#precious pearls of pulp

[exim-pedia]

India-Canada Trade Insights: Top Imports and Exports in 2023

India and Canada have cultivated a robust trading partnership over the years, underpinned by shared values, economic complementarities, and mutual growth objectives. This relationship is strengthened by a diverse trade portfolio that spans pharmaceuticals, machinery, minerals, and agricultural products. In this article, we explore the key products Canada imports from India and analyze their impact on bilateral trade dynamics.

India-Canada Trade Partnership: A Strong Bond

Since 1947, India and Canada have shared diplomatic ties rooted in democracy, pluralism, and growing economic interdependence. With people-to-people connections fostering goodwill, trade has become a pivotal area of collaboration.

India ranks as Canada’s ninth-largest Indo-Pacific trading partner and its thirteenth-largest global partner in merchandise trade. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $9.36 billion, reflecting consistent growth and the strengthening of their economic relationship.

The India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), currently under discussion, aims to increase bilateral trade by an additional $4.4–6.5 billion by 2035. This would significantly enhance Canada's GDP and further cement India’s role as a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Canada’s Imports from India: Top Products

India has established itself as a significant supplier to Canada, offering high-quality products across various sectors. In 2023, Canada imported $5.58 billion worth of goods from India. The top 10 products imported were:

Pharmaceutical products (425.33 US$ Million)

Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers (283.28 US$ Million)

Articles of iron or steel (246.21 US$ Million)

Electrical and electronic equipment (242.11 US$ Million)

Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins (186.83 US$ Million)

Organic chemicals (179.86 US$ Million)

Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus (116.52 US$

Million)

Rubbers (115.35 US$ Million)

Plastics (113.82 US$ Million)

Coffee, tea, mate, and spices (80.21 US$ Million)

Pharmaceutical Products: Pharmaceuticals lead the list, with India exporting $425.33 million worth of products to Canada. Canada relies on India for high-quality and cost-effective medicines, particularly generic drugs, which support its healthcare system.

Machinery and Equipment: India's machinery exports, including nuclear reactors and boilers, rank second at $283.28 million. This category reflects India’s growing manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness in heavy machinery.

Articles of Iron or Steel: India exported $246.21 million worth of iron and steel products to Canada in 2023. These products are crucial for Canada's construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing industries.

Organic Chemicals and Medical Apparatus: Organic chemicals, valued at $179.86 million, and technical apparatus ($116.52 million) highlight India's expertise in chemical production and precision manufacturing.

Agricultural and Food Products: India's exports of coffee, tea, spices, and plastics contribute to Canada’s diverse food and packaging industries.

Canada’s Export to India: Top Products

India is a significant market for Canadian products, especially natural resources and agricultural commodities. In 2023, India imported $5.3 billion worth of goods from Canada between April and November. The top 10 products were:

Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products (2,030 US$ Million)

Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins (1,540 US$ Million)

Edible vegetables and roots (677.38 US$ Million)

Fertilizers (492.3 US$ Million)

Pulp of wood and fibrous materials (330.18 US$ Million)

Iron and steel (288.11 US$ Million)

Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers (275.82 US$ Million)

Ores, slag, and ash (245.87 US$ Million)

Paper and paperboard (229.2 US$ Million)

Aircraft and spacecraft (194.35 US$ Million)

Mineral Fuels and Oils:

Leading the exports, Canada supplied $2.03 billion worth of mineral fuels and distillation products to India. These are essential for India’s energy and industrial needs.

Agricultural Commodities: Canada exported $677.38 million worth of vegetables and $492.30 million of fertilizers, reflecting India’s reliance on Canada for agricultural inputs.

Metals and Minerals: Precious stones, iron, and steel rank high among exports, emphasizing Canada’s role as a provider of critical raw materials for India’s industries.

Top Canadian Importers of Indian Goods

Canada’s diverse import landscape is supported by numerous companies that source products from India. Prominent importers include:

First Chemical Limited

Belkin, Inc.

Globe Commercial Products Inc.

MPS Canada Co.

Sephora Beauty Canada, Inc.

Amazon.com.ca, Inc.

Canadian Tire Corporation Limited

These companies meet Canada’s growing demand for imported goods, contributing to a thriving trade ecosystem.

Why Does Canada Import from India?

Canada sources goods from India for several reasons:

Lower Manufacturing Costs: India offers competitive manufacturing rates, making its products cost-effective for Canadian companies.

Diverse Offerings: India’s wide array of exports enables Canadian businesses to access unique and high-quality products.

Raw Material Needs: Organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural inputs are critical to Canadian industries.

How to Find Reliable Buyers and Suppliers?

For businesses looking to capitalize on India-Canada trade opportunities, finding trustworthy partners is essential. Platforms like Eximpedia offer comprehensive trade data, including:

Insights on global trade trends

Canada’s import and export data

Top importers and exporters lists

HS code-wise commodity insights

Such tools enable businesses to evaluate potential markets and make informed trade decisions.

Conclusion

India and Canada’s trade partnership reflects their shared goals of economic growth and cooperation. With India being a significant supplier of pharmaceuticals, machinery, and organic chemicals, and Canada exporting mineral fuels, metals, and agricultural products, the synergy between the two economies is undeniable.

As both nations strengthen ties through initiatives like CEPA, businesses can leverage this partnership to explore new markets and opportunities. With platforms like Eximpedia providing actionable insights, staying informed about trade trends has never been easier.

For businesses aiming to excel in India-Canada trade, understanding the top product categories and key market players is a step toward success. Explore trade insights today to unlock the potential of this dynamic partnership!

[newsorbiter]

Trade deficit improves by 47% in April-September 2023, reaching $39.91 Billion

India's economic landscape showcased notable shifts in trade dynamics for September 2023, with overall exports estimated at $63.84 billion, representing a slight downturn of -1.20% compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, overall imports stood at $68.75 billion, reflecting a more pronounced decrease of -13.67% from September 2022. In terms of merchandise trade, September 2023 witnessed merchandise exports totaling $34.47 billion, a minor dip from $35.39 billion in September 2022. Concurrently, merchandise imports for the same month reached $53.84 billion, notably lower than the $63.37 billion recorded in the previous year. For the period spanning April to September 2023, merchandise exports amounted to $211.40 billion, down from $231.73 billion during April-September 2022. Correspondingly, merchandise imports for the same period were $326.98 billion, compared to $372.56 billion in the prior year. The merchandise trade deficit for April-September 2023 was estimated at $115.58 billion, down from $140.83 billion in April-September 2022. Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports showed resilience, rising to $24.78 billion in September 2023, surpassing the $24.33 billion recorded in September 2022. Meanwhile, non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery imports for September 2023 were at $33.58 billion, a decrease from the $38.25 billion in September 2022. From April to September 2023, non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports reached $153.89 billion, compared to $160.25 billion in the prior year. Imports for the same period were recorded at $209.65 billion, down from $224.89 billion in April-September 2022. The services sector presented a mixed picture, with services exports valued at $29.37 billion in September 2023, up from $29.22 billion in September 2022. In contrast, services imports for September 2023 stood at $14.91 billion, a decrease from $16.27 billion in the same month of the previous year. For the April-September 2023 period, services exports reached $164.89 billion, compared to $156.07 billion in the same period of 2022. Meanwhile, services imports for April-September 2023 were $89.22 billion, down from $90.58 billion in the prior year. This contributed to a services trade surplus of $75.67 billion for April-September 2023, compared to $65.49 billion during the same period in 2022. In September 2023, merchandise exports showed varied growth patterns. Notably, 12 of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth, including Iron Ore (8054.78%), Oil Meals (72.66%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (50.49%), Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups, Handloom Products Etc. (27.39%), Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products (19.4%), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (17.65%), Tobacco (9.18%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (9.01%), Oil Seeds (8.77%), Carpet (7.51%), Engineering Goods (6.79%), and Marine Products (4.66%). Electronic goods exports saw notable growth, registering a 27.62% increase, with exports amounting to $13.11 billion during April-September 2023, compared to $10.27 billion during April-September 2022. Merchandise imports, on the other hand, encountered a mixed trajectory, with 20 out of 30 key sectors experiencing negative growth in September 2023. These sectors included Silver (-89.94%), Cotton Raw & Waste (-87.68%), Fertilisers, Crude & Manufactured (-61.89%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (-56.96%), Transport Equipment (-53.15%), Coal, Coke & Briquettes, Etc. (-33.39%), Vegetable Oil (-24.11%), Project Goods (-23.53%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones (-22.49%), Newsprint (-22.4%), Leather & Leather Products (-21.72%), Petroleum, Crude & Products (-20.32%), Wood & Wood Products (-14.71%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (-12.89%), Chemical Material & Products (-12.04%), Textile Yarn Fabric, Made-Up Articles (-8.29%), Metaliferrous Ores & Other Minerals (-4.44%), Iron & Steel (-3.25%), Machine Tools (-1.6%), and Pulp And Waste Paper (-0.83%). The period from April to September 2023 saw 13 of the 30 key sectors in merchandise exports exhibiting positive growth, including Iron Ore (128.04%), Oil Meals (41.16%), Electronic Goods (27.62%), Oil Seeds (23.47%), Ceramic Products & Glassware (20.25%), Fruits & Vegetables (10.67%), Tobacco (7.6%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (5.02%), Coffee (3.43%), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (1.89%), Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups, Handloom Products Etc. (1.83%), Spices (1.35%), and Cashew (0.31%). In the merchandise import category, 17 of the 30 key sectors experienced negative growth during April-September 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. These sectors included Silver (-88.58%), Cotton Raw & Waste (-62.9%), Sulphur & Unroasted Iron Pyrites (-48.62%), Coal, Coke & Briquettes, Etc. (-36.72%), Fertilisers, Crude & Manufactured (-36.25%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones (-25.88%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (-25.38%), Vegetable Oil (-23.33%), Petroleum, Crude & Products (-22.81%), Textile Yarn Fabric, Made-Up Articles (-19.62%), Leather & Leather Products (-15.14%), Wood & Wood Products (-12.99%), Fruits & Vegetables (-8.19%), Transport Equipment (-7.7%), Metaliferrous Ores & Other Minerals (-6.76%), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, Etc. (-6.37%), and Newsprint (-1.39%). Notably, silver imports registered a significant decrease of 89.94%, falling from $1.06 billion in September 2022 to $0.11 billion in September 2023. Looking ahead, services exports are projected to continue their positive growth trend, with an estimated 5.65% increase during April-September 2023 over the same period in 2022. Overall, India's trade deficit has shown substantial improvement for April-September 2023. Overall trade deficit for April-September 2023* is estimated at USD 39.91 Billion as compared to the deficit of USD 75.34 Billion during April-September 2022, registering a decline of (-) 47.03 percent.   Read the full article

[tantalizingturmoil]

• Hades | God of Underworld •

(Open Rp)

"I used to despise the idea of solitude. In fact, I hated my brother for forcing it on me. Now I fear I know no other way. I enjoy the silence, how it lays across my skin like a soothing blanket. I would be lost without it."

[ithinkicanwritestuff]

To Hell and Beyond [Closed] [xPreciousPearlsofPulp]

Crapshack. London. 28th of December 2019

A series of unfortunate events. The entirety of John Constantine’s life could have been boiled down to that single sentence. After all, it was a ‘series of unfortunate events’ that had led to him learning about the occult, that had led to him losing (sacrificing) his friends in order to guarantee his own survival, and that had recently led to him arriving at his crappy apartment covered in blood and guts.

The practitioner of the occult painfully stumbled through the front door of the apartment complex before dragging himself up the stairs; his knees threatened to betray John with each tentative foot he placed upon the wooden steps. His left arm, the one that was doing most of the work in getting him up the stairs by pulling his body towards the first floor, was bleeding from a deep and painful incision down its forearm. Needless to say, John felt as if he had been destroyed and reassembled, only to be destroyed yet again.

In fact, he did not dare dwell on how he felt, how he looked, or what permanent damage he might have incurred in the past twenty-four hours. If he would have, John would have had to admit to himself that he had been a bloody idiot- one that did not deserve to survive the events that had befallen him. He had been scratched, cut, gnawed at, bitten, and hit in such fashion that cuts and tears now replaced his usual outfit with a white blood-red shirt, a vermilion half a tie, and a pair of black trousers and shoes that had been adorned with droplets and splashes of the human’s blood. No, he did not dare dwell on his own idiocy.

“Y-You bloody wanker-s...” he muttered under his breath, discovering that the internal damage extended to his throat and lungs, making it difficult to speak and breathe at the same time. He settled with breathing for now and focused his thoughts on those that had caused him pain, rather than on his own inability to predict the trap that had been laid out for him.

It took him a few good minutes, but John Constantine reached his room. As he did, his back pressed against the closed door, followed by a fast slide down to the floor. He reached inside the pocket of his trousers and pulled out a piece of paper. Clean, but for the blood that his fingers now drily placed upon it. His thumb and pointer struggled, but managed to open the paper after a few tries, allowing the occult practitioner’s eyes to rest upon the spell he had retrieved. He smiled, his eyes closing for a second. The paper went back into his pocket.

The plan had been simple. Find the group of amateur witches that had, rumour had it, found a way to enter Hell safely, without having to die. After following a few leads, asking the right questions, pressuring the right people, and collecting on the right debts, John had found the coven and was prepared to trade with them in order to get what he wanted. But, it had all been too easy, and he had not seen it. How could he have missed it?! Bloody idiot, he was. A true nonce.

The coven was not... a coven. It was a group of lower-level demons, pretending to be witches so that they may fuck and kill in peace, helping the neighbourhood here and there only to lure more people into their domain to be consumed, or abused, or both. Once they had laid their eyes upon John Constantine, they knew maintaining their facade was redundant, so they chose to capture and torture the poor bastard until their leader would return from wherever it was.

It took a few incantations, a few close calls, and a few years taken off his life-span, but John managed to escape, retrieving the document that he had gone on his quest for. See... John had to retrieve a soul from Hell and bring it back to Earth. Why? It was his fault that it had gotten there in the first place, and the innocent that had gotten caught in the crossfire was too young and too good to be anywhere close to that damned Ethereal Plane!

Filled with adrenaline and anger, John pushed himself to his feet and yelled out in pain. He staggered over to his closet, pulled out a wooden pedestal, a few candles, a silver dagger, and a book, and hurriedly laid them out in the middle of the room. There was no time to waste.

The middle-aged man was very well aware that he could not have taken Hell on by himself, not even on his best day. That was why he was going to ask for help. Either that, or demand it, whichever came naturally. The effect of a series of unfortunate events, blood-loss, and adrenaline, served to push John so far over the edge that, at this point, it was nothing more than a small dot, somewhere in the empty distance.

He opened the book, faintly pierced his palm with the dagger, and sprayed his blood across the wooden pedestal, candles lighting as he chanted.

“Oh, Maddox, I summon you! I summon you to request your aid in slaying those you stand against. Oh, Maddox, I summon you! I summon you to bind to my will! Oh, Maddox, I summon you! I summon you, as an angel of the Lord, as protector of Mankind, as a warrior of the light! Oh.. Maddox... I summon you!”

Constantine chanted, the drops on the pedestal obtaining sentience as he did, opening the book upon the pedestal and inserting themselves onto a page, layering both the sigils and the invocation ritual until they turned from black to blood-red.

John dropped the knife to the ground and crossed his arms over his chest. The adrenaline that had rushed through him just a moment ago was gone, leaving him hollow. The only thing that remained within was pain. Pain and memories of pain.

With that pain echoing through his body, mind, and soul, John could feel his world getting blurrier. But now, it was only a matter of time until the angel would appear, and both he and John could enter Hell, slay some demons, and rescue those that deserved to be rescued.

How had John arrived here? Well, you see, it was all a series of unfortunate events...

[tantalizingturmoil]

It wasn't until her warm palm touched the forearm of his jacket that his eyes dropped towards her. She was radiance amongst the muted tones of Hades palace and the warmth from her very being seemed to crash against him like ocean waves. He remained quiet for several seconds just simply admiring the gentle curve of her face.

"I would rather you not. I'm very fond of your company." while he had grown to love solitude, he had also grown to love the woman stood beside him.

preciouspearlsofpulp‌:

• Hades | God of Underworld •

(Open Rp)

“I used to despise the idea of solitude. In fact, I hated my brother for forcing it on me. Now I fear I know no other way. I enjoy the silence, how it lays across my skin like a soothing blanket. I would be lost without it.”

“I do find it hard to believe that you crave solitude when you have me, my love.” Persephone moved to stand beside Hades, a hand coming up to rest on his forearm, concern etched into her tone. “Would you like me to leave you alone?” She did not want to intrude. 

[tantalizingturmoil]

Cassandra Cain | Batgirl

[Closed banter with @ithinkicanwritestuff ]

She could feel it gnawing at the back of her mind, a nagging relentless decay. No matter how hard she trained, no matter how far she physically pushed herself she couldn't bleach that singular moment from her mind. Her fingertips coiled into her palms crushing the warn black leather jacket cuffs. Dark eyes cast toward the floor, fixated on a spot and yet not at all there. It wasn't until she felt a prickling sensation along the side of her neck that she rose her eyes only to let her breathing slow—a forced habit beaten into her by her father. Her lips parted and her dark brows rose only to furrow slightly as Jason came into view.

[fereldenturnip]

But Don’t You Ever Let Me Go (3)

Primo Nizzuto/Majid Zamari Sugar Daddy Fic

Part 3/ ?

(Parts 1, 2)

Plus @ournextdoorneighbor has done several arts for #TrustTheWolf! Go check that AMAZING stuff out! :D

Majid wakes up at 10:58 am, completely well-rested. The evidence of his stale pleasure is glued to his body hair. The odd prickling promptly jump-starts his brain straight into freak-out mode. 

The car ride. Primo’s dulcet tones. The smell of him on his skin. The pleasure of release after so long without.

Majid leaps out of bed. 

Last night was a mistake. A weakness. One Majid is embarrassed to have committed in the first place. 

What’s shocked him most is the ferocity of his swift libido. Majid’s had fantasies before, lurid wet dreams inspired by exaggerated magazine spreads. Hot chicks in nothing but lingerie and ‘come hither’ stares. He used to go through bottles of lotion and boxes of tissues like crazy before he finally started having sex for real. 

Sex with women. 

Because Majid likes women. He isn’t gay! 

…Or, is he?

Fuck! Majid squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn’t know anymore! That tame, midnight fantasy was nothing at all compared to all his previous raunchy escapades, but it was also the most intense orgasm of his life. Primo’s very masculine body, his very manly voice, his very alpha-male presence awakens a dark need inside Majid. Hell, it knocked him unconscious for hours after emptying his balls all over himself. 

Still, Majid is confused. 

It’s the weekend. He’s off from work and that means no surprise visits from certain Mafia Dons. Hopefully. Just thinking about Primo overwhelms Majid and sends him into a wild frenzy around his flat. He spends most of his afternoon laundering his bed sheets and clothes, cleaning himself thoroughly in the shower…and then scrubbing down the tiles when he strokes out another Primo-induced orgasm. 

It’s absurd, but Majid suspects one look at him and Primo will know his shame. His cock gives a valiant twitch at that. 

Is this real life? Is Majid going to spend the rest of the weekend wanking off to Primo? He groans, flopping down on his springy mattress and hanging his head. 

What exactly is it about Primo that awakens Majid’s sexual urges when nothing else has? Objectively speaking, Primo is a handsome-looking older man. Any fool with eyes, gay or straight, can see that plain as day. After the first few encounters with the man, Majid scoured old newspaper clippings from decades past. Desperate to understand the gravitas behind the notorious Primo Nizzuto.

Gone is the ridiculous pornstache and bell-bottoms of his youth, exchanged for modern (albeit still flamboyant) facial hair and fashion. The floppy hair and thick thighs remain, plus the addition of one pierced ear that came about during the 80’s. In fact, Majid once spent an entire lunch captivated by a single teardrop-shaped pearl earring that swayed in time with Primo’s conversation.

He appears to have aged like a fine wine, hale and healthy, time only adding to his magnetic elegance. All that country air and good food is a testament to the wonders of Italian longevity. 

Add to that his influential power--and Majid isn’t that dumb not to notice the excited thrill he feels whenever Primo exercises said power on Majid’s behalf. Small, insignificant Majid, a real nobody that Primo pulls out all the stops for. Majid likes people watching? With a wave of his hand, Primo gets them a table with a stunning view for lunch. The gallery too crowded for Majid? One word and suddenly it’s just the two of them gazing at dusty old paintings. Primo could have literally anyone in the world, but instead he chooses to fill his days with Majid. 

It’s hot. 

It wasn’t like this with Hakan, who pranced around pretending to be his mentor so long as Majid continued making him money. Who coddled him while simultaneously collaring him. 

Yeah, but Hakan didn’t want to fuck your brains out, either. 

Oh, he knows exactly what Primo wants. Who he wants. Question is, is Majid willing to give it to him? 

Primo is sexually charged and aimed at Majid, ready to fire whenever he’s given permission. That the ball is even in existence and firmly in Majid’s court is pleasantly reassuring. Despite all his carnal hunger, Primo will wait patiently for his enthusiastic consent. In some small measure, Majid can exert his own special power over the man. That in and of itself is attractive.

It’s exhilarating and dramatic, daunting and intimidating. Has Majid been playing it straight this whole time because it was expected of him? 

Living in Italy only makes it easier to remove himself from the trappings of his old life and examine the bigger picture. For the first time, he’s outside of the rigid confines of tradition that mandated he be hard-boiled and repressed. Finally, Majid can breathe easy and freely explore what makes his cock throb without shame. Try as he might to abhor this “perverted” behavior, Majid not-so-secretly delights from the adventures, the conversations…the pampering. Maybe it’s alright to admit kneeling, crawling, and kissing Primo’s signet ring is exactly what he desires. 

However, if Majid capitulates to Primo’s wants and needs, what’s in store for him when he inevitably fucks up? What security is there that he won’t end up beaten into another bloody pulp, or worse--dead? Honestly, it’s the punishment that scares Majid more than the sex. He’s racked with crippling anxiety--pins and needles in his fingers and toes, air freezing inside his lungs, the memory of bone splintering while someone he trusted sits indifferent to his suffering. 

Surviving Hakan? Pure dumb luck. Surviving Primo? Not likely. Every moment spent with Primo is like lighting a matchstick around a puddle of gasoline. One wrong move and everything goes up in flames. Every nerve in his body is telling him to run, far away from Primo Nizzuto’s reach. 

Everytime he gets the itch to move, those damn captivating green eyes lure him right back again. 

You’re an idiot, Zamari.

++++

“Boss wants you to have this,” the man in the dark suit says.

It’s sunny as shit outside, enough that Majid squints an eye trying to adjust after spending so long in the auto shop. There’s a backdrop of power tools and air compressors whirring away behind him. In front, the Suit wears a thick pair of nondescript sunglasses over a neutral expression. He wiggles the package again.

Majid scrunches his face at the square box. It’s expertly wrapped in crimson paper that looks quite supple and expensive. It’s…a gift. A bloody gift, given the colour. Gulping, Majid wipes his hands off on a rag and clumsily accepts it. Suit goes absolutely nowhere, merely crosses his hands and waits patiently. Primo must have ordered him to witness Majid’s reaction and report back to him. Shit, Majid’s face burns hot and it isn’t from the sun.

The wrapping is just as buttery-soft as expected. It calms his initial, childlike instinct to rip and tear it open. Inside is a black box embossed with pale gold letters.

BVLGARI. 

Majid’s eyes widen comically. He stares at the box, then at Suit. 

Silence. Not even a shrug or head-tilt to acknowledge Majid’s turmoil. Nothing. Perfect, civil obedience. With his heart thumping loudly in his ears, Majid is almost envious of his observer’s detachment. His thumb edges the corners of the box and he immediately likens his situation to Pandora. What fresh hell is he inviting into this world by opening Primo’s gift? Just sign here on the bottom line...

Nestled on a cushion of creamy velvet is an all-black watch. The straps are a liquidy-soft metal of intertwining onyx teeth. The wide crystal face is ringed in matte black lettering (and fuck, it’s an actual Bvlgari) and tiny yellow-gold dials. Three perfect subdials catch a sunbeam and flare molten and golden, like miniature full moons in the midnight sky. 

Woof!

His brown eyes light up and dance at the superb craftsmanship. It’s edgy but sleek, confident and dangerous--whoever wears it will surely strike an intimidating figure.

Oh, who is he kidding? Majid is totally going to wear this. Already his wrist is heavy and itching with anticipation. It’s absolutely perfect and exactly to Majid’s tastes. It’s as if Primo saw inside his soul and plucked out all his wants and desires just to hand them back on a silver platter. A plume of heat rushes down his spine to settle in his extremities. 

Shivering, Majid reassembles the box and stares at the expectant Suit. He’s almost tempted to pass it back, refuse this precious (ludicrously expensive) gift, if only to gauge his reaction. The Suit wouldn’t mind, but he’d still have to deliver the news to the benevolent gifter. It’s already been well-established that Primo brushes off rejection like water off a duck. Or, in his case, a black swan. His first proffered gift was an entire damn vineyard. Dozens of meals and car rides later, a four-figure watch is innocent. 

His fingers trace the embossed logo. It’s such a thoughtful gift, too. 

“Please give Signor Nizzuto my sincerest,” apologies, “thanks.” Fuck. 

Suit nods stiffly, pivots on one polished heel, and returns to his nondescript car. 

Majid escapes the hot air outside and returns to the auto shop. The gift is tenderly tucked inside his personal locker, with the lock pulled twice just to verify it is indeed fastened. The rest of his work day is spent in a complete daze. Everything blends together--Majid can’t count how many car batteries and broken tail lights he replaces, his mind and eyes skittering back to bore holes into his locker. 

When he greets Primo outside his apartment for their usual Tuesday night dinner, Majid is clean of grease and clothed in his best black attire. There’s been an effort to tame his growing curls and trim his short beard. He looks handsome. 

The sallow streetlamp outside casts him all in shadow. Somewhere a dog barks.

This time, when the chauffeur opens the backseat door he lets Primo exit and meet Majid in the crisp night air. The two of them stand silently across from each other, only a scant few feet apart. Primo is dressed in a close-fitting red suit so dark it might as well be black. 

Beware, the devil wears red… 

Unabashed green eyes soak in his appearance, slow and sultry over all his edges and curves. Majid holds himself still, blazer tucked in the crook of his left arm. The purposeful posture highlights the gleaming watch adorning Majid’s wrist. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Primo blinks once, tongue blatantly stroking along his bottom lip, “Do you like it, my boy?”

His husky words are a temptation, promising notes ringing in the air between them. Shuddering madly and unable to speak, all Majid does is nod. A smile carves its way onto Primo’s face, chiseling dimples in his cheeks. Those eyes of his are electric. He takes a step closer, bringing a cloud of that damn cologne with him--Majid inhales sharply--then promptly backing off to the side. A playful little dance that leaves Majid absolutely reeling. One gentlemanly sweep of his hand, Primo beckons him towards the belly of the rumbling car. 

…So tempt away, devil, Majid thinks carelessly and ducks inside. 

[floggingink]

Riverdale, “Chapter Forty-Seven: Bizarrodale”

Jughead eats: QUICK SHOT OF BRUNCH

the print on Josie’s bomber jacket? confounding

“If there’s no wedding reception, it means the Gargoyle King has won.”

Ms. McCoy in bright blue? confounding

have Moose’s eyebrows gotten thicker? he...he fine

Cheryl’s sheaths: like a true gay icon, Cheryl wears both a satiny demi-cup bustier and a flannel in bed with Toni, who’s rocking a sort of cottony Aerie bralette

Hermione’s earrings look like divining rods, which makes sense

“dangerously unhinged,” in this day and age? UNHINGED?

Cheryl is “legacy” in Riverdale���s version of Smith College

Cheryl’s pins: in her droopy 1920’s lady-reporter tie, Cheryl has a pin that is probably a bee but is POSSIBLY a giant frightening moth like in the Silence of the Lambs poster

Moose’s hair is longer or something and he’s like? I don’t know but I’m a gay boy all of a sudden, like let me at All That

I like how he pauses but goes in for more kisses after Kevin tells him he wants to ask him something

he’s like…..so tall….and he has this a little mole on his cheek….

(RIP Midge)

I’m writing a scene where it’s gay.: you look me in my pale astigmatic eyes and tell me the little snitch canary “told you they were in here sir” smug Malfoy stool pigeon ISN’T a pillow queen and I’ll give you this money RIGHT NOW. THAT thin-lipped smirk? with THAT cleft chin? he’s a gay, your honor

Sexy, aesthetic Southside: oh fuck!!!! Sweet Pea has a VERY vulnerable, soft-masculinity speech about his heartspace and emotional boundaries and he’s so fluffy-haired and trying to be gentle with himself……….SWEET PEA……..

Best costume bit: don’t miss the two-second shot of a Prostitute in a turquoise pencil skirt and red velvet blazer and pearls AND GLASSES leading a man by the tie down the Maple Club hallway

“Damn good coffee”: also this jazz music and Cheryl’s short pantsuit

WHERE CAN I GET CHERYL’S MINI BACKPACK

The Blossom spawn: I know Penelope Blossom is not out here suggesting there are no lesbians in what I assume is a women’s college. I remember when I got into My Women’s College one of the nuns at my church was like, Ha ha! Don’t let the drug-dealing lesbians get you! and I was like, How do you already know the plot of Riverdale season 3? but then I was also like, Ma’am why did you join this monastery?

Fifth period is AP English: “THIS IS THE PRICE OF SALT.”

Lawyer McCoy is right, Ex-Sheriff Keller IS a snack and this bitch’s blood sugar is low

I love Sierra and Whatsit playing Lawyers in bed because it happens to be my thing too and I want to be there with them

Certified pedigree: his name’s Tom right? he’s SO HANDSOME. everyone is so handsome right now!!!!!!! (I’m ovulating)

this is the same fancy hotel room Jughead and Betty stayed in when he sort of proposed to her? this is just the upscale version of the sex bunker

Kevin eats when he’s stressed, as you will recall from the drive-in S1 episode

“an epaulette to cry on”

Cheryl’s hair: and Cheryl’s sleeves!!!!!!!

Sixth period is Intro to Film: “looking like a community theater production of The Talented Mr. Ripley” is the SECOND time handsome bicurious Tom Ripley has been name-dropped (also the drive-in S1 episode)

“I can’t go back to Fox Forest” is like the most tragic thing. HE CAN’T GO CRUISING AGAIN

“Oh, sullen, tenderhearted Kevin.”

Cheryl’s a chaos angel from hell: “RAPTUROUS”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like that Cheryl continues to use words like “whilst” and “amongst”

is Moose wearing a denim Henley? MOOSE?

the closed captioning renders it “O shutterbug of my dreams.” “O,” LIKE CHERYL IS SHAKESPEARE

I absolutely buy that Cheryl would ask if this was their first fight mid-fight

only Toni among us could wear that many necklaces at once

I did get a little confused when Toni confronts Cheryl in the bathroom, like at first it was about how you shouldn’t out people but then it was about her not being in the Serpents? let’s focus, ladies

The 2001 Josie and the Pussycats movie was a masterpiece: Josie’s commitment to keeping her eyeshadow coordinated with her jackets over her commitment to boys is aspirational

Every triangle has three corners, every triangle has three sides: I LOVE ARCHIE’S SIDE-EYE, LIKE………“SWEET PEA?”

Reggie on kneecapping: “Does that really happen?”

Reggie’s voice cracks me up. he’s just a big gorgeous squeezable side hustle dummy bro, so down for the ride, remember when he slugged Jughead? neither does he

REGGIE HONESTLY HONEST-TO-GOD IS JUST LIKE….RONNIE YO YOU NEED SOME MONEY?

“You can be my Baby Driver” uuuuuugggghghhhhhkkhhhhhhhhh REggggeieiee

“JUST PLEASE DON’T SCRATCH MY CAR” has more sexual energy than I think Archie has ever manufactured with anyone EXCEPT BETTY when they kissed that one time you know?????

why do you think Reggie is such a good doofus boyfriend while Archie was such a bad doofus boyfriend? is it because Archie tried to think for himself? or has Reggie just not been given the chance to fuck something up yet

I like Penelope bringing up Sierra and Tom getting married not to shade them but to just be like, They should be happy if they want. I was like, Damn, Penelope! You’re right!

“He is a vicious and petty god.”

lol oh yeah Hiram got shot

Gay?!: as has been discussed, Veronica is reading some classic lesbian pulp fiction for no other reason than I suppose she fucking likes it, and that is BDE

Summer + Blair = Veronica: Veronica would wear those shoes to baby drive

SOMEONE TAKE ME ON A “MAD SAPPHIC CAPER”

Archie > Dawson: Archie is a hot-or-cold boyfriend but he is an EXCELLENT beard!!!! GOOD, ARCHIE

I’ve seen Brick like thirty times: Reggie takes the same positive attitude towards getting shot and surviving that I hope I would have, which is “at least I can say I got shot”

Moose is like, out and THEREFORE dtf, as if they couldn’t have secretly been having sex this whole time

Toni conceded to Highsmith’s business formal dress code insofar as she wears a black vest over a plaid tie and that’s it

“WHOEVER YOU ARE, PLEASE BE CHILL.”

Veronica’s blue plaid coat SHOCKS me

Veronica was rich: Gladys admires Veronica and Reggie’s gumption showing up with only half the money

is it a coat or is it a miniskirt with a matching jacket?????

God bless jingle-jangle Moose: Moose is so excited that he just absolutely tells Cheryl he’s finally going to have sex. I know the show needs him to say it so Cheryl can tell him to BYOS, but it’s still cute of him, himself. is Moose kind of precious?

remember when Moose got gunned down in that car? Christ

HE BROUGHT A LITTLE RED CANDLE!!!!!

I love when people take off their whole belt, as if you can’t just undo it and still take your jeans off

dope deer skull! plus: everyone’s fucking

Mädchen Amick, MÄDCHEN AMICK: I’ve lost track a little bit of whether or not Alice KNOWS Betty and Jughead are literally/colloquially sleeping together in Betty’s bedroom, or are they taking advantage of her being gone?

The female gaze: Reggie’s chest is the new Archie’s chest

“NIGHT HAG”

“KEEP YOUR BOW CLOSE.”

Moose is MASSIVE like, do you see those arms?

Fwoopy hair is the best hair: HIS BEAUTIFUL FLIPPY HAIR ON THE PILLOW

Dilton Doiley Ethel Muggs The Gargoyle Children: the RROTC guy is Chris Cooper in American Beauty???

Gay.: Sierra was halfway right about “the jealousy thing”

even FP, conducting his interview in his flannel, is like, bruh

These students are legally children: his “Man, the Sisters did a number on you” feels like Riverdale’s version of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s “The Catholics really fucked you up”

Jughead doubts it: Jughead makes a good point. is there one costumes everyone keeps using or is it that easy to DIY your own Gargoyle King?

“UR-KING,” JUGHEAD, PLEASE

oh I can see Jughead about to be disillusioned by his family coming a mile away

Archie’s soft soft sweater? confounding

at least Moose isn’t moving to Toledo, am I right

CHERYL’S SLEEVES?????????

What damn high school in America: Cheryl’s girl gang is 100% Teddy girls and I love them

THE WHITE STRIPE ON REGGIE’S SWEATER and the little black birds on Veronica’s shirt!

Gladys & JB are already a more powerful duo than FP & Jughead could ever hope to be

ARCHIE ASKS HER IF HE COULD KISS HER. THAT’S VERY SEXY OF YOU, ARCHIE. GOOD, ARCHIE

wait Moose is moving to Glendale? SABRINA-GLENDALE? MOOSE WAIT A SECOND?

NEXT WEEK: Gladys tells Veronica to pray, OH BOY

[tantalizingturmoil]

Bjorn stood watching the lace coast across the milk-like complex of her skin—its caress was subtle, however, it brought her scent wafting towards him as the material fell away. His nose wrinkled in response the moment those delicate notes of lavender and cedarwood greeted his sensitive senses. He had already begun pressed his tongue against one of his elogated canines as his lips thinned—a failed attempt at control and composure.

Stepping forward, he closed the distance between them with impossible ease and towarded over her, more so than previously. His fingers came up to graze the side of of her neck only to disappear in the expertly pinned blonde curls fastened to the back of her head, his thumb tracing a slow line up the front of her lengthy throat. Bjorns eyes sweeped over the curve of her cheeks, the swell and dips of her lips, all the way down until he reached the gentle throb of her artery.

The blood there audibly cursed through it's pathway, singing it's sinful song of seduction. He leaned down, his thumb now paused at the apex of her throat, and hovered over the area allowing the flesh to roll over in goosebumps before he pressed his lips to the majestic thrum. So much life just barely contained beneath fragile skin. His lips came away but not too far.

"Very good, Ms. Volarious—" he whispered, his accent slipping, his words curving to his old tongue.

Continued from x || @preciouspearlsofpulp

     A warm breath escaped her as she stared up at the man looming over her, his voiced command echoing in her ears and drowning out the screaming sense of danger that had only barely begun to take hold. The shadows around them felt as if they were swallowing them, hiding them away from the flickering candle lights and the distant sound of chatter. 

     Sliding her slender fingers over the lapel of her burgundy jacket, Gemina took hold of the delicate lace scarf that was wrapped there and pulled it down, her head rolling back to expose where her heart was gently pulsing in her throat. “Please.” She whispered to him despite not knowing what it was in her that she suddenly craved. 

[astrognossienne]

the signs as ancient sweets

aries:  condoignac - a medieval French spiced quince paste preserved with honey; the equivalent of modern cotignac, a specialty of Orleans and reputedly a favourite of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc)

taurus:  kurat al milh - or ‘ball of sweet salt’, was an Arabic version of the first recorded recipe for caramel. It is simply sugar that has been high-boiled until it turns brown and slightly bitter. One of the early uses of this Arabic caramel was not sweet-related: it was a depilatory for harem ladies.  

gemini:  tzoalli - an amaranth and maguey honey-based confection from the Mayan empire closely related to alegría, an amaranth and pumpkin seed confection commonly eaten during Dia de los Muertos.

cancer:  manus christi - a medieval English confection which was a stick or a disc of hard candy flavored with cinnamon, violets or rosewater. Sometimes flakes of precious metals and powdered gemstones were added to medicinal sweets for extra goodness, and Manus Christi contained gold leaf and sometimes crushed pearls (manus christi perlata).

leo:  lawzinaj - located in a medieval Arabic cookbook known as the Kitab al-Tabikh, compiled in Baghdad by Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq in the late tenth century, this was an almond sweet scented with a heady conflagration of musk, amber and mastic which al-Warraq says was made for kings while traveling.

virgo:  aloeswood confections - a sweet treatment mentioned in a thirteenth-century medical formulary by the Persian physician Najīb al-Dīn al-Samarqandi, it was a powder made to ease digestion and stomach ailments, made of a cooked concoction of sugar, pulverized Indian aloeswood, saffron, clove, cardamom, lemon rob and/or lemon juice.

libra:  madhuparka - an ancient Aryan confection made with a mix of honey, curds and ghee. It was the Aryans who introduced the enduring tradition of always offering a sweet something to guests, and this is the first recorded incarnation of a hospitality rite common to many cultures. 

scorpio:  chocolatl - chocolate, in its original form, was a central American delicacy “discovered” in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors. At the court of Montezuma, king of the Aztecs, there was post-prandial practice of drinking golden chalices of chocolate, poured from one vessel to another to create a frothy head. This chocolate, for  which there were many different recipes, was not usually sweetened, and a variety of flavours were added to it - chilli pepper, vanilla, allspice and various flower-petal pastes. However, honey was occasionally used. For the Aztecs, chocolate was the most important foodstuff of all; it was an aphrodisiac, it was issued in tablet form to warriors on the march, rich traders coveted it, and it  was an important part of religious ritual. Red dye called annatto, from the achiote plant, was sometimes added to chocolate to convey reference to, or a substitute for, human blood. Both the Aztecs and the Mayans are known to have had a penchant for human sacrifice, and the Aztec association of chocolate with blood, sex, money and fighting is probably more appropriate to a commodity imbued with powerful psychoactive and commercial properties, than the disingenuously infantile identity which has emerged for it in Western culture.  

sagittarius:  fig sweetmeats - an ancient Roman confection (cited by the first-century AD Roman agricultural writer Columella),which were figs treaded into a pulp, mixed with toasted sesame, aniseed, fennel seed and cumin, formed into little balls, wrapped in fig leaves, and stored in jars.

capricorn:  mochi -  in the best Shinto tradition, mochi are associated with money, and like wealth they can be difficult to swallow all at once. Most mochi sweets are flavoured with an, a delicate paste made from sugar mixed with red or white azuki beans, or perhaps chestnuts, sweet potato or other vegetables and fruits. These are made in hundreds of shapes and colours, many of them related to the seasons or beautiful regional features. Traditionally, mochi are square in Tokyo, and round in Osaka and Kyoto. These sweets are sold in old, high-class shops such as Toraya in Tokyo, which caters to the royal family.

aquarius:  jujubes - round fruits, reminiscent of dates, that were sugared and honeyed and sold to children in China during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). These are the prototype, some scholars believe, for the narcotic consumed by Odysseus and his lotus-eating companions.

pisces:  marchpane - medieval marzipan in English until the nineteenth century, was utilized most dramatically in the making of movable table decorations known  as subtleties. In France they were called entremets, and in Italy, intermezzi - both  words mean 'between courses’. Subtleties were allegorical or symbolic models that provided entertaining diversions as they were carried around the hall and set on the  table. A subtlety often made some serious point about the occasion, the guest of honour or a date in the religious calendar, but they could be lighthearted, too.

*information culled from Sweets: A History of Candy by Tim Richardson

[tantalizingturmoil]

Reverse Starter Call

Heart this and I will reply to one of your open starters with one of my muses or reblog and I will send you a random starter.

[the-knights-who-say-book]

The myths will tell you that the affairs of goddesses ended in tragedy, or shame, or were simply doomed from the beginning.

But there are stories that shine unspoken between the myths told and retold, there are shadows under and between the gaping, mismatched timeframes of the pieced-together myths that hide more words than we can excavate. There is time and space enough, anyway, to imagine that —

yes, Athena is a virgin goddess, but not wanting sex is something altogether different from never falling in love (and Athena in particular knows it is so easy to fall in love with creators). The whirring, spinning, clacking, scraping, cacophony of the workroom; the careful assembling and weaving and pressing and sculpting. The creating and crafting of all things draws Athena near. Enough talent and skill in one place will pull at her essence, draw molecules of her into the workroom until she appears there all at once.

Like a statue opening her eyes, she is suddenly there as if she has always been, and yet different. Unobtrusive, almost unnoticeable. In the workroom her divine aura fades: there is clay caked on her calloused hands, or a paintbrush tucked behind her ear, and the artisans who catch sight of her wandering through the room can only blink and half-realize they should recognize her. The projects she wanders past seem to gleam with potential and strike new inspiration in their eyes, and she loves it there, loves the way hard work and skill call to her and set her immortal heart pounding.

It is in one of these workrooms that she wanders past a weaver and then wanders past her again — cannot seem to leave her alone, drawn to the relentless rhythm of the weaver’s hands against the deep blue half-formed cloth. Stands behind her shoulder breathing in a barely noticeable perfume and itching to tuck away a loose strand of curling hair against the weaver’s cheek. Stands for so long and so intently that the weaver finally blinks against the protective confusion that clouds Athena’s presence and looks over her shoulder, coming face to face with her goddess.

I know you, she says, and she is not scared, as any mortal should be to find a god watching their every move. She is reverent. She is looking up at Athena the way she’d look at the most perfectly woven cloth: in pleased awe, in pride. In the joy every true artisan takes in their craft.

In the myths we know, a dawn goddess is foiled because her love may live forever, but he cannot be young forever; in another, a mortal man may be young forever, but he will sleep to the end of time. Athena is the goddess of wisdom. She thinks ahead the way an architect plans the entire building before designing a facade. She does not try to make her weaver immortal; she does not invite tragedy in.

They work side by side for years. They kiss in the sunset shadows and whisper to each other about the new colors they’d invent to dye their wedding dresses. They know that nothing lasts forever except the gods.

When the weaver has grown several years older than Athena’s face appears, she finally kisses her forehead one last time — not in the way of two girls in love as they have for years, but in the way of a goddess bestowing a blessing, and leaves her workroom for the last time.

And they will miss each other, and it will be painful, and the memories will come back in the red-stained light of the sunset and haunt both of them with the softest scent of a perfume several years lost. But there will be happiness in the memories, and a fierce refusal to let the pain corrupt the time they had together, and neither will regret it — the half-lit kisses, the new colors they invented.

It is brief but it is worth it, as all mortal lives are.

yes, Aphrodite fell for the god of war once, or perhaps many times. But there is someone else — a girl. A poet. A singer of peace.

That is when Aphrodite finds her. As the poet stands on the shore where the goddess of love first touched land, foam washing around her bare feet and pale hair burnished silver in the moonlight. The starlight haloes her as if she too is immortal, and she sings as if she will never die. Her voice is low and pure and ripples like the ocean the goddess came from, and she sings her own poetry as a sacrifice.

Aphrodite sees her from up in the highest clouds, shining like her own source of light down below, and accepts.

It is dizzying and intoxicating; one moment she is surrounded by the damp, misty coldness of the starry clouds, the next she is rising from the ocean, waves rolling off her shoulders, as the poet’s warm hands help her out of the water. They are the two most beautiful things in the moonlight, just then; in the entire soft, enveloping night.

I’ve prayed to you, the poet says, voice trembling but no less beautiful when she speaks. Aphrodite knows. She can feel every prayer for love she has ever received; they hum and murmur in her bones. The prayers of the poet vibrate in the ribs over her heart, trapped in her marrow.

She takes the poet’s hand and places it over her heart so she can feel the trembling quiver there. It’s more than a heartbeat; it’s a feeling that pounds underneath the poet’s hand and wrecks her own pulse, wriggles inside her ribcage and makes a home there. It’s frightening and enthralling, calling her own heart in line with the goddess���s, a power far deeper and bloodier than any she’s heard of or worshipped or called on.

It’s the kind of force that reshapes your life with a touch, the kind of need that would drive you into the underworld to rescue your love, the kind of desire that makes tears rise and air taste like pulped flowers and blood in your mouth. Against death, against life, against reason.

Aphrodite falters. She can see the path of her power finding its way into the poet through the channels of her blood, as natural as it has always been, but this time something is different. Something is... right. She can feel something that begins where the poet’s hand rests over her heart and races into her ichor-blood soaking through her skin. It ripples, stirs, sings out, as if the poet’s voice is trapped inside her — no, not trapped. Exultant at being welcomed in. Singing out in victory.

You are mine, and we are each other’s.

The force and rush as it builds feels like the sea. The rightness of it, the unity of it, is something she has not felt since she was born from these waves.

Love feels like drowning, like dying, like being born, the endless rush of it all cradled into this new spot beneath her heart. When the poet kisses her she tastes the ocean.

yes, we know little of Iris, but that does not mean we should believe her unimportant. The drawer of rainbows. The cupbearer of gods. The carrier of messages.

Iris, carry my message to the nymph. It does not matter what god speaks these words. It never matters. The stories of gods and nymphs are all the same.

Iris, tell her I love her and will come to her soon. It does not matter whether he means it. The results are always the same.

Iris, creator of illusions, empty vessel for the gods, carrier of others’ words, run down from Olympus for me.

What is one trip or twelve for a messenger so light-footed, skipping on clouds and gliding on acres of sky? The clouds, the domain of her mother, sing her goodbye; the sea, the domain her father, welcomes her to earth. So quickly she flies it seems as though her path stretches in an uninterrupted stream of color from the sky to the sea.

It’s a water nymph who waits for her. Half-substantial, closest to human of the gods. Her hair is a waterfall and her hands stretched out to Iris drip pearls of water from her fingertips. Queen of this single river whose tributaries wind down her spine, flashing silver in the sunlight, crowning and clothing her in jewels more precious than any humans know.

Her laugh is the voice of water, her smile blinds the sun. Iris, what does he say?

Iris tips out the emptiness of her and spills the words of the Olympian god at the nymph’s feet. A puddle of inadequacy the nymph must kneel to examine.

What is a puddle to a river-queen? Iris cannot stand the way she cups the god’s words to her mouth, drinks them down like ambrosia. How can they be sweet and not bitter with shallowness?

Iris, my darling, will you carry my message?

The answer is yes. It is always yes to her.

Iris does not truly know if what she does is flying or leaping or floating or dancing, what miracle of lightness carries her from earth to mountain-top. But with the nymph’s eyes on her, always, it feels the most like flying.

Iris, isn’t she wonderful, isn’t she beautiful, he says, and Iris could choke on all the words that come bubbling up in response.

She says nothing. She carries the god’s words down.

Iris, don’t you think he’s different, don’t you think he’s sweet, she says, and Iris could drown in all the words that fill up in her lungs.

She says nothing. She carries the nymph’s words up.

Is it the length of one spring or a hundred years? Time stretches like silk blowing in the wind, rippling lazily without end or beginning. The gods mark time only in eras of their own power, so in that way, perhaps no time has passed at all.

Iris carries more messages than a mortal could count; she counts time by the nymph’s smiles. It is not months and years but Iris tell her and Iris, darling, will you and the stretches of flight in between, pure color dancing from her feet.

She looks forward to her time with the nymph. Sitting on the banks of her river, hands twined together, speaking softly and laughing loudly. It always ends with a new message to carry up to Olympus, but at least first there is teasing and confiding in each other. It is unintentional, how long these meetings begin to last, how eventually it becomes a full day spent together before Iris returns with the nymph’s message, and then two days, three.

What takes so long? he asks with a god’s temper when she begins to return so late. Iris says nothing.

He can wait, the nymph says, when Iris relays his impatience.

And I don’t care, when Iris tells her he will become angry.

And Then tell him we’re done, when Iris explains his demand.

And Iris, I love you.

Isn’t that just how love works? The comfort of closeness, the draw of familiarity. You fall in love with the one who sees and comforts you. Can Iris help it that the nymph sees her face so much more often than she sees the god’s?

His voice swells with fury and indignation when Iris dumps the nymph’s final message at his feet. Iris, you will carry this message to her—

And Iris smiles brilliantly as she says no.

There are stories that shine unspoken between the myths told and retold, stories buried in the silence but ever gleaming. A kiss in the sunset, a heartbeat in the waves, a rainbow stretching between sea and sky. Sing me these stories, for a moment, and forget the others.

[ethancurran]

7 Reasons Behind Tooth Discolouration

Before we begin to understand tooth discolouration, it is important to understand the basic structure of teeth. It consists of 4 layers.Starting with the outmost layer - enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. Out of these 4, enamel and dentin are the responsible factors for white teeth and yellowing of teeth.

Let us check why people need to go for teeth whitening in Geelong:

1. Genetics: If a particular colour runs in the family, then there are high chances that you would also have the same colour of teeth. If any one of your parents has yellow teeth, you are likely to have yellow teeth. Apart from white, there are 4 natural shades of teeth colour i.e. reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, grey and reddish grey.

2. Dentin: Dentin is the deep yellow to brownish substance that makes the second outer layer of the tooth. When the enamel which is the outermost layer of the tooth gets thin, dentin begins o show up making your teeth appearing yellow. Lack of proper oral hygiene, decaying of food stuck between the teeth are some reasons for enamel erosion.

Apart from this reason, enamel wears out with age. So with growing age, enamel starts thinning down resulting in yellow teeth due to the exposure of the dentin. 

3. Smoking: Smoking is not only injurious to the lungs but the teeth as well. A bad thing is bad for everything it comes in contact with. Nicotine from smoking leaves yellowish or brownish stains on the surface of the teeth. It may damage your teeth to the point where one might need a dental implant in Geelong.

4. Food/Drinks: Certain food and drinks are not good for the health of your precious pearls. Such food items are curry spices, berries, tomatoes in delicious pasta. They contain pigments that stain the surface of tooth enamel. Also, salads with balsamic vinegar dressing are responsible for tooth discolouration. Some drinks like tea and coffee are quite infamous for teeth staining. Apart from these, red and white wine, light and strong sodas and sports drinks containing artificial flavour are also not good for teeth. Certain acids present in these beverages cause tooth enamel to erode making teeth of unsightly colour.

5. Antibiotics: Tetracycline antibiotics are known to stain teeth permanently. If a pregnant woman takes antibiotics in the second half of her pregnancy, or if a child consumes it before the age of eight, they are more likely to grow yellow adult teeth.

6. Fluorosis: Exposure to too much fluoride develop yellow spots on the teeth known as fluorosis. This exposure to excessive fluorine can be in the form of fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste, prescribed fluoride tablets and treatments.

7. Accidents: Sometimes due to accidents or traumas, adults and children can get their teeth cracked resulting in a damaged interior of the tooth. This can lead to tooth discolouration.

Bottomline

There are many reasons why people lose the natural white colour of their teeth. Sometimes due to genetic reasons and sometimes mostly due to the consumption of the wrong food and beverages. Therefore, take utmost care of your teeth and if required do not hesitate to go to an expert for teeth whitening in Geelong.

Resource URL: https://www.apsense.com/article/7-reasons-behind-tooth-discolouration.html

[iotaku21]

8 Things You Didn't Are  Familiar With Diamonds

There is a wide range of  gems in blue diamond jewelry. These gems have natural color. This obviously  makes it rare and therefore it is far from easy to buy. As the blue diamonds  are rare, these can essentially availed through continents of Latin America  and specifically Brazilian. The parts of central Africa too contribute to the  addition of blue diamonds. However, the diamonds cultivated in South Africa  are by far the most productive of the whole lot.    The very first thing that you have to make sure when you sell dallas  diamond wholesale  is its cleanliness. Make the effort to clean the jewelry you have in  possession. Make sure it is well polished to emphasize its prize. Jewelry,  especially diamonds end up being more valuable if it sparkles like brand  additional. A nicer look entails a nicer price.    Most jewelry companies have default layouts for their sets. Every rep .  includes 2 bangles, a pair of earrings while a necklace. There is no standard  cost for these components. All depends on design and involving diamonds. In  case the necklace is studded with diamonds, your buck would considerably more  rather than the one which has either one diamond jewellery wholesalers  previously center or fewer from the arrangement. Thus, the cost depends over  the preferences belonging to the customer. Companies usually give a discount  if more than a single set is purchased. Alongside that, discounts are given  by companies towards the regular customers and prospects.    Have you noticed, though, that many of these buttons have degenerated from  tiny masterworks to little plastic fake mother-of-pearl or fake other  materials? Oh, if you feel like channeling Ted Knight in Caddyshack are able  to go buying a navy blue blazer with big brass buttons with anchors embossed  on the group. But really, only the Captain - of Captain and Tennille fame -  can get away with this look (and he didn't, not really).    This enhances the next question, what exactly is designer mens  diamond bracelets wholesale? Well, simply apply it is a work put together to  your specifications. When you decide to up diamond jewelry your next step is  to confirm out the businesses for that perfect pair of earrings possibly the  dream neckpiece, or perhaps an entire set to ones sister. Only the beginning  where designer jewellery levels in.    When you wish to sell diamonds, the supply of the maximum value for is never  to be inside a to dump it. You should the look at all cash advance options to  be able to let go of that precious natural. There are things that it more  convenient for to be able to maximize your earnings in the sale.    Men's rings: Whether require to to bling it or keep it understated, wearing a  ring for costume jewellery demonstrates that you're an urban metro sexual of  younger kind. Younger guys may prefer put on rings however of their fingers.  The actor Ving Rhames from Pulp Fiction wears rings both on and off computer.  More mature guys are more liable to be minimal and wear classically designed  titanium pieces. And when you can splash out, a small diamond set you nurses  the pack.

[dendre]

Pitchfork 1998

Hét éve nyomjuk az éves visszatekintő listákat a Recnél, néha valamelyik magazin csinál random egy ilyent, most a fork találta fel.

https://pitchfork.com/news/announcing-pitchforks-50-best-albums-of-1998/?mbid=homepage-more-latest-and-video

Úgyhogy, nem jöhet más, mint megtippelni a kiszámítható magazin, kiszámítható top 10-ét, cél a 8/10 (továbbra is szokásosan nem helyezést, hanem top10-ben szereplést szeretnék eltalálni).

1. Neutral Milk 2. Outkast 3. Boards Of Canada 4. Massive Attack 5. Air  6. Beta Band 7. Mercury Rev 8. Silver Jews   9. Tortoise 10. Boredoms (és persze a Godspeed is, ha azt 98-asnak veszik, nem 97-esnek)

Itt meg az én listám (igen, minden évről van ilyen, tudom, tudom...). Alkalomadtán felül is vizsgálom ezeket, ez ennél majd nyilván valamikor ősszel lesz, amikor szoktuk csinálni a recorderes összeállítást, de az elejét nagyjából most is így szeretem (hülyén töri a szöveget, de mindegy).

1998

Mercury     Rev: Deserter’s Songs

R.E.M.:     Up

OutKast:     Aquemini

Manu     Chao: Clandestino

Beastie     Boys: Hello Nasty

Pulp:     This Is Hardcore

Tortoise:     TNT

Byron     Stingily: The Purist

Mark     Hollis: Mark Hollis

Lauryn     Hill: The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill

Alain     Bashung: Fantasie Militarie

Sunhouse:     Crazy On The Weekend

UNKLE:     Psyence Fiction

Lo-Fidelity     Allstars: How To Operate With A Blown Mind

Hole:     Celebrity Skin

The     Boo Radleys: Kingsize

4Hero:     Two Pages

Mansun:     Six

PJ     Harvey: Is This Desire?

Black     Box Recorder: England Made Me

Underground     Resistance: Interstellar Fugitives

The     Beta Band: The Three EPs

Herbert:     Around The House

Eels:     Electro-Shock Blues

Beck:     Mutations

Air:     Moon Safari

Silver     Jews: American Water

The     Afghan Whigs: 1965

Boredoms:     Super Ae

Turbonegro:     Apocalypse Dudes

The     Coup: Steal This Album

Black     Star: Mos Def & Talib Queli Are The Black Star

Placebo:     Without You I’m Nothing

Sparklehorse:     Good Morning Spider

Elliott     Smith: XO

Arab     Strap: Philophobia

E-Dancer:     Heavenly

Jurrasic     5: LP

Billy     Brag & Wilco: Mermaid Avenue

Boards     Of Canada: Music Has Right To The

Neutral     Milk Hotel: In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Belle     And Sebastian: The Boy With The Arab Strap

Cat     Power: Moon Pix

Unbelievable     Truth: Almost Here

Sonic     Youth: A Thousand Leaves

Moodymann:     Mahogany Brown

Guy     Chadwick: Lazy, Soft & Slow

Roddy     Frame: The North Star

Tom     Zé: Fabrication Defect

Leila:     Like Weather

Plastikman:     Consumed

Gas:     Zauberberg

Dalek:     Negro Necro Nekros

Garbage:     Version 2.0

Massive     Attack: Mezzanine

Death Cab For Cutie: Something About     Airplanes

Asian     Dub Foundation: RAFI’s Revenge

Terry     Callier: Timepeace

The     Divine Comedy: Fin de Siécle

Babybird:     There’s Something Going On

Hefner:     Breaking God’s Heart

Delakota:     One Love

Gorky’s     Zygotic Mynci: Gorky 5

Julie     Ruin: Julie Ruin

Stina     Nordenstam: People Are Strange

Björn     Torske: Nedi Myra

Global     Communication: Pentamerous

Squarepusher:     Music Is Rotted

Third     Eye Foundation: You Guys Kill Me

Maxwell:     Embrya

Add     N to (X): On The Wires Of Our Nerves

Muslimgauze:     Mullah Said

Pole:     cd1

Jon     Spencer Blues Explosion: ACME

Fugazi:     End Hits

Gang     Starr: Moment Of Truth

Big     Pun: Capital Punishment

Autechre:     LP5

Refused:     A Shape Of Punk To Come

At     The Drive-In: In/Casino/Out

Six     By Seven: The Things We Make

Quickspace:     Precious Falling

Motorpsycho:     Trust Us

Midnight     Choir: Amsterdam Stranded

Pascal     Comelade: L’argot du bruit

Nits:     Alankomaat

Hood:     Rustic Houses

Gastr     del Sol: Camoufleur

Mouse On Mars: Glam

Tricky:     Angels With Dirty Faces

Destroyer:     City Of Daughters

Quasi:     Featuring Birds

Royal     Trux: Accelerator

  Aloof:     Seeking Pleasure

Esthero:     Breath From Another

Soulvax:     Much Against Everyone Advice

MDK:     Open Transport

Barry     Adamson: As Above, So Below

Queens     Of The Stone Age: st

Sleep:     Jerusalem

Marion:     The Program

Embrace:     The Good Will Out

John     Martyn: Church With One Bell

Goldie:     Saturnz Return

Ed     Rush & Optical: Wormhole

Ash:     Nu-Clear Sounds

Jeff     Buckley: Sketches

Rufus     Wainwright: st

Manic     Street Preachers: This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours

Madonna:     Ray Of Light

Rachid     Taha: Diwan

Dirty     Three: Ocean Songs

Pram:     North Pole Radio Station

Gomez:     Bring It On

Saint     Etienne: Good Humor

High     Llamas: Cold And Bouncy

Idlewild:     Hope Is Important

Lampchop:     What Another Man Spills

Calexico:     The Black Light

Spoon:     A Series Of Snakes

Sophia:     The Infinite Circle

Bright     Eyes: Letting Off The Happiness

Tripping     Daisy: Jesus Hits Like An Atom Bomb

Notwist:     Shrink

Tarwater:     Silur

Talvin     Singh: Ok

Fatboy     Slim: You’ve Come A Long Way Baby

Freestylers:     We Rock

Cardigans:     Grand Turismo

Grant     Lee Buffalo: Jubilee

Lucinda     Williams: Car Wheels On Fire

Ian     Brown: Unfinished Monkey Business

Puressence:     Only Forever

Delgados:     Peloton

Aluminium     Group: Plano

Jack:     The Jazz Age

Amon     Tobin: Permutation

Wagon     Christ: Tally Ho!

Morcheeba:     Big Calm

David     Gray: White Ladder

Pearl     Jam: Yield

System     Of A Down: st

Cowboy     Junkies

Propellerheads

Hooverphonic

New     Radicals

Earl     Brutus

Rocket     From The Crypt

Fun     Lovin’ Criminals

Cake

Catatonia

Faithless

Therapy?

Marilyn     Manson

Smashing     Pumpkins

++++

Spiritualized:     RAH live

Portishead:     Roseland NYC Live

Swans:     Swans Are Dead live

[tantalizingturmoil]

Loki | The God of Mischief

[Closed banter with @ithinkicanwritestuff ]

I lowkey adore this wordy hooman.

"I'm sorry, /brother/—I thought you looked absolutely radiant in that pushup bra." A slow grin slipped across Loki's face making the corners of his eyes crease.

"How was I to know anyone would walk into your chamber at such an hour?"