#the basket of mangos are a peace offering

[vibrantinklings]

Prompt 10: Crossover

Just wanted to draw these two together😊

[thegetoufather]

SUMMERTIME SWEETNESS • ICHIGO KUROSAKI

ichigo kurosaki x f!reader

warnings: smut, 18+/minors and ageless blogs DNI, AGED UP ICHIGO (20+), modern au, established relationship, tooth rotting fluff, car sex, cream pie, minor exhibitionist vibes (?)

w/c: 2.4k

a/n: finally fucked around and wrote for my new baby. this is my submission to @134340am SUNDRESS SZN collab! be sure to check out the rest of the lovely fics here! also i know ichigos birthday was the 15th of july. yes this is late bc his birthday is everyday to me. none of the characterization in this fic would be possible without the lovely @karikarasuno who lets me scream about bleach in the dms on the daily

It’s hard to say when exactly when the sky shifts to sunset — it felt like mere minutes ago that it was was blue with soft white clouds swirled in, and now, as sun begins to dip in the horizons, the edges of the clouds glow amber, the day slowly fading away as the end credits of Howl’s Moving Castle play on the laptop in front of you. Ichigo’s head rests on your lap, smiling softly as your nails softly rake against his scalp as you watch the sky change in front of you.

“It matches your dress,” he murmurs, playing with the hem. 

“What does?”

He turns to face you, pinching a bit of the fabric off your thighs before tilting his head slightly back to the horizon. “It's the same pretty mango color.”

“Really? I think it matches your hair more.”

You can feel Ichigo still beneath your hand, a tell tale sign that his pleasant mood is starting to sour. “Oh, don’t ruin the moment,” he grumbles.

“What? It does.”

He sits up now, scowl plastered on his features. It just makes you giggle as you smooth out his hair, but it does nothing to settle the expression that seems to be his default.

“You shouldn't have gotten up, you're just blending in with the sky now,” you tease.

“Shut up. I can’t even compliment you without you teasing.”

“Why would I? You’re my cute little tangerine.”

“God, somehow that's worse than being called a delinquent because of my hair.” 

“I got more nicknames if you like.” Your grin widens as your boyfriend's displeasure sets deeper into his features, sticking your tongue out tease him further. 

“Don’t.” 

You stick your hand back into the picnic basket, fishing out a chocolate covered strawberry and holding it out with expectant eyes. “Peace offering?”

“Only if you feed me,” the scowl leaves his face, lips turning ever so slightly in a smirk that makes your stomach flip because it's reserved only for you. You put the fruit in his mouth, wiping the juice that spills down his chin when he takes a bite. It’s adorable how he focuses on the flavors melting on his tongue, brow unfurrowing as he indulges in his favorite dessert. Ichigo pulls you into a kiss after he swallows, smiling against you when you let out a surprised gasp. It’s sweet and slow, the bitter taste of dark chocolate sneaking in as he slips his tongue into your mouth. 

“Easy there, tiger.” You say when you pull back. 

“I thought we were quitting it with the orange jokes.”

“We are, doesn’t mean you weren’t being bold in public.”

“There’s barely anyone here. And I can’t help it when you look this pretty.” He takes a moment to run his hand over the length of your dress, fingers trailing from the hem sitting on your knee, smoothing up the corset top to fiddle with the bow sitting atop the thick straps. “When did you get this?”

“I bought it for Yoruichi’s bridal shower, but I thought I’d debut it for the birthday boy's picnic.” 

“Well, he thanks you for it.” His hand returns to the resting spot had claimed during your movie, the soft skin of your thigh that the slit of your dress gives him access to. He gives the muscle a soft squeeze, leaning in for another kiss before your hand pushes against the dip of his pecs. 

“What has gotten into you?”

“What? A guy can’t kiss his girlfriend?”

“Well, not my guy because he usually isn’t into PDA.”

“You know what they say, new year, new me.” 

 “Oh, shut up.” You roll your eyes at him while he makes a move to kiss your cheek, faux annoyance turning into laughter when his hair starts to tickle you.

“You can kiss me more when we go back home,” you offer as he starts to peck at your jaw.

“Mmm, yeah, trading barely there PDA into kissing in front of my surprise party?”

“What?”

Ichigo pulls back to face you, knowing look in his brown eyes as you try to play innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you scoff,  “There’s no surprise party.” 

“Right, so Renji asking me how long our picnic was supposed to last didn't mean anything, and Uryu yelling at him about subtlety was in reference to nothing in particular.”

You freeze, Ichigo quirking a brow as he waits for you to confess. “Oh, I’m gonna kill him.”

“You would think the fact that he’s failed to keep my birthday party a secret every year since college would be a sign that you shouldn’t have asked him.”

“Yeah, but you know he wants to do something for you and never understands that you hate parties.”

“So ambushing me is better?”

“Well, it never ends up being an ambush does it?” He laughs at the pout that sits on your face, taking your cheeks in his hands so you face him. 

“You know what my favorite part of my birthday is every year?”

“What?”

“The date that gets me out of the house while Renji makes a mess of our apartment.” 

“Now you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“I’m serious. Last year, when we took edibles and went to the aquarium — I had so much fun. How else do you think I didn’t yell when Ikkaku smashed a cupcake in my face?”

“The edible.”

“Let me love you, woman,” he huffs. You giggle and pull out another strawberry to placate him even though you know you don’t need it. 

You don’t have to let Ichigo tell you how much he loves you because he’s constantly showing it with his actions, always buying the light roast Nespresso pods though he prefers his coffee dark and bitter, putting up with all your teasing and poking and you kick him sometimes when you're asleep. He’s been showing you since that first date — that warm feeling you got at the end of the night when he kissed you just growing with every day you’ve been with him. It makes you feel grounded, secure, content in the silence that sits between you as you feed him strawberries at sunset. Your response to his complaining is simply the same smile that stretches your lips every time you see time, telling him to be quiet as you set another strawberry on his tongue.

“When are they expecting us?” He asks.

“In about half an hour.”

“Mmm, we better get home then, I’m going to need all that extra time to practice my surprised face.”

You roll your eyes at him as you start to put the food away, Ichigo promptly offering you his hand to help you stand up so he can fold away the blanket. He doesn’t let go of you, lacing your fingers with his as he holds the folded fabric with his free arm. You walk in the park hand in hand, passing by some new parents with a stroller taking a breath of fresh air and an old couple feeding the ducks by the pond — and you find yourself making a birthday wish on his day — that you get to experience those seasons of life with him too. He kisses the back of your hand when you get to the car, letting you go to pop open the trunk and put the blanket away.

“I can take the basket too,” he offers. 

“No worries, I got this.” You walk in front of him, bending over at the waist to set the basket away. The breeze starts to get stronger, lifting up the fabric of your skirt till you feel Ichigo’s strong hands yank it back into place.

“Careful!” You exclaim when you stand back up. “You’re going to tear my dress.”

“What the fuck was that?” He hisses.

“What was what, other than you nearly ripping my sundress because of the wind.”

“You’re really going to play this game?” 

“What game, Ichigo, we have to go home.”

He’s exasperated, but still rounds to the passenger side to open your door for you. You close the door and wait for him to enter, watching him carefully as the driver's side shuts with a slam. 

“What if someone saw?” He’s staring through the windshield as he asks the question, white knuckled grip on the steering wheel as the car comes to life. 

“I think they would tell you you owed me a new dress.” 

“God, fuck, why do I even —.” The rest of his complaints dissolve into mutters, continuing under his breath as he rests his arm behind your seat headrest as he reverses. He stops eventually, letting Mac Miller fill the car instead as you head over to your apartment building. You two don’t speak a single word till you pull into the parking garage of your apartment, Ichigo’s jaw clenched as he puts the car in park.

“Alright, so Renji just texted asking if we are on our way so I figured we could scare him by just showing up at the door now.” You make a move to reach for the door handle only to be met by the sharp click of the door lock. 

“Everything okay?” You look over at him waiting for an explanation, only to have him coolly turn his head towards you. 

“Are you done playing dumb?”

“Playing dumb about what, Ichi?”

“Oh, you aren’t done. You know what, get over here.” 

“No. Are you kidding, we have a party to get to.” You unlock the door only for him to press the lock button again, smirk playing upon his lips at your indignation.

“I think you’re forgetting something here,” he says, authority creeping into his tone.

“And what’s that?”

“That I’m the birthday boy, so I get what I want.” He leans closer, hand coming down to unbuckle your seatbelt. “So, get over here, now.”

The authority in his tone gives you goosebumps, obeying him wordlessly as you hop over the console. He pushes the seat back to accomodate you, pulling your hips closer to him and leaning you back against the wheel. He holds eye contact with you as he raises your skirt, hot brown gaze making you feel like you're on fire while he exposes your core.

“Oh, fuck,” he groans, fingers running through the lace waistband. “Why’d you work so hard to hide these from me baby?” His fingertips glide across, pressing into the bareskin of your mound exposed by the crotchless black lace panties. 

“Wanted something on your birthday to be a surprise,” you breathe, keening into his touch as he dips closer to your folds. 

“Mmm, too bad the wind gave you away.” Ichigo leans forward to kiss your jaw, your breath catching in your lungs as he moves down the column of your neck.

“You should have waited to see the rest of it.”

“The rest of it?”

“This came with a pair of thigh highs.”

“Fuuuuccckk.” It’s low and guttural, vibrating against the skin of your neck and making your eyes shut. The sound of metal clinking causes them to flutter open, you finding Ichigo fumbling with his belt as he pushes his jeans and boxers down. 

“Ichigo, wait, the party —”

“Renji still thinks we’re on the way right? We got time baby, I’ll make time.” He raises you up on your knees, two fingers parting your folds easily to play with the slick that gathered between them. The contact makes you heady, your hands lacing in his hair to steady yourself as he continues rubbing circles around your entrance. And then he kisses you, sloppy and desperate, tongue pushing into your mouth as he presses his fingers into your dripping hole. He’s scissoring them lazily, breathing heavy while his forehead rests against yours as you rock into the motion.

“Don’t even have to work hard to stretch you out, huh? How long have you been waiting for me, baby?”

“All, all day, Ichi, wanted you so bad,” you whine.

“I’m here now, be good for me, yeah?” He slips out his fingers, weeping tip positioned at your entrance in replacement. You take the initiative to sink down, a strangled moan leaving the both of you when he starts to stretch you out. It burns more than usual because you are less prepped, but it’s delicious, Ichigo’s thumb rolling against your clit softly to soothe you on your way down. 

“Easy, easy, baby,” he croons, “Don’t hurt yourself, ‘m not going anywhere.”

The praise makes you whimper, helps you push yourself till you’re finally flush with his hips. He finds your face again while he waits for you to adjust, kissing you softly while his hands find their way to the underside of your thighs.

“Ready to move?” He asks against your lips.

You nod as you rise up on shaky knees, leaving only the tip inside you before you slide back down his length again. He helps you set the pace, strong arms supporting you as you bounce in his lap. 

“Feel so fucking good, so good for me. Youre the best gift I’ve ever gotten, fuck.” The praises keep falling off his tongue, seeping into your skin and making you moan and pulse around him. He takes that as an opportunity to press on your clit again, circles getting more firm as you arch into his chest.

“Not gonna last long if you keep gripping me like that, baby, need ya to cum for me, kay? Be good and cum for me.”

“Wanna be good, wanna be good.” You’re slurring the words as your nails dig into his shoulders, shattering around him when he bites your earlobe playfully. He fucks you through it, catching sight of the creamy ring you’ve left on his cock when he looks at where your bodies are joined. Ichigo spills in you with a groan of your name, making you whimper as he fills you up. 

He falls on your shoulder as you both catch your breaths, kissing the junction between your shoulder and collarbone as he pulls out. You’re on cloud nine, head fuzzy as you come down, brought back to reality when you start to feel the cum trickle down. 

“I-Ichi—”

“Shhhhhhh,” Ichigo whispers against your temple, fingers finding their way back to your spent core. He smiles when you gasp when he slips himself back in, fingering his cum back in you with his arm holding you close to your waist.

“Gonna need you to keep all this in for me, okay? We have a party to get to.”

thx for reading! plz don’t recc this on tiktok.

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[asthora]

Fruit

A fenhawke one shot I wrote based on a prompt a friend sent me! I am currently living in fenhawke hell and loving every minute!!!

~~

They’re in Lowtown today looking for an Antivan merchant named Vincento. They find him in the bazaar selling odds and ends, broken plates of armor and dull daggers that make Isabela cringe. Hawke gets the information out of him easily, he’s not hard to startle, but it leads their search to a temporary dead end and Hawke is left standing in the street with her companions, watching as Vincento hurriedly packs up his pitiful wares and runs off towards the docks.

“Well,” Hawke sighs as she watches him scurry away. “That was helpful I suppose but Samson doesn’t come slinking out until after sunset. Should we head to the Hanged Man?”

“You know me Hawke,” Isabela says with a wink. “I’m always game to start drinking early.”

“Anders?”

He smiles his easy, gentle smile. “I could certainly go for a pint.”

“Only a pint, magey? What about a couple of shots and we see where you can put that staff of yours?” Isabela purrs, tugging on the collar of Ander’s coat.

He blushes and swats her hand away. “We’ve still got work to do, Isabela.”

The Rivani pouts. “All work and no play makes Anders a dull boy. What about you, Hawke? Up for shots and a bit of wrestling?”

“As long as we aren’t drinking rum I’m fine with whatever.” Hawke says, her eyes sweeping across the bazaar. “By the way, has anyone seen Fenris?”

Her companions shake their heads.

Hawke bites her lip and her hand twitches towards her staff. It’s midafternoon in Lowtown. Apart from the occasional pickpocket or footpad, Lowtown is normally peaceful during this time of day. It’s when night falls that you have to watch out for ambushes and bandits. She isn’t crazy, Fenris was just here. He’d been quiet the whole day, not very happy that she’d brought Anders along to find Feynriel, but he’d been by her side since early morning when they traveled to the alienage. It’s more likely he roamed off rather than some Lowtown cutthroat pulling him into the shadows.

Anders lets out a long sigh and leans against his staff. “I’m sure he’s just wandered off, Hawke. Probably to go piss in a corner like the dog he is.”

“Maker, Anders. Really?”

“Why don’t Anders and I head to the Hanged Man and you catch up when you find the pretty boy?” Isabela smiles, stepping between the two. “Sound like a plan?”

Hawke nods but she’s not really listening anymore, nor does she really care about Ander’s snide remarks. Isabela steers Anders in the direction of the Hanged Man while she scans the stalls again, looking for a familiar head of white hair among the midafternoon crowd. It’s hot today, even more so with the dozens of people who flit from stall to stall, and she sweats uncomfortably as she meanders through the crowd. Hawke checks the weapons stand first then the man who sells plated armor and robes. No luck.

She’s getting nervous now. Fenris never just wanders off. He’s quiet, sure, but he’s not one to just disappear into thin air without a reason. Hawke takes the steps up into the portion of the bazaar where vendors and shopkeepers sell spices, exotic fruits, brightly colored linens, and fresh meat. The smell here is different from the rest of Lowtown. That weird stretch that hangs over the city can’t seem to penetrate the aroma of cinnamon, incense, and cooking meat. She passes a vendor selling candles and body oils then another who’s handing out samples of whatever mystery meat he has roasting on a spit. She takes one and eats it, idly, as she shoulders her way through the throngs of people.

Finally, she sees him.

He’s tucked between a woman selling carpets and a family of dwarves hammering away at copper jewelry. Fenris is bent over a basket of fruit, something small and brown rolling around in his palm.

“There you are,” she says cheerily. “Thought I’d lost you to some Lowtown crime lord in the market for one glowy elf.”

Fenris glances over his shoulder. “I did not mean to worry you.”

She smiles, hoping it looks reassuring. “What did you find?”

He looks at his closed palm and frowns before opening his armored fingers to reveal a small brown fruit.

“What is this?” He asks, his brow furrowed.

Hawke laughs. “Why, it’s a kiwi. What, never seen a kiwi before?”

He shakes his head and Hawke feels a bit guilty for laughing. She hadn’t meant anything by it but Fenris’ look of bewilderment is just so...cute.

“And what is this?” He asks picking up a much larger fruit from the basket, this one in shades of red and yellow.

“It’s a mango,” she says. “Do they not eat fruit in Tevinter?”

Fenris shakes his head. “Danarius did not like foods like these.”

Hawke takes the kiwi from his palm and tosses it in the air. “Everyday I’m surprised by how much I can hate that man. Do you want to know a secret?”

Fenris looks up from the mango and nods. There’s a look of innocence on his face that makes Hawke’s heart beat fast in her chest. She leans in closer. He pulls back a bit but stops when he realizes she does not mean to touch him.

“When I first came to Kirkwall,” Hawke whispers. “I’d never seen food like this either. It’s not like mango trees and kiwi vines grow in Ferelden.”

He frowns again and looks back at the baskets of colorful fruit. He points to another, this one brown and fuzzy. “Did you know about those?”

“Coconuts?” She asks, following his finger. “I’d read about them in books.”

“Are they good?”

Hawke grins. “Do you want to try some?”

He nods and reaches for his coin purse but Hawke shakes her head. “I’m buying. Think of it as a thank you for saving my ass from that greatsword wielding bastard who almost cleaved my head in two yesterday.”

The corners of his mouth jerk as if to smile. “You should watch your right flank more closely.”

She shrugs. “I don’t have to if I’ve got you around.”

Maybe she’s imagining it, but Fenris’ cheeks turn pink. He looks away before she can be sure, once more bending over the baskets. She watches him sort through the different fruits, his careful fingers turning over mangoes and pomegranates, his touch gentle as if he is afraid the fruit might fall apart in his hands. She lets him pick whatever he wants and soon they have their own little basket overflowing with oranges, kiwis, pineapple, and a whole assortment of tropical fruits. She pays for it all like she promised, glad that he’ll at least allow her perform this simple act of friendship. Fenris doesn’t like actions he perceives as pity. Hawke wonders if this means he trusts her more, maybe thinks of her more as a friend rather than a raging apostate lunatic.

He tucks the basket under his arm proudly and Hawke’s heart does that weird fluttering thing again. Maker, she can’t be possibly falling for him, can she? That’s insane. Like he would share her affections anyway, he hates all things magic and she’s about as magic as they come save for Anders. But lately she’s noticed her cheeks growing warm when he smiles and a giddiness coursing through her veins when she sees him after several days away from the city. She hasn’t dared act on these feelings, afraid she’ll scare him off if she bats her eyelashes a little too hard. She wants him to know she’s a friend, not someone who feels sorry for him, not someone who wants to use him.

He surprises her when he gently touches her shoulder then points to an empty place on the steps. “Would you...like to sit down for a moment?”

Hawke nods. Her skin tingles where he touched her and she doesn’t trust her voice not to waver so she follows him to the stairs and sits beside him. She makes sure not to sit too close, but not too far away either. He seems comfortable, excited even, as he sets down the basket and grabs one of the kiwi.

“How do you eat it?”

“Well,” Hawke smiles, taking the fruit from his palm. “I normally cut it in half then scoop it out with a spoon but we can do this instead.” 

She takes her dagger from her boot, thanking the Maker she decided to clean off the raider blood this morning, and peels away the thin skin. She glances up at Fenris as she cuts a slice. His eyes are wide in wonder. 

“Here,” she says, offering him the slice off her dagger.

He has removed his spiked gauntlets so that his hands are bare. She marvels at his long tan fingers, his gentleness as he grabs the fruit. She has never seen his bare hands this close. The lyrium markings stretch down his fingers; white, silvery lines that she cannot help but think are beautiful despite their foul origin. He pops the kiwi in his mouth and his eyes go wide.

“It is good!” He announces, his lips stretching into a grin.

Hawke smiles and cuts herself a piece. “I think It’s one of my favorites.”

“It is sour,” he says, licking the juice from his fingers. “But also sweet.”

“We got a ripe one. Good eyes, Fen.” She says, bumping him playfully with her arm. She doesn’t realize what she has done until after several seconds pass and he has not leapt away from her sudden touch. He seems shocked at his own reaction as well, his fingers hovering over the kiwi she has offered him. 

“I’m sorry.” She says, glancing up at him, under her lashes.

His fingers twitch as if coming back to life and he takes the fruit and chews it slowly. “You did nothing wrong.” He says simply.

The tension between her shoulder blades relaxes. “Do you...want to try something else? What about the orange? We can save the pineapple for later.”

He nods and wipes his hands on his trousers before reaching for the orange. He turns it around in his hands then offers it to her. “How do you eat this one?”

Hawke sets down her knife. “This one is easy. I’ll let you do it. Dig your fingernail in right there and then peel the skin back.” 

“Here?”

Hawke raches out and with her own nail she makes a mark in the soft flesh. Her hand passes over his and her skin brushes against his own, the touch featherlight but enough to send electricity running down her arms. He flexes his fingers. Did he feel it too? She dares to look up at him, blue eyes connecting with green. That flush is back in his cheeks and Hawke realizes they are very close, so close she can smell him. He smells like leather and cloves and sweat. She takes a deep breath and holds it, committing the scent to memory.

Fenris blinks, his dark eyelashes fluttering. He rips his gaze away from her own, the action painfully slow. Her eyes linger on him for a moment longer before she looks back down at the orange. He begins pulling back the skin, the orange peel falling to the steps unceremoniously. He hands her a chunk of the soft fruit and they eat together. He smiles.

“It explodes in your mouth,” he says. “The juice is sweet.”

She nods. “We had oranges back in Lothering. They somehow could make the journey that far inland. If times were good Mother would  buy enough oranges to make a pitcher of juice.”

His eyes go wide. “And that is good?”

“I honestly think it is better than the oranges themselves. I’ll ask Mother to make you some. We haven’t had it in awhile anyway.”

“That would be nice.”

He smiles softly and they finish the rest of the orange in silence. She feels their small moment coming to a close and she hopes there are more moments like this in their future. For once, Fenris is unguarded, happy. Again she finds herself damning Danarius, hating him with every fiber of her being. He took so much from Fenris. Can she help him create a life? A life that he can call his own, one without masters and bad memories? Will these small moments eventually turn into longer ones? Or will the pain she sees etched on his face refuse to leave him?

She feels his walls go back up as he slips on his guantlants and fastens the leather straps. Hawke clears her throat and wipes her hands down her trousers, trying to find that easy grin she plasters on her face for the rest of the world to see.

“I told Anders and Isabela we would meet them in the Hanged Man.” She says, standing to her full height and stretching her arms above her head.

“Was it a wise decision to leave them alone?” Fenris asks, his lips turned up in a slight smile.

“Probably not!” She says brightly. “We might have to peel their drunk asses off the floor of the barroom! At least Varric will be around to help.”

Fenris chuckles and tucks the basket under his arms. “If that is the case, then we must hurry before they are too far gone. Lead the way, Hawke.”

Hawke turns on her heel and heads back into the bazaar towards the Hanged Man where she is sure her friends have already found themselves in some sort of trouble. She glances over her shoulder, making sure she hasn’t lost him in the crowd. He’s close. Her eyes catch his own and there is a moment that passes between them that she doesn’t think can be mistaken for anything but longing. She turns her head before it can disappear. A smile breaks on her lips and she welcomes her fluttering heartbeat.

[talesofealdancynedom]

Asada Fauxbit, in fairy robes with familiar; riding a “giraffe, but with malice”

Tale 19: Meriam Craweleoth: Mage Queen of The Grand West (chapter 7.1 - Has Yet to Pass 7/10) part 4. Stories of Old

Maps

Harsh Language

Upon the western mountains of the Far East, lies the Sinoian wall of fire. The mountains between the great desert, and the temperate lush kingdom. Due south of that, where the climate is soft by the sea, lies a very unlucky fishing town. To the south west, in Indonia of the Central South, lies the Monkey Gate within the heart of a cursed jungle.

           Five aligned nations, out of ten, only created half a circle around Francia; Meriam needed more alliances to make the world get along. But Francia was between Anglia and the rest of the world. The North Central kingdom, was like the hole of a donut. A donut that was bribing allies in Indonia to it’s south, and Sinionia to it’s East. Meriam would need the favor of the sultan of the South Central to guarantee a safe passage to eastern lands. She took her men with her, to meet this powerful man in his jungle palace. They traveled safely through the Westlands of Dania, to get to the South Central. Once in the ivory, pearl, marble and oak home, the sultan spoke down to her. He sat on a silk pillow, surrounded by sari drapes, wearing bangles and slippers. The sultan was quick to insult Meriam, by tasking her with an impossible quest. He did not care that she was a mage or a queen. If she wanted the trust of Indonia, Meriam must understand that people in this country are cheats, and that the secret to Indonia’s heart, lies in an alliance with Sinonia first.

“Appease the emperor on the other side of the desert, with a grand gesture, and I will mark your papers; Mage Queen. Offer me something greater than our northern neighbors do.” Th sultan said, playing with his silver beard. “You will find guides outside the cursed jungle of Veya.” He chuckled. Meriam felt frustrated; She was asked to do an unspecified favor, for an unknown man, after crossing Ealden Cyendom’s central desert.

“Fuck.” She murmured.

           As Meriam and her company traveled to the Monkey Gate, they began to remove clothing; it was far hotter than any land they had been to thus far. The humidity made it sticky, and the rain’s slowed their passage. When Meriam and her men arrived at the small village, they began to look for someone who spoke their language, that may guide them. Their investigation was fruitless; and they paid good silver to sleep on weaved mats in and uninsulated stone shack. The doors and shutters were made of intricately carved wood, that resembled lace patterned in lotuses and peacocks. They did little to keep out the rain; but did keep back the wildlife and wind. The fruit and nuts they bought were delicious, as was the fresh rain water; but they began to miss home. This may be, the longest journey they will have to embark on.

           In the sticky, hot, humid night, while Meriam and her men struggled to sleep, they heard someone enter their room. They sounded like they were trying to be quiet, which resulted in them making even more noise. The sliding wood window creaked, and they heard the clink of bangles, and knocking over of pots and baskets; followed by very familiar Anglian cussing. Then, Meriam suddenly rose summoning fire in her palm, as her men drew swords at the intruder; Who was now in the middle of the room. To their surprise, it was an Indonian woman with pale golden eyes and hair against, her brown skin. She wore a scarf about her head that was a translucent tan, that glittered like her clothes, in pin stripes. She had her nose pierced as well as her ears, which held elaborate gold rings that matched the innumerable bracelets she wore about her wrists and feet. She was built like a knight, under the glittering fabrics of her Monkey kingdom fairy robes. Upon her shoulder, she had a marmoset. The robes hung in an ex across her shoulder and breast, and she wore gold armour to link the loose fabric. Her pants were baggy, her sash wrapped and left a fabric tail at her back, and her curled slippers matched perfectly. Meriam wanted badly to draw her; for she had never seen a mage of this kingdom.

She was stealing their fruit.

“You spoke in Anglian just now!” Meriam said. The woman was surprised, and looked Meriam up and down, with a mango in her mouth. Then she also held out a palm of fire. Magic. This must be the mage of the Monkey Gate.

In order to share magic, and teach it, mages use the language and letters of Anglia, as few other peoples know the language well. This meant they found a translator; but not a guide. More pressingly, they had an intruder.

“Who are you!” a knight demanded.

“I am Asada Fauxbit.” She said, chewing her bite of fruit. “Who the fuck are you?” She contested.

“We are the queen of Anglia’s royal guards; we need to cross the desert to Sinonia, to impress their emperor with a grand gesture of peace. We need the favor of his kingdom, to win the heart of this one. So, we are told. Anglia and other lands need as many lands as possible united, to restore balance.”

“You got so conned, miss raven mage.” Asada smirked, examining Meriam’s feather and velvet fairy robes. “Indonia don’t give a shit about other kingdoms. The Sultan is putting on a front to extort Francia’s bribes.” Asada laughed. The knights all drooped in defeat, and sheathed their weapons.

“Also, that mission sounds so awful; I pity you. I’ll make you a bargain: Find me a mage husband, so I can produce a mage daughter to protect this cursed magic forest, and I’ll come with you and provide guides to cross the fields of fire. Just to be sure, this is to help you do this thing you think will work, for this person, that is somewhere.” Asada teased. It became apparent that the sultan had actually given Meriam no information at all; his instructions were vaguer then being asked: can’t you not put that thing there maybe? Meriam rolled her eyes. She wasn’t a quitter.

“Are you conning me? You’re willing to take us across a desert in exchange for magic seed donor? That’s all?”

“Yup. Preferably Sinonian in ethnicity, with blue hair, and an aura of chaotic silliness.” Asada mused.

“But why?!” one of Meriam’s men asked.

“My bloodline is cursed by the Monkey King, because of my mom. The Monkey King is a lady who likes a matriarchy, and her children shrouded in mystery and isolation. My mom said she’d raise me to keep the gate open, and tend the monkey fey; as I was a mage. In exchange the Monkey king promised to provide a protective curse on the jungle. The Monkey King said that a line of pure-bred mage daughters, must be the ones guarding her gate. Starting with me. A cursed magic bloodline, in exchange for safety. Oh, also, If I leave the forest for any reason other then looking for a groom, I kind’a die.” Asada explained casually. While she explained the curse, Meriam racked her brain of mages she knew. And she knew of many. But, when Asada said blue hair, she membered one of Feon’s books. It was the teal journal detailing types of mages; and the illustration for the storm breaker mage, was a Sinonian man of blue ridding an Orca. Sirulius Healpenbroc; a warlock who made storm staphs, like Feon’s. And possibly joy induced natural disasters. This was a bargain Meriam could make.

“If your determined to be another dame, pigeon holed into relying on men for events in your life, I may have heard of a suitable man, south east of the desert, in Sinonia.” Meriam grumbled.

“Pigeon holed? What if I want kids and a nice guy to hold me? What if I want to protect my magic forest home and fey friends? I can do both! Cursed or not, it’s my life and choice; as a mage I have more choice than any lady in this land. And I chose a man of the Grand East who can fulfill my feminine desires.” Asada boasted. “Wait? You seem madder about me willing to abide by this curse, then going across a desert called the fields of fire. Who hurt you?” Asada inquired. Meriam glared at her; She was a queen surrounded by demanding men. Five of them were with her right now. Of course, she was rabid with envy. Happily, wed or not, Meriam would have at least of liked the choice. Her knights wisely chose not to comment.

           Coincidences can make a day. Exact change, or meeting an old friend at a market: things sliding perfectly into place is satisfying. The only trouble is that these moments are rare, and you never know when one is going to happen. If you are looking for one, it’s like watching water boil. Speaking of boiling, the desert earned its name; The Fields of Fire. Though Asada and Meriam could alchemize water, and they had all gotten loose white clothes, the desert felt eternal in it’s unrelenting discomfort; like a socially obligatory holiday gathering with collogues. The expanse of dry nothingness, resulted in there being little else to do, but talk to your road companions. The guides Asada found where merchants, who regularly crossed the desert. They did not know a word of any other language; which seemed counterintuitive for efficient trade. Meriam was on a long road of days of travel upon stinking spiteful camels with a group of knights, and Asada.

Meriam admired how unbothered Asada was. Her men wouldn’t stop complaining about how they feared the desert would consume them before they could ravish a Sinonian maidens, and drink rice wine till uncoordinated. Meriam was too sober to talk to human males, and was forced to talk to Asada.

“What are these animals?” Meriam asked looking over her camel.

“Giraffes; but unkindly.” She laughed smugly. Meriam was confused; she didn’t know what a giraffe was either.

“Do you hawk? You have tiny falcon on your shoulder? Also, didn’t catch your name.”

“My name Queen Meriam Craweleoth. I do not hawk, this is my familiar Nihten; she is a kestrel. You have been seeing me send her off to see where we are. I meld with her to use her eyes. As well as make her big enough to ride if I have to.”

“Neat. So, where are we? According to Nithen?”

“Nowhere.” Nihten said. Gave everyone a good chuckle. To distract from their discomfort, Meriam’s entourage listened in on the two mages conversation; and then began butting in.

“Are there fey in the desert? If magic is less frail then men?” one asked.

“Oh yes. There are many basilisks and drakes in the sand. I heard once of one who was disowned by the dragon king for breaking a sphere at a banquet. If we convince him to let us cross a river, he might accompany us on our journey to the west.” Asada said. Meriam looked confused; she was lost in the second half. They were going to the east. Asada’s smiles faded into bitterness.

“That was a joke. The dragon king would never disown a child nor make one capable of guiding people.”

“We rode dragons once!” another knight said. “You must have spent too long in your forest, monkey girl; I’m not sure you even know what magic this desert holds.”

“Ah, but I do. It holds desert magic; obviously. Now stop complaining, and telling me I’m wrong, or I’ll summon my Iron staph to knock some sense into you. It matches the Monkey King’s; who is also a woman not opposed to striking things. Your men are idiots Merriam! No wonder your sexist. Are all Anglian men this daft?” Asada exclaimed.

“Actually, their very loyal, talented, and make sure my husband’s mind is sound whilst I quest. They are made of the finest fibre Anglia can provide, by order of my King husband.” Meriam said proudly. “Intelligence is not a factor in determining their value as people.” She added. Her knights smiled proudly upon their grumbling ‘steads’.

“So, you hate being controlled by people, sorry men, but you still accepted your betrothal to the king? then gave him a child, and take his men, sorry your men, with you, just to make him happy? You knew you were a mage and could have used magic to evade them, right? Your ungrateful; I would love to live in a palace and have someone who takes care of me, supports me, and loves me for being myself! And you judge me for wanting that!”

“Shut up, I love him! And love is powerful,” Meriam snapped. “and no; I don’t judge you for wanting a romanticized version of reality you use to cope with being cursed into heteronormativity. I judge you for talking like a drunk, and pulling my leg. It is about respect and freedom. I am equal, if not above, the men I meet.” Merriam snapped.

Asada looked off into the desert. She was nodding quietly while refraining from laughter. Meriam wondered what was worse; Asada, questioning the motivations of all her life choices, the desert, the malicious giraffe, or how she had complimented Tiberias’s architecture. She felt a little faint. Meriam began to hate Asada for ripping apart the meaning in her life. Meriam looked away in distaste.

“Must be nice to love someone so much, you throw away your philosophy to kiss them goodnight… Before I knew I was cursed, as only a child, when I saw the people in the village, all I lusted for was to hold even one of their hands. I want that Meriam; I want someone to be with, that makes me feel like nothing else matters.” Asada said into the sands. The morale went down as they clomped across the bright dune. Meriam never wanted to be in this arid wasteland again.

NEXT--->

<---PREVIOUS

[silverfootstepswrites]

Amaryllis | Chapter 2

< Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 >

+++

The marketplace wasn't a crowded jumble of noises and smells. Uniform stalls lined the big streets. Merchants waited with their hands folded, smiles in place. They only spoke when spoken to.

The sterility felt very wrong.

A market, as she remembered it, was always overflowing. With smells: Meat roasting on spits, bread baking stuck to the sides of hot ovens. Spices from faraway lands, mingling with spritzes of perfumes from oddly-shaped bottles.

The only thing stronger than the smells were the sounds. Merchants yelled over the bleating of goats, squabbling with their neighbors if they offered a better price. Their children shrieked with laughter and chased them around the legs of adults. Running under the tables and sending displays askew when their feet caught on the cloth.

"I'm afraid this will be much smaller than what you're used to," Sasuke had warned her on the ride down to the city. They had carved the infrastructure into the sides of the mountain. The roads spiraled up the sides of the slope, with the city trickling down the incline. These roads were paved, and there was rumored to be running water in even the smallest houses.

It struck her as odd that the castle was so far-removed from everything else. She was so used to the marketplace waiting just outside the walls of the palace. Voices calling "Lady Sakura" so clearly when she was young. And then "Your Grace" when her mother and father were no longer there.

She remembered the hushed whimpers that rose in the streets when news had arrived of her parents' death. White flowers spilling into the waters around the palace. The endless chorus of thousands of bells swaying in the wind. The entire city was shrouded in her mother's favorite color: a deep purple fit for a queen. She didn't remember much of those days apart from being held in her aunt's arms and the way her cousin's clammy hand tightened around hers as the empty pyres burned bright.

"What sort of place is Plumeria?" asked Sasuke, pulling her from her memories.

Sakura was already smiling as she thought. The busy city of Plumeria was where she had grown up. It sat at the bottom of the Southern Tea Isle. Its port rarely sat empty as vessels filled with tea and silk set out to the far corners of the world. In their place, merchants came in with grain and vegetables from the mainland. Others came from greater distances, ships groaning with spices and textiles in a dizzying array of colors.

The Haruno family had found a home on the island after a long journey across the ocean from the east. She had grown up hearing the story a thousand times.

The island nation had struggled to fend off the attacks of the vicious mainlanders. Its people had called the land 'Aiga' then. And their peaceful fishermen were no match for the pale invaders with their heavy metal suits and their great beasts that trampled them with hard feet. When the Haruno's arrived, they came with spices in a dizzying array of colors and smells. They brought tea leaves, which grew beautifully in the tropical sun. They also had something that they called 'gunpowder' that made it very easy to make the men in metal suits stay far away.

The Haruno's and the islanders formed a partnership. The islanders' way of life would be preserved, and their foreigners found a home after many months of travel.

The story went on, and the details of how that small noble family had become a duchy of the Forest Kingdom was long and complicated. In the end, all that mattered was that the Southern Tea Isle supplied the entire kingdom with tea leaves and high quality silk. As the secrets to silk production were jealously guarded, no one had ever come close to producing fabric of such quality. The Haruno family's coffers grew as noble ladies clamored for gowns made of the precious material.

Around this time of year, the hills would be filled with the bright green leaves. Workers would be bent over in the rows, plucking the harvest and placing it in their baskets. In the afternoons, the air would fill with the aroma of roasting tea. All the while, the rush of the ocean waves would beat against the coasts of the island. The tides pulling boats home as fishermen rinsed and folded their nets in preparation for the following day's work.

There were no words to describe her home. She had tried and failed countless times. To call it "beautiful" was an insult. It was busy but never rushed. Peaceful but never silent.

"It's perfect," Sakura finally managed to say.

The capital city of Plumeria was built on the water. Each building was held up on wooden supports. And the ones that could afford stone used that instead. The white-washed homes sported red or blue roof tiles. And a series of wooden walkways connected one building to another. During high tide, boats pulled up right beside homes, bobbing on the salty waves as people yelled out their greetings. Just recalling the details made her feel like she could taste salt in the air again.

When she glimpsed Sasuke's face, she suddenly pitied him for not carrying the memories of such a place inside of him. And so she painted a picture for him.

The clear waters of the sea reflected everything from the palace to the sky and the clouds above. On calm days, it looked like the palace sat on a great mirror. None of the great works of art could do the place justice, she claimed. And Sasuke simply nodded.

Sakura had grown up wandering the stone halls that were cool even on the hottest days. Admiring the ethereal glow of the white stone in the torchlight. The islanders didn't really believe in doors because they blocked the path of good spirits who came bearing fortune. Instead, there were large archways from one room to the next. And when more privacy was needed, white curtains were hung up. Whenever a strong sea breeze swept through, the curtains billowed and waved like the skirts of so many dancers. Giggling, Sakura had spun through the fluffy fabric, marveling at the sun-warmed dance partners they could become.

The smell of the salty sea clung to her hair and clothes no matter where she went. Barefoot and breathless, she tiptoed the halls and squealed with laughter when her father caught her sneaking around after bedtime and threw her over his shoulder. She remembered drinking sweet coconut water and biting into mangos with the juice dribbling down her chin. All the memories piled together, filling her with warmth even on the coldest nights on the mainland.

Sasuke blew out a long breath. "That… sounds amazing. I've always wanted to see for myself. My tutors always called in one of the great wonders of the south," he commented. And then he cast the approaching market with an odd look. "I'm almost ashamed to be bringing you here now. This must seem like a joke to you."

Sakura laughed. She barely watched as Kaze ambled down the steep path. "It's true. Everything seems small in comparison to a port city," she answered. "I miss it so." Her laughter trailed off, turning into a sigh. She turned in the direction of that distant home, imaging those rushing waves and the smiles of the people who welcomed her back.

+++

Sakura's first memories were of an island filled with people who she loved and who loved her in return. Mother was away often, because being Queen was a difficult job. But Mother sent her love in messages often. And when Mother was home, Sakura never left her side. Clinging to the end of her dresses, snuggling up in her lap in the throne room.

One foggy morning, during one of the long periods of Mother's absences, Sakura had woken to the urgent voices of men echoing through the halls. The room was dark. She opened her mouth to call for her father. But then she heard the voices again.

Blanket draped around her, she snuck out to see what was going on. The end of the blanket dragged along the tile as she padded out of her room, out into the misty morning. She navigated the familiar walkways with ease, straining to listen over the roar of the ocean waves. Eventually, she found her father sitting in the throne room, white hair messy from sleep. But his dark eyes were intense as he listened to the men. His right hand gripped the armrest, knuckles popping out. Left hand under his chin to keep his weary head up.

Sakura stood in the doorway, watching. Waiting until her father noticed her. It never took him long. He held his hand out to her.

"Your Majesty, the reports from the border have been growing more urgent. We desperately need you back in the capit-" one of the men insisted. The talk cut off when Sakura ran through their legs, bare feet sleeping against the stone floor. She sat in the crook of her father's powerful arm so he could lift her into his lap. It was the world's safest and most comfortable place.

"Continue," Father prompted.

Sakura knew it wasn't polite to interrupt adults. She patted the back of her father's hand once. And then she watched his stubbly chin, waiting. When he finally bent his head down to listen, she whispered in his ear.

"Is something bad happening?"

"In a way, sweetheart," he answered with a brief smile.

She gripped the front of his shirt. "Is Mother alright?" She couldn't help but worry. It had been months since she had last seen her mother. And there were bad people in the world who wanted to hurt her. That was why there were the good guards at the palace to keep them safe. But what if the good guards hadn't been strong enough?

Sakura's gaze rose when she felt her father's hand, clumsy and big, stroke her head.

"Your Mother is fine. You can stay and listen if you're very quiet," he suggested.

And as Sakura stared up into his tanned face, she loved the way the corners of his eyes crinkled. The way his silvery stubble shown in the lantern-light.

"I'll be very, very quiet," she promised.

"Good girl," he said.

Sakura remembered dozing off. Because when she opened her eyes again, they were standing at the dock. The sun was already rising over the waters. She blinked, slowly focusing on the men running back and forth lugging trunks and barrels onto the ship.

"Daddy?" Sakura mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

She felt her father shift her in his arms, the blanket still draped around her. The thick green and teal tassels brushed against her hands. And though he usually reminded her to call her "Father", he didn't correct her this time.

"Yes, Sakura," he replied.

"Are you leaving home? To go to the border?" Sakura queried. His eyebrows rose.

"You were listening," he mused. And then he let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, dear. We're going to the capital. It'll be our home for now," he answered. Sakura's forehead puckered.

"But this is the capital. Plumeria's the capital, isn't it?" Sakura said, confused. She was even more confused by the way he chuckled.

"It is. But I meant the capital of the entire kingdom. We get to live in an even bigger castle in Leaves. And that's where your mother is. Isn't it exciting?"

"I do miss Mother," Sakura admitted. But then her shoulders drooped.

"What is it, Sakura?" her father asked.

And then Sakura peeked up at him again. Because her father was always so kind and never raised his voice. She hoped it wouldn't hurt his feelings to say what she was thinking. The way he smiled at her made her think it would be alright.

"Whiteriver Keep is ugly," she admitted. Because the place where she lived was so pretty, day or night. The castle in the capital was not a beautiful place. It was a castle with fortifications and siege weapons. Fortresses were big, hulking things meant to fight wars. Even from a young age, Sakura understood that there was no beauty in something like that.

"And that means I have to leave Auntie behind. And then Sasori can't come either. So who will I play with? And who will help Shizu fold bedsheets? Or pick the flowers to put in Mother's room?" Sakura fretted.

Her father let out another sigh. He patted her back. "Sasori will come to visit often. And I'm sure you'll make many friends. There are so many people who can't wait to meet you," he comforted her. Sakura's frown eased a little as she took in his words. She met his gaze to slowly nod. He smiled.

"Come. We'll have breakfast while they finish preparations," he boomed in a cheerful voice as he turned to take them back to the palace.

+++

"Watch out, General," she heard Sasuke say. His voice pulled her back to the present.

Sakura looked up. She found Sasuke's hand hovering near her elbow, like he couldn't decide whether to touch her or not. And then she spotted a man rumbling down the road in a cart piled high with cured meats. They moved to walk closer to the buildings. The man tipped his hat to them in thanks as they passed.

"Wasn't there a special word for the market where you come from?" Sasuke questioned. They paused to peek in at a stall selling fresh berries harvested in the mountains just that morning. Sasuke handed the woman a coin. She passed them a tiny basket filled with fruit in return.

"Bazaar," Sakura replied. The sound rolling off the tip of her tongue. Sasuke muttered the word beside her, stumbling over the foreign sounds as she took a bite of a strawberry. It was sweet, the juice rolling down her chin. Sasuke laughed at her before he offered her his handkerchief.

They perused through the other wares. There were trinkets from foreign lands and books labeled in unfamiliar languages. There were bracelets made from smooth jade beads, which she hadn't expected to see so far west. There were also bolts of fabric that claimed to be made of silk. But her nose wrinkled as she passed her hand over the rough weave.

What surprised her most was how no one called Sasuke by his name. Some of their gazes lit up with recognition, but they simply addressed him as "My Lord". She gathered rather quickly that Sasuke kept his identity as a prince hidden, likely for security purposes. Although she was unsure of how subtle he was with two guards trailing after them.

At noon, Sasuke took her to a tavern for a meal.

"My mother would faint if she could see us here now," Sasuke whispered as they settled at the wooden table. It was a clean little establishment, with a bard crooning in the corner, and just one drunkard slumbering at a table in the back. The bartender eyed them with suspicion as they walked inside, but that was the standard behavior for any bartender.

And then he smiled a secret, conspirator's smile. "I hope it's to your liking."

"You will never see me turn down a tavern stew," Sakura assured him. And Sasuke's expression brightened a little.

Sakura raised an eyebrow as the two guards sat at a separate table.

"Too good to sit with us?" She commented.

The larger of the guards jumped out of his seat. "No, ma'am. It's just not proper, ma'am. How can commoners like us sit with people such as yourself?"

The smaller guard nodded along with his partner.

Sakura took those words in. Thinking. She crossed her arms across her chest. And then the corners of her mouth turned up. "Proper. Yes, while I appreciate your concern, you've missed one detail."

Both of them looked at her now.

"Propriety dictates that an unmarried woman should not be dining alone with an unmarried man. Rumors spread about them. I would feel much more at ease if you were to sit with us. For my reputation's sake," Sakura said.

The two guards glanced at each other. Silently mouthing words and gesturing with jerks of their head. This went on for a long time before they got to their feet and moved to join her. Sasuke watched the exchange, but his face betrayed nothing.

"Forgive me, sirs. I'm having trouble remembering your names," Sakura greeted them as they sat.

The larger guard bolted to his feet again. "I beg forgiveness, ma'am. We never gave them. I'm Juugo."

The smaller guard bowed his head, both hands planted on the tabletop. "I'm Suigetsu."

Sakura dipped her head toward them in return.

"Thank you for accompanying us today, Suigetsu, Juugo. It puts me at ease to know that you two are here," she stated.

Juggo's face began to turn a shade of red similar to his hair. Suigetsu coughed, his gaze flickering from Sakura to his companion.

"Well, if rumors are right, I don't think you have much need for us. Word gets around, you know, General," Suigetsu said with a nervous laugh. Sasuke's eyebrows rose. And then they pinched together.

"You are speaking to an esteemed guest of our kingdom. I will not have you sour her stay with frivolous rumors," Sasuke's voice whipped out, suddenly sharp.

She waved a hand, drawing Sasuke's attention once more. "Oh no, please. I rarely get the chance to hear of my reputation. Usually it's whispered when I'm not around. I'm terribly curious," Sakura insisted.

"Um…" Suigetsu hesitated, wary eyes darting to Sasuke once more. But when Sakura nodded, Suigetsu grimaced and spoke again.

"Well… they say not to make an enemy of you, General." And then he spotted Sasuke's expression and added, "I think it's a compliment, really!"

"They say you slew a hundred men on your own at the Battle of the Deadlands," Juugo spoke up. Quietly.

Sakura wasn't smiling anymore. "What else?" she prompted.

Juugo met her eyes as he uttered: "They call you The Heartless…. But you don't seem like you are."

And just as suddenly, Sakura's smile returned.

"Rumors are not called facts for a reason. It wasn't a hundred men, and I wasn't on my own," she corrected him. As if he hadn't said the second part at all.

She regaled them with the true story of that particular battle. And when Sasuke asked for more, she told them of other adventures and campaigns. Of swords clashing and sparks flying. Of the roars of the soldiers as she shouted for their support. She noticed that the bard had gone quiet, and the drunk in the corner was awake, watching them with bleary eyes.

It was easier to remember it like that anyway. All glory and triumph. Not the way those memories really lived inside her head. Echoing with the screeches of the crows as they feasted.

After lunch, they returned to the city to finish their tour.

The capital city of the Mountain Kingdom was called Ispolin. It was built into the southern face of the mountain, carved into the stone. Goliaf Castle sat on top of it, with a clear view of all the miles of forest that coated the faces of the mountain range.

Ispolin was a bit larger than Plumeria. It owed its prosperity to the mines carved deep into the mountains. Workers ripped iron ore from the insides of the tunnels, carting them out to be processed and sold. It was no surprise that the Mountain Kingdom was also famous for its weapons and strong armor. Mines further to the north were also known for harvesting aquamarines that were coveted by all its neighbors.

"This is lovely craftsmanship," Sakura remarked as she picked up a sword at the blacksmith's stall. The blacksmith himself was hard at work inside his workshop. She could see him standing by the heat of the fire, muscles gleaming as brought his tools down on what looked like the beginnings of a sword. The older man watching the weapons on display also glanced back at the blacksmith. He gave a vague grunt of approval before he turned back to Sakura.

"May I?" Sakura requested. The old man gestured to the wares with a nod.

She picked up a sword. Her gloved hand tightened around the simple hilt. The iron was lighter than she expected. She raised it to admire it in the light. The blade glinted when she turned it at just the right angle.

"Excellent balance. And such beautiful attention to detail," she murmured.

"You've got a fine weapon yourself, M'Lady," the old man noted.

Her leather scabbard hung from her belt, as it did almost every day. She carried a falchion, sharpened to a deadly edge on one side. It was light enough to be used one-handed, and that gave her the advantage of speed. A smaller version of this weapon was what her father had used to first teach her to defend herself. And this particular blade had been a gift from her Aunt a few years ago.

"Can't really put a lot of weight behind it, though," he then observed, squinting at the shape of it.

An odd smile appeared on Sakura's face. "Weight isn't necessary. A few well-placed cuts can bring anyone down. Don't you agree?" she quipped in return.

And then she set the weapon back in place on the display. The old man turned quite pale as he bowed

They went on walking. Sasuke eyed Sakura. "I thought you were a bit young to be a General," he confessed.

"Thought?" she repeated without looking at him.

"Thought," was all Sasuke said in response.

Sakura glanced over her shoulder at him. "I knew there was a reason I liked you, Prince," she declared before she hurried on ahead to the next street.

As they perused the wares in various stalls, Sakura began to notice a pattern. While many stalls sold jewels that had been polished and cut, few merchants sold any real jewelry. At best, the gem hung from a simple chain. She made a note to herself. This was something Sasori would love to know.

She stole a glance at Sasuke, who met her gaze with a nod. "Ready to go?" he asked.

They rode back up to the palace late in the afternoon. The guards parted ways with them along the way. Bowing far too many times as they did so.

"I apologize about the state of the fish. I can speak to my father about finding something to suit your taste," Sasuke offered.

"It's alright. No sense in crying over something I can't have yet," Sakura waved him off with a laugh.

And then Sasuke's forehead wrinkled. "Before I forget, I never got a chance to ask," he added. Sakura nodded.

"I was thinking about what you said. About reputations. What do they say about me?" inquired Sasuke.

Sakura squinted up at the sky. She could see clouds gathering on the horizon. But they were far enough that perhaps the storm would miss them. Kaze's ears perked up, as if he were listening for the storm too.

"Well, you're known as somewhat of a heartbreaker," Sakura admitted.

Sasuke's mouth puckered. Like he was trying to decide whether to be offended or not. In the end, he gave a shrug, saying, "You have two options. Either you're cruel and the woman leave crying, or you're kind and they don't leave at all."

"How terrible it must be," she retorted.

"It is. I've had them follow me to every social event of the season. Some threaten to kill themselves if I won't marry them. One woman even crawled into my bed at night. It's unbearable."

"Well, find the least insane one and just marry her. People like us don't love, Prince. We breed," snorted Sakura.

"Breed?" he repeated, face contorting.

Sakura ran her fingers through Kaze's mane. The horse tossed his head, ears twitching. And then he glanced up at her. She smiled and rubbed her palm along his neck in apology for bothering him.

"A ruler must be intelligent and charismatic. Level-headed and just. Beautiful as well. People don't follow ugliness," she listed. She met Sasuke's gaze with a pointed look.

"We are better than the common folk. Our carefully-curated pedigree guarantees that," Sakura added. A smile flickered across her face before she whistled. Her horse broke into a run, dashing along the path. Leaving Sasuke to watch the swish of her perfect ponytail as she galloped ahead of him. As he opened his mouth to call out to her, she looked over her shoulder at him, suddenly smiling again. As if that conversation had only happened in his head.

Supper, that night, was an exercise in self-control. As Sakura struggled not to roll her eyes.

"A party?" Sasuke repeated.

Naruto's fork, heavy with roast meat, froze on the way to his mouth. He tried to meet Sakura's gaze, but she wasn't looking at him.

Sitting at the head of the table was King Fugaku, holding up his glass so a servant could fill it with more wine. Queen Mikoto sat to his left, chewing silently like any good lady should. To his right, in the seat of honor, was Sakura. Who ran her tongue along the edges of her teeth, listening. Her eyes barely flickered upward toward the king at his sudden announcement.

"Just a small one. To welcome our guests," Fugaku said before taking a sip of his drink. Mikoto nodded.

"A wonderful idea," she agreed. And then she turned to Sakura.

"General, please don't worry about your attire for the evening. I will have my personal tailor sent to your quarters tomorrow. He can work his magic in time for the festivities," Mikoto assured her. Sakura, who had lifted her goblet to her mouth, pulled it away to return the smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Sakura replied.

And as the focus of the conversation turned to Naruto, Sakura's eyes finally met Sasuke's across the table. She rolled them. Hard. Sasuke choked on his wine a little as he tried not to laugh.

"A wonderful idea," Sakura repeated after the meal was over. They had retreated to one of the lounges that no one ever used. There were a lot of those. It was a large castle.

"No. It's a wonderful idea," Sasuke corrected her, mimicking the pitch of his mother's voice. Picking up his cup of tea, he turned to face the window. He stood there, back perfectly straight as he sipped. Sakura sat with her right leg crossed over the left. She picked up her own white cup painted with red flowers. Her eyes glittered as she eyed him over the rim of her drink.

"Is it the dancing you hate? Or the nobles?" she asked.

"The artifice in general. The dancing I could also do without," Sasuke confessed. And then he pivoted on his heel to look at her. "Although I'm more worried about you."

Sakura's eyebrows rose as she set her teacup down on the table.

"Do you think that I speak with such candor everywhere I go?" Sakura challenged him. She examined a fraying thread at the bottom of her shirt. There was a dagger strapped to her thigh everywhere she went. She pulled it out of the sheath to carefully sever the stray strand. The blade slipped back into its sheath with a small click. Her gaze then lifted back to Sasuke leaning against the window. Steam rose from his cup, curling and twisting against his chin before dissipating.

"Well… I suppose that explains why you keep mentioning being stabbed," muttered Sasuke.

Eyes popping open, Sakura threw her head back and laughed. Sasuke chuckled too. Hooking a finger into the high collar of his black vest, he loosened his tie just a bit.

"But you do hate nobility, don't you?" he then insisted.

"I don't hate based on social standing," Sakura retorted. But as Sasuke lifted his cup again, she added, "Though I do hate idiots. And I've noticed somewhat of a correlation between the two."

Sasuke lowered his cup.

"This is what I'm talking about. If you said that during the ball, one of my great-uncles would die of a heart attack right then and there."

"…And?" Sakura prompted. "Has he not named an heir yet?"

Sasuke blinked several times. He let out a sigh. "I really hope that you're not lying, and that you're not like this with everyone," was all he said.

It was Sakura's turn to sigh. "You'd think with all the education nobles are given, they'd have some shred of common sense. Some of them do-" Sakura paused to gesture toward Sasuke. He dipped his head. "But many of them don't understand anything outside of drinking and hiring expensive whores. Those are the ones I hate."

Sasuke's eyebrow rose. Just the right one.

"Whores?"

"The more exotic, the more expensive," Sakura confirmed.

Sasuke cleared his throat, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. He went to take another sip of tea and found his cup empty. He set the cup down a little harder than necessary.

"Well, back to the topic at hand. Prepare yourself. My mother's tailor is… talkative. I would ask that you not strike him dead," he said with a touch of humor.

"I would never harm an unarmed foe," Sakura promised. Her hand over her heart as she spoke.

Sasuke's eyes widened. Sasuke was quite unbothered as she drank the rest of her tea.

Soon, it was time to retire for the night. No matter their closeness, people would talk if the two of them were seen spending too much time together. Especially after sunset.

"Your br- cousin has asked for a tour of the palace tomorrow morning. I don't suppose you'd accompany me," Sasuke offered.

"I would prefer not to," she retorted, face turning stony. "The bonds of our friendship are not yet so deep that I would subject myself to such suffering. Sasuke nodded, as if he had been expecting such a response. And then he tilted his head.

"Yet? Would you, eventually?" he wondered.

"It depends on how well you behave yourself," declared Sakura. She got to her feet.

Then I'll see you for lunch tomorrow," she then said before she headed back to her apartment.

Her quarters were empty and quiet. There was no mail waiting for her. Sakura changed out of her clothes and left them in a large basket by the door. Moegi or Haku would take them to be cleaned in the morning as they dropped off breakfast. Her uniform hung in the otherwise bare armoire. She had only worn it for her first day in the castle. But she had still glimpsed one of the maids taking it out to air in the sunlight and brushing it so dust wouldn't settle on the white fabric.

In the morning, Sakura was one of the first to rise, as usual. The stable boys had her horse brushed and saddled up by the time she stepped out to greet them. The guards saluted with their spears as she rode past on Kaze. It had all become part of her routine during the several days that had elapsed since her arrival.

But that day, as she followed the path, Sakura found her thoughts drifting. Their usual quick ride turned into an hour. And then more. Kaze wasn't complaining. He was used to marching. They both were.

Moegi greeted Sakura in the foyer when she returned. "Welcome back, General. Did you enjoy your ride?" Haku also bowed, hands folded in front of her.

"What? Oh… yes, did," Sakura answered. Tucking her helmet under her arm, she strode off down the hall. Moegi and Haku followed on her heels. They had learned her pace by now. They could match her steps without bumping into her or lagging behind.

"What time is it?" asked Saura as they neared the stairs.

"It's almost 9, General. Prince Sasuke sent a message begging your forgiveness," Haku reported.

Sakura climbed the first step. Paused. "For?"

"For inviting Prince Naruto to lunch, General."

Sakura let out a long sigh. "Please send word to Prince Sasuke that he should beg harder," she finally replied.

A smile tilted the corner of Haku's mouth. Moegi quickly covered her lips to hide her titer.

"Ah, and before I forget. Tell the kitchen that I'd like tea to be sent up to my room at night as well. Something herbal if possible," Sakura told them. Haku, who had the better memory of the two, hurried off to deliver the message. Moegi continued on behind Sakura.

"Pardon me if I'm overstepping my bounds, General. But is something troubling you?" Moegi ventured as Sakura reached out to open the door. Fingers lingering on the handle, Sakura turned her head to look at the girl. She was fresh-faced, always so eager to please. Her eyes glittered at the smallest forms of praise.

"I didn't sleep so well last night," Sakura replied.

"Ah! That's why you asked for the herbal tea!" Moegi realized.

Sakura smiled. "Clever girl," she said as she stepped into her quarters.

It was only later, after she had bathed and dressed, that Sakura could even think of the truth. And even then, she took up a pen, dipped it in ink too many times. Trying to gather her thoughts into words that would mean something more than just nonsense.

Dear Sasori,

I've been tossing and turning at night again.

She scribbled it out.

I wish I could tell you that my thoughts

Scribbled.

I'm scared.

Her pen stopped moving. The tip of her nib dug into the paper for too long and left a blot. It spread, blurring out the word. She crumpled the paper up and shoved it into her jacket pocket. She could have one of her maids burn it. Or better yet, she could find an excuse to walk past a fire and burn it herself.

A rush of disgust swelled in her chest as she remember the physician's words when she had first returned from the battlefront.

+++

Yashamaru's hands were always a little too cold. She held very still as they pressed to her throat. He counted her heartbeats. And then he checked her eyes, scrutinizing her pupils. Every so often, he jotted something down in his notes.

They could hear laughter in the distance. The waves lapped at the beams supporting the room. Yashamaru let out a soft sigh. He brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"As I suspected, Lady Sakura. You're in excellent physical condition," he declared.

Yashamaru was a distant relative of hers. The light-colored eyes signature of their family made that obvious enough. Sakura found herself staring at them without really seeing. She traced back the lineage to place him in her family tree. He was the brother-in-law of her second cousin's father. So that made him… her… first cousin… once removed?

His mouth was still moving. She wished that she didn't hear the words coming out of it.

"But I've seen this before. It's stress from the war. You just need to rest."

"I have been resting," Sakura grumbled.

It had been nearly a year since she had returned from her successful campaign on the western border of the kingdom. She had been hailed as a hero. Her battered regiment had marched into the city in a shower of flower petals and applause. There was even a parade, complete with music. She remembered sitting on Kaze's back, ears ringing and her head barely nodding whenever people spoke to her. There were many soldiers who just stood there and wept. What cruelty to celebrate the hell that they had just barely managed to crawl out of.

In the name of reconstruction, she had stayed in Whiteriver Keep. She oversaw the distribution of soldiers and supplies to the scorched areas of the kingdom on the mend after the war. There were still small pockets of surviving enemies to clean up. Some groups she sent just to help people rebuild their towns. If possible, she asked that soldiers be sent as close to home as possible. And for their commanding officers to turn a blind eye every now and then if some slipped out in the night to be with their families.

Three years of battles and travel had taken a toll on her. Sakura's first days back in the castle had been difficult. Servants there had never bent over backwards to please her. And as she jolted out of nightmares, often drawing a weapon, the few who had once served her began to steer clear of her quarters entirely. Every shadow was an enemy. Every sharp noise was the scream of an innocent. When she closed her eyes, a battlefield of ashen corpses stared at her. Sometimes the bodies demanded to know why they had died and she had lived. She never had an answer for them.

It was her Aunt Kushina, the Queen Regent, who had recommended a change of scenery.

"You've always liked Plumeria. And the the sea air might be good for you," she had suggested. Part of her had suspected that it was a trap. But another part of her didn't care. She ran home- to her real home. Where she was welcomed with open arms. Where smiles were real and where when people said, "I love you" and "I care about you", it really meant something.

"You haven't rested. I mean here," Yashamaru persisted, touching two fingers to his temple. As Sakura stared at him, he reached out to touch her temple too.

"Your wounds are healing on your body. But not in there. You need to relax a little," he went on. Sakura's eyes narrowed. She pushed his hand away.

"Alright. Then why don't you try watching your commanding officer's decapitation? And then witness his body torn apart by beasts? Or, why don't you go see enemy soldiers set fire to entire towns? And then see how easily you can relax at night," she spat. Yashamaru recoiled a little, like she had burned him.

"Actually, you know what might be fun? Why don't you find orphans who survived by eating the bodies of their siblings and parents? That should help you rest a little, don't you think?" As she spoke, Sakura could hear her voice catch. She clenched her hands into fists.

"You try having all those thoughts in your head, Doctor. And then see how well you relax," she hissed.

And when she met Yashamaru's gaze, she was almost sorry for lashing out at him.

Slowly, he closed his eyes. Let out a deep breath through his nostrils. When he opened his eyes again, he offered her a wan smile.

"All the same, you need to sleep. The dead need not rest. You do," he insisted.

Sakura's mouth tightened before she confessed: "I'd rather not sleep. My dreams are unkind."

"Moon tea, then. To force sleep despite the dreams," Yashamaru responded.

A shaky sigh left Sakura's mouth. She touched the back of her hand to her forehead. Trying to gather her scattered thoughts in her even more scattered brain.

"This is common. Soldiers returning from war always struggle to adjust," Yashamaru told her.

"Some of them seem fine," Sakura protested.

Yashamaru shook his head. "Some of them are liars, then. Or at least better actors than you are," he corrected her. And then he got out of his seat.

"And I'd hate to offend you more than I already have, but it must be said," Yashamaru then added. Sakura glanced at him, already wary.

"You've left the battlefield. Stop dragging it around with you," he said.

Sakura's expression hardened. She got out of her seat.

"Will you drink the tea?" asked Yashamaru, following her with his eyes.

"Prescribe it," she ordered. She got to her feet and walked off, hands clenching and then unclenching with every fall of her boots against the path.

+++

It had been almost four years since then. It had taken a long time for her to even begin to be able to pretend that things were getting better. The staff in her palace had worked tirelessly to nurse her back to health. None of them complained about the broken dishes or the sleepless nights. They greeted her with smiles each morning, answering her listlessness and anger with compassion. Sakura knew for a fact that they had been the ones to save her.

Still, the nightmares returned every once in a while. It was worse when she was away from home. If the doctor was correct, which he usually was, stress was to blame.

Her nights in Ispolin were spent tossing and turning more and more. Flashes of blades and the booms of cannon fire filled her ears at night. When she jolted awake, sweat dripping down her face, she wondered how a phantom sound could seem so real. Why her scars still ached like her wounds were fresh. Clarity only returned to her with the rising sun, after she had managed an hour or two of sleep to soothe her aching brain.

Kneading the heels of her hands against her eyes, Sakura sucked in a deep breath. Inhaling. Exhaling. Calming the noise in her head.

She let her hands fall to the desk.

There was no point in telling Sasori, she finally decided. He would worry and abandon his duties to come see her. And then he would insist on taking her home right away. There was no point.

Her eyes drifted to the books sitting on the edge of the desk. There were so many interesting titles in the library. His Majesty the King had invited her to explore it at her leisure, even if Sasuke was not with her. When she had mentioned this to Sasuke, he had nearly spit his tea in her face. Half-choking, he had let her know what a huge honor it was. Sakura had suspected as much. But then again, what use was a library when most people didn't know how to read?

With the King's permission, she had begun borrowing a few books at a time to read in her room. Haku and Moegi trimmed the candle wicks to make sure that they were steady enough to read by. During the many occasions that she suffered through a sleepless night, having a book was a small comfort. These particular books were about the accomplishments of some of the Mountain Kingdom's famous tacticians. It was dry, but informative. The texts even suggested a few strategies that she had never imagined.

There was still time left before lunch. She stared at the books for a long time before she made a decision. She scooped the up in her arms and carried them to the other wing of the castle. It was a long walk, but she didn't mind it at all. Keeping her muscles busy distracted her mind a little, too.

As she pushed the double doors open, she thought she heard a noise. She hesitated in the doorway. Free hand sliding down her leg toward her dagger as she waited. She counted to ten, holding her breath to hear better. When it was silent, she let the doors swing shut behind her.

Sakura remembered where she had pulled these books from. It was a testament to how infrequently people entered this place that the empty spots in the bookcase were still there. Where the lonely spines had slumped to one side in the absence of their neighbors. Sakura squeezed them back into place. She skimmed her fingertips along the bindings as she walked past.

As she drifted to another section, she began glancing over the titles.

History, philosophy, religion. She couldn't even begin to imagine how much this room was worth. Each book was handwritten by a scribe. Bound with fine leather. It was, frankly, a bit stupid to let her, a stranger, have free rein of this place. Surrounded by what was essentially piles and piles of gold.

As she moved to a new shelf, she heard a heavy thud. Sakura peered around the corner. Itachi stood frozen, a sheepish expression on his face. A book lay on the floor.

Her eyes traced the bottom of his shadow all the way until they reached the bottom of his dressing gown. It was a thick robe the color of the night sky. The hem shimmered with silver thread. It reminded her of the sheen of polished armor.

"That sound I heard earlier… Was that you, Your Highness?" she queried. When her eyes reached his face, she found his cheeks turning pink. It was easy to tell. He was so pale.

"… I wasn't expecting company. This place is usually empty," he said in response. And then he fidgeted with his dressing gown a bit. It was a beautiful garment. Although the fabric was a bit heavier than she would have expected in warmer weather.

This was only her second time seeing him, but Sakura could see that he truly hadn't expected to see anyone else. His hair was loose. She could tell that he had thrown his robe on without even checking a mirror. Half of his hair was tucked into the collar of his clothes, while the rest fell down his back. She rested her palm against her heart, bowing from the waist.

"My apologies, Your Highness. I was unaware that I was intruding on your personal space. I'll take my leave then," Sakura said. But as she turned, she heard him say: "Wait."

She turned back to him.

"Yes, Your Highness?" she responded.

His forehead wrinkled. His gaze seemed to search for his next words. And when his eyes finally met hers, she was startled by how much lighter they were than his brother's.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're a princess yourself. There's no need for you to bow to me," he pointed out.

Sakura opened her mouth. Closed it. Head tilting a little to one side, she scrutinized his expression. When she decided that he wasn't being condescending, she finally spoke.

"I was led to believe that someone such as yourself would have received the finest education in foreign affairs. What a shame," she sighed. And then she gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she added: "Please excuse me." She bowed once again before she turned and left the room. The heavy door closing with a bang behind her.

Sakura was out on the terrace for lunch as she had promised. But when Sasuke showed up with Naruto on his heels, he hesitated. The look she gave the both of them over the rim of her teacup seemed like a warning.

"Fetch some milk. It appears that the General's tea is bitter," Sasuke said to the nearest servant. The woman bowed before she hurried off.

"Good afternoon," Sasuke then greeted her.

"Good afternoon," Sakura replied, perfectly polite. If not for her her sharp gaze.

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged looks. When Naruto gestured to the seat across from Sakura, Sasuke gave a quick shake of his head. He settled beside her, instead. Where, at the very least, he wouldn't have to look her in the eyes each time he looked up. Naruto mustered a grin as he settled in that spot instead.

Sakura set her cup down in the saucer. It barely made a sound.

"Hi, Sakura. You must have been up early. Did you go horseback riding?" Naruto greeted her, keeping his voice light.

"Yes, Your Highness," was all she said. Her eyes met his, daring him to ask another question. Naruto's smile sagged, as did his shoulders. He fumbled to find another topic of conversation.

"Have you been adjusting well here? I like their food," he ventured.

"I can eat just about anything, Your Highness."

"Oh…. Well, what's your favorite thing you've eaten here?" Naruto struggled on.

"I don't have favorites, Your Highness. As long as they're not rations."

Naruto seemed to give up after that second failure. Sakura's eyes were cold as she let the conversation fizzle out that way.

Sasuke grimaced before he took a sip of his tea.

"Is your tea bitter as well, Highness? The milk should be here shortly," one of the servants whispered. Sasuke just nodded.

The milk, along with their lunch, arrived not long after. Naruto perked up a little at the steaming slices of ham. He seemed most excited to have something to do instead of fidgeting in that silence.

Sakura watched, arms folded across her chest, as Naruto helped himself to the food.

"General… we haven't known each other for long. But… I'd like to request something," Sasuke finally spoke up.

"Yes, Your Highness," Sakura said, turning her face toward him.

She found him with his lips mashed together. He coughed into his fist once before he requested, "Can you please stop making it so uncomfortable here? I don't think I could eat a single bite with you sitting there like… that." And with the last word, Sasuke gestured at her tense posture.

Sakura looked down at herself. And then at Naruto, who was nibbling at a roll, peeking warily at her with the look of a child who had recently been scolded.

She exhaled through her nostrils. Uncrossed her arms. Took a deep breath. Let it out.

"You're right," was all she said.

She could feel their eyes on her, waiting for the rest of the apology. Because that's what usually happened in a situation like this. There should have been an explanation. Or at the very least, an excuse. But while Itachi's comment had dug a sharp finger into an old wound, it had reminded her of something she had learned as a child. Sitting on her Aunt Kurenai's lap as the smoke from her pipe tickled her nose.

"You are a princess. And you will be a queen. Do not apologize."

Sasuke gave another fake cough. He shook out his napkin with a snap and laid it in his lap.

"Well… Prince Naruto and I visited my family's mausoleum. Unfortunately, he seemed not to have enjoyed the tour," Sasuke tried to change the subject. Naruto wrinkled his nose.

"Why have dead bodies just laying there? They should be buried," Naruto protested.

"Sometimes, people don't have the luxury," Sakura told him in a quiet voice.

But he went on: "And, I mean, people rot. That's disgusting. No one wants to see that. And the smell! They're better off staying out of sight."

By now, Sasuke had caught the look on Sakura's face. The tightness in her shoulders. The way her mouth flattened, lips pressing together. It took a few seconds for Naruto to feel her stare burning into the side of his face.

"Like I said, Your Highness, burying the dead isn't always an option. Religions and traditions differ- even from village to village in the same kingdom. The condition of the land and soil could also be a factor," she enunciated. And then she looked Naruto in the eyes, her voice going flat.

"Sometimes we have to carry the bodies through the mud. Stinking and rotting all over our uniforms. You see, the soil in the south is too wet, too swampy. The bodies don't stay buried for long," Sakura explained. Her voice measured and as calm as if she were discussing the weather.

Her stare pinned Naruto in place. He didn't move. His face had gone very white. Sakura was quiet. And then she nodded several times.

"But perhaps you're right. Keeping the dead out of sight is comfortable for people like you, isn't it? And of course, it's all about what you prefer," Sakura added.

A bead of sweat made its way down the side of Naruto's face. Then another. And it must have been sweat gathering in Naruto's eyes too.

Sakura turned her head toward Sasuke, suddenly smiling again. "I apologize for Prince Naruto's lack of tact. He's had quite a sheltered upbringing. It must have been an honor to visit a sacred place like your family's crypt."

Sasuke's gaze flickered to Naruto. Back to Sakura. Because Naruto's mouth was open, one hand reaching toward Sakura. She should have been able to see him out of the corner of her eye. But she kept her eyes trained on Sasuke instead.

"Well… I had no idea it would be interesting to you. Would like me to take you after lunch?" Sasuke offered. And then his gaze skimmed over to Naruto again. The sudden sharpness there made Naruto lean back a little. Mouth pulling into a smirk, Sasuke added: "I didn't have the time to pay my respects properly. I would love an excuse to return there."

Sakura caught on to his game. She hid her smile behind her teacup.

After the meal, Sakura spent the rest of the day following Sasuke around the palace grounds. They had explored much of it already. But the mausoleum was a new adventure.

The underground crypt was dusty and draped in cobwebs. There was a strange charm to it nonetheless. Monstrous carvings of stone lions filled the walls. Statues of more lions stood guard at the entrance of each room. They went through several rooms, climbing deeper and deeper into the ground. It occurred to Sakura that this would be an excellent place for Sasuke to kill her if he wished. When she pointed this out, he looked horrified.

"Why would I do that?" he hissed, rattling the lantern in her direction.

"Cleanup would be easy. You could just leave the corpse here," Sakura went on.

Shaking his head, Sasuke laughed as he led them on. Sakura's smile dropped as soon as his back was turned. It didn't seem like that was his plan. For now, at least.

The dried bodies of past Uchiha nobles lay on stone slabs, like exhibits in a desiccated museum. The founder of the Uchiha dynasty, a king named Madara the First, lay in the largest chamber. His body was so old that the thick cape of velvet and fur he wore had partially rotted away. Or perhaps it had been eaten by moths.

Sakura lingered by the slab. Sasuke stood beside her, holding the lantern up so that she could peer into the dried face. For an instant, Sakura could imagine the grace that must have embodied that shriveled face.

"On the island, they believe that people are reborn. If their spirits are given the proper rites," Sakura mused. The light moved. She began following Sasuke out of the chamber.

"Do you believe that as well?" Sasuke's voice drifted back to her.

Clasping her hands behind her, Sakura shook her head.

"I sincerely hope not. I hope that this is it. I'm exhausted by the thought of having to do all this again," she sighed. She heard Sasuke's feet scrape to a halt. She stopped too.

Sasuke had started to climb the staircase to the outside. He had turned to look at her. The lantern casting just his throat and bottom of his face in warm, orange light.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a very sad person?" he queried.

A smile bloomed across her face.

"Only the ones that really know me," she responded.

That night, as Sakura prepared for bed, Haku knocked on her door. He handed her a letter. It was still cool. A messenger had probably just brought it through the castle gates. She patted Haku's cheek, grateful for how he was always running for the smallest things she requested. Fighting to bring her hot water while it still steamed. Ironing her clothes twice to make sure that they hung just the way she liked.

Haku's eyes went wide. He touched his cheek, gaze wondering as it followed her around the room. Sakura plucked a cookie off the tray on her desk. She placed it in Haku's mouth and gestured for him to sit. She could hear him moving as she slit the envelope. When the unfolded the thick, creamy paper, she smelled salt.

Dearest,

I've been rather occupied, so please excuse the lack of correspondence. There were pirates lingering around the southern waters near the island. Both the Counts urged diplomacy. So naturally, I ignored such foolish counsel.

I gathered a small fleet. We destroyed their schooner with little challenge. We found them transporting children. Slaves, I hope. Anything else would be worse to imagine. The criminals are currently awaiting judgment in the cells by the docks. I suspect that a few hangings will be in order. You know my opinion on pirates. I'll be glad to see them swing.

I write this sitting in the port of Plumeria. The Regent asked for my presence at Whiteriver Keep. I spewed some nonsense about overseeing our family's lands in your absence. He was very apologetic in his response. He seems to have forgotten that you've named Gaara as your proxy. Or perhaps he does not understand what a proxy is. The poor man must have headaches all day.

My little birds tell me that you have been having a grand time in the Mountain Kingdom. Not that I doubted you, darling. Strengthening ties to our neighbor to the north is key, as you already know. But I will needlessly remind you to be careful. 

I've enclosed something for you. A small token to keep you safe when I'm not there.

Thinking of you always,

Sasori

Sakura needed to burn the letter. The jab at the Regent's intelligence wasn't something she wanted anyone else to see. She could imagine Sasori rolling his eyes as he penned the insult. And then she could imagine one of the Regent's followers bellowing about treason until they turned purple in the face.

As she unfolded the paper the rest of the way, something fell on the rug. She stooped to grab it. It was a piece of fabric. She recognized the feeling of the high-quality silk only her island could produce. It was a soft shade of lilac with a snake curled around a staff stitched into the center. When she unwrapped it, she found a pair of earrings. They were made of gold. Sparkling pink tourmaline dangled from the wire. She shook them. She could see the slosh of something liquid inside the crystals.

There were many codes that the Haruno family used to communicate. Aunt Kurenai had made sure to teach them every one that she knew. This included using images that others would just see as decorations and patterns to send messages. In this case, the embroidery indicated that this was an antidote. Aunt Kurenai wore a similar pair each day. The top of the jewelry was designed to detach, revealing an opening at the top of the crystals. She had only ever had to use them once, and not on herself.

Sakura slipped the hooks through her ears. She slept with them on that night. And that night, her dreams weren't of clashing swords and blood misting through the air.

Instead, she was lying in a hammock by the beach. Swaying in the strong ocean wind. One foot dangling. She heard her father's voice, rising and falling in murmured words and laughter. The night was cool, but she was so comfortable. Wrapped up in something soft that smelled familiar. And she was safe.

It was the first time in a while that she had felt that way.

+++

< Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 >

[mari-strider]

Rampage/Reader

(I can't find much reader insert content for beast wars so I gotta do it myself 😤)

Rampage hated you. The very fact that you existed brought turmoil to his very being. Since the day you began living at the Predacon base he has not known peace.

He loathed everything about you. He detested how your dazzling smile made his knees feel like plutonium jelly. How every tender touch, no matter how fleeting, left him yearning for more. Your laughter soothed his spark and brought peace to his restless processor. He cursed how fragile you were, your delicateness bringing a sense of protectiveness in him -yet you carried a special strength that he could only wish to have. Rampage absolutely loathed the way you looked at him, sympathy at your shared situation of being captives of Megatron. He hated how soft you made him, but he despised himself even more for allowing himself to feel this way.

For even though Megatron had his physical spark in his possession, you were the one that unwittingly bewitched it.

Which explained why he was currently accompanying you to forage for food. He listened to you as you chattered away, climbing up the branches of a tree in search of fruit. You reminded him of the songbirds of the forest. Chirping melodious notes while basking in the light that filtered through the forest canopy.

Rampage knew better than to be outside the base with you -one never knew when Depthcharge might show up. Yet, he could not bring himself to trust you in the care of his incompetent crewmates. So here he was, milling about the base of the tree, ready to pounce into action in the case you suddenly lost your balance and slipped. Though he had no need to worry, your lithe figure gracefully scaled the tree's branches until you found your prize.

"Heads up!" You shouted, peering below before dropping the mangos one by one into the basket cradled in Rampage's clutches. Pleased with the size of your haul, you began making your way down the length of the tree. You hopped off the last branch (slightly worrying Rampage) and landed with a pose.

Rampage's spark was racing. Primus, you were so cute. Not knowing what else to do, he held out the basket of mangoes for you to take.

You accepted it, frowning. You hoped he would've found your acrobatic act endearing, instead, it seemed like you just succeed in pissing him off. Your shoulders slumped as your mood turned sour.

As much as Rampage enjoyed gorging himself on the negative feelings of others, yours -despite how savory they tasted- made his tanks lurch. “You know um,,,” His processor ran a 100 miles a minute the moment you looked up at him with your shiny irises. “We still have time before we need to head back and I was wondering if you wanted to check out this waterfall I found a while back.” He hated how he felt like a lovesick sparkling. “Nevermind, it was a dumb idea.”

You quickly shook your head. “No! It’s a great idea!” Balancing the basket on your hip, you gingerly placed your other hand into his, offering him a soft smile. ��I’d love to go check it out.”

Rampage swooned. If only you knew the power you held over the universe’s most feared immortal. He snapped out of his thoughts to focus on leading to the waterfall. Though, his mind kept wandering back to how perfectly your hand felt in his servo.

You let out a gasp as the waterfall came into view. It was breathtaking. Lush floral life made its home around the cascading water, its numerous flowers like bright jewels against the backdrop of deep green. The roar of the waterfall reverberated over the crystal clear river. Gazing skyward, you saw the overhead of the waterfall, the water rushing over the edge of a cliff several feet above you. You spotted fish swimming contently in the water at the base of the waterfall. Weaving seamlessly in their element and scurrying away when you stepped into the refreshingly cool river.

A content sigh escaped your soft lips as you walked deeper into the inviting embrace of the water. The gravel that shifted under your feet reminded you of the sandy beaches back home. A reminder that despite not technically gone off world, you were millions of years away from home. You let the thought float away, wishing to take pleasure in the way the river's current caressed your legs as it flowed on by.

Rampage settled on the banks of the river, sitting as he observed you keenly as you stood thigh-deep in the water. You gave him a scare as you abruptly dove under the small waves. He only began to relax the second you reappeared, all toothy grin as you wiped the water from your eyes and laughed at the state of your clothes.

His spark sputtered as you stripped yourself nearly bare.

“W-what do you think you’re doing!?” His sudden shouting caught your attention. You offered him an impish smile in response before throwing your discarded clothes beside him. His face burned as he took in your alien form. With your back to him, his green optics followed the journey of a drop a water down the supple curving of your spine.

He watched with silent astonishment at how gracefully you moved in the water. The movement of your arms and legs seemed to mimic the steps of an elegant dance as you glided in the river. It seemed physically impossible for him to tear his optics from your swimming figure.

You marveled at the curious fish that inched close as you swam low beneath the surface of the water. Letting the current slightly carry you, you found yourself in the deeper parts of the river. You failed to notice the encroaching dark figure swimming towards you as you waved to the fishes.

Something tapped your shoulder, causing your head to quickly swivel around to see what had touched you.

It had been none other than Rampage, an amused look on his face as you smiled at his sudden appearance. Swimming upwards, you gulped in much needed air as the large bot’s head broke over the surface of the water. You splashed him as soon as he neared. “Nice of you to join in.”

He hummed before retaliating and splashing you back, enjoying the way you shrieked as you laughed. “The water seemed perfect for a swim.”

You swam closer to the red bot, close enough to the point that you could see the water dripping from his mandibles. “Seems like great minds think alike.” Wanting to make the best of your free time, you dove once again under the small waves as you left behind a dumbstruck bot behind.

Rampage worried that despite being miles away and on Megatron’s person, you would be able to hear how hard his spark was hammering at that very moment. He silently thanked Primus that the cold river helped cool his heating frame. He watched as you resurfaced and floated on your back, allowing the current to pull you along.

The two of you enjoyed your time together, swimming until the sun began to descend behind the peaks of the mountains. Your muscles began to feel the beginnings of fatigue as you crawled onto the banks of the river. Rampage soon joined you on the shore as you slipped on your clothes. Shaking the excess water from your hair, you turned to your significantly taller companion. “We should do this more often.”

Rampage gave you a quizzical look as he made a move to grab your mango-filled basket. “Swimming?” It wasn’t anything special to him but he assumed it must be a human trait to extremely enjoy water. He was sure to research on that later.

You laughed, placing a hand on his forearm. “No, big guy, I meant as in we should hang out more.” Patting his impressively strong frame you sweetly smiled up at him. “I really like spending time with you.”

Oh, how he hated how easily and eagerly he nodded in agreement.

[erikismybitch]

Havana : part two

Naomi didn’t sleep well that night , she never slept well in foreign places . She could only rest in the comfort of her own bed . Even when she stayed over at Rains House, she tossed and turned all night .

The sun was up now, Naomi found herself in the sand and at peace with her yellow polka dot yoga mat .

Erik was up to, a practice he had mastered after years in the military. His eyes would automatically open at five am, no alarm needed . His room was the only room that overlooked the beach . Unknowingly he watched her, still laying in his bed.

Tree pose

Bridge pose

Child’s pose

Cobra pose

And one Erik liked very much , Downward dog.

In addition to her voluptuous body, he appreciated how flexible she was. He could see every curve she posessed, due to her light blue yoga pants and matching sports bra. When she was done, Erik found himself disappointed that the show was over. She came inside , he heard her footsteps in the kitchen . He knew it was her because his mother and sister slept late . He was yearning to talk to her before they got up .

Naomi rummaged through Eriks kitchen cabinets , in search for something to nibble on . She gave the fridge a try, no luck .

“This man has no food” she mumbled .

“I don’t eat” Erik walked into the kitchen, scaring her half to death . She placed her hand on her chest and turned to him . Erik stood there in all his glory, with nothing on but a pair of thin joggers. “I just drink my protein shakes , eggs , meat, I eat a lot of frozen shit”

“Aww Erik” Shame hiding being her voice . “Is there a store around here?” She asked .

“A store for what, you don’t want a shake?” He joked as he opened his cabinet and grabbed the container of chocolate whey.

“I need basic things, like fruit and vegetables“ she said sarcastically.

“It’s one that’s walking distance , want me to go with you ?”

“No, I can handle it if you tell me how to get there”

“Okay Dora. As soon as you leave the gates, walk left . Just keep walking you’ll see it”

Naomi set off to the store , the distance was longer than she expected . But nevertheless she got to see the beautiful neighborhood on the way . The group of uniformed children who walked to school and waved as they past . She met an old senile woman smoking a cigar that mistook her for her daughter . Then the slick heckler who tried to convince her to buy a fake gold bracelet .

“Hola’” Naomi greeted the old man who she assumed owned the small store . He was the only one behind the counter . He said Hi back . He was dark skinned and had dreadlocks that hung below his back . On his wrist was a bracelet with the lion of Zion.

“Como estas!” He shouted , reveling his missing front tooth.

“Bien”

She grabbed a small basket and got the things she needed . Fresh OJ, bread , mango, breakfast sausage and plantain. The market didn’t have much so she made due . She paid for the items and went back to Erik’s villa . It was humid , her body had become moist on the walk back . She placed the items on the counter , Erik was still there . The others were still sleeping .

“I need two skillets, help me...help me” she told Erik , he obliged and even turned on the stove for her .

Naomi placed her hair in a high bun, Erik admired her beautiful full face . She washed her hands too , that suggested that she was clean . She added a couple of sausages to the pan.

“I love plantain, you making it too?”Erik picked up the two ripe fruits .

“I thought you didn’t eat” she snatched them, pealed them and began to cut them .

“I eat that, that shit be good”

She laughed at little , adding oil to the empty skillet and turning on the fire . Naomi began cracking eggs into an empty bowl .

“You have no TV, how do you live like this?” The previous night, Naomi noticed that he didn’t . She was an advent TV watcher , it ran her life .

“The channels here are not regular channels. I watch stuff on my Mac, whenever the internet works” he sat across from her on a tall stool. He watched her cook . They talked and laughed more and more as she finished . Conversing about everything under the sun. From what cartoons they both hate , to what really happened to Tupac and Biggie . No topic was left untouched in the kitchen .

Rain and Ruby were both awaken by the laughs of Erik and Naomi . They peeked nosely at the two who were sitting next to eachother , fairly close . Ruby’s intuition had served her right , she knew her son would take a liking to Naomi . Rain on the other hand was disgusted, as any little sister would be .

“Did you make us some food too!?” Rain interrupted , walking into the kitchen with her big pink bonnet on her head .

“Good morning lil nigga” Erik scoffed at his sisters rude behavior.

“My bad, good morning y’all “ She retracted .

“It’s enough for everybody “

They came into the kitchen and helped themselves to the things Naomi cooked .

After everyone finished , Rain and Naomi got dressed for a day out . Ruby had been there and done that, she wanted to have a day of relaxation and decided to stay home . Erik said he didn’t want to third wheel. The truth was, he didn’t want to talk to Naomi around his pesky baby sister.

They left , hauling a classic car to escort them to El Capitolo. Naomi was highly interested in Fidel Castro . After they conquered that historical place , the two of them set out to Old Havana. They walked around the beautiful colorful buildings and brick passages .

The duo found themselves in the middle of an outside market , where locals and other tourist bargained with eachother on prices . Naomi was at a small booth, admiring a small bracelet . “How much?” She asked the salesman. He told her is was five Cuban Pesos. She willingly gave him the money . He politely took her hand and put the bracelet on her wrists. She smiled and thanked him .

“You’re too nice , these people are gonna take all your money “ Rain said, while she ignored the heckler fighting for her attention . “Pesos aren’t much, and it’s the least I can do . This country is so beautiful “

“Well, Erik told me not to be too nice . People take advantage of you “

Erik . Naomi thought about him. He had defiantly left a mark on her . Her mouth had curved into a smile , she didn’t even notice . She wanted to get back to the villa just to see him again.

“Bitch, are you smiling . Are you thinking about my brother !” She stuck her nose in the air and rolled her eyes .

Naomi laughed bashfully , trying her best to hide her smile . “I’m not” she lied .

“I know what kind of affect he has on women, be honest”

“I am, but I don’t want to talk about this with you !” Naomi quickly walked ahead of her in efforts to avoid her glare . “Let’s Just find dinner” she suggested . Lusting over her close friends brother was not something Naomi wanted to talk about .

They ate dinner at a tourist aimed restaurant . Naomi wanted more authentic food but Rain wasn’t a very open person . They settled for hamburgers and drinks . When they were good and full they took that long cab ride back to Eriks villa . Where Rain still pestered her about the crush she had on her brother . Naomi pled the fifth with each question . It was later than usual when they got back . The house was dark and silent . Rain was tipsy and wanted to lay down. Naomi noticed Erik outside on the patio , she was tipsy too . “I’ll come bother you later, I’m gonna go take a shower “

Naomi did take a shower, but she had no intentions on going to Rains room. She went out on the deck. As soon as she walked out , she was met with his voice . To her, he talked like a teen with a raspy voice . But somehow it was still masculine and manly . And when he spoke too fast, it sounded like he had food in his mouth . She started to laugh at the thought . You know, those small things people notice when they like someone .

“What’s funny ?” He quizzed , he took a puff of the huge cigar he was smoking.

“Just thinking about something funny “

He extended the cigar to her , offering it up. She shook her head. “You ever smoked one before ?” His body rocked back and forth on the hammock he was laying in .

“No, just weed”

“They catch you with weed out here, that’s ten years. Come try it “ she hesitated. “Girl if you don’t bring that ass over here !” Erik was adamant.

She ran her hands through her curls and walked to the hammock . She let out a breath of nervousness. He pulled her onto the hammock with him . She positioned herself on her side, facing Erik who was laying on his back . “You smell good, the bugs finna’ have a field day on you “ she felt dumb, her scent was only to entice Erik, not to get bit. He gave her the cigar . “Take it in twice , do it slow though”

She didn’t take his advice , she did it too fast . Her lungs filled up with smoke and she coughed it up . Tears started to build in her eyes . He laughed hard and encouraged her to try again . She did it correctly this time . “There you go, take it like a boss”

“I got it” her voice was high pitched with excitement. She beamed as she gave him the cigar back . He leaned down and ashed it on the ground . The hammock shifted and Naomi slid closer. She thought the cigar was disgusting, a one time experience.

“Did you and ugly have a good day?” He asked, referring to Rain as ugly .

“Yes, me and your sister had a good day”

He took a sip of something , it seemed to be alcohol . “What y’all do?”

“Went to a museum, bought some stuff at a market , then ate dinner”

“Yeah, was the food good?” He was genuinely interested in her day . That, and he just wanted to be close to her . He didn’t want her to go away . The sound of her small voice he liked .

“The food was okay, it was just burgers” she spoke slow, sleep was starting to catch up with her .

“Tomorrow, I’ll take you guys out to dinner . Somewhere nice too”

He opened his arm and wrapped it above her head. They made eye contact slowly . Erik wanted badly to place his lips on hers, but it was too early . He couldn’t deny that he felt a way. It was embarrassing to him, they just met. His emotions were far beyond his control . If he tried to kiss her, Naomi would oblige. She felt the exact same about him .

Her head rested under his arm and against his chest . Her nostrils filled with the sent of musk and his deodorant. Her bare legs rubbed gently against his . “It’s weird to me. I feel like I know you”

“That’s what your sister said when she first met me” her eyes closed, the loud tree frogs were chirping in the darkness. It was like a lullaby .

“We a lot alike people say . She likes you so you must be cool people” his voice was getting deeper, sleep was chasing him too.

“I’m alright” Naomi played coy.

“Nah, you more than just alright...”

He nuzzled her closer to him and they both drifted off asleep.

[amastaysandtrailstraveltips]

A Home Away From Home, Luxurious Stays in Alibaug by Ama Stays and Trails!

Alibag or Alibaug is a small coastal town tucked away in Maharashtra's Konkan region. It is a very popular weekend getaway and has earned the moniker "mini-Goa" due to the high volume of tourists it receives year-round. Alibaug, a charming little town with a rich colonial history, is about 96 kilometers from Mumbai and 150 kilometers from Pune. It is home to many sandy beaches, clean, unpolluted air, and forts and temples, so even though it is a small town, there are always things to do. Explore the beautiful city with gorgeous stays in Alibaug.

If one is looking for villas in Alibaug with pool the Asanji Wadi abode by Ama Stays and Trails is the best accommodation in Alibag. Asanji Wadi, a stunning 4-bedroom stays in Alibaug set amidst a verdant mango orchard, offers visitors a restful stay filled with easy, enjoyable activities and experiences particular to this sleepy coastal town. The name of this picturesque residence, Asanji Wadi, which roughly translates to "our farm" in Kutchi, is a fitting one for one of the best villas in Alibaug. The materials used to construct this lodging in Alibag came from the owners' ancestral home in Bhuj, Kutch. This home's interior has high ceilings, stone flooring, a wooden staircase, and pillars that give off a cosy, old-world vibe. The villa offers amenities like air conditioning, a barbecue grill, bathroom amenities, a coffee/tea maker, an ironing board, the ability to accept pets, a sitting area, a kitchen, an ensuite bathroom, access to a doctor (on call), parking, free Wi-Fi, and a private pool with views of the bamboo plantations, expansive gardens, and lawns. 

For an unforgettable experience, the best stays in Alibaug are available by Ama Stays and Trails. A beach town off the coast of Mumbai feels like a world away. Enjoy a barbecue session in the garden as the sun sets over the horizon and the soft sea breeze begins to kiss the bungalow. Bite into succulent fish and perfectly grilled prawns, with meat and crunchy bell peppers adding unique flavours, or pick from a variety of fresh vegetables marinated to your preference. Our guests can choose some of the freshest fruits and vegetables from our organic farm so that our chefs can prepare a dish of their choice. In the more forested areas of the property, set up a formal table setting for friends and family to enjoy a delicious meal and drinks while listening to soft music in the background. In addition to packing a picnic basket for guests to bring along, our bungalow supervisor would be happy to suggest a few lovely spots on the property and the nearby Awaas beach where visitors could spend the morning or day.  Many travellers prefer to unwind in peace while taking in the scenery and soaking up the sun. As guests enter their private bungalow or villa, they are greeted by the soothing sounds of nature. Explore the city and stay in Villas in Alibaug with pool to reconnect with themselves in a home away from home setting.

[bussanbaby]

this is inspired by a recent bts s3 pic and this post by my bud @willjtudor

“Magnus, do you know where my keys are?” Comes Alec’s voice, muted by the wall separating their bedroom and the living room; with it, the distinct shuffle of dress shoes on wooden floors and the click of the closet doors.

“The hallway basket!” Magnus shouts back, not turning his attention away from his breakfast bowl loaded with yogurt and fruit, as well as the newspaper he’s currently browsing through.

He and Alec have gotten up roughly at the same time, but since Alec has to leave somewhere early, he is the one puttering around in a rush before nine o’clock. Magnus has his morning off, hence why he’s sat in his robe and slippers, enjoying a couple hours of peace before a day full of meetings.

Soon after the keys jingle and Alec gives a victorious ‘a-ha!’, he comes into the kitchen like a gust of wind, dropping a quick kiss into Magnus’ messy bedhead before moving to sip from his half-empty cup of lukewarm coffee.

Magnus lifts his head to ask a question, but the words get stuck in his throat as he takes Alec in. 

He’s wearing a dark maroon suit, somewhere between sweet cherry and the shade of blood - the pants and the jacket are tailored perfectly, accentuating all the shapes of Alec’s body from his ungodly long legs to broad shoulders and chest. The suit is paired with a dark brown belt and shoes, as well as a black dress shirt, giving it a sleek, yet kind of casual appearance.

While Alec is certainly no stranger to suits, often donning fancy suit jackets as the Head of the Institute and full elegant outfits to either official events or their dates, they’ve often been in dark tones, usually kept to a range of black, navy and shades of grey. Red is definitely new, but Magnus can’t say a bad word about it. The opposite actually - his boyfriend looks stunningly attractive, even more than usual.

Picking his jaw up from the ground, Magnus blinks a couple of times to come back to the real world, just as Alec turns to face him, hip leaned against a cupboard and his jacket unbuttoned.

“Hey, hot stuff,” Magnus says half-jokingly and pushes away from the table, coming to stand in front of Alec. He drags his fingers down the edges of the lapels, just admiring the whole get-up, the colors and cut quite similar to what he would wear himself, but in Alec’s own spin on it. “You look quite dashing, Alexander.”

Alec’s entire face lights up at the compliment, his lips pressed together to stifle a coy grin, a hint of pink in the apples of his cheeks.

“Thank you, Magnus.” He sighs, hands cupping Magnus’ elbows as he rests his palms flat against Alec’s chest. The shadowhunter falters, offers an explanation, even though it's not needed. “I bought the suit impulsively last week. Felt like I needed something new, a breath of fresh air.”

Magnus smiles wider, Alec’s words confirming what he’s been thinking for a while already. Ever since Alec has come out, he’s been slowly getting more comfortable with himself, inching out into new territories with various things, from more adventurous food, through everyday things and the way he interacts with people, to style and fashion.

One time it was black eyeliner for a club night out, a different evening consisted of them learning salsa dancing in the living room, last Saturday it was an embroidered bomber jacket and some borrowed rings. Now, it’s a gorgeous suit and just the slightest hint of stubble.

Magnus is bursting with pride. He can see the shift happening inside Alec, the way he’s exploring his newfound and reassured identity, how he’s reshaping who he’s once been into someone he feels like now - someone confident, happy, at peace with his own heart. He’s finally able to flourish and Magnus wants nothing more than to experience this journey with him, glad to witness all of it first-hand.

After all, it’s an amazing feeling, to find oneself after a long time spent hidden away.

With a happy sigh, Magnus reaches up to fix Alec’s collar, shooting him a sly wink.

“Just don’t get eaten by demons, since you’re looking like a snack,” he quips and Alec rolls his eyes fondly, a chuckle rumbling deep in his chest and underneath Magnus’ palms.

“Now you’re just laying it on thick,” Alec admonishes, making Magnus laugh mirthfully. He leans in to kiss Magnus’ cheek first, then presses another peck to the beauty mark above his eyebrow. “Luke’s waiting in the car downstairs, we’re teaming up to investigate some Mundie murders down at the City Hall, look for the usual suspicious stuff.”

“Alright, detective Lightwood. Dinner at six?” Magnus reciprocates, cupping Alec’s jaw and smooching him right on the lips, the kiss tasting of sweet coffee and even sweeter mango.

When he tries to pull away, Magnus finds himself tugged back in by the hips, Alec’s soft mouth eager against Magnus’ as if he can’t get enough of them together before he leaves for the day.

“You got it, boss.” The words are staggered, each split up by a brush of lips. “I’ll buy dessert.”

“Not to be rude, but weren’t you late a couple of minutes ago?”

Alec’s eyes widen almost comically as he freezes and glances down at his watch with badly concealed terror. “Oh, fuck. Okay, I’m going, I’m going. Hope all your clients are nice, love you.”

Magnus grins at Alec’s unusually enthusiastic morning-self, finding it adorably endearing. “Love you too. Tell Luke hi from me while you’re at it.”

With a final kiss, Alec grabs a banana from the table and rushes out of the kitchen, the main door slamming shut after him promptly.

Magnus stands still for a moment, drums his knuckles on the cupboard as he smiles to nobody in particular.

He’s so proud.

[pocketbf-arc]

(The8) If her eyes could bug out of their sockets, Rin was sure they would. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but dismissing Melody wasn’t on the list. Melody was a gorgeous girl; slender, well-shaped and a face with beautiful, delicate features. Every male she’d brought, be it a friend or date, paid some mind to her. Except for... she shook her head. Not now, she told herself. “Well,” she hummed, “if you want savory, the croquets are amazing; by noon, they’re all gone normally. (1/?) 🌸🌙

(The8) Same goes for the spinach quiche. If you want something on the sweeter side, the mango crème cheesecake, lemon tart, fruit cake, or cherry pie,” she listed off from the top of her head. Melody’s irritation was visible to her even though Rin’s eyes were on Minghao. She glanced up to the girl waiting besides then. “I’ll take the croquet and the English chai plus a sampler bread basket for the table. Thanks, Mel,” she softly said before tuning out & turning her attention to the (2/?)🌸🌙(The8) window and watched the mid-morning bustle of the city. Blending into the crowd had perks; one of them was enjoying the peacefulness and lack of cameras. It had been a while she she had come out, far to busy visiting the other kingdoms and carrying out duties as the crown princess. As Minghao gave his order, Rin’s mind wandered. Why again did she agree to take the prince around the town? What was the prince’s motive? It was an “in-the-moment” sort of thing & now it was silence. (3/?) 🌸🌙 (The8)She trained her attention back to the cafe itself when she heard Melody’s footsteps getting further away, staring at the retreating figure until the clicking of her heels was muffled behind the door separating them from the kitchen. “Of all the people I’ve brought here, friends or dates, you’re the only one who literally paid no mind to her; that’s no fun. How did you resist her?” she pouted, turning back to Minghao, her hands fiddling with the rings on her fingers. (4/5) 🌸🌙(The8) “Mel’s definitely not gonna be all to happy. But by the looks of it, you’re used to the flirting aren’t you?” (5/5) 🌸🌙 (so it’s not letting me send in stuff off anon I think? oops?)

Minghao hummed mindfully, drumming his fingers distractedly on the top of the table as he thought about the options that she listed, “I’ll have the spinach quiche with just a black coffee,” He answered finally lifting his eyes from Rin to look up at where Melody scribbled into her notepad, distress and annoyance clear as day in the wrinkles on her forehead from her pinched eyebrows – it was nearly laughable watching how distraught she had become just from such a subtle dismissal. He wondered if she wasn’t use to gaining any attention from new guests that come into the shop. He offered a smile to the waitress, one he got back though it was bitterly forced watching as she retreated from the table to place their order, eyes only returning to the girl sitting across from him once Melody was out of sight and her voice was catching his attention instead of looking any longer at in interior of the cafe that they were currently settled in. “It’s not really princely to fall for any shameless flirting like that, don’t you think?” He asked, one shoulder rising and falling carelessly, “She is beautiful, of course anyone could see, but there is not point allowing her to make a fool out of herself like that,” He said on a laugh, placing his hands on top the table, lacing his fingers together, upper body leaning closer in, “Besides, I’m in this town with you to show me around, why would I put my time into anything that isn’t you today?”

[joyfullyimportantyouth-blog]

Reportage: Why Cleansing is Totes Necessary // A Comedy // Bougie AF

So, this weekend I felt like being a mixture of regimented and “mindful” and I felt like a caricature of privilege. Despite the fact that I live with ten people and am unemployed, I am not impoverished. I have grown up with the privilege of Costco and homegrown radishes and Portuguese soap dishes. I’ve always felt a little bad (but not really) about my inclination towards the more nicely packaged/ more expensive items everywhere, although I usually write out budget lists that are realistically sketched out to include a $13 budget in entertainment. And intend on reading THICH NHAT HAHN and then quickly loop back to Wikipedia-ing and trolling celebrity gossip.

So while I was googling “how to really cleanse/simplify your life” yesterday, I had to have a moment of reprieve from my privileged ways. Why are we so obsessed with this word (”we” as in me and millions of lifestyle blogs) and why are there usually only the options of zen and moneybags reloaded into formulas for us to refer to? Just for humor’s sake, I created a list of stereotypes of my search results. There’s no answer on how to cleanse other than to purge what’s not needed, which is subjective-ish. 

Cleansing is perhaps just saying “no” a lot of the time... Just doing the minimum of what is necessary and picking two things that are important to you for each day. Because drinking miso soup and eating celery and drum circle-ing some subpar world music to reactivate your sexual organs are not the only ways to get rid of anything keeping ya down. 

-- CLEANSING: A MANUAL OF WHO NEEDS A CLEANSE--

“Cleansing” : The Rich Bitch Earth Mother

She carries her African woven basket full of farmers market carrots everywhere, because she loves Farm to Table! It helps her imagine the simpler times of vacationing in the South of France when she smells the freshly cut lavender on the West Elm birchwood counter engraved with affirmations to keep “elevated” as she breaks bread/macca. 

She beams with gratitude as she meets each person EVERY SINGLE DAY IN HER BUSY LIFE with a gaze as “sensually earthy” as amber candelabras. Of course, she made those last weekend at her glassblowing class - after her 5 AM ashtanga practice - because her next thing will be pottery and selling spirulina goji berry energy fragrance to Gwyneth at Goop.

Her Woodstock turned financier husband doesn’t pay attention to her even when she suggests tantric weekend getaways in Oregon wine country for a “cleanse” from the modern world. He always sighs at her after smoking some high-grade vape Sativa and buys her another turquoise ring from the Iroquois she “volunteers” her time for because she’s always been certain that she is Native American… or at least 1/16 Sacagawea.

She has made it her life path to realize her full potential as a Capricorn Sun / Aries Rising in the sweat lodges she invites herself to. She finagled her way into these sacred ceremonies by what she believes to be a “calling” but more accurately occurred after procuring a bankrolled friendship with a local Native American artist. She knew they were kindred spirits after buying his sacred geometry blankets at her best friend’s boutique “Gather.” A new one called “Savor” is going to sell her wrap dresses that she buys from her Guetemalan Shaman, who always forgets that she doesn’t drink regular milk only ALMOND MILK and no gluten when they trip together on $500 ayahuasca that keeps true to her frugal roots of growing up in Marin County. She just loves the “spirit” of Central American people because it makes her feel like she is in the Peace Corps when they smile back at her and offer her the opportunity to pose in photos next to a “saddening” market stand.

All of the Instagram photos of posing in collectivos with poor people will be framed at the cafe where she namaste-scolds the barista everyday for her stupidity in not knowing her clear distaste for regular hummus (acidic!). It’s always only going to be beet hummus until edamame hummus gets on the menu for godssakes. Here she always meets with her caftan-clad yoga friends who all used to be dancers and now have rich husbands who built them modern Adobe lairs to be bored in but pretend like blackberry sage tea gets them high from well being.

She feels forlorn that there is something discontenting about the “minimalism” she has so ambitiously set out to create/dump shitloads of money into, so in the only way she knows how, she will book an Iyasca retreat in Peru. Maybe poor Peruvian people can teach her the meaning of life so she can write a memoir about how life changing it all was. Holding hands with the street children… and never returning again because it makes her too sad, but the lessons of the third world will be tattooed literally and figuratively in a Quechua phrase for life on her wrist so she can talk about it to the young hot river guide men in Telluride…

“Cleansing” : The Twenty-Something Project

She has had way too much casual sex for her pressing emotional need to find someone who loves tequila and rock climbing and contemporary fiction just as much as she does. She drinks way too much tequila five days a week as well as wine during the day because she feels like she can’t access who she really is (that’s what a partner would help her discover in his egocentric artistic ways of being).  She spends eight hours on the computer writing shit that doesn’t matter to her (like emails) and trolling pointless social media sites that make her wonder if models really are people. This is usually the apex of her day, when she recounts how she is in charge of her own happiness but jesus how many genetically modified Victoria’s Secret models are there out there? These girls are now chronicled to be “anti-social-media-bullying” and are just “regular girls,” which she intellectually realizes. But she thinks and researches for a long time how they can be just so: how can they get someone to take their photo at just the right moment when they are writhing around in the water so that you can see that they are so in tune with and gently being kissed by their sexy actor boyfriend (bio in link for his new film with Harrison Ford!)? This is happening while being blessed by the Tahitian palm tree shading themselves, because they’re responsible so they use La Roche Posay SPF and feel #grateful that they are very hot people and have so many loyal followers.

She decides that becoming a massage therapist will likely zen her out all the time and make her like wheatgrass and never drink again and only date “spiritual” men with man buns. Maybe being a masseuse will train her to refuse being around “negative vibes” and only will be in the same room as people who make her feel “full.” And being a masseuse will likely get her laid because she’ll be a healer. So like the google-generation, she finds a massage training in Tulum. But it’s $5,000 over-budget. Instead, she thinks she will just clean her room and eat a mango from the bodega around the corner because it’s only $1. And only have 3 apps instead of 13.

“Cleansing” : The I-Came-of-Age-In-The-Rob-Lowe-Coked-Out-Power-Dressing-Glamor-of-The-1980’s-Workaholic 

EVERYTHING IS FALLING APART. She works so much that she has no life. She hates her pantsuits but started working in the age of Anita Hill and thought she had to break the glass ceiling more because her mom would quote Betty Friedan and preach to not be “ungrateful” to the women like Jane Fonda who paved the way (and the song “9-5,” too). She used to dream about working in transportation and logistics just so she could scan her government card everyday.

Now she hates the Boys Club. She even hates most of the women, who are such mechanical bores and all majored in “Political Science” like smart girls do at Dartmouth. They’re the sociopathic philanthropists who only “endorse” International causes that pay people to publicize the plight of poor people because it looks good in photos and they don’t actually want to help poor people. Unless you’re George and Amal Clooney, you can just show yourself the door.

So guess what? She QUITS HER JOB and decides that something must change... and also that she absolutely loathes Elizabeth Gilbert. This means that she doesn’t want to be BORED hanging out doing yoga in some fucking yurt pagoda thing and she doesn’t want to get FAT in Italy with some boy toy whose worshipping would be as aging feeling as a lifestyle blog… and she doesn’t want to SHUT THE FUCK UP in India in some ashram with annoying as fuck Californians who think using crystalized deoderant is as repenting as when they culturally appropriated Ganesh on their saggy backs.

So what does she want to “cleanse?” Anything committing or societally-fulfilling for women her age (like the constant suggestion of growing a damn garden to be happy…). The solution is to do whatever she damn well pleases from the comforts of her current home and maybe tell people what to do from her computer every once in a while “freelancing” and occasionally go on a few dates and walking out when they’re just blah blah blah. 

Perhaps trying to be “budget-y” but realizing she earned her accolades thirty years ago, so only voting with her dollar when she feels like reusing the same dishtowel or using up everything in the fridge. She learned long ago that you’re not better than others just because you “know how to be poor and sustainable” by eating pumpkins from the garbage … and living with a commune of people you kind of hate for judging you about not knowing the merits of free speech feminism and cleaning with vinegar absolutely everywhere (...everywhere).

She will damn well do as she pleases in purchasing a sugaring appointment or buying a $50 solo dinner. Or online shopping at FreePeople if she feels like she’s lagging a bit on her “cleanse” and wants to look a little like she had a love affair in Barcelona and went cray at the flea markets that apparently only sell pillow case dresses that are so bright and flouncy you have to dance in the streets when you wear them and look like you’re having an enlightening experience even when you drink “fresh mint water.”

“Cleansing”: The Legit Monk Woman

She GOT RID OF EVERYTHING to be noble to a million sutras she can’t quite name but she tries to, usually when she’s drinking a single cup of tea for four hours. She went to Ladakh in 1987 and comes back to Los Angeles in 2017 named Nag Champa and gets a job teaching at some liberal theology college in Orange County where Steven Spielbergh’s kids occasionally come to class. At least they link the school website in their online interviews with Vogue all the time. They are using the Tibetan sound bowls to create a new experimental electronic album that can maybe buy their way into Coachella and they may have her be their life coach while on tour to “combat the stressful perils of the industry.” 

She writes a few blog posts for Depak who is always trynna hit on her. She goes to Wanderlust and blesses the dreadlocked crowd with a hybrid Buddhist-Rastafarian-Katy Perry lyric blessing, throwing Whole Foods rosewater on their toned bodies that they got growing up skiing in Aspen. All of them say they want to be mentored by her in between their barista/yoga teaching/juice cleansing lifestyles, maybe when they’re done setting up their kombucha bar they can swing by and have like a $6,000 certifying sesh that has all inclusive vegan food? Or they can barter with nuts and berries that they brought back from their trip to INDIA.

Yes, she must capitalize on this moment of “wellness.” You can find her speaking and retreat information on LinkedIn that she’s still waiting to customize in a more boisonberry color for calming effects…

“Cleansing”: The-Doesn’t-Want-To-Give-A-Shit-But-Still-Kind-of-Does Woman

She needs to get her finances in order a bit and is somehow always “busy” so she gets rid of what’s not needed by saying: Yes, she needs her organic food. No, she doesn’t need her Argan oil face wash. Yes, she needs a drink at somewhere other than a dive bar every other Friday. No, she doesn’t need to go to Brazilian dance yoga with Shanti for $40 every day. Yes, she needs to go see a concert every once in a while. No, she doesn’t need five paid-for “music experience” apps that “customize” user experience depending on their ever-fluctuating mood and will bring you to “up and coming artists.” Because honestly, these musicians sound like they took a Xanax and hipsters just go to their shows because they’re insecure that they’re being called “hipsters” and hate “categorization of gender norms” but totally need reassurance that they’re doing life right by the Anthropologie curtain-esque crop tops and leg tattoos they appear bored in everywhere. So every grainy film Insta shot is in fact very intentional but they won’t admit it because they will always be pale-faced underdogs just like these up and coming artists who have long hair and little annoying vegan kids with no manners who have ginger hair and are gonna grow up to be soft-core racists because they intentionally want to have black friends (only with septum piercings and a denim jacket) so they can show how liberal they are because their parents were once underpaid touring musicians and they know what struggle is because they tried acid when they were 14 and they saw how we are all “the same.”  

Yes, she needs stupid email to make a living. No, she doesn’t need Snapchat because so much meh and overwhelming tapping all the time.

…DONE. Now she’s livin’.

[janikbesendorf-blog]

Halong Bay and Mekong Delta: a Tale of Two Water Worlds

Lush green paddy fields, lumbering buffaloes and conical-hatted farmers make up the classic image of Vietnam. Once a lesser-known tourist destination, Vietnam has become widely popular in recent years. The northern capital of Hanoi consistently ranks among the world’s top 10 destinations on TripAdvisor. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), to the south, has transformed from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. Despite urban allures, centuries-old architecture, war history, and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences, it’s Vietnam’s striking landscapes that most impress.

Vietnam is known for its stunning landscapes, such as the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai and Lao Cai.

Despite urban allures and centuries-old history and culture, it’s Vietnam’s striking landscapes that most impress.

To the south of its narrow waist, Vietnam fantails into the splendid Mekong delta. In stark contrast to the flat rice land of the delta where boats, houses, and markets float upon innumerable rivulets, canals and streams that criss-cross the scenery like arteries, is the legendary Halong Bay. Set in the northeast, the scatter of jagged emerald islands and wind-and wave-eroded karst caves topped by forests jut out of the sea at Halong – a magical spectacle in the early morning mist.

So how do you choose between Halong Bay or Mekong delta? Here’s the lowdown on the exclusive culture, cuisine, and activities along the two water worlds.

Halong Bay or Mekong Delta: Things to Do and Where to Stay

Halong Bay or Mekong Delta? Lose yourself in the Halong Bay

‘Ha Long’, or the ‘Bay of Descending Dragons’, in northeastern Vietnam.

‘Ha Long’ or the ‘Bay of Descending Dragons’, four hours from the capital of Hanoi, is a spectacular seascape sculpted by nature in the Gulf of Tonkin. With over 1600 islands – most of which are uninhabited, there are several large caves located within the islands for you to discover. The biggest of these is a wooden cave, formerly known as the Grotte des Merveilles. Cannon Fort, on the Bay’s largest island – Cat Ba, offers one of the best views in Vietnam. From here you can survey astounding panoramas of Cat Ba’s jungle-clad hills rolling down to the karst-punctuated sea beyond.

Explore pristine beaches and lush, tropical islands at Halong Bay.

The best way to enjoy the many wonders that pepper this north-eastern Bay is by boat or cruise ship. Opt for the Indochina Junk Halong Bay tours and enjoy a luxury Halong Bay cruise aboard the Dragon’s Pearl – a traditional Vietnamese boat modeled on ancient wooden Chinese junks. For some romantic elegance, plump for the one-cabin L’Amour (Princess) Junk. With numerous venues at which to relax and rejuvenate as you drink in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage vistas of Halong Bay, the Stellar and Bhaya Cruises are also great options. Or venture to the idyllic La Han Bay on the Ginger Cruise for an intimate sailing experience amid breathtaking panoramas.

The best way to enjoy the many wonders that pepper Halong Bay is by boat or cruise ship.

Experience the beauty of this most acclaimed tourist spots in Southeast Asia as a guide shows you hidden lagoons, forested islets, stunning limestone cliffs and secluded bays, like the Bait Tu Long where you can swim and kayak. The sugar-white coastlines of Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches Beach) and Soi Sim offer some unique barbecue experiences. Listen to the sweet melody of birds, winds and waves, as the crew delivers an array of succulent and grilled seafood under a blue sky! If you fancy a fishing excursion, visit the scenic fishing villages at Cua Van, Ba Hang, Vung Vieng and Cong Dam. The locals are very sociable and willing to guide you on how to row a sampan, spread the net, bait a hook….

Enjoy a cooking demonstration on your cruise ship.

Take a small boat and head out for the many islands scattered around Halong Bay

Kayak amid the limestone karsts of Halong

Sundowners on the bay can be stunning affairs!

Enjoy panoramic views of the Bay from the shore.

Begin a new day with Tai Chi sessions onboard, amid the early morning spectacle of Halong Bay. Getting yourself pampered at the spa when you are out at sea could also be an excellent treat. Make sure to book in advance.

If you choose to stay on shore, check in Hotel Novotel Halong Bay set on the coastline of Bai Chay beach, which provides great photo ops with panoramic views of the Bay.

Halong Bay or Mekong Delta? Discover the Magic of the Mekong Delta

To catch a glimpse of the fifteen million people who live in the wetlands, you need to join them on the river.

The Mekong Delta is a bustling hub of activity.

The comma-shaped flatland stretching from south of Ho Chi Minh City, to the Gulf of Thailand is intertwined by land and water that provide the perfect conditions for growing rice – bestowing the Mekong Delta with the rightful title – ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. With its alluvial-rich soil, the Delta also nourishes the fruit basket of the country as lush orchards overflow with mangoes, papayas and dragon fruit, and plantations brim with bananas, coconuts and pineapples. With over 1,000 recorded animal species and new species of plants, fish, lizards, and mammals discovered in previously unexplored areas, including the Laotian rock rat that was thought to be extinct, the Delta has been dubbed as a ‘biological treasure trove’.

At the floating market in the Mekong Delta, you can buy everyday articles or exotic goods.

The Delta is famous for its lush green rice paddies, which you can explore on your tour.

How about a ride in a traditional bullock cart, the local way?

The Delta is famous for its fresh, tropical produce which you can sample at the floating market

With everything revolving around the waterways, the Delta is a world afloat. To catch a glimpse of the fifteen million people who live in the wetlands, you need to join them on the river. Hop onto the Bassac Cruise from My Tho, but before you do, a visit to the ancient southern architectural gem reflecting a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese and Angkor (Cambodian) building styles with elaborately carved oblong and horizontal net like panels – the Vinh Trang Pagoda (in My Tho itself), would be worth your while. Bricks and mortar aside, the temple will be memorable if you can arrive when the monks are chanting, in the morning.

See the elaborately carved Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho.

Hop into a traditional boat and explore the many channels around the Delta.

Dried fish is a popular snack for the local people at the Delta.

How about a rest stop during you cruise?

Read about the floating life on the Mekong Delta

To enjoy countryside scenery and river life, board a smaller wooden sampan (boat), hopping off to explore scenic villages every now and then.

Continue exploring the Mekong landscape with a stopover at the Thot Not Bird Sanctuary, a magnificent 1.3-hectare area overgrown by huge bamboo and home to thousands of resident storks, snowy egrets, and other avians. At the quintessentially Vietnamese ‘craft village’, small communities work together to manufacture products such as knives, rush mats, bamboo bird cages, ceramics, rice wine, and dozens of other commonplace and unusual articles. Visit a bamboo-knitting hamlet in Thot Not or a carpentry craft town in Chomo. Or visit the local coconut-candy factories in Ben Tre, the ‘Land of Coconut’. Sold throughout the country, and also exported to other Asian countries, Australia, Europe, and North America, the keo dua or coconut candy of Vietnam is world famous.

Farming in the Mekong Delta

Fishing on the Mekong Delta

Local farmer at work in the countryside

Boats in the Mekong Delta

To enjoy countryside scenery and river life, board a smaller wooden sampan (boat). Encounter monkeys and scampering macaques that dangle from ancient temples and parked vans around the villages. Then stretch your legs and hop on a bicycle for a short ride along narrow village lanes, past fruit orchards, never ending water canals, hundreds of rickety bridges and small ferry crossings and all those locals waving at you and greeting with “xin chao” as you pedal by. Taste fresh fruits, like the juicy yellow-fleshed sapodillas when you arrive at the home of a tropical fruit farmer and amble around his orchard – this is traditional hospitality at its truest!

While cruising down the meandering Mekong, stop at smaller sampan boats that serve as cafes and you may just be rewarded with the best noodle soup you’ve ever tasted!

Board the Mekong Queen, a wooden, motorboat and sail to the enormous Cai Rang floating market early in the morning. Witness the lively panorama around as hundreds of sampans bump and jostle to trade everything from sugar cane to pigs, and mountains of fruit. It is quite possible to stop at smaller sampans serving as cafes, and enjoy an iced cup of coffee, soft drinks, or a Vietnamese noodle soup for breakfast.

Sample some local fare at the floating market

At the floating market on the Mekong Delta

Vendors get together at the floating market

Cruising leisurely down the river

Stay at the Victoria Hotel Can Tho. Set within magnificent gardens and colonial style architecture, it is situated on the banks of the Hau River – known for its charming sunsets and peaceful scenery. Alternatively, located on the banks of the Bassac River crossing, the handsome Indochina-inspired Victoria Hotel Chau Doc offers the ever-changing scenery of the fascinating Chau Doc region.

Food Fare: What to eat at Halong Bay or Mekong Delta

Whether you choose Halong Bay or Mekong Delta, do make a trip to Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City, as Saigon is now called, is rated by Forbes magazine as one of the top 10 street food havens in the world!

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its freshness. Not a place for curry lovers, the noodle dishes and stir-fries here are light, citrusy, and loaded with herbs. While North Vietnam food has more Chinese influence –fresh, light broths, with mainly noodles, South Vietnam food is sweet and spicy with more colorful and heavy broths accompanied with rice.

Vietnamese noodle soup or Pho, from the North

Known for its abundant seafood, the Halong Bay Market offers some truly unique food experiences that would satisfy even the pickiest tourists. Enjoy the famous dipped squid; feast on the Halong grilled oysters served with cold beer; or slurp the sweet, sour, spicy, salty (all in one salver) limuloid.

As the largest city in the Mekong Delta that still retains a small town feel, Can Tho is an excellent place to experience the food of Vietnam’s deep south, including many local specialties like the Sa Dec and My Tho noodles – hugely popular thanks to their sweet taste, chewy and distinctive flavor; or the noodle made from sliced flour cooked to perfection with duck meat and with a pinch of ginger fish sauce in Ben Tre.

A typical meal at the Mekong Delta

Read more about the food of Vietnam.

When to go to Halong Bay or Mekong Delta

Although you can travel to Halong Bay all year round, the best time to visit the region is during spring (March-April), and fall (September-October) when the weather is cool.

The Mekong Delta reveals its best during the dry months – December to May when the sky is crystal clear, the land is lush and the water is calm. But if you are a fruit lover, June to September, although hot and humid, could be just as good with the greatest variety of tropical fruits available.

Best time to Visit Vietnam

Halong Bay or Mekong Delta: The choice is yours!

While the picture-perfect bay, towering limestone karsts and secluded islands of Halong attract a lot of tourists, Mekong offers personal, exploratory and cultural experiences with historic relics and temples, rice paddies, and vibrant floating markets and villages on the river.

Cruising in the Halong Bay

Cruising in the Mekong Delta

Sapa in the Tonkinese Alps of northern Vietnam

Lush deltaic landscape in southern Vietnam.

So back to the question – Halong Bay or Mekong Delta? It really depends on your taste. Halong Bay with its ethereal beauty of karst scenery, emerald isles and spectacular seascapes at every turn, is one of the foremost attractions in Vietnam. Additionally, Hanoi, the point of arrival and departure for Halong, offers interesting and unique cultural experiences in Vietnam as does the the hilly region of Sapa nearby.

So, Halong Bay or Mekong Delta – which should you choose? While picture-perfect Halong attracts a lot of tourists, Mekong offers personal, exploratory and cultural experiences with remains of Viet Cong bunkers, ornate Khmer pagodas and Buddhist temple, stilt houses, lush rice fields, vibrant floating markets and villages on the river. Visit the Mekong Delta for a classic Southeast Asian experience, and if you wish to see Cambodia, you could get there via boat from the Delta. Or cruise the emerald waters of the ethereal Halong. Whether it is Halong Bay or Mekong Delta, they will remain etched in your memory for a lifetime.

Whether it’s the Halong Bay or Mekong Delta, our destination experts are happy to help you customize your private tour to suit your specific interests. Get in touch with us today for your tailor-made itinerary!

PLAN YOUR VIETNAM VACATION WITH US

The post Halong Bay or Mekong Delta: Which cruise is perfect for you? appeared first on Enchanting Travels.

[shirditopackage]

Shirdi Tour packages by Darshan tour and travel

Shirdi tours is mainstream for Shirdi Sai Baba who was viewed by his aficionados as a Saint, Fakir, and Satguru as per their individual proclivities and convictions. It is one of the most extravagant sanctuary associations. One of his outstanding witticisms, "Sabka Malik Ek" ("One God oversees all"), is related with Hinduism, Islam, and Sufism. He likewise stated, "Trust in me and your petition will be replied".

Daily programs of Shri Sai Ram Ji Samadhi Temple. The opening hours of the temple doors are 4:00 am, Kankad aarti at 4:30 am, Mangal Sean. 5:00 am. Abhishek at 6:00 am, midnight arti at 9:00 am: 12:00 pm sunny aarti evening: 5:45 pm shej aarti night: 10:30 pm

Views from half an hour to half an hour before the time of the aartis directed It is stopped. If you are going for darshan then keep these times in mind.

Brahma has two forms - nirgun and sauna. Nirguna is narcotic and virtue is real. If they are two forms of the same Brahma, then one is also interested in Nirguna and one is interested in Saguna worship, as described in chapter 12 of the Gita. Virtuous worship is simple and superior. Man himself is in shape (body, sense, etc.), that's why his real worship nature of God is simple. Till some time the virtuous Brahma is not worshiped, there is no increase in love and devotion. As we progress in Sagunopasana, we move towards Nirgun Brahma. That is why it is best to perform Shri Ganesh by virtue worship. The idol, altar, fire, light, sun, water, and Brahman, etc., being the objects of Sapta worship, Sadguru is the best among them all.

Bring the form of Shri Sai to the eyes, which is the direct idol of detachment and the refuge of exclusive refugees. Putting faith in their words is the renunciation of all desires, and the determination to worship them.

Some people used to count Srisai Baba in Bhagavadbhakta or a Maha Bhagavat (great devotee). But for us we are Godless. He was very forgiving, peaceful, simple and contented, who cannot be equated. He was a bodily being, but in reality was nirguna, formless, everlasting and everlasting. The river Ganga en route to the sea rejoices many enchanted summer heaters by giving them coolness, giving life to crops and trees, and the way the apps of beings soothe. Similarly, Shri Sai, while leading a saintly life, brings solace and happiness to others. Lord Shri Krishna has said that the saint is my soul. They are my living idol and my pure form. I am the same myself. These indescribable powers or the power of God, which are Satta, mind, and joy. There was a recurrence in Sai Rupi in Shirdi packages. In the Shruti (Taittiriya Upanishad), Brahma is called Ananda. Till now, these subjects were read and heard only in books, but devotees have found such direct joy in Shirdi. Baba was the refuge of all, he did not need anyone's help. Devotees used to put a soft seat and a big pillow for their sitting.

Shani Shingnapur is well known for Shani Temple with the way that no house in the town has entryways, just door jambs. In spite of this, no burglary was accounted for in the town until 2010. In January 2011, the United Commercial (UCO) Bank opened a 'lockless' branch in the town, the first of its sort in the nation, observing the close to zero wrongdoing rate in the area.

Baba used to respect the sentiments of the devotees and did not have any objection in allowing them to worship according to their will. Some used to make caviar in front of them, some used to play wag and some used to do plantation. Some used to offer perfume and sandalwood, some offered betel nuts, paan, and other things and some offered only Naiveigh. Although it seems that his residence is in Shirdi tours, he was very comprehensive. Devotees experienced this every day. I have repeated greetings at the feet of such a universal Gurudev.

Devotion to Dr. Pandit

Once after paying obeisance to Shirdi Padhare Baba to see Dr. Pandit Baba, a friend of Shri Tatya Nulkar, he sat for a while in the Masjid. Baba sent him to Shri Dada Bhat Kelkar, where he was well received. Then Dada Bhat and Dr. Pandit reached Masjid for worship together. Dada Bhat worshiped Baba. Almost everyone used to worship Baba, but so far no one had dared to put sandalwood on his auspicious head.

Only a mahalsapati used to apply sandalwood around his neck. Dr. Pandit took sandalwood from the plate of worship and put a trunk ring on Baba's forehead. People were very surprised that Baba did not say a word. At dusk, Dada Bhat asked Baba, what is the reason that R does not allow others to put sandalwood on his forehead, but you did not say anything to Dr. Pandit, Baba started saying, Dr. Pandit gave me his Guru Shri Raghunath Maharaj Dhopeshwarkar, who Kaka is popularly known as Puranic, I understood it and he gave me sandalwood in the same manner as he used to apply sandalwood to his Guru. How could I stop then? On being asked, Dr. Pandit said to Dada Bhat that I have put Baba like his Guru Kaka Puranik on the same way as I used to apply my treasury sandal like I always used to worship my Guru. Yaghapu Baba used to allow devotees to worship as he wished, But sometimes their behavior was strange. Whenever they would throw Rudra Vatar by throwing a plate of worship, no one could have the courage to approach them.

At times, he rebuked the devotees and sometimes softened with wax, he looked like an idol of peace and forgiveness. Sometimes they would tremble in anger and their red eyes used to revolve around them, however in their conscience they used to shed a source of love and maternal affection. He used to call the devotees and said that he did not know when he became angry with them. If it is possible that mothers reject their children and return to the rivers, then only they can ignore the welfare of the devotees. They remain close to the devotees and they immediately become present when the devotees call them. He is always hungry for the love of devotees.

Haji Siddique Phalke ---------------------- No one could say when Shri Saibaba would make his devotee his kindness. It depended on his goodwill. The story of Haji Siddique Phalke is an example of this. A Yavan, a Kalyanivasi, named Siddique Phalke, came to Shirdi after performing Hajj of Mecca Sharif. They started living in Chavadi towards the north. They used to sit in the open courtyard in front of Masjid. Baba did not allow him to enter the Masjid for 9 months nor allow him to climb the Masjid ladder. Phalke was very disappointed and could not decide what remedies to use. People advised him not to give up hope. Shama Srisai is an intimate devotee of Baba. You try to reach Baba through them. Just as it is necessary to go to Nandi to reach Lord Shankar, similarly Baba should also reach Shama. Phalke found the idea appropriate and asked Shama for help. Shama also gave assurance and on getting the opportunity, he spoke to Baba in such a way that Baba, why do you not allow that old Haji to come to the Masjid. Many devotees voluntarily visit your darshan. Bless him at least once. Baba said, Shama, you are immature now. If the fakir does not allow Allah to come then what shall I do. No one could climb the mosque without his grace. Well, you ask him if he agrees to come to the lower well. Shama arrived with an acceptable answer. Fur Baba again told Shama that again ask him if he is ready to give me forty thousand rupees in four installments. Then Shama returned with an answer that if you say that, then I am ready to give forty lakh rupees. I am going to do a goat halal in Masjid, ask him what he would be interested in - goat meat, nadha or testicles. Shama returned with the answer that if Baba finds even one of Baba's food items, then Haji will consider himself lucky. On getting this answer, Baba became excited and threw the earthen pot (water pot) from his hand and threw it and reached straight to Haji with his kafni. They started asking them why they pray in vain. Why do you demonstrate your superiority? Why have you worn these dresses like old hajis? Do you read Quran Sharif in this way. You have not attained the pride of your Mecca Hajj, but you are ignorant of me. Thus Haji got scared after hearing the scolding. Baba returned to Masjid and bought some mango baskets and sent them to Haji. He himself went to Haji and took out 55 rupees from him and gave it to Haji. From then on, Baba began to love Haji and called him to have a meal with him. Now Haji also started going to the Masjid as he wished. Sometimes Baba used to give some money to them. In this way Haji joined Baba's court. Baba's control over the elements ------------------------------

Baba's elements- This chapter will end with the mention of two incidents of control.

1. Once in the evening, a terrible storm occurred in Shirdi. There were thick and dark clouds in the sky. The wind was blowing through the thickets. Clouds were thundering and lightning shone. The torrential rain started. Wherever you see, water starts to become visible there. All the animals, birds and Shirdi residents gathered in the Masjid fearing more. There are many women in Shirdi, but no one came for help that day. That is why everyone prayed to their Lord Sai, who was hungry for devotion, to solve the crisis. Baba also felt pity and came out. Stand near the mosque. After some time, the thrust of the rain decreased. And the wind slowed down and the storm also fell silent. Chandra Dev rose in the sky. Then all the nog returned to their respective homes with great delight.

2. On another occasion, during the mid-day, the fire of fumigation started burning so fierce that its flames started reaching the roof above. The people sitting in the Masjid could not understand that by putting water, to calm the fire or to take any other solution. No one was able to dare to ask Baba. But Baba quickly understood the situation. He lifted his stick and struck the front pillar forcefully and said, Descend and get down. The flames started decreasing at every stumbling block and within a few minutes the fumigation became peaceful and intact. Srisai is an incarnation of God. Those who have shelter in front of them will be refugees, they will definitely be pleased with that. A devotee who recites the scriptures of this chapter daily will be recited devoutly and will be rid of his sorrows soon. Not only this, but he will always remember Srisai's feet, and in a short period of time, after getting the vision of God, all his desires will be fulfilled and thus he will become fruitless.

Muktidham is a marble temple complex honouring various Hindu gods which has replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas. Also, unique to this temple are 18 chapters of Geeta written on the walls. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit Muktidham Temple during Kumbh Mela.

Panchavati literally means "a garden of five banyan trees" which are said to have been there during the exile of Lord Rama. Panchavati was the name of a section in the huge forest of Dandakaranya, where Rama with the help of Lakshmana built a nice hut called a home. There is a place called Tapovan where Lakshmana cut-off the nose of Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, when she attempted to kill Sita. The entire Aranya Kanda (book of the forest) of Ramayana is set in Panchavati.

When you will visit Shirdi, you will see Trimbakeshwar or Tryambakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple in the town of Trimbak in our Shirdi tour package dedicated to the God Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Originally, there were believed to be 64 jyotirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. The extraordinary feature of this Jyotirlinga is its three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra, whereas other Jyotirlingas have Shiva as the main deity.

[shirditour]

You will see Trimbakeshwar is an antiquated Hindu sanctuary

Shirdi tours are mainstream for Shirdi Sai Baba who was viewed by his aficionados as a Saint, Fakir, and Satguru as per their individual proclivities and convictions. It is one of the most extravagant sanctuary associations. One of his outstanding witticisms, "Sabka Malik Ek" ("One God oversees all"), is related with Hinduism, Islam, and Sufism. He likewise stated, "Trust in me and your petition will be replied".

Daily programs of Shri Sai Ram Ji Samadhi Temple. The opening hours of the temple doors are 4:00 am, Kankad aarti at 4:30 am, Mangal Sean. 5:00 am. Abhishek at 6:00 am, midnight arti at 9:00 am: 12:00 pm sunny aarti evening: 5:45 pm she aarti night: 10:30 pm

Views from half an hour to half an hour before the time of the aartis directed It is stopped. If you are going for darshan then keep these times in mind.

Brahma has two forms - nirgun and sauna. Nirguna is narcotic and virtue is real. If they are two forms of the same Brahma, then one is also interested in Nirguna and one is interested in Saguna worship, as described in chapter 12 of the Gita. Virtuous worship is simple and superior. Man himself is in shape (body, sense, etc.), that's why his real worship nature of God is simple. Till some time the virtuous Brahma is not worshiped, there is no increase in love and devotion. As we progress in Sagunopasana, we move towards Nirgun Brahma. That is why it is best to perform Shri Ganesh by virtue worship. The idol, altar, fire, light, sun, water, and Brahman, etc., being the objects of Sapta worship, Sadguru is the best among them all.

Bring the form of Shri Sai to the eyes, which is the direct idol of detachment and the refuge of exclusive refugees. Putting faith in their words is the renunciation of all desires, and the determination to worship them.

Some people used to count Srisai Baba in Bhagavadbhakta or a Maha Bhagavat (great devotee). But for us we are Godless. He was very forgiving, peaceful, simple and contented, who cannot be equated. He was a bodily being, but in reality was nirguna, formless, everlasting and everlasting. The river Ganga en route to the sea rejoices many enchanted summer heaters by giving them coolness, giving life to crops and trees, and the way the apps of beings soothe. Similarly, Shri Sai, while leading a saintly life, brings solace and happiness to others. Lord Shri Krishna has said that the saint is my soul. They are my living idol and my pure form. I am the same myself. These indescribable powers or the power of God, which are Satta, mind, and joy. There was a recurrence in Sai Rupi in Shirdi tour package. In the Shruti (Taittiriya Upanishad), Brahma is called Ananda. Till now, these subjects were read and heard only in books, but devotees have found such direct joy in Shirdi. Baba was the refuge of all, he did not need anyone's help. Devotees used to put a soft seat and a big pillow for their sitting.

Shani Shingnapur is well known for Shani Temple with the way that no house in the town has entryways, just door jambs. In spite of this, no burglary was accounted for in the town until 2010. In January 2011, the United Commercial (UCO) Bank opened a 'lockless' branch in the town, the first of its sort in the nation, observing the close to zero wrongdoing rate in the area.

Baba used to respect the sentiments of the devotees and did not have any objection in allowing them to worship according to their will. Some used to make caviar in front of them, some used to play wag and some used to do plantation. Some used to offer perfume and sandalwood, some offered betel nuts, paan, and other things and some offered only Naiveigh. Although it seems that his residence is in Shirdi Shirdi tour package, he was very comprehensive. Devotees experienced this every day. I have repeated greetings at the feet of such a universal Gurudev.

Devotion to Dr. Pandit

Once after paying obeisance to Shirdi Padhare Baba to see Dr. Pandit Baba, a friend of Shri Tatya Nulkar, he sat for a while in the Masjid. Baba sent him to Shri Dada Bhat Kelkar, where he was well received. Then Dada Bhat and Dr. Pandit reached Masjid for worship together. Dada Bhat worshiped Baba. Almost everyone used to worship Baba, but so far no one had dared to put sandalwood on his auspicious head.

Only a mahalsapati used to apply sandalwood around his neck. Dr. Pandit took sandalwood from the plate of worship and put a trunk ring on Baba's forehead. People were very surprised that Baba did not say a word. At dusk, Dada Bhat asked Baba, what is the reason that R does not allow others to put sandalwood on his forehead, but you did not say anything to Dr. Pandit, Baba started saying, Dr. Pandit gave me his Guru Shri Raghunath Maharaj Dhopeshwarkar, who Kaka is popularly known as Puranic, I understood it and him gave me sandalwood in the same manner as he used to apply sandalwood to his Guru. How could I stop then? On being asked, Dr. Pandit said to Dada Bhat that I have put Baba like his Guru Kaka Puranik in the same way as I used to apply my treasury sandal like I always used to worship my Guru. Yaghapu Baba used to allow devotees to worship as he wished, But sometimes their behavior was strange. Whenever they would throw Rudra Vatar by throwing a plate of worship, no one could have the courage to approach them.

At times, he rebuked the devotees and sometimes softened with wax, he looked like an idol of peace and forgiveness. Sometimes they would tremble in anger and their red eyes used to revolve around them, however, in their conscience they used to shed a source of love and maternal affection. He used to call the devotees and said that he did not know when he became angry with them. If it is possible that mothers reject their children and return to the rivers, then only they can ignore the welfare of the devotees. They remain close to the devotees and they immediately become present when the devotees call them. He is always hungry for the love of devotees.

Haji Siddique Phalke ----------------------

No one could say when Shri Saibaba would make his devotee his kindness. It depended on his goodwill. The story of Haji Siddique Phalke is an example of this. A Yavan, a Kalyanivasi, named Siddique Phalke, came to Shirdi after performing Hajj of Mecca Sharif. They started living in Chavadi towards the north. They used to sit in the open courtyard in front of Masjid. Baba did not allow him to enter the Masjid for 9 months nor allow him to climb the Masjid ladder. Phalke was very disappointed and could not decide what remedies to use. People advised him not to give up hope. Shama Srisai is an intimate devotee of Baba. You try to reach Baba through them. Just as it is necessary to go to Nandi to reach Lord Shankar, similarly Baba should also reach Shama. Phalke found the idea appropriate and asked Shama for help. Shama also gave assurance and on getting the opportunity, he spoke to Baba in such a way that Baba, why do you not allow that old Haji to come to the Masjid. Many devotees voluntarily visit your darshan. Bless him at least once. Baba said, Shama, you are immature now. If the fakir does not allow Allah to come then what shall I do? No one could climb the mosque without his grace. Well, you ask him if he agrees to come to the lower well. Shama arrived with an acceptable answer. Fur Baba again told Shama that again ask him if he is ready to give me forty thousand rupees in four installments. Then Shama returned with an answer that if you say that, then I am ready to give forty lakh rupees. I am going to do a goat halal in Masjid, ask him what he would be interested in - goat meat, nadha or testicles. Shama returned with the answer that if Baba finds even one of Baba's food items, then Haji will consider himself lucky. On getting this answer, Baba became excited and threw the earthen pot (water pot) from his hand and threw it and reached straight to Haji with his Gafni. They started asking them why they pray in vain. Why do you demonstrate your superiority? Why have you worn these dresses like old hajis? Do you read Quran Sharif in this way? You have not attained the pride of your Mecca Hajj, but you are ignorant of me. Thus Haji got scared after hearing the scolding. Baba returned to Masjid and bought some mango baskets and sent them to Haji. He himself went to Haji and took out 55 rupees from him and gave it to Haji. From then on, Baba began to love Haji and called him to have a meal with him. Now Haji also started going to the Masjid as he wished. Sometimes Baba used to give some money to them. In this way, Haji joined Baba's court. Baba's control over the elements ------------------------------

Baba's elements- This chapter will end with the mention of two incidents of control.

1. Once in the evening, a terrible storm occurred in Shirdi. There were thick and dark clouds in the sky. The wind was blowing through the thickets. Clouds were thundering and lightning shone. The torrential rain started. Wherever you see, water starts to become visible there. All the animals, birds and Shirdi residents gathered in the Masjid fearing more. There are many women in Shirdi, but no one came for help that day. That is why everyone prayed to their Lord Sai, who was hungry for devotion, to solve the crisis. Baba also felt pity and came out. Stand near the mosque. After some time, the thrust of the rain decreased. And the wind slowed down and the storm also fell silent. Chandra Dev rose in the sky. Then all the nog returned to their respective homes with great delight.

2. On another occasion, during the mid-day, the fire of fumigation started burning so fierce that its flames started reaching the roof above. The people sitting in the Masjid could not understand that by putting water, to calm the fire or to take any other solution. No one was able to dare to ask Baba. But Baba quickly understood the situation. He lifted his stick and struck the front pillar forcefully and said, Descend and get down. The flames started decreasing at every stumbling block and within a few minutes, the fumigation became peaceful and intact. Sri sai is an incarnation of God. Those who have shelter in front of them will be refugees, they will definitely be pleased with that. A devotee who recites the scriptures of this chapter daily will be recited devoutly and will be rid of his sorrows soon. Not only this, but he will always remember Srisai's feet, and in a short period of time, after getting the vision of God, all his desires will be fulfilled and thus he will become fruitless.

Muktidham is a marble sanctuary complex regarding different Hindu divine beings which have reproductions of 12 Jyotirlingas. Additionally, one of a kind to this sanctuary are 18 sections of Geeta composed on the dividers. A great many Hindu lovers visit Muktidham Temple during Kumbh Mela.

Panchavati actually signifies "a nursery of five banyan trees" which are said to have been there during the outcast of Lord Rama. Panchavati was the name of an area in the colossal woods of Dandakaranya, where Rama with the assistance of Lakshmana manufactured a decent cottage called a home. There is a spot called Tapovan where Lakshmana remove the nose of Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, when she endeavored to murder Sita. The whole Aranya Kanda (book of the backwoods) of Ramayana is set in Panchavati.

When you will visit Shirdi, you will see Trimbakeshwar or Tryambakeshwar is an antiquated Hindu sanctuary in the town of Trimbak in our Shirdi tour package devoted to the God Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Initially, there were accepted to be 64 jyotirlingas while 12 of them are viewed as promising and sacred. The unprecedented element of this Jyotirlinga is its three faces encapsulating Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra, though different Jyotirlingas have Shiva as the primary divinity.

[geraldmazzame8-blog]

Corporate Team Outing Places in Hyderabad

Corporate Outing Places in Hyderabad

Corporate outings prove to provide employees and managers with the opportunity to know one another better and beyond the all the work and stress. Developing a bond between co-workers is important for the better functioning of a company. Along with learning to communicate, they also develop individually. They become much more confident and bring forth their personalities hidden sides to light. And feel more liberated than usual to use their talents in the workplace at the right time.

A corporate outing is a very important activity that every company must organise at least once a year, enabling them to be more interested and engaged within the company. Maintaining employees in a company plays a vital role in the stability and the goodwill of the company.

Here are some of the most amazing places in Hyderabad for a perfect corporate outing:

Dreamvalley resort:

Drown your employees in serenity and tranquillity. This corporate outing gives employees some peace of mind and time for rejuvenation. Dreamvalley resort, with its silent beauty amongst a stunning lush and green backdrop makes it to be an absolutely sublime place for a corporate outing. Team building activities organised apart from indoor and outdoor activities and games.

Summer green resort:

With its close proximity to the town, the place offers a pleasurable ambience to be a part of.  The drive to the resort is an enthralling one with orchards of mango and coconut trees welcoming you there. Cricket, basket ball, badminton and zorbing are some of the activities that can be done at this resort. Team building activities such as plank walk, nuclear balance, pick the fruit, caterpillar race and acid walk are additionally organised here. There are also conference rooms and banquet halls for corporate meetings and parties.

Celebrity resort:

This resort provides you with an option of 70 rooms to choose from. Celebrity resort’s decoration and interior makes you feel as if you were at the country side. With a sunrise and sunset to die for amongst a peaceful environment. The place is one to not be missed. They also have Banquet halls and five conference halls! There are indoor activities like chess, volleyball, badminton, snooker, shuttle, cricket for the ones who’d like to be a little active.

Button eye resort:

This is one of the oldest and favourable destinations for a corporate outing. With adequate and ample space, there are several recreational activities organised. The rooms and the interiors of the resort allow one to relax and catch up on one’s rest and recuperation requirement.

Pragati Resort:

Covering around 85 acres, Pragati resort is surrounded with lush green plants and colourful flowers that is worthy of and awe and admiration. There is also an option to visit the Pushpa Ayurveda spa so as to release muscular tensions caused due to sitting on chairs constantly for prolonged hours. The process of Pushpa Ayurveda includes therapeutic treatments with flowers and its smell, rejuvenating both the mind and the body. There are few indoor activities available such as swimming, fitness centre, yoga classes etc.

Papyrus port resort:

An ideal place for team outing. The infrastructure and the architecture is deeply influenced by Egyptian and Indian architecture which adds to its unique ambience. Group activities such as nuclear balance, acid walk, gutter etc are organised. With several activities done in the midst of an exclusive ambience, this place is exactly what one needs for a corporate outing.

Employees and workers are the building blocks to any company. The company’s well being is directly as well as indirectly dependent on the well being of its workers. The happier the people working in the company, the better the outcome. Bring out the best in your employees by letting them explore and display their capabilities. Employees grow in a company with time and experience. Let them have an experiences worth sharing at your company and help them grow as individuals too.

Visit freak-outs adventure website to book your companies team building outing today. If you are looking for a corporate outing in Hyderabad within your budget. You can choose from the available campsites from freakouts for it.

[roxysbeachlife]

Hygge the YL way: Your essential guide to cozy comfort

The Danish concept of hygge has taken the world by storm. Danes are consistently ranked as some of the happiest people on Earth*, and with the longstanding cultural practice of hygge, it’s not surprising! Before getting too far in our quest for cozy, comfortable happiness, let’s learn how to say it, so sharing this concept with friends and family is easy!

*World Happiness Report 2017

How to pronounce hygge

Hygge is pronounced hoo-gah, but don’t make those vowels too long, pals! The vowel sounds in a lot of languages don’t have an exact match—much like there isn’t an exact word in many languages for hygge. Don’t get too hung up on the pronunciation—that wouldn’t be hygge at all!

Atmosphere

While you can feel hygge anywhere, from on your bike to in the library, it’s easiest to experience it in your home. A few subtle tweaks will have you feeling hygge in no time. You can make similar adjustments to your office or other personal spaces to bring hygge into all areas of your life.

Hygge décor

There’s no need to redecorate your home to have it fit a certain aesthetic. Hygge is about feeling safe, cozy, and comfortable. It may mean adding a few extra pillows and blankets to a basket or lighting a fire in the fireplace more frequently; but don’t redesign for a look that doesn’t feel like you.

Another element that is very important to hygge is the incorporation of nature into the home to remind people of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. For some, this may mean sheepskin rugs, wooden furniture, and pine boughs. Your interpretation may include fresh floral bouquets or even welcoming a furry family member into your home.

To bring the aroma of nature into your home, try diffusing favorite floral or evergreen essential oils such as Lavender, Geranium, or Pine.

Lighting

One component of hygge that is surprisingly overlooked in many households is lighting. During the daytime, keep curtains and blinds open to let in as much natural light as possible. In the evening, swap out overhead lights for lamps. In Denmark, people go wild for candles to light the dark nights. If that’s not your thing, the Desert Mist

Diffuser offers a beautiful, warm, flickering light, reminiscent of a candle, with the added bonus of up to 10 hours of diffusing your favorite essential oils on its intermittent mode.

Music

As we’ve noted, hygge is about comfort and happiness. For many, the right soundtrack can be key in creating that feeling. If you have a record player, try digging through some old vinyl for a bit of nostalgia—and to show people how truly hip you are—and spend a weekend spinning vintage tunes. You could also collaborate with friends to make an epic playlist of favorite songs. If you want to cozy up on the sofa and listen to a completely comfortable selection compiled by Young Living members from all over, try our sweater-weather playlist.

Cozy cuisine

Perhaps one of the most hygge things you can do is bring out the yummiest foods to share with family and friends. Don’t fret over the occasional extra calories, or better yet, indulge with treats that you know are made with good-for-you ingredients, including cheesy sweet potato bites, dark chocolate gingerbread truffles, or cinnamon fruit dip.

Warm from the inside out

The feeling of sipping a warm cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa while nestled in a big blanket reading your favorite book: that’s hygge at its best. Try adding a drop of Vitality

 oil to your herbal tea or try this Lavender hot chocolaterecipe to elevate your hygge experience.

You’re not alone!

Integral to hygge is connecting with family and friends. When we invite guests into our homes, we often bear the burden of cleaning, cooking, and entertaining. Hygge recognizes that the feeling of happiness comes from being together, not over fussing. Ask friends to bring leftovers, pull out whatever happens to be in the fridge, and enjoy time with one another; loads of laundry can wait! Try diffusing blends like Joy

 or Gathering

 to help add to the intimate setting.

Hygge apparel

The only thing you need to know about dressing for a hygge lifestyle is feeling comfortable. That doesn’t necessarily mean your rattiest pajama pants and the slippers you maybe should have thrown out a few years ago. You should also feel happy and confident in your appearance—ready to take hygge out into the world.

Comfortable clothing

Stay warm and content in cuddly sweaters, woolen socks, and pants whose waistband never digs. To add to your peaceful, easy feeling, place a few drops of Lavender essential oil on a washcloth or dryer ball the next time you do your laundry.

Friends and family

As we noted above, being with loved ones can be one of the greatest elements of hygge. Whether they join you for weekend brunch, an evening walk, or a picnic, time with your favorite people is the best way to make you feel hygge. Don’t forget your furry friends in your time creating connections. Being with them helps build oxytocin—the love hormone—which is perfect for hygge!

Casual get-togethers

We want to reiterate: Hygge isn’t about being lazy, but it is about placing effort and energy into the most important things. To wit, cleaning out the office is less important than fostering relationships with dear friends. Extravagance is unnecessary for inviting friends or neighbors over for playing games or watching movies. Remember to share responsibility with your guests: Maybe whip up something easy, like our Thai mango soup, and get to enjoying each other’s time!

Small groups

Keeping your gatherings small can add to your experience of hygge. Being able to connect over conversation with a few choice friends helps you shake of the stresses of everyday life. Help everyone feel relaxed and calm by filling the room with the sweet, serene aroma of Stress Away

 in your diffuser.

There’s no doubt that we’re huge fans of hygge! For other tips that can help you cultivate the comfortable, happy feelings of hygge, try reading up on essential oils for happy people, as well as ways to cozy up with Clove.

Keep cozy happiness in your life! How will you hygge this year?

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