#otf: stay with me

[igotanidea]

Batboys x albino!s/o headcanons

Requested : yes

This one was truly a challenge and got me thinking. But I like nonobvious requests, so if anyone else got anything specific in mind, ask away :)

DICK

He would notice it straight away, like he is tuned into spotting extraordinary looking people

Definitely staring at first, but not in the creepy or judgmental way, rather astonished

He would love you, I mean, consider the fact that he had dated a princess from Tamaran with purple hair and eyes glowing green,

I believe he would be the one to try to get the attention of such person by showing off a bit, trying to display all his best feature to match your outstanding ones.

“Hey, let’s be friends!”

He would show you off as well, sometimes making you blush or causing a bit of a drama when you feel a bit insecure about going out or being put on the spotlight

Once you get into a relationship with him, he would be the protector, always ready to assure you how amazing you are, and that people are only talking because they are jealous

Definitely doing self-care together, he would love to help you oil your hair and moisturize the skin (face mask first!)

And on sunny days he would never let you leave the house without putting a ton of sunscreen on, always having a sun umbrella to protect you from the rays and/or a bag otf other accessories (sunglasses, hats, etc.)

Casually running fingers through your hair or stroking your skin, just because he can

JASON

I think he would be the one to miss your pale skin and unusual hair color

at first

come on, this guy has  a white hair strand in the middle of the forehead and a tone of scars, I don’t think he focuses on the looks that much

But he has to notice eventually (probably by being called to order by Dick or Tim because of how insensitive he is)

Cause yes, he may seem a bit insensitive and rough on the outside never really addressing the matter of your albinism, but we all know he cares much more than it shows

You want to go out, but feel shy? – he will hype you and kill scare off anyone who may even look at you in a judgmental way.

You want to stay home and watch movies, but get insecure because of the way the lead female character looks? – screw the movie, he will kiss you until you forget about the whole world and just believe in yourself

I strongly believe he would be the one to understand why you feel down the best of all the batboys

He would stand with you in front of the mirror, pointing out all those little things you feel insecure about and then his own

“See, baby? We match.”

forehead kisses and cuddling on the couch (he won’t let you leave, just holding in that iron-clad embrace, not that you care).

TIM

Oh my god …

He’s like a walking encyclopedia and that is not necessarily a good thing

The most open about the matter, but the most awkward about it as well.

Once he started getting interested in you as more than a friend, he read like a whole library about albinism and approaching you without causing any psychological pain or hurt

And with that he pushed the point to the other side

“You don’t need to walk on the eggshells around me, Tim! You treat me like an alien or something like this! I am a person!”

And after a little fight he would confess that in fact he likes you and therefore all that embarrassing behavior

He would be the one to create a safe space for you both, like a bubble,

He’s been judged before and kind of learn how to not care and just be happy and content with himself and is more than willing to share his methods with you

Grabbing your hands the second he notices you getting insecure, arms rubbing and temple kisses

Making you meet all his friends, who will love you the first second they saw you

DAMIAN

Oh, he’s the one to stare at you with that impenetrable gaze which also seem judgmental, but it’s just curiosity

He’s been raised by a cult of assassin, there are so many things he knows shit about

Making you blush hard, which is way too visible on your pale skin

No one can really tell what he thought when you first met.

Not saying  a single word, just gawking

Pushing your limits to the point when you either cry or yell at him and it makes him even more interested (and maybe tiniest bit sorry)

Since then, he’s been the one to spite you just to see your reaction

Slowly getting addicted to that, to the point where any other girls just seem to ordinary and he misses having you with your astounding features around

“You are a jerk, Damian!” “Why? Because I find you the most interesting person on the planet?”

And once you get together ? he would probably go everywhere with his katana

And I mean everywhere, just to scare everyone who may say a single bad word about you

No one would dare

Even when you are in a relationship, he would still stare at you at times, when you don’t see that

He just can’t seem to keep his eyes of you, but is never going to straightforwardly admit how much you mean to him

#batboys x reader #batboys x batsis #batfamily x reader #batsis #batfam x batsis #batfam x reader #dick grayson #nightwing #jason todd #red hood #timothy drake #red robin #damian wayne #robin dc #batboys x y/n #batboys x you #batfam x you #batfam #batfamily #batman #bruce wayne #dc imagine #dc x reader #batboys #dick grayson x reader #jason todd x reader #tim drake x reader #damian wayne x reader #robin x reader #red robin x reader

[tulipsforvin]

morning vinnie ,

peonies for u from my walk yesterday

morning aya

I'm wondering if the air particles around the flower cause you allergies too cause if yes, you should probably stay away and not set otf rockets of snot at anyone once it triggers your allergies

although me personally, i would love to see that happen

#vin answers ‧₊˚✩彡

[thelensofyashunews]

Doodie Lo Battles Paranoia and the Drawbacks of Fame "Purple Nightmares"

Wielding his raspy voice like a weapon, Kankakee, IL's Doodie Lo examines life in the streets from all sides. Reflecting on a habit that nearly wrecked his life, the Only The Family rapper shares "Purple Nightmares," his new video single. Over a poignant, piano-filled instrumental by Ricky Hoodrich, Doodie Lo warns of the dangers of drinking lean–including paranoia and night terrors–and dwells on the unexpected drawbacks of fame. In the video, Doodie Lo dwells in his crib with only his woman and his medicine to keep him company, as he tries to find a better way forward.

"Purple Nightmares" is Doodie Lo's second new video of 2024, following the clip for "Role Model." Both new singles will appear on What Made Me, the OTF vulture's upcoming album and his first full-length since his breakout Big Doodie Lo. Released in 2021, Big Doodie Lo is home to “Me & Doodie Lo,” an energetic collab between King Von and Doodie (over 20 million YouTube views), in which the legendary O-Block native gives Mr. Kankakee an enthusiastic co-sign. Over the past few years, Doodie Lo has considerably grown his profile, racking up over 80 million streams to date, gaining hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and Spotify Monthly Listeners, and collaborating with heavy hitters like Kodak Black, Moneybagg Yo, Pooh Shiesty, BIG30, and more.

Stay tuned for the upcoming What Made Me, coming Spring 2024 via OTF/EMPIRE.

#doodie lo #otf #only the fam #only the family #purple nightmares #lil durk #durk #music #youtube #spotify #soundcloud #artist #musician #rapper #culture #rap #art #kankakee #chicago #chicago artist #Youtube #Spotify

[kelwelmelspell]

Things I will be changing and keeping in me rewriting fnafhs top tennnn.

Changing!!

Number five. Springtraps entire character. He is based otf someone who is a child murderer aka william afton, Why was he like the most chilliest guy I don't get it at all, he was like super friendly half the time though even though hes like based off a child murderer, wtf eddo (69th time I've said that). Making him to be obsessed with shadows and the shadow realm.

Number four. Anns personality and character arc. She was superrrrrr basic for someone who got the entire band together foremost (she started the idea), and I'm pretty sure it was said she was like bipolar???? Idk but i remember hearing someone say that. So i would show more symptoms of that but also giving her personality that isnt including that. Showing her struggle through sp said disorder. Her character src is something I'm still working on right now and thinking of what to do.

Number three. The ENTIRE plot of season two and season three also the ending of season one. Season two was ass and I dont have to explain why it was terrible. Season 3 was confusing but the art style was drop dead gorgeous. Season 1 ending will be done a bit different some things will stay the same like them singing ed sharren will be the same but have different impacts. something like that.

Number two. BxB. It was so awkward half the time Im sorry plus I dont really like it. Like there's no real chemistry between them from what I remember just Bon having the biggest crush ever on Bonnie. Probably make another ship eith Bon cannon and Bonnie aroace. Never making it BxB cannon bevause it was also seemingly basic for me.

Number one. The names. Who in their utter right mind would name their baby "fox" or like "bonnie" IT JUST DOESNT MAKE SENSE💀💀💀. Instead those will be nicknames that they were given and they they barley use their actual names except for freddy, ann, and aiden. Those names are fine but not golden for fucks sake. I get that your parents are rich and famous dawg but they wouldnt go out their way and name you that.

Extra!! What the shadow realm does to people aka no shadows if you enter it and stay there for a long time. Shit goes bad quickly. You start seeing things, You become paralyzed, Parts of your body changes into something more non human, You start going crazy oer say. Going mad even. You start having a low temper, Limps become longer or shorter, Bones change, It feels like your entire head is splitting apart. Not going into full detail due to it being mostly body horror. This doesn't happen if shadows go to like the human realm or whatever.

theres a lot more other stuff Im changing but these are the things I am 100 percent changing.

Things that are staying the same.

number five. The camp arc. LISTEN TO ME, THIS WAS THE BEST ARC IN THE SHOW. IT WAS SO GOOFY. SO SP SO FUVKING GOOOFY. A KID IS HIGH, OTHER KIDS ARE LOST, THEY'RE SINGING SHAPE OF YOU, SOME OLD COUPLE IS IN THE FOREST THAT SOMEHOW NOBODY FUCKING KNOWS THAT THEY WERE THERE. BITCHES ARE GOING INSANE, BARELY ANY ADULT SUPERVISION, BON IS BEING BON, THERE ARE ANIMAL SPIRIT THINGS LIKE EVERY FUCKING WHERE, SOME KID IS BEING CONTROLLED BY SOMEONE WITH GREEN HAIR AND PRONOUNS, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF FUCKING NO WHERE WITH INTERNET OR ANY WAY TO CALL HOME. It must stay. It wouldnt be the same without it.

Number four. The band singing shape of you at the end. Best part of the camp arc fr. It was such a beautiful sence how can I not add it.

Number 3. The way the animatronics meet. I love the idea of meeting all these people in detention and becoming friends with them. Golden will also get into detention too with them. He cries like a little bitch.

Number 2. All the cannon back stories we see will stay the same. Sorry meg and aiden, you gotta suffer, esp meg she deserves suffering when you are having that big ass forehead. (megamind kinnie)

Number 1. I really do not know.

#fnafhs #fhszero #fnafhs owynn #meg #joy #bon #mai #fhs freddy #fhs ann #the owl house #fnafhs ann #fnafhs fox #fnafhs siden #aidenfhs #itll be awesome sauce #either writing a fanfic or animating it #I would adore making this with a group of people #Can we do that please #Eddo did the animatronics DIRTY #she also did springtrap dirty too #Im the new creator of fnafhs guys!!/J #I wish #Also this shit will be terrifying btw #talking full on batshit here

[nefastum]

Okay as someone who's guilty pleasure ship is Griffith x Casca; and a fan of your work. I'd like to share a little observation/headcannon. In the story I always got that Griffith may have had a crush on Casca for a while, but never acted on it. Especially when he needed to make Charlotte love him. He looked mad jealous after Guts and Casca rescued him, and he saw them being close. He even dreams of Casca and he being a couple. That jealousy I think just added to Femto.

Or I'm just a wishful thinker.

- an Other Thinking Fan

Ah love, you have echoed my own thoughts exactly! ♡

I feel like he knew of her feelings and in some part of his mind always counted on their relationship as a sense of stability. She was always his, in his mind. Someone who, though he would/could not pursue romantically outright due to his plans, he thought would always just be.

His dream/nightmare is a reflection of that. Even if all else is taken from him, he would still have her as that steady anchor, surely. Even if he was nothing, she would stay by his side. When he sees she has opened her heart to care for Guts after his rescue, all of that certainty shatters. He feels desperate and weak, like he lost yet another thing to Guts, and all of that jealousy telegraphs into his actions as Femto. Naratively, this makes a lot of sense to me as character motivation for his actions as Femto. ♡

My poor babies ♡😭

Thank you so much for the lovely ask, OTF Anon! And thank you for supporting my work ^ ^ I have some more Griffcas in the works so keep an eye out for it, love ♡

#berserk #griffith #casca #griffith x casca #i love them so much

[diaryof1000days]

Day 3 - I currently weigh about 220lbs which is about 10lbs lighter than I was last year but I think it has made a noticeable difference in how I look which is so weird because that doesn’t seem like a lot. It’s not drastic but it is noticeable. I didn’t change anything except going to the OTF 2 times a week for an hours. I still don’t want to change my diet at all. I’m a picky eater and I like treats too much to care too about my diet. Glad this was the gym MMM introduced me too because I wouldn’t have started otherwise. I am for sure a type of person that gets research paralysis thinking there has to be one perfect way to do something in when in reality there’s not. And I know this intellectually but it still doesn’t stop me from participating in it even with benign things like buying a new purse.

I figure I should do a small entry for each of my sisters (I have to pad out these days somehow I’m so boring I’m already struggling on day three lol) MMM and I don’t always get along but she is for sure the sister that pushes me out of my comfort zone the most. We just don’t always get each other which is fine except when she thinks she knows my own opinions for me. That gets frustrating. I tend to exaggerate my feelings for the sake of making a decision which does make me a hypocrite sometimes which I know frustrates her. We also just don’t like a lot of the same things for fun *insert shrug emoji here* She’s great at integrating people into her life and staying friends with them, which is an underestimated skill I greatly admire her for; she’s a good momI’m so grateful for my princess niece (and the new princess/princess on the way)!; her planning skills are a boon to the family as a whole since a lot of us (okay me) don’t like to step up.

For instance to show off all of the above I was invited to wing night because she was a meeting her friend who became a family friend (aka I don’t have a lot of my own friends but her friends have often became family friends. she made me drive without a gps which I hate to do because of my anxiety. It does not matter one iota one way or another if this is what I do for the rest of my life to me- she seems to think it makes me less of an adult. Same with telling me she thinks I need to move out of my parent’s house. I’m not moving out just to live a more miserable existence (because I’d be living alone). I’m past caring about “society” and “adult milestones” in that regard. We both got frustrated for this spat and because other planning details but like most things in life it works out and we ended up having a good time.

[volleyguy16]

My little one, my mini-me Maisha is 7 years old! I can’t believe how much she has grown. She is an artistic fashionista who loves school and riding the bus with friends. She adores her sister Malaikah and reminds me so much of my mother. Mommy and I are so proud of you my love. You are wise beyond your years and we can’t wait to see what life has in store for you. God loves you baby!!! Stay sweet and curious!!! Happy Happy Birthday to the one and only Maisha…. Which mean Life in Swahili!!! Your family all over the world adores you!! Your OTF family can’t wait until you’re a member! (at Edmond, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoG_DfxOhkr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[yllem]

My Grandpa Died

I'd say this all happened very quickly, but that is not the case. Grandpa was sick for a very long time and, because of the distance and the pandemic, I can't even remember which year was the last that I saw him.

I was in Starbucks after OTF one morning when I got a text from Laura. Grandpa is dying. He's circling the drain. Mom is flying out tomorrow. This was mid to late July- one of the last games for my pee wee team. She was out there for a week. Auntie Ei was able to stay there until he passed. Dee Dee made her way back, too.

I thought that week might be the end. I called him and he seemed mostly the same, though a little tired. He shared his same stories. I told him that I loved him. We never spoke again.

He thought they had come to take him home. It's funny to use home as he'd spent most of my life living in Hawaii. He always said he wanted to die there and the funny thing was that all he wanted was to be back in Chicago. Eileen handled it well from what I can tell. She told him that he would have a new treatment team and a new environment where there he would have his beautiful ocean view and the team that he already knows and knows him. He felt better, I think.

He died on August 15th Hawaii time. I got a text from my mom at 2am on the 16th (Chicago time) letting me know he had passed on. Grandma told me that it was shortly after sunset. Dee Dee and Eileen were there and seeing all of his daughters before he went on to the next great beyond moved him deeply. I hope someone else called him. I hope he is seeing eternal sunsets.

The news did not hit me for a few days. I read the text and felt tears, but they never fell. It was like being in a mania with humor as a coping mechanism. I thought of the way he treated me mom and all that she deserved and never got. Same with my aunts. Grandma says she regrets nothing because the life she lived has been so beautiful. She was sad.

I cried after finding the last birthday card I will ever receive from him- sent in November of dated 12-29-2021. He always sent a gift in time for black Friday and wrote a nice note. I broke then. I broke at the funeral hearing Mousey tell the story of his life. I hear a lot about what my grandpa didn't give my mom, so it was interesting to hear all of the amazing things they were able to do because of him and all that they had. Mark grabbed his urn off the alter. I grabbed his hat. We left the church.

I will always miss hearing his laugh.

[thelensofyashunews]

Doodie Lo Is A “Role Model” For His City In New Video

Commanding tracks with his larger-than-life presence, Doodie Lo is one of the rap game's most charismatic characters. The Only The Family rapper starts 2024 strong with “Role Model,” the first new single from his upcoming project What Made Me. Over buzzing synths and menacing 808s, Doodie embraces his hustler roots, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and his intolerance for anyone acting fake. The Kankakee, IL native affirms his status in his hometown: “Yeah I got this out the mud, I don’t do no rap cap / Now my city want me to be a role model.” Directed by Diesel Films, the video for “Role Model” takes inspiration from the DMX & Nas-starring film Belly, finding Doodie mobbing with his crew as he does whatever it takes to survive. 

“Role Model” arrives as Doodie Lo’s first new music of the year, following recent singles like “Popeyes” ft. Icewear Vezzo & Deeski, “Smurkio Flow,” “Play With My Name,” and “Daddies Babies,” which helped him make his mark with his sizzling street anthems last year. What Made Me will be the OTF standout's first full-length project since his 2021 debut project Big Doodie Lo, which is home to “Me & Doodie Lo,” an energetic collab between King Von and Doodie (over 20 million YouTube views), in which the legendary O-Block native gives Mr. Kankakee an enthusiastic co-sign. Over the past few years, Doodie Lo has considerably grown his profile, racking up over 79 million streams to date, gaining hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and Spotify Monthly Listeners, and collaborating with heavy hitters like Moneybagg Yo, Pooh Shiesty, BIG30, and more. The upcoming What Made Me arrives in the coming weeks via Only The Family/EMPIRE.

Stay tuned for much more from Doodie Lo in 2024.

#doodie lo #otf #only the family #only the fam #rapper #artist #musician #kankakee #illinois #chicago #chicago rapper #chicago artist #illinois rapper #Youtube #Spotify

[amorremanet]

(setting: the middle of the summer in the backstory of what is eventually a college AU)

Keith, 13, autistic, and short: *wanders into the living room and puts his arms and chin down on the back of the armchair*

Shiro, 16 and reading: *awkwardly turns back to look at Keith* …Yes?

Keith: I’m gay and I want ice cream.

Shiro: You’re…?

Keith: I am gay, and I want ice cream.

Shiro: Okay, I thought that’s what you said. …What do those things have to do with each other?

Keith: Absolutely nothing, except that they both involve me? And I am telling you first because I trust you the most, you’re my brother and my best friend, also you can drive now.

Shiro: ……Just because I can drive doesn’t mean that I have a car, Keith.

Keith: *rolls eyes and shrugs* Okay, fine, I guess we can walk or take our bikes or whatever. Where are your sneakers?

Shiro: You’re really set on getting that ice cream, aren’t you?

Keith: I just came out and it was very brave of me; I deserve to have my bi big brother who loves me take me to go get ice cream.

Shiro: *sighs and smiles fondly; entirely in earnest* Yes, you were very brave. I’m proud of you, and I love you very much. Thank you for trusting me with that, Keith.

Keith: ……What, like I ever would’ve not? Maybe I wouldn’t trust other people, but you’re not other people. I just figured it out like half an hour ago, then I was trying to decide how I wanted to tell you and felt like I wanted ice cream, so I thought I could get two birds with one stone.

Shiro: And also ice cream?

Keith: Exactly.

Shiro: *puts his book on the coffee-table and ruffles Keith’s hair* Okay. Let’s go get you some ice cream.

Keith: Awesome. :D

#i would say that this is uncommonly happy for me but i've otherwise been writing angst today so #mine: headcanons #mine: shitposting #mine: voltron #otf: stay with me #keith kogane #takashi shirogane #kassie watches netflix voltron #the goddamn voltron college au #autistic!keith #keith x shiro #otp: desperately wants to see you

[petrichorus]

Zane didn’t say anything more before retreating through the door. When he turned to pull it shut, he got a glimpse of Nick standing in front of Jockie Fraser, his feet shoulder-width apart, his bare back covered with a Celtic cross tattoo that followed his spine from the base of his neck to the small of his back. Three whiplike scars crisscrossed his muscular back and shoulders. The makeshift ball and chain hung from his hand, swaying as Nick wrapped the end around his fingers.

- Ball & Chain by Abigail Roux 

for my sweet, disastrous, pal @kahlilravishans happy birthday, cheesecake x

#god i have done a colour drawing in ages #lets be real i havent draw in ages period #so this makes u extra special emily #i remember use yelling about this scene #and it's stayed with me this imagery #its dedicated to your love of nicko and that we met through you introducing me to this series #such good memories tbh #gosh im feeling sappy #anyway here he is #our boy #cut and run #cut & run #series: cut and run #ball and chain #ball & chain #cutandrun #cut&run #nick o'flaherty #nickoflahertys #otf: goodnight tiger #mine art

[wilwheaton]

Hello, I have a question about Tabletop (don't worry, it's not "when will you make more 😋). When you would film an episode, when would the interstitial commentary from the players be filmed? Because it seems like they should be like, during breaks in the game, so that people can give their thoughts as they come up, but during extended episodes I can't see where that would cut and film them and rejoin, so maybe it was after? I can no longer sleep at night, this question haunts me. Ok bye now 😊

Good question, and you have it mostly correct.

What we’d do on a given day went like this:

I arrive and we run through the day’s schedule.

I shoot the introductions for the two episodes we are filming that day.

The players for the first game arrive, go to makeup and wardrobe, then spend about an hour with the game publisher’s rep and Ivan Van Norman, our games expert, to make sure they understand the game and its basic strategy.

While they do that, I shoot the rules explanation for each game.

Players are seated at the table with me, and we begin. Each game has a rough halfway point, usually determined by the points scored, and we’ll break at that halfway point.

The players and I are interviewed about what we did in the first half of the game. We call these OTF interviews. I believe that’s a documentary term of art which means “On the fly.”

We play the second half of the game, until there is a winner.

We shoot the loser’s couch segment.

We shoot the trophy segment.

Now we shoot the OTF interviews for the second half of the game. 

The players are finished, and we break for lunch. They can stay and eat lunch with us if they want, but most players choose to get on with their day.

The players for game 2 show up right as lunch ends. They’re always welcome to come before lunch, if they want to eat with us. I’d say about half of the players did that.

We sit down, and play the first half of the second game.

We break and shoot OTF.

We finish the game.

We shoot the loser’s couch.

We shoot the winner’s wall.

We shoot my OTF for the second half of the second game, so I can be finished and sent home as soon as possible. My union rules guarantee me 12 hours between when I leave set and when I come back, so we always try to get me wrapped (finished) early, so we don’t have to start later the following day.

We shoot the remaining OTFs.

Everyone goes home! That’s a wrap.

I’m glad you asked this question, because I got to revisit some of the joy that I felt when we were making Tabletop, Geek & Sundry was the greatest place in the world to be making awesome content, and I got to play games for my job.

#blahblahkitty42

[hunter-tales]

Shadow from the past Chapter 3

Pairing: Dean Winchester x reader,  John Wick x reader, Ethan Hunt x reader

Warning: swearing

Word count: 5,514

Summary: What would you do when the past will start knocking at your door?

Author note: Sorry for the delay. I had real blast writing this chapter and I’m so excited for upcoming ones! Hope you’ll enjoy it. And thank you

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Shadow from the past: Chapter 3

Where the hell are you? We’re at the club. Call me. message from Dean displayed on your phone right above the information about ten unanswered calls. It’s been a few hours now since you left your hotel room leaving only a note on a nightstand and he started to worry. “Looks like Ethan was right,” you thought to yourself trying at the same time suppress guilt and remorse which was rising up inside you. In any other situation you would answer a call from Dean in second, at his first try. You would be happy to hear his deep, husky voice on the other side, you would be smiling at the phone, assuring him that you safe and you’ll be back soon. But this time was not like any other.

The first time he called you were in the middle of a chess game with your past; you couldn’t pick up. The second time he called you were in the middle of enabling all the security in the safe house and making sure that no one will get in; you couldn’t pick up. The third time he called you were on the way to The Pawnbroker where you accessed another safety deposit box. You left your gold coins in the big brown suitcase and instead you took out spare clothes and two switchblades Microtech Ultratech UTX-70 OTF; you couldn’t pick up, you were too busy securing one coin secretly inside your bra. The fourth time he called you were shaking off the weird feeling caused by the one sentence uttered by a broker, “Happy hunting miss Y/L/N”; you couldn’t pick up either.

Fifth and sixth time he called you were changing your outfit buried deep inside your thoughts. Everything was happening way to fast. You wanted it to slow down, to pause, to give you time to think. But you knew it was just a fool’s wishes. You jumped on the train which won’t stop now so you had to act on your instinct not on your thoughts. “He was tracking me all this time…all this time he was keeping tabs on me. Why? What is his end game?” you were asking yourself in your head. These questions were bothering you, the fact that Ethan new everything was shocking yet at the same time you were feeling strangely calm. Like the image of him secretly looking after you was somehow calming to you. “After everything that happened, he was still looking after me. Or was it just another assignment from Brandt?”

Seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth time you didn’t even bother to look at the phone. You knew that even with all your skills and all your tricks and all your training you won’t be able to fool Dean this time. I’m on my way you typed shortly. You order a cab driver to take you to Skyfall club and you let yourself relax for a moment.

To your surprise you were not over-analyzing the last few hours like you tend to do. You were just sitting there in the back seat of the New York cab, calm, numb even. Streets were passing by, city lights were putting you in some kind of trance and all you could do is to trace with your eyes small raindrops running on the windows of the cab.

I can neither confirm nor deny detail of this operation without the Secretary approval the sentence was echoing loudly in your head, sentence which you were sure you will never hear again. God knows how many times you said it yourself and it surprised you how oddly natural was to say it again. The felling of the words on your lips was like a taste of candy from your childhood, sweet and sour, comforting and upsetting at the same time. Like some part of you was longing to that time of your past. You closed your eyes and you could feel another flashback coming your way. You could see Ethan’s hazel eyes and you could smell Code in the air like he was standing right in front of you. You gathered all your will to block it, you couldn’t bare another vision at the moment, there was no need for another visit in the past now when all you needed was to stay cool and composed. You were tired of these glimpses of memories, of Vienna, of London, of a motorcycle ride, of the feeling of blood on your hands, of a taste of the bourbon on your lips. You remembered all of it way too well, you didn’t need to feel it, to smell, to taste, to see it like you were there. Because that is what it always was. Every vision, every glimpse of a memory was like a short visit in a past accompanied by all the feelings, all the smells, all the emotions that you felt at that moment. You couldn’t allow yourself to be thrown off balance now when you were so close to your destination.

“Miss Y/L/N we’re here.” You heard like from far away. You thanked a driver, you got out of the cab, and you head back straight to the alley behind the building not even noticing that driver new your last name. You had a role to play in the scene which was coming next. Even if you knew that there was no hunting and there was no case only a bodies that most likely he left behind you had to be convincing. Now, you had to be a hunter.

***

“Where have you been!!?” Dean run up to you, anger and wariness mixed in his eyes “You forgot how to use your phone?!” he gave you a questioning look.

“I’m sorry Dean, I meet a friend which I haven’t seen for ages!” that was only a half-lie “you know us girls, we started talking about old times, I completely lost track of time.”  

“And a sense of reality apparently. I called you like ten times!” anger was spiking in his green eyes, he wasn’t buying it.  

“I know I know hun,” you decreased distance between him and you and placed both hands on his chest “don’t be mad on me” you smiled charmingly “c’mon…there is no point of arguing over such a silly things” you smiled again and kissed him slowly letting the pressure come off from his muscles to his hands and lips. He didn’t need any more encouragement, he placed one hand on your back and another on your cheek and returned the kiss prolonging it a bit.

“I was just worried about you” he said with his lips still on yours.

“I know” you whispered through the kiss. After all these years he was still making you week in your knees. “We should go inside and caught up with Sam” your lips were moving over his.

“Mhmm…you’re absolutely right” he said without breaking a kiss which with every second was becoming more and more passionate.

“Dean..”

“I know I know”  

“Dean, stop!” you finally broke the kiss and laughed brightly “we got work to do remember?” you grabbed his hand and started dragging him into the building.

“Well I know better ways of spending a rainy night in New York city” he smirked.

“I can imagine” you smiled fondly on bare thought of some alone time with Dean “But sorry hun, work first, pleasures later” you said and open back door which was already cracked by Sam.  

***

The inside of the club felt strange all quiet and dark with only you three inside. Place which was usually crowded with people and pulsing with lights and music felt oddly hunted. You spotted Sam in the corner of the main room swiping place with EMF meter right where he left his glass just a few hours ago. You felt the wave of tension coming in and the fact that you were surrounded by shadows and dark corners didn’t help to ease it. “Are you there? Are you watching me?” you started looking around, scouting shadows around you.

“There is nothing there” you heard Sam’s voice “I’ve checked that part already. What took you so long?”  

“Apparently Y/N decided suddenly to be a typical woman and she lost track of time while catching up with an old friend” Dean replied with sarcasm.  

“You guys, I know that maybe sometimes it does not look like it, but I still am a woman and sometimes I need a girlfriend to gossip with” you snapped back.  

“Gossip you say…?” Dean was on the opposite side of the room, but you could hear sass in his voice “about what?”

“You of course! What else?! Women only talk about boys, clothes and makeup isn’t that right?”

“There is nothing here!” Sam interrupted with frustration ignoring your exchange like he always did “Absolutely nothing!”  

“We should check again, maybe we’re missing something” you proposed.

“Honestly, I don’t see a point. While you two were making out outside I swiped place twice already. You know what I’ve found? Jack. There is absolutely nothing here, except small emf spikes caused by power lines. There is nothing in the newspapers, nothing in the history of the area and building was build six months ago. I don’t know you guys, it seems to me that maybe we were wrong” he seemed disappointed.  

“What about the witness?” Dean reached behind the counter and pulled out a bottle of whiskey and three glasses “this is our last lead which we didn’t check” he poured three drinks and handed them over to you and Sam.

“Seriously Dean?” Sam gave his brother a judging look and refused a glass.

“What?! It’s not like someone will notice!”  

“The girl who supposedly saw everything is our last lead” Sam continued “But I’m starting to think that maybe we just wanted to see a case where there was none, to begin with”

“Everything is pointing to the fact that indeed nothing had happened here” you took a sip of an amber liquid hoping to ease a tension rising inside of you. You couldn’t see anything suspicious but the feeling of cold spikes on your back was enough to make you feel nervous. Shadow had eyes and they were tracking your every move, every gesture, every word. Shadow was closing around you and you could feel his presence near. “Let’s check office upstairs” you suggested forcing yourself to stay in character.  

“I already did that” Sam replied “Like I said, it took you a long time to get here” he added seeing your surprised face “but feel free to give it another look”  

You downed the last sip of whiskey and run upstairs. In any other situation you would feel bad about the fact that Sam did most of the work just because you decided to fool around with Dean. In any other situation it most likely wouldn’t happen but you needed to take Dean’s mind of the fact that you’ve been gone all day. You needed to distract him. In any other situation if that would happen you would apologize to Sam but, it wasn’t any other situation. With a cold bump in your stomach, tighten throat and blood pulsing in your temples you closed the office door behind you. You had no intention of checking for any clues you just needed to be alone for a moment. Dark office room felt comforting, at that moment it was exactly what you needed. “He’s here…” you were almost sure. However, there was still doubt in you. For what is worth you made an agreement a long time ago and at that time it seemed the best decision you could take. You suppressed another wave of flashbacks “If he is really here what is he waiting for? Maybe I’m just imagining things. Why would he be here? That does not make any sense” you took two deep breaths trying to convince yourself and calm down a bit. You were walking on thin ice. You knew very well that you can fool Dean only for a short period of time. He knows you too well, he will figure out that something is wrong.

“Anything?” office door rapidly opened and you saw Dean who looked like he already had at least three drinks “well well, this is the cozy spot” he smiled adorably and looked at you with a shiny eyes “so where were we?” he smirked and pulled you closer to him.  

“We should go” cold spikes on your back returned but you kept flirty smile “we don’t want to make Sammy angrier than he already is” you kissed him shortly to his disappointment, grabbed his hand and let him down to the main room.  

You did one last swipe through the place, hid the glasses that you used and made sure that everything is in order before you secured the door behind you.  

“You guys go ahead bring car, I’ll wait” you said stopping in mid-walk.  

“It’s a middle of the night and it’s freezing” Dean looked at you suspiciously.  

“I want to grab a smoke. Or maybe suddenly you don’t mind me smoking in the car” you smirked.  

The only reply you got was Dean frowned faced as he ordered you to wait. You ignored it completely, a long time ago you decided to stop giving a crap and you made the decision that you going to stop smoking if he stops drinking. You both knew it will never going to happen so all you could do was to frown at each other and move on.  

You lid up a cigarette and took deep long inhale realizing how desperately you needed it over the last few hours. Bad dreams were nothing comparing to constant flashbacks and ghosts of your past materializing in front of you. “Ethan…” the last person you thought you will ever see again. You had to be honest with yourself, the way you parted ways the last time you’ve worked together assured you that if you ever cross paths with him again it won’t end well for you. Back then you had your reason which definitely justified your actions, at least in your mind. Of course, there was no way that he knew them, you made sure of that, which begged a question: was he your friend, or enemy? He surely didn’t act like an enemy.   You took another deep draw of your cigarette and hang in your thoughts for a moment on those hazel eyes and snarky smile, there was something dangerously frantic about them. You knew it won’t be long before Ethan will reappear again which meant that next move had to be yours. Because knowing him everything could happen. For all is worth you might even receive a mysterious, self-destructing message in a day or two and that would be very inconvenient.  

You watched Sam and Dean’s silhouette disappear around a corner, and you smiled lightly proud that you managed to play a part perfectly and that they are not suspecting anything. At least you were hoping to. It was important right now, to keep everything hidden from them. It was important to get them away from New York as soon as possible, away from you. You knew deep down that even if now everything was relatively calm the storm was coming and when it comes you definitely don’t want them around. That was the best option, for their own good, for their own safety. Because how could you explain to them all off it? How could you look into Dean’s eyes and tell him that yes, you lied to him for years? What’s more, they were important, they still had a job to do, people to save, and storm like any other force of nature, it can be unpredictable, you never know who might get lost or hurt or killed by deadly lighting.

You lid up the second cigarette, thick smoke was soothing your nerves relaxing your muscles with every inhale you were feeling calmer, spikes you felt couple minutes ago all but disappeared and you started doubting again if what you felt was real or maybe you were becoming paranoid. You looked around you, hoping that some movement in the shadow will clear the doubts but everything was quiet, still. “Calm before the storm” you thought to yourself with a small pinch in the heart.

That feeling you had in there, like someone was constantly tracking your movement, like someone’s eyes were pinpointed on you, that constant cold touch on your back, like he was there watching you from the shadows. “Where are you?”

Your eyes widened suddenly, and all your muscles tensed up again. Cold spikes return to your back and they were more intense than before. It felt like the blood in your veins froze up and your heart slowed down and skipped a bit or two. You wanted to turn around, but you didn’t have to, he was here…Sauvage … it was everywhere. More intense than ever before. It was enfolding all around you closing you in, seducing, intoxicating, luring. You closed your eyes, your hand frozen in the mid-way to your lips. Coldness got stronger and you knew that Shadow behind you was no longer a shadow, it had a face, deep-dark brown eyes, black hair and a name….

“John….” You whispered with your eyes still closed. You felt a feather-like touch on your arm almost undetectable over the clothes. Shivers went through your whole body and you leaned back just a little bit just to feel his chest beneath your shoulder. “John…. I knew you were here,” you said with a barely audible voice.  

“You are in danger….” You heard his voice right next to your ear, deep, dark, thrilling making your heart stop for a moment. He moved your hair away from your neck and gently glossed over your bare skin which made your body shiver once more. “Ditch the tail. I’ll see you at Continental.”  

“John….” You whispered again leaning closer.

“You shouldn’t come back….”

***  

Calming waves were hitting the side of the boat when you took the one last look on the sun on the horizon. You couldn’t recall the last time when you felt so good, so peaceful, like all the problems and all the sorrows disappear completely. You wrapped shawl tighter and let the warm breeze gently touch your face and mess with your hair. You closed your eyes, relaxed you smiled at the felling of arms wrapping around you. You leaned back a bit and placed your head underneath his chin. He didn’t say a word, he didn’t have to, he only pulled you closer to him and smiled to himself. It felt good. You stood there together you with your eyes closed synchronizing your breath with his, he with a gentle look in his eyes and this feeling inside of him, like he was holding the world in his arm.

“You know what John?” you whispered with your eyes still closed.

“Hmm?”

“Sometimes life is good”

“Yes, it is” he said and with a soft kiss on your lips made sure that you will never forget that day.

***

“Can’t sleep?” Sam asked placing himself right next to you on the bench. You were sitting outside of the hotel, with steaming coffee cup in one hand and cigarette in the other. His question yanked you brutally from your memories. And reality wasn’t that pleasant especially cold morning sun which was hurting your eyes.  

“What, the smell of my cigarette is so strong that it got to your room and woke you?” you attempted a sarcasm.  

“I was planning to go jogging before you two wake up but seem that my plans had changed” he smiled lightly.

“Sammy, I don’t want to stand in between you and a healthy lifestyle! At least one of us needs to lead with an example.”

“What’s up with you lately?” he asked ignoring your sarcasm. Ignoring bullshit and pursuing as he planned it seemed like he mastered that skill to perfection.

“What do you mean?” you attempted the innocent smile, but you knew it was a poor attempt of mind games from your side, you were too tired.  

“Ever since we arrived in New York you seem to be on edge, all the time. And if you aren’t on edge you zone out. Apparently, you can’t sleep to” he pointed at you with his opened hand “and you smoking like a chimney.”  

Your only response was a snarky smile and rolled eyes which you used for covering the irritation raising inside you. You were so focused on Dean, on making sure that he won’t suspect anything that you almost forgot that Sam was observing everything from a distance, and he wasn’t so easy to fool. Especially since you could not use the power of flirt and charm on him.  

“Don’t give me that look, you know I know this look. And I know this state,” he continued “I’ve seen it way too many times on Dean. Same snarky smile, rolled eyes and cool pose. The only difference is that you’re not reaching for a beer at 7am. Something is eating you up” he stated with confidence.  

“I’m alright, really,” you interrupted his little tirade “you have nothing to worry about”

“Mhm…. I’ve seen this face before. Remember when we first met? You gave me exactly the same look when I’ve asked you if someone was chasing you. Exactly the same.”  

“Sam, I appreciate you caring and all but really you have nothing to worry about. It’s just this city, it brings back memories. That’s all” you tried your best to sound convincing but with a corner of your eyes you could see clearly that he wasn’t buying it.  

“You never told us anything about New York” he pointed out.

“There is nothing to talk about. It was a long time ago. In a different life.”  

“Yet you still have friend here” his words rose a red flag in your head “I’m sorry for saying this but I ain’t buyin’ your little story about you spending your whole day with an old friend” you looked at him sharply perfectly aware of an angry look in your eyes “Dean maybe does, or he chooses to, but I don’t. So maybe you would like to tell me what is going on? And before you start with another ‘I don’t know what you mean’ believe me when I say it I know, I get it. Sometimes you just don’t feel like telling him something and I get it. God knows how many times I made some decisions and I decided not to tell him, or I did something behind his back. Because at that moment, in that situation that seemed to be the best decision that I could have made. And you know what? Every time it turned out to be a huge mistake. And I’m pretty sure if he would be here now, he would tell you exactly the same thing, because he also been there, he also went behind my back and consequences of these decisions were let’s say, pretty bad. So, whatever you doing I’m sure you have good reasons, but maybe if you don’t want to tell him, you could tell me.”  

Uncomfortable silence fell between you two. You knew that there was truth in his words, and wisdom earned from experience, but you couldn’t tell him. You didn’t want to tell him. Even if you wanted to, what would you say? “Well within the last 72 hours I met my ex colleague/co-worker/it’s complicated government secret agent/spy and my ex-fiancé hitman/assassin and I have a bad feeling that some insanely bad shit is about to go down. So I’m kinda fucked and I don’t want to drag you two down with me because I love you, you my family and I wouldn’t forgive myself If anything would happen to you.” yeah, that doesn’t sound right. You took a quick puff of your cigarette reminding yourself quickly that the next move must be yours.  

“Let’s pack our bags and leave” you said strongly “There is no case here anyway. Let’s go to Roadhouse. It will be good for all of us. We haven’t seen Ellen, Jo and Ash for such a long time”

“You want us to drop the case?” Sam looked at you suspiciously.

“Sam, there is no case” you looked him in the eyes trying to suggest him without saying that you know what you talking about “We’re here for four days and what did we found out? Nothing, zero, zilch, nada! We can get ready before Dean wakes up, and hit the road right after breakfast”  

“First you were so eager to take this case and now you suddenly want to leave? Y/N what is going on?! Tell me!”

“Sam…” you sat down next to him “I need you to trust me. Can you do this?” that sounded more like a desperate plea than a question “I know I’m not making a lot of sense, but I need you to trust me.”  

***

“I’ll pack the car and you wake up the sleeping beauty” he replied, “We’re leaving in an hour”.    

***

Next day

You arrived at Roadhouse in the late evening of the next day. Somehow you managed to convince Dean that there is no point in staying in New York for any longer and that indeed there was no case. True, you helped yourself with a small lie about possible vamp nest near Tulsa but after some further reflection you came to the conclusion that it was not needed. The idea of visiting the Roadhouse was convincing enough.

Upon arrival Ellen and Jo greeted you with smiley faces, warm hugs and cold beer. It’s been a while since the last time you visited them, you didn’t even realize how much you missed each other. It took you only a few minutes to start talking about interesting hunts, types of monsters you encountered, in which moments lore had failed you and how you solved it, or how many times the monster turned out to be a psycho without a leash. You were laughing, smiling, drinking cold beer, the jukebox was playing Here I go again by Whitesnake, it was a good time.  

“So vamps in Tulsa, tell us more” Dean suddenly jumped on the subject after finishing another beer “We’re coming back from a Rotten Apple without ghost trophy so we gonna take anything. I’m sure Y/N will not say no to some good old decapitation” he smirked to you. You smiled back but with a corner of your eyes you noticed Ellen’s face dangerously shifting from happy to furious.  

“Ash will fill you in with detail” she said shortly “Y/N come help me on the back, I have a barrel of great beer stored for special occasions.  

“Woah, Ellen I can do it” Dean stood up ready to help.

“You my guest at my bar so behave like one.” She scolded him. There was some power in her presence, power of authority, the kind of you are not arguing with “Y/N come, I need to talk to you.”  

You wanted to run, you wanted to run like hell. She reminded you of your mother, and by looking at age difference she could be your mother. You knew very well what was coming up next and you were not ready for this. Suddenly you felt like a teenager again, anxious, ready to rebel, ready to fight with your mom even if you knew that she was right. She closed the door to the basement behind you and turned to you with her arms folded on her chest and furious look in her eyes.

“Ellen…listen…” you stared but she was not up to listening to your explanation.  

“No, you listen and listen to me well!” she interrupted “I don’t know what you got yourself into and frankly I don’t want to know! No, don’t tell me anything! I don’t want to have visitors in black suits at my doorstep tomorrow. You do you, I know I cannot stop you anyway. You are a grown woman and a skilled one too. But dragging those boys with you into this mess! No, that won’t happen! How could you even! First you lying to them for years and asking me to cover for you and now this!? I’ve got up to here of these secrets and I curse the day when Ash found out about your ‘other activities’. You were assuring me that this is a past, long gone. You were looking me straight into eyes and assuring me, saying that I can trust you. And now what?! Now you want to drag Sam and Dean with you into all of this?!! Now you…”

“No, Ellen stop!!” you interrupted. As much as you understood her anger and where was it coming from you were not a sheepish type and standing and listening wrongful slam was not your style “I’m not dragging them with me!!” she looked at you surprised “This is why I persuade them to come here in a first place!”  

“This better be good”  

“I need to come back, I need to disappear…” you started but upon seeing Ellen disapproval you decided to stop playing nice “You don’t get it so don’t you dare give me that look!! What Ash found is just the tip of the iceberg. Just a small small tip. And I don’t have any intention of explaining you everything else. Not because I don’t trust you, because I do, but because you’re my family and I don’t want to put you, Jo or anyone else in danger. I know you are skilled hunters, damn one of the best in the world but it does not change anything. This is simply above your paygrade. Yours, Jo’s, or Sam’s and Dean’s combined together. And it’s not because they are not skilled enough, or they are not good enough no it’s not that. You, them, you are hunters! You hunt monsters! You are not killers.”  

“And you are?” she interrupted.  

“My point is…” you continued ignoring her question in Sam’s style “I’m not dragging them with me. I’m asking you to delay them after my disappearance. And keep my secret to yourself. I know they will go after me. Or at least Dean will, there is no doubt in that. But I can disappear and even with his skills he will have a hard time picking up my trail. So am asking you, to delay him as long as possible and to never ever under any circumstances show him this file that Ash has on me. For his own good, for his own safety”  

“What about you?” there was a care in her eyes, wariness which made your heart melt a little bit.

“I’ll be fine. I don’t have the same principals as they do. I know how to take care of myself” you replied with a cold voice. “I need to borrow your car. It will be returned to you, don’t ask how and by whom”  

“You are leaving now?”

“Yes. I’m on the clock here, time is running out and sooner I will be away from y’all than better”  

Out of nowhere she reached out to you and pulled you in the strong hug. You could feel that she was shaking a bit, like a mom who didn’t want to let her child go. She held you for a couple of moments until you pulled yourself away.  

“Ellen, I need to go”  

“I hope is not a goodbye”  

“I don’t know” you replied shortly “I don’t know….”  

***

You took one last look at the flickering lights of the Roadhouse. You could hear the Deans laugh, you could see Sam silhouette leaning over the bar and talking to Jo, you could hear Hot Blooded by Foreigner in the speakers, they all had a wonderful time.  

In a couple of minutes Ellen will join them and she will destroy this party by selling them some lie about your disappearance. Dean will get pissed in a matter of seconds, Sam will get worried but he will do his best to stay calm. They will start asking questions, they will try to call you. But your phone will be dead. How long it will take them to realize that you are nowhere to be found? An hour? Maybe two? It doesn’t matter. By that time you will be long gone.  

You turned on an engine of old Dodge pickup and you turned around one more time. “If you only knew how much I love you D. “ you felt a pinch in your heart while a single tear fell down your cheek. You heisted for a short moment but just when you were about to turn off an engine deep, dark voice sounded in your head You are in danger…

You took a deep breath, threw in a gear and disappeared into the night.

#dean winchester x reader #dean winchester imagine #john wick x reader #john wick imagines #dean winchester x you #john wick #john wick x you #supernatural fanfiction #supernatural imagine #dean winchester #jonh wick #ethan hunt x reader #ethan hunt imagine #mission impossible #crossfiction

[transylvaniatrails-blog]

FIRST SEASON

Our first season, the Dracula Trails Route and the ADV Bike Rider Magazine article...

April 2018 was the start of our first season and by December 2017 we already had a few trips booked for the early spring and autumn...Nick has contacted us in early October 2017and requested do ride with us together with his group from Manchester UK. After a few emails the trip was booked and on April 17th we were travelling to Cluj Napoca to pick up seven riders.

The plan was to ride the Dracula Trails Route https://www.transylvaniatrails.com/products. We had everything planned and ready to ride...Nick mentioned in one of his emails that he was in contact with someone from the ADV Bike Rider Magazine https://www.adventurebikerider.com and he advised that we should take lots of pictures during the trip...

The trip was a big success!

A few weeks after the trip we received an email from Alan ( one of the gents from the group ) with a link to ADV Bike Rider Magazine website...And there it was, an article written by Alan published in the Magazine No.47... WOW!

We made a few new friends and we have been lucky to ride together several times since 2018.....

Full article from the Magazine bellow: What's the first thing you think of when it comes of Transylvania? Castles? Sure. The birthplace of Dracula? Certainly. Trail riding? Probably not, but maybe it's about time you should. Seven of us booked a two-day tour with Transylvania Trails in the middle of April this year. The all-inclusive price covered accommodation and food for three nights, bike hire, personal protective equipment/clothing and guide for two day's riding. All that was left for us to do was turn up eager to explore the best that Transylvania had to offer.

Our guide Gabriel ( Gabi ) collected us from the airport at Cluj and took us to what was our base at Nucet, near Sibiu. Bio Haus Cioran Guest House is a larged timber framed chalet baking onto an orchard with forestry beyond. Gabi introduced us to our hosts Mioara and Emil who showed us our rooms. Back downstairs, beer in hand, Gabi showed us the bikes and explained the differences between the Sherco 300 and the "Factory" edition. The nine bikes were lined up at the back of the house, all clean and shiny, lying in wait for our adventure. "Shall we help you lock them away"? we asked? "No need", was the reply. "They'll be fine here". Not like in the UK.

The food at Bio Haus is home made and homegrown traditional romanian fare. Romanians love their soup and each meal started with a bowl so big you could have skipped the main meal and not been hungry. Homemade wine and schnapps completed the delicious three-course meal.

The next morning, after a substantial breakfast, Gabi gave us our riding equipment, including helmet, boots, shirt, trousers, body armour, gloves and goggles. Most of the kit was brand new and we had to take it out of the bags and take the labels off before using it. We then had a pre-ride briefing, where Gabi told us about the bikes, about following his wheel tracks as far as possible and about the dangers in the forests: wild boar, deer, dogs and brown bears! We were led along a track running right next to the guest house, following it uphill and into the countryside beyond. Gabi then left us in a clear- ing on top of a hill to get used to the bikes. Ten minutes later he was back, and we were off.

I had only been riding off-road for about 10 weeks, although I have had road bikes for the past 40 years, and have just bought a Honda CRF2S0L. The braking and changing gears standing up still felt new to me and, coupled with new moto- cross boots and the snatchy throttle of a much more powerful bike, I wondered how I would cope.

We set off over the hillside quite gingerly at first, but then the pace picked up a bit as our confidence grew. The Romanian countryside is quite ditferent to that in the UK. There are no fences or walls and what livestock we did encounter was herd- ed together by dogs with a shepherd present. Gabi had warned us of the dogs prior to setting off. They are the size of Pyrenean mountain dogs and chased us away if we got too close to the sheep. Andy, our most experienced rider, was frightened of dogs so he employed the tactic of putting other bikes between him and them as they chased us. This meant he wasn't picking the best line or concentrating fully and, of course, he subse- quently fell off. At that point, the dogs had fortunately lost interest in him and returned to the flock.

Once Gabi judged we were more comfortable with the bikes we entered the forest. For most of us, this was our favourite section. It was quite open and well lit, with very few bushes. The ground was soft and loose, covered with leaf litter while a few hills, streams and a little mud kept things interesting. In short, it was perfect.

Gabi explained that most of the countryside is state owned and the farmers rent the land for 99 years. There are some private properties, but it seems by and large that you can ride where you want. Having said that, Gabi then showed us a valuable lesson. After a fast-open section, he stopped and gathered us around. We rode slowly a little further and stopped at what appeared to be a small drop. In fact, what lay before us was a sheer drop of at least 30m!

A short road section through a traditional Romanian village led us to a fortified church on a hill. This was to be our lunch stop. A lot of the roads in this area are dirt and the drainage is by a ditch on either side. Don’t even think of lampposts and footpaths, as they don't exist. Nobody in these villages has cars, but there are one or two horse-drawn carts.

Everyone in the villages seemed pleased to see us. The old men sitting under the shade of the trees waved while the barefoot kids at the side of the road put their hands up for us to high five as we rode past.

We took off our riding gear, hung it up to dry and lay on the grass for 10 minutes to get our breath back while Gabi re-fuelled the bikes from containers he had previously dropped at the church. We were led into a traditionally decorated stone room within the restored fortified walls where a table was laid for our midday meal. All meals here are sit down three course aftairs. Soup, of course, traditional chicken stew, and cake, which seemed to be made from cheese and currants.

We set off again, this time at a more leisurely pace, and after about an hour one of the bikes seemed to be starting with a clutch problem. The bike had only done 150 miles from new, but Gabi decided rather than have a problem in a remote area we would wait in a village for a replacement bike. A quick phone call and 45 minutes later, his father-in-law arrived with a replacement bike in the back of a pickup. Gabi has designed each tour to incorporate as much varied terrain as possible. By this time, I was feeling more comfortable on the bike, getting used to the immediate power delivery, even in ‘soft' mode, which I was learning could get me out of trouble where my CRF would bog down and stall. Standing up on the pegs all day was taking its toll, however, and the shoulders and back were beginning to ache.

A lot of the soil in the Transylvanian Highlands is red clay. Even where it was dry, the farm tracks we encountered were slippery. In fact, when we came across deep, wet ruts (my nemesis) on an uphill section, it was almost a relief to gently fall otf, coming to rest in the bushes, which stopped me from rolling down a steep slope. I looked at my back wheel, which had turned into a clay coloured slick. No wonder. More mead- owland, wilderness, and farm tracks followed and at 9pm we emerged from the forest to arrive at our lodgings for the night in Sighisoara. This small town is dominated by an imposing castle on a hill that was once owned by Vlad Dracul or, as we know him, Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Drocu to. In these parts, he is known as a hero as he was al-leged to have persecuted only those ‘nobles' who were taking advantage of their position to thedetriment of the ‘peasants'.

We pushed the bikes into the courtyard of the little bed and breakfast we were to stay at. Once showered, we walked across the road to a traditional Romanian restaurant where we were shown to our table in the basement. Gabi interpret- ed the menu for us and, of course, there was soup. Andy was intrigued by a starter that Gabi described only as lard. Once it arrived, it turned out that it was indeed a small bowl of lord sprinkled with paprika! It came with a side salad, which he left. All the food was locally sourced and homemade. We left the restaurant just before midnight and it seemed fitting that Gabi gave us a guided tour of the castle.

The next morning, one of our group wasn't feeling well and decided to give it a miss. The rest of us set off back to the first night’s base via a different route, all off-road of course.

The previous evening, Gabi had asked us what kind of riding we wanted to do that day and one of the group had mentioned hills. “Ride across that field as fast as you can. By the time you hit the jump you need to be flat out in third gear, then enter the forest and keep going straight uphill”. Easier said than done... The best I managed was two thirds of the way up before stalling, falling oft and tumbling about torn before I could even stand up. Exhausted after my third attempt, I took the chicken run around the side of the hill. I was learning all the time. Choose your line, head up, weight forward and use your clutch. If I'd had the energy to go a fourth time, I might have made it.

The afternoon of the second day was what life's memories are all about and it was an afternoon I will remember for many years. Riding standing up, flat out across miles of undulating open meadow land with the forest on one side and the stunning snow-capped Carpathian Mountains on the other was bliss. It's hard to keep your eye on where you should be going with views like that.

We all loved riding in the forests and so that's where Gabi took us to finish off the second day, weaving in and out of the trees, up and down the hills and through the streams.

Every now and again we'd catch a glimpse of a deer as we startled it and it ran away. Fortunately, no brown bears though. The second day ended at the place where it all began; where we had been practising on the bikes when we first got them. We were back to Bio Haus for 6pm, where Emil was preparing that evening’s barbecue. We parked the bikes and collapsed on the sprawling porch overlooking the orchard, tired and aching, beer in hand. We had ridden 180 miles, all off-road. Had we enjoyed it? Well, as soon as we got home we booked to go back again in September. This time for three days instead of two. I’d better hit the gym.

The Transylvanian Highlands is a stunningly beautiful area, completely unspoiled. The riding can't be compared to anything we have in the UK. My green-laning experience, for example, is limited to rocky tracks in the Peak District and is completely unlike the open rolling countryside or the technical hilly forests we traveled through.

The whole area is steeped in history as, time after time, the country has been invaded and the various occupants have add- ed their traditions and culture. Tourism in this area seems to be in its infancy and the general thrust seems to be for skilled craftsmen to restore buildings using traditional materials and methods. There also seems to be conscious effort for the tour- ism to benefit the local towns and villages, and we'd implore you to see what its about. You won't regret it.

#transylvania trails #romania enduro tours #enduro romania #enduro tours romania

[thesilverlock]

@zexalmonth ♡

Day 1, Week 1 | Who are you? What’s your Zexal story?

Hello all~! I’m Blue, and please don’t be fooled by the less than four month old blog, for I am what the ppl here call ‘an ancient’.

I started watching ZEXAL back in 2012, staying at my granma’s and granpa’s for the week, watching Saturday morning cartoons on the one kids/tweens channel they had on Cable.  Lo and behold, a one Yu-Gi-Oh ZEXAL episode “The Shark Hunter” should appear!  It was an insta-love the likes which Hollywood makes big cash-grab productions of. Even though I misheard Astral’s name as ‘Astro’ and proceeded to call him that until a rerun of Ep 1 aired again. I have never had a connection to a show or piece of media as I did (and do) for this show. I absorbed in my heart & soul to cherish and keep me afloat during some of the darkest times in my life. These stories and characters crashed into my life, held me at deck-point and said “We’re here to stay.” Thank God they did.

They saw me through my teenagehood (truly a bonding method thicker than blood) walked with me into the cusp of my adulthood, and remain at my side to this day. Now, I am finally able and ready to put myself out there and express my adoration for this series on a public scale!!!

Despite what my hesitance and shyness would have you believe, I dabble in more than bad(tm) memes here.  Writing, drawing, scheming, plotting, headcanon’ing, shipping, OCing, RPing, etc. (alhough I have to be gently-to-not-so-gently badgered to show off any of these things afgshdjk)

I’m still getting used to going all-in expressing myself ‘round here, years of instincts being a strictly private-fan yet to overcome. But that is a task I am more than happy to take by the reigns! I just want to gush about my OTF (one true fandom), meet/befriend kind people, and find my little place amongst all you talent darlings! And thank you to all who inspired me to have a voice here, and welcomed me in all my Yuma-esque tardiness!

♡♡♡

#zexal month #ZEXAL Month! #(( Sorry for the semi-late-latte intro )) #(( I shall participate in more soon! <3 ))

[lindsayrises]

hot chocolate date

If we were sitting down for hot chocolate/water/tea/coffee (i’d be drinking hot chocolate, water, or dr. pepper...don’t care for coffee) I’d tell you...

-I’ve gotten a lot done over the last few days.  I feel happy today.  I wish I could bottle it up.

-I’m sooooo financially insecure/challenged right now.  To the point that I’m considering getting a part time job on the weekends.

-I’d rather go early to work than stay afterward.  I typically end up going in on the weekends, which isn’t ideal.  I’m going to try to start staying after to stay on top of things, because getting up early hasn’t been happening.  I will even pack a bag for Orange Theory and just change there if needed.  I have a super cute/cool bag I got from a refer and receive benefit one month when one of my friends joined.  Now I’ll actually use it.

-I’m trying to find joy in happiness in things throughout the day.  I know I need to do more of what makes me happy.

-I want to do some meal prep tomorrow, but I’m at a loss at what to make.  I get weird about leftovers or having food sit for too long.  I’m also going back and forth on the vegetarian thing.  I think I would eat too much pasta.  Maybe I’ll be a flexitarian...

-I’m planning on going to church tomorrow.

-I still haven’t read the letter my mom wrote to me before she died.  I mean, i’ve read it before, but I know it would make me cry.  I opened the box it’s in this evening, but I just couldn’t do it.  I guess I don’t feel the need to cry like I was feeling the last few weeks.

-I love my basement and spending time down here.  I’m so glad I cleaned/decluttered/organized in the summer of 2018.  I think next summer I’ll go through everything again.  There’s so much more I could get rid of.  I felt like some things were just getting sorted more than “do I need this?” decisions being made.  Does that make sense?

-I made my bed this morning!

-I love love love buying flowers from Trader Joe’s.  In fact, it’s the only place I’ll buy flowers.  I got such beautiful bouquets today for $5 each (one for home, one for work).

-I need to work on an Orange Theory and running schedule.  I’m taking a break from working with my running coach since I don’t have any races coming up, but will start back up with her in either January or February.  I am signed up for classes at OTF this week.  I am determined to go.  I haven’t been there since October 7th...oops.  I’m thinking Orange Theory M-Th and run Fri, Sat, Sun.

-There’s a 10K I want to do in April, then a half marathon in May...then NYC in Nov. 2020.  I’ve got some work to do...*insert shifty side-eye*

-Tomorrow:  grocery store, church, meal prep, nap, maybe spend some time outside, snuggle with Ramsey.  Monday’s a plan day.  Hopefully it’ll be a productive one!