#solarium jewelry

[wekissedthestars]

Moonstone Mirror Ring

[qedavathegrey]

If I was a god...

I'm sure something like this has been done already, but I wanted to do my own. If I was a god, what would my followers leave as offerings or perform as devotional work? It was a surprisingly fun exercise and I feel like I kind of... learned who I am conceptually?

Tag anyone you think would have fun doing the same!

Offerings//

full-flavor cigarettes, preferably 100s

cold coffee

hand-inspired or heavy, old jewelry

dry vermouth

scraps of colored paper/yarn/thread

dust and cobwebs

old keys

dark, sweet perfumes

anything ox-blood

carved-wood/ceramic masks

outdated technology

old, creepy toys

tiny, ceramic figures

knotted hair

copper bells

Devotional Activities//

spending hours/days making a playlist

driving the backroads (preferably at night, music at max volume)

going to dinner and discussing theory, laughing loudly

walking barefoot over rocks

walking in the cemetery

browsing the darkest, most forgotten corners of the library/bookstore

explaining articles you've read recently in a half-hearted attempt to radicalize those around you

unearthing old junk (the rustier, more chipped and broken, the better)

same song on repeat for hours

treating children with the same, if not more respect than you would adults

creating something, then forgetting or destroying it

back-talking

being extremely nice to, inquiring about and listening to the plight of service workers

shameless swearing

bitter justice

listening to feverish drumming or noise-heavy, distorted music

Holy Sites//

the cemetery

bookstores/libraries (preferably the basement of)

solariums

empty roads in the woods

disorganized antique stores

anywhere the wind is strong enough to nearly knock you over

places scrawled with anti-authoritarian graffiti

Sacred Animals//

spiders

monkeys

vultures

raccoons

escaped farm animals

Colors//

ox-blood

rusty orange

golden yellow

(blue is the enemy)

Plants/Minerals/Curios//

sulfur

dried, coral rose petals

cloves

orange/lemon/lime peels

parsley

ashes (tobacco or paper)

copper buttons

keys (again)

cobwebs (again)

iron oxide

balled scraps of colored string (again)

preserved animal hands/paws/feet

patchwork fabric

weird, broken shit you found on the ground

Tenets//

Death is all around you all the time, embrace it; learn all you can with the time you have

It's okay to be weird. The people who get it, get it; the people who don't haven't learned to accept themselves either, so don't sweat them

Be loud: laugh, holler, swear; don't be afraid to have a good time — again, life is fleeting, fuck the rules.

Treat people with kindness until they abuse it; then give 'em hell. Respect is always a two-way street, hierarchies be damned.

Life isn't fair, but demanding fairness should be our ultimate concern — for ourselves and those around us

"Acceptance" is loaded; don't fight to be included, fight to defend the space that is rightfully yours

[havethetimeofyourstyles]

in which a new relationship sparks up in the restaurant. 

a/n: hi loves! i’m back with a new story, and this is for nat’s @harrystylescherry​ playlist fic challenge! the song i chose is ‘say it’ by maggie rogers, which is one of my absolute favorite songs! hope you all like it, please reblog and leave feedback!

WORD COUNT: 13.8k words of waiter!harry x waitress!yn 

WARNINGS: angst and some smut 

COME INTO MY INBOX AND LETS TALK ABOUT ‘SAY IT’ i’d love to know your thoughts!

pls rb to share <3

It was eleven in the morning when Harry walked through the back door of ‘Spring,’ ready to start his long day of being on his feet while waiting tables. 

He walked to the staff’s lounge that held their lockers and a bench before looking around to see if anyone else was in the locker room; he turned the dial of his lock pad to open his blue locker. His coworkers would always tease him about being so secretive when he knows that no one would actually steal from him, but better to be safe than sorry, and he couldn’t imagine how awkward that would be confronting one of his coworkers if they actually had stolen from him. 

He put his white canvas tote bag that was printed in a brown text that said ‘Celestial Natural Foods’—a store in Hawaii—in his locker and hanging it on one out of the two hooks before grabbing his black waist apron and tying it around his waist. 

The restaurant’s attire was a simple white or black button down with black trousers. The manager of the restaurant, Irene, told the staff that they could choose either color shirt whenever they pleased. As for jewelry, she didn’t mind when her waiters and waitresses wore jewelry, as long as it wasn’t interfering with how they held the plates of food, causing them to drop it. Harry was glad to hear that Irene allowed jewelry because his rings and necklaces made him Harry. Twisting his rings and fixing his necklaces, he took a quick glance at the small mirror that was stuck on the inside of the door with a magnet, and combed his hair back with his hands before closing his locker shut and locking it. 

He washed his hands at the sink next to the locker room, and he smiled at the commotion and noise from behind him that came from the kitchen crew. They were prepping for the dinner hour, chopping up various vegetables, making the restaurant’s famous dressing and sauces, and baking the side dishes that usually took a while in the oven. 

“Hey, Harry!” Jet, one of the sous chefs, greeted as he looked up at Harry with a big smile as he continued chopping up cabbage like the professional chef that he was. 

Harry chuckled, amazed at his knife skills. “Hey, Jet. How are you today?” He leaned against the stainless steel countertop as he talked to Jet through the open space of the shelves, where the food rested under the heated and dim light when it was ready to be served. 

“I’m doing great! How was your three day vacation?” 

“It was okay. It went by fast, but I missed it here anyways,” Harry responded with a smile. Jet laughed, nodding. 

“Well, we missed you too. Anyways, Irene told me to tell you that she’s looking for you.” Harry squinted his eyes slightly, not knowing whether Irene looking for him was a good or bad thing, and Jet seemed to notice what he was thinking. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing bad.” 

Harry nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. Jet was his closest friend at Spring, ever since Harry started working as a waiter three years ago. He desperately needed a job because being his own boss and freelancing as a photographer could be difficult sometimes; and building up a client list when he first started out was even harder. But three years later, he was able to get his name around through his clients, and he earned enough where he could technically quit his job at Spring and focused purely on photography; however, Harry liked the restaurant too much to just quit—he liked serving people, believe it or not. His charms go a long way for respectful and kind customers, and of course, a great tip. Most of his friends always worked here as well, as he didn’t have quite a lot of friends since he moved from London, but his coworkers had become his very own friends, and he loved them too much to leave. 

“Thanks, I’ll see you when we open!” Harry said as Jet waved to him, watching him walk around the counter to find Irene who was talking to a woman he’s never seen before. 

He’s always loved walking through the restaurant because it had such a friendly and open vibe with white painted walls, trees planted in a line in the middle of the floor, and a big glass ceiling for a solarium ambience. His favorite part was that there were no walls to separate the dining area from the kitchen, so customers could see straight through the kitchen and watch the chefs work on their food with just a turn of their heads. 

“Ah, there he is,” Irene said once Harry was close enough. “I’m glad you’re early.” 

“Irene, I’m always early, what do you mean?” Harry breathed out a chuckle. 

“I know you are. I’m just glad you’re extra early today because I need you to train this lovely woman next to me.” Irene stepped out of the way to reveal you to the waiter that was going to train you today. 

Harry looked at you, and immediately, his breath was caught in his throat. The light that was provided through the glass ceiling cast down at you, giving you a glow that was ethereal, and he mentally thanked the interior designer of the restaurant from so many years ago for insisting on putting a glass ceiling instead of a regular, covered one. There you were, standing in the open light as you flashed him a smile that almost made him collapse due to how weak his knees were, and he physically had to place a hand on the brown wooden table next to him to keep himself up. You were stunning, to say the least. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you offered him a hand, smiling softly at him. He shook your hand, feeling the softness of your small hand and how it contrasted to his large and somewhat rough hand. 

“I’m Harry. It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiled, two dimples indenting his cheeks. You noticed that his left dimple was more prominent than his right, but either way, you thought he was a gorgeous man. 

Yours and Harry’s eyes had lingered a bit longer, and once you had caught yourself staring, you forced yourself to take your eyes off him, even though it was difficult to. And that’s when you knew it was going to be a slight problem working around him. 

“Now that introductions are out of the way,” Irene interrupted. She turned towards Harry. “Harry, this is our newest addition to our waiting staff. You’ve been here long enough and it seems like you’re here everyday, so I’m going to leave her with you to train.” Once she was down, Irene turned towards you. “Y/N, you’re going to train with Harry for the rest of the week. It’s usually two weeks that are required for training, but since you’ve had waiting experience before, I’ll knock it down to one, and by the end of the week, we’ll see how you’re doing and where you are with everything. Sounds good?” 

You nodded excitedly, giving her a bright smile before she clapped her hands and said ‘great.’ Harry looked at you the entire time, and he just knew that you were the type of person that could light up a room with your beautiful and bright smile. 

Irene turned towards Harry once more. “Show her the ropes, introduce her to people, and just make her comfortable, yeah?” Harry nodded, teasingly saluting at his boss as he earned a laugh from her. 

Irene left, leaving the two of you, but your attention was preoccupied with the restaurant as you eagerly looked around, getting familiar with the place you’d hoped to be stable at for a while. 

Harry cleared his throat, to which you immediately looked at him. He gave you a smile before he said, “So, ready for your first day?” 

“Ready!” You exclaimed, tone a bit too excited, making you slightly embarrassed, so you curled your lips into your mouth and looked around the restaurant again to hide your slight embarrassment. 

Harry giggled. “Don’t look around too much—you might get tired of this place before you even start,” he teased, completely forgetting how shy and embarrassed you looked. 

“I think I’m gonna like it here,” you confessed immediately, feeling a certain comfort once you walked into the restaurant. Hell, the moment you researched the restaurant, you loved the place. 

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Harry led you around the counter where customers could watch the chefs in action as they cooked their meals. “This is where you could get all the supplies needed—napkins, extra plates, utensils, place mats, everything should be here. If not, then it’ll usually be in the kitchen, right over here.” He walked over to the kitchen where there were more supplies under the table, and pointed below the table. “Here’s more if the ones behind the counter run out, and if they do run out and you just so happen to be there, please make sure to refill it.” You nodded understandingly. 

Harry walked you through the steps of how the system of the restaurants worked as he imputed a demo order into the system on the touchable screen. There were five order screens, one in each corner of the restaurant, one behind the counter, and one in the kitchen; there shouldn’t be any collision or anyone waiting for one of the severs to finish with the screen because there were only about four to five servers working every shift considering it was a small restaurant. Harry then walked you along on where to pick up the order as every dish had its receipt with the order printed on the paper along with the table number. He told you that the table numbers are in order of how the tables are set up—number one starts with the countertops since it’s closest to the entrance, following along the walls, and the tables in the middle were numbered last. 

You liked how easy their routine and system was that you were sure you’d have it down by the end of the week. Harry made sure to introduce you to the staff that you two passed by as he led you throughout the restaurant; he made you feel comfortable right from the bat, making sure to make a few jokes here and there that certainly released some tension in your shoulders from nerves. You were grateful that he made you laugh--you were worried that you wouldn’t like your coworkers or they would be mean and snarky because you’re the newbie, but with Harry, it seemed like you two were getting along quite well; he was polite, helpful, and kind. 

“So, that’s pretty much it.” He looked at the time on his Apple Watch, reading a quarter to six in the evening, 15 minutes until Spring opened for dinner. “Do you have any questions?” 

You tried thinking of anything that you could ask, but your mind seemed to have collected all the information Harry had told you and retained it quite well. “No, nothing I can think of at the moment.” 

“Great. For now, do you mind checking the placemats and the table decor for me?” You nodded helpfully. “And then if you have any remaining time left, just chill out and take a breather for a second, and then come find me when we open.” 

“Okay. Sounds good.” You smiled at him sweetly, making him smile back before he walked away and towards the kitchen. 

You headed towards the dining room, making sure the woven placements were symmetrical and even; you also straightened out the utensils that made their way out of line or off the tablemats. You did this for the rest of the ten minutes you had of peace before you made your way through the restaurant to find Harry. 

The entire time you were in the dining room, Harry was in the locker room, mindlessly on his phone to waste time. He was lucky that he didn’t have to do anything before the restaurant opened, so he had some spare time to relax for a bit. He tried cooling down to get the pink flush that painted his cheeks off, but that’s what happened when he was around you; immediately, you had already had this effect on him, making him blush and nervous around you, and he didn’t know what it was. Maybe it was the way you brightly smiled at him, practically gleaming; or the way you laughed at his jokes, which even he could admit are a bit corny and bad—a very dad-like joke, but you still laughed. 

Whatever it was, he knew that he was fucked. 

Dinner time was a rush. Spring was busy and full; the reservation booklet was booked with no space to cater to walk-ins. 

You were shadowing Harry as you followed him around like a lost puppy, watching him interact with the customers, occasionally pulling out his charm so he would get a big tip. You couldn’t imagine if you were a customer and Harry was your server because your face would heat up instantly, and it would be difficult to contain a smile on your face. He had such a natural charm to him, making him naturally flirty as he flashed customers his smile and laughing at their horribly made jokes. 

For half of the night, you simply followed him around, watched the paths he took when he got the customers’ food and his overall routine of things. With every table he got assigned to, he made sure to introduce you to the party, always glancing over at you once he said your name as you greeted the customers with a bright smile. Harry nearly had to stop every time he glanced over at you as it seemed like your beauty always distracted him. 

You helped him with dealing with the plates, beverages, and getting extra necessities such as cheese, hot sauce, or extra utensils and plates for the table. 

Once the restaurant died down a bit, you and Harry were able to walk a bit slower, relaxing each time a party leaves. When there was about an hour and a half left of your shift and till the restaurant closes, Harry asked you if you’d like to take orders, saying it’ll be best if he observed how you would talk and serve the customers, and you excitedly said ‘yes.’ Harry was only assigned to five to six tables during his shift, and since it was near closing time, there were only two that had just arrived. 

Harry politely introduced himself, telling the parties that you were new and shadowing him, but you were going to take over for the rest of their stay at Spring. He watched you kindly talk to them, occasionally making small talk as you laughed with them; you talked about your favorite items on the menu, along with your favorite selection of wine. This time, Harry helped you with your tasks that you had done before you two switched off, and he immediately admitted to himself that the two of you made such a great team. It was only your first day here, and he already saw how naturally the both of you moved around one another, along with communicating so well with each other. 

You were bidding the last party in the restaurant goodbye with a wave and telling them to enjoy the rest of their evening before you grabbed the mason jar that held the bill, along with the tips. You walked over to the kitchen where Irene was counting all the money and placed the mason jar besides her, giving her a smile before walking over to the locker room. 

Harry was sitting on the bench with his phone in his hands, and looked up once you entered the room. 

“How was your first day?” He smiled. 

“It was actually really great. The energy here is amazing.” 

“Well, I’m glad. You’re a natural, and it helps both of us that you already have restaurant experience.” Harry completely put his phone away into his tote bag, giving you his attention, which you really admired. Some people would make small talk and quickly end the conversation to go back on their phones. “Where did you work before, if you don’t mind me asking?” 

“I actually moved here from NorCal—San Francisco—just two weeks ago. But I worked at one of the restaurants at Pier 49. The restaurant was pretty small and we weren’t as busy as it was here, only on the weekends we would get a bit busy. So, this is definitely completely different than being outside and smelling the fresh ocean a few feet away,” you explained, chuckling. 

“Wow, SF, that’s quite the trip. But we’re glad to have you. I think you’re fitting right in.” 

“Thank you. I already like it here.” Harry gave you a warm smile, grateful that you had a great first day, and that Spring gave you a good first impression for you to stay. 

The two of you chatted a bit, talking about the customers you had and laughing at the jokes they made or the conversations they talked about. It was kind-hearted and fun, and a conversation that made you feel light; it wasn’t anything serious. It ended when it was time for closing, cleaning up and making sure everything was in order for tomorrow afternoon’s shift. 

Irene handed the staff their tips for the night, which you amounted for $120 for a Sunday night. It wasn’t bad for your first night of tips, and you knew you would be working a lot more since this was your only job and you weren’t doing anything else. 

As everyone walked outside into the staff parking lot, everyone said their goodbyes to one another, spreading apart and walking out to their vehicles. 

Once you opened your car door, Harry called out for you from the opposite side of where you parked. 

“Yeah?” You raised your brows. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He offered a smile before getting into his car and starting it, but he waited until you were safely inside of your car and out of the parking garage, and then he would leave. 

He couldn’t help but notice the smile that appeared onto your face before you got inside your car, and he couldn’t help but think about how incredibly beautiful you are. 

The entire week went on just like your first day. You were getting more comfortable with the flow of the restaurant, and where everything was. You continued shadowing Harry, but some days, he would let you serve your customers for the entire shift. 

Now that it was Friday evening, you couldn’t wait to relax the next day. You had told Irene that you were available all days of the week, and since you were new and still needed to complete training, she scheduled you for Sunday to Friday, getting Saturday off, which you appreciated. When you told yourself that you were able to work all day, you didn’t realize how exhausting and tiring that was until it came down to the end of the week as your feet ached, telling you to sit down for at least an entire day. 

Once it was closing time, you were finally able to catch a breath as you cleaned up part of the dining room. Chatter and laughter was heard from the kitchen quite loud as it echoed against the walls; you smiled, enjoying the sound of laughter, especially when it came from people you knew. 

As you were mindlessly wiping down tables, Harry walked up to you with two cocktails in his hands, smiling as he handed you one. You raised your brows, hesitant to take it from him as you wondered if it was allowed to drink since you were technically still on the clock. 

“Irene made them for us, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he said as if he read your mind. You breathed out a chuckle, taking a glass before thanking him and clinking your glass with his before taking a sip of the cold tequila drink. You sighed in relief, and Harry giggled. “Do you have any plans for tonight? I know it’s almost midnight, but I mean…you could still.” He felt his ears heat up, feeling a tad bit nervous when he was around you. 

“No, I don’t. I don’t really have any friends in SoCal, but I can't wait to go home and sleep.” 

“O-Oh okay, I was just gonna ask if you’d like to stay for a bit longer.” 

“Here? For what?” You asked curiously. 

“Well, the lot of us get together after night shifts to do a mini celebration at the end of the long and busy week. We only do it Fridays since that’s when most of us are working all together,” he said referring to the bunch laughing and talking in the kitchen. You did notice now that you had been working with the same group of people, and partially that was because you only mostly worked night shifts and so did the rest. “We usually stay for an hour—drink, eat, talk. It made us closer, actually, so I’d thought you might like to join since you’re new,” he invited.

You didn’t take long to think of an answer—to weigh out your choices of wanting to go to bed at a somewhat reasonable time or stay an extra hour and hang out with your coworkers. 

“I’d actually really love that, thank you,” you accepted his invitation with a sweet smile, making Harry’s heart pound just a tad bit harder against his chest. 

“Great! Well, come on into the kitchen when you’re done. The chefs are cooking up some food,” he said before he walked away, leaving you to finish up your tasks for the night, which didn’t take you any more than ten minutes to finish up. 

You walked into the kitchen and Harry immediately handed you a plate that you gladly took. Jet excitedly waved to you to go over to the stove so he could serve you. 

“Allergic to anything?” He asked to make sure you weren’t going into the emergency room tonight. 

“Uh, shellfish when it’s consumed. I’m okay to be around it, though.”

“Oh shit, this would not be good for you.” His eyes widened as he immediately dropped the large silver serving spoon of the lobster risotto; it looked absolutely delicious. “Good thing I’m prepared. Do you like spaghetti and meatballs?” 

“Love.”

“Great!” He started plating your plate with the food before handing it back to you with an ‘enjoy!’ as you thanked him. 

Once everyone was satisfied, you all headed out to the dining table, settling on a large rectangle table comfortably. There were about twelve of you, and it seemed like everyone had assigned seats since they immediately went straight to their spot and placed their table or drink in front of it. 

You were a bit lost, not knowing where to sit, and the only person you’re reasonably close to was Harry, but it seemed like he was a bit preoccupied chatting with Quinn, another chef. 

“Y/N! Sit next to me, yeah?” Ivy, one of the waitresses called out for you. You smiled, thankful she was the one to ask you, and you gladly took a seat next to her. 

Harry took the seat in front of Ivy, diagonal from you, and he really wished he was the one sitting next to you. 

“Damn, I really should get a large circle table for all of us so we could see each other’s faces,” Irene suggested, and the group agreed, but everyone wondered where it would be placed since the restaurant had no space for another large table. 

Everyone broke out into their own conversations, chatting with one another freely and as loud as they wanted. 

“How was your first week here, Y/N?” Ivy asked. 

“It was great! I really love this place.” Harry looked at you as you talked with Ivy. He really could get lost just looking at your beauty, and sometimes, he would have to knock himself out of his glare to prevent him from getting caught. He was just so captivated by you, and it didn’t take a lot of effort for him to be so drawn to you. 

Ivy had definitely noticed Harry’s stare from the corner of her eye, and admittingly, she got jealous because she’s had a small crush on Harry ever since she started working at Spring four months ago. But it wasn’t like she was going to do anything about it because it seemed like he didn’t take interest in her, so she wasn’t going to force it. However, it didn’t slip past her that you occasionally glanced over at Harry as well—briefly averting your eyes towards him once he took a sip of his water or someone had pulled him out of his attention on you to make conversation. 

Gently pulling you by the arm, Ivy leaned over to whisper into your ear. “Harry’s totally crushing on you.” 

You pulled back, shocked. “What?” You mouthed. 

“He can’t stop looking at you—it’s so obvious.” You simply chuckled, shaking your head slightly as your cheeks felt warm, not from the alcohol or how close everyone was sitting, but because you couldn’t even believe that Harry would have a crush on you. Sure, you two had spent the entirety of your shifts together, but you didn’t think that he would have a crush on you. 

You tried not to think of Ivy’s words for the rest of the night, and you tried even harder to not look at Harry to catch it he was staring at you. Your thoughts seemed to make you more drunk when you were trying to sober up to drive back home. You only had three cocktails, which was quite mindless of you to be drinking when you had to drive home, but you simply wanted to have fun because you deserved it, and you were comfortable and making friends. And everyone seemed to be drinking as well as they were getting a ride from the more responsible ones who were driving and leaving their car in the parking garage during the night. 

Once everyone was all out of their social battery with their plates and glasses empty, you all started to clean up, helping one another to make the process of going home quicke; there were two people washing the dishes and two people drying as the rest put those dishes away and cleaned the table. 

Just like every single night, everyone said their goodbyes in the parking lot before going to their cars to head home for a good night's rest. 

You were sober, but you didn’t feel safe enough to drive, and you don’t know if that’s the alcohol or the thoughts of Harry making you dizzy. So, instead of walking to your car, you took out your phone and opened the Uber app, knowing you’d be able to get a ride home quickly since it was past midnight on a Friday night. 

“Hey, whatcha doing?” Harry asked, walking up to you once he noticed that you weren’t going to your car. He made it a habit to watch you get inside your car and leave the parking garage safely because anything could happen in the few minutes if he left before you. 

“I’m calling an Uber. I don’t wanna drive back…” you replied before looking down at your phone again.

“Oh, I could drive you home, if you’d like?” He offered politely. 

“Really? You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist. I would feel better knowing that I was the one that got you home safely.” The corners of your lips couldn’t help but turn up into a smile as your heart fluttered against your ribcage. 

“That’s really sweet, Harry, I’d like that,” you accepted. Harry grinned, leading you to his car as you followed; he walked over to the passenger seat, opening the door for you, which easily almost made your knees buckle in. How is he such a gentleman and so incredibly kind? You wondered, thinking about how rare it was to meet a man without anything leading to more than a conversation. 

You thanked him before getting into his car; his car was very clean and he had a Saturn air freshener that hung on his rearview mirror, admitting a fresh lemon scent throughout his vehicle. Harry got in, handing you his phone to play some music and to enter your address before starting the car and driving out of the parking garage. You played Daniel Caesar, which you thought was the perfect kind of music for a night drive since your place was fifteen minutes away from the restaurant. The two of you sang along to ‘Hold Me Down’ as he watched you from the corner of his eye, adorably swaying in your seat to the song as you muttered the lyrics. 

The sunroof cover was open, giving you an orange glow every time the car passed by a lamppost. Unconsciously, you both looked at one another every time the car stopped at a red light, both smiling at one another. You were thankful that it was dark out as it hid your big smile from how much you were giddy just looking at Harry. 

Once the navigation told him that your place was on the right, he parked against the curb in front of your apartment complex. You unbuckled your seatbelt before turning towards him in your seat as he turned towards you as well. 

“Thank you for the ride, Harry. It was really kind of you to offer.” 

“Not a problem. Don’t be hesitant to ask again. I rarely drink when we have our after-hours dinners, so you’re free to drink all you want and I’ll be glad to take you home,” he told you, and you smiled, nodding your head. 

“I’ll keep that in mind. It’s just been a while since I drank and hung out with friends,” you explained. 

“No worries. I’m glad you had fun, I assumed?” 

“Yeah, lots of fun! I really like it there, and you made it bearable and fun as well as my trainer,” you admitted. Harry felt his cheeks slightly redden, and just as you were thinking, he was grateful it was dark out. 

He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m glad. You’ll be on your own now. No need for me anymore since you’ve pretty much gotten everything done so quickly,” he chuckled, a dimple indenting his left cheek, making you hold in your breath. 

“Can I still ask you for help if I need you?” You asked innocently, leaning your elbow against the middle console as you rested your chin against your fist. Harry pursed in his lips as his mind focused on the last three words that slipped out of your mouth--I need you. It was merely an innocent question relating to work that he shouldn’t think too much about, but he couldn’t help it. 

“Of course. I’m always gonna be here if you need me,” he responded, keeping it friendly. At that, you smiled, nodding your head in acceptance. You gathered your belongings that rested at your feet before turning to face him again. Leaning forward, Harry thought you were leaning in to kiss him, which he wouldn’t mind whatsoever, but that dream was crushed when you wrapped your arm around his shoulder, giving him a hug. He hugged you back, placing his hand against your back and slightly rubbing his hand up and down, hoping you couldn’t feel his heart hammering against his chest at the feel of your upper body slightly pressed against him. 

You pulled away, giving him a shy smile. “I’ll see you on Sunday. Drive safe, okay?” 

“Always do. Sleep well.” He bid you goodbye as you got out of his car, walking over to the entrance of your apartment complex. You turned around before you opened the door, waving at him before heading inside. 

Harry drove off to his place, the opposite direction of your apartment, passing Spring. He could’ve honestly been home already in the comfort of his bed, but he didn’t mind taking you home at all. That only meant he got to spend a bit of more time together, but he noticed that with every passing second, minute, and hour, he felt himself falling for you just a bit more. 

You’ve been at Spring for almost a month, and you couldn’t believe how fast the days went by. The more you worked, the more you started to feel a place at home with the restaurant. It was welcoming and fun, and all the credit was due to the people that you surrounded yourself with. You felt a difference in your attitude, your mood, and you liked the change that it brought you--you felt happy. 

Being in San Francisco your entire life was great up until it wasn’t. It was a toxic place for you simply because of the people that you were surrounded with. You noticed that you were always on fight-or-flight mode, ready for someone to make one comment at you so you could snap at them. You hated being and thinking like that, so the best thing you did for yourself was to move away from the toxicity of your hometown, and you were glad that you did. 

It was another usual Friday evening, after hours at Spring as you sat in your usual seat next to Ivy as the two of you and Harry were laughing about a story Ivy was telling about her ex-boyfriend in college. 

Harry looked over at you, heart swooning as he watched you laugh, wiping your under eyes from the tears that had slipped out. It was a beautiful sight, he’d say; you had such a beautiful smile and contagious laugh that he loved hearing, whether it’d be from the kitchen as he was in the dining room or in the locker room—wherever it was, he always smiled to himself when he heard it. 

The two of you had gotten quite close, making the work environment bearable and fun. When you would be in the same area at the same time, you had this thing where you would bump his hip with yours lightly, and he would bump yours right back—of course, when there weren’t any food or drink handling. There would always be light conversations within those hip bumps, comfortably getting to know one another, whether it would be asking quick-fire questions or a random story about one another’s lives that would come to mind. It wasn’t an ordinary setting or time to get to know each other, but it made things fun because the two of you would come up with more questions to come up with the next time he bumped into you. It was nice having a thing with you, he thought. 

There would be moments during those little meetings when your fingers would brush delicately against his, sending shivers to his body. It was simply overwhelming in the best way possible. 

Everyone called it a night, doing the nightly routine of tidying and cleaning everything up. Despite the long shift and being on your feet, you still had quite a bit of energy that you would like to use up so you could get a night’s rest. You looked at your friends, seeing if anyone was up for a late night adventure just based off of their posture and how often they yawned, and it seemed like everyone was exhausted, for obvious reasons. But you’d ask one person before you decide to go alone. 

Once everything was clean and ready for the Saturday’s brunch, everyone walked out of the restaurant, walking over to their cars. 

“Hey, Harry?” You called out, making him instantly turn around at the sound of your voice. 

“Yeah, love?” The pet name had merely slipped out, and you felt your face getting warm, shyly smiling. 

“Uh, you could totally say no and I would completely understand why because it’s Friday night, and we had a long shift, and you must be tired-”

“Y/N?” You stopped talking, raising your brows. “Breath, yeah? Take your time,” he interrupted the rambling that you hadn’t known you were doing. 

Nodding, you took a deep breath. You didn’t know why you were nervous, but every time you were around Harry, he just made you feel a certain swarm of butterflies entering your stomach. 

“I’m not as tired as I thought, and I wanna end tonight with some sweets. So, would you like to come with me to get some dessert? Again, you could say no.” 

Harry smiled. “I’d love to,” he replied with no second thought. 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, of course. Plus, we could finally talk properly. Hate always walking away from our unfinished conversations.” He breathed out a chuckle, running his clad ring hand through his curls. 

“Great! Oh, uh, do you mind if we take your car? I took an Uber here, but I’ll compensate with buying you cookies and paying for your gas,” you suggested, keeping your excitement at bay. 

“No worries, c’mon. But I might take you up on the cookie offer.” He smiled, opening your door for you, which never failed to make you swoon. 

As he started the car, warming up the engine and turning the heater on, you two debated on where to go. You suggested going to Insomnia Cookies in Santa Monica, which was a twenty minute drive from Downtown LA, and it closed at two In the morning, but only if he was down to drive the opposite direction of where you two lived. And luckily, he didn’t mind the drive because he was always down for a late night drive and adventure, especially if it was with you. 

The car speakers played Frank Ocean, he merged on the 101, tapping his fingers along with the beat against the steering wheel. You subtly studied him as he drove, just as you did when you would glance at him across the restaurant. He always mindlessly curled his pink lips into his mouth, a habit that he, assumingly, had for years. You noticed how he would always play with his rings; his thumb would reach over to his other fingers to play with the heavy, metal rings; not helping that your mind would instantly go to what else his hands could do, especially to you, to your body, but you had to immediately snap yourself out of your thoughts to prevent them from going any further. Not to mention, the way his eyes always lit up; they had a natural gleam to them, making them incredibly irresistible to not look in his green eyes. 

He was captivating in all the right ways, and you felt yourself falling for him quite quickly, making that fear inside of you light up, inflaming your body with anxiousness. 

Your thoughts soon vanished when Harry pulled into a parking space in front of your destination, and he turned off the car. He turned to look at you, giving you a small smile before getting out. You decided to buy Harry anything he’d like, which he got the same six pack of cookies as you. 

Harry suggested eating in his car, which you agreed. Although the cold in SoCal wasn’t the same coldness as it was in NorCal, you didn’t want to stand around and freeze. The two of you make light conversation, talking about social media and enjoying the warmth of the fresh baked cookies. You then realized that you hadn’t followed him on Instagram, so you asked for his username, which was just his first and last name. 

“Your pictures are amazing,” you complimented.

“Stalking me already?” He teased. A smirk on his face present, making you roll your eyes as you didn’t know if you wanted to slap or kiss the smirk off—always wanting to go for the latter. “But thank you. I, uh, I actually took those myself.” Your eyes brightened. The photographs posted on his Instagram were mostly portraits of beautiful people, some of them were landscapes of a field or the mountains, but most of them were portraits. You knew very little about photography, thanks to the ‘Beginning of Photography 1’ class that you took in college, but you could see the depth of the picture and the way they’re taken; the emotion was clearly there, making you feel intensity through the picture. 

“Wow, you’re really talented, Harry.”

He blushed, looking down at his lap for a moment before looking back up at you again. “Thank you so much. I’m a freelance photographer.”

“Do you plan on leaving Spring to focus solely on photography?” You asked curiously. He softly smiled; he could hear the genuine tone in your voice, and he really appreciated that. 

“I’m not sure. I’ll have an appointment, maybe, three or four times a month? But the restaurant brings in more money, especially the tips,” he explained. 

You nodded. “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re extremely talented, and one day, you’ll be at the place you want to be. Everything will work out.” Harry smiled in appreciation of your words, not saying anything else. 

Taking another bite of his cookie, he changed the subject. “So, do you miss any of your friends in SF?” 

You raised your brows, not expecting that question, but you answered honestly. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t. A month before moving here,” you began to open up vulnerably; you hadn’t spoken to anyone about this. “I got out of a long relationship—quite toxic, honestly,” you said, looking at him. He had this look on his face that was so comforting, not a word coming out of his mouth, asking for details; it didn’t tell you that he was nosy or pressing you to tell him more. It simply told you that he was there to listen, whenever you were ready to tell him, and you really appreciated that. 

You hadn’t realized how hard it was talking about your past relationship because it had been all bottled up until now.  A deep breath came out of your mouth, and Harry immediately realized that it must’ve been a hard subject to speak about. Unexpected to you, he reached over to grab your hand, holding it gently as his thumb caressed your skin. He hoped he masked his nervousness well, making the smallest physical touch with you when, really, his pulse was hammering against his veins, heart pounding through his chest as his breathing began to feel erratic, but outside he remained cool, calm, and collected as if the touch didn’t drive him insane. 

You tried not letting Harry’s thumb, caressing the back of your hand, affect your ability to speak a coherent sentence, so you continued. “Uh, my ex was cheating on me with someone in our friend group. He told me not to worry about her, but you know how that goes when you hear that phrase. It was with a girl that I used to date—my first relationship, actually. The worst part of it was when I found out, I took him back when he promised he wouldn’t do it again and claimed that he loved me, and then I took him back again, and again and again.” 

Harry inhaled deeply, trying to not let the hand holding yours squeeze tightly so the blood circulation cuts off because he felt angry. He was so mad because how could anyone do that to you? Sweet, kind, and lovely you? 

“When I told him I couldn’t handle it anymore—all the lies, cheating, and betrayal—I broke up with him. Our friend group turned against me, completely ignored me. Now that I think about it, I noticed they started to be cold and rude towards me once they started sneaking around, and I have no clue why because I didn’t do anything to them. Guess they were just covering up for them because everyone knew except me, and I just felt so stupid because I was so clueless to think he ever loved me to forgive him so many times.” 

You started to sniffle as the bad memories that you lived through for the few months of the betrayal started to come up again. You were doing a good job not thinking about it when you started working at the restaurant, and you didn’t plan on telling Harry tonight, but you trusted him to let go of all the agony that you bottled up inside your mind. 

“Hey, come here,” he said, opening his arms up. You gladly rested your head against his shoulders, wishing the middle console wasn’t there so you could press your body against his. He hands rubbed your back just as it did when you first hugged him, and to say that you hadn’t been craving for his touch was a complete lie. “You’re not stupid whatsoever. I understand why you did what you did, but that doesn’t make you stupid. It makes them stupid for betraying your trust and forgiveness over and over again. You’re not in the wrong here nor was it your fault, love.” 

You nodded against his shoulder, and you felt him place the side of his face against the top of your head, cuddling up to you, which immediately put a smile on your face. Harry’s comfort had immediately made you feel better—it made you feel safe. You hadn’t felt so comfortable in someone else’s arms in a very long time, and considering that you’ve only known him for a month, you’d say it’s quite unbelievable how comfortable you are in his hold, especially opening up to him like you did. 

Pulling back from his hold, you looked up at him, giving him a smile. The weight on your shoulders suddenly felt lighter once you opened the bottle and poured out the contents in it. Talking to Harry was refreshing, a fresh breath of air, and you inhaled the crisp oxygen gratefully, knowing that being vulnerable and opening up had changed your friendship. 

It was Sunday evening, and you were cleaning up to prepare for closing. It had been a long day, even though you only worked for four hours; it just seemed that you were running around more than usual. 

But you were glad that the day was over, and you could take a long nice shower to end your night. Throughout cleaning, your coworkers had said goodbye, leaving through the back door, which you found odd because everyone usually heads out at the same time, but you didn’t think too much of it. 

Once you were done in the dining room, you looked around, finding the restaurant completely empty, but everything seemed to be in order, so you headed over to the locker room. 

When you rounded around the counter top and into the kitchen, Harry jumped up from his crouched position, startling you as you took a step back, gasping with your hand over your heart. 

“Holy shit, you scared me,” you said breathlessly. 

Harry chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, I thought you still knew I was here.” 

“I thought I was completely alone, and hiding behind the counter doesn’t help.” You and Harry laughed. You hadn’t noticed the two plates of food and wine glasses that were filled with sparkling soda sitting next to him on the stainless steel counter, and you wondered for a moment if that was for you and him. “What’s that for?” 

“For us, if you’d like. I made it quickly once everything was slow and we were starting to close,” he said shyly, rubbing his tattooed forearm. 

Your brows raised, eyes widening slightly. “You made this? For us?”

“Yeah. Today marks one month being here, so I decided to make dinner to celebrate.” You were quite speechless at the thought; it was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful that Harry went through that trouble of making a meal to celebrate a somewhat significant date. Tears started to well up in your eyes, making the man in front of you blurry. “Oh, wait, no. Please don’t cry. You could definitely take this to-go, if you want! I know you’re probably tired, but-”

Harry was cut off by your arms wrapping around his shoulders. He was taken back at first from the impact of your body crashing against his, but once he regained his balance, he immediately wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you tightly. 

Your scent was impeccable—quite alluring for running around for a few hours. He knew he smelled like food, the smoke from garlic and onions sautéing, and vegetables cooking. He buried his head into your shoulder, holding you close. This had been the first time you two were ever hugging outside of the comfort and safety of his car—no middle console to interfere, no awkwardness in trying to figure out how to give a proper hug in a confined space. He enjoyed it a lot—the way your body was pressed up against his. It made him happy, it made him feel safe. 

The intimate moment lasted for a few minutes, simply just hugging one another in relief in the kitchen, swaying slightly as complete silence surrounded the two of you. 

Once you were satisfied (although you think you would never be satisfied enough if you’re not in his arms), you pulled away, coming face-to-face with him. Your cheeks were slightly damped from the few tears that had fallen out, but weirdly, it gave you a natural and happy glow, and you were feeling exactly that. 

“Harry, thank you so much. This is the sweetest and most thoughtful thing someone has ever done for me.” You looked up at him through your wet lashes, warmly smiling at him. 

“You’re welcome. Shall we eat?” You nodded, and he unwrapped his arms from around your waist, letting you go, which he wished he hadn’t. He grabbed the two heavy plates that were filled with honey garlic chicken with sautéed spinach and mushroom on a bed of rice, and you grabbed the glasses, reaching over to place them onto the countertop before the two of you walked around to sit on the high stools. 

The two of you ate in comfortable silence, and you thanked and complimented him for the lovely meal. There was light conversation, asking questions about each other’s childhood. Listening to Harry talk about his life in England was so fascinating to you, and you wished that you had grown up with him because he seemed like such a fun and kind kid to play with. You learned that his sister and mom were back home in London, and they visited every six months, and he would occasionally go back home as well, if the bills weren’t stacking up and he was good with money. His words and mind seemed to get the best of him, slipping out about how much they would love you and that he’ll invite you to lunch whenever they visit to meet them; and he hoped he didn’t freak you out. You simply blushed, nodding your head, and not saying anything else. 

The more you talked to him, the more you found yourself staring at him as you listened to what he had to say. You’d come to terms a few weeks ago that you really liked his eyes—how green they were, and how they stare into you, giving you his full attention. You liked his hands, his hair, his nose, his cheeks, and most of all, you liked his lips. You couldn’t blame alcohol for these thoughts because Harry replaced wine with sparkling soda, so these were completely sober thoughts racing your mind. His lips were something you glanced at often, trying not to glare at them too much as he talked as you didn’t want to get caught for admiring them. They were so pink, and he occasionally bit them and curled them into his mouth, making them pinker. You liked when he would take his fingers and pinch his bottom lip, a habit that he seemed to form throughout his life. You suddenly wanted to kiss him—really, really bad. 

You shook off the thought immediately, being completely sidetracked with your infatuation with Harry. Was it an infatuation? No, you knew the feelings you felt for him felt much stronger than a simple admiration for your coworker. 

Once the talking had died down and the plates were empty, you and Harry decided to clean up. You quickly took both of your plates, beating Harry to the sink to wash the dishes. He chuckled as he watched you fast walk towards the sink; he soon followed with the glasses, placing them carefully into the sink. He decided to dry the dishes, finding the dish rag on your right side. So, he leaned over, placing his left hand on your waist, chest slightly pressed against your back as he grabbed the rag. You turned your head to the right, dropping your shoulder to turn more of your body towards him. He was close and it made you feel flushed; you felt your  cheeks heating up once he looked down at you, faces inches away from each other. 

You turned back around, quickly placing the last dish on the counter before you turned off the water. Harry was still close in proximity, not making any effort to move away from you. Turning around, your back was now pressed up against the edge of the sink. Harry rested his hands against the edge, trapping you with his arms. Your breath began to deepen, heart beating quite harshly against your chest as Harry looked into your eyes, briefly glancing at your lips, and slowly trailing them back up into your eyes. He brought one hand to graze the side of your face gently, skin prickling with goosebumps. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he complimented honestly. 

“Thank you, you are too.” 

“I mean it. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. Listen, I-I really like you, and we haven’t known each other for long but I just…can’t get enough of you,” You smiled, averting your eyes to his lips before looking back up; your cheeks and neck felt incredibly warm from his confession. Bodily, you placed your hands on his waist, pulling him towards you to close the gap between you two; Harry smirked at your action, liking the way your bodies were pressed up against each other. 

“Are you gonna do anything about it?” You raised your brows curiously. 

“What would you like me to do?” His hands were rubbing up and down your back soothingly. 

“Hmm…a few things actually,” you muttered—more to yourself but Harry definitely heard from how close you two physically were. Your fingertips were mindlessly drawing circles on his lower back where his slightly wrinkled white shirt was tucked into his black jeans. 

“Care to share?” 

You took a deep breath, looking him in the eyes that captivated you quite clearly. “Want you to kiss me.” 

The corner of his lip turned up as he curled his lips into his mouth. “Can I please? Been wanting to for so long.” 

“Tell me.” Harry raised his brows. “Tell me how long you’ve been wanting to kiss me.” 

He curled his lips into his mouth, looking down at your soft lips before back up at your eyes. “Ever since I saw you for the first time. So, please let me kiss you. Do you want me to?” 

Harry quite literally took your breath away, breath stuck in your throat before you cleared it. Nodding your head quite eagerly, you softly said, “Yeah, want you to.” 

With that, he trailed his hands from your waist, up your spine, to your shoulders, and up to your face where he placed his hands on both sides, gently holding your face delicately as if it were a piece of art that was crafted for months, years; he didn’t want to drop or break the precious masterpiece that he cradled with his hands. 

His thumb caressed your soft cheek, giving your lips one last look before he leaned in and connected your lips with his. You sighed deeply once you felt his soft lips touch yours, and your shoulder visibly relaxed, letting go of everyone that may have held you back. 

You wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, pulling him in closer. A spark ran through your body as your lips molded together so perfectly in sync, making the firework inside of you pop into a beautiful and magical scene. 

Whimpering against his mouth, you suddenly wanted more of him; he was, in all ways, addicting. You unconsciously lifted your right leg, bringing it up to his hip, making Harry press himself against your core, holding your thigh. He started to feel himself harden inside of his pants from the way you’re kissing him, the way your hands gripped his hair, and the way your tongue effortlessly swiveled against his. 

You pulled away from his lips quite breathlessly, lips swollen. “Want you.” 

“Me too—want you so bad.” He leaned forward to kiss you again, and once he did, you pulled away, only leaving him with a small kiss to his lips. Harry pouted, making you chuckle. 

“That was the best kiss I’ve ever had,” you confessed. 

Harry smirked. “Well, I’ll be glad to do it again.” 

“Wanna get out of here? C-Can we go to yours?” You asked shyly. 

“Yeah?” You nodded. “You sure?” 

“Absolutely positive.” 

Harry gave you a smile and another kiss before he backed away, grabbing your hand to lead you to the locker room where the two of you grabbed your belongings from your lockers. Quickly after, you two were out the door of Spring; Harry locked up, and walked you two over to his car where he, yet again, opened the passenger door for you. 

The entire ten minute drive to his apartment, his hand never left yours. It delicately sat on your thigh with your hand on top of his, palm against the back of his hand as your fingers intertwined with his. Harry found it difficult to drive properly because all he ever wanted to do was either kiss you or look at you, and since it was just a bit after midnight, he hit all the green lights, so there was continuous driving and less kissing and looking. But that just made it quicker for him to get to his place. 

His apartment was on the second floor, which didn’t take long to get to, but catching up to Harry’s long strides as he practically dragged you up the stairs—no patience to wait for the elevator—was tiring you out. 

Once his front door closed, he immediately pushed you up against it, cradling your face in his hands as he kissed you feverishly. You practically could feel him smiling into the kiss, happy to have his lips on yours, and it completely tied your stomach into knots as the familiar flutter you felt in your chest made itself present. 

You’d come to realize, in the kitchen, that kissing Harry was everything you ever imagined. His soft lips molding and connecting with yours so perfectly made all of your dreams and realities come true. He just had a way with how he worked his lips as well as where to put his hands. But you were eager to find out what else he could do. 

Harry was the one to pull away first, which he even surprised himself with, but he led you to his bedroom, which you were too excited about. He closed his bedroom door, taking your lips in with his again, backing you up against his bed as he gently placed you on top of it, hovering over you. 

His lips trailed to your cheek, your jaw, and down to your neck where he lightly nibbled and sucked on your soft skin. You felt him lick your skin, soothing out the small love bite that he left on your skin before he pulled his head from your neck. 

“You sure you want to do this? I’d be happy just kissing you.” 

You smiled. “I’m sure, wanna touch you. You’re sure too?” You asked consent from him as well, making his cock twitch in his pants. 

“Very sure, love. You have no idea.” He sat on his knees as you laid below him, and he’s sure he’s never seen someone look so beautiful as you do; he was completely enthralled by your beauty. “Can I take this off?” He referred to your shirt, playing with the buttons on the front. You nodded, biting your lip. 

He leaned his weight on one side of you, placing one arm behind your head as you rested against it. He took your mouth in with his as his other hand began unbuttoning your white shirt, impressively with one hand. Once he got to the bottom, he sat up again, as did you to take off your shirt and your sports bra. You didn’t wear anything sexy to work because you wanted to be comfortable while waiting tables. 

Harry looked at your bare torso, licking his lips before he wrapped his lips around your nipple, sucking and licking the pebbled bud before switching to the other. His lips then placed small kisses down your body and to the hem of your pants, where he looked up to see you flushed from just his kisses. 

“Harry…” you whined. 

“What is it, beautiful?” He smirked. 

“Please, take it off.” 

“I’m getting there, love, don’t worry.” A breathy chuckle came out of his mouth before he unbuttoned your trousers. Your hips raised off the bed, and he swiftly took them off, leaving you in your nude seamless underwear. “Fuck, you’re so stunning, Y/N, I swear.” You looked at him and smiled; you were clearly at loss for words because of how Harry was looking at you. He wasn’t looking at you with complete admiration, like he was so lost in his daze of his sight. And that thought made you even more aroused. 

He gave you another kiss to your stomach before taking off your underwear, situating himself in between your legs, lying on his stomach. Harry looked up once more to find you staring at him, eager to watch what he’s about to do; he placed a kiss to your inner thighs, gently nibbling on your flesh, making you squirm. 

“Harry, please. Need to feel you,” you pleaded, brows crinkling. 

“Tell me what you need,” he teased, earning an impatient scoff from you, but Harry chuckled at your frustration. 

“Need your mouth on me. Please, want you to eat me out already.” 

Now, who was he to deny that request? So, that’s what he did—he slowly licked your clit multiple times before licking into your hole, collecting your arousal on his tongue. He used your wetness to lubricate your clit, completely assaulting your sensitive bud. Your back arched as the sensations ran through your body, hands gripping the sheets below you tightly that they practically wrinkled. Harry moaned against your clit, making you buck your hips into his face. 

“Fuck, Harry…” you dragged out, throwing your head back into the pillows. 

For a few minutes, Harry continued devouring your taste, not stopping until you came all over his mouth and you were completely shocked by his will to not stop until you’ve had your orgasm from his tongue. 

He replaced his tongue with his fingers, slowly entering your wet hole as he fingered you. You moaned louder; the tips of his fingers curling up to meet the softness of your upper walls. His unoccupied thumb rubbed your clit in slow circles, something that he noticed you really liked based on your hips thrusting upwards and your hand gripping his hair harder that it felt like you were going to rip out his locks. 

“So pretty, love. So wet for me.” The simplicity of his words had made you feel the familiar bubble in your lower stomach, and you wanted to release it so bad. 

“Harry, I’m gonna…cum,” you groaned out, biting your lips. 

He continued his pace on your clit, but added a tad bit more pressure, causing you to jolt a little. His fingers that were inside of you repeatedly brushed your g-spot, making you close your legs, but Harry pried them open, encouraging you to release. 

“C’mon, baby. Want you—need you to cum for me. Can you do that? Can you give me what I want?” 

“Mhm,” you nodded, mouth ajar as your voice was hitched in your throat. A few more thrust and rubs from his fingers, and you hit your high, releasing around his long fingers as he slowed his movements, riding out your orgasm while praising you for your peak. 

“That’s it. There you go.” One of his hands rubbed your stomach, calming you down while the other hand gently played and cupped your pussy as you unconsciously and slightly thrusted your hips into his hand. 

Once you had relaxed, you opened your eyes; Harry was kissing up your body before he kissed your lips so sweetly. 

“Hmm, you’re so good at that.” He smiled, kissing your neck as he started to rut his hips on your thigh. You felt his hard on through his pants, and you knew that wasn’t comfortable whatsoever. 

“Can I touch you?” You asked. He pulled his head from your neck, facing you as he was about to say it was completely fine if you didn’t, but you spoke up first. “That can’t be comfortable, and I wanna touch you—if you’d let me.” You were looking at him with innocent eyes, even though he knew what you were about to do was going against anything innocent. Plus, the way you were looking at him only made him more aroused.

“Course, let me just get out of these.” He got off the bed, but stayed closed; he was about to unbutton his shirt, but you stopped him quickly, replacing his hands with yours. Harry dropped his arms to his side once your lips were attached to his neck, giving him a small hickey on the underside of his jaw. The feel of just your lips on his skin made him bite his lips as a chill ran through him. You sat on your knees and started unbuttoning his white shirt, and with every button you undid, you gave him a kiss to every bit of his skin that was left exposed until you reached the hem of his pants. 

You looked up at him on all fours, and he watched you press another kiss to his tattooed torso. “Mind if I take these off?” You toyed with the hem of his pants. 

“No, please, don’t mind at all.” You smiled, looking back at his bulge, which outlined through the fabric of his pants. You palmed him, making him hiss through his teeth. He hadn’t felt another person’s touch in so long, so your lips and touch felt overwhelming in the best way. 

You unbuttoned his pants, which he was fast to get out of, leaving him in his black briefs. You positioned yourself to lay flat on your stomach, thankful that Harry’s bed was the perfect height to where you don’t have to strain your neck to suck on him. Kissing down his happy trail, you left a prominent love bite in between his tattooed leaves that were so perfectly inked on his lower abdomen. You then kissed his hard length through his briefs, making Harry breathe heavily. He’s never felt so teased in his life, but you were making it all worth it because nobody had ever made him feel so aroused. 

Finally, your fingers gripped the hem of his briefs and tugged them down so his cock could departure from the strained material. He was big, and you knew that from when he was driving to his place earlier as his cock was pushing against his pants, making you excited and eager. But seeing it right in front of you made you salivate. 

“Holy shit, you’re so big.” All he did was smirk at your words, knowing that fact quite clearly. You grabbed a hold of him as you held his dick upwards before you licked the underside from base to tip. Harry breathed in through his nose once he felt the smallest bit of contact from your mouth. 

Your mouth began to work on his tip, sucking and licking up the precum that had spilled out of his tip before you started to take more and more of him in your mouth. It was Harry’s turn to fill the room with his raspy and deep moan, and the noise he was making was triggering your arousal. Harry had a full view of your mouth on him as well as a great view of your entire backside, not missing the way he noticed how you started to subtly move your hips into the sheets. 

As you sucked on him, taking him further into your mouth, Harry dragged his fingers from your shoulders, down your spine, and to your ass that was out in the open with no shame whatsoever. His hands kneaded your flesh before slapping on cheek, which made you moan around him. 

“Like that?” He went back to his standing position, leaning back a tad bit to get a good look at you. “Tell me, do you like that?” You looked up at him, making direct eye contact with him as your cheeks hollowed and you sucked hard around him before letting out a ‘mhm.’ Your mouth was working wonders on him while your hand was fondling and playing with his balls, making him throw his head back and accidentally bucking his hips up into your mouth, hitting the back of your throat. “Fuck, sorry, baby.” He moved your hair to check up on you, but all you did was place your hands on his ass and pulled him towards you until your nose touched his pubic bone. Harry let out a throaty moan, and your hands pushed and pulled his lower body until he understood what you were doing. 

So, he took control, holding your head steady before he slowly started to thrust into your mouth; the tip of his cock brushed against the back of your throat. There was a string of spit that was dangling from your mouth and connecting to his balls—a sight so filthy but helped him get right on the edge. 

“I’m gonna cum. Love your mouth so much. So beautiful for me, so perfect.” Harry’s hips began to jerk sloppily, indicating that he was close. With just a few more thrusts into your perfect mouth, he spilled down your throat as he stopped thrusting, keeping you halfway on him. A series of curses and your name came from his lips as he shut his eyes. You took every drop that he offered, trying to swallow every bit of content as best as you could, but some of it had spilled out of your mouth due to how much he overfilled your mouth with his cum. 

Harry seemed to be in the middle of calming down from his intense orgasm, so you took the time to clean up. Pulling back, you wiped your mouth and licked your fingers as well as cleaning his cock with your mouth. What you didn’t notice was that Harry was watching you the entire time; he lowered his head, neck straining from looking up too much, and saw you eagerly cleaning and licking every last drop that had fallen from your pretty lips. The sight was enough to make him hard again if he wasn’t too spent. 

He collapsed on his bed next to you, his head was next to your ass, to which he pressed a small kiss to your hip in gratitude. You moved to lay your head on his stomach, looking at him and giving him a small smile. 

“Come here. What are you looking at me like that for?” He reached out for you, and you moved again, resting your elbow next to his head before giving him a kiss. The kiss didn’t deepen any further, just molding your lips with one another as he tasted himself on your tongue. 

“Nothing. You seemed to have enjoyed yourself.” 

“Very much did, thank you. Did you? You could be honest with me.” 

You giggled. “Honestly…I had a really great time. You made me feel really good. The best I’ve felt in a really long time,” you told him honestly, and Harry smiled at that. 

“Do you want to stay the night? I’m always in a cuddly mood after anything sexual—well, I’m always in a cuddly mood, period.” You laughed, nodding your head before kissing his cheek. 

“I’d love to. Can I use your restroom, and do you have a spare toothbrush?” 

Harry nodded, getting off the bed before leading you to his bathroom where he gave you a toothbrush and some of his face wash. He left you to do your business and told you that he would have a change of clothes. 

Once you were done, you walked out of his bathroom, still naked, and was met with Harry in a pair of gray briefs and a change of his clothes in his hands, handing them to you. He gave you a kiss to your forehead before going off to the bathroom and leaving you to change. 

You replayed the evening in your mind over and over again as you changed—you really enjoyed his company and him as a person. Harry was a more than nice guy, who seemed to like you for whatever reason, and you liked him too. Maybe a bit too much, and you felt like you liked him more than you projected—dare, you say that you were falling in love. But you couldn’t let yourself feel that way; you were beating yourself up for it. In all honesty, you were scared, so you had a habit of not portraying the entirety of your feelings out on the table so people could perceive it. 

Your mind was racing with so many thoughts in your head, repeating and spitting out every insecurity that your previous ‘friends’ had told you in the past—calling you a slut and how you couldn’t keep anyone around because they both ended up cheating on you. Your head was telling you Harry would do the same, and as hard as you were trying to deny that because Harry was the kindest person you’ve ever met, it was all you could hear. You couldn’t do this, no, you couldn’t feel like this, you thought. You felt like you needed to protect yourself before you were in too deep. 

Without even knowing, you were frantically grabbing your clothes and shoes that were all thrown across Harry’s floor. Your heart was racing, mind telling you to ‘leave’ and that ‘nobody is going to love you,’ so that’s what you were doing, leaving. 

You made it out of his bedroom, so close to the front door until you realized you had forgotten your purse. Turning around to go back, you were met with Harry leaning against the frame of the hallway entry, holding your purse in his hands. 

“Not planning on saying goodbye?” His voice sounded defeated, the complete opposite as to what it was prior. He looked down at his feet, not even able to make eye contact with you when he was always keen on making direct eye contact when talking to someone, but seeing you walk out his bedroom door when you were supposed to be waiting for him in his bed to cuddle was heartbreaking. 

“Harry…”

“That’s all it was to you, I’m guessing? You know you could’ve said no to staying the night, I would’ve understood. But to say yes after we’ve been intimate, and getting my hopes up? I-I thought you liked me, that’s all, and I’m stupid for falling for it,” he ended with a scoff. He felt extremely vulnerable; he laid his feelings out on the table, let you see his body, and it seemed like you just picked and chose your cards straight from the deck to only have Harry fold. 

“No, that’s not it-”

“Then please tell me what it is before I drive myself into the wall thinking what I’ve done wrong!” He raised his voice—not too loud where it startled you, but enough to where he simply let out his frustrations. 

“I like you, Harry, I do. But we can’t be together.” You didn’t know how to put it into words, so that was the best you could come up with. 

“And why’s that?” He furrowed his brows, walking towards you, but keeping a safe distance. “Give me a good reason why, and I’ll let you go—I’ll leave you alone. We’ll simply be coworkers who don’t talk to each other. I’ll-”

“I’m scared, okay! I’m scared because I cannot fall in love with you, even though I’m already in too deep. I’ve done it once and i-it hurt me.” You were on the verge of bawling, maintaining your emotions. “I-I cannot feel this way so soon—fresh out of a relationship…I’ve only known you for, what? A month? We barely even know each other, Harry-”

“See, now, that’s where you’re wrong. You think I don’t know you, but I bet that you know I know you quite well. Probably more than all of your bitchy friends back home who you’ve known for years.” You stayed silent, not knowing how to respond, but he was right, he did know you better than anyone you knew back in SF. “If I didn’t know you then I wouldn’t know that your favorite thing to eat while you were growing up was chocolate croissants. Your favorite color often switches every few days, but some of them are, and specifically: maroon, evergreen, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and beige. You love watching kids cooking competitions in your free time and often root for the one who is doing miserably and knows who won’t make it to the next round. You’re learning how to bake, which is what you said that you’ve always wanted to learn out to make proper pastries, and based on what you bring to work for us to try, you’re on the right path to being a baker.” 

“I’m…” you were at a loss for words, tears lining your eyes. All of the questions and playful conversation you and Harry had during work had come around in his words; it showed that Harry really listened, and when he did, he didn’t forget every detail you’ve told him. Your heart felt like it was in your stomach, making your stomach flutter in giddiness and shock. 

“I could go on, honestly, but it would be an entire list of things that I’ve remembered about you.” Harry softly smiled down at his feet. “All I’m saying is this: I like to think I know the basics of you, and I still have a lot to learn about you. But don’t run away from me, please. If you want to and you don’t want anything to do with me, that’s fine, but I can’t let you walk out without trying not to stop you.” He sighed, completely putting himself out there as he was practically begging you to stay. “I really like you, Y/N, I mean it. I don’t care if we’ve only known each other for a month. I don’t care that you just got out of a relationship. I mean if you’re still in love with him or have a bit of interest in him still, then that’s different-”

“I don’t,” you interrupted, shaking your head no. It was the truth; you hadn’t felt love for your ex in a really long time, and you simply stayed with him and kept forgiving him just because it was comfortable. 

“Okay…” 

“It’s just…I don’t want people to think I’m some kind of person who moves on from relationships so quickly. I-I mean, I didn’t come here just to find myself in another relationship, y’know?” Your tone was concerning, like all of your worries were piling up into one big stack that made your head hurt from thinking too much. 

“No one’s gonna think that—I don’t think that. Besides, it isn’t any of their business.” Harry walked even closer to you, inches away as his hands grazed your upper arms. “Let me ask you something, does this feel right? Being with me?” You nodded with no hesitation. “Say it,” he instructed, wanting to hear the words come out of your mouth. 

“This feels right.” 

Harry smiled at you comfortingly. “Okay, then let it be right.” 

“I’m scared,” you admitted, looking down. He lifted your chin up with the soft touch of his fingertips, goosebumps littered your skin with just his simple touch. 

“Me too, but I’m doing surprisingly well at hiding it. We’ll go slow, okay? No pressure into labeling; let’s just go with the flow, alright?” He suggested, and you softly muttered an ‘okay,’ reaching up to wrap your arms around his shoulders, giving him a warm and grateful hug. 

“I’m so sorry-” you said into his shoulder, but he quickly cut you off. 

“No need to be sorry, I understand.” His understanding makes you even more soft as you hugged him tighter; a few tears slipped your eyes, streaming down Harry’s shoulder. 

After a moment, the two of you pulled away, feeling so much relief from the hug and conversation. 

“Is your offer on staying the night still up?” You asked hesitantly.

He smiled. “Yeah, it always is. C’mon.” He took you by the hand, leading you to his room and into his bed—not for the actions of pleasure, but for a nice and comforting cuddle. 

You situated yourself on his chest, comfortably trailing your fingers up and down his skin as his arm was wrapped around your shoulder. 

Lifting your head up to meet his face, he smiled at you before you gave him a sweet kiss to his lips. It didn’t lead to anything, it didn’t even deepen; just the feel of his soft, pink lips on yours was enough to make you feel bliss. 

You pulled away. “Slow?” Harry chuckled, nodding his head. 

“Slow.” 

Your face warmed up as you smiled, cheeks aching; you positioned yourself back onto his chest for the night, taking up all of his space on the bed when your side was completely empty as you held him close. Even though you’ve only known him for a month, you felt yourself falling; because ultimately, it felt right. 

please come into my inbox and tell me your thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments! thank you for reading <3

[karim7sblog]

Destinations Along Morocco's Coast: 3 Off the Beaten Path Towns

The Atlantic coast of Morocco is a beautiful hidden gem with white sand beaches, scenic villages, and quaint souks and marketplaces. Small fishing towns, agriculture, and dry-tolerant Moroccan gardens surround the coast. Many of the seaside cities in Morocco are yet to be explored. Off the main route and full of fascinating culture, Morocco's undiscovered shoreline is well worth a visit. The cities themselves are intriguing, and they provide a look into the quieter side of Moroccan life on the coast. Sidi Ifni, Imsouane, and Ksar Massa are three of the best-kept secrets along the coast of Morocco, and each is ideal for a short trip. Each of these seaside settlements is worthy of exploration on its own or as part of a private, customized tour of Morocco.

Here are Three of Morocco's Best-Kept Coastal Secrets

Travel to Morocco's Secret Sunsets along the coast are some of the most beautiful in the world. There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, like paragliding over the Atlantic, hiking nature reserves, birdwatching in a lagoon, and horseback riding along the coast. More distant options include going on a fishing trip or surfing some of the world's top waves. Surfers, beachgoers, and history aficionados who value the town's complex past and Art Deco architecture go there. Because it served as a hub for slave trade, the indigenous Shilha and Ait Baamrane peoples have ties to Sidi Ifni. Additionally, it is well-known for its historical ties to Spain throughout the colonial era. During the middle of the nineteenth century, Spain triumphed against Moroccan troops and acquired control of the island. In 1934, Sidi Ifni was completely colonized by the Spanish, and the town's Art Deco architecture was fully built. Despite being part of modern-day Morocco, Sidi Infi has maintained some of its Iberian character. The coastal village was under Spanish control until the year 1969. Spanish phrases like "hello" and "paella" are often heard from residents as tourists promenade the white and blue painted streets of Sidi Ifni. The majority of the population is an avid fan of Spanish football.

In all, there are 20,000 people living in Sidi Ifni. The town's economy relies heavily on the export of fish caught off the coast of mainland Spain. Sidi Ifni is seven hours south of Marrakech. The town and adjacent districts of Merlift and Legzira are recognized for their gorgeous beaches and seafood eating choices. The temperature is pleasant to warm year round making it a perfect trip during any of Morocco’s four seasons.

Pools and Spas:

The town center, hotels, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of Sidi Ifni Beach. Bicycling, horseback riding, surfing, and guided fishing trips are just some of the afternoon activities we recommend. The Berber village of Tiznit is about an hour away, and it is home to a massive jewelry souk where you can get some of the finest silver in all of Morocco.

Legzira Beach is well fitted 20 minutes north of Sidi Ifni and acclaimed as one of the greatest beaches in the world for sunbathing and surfing. Visitors have compared Legzira to a real-life artwork. The Anti Atlas Mountains are a stunning natural link to the Atlantic Ocean, which is reached by a rocky beach. The organic cave formations at Legzira are intriguing and highly regarded by ecotourists. At sunset, the cliffs of Legzira become a variety of shades of burnt orange, making for a spectacular sight. Photographing Legzira during high tide, when the ocean curtain is drawn back and exposed, is a great idea.

Where To Stay:

The ocean views from the terrace of the Logis de Marine, a hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1934, are legendary. In the 1930s, the building was used to house officers from the Spanish Navy. The home's design is nautically inspired and echoes the city's Art Deco style. Its terrace offers stunning views of the Canary Islands. There is a solarium, bar, dining room, and a little garden at this cozy B&B. Moroccan traditional bread and fresh fruit juices are served each morning. The day's catch is brought in fresh, and then carefully cooked for your dinner. The distance between the airport at Guelmim and Logis de Marine is around 60 kilometers.

Dishonest Restaurants

Located only a few meters from Sidi Ifni Beach, the Nomad Restaurant can be found on a quiet lane in the heart of town. A variety of Moroccan, Mediterranean, European, and seafood cuisines, ranging in price from moderate to lavish, are available. The Pariada of the Sea is a favorite among diners, and it is a plate of grilled octopus, calamari, and fresh local fish. As you dine, enjoy in the panoramic ocean vista and the soothing sounds of the Western Blues. Abdellah, owner of the Nomad restaurant chain, enjoys listening to country music.

Chez Sofia is a cozy local eatery managed by a friendly family. Seafood couscous, chicken pastilla, and a variety of vegetarian frittatas may all be found on the menu. Lunchtime fare is presented in the form of a daily menu with a Spanish twist. You may have an appetizer, a main course, and dessert all for the low

In addition to the Sidi Ifni Cinema and the beach, you may also dine at Gran Canaria, a local restaurant in the area. The island of Gran Canaria offers a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cuisines. Those with a family to feed will appreciate the generous servings. Brick oven Italian pizza cooked from scratch is also available. The menus of these coastal communities provide affordable alternatives like vegetarian soups and pasta, as well as more exotic fare like traditional Spanish paella and Moroccan tagine meals.

Imsouane, Number Two: A Surfing and Fishing Haven

During the summer, Imsouane is flooded by Moroccan families in search of cheap seafood and a tranquil beach environment. It's simple to rent a villa or apartment for a month's stay. Forbes magazine named Imsouane one of the world's 27 most beautiful beaches, and the absence of development and commercialization has helped to make it seem like paradise to visitors. Tasblast, home to ancient Moroccan architecture, and Amadel, a newer sector with villas and hotels, make up Imsouane. Imsouane is home to less than 10,000 people and relies heavily on the fishing industry for revenue.

Imsouane Beach may be found in a bay region, with a massive cliff providing a dramatic backdrop to the shoreline. As the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, it is said to be one of the most beautiful spots along the coast of Morocco. Cafes, seafood restaurants, and apartments may all be found within a short stroll of Imsouane Beach. The name "Imsouane" originates from the Amazigh language and refers to both the ocean's mouth (imi) and its water (isouane). The Bay is for more experienced surfers who can drive broader waves and enjoy longer rides, while the Cathedral is ideal for beginners and those looking to hone their shortboard skills.

Location Information:

You don't have to be a surfer or a yogi to appreciate the refined atmosphere at Olo Surf & Nature (Dar Zitoun). This modern white house features a pool and breathtaking ocean views. The hotel is renowned for its warm hospitality, breathtaking cliffside setting, eco-friendly business practices, and meticulous attention to detail. Everything has been well thought out, from the highly praised cuisine to the casually elegant decor.

Dishonest Restaurants

Chez Jolo is a charming outdoor eatery in a prime location overlooking Imsouane Bay. Guests may enjoy beautiful African sunsets and some of the tastiest grilled seafood. Chez Jolo has simple furnishings, but its oceanfront terrace is unlike any other place you'll eat. The Sea Bream is a house speciality, or you may ask for the day's catch. The coffee at Chez Jolo is great, and they open bright and early.

Chez Jolo is located within a short distance from the Fisherman's Port. Visitors may fish for anything they choose and then take their catch to a nearby restaurant to be cooked fresh. Chez Jolo and Auberge Tawala are two popular spots where you can have seafood grilled from the Fisherman's Port..

3: Ksar Massa – Sidi Rbat

Sidi Rbat is located in the Massa area, to the south of Agadir, inside Souss Massa National Park. Sidi Rabat's tranquil setting and 60 kilometers of shoreline draw visitors from all over the globe. Photography lovers and bird watchers go to get a glimpse of this unusual species. There are hundreds of caverns in the area of Sidi Rbat, both those formed naturally and those dug out by the local fisherman. Local reed is used to make baskets and carpets, and a huge souk is held in the Massa neighborhood every Tuesday.

Location Information:

A little resort and spa, Ksar Massa may be found on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Morocco. It is a refuge of serenity set atop a rampart of dunes, where time appears to be paused. House Ksar Massa, painted in ochre like a Mexican hacienda. The protected nature area of Massa Lagoon, home to gazelles, ostriches, terrapins, tortoises, and migrating birds, is within walking distance of the property. There are two outdoor pools and two restaurants at Ksar Massa, which are in addition to the 11 guest rooms and 7 private apartments. El Menzah provides breakfast and salads with grilled fish for lunch. In the evenings, guests may dine at the Erryad restaurant on freshly prepared gourmet Moroccan dishes influenced by the cuisines of Fassis and Marrakech.

Sidi Rbat Beach is a hidden gem, away from the madding crowds of nearby resorts and hotels. Some ideas for things to do along the seaside include going on a fishing trip or cycling to some of the quaint little towns that dot the coast.

Souss-Massa National Park is located in central Morocco, midway between the cities of Sidi Ifni in the south and Agadir in the north. The park’s reserve encompasses 33,800 hectares. Dunes, beaches, and marshes may all be found in this national park because to its location between the Souss Massa river and the Atlantic Ocean. The Kingdom of Morocco has been responsible for safeguarding Souss-Massa National Park since 1991. There are seven distinct Berber people groups who live there, as well as towering cliffs and rare plant life. The Bald Hermit, certain Ibis, flamingos, and black-headed Tchagra are all species worth keeping an eye out for.

Dishonest Restaurants

The Oued Massa Paradis Restaurant Just outside of Sidi Ifni, on the western bank of the Oued River, is where you'll find the Berber people. The restaurant's menu features dishes cooked in traditional crockery in a wood-burning oven. Vegetable, kefta, preserved lemon, chicken, and fish tagines are served in a tiny courtyard as the sun sets.

Activities

Nearby the Ksar Massa property lies Les Grottes (Village of Trog Caves), where a multitude of underground caverns run parallel to the Atlantic coast. Fishermen have erected cement shanties in several of the caverns, complete with outdoor kitchens. The cliffs at Aglou, about an hour south of the Massa region, have been used as an analogy for this area.

[eruden-writes]

Wretched Creature - Part 3

A Beauty and the Beast retelling.

After taking on her father’s punishment, Bellona finds herself imprisoned at a castle with Larek, a man who has an incessant need to self-depreciate himself despite being decently attractive, and a contingent of sentient objects.

Needless to say, it’s a confusing time all around.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

---

At some point, she and Larek began to run into each other. Perhaps he noticed she gravitated toward the library, since - after the first few run-ins - he appeared to visit the books more frequently. Bellona would try to shake him off. There was only so far she could go, though. Eventually, tired of actively trying to avoid him, she'd simply ignore him.

In the library, they'd sit on opposite sides of the room, quietly reading. In the garden, they'd pass each other on the path. Through the castle, they'd gravitate to opposite sides of the corridors. Over time, he edged closer. Asking about her books or informing her about the noteworthy fauna in the garden or history in the castle.

Bellona didn't know when or how it happened, but one day she realized Larek no longer skirted the edges of her day to day life. They'd sit close in the library and linger over books, sharing insights. Larek sometimes surprised her with a succinct observation she never would have considered. Or they'd walk through the garden together, where she taught him to make flower crowns and relayed her late mother's herbal knowledge. On one particularly clear, crisp night, the two even went to the solarium to view the stars and he pointed out constellations she hadn't even known.

The strangeness of the castle soon became her new normal and, oddly, she found herself fitting in. She'd bake and cook with Miss Chai or help Fruk clean the hard-to-reach places in the castle. Often, she'd watch the teacup children, keeping them entertained with stories or what projects they could do.

But Larek's ongoing crusade of how his body was wretched and ugly and useless remained.

One day, while they read together on one of the couches in the library, Larek began complaining. She wasn't even sure what triggered his self-hate. Perhaps something daring he read in his own book, reminding him of his perceived inadequacies. Fed up with his sentiments - taking them somewhat personally, for some reason - she shot back to him, "Should I show you how to love yourself?"

That certainly got his attention. Larek's eyes snapped to her face, wide with momentary shock. Bellona refused to look at him. Her eyes glued to the book in her lap, trying to remain cool as her brain agonized in embarrassment. The expression on his face shifted as his eyes narrowed, an uncertain flush biting at his cheeks. "How, exactly?"

The scant space between them, on the library couch, warmed and sizzled. If a hapless dust mote happened to fall between them, it'd burn up. Bellona pretended to finish her page, before calmly placing her bookmark and closing her book. Her attention slowly turned to Larek. He shifted beneath her eye and, she thought, he was holding his breath. He looked stiff and awkward, like the young men in the village whenever a woman repaid a flirtatious remark. Making a contemplative sound, Bellona set her book aside before bridging the space between herself and Larek.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," she started, trying to keep the smile off her lips as she reached to his cheek. His body heat seared into her fingertips and the pink on his cheeks darkened. "But you're more of a physical learner, aren't you?"

The knot in his throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes never leaving her face. When he spoke, his words came out in a rasp, "Very much so."

"In that case," Bellona purred, the smile cresting her lips now. Her hands drew to his chest, pressing her palms flat against him. Beneath her touch, his heart thundered. She leaned close, lips brushing his as she spoke, "I should show rather than tell, shouldn't I?"

When their lips met, heat bloomed in her and her eyelids fluttered shut. Bellona leaned further into his heat, feeling his chest rise and fall with excitement as she deepened the kiss. His warm palms pressed to her hips, their positions shifting until she was straddling his lap. A throaty groan left his lips, her hand finding itself buried in his hair and giving him a little tug.

Excitement flashed through Bellona as Larek's hands tightened on her hips, his own bucking up into her. She answered with a little gasp of her own, breaking the kiss. Her eyes flickered open, her mouth returning to his to catch his lower lip between her teeth.

Larek groaned again, deep in his chest and vibrating against her palms, as her nip sunk in. Instead of pulling her closer, his hands pressed to her arms and firmly pushed her back. Her curious look was met with three words that brought chilly displeasure to her gut. "We should stop."

"What?" Suddenly, the delightful heat she'd stoked turned sickly and painful. Her eyes searched his face, wondering if this was a cruel teasing on his part. But a sober seriousness pinched at Larek's features. "Why?"

She hated the fact she sounded so hurt.

It took Larek a moment to answer. His eyes turning away from her, as if to find a physical representation of his excuse. "None of this is fair. Especially not to you."

The heat inside Bellona shifted. It turned from warm and fuzzy to biting and rigid. Her time with him, idling away the days, had nearly made her forget. He was her captor, keeping her in the castle through a deal. How could she forget that? How could she so eagerly kiss him, let alone climb into his lap? Why was she so upset he'd stopped?

Confusion bit at the back of her eyes as she pushed off him. She blinked back the tears, anger whirling around her head. At herself, the situation, Larek.

For once, Larek's tone was hesitant. "Bellona?"

Her name on his lips spurred the rage inside her. She wheeled her hand back, letting it fly through the air until her palm made impact with his cheek. A satisfying SMACK echoed in the library. With her hand stinging, Bellona stormed from the library, leaving Larek behind. His eyes wide and a red hand mark flaming at his cheek.

After the library incident, Bellona ignored Larek. He'd approach and she'd brush passed him. He'd ask about the book she was reading, but she never looked up or she got up and left the room. By the third day, he took the hint and tried to smooth things over. They were sweet attempts - bouquets of wildflowers, baking her a dessert, trinkets from carved wood - and almost melted her cold exterior.

Instead of thawing, his actions ended up cracking her. One morning, while in a sun-dappled garden, she stared at the things Larek had thrust into her arms. A bouquet of flowers - lilies, this time - and something new. A necklace made of bone and carved with delicate designs. Her thumb traced the carefully etched lines as he explained where he'd gotten the materials and bumbled over his reason for making it.

She didn't fully hear him. Her brain was stuck on flowers and sweets and, now, jewelry. Trappings of courtship and mocking ones, at that.

"Stop!" Bellona threw the bouquet and necklace - made of bone decorated by Larek with intricate carvings - back into his face. Clenching her fists, she glared up into the man's face, face ruddy from frustration and confused tears swelling on her lashes. "Stop with all this! This is confusing enough for me, as is."

"What?" The word came out small for someone who liked to pretend to be bigger than he was.

"What happened in the library was a mistake." Her words came out fiercer than she anticipated. Or maybe a subconscious part of her liked how pained Larek looked from her outburst and wanted more. Still, perhaps, she couldn't deny the hurt and confusion making her heart ache. Tears started to stream down her cheeks and, savagely, she wiped them away as they fell. "No matter what, I'm a captive here. Anything developing between us would be wrong."

With her eyes on the ground, Bellona could tell he stared at her. That just made the heat in her flare again. She wanted to scream at him to say or do something. Pride kept her shoulders hunched, palms swiping at her cheeks as more tears fell.

"Go home."

Her head snapped up, brows furrowed as the surprise halted her tears. "What?"

"Go home. See your father." Larek spoke slowly, as if he didn't want to say the words. His gaze locked onto previously offered gifts in his arms. "Return to me when you're ready."

The world felt strangely still to her, though birds fluttered overhead and bugs flitted in the corner of her vision. Her pulse throbbed in her ears, anxious trembles clenching at her stomach. After a deep breath, Bellona asked, "And if that's never?"

He didn't answer right away. His eyes were still on the items in his arms while the knot at his throat bobbed. Finally, he drew his eyes to Bellona's face, expression pinched with an ache she couldn't define. "Then I'll accept that."

---

Moments later, she was in her room, intending to pack to visit her father. But, as she entered the chambers, a voice said she shouldn't have anything to pack. He'd kept her there, against her will. She should have fled the garden and gone straight home.

Numbly, she began gathering items, laying them out atop a blanket she'd later fashion into a bag. A book of pressed flowers, started by she and Larek. Sloppy drawings the teacup children had made. Her own sketches, in a bound book made with Miss Lumi's direction. With the book she was currently reading in hand, she paused.

"You can take that," Causton's clipped tone came from the doorway. Bellona spun, eyes widening as she saw the crowd.

Causton, Miss Lumi, Fruk, Miss Chai and the little teacups, and... more. It surprised Bellona that she could name each one, had grown to know them well. Their expressions ran the gamut from dismal to embittered. A miserable cloud hovered over them, each staring from the hall, none entering her room. Many seemed about ready to say something.

"Bellona, please don't leave. We need you to-" One of the little teacups - Grey -clattered forward, their small voice sounding close to breaking. They were stopped by Miss Chai, tilting her spout to halt their progress.

"I need space from Larek, from here." She turned back to her things, deciding she had what she wanted to keep. Trying not to look at them, she tied the blanket closed, before folding and wrapping until she had a makeshift bag. Did they know what had happened between she and Larek? He seemed to tell them everything. That thought made her stomach spin and, if she hadn't been fighting down tears earlier, now she was. "I'll be back. I just... I need to think."

No more was said as she shrugged on a coat, the spring days still a tinge chilly from winter. She had made her way out of her bedroom and down the hall when one of them spoke again. Again, her heart lurched, closing her eyes to stymie the sudden flood of tears.

"Come back soon," Fruk growled, voice thick with hurt. His words softened as he added, "We're going to miss you."

It took her a moment to reply. Two deep breaths and a swallow, before she half-turned to give the assembled a watery smile. "I'll try."

With that, Bellona hurried down the stairs and out of the castle, refusing to look back again.

[bigskydreaming]

russianspacegeckosexparty said: @bigskydreaming One of the settlements is a huge tower reaching up into the clouds, and very caste system hierarchy with the ones at or nearest the top of this spire are the royalty and nobility, and others are low rank.

Looooooool get out of my brain. Like, this can’t be a Faetown but only because this is basically the logline for a novel from my Citadel ‘verse, literally the one I was working on and getting ready to self-publish like....back when my jaw broke on me three years ago and derailed all my plans. I even had a cover commissioned for it and everything. Well okay not quite. I had an illustration I commissioned for it that I was going to use to design the cover from, and like, I really loved the tone and atmosphere and background the guy came up with and some things about how he illustrated the magic, but the character he featured front and center did uh....not mesh up with the breakdown I gave for what she and her armor should look like and also she’s doing one of those “This Is Anatomically Impossible And Also Ow I Hurt Just Looking At It” poses so.....I was like, ugggh, I like a lot of it (and the fact that I spent money on it) too much to just toss it out but like no way does it work as is so I still haven’t gotten around to figuring out if I could layer in the title in such a way as to obscure or hide part of her....contorting. I’ve added the illustration below the cut so you can see what I mean. LMAO. I think I might have posted it once before actually, but without the context of the story.

But seriously, this is The Elevation of Contempt in a nutshell. My prompt for myself for this one was literally “Class warfare, but make it magic.” LOL. And the towers thing is like....directly tied into the magic of this world.

So the world this novel is set on is one created by the goddesses of the sun and the moon. Back during the Holy Wars before the Citadel was split in pieces, they were lovers who found and shared dominion of the Solarium and its power, which when exiled by Seshan with the rest of the pantheon, they used to create this world and its inhabitants and its magic.

The basis for the magic system of this world is that magic, like matter, has different phases. Only while matter’s phase is dependent on temperature, the state of magic varies depending on altitude - basically, how close it is to the sun/moon, the source of magic in this world.

So each goddess created their own parallel form of magic, sun magic and moon magic, and it all operates by the same principles. At its furthest distance from the sun and moon, basically the surface level of the planet, magic condenses in its solid form, with specific properties while in that state. Once you reach a certain elevation however, magic exists in its liquid form, while at the higher elevations, it exists in a gaseous form, as clouds and vapor.

Which means the people of this world, upon discovering this, built their cities not outwards but UPWARDS. Using the magic of the Lower Realms to stabilize enormous towers and enable them to be built soaring to impossible heights....and ultimately a caste system formed, with the ruling class of the Heights lording their power over the Middle and Lower Realms....because magic in its gaseous/cloud phase is the most potent concentration.

But also, there’s the fact that the key to tapping the magic is art, basically. Due to the fact that the goddesses who designed the magic had been artists in their mortal lives, before ascending to godhood.

So the magic of the Lower Realms, the Depths, where its crystallized in the form of a kind of magical gemstone......magic in this phase just enhances what’s already there. Moon magic focuses on the physical realm while sun magic is about the essence of things, the spiritual realm. So crystallized moon magic, these silver/blue/purple gemstones which glow at night, when their magic can tapped and accessed....it basically can be used in various ways that all revolve around enhancing the already existing physical nature or properties of things. How it does this and in what ways, what properties, what degrees of enhancement....these depend on the artisans who take these gemstones and use them to craft jewelry and decorative elements, ornamentation, the patterns and imagery of which are what channel the moon magic into performing specific functions. 

Thus the ornate layering of gemstones throughout the foundation of the cities of this world are what keep the towers of the city capable of being built higher and higher without toppling. (But they’re layered so deeply into the foundations of the cities that its not like the people who live in the Depths could use this to hold the cities hostage so to speak, like threatening to destroy the foundations if their lives aren’t improved upon....they couldn’t really GET to the core foundations of the city to destroy the moon magic keeping it stabilized and refreshing that stability night after night, like....without the forces commanded by the people of the Heights stopping them long before they got to that point).

Then sun magic in its crystallized sunstone form, which can be tapped or accessed during the daylight hours....this enhances the existing spiritual properties or essences of things. Basically, solid-form sun magic makes things more of what they are on a kind of primal, existential level. Moon magic can make fires burn hotter, stone stand sturdier, weapons with moonstone-laden hilts more durable, sharper, less likely to break. Sun magic makes things with medicinal properties or tools of healing more effective, make weapons more deadly, in like an esoteric kind of way.

But both sunstones and moonstones, the crystallized forms of the magic, once brought to a certain elevation...they automatically melt into their liquid forms upon crossing that invisible threshold at which point solid magic becomes liquid. It doesn’t matter how expertly the crystallized sun and moon magic was wielded, crafted...it just simply doesn’t exist any longer in that solid form the second it reaches a certain height.

And this is the primary obstacle to people climbing the ranks of the city, socially as well as physically. Because thanks to the stranglehold the upper classes of most cities hold over the arts and education......the lower class living in the Depths simply lack the knowledge and skill to make use of the magic once its liquified and exists in those forms....because they’ve been denied those things. Sure, there are prodigies, people it comes naturally to without needing much education or training in tapping the magic via a ‘higher’ form of art in order to do so, but the ruling class works hard to ensure the number of people this includes - or who are aware that they possess such skill or the potential for it - is finite, or when a prodigy’s talent is undeniable, they ‘elevate’ them through the social ranks of the city and relocate them to one of the higher levels to keep most of them unmotivated to use these skills on behalf of the lower class they were once part of but no longer. Ones who rise through the ranks while still holding their old loyalties are either ‘disappeared’ or they learn to keep such loyalties well hidden.

In the Mids, the Middle Realm of the cities, where magic is concentrated in its liquid stages, sun and moon magic are tapped and channeled via painting and illustrations....their liquid forms being used as paint that artists then paint directly onto buildings, artifacts and even peoples’ skin as a form of magical tattoos.

Thus painters and tattoo artists are the real power brokers of the Mids. There’s bound to be one with a shop, selling their services, at every city level of the Mids, in every tower throughout the city. Aqueducts beginning at the very top levels of the Middle Realms collect the sun and moon magic the second the cloud and mist versions of the magic descend to the elevation at which they condense into a liquid, and then pipe that magic all throughout the middle levels of the city into reservoirs tapped by the various artists of the Mids in varying amounts, depending on their personal wealth and social standing. These aqueducts flow all the way to the Depths, where they leave off at the point where the liquid magic crystallizes in the ‘quarries’ at the upper reaches of the Depths. Thus in this fashion, the ruling class of the Heights also controls how MUCH magic reaches both the Mids and the Depths to begin with.

As with both the Depths and the Heights, the moon magic of the Mids is related to the physicality of things, while sun magic is related to their spiritual essences. Liquid moon magic, when channeled at night when its power can be tapped.....basically gives form and substance to whatever imagery its painted in.

So an artist can paint wings onto a person’s back with the silver, blue and violet hues of liquid moon magic, and upon nightfall, that person can activate that ‘tattoo’ at which point the wings lift off their skin and spring into being as physical things they can actually fly with. Someone could have a fireball painted onto their palm that will burst forth into real flames the second they command it to. People can commission artists for painted tattoos of weapons they can ‘peel’ off their skin into a state of physical being, or lightning bolts they can throw or even snakes that unwind from their forearms and attack or some kind of large cat like a panther that leaps free of the canvas of their back to attack an enemy. 

The only real limitations are that for an image to be ‘cast into being,’ ie pulled free of its canvas of skin or stone or whatever its painted upon and called forth as a real, three dimensional physical thing....it must be on the surface of whatever its painted upon, exposed to the night. So if you’re wealthy enough, you can commission an artist to paint several layers of ‘tattoos’ upon your skin, atop each other....but only the upper most image can be called forth at any given time. So if the tattoo that a person really needs at the moment is buried under two others, they have to ‘shed’ and waste the two tattoos atop it, burn them off so to speak, in order to reveal the one they’re trying to utilize as they can only then call it forth.

The other limitations are that any moon magic in a state of physical being when dawn comes vanishes with the sunrise. “Dormant” images, ones that are still painted on skin or stone or canvas but haven’t been tapped or called into being yet....they remain. Still useless during the daylight hours, but they haven’t been wasted, you don’t HAVE to use them up all in one night. But anything that’s been conjured with moon magic already, be it a weapon or a creature or wings...those will all vanish the second sunlight filters through to the Mids. 

Similarly, the creations of liquid moon magic only exist at the elevations moon magic exists in its liquid form. So if someone were to call forth a moon-crafted weapon from a painting in the Mids, and then carry that weapon with them down into the Depths....the second they crossed that invisible threshold into the altitudes of the Depths, their moon-conjured weapon would crystallize into a formless lump of solid moon magic. At the other end of things, if say, someone were to call forth wings of moonlight and use them to fly.....even though their wings could carry them all the way up to the elevations of the Heights....the second they crossed THAT threshold, their moon-conjured wings would effervesce into the formless mists of moon magic in its gaseous state. The weapons and creatures and creations of liquid moon magic exist ONLY in the Mids. They can’t rise or sink into either the Heights or the Depths; they cease to exist and either evaporate or crystallize into unshaped solid or gaseous magic.

Liquid sun magic has all the same restrictions and works by the same principles....but while liquid moon magic calls the imagery its painted in into being as a physical conjuration, liquid sun magic conjures the spiritual, the essence of things.

So a painted tattoo of a lightning bolt, if painted with moonlight and tapped during the night hours...will be called into being as an actual physical lightning bolt someone can cast forth as a force of destruction. A painted tattoo of a lightning bolt, if painted with sunlight and tapped during the day, however....that will conjure the essence of lightning, of electricity....channel its spiritual nature into a form the magic-user can wield. Such as by surging through them in the form of temporarily enhanced strength and speed, as though their nervous systems have been briefly supercharged, allowing for impossible feats. Sunlight painted images of creatures will allow someone to channel the spiritual properties or essences of such creatures. 

A called forth image of a serpent, for instance, could allow someone to poison an enemy with a temporarily venomous touch or a now poisoned blade. Tapping a sunlight-painted image of fire could cause a weapon or a door or even a person to glow with heat and burn to the touch, even though no physical fire is actually called into being. The painted tattoo of a hawk could temporarily give someone the keen vision of a bird of prey. And so on and so forth.

But again, as with the Depths, no matter how skilled or imaginative a painter, no matter how educated or practiced they are in the liquid arts of magic.....none of this does them any good if they were to try to climb to the city’s Heights uninvited.....because the magic simply doesn’t exist in that form to be used in that way once a certain elevation is reached.....and the music the ruling class uses to manipulate and channel magic in its most potent, gaseous forms...that’s the most carefully maintained, overseen and doled out form of artistic training of all.

Because the magic of the Heights, the magic of the sun and moon when flowing shapelessly and without limit or boundary through the vast reaches of the Upper Realms in the form of plentiful, wastefully abundant clouds and mists both at day and at night....

That’s the magic of transformation.

Mist moon magic when tapped and channeled at night, via the playing of flute-like wind instruments that breathe in and breathe out the ambient mist-magic and direct and shape it in the form of songs...mist moon magic allows a musician to transform the physical shape and structure of anything the mists touch, anyone who breathes them in. All via the direction of their music and the messages their songs are meant to convey, the images they conjure in the musician’s mind and from there are imparted upon others as the magic reshapes everything or everyone it touches to match the musician’s imaginings.

Thus the buildings of the Heights, the upper most levels of a city’s towers, are wrought by magic into strange, wondrous, impossible shapes. And often reshaped night after night. Musicians change their own shapes and the shapes of others at whim or upon request, transfiguring them into otherworldly visages and transforming animals into creatures born of imagination. A musician can’t change their own shape into that of some kind of animal, as they’d have no way to change themselves back if now lacking the ability to play their instruments and sing their songs....but they can change others into predators and prey, dragons and birds and tigers and anything else they fancy....with the other being entirely dependent on them to transform them back. The Heights are full of unearthly gardens filled with flowers and trees that could not exist if not for the moon magic and imaginations of the musicians who wield it. And unlike magic in its other forms, those of the lower elevations....the effects of moon magic don’t vanish with the sun. A transformation, once rendered, remains as is until and unless its transformed again.

And of course sun magic in its mist and cloud state works much the same way, though it renders transformations of the spirit....which is in many ways even more dangerous and potent. The music of sun magic changes the essence of things without changing its shape. Makes something other than what it is - impossibly so. It can make water burn like fire. It can make darkness illuminate brighter than the day. It can make a medicine intended to heal into a poison that kills, give a man the mind of a beast and a beast the mind of a man, make a solid door as see through as glass and someone submerged deep in a pool able to breathe it in as easily as if it were air.

The songs sung with sunlight, its said, can even make an honest man into a liar, a thief into a paragon of virtue, or the most loyal of allies into a traitor intent upon your death.

And as with songs woven of moonlight, the transformations rendered in the sun last even after night falls...unless and until another transformation is wrought.

And by keeping a tight leash on who they allow to become musicians at all....the ruling class maintains a stranglehold on the power they’ve amassed in the Heights. Even if the citizens of the lower levels were to climb to their elevation, they’d be unable to make use of the plentiful magic all around them, with no experience and instruction in using music to weave the magic into specific shapes....since those things have been deliberately withheld from them. By contrast, those of the Heights have no such restrictions in learning to utilize the illustrative skills and magic of the Mids or the jewelry-crafting of the Depths, even if they tend to view this as dabbling for the sake of idle entertainment....still, it means that when they venture forth into other elevations of the city....they are in no way hampered or impaired in making use of the magic there, even without aid of the music magic they’re most used to.

I think the gist of the plot (Class warfare, but with magic) is pretty clear from there, lol.

But the main characters of The Elevation Of Contempt include one of the most acclaimed painters of the Mids of one city: a ‘tattoo’ artist of great renown who teaches children of both the Mids and the Depths the art of music in secret lessons aided by her lover, a rebellious noblewoman who despises the rule of the Heights.....a young prodigy from the Depths and his best friend who in turn rises to become the pupil and protégé of an eccentric professor obsessed with legends of a time before their world, who maintains that none of this was as their creator goddesses intended and they would have intervened long before now, if they were not preoccupied with their own war against the god of another world, Alyon the god of Darkness and Despair, who holds dominion over something the oldest legends refer to as The Well.....and lastly, a thief from the Mids who was punished with a cruel transformation by the laughing nobility of the Heights, and who has since found a way to turn their punishment into his power and with it has sworn to make them all pay....

And all of them becoming entwined with the conflict between three mysterious strangers, who unbeknowst to the mortals of this world are gods of other worlds themselves: Azai-Dhak the God of Gamblers, who abandoned his own world in order to flee from Korim the Goddess of Vengeance, who has a ten thousand year old score to settle and eternity to stalk her prey......and Ramzi the God of Revels, lord of the Great Hall. Though what the latter could possibly want with the world of Sura is anyone’s guess. Only the goddesses of the sun and the moon have ever had much luck shining light on his motivations, and well. They’ve been a bit busy these past two thousand years.

Anyway, this is the illustration I’m still trying to figure out how to make work as the cover......you can uh...pretty easily see what I mean about the anatomy, I’m fairly sure. LMFAO.

[powerprivilegemoney]

Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird

(September 3, 1898 - July 22, 1961) 

Socialite. Marjorie known as Winnie, was born in a shack along the railroad tracks in Missouri. Her father worked for the railroad. Not wanting any part of that life, she packed a suitcase and headed for New York in 1917. Florenz Ziegfeld spotted her on the street and put her in his show. Wallis sent her a dozen red roses after seeing her on stage, but she was not taken by him, as he was five inches shorter than she. Winnie had hopes of making it on the silver screen one day. Winnie met Wallis Bird, They eventually married and moved to Farnsworth where the parties they hosted became legendary. Wallis made good on his promise and began making professional-scale movies of the lavish entertainments they held at their 60-foot pool. At another event, a troupe of circus horses performed on the front lawn. It may not have been Hollywood, but Winnie was the star of all their homemade films. Bird kept a stable of 40 horses, but his real passion was his 20-car garage filled with the most expensive cars money could buy. Gleaming behind each bay was a Hispano-Suiza, several custom-painted Rolls-Royces, a Bugatti, Stutz Bearcats, Bentleys and an Alfa Romeo, all tended to by a staff of mechanics. Winnie busied herself with collecting fabulous gowns from Paris and buying jewels. She wore diamonds to the beach and in the pool. At some point she landed on the best-dressed lists and was often featured in Vogue magazine. She once showed up at a neighbor’s fancy tea party dressed from head to toe in a bubble gum pink dress with matching hat, shoes, gloves and hair dyed to match. The Birds’ every move and activity was recorded on film of which Wallis would have weekly screenings in the ballroom for his friends. Years later, the two giant Movieola film projectors stood rusting away in the glassed-in solarium next to the ballroom. Miles of black and white 35 millimeter movie film had been torn from their metal canisters by vandals where it now snaked all over the house and zigzagged from room to room like a jumble of streamers on New Year’s Eve. You could hold strips of film up to the light and make out the images that captured life on the Gold Coast during its heyday. There was Winifred smiling in a flapper dress as she danced around the marble fountain or posed elegantly on the satin divan holding a glass of champagne. There were shots of the happy couple prancing about in an open field on horseback. Another reel showed Wallis Bird driving around the courtyard in one of his shiny new cars, seeming very proud to show it off in front of the servants. Several frames down showed Bird at an airport, most likely Roosevelt Field, where he was climbing into a small plane that would end their fairy tale life. On June 5, 1940, Bird was flying his private plane up to the Catskills for some peace and quiet. As he was cruising over the Hudson River, a violent storm erupted and the plane was hit by lightning and crashed not far from the water’s edge. His mangled body was found the next day. Devastated, his widow ordered the broken pieces of the plane collected, placed in crates and stored in the basement of Farnsworth. Winnie was never the same. Unable to deal with her husband’s sudden death, she spent the next several years at Doctors Hospital in New York and all but abandoned the house in Oyster Bay with everything in it. Despite the fragile state of her mind, she retained control over the vast fortune she inherited and though living in a hospital, she was free to come and go as she pleased. As the years passed, Winnie began to take on a kind of a Norma Desmond (Sunset Boulevard) persona and wore fur and ostrich-trimmed negligees during the day, then slipped out at night with her diamonds and gowns and headed for the Stork Club and El Morocco. As a rich widow, Winnie was never without her circle of handsome escorts. On one of Winifred’s many trips to Paris to have more gowns made for her, she met a man who claimed to be a prince. Prince Nicolas Sturdza, who designed dresses and hats, spoke seven languages and was a taller version of her late husband. The prince was fascinated by the $1 million necklace she was wearing, with the 10 huge emeralds that had originally belonged to King Ludwig of Bavaria. Over cocktails one night, Sturdza began to weave tall tales. He intrigued Winnie with a dramatic account about how he had just escaped from Communist Romania after spending three years hiding in a mountain cave, where government police had put a price on his head. He claimed his mother was starving in prison and his father had been shot trying to escape. Winnie was so taken by his story that without checking to see if it was true, she gave him $50,000 so he could try and save his family. A short time later, she cooed to the press, “I’m in love with a prince. He makes me feel 20 again.” He was 16 years younger than she was and when friends tried to warn her that he was not what he seemed, Winnie snapped, “He is not a gigolo like so many phony princes who target vulnerable rich women, like that poor fool Barbara Hutton.” Despite the warning signs, they became engaged and Winnie made plans to restore the long abandoned villa in Oyster Bay. They began to travel all over Europe buying expensive things for the house, staying in the best hotels – with her footing all the bills. Sturdza had promised to introduce her to the European royalty but never got around to it, nor did she leave him when it got back to her that he kept a string of young boys on hand wherever they traveled. But as time passed she was beginning to tire of him. Things took a dark turn when Sturdza realized he was about to lose his meal ticket and brought in an old psychiatrist friend, Dr. Gerard Savoy. Savoy had been in trouble with the law and his license had been suspended. Within a short time, Winnie was under the complete control of Sturdza and Savoy and was being forced to take as many as 100 pills a day. While she was in a fugue state, Sturdza would take Winnie shopping to the most expensive shops in Europe where he would manipulate her into spending $20,000 to $60,000 on jewelry. The gems were brought back to the hotel and stored in a vault. Records show that even in a drugged state, Winnie knew she was in trouble and cabled her attorney in New York claiming that she feared her life was in danger. Her pleas for help were ignored. In July 1961, Winifred’s lawyer received a cable stating that she had died during the night at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Lausanne. Dr. Savoy listed the cause of death as cerebral hemorrhage. Her millions in jewels vanished without a trace. The lawyer, suspicious, flew to Lausanne and informed the police about Winnie’s calls for help. Her funeral had already taken place and after much wrangling and paperwork, her body was exhumed and an autopsy showed she had been poisoned with a massive dose of morphine. The murder trial created a sensation on both continents. Sturdza, who as it turned out was not a prince, and Dr. Savoy, who was no longer a doctor, were both convicted of murder and sent to prison for life. Most of Winifred Bird’s jewels were never found. 

Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird is entombed with her husband and his family in the Bird Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York. 

[wekissedthestars]

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[costablancahousing]

Bungalow 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom Orihuela Costa

Bungalow 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom Orihuela CostaThis very good value for money ground floor quad has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and large living room with kitchen, is in very good condition. The central location in Playa Flamenca allows you to be close to all the main attractions of our coastal area: the beach, the chiringuitos, dancing discotheque, emblematic restaurants (seafood rices, paella, seafood, among among other gastronomic specialties ). The cultural and leisure offer is more than abundant with multiple possibilities: water sports such as sailing, jet-sky, diving, surfing, kai-surfing; Golf is also a very popular leisure activity among golf enthusiasts: 10-15 km away you have access to the main golf clubs in the area (Las Ramblas, Campoamor, Villamartin, and Las Colinas ─ "a world apart "─); shopping (CC Boulvard ─one of the largest shopping centers in Europe with more than 150 stores for sports, DIY, fashion, jewelry, footwear, beauty, optics and various events throughout the year─). All this without forgetting easy access to Torrevieja, Alicante, Murcia, Cartagena from the AP-7, N332, among others. The airports of San Javier and Alicante are less than 1 hour by car (ca. 40 km). The previous owner was in a wheelchair, so the house is adapted, It has a wheelchair ramp and bathroom is a "walk in" shower room. The doorway to the room has been specially enlarged to accommodate a wheelchair. There is another entrance to the bungalow at the side where a person in a wheelchair can be pushed through the double doors to the rear bedroom. Being corner and thanks to the solarium and terrace is very bright and ideal to enjoy the sun in spring, summer or autumn. Your family and friends will be happy to be invited to have a drink or barbecue in a charming environment under a pergola that could be put on the solarium, or turn this space into a chill out area. On the solarium there is ample space to have chairs to have private sunbathing. The upstairs solarium has two large storage rooms. In addition to the parking space, there are also many possibilities for parking on the street. Thanks to the interior of the residential you can enjoy the tranquility of the neighborhood (away from the noise of tourist areas). The community is especially friendly, with owners of many different nationalities (Swedish, Irish, English, German, Spanish, etc.) typical of our beach area. Community areas are looked after throughout the year, as well as the large community pool, which includes a children's area. Next to the pool there is a large green area for sunbathing or resting after coming from the beach. The extras include: a storage room to store bikes, garden furniture, etc. parking on the plot, solarium, house in very good condition in general. 🎯LOOKING FOR YOUR DREAM-HOME🎯 🔎Can't find what you're looking for?🔍 💻 We will look for it for you 💻 📝Send Us your requests 📝 🔑And we help You find Your Dream-Home🔑 📧 info@costablancahousing.eu 📧 ------------------------------------------ We Speak 🇳🇱 🇦🇺 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 🇩🇪 🇵🇱 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 ------------------------------------------ Your Real Estate on The Costa Blanca 🌐 www.costablancahousing.eu 🌐 📧 info@costablancahousing.eu 📧 ☎️+34 663 726 825☎️ ➡️ Costablancahousing.eu ⬅️ 🔄 #360º #virtualtours available of lot of our property 🔄 ------------------------------------------ Don´t forget to Follow Us or subscribe to Our channels : 👉Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/stevenBaertCostablancahousing/ 👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/costablancahousing/ 👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costablancahousing.eu/ 👉Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/costablancahousing-eu/ 👉Twitter: https://twitter.com/Costablancahou1/ 👉VK: https://vk.com/costablancahousing 👉Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user71229300/ 👉Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/Costablancahousing/ 👉Xing: https://www.xing.com/profile/Costablancahousing_Steven/ 👉Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/@costablancahousingeu 👉Tumblr: https://costablancahousing.tumblr.com/ 👉Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/costablancahousing/ 👉Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/costablancahousing/ 👉Diigo: https://www.diigo.com/profile/costablancahous 👉Torial: https://www.torial.com/en/costablancahousingeu.steven 👉Medium: https://medium.com/@info_22002 #RealEstate #LivinginSpain #ExpatSpain #MovingToSpain #luxury #expensive #housetour #luxuryrealestate #RealEstate #Spain #realestatephotography #luxuryvilla #coolesthouses #besthouseever #lifestyledesign #dreamhouse #Besthouseever #luxuryhouse #luxuryhome #LuxuryResidence #realestatespaincorona #realestatespain #makelaarspanje #makelaarspanje #costalanca #lookingforproperty #Lamata #Torrevieja Read the full article

[karim7sblog]

Destinations Along Morocco's Coast: 3 Off the Beaten Path Towns

The Atlantic coast of Morocco is a beautiful hidden gem with white sand beaches, scenic villages, and quaint souks and marketplaces. Small fishing towns, agriculture, and dry-tolerant Moroccan gardens surround the coast. Many of the seaside cities in Morocco are yet to be explored. Off the main route and full of fascinating culture, Morocco's undiscovered shoreline is well worth a visit. The cities themselves are intriguing, and they provide a look into the quieter side of Moroccan life on the coast. Sidi Ifni, Imsouane, and Ksar Massa are three of the best-kept secrets along the coast of Morocco, and each is ideal for a short trip. Each of these seaside settlements is worthy of exploration on its own or as part of a private, customized tour of Morocco.

Here are Three of Morocco's Best-Kept Coastal Secrets

Travel to Morocco's Secret Sunsets along the coast are some of the most beautiful in the world. There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, like paragliding over the Atlantic, hiking nature reserves, birdwatching in a lagoon, and horseback riding along the coast. More distant options include going on a fishing trip or surfing some of the world's top waves. Surfers, beachgoers, and history aficionados who value the town's complex past and Art Deco architecture go there. Because it served as a hub for slave trade, the indigenous Shilha and Ait Baamrane peoples have ties to Sidi Ifni. Additionally, it is well-known for its historical ties to Spain throughout the colonial era. During the middle of the nineteenth century, Spain triumphed against Moroccan troops and acquired control of the island. In 1934, Sidi Ifni was completely colonized by the Spanish, and the town's Art Deco architecture was fully built. Despite being part of modern-day Morocco, Sidi Infi has maintained some of its Iberian character. The coastal village was under Spanish control until the year 1969. Spanish phrases like "hello" and "paella" are often heard from residents as tourists promenade the white and blue painted streets of Sidi Ifni. The majority of the population is an avid fan of Spanish football.

In all, there are 20,000 people living in Sidi Ifni. The town's economy relies heavily on the export of fish caught off the coast of mainland Spain. Sidi Ifni is seven hours south of Marrakech. The town and adjacent districts of Merlift and Legzira are recognized for their gorgeous beaches and seafood eating choices. The temperature is pleasant to warm year round making it a perfect trip during any of Morocco’s four seasons.

Pools and Spas:

The town center, hotels, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of Sidi Ifni Beach. Bicycling, horseback riding, surfing, and guided fishing trips are just some of the afternoon activities we recommend. The Berber village of Tiznit is about an hour away, and it is home to a massive jewelry souk where you can get some of the finest silver in all of Morocco.

Legzira Beach is well fitted 20 minutes north of Sidi Ifni and acclaimed as one of the greatest beaches in the world for sunbathing and surfing. Visitors have compared Legzira to a real-life artwork. The Anti Atlas Mountains are a stunning natural link to the Atlantic Ocean, which is reached by a rocky beach. The organic cave formations at Legzira are intriguing and highly regarded by ecotourists. At sunset, the cliffs of Legzira become a variety of shades of burnt orange, making for a spectacular sight. Photographing Legzira during high tide, when the ocean curtain is drawn back and exposed, is a great idea.

Where To Stay:

The ocean views from the terrace of the Logis de Marine, a hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1934, are legendary. In the 1930s, the building was used to house officers from the Spanish Navy. The home's design is nautically inspired and echoes the city's Art Deco style. Its terrace offers stunning views of the Canary Islands. There is a solarium, bar, dining room, and a little garden at this cozy B&B. Moroccan traditional bread and fresh fruit juices are served each morning. The day's catch is brought in fresh, and then carefully cooked for your dinner. The distance between the airport at Guelmim and Logis de Marine is around 60 kilometers.

Dishonest Restaurants

Located only a few meters from Sidi Ifni Beach, the Nomad Restaurant can be found on a quiet lane in the heart of town. A variety of Moroccan, Mediterranean, European, and seafood cuisines, ranging in price from moderate to lavish, are available. The Pariada of the Sea is a favorite among diners, and it is a plate of grilled octopus, calamari, and fresh local fish. As you dine, enjoy in the panoramic ocean vista and the soothing sounds of the Western Blues. Abdellah, owner of the Nomad restaurant chain, enjoys listening to country music.

Chez Sofia is a cozy local eatery managed by a friendly family. Seafood couscous, chicken pastilla, and a variety of vegetarian frittatas may all be found on the menu. Lunchtime fare is presented in the form of a daily menu with a Spanish twist. You may have an appetizer, a main course, and dessert all for the low, low price of 100 MAD ($11).

In addition to the Sidi Ifni Cinema and the beach, you may also dine at Gran Canaria, a local restaurant in the area. The island of Gran Canaria offers a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cuisines. Those with a family to feed will appreciate the generous servings. Brick oven Italian pizza cooked from scratch is also available. The menus of these coastal communities provide affordable alternatives like vegetarian soups and pasta, as well as more exotic fare like traditional Spanish paella and Moroccan tagine meals.

Imsouane, Number Two: A Surfing and Fishing Haven

During the summer, Imsouane is flooded by Moroccan families in search of cheap seafood and a tranquil beach environment. It's simple to rent a villa or apartment for a month's stay. Forbes magazine named Imsouane one of the world's 27 most beautiful beaches, and the absence of development and commercialization has helped to make it seem like paradise to visitors. Tasblast, home to ancient Moroccan architecture, and Amadel, a newer sector with villas and hotels, make up Imsouane. Imsouane is home to less than 10,000 people and relies heavily on the fishing industry for revenue.

Imsouane Beach may be found in a bay region, with a massive cliff providing a dramatic backdrop to the shoreline. As the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, it is said to be one of the most beautiful spots along the coast of Morocco. Cafes, seafood restaurants, and apartments may all be found within a short stroll of Imsouane Beach. The name "Imsouane" originates from the Amazigh language and refers to both the ocean's mouth (imi) and its water (isouane). The Bay is for more experienced surfers who can drive broader waves and enjoy longer rides, while the Cathedral is ideal for beginners and those looking to hone their shortboard skills.

Location Information:

You don't have to be a surfer or a yogi to appreciate the refined atmosphere at Olo Surf & Nature (Dar Zitoun). This modern white house features a pool and breathtaking ocean views. The hotel is renowned for its warm hospitality, breathtaking cliffside setting, eco-friendly business practices, and meticulous attention to detail. Everything has been well thought out, from the highly praised cuisine to the casually elegant decor. Amadel, Imsouane 80000, Morocco; + 212 700-06-66-63

Dishonest Restaurants

Chez Jolo is a charming outdoor eatery in a prime location overlooking Imsouane Bay. Guests may enjoy beautiful African sunsets and some of the tastiest grilled seafood. Chez Jolo has simple furnishings, but its oceanfront terrace is unlike any other place you'll eat. The Sea Bream is a house speciality, or you may ask for the day's catch. The coffee at Chez Jolo is great, and they open bright and early. Postal Zip Code: 10220; Telephone: (067)2825414; Location: Imsouane

Chez Jolo is located within a short distance from the Fisherman's Port. Visitors may fish for anything they choose and then take their catch to a nearby restaurant to be cooked fresh. Chez Jolo and Auberge Tawala are two popular spots where you can have seafood grilled from the Fisherman's Port. You may contact us at R5VH+V7 Imsouane or by calling +212-676-73-75-61.

3: Ksar Massa – Sidi Rbat

Sidi Rbat is located in the Massa area, to the south of Agadir, inside Souss Massa National Park. Sidi Rabat's tranquil setting and 60 kilometers of shoreline draw visitors from all over the globe. Photography lovers and bird watchers go to get a glimpse of this unusual species. There are hundreds of caverns in the area of Sidi Rbat, both those formed naturally and those dug out by the local fisherman. Local reed is used to make baskets and carpets, and a huge souk is held in the Massa neighborhood every Tuesday.

Location Information:

A little resort and spa, Ksar Massa may be found on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Morocco. It is a refuge of serenity set atop a rampart of dunes, where time appears to be paused. House Ksar Massa, painted in ochre like a Mexican hacienda. The protected nature area of Massa Lagoon, home to gazelles, ostriches, terrapins, tortoises, and migrating birds, is within walking distance of the property. There are two outdoor pools and two restaurants at Ksar Massa, which are in addition to the 11 guest rooms and 7 private apartments. El Menzah provides breakfast and salads with grilled fish for lunch. In the evenings, guests may dine at the Erryad restaurant on freshly prepared gourmet Moroccan dishes influenced by the cuisines of Fassis and Marrakech.

Sidi Rbat Beach is a hidden gem, away from the madding crowds of nearby resorts and hotels. Some ideas for things to do along the seaside include going on a fishing trip or cycling to some of the quaint little towns that dot the coast.

Souss-Massa National Park is located in central Morocco, midway between the cities of Sidi Ifni in the south and Agadir in the north. The park’s reserve encompasses 33,800 hectares. Dunes, beaches, and marshes may all be found in this national park because to its location between the Souss Massa river and the Atlantic Ocean. The Kingdom of Morocco has been responsible for safeguarding Souss-Massa National Park since 1991. There are seven distinct Berber people groups who live there, as well as towering cliffs and rare plant life. The Bald Hermit, certain Ibis, flamingos, and black-headed Tchagra are all species worth keeping an eye out for.

Dishonest Restaurants

The Oued Massa Paradis Restaurant Just outside of Sidi Ifni, on the western bank of the Oued River, is where you'll find the Berber people. The restaurant's menu features dishes cooked in traditional crockery in a wood-burning oven. Vegetable, kefta, preserved lemon, chicken, and fish tagines are served in a tiny courtyard as the sun sets.

Activities

Nearby the Ksar Massa property lies Les Grottes (Village of Trog Caves), where a multitude of underground caverns run parallel to the Atlantic coast. Fishermen have erected cement shanties in several of the caverns, complete with outdoor kitchens. The cliffs at Aglou, about an hour south of the Massa region, have been used as an analogy for this area.

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Day 2 2017 Cruse

Day 2 started early, really early. 3-4 am to be precise, our AC wasn't working right, and the beds not particularly comfy but not the hardest beds I’ve ever slept on. in fact, every bad thing that happened this trip only was honestly not too bad, and i would have rated the worst parts 6/10. anyways long story short, we talked to the help desk and got it fixed. about 10am i woke up and went for breakfast. after that i explored the ship going to each promant floor. first was the royal promanad a massive level that like its very own mall. it features a host of shops from royal Caribbean to guess, to jewelry stores.it also has an entrance to the theater which hosted a number of plays. just below i cant remember the name as it wasn't very memorable name but it was the nightlife of the ship, filled with a nightclub, a comedy club and although i didn't see it i was told there was a ice rink there as well. it also lead into the casino for the ship. up on the 7th floor was the park plaza. an impressive floor that features an actual park, with trees and a park feel. it also features 3 of the paid restaurants on board in which there were 6. it was also a promant floor as it was our floor.

with the major floors seen i set my sites towards the top. all the way up to the 13-14 floors. i didn't know it at the time but the 13th floor (or technically the 14th floor as 13 is never a floor) would be my most promant spot on the ship. featuring the most spectacular views and great spots to relax. i settled on relaxing at the solarium. a nice little spot on the 14th floor at the front. it featured a lunch spot, a bar, and 2 hot tubs. it also was a great place for me to relax and see the ocean and it featured windows so that the wind wouldn't be so strong, but enough cracks for the wind to add a nice touch to the atmosphere. that night we ate at the same restaurant and they blew me away with the service even something as small as them remembering us from the previous night. the food was to die for, that night i relaxed in the solarium and hot tubs before going back down to my bed

-Sarge

[ana-volunteerlove]

Donate Collectibles with Giving Center!

Many individuals have substantial investments in collectibles, such as art, stamps, coins,, autographs, books, maps, baseball cards, glassware, antiques, gems, jewelry, or wine.

The category is broad and does not distinguish between the motive to be a dealer, a hobbyist, or a serious investor—although the tax treatment is different for each. CPA financial planners can assist all such individuals, though the advice can vary.

Dealer, Investor, or CollectorA dealer is someone in the trade or business of buying and selling collectibles. An investor is someone who buys and sells with the view toward gains but is not in business as such. A collector is someone who collects as a hobby with no profit motive. Many times, there is no clear distinction between dealer and investor, or investor and collector, other than the frequency of transactions, promotional activities, and the intent.Investors and collectors can make donations of appreciated items and take a deduction for their fair market value without recognizing the gains under the right circumstances (explained below). 

Dealers are subject to the “deduction of inventory to a charity” rules. There are limitations, which are covered below.Investors can deduct their expenses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, which does not result in substantial tax benefits for many people due to adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Alternatively, some investment costs could be added to the basis of the collectibles; investors can treat losses as capital losses subject to those limitations.Dealers are operating a business, regardless of the nature of the products handled. Gains will be ordinary income, and losses will be treated as any business loss. Capital gains treatment is not available for the sale of inventory items.Hobbyists cannot deduct any losses or expenses. If they can qualify as investors, then investing expenses can be deducted and gains and losses treated as capital transactions. If a hobbyist engages in some sales transactions and reports this as a dealer, he might be subject to the hobby loss rules, which could vitiate the losses. He could also lose out on the capital gains and donations of appreciated property to a charity benefit. In these cases, collectors need to consider the benefit of possible current tax losses to the longer-term capital gains benefits.Note that investors and collectors pay sales or use tax when they acquire collectibles; dealers do not, because they are purchasing inventory for resale.Capital GainsWhen collectibles owned by investors and hobbyists held for more than one year are sold, the income is taxed at a 28% capital gains rate, regardless of the individual’s other income or AGI. There could also be a 3.8% net investment income tax, depending on the individual’s AGI. Losses would not be deductible unless the seller is an investor; the capital loss limitations would then apply. Dealers are not allowed capital gains treatment.

Contributions to a Charity like Giving Center.

Investors and collectors can make

donations of collectibles to charities

and receive a deduction for the fair market value, provided the charity uses the collectible in connection with its activities (the “related use standard”) and does not dispose of the item within three years of receipt. Furthermore, the income is not recognized for tax purposes.There are other provisions for

charitable deductions

:

Each individual item with a value over $5,000 must have a written appraisal by a certified appraiser in accordance with IRS regulations.

The appraiser and the charity must sign the donor’s IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions.

The organization must be registered with the IRS as a charity.

The organization must certify that it will not dispose of the gift within three years of receiving it and that there are no use restrictions by the donor.

The appraisal must be done no earlier than 60 days before the gift is made and must be received by the donor no later than the return’s due date (including extensions). If the value of the collectible is over $500,000, the appraisal must be attached to the tax return. If multiple gifts of similar items are made that are over $5,000 in the aggregate, the authors suggest obtaining a certified appraisal. One of the requirements of the appraisal is that the items be examined by the appraiser, so this generally precludes an appraisal done after the gift has been made.There are various other rules for art, and it is suggested that the instructions to Form 8283 be reviewed prior to advising an individual on how to handle donation of art or collectibles. For contributions of art with an appraised value of $50,000 or more, the taxpayer can request a Statement of Value from the IRS, which charges fees for this. As with any valuation, there are substantial IRS penalties for misstatements.When a charity provides a receipt for a collectible, it acknowledges receipt of the items but does not provide any value amount. The valuation is the donor’s responsibility.Many charities will almost immediately put gifts of collectibles into auction; when this occurs, the charitable deduction is limited to the donor’s basis, not the appreciated value. For example, assume a painting that cost $10,000 is valued at $100,000 and is donated and then sold at auction for $100,000; the charity receives $85,000 after auctioneers’ fees. If the charity sells the painting within three years, the deduction is limited to $10,000; if sold after three years, the deduction will be $100,000. The $15,000 auction fee is a cost of the sale and does not factor into the amount of the deduction. Note that if the painting is sold for more or less than the $100,000 appraised amount, the deductible amount would still be $100,000, which was the value at the date of the gift. GA person who buys the collectible at auction or from the charity would be entitled to a deduction to the extent of the excess she paid over the fair market value. In the earlier illustration, if the fair market value were $100,000 and the bidder paid $125,000, her deduction would be $25,000. The charity is required to give a receipt noting the $25,000 donation; the $100,000 is considered a quid pro quo benefit, even if the charity netted $85,000 after the auctioneers’ fee.The related use standard is applied in order for the donor to be able to get the best benefit of the contribution; this means that the charity must use it in its activities. For example, an art museum must add it to its collection and have it available to be displayed. A painting donated to a hospital can be placed on the wall of a waiting area, solarium, boardroom, or similar public place. A library or school could place it on one of its walls, or be used as a teaching aid. Failure to adhere strictly to the rules could cause the deduction to be lost.Dealers that contribute collectibles out of inventory can deduct the smaller of the fair market value on the day of the contribution or its basis. There are special rules to calculate the basis, which are not covered here.There is an overall limitation for deductions for charitable contributions, which is 50% of AGI, but in some cases 20% and 30% limits may apply. Furthermore, contributions over the annual limits can be carried forward for as much as five years.There are also special rules for contributions of partial interests in property that should be reviewed prior to advising individuals considering such a donation.Deductibility of Appraisal Fees and Other CostsThe costs of appraisals of

donated property

are not deductible as charitable deductions, but can be claimed as miscellaneous itemized deductions (similar to the other costs of preparing a tax return) subject to AGI and AMT limitations. For investors, the costs of appraisals and other items such as insurance, storage, subscriptions, and travel in connection with purchases would be deductible as miscellaneous deductions or, depending upon the nature of the expenditure, possibly added to the basis of the property. Collectors cannot deduct any such items.The authors believe that costs of shipping a collectible to a charity are deductible as a charitable contribution, as with out-of-pocket costs in connection with services to a charitable organization.Sales by an EstateCollectors take great care in assembling and organizing their collections, but very few leave any instructions on how to dispose of their collections after their death. Depending on the value, type, and quantity of items, a collection might be sold outright to a dealer or given to an auctioneer. Names of at least two dealers the collector knows and two suitable auction houses should be provided by the collector along with instructions; at a minimum, two estimates should be obtained. Any sales by an estate are not subject to capital gains taxes, but the value should be included in the estate. If no sale is consummated within nine months, an appraisal will need to be obtained. Even if a sale is consummated, it might still be advisable for the executor to obtain an appraisal. An alternative to a sale is to have the collection donated to a charity, but this cannot be done unless this direction is included in the will and an appraisal obtained.A Variety of ConsiderationsIndividuals with collectibles require advice from CPA financial planners. There are income and estate tax and charitable donation issues, as well as important and strict compliance rules. There is also the treatment of ongoing costs and gains or losses when disposed of. This area, as with any complicated tax issue, needs to be researched for the most recent rulings and cases when transactions are contemplated. Individuals should be made aware that the planner should be consulted prior to any transactions—afterward, in most cases, would be too late.For more information on how to donate with Giving Center, please contact us at our home page: http://www.givingcenter.org

Giving Center is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

. They are IRS approved, and operate NATIONWIDE! Please feel free to reach us by phone (888)-228-7320 for more information

[wikitopx]

Poissy is a town west of Paris, only 20 minutes by train from the capital but with many worthwhile attractions of its own.

Way back there is a royal city and the birthplace of Kings Louis IX and Philippe III. The Colloquy of Poissy was a major event that happened here in 1561, an unsuccessful meeting to resolve the differences between Huguenots and Catholics. Now the town is known for manufacturing, with factories for Peugeot-Citroën and Siemens sequestered in the “Technoparc”. Discover the best things to do in Poissy.

[toc]

1. Villa Savoye

You can talk too much about the impact of this villa on modern architecture. The Savoye mansion was built in the early 1930s, designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret as a rural getaway for a wealthy couple in Paris.

It is now a World Heritage site and cherished by architects as it gracefully encapsulates Le Corbusier’s “Five Points”, his principles of international modernism. It was an original structure built with cars, which is why it was raised on piles, while each side of the building was designed with the position of the sun in mind.

You can walk up the shallow slope to a solarium on the terrace.

2. Collégiale Notre-Dame

The beautiful Poissy church dates back to the 12th century and has chapels added in the 1400s. But by the 1800s the building was in disrepair, and the man hired for the renovation was none other than Viollet-le-Duc.

This master restorer will always be known for his work on the fairytale Château de Pierrefonds and the romantic city walls at Carcassonne.

The building has a special silhouette for the pair of Roman octagonal bell towers and a bunch of flying amulets, perennials and chapels emanating from different periods in the past.

In the interior make time to see the 14th-century sculpted high altar, a 16th-century limestone group sculpture depicting the Entombment and the many historic funeral slabs that have been sealed in the west wall.

3. Musée du Jouet

At the time of writing, this museum was closed for refurbishment but will reopen in 2018. The site is the magnificent permanent gate of the 14th-century Saint-Louis Royal Monastery.

It holds a nostalgic and educational trove of toys and games dating to the century between 1850 and 1950. There are 600 items in all, with big assortments of teddy bears, electric trains, toy soldiers and cars.

There is a whole room for dolls, from antique porcelain to Barbies. But perhaps the best of them are the old optical illusions, like a magic lantern that glows when you enter a dark room.

4. Parc Meissonier

The park is named after Ernest Meissonier, a 19th-century painter and sculptor, who earned a reputation for his historical descriptions of Napoleon. Meissonier became mayor of Poissy in the 1870s and lived in a mansion right next to this 10-hectare English garden.

It was adapted from the grounds of a Benedictine abbey and finally opened to the public in 1952. And there, a rose garden, flower beds, along the central pond and various kinds of plants, like bald cypress trees under the water.

5. Ancien Pont de Poissy

Make the quaint ruins of this bridge a destination for a quiet walk by the Seine. Ancien Pont de Poissy goes back to the 1200s and was built at a time when the Seine was wider and lower banks.

It had 37 arches and four mills and was fortified in the 1600s with gatehouses at each end. The structure was destroyed by Allied bombing in the war, and only three arches on each bank remain.

There are also four-threaded piers on the Poissy side. While contemplating the ruins, it can be confusing to know that you are in the exact position where artists like Monet, Turner, Pissarro, and Meissonier drew the bridge in the 19th century.

6. Distillerie du Noyau de Poissy

In cooperation with the tourist office Poissy, the last craft distillery in the Île-de-France region. This is on Rue du General de Gaulle in the middle of the town, crafting a liqueur that goes back at least to the 1600s.

Noyau de Poissy is distilled from apricot kernels in a similar way to brandy and then soaked with herbs.

There are two types to try: Gobelet d’Argent, which is 25% alcohol and a bit like Armagnac, and Sceau de Saint-Louis, which at 40% is robust stuff with hints of almond and orange blossom.

7. L’Octroi

A dignified octagonal building in the center of Poissy, the Octroi now houses the town’s tourist office. It’s a peculiar Neoclassical structure that dates to 1830 and now stands as a souvenir to the local economy at that time.

This was based heavily on the market, and the Octroi was where the duties on livestock were collected by the market’s administrative staff.

If you come close, you can make a bas-relief of the sculptor Théophile Caudron commemorate Poissy's former rural occupations such as fishing, farming and animal husbandry.

8. Désert de Retz

A few minutes south in Chambourcy is a unique landscape garden authorized in 1700 by the aristocrat François Racine de Monville. In this undulating English garden, architect Étienne-Louis Boullée built 20 cakes inspired by ancient times.

Ten of these still exist today, scattered over 40 hectares of amazing lawns and groves. The most famous is Colonel Brisée, a summer house that intends to look like a big broken column from a classic temple.

There is also a bank built like a pyramid, a Chinese pavilion, a Palladian temple to Pan and some of the more beautiful little monuments to explore inside the park.

9. Musée Départemental Maurice-Denis

The influential Impressionist lived in this 17th-century hospital building from 1914 until his death in 1943. Before that, Denis helped Les Nabis find a group of post-impressionist artists. room at the beginning of the century.

Now a museum, this interesting house has a series of paintings by Denis and contemporaries like Paul Sérusier, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Georges Lacombe, Paul Ranson, and Emile Bernard.

There are some additional spells at the hospital's old chapel, which was restored and decorated by Denis between 1915 and 1928.

10. Musée d’Archéologie Nationale

With a very regal home in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, this museum has spellbinding artifacts from prehistory to the dawn of the middle ages.

This place is very beautiful, in a residence of many kings, but is most revered by Francis I, who married France's Claude here in 1514. And for the collection, they will do business. amazed both tourists and historians.

Make sure you see Brassempouy's Venus, dating back 25,000 years and is one of the oldest human depictions ever found. But this is one of the many amazing finds such as the 3,000-year-old Cretan helmet and the bra in Roman coins.

There’s also gold from Gaul and an overwhelming amount of Gallo-Roman jewelry, sculpture and goldwork like the sensational Rethel Treasure.

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Pesaro

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-poissy-709459.html

[expomahal-blog]

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Celebrity Reflection Cruise Ship Profile

01 of 05

Overview of the Cruise Ship

Celebrity Reflection Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

The Celebrity Reflection is the newest cruise ship in the Solstice class and joined her four older sister ships (Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette) in the fall of 2012.

Celebrity has kept many of the features found on the other Solstice class ships, but has added a few new ones that cruise travelers will enjoy. 

Continue to 2 of 5 below.

02 of 05

Cabins and Suites

Celebrity Reflection Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Many of the cabin and suite categories on the Celebrity Reflection will be familiar to those who have sailed on other Solstice-class ships. Carrying 3,030 passengers, this ship is slightly larger. Celebrity Cruises has added three categories of luxury suites:

Reflection Suite – There is only one of these suites on the Celebrity Reflection, and it's a great one. This two-bedroom suite is over 1,600 square feet and has a 194-square foot balcony. The suite comes equipped with a large dining area, contemporary living room, and a signature bathroom with a glass shower that extends over the edge of the ship.

Signature Suites – The ship has five Signature Suites, and they are located in the same private keycard access area as the Reflection Suite on deck 14. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the sitting area provide terrific views, and the 441-square-foot suite has a 118-square-foot veranda and can sleep four guests.

AquaClass Suites – These 32 suites were inspired by the popularity of the AquaClass cabins on the other ships. Measuring 300 square feet, the suites are larger than the AquaClass cabins, but still provide all suite amenities and complimentary access to the Blu Restaurant.

Celebrity has also added eight more Sky Suites to the Celebrity Reflection, bringing the total to 52.

Like the other ships in the Solstice class, the Celebrity Reflection has a diverse selection of other suites and luxury cabins such as the Penthouse Suite, Royal Suite, Celebrity Suite, Family Ocean View, AquaClass, Concierge Class, and Sunset Veranda.

Those who don't wish to stay in a suite or luxury cabin on the Celebrity Reflection can choose one of the 723 deluxe cabins with a veranda, one of the 70 ocean views without a veranda, or one of the 154 inside cabins, the least expensive category on the ship. One thing nice about the Celebrity Reflection–all the cabins and suites would be acceptable to most guests, even the smallest, lowest-priced ones.​

The Celebrity Reflection has 30 cabins and suites that are wheelchair accessible. All of these are larger than the same accommodations in the standard category and have large, accessible bathrooms.

Continue to 3 of 5 below.

03 of 05

Dining and Cuisine

Celebrity Reflection (c) Linda Garrison

Those who have dined on the Celebrity Silhouette will find the dining options on the Celebrity Reflection to be almost identical. The cruise ship has a dozen dining venues, ranging from the elegant, romantic Murano with its memorable Continental cuisine to the ultra-casual outdoor Mast Grill.

Six of the restaurants have a fixed fee. Each of these is different, interesting, and worth the extra surcharge for a special dinner. Qsine is a fun tasting restaurant, perfect for a group of friends. The outdoor Lawn Club Grill is also a good choice for a group since one member of the party gets to play chef and cook the meal (don't worry, a professional is there to help). The Italian steakhouse Tuscan Grille and Murano are nice for a romantic dinner. The Tuscan Grille has marvelous views over the aft of the ship and Murano is elegant, quiet, and special.

The Porch and Bistro on Five have a small surcharge and are a tasty option for lunch or a casual meal. Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria has specialty coffees, teas, pastries, and gelato, all with a la carte pricing.

Not all the restaurants on the Celebrity Reflection have an extra fee. The four included-dining-venues are very good, and many passengers are perfectly happy eating in them, saving their extra dollars for drinks, souvenirs, or shore excursions. The main restaurant, the Opus Dining Room, is as striking as its counterparts on the other Solstice-class ships, with a spectacular chandelier and two-story wine tower dominating the room. The Oceanview Cafe buffet has a wide selection of International cuisines, with stations rather than long buffet lines. Although most of the restaurants have healthy choice options, the AquaSpa Cafe in the Solarium specializes in this type of cuisine, featuring light bites for breakfast and lunch. Finally, if guests begin to crave a burger, hot dog, or fries, the Mast Grill is the place to dine.

I love the look of the Blu Restaurant, which is only open to those staying in the AquaClass accommodations and to suite guests when space is available. This venue features “clean cuisine” and has an elegant ambiance.

Continue to 4 of 5 below.

04 of 05

Interior Common Areas

Celebrity Reflection Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

The interior of the Celebrity Reflection is classic and contemporary. The furnishings are rich yet comfortable. The Atrium, with its signature tree, is often the first interior common area an embarking passenger sees. This multi-deck atrium stretches from deck 3 to deck 15 and is surrounded by interesting venues, most with quiet seating such as the Library, the Hideaway, and the Celebrity iLounge. Other venues, like Game-On, a new twist on a card room, also are near the Atrium.

The Celebrity Reflection has many of the same lounges and bars as her sister ships. There are at least a dozen lounges, including the Sky Observation bar, with its great views by day and disco by night, the outdoor Sunset Bar on the aft of the ship, and Michael's Bar with its large selection of international beers. The Martini Bar, which has an icy top, and the Passport Bar in the Atrium are very popular before and after dinner. Since I love to try different wines, Cellar Master is one of my favorite watering holes.

Like most large cruise ships, the Celebrity Reflection has a wide variety of entertainment centers, including a casino, large show lounge, and several venues that feature either live music or disco. In addition, the shopping gallery includes such well-known retail shops as Bulgari and Michael Kors, along with a jewelry shop, women's shop, and men's store.

One new space on the Celebrity Reflection is the 2,853-square-foot Conference Center on deck 3, which can accommodate up to 220 guests. This multi-functional space can be used for a wide variety of events such as weddings, banquets, classes, cocktail parties, or business meetings. The space has moveable walls, so the venue can be divided into smaller rooms. It also features four 70-inch LCD televisions. The ship's culinary team can cater all sorts of different types of dinners or parties.

The AquaSpa by Elemis has some interesting new treatment rooms, and it also features a full menu of spa treatments. The Persian Garden has been expanded to 883-square-feet and now has a Hammam, Cold Room, sensory showers, and infrared sauna nearby.

Adults will love the adults-only Solarium, with its nice pool and relaxing lounge chairs.

Continue to 5 of 5 below.

05 of 05

Exteriors and Outdoor Deck Areas

Celebrity Reflection (c) Linda Garrison

The outdoor deck areas of the Celebrity Reflection are designed for fun, activity, and relaxation. A large pool and hundreds of deck chairs and sun beds dominate much of the outdoor space. However, like her sister ships in the Solstice class, the signature outdoor area is the Lawn Club. Yes, it's real grass, and I wish my yard at home looked half as good! Those looking for more action can try the basketball court.

The number of Alcoves, which are cabana-style retreats on The Lawn Club, has been increased on the Celebrity Reflection. These can accommodate either two or four guests, and a rental fee applies. The Alcoves are fun for relaxation, a la carte picnics and drinks, and even come equipped with WiFi.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.

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