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aidanchaser · 7 months ago

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Song fic based around The Butterfly Effect by FJØRA

Read on Ao3

Link to Chapter 1, Verse One Link to Chapter 7, Bridge

Read Chapter 8, Chorus Final, below

the butterfly effect when you open up your soul Adrien doesn’t think this is his fault. His dream has been playing in the back of his mind on a loop, like an itch he cannot scratch away. Of course he’s going to explore. Of course he’s going to stick his nose into places that he shouldn’t. Of course he’s going to find things that were meant to be hidden away.

Adrien presses his fingers against the mosaic tiles, and doesn’t know if he’s relieved or disappointed to find the safe hidden in his father’s office. It’s another sign his dream had its roots in reality—in another reality.

When he opens the safe, he finds the grimoire from his dreams, but he finds no sign of the Butterfly nor Peacock Miraculouses.

He doesn’t know what he would have done if he had found them. The are almost certainly with the villain who has been terrorizing Paris this past year. He’d have been horrified to find them here.

He doen’t even know why he’s chasing these fragments from his dreams. Does he want proof that the girl behind the bakery counter is someone he truly loves or absolution from some past life where he ruined his friends’ lives and his own?

But, just like his dream, the book describes the powers of different Miraculouses. He recognizes the Black Cat and the Ladybug, of course. He’s familiar enough with them in the waking world. The Red Fox and the Turtle, though, he’s never seen in person, but here they are, with the powers that he remembers from his dream.

“There you are,” his mother says, pushing open the door just as he turns to the very page that describes bringing the Black Cat and Ladybug Miraculouses together. His heart pounds with the urge to know more, even as the anxiety at being caught churns in his gut.

“Mother, I—” But he doesn’t have an excuse.

She lifts her eyebrows as she sees the book laid out on his father’s desk and the safe door open behind Adrien. She seems to be doing some quick calculating and stalls by taking a sip of her wine.

Finally, she says, “That was Nathalie’s.”

He feels like he’s walking across thin ice, but if she isn’t going to scold him… he presses forward.

“Did Nathalie have one of these… powers?”

“We found two.” His mother comes closer and peers over Adrien’s shoulder to look down at the book. She brushes her hand against the picture of the Black Cat and the Ladybug kwamis in their true forms, then flips back to the previous pages.

She stops on the peacock.

“It was broken when we found it,” she says. “Your father’s been trying to fix it ever since she got sick. Like if he could fix it, he could fix her.”

Adrien swallows as he puts together the implication that Nathalie not only found one of these Miraculous but she used it and it killed her—just like what had happened to him in his dream. There was something else from his dream, something about his mother, that tugged in his brain but he couldn’t recall what it was. The memory of his own physical pain was too prominent.

“Does father still have it?”

“He does.”

Adrien is fairly certain that the villain who has been fighting Scarabella and Chat d’Ombre is a woman, but dread pools in his gut all the same. “He hasn’t used it, right?”

“No, I don’t believe he would.”

But the dread in Adrien’s gut does not abate. “You said Nathalie found two.”

the butterfly effect so long gone from the world When his mother begins to get sick, Uncle Colt and Félix come to stay.

When his mother begins to get sick, Adrien tells his father everything.

When his mother begins to get sick, the villain Holly Blue, who has been terrorizing Paris with the butterfly and peacock miraculous, vanishes without a trace.

In her place, Hawk Moth and Petit Plume pursue the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses, certain there is no other hope for Emilie than a wish.

It occurs to Adrien one day, as he is doodling the Ladybug from his dream into his notes, that he’s allowed himself to become a villain once more, just like his nightmare. But it’s worth it, isn’t it? If he makes the wish right, this will be the last time…

“Are you drawing that bakery girl as a superhero?” Félix asks.

Adrien slams his notebook closed.

He looks up to see the classroom has mostly emptied. It’s only Félix, sitting in Nino’s old seat, since Nino decided to move into the empty seat next to Alya. Nino and Alya are lingering by the door, fingers laced together, but waiting for him and his cousin.

“You can admit you have a superhero kink, Adrien,” Nino says with a grin.

His cheeks burn as he shoves his notes into his bag, but he can’t explain to his friends that whatever he and Marinette Dupain-Cheng had belonged in another universe, and he is doing everything he can to bring it into this one.

“I mean, Nino certainly has one,” Alya quips, and Nino’s face flushes.

“Oh—like you don’t,” he spits back, and Alya laughs.

“Of course I do,” she grins and kisses his cheek.

Félix is unamused, as he always is by Adrien’s friends, and Adrien’s school, and Adrien’s life as a whole. He checks his watch. “Your father was quite clear we had to return before five, so if we want to stop at that bakery and watch—for the seventeenth time since I’ve arrived, I will point out—you try and fail to hold a meaningful conversation with a girl behind a shop counter, we had better hurry.”

Adrien slings his bag over his shoulder and tries not to think about the way Félix has always said, “your father,” and never “Uncle Gabriel.” But Félix is no less affectionate with his own father. The closest thing to intimacy with another human that Adrien has ever seen from Félix is the tenderness in his eyes when he takes his ill Aunt Emilie’s hand. Adrien thinks that has less to do with Emilie and more to do with the mother that Félix doesn’t dare speak of.

When Adrien stands, dizziness flits through his chest and into his head. He takes a moment to steady himself on his desk, hoping no one notices. But in his attempt to recover before someone can ask if he is okay, he moves too quickly and stumbles down the stairs. Félix is not fast enough to catch him, but Nino is.

With cat-like reflexes, Nino bounds the aisle’s step and catches Adrien beneath his arms before Adrien can hit the floor.

“You alright, man?”

Adrien remembers the aches of his nightmares and grits his teeth. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He is fine, for the moment. He lets Nino help him stand.

Alya’s brows knit together behind her glasses. “Maybe you should call your car instead of walking to the bakery.”

But Adrien knows if he and Félix call for a car, all that will mean is returning to a large quiet house with his mother dying just like Nathalie did, just like Aunt Amelie did, just like Adrien did in another universe. And if Adrien is lucky, his father will ask him to put on the Peacock Miraculous and give him at least a small reprieve from the cavernous mansion.

“I’m fine,” Adrien insists. “Félix is right; we should hurry.”

Félix says nothing, but his gray eyes survey Adrien more critically than usual.

“I’ll take your bag,” Nino says, already lifting the strap over Adrien’s head before Adrien can protest.

“Here, just to be safe,” Alya says, and links her arm with Adrien’s. Her other hand, once again, joins with Nino’s.

Félix follows, and Adrien can feel the hair on the back of his neck prickle, like Félix’s eyes are fixed on his back, like he can see the future in Adrien’s bones.

But it isn’t the future Félix is seeing; it’s only his own past, and his memory of the first time his mother had a dizzy spell, and the first time she tripped down the stairs, and the first time she collapsed in the garden.

And the last time.

let the light wash over Scarabella is getting sick of Hawk Moth and his painfully persistent partner. She does have to admit that Hawk Moth is a more bearable villain than Holly Blue, if only because he’s more careful about interrupting her school schedule.

Max once pointed out that the rare times Hawk Moth does attack during the school day occur with a 0% chance of Petite Plume making an appearance, and Scarabella does not like thinking that Petite Plume is a student somewhere just like her.

It’s one thing for her to ask for a friend’s help—to give Juleka the Tiger Miraculous for a day, or Kim the Monkey—but it’s another for a villain to use a child in his pursuit for power.

Today, she’s asked another friend for help. While Monsieur Pigeon is usually a fairly predictable villain, he must have been particularly peeved about something today. Instead of merely controlling pigeons, he’s gained the ability to turn people into pigeons, and the enormous Senti-Pigeon that Petite Plume has crafted keeps emitting sonic screeches that threaten to render her deaf.

So she chose the craftiest person she could think of to assist her and Chat d’Ombre today.

Monsieur Renard, in his orange waistcoat, complete with coattails tipped with white like a fox’s tail, scrutinizes the battle. His usually gray eyes glint with gold, and it takes him only a moment to offer a solution.

“Cataclysm the Senti-Pigeon, and I can manage it from there. Surely you can deal with Monsieur Pigeon.”

“We can’t get close to him. I was hoping you could help me with that and Chat could handle our other feather-themed friend.”

Chat d’Ombre is busy distracting the villains, dancing just out of reach of the pigeon wings, but his luck won’t hold out long.

“You want to send the cat to chase the bird? Typical,” Monsieur Renard huffs, but he does not have time to argue with her any further. There’s a high-pitched whine above them, the only warning they have.

Scarabella grabs Monsieur Renard and dives off of the building and rolls just out of range of the Senti-Pigeon’s sonic screech.

“Lead Monsieur Pigeon to the Seine,” Scarabella snaps at him, “and I’ll be ready.”

There is no room to argue.

Chat d’Ombre had accused her of being bossy when they had first started working together. Maybe she took charge readily, but it was her Miraculous that helped them come up with plans. His miraculous required a lot of care and precision, something he didn’t always take.

But their partnership had evolved and they had learned to trust each other. She’d fallen for him quickly; she’d had no idea he’d been falling for her, too, but rather the person she was without her mask.

Deciding to come clean to each other about their identities, despite Master Fu’s warnings, had only brought them closer together.

Scarabella called on her Lucky Charm for the second time that day. The first had led her to Master Fu, where she had selected the Fox Miraculous for Félix. Now, a mirror dropped into her waiting hand. She surveyed the banks of the Seine and the bridge where Monsieur Pigeon and his flock were chasing an illusory version of her and Chat d’Ombre. Overhead, Chat tousled with Petite Plume on the back of the enormous pigeon.

She didn’t see a need for the mirror, and she didn’t have time to work out a more detailed plan. As the illusory Chat d’Ombre and Scarabella dropped their disguises, revealing a pair of plain-looking young adults, and tossed the “miraculouses” into the water, Monsieur Pigeon dove in after them. Scarabella dove in, too.

As Monsieur Pigeon’s hands passed through the illusions, Scarabella’s hand yanked the whistle from his neck. His eyes widened with shock and confusion, but there was nothing for him to do. She snapped the whistle in two.

Scarabella surfaced and helped Monsieur Ramier to the edge of the water and up onto the bank.

The pigeons had gone, but overhead, the Senti-Pigeon still soared. It rolled suddenly and with a final shriek into the sky, it vanished. Petite Plume and Chat d’Ombre plummeted towards the ground, followed by a small blue feather.

Chat d’Ombre used his staff to stall his fall, and he reached for Petite Plume, but Monsieur Renard was faster. He leapt into the air, grabbed Petite Plume, and landed on the bridge. Scarabella used her yo-yo to snag the butterfly and feather out of the air and restore Paris to its usual ratio of persons to pigeons.

She hurried onto the bridge, where Monsieur Renard had Petite Plume pinned underneath his black boot. Chat d’Ombre landed beside her.

“He caught him,” he whispered breathlessly and let out a low whistle.

Monsieur Renard did not even turn to look at Scarabella and Chat d’Ombre. He reached down for the peacock-shaped brooch on Petite Plume’s chest.

Petite Plume’s gloved hands scrabbled desperately and futilely at Monsieur Renard’s leg. He tried to knock away Monsieur Renard’s hand, but pinned as he was, there was little he could do to escape.

“Don’t,” he begged, “please—”

Monsieur Renard pulled the pin from Petite Plume’s breast. In a flash of blue light, Petite Plume vanished, and in the light’s wake lay Adrien Agreste.

“Please,” Adrien begged, clinging to Monsieur Renard’s wrist, “Please don’t let it be for nothing.”

let the sun come closer Scarabella’s hands fly to her mouth, but it’s not surprise that coils through Chat d’Ombre’s chest. It’s anger.

“Why?” he demands. He tries to approach, but Monsieur Renard holds a hand out to stop him. There’s something protective in the fox’s golden glare that holds Chat d’Ombre back.

His hands tighten into fists at his sides, even as his ring begins to flicker. He had Cataclysmed Petite Plume’s amok and his time is limited.

Scarabella’s earrings, too, are flashing their warning. She takes a step forward, but is no more interested in challenging Monsieur Renard than Chat is.

“What could you possibly want with our Miraculous?” she asks.

“I don’t,” Adrien says, voice cracking with tears. “My mother—she wanted to bring back her sister and her friend—but she got sick—and my father—”

Chat swallows, and the target of his anger shifts rapidly. His father had made him do this?

“Let him up,” Scarabella says, “and hand me the Peacock.”

Monsieur Renard takes his foot from Adrien’s chest, and reaches a hand down and helps Adrien stand. He does not even stagger as Adrien leans on him for support. His other hand tightens around the brooch.

“The Peacock doesn’t belong to you,” Monsieur Renard says.

“I’ll return it to where it does belong,” Scarabella promises.

She reaches her hand out for it. Her other hand still holds her Lucky Charm, a compact mirror. Chat isn’t sure what it’s use was, but he sees a flicker of blue and orange in its surface and he turns, just in time to see Monsieur Renard—at least he thinks it’s Monsieur Renard—reach for Scarabella’s earrings.

He thrusts his palm into Renard’s chest, shoving him backwards just as the black-clawed tips of his gloves brush against Scarabella’s earrings. She gasps as the Adrien and Monsieur Renard before her shimmer then fade and turns to see the much-more solid Monsieur Renard regain his balance.

He’s changed almost completely. His eyes glint with red instead of gold. The foxtail-like coattails have transformed into an array of blue peacock feathers with brilliant red spots, and the stems of the feathers climb his orange coat. Around his neck hangs the fox tail and pinned to his chest is the peacock.

“You made a second illusion?” Chat snarls. “How?”

Renard’s upper lip curls back in a sneer. “You can push your powers, you know. If you don’t mind if it kills you.” He spreads the fan and plucks a feather from it.

“Wait, Félix—” Scarabella puts her hand out to stop him, and he snarls as she uses his real name.

“Don’t you dare—”

“Is it really Adrien? That was an illusion, but do you know—is that true?”

Félix hesitates, and Chat wishes Scarabella would make a move. They don’t have time to talk. They should be getting the Peacock back and asking questions later.

“Why do you think Adrien’s been getting sick?” he asks, and tosses the feather into the air.

colors take their form Chat d’Ombre lunges for Félix, but all of his power and cat-like reflexes are for naught. From the ground beneath his and Scarabella’s feet, Félix’s Senti-Snare springs to life, ropes tightening and coiling around Chat d’Ombre’s and Scarabella’s wrists and ankles as if it were woven from snakes.

“We’re not your enemy,” Chat snarls and yanks against the bindings, but they only tighten and tug him to his knees. His ring flickers down to his last minute. “We should be hunting down Hawk Moth, all of us.”

Félix reaches out for the ring, but a flash of light catches him in the eye, blinding him for a moment.

Scarabella flashes her mirror at him, but its a useless stall. Her power won’t last any longer than the cat’s.

“Hawk Moth’s Miraculous won’t save Adrien,” Félix says. He does not say that the Butterfly would not bring back his mother or save Adrien’s, but he can imagine all the things Adrien might have wanted the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses for.

Once he has his sight back, Félix reaches for the ring once more. Chat d’Ombre tightens his hand into a fist as Félix pulls.

“It’ll come with a cost,” Scarabella warns. She, too, is tied fully to the floor and the living ropes continue to writhe and push her against the ground.

Félix squeezes Chat d’Ombre’s wrist until his hand flexes and he yanks the ring free. He’s startled when Nino Lahiffe appears at his feet, but he schools his features.

“It can’t be worse than it already is,” Félix says, and reaches for Scarabella’s earrings. He does not tell her how he can feel the tethers in the peacock, the strings that tie him and Adrien to their fathers. He does not tell her that he would gladly trade his father for his mother, if given the choice, and though he hasn’t asked Adrien, he imagines Adrien must feel similarly.

Scarabella snaps at his fingers with her teeth, but the pain of the bite means little to Félix as he wishes for a world where he has a family and a chance for freedom.

with the butterfly effect When Adrien wakes, the first thing he thinks is that it hurts to breathe.

He clutches his chest and rolls to the edge of his bed, wondering if he’s going to be sick.

“Are you okay, kid?” Plagg asks.

“Nightmare,” Adrien grunts and squeezes his eyes closed. He has so many nightmares these days. Nightmares about Monarch murdering his father, about being akumatized into Anti-Cat, about Ladybug crumbling in his arms…

This one was different, but thankfully it’s already fading.

Plagg hovers near his shoulder, offering his presence as comfort. Adrien appreciates his kwami more than he can say, particularly in light of some of the pieces of his memory that linger.

“I think I was sick,” Adrien murmured.

“Not this time,” Plagg says, frowning at Adrien and the empty bowl that now lives by Adrien’s bed to cope with the battles against grief and terror each night.

“No, in my dream,” Adrien says. “I think I was dying…” But the finer details are already fading.

He reaches for his phone to text Marinette—he always tells her when he’s awake from a bad dream, and she always calls—but he pauses, hand halfway to his phone.

His parents’ wedding bands glint in the dim moonlight. They were important in his dream, but he can’t quite recall why.

He remembers wearing the brooch. He remembers feeling a string, a tie, a connection…

“Plagg, I would know if I was created by the Peacock Miraculous, right?”

Plagg wrinkles his nose. “I think maybe you had too much cheese before bed.”

Adrien grabs his phone and texts Marinette.

the butterfly effect Marinette’s phone buzzes and she fumbles for it without lifting her head from the pillow. She sits up, shocked to find her pillow wet with tears. She wipes her cheeks dry and tiptoes down to her parents’ room.

She presses her ear against the door and hears her father’s snores and her mother’s breathing. Something tight in her chest unwinds with relief.

She climbs back upstairs and Tikki stirs on her pillow.

“Marinette, why are you awake?” Tikki murmurs.

Marinette knows what the text from Adrien says before she opens it. “Adrien had a bad dream,” she says. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

The finer points of Marinette’s dream are already fading, but she remembers something about Adrien wielding the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculouses. She swallows and can’t help but wonder if somehow Adrien ended up with the Butterfly after his father died. But she can’t imagine it—can’t imagine Gabriel would so desperately beg her to keep it all from Adrien if Adrien had any idea of the truth.

She gnaws on her lower lip and her thumb hovers over the green call button. She knows this world has been altered by Gabriel’s wish, but it wasn’t remade, right?

“Tikki, if we were living in a Recreation Wish, we would know, right?”

“Probably not,” Tikki yawns. “There’s always fingerprints from an old reality left behind, though. Connections and friendships and,” Tikki yawns again, “other things,” she finishes sleepily.

“But how do you know if your world is the right one?” Marinette asks.

“There is no right world. There just is.” Tikki closes her eyes and curls up on Marinette’s pillow.

There are a million universes bursting in and out of existence in Tikki’s mind; Marinette cannot fathom the nature of existence the way a kwami can. All she can do is trust Tikki.

She calls Adrien; she doesn’t tell him about her nightmare, and he doesn’t tell her about his. Instead, they talk about everything and nothing until the sun rises.

the butterfly effect

#the butterfly effect #ml fic #finished ml fic #felix fathom #adrien agreste #scarabella #miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug fanfic #miraculous ladybug finished fic #now that its done you may be asking what was the point and the point is just that i like angst but i dont like unhappy endings

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myriamas · 1 year ago

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who: @morsmartelll where: the prince’s private chambers in sunspear, the night before the court are set to depart for highgarden.

the large doors leading into the watergardens were wide open, open enough for myriam allyrion to hear the sound of the peacocks in the gardens as well as the sound of the fountains floating through the night. someone was singing somewhere in one of the courtyards, with a voice that sounded like heartbreak and symphony all wrapped into one, over the sounds of the singing peacocks. she remained sat upon a velvet recliner within the chambers of her husband, watching him with his parchment and the charcoal he used to sketch such ideas for what he wanted to leave behind in dorne.

pieces of architecture so complex in their patterns of symmetry and mosaic it would no doubt take years to complete such works, and yet she knew it were something he wished to pursue.

would they ever see them? there were certain things that the reigning prince of dorne did not wish to waste funds or attention on, and as much as her husband tried his hardest to find a balance between his own vision for dorne and that which his father wanted, she knew it were an impossible task when the two were so different. for how many years had he put aside his wants and his thoughts, for the sake of duty? for how many years had she put aside her own wants and thoughts, for the sake of duty? perhaps the levels of freedom and happiness he had always ensured to grant her were only a reflection of the little he felt like he had.

she remained sat upon the recliner, watching the light of the moon bounce against the dark tresses of his hair that fell slightly over his eyes. and it felt as though she were watching the sunrise and the sunset all at once. wordlessly, she rose to her feet, making her way onto the balcony to join him in the night air; there was no need to speak, for he would have heard the jingle of her anklets. her bangles. slipping into the space seamlessly beside him, as there had always been a space for her beside him all these years...all fifteen of them.

“and what is this one supposed to be?” she asked, referring to the sketch upon the parchment.

her hand rested upon the mosaic tile that protected them from the drop below, leaning upon it as she peered over at his sketch. only, her wide almond kohl lined orbs only looked up at him. something on the very tip of her tongue, something that she wished to ask. something else that she wished to say. why it felt as though something had come to an end. that when she looked upon him, she loved him. she loved him so. she loved him fiercely. she was not in love with him.

#c: mors #mors 007 #a deep portal time travel all the love we unravel...he wanted it comfortable i wanted that pain (mors&myriam)#midnight rain is their song oh my god

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rhianna · 9 months ago

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THE ALHAMBRA. THÉOPHILE GAUTIER.

You enter the Alhambra through a corridor situated in an angle of the Palace of Charles V., and, after several windings, you arrive in a large court, designated indifferently under the names of Patio de los Arraynes (Court of Myrtles), of the Alberca (of the Reservoir), or of the Mezouar (an Arabian word signifying bath for women).

When you issue from these dark passages into this large space flooded with light, the effect is similar to that produced by a diorama. You can almost fancy that an enchanter’s wand has transported you to the Orient of four or five centuries ago. Time, which changes everything in its flight, has altered nothing here, where the apparition of the Sultana Chaîne des cœurs and of the Moor Tarfe in his white cloak would not cause the least surprise....

The antechamber of the Hall of the Ambassadors is worthy of the purpose for which it was intended: the boldness of its arches, the variety and interlacing of its arabesques, the mosaics of its walls, and the work on its stuccoed ceiling, crowded like the stalactite roof of a grotto and painted with azure, green, and red, traces of which colours are still visible, produce an effect both charming and bizarre.

On each side of the door which leads to the Hall of the Ambassadors, in the jamb of the arch itself and where the facing of glazed tiles, whose triangles of glaring colours adorn the lower portion of the walls, are hollowed out, like little chapels, two niches of white marble sculptured with an extreme delicacy. It was here that the ancient310 Moors left their Turkish slippers before entering, as a mark of deference, just as we remove our hats in places that demand this respect.

From the Hall of the Ambassadors you go down a corridor of relatively modern construction to the tocador, or dressing-room of the queen. This is a small pavilion on the top of a tower used by the sultanas as an oratory, and from which you can enjoy a wonderful panorama. You notice at the entrance a slab of white marble perforated with little holes in order to let the smoke of the perfumes312 burned beneath the floor to pass through. You can still see on the walls the fantastic frescoes of Bartholomew de Ragis, Alonzo Perez, and Juan de la Fuente. Upon the frieze the ciphers of Isabella and Philip V. are intertwined with groups of Cupids. It is difficult to imagine anything more coquettish and charming than this room, with its small Moorish columns and its surbased arches, overhanging an abyss of azure, the bottom of which is studded with the roofs of Grenada and into which the breeze brings the perfumes from the Generalife,—that enormous cluster of oleanders blossoming in the foreground of the nearest hill,—and the plaintive cry of the peacocks walking upon the dismantled walls. How many hours have I passed there in that serene melancholy, so different from the melancholy of the North, with one leg hanging over the precipice and charging my eyes to photograph every form and every outline of this beautiful picture unfolded before them, and which, in all probability, they will never behold again! No description in words, or colours, can give the slightest hint of this brilliancy, this light, and these vivid tints. The most ordinary tones acquire the worth of jewels and everything else is on a corresponding scale. Towards the close of day, when the sun’s rays are oblique, the most inconceivable effects are produced: the mountains sparkle like heaps of rubies, topazes, and carbuncles; a golden dust bathes the ravines; and if, as is frequent in the summer, the labourers are burning stubble in the field, the wreaths of smoke, which rise slowly towards the sky, borrow the most magical reflections from the fires of the setting sun....

Turrets, towers, and temples : The great buildings of the world, as seen and… http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/72946

#history #architecture #alhambra #buidings #spain #project gutenberg

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jessicaminhanh · 7 months ago

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Jessica Minh Anh at the majestic Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest

Following her successful J Winter Fashion Show 2024 turning Paris into THE runway, Jessica Minh Anh chose Budapest to unwind. The supermodel was warmly welcomed at the majestic Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel during her very first visit to Hungary.

Located in the heart of Budapest, this art nouveau palace Hotel embodies the spirit of Budapest’s Golden Era glam.

Four Seasons Gresham Palace showed their unrivaled hospitality to Jessica from the moment she arrived with a personal greeting from the General Manager to personalized treats in her suite. The welcome table was decorated with photos from her many catwalks and travels, pastry printed with her picture, fresh fruits and flowers, and Champaign.

The interior of the hotel is truly magnificent, featuring the iconic wrought-iron peacock gates, passing through the Lobby adorned with over two million mosaic tiles illuminated with its striking chandelier. The elongated transparent ceiling puts a tasteful finishing touch to the art nouveau decor, creating a breath-taking sight.

Jessica Minh Anh's suite, the Chain Bridge Suite, is one of the three hotel's premium specialty suites. Overlooking the historic Buda Hills and Royal Castle, this outstanding space provides exquisite views, European elegance and the very best in privacy.

Jessica's 915 sq.ft suite includes a spacious living room, a full marble bathroom with a bathtub, a guest powder room, and a lavish bedroom with views of the Danube and the picturesque Budapest skyline.

Jessica enjoyed an exquisite culinary experience at Four Seasons Gresham Palace's restaurant KOLLAZS. Here, the masterful chefs delivered a wide range of dishes from various European regions, promising a flavorful and unforgettable gourmet journey. Her recommended daily breakfast treats are:

Caviar and eggs

Açaí bowl

Egg white omelette with mushroom

Hungarian omelette

French toast

Cappuccino

Green juice

Orange juice

The hotel features an indoor infinity-edge pool, an adjacent whirlpool, and offers exclusive Touch of the Earth spa treatment using authentic Hungarian ingredients of lavender, grapeseed oil, salt and Hungarian Moor Mud by Omorovicza.

Infusing Eastern mystique and Old-World elegance, Budapest is a unique city with stunning architecture and a vibrant cultural life. As Jessica stepped out of the hotel to explore Budapest, she took a walk on the famous bridge, watched the city skyline sunset from above, and enjoyed amazing local cuisines at some of Hungarian's best restaurants nearby. The exterior view of Four Seasons Gresham Palace at night is also magical.

Jessica Minh Anh highly recommends Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest for great relaxation while enjoying artistry, architecture, and luxury in Europe.

#jessica minh anh #travel tips #budapest #hungary #four seasons gresham palace

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bigspaceblogs · 11 months ago

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From Beige to Bazaar: Unlocking Your Bohemian Oasis on a Budget

Ah, the beige box. We've all been there – a blank canvas of monotony, devoid of the vibrant soul our hearts crave. But fear not, wanderlusting spirit! For within the confines of this beige beast lies a bohemian paradise yearning to be unveiled. And guess what? You don't need a trust fund to make it happen. With a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of upcycling magic, and a whole lot of heart, your budget-friendly metamorphosis is just a DIY project away.

Step One: Liberate the Walls:

Beige walls are to bohemian expression what a straightjacket is to a butterfly. Unleash your inner muralist! A splash of ochre yellow across one wall can ignite the room like a desert sunset. Stencil intricate patterns or hang tapestries woven with stories whispered by distant lands. Don't be afraid of bold choices – let your walls sing with the colors of your soul.

Step Two: The Upcycle Symphony:

Remember that "vintage" furniture collecting dust in the basement? It's time for a redemption arc! Grandma's dresser awaits a coat of peacock blue and some funky knobs to become a statement sideboard. That chipped coffee table? Sand it down, embrace the imperfections, and mosaic it with tiles from a thrift store clearance sale. Every scratch tells a story, every knot a testament to time.

Step Three: A Tapestry of Textures:

Bohemia is a symphony of textures, an ode to the tactile. Pile plush throws on your sofa like inviting sand dunes. Layer rugs of different sizes and patterns, each a step on a vibrant journey. Macrame wall hangings, woven baskets, and textured throws – let them become your orchestra of touch.

Step Four: Let Nature Breathe:

Plants are the bohemian's best friends, bringing life and whispers of the wild into your concrete jungle. Fill your space with lush greenery – trailing vines that dance in the breeze, spiky cacti that stand tall against beige monotony, and air plants that cling to your walls like tiny, green nomads. Don't worry, even the blackest thumbs can nurture a snake plant or two.

Step Five: Light the Path to Serendipity:

Harsh overhead lights are the enemy of bohemian ambience. Banish them! String fairy lights like constellations across your ceiling, create flickering pools of light with candles housed in Moroccan lanterns or mismatched teacups. Let mason jar lanterns filled with fairy lights hang like fireflies in the dusk.

Step Six: Accessorize with the Soul of a Bazaar:

Think of your shelves as extensions of your adventurous spirit. Fill them with quirky souvenirs from faraway lands, vintage finds that whisper of forgotten stories, and artwork that speaks to your soul. Embrace the clash of patterns and colors – that's where bohemian magic truly takes flight.

Step Seven: Craft Cozy Corners for the Soul:

Bohemian spaces are havens for daydreaming and introspection. Transform a corner into a reading nook with a comfy armchair that invites you to get lost in pages. Add a floor pouf for extra seating and throw in some colorful cushions that sing with the melody of comfort. Let every corner whisper an invitation to slow down and breathe.

Step Eight: DIY Your Bohemian Dream:

Remember, the most beautiful things are often made by hand. Embrace the spirit of the artisan! Make your own macrame wall hangings, paint artwork that reflects your inner landscape, or even reupholster an old chair with fabric that speaks to your nomadic soul. The possibilities are endless when you unleash your creativity.

Embrace the Journey, Not the Destination:

Bohemian décor isn't about perfection; it's about the journey of self-expression. Don't compare your beige box to magazine spreads – your masterpiece is unique, a reflection of your own vibrant spirit. Experiment, have fun, and let your creativity flow like the desert wind. Remember, the most beautiful transformations are often the ones born from resourcefulness and a touch of bohemian magic.

So, go forth, fellow budget-conscious nomad! Unleash your inner decorator, embrace the upcycle revolution, and let your home become a vibrant oasis that sings with the soul of a bohemian bazaar. After all, the most beautiful spaces are the ones that tell the story of your adventurous spirit, one

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crankydevon · 2 years ago

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8 tile mosaics from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon, France. Built between 1872 and 1896. Top is a viper surrounded by tiny snakes with the caption "VADE RETRO SATANA" meaning Get back, Satan!

The other 7 are the deadly sins: Avarita (ants for greed), Superbia (peacock for pride), Luxuria (bully goat for lust), Invidia (sea serpent for envy), Ira (striped cat for wrath), Acedia (tortoise for sloth), and Gula (dog eating bones for gluttony). Note: google translate thinks Acedia is Gluttony, but they are obviously wrong.

7 DEADLY SINS + VADE RETRO SATANA Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon, France.

#images #fourviere #fourviere basilica #1800s church art #mosaic #roman style #latin translation #Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière #christian art

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steliosagapitos · 3 years ago

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The Castle of Sammezzano

Is an Italian palazzo in Tuscany featuring Moorish Revival architectural style. It is located in Leccio, a hamlet of Reggello, in the Province of Florence. The foundations of Sammezzano date back to the Romans, and in the Middle Ages, it was a defensive fortress–its most famous visitor being Charlemagne. Later on, its owners included such noble families as the Gaultierotti, the Altoviti and even the Medici. Around 1600, it was bought by the Spanish nobleman Sebastiano Ximenes of Aragon and remained in the family until 1816, when it passed into the Panciatichi family via the wife of the last Ximenes d’Aragona.

Two generations later, it became the property of the man who changed its destiny: the Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona.Between 1842 and 1890, Ferdinando completely reshaped the medieval castle into an Orientalist palace in line with the fashion of the time, particularly in Florence. The result is a stunning mix of the Moorish with the Byzantine, the Indian with the Chinese. Using entirely local craftsmen, he had all the bricks, tiles and friezes made under his supervision on site. It’s almost inconceivable that this palazzo has 365 rooms–one for every day of the year–each with its own name and unique style and decor. The more famous rooms are the Peacock Room with colorful geometric designs, the White Room with its Moroccan mosaic tiled floors, the Hall or Mirrors and the octagon Smoking Room. In the Great White Rotunda there is a glass dome surrounded by a balcony, and the shields that adorn the base of the dome bear inscriptions: Fortitudo, Elementia, Temperantia, Pax, Prudentia, Justitia, and Libertas. There is even a small chapel in the palazzo. It would seem that the Marquis used just about every type of architectural element to enhance his creation: hidden niches, corners, friezes, windows, columns, labyrinths, capitals, arches, vaults and domes. Above an archway are the words “Non Plus Ultra” in Latin meaning “no more beyond,” which is said to have been inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules (nowadays known as the Strait of Gibralter), in part as a warning to sailors not to travel beyond the edge of the known world. Some think that Marquis meant to take his visitors beyond the beauty of the known world when they entered his home. But perhaps, the meaning aligns with how the ancient Romans used it, in this case, the highest level that could be attained or the highest degree of a quality. This is, after all, what becomes evident to any visitor to Sammezzano. The quality of all the details are absolutely astounding. The beauty of the palazzo was even enough to entice Umberto I, King of Italy, into visiting Ximenes at Sammezzano in 1878. The castle is situated on the top of Tuscan hill, surrounded by 450 acres of forest with many hiking trails and dirt roads approaching from all sides. Originally the grounds included a bridge, an artificial cave with a statue of Venus, pools and fountains, but many of these were looted during the Second World War. Among the unique trees planted by the Marquis were 57 Giant Sequoias imported from California. These are some of the tallest in Italy, all measuring over 115 feet tall.

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houndsofcerberus · 3 years ago

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Apotheosis Chapter 2

Summary: Techno and Theseus arrive to Nimius though the arrival is met with…mixed reviews

No CWs

https://archiveofourown.org/works/33386038/chapters/83133148

The rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves and the rolling of the cart wheels had become monotonous and boring by the time they finally reached their destination. The only change from the expanse of identical trees was when they had neared. Nimius was large but it’s capital, settled near it’s southernmost border, was a sight to behold. Nimius was known for its abundance, having been named for its wealth. This of course brought with it lavish lifestyle, but this wasn’t unanimous across the kingdom. The country had many smaller villages and hamlets, a great deal of the Nimian population was in fact farmers and ranchers. The land Nimius occupied was some of the best across the continent for farming, the soil was rich and fertile and the conditions were mild enough and the growing season long enough to have made Nimius an agricultural giant amongst the land.

Technoblade was of the opinion that no description could do the feeling of walking into the Nimian capital justice however. No story, nor poem, nor song could ever compare to the feeling of walking in. The royal family’s crest depicted a peacock, bright and fierce, and proud as all hell, signifying the wealth of the region. The crest was frequent in the city however it was more apparent around the castle. They were a proud people who showed their wealth happily. Techno hadn’t been in Nimius for quite some time, though as the cart rolled into the city it appeared not much had changed. The streets were well kept, clean and had planter boxes lining the cobbled streets, the stones were smooth and the buildings light in color. White and teal were everywhere, along with dull orange terracotta and faux gold shimmer. Murals decorated the walls of several buildings, well kept up and beautifully bright. It was like walking into a painting. Theseus was leaning forward, looking around, eyes wide as he took in the market smelling strongly of fresh bread and other delicious smells from the vendors in the street. People walked idly, moving out of the way of Techno’s cart and looking in curiously. Some frowned and watched Techno, though he didn’t blame them. He had accumulated many many battle scars from his adventures, and several were laid into his face, leaving him looking… rough to say the least. He pressed on, ignoring them and driving the horses to the castle ahead.

It was an architectural masterpiece, within its large gates it was covered in ivy and tile mosaics of trees, peacocks, and farmland. The things that made Nimius what it was. It was beauty and luxury in its purest form, abundance at its most bare and most extravagant. Technoblade had missed Nimius.

“Woah!” Theseus gasped, leaning so far forward Techno needed to grab his shirt and pull him back into the seat. “What are those?” he asked excitedly, pointing at a blue bird amongst several others, it’s tail long as it trailed behind the bird, folded. The feather’s were iridescent and there was a small crest on its head.

“That's a peacock, the monarch has an affinity for them,” Techno said fondly. As his dog passed the bird, clearing the path for the horses, several of the peacocks shook out their tails and Theseus’ eyes went wide once more.

“It’s got so many eyes!” he said, looking at Technoblade in wonder.

“It’s just a pattern, they use it to scare off anything trying to eat them.” Techno said, smiling lightly.

“They’re so pretty,”

“Very, but you can’t pet these ones, they aren’t nice. There’s one inside you could pet though.” Techno said. Theseus nodded excitedly as Techno stopped the cart in front of the castle, looking over each of the guards. As much as he loved it here he couldn’t be too comfortable so he kept his sword on him and stepped off, whistling to the dog and gesturing with a nod of the head to the cart. She jumped up and settled in the back as Theseus scrambled down off the cart, running to catch up. A young man had come out and paused in front of them as they both waited for Theseus.

“Eret is waiting for you inside. Just f-” The young man was cut off by another who had approached, staring at the sword.

“No weapons.” He said gruffly.

“I’m not stupid enough to kill a seer, let alone a monarch. Let me in.” Techno said flatly.

“No. Put the sword in your cart. And that whip too.” The man said stepping in front of Techno, arms crossed. He had a mask over the top of his face but Techno was close enough to see his bright green eyes and furrowed brows.

“And if I don’t?” Techno asked, smiling lazily.

“You don’t wanna find out.” came the reply as he went to draw his sword. Techno copied the move, hand on the hilt of his sword. Theseus grabbed onto Techno’s pant leg, and Techno chanced a quick look, seeing briefly the fear on his face. When his eye darted back up the man had relaxed slightly, eyes focused on the child for a moment before looking back at Techno and glaring twice as hard.

“Boys quit it,” came a new voice, familiar to Techno’s ears. Techno grinned and let go of his sword to smile innocently at Eret descending the stairs to the castle doors, accompanied by a woman a bit younger than Technoblade. Eret was… well Eret. Well dressed in beautiful clothes, somehow looking well dressed and casual at the same time, putting Techno’s outfit of his usual cape, shirt, pants and other gear to shame despite sharing the same style. She smiled and approached, shaking his head playfully.

“What? I was just playing around,” Techno said, laughing easily and relaxing. He bowed to them, head down in a show of respect before standing.

“You’re a bad liar. Come on, we have a lot to discuss with Puffy here, she’s my general that I told you about.” Eret said, gesturing for Techno and Theseus to follow.

“But my liege, he has weapons on him!” The man Techno had just confronted spoke up, looking panicked.

“As he always does. Sam it’s alright, this man has saved my life more times than I can count. If he wanted me dead he would’ve done so long ago. He’s as harmless as a pup.” Eret laughed, shaking their head. The man, Sam, stood there bewildered for a moment as Techno walked by, followed by Theseus who stuck his tongue out at the guard. They walked in through the large doors into a beautiful castle. Polished wood and marble was everywhere, large murals and tapestries of the gods and of old tales lining the entry hall beautifully. Techno felt out of place, dirty grungy clothing, scarred and unpolished, unrefined. Eret led them further, past the large throne room and into a further hall. Puffy opened a door, revealing a round, average sized table, six chairs around it, a teapot and snacks upon it. Eret took their spot and Puffy chose one nearby, Techno opting for one across from Eret, and Theseus clamoring up onto the chair beside Techno.

“You never told me you had a kid,” Eret said, smiling and placing a few sweets in front of Theseus.

“Sorry, I didn’t have much time, I came as soon as I got the letter,” Techno said.

“No no, it’s alright, he’s quite adorable. What’s his name?” Eret asked, smiling at Theseus who was currently enjoying a cookie that Eret had given him.

“Theseus,” Techno replied.

“I go by Tommy.” Theseus interjected, staring at Techno.

“You never mentioned that before.” Techno sighed.

“You didn’t ask.” came the reply. Puffy snorted and covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile. Techno took the moment to take her in. Her uniform was well kept, a deep indigo blue with gold accents. She had very long curly white hair, though it didn’t age her. She looked young, or at least seemed to be younger than Technoblade, though that wasn’t saying much. She had a scar, faint and light, stretching from her jaw to just under her eye. He couldn't decipher what from by the look of it, though it had obviously been taken care of considering it was so light.

“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Theseus interrupted Techno’s thoughts, loud and abrupt.

“Theseus!” Techno scolded, staring at him in disbelief.

“What?”

“You can’t say that!”

“Why not?” Theseus asked, crossing his arms. Techno sighed, frustrated.

“I’m so sorry,” He apologized.

“It’s alright, kids are kids, I take no offence.” Eret said. Their eyes which had previously been a bright and vibrant brown had slowly dulled over the years, as though there was a white film over them. Techno hadn’t mentioned it, he had only ever known Eret with the vague film on their eyes. She was a seer, it was a natural part of having Sight. “I have a gift. I can see the gods,” Eret said smiling and looking at Theseus patiently.

“Woah, that’s so cool! I wanna see the gods!”

“Well it’s not all good Tommy. My eyes look like this because it makes it so you can’t see after a while, it makes your eyes turn white and soon you can’t see anything.” Eret explained. Theseus frowned and tilted his head.

“So you’re blind?”

“Not yet. I’ve got some years ahead of me, I plan to enjoy them as much as I can.” Eret said, eyes darting to Techno who laughed.

“You did enough living for twelve lives back in the days.” Techno smiled fondly upon the memories of their journeys together.

“Never enough Blade, never enough,” Eret said, sighing happily at their own memories of the time. “We’ll need to reminisce some other time unfortunately. You’re aware of why I requested your help?”

“Yes, the letter told me all I needed to know.” Techno said, nodding curtly, smile fading.

“Lovely. As capable as our wonderful General here is, we'll need the help. They’ve been making bold moves. We need to be bolder.”

“Are you sure?” Puffy interjected.

“You have no ideas left either. We need him.”

“No, not that. Him. Are you sure about him? I did my research, I know what he sees as ‘bold moves’.” Puffy said firmly, glaring at Techno. Just when he thought he may be able to escape mistakes of the past, here they were yet again coming to bite him in the ass.

“Can we not discuss that? Not right now? I’d rather not defend those actions in front of a child.” Techno said sharply. Puffy looked between Technoblade and Theseus before nodding. “We’ll finish this later.” Techno added. “For now I need your files and information about it. As well as anything relevant to the situation, including border declarations. Anything Nimius and Ecren have both signed.”

“Of course. I have an office for you in the south wing and your room is ready. We can give Tommy a tour of the castle maybe and have some dinner, by then I’ll have a room for him beside yours.” Eret said, pouring herself a cup of tea, and then pouring one for Technoblade. “Puffy, can I ask you to gather the necessary documents while I catch up with my friend?” He asked kindly. Puffy nodded and gave a brief informal bow before leaving the room. “Maybe Tommy would like to go find Calypso in his garden,” Eret said, smiling.

“Who’s Calypso?” Theseus asked,

“You remember I mentioned there’s a peacock you can pet inside the castle? That’s Calypso. He’s a sweetheart, and has his own garden.” Techno said, smiling. Theseus grinned, turning to Eret and nodding quickly.

“Alright, give me a moment,” Eret said, standing and walking to the door. Eret smiled and gestured to someone. “Skeppy, are you on your way by Calypso’s garden?” She called.

“Yeah, gonna go visit Bad in the kitchens, see if he needs help.” came the reply, presumably from Skeppy.

“Lovely, we have a guest, come here,”

Skeppy stepped in, smiling and waving at Techno and Theseus.

“Can you show Theseus here how to get to the garden? He’d like to meet Calypso, maybe swing by and steal an extra treat for him when you go pester Bad hm?”

“I wasn’t gonna steal anything, just… taste test,” Skeppy argued.

“Uh huh. Grab him an extra bite,”

Theseus looked to Techno for permission to go this time. After the last time he went off away from Technoblade he didn’t seem keen to repeat the situation. Techno nodded and gestured to Skeppy.

“Go, I’ll come get you in a bit, kid,” He said reassuringly. Theseus ran off with Skeppy, following him into the hall excitedly chatting with Skeppy. Eret sat and they both waited until they could no longer hear them.

“So… you’re a dad.” Eret said, leaning back with their teacup in hand. “That's… unexpected for you.”

“Yeah. I didn’t plan to be.”

“Past few years must’ve been quite the learning curve for you then huh?” Eret chuckled. Techno froze, not looking his friend in the eyes.

“Well… I wasn’t around.” Techno admitted. “His mom had to track me down to tell me. And we had an agreement.”

“You didn’t…” Eret said.

“I didn’t abandon them… entirely.” Techno said, trying to defend himself. “She knew what kind of guy I was, she knew about them. I told her when she said she was pregnant. She agreed it wasn’t a good idea, but she couldn’t work with a child and no husband so… I’ve been sending her money over the years. Bought them a nice home, money for food and clothes, a repairman, and extra for savings. I made sure she could give him a good life. I swear I wouldn’t just leave, I just…”

“So why is he with you now then?” Eret asked.

“She passed. A few days ago actually. She wrote to me and had the message passed along urgently and when I got there it was bad. She told me to take him and take care of him. I figured I owe her that, but I… have no clue how to do this.” Techno sighed, shrugging and leaning back. He didn’t dare look at Eret, he didn’t want to see their look of disappointment.

“Gods above Technoblade, what a fine mess you’ve made for yourself. We’re a nation at war, why’d you bring him?”

“The other jobs were too dangerous. Tracking down criminals, on the front lines for weeks, assassination, murder, this was the safest. He doesn’t have to be involved in the war, he can stay and if we must evacuate he can go with. This war won’t be fast, Ecren is not going to give in, it’s more stable.”

“What makes you say that?” Eret asked. Techno sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper and standing, leaning over the table to hand it to Eret. Eret took it and unfolded the paper. “They requested you as well?”

“Yeah. Offered me the position of General.”

“You didn’t take it. Why?” Eret said, frowning skeptically, eyes trained on Technoblade’s sword.

“I’d be on the frontlines, the pay was worse, it came after yours, and you’re one of my oldest friends. I’m a lot of things, but I am not a liar and I don’t go back on my promises. I told you I’d come back if you ever needed help. I’m here. I have no obligations in Ecren or interest in helping them. This was my home for a while too, I’m going to defend it.” Techno said.

“You never change. It’s nice to have you on the team, old friend,” Eret said, smiling and folding the piece of paper, tossing it back on the table and relaxing. “Like the old days.”

“Like the old days.” Techno agreed

Techno found Theseus in the garden, sitting amongst the beautiful abundance of foliage and flowers, Calypso sitting in his lap fast asleep. It was kind of sweet, Theseus was gently petting the bird, making sure not to wake him, looking around at all the butterflies fluttering above them from flower to flower. The garden was vibrant, it was as though you stepped into a forest, and though it was a bit warm it was comfortable. Theseus seemed at peace there. Techno walked over and sat on the bench near Theseus’ spot on the ground.

“Where’d the name Tommy come from?” He asked quietly, being careful not to startle the bird or the child.

“My mom. She always called me Tommy instead.” He replied in a whisper, transfixed on the bird in his lap. He seemed enamored with Calypso, fascinated endlessly by the brightly colored and well kept feathers. Enough so that he had finally stopped moving and talking for the first time since Techno had met him. He was a lively kid, probably even more so before his mother passed. He hadn’t been sleeping well, crying himself to sleep in the wagon, waking from nightmares. On the worst days when it seemed he truly realized he was never seeing his mother again he had refused to eat, and sat silently in the wagon. Technoblade was not someone experienced in grief, and he hadn’t had even the mildest clue on how to comfort a child who had just lost his primary caregiver, that was never easy, especially not after watching her suffer for weeks on end before dying. Techno hadn’t spoken with him much about it, unsure of how to approach that topic with an adult, let alone a child.

“Do you want me to call you Tommy instead?” Techno asked softly, voice still low to not wake the bird.

“No,” Theseus said flatly, shaking his head. Techno froze, and stared for a moment waiting for him to elaborate. No explanation came. He just left it there. Technoblade decided that it wasn’t meant to be rude, even if it sure did feel like something he should chastise him for. It wasn’t as though it was a big deal, it was just a name. Theseus had the right to say what he wanted to be called.

“...alright” Techno said after a solid minute of silence from both parties. “Dinner’s almost ready, we should head to the dining hall,” he added, gently patting him on the shoulder as he stood to get him to stand up as well.

“I don’t wanna go.” Theseus said. Techno took a moment and decided his curiosity took precedence over his ego bruising from the fact Theseus just outright refused,

“Why not?” He asked, crouching down. Theseus looked away, refusing eye contact. He looked conflicted and uncomfortable, but Techno just waited until he was ready.

“What if it’s bad? Mom always made good food, what if this is bad? And it's so big in there, the roof is so high, and everything echoes and it’s just too much. I don’t like it.” Theseus said, grimacing and glancing at the door back in. “I miss home.” He added more quietly. Techno stood and thought for a moment.

“Come with me,” He said, standing and holding out his hand. Theseus looked at Calypso and hesitated before gently picking him up and scooting him off his lap, standing and brushing the dirt off his pants.

“We’re going anyway?” Theseus asked, frowning.

“Nah, I hate the dining hall anyways, but you can’t just not eat kid. I’m taking you to the kitchens. Did you like Skeppy?”

“Yeah! He’s really funny, he told me about you!”

“...what’d he tell you?”

“That you sucked at the games he played with you!” Theseus said happily, smiling as he looked ahead.

“...huh… well I’ll have to get a rematch then. We can have dinner with Skeppy and the cook, Bad, in the kitchen instead, it’s much nicer there, not as fancy,” Techno said, taking Theseus’ hand and leading him inside, instead of going through the large extravagant halls he took a detour into a smaller homier feeling hallway. It was lined with pictures of the staff and their families, and of Eret and his parents, all the goofy pictures they wouldn’t be able to present in the front halls for guests to see. Techno looked at a few of them and got oriented to where they were. He had always preferred going through the staff halls anyways. The main halls were designed to be long, extravagant and force you to take in the wealth and lavish castle. The staff halls were shortcuts, small and much easier to navigate due to the fact that they didn’t look the same and had labels on all the doors so nobody got lost. Techno finally found the door labelled ‘Kitchen’ and pushed it open.

Beyond the door was a nice looking kitchen. It wasn’t fancy or covered in white and gold. It had a large wood stove that was next to an oven, as well as another separate brick oven in the wall. The brick oven was unlit and cold, and the wood stove looked as though it had just turned off. There were large windows that were wide open, letting in a cool breeze, and plenty of countertops littered in plates and dishes. The room was bigger than a normal home’s kitchen and much better equipped, even having a cooler to store food and a meat locker door off to the side, but half of it was occupied by a large oak table and chairs, a tablecloth spread over top. In the centre of the table was a vase with freshly cut flowers, and beside it was a basket of bread rolls. In the kitchen was a familiar face, Bad. Though Bad seemed occupied trying to get Skeppy to stop trying to eat the food before it was out on the tables.

“Skeppy, quit it!” Bad yelled, exasperated.

“Awe come on, I’m just testing it!” Skeppy laughed as he was chased away from the stock pot.

“You’re being a pest is what you’re doing,” Bad huffed, shaking his head and turning to smile. “You finally came back!” He cheered, smiling at Techno. “You come to visit or to steal food like someone else here,” Bad asked, glaring pointedly at Skeppy who had started creeping towards the other basket of bread rolls for the dining hall.

“But I’m huuuuuungryyyy” Skeppy whined. Techno laughed and grabbed a bread roll from the basket on the table, chucking it to Skeppy to occupy him for a while.

“Actually I came to see if me and the kid could eat with you and Skeppy tonight,” Techno said, smiling and gesturing at Theseus. Bad gasped and leaned over the counter to look at the kid, grinning brightly.

“Of course! Skeppy mentioned we had a little guest! I thought he was lying for an extra lemon tart,” Bad said, smiling.

“I told you he wash real,” Skeppy said triumphantly through a mouthful of bread, smiling smugly as he took another bite of the bread roll proudly.

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Bad said, brushing him off with an eye roll and a dismissive wave. “I’ll let Eret know when we send out the food, they may join us but I doubt Sam and Puffy will let him out of sight while they have a chance to discuss things.”

“Speaking of what’s the deal with those two?” Techno asked, leaning forward against the counter.

“Ah not much, Sam is the newer one of the two, he takes his job very seriously, and Puffy is normally a lot more calm but everything going on has been stressing her out. This’ll be her first conflict as General, she’s been in the military for a long time but this time she’ll be calling the shots on the field so she’s just trying to be careful,” Bad said shrugging. “Nice folks, heart in the right place but you caught ‘em at a bad time. Why are you here now?”

“Same reason. Eret asked me to come as a strategist.” Techno said. “War needs experience, I guess that’s why she asked me to come.”

“What’s war? You guys keep talking about it and I don’t know what it means.” Theseus asked abruptly. Bad looked as though he had frozen to the spot and Skeppy was trying not to laugh at him but Techno just turned and looked at Theseus unbothered.

“Y’know how there are countries? Well sometimes they get into fights with lots of people on both sides. That's war.” Techno said flatly. Bad gave him an incredulous look and when Techno made eye contact he shrugged. There was no point in lying. This would be the kid’s life for a while.

“Oh. When will it be over?” Theseus asked, frowning. “It seems like a lotta work.

“I don’t know, kid, probably not for a few years.” Technoblade replied, shrugging.

“That’s a long time. I want it over now,”

“Me too, tell you what though, you and I get to live here with Skeppy and Eret and Bad until it’s over, so that doesn’t seem too bad right?” Techno asked, smiling ever so slightly and ruffling Theseus’ blond hair gently.

“I guess not,”

Dinner had gone well, Theseus ate all his food for the first time in ages, even telling Technoblade as they left the kitchen that it was “almost as good as mom’s” which seemed to be high praise for him. Techno was just glad he ate all of it. They had talked with Skeppy and Bad easily, and despite Eret not being able to join them it was a good time. Afterwards Techno had gone to the stables, Theseus trailing behind him. Someone had put away his horses and his dog wasn’t too far off from them. Techno checked what they had to eat and drink and after deciding it was good enough he grabbed his brushes from the wagon behind the stable. He would bring his books and Theseus’ things up to their rooms when they went back in. Theseus stood just inside the stable door, watching Technoblade brush the larger of the two horses meticulously.

“Why didn’t you name them?” Theseus asked, echoing his question from days earlier.

“I just didn’t.”

“Can I name them?” Theseus asked. Techno made the mistake of looking at Theseus, whose eyes were large and watery as he silently begged. Not even he could last against that look.

“...fine.” Techno conceded, sighing and shaking his head.

“Yay! This one is gonna be.... Andrew!” Theseus proclaimed proudly, looking chuffed with himself.

“That’s a good one,” Techno said, chuckling slightly.

“And the other one is gonna be Carl!” Theseus added. “Oh and the doggie! Can I name her? Pretty please?”

“Might as well,”

“Clementine!” Theseus cheered happily. The dog, who had previously been laying calmly, watching Techno and Theseus from outside the stall stood at that, walking over and wagging her tail at Theseus.

“Well she seems to like it. Nice job kid,” Techno said, smiling fondly. He continued brushing the newly named Andrew and Carl, meticulously picking out their feet and checking for any rocks before he finally let them be. Clementine, also pleased with the new moniker curled up in Carl’s stall, and Techno pulled out some dried meat from the wagon, promising he’d take her hunting the next day for some game. He knew she couldn’t understand but it gave him peace of mind at least.

He took Theseus to the wagon and grabbed his large box of books and other important trinkets within, buried under the pages, and helped Theseus grab his few things. The child frowned as he looked for something, not finding it.

“What’re you missin’?” Techno asked.

“My teddy bear, mom gave it to me, I had it hidden in my bag!” Theseus said, looking distressed.

“You think you forgot it at home?” Techno asked, frowning. His frown deepened when Theseus nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. “Hey, hey it’s okay kid.” he rushed, trying to think about what one of his friends would’ve said. Squid had always been better with kids, so he tried to think of what he would say. “Your teddy bear is.... Protecting your house?” He suggested. Theseus paused and sniffed, nodding slowly. It seemed to work. “He has to look after it cause you’re not there anymore.”

“...okay,” Theseus said quietly, nodding. He still looked sad but no longer like he was gonna cry, which Techno counted as a massive win in his favor. Maybe parenting wouldn’t be that bad after all.

They brought in the items, and Eret showed them to their rooms. Eret’s was at the end of the hall and Techno’s was a few doors down. Beside Techno’s room was Theseus’ room and both seemed good, better than the wagon had been. There was a fireplace in techno’s room, and he remembered the layout of it quite well. He had stayed there for some time previously, and chosen the room specifically for the fireplace and the small bathroom attached to it. It wasn’t as large and well furnished as Eret’s washroom or any of the others in the castle, but there was running water, a sink, a toilet and a bathtub. That was more than enough for Techno, who had long since grown used to mostly washing up in rivers. Techno let Theseus settle in his room and showed him where to go if he needed help before slipping into his room. He put his books on the empty shelves and the various treasures were hidden in the room. His jewelry box set on the nightstand.

He opened the dresser and found some clean clothes that he had previously left. That would also be nice, laundry wouldn’t be such a pain. He bathed himself and got Theseus to stop jumping on the bed long enough to catch him and wrangle him into the bath as well afterwards. He had protested heavily until he hit the warm water, sinking into it almost immediately. He still protested as Techno scrubbed the dirt off his face and out of his hair but it was half-hearted and he seemed quite happy afterwards, wrapped in a blanket and wearing clean pajamas donated by Eret from when they were young. They were a bit big but Theseus said they were comfortable. Techno got him settled into bed and blew out the oil lamp in the room, leaving him to sleep. Techno lit his fireplace and stoked the fire until it was roaring steadily, warming the room. He blew out his own oil lamp after grabbing one of his novels, deciding on an old hero tale he had been fond of. He settled into the rocking chair by the fireplace, opening the well worn pages and settling in to lose himself in the story.

He had always cherished the fact he could read, and he was thankful for the escape. Sometimes he found solace from everything around him in the pages of a good story. He particularly enjoyed adventures with a clear hero. He never saw himself in those pages, and though as strange as it may have seemed it was nice. He wanted an escape from himself, not a reflection of him on the pages. He was okay with the fact he didn’t see himself in the heroes, though all too often he saw himself in the monsters the heroes slayed. He wasn’t proud of it, and he’d never speak of those events aloud, he’d never admit to what he’d done to anyone who he cared for. Though he didn’t know how much longer he could ignore it when Puffy knew. He had no doubt Sam knew as well. The hatred and fear in his eyes as they had stood face to face earlier told him all he needed to know. He didn’t know if Eret would still accept his help if he knew, but he had to try to explain himself. Nothing would justify it, but he wanted to help people this time. Not hurt them. He paused, shaking away the thoughts, it would only encourage them to start up once more. He hadn’t gotten a handle on them just for them to pop up now of all times. He had become so wrapped up in his book that he hadn’t realized the door opened until he heard it click shut. He turned, almost expecting Eret, but instead seeing Theseus, blanket around his shoulders, sniffing and wiping at his eyes.

“Hey… what are you doing up?” Techno asked, tilting his head and closing his book, finger on the page he was on, holding it ajar.

“I couldn’t sleep…” Theseus said, sounding as though he had been sobbing. Techno frowned and gestured to him to come closer, and as he stepped into the firelight Techno could see his eyes. They were red and watery, bloodshot and puffy. His cheeks were tear-stained and he looked awful.

“Nightmare again?” Techno asked. Theseus nodded. Techno thought for a moment. He didn’t know how to comfort kids very well. “Is there something you want me to do?” He asked, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to just ask him.

“Mom would always cuddle with me…” Theseus said softly, not looking up to meet Techno’s eyes at all, but he got the message. He leaned forward and gestured him forward. Theseus took a few steps closer and Techno picked him up, placing him down on his lap. He shifted Theseus so the child was laying across his lap, leaning against his arm and chest.

“Does this work?” Technoblade asked, hoping he was doing it right. He’d seen other parents do this, but he wasn’t sure. Theseus nodded and rested his head on Techno’s chest gently. “You want me to read to you?” he asked, getting another silent nod. Techno flipped the book open to the first page, and started reading aloud off the first page. He felt Theseus cuddle into him, pulling his blanket closer around himself while yawning softly. Time escaped him, and what felt like minutes went by before he paused and looked down, to see Theseus fast asleep in his arms. He felt like he couldn’t move without waking him, and looked around to see if there was a way to take him to bed, but there wasn’t. So Techno resigned himself to sleeping in the rocking chair that night, gently putting the book down on the small table beside him. He sighed and leaned back, holding Theseus gently and closing his eyes. He smiled slightly as he felt Theseus grab onto his shirt tightly with his small hand. Maybe it was worth sleeping on the chair tonight if it meant Theseus slept soundly. It wasn’t so bad.

#dream smp #dsmp #mcyt #techno #bedrock bros #bedrock bros fanfic #dream smp tommy #dsmp tommy #dsmp god au #dsmp technoblade #dsmp fanfic #c!eret #c!puffy #c!sam #fanfiction #dadnoblade fanfic #technodad fanfic #technodad #dadnoblade

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hometoursandotherstuff · 3 years ago

Photo

Minna & her husband were searching for a year round home and were considering a new build when this Old Lace Villa came on the market in Porvoo, Finland.

Minna decided that the villa could not be renovated or decorated for fun- all decisions should be made respecting the valuable building and environment.

The wooden stairs in the tower room are like a work of art. The Peacock rattan chair, Minna ordered for the house.

They had difficulty finding sofas large enough for the sitting room, but moss green velvet sofas were eventually found. The coffee table is a vintage find and the chandelier was already there.

The renovation has been a research trip for them where they found something new and surprising every day.

Minna wasn’t sure about the blue tone of the living room ceiling and moldings at first, but once the interior was finished, she had gotten used to it.

The kitchen, dating from the 1990s, is still awaiting renovation. The wood stove will remain in place after the renovation.

The floor lamp in the older bedroom given to them by friends and was refurbished. The vintage was painted.

The pink room is a guest favorite. It was already partially furnished, and the rest of the furnishings were purchased at flea markets.

When the downstairs bathroom was completely renovated, Minna laid the floor pattern with mosaic tiles herself.

12 proverbs are written on the walls of the villa’s octagonal tower. Colorful window panes create a constant play of light and color in the space.

The staircase under the terrace is one of Minna's favorite places. Light falls mysteriously on brick walls and old wooden stairs.

The downstairs porch is a family favorite spot. Here they enjoy all the summer meals, weather permitting.

https://www.meillakotona.fi/artikkelit/villa-sjokulla-porvoossa

#vintage decor #old lace villa #historical villa finland

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aidanchaser · 1 year ago

Text

Read on Ao3

Song Fic set to The Butterfly Effect by FJØRA

Chapter 1/8 - Verse 1 - cocooned in your own fear

cocooned in your own fear Adrien doesn’t think this is his fault. He’s home all day and he isn’t allowed out. Of course he’s going to explore. Of course he’s going to stick his nose into places that he shouldn’t. Of course he’s going to find things that were meant to be hidden away.

If anything, it’s his father’s fault for leaving the office empty and unlocked. Adrien knows he isn’t allowed in here, but how is he supposed to resist? How is he supposed to ignore his mother’s portrait? Why wouldn’t he reach out and touch her, as if he might be able to touch some memory of her. Adrien keeps her on the background of his computer, but his father keeps a larger-than-life shrine. Of course he would be drawn to it.

The golden splendor of the portrait is cool beneath Adrien’s fingers. He feels the catch between tiles and he tilts his head in surprise. He didn’t realize this was a mosaic, didn’t realize the colors are their own pieces of glass, pieces that shift beneath his fingers.

It isn’t his fault that he finds the ones that move, that give beneath the weight of his touch.

you never were here It’s warm in the basement beneath the house. His heart pounds and his ears ring as he crosses from the elevator to the illuminated platform. The lilies grow well in the artificial light and the carefully controlled heat and humidity, and they aren’t the only life form down here.

Adrien knows, somewhere deep in his gut, what he’s going to find before he reaches the glass case at the end of the walkway. Even then, when he finally gets close enough that the white lights no longer cast a glare on the glass, when he finally catches a glimpse of her face, his breath catches in his chest.

She looks asleep. He can see no breath in her lungs nor flutter in her eyes, but her smile is soft and her skin perfectly preserved. There’s no evidence of illness, no signs of decomposition.

Adrien presses his hand to the glass. He smudges dust and dew. Breath and sobs alike catch in his chest.

His mother is here. And if he understands the purpose of the green light indicator on her glass cocoon, she’s alive.

“Maman?” he manages, voice weak and eyes burning with tears. He pushes on the glass and it gives as easily as the hidden buttons of the portrait had. With a soft hiss of pressure released, there is now nothing between him and his mother.

He holds her to his chest and his tears flow freely. “Maman, it’s me,” he whispers. “Maman, it’s me,” he cries. “Maman, it’s me,” he begs with all he has, but she is still and unmoving. As if she were dead.

Though it feels like he is breaking every bone in his body, he sets her back down in her coffin-like bed. His tears persist, even as he tries to scrub his face dry.

“Maman,” he tries again, in a final desperate whisper, but his prayer goes unheard.

He can’t bring himself to close the glass again. His vision blurs with tears until he blinks them away.

In the overhead light, something glints on her black blouse. Adrien rubs his eyes again, but the glimmer does not resolve itself into a familiar shape. It’s a brooch, he thinks, but not one he’s ever seen before. Carefully, he unpins the fan-shaped brooch from her blouse and turns it over in his hands.

The metal is cool, and the pale blue enamel is threaded with a spider web of cracks. Adrien isn’t entirely sure how the pin manages to hold itself together. It glints again, even though he isn’t tilting it in the light. The five onyx gems that rest along the edge of the brooch glimmer with an internal light, like the eyes of a peacock come alive, and a creature, painted in the deepest indigo with brilliant red eyes both on its face and on its fan-shaped tail, appears before Adrien.

you always were somewhere else As the creature spins its tale, grief gives way to anger. A new agony settles into Adrien’s chest.

When his father returns, Adrien is waiting for him in his office. He has left the golden portrait wide open and wears the peacock proudly on his breast. He crosses his arms so that his father is sure to see that Adrien now wears his mother’s wedding ring. He wants no illusions about what he knows. He will not give his father an opportunity to lie.

“Adrien, what is this?”

Adrien watches the way his father’s eyes flick around the room, putting the pieces together. “I wanted to ask you that.”

Gabriel’s voice trembles low in his throat. “Where did you find that brooch?”

“Where do you think?”

“Take it off, now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“Adrien, I am only protecting you—”

But his father’s hand reaches for the wedding band he still has not removed since Emilie’s memorial service and Adrien knows he’ll never be able to believe anything Gabriel says from here on.

“Duusu,” Adrien hisses before his father can attempt to command him, “spread my feathers.”

“Adrien, don’t!”

you lose you lose all the time It’s the spare second Gabriel gives him, warning him against activating the peacock miraculous that gives Adrien the upper hand.

Adrien did not expect his father to have a miraculous of his own, did not expect Gabriel to shout, “Nooroo, dark wings, rise!” but he’s unconcerned.

While Gabriel is donning his power, Adrien has already plucked a feather from his blue and black fan, just as Duusu had instructed him, and said, “Bring my my creation to life.”

The feather falls into a sheet of paper on Gabriel’s desk. As Adrien snatches the paper in his hand, a full ream springs to life and take a human-esque shape. It rushes at Gabriel, ignorant of the violet suit he is now cloaked in and the black cane with an amethyst head. Gabriel swipes the cane at the animated papers, but it only distorts the sentimonster’s form for a moment.

The paper leaps at Gabriel, lunging into him, smothering him the way Adrien has always felt smothered in this house.

Though the blue double-breasted suit of his transformation ought to be tight and restricting, it moves with Adrien as smoothly as liquid. He steps forward, and the paper parts for him. Adrien reaches for his father’s hand, even as Gabriel attempts to claw the paper from his face. Adrien’s focus is solely on the silver wedding band, and he fails to see the lavender butterfly that flits through the gaps between the animated papers and lands on the fan in Adrien’s hand.

“Listen to me,” his father’s voice echoes in his head, and all of Adrien’s grief and anguish seems to double.

“I’ve done nothing but listen! For fourteen years I’ve had no choice but to listen,” Adrien snarls back. His grief feels powerful. He clutches at it desperately, drawing it deeper into his chest.

“We can bring her back. With the power of the cat and ladybug miraculouses, we can bring her back. If you’d just listen—”

But Adrien is done listening. His head pounds as he tries to both claim this new power and reject his father’s offer. The magic does not seem interested in helping him without his father’s consent, but Adrien doesn’t care about what his father wants. It’s Adrien’s turn to decide what he wants.

With a shout, he reaches through the monstrous ream of papers, unbothered by the papercuts that tear through his magically constructed gloves. He grabs the butterfly-shaped brooch at his father’s throat. Gabriel grabs Adrien’s wrist. Adrien casts aside his fan and wrestles both brooch and ring from his father.

you never could shine you wish you could fly away Gabriel falls to the floor as the magic falls from his body. The paper continues to smother him, and its thin edges tear at his hands and cheeks.

“Adrien, stop this,” he says, voice as desperate as Adrien’s had been at his mother’s bedside.

But Adrien pins the butterfly brooch to his chest beside the peacock and studies the lavender kwami that appears before him. The butterfly that had flown into him, still charged with his father’s magic, flits around the room in search of a host. It seems undecided between Adrien’s grief and Gabriel’s desperation, something Adrien can now feel for himself, the way he knows the mind of his sentimonster, the way he can sense the feather split between his parents’ wedding rings.

He slides his father’s wedding band on top of his mother’s. He feels whole for a brief moment before something in his chest cracks. He grimaces through gritted teeth and sinks to one knee. The paper flutters weakly and swirls, but seems directionless, without target.

Gabriel takes the opportunity to sit up. “Adrien—”

But Adrien picks up the fan and holds it out at his father in a warning. The paper reforms with intention, even as Adrien clutches his chest.

“Adrien, this will kill you.”

Adrien’s upper lip curls, revealing his clenched teeth. “It can’t kill me,” he spits out, “if I’m not alive to begin with.”

#ml fic #ml fanfic #miraculous ladybug fanfic #miraculous ladybug fic #adrien agreste #songfic #ml songfic #ml

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zrtranscripts · 3 years ago

Text

Season 9, Mission 6: New In Town

First Impressions

SAM YAO: You know, Five, for a big corridor made of old shipping containers, this is pretty nice. White walls, little round windows, [giggles] sunlight streaming in.

[intercom squeals]

HASSIBA JELASSI: As-salamu alaykum. In the first days after the outbreak, many ships washed ashore near Kalaat El-Amal, mostly large cargo vessels carrying zombified refugees. Difficult days. We used salvaged shipping containers to build a perimeter wall. It's a ring that connects directly to many of our buildings. If you keep moving through it, you will reach our main medical clinic. We're mostly doctors here.

JANINE DE LUCA: Miss Jelassi, we appreciate your kindness. Kalaat El-Amal is our first settlement in Tunisia, and you saved us from the sandstorm. But is a three month quarantine necessary? As traders, my people are eager to be on their way.

HASSIBA JELASSI: I understand, but I am afraid the procedure is immutable. You show no sign of sickness, but we can't be too careful. Ships rarely arrive here these days, but those that do carry diseased crews. Rabies, malaria, antibiotic-resistant infections, even strange variants of the undead virus.

JANINE DE LUCA: Administrator -

HASSIBA JELASSI: Please, call me Hassiba. My sympathies, Miss De Luca, but the rules must be observed. If you follow the drones, they will lead you where you need to go. Please move swiftly, they're taking baseline fitness readings. I'm afraid I have urgent paperwork, but when you reach the clinic, we'll hold a full debriefing.

[drones whir]

SAM YAO: It is cool the way we've got this overhead cloud of helicopter drones escorting us, and the way that big one broadcast Hassiba's voice to us.

JANINE DE LUCA: Mr. Lynne and Miss Dempsey are still a few meters behind us, escorted by their own drone swarm. I suspect the drones encouraged us apart because small groups are easier to monitor. [whispers] A debrief means inconvenient questions about our business as traders, but I see no way out. Five, Mr. Yao, keep following the drones while I work out our options. Maintain a steady pace. Run!

SAM YAO: Ooh, this corridor's even nicer than the last one. I like the tile mosaics on the walls. Janine, are you okay? Why-why do you keep tapping Veronica's briefcase like that? Oh, is it an escape thing? Should I be tapping something?

VERONICA MCSHELL: It's a me thing, Sam. Janine's been tapping on my case to give me orders in Morse code. She guessed the drones are running on a wireless network. I've infiltrated it and hacked their central computer. The main database says there's an exit door ahead where the corridor curves, passcode 331. I've jammed the drone audio feeds, but I can't lock their video without being noticed and overridden.

SAM YAO: So we can't escape. Janine, should we even be escaping? I mean, these people did save our lives.

JANINE DE LUCA: Perhaps, Mr. Yao, but we know we are not sick. Dr. Myer's confirmed our perfect health before we left the boat. If we stay, we will miss General Bakari's rendezvous. The drones are not armed. Old commercial models, probably salvage. Even if they detect us fleeing, they cannot stop us.

Miss McShell, signal Mr. Lynne and Miss Dempsey to follow our lead. Our only chance is to escape this corridor into Kalaat El-Amal proper. I wish we could learn more about it first, but we will have to improvise. Five, Mr. Yao, get ready to dash for the red door. And go!

[crowd chatters]

SAM YAO: I don't see any drones behind us, Five. Yeah, yeah, I think we lost them. These houses are pretty close together. Where are Peter and Frances? I don't see them, either.

VERONICA MCSHELL: They were spotted by armed guards exiting the perimeter wall. I sent them on an alternative route to evade their pursuers.

JANINE DE LUCA: We could also use some direction, Miss McShell. We've reached a recreation area. I see a cafe, a small stage, and outdoor gym equipment ahead. The perimeter wall is looming to our rear. Five, Mr. Yao, keep moving, heads down.

SAM YAO: Oh, look at that, Five! There's loads of solar panels on the rooftops. People are taking canopies down from the buildings. Must have been for the storm.

VERONICA MCSHELL: Apparently, Kalaat El-Amal uses solar panels to meet its energy needs. It's mostly independent, but has links to a larger Tunisian government.

SAM YAO: Oh, I love the white buildings and blue doors. Can't wait to describe this to Sara. Hold on, those two teenagers we just passed, were they texting? They had like little phones.

VERONICA MCSHELL: Handheld pagers made from old phones, distributed by the local authorities. They provide weather and zombie alerts.

JANINE DE LUCA: And possibly fugitive alerts, too. Over there, uniformed police rushing towards us with papers in hand. Miss McShell?

VERONICA MCSHELL: I am searching Kalaat El-Amal's database for a viable route out. Ah, I have an idea. Keep running, head down the furthest alley on your left. Sam, do not be distracted by the stall selling sweets and pastries. Go!

VERONICA MCSHELL: Keep going, all of you, straight past the building marked Blood Testing. There are laundry bins behind it. Slip something over your clothes to confuse the guards.

SAM YAO: Veronica, these are peoples’ things. And they're not clean.

JANINE DE LUCA: Needs must, Mr. Yao.

[cloth rustles]

SAM YAO: Ugh. Done. Did you see the people coming through that metal arch, Five? They were riding camels! Only aren't the camels here supposed to have one hump, not two?

VERONICA MCSHELL: That was a foraging squad fresh from checking abandoned coastal resorts for supplies. The camels are Asian Bactrian camels, not native dromedaries. It appears a transport ship ran aground near Kalaat El-Amal some years ago. It contained many genetically-engineered animals bred for show. Several surviving species have prospered in the local ecosystem.

SAM YAO: Ah, that explains the green peacock chilling by the water fountain. Oh, over there, look! It's Peter and Frances, outside a little stone hut.

VERONICA MCSHELL: The hut is an entrance to the region's underground water system. The system is inspired by old Roman aqueducts and underlies Kalaat El-Amal. It may allow you to evade your pursuers.

SAM YAO: Hmm. I'm still feeling pretty bad about this, Janine. We're not making a great first impression.

JANINE DE LUCA: This is an espionage operation, Mr. Yao. Regrettably, diplomacy must be another day's concern.

FRANCES DEMPSEY: Guys, over here!

JANINE DE LUCA: Toward Mr. Lynne and Miss Dempsey. We'll take separate routes to avoid detection. Run!

PETER LYNNE: Good to see you, Five. Not exactly being good tourists, are we? This hut is tiny, but the stone stairs lead down to the water system. Sam and Janine beat you here already. She shot down to scout possible exit routes and said that we should all follow once you've caught up with us.

FRANCES DEMSPEY: This place is so cool, don't you think, Five? The steps lead to a modified old-school aqueduct system. There's a huge underground channel leading into Kalaat El-Amal from a water source in some nearby mountains. The water runs in a big distribution tank under a hill, then gets circulated to systems! Veronica says it took years to construct.

[water flows]

PETER LYNNE: Frances has been asking Veronica about local trivia all day, Five. It's like traveling with a backpacker. [laughs] Okay Veronica, we're all down in the water system. The stairs led to a stone ledge in an underground chamber. There's a long tunnel ahead, it's half flooded. Water's flowing this way through grills under our ledge.

VERONICA MCSHELL: You should see a metal ramp to your left connected to a catwalk above the water. The catwalk leads down the tunnel. Follow it.

SAM YAO: Uh, what are those big giant gray beetle things creeping out of the water? Oh, they're scuttling onto the ledge behind us. They're like really massive wood lice.

VERONICA MCSHELL: Checking data... they are a breed of genetically-modified giant isopod, one of the engineered species I mentioned earlier. Apparently, they're voracious omnivores who consume most organic material. They cannot survive far from water. The locals placed them down here to keep the system clean. They patrol in a single large pack. They move slowly on land, but if they catch you, they will consume you. Head down the catwalk quickly. All accessible exit routes are that way and will lead outside Kalaat El-Amal's perimeter. Hurry, run!

[water flows, isopods chitter]

PETER LYNNE: Faster, Five. I'm really not liking how the isopods are chittering. Veronica, my lovely friend, how are you doing on finding us that way out?

VERONICA MCSHELL: Checking... confirmed. Computer access is hard to maintain underground, but apparently you were spotted entering the hut. All escape routes are barricaded. Unless...

SAM YAO: Oh, I do not like the sound of that.

VERONICA MCSHELL: You are on an observation catwalk. It only extends a short way into the aqueduct tunnel, but if you jump over the edge, you can follow the aqueduct waterway itself all the way to the mountains. The tunnel is large and not completely flooded at this time of year. It is viable.

FRANCES DEMPSEY: But you said the isopods -

VERONICA MCSHELL: Are much faster in water. [pursuers shout] The locals have sent people into the water system after you. They're worried about the isopods harming you. They're also very angry. You have no choice. Jump into the waterway, head straight up the channel against the current. The isopods will prevent anyone pursuing you into the water.

[water splashes]

JANINE DE LUCA: Torches on, everyone. Not much lighting down here. The isopods are leaping from the catwalk into the water after us. Forwards everybody, run!

[water flows, isopods chitter]

FRANCES DEMPSEY: Oh my God, oh my God, those isopod things are catching up!

SAM YAO: Oh hell, they are seriously quick in the water! I really don't like how their bodies undulate.

VERONICA MCSHELL: You have come a considerable distance, you should be approaching the exit.

[PETER shouts, splashes into water]

JANINE DE LUCA: Peter!

SAM YAO: Peter's down! Five, Five, help me get him up!

PETER LYNNE: Oh, just one of these things has my ankle. Currently it is chomping to the bone. Five, would you mind ripping that off of me? [flesh squelches] Good. So, well, that’s ripped the bug in half. That's something, Jaws are still in my flesh, but that's fine. Help me up, Five.

JANINE DE LUCA: I see daylight ahead.

PETER LYNNE: Oh, the rest of the bugs are speeding up, Five. Blood in the water's got them excited. Good, good, good. Okay, gotta run through the pain. Forward, come on, before they swarm all over us. Go go go go go!

PETER LYNNE: Oh, thank God, open air. Right, so the aqueduct empties into the plunge pool of that huge waterfall. There are the others, Five. They're on the rocky bank.

SAM YAO: Five, Peter, over here! Get out of the water, quick.

FRANCES DEMSPEY: It's okay, Sam. Look, the isopods are huddled at the mouth of the aqueduct tunnel. Sunlight must be too bright or hot for them. This area is really beautiful. Roaring waterfall, lush foliage, sun-bleached rock. Peter, are you okay?

PETER LYNNE: Oh, yep. Yep yep yep. Just pulling some mandibles out of my ankle. You know, classic. Hey um, so this is strange. There's a marking on them, actually. Sort of you know, carved, tattooed on the underside? It's a barcode.

SAM YAO: Veronica did say they were genetically-engineered, salvaged from a shipwreck.

PETER LYNNE: Yeah, that's not all, though. There's also a symbol which is a stylized chevron V which I've seen before in one of Van Ark's labs.

FRANCES DEMPSEY: So have I, on Dearg.

PETER LYNNE: Oh yeah, just a classic isle of Doctor Moreau shipment full of engineered animals. Yep, sure, why not? That sounds just like his sort of science.

JANINE DE LUCA: Indeed. More questions only General Bakari and Red Scorpion base can answer, but these mountains are a diversion from our route. We'll have to continue south on foot and hope we can keep to our schedule. With luck, we can still make the rendezvous with Mohammed Boujettif, Miss Spens’s contact.

Come along, people, there's no time to rest. We cannot miss our only chance to get into Red Scorpion. Van Ark created these creatures. Who knows what other far more dangerous work he may be attempting, especially with access to large quantities of the red fungus. It's clear our mission is even more vital than we believed.

#zombies run #zrs9 #s9m6 #new in town #zr transcript #zrs9 spoilers

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bestmarbleworld-blog · 4 years ago

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Discovering the most incredible and best explored Marble Granite and Stone Company on Earth

Discovering the most incredible and best explored Marble Granite and Stone Company on Earth:

#BhandariMarbleWorld

The Pioneer company of marble granite & natural stone

We are an India Government recognized Exports House Associate in and limited liability company registered underneath the Indian corporations act promoted by a bunch of committed men with the expertise of quite Artifacts in Natural stones Manning, Building Construction and building materials offer, The key success issue of our organization is an old and qualified team and this team expertise facilitate to serve you in economical good and efficient manner.

Different types of stones, tiles, and slabs provide our home interior and exterior a brand new, charming, and exquisite look. Moon Exports is an Associate in Nursing Indian stone company and therefore the leading Exporter, Manufacturer, Supplier, merchandiser of natural and finest quality stones.

Why we are?

We are renowned for introducing several new stones and finishes. We provide totally different styles of natural stones, like Marble, Granite, Limestone, Slate, are nacreous rock and rock, Cobbles, Palisades, Circles, Pebbles, and Walling Stones, etc Stone Articles, etc Associate in nursing an assortment of Floor Tiles, Paving Tiles, Wall Tiles, and alternative ornamental Tiles. Additionally, we have a tendency to deal with numerous kinds of landscaping stones, tiles and slabs, and wall panels in a very big selection of finishes.

Infrastructure

With the association of large Quarry area for Quartzite & Sandstone and the factories equipped with excellent infrastructural facilities-based Jaipur Capital of Rajasthan India. We can entertain any kind of your requirements with the minimum lead time.

With our skilled procurement team and tie-up with the most reliable sources Direct Quarries and well-established. We can cater you to any kind of demand for Indian natural stones like Marble, Granite, Limestone, Slate, Sandstone and Quartzite, Cobbles, Palisades, Circles, Pebbles, Walling Stones, etc Stone Articles, etc and an assortment of Floor Tiles, Paving Tiles, Wall Tiles, and other Decorative Tiles.

Our Product Range

Marble granite and stone, Tiles and Slab, Granite, Sandstone, Marbles, Limestone, Stone Veneer, Landscaping, Thin Ledge stone Veneer, Stone Circles, Stone Pebbles, Stone Gazebo, Walling Stone, Wall Cladding, Wall Tiles, Rock Face, Stone Wall Murals, Wall Panels, Mosaic Tiles, Artifacts.

Plant and machinery

We have such modern machines which help cut stone blocks from the quarries, designing the required shapes and polishing the stone according to the demand of our valuable customers. We use wire cutters, wire saw heavy-duty excavator and other necessary machines for private excavation works and day-to-day projects.

Our establishment:

Was established in 1631, since then we have enjoyed exponential growth and sale globally. Our success is based upon our ability to respond flexibly to our customer’s individual needs for both large and small projects. We are manufacturers & Exporters of Indian stones like Slates, Sandstones, Limestone’s, Quartzite, and Marble & Granite. We make finishes like hand cut & machine cut, sawn, honed, polished, brushed, tumbled, calibrated, natural cleft on both sides.

Marble, Granite, and Stones of India

We have evolved into the production and manufacturing of blocks, flooring slabs, structural slabs, monuments, tombstones, sculptures, cobbles, pebbles, and landscape garden stones.

Marble

Marble was used for building tombs, temples, and palaces. For a time, it was considered as Royal Stone. It is, however, now used in hotels and homes too.

Granite

India has varieties of granite in over 300 shades. As of 2019, Granite reserves in India were 48500 million cubic meters and ranked fifth in the export of the processed product. Resources are found in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Sandstone

India is among the leading countries when it comes to mining and export of sandstone. The best part with Sandstone from India is that it is available in different colors and considered best for interior as well as exterior use. Few most popular sandstone products from India include names like Tint Mint, White Mint, Mint Fossils, Modak, Agra Red, Rainbow Sandstone, Raj Green, Teak, Buff Brown, Dholpur Chocolate, Beige, Dholpur Pink, Lalitpur Pink, Mandana Red, Jodhpur pink, Jodhpur red, Jaisalmer yellow, etc.

Slate

Slate reserves in India are found in Rajasthan, Behror, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Deposits in Rajasthan are spread over the districts of Alwar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Udaipur, Churu, and Chittorgarh. Few important names in slate are Jak Black, Silver Shine, Silver grey, Panther, Deoli Green, Peacock, Peacock Multi, Kund Black, Kund Multi, and so on. Being to some extent fragile in nature, it is good for interior use only and can be used even as washboards.

Which Company is the largest producer of marble in India?

Bhandari Marble World in Kishangarh Rajasthan is the largest producer and resource holder of marble in India The state accounts for 90% of India’s marble, Italian marble, Imported marble, International marble, granite, and Natural stone. Marble City in India Kishangarh which is switched in Rajasthan is one of the largest producers of dimensional stone in the world. The production of dimensional stone accounts for almost 30% of the world’s stone and 90% of Indian production.

Where it is located

In Kishangarh marble market:

We are India’s best supplier and manufacturer of high-quality granite, sandstone, and marble in Kishangarh that are procured from the best marble suppliers in the Mable market. We at Bhandari Marble World self-praise over selves as one of the most well-known suppliers of Natural stone from India delivering irreproachable products that the requirement of our respected clients. Our high-quality and good design collection of Imported and Indian marbles that are available in many colors and finishes for your home, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and many more places.

White Marble Manufacturer

Bhandari Marble World is a top white marble and granite manufacturer in India. This marble company is also a renowned marble supplier as it offers a vast array of Italian/Imported marble.

Supplier Traders

Kishangarh Marble Market now becomes Asia’s Biggest Marble Mandi (Market). Here More Than 9000 Marble seller, supplier, Manufacturer and exporter available. We are amongst the best manufacturers and dealers of this enticing natural stone supplying imported marble at factory price from Rajasthan to Delhi, all over India.

Italian marble manufacturer supplier

Marble is one of the most exquisite creations of nature, Italian marble is the most popular and sought-after stone, which comes from the Carrara region of Italy. Italian marble is the ultimate symbol of purity and durability, which was used to create high ended sculptures and edifices earlier. Today you can see marble at every office, home, or luxurious hotel for that elegant look. It gives a rich and luxurious look to any place or setting it is applied to, whether it is your luxurious office table or designer bathroom at home, it is the stone that can bring luxuriously and the most opulent look to your space.

Bhandari Marble World

Kishangarh is the marble capital of India where you will get an extensive array of local and imported marble of every quality. We at Bhandari Marble World get the best quality raw material from Italy and all over the world and get it processed meticulously to bring you the finest quality Italian Marble in Kishangarh. We are amongst the best manufacturers and dealers of this enticing natural stone supplying imported marble at factory price from Rajasthan to Delhi, all over north India. We have a lavish manufacturing unit in Kishangarh, well equipped with world-class machinery and infrastructure to handle large slabs cautiously. Our sumptuous warehouse has a wide range of imported marble at factory price.

Added by an expert team of marble granite and natural stone supplier

#Remove term: BhandariMarbleWorld Granite GraniteCountertops Marble MarbleCountertops GraniteDealer GraniteSupplier GraniteManufacturer Bhand

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