#well it’s currently this and a moscow mule which works

[leonardcohenofficial]

final read for 2024 let’s goooooooo

[moreorlessfish]

Después de la Playa

din djarin x female!reader

---

Word Count: 6,412

Summary: How perfection can turn someone into a mess.

Warnings: no y/n usage, cursing, mentions of alcohol and weapons, small smut, 18+ - no minors allowed!

Notes: Did I stay up writing this chapter? Yes..yes I did. Enjoy :)

Previous Chapter - Moscow Mule

It has always come to your attention that there are a plethora of amazing and talented bounty hunters. Those who excel in catching their quarries, those with phenomenal navigation skills, those who never lose in a fight, and those who manage to make connections anywhere they go. You had your strengths and weaknesses and there's no doubt in your mind that others have their own as well. Being on your own, you had these thoughts in the back of your mind, but when you joined Greef Karga's guild - man did these thoughts take the driver's seat. See, you thought that your flaws were on display for everyone to see - that wasn't the case.

No matter how many times Greef Karga applauded you for another great job, you just couldn't get yourself to believe him. There was always something you could have done better - actually making a plan and following it, not getting cornered and having to use more ammo than usual, observing your opponents' moves - then you wouldn't have had so many wounds - whatever it was, it could have been executed better. Being a member of a bounty guild meant that you knew who excelled more in places where you lacked. That was the first time you heard about him. The Mandalorian.

He was a member of the guild before you joined, and yet you had never seen him. You only ever heard the stories about a member who was a Mandalorian or the jealous comments hunters made when they learned he captured more quarries. Everything that he did was perfect. In fact, he was the entire definition of perfect. Which is why you laughed hard when you realized he wasn't perfect at all.

"Wait.. so you mean to tell me that he tried scorching a few Jawas over him not being able to speak Jawa fluently?" You said as you tried calming down the roaring laugh that was creeping up your throat.

"I was right next to him when it happened," said the Ugnaught man who was currently adding wood to a fire. To add to the flame, he repeated what the Jawas said about the armored man. Now that really got you going.

After a few seconds of your rumbling laughter and unclenching your abdomen from laughing, you pointed in the direction of the man of the hour and giggled, "They said you sounded like a Wookiee," you tried calming your laughter again, "that's fucking hilarious!"

You heard him grumble a small - "Shut up."

You laughed some more, "It's so funny!"

"It really isn't," He retorted.

The humor of the joke had died now, but you still wanted to tease the man, "Aw.. are you upset? Did the Jawas hurt your feelings, Tin Can?"

Before he could throw one of the loose pieces of the starship in your direction - the Ugnaught man spoke up, "C'mon, let's get back to work you two."

...

When you met the Mandalorian, he seemed like no fun to you. In fact, you thought he wasn't capable of having fun at all. He was reserved and quiet - only speaking when he deemed it necessary. It makes you a little giddy seeing how he's opened up to you - even if it was a small opening.

You remembered how he acted during your first interaction.

"Mando, welcome back," Greef Karga said with a smile. You watched the man's helmet nod. Greef Karga looked at him and then at you. You took his hint.

"I'ma get another drink," you uttered as you rose from your seat and made your way to the bartender.

You watched from the bar both men having a conversation. You assumed they were talking about the quarries the Mandalorian managed to capture. Your assumption was answered when you saw the armor-clad man almost snatch the bounty pucks off the table. Maybe the credits just weren't coming in as they use to. You made your way back to the table after being handed your new drink.

"Are you sure there are no new jobs available?" The Mandalorian sighs.

"I can assure you that I have no new jobs. Plus, you just finished five of them.. wouldn't you want to relax?" Karga responds.

The beskar-wearing man doesn't answer the question. "When new jobs open up, I'm the one taking them, got it?"

Greef Karga only smiles and you watch as his face turns towards you. "Actually.. a new job did just open up."

You tilt your head at him. The Mandalorian responds, "Give it to me."

"You see, Mando, my lovely friend here has a bounty on her head, but I'm working on getting it taken down. In the meantime, I'd like for you to watch over her."

You choke on your drink after hearing his statement. You notice as the visor on the beskar helmet makes its way over to your form. In a matter of seconds, the man responds, "No."

Now your eyes are on him. You hear his modulated voice again, "I'm not about to play babysitter for a grown woman."

Greef Karga tries to respond, but you interject, "Yeah, I don't need someone to watch over me.. plus Tin Can seems like a bore. If you're gonna give someone this 'job' let it be anyone but him."

"Tin Can?" The Mandalorian whispers.

You scoff, "That's what you heard me say...?"

Greef Karga speaks up, "C'mon," he looks between you and the Mandalorian, "it's perfect for the both of you." His eyes stop on yours, "I need you to stay here on Nevarro while I work on removing your bounty," his eyes move back to the frame of the armored man, "and you want a new job, so I'm suggesting you do it."

Before the two of you could try and object, Greef Karga chugs his drink and stands from his seat, and says, "It's final. You can't change my mind now." He makes his way out the front door of the cantina.

That leaves the two of you just there in the cantina - staring at the chair that the guild master was just sitting on a second ago. You sigh and decide to take the seat across from the helmet-wearing man.

As soon as you sit down, the man stands from his and starts walking out of the building. You slurp your drink down and follow him out. Before he can even get away from the building, you tap his shoulder and watch as he slightly turns towards you.

"Dude.." you raise your arms in a 'what the hell' gesture and continue, "You can't wait for me to finish my drink?"

"I'm not waiting for you, period," He declared.

He starts to walk away from you, but you're not giving up that easily, "Hey, Greef Karga said that he wanted you to watch over me."

"So? You think I'm going to listen to him?"

"Uh.. yeah?" You puzzled, "I mean he is your boss."

"He's not my boss," he responds, "he's just the one giving me the jobs."

"Isn't that technically what a boss does.." you added.

The man doesn't respond and continues walking. You didn't know what to do. You didn't see which way Greef Karga headed, you had no other business to do on Nevarro, and worst of all.. you didn't have your own ship to head back to your home planet. So, you made a decision that would forever change your life. You followed the Mandalorian like you were a lost puppy.

...

It had officially been five hours since the both of you had left the bounty guild. Within the five hours that the two of you were together, the Mandalorian had tried to sneak away from you - he failed.

Every time.

He tried to run into alleyways - nope, you ran after him. He tried stopping at one of the market's stands to buy something - nope, you waited patiently till he finished. He tried hiding behind buildings, nope, you found him every time. At last, he made his way back to his ship and you managed to still keep up with him.

At this point, he was annoyed, yet he sort of enjoyed the little cat-and-mouse chase. He pressed a button on his vambrace which opened up the hatch of the spacecraft. He walked forward and as he thought - you didn't follow him. Although he was happy that you finally weren't right behind him, he was curious as to why you continued following him despite him refusing to 'watch' over you.

"Why are you following me?"

You sigh, "Not sure. Got nothing better to do."

"Well... I'm not letting you on my ship. Can't you go somewhere else?”

You watch as you kick your feet against the ground, "Yeah, I do.. I just wanted to waste some time..," You continue, "Plus, I have to get my bags from the guild."

"You should have just done that instead of following me," He deadpans.

You chuckled, "Yup. Well, it was nice following you around, Tin Can. Maybe we can do it again sometime?"

He responds quickly, "No."

You shook your head and then started your journey back to the bounty guild. He watched your form retreat until he could no longer spot you.

...

Your back hurt. Instead of taking your bags and finding a place to sleep for the night once you made it back to the bounty guild, you decided to enjoy some alone time and drink. Or well... you tired to enjoy it.

At some point during the night, a group of members of the guild asked you to play a few drinking games with them. A small drink of alcohol to calm yourself down turned into you mixing alcoholic drinks, so you could have bragging rights about winning the games against your old guild members. The games must have lasted the entire night because the last thing you saw before you slept was the sun creeping its way on the horizon.

You sat up and scratched your head. What woke you up was a slight banging on the table that you currently were laying on. You searched for the person who thought it was the best idea to wake you up and kickstart your morning hangover. Your eyes widened when you caught a glimpse of your reflection on beskar. You rose your head to look straight into the visor of his helmet.

"Let me guess, the members ended up asking you to play their games?" He asked.

"Why the hell are you here?"You grunted out as you rubbed your eyes to see if he was physically standing in front of you or if it was a figment of your imagination.

"I'm looking for Greef Karga. You happen to see him around?" He responds.

You stared at him.

You raised your voice, "Do I look like I fucking know where he's at right now?"

You immediately regretted it and the Mandalorian knows.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be opening my mouth to shout at someone when I'm clearly hungover."

You growl, "Go the fuck away, Tin Can."

You hear a chuckle pass through the voice modulator, "That's funny coming from someone who followed me like a dog yesterday."

You roll your eyes, "Are you going to leave? Or do I have to walk away from you this time?"

You see him shrug his shoulders. You sighed and walked towards the bathrooms located in the back of the cantina.

...

"Geez.. when are you going to leave me alone?” You asked.

It was officially an hour after the Mandalorian had abruptly woken you up. You were currently walking through the city of Nevarro. The whole thing was funny to you. One minute you're walking around like a lost puppy and the next minute you got a lost puppy following you. For some odd reason, the Mandalorian decided to stick by your side as you walked around. The two of you didn't really speak. Matter of fact, you didn't dare look his way due to the blinding sun being reflected off his beskar armor - that was the last thing you wanted to see after barely being awake.

You made a few stops at some stands to try and gather some supplies. You needed to figure out a way to get off Nevarro and return back to Kipler. Just because you left the guild, doesn't mean that your skills as a bounty hunter left you as well. You could defend yourself if needed and let's be honest - you did not want to spend your time on Nevarro.

You thought about asking the Mandalorian for a ride, but he'd most likely say no. He was probably only following you around as revenge for you following him the day before. You just wanted to get away, but like you - he wouldn't let you leave. How in the hell were you going to get home?

You finally decided to take a leap and look at the man walking beside you, "Why are you following me?"

He doesn't say anything. He just keeps looking straight.

You were getting tired of this game the two of you were supposedly playing. In fact, you were just straight-up tired since he woke you up before you could knock out for the entire day.

You speak up, "Seriously, Mandalorian, why are you following me?"

Same thing - no response.

That's it.

You abruptly stop walking and fully face him for the first time since the two of you left the bounty guild.

"Lame-o, you wanna tell me why the fuck you're here?" You snapped.

He was a few feet ahead of you when he turned back and responded, "Lame-o?"

You threw your hands up in the air - the bags of supplies almost hitting you in the face, "Really? That's the only thing you focus on?"

You can feel his gaze on your form despite his visor blocking the view of his eyes. You ask sarcastically, "What, you've never been called stupid names before?"

He just shakes his head, "Nope - most just call me the Mandalorian as normal beings do."

"Good for you," You snickered.

The two of you continued walking around. It was nice to people-watch with another person. Even if this person sort of annoyed you. It was a nice feeling that you didn't expect to have. About an hour or two later, the two of you rounded back to the bounty guild - where your bags were left... again.

You placed your new supplies in one bag and hunched one onto your shoulder. You picked your other two bags up from the floor. You looked over at the armored man and sighed.

What the hell am I gonna do about him?

You started, "I'm going to try to find a place to stay."

He doesn't say anything.

"From here on out, do not follow me..," you pause, "I don't want to have to wake up to you again."

He stays silent.

You make your way to the door and that's when you hear a modulated heavy sigh.

"Follow me."

...

You followed his orders. Not completely uncharacteristic of you, but definitely something you didn't do often. He was a stranger. Normally when strangers tell you to follow them they're up to no good. Yet, your instincts weren't giving you any signs of malice from the Mandalorian. It didn't take long for the sight of his starship to make its way to the both of you.

It was like the events of the day before were unfolding again. Only this time, you would be following him into his ship. Well - you didn't know that yet.

"What are we doing here?" You ask as you witness the hatch of the ship slowly meet the ashy ground of the planet.

The Mandalorian walks into his ship before he turns around, "You can stay here."

He said what?

"You're joking, right?" You say after a minute goes by.

"Do you want it to be a joke?" He retorts.

You stared at him, "No. I just don't think you're serious."

Now, he's the one staring at you.

"If you'd rather sleep on a table in a cantina, then knock yourself out." He turns his back towards you and walks further into the ship.

You hear a small mumble of, "That's the last time I offer someone a place to stay."

You chuckle to yourself. Maybe this stranger could turn into a friend. Who knows?

At some point, you had dropped your bags inside the man's ship. You insisted that he showed you around; although to him, there wasn't much to show. The ship was a nice space and you had no doubt in your mind that it was precious in his eyes. So, you would treat it the same way.

After the small tour, you rummaged through your bags and grabbed a blanket you had packed. You felt awkward because you didn't want to intrude on the Mandalorian in his own space. Luckily, he let you sleep in one of the chairs in the cockpit.

You were knocked out for a few hours. Or so it seemed. Turns out, a whole day had passed. You were woken up by the sounds of the armored man walking around. You could hear a few tinkering sounds and then a sigh. You decided to see what he was up to. As you climbed down the ladder, you saw him facing the opened hatch. He seemed to be doing maintenance on his ship. He noticed your figure after your left foot was no longer on the ladder. He turned around and nodded your way before he walked outside. Most likely to check on the laser cannons.

You freshened up a bit before deciding to take out your journal and write. Write about what? Maybe the random stranger you met who is allowing you to stay on his ship. Wait did he say how long you could stay?

Before you could think of making your way to ask the man, you heard footsteps enter the ship and a little later you heard him mumbling to himself, "It's going to take a lot of credits to fix that."

Maybe you'd wait to ask.

...

Blah, Blah, Blah.

You kept mimicking his voice, "If you have a problem with me working on my ship, then you can get off it."

Blah, Blah, Blah.

Those words just kept repeating in your head. Not in a serious way, but in an annoyed way. The sun was beaming on you as you walked through the main part of the city. You noticed that a few new vendors had set up shop while you were knocked out. Maybe you could buy a few things?

It was busier than the past few times that you walked these paths. You didn't mind. You could easily take a seat somewhere and people watch for a few hours. You weren't entirely sure what to do - you just didn't want to head back to the ship yet.

As much as the Tin Can annoyed you, you had to admit that you were enjoying his presence. A little too fast.. which frightened you. Nevertheless, you would let life take the reins for a bit rather than control it. You thought about the Mandalorian for a bit. Maybe you'd bring him some lunch since he's been working hard on maintaining his ship?

Your thoughts died down when your gut instinct started blurting out for you to flick your knife out of your sleeve. You let your hunter instincts sit in the driver's seat of your brain. Immediately, you noticed a shadow - no two - following you. When you went down an alleyway - a few seconds later the two shadows would follow. Now, you were becoming more aware of your surroundings. Did someone want to attack you in broad daylight? You wouldn't be surprised - it's happened before. You were now making your own small path between the cracks of buildings. The two figures were now catching up to speed. You needed to do something. Do you attack and risk making a scene? Or do you lay low and wait for them to attack you? What do you do? You were now frantically asking yourself. You were so occupied with getting away from the figures that you didn't realize someone was also rounding the corner you were.

Bump.

You had bumped into something. No. Someone.

"Hey, I was looking for you."

You felt a hand holding your arm - stabilizing you after bumping into someone. You looked up and you thanked Maker that you bumped into this person.

Mr. Tin Can.

"Did you hear me?" He asked after he removed the hand that held your arm.

"Huh?" You furrowed your brows.

"I said I was looking for you," He repeated, "I just met up with Greef Karga - he said he got a job for me."

...

As much as you tried, you couldn't stop thinking about what happened in the alleyways of Nevarro City. Even when Mando was telling you about the planet the two of you were heading to - you just couldn't focus. It bothered you a lot. So imagine the look on your face when the Razor Crest lands on Arvala-7. Maybe you should have been listening...

You witness the preparations that the Mandalorian takes before hunting for a quarry. It all seems so.. perfect.

It mesmerizes you how he prepares for his job. Something you have no idea about because he hasn't uttered a word to you about it.

"No, you're not helping me out. You're staying here because this is my job. Not yours," He states.

You shrug your shoulders, "Go ahead. I'm not a bounty hunter anymore, so the quarry's all yours."

"Try not to steal my ship while I'm gone. Or I will hunt you down and claim the credits your head is worth." He chided.

He made his way down the hatch with his Amban Sniper Rifle in his hand - ready for something to jump at him - and boy did something jump.

You witnessed as a blurrg attacked him - immediately taking his arm into its mouth. He was struggling to fight it - let alone put some space between him and the blurrg. You saw another blurrg running towards him. You were about to step in, but that's when you saw something fly in the corner of your eye. It turned out to be a tranquilizer. The two blurrgs were now laying on the floor. Another blurrg comes into your sight, only this time it has a rider.

You walk over to the Mandalorian - just in case he needed backup. You shiver as you hear the noises that accompany the removal of the man's arm from the blurrg's mouth.

He pants, "Thank you."

The rider nods at him, "You are a bounty hunter."

"Yes," he says as he fixed his glove.

"I will help you."

You watch as Mando gives him a once-over.

"I have spoken."

The rider turns around and heads back the way you saw him come. Mando looks at you - expecting an answer for some reason. You shrug and start following the blurrg and its rider.

The sun was now setting on the horizon. Mando's savior had taken the both of you back to his moisture farm. He led you two inside his home - there he prepared a small drink for the two of you.

"Many have passed through, they seek the same one as you."

"Did you help them?" Mando asks.

"Yes," the Ugnaught man pauses, "they died."

"Well then, I don't know if I want your help," Mando states.

You interject, "No, no. You would have died back there. I was not about to save you. You should give him a chance since he did."

The two of them continue their conversation - you gladly listen as you sip on the drink the Ugnaught man poured for you. Nighttime fell peacefully and it did not prepare you for the chaos that would await you when you woke up the next morning.

Your idea of Mando being perfect was chipping bit by bit. Stories of Mandalorians being fierce warriors plagued your mind as you watched the one in front of you struggle to ride a blurrg. You tried not to judge him since you opted out of the blurrg-riding lessons yourself, but you couldn't help but snicker each time the Mandalorian fell. One try after the other, he just kept falling until he got frustrated - and your constant snickers were not helping.

"Perhaps, if you removed your helmet."

"Perhaps, he remembers I tried to roast him," Mando pants out.

"This is a female.. the males are all eaten during mating."

"Oh, so she's a girl boss," You add. Kuiil nods at you.

The two of you now witness another one of Mando's attempts to ride a blurrg. He comes close to staying on - which makes both you and Kuiil hopeful.. that is.. until he falls again.

Mando quickly walks to the spot where both of you were observing his failed attempts. He asks Kuiil for a landspeeder, but the older gentleman refuses to let Mando give up. Someone had to encourage him, and you were not about to be that person. After a million attempts - or what felt like a million attempts - the Mandalorian was able to ride the blurrg.

You were proud of him.

Kuiil nods his content at the Mandalorian - you on the other hand are overcome with joy.

"Mando! You're doing it!" You shouted.

You couldn't see it since his face was covered by his helmet, but a small smile lifted up the corners of his mouth.

After lunch, Kuiil explained to you that he would be riding with Mando to the site where his quarry was last tracked. He said to make yourself comfortable in his home while he was gone. What a generous man, you thought. You watched as both Kuiil and Mando rode away on their blurrgs. You looked over to the one that was left behind. Maybe you would try and learn to ride a blurrg... how hard could it be?

Mando was not in fact exaggerating when he was trying to learn how to ride the blurrg. You're not sure why you thought it would be easy. Maybe you just wanted to feel on par with him. Either way, for the life of you - you just couldn't figure it out. You gave up way before Kuiil returned.

"I see you tried riding the blurrg while I was gone."

You looked up from your journal with shock on your face, "How'd you know?"

"You have dirt all over your legs," He chuckles.

You shake your head as your mouth forms a smile, "Fine, you caught me."

"If you'd like to learn, I'm glad to teach you," He pauses, "it's better than you struggling and not asking for help."

Your smile fades a bit...

it's better than you struggling and not asking for help.

...

Mando doesn't return until the day after. You weren't too worried about it - he was a man capable of taking care of himself. During his absence, Kuiil's presence aided in blocking the feelings of worry and loneliness that would overcome you in small waves.

"You are a bounty hunter," He says as he prepares dinner for the both of you.

You shake your head, "I was."

He looks at you briefly before his eyes return to the food, "So, why are you with him?"

You sigh, "Not sure."

"You two don't seem awfully close. Are you two even friends?"

"Not sure."

He hums. Silence takes its place before he continues, "For what it's worth, I think this can bring a new experience for you.''

You don't say anything.

"I'm well aware that I don't know your backstory - nor do I know his. What I do know, is that you both have been through things in your lives. This partnership, friendship, whatever it is, may it be something beneficial for the two of you."

One can only hope.

When Mando returns to the moisture farm, it's nighttime, and you're watching Kuiil repair his moisture vaporator. Your eyes wander over to Mando's form, but they don't stop on him. They stop right next to him. A floating sphere that remained by his side.

That was his quarry? A child? What kind of monster puts a bounty on a child? Unless the child was deemed dangerous, but c'mon, look at the little guy - he instantly won you over.

You hear Mando and Kuiil talk about the child, but you didn't pay any attention to them. You only focused on the little green child that watched a frog jump by. You crouched down to get a closer look at him.

"It didn't take long for the kid to get his hands on it," You say as the three of you witness the child swallow the frog whole.

You dusted invisible dirt off your hands by rubbing it against your shirt. You realized that Kuiil went off somewhere - he's probably inside his house. You realize that Mando was watching you.

"I'm not sure if you heard, but my ship was destroyed."

You furrowed your brows, "How?"

"Jawas."

"Good luck with that," You said as you patted his back before walking inside Kuiil's house.

Kuiil and Mando returned the day after at night. They both hauled the parts from the Razor Crest that the Jawas stole. You were assessing the damage when they returned to the ship.

"Holy shit, you reek.. go wash up, Tin Can," your voice is pitched up since you're holding your nose.

"You're not helping," he says with a deep voice, "I already know that I smell."

"Well, do something about it."

He ignores you as he walks around the ship and assesses the full-on damage. He stops in front of you. You swear he's doing it to annoy you, but you just back away so that his stench isn't as potent.

Kuiil turns on his light as Mando says, "This is gonna take days to fix."

"If you care to help, it might go faster," Kuiil says as he starts to organize the different parts.

Before the thought of running away even crossed your mind, Mando pointed an accusing finger at you, "Don't even think about leaving, you're helping us."

You whined, "Do I have to?"

"Yes. You don't get to ride along for free," He snaps as he hands Kuiil some of the spaceship's parts.

You kick your feet against the ground and sigh, "...Fine."

...

After ten breaks deemed mandatory by you, five arguments, and one 'pillow fight' with the parts of the Razor Crest between Mando and you, the ship was complete as daylight started to rise in the sky. Man were you proud of yourself - you helped Mando and Kuiil restore the Razor Crest to its natural beauty. You totally didn't refuse to get your hands dirty.

"Thanks for only handing us the parts," Mando says as he walks around the ship. He no longer smelled which made him a bit more tolerable to you as of now.

The two of you bid goodbye to Kuiil - the wonderful Ugnaught man who you prayed would be safe and happy for the rest of his days.

"Good luck with the child, may it survive and bring you a handsome reward," Kuiil says as he waves goodbye to the both of you. Once, the three of you were settled in the cockpit, Mando started preparations to fly back to Nevarro.

"The kid's still asleep, right," You whispered.

Mando only nodded his head. As much as you wanted to stay silent, you just had to ask him.

"Hey, Lame-o, what do you plan on doing with it now?"

He shrugs, "I have no choice but to finish the job."

You scoff, "That's bullshit. It's just a kid, you're not seriously thinking about returning him to the client.., are you?"

You had fallen asleep during the journey back to Nevarro. You curled more into the seat when you heard footsteps leaving the cockpit. Peace and quiet. You didn't think about where Mando was going - you just went back to drifting into dreamland.

When you woke up the second time and realized that you had landed back on Nevarro - you decided to make your way to the bounty guild. Maybe Greef Karga had an update for you.

He didn't - which made you annoyed, but that feeling went away when you overheard his conversations with the guild members.

"You had your shot, dust breather, but you failed. No pucks for you, now get out of here."

You sat across from Greef Karga as he carried out his duty of being the leader of a guild. You raised an eyebrow at him, "Dust breather.. seriously? That's the best you got." The man just shrugs.

"So, I've heard you've been hanging around with an infamous man. Who so happens to be one of the best members of my guild," He smiles at you, "How's that been for you?"

You signed, "Oh, it's been something."

"Speaking of the Devil," He laughs, "Mando!"

You take a sip of your drink before you call out to him, "Sup, Tin Can."

It didn't fully register to you, until you saw him standing next to the table you shared with Greef Karga. That's when you choked on your drink for a second time at this very same table.

"What the fuck, Mando? Now, you actually look like a Tin Can."

He doesn't try to make a comeback. He just asks, "How many of them had tracking fobs?"

Greef Karga tells him the answer and then he says, "Please, sit my friend."

You scooch over so he can sit right next to you. You can clearly hear the conversation between the Mandalorian and Greef Karga, but you can't understand it. It's like your ability to comprehend went out the door when you saw Mando decked out in pure beskar armor.

Wow. He looks...

Perfect.

From what you could hear, Mando was choosing another job to go on. He doesn't seem like the type to know how to relax, so you're not completely surprised. You're just wondering where you're going to go now. You're sure that his invitation to stay aboard his ship was temporary, but man, you didn't know how to feel.

The next thing you heard was Mando asking about the child and what was going to happen to him. Clearly, something that is out of the hands of the bounty hunter, yet it seemed to bother him deeply.

Oh.

That's why he has on pure beskar.

You tried your best to not let the guilt eat at you, but you couldn't stop thinking about the kid's beady brown eyes. The way they peered into your soul when you first met him. The way he snored as he was worn out from saving Mando from a mudhorn. That poor kid.

You continued listening to their conversation - now realizing that the Mandalorian was standing rather than sitting next to you.

"Buy a camtono of spice. By the time you come out of hyperdrive, you will have forgotten all about it," Greef Karga says to him, but alas, Mando walks out without another word.

You catch up to him before he makes it to his ship.

"So.." you start, "how about that camtono of spice?"

"I don't do spice," He jabbed.

"Yeah, I can tell. You act like you always have a stick up your ass," You jabbed back.

There goes another moment where he doesn't make a comeback towards you.

By now, you could tell the guilt was eating him alive. Even if he hadn't muttered a word to you.

You sighed, "Look, what's done, is done. You can't change that. You just have to wish the little guy the best and move forward."

He stays silent - only looking at what's straight ahead of him.

What's something that would help him..?

"Let me take you to the hot springs," He stops in his tracks and stares at you, "My treat."

...

It surprised you that he agreed. So here you were, on the Razor Crest, gathering your things, so you could stay in the motel next to the hot springs. You encouraged Mando to bring a bag with him, but he insisted that it was fine. Maybe he's never gone to hot springs before?

You had checked into your motel room. Mando waited patiently for you to put your things away. Once you finished, the two of you headed down to the hot springs. Since Nevarro was still growing its community, the hot springs were a small place run by a family of Twi'leks. The place was pretty secluded. Not many made the long trek from Nevarro City to enjoy the springs.

You weren't sure if they would have you and Mando go to separate hot springs, but unfortunately for you - there was only one hot spring open that day. You had undressed yourself first and let your body get warmed up by the hot water. You closed your eyes to fully take in the warm sensations coming from the bubbles that the water made.

It felt incredible.

Another thing that surprised you was hearing the water around you splash. Feeling the ripples of the water. You opened your eyes to see Mando's bare chest. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Perfect.

That's what you thought when the lights dimmed. Seeing your reflection on his helmet be reduced.

Perfect.

That's what you thought when he moved closer. You could have sworn the temperature of the water got warmer each time he moved.

Perfect.

That's what you thought when he started touching you. His soft and gentle hands roamed over your body. You placed your hands on his broad shoulders. Letting your fingers make indentions on his tanned skin. You ran a finger from his collarbone to the tip of his shoulder - back and forth. He squeezed your hips towards his.

Perfect.

That's what you thought when a soft modulated moan hit your eardrums. When he guided you on the things he wanted you to do to him. When he followed the orders you gave when it was his turn to reciprocate for you. When he finally slid himself inside you. The sighs that left your mouths at the same time. When he took his time with you - there was no need to rush and he made that perfectly clear. When you both made a mess in the hot springs. Perfection.

It was a perfect situation between strangers.

[mingos]

[ painkiller ]  ?[ moscow mule ]  

[ painkiller ]  what is their greatest regret?

letting rosinante back into his life. because, really, when you think about it, rosinante has ruined his life & everything he's worked towards.

he was snitching on him for years, he turned law against him, he told law how much doflamingo hated (possibly even fears) people with the will of d. which may or may not have actually influenced law to seek out luffy for help in defeating him, he told law about his goal of saving dressrosa which definitely influenced law to try & defeat him, just... his whole life has been a disaster since rosinante showed back up.

[ moscow mule ]  if they could travel through time, where would they go?

the void century, probably.

we still have absolutely no idea what the "national treasure" is that doflamingo knows about, but my current thought process is it either has something to do with imu or something to do with the void century (which imu most likely caused).

so, going back to the void century serves a double purpose to him of (1) getting more blackmail he can use against the world government & (2) i've always headcanoned doflamingo as someone who, like robin, is just really well-read and loves to learn things, so i think he would enjoy it either way.

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Kydoimos (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- The Roar, The God Fury by the people of Olympius

Father by Dyssebeia & Koros

Hammer by his friends

Age- 57 (immortal)

Location- Sparta, Olympius

Personality- He's brilliant, hawkish, & generally antagonistic with a fine trigger temper. With honest clarity and self reflection, he's been trying to find peace within himself so that he doesn't always have to rely on anger & rage to express himself or solve his problems. He's currently single.

Kydoimos is the father to Dyssebeia (goddess of ungodliness & impiety) and Koros (god of surfeit & disdain). He used to be married to their mother Amphillogia (goddess of arguments, disputes, & altercations). They've been divorced for almost a century.

He has the standard abilities of a god except shapeshifting. As the god of uproar & battlefield confusion his other powers/abilities include sound manipulation, amplifying/decreasing the battle-din, being able to generate his sonic war cry (which can be heard from hundreds of miles away), inducing temporary deafness in others, being able to manipulate the feelings of rage & confusion in others, as well as creating an illusion of battle. When experiencing intense feelings of rage and anger, he grows to a hulking mass with reddish bronze skin measuring 10 ft tall- weighing nearly 2,000 lbs! In this state, he has the abilities of shockwave generation & thermokinesis.

Kydoimos primarily lives in the state of Sparta in a brick mansion. All the doors are made from Celestial Bronze. His place has an industrial interior design with metal framed windows, concrete & metal walls and ceilings, rough dark wood flooring, leather & wood furniture with steel, dark metal, and glass furniture pieces. He also owns a vacation home in the state of Troy.

He has an animal companion- a dragon named Vendathros who's known as "The Bronze Frenzy." He's a muscular hulking beast (the sixth largest dragon) with bronze-gold horns, claws, & crests, bronze and gold scales, & tan wings. The energies of dragon and rider are intertwined. Vendathros is Kydoimos' primary mode of transportation, especially when he travels out of state.

A notable physical feature is his short dark auburn hair. Another notable feature of Kydoimos unseen by the naked eye is his poor hearing. Hephaestus (god of the forge) designed & made a pair of specialized high tech hearing aids that he generally wears.

He can play the drums, trombone, and electric guitar.

When Kydoimos isn't working out in the morning, he's more often than not to keep in shape by taking flight on his dragon.

He enjoys listening to death metal, rap, hip-hop, rock, & heavy metal music- putting the volume all the way up.

He's fluent in Latin as well as GSL (Greek Sign Language).

Kydoimos LOVES eating a scorching hot bowl of black broth (a Spartan delicacy made with vinegar, oil, pork, and pig's blood) for breakfast. He also enjoys scrambled eggs (added with tomatoes & tons of red peppers), crispy sausage links, and slices of burnt toast. He also likes the Earthly Harvest raisin crunch cereal as well as the Spartan Crunch cereal.

He fought in the Olympian Army led by Zeus (god of the sky, thunder, & lightning) during the Titanomachy. At first, Kydoimos wasn't sure that the scrawny newly discovered heir of Kronos (Titan god of the harvest, time, & fate) had any fight in him or battle prowess, but he grew pleasantly surprised at how the blond usurper had the fighting courage of a thousand ferocious griffins!

In storage, Kydoimos still has intricately designed & crafted Celestial Bronze armor and sword.

It's notoriously known in the pantheon of his love of beer, which is why one of his nicknames is "The God of Ale." In one sitting, he once drank 100 bottles. He also likes jack & cokes, whiskey sours, black & tans, moscow mules, cola, old fashioned cocktails, dirty martinis, black velvets, manhattans, red wine, bourbon lemonade, and boilermakers. The usual from The Roasted Bean is an olympian sized dark roast coffee- no cream, no sugar.

Kydoimos has many regrets regarding his marriage to his ex-wife, but he doesn't regret marrying Amphillogia. He does regret how emotionally immature and quick to anger he was- how often his words were laced with venom & how he always allowed his anger to choose for him. Even though there were more than enough times where Amphillogia put hands on him, Kydoimos knew he didn't have to follow suit. He knew things went too far when his son (a baby at the time) was almost gravely injured during a usual fight. Kydoimos hasn't seen or spoken to his ex-wife since their divorce was finalized.

He thought about reaching out after hearing news about her beloved dragon's death, but at the last minute, decided not to.

His guilty pleasure is the inferno burger (with extra sriracha mayo, ghost peppers, & roasted jalapeños) along with olympian sized onion rings from Olympic Chef, washing them down with an olympian sized cola with extra ice. He'll sometimes order three burgers!

Being a father is the one aspect of Kydoimos' life that he feels he didn't fuck up. Dyssebeia and Koros are each a half of his heart through all the high octane dysfunction. A favorite pasttime for the three of them is when they ride their dragons together! At times, he's definitely closer to his daughter, considering Kydoimos was a reassuring figure in the beginning of her godly career as she was coming to terms with her energy absorption ability. He also put money into his son's music career & has been to several concerts of his punk rock band Dissonance Machine.

One time while Kydoimos was visiting Koros in the city during national free french fry day, they went to all the Olympic Chef locations, filling an empty 55 gallon oil drum to the top with cajun fries. They enjoyed the fries amongst themselves while drinking a few beers sitting underneath the New Olympus sign.

His favorite frozen treat is red velvet ice cream.

Kydoimos' primary source of income comes from his demolition business. His small demolition company perform controlled destruction of structures, from single rooms to entire buildings. The company also specilaizes in partial demolitions, deconstuction, excavation, & site preparation. He also works in the army as a military scientist- with a specific interest in gamma radiation.

His favorite basketball team is the Sparta Spears while his favorite wrestler (also a native Spartan) is a laistrygonian giant named Bonecrusher.

In the pantheon Kydoimos is friends with Hecaterus (Titan god of manual labor), the hecatoncheires (Cottus, Briareus, & Gyges), Pseudologos (god of lies), Hysminai (goddess of fighting & combat), Iapetus (Titan god of mortality, pain, & death), the blacksmithing cyclopes (Arges, Brontes, & Steropes), Menoetius (Titan god of rage, violence, & rash actions), Astrape (goddess of lightning), Pallas (Titan god of battle & warcraft), Bronte (goddess of thunder), Homadus (god of the battle-din), Perses (Titan god of destruction), and Polemos (god of the war cry).

His snore can also be heard from several miles away.

Ever since his divorce, he's been keeping things casual when it comes to his interactions with female beings. Kydoimos made the decision to step back into the dating world when Dyssebeia helped him make a dating profile. He dated Amechania (goddess of helplessness & want) for a year before she broke up with him.

Now, Kydoimos has his sights set on Lyrikós (Titaness of voice & song). Of course he finds her beauty appealing, but he's also drawn to her by her alluring singing voice, especially when he saw her perform at The Golden Laurel Awards with her daughter Aoide (goddess of voice & song).

Only he knows the true deepening feelings his son shares for Felis (Titaness of cats).

He's tried to help Homadus several times with his financial problems, but Kydoimos has been rejected at every turn. He anonymously helped out by asking a customer to leave a 400 drachma tip at The Crushed Skull where Homadus works as a part-time bartender.

He and Iapetus have been going on more hunting trips since the punishment of Prometheus (Titan god of forethought). Kydoimos has also been a listening ear when it comes to Iapetus' marriage with Clymene (Titaness of fame & renown).

His all time favorite dessert is the red velvet cake from Hollyhock's Bakery.

His all time favorite meal is savory kokkinisto with herbed garlic roasted potatoes.

In his free time Kydoimos enjoys tai chi, mountain climbing, biking, poker, basketball, playing pool, football (soccer), going to the gun range, field hockey, chess, going to monster truck rallies, boxing, axe throwing, cooking, hiking, and archery.

"The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies."

[forthegothicheroine]

Citrus Perfumes for Summer

You can wear any perfumes at any time of year- I certainly do.  That said, there’s something very summery about citrus; it’s bright and clean and exciting.  I thought I’d recommend some of my favorites, ranging from indies to department store perfumes to snobby niche brands.  I’ve loved citrus since I did an aromatherapy science fair project in sixth grade, and I hope you do too!  (As a note, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfumes are oil-based, which doesn’t work on everyone’s skin.  Get a sample pack if you want to try them out for the first time.)

Gin and Rosewater by TokyoMilk: Apparently this isn’t actually made with juniper or rosewater notes!  You could have fooled me, though, because it smells like a refreshing spirit-forward cocktail with a strong floral note.  Lemon and mandarin orange are apparently what gives it that tart smell, with rosewood for the rose.  It’s great for spring or summer to welcome in the greenery and cool down in an air-conditioned bar.

Anthemoessa by TokyoMilk: Grapefruit and white flowers and sea salt make me feel like a mermaid when I wear this.  Others think it smells like a tropical drink.  Whichever way it strikes you, wear this by the beachside (or when you’re just pretending to be by the beachside!)

Etrog by Ayala Moriel: Are you Jewish with a fondness for the smells of sukkot?  Are you non-Jewish but love the sharp smell of a ripe citron?  This bright yellow and leafy green perfume smells of nostalgia to me from my youthful harvest holidays, etrog/citron and fern and myrtle, welcoming in the fall but sweet-sour and refreshing all year round.

Love & Crime by Ex Idolo: Unlike many of my favorite perfumes, this one doesn’t read to me as sexy or mysterious or dangerous or tragic.  It just makes me really happy.  It’s a sweet orange with sugar and vanilla and spice and just a touch of cacao, right on the line between a citrus and a gourmand.  It’s not an orange pastry or creamsicle, but something all its own.  It’s very prone to making me smile.

Moscow Mule by Juliette Has a Gun: This one took a while to grow on me, but I’ve been reaching for my sample of it a lot lately.  If you’ve never had the drink, it’s largely lime and ginger beer, and that’s what this smells like.  It’s bight and perky but sophisticated, and it can be worn casually or for a night out.  The lime and ginger compliment each other well, and complicate each other too!

Hesperides Grapefruit by Fresh: Grapefruit is one of my favorite scents and this is almost a single-note, but it’s sweetened by peach and deepened by lemon and mandarin.  If you love grapefruit and prefer alcohol-based perfumes, this is the one for you.  I would probably own a bottle of it myself if I didn’t already have a bottle of...

Baobhan Sith by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab: This was one of the scents in my first ever sample pack that made me fall in love with BPAL!  It’s an evil grapefruit with ginger and white florals, named after women who dance and kiss their lovers to death.  I don’t know if it’s as sexy as the name suggests (my husband is legally obligated to always say I smell nice) but it feels weird and dangerous, two of my favorite adjectives!  (Other nice BPAL grapefruit scents: Croquet and the current limited edition Erotic Sake Bowl.)

Sea of Glass by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab: I’m not usually into aquatics, but this one won me over.  It’s a light, clean, lemony scent, perfect for a benevolent water sprite or a simple cottage-dweller who lives by a lake.  It’s grown up and respectable, but not boring at all.  

[galaxyofmyown]

Hi!! I'm not sure if you'll take it (and that's 100% okay!!) but as a request can you write hotch x younger, shy reader? I'm just all about that age gap with him (yes, that's my daddy issues speaking up). Have a nice day!! ❤

hi! this was so fun to write. i was aiming for like, idk, 500 words? and then oops! i wrote almost 2000. i accidentally made it specifically for a female reader, so let me know if that doesn’t work for you and i can tweak it. also, sorry if the end feels rushed, but i’m about to fall asleep and i wanted to wrap this one up so i could write the other requests tomorrow. let me know what you think! xx

aaron hotchner x reader - surprise me

“Hey, (Y/N). Drinks? Everyone’s going.” You hear Derek ask. You smile before spinning around in your desk chair.

“God, yes. I was hoping you’d ask, I really need to blow off some steam.” You reply, getting up and grabbing your bag, having already packed up for the night. The team had just gotten back from Middle-of-Nowhere, Kansas, and to say the case was intellectually challenging was an understatement. It felt a lot like piecing together a never-ending puzzle, but you had saved the lives of countless innocent people. There was no better feeling.

Drinking is a close second, however, which is why you were impatiently pacing near the elevator as the rest of your team gathered their things. As soon as everyone arrived, you filed into the elevator.

“You look excited, (Y/N).” Emily said with a smile, knocking her shoulder into yours. You laugh.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Any excuse to spend more time with my favorite group of people!” You say, your voice taking on a teasing tone as you poke a pink-polished finger into Reid’s side. Reid yelps and jumps away, blushing slightly. The rest of the team laughs, Morgan reaching to ruffle his hair. You smile at the sight. They were truly a second family to you. The elevator doors were nearly closed when a large hand reached in and caused the doors to jerk and reopen.

And there he was.

Your boss, Aaron Hotchner. You tensed despite yourself as he slid in right next to you. Rossi clapped him on the shoulder.

“Nice of you to join us.” He said. Hotch nodded, professional as ever. Everyone looked as surprised as you felt.

“You’re coming out with us, sir? You never come.” Garcia said, not unkindly. You all understood his commitment to his son, so you couldn’t really blame him for always being too busy for drinks. Unlike everyone else, your surprise was less pleasant and more panicked. Even though you’d been on the team for well over a year, you still found it extremely difficult to talk to Hotch outside of a case.

It might have something to do with you being head over heels for the older man.

“Jack is with his aunt for the weekend, so JJ convinced me to tag along. I hope that’s alright with everyone.” He said, looking directly at you. You nod and force a tight smile, missing the way your discomfort makes his brows furrow.

There goes your plan to let loose. You can’t help but monitor every word, every movement you make when you’re around Hotch. You found him attractive the moment you met him, the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that you realized you actually had feelings for the man. You loved how caring and loyal he was, and you appreciated every smile and laugh he allowed himself. He was also a natural leader, solid in a way no other man in your life had been. You understood, however, that Hotch would never settle for someone as young and inexperienced as you. Aside from the odd celebrity crush, you had never felt so attracted to an older man. It left you floundered, constantly at a loss for words. He probably thought you were an immature girl who couldn’t control her feelings at 28.

You rode with Emily to the bar, who couldn’t stop laughing at your nerves. She was your best friend, so she knew all about your unfortunate crush. Hopefully she was the only one.

“He’s really a nice guy, (Y/N). Not intimidating at all. Well, not when you actually talk to him. You should try it sometime.” She said, pulling the bar door open for you. You rolled your eyes.

“I do talk to him. That’s the problem. The more I’m around him the more likely it is that I die of a broken heart. Do you want me to die, Prentiss? Is that what you want?” You said. Emily barks out a laugh at your theatrics. Your conversation is cut short as you approach the large round booth your team is occupying for the night. Emily sneaks over to sit next to Rossi, leaving only the seat next to Hotch. She smiles with false sweetness and you slide in across from her, and you kick her lightly under the table. You stay as close to the edge of the seat as you can manage, trying your hardest not to impinge on Hotch’s personal space.

You’re about to ask if anyone wants a drink when Hotch slides your favorite drink, a Moscow Mule, over to you.

“It’s your favorite, right?” Hotch asks, his voice soft over the noise of the bar. You falter. How did he know that? You probably haven’t ordered a drink in front of him in months.

“Um, uh, yeah. Thank you.” You say. He nods curtly. You both turn away from each other, and you sip at your drink, hoping it’ll take the edge off soon enough. 

Despite the pleasant conversation you have with your team, you can’t shake your nerves. Three drinks deep and still feeling like you’ve had the breath knocked out of you every time you see Hotch laugh.

“So, Hotch. Anyone special in your life?” Garcia asks boldly, trying to shake the attention off her and her current love life.

Nope. Not happening. You get up from the table abruptly, shaking the table slightly as you do so. Great, now everyone is looking at you.

“Um. Anybody want another drink?” You ask. JJ requests another vodka soda and Hotch politely asks for a beer. You never drink beer, but you’re too nervous to ask which kind. You rush off to the bar, where a bartender about your age is wiping down the counter.

“Hi! Can I get a vodka soda, a glass of water, and a beer, please?” You ask, feeling your nerves dissolve. The bartender looks up, his blonde hair falling over his eyes.

“What kind of beer?” He asks. You shrug, defeated.

“Honestly, just surprise me.” You say. He smiles, clearly amused, and turns to get your drinks. You don’t even notice someone approaching until you hear a familiar voice clear his throat.

“(Y/N).” He says. You turn, trying not to shy away as Hotch towers over you.

“Yes?” You say, willing your voice to not sound squeaky.

“Can we talk?” He asks, pulling at his tie. 

Fuck.

“Sure. Let me just…” You trail off, motioning at the bartender. Hotch nods in understanding. Just as he does, the bartender slides the drinks over to you. Hotch grabs JJ’s drink and walks it over to her. Emily sends you a suggestive look from across the room. You flip her off and turn to the bartender.

“Please add these to Emily Prentiss’ tab. That’s P-R-E-N-T-I-S-S.” You say, and the bartender laughs.

“No problem, um-” He says. You smile.

“(Y/N).” You say, filling in his blank.

“Well, nice to meet you, (Y/N).” He says before being flagged down by another customer.

You turn around with your water and Hotch’s beer, only to bump right into the older man.

“Jesus fuck!” You exclaim as ice water stings your hand. Hotch laughs, a deep rumbling sound that completely entrances you.

“Sorry.” He says, freeing up one of your hands by taking his beer.

“I hope you like that kind. I’m not much of a beer drinker.” You say, trying for a smooth recovery. Hotch nods appreciatively.

“This is perfect,” He says, and you unclench slightly, “could we talk outside? It’s a bit loud in here.”

You nod, and he guides you out of the bar with his hand on your elbow. The crisp evening air takes some over the edge off. Hotch leans against the brick wall and you do the same. You’re only illuminated by the purple neon “open” sign hanging over you.

“I wanted to apologize.” Hotch blurts out, taking you by surprise. You tilt your head to the side, asking a silent question. Hotch almost dies on the spot.

“I- I’ve acted inappropriately towards you, and for that I apologize. I value your expertise and think you’re an invaluable member of this team. I never intended to make you uncomfortable.” He says in a rush, throwing you completely off guard. It takes you a moment to remember how to talk, but when you do all that comes out is-

“What are you talking about?”

Hotch runs a hand through his hair and smiles, but it looks painful.

“Please, (Y/N), don’t make me say it.”

“Say what?” You ask, completely bewildered.

“That I have feelings for you.”

And then you wake up.

Well, this is the part where you should wake up, but you’re still here, outside with Hotch. Hotch. Aaron Hotchner. Who likes you.

“What?” You said, not trusting yourself to say anything else. Hotch smiles again, resigned.

“Please. You must’ve noticed. I haven’t been exactly inconspicuous. And again, I’m sorry. It must make you very uncomfortable for someone more advanced than you in both age and position to be so blatant in their feelings for you.”

“What is happening?” You whisper, mostly to yourself. “You- you like me?” You ask as if he hasn’t made it obvious enough. Hotch actually has the audacity to look ashamed as he nods. After you’ve had a moment to process, you can’t help the world-stopping, blinding smile that graces your face. You tentatively reach for his hand. Hotch looks up at you in disbelief as you entwine your fingers with him.

“(Y/N)?” He asks carefully, not fully trusting the scene unfolding before him.

“I had no idea,” You say, feeling elated, “I always thought I was the one being obvious about my feelings.”

Hotch jerks his hand away, and your face falls.

“But- you shouldn’t have any feelings. Not for me.” He says, his face turning stony before your eyes. 

“Why not?”

“Because, (Y/N)! I’m too old for you. I can’t give you what I want. You deserve to be with someone your age, someone who can give you all of his time.” He says, taking a step away from you. You take another step towards him.

“Hey, no. Is your name Aaron Hotchner?” You ask, pulling him towards you.

“What? Yes.” He says, clearly confused. You slowly and gently take his face in your hands, bringing his forehead down to yours.

“Then you are what I want, Aaron.” You whisper, the name tasting sweet in your mouth. Hotch practically melts, pulling you into a hug by your waist. You wrap your arms around his neck and revel in the warmth of his body and fast beat of his heart. 

“(Y/N), my darling girl,” He says softly, pulling back slightly. “Can I kiss you?” He asks. You nod eagerly, and he pulls you to him. He kisses the way he loves, carefully yet passionately. When you pull away you feel like a new woman, and you wrap your arms around him once again.

“You are amazing.” He says, his words warming you even more than his touch. You kiss him again.

“Let’s go home, Aaron.” You say. And you do.

[corpse--diem]

Nowhere Is Safe | Luis, Bex & Erin

TIMING: Current  PARTIES: @ontheluis @inbextween LOCATION: The Moose Caboose SUMMARY: The unsuspecting patrons of the Moose Caboose become the hunted.  CONTENT WARNINGS: Gore, domestic abuse tw (brief mention)

The lights of Moose Caboose shown in the gathering dusk, tables and taximery stark against the hazy shoulilete of the darkening treeline. Luis peered from the darkness of the trees, blue eyes aglow with reflected light as he watched prey move around the bright space. The werewolf began to move amongst the underbrush, his hulking form drawing closer to the source of two-legged meat.

Erin didn’t know how she kept ending up back at the Moose Caboose. Morbid curiosity, she assumed. Somehow it’d grown on her, little by little, until it held a comforting familiarity that a place like the Moose Caboose never should have acquired. There were good memories here. The kind she didn’t mind reflecting on while sipping on their take of a Moscow mule, losing the staring contest she was having with the taxidermied beaver posed above the bar. The drink was stronger than the original, and with the moose head shaped cubes bobbing around inside, it was a little easier to swallow the campiness they wholeheartedly embraced. Didn’t mean she wasn’t going to warily eye the abnormally perky smiles plastered to the employee’s faces as they buzzed about. That part was still off, but maybe that mystery was part of its draw for her now too. Martin was still here, the ever vigilant manager (his recent promotion was well-earned), and no visit was complete without at least one moose-pun exchanged between the two.

“By moose, Ms. Nichols, we thought you’d forgotten all about us silly beavers!” After chirpily apologizing that her order was delayed, and that the Moscow Moose-le in her hands was on the house, he departed just as cheerily. She didn’t have time to reflect on the fact that he knew her by name now or how that made her feel by the time the shrill scream brought the entire dining room to an eerie hush. She couldn’t see what was happening but she could hear it. Destruction sounded the same everywhere.

All Bex was supposed to do was deliver the forms to the manager at the Moose Caboose. An easy task, a simple task. Her mother had drawn a stern look on her face as she’d handed the manilla envelope over and stared Bex square in the eyes as she gave her the instructions. It was a simple task, one even she could do. One her mother trusted her with. Bex ran her hands over the paper as she hurried down the street towards the restaurant. Her nerves still ate at her like acid, wondering which alley Frank was going to pop out of and grab her or stab her or whatever else he felt like doing. But Dani had said the police came and picked him up and her mother had reassured that he’d be taken care of. So Bex was safe. She was safe, especially squeezing through a crowd in the Moose Caboose’s bar, before she got to the counter and leaned over, asking for the manager, giving her name. The man behind had stiffened and hurried off and Bex turned to scan the crowd, as if waiting to see a familiar face. Mina or Morgan or Nell. They weren’t there. She’d left them behind, of course they weren’t there.

Then the scream happened. It sounded strangled at first, as if the person screaming wasn’t sure they should be screaming. But after a long moment, it rose in pitch and ferocity, and then more people were screaming outside and a low roar sounded from the front of the restaurant. Bex knew that sound, she’d know it anywhere. Her eyes locked with the monster as it rounded the corner, blood already dripping from its mouth. Her legs gave out underneath her. No, this wasn’t happening again. No, this couldn’t be happening again.

Luis stepped over the hollowed ribcage of a man who’d gone outside for a smoke at the wrong time, licking gore from his lips. For the span of a few breaths the werewolf simply watched the panicking patrons of the Moose Caboose, like a primeval reminder of eons past looking back on soft modernity with nothing but uncomprehending hunger.

Then Luis was bursting through the window in a wave of shattered glass. A young girl sitting close to was nearly swallowed whole as the werewolf charged in mouth agape. A snap of Luis’ closing jaws left a screaming mother holding only her daughter's severed legs, just a moment too late to pull her to safety. A waiter desperately tried to shield the shellshocked mother with his own body, but such valor just provoked Luis’ to jump over the window’s dining booth with a grace that belied his hulking form. The werewolf easily pinned both the mother and waiter beneath his paws. The sobbing woman barely reacted as the waiter crushing brain matter dribbled onto her face from above. She was still cradling those little severed legs as Luis’ maw descended again and opened wide to silence her grief.

Run, Erin’s mind screamed at her. RUN! Her legs wouldn’t--couldn’t obey the simple command. The sound of bones crunching and flesh tearing between too sharp teeth overwhelmed all good sense. She’d seen these creatures before but only when they were lying on her embalming table, rendered harmless, her hands and her scalpel taking what was needed. Not like this. Never like this. Something snapped awake and she realized how dangerously close the werewolf had come. Her feet finally moved in the opposite direction, only getting a few feet before tripping over something--someone. For a moment, she thought she’d stumbled upon a body, but the young woman’s breathing was labored and panicked despite her lack of motion. “Up--get up. Now,” she urged hastily. There wasn’t time for gentle coercion. Grabbing her by the arms, she tugged her with her, shoving when she needed. Some of the crowd had filtered towards the kitchen. It was closer than the exit from here and surely there was somewhere in there to hide, or another door in the back to flee from. She took her chances, pulling the girl along, praying for her sake that she could pull herself together.

Crunching, snapping. Bones giving way under teeth and flesh tearing apart under claws. Bex remembered it well. Blood flowed like fountains. Bits of human devoured in single gulps. This beast was larger than Kyle. More feral. She couldn’t hear the voice in his head, but she was sure of what he was thinking. Prey, hunt, kill. Her entire body stayed frozen. Maybe if she didn’t move, he wouldn’t see her. Maybe if she stayed still, he wouldn’t kill her. But then someone was yanking on her, pulling her up. Bex looked at her and didn’t recognize the woman’s face. She looked just as panicked as Bex felt, and yet she was moving. How was she doing that? Bex’s gaze turned back to the wolf just in time to watch him devour the childless woman nearly whole. Her stomach lurched. Panic became a new kind of magic inside of her and she stumbled as she was shoved towards the back. Her arms reached out to grasp the wall for support, and she saw it, the bracelet on her wrist. This one, Nell had pointed out, will make you invisible. To escape, to run away. This one, she tapped the next bead, will make a shield for you. In case running didn’t work. And this one, the last of the three, makes a magical binding rope. To subdue someone if everything else failed. Bex looked back at the woman who was shoving her along, to the people fleeing in all different directions. And then her eyes met the wolf’s, and the world dissolved from a bar to an alley and in a moment of sheer panic, Bex shouted, “RELEASE!” and disappeared. The world around her, however, did not. The screaming, the blood, the destruction, it was all still there. Always there.

Luis snatched an older woman who’d been struggling to get into her walker as more spry individuals panicked past her. Blood spread out across the lady’s flowery blouse where the wolf held her torso. Her thin hands batted vainly at the enormous wolf’s face, wane cries for help drowned out by the dark bile rising up from punched organs. With an flick of the head the Luis swallowed the gentle woman down, unconscious of the smiling photographs of children becoming parents and having children of their own scattered across the shattered remains of her table.

Tears traced the deep laugh lines of an elder’s face as he looked up at Luis, wet eyes alighting on a familiar hand protruding out from between the monster’s teeth. Even amidst the severed tendons and blood a small diamond of wedding ring still sparkled in the restaurant lights, as if half a century of love had been reified to shine in one final defiance against the world’s senseless brutality.

The venerable gentleman let his cane fall to the ground as Luis gulped down the last remnants of his wife. He reached down for a fallen dinner knife with hands that shook with palsy. Each movement was painful, but resolve brought firmness to his grip. The grandfather rose painstakingly back up to his feet to see the back of giant brown-furred  form shredding a downed man apart with its forepaws like a dog tearing at a rug. Closing his tear-reddened eyes for a moment and mustering one last burst of strength, the old man crossed the room in uneven strives and drove the knife into the muscle of one of the werewolf hind leg with everything he had left in him, a beloved name on his lips.

Luis felt an annoying pinprick as the unsilvered blade found purchase. The werewolf brought a hind leg up as if to absently scratch at a flea. One gasp and wet crunch later, the itching ceased.

The werewolf’s ears flicked up at a purposeful shout amongst the growns of the dying, incoherent screams,, frantic whispers, and hysterical sobbing. Luis circled around one of the few tables left standing in the moose caboose, slick livid intestines dangling from his teeth.

Blue lupine eyes scanned for the source of the sound and settled on a departing Erin.

Luis burst into the run after her, covered half the distance in a single stride before launching into a pouncing leap, gore-caked maw yawning open.

Erin may have been more prepared than the average citizen to stomach the gory scene but this? It made the man who’d thrown human organs at her and Blanche’s feet seem like utter child’s play. This was ruthless, relentless destruction. This was a massacre. What shook her most was the sounds--the horrific screams, bones and limbs snapping like twigs, the wet slap of flesh hitting the ground. Fighting was useless. Running was starting to look bleak. All she could do was watch the horror unfold and keep pushing forward, hoping she was faster than the guy behind her at the very least. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get the picture of the distraught, screaming mother clutching the severed remains of her child. Likely a short memory, if she was being truthful with herself here. For the first time since she’d stood toe to toe with Roy, Erin wasn’t positive she was going to make it out of this one. And still, it hungered for more. The wolf’s gaze locked onto her. She couldn’t breathe. “Go, run,” she started to say, though the words grated along her throat like they were shrouded in barbed wire.

Suddenly, the younger woman who’d been paralyzed moments before was shouting. And then she was gone. But--she wasn’t? Her eyes widened, screaming the question marks she didn’t have the ability to communicate herself. What the fuck? Erin could still feel where her fingers clenched around her forearm. A blur of blood-caked fur and teeth dripping with entrails flew through the air. She couldn’t think, couldn’t run. Couldn’t scream if she tried. All she could do was raise her arms above her face and brace for the impact.

Even if Bex was invisible, the world around her was not. The horrors being committed were not. She wished they were. She wished the world around her would melt away and maybe she’d wake up because maybe this was just a nightmare and maybe there wasn’t a wolf staring her down like prey. Prey. Hunt. Kill. Prey. Hunt. Kill. Bex yanked at her arm in the other woman’s vice grip. She wanted to run. She needed to run. She’d told Mina she’d run. Her feet dug at the ground, but she couldn’t get her to let go. She couldn’t get her to move anymore. Bex snapped back to her side when she tried to run, stumbling into her. She was invisible still but the woman wasn’t moving and the wolf was charging right for them. Bex looked at him and saw only Kyle. Red eyes glowing, even if this wolf’s eyes were blue. They were blue. They were blue.

Fur and paws and snarling teeth soared through the air in a bound at them. The woman wasn’t moving. Bex had to do something. She had to do something. She had to protect her. She had to-- she lifted her arm again and wrapped herself around the other woman, before tapping the next bead in the line. “RELEASE!” She’d expected a wall to come up in front of them, perhaps even an actual shield. That’s what Nell had told her it was, a shield. Maybe Bex had even imagined a real shield popping up in front of her like it did in video games. But, no. Instead, a shimmering bubble appeared around the two of them, encapsulating them like one of those toys from the quarter machines at the arcade. Her surprise only lasted a moment, before teeth and claws bashed against the barrier. They were knocked back, ball and all, crashing into the bar. Glasses shattered and bottles toppled. Bex fell back against the wall of the bubble, stunned. She watched as the wolf tore at the bubble, confused and angered by the barrier now keeping him from his next meal. The bubble began to be pushed backwards, towards the doorway. It crunched against the wood and seared through it and Bex reached back up for the woman, already feeling the exhaustion seeping into her bones. She let go of the invisibility and tugged. “W-we-- we gotta go! We gotta go! I don’t know how l-long it’ll hold. We gotta run!” She looked back at the wolf and tried not to see Kyle. She looked back at the wolf and tried not to see imminent death.

Luis threw himself against the brightness, ignoring the glass shards and charred fragments of wood that’d been torn through the Moose Caboose. Red dilated veins rimmed Luis’ eyes as even hunger was swallowed up in unreasoning fury. His primal mind couldn’t understand the heat and shining sphere. It didn’t smell like anything. Prey was inside it but not. The werewolf’s instincts felt that it shouldn’t be real, just a trick of sunlight.

Luis slammed against the luminous barrier, blindly using the sheer weight of his hulking frame, slashing at it with claw and fang, anything to make it stop being between him and the prey. The shield shimmered with each blow, the fluctuation flickering a little longer before solidifying again. Luis tore into the magic with sheer rabid frenzy, jawing wide and panting as he devolved a snarling dervish of blood-soaked fur.  

The wolf pounced but the blow never came. Erin still couldn’t see the girl but she’d shouted again, summoning some sort of protective globe around them both. She didn’t know how or why, but it worked. Try as he might, the wolf couldn’t touch them, with every failed attempt only succeeding in pissing it off further. They had to go. Erin’s mind caught up with her, shaky hands reaching to help the girl along, who was very visible again. “R-right, yeah. Come on,” she started, her eyes glued to the snarling beast. She tested a few steps, making sure that whatever magic that was protecting them stayed in place as they moved. To her relief, it did. “I don’t know what you did, kid, but I can’t tell you how glad I am I didn’t leave you for puppy chow earlier,” she muttered. The crowd had all but emptied, those who hadn’t succumbed to the beast’s hunger and strong jaw had fled with their lives intact. “Is this thing going to make it to the parking lot with us?” Erin asked, yanking the handle on the door open, watching the way it flickered, it’s strength visibly wavering each time the wolf charged.

The wolf slammed and slammed and slammed. Bex tugged on the woman again as she finally snapped back to life and started pushing on Bex again. Weak knees shook as she stood and started running, the magic bubble surrounding them following as it emanated out from the bracelet. With each flicker, Bex’s heart rate increased. WIth each swipe of a paw or slam of a body, her mind rattled. She was focusing too hard on not falling back into that dark alley way, with red eyes and blood stains and silence, that she hadn’t been paying attention to where they were going. They stumbled out the back and into the street and police cars were screaming around the corner. People had fled into the street and farther away, screaming all the way down to the end of the road. Ambulances were skidding to stops near those covered in blood, or screaming in pain, and it felt less like an escape from a singular werewolf, and more like the scene of a catastrophe unfolding. Bex stumbled, tripped, falling on her hands and knees, scraping them against the ground.

The wolf was still following them, out into the backstreet. If it turned and went into the main street, more people would die. She couldn’t let that happen. Despite the fear choking her, she wouldn’t let that happen. She stood back up, smearing blood on the inside of the bubble and grabbing the woman’s hand. “We gotta-- this way! A-away from--” but she didn’t have time to explain. The wolf was coming. She only had half of a plan, but it was better than none. She had one spell left, and that, too, was better than none.

Luis’ ears flicked at the sound of approaching sirens, something that’d become very familiar on the scenes of his hunts. While he didn’t comprehend any greater meaning to the flashing light and warbling sounds, Luis’ primal mind instinctively associated them with danger and stinging metal after many firsthand experiences when migrating from the warmer south. He let out a low canine huff of frustration at being led away from the greater mass of prey only for flashing loud metal to arrive and make them harder to reach.

One of the prey he’d be harrying in the brightness stumbled, the smell of her blood snapping Luis’ full attention back to the pair. The werewolf leapt onto a low roof of one of dingy houses that lined the backstreet. Weathered shingles snapped and tin sheets shuddered under giant paws as Luis lopped along the skyline, effortlessly leaping from rooftop to rooftop in an attempt to flank his prey.

Spotting what instinct judged to be an opening, Luis bounded across a storage unit’s dull peak to leap down at the prey from above.

Erin picked the right girl to yank off the dining room floor in the middle of a massacre. She was usually better at this--thinking on her feet, planning, direction. But this? She had no advantage. She had no plan. Like the dozens of crying, frightened people running for their lives, she was in panic mode with the image of children’s limbs torn from their bodies and elderly women being mauled in the middle of the fucking Moose Caboose flashing behind her eyes. Help was on the way. The sirens blared in the distance, adding to the overwhelming chaos. This kid seemed to know what she was doing, she’d kept Erin alive so far, so she nodded and trusted where her head was at. And where the magical bubble that kept those teeth away from her insides. But it was still coming. The thunderous pounce from above followed, looming above them like a ravenous shadow. So Erin did the only thing she could. She ran, gripping the girl’s hand, realizing how quickly she was outpacing her. “Hey, don’t slow down on me now, kid. We’re almost out of the woods,” she panted, pulling her harder, slowing down just a little bit but the wolf was close. Too close to stay at this pace for long. And she was right. A crash from the roof on the building beside them forced her eyes up once more. Fuck. Fuck. Not again. They’d been so close. So close to getting away. Maybe at least one of them still could. Erin swallowed hard, shoving the girl forward. “Go!”

Risking someone else’s life probably wasn’t up to hunter code, but Bex wasn’t a hunter, and she wasn’t a sideways hunter, either, like Mina, so she supposed this would have to do for now. They ran down the back street as the wolf pounced from roof to roof in hot pursuit. Bex remembered the heavy pounding of Kyle’s claws as he’d chased her out of the alley, as his claws had dug into her chest. She felt her breath catching in her chest, tightening, trying to drag her down and pull her back into that darkness. The older woman was pulling her along behind her but Bex’s eyes stayed glued to the wolf behind them. When he leapt, she tried to pull back, but suddenly she was being shoved forward. “No-- no!” she stumbled, turned to watch in horror as the wolf descended upon the woman and the bubble followed Bex. “No!” she fell onto her back, scrambled for her bracelet. “Release! RELEASE!” she shouted loudly, grabbing the last bead and aiming it at the wolf. Chains sprouted from the bead like a rocket, wrapping up the wolf’s legs first. More sprouted out and snagged its maw, and Bex watched as the body tumbled to the ground and skidded to a halt just inches away from her and woman. The bubble petered away and Bex scrambled forward again, her vision already blotting and dripping away from her. “We have…” she huffed, “we have to go.” She grabbed her hand and tugged. “We have to…” But her legs betrayed her and gave out beneath her weight and she collapsed back to the ground. A red stain spotting the place where stitches had come undone in all their frantic movements.

Luis strained against the chains coiling around him. Foam and blood slid along the links of solidified energy as the werewolf struggled. He howled in rage at the departing prey, straining at the chains. Little by little, Luis fought against the constricting force of the spell. A rasping groan like metal giving way filled the backstreet as inhuman muscles tensed and the hulking quadruped frantically shifted around to find any point of leverage against the arcan constraints. Thrashing and snarls were followed by the ominous pop of a single link giving way

This kid saved Erin’s ass, again, in another last minute bout of divine intervention. Or, magical intervention was more like it, she supposed. She didn’t think too hard about the contradicting feelings that swooped in at the thought. Just that she was alive, they both were, staring down the snout of a bound, snarling beast at her feet. Jaws snapping uncomfortably close. She didn’t remember hitting the ground, just that she was shuffling back to her feet as the wolf grew desperate. “That’s what I’ve been saying,” Erin started, looking up just in time to see the girl crumple. “Oh, shit,” she murmured, running to her side. The chain holding it back popped and Erin shook her shoulders, gently pulling at her arms. “C’mon, c’mon,” she pleaded with her. “I need you to get up, kid. You just said, we’ve gotta go--” Another pop sounded behind them. Fuck it. There wasn’t time. Placing the girl’s arm over her shoulder for support, Erin wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled the barely conscious woman to her feet. Spared only one last glance at the struggling creature as metal popped during its violent thrashing. It didn’t sound like it would hold much longer but two were long gone before they’d ever have to worry about--Erin made sure of it.

[kelleesioverhere]

50 Questions

Tagged by the beautiful @chasingforeverandaday, thank you so much!

what is the color of your hairbrush? okay wow we are off to an embarrassing start I am so unbelievably unobservant I had to actually go into my bathroom and look.... it’s purple and grey. Who knew!

name a food you never eat? CILANTRO get that shit away from me. It taints anything in it’s nearby vicinity

are you typically too warm or too cold? if I’m awake I’m too cold. If I’m asleep I’m too hot

what were you doing 45 minutes ago? working like the great lil employee that I am

what's your favorite candy bar? Frozen Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? If that doesn’t count then Wunderbar

have you ever been to a professional sports game? yes, I have been to two Canucks games and two Vancouver Canadians (baseball) games. I’ve never seen the team I’m cheering for win, I have determined I am a bad luck charm 

what is the last thing you said out loud? Um. “IQLAS78A128″. loool I am home alone.

what is your favourite ice cream? Mint Chip Hagen Dazs

what was the last thing you had to drink? a cup of tea

do you like your wallet? yes I do, it was a gift and it’s v classy

what is the last thing you ate? half a piece of cheesecake last night lol

did you buy any new clothes last weekend? I cannot for the life of me tell you the last time I bought new clothes so absolutely not

what's the last sporting event you watched? The last sporting event that was on at our house? Thursday night football. did I pay attention, absolutely not. Can’t even tell you who was playing. Last one I watched and paid attention to... Canucks vs Vegas game 7

what is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Smartfood cheddar popcorn hands down 10/10

who is the last person you sent a text message to? my fiancees cousin, we are trying to put together something great for my mans 30th bday and we are both terrible at shit like this

ever go camping? I love camping I will go anytime any place it is my fuckin fave

do you take vitamins? lol no

do you regularly attend a place of worship? my dad told me “nothing starts more wars than religion” so given that upbringing, no, I do not

do you have a tan? yes I do, an extremely uneven one because I lay on my back all summer and really resisted rolling over

do you prefer chinese or pizza? oh god don’t do this to me............ I think I’d have to say chinese, just because I like a wider variety of chinese options

do you drink your soda through a straw? well I used to before we all found out about the turtles (now I don’t but I won’t lie, it tastes better through a straw, it just hit different)

what color socks do you usually wear? white. I only own white socks. This is one of my great #lifehacks because my socks always match, and pairing them up is easy breezy lemon squeezy, I really think I’m onto something here

do you ever drive above the speed limit? the key is to always go 1-3km below the ‘excessive speed’ impound limit

what terrifies you? so many things, I am such a wimp. Heights, dark water, spiders, feeling trapped, public speaking, I could go on

look to your left, what do you see? my door to my hallway. Not the most exciting not gonna lie

what chore do you hate most? VACUUMING. I refuse to live in a house with carpet because you know what my ass is NEVER going to vacuum, I already know this to be true so why fight it

what do you think of when you hear an Australian accent? Jim Jeffries saying ‘cunt’, is that bad?

what's your favorite soda pop? coca cola with ice in a glass through a straw goddammnnnnnnn

do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? oh my god drive through

what's your favorite number? All numbers are equal to me, I don’t care. How about 5 today

who’s the last person you talked to? My fiancee when he left for work this AM

favorite cut of beef? okay yikes confession idk anything about beef cuts, I try to not buy beef at the store because there are so many options I get overwhelmed and confused. You could give me any cut and say it’s the prime best one and I’d believe you (but I like when my parents make roast beef for me. Is that a cut? Does that count? Do you see the problem???)

last song you listened to? "Classic Cars” - Bright Eyes

last book you read? To completion? “All the light we cannot see” which I really enjoyed

favorite day of the week? Friday! TODAY!

can you say the alphabet backwards? omg yes not to brag but I’m really good at this, I practice all the time because I have a random fear I’ll get pulled over by police and accused of drunk driving when I’m not, and in order to prove to them I am sober I plan to recite the alphabet backwards, I’ve been training for this moment for years

how do you like your coffee? Hmmm I really prefer tea but if I’m going to have coffee I want it in something that’s basically a desert like a PSL or a peppermint mocha

favorite pair of shoes? white adidas w the black stripes you know the ones

time you normally get up? 7 or 8 am

what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? sunsets!!

how many blankets on your bed? one (even that’s too much, I am always so hot when I’m sleeping)

describe your kitchen plates? they are white with a marble design they are pretty cute 

describe your kitchen at the moment? it is clean since I work from home now and have time to tidy! It’s very white. It’s very tidy. I am calm. All is well

do you have a favorite alcoholic drink? moscow mule pls

do you play cards? only if forced because I am the sorest loser ever but I’m also bad at cards, so, you see the dilemma

what color is your car? black

can you change a tire? hahahahahahahahahahahaha absolutely not

your favorite state? Okay I feel like this is an #unpopularopinion but... FLORIDA there I said it

favorite job you've had? my current job because it involves cheerleading ;)

tagging: @yanak324 @lightninginabottle0613 @livhatesolives @jjofalltrades @speechphi @anniephl

[consumedkings-archive]

🍊💙 and 💤 of Elliot! 🥺

AH!! I LOVE U! omg skjfhsladfb thank u so much...... i can’t believe u even want to know but i am more than happy to answer! (❁´◡`❁) i’ll try not to spoil too much!!

🍊 What is your OC’s favourite meal? Snack? Dessert? Drink? Any reasons behind this besides liking how it tastes?

elliot probably will say that her favorite food of all time (and which she will eat as a meal) are her mama’s lemon bars. they’re spectacular and she has exceptionally fond memories of the two of them making them together back when she was a little girl! aside from that--definitely a carb-eater. pasta, garlic bread, top ramen (with a LOT of sriracha). if something isn’t spicy enough to make her eyes water it’s probably not worthwhile!

her favorite (non-alcoholic) drink is lemonade, and her favorite ~adult beverage~ is a moscow mule!

💙 What did your OC want to be when they grew up and why? Did they have any lifelong dreams or ambitions they never got to work on or are they currently working to achieve this dream? Has their life taken a very unexpected turn and put all these plans on hold for a while or have they given up on any dreams?

she did always want to do something to be really involved in the community of hope county, so being involved with the law enforcement seemed like the best step. when she was, like, a baby she wanted to be a vet, but that changed when she realized she couldn’t be around animals in pain lol. there were definitely a couple of hiccups (chief among them being her father’s departure from her life), and one in particular that nearly stopped her from passing the psych exam, but she made it!! we stan

💤 What was your OC like as a baby, a child and as a teen? (if your OC is a teen or a child, what will they be like as an adult?). How have they changed since then? What lessons have they learned and what things about their youth do they miss the most? Do they have any general regrets?

oh, lordy. as a child elliot was like, the perfect little baby angel you could ask for. her mama always says that she was the best little girl--never cried, never got into trouble, didn’t need hardly any discipline, always brought stray animals home like a little snow white. her teen years were more turbulent; her dad dipped, and her mother picked up drinking pretty heavily, but she was pretty straight-laced up until she moved out of hope county for training! and well, you know. the rest goes from there lmfao

she’s definitely massively different. the events of far cry were like a refining fire for her, and really just finished the job of all of the garbage that went down before she came back home. she’s so much less tolerant of bullshit and also.... soft. she’s so soft!!! my soft girl on the inside, feral housewife on the outside

[brandtmax]

welcome back to gallagher academy, soo-yun ‘maxine’ brandt ! according to their records, they’re a first year, specializing in research & development; and they did not go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of ( sugar-free mints, a messy low bun, wisps of hair alongside her face, the end of a pen between her teeth, the patek philippe calatrava 4897r-010 in rose gold, off-white pants in every fabric ). when it’s the ( virgo ) ’s birthday on 08/23/1997, they always request their japchae from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation. 

henlo it me again i hope u guys aren’t sick of me yet bc i have a new bby named max! i’ve written a lot™️ so brace urself but it’s worth it ( i think ) + trigger warnings: death and alcohol dependency under the cut xxx

the basics

full name: soo-yun ‘ maxine ’ brandt

nicknames: max — just max

age: twenty-two years old

birthday: august 23rd, 1997

gender: cis female

preferred pronouns: she / her

sexuality: bisexual

major: research & development (  formerly a b.a. political science degree from yale university )

known languages: english ( native ) / german ( native ) / korean ( native )

background

nationality: american

birthplace: new haven, connecticut, new hampshire

current location: gallagher academy, roseville, virginia

financial status: upper class

religion: non-theistic

appearance

eye color: brown

hair color: black

height: 5′8.5″

notable features: curly hair on lazy days, rosy cheeks

usual mood and expression: calm, furrowed eyebrows whenever her eyes are on work; lethargic and irritable when she’s overworked ( or without alcohol )

family

birth order: second born

parents: soon-bok ‘ vivian ’ jang and stephen brandt ( d. 2018 )

siblings: min-jun ‘ parker ’ brandt ( b. 1995 ) & georgia ‘ gigi ’ brandt ( b. 2001 )

significant others: chris harmon ( 2013-2015 ) / ava carrillo ( 2015-2016 )

her story so far (this is so long n serious lol)

soo-yun 'maxine' brandt was born and raised in new haven, connecticut, to jang soon-bok ( vivian ), a surgeon, and stephen brandt, a ( n allegedly shady ) criminal justice lawyer.

the brandt siblings were raised like any other blue-blooded, very strict but loving household ( strict = mom / loving = dad )

brandt house rules: get straight a’s, follow the 12 am curfew and don't bring anyone home that you know you’d get disowned for. follow those three rules, and you can do whatever you want.

there was pressure for the brandt siblings to be academically accomplished, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. they were well-tutored, semi-popular, attractive teenagers, which were common in new haven, and everyone knew they were destined for ivy league.

in high school, she dated chris harmon, and it was the kind of relationship that could only be described as the personification of a kinder egg. sweet on the outside, a waste of time and money on the inside.

which is fine; it took max about 2 months to get over it when they broke up halfway through senior year, because neither of them thought of their relationship going far. the joy of getting into yale ( already expected ) trumped the feeling of losing a boyfriend. she even bet parker $5,000 she'd get early admission. she won.

during college, she had an on-off relationship with ava carrillo for a year, which inevitably became a permanent off. it turned out that it wasn't a good idea to throw herself into a committed relationship the minute she stepped foot into yale. max never had the time, and ava didn't have the patience. at least she tried it tho !

things seemed to be on the up and up for their family, and the worst thing max has ever been through is being awake for 24 straight hours to prepare for a final presentation. but ! you know what they say about the calm before the storm.

( tw: death ) on december 18, 2018, their father unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack during a layover flight in new york. the brandt family was at home when they heard the news. needless to say, they had a quiet christmas and new year.

the family tried to move on as best they could, but the siblings knew their dad's death irreversibly changed their mom. they have a rocky relationship to begin with, the siblings always feeling like vivian never wanted to become a parent and only did so for their father. they have absolutely no mother-children bond, and it got worse when stephen died. being the older brother, parker took it upon himself to take care of vivian, balancing that with running the home stretch with his undergrad degree.

on the other hand, maxine still had a few years left at yale. no amount of therapy helped her cope with the loss of her father, the way her mother seemed to become a shell of herself, how parker had to break the momentum of his career to be there for their mom, and the constant pressure to do good academically.

( tw: alcohol dependency ) it started with buying bottled moscow mules because she didn't like how beer tasted, and she wasn't dumb enough to go straight to hard liquor. just one to take the edge off whenever stacks of coursework became too much, or when her mother would send her an email talking about her day, and she didn't have the courage to read it. then it went from a one, two, three-time thing to a whenever-i'm-upset thing, which slid into a whenever-i-feel-like-it thing. after a while, it became a daylight thing where she would add a splash of soju ( or whatever ) to her lunchtime drinks, and she genuinely thought it was just a funny idea at first. max wasn't the only day drinker in her social group, anyway. she found it acceptable, no different than how other people would pound red bull every 6 hours like it's their life force. it was manageable for her since she was able to schedule when she'd be indisposed, and she still can.

parker had ( and still has ) no clue. despite the two being close, max spared him the burden of having another thing to worry about. as long as she can control it ( or she thinks she can ) then nobody had anything to worry about.

eventually, both maxine and parker were offered the opportunity to join gallagher academy, with parker in line to graduate with honors in global affairs and maxine, not far behind with her own impressive academic portfolio in political science.

though really, her acceptance into gallagher has less to do with her published papers ( still impressive, tho ) and more to do with her covertly helping her father win cases by doing some expert sleuthing, strategizing, witness dispatching + discrediting, sexc breaking and entering, and good, old-fashioned manipulation !

it was something they both wanted; to be a part of the bigger picture in the world, but they knew they couldn't leave their mother alone. parker, who chose to make the sacrifice, let maxine go and stayed behind to take care of vivian.

( but if we’re honest, maxine would’ve left for gallagher regardless if parker was coming with her, but she’ll never tell him that )

despite the guilt and telling parker she wasn't going anywhere ( cough ), he insisted on her taking the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a part of something they never knew existed. he knew they were going to end up resenting each other if they both stayed. at least one person in the family should be doing something that made them happy.

and so max dropped out of yale and left for roseville, even though she hadn't thoroughly planned out her career trajectory.

she’s eager not just because of the school, obviously. she can't handle going back to their childhood home and seeing how hollow everything is. plus, the immense anger and denial she feels over her dad’s untimely death has no place in new haven anymore.

she promised parker she'd make it up to him, though. somehow, someday.

who is this b*nch

max is relatively easy to get along with, tbh !

she’s a mood matcher; meaning if you’re nice to her, then she’s nice to you ( and if you’re gonna be a punk bitch, then she’ll be a punk bitch right back )

she’s a lil spoiled, lil sheltered, and lil ignorant but her general friendliness makes up for it, she’s the type to be friends with ( almost ) everyone

internally: perfectionist to the point of being ruthless, first place is the only acceptable place, meticulous, neurotic, workaholic, overachiever, if you’re not useful then what’s your purpose?, slightly egotistical, etc etc

externally: caring, protective, and supportive mom friend who just wants people to get their shit together because inadequacy is unacceptable, fixer, likes to dip into different social circles, consciously makes the effort to be more patient with people

she’s incredibly ambitious ? morally ambiguous ? slightly self-serving and self-involved ? her father’s a criminal “justice” lawyer whose clientele doesn’t exactly consist of the beacons of society so... she learned a lot of lessons about how you can win any case in the courtroom if you’re smart enough to a ) make a good story, b ) get the fitting evidence by any means necessary, c ) discredit and discard the necessary people, and d ) be charming and persuasive enough to rock the jury

she’s actively trying to be more open-minded and assimilate to a diverse group of people because back in yale she was definitely in a wasp bubble, and admittedly there are times where she will come off as super snobby without meaning to and tbh sorry about it

she’s still an extremely sociable person because yale also taught her how to network like a motherfucker, and how it’s important to know / be friends with everyone

honestly, intense people turn her off ( both positive and negative ) a little because she can't handle concentrated personalities in one sitting

even though she’s a little intense herself sometimes but it’s fine, we love hypocrites in this house !

neat freak ? but honestly who doesn’t like a friend who squeegees the shower every day and has a tiny can of lysol in their bag and an aroma diffuser with three ( 3 ) oil blends

she’s like... weirdly aggressive sometimes and most definitely has anger issues ( still in denial over her father unexpectedly passing away and getting stuck with a mom who doesn’t like her own children very much )

but also, she’s just agro in general and has a number of physical hobbies. she’s an ice skater, equestrian, a soulcyclist, and a kickboxer. she can fite.

she’s not the type to make fun of herself because she's not at a point where she sees qualities in her that are okay to laugh at ( unless you’re tight )

keeps her negative juju to herself because she’s a very private person

will prioritize work over play because she'd hardwired like that, but that doesn't mean she's anti-fun ( clearly )

definitely needs to loosen up a little that doesn't involve alcohol... jenga perhaps ? or actually try therapy again ?

very effectively sneaky about her growing alcohol dependency ( sugar-free breath mints, brushes her teeth + uses mouthwash after every meal )

dry sense of humor

at all times: wears a 1-carat, emerald cut, pavé diamond ring ( family heirloom ) + carries her trusty black hydro flask with her ( 24 oz. ) and no one is allowed to drink from it !

her signature scent is le labo bergamote 22 🤍

hmu on my discord @ tin#0697 for plottage !

[its-freakinbats]

Across the Multiverse 1/?

[johnboothus]

Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyones Drinking It)

“When I think of people from West Texas, I think of this kind of no-frills, get-the-job-done attitude. And that’s very much the spirit of Ranch Water,” says Katie Beal Brown, a native Texan and founder of Lone River Beverage Company.

In terms of ingredients, the cool mix of tequila, lime, and Topo Chico is as Texan as the Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is Mexican. But it’s in the Lone Star State and not south of the border that the simple cocktail known as Ranch Water has become a cultural icon.

Texas natives, particularly those in the west and south of the state, have enjoyed the humble take on the highball for decades. But only in the last 10 years has the one-time ranch-worker refresher found statewide success, equally at home in dive bars, cocktail lounges, and music festivals. Now, it’s starting to sweep the nation.

In the past five months, Google searches for the term “ranch water” spiked to an unprecedented high. Browse #ranchwater on Instagram, too, and you’ll just as likely find posts from North Carolina, Maryland, and Utah, as you will from the Great State of Texas. With a flurry of canned versions hitting supermarket and liquor store shelves, the Ranch Water craze shows no sign of slowing.

Like most drinks trends, it’s impossible to pinpoint one event that brought on this success. Instead, the rise of Ranch Water is a combined tale of cultural identity, iconic brands, and good ol’-fashioned marketing.

What Is Ranch Water?

Behind every iconic drink lies a tale as opaque as a freezing cold bottle of bubbly mineral water. And Ranch Water is no different.

We will likely never know if a wild-haired 1960s rancher did indeed first concoct the drink, as local lore suggests. Nor will we know if he was inspired by the “spirit” of said drink to follow the West Texas stars and trek a lonely 50 miles from Fort Davis to Marathon before falling asleep under a piñon tree.

The other common tale for Ranch Water’s beginning seems much more plausible. “It was a way for ranchers to have a happy hour,” says Taylor Samuels, owner of Dallas-based Mexican spirits bar Las Almas Rotas. “They’re out riding the fence line all day, making repairs, and checking on cattle. Ranch Water was the refreshment for the ride at the end.”

In such a situation, simplicity is key. Sure, the ranchers could have cracked open a Shiner Bock. But would that have been as refreshing as taking a swig from a bottle Topo Chico, topping with a splash of tequila, and squeezing in a zesty lime?

Almost certainly not.

The who’s and where’s of how the drink got its evocative name are also murky. Some attribute it to Kevin Williamson, chef and owner of Austin’s Ranch 616. Others link it to The Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas, which first put the cocktail on its menu in 2010. By this point, however, Ranch Water was well known enough in West Texas that locals had been ordering it by name at the hotel’s bar for some time.

How Has Ranch Water Become So Popular?

It’s taken a decade since the Gage Hotel first added the cocktail to its menu to arrive at the current-day Ranch Water craze. How we got here is once again largely based on speculation.

Nico Martini, Dallas-based author of “Texas Cocktails,” says industry events and bartender culture both played a role in spreading the drink across the country. “Thousands of industry people come to Texas every January to go to the San Antonio Cocktail Conference (SACC). They experience Ranch Water here then take it back home,” Martini says. “Texas also has a massive presence at Tales of the Cocktail,” he adds.

It’s easy to imagine swathes of New York and Los Angeles bartenders returning home from these events and eagerly sharing their latest discovery. While tequila, lime, and soda is by no means a novel combination, when made with a regionally specific mineral water you have the perfect build for a geeky, insider cocktail. “All those New York bartenders going down to SACC, drinking the hell out of Ranch Waters, then going back home and not being able to get Topo — it becomes a challenge,” Martini says.

The drink’s mysterious moniker only adds to the allure. Ranch Water sounds infinitely cooler than tequila, lime, and soda. (See also: Cuba Libre and Moscow Mule.) Once again, there’s also insider appeal because there’s no way of knowing from the name alone what Ranch Water contains. Instead, you need to be au fait with the latest drinking trends.

The Topo Factor

At this point, we can no longer ignore the bubbly, mineral-rich elephant in the room: Topo Chico. Bottled near Monterrey, Mexico, since 1895, Topo Chico built up a loyal following in Texas because of the state’s close culinary ties to Mexico. Speak to any Ranch Water aficionado and they’ll tell you there’s simply no substitute for Topo Chico.

Despite operating under capacity restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas-based JAXON Texas Kitchen and Beer Garden sold 1,800 Ranch Waters last month. “It’s gotten to the point where I’m trying to buy pallets of Topo Chico versus ordering by the case,” says Alexander Fletcher, JAXON’s beverage director.

Outside of Texas, bartenders likely still struggle to buy Topo Chico by the pallet-load. But the “challenge” to get their hands on it (as Martini describes it) at least subsided in 2016, when the brand was acquired by Coca-Cola.

“Suddenly the distribution was just so much larger,” says Andy Arrington of Texas-based wine and spirits distributor Victory Wine Group. “Ranch Water has really benefited from that.”

Beyond regional connections, there’s good reason for using Topo Chico in Ranch Water. Las Almas Rotas’s Samuels says the water’s high mineral content provides a natural partner for peppery, earthy tequila, allowing the spirit to shine rather than overpowering it. And as all Ranch Water diehards will attest, Topo Chico’s turbo-charged effervescence provides the final piece of the puzzle.

“When you open a bottle of Topo Chico, you can leave it out overnight at room temperature and the next day it’s still going to have strong bubbles because of the carbonation that’s been pumped into it,” says Racheal Buie, Topo Chico’s brand development specialist for Houston.

Buie, of course, has a horse in this race. But she’s been a fan of Topo Chico for over a decade and started drinking the water long before she worked for the brand. “I’ve literally been able to witness Topo Chico go from 75 cents a bottle to being sold for $5 in fine dining places,” Buie says. “I really think the surge in popularity of Ranch Water is coupled with Topo Chico’s success over the years. As a Texan, a Topo employee, and a lover of Ranch Water, it’s an exciting time.”

Enter: Ranch Water Hard Seltzer

Whether a sign of Ranch Water’s success or a possible contributor to its recent popularity, the drink entered a new era these past 12 months when multiple canned versions hit the market.

Lone River Beverage Company debuted its Ranch Water Hard Seltzer in May 2020. After learning the legend of the “wild-haired rancher” and realizing it took place in the same area as her grandparent’s ranch, founder Brown felt there was an opportunity to tell that story to a wider audience and give people a taste of West Texas. The fact Ranch Water also lends itself to the wellness trend that’s seen hard seltzer surge in recent years also made it the perfect fit, Brown says.

Like many other hard seltzers, Lone River’s Ranch Water uses a brewed-malt rather than spirit base. The brand is currently only available in Texas and Tennessee, though expansion is on the horizon, Brown says.

For those looking to sample a tequila-based version on a national level, Cutwater Spirits launched its own Tequila Soda in March 2020. Flavored with a hint of natural lime, it’s a canned carbon copy of Ranch Water — in all but name, at least.

“[I]t’s important to clearly communicate that we use real tequila to make a signature cocktail known by many as ‘Ranch Water’ but known by all as ‘Tequila Soda,’” says Yuseff Cherney, Cutwater Spirits’ co-founder and master distiller.

Depending on how much Ranch Water’s popularity continues to grow, the decision to drop the iconic name may or may not prove savvy. To borrow (or butcher) a famous Shakespeare soliloquy: What’s in a name? That which we call Ranch Water by any other name would surely taste as refreshing and delicious.

But would that same drink be so damn popular?

The article Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyone’s Drinking It) appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/what-is-ranch-water-recipe/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ranch-water-and-why-everyones-drinking-it

[wineanddinosaur]

Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyone’s Drinking It)

“When I think of people from West Texas, I think of this kind of no-frills, get-the-job-done attitude. And that’s very much the spirit of Ranch Water,” says Katie Beal Brown, a native Texan and founder of Lone River Beverage Company.

In terms of ingredients, the cool mix of tequila, lime, and Topo Chico is as Texan as the Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is Mexican. But it’s in the Lone Star State and not south of the border that the simple cocktail known as Ranch Water has become a cultural icon.

Texas natives, particularly those in the west and south of the state, have enjoyed the humble take on the highball for decades. But only in the last 10 years has the one-time ranch-worker refresher found statewide success, equally at home in dive bars, cocktail lounges, and music festivals. Now, it’s starting to sweep the nation.

In the past five months, Google searches for the term “ranch water” spiked to an unprecedented high. Browse #ranchwater on Instagram, too, and you’ll just as likely find posts from North Carolina, Maryland, and Utah, as you will from the Great State of Texas. With a flurry of canned versions hitting supermarket and liquor store shelves, the Ranch Water craze shows no sign of slowing.

Like most drinks trends, it’s impossible to pinpoint one event that brought on this success. Instead, the rise of Ranch Water is a combined tale of cultural identity, iconic brands, and good ol’-fashioned marketing.

What Is Ranch Water?

Behind every iconic drink lies a tale as opaque as a freezing cold bottle of bubbly mineral water. And Ranch Water is no different.

We will likely never know if a wild-haired 1960s rancher did indeed first concoct the drink, as local lore suggests. Nor will we know if he was inspired by the “spirit” of said drink to follow the West Texas stars and trek a lonely 50 miles from Fort Davis to Marathon before falling asleep under a piñon tree.

The other common tale for Ranch Water’s beginning seems much more plausible. “It was a way for ranchers to have a happy hour,” says Taylor Samuels, owner of Dallas-based Mexican spirits bar Las Almas Rotas. “They’re out riding the fence line all day, making repairs, and checking on cattle. Ranch Water was the refreshment for the ride at the end.”

In such a situation, simplicity is key. Sure, the ranchers could have cracked open a Shiner Bock. But would that have been as refreshing as taking a swig from a bottle Topo Chico, topping with a splash of tequila, and squeezing in a zesty lime?

Almost certainly not.

The who’s and where’s of how the drink got its evocative name are also murky. Some attribute it to Kevin Williamson, chef and owner of Austin’s Ranch 616. Others link it to The Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas, which first put the cocktail on its menu in 2010. By this point, however, Ranch Water was well known enough in West Texas that locals had been ordering it by name at the hotel’s bar for some time.

How Has Ranch Water Become So Popular?

It’s taken a decade since the Gage Hotel first added the cocktail to its menu to arrive at the current-day Ranch Water craze. How we got here is once again largely based on speculation.

Nico Martini, Dallas-based author of “Texas Cocktails,” says industry events and bartender culture both played a role in spreading the drink across the country. “Thousands of industry people come to Texas every January to go to the San Antonio Cocktail Conference (SACC). They experience Ranch Water here then take it back home,” Martini says. “Texas also has a massive presence at Tales of the Cocktail,” he adds.

It’s easy to imagine swathes of New York and Los Angeles bartenders returning home from these events and eagerly sharing their latest discovery. While tequila, lime, and soda is by no means a novel combination, when made with a regionally specific mineral water you have the perfect build for a geeky, insider cocktail. “All those New York bartenders going down to SACC, drinking the hell out of Ranch Waters, then going back home and not being able to get Topo — it becomes a challenge,” Martini says.

The drink’s mysterious moniker only adds to the allure. Ranch Water sounds infinitely cooler than tequila, lime, and soda. (See also: Cuba Libre and Moscow Mule.) Once again, there’s also insider appeal because there’s no way of knowing from the name alone what Ranch Water contains. Instead, you need to be au fait with the latest drinking trends.

The Topo Factor

At this point, we can no longer ignore the bubbly, mineral-rich elephant in the room: Topo Chico. Bottled near Monterrey, Mexico, since 1895, Topo Chico built up a loyal following in Texas because of the state’s close culinary ties to Mexico. Speak to any Ranch Water aficionado and they’ll tell you there’s simply no substitute for Topo Chico.

Despite operating under capacity restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas-based JAXON Texas Kitchen and Beer Garden sold 1,800 Ranch Waters last month. “It’s gotten to the point where I’m trying to buy pallets of Topo Chico versus ordering by the case,” says Alexander Fletcher, JAXON’s beverage director.

Outside of Texas, bartenders likely still struggle to buy Topo Chico by the pallet-load. But the “challenge” to get their hands on it (as Martini describes it) at least subsided in 2016, when the brand was acquired by Coca-Cola.

“Suddenly the distribution was just so much larger,” says Andy Arrington of Texas-based wine and spirits distributor Victory Wine Group. “Ranch Water has really benefited from that.”

Beyond regional connections, there’s good reason for using Topo Chico in Ranch Water. Las Almas Rotas’s Samuels says the water’s high mineral content provides a natural partner for peppery, earthy tequila, allowing the spirit to shine rather than overpowering it. And as all Ranch Water diehards will attest, Topo Chico’s turbo-charged effervescence provides the final piece of the puzzle.

“When you open a bottle of Topo Chico, you can leave it out overnight at room temperature and the next day it’s still going to have strong bubbles because of the carbonation that’s been pumped into it,” says Racheal Buie, Topo Chico’s brand development specialist for Houston.

Buie, of course, has a horse in this race. But she’s been a fan of Topo Chico for over a decade and started drinking the water long before she worked for the brand. “I’ve literally been able to witness Topo Chico go from 75 cents a bottle to being sold for $5 in fine dining places,” Buie says. “I really think the surge in popularity of Ranch Water is coupled with Topo Chico’s success over the years. As a Texan, a Topo employee, and a lover of Ranch Water, it’s an exciting time.”

Enter: Ranch Water Hard Seltzer

Whether a sign of Ranch Water’s success or a possible contributor to its recent popularity, the drink entered a new era these past 12 months when multiple canned versions hit the market.

Lone River Beverage Company debuted its Ranch Water Hard Seltzer in May 2020. After learning the legend of the “wild-haired rancher” and realizing it took place in the same area as her grandparent’s ranch, founder Brown felt there was an opportunity to tell that story to a wider audience and give people a taste of West Texas. The fact Ranch Water also lends itself to the wellness trend that’s seen hard seltzer surge in recent years also made it the perfect fit, Brown says.

Like many other hard seltzers, Lone River’s Ranch Water uses a brewed-malt rather than spirit base. The brand is currently only available in Texas and Tennessee, though expansion is on the horizon, Brown says.

For those looking to sample a tequila-based version on a national level, Cutwater Spirits launched its own Tequila Soda in March 2020. Flavored with a hint of natural lime, it’s a canned carbon copy of Ranch Water — in all but name, at least.

“[I]t’s important to clearly communicate that we use real tequila to make a signature cocktail known by many as ‘Ranch Water’ but known by all as ‘Tequila Soda,’” says Yuseff Cherney, Cutwater Spirits’ co-founder and master distiller.

Depending on how much Ranch Water’s popularity continues to grow, the decision to drop the iconic name may or may not prove savvy. To borrow (or butcher) a famous Shakespeare soliloquy: What’s in a name? That which we call Ranch Water by any other name would surely taste as refreshing and delicious.

But would that same drink be so damn popular?

The article Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyone’s Drinking It) appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/what-is-ranch-water-recipe/

[isaiahrippinus]

Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyone’s Drinking It)

“When I think of people from West Texas, I think of this kind of no-frills, get-the-job-done attitude. And that’s very much the spirit of Ranch Water,” says Katie Beal Brown, a native Texan and founder of Lone River Beverage Company.

In terms of ingredients, the cool mix of tequila, lime, and Topo Chico is as Texan as the Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is Mexican. But it’s in the Lone Star State and not south of the border that the simple cocktail known as Ranch Water has become a cultural icon.

Texas natives, particularly those in the west and south of the state, have enjoyed the humble take on the highball for decades. But only in the last 10 years has the one-time ranch-worker refresher found statewide success, equally at home in dive bars, cocktail lounges, and music festivals. Now, it’s starting to sweep the nation.

In the past five months, Google searches for the term “ranch water” spiked to an unprecedented high. Browse #ranchwater on Instagram, too, and you’ll just as likely find posts from North Carolina, Maryland, and Utah, as you will from the Great State of Texas. With a flurry of canned versions hitting supermarket and liquor store shelves, the Ranch Water craze shows no sign of slowing.

Like most drinks trends, it’s impossible to pinpoint one event that brought on this success. Instead, the rise of Ranch Water is a combined tale of cultural identity, iconic brands, and good ol’-fashioned marketing.

What Is Ranch Water?

Behind every iconic drink lies a tale as opaque as a freezing cold bottle of bubbly mineral water. And Ranch Water is no different.

We will likely never know if a wild-haired 1960s rancher did indeed first concoct the drink, as local lore suggests. Nor will we know if he was inspired by the “spirit” of said drink to follow the West Texas stars and trek a lonely 50 miles from Fort Davis to Marathon before falling asleep under a piñon tree.

The other common tale for Ranch Water’s beginning seems much more plausible. “It was a way for ranchers to have a happy hour,” says Taylor Samuels, owner of Dallas-based Mexican spirits bar Las Almas Rotas. “They’re out riding the fence line all day, making repairs, and checking on cattle. Ranch Water was the refreshment for the ride at the end.”

In such a situation, simplicity is key. Sure, the ranchers could have cracked open a Shiner Bock. But would that have been as refreshing as taking a swig from a bottle Topo Chico, topping with a splash of tequila, and squeezing in a zesty lime?

Almost certainly not.

The who’s and where’s of how the drink got its evocative name are also murky. Some attribute it to Kevin Williamson, chef and owner of Austin’s Ranch 616. Others link it to The Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas, which first put the cocktail on its menu in 2010. By this point, however, Ranch Water was well known enough in West Texas that locals had been ordering it by name at the hotel’s bar for some time.

How Has Ranch Water Become So Popular?

It’s taken a decade since the Gage Hotel first added the cocktail to its menu to arrive at the current-day Ranch Water craze. How we got here is once again largely based on speculation.

Nico Martini, Dallas-based author of “Texas Cocktails,” says industry events and bartender culture both played a role in spreading the drink across the country. “Thousands of industry people come to Texas every January to go to the San Antonio Cocktail Conference (SACC). They experience Ranch Water here then take it back home,” Martini says. “Texas also has a massive presence at Tales of the Cocktail,” he adds.

It’s easy to imagine swathes of New York and Los Angeles bartenders returning home from these events and eagerly sharing their latest discovery. While tequila, lime, and soda is by no means a novel combination, when made with a regionally specific mineral water you have the perfect build for a geeky, insider cocktail. “All those New York bartenders going down to SACC, drinking the hell out of Ranch Waters, then going back home and not being able to get Topo — it becomes a challenge,” Martini says.

The drink’s mysterious moniker only adds to the allure. Ranch Water sounds infinitely cooler than tequila, lime, and soda. (See also: Cuba Libre and Moscow Mule.) Once again, there’s also insider appeal because there’s no way of knowing from the name alone what Ranch Water contains. Instead, you need to be au fait with the latest drinking trends.

The Topo Factor

At this point, we can no longer ignore the bubbly, mineral-rich elephant in the room: Topo Chico. Bottled near Monterrey, Mexico, since 1895, Topo Chico built up a loyal following in Texas because of the state’s close culinary ties to Mexico. Speak to any Ranch Water aficionado and they’ll tell you there’s simply no substitute for Topo Chico.

Despite operating under capacity restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas-based JAXON Texas Kitchen and Beer Garden sold 1,800 Ranch Waters last month. “It’s gotten to the point where I’m trying to buy pallets of Topo Chico versus ordering by the case,” says Alexander Fletcher, JAXON’s beverage director.

Outside of Texas, bartenders likely still struggle to buy Topo Chico by the pallet-load. But the “challenge” to get their hands on it (as Martini describes it) at least subsided in 2016, when the brand was acquired by Coca-Cola.

“Suddenly the distribution was just so much larger,” says Andy Arrington of Texas-based wine and spirits distributor Victory Wine Group. “Ranch Water has really benefited from that.”

Beyond regional connections, there’s good reason for using Topo Chico in Ranch Water. Las Almas Rotas’s Samuels says the water’s high mineral content provides a natural partner for peppery, earthy tequila, allowing the spirit to shine rather than overpowering it. And as all Ranch Water diehards will attest, Topo Chico’s turbo-charged effervescence provides the final piece of the puzzle.

“When you open a bottle of Topo Chico, you can leave it out overnight at room temperature and the next day it’s still going to have strong bubbles because of the carbonation that’s been pumped into it,” says Racheal Buie, Topo Chico’s brand development specialist for Houston.

Buie, of course, has a horse in this race. But she’s been a fan of Topo Chico for over a decade and started drinking the water long before she worked for the brand. “I’ve literally been able to witness Topo Chico go from 75 cents a bottle to being sold for $5 in fine dining places,” Buie says. “I really think the surge in popularity of Ranch Water is coupled with Topo Chico’s success over the years. As a Texan, a Topo employee, and a lover of Ranch Water, it’s an exciting time.”

Enter: Ranch Water Hard Seltzer

Whether a sign of Ranch Water’s success or a possible contributor to its recent popularity, the drink entered a new era these past 12 months when multiple canned versions hit the market.

Lone River Beverage Company debuted its Ranch Water Hard Seltzer in May 2020. After learning the legend of the “wild-haired rancher” and realizing it took place in the same area as her grandparent’s ranch, founder Brown felt there was an opportunity to tell that story to a wider audience and give people a taste of West Texas. The fact Ranch Water also lends itself to the wellness trend that’s seen hard seltzer surge in recent years also made it the perfect fit, Brown says.

Like many other hard seltzers, Lone River’s Ranch Water uses a brewed-malt rather than spirit base. The brand is currently only available in Texas and Tennessee, though expansion is on the horizon, Brown says.

For those looking to sample a tequila-based version on a national level, Cutwater Spirits launched its own Tequila Soda in March 2020. Flavored with a hint of natural lime, it’s a canned carbon copy of Ranch Water — in all but name, at least.

“[I]t’s important to clearly communicate that we use real tequila to make a signature cocktail known by many as ‘Ranch Water’ but known by all as ‘Tequila Soda,’” says Yuseff Cherney, Cutwater Spirits’ co-founder and master distiller.

Depending on how much Ranch Water’s popularity continues to grow, the decision to drop the iconic name may or may not prove savvy. To borrow (or butcher) a famous Shakespeare soliloquy: What’s in a name? That which we call Ranch Water by any other name would surely taste as refreshing and delicious.

But would that same drink be so damn popular?

The article Everything You Need to Know About Ranch Water (and Why Everyone’s Drinking It) appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/what-is-ranch-water-recipe/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/625806126701805568

[gwhuntin]

Here’s the Tea: 24 Random Questions with Me @Good_WillHuntin

I have been 24 for exactly a week, and as promised here are my 'Ask Me Anything,' where I open up about my favorite things, my crazy fashion ideas, and my legacy.

1.    What year were you born?

I was born in 1996, am I still considered a 90’s baby?

2.    Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and I grew up in a special neighborhood called Gentilly.

3.    How many siblings do you have?

I have one older sister, and we’re five years apart. I’m pretty sure if you saw us together you would say were twins.  However, we are complete opposites, plus she’s a Taurus so she’s very stubborn.  (No offense to any Taurus, readers.) 

4.    Where do you currently live?

I currently reside in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

MOOD: 

5.    Who is your first best friend?

My best friend has been my childhood friend since the 5th grade, Terrell G. Allen, we have laughed together, cried together and the memories only continue to get better as we get older.

6.    How tall are you?

I stand at 6’1 if my shoe has a heel 6’5.

7.    Are you in/have you gone to college?

I am a graduate of the illustrious Dillard University, where I majored in Mass Communication with a focus in Multi-Media Journalism. I also minored in Visual Arts. (Thus, the creativity duh!)

8.    Are you single or taken?

I am single and let me tell you I am heavily surveying the market. Alexa, play “Hot Girl Summer”

9.    When you gone be for me?

AND I OOP….

10.  What’s one goal you want to achieve in your 24th year?

In my 24th year, I want to become more confident in my vision and stop overthinking and doubting myself. Also, with that in mind find a way to turn my creativity into residual income.

11. How do you want to be remembered personally & professionally?

I want to be personally remembered as a humble, generous, and confidently fearless leader. I would want to professionally be known for my work that I put out, from concept to delivery to execution. A visionary if you will.

12. Who is your biggest inspiration?

So, there are a few people that come to mind because I try my inspiration from a different place for each project, some being family & friends, designers, and artists. I think one that has had the most impact would have to be Billy Porter, he was one of the main sources of inspiration for my Halloween costume and everything else has just followed suit.

13. What are your biggest fears?

I am most afraid of the feeling of letting all of the people who have invested their time, energy, and support into me down. I sometimes feel the weight of others on my shoulders, so I find myself constantly thinking, “You’re not just doing, this for yourself.”

14. What are your guilty pleasures?

I love watching the cake and cookie decorating videos, time-lapsed makeup tutorials or makeovers, and pancake art I could watch those videos for hours.

15. What is your spirit animal and why?

A Bumble Bee, and here’s why first, they are the most important insect in the world right now #savethebees, and second "According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyways. Because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.”

16. What is your drink of choice?

If I’m feeling classy or out at happy hour, I’ll grab either a dirty martini (with extra olives), a Moscow mule, or an old fashion. If I am just chilling with my friends anything brown. (Hennessey, Dusse, Crown or Jack, although after my birthday 1942 now has a special place in my heart.)

17.  What is your go-to fast food order?

This is easy McDonald’s, a six-piece chicken nugget with one barbecue and buffalo sauce, small fry and a large sweet tea with lemon. IN THAT ORDER.

18. What is your favorite movie?

The Devil Wears Prada, and Sex & The City. ( However, only the first one the sequel does not have the range.) They have made me the person I am today; I can quote The Devil Wears Prada and the scene where Carrie is left at the altar, gets me every time.

19. What are some things you can’t live without?

MY CELL PHONE. It is always the one thing that I keep near me at all times, I constantly have those nervous pat-downs you get when you think you lost it. However, although its always near I acknowledge I am a horrible texter! HORRIBLE.  

20. What is the last song you listened too?

The last song I listened to was Freak, by Jada Michael heard it on twitter and I said “Oh this it!”

21. How would you describe your fashion sense/style?

I have tried my hardest to get out of the mindset of trying to be on-trend, and use my sense of fashion to create art or moments so I would say “constantly evolving.”

22. How do you get ideas to put your outfits together?

So my creative process first, everything begins with some form of inspiration, the first thing I usually do once I get the idea is to call my friends to ask, “Do you think I can pull this off?!” usually they are very honest. Immediately after getting my friends on board, I run the vision down to the photographer which usually calls for some Pinterest boards. Then, I begin searching online for the outfit, I start with the base of whatever the “focal piece” is and work around it with shoes, accessories, etc. After I have the outfit, I try it on and photograph it so I can how everything looks on my body and adjust from there. Lastly, once we get the idea, the outfit and photographer we shoot it, edit, and roll it out.

23. Can we please collaborate and have a shoot together? I want to get involved and show support.

YES! YES and YES! I am always down to collaborate, as long as it’s well planned and thought out. I think it’s also important to know what you want to learn from the other person.  

24. What do you want your legacy to be?

I want the work/projects I have done to influence others positively, shed light on important topics, and create discussions that will continue for generations. I want my legacy to be one filled with:  

many good relationships and friendships,

a great number of individuals who I have mentored and guided at different stages in their life.

contributions to fashion, the city of New Orleans, and the African American gay males in America.

[no-ur-spam]

001 | custodial matters

A/N: Hi! I’m trash and I can’t come up with my own ideas so I figured I’d use other people’s concepts and make them into stories. I might oneshot some of them or I might turn them into way too long sagas, all depends on my mood. This based off of a concept by @lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks which you can find HERE. Hope you enjoy! I’d appreciate comments but tbh no one will probably read these so I’ll get lit by myself rereading these when I’m thirty and lonely.

(and lol I spell-check but I don’t really proofread so bear with me)

“Well… don’t mind if I do!” a woman’s slurred voice paired itself with the sound of the opening door. She leaned her body against the frame and casually took in her surroundings. The room was warmly lit with a gentle afterglow that was probably more from the vodka than anything else. She ignored the man staring at her in astonishment, not having the motivation to greet him yet. Anna, you’re being impolite, she admonished herself, but then quickly retracted her statement with a scoff. The door appeared in her living room. The door interrupted her blissful drunken Sunday evening. If anything, the door should be compensating her for her time. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her blurred vision. While she allocated Sunday as her day of inebriated nirvana, sometimes it wasn’t enough to sate her utter loathing for the world. Her bloodshot eyes and subpar vision were a result of too many nights reading while intoxicated. As a result, she failed to notice the two horns protruding from the man’s head. To be honest, she hadn’t noticed the wings or the tail either. The man stood up slowly and moved as if to approach her, but thought better of it. He motioned to the empty seats positioned around a low wooden coffee table. Anna repeated herself as she plopped into the proffered seat, “Well… don’t mind if I do.”

The man’s voice was warm and inquisitive, obviously he didn’t see this drunken and spongy woman as a threat. If squeezed, her alcohol saturated body would’ve definitely deflated. The man concealed a smile with the back of his refined hand. Besides, this would save him the trouble of finding a suitable host for his child. Her magical aura seemed strong enough to withstand the burden of producing a hybrid child. She might even survive the birthing process. He smiled wickedly, he would make this woman his, manipulate her into bearing his child, and then rip the newborn out from her arms and watch her drown herself in her misery. If her alcohol consumption was any indication, this woman would definitely drink herself into numbness and eventually wither away. His smiled widened as he contemplated the ways she would despair. Wait… I don’t actually care, he thought to himself as he cupped her cheek tenderly. He admired the softness of her skin and the euphoric look in her eyes before placing a gentle kiss on her lips. No response. He knew she was conscious. She blinked, breathed, and shifted her body at random intervals. Perhaps she couldn’t comprehend her situation. He sighed, almost pitying her utter ignorance. He kissed her again, more passionately than before and wound his fingers through her hair. This time, she tilted her face upwards and pressed her mouth into his. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss before finally releasing her from his captivating touch. Of course this simpleminded woman would be no match for the demon king, he praised himself, not like it mattered in the end.

Demons were laid-back and naturally lazy folk. With their immense magical power and their enhanced physical capabilities, they felt no need to dominate neither the human nor the supernatural worlds. They remained in their vast underground paradise and ruled with law and intelligence. Physical fighting was tedious and since their race rarely came into contact with one another, the laws from centuries ago still readily applied. Despite his avid interest in magical research, the demon king Lucifer was no exception. Wanting to devote the rest of his life to his studies, but unable to find a replacement demon king, he resolved himself to producing a child. He would use human parenting methods to convince the child to become an upstanding member of society and take over the administrative work of managing the demon world. Then, he could retire, enjoy the patronage of the demon king and research in peace.

He allowed his summoning circle to determine their landing location. He only needed to find a woman with adequate magical power, not one of specific socioeconomic status or special physical appearance. Frankly, Lucifer couldn’t understand the human world’s standards of beauty. The constant manipulation of natural appearances defied his innate lack of extrinsic motivation. And since this woman had walked into his own home, he also needn’t bother himself with the pesky entrance ritual. Demons tended to stay away from the human world because of the restrictions from ancient times. In the days of religious fervor and satanic lust, the protectors of humanity (perhaps they were called saints or gods… who cares to remember) cast a safeguard that repelled demons from entering anything belonging to a human unless they received permission to do so. Negotiating and basic social skills were too much of a hassle for the demons, and their natural lassitude prevented demon invasion just as effectively in modern times. This woman entered his place of residence, effectively bypassing the need for the antiquated protection charm. His slipshod plan progressed quite nicely. If he cared enough to be surprised or pleased, he might have expressed it at that moment.

She knew the man kissed her; she was painfully aware of how pleasant his warm lips felt against her alcohol stained lips. Then again, alcohol and kisses always tasted delightful together. Usually kisses couldn’t stand without the astringent bite of vodka. She considered herself somewhat of a connoisseur. The unsweetened Hemingway daiquiri is paired best with the sweet kiss of a thought-provoking lover while the Moscow mule served as the best complement to ginger flavored goodbyes. What currently coated her tongue wasn’t unpalatable. In fact, it tasted like opportunity.

“What’re you doing?” she asked abruptly as the man attempted to put a gumball sized sphere inside her mouth. He seemed taken aback at the sudden lucidity of her remark. She smirked, “Did you really think I was that drunk?”

He sighed tiredly, “I have prepared remarks since explaining would be extremely bothersome.” He handed her a sheet of paper with only a few lines of writing.

“One, my name is Lucifer and I am the king of demons. Two, I am looking to relinquish my current position, but need an heir to do so. Three, since demon women find the position of queen or queen mother troublesome, I needed to find a human woman. Four, you will be the host for the child. Five, it will be like a normal human pregnancy and I will claim the child when it is born. Six, I will grant one wish in return for this service,” she read out loud. Hehe, this must be my lucky day!

“So? I’ve distilled the child producing spell into this sphere and all you need to do is swallow it. Then, just do whatever you do for nine months and I’ll be back for the child,” Lucifer flicked his tail impatiently.

“Oh? And earlier you were going to place your child inside of me without telling me of these terms? I think that violates one of those breaking and entering rules that the demons fellow?” Anna’s knowledge of demons was a bit rusty, but she wasn’t going to let him know.  This was her time to turn her lousy situation into profit. When there were things to be gained, she never allowed herself to be complacent.

Lucifer eyed her suspiciously, but decided it would be troublesome to find another woman. She didn’t seem taken aback by his character reveal. Perhaps demons had become mainstream in the human world? He hadn’t heard of any demons venturing outside, but then again he hardly paid attention. “Umm, I guess so? But since you’re cogent, we can probably get on with it. What do you want in exchange?” Anna positioned herself more comfortably in her seat, all signs of drunkenness gone. The change in demeanor made Lucifer anxious and he flicked his tail nervously. Humans generally wanted immense wealth or tried to ask for infinite wishes. Some attempted to gain magical powers or enslave him. He eliminated most of the troublesome ones. The immense wealth wishes he could easily grant while he refused the infinite wishes one. On a whim, he had granted some magical powers, but he rarely gifted any useful ones. Since he didn’t want to find another host, he would most likely grant her whatever she wanted. He could always deal with her later.

Anna cleared her throat and pulled out her cellphone. Pulling up a document from her cloud, she showed it to the demon king. He peered at it curiously, and read the first line: “In the event of a demon encounter…”

This time, it was her turn to smile wickedly.

“What’re you looking so surprised for? I gotta be prepared for everything, I’m a fucking contract lawyer.”

Read: Chapter 2