shallow mark has been stamped on one side: A long triangle, perhaps a tooth or an icicle.

A hairwork needlepoint displayed under a cabochon of greenish glass. Mounted on a nickel silver brooch. The needlepoint depicts, in black and blond, presumably-human, hair, a smiling black skeleton beckoning to a quizzical, robed child.

A set of gray and red robes with threadwork made to resemble teeth and mouths around all of the openings. The sleeves and wristcuffs always stretch until they extend past the bearer's hands making it seem like objects he holds are being eaten and swallowed.

A head-sized dodecahedron; bronze and blackened. Each of the twelve sides has a wide hole in its center. Visible through the holes is the indistinct form of a lead-dipped skull, evidently entrapped there when the hedron was forged.

A lensed brass tube, like a spyglass, but not collapsible. Anyone who peeks through its cracked and dusty lens sees the world upside down and in faded, red-monochrome negative.

A lock of human hair preserved in a cylinder of yellowing resin capped by false-gold ends. The lock is purple black, a color rarely seen these days, in humans.

A defaced iron insignia shaped like a shield. Someone has taken a sharp knife point and defaced the thing with a rough X symbol, then crushed it flat. Under the X, the shape of a crudely molded fir cone barely shows.

A smoked glass mask bearing a serious expression. Its eye sockets are straight and focused. A nine pointed star is carved into the forehead and the lips of the mask are covered in a thick layer of glossy black lacquer.

A needle file, steel, a foot long, and slightly dull at the point. The file itself is unexceptional, save some rust, but the handle is long and fashioned like a bone. A very human bone, recognizable by the knobbly epiphysis of a femur at its end.

An ivory playing piece shaped like the bust of a muscled, eyeless man with interlocked fingers and palms rested atop the pummel of some weapon haft. He is eyeless, for the metal dome of a lead skullcap covers his ears, nose and eyes. Only thin lips show below.

A leather mask that covers the face above the upper lip. The fangs of a vampire are set into the mask, so that they almost seem to be the wearer’s own teeth.

A small clay bust of a bald woman with instructions to dampen the head daily. If the instructions are followed, after 1d4 days the head begins to sprout long fine vines of poison ivy

A pewter acorn with a lead cap and stem. Something sloshes heavily inside, like mercury. The cap does not open.

A pitted fist of ore, quite heavy, that contains strange fossils. Neither the bony, many-legged fossils nor the metal within the ore are readily identifiable as any known to alchemical sciences or arcane arts.

A dollhouse in which the beautiful family rooms conceal secret rooms tunnels and cellars. Each hidden room contains a scene of torture or murder.

A single earring of an ugly style. A thick, short hoop of reddish, soft metal. It smells faintly of wet iron or raw offal when touched and seems to make the fingers sticky. It attracts insects, large ones, that sit within the loop, when worn, and worry and wash their hairy legs, buzzing lowly in the wearer's ear.

A skeleton doll, articulated. It's blackened ivory bones, rather detailed, are joined by small iron rings. One arm is missing, and one eye socket is filled with a small garnet. If carefully inspected, it becomes evident there are two more rows of teeth than normal in the jaw.

A small show globe, akin to the large sort hung in an alchemists' shops, capped and banded with blackened silver. The screw cap is stuck on but might yield with some twisting. Contains bright blue powder, so fine that a single breath might send it all blowing away.

A small silver spoon. Long, with two slots in its bowl. Any food it contacts develops an acidic flavor; savory, but not pleasant to a modern palette. Any water does so, too, and turns a greasy grey.

A steel-bristle brush, round and palm-sized. The ferule and handle are rusted iron, but the bristles maintain a stainless shine. If the rust is scraped away, the mark of an obscure, two-crested helmet may be seen stamped atop the grip.

A hastella, six inches tall, made of fragile wood. Defaced with profane graffiti deeply scored with a pointed knife. The rude letters belong to a language now forgotten. They have since been filled with some silvery metal, and their edges now rise higher than the worn-down wood.

Half of a broken mask of brittle iron. An impassive, large-eyed face shows on the front, genderless. Within, the mask is not smooth, but convoluted by the canals, chambers, and processes of the facial skeleton, as if this shattered mask once composed the front portion of a living skull.

A set of cloth pennants on a tall staff. When the wind blows them, the long flags of dark blues and blacks speckled with silver spots, resemble nothing more than a banner of the night sky.

A bronze and beech incense burner set with several cinnabars.

A copper mask, with the image of a skeleton and set with a moonstone. It is of marvelous workmanship.

A workaday leather tunic that draws closed at the neck with antler toggles. The long tunic is slit at the sides to mid-thigh for free movement.

A pair of leather shoulder pads adorned with the horns of a fallen minotaur.

A surrealistic painting of an irresponsible sage with the head of a manta ray, dismembering an owl with whiskers like a cat in a dense jungle.

A pecan wand with a floating bauble made of peridot at the tip

A forked darkwood wand with a tip of beech, ending in an image of a woman's face, with real alchemically preserved, shrunken eyes.

A small wooden box containing a coarse parchment scroll. It is wound around two thick dowels, and bears densely packed writing, smeared ink, and smells strongly of cedar.

A mask resembling a giant locust head, recreated in remarkable detail. A close look reveals that it was created using the exoskeletons and body parts of millions of other bugs. When worn, insects, bugs, spiders, roaches, and any other creepy crawlies emerge seem to ignore the bearer and do not bite or bother him unless deliberately provoked.

A merchant’s black silk brocade jerkin, cut in the elven fashion, clinging closely to the figure with skirts draping almost to the knee. The jerkin is embroidered all over with tiny, precise, golden sunbursts.

A bundle of unmarred seal pelts tied together with sinew and wrapped in a protective oilskin case.

A thick iron ring with eight chains attached. Each quarter-meter chain, composed of nine links, has a short spine protruding on either side of each link. Investigation shows that the large, central ring, which has a spike on one end, has a broken nub opposite it, where the whole affair might have been attached to a haft.

A small, Randomly Coloured lizard with brightly scintillating scales that's been perfectly preserved and entombed in a rectangular block of clear glass.

A tiny bronze kettle, or perhaps a retort, dark with tarnish. It has a curling chimney, rather than a spout. When liquid is heated inside, it immediately evaporates.

A large tin canister whose lid is stamped with the image of a bountiful orchard whose trees are overflowing with fruit, the ripest of which has fallen and filled a cornucopia. The container is brimming with dozens of well preserved, dried cranberries.

A mountain dulcimer made of black locust wood. The sound-holes are intricately carved in the shape of stars. It re-tunes itself on clear nights.

A crude map of the local area inscribed on a tattered canvas scroll, that bears an “X” marking an area near where the map was found. There is a list of instructions in the bottom corner of the map: Find the canyon with natural stairs leading down, then go south-west for 3-4 miles until you find the old king's forest. From there, go east for 2-3 miles, until you find the elder tree, then go south-east for 1-2 miles and find the largest crypt in the cemetery and you'll find the reliquary protected by a necromantic curse. ---Note: It is up to the DM whether or not if the instructions can be followed (The “landmarks” might be a code, riddle or simply not exist for example) and if there is anything at the end. The map could easily be a prank, trap, confidence scheme, ambush or the area could already have been stripped of any value by other adventurers.

A steel measuring chain. Identifiable as a measuring instrument, as each two-centimeter link is labeled with a careful line and a unit in its end. The units appear to be standard numbers, but with some odd, serif-like additions to each. 110 links, in total.

A worn letter closed with blood red wax wax and sealed with an stress inducing symbol in the shape of a down turned crescent marked with a few inward-facing spikes. Breaking the seal and reading the contents reveals a letter from an unknown author to their unnamed relative begging for their aid during a time of dire need. The pleading note reads as follows: “Ruin has come to our family. You remember our venerable house, opulent and imperial, gazing proudly from its stoic perch above the moor. I lived all my years in that ancient rumor shadowed manor, fattened by decadence and luxury, and yet I began to tire of... conventional extravagance. Singular unsettling tales suggested the mansion itself was a gateway to some fabulous and unnameable power. With relic and ritual, I bent every effort towards the excavation and recovery of those long buried secrets, exhausting what remained of our family fortune on... swarthy workmen and... sturdy shovels. At last, in the salt soaked crags beneath the lowest foundations, we unearthed that damnable portal of antediluvian evil. Our every step unsettled the ancient earth, but we were in a realm of death and madness. In the end, I alone fled, laughing and wailing through those blackened arcades of antiquity. Until consciousness failed me. You remember our venerable house, opulent and imperial. It is a festering abomination! I beg you, return home, claim your birthright and deliver our family from the ravenous clutching shadows of the Darkest Dungeon.”

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emblemevents-newyear · 6 years

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Potluck Feast: Robin’s contribution

Submitted by @fiat-ignem

Recommended Pairings: Chocolates, Rich Desserts, Cinnamon rolls, Roasted Nuts, and Semi-Firm Cheeses (ex: Swiss, Gouda, some variants of Cheddar).

In the summer, sweet, Plegian Mint Tea are a staple that is served in tea houses and households all over Plegia. In the winter months however, the Plegian palette favours the the rich flavour provided by a freshly brewed pot of Plegian Spice Tea. Plegian Spice Tea can be described as a strong flavoured tea that is also pungently aromatic. It is renowned for its health benefits and is said to aid in digestion and keep stomach pain at bay if consumed after a meal. Traditionally, Plegian Spice Tea is prepared using a combination of five spices: cardamom, ginger, black pepper peppercorns, clove, and cinnamon and loose black tea leaves. The ginger and black pepper peppercorns provide the “spicy” quality that Plegian Spice Teas are so famous for, while the cardamom and cloves balance out the “heat” by introducing flavours of a more “earthy” note. Finally, a sprinkle of cinnamon offers a hint of “sweetness” that ties everything together. Occasionally, whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, ground nutmeg, and coriander seeds are added to the mix, either to further diversify the flavour profile or simply for their aesthetic quality (this is especially true of the star anise and cinnamon sticks). The ratios of these ingredients can be adjusted according to the drinker’s tastes, and while Plegian Spice Teas are typically made without sweeteners, milks or creams, these may also be added to make the beverage more “full-bodied”. If the adults attending the potluck feast are so inclined, it is possible to transform Plegian Spice Tea, into a creamy, hot toddy by adding a shot of bourbon or whiskey along with some honey. For those who want less of a kick and instead wish to unwind, substituting the black tea leaves with an equal amount of lavender will yield a cup of tea that is bound to warm the soul and sooth even the most frayed nerves.

“Well, there’s not much I can add to that!”

#fiat ignem #Compliments to the Chefs ;; Winter Solstice #Mod Eliwood

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awakeningwellness · 3 years

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Infectious Hard Liquors Bad For Health

The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Gurgaon says that basically the below mentioned types of alcohols are the biggest, brawniest older brother of the alcohol family. The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Gurgaon states that all alcoholic beverages are made by fermenting some form of sugary brew into ethanol and CO2. The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Gurgaon also says that because yeast can only ferment so much before alcohol levels become toxic to them,they need to be distilled. Thus, below are some of the most hard liquor names which do cause drowsiness at instant consumption and massive problems in the body if consumed for a long time.

Brandy

Also called “Fire Wine”, distilled from mashed fruits grapes, plums, pears, apples. After the distillation it is then kept in oak casks for aging to give it a rich color, with alcohol contents of 35—60%. Traditionally used as a nightcap, cooks also use this in pan sauces and desserts to reduce the syrupy sweet essence.

Rum

Rum is known as the favorite liquor for navy sailors and pirates. They are popularly known to mix sugar-water, lime juice and rum to make a pickling drink. Rum is a type of liquor beverage made from the distillation of molasses or sugar juice. Traditionally it was a common drink in Caribbean islands but it has since then widely spread to the South American countries. There are three main categories of rum namely spiced, dark and light. Each is used for straight drinking, cooking and mixing respectively though most of the time the uses overlap. The drinks include Pina Coladas, Mojitos and Rum-and-Colas. 37.5-80% is the alcohol content present in Rum.

Tequila

Tequila is officially produced from a plant grown in some parts of Mexico called the Blue agave. As a result tequila with 100% of the blue Agave is considered pure and goes at a higher price than other liquors. Drinkers of tequila usually take a shot of tequila followed with a spicy tomato juice or a slice of citrus fruit. The most consumed types of tequila are the sunrise tequila and margaritas which are paired with fruit juice to drink.

Vodka

Vodka is one of the purest spirits in the world hailing from Russia and Eastern Europe. It is odorless, tasteless and clear liquor from the distillation of potatoes, grains and in some cases molasses. Makers of vodka distill the potatoes, sugar beets or grain to create virtually pure ethanol. It is the added water to dissolve the concentration to drinkable liquor. Consumption of this liquor differs according to geographical regions. In Eastern Europe, people usually drink vodka straight and dry while in Western Europe and Americas they usually use it as a cocktail. Alcohol content in Vodka is 40%.

Whisky

Whisky is a type of liquor which is distilled from a range of grains. The most common grains used are corn, rye and barley. This type of liquor is first distilled two to three times, and then it is aged in large oak barrels to improve its flavor. Some of the renowned whisky beverages include the Scotch Single-malts such as Laphroaig, Irish blends like Jameson and the American bourbons like Jack Daniels. Alcohol content in whiskey is 40-68%.

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cosube · 3 years

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Why is beer such a popular drink?

People evidently cherish the flavor of beer and the ‘intoxicating’ tradition of sharing the drink with loved ones. Practically every civilization going far back in the past made one or another kind of beer. It's good to realize we’re proceeding with a long tradition started by our most ancient forefathers. If we talk about Portland, the land famous for having a vast variety of beer. Any Beer Shop in Portland serves you a great quality beer.

Beer was one of the first and easiest beverages to make that is potable. We all had some fermented fruit, rice, sugarcane, and most anything else that contains enough sugar or starch for a long time, but ale was especially popular in Europe, which has become a prominent cultural significance in the world. As the one old saying says, "In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there are bacteria. If we talk about flavor, like wine, whiskey, bread, and cheese, beer has few ingredients but is complex in flavor, due to numerous biochemical reactions introduced by many varieties of microorganisms like yeasts and to a small degree bacteria. No two brews are exactly alike. With variation arrives the advancement of brewers anxious to establish their skill, the cultivation of interest or even obsession among drinkers, and a growing market for many types, since beer lovers will always strive to discover rarer or more interesting kinds for social and epicurean reasons -- and hence an overall larger market.

Beer tastes not too sweet and is dilute and relatively nutritious, so can be drunk in large quantities, which facilitates long sessions of drinking and elaborate festivities. A liter of soft drink is perhaps a bigger health risk, and less delicious, than a liter of beer.

The ingredients of the beers like malt or grain, hops or other additives, and water are relatively cheap. It can also be made at an industrial scale very easily It's easy to market and traditionally has become among the most macho drinks for men in many Western cultures. This is unlikely to change as it's easy to immortalize with advertisements. It's simple to bottle or keg and sells in fully prepared form.

Other options, such as whiskey, sake, or wine have some of these benefits too, but it's unlikely any other alcoholic beverages are so tempting beer would have been displaced completely from the demand by now, given the number of concerns.

Now you understand that beer is popular for many reasons, one of them is that it is somewhat simple to prepare and moderately flexible in the terms of its formula and making method. There is not much aging period needed to generate a promising quality beer. Beer can be effortlessly stored and transported. Moreover, the hygienic qualities of the beverage, it is also to be noted that it can be very nutritious. Contemporary experts in bread say that beer is "liquid bread" prevailing prepared from the exact core ingredients and utilizing the exact biological methods. Contemporary industrial beer is comparatively less nutritious and more watery than ancient varieties of beer. As an outcome, you had less from those older beers - because you felt contented - correlated to how many contemporary beers you can drink. Cosube is the best Cafe in Portland where you can hang out on a pitcher of beer.

In short, beer deserves to be the most popular beverage! Nowadays, it is simple to Order beer online from your favorite cafe cosube just with a click. Enjoy!

#Beer Shop in Portland #Coffee Shop in Portland #Cafe in Portland

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wineanddinosaur · 3 years

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10 Things You Should Know About Old Grand-Dad

All September on VinePair, we’re turning our focus to America’s spirit: bourbon. For our third annual Bourbon Month, we’re exploring the industry legends and innovators, our favorite craft distilleries, new bottles we love, and more.

Old Grand-Dad is praised by bartenders and bourbon drinkers alike for being one of the best bottom-shelf bourbons on the market. With its humble price tag and distinctive rye spice notes, the Beam Suntory-owned brand is a classic choice for bourbon drinkers both old and new.

The brand’s origins date back to the early days of Kentucky bourbon making, when a historic bourbon maker known for his high-rye whiskeys introduced his son and, eventually, grandson to the business. From this family, Old Grand-Dad was born.

Here are 10 things you should know about Old Grand-Dad.

YES, IT’S NAMED AFTER AN ACTUAL GRAND-DAD.

Old Grand-Dad was created by Raymond B. Hayden, a third-generation distiller, in 1882. He chose the name to honor his own grandfather — and the family’s first-generation distiller — Basil Hayden Sr. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because another bourbon label popularized it. Basil Hayden’s bourbon was crafted by master distiller Booker Noe in 1992. While he had no relation to the Haden family, he was inspired by Hayden Sr.’s expertise in the field and named the product after him.

GRANDPA HAYDEN’S FACE IS FEATURED ON EVERY BOTTLE.

Bottles feature a prominent portrait of Hayden Sr. posing with a soft smile and glass of bourbon in hand. The phrase “The Grand Daddy of Bourbon” is emblazoned underneath. Hayden Sr.’s portrait has evolved as Old Grand-Dad’s packaging has. Some past bottles featured a stoic shot, while others had variations of the friendly face that adorns bottles today.

IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER A CENTURY.

Old Grand-Dad has a long history in the Kentucky bourbon world. It has been produced at multiple distilleries, gone through multiple ownership changes, and experienced a slew of packaging redesigns in the nearly 140 years it’s been around. Through it all, the brand name and recipe have remained the same.

OLD GRAND-DAD WAS ONCE PRESCRIBED BY DOCTORS.

Unlike most in the bourbon industry, the brand thrived during Prohibition. At the time, Old Grand-Dad was owned by the Wathen family. The Wathens were key players in the formation of the American Medicinal Spirits Company, which produced and sold whiskey that was prescribed to ailing patients in the 1920s. Old Grand-Dad was one of those whiskies. Physicians sold it for roughly $3 per pint (the equivalent of $45 today) to help patients manage pain.

IT WAS A FORMER PRESIDENT’S FAVORITE BOURBON.

Former President Harry S. Truman drank his fair share of bourbon while in the White House. Truman’s biographer, David McCullough, wrote that the former president started his mornings with a 5 a.m. shot of Old Grand-Dad bourbon that — in Truman’s words — “got the engine running.” He accompanied his morning whiskey fix with toast, eggs, bacon, and milk.

NOTICE A HINT OF SPICE? THAT’S THE RYE TALKING.

Traditionally, bourbon mash bills contain around 8 to 10 percent rye. Old Grand Dad’s rye percentage is over double that, at 27 percent. The higher the rye content, the more spice a bourbon has, making Old Grand-Dad a bold drink with a bit of a bite. It shares a mash bill with Basil Hayden’s (the bourbon Booker Noe named after Hayden Sr.), but Old Grand-Dad’s spicy kick comes at less than half the price of its fellow high-rye competitor.

YOU CAN BUY IT IN THREE DIFFERENT PROOFS.

Old Grand-Dad is available in proofs of 80, 100, and 114. The 100 proof, named Old Grand-Dad Bonded, is the most popular seller and only bonded expression the brand offers. This bottled-in-bond bourbon, in accordance with the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, is distilled by one distillery in one season and aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse before its release.

IT HAS HELD ONTO ITS BELOVED SPOT ON THE BOTTOM SHELF.

At only $25 per bottle, Old Grand-Dad is one of the few fan-favorite bourbons that started out as an affordable bottle and has stayed that way. Many bourbons suffer different fates, and price hikes are common as consumer demand grows and unicorn bourbons become, ironically, less rare. Old Grand-Dad has escaped these hikes unscathed and continues to be an available, affordable, bottom-shelf bourbon for the masses.

OLD GRAND-DAD IS A BARTENDER FAVORITE.

Old Grand-Dad’s low price point and versatility makes it an easy choice for bars to stock. The hint of heat from its high rye content, along with a flavor profile that includes notes of caramel and vanilla, make it a great liquid to serve neat or in a Manhattan.

IT BELONGS TO A COLLECTION OF ‘OLD’ BOURBONS.

In a 2010s-era marketing campaign, Beam Suntory attempted to drum up business for three under-performing whiskey brands: Old Grand-Dad, Old Crow, and Old Overholt. A mini-website was launched for “The Olds,” which housed tongue-in-cheek content and promoted the bottles. The campaign worked, and Old Grand-Dad is still thought of as part of “The Olds” family of bourbons. As to why there are so many bourbons with “old” in their names? That’s a whole other story.

The article 10 Things You Should Know About Old Grand-Dad appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-old-grand-dad-bourbon-guide/

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johnboothus · 3 years

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Next Round: Exploring the Market for Infused Tequila With 21 Seeds

On this “Next Round” episode, host Adam Teeter chats with Kat Hantas, co-founder/CEO of 21 Seeds, and Pierrick Bouquet, the brand’s VP of marketing. The three discuss the unique space of infused tequila, and how 21 Seeds targets new consumers to the spirits space.

Listeners will learn how 21 Seeds began as a kitchen project and why it appeals to the millennial woman. Then, Bouquet explains his role in the brand and why he left the world of rosé to work in tequila. In addition, Hantas shares the celebrities who support her brand, including Katie Couric, Jessica Alba, and even Oprah. Finally, she explains her vision for the future of 21 Seeds.

Tune in and visit https://www.21seeds.com/ to learn more about 21 Seeds.

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Or Check Out the Conversation Here

Adam Teeter: From VinePair’s New York City headquarters, I am Adam Teeter, and this is a VinePair “Next Round” conversation. We bring you these conversations between our regular podcast episodes in order to give you a better idea of what’s happening in the alcohol beverage world. Today, I’m joined by Kat Hantas, the co-founder/CEO of 21 Seeds, and Pierrick Bouquet, the VP of marketing. Pierrick and Kat, thank you so much for joining me.

Kat Hantas: It’s great to be here, Adam. Thanks for having us.

Pierrick Bouquet: Thanks for having us, Adam.

A: Before we jump into talking about the business, can you explain to me what 21 Seeds is and how the brand started?

K: Sure, and good question. 21 Seeds is an all-natural, real fruit-infused blanco tequila. It comes in three infusions: Valencia Orange, Cucumber Jalapeño, and Grapefruit Hibiscus. Actually, the reason it exists is because of a problem that I was having with wine, of all things.

A: Interesting.

K: It was actually on doctor’s orders. I was a wine drinker. I drank white wine and rosé for many years, and then I just started to feel crappy, so I went to my doctor. He did some tests, and everything was fine. Then, he looked at what I was eating and drinking. When he got to the fact that I would finish off my night with a couple of glasses of wine every night he said, “Oh, there’s the culprit. I think if you just stop drinking everything fermented, move away from wine, beer, Champagne, and switch over to a distilled spirit.” He specifically recommended that I stick to a blanco, white spirit that is not aged in barrels because that if you are looking to drink cleaner, the cleanest way to drink is a white spirit that’s distilled. He recommended I switch to blanco tequila. It comes from an agave plant, so it’s gluten-free. I did just that. I actually went home, and on the one hand, I was very happy. He didn’t ask me to stop drinking altogether because that wasn’t going to happen. I’m a mom to two kids, and I looked forward to the end of my day to relax and unwind with my glass of wine. Now, I needed to figure out how to relax and unwind with blanco tequila, which is much harsher than wine. I thought, “What am I going to do to this blanco to just smooth it out, lighten it up a bit, make it a little more approachable, make it as easy to sip on like a glass of wine?” I love to cook, so I started infusing it much in the way I was doing it in my kitchen the way you would make sangria. You put the fruit into the tequila, let it sit for various amounts of time. By doing that, it really did the trick. It cut that harsh bite of tequila, smoothed it out tremendously, and imparted a hint of flavor but didn’t make it overly sweet. I find a lot of flavored spirits, traditionally, are quite sweet. They have this weird aftertaste like you’re sucking on nickel but smells like Jolly Ranchers. When you’re infusing, it is a very different experience in its entirety, but that did the trick. I would still serve it to myself and drink it in a wine glass. I would use a little bit of my infused tequila, some club soda, slice of orange, and that became my new wine ritual. That became my new nightly ritual, and I did that for about eight years. Over the course of the eight years, I noticed that a lot of my girlfriends were making that same switch, specifically from wine and Champagne to tequila. They were either drinking blanco tequila, club soda, and three limes if we were out at a bar or restaurant. For our own personal use and their own personal use, they were asking me to make the bottles of infused tequila. After the kitchen became a lab, we decided to turn it into a business. I did that with my sister Nicole. I started the company with my sister Nicole and my girlfriend Sarika. That is where the name 21 Seeds comes from. It’s two sisters, one girlfriend, and seeds. Everything that goes into 21 seeds is all-natural and comes from a seed.

A: Oh, cool. I’m really curious about how you built the brand. It has only been around for a little over two years, right?

K: That’s right.

A: And already growing pretty quickly. When you started the brand. Did you raise funding? Did you bootstrap it? How did you get this off the ground in the first place?

K: Yeah, so we initially started with our own funds. We each put in a very small amount of money, the three of us founders, to just explore. The three of us do not come from spirits, so we needed to learn everything there was to learn about spirits. How do you even make tequila? What do we do once we get it here? We were learning about the business, and we used that money to do that and do our research to figure out if we could actually make the product. At that point, we raised a seed round from friends and family. Right before the pandemic last year, we raised a Series A, so we closed a Series A round. We’ve seen tremendous growth, and we needed to finance that growth, so that’s what led to the subsequent rounds of financing.

A: Amazing. Look, raising money is really hard so I commend you for being able to do that. After you raised money and got off the ground, I think you took a really interesting path, which is actually something that I talk to a lot of brands about often. Not a lot of people do this, where you pay attention to where the consumers buy alcohol — and what I mean by that is I think a lot of new brands really think that their path to the market is focusing on-premise. They want to get into the coolest bars. They want to be poured at the Death & Co of the world, right? They think that’s where the discovery is going to happen, whereas you really seem to have very much focused on the actual retailers, the Total Wines, and things like that. Why was that and how did you make that decision? I have to tell you, I think it’s a decision a lot more brands should make and don’t.

K: Yeah, thanks for noticing that, and you articulated that perfectly. That is exactly what we did. We really thought about “her,” the consumer. Where does she shop, and where does she go to discover brands? First and foremost, before we find out where she shops, where does she go to discover brands? With 21 Seeds, it’s a product “for her, by her, and the men who support her.” But those first two spots are all about her. Our approach was very much how we thought about how RX approached it. They said, “OK, we’re going to create this bar and we’re going to hit the CrossFit community. I think when you’re really focused you end up solving and we set out to solve 90 percent of all of “her” points. Where does she discover it? Is it a convenient product? Is it the product that she wants to be drinking? Is this the flavor profile she likes? Oftentimes, I think in spirits, the industry thinks that just because women don’t like something that’s harsh, like say, whiskey, they want something that’s sweet. That’s actually not necessarily true. We just want something balanced and smooth, so we really thought about every single one of our pain points, including, most importantly, where does she discover brands? In our experience, we are three female founders. We’re also predominantly female-owned and run, so we’re surrounded by women. We had a lot of female friends to talk to and what we realized was, back when we launched in 2019, women were discovering brands in what I like to call the outer-premise, which is this online, digital universe where they go to read about brands that they don’t know about. They go to discover cocktail recipes, they go to discover food recipes, and they go to connect with their girlfriends. Then, whether it’s online where they’re reading about us or truly connecting with their girlfriends through Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, all of that was happening there. That is where we focused from the beginning. Again, this was before the pandemic, before the spirits industry as a whole moved over to online and really realized that was a channel that they needed to focus on because now this was the only way they could communicate and connect with their customer. We launched our brand in that way, so we were ahead of the game in that respect, which was great because it really helped us grow much quicker.

A: I mean, you 100 percent were, which I think is really interesting. Obviously, the way you talk about branding is really interesting. You talk about “her” and really think about the customer. The way you talk about the brand reminds me of another one that I had on the podcast recently. Obviously not a spirit, but a wine beverage. In the same way, were there other brands you were looking at as you were starting the brand to think about how we want to talk about this? Who are we reaching? Was there an area of beverage you were looking at to say, “This is our customer and how do we create a brand that goes after that same customer in the way that these other brands are?”

K: Again, because there are so few spirits within the spirits industry that, from our perspective, really are addressing that female consumer in an authentic way. From inception, it wasn’t an afterthought or trying to grab that female consumer because she’s important. Since there were so few of those in spirits, we didn’t have any examples that we could look to see how they built that. I think it was actually great that we didn’t come from spirits because we did look at other brands and how those brands were connecting. We looked at Glossier. We looked at Outdoor Voices. We looked at those brands to think, “Oh, it’s about the occasion.” It’s not so much about the thing that we’re selling, but inspiring that consumer to want to drink it. What are the occasions that she’s drinking our product? Thinking about those moments, really driving the marketing in that direction, and not so much on the product. We focused really hard on how to make it perfect, and make it delicious. We’ve won great awards within the industry, which is awesome, but for us, we wanted to make sure the product was delicious and amazing. We felt like we did that. We like to say it’s flavor done right. After that, we thought, “That job is done now. Now, let’s think about what we stand for as a brand and how we are trying to reach these women and insert ourselves in those moments in her life where she’s celebrating?” That actually brings us to Pierrick Bouquet, who’s on the call with us right now. I know he’s not saying anything, although he has a gorgeous French accent that everyone should hear. We thought to ourselves, we looked at rosé. Is a rosé any better or so much different than white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or any light wine? Is it so incredibly different? Yes, you guys in the wine industry would tell me there are a million reasons that make those categories different. From our perspective in terms of what rosé stands for, is it’s the feeling that you get when you pop open a bottle of rosé. As a woman, that means there are good times ahead. Good times ahead with your girlfriends, whether it’s girls’ night, cocktail hour, going out to the pool, or by the beach. I know when I pop open that bottle of rosé, I’m going to have this incredible experience. Since I couldn’t drink my beloved rosé anymore, I wanted to recreate that with 21 Seeds. We even have a cork on our bottle, so when you pop off that wood cork, we want women to have that same feeling that there’s going to be this incredible moment that’s going to get shared, this amazing experience of coming together and celebrating with your girlfriends. That’s what we were setting out to create and that’s why we went and found the guy that really took that to another level.

A: Pierrick, you and I have known each other for a very long time. Obviously, you had a bunch of really cool events that you did in New York, La Nuit en Rosé and Pinknic. You’ve been very much in the rosé world for a long time. I’m curious, from your perspective, what caused you to leave rosé and come into the world of tequila? What was so compelling about this product that made you make the jump?

P: Yeah, I just had too much rosé in my life, and I couldn’t handle it anymore. In all honesty, when I started with the rosé events and festivals back in 2013, what drove me into rosé at the time was really about the occasion of drinking rosé and seeing how millennial women were interested in this category of drink. This is what I find fascinating about 21 Seeds and where this infused-tequila category is going, because people chose rosé for a few reasons. That explains the success of the rosé category within the last 10 years. It’s an easy product. It’s an easy wine to understand. It’s a beautiful wine from the color of it. It speaks to a demographic that grew up with parents that were drinking red and white wine, and they couldn’t really identify themselves with these categories. Now, you have a new category of wine that is available to you that you can actually post on Instagram, TikTok, and have fun with it. That’s what we did with rosé. That’s the beauty of it, and it’s why it’s still very popular today. However, my passion is about looking at the trends in the drink category, especially where the rosé demographics are going and what they’re drinking. I believe what’s happening right now in the spirits space with RTDs, cocktails you make at home, or drinking in bars, this is where the demand is growing right now. This is the direction I want to take because I see this as the future drink for millennial women and moms. 21 Seeds is the definition of that, right? You have this beautiful, high-quality tequila that was infused with grapefruit and hibiscus or cucumber jalapeño or Valencia oranges. It has amazing qualities to begin with, and you simply add a club soda to it to make it a delicious drink that you can enjoy the same way as you would enjoy a glass of rosé. I think people are looking for new experiences, especially integrating spirits in their drink experiences. As Kat said at the beginning, if you just put out a drink like a regular blanco tequila, it’s not going to be the experience that you want to have with a drink. That’s the beauty of 21 Seeds, and I’m excited to be part of the story now.

A: Kat, when you started making the drink, how did you figure out where to source the tequila? What was that experience like, and how much did you work on developing the recipes with the distillery in order to be able to scale to the level that you’re at now, where you’re able to supply places like Total Wine, Target, and places like that?

K: Yeah, absolutely. We had to scale so quickly last year. Last year, the premium tequila category grew 67 percent, largely driven by our sales. No one was talking about flavored tequila in 2019. Then, in 2020, the category was up 67 percent, and in the last 26 weeks, it’s up 138 percent. We’re really driving all that growth, and we had to scale quickly. The good news is we found an incredible partner down in Mexico. A distillery also owned by a woman and predominantly staffed by women, which I think played a big part in why we were able to do the things that we were able to do because nobody was infusing tequila down in Mexico when we went down and started touring distilleries that would actually make the product for us. When we found this distillery, which was the one that we ultimately partnered with, we chose it based on the quality of the base tequila. We needed the smoothest possible blank slate, so that’s what we were looking for and we chose her distillery. We presented what we were trying to do, and she didn’t have the equipment in place to infuse that scale, but she saw in us herself when she was first getting started. She’s a second-generation, and her mother recently passed away, but her mother owned a tequila bottling company in Veracruz. She had grown up in the industry and saw that there weren’t a lot of women in the industry. She really wanted to bring more women into the industry and she saw us, three women, trying to do something very different in tequila. We wanted to make tequila much more approachable to an audience that was curious about it and interested in it especially for all the wellness reasons but for those that still couldn’t find their way into the category because it was still a bit too harsh for them. She saw that we were really innovating and doing something different and told us, “Look, I see myself in you guys.” She really wanted to help us, so because of that, she was willing to allocate a certain portion of her distillery to where we could house our equipment and really get behind the brand, even though we had never proved ourselves in the spirits industry. We were new to spirits and certainly new to tequila, so she’s been super helpful. The team there has been incredibly helpful. It took us about, I would say, close to a year to get the tinkering and everything down, to make the product that you taste today. It was quite a journey and without that distillery, we never would have been able to do it.

A: In terms of the consumption of 21 Seeds, are you mostly recommending that people mix with it, or is anyone drinking it straight? What’s the desired way to consume it?

K: The truth is, I always imagined having a spirit on my bar cart at home. I love those scenes in “Mad Men” where they just go and pour it straight into a whiskey glass or something. Where’s that spirit for women? I think there are certainly women who drink it straight. Katie Couric actually loves the Cucumber Jalapeño on the rocks. That’s how she drinks it, and she is a huge supporter of the brand. We’ve found some great support for 21 Seeds early on. We made Oprah’s list of summer favorites. The way she loves to drink it is as a spicy Margarita, so the Cucumber Jalapeño with just a little splash of simple syrup, lime juice, and you’re done. Then, there’s a whole group of people out there just drinking it as a spritz. I would say that probably the most common way that we are consumed is just 21 Seeds, tequila, club soda, and garnish with your favorite fruit. Maybe you add a splash, but there are so many different club sodas now on the market and flavored seltzers that between those two ingredients, just 21 Seeds, tequila, and a flavored club soda, plain club soda, or flavored seltzer, you’ve got a gorgeous four- or five-ingredient cocktail. Again, this speaks to the convenience part of it again, which is another one of I say women’s pain points, but all of the people’s pain points. When they’re looking to make a cocktail at the end of the night, no one wants to measure stuff and do math. You want it easy, convenient, and you want it versatile. That’s the other reason why we didn’t make an RTD, because I think with RTDs, if you don’t like exactly what’s in the can now, suddenly you’ve got to doctor that and add a little more tequila and add a little more club soda. We figured if we just create this incredible infused tequila, then people can scale up, scale down, go hard, or go light. There’s so much flexibility in it and it’s still very convenient, easy, and you don’t take fresh lime out of the equation.

A: OK, so a lot of what we talk about on this specific program is the business behind everything. You obviously mentioned some amazing people who are fans of the brand and I’m sure people who are listening are curious about how those fans come about? Was that PR? Was that the right place, right time, or are there massive investors in the product? How did you get to some of these people? We’ve had people who are avid listeners and entrepreneurs themselves who wonder how that happens in the first place.

K: Absolutely. Many of the fans that have found 21 Seeds, it’s all happened organically for us. I’ll give you a perfect example. Katie Couric was interviewed by New York Magazine at the end of the summer of 2019. She was asked what were some of her favorite things from the Hamptons from that summer? She actually talked about us, and she just had us somewhere so she tasted the brand, and likely it was recommended to her by another woman. One thing to note about 21 Seeds is that we have an 80 percent female consumer, so what we set out to do, we did.

A: That’s impressive.

K: Yeah, and think about that. We’re talking about tequila here, right? This is not an RTD. This is not wine. This is not a ready-to-drink in a bottle. This is tequila, and we have an 80 percent female consumer. Our hypothesis is to go where she is, let her know about the brand or product, and make a really good product and she’ll do the rest. She’ll recommend it to her girlfriends, and that’s the beauty of it. The grapevine, right? Women love to recommend to other women, so we really relied on that. What happened was Katie tasted it. Then, she wrote about us in her Wake Up With Katie, which is an incredible newsletter. She wrote about us in that and then the Today show saw that because they follow Katie. Then, they called us and did a whole profile on us on the Today show. From there, Katie continues to support us where she always includes us in giveaways, holiday giveaways, Mother’s Day giveaways, and her readers see it and recommend us to other folks. That’s what happened. Jessica Alba is another fan of the brand. She recommended us to other people. We knew that Naomi Watts knew Jessica Alba, so all of a sudden Naomi Watts is posting about the brand. All of these people are just authentic fans of the brand, and that’s the power of the female network, which I think a lot of industries sometimes ignore that are outside the traditional industries of, say, skincare, and clothing.

A: That makes a lot of sense. What does the future hold for the brand? Is this something where you brought on someone like Pierrick, you’re continuing to scale and you’re growing? Do you want to continue to fuel the growth? Is this a brand that you ultimately would like to exit from? What are your goals, your sister’s, and your girlfriend’s goals with the brand? Or what have you thought about in terms of where you want to see this in the next five years or so?

K: Yeah, so we feel like we’re just getting started. The interesting thing is we went after where she was to let her know about the brand. Then, we wanted to put it where she shops, right? Our power user is the millennial mom, and she shops at the grocery. We wanted to make sure we got into all the grocery stores from Sam’s Club to Walmart to Safeway, all of those places. That was the first round. Now, the beauty of that is we’ve laid out this great distribution network, and now our girl is drinking us at home. When she goes back out, as things start to open up again, she’s going to want to be able to find us on-premise. Now, we can take all of that great distribution and awareness and go to the on-premise and say, “Hey, guys and girls, listen, they’re drinking this at home and they’re going to want to drink it in the bars and restaurants.” Our focus is to really hit the on-premise big time where we think we make so much sense because we make those most commonly sold cocktails, Margaritas, Spicy Margarita, Paloma, and we’ve done 80 percent of the heavy lifting.

A: Right.

K: You can make a cleaner, easier-to-drink, lighter, few ingredients, and fewer bartender touchpoints with 21 Seeds. We think that there’s a real opportunity in the on-premise, which we’re excited about for this year. We want to just continue to grow the brand, continue to bring in more women and people who have left the category. Oftentimes, we’ll get folks who say, “Oh, I can’t even smell tequila. I want to because everyone’s been drinking it, but since college, it’s too much.” We say, “Just smell it.” Then they do, and suddenly we’ve brought them back to the category, and they’re so excited. We think there’s so much potential still that we have not even begun to unearth, and we’ve gotten requests from overseas now for the product. We want to focus on the U.S., really hit this market hard over the next couple of years, and think about expanding internationally. We’re open to whatever the future holds, but we’re so excited to do this. On top of it, I think we are pioneers where we are part of those early women in spirits, which we’re thrilled about, to bring more people into the category. I talk a lot with younger females, not necessarily younger, but just other women who are looking to get in the industry, sharing how we did it, our approach, which we love. I’m on the advisory council now for WSWA helping with exactly that.

A: Oh, wow.

K: Yeah, which is really cool with how you bring a craft spirit to market in this day and age. We’re writing that playbook together with some other really cool brands that they’ve included in the advisory council, so I’m really, really stoked about that.

A: Very cool. Well, this has been really interesting to learn a lot more about the brand, to hear all about the growth, what’s been happening, and how you created it. Kat, thank you so much. Pierrick, it’s been great to chat with you, albeit not as much, but that’s fine that you just joined. It’s been awesome having you on as well, so thank you both so much for joining me to chat about 21 Seeds. I really appreciate it.

P: Thank you, Adam.

K: Thanks, Adam.

Thanks so much for listening to the “VinePair Podcast.” If you love this show as much as we love making it, then please give us a rating or review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever it is you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show.

Now for the credits, VinePair is produced and recorded in New York City and in Seattle, Wash., by myself and Zach Geballe, who does all the editing and loves to get the credit. Also, I would love to give a special shoutout to my VinePair co-founder, Josh Malin, for helping make all this possible and also to Keith Beavers, VinePair’s tastings director who is additionally a producer on the show. I also want to, of course, thank every other member of the VinePair team who is instrumental in all of the ideas that go into making the show every week. Thanks so much for listening, and we’ll see you again.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Next Round: Exploring the Market for Infused Tequila With 21 Seeds appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-21-seeds/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/next-round-exploring-the-market-for-infused-tequila-with-21-seeds

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solsarin · 3 years

Text

what proof is smirnoff red label

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Alcoho smirnoff red labell TypeStorage TypeStorageReturn toNet ContentsRandom PostsThe medium-full bodied Smirnoff Vodka is reminiscent of lemon, white pepper, charcoal; full, bold texture; smoky sensation is followed by a burst of rich flavor. … This item is available for Gift Wrap.What is the cheapest vodka?The 13 Best Cheap Vodkas Under $25 That We Promise Won’t Taste Like Rubbing AlcoholIs Smirnoff Vodka any good?Smirnoff Vodka should be almost anywhere you look. It’s one of the most reliable and inexpensive vodkas out there with a number of flavors to explore. The brand claims to be the world’s most popular vodka and most awarded name in the category.What is the strongest proof vodka?Spirytus vodkaBut it can also go as high as 192 proof before becoming “rocket fuel.” The absolute strongest bottle of alcohol you can legally buy and then drink in the United States is Spirytus vodka, the Polish vodka weighs in at 96 percent alcohol (192 proof), stronger by just a bit than Everclear’s 190 proof labeling.What is the easiest vodka to drink?Purity Vodka is my pick for a vodka to drink without a mixer. It is crisp and clean and lighter-bodied, so it’s easy to drink straight or in a martini.Which Vodka is the smoothest?Belvedere vodkaWhich is the smoothest vodka? The smoothest vodka is Belvedere vodka, which is almost velvety on the tongue and has a premium flavour to match.What is the best vodka to drink?21 Best Vodka Brands To Try In 2021 Whether You’re Mixing Or ShootingIs Smirnoff 80 proof vodka? smirnoff red labelThe medium-full bodied Smirnoff Vodka is reminiscent of lemon, white pepper, charcoal; full, bold texture; smoky sensation is followed by a burst of rich flavor. … This item is available for Gift Wrap.Is drinking vodka good for health? smirnoff red labelIt’s heart-healthy. Vodka can increase blood-flow and circulation in your body which can prevent clots, strokes, and other heart diseases. Vodka can also help lower your cholesterol. And, for those watching their weight, it’s also generally considered a lower-calorie alcohol.Flavoured vodkas smirnoff red label Smirnoff Sourcedsmirnoff red label…

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Smirnoff

Smirnoff (/ˈsmɪərnɒf/; Russian: [smʲɪrˈnof]) is a brand of vodka owned and produced by the British company Diageo. The Smirnoff brand began with a vodka distillery founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov (1831–1898).[1] It is now distributed in 130 countries[citation needed] and produced in several countries including Argentina, Albania, Brazil, Honduras, India,[2] Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mongolia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States[citation needed].

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Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow. Marshmallow-flavored vodka, 30% ABV.

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Smirnoff Sourced Cranberry Apple. Cranberry-Apple flavoured vodka with real juice added.Tasting NotesAlcohol UnitsABVCountry

0.375

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United Kingdom

History

In the 1930s, Vladimir met Rudolph Kunett, a Russian who had emigrated in the 1920s to New York, and had succeeded in business. as Kunett had hoped. By 1938 Kunett, could not afford the sales licences, and contacted John Martin, president of Heublein. Heublein was a company that specialized in the import and export of liquors and foreign foods. Using the $14,000 that the Heublein company made from a new product that ended up saving them from bankruptcy, Martin bought the rights to Smirnoff in 1939. His board thought he was mad. Americans were traditionally whiskey drinkers unfamiliar with vodka and so sales were slow. Sales picked up considerably after Heublein advertised it as a “white whiskey” with “no taste, no smell” sealed with whiskey corks.[5]

In 1982, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company acquired Heublein Inc. for $1.4 billion. RJR Nabisco sold the division to Grand Metropolitan in 1987. In 1985 Heublein Corporate Audit Manager Hanson J Kan had recommended to Heublein that it acquire the Grand Metropolitan IDV Smirnoff licensee and its global locations.[6] Grand Metropolitan merged with Guinness to form Diageo in 1997.

resourec: wikipedia

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barbecuedphoenix · 7 years

Note

Say Gardienne had a bad life, wasn't close to her family, no real friends, etc. What would the boys do if she reacted to their little potion stunt with happiness instead of despair, since now she really doesn't need to return, with no one to miss her.

Well this is an interestingtwist. 0_0 It makes me wonder if this should have been canon. Because it caninstantly resolve the conflict on what to prioritize: a.) honoring theGuardian’s life in the human realm and avenging the injustice of her staying inEldarya, or b.) leaving her to discover her destiny in the faery realm, matureas a person, and build a new life, persona, and relationship there with noqualms.

Frankly, given that it’s adating sim with episodic updates and not a visual novel with aplotline determined in advance, the logical solution would be to focus onOption B entirely. Apologies to the Earth First! party in the fandom. >_>

So I’ll be happy to experimentwith this alternate plot-twist, Anon. ;)

Note: Below you’ll find amixture of in-game facts picked up from Youtube walkthroughs of Episode 13, andsome personal expansion (such as the way the potion works, laws governing itsuse, etc.) It’s headcanon, not canon. ;)

Note #2: For a full diatribe dissection on why I think an angsty Guardian accepting the potion willingly has a lot of potential for the game’s storyline, check out the analysis/extrapolation here. And feel free to leave your own thoughts. :)

Ezarel

What does he know about the Guardian’s past?

Only a little. From a fewpassing, deadpan references, he knows the Guardian has lost people close tothem. Yet he never bothered to ask further: these days, who hasn’t lost loved ones? And from the waythey carry themselves– straight-backed, matter-of-fact, and unfailinglyconsiderate to others (very Valkyon-esque, now that he thinks about it)–Ezarel is inclined to believe that he doesn’t have to worry about them. They’rea smart character with excellent control of their own emotions, and no need fortranquilizers to get to sleep. So as far as he’s concerned, he has no reason topry into their lives, professionally or personally. Let them keep theirsecrets.

How does he react to Miiko’s order to ensure the Guardiantakes the potion?

It feels like a nzmabe’s handhas reached into his gut, and is throttling it for all its un-life. Miiko can’tbe asking this from him. Though hewas responsible for some pretty horrific concoctions– explosives, acid baths,and corrosive lime mixtures for El’s never-ending war against the wilder fey–,this potion violates an entirely new set of ethical principles. She wants himto turn an ally into a living ghostas opposed to a traditionally dead one, without their knowledge or consent; tosever the cognitive and emotional bonds of a living community, again sansknowledge or consent. This course of action violates the basic autonomy of asentient mind and an individual identity; in a time of peace, it’s practicallyillegal.

Only Miiko is now exploitingthe pinpoint-sized loophole in the ancient laws of the land: if the drinker willingly participates in the creationof the potion, then they would have given their consent. Ezarel promptlycorrects her: ignorant consent doesn’t count as willing consent. And it’s thisprinciple– among others– that he’s prepared to defend with fire. In the backof his mind, he wonders what he once saw in his old colleague when he supportedher ascent to leader of the Guard.

Then it dawns on him thatMiiko is intent to see this through;if he declines to help, she’ll find someone else to goad the Guardian intopreparing the spell. Perhaps even an amateur alchemist armed with just lethalresolution… who might have no experience with a volatile reagent like theWaters of Lethe. One misstep won’t lead to just the erasure of their memoryfrom other humans, but faeries as well; a concentrated dose would even destroytheir own memories. And that’s an accident that Ezarel can’t allow to happen ingood conscience.

So he accepts this unsavorytask, with a bitter taste in his mouth. Never has he imagined applying hisskills for this when he took the helmof the Absynthe Guard. He can only hope that there won’t be a reprise withinhis career. And that no one else will learn of the crime he’s committing topreempt a deeper tragedy.

How will he react if the Guardian, on knowing the truthabout the potion, actually accepts it?

Ezarel will actually splutterfor a moment: don’t they understand the ramifications of this ritual? It’sbeyond alchemy: a potent spell encapsulated in a bottle that effects humanpsyches in a vast cascade across the energy network of emotions, feelings, andmemories that starts with them, and will permanently sever their sole link tothe human world. They’ll become a living ghost. They need to understand thatthis is a horrible idea.

But when they flatly tell him thatyes, they’re sure, Ezarel– still flabbergasted– starts to get ticked off: howcan they be so calm about this? Theremust be something critical they don’tunderstand. Hell, if he’s in their place and knows what’s about to happen,he’ll flat-out refuse. (And if he lost this fight, he’ll summon a lawman, andthen call up a trial no matter what for this technically illegal procedure.)

He starts energeticallyexplaining to them– again– why they should refuse, now going against Miiko’sorders. If it comes to it, he’ll even let them sue him for conspiring with that nutcase kitsune. But the Guardian cuts him off and tells him, with a wan expression, that he doesn’t knowa thing about the life they left behind. Becoming a ghost won’t be a tremendous change.

That finally shuts Ezarel up.And he starts to listen– still shocked, but intent onunderstanding this perplexing puzzle– to their life’s story. He learns aboutthe loss of their parents back when their age fell under two digits: one fromnatural causes, the other from government intervention when they proved apt at ignoring their child. Though by then, the damage was done to their hearing from an untreated infection in one ear, and their scalp from when they had to shave it from sequential lice infections. He listens to the cycle ofdisplacement, neglect, more secondhand abuse, and eventual abandonment thatplayed out over and again as they grew up, shunted arbitrarily through fosterhomes, and along the systems of welfare ostensibly made to help other cast-offslike them. He hears about them falling through the cracks in life when theygrew past the age when the city would look after them: their health tenuous,their finances worse, their higher education shelved. Still keeping that rovinglifestyle as they searched– on their own– for a place to stay and makesomething of themselves for anything more than six months. And he remainssilent as they explain the patterns of loss– in both figurative and literalsenses– for family, friends, and the people they could have called both, untilthey learnt to rely on no one, and expect nothing at all from the rest of theworld.

The telling takes over anhour. Ezarel has to get up twice to trim the wick from the nearby lamps, but hekeeps listening.

By the end of their story, hehas no words. Humans have very peculiar ways of causing misery to their ownbrethren. It’s a broad crime beyond anything that can be helped.

He doesn’t try to convincethem again when they break their silence, requesting the potion one more time. Thoughhe does make a half-hearted, half-joking final check on whether there’s any soulthey’re remotely sorry for leavingbehind. For liability’s sake. The way they smile wearily, and joke back thatthose they feel for probably half-forgot about them already, makes Ezarel wantto bite his tongue in half. This is definitelypast the time for jokes. The more he scratches the surface, the moresadness he’s bound to uncover. And he has no idea what he can do to help.Beyond giving the Guardian what they’ve asked for.

How will he help the Guardian with the potion?

So Ezarel offers a quiet apology, mentally kicks himself a second time for mouthing something soinadequate, then shuts up for good as he prepares the drink, with the scrupulousattention to detail that’s second nature for him once he walks into a lab. Heconducts a final check of the potion’s efficacy (exactly 0.005 moles of theessence of Lethe; they did well all right), pours it into a sterile tumbler,disposes of the rest of the batch to avoid misuse, and serves the tumbler tothem. And then retreats to the corner of the bench, keeping a respectful distance.

When they take the cup, he reelsoff an intensive, final explanation of the immediate and residual effects ofthe spell, as it ruthlessly sets out across the ether to eliminate theirpersonal signature from the collective network of thought and emotion. It’s anexplanation that he formerly intended to withhold from them; but now it’s theirright to know, and he has no fear of their reaction. When they thank him– witha minute smile– for his full disclosure, Ezarel shrugs it off with a lump ofunease in his throat and a faint joke: there are plenty of other things theycan thank him for in the near future; this potion isn’t his idea. But this is their decision, and their life from here on.

Still, he finds his fingertipstwitching and his eyes skittering down when they drain the cup in one quickswallow, like knocking back whiskey. Whether it’s from lingering guilt at thetotality of the Guardian’s departure from their world, or discomfort at theirdisturbing certainty, he can no longer tell.

Nevra

What does he know about the Guardian’s past?

Next to nothing, and thatrankles him a little: he’s not the head of El’s information network fornothing. But this Guardian is particularly canny in redirecting conversationsaway from their past, even when lubricated by faery wine and among friends. Sowhat information he has picked up camefrom observing their habits: their unspoken familiarity with locks, the waythey stick to the peripheries of a group conversation and scan a room like ahawk before even taking a foot inside, the peculiar times that they takeshowers, and how they never leave their food and drink away from their own eyes.All without the Shadow Guard quite training them.

They have a past, he can tell.And because of that, Nevra doesn’t dig more than usual; it’s information that’sbound to be sensitive, and warped with rumor if it comes from anyone else’s lips.The Guardian will need to trust him first before they can disclose their life’sstory to him.

How does he react to Miiko’s order to ensure the Guardiantakes the potion?

Nevra is very much against Miiko’s decision, and he doesn’t mince his wordswhen he tells her. She’s ordering them to invalidate a life that’s still beinglived– an innocent one of all things–, and sever nearly all their worldlyconnections without their knowledge or consent. She’s ordering them toreconfigure the minds of a hundred or more people unable to fight theirdecision, erasing what love and experiences are there, and embed a new truth inthem. He doesn’t know where her scruples are taking residence right now, but that is wrong. And that’s coming fromthe head of the Shadow Guard.

But here the constraints ofsaid position spring up to choke him. Nevra soon realizes that if he publiclyprotests the decision, and turns against it, what little unity is left in theGuard will be shaken. People will wonder if the Shadow Guard can be trusted tosupport El if its own chief defies orders from the top. His rivals vying forhis seat will finally find an excuse to band together and depose him, ensnaringhim on false charges against his loyalty to El. And if he loses the trial, he’llhave to leave El and the Guard. And bring Karenn with him back into thehinterland, because she will follow him anywhere, even fight viciously for him…and he’ll no longer be able to protect her in El’s toxic environment on stepping down.Provided that he isn’t arrested and excommunicated first.

To prevent all of that fromhappening, to prevent discord in the Guard and keep his own world from crashingdown… he’ll have to do the unthinkable and sacrifice the Guardian to appeasehis boss’s paranoia. Miiko points out– with unintentional malice– that he’s theone their problematic recruit trusts the most… and will suspect the least. He’ll have to help themprepare the ritual.

Nevra’s decision is clear. Buthe begins to withdraw from his social circles and even Karenn, losing sleepevery night until the day of reckoning. He’s no alchemist or sorcerer, but heknows enough about the potion’s effects to know this ritual is unequivocallywrong. With permanent consequences for a person who has done nothing to theGuard, except for being spotted by a hostile human once. And of all people, it’s someone whose affection and regard hewants to earn.

As much as his hands are tied,as real as the danger is to him and Karenn–and perhaps the rest of El– ondisobeying, Nevra knows he’s still a coward for following through.

How will he react if the Guardian, on knowing the truthabout the potion, actually accepts it?

Nevra is well and trulyshocked. For a disorienting moment, his anxiety from the past fewdays combusts in his stomach; he wonders if his lack of sleep is catching up tohim, and scrambling what his keen ears have picked up. But when the Guardianreiterates their decision, with a calm, wry smile, he has no choice but tobelieve them. Though with no small internal outcry: are they simply acceptingthis as inevitable?

So he assures them empatheticallythat they don’t have to accept this,that they’re under no obligation to follow through (like him). That he’lleven– the idea finally dawns on him, with the two of them alone in the lab– discardthis potion, destroy the papers, and falsify what happens here to Miiko, to letthem keep their own life. And to hell with the mercenaries on their way to El; ifthey have a faery spy here, then they’ll simply leak the Guardian’s existenceto the rebels again after this ritual is finished, and the conflict willcontinue. The Shadow Guard will find another way to head them off; they have his word. Butwhen the Guardian interrupts him with a sharp ‘no’, Nevra is stunned again:they don’t just want to disappear; they haveto disappear.

At last, they tell him abouttheir life before falling into Eldarya: the uneasy home they left at a youngage, where the averted eyes and ironclad silence allowed a relative to hurtthem with impunity, forcing them to hit the streets before they were old enoughto legally pick up a cigarette. The year of scrambling on their own, sleepingin their car even as frost bit their toes, until they found an older manwilling to shelter them, love them, refrain from judging them… and who convincedthem to help him with his ‘side job’. Just until they scraped together enoughmoney for a new start elsewhere. Which was how they learnt some of therequisite skills of the Shadow Guard: hitting the streets, parking lots, andcampuses, playing off the despair and the anxious physical needs that shackledcustomers, and not sparing the kids their age who were still in school. All fora new start that was pushed back to the murky future, month after month. Untilthe law caught up to them during one campus sting; with them unable to cough upthe money for a lawyer, and their lover and partner choosing that moment to letthem take the fall, they spent the next few years learning the life of ajuvenile inmate. They didn’t even have the satisfaction of watching karma taketheir old partner: on being released, they discovered their apartmentrepurposed, and their ex in a cell on the other side of the country… and a fewmonths from parole. They knew in their bones that he was going to track themdown to ‘reconcile’ and ‘help him get back on his feet’… with whatever thatmight entail. And, given their own dire financial straits and dearth of friendsafter being released, they’ll be hard-pressed to refuse his offer of another‘new start’. Falling through a mushroom ring was perhaps the best thing thathappened to them.

By the end of the Guardian’sstory, Nevra is left with only an urge to pull them into his arms. And he doesso. Because after everything he has just heard, he’s at a loss on what else hecan do. There are some marks and some lessons that can never be erased from alife. When the Guardian stiffens like wire in his arms, the salt smell of tearsreaching his nose, he promptly moves to shush them, to reassure them (or bothof them) that from now on, it will be all right. With him, they won’t ever have to worry. Andwhen they break into a laugh– half skeptical, half relieved– he finds himselfkissing them quiet along their hair, their eyes, and finally on their mouth,the way he had wanted to for months. And when their fingers dig into him, heobliges their need: letting them hold onto him tight as they kiss him back.

How will he help the Guardian with the potion?

Only after the tension fullyleaves the Guardian in his arms does Nevra recall he still has an unenviablejob to do in this room. Though now the situation has been flipped onto itshead. At last, he confesses his own reasons for coaxing them into crafting thepotion, and then drinking it: trading one truth for another, suddenly afraidthat they’ll question why he was involved in this sordid business at all. Because thelast thing he wants is to be seen as another treacherous man in their life.

But the Guardian surprises himagain by forgiving him, pressing a tiny kiss to the corner of his jaw, andjoking about how they’re now doubly concerned with taking the potion to savehis job. Nevra has to shut his good eye to keep the lump in his throat fromescaping, tightening his arms around them as relief snaps the tension windinghis body like a spring for days.

When they finally move to thepotion on the lab bench, he doesn’t quite let the Guardian go. Instead, hepours the flask with one arm still looped around them, then steadies their handand the small of their back as they accept the tumbler, holding them close. Ifthey’re going to do this, they’ll finish it together.

But when they raise the cup ina wry toast, and drain it, Nevra has to press his mouth to their temple, unableto watch them swallow the drink. Instead, he breathes in the smell of theirhair, distracting himself from that deep foreboding in his chest at theinvisible forces he knows are now unleashed, erasing the Guardian in his armsfrom the lives of a hundred or more. For good and ill.

Valkyon

What does he know about the Guardian’s past?

Valkyon doesn’t know a thing,and frankly, he suspects that he knows the least out of everyone in HQ: it’shard to miss the way the Guardian clams up around him whenever they fumble an assignment. Even though he already told them– on the day of their first panicattack in front of the ocean, and other occasions since– that he’ll neverjudge them for admitting their own weaknesses, that acknowledging them isalready a mark of bravery in his eyes. Still, some habits and some fears rundeep; Valkyon knows better than to sit his recruit down and ask what made themthis way. The Guardian will tell him on their own time, and only then.

How does he react to Miiko’s order to ensure the Guardiantakes the potion?

His instincts are singing thatthis is not a good idea in theslightest. The Guardian won’t forgive such a profound violation of their trust,and their own right to maintain their identity and roots. But then, thequestion occurs to him on what will happen if he lets this pot bubble under asealed lid. How long will it take for those human mercenaries to storm HQ–again– and make off with the Guardian on their ill-advised rescue mission? Howmany casualties will they leave behind this time? The fort is understaffed asit is. It doesn’t take Valkyon long to run through calculations, using theestimates from last year on the enemy force’s numbers as well as what he haswitnessed on the field recently… and the final sum of every scenario is a much emptier fort. It’ll be a messy raid, no question.

He will be failing his ownduties as the Obsidian Guard’s commander if he allows this metaphorical powderkeg to remain in HQ. Not unless he snuffs out the fuse and curtails the comingconfrontation that he has overheard with his own ears… using a very esotericpotion.

If those mercenaries only knewabout the Guardian by hearsay, then the potion is a moot point. Butone of the rebels had described them with enough disturbing detail to count asfirsthand knowledge. And that, unfortunately, meant his recruit had todisappear.

So Valkyon gives his assent,the only one of the three Guard heads to do so from the onset. All whilelocking down the doubts and the objections stirring in his chest, with thatsteely will that has earned him a local reputation of ‘Last Man to Be Trifled With’. To prevent another carnage, and tosave the Guardian, this has to be done. In fact, he’ll do the deed himself,to spare his colleagues from both the Guardian’s anger and the moral burden.

How will he react if the Guardian, on knowing the truthabout the potion, actually accepts it?

At first, Valkyon feels a hardweight plunge through his gut as the veil of secrecy– his one shield from theGuardian’s moral outrage– is stripped away within six words: they know, and they’llaccept it. Another few moments pass before his mind registers the second halfof their answer. And then he is fully thrown for the loop, at a genuine lossfor words: this is not part of the plan. Though logic tells him that theGuardian’s knowing consent is a favorabledevelopment– because it means no resistance or worrisome grudges from hisrecruit; a clean procedure by both legal and ethical standards–, a seam in hisheart finally starts to tear, now that the armor he has girdled his conscience with has been broken. And he begins to wonder if he wants to go through with this.

They read his hesitationbefore he can voice it: gently, with a sad smile that tugs him again out of thesoldier’s mien, they tell him that they would be glad to disappear, and finallyremove the burdens that they’ve saddled their acquaintances with for themajority of their life. It’s high time their old friends let go of them. And this revelationshocks Valkyon for a second time, finally sparking a question from him, soft and astonished: why? Though he knows regret only too well, it’s another matterentirely to want to vanish from the sphere of loved ones.

At last, in a voice so soft hehas to strain his ears to catch the fall of their words, the Guardian tells him their story. Starting with the accident that took the lives of their father– theironly family– and a stranger on a highway. Sparing, with a certain black irony, only theperpetrator of the crash: themselves.

When the Guardian’s voicebreaks at the first mention of their father in who knows how many years,Valkyon stops them, grasping them gently by the elbows to bring them back tothe present, assuring them that they needn’t tell him anymore. But they shaketheir head, lining their voice with iron, and insist that they need to tellthis story now before wiping the slateclean; this is their final chance to own up to everything.

So he lapses into silenceagain, and lets them; honoring their need to redeem what they can, to crackopen the shell they had built around themselves, and share the narrative theyonce considered criminal, or still do.

They tell him about the dark years after the court hearing when grief and guilt worked in concert to sheathe them from the rest of the world, from any emotion at all besides sudden, precipitous drops into despair. The downhill slide from school, work, friends, and what peripheral family they had left, until they found themselves hooked onto sleeping pills and hard liquor, living in a rehabilitation center. Where they were kept afloat by the efforts of a persistent social worker, and the generosity of a grandmother with some conscience– who routinely visited to implore them to wake up and get their spine back, because it was expensive keeping them in the center. And when her predictions were realized and the money ran out within a few months, they re-entered the working world– just weaned of their vices but still not quite healed–, resorting to lonely midnight-shifts at the back of restaurants and convenience stores. At least part of which was motivated by the need to dodge a few loyal friends, colleagues, and teachers still searching for them. Their only company during those days was the social worker from the rehab center, who stopped at their dingy hostel to check on them once a week, paying for lunch and a coffee, and for an hour taking them away from the other young burn-outs who lived with them. That was the narrative of their life until the day they pulled themselves together to embark on their first hike in years. Granted, they never expected to disappear the way they did, but this potion would be a boon in the long run: one more burden off the lives of the people who still remember them.

Their voice has barely risen above a conversational whisper. But the force of their grief,and the lingering guilt, seems to pull Valkyon lower to the floor the more he hears. Until at last, when they fall silent themselves, he reachesforward– in a gesture so natural that he doesn’t give it a second thought– andgently wipes what tears have escaped with the edge of his thumb, their cheekresting in the warm cup of his palm. Which, ironically, seems to spill more; what’sleft of their stoic mask cracks, and they hold his hand against their cheekuntil the fitful trembling of their shoulders stops.

How will he help the Guardian with the potion?

Valkyon doesn’t dare speakuntil the shivering leaves them, though he doesn’t move his hand away either. In a low murmur, for their ears only, he shares the lesson that he himself learnt: no amount of sorrow or guilt canjustify the past, or cheapen it. What has happened has happened, regardless. So what matters most is to correct oneself and one’s actions today to prevent areprise of their regrets. And from what he has seen since they arrived here,they’ve proven themselves to be a pillar of strength. Even if they don’t quitesee themselves the same way.

When the Guardian squeezes hishand and kisses his palm, their smile still tremulous, his mind promptly takes asnapshot of this moment, then locks it away inside the vault of his memories. Onlythen does he return, reluctantly, to the task at hand, which he has beenordered to see through by whatever means necessary. Though now, with a willingparticipant, he can freely speak his mind to comfort them on the sacrificethey’re prepared to make.

The effects of the potion arepermanent, he reminds the Guardian gravely; there is no known counter-spell.From here on, only Eldarya will be their home. But if it’s any comfort, theones they love best– both passed and extant– will never leave their memories; they’ll always beimprinted in the way they speak, the way they carry themselves, the decisionsthat their heart makes to be moved or otherwise by the world around them. Theirloved ones from before have contributed the most to making who they are today. That’san intrinsic truth that this ritual– or any ritual– can never change.

When the Guardian finallyreleases his hand, it’s only to switch it to their palm. And he lets them holdonto him, their fingers laced tight through his, as they accept the flask passed to them, smile at him gently over therim, and tip it back. Valkyon doesn’t allow himself to look away: it would onlydemean the responsibility he has undertaken, and the total sacrifice that theyhave accepted.

It’s only afterwards that herealizes that the Guardian isn’t holding his hand to comfort themselves, but tocomfort him.

…I think I went over my writing cap for angst-per-page. It’s all your fault, Anon, for sending such a weightyrequest. ;)

If you enjoyed this three-partscenario, and even if you didn’t (which I won’t blame you for), drop me amessage and let me know what you think. My inbox is never closed to feedback. :)

#request #scenario #Eldarya #Ezarel #Nevra #Valkyon #innocent! Guardian #mysterious! Guardian #shy! Guardian #Episode 13 spoilers

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healthinsurcover · 7 years

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10 Best And Worst Alcoholic Drinks For Your Health

When someone says that alcohol isn’t good for the body. It doesn’t come as a big surprise. There are a lot of reasons why people shouldn’t be drinking excessively although some people still do.

Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that a lot of people consume without thinking about the long-term health risks. According to research, women who drink alcohol as little as once per day increased their risk of developing different kinds of cancer.

One major problem with alcoholic drinks is that they’re usually loaded with calories but not with nutrients. Typically liquors like whiskey, gin, and vodka are pure calories and nothing else. On the other hand, alcoholic drinks like cider, wine or beer do contain some minuscule amounts of the foods they’re made from. This gives them a very minimal amount of nutritional value, but still not enough to be considered as healthy.

Even though alcoholic drinks have done more harm than good to people’s bodies, many people still choose to drink them. For a lot of people, getting drinks with their friends is a way to unwind and de-stress. Often, it can’t be helped. What a person can do is choose “healthier” alcoholic drinks when going out for drinks. Here are some of the best and worst choices for alcoholic drinks:

The 10 Best Drinks ForYour Health

People who want to remain healthy even while drinking alcohol may choose to order simple drinks. Such drinks are meant to be consumed in little sips to last for a long time. Drinking this way would also help one avoid hangovers. Here are some choices for “healthy” alcoholic drinks:

Beer

When choosing beer, you need to be very careful. A lot of beer varieties are packed with sugar and calories. If you want to drink some beer, make sure to choose a light lager or other beer varieties which contain fewer calories. You can usually check the caloric content on the beer bottle’s label.

Drinks “up” or “on the rocks.”

One way to have drinks without the excess sugar and calories would be ordering drinks “up” or “on the rocks.” The former means you’ll receive your alcoholic drink chilled. The latter means your drink will come to you with ice.

When ordering such drinks, take your time in drinking. Nurse the drink by taking gradual sips. This would give the body a chance to process the alcohol at a rate that’s much safer.

Manhattan

A lot of people may not know this, but the Manhattan is surprisingly delicious. These drinks are made with bourbon or whiskey, Angostura bitters, and sweet vermouth. Such a drink contains about 130 calories, but usually, one drink would suffice.

Mulled Wine

This is another potentially healthy type of alcoholic drink. To make mulled wine, you’d need some wine, apple cider, and a variety of herbs and spices with low calories. When you mix these ingredients, you’ll come up with a tasty concoction. Although some people also add sugar to the mix, it can be limited to just 1 teaspoon per serving.

“Neat” Drinks

If you want to choose a drink with the least possible amount of sugar and calories, you may order one “neat.” This means that you’ll just be ordering one of the liquors in a glass, straight up and not blended with any other components.

Keep in mind though that when you order a neat drink, it won’t come with any sweet ingredients to tame the flavor or the strength of the alcohol. This means that you may experience the “buzz” a lot sooner than when you order a mixed cocktail. Of course, such drinks should be sipped little by little and not downed like shots.

Red Wine

Red wine may be healthy because it doesn’t contain wheat. So, when you drink it, you won’t feel bloated after. Also, red wine contains tannins, which may be good for the heart when consumed in moderation.

Sangria

Sangria is considered as a “healthy” option because it’s mixed with fresh fruits. Simply mix some wine with a variety of fruits to create a cocktail that contains a lot of antioxidants. Just make sure you don’t drink more than 2 glasses of this cocktail to avoid excessive alcohol in your system.

Tequila On The Rocks

We don’t mean consuming too many tequila shots in one go! Simply order tequila on the rocks and drink it slowly. This is a healthier option as tequila doesn’t contain any carbohydrates.

Vodka and Seltzer

This is a variation of the more popular vodka tonic. It’s a healthier choice as seltzer doesn’t come with additional sugar content. However, some people may find this a bit boring. To jazz up the drink, an orange, lime or lemon wedge may be added. This adds some vitamin C and a citrus flavor to the drink without the guilt.

White Wine

Drinking a glass of white wine can help a person unwind with his friends while still “going out for drinks” with them. White wine usually contains fewer calories than red wine. They also don’t contain too much sugar. This is because, during the fermentation process, the sugar from the fruit sources gets converted to alcohol.

As you can see, there are a few good choices for alcoholic drinks which are healthy. Also, to lessen the effects of drinking on the body, one may drink a glass of seltzer or water in between drinking alcoholic beverages. This also lessens the risk of having a hangover the next morning.

10 Worst Drinks ForYour Health

In general, alcohol and alcoholic drinks aren’t good for the health. This is because they won’t make a person healthier. In fact, such drinks may even be detrimental to the health especially when consumed excessively. But the reality is, some people cannot avoid such beverages altogether. Whether they want to drink at home or drink with friends, there are some alcoholic drinks one should avoid because they’re unhealthy.

Amaretto Sour

Mainly because of the sour mix added to the drink, an amaretto sour can contain as much as 300 calories per serving. It also contains a lot of sugar in each drink, so it’s best to steer clear of this alcoholic beverage as much as possible.

Beer

Many people love beer, but only a few people know that beer is typically loaded with sugars, carbohydrates, and other unnecessary calories. Although not all types of beer are unhealthy. There are light variations which may contain fewer calories. However, people make this an excuse to drink more!

Blended Frozen Drinks

Some bartenders take simple drinks and combine them with different ingredients, creating unhealthy concoctions. Take daiquiris for instance. Traditionally, this drink would contain lime juice, rum, and some maple syrup. Then it’s chilled and served. It’s easy to make and delicious too.

But some people think this is too complicated to make, and so they go for the ready-to-drink mixes available in stores. They pour the mixes in a blender, add a lot of ice, and blend the daiquiri to make a blended, frozen drink that’s loaded with calories and artificial ingredients. Such drinks would contain at least 280 calories.

Cocktails

Although quite popular among alcohol drinkers, cocktails are very unhealthy. This is because they usually contain a lot of sugar. A person who drinks too many cocktails may be at risk for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.

Drinks That Taste like Dessert

There are some drinks which taste like dessert and are very unhealthy. This should be obvious, but some people prefer the drinks because of how they taste. Let’s illustrate this with an example. The White Russian cocktail contains about 300 calories per serving. This is because of the Kahlua, vodka, and heavy cream. Yes, it tastes good, but it also contains unhealthy components. Also, steer clear of drinks which are labeled or contain “Irish cream.” These contain a lot of sugar as well as fat.

Energy Drinks and Alcohol

Sometimes people mix then drink energy drinks with alcohol. One example is Red Bull with vodka. Unfortunately, this isn’t just unhealthy; it’s quite harmful. This is because the energy drink makes the effects of alcohol stronger.

Fruity Margaritas

A lot of people think that fruity margaritas are healthy because of the “fruity component.” This would be true if the drink is mixed with fresh fruits. However, this isn’t usually the case. Fruity margaritas served in bars, and similar establishments are usually made with pre-made fruit mixes. These contain fructose corn syrup and other artificial flavorings.

Long Island Iced Tea

This type of drink is usually served in a large glass. People don’t think much of this drink, but in fact, it contains a lot of calorie-loaded components. A Long Island iced tea may contain rum, vodka, tequila, triple sec, gin, cola, and sour mix. At its worst, this drink would contain as much as 529 calories!

Piña Coladas

Although popular, this drink isn’t healthy at all. In fact, just one piña colada contains a lot more calories than a McDonald’s Big Mac!

Spiked Eggnog

Eggnog is a common drink which is made with cream, eggs, and sugar. That already contains a lot of calories. But when you add alcohol to the mix, it contains up to 450 calories in each serving. That’s a lot!

How does alcohol interact with a person’s body?

Few people know that the alcohol they drink is a type of ethanol. When this ethanol is consumed, it makes a person drunk. When a person consumes alcohol, it moves through the body in the blood. Then, it goes to the liver which breaks it down and uses it for energy.

When a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol or consumes too much, it may result in an increased amount of fat in the liver cells. This then results in liver illnesses and diseases. Aside from this, alcohol also has some effects on a person’s brain.

As a person keeps drinking, the ethanol starts to inhibit the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. This lack of communication between the brain cells is responsible for the “drunken” sensation a person feels when consuming alcohol.

Drinking alcohol has short-term and temporary effects on the brain. But when a person drinks alcohol frequently and in excess, it may result in permanent changes in how his brain works. Such abuse of alcoholic beverages is even linked to brain damage, weakened brain function, and dementia.

Aside from this, chronic alcohol consumption may also lead to various diseases. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and more. However, moderate alcohol consumption doesn’t seem to affect the body this much.

It’s also important to note that alcohol contains huge amounts of energy. In fact, next to fats, alcohol is the second type of macronutrient which contains the most energy. Each gram of alcohol contains a whopping 7 calories!

Because of this huge energy content, drinking too many alcoholic drinks may affect a person’s weight, no matter what kind of beverage a person drinks. That’s why chronic alcohol abuse is commonly associated with a variety of illnesses and diseases. These health effects aren’t significantly related to the type of alcohol, but to how much a person consumes.

As you can see, alcohol can truly be detrimental to the health. But this doesn’t mean that people should cut it out of their system completely. However, if one can do that, all the better! Realistically though, most people would turn to alcohol at one point or another and for different reasons.

So, the best thing they can do is choose the “healthier” beverages over those which contain alcohol along with other artificial or calorie-loaded components. In doing this, they may still enjoy the drinks without feeling too bad about it.

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#Health #wellness #fitness #Diet #nutrition #weight loss #medicine

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