#riverway still do love each other

[mono-socke]

Eric William Morris Squip and Jason Tam Squip fighting over Jeremy, who shows he likes them both? (Thank you!)

sure!!

hope this is okay!!

they <33 i like them <33

[the-hinky-panda]

The Drowning Kind: Part II

Title: The Drowning Kind

Pairing: Captain Sean Renard x OFC (written as a reader)

Rating: Explicit

Summary: You heard of the Portland Grimm and leave your fundamentalist group of naiads in Vancouver. You just wanted a safe fresh start; you didn't expect to fall in love with a royal hybrid police captain.

There are two things that naiads are experts in: swimming and secrets. 

When you first met Sean Renard, you immediately recognized a fellow secret keeper. Words were used sparsely and with the craft of saying enough but providing no actual information. It was a language that you spoke fluently and his presence soon became the closest thing you ever felt to being home. You didn’t think he felt the same way until you saw the red kayak on the river at ten o’clock at night two days after the close of the case you had offered assistance. 

The late night rendezvous continued for the next two weeks, you floating alongside the boat while conversation flowed, still guarded but slowly unfurling tiny bits of information. You moved from Vancouver for a fresh start. His ancestry was old, traced back hundreds of years from Europe. You were living in a broken down house along the river because that was all you could afford. He was living in a penthouse in Portland. You had taught yourself how to read and write, your village not strong believers in their women being educated. He spoke five languages and had the best education money could buy. 

Slowly, more valuable pieces started to become revealed. His hybrid heritage. Your disfigured hands and feet. His tiring game of playing both ends against the middle to protect the Portland Grimm. Your deep scars of a betrayal from someone you had trusted. He was searching for balance between the two worlds he represented. You were searching for the girl who had dreams and once believed that love was real. 

So you found each other. 

Due to the situation he found himself in, along with a diabolical brother who searched for leverage in every aspect of his life, you understood why this needed to stay a secret. For your protection and everyone else around you, no one could know that you had regained that tiny spark of hope that maybe love wasn’t a myth. You still weren’t convinced of what this was between you two but it was precious enough to protect. And you did, for the first time in a long time, feel truly protected. So you kept the secret. 

“Where are we going?” 

You glance over your shoulder. “What’s the matter, Sean? Don’t you trust me?” 

The smile he gives you is sly, a subtle twist to the side of his mouth. “All I asked is what did you do today. Now you have me on one of the uninhabited islands in the middle of the river. I’m sure you can understand my unease.” 

“I do,” you respond. Trust is hard for both of you after the lives you’ve lived. “It’s worth it, I promise.” 

You found the abandoned fishing shack the same way you find everything, by accident. Growing up along riverbanks and on the edges of lakes in Vancouver, you had more of a need to know the flow of the water and the islands that got in the way of it. You were spending much of your free time learning the same thing here in Portland. That knowledge is what crossed your path with Detectives Burkhart and Griffin. 

A group of college kids who had too much to drink had gone missing after an afternoon of tubing on the river. They unknowingly became prey for some rowdy wendigo and needed to be found ASAP. Burkhart had reached out to the naiad community in the harbor and you had wanted to show your worth to your new community. You didn’t expect to be the one to find them but you did, only one out of the group of seven fell victim to the wendigo. Now, you were the riverway consultant for the Portland PD. 

After your maiming, you were still able to be useful. 

The shack was falling down, abandoned for years. It didn’t take much to patch the small roof or replace the broken board walls. It was meant to be a shelter from the elements, nothing longstanding. There’s no electricity that runs into it so you have to get creative in how to fix it up. Abel and his daughters helped you out by using their fishing boat to bring a futon, small armchair, and a desk. You brought some of your books and candles. You pitched it to them as your retreat but your true intention is to share it with only one other person. 

He takes in the ramshackle little hut with cautious curiosity. “Did you build this?” 

“No, I’m not that talented.” 

You push the door open hesitantly. You had already lit some of the candles, the soft glow flickering off the wooden walls and furniture. It actually looked more inviting than you thought it would. But then you remember the one time you visited his apartment in Portland. The large windows overlooking the city and river. The polished granite counters in the kitchen, the artwork that hung on the walls, and the bottle of wine he was there to pick up. All of it was worth more than anything you had ever seen before in your life. What were you thinking trying to pass this off as something special? 

“I think it’s lovely.” 

You feel heat rise to your cheeks. He’s patronizing you. Making the simple, little naiad believe she had done something magnificent when really he was laughing at you. Words are failing you and you silently stare at your feet until he nudges your shoulder playfully. 

“You going to let me in? Because I really want to investigate something in there.” 

You look around the space wondering what he could be talking about when he picks you up, your arms looping around his neck and your legs wrapping around his waist. You start to ask what it was he wanted to investigate when he takes the opportunity to kiss you. After a long day of not seeing each other, you easily give in to the familiar press of his lips against yours. You hear the door being kicked shut and feel yourself in freefall, stopped when you land on the futon. 

“So,” you ask him from your sprawled position on the blankets, “what exactly did you want to investigate?” 

He pulls his shirt over his head and drops it on the floor. “I want to see if that futon can hold the both of us.” 

You reach behind your back and untie the crocheted bikini top, tossing it on top of his discarded shirt. His eyes darken at the sight of your bare breasts and suddenly this rehabbed fishing hut doesn’t seem like such a silly secret after all. 

[cat-alyzing]

What’s Mothwing’s deal 👀

My bbg I love her. WCRB!Moth is both really different especially how she’s shown but also has many key canon things kept.

For a basic introduction so I don’t make a whole essay just yet on her Dawn was born to her mother Sasha alongside her littermates Dusk (he/him) and Dark (they/it). None of the siblings got to really know the place their mother lived before she had to run away but all they know is this she had many sisters, and that their mother did something that got her kicked out. Their first 4 months were spent wandering, going to find some friend their momma used to know. This ends up being Solis Leopardsoar, the leader of the Riverway, which is their new home. Except what’s supposed to be a far safer home to settle down into turns out to be not so caring. Some stare at the siblings with fear for them and others with fear of them.

After growing anxiety Sasha attempts to flee away with her kits but it starts pouring, raining so hard it hurts the kits with each sharp drop that hits them. One step too far to the left and they fall, swallowed by the river rapids that wished to eat them. Little Dawn and Dusk held tightly to each other but Dark slipped from their hold and into the currant away. Their dark fur gone before they even felt it slip out of the kits huddle. Dawn was bright enough that Sasha could see her and because she held close to her brother Dusk they both were rescued together… but Dark was never found. Lost to the water.

The family returns and the two kits are locked beside each other. They train together and both came out to each other. When Dawn wanted to do something different, try to save lives instead of learning to fight against them, Dusk helped her get the position. Her mentor Mistyfoot while being stubborn and kind of closed off to Dawn respected her choice to move to the role of healing and they even got along better. But it wasn’t easy at all as the current healer Mudmouth wasn’t too happy with letting a cat like her train under him. He didn’t hate her, and even was a bit sympathetic for her situation, but didn’t trust she could do well in the role. He was proven wrong though. As she fought with him again on her receiving training something odd happened, light of all colors bathed her making her so bright, as if drawn in and bouncing off her. Moths flocked to her and fluttered in her fur.

Mudmouth let her train under him at last as a full guardian. To provide spiritual and physically care to the cats around her was everything she ever thought it would be and more. She quickly excelled and became a guardian in just 10 moons of training, which is rather fast since most guardians take at least 12. She made friends she finally felt connected to.

She was named Mothdawn for her connection to the insects and the sign that made her into a guardian. But even as she was named she still felt something inside, like a piece missing from her. The guardian shoved that feeling down and just tried to be happy. Her brother, Duskhawk was a growing member of the Riverway beside her, and while they had some issues they still were close. Her flock of moths was beautiful. Her plants grew wild.

Until everything started to wither away.

[cecelianonymous22]

Hot Takes for No Nuance November :) [BMC Edition]

1) IF YOU’RE GONNA WRITE CINNABUN, THEN IT SHOULDN’T JUST BE A BACKGROUND SHIP TO BOYFS, RICHJAKE, AND P*NKBERRY

2) LIKEWISE, IF YOU’RE GOING TO DO EXPENSIVE HEADPHONES, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO DEERE? DO LIKE- UPSTAGE OR PUPPY LOVE OR SOMETHING. MAKE IT INTERESTING.

3) I GET RIVERWAY BUT WHY WOULD YOU DO ANY OTHER SQUIP SHIPS? THAT’S LITERALLY LIKE SLAPPING YOUR DICK ON YOUR PHONE AND CALLING IT EROTIC

4) BOYFS, STAGEDORKS, AND P*NKBERRY (AND ANY CHLOE SHIPS IN GENERAL) ARE TOXIC AS FUCK

5) RICH’S LISP ISN’T CUTE. STOP SEXUALIZING IT. AND STOP WRITING IT OUT IN FANFICS UNLESS IT’S FOR EFFECT

6) MOST FANS THAT ARE LIKE “uwu smol boy rich” ARE PROBABLY SHORTER THAN HIM (REMINDER, HE’S 5″5′, THEREFORE HE IS ONLY SHORT FOR A GUY)

7) IF YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE A CHARACTER THAT ISN’T CIS, DON’T MAKE THEIR IDENTITY THEIR ENTIRE PERSONALITY. PLEASE. (HAVING TRANS/NB HCS ARE FINE JUST PLEASE HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF IT)

8) RICHJAKE, SLUSHPUPPIES, APOCALYPSE PLAY, EXPENSIVE PLAY, STAGEDORKS, CHATTY DRUNKS, AND BOYF RIENDS ARE ALL BETTER AS PLATONIC SHIPS

9) Y’ALL ARE SLEEPING ON GAME THEORIES (JENNA X JEREMY)

10) MICHAEL ISN’T AS DEPRESSED AS A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE HIM OUT TO BE. HE HAD ONE MELTDOWN. GRANTED, IT’S ENTIRELY PLAUSIBLE HE HAS ANXIETY OR EXISTENTIALISM BUT HE’S CONSISTENTLY SHOWN TO BE A BETTER OFF CHARACTER THAT WOULDN’T BE “DEPRESSED AND HIDING IT.” YOU FUCKERS WANNA KNOW WHO CANONCIALLY HAS DEPRESSION THOUGH? RICH. 

11) WE NEED TO OVERTHROW THE BOYF RIENDS SUPREMACY

12) DON’T MAKE AN OC IF IT FUCKS WITH CANON (LIKE MAKING A “JEREMY’S SISTER” OC OR SOMETHING). SHIT LIKE RICH’S BROTHER OR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT AREN’T EXPLICITLY MENTIONED ARE OKAY. AND SO ARE SECOND GEN OCS. HELL, I HAVE AN OC THAT’S LITERALLY JUST MICHAEL’S SHITTY EX. BUT SOME OF YALL JUST GOT SOME MARY SUES IN THIS BITCH

13) JAKE ISN’T AS BUFF AS RICH. AND MICHAEL’S A LITTLE CHONKY. BE REALISTIC HERE PEOPLE.

14) A LOT OF SHIPS WOULDN’T HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SQUIPCIDENT. IT MIGHT TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. OR HELL, EVEN YEARS. P*NKBERRY WOULDN’T EVEN BE NEAR TO PLAUSIBLE UNTIL CHLOE GOT HER SHIT TOGETHER (AKA, PROBABLY POST-HIGH SCHOOL)

15) IF YOU’RE GOING TO DRAW A SHIP, MAKE SURE THE PRODUCTIONS MATCH. DON’T DRAW TWO RIVER JAKE WITH BROADWAY JEREMY

16) CONSIDER: DUSTIN SHIPS. 

17) Y’ALL ARE ALSO SLEEPING ON MELLMAN (JARED X MICHAEL)

18) CHRISTINE ISN’T AS INNOCENT AS PEOPLE ALWAYS PORTRAY HER TO BE. SURE, SHE MIGHT NOT SWEAR AS MUCH BUT SHE’S STILL A TEENAGER

19) SPEAKING OF CHRISTINE, SHE’S ALSO AN EXTREMELY INDEPENDENT WOMAN WITH COUNTLESS INTERESTS, STRONG OPINIONS, AND A VIBRANT PERSONALITY. HELL, SHE SET BOUNDARIES WITH JEREMY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH HE’S THE LOVE INTEREST, SHE’S NOT GOING TO BE BENDING OVER BACKWARD FOR SOME BOY’S ATTENTION

20) JEREMY’S KIND OF A JERK. HE CAN REDEEM HIMSELF BUT REMINDER: STILL A JERK. HE OBJECTIFIED CHRISTINE BECAUSE HE GOT SO INVESTED AT THE IDEA OF HAVING A CRUSH AND A GIRLFRIEND LIKE HER

21) JAKE AND RICH WOULDN’T BE SO OPEN TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS, EVEN WITH EACH OTHER

22) WE NEED MORE JENNA REPRESENTATION

23) CONSIDER: POLY SHIPS (SPECIFICALLY EXPENSIVE PINS AND PATCHES)

24) YALL ARE ALSO SLEEPING ON PLAYRIDE

That is all. Will update if I think of anything :)

[beyoncesdragon]

A stretch mark called Aphrodite | pjm

→Pairing: : Jimin x Reader

→Summary: Jimin just really loves all of your body

→Warnings: major fluff! So no?

→Wordcount: 1k 

a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the one that has irrevocably yeeted my standards to the moon and back! Happy happy birthday, wow I can’t believe he’s turning 25 already. I am so proud of you Jimin-ssi. So proud and so thankful for being able to have you in my life. You truly are one in a million and I hope that everyone has the chance to find someone that helps to heal their soul like you are healing mine. Thank you for showing me that I wasn’t as happy as I pretended to be – and thank you for inspiring me to finally change that. I owe you and I hope that one day, you can love yourself just as much as I love you. 

Masterlist |  BTS Masterlist 

They never really bothered you. At least they didn’t until someone pointed them out to you and said something along the lines of; you do know that they stay forever?

A sentence designed to make you feel insecure or unsure of yourself, really. Somehow like elder people remarking on tattoos, expressing their dislike of inked art on skin, but in a more subtle way. Now, of course, stretchmarks weren’t tattoos. Yet they did mark your skin, some more subtle than others. Like a net of tiny branches, shallow lines branched out like riverways across your upper tight, over your hip and on the insides of your thighs. Permanently etched into your skin, or rather sitting beneath it, within it, one with your skin. Almost lost in thought you brushed over them with your thumb, feeling the light bump wherever one was scarred thicker than the rest. You hadn’t even really noticed the frown that had formed on your face until you looked up and were met by the dissatisfied eyes of your own reflection in the mirror.

“What is it?” you looked to your side in surprise, having expected Jimin to still be asleep under the covers right next to you. “Hm? Oh I was just looking.” He hummed lowly, leaning into your direction before looking up at you. “Looking at what?” his voice was still so groggy from sleep and his Busan satoori stained his words heavily. “At my body, I guess?” He chuckled softly, scooting closer before wrapping his arms round your waist, so he could rest his head on your thighs. “Beautiful…” he hummed sleepily and you couldn’t help but smile a little. He rose his head and looked at you questioningly, waiting for you to agree with him. You silence must have given you away. “Don’t you agree, jagi?” your hand found its way into his hair, softly stroking through the white bleached mess of curls. “Yeah…just, well, I’ve got a few more stretchmarks, despite my efforts not to gain weight anymore. I’ve seen an ad for some cream to remove them but…” you never came to finish that sentence since Jimin sat up immediately. “What?” you shrugged, feeling a bit uncomfortable under his piercing stare.

“Remove stretchmarks. Though I heard that it doesn’t really work if they are already fully scarred, like one or two years old. And some claim it doesn’t work at all…” you continued slowly. He just shook his head.

“What do you mean, remove them? And are you eating enough, jagiya?” his overly concerned frown made you giggle a bit before leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. “Yes, Jimin, I am eating enough. And what could I possibly mean by “a cream to remove them”? Got any ideas there, my baby mega mind?” he gasped in fake offence before pressing a kiss to your marked skin, right where your leg connected to the torso. “How dare you wanting to remove Becky!” he huffed out, pouting his lips at your skin, shaking his head. “Who the hell is Becky?” you asked confused, looking down at the spot where Jimin had fixed his eyes on. “That is her.” Jimin grinned softly, tapping against a pretty stretchmark with his index finger. “You are not naming my stretchmark Becky.” You called out, ignoring his big pout. “Why not? This is Chin-Sun, Gracie, Eun, Haneul and her sister Hyo-Sonn, Jennie, Rose, Kara, Jin, Kyung, Min-Ok, Fiola, Cleopatra…” he started, pressing a kiss against the chosen marks after each name.

“So many names…but not Becky. Becky just reminds me of the song by Beyoncé…Becky with the good hair? I don’t want to carry Beyoncé’s wrath on my hip.” Jimin only chuckled. “Whatever you say, jagi. Though I have no idea what song you are talking about, I see your point. You need to show me that song in this case.” You nodded quickly, a small smile appearing on your lips. “Alright. I will then call her...Aphrodite.” Jimin suddenly announced and you couldn’t help but laugh. “Aphrodite?” you giggled, cupping his cheeks with your hand. “Yes. Exactly that.” He replied with an amused wink before pressing another kiss to your soft skin. “This one I call....Myung. look how fair she is.” You hummed softly, stroking his hair again. “If you say so…” he nodded absentmindedly, tracing the lines with his finger now.

“You got more? This is fun.” He asked, an innocent lilt to his voice. Yet it still startled you and you stopped petting his head and looked down at him in slight confusion. “Have I got mo- Park Jimin, do you even know what you are saying?” at that he looked up with slightly batted eyes, peaking through his lashed up at you. “I do. I love them.” He simply explained, sounding incredible calm and sincere. You still couldn’t help yourself to ask in slight disbelief

“Really? You know I could try laser remo-“ he cut you off before you could finish the first part of your sentence, “They're like artwork on your body. Like little drawings, stories that you have collected throughout your life. Just because you can’t always read them, doesn’t mean no one can. They are unique, they make your body seem like you, make you look like you are living a life, going through changes and transformations whilst doing so. They should be admired and studied like those ridiculously expensive paintings you told me about. The ones they hang in the loafer…”

“Louvre…”

“Exactly that. So yes, I love them. And you should too, jagiya, and if I have to name and worship them every morning until you believe me!” You had teared up at his words and wordlessly intertwined your fingers with his. Jimin was still looking up at you, his eyes full of warmth and adoration. His thumb carefully traced random shapes over your hip and his warm breath tickled your skin.

“So. You got more?”

“I mean…on the insides of my thighs…” Jimin snapped up at that, a small smirk suddenly toying with the corners of his lips. “Oh really?” you couldn’t help but laugh at the way his eyes had already grown a bit darker, pupils starting to blow.

“We’ll save that up for another day, shall we.” His face dropped instantly. “No! We shall not!” And who were you to say no to him.

--- ✩ thank u for reading ✩ --- 

[seriouslyhooked]

Lost Souls and Reveries: The Sequel (1)

Original Story on Tumblr, Fanfiction, and AO3. This sequel on Fanfiction and AO3. Amazing and exceptional @cssns series artwork created by the ultra-talented @clockadile​. Thank you for bringing my wolfy world to life!

The sequel to Lost Souls and Reveries, this fic follows Emma and Killian in their continuing journey as fated mates. In the span of one summer their lives have completely changed. Finding each other helped reveal key truths, heal old wounds, and put their lives on a whole new trajectory. Part one left everyone in a good and happy place, but only half the battle has been won. This sequel blends Emma and Killian’s continuing story with the perspectives of their family and pack. Pockets of angst, but ultimately this is a story about love, hope, and the bonds that bind born and chosen families. Story has 13 planned chapters.  

A/N: Hey everyone!! It is so exciting to be back with the CSSNS event this year, and to get to revisit a story that has had a tremendous impact on my writing life. Lost Souls and Reveries is the longest fic I have ever written, and it pushed me in ways no other story ever had. I did my best to blend the fluff and true love mix I am known for with some more plot twists and intrigue, and though I always felt like I was out on a ledge, all of my readers showed me tremendous love and support. That kindness means the world to me, and it also left me with another first in my numerous years of fic writing: a multi-chapter sequel. So many of you have asked for more of this story, and there is still more to write for sure. After all, there’s still a big bad lurking out at the horizon – and everyone knows that happy endings are meant for peace, not fighting villains. That being said, this story tracks Emma, Killian and their friends/family in the hunt for Gold. It will be different from the original in that there will be more chapters and POVs from other characters that are not just CS, but I promise you’ll all get that needed dose of our favorite ship. Anyway, I hope you will enjoy this first chapter told from Emma’s POV, and can’t wait to hear what you all think!!

Sprinting through the woods as fast as her legs would take her, Emma knew it was only a matter of time until she was caught. Still, she would do everything she could to buy more time and try and get away. She and her wolf were in complete agreement about this – she had to keep moving. She had no other choice.

The rush of greenery around her was all new. These woods were unfamiliar, the area unknown, but instincts commanded her in the direction of the river. She ran and ran and ran, and she realized that if she could just get to the waterway, she could use the current to wash away any trace of her. That would buy her time, and what she needed more than anything was time.

In wolf form, the frenzied pace of a run was different. As a human she saw flashes, never fully picking up on everything before her, but this way she felt and saw it all. The animals in the forest stood stock still in fear, or darted into the brush to get away. Birds squawked in alarm from the tree line, and she heard the flutter of wings taking flight even through the wind cutting past her ears. Still she kept moving, pushing, fighting, trying her best to stay ahead.

When she finally reached the clearing and could see the river, she felt another rush. She’d done it! She made it! She just needed to –

A blow came from her side and she tumbled to the ground, rolling in the dirt until the other wolf came above her. Her heart lurched painfully, the adrenaline of being caught swarming her system, but then the black wolf above her nipped at her neck and her own wolf let out a low whine. It was a happy sound, even if she was submitting, for despite her want to win, she never could resent being caught by her mate. In unison, she and Killian shifted back to their normal form, both of them out of breath but smiling after the rigor of their game.

“I was so freaking close that time,” she said. “Admit it, you almost didn’t get me.”

“Your ability improves each and every day, my love,” Killian said, not admitting anything but pressing a kiss to her lips instead, thus successfully distracting her. She moaned into his mouth as her hands went to hold him closer, but just as she was about to really give in, he stood, carrying her in his arms and causing her to shriek. Too late she realized where he was headed, and in another few seconds they were both submerged in the icy cold mountain water.

Breaking the surface and gasping for air, Emma shoved Killian playfully, but he only pulled her closer, turning the tides toward a delicious kind of tension instantly. Here in the water, Killian allowed the heat that was between them to really crescendo. His mouth claimed hers as his hands roamed over her curves in a possessive, demanding way. Emma arched against him seeking friction and strength, loving the feel of his hard body accompanied by the crisp cool water of the riverway they were in. In her mind Emma knew his reasons for this not so subtle relocation; alone as they were out here at her Aunt and Uncle’s retreat deep in the forests near Acadia National Park, Killian would never risk them being seen by anyone. He was the best man she knew, loving and sweet and kind, but he was also all alpha, and if anyone ever caught them like this… let’s just say Killian would never allow witnesses to this kind of scene.

“No one sees you like this. No one but me,” Killian growled out in the kiss as Emma shivered. He was using that damned mind link they had again, but she couldn’t blame him. As hot and bothered as she was right now, she was probably yelling all her thoughts. She certainly wasn’t trying to shield them from him.

“Only you,” she agreed, running her fingertips along his jaw as her other hand lay over his chest. She felt the steady beating of his heart, keeping time with hers down to the nanosecond. “And no one sees my mate either.”

“Not a soul,” Killian agreed. “All this was made for your eyes only.”

“Just my eyes?” she asked, her voice dipping low as she ran her hand down his body. She was totally playing with him and the way his eyes grew dark at her words made her want to even more. “That’s a shame. Here I was thinking…”

She purposefully trailed off, causing Killian to growl again. He nipped at her neck, a primal move she always loved. She gasped at the bite, loving the pressure but knowing it was never too rough to handle. She forgot herself a moment until Killian’s voice rumbled out once more. “What were you thinking, love?”

“I was thinking we should play another game. Same rules, only this time, if I make it the house before you catch me, I get to have my way with you. And I’ll be using way more than my eyes.”

“And if I catch you…?” Killian asked, hunger in his eyes.

“You get to have your way with me. You interested?”

“More than you could ever even imagine.”

With that, they raced back to the house, and though she never would admit it, Emma slowed down just a touch in the final stretch, allowing her mate to catch her and to make good on all the hotness that came when he was running the show. She had no regrets on that choice either, not when her man was a master of knowing what she needed and giving her everything her heart could ever want.

They stayed like that for hours, cooped up in the house, moving from room to room, sating every need, and then, when they were finally spent (at least for now), they gave in and relaxed. The rest of the day was lazy, just as every other day on this honeymoon had been, and Emma for one was thrilled. By the late afternoon they were out on the back deck, soaking up the sunshine and taking it all in.  In all those harrowing moments over the past few months, the ones fraught with worry and stress and uncertainty, this was the kind of bliss that Emma was praying for. The feel of the sun on her body, the breeze on her skin, and the heat of her husband – yes, her husband – just beside her on the lounger that they currently shared.

Her eyes were still closed as she dozed out here in the last of the summer sun, but Emma couldn’t keep her smile at bay. This had been a fantastic honeymoon, a whole series of moments, carved out of time for her and her mate. It was just them out here, and though they weren’t very far from home, it was the perfect kind of quiet that they’d needed most of all. Two whole weeks away from her friends and her parents and any and all responsibilities. It was amazing, and she would be sad to see it end in a few days’ time. But even though she was luxuriating in every moment with Killian, and soaking in this calm they both desperately deserved, she couldn’t help the tingling sensation that she missed her home and the people she loved most.

The last time she’d seen them all was the morning after their wedding. Her friends and family had congregated together to wish Emma and Killian well on their trip and say goodbye for even this short amount of time. Emma was touched at the thoughtfulness, and she loved how all of them had come, her parents and Neal, Elsa and Liam, Anna and Kristoff, Ruby and Graham and Granny and Emma’s own grandmother. It was like another mini party all over again, and as swift as it was, Emma adored that precious moment, especially since she was still riding high after the best night of her life.

Looking back, she could definitively call her wedding night the best night of her life, at least so far. It had just been so… well, magical, for lack of a better work. Every component of the evening was something she loved. She was surrounded by her people, her pack as it were, and the more extended friends and neighbors who may not know everything about her now, but who loved and supported her all the same. There was music and dancing, great food and a great vibe, laughter and joy, and a resurgence of hope among all of them that never wavered and never strayed away. It was almost like the battles they’d faced had never happened. She barely thought of the tough times, the darkness or the fear. It felt liberating, loving Killian and choosing to be with him forever, and she knew her friends felt their own sense of rightness, having all found their own mates to love as well.

At one point, when all of them were on the dance floor, Emma broke through the fog of her desire for Killian and took a look around. All of her loved ones were dancing, her parents, and her friends, and in everyone’s eyes she saw real and true love. It was amazing, to bear witness to people who all had their own pasts, and scars from harder days, coming together and choosing to hope. Even Kristoff, who was still adjusting to everything after his months in captivity, had looked happy and calm. He stayed glued to Anna the entire night, and never took his eyes from her, filling Emma with the same joy she’d felt when Liam and Elsa found each other just a short time ago. It was all coming together.  Everyone was finding who they were and what they wanted, and it all started with her and Killian, finding each other just as fate had foretold.

There was only one part of the whole wedding that left Emma slightly off balance, a blip in her elevated mood that struck her as curious. It was near the end of the night, only a few songs before she and Killian departed. She had looked over to try and keep track of her friends and she saw Elsa, Ruby, and Anna all huddled together. Ruby was talking in an animated way, but the worry on her face wasn’t meant for this moment. Emma knew she must have seen something, must have glimpsed a vision or something along those lines, but she couldn’t exactly be sure. Then she was even more puzzled, because it appeared to be Elsa who drew everybody’s focus, and then, just as Emma was beginning to realize something might be up, her best friend turned, saw her curious expression and smiled, shaking her head.

Elsa’s meaning was clear: Don’t worry about it. Nothing that needs handling tonight. And though Emma usually wouldn’t agree to such a mindset, she made an exception. If it was really a problem, Elsa would tell her, wedding or not. And in the days since, no one had reached out. No one had tried to get them home or break into their honeymoon, so it must not be so bad. Right? God, please don’t let it be too bad.

“You know I hate to see your smile waver, my love,” Killian said, his voice a low and rumble as he pulled her into him. Emma sighed, cozying up next to him, loving how he always knew what she was thinking and how he always, without fail, sought to raise her spirits. “What’s on your mind.”

“It’s nothing,” she said automatically, looking up at him and shaking her head. “Okay it’s not nothing, but since I don’t know what it is, and we’re still on honeymoon, there’s no use talking about it.”

“Emma,” Killian urged, only saying her name but relaying his feelings very clearly. He wanted to hear her thoughts, to help her hold her burdens. Always.

“Okay it’s just, did you notice at the wedding. Elsa and Anna and Ruby got a little cagey at the end there.” Killian stiffened and immediately Emma knew he did notice and that not only that, he knew more than her. Damn it! How did he always manage to know everything? “You did notice. Do you know what happened?”

“No,” Killian said honestly, “But that’s because I purposefully avoided asking. If it was truly serious, Liam would tell me, just as Elsa or Anna would tell you.”

“But what if they actually need help, but they just didn’t ask because they don’t want to interfere?”

“I may not have known your friends very long, Emma, but I can assure my cousin is not the kind of person to stand on ceremony.” Killian’s summary of Ruby’s predisposition made Emma smile despite herself. “If we were needed, Ruby would let us know through a text or a call, hell a damn carrier pigeon. She’d let nothing interfere with delivering the message.”

“You’re right,” Emma agreed, nodding her head, but still unconvinced. “I know you’re right… it’s just…”

“It’s just that you specialize in caring for others,” Killian said, running his thumb along her bottom lip as he smiled at her warmly. Before she could respond, he stole a kiss laced with purposeful distraction, and despite how intertwined they’d been for days, Emma still got caught up as ever. By the time he’d pulled back she was clinging to him, her head a little foggy from the want to be close. “I love you for a million different reasons, Emma, but your earnest heart is among the most prominent.”

“You always know just what to say,” she said, letting go of some more of the worry.

“I always speak from my heart,” he promised. “And I know what we said before love, the promises you made me, about taking the sidelines.”

Emma nodded, averting her gaze to his chest as she trailed a delicate line against his skin. She had made that promise, and she wouldn’t go against it, but it still didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t feel good removing herself completely, but she also would not put Killian through more pain and fear.

“I was hasty in that request,” he said and now her eyes shot back to him. He was what? Really? She was so shocked that he said this. She never expected it, even when he explained. “My sentiments are exactly the same, love. I cannot lose you. Not now, not ever. But locking you into a promise where you feel you must choose between my wishes and your family… that was never my intention.”

“I didn’t feel that way,” she said, and she hadn’t. It wasn’t pressure. She totally understood his feelings after her very near miss in the confrontation against George. With her, and their baby on the way, he had every reason to worry.

“I know, love,” he said, running his hand along her face tenderly. “You’re predisposed to think the best of me. I just need to try and be a man worth putting such faith in.”

“Do you think I ever would have married you without you already being enough?” she asked and he shook his head and smiled, a boyish grin, filled with wonder. Just the mention of their being married seemed to lighten him up, and it made Emma’s heart flutter to see that happy pride. Then he took her hand in his and kissed the top, then the side, then the palm. Each brush of his lips was delicate and dear. Like he could never get enough of her, no matter how hard he tried.

“I simply meant that I’ve thought on all of this and come to realize I cannot hold you to that  promise. When we get back, we’ll hear them out and whenever the next phase comes we’ll face it together. We’ve been a team since the start, and we’ll be one now and always. All I ask is that for these last few days we stay grounded here, together, just you and me.”

Emma’s eyes misted over with happy tears, for about the billionth time since she’d found Killian and given him her heart. This man was so effortlessly right for her, and while he was getting better at seeing himself through her eyes, he still didn’t realize just how good he was. She knew though, and she felt so damn lucky to have him. She was too choked up to really speak, so instead she nodded, whispered that she loved him and pulled him in for another kiss, falling back into her favorite person once again.

Over the next few days they managed to make good on that new choice. They savored every last moment of their honeymoon, and even on the night when they came back home to Storybrooke, they did so shroud in a resilient quiet. Their world was calm and unassuming. There was no congregation of their loved ones, no celebrations still in store, just peace and space and a last little taste of freedom. In that blissful, fleeting window, they shared as much as they could, the passion between them burning as bright as it had in the forest, and every day before then. But when the night was over, and sleep came calling, Emma knew that tomorrow things would change. For soon they’d be back in the thick of things, finding out the truth and diving once more into something they didn’t yet know, but they had no choice but to conquer.

…………

Stirring awake in the morning, Emma felt the warmth of Killian in her bed and she knew the dawn had only just broken. The day was still so new, the hour still too early, even for her mate to be awake yet. She stretched her limbs and debated curling up into him. She should go back to sleep or savor the moment, but despite her wish to do so, she felt a gentle tug from deep within her chest. At first she ignored it, content to linger here, but soon the feeling grew too dominant. She sat up, careful not to rouse Killian, and looking down at his still sleeping form. He was so peaceful in this moment and she smiled at the sight, but the tightness continued. It felt like a string was pulling at her and she didn’t know why. Then she heard the voice, soft, but familiar. It said only one word.

Emma.

Looking around, she saw no one, and knew it must be in her head but the light in her room changed. The dawn’s crisp colors blended with a burst of silver and gold. It was subtle, but she recognized it. Magic. Here in her home, calling to her.

Without thinking she got up, intent on following the pull. She looked to Killian once more, and thought about waking him, but she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead she moved out the back door and into the land behind their home. The details from there were hazy, she wandered to places unknown, even in the midst of the one place she’d ever called home. She couldn’t tell how long she was out there, but soon the paths she’d often tread were not enough. Instinct drew her away, past a thicket and into a dip in the glen she’d never seen. Large rocks stood there that she couldn’t quite remember but felt she’d seen before, and still the string pulled tighter. She saw then the small passage in the formation, wide enough for someone to go through. She hesitated for the first time, wondering if it was right to go this far. Again the voice spoke.

Have faith, Emma, and remember. Remember to forget.

Remember to forget? She didn’t know what it meant, but she walked through the rocks the darkness creeping in, but just as it felt like she was blinded by it, light came from further in that she didn’t expect she followed it, slowly but surely finding her way, and on the other side of it all she gasped, her breath stolen by the sight before her.

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Storybrooke anymore.

The thought was mired in a joke, but it did nothing to dull what Emma saw before her. A place out of time surrounded on all sides by rocks. It felt like something out of a storybook, both ancient and too beautiful to be real. Emma wanted to take it all in, to linger here, but the string drew taut again and beckoned her to a willow tree across the way. The willow was big and tall, brimming with life as its leaves whistled with the wind. It sat at an embankment, a body of water that went all the way back to the far rock wall, and then perhaps beyond. She couldn’t see beneath the surface, she only felt the call of the water and the tree.

The swirls within the pool were reminiscent of a turquoise sea, like Caribbean waters, land bound in this hidden, special place. Looking inside, she couldn’t tell how deep the water ran. The bottom appeared to be crystalline, with some kind of precious, aqua colored stone sticking up towards the sky but never breaking the surface. At the same time every current swirled and swished in a visible way. The water seemed to pulsate and the light reflected from it and retained a shimmering glow, reminding her of magic.

Were these the kinds of springs of old that witches spoke of? The ones where magic used to live?

The call of the water was strong and sure, and Emma longed to draw nearer to it. The closer she got the sweeter the sound. It was a song, she realized, gentle and soothing and like nothing she had ever heard. Only after a moment did she understand what it was, a version of her wedding song to Killian, enchanted in some way. It flooded her senses before she’d even touched the water, and then she heard a sound intermingled in the chimes of the melody. The laughter of her friends, swelling and light. The water shimmered, a vision came. Everyone was happy and everyone was whole. Was it the past or was it the future? She wanted to know, but as soon as it came it melted away. This time another image. Children running in a field, so many children, none she knew but still familiar. Her hand came to the swell of her stomach, a premonition. A sign of hope and then she reached for the water, wanting to touch.

“Emma,” a voice called, but this one she knew. It was Killian.

She froze and as she did, she watched the water begin to swirl and her own reflection twisted away. As she hovered there, she watched the water change. The aquamarine went from the healthy warming color to something frosted over, icy and colder and sharp. The music was gone, and her heart skipped. She was gripped by the fledgling force of fear, anticipation washing over her. Another image danced below the surface of the pool, and she swore she saw her friends, Anna and Elsa and Ruby, but she couldn’t be sure. The water was clouded and the music from before sounded less like a melody and more like a plea. The only problem was she couldn’t understand it. The only thing she knew was that time was running out she had to fix this she had to –

“Emma!”

Opening her eyes, Emma’s first sight was her husband’s face filled with worry and concern. Instinctively she rose, holding onto him and letting him wrap her up in his embrace. The relief she sensed from him was huge, and she didn’t understand. When she pulled back from him and cupped his face, feeling the scruff of his honeymoon beard, which was longer than the norm, she tried to make it out, but something danced at the corner of her eyes. She looked over and gasped.

“Magic,” she whispered, knowing nothing else could explain what had happened in their room. The ivory color of their walls was now offset with silver and gold and tinted color remnant of light from a thousand prisms. All of this color was in the air around them. It was some kind of substance suspended in time, and the particles looked like dew handing in the air. The ivy vines from outside had crawled into the window, curling around all of their things winding around the dressers and the bedposts. And though it was shocking, it was one of the most beautiful things Emma had ever seen. “But why?”

“The baby,” he whispered, putting his hand where their child was still so small, and Emma covered his without so much as looking down. When they did, everything changed. The particles radiated out, slamming into the walls and leaving a trace, a blend of color and design no human brush could ever make. The vines too changed, and what were once green leaves became metallic kinds of etching in wooden structures themselves. All of it was there and then gone, but it wasn’t gone, and no matter how many times she blinked, the traces still remained.

“It’s amazing,” Killian said, and Emma nodded.

“She’s amazing,” Emma agreed and the two of them shared the moment of awe, letting quiet fall between them.

“You took a minute to wake up,” Killian said, his worry evident once more. “I tried and you didn’t hear me the first time.”

“I had a dream…” Emma said, trying to remember it, but finding that she couldn’t. Strange. She swore only seconds before she’d had it in her head. Why couldn’t she remember?

Remember to forget.

“What happened in it?” he asked and Emma shook her head, unable to recall.

“I don’t know.”

But as she said the words Emma knew whatever it was had been important, and she was eager to figure out what it was and what it meant. And in the meantime, she’d choose to see this unexpected moment as a sign of her daughter’s strength and everything they had to fight for. For nothing in the world could mean so much as the love of this family, and Emma would do anything and everything to see them protected, sheltered, and safe.

Post-Note: So there we have it. I know, I know, I have thrown some big what the heck moments into this early, but I just couldn’t help myself. Also, I’ve told you all this will still be a CS story but it also is a story fixated on Emma’s friends and their loved ones too. They will be back with us in the next few chapters as we try and figure out what they heck is going on. Be advised, there is a battle left ahead and a lot to come in this fic, some of which might be a little angsty, but I don’t think this small glimpse has given too much away and I promise to always circle back to the feel goof love that I cherish in my fics. Anyway, I would love to hear what you all think and hear what you expect may come in part 2 of Lost Souls and Reveries. Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you’ll join me next time!

Taglist (pulling from all the lovely people who I was tagging for part 1, let me know if you’d like to be included or removed):  @jennjenn615, @kmomof4, @winterbaby89, @teamhook, @ultraluckycatnd, @resident-of-storybrooke, @artistic-writer, @snowbellewells, @snarkycaptainswan4, @allofdafandoms-blog

[paladin-lynx]

Human SQUIPtober 2019, Day 10: Leaves

Human SQUIPtober 2019 Day 10: Leaves

Ships Involved: RiverWay (Two River SQUIP [River] x Broadway SQUIP [Ly])

Setting: AU where River and Ly somehow both became human after being SQUIPs for their respective Jeremys, and they now live together. They don’t quite understand how they can both exist, but it isn’t worth questioning it.

Trigger/Content Warnings: None

Author’s Notes: (I was almost on time with this one!) I’m back! Here’s a fluffier piece for this pair. Enjoy!

“Come on, Riv, you’re so slow! And you wonder why I call you an old man!”

River rolled his eyes, stuffing his hands into his pockets despite the fact that just a few years ago, he would’ve chided Jeremy for doing the same thing. Ly had convinced him that they should take advantage of the weather and take a stroll through the park. It was the middle of autumn, right at that perfect midway point between hot and cold where you needed a jacket, but nothing overly bulky or uncomfortable. River was wearing a light coat and scarf – the latter was more for the look than the practicality, sue him – while Ly ran ahead of him in a sweatshirt and beanie.

River absolutely loathed how adorable he looked.

Sometimes he found it unbelievable that they were, in a way, the same person, just different versions. People often mocked the theory of multiple universes where an entity could be one thing in one universe and the complete opposite in another. To be honest, River himself, with his constant overthinking and overanalyzing, would probably still be one of those people if it hadn’t been for the sudden appearance of the embodiment of the 3.0 Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor Patch at his doorstep, claiming to have been in the head of a completely different Jeremy Heere in a completely different Middleborough High.

“You specifically said you wanted to take a stroll, love,” River called after his companion, still keeping his leisurely pace. It was, in fact, a nice day and he was going to take the time to appreciate the fall scenery. This was one of his favorite times of year. Part of him wondered if it was because he’d been activated during this season, so it was one of the first things he got to experience through Jeremy’s eyes. The world was a ridiculous place, but it did have its nice aspects.

Ly finally slowed down so that River could catch up, turning to him with that stupid cheeky grin of his. “I can’t help getting excited. There’s so much to see and do out here, Riv. Stop being so dull.”

River blinked. That was right. This was Ly’s first autumn as a human, so of course he was going to be bouncing all over the place, just like he did with everything else he was experiencing for the first time as a human. River was half-convinced that the first time Ly had hooked up with someone – because of course he had done that, with his ‘cool party boy’ attitude – he’d probably finished early solely from how overwhelming all of the sensations were. River almost wanted to know so he could mock him for it, but at the same time, no thank you.

Even with the epiphany about Ly’s behavior, River still huffed. “You won’t be able to appreciate it if you’re just running past all of it.”

Ly sighed, readjusting his beanie. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll take it easy a bit.”

River couldn’t help a little smile, continuing along the path they were walking. “Come on, then.”

Ly walked beside him and gazed all around them. There was indeed a lot to take in. The trees had lost a lot of their leaves but weren’t completely bare yet. Brown, orange, and golden debris blazed against the green grass, and there was a slight nip in the breeze that whisked past that had River shrinking down into his coat for a brief moment, nuzzling his nose into his scarf. But just as quickly, the late afternoon sun melted away the chill.

It wasn’t as if Ly had been the only one with this idea. They weren’t alone at the park. There were plenty of people out. Families exploring the trails, people walking their dogs or letting them run free and frolic about, couples huddling together under the trees, and a plethora of others. River was pretty sure he spotted a group of teenagers decked out in costumes and armor rushing past at one point, weaving through the trees as they chased each other. He would bet they were LARPers. Judging by their outfits, from the glimpses he’d caught, it was some sort of fantasy adventure, like in Dungeons & Dragons.

Michael had once tried to get Jeremy to join one of his online D&D campaigns. Jeremy had refused because it was bad enough interacting with people he did know; he would be a mess with people he didn’t know and in a game that most of them had probably been playing for years that he had no idea about. Plus, that game involved math, and Jeremy despised math in all forms.

River furrowed his eyebrows at the thought, hurriedly shaking it away. He was here now. Jeremy and Michael were off living their best lives. Maybe Jeremy had joined the game after all. He’d like it. Christine would, too, at least the role-playing aspect.

River was having a difficult time pulling himself out of his own head, as he often did, but as always he was snapped back to reality by Ly’s voice: “Oh! Hello!”

He blinked and saw Ly kneeling down as a pair of dogs, tongues lolling from their mouths, bounded over to him. One was larger with curly golden fur while the other, which struggled a bit to keep up, was shorter and tubbier with darker brown fur, although River spotted some lighter markings on its belly. River guessed that the bigger one was a golden retriever and poodle mix – a goldendoodle, if he remembered currently – based on the wavy fur and the body shape. The smaller one took him a moment longer, unsure at first if it was a Boston terrier or a French bulldog, although he realized after a moment that it was too wide to be a Boston terrier.

Ly laughed as the goldendoodle eagerly lapped at his face and the bulldog jumped up to try and do the same. River watched from a safe few feet away, letting Ly have his moment, although after a moment the bulldog seemed to give up and decided to pick a new target, waddling over to River’s feet and giving him what almost looked like an open-mouthed smile.

River couldn’t help it as he chuckled and crouched down, offering the bulldog a few pats on the head, watching as it tried to lick his wrist. “Hello there, friend,” he greeted softly.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry!” River looked up to see a young woman, no older than twenty-five, jogging over to them with a bewildered look on her face. “They don’t normally run off like that, I guess they just got a bit too excited…” She leaned down to clip a leash to the goldendoodle’s collar, but Ly waved her away, grinning widely.

“It’s alright. We’re always happy to make a few new friends.” He peeked over at River. “Right, River?”

River, not wanting to be improper in front of a stranger, sighed softly, ruffling the bulldog’s ears as he gave the woman a polite smile. “It’s no trouble. I’m glad they stopped to see us instead of just booking it away from you.”

The woman laughed softly, and despite Ly’s insistence, she did clip the leashes onto the two dogs’ collars, just in case. “I know they would never hurt anyone, but you never know who might get scared, or annoyed.”

“Can I ask what their names are?” Ly questioned. River would never cease to be amazed at how quickly Ly could go from being a complete child to civil and well-mannered.

The woman smiled, pointing to the goldendoodle. “She’s Spaghetti”—she then pointed to the bulldog—“and he’s Meatball.”

Ly turned to River again, stars shimmering in his eyes as he grinned like an idiot. River wanted to tease him, but he felt his own heart melt at the woman’s words. He smiled softly down at Meatball, petting him again. “What cute names.”

“Thank you. I hate to pull them away from you, but I really do have to go…”

Ly leaned over to plant a little kiss on the top of Spaghetti’s head before getting to his feet. “Thank you for your time.”

She smiled and gave a little tug on the leashes, and the dogs trotted back over to her. They seemed well-trained, River thought to himself. He wondered what had caused them to just run away like they had. Were River and Ly that interesting? Or perhaps the two dogs had that strange sixth sense animals seemed to have and knew that something was off about them?

“Thank you for keeping them entertained.” The woman gave another smile and waved as she turned to lead the dogs away. “Have a nice day!”

“You too!” River and Ly called at the same time, exchanging a glance. Ly smirked and the moment was over, and River – as usual – turned away with a roll of his eyes. Soon enough, they were continuing on.

“Maybe we should get a pet,” Ly hummed.

River gave him a pointed look. “It’s enough work just looking after you.”

Ly laughed. “Oh, so I’m your pet now, am I?”

River blinked a few times before his cheeks warmed and he hid behind his scarf, looking away. “Why must you bring everything back to sex like a miscreant?”

“Everything comes from sex, dear River. In fact—”

“Do. Not. Finish that statement,” River practically growled.

Ly seemed to consider it for a moment before simply smiling and clasping his hands behind his back, walking ahead and humming under his breath. River sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose, before following.

They walked in rather comfortable silence for a little while. It seemed they were both finally taking the chance to actually take in the setting around them and just enjoy the splendor that the park had to offer. Maybe Spaghetti, Meatball, and that young woman’s friendly attitude had put them in a better temperament. Maybe they could actually have a peaceful rest of their day here.

“River, River, look!”

Or not.

River raised an eyebrow as Ly pointed to a bettered tended-to area of the park. The fallen leaves were in large, neat piles underneath their trees. “What?”

“What do you mean, what?” Ly huffed. “The leaves!”

“Yes, what about them?”

Ly groaned, rolling his eyes. River furrowed his eyebrows before he suddenly realized what Ly was planning. “Ly,” he warned.

Ly turned to him with a grin before sprinting away, toward the piles. River’s eyes widened as he chased after him. “Ly, someone probably spent all day raking th—!”

He winced, slowing to a stop as Ly dove straight into the pile, face-first. He was laughing as the leaves dipped under him, some flying up only to float back down on top of him. Of course, River had memories from Jeremy’s brain of the boy running around with Michael when they were littler – and maybe not so little, too – and jumping into the piles of freshly raked leaves, much to the chagrin of an exhausted Mr. Heere. Even so, even with the joy he knew the boys had felt from the silly antic, River sighed, grimacing slightly as he walked over closer to the pile. “Are you happy with yourself?”

“Very,” Ly sighed out, flipping to lay on his back in the leaf-pile, arms and legs splayed out as he closed his eyes. He looked about ready to go to sleep.

“Come on, Ly, do you have any idea what could be in those leaves? Dirt and bugs and debris and—”

River stopped when he saw Ly had opened an eye and was smirking at him. Once again, with how well they knew one another, River knew what he was planning. He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you goddamn dare.”

“Or what, Riv?” Ly purred, pushing himself up to sit.

River took a step back, but Ly was faster, grabbing onto River’s arms in a surprisingly strong grip and letting himself fall back into the pile. “Ly—!” River started, only to let out a horribly undignified shriek as he lost his balance and tumbled forward, falling into the leaves and also mostly on top of Ly.

With their combined weight, they only sank further into the pile and River found himself surrounded on all sides by leaves. It was warmer than he expected, and he could begin to understand how Ly had looked so comfortable before. However, he still pushed himself up so he was on his hands and knees over Ly instead of just collapsed on top of him. Ly had a grin on his face that could put the Cheshire cat to shame, and River once again found it hard to believe that this man had once formulated a half-decent plan to take over the human race. He scowled, praying that no one had seen – or heard – any of that. “Now are you happy with yourself?”

“Very,” Ly cackled out.

River sighed heavily, shaking his head, letting loose a few leaves that had gotten stuck there. “Unbelievable. Honestly, you’re supposed to be so much more advanced than me and yet here you are, acting like—”

Ly cut River off again, except this time, it was because he had leaned up to press his lips to River’s, kissing him gently. It did the trick and River shut up, eyes widening and cheeks flaming, and he couldn’t even move. He didn’t kiss back, but he didn’t pull away. He was just there, frozen like a machine that had short-circuited. Ly pulled away after only a few heartbeats, but it may as well have been hours in River’s mind. He simply stared, dumbfounded, at Ly under him, mouth slightly agape in shock.

Ly gave him a genuine smile, not one of his usual cocky smirks. “I just want you to have a bit of fun for once,” he murmured.

River blinked again, rather owlishly, before groaning and nuzzling into his scarf again as if to hide away. It seemed to have become more of a safety blanket than he’d intended. “I often question your idea of ‘fun,’” he muttered.

Ly chuckled, before abruptly falling quiet, eyes widening a bit. “Hold still,” he whispered, reaching up. River listened but his brow creased as Ly’s fingers brushed just slightly against his hair, and a moment later, Ly pulled his hand back. River’s breath caught as he saw the caterpillar, small and fuzzy, that was leisurely inching its way across Ly’s hand.

“How the hell did I not feel that there?” River breathed.

“Because my kiss was so great that you couldn’t focus on anything else?” Ly teased, chuckling.

River huffed. “Well, I was right about there being bugs.”

“Lighten up, River. We like making new friends, remember? Come on.”

Hesitantly, River moved to lay beside Ly in the pile, offering his hand when the caterpillar got to the edge of Ly’s. It didn’t even miss a beat as it crawled onto the new territory. River pulled his hand back to himself, smiling just a bit as he turned his hand this way and that, watching the caterpillar tirelessly climb about.

“Aw, he likes you,” Ly cooed, leaning his head against River’s shoulder.

River scoffed, but his eyes never left his new little companion. He was silent for a moment. “…Maybe I’ll reconsider about getting a pet.”

He tried to ignore the way his chest warmed as Ly laughed against him.

[travelonlinetipsofficial]

Best Things to Do in Paris

New Post has been published on https://www.travelonlinetips.com/best-things-to-do-in-paris/

Best Things to Do in Paris

As the world once again becomes our playground, many of us feel compelled to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Here in Paris, that is a good impetus to follow, since most indoor venues now require you to show a vaccine passport in order to enter. This is true of museums, cafes, restaurants, theaters, cinemas…well, you get the picture. Lucky for us, Paris remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Beyond the obvious splendors of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre-Cœur Basilica, Paris has a wealth of sites and experiences to offer. 

And others, like Le Village St.-Paul, and the nearby basketball courts, the Terrain de Sport des Jardins St.-Paul, both in the Marais, make you feel like you’ve discovered a hidden nook of Paris all your own each time you stumble upon them.  The Village St. Paul is recently renovated and is now an exquisite labyrinth of quaint shops, casual restaurants and bars and simply just quiet spaces where you can catch your breath underneath the shade of a tree. It was once the private gardens of King Charles V, but that was centuries ago.  Likewise historical, and not to miss noticing, is the original old wall of Paris built in the 12th and 13th centuries by France’s then King, Philip Augustus. Today, it still fortifies one side of well-used open-air basketball courts of the Marais. In other words, you can both shoot hoops (or jump rope or stretch or do open-air calisthenics) while taking in one of the oldest exposed monuments of historical Paris. 

The Parc Rives de Seine is another popular destination for families and sporty types, or even just people looking for a nice outdoor walk along the Seine or a place to picnic by the river. On warm spring, summer and fall evenings, you’ll find groups of friends enjoying bottles of wine or beer al fresco or ordering a beer at one of the many food stalls there. 

New to the Parisian façade is La Samaritaine. Or, I should accurately denote, all things old become new again since this iconic department store in the Chatelet district of the 1st arrondissement is now fully refurbished and open again for business. It’s the LVMH group who undertook this project, which lasted for nearly a decade, and the architecture shows its modern bent. For architecture buffs and shopping enthusiasts, it’s a must-see. 

In Paris, it pays to just wander because many Parisian gems and treasures can be found along a meandering path. Some of these treasures, such as the covered passage of Galerie Vivienne, are found right under your nose as you walk the city’s charming streets. Its main entrance is tucked in just behind the Palais Royal and once you enter into this covered passage, you feel yourself instantly transported through time. 

One last reassurance when exploring the city: When your feet get tired of walking, there is a boat-bus service, the Batobus, that you can hop on and off. It motors you from the Eiffel Tower to just past the Ile St. Louis by riverway, and back again, if you so choose. 

Getting outside these days can feel like something of a privilege. Who would have thought? But here we are. So, in honor of maximizing that privilege, these are outdoor basketball courts open to the public where you can shoot hoops and otherwise do open-air calisthenics. The kids from the high school across the street are often here playing on their sports hour, but there are many hours when there isn’t a single soul inside this expansive sports terrain. It’s a great place to bring your yoga mat and do some stretches, or a jump rope and get a vigorous workout. If you have some buddies you can shoot hoops with, go for it. The baskets are yours for the playing. While you’re here, don’t forget to notice the 12th century wall that holds up one side of the encircling façade.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: The great outdoors! Even in the heart of the Marais, you find these hidden oases where you can play, sweat and absorb some culture, too.

Paige’s expert tip: Come here for the outdoor exercise venue, stay for the history lesson… Right here on an ancient street in the Marais are these fabulous outdoor basketball courts. The playing field is large enough that if you want to do calisthenics like jump rope there’s plenty of room off to the side without getting in the way of the game. Be sure to notice the ancient wall to your right as you enter. It is one of the only remnants of the historic Paris city wall that once encircled what was then the outer limits of the city. It dates back to the end of the 12th c., beginning of the 13th c and was built by King Philip Augustus to protect against the threat of a pending Richard The Lionheart invasion.

Read more about Terrain de Sport des Jardins St-Paul →

Though not strictly an attraction, the Batobus is more than just river transportation along the Seine. A hop-on, hop-off shuttle between the major Paris monuments that’s easily accessible from the Seine, it’s nice to ride the Batobus for the sheer pleasure of seeing the city from a different perspective. And while the Bateaux-Mouches and the other wonderful dinner and cocktail Seine river cruises are experiences many rave about (rightly so), this little Batobus-that-could offers the same views at a fraction of the price – dinner and cocktails not included, of course. It’s a family friendly transportation option for getting around the city. Its stops are all along the river, of course. These strategic stops are at areas which make visiting the Louvre, St.-Germain des Pres, the Marais and Latin Quarter and the Eiffel Tower/Trocadero areas very convenient by foot.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: Paris, when seen from the river Seine, is even more beautiful. And that goes for day and night.

Paige’s expert tip: Hop on and hop off all day long. Or buy the 2-day pass and make the River Seine your main method of transportation to see many of Paris’s landmark sights.

Read more about Batobus – Louvre Stop →

The area along the Rive Droite (right bank) riverfront that was once a thoroughfare for cars, stretching from the Tuileries tunnel to the Henri IV tunnel, is now a pedestrian zone. You can either start at Hôtel de Ville and head east toward the Bastille, which is a shorter walk but will take you along the stretch where the eateries are, often packed with people on the weekends. Or you can head west, still along the Seine, towards the Pont des Arts which will take you along some of Paris’ most beautiful sites such as the Conciergerie, the Pont Neuf and Île de la Cité. It’s a win-win and, either way, will leave you refreshed. An equally beautiful walk awaits you on the Left Bank side of the Seine. Optimally, start from the Pont Alexandre III and walk towards the Eiffel Tower, allowing for plenty of pauses along the way.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: These green spaces and pedestrian areas along the riverbanks are well-loved, especially by the kids. They get packed in the warmer months with fun-loving crowds.

Paige’s expert tip: After big meals and sugary treats, the best thing to do to maintain equilibrium is to take a nice long walk outdoors. Start just under the Hotel de Ville (Paris’ City Hall) where you’ll find a children’s playground, a swing set, some water fountains and the Batobus ticket kiosk. From this point, you can walk West towards the Pont des Arts, or East towards Pont Sully. Either way, you’ll encounter eateries, refreshments, shady places to sit and picnic tables. No cars, the gorgeous River Seine, and some of Paris’ most beautiful landmarks await you on this walk.

Read more about Parc Rives de Seine →

Founded originally in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq and Louise Jay (namesakes of the famous Cognacq-Jay Museum) this Parisian landmark is once again alive. Fully refurbished top-to-bottom, its entire 70,000 square meter, 10 floors of luxury goods, French culinary treats, artistic installations and beauty day-escapes are now all yours for the taking. One of the façades, the most modern one, fronts onto the rue de Rivoli, giving this little Pont-Neuf neighborhood of Paris the sleek LVMH imprint. But other parts of the building were maintained to preserve its Belle Epoque appeal. The building takes up a whole city block and then some. There is also the Cheval Blanc hotel that is adjacent to this department store (also LVMH owned). This department store is well-equipped to deliver whatever you might need for person or home. Clean-lined furnishings are for sale, along with china, kitchen appliances, and bedding. Men’s and women’s fashions guarantee something stylish to wear, and cosmetics let you put your best face forward. Sportswear, a bookstore, a pet department, and children’s clothing, toys, and accessories are available as well. METRO: Pont Neuf

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: Beauty day-escapes, including one devoted solely to reshaping your eyebrows, gourmet cafes and, of course, luxury shopping are all here. Paris at its finest!

Paige’s expert tip: This is Le Shopping destination now in Paris. Closed in 2005 as a safety hazard, Parisians have waited over a decade to be able to once again frequent this Belle Epoque, beloved department store. And LVMH, the new owner and instigator of the renovations, certainly has delivered. The splendor of the interior is barely grasped by its exterior, so, by all means, go inside and enjoy!

Read more about La Samaritaine →

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica, also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is blessed with its location in Paris. At the top of a huge hill in Montmartre overlooking the city, large steps cascade down the hill on one side, the basilica’s white domes looming up in magnificence behind them. Head inside the Sacré-Coeur to experience this sacred Catholic cathedral, built in 1876. With its high point at the top of the Montmartre hill, plus its gleaming white stone exterior, Sacré-Coeur Basilica is an amazing sight to behold from a distance as well, and views of it can be seen from many different points in Paris.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: The Sacré-Coeur sits like a majestic white lady, regal and pure, at the top of the Montmartre Hill, otherwise called the Butte Montmartre.

Paige’s expert tip: The steps are great for sitting on with a loved one or friends. Music performers are often playing and you’ll have an impressive view of the city spreading out below.

Read more about Basilique du Sacré-Coeur →

Named for Louis XIV’s confessor, who once lived in the vicinity, this cemetery was established in 1804. It was planned as a repository for human remains when authorities sought to improve sanitation by moving graves from the center of the city to its outskirts. Now park-like in its appeal, Pére Lachaise is a much-desired place to be buried. Within its bounds are the graves of Moliére, Oscar Wilde, Heloise & Abelard, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Proust and other famous figures. Stately trees and beautiful memorials add to the cemetery’s present-day calm. The area surrounding the cemetery is also something of a budding bohemia. Many young families have flocked to the 20th arrondissement in recent years for its wider streets and bigger, more affordable apartments.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: Can you really come all the way to Paris and not pay tribute to Jim Morrison’s grave?

Paige’s expert tip: Schedule a whole day if you want to explore the entire cemetery. There are a whole 110 acres to cover and many famous tombstones to hunt down, in addition to Jim Morrison’s and Oscar Wilde’s.

Read more about Cimetiére du Pére Lachaise →

This gorgeous architectural gem, completed in the 17th century, is located in the city’s Faubourg Saint-Germain region. It was created by Louis XIV, the Sun King, as a home for aged soldiers and disabled/injured veterans. Among its prominent features are a sweeping esplanade, a series of gardens, and a striking domed church, where Napoleon I and other military heroes are interred. One of those military heroes is Turenne, one of the most famous marshals of France, whose tomb was installed in 1800 under the Dome. It wasn’t until 1840 that Napoleon I’s body was transferred to this site under the direction of King Louis-Philippe. Also at this location is the Musée de l’Armée: an outstanding art and military history museum, with extensive armament collections.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s body was interred in the tomb at Hôtel National des Invalides in 1840.

Paige’s expert tip: In the summer months, catch the evening light and sound show. It’s an exhilarating romp through Paris history from the perspective of battles fought and wars won.

Read more about Hôtel National des Invalides →

This Roman-style arena was built between the first and the 2nd century A.D. Named after the city when it was still under the Gallo-Roman rule, the Arènes de Lutèce are one of only two monuments that are still standing from that early historic time of the city, nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been completely covered over and only in 1883, after the demolition of the Daughters of Jesus Christ Convent, was a third of the amphitheater uncovered. Today, you can still see the stage and wings where the actors stood when performing in front of the assembled crowd. It’s a huge monument but not seen from the street. So you literally have to go and unearth it yourself by following the little street that leads to the entrance. It’s a breathtaking venue. It’s also very close to rue Mouffetard, so plenty of fun cafes, bars and restaurants nearby!

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: This arena dates back to the early Roman times when Paris was called Lutèce.

Paige’s expert tip: This amphitheater, originally used as a stage, was later a cemetery. It was later filled in following the building of the wall of Philippe Auguste in 1210. Les Arenes were rediscovered between 1860-1869 when the Compagnie Generale des Omnibus sought to build a tram stop on the site.

Read more about Arènes de Lutèce →

First built in 1780, the Parc du Champ-de-Mars is a large green space that stretches from the Eiffel Tower all the way down to the École Militaire to the southeast. It is a favored place for leisurely strolls, rain or shine. It is also one of the best places in the city to stretch out a picnic blanket and while the afternoon hours away over a shared baguette, some French cheese and other treats. Now that there is a glass protective shield around the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, approaching from the great monument from the Champ de Mars affords you a magnificent perspective onto the Iron Lady. Here, you can still lay out a blanket and picnic goodies and simply enjoy some time spent in the shadow of a one-of-a-kind view.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: The Eiffel Tower is among the ten most recognized landmarks in the world.

Paige’s expert tip: The Champ de Mars is the favored spot for picnics and afternoons spent with a book stretched out on a blanket under the sunshine and the Eiffel Tower. It is open both day and night, so star-gazing is also a popular pastime here.

Read more about Champ de Mars →

Fresh from a complete refurbish, this little village within the heart of the Marais district of Paris is now fully re-opened for business, browsing, antiquing and simply enjoying peace & quiet within secluded, interconnected courtyards. Collectors of art and antiques will know this little village well, as many of the shops are oriented towards antiques and other fine collectibles. But not all. Other shops include Venus sur Cour, a shop specializing in erotic collectibles. The network of interconnected courtyards also houses many artist ateliers including photographers, ceramic workshops and even a hatmaker. Le Village St. Paul, now that it is once again fully open and in pristine condition, is also a very popular spot with the locals for lunch/dinner. Restaurants range from casual Italian to casual French to a bar aptly called Dad’s Den. As you meander it’s easy to imagine that King Charles V himself once walked here.

Recommended for Best Attractions & Activities because: The City of Paris spent heaps of Euros and several years refurbishing these ancient gardens once owned by King Charles V. They are now re-opened.

Paige’s expert tip: Once upon a time this was the private gardens of King Charles V.Today, it is known as Le Village St. Paul. A labyrinth of interconnected courtyards filled with quaint shops, artists’ ateliers and restaurants/bars, few places in the Marais offer such a charming oasis from the hustle and bustle of the main streets as Le Village St. Paul.

Read more about Le Village St Paul →

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[commandertheory]

Custom Challenge: Partners

New name, been outta the magic game for awhile! Just coming back. (It’s Raptorthedoctor/Thelovelymedusa/Abyssal-Lolth) So uhh, deck challenge! Not sure if you still do those anymore, buuuut can’t blame a girl for trying, right?  You might remember one of the things I liked to challenge you with were custom commanders, and Partner gives some new space to that, so I figured I’d hit you up with some choices. Attached are 10 commanders with Partner, one for each color pairing. The rules are simple, just pick the two you like best or think are most interesting and work around them! Alternatively, if you want to use one of these with one of the existing partners, feel free to do that instead! I’ll go over the 10 below (and if anyone else wants to play around with them, feel free.)

This is Arketh. He was essentially made top-down from the art. An abomination resulting from Phyrexian experiments in Darksteel, Arketh must sustain himself on the lives of others to maintain his indestructible status. Or he can be found as expendable, and the research gained him the experiment used to aid another creature.  Commander-wise, he could lend himself to a lot of interesting utility uses, but I like to think he might be good in some sort of dual-Voltron deck, given that he himself is a miniature Yahenni for one less mana (albeit without the additional growth effect) but can also protect another one of your creatures.

I’ve been waiting to make this card since forever, really, but Helddagrif never really felt like it’d fit as its own fully-powered commander. I think it works well here as a supplement threat to some other group-slug partner. Helddagrif, most likely the result of some demon or necromancer getting their hands on our hapless hippo friend, brings along group discard and damage, sure to make you a hit at the table! (Just make sure you don’t go past 3 activations of his first ability or your hippo isn’t long for this world. Unless you had a way to give him indestructible…)  Definitely not as interesting or unique a card as Phelda, I’ll admit it, but the idea was humorous and I kind of like that this purple hippo now has nothing but hate in its heart. The perfect minion for some dastardly character!

Just slightly less cringeworthy of a name than Helddagrif is Hyss. B/G got a pretty cool toughness matters theme with Khans block, so I’ve extended on that here. Hyss is probably one of the more mechanically unimpressive looking of the commanders, but never underestimate a deathtouch threat you can cast over and over at instant speed. Hyss is from Amonkhet. Or, well… I had concepted a plane ages ago where one of my Planeswalkers dwelt, which was an Egyptian world that had become subjugated by Bolas. While Amonkhet seems to be a bit more than “Subjugated”, if the shoe fits, wear it! Hyss is an assassin known for her poisoned blade. 

The cheapest of the cycle rewards you for playing with the most expensive creatures. She might be undercosted for what she does, but she comes with some fairly strict deckbuilding conditions..  The flavor text and epitaph are a reference to Illaoi from League of Legends.  Lissana is from Zendikar. She seems to have survived the Eldrazi incursion on a remote isle guarded by sea monsters, preferring to hermit here, rather than involve herself more actively in the conflict.

If you remember my Sharuum deck, you know I love Sphinxes. Morius here is an evasive beater that have a big upside when he enters. An upside that grows the more things have died. Luckily, you’re in black. He might not mind being paired with a white creature to increase the amount of available options, though.  Morius, if printed, would be the most expensive Partner printed. Ikra Shidiqi, Kraum, and Ravos are all tied for second at 5 CMC. Morius is a Sphinx from Theros who dwells in the Underworld. While he wears the mask of a Returned, he himself is still quite living. Whether he works for Phenax or Erebos, or whether he’s simply crafty enough to evade their detection is unknown. 

I’ve probably complained along with everyone else about red/white commanders. Here’s my attempt at an interesting one. 

Champion is a mechanic that I always wished got a little more love. There’s a bit of good mechanical design space, including using the championed creature as a resource. Some other ideas for what Scor might’ve done with the Championed creature included getting +X/+0 based on their CMC, putting tokens into play based on their CMC, or dealing damage based on their CMC. But I felt like a sunforger on a stick was just gonna be a more interesting route to go. I’m not entirely sure if the wording on the activated is correct as I have no examples to fall back on. Had to cut the reminder text for champion cause even as it is, the card is a bit crowded.

Scor is from Estaroth, a plane where mighty champions go on quests to battle ferocious monsters in the name of the realm. With his appearance and elemental status, some might consider Scor to fall firmly into the latter camp, but the guy’s got a heart of (Molten) Gold.

A commander that makes use of the fact that you can have two commanders. I’m still a little scared of the power level of this one, so he’s costed and given an appropriately squishy body to reflect that. To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure how much of the “power budget” of a card Partner eats up, and this might’ve been pushing it just a little. Honestly though, rebound probably isn’t a powerful enough ability to prevent him from being a 2/2 or 0/3. Or maybe costing 3 mana. I erred on the safe side. I’m not entirely sure which plane Terisys is from. Perhaps I’ll explore that later. I can’t help but think he’s related to Bolas in some way, though.

I’m a bit sad I couldn’t get flavor text on more of these, but they were eating up space in that text box.  So I haven’t actually seen or own any Kaladesh cards yet, but I’ve looked over the block and it looks pretty sweet. (Getting an inventor’s fair for Sharuum.) The Fabricate mechanic presents an interesting choice. Do I go high or do I go wide? Yinna offers two different effects based off what choice you take on the fabricate, although there are definitely ways in green/white to break those rules a little. She definitely benefits from cards that can give her +1/+1 counters, being paired or partnered with beatsticks for her to grant trample, cards that can increase her token production somehow (like anything with populate or doubling season-type effects), and bounce or blink.  Yinna, of course, is from Kaladesh. She enjoys blending organic life, mainly plants, with her artifice.

For whatever reason, I’m really bad at designing blue/white commanders as well as red/white ones. Maybe white just isn’t my thing. Selkia comes with a pretty powerful moat-like ability, with the caveat that she has to be untapped for it to be turned on. Luckily, blue is the color of untapping things and white is the color of vigilance, although with her 2/2 body, she probably needs to be beefed up a little before attacking in the first place. Selkia’s power scales with the number of players in the game. Having a moat effect becomes a lot more valuable when lots of people have huge armies of creatures (Or armies of huge creatures) and are just looking for places to point them. Selkia’s cost reduction ability, one meant to mimic Commander 2016’s “Undaunted” mechanic, also becomes better with each extra player in the game.  Selkia is from Alyra. A plane where an invasion of the south by powerful demon lords has forced many of the plane’s inhabitants to migrate to the cold North to make a last stand against the ever advancing demonic forces.

Finally, there’s Mag, Gurana Stalker//Old Mag This is a pretty straightforward beater on the front side. The flavor is a lot like the idea of a ramping threat, like a movie monster. Sometimes, like the blob, the monster grows from small to larger and larger as it devours more people. Sometimes it’s the alien chestburster who undergoes a metamorphosis and emerges as an alien warrior. Other times it’s the raptors who learn how to open doors.  Once transformed, Mag gains a powerful combat ability to show off her battle experience. She wouldn’t have survived to become “Old” Mag on the harsh plane of Vera if she wasn’t tough! She’s a monster in combat, making chump-blocking or often blocking her at all not much of an option. Like any growing monster, the best way to deal with her is when she’s small.  You may get the most out of Old Mag by forcing creatures to block her. If you can get enough +1/+1 counters on her, she can make devastating use of Lure effects, often being able to take out all comers all at once with that double dose of power increase, once from the counters and again from her ability. Like any voltron, she’ll do well with some hexproof or shroud. Ways to give her haste can start the attacks and counter stacking more quickly, and ways to give her +1/+1 counters can hasten her growth into the tyrant queen of the riverway a little quicker. Anyway, those are my take on the partner mechanic! I hope you enjoyed and it wasn’t TOO long of a read for you! I look forward to seeing what/if you do with them! 

Rattlesnakes and Sea Serpents

The two that stood out to me out of this batch were Hyss and Lissana, as both of them encourage a deck that operates at instant speed. Hyss requires you to keep mana open on your opponents’ turns so you can threaten them with a surprise deathtouch blocker, while Lissana allows you to cast your deck’s biggest threats at the last possible second, thus allowing you to constantly hold up counterspells and spot removal.

The Beasts of the Deep

There are a couple of very strong sea monsters, but in order to fill enough slots so that our commander’s ability is relevant, we’ll have to settle for running a few that are normally a little too vanilla for this format.

+Kederekt Leviathan: When cast EOT, it’ll clear out potential blockers and allow you to be the first to rebuild your board. +Colossal Whale: Flash gives this guy pseudo-haste, allowing you to quickly answer threats. +Wrexial, the Risen Deep: One of the few sea monsters that generate card advantage. +Scourge of Fleets: Probably won’t trigger for more than 3 or 4 in this three-color deck, but it’ll disrupt your opponents’ utility creatures/mana dorks/etc. and steal some tempo. +Stormtide Leviathan: Protects you and improves the effectiveness of your other islandwalkers. +Breaching Leviathan +Shipbreaker Kraken: Casting it EOT can allow you to immediately mostrify it and clear out blockers while you swing for 10. +Elder-Deep Fiend +Great Whale +Aethersquall Ancient +Stormsurge Kraken +Trench Gorger +Aethertide Whale +Deep-Sea Kraken +Grozoth +Inkwell Leviathan +Pearl Lake Ancient +Simic Sky Swallower

Harnessing Tiamat’s Might

In addition to one or two cards that specifically support our deck’s tribal theme, there are lots of cards that have synergy with our strategy of “EOT drop some huge fat”.

+Sunder: Once you have a bunch of large creatures on the board, casting Sunder can be an excellent way to close out the game. +Prime Speaker Zegana/Hunter’s Prowess/Hunter’s Insight/Rishkar’s Expertise/Soul’s Majesty: The ratio of cards drawn to mana spent on these is hard to beat once you’ve got a sea monster to target. +Greater Good: Good protection against board wipes and pretty thematic, too. Ever heard of whale falls? +Whelming Wave: Excellent way to clear out blockers while leaving our main threats untouched. +Toxic Deluge: Since most of the creatures we care about are huge, we can easily pick a number that will wipe out our opponents’ stuff while allowing our benthic beasts to survive.

Summoning the Sea

Given that the average CMC of our sea monsters is like 6 or 7, we’re going to need a fair bit of ramp if we want to consistently cast them.

+Ancient Tomb +Sol Ring +Mana Crypt +Joraga Treespeaker +Trinket Mage +Cultivate +Kodama’s Reach +Skyshroud Claim +Hunting Wilds +Ranger’s Path +Explosive Vegetation

Abyssal Magics

These are our primary means of interacting with our opponents; most of them are instant speed to keep with the deck’s theme of playing on our opponents’ turns.

+Crush of Tentacles +Rapid Hybridation +Pongify +Doom Blade +Sultai Charm +Nature’s Claim +Arcane Denial +Counterspell +Cyclonic Rift +Disallow +Forbid +Go for the Throat +Negate +Putrefy +Swan Song +Vendetta +Damnation +Toxic Deluge

Wrapping Up

The rest of the deck is mostly goodstuff, with one or two tricks to take advantage of Hyss’s deathtouch. You can take a look at the full decklist here:

Snakes and Serpents

Thanks for the extremely creative challenge (and for your patience) @lyla-lycoris! I’m working my way through my backlog and will tackle more submissions soon.

[nedcanquen]

Le Loupgarou - Chapter 2 (NedCan Week 2017 - Warmth/Cold)

Here is chapter 2!

Tags: Werewolf AU, supernatural, Historical AU.

Pairings: NedCan

Image from Pexels

4 months later 

He didn’t know why he hadn’t asked Mr Loupgarou to leave (Matthieu had not decided on the man’s new name yet, but he responded to this one even if he had the funniest look on his face whenever he heard it).

Maybe because Matthieu was lonely. He had been born into a large community and had been given to a small and foreign group right before his family had been erased in years of senseless war. When he reached manhood and realized that he was unwilling to join the brothers, Matthieu left and had since lived on his own, a far cry from where he had started. Maybe he had also been bored. Now he had the additional challenge of having to stalk and find Mr Loupgarou every full and tend to him. There was purpose in it beyond simply trading for things and making some money. Maybe because of that, Matthieu could not bring himself to ask the man to leave. Neither did it seem, was the man in a hurry to. Matthieu had no doubt that once Mr Loupgarou adjusted to his condition and got his bearings, that he would leave. Mr Loupgarou had told him that he had been born in a busy and bustling port city and grew up in the brothel where his mother had worked. Such an environment was a completely different world from this solitary home that Matthieu had built himself in this hidden portion of the forest. Sometimes, when Matthieu found work as a guide, he would take steps to hide the place before he led parties deep into the forest, down the long riverways and further on, before finding his way back. It was amazing that this strategy seemed to work each time. Matthieu didn’t know why he wanted one home to return to, rather than to wander and make his way where he saw fit, but he did.

Sometimes he wondered if he could even ask the man to leave - wouldn’t it be dangerous for everyone else? So far, the man-wolf form had not harmed Matthieu but Mr Loupgarou insisted that he had very little control over himself while changed. Come each full moon, he was mostly intent on running away, as far as possible from Matthieu as he could get. He was effective at it for the most part, Matthieu was just a normal man, there was no keeping up, but he could easily follow the trail left behind. The urgency was to find Mr Loupgarou in his fully human form as quickly as possible after he changed back - he was always exhausted and vulnerable during this time, sometimes passed out, and there was no telling what or who would prey on him given the chance without Matthieu there to protect him. He had done so already, several times.

It didn’t mean that Mr Loupgarou wasn’t often an annoyance though. He brooded often in a way that brought a dark mood to everything, probably because he was prone to sharp words. In the first few weeks of his stay, he would do nothing without being explicitly being ordered to. Matthieu did not blame him for his moods, he cannot imagine what being cursed by something as simple as an animal bite had to be, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed seeing it. Mr Loupgarou also had to be reminded to bathe frequently or risk being locked out, like a child, but Matthieu knew from experience amongst the Jesuits that Europeans simply did not wash as often as they should. Thankfully Mr Loupgarou was no freeloader and after he became familiar with the work, he would find ways to busy himself before the moods could hit him too hard - chopping more wood, preparing food, cleaning the meat, gathering edible plants - all skills that Matthieu had taught him and seemed to keep the dark brooding at bay for the most part. Mr Loupgarou also seemed to have an affinity for flowers, and had to be taught several times not to pluck the poisonous ones, no matter how beautiful. It seemed however that he was most occupied at night, sitting by a dim light and mapping the surroundings around the cabin. Matthieu was not comfortable with having his home mapped out, this was his secret hideaway, but he was amazed at how accurate the map was and too fascinated to really put a stop to it.

“You could find work as a surveyor.” He had said once.

Mr Loupgarou scoffed. “A surveyor who is at risk of eating the entire party come the full moon.”

Almost every conversation about a potential future ended like that so Matthieu knew not to waste his time arguing the point. “I will need you keep that particular map a secret. I hide here by choice.”

“Of course.” Mr Loupgarou emphatically assured him. I had no intention of sharing this it’s just...something I can do that calms me down and gives me a sense of purpose.”

“Alright then.” Matthieu hoped that he could believe him, and that once Mr Loupgarou left, he wouldn’t sell the map for some kind of profit. Men could have honest intentions in one moment, and change it the next, this he knew.

The weather was cold now, and rabbit stew would do wonders for the body. Matthieu brought home several rabbits from his hunt, feeling quite proud of himself until he saw the look on the other man’s face. Mr Loupgarou looked like he wanted to cry. It was so incongruous and unexpected, since the man otherwise tried his hardest not to show much emotion.

Matthieu decided to ignore that look for now. He wanted his rabbit stew.

Mr Loupgarou couldn’t bring himself to eat either, preferring to chew on the preserved foods, not that it was a good idea to survive off that even for just one meal in this weather. Matthieu had more for himself.

In the coming days it was easier to see that after the meat had been sliced, dried and preserved, Mr Loupgarou could attempt to stomach it, but the fresh rabbit stew made the man sick. Matthieu wasn’t having any of it - if he didn’t eat, he would be of no use.

“So, you love rabbits. I don’t know what else to tell you, except that when it snows like this, it’s easier to trap them than waste energy trying to hunt something else down when prey is more elusive or dangerous, and movement is difficult.”

“I know.” He huffed as he swung the axe down on a thick log of wood. “I try.”

Matthieu nods. “May I know why?”

After a furious swing of the axe, Mr Loupgarou put it down and sat on the stump. There was silence for a while but Matthieu waited him out. Finally the man took a breath and asked, “Did you ever have pets growing up? Animal companions?”

Ah. “A dog.” Matthieu answers. He smiles in the memory of the dogs that lived with them, even along with the sadness when they passed on. One of the happier times he can recall while living with the Jesuits was being tasked to care for the sheepdog that lived with the brothers. “You had a...rabbit as an animal companion back where you come from?” Matthieu tries to think of what possible help rabbits can be - they can’t hunt, they hide well, maybe they could teach one where to hide?

“Several...you could say. They lived everywhere in my city, and they were usually skittish but...there was a family that lived on a small circle of green next to the brothel I grew up in. They were so used to us they weren’t scared, probably because we fed them occasionally.” He smiles and it’s the warmest sight Matthieu has ever seen, it lifts years off the man’s face and makes him look for a time, beautiful. “They’re just...sweet. I made friends with one when I was a small boy and I took care of her. She went everywhere with me, until…”

Matthieu sighs. Maybe he’ll be able to trap more squirrels instead, but they had less fat in them, which was needed for a long winter. Maybe he could extract more sap from the maple trees to boil into sugar. He’ll have to lay different traps but it’s entirely doable. It’s a shame that Mr Loupgarou had not managed to take down more boars since their first meeting. Whatever it is, he doesn’t have the heart to take away the one single thing the man still smiles over.  

He doesn’t say anything about this decision, but nods and turns to prepare for the different routine he’s going to have tomorrow. “I’ve thought of a name for you then.”

“Finally. At first I was worried, but I think anything is preferable to Mr Loupgarou.”

“Mr Rabbit.”

Mr Loupgarou laughs and Matthieu finds that this laugh brings a furnace to his chest, chasing away the chill. “Seriously Matthieu? I mean, I suppose I could respond to that but…”

Matthieu laughs in return. “No, but...Leverett. Your name is now Leverett.”

“Leverett? As in ‘young hare?”” Matthieu nods and ‘Leverett’ grins, shaking his head. “Somewhere, far away, my sister and brother are laughing and they do not even know why. Leverett it is then.”

“You have siblings?” He had never mentioned this before.

“A half-sister and a half-brother.” His smile dimmed and Matthieu regretted asking.

No more was said of family that day.

It felt like something shifted between them after Matthieu gave Leverett his name. In the weeks that followed the silences became more companionable, relaxed even, and Matthieu learned just how observant his guest actually was.

“You’ve stopped hunting rabbits.”  

Matthieu stirs the squirrel stew and shrugs. “We’re not desperate. If we were though, there wouldn’t be a choice, we would have to eat anything we can get. This has been a bountiful year so don’t let it lull you, there will be desperate winters, so it is best to remember that even with this reprieve.”

Leverett nods in understanding, comes closer and looks him in the eyes. “Thank you.”

His voice is so heavy with gratitude that Matthieu freezes for a moment. “I’m glad you can stomach squirrels. Do you think you can bring down a boar again?” He manages to joke and smiles just to make sure that Leverett (he’s actually missing the ridiculous Mr Loupgarou nickname) knows he’s joking.

They smile together, and Matthieu looks at Leverett and notices again, the odd shade of green his eyes are. He stares, a little too long, Leverett does not look away.

--

There is something heavy between them. A tension that Matthieu cannot define but it grows all the same. He’s not sure what he can do to lessen it and he doesn’t want to. It’s just that Matthieu finds himself looking too long, at Leverett’s back when he throws in new logs to keep the fire going, at his face when he hunches over his never-ending map, now illustrated with fantastical and beautiful drawings of plants, animals and fantastical creatures decorating the corners. Leverett does not seem to discourage him, he seems almost pleased. It frustrates Matthieu all the more. This is his home, Leverett is his guest, but Matthieu feels more and more like everything is about to change. Leverett may not be selling guns, but this one odd cursed stranger seems destined to do what his kind have always done - change everything that Matthieu has known. He can’t blame Leverett for this, because Matthieu had decided to take him in.

Overall, it’s not fair. But he still can’t find it in himself to ask Leverett to leave.

“Have you always been on your own?” Leverett asks in the quiet. He’s looking up from the paper he’s scribbling on for a change. It’s a little surprising, since neither of them are great talkers, usually going through the day in their own heads and respecting each other’s tendency to do so. Maybe it was fair for Leverett to know a little about him, since Matthieu at least knew a little about the man. But it was hard. Matthieu often tried to get through his days forgetting his old life, that way he could avoid thinking about how absolutely destroyed it was, and he could see the man he rescued simply as a man who he had helped and not think about the nation he came from, or the role it had played in his own people’s demise. It was easier to give him a French name, with a meaning as innocent as ‘young hare, to hear about his fondness for the animals, than to think about people who looked like him selling guns.

“I lived with a community of Jesuits for a while. I didn’t want to take vows so I ran away.”

Leverett gives out a harsh laugh. “I don’t blame you.” After a pause. “You’re too…” It’s funny to see him careful with his words. “You weren’t raised entirely by Jesuits” He says knowingly. “Were you adopted by the Indians? You look European and you have a French name but you’re not...you’re not French, at least, nothing like any Frenchman I’ve ever met.” He says with finality and humor. “That’s a good thing.”

Matthieu cannot smile. It’s tempting to dismiss the conversation, turn around and ready himself for bed, but for some reason, Matthieu feels himself close off. It must have shown on his expression because Leverett actually recoils slightly, his eyes widening in alarm.

“I did not mean to intrude. I-”

“My nation no longer exists. Your people sold the guns that killed them. That’s why I live here, alone.”

He can see Leverett’s face twist into shock before he controlled himself again, considering this information. After a long moment, he sighs, the weariness in his shoulders is evident. “Beaver wars?”

Matthieu nods.

“There were many nations the Iroquois warred with. If I may...which was yours?” Matthieu had to chuckle at Leverett using that name for the Haudenosaunee. The Algonquin had allied with his nation in the Beaver Wars. They gave the Haudenosaunee the name ‘Iroquois’, and it was an insult. It appeared the Europeans thought that was actually the name of that confederation. A small vengeance.

“My people...were the People of the Bear. We were part of the Wendat nation.” Leverett showed no recognition of this name. “The French called us the Huron.” Now Matthieu saw recognition light up in Leverett’s eyes.

“You grew up near the Great Lake then? Or by a river? The French call your people river dwellers.”

Of all the stupid things. Matthieu barely resists rolling his eyes. “Who doesn’t live by water? The Iroquois used to live on the opposite side of the Great Lake and you can’t travel efficiently without the rivers. Everyone needs water and the rivers.” He says as if speaking to a child. Leverett bristles slightly.

“Believe me, I know that, but I also know that not everyone lives by the water. I asked because that’s what my nation, my people are known for. Living with the water.”

Matthieu wondered if he heard that right ‘with’ not ‘by’. “I confess, I know little about the Dutch Republic. I avoided any and all of your people for a long time. The contract to hunt you was actually the first. So, is your home...an island?”

He cannot read Leverett’s expression now, but eventually the man answers. “No, though there are islands. It’s just that…” It looks like he’s trying to find the words. “Your father’s people call my nation The Low Countries. There are provinces that have hills and the like but not mine. A lot of my home is…” He takes a bowl and places his hand horizontal to the lip. “Think of my hand as the sea. And imagine this is a long bowl with a flat bottom. A good portion of my country is like this. Our land is very flat, there are no mountains, sometimes we’re not sure if we can even call some of it land. There’s nothing to serve as a barrier from the sea. It floods often, and...honestly, flooding used to kill more people than wars do. But...it is our home and we will keep it, against Spaniards, other invaders, even against the sea. We’ve dug canals, built dykes, we’ve made something that used to threaten us into an advantage. The canals allow for efficient transport, improving our trade, giving us the wealth to sail...even to the other side of the world. But that’s now. For the longest time, we were so very poor, conquered, we drowned often, we barely survived.”

It was a very European thing, Matthieu mused, that this conversation had started because Leverett had wanted to know more about him, but still ended up talking about his own nation instead.

“I’m...sorry. If you do not wish to talk about it with me…”

Matthieu shakes his head. “I don’t even know where to begin, how to describe what life was like.”

Leverett shrugs. “Then, if you want to, just start anywhere, anything, whichever good memory comes to you first. Only if you want to, otherwise you can tell me to fuck right off.”

Matthieu is a little amused at that, wondering why he’s never wanted to tell this man to fuck right off. “Not tonight. But one day.”

Five nights before the next change, Matthieu realizes something just as he is about to fall asleep. Leverett sleeps late, or rather, he doesn’t attempt to sleep when Matthieu does, and he is always the first to rise, already busy by the time Matthieu opens his eyes - or so he had assumed.

“Do you sleep at all?”

Leverett turns from the fire, the flickering flames cast strange shadows across his face. He shrugs. “I just have trouble falling asleep, so rather than toss and turn, I prefer to sit and think or do things.”

Matthieu wonders if this is one of those instances where the wolf is dominant over the man. “Wolves prefer to hunt at night. Is it...that?” Has he been forcing the man to do work with little sleep?  

Leverett smiles at him. “Even when I wasn’t turning into a loupgarou every full moon I was more productive at night.”

That’s not really a ‘no’ so Matthieu figures Leverett doesn’t even know the answer, himself. “Could you sleep when you were with the others...like yourself?” He usually didn’t talk about them, from what he gathered from Leverett, they were all killed when the ship arrived Port Royal, with only Leverett escaping.

“There was little sleep, we were hired to work so we did. We were stronger at night...I suppose. I don’t even think most of them were there because of the promise of that cure. That was...frankly, too good to be true. I think we were there because…” He stops for too long and Matthieu gives up on sleep, adjusting the furs so he can sit up and listen properly.

Leverett is silent, gazing at the crackling flames, and Matthieu waits for him to speak. The cold wind howls outside and Matthieu thinks of the times before when he’s had to listen to the lonely wail and think that he and the wind had something in common.

“Because we were the same.” Leverett finally finishes. “The curse was a great equalizer, more than gold, nation or God could ever hope to be - rich, poor, farmer, merchant, banker, whore, Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Moslem, any kind of person or identity you could think of...we were nothing but monsters there,each trying to earn redemption and a respite from the loneliness of our curse. Each of us had struggled for a time on our own, too proud. All of us had seen each hope chipped away until all that was left was this one last desperate gamble, that we all knew couldn’t be true. But at least we were together, something...I don’t know. It was better, not to be alone.” His voice breaks at the last word and Matthieu is on his feet before he knows what he’s doing. He finds a cloth and brings it over, places his hands on Leverett’s heaving shoulders and lets him cry with his face buried in his hands. Matthieu’s heart twists, it’s physically painful to see Leverett like this.

Matthieu sits next to him and holds him. Leverett grasps him tight with a sigh of relief and sobs into his chest, hunched over as much as he is. Matthieu doesn’t move, he runs his fingers through Leverett’s hair in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.

Here the crackling flames and the sound of Leverett’s breathing drown out the wind’s lonely wails. It helps, oddly, especially because Leverett is a silent crier.

After the tears seem to have dried, Matthieu realizes that he doesn’t want to move. Still, they can’t sit there all night though. “Sleep?”

Leverett stiffens and pulls away. “I’m sorry to keep you up.”

“Well then, you can help me sleep in return. Come on, it’s cold.” It wasn’t a lie, this was going to be a harsh winter. Matthieu took Leverett’s arm to lead him to his bed.

“Wait...help you, you mean share the bed?!”

Europeans, Matthieu wanted to roll his eyes as he thought of sleeping with his family in the longhouse, warm with each other’s company. Then again, Leverett had been born in a brothel, he would think of these things differently. Still it didn’t excuse him (or Matthieu either) for not realizing the obvious until now. “When you found all those other people who had the same ailment as you, it felt better didn’t it?” Matthieu asked. “I guess you slept in close quarters, you worked more at night with your extra strength to keep the ship going, you worked out a hierarchy amongst yourselves…a leader, a second, would-be claimants and the weakest of the pack?”

He can feel Leverett’s confusion. “How did you know?”

Matthieu bites back a sigh - of course this man, raised in a town next to rabbits would not know much about the behavior and social dynamics of wolves, so Matthieu explains.

“Well fuck me.” Leverett rolls his eyes as he finally realizes what Matthieu is saying. They had been so concerned about his humanity, and perhaps Leverett had been desperately holding onto it, that he had avoided the parts of him that were now wolf. Wolves were lonely without a pack, without their own sense of communal order, without trust.

“Wolves sleep in piles, and believe me on a night like this one, I really don’t mind. It’s an unusually cold night, it’ll help us stay warm, come on.” Feeling oddly self conscious, Matthieu lay down on his bed and lifted the furs in invitation for Leverett to join. After a moment’s hesitation, the other man did and Matthieu covered them both.

It was somewhat awkward at first, the bed was built to be comfortable for one, though it could squeeze two. Still, Leverett was unusually tall for a European, and Matthieu often wondered what kind of a brothel he must have lived in to be this well-fed and well-educated. Whatever it was, it was nothing like the sorry things that had been built here.

After some maneuvering and the occasional chuckles, they found something comfortable for both of them. Leverett’s head lay on his chest, his arms and legs wrapped around Matthieu, and Matthieu is grateful he’s too tired to be shy or awkward, so he just holds him and revels in the warmth they have together.

Right before Matthieu drifts off to sleep, he hears Leverett’s breathing even out and feels his body fully relax. Matthieu falls asleep with a smile.

[angelinatoms]

Being a bunch of wake-riding pros who’d spent the past two decades jumping, carving, surfing and skating boat wakes together, we got right into what we love most about being on the water. (Bryan Soderlind/)

When it comes to water, the state of Florida is many things: swampy marsh with suspicious-looking gators, crystal-clear springs occupied by curious manatees, wide-open lakes with boundless potential, the busy Intracoastal Waterway and much more. The idea behind the North Florida Loop was to see as much of that diversity as possible, all while aboard two wakeboarding boats—a Malibu 23 LSV belonging to pro rider Brian Grubb, and a MasterCraft -X-Star belonging to the legendary Parks Bonifay. Our five-day itinerary called for us to run north up Florida’s St. Johns River, wrap through downtown Jacksonville, and hook south down through the saltwater ICW to Cape Canaveral. Basically, a 400-mile journey with no real need to set foot on dry land. In other words, a boater’s dream.

Whether you’re looking for amazing wakes or somewhere to cook breakfast while cruising, the Malibu 23 LSV and the MasterCraft X-Star proved their versatility. (Bryan Soderlind/)

The early-summer air was perfectly still as we slow-motored along the cypress-covered shorelines of the St. Johns. Pro wakeboarder Massi Piffaretti was casting frog lures from the back of the X-Star, rider-turned-videographer Erik Ruck was prepping lunch for the crew on board the Malibu, I was bird-watching with my binocs, and photographer Bryan “the Golden Bear” Soderlind was reciting interesting historical tidbits he’d picked up online while researching the dignified old river. Even though we’d only just rounded the corner from the boat ramp from which we’d just launched, we were already fully immersed in the vibe of our journey. Time was no longer a concern, so everything began to move at a more leisurely pace than real life, and the boundless nature of being on the water made every friendly boater who waved as they passed by us our neighbors. We were river people now.

A short distance from where we’d started, the no-wake zones loosened up, and we were free to run. Being a bunch of wake-riding pros who’d spent the past two decades jumping, carving, surfing and skating boat wakes together, we got right into what we love most about being on the water. Appropriately enough, Bonifay hopped in first and inspired all of us with his creativity and fun-loving ways. He even got the two boats running close together to create a spine with the wakes, which motivated the rest of us to get in on the action. We took turns riding, and with each new rider, the excitement ticked up a notch. Snaking (or “gatoring”) our way along the winding river, we knew we were in for something special during the next handful of days.

Nature abounds along the North Florida Loop. (Bryan Soderlind/)

As the intimacy of the narrow river opened up to a huge, wide lake that we could barely see across, we could suddenly hear the sirens in the distance, luring us off course with a sweet song of crystal-clear water coolly flowing nearby. A brief reprieve from the midday Florida heat was too much to resist, so we veered west into a magic little cove called Silver Glen. Brown water full of snakes and gators quickly warped into a clear-blue potion full of manatees and silverfish. It became obvious why the conquistadors thought they’d stumbled upon the Fountain of Youth. We swam around the bowl-shaped headsprings—millions of gin-clear gallons of cold water pumping out of a crack in the earth—and then got out the toys. Grubb had brought two Lift eFoils, battery-powered, self-propelled hydrofoil boards. Using the wing to reduce drag and elevate the rider off the water, they can silently carve through over 20 miles of water before needing a recharge. We all took turns riding the eFoil magic carpets, flying patterns around each other as we got better, and continued to dive around in the springs until it was finally time to go. We’d located a riverside lodge just a little bit farther north, but there was just enough glowing yellow daylight left for Piffaretti to take one more wakeboard session.

The Lift eFoil provided a great way to cruise around Silver Glen and elsewhere. (Bryan Soderlind/)

With all of our batteries fully charged the next morning, we were primed and ready to resume our journey north. The previously wild and pristine river was now becoming more populated, the shoreline morphing into the classic small-town feeling of north Florida. Places with names like Palatka, Deep Creek and Astor featured riverfront houses on every point of the socioeconomic spectrum, seafood restaurants offered to deep-fry everything that could be found under their docks, and more one-of-a-kind north Florida lodging was right at the water’s edge. Our photogenic backdrops were now peppered with houseboats, wooden train trestles, Air Force bases and nuclear power plants. In a wider, branching part of the river, nearly in sight of our next major destination, we came across an 80-foot river yacht, half-sunken and jutting out of the mud near the trees. Utterly torn apart, it appeared to be a hurricane refugee that got caught out in the open and spent the next 10 years weathering down even more. We tipped our hats in sympathy to its derelict plight, and then happily waxed the portside bow so that Bonifay could board-slide the beautifully upturned gunwale, since such a spectacular opportunity rarely presents itself to those inclined to take it. Bonifay took the incline spectacularly, doing the setup such justice that even the ship’s original owner might’ve watched the session without shedding a single tear.

A half-sunken, 80-foot river yacht provided opportunities for some fun board sliding. (Bryan Soderlind/)

A few turns of the river later, the bait shacks and bullfrog croaks to which we’d grown accustomed quickly turned into high-rises and car horns—an all-out assault on the senses as we entered the bustling center of downtown Jacksonville, one of Florida’s largest and busiest cities. Grubb invited me for a doubles session, wakesurfing behind the Malibu on our (nonpowered) hydrofoil boards, right through the heart of downtown Jax. Somewhere, 40 stories over the water, in one of the many bank-stamped skyscrapers above us, an overworked number-cruncher probably glanced up from his calculator and TPS reports just in time to watch me and Grubb fly by on our foils, ropelessly hopping from one boat wake to another, dropping back to the third roller, and soul-carving past his building toward the shipping port laden with giant cargo ships and foreshadowing, without even once looking back. We’d gone from the remoteness of swampy, cypress-laden riverways to the hustle and bustle of 9-to-5 urban life, but we were still grinning from ear to ear.

The North Florida Loop serves up some amazing opportunities for wakeskating. (Bryan Soderlind/)

Passing through Jacksonville brought other changes to the journey: dolphins rolling through the wakes of seafaring outriggers, and a very different water texture as we skirted the sandy shores of Huguenot. We were no longer floating on the St. Johns River; we were now motoring down Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, which meant the North Florida Loop had made its southbound turn. Although happy to return to my native salt water, I was grateful the St. Johns had so warmly taken us in.

If any other part of the trip had felt like a step back in time, it paled in comparison to what came next. After a marina breakfast, we anchored abeam one of the oldest buildings in America: the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. A Spanish fortress from the 1600s, the castle has endured attacks from pirates, sieges by British colonial forces, and a Confederate takeover, yet it stands firm in the year 2020, though no longer under control of the Spanish crown or the Confederacy. With a bit more reverence and distance than we’d given that poor river yacht back on the St. Johns, we glided around the emerald green waters of the Castillo de San Marcos on our eFoils in the beautiful morning light, carving through centuries of imperialism and strife with our silent hoverboards, while the pelicans above matched our turns with thoughtful dispositions. Bonifay was on the back of his X-Star, strumming a tune on his guitar, and Bear was tempting me to hand off the eFoil by waving a mason jar full of fresh-pressed juice. A fair deal. The peaceful day took a sharp turn when period-accurate subtenientes de fusileros approached the cannons on the terreplein and began loading them. We skedaddled southbound, taking a quick detour out the inlet to catch a quick peek of the open ocean before looping back to the calm waters of the ICW.

We happily cruised southward, enjoying glassy water and sunshine all the way until Ormond Beach, where a dark squall line stretched from east to west, threatening to derail the day. With only minutes to prepare, we hunkered down under a bridge. Through gale-force winds and a blinding deluge of rain, we endured the truth of summertime in Florida before suddenly emerging back into sunshine. The trip wouldn’t have been complete without at least one thunderstorm sending us scrambling.

Cooking and jamming around the fire was a great way to end the day. (Bryan Soderlind/)

Following Mother Nature’s brief delay, we made berth at Indian Mound Fish Camp a little bit south. With the slightly cooler temps, we made a little campfire out front, cooked dinner, and sparked up the best jam session of the trip, with Bonifay on his carbon-fiber guitar and vocals, Ruck on my half-size six string, and yours truly backing them up with the fiddle. We jammed in the moonlight until our campfire was low-glowing embers. Continuing south in the morning, our vista opened up to the familiar Mosquito Lagoon, an indicator that we were nearing the end of the road. I took the opportunity to enjoy a proper wakeskate session behind the boat, since I’d mostly been fooling around with hydrofoils for the past few days. Clad in my favorite Hawaiian shirt and lucky shoes, I jumped off the back of the boat right into that same joy that made me fall in love with watersports from the very start. I don’t think the smile left my face for the entire session. With the final boat ramp in sight, we diverted to a small island in the lagoon to soak up the sweet final hour of our epic adventure together. Climbing around on the half-submerged trees, taking group photos in the sand, and getting one last ride on the eFoils, we all agreed that the road trip by boat had just become a new tradition for us to indulge in for many, many years to come.

#boating #boatingtips #boatingsupplies #boatingnews #boatingshop #wolfcreek

[goldeagleprice]

Letters to the Editor (May 1, 2018)

Letter spurs thoughts as well as questions

Reading the letters to editor online today. Someone from Sherman, Texas, wrote about buying copper rounds. What are they?

There’s a National Coin Week event at the Brockton, Mass., Library each year in April, and sometimes attendees receive a copper blank and a cent in cellophane; a little package, call it. Is the “copper round” the reader writes about a pre-minted coin? Shame on me I don’t know the terminology, but a round piece of copper with an edge but no die has hit it? What’s it called, a blank with the upset rim?

You don’t have to put my name in the newsletter! Why broadcast my ignorance? Maybe a copper round is a one-ounce round chunk of copper? (Too old too soon, too smart too late!) Keep learning.

Thanks again.

Name withheld

Editor’s note: You are quite right. Silver rounds are one-ounce silver medals of various designs made by private firms. Copper rounds are the same thing, only in copper. A coin blank is unstruck and does not have upset rims. A planchet is a blank with rims upset and ready for the coining press.

  Denver nickel shows up in North Carolina

I received my first 2018 nickel on Thursday, March 29, at a CVS Pharmacy in Jamestown, N.C. Surprisingly, it has a “D” mintmark. We seldom, if ever, get Denver coins in change here, particularly this early in the year. It appears that the Denver Mint invasion of the East Coast includes more than just cent coins!

Bob Klippstein Greensboro N.C.

  Cent and quarter first finds of the 2018 collecting year

It took until mid March of this year to find my first 2018 mintmark coin. Oddly enough, I found a 2018 Philadelphia (no mintmark again) new penny and a 2018 Pictured Rocks state park quarter the same day in everyday pocket change. Another oddity (to me, at least) is that down here in my dead-end corner of the country, I have found over three rolls of the supposedly somewhat rare 2017 “P” mintmarked pennies in my everyday change. A few other finds but nothing outstanding.

Name withheld

  Passing of hobby friends brings sadness

As seems to happen more and more nowadays, another late night email reports that Ray Lockwood, of Indiana and the august Central States Numismatic Society lost his battle with cancer and passed away.

My contacts and crossing paths with Ray were few and infrequent but always with his wife, Fran, and usually attending the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) Conventions. He was always jovial, somewhat quiet, never opinionated but passionate about the world of money, and friendly and ready for a good joke and laugh.

Ray, along with Fran, and I had one commonality: we were all retired educators, and at the junior high level. Boy, junior highers and their puberty! In addition, we were passionate about numismatics and serving our hobby. Ray’s record for and with the esteemed CSNS is confirmation of that fact.

My personal remembrance was last fall 2017, when Ray and Fran took a train trek out to Sacramento, Calif., to relax and to rest. We met up, and the respected Lloyd G. Chan drove us up to Carson City, Nev., and the legendary Carson City Mint.

Having complimentary passes to the Nevada State Museum, which is housed within the CC Mint, we toured and viewed the exhibits. When done, we walked across the street to a well-known upscale coin shop.

Being devoted coin hobbyists, us four spent more time in that shop than the CC Mint across the street. Ray, going through CC dollars, found a semi-rare one, adding it to his collection. This purchase certainly made his trek to Carson City and train trip out West worthwhile, as he remarked.

Ray was one of the numerous coin celebrants that enlightened and enthralled our hobby, this world of money. Our hobby endures their passing and enjoys what they paved for us today. The question, though, is who shall continue their good work?

Marie Osmond once remarked, “Being in service to others is what brings true happiness.” Ray’s devotion to our “world of money” is evidence enough for that thought.

RIP, Ray.

Most all Numismatic News readers may not have heard of Harry W. Davis (1929-2018), who passed away recently just two weeks before his 89th birthday.

A native of upstate New York and longtime resident of Vallejo, Calif., Harry was the longest-serving president of the Vallejo (California) Numismatic Society and served several terms as the Northern California Numismatic Association president, leading during its last famous Nor-Cal Shows.

Harry, with the love of his life, Irene Carrillo, was for over a decade a regular presence at most all northern California coin club meetings and shows. At times, they would drive to a distant show the night before and assist with evening setup, then stay at a local motel. Awaking early, they would again work and assist all day at the show.

While they had no favorite local northern California coin show, a preference was the Livermore Valley Coin Club’s annual show, for the then-caterer had these “to die for” huge roast beef sandwiches they both craved!

Harry was an old-school hobbyist. A rarity nowadays, he collected both coins and stamps, adding collecting Greyhound memorabilia, being a retired Greyhound driver with an exemplary safety record.

Only health and age curtailed his organized numismatic involvements in recent years. Yet, even restricted to a wheelchair, he still collected and enjoyed the two hobbies of coins and stamps.

Harry, RIP.

Michael S. Turrini Vallejo, Calif.

  2018 Philadelphia cents arrive in New Jersey

At lunchtime today, the cashier had to break open a roll of cents to give me correct change. She handed me three shiny new Philly Lincolns. I had not seen any 2018-dated currency prior to this.

Name withheld Flemington, N.J.

  Ozark quarter joins 2018 Philadelphia cent in change

Yesterday, March 27, I found my first 2018 U.S. coin, a shiny new “no P” Philadelphia Mint Lincoln cent. Got it in change at a McDonald’s in Millington, Tenn. This morning, I finally got the 2017 mid-year release, an Ozark Riverways quarter in change, an item for which I’d been searching for months.

David Smith Somerville, Tenn.

  Three new Denver cents fill out change at market

Thought you might like to know that I received three 2018-D Lincoln cents in change at the Tubac Market in Tubac, Ariz. (about 45 miles south of Tucson) on March 24.

They show like proof coins, very brilliant compared to the other Mint State coins I received that day. One cent looks like it has an impression of a wreath leaf running through the “8” in the date.

Bill Graney Address withheld

  ATB quarter first 2018 coin received by reader

Yes! Today I received my first 2018 coin in change at Half Price Books, a 2018-D Pictured Rocks quarter. Very pretty. Had wonderful bookstore day.

Ginger Rapsus Chicago, Ill.

  Shipwrecked ‘Pulaski’ not a naval vessel

I believe you will find that the Pulaski was not a United States navy vessel, therefore making the use of the prefix “U.S.S.” (for United States Ship) inappropriate. This mistake is common. I find it a little grating when people refer to “my” shipwreck, the S.S. Central America, as the “U.S.S. Central America.” And the Central America even had a naval master, as designated by the government. Anyway, “S.S.” will suffice.

Thanks for any attention you can give to this matter of editorial significance.

Bob Evans Address withheld

Editor’s note: Thanks, Bob. Good luck as always with “your” shipwreck coins.

  Fractional silver Eagles might bring youth to hobby

I understand that the metals markets are always changing, and that does have something to do with the falling numbers of silver Eagles. It is a perfect time to redesign the reverse of the silver Eagle. Now would be a great time to issue half-ounce and quarter-ounce silver Eagles. This would kick start interest not only in buying silver but also in the collecting of new fractional sizes. Plus a great benefit could be to attract future young numismatists to collecting with less expensive bullion. If the U.S. Mint were truly interested in stopping the dropping sales of ASE, and finding a way to rekindle the flame of excitement of a new series to collect, this could potentially be a win-win situation for all.

Sean K. Stanczyk Lincoln, Neb.

  This article was originally printed in Numismatic News. >> Subscribe today.

   • Check out the newly-updated Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date that provides accurate identification, listing and pricing information for the latest coin releases.

• The Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money is the only annual guide that provides complete coverage of U.S. currency with today’s market prices.

The post Letters to the Editor (May 1, 2018) appeared first on Numismatic News.

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Beach House: End Of The Year Tour!

Beach house progress, both big and small, feels like it’s happening so quickly that we hardly have time to keep up with documenting it, but I did walk through the whole house yesterday and make a big ol’ video tour… which basically catches you right up to date! So excuse this post for only having around a dozen photos (we have thousands on our phones, but they’d take us all day to upload and explain, and nobody got time for that with Christmas being less than a week away).

First let’s start at the front door. We hung a wreath (from Tar-jay) and put some battery powered LED candles with timers in the windows (so they’re auto-pilot even when we’re not there). Hallelujah, the house finally looks lived in! I mean, except for the whole it-has-no-landscaping-and-I-desperately-need-to-sand-and-stain-the-front-door thing. Also I still want to paint those white blocks behind the lanterns to match the house. Someday…

lanterns / wreath / house numbers / doormat / siding: SW Mellow Coral / ceiling: SW Breaktime / trim: SW Pure White

While things are far from finished, things are even farther from where they were this time last year. This photo is from almost exactly a year ago, and looking back is a nice reminder that wrinkly curtains and an unfinished pantry are far smaller problems to work through than THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE HOUSE BEING TORN OFF. Here’s that whole story if you missed it (yup, we literally had to have 500 square feet removed and rebuild from scratch).

SO YEAH. It’s looking a lot better at the end of 2017 than it did at the end of 2016. And weirdly enough that picture makes me excited to get started on the duplex, because as much as I love having finished walls to decorate and finished floors to arrange furniture on, the process of planning (and dreaming about) all of the potential that’s fills the air during a big demo/rebuilding project is oddly addicting. Can’t wait to share our duplex progress as soon as we have our plans approved and all of our permits pulled! But back to the pink house, where I’m walking you guys through every room in a little video tour of sorts: If you can’t see this in a reader, click through to view it on our blog or you can view it here on YouTube.

If you can’t watch the video right now, I’d definitely recommend dropping back in and catching it when you can (a video is basically worth a million photos and I pretty much cover every crevice and explain a lot of extra stuff I couldn’t squeeze into this post).

One recent update, after months and months of debate, is that we finally pulled the trigger and painted the railing. The vertical balusters had all already been painted (SW Stone Isle), so it was just that top rail and the post at the end that were “wood.” I’ll explain why that’s in quotes in a second. It’s hard to see in this picture since that front post is getting hit with a ton of light through the open door, but we went with a deeper gray tone (SW Perpetual Gray) that’s about 3 shades darker than the trim, so it accents the post and the top rail without being too crazy and compete-y with the standout stars of the entire house (those stained glass windows).

I know what some of you are thinking. NOOOO! How could you disgrace such old beautiful wood with paint?!?! Well, this railing had been covered in a thick paint-like brown stain that showed zero grain and was sticky, roughed up, and ruined in a bunch of places (covered in paint splatters, spackle globs, and decades of other issues). After attempting to sand it down, we learned it was a darker redder wood – meaning we’d never be able to stain it to match the lovely heart pine floors. So, we reasoned that a fresh coat of paint applied nice and evenly was a heckuva lot better than its current state. And it really does look glossy and lovely in person, which makes us incredibly relieved.

The good news is that we don’t have any shortage of wood tones in this house. We have original heart pine everywhere (we stripped and clear-sealed all of the original doors that we could, brought the original floors both upstairs and downstairs back to their glory, etc). This house’s middle name could be wood. Pinkie “Wood” House. Wait that sounds bad. Forget the middle name thing.

Down in the living room, we added this cool wall-mounted bookcase, which instantly made us both say “Ahhh! It looks like an actual room people live in!” We also got to hang some cozy white curtains which need DESPERATELY to be steamed and hemmed. They’re Lenda curtains from Ikea– I just cut off the top tabs and make sure to wash them to pre-shrink them before hanging. We also have them in our home office and love how washable and easy they are. Also, my secondhand brass grasshopper (aka: Brasshopper) is a total badass and I love him more each day.

bookcase / blue pillow / curtains / rods / similar brass grasshopper 

Also bought a rug from New England Loom (if you don’t follow them on Instagram you’re missing out because they have so many lovely secondhand rugs to be discovered) and the colors and patterns and antique feeling of the rug is PERFECT for a room that will be assaulted with food and sand and everything else that a rental living room has to deal with, so I have high hopes for it holding up like a champ (seeing as it is decades old already, that really does inspire confidence). That pretty blue pillow is from this Etsy shop (I love all of her pillows) and the pink one is from Target a while back. And you guys know the sofa is the Ikea Karlstad that they no longer make, which is a straight up travesty.

We also updated the light in here to this gleaming beauty from West Elm. The old light was a one-bulb fixture that we hung and immediately said “this room needs way more light.” We love the juxtaposition of this leggier modern light and the old-looking medallion (which is actually from Home Depot – shhh). And the old brick chimney that we discovered behind the wall and exposed is probably my favorite feature in the room, along with the giant windows (this room is 9′ tall, so the windows are easily over 6.5′ feet tall – that’s taller than John!). Don’t mind that TV on the floor. We found something we think will work for in there, just gotta get it out there in our next car load. #AlwaysRoadTrippingWithFurniture

rug source / chandelier / ceiling medallion /curtains / rods

The kitchen came a long way too, with the quartz island going in (it’s Pearl Jasmine by Silestone and we LOVE it so much) and a working sink. Cue the choir of angels! You can hear two ways we saved money on our quartz counters in Podcast Episode #74, which also covers why our original plan to do butcher block there didn’t work out. There are still some things missing though. Mainly, the backsplash that we’ll add after we hang the other missing element: shelves on either side of the stove under the sconces (probably two per side, not sure yet but we’ll keep you posted).

stools / quartz  / butcher block / cabinets / range: secondhand refurbished / trim: SW Stone Isle / walls: SW White Heron

The back door was blue for a hot second, which some of you might have seen on Instagram, but as the room came together more John and I both realized that the same gray as the trim (SW Stone Isle) would let the pink stove do her thing and be the accent in the room that she has always been destined to become. Plus, we have a blue chippy door leading to the mudroom nearby, and one blue door + one pink stove is… enough. You know I didn’t love painting that door twice, so if I did it, it had to be done. Ha!

green vase / wood cutting board / wood stand / hanging rod / hood / kettle / sconces / pink salt & pepper

Upstairs the bedrooms are coming along with some art up on the walls, layered cozy bedding, and even headboards. HUZZAH! Still need to hang all the curtains up there (once we do that the headboard will look exactly as wide as the window because we are tricky tricksters). Stay tuned…

rug / large art / lamp / side table / striped blanket / headboard / fan

This is another view of that front bedroom, which is the largest of the four (the bunk room is teeny tiny and the middle bedroom and back bedroom are just fine but not giant). It also has that exposed brick chimney that we discovered hiding behind the wall, and next to it you’ll see my favorite craigslist find of all time that you might have already “met” on Facebook or Instagram when I shared a quick shot of it this weekend. Yes, I really did find an inlay piece of furniture on Craiglist, and yes, it’s currently selling for $2,000 on Restoration Hardware (I got it for $400!). Insert that screaming cat emoji face here. Seriously, it’s the score of a lifetime, and I’m going to share the whole story, including how I fix up a few missing inlay spots soon. So… stay tuned. Again.

And before we move on, that sconce looks crazy small above the dresser (we just hung it as a placeholder and it’s looking like a placeholder, so we’ll probably get a wider double-sconce for that spot soon). Anyway, on with the tour! Or should I say “roll the next flashback!” This is that wall a year ago. Same house. Just nekkid a year ago versus clothed now. With walls. You get what I mean.

And now, the back bedroom. Aka: our room whenever we stay there! Although the front room is the largest and has that lovely exposed brick, the back bedroom has its own master bathroom (complete with my big beautiful clawfoot tub) and it has its own stairs that lead up to it, which are surprisingly useful. We originally thought those back stairs would be more of a fun thing for kids and a cool historic detail to preserve, but we weren’t sure we’d actually use them very much but we go up and down them all the time!

rug / fan / leather stools / striped duvet cover / pocked doors: SW Riverway

One of our bigger projects this past weekend was this built-in dresser that we added to the nook behind the pocket doors that you see above. We love gaining some storage and function in that formerly blank area at the top of the back steps, and there’s more than enough room to pull out the drawers and take like five steps back before you’d fall down the steps (you know I’d be the one to bite it all the way down these steps, so we have to make sure these things we’re adding won’t curse me later).

dresser / mirror / wood top / door color: SW Riverway

John would be quick to point out it’s not complete. We ran out of nails for our nail gun, so the trim still needs to be attached, caulked, etc. But basically, a Malm from Ikea fit pretty perfectly in the space, so we made it look even more built-in by removing and reinstalling the molding around it (see below) and adding a few skinny filler pieces to each side (scraps from our kitchen install). We also popped some leftover butcher block counter from downstairs on top to tie into the pine floors and we’re also planning to add some leather pulls to it to tie in the stools at the foot of the bed (you can see them in the shot two photos up). Can’t wait to finish it up and share the final pics!

Next let’s move onto the master bathroom, which is easily my favorite room because I get to soak in that big ol’ tub after hours of DIY and it feels so freaking good every time. Except for the first time. I had sort of a false start in there (more on that in this podcast) but now the tub and I are bros and only happy things happen when I’m in there. And the kids love it too.

marble table / floor tile / accent floor tile / wall hooks / blinds / tub color: SW Riverway

I’m basically salivating while looking at this because we’re back home and our house has two bathrooms that we still have to redo and two tubs that are about 10″ deep (half of my body sticks out like an iceberg) so I’m itching to add a deeper bathtub into my life here at home.

The hall bath is still my boo too, thanks to my favorite vanity ever. The top is tiled with marble and the rounded wood drawers make it look like a furniture piece we converted to be a vanity but it came that way and WE SALUTE IT because goodness knows we have other stuff to keep us busy. Still on the list: making built-in bunk beds, building out the pantry and the mudroom, tiling the backsplash, landscaping, etc, etc. That big round silver mirror is an awesome (and recent!) HomeGoods find (the same one in brass hangs above our mantel at home) so if you’re looking for one in either color, try HomeGoods. Target also has a really similar one that’s slightly smaller and thinner in gold.

vanity / faucet / drum stool  / light fixture / floor tile 

And although we haven’t built the wall to wall bunkbeds in our small-but-mighty kids room yet, we did hang art. And that’s half the battle, right? (Nope, half the battle is being halfway done with the bunkbeds, but let me lie to myself for a second, ok?). That cute colorful painting is from our dear friend Lesli Devito (remember when we house crashed her wayyyy back here) and if you don’t have one of her paintings or prints I highly recommend getting one. The door also got a sign that says Mermaids Welcome and it made my whole life to hang it up (also we took a poll among a bunch of kids and basically everyone is cool with mermaid and pirates, but don’t get me started on how split the group was on dolphins).

marble table / mermaids welcome plaque / art by Lesli DeVito

So there you have it: a tour as of yesterday of the beach house (remember: watch the video! it has approximately 98% more info than some pics and captions can convey). Also, we hope you have a very happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love and delicious food and all the mermaid-related memorabilia that your heart desires. And if you have a tub where your entire body can be submerged, know that I, for one, now know what I’m missing and am deeply deeply jealous.

P.S. To see the entire process of fixing up this beach house (from floor planning and demo to tiling and tiling and tiling and getting the floors redone) here’s a full category of beach house updates for you to flip through.

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! appeared first on Young House Love.

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Beach House: End Of The Year Tour!

Beach house progress, both big and small, feels like it’s happening so quickly that we hardly have time to keep up with documenting it, but I did walk through the whole house yesterday and make a big ol’ video tour… which basically catches you right up to date! So excuse this post for only having around a dozen photos (we have thousands on our phones, but they’d take us all day to upload and explain, and nobody got time for that with Christmas being less than a week away).

First let’s start at the front door. We hung a wreath (from Tar-jay) and put some battery powered LED candles with timers in the windows (so they’re auto-pilot even when we’re not there). Hallelujah, the house finally looks lived in! I mean, except for the whole it-has-no-landscaping-and-I-desperately-need-to-sand-and-stain-the-front-door thing. Also I still want to paint those white blocks behind the lanterns to match the house. Someday…

lanterns / wreath / house numbers / doormat / siding: SW Mellow Coral / ceiling: SW Breaktime / trim: SW Pure White

While things are far from finished, things are even farther from where they were this time last year. This photo is from almost exactly a year ago, and looking back is a nice reminder that wrinkly curtains and an unfinished pantry are far smaller problems to work through than THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE HOUSE BEING TORN OFF. Here’s that whole story if you missed it (yup, we literally had to have 500 square feet removed and rebuild from scratch).

SO YEAH. It’s looking a lot better at the end of 2017 than it did at the end of 2016. And weirdly enough that picture makes me excited to get started on the duplex, because as much as I love having finished walls to decorate and finished floors to arrange furniture on, the process of planning (and dreaming about) all of the potential that’s fills the air during a big demo/rebuilding project is oddly addicting. Can’t wait to share our duplex progress as soon as we have our plans approved and all of our permits pulled! But back to the pink house, where I’m walking you guys through every room in a little video tour of sorts: If you can’t see this in a reader, click through to view it on our blog or you can view it here on YouTube.

If you can’t watch the video right now, I’d definitely recommend dropping back in and catching it when you can (a video is basically worth a million photos and I pretty much cover every crevice and explain a lot of extra stuff I couldn’t squeeze into this post).

One recent update, after months and months of debate, is that we finally pulled the trigger and painted the railing. The vertical balusters had all already been painted (SW Stone Isle), so it was just that top rail and the post at the end that were “wood.” I’ll explain why that’s in quotes in a second. It’s hard to see in this picture since that front post is getting hit with a ton of light through the open door, but we went with a deeper gray tone (SW Perpetual Gray) that’s about 3 shades darker than the trim, so it accents the post and the top rail without being too crazy and compete-y with the standout stars of the entire house (those stained glass windows).

I know what some of you are thinking. NOOOO! How could you disgrace such old beautiful wood with paint?!?! Well, this railing had been covered in a thick paint-like brown stain that showed zero grain and was sticky, roughed up, and ruined in a bunch of places (covered in paint splatters, spackle globs, and decades of other issues). After attempting to sand it down, we learned it was a darker redder wood – meaning we’d never be able to stain it to match the lovely heart pine floors. So, we reasoned that a fresh coat of paint applied nice and evenly was a heckuva lot better than its current state. And it really does look glossy and lovely in person, which makes us incredibly relieved.

The good news is that we don’t have any shortage of wood tones in this house. We have original heart pine everywhere (we stripped and clear-sealed all of the original doors that we could, brought the original floors both upstairs and downstairs back to their glory, etc). This house’s middle name could be wood. Pinkie “Wood” House. Wait that sounds bad. Forget the middle name thing.

Down in the living room, we added this cool wall-mounted bookcase, which instantly made us both say “Ahhh! It looks like an actual room people live in!” We also got to hang some cozy white curtains which need DESPERATELY to be steamed and hemmed. They’re Lenda curtains from Ikea– I just cut off the top tabs and make sure to wash them to pre-shrink them before hanging. We also have them in our home office and love how washable and easy they are. Also, my secondhand brass grasshopper (aka: Brasshopper) is a total badass and I love him more each day.

bookcase / blue pillow / curtains / rods / similar brass grasshopper 

Also bought a rug from New England Loom (if you don’t follow them on Instagram you’re missing out because they have so many lovely secondhand rugs to be discovered) and the colors and patterns and antique feeling of the rug is PERFECT for a room that will be assaulted with food and sand and everything else that a rental living room has to deal with, so I have high hopes for it holding up like a champ (seeing as it is decades old already, that really does inspire confidence). That pretty blue pillow is from this Etsy shop (I love all of her pillows) and the pink one is from Target a while back. And you guys know the sofa is the Ikea Karlstad that they no longer make, which is a straight up travesty.

We also updated the light in here to this gleaming beauty from West Elm. The old light was a one-bulb fixture that we hung and immediately said “this room needs way more light.” We love the juxtaposition of this leggier modern light and the old-looking medallion (which is actually from Home Depot – shhh). And the old brick chimney that we discovered behind the wall and exposed is probably my favorite feature in the room, along with the giant windows (this room is 9′ tall, so the windows are easily over 6.5′ feet tall – that’s taller than John!). Don’t mind that TV on the floor. We found something we think will work for in there, just gotta get it out there in our next car load. #AlwaysRoadTrippingWithFurniture

rug source / chandelier / ceiling medallion /curtains / rods

The kitchen came a long way too, with the quartz island going in (it’s Pearl Jasmine by Silestone and we LOVE it so much) and a working sink. Cue the choir of angels! You can hear two ways we saved money on our quartz counters in Podcast Episode #74, which also covers why our original plan to do butcher block there didn’t work out. There are still some things missing though. Mainly, the backsplash that we’ll add after we hang the other missing element: shelves on either side of the stove under the sconces (probably two per side, not sure yet but we’ll keep you posted).

stools / quartz  / butcher block / cabinets / range: secondhand refurbished / trim: SW Stone Isle / walls: SW White Heron

The back door was blue for a hot second, which some of you might have seen on Instagram, but as the room came together more John and I both realized that the same gray as the trim (SW Stone Isle) would let the pink stove do her thing and be the accent in the room that she has always been destined to become. Plus, we have a blue chippy door leading to the mudroom nearby, and one blue door + one pink stove is… enough. You know I didn’t love painting that door twice, so if I did it, it had to be done. Ha!

green vase / wood cutting board / wood stand / hanging rod / hood / kettle / sconces / pink salt & pepper

Upstairs the bedrooms are coming along with some art up on the walls, layered cozy bedding, and even headboards. HUZZAH! Still need to hang all the curtains up there (once we do that the headboard will look exactly as wide as the window because we are tricky tricksters). Stay tuned…

rug / large art / lamp / side table / striped blanket / headboard / fan

This is another view of that front bedroom, which is the largest of the four (the bunk room is teeny tiny and the middle bedroom and back bedroom are just fine but not giant). It also has that exposed brick chimney that we discovered hiding behind the wall, and next to it you’ll see my favorite craigslist find of all time that you might have already “met” on Facebook or Instagram when I shared a quick shot of it this weekend. Yes, I really did find an inlay piece of furniture on Craiglist, and yes, it’s currently selling for $2,000 on Restoration Hardware (I got it for $400!). Insert that screaming cat emoji face here. Seriously, it’s the score of a lifetime, and I’m going to share the whole story, including how I fix up a few missing inlay spots soon. So… stay tuned. Again.

And before we move on, that sconce looks crazy small above the dresser (we just hung it as a placeholder and it’s looking like a placeholder, so we’ll probably get a wider double-sconce for that spot soon). Anyway, on with the tour! Or should I say “roll the next flashback!” This is that wall a year ago. Same house. Just nekkid a year ago versus clothed now. With walls. You get what I mean.

And now, the back bedroom. Aka: our room whenever we stay there! Although the front room is the largest and has that lovely exposed brick, the back bedroom has its own master bathroom (complete with my big beautiful clawfoot tub) and it has its own stairs that lead up to it, which are surprisingly useful. We originally thought those back stairs would be more of a fun thing for kids and a cool historic detail to preserve, but we weren’t sure we’d actually use them very much but we go up and down them all the time!

rug / fan / leather stools / striped duvet cover / pocked doors: SW Riverway

One of our bigger projects this past weekend was this built-in dresser that we added to the nook behind the pocket doors that you see above. We love gaining some storage and function in that formerly blank area at the top of the back steps, and there’s more than enough room to pull out the drawers and take like five steps back before you’d fall down the steps (you know I’d be the one to bite it all the way down these steps, so we have to make sure these things we’re adding won’t curse me later).

dresser / mirror / wood top / door color: SW Riverway

John would be quick to point out it’s not complete. We ran out of nails for our nail gun, so the trim still needs to be attached, caulked, etc. But basically, a Malm from Ikea fit pretty perfectly in the space, so we made it look even more built-in by removing and reinstalling the molding around it (see below) and adding a few skinny filler pieces to each side (scraps from our kitchen install). We also popped some leftover butcher block counter from downstairs on top to tie into the pine floors and we’re also planning to add some leather pulls to it to tie in the stools at the foot of the bed (you can see them in the shot two photos up). Can’t wait to finish it up and share the final pics!

Next let’s move onto the master bathroom, which is easily my favorite room because I get to soak in that big ol’ tub after hours of DIY and it feels so freaking good every time. Except for the first time. I had sort of a false start in there (more on that in this podcast) but now the tub and I are bros and only happy things happen when I’m in there. And the kids love it too.

marble table / floor tile / accent floor tile / wall hooks / blinds / tub color: SW Riverway

I’m basically salivating while looking at this because we’re back home and our house has two bathrooms that we still have to redo and two tubs that are about 10″ deep (half of my body sticks out like an iceberg) so I’m itching to add a deeper bathtub into my life here at home.

The hall bath is still my boo too, thanks to my favorite vanity ever. The top is tiled with marble and the rounded wood drawers make it look like a furniture piece we converted to be a vanity but it came that way and WE SALUTE IT because goodness knows we have other stuff to keep us busy. Still on the list: making built-in bunk beds, building out the pantry and the mudroom, tiling the backsplash, landscaping, etc, etc. That big round silver mirror is an awesome (and recent!) HomeGoods find (the same one in brass hangs above our mantel at home) so if you’re looking for one in either color, try HomeGoods. Target also has a really similar one that’s slightly smaller and thinner in gold.

vanity / faucet / drum stool  / light fixture / floor tile 

And although we haven’t built the wall to wall bunkbeds in our small-but-mighty kids room yet, we did hang art. And that’s half the battle, right? (Nope, half the battle is being halfway done with the bunkbeds, but let me lie to myself for a second, ok?). That cute colorful painting is from our dear friend Lesli Devito (remember when we house crashed her wayyyy back here) and if you don’t have one of her paintings or prints I highly recommend getting one. The door also got a sign that says Mermaids Welcome and it made my whole life to hang it up (also we took a poll among a bunch of kids and basically everyone is cool with mermaid and pirates, but don’t get me started on how split the group was on dolphins).

marble table / mermaids welcome plaque / art by Lesli DeVito

So there you have it: a tour as of yesterday of the beach house (remember: watch the video! it has approximately 98% more info than some pics and captions can convey). Also, we hope you have a very happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love and delicious food and all the mermaid-related memorabilia that your heart desires. And if you have a tub where your entire body can be submerged, know that I, for one, now know what I’m missing and am deeply deeply jealous.

P.S. To see the entire process of fixing up this beach house (from floor planning and demo to tiling and tiling and tiling and getting the floors redone) here’s a full category of beach house updates for you to flip through.

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! appeared first on Young House Love.

Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! published first on http://ift.tt/2qCHnUt

[statusreview]

Beach House: End Of The Year Tour!

Beach house progress, both big and small, feels like it’s happening so quickly that we hardly have time to keep up with documenting it, but I did walk through the whole house yesterday and make a big ol’ video tour… which basically catches you right up to date! So excuse this post for only having around a dozen photos (we have thousands on our phones, but they’d take us all day to upload and explain, and nobody got time for that with Christmas being less than a week away).

First let’s start at the front door. We hung a wreath (from Tar-jay) and put some battery powered LED candles with timers in the windows (so they’re auto-pilot even when we’re not there). Hallelujah, the house finally looks lived in! I mean, except for the whole it-has-no-landscaping-and-I-desperately-need-to-sand-and-stain-the-front-door thing. Also I still want to paint those white blocks behind the lanterns to match the house. Someday…

lanterns / wreath / house numbers / doormat / siding: SW Mellow Coral / ceiling: SW Breaktime / trim: SW Pure White

While things are far from finished, things are even farther from where they were this time last year. This photo is from almost exactly a year ago, and looking back is a nice reminder that wrinkly curtains and an unfinished pantry are far smaller problems to work through than THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE HOUSE BEING TORN OFF. Here’s that whole story if you missed it (yup, we literally had to have 500 square feet removed and rebuild from scratch).

SO YEAH. It’s looking a lot better at the end of 2017 than it did at the end of 2016. And weirdly enough that picture makes me excited to get started on the duplex, because as much as I love having finished walls to decorate and finished floors to arrange furniture on, the process of planning (and dreaming about) all of the potential that’s fills the air during a big demo/rebuilding project is oddly addicting. Can’t wait to share our duplex progress as soon as we have our plans approved and all of our permits pulled! But back to the pink house, where I’m walking you guys through every room in a little video tour of sorts: If you can’t see this in a reader, click through to view it on our blog or you can view it here on YouTube.

If you can’t watch the video right now, I’d definitely recommend dropping back in and catching it when you can (a video is basically worth a million photos and I pretty much cover every crevice and explain a lot of extra stuff I couldn’t squeeze into this post).

One recent update, after months and months of debate, is that we finally pulled the trigger and painted the railing. The vertical balusters had all already been painted (SW Stone Isle), so it was just that top rail and the post at the end that were “wood.” I’ll explain why that’s in quotes in a second. It’s hard to see in this picture since that front post is getting hit with a ton of light through the open door, but we went with a deeper gray tone (SW Perpetual Gray) that’s about 3 shades darker than the trim, so it accents the post and the top rail without being too crazy and compete-y with the standout stars of the entire house (those stained glass windows).

I know what some of you are thinking. NOOOO! How could you disgrace such old beautiful wood with paint?!?! Well, this railing had been covered in a thick paint-like brown stain that showed zero grain and was sticky, roughed up, and ruined in a bunch of places (covered in paint splatters, spackle globs, and decades of other issues). After attempting to sand it down, we learned it was a darker redder wood – meaning we’d never be able to stain it to match the lovely heart pine floors. So, we reasoned that a fresh coat of paint applied nice and evenly was a heckuva lot better than its current state. And it really does look glossy and lovely in person, which makes us incredibly relieved.

The good news is that we don’t have any shortage of wood tones in this house. We have original heart pine everywhere (we stripped and clear-sealed all of the original doors that we could, brought the original floors both upstairs and downstairs back to their glory, etc). This house’s middle name could be wood. Pinkie “Wood” House. Wait that sounds bad. Forget the middle name thing.

Down in the living room, we added this cool wall-mounted bookcase, which instantly made us both say “Ahhh! It looks like an actual room people live in!” We also got to hang some cozy white curtains which need DESPERATELY to be steamed and hemmed. They’re Lenda curtains from Ikea– I just cut off the top tabs and make sure to wash them to pre-shrink them before hanging. We also have them in our home office and love how washable and easy they are. Also, my secondhand brass grasshopper (aka: Brasshopper) is a total badass and I love him more each day.

bookcase / blue pillow / curtains / rods / similar brass grasshopper 

Also bought a rug from New England Loom (if you don’t follow them on Instagram you’re missing out because they have so many lovely secondhand rugs to be discovered) and the colors and patterns and antique feeling of the rug is PERFECT for a room that will be assaulted with food and sand and everything else that a rental living room has to deal with, so I have high hopes for it holding up like a champ (seeing as it is decades old already, that really does inspire confidence). That pretty blue pillow is from this Etsy shop (I love all of her pillows) and the pink one is from Target a while back. And you guys know the sofa is the Ikea Karlstad that they no longer make, which is a straight up travesty.

We also updated the light in here to this gleaming beauty from West Elm. The old light was a one-bulb fixture that we hung and immediately said “this room needs way more light.” We love the juxtaposition of this leggier modern light and the old-looking medallion (which is actually from Home Depot – shhh). And the old brick chimney that we discovered behind the wall and exposed is probably my favorite feature in the room, along with the giant windows (this room is 9′ tall, so the windows are easily over 6.5′ feet tall – that’s taller than John!). Don’t mind that TV on the floor. We found something we think will work for in there, just gotta get it out there in our next car load. #AlwaysRoadTrippingWithFurniture

rug source / chandelier / ceiling medallion /curtains / rods

The kitchen came a long way too, with the quartz island going in (it’s Pearl Jasmine by Silestone and we LOVE it so much) and a working sink. Cue the choir of angels! You can hear two ways we saved money on our quartz counters in Podcast Episode #74, which also covers why our original plan to do butcher block there didn’t work out. There are still some things missing though. Mainly, the backsplash that we’ll add after we hang the other missing element: shelves on either side of the stove under the sconces (probably two per side, not sure yet but we’ll keep you posted).

stools / quartz  / butcher block / cabinets / range: secondhand refurbished / trim: SW Stone Isle / walls: SW White Heron

The back door was blue for a hot second, which some of you might have seen on Instagram, but as the room came together more John and I both realized that the same gray as the trim (SW Stone Isle) would let the pink stove do her thing and be the accent in the room that she has always been destined to become. Plus, we have a blue chippy door leading to the mudroom nearby, and one blue door + one pink stove is… enough. You know I didn’t love painting that door twice, so if I did it, it had to be done. Ha!

green vase / wood cutting board / wood stand / hanging rod / hood / kettle / sconces / pink salt & pepper

Upstairs the bedrooms are coming along with some art up on the walls, layered cozy bedding, and even headboards. HUZZAH! Still need to hang all the curtains up there (once we do that the headboard will look exactly as wide as the window because we are tricky tricksters). Stay tuned…

rug / large art / lamp / side table / striped blanket / headboard / fan

This is another view of that front bedroom, which is the largest of the four (the bunk room is teeny tiny and the middle bedroom and back bedroom are just fine but not giant). It also has that exposed brick chimney that we discovered hiding behind the wall, and next to it you’ll see my favorite craigslist find of all time that you might have already “met” on Facebook or Instagram when I shared a quick shot of it this weekend. Yes, I really did find an inlay piece of furniture on Craiglist, and yes, it’s currently selling for $2,000 on Restoration Hardware (I got it for $400!). Insert that screaming cat emoji face here. Seriously, it’s the score of a lifetime, and I’m going to share the whole story, including how I fix up a few missing inlay spots soon. So… stay tuned. Again.

And before we move on, that sconce looks crazy small above the dresser (we just hung it as a placeholder and it’s looking like a placeholder, so we’ll probably get a wider double-sconce for that spot soon). Anyway, on with the tour! Or should I say “roll the next flashback!” This is that wall a year ago. Same house. Just nekkid a year ago versus clothed now. With walls. You get what I mean.

And now, the back bedroom. Aka: our room whenever we stay there! Although the front room is the largest and has that lovely exposed brick, the back bedroom has its own master bathroom (complete with my big beautiful clawfoot tub) and it has its own stairs that lead up to it, which are surprisingly useful. We originally thought those back stairs would be more of a fun thing for kids and a cool historic detail to preserve, but we weren’t sure we’d actually use them very much but we go up and down them all the time!

rug / fan / leather stools / striped duvet cover / pocked doors: SW Riverway

One of our bigger projects this past weekend was this built-in dresser that we added to the nook behind the pocket doors that you see above. We love gaining some storage and function in that formerly blank area at the top of the back steps, and there’s more than enough room to pull out the drawers and take like five steps back before you’d fall down the steps (you know I’d be the one to bite it all the way down these steps, so we have to make sure these things we’re adding won’t curse me later).

dresser / mirror / wood top / door color: SW Riverway

John would be quick to point out it’s not complete. We ran out of nails for our nail gun, so the trim still needs to be attached, caulked, etc. But basically, a Malm from Ikea fit pretty perfectly in the space, so we made it look even more built-in by removing and reinstalling the molding around it (see below) and adding a few skinny filler pieces to each side (scraps from our kitchen install). We also popped some leftover butcher block counter from downstairs on top to tie into the pine floors and we’re also planning to add some leather pulls to it to tie in the stools at the foot of the bed (you can see them in the shot two photos up). Can’t wait to finish it up and share the final pics!

Next let’s move onto the master bathroom, which is easily my favorite room because I get to soak in that big ol’ tub after hours of DIY and it feels so freaking good every time. Except for the first time. I had sort of a false start in there (more on that in this podcast) but now the tub and I are bros and only happy things happen when I’m in there. And the kids love it too.

marble table / floor tile / accent floor tile / wall hooks / blinds / tub color: SW Riverway

I’m basically salivating while looking at this because we’re back home and our house has two bathrooms that we still have to redo and two tubs that are about 10″ deep (half of my body sticks out like an iceberg) so I’m itching to add a deeper bathtub into my life here at home.

The hall bath is still my boo too, thanks to my favorite vanity ever. The top is tiled with marble and the rounded wood drawers make it look like a furniture piece we converted to be a vanity but it came that way and WE SALUTE IT because goodness knows we have other stuff to keep us busy. Still on the list: making built-in bunk beds, building out the pantry and the mudroom, tiling the backsplash, landscaping, etc, etc. That big round silver mirror is an awesome (and recent!) HomeGoods find (the same one in brass hangs above our mantel at home) so if you’re looking for one in either color, try HomeGoods. Target also has a really similar one that’s slightly smaller and thinner in gold.

vanity / faucet / drum stool  / light fixture / floor tile 

And although we haven’t built the wall to wall bunkbeds in our small-but-mighty kids room yet, we did hang art. And that’s half the battle, right? (Nope, half the battle is being halfway done with the bunkbeds, but let me lie to myself for a second, ok?). That cute colorful painting is from our dear friend Lesli Devito (remember when we house crashed her wayyyy back here) and if you don’t have one of her paintings or prints I highly recommend getting one. The door also got a sign that says Mermaids Welcome and it made my whole life to hang it up (also we took a poll among a bunch of kids and basically everyone is cool with mermaid and pirates, but don’t get me started on how split the group was on dolphins).

marble table / mermaids welcome plaque / art by Lesli DeVito

So there you have it: a tour as of yesterday of the beach house (remember: watch the video! it has approximately 98% more info than some pics and captions can convey). Also, we hope you have a very happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love and delicious food and all the mermaid-related memorabilia that your heart desires. And if you have a tub where your entire body can be submerged, know that I, for one, now know what I’m missing and am deeply deeply jealous.

P.S. To see the entire process of fixing up this beach house (from floor planning and demo to tiling and tiling and tiling and getting the floors redone) here’s a full category of beach house updates for you to flip through.

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! appeared first on Young House Love.

Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! published first on http://ift.tt/2r6hzQy

[interiorstarweb]

Beach House: End Of The Year Tour!

Beach house progress, both big and small, feels like it’s happening so quickly that we hardly have time to keep up with documenting it, but I did walk through the whole house yesterday and make a big ol’ video tour… which basically catches you right up to date! So excuse this post for only having around around a dozen photos (we have thousands on our phones, but they’d take us all day to upload and explain, and nobody got time for that with Christmas being less than a week away).

First let’s start at the front door. We hung a wreath (from Tar-jay) and put some battery powered LED candles with timers in the windows (so they’re auto-pilot even when we’re not there). Hallelujah, the house finally looks lived in! I mean, except for the whole it-has-no-landscaping-and-I-desperately-need-to-sand-and-stain-the-front-door thing. Also I still want to paint those white blocks behind the lanterns to match the house. Someday…

lanterns / wreath / house numbers / doormat / siding: SW Mellow Coral / ceiling: SW Breaktime / trim: SW Pure White

While things are far from finished, things are even farther from where they were this time last year. This photo is from almost exactly a year ago, and looking back is a nice reminder that wrinkly curtains and an unfinished pantry are far smaller problems to work through than THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE HOUSE BEING TORN OFF. Here’s that whole story if you missed it (yup, we literally had to have 500 square feet removed and rebuild from scratch).

SO YEAH. It’s looking a lot better at the end of 2017 than it did at the end of 2016. And weirdly enough that picture makes me excited to get started on the duplex, because as much as I love having finished walls to decorate and finished floors to arrange furniture on, the process of planning (and dreaming about) all of the potential that’s fills the air during a big demo/rebuilding project is oddly addicting. Can’t wait to share our duplex progress as soon as we have our plans approved and all of our permits pulled! But back to the pink house, where I’m walking you guys through every room in a little video tour of sorts: If you can’t see this in a reader, click through to view it on our blog or you can view it here on YouTube.

If you can’t watch the video right now, I’d definitely recommend dropping back in and catching it when you can (a video is basically worth a million photos and I pretty much cover every crevice and explain a lot of extra stuff I couldn’t squeeze into this post).

One recent update, after months and months of debate, is that we finally pulled the trigger and painted the railing. The vertical balusters had all already been painted (SW Stone Isle), so it was just that top rail and the post at the end that were “wood.” I’ll explain why that’s in quotes in a second. It’s hard to see in this picture since that front post is getting hit with a ton of light through the open door, but we went with a deeper gray tone (SW Perpetual Gray) that’s about 3 shades darker than the trim, so it accents the post and the top rail without being too crazy and compete-y with the standout stars of the entire house (those stained glass windows).

I know what some of you are thinking. NOOOO! How could you disgrace such old beautiful wood with paint?!?! Well, this railing had been covered in a thick paint-like brown stain that showed zero grain and was sticky, roughed up, and ruined in a bunch of places (covered in paint splatters, spackle globs, and decades of other issues). After attempting to sand it down, we learned it was a darker redder wood – meaning we’d never be able to stain it to match the lovely heart pine floors. So, we reasoned that a fresh coat of paint applied nice and evenly was a heckuva lot better than its current state. And it really does look glossy and lovely in person, which makes us incredibly relieved.

The good news is that we don’t have any shortage of wood tones in this house. We have original heart pine everywhere (we stripped and clear-sealed all of the original doors that we could, brought the original floors both upstairs and downstairs back to their glory, etc). This house’s middle name could be wood. Pinkie “Wood” House. Wait that sounds bad. Forget the middle name thing.

Down in the living room, we added this cool wall-mounted bookcase, which instantly made us both say “Ahhh! It looks like an actual room people live in!” We also got to hang some cozy white curtains which need DESPERATELY to be steamed and hemmed. They’re Lenda curtains from Ikea– I just cut off the top tabs and make sure to wash them to pre-shrink them before hanging. We also have them in our home office and love how washable and easy they are. Also, my secondhand brass grasshopper (aka: Brasshopper) is a total badass and I love him more each day.

bookcase / blue pillow / curtains / rods / similar brass grasshopper 

Also bought a rug from New England Loom (if you don’t follow them on Instagram you’re missing out because they have so many lovely secondhand rugs to be discovered) and the colors and patterns and antique feeling of the rug is PERFECT for a room that will be assaulted with food and sand and everything else that a rental living room has to deal with, so I have high hopes for it holding up like a champ (seeing as it is decades old already, that really does inspire confidence). That pretty blue pillow is from this Etsy shop (I love all of her pillows) and the pink one is from Target a while back. And you guys know the sofa is the Ikea Karlstad that they no longer make, which is a straight up travesty.

We also updated the light in here to this gleaming beauty from West Elm. The old light was a one-bulb fixture that we hung and immediately said “this room needs way more light.” We love the juxtaposition of this leggier modern light and the old-looking medallion (which is actually from Home Depot – shhh). And the old brick chimney that we discovered behind the wall and exposed is probably my favorite feature in the room, along with the giant windows (this room is 9′ tall, so the windows are easily over 6.5′ feet tall – that’s taller than John!). Don’t mind that TV on the floor. We found something we think will work for in there, just gotta get it out there in our next car load. #AlwaysRoadTrippingWithFurniture

rug source / chandelier / ceiling medallion /curtains / rods

The kitchen came a long way too, with the quartz island going in (it’s Pearl Jasmine by Silestone and we LOVE it so much) and a working sink. Cue the choir of angels! You can hear two ways we saved money on our quartz counters in Podcast Episode #74, which also covers why our original plan to do butcher block there didn’t work out. There are still some things missing though. Mainly, the backsplash that we’ll add after we hang the other missing element: shelves on either side of the stove under the sconces (probably two per side, not sure yet but we’ll keep you posted).

stools / quartz  / butcher block / cabinets / range: secondhand refurbished / trim: SW Stone Isle / walls: SW White Heron

The back door was blue for a hot second, which some of you might have seen on Instagram, but as the room came together more John and I both realized that the same gray as the trim (SW Stone Isle) would let the pink stove do her thing and be the accent in the room that she has always been destined to become. Plus, we have a blue chippy door leading to the mudroom nearby, and one blue door + one pink stove is… enough. You know I didn’t love painting that door twice, so if I did it, it had to be done. Ha!

green vase / wood cutting board / wood stand / hanging rod / hood / kettle / sconces / pink salt & pepper

Upstairs the bedrooms are coming along with some art up on the walls, layered cozy bedding, and even headboards. HUZZAH! Still need to hang all the curtains up there (once we do that the headboard will look exactly as wide as the window because we are tricky tricksters). Stay tuned…

rug / large art / lamp / side table / striped blanket / headboard / fan

This is another view of that front bedroom, which is the largest of the four (the bunk room is teeny tiny and the middle bedroom and back bedroom are just fine but not giant). It also has that exposed brick chimney that we discovered hiding behind the wall, and next to it you’ll see my favorite craigslist find of all time that you might have already “met” on Facebook or Instagram when I shared a quick shot of it this weekend. Yes, I really did find an inlay piece of furniture on Craiglist, and yes, it’s currently selling for $2,000 on Restoration Hardware (I got it for $400!). Insert that screaming cat emoji face here. Seriously, it’s the score of a lifetime, and I’m going to share the whole story, including how I fix up a few missing inlay spots soon. So… stay tuned. Again.

And before we move on, that sconce looks crazy small above the dresser (we just hung it as a placeholder and it’s looking like a placeholder, so we’ll probably get a wider double-sconce for that spot soon). Anyway, on with the tour! Or should I say “roll the next flashback!” This is that wall a year ago. Same house. Just nekkid a year ago versus clothed now. With walls. You get what I mean.

And now, the back bedroom. Aka: our room whenever we stay there! Although the front room is the largest and has that lovely exposed brick, the back bedroom has its own master bathroom (complete with my big beautiful clawfoot tub) and it has its own stairs that lead up to it, which are surprisingly useful. We originally thought those back stairs would be more of a fun thing for kids and a cool historic detail to preserve, but we weren’t sure we’d actually use them very much but we go up and down them all the time!

rug / fan / leather stools / striped duvet cover / pocked doors: SW Riverway

One of our bigger projects this past weekend was this built-in dresser that we added to the nook behind the pocket doors that you see above. We love gaining some storage and function in that formerly blank area at the top of the back steps, and there’s more than enough room to pull out the drawers and take like five steps back before you’d fall down the steps (you know I’d be the one to bite it all the way down these steps, so we have to make sure these things we’re adding won’t curse me later).

dresser / mirror / wood top / door color: SW Riverway

John would be quick to point out it’s not complete. We ran out of nails for our nail gun, so the trim still needs to be attached, caulked, etc. But basically, a Malm from Ikea fit pretty perfectly in the space, so we made it look even more built-in by removing and reinstalling the molding around it (see below) and adding a few skinny filler pieces to each side (scraps from our kitchen install). We also popped some leftover butcher block counter from downstairs on top to tie into the pine floors and we’re also planning to add some leather pulls to it to tie in the stools at the foot of the bed (you can see them in the shot two photos up). Can’t wait to finish it up and share the final pics!

Next let’s move onto the master bathroom, which is easily my favorite room because I get to soak in that big ol’ tub after hours of DIY and it feels so freaking good every time. Except for the first time. I had sort of a false start in there (more on that in this podcast) but now the tub and I are bros and only happy things happen when I’m in there. And the kids love it too.

marble table / floor tile / accent floor tile / wall hooks / blinds / tub color: SW Riverway

I’m basically salivating while looking at this because we’re back home and our house has two bathrooms that we still have to redo and two tubs that are about 10″ deep (half of my body sticks out like an iceberg) so I’m itching to add a deeper bathtub into my life here at home.

The hall bath is still my boo too, thanks to my favorite vanity ever. The top is tiled with marble and the rounded wood drawers make it look like a furniture piece we converted to be a vanity but it came that way and WE SALUTE IT because goodness knows we have other stuff to keep us busy. Still on the list: making built-in bunk beds, building out the pantry and the mudroom, tiling the backsplash, landscaping, etc, etc. That big round silver mirror is an awesome (and recent!) HomeGoods find (the same one in brass hangs above our mantel at home) so if you’re looking for one in either color, try HomeGoods. Target also has a really similar one that’s slightly smaller and thinner in gold.

vanity / faucet / drum stool  / light fixture / floor tile 

And although we haven’t built the wall to wall bunkbeds in our small-but-mighty kids room yet, we did hang art. And that’s half the battle, right? (Nope, half the battle is being halfway done with the bunkbeds, but let me lie to myself for a second, ok?). That cute colorful painting is from our dear friend Lesli Devito (remember when we house crashed her wayyyy back here) and if you don’t have one of her paintings or prints I highly recommend getting one. The door also got a sign that says Mermaids Welcome and it made my whole life to hang it up (also we took a poll among a bunch of kids and basically everyone is cool with mermaid and pirates, but don’t get me started on how split the group was on dolphins).

marble table / mermaids welcome plaque / art by Lesli DeVito

So there you have it: a tour as of yesterday of the beach house (remember: watch the video! it has approximately 98% more info than some pics and captions can convey). Also, we hope you have a very happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love and delicious food and all the mermaid-related memorabilia that your heart desires. And if you have a tub where your entire body can be submerged, know that I, for one, now know what I’m missing and am deeply deeply jealous.

P.S. To see the entire process of fixing up this beach house (from floor planning and demo to tiling and tiling and tiling and getting the floors redone) here’s a full category of beach house updates for you to flip through.

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! appeared first on Young House Love.

Beach House: End Of The Year Tour! published first on http://ift.tt/2uiWrIt