#( I have such little energy lately ... though that's probably due to a myriad of reasons 😭 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hongism · 3 years

Text

the little things - p.seonghwa

↣ pairing: seonghwa x reader; mentioned poly ot8 x reader ↣ genre: sfw, fluff, fantasy au, witch ateez au ↣ wc: 2.0k ↣ summary: seonghwa drops by your cottage for an unexpected visit and you talk about the little things

The water is still warm by the time you slip into the bath despite all the time you wasted earlier by cleaning up the bathroom. You sink into the water, a content sigh slipping past your lips, and settle back against the wall of ceramic. It’s cool on your skin, not quite warmed up from the water any longer, but it isn’t too unbearable. The further you sink, the higher the water level rises, and it nearly tips over the edge of the tub as you fidget to get comfortable in the water. You’re in the midst of draining a bit of excess water when you hear the door click, handle twists as someone steps in without warning.

And you usually would be quite terrified of such a thing, but Seonghwa warned you beforehand that he would be coming, and you could sense the heat of his aura the moment he stepped through the back door. It hits you with more strength now, a tell-tale sign that he’s entered the cottage and come into the bathroom, thus you don’t even feel the need to open your eyes to greet him.

“Need supplies?” You inquire through a small hum, arms coming to rest on the edge of the tub.

“Not today.” The witch’s tone is as cool and calm as ever, a bit of raspiness on the tail end of his words, and you feel the corners of your lips twisting up before you know it. You reach down to drain a bit more water, already expecting what’s coming next. Seonghwa doesn’t surprise you one bit when you hear the clink of his belt then the shuffling of clothes as they join yours on the floor. It doesn’t stop you from flinching from the sheer coldness of his fingers as he runs a few digits across your bare back. Goosebumps dance up in the wake of his touch, then a small splash resounds behind you as Seonghwa slips into the water. You glance over your shoulder to greet the man with a smile, his neatly parted blond hair fanned across his forehead. It’s a bit damp, probably due to the rainy weather outside your hut, and you can’t keep from reaching forward to fix his part and situate it back to its old position when it falls.

“Just a visit then, I take it,” you exhale as Seonghwa’s legs come to rest on either side of your hips. He doesn’t offer a verbal response, but his hands do the talking for him, reaching forward to wrap around your midsection and pull you back to his now wet chest. You let him shift your body until he’s in a comfortable position before inching your legs up and bending your knees so you can settle against him. “Any special reason for said visit?”

“I was passing through the area. Seemed criminal not to stop for at least a few minutes.”

You huff out a laugh, watching the water ripple under your breaths, then click your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

“You wouldn’t have gotten in the bath for just a few minutes of my time, Seonghwa.”

The blond regards you with nothing more than a longing stare for a few seconds. When he speaks again, his tone has fallen quiet, almost as though he’s embarrassed or shy to say the words.

“I missed your presence.”

“Hm, the coven didn’t mind your hasty disappearance then?” The angle of your neck is practically painful as you twist to look him in the eye, but Seonghwa drops his shoulder to let you rest easier on it and watch him at the same time.

“They miss you as well actually. I’m surprised I came before Wooyoung found you.” Seonghwa’s tongue peeks out to dart over his lips. There’s a steady thrum of energy between the two of you, a pleasant and warm sensation that sends you further into a content state of relaxation. There’s no need to speak honestly because you’re comfortable enough with this silence, but you’d say anything just to hear Seonghwa’s gentle tone time and time again.

“He visited earlier today,” you say through a grin. Seonghwa can’t see it thanks to the water shrouding your lower half, but Wooyoung gifted you with quite the myriads of marks all along the insides of your thighs – something to remember him by until his next visit as he stated, although you both knew that that wasn’t the thing you would be remembering from your time together.

“Hm, that explains the stench of his aura when he came home.” Seonghwa shakes his head as he thinks of the younger witch’s antics. “Went straight to Yunho’s room too.”

“He’s insatiable, you know that.”

“All too well.”

There’s nothing to say in response, so you don’t force the conversation to continue; instead, you let the silence wrap around the two of you, head falling back to rest near the crook of Seonghwa’s neck. You hardly realize it at first because of how gradual it is, but as more time passes, you feel the water warming up with each passing second. Seonghwa’s fingers twitch against your abdomen, tracing small patterns into the skin there, runes you recognize to be a spell – no doubt a fire one at that.

“You could’ve just said you were cold,” you mutter. You have to bite back a smile as you speak, but it’s to no avail because Seonghwa’s hawk-like stare is on you and examining every twitch of your features.

“You were shivering,” he states, tone so monotonous that you roll your eyes.

“The house gets cold at this time of year.”

“You’re always welcome to stay with us,” Seonghwa says. There’s a hint of pleading to his tone; it’s a question he has asked a hundred times, along with the other dearly beloved members of the coven, and yet you haven’t once taken them up on the offer.

“Yes, I’m aware. Joong sent the raven again this morning shortly before Wooyoung arrived.”

“You know he means well. As does San, otherwise he wouldn’t bother shifting to come deliver the message to you.”

San’s always been a special sort of witch, one who operates in unorthodox manners, such as his tendency to shift into a raven familiar himself rather than employing one. Finding feathers in odd places was a bit disconcerting at first, but Yeosang’s cat ears popping out when he gets too excited were a far greater surprise the first time you witnessed it. The hybrid makes up for the surprises in other areas though, especially the times when he comes to curl up on your lap while you’re working at your desk and slaving over potions late into the night, so you could never stay mad at him for long.

“I lost you there for a second,” Seonghwa chuckles, and you shake your head to free yourself of the thoughts.

“I was thinking.”

“Coin for your thoughts?”

“I’ll give them to you for a kiss,” you tease, snuggling up further into Seonghwa’s embrace. It’s quick and light – if you hadn’t been paying attention, you would’ve missed the touch entirely – but Seonghwa presses a kiss to your hairline, lips twisted into a smile. “Not that kind of kiss.”

“I might lose all inhibitions if I opted for a different kind.”

“The reason why I won’t come to stay with you all is because I can’t leave the shop unattended,” you explain, moving back to answer Seonghwa’s unspoken question from earlier.

“You could move the shop to our house. Work from the first floor. More space as well.”

“I would feel like too much of a burden to do that.”

“You could never be a burden in our eyes, Y/N,” Seonghwa whispers, tone so full of affection and adoration that it sounds as though he has something lodged in his throat. You twist in his grasp, and his fingers shift to latch onto your waist. He doesn’t say a word as you straddle his hips and rest gently against him with no intentions other than to look him in the eye with more ease. The next few seconds that pass consist of just your stares, ones that linger and search each other for answers and questions that don’t need to be spoken, and he brings you closer to his chest with the same warm hands. “Ma petite étoile.”

“Okay, Mr. Romantic, that’s enough out of you,” you huff, slapping a hand to Seonghwa’s bare chest. “I’ll think about it.” Seonghwa seems satisfied enough with the answer because he doesn’t offer any words in response, merely pulling you closer until your chin rests on his shoulder. The sudden exposure to the air outside the water causes chills to run down your spine, and before you know it, you’re shivering again from the cold. Seonghwa lets his hands roam over your bare skin though, tracing the same patterns and runes as before and letting warmth spread across the canvas of your back. The action is soothing enough to put you to sleep despite all your attempts to stay awake on top of him. Seonghwa catches you right before you doze off though, a soft tone bringing you back to full consciousness after some time has passed.

“Mingi said he would come by tomorrow to help you move the shipments.”

“What about Jongho?” Your question is a bit slurred from your drowsiness, and Seonghwa laughs a bit at the sound of it, but he must understand your words just fine because he responds nonetheless.

“He and Hongjoong left this morning for a job in the countryside. It’ll be three or four days before they return.”

“How will you last four days without Hongjoong to keep you preoccupied?” You joke, and Seonghwa laughs at your question. The sound reverberates through your chest, adding to the warmth and comfort of his body against yours.

“If Wooyoung didn’t wear you out too much, I’m sure we could come up with some ways to satisfy my needs.”

“You’re such a scoundrel, Seonghwa.” You pull away from Seonghwa’s neck before an idea takes over you, and you immediately drop back to his skin without waiting to hear a response from him. His words cut off into a startled gasp as you nip at the junction of his neck and shoulder, sucking softly at the flesh between your teeth until you’re satisfied with the bruise that blossoms there. Seonghwa hisses a loud and sharp sound when you tug away, and his hands tighten around your body to keep you from leaning too far away from him. “And you look even better with marks on you.”

“Yes, well, if you sit any longer in the bath, you’ll shrivel up entirely.”

“Speak for yourself, old man!” A scoff escapes you, and Seonghwa’s eyes flash with something akin to playfulness. His grip turns light then he reaches to stab at your sides, catching you off-guard and tickling you before you can fight back. “Not in the bath!” You squeak through a fit of laughter.

“Then get out of the bath so I can properly tickle you.”

“What happened to other forms of entertainment?”

“Seeing you squirm under my touch is quite entertaining for me.” Seonghwa beams up at you, lips stretched wide to reveal the straight set of teeth behind them, and you melt at the sight of his adorable grin.

“Hmph, fine, but you’ll have to carry me out of here yourself. I’m comfortable like this,” you mumble as you dive back in to rest atop Seonghwa’s chest again.

“Two more minutes.”

“You’ll have to drag me out by my ankles.” You squeeze your arms hard around Seonghwa, a desperate attempt to keep him from moving even though he said two more minutes, and he shakes his head at your antics.

“You’re worse than Wooyoung and Yunho.”

“Make it five and I’ll go willingly.”

“…Five more minutes or I’ll freeze the water under your ass.”

...

a/n: we’re going for it anywayz even tho it’s not nsfw bc i love the idea i just don’t think i Executed it v well bc im not good at solely sfw fics or fluffy things but yeah T-T let me know if you like this? and the au? i’d be open to making this a drabble request series if enough people would be interested?

407 notes · View notes

zenithpng · 3 years

Text

TOUCH AND GO bruised | touch-starved | hungered

[“Every child is a treasure,” the chief says quietly, one hand pressing Zuko’s forehead into his own shoulder as if Zuko is a lot younger than he really is. “I’m so sorry no one has ever told you that before.”

And with that Zuko is crying into the shoulder of a man he hardly knows. A man that has shown him more kindness in the few days they’ve known each other than his own father has in sixteen years.]

Read more under the cut, AO3 link -> HERE <-

Having adults at the temple is weird, Zuko decides.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust them. Well, maybe he doesn’t quite trust Chit Sang, but Hakoda is a good man. He’s Sokka’s dad. He’s a perfectly kind person. He’s nothing like Ozai.

But for some reason, Zuko’s mind can’t seem to separate the two people.

Every time Hakoda’s deep voice echoes through the temple, he’s back in the throne room, if only for an instant. It’s stupid, and he doesn’t know why it happens, but it does. And so of course, the solution is to stay nice and far away from the whole group.

It’s not that bad really. Zuko’s used to keeping his distance from people. He tries to tell himself that it isn’t so bad. After all, it’s nice and quiet when he wanders off alone, there are no grating sounds, no yelling.

(No liveliness. No hugs from Aang or shoulder-pats from Sokka. No smiles surrounding him.)

He’s in the middle of some solitary firebending practice late in the evening when Aang runs into the room, hands grasping Zuko’s tunic. The elder stammers, thinking there’s some kind of emergency based off the way Aang is all but dragging him out of the room, but the kid just grins at him, bouncing with energy.

“C’mon, c’mon, come on!” he urges. “Get your stuff, we’re having a sleepover!”

“We literally live together, Aang!”

“Not important!” the airbender grins. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go-”

And that’s how Zuko finds himself around the campfire, Aang and Toph on either side of him, both having curled up with the excuse of “You’re the warmest one here.” Well, Zuko isn’t about to argue with the Avatar or the greatest earthbender of their generation, so he resigns himself to his fate.

Aang was somehow right in his excitement. The sleepover is wonderful.

It’s lively and warm and Zuko can almost forget Hakoda’s presence in the group as he laughs at Sokka’s jokes and listens to Aang’s stories. Hours later, long after the sun has set, Hakoda speaks up.

“All right, it’s getting late,” he says through a smile. “Bedtime, everyone.” His tone is warm, not the slightest bit commanding even as he gives an order. The younger kids scramble off to their bedrolls immediately, followed closely by the rest of the group. Zuko remains seated where he is, as does Hakoda.

“Are you going to sleep, Dad?” Sokka inquiries from where he’s spreading out his blanket. Hakoda nods.

“In a bit.” Sokka seems satisfied with this and rolls onto his stomach, falling asleep within minutes.

Just after everyone falls asleep, Zuko and Hakoda stand almost in tandem. Hakoda holds a knife and a half-started carving, while Zuko is empty-handed. They both begin to walk off, Hakoda acknowledging him with a nod.

Zuko takes off at a brisk pace, making the short climb from one of the windows to a particularly scenic cliff face. It’s his favourite he’s found so far, providing him with the loveliest view of the night sky. It’s not uncommon for him to need to step away after being around the group for hours on end, and this is the perfect spot to do just that.

He sits, tracing constellations in his mind, when there’s a rustling from the forest. It’s probably just one of the myriad creatures that roams the woods here, but Zuko’s nothing if not wary. He lights a fire in one of his hands, tensing instinctively for the possible scuffle.

But instead of an animal, Hakoda emerges from the brush.

Zuko immediately drops his defensive stance, his flame growing smaller and softer.

“Sorry, sir,” he apologizes. “I thought there was something out there. Well, there was, but it was just you, and you wouldn’t hurt me, but still-”

“Zuko,” Hakoda interrupts, halting the nervous rambling. There’s a fond smile playing across his lips, almost like Uncle used to get when he saw Zuko actually smile. “It’s all right. I’m just surprised you got up here so fast.” Zuko shrugs, careful not to jostle his flame too much.

“It’s a short climb,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand that isn’t holding fire. “I can find somewhere else, if you want.” Hakoda just sits down, prompting Zuko to do the same.

“I think I’d like some company actually, if you don’t mind,” he said, taking out his carving. Zuko nods, pulling one knee up to his chest and resting his chin there.

The quiet isn’t awkward in the slightest, which surprises Zuko. The forest sounds and the quiet scrape of Hakoda’s knife blend easily into background noise and Zuko just watches the stars, lost in thought.

“So,” Hakoda begins, breaking the silence after a long while, “what’s the Fire Nation like?” Zuko ducks his head, momentarily caught off guard at the unexpected question.

“It’s, ah, nice.” He twists a flower stem between his fingers. “Warm all the time. The food is good.” Zuko curses himself for his awkwardness, but really, what is he supposed to say? Hakoda just nods though, cutting a little notch into his carving.

“And your family?”

Zuko tenses there, not having expected the conversation to go this way. Any military secrets he would readily spill but this? This is weird.

“It’s… all right,” is what he finally settles on. “My, um, sister is not the greatest as far as sisters go, and well, my father is Fire Lord Ozai, so no favours there. My mom is… gone. My Uncle is alive though! But his son is dead, so. Yeah.”

“That doesn’t sound like ‘all right,’ son,” Hakoda says, brows furrowed with a tinge of - is that concern? Zuko shrugs, going back to picking apart the flower in his fingers. Yeah, when he says it like that, his family kind of sucks. He draws in a shaky breath, thinking of the Water Tribe siblings. They didn’t exactly have the greatest family experience either, what with their mother being killed and their father leaving to fight in the war.

Still, that was somehow better than his. Kinda put things into perspective.

“Is it okay if I touch you, Zuko?”

The firebender raises his head, surprised by the question.

“Uh, yeah? Sure.” Why would Hakoda want to touch him? Subconsciously, he tenses, prepared for any harm that may be about to come to him.

But Hakoda just places a hand on his shoulder, the lightest bit of pressure on Zuko’s skin.

Before he can really stop himself, Zuko leans into the touch. It’s… nice. To have someone touch him so casually, with an undercurrent of care in the contact. Hakoda seems to realize this, and he moves slightly closer, looping his arm around Zuko’s shoulders.

And Zuko suddenly feels very, very small.

It’s been so long since he’s been touched other than Aang’s swift, squeezing hugs or Sokka’s friendly taps. It feels so wrong and unfamiliar but so right and safe at the same time. He’s not sure how to feel or what to do so he just stays there under Hakoda’s arm, trying not to lean in any closer lest he make the situation awkward.

“It’s been a while since you had something like this, hasn’t it?” Hakoda asks. Zuko’s hardly able to meet his eyes after that question, and not able to answer at all. Luckily, Hakoda speaks for the both of them.

“I’m a father, Zuko,” he says. “I can see when a child hasn’t been treated like the treasure they are.” Zuko swallows hard.

“With all due respect, sir,” he mutters, “I’m hardly a treasure.”

Hakoda meets his eyes sadly, takes a deep breath, and pulls him into a full embrace.

“Every child is a treasure,” the chief says quietly, one hand pressing Zuko’s forehead into his own shoulder as if Zuko is a lot younger than he really is. “I’m so sorry no one has ever told you that before.”

And with that Zuko is crying into the shoulder of a man he hardly knows. A man that has shown him more kindness in the few days they’ve known each other than his own father has in sixteen years.

That hurts. That hurts so bad, and Zuko only cries harder.

Hakoda only holds him tighter.

#no6 #whumptober #whumptober 2021 #touch and go #touch starved #atla #zuko #hakoda #hakuddles #avatar the last airbender #fanfic #ao3 #luca's corner

9 notes · View notes

elegant-etienne · 4 years

Note

🍏🍉🍊

Fruity headcanon asks!

Apologies for the late reply @taetelli and thank you for the asks! I quite stupidly kept trying to answer this without a draft and would then accidentally close the tab, losing all of my answers more than once.

🍏 : how stable is my muse’s physical health? do they go for regular or semi-regular checkups by a physician? do they have any diagnosed illnesses and / or take any medication? how often do they get sick?

Etienne: is in pretty good health! They swim every morning and have gotten back into strength training. They see the healer as little as possible, even though they should know better. Over the years they’ve struggled with self-destructive urges, addiction and depression, which they call their ‘dark moods.’ Since going on hormone replacement therapy, those dark moods have lessened considerably - not that their mental illness is fixed by HRT by any means, but their baseline of absolute hating themselves, their body, etc., has been considerably lifted and they’re much happier.

Etienne severely damaged their aether pool casting black magic, essentially breaking through their considerable well of mana and pulling from their own life force in order to cast a blizzard spell. Since then, they’ve had trouble maintaining their body heat, have somewhat poor circulation, and in the past have had a slow healing time from injuries. Etienne assumes the injury has shortened their life and do any time they cast black magic - one of the myriad reasons they stopped adventuring was the very real possibility they would cast a spell that ultimately killed them.

Etienne is also at risk for a hereditary illness, but so far only experienced the symptom of occasional life sensitivity (but it’s fine, they have those cute pince-nez!)

Adi: suffers from a chronic hereditary illness. His symptoms include sensitivity to light which can be coupled with intense headaches, physical weakness and dangerously low stamina, and digestive issues coupled with frequent nausea. The dry air Thanalan irritates his delicate membranes and he gets nosebleeds and sometimes has coughing fits. Most of the sufferers of this illness die early which is preferable to the alternatives. He handles his illness with potions that help with nausea and have mildly restorative properties and an inhalant potion. He eats little snacks during the day any time he’s not feeling too sick to eat to maintain energy. He’s very food-oriented as a way to battle what could be seen as an apathy for life that also tends to couple with the illness. While he’s begun to occasionally eat dairy products (and eats honey and items made with east), he is a staunch vegetarian, partially out of a literal inability to do harm to other living things.

His organs and bones are a huge mess of scarring and tissue from constant, quick-healing, though aside from his scarred, mis-healed eye, he shows no external signs of what he’s been through. He’s surprisingly able to handle poisons and intoxicants, provided they’re things he’s encountered before, he treats himself with micro-dosing until he develops immunities “to better understand” the illnesses he treats.

Kadin: is the swoll dude who brags about how he never gets a cold. He has an iron stomach and can eat things regular people would probably die eating.

Houmei: suffers a compromised immune system, headaches and fatigue due to his physical and mental trauma. He suffers severe dissociative amnesia. He engages in extremely rigorous care of his skin, nails and scales, in order to try and fight his compulsion to pick and bite himself.

🍉 : which of the four seasons suits my muse best, and why?

Eti: loves spring and autumn equally. They love the changes - both the living and dying - and has a deep fondness for their transitory natures, which they find spiritually inspiring. The bursting into life and the quiet surrendering into death and sleep are equally beautiful. Also, they have a slight preference for spring pastels over autumnal earth and jewel tones

Adi: loves winter, but only in the Shroud, where it’s constantly cold, wet and rainy. He’s rather apathetic to seasons in general but prefers gray weather.

Kadin and Houmei: both love the activities, warmth, and foods of summer, but are wary about the fireworks.

🍊 : does my muse desire romance? is it something they would actively seek out, or prefer to happen more ‘ naturally? ’ what is their love life like? do they have any exes or past flings, or crushes?

Etienne: I feel like if someone asked Etienne this question right now they’d probably just sort of laugh and shrug? They just got out of a serious two-year-relationship with plans to marry, and before that they were in a toxic marriage. Ultimately, they’re not sure that those kind of committed relationships are right for them, and a lot of that comes down to what they feel are their obligations to someone they’re in a relationship with, and feeling trapped by monogamy.

They are pretty used to having other people pursue them, and in truth, are not quite sure what to do when they like someone. They make a lot of excuses for it, like the guy should always ask the lady out, but the truth is they are afraid to be super-open about their feelings. After all, if others are aware you want something, or someone, or the objection of your affection is aware of it, what’s to stop them from taking advantage of those feelings in the worst ways? It doesn’t really cross their mind that they could have something genuine if they risked being vulnerable with others. It’s too scary for them.

Besides, they have their pride. They don’t want to let someone else “win them over,” because that means they lost.

Basically:

Adi: has a boyfriend currently, Zihji’li. I think when it comes to his desires for romance and sex, he is still in very early stages of baby gay (“terrifying religious upbringing” model), while he’s not in total denial he still believes that it would be better if he were not gay, and that he does not deserve to feel good, be loved, or love anyone. Up until growing close to Zihji’li he would never allow himself to consider the possibility of even looking at another man twice, so he really doesn’t have any history with that sort of thing.

Kadin: has lived with his boyfriend for two or three years now! They started out as close friends, but Kadin always had a torch for him even when he was dating his ex. As far as previous relationships go, he’s had a lot of casual sex with men and women but has only dated other men seriously, although the last two guys he dated ghosted him - one of them actually ghosted him twice, and the second time really, really hurt. Considering people’s propensity for not taking him seriously or treating him like a priority, he’s not really interested in dealing with that crap from people! He’s down for casual flings with his boyfriend present, or if his boyfriend wants to have them on his own, but currently there’s no one whom he feels is worth the effort. He loves sex, but he’d rather stay at home with the dogs.

Houmei: has barely been able to leave the FC house until recently due to his level of fear of others. That doesn’t make for a lot of romantic possibilities! He does not have many clear, cohesive memories of his own personal life, just flashes of things, but he does have a sense he had two people who were precious to him in the past, and that bond was severed, and that he’s also taken lovers short-term now and then, people who’s names he might not even remember with a complete memory. Talk of feelings did not feature highly in any of his past relationships. He is somewhat interested in how romance is pursued in Eorzea ‘as an exercise,’ and I think he’s open to the idea, but a bit intimidated by the idea of navigating things when he feels he has little to offer. He has someone he likes but he’s taking it slow with them.

#asks #ooc #honestly for the romance one i could say they all wanna love and fuck but they keep getting in their own ways about it #except kadin he always just Goes For It and he's honestly the most pure in his relationships lol #taetelli

2 notes · View notes

featherwurm · 5 years

Photo

What would happen if McMenamin's owned the Winchester Mystery House, still occupied by its batty creator, who had acquired strange and bizarre artifacts throughout her long life, even more than the Mystery Shack, and continued on her mad construction? How would such a place run?

Here’s a dream I had the other night.

Along the Oregon coast, just south of Astoria, there are some 500+ acres of utterly untouched wilderness, once owned by what is now described as a madwoman. I say untouched, but there is a building deep within the heart of it, a giant rambling construction dictated only by the whims of a spiritualist trying to avoid the wrath of a self-imposed curse. She filled this building with her long lifetime's worth of artifacts, bizarre and arcane, filled with spirits and spiritual energies beyond the ability of any one person to control. It would sound the start of some great horror story or murder mystery but no, what the hotel chain that bought it out saw was a financial opportunity.

It is a grand establishment, with so many secret passages, bizarre architectural flourishes, ghosts, and utterly eccentric décor and effects it couldn't be anything but one of the most fascinating establishments in all of Oregon. It's original owner, now into her hundreds has stayed on living there, as part of the purchase agreement. She is allowed to continue her procurement of magic and unusual artifacts, and so long as the hotel can operate, continue her rambling construction (never ending, to stave of that which she fears hunts her). The hotel chain has fixed up the place a treat, covering it in beautiful artwork, adding amenities galore, and making it an incredible destination. But it wasn't a purchase without risk.

The place is deeply haunted. Like a spiritual magnet, it has drawn all sorts of entities, ghostly, magical, arcane, and otherwise, to it. While many of these apparitions are harmless and only add to the allure, some are very dangerous, and could cause trouble for patrons. Therefore, in addition to the usual hotel, restaurant, and sales staff of front desk, office managers, cooks, housekeeping, bartenders, servers, sales associates, and so on, there are three classes of spiritual workers employed:

Exorcists – Considered the most important (or at least the most self-important) these workers are the last to deal with any given situation. Through their spiritual and magical prowess they are capable of purging magical entities from our dimension back to their home plane. Their work is violent and dangerous, and they oversee the care and maintenance of the spiritual energy of the building – never too much, always just enough.

Brutes – Below the Exorcists are the Brutes, the physical bouncers of this ghostly place. They are, through grace or training, able to physically beat the stuffing out of anything magical or ectoplasmic that comes their way. When more severe means aren't needed, they pitch out the ghostly riff-raff.

Empaths – Considered the most lowly of the spiritualists, these people, through their own skills are able to diffuse conflict with ghosts and other magical entities. They are first to be called, and are the ones with the most paperwork to deal with as they ensure that any claim of malicious spiritual activity is, in fact, ghosts and not rowdy patrons. They are the talkers of the bunch, and work to peaceful resolutions of conflict, moving artifacts when needed to cleanse their energies, finding out the requests and needs of ghosts that are reasonable to work with, and meeting them, and otherwise working to keep the prestige of the strange nature of the place while avoiding conflict between the mundane and the magical.

I work as an Empath. I have, throughout my life, been privy and partial to the strange, and yet, generally most sympathetic to it. I find no need to kill the spiders in my home, but to find the best means that we can all live together. I, along with my fellows, am considered soft, but valuable at least. Although I deal with a lot of paperwork, constantly writing and filing reports of minor spiritual mischief and ensuring that it is dealt with or moved up the chain accordingly. Patrons sign a waiver which states that if they attribute ghosts to their own wrongdoings, they are subject to significant fines, and follow up on those thankfully isn't my job, but I do have to ensure that everything in that regard is written up correctly if the Exorcists find no spiritual causes of destruction.

All of us spiritualists have a particular sort of uniform. We all – no matter our class, wear the same clothes, meant to protect us from malicious entities; heavy boots with iron toes, a black jumpsuit with copper piping details, thick leather gloves, bags and satchels full of our various effects. It is both practical, and meant to keep us as indistinguishable from one another as possible, apart from the mask, which is unique to any of us, and can be dropped or traded off at any point to prevent further distinction among us in a crisis situation (you might know the one with the elk skull did something, but now there are just six humans in the room). Sometimes you need to be one of many – sometimes you need to stand out to avoid dangerous spiritual situations, and this is the best compromise so far.

Each mask is generally skeletal in form, and made of a light and robust material. It comprises a breathing apparatus in the front, which may be needed if an entity turns particularly hostile, or if work is needed in the pools and lake on the grounds. Decorated with arcane symbols, there is some personalization allowed here, as the form must follow function, and each spiritual worker has their own little means of making it through the labyrinth of magical manipulation.

For all I am on a low rung and do more paperwork than I care for, I do enjoy my job. The facilities are amazing, exciting, and unique, and even after a long hard day of work, they still provide surprises and enjoyment for most of us working here. The building's original owner is fascinating, and there are seemingly no end to the magical creatures, artifacts, and events one might encounter on a daily basis. The grounds are lush and extensive, and we are allowed use of them within reason, wandering the gardens or trekking through the libraries and museum-like portions of the building are always soothing on the nerves.

The woods are full of fair folk, drawn to the ancient and untouched wilderness beyond the hotel grounds, and they are as fascinating and beautiful as one would expect. They glitter in a myriad of colors, and have the lingering countenance and bearing of wild animals in their 'human' forms. They look different from us, yet compelling. We've found so long as you don't eat their food or give them your name they are harmless to us, and sometimes will even enjoy our company. It's generally considered a right of passage among the folk working here to have some sort of close encounter with them. Some get a bit caught up in this; as time slows among the fair folk, your 15 minute break might turn into a long screw and a good nap if you time things out right, and you won't even be late back to work.

My fiance works as a bartender here, both to the human patrons and serving the spirits of spirits to the spirits. Ghosts may not pay well (they don't have to, running a bar for those that drink the actual alcohol is profitable enough) but they do tip strange. Any number of kinds of currency, barter, or artifacts may show up in the jar when you serve them. There have been a few previous bartenders and servers who have retired happily at an early age due to a particularly generous patron. We're trying not to directly hope – it's all up to chance, but you never know. We have acquired an alarming number of teeth though. They'll probably turn into an art project.

I've not been working here as long as my fiance, but I've been working long enough to become pretty well accustomed to my job. In any given day I'll make my rounds, investigate anything I've been delegated based on customer complaint, speak with whatever entities and creatures I can work with, and file the relevant paperwork. Even for my rank I'm toward the bottom, and I receive the more simple and often dull jobs. Most of what I work with is the leftovers of rowdy patrons, chasing unicorns out of the gardens (they're goats... they're fancy goats), and patrolling the lesser haunted halls and ensuring the usual activities are up to snuff (moving pictures, floating candles, hot and cold spots, vaguely disquieting noises, the usual. In addition to asking ghosts to leave, we also ask them to step up their act at times too). I know it will get more involved with time, and I have patience.

It's one day when I'm almost off my shift and I'm being harassed by a Brute about how I've filed my paperwork for the day in regards to some patrons who have broken a stored Christmas tree and attributed it to ghosts (I KNOW I've done it correctly, don't tell me how to do my job when the only paperwork you have to file is 'found relevant ghost, punched it in face, it left') that we all get a very interesting call over our coms. We're asked to assemble in the attic space (one of many) where an Egyptian Sarcophagus has been kept for almost as long as the building has been around. The Brute and I are closest, and therefore I'm handed a job I'm not sure is entirely within my scope.

It would seem the eclectic owner has had some sort of epiphany recently, and desires the sarcophagus, it's effects and its contents to be moved to a new area of the building, however, it's occupant, a mummy of the 6th dynasty, has been rousted by the move. He is not in a bad mood, but is stalling movement awaiting someone to hear out his demands. While this would often be an Exorcists work, he is peaceful in his protest, and I'm the first Empath to get there. He is almost immediately forthcoming with me – he wants to go home. He doesn’t belong here, and never did, of course, and has been quiet and patient but enough is too much and he's quite done. There is, as I convey this to those around me, the immediate question of how much of the very valuable artifacts associated with him he will take with, I see greed in the eyes of the managers I work with, but... it is all for naught. He doesn’t want anything but to go, not to move on, but simply to go back to Egypt and find his way there. Having not moved on as expected, he would at least like to go somewhere which must be somewhat more familiar. He knows time has passed, but he can't simply wait around as an exhibit for whatever is to happen to him next.

It is surprising to see such animation – he has not been active ever, to anyone's knowledge, yet speaking here amongst us he begins to take back the trappings of life. He is between, we understand him for he is not living, and the language of death is universal, but he is not a ghost either, a living construct. If what inhabits him now is the same spirit he had living, or if he has simply taken on a life of his own in death is unclear, but there are physical flashes in his withered form of the person he once was. There is some hemming an hawing, a real live mummy after all, but it is agreed that I am to serve as diplomat, as he has immediately taken to my straightforward and curious way of speaking to him, and get him on home, wherever that may be, expenses paid, of course (it is definitely good PR to return artifacts of certain provenance to their homelands, no one is so pig-headedly greedy here as to not see that). The hotel has had to deal with reparations before, not all artifacts here were attained through legitimate or kind means, and this, well, if only the being wishes to go, and the rest is still up to the estate here, it can be managed. It's a frustratingly corporate world, and this is beyond anything I've dealt with, but I'm ready to make do.

With my fiance, a mummy, and my spiritualist know-how, we're somehow going to navigate all this to a better end, and, eventually, get back to work.

#Dream #Sketch #Concept #Art #Personal #Ghost #Spirit #Spiritualist #Empath

11 notes · View notes

topfygad · 4 years

Text

Everest vs K2 base camp: which trek is right for you?

Everest vs K2 base camp – what’s the distinction? We examine the 2 basic treks

For the reason that first profitable ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, adopted by K2 in 1954, the Himalayas and its satellite tv for pc ranges have develop into much more accessible to trekkers. The 4,000km crescent of mountains that stretches from Kyrgyzstan to Burma was as soon as solely the area {of professional} mountaineers.

Lately, there are myriad methods to expertise the best mountains on Earth. From multi-day treks and luxurious lodges to cultural excursions and “under-the-skin” homestays, Asia’s nice peaks are open for exploration.

This 12 months, I accomplished base camp treks to the world’s highest and second highest mountains. In spring, I visited Nepal to finish the Everest base camp trek. Just some months later, I used to be clambering over the shifting glaciers and snow-filled ravines of the K2 base camp trek in Pakistan.

The 2 treks clearly share similarities. They’re each high-altitude base camp treks by means of the best mountain ranges on Earth, however they’re acutely completely different too. They cross by means of two uniquely various international locations with completely different environments and cultures. With that comes completely different rewards and challenges.

Beneath, we pitch the 2 treks in opposition to one another – Everest vs K2 base camp – that can assist you resolve which one could supply your subsequent nice journey.

Everest vs K2 at a look

Everest K2 Mountain top 8,848m (29,029ft) 8,611m (28,251ft) Base camp altitude 5,364m (17,598ft) 5,150m (16,896ft) Most trek altitude 5,643m (18,513ft) 5,560m (18,241ft) Length 12 days 14 days Distance 130km 160km No. of trekkers (yearly) 30,000 1,300 Vary Himalaya Karakoram Nation Nepal Pakistan

Terrain

The Everest base camp trek (EBC) is alongside a well-established waymarked path all the way in which to base camp. The path is signposted and strong underfoot and sees a gentle stream of walkers all through the season. All this combines to make it very onerous to get misplaced. It will possibly even be seen and tracked on Google Maps and different navigation apps.

youtube

On the K2 base camp trek (K2BC), the terrain is way more difficult and the paths much less outlined. You received’t see any indicators alongside the K2BC. Actually, as soon as onto the Baltoro Glacier after the preliminary few days of strolling, trail-spotting turns into a part of the problem itself.

On the Baltoro Glacier, trails are consistently altering because the ice shifts and crevasses open and shut. As such, a level of cross-country strolling is to be anticipated. It’s additionally common for rivers to swell to extreme ranges and even wash away bridges altogether. On my trek, our group was twice delayed because of swollen rivers. On one event, we needed to skirt round to a different crossing after a bridge washed away. On one other, we needed to ford a tributary additional upstream.

Lodging

On the EBC in Nepal, you may hike into the center of the excessive Himalaya secure within the information that on the finish of the day you may depend on a sizzling meal, clear mattress and a comfy eating room-cum-lounge. Lots of the teahouses even have sizzling water, electrical energy and wifi.

youtube

On the K2BC in Pakistan, the one lodging out there is tenting. All 14 nights shall be spent underneath canvas and normally on rocky floor. As soon as onto the Baltoro Glacier, you’ll be tenting on ice for a minimum of 4 nights, which may be frightfully chilly (thick tenting mattresses are important). There isn’t any electrical energy, sizzling water or wifi on the path.

Among the campsites have easy drop-toilet services, however trekkers ought to plan for doing their enterprise within the wild more often than not. Please do your utmost to go away no hint within the course of. Urdukas is the one campsite with operating water, albeit chilly.

Villages

A part of the allure of trekking the EBC is passing by means of the colorful villages replete with teahouses, eating places, monasteries, memento retailers, cafes and even the odd pub.

On the K2BC, the one villages are firstly and the top of the path. Askole is the place the path begins and likelihood is you’ll spend only one evening there following an extended drive. Trekkers will both return to Askole briefly on their ultimate day or, if finishing the Gondogoro La Cross, proceed to the village of Hushe.

Presently, neither village has something just like the sort of infrastructure seen within the villages on the EBC.

Surroundings

There’s no denying that the surroundings alongside the EBC is extra various than the K2BC. The EBC begins amid lush forests with emerald rivers coursing their means alongside the valleys. As soon as above the treeline, the surroundings naturally turns into extra alpine as rock and ice dominate. There’s a actual sense of journey as you progress upwards by means of the assorted climatic zones.

Atlas & Boots The summit of Mount Everest seen from base camp

K2BC has flashes of inexperienced at decrease altitudes, however typically the path is drier and dustier, significantly early on. Nonetheless, for mountain aficionados the peaks of the Karakoram appear extra spectacular. Despite the fact that they’re across the similar top because the massifs on the EBC, the mountains alongside the K2BC seem extra imposing as they’re unobstructed by their neighbouring ranges.

On the method to Everest base camp, trekkers get solely sporadic glimpses of its summit as its satellite tv for pc peaks successfully conceal it. K2 in distinction towers above the encompassing massif, utterly unimpeded. It could be second in stature to Everest, however it has a grace and symmetry that, in my thoughts, make it probably the most putting of the 14 eight-thousanders.

Crowds

In 2018, simply 900 vacationers registered to enter the Central Karakoram Nationwide Park (CKNP) the place the K2BC is positioned in Pakistan. When my trekking social gathering entered in early September 2019, as one of many final teams of the 12 months, that quantity had risen to 1,300.

Regardless of the rise, it’s price remembering that over 30,000 individuals do the Everest base camp trek yearly. Pakistan nonetheless has an extended solution to go to meet up with its Himalayan neighbour.

Atlas & Boots Empty trails within the Central Karakoram Nationwide Park

I wouldn’t essentially describe the EBC as crowded, however it’s unlikely you’ll have lengthy stretches of the path to your self. On the K2BC it’s the alternative. I commonly discovered myself strolling alone with not a soul in sight in both route.

Entry

It’s not only a matter of Everest vs K2, but in addition Nepal vs Pakistan. This 12 months, Pakistan elevated the provision of vacationer visas and developed an on-line e-visa system which makes coming into the nation largely as easy as Nepal. As soon as in Kathmandu, to get to the beginning of the EBC, all it’s a must to do is catch a brief however thrilling flight to Lukla.

From Islamabad in Pakistan, there’s additionally solely a brief flight to Skardu. However then to get from Skardu to the trailheads at Askole and Hushe a switch in a 4WD automobile is important. Each journeys take round six hours.

Baggage logistics

Nepal units the requirements for hassle-free trekking, particularly alongside the teahouse trails of Everest and Annapurna. The path is nicely supported and it’s truly potential to purchase or lease all of the gear you might be more likely to want both in Kathmandu or in Namche Bazaar on the path.

There are strict weight limits on the home flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight solely permits for 10kg of checked baggage and 5kg of hand baggage. This coincides with the utmost weight porters are allowed to hold: 10kg per trekker with a most of two trekkers per porter.

Packing for trekking in Pakistan requires just a little extra planning. It’s potential to purchase some tools in Skardu or Islamabad, however neither has the identical vary of outlets as Kathmandu or Namche Bazaar. As such, I’d advise that trekkers do all their buying earlier than leaving house to forestall last-minute emergencies.

The upside is there are not any weight limits on both of the flights or the drive to Skardu. Though in your and your porter’s sake, I’d advocate holding your baggage nicely beneath 20kg in whole.

Solo or supported

The Everest base camp may be accomplished solo fairly simply. It’s completely believable to only flip up in villages and search out lodging and meals choices for the evening. Moreover, as there’s wifi and cellphone reception alongside a lot of the path, it’s comparatively straightforward to organise lodging en route utilizing the web.

K2 seen from Concordia camp

As trekkers don’t want to hold tenting and cooking tools, backpack weights may be saved to a minimal. Nonetheless, trekkers usually select to rent a information and/or a porter to assist them, or be a part of an organised trek as I did with G Adventures.

Primarily, trekking in Nepal is logistically as straightforward because it will get whether or not you want to do it solo or supported.

In Pakistan you’ve gotten much less selection. All foreigners trekking to K2BC should have a licensed information with them. Foreigners won’t be allowed to enter the park with no information. Due to this fact, it isn’t potential to trek to K2 base camp solo, however it does imply your information will organise all of the permits and administration (see beneath).

I joined Misplaced Horizon Excursions and Treks on a trek to K2 base camp mixed with a technical crossing of the Gondogoro La Cross. All of the charges and administration had been included.

Administration

To trek to Everest base camp you have to enter Sagarmāthā Nationwide Park on the second day of the trek the place you will have to pay a nationwide park charge. For foreigners not from a South Asian Affiliation for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nation, the charge is 3,000 NPR ($30 USD) per individual. Verify the complete record of park entry charges in Nepal.

Atlas & Boots Getting into Sagarmāthā Nationwide Park

To trek to K2 base camp, you have to enter CKNP the place you will have to pay a nationwide park charge and full a registration kind. For foreigners, the charge is $10 USD per individual. View the complete record of park entry charges.

Moreover, trekkers should get hold of a No Objection Certificates (NOC) on the tourism workplace in Skardu. This allow lets you journey in a restricted navy space. The CKNP is in such an space because it borders India and China.

Each of those permits shall be organised by your trekking firm and solely take a couple of minutes at every workplace.

Prices

Prices on the bottom in Nepal differ relying on the way you select to trek. Clearly, going solo with none assist would be the most cost-effective possibility. This might be completed for as little as $40 USD per day for 3 meals and a mattress in a fundamental teahouse – possibly as little as $500 USD in whole (not together with flights to and from Lukla).

I joined a G Adventures 15-day trek to Everest base camp with a spherical journey from Kathmandu, which value round $1,000 USD, plus $400-600 USD for meals alongside the path and $150 USD for suggestions – round $1,700 USD in whole. If you happen to had been to trek semi-supported and rent a information and/or a porter, it will value someplace in between.

Atlas & Boots Peter at K2 base camp

For the K2 base camp trek, costs begin from round $2,000 USD, relying on dates and itinerary, for a spherical journey from Islamabad. The value contains all lodging, all meals on the trek, an English-speaking native information and assistants all through the trek, porters to hold tools between camps, entrance charges to the nationwide park and all transport between locations. Permit an additional $200-300 USD per individual for suggestions, making the overall round $2,300 USD.

Problem

Regardless of the similarities in altitude, the terrain and logistics of the K2BC make it a considerably tougher trek. The times on the path are longer and extra strenuous with fewer luxuries on the finish of a day to offset the discomfort.

If I had been to provide them marks out of 10 for problem (10 being the toughest), I’d give the EBC a six or seven, and the K2BC an eight or 9. Be underneath no illusions: the K2BC is a troublesome trek.

Everest vs K2: in abstract

There isn’t any denying that the K2 base camp trek is the tougher trek. It’s in a extra distant location that’s tougher to entry. It’s in a rustic and area that lacks the trekking infrastructure developed over many years in Nepal.

However, and this can be a huge however, I consider the K2 base camp trek is extra rewarding, extra wild, extra thrilling and in the end extra enjoyable.

That stated, K2BC shouldn’t be your first high-altitude trek. The EBC is an ideal introduction to high-altitude expedition-style trekking. Everybody on my K2 base camp trek had additionally accomplished the EBC.

Atlas & Boots Everest vs K2: one is extra iconic than the opposite

It’s price noting that the EBC is a extra social expertise the place you might be assured to fulfill and work together with different trekkers. Moreover, as you’re staying in teahouses and passing by means of villages on the EBC, you invariably meet and work together with extra locals. I had extra fascinating interactions with Nepalis than Pakistanis. That’s to not say that Pakistanis usually are not welcoming – they had been extremely hospitable and good-humoured – however the language barrier meant it was onerous to kind a robust connection. Merely put, I met extra Nepalis than Pakistanis that spoke English – and I converse neither Nepali or Urdu.

Lastly, and this isn’t to be sniffed at, is there a extra iconic trek than the Everest base camp trek? There’s no denying that Everest is the best mountain on the planet and trekking to the best will at all times sound extra spectacular than trekking to the second highest.

My suggestion is easy: it doesn’t need to be Everest vs K2 – you can have one of the best of each worlds. First, trek to Everest base camp in Nepal, then go and trek to K2 base camp in Pakistan. Have your cake and eat it!

Learn our Q&A-style guides on each treks:

Lead picture: Atlas & Boots

source http://cheaprtravels.com/everest-vs-k2-base-camp-which-trek-is-right-for-you/

0 notes

topfygad · 4 years

Text

Everest vs K2 base camp: which trek is right for you?

Everest vs K2 base camp – what’s the distinction? We examine the 2 basic treks

Beneath, we pitch the 2 treks in opposition to one another – Everest vs K2 base camp – that can assist you resolve which one could supply your subsequent nice journey.

Everest vs K2 at a look

Terrain

youtube

Lodging

youtube

Villages

A part of the allure of trekking the EBC is passing by means of the colorful villages replete with teahouses, eating places, monasteries, memento retailers, cafes and even the odd pub.

Presently, neither village has something just like the sort of infrastructure seen within the villages on the EBC.

Surroundings

Atlas & Boots The summit of Mount Everest seen from base camp

Crowds

Atlas & Boots Empty trails within the Central Karakoram Nationwide Park

Entry

Baggage logistics

The upside is there are not any weight limits on both of the flights or the drive to Skardu. Though in your and your porter’s sake, I’d advocate holding your baggage nicely beneath 20kg in whole.

Solo or supported

K2 seen from Concordia camp

Primarily, trekking in Nepal is logistically as straightforward because it will get whether or not you want to do it solo or supported.

I joined Misplaced Horizon Excursions and Treks on a trek to K2 base camp mixed with a technical crossing of the Gondogoro La Cross. All of the charges and administration had been included.

Administration

Atlas & Boots Getting into Sagarmāthā Nationwide Park

Each of those permits shall be organised by your trekking firm and solely take a couple of minutes at every workplace.

Prices

Atlas & Boots Peter at K2 base camp

Problem

Everest vs K2: in abstract

However, and this can be a huge however, I consider the K2 base camp trek is extra rewarding, extra wild, extra thrilling and in the end extra enjoyable.

Atlas & Boots Everest vs K2: one is extra iconic than the opposite

Learn our Q&A-style guides on each treks:

Lead picture: Atlas & Boots

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2ZDNsTt via https://ift.tt/2NIqXKN

0 notes

topfygad · 4 years

Text

Everest vs K2 base camp: which trek is right for you?

Everest vs K2 base camp – what’s the distinction? We examine the 2 basic treks

Beneath, we pitch the 2 treks in opposition to one another – Everest vs K2 base camp – that can assist you resolve which one could supply your subsequent nice journey.

Everest vs K2 at a look

Terrain

youtube

Lodging

youtube

Villages

A part of the allure of trekking the EBC is passing by means of the colorful villages replete with teahouses, eating places, monasteries, memento retailers, cafes and even the odd pub.

Presently, neither village has something just like the sort of infrastructure seen within the villages on the EBC.

Surroundings

Atlas & Boots The summit of Mount Everest seen from base camp

Crowds

Atlas & Boots Empty trails within the Central Karakoram Nationwide Park

Entry

Baggage logistics

The upside is there are not any weight limits on both of the flights or the drive to Skardu. Though in your and your porter’s sake, I’d advocate holding your baggage nicely beneath 20kg in whole.

Solo or supported

K2 seen from Concordia camp

Primarily, trekking in Nepal is logistically as straightforward because it will get whether or not you want to do it solo or supported.

I joined Misplaced Horizon Excursions and Treks on a trek to K2 base camp mixed with a technical crossing of the Gondogoro La Cross. All of the charges and administration had been included.

Administration

Atlas & Boots Getting into Sagarmāthā Nationwide Park

Each of those permits shall be organised by your trekking firm and solely take a couple of minutes at every workplace.

Prices

Atlas & Boots Peter at K2 base camp

Problem

Everest vs K2: in abstract

However, and this can be a huge however, I consider the K2 base camp trek is extra rewarding, extra wild, extra thrilling and in the end extra enjoyable.

Atlas & Boots Everest vs K2: one is extra iconic than the opposite

Learn our Q&A-style guides on each treks:

Lead picture: Atlas & Boots

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2ZDNsTt via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Cheapr Travels

0 notes