#the Sedona apartments

[marticoresims]

Townieville!

A little project that was supposed to be just for fun, but felt so cool I decided to give it a little more character, make it CC-free and share it.

I adore the original townies of the base game. At some point I noticed that some of the adults share similarities with teens and kids - so I figured out how to merge them into whole families, based on their shared face templates, genetics and/or last names. Sadly, some last names were lost in the process, so I kept a few of them alive in street names.

DOWNLOAD (SFS)

And there are two things that annoy me about this town. First, FIVE (5) Sims use the 7th face template (Marylena, Melissa, teen Ivy, Orlando and Chandler). Second, the names Ivy and Orlando are doubled. But well, they're townies originally!

There are 12 families, that's quite a lot for a starting neighborhood, but many of them are single Sims (often single parents), so they have the potential to merge.

The families:

Bendett-LeTourneau Marisa Bendett and her daughters Sophie and Meadow, Brandi LeTourneau and her kids Alvin and Chloe.

GilsCarbo Goopy GilsCarbo is married to Marylena Hamilton (now GilsCarbo) and they have a teenage daughter named Ivy.

Cox Kennedy, Melissa and their two sons: Orlando and Chandler. They own a dog named Otis. Chandler is not Kennedy's biological son, see Melissa's memories for details.

Copur Ivy Copur and her roommate Abhijeet Deppiesse.

Tellerman Jan living alone, next door to her brother Komei.

Tellerman Komei, Christy and their daughter Brittany. There's a new baby on the way!

Centowski Orlando and Ricky living alone as teenagers after both their parents passed away.

Sims Benjamin Cox (Kennedy's brother), his fiancé Amin Sims, and their cat Heidi.

Sims Joe Sims (Amin's brother) and his daughter Marsha.

Lillard Brandon and his a lot younger sister Tosha.

Hogan Andrea and her teenage son Randy.

Bruty Sandy.

Other population notes: Anything other than the Pleasantview game folder has been cleared out of character files, so there are no vanilla pets, social groups, garden club members etc. All service Sims are Maxis because they belong in the Pleasantview folder. The only typically Maxis pets are Otis and Heidi that are replicas of the original adoption pool pets made in CAS. Other pets have been spawned completely fresh. Since the townies are now playables, I made a few townie children, teens and adults. They are CAS Bin Sims. There's also the founder Sim that I needed as the first playable to spawn all the townies on the lot (his name is Deighton Freeman) and Nerissa Bee who's supposed to be the clothing store owner. This neighborhood has no subhoods. Feel free to add them if needed.

Genetics I fixed all "dyed hair" genetics, so e.g. Brandi LeTourneau now has brown hair genetically. I also gave everyone recessive genes, so they're not homozygous.

Townieville landscape: Made on the Sedona map but in lush, the town gives (as one of my viewers pointed out) the Blue Ridge Mountains vibe! So it could be located in North Carolina or Virginia.

All the houses are Maxis, just furnished by me. Some of them have been reconstructed on the inside so the families have enough space. Four families live in an apartment building that I built from scratch.

There are many needed community lots: a town pool, a clothing store, a convenience store, a game arcade, a tiny bistro, a park, a graveyard. Some of them are built by me and some are Maxis lots from the bin (often edited by me). There's also a lake beach on the hill, close to the Sims family.

The town revolves around a big hospital building where Brandi and Marisa work as doctors.

VERSION 2!!! Townieville's download has been updated. I edited some Sims' age* and gave them fewer skills (looked more closely into all Sims in that matter). Also the Hogan family didn't have a phone and a working kitchen counter because duhh. If you haven't started playing yet before 30 Sep 2024, I recommend redownloading! Actually, 17 October is the PROPER download. On 30 Sep I uploaded my already played neighborhood due to confusing folders 😅

*at first, I managed their age according to my custom lifespan, but then decided to go all Maxis, especially that it looked as if some Sims weren't aging (they were, but the age display didn't show any progress because it can only go so far as 29 days away).

DOWNLOAD (SFS)

Hope you like it! Happy Simming!

Credits: SimsWiki, because the hell would I remember everyone's eye color lmao

[idontknowmygender]

Say it with me: DOUBLE EXPOSURE IS NOT CANON

Pricefield survives and they go around town to grab supplies after the storm (including that Prescott cash). They find a soccer mom van and Chloe supes it up and takes out the two very back seats so they can fit a mattress in there. They call it Vanzilla. Max gets a job as a photographer whenever they make a pit stop in Sedona, AZ and Chloe gets a job as a mechanic. Pricefield gets an apartment whenever they can afford it and right after Chloe proposed they got a call from Joyce who had somehow survived and was now able to go to their wedding. Seeing as they were about to get married Chloe took on a second job at an aquarium as the mermaid that does birthdays and Max visits her all the time, sometimes because Chloe intentionally left her lunch at home just to see Max.

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

Scissors in the Sink || Sedona + Echo || May, 2025

Echo: From the bathroom, Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine pulsed through the air

Echo stood in front of the mirror, barefoot on the cool tile, drowning in an old t-shirt that hung loose against her frame. Her long white hair spilled over one shoulder like moonlight.

She’d been staring at her reflection for a while now.

The first cut was quiet.

The shears trembled slightly in her grip, but she didn’t hesitate. Pale strands slid down to the counter, catching in the sink.

Another cut. Then another.

Sedona: Sedona was asleep on his stomach. Not usually his position. He knew no such thing as pain, but still, he was most comfortable on his back. A living, breathing pillow for his favorite girl. That must have been why. Without her, he often curled in on himself.

The immortal sat up on all fours, turning like a cat in search of his familiar. Bathroom or kitchen were the only options. She didn't converse much with their neighbors, though he was certain everyone would adore her, she never strayed too far from his arms.

Oh well. He needed the toilet and a shower. He hauled himself to his feet, looking for his phone to check the time, only to find it gone.

Most people were asleep or working at this late hour. He shuffled to the bathroom with his key, deciding last second to knock.

"Babe?"

Echo: Fingers slid through the strands again, watching them fall in uneven tufts at her feet. It was lopsided, shapeless, still half-long on one side. Was she doing it right? Probably not. But she couldn’t stop. The sting in her nose crept in again, eyes cast low as another lock slipped down into the sink.

Florence had given way to something else, something with more beat, the lyrics in…what was that? French? She’d stolen Sed’s phone to use Spotify, balancing it precariously on the edge of the counter.

Another cut. Then another.

She didn’t hear his footsteps. Then the sudden knock on the door startled her. Not wise to do with scissors, and a sharp little hiss from the other side of the door greeted Sedona.

She thought he was asleep. She’d made sure of it. The whole complex was quiet, except for her and her late-night haircut.

Sedona: No answer, but that was her voice on the other side. Her music easily heard.

He clasped his hand to his chest. He didn't know why. At first, he didn't understand the feeling, realizing the source came from the other side of the door.

"Babygirl, what's up?"

Echo: The taste of iron lingered faintly as she pulled her finger from her mouth, already forgotten. The ache in her chest was quieter now, though not gone. Just…muted. Buried beneath the final cuts to her hair with scissors and the thrum of the music. She could pretend, for now, that everything was okay.

The door creaked open, and she stood there barefoot, uneven hair brushing against her jaw, finger still red at the tip.

“…Hi.”

Sedona: Sedona stood there in his jeans, bare feet and chest, unaware of the draft sweeping through the apartment. His skin had goosefleshed, and he was certain these sensations were because of his familiar. Her silence and hesitation concerned him more than a chill in spring.

He had yet to break his silence. Her greeting felt like that of a child, and his concern had yet to break. It wasn't the hair that stilled him, but why she felt the need to hide.

Quietly, he took the scissors from her hand. Rather than toss them, he slipped his fingers between the holes. He straightened her hair with his fingers, looking for misplacements.

He started on her left side, near her jaw, a few strands of hair an inch too long. He wasn't about to disfigure her into a straight bob, but a little control to her chaos.

"You happy with it?"

Echo: She didn’t flinch when he took the scissors. Didn’t step back either, just stood still as his fingers moved through what was left of her hair. Her arms slowly loosened from her chest, and she watched him through the mirror.

There was something tender in the way he handled it. It made something in her ache again.

“I think so,” she whispered, voice soft. “Didn’t really plan it. Just... didn’t wanna look like her anymore.”

That part slipped out too, and her eyes darted to his, as if realizing she’d said too much.

“You don’t have to fix it.”

Sedona: The scissors were cast aside in the sink. His hands on his knees, still hunched as he looked her in the eyes, trying to understand what he couldn't hear in his mind.

"Like... you?" Not disgust or bewilderment. The man standing before her was the same as yesterday, moving with the flow of current until achieving understanding.

Echo: Her eyes dropped. First to the sink where the scissors clattered, then to the tile between them. She shook her head.

“Like my mistress.”

She shifted, tugging her sleeves down over her palms until her hands disappeared, fingers twisting in the hem. When she finally looked back up, her eyes were glossy.

“I think I hated her. For making me like this. For leaving me.”

Then she folded inward. A small collapse as she dropped into a squat, hugging her knees tight to her chest and burying her face there.

“Echo was good,” she whispered. “Echo was so good. So why… why did she leave?”

Sedona: She had only ever spoken positively of her mistress in the past, and yet, there had been something... tight in her throat at her mention. He hadn't felt an inkling to pry. If she wanted to tell him something, she would have been given the same look as now, open and unbothered by whatever confession she decided. Her glossy eyes, her soft revelations now were taken by the ounce.

And soon he was on his knees in front of her, resting his ass on his ankles, showing in his own way his dedication.

"She do it on purpose? Or was it, like... an accident?"

He understood the sentiment. The distaste for the face staring back in the mirror. But did she know that he knew?

"You know, my hair used to be long. Like my daddy. Had that ol' rat tail in the back. When he died, I chopped it with a knife. Then after that, I just buzzed it off."

His fingers brushed the tips of her hair.

"Echo is the best. The best there ever was."

Echo: She didn’t lift her head right away, but his voice nudged at the edge of her quiet. Her brows pinched, and her fingers pressed into her sleeves as if she could fold herself smaller still.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled, voice muffled against her knees. “She just… never came back. Maybe she thought I’d be fine. Maybe she thought I wasn’t worth it.”

That last part hung heavy, unspoken for too long. But she didn’t take it back.

His story had her blinking back tears. Her head tilted just enough to glance at him, her cheek still pressed against her arm. His fingers in her hair made her push her head into his hand.

She sniffed and rubbed at the corner of her eyes to wipe away any tears that threatened to spill.

“You’re biased."

Sedona: "So was she, you know. She just never came back," he echoed. "You dunno what happened. I think I do. Only death would keep her from you, baby."

Slowly, he scooted himself forward an inch.

"Ever thought maybe that's why you with me? Tear my heart out, I'll bounce right back. Only thing to keep me from you is a cage."

Echo: Her lips parted, just slightly. Like she meant to speak but the words caught.

Death. That had to be it, hadn’t it? The drow could have lived to a ripe old age, but she wasn’t the type to sit still. Wasn’t the type to put her familiar in harm’s way either. He was right. And somehow, that made it worse because there’d be no closure now. No answer. Just the ache of not knowing.

Her fingers twitched against her knees before she slowly unfurled one hand, reaching for his. Her thumb brushing against the back of his knuckles.

She leaned forward with a small breath and touched her forehead to his.

“And I’ll break you out. Promise.”

Sedona: His forehead pressed to hers, breathing in slowly, exhaling a little of the tension he believed to be hers. He wondered briefly why it was she hadn't come to him, but she was entitled to her privacy, her private angst, tears, and contemplations. They shared so much. Some things had to be sacred. But she wasn't alone. He didn't want her to feel alone. That would defeat the purpose of their bond.

He really had come to accept the terms and conditions of their relationship. He smiled, pushed that thought forward.

"Wanna get some pancakes and bacon?"

Echo: Her shoulders shifted with a faint smile. The weight hadn’t lifted, but the offer cracked through the fog in her head like morning sun through blinds. Her fingers tightened around his.

She didn’t lift her face yet. Just nodded, her voice muffled against him.

“Only if you let me steal half your vegan bacon.”

Finally, she looked at him and reached up to gently cradle his face between her hands, feeling his thoughts. Leaning in, she carefully stole his lips in a kiss.

“I need pants.”

[imaginespazzi]

Bestie hello!

Omg yes! I dont even know how to really encapsulate it, but Pazzi from the natty to now has pretty much been fever dream fanfic level. Guess long story short its all I wouldve hoped to see for them. Good really does come to good, and love is a beautiful thing huh.

Ok ok enough sap from me. Draft picks talk (off the cuff reaction): Winners of the day to me- DAL, SEA, WAS, CONN. Did you have some fav looks from the night? Apart from the girls I have to compliment Kiki, Madison Scott, Shy, Dom, and HVL. And a hooray for Sedona not being a draft pick! Things you love to see.

Sweet suffering Jesus, I cant believe I teased about the Amoore to Aces thing to the point that she ended up with my Mystics. Karma doesnt fool around ha. No doubt Liz felt a whole lotta relief! Watching them go against each other (possibly..if they get minutes that match up) will be soo intriguing. I did see that Liz generally acknowledged Georgia being selected w an insta story. Also the other week I just had to laugh when Kitley posted that she was reading 'Normal People' and said "ab to get dangerously introspective".

Mixed feeling on GA selection itself. Plenty of upside, respect her game, but feels a reach at #6. Though maybe easier for WAS to take a swing considering that they had two other first round picks.. Amoore just couldnt help herself ha, and honestly I get the fangirling a bit. Now Georgia- please hear me out. Youre now done w college and entering the professional realm/real world. So lets be on our best behavior. Seriously, for the love of all that is good, I need a happy/cohesive locker room environment in DC.

Lol very much unhinged free agency vibes for the end of this college wbb season. Should be interesting to find out all the final landing spots. Ill be curious to see if theres ever any chatter on reasoning behind some of the mass departures we've seen from schools that had really successful seasons.

-☕️

HI BESTIE <3

No fr fr like it's been better than anything anyone could write like they've always been a fairytale but their story has somehow gotten even better?

LMFAO the world said YOU cannot escape Georgia and brought her as close to you as possible. But happy for Liz, my sweet angel still being cordial as ever, getting to escape. But I know Georgia's gonna be happy as hell when Azzi pops up to a mystics game, that girl's clearly a Fudd fan (she's gotta be careful tho cause Paige is 6'0 and she's tiny)

Yeah I think for Washington, after they got Soni, they could take a bit of a gamble and Georgia has immense upside. The main worry is the height but she's obviously a great player other than that.

Just complete chaos for sure and I do think Geno and CD probably deserve more credit for how they've managed to keep their key roster together in these transfer portal times.

[mamasrecipebook]

Sataraš

this is a traditional Bosnian vegetable dish, usually served over rice. i usually serve it with brown rice, which takes 40 minutes to cook. i put the rice on the stove first, and both are usually done right around the same time.

this can be made vegan by omitting or substituting the whipping cream (its primary purpose is to counteract the acidity of the tomatoes). i'm sure there are many variations of it, but this is the one i grew up with. note that the eggplant is an important addition - i personally don't like eggplant, but i will not make this dish without it.

ingredients

4-6 bell peppers (i like having multiple colors for the visual), roughly chopped (you want big chunks here, not diced)

2 small to medium or 1 very large tomato, roughly chopped

1 large (or two smaller) onion(s), chopped

1 small eggplant, skin-on if possible (if it's not organic, then probably peel it), cut into slices about the width of a finger (idk probably 1.5cm or 3/4 of an inch or so)

a handful of flour (any kind should work, i use whole wheat all purpose)

Vegeta (Croatian spice mix, available at international food stores and amazon if you're in the US) - probably one tablespoon-ish? i don't really measure, i just throw it in there. can always add more after a taste test. note that Vegeta includes salt, so don't also add salt.

olive oil and whipping cream (or milk, in a pinch)

steps:

clean and chop the veggies and heat some olive oil (medium-high) in a deep pan or large-ish pot (i make this in my Sedona 7.5qt non-stick wok with a glass lid which i bought for super cheap and is my absolute favorite. i was going to link to it on macy's website, but apparently it is no longer available. but if you ever see it out in the wild, it is hands down the best cooking vessel i've ever used.)

saute onion until soft and translucent. you can do this while chopping the bell peppers. if it starts to burn, add a tiny bit of water.

add bell peppers and saute for a couple minutes, while chopping tomato

add tomatoes, stir, lower to medium heat and let simmer while you do the next step

in a separate pan, heat up some olive oil on medium high, then press one side of each eggplant slice into the flour, then fry them, floured-side down for a couple of minutes - until the fried side darkens a little. it's important for the oil to be very hot before you put the eggplant in, or else it will just soak it all up.

back to your main pot, add the vegeta and a splash of whipping cream, stir thoroughly. at this point the peppers and tomato should be pretty soft and starting to meld together.

layer the eggplant slices, fried side up, on top of the other veggies, then cover with a lid and simmer on medium-low heat for 15-ish minutes, until everything is soft and cooked through

stir everything together - the eggplant should pretty much fall apart and integrate easily into the rest.

serve over rice!

[books-in-a-storm]

Paranormal Star Review

Title: Dragon Goddess #3 Unexpected Heat

Author: Sedona Ashe

Pages: 218

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)

Synopsis:

Things are falling apart. I’ve been betrayed and captured, but that’s not even the worst part… I’m in heat. Three hundred years early.

When I get my hands on those who betrayed me, I’m going to punt their butts over the dang moon! First, though, I need to work on escaping this dungeon while also surviving the torture by the traitors trying to steal my power.

Idiots . Just wait until I get my hands on a blade.

After merging with Beasty, I was left struggling to handle the onslaught of power as my dragon instincts spun out of control. I’ve been betrayed by someone I trusted, and now I’m being held in a dungeon straight out of a movie.

To make matters worse, I’m in heat . My early heat—300 years early, to be exact. Without my yummy mates to ease the heat, the dragon’s instinct to mate is becoming unbearable. Between the torture and the heat, my body is growing weaker with each passing day. How much longer before the heat makes me lose control?

The only one showing me any kindness is the mysterious pointy-eared guard… but what exactly is he? And can I take another mate without knowing anything about him? If I want to survive, I may have to take another mate before I become too weak to escape. It’s not just my life that is at stake. I might have someone else needing my protection now…

When I finally get free, there will be no more suppressing my powers. I will never be held captive or separated from my mates again. I will emerge an avenging Queen ready to take back her kingdom.

With the roaring ocean and flashing lightning responding to my commands, nothing will stop this goddess! The Dragoness of the Sea has awakened.

I’m going to get revenge. I’m going to win, no matter the cost. If you are in my way, you better move. Because nothing is going to stop me. Nothing .

This queen’s coming for her crown.

[baltimorebullets]

me: damn . wish the amphetamine salts actually did anything

me at 12:25 am having miscalculated my bedtime: i need a new tattoo and chicken tendies and the book sedonas and the book sunrises and the purple books (not sunset) and a different tattoo and sega wot and celeste (video game) and a new apartment and a new wardrobe and some decent goddamn cookies why are they so hard to FIND and

[bewitchingbaker]

☤ - self care/first aid habits

It's 2:30pm on Saturday.

The sun shines on Sedona and it's citizens. People have begun grocery shopping, kids are loudly making plans for the local theatre to beat the heat and it's seniors are making their way home as the sun has gotten too powerful. Even Luna's Moonlight Delights has the A/C on blast in between serving it's customers.

Curiosly, one member of the fam is missing.

Chris Luna is at home as he had taken the day off. He had been putting in overtime the past 3 months with his family as well as taking care of any of their leftover paranormal issues so he earned some time to himself.

In the small one bedroom apartment, from a his small sound system the beautiful voice of Janis Joplin blessed the apartment walls. The baker could be heard humming along as he finishes his shower. Those massive hands finish rinsing out the last of his conditioner from his curls and beard.

Thank the Gods for his mother's levitation magic, as he's able to turn off the shower and get his towel without having to grope his way around. Once the his towel drapes itself around his waist, he steps out of the bathroom. Upon closer inspection, one could spot his face wash, moisturizer, silk bandana and finally his lotion following behind him.

With a content sigh he plops on the couch, eyes looking over the face mask, rolling tray and the new Giallo boxset he's ordered. With Quas and Dee fast asleep, he smiles at the wonderful day of nothing he has planned.

[ @brooklynislandgirl ]

[tonguetyd]

Hey, sorry i'm a bit late for the ask game but 📷, 🙃 and 🧸 ? ^^

Not late at all!!

📷 What’s set as your phone’s lockscreen?: both my lockscreen and my home screen are photos I took out in Sedona Arizona cuz it was a *beautiful* place, lock is the sunset (all pink clouds) and then homescreen is the night sky with stars and constellations and stuff

🙃 What’s a weird fact that you know?: there’s this thing we measure in electricity called resistance, and it’s basically like what stops making electrical circuits go (think like a plug stopping water currents) and we measure that in ohms, right? Well the fun fact is that the OPPOSITE of resistance is reactance, and we measure THAT…in mhos. Because it’s the opposite of ohms. We’re very creative us engineers 😂

🧸 Favorite place to nap?: MY COUUUUUUCH. The couch from my apartment is like my top 10 favorite places, it’s so comfy, I love it so much, I can’t wait til I’m back out in my own space and can just lay on it all day

Thank you for the ask!!!

[sylvinuk-turkey]

We arrived at 1a to our hotel, in the rain. It is a room in a cave which is cool. But we didn’t spend much time enjoying the room, as we were tired and also knew we would need to wake up at 7:30a the next day.

Our guide and taxi driver (two separate people) met us at 9a at the hotel. Due to Gokay’s dad being famous in the tourism industry here, somehow his mom and dad convinced the dean of the local tourism school to have one of the grad students give us a two-day personal tour of the area.

He was very knowledgeable, speaks both Turkish and English, and was all around a lovely 30-year-old who’s getting married in 24 days! Had to share his “meet-cute.” His fiancé was on one of his tours, they connected on social media because he thought she was cute. After 2 years of conversing on social media, he asked her on a date… they live 12 hours (driving) apart from each other!

Luckily, it was cloudy but not raining this morning. So, we started at Devrent, a rock formation on the side of the road, which the guide called “imagination valley” because you can see a variety of shapes (e.g. camel and Virgin Mary) in the rock formations aka “fairy chimneys.”

Then we went to two sites, Zelve and Pasabaglari which were both government protected, so we paid to get in. But they were incredible! This area was covered in ash by 3 volcanoes at least 9 million years ago, which created this easy to carve, sandstone. Hence the cave hotels, and also these amazing sites of formations formed by air, water and change in temperature as well as caves dug into the rocks. If you’ve ever been to the indigenous sites near Sedona, it’s similar.

After that we went to a local pottery workshop (Alaaddin), where learned about the pottery of the region and the two types of clay they use. First red terracotta, from the river bottom. And the second was a white clay they mixed with quartz to make it strong. We got to try using their foot powered pottery wheel, with a pottery master, to make terracotta bowls. This was Gokay’s first time doing pottery!

We took a nice walk down the river walk, and then headed to lunch, at an old “kervansaray” (Caravan Palace for the music fans out there). An old inn to bring animals to and stay as a stop during a long journey. We had a fixed menu of soup, borek/appetizers, an entre with meat and rice, and then a fruit dessert. Can’t forget to mention the local wine. Due to the ash this region is great for growing wine grapes.

During lunch it started pouring but somehow the rest of the afternoon we were lucky because we were inside or in caves while it was raining and walking outside when it wasn’t.

We spent the afternoon seeing more caves and rock formations. We saw an old church built into a hill side with old frescos. This church was not government protected, so it was not in great shape. It was under someone’s current cave house that was also a cafe we had tea at as it poured rain.

Next we saw the famous “love valley” which has the most phalic shaped fairy chimneys. It was amazing because it cleared up enough for us to see one of the younger volcanoes of the region covered in snow.

We finished our day at Ortahisar looking out on the large fairy chimney has previously been a castle, because it’s so easily guarded. Sadly, a lot of it has collapsed.

We needed a nap at the end of this long day, but we went out to the local town of Urgup near our hotel and had a local dinner at “Cappadocia restaurant.” It was recommended by the guide and it was yummy.

We were going to do a balloon ride early tomorrow but with the possible rain, it got moved to Wednesday morning, so we have a chill night and tomorrow morning before we go around again.

[virajsingh11]

My Love! ♥️💫

"The thing is, even if I wanted to forget you, I'll never be able to forget the first time my soul was ever touched by someone else. I'd have to rewind the cosmos to a time and place when I was nothing but floating particles of a dying star shedding its last remaining bit of light and significance. I wonder if you ever feel my hands on you as I feel yours on me when there's only breaths exiting a single mouth in a room. I wonder if you still wrap yourself around a pillow before falling asleep to feel comfort in a softness only we had. I remember opening your legs for the first time, and in that moment, I never wanted them to close again. You were every rock formation in Sedona and every redwood tree in California. You were the earth to me, allowing my damaged parts to be a home for all of what you meant to me, and still mean to me today. I struggle to find the right days to add texture to our movements in a past life, but it's a sacred place only we know of, which makes conveying these intricate thoughts even more potent to write out loud. There's never been an absence of you. You've walked with me since the first time I picked you up and laid you down on the bed where we both were feigning for the other's nakedness. You're an incessant exploration of moans and biting flesh, of thoughtful ravaging and comforting pain all in the same act of surrendering to me. I remember the way your eyes closed after I removed your shirt. I remember the way you'd lift your skirt up just enough to show the red you were wearing for me. It was a carnal instinct between us. Something beyond a kiss here and there. Something more than open hands and fingers moving along the inside of your thighs and yours guiding mine further down the front of you. We orchestrated infinities, but time is undefeated when it comes to separating what was never meant to be split apart to begin with. When I think of you, I don't need to close my eyes. I simply stare off into a void where you continue your heavy breathing, and my eyes stay transfixed on the way you could move for me without us saying a single word by the time we finished. But the thing is, we never finished. We never will."

-Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

🌹♥️🌹

[fitlmedia]

🏜️ Packing and Moving Services in Arizona – Why Making Moves Matter

Packing and Moving Services in Arizona

Hey Arizona movers and dreamers! Whether you're heading to the sunny suburbs of Scottsdale, the desert beauty of Tucson, or making a fresh start in Phoenix, there's one universal truth: moving is a big deal. At Making Moves Matter, we believe every transition should be smooth, safe, and meaningful—because your move isn't just about boxes… it's about beginnings.

In this post, let’s explore how professional packing and moving services in Arizona can save you time, protect your valuables, and keep the stress levels low—even under the sizzling desert sun.

🌵 Why People Are Moving in Arizona

Arizona is booming with opportunity. From tech hubs to retirement communities, people are moving in and around the Grand Canyon State for a lot of reasons:

Affordable housing (especially compared to California and Nevada)

Growing job markets in cities like Phoenix, Mesa, and Chandler

Scenic beauty and outdoor lifestyles (hello, Sedona sunsets!)

Retirement havens with warm weather and low property taxes

But while Arizona’s future looks bright, moving there—or even within state lines—can feel overwhelming. That’s where professional moving companies come in.

📦 The Truth About DIY Moves (And Why You Might Regret It)

Sure, renting a truck and grabbing a few friends sounds like the budget-friendly way to go. But reality check: that move may cost more than just your time. Here's what often goes wrong with DIY moves:

Injuries from lifting heavy furniture without the right technique

Damaged items due to poor packing or vehicle jostling

Unexpected costs, from fuel and rentals to broken electronics

Unpredictable delays when help flakes or truck rentals fall through

Instead, hiring trusted packing and moving experts gives you peace of mind—and a plan that sticks.

🛠️ What to Expect from Arizona’s Top Moving Services

Let’s break it down. A reputable moving company doesn’t just load boxes into a truck. They provide full-scale support, tailored to your needs. Here’s what you should expect from quality movers in Arizona:

1. Custom Packing Solutions

Not everything fits in a cardboard box. Movers bring:

Specialty padding for fragile items like TVs and mirrors

Custom crates for art or heirlooms

Eco-friendly packing options for the conscious customer

2. Local and Long-Distance Moves

Whether you're moving across town or from another state, professional movers know the best routes, local ordinances, and how to handle Arizona’s climate during transport.

3. Climate-Conscious Handling

Arizona heat is no joke. Professional movers use:

Climate-controlled trucks (for sensitive items like instruments or electronics)

Moisture-blocking wraps to prevent desert dust damage

Staging strategies to protect items from the sun during loading/unloading

4. Furniture Disassembly + Assembly

Bulky items? No problem. Movers bring the tools and know-how to:

Disassemble beds, couches, and desks

Reassemble everything efficiently at your new location

Ensure nothing gets scratched or lost in the process

🛡️ Is It Safe to Use a Moving Company?

Safety first—always. Reputable movers in Arizona are:

Licensed and insured (check USDOT numbers and AZ registration)

Background-checked and trained

Transparent about pricing, timelines, and your rights as a customer

When you work with trusted providers (like us at Making Moves Matter), you don’t just get muscle—you get accountability.

💰 How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in Arizona?

Moving costs vary based on:

Distance of the move (local vs. long-distance)

Size of your home and number of items

Services requested (full packing, specialty item care, etc.)

💡 Pro Tip: Ask for a free quote and make sure it includes:

Hourly labor rates

Packing material fees

Mileage or fuel surcharges

Any potential overtime charges

🚛 What Sets Making Moves Matter Apart?

At Making Moves Matter, we believe moving isn’t just a service—it’s a transition that deserves respect. Here's what makes us different:

✅ Arizona Experts – We know the cities, streets, and weather quirks of AZ ✅ Care-First Approach – Every item is packed like it’s our own ✅ Clear Communication – No hidden fees or surprise delays ✅ Support for Seniors & Families – Compassionate teams who go the extra mile ✅ Flexible Scheduling – Because life doesn’t always fit into a box

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Real People, Real Moves: Client Love

“Making Moves Matter turned our stressful Phoenix-to-Tucson move into something easy and even enjoyable. They showed up early, packed everything perfectly, and even helped us set up our new living room. Worth every penny.” — Jess + Carlos M.

“I was worried about my grandmother’s antique collection. They brought custom crates, kept everything secure, and were so gentle with her. Five stars!” — Monique L.

✨ Final Thoughts: Your Arizona Move Can Be Seamless

Don’t let the fear of moving stop you from starting fresh. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating for work, or just need a change of scenery, Making Moves Matter is here to help.

From the first taped box to the final set-up in your new space, we’re committed to making your move stress-free, safe, and smooth. After all, your next chapter deserves a strong start.

📲 Ready to Make Your Move?

Let’s talk! Visit makingmovesmatter.com or DM us here to get your free quote and expert consultation.

We move Arizona with heart—and your move matters to us.

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

Tepid Waters || Ariel + Echo + Sedona || February 2nd, 2025

Ariel: Ariel had fallen asleep on the couch again. He'd only intended to rest his eyes until Sedona arrived. A headache was slowly creeping up on him. His fault for staring at a screen for hours. Sedona had been called because he wanted someone to go over his new album again. It was a simple question: did it vibe or didn't it? The only answers he would accept were by those outside of the industry.

So, for now, he slept. Carl Cox thrumming away like a heartbeat on the surround sound, oblivious to the door being opened.

Echo: Echo pushed the door open quietly, slipping into the apartment, music pulsing through the room. She paused for a moment, scanning the familiar layout and catching sight of Ariel sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. A mischievous grin made way onto her face.

Sed had told her to go up ahead, and she figured she’d wait like a normal person…for all of two seconds. She could introduce herself, and well…he hadn’t specified how that would happen between the familiar and the DJ, but she had an idea. One that had stemmed from the first time she had been here.

Tiny paws touched the cool floor, and she scampered forward, darting across the space with barely a whisper of sound.

Climbing the couch was easy, her movements carrying her up the fabric and along the back. From her perch, she paused, whiskers twitching as she observed the sleeping DJ below. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and she tilted her head, debating how far she could take this before Sed showed up.

Sliding down the couch carefully, she hopped onto his torso, her weight so light it barely would disturb him. She crept forward, paws pressing gently against his shirt as she made her way up to his chest. Settling herself there, she sat down, her little tail curling around her.

Her beady eyes locked onto his face as she leaned in, close enough to feel the faint warmth of his breath. Would he wake up to the sensation of tiny whiskers brushing against his skin? Or the weight of her stare?

Ariel: Oftentimes, music bled into his dreams. Carl Cox was relatively smooth, oftentimes giving him dreams of chateaus at twilight and the color blue. A bit of a mercy, considering the hell he was about to experience. Just five more minutes of ignorance and bliss, before something felt... off. Intuition was strong enough that he began to shift in his sleep, sending the little mouse along for the ride. Something that weighed roughly an ounce was hardly a boulder on his chest, but his eyes eventually opened.

And then the screaming began. Every action that followed rode the waves of instinct. From smacking the critter with the back of his hand to pulling his shirt up and off to use as a weapon, to standing on his couch, attempting to stand on the back of it.

It was then Sedona walked through the door, phone still in hand, looking utterly confused at the chaos until he remembered his babygirl had -

wait a minute. Last he saw his babygirl, she was human, and last he checked, Ariel wasn't scared shitless of women.

"What you done do to my girl?"

"What?!"

Echo: The world spun, and Echo had just enough time to register Ariel’s sudden shift beneath her before a sharp, instinctual smack sent her airborne. The sound of her squeak was drowned by his screaming, and as she sailed toward the TV.

She hit the screen with a sharp thud, the impact rattling through her tiny frame, and for one disorienting moment, everything blurred. Then came the shift—her limbs elongated, fur receded, and with a whoosh of displaced air, she was human again, sprawled awkwardly on the floor between the ottoman and the entertainment center.

“Ow…” she groaned, pressing a hand to her head as she tried to reorient herself.

“Seriously?! You flung me like a damn frisbee!”

Ariel: Ariel looked from where a mouse had been, to his best friend and back. His wide chest rose and fell in rapid succession, brows tight and unamused.

"Your what? What?" He wasn't crazy. There had been a mouse! The little white demon from before. The one they agreed was probably someone's pet.

"Who are you? What?"

"You done fried his brain. He short-circuited."

Echo: Echo exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders as she tried to shake off the residual sting from getting yeeted across the room. She looked between Ariel and Sed, fighting back a grin at the sheer bewilderment plastered across the DJ’s face.

“Does he always take off his clothes like this?”

The familiar’s attention returned to Ariel, her grin softening as she leaned a little closer, resting her weight on the ottoman.

“You’ve met me before.”

She gave him a second to process that.

“Echo. His mouse.”

Sedona: "Well, yeah. He's gonna finish you off. You know, like a towel-snap." And he could hazard a guess where she'd planted herself. If a bug so much as touched his hand it was going under hot water. On his foot? That shoe was flying across the apartment.

"Did you slip me something in my sleep?"

"Dude, you work for a fuckin' bloodsucker. But oh, no, we've gone too far."

"You're real?"

Echo: She leaned forward as she watched him.

"C'mon, you’ve seen weirder. I know you have." Her head tilted playfully.

The familiar moved to stand up, dusting herself off before extending a hand toward the ghoul.

"Go on," she teased, smirking. "Poke me. Make sure I’m not a hallucination. I promise I won’t bite."

Ariel: Just the offer of her hand was enough for him to jump back, shoulder touching the wall. It had Sedona laughing in the kitchen, turning his back to the pair long enough to grab a drink from the fridge door.

"So you're, like, a weremouse?"

The immortal threw his head back and laughed again.

Echo: Echo chuckled softly as she looked over at Sed, her smile widening as his laughter filled the kitchen. Useless immortal.

Weremouse?

Interesting first guess, but she shook her head.

“Familiar,” she corrected, her hand dropping to her side.

Ariel’s antics aside, Echo was starting to crave a little space—and maybe a snack. With a graceful pivot, she drifted toward the kitchen bar, wondering if there was anything worth snagging that she could munch on.

“Have you never met one?”

Ariel: Their host inched into a squat on the couch. He fanned out his shirt and took a breath, slowly slipping it back on. To toss it out entirely would probably be insulting.

"What's a familiar."

"Pretend like he knows nothin' at all. He don't."

Fingers brushed over over forearm as they passed each other. He wouldn't ask if she was ok. She wasn't bleeding.

Echo: Her gaze followed Sed, appreciating the little token of affection, her fingers reaching to brush against his in reciprocation before turning her attention to the cabinets. She rummaged through them like she lived there, already making herself at home.

“Soooo, no,” she answered herself, glancing over her shoulder at Ariel before continuing her search.

“I’m not from here,” she added, pulling open a cabinet.

“Came from a place called Sidra'Val. It’s in a different world, different plane, but an arch fae in the fae wilds brough me to something called the Umbra—and now poof. New York.”

She sighed when the cabinet turned up empty. Drawers next.

“A familiar is a companion to their master or mistress, usually helping with their magic.” She nudged a drawer closed with her hip before shooting a smirk toward Sedona. “Jefe over here doesn’t have that, so…” She trailed off with a shrug, crouching to dig through the bottom shelves.

“I help with jobs. Useful having someone small enough to fit into places that are usually off-limits. I’m his eyes and ears.”

“Aha!” She popped up triumphantly, three bags of chips clutched to her chest. Hers now.

“What are you? You’re weird too…”

Sedona: She really took him at his word, and that amused the hell out of Sedona. Ariel didn't seem to mind her rummaging through his things. There was little to be had. Some things he hadn't purchased, such as the flour and corn starch and various herbs for teas. Items acquired by his boyfriend. The elusive one Sedona had yet to meet. At least they still had the same brand of potato chips, all coney Island flavored (hot dog and mustard).

"You just said a lot of words at him."

But there was only one sentence that had him nudging her hip with his knee.

'He don't know everything I do.'

"Guess that's useful." As far as Ariel was concerned, he worked security at January Embers. Sometimes he was assigned extracurricular activities, but that was the extent of his knowledge beyond immortality.

"You - You even talk the same." He cleared his throat, holding out his hand for one of the bags of Tim's chips.

"Called a ghoul."

Echo: “I will fight you. You said to explain!” she defended, squinting up at the immortal.

The little familiar swayed gently under the nudge, catching onto his words.

Think he’d judge?

But that was neither here nor there as Ariel’s response pulled her back.

“Mm, no one really notices or thinks to question it. New York’s full of little friends.”

She walked back over, handing Ariel one of his own bags of chips before flopping onto the other end of the couch. Legs folded beneath her, she wrestled her own bag open, popping a chip into her mouth as she studied them both.

“Yeah?” A curious tilt of her head, gaze flicking between Sed and Ariel.

“Huh. I think you’re right. I didn’t before. Must be a familiar thing.”

Crunch.

“What’s a ghoul?”

Sedona: 'He's like a baby lamb covered in blood.'

"Those are rats," Ariel frowned. "That's like, worse than - " Oh, maybe he shouldn't finish that sentence. He cleared his throat again and stuffed his mouth with mustard-flavored potato.

The mutual crunching from the living room caused a gentle snickering from the kitchen, almost lost to the softer hum of Blvck Ceiling.

"It's like... I mean like... like a vampire's uh, underling... thing." Still waking up, still shaken, salt burning the roof of his mouth, introducing himself to a vermin that had been staring and sitting on his chest a moment ago. He was still acclimating.

Echo: He’s about to be covered in blood if he keeps dissin' my kin.

Echo crunched down on another handful of chips, contemplating the mustard flavor. Not her first choice, but salty and crispy were checking most of the right boxes. The same could be said about her feelings toward Ariel—still deciding.

“Descriptive…” she mused, licking a bit of salt from her fingertip before glancing toward Sed.

And you’re set that he’s your friend?

"So you do their bidding, like Igor?"

Ariel: "Igor's - from the movie? That's Frankenstein. You mean Renfield?"

"You know the most random shit, dude."

Ariel frowned his direction. "I wanted to know what I signed up for! "

"Yeah, after you done did it, you stupid!"

Sedona plopped on the floor beside his familiar, offering his White Claw.

'One of my favorites.'

Echo: Mm, I thought I was your favorite.

Teasingly, she nudged her master with the edge of her sneaker before idly turning the bag of chips over, eyeing the flavor with mild suspicion. Mustard was up there with pickle flavored things.

“Sure,” she shrugged. Renfield sounded vaguely familiar. Had she made the moody vampire watch it with her one night? Maybe.

Echo reached for the White Claw, giving it a cursory glance to confirm it wasn’t orange before taking a sip. Not bad.

“He has a point,” she said, gesturing toward Sed with a flick of her fingers before turning her attention back to Ariel. “So why not go for the full deluxe version?”

Sedona: 'You're more than a friend you doofus.'

Had they been alone he would have bitten her shoulder, just because. He needed a few more minutes to gauge Ariel's behavior. Hers too, for that matter.

The ghoul shrugged, now checking his phone.

"Don't wanna. I love January, but I'm - I'm not vampire material. I'd get bored."

Echo: A soft, sing-song hum was her answer, doubtful but amused.

Your doofus.

Had he gone for her shoulder, it would’ve ended in a tussle—her trying (and failing) to fight him off, laughing between half-hearted protests.

“That…” She had been lounging against the armrest, but now she sat up slightly, taking another sip of the drink.

“Is a very real problem. I lived with one who lost his ennui.”

Sedona: Could a hum be heard in thought? He would try anyway. Yes, she was his doofus, and she was being cute and - was that jealousy he was feeling from her? He couldn't tell; it was just a twinge. Before he could open his mouth, Ariel was knitting his brow.

"Lost it?"

"Stop bein' a know-it-all, Honor Roll."

"I wasn't honor roll!"

Echo: Being corrected again wasn’t exactly winning Ariel any favor. Echo could feel the subtle twitch at the bridge of her nose.

I’mma throw him.

An empty threat, mostly to herself. At most, she’d terrorize him later as a mouse when Sed was looking the other way.  Touch his things with her mousy paws. The thought had her biting back a smirk. Guising it as a casual motion, she rubbed at the corner of her mouth before handing Sed the bag of chips and his drink.

“Lost it, gained it, doesn’t matter. Del’s the definition of melancholy.”

A pause.

“So why did you want to be a ghoul?”

Sedona: A single finger came up and poked at the sole of her foot. Play nice. Ariel was generally tolerant and even open-minded. Knowing a little about a lot was just his unspoken curiosity. Who would have thought it would be Echo's bane.

But there on the floor by her dangling feet, Sedona remained, snatching the remove from the ottoman to find something other than music.

"Sounded like a good idea at the time," Ariel shrugged.

Echo: Echo exhaled out through her nose, flicking a glance at Sed after the poke. Fine.

Still, Ariel’s mannerisms had managed to stir an old memory she didn’t particularly care to revisit. But what he said, how he said it, reminded her of something the immortal had shared the first night they met.

“Do you not feel that way about it now?”

Ariel: Was this an interview? When had it become an interview? The suspicion Ariel should have felt for her diminished the moment he realized she had only beat him to it. This was his best friend, after all.

"I mean... can't walk it back now. I get to stay young, I can keep up with this asshole, a bus probably won't kill me." Another shrug, and with a second of consideration, his first smile in her regard.

"How about you? You like being you?"

Echo: See, he would be fine if she threw him.

But now that she thought about it, this was her first time meeting a ghoul. She’d met vampires before—friendly, lovely creatures. Even the sad one. At least, that had been her experience so far. But Ariel was different, and that was interesting.

“I got to scare you, so yeah.” A loose, honest grin exposed her.

“But yeah, there are perks to being able to do magic.”

Ariel: He shouldn't have looked so surprised, given what vampires could do, but the vampires he knew didn't call their powers magic. They didn't really call them anything in his presence.

"What can you do?"

Echo: “Oh! Loads!”

Excitement lit her expression as she leaned forward, fingers tapping idly against her knee.

“I can cure wounds, conjure a knife made of ice, become invisible, shape stone, or throw up a wall of fire—” She counted them off casually, as if listing groceries.

“Oh! One time, my mistress reversed gravity. Haven’t quite figured that one out here, though.” A thoughtful pause, then her grin returned.

“Oh! And she also cast this massive fireball once. Didn’t end well for anyone, really, but… it got the job done!”

Ariel: Ariel's eyes widened with every addition. Rather than watching the local news, Sedona had turned to watch them. His drink balanced on his knee, casually munching on a chip as he watched his friend and his familiar finally have a conversation sans tension.

"So then, like, why'd you pick this one?" He thumbed at the immortal, who swiftly kicked at his shin.

Echo: Echo turned to glance at Sedona, then back at Ariel and shrugged.

"Vibes."

Sedona: "She's a stalker. Couldn't keep her paws off me."

Sedona was ignored, Ariel purposefully turning to face Echo.

"So you just pick a dude you like, and then you're, like, their butler-bodyguard-house wizard?"

Echo: “Studying!” This now was their constant back and forth, and it never failed to put a smile on her face.

Echo shifted, tucking her legs beneath her, fingers idly playing with the stolen pillow she now held in her lap as she glanced towards her owner.

“No, it’s…more than that.”

Her gaze softened as she studied him.

“He’s chaos.

“It’s not a bad thing, but that's the feeling that pulled me to him. Magic, I’ve been told, is one tether, but him…I don’t know.”

A small shrug.

Then, reaching out, she ruffled the dyed streaks in his hair.

“I'm no better. I wasn’t born a familiar, I wished to be one.”

Ariel: Ariel wasn't certain what she was saying. There was something underneath her explanation. Reminded him of spoken-word poetry. He had sat in on a few of those. The weird session with the drum in a stuffy coffee shop. Wasn't his thing. Immediately, he assumed it was her speed.

But Sedona seemed pleased. The way he looked at her, he couldn't say he saw his eyes that soft that often. He didn't have to understand it to respect it.

"I get to call you magic now, brother."

"I'm magic, baby." Her foot was captured and brought to rest on Sedona's shoulder.

"Y'all gonna get along?"

Ariel shrugged. "I cant help what I do when I first wake up."

Echo: To Echo, this wasn’t poetry—it was fact. The way she spoke wasn’t some abstract flourish; it was the reality of her world. She felt the connection tethering her to him, that reckless abandonment to charge headfirst into things. It was the way they resonated. Would Ariel believe that she had bartered with the fae, been spat out from the void, and landed here to adapt? A glance in his direction made it feel like he was indifferent.

With her foot held hostage, she sank back into the couch, the other leg lifting to cross at the ankles. She hugged the pillow to her chest, settling in listening to the exchange.

“And I can’t help if my fist meets your throat.” Oops. Had she said that out loud?

Teasing, she was teasing! She pressed her lips together in a smirk, then shrugged. “Mm, or maybe I’ll just turn you into a snail and return the favor.”

Her gaze shifted to Ariel, and she extended her pinky. “Just don’t say anything more disparaging about my kin, and we’ll be good.”

Ariel: "Why am I the bad guy?" Ariel protested, stuffing his mouth with more chips. Sedona massaged her calf, staying out of the potential argument as it had nothing to do with him. Both could hold their own and if his little mouse wanted that smoke, that was her business.

"So if I call you a lab mouse, you gonna curse me?" The pinky was scrutinized. "What are we promising?"

Echo: “What? You might like being a snail. Or… better yet get an idea of what it’s like from my perspective.”

Hardly a curse in her books.

“Temporarily. I can probably change you back.” She just hadn’t tried that spell here or knew if it even worked, but confidence was key, right?

But with her pinky scrutinized she took it back. She wasn’t sure what exactly they were promising.

“I don’t know. Why are you so afraid?”

Sedona: Sedona tried to picture his unofficial best friend as a snail. Would he have unrealistic characteristics? A tuft of his strawberry hair? Would he make comical little squeals, crawling around in circles?

"He's always freaked out. Day I met him a bug got on his hand. Screamed his head off."

"Hey, you know, instinct, ok? Human instinct we've had for like, thousands of years."

Echo: Echo squinted her eyes.

“I’ve met other humans. They don’t scream as loud as you.”

She pointed at Sed.

“Exhibit A.”

Ariel: "Exhibit A is a Sasquatch."

"Eat my ass."

Echo: “Hey, be nice to the Sasquatch.” She grinned.

“My point still stands. Could you even hold me as a mouse now knowing what I am?”

Ariel: The ghoul stared off at nothing a moment, contemplating her offering before a visceral shudder caused his spine and shoulders to dance.

"Mm-mm. Nope."

Echo: Oh.

Such a strong reaction caught her off guard. And it didn’t settle well. She’d asked, and he had every right to his feelings, but she wasn’t used to this—someone not immediately taking to her. And somehow just that gesture alone felt like a rejection of her whole being.

“Mm.”

She shifted, letting her attention settle on Sedona instead. Easier this way.

"Maybe it'll change."

Ariel: He couldn't read her thoughts, but one thing Ariel had in spades was perception. All it took was a few centimeters of slouch for him to notice.

"Not saying I hate you." He glanced at Sedona for help, finding him quite unhelpful. Asshole wouldn't even look at him! "Been scared since I was little. A cute face won't change that."

Echo: “What happened when you were little?”

She asked setting the pillow aside as she leaned forward and made grabby hands, asking back for the chips and drink she had surrendered to her owner.

Sedona: Sedona offered a chip, only to bring his hand away if she reached for it. Nope! He was going to feed her himself. She could have the drink, though.

"Uh, something with a spider. I blocked it out."

"Probably did a dance on your face."

Another visible shiver. "God, Jesus, no. Fuck."

Echo: Echo reached for the chip, only to narrow her eyes when it was pulled away. Fine. She took the drink instead, sipping lazily before leaning forward.

“So, you’re afraid of anything small?”

She opened her mouth expectantly, waiting to be fed

Sedona: A chip was plopped on her tongue, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Yeah, I guess. Things with teeth and claws and venom in whatever order."

Echo: Echo leaned back, contently chewing.

“And you’re ok with vampires?”

They had teeth last time she checked.

Ariel: "They aren't creeping up my leg in the dark."

Echo: "Can't they turn into bats?"

Ariel: "Haven't seen one yet. Can you turn into a bat?"

Echo: "I haven't tried."

Ariel: "You want wings?"

Echo: "Hell yeah. They're like mice with wings, little angels."

Ariel: Ariel opened his mouth, glanced at Sedona, and shut it. He wasn't about to call them rats with wings. See? Progress!

"I gotta steal Sed for a bit. Working on my next album."

Echo: "Sure."

Her feet would come down from that shoulder. She could find ways to entertain herself. The familiar was on her feet already looking at the door.

"I'll see you around?"

Ariel: "I mean, you can stay, watch TV. Xbox right there. You're already eating my food," he smirked.

Echo: "Oh." Her head tilted at the mention of Xbox.

"Yeah?"

She had seen ads for it, but never had she played.

"Sure."

Ariel: "You're - I mean, you're with Sed, so, you're good. Mi casa es tu casa. Just..." It was his turn to hold out his pinky. "...don't try and kill me in my sleep."

Echo: She wrapped her pinky around his.

"I'll try not to."

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Stay Involved: Ask about the session’s flow and any preparations needed on your part. Being involved in the planning can reduce stress and ensure alignment on the day of your elopement.

Conclusion

Hiring a Sedona Arizona elopement photographer with a heartfelt and artistic style can elevate your elopement experience, turning fleeting moments into cherished memories. The ideal photographer not only possesses technical skill but also a genuine sensitivity to your story, delivering images that resonate emotionally and visually.

Lisa Garrett Photography exemplifies these qualities, offering personalized, authentic, and artistically inspired portraits that celebrate both your love and the extraordinary beauty of Sedona’s landscapes. By choosing a photographer who listens, understands, and creates with heart, your elopement will be beautifully documented—capturing the essence of your special day for years to come.

[books-in-a-storm]

Paranormal Star Review

Title: Mistletoe Mates

Author: Sedona Ashe

Pages: 146

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

Synopsis:

My name’s Candi Cane and every eligible male in my pack is looking to get a lick this year. I’d rather die.

Let’s have a Christmas hunt, they said. It will be fun, they said. What ‘they’ didn’t say was who they planned to hunt... or what the prize would be. Oh yeah, that would be me on both accounts.

By ‘they’ I mean my father, Alpha of the Evergreen pack. He’s taken things too far this Christmas Eve. My pack is obsessed with Christmas. Humans come from all over to see our Christmas village with no idea they’re celebrating with werewolves.

None of the Evergreen wolves are my fated mates, so naturally, I turn tail and run… right into the arms of the, erm, Anti-Christmas leader of the Brimstone pack, Alpha Coal. He’s not known for his love of people. Who can blame him, though? The moon goddess must have a twisted sense of humor… because it turns out he’s my fated mate. …And so is his beta. …And his third in command.

Just when I think things couldn’t get worse, my attempt to shimmy down a chimney winds up with me stuck. How the heck does Santa do this? With wolves hunting me, three fated mates who hate Christmas, and my life falling apart, I’m not sure I can handle the secret that is about to be dropped on me… it just might be a Christmas Miracle.

First And Last Sentence: Here