#round-the-world trip

[hikercarl]

What’s Something You Would Attempt If You Were Guaranteed Not to Fail? A Traveler’s Perspective

Discover the possibilities of embracing travel goals without the fear of failure. Explore how overcoming hesitation could lead to greater adventures and personal growth from the perspective of an experienced traveler.

Daily writing promptWhat’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.View all responses If you were guaranteed not to fail, what would you attempt? It’s a question that can open the door to endless possibilities. Starting a new career, learning a difficult skill, or embarking on a challenging journey can be daunting. Often, the concept of failure stops us. It prevents us…

[froginabogg]

rip grace chasity you'd fucking love europe

[grimdochdraws]

slarps :)

featuring: @dein0nychus' dunkcats, artificer+monk+spearmaster designs, iterator penny for your thoughts @ophiocordyceps' DMS rivulet and iterator aphelion of destruction :)

[thepastisalreadywritten]

This is a "100-night round the world cruise" from New York, costing nearly $17,000. 🚢

📹: flightaroundtheworld_

[brown-little-robin]

.

[evilcokito]

This TWST bleach AU is bringing me to my past omg

HBCSDJHBRDF THIS AU IS ALSO FOR NOSTALGIA AND PAST!!!! hehe

Coco promising that the Shinigamis are not going to be a problem.

...

THE SHINIGAMIS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY THE PROBLEM(?)

[alfhildr-the-word-weaver]

I must say, it's pretty poetic that I've gotten to season 6 of Vampire Diaries right before another solar eclipse happens in America. I certainly didn't plan it, but it does feel like my timing is very appropriate with this one. I do have questions about the accuracy of the eclipse portrayal in the show, though. I mean, a solar eclipse did in fact happen on May 10, 1994, and it was visible across much of the country, so that much is accurate. But I don't think Mystic Falls would've had quite as good of a view as they show it having. For reference, here's a map of the May 1994 eclipse path (credit: timeanddate.com):

And, if you'll remember, Mystic Falls is like two hours from my old hometown just a stone's throw north of Lynchburg, Virginia, as seen on the locator spell map (this one's all over tumblr, forgive me for not remembering what blog I grabbed it from):

So if you zoom in on the timeanddate map and pick somewhere closeish to there:

It looks like Mystic Falls would be getting a little over 77% coverage or so. It's also worth noting that the '94 eclipse was an annular eclipse, not a total eclipse like tomorrow's eclipse. That still means that the moon went directly in front of the sun, but it does mean that it was small enough/far enough from earth that you didn't quite get full coverage of the sun (thanks to weather.gov for the nifty graphic):

So, I'm not positive whether it would've looked quite as dark as was shown in the show:

Although, I must admit, in this video I found on youtube of the '94 eclipse, (part of me is shocked to find footage from then but I know I shouldn't be like yes they had cameras in the 90s) it actually looks more similar than I expected it to look, but I imagine it was most likely filmed within the path of totality:

But also, when Kai takes Bonnie to Portland, don't they see the eclipse again there? I couldn't find that clip on youtube just now, but Portland barely had any eclipse--only 42-43% coverage, so it would've been way milder of a visual effect, barely any dimming in the sky noticeable without eclipse glasses.

The funny thing is, the area where I live is going to be sitting right around 80% coverage tomorrow. I was lucky enough to get to travel to Missouri for the 2017 eclipse to get into the path of totality, but I'm afraid that it hasn't worked out for me to do so this year, which is immensely disappointing to me as an astronomy enjoyer, but I do still plan to go to an eclipse party and I'm going to start saving to try and get to Spain for the next total eclipse in 2026, which is going to be right around my 30th birthday (screaming). Anyways, it isn't great, but here's my best picture from the '17 eclipse:

I didn't even have a smartphone yet then, because despite it being 2017, I was somewhat of a luddite, so I had the purple flip phone I so stubbornly clung to and a point-and-click Nikon, but I still think this picture is pretty cool for what it is. Here's the zoom in so you can really see that ring of fire (and my shaking hands doubling the image):

Obviously you can find thousands of better eclipse pictures online, but that one's still special to me because it's mine. Anyways, I'll report back with smart phone pictures from whatever I see of the 80% total eclipse tomorrow to compare and contrast with Mystic Falls's 70% annular eclipse of the 90s, because from what I've heard it's going to be much less impressive than full totality was, but I've yet to watch a partial solar eclipse, so I'll just have to find out. Also, if you happen to have any vampiric loved ones trapped in a magical prison dimension who you need help freeing during the eclipse tomorrow, let me know and I'll see what I can do! ;) Hahaha. Anyways, happy eclipse everyone, and may we all possess sufficient self restraint to avoid eye damage (says the woman who has looked at the sun unprotected so many times and is probably going to go blind because of it some day. I know what I've done lol. Don't be me.)

[slusheeduck]

Slumber Party

Astarion and Gale have a fun night of kicking their feet, giggling, and discussing the all-consuming power they both intend on taking for themselves. “Well, would you look at that. Looks like you and I are going to be roommates.”

Gale, already settled in bed with a book (and a hot water bottle for his aching…well, everything—the luxury!), looked up with an amused smile at Astarion—hair still damp from the bath he’d no doubt enjoyed—as he dropped onto the bed beside him with a long sigh.

“Gods, this is perfect. What a lovely little treat after dealing with a megalomaniacal wizard.” He peeked an eye open to look over at Gale. “No offense.”

“Not too much taken.” Gale shut his book. Astarion was always talkative after a fight; there’d be no reading now. But that was fine, really, considering he hadn’t been able to focus much to begin with. “Though I’m surprised. I thought you’d be in Fal’s room.”

“Well, yes, and I’ll probably move there tomorrow night.” Astarion settled under the covers, looking as pleased as a cat as he curled up beneath the blankets. “But he’s got every intention of spending the night combing through the Emperor’s old hideout to burn off some nervous energy from dealing with Lorroakan. I, on the other hand, am not going to waste the first chance I’ve had at being in an actual bed. He can listen to Aylin and Isobel quote sonnets into each other’s nethers or whatever passes as sex for them when he finally comes up.”

Gale snorted at that. “I thought elves didn’t sleep. You meditate, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, but it’s significantly nicer in a feather bed.” He gave Gale a pointy grin. “Besides, it’s like a sleepover if it’s just the two of us. We can talk about boys and braid each other’s hair.”

“I can’t braid, and what boys are there? Falerin, who we talk about enough.”

“Well…there’s Wyll.”

“And Halsin.”

“I don’t want to talk about Halsin. This is a bear-free environment.” Astarion made a face. “And I don’t want to braid, either. I’m very comfortable.”

Gale rolled his eyes with a smile. “Then I suppose we should go to sleep.” He started to reach for the lamp.

“Or…” Astarion shifted on the bed, scooting closer to the edge to properly look at Gale. His eyes glinted red in the low light. “We could talk about what you said in Lorroakan’s study. About taking the Crown of Karsus for yourself to become a god.”

Gale’s smile faded, and his eyes flicked nervously up to Astarion. “It wasn’t anything serious,” he said as blithely as he could, rolling onto his back. “That’s just how wizards…talk, really. It’s no secret we’re an ambitious bunch, and things like that can just…pop out as we try to out-think each other. Entirely hypothetical, I assure you.”

He glanced to Astarion again; the vampire’s grin had only spread, and he rolled onto his side to rest his chin in his hand.

“Oh, I know that’s what you want everyone else to think. Just a silly little pissing contest between egos.” His eyes narrowed. “But I know what it looks like to dream of power, know the rush that comes from having it so close.” He looked up, lips curling even more. “I think that’s why we make such good friends.”

Gale shut his eyes, letting out a long breath. “All right, fine,” he whispered. “But nothing I say here leaves this room.”

“Of course not. That’s poor slumber party etiquette.” Both hands were propping up Astarion’s chin now. “So, you want to oust Mystra.”

“I wasn’t lying; it really is for the good of everyone,” Gale said, raising a finger. He sighed. “You were right, back when I was teaching you Mirror Image. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life—however long that is...” He tapped his chest. “…begging for her forgiveness.” He worked his jaw for a moment, staring at the ceiling. “Mystra is the Weave. You can’t love one without the other, not really. But magic carried on without her, and if she falls, it will carry on again.” He looked over at Astarion. “But she picks favorites. I’m not the first Chosen she’s picked up and spat out, and in retrospect, I was foolish for thinking it would end differently.”

“Of course you would, though,” Astarion said quietly. “You were in love.”

“And now I’m not, and I see…everything so much more clearly.” Gale rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. His eyes were bright. “When I was teaching Falerin to reach into the Weave, when I was teaching you Mirror Image, all I could feel was…joy at being able to show you what I experience every day. Even if I’m nowhere near where I was before the orb, the Weave is still there. And so many have no access to it. They could, and if Mystra was even a fraction less selfish than she is, she could go beyond her Chosen. And if I were in her place, if I were the God of Magic, I would ensure that it would.”

Astarion half-smiled. “And the power’s not so bad either, is it?”

Gale shook his head. “That’s beside the point.” He leaned forward. “The fact is, I know what it means to be mortal. More importantly, when it comes to the Weave, I know what it is to be a prodigy, to be Chosen, and to be rejected. I understand. Mystra never will.” He made a face, thumping a fist into the mattress. “And I’m close. I’m so close I can practically taste the divinity.” He huffed a sharp breath through his nose, then glanced over at Astarion. “And you probably think I’m a hubristic fool.”

“Actually, I’m thinking that I have never been so actively attracted to you.” Astarion chuckled as Gale rolled his eyes, watching the wizard roll onto his back again. “Obviously, I kid, but we really are two birds of a feather, aren’t we? You with your aspirations of godhood, me with my plans of ascension. Oh! Imagine if you named me as your Chosen. Gods, think of all that power.” He gave a very sharp, unabashedly evil grin. “We’d have all of Faerûn at our feet.”

Gale puffed out a laugh. “Sorry to disappoint, but—and I mean this as nicely as I can say it—I would never name you my Chosen, Astarion.”

“No? I’m hurt, darling,” Astarion said with a put-on little moue. He shook his head. “I’m already fairly certain of who you would name Chosen, but tell me anyway.”

“Falerin, naturally.”

“I knew it.” Astarion’s cheek went back to his palm. “So, you’d take him from the fey, then?”

“Certainly. He was studying to be a wizard, you know, when he was trying to treat his illness—he only went to the fey because there was a time limit.”

“Ah. He’s already traded autonomy for ability.”

“Exactly. And even after my apotheosis, I would still be myself. Still Gale of Waterdeep, just…improved.” He looked over at Astarion. “I care about him, far more than the fey ever could just by virtue of their nature. As for his illness, plenty of wizards find methods to extend their lives—I’ll guide him to finding his answers.”

“Mm. He does have something of a Chosen One about him, I suppose. And he’d be a hero by the time we’re all done.” Astarion looked up, quiet for a long moment. “Of course, he’ll be my spawn by then. So in a way, I’ll still get those perks of being the God of Magic’s Chosen, albeit indirectly.”

Gale blinked a few times. “You’re…planning on turning him?”

“I’m floating the idea,” Astarion said with a smooth shrug. “I want to keep him safe, when all’s said and done. As an ascendant, the best way to do that would be as my spawn.”

Gale squinted. “Like you are to Cazador.”

Astarion bristled. “No. Not even remotely,” he said through his teeth. He took a breath, willing himself to relax. “I know I won’t be the same after I ascend. I’m not stupid. But…it’s possible that my love for him won’t be the same as it is now. So if I turn him, if I make him mine in a way that goes beyond the emotion of it…I’ll get to keep my heart, and he’ll be untouchable when he’s a Vampire Ascendant’s favorite.” He looked over to Gale, and his mouth twitched. “And now you probably think I’m a monster.”

Gale was quiet for a moment. “I think it’s romantic of you,” he said after a moment. “Granted, romantic in a thoroughly fucked up way. But I’m the last person who could judge you for that.” He let out a sigh. “But we should probably rest up. I can only imagine what’s in store for us if this is our first day in Baldur’s Gate proper.” He leaned over to turn off the light, then laid back. “Good night, Astarion.”

“Good night, darling.”

There was a quiet rustle as each of them settled in, and a mutual pre-sleep/meditation sigh. After a few minutes of trying to sleep, though, Gale’s eyes opened. He stared up at the ceiling, brow furrowing.

“Astarion?”

“Hm?”

“What if Falerin says no? To both of us.”

“No to what we have planned for him, or no to what we have planned for ourselves?”

“Both, I suppose.”

Astarion was silent, not moving a muscle. Gale, of course, didn’t have dark vision, so there was no way for him to read the body language of the dark shape on the bed beside his.

“I try not to think about it,” he finally said. “Good night.”

A clear end to the conversation, so Gale let it lie. And, as he shut his eyes again, he found himself doing that exact same thing.

Casual Banter Masterpost

[ahhhhhhjakedawg]

To All The Dancers of the World, a Round Form of Fantasy - Sweet Trip

[girlcockholmes]

starts shooting myselfffff

[haunthouse]

vyvanse shortage is literally going to be the death of me lmao

[halcyoncyrus]

Delaney Davidson coming to the UK but his only two shows are London and Reading (practically London) oh I'm gonna be sick

[jetstargenderfuckery]

blurry edith from mm@ta last night <3

[ferbracket]

Candace Competition

Platypus Suit. Store Manager: Fantastic, you look like number 1! Candace: I feel like number 2.

Tripping. ''Why do my nostrils whisper to me?''

[juusasu4evagrrl]

Genuine question, does anyone want to hear about naruto from the prospective of a Liberian person grappling with the generational trauma of a brutal civil war or is that too heavy??

Like there's, I like sasuke cause he's a cool dude, very wholesome do tell, and then there's, I like sasuke cause the government also tried to eradicate my people group that one time and holding empathy for that dumbass kid teaches me to examine a my own experiences with compassion, honestly what a downer like who cares.

I don't know thoughts???

[heatwa-ves]

madaleo u agree.