#send flowers bulgaria

[e-cvete]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.21

Holidays

Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)

Agricultural Fair Day

Anti-Terrorism Day (India)

Battle of Iquique Anniversary Day (Chile)

Capitol Build Day (New York)

Circassian Day of Mourning

Daylilly Day (French Republic)

Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)

Emergency Medical Services Day

EMS Health, Wellness & Resilience Day

End of the World Day

Feast of the Triple Scoop

521 Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Hug Your Interior Designer Day

Hummel Day (a.k.a. Sister Maria Hummel Day)

"I Need A Patch For That" Day

International Day of Statistical Literacy

Journée Nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots' Day; Quebec)

Keanu Reeves Day

Lilies and Roses Day (UK)

National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

National Mamey Day

National Memo Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day

Natura 2000 Day (EU)

Navy Day (Chile)

Passion Play Day (Germany)

Pogo Stick Day

Polar Explorer’s Day (Russia)

Purple Star of Jerusalem Day (a.k.a. Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon)

Rapture Party Day (2011 prediction by Harold Camping)

Recommerce Day

Red Cross Day

Saint Helena Day (Saint Helena)

Sanja Matsuri begins (Tokyo, Japan)

Send a Letter Day

Slap a Patch On It Day

United States Cyber Command Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UN)

World Fish Migration Day

World Meditation Day (UK)

World Tree Kangaroo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Tea Day [also 12.15]

International Tennessee Whiskey Day

National Mourvèdre Day

National Waitstaff Day (a.k.a. Waiters and Waitresses Day)

Strawberries and Cream Day

World Chardonnay Day

Independence & Related Days

Malabon (City Founded; Philippines)

Montenegro (from Serbia, 2006)

New Zealand (Proclaimed a British Colony; 1840)

Southwest Vineland (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Valentia Riqueza and Grandeza (a.k.a. ValeVRG; Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in May

International Dinosaur Day [3rd Tuesday; also 6.1]

National Stop Nausea Day [3rd Tuesday]

Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Festivals Beginning May 21, 2024

The Batch Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 5.26]

Sommeliers Choice Awards (Chicago, Illinois)

Feast Days

Adílio Daronch and Manuel Gómez González (Christian; Saint)

Agonalia (Ancient Rome) [also 1.9 & 12.11]

Albrecht Dürer (Artology)

Alexander Pope (Writerism)

Anastenaria (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Greece)

Andrew Bobola (Christian; Martyr)

Arcangelo Tadini (Christian; Saint)

Chen Dayu (Artology)

Christopher Magallanes, and other Saints of the Cristero War (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Twins: Beginning of Gemini (Astrology/Pagan)

Édouard-Henri Avril (Artology)

Emperor Constantine I (Christian; Saint)

Eugène de Mazenod (Christian; Saint)

Felix of Cantalicio (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vevodus (God of the Dead, Swamps & Volvanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Festival of Demeter (Greek Barley Mother Goddess)

Festival of Vejovis (Roman God of Healing)

42 Day (Pastafarian)

Franz Jägerstätter (Christian; Saint)

Free Money Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Godrick of Finkley (Christian; Saint)

Green Four-Net (Muppetism)

Harold Robbins (Writerism)

Helena of Constantinople (a.k.a. "Feast of the Holy Great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles,” Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion)

Henri Rousseau (Artology)

Hospitius (Christian; Saint)

John Elliot (Episcopal Church)

Nestinarstvo (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Bulgaria)

Nost-na-Lothion (Elven feast for the birth of flowers; Lord of the Rings)

Ponder Pointlessness Day (Pastafarian)

Rudolf Koller (Artology)

Saint Camping’s Day (Discordian)

St. Luke (Positivist; Saint)

Theophilus of Corte (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown]

Pesach Sheni (2nd Passover) [13-14 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 24 of 60)

Premieres

Agents of Fortune, by Blue Oyster Cult (Album; 1976)

Alison, by Elvis Costello (Song; 1977)

Annie (Film; 1982)

The Conquest of Everest, by John Hurt (Memoir; 1954)

Curtain Razor (WB LT Cartoon; 1949)

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (Film; 1982)

The Deep Blue Good-By, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1964)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Silent Film; 1908)

The Egg Hunt (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

The Foxy Pup (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Gimme All Your Lovin’, by ZZ Top (Music Video; 1983)

Godzilla vs. Kong (Film; 2021)

Gypsy (Broadway Musical; 1959)

Hassle in a Castle (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Shots! Part Deux (Film; 1993)

Injun Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

I Sing the Body Electric! & Other Stories, by Ray Bradbury (Short Stories; 1969)

Lunch Poems, by Frank O'Hara (Poetry; 1963)

Mad Max 2 (Film; 1982)

Mask of Orpheus, by Harrison Birtwistle (Opera; 1986)

Maybellene, recorded by Chuck Berry (Song; 1955)

McCartney II, by Paul McCartney (Album; 1980)

Mouse for Sale (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Naked Came the Stranger (Adult Film; 1975)

Notting Hill (Film; 1999)

Ohio, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty (Novella; 1972)

Pagliacci, by Ruggero Leoncavallo (Opera; 1892)

Past Perfumance (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be, sung by Doris Day (Song; 1956)

The Real World (TV Series; 1992)

The Return of the Pink Panther (Film; 1975)

The Rhinemann Exchange, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1974)

Riptide, by Vance Joy (Song; 2013)

The Road Warrior (Film; 1982)

The Secret of the Hittites, by C.W. Ceram (History Book; 1956)

Shrek Forever After (Animated Film; 2010)

Snow Excuse (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Sour, by Olivia Rodrigo (Album; 2021)

Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (UK Film; 1980)

Terminator Salvation (Film; 2009)

Touch of Evil (Film; 1958)

Twin Peaks: The Return (TV Series; 2017)

The Twisker Pitcher (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

Under the Boardwalk, recorded by The Drifters (Song; 1964)

What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye (Album; 1971)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Constantin, Josef, Julio (Austria)

Elena, Konstantin, Kosta, Kostadin, Kostadinka, Lenko, Stoyan (Bulgaria)

Dubravka, Eugen, Kristofor (Croatia)

Monika (Czech Republic)

Helene (Denmark)

Kindel, Konstantin, Kostel, Tiino (Estonia)

Konsta, Konstantin, Kosti (Finland)

Constantin (France)

Hermann, Konst, Wiltrud (Germany)

Constantine, Constantina, Elena, Elene, Eleni, Helen, Konstantina, Konstantinos, Lena, Nantia (Greece)

Konstantin (Hungary)

Angelo, Giulia, Vittorio (Italy)

Ernestine, Ingmārs, Vinija (Latvia)

Vaidivutis, Valentas, Vydmina (Lithuania)

Eli, Ellen, Helene (Norway)

Donat, Donata, Jan, Kryspin, Przecława, Pudens, Tymoteusz, Walenty, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Constantin, Elena (România)

Zina (Slovakia)

Cristóbal, Virginia (Spain)

Conny, Konstantin (Sweden)

Constance, Constantine, Helen (Ukraine)

Adelric, Adiel, Audric, Keaton, Kendrick (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 142 of 2024; 224 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 14 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 13 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 13 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 22 Magenta; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 May 2024

Moon: 96%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Luke]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 64 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Gemini (The Twins) begins [Zodiac Sign 3; thru 6.21]

Saint Paul (Catholicism) [Month 6 of 13; Positivist]

[beardedmrbean]

Today, Bulgarians celebrate Tryphon Zarezan in the old style - the holiday of winegrowers and wine, also known as Zarezanovden, Tryphon Chipia and Tryphon Zarezoi.

The day of the holy martyr Tryphon from ancient times is associated with the first pruning of the vineyards.

President Rumen Radev will be a guest of the Plovdiv village of Ustina on the holiday of vine growers and winemakers. He will take part in the traditional procession to the vineyards of the village and will participate in the ritual of consecration and pruning of the vines.

Rumen Radev will also award the winners of the "best homemade wine" contest.

February 14, also known as Valentine's Day, is celebrated all over the world today. The holiday is named after a martyr saint revered in the Catholic Church. Born not far from Rome, in the 2nd century BC. Since the 18th century, the tradition of sending sweets and cards decorated with flowers, ribbons and signs of love began.

Romantic tradition connects lovers with February 14. The celebration of Valentine's Day is also accepted in Bulgaria. According to what is referred to as a Catholic tradition, St. Valentine is the patron saint of the day, but since several centuries this day has been celebrated by people from all over the world with different religions and cultures.

Valentine's Day is widely celebrated in Western Europe, and the tradition of writing "Valentines", giving flowers and candy and singing serenades is firmly established in the minds of most people in this part of the world. This holiday is said to be auspicious for makers of cards, sweets and all kinds of heart-shaped gifts.

According to the tradition of the English court at the beginning of the 17th century, on Valentine's Day young men and women exchanged rings and candies. Any woman can go and ask the man she likes to be her husband. The important thing is that a man has no right to refuse a lady. But if his heart is already taken, he should give her a silk dress.

In Japan and Korea, the holiday dates back to 1930. In Japan, only men receive gifts on Valentine's Day. The holiday for women comes a month later, on March 14, and the day is called "White Day". Contrary to Japan, in Korea there is a tradition of "Black Day" where all single men get together and get drunk.

In passionate France, Valentine's Day means exchanging jewelry and other romantic gifts, and in Denmark, men give gifts of dried white flowers. On this day in England, girls gather before sunrise and look out the window. The first person they see becomes their husband. In Derbyshire, girls go round the church 12 times at midnight and repeat a magic spell. According to legend, after the ritual they meet true love.

In Jamaica, mass nude weddings are held on this day, and the beaches are visited by numerous newlyweds who have decided to plunge into eternal love. In Brazil, Valentine's Day is celebrated on June 12. On this day, Brazilian women perform magical rituals to attract bachelors. In Israel, the Day of Love is celebrated at the end of summer. The girl can only offer her hand to the boy of her choice.

The Germans associate love with madness and consider Saint Valentine the patron saint of the insane. On this day, psychiatric clinics are decorated with garlands and flowers. Poles believe in the miraculous power of love and therefore consider it their duty to go to church and pray for family happiness.

Valentine's Day is forbidden for Muslims in Saudi Arabia. People who touch the sin of this day are severely punished. It is strictly forbidden to sell red roses, plush toys and heart-shaped goodies in shops. The authorities believe that the "pernicious Western tradition" is confusing the minds of the young generation in Saudi Arabia, inciting them to sin.

In Bulgaria, the confluence of circumstances combines during the holiday Tryphon Zarezan, associated with wine, with Valentine's Day. The two occasions lead to a symbolic union on the Day of Wine and Love. Which are actually related both mythologically and traditionally.

[brookston]

Holidays 5.21

Holidays

Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)

Agricultural Fair Day

Anti-Terrorism Day (India)

Battle of Iquique Anniversary Day (Chile)

Capitol Build Day (New York)

Circassian Day of Mourning

Daylilly Day (French Republic)

Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)

Emergency Medical Services Day

EMS Health, Wellness & Resilience Day

End of the World Day

Feast of the Triple Scoop

521 Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Hug Your Interior Designer Day

Hummel Day (a.k.a. Sister Maria Hummel Day)

"I Need A Patch For That" Day

International Day of Statistical Literacy

Journée Nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots' Day; Quebec)

Keanu Reeves Day

Lilies and Roses Day (UK)

National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

National Mamey Day

National Memo Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day

Natura 2000 Day (EU)

Navy Day (Chile)

Passion Play Day (Germany)

Pogo Stick Day

Polar Explorer’s Day (Russia)

Purple Star of Jerusalem Day (a.k.a. Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon)

Rapture Party Day (2011 prediction by Harold Camping)

Recommerce Day

Red Cross Day

Saint Helena Day (Saint Helena)

Sanja Matsuri begins (Tokyo, Japan)

Send a Letter Day

Slap a Patch On It Day

United States Cyber Command Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UN)

World Fish Migration Day

World Meditation Day (UK)

World Tree Kangaroo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Tea Day [also 12.15]

International Tennessee Whiskey Day

National Mourvèdre Day

National Waitstaff Day (a.k.a. Waiters and Waitresses Day)

Strawberries and Cream Day

World Chardonnay Day

Independence & Related Days

Malabon (City Founded; Philippines)

Montenegro (from Serbia, 2006)

New Zealand (Proclaimed a British Colony; 1840)

Southwest Vineland (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Valentia Riqueza and Grandeza (a.k.a. ValeVRG; Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in May

International Dinosaur Day [3rd Tuesday; also 6.1]

National Stop Nausea Day [3rd Tuesday]

Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Festivals Beginning May 21, 2024

The Batch Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 5.26]

Sommeliers Choice Awards (Chicago, Illinois)

Feast Days

Adílio Daronch and Manuel Gómez González (Christian; Saint)

Agonalia (Ancient Rome) [also 1.9 & 12.11]

Albrecht Dürer (Artology)

Alexander Pope (Writerism)

Anastenaria (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Greece)

Andrew Bobola (Christian; Martyr)

Arcangelo Tadini (Christian; Saint)

Chen Dayu (Artology)

Christopher Magallanes, and other Saints of the Cristero War (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Twins: Beginning of Gemini (Astrology/Pagan)

Édouard-Henri Avril (Artology)

Emperor Constantine I (Christian; Saint)

Eugène de Mazenod (Christian; Saint)

Felix of Cantalicio (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vevodus (God of the Dead, Swamps & Volvanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Festival of Demeter (Greek Barley Mother Goddess)

Festival of Vejovis (Roman God of Healing)

42 Day (Pastafarian)

Franz Jägerstätter (Christian; Saint)

Free Money Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Godrick of Finkley (Christian; Saint)

Green Four-Net (Muppetism)

Harold Robbins (Writerism)

Helena of Constantinople (a.k.a. "Feast of the Holy Great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles,” Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion)

Henri Rousseau (Artology)

Hospitius (Christian; Saint)

John Elliot (Episcopal Church)

Nestinarstvo (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Bulgaria)

Nost-na-Lothion (Elven feast for the birth of flowers; Lord of the Rings)

Ponder Pointlessness Day (Pastafarian)

Rudolf Koller (Artology)

Saint Camping’s Day (Discordian)

St. Luke (Positivist; Saint)

Theophilus of Corte (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown]

Pesach Sheni (2nd Passover) [13-14 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 24 of 60)

Premieres

Agents of Fortune, by Blue Oyster Cult (Album; 1976)

Alison, by Elvis Costello (Song; 1977)

Annie (Film; 1982)

The Conquest of Everest, by John Hurt (Memoir; 1954)

Curtain Razor (WB LT Cartoon; 1949)

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (Film; 1982)

The Deep Blue Good-By, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1964)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Silent Film; 1908)

The Egg Hunt (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

The Foxy Pup (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Gimme All Your Lovin’, by ZZ Top (Music Video; 1983)

Godzilla vs. Kong (Film; 2021)

Gypsy (Broadway Musical; 1959)

Hassle in a Castle (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Shots! Part Deux (Film; 1993)

Injun Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

I Sing the Body Electric! & Other Stories, by Ray Bradbury (Short Stories; 1969)

Lunch Poems, by Frank O'Hara (Poetry; 1963)

Mad Max 2 (Film; 1982)

Mask of Orpheus, by Harrison Birtwistle (Opera; 1986)

Maybellene, recorded by Chuck Berry (Song; 1955)

McCartney II, by Paul McCartney (Album; 1980)

Mouse for Sale (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Naked Came the Stranger (Adult Film; 1975)

Notting Hill (Film; 1999)

Ohio, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty (Novella; 1972)

Pagliacci, by Ruggero Leoncavallo (Opera; 1892)

Past Perfumance (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be, sung by Doris Day (Song; 1956)

The Real World (TV Series; 1992)

The Return of the Pink Panther (Film; 1975)

The Rhinemann Exchange, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1974)

Riptide, by Vance Joy (Song; 2013)

The Road Warrior (Film; 1982)

The Secret of the Hittites, by C.W. Ceram (History Book; 1956)

Shrek Forever After (Animated Film; 2010)

Snow Excuse (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Sour, by Olivia Rodrigo (Album; 2021)

Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (UK Film; 1980)

Terminator Salvation (Film; 2009)

Touch of Evil (Film; 1958)

Twin Peaks: The Return (TV Series; 2017)

The Twisker Pitcher (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

Under the Boardwalk, recorded by The Drifters (Song; 1964)

What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye (Album; 1971)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Constantin, Josef, Julio (Austria)

Elena, Konstantin, Kosta, Kostadin, Kostadinka, Lenko, Stoyan (Bulgaria)

Dubravka, Eugen, Kristofor (Croatia)

Monika (Czech Republic)

Helene (Denmark)

Kindel, Konstantin, Kostel, Tiino (Estonia)

Konsta, Konstantin, Kosti (Finland)

Constantin (France)

Hermann, Konst, Wiltrud (Germany)

Constantine, Constantina, Elena, Elene, Eleni, Helen, Konstantina, Konstantinos, Lena, Nantia (Greece)

Konstantin (Hungary)

Angelo, Giulia, Vittorio (Italy)

Ernestine, Ingmārs, Vinija (Latvia)

Vaidivutis, Valentas, Vydmina (Lithuania)

Eli, Ellen, Helene (Norway)

Donat, Donata, Jan, Kryspin, Przecława, Pudens, Tymoteusz, Walenty, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Constantin, Elena (România)

Zina (Slovakia)

Cristóbal, Virginia (Spain)

Conny, Konstantin (Sweden)

Constance, Constantine, Helen (Ukraine)

Adelric, Adiel, Audric, Keaton, Kendrick (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 142 of 2024; 224 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 14 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 13 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 13 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 22 Magenta; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 May 2024

Moon: 96%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Luke]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 64 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Gemini (The Twins) begins [Zodiac Sign 3; thru 6.21]

Saint Paul (Catholicism) [Month 6 of 13; Positivist]

[vikky-petrova]

Грижа за Коледната звезда

Грижа за Коледната звезда

Коледна звезда – Поинсетия Ето че дойде и най-хубавото време в годината – Коледа – празник, изпълнен с топлина, уют и семейно щастие. Заобиколени сме от украсени домове и витрини на магазини – стотици блещукащи бели и шарени светлинки, коледни дръвчета и различни коледни украси правят ежедневието ни изпълнено с празнично настроение. А неизменно между тях е и Коледната звезда, превърнала се в…

[bgflorist]

Грижа за Коледната звезда

Грижа за Коледната звезда

Коледна звезда – Поинсетия Ето че дойде и най-хубавото време в годината – Коледа – празник, изпълнен с топлина, уют и семейно щастие. Заобиколени сме от украсени домове и витрини на магазини – стотици блещукащи бели и шарени светлинки, коледни дръвчета и различни коледни украси правят ежедневието ни изпълнено с празнично настроение. А неизменно между тях е и Коледната звезда, превърнала се в…

[dinoshimaaa]

@shxnosuke here's your one month late kita fic xoxo sorry it's kinda messy i wrote this at 11 last night

-

amongst all of kita’s many attractive qualities, he takes pride in his ability to be decisive the most. being decisive is like second nature to him. as the captain of his volleyball team, he’s used to making spontaneous decisions quickly and effectively.

ah, but how weird. the one time he needs his decisiveness now; is the one time he can’t find it.

or, simply put: kita shinsuke can’t decide which flower to get you.

he very clearly remembers atsumu screaming at him, in the gym after practice earlier: “whadd’ya mean ya haven’t gotten her flowers yet, kita-san? it’s literally her birthday!” which earned a kick from his twin telling him to shut up. kita did not want to elaborate further on the fight that escalated, and it wasn’t like he had time to do so anyway. nightfall was approaching, fast, and if he wanted to get to your place on time before you went to bed he’d have to decide right now.

did you like purple flowers? or did you prefer yellow ones instead? he really should have asked you way before this day. even the kind lady running the shop seemed to be a little impatient watching him loiter around, touching flowers here and there, mumbling to himself while not actually purchasing anything.

“is there a certain someone whom you are buying for? if yes, perhaps you could tell me what the occasion is and i might help,” the florist offers helpfully, and kita takes a moment to consider before mumbling a “yes”.

“on your left is our newest arrival of roses,” the florist smiles. “imported from bulgaria, the beautiful red of its petals represent passionate and undying love.”

kita hears atsumu’s voice in his head, telling him to “get yer girlfriend roses! they’re the most romantic of them all.”

the florist points to another batch at the back, “over there are some red carnations, whose meaning is love and affection; perfect for love confessions.”

“get her carnations,” kita hears osamu’s drawl now, “red carnations are innocent and sweet, perfect for yer current relationship with yer girlfriend.”

“and right here are our customers’ all-time favourite: tulips! they represent true love. not only are they in season now, making them bloom much more exquisitely compared to the rest, but they’re also perfect for any romantic occasion.”

“tulips,” aran’s voice is next. “i see my dad give my mom tulips all the time. might be me being biased, but they fit her really well.”

roses, carnations, tulips. roses, carnations, or tulips. oh, what to do? flower language was much more complicated than kita thought, his head slightly spinning from the weird flower meanings. splitting atsumu and osamu up from a fight right now would be way easier than deciding on the perfect flower to give you.

kita glances at his watch again: 10.50pm. he was not going to wish you a happy birthday before the end of today if he didn’t dash out of the store now. defeated, he glumly thanks the florist for her help, and she wishes him good luck on his search.

meanwhile, back in your house, you’re pouting and glaring at your phone screen, the slice of cake left half-eaten and pushed to the side as you check for a message from kita every 5 minutes. the least he could do was to send you a birthday message, but it was already nearing eleven, and if you didn’t sleep any earlier than that, you were sure to sleep in tomorrow’s super interesting history class. on top of that, you hadn’t seen kita today at all, with him being pre-occupied with volleyball captain duties. ah, but was it so much to wish that your boyfriend was decent enough to wish you a happy birthday?

grumbling, you shut off your phone for what you told yourself to be the last time, and prepared to get ready for bed when you heard a knock on your door. not expecting much, given today’s events, you open the door with an indifferent expression that soon morphs to delight when you see kita in front of your door.

you don’t miss the way he pants as he steps into your house, “sorry for barging in, and sorry for being late, happy birthday, dear.”

giving him an amused smile, you reply, “you didn’t give me a birthday message. i got so worried.”

“ah,” kita might’ve forgotten about that amongst the panic about what to get as a birthday gift for you. guilt falls into his usuall stoic face, and he drops his head onto your shoulder, nuzzling into your neck, “i’m terribly sorry about that. my mind was preoccupied with what to get you as a birthday gift, and it had slipped my mind. i’ll make it up to you, i promise.”

“kita, oh kita,” you sigh, an exasperated but doting smile creeping up your lips. cupping his cheeks with both hands, you look at him in the eye and tell him sincerely, “all i wanted was for you to wish me a happy birthday.”

“that still won’t do,” kita argues, still feeling guilty. “i didn’t manage to get a gift today, but i’ll make it up to you tomorrow. i’ll clear my whole schedule. i’ll wrap up work twice as fast so there’s more time for you. is there a restaurant you wanted to go to? we’ll go there tomo—”

you laugh, and it lifts kita’s spirits just a little. oh, how he loves your laughs.

“kita,” you coo, your hands now squishing his cheeks, “i’d like for you to stay here tonight with me. is that okay?” your cheeks are now turning red, an obvious sign that you are getting flustered by your own invitation. “o-of course you don’t have to agree, i understand your grandma is waiting and you don’t have any spare uniforms here and—”

“i’ll call to inform her, it’s fine,” he reassures you, removing your hands from his cheeks and resorting to caressing them. he gazes at you with such a hazy, lovestruck look in his eyes that comes as a huge contrast to his usual sharp gaze— normally you’d say “surprise”, but after dating him for so long, you’ve gotten used to his soft side shown to you and only you.

you smile, squeezing his hands, and he watches your lips curl up more when he kisses your cheek. he checks the time: 11.15pm. there’s still time.

“love?”

“hm?”

“happy birthday.”

[residentraccoon]

✨ esc 2012 top ✨

for some reason I'm nostalgic for this year even though I haven't watched it back then lmao

Love them!!

1. Sweden - a classic and iirc the first esc song I've ever heard but never knew it was from esc

2. North Macedonia - outstanding, she really killed it that year ngl

3. Romania - the good old days when our representatives were always on the radio and romanian ppl supported them <3 good times

4. Serbia - just beautiful, king of balkan ballads

5. Italy - could have used more italian but aaaa love this jazzy sound

6. Bulgaria - multilanguage party song my beloved how tf didn't this qualify

7. Cyprus - so fkn catchy i la la love this

8. Iceland - greta salome being underrated at esc part 1

9. France - oh shit so many tempo changes

10. Azerbaijan - the og pretty colored long dress

11. Moldova - if title in romanian then why not romanian lyrics :( great fun song nonetheless

12. Estonia - gosh he has such a beautiful voice..

13. Spain - ohhh yesss power ballad with power vocals bring it girlll

14. Russia - old women baking bread...

15. Finland - never expected finland to send a swedish song, this is wonderful

16. Lithuania - I pretend I do not see

Like them!!

17. Ireland - jedward being jedward as usual

18. Greece - a bop!!

19. Turkey - no i won't love you back

20. Norway - hey eric saade I'll copy ur homework but nobody will notice

21. Denmark - this was so cute and emotional

22. Germany - what a sweetheart tbh

23. Hungary - ngl I lowkey dig this, it's catchy

24. San Marino - omg oKAY my guilty pleasure of this year like?? it sounds like 2005 not 2012 and that's funny as fuck

25. Ukraine - her voice doesn't match her looks, and btw flower crown !!

26. Slovenia - sounds so magical

27. Croatia - poor croatia never gets recognition :(

28. Albania - a bit too grating on my ears sorry but the story behind this is heartbreaking.. 💔

29. Bosnia Hertzegovina - it's a sweet ballad but doesn't get to the level of past bosnian entries sadly

30. Malta - a little bit too repetitive but nice vibes overall

31. Switzerland - took me 2 years to realize he was singing in english lmao

32. Belarus - we are the heroes of our time- oh wait wrong song

33. Israel - love their wacky stage presence, the song is pretty catchy too

34. Portugal - good, but i kinda ran out of stuff to say abt these kinda regular ballads

They're good

35. Georgia - this is so trashy lmao

36. Slovakia - it's solid but just a lil forgettable

37. Netherlands - they really did have a dark period of time back in the early 2010s

38. Latvia - underwhelming at best

39. Montenegro - ik it's a joke entry but really not my taste

40. UK - just a cheesy 70s ballad

Not my thing

41. Austria - too noisy and obnoxious for me i'm sorry

42. Belgium - okay looks like i fell asleep

[writings-of-a-daphodil]

Fire Keeper: Chapter 14.5

Douxie x fem reader

Chapter 1

Masterlist in bio!

Series Summary: You are Jim’s older sister who is taking a break from college and has moved back home to Arcadia. You end up joining Jim and his friends on their adventures.

Chapter 14.5 summary: You and Douxie enjoy your last day in Bulgaria. Fluffy!!

Douxie had been moping in the hotel room for the past three days while you explored Bulgaria with Archie. You understood that he was upset and disappointed in himself, but he couldn’t mope forever.

   “Good morning!” You called in a song-song voice, shoving aside the curtains in your room. Douxie groaned and you could see him trying to hide beneath the pillow. You were glad he was getting more sleep, but he needed some balance in his life.

   “Come on. It’s our last day in Bulgaria, let's enjoy it!”

   “I agree with Y/n,” Archie stated, nuzzling Douxie.

   Douxie didn’t react. “I’m going to get some breakfast and when I come back we can go to this darling garden Archie and I saw yesterday," you said, leaving the room.

You did your best to take your time getting food from the buffet. Truth was you were getting worried about Douxie. You had never seen him so down on himself. He was always so determined and excited.

Eventually you made your way back to the room only to find Douxie dressed and sitting on the edge of his bed. He gave a weak smile.

"Here, eat up." You handed him some food and got yourself ready for the day. When you came out he was finished.

You smiled at him and grabbed his hand. "Come on!"

~~~~

Once you found a secluded spot surrounded by trees you laid down the blanket. It was a lovely spot in the Seaside Garden.

You sat down and Douxie took a seat next to you. You noticed that his aura seemed happier and more at peace. You were glad the fresh air and outing was helping him.

Now you just had to keep him happy and avoid talking of Morgana and whatever was going on in Arcadia. Jim had talked to you the other day and you knew he had everything under control, so you were going to enjoy the rest of your trip.

   You laughed at something Douxie said and watched as he waved his hand. Blue butterflies made of his magic began to flit around your blanket. They seemed to be dancing to invisible music as they moved around.

   You watched them, amazed at the simple show of magic. It may have been a basic spell, but you had never learned how to make something out of magic. It was beautiful and you were very intrigued.

   “How'd you do that?” You asked, a bright smile on your face that Douxie mimicked. Your eyes shined when you noticed, it was great to see him happy again.

   “I can teach you,” he offered and you nodded enthusiastically. “Alright, just wave your hand and picture what you want to do.

   You began to wave your hand like Douxie had, but he shook his head. “Like this,” he gestured and you mimicked him, but you didn’t feel the spark of magic.

You tried again and sighed when you couldn’t get it. “Huh, it looked so simple when you did it.”

“May I,” Douxie asked, scooting closer to you when you nodded your head.

He took your hand and held on to your wrist. Then he guided your hand to perform the movements his had. You felt the spark of magic and began to complete the second step of Douxie's instructions.

   You imagined daffodils growing out of the ground beside your blanket. The little sprouts coming out of their bulbs and poking through the earth. You pictured the stems snaking up into the air with little buds at the tips. And from the buds came the petals unfurling themselves into beautiful blooms.

   You opened your eyes and watched as what you had just imagined happened in real life. Daffodils of orange magic bloomed from the ground. It was such a gorgeous sight.

   “They’re beautiful,” Douxie praised as some of his blue butterflies landed on your flowers.

   “Why thank you.”

   “I should be thanking you. It's really nice to get out of the hotel room. I’m sorry for sulking so much the past few days.”

   “Don’t apologize, finding out about Morgana wasn’t easy for you.”

   “Still, thank you for being there for me.”

   You hugged him. “Of course.”

****

I really hope you liked this one. I really enjoyed writing this little half chapter. Also, I can't wait to get to all of your requests this weekend!!!! Have a fantastic and beautiful day/night and stay safe this weekend!💖

This chapter was inspired by @sitherin-mxschief's request:

Hellooo, I just read the latest chapter and I'M SOFT 😭💓 This just keeps getting better and better. And also, I have a suggestion: How about more of Douxie training Y/N more spells for the Chapter 14.5? Hihi

P.S. if you want to be on the taglist feel free to ask. I hope it works and please message me if it doesn’t.

P.P.S. I'm totally open for requests on fluffy half chapters! If you have any ideas for the half chapters send them in and I'll do my best to include them.

[bigbrotherlouis]

it’s baba marta day!!

in bulgaria, you celebrate by giving people red and white bracelets (мартеници), hoping that baba marta who controls the weather will be pleased by this sign of friendship and bring spring. when you see a flowering tree or a stork, you hang it on the tree for good luck.

usually, we buy martinitsi to give to people, but since we don’t live in bulgaria anymore, we make them to give to each other. i can’t send all of you a bracelet, so here’s your celebratory post instead.

честита баба марта, приятели!! happy first of march, and may your march be merciful ♥️🤍

[miazeklos]

💕 get to know your mutuals!! when you get this, it means someone wants to know more about you, so list 5 things about yourself you want your followers to know. they can be as simple as your age or as complex as your deepest fear, as long as it’s something you’re comfortable with sharing. when you’re done, send this to 10 people you want to get to know better!! ❤️🥺🌤

Ahhh, thank you! <33 Hm, five things, let’s see...

1. I’m 24. 2. I get hayfever every spring (and whenever I smell flowers, really). 3. I play the guitar. 4. I live in Bulgaria. 5. I’ve visited three different seas but I’ve never seen an ocean.

[mrsarnasdelicious]

Cottage Core - Stan Ianevski

List Of Requestables

A country side house in either Bulgaria or the UK

Big garden, smaller house

You probably keep chickens

And fruit/vegetables in the garden

Stan will need his own home gym in the basement tho, haha

You know this man will love home made stuff

Domestic Bliss galore!!!

Dancing in the kitchen to 50′s songs on the radio

Stan braiding flowers in your hair

Flowers he picked from the garden

Baking Pies Together!

Hand written letters he sends you when he is on set

A long haired calico cat that loves snoozing in the windowcill, especially when it is sunny

Picnics on the lawn!

Laying in the grass to gaze at the stars in the evening

Building furniture from scratch

Especially when it is furniture for the dogs

Learning to sow and making him a nice button up

Stan would be so proud to wear it

Having guests over to your cozy place and them loving it

Because your home is so warm and full of love

Also, candle light

Lots of candle light!

But mostly love!!!

[chaoswillfallrpg]

RABASTAN LESTRANGE is TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD and a SOLDIER in THE DARK LORD’S ARMY at THE DEATH EATER HEADQUATERS. He looks remarkably like DYLAN O’BRIEN and considers himself aligned with THE DEATH EATERS. He is currently TAKEN.

→ OVERVIEW: 

tw: death, murder

Brooding and mysterious, Rabastan Lestrange has always been someone with not a lot to say despite having a multitude of opinions. The youngest of two boys, Rabastan was not privy to any preferential treatment from his parents as most younger children are due to the sheer amount of love radiating from his mother for both her children. Raised in the serenity of Lestrange Manor in Nottinghamshire, Rabastan’s childhood took place in a French Gothic style chateaux, similar to that of the Lestrange Manor on the outskirts of Paris. Surrounded by woodland and rolling hills, Rabastan’s childhood was a secluded one with only his older brother RODOLPHUS and his mother MARIE as constant company. Although almost all mothers claim they love their children more than themselves that was certainly true of his mother, who spent every waking moment of her day attending to Rabastan and his brother. Whilst most wealthy families sought the help of a nanny or a school master, Marie insisted on doing everything herself with only the aid of their House-Elf Posey as a welcomed extra pair of hands where needed. Rabastan recalled his childhood as a romantic one of being taught French by his mother and read novels and children's books outside in the garden as they sipped afternoon tea and played with his toys. 

Rodolphus was the perfect older brother to him, attentive and kind he was incredibly protective over him during his earlier years whilst also acting as his very first best friend. Rabastan and his older brother told one another everything from secrets they’d overheard their parents whispering concerning their father’s work to their plans for tomorrow and their hopes and dreams for their future. It was no secret that Lestrange Manor favoured love, his mother in particular was a hopeless romantic who had fallen for his father during a family trip to Paris when they were teenagers. The way they looked at one another was not lost on Rabastan or his brother who grew up longing for a relationship like that of their parents and were excited by the prospect of meeting their true love one day. Marie had raised them both as perfect gentlemen, preparing them for a world which was very different to the one they later entered. At Lestrange Manor, the flowers were always in bloom and music flowed from all the rooms of their home. They were safe from the Mugles who their father said had always been set out to destroy them and were kept separate from blood traitors their mother warned would try and corrupt them. When Rodolphus finally attended Hogwarts and returned with news of Muggle-Borns and blood traitors running wild she begged their father to send them both to Durmstrang but he refused.

His father told Rabastan it was important they go to Hogwarts and that they both had a part to play which going to school in Bulgaria wouldn’t benefit. Rabastan was unsure as to what his father wanted for him when he grew up, it was quite obvious the role he wanted for Rodolphus but his father took little interest in his future beyond telling him to attend Hogwarts and be sorted into Slytherin. Although THIEBAUT LESTRANGE certainly loved Rabastan, it was clear Rodolphus was his golden boy who would follow him into office, the heir and the spare as they say. His aspirations for Rabastan were quite simple, to marry into a good family to a woman with a lot of money and NARCISSA BLACK was someone his father had considered for Rabastan ever since it became clear Bellatrix and Rodolphus were off the cards. A few years younger than Rabastan, he was instructed to make an effort with her at family events and befriend her when she arrived at Hogwarts two years later, which he dutifully did. Narcissa was beautiful and a good friend to Rabastan but he always had the niggling feeling he could never quite love a woman who was too much in love with herself and quest for power she would never truly consider them equals. Narcissa wanted a wealthy man to give her things, Rabastan wanted someone who would truly love him despite his family name and respect him rather than mock his intelligence which Narcissa often did teasingly. 

Unlike his brother, Rabastan wasn’t the smartest boy at school, though his sarcastic tone and fondness for hanging around with trouble makers tended to squander most of his potential, which led him to ask his friend CAIUS BURKE’s sister LYRA for help in areas he was particularly struggling. Potions and Herbology were particular areas of concern for his parents, which Lyra excelled in and so began their friendship. Lyra was kind to him and withered the storm of his mood swings and sharp anger she never seemed to shy away from. Despite her small stature and kindness, Lyra was a strong woman and had little time to deal with his bitterness that she rather overcame, ignored or scolded him for until he learned which tone he was unable to take with her. Lyra helped balance him out in a way he needed, calming the storm that had raged inside of him for a long while and had only gotten worse more recently. Narcissa’s older sister BELLATRIX BLACK had taken a particular liking to him when he was in his second year and had fallen into what his teachers called ‘the wrong crowd’, hexing mudbloods and ending up in detentions with VIOLET BULSTRODE, ANYA ROOKWOOD and ERIK BORGIN where Bellatrix also often found herself for worse crimes. Bellatrix sensed an anger in him she knew would drive him towards greatness, to be seen above his brother and more than just a chess piece to unite them more closely with a family his father deemed useful.

 Bellatrix began privately tutoring him in the Dark Arts in his fourth year, coaching him on his duelling techniques and Charms ability of which she was quite accomplished. Then, when she knew she could trust him she introduced Rabastan to him. THE DARK LORD was Bellatrix’s mentor in the Dark Arts and a man who promised Rabastan power beyond his wildest dreams. The Dark Lord’s beliefs were not too dissimilar to the ones he had been raised with, but were more radical. He spoke of a world where witches and wizards ruled over Muggles and mudbloods were eradicated or used as servants to serve the more important. Those who joined him were promised an important position in his new world and those who were loyal to him and part of The Sacred Twenty-Eight were promised an even better position. Rabastan tried to lay low after his meeting, spending time with his friends and studying with Lyra to achieve grades that didn’t embarrass his family before graduating to a senior position in The Dark Lord’s army as Bellatrix’s right hand man. He explained away to family and friends he’d taken an internship in London for a private company dealing with experimental potions but gave little information otherwise. In their secret meetings Rabastan sits dutifully by Bellatrix’s side and helps her plot to overthrow the current regime. 

His current job has been targeting magical creatures and convincing them to join them in their quest with strict consequences if they choose not to. Recently Rabastan has run up against an issue, a recruitment gone wrong with an unregistered werewolf named SILAS CRUMP has resulted in him seeking legal advice from his brother Rodolphus and Bellatrix’s sister ANDROMEDA BLACK who have agreed to defend him as he stands trial for murder. Though it is within their plan to recruit Rodolphus and Andromeda, as their work is in its infancy Rabastan needs to ensure that no one knows what he is secretly doing, especially his brother and his associate. Although it was not his intention, the evening of Halloween presented itself with an opportunity. When an argument gone wrong resulted in the death of the Minister’s youngest son and vocal campaigner for creature rights BOOKER BAGNOLD at Rabastan’s hand, Rabastan attempted to pin the death on Crump. Watching as Booker’s wand was passed from person to person at the party he laughed as the Ministry chased an innocent man, sending Crump away on the run and keeping him and Bellatrix out of the spotlight for the Bagnold killing. His escape was a narrow one, though with Crump still at large, evading capture and Rodolphus and Andromeda still defending him Rabastan knows the issue will not be resolved unless Crump is silenced once and for all. 

→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Blood Status → Pure-Blood

Pronouns → He/Him

Identification → Cis Male 

Sexuality  →  Up to Roleplayer 

Previous Education → Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Slytherin)

Societies → N/A

Relationship Status → Single 

Family → Thiebaut Lestrange (father), Marie Lestrange (mother), Rodolphus Lestrange (brother), Ilar Travers (uncle), Vivienne Travers (aunt), Isolde Travers (cousin), Evora Travers (cousin)

Connections  → Violet Bulstrode (best friend), Narcissa Black (best friend), Walden MacNair (close friend), Caius Burke (close friend), Anya Rookwood (close friend), Lavender Bulstrode (close friend), Erik Borgin (close friend), Erik Borgin (close friend), Lyra Burke (close friend/potential love interest), Bellatrix Black (close friend/mentor), Lachlan McTavish (friend), Victor Yaxley (friend), Cornelius Crabbe (friend), Silas Crump (adversary), Regulus Black (mentee), Booker Bagnold (victim) 

Future Information → N/A

RABASTAN LESTRANGE IS A LEVEL 5 WIZARD. 

[sole-cuore-amore-e-droga]

How do I feel about Eurovision 2020 songs, shortly summarized.

Albania: every telenovela wants this as its soundtrack now

Armenia: ritch bitch raps intimidatingly about how she wants to "chainsaw you", adds a lot of hi-hats

Australia: clown ballerina being hurdled around by anxiety

Austria: when everyone forgets you, bring on a banger. trust me, it works

Azerbaijan: San Marino did it better

Belarus: that's just a nickelback store "Like It"

Belgium: that one song you hear in the movie during a grim scene that you forget the name of

Bulgaria: the one song Billie Eilish wished she wrote

Croatia: so generic it's hard to remember

Cyprus: it's titled "Running" to influence gym people to run on treadmills faster

Czech Republic: where begone the trumpets?! :(

Denmark: the summer love song written by the campfire

Estonia: the unexplored angle of being a boyband solo reject

Finland: if it was a color it'd be faint seagreen... because it's too okay to have any meaning

France: how many keychanges until I lose my will to live?

Georgia: how do I want you to make khinkali like a Georgian

Germany: wanting some of those Luca Hänni royalties

Greece: the quality of this song is like that cat stuck in the tree, but no one cared to save it

Iceland: SWEATERS! DISCO! CUTE SONG ABOUT CHILD!

Ireland: Avril Lavigne meets P!nk meets Disney Channel

Israel: when Amharic is not just for satanic Twitter memes

Italy: once in a while it's excused they didn't choose anything other than some male heartstrings-tugging ballad

Latvia: that dubstep drop you forgot to delete from your computer in 2010

Lithuania: middle aged man contemplates being middle aged, dances, dances some more

Malta: when X Factor runs out of inspirational background music

Moldova: genetically modified Sergey Lazarev's Eurovision entries

The Netherlands: you don't know how good is it until it kicks off that one last chorus

North Macedonia: walk into the club like wait nevermind can I go home

Norway: what's a Eurovision without a female powerballad... wait nevermind, she doesn't scream, jury can't vote this

Poland: sorry but Billie Eilish did record a Bond theme while being 17, and she didn't even need to sound very Bond-sy either

Portugal: a garden full of love, flowers, and occasional pixie dust

Romania: Bulgaria's confused sister

Russia: "Mom I want a latino club banger!" "We have latino club banger at home *chugs vodka*"

San Marino: if Ralph Siegel was asked to re-write "What's the Pressure"

Serbia: what if I told you that Sanja Vučić is the Terminator

Slovenia: here's a way to make Iceland 2017 more boring and time-wasting

Spain: when you're asking for forgiveness from that one bae that doesn't even care about you

Sweden: and you said they'll never send women!

Switzerland: the ultimate sadboi

Ukraine: takes the baton from Tulia for to continue the tradition of starting cults from folklore culture

United Kingdom: when everyone only comes for Wim Hof but doesn't vote the UK anyway because he's not allowed on stage

[icecoldflames]

Chapter 4 - The Mystery of Sanders Castle

Masterlist

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

***

Present Day, England

Classes were the same ones Roman would have done in America but somehow he was looking forward to these ones. Unfortunately, he had to wait for last period with Ms. Yano’s history class. He supposed he should be lucky—he could’ve had her class tomorrow.

His first class was with the first man he had been introduced to yesterday, Mr. Divan for science. Obviously, for the first class of the year, nothing was really taught. Most of it was rules and introductions. Roman learned that Mr. Divan had travelled pretty much everywhere. To Tanzania, Singapore, Bulgaria, Paraguay, Laos, Taiwan, and so many other countries. Mr. Divan showed a quick presentation of photographs he had taken and Roman had loved it so much that he had asked him, after class, if he would send the presentation to him so he could look more closely at the pictures.

The next class was English which was taught by a short, older man named Mr. Losnedahl. Oskar was in that class.

Math taught by Ms. Cirenza (Satomi in that class) and Creative Writing with Ms. Wren flew by so quickly that Roman felt like he blinked and they were both over.

If this was how his days would go, Roman wished he could slow time because soon he’d be on the plane ride home back to America for summer.

On his way to Ms. Yano’s class, Roman bumped into Maxime also on his way to her class. “How has your day been?” Roman asked him excitedly, feeling his body beginning to buzz. He had been looking forward to this moment since last evening.

“It was good,” Maxime said simply.

Roman was still not used to how un-chatty Maxime was. So far, the longest conversation he had had with his roommate was about Harry Potter yesterday morning.

“Do you have any classes with Oskar?” Roman tried again. “He and I share science and math class.”

“Yeah, English and my nature class.”

They arrived at Ms. Yano’s class and, when Roman walked in, he was momentarily blown away by all the art and portraits hung on the walls and the patterned tapestry hung like a makeshift ceiling. Most of the rooms in the castle were high-ceilinged, very open and large. But the tapestry made the whole classroom seem like some kind of den. Like a cottage in the middle of a flower field.

Roman would meet the rest of his teachers tomorrow but he knew that none of their classrooms would compare to Ms. Yano’s.

Ms. Yano herself stood over to the side, speaking quietly to a student who Roman recognized as Spencer from math class.

Ms. Yano was of average height and her black hair was cut severely at her shoulders. She wore blood red lipstick that made her look like some kind of vampire. But it oddly suited her. She was, however, no doubt Satomi’s mom for she had practically the same face as her.

The desks were in pairs and Roman and Maxime found a spot together near the front without a word being uttered between them. Roman began opening up his notebook and made sure there was enough lead in his mechanical pencil to last the whole class. If Ms. Yano would be spilling the tea on the Sanders’ and Scharf’s then he couldn’t have any issues with writing all of it down.

Maxime looked confusedly at the opened notebook. “Is she the type of teacher to teach on the first day?” He hesitantly began opening up his own notebook and pencil case.

“Oh, no. At least, I haven’t heard anything about that. But I’m hoping she’ll shed some light on the royal family who used to live in this castle and the family who used to live in the castle across the woods.”

Maxime seemed to want to say a lot of things at once. “What castle across the woods…? Oh, are you talking about those ruins?”

“Ruins?” Roman’s eyes grew wide. No one said anything about ruins. What had happened to the Scharf’s castle?

At that exact moment, Spencer and Ms. Yano seemed to finish their conversation and Spencer sat themself down next to another student near the back of the classroom.

Ms. Yano fixed a small pile of papers on her desk before finally looking at her last class of the day. Her eyes drifted over her students and then stopped at Roman’s face. Her whole body froze and she looked like she stopped breathing. Roman was fully prepared to help her if something happened.

Ms. Yano blinked once and then she seemed fine. She didn’t even acknowledge the fact that she had momentarily stopped breathing.

Roman couldn’t help but feel that he had caused whatever had happened to Ms. Yano. She had been looking at the class and stopped at Roman. Unless it was some kind of horrible coincidence.

Disappointingly, the class was like all the rest he had been to that day. Introductions. Roman learned Ms. Yano’s first name (Akemi), where she was born (Japan), her husband’s name and occupation (Stan, a freelance artist), and even her favourite colour (red). But Roman learned absolutely nothing about the Sanders’ or the Scharf’s.

Roman had been patient enough to wait for today but waiting another day and possibly more? He didn’t think he could take it.

So, once class was dismissed for the day he told Maxime that he was going to ask Ms. Yano a question and that he could go on. Maxime was probably glad to be away from Roman’s extroverted self anyway.

As the room emptied, Roman walked over to Ms. Yano’s desk like a fish swimming upstream.

Roman was about to ask about the Sanders when Ms. Yano suddenly stood up and gave a tight smile to him. “Roman, do you want to go for a walk to the library?”

Roman’s eyebrows drew down in confusion. “The library?” He repeated. Could Ms. Yano read his mind? Or did Satomi tell her mom about his interest in the Sanders’? That was a possibility. “I was going to ask about the Sanders’ and if you could tell me about them. I know that you’re going to tell us about it in class but I’m beyond curious. I have to know.”

Ms. Yano nodded and she pursed her lips, looking at Roman so oddly that he wondered if he had anything stuck in his teeth. “Yes, I’ll tell you on the way to the library.” And then she began walking.

“As you probably know, the last royals who lived in this beautiful castle were the Sanders’. This consisted of King James, Queen Alice, and Prince Logan,” Ms. Yano began, slowing her walking just slightly. Roman listened very carefully, not wanting to miss a detail.

“When the prince was around 19, he was put into an arranged marriage with the eldest princess from Betrug, just across the woods.” She gestured to her left where Roman assumed the Scharf’s castle to be. “The Scharf’s. It’s said that they got along just fine. Her name was Philomena and she brought her brother, the crown prince, Virgil Scharf to their first meeting.

“Prince Virgil was in an arranged marriage, himself. To a princess from France. Anyway, that’s not necessarily important to this story. The two princes were said to be very close, like best friends. Philomena and Logan got along just fine as well, acting much more like friends than lovers but, then again, they were practically strangers to one another.

“When Logan visited the Scharf’s a couple weeks later, some of the citizens there took Philomena hostage—” Ms. Yano suddenly stopped short and Roman blinked. He felt as though he had just woken up from a long nap and was trying to remember where he was.

They had passed the library doors and Ms. Yano had led them down a deadend hallway where he assumed no one really went. Roman glanced up at Ms. Yano, perplexed, but the teacher seemed transfixed on something else. Her face was tilted up and Roman followed her gaze up the wall where a massive portrait was hung.

“It’s me,” Roman breathed.

“No,” Ms. Yano said, shaking her head softly. She pointed to the gilded metal nameplate at the bottom of the portrait. “It’s Prince Logan.”

Roman sucked in his breath. “Prince Logan?” He repeated, in awe. “We could’ve been twins.”

Logan, maybe late teens, was sitting on the steps of a gazebo that Roman remembered looking at when he explored the gardens outside with Patton earlier that morning. His face was serious and his light brown hair was brushed back. He was surrounded by dark blue flowers. And, although Roman was 14, there was no mistaking how uncanny the resemblance was between him and Prince Logan.

“Roman, how well do you know your ancestry?” Ms. Yano asked, tearing her gaze away from the portrait and, instead, looking back at Roman.

Roman rubbed his chin. “Well, my dad has Irish roots and my mom, well, my mom’s mom was adopted, just like Patton is, and my mom’s dad has Scottish roots.” He paused. “Do you think I’m related to Prince Logan?” The idea seemed so surreal coming out of his mouth and, had Prince Logan not looked exactly like Roman, he wouldn’t have believed it himself.

“Does your mom know anything about her mom?” Ms. Yano asked and Roman tried to think of anything. But nothing came to mind.

“No, my grandmother died a couple of years ago. She was adopted as a toddler so I don’t think she would’ve remembered anything anyway,” Roman replied.

Ms. Yano sighed and stayed silent.

Roman was about to ask Ms. Yano to finish her story. Did they ever get Philomena back in time for the wedding? What about Prince Virgil?

But another teacher Roman didn’t recognize hurried up to Ms. Yano. “Akemi! The staff meeting is about to start!”

Ms. Yano pursed her lips and she glanced at the watch around her wrist. “Of course,” she muttered and looked down at Roman apologetically. “I’m sorry, Roman. I have to go.” She gestured to the library. “I suggest you take a look in the library. They have a couple of books on Prince Logan that you might enjoy.” She hurried off and Roman was left alone with the picture of Prince Logan staring down at him.

At this point, Roman was desperate. He had been given a little taste of the story of Prince Logan and he would do just about anything to know the end. He made his way out of the hallway, looked at the library, and sighed as he made his way inside.

The library was nice, Roman supposed. It was definitely old and he sneezed almost as soon as he entered. He asked the librarian where the books on Prince Logan were and she directed him to the back of the library.

Libraries were not Roman’s thing. He found them too silent and foreboding. And way too serious. But he needed to know what happened to Prince Logan and the Scharf siblings.

He kept his steps quiet as he progressed deeper and deeper into the library. It was nearly empty, Roman only passing a couple of students. Some of them weren’t even reading, they were just speaking in hushed voices.

Roman supposed it was better than hanging out in the bathroom, which a lot of kids at his old school used to do which was just disgusting and weird.

Finally, he made it to the back of the library where an unlit stone fireplace was. On either side of it was a reading nook where two massive leather armchairs were placed, a wooden, round table between them.

In the nook to Roman’s left, he recognized Satomi reading a brown book. She was upside down in the armchair, her legs sticking out over the back rest. She seemed very interested in her book as her face was scrunched up.

Satomi glanced up, as though she could detect someone near her. “Hi Roman,” she greeted, pulling her legs back down and sitting up normally. “Are you here for books on the Sanders’?”

Roman nodded and took the armchair opposite her. He sank into the chair, and felt as though he could sleep in them. He might come to the library more often just to sit in the armchairs. “Yeah.” He gestured to the book she was holding, a finger keeping her page. “What book are you reading?”

“Ronan M.V. Gighe-Lapillio’s biography,” Satomi responded, flashing Roman a view of the brown cover.

“Ronan M.V. who-now?” Roman tried to repeat. It was almost as confusing as Dumbledore’s full name. “Who’s that?”

“The founder of Violet Branch,” Satomi said with a shrug. “Although it’s rumoured that Ronan was just a pseudonym.”

There were so many mysteries that they were beginning to make Roman’s head spin. “Well, wouldn’t people know his real name anyway?”

“You’d think so, but no. Ronan was a secretive and private man and no one ever saw him, at least, not without knowing. He made no public appearances but it was said that he was a fast worker and an even faster runner, able to be in one place before being in another, totally different place a couple minutes later.”

Roman couldn’t help but have the thought that Ronan was just one letter away from his own name. Maybe it was just because he just saw his own face on a portrait that was painted two centuries ago. It seemed everything was connected back to him somehow.

Which made him remember what Satomi had asked when she first met him. Have I met you before? The, at first, weird question suddenly made perfect sense. “Hey, Satomi, I think I know why you thought you met me before.”

“Oh?” Satomi’s eyebrows jumped up and her eyes, which had been gradually roaming back to her book, shifted back to Roman.

“Your mom showed me a portrait of Prince Logan. He looks exactly like me.” Even saying it made Roman feel weird.

Satomi’s eyes widened. “Of course!” She exclaimed so loudly that the librarian who was near furiously shushed her. “Sorry,” she said, quieter, but it didn’t look like she was. “That makes so much sense. And it can’t possibly be a coincidence. You two practically look like twins. So you must be a descendant of Prince Logan!” Her voice kept growing as she continued but she spoke the next part more bitterly. “I always knew Crespo was a fraud.”

“Whoah, whoah, whoah,” Roman interrupted her train of thought. “It’s possible that me and the headmistress are descendants.”

Satomi rolled her eyes and she had a look on her face Roman hadn’t seen before. “Humph. I doubt it.”

“What do you have against her?”

“I don’t have anything against her,” Satomi said, crossing her arms and looking down angrily at her shoes.

Roman scoffed. “Sure, okay. I don’t believe you for one second.”

“I just don’t like her and I don’t believe Prince Logan’s her ancestor.”

Roman still wasn’t so sure of her answer but he decided to let it drop. He stood up, “you think you can show me the best books on Prince Logan then? I think I might die if I don’t find out what happens.”

Roman left the library with two books, one rather thin and another which had some weight to it. Satomi said they were the best two to read to get a grasp on what had happened without the annoying authors’ biases smacking you in the face and spitting on your unconscious body. Satomi’s words, not his.

Roman had the quickest supper he had ever had in his entire life and then he was off to his dorm to start reading, something he had never done before.

He decided to read the thin one first, hoping that maybe he’d get enough information from it without having to read the other one.

By the time Roman finished the first book, around three in the morning, Roman had a good idea of the events that had happened in this very castle. His butt was sore from sitting on the toilet seat (he had moved to the bathroom to read after Oskar and Maxime went to bed) and, while his body was stiff and tired, his brain was whirling.

Because there was one thing he wasn’t expecting.

Prince Virgil and Prince Logan had definitely been gay. And they had definitely been in a secret relationship.