#southern belles and beaus boutique | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

simmetrycal · 1 month ago

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that you are 𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

synopsis

hades and zeus drift further and further apart and gill can’t do a thing about it.

wc: 3.4k

longhorn valley is know for its charm. the town 20 minutes from beaus house is quant but not too quant. it isn’t a sleepy, western village where there are horses clopping the streets and women whispering and coins dropping on wooden planks.

no, the roads are paved, yet cracking. grass and little flowers spurt up through the crevices. the buildings have workers who’ve been there since forever. they love their jobs the townspeople. there’s a boutique on 2nd avenue that lula really likes. they sell the finest of dresses but she can’t afford any of them.

there’s many country bars and pubs. they have neon blue and purple lights at night and twangy music can be heard from unlikely distances. there’s a mechanical bull in one of them. beau and his family do not show their faces their on account of being sheepishly embarrassed.

“get on the mechanical bull, bull man.” they said. “it’ll be fun” they said.

beau broke it.

actually he didn’t just break it, he crushed into hundreds of pieces. he put the mechanical bull in its rightful place.

the competing pub across the street doesn’t have a mechanical bull and they welcome beau and his family in every time. their drinks are far better anyhow and their music is tasteful. more so than bar number one.

they play all the best hits and when the two step begins, beau shoves his family members and friends onto the floor while he finishes his whiskey. lula jumps up happily from her barstool, abandoning her shirley temple, and extending her little hands out for hades. he chuckles and takes them, letting her lead him onto the floor with all the other dancers.

hades wasn’t dressed for the two step. he had on a black t shirt that hugged him, black pants that did as well, and combat boots of all things. he watched all the other men in their cowboy boots and how the heels clacked against the floor and the spurs whirled around.

hades certainly didn’t look the part. people knew he was from the capital just by looking at him. just another out of town human, they probably thought.

he bit his lip as he watched lula do the two step next to him, showing him how it’s done. he followed along extremely well, happy that he was picking it up like second nature.

they slid their feet to the side with the group and clapped in unison with everybody, then reversing it before doing it again. the two step was just that. two steps, simple as can be.

cole got dragged in by the sound of a southern belle darling and he tipped his hat at her, and all the girls for that matter and always said “ma’am”.

he’d dance with them for a moment, spin them around, give compliments, then come back to the bar. beau gives him the happiest and most loving, firm pats on the back while cole finds his drink. he doesn’t consume alcohol at all, he mostly just drinks water or ginger ale. he took big gulps and chuckled with his dad about some inside joke before rejoining the dancers.

beau sat back and watched his son mingle and tease lula. hades was messing with cole right back in defense, cheeky grins on both of their faces. more so hades, he was probably getting tipsy.

“is your boy like that with every girl?” beau asks gill who’s seated in the barstool beside him. gill has a tall beer in front of him and he rears his head from it behind him to see hades pick lula up but the waist and spin her like all the men did at once.

“nope.”

“really?!” beau leans back, taken by surprise. he crosses his arms. “he seems like a natural flirt.”

“hades has never been one to really get to know girls.”

beau lifts an eyebrow. “oh. i see.. he’s one of those types of boys-“

“no it’s not like that!” gill winces, looking away from his son to make eye contact with the minotaur. “he doesn’t um..”

“he’s never been with a woman.” zeus piped in dryly.

he’s been silent all night. sitting at the edge of the bar and ordering nothing. just idly peoplewatching with his chin on his palm.

beau cleared his throat and gill elbowed him.

“it’s true!” he held up his hands in defense.

“well.” beau looked back at his daughter, brushing off zeus’ off putting energy. “good to know he’s not just doing it for fun.”

gill nodded and smiled with a shrug, he couldn’t really care less who hades picked out there in the world. as long as she wasn’t human, it didn’t matter to him. she could be from the very depths of the sea or in the highest of clouds.

it looks like hades chose the clouds. he was among an angel.

zeus on the other hand seemed to be having difficulties. he’s 25 now and hasn’t made any real bonds with anyone except for his immediate family.

gill was unsure of zeus’ sexuality and if he even had one. it seemed like he had no desire for that sort of thing whatsoever. gill doubted if there would even be a day where zeus just goes out on his own to find a mate.

cole tried to get zeus to stand up and dance or do karaoke but it was no use. zeus was glued to his chair the entire night until it was time to go home.

hades did karaoke with lula and beau just ate it right up. he laughed and took pictures and cheered. hades wasn’t too good at singing, unlike zeus (especially underwater) but he had a great time regardless.

similarly, cole tried getting zeus and everybody to come out to the shooting range with them. the shooting range being unofficial and just their own valley where there were targets in the far distance.

zeus agreed out of politeness, and it was beau, cole, him, hades, and gill. beau and cole didn’t believe it as any sort of father-son competition, but gill was hardwired to think everything was a competition.

cole joyfully limped up to the plate, loaded his shotgun and cocked it, aimed down the barrel at the target and missed completely.

he laughed about it and looked to his dad, who was happily encouraging. “try again!” he said, nudging cole to stand in the right spot gently.

“it’s been a while since i did this in the fire academy.” he told the rest of them unabashedly.

beaus eyes crinkled up and the corners. “no worries son, just go ahead and give it your best shot.”

cole brought it up closer to him again and aimed, closing one eye and making sure he got it right this time.

this time, when he let the bullet fly it hit the target. not the target itself but the white canvas. he hung his head low and laughed with a groan, handing the double barrel to his father.

beau stepped up to the right spot and brought it up, aiming and shooting right at the heart of the target. it hit directly on the tiny x by chance. cole whistled and jumped around as much as he could with his annoyingly uncomfortable spare prosthetic. he missed his old one so bad.

he patted his dad hard and beau turned around put him in a playful headlock. “that’s how it’s done!”

the sun was gleaming on them like halos.

gill smiled at them and turned to his boys. they denied the shotgun and instead, each revealed their personal handguns they have to keep on them at all times. twin g17’s.

gill had a slightly similar one along with many other weapons he conceal carried. he felt bad for having to wear them everyday in the presence of beaus sheer hospitality but it was technically his job. this wasn’t vacation.

there were two more targets side by side and the twins eyed each other rudely before taking their shots.

they were still giving each other the silent treatment, to which gill rolled his eyes at.

they each shot about five bullets, concentrated and focused on aiming it at the head just like gill trained them. zeus preformed almost perfectly. he got none on the whites of the canvas and four of his bullets made it to the body and one headshot.

hades had zero headshots.

all body shots and he wasn’t going for them. it was a disgrace to his profession. he tsked and turned the safety back on before shoving it into his holster. zeus was the winner of their nonexistent competition— just like he always was.

beau said it was gills turn, and when gill stepped up he tried to be encouraging and proud of his sons equally. it’s what beau would do.

but gill is not beau. what came out of his mouth was “a little higher next time hades.”

he mentally cursed himself, correcting his words. “but good job. both of you.”

beau and cole noogied one other in excitement to see how gill was going to do. surely it’d be just like the twins, who did so good in their opinion. how could he top it?

gill pulled out his g31 and held it up, shooting five or so times.

headshots.

every single one of them.

beau and cole’s jaws were practically on the ground. as opposed to hades and zeus who weren’t even paying attention because they knew their dad was the best shot out of the five of them.

in fact, if given a sniper, gill could clock a falling leaf from over a thousand yards away. zeus and hades were used to being inferior to his many years of military experience.

the twins walked past gill, passing him on each side. gill stood and watched his boys head down the valley with cole and beau. there was a crispness to the air that was coming in. it signified that summer was coming to a end, even though the past week had been hot as ever. and if that wasn’t enough, the prairie plants turned shades oranges and red and would only get more vibrant as fall came. it was the end of a era for gill. he knew that deep down, things are going to be so different when they got back to the capital.

if they ever made it back to the capital.

to the twins, this was like vacation. or as close to one as gill could give them without taking them away from their jobs.

gill was the personification of guilt, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.

and if he was being honest, he knew his boys were slacking in what they were supposed to be doing.

they were here to protect odessa and find clues for how and where to track down mr. harrington. so far, neither of them found anything because they haven’t been looking.

hades has been too busy playing with his food, frolicking around in the sunflowers with her, biting her lips, and riding into the sunset. he even began wearing a cowboy hat sometimes, which zeus thought was beyond ridiculous.

zeus himself was growing in boredom by the day. he hasn’t connected with anybody here, hasn’t been focused on the mission, and instead spends his time by watching hades have fun without him.

gill doesn’t even know if they still sleep in the hayloft. the two of them could be anywhere at night, especially based on the wild story he was informed about.

following them? watching them get naked to swim? really?

gill shook his head, trying not to think about it. he instead focused on getting back indoors to check up on odessa.

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

filipe blinked hard when the gunshot in the distance was sounded. it startled him but he knew it was only cole practicing in the valley.

filipe was sat on the floor in the living room by the couch doing something at the coffee table. it looked to be sheet music that he was writing with a calligraphy pen and some ink. he had ear buds in and his handwriting was pristinely perfect.

odessa walked by to the kitchen, saying hello to him on her way. filipe didn’t know which type of hello he should say back. hi? good evening? hello? ..”howdy”? howdy is what his dad always says. no, that’s too awkward. now too much time has passed for him to appropriately respond!

odessa cleared her throat. she had a bottled smoothie in her hand and was standing closer than filipe thought. she was just in the kitchen, how did she make her way all the way to next to the couch already?

“h-hello.” filipe greets, taking out one earbud to be polite.

“how are you?”

small talk.

no.

ugh..

“okay.”

odessa was quiet and she looked at filipes papers. “what’s that?”

filipe threw himself over the table and covered his work with his lanky arms and hands. his circle glasses slid down his nose and he clumsily pushing them upwards with a finger. this was embarrassing.

“oh! it is nothing!”

“really? because it looks like sheet music.”

filipe went red and looked away. then odessa spoke again, this time not as intimidating and more down to earth with him.

“i only ask because im also a musician. well, mostly nowdays i just sing,” she smirked, thinking about her own voice and how there’s an element of it that will blow away even the most obsessive and critical musicians. not that filipe was one, but he could be.

“what do you play?”

“piano.”

filipe unraveled his arms from his papers, feeling more comfortable. he smiled as he stood up and held a finger out to say one moment. he dashed upstairs and left odessa standing in the living room alone. it was then when she noticed the plethora of family photos on the mantelpiece and walls.

in a minute, he trotted down the staircase with a fancy, glossy dark violin and gorgeous bow with white hairs. odessa marveled at it and before filipe even played, she knew he was going to be miraculous.

there was a piano nearby, and she sat, cracked her knuckles, and began. filipe watched her and picked up on her song, playing along on his violin.

odessa faltered for a second, wowed at his ability to play. he was spectacular at it!

odessa began to sing, and the way she felt about filipes ability to play the violin was how he felt about her ability to sing. of course, his knowledge that she was a siren was unknown to odessa. she had no idea if he knew, considered that, or if he just didn’t care.

was he entranced because of her powers or was he entranced because somebody was finally allowing him to be free to make his wonderful music?

lula was coaxed out of her room by the song. her bedroom was downstairs, right down a hallway. she came out and stood by the doorway, appreciating them. appreciating odessa. filipe was putting himself out there. enjoying himself. it’s all a sister could want.

soon after, the front door gently opened and the five men who were outside practicing shooting were all filing in quietly. they heard the music from outside of the house and took the liberty of not making a scene while the came in.

gill came and stood nearest odessa by force of habit. beau smiled and quietly yet quickly began looking for his camera. he loves taking pictures of his kids to frame and put on the walls, and this was a perfect moment to photograph. filipe was overjoyed.

the twins went their separate ways, as they’ve seemed to be doing this whole trip. hades found lula by her doorway and he towered her, his hands finding her shoulders. her back. her lower back. he doesn’t think anybody is watching them as he kisses the top of her head.

but of course.

zeus is.

or at least, he was. he wanted to gag, desperately looking elsewhere.

there was a spot on the sectional couch nearest odessa and gill that was practically calling him name.

odessa eyed him on his walk over, her fatale stare could be misinterpreted as a sinister look but she was merely concerned.

odessa may not be a mother figure toward him but she’s known these boys almost their whole lives. she knows when something is up.

she changed her lyrics just barely. she began to sing about specific things that calm zeus down. the ocean. vastness. endless water that reaches the horizon. words like that made zeus sink into the sofa like melting butter on warm toast.

when the song was over, she leaned over to him. silky black hair fell in front of her as she examined his expression.

“what’s wrong.” she whispered, lifting a brow. he looked to gill, wondering if he hasn’t already told odessa everything that he knows. apparently not.. she’s being kept out of the loop.

zeus was going to keep it that way. not because he wanted to but because he doesn’t know what to say. “hades hates me right now. i hate him right now?” no. she’d just try to fix it.

“nothing.” zeus says, watching cole make his way upstairs.

she follows his eyeline, watching him too. there’s a sparkle— the tiniest glimmer— coming from the neckline of cole’s t shirt. it’s a chain exactly identical to hades’.

odessa is the first to say it but zeus was right about to as well.

“that chain belongs to-“

“hades.”

she rubbed her lips together in thought, spreading around her lipstick. “why does he have it…?”

“i dunno but,” zeus looked his boss, saddened. “i gave it to him. and he’s given it away.”

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

bonus:

filipe room tour.

his walls are olive green. he has a big cello in one corner, framed entomology posters, lamps turned on rather than overhead lighting. a full size bed that is made to perfection. two crisp, white, pressed pillows on it. a green comforter, and praying mantis plushie in the center. the headboard is wooden and it matches his floor. and as well as his violin and cello, he has a guitar, a clarinet, and a piccolo. there’s a record player and he has hundreds of records in a marvelousc custom made, wood console.

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

double bonus:

“keep closing your eyes.”

“i am closing them! they’ve been closed!”

hades chuckled, his hands over lula’s eyes. her face was small in his hold as he brought her to her bedroom. they stumbled around and she kept giggling every time he accidentally made her hit a corner.

“okay,” he led her to stand in the room, positioning her towards her bed. “open.”

on it was bags and bags filled with clothing.

all dresses. pretty, dainty, frilly. colorful ones, white ones, neutral ones, black ones. short ones, long ones, skimpy, modest, everything. so many dresses from her favorite shop that sold all the ones she wanted but could never buy.

lula let out a small gasp. her hand coming up to her mouth in shock. she walked over and touched the paper of the bags with disbelief.

hades couldn’t wipe the grin off his face even if he tried. standing there like a happy idiot with his arms crossed behind her would have to suffice.

lula swallowed hard, pulling out an orange sundress. “you did all this? bought all these?

he nodded, but her back was turned so she didn’t even see.

he turned her and crouched to her level, getting a look at her face that he so desperately needs to see everyday now.

her big eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at him. his adoration turned into confusion quickly and he brought a hand up to wipe them.

“hey.. what’s wrong?”

“i don’t have money to pay you back. this is too much.”

hades chuckled and tried to fake a frown. it was too cute.

“and why would you need to do that? hm?”

“because i don’t deserve these.”

he was thoroughly confused now. the smile faded.

“of course you do— don’t say that. you deserve every single one of these dresses. i want you to wear every single one of these.”

there was a moment of silence and he held her chin.

“understand, lulaine?”

she smiled, trying to fight the feeling of wanting to fold at the knees.

#simmy writes #oc #oc fic #romance #angst #friendship

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umangkumari1991 · 5 months ago

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Unveiling Perry, Georgia's Hidden Gems: Unique Shops and Boutiques.

Nestled in the heart of Georgia, Perry boasts not only its rich history and Southern charm but also a treasure trove of unique shops and boutiques waiting to be discovered. While it may not be as widely recognized as other bustling metropolitan areas, Perry offers a distinctive shopping experience that celebrates local artisans, creators, and entrepreneurs. Here's a glimpse into some of Perry's hidden gems, where every visit promises to unveil something special.

The Swanky Peach Boutique: Tucked away in downtown Perry, The Swanky Peach Boutique stands out for its curated collection of trendy apparel, accessories, and gifts. From stylish clothing pieces to one-of-a-kind jewelry, this boutique caters to fashion-forward individuals looking for something chic and distinctive. With a warm and inviting ambiance, shopping here feels like exploring a fashionista's dream closet.

Southern Elegance & Co.: For those seeking a touch of Southern charm infused with modern elegance, Southern Elegance & Co. is the place to be. This boutique specializes in home decor, gifts, and apparel inspired by the rich heritage of the South. From charming accents for your living space to personalized gifts that capture the essence of Southern hospitality, each item tells a story of tradition and refinement.

Vintage Revival: Step back in time and discover the timeless allure of Vintage Revival, a quaint shop brimming with antique treasures and nostalgic finds. Whether you're a collector in search of rare gems or simply appreciate the beauty of vintage decor, this shop offers an eclectic mix of furniture, home accessories, and apparel that exude character and history. Each piece has been lovingly curated, promising a journey through the past with every visit.

The Rustic Rooster: Embrace the rustic charm of Southern living at The Rustic Rooster, a delightful shop specializing in farmhouse-inspired decor and gifts. From handcrafted furniture to charming accents that add a touch of country flair to any home, this boutique celebrates the simplicity and beauty of rural living. Whether you're decorating a cozy cottage or a modern farmhouse, The Rustic Rooster offers a curated selection of timeless pieces that capture the essence of Southern hospitality.

Perry's Pottery Paradise: Experience the artistry of local craftsmen at Perry's Pottery Paradise, a hidden gem nestled on the outskirts of town. Here, you'll find an exquisite array of handmade pottery and ceramics, each piece a testament to the skill and creativity of the artisans. From functional kitchenware to decorative pieces that add a touch of elegance to any space, the pottery crafted here reflects the natural beauty and charm of the Georgia countryside.

The Artisan's Attic: Unleash your creative spirit at The Artisan's Attic, a vibrant hub showcasing the talents of local artists and makers. From handmade jewelry to unique works of art, this eclectic shop offers a diverse range of creations that inspire and delight. Whether you're searching for the perfect statement piece or looking to support the local arts community, The Artisan's Attic is a treasure trove of imagination and craftsmanship.

Belle & Beau Boutique: Elevate your wardrobe with a touch of Southern sophistication at Belle & Beau Boutique, a charming shop known for its carefully curated selection of apparel and accessories. From classic staples to on-trend pieces that make a statement, this boutique caters to individuals with a passion for fashion and a love for quality craftsmanship. With personalized styling services and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Belle & Beau Boutique offers a shopping experience that's as delightful as it is stylish.

In conclusion, Perry, Georgia, may be a hidden gem itself, but its unique shops and boutiques are truly the treasures waiting to be discovered. From trendy fashion finds to timeless antiques, each shop offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Southern culture and craftsmanship. Whether you're a local resident or a curious traveler passing through, exploring these hidden gems promises an unforgettable shopping experience that celebrates the creativity, heritage, and spirit of Perry, Georgia.

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monvoyagepathologique · 5 years ago

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Invictus

N.B. : Tumblr me fait des misères pour l’upload des photos, ça rend les choses laborieuses et je ne mets donc pas toutes les images que je voudrais... J’essaierai plus tard d’en rajouter, donc les billets sont susceptibles d’être modifiés !

Sam. 2 Nov. 2019 (journée à 12 000 pas)

Eveil à 5h36, stoïque. Il est encore temps de trouver un stream de la finale de la coupe du monde de Rugby ! J’aurais bien marché jusqu’à un pub ouvert pour l’occasion, mais les places étaient sold-out :(

L’Afrique du Sud remporte la finale contre l’Angleterre 32-12. C’est drôle : j’ai regardé “Invictus” dans l’avion entre Keflavik et Toronto.

Le midi, je récidive au Seven Lives et essaye d’autres recettes, c’est de nouveau l’extase papillaire ! Je ne suis cependant pas insensible au Jerk Chicken que l’établissement d’à côté (le fameux Rasta Pasta) prépare sur le grill. J’irai demain ! En mangeant mes tacos, j’entends que la radio passe “Funky Town”. Être dans un snack mexicain et entendre Funky Town... Meh :)

La météo prévoit un pic de risque de précipitations ce midi, je décide donc avant de me faire saucer de rejoindre la Art Gallery of Ontario. Je navigue dans le musée et y découvre de l’art canadien post-guerre, de l’art inuit (notamment des sculptures dans des os de baleine) avec des panneaux écrits en inuktitut, en anglais et en français. Mon ticket me donne accès à l’une des expo du moment, et je me régale à l’idée d’être venu jusqu’au Canada pour assister à une exposition sur... ...Peter Paul Rubens.

Et bien c’était extra ! J’y suis resté des heures et ai appris plein de choses sur lui, et je suis conforté dans l’idée que pour le peu que j’en sache, je préfère la peinture flamande à la peinture italienne (même s’il a passé 8 ans en Italie).

J’ai fait un tour dans la boutique du musée, richement fournie. Je résiste à l’envie de m’acheter un T-Shirt aux couleurs de l’œuvre de Rubens mettant en scène Daniel dans la fosse aux lions. À la sortie du musée, je réponds volontiers aux questions d’une employée qui fait une étude, ça fait du bien de parler un peu à quelqu’un.

Je sors et remonte la University Avenue jusqu’au campus. C’est immense et beau ! La lumière n’est malheureusement toujours pas au rendez-vous pour de belles photos et je dois travailler avec une lumière pâle, fade, grisâtre.

Je m’assois un peu et voit toute une équipe d’écureuils en train de s’agiter !

C’est le moment : je sors le 70-300mm et marche comme un ninja pour essayer de capturer quelques clichés que je vous partage.

Après une bonne heure, je me remets en marche vers le centre-ville, je flâne et je tombe sur un autre cinéma qui passe Ad Astra ! Je l’avais loupé en Belgique : bingo ! Le cinéma est immense, il fait penser aux kinepolis de chez nous, mais avec tout un lounge à cocktails, toute une salle de jeux, etc...

Je m’offre quelques parties de Dance Dance Revolution (j’ai un petit talent peu connu...) et de Time Crisis 4. J’offre mes deux derniers jetons à des adolescents en transe (”FOR FREE !?”) et je vais m’installer au lounge en attendant le film. Je regarde un match de hockey sur glace (le vrai... O:) ), et m’offre un Southern Comfort sur glace. Le barman est bavard : parfait !

Ad Astra est... ...concept. Il faut que je lise un peu, le décalage horaire ne lui a laissé aucune chance !

Je marche, grignote quelque chose dans mon quartier en regardant le hockey (TOR vs PHI).

...ET LÀ SURPRISE : je rentre dans le AirBnB, et je remarque instantanément qu’une de mes chaussures a bougé ! Mes affaires sont toujours dans ma chambre. Je me réinstalle, et j’entends quelqu’un entrer dans le logement. Discussion cordiale avec lui, et au dodo.

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