#sunlit forest interior

[tofupixel]

study of 'sunlit forest interior' by emile albert gruppe

[ohisms]

↪     𝑺𝑬𝑻𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺 , HISTORICAL 〳 FANTASY edition !   (  a  collection  of  25  settings  based upon the period 〳 fantasy genres ; meant  to  inspire  drabbles  or  be  used  as  prompts . WILL be updated .   )

001. the interior of an elegant carriage .

002. seated at a large dining table set with an elaborate meal .

003. the shadowy corner of a lively tavern .

004. the top of a light house during a raging storm .

005. along the dimly lit corridor of a large manor .

006. the damp , dark brig of a pirate ship .

007. the ruins of an ancient structure lost to time .

008. a theater hall brimming with attendees .

009. the bustling streets of a market town .

010. a sun - drenched vineyard .

011. along a boardwalk overlooking the sea .

012. a moonlit cemetery full of weathered graves .

013. on horseback , deep in the woods .

014. a luxurious drawing room smelling of tea .

015. a sprawling dragon roost , hidden atop craggy mountain peaks .

016. a war - torn battlefield .

017. a beautiful cathedral bustling with churchgoers .

018. within a crammed opera box during a performance .

019. an elegant tearoom serving afternoon refreshments .

020. a lakeside pavilion on an especially hot day .

021. a sprawling network of underground catacombs .

022. a hidden glade in the middle of the woods .

023. the deep , dark dungeon of a castle .

024. a market square full of fruit and fineries .

025. a baker's shop smelling of wonderful pastries .

026. the quiet stables of a large estate .

027. on the outskirts of a magnificent water fountain .

028. in a dimly lit library , hidden amongst the books .

029. among the high walls of a hedge maze .

030. at the front desk of a warm , homey inn .

031. under the protection of a gazebo as it rains .

032. on the landing of a busy train station .

033. a gambling hall alight with raucous laughter and drink .

034. a pristine infirmary , mostly empty .

035. on board a huge ship making a long voyage .

+   20  more  setting  prompts :    6 / 01 / 2024

036. in a sunlit garden adorned with blooming flowers .

037. at the edge of a serene forest lake under a starry sky.

038. within a quiet corridor of a castle during a lavish ball .

039. in a bustling blacksmith's forge , sparks flying .

040. on a rocky cliffside overlooking a vast ocean .

041. in a quaint village square during a festival .

042. within a secret chamber hidden behind a bookshelf .

043. in the grand atrium of a luxurious hotel .

044. along a narrow brick alleyway in a crowded town .

045. within a busy marketplace in a desert town .

046. on a tranquil beach at sunrise .

047. in a cozy cottage with a crackling fireplace .

048. at the helm of a majestic airship soaring through the clouds .

049. in a grand library filled with ancient tomes .

050. on a bustling harbor dock as ships come and go .

051. within a magical forest where the trees glow softly .

052. in an apothecary's shop filled with herbs and potion .

053. at a secluded cabin by a dangerously quick river .

054. within the opulent throne room of a powerful ruler .

055. in an enchanted glade where fairies dance in the moonlight .

[rain-dere]

Tula and her dark, tired winter that gave way to spring.

Janet Fitch, "White Oleander" / Franz Kafka, "The Metamorphosis and Other Stories” / Emile Gruppe, Sunlit Forest Interior / Briton Riviere, Strayed from the Flock / Carl Blechen, Landscape in Winter at Moonlight / Redrawn from Feder 1990, Molt Cycle in North American longtails / Biodiversity Heritage Library, Wild animals of North America / Emily Brontë, “Death, that struck when I was most confiding” / Hal Borland / Dick Twinney 1987 / Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

[mleighd94]

Chapter Two Hallowed Grove

"You did what?"

My voice trembled, the words barely sounding like my own. I stood there, frozen, trying to process what Namjoon had just told me. His expression was steady, his eyes glimmering with earnestness. "I know this is a lot to take in," he said softly, almost tenderly. “Coming into a world you had no idea existed.” The enormity of his declaration seeped into my bones, leaving behind a single burning question. I looked up at him, my voice trembling as I finally managed to speak. “Why did you summon me?” Namjoon exhaled, his gaze steady but weighted with responsibility. "You are the key to helping us win this war. A war that has raged for decades. There is a warlock named Ragnor. He seeks to conquer not just the human world but countless others—dimensions you cannot yet imagine." I shook my head, my mind spinning. “But I’m just a girl from the city. I’m not a key. Not even close,” I whispered, panic rising like a tide within me. “You may not believe it yet,” Namjoon said, his tone steady but empathetic, “but there are forces far beyond our understanding. The grove chose you for a reason.” He sighed, glancing at Hoseok, who stood silently nearby. “Why don’t we take you somewhere to rest?” Namjoon suggested. “You need time to process all of this.” He turned to Hoseok. “We’ll take her to Jin. He’ll look after her.”

Hoseok stepped toward me and extended a hand. I hesitated, my eyes flickering to his, searching for reassurance. Finally, I took it, letting him lead me along the same path we had walked earlier, past the body of water where we had first met. This time, we ventured further into the forest, where the trees grew thicker and the air felt alive with magic. The path opened into a clearing filled with charming wooden cottages, their sunlit surfaces sparkling like something out of a dream. “Joon and Hoseok, what a pleasure to see you on this beautiful morning,” came a warm, lilting voice. I turned toward the sound and immediately regretted it. Standing before us was the most stunning man I had ever seen. His light pink hair caught the sunlight like a halo, and his broad shoulders gave him an almost regal presence. His eyes sparkled as they locked onto mine.

My breath hitched, and I quickly looked away, heat rushing to my face. He chuckled softly, a sound both amused and kind. “And who is this?” he asked, his gaze unwavering. “She was summoned by the grove to aid us in the war,” Namjoon explained. “She appeared before Hoseok as the grove’s answer.” “I see,” the man—Jin—replied, a faint smile playing on his lips as he continued to study me. Then he turned his attention back to Namjoon. “How can I assist?” “Take her to one of the empty cottages,” Namjoon instructed. “She’ll need time to rest and think things through.” Jin nodded, his demeanor shifting to one of quiet professionalism. “Follow me.”

Namjoon gestured for me to walk with Jin, who led me through the quaint village. The cottages were enchanting, their exteriors blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Finally, we stopped in front of one, and Jin opened the door as I stepped inside. The interior was cozy, in its simplicity. I sank into a nearby chair, the weight of the day pressing down on me. While I sat in silence, lost in thought, Namjoon and Jin spoke in hushed tones near the door. “Keep an eye on her,” Namjoon said. Jin frowned, surprised. “You’re summoning the council already?” Namjoon nodded grimly. “Ragnor is growing more powerful—and impatient.” Turning to leave, he added, “You gather the fairies. I’ll summon the mermen and call the vampires.” Jin’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean Hongjoong and his men?” His voice wavered as he gestured around the village. “Here?” Namjoon didn’t answer, disappearing into the forest with Hoseok. Jin stared after him, his expression a mix of concern and determination. Finally, he turned back to me, offering a reassuring smile. “You’ve found yourself in the middle of quite the storm,” he said lightly, his tone tinged with sympathy. “But don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re ready for it.”

[dawn-of-worlds]

Cedar, Sugar, Pearls, and Glass (and Frogs)

Corobel starts turn 9 with 15 points: 10 (roll) + 3 (nonhoarding) + 2 (left over)

In the mythologies of the Occident, there are three chief etiologies for the Night-Singers.

That the Moon drew them from the marshes as it draws the tides, either naturally or to serve one of the Sky’s many inscrutable purposes.

That the Sky heard the wind sing through creaking trees in an Occidental valley, and, to preserve the sound, trapped it in a clutch of nearby frogs—but the power of the song was such that it bestowed upon them a swift and changeable intelligence.

That the Gods created them to serve the Sun-Divers.

In all of these are implicated the machinations of a lunar spirit called the Coryphaeus, or the Beast of Faces, generally appearing as a three-headed peacock enthroned in the silvered Court of the Two Skies since the world’s beginning—doling out the heartbeats of mortals, tracking the movements and politics of the stars, and keeping the gate to the Mirror-Halls of the Moon’s interior.

Whatever their origins, the Night-Singers are the main population of the marshy northwest of the Occident, to whose climate they are far more suited than humanoids; here, they live in chiefdoms centered around their excessively large elders. In other areas of the Occident, they comprise from 5% to 20% of the population, often forming “shadow settlements” upstream of humanoid ones. Their social situation is variable and sometimes degraded.

Some characteristics of the Night-Singers:

Being suited to coastal marshes as well as inland waters, they have some tolerance for salt water, though they will die if immersed in it for longer than a few minutes at a time.

Lay clutches of up to a dozen eggs on land, though tadpoles still require water. Tadpole mortality is quite high.

Can hold their breath for a very long time, though their size prevents them from entirely relying on breathing through their skin.

Must periodically immerse themselves or suffer serious health consequences.

Prone to accidents of metamorphosis—bicephaly, polydactyly, supernumerary limbs and eyes.

Have a heightened ability to recover from wounds, to the point of regrowing limbs.

Reputed to be able to change sex at will.

They tend to be seen as emotionally reserved, cold, mysterious, mercurial, and dispassionate. Finally, they have a great love for singing and dancing, and they often manage these things even in their sleep.

Meanwhile, along the coasts of the Pearl Sea, Occidental galleys flit. Where they encounter indigenous populations, in the north and northeast. they trade with silver and fight with iron. On the well-defended promontories and the well-drained near-coastal highlands, they built their colonies, entrepôts, temples, ringed with stout walls and watched by blindfolded priests.

The lands bring forth cedar, tea, wine, cacao, coffee, rich yields of manioc and sugarcane, cinnamon and sky-flower, copper and iron, cotton and flax, pearls and coral. Every island, mountain, river, and fishing-ground yields up its bounty in tribute, and, from the forests and the deserts, bands of snake-eyed hunters bend to lug great weights of fine pelts and wondrous feathers down to the sunlit sea. With the many-shaped inhabitants of the deep, the Occidentals carry on a slow and distant trade, leaving offerings on beaches to be taken at the high tide and replaced with oceanic riches.

The great wheel of extraction and exchange curls itself around rainy lands and dry, and its spokes pierce the hearts of men, and more and more they strain to turn it, and it will grind until the world is done.

Further north, where the Two Rivers cut through desert, Occidental colonists establish the beginnings of an urban civilization, though none of the city-states are so far of global prominence.

Most of these Occidentals come from the northern Tamarisk Country and the Nephrite Isles; though the majority are Sun-Divers, some are humans and Night-Singers.

Create Avatar (-7): The Coryphaeus turns its gaze upon the world of mortals.

Command Avatar to Create Race (-1): The Coryphaeus creates the Night-Singers in the marshes and rivers of the Occident.

Command Race (-4): The Occidentals colonize the coasts of the Pearl Sea and the lower extent of the Two Rivers.

Command Avatar to Advance Civilization (-1): The Oracles of the Great Flowering Tree ensure that the Occident, and bright-skied Azimuth in particular, will always reign supreme in divination and prophecy.

[I suppose this Command Race is more of a Command Civilization.]

2 points remain.

[folkdances]

11 16 25

11. utagawa hiroshige's "jūmantsubo plain at fukagawa susaki".. a.j. casson's "shore pattern".. emile gruppe's "sunlit forest interior".. elga sesemann's "father's death".. rene magritte's "son of man".. so many beautiful paintings in our world brother

16. professor drag (my beautiful wonderful sweaters)

25. clutches my head AUGHGH.. AUGHGH. .. WHY CANT I ... REMMEBER?!?! it's succession. for now.. x files also 🥰

[luxury-residences]

Rustomjee Seasons Mumbai, Bandra East | Buy 3 BHK Luxury Apartments

Discover Luxury Living at Rustomjee Seasons, Bandra East, Mumbai

Looking for a luxurious and thoughtfully designed apartment in the heart of Mumbai? Welcome to Rustomjee Seasons, a premium ready-to-move-in residential project located in Bandra East, near the bustling BKC business district. With unmatched connectivity and high-end amenities, Rustomjee Seasons offers an ideal blend of comfort and convenience for modern homebuyers.

Project Overview

Project Name: Rustomjee Seasons

Location: Bandra East, Mumbai

Price: ₹6.18 Cr* Onwards

Configurations: 3 BHK Apartments

Status: Ready To Move

RERA No.: P51800001433

Architect: Sanjay Puri

Why Choose Rustomjee Seasons?

Spread over 3.8 acres, Rustomjee Seasons is designed by the acclaimed architect Sanjay Puri, ensuring that every home is crafted to perfection. The project offers premium 3 and 4 BHK apartments with spacious layouts, sunlit rooms, and modern amenities that cater to the needs of contemporary lifestyles. The gated community is strategically located near major corporate headquarters, entertainment hubs like the MCA Club, and luxury hotels such as Trident Hotel.

Top Highlights

Premium 3 BHK Residences with sun decks for an elevated lifestyle

Finest gated community with multi-tier security

Open-to-sky podium for a refreshing outdoor experience

Special zones for senior citizens and outdoor play areas for kids

Forest walkways surrounded by lush greenery, offering a serene environment

Alfresco open dining for a sophisticated dining experience

Premium fittings and fixtures for ultimate comfort and style

World-Class Amenities

At Rustomjee Seasons, you can indulge in a variety of luxurious amenities designed to enhance your everyday living. Whether you are looking for relaxation or recreation, the project has it all:

Swimming Pool: Take a refreshing dip to relax or burn calories

Kids Play Area: A dedicated space for children to enjoy and explore

Yoga Deck: A tranquil area to rejuvenate your mind and body

Mini Theater: Enjoy movie nights with your loved ones

Gymnasium: Stay fit with state-of-the-art fitness equipment

Senior Citizens' Zone: A peaceful area dedicated to the elderly

Multi-tier Security: Ensuring complete safety for you and your family

Power Backup: 24/7 power backup for uninterrupted living

Apartment Configurations and Sizes

3 BHK: 1004 - 1144 Sq. Ft.*

Each apartment in Rustomjee Seasons offers a well-thought-out floor plan with ample natural light, spacious living areas, and high-end fixtures, ensuring a sophisticated and luxurious lifestyle.

Key Features of Rustomjee Seasons

1. Lush Landscapes and Forest Walkways

Rustomjee Seasons is an urban oasis, with its beautifully designed forest walkways and green landscapes providing residents with a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle.

2. Swimming Pool

Take a refreshing swim in the pristine pool to unwind and rejuvenate after a long day. The pool area is perfect for both relaxation and fitness.

3. Mini Theater

Catch the latest blockbuster or enjoy classic films with friends and family at the mini theater, making your weekends special and entertaining.

4. Thoughtfully Designed Interiors

The apartments at Rustomjee Seasons feature premium fittings and fixtures, ensuring both functionality and elegance, with every detail carefully designed for a comfortable living experience.

Location Advantages

Strategically located in Bandra East, Rustomjee Seasons offers unparalleled connectivity to key destinations in Mumbai:

Western Express Highway: 0.2 km

Bandra Railway Station: 1.3 km

Lilavati Hospital and Research Center: 2.9 km

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport: 5.8 km

Phoenix Market City: 2.9 km

MCA Bandra Club: 2.2 km

Jio World Center Convention Center: Close proximity

Whether you’re a professional looking to stay close to Mumbai’s corporate hubs or a family wanting to be near top educational institutions and hospitals, Rustomjee Seasons provides unmatched convenience.

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Conclusion

Rustomjee Seasons, Bandra East, offers everything you need for a luxurious, modern lifestyle—spacious residences, world-class amenities, and a prime location. Whether you're looking for a place to call home or an investment opportunity, this project stands out as a premium choice in Mumbai's real estate market.

Check out more  luxury apartments in Mumbai  from Premium Developers in promising locations.

Contact Us:-

Website:- www.luxuryresidences.in

Call:- 8010111152

[kajalingale]

Beyond Compare: The Most Exquisite Wedding Venues Near You

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, a celebration of love and commitment that deserves a venue beyond compare. Whether you dream of exchanging vows in a fairytale castle, amidst the natural beauty of a garden, or overlooking panoramic city views, the perfect venue sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. In this guide, we explore the most exquisite wedding venues near you, each offering its own unique charm and elegance.

1. Enchanted Castle Estate

Step into a world of enchantment with a wedding at the Enchanted Castle Estate. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush forests, this historic castle offers a fairytale setting for your special day. Exchange vows in a sunlit courtyard, dine in a grand ballroom adorned with crystal chandeliers, and dance the night away in a romantic terrace overlooking the estate. With its timeless beauty and old-world charm, the Enchanted Castle Estate is truly beyond compare.

2. Serene Garden Oasis

Escape to a serene garden oasis for a wedding surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility. With its lush foliage, blooming flowers, and tranquil ponds, this garden venue provides a romantic backdrop for your special day. Exchange vows under a canopy of trees, dine al fresco amidst fragrant roses, and dance the night away under the stars. Whether you're planning a small and intimate affair or a grand celebration, the Serene Garden Oasis offers a picture-perfect setting that is sure to leave you and your guests in awe.

website : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

3. Skyline View Rooftop

Elevate your wedding celebration with panoramic views of the city skyline at a rooftop venue. Perched high above the bustling streets below, this venue offers a glamorous and sophisticated setting for your special day. Exchange vows against a backdrop of twinkling city lights, dine under the stars with the skyline as your backdrop, and dance the night away in a chic and modern space. Whether you're planning a contemporary wedding or a classic affair, the Skyline View Rooftop provides an unparalleled setting that is sure to impress.

4. Coastal Elegance

Celebrate your love by the sea at a coastal venue that exudes elegance and charm. With its pristine beaches, swaying palm trees, and breathtaking ocean views, this venue offers a romantic setting for your special day. Exchange vows with the sound of waves as your soundtrack, dine al fresco on a terrace overlooking the water, and dance the night away under the stars. Whether you're planning a beachside ceremony or a waterfront reception, Coastal Elegance provides the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding that is truly beyond compare.

5. Historic Mansion

Step back in time with a wedding at a historic mansion steeped in grandeur and elegance. With its stately architecture, lush gardens, and ornate interiors, this venue offers a timeless setting for your special day. Exchange vows in a sunlit garden, dine in a majestic ballroom adorned with antique furnishings, and dance the night away in a historic courtyard. Whether you're planning a vintage-inspired wedding or a classic affair, the Historic Mansion provides a backdrop that is both luxurious and romantic.

6. Rustic Barn Retreat

Embrace the beauty of the countryside with a wedding at a rustic barn retreat. With its weathered wood beams, charming decor, and sprawling grounds, this venue offers a warm and inviting setting for your special day. Exchange vows in a picturesque meadow, dine in a rustic-chic barn adorned with string lights and lanterns, and dance the night away under the stars. Whether you're planning a casual outdoor celebration or a cozy indoor affair, the Rustic Barn Retreat provides a backdrop that is both charming and unforgettable.

7. Lakeside Escape

Find serenity by the water at a lakeside venue that combines natural beauty with understated elegance. With its tranquil waters, towering trees, and panoramic views, this venue offers a romantic setting for your special day. Exchange vows on a scenic dock, dine al fresco on a terrace overlooking the lake, and dance the night away under the twinkling stars. Whether you're planning a waterfront ceremony or a lakeside reception, the Lakeside Escape provides a backdrop that is both peaceful and breathtaking.

8. Vineyard Romance

Indulge in the romance of wine country with a wedding at a scenic vineyard venue. With its rolling vineyards, charming wineries, and panoramic vistas, this venue offers a picturesque setting for your special day. Exchange vows amidst the vines, dine al fresco on a terrace overlooking the vineyard, and dance the night away under the stars. Whether you're planning a rustic outdoor celebration or an elegant affair, the Vineyard Romance provides a backdrop that is both romantic and unforgettable.

9. Mountain Retreat

Escape to the mountains for a wedding celebration that is both majestic and intimate. With its towering peaks, lush forests, and crisp mountain air, this venue offers a serene setting for your special day. Exchange vows amidst nature's beauty, dine al fresco on a terrace overlooking the mountains, and dance the night away under the starry sky. Whether you're planning a rustic outdoor celebration or a cozy indoor affair, the Mountain Retreat provides a backdrop that is both breathtaking and enchanting.

10. Modern Art Gallery

Immerse yourself in creativity and culture with a wedding at a modern art gallery. With its sleek architecture, contemporary artwork, and innovative design, this venue offers a chic and sophisticated setting for your special day. Exchange vows surrounded by stunning sculptures and paintings, dine amidst modern decor and dramatic lighting, and dance the night away in a space that is as unique as your love story. Whether you're planning a modern wedding or a creative affair, the Modern Art Gallery provides a backdrop that is both stylish and memorable.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect wedding venue is an essential step in creating a day that is truly beyond compare. Whether you dream of saying "I do" in a fairytale castle, a serene garden oasis, or a modern art gallery, the most exquisite wedding venues near you offer a variety of options to suit your style and vision. With their unparalleled beauty, charm, and elegance, these venues promise to make your special day a magical and unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

[rogermerchantnatureartplace]

Elevating Office Spaces With Ice Framed Photos And Forests Framed Prints

Incorporating art in nature for office interiors goes beyond mere decoration; it transforms the workspace into a sanctuary of creativity and focus. The calming influence of nature-inspired artwork has been shown to improve productivity and contribute to a positive work environment.

Biophilic Design: Embrace the principles of biophilic design by integrating elements of nature into office spaces. Art in nature, such as framed photos, brings a sense of the outdoors indoors, fostering 

Stress Reduction: Nature-inspired art has a proven impact on stress reduction. Ice-framed photos and forest prints create visual stimuli that evoke calmness and tranquility, providing a welcome respite from the demands of a busy office environment.

Enhancing Creativity: Artistic representations of nature have the power to stimulate creativity. Ice-framed photos, with their intricate patterns, and forest prints, with their lush greenery, serve as visual stimuli that can inspire innovative thinking and problem-solving.

Ice Framed Photos showcase the ethereal beauty of frozen landscapes. From delicate frost patterns on windows to expansive frozen lakes, these images capture the transient and captivating artistry of ice.

The clarity and precision in ice-framed photos bring forth the intricate details of frozen elements. Each crystal, each crack, and each reflection tell a story of winter's artistry, adding a touch of sophistication to the office space.

Ice-framed photos exude a subtle elegance that complements modern office aesthetics. The simplicity of frozen landscapes paired with the complexity of ice formations creates a captivating juxtaposition that elevates the visual appeal of any workspace.

Forests Framed Photos: A Tapestry of Serenity:

Bringing the Outdoors In: Forests framed photos transport the viewer to serene woodlands. Whether it's a dense, misty forest or a sunlit grove, these prints offer a glimpse into the natural world, fostering a sense of connection with the great outdoors.

Greenery and Wellness: The presence of lush greenery in forests framed photos aligns with biophilic principles, contributing to employee well-being environments.

Seasonal Dynamics: Forests framed photos can capture the seasonal dynamics of woodlands. 

[voidtouched-blue]

"I haven't the opportunity to cast magicks in the midst of battle, but I'm sure enough of my skills that I could keep you out of mortal harm." She let out an amused sigh. Cyra took note of the obvious joy in his eyes. She wasn't sure what had sparked it, but it was nice to have lighter moments to enjoy. Lately, she had her nose stuck in books, and practicing her spellcrafts in solitude. As careful as she was supposed to be when dealing with strangers, this didn't seem so bad.

She watched in silence as he was stricken by it's beauty. Every time she came upon the sight of it, she also found herself caught in a trance. It was like something out of a fairytale. Not to mention the gentle tree that cradled it carefully, and the blessing of the forest made it easy to sleep soundly without the threat of predators knocking down her door. Yet, her solitude had silently been broken now that she had shown another her humble abode. She felt a little sad thinking about saying goodbye to her long days spent entirely quiet and without speaking. Talking to others was certainly a little exhausting, but a necessary evil for her chosen career.

She blinked in surprise as he happily jaunted up to the front of her home. He had much more energy in his movements than a certain someone she knew. Cyra couldn't help but compare him to Bryn. She used him as her template of judging if someone was trustworthy or not. Kaleh'a wasn't Bryn though, and no amount of comparisons would bring him home to her. He was gone again, and this time he didn't say how long for. She closed her eyes slowly, trying to dismiss the thought and proceed with things as planned. There were people waiting for her arrival after all.

At the very least, the fellow Keeper had high respect for her boundaries. That absolutely would not go unnoticed in her eyes. She raised an eyebrow at his feathery fanfare, still keeping enough distance between them to avoid accidental touch as she stepped up to the door. With a gentle creak, the door opened inward towards the sunlit interior. She stepped in and behind the door silently. Her ears anxiously pressed back as she hesitated to close it behind her. She felt rude for not inviting him in. It was customary to offer hospitality to a guest, but she hadn't quite fully cleaned or patched up the various work that needed to be done. The one thing she did have though, was a privacy screen that had held up fairly well against the element of time.

"It..." She hesitated as she looked back into the entry room. "It would be rude of me not to invite you in. I don't mind company as long as you limit yourself to this room. I won't be more than a moment!" She held the door open for him, gesturing shakily with an open hand to the interior.

The front room had quite a few creaky and warped floorboards. Some moss had crept in from the various gaps in the wood, but it made for a wonderful carpet. The interior had left much to be desired, at least in the entryway, but the open hallway had lead to a main sitting room that had more space than furniture. Beyond what they could see of the study, there was another room to the left that was quite spacious and shared a wall with the entryway. That was the room she had turned into her sleeping quarters. Originally it must have been a study of some sort, but Cyra decided she wanted more space for her to relax than study.

"Right, well..." She nervously fidgeted with her words. "I'll be right out." Cyra didn't give him a chance to even protest before she sped back through the hallway and snaked through the study into her bedroom.

The gentle smile she gave was warm and genuine, and he wondered what her past was like compared to his. Surrounded by family, similar to his own life, his three younger sisters full of life, a loving mother, and an honest, hard working father. It was different than most Miqo'te tribes, the only real similarity the fact that his mother clearly led it, but she had remained only interested in his father, no move to increase their little tribe, and they had remained a group of two, then three, four, five, six before his mother had crossed her arms and given her father a look that said "No more!" And the blonde haired Miqo'te had laughed and agreed, focusing on providing for his children with his carpentry job.

Her comment about the feather pulled him back to the present, his eyes flicking to hers as he reached up, brushed a hand along the feather, and pulled it forward to drape over his head, and into his face, laughing as he gave her a pleading look through the blue feathers. "But it likes its new home! I couldn't possibly remove it now!" Even as he said it though, he pulled it out of his quiver, holding it by the calamus, and waving it slowly back and forth as he hummed thoughtfully. "I bet I could make a good charm from this."

He did though have to agree with her about staying underground in the sandy dunes of Thanaland. Everything he had heard about the country spoke to its heat, and his time in Gridania and exploring a few underground ruins had proven it was a considerable change in temperature--and dampness--going below the surface. In Thanaland, he could only imagine that was incredibly important, and tied into her family's job as well. He opened his mouth, to ask how big her family was, but he let it pop closed silently, his head tilting, and deciding to not ask too many questions of someone he had just met, letting her continue as he tilted his head with a nod at her joke, eyes sparkling as he laughed.

"Typically, I don't try and take on a pack of Ziz. I can shoot fast, but not that fast!" He turned, the feather in his hands dipping towards her, as he hummed thoughtfully, and peeked around it. "You would heal me after, right? Or during? Make sure I have a chance to get more arrows to help with that, right?" To be honest, given his flicking tail and upturned ears, he wasn't quite sure how much he could trust her healing. He knew to have the title of White Mage, she had to have a decent, if not highly skilled ability to heal with just Aether. Coupled with his ability to field dress, learned from trial and error, he imagined there wasn't much the pair together could not heal, besides fatal wounds perhaps. Her laugh though, he would not mind hearing that more, his eyes twinkling like stars as he brushed the moon-kissed tips of his hair up slightly, adjusting his hat as his ears wiggled at her, a show of appreciation for the joyous sound as he turned back towards their destination...

He almost missed it, the cabin covered in moss, blending in with the roots under it, the trunk behind it, the logs that made it up neither rotted nor hollow, still strong and holding if his eyes were to be believed, slowing his approach as he took in the surroundings and the well camouflaged house. His nose tilted slightly, the smell of something like rain from the damp moss reaching his nose, and filling the air with the smell of forest in general, making it even more difficult for say an angry animal to track her here. There were some things that could certainly be touched up, missing shingles, the roof carrying a few holes, but overall...

"Wow, I like it!" He truly did, the aesthetic of the cabin reminding him of his old tree-top beds he used to frequent, and smelling like it too. He bounced up to the front of it, hearing the little whisper she said behind him, peering at the door, but not approaching it fully, waiting for her to catch up and open the door, remembering her request to wait outside as he turned to her, and then in an exaggerated show, held the feather up and let it form a little arch over the top of her door, purring out as she approached. "Welcome home!"

[womblegrinch]

Emile Albert Gruppe (1896-1978) - Sunlit forest interior

Oil on canvas. 40.1 x 50 inches, 101.9 x 127.6 cm.

Estimate: US$10,000-15,000.

Sold Bonhams, New York, 17 Nov 2022 for US$17,850 incl B.P.

[tofupixel]

Love the artists you mentioned. Would you ever or have you ever done any pixel art recreations of classical paintings? Like sargent's, monet's or your other favorites ? I think it would look cool with your pixel art

yes actually, i love to do master studies! here is a sargent, this one is 'the black brook' i think i made this in 21 or 22

and here is shishkin's 'sandy coastline' from 23

and here is 'sunlit forest interior' by emile albert gruppe

i would love to do some more master studies. lately i've been focusing on portrait work because i neglected it for a long time

[onhirel]

The Peace Found Within

My submission for Dianakko Week 2019 Day 1: Soulmates!

Part of my larger What a Decade Brings universe, and it can be found on AO3!

Magic was such a strange thing. There were rules to it, of course…after all, that was how magic spells were cast. But there was so much that wasn’t known, that would probably never be known. It seemed as though the more someone tried to control it, force it to do what they wanted, the more chance for chaos there was. Was that what had happened to her? Had she misused magic? Had she gone too far, bent it too far to her will in order to do what was necessary? Had her actions made it so that there was no rest, no peace for her?

Akko grimaced from where she knelt in the small temple somewhere up in the mountains of China. She was surrounded by meditating monks, and was trying to achieve the same inner peace that they were displaying, the inner peace that had eluded her since the Battle of Arcturus Forest, the inner peace she was so desperate for. It had been so very long since she had known true peace.

First step, center your breathing.

Her eyes drifted shut as her breathing slowed, and somewhere in the distance, a chanting prayer was called in a nasally voice, the Chinese foreign to Akko’s ears, and she focused on the rolling words for a moment before she slipped deeper, and-

Fire. Death. Ruin. Blood that wasn’t hers on the blade that had formed from the sleeve of her dress. Blood that was hers hot and wet against her torn flesh. The inability to breathe. Terror and hopelessness as she stared the embodiment of Death itself in the face. Diana. Sweet, brave Diana. Working in tandem to dispel that monster. And then, slipping away into oblivion, an oblivion she never expected to come back from.

Her eyes snapped open, and she swallowed heavily, mind racing as the floodgates opened, her memories flitting from one trauma to the next, crashing and smashing and spinning like billiard balls in her still damaged mind.

Ambushes and counter-ambushes against Silent Spring members.

Holding a junior witch’s hand as she bled to death in the aftermath of a particularly bad skirmish, the young woman’s wounds too great to heal in time.

The very first time she killed a person. A man, with dark hair that had silver touching the temples. One of the leaders of a Silent Spring cell. He had smelled of cologne and old books and fear and desperation, and she had killed him and watched impassively as his cold, cruel eyes went dim, a woman’s name on his lips as he exhaled one last time. It wasn’t until she got to the hotel she was using that she had come apart under the realization that she had killed someone.

Her breath was coming fast, far too fast, and the dark, candlelit interior of the temple was no longer comforting, it was claustrophobic, the incense infused air suffocating, pressing in against her senses, and she stumbled to her feet. She mumbled an apology as she jostled the monks seated nearest to her, though if you had asked her what language she had gasped the words out in, she wouldn’t have been able to say. No, she was far too focused on getting out, a cold sweat bathing her body as she managed to escape the dark chamber, fairly exploding out into the sunlit walkways of the mountain temple.

She gasped for breath for a moment. Then, almost angrily, she swept the heels of her palms against her eyes, dashing away the tears that had started to gather. How long had it been, and she was still reacting like this? Her head felt like it was full of static, bursting and popping and hissing, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to focus on how the crisp mountain wind felt against her sweat drenched skin.

Thirteen months. That’s how long it had been since the battle. A half month from when she passed out to when she woke up, returned to Cavendish Manor, and then departed from Wedinburgh Airport. Five days after that to when she reached Sucy’s home, and then a week to when she began the long journey to try and quell the demons and black dogs that resided in her mind, keeping the peace she so desperately wanted out of her yearning grasp. The year since departing Sucy’s home had not gotten her that peace, not even the five months she had spent with her family in Japan.

It had been nice to see Okaa-san and Otou-san, as well as her grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and their children, but…but they had no idea. They could see that the prodigal daughter of the Kagari family was hurt, but they didn’t know how to help her…but they couldn’t be blamed for that. Akko didn’t know how to help herself! But she knew that the quiet whispers, the looks of ill-disguised pity, and the constant pandering would be the death of her. She had found herself distancing herself from her family as each day wore on, retreating to her room to use her crystal ball and phone to talk to her friends from around the world. That had helped some, though she didn’t miss how she spoke to Diana most of all, how she felt the calmest when she was speaking with her once rival, and there were times when the urge to get a plane ticket to fly all the way back to England was almost overpowering, but…

…she hadn’t been ready then, and still wasn’t ready even now. She couldn’t bear to face Diana, not while she was still so broken. Diana deserved happiness…they both deserved happiness, and they wouldn’t find it together, not with the way that Akko was right now. Akko knew that she couldn’t expect to be completely better before returning to England and fulfilling her promise to her…her friend. That was unrealistic. But she just knew, could feel it in her bones, that if she went back to Diana right now, it would only end in tragedy, just like how her visit with her family had.

She had snapped. She hadn’t meant to, she really didn’t, but the counseling services she had tried wasn’t doing anything and she was getting frustrated with how her family was treating her like spun glass. She had PTSD, she wasn’t broken! And always with those looks of pity, of condescension. Our Akko awakened magic, but she can’t get over a battle. Well, fuck you, Aunt Hisako, maybe if you had been there, you’d understand instead of talking about shit you know nothing about!

She was turning into a powder keg, and only needed a spark to be set off, a spark which was provided by one of her cousins, who muttered that perhaps it would have been better if she was normal, if she wasn’t a witch, if she had never left for Luna Nova in the first place, if magic hadn’t ever existed in her first place.

She had screamed at him, words slurring as a cruel reminder of the brain injury she had suffered, but she hadn’t been able to stop, hadn’t been able to hold back. Magic was everything to her. She had worked so hard to be where she was, and if it wasn’t for her, then perhaps Silent Spring would have won, and Earth would have died! The tirade lasted far longer than she had expected, and in the stunned silence that followed, she was aware of just how everyone was staring at her, staring at Akko the Witch, Akko the Freak. Then one of the babies (the daughter of her cousin Hiro? She couldn’t remember…) started crying, and she whirled, retreating to the small room her parents had given her. It didn’t take long for her to pack.

But what really hurt? Her parents didn’t even try to fight when she told them she was leaving. They just accepted it, offering only token words of sad dismay. They didn’t demand that she stay, they didn’t try to keep her home. They knew what she knew: that she didn’t belong. She had seen too much, been through too much. She no longer fit in the mundane world of her family.

“Will you come and visit?” her father had asked, deep voice sad and soft, and she had hesitated at the doorway, backpack slung over her shoulder.

“Hai,” she finally muttered. “After I…yes. I will visit.”

They had hugged one last time, then, the three of them crying, but no more words were said, and she began the next leg of her journey.

Akko’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared out over the lush, green mountains spread before her. The bitter irony of it all was that she hadn’t used the magic she had so vehemently defended once since the end of the battle. Her wand had stayed in her backpack throughout it all. Perhaps that was part of the problem. She felt unmoored, separated from both the mundane and magical worlds. Even when magic would have made things easier, she hadn’t been able to make herself use magic.

After she had left Japan and started travelling through Southeast Asia, she had thought a lot about why she was so hesitant to use the magic that she once loved. While helping plant rice on a small family farm in Vietnam, when she walked her way across Cambodia, as she visited the open air markets in Thailand, and then while she trekked north through Laos into China, she thought about it. She knew it was tied to her trauma, the PTSD that robbed her of any peace, and it was that odd, pervasive sense of looking for something that she was missing that dragged at her feet. She had to find what she was looking for before she returned to Diana or freely used magic again…she had to! So she hadn’t ridden in any car, nor used a bicycle, nor flown in any plane, worried as she was about missing the thing that she was looking for if she went too fast…the only vehicles she ever used were boats when she travelled over open water. But no matter how many miles she trudged, no matter how many people she met and helped, the answer still alluded her.

And now here she was, standing on the walkways of the mountain temple high up in the Chinese mountains, hoping that the holiness of this place would help her find what she was looking for. But here seemed as empty of answers, the same as everywhere else she had been so far. At least the view was nice, with the clouds and mists rolling heavily off the green mountains…

“You seem troubled, my child.”

The voice speaking heavily accented English was startlingly close, for Akko hadn’t heard anyone approach, and she whirled, heart pounding as her body immediately prepared to strike ruthlessly. But it wasn’t a Silent Spring assassin who stood before her, but one of the monks, an old man with skin as brown and wrinkled as a walnut, and he regarded her with calm, kind eyes. Still, she berated herself for letting him get so close without her noticing. Even lost in thought, she should have been paying enough attention to her surroundings to notice anyone approaching…Silent Spring did still exist, even if the majority of them had been destroyed. Those remnants that still existed might very well be wanting revenge. She’d have to pay more attention from now on…as for this man and his statement.

“I am, sir,” she replied honestly, and he nodded in understanding as he strode up to the wall of the walkway, joining her in looking out over the mountains before them.

“This is good. Noting there is a problem is the first step of overcoming it,” he said, before shooting a glance out of the corner of his eye at her. Returning his gaze to the mountains, he spoke his next words softly. “You remind me of a man I once knew.”

She didn’t say anything, but then, she didn’t have to.

“He, too, came here, only long ago, when I was a very young monk. He was a proud man, but troubled, very troubled. You see, he had served in what the Americans call the Korean War. His unit fought many times against the Americans and the South Koreans, and suffered terrible casualties. He was wounded towards the end, and was brought back home, but could find no peace. He never took a wife, never had any children, for the war and what he had seen weighed too heavily upon his mind. Every night, it seemed as though he returned to the war. Every night, he found no peace.”

PTSD, her mind supplied. He was suffering from PTSD, but it didn’t sound like he got any help for it. “What happened to him?”

The monk smiled softly to himself, the expression melancholy. “He told us how he spent years in the wilderness, unable to be near his fellow man, how he was searching for something he could never find. He finally found himself here. It took him many years and support, but he looked deep within himself and found the peace he had so desperately sought without. He eventually became a monk, and was one of the kindest, most tranquil men that I have ever known.”

Akko scoffed, turning a wry smile on the monk. “So I should wander for years in the wilderness before joining a monastery? Is that how I find peace?”

He chuckled. “That hardly seems fitting of the famed Atsuko Kagari.” At her shocked look, he grinned wider. “We are not so removed from the world that we would not recognize someone like you, my child. You have done great deeds already, and I imagine that great deeds still lie ahead of you, and they would not be accomplished if you holed yourself up in a monastery. No, I believe that what you must do is look within yourself. You are not at peace not because of something in the world around you, but instead because of something within you.” His expression turned grave. “That said, my child…there is no easy solution, there is no one thing that will bring you completely to peace. But knowing what lies within your own heart is an important step on your journey, I feel.”

They spoke for only a few moments after that before he took his leave, leaving Akko with a great deal to think about. Take a look at her heart, he had said. Funnily enough, that was more of a literal reality for witches than it was for the mundanes, but it would require the use of magic. Setting her mouth in a determined line, she made her way up to the small room the monks were letting her use. Barely larger than a closet and only just containing the cot and an old set of drawers, it was still sufficient for her needs. She paused on the threshold before stepping in to the room, grabbing her backpack and opening it, hand hesitating for a moment before she grasped her wand for the first time in many months.

The ease at which the wand’s worn handle fit into the palm of her hand, how right it felt to wrap her fingers around the wand that had seen her through thick and thin filled her with a deep sense of sadness. It wasn’t the wand’s fault that she was the way she was. The wand had done nothing wrong, but even now, with how right it felt to hold it again, she felt like ants were crawling all over her body, fear and anxiety prickling over her.

What if she couldn’t cast magic because of how hard it was for her to speak sometimes? What if magic wouldn’t come for her because of the necessary but terrible things she had done with it? What if it could sense her resentment and bitterness at how the one thing that had once brought her so much joy had brought her nothing but pain, heartache, and agony for most of her adult life?

She frowned. No! She was Akko Kagari! She reawakened magic with the help of one of the most powerful witches of their age when they were only sixteen! She would not shy away from this!

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, she took a deep breath to center herself. It was a long, complex incantation for the spell that she was going to cast, something she learned during her last year at Luna Nova. She had struggled with it then, only able to take brief glances within to her own magical signature, but she had matured since then, gotten better control of her magic. If the monk said that she needed to look within, then look within she would!

The words she needed came slowly, spoken with the utmost care, and she could feel the power growing with each uttered syllable. Shaky, yes, but stable enough for what she was trying to do. Her eyes squeezed shut as she finished the last word and released the built up magic, and it was as though she was struck by an ocean wave…massive, indomitable, a force of nature hard to fight. So she didn’t, allowing it to wash over her, and when she opened her eyes again, they no longer saw her room.

No, the view that greeted her was breathtaking, a studded starscape as far as the eye could see, design whirling and flashing, mesmerizing and almost hypnotic. She remembered some of the older witches saying that this spell had been disheartening to cast before the Grand Triskelion had been activated, that the world had seemed a void save for a brief few brilliant but fading glimmers, Sorcerer’s Stones providing magical energy. Now, the entire world was ablaze with magic, beautiful and powerful, sublime in its energy.

But she wasn’t here to look without, she was here to look within.

She turned her gaze towards herself, wincing slightly at the slight disconnect of her consciousness as, for lack of a better description, she looked at herself from a third person point of view. What she saw was…well, pretty much what she expected. It was hard to describe, this crimson, flowering gem with countless petals and facets that was her magical signature. It wasn’t just sight that she perceived, but also feelings…stubborn and headstrong, playful and humorous, but also worn and tired, frightened and wary. Sharp as obsidian in places, but also fragile as spun glass. This was a magical signature…nay, a soul that had been through a great deal.

But then she blinked as her eyes adjusted and she began to perceive more. Her soul wasn’t alone, there were branches that led off into the darkness, almost imperceptible when looked at directly but noticeable from the peripheral, like a dim and distant light in the darkness. So many of them, too, all connecting her to others, but ten were stronger than all the others. Curious, she reached out a hand that wasn’t actually there, and rested her ephemeral fingertips just above a cluster of three strands that ran close together, and she gasped.

A lime green cord that felt stubborn, playful, and strong, a hazel that shared that strength but also had a sharp wit, and a teal that was gentler than the other two, more caring and supportive but not without its own strength. Amanda, Hannah, and Barbara. Fitting, then, that their signatures seemed so intertwined! It didn’t take her very long to identify the rest of the signatures…Lotte and a much dimmer signature that she suspected was Frank’s…Chariot and Croix…Jasminka, as well as Constanze, even Sucy was still there, though hers was not vibrant with life as the others were. But still it remained, and she couldn’t help but remember the one dream she had while at Sucy’s mother’s house and their final farewell. Sucy may be dead, but she wasn’t gone, not truly…and perhaps she wouldn’t really be gone, so long as there were those that remembered her. A bittersweet thought, and a sharp pang of longing ran through Akko. She missed her friend, dearly.

But for all that sadness, she did feel a bit better, having done this. The spell was a stark and definite reminder that for all its chaos, magic joined people together. She was not alone, and never would be. Though the cords of magical energy that connected her with her friends were the strongest, there was no denying that she was connected with countless others, and had she the time, she would have taken care to actually investigate each one. But no, she had to return to the real world. But even as she began to withdraw from the spell, she couldn’t help but look around for the one cord that should have been brightest of all. Where was Diana’s signature?

She barely caught it out of the corner of her eye, but for the briefest of moments, a pale gold streaked with tea green and a light, clear blue flickered across one of the petals of her own signature, and she paused, confused. It seemed to have come from within her essence, and not from a cord connecting her with Diana. Curious now, she gathered her will and dove deeper within her signature, piercing through the outer layers and diving deep, ignoring the brilliant flashes of feelings and the brief flickers of memories tied to her long years of training and schooling to get to where she was.

Deeper and deeper she went, following the flash of gold that grew stronger and stronger the closer she got to the core of her essence, the beating heart of who she was, and when she got there, she gave a soundless gasp into the brilliantly colored void.

It wasn’t a cord connecting her to Diana. No, instead there was a thick strand of the warmly glowing gold signature that was interwoven with the very center of her magical signature, of her very soul. She raised cautious fingers, but where she hadn’t actually touched any other magical signature, she couldn’t help but touch the strand of gold and green and blue that was very much a part of her signature now. A small part, to be sure, but it was still there, still part of her!

Her fingers brushed the surface, and she immediately felt an indescribable flood of warmth, of acceptance, of serenity, of friendship and something more, something that should scare her but didn’t, and after a brief moment, there was a pulse of curiosity from the gold strand as the one that it originally belonged to answered her touch.

Oh. Oh, this was too much! This wasn’t just a minor connection, this was something more, and for a moment she floundered, confused and worried at what it all meant as a word that meant so much with its depth floated to the fore: soulmates.

Diana’s soul was inextricably connected with hers.

The shock of it all broke the spell and with a rush the real world returned to her senses, and she was suddenly aware of the tears coursing down her cheeks. It had been so beautiful but so very powerful, like a typhoon in the distance. She gasped for breath as her body reacted to it all, shuddering with what she had seen.

She would always be a part of Diana, and Diana would always be a part of her. Not just connected, but well and truly a part of each other.

Her crystal ball chimed from within her backpack, and she froze. But no, if that was who she thought it was, avoiding her wouldn’t accomplish anything. Gritting her teeth as she steeled herself, she retrieved her ball and activated it.

Diana’s face greeted her, sleepy and slightly confused as she politely hid a yawn behind her hand. “Akko?” she murmured in a throaty voice once the yawn ended. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just…you could tell that was me? How?”

Diana blinked at that, obviously taking the time to think it over. “I don’t know,” she finally answered. “I just did.” Then she frowned, more confused than annoyed or angry. “What was that?”

And so Akko explained it all to Diana who was several time zones away…it must have been very early in the morning for her. Diana didn’t say anything while Akko was talking, and once Akko was done, she still remained silent, face thoughtful. Finally she nodded slightly.

“The Grand Triskelion.”

“Huh?”

“Akko, we awakened magic together…it’s not surprising that our souls are intertwined like that. We were at the epicenter of an event where magic united the world, where everyone with a believing heart supported us in stopping the missile.”

Her tone was calm and factual, and Akko couldn’t stop the question from spilling from her lips. “Being connected like this doesn’t bother you?”

Diana’s head tilted to the side. “Why would it? Akko, you are my dearest friend. You always will be.” A blush touched her cheeks. “Whether as the closest and dearest of friends or…or as something more, I can think of no one I’d rather be so connected to. After all, I don’t lightly make promises to wait for someone to just anyone.” Her face grew concerned, a definite hint of yearning in the lines of her expression. “Akko, I know that I can’t force you to come home any sooner than you are ready to, but it’s been so long already. When are you coming home?”

Going home. Going home to Diana. Going to the one place that she really considered home anymore. The idea no longer seemed as daunting as it was before, but still…

“I don’t know,” Akko admitted. “I’m…I’m still not quite ready.” Diana’s face fell, and Akko’s heart lurched in her chest at the expression. “But…” she started, smiling timidly as Diana looked back up, hope in her blue eyes. “But I think I took a very important step today.”

The truth, she realized with a flash. Her heart and soul still ached, and likely would for a very long time yet. But she wasn’t as alone as she had thought she was, even when she was half the world away from her friends. She was still connected to them, like they were connected to her, and Diana…Diana was a part of her, and now that the shock of that realization had worn off, she took immense comfort in the fact. No matter what, Diana would be with her.

Diana’s smile was soft, but filled with her belief in Akko despite that softness. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, tone unwavering, resolute.

“And I will return to you,” Akko replied, voice just as firm as Diana’s had been. She couldn’t say when, but she would return to Diana. No power in the world could prevent that from happening!

Their conversation ended shortly after that, Diana regretfully informing her that she had to start getting ready for the day, and soon Akko was staring at the blank crystal ball resting on the bed as she processed all that had just happened.

She was connected with her friends, and a small part of Diana’s soul was intertwined with hers, and a small portion of her own soul was undoubtedly a part of Diana’s soul, as well. They would always be connected.

Akko fell back on the bed, smiling at the thought of it. No matter what traumas she endured, no matter what terrors visited in the night, Diana would always be there for her, a silent source of support and strength, a beacon in the dark.

They had been through unbelievable challenges together, had reawakened magic side-by-side, had even stared Death in the face before dispelling its corporeal form. Akko knew that the demons that still hounded her were not gone, and might very possibly never be gone. But they no longer seemed insurmountable like they had before. After all, with Diana’s help?

With Diana’s help, she could do anything.

That night would be the first peaceful night of sleep that Akko had in a very long time. The ghosts and demons still howled in the distance of her dreamscape, but Akko took courage from a steady golden glow that she had only needed to find in order to draw on its strength. Diana’s soul kept her safe through the night, and would do so from then on. In the morning, Akko would thank the monks for their hospitality before leaving the monastery. It would still take her five more months to complete the journey to the patiently waiting Diana, but now the journey had focus, was no longer a hopeless meandering as she looked for serenity. She still helped those she came across, still walked rather than ride in train or car or plane, but now she was motivated more by a curiosity of the world around her and those that lived in it rather than by a sharp, aching desire for peace of mind.

After all, the monk had been right, though she suspected not quite in the way that he expected: serenity was found within her own heart, but it was not her heart that provided her with that serenity, but the heart of her one and only, her soulmate, the one who waited for her:

Diana Cavendish.

[manlyaustralia]

Charming Brick Home in Ideal Location

[lovelyworldesk]

An Exception

This is a short story I wrote last year that won a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in my region. I hope you enjoy.

A doleful scene sat in front of him- or, what he thought was a doleful scene. Gnarled trees and darkness shrouded the sky above him to the point where he couldn’t tell where he was. Ghastly shadows of a phantom light spider-webbed across the ground without any real source. The air smelled of rotting leaves and icy cold. He was glad he couldn’t feel it.

Those details didn’t matter, however. The part of this scene that made it seem truly dismal was the shaking hand that emerged from the darkness, holding a knife.

This was not an unfamiliar sight for the man. Countless nights had been spent by him lingering in the corners of run-down warehouses and the depths of the darkest forests at night- places where a film of haze fell upon the world, intoxicating those inside of it with the fear of what they knew not. The man himself knew not how he got to these places. When it first started happening to him, he had been standing amongst the itchy sweaters and jazzy music of a Christmas party. One moment, he had been trying his best to ignore the drunken iterations of his uncle, and the next- this.

For a while, he believe the pattern that determined what place he’d be sent to was whatever place was the darkest and most dreary. This, however, was inaccurate. This was proved to him when he found himself in the sunlit hallway of a hospital instead of the comfort of his own bed, where he had been moments before. That same feeling- the unknown fear- hung in that place as well, despite its light interior.

He had grown to know that fear. He was not a stranger to it. He had a purpose in these situations, within this fear; a purpose that was possibly more hated than that of the person wielding the blade or lying in the hospital bed.  His dream-like trips were always fleeting;  he could remember only was what imprinted itself into his senses. The burn of antiseptic from the hospital still stung his nose because of it.

This time, however, it was not the scene that was unfamiliar to him, but the person behind the weapon that surprised him. The hand in which the knife was held was slight and unsteady. It was connected to a little girl. Her face was as fragile as her hand, with dark eyes cutting into the pale angles of her face in such a way that reminded him of himself. She had a look upon her that reminded him of a feral cat- un-trusting, but laced with thin, precarious lines of melancholy. With his curiosity piqued, he watched the events unfold in front of him.

The girl had been pointing her knife and a small, sickly looking squirrel who had gotten its leg stuck between two tree branches. The man found it ironic that the little girl trembled and whimpered at the prospect of harming this creature, but the squirrel,  who was moments away from its own death, had not a clue. It simply tried to free itself without much regard to the other being nearby.

Life isn’t so afraid of death when it closes it’s eyes and ignored its presence.

He gazed at the scene, patiently waiting for it to be finished. The girl had not seen him, and she wouldn’t once this was all over. He was silent and elusive- he would complete his job and move on. Maybe next he’d get to visit somewhere nicer, like the warm interior of a retirement home. Those were his favorite. A certain type of peace pervaded the air of those places. They were places that were so soaked in the acceptance of the old that one couldn’t help but feel at ease.

He could already tell what memory he was going to take away from this one. The sound of the girls footsteps crunching the dry ground below them wavered the silence that had been there a moment before. Perhaps he’d store the memory of that sound away, and think of it a later time. It had the same tranquility of a crackling fire.

“Hello?”

The voice startled him from his thoughts. The girl was staring eerily in his direction, though not necessarily at him; her eyes were focused on a point just beyond him.

“Go away. I’m warning you,” she bit, which was a comedic demand to hear for a girl with such a high-pitched voice. Still, it…..unsettled him. He had always been somewhat invisible to others when he was forced on these little cosmic trips. What was different about this girl?

“Can’t you see I’m busy? I’m busy!” she insisted, and the way she stepped towards the man told him that she was most definitely talking to him. He carefully put his hands up, crouching so he was eye-level with the child.

“Alright- I’m going to stay right here. Don’t worry one bit. Continue on,” the man replied softly. He did not recognize his own voice. It was skewed in a crackly, echoing way that he had never heard before.

The girl hesitated, but then nodded her head vigorously and turned back to the entrapped squirrel

She took a step forward. Her breathing was labored and unsure. The man watched on intently.

She took another step. Her knees clacked together with the cold night air that had seeped into her bones, adding yet another jarring sound effect to the silence.

She took one more step, this one seeming much more hesitant than the last. She was close enough that she could get the squirrel in one swipe of her knife.

The man waited. He figured it was her nerves, but it’d happen. She’d win in this fight with the squirrel.

Alas, he was not correct. The girl abruptly dropped her weapon and came bounding towards the man, her face now wrapped in that melancholy that he had seen only faintly in the girl's eyes moment before. She buried herself into the folds of the black drapes he had on for clothing, wrapping him in a hug- as best she could, anyway, with her small arms.

“Help me,” she whispered, no louder than the sound of a breath. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought she had said nothing at all.

But he did.

He didn’t move his arms to embrace her back. He didn’t shift his weight to accompany hers- he didn’t even breathe. He simply looked at her, for what seemed like an eternity.

When he did move, however, it was to pick up the child.

“I told you not to worry,” he replied simply, before starting to walk away, the girl now relaxed and curled into his arms.

Death had never been a kind man, but….he decided that maybe, just this once, he could be.

[architectnews]

Lazy House, Zlín Southeastern Moravia

Lazy House, Zlín Southeastern Moravia Real Estate, Czech Building Project, Architecture Images

Lazy House, Zlín

2 Aug 2021

Architects: petrjanda/brainwork

Location: Zlín, southeastern Moravia, Czech Republic

Lazy House

Lazy House is situated seemingly outside the context of Baťa’s urbanism and its constructional and visual principles. However, the perception of Zlín is ubiquitous and defines the horizon of events by mutual visual contact. The composition is designed by a rotation of the interior layout, where the exterior follows the contour logic of the surrounding houses, while the interior turns towards the city in the direction of the plot’s boundaries. The house uses principle of aircraft camouflage. The main living floor is visually connected to the sky by dematerialization through mirroring and moiré facades and “levitates” on the Corten base set into the slope. From above, the green roof with the glass-walled studio merges with the garden city dotted with houses.

The abstract metal exterior is balanced with the soft wooden interior with colourful accents of cast light that blend together during the evening. The layout of the main living floor minimizes corridors and is organized around a central social space connected to the garden in the south and the city in the north. Around it, there are the rooms with bathrooms, protected in contact with neighbours by a stainless-steel membrane. The lower floor contains a garage, a guest apartment with terrace, sauna and technical equipment.

The garden flows around the house, ascends to the cellar with a fireplace and culminates in a residential grotto sunk in the terrain above the terrace with a swimming pool. The house changed owners during construction and was finished thanks to the development of the original concept. The title refers to the name of the locality and to the passive standard of the house. The technological solution uses heat pump with two earth boreholes and low-temperature heating and air conditioning with recuperation.

Idea The idea of the house goes beyond its physical form and is built from the inside out on the principle of spatial connection with the environment from which it grows and which it overlooks. The concept is based on the relationship between the house and the city, the house and the garden, and the garden and the city. The relationship scheme is repeated inside the house. The interior communal part flowing through the entire house continues to the exterior and all the separate private parts have their own extroverted relationships. The visual appearance of the house is defined by its inner nature and the permeability of its physical body‘s (non) separation of the interior from the exterior. Privacy is maintained by facade membranes that allow the maximum view from the inside out, but reduces it from the outside in. To set it in the context of the garden and the city, the house uses material mimicry.

Context The house is seemingly situated outside the context of Baťa’s urbanism and its constructional and visual principles. However, the perception of Zlín is ubiquitous and defines the event horizon of the entire architectural concept through mutual visual contact. The site is part of a new urban area created by the conversion of the former allotment gardens, divided into six building sites and connected to the existing urban structure by a new road. The locality is connected to the Lazy residential district in the highest part on the slope, under the forest and above the Zlín valley. The site’s specific feature is its inverse orientation, with the view of the valley towards the north, and the southern part of the site affected by the slope and forest rising above the house. It offers an excellent view of the year-round sunlit valley. The house overlooks a large area of Zlín with typical green residential quarters, with family homes and the valley surrounded by the hills in the background.

The typological reference buildings the project emotionally draws on are the distinctive solitary villas situated in environments that offer unique views, such as “villa on a cliff” or “residence above the city”. It is the essential archetype of a house that benefits from the uniqueness of its location. In the topographic conditions of Zlín, the view from the house is analogous to the view of Mediterranean villas or Los Angeles residences.

Architectural design The house is designed as a compact solitaire on a square floor plan, with a slightly rotated layout, where the exterior follows the contour logic of the surrounding houses, while the interior turns towards the valley. The house consists of a lower floor base sunk into the slope and the prism of the main living floor attached to it. This makes it look like a single storey house from the south. The lower floor base is sunk into the ground and its wall with the garage entrance is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the site. The upper floor prism creates a dynamic overhang above the garage entrance. The motif of the layout rotation is repeated with the terrace space cut into the building’s volume. The green roof returns the missing part of the garden cut off by the house’s footprint and has a fully glazed roof studio on it. The main living space is concentrated on the upper floor and can be seen through from the garden to the city. Thanks to the layout rotation, it was possible to arrange the rooms around the perimeter while maintaining privacy and their own views.

The concept of the house allows changes in use corresponding to changing needs. The house is divided into individual parts, each with their own intimate relationship to the garden and the view, allowing a multi-generational arrangement with two separate guest sections with separate access on the entrance floor. The house uses the principle of aircraft camouflage; the main living floor is visually connected to the sky by dematerialization through mirroring and moiré facades and “levitates” on the Corten base sunk into the slope. From above, the green roof with the studio merges with the garden city, dotted with houses. The wine cellar, swimming pool with grotto, access area, fencing with entrance gate and dustbin box grow into the slope and merge with the garden. The garden flows smoothly around the house and creates hidden bays protected from the outside that allow panoramic views of the city. The open concept naturally achieves privacy thanks to the vegetation protecting the boundaries of the site.

Layout Access to the house is from the street through the gate and the entrance floor with garage, which allows separate access to the main living floor and to the guest apartment. The main living area is on the first floor and is accessible by a single-flight entrance staircase opening a view of the garden. The layout minimizes the need of corridors in favour of smooth living space. The zoning of the quiet and social parts is led from the centre of the layout to the sides. All of the quiet areas are accessible from the central social zone, and the parts for parents and children are separated. The social zone is a space with a kitchen, dining room and living room running through the house, which, thanks to its location, remains protected inside the layout. Around this central part, there are other rooms in corner positions around the perimeter of the layout so that they benefit either from the view of the city or from contact with the garden.

The house is visually permeable (from the inside out) through its north and south facades, while the east and west facades protect the privacy of the house from contact with neighbours and allow the view out and the sun in through the windows covered with stainless steel membrane and blinds. The parent’s zone consists of a bedroom connected by a walk-in wardrobe and a “secret” door to its own bathroom, the children’s zone has two children’s rooms with a bathroom and toilet between them.

The layout is complemented by a glazed study with bookshelves connected to the living area and the terrace through a glazed indoor garden and a pantry integrated into the built-in kitchen. The lower floor is concentrated around the two-car garage located in the middle of the floor plan, with both entrances to the house on the sides of the garage. The western part of the floor contains a guest apartment with a separate entrance that can be used for grandparents, visitors or teenagers. The apartment is designed as an open layout, centred on the social part, with kitchen, dining room and living room, and a separate bedroom with its own walk-in wardrobe, bathroom and separate toilet. The apartment has its own terrace with a separate garden.

Structure and materials The house uses its load-bearing structure as a skeleton, the insulation as muscles, heating as blood circulation, air conditioning as lungs and trachea, water distribution and sewerage as digestive system, wiring as nervous system and surface layers as skin, protecting the whole body and allowing its surface to breathe. The structure of the house consists of a reinforced concrete monolith insulated with high-performance thermal insulation in a layer corresponding to low-energy or passive buildings, visually faced with materials that naturally support the composition of the house.

The volume of the main living floor has a fully structurally glazed north and south facade with large format metallized triple glazing, while the facades facing the neighbours are made of a stainless-steel fabric covering the windows. Its silky shiny surface complements the reflection of the glass and creates a volatile moiré that blends in with the sky when viewed from the access road. The lower floor, including the garage door, is faced with pre-corroded Corten steel sheets with a distinctive rusty colour, which emotionally connects the house with the garden and materially with the entrance gate and garden elements.

The colours and materials used work with the semantic separation of the outside and the inside. The metal exterior contrasts with the wooden interior, consisting of large veneer facing, built-in furniture and solid floors. The dominant material of the walls, doors and built-in furniture is elm veneer facing, in combination with solid Iroko flooring. The overall impression is that of a continuous flow of space throughout the interior of the house.

This flow culminates in the individual layout epicentres using glazed elements rhythmizing the surface of the walls by the reflection of light, drawing the views from the large windows into the deeper parts of the interior. Bathrooms form the appendices of a flowing interior and the continuous perception is interrupted by entering into their spaces; each bathroom makes a specific impression. Details are subject to the house as a whole and its perceived “detaillessness” and disclosed tectonics of individual elements is suppressed in favour of the natural flow of the interior skin throughout the house.

The veneer follows the compactness of the wall surfaces, the sheets are laid so that there is no repetition and seamlessly connect on all edges and parts. The direction of the floor and terrace boards follows the house envelope and subtly draws attention to the tension between the two rectangular systems: the exterior and the interior. The atmosphere of the interior works with variability created by the tension between natural and modulated illumination and its intense changeability over time.

The artificial lighting is designed as an integral (and still autonomous) layer of the interior, based on a combination of direct and indirect light combined with the distinctive materials of the interior. The lights combine reflected “iridescent” light diffused by lenses with two-colour diffusion filters reflected from the ceiling and direct illumination with non-coloured light. The ceilings use a subtle retroreflective effect of pearlescent coat in shades fading from the centre of the layout towards its edges, into the individual bays of the interior. The house offers a multi-layer gradual separation of the interior from the exterior using membranes of curtains, drapes and screens, made of fabrics corresponding to the character of the walls with different light transmittance, from fine translucency to complete blackout.

Garden and exterior parts of the house The garden is designed as a smooth carpet. The natural dominant feature is the grotto with swimming pool, creating a covered exterior with a view of the valley. The pool is positioned so that its water level lies above the “level” of the house’s roof, which can be overlooked during swimming and perceived as connected to the garden city in the valley. The curved form of the grotto is composed of gradually rotated massive larch planks joined as formwork for a hidden reinforced concrete shell sunk in the terrain adjoining the grotto, creating a “cave” cut out of the garden hill. The stainless-steel pool uses an edge overflow with a gutter, copying the slope of the adjoining terrain and creating an endless surface effect.

The cover that keeps water temperature when the pool is not in use is hidden under a bench made of stainless-steel rods immersed in the pool. The cellar is an adaptation of the original brick vaulted cellar, a relic of the original allotment colony. It was complemented and equipped with an interior steel waxed shelves for bottles. The cellar’s roof is covered with Irish moss growing through reinforcing slate structure copying its smooth shape. Privacy is maintained by tall bamboo plants and grasses organically connected to the undulating terrain, which is complemented by several solitary woody plants selected with emphasis on their varied appearance during year. A separate thematic layer, which compositionally connects the house with the garden, is the house’s roof with a fully-glazed studio sunk slightly into its surface. When viewed from the studio, the green roof is perceived as its own “infinity” meadow that blends with the remote garden city.

Technical design The house is designed with an emphasis on connecting its architectural and spatial qualities with the currently available technological principles and achieves the parameters of low-energy to a passive standard. This, together with a reference to the topographical name of the site, led to the name Lazy house. The entire house has controlled ventilation with recuperation combined with underfloor heating connected to a heat pump with two earth boreholes located under the foundation slab of the house and reverse operation used for cooling in summer. Heating and cooling are low-temperature and imperceptible to the touch on the floors. Combined distribution with its own regulation heats the bathroom walls with towel rails and steel posts in the indoor garden. The exterior air conditioning inlet is led to the space next to the cellar at a non-freezing depth, which enables air temperature treatment even before the actual recuperation.

Ventilation distributions are led from the engine room under the garage ceiling and in the floor structures towards the exhaust outlets into the plenum boxes with the distribution through almost invisible slits in the edges where the floors meet the floor-to-ceiling windows. The recirculation works through the inlets in the bathroom ceilings and the slits between the ceiling and veneer panels. The glazed roof studio can be shaded using screen blinds and locally cooled by a unit hidden in the stairs to the terrace. The pool technology with filtration is located inside the house and uses free-flowing water collection from the pool gutters and its subsequent back pumping. The garden is irrigated by the subsurface groundwater and from a drilled well and a reservoir hidden in the space above the grotto. The active lightning conductor is located outside the house at the upper end of the garden behind the grotto, and covers the entire site.

Lazy House in Zlín, Southeastern Moravia – Building Information

Studio: petrjanda/brainwork Author Petr Janda, lead architect Contact E-mail info@petrjanda.com, petrjanda.brainwork@gmail.com Social media https://ift.tt/3lApPZ9 https://ift.tt/3ii5RjH

Project location: Zlín, Czech Republic

Project year: 2006-2020 Completion year: 2020 Built-up Area: 225 sqm Gross Floor Area: 400 sqm Usable Floor Area: 345 sqm Plot size: 1400 sqm

Products and Brands SUPPLIERS: Structure — AREA ZLÍN Glazing — AZ Glass Interior — EFF Floors — Rajmund Coufal Mosaic tiles — Los Kachlos HVAC — Active Elements Lights — ATEH Fireplace — J.Konečný (Krby Zlín) Gate — ELEKTRIFY Grotto — Truhlářství Obdržálek Swimming pool — BERNDORF BÄDERBAU Cellar — Jiří Stelšovský Cooperation on landscaping — Jitka Tomsová Garden — GARD&N PRODUCTS: Lights — Occhio Switches — ABB Handles Mini-V — M&T, www.kliky-mt.cz Handles — No-Ha Taps — Grohe Sanitary equipment — Duravit, Polysan

About studio We look for authenticity hidden in every task. We always start from scratch, trying to avoid usual architectural cliché and reinvent the core basics in slightly different shades and moods. Our approach is based on interconnecting physical and metaphysical layers of the project, resonating of form and content and engaging sculptural methods with the conceptual tendencies. We consider initiation of projects to be part of our work, reflecting not only architectural, but also programme, content and social aspects. We do not work with usual inspiration or archetypes.

For a long time, we have been using the subliminal method of nomadic thinking, which G. Deleuze and F. Guattari defined with this impressive metaphor: The nomad “sets out to the desert. He leaves the camp and starts a journey through the lands, watching the movements on sky. In the morning he leaves the territory towards a new land and in the evening, he re-settles each time he unfolds his carpet on it… These movements and processes are expressed by the rhythm of walking, which imprints the landscape in the pilgrim and vice versa. The nomad and the philosopher (and the architect), like all people, keep inside the lands in which they grew up, wandered and dreamed of.” Our projects are the result of such work; and our interpretations as authors stays mostly hidden giving space to every visitor for their own reading.

We have a wide range of projects, from art (memorials) to a non-traditional exhibition in the National Museum in Prague, underwater observatory in Norway and individual housing projects. We have just finished a significant project of Prague riverfront revitalisation.

Petr Janda is an architect and an artist. He graduated from the Faculty of architecture at Czech Technical University in Prague (School of prof. Jan Bočan) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (School of Monumental Art of prof. Aleš Veselý). In 2008 he founded his own studio petrjanda/brainwork. He frequently participates in architectural competitions and exhibitions (also as a jury member), he has won several awards (Grand Prix of Architects 2007, BigMat 13‘– Memorial to victims of communism in Liberec etc.). Between 2011 and 2014 he was a member of the board of Czech Chamber of Architects and a chairman of the Promotion of architecture working group. He has been engaged in revitalization of the Prague riverfront since 2009 and in 2017 he became the main architect of this area.

Photographers: Jakub Skokan, Martin Tůma / BoysPlayNice

Lazy House, Zlín Southeastern Moravia images / information received 020821

Location: Zlín, southeastern Moravia, Czech Republic, central eastern Europe

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