#syrup is specifically based on the syrup used in drinks rather than the one used in ice cream and waffles
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So there's this AU on twitter called the Inanimate Sweets AU where you turn II characters into dessert/candy/sweets and...
I decided to join in with my designs :]
#inanimate insanity#osc#ii soap#ii cheesy#ii trophy#ii paper#ii fan#ii cabby#ii taco#pink draws#taco is based on a thai snack because i'm thai :]#crepe can roll himself up similar to how canon fan can fold himself#the candy/gumball inside of candy are pink yellow and blue#parfait's glass is based on old yellowed glasses#syrup is specifically based on the syrup used in drinks rather than the one used in ice cream and waffles
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It's time for Step 4 Cove's posts, and first up is what choices change his look!
As before, my first post on Step 2 Cove's appearance modifiers will tell you a lot of what you need to know if you haven't already read it, but to summarize:
The things that your MC notices/favors/picks up/focuses on influence Cove's look, though there are some exceptions.
In some cases (though there are none in this step), a choice that changes Cove's appearance may also affect his coldness/warmness as well as his studiousness/sportiness. This is coincidental, so Cove's personality doesn't largely impact his look.
If you want a different Cove without using the Cove Creator, try choosing different aesthetic/taste-based options.
Specific to Step 4, however, there are a few key things to note.
Firstly, similar to Step 3 where some earrings would not be visible on Cove depending on what hairstyle he has, the same applies here. The black stud earrings will not be visible with the fluffy hair and the silver huggie earrings will not be visible with the tied-back hair. Ergo, Cove could be wearing earrings in one of your playthroughs if you have either hairstyle on him, but you just might not see them.
Also, the dark raspberry sleeveless shirt with the white anchor symbol and the yellow shirt with the orange flower pattern hide the silver ring necklace, so that's another thing to keep in mind.
Secondly, and I'll have to rip off the bandage for any poor person who wants their Cove to have a tattoo, but there are no choices that will give Cove a tattoo. It's something you can do only with the Cove Creator, which I imagine may be because one of Cove's tattoos can trigger people's trypophobia.
Third, it appears that the modifiers for Step 4 Cove's pants in Step 3 are not the ones actually used in Step 4. In all of my tests, Cove's pants always defaulted to the tan shorts with the gray trim and blue polka dots. If anyone has any evidence to the contrary, then I can test them out, but it appears that the plan was originally for Cove to have six different pairs of pants rather than four - with two of the pairs having color variation like Step 2 and 3 Cove have - but it was changed by the time Step 4 was made.
Below is what you would get if what I presume to be the original intent was kept in place:
Hang (Cove's Version)
If the MC decides to have a drink:
base flavor
An iced green tea. [Pants #4]
A black tea. [Pants #2]
A milk tea. [Pants #2 (Alternate Color)]
An iced coffee. [Pants #1]
A strawberry smoothie. [Pants #2]
A banana smoothie. [Pants #3]
A mango smoothie. [Pants #4]
A coffee frappe. [Pants #1 (Alternate Color)]
A vanilla milkshake. [Pants #1]
A chocolate milkshake. [Pants #1 (Alternate Color)]
mix ins & toppings
You chose to add whipped cream. [Pants #2 (Alternate Color)]
You chose to add chocolate syrup. [Pants #4]
You chose to add caramel syrup. [Pants #1]
You chose to add boba pearls. [Pants #3]
You chose to add condensed milk. [Pants #2]
-
There are two other types of pants - an alternate color version of both Pants #3 and #4 - but these aren't attached to any choices so they may have been scrapped even earlier.
In addition to this, though this is nothing the player themself needs to worry about, there is unused code in the game for Step 4 Cove's swimming trunks. This may have been for the scene where Cove strips down to his boxers to take a swim in the ocean, though he would've had swimming trunks on instead.
These are the choices that would've changed them:
Boating
If the MC was sick/scared and was brought downstairs by Cove, who asks if they want a drink (if non-Indifferent):
"Water?" [Swimming Trunks #2]
"Juice?" [Swimming Trunks #1]
"Seltzer water?" [Swimming Trunks #2]
"I don't want anything." [Swimming Trunks #1]
"I don't want you to go." [Swimming Trunks #2]
If the MC stepped up to make drinks for the group:
if the MC put only one ingredient in the drink
[Swimming Trunks #1]
if the MC's drink is "berry dominant" (meaning either the drink has two ingredients and all are berry - grape/cranberry/strawberry/mixed berry - juices, or if the drink has more than two but less than six ingredients and more than two are berry juices)
[Swimming Trunks #2]
if the MC's drink is "common" (meaning either the drink has two ingredients and all are common - apple/orange/pineapple/mango - juices, or if the drink has more than two but less than six ingredients and more than two are common juices)
[Swimming Trunks #1]
if the MC's drink is "uncommon/mixed" (meaning either the drink has two ingredients and there is only one or zero each of berry juice and common juice, or if the drink has more than two but less than six ingredients and there are no more than three each of either berry or common juice)
[Swimming Trunks #2]
if the MC's drink has more than five ingredients but less than ten
[Swimming Trunks #1]
if the MC used all the ingredients in the drink
[Swimming Trunks #2]
-
There are additional unused articles of clothing for Step 4 Cove, but these weren't attached to any choices (similar to the two pairs of pants mentioned above): two pajamas shirts and two pairs of pajama pants, as well as two formal shirts.
Cove also has code for a fourth pair of earrings, wristwear (for both wrists), and glasses, the latter two being connected to choices, but the game will simply change it to nothing. Cove's hair doesn't have an extra option exactly, but weirdly there are options to disable all of his hair (this won't give you a bald Cove, but default to the tied-back hair). I wanted to mark these just for the sake of being thorough, so if there's anything that says "[nothing]" rather than "[no change]" then just note that it's because the code is different for those options for the reasons above (so they might be calling for all hair to be disabled, for the fourth wristwear accessory, or fourth pair of glasses).
Keep all that in mind while checking out this list of chances you have to change Cove's look:
Step 3 Intro
After the MC's initial thoughts on Cove having to go away for a while almost every year (if not Indifferent by Step 1/2):
You sent him letters the entire time he was away. [rainbow shapes necklace]
Your moms helped you ship out care packages to him and his mom. [silver ring necklace]
You gave him special treasures to take with him before he left. [no necklace]
You kept an eye on his house for him while he wasn't there. [rainbow shapes necklace]
You were incapable of doing anything until he was back. [silver ring necklace]
If the MC decides that they want further education:
Attend a community college. [slim body type]
Attend a public university. [buff body type]
Go to a private college. [buff body type]
Join a trade school. [slim body type]
Take online classes. [slim body type]
If the MC decides that they want to work:
Find a company to work at. [buff body type]
Work online. [slim body type]
Do contract work. [slim body type]
Start your own business. [buff body type]
If the MC wants to do something that isn't school nor work:
Work on self-improvement on your own. [buff body type]
Take some time just to relax. [slim body type]
Try to figure out what you truly want. [buff body type]
When the MC can decide where they want to go when they move out:
Stay local. [buff body type]
Go to a different part of the state. [slim body type]
Go out of state. [slim body type]
Go abroad. [slim body type]
Travel around to different places. [buff body type]
Hang (Cove's Version)
If the MC decides to have a crepe:
base flavor
Plain. [white stringer shirt with purple pocket]
Strawberry. [blue flowery button-up over a white shirt]
Chocolate. [white stringer shirt with purple pocket]
Green tea. [dark raspberry sleeveless shirt with white anchor symbol]
Lemon. [yellow shirt with orange flower pattern]
fillings & toppings
Whipped cream. [yellow shirt with orange flower pattern]
Condensed milk. [dark raspberry sleeveless shirt with white anchor symbol]
Cream cheese. [white stringer shirt with purple pocket]
Chocolate chips. [blue flowery button-up over a white shirt]
Chocolate syrup. [blue flowery button-up over a white shirt]
Caramel syrup. [dark raspberry sleeveless shirt with white anchor symbol]
Powdered sugar. [white stringer shirt with purple pocket]
Strawberries. [yellow shirt with orange flower pattern]
Mango slices. [dark raspberry sleeveless shirt with white anchor symbol]
Mixed berries. [yellow shirt with orange flower pattern]
Banana slices. [blue flowery button-up over a white shirt]
Errands
When the MC spots a fudge stall at the market:
You got closer to the stall. [no change]
But soon your gaze drifted elsewhere. [sideswept hair]
(following above choice) If the MC chose to approach the fudge stall:
You didn't want to get any. [nothing (this will default to the tied-back hair in Step 4)]
You wanted to get yourself a box. [no change]
You wanted to get a box to share with everyone. [no change]
You wanted to get a box just for Cove. (if non-Indifferent) [no change]
And that was all. [no change]
If the MC chooses to get fudge for anyone:
Milk Chocolate. [sideswept hair]
Dark Chocolate. [middle-parted hair]
White Chocolate. [fluffy hair]
Cookies and Cream. [tied-back hair]
Caramel swirl. [fluffy hair]
Chocolate Peanut butter. [fluffy hair]
Dark Chocolate Mint.
○ (if buying for self/everyone who isn't Cove) [tied-back hair]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
Red Velvet.
○ (if buying for self/everyone who isn't Cove) [middle-parted hair]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
Maple Walnut.
○ (if buying for self/everyone who isn't Cove) [nothing (this will default to the tied-back hair in Step 4)]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
White Chocolate Peppermint.
○ (if buying for self/everyone who isn't Cove) [tied-back hair]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
Chocolate Toffee.
○ (if buying for self/everyone) [middle-parted hair]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
Key Lime.
○ (if buying for self/everyone who isn't Cove) [sideswept hair]
○ (if buying for Cove) [no change]
When the MC can buy groceries:
Apples. [average red glasses]
Oranges. [nothing (this will default to no glasses in Step 4)]
Peaches. [no glasses]
Strawberries. [rounded gray glasses]
Onions. [rectangular brown glasses]
Peppers. [no glasses]
Lettuce. [average red glasses]
Tomatoes. [rounded gray glasses]
Cucumbers. [no glasses]
Carrots. [nothing (this will default to no glasses in Step 4)]
Lemons. [rounded gray glasses]
Limes. [rectangular brown glasses]
Spinach. [average red glasses]
Potatoes. [no glasses]
You didn't get anything. [no glasses]
When the MC can buy honey and/or jam:
Clover Honey. [rectangular brown glasses]
Orange Blossom Honey. [nothing (this will default to no glasses in Step 4)]
Spring Wildflower Honey. [no glasses]
Honey Butter. [average red glasses]
Strawberry Jam. [rounded gray glasses]
Raspberry Jam. [rectangular brown glasses]
Blackberry Jam. [no glasses]
Apricot Jam. [nothing (this will default to no glasses in Step 4)]
Blueberry Jam. [rounded gray glasses]
Plum Jam. [nothing (this will default to no glasses in Step 4)]
Rhubarb Jam. [rectangular brown glasses]
You didn't get anything. [no change]
Talks
[NONE]
Charity
[NONE]
Drive
[NONE]
Reflection
[NONE]
Late Shift
When the MC can order at the fast food place:
A hamburger. (if the MC is not vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or pollotarian) [layered blue and maroon bracelets on right wrist]
○ With cheese. [no change]
○ With no cheese. [no change]
A vegan veggieburger. [multiple colored bracelets on right wrist]
A chicken sandwich. (if the MC is not vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian) [black bracelet on right wrist]
A spicy chicken sandwich. (if the MC is not vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian) [no change]
French fries. [nothing (this will default to no wristwear on the right wrist in Step 4)]
Onion rings. (if the MC is not vegan) [no change]
A salad. [no wristwear on the right wrist]
Chicken nuggets. (if the MC is not vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian) [layered blue and maroon bracelets on right wrist]
Jalapeno poppers. [multiple colored bracelets on right wrist]
A soda. [black bracelet on right wrist]
A milkshake. (if the MC is not vegan) [nothing (this will default to no wristwear on the right wrist in Step 4)]
A soft serve sundae. (if the MC is not vegan) [no wristwear on the right wrist]
A chocolate chip cookie. (if the MC is not vegan) [layered blue and maroon bracelets on right wrist]
An apple pie. (if the MC is not vegan) [multiple colored bracelets on right wrist]
Nothing. [no wristwear on the right wrist]
Serendipity
When everyone is discussing their plans for what sweet treat they want:
"A popsicle." [silver huggie earrings]
"An ice cream cone." [black stud & silver huggie earrings]
"An ice cream sandwich, too." [black stud earrings]
Boating
[NONE]
Happiness
If the MC decided to make food for Cove (if Shopping happened, Growing happened, or the MC bought fudge for Cove in Errands):
You chose to bake cinnamon rolls. (if Shopping happened) [nothing (this will default to no wristwear on the left wrist in Step 4)]
You were going to make banana, peanut butter, and honey sandwiches. (if Growing happened) [pale yellow watch on the left wrist]
You'd make him homemade fudge. (if the MC bought fudge for Cove in Errands) [ridged slate gray bracelet on the left wrist]
If the MC decided to get food for Cove that didn't require preparation:
(if Drive happened) [thick brown and tan bracelet with white helm on the left wrist]
(if Drive did not happen) [no wristwear on the left wrist]
Step 3 Ending
If the MC chose to make jewelry with Lee and the others:
"I wanna find some sea glass too." [nothing (this will default to no wristwear on the left wrist in Step 4)]
"I'm gonna hunt for a handful of shells to pick from." [pale yellow watch on the left wrist]
"I'm gonna look for some driftwood." [ridged slate gray bracelet on the left wrist]
"I wanna use some stones." [thick brown and tan bracelet with white helm on the left wrist]
"I'll just wait and see. I don't have a plan." [no wristwear on the left wrist]
-
Aaaand that's everything! It's really a shame about Cove's tattoos and pants, and I can't help being curious about the potential unused content (there aren't image files or anything for them, unfortunately), but I hope this helped anyway!
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back at you though, drinks edition? a type of drink you couldn't do without, that is your go to for any occasion? give us the specific deets, recipe if needed
oh no you've activated my trap card i love drinks
okay so special occasion drink: brown sugar boba (50% ice 50% sweet) but specifically from the tea shop close-ish to my house. it's expensive so i don't go often but holy shit. they use actual proper tea and fresh-as-hell boba and it's just. it's so good, i think anything from there would be insanely worth it (but i've never bothered to branch out from perfection).
my daily bev: i can't be too specific on brand without lowkey doxxing myself a tad, but there's a local company that does this flavored black tea with cornflower, raspberry, red plum petals, and blueberry, and it's just. it's incredible. mellow and rich and lightly (but not overwhelmingly) floral and fruity. i have it every single day and i'm convinced it is the perfect tea.
and two other faves because you asked for recipes:
strawberry (cheong) lemonade: okay so this is more effort than truly necessary, but i went to one of those u-pick strawberry places last summer and then the cultivar fucking sucked so they weren't even good, so i made cheong with them, which is a korean fruit syrup/preserve you make by layering equal amounts of fruit and sugar in a jar and letting them sit (i put them in the fridge just to be safe) for a few weeks.
the end result is preserves that you can blend into a bangin' spread and a fruit syrup that is like the nectar of the fucking gods. i didn't think it would make a huge difference doing it that way rather than a typical heat-based reduction, but it tastes like fresh strawberries. you don't lose any of that to it breaking down via heat treatment, so similar to the difference between a cold brew and a heat-based one.
anyway those mixed with lemonade (i make a concentrate using half lemons and half regular lemon juice, and include some lemon zest) makes one of the best summer drinks i've ever had.
i'm adding a cut for the last one because i can't/won't stop now but i have some self-awareness. okay, last one:
vanilla chai: i haven't made this in a bit, because when i moved here i ended up using up my stock of cardamom, and the local brand available here is just... not it, and i'm still trying to work out the most cost-effective way to order them online. which is devastating, because cardamom is the flavor most beloved to me in chai. anyway-
the thing that rocks about chai is that it is not actually all that hard, and you can customize it so specifically to your taste. my go-to add-ins are cardamom (5-6 pods, crushed open), cloves (2-3), cinnamon (about half a stick, crushed a lil), fresh ginger (idk how to measure this one, like an inch or two?), and vanilla. i used to use vanilla bean paste i got ages ago as a gift, but that is too rich for the world we live in nowadays, so it's whatever vanilla i have.
technically there's a specific kind of tea you're supposed to use, but i prefer it with regular loose-leaf black tea (which i always have on hand anyway). so you basically get a small pot, and bring your water (about half to 3/4 of your mug) to a boil. once it does, add your tea leaves and spices (not vanilla tho) and let them vibe out there for 5-10 minutes.
then, add your milk (about half of your mug) and vanilla, and warm to desired temp, but don't let it boil (this is my personal preference). add desired amount of sugar to your mug (i usually do a small spoonful of white and a small spoonful of brown sugar) and pour the chai into the mug through a fine mesh sieve (to get out the spice bits). if you have a milk frother, i like to aerate it a bit before drinking (improves flavor and also makes it less likely to burn your tongue).
#voidling speaks#asked and answered#apparently i have a lot of thoughts on this#as it turns out#thank you so much for the ask!#twas very fun to think about#(also i just got done watching solo leveling with my brother and recc'ing him your fic so that was a cool convergence)
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Can You Substitute Sherry For Vermouth In A Recipe
Are you planning to whip up a cocktail or two this weekend? If so, it's important to make sure you have all the right ingredients on hand. One key ingredient in many recipes is vermouth – but what if you don't have any?
Can you substitute sherry for vermouth instead? In this article, we'll be looking at the differences between these two wine-based ingredients and discussing whether or not swapping one for the other will work in your recipe. Let's dive in!
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Understanding Vermouth And Sherry
I'm always looking for ways to switch up my recipes and, lately, I've been wondering if I can substitute sherry for vermouth in a recipe. To really understand the differences between these two products and make an informed decision, let's take a look at some key attributes of each.
Sherry is made from white grapes that are grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. It has sweet, nutty flavors and comes in three main types: fino, amontillado, and oloroso. Fino is lightest in color and flavor; amontillado is darker with more pronounced flavors; while oloroso is dark brown or black and has stronger aromas. Food pairings like tapas work well with sherry because it balances out the saltiness of those dishes.
Vermouth also starts off as wine but gets flavored with herbs, spices, barks, fruits, roots, etc., depending on the brand you buy. This product can be either dry or sweet but tends to be lower in alcohol than most wines (15-20%). Having said that, vermouth works best when mixed into cocktails rather than being served by itself.
The Flavor Differences
Vermouth and sherry differ greatly in terms of flavor profiles. Vermouth is an herbal, savory wine with a slight touch of sweetness to it. Meanwhile, sherry is a sweet fortified wine that has notes of dried fruits and nuts. Depending on the type of vermouth and sherry used, their differences can be more or less pronounced.
For instance, dry vermouth will have more herbaceous qualities than sweet vermouth which has a much sweeter taste profile due to added sugar syrup. Sherry also ranges from light and dry varieties like fino all the way up to dark and thick syrupy versions such as Pedro Ximénez. All these types have different levels of acidity as well as varying degrees of savoury sweetness depending on what kind you are using for your recipes.
When it comes down to substituting one for another, both wines offer specific flavors that may not always mesh perfectly with the recipe at hand. For example, if you were making a classic Manhattan cocktail you would need some sort of bittersweet element but neither sherries nor vermouths could provide this particular balance without extra ingredients thrown into the mix. Therefore, it’s best to familiarize yourself with each before deciding whether or not they are suitable replacements for one another in cooking applications.
Sherry Substitutions In Cocktails
I can confidently say that sherry is a great substitution for vermouth in cocktails and other recipes. As a fortified wine, it provides the same level of flavor complexity as its counterpart while also providing unique characteristics that enhance the overall flavor profile of your drink or dish. Plus, there are plenty of food pairings to consider when using sherry, making it an even more versatile ingredient than vermouth.
Sherry comes in many different sub-styles and variations; from light straw colors to deep amber hues, you have options when selecting which type to use in your recipe. Fino Sherry is one of the most popular types due to its crisp acidity and delicate nutty aromas. Amontillado Sherry offers distinct flavors of dried fruits and nuts with a slightly higher alcohol content compared to Fino varieties. Oloroso Sherry has a rich body and intense flavors such as raisins, dates, figs, and almonds. And Cream Sherry features sweet caramel notes with hints of spice on the finish adding layers of sweetness without being overpowering.
Each style has its own set of attributes so take some time to experiment with each type before deciding which works best for your recipe. In addition to these general styles, you might want to try out some special editions like Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherries known for their dark mahogany color, velvety texture, intense sweetness and strong raisin notes on the palate – perfect for desserts! All in all, sherry adds depth and dimensionality regardless if used in savory dishes or sweet concoctions - just be sure to choose wisely depending on what kind of end result you’re looking for!
Sherry Substitutions In Cooking
I'm often asked if sherry can be substituted for vermouth in a recipe. While the two wines have some similarities, they are definitely not interchangeable. Sherry is typically much sweeter than vermouth and has its own distinct flavor profile that will alter your dish significantly. When substituting one of these wines for the other, it's best to consider the overall flavor profiles and wine pairings you're hoping to achieve with the finished product.
Sherry makes an excellent addition to many dishes because it adds sweetness without overwhelming complexity or richness. Its unique nutty, caramel-like notes provide both depth and sweetness while also highlighting subtle flavors like lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, and even chocolate. Because of this balance between sweet and savory elements, sherry is great when used as a marinade or sauce base.
For recipes that call for dryness instead of sweetness though, swapping out vermouth for sherry won't give you the desired results. Vermouth provides a nuanced herbal bitterness that enhances various types of foods, especially those featuring bold spices such as rosemary or thyme. It pairs well with citrus fruits too; adding brightness and zestiness to any dish without being overpowering or cloyingly sweet like sherry could be.
Using either one of these ingredients incorrectly in a recipe can throw off the entire dish so it's important to understand how each one works in order to get successful results every time.
Considerations When Substituting Sherry For Vermouth
When it comes to substituting sherry for vermouth in a recipe, there are several things that you should consider. Firstly, portion size is an important factor as sherry has a much stronger flavor than vermouth and can overpower the other ingredients if used too liberally. Secondly, food pairing plays a role when deciding which type of substitution will work best with your recipe; sweet sherry may pair better with desserts or dishes that have sweetness while dry sherry could be more suited to savory dishes. Finally, always taste test any substitute before adding it to the dish so you know how much of the ingredient needs to be added and how its flavors will affect the overall outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Alcohol Content Of Sherry Compared To Vermouth?
When it comes to the alcohol content of sherry compared to vermouth, there's a big difference. Vermouth typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 15-18%, while sherries come in at around 17-20% ABV. This means that if you're substituting one for the other in your recipe, you'll need to adjust the amount used accordingly. Flavor wise, they have different profiles too - sherry is slightly sweeter than vermouth and can be used as a great food pairing with many dishes due to its complex flavor profile.
Are Sherry And Vermouth Interchangeable In All Recipes?
The short answer is no, sherry and vermouth are not interchangeable in all recipes. While both liquors have similar alcohol content levels, they differ greatly when it comes to flavor profiles and cooking methods. Vermouth has a mild, herbal flavor that can add complexity to dishes like martinis or other cocktails. Sherry on the other hand is sweet and nutty with a slight acidic aftertaste that works best as an accompaniment for desserts or savory sauces. So while you can substitute sherry for vermouth in some recipes, it's important to take into consideration the characteristics of each liquor before making any substitutions.
How Do Sherry And Vermouth Differ In Terms Of Their Sweetness?
Sherry and vermouth are both popular ingredients in recipes, but they do have differences when it comes to sweetness. Sherry is typically sweeter than vermouth, with a richness that can bring out the flavor of dishes. Vermouth tends to be less sweet and more subtle in its flavors, which makes it ideal for drinks like martinis where you don't want too much sweetness or overpowering flavors. Both sherry and vermouth offer unique cooking methods and flavor profiles for your recipes, so it's important to understand how each one differs before deciding whether or not to substitute them in a recipe.
Are There Any Health Benefits Associated With Drinking Sherry?
When it comes to using sherry in cooking or as an alternative to vermouth, you may be wondering if there are any health benefits associated with drinking it. While the amount of alcohol content can vary depending on what type of sherry you’re drinking and how much is consumed, some studies have found that moderate consumption could offer certain health benefits like improved heart health and cognitive function. Additionally, other studies suggest that sherry has antioxidant properties due to its high concentration of polyphenols which might also help reduce inflammation. Ultimately though, whether or not you choose to drink sherry should depend on your overall dietary goals and needs.
Can You Substitute Sherry For Vermouth In A Martini?
Yes, you can substitute sherry for vermouth in a martini. It all depends on your flavor profiles and cooking ratios. If you're looking to add some richer flavors without increasing the alcohol content too much then sherry is an excellent choice. Plus, substituting sherry will give you a unique twist on the classic cocktail that's sure to impress your friends!
Conclusion
In conclusion, while sherry and vermouth have many similarities in terms of their alcohol content, sweetness and potential health benefits, they are not interchangeable in all recipes. Using sherry instead of vermouth can drastically change the flavor of a dish or drink. For example, substituting sherry for vermouth in a martini would create an entirely different taste than what is expected from this classic cocktail. My advice? If you're looking to substitute sherry for vermouth in your recipe, use it with caution!
If you're looking for more delicious recipes to try, be sure to check out The Disney Chef's recipe categories! Whether you're in the mood for something sweet like a cake recipe, something savory like a chicken or pork recipe, or something fresh like a vegetable or seafood recipe, there's something for everyone. And if you're a meat-lover, don't forget to check out the beef recipes category for hearty and satisfying meals. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a new favorite recipe to add to your collection.
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hey, idk if this is a weird and/or insensitive thing to ask, but i have a character in one of my stories who is an alcoholic, and i was wondering if you had any tips for writing alcoholism? because i feel that i don't have enough experience to write something like this realistically, or respectfully yet, but it's too important a character trait to scrap. i've been watching some interviews with ex-alcoholics and stuff like that, but i still don't feel entirely confident and your cs!tubbo characterization is a big inspiration to me. obviously, there's no need to answer, and sorry for the bother ^^;;
MASSIVE WARNING FOR ALCOHOL TALK IN THIS ASK RESPONSE!
edited warning again to note that this should all be taken with a grain of salt, and i apologize if i worded anything carelessly, innacurately, or disrespectfully
-
i think this is a good question! one thing i would like to make EXPRESSLY clear before i go into this though is that i do not, firsthand, have experience with an alcohol addiction. i have experiences being in close relationships of varying kinds with addicts in general, several of which being alcoholics specifically, but i am not, myself, an alcoholic. i do have what i would personally consider an addictive personality, but am not addicted to any substance in particular.
i just need to emphasize this because i think (1) what you're doing with research and those interviews is a valuable aid to this and (2) i may not be the best person to ask.
that being said i'll give some advice i've used but take it all with a grain of salt. people can absolutely feel free to add on
my main tip that seems obvious but does get often neglected is to make sure that you understand who the character is before you factor in the addiction. from what i understand of it, responses to substances can cause general cognitive responses and impairment, but can also impact the moods of the person. a person's moods, however, can be based off of who they are as a person. a hotheaded person will tend to be more angry in response to things rather than sad, etc. i explained that messily but i hope that makes sense.
it's also important in the regard that alcoholics are people and have no inherent morality attached to them because of alcohol. there's no good or bad alcoholics, and you can write a good person who happens to be an alcoholic and a bad person who happens to be an alcoholic and the emphasis there is the person rather than the drink.
with cough syrup for example (though that's absolutely NOT the best example of this, also i have a personally convoluted perspective on people's inherent moralities that i've set aside here so bear with), cs!schlatt is a good person at his core, with some solid morals, but was also an asshole who didn't have a lot of his values in the right place and would hurt people with some of his ideals. there's a lot to that inherently, but the alcoholism layers over that, and exasterbates those issues, rather than just Inherently Making Him Bad. cs!tubbo, due to having different personality traits, therefore is different. basically, like, alcohol response builds off of the character traits already there, but it doesn't assign morality.
moreover i think it's important to consider why the person began drinking because i think that definitely impacts it as well. were they a casual drinker that took it too far? are they self medicating? is it a form of deliberate self destruction? does addiction run in the family? did they have alcoholic friends? most likely it'll be several of these but it definitely is going to impact the character's thoughts on their own alcoholism.
for example if a character's whole family line drinks and they took it up to self medicate as well, they may view drinking as this necessary piece of their life and have a lot of rage towards it. wanting to quit but not knowing how. versus if someone picked it up with the intention to harm themselves with it, they may not want to quit it. or vis versa. neither is a 'bad answer' or 'option', but it impacts how they handle it narratively.
basically, the way that alcoholism affects a character is reliant on who the character inherently is, because alcohol cannot assign morality or give people personality traits; it amplifies moods which can then shift those traits in certain ways or cause people to act in bad ways, but it doesn't inherently define a good or bad person or define the person at all.
the way that alcoholism gets involved in that person's life impacts their view on it.
this is long so i'll call it here, but what i will say is once again: TAKE THIS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, AND I APOLOGIZE IF I WORDED ANYTHING INARTICULATELY OR IRRESPONSIBLY.
also, if you want any tips on writing characters responding to another alcoholic character, i do have direct experience interacting w various alcoholic friends and partners so i could maybe speak to that (albeit it's closer to home so i'm not always the best expressing it in writing so much as just understandiing it)
#nightmare.ask#alcohol tw#alcoholism tw#addiction tw#ASK TO TAG#AGAIN. PLEASE HEAD MY WARNINGS. I'M NOT AN EXPERT.#i have done research into addiction and whatnot#my ex; some friends; and a family member of mine are all addicts#so those are very different kinds of relationships i have with that#and could probably speak on that a bit better
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Garreg Mach Café
Episode Two: Lucky Seven (Yuri x Reader)
The first thing you learned about him —one of the very few things you knew about him— was that he liked sugar. A lot. You didn’t work the counter most of the time, you just made the drinks. So, you didn’t know who had ordered the heart attack inducing Ruined Sky Strawberry Frappe, only that someone was looking for a cavity. Vanilla bean coffee, three pumps of vanilla syrup, and strawberry puree with ice blended and topped with whipped cream, hazelnut drizzle, strawberry drizzle, and red sprinkles.
The second thing you learned about him was his name. Or, more accurately, his lack thereof. People regularly used dumb names. It didn’t really bug you, there was no shame in entertaining someone who thought making a barista call out a drink for Phun E. Monki was the peak of modern entertainment. Not so surprisingly, you saw a lot of hipster and nerd traffic through the café so references and jokes weren’t at all unheard of. Really, this one wasn’t even that bad. Comparatively.
“Ruined Sky Strawberry Frappe for Arsène Lupin,” you called, turning around.
“That’s mine,” the waiting customer responded. Shockingly, it was not the top-hat wearing gentleman thief who stood at the counter waiting for his drink. Neither was it the dweeb you expected. Your Arsène Lupin —that is, the man standing on the other side of the glistening lacquered wood countertop— certainly wasn’t normal, but not in the way you had initially assumed.
The third thing you learned about him was that he was disarmingly beautiful. He stood casually; his arms crossed with one of his hands resting lightly on his chin as he watched with a half-smile that you would have sworn had a mischievous glint. Waiting to see if the little joke got a reaction, you figured.
Well, who were you to deny him that? Pushing down the instinctual nerves of talking to someone who belonged more in the technicolor light of your two-past-midnight Instagram escapades rather than the academia chic café, you smiled back. “Here you go, Monsieur Lupin.”
That made his lips twitch in amusement, which shouldn’t have been as gratifying as it was. “Thanks,” Arsène said warmly, wrapping his fingers around the cup. It wasn’t like you were intentionally trying to notice, but his fingers were long and thin, the nails neat and manicured. Pretty hands. Attractive hands. You wondered if they were soft, or as strong as they looked, or what they might feel like-
Nope. No. You needed God.
Or Tinder
“I hope you enjoy,” you said, trying to act like you hadn’t just committed some obscene thought crime. He was supposed to leave after that. People got their drinks and either sat down or left. But he didn’t, meeting your eyes with an even gaze. Their violet coloring was striking, drawn out by the purple eyeshadow smoked out over his pale eyelids. The makeup should have been off-putting, you were less than uninterested in the pierced hoard of e-boys that had saturated the modern alternative dating market, but it wasn’t. Not on him, at least.
“This is a cute place,” Arsène said. But he wasn’t looking around the cafe, he was staring directly at you. Which… you weren’t sure if you were to buy into your ego telling you he was flirting or your paranoia that he was laughing at you. “Is it usually this busy?”
Flirting was better, for your sanity’s sake if nothing else, so you smiled, doing a quick check to make sure you weren’t missing any customers. The guy working the register was looking at his phone under the counter.
“You know, you shouldn’t pick such an obvious pseudonym when you’re canvassing a business,” you said playfully. “Charm will only get you so far.”
That made him laugh, his appraising eyes sparkling with amusement as he stabbed a straw past the whipped cream of his drink. “In my experience, charm will get you anywhere.”
“For you, maybe,” you allowed, feeling a little more emboldened by that response. Lowering your voice slightly, you leaned in as if to conspire. “I guess the real question is what you’re stealing, Monsieur Lupin, hearts or jewels?”
“Jewels, usually,” Arsène told you without missing a beat. “I have no need to steal the hearts.” He shrugged one shoulder carelessly, casually. “I collect enough of them as it is.”
A corny, over-confident line like that should have made you laugh. Unfortunately, you kind of believed it. So you raised a skeptical eyebrow. “That goes against the spirit of being a Phantom Thief, doesn’t it?”
“Why, do you want me to steal your heart?” Arsène asked. He didn’t sound serious, exactly, but neither was the question joking enough to keep a flush from crawling up your cheeks.
“Baristas don’t have hearts,” you told him theatrically, rejecting your silly reaction. “It’s a void of caffeine, student debt, and the disappointment of our parents.”
Arsène was about to respond when you heard the door jingle open. You turned, looking over your shoulder at the customers who had stepped up to the register. “It looks like you’re needed,” he said, following your eye line.
“Yeah,” you said, feeling a strange stab of disappointment. Which was dumb. A little bit of banter with a handsome stranger was nice, but it shouldn’t have been anything else.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back,” Arsène said, smirking in a way that made you think he’d seen your dismayed reaction. “Thanks for the drink.”
He raised the cup like a toast goodbye, and you wished him a good day. It was completely ridiculous, but that quick and strange interaction played on loop in your head for the rest of the day. You went from embarrassed, to amused, to insecure, and back again dozens of times. By the next day, you weren’t sure what to think about it and you hated to think that you were watching for him, but-
Well, you were.
The fourth thing you learned about him was that he had a schedule, a specific time slot that seemed to be allocated to getting an overly sugary drink at your little cafe.
“Noa Fruit and Caramel Macchiato for Mr Pink,” you called, already expecting to see his smile based on the name alone. Not that the preparation did a whole lot in lessening the effects. Today Arsène, or Mr Pink, wore a dark striped button up tucked into black pants. The top buttons were undone, showing off the elegant column of his neck and the framing lines of his collarbones. His skin was so pale, like it had never seen the sun, the color perfectly even and milky.
“That’s mine,” he said. Redundantly. Of course it was his.
To think that you’d done your makeup with more care than usual today was embarrassing, but you were glad for it as you passed the drink to him. “Reservoir Dogs, right?” you asked, forcing yourself to not be flustered.
“Very good,” he said in a voice that was borderline condescending.
“You thought I wouldn’t know? I serve coffee in downtown, knowing Tarantino is practically a job requirement,” you said. Arsène laughed warmly, a sound that was somewhere between amusement and mocking, a sound that invited a mess of fluttery nerves to dance around in your stomach which you covered with a smile. “Mr Pink, though… he’s a long way off from being a gentleman thief.”
“Let’s just say that I’ve fallen from grace,” Arsène said, his smile an odd combination of mirth and mystery. “Lupin is... more of an ideal. Reality is hardly ever so romantic.”
“Cheers to that,” you said wryly.
“Although if I had to emulate one of them, I’d far prefer it to be the gentleman,” he said, dropping a few dollars in your tip jar. Cheeky. “Thanks for the treat.”
“Oh… Yeah,” you said, not even thinking to point out that it was your job. Unless he wasn’t talking about the coffee, which was even more baffling. “Have a nice day.”
After that came a lineup of sugary drink orders under the names of famous thieves. Some references you knew immediately, others you had to google later. And always, always, he just about made your heart stop with that smile.
It was… Maybe a week later? Your Arsène had become something like an expectation. Which was ridiculous. And stupid. But it was true, and he hadn’t been in the day before which affected you far more than you dared admit. Seeing the familiar purple head in the lineup of waiting customers was more relieving than it should have been.
A Vanilla Wyvern Wing Latte for Danny Ocean, this time. Unfortunately, there was a swath of customer’s orders that needed filling so you couldn’t give it to him personally, sliding it across the counter before rushing back to the blender. That kind of disappointed you, especially since you hadn’t seen him the day before, until you realized that he had taken a seat along the bar, writing something in a notebook and sipping on the creamy white latte.
Waiting for you? Pushing down the spark of excitement you felt about that, you finished up the orders. After that, you took a breath, grabbing a rag to at least seem productive as you inched towards him.
“You’re awfully far from Vegas, Mr Ocean,” you said. Although you called him that, you still thought of him as Arsène Lupin. Your Arsène.
He looked up from his notebook, the end of his pen pushed against his lip in a distracting way. They were so pink. And shapely, his top lip curved by a perfectly symmetrical cupids bow that no amount of lip kits could falsify. And… And you were staring. Again. He obviously noticed, what with the way he grinned when you forced your eyes up to his, but he gracefully didn’t point it out.
“Casinos are nothing more than a party trick,” he told you lightly, flipping his pen through his fingers before letting it drop to the paper. “I’ve got my eye on something far more valuable.” His eyes were burning into yours as he spoke.
That was the fifth thing you learned about him. Arsène could make anything sound like a double entendre. You thought of yourself as being somewhat difficult to ruffle, but even the most innocuous of comments from him could make your cheeks warm. It was the tone of his smooth, lovely voice. Always speaking under his breath, or low enough that you found yourself leaning in.
“Jewels, right?” you asked, playing it cool because you refused to fall prey to what you knew was a purposeful attempt to throw you off balance. “I heard there was an exhibit coming to town.”
“I’m not really interested in that sort of thing,” Arsène said with a little wave of his elegant hand. “You know the reprehensible means they use to get them, don’t you? So beautiful... but stained with blood. Not too dissimilar from myself, I suppose.”
That momentarily tripped you up. He sounded so genuine, even with the little quip of a joke. Most people couldn’t pull off saying something so nakedly edgy. Maybe it only worked because he was pretty, and you were a fool. So you just smiled. “You really ought to work on this whole subterfuge thing.”
Arsène’s eyes met yours. So intense. “And how would you recommend I do that?”
“Misdirection,” you told him, refocusing on wiping up the counter to avoid his gaze. “The names are bad enough. You’ve gotta at least pretend to be an upstanding member of society, right?”
“Do you think I’m not?” he asked lightly, his head falling to the side, hand braced against his cheek casually. “And here I thought I was perfectly amicable.”
“Oh,” you said. Did he sound offended? You quickly backtracked. “I didn’t mean to imply that I don’t think you are, it’s just that what you said-”
“I’m kidding,” Arsène said, the slightly concerned expression slipping from his face like an easily discarded mask.
You winced, internally kicking yourself. “Ah, sorry.”
“Don’t worry. That was cute,” Arsène said with that oddly infuriating unreadable grin and shutting his notebook to stand up.
“You’re leaving?” you asked, almost confused that he’d wait only to cut the conversation short.
“Haven’t you realized? I’m a wanted man. As much as I’d love to stay and chat, I’ve got things to do,” he said. “Speaking of that, I hope you didn’t miss me too much yesterday. This project is more difficult than I anticipated.”
“That’s fine, it’s not like I expect you to come by,” you said. You lied.
“No?” Arsène asked. He didn’t believe you, that much was obvious. “Fine, then. I’m not afraid to admit that I missed you. I’ll definitely see you tomorrow, though.”
“Can’t wait,” you said. And, despite the half-sarcastic affect you tried to put on, you meant it.
It only settled after he’d already left what he really had said. Missed you. Not for the first time, you toyed with the idea of giving him your number. Then again, maybe you were misreading the situation. After all, you didn’t even know his name.
Still, true to his word, he came around the same time the next day.
This time, it was a Cinnamon Dust Frappe for Garrett. Arsène, or Garrett, was wearing a sweater today in a nod to the rainy weather. Just like everything else he wore, it was entirely in service of his allure, a dark knit with leather elbow patches. White clips kept a section of his hair out of his face, which was curling at the ends. From the humidity? Or perhaps he usually straightened it?
“It took me a minute,” you admitted as you handed him his drink, “Garrett. That’s Thief, right? I have to be honest; you don’t really strike me as the gamer type.”
“I’m full of surprises,” he responded. After a moment, he added, “I haven’t got much time for games these days, but I have some fond memories from when I was a kid.”
“Probably why you’re a criminal,” you said.
If you weren’t mistaken, his eyes widened for a fraction of a second in something like surprise before that was composed into something else, his laughter driving it away. “You might be on to something with that. Video games do make kids violent, after all.”
“So, tomorrow, will it be Ezio? Or Corvo… He’s got a bit of thievery under his belt.”
Arsène scoffed. “I’d never do the same trick twice.”
That made you smile. “I look forward to it.”
After he left, you realized that you’d learned the sixth thing about him. It was such a small and mundane detail, but there was something charming and oddly intimate to imagine Arsène as a kid playing video games.
The next day, you were working register while helping to train the newbie in making drinks. It was cold. Slushy snow half-heartedly sprinkled down outside, and the heater was desperately trying, and failing, to keep the cafe warm. The repairman wouldn’t come until the following morning. All in all, your mood was rather poor.
Until the door opened and a familiar face stepped up to the counter.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you up here,” Arsène said.
“Desperate times,” you said with a shrug. He smiled at that, looking up at the menu contemplatively.
“I’ll have…” he said, “a Mockingbird Mocha Hot Chocolate. Medium.”
“And who might you be today?” you asked professionally, the Sharpie point poised over the side of the cardboard hot drinks cup.
“Prometheus,” he said without hesitation.
You blinked, caught off guard for a second as you tried to figure out the reference. That was… clever. The original thief. You couldn’t help but shake your head in amusement as you scribbled that on the side of the cup. The newbie already knew how to make the drink, leaving you with nothing to do. The cafe was quiet today, a rarity. It was the poor weather. People dropped in to get hot drinks, but you didn’t blame them for not sticking around. Arsène was dressed for the cold, wearing a white cape coat that was either incredibly trendy or strangely fringe. Of course, it worked perfectly on him. He looked ready to hop into a new age fashion catalog for outerwear.
“From gentleman thief to a gangster to god… Moving up in the world, are we?” you asked to fill the silence.
“On the contrary,” Arsène told you “There’s no power in being a god nobody believes in.”
“I’d definitely believe in you if you could warm it up in here,” you told him. “I’ve been freezing all day.”
“I’m sure I could think of a few ways to warm you up,” Arsène said, smirking, his eyes dancing with mischievous amusement. “After all, I’m the one who stole the first flame.”
A shaky exhale left your mouth, becoming something like an awkward laugh because he definitely had you going for a second and you knew it was on purpose but still. “That’s what you meant. Right.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What did you think I was talking about?”
“Here you go,” the newbie said with absolutely perfect timing, handing Arsène his drink. At least your blush was keeping you warm.
“Thank you,” Arsène said, meeting her eyes. You were pretty sure you saw her swoon, which made sense. That was the most practical response to him, after all. He looked back to you. “Try to keep warm, I’d hate for you to be calling in sick.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” you said. He grinned, wishing the both of you a good day. And you did warm up. By thinking of all the ways he could keep you warm. At this point, even God Himself probably couldn’t do much about your sinful thoughts.
The next day was another cold one, meaning that it was slow. Because of that, your boss had decided that only one person was needed, and you didn’t mind if that was you. Paid hours were always welcome. More than that, and you hated yourself for it, you hoped to see your Arsène. You’d been scrolling on your phone under the register when the door opened. Winter rushed in like it had been chomping at the bit for the chance, called forth with the jingling of bells. Arsène had arrived right on time, wearing that white cloak coat and tall white heeled boots. Snowflakes shined in his hair, quick to melt in the warmth of the repaired heater. By now, you should have been immune. But you weren’t.
“Alone today?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Eerie, isn’t it?” you replied, gesturing to the empty cafe. “Not that I mind, now that the heater is fixed… What will you be having today?”
“A medium Caramel Leclair Latte,” he said.
“And your name…?”
“Yuri,” he said, which you scribbled onto the cardboard.
“All right… Just gimme a second,” you said. The drink was oddly tame for him, and a lot easier to make. You were pretty sure you could whip up a latte in your sleep. He waited without saying anything, but you could feel him watching. The music was too quiet to be a distraction and you were incredibly aware that it was just the two of you which was stupid because the counter practically put you in a different realm of reality, but-
You forced your thoughts to focus on something else, considering the name he’d given you. It was oddly unassuming, at least by the standards of other names he’d given you. You couldn’t recognize it as anything in particular, either. It was Russian. Or Japanese. It being the name of a Russian thief probably made the most sense contextually, but you were drawing a blank as to the specific reference.
“I can’t figure it out,” you admitted when you finished the drink and set it on the counter between you, “who are you impersonating today?”
Arsène blinked, a second of confusion passing before his lips quirked up just a bit. “Myself, actually. I figured it was time to give you my name. You can call me Yuri. Yuri Leclerc, to be precise.”
That was the seventh thing you learned about him. Your stomach clenched. Out of nerves or excitement or happiness, you couldn’t tell. You smiled, feeling something giddy fuzz in your head. “Well... It... It’s good to meet you, Yuri Leclerc.” Yes, you liked that name. It was better than all the others, even better than Arsène.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Yuri replied smoothly.
“So… Is there a reason for this momentous revelation?” you asked.
Some of the mirth drained from his eyes as he slid two of the little coffee straws into the lid. “I’m leaving town.”
The disappointment that struck you was beyond silly, it wasn’t like you had any claim to him. You’d only just learned his name for God’s sake. “Did the police finally catch up with you?” you asked with a smile, trying to be playful.
“Not yet,” Yuri said. “I prefer to leave before they catch wise.”
“I can never tell if you’re joking or not,” you told him, shaking your head. Sure, he was smiling, but, well, he smiled a lot. It was always unreadable. Amusement at something. Life itself, maybe.
“For your own sake,” Yuri said, his eyes fixing on yours, “you should always assume I am.”
Because that really cleared it up. You decided not to worry about it too much. “But you are leaving, that’s not pretend?”
“Yeah.”
Your heart sank all over again. Stupid, stupid. At least you finally knew his name.
That made for seven things you knew about him. That was enough, wasn’t it? Lucky sevens and all that? Without thinking too hard about it, you grabbed one of the embossed café cards and a pen, scribbling your name and phone number on the back. “If you’re ever back in town or whatever, this is me,” you told him, handing it over. “Or I dunno, I get vacation time. Maybe it’d be fun to take a trip to Almyra or Albinea or wherever gentleman thieves go until the heat dies down.”
Yuri looked at the card for a long moment before tucking it into his wallet, smiling. You felt like you could read this smile, it was warm and friendly. More real than his others, the emotion catching in his eyes, too. “I wonder, do you mean that?”
“Do you want me to?”
“I might.”
“Then I do,” you said with a shrug, like it was easy as that and unsure exactly how much of what you said was strictly playful. It didn’t really matter because it made Yuri smile all over again and the look was fond enough to make your heart seize.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. “Until then, do you by any chance watch the news?”
“The news?” you asked, confused by the shift in topic. “Not if I can help it.”
“Well, you should, at least for a few days.”
“Am I gonna turn it on and see your mugshot slapped all over some headline about a bank robbery or something?” you asked, mostly joking. Mostly.
“What would have ever given you the impression that I’d do something like that?” he asked, feigning a tone of offense.
“Steal something?” you asked.
“Get caught,” he corrected.
You laughed, thinking of something clever to respond with. Unfortunately, the door opened to admit a trio of bundled up students, killing the moment before you spoke.
“That’s my cue,” Yuri said, picking up his coffee. “Don’t miss me too much until we meet again, yeah?”
“Only as long as you promise not to forget me,” you told him.
“It’s a deal, then.”
“Goodbye, Yuri.”
“Goodbye,” he echoed, his eyes meeting yours and voice gentle. Intimate, almost. Then he was gone, a flash of violet and white disappearing into the winter cold.
It was silly, but you kept an eye on the news like he told you, curious to know if anything would come of it or if you’d just fallen for a cute guy’s ruse. But, no, something did happen. A huge theft. The jewel exhibit that had been about to roll out downtown had been robbed. Such a feat was meant to be impossible, there was seemingly no way it could have been done. But it had and there were no suspects, no public leads. And, not surprisingly, no mugshots.
#fire emblem three houses#fe3h#yuri leclerc#yuris leclair#fe yuri#yuri leclerc x reader#yuris leclair x reader#fe yuri x reader#YOU'VE BEEN HIT BY#YOU'VE BEEN STRUCK BY#ive had this idea in my head for so long#admittedly i'm not sure it turned out the way i wanted but i can't tell why#iS thIs a pERsoNa rEFeRenCe? yes
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Nuka-Cola Orange
Nuka-Cola Orange is an interesting little piece of de-regulated vulture capitalistic lore, insofar as it contains pear brandy (?) and arsenic (!).
How we made it: We made this in several variations. 1) One was straight the Pixelated Provisions recipe, using cara cara oranges in specific and 5.3 oz of honey instead of 1 cup sugar. 2) Was 1 oz pear brandy, 2.5 oz Nuka-Cola Orange concentrate syrup, 4 oz water, 1/4 teaspoon citric acid, stir. 3) We used 1 oz of brandy, 10 oz of Orangina, ⅓ tsp minced ginger, and 3 drops of neon orange food colouring.
Reactions: The pear brandy is not strongly detectable, which makes the drink all the more insidious, in-universe. You could easily not realize that this contains alcohol and either get way more drunk than intended or give it to children by mistake. It's orange soda with a bit of ginger, which does give it something of an alternate universe feel. If using the pear brandy, it does give the drink a bit of fruity crispness. @slyjinks likes the doctored Orangina version a little bit better but thinks the Pixelated Provisions version is fine. I feel like this is a deconstructed and reconstructed mimosa in some sense.
Would we make this again: Maybe.
Does this taste like something that matches the write-up: No, because real Nuka-Cola Orange contains arsenic, and arsenic tastes like garlic, and garlic-orange soft drink would be gross.
Product Code: NCO-O22R
Product Codename: Fur Seal
Version: .86
Public Facing Name: Nuka-Cola Orange
Current Variant Notes: Use Pear Brandy as a flavor base; cut intense aftertaste with trace Arsenic
Nuka-Lixir
Insofar as Med-X is morphine, and this is supposed to contain Med-X, I would have to get into serious trouble at work to make this accurately.
How we made it: 1:1 Nuka-Cola:Nuka-Cola Orange and a dash of Hella Bitters citrus. And then we each took a Tylenol.
Reactions: Actually quite tasty. Would not be tasty if it actually contained morphine. Morphine tastes extremely bitter. I suspect there is some sort of joke related the cocktail “Painkiller” going on? Why is this just about the only Nuka-Mix to contain a chem?
Would we make this again: Maybe, if we had all the component ingredients available.
Nuka-Sunrise
How we made it: 1:1 ratio of Nuka-Cherry and Nuka-Orange.
Reactions: It's an appropriate colour. It's pretty good. Slightly better than Nuka-Ray.
Would we make this again: It's a lot of work to make the component soft drinks, but maybe.
Nuka-Cola Cranberry
How we made it: 1 oz of Nuka-Cola concentrate mixed into 4 oz of Ocean Spray Sparkling Cranberry, similarly to how the Nuka-Cola Cherry is constructed. Of note, the canon Nuka-Cola Cranberry was inspired by celery-flavoured sparkling waters and mixing artificial flavours with package design and marketing to trick people into think that nutritionally bereft beverages had health benefits. We did not include any celery flavour in this.
Reactions: It's quite good. The Nuka-Cola concentrate gives the sparkling cranberry some body and dimension, which is good, because otherwise, the sparkling cranberry is rather light and thin, and the cranberry keeps the drink from being too sweet.
Would we make this again: Maybe!
#nuka-cola orange#alcohol#nuka-lixir#drugs#nuka-sunrise#nuka-cola#fallout#drink#beverage#nuka-mixer station#nuka-mix#nuka-cola cranberry
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Kobayashi’s Maid Dragon S2 Episode 10 Notes
I’m extremely not an expert in birds, but I tried to look these up to see if they were a species native to New York (since they’re similar to the sparrows we usually see around Kobayashi’s place). Apparently there are few similar-looking species in New York? My totally uninformed guess is that they may be house sparrows.
The sun sets in Japan relatively early (probably around 6:30pm when this episode takes place), which would make it entirely plausible that if she just flew east (with a slight northward angle) she’d find herself over New York in the early morning while most of the rest of the country is still dark.
These bumpy grey pads at the pedestrian part of the intersection here are known as (among other things) tactile paving; they’re to assist people who can’t fully rely on eyesight to get around.
Interestingly (imo), they were actually invented in Japan in the 60s (by a Miyake Seiichi), where today they’re extremely ubiquitous. They even show up later this episode!
They’re often referred to in Japan as 点字ブロック, tenji (Braille) blocks, and they tend to come in two types: the “dot” design, which indicates a place to stop (or an angle change, or more generally “caution”), and the “line” design which indicates you can safely keep going. They’re generally colored yellow in Japan, ideally making them stand out more to help people with impaired vision find them, and are mandated by law in most places public transport can be found (among others).
Not really a translation note, but “deer cola” felt especially funny in the context of all the horse medicine stuff.
I guess “[animal] [drink]” is a common branding device in-universe, given the crab beer Kobayashi’s always drinking.
Also not really a translation note, but the difference between how “hard” Kanna and Chloe are running to be at the same speed was a nice animation touch.
遊んだ遊んだ！ asonda asonda!
One feature of the Japanese language is a very heavy use of repetition. This includes “reduplication,” a linguistic term for creating words by repeating a root (e.g. a “boo-boo” in English or the dara-dara example below in Japanese), but also just like… saying the same word multiple times, as Chloe does here.
Typically this is done for emphasis or to help increase clarity: if you’ve worked in a Japanese office, you’ve likely heard someone in a phone conversation say desu desu in response to someone asking for confirmation.
This acceptance of repetition sort of extends beyond the obvious uses like this as well: for example, personal pronouns are much less common; instead (if the subject isn’t dropped) you’ll often just use the person’s name again. You’ll notice similar trends with other types of words as well.
Not to mention the ubiquity of things like otsukare.
This often ends up being a challenge for translators, because reusing words in English (when it’s not for an obvious reason) tends to stick out rather unflatteringly, even if they aren’t that close together.
(Like when I overuse “hence” in these notes.)
This “Christ” in the Japanese was “ったく” (short for 全く mattaku, but just used as a semi-generic exclamation). I mostly bring this up because it’s a good example of a word that doesn’t work out of its cultural context; e.g. it wouldn’t make any sense for a fantasy character to say “Christ,” but since this is an American speaker it works just fine (and helps distinguish that fact, even).
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but English uses a lot of “explicit reference” words like this, that can break immersion if put in the mouths of characters who wouldn’t have exposure to said reference—which can be annoyingly limiting when trying to write dialogue sometimes.
As a bit of a culture shock for a lot of Americans I’ve met, most Japanese homes tend to have wall mounted air conditioning units, like this one, that are only for heating/cooling the one room they’re in. (Many also have a “Dry” setting that makes them act kind of like a dehumidifier as well.) It’s common to not have them in every room, like bedrooms, however.
This is in contrast to the central air conditioning system used by a majority of homes in the US (though type/use of AC in the US varies a lot by region; less common in the north for example)—and places like the UK where apparently residential AC units of any kind are quite rare.
You may have noticed that the doors between rooms always seem closed in Kobayashi’s apartment. That’s not just to make the backgrounds simpler, it’s also a good habit to keep if you’re going to be running the AC!
“Kobayashi, are you お休み today?”
“Yeah, お休み.”
お休み o-yasumi, is a noun form of the 休む yasumu, to rest. The word has a variety of applications, as we see here. A day off work/school, i.e. a rest day? お休み. Want to say “good night” to someone before bed? Also お休み.
In this case, it’s not even necessarily clear it’s being said as a pun; as mentioned earlier, repetition is a common feature of the language, so despite the yawn there wouldn’t really be any reason for Kanna to think Kobayashi was about to go to nap or anything.
“Laze about” here is だらだら dara-dara, another phenomime (擬態語 gitaigo in Japanese)—one of those words that mimics the “sound” of an idea/concept/state, which don’t actually make a sound per se.
These phrases aren’t necessarily childish or anything (overuse of them can be, but you can find them even in news articles and political speeches for example). They are, however, used frequently by children, and by adults talking to children, as they’re very “easy” words: they’re expressive, they capture useful daily-life concepts, and they usually roll off the tongue. You’ll notice, for example, that Kanna uses them a lot.
Kanna has a very interesting way of talking actually, which I’ll touch on a bit more later.
Kobayashi’s “bean jam” here is あんみつ anmitsu, a traditional Japanese dessert (technically a spinoff of mitsumame). It typically is a mix of red beans (and/or red peas), agar (an algae-based gelatin equivalent), some fruit, some variety of rice flour product (shiratama in this case, similar to mochi), and a syrup (often black sugar based).
You can find it year-round, but it has a strong summer association and is even used as a summer season word. (It’s typically chilled and you can often get it with ice cream as an ingredient.)
It’s also sometimes paired with a green-tea flavored something as well (e.g. ice cream, agar, or syrup). The trinity of green tea, red beans (aka azuki), and shiratama makes what I like to think of as the “Japanese S’mores Flavor (for Adults)”. No I will not elaborate on this.
I will though point out the shaved ice flavor Kobayashi ordered later in the episode:
え？今スイカ様子あった？
A word of note here for language learners is 様子 yousu, which has a lot of definitions, but in cases like this where it’s attached to a noun or phrase means roughly “the appearance of __” or “an indication of ___” etc. In actual use, it typically means something that makes you think of whatever ___ is—or the lack of something that would make you think ___.
For example here, it’s like “Watermelon? Where’d that come from?” (since the TV was talking about a different dessert-y food entirely).
Or an unrelated example: “I think that guy is hiding something” → “Really? I haven’t seen any yousu of that.” In other words, it can be a lot like “sign,” as in “I’ve seen no sign of ___.”
These color-bordered envelopes (originally colored based on the flag of the country of origin) used to be the standard for air mail, domestic or international, though they haven’t been required for several decades.
That said, they’re still popular for that “ooh, international mail!” feel (at least in Japan) and you can buy them at most places that sell stuff like envelopes. As here, they’re often used in media to immediately convey that a letter came from outside Japan.
Kanna (and Kobayashi) says エアメール, lit. “air mail” in English, which is used colloquially for international mail specifically, rather than “mail sent by plane.”
They’re having what’s called 冷やしそうめん hiyashi soumen, chilled/cold soumen for lunch here. (Soumen being a thin wheat noodle; udon but thinner.) As Kanna says, it’s very easy to make!
Basically you just boil it, wash it in cold water, add ice, get some sort of sauce to dip it in, and you’re done! It’s a popular quick meal in summer, and much easier than the more involved nagashi soumen setups you may have seen elsewhere, where they slide the noodles down a chute for you to try to grab and eat. (It’s basically the same meal aside from that though.)
(You can of course add more to it, but as we see here, you don’t really have to.)
The type of tea here, for the curious, is 麦茶 mugicha, barley tea. Mugi is the general name for cereals/grains including wheat (komugi), barley (oomugi), rye (kuromugi or rye mugi), and oats (enbaku or oat mugi). It’s incredibly common in Japan (and much of East Asia), where it's the household summer drink.
It has no caffeine like many other teas, and has a bunch of various nutritional benefits, so it’s considered a good way to stay hydrated as you’re sweating buckets in the muggy Japanese summer weather.
帽子した？ boushi shita?
した！ shita!
I thought this was a cute way of phrasing this question/answer, and a good example of the “parent and their young child” way these two talk.
The suru (past tense shita) verb used here is the ultimate in “generic verb,” and it basically doesn’t get any simpler grammar-wise to phrase something as “noun+suru” like Kobayashi does here (even the particles are dropped).
Kanna, for her part, doesn’t respond with a “yes” or etc, but instead just repeats back the verb itself in confirmation.
Just to note another one of those words like dara-dara: bura-bura, used for things like wandering around, doing something (or nothing) casually/aimlessly, or (with one bura) for something dangling/swinging in a more literal sense, like a spider, slack yo-yo, or wind chime.
These booklets are a common homework assignment for practicing kanji; you can see along the left side there it shows the stroke order, with the first block giving an example to trace over & showing where to start each stroke.
Each character is made up of radicals (e.g. “hot” above: 日 and 耂), which each have a standard way to write them. There’s 214 such radicals (though many are pretty niche; only about ~50 of them are needed to make most characters), and once you get a hang of them it makes learning new characters much easier (not too different from learning word spellings in English imo).
Kanna is repeating out loud the reading for the “hot” character as she writes it.
In addition to the above workbooks (which usually involve both kanji and math problems at Kanna’s grade), elementary school summer homework in Japan typically involves doing an illustrated diary (not a daily one necessarily) and some sort of research project about a subject of your choice. (Think kind of like a small science fair project).
The “research” project part is pretty expansive, and you can typically even do something more arts & craftsy for it.
Manhole covers in a lot of Japanese municipalities feature art representative of the area. For example, the city of Chofu, where the author of GeGeGe no Kitaro lived most of his life, has several with art of that series.
(Photo from https://www.gotokyo.org/jp/spot/1734/index.html)
I mentioned earlier that Kanna has an interesting way of speaking. Probably a better way to put it is that she has a pretty convincingly childish way of speaking (despite the monotone). That is, she uses simple grammar and “easy” words most of the time, but then throws out random big words and fancy idioms from time to time that make you go “...where did you learn that?”
In this case, the phrase she uses is 巷で人気 chimata de ninki. Chimata originally means like a fork (in the road), and since those are often places with lots of people passing through, it expanded to mean “the undefined place where people talk about ~stuff~.” So it’s used for “many people are saying~” or “word on the street is~” types of situations (or “talk of the town,” as here).
It’s kind of an “adult” word though; for example the character for it isn’t included in the jouyou kanji (the 2000+ that are taught in elementary through high school). Hence Kobayashi’s reaction here.
The word she uses for “protected” here is 死守 shishu. The word is the combination of the characters for “death” and “protect,” ~meaning to protect something even at risk to one’s life (to the death, as it were).
It's a word that you learn in third grade in the Japanese education system—the same grade Kanna is in!
Both of these types of signs are common sights in residential areas like this: depending on where you live, it can feel like there’s always some sort of construction project going on, and Japan’s many family/individually-owned businesses like this tend to be closed on various extra days during the summer (and certain other times) to allow for time off.
In this case, them being closed August 12th~16th implies they’re taking off for Obon (and probably leaving town to visit family).
The word Kobayashi uses here is 風物詩 fuubutsu-shi. Fuubutsu refers to something that makes up part of the “scenery” of a place or season, in a pretty broad sense. This shi typically means “poem.”
So fuubutsu-shi is originally a type of poem celebrating a season or a scene of natural beauty, that sort of thing. From that, it’s also now (more popularly) used to describe things that are representative of a season; the kind of stuff you say “it’s not winter until…” about, or “you know it’s summer when…” (It can also be used for places + seasons, like the ice sculptures of Hokkaido winters, or even summer Comiket in Tokyo.)
They’re very similar to the season words I’ve mentioned previously, though they’re far less strict about what counts as one. Here, Kobayashi’s could be referring to the whole package experience of “having to take cover and wait out a sudden heavy rain, despite it being mostly clear skies a few minutes ago,” which you could call fuubutsu-shi (summed up probably as like 夏の雨宿り etc.)
In contrast the relevant season word here would probably be yuudachi (or niwaka-ame), a word referring to the short, sudden bouts of rain that tend to fall (from cumulonimbus clouds, the makings of which are noticeable in the backgrounds before this) on summer evenings.
Feels like in season one she woulda eaten it. Three cheers for character growth!
The parentheticals there are just the “English” in hiragana/katakana.
Kobayashi’s comment (nihongo de ok, roughly “you can just use Japanese”) is an internet-born term people originally would use to reply to someone who said something that didn’t make any sense, had terrible grammar, or was so full of katakana loanwords it was hard to read etc.
Kanna says this line in English, and while I have no proof at all, my guess is that the specific choice of “wicked” was taken from the translation of “maji yabakune?” used in season one.
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Business and Pleasure Part 3
Billie x Fem!Reader
Warning(s): NSFW, Cunninlingus, Fingering, D/s Dynamics, Some Language
Summary: This is the first time seeing Billie since having sex with her, but how do you navigate your working obligations and your feelings for Billie? And does she even feel the same way or are you expendable?
Word Count: 6210
A/n: Here’s part 3! I have a family gathering so if there’s errors I’m sorry! I’m trying to post this really fast. 😬 This one is less fluffy, but I still think it’s not too angsty. Definitely not as angsty as A Lasting Mark pt. 4. 😅 I hope you enjoy!
Part 2
After having Saturday off, on Sunday morning you wake up at 7:00 in the morning to get ready for the day and find yourself putting a little more effort into your makeup and hair. It’s not that you didn’t before, but it feels different when you see a person who you like and realize the feelings are reciprocated.
By 8:00 you’re out the door and driving over to Billie’s house. However, on the way there you stop at a nearby Starbucks to get her usual order: a grande nitro cold brew in a venti cup with two shots of espresso, two pumps hazelnut syrup, one pump vanilla syrup, a splash of almond milk, and a light sprinkling of cinnamon on top. You just order an iced coffee with an extra shot of espresso to keep you going. But you’re not finished yet.
Next you drive to McDonalds and buy the medium’s guilty pleasure: a sausage biscuit with hash browns. There weren’t many details in the NDA you signed when hired by Billie, but one of them was not disclosing her favorite breakfast choice or how much she ate it.
After purchasing the items, you speed over to the medium’s house so the items are fresh and before you get out of the car, you put the sausage biscuit and hash browns into a Starbucks bag you specifically requested to partially conceal her meal of choice, leaving the discarded fast food bag in your car. Because you’re working today, you let yourself in and hear Billie speaking from the nearby sunroom.
So you walk to the room that’s always so sunny and warm because of the expansive windows that span from floor to ceiling along the length of one of the walls. This is one of your favorite rooms in Billie’s home because you can see her polished backyard and it never fails to impress anyone who sees this gorgeous view, including yourself.
Billie sits in one of her cushioned chairs facing the windows so the natural light illuminates her face while one person does her makeup and another person fixes her hair. When she sees you walking in, a smile forms on her lips making your cheeks warm.
Fuck. Keep cool. Just like you practiced: calm, cool and collected.
“Morning, sweetheart.” She greets you. You give her a smile back but try not to act out of the ordinary since there’s others around. It’s not like the stylists take much notice. They’re used to you being around and are busy working on Billie. But honestly…you want to tread carefully. You sport a polite smile when you reply, “Good morning, Miss Howard. I got a small breakfast for you.” Then you hand her the coffee and paper bag with her food items.
That makes her eyes light up and she tells you, “Thank you.” letting her fingers linger on yours for a second longer than necessary. Before you can get too flustered you back up take out your legal pad filled with notes from your tote bag and say, “While you eat and get your hair and makeup done, I can tell you what to expect for the interview.” After finishing your sentence, you glance up and she says, “Go on.” Waving her hand as an emphasis.
You look to your notes and try to hide how your hands tremble in nerves. It feels like it’s your first day with her all over again. Then you clear your throat and begin, “The person interviewing you will be Robin Harker. She works in the television and film section of the New York Times and has interviewed Jennifer Aniston and Chris Evans in the past year.”
You venture to look up again and her response is to nod you on with a casual smile while throwing her hash brown packet in the bag.
What did you expect? For her to drop everything and proclaim her love for you? Get real. This is Hollywood.
So you continue with your notes, “I read through those interviews to get an idea of what to expect for questions and came up with some possibilities.”
“In both interviews she asked about how they got started and I’m sure she’ll ask you too. A couple ideas for responses are to explain the first time you saw an apparition and what that felt like. Or you could explain what inspired you to start a TV show documenting something so intimate. Those reading won’t be interested in the production details of a tv show. Something that will keep their attention is reading about the phenomenon of capturing the paranormal on camera. Sensory terms always keep people interested.
“I would also expect a question about what a typical day on you tv show is like. People will want to know things like if you see ghosts every day, how you prepare and protect yourself, and what happens after the cameras shut off. Basically, how you decompress. My suggestion would be to use more general terms. Crystals and stones are very popular at the moment so you could mention that. On the other hand, I would stay away from talking about essential oils, perhaps choosing incense or sage instead. There could also be a certain tea you drink or a bath product you use.
“I don’t mean to repeat myself, but the key is incorporating the five senses. For example, with your white light of protection you could explain how that feels both physically and mentally. Maybe you feel an electricity to it. The reader wants to feel a special connection and resonate with your words. The happy middle is sounding exclusive enough to stand out, but also relatable.”
You pause for a moment, knowing this is a lot. But this time you don’t look up before speaking,
“I promise I’m almost done. The final thing I would expect is a question about the validity of communicating with the paranormal. Rather than trying to reason with science, it will be more effective to take the angle of how much we don’t know. And how the concept of communicating with ancestors or non-human beings is not new and has been around that for thousands if not millions of years. You’re just using the tools available in the 21st century to provide insight and more information.
“There is also a chance that she’ll mention the influx of phony mediums out to make money on people’s grief. But if you bring up the large amount of people who claim to be doctors, psychologists, lawyers, and other professionals and base their knowledge off of google searches it should be sufficient. You can also remind her that viewers can take as much or as little as they want from the show. But don’t put it on them too much. People don’t like being blamed even if it’s the truth.”
You take a deep breath and pause a moment before slowly asking, “Does that make sense?” When you look up from your notes her face is partially obscured by the make up artist applying finishing touches. But she hesitantly replies, “I think so.” You back up a little to keep out of the way and assure her, “In case you forget something, I put the basics of what I said on a couple of post-it notes.”
Right away the medium lets out a sigh of relief and tells you, “Oh, thank you, sweetheart.” Your body warms at the praise and you’re glad you don’t have to look at her directly in this moment. Instead you calmly reply, “You’re welcome. I’ll plug in an extension cord with your charger so there won’t be a risk of your computer shutting down. And I’ll set up the post-it notes so you’ll be ready to go.”
When you begin to walk away, you hear Billie praise, “You really are an angel.” You smile and look back to thank her. However, it feels like a punch to your gut when you see she looks at her reflection and speaks to the makeup artist.
Shit. That hurt more than it should. You should’ve never done anything. There’s a reason for professional boundaries.
Before anyone can take notice, you step over to the formal sitting room that’s set up to look casual without being used.
Fortunately, the laptop and table are already set up so you begin your search for an extension cord, a sun filter to make her look well-lit, her wireless headphones, a box of tissues, and a water bottle. Finding all of those items is a job in itself. Then you start to set up, placing the laptop so it’s able to keep connected to the charging cable and you use the laptop’s camera on yourself to find the best angle.
It’s much quicker to complete the tasks of setting the water bottle and tissue box nearby but out of frame. Next you place the sticky notes along the top border of her laptop screen, but not obscuring the camera. So if she needs to reference them, she won’t have to look down.
Finally, you position the filter and set her fully charged wireless ear buds that are still in their case right beside the laptop’s keyboard. Once you’re finished you stand back to admire the set-up, feeling proud of yourself.
You may have screwed up in fucking your boss, but you’re a damn good assistant.
“Well look at this.”
You whip around and hate the fact that your heart flutters when you hear Billie’s voice. This time she’s alone and saunters up to you with a familiar smirk. Before you can make direct eye contact with her eyes and melt into a puddle of affection, you back up and gesture to the table while saying, “I think this should be everything you need.” She looks to the table and lets out a satisfied hum, but quickly returns her gaze to yours before purring, “I don’t know what I’d do without you, y/n.”
Then she moves to take your hand, but in your panic and self-preservation you back away, stammering, “I-I actually need to make a couple phone calls. And emails. Plus, I-I wouldn’t want to mess up your make up.”
For the first time you actually see her suave expression crack and you feel horrible right away. You know she needs to go into this interview feeling good, so you take both of her hands with your own and soothe, “I’m sorry, Billie. I didn’t mean to come off harsh. After this I’ll have lunch all ready for us to eat.”
Her lips return a half smile, but her brown eyes still flicker with doubt. So you continue and genuinely mean it when you say, “I know you’ll knock this interview out of the park. She’ll love you.” Then you place a light kiss to her cheek, taking care to not disrupt her makeup.
By now her confident demeanor is restored and you ask, “Do you need anything else before the interview?” She smirks and lowly teases while squeezing your hands, “I can think of a couple things, but we wouldn’t have the time.” You roll your eyes at the comment, but smile and ask, “Well would you like anything specific for lunch?”
Billie pauses for a moment before answering, “I’ll take some…Mexican food. I’ll say a taco salad.” You nod and tell her, “One taco salad will be out there for you when you’re done.” Then you release her hands and say, “I have your phone so there won’t be any interruptions, but if you need anything at all I have your messages set up on your laptop. And I told housekeeping to not do anything too loud or come around to clean this part of the house for the next two hours. So you should be good to go.”
Her eyebrows raise and she comments, “You’ve really thought about everything, haven’t you?” The compliment makes you look down and stammer, “Well I—I try to.” She chuckles at your bashful demeanor and murmurs, “I should thank you for getting all of this ready for me, sweetheart.”
You dare to look at her face and reply, “I’m just doing my job. But I’m glad you’re happy with it. I’ll see you at lunch.” Then you wish her luck one more time before walking out. After closing the door, you lean back against it, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath to re-center yourself.
Stop overthinking this. Pull yourself together and move on. You can look for another client after these two weeks. That’s it and you can make it two weeks. You’ve got this. You can handle anything for two weeks…
An hour and a half later Billie enters the kitchen to see you setting up her requested lunch with a freshly made strawberry lemonade to drink. She struts over and takes a seat at the island while saying, “Thank god. I’m starving.” You smile at her hyperbolic statement and watch her begin to eat. Then you return to your seat at the island next to the blonde to finish the remnants of your burrito.
Not wanting to stir up anything between you two, you ask, “Did the interview go alright?” She nods and replies after swallowing her bite, “It went exactly as your notes said. Of course there were some additional questions, but they were manageable.” Then the medium turns to face you and teases with grin, “It’s almost like you know what you’re doing.”
Your cheeks warm at the compliment and you look down to your plate, resting your chin on one of your hands as you twirl your fork in the remnants and murmur, “I only write down some tips. It’s your charisma that makes it good.” Billie chuckles and comments, “We make a good team.” For a moment you still your movements and glance at her out of the corner of your eye. But she’s looking to her salad. However, her gaze meets yours and she compliments, “Your hair and makeup look good today, sweetheart.”
She noticed. Billie Dean Howard noticed.
You can’t contain your smile but look back down to your plate before meekly saying, “Thank you.”
Billie continues to eat her meal while you throw away your takeout plate and utensils. Then you empty the clean dishes out of the dishwasher. However she breaks the silence by asking, “Did anything come up while I was in the interview?” You shake your head, finishing up as you respond, “Nothing for you to worry about. Just some requests for you to promote different products or companies.”
So she picks up her halfway finished beverage and tells you, “In that case I’m going to start packing things. But I’ll have my phone on me if you need me.” You automatically nod and try to conceal the crack in your voice when you reply, “Of course. And don’t worry about your trash. I’ve got it covered.” The blonde gives you her devastating smile and purrs, “You’re the best.” The butterflies in your stomach make a reappearance and you shyly tell her thank you before she steps out of the room.
After making sure she’s gone you let out a breath and lose the façade of being perfectly okay with everything. You try not to take it personally, but her distance affects your replies to phone calls and emails you respond to. Of course, you don’t sound upset or disgruntled. You remain professional, but don’t have the zeal and passion you usually have.
By late afternoon, you’ve contacted everyone who contacted you on her behalf. So you go onto google and search for PA openings. If nothing else you can leave at the height of her tv premier and make a clean break. However, before you can get to the second page, Billie texts you, “Could you come upstairs to my bedroom for a minute?”
Knowing her needs are your first priority, you exit out of the website and quickly reply, “Of course. Headed there now.” Then you trudge up the stairs, trying not to have any expectations.
When you enter her bedroom, she has numerous different clothing items laid out on the bed and you hear her rustling around in her massive closet that’s a room in itself. But she must hear you enter because she walks into the main room and says with a smile, “Y/n, just who I wanted to see.”
She sets the clothes that were draped over her arm onto the bed as she says, “I need some advice.” You step a little closer and reply, “I’ll try to help.” So she holds up one hanger that holds a silky, floral blouse and another that has a simple ivory undershirt with a dusty pink cardigan over it. Then she looks to you and asks, “Which one do you think looks better?”
You bite your lip and look between the tops, hoping this isn’t a test. Then you slowly answer, “I think they both look good…but the cardigan and shirt would be more conducive to the cooler temperatures in New York.” Billie grins and takes your advice right away, setting it next to her suitcase, however you hold up your hands and tell her, “Wait, I’m no fashion expert or anything. I can call your stylist to come over.”
The blonde chuckles and purrs, “Sweetheart, the only opinion I care about is yours. Now help me out with these other shirt options.”
The choices start off innocent enough, but soon she’s having you choose her sleepwear and intimates. While the whole thing feels a little arousing, you keep to the other side of her California king bed trying to be extra cautious. But she foils that plan by suggesting, “How about I try these dresses on and you can tell me which one looks better.” That makes you pause, but you can’t deny your curiosity to see her after she’s seen all of you.
And if she really didn’t want you to see her, she could change in her bathroom or closet.
So you nod and rasp with your suddenly dry throat, “Ok.” But her smile grows, and she asks in a voice dripping with innocence, “Y/n, would you be a dear and unzip me?”
You know exactly what she’s doing. But are you really upset? You’re finally getting what you’ve wanted since this morning.
At this point your throat feels too dry to speak so you dumbly nod and walk over to her side.
The medium’s eyes sparkle in lust and mischief when she purrs, “Thank you, sweetheart.” Then she turns so her back is to you and you walk up, feeling like you’re in a trance as so many emotions run through you at once.
The first thing you do is gather her silky smooth hair in your hand and drape it over one of her shoulders so most of it is out of the way, save for a few stray curls. Immediately her jasmine perfume envelops you and she doesn’t miss your deep inhale of the intoxicatingly sweet fragrance. Then your trembling fingers come up to the top of her dress and you take the zipper between your thumb and pointer finger, struggling to keep a grip of it with your shaky hands.
The room is quiet enough to hear the zipper slide down the back of her dress, stopping at the small of her back. You look to the well-endowed swell of her ass but flick your eyes up before she can catch you.
Billie twists her head to look back at you and once again your faces are inches apart from each other. Rather than saying anything, she leans towards you with hooded eyes and presses a light, questioning kiss. Then her eyes look to see your reaction and you reciprocate, slowly brushing your lips against hers.
Both of you move slowly while Billie fully turns around to face you and places her hands on the small of your back. The way you both take your time cautiously opening up to each other makes it seem like it’s your first kiss. But it feels nice to slow down and savor the moment.
This time when you smooth your hands up the exposed skin of her back she doesn’t protest. Rather she presses up against your body even more to get closer. So you work on the clasp of her bra and somehow undo on the first try.
Your lips part from each other and she helps you shrug off her dress and bra so the only items she wears are her panties and her pearl necklace. You pause and look over every part, trying to take in every detail. Meanwhile the blonde just smiles and tucks a piece of your hair behind your ear while crooning, “You like what you see, sweetheart?” Your eyes scan up her toned middle, briefly pausing at her rounded, perky breasts, before ascending past the string of pearls on her neck to her proud face.
You’re practically drooling when you whimper, “Yes. Billie you look…god you look perfect.” Her cheeks threaten to turn red while her smile expands and she murmurs, “Just like you do.”
Automatically you shake your head and look down so your hair falls forward to guard your face. But her hands cup your face and guide you to look back at her. Her palms feel smooth against the sides of your face when she kisses your lips and affirms, “You are perfect, honey. Now, how about you make yourself more comfortable and take off those clothes for me.”
In the far reaches of your mind, the thought of confronting her about everything passes through. But Billie Dean Howard is here, completely exposed to you and you don’t want to stop.
Your eyes flick down and you grin as you reply, “O-ok.” So she backs up to let you pull off your shirt and bra. But when you move close, she places a finger on your sternum in the valley between your breasts and says, “Ah, ah, ah, pants too.” You bite your lip to conceal your demure smile, ducking your head as you tug your pants down. After kicking them aside you come back up to the medium and being to kiss her again.
While it felt nice to kiss Billie the other day, actually feeling her flesh brush and meld against yours makes it even better. Every time you think you’ve peaked; she takes you higher than before. When you break to catch your breath, Billie breathes, “Where do you want me, sweetheart?”
Your brows furrow and she grins before asking the same question. The thought of ordering her around sends a thrill through you and you look around the room before hesitantly saying, “On the edge of the bed.” The medium nods and playfully answers with a wicked grin, “Yes, mistress.”
Now that makes you laugh and tell her, “If anyone is a mistress it’s you.” You move her clothes that were laid out on the bed to the side so they won’t get in the way and the blonde helps while teasing, “I’ll grant you the title of mistress for one day.”
Without thinking you roll your eyes at the supposed ‘generosity,’ making Billie raise her eyebrow and say, “Unless you don’t want to do this?” You place your hands on her shoulders and push her to sit on the bed while quickly answering, “I do!”
Your intense reaction makes her chuckle and purr, “Well your wish is my command, sweetheart.” Your body simmers with arousal and you guide her legs apart enough to step between them. Then you look down at Billie’s face and your hands come up to cup her face. In response she slides her hands up to rest on the swell of your hips.
However, you raise your eyebrow and mimic her when you ask, “Did I give you permission to touch me?” Billie takes her hands away and looks up to you through her long lashes when she says, “Sorry, mistress.” Letting her lower lip jut out enough to give a perfect pout before biting down on it. The way she worries her lower lip drives you wild.
But you want to tease her more. Why not take this opportunity all the way?
So you lean in to kiss her lips, but when she leans up to meet you, you back up to kiss the tip of her nose.
Her darkened eyes glow and the blonde chuckles before murmuring, “Such a tease, y/n.” That makes you giggle and this time when you lean down to kiss her, you meet her desired location. And even though your lips and tongues intertwine with each other, Billie stays true to her word and lets you lead her along. So you keep going, and don’t move her hands back when she smooths them up your thighs and pulls you closer to her after gripping your hips.
For once she’s the one who gasps for air and you take the opportunity to place slow, deliberate kisses along her jawline down to her neck. Your lips gently kiss and suck at the delicate skin of her neck, but pause when Billie moans, “Don’t get me wrong, sweetheart, this feels amazing. But I don’t know if the makeup artist will appreciate having to cover multiple hickeys for filming tomorrow.”
On no. You completely forgot about that.
You automatically back up and stammer, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Billie. I never even though about that.” She silences you with a kiss and soothes, “It’s ok, sweetheart.” But the medium can tell you’re pulled out of the immersion so her thumbs brush along the swell of your hips and she purrs with a smile, “Now what do you want me to do, mistress?”
Her reassuring smile makes you smile and respond, “Stay.” Then you gently kiss down her neck to her collarbone. Along the way your lips brush against her pearl necklace, but when she moves to take it off you command, “No.” Her eyebrows raise, but she grins and answers, “Yes mistress.” Those words send shivers down your spine and by the low hum of amusement emitted from her throat you can tell she knows.
Then you resume your descent starting at her collarbones down to the swell of her luscious breasts. The medium gasps when you take one of her nipples in your mouth and tease her by sucking and nibbling at her sensitive bud. You look up to her face to see she closely watches you use your mouth on her one nipple while you tease the other with your fingers.
Then you switch sides and by the time you’re finished with her buds they are peaked and stiff. The sound of breathy moans and whimpers is unfamiliar to your ears, but progressively gets louder when you continue down to her navel. After teasing it with your tongue enough to make her gasp, you back up and pull off her lacy, cream-colored thong.
Once the garment is cast aside you take a moment to look at her most intimate area practically dripping with arousal. Then you look up to Billie with wide eyes and your mouth slightly gaped in shock. Before you can ask, she smiles and croons, “That’s all for you, baby.”
That’s all you. She gets that aroused because of you.
Your eyes gloss over with a concoction of happiness and unbridled lust and rather than taking the time to instruct, you grasp her legs and place them over your shoulders. Then you lean close and inhale her sweetness before delving your tongue into her velvety folds.
Her muscled calves flex against your back and she moans, “Oh god.” as your mouth sucks and licks at every part of her. But she lets out a guttural moan when you find her clit. Her low sounds of pleasure go straight to your own soaked pussy and you can’t help but squeeze your thighs in need. You look up to her face while you continue to tease her sensitive pearl and see she watches you with lust-blown eyes and her lower lip worried between her teeth.
You grin and back away before taunting, “Now don’t hold back, Billie. I want to hear all of those pretty little sounds you make.” That makes the blonde toss her head back in laughter before breathily praising, “Wow, you’re pretty good at this whole dominatrix role.” Even now her praise drives you wild. You grin up at her and reply, “I learned from the best.” Before diving back in.
This time her head falls back for an entirely different reason and she groans, “Fuck, sweetheart, that feels so good.” Her words make your stomach warm in arousal and you increase your movements driven by her praises in words and moans of pleasure.
Before long Billie crosses her ankles behind your back, effectively pulling you close to her pussy and unable to back up like before. But you couldn’t care less. Eating her out feels like everything you want and more. Your mouth mercilessly sucks and nips at her sensitive nub and she whimpers in a higher tone than even her regular tone, “Just like that, baby. I’m almost there.”
You happily listen to her request and within a minute her legs lock up, keeping you in a vice-like grip while she gasps. Then she cries out and unravels before your eyes, moaning and whimpering in a way that sounds like music to your ears while you lick up all of the sweet nectar she provides.
Before you get the chance to rile her up, she takes her legs off of you and scoots further back on the bed as she breathes, “C’mere sweetheart.” You whine at leaving her sweet core but listen and she guides you to straddle her lap so you face each other again.
You cross your legs behind the blonde so your ankles rest against the small of her back and wrap your arms around her neck before dipping your head to kiss Billie’s lips. She smiles against you and slides her hands up your back while kissing back, not afraid of getting a taste of herself. Even though you wished to remain buried in the juncture of her thighs a moment ago, being held close in her embrace as she takes your breath away is nowhere near a downgrade.
When you pause to catch your breath, you still keep your forehead down against hers and ask, “I take it you liked it?” She gives that warm chuckle that feels like an embrace in itself and purrs, “Oh I loved it, sweetheart.” Then you let out a squeak of surprise at her hand sliding beneath the elastic band of your panties.
How did she sneak her hand around to your front without you even noticing?
Your small sound causes her to smirk and she says with a dramatically innocent voice, “Let’s see how you’re doing.” And that smirk on her lips morphs into a shit-eating grin when her fingers slide down to find your core practically dripping with slick.
Your hips roll of their own accord when the pads of her two fingers brush against your clit. The instinctual reaction prompts Billie’s eyebrows to raise and she begins to make torturously slow circles over your sensitive bud. Meanwhile your arms shift so your hands can grip her shoulders while whimpering, “I’m not going to last long.”
The blonde giggles at your claim and leans up to kiss your lips, gradually moving her hand faster. Then she gets closer so she’s right beside your ear when she murmurs, ‘Are you all worked up from telling me what to do?”
Oh, you are definitely not going to last long at all.
A gasp leaves your lips and you shift in her lap responding, “Yes.” Now she moves her fingers in a steady motion and purrs, “But I think you liked something else too. I think you liked licking my pussy until I came. Is that what’s got you all hot and bothered, sweetheart? Acting so dirty and eating me out has you nearly creaming yourself?”
Her words prompt you to cry out, “Oh god, yes!” squeezing her shoulders and letting your head fall forward.
Her pearls feel cool against your perspiring forehead and her fingers speed up to the point of making you get those pre-orgasm twitches as Billie taunts, “Are you gonna cum, y/n?” Your eyes slam shut and you moan, “Yes!”
However somewhere in the recesses of your mind you remember her comment about good girls and whip your head up to look at Billie before blurting out, “Wait! I mean, can I please cum Billie?” The golden flecks in her darkened orbs spark in approval and with a satisfied smirk she responds, “Good girl. Go ahead and cum for me, baby.”
Your eyes slam shut just before a burst of white light shows up and you desperately cling to the medium, toes curling as high-pitched moans and whimpers fall out of you.
This time your aftershocks pass sooner and when she withdraws her two coated fingers you watch her languidly suck off any remnants of your juices. You’re still in a daze when she asks, “Do you wanna know what you taste like?”
Your brows furrow, but…you can’t deny that you are a little curious. And Billie had no problem indulging in herself. So you nod, albeit hesitantly. She chuckles at your timid behavior and teases, “I promise it’s good.” Then she takes your chin by her thumb and index finger to tilt your head down to meet her lips.
The taste has a tangy bite to it but also a subtle sweetness similar to the blonde, but not quite the same. Before you even realize it, your tongues are tangling with each other and your lips search and press for one another.
It feels so nice to be so close to Billie without all of the glitz and glamour. You’re together, unguarded, and sharing a passionate exchange for both parties. All that has stock in the world is you and her. However, eventually you have to breathe.
So you reluctantly break from her lips and come closer to tuck your head into the crook of her neck. At the same time your hands move to her back so you can hug her close. Her lips come down to rest on the crown of your head and you feel her lips curve into a smile. Then she shifts so her cheek rests against you, softly teasing, “I still need to try those dresses on.”
However she makes no move to get up.
So you snuggle further in, tightening your arms and legs around her and murmur into her hair, “Pack the red one.” She chuckles and smoothes her hands along the length of your back while asking, “What about the other one?”
You let out a sigh of contentment and bury your face further into the bend of her neck to conceal your embarrassment as you reply, “Than one looks good…But the red one…it’s flattering at all angles…and it hugs your form well…Trust me the red one will turn heads.”
She laughs and leans close to your ear when she murmurs, “I’ll pack it for you, baby.” Her voice immediately calms your nerves and you feel at home in her arms. After sitting in silence for a moment, you mumble against her neck, “What would you like for dinner?”
She slides her hands down to grip your ass as she replies, “You.” And that provokes your higher-toned schoolgirl giggle. Then you say, “Ok besides that.” Her lips trail down the side of your face until she reaches your jawline and murmurs, “How about…Italian.”
You feel her hands massaging your butt and before things get too heated you ease into sitting up straight to see her brown eyes slowly scanning over you. But you cup her face with your hands and guide her to look at your face, saying, “I’ll get dinner ready and you can finish packing. Ok?”
She grins and turns her face to kiss one of your palms before she teases, “As long as you can be dessert.” Then she moves further up to kiss the pulse point on your wrist and purrs, “And an evening snack.” Then she kisses the inside of your forearm, looking to you with a mischievous grin as she continues, “And a midnight treat.”
You shake your head at her behavior, but chuckle and respond, “Ok.” The medium smirks in victory and releases you from her hold. You slowly stand up, making sure to not lose your balance and throw on your clothes.
Before you walk out, Billie takes your shoulder and turns you to face her. You look to her with a questioning gaze and she pecks your lips, but keeps close when she purrs, “I’ll see you in a bit. Oh, and be warned, my stamina is insatiable.” That makes you giggle, and you assure her, “I think I’m up for the challenge.” Then Billie releases you with a smile and you walk out to the kitchen, not regretting spending the night here whatsoever.
Tagged: @marilynroselleprentiss, @saviorinsilk, @chokemepaulson, @versonstar, @find-me-a-constellation, @cordwliagoode, @psychobitchtess, @midnight-lestrange, @mysweetdelia, @venablesbitch, @peachesandlesbians, @nerdaroo, @cordeliafoxxe, @leskaksel, @lovelymspaulson, @grilledcheeseandguavajelly, @whatabluddymess, @natasha-danvers
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#AHS#ahs fanfic#ahs murder house#ahs hotel#ahs apocalypse#ahs billie dean howard#billie dean howard#billie dean howard imagine#billie x reader#business and pleasure
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47 for OT4, SFW or NSFW I love your writing! :))
Thank you! I went SFW for this one.
47: you overhear me complaining to my coworker about your ridiculous daily coffee order, whoops
“Oh christ, here he comes.” Duck mutters to Indrid as he pumps hazelnut syrup into a cup, “the one I was tellin you about.”
Indrid, stationed at the counter, tilts his head as he watches the windows, “would he be the one that looks like a lumberjack or the one who looks like a secret agent?”
“The second one. I dunno what it is, but his order drives me fuckin nuts. It’s super specific; dark roast, single origin only, heavy cream until it turns about that color” he points to the wall, “with a half pump of caramel and a half pump of vanilla. You’re gonna be that specific, just make it at home.” He’s busy putting a lid on the drink and therefore misses Indrid’s hand waving.
“I do, and it’s not that hard.” A deep voice makes him turn; the lumberjack, looking more amused than annoyed.
“And since you know my order so well already” the other man, smile, tight lipped, at him before turning to Indrid, “one of those and one large, black coffee.”
Duck starts the drink, making it as fast as he can so he can slink off into the back room. Shit, if the guy rats on him he could get in trouble, he’s already on thin ice after throwing out some rich kid for harassing the staff.
Indrid takes the drinks, mouths, “go” and heads around the counter while Duck makes a bee-line for the supply closet.
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Indrid sets the cups down in front of the two men, then slides a plate with a large, hot monster cookie on it between them.
“On the house, as they say.”
“This an apology cookie or a ‘don’t give us a bad review’ cookie?” The lumberjack smirks.
“Both.” Indrid says mildly, smiling and returning to his post.
As he walks away he hears the deep voice whisper, “wouldn’t kick that one outta bed for eating crackers.”
A soft laugh, “Agreed. Pity his friend is an ass.”
When Jake and Hollis arrive a few minutes later to take over for him and Duck, he finds his boyfriend clonking his head into the wall by the break room.
“Don’t worry, love, I smoothed things over.”
“Thanks. Just feel like a dipshit. Both for gettin overheard and complainin in the first place.”
“I assumed it was stress from waiting on interview results.”
“Yeah.” Duck pulls on his jacket, “still feel shitty though.”
“Come, let’s go home. I have some ideas for relaxation.” He purrs, kissing Duck’s cheek.
“How may of ‘em are fuckin’-based?”
“Half.”
“Good, gives us some variety just in case.”
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“We’ve paired you with another duo, if that’s okay?”
“Sure” Duck smiles at the Escape Room employee, takes Indrid’s hand as they follow him down the hall, “Aubrey says these are more fun in a group.”
“I look forward to--oh dear.”
Duck turns to see the pair from the coffee shop last week. The lumberjack looks about the same, but the secret agent is dressed more casually than usual. His black hair is loose rather than slicked back, and he’s in jeans and shirt that reads, “Champ” with a dark outline of sea monster on the front. He almost looks cute.
“You’ve been trapped in the lair of hostile, highly intelligent space aliens. You have an hour to escape. Good luck” The employee shuts the door, leaving the pairs to stare at each other.
“Uh, hi. Again.” Duck waves awkwardly
“Hey.” The lumberjack waves back, “so, uh, this is hella awkward, right?”
“Yes.” The other three respond.
“Cool. Look, I dunno about you but I don’t wanna get dissected by aliens. So, bygones?”
The others nods and he smiles, “I’m Barclay, this is Joseph. My, uh, my boyfriend.” It’s distinctly odd watching such a large man blush like a schoolgirl. Joseph smiles, kisses his cheek, then looks around the room.
“Alright, we need to find the four symbol code to enter onto that pad. Spread out and look for places symbols might be hidden.”
They find the first one easily. Indrid’s eye for color and patterns helps them locate the second, and when a clue points to the third being high up, instead of having to construct a makeshift ladder or step-stool, Barclay simply reaches up and grabs it. It does not escape Duck’s notice that both Indrid and Joseph get appreciative looks on their faces when Barclay then moves a “cloning pod” out of the way all by himself.
“I suspect the last symbol is hidden one something that is in...that hole.” Joseph points to the newly revealed wall lined with several cubbies, one of which has danger signs written all around it.
“Not it. Too close to a garbage disposal, and I have nightmares about putting my hand down that at the wrong time.” Barclay shudders.
“I would also prefer not to be the one to reach in; such elements often have a loud noise gimmick and I do not enjoy that.”
Joseph glances at Duck, blue eyes glinting with a not-entirely-friendly challenge.
“Fuck it, I’ll do it.” Duck steps forward and cautiously slides his hand in. Indrid’s instinct was right, as the whole starts vibrating with a loud, grinding sound. Indrid yelps, grabbing the other two men, who in turn jump and scream in surprise. Duck grits his teeth, fights the urge to pull back, and finds a smooth tile waiting for him. When he removes his hand the noise stops, and he grins, triumphant, as he shows off the last symbol.
“WHOO!” Barclay cheers and high-fives Duck as Joseph punches in the symbols, stopping the timer on the wall, “shit, that was wild man, scared the living hell outta me and I wasn’t even the one doing it.”
“Mmmm, my brave hero.” Indrid drapes his arms over his shoulder, kissing him.
“Sap.” Duck teases, kissing him back.
“You know, we make a pretty good team.” Joseph brushes stray hair off his face.
“Yeah. Would, um, would you guys like to go grab coffee or something?” Barclay looks genuinely hopeful, which is why, ten minutes later, Duck is sitting across from Joseph in a dark-wood coffee shop. Indrid has excused himself to wash his hands and Barclay is outside taking a phone call from someone named Mama.
Duck sips his coffee (black) as he watches Joseph measure cream into his mug.
“That explains it; guys who drink black coffee are always weird about guys who don’t.”
“Don’t Barclay drink his black?”
“Only when we’re out, when we’re at home he’s always making fancy coffee. Trying out new recipes. It works well. Or, um, mostly well. There was a green tea cherry espresso that was not his finest.”
“Eech. Heh, that reminds me of the time ‘Drid was so groggy he poured strawberry syrup into his coffee instead of caramel. Didn’t phase him one bit, but I felt like I was kissin a berry patch the whole day. Swear the man’s half moth or some shit from how much sugar he drinks.”
Joseph snickers, “sorry, imagining Indrid as a mothman is a funny image.”
Duck pictures it and giggles, which makes Joseph laugh harder. When they recover, he scratches the back of his neck, “Look, I’m sorry I was a dick about your coffee order. Just havin one of those weeks where everythin got on my nerves.”
“It’s alright. I’m not all that bothered by it. Not intellectually, anyway. Being particular or precise is something people have been, um, less than kind to me about in the past.”
“Nothin wrong with knowin what you like.”
Joseph glances out the window at Barclay, “No, no there’s not.”
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It becomes a weekly arrangement; the four of them meet for some kind of activity, then go to lunch or dinner. Duck learns many things over those weeks; that Barclay can figure out how to reverse engineer Indrid’s favorite cupcakes from a local bakery, that Joseph has a worryingly deep yet very endearing knowledge of bad horror movies. That while Joseph is terrifying during a trivia match, Duck can still wipe the floor with everyone when it comes to the science categories. He learns that Joseph is trans, like him, and that Barclay and Indrid actually went to the same high school but were two years apart and thus didn’t know each other.
Right now, he’s learning that he’s not as good at laser tag as he thought he was.
They went during the cheaper hours, mid-afternoon on a Sunday, and while all four of them are on the same team they’ve gotten separated in the neon-tinted darkness.
He can tell the enemy team has spotted him, and is moving as fast as he can out of range, when a hand reaches out of a darkened turret and pulls him in.
“GAHoh, phew, scared the hell outta me Joe.”
“Sorry, it was safer than calling out.” The space is small, built for kids rather than two twenty-six year olds, and so Joe is pressed right up against him as he watches the door. He might be the only guy Duck knows who wears honest to god cologne, clean and minty smelling, and the scent wraps around him when Joe pulls him back against his chest to hide them from passing opponents.
“Fuck, that was close.” He whispers.
“Don’t worry” Joe murmurs in his ear, voice huskier than normal, “you’ve got me to look out for you.” He breaks away as if nothing happened, pulls Duck’s body out into the glowing chaos, while his mind stays in the little room, wondering what the fuck that was.
------------------------------------
“Can’t believe we got our asses handed to us by a bunch of eleven year olds.” Duck groans as they sit, licking their wounds along with soft-serve from a tiny shack that Barclay swears by.
“That one blonde girl is gonna grow up to be a sniper.” Barclay offers his cone (chocolate and sour cherry) to Joseph, who takes a prim bite.
“It may run in the family; I think her dad was the one with the ‘Go Army’ shirt.”
“Oh, were we not supposed to be going easy on them?” Indrid cocks his head. The others stare at him in mute shock.
“I’m kidding; I was utterly outmatched in there.” He grins before dragging his tongue up his cone (pineapple and marshmallow). When he reaches the tip he opens his mouth wider, taking it all in with a satisfied moan. He pulls off, stray ice cream dribbling down his chin until Joe hands him a napkin. Indrid thanks him, then proceeds to do the exact same thing, over and over, and Duck realizes neither of the other men have looked away from his boyfriend. Barclay’s legs are now crossed, and Joe’s cheeks are pink. Duck can’t really blame them--he knows exactly what Indrid can do with that mouth--but what’s stranger is he doesn’t feel jealous or annoyed. He knows Indrid sometimes struggles with looking, in his own words, “offputting.” It’s nice to see two other people catch on to just how hot he is.
Then again, he kind of wishes Joe would stop staring and eat his own cone; he wants to see what his tongue can do, too.
---------------------------------------------
“Watcha drawin’?” Duck slides onto the couch next to Indrid.
“Just random images.”
“That us with Joe and Barclay?”
“I, ah, yes it is.”
“Like it a lot. Christ you’re talented, it’s like how much you like us is comin’ right off the page.”
“Is, ah, is that so? I hadn’t noticed, ah, oh dear, I just remembered I need to go call Jake about covering my shift.”
------------------------------------------
Duck: That new barcade is finally open, wanna come with us on Saturday?
Barclay: Wish we could, but we got a friends birthday that night.
Duck: No big, let us know if you want to catch a flick on Sunday
Barclay sets the phone down, not remembering it’s a group text until Joe pokes his head out of the bedroom.
“Shit, whose birthday is on Saturday? We need to get a gift.”
“Oh, uh, no, no one. Just, uh, didn’t feel like going out but didn’t want them to think I was, like, angry or something. Sorry, shoulda asked if you wanted to go without me, shit, that was rude.”
“It’s alright, I don’t mind time that’s just for us.” He crosses the living room, fiddles with Barclays hair, “but let me know if you want to see a movie Sunday, I’m happy either way.”
“Uhuh, will do.” Barclay nods, not really paying attention, as he imagines silvery hair in the dark theater and holding slender, cool fingers in his own.
---------------------------------
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t actually have that DVD to loan me?”
“I do” Duck shuts the apartment door behind Joe, “but we got some things to discuss first.” He waits until Joe is sitting next to Barclay (lured here by the promise of cookies) and across from Indrid (lives here, not that hard to lure).
“Look, I don’t think I really gotta point out how weird it is that we went from hangin out every week to not seein’ each other for near a month. But what I do gotta point out is why it’s happenin’.”
“We’ve all been busy?” Joe hazards.
“Yeah, but we all were busy before and we made time for each other. Now we, myself included, are cancelin shit.” He takes a deep breath, “Barclay, Joe, you both got a thing for ‘Drid, don’t you?”
Joe nods while Barclay blushes and mutters, “yeah.”
“And ‘Drid, you got a thing for both of them?”
His boyfriend shifts nervously in his seat, but nods all the same. Barclay looks genuinely surprised.
“Well, you three ain’t the only ones realizin’ you want more than you got. Joe, I, uh, I really like you. As in wanna date you. So, uh, that’s where we’re at.” He sits down next to Indrid, who instantly takes his hand.
“That’s...wait, don’t we all want the same thing?” Joe looks between them, puzzled.
“You’d really be okay with me dating Indrid?” Barclay asks softly.
“We’d both be dating him. And I’d be dating Duck as well as you two. Assuming that was alright with Indrid?”
“....You know, I think it is.” Indrid squeezes Duck’s hand, “I was afraid to admit how I felt; I didn’t want to come between you and Barclay, because you clearly love each other, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing Duck. But I’ve also seen how happy he is around you, Joseph; there is no reason we could not all work things out to be happy as a, ah, polycule? Is that the term?”
“Think so.” Barclay relaxes, “fuck, I felt so bad thinking that wanting Indrid would fuck everything up, don’t know what to do with my self now that I’m not stressing about it.”
“I propose we order dinner and just...talk.” Indrid rests his head on Duck’s shoulder, “I think that will help us sort out where to go from here.”
Duck orders takeout from the Chinese place down the block as Indrid and Joe arrange the living room into a place where they can all sit together comfortably and Barclay grab drinks. Soon they’re gathered on the floor, working out logistics and boundaries and hopes and fears between bites of fried rice and chow mein. Joe keeps notes, curling closer to Duck as the evening goes on.
There’s a part of him that wants to jump straight to sex, to pin Joe to floor and fuck him while his other boyfriends do what they want to him, to Duck, to each other. But this thing between them is a new leaf in spring, vulnerable and just beginning to grow.
So, after dinner, they cuddle up on the couch and floor to watch the midnight movie on local T.V, hands tentatively finding each other and bodies gradually resting closer together in new configurations.
He falls asleep on the floor, Indrid spooning him and Joe resting his head on his belly. Wakes up with Joe curled around him and Barclay cuddled up to Indrid, snoring softly.
Duck slips out of the configuration, pads into the kitchen to start coffee. When Joe sneaks up behind him he gasps, snickers as the taller man kisses him good morning. Then he grabs two mugs, smiling to himself at his luck as he opens the fridge. After all, he already knows just how his new boyfriend likes his coffee.
#meet ugly#OT4: Government Men and Their Cryptid Boyfriends#agent stern/barclay/indrid cold/Duck newton#agent stern/barclay#indrid cold/duck newton#indruck#sternclay#prompt fills#agent stern/duck newton
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17 Reasons Why You Should Ignore night eco-friendly scrunchies with bow
Eco-Friendly Scratchy Deals With
Environment-friendly scrunchies are a kind of healthy junk food that is also good for you. Scrunchies, which are little cups of scrumptious dried fruits and nuts, was the initial healthy food thing made by The Hershey Business back in 1908. Since then, numerous various other firms have attempted to jump on the environment-friendly bandwagon, so how do you know which scrunchy maker is your best option?
First, try to find a business that utilizes components expanded without damaging chemicals or pesticides. Look likewise for components that are recycled and also reused whenever feasible. Additionally, you want to select scrunchies that are produced locally as well as in a location that values the atmosphere. These are the types of companies that I believe you will discover operating in Toronto. As a matter of fact, you might wish to support a neighborhood farmer to make your very own natural scrunchies for you and your family members.
One way to tell if a business is green or otherwise is to try to find what remains in their active ingredients. Many organic scrunchies have no gluten or artificial sweeteners, along with no trans fats, chloride, or phosphates. Additionally, try to find something called "sugar-free" or "hypo-allergenic". Equally as crucial as these are, search for something called "safe".
It is also crucial to search for a company that has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. This means that the firm buys its ingredients from suppliers that are required to utilize renewable energies. A few of one of the most crucial ingredients to look for are palm oil as well as agave nectar, which are generated from honey. Hand oil is one more essential ingredient due to the fact that it is extensively identified as a sustainable product. Agave nectar has actually been utilized as a natural food as well as an alternate sweetener for centuries.
Most companies buy natural ingredients, however several simply obtain the "natural" name on the tag based on the label. Some firms declare that they are "synthetically" organic based on the way they process their items. If you consider the list of components, though, there will commonly be some of the "genuine" active ingredients. These are veggie oils or waxes, which are actually not natural.
I like to purchase a selection of various kinds of environmentally friendly scrunchies. There are likewise a number of various kinds that I make myself. I like making cookies with 100% natural peanut butter. The other day I made a set of quinoa munchies, which were delicious as well as somewhat more costly than the store-bought stuff. In my viewpoint, you can get a large amount on environmentally friendly scrunchies just by knowing what components remain in your item.
You might be amazed to learn that the active ingredients noted on the back of the packaging are not always what you're going to be getting. There are commonly active ingredients like hydrogenated veggie oils, which are bad for you. (There's a reason the active ingredients are on the back.) Yet a lot of firms utilize high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, which are bad for you in general, however are better for the lower line.
By checking the ingredients checklist for the components made use of to produce your scrunchies, you can quickly inform which firms are using good-for-you components. I would certainly also suggest purchasing your scrunchies from small businesses. The bigger firms that are pushing natural and "green" products frequently do not do it for the local business proprietor.
When buying online, take a look at the shipping details. Numerous business will certainly utilize their own brand name of sweetener in their items, which is not necessarily better than the artificial alternatives. Also, make sure that you review the manufacturing process. You should know what chemicals enter into the making of your friendly scrubs.
Lastly, look for organic brand names. This is very important if you appreciate the setting. You should have to get your hands on premium, healthy and balanced ingredients. It's not worth your while to spend cash on a low-cost natural option. As a matter of fact, you'll possibly locate that the less expensive products do not execute as well.
Nowadays, there are various kinds of environmentally friendly scrunchies to choose from. Search for great companies using ingredients that benefit you. Likewise, pick natural brands that want to offer you a refund if you're not satisfied. When you take these actions, you can have healthy as well as guilt-free mouth watering items that are good for the atmosphere.
Eco-Friendly Sc Crunchies
Environmentally friendly scrunchies are getting popularity. We're hearing more about the chemicals and toxic substances in foods. We understand that a number of these are taken in right into our bodies, causing health problems. That's why switching over to much healthier, safer products, such as scrunchies, is an excellent concept. Below are several of the most effective face conceals Toronto business make:
Babassu - It has natural moisturizers, which help to moisturize as well as soften your skin without blocking pores. It's an entirely all-natural item, so it's safe for also sensitive skin. In addition to being moisturizing, it also keeps dirt as well as grime out of your pores and also keeps your skin soft and also supple. Babassu is additionally a natural sunblock.
Aloe Vera - This is another component discovered in all-natural products. Nonetheless, when you get in the shop, it's normally weakened with various other active ingredients. When you make your own, you can utilize the gel as much or as little as you like. Popular components include Aloe Vera Juice, Orange Peel Powder, Shea Butter, and also Honey.
Bentonite Clay - You have actually possibly become aware of this, because it's been in utilized for years. It's understood for its capacity to take in toxic substances, which makes it an excellent scrubbing agent. https://en.search.wordpress.com/?src=organic&q=eco-friendly scrunchie As with all scrunchies, active ingredients need to be picked thoroughly to obtain the most effective outcomes. Bentonite clay can cause some level of sensitivity in people with allergic reactions. If you're not sure whether or not it would certainly be an excellent choice for your searching needs, contact your local salon or wellness store. Their staff will be able to provide you suggestions on which components to look for as well as just how much.
Scallop Shells - If you enjoy freshness as well as the outdoors, then shellfish is definitely for you. If you love the freshness and also the outdoors however hesitate of frying them, then choose algae! It's loaded with nutrients and also can be utilized as a base for your scrunchies. Of course, since it's all natural you can also make use of various other active ingredients. What's best is that it has the ability to maintain moisture to ensure that they don't dry swiftly after being prepared.
Natural herbs and also Veggies - Another natural base for scrunchies is fresh herbs and vegetables. These are very easy to grow in your very own back yard, as well as you'll make certain to locate a lot of herbs and also veggies in your regional food store. It's finest to find natural ingredients to ensure that you know your youngsters aren't consuming toxins or chemicals. Beware however, some herbs can be harmful, specifically if they are taken inside.
Baking Soda as well as Other All-natural Active Ingredients - Sc Crunchies aren't simply filled with crispy, nourishing deals with anymore! There's so much greater than meets the eye these days! For example, cooking soda is terrific at eliminating discolorations from glasses and counter tops, and also even steel utensils. You can also make a wonderful scrub with baking soft drink, vinegar, and water. It's good for cleaning and also aids remove odors.
To conclude, we've talked about making your own all-natural as well as organic scrunchies. There's no much better means to consume healthy. Not just will you recognize that your kids are obtaining the nutrients they need, yet you're additionally assisting the environment as well! Today, there are a lot of various options when it pertains to producing green scrunchies made from organic components. You can also do it in your home without every one of the untidy tidy up included with getting pre-packaged scrunchies.
If you have kids, then you recognize just how vital it is to make your youngsters consume secure and also healthy and balanced food. Lots of kids won't consume fruits or vegetables if they come in contact with a food chemical. Thankfully, there are numerous environment-friendly scrunchies that use food chemicals or 'natural' flavors rather. You can find scrunchies made with organic apples, carrots, beets, strawberries, and also much more. These scrunchies are healthy and balanced and also taste better than typical unhealthy food.
If you have pets, after that you know how challenging it can be to keep their health. Several pet proprietors, myself consisted of, utilize store purchased dog biscuits and also food in order to offer them with antioxidants and vitamins. However, lots of pet dogs don't such as the taste of natural pet dog food, and they likewise create allergic reactions and diseases that resemble common troubles with people. Making your own green scrunchies is the most effective way to see to it your pet obtains all the nutrients he requires, along with staying clear of the usual risks connected with store got dog deals with.
There are many scrunchies that are eco-friendly friendly that it's difficult to recognize where to begin. If you love fruits, there are dozens of recipes for organic route mix readily available online. If you like veggies, you can make your own veggie popcorn as well as add natural nuts and herbs to the mix. If cereal is extra your point, there are lots of recipes available for organic almond, entire grain, as well as granola cereal. There are likewise a lot of dishes offered for making your own raw biscuits as well as cookies. By using these as well as other recipes, you can develop scrunchies that benefit your body and also helpful for the environment.
Eco-Friendly Scrumptious Cooking Treats
Environmentally friendly scrunchies have ended up being rather prominent throughout the globe and also it has actually come to be a fantastic means to enter an environmentally friendly way of life. You can enjoy the tastes of natural active ingredients in addition to making use of reasonable profession materials as well as approaches while still appreciating a delicious mouth watering reward. These tasty little productions are all expanded without damaging chemicals as well as are produced from recycled products.
Green scrunchies are primarily used recycled excess textile as well as non-biodegradable reducing scraps of natural pastes and also various other natural resources. Update your appearance with natural and also fair trade scrunchies made from recycled products. The natural products used include corn starch, sugarcane, coconut fiber, alfalfa powder, wheat flour, soybean oil, sugar, aloe as well as other organic natural herbs and also spices. All these items are certified by various third parties, making certain that you are making a great decision when purchasing your scrunchy deals with.
There are many different kinds of natural and fair profession products readily available for making scrunchy deals with. You can try making your very own scrunchy. The components are rather basic and do https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?search=eco-friendly scrunchie not call for a lot of extra abilities. All you require to have is a mixer as well as nutmeg. There are likewise recipes readily available online, which you can try utilizing active ingredients you might currently have.
You can use a mixer to grate your very own nuts as well as fresh fruits to make your very own scrunchy. Some of the preferred ingredients you can use are almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pecans, pecchy stems and also olives. You can even grate cucumbers to make your own scrunchy. This will certainly conserve you a great deal of cash on the preservatives discovered in commercially made tasty deals with. The natural flavors in natural and black eco-friendly scrunchies reasonable profession mouth watering treats are much sweeter than those found in processed foods.
Numerous companies also use natural active ingredients to offer their scrunchy a milder taste. As an example, they include some vanilla extracts or vanilla to give it a mild hint of intricacy without being as well overwhelming. If you wish to include some even more taste to your scrunchy, include a few declines of crucial oils. Crucial oils are a great method to add an unique fragrance to your scrunchy, specifically in combination with berries as well as nuts. It gives scrunchy its wonderful pleasant fragrance.
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Much of the firms that create scrunchy deals with also use totally free shipping and are very sensible in price. You can also acquire a number of small boxes of various scrunchy active ingredients simultaneously, allowing you to create your own scrunchy deals with for each event. This is additionally a nice choice if you have a party that needs a lot of treats and also treats. You will be able to offer all of your visitors' various delicious treats, conserving your kitchen from the stresses of preparing a large number of dishes.
When you have a large household, food preparation and baking is not always a simple task. Luckily, making your own scrunchy at home is a fairly simple process, and also you will certainly conserve a great deal of cash over purchasing store-bought delightful treats. When you make your own scrunchy, you are likewise taking a big step in coming to be extra ecologically mindful.
Picking an eco-friendly scrunchy is a great way to reveal your youngsters and grandchildren that you are concerned about their health and the health and wellness of the planet. Along with conserving you money, you are helping to secure the atmosphere by selecting natural fair trade items. This will certainly guarantee that your family members consume products that are free from chemicals and chemicals. You can be happy to offer your family and friends delicious homemade deals with, understanding that you are providing a healthy and balanced and also economical snack option.
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Can You Substitute Sherry For Vermouth In A Recipe
Are you planning to whip up a cocktail or two this weekend? If so, it's important to make sure you have all the right ingredients on hand. One key ingredient in many recipes is vermouth – but what if you don't have any?
Can you substitute sherry for vermouth instead? In this article, we'll be looking at the differences between these two wine-based ingredients and discussing whether or not swapping one for the other will work in your recipe. Let's dive in!
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Understanding Vermouth And Sherry
I'm always looking for ways to switch up my recipes and, lately, I've been wondering if I can substitute sherry for vermouth in a recipe. To really understand the differences between these two products and make an informed decision, let's take a look at some key attributes of each.
Sherry is made from white grapes that are grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. It has sweet, nutty flavors and comes in three main types: fino, amontillado, and oloroso. Fino is lightest in color and flavor; amontillado is darker with more pronounced flavors; while oloroso is dark brown or black and has stronger aromas. Food pairings like tapas work well with sherry because it balances out the saltiness of those dishes.
Vermouth also starts off as wine but gets flavored with herbs, spices, barks, fruits, roots, etc., depending on the brand you buy. This product can be either dry or sweet but tends to be lower in alcohol than most wines (15-20%). Having said that, vermouth works best when mixed into cocktails rather than being served by itself.
The Flavor Differences
Vermouth and sherry differ greatly in terms of flavor profiles. Vermouth is an herbal, savory wine with a slight touch of sweetness to it. Meanwhile, sherry is a sweet fortified wine that has notes of dried fruits and nuts. Depending on the type of vermouth and sherry used, their differences can be more or less pronounced.
For instance, dry vermouth will have more herbaceous qualities than sweet vermouth which has a much sweeter taste profile due to added sugar syrup. Sherry also ranges from light and dry varieties like fino all the way up to dark and thick syrupy versions such as Pedro Ximénez. All these types have different levels of acidity as well as varying degrees of savoury sweetness depending on what kind you are using for your recipes.
When it comes down to substituting one for another, both wines offer specific flavors that may not always mesh perfectly with the recipe at hand. For example, if you were making a classic Manhattan cocktail you would need some sort of bittersweet element but neither sherries nor vermouths could provide this particular balance without extra ingredients thrown into the mix. Therefore, it’s best to familiarize yourself with each before deciding whether or not they are suitable replacements for one another in cooking applications.
Sherry Substitutions In Cocktails
I can confidently say that sherry is a great substitution for vermouth in cocktails and other recipes. As a fortified wine, it provides the same level of flavor complexity as its counterpart while also providing unique characteristics that enhance the overall flavor profile of your drink or dish. Plus, there are plenty of food pairings to consider when using sherry, making it an even more versatile ingredient than vermouth.
Sherry comes in many different sub-styles and variations; from light straw colors to deep amber hues, you have options when selecting which type to use in your recipe. Fino Sherry is one of the most popular types due to its crisp acidity and delicate nutty aromas. Amontillado Sherry offers distinct flavors of dried fruits and nuts with a slightly higher alcohol content compared to Fino varieties. Oloroso Sherry has a rich body and intense flavors such as raisins, dates, figs, and almonds. And Cream Sherry features sweet caramel notes with hints of spice on the finish adding layers of sweetness without being overpowering.
Each style has its own set of attributes so take some time to experiment with each type before deciding which works best for your recipe. In addition to these general styles, you might want to try out some special editions like Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherries known for their dark mahogany color, velvety texture, intense sweetness and strong raisin notes on the palate – perfect for desserts! All in all, sherry adds depth and dimensionality regardless if used in savory dishes or sweet concoctions - just be sure to choose wisely depending on what kind of end result you’re looking for!
Sherry Substitutions In Cooking
I'm often asked if sherry can be substituted for vermouth in a recipe. While the two wines have some similarities, they are definitely not interchangeable. Sherry is typically much sweeter than vermouth and has its own distinct flavor profile that will alter your dish significantly. When substituting one of these wines for the other, it's best to consider the overall flavor profiles and wine pairings you're hoping to achieve with the finished product.
Sherry makes an excellent addition to many dishes because it adds sweetness without overwhelming complexity or richness. Its unique nutty, caramel-like notes provide both depth and sweetness while also highlighting subtle flavors like lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, and even chocolate. Because of this balance between sweet and savory elements, sherry is great when used as a marinade or sauce base.
For recipes that call for dryness instead of sweetness though, swapping out vermouth for sherry won't give you the desired results. Vermouth provides a nuanced herbal bitterness that enhances various types of foods, especially those featuring bold spices such as rosemary or thyme. It pairs well with citrus fruits too; adding brightness and zestiness to any dish without being overpowering or cloyingly sweet like sherry could be.
Using either one of these ingredients incorrectly in a recipe can throw off the entire dish so it's important to understand how each one works in order to get successful results every time.
Considerations When Substituting Sherry For Vermouth
When it comes to substituting sherry for vermouth in a recipe, there are several things that you should consider. Firstly, portion size is an important factor as sherry has a much stronger flavor than vermouth and can overpower the other ingredients if used too liberally. Secondly, food pairing plays a role when deciding which type of substitution will work best with your recipe; sweet sherry may pair better with desserts or dishes that have sweetness while dry sherry could be more suited to savory dishes. Finally, always taste test any substitute before adding it to the dish so you know how much of the ingredient needs to be added and how its flavors will affect the overall outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Alcohol Content Of Sherry Compared To Vermouth?
When it comes to the alcohol content of sherry compared to vermouth, there's a big difference. Vermouth typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 15-18%, while sherries come in at around 17-20% ABV. This means that if you're substituting one for the other in your recipe, you'll need to adjust the amount used accordingly. Flavor wise, they have different profiles too - sherry is slightly sweeter than vermouth and can be used as a great food pairing with many dishes due to its complex flavor profile.
Are Sherry And Vermouth Interchangeable In All Recipes?
The short answer is no, sherry and vermouth are not interchangeable in all recipes. While both liquors have similar alcohol content levels, they differ greatly when it comes to flavor profiles and cooking methods. Vermouth has a mild, herbal flavor that can add complexity to dishes like martinis or other cocktails. Sherry on the other hand is sweet and nutty with a slight acidic aftertaste that works best as an accompaniment for desserts or savory sauces. So while you can substitute sherry for vermouth in some recipes, it's important to take into consideration the characteristics of each liquor before making any substitutions.
How Do Sherry And Vermouth Differ In Terms Of Their Sweetness?
Sherry and vermouth are both popular ingredients in recipes, but they do have differences when it comes to sweetness. Sherry is typically sweeter than vermouth, with a richness that can bring out the flavor of dishes. Vermouth tends to be less sweet and more subtle in its flavors, which makes it ideal for drinks like martinis where you don't want too much sweetness or overpowering flavors. Both sherry and vermouth offer unique cooking methods and flavor profiles for your recipes, so it's important to understand how each one differs before deciding whether or not to substitute them in a recipe.
Are There Any Health Benefits Associated With Drinking Sherry?
When it comes to using sherry in cooking or as an alternative to vermouth, you may be wondering if there are any health benefits associated with drinking it. While the amount of alcohol content can vary depending on what type of sherry you’re drinking and how much is consumed, some studies have found that moderate consumption could offer certain health benefits like improved heart health and cognitive function. Additionally, other studies suggest that sherry has antioxidant properties due to its high concentration of polyphenols which might also help reduce inflammation. Ultimately though, whether or not you choose to drink sherry should depend on your overall dietary goals and needs.
Can You Substitute Sherry For Vermouth In A Martini?
Yes, you can substitute sherry for vermouth in a martini. It all depends on your flavor profiles and cooking ratios. If you're looking to add some richer flavors without increasing the alcohol content too much then sherry is an excellent choice. Plus, substituting sherry will give you a unique twist on the classic cocktail that's sure to impress your friends!
Conclusion
In conclusion, while sherry and vermouth have many similarities in terms of their alcohol content, sweetness and potential health benefits, they are not interchangeable in all recipes. Using sherry instead of vermouth can drastically change the flavor of a dish or drink. For example, substituting sherry for vermouth in a martini would create an entirely different taste than what is expected from this classic cocktail. My advice? If you're looking to substitute sherry for vermouth in your recipe, use it with caution!
If you're looking for more delicious recipes to try, be sure to check out The Disney Chef's recipe categories! Whether you're in the mood for something sweet like a cake recipe, something savory like a chicken or pork recipe, or something fresh like a vegetable or seafood recipe, there's something for everyone. And if you're a meat-lover, don't forget to check out the beef recipes category for hearty and satisfying meals. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a new favorite recipe to add to your collection.
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Vampire Horace headcanons because why not?
-He can’t go out in the sun of course, but he still needs to go to work and whatnot. So he does indeed walk around with an umbrella to hide away from the sunlight. Thankfully the sun doesn’t instantly burn him alive or anything, it’s more like an allergic reaction. He gets a rash and if he’s exposed long enough he’ll start to get blisters. However, if he were exposed to the sun for too long, like many hours, his skin would begin to actually burn. He wouldn’t light on fire, but it would feel like his skin was on fire, and eventually he’d die.
-Using his Biology Knowledge he’s actually figured out how to make a sort of ointment that will heal up any rashes or blisters he’s managed to get.
-He still works as a biology professor, and occasionally he’ll slip up and talk about some random experience he had during the French Revolution or the age of Napoleon, and have to pass it off like he learned it from a text book and was simply exaggerating.
-He was originally born in France and was turned in the late 1700s during the reign of Marie Antoinette and the course of the French Revolution. He was actually born rather wealthy at the time, which is what caused him and his family to become turned. They were all fed vampire’s blood by someone in an attempt to kill them. The person believed that the blood would act as a sort of unholy acid to them, but it turned them instead. So now he and his whole big family are immortal vampires.
-He’s done his best to adapt to the modern times in terms of style and speech, but he’s always going to be a little stuck. No, he doesn’t go around wearing 1800s French fashion, but he does wear more maroon vests and puffy-sleeved undershirts than needed. And no matter how hard he tries he can’t feel comfortable not pulling his socks up all the way. He still wears the kind that go up to his knees, but thankfully they’re usually hidden under more modern pants now.
-He’s also terrible at slang, he just can never manage to catch on. Especially trying to go from French to English, then British English to American English after moving there with his family.
-By now he’s got almost an entirely American accent, maybe with a tad of French still slipping through. He’s been sure to maintain his full knowledge of French though, so he’s fluent in both languages.
-He’s been a biology professor for as long as he’s been allowed to, and if there’s been one benefit to immortality it’s been being able to walk through life and observe so much of the science world as it grows.
-He absolutely despises the depiction of vampires in pop culture, ESPECIALLY Twilight and the ridiculous notion that vampires *Twinkle.* He also tried to watch the Vampire Diaries, but he just couldn’t get into that one either despite it having somewhat more ‘Accurate’ vampire lore. And he certainly can’t stand how much of media shows vampires as evil feral monsters that should be hunted for sport.
-“Barely ANY vampires take the risk of live feeding anymore! It’s absurd! Humans really think they’re so special that we need their blood specifically? We can drink ANY blood, human blood just tastes best. It... *really* does taste best. It’s so much sweeter, so much *richer.* Compared to livestock it’s like, it’s like honey compared to corn syrup. It’s *divine,* it’s really- Ahem. Anyways. My point stands that vampires can control themselves perfectly fine.”
-Horace does, clearly, have a preference for human blood. He can live just fine without it, but he certainly does miss it. Back in his middling years, between first being turned and the invention of regulations and whatnot that really keep track of people, Horace did live feed. However, he can’t live without blood in general. Some vampires have been able to, but only by avoiding a fully blood-based diet from the start.
-Horace has “frenzied” a few times in his modern life. Working for so long that you forget to eat is serious in all cases, but when your diet is blood based it’s all the worse. He’s never killed a person in modern times, but there have been a couple of unfortunate pigs and goats.
-A frenzy isn’t just instant, it’s built up over many days. He gets much paler, it gets harder to breathe and to focus, his sense of smell because very intense, and he’ll start to salivate a lot. He never goes “feral” or anything like that. The hunger will just become overwhelming, so he’ll give in and leave the house to hunt. It’s called a frenzy because a vampire in frenzy doesn’t stop eating until it feels like they’re going to vomit basically.
-Thankfully Horace usually keeps blood on hand. Just locally sourced things that are easy enough to buy from a butcher’s shop. Cody is actually the one who remembers to restock though.
-Cody is Horace’s roommate, and he doesn’t give two shits that Horace is a vampire. He’s also, in the most recent years, been the person preventing any future frenzies by making sure Horace is eating regularly. Cody is also half regenerator, meaning he can perfectly heal any injuries. Because he’s only half, he can’t do them as quickly as a full blooded regenerator could. That also means in really dire situations Horace could drink his blood and everything would be okay, but he couldn’t do it frequently enough for it to be a healthy option for either of them. Cody can’t replenish blood fast enough for Horace to regularly be full, and Horace avoids it anyways. It’s kind of like when you know some kind of fancy expensive chocolate would taste so much better than the cheap dollar store kind, but you’ve gotten used to the dollar store brand. So if you have some of the expensive stuff the brand your used to won’t taste good to you anymore.
-On a lighter note: Horace can shapeshift! And fly, though he prefers to do neither. He only does so on dire occasions. And maybe he’ll shapeshift into a mouse to spy on his arch nemesis, but who’s to say?
-Horace does like being a vampire. Sure there are setbacks, but aside from monster hunters he really never has to fear death, and blood is always plentiful. Most of all though, he enjoys just being able to progress with the world and always see what’s coming next.
#not proofread bc i just don't wanna#so forgive spelling errors and typos#horace tag#vampire horace#cannibalism tw#i just count drinking human blood as cannibalism just in case
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Happy Winter Solstice
yep I did this again because it was fun af last time, this time its seasonal edition.
Borscht: There are many types of Borscht in many different cultures as it is a very widespread food, found as far as from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia. Borscht is often associated with its role in religious traditions of various denominations that are common in Eastern Europe. In Poland and Ukraine, borscht is usually one of the dishes served at a Christmas Eve dinner. Celebrated after the first star appeared in the sky on December 24 (Roman Catholic) or January 6 (Greek Catholic), it is a meal which is at the same time festive and fasting, which excludes ingredients of land-animal origin. Christmas Eve borscht is, therefore, either vegetarian or based on fish stock and is not typically mixed with sour cream.
The Borscht in the game is based on a specific type based out of Northeast China known as luó sòng tāng(罗宋汤). This variety of Borscht is made with red cabbage and tomato as opposed to beetroot to give it it’s vibrant red color and does not include sour cream, instead it most often uses flour as a thickener. We can see this in her design which includes cabbage, tomatoes, no beets, and a more orange-tinted soup rather than the deeper red of beet-based Borscht. It was introduced by refugees from Russia but adapted and made popular by Chinese residents. Interestingly enough many of the adaptations bring the dish back closer to its origins as a soup made with ingredients found locally used to keep warm and fed through lean times, particularly the winter.
Eggnog: While culinary historians debate where eggnog originated, most agree it came from from the early medieval British drink called posset that was sometimes used as a medicine for colds and the flu, this is possibly where an association with the coldest season began. Even though now it's known not to have many medicinal properties beyond a good amount of protein, Eggnog is still a commonly bought item for winter celebrations, especially Christmas.
Posset originally was made with hot milk curdled with wine or ale and spiced, eggs and figs are thought to have been added around the 13th century. The in-game eggnog is likely based on “My Lord of Carlisle’s Sack-Posset” from the 17th century, which contained heated cream, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, eggs, and sack wine. Additionally, sugar, ambergris, and musk were stirred in. This drink would have been very expensive to make and a luxury further displayed by nobility in special posset pots often made from silver and decorated lightly. In modern times there are now many more affordable recipes of eggnog including sugar-free, fat-free, vegetarian, vegan, alcohol-free, to name a few and it can be consumed by almost anyone.
Gingerbread: Gingerbread could refer to many types of cookies, cakes, or biscuits typically flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and, of course, ginger. It is said to have been brought to Europe by an Armenian monk in what is now western Greece in 992 CE and it later brought to France when he moved. By the 13th century varieties were starting to be found all over Europe, often being made by organizations such as nunneries and guilds. Some decorative gingerbread biscuits began to be made around this time as well. The first documented trade of gingerbread biscuits is from the 17th century where they were sold in monasteries, markets, and pharmacies. They were thought to have some medicinal properties, which was not unfounded as ginger root is often used to soothe the stomach.
One of the most famous styles of gingerbread, gingerbread men, was developed in England in the court of Elizabeth the first for foreign nobility and ambassadors. Only in more recent times did this decorative styling become associated with Christmas despite a long history of Christians making gingerbread biscuits. In many places, it’s variants are still eaten casually and are often less flashy than the holiday cookie most people recognize.
Jiuniang: Jiuniang is a sweet pudding or soup-like dish made with partially broken down rice in a sweet, slightly alcoholic, base. It was originally discovered as a byproduct of making a type of rice wine known as Mijiu. Jiuniang must be stored carefully or quickly consumed or it will turn to rice wine or vinegar as it continues to ferment. Because of this it is most often made and eaten in winter when it is easiest to stop the process.
Jiuniang is a dish often served during the Dongzhi Festival, a popular Chinese winter solstice holiday often associated with family reunion and ancestors. During this festival, it is often eaten with tangyuan and/or flavored with sweet osmanthus. Medical research has shown the dish to be quite beneficial for one's health, providing energy, helping circulation, and aiding in digestion and appetite. In other words, it is a nearly perfect food for a wintertime celebration.
Tangyuan: A dumpling made with glutinous rice flour and often served at festivals. They are cooked in boiling water and served in a soup or with sweet syrup. Dessert specialty shops have created many new colors and flavors of tangyuan to meet the changing needs and tastes of consumers the traditional filling of tangyuan is sesame paste, ground black sesame seeds with sugar and lard, but the fillings can range from chocolate, fruit preserves. red bean paste, peanuts, pumpkin, and even mashed potatoes.
They are most often eaten at the winter solstice and lunar new year, although they can be found all year round. They are often eaten with family and symbolize togetherness, a theme that follows the Dongzhi Festival, and the name tangyuan is even a homophone for union. Tangyuan at this event is often served filled or unfilled in Jiuniang and sweet osmanthus, and they are considered a needed part of the celebration.
Candy Cane - Candy canes are a commonly enjoyed sweet associated with Christmas and Saint Nicholas day. the are traditionally unflavored beyond sugar and white but now many colors and flavours can be found. They are often given to children and can represent the crosier of Saint Nicholas. Croisers allude to the Good Shepherd, an epithet associated with Jesus. They became more decorated as Christmas festivities became more extravagant, gaining stripes and flavoring. Candy canes are even credited in peppermints strong association with winter and Christmas although the reason why they were flavored with mint is not known for sure beyond possibly the cooling sensation of menthol.
Folktales say that a choirmaster in 1670 Germany is responsible for the creation of candy canes after he asked a local candy maker to make sugar sticks to keep children quiet during the church’s nativity scene. To justify this he had the candymaker turn the ends of the sticks like that of a crook to symbolize the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. This idea became popular and cane canes became a popular thing to give children during nativity plays. This legend explains the strong tie to Christmas, although it hasn’t been proven with certainty.
#food fantasy#ff edits#ff history bits#happy holidays everyone#ff borscht#ff eggnog#ff jiuniang#ff tangyuan#ff candy cane#ff gingerbread
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Life Style Sports.
30 Minutes Of Daily Exercise Sufficient To Shed Pounds.
Content
Group Exercise.
Important Training Variables.
Pilates Vs Yoga: The Distinctions As Well As What'S Right For You.
Just How Do I Produce My Very Own Workout Plan?
Slope Strolling Vs Running.
Decreasing your consumption of added sugar is a fantastic way to enhance your diet regimen. By doing this, you remove the substantial majority of added sugar, added fat as well as processed food.
If you would love to know the specific number, work with a personal trainer. They can establish your individual calorie burn throughout a workout. However if running isn't your point, there are various other calorie-burning workouts like HIIT workouts, leaping rope, as well as swimming. You can do any kind of mix of these workouts according to your preferences as well as health and fitness level.
When it pertains to fat burning, protein is the king of nutrients. There are great deals of advantages with a rowing device, or ergometer.
Added sugar is probably the most awful point in the contemporary diet regimen. Excess quantities have been connected to a few of one of the most serious conditions on the planet today.
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" That first night, you go to sleep, you sleep your 8 hrs, you are down two extra pounds," she stated. " If you remain to get enough rest every evening, you won't get those hunger pangs. The cravings pangs come from lack of sleep, which induces the hunger hormonal agent to obtain produced from your digestive tract." If we just shed a little of weight when we poop, why do we feel a lot slimmer ultimately pooping after being constipated or after a big meal? It additionally decreases the anxiety levels to end the more than production of the hormones, Cortisol and also Leptin, and makes the belly firm as well as sculpted. Right here are 15 "health foods" that are really just fast food in camouflage.
Group Exercise.
This can aid ramp up weight loss quickly when incorporated with other methods. Teriyaki sauce, sour lotion, peanut butter and maple syrup are a few various other popular sauces and condiments that can create the calories to stack up fast. As an example, a solitary tablespoon of mayo can have upwards of 90 calories, while cattle ranch clothing cram in a tremendous 73 calories per one-tablespoon (15-gram) serving.
One tbsp of apple cider vinegar has regarding three calories and also practically no carbohydrates. Keep in mind, when it pertains to weight-loss, slow and also constant really does win the race. The largest effort you'll make on the diet may be quiting on your own from reaching for more food.
You need to consider your details demands as well as goals prior to working with a personal trainer.
Concentrating on your yearly wage rather than each paycheck is a way to maintain things in perspective.
So how can you obtain your Level 3 Personal Training qualification?
Understandably, January is among the busiest months as individuals are seeking to lastly reach their health and fitness goals in the New Year.
Many master trainers are furnished to develop dish plans and customized health and fitness plans.
A personal trainer's effectiveness is based upon their capability to show just how proactively they support your objectives.
Crucial Educating Variables.
Make note of the obstacles you are facing when it comes to losing weight as well as be honest with on your own. Is your task, pals, time, cash, tension, etc. holding you back from achieving success? Knowing your weak points and making a list of the difficulties you will certainly require to leap, will certainly aid prepare you for these challenges as they occur. As your level of fitness boosts, you can begin to include more high strength training and also weight training to raise outcomes. We have actually produced the Ultimate Guide to get you started - Just how to Drop weight.
Pilates Vs Yoga Exercise: The Differences As Well As What'S Right For You.
Utilizing one can help you develop endurance, strengthen your body, and also improve heart health. If you would love to begin an exercise routine, see your medical professional. You can also speak with a personal trainer or physiotherapist for individualized guidance. These professionals can aid you exercise securely as well as properly.
Just How Do I Create My Own Exercise Strategy?
Incline Walking Vs Running.
High-calorie coffee drinks are really no far better than soft drink. Fitness Training UK packed with vacant calories that can equal an entire meal. If you wish to delight in a piece of pizza, attempt making one at home utilizing healthier components.
Take a while to think of why you are aiming to make this modification. We have actually all heard our seniors encouraging us to eat home-cooked food. Water has a really crucial duty in helping eliminate toxic substances from the body. You ought to shed 1-2kgs a week, relying on your starting weight. This compares to the standard of kJ for a 70kg Australian woman.
This water-soluble, all-natural dietary fiber comes from the roots of the konjac plant, additionally known as the elephant yam. Thankfully, individuals are realizing that coffee is a healthy beverage that is loaded with antioxidants and various other beneficial compounds. There is really truth to the case that drinking water can aid with weight loss.
Another big review of 17 research studies in over 500,000 people located that those who consumed one of the most veggies had a 17% reduced danger of being overweight or obese. Periodic fasting involves biking in between durations of eating and also fasting, with fasts generally lasting 16-- 24 hr. Recording your consumption with an app or food journal is an excellent way to get started. For ideal outcomes, swap out improved carbohydrates like white bread, breakfast cereals and heavily refined pre-packaged foods for whole-grain products like quinoa, oats, brown rice as well as barley. It's particularly valuable to decrease your consumption of polished carbohydrates, which are a type of carbohydrate removed of their nutrient and also fiber content during handling.
Home made pizza sauce is also healthier, given that grocery store selections can include great deals of sugar. They're extremely high in calories and often contain unhealthy active ingredients like very improved flour and also refined meat. Additionally, offer on your own a small portion as well as placed the gelato away so that you will not end up eating too much.
They will certainly additionally discuss any safety measures you should take. Talk with a doctor, personal trainer, or physical therapist. These experts can show just how to securely do calorie-burning exercises. They can likewise suggest other modifications and also steps for your objectives.
Just sure you adhere to the regulations, consume 2 treats from the snack listing per day as well as stay with the part sizes. Since, when it involves reducing weight, similar to whatever in life, we require to a bit of motivation to accomplish our objectives. Luckily, Elle Macpherson's instructor James Duigan has come on board to shares his top suggestions, including his Lose 5kg in 2 weeks diet plan. This resistance training session doesn't require to be excessive.
Sugar-sweetened beverages, like soda, are one of the unhealthiest foods on the planet. While losing 10 pounds in a month might feel like a lofty objective, it's entirely possible by making some easy modifications to your diet regimen as well as way of life.
Before beginning a brand-new workout strategy, talk with your doctor first. Your physician can suggest the most effective sort of workout for your existing fitness degree.
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Beer can trigger weight gain, but drinking red wine in small amounts might in fact be beneficial. However, the evidence for alcohol as well as weight gain is unclear. An average-sized sweet bar covered in chocolate can consist of about 200-- 300 calories, and extra-large bars may have much more. Luckily, there are numerous healthy alternatives to conventional wheat bread. One is Ezekiel bread, which is possibly the healthiest bread on the market.
Strolling, running, ideas , biking and swimming are simply a couple of types of cardio that can increase fat burning fast. It is essential to blend it with water, as undiluted vinegar might shed the inside of your mouth as well as esophagus. The placebo team really obtained 0.9 lbs (0.4 kgs), and their waist area somewhat boosted. In this 12-week study, 144 overweight Japanese grownups eaten either 1 tbsp of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of vinegar or a sugar pill beverage everyday.
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OT3FIC: Galentine’s Day
Watching from the bar over the top of her glass as she watched the pair banter back and forth - a hand tossing hair back here, another hand rubbing over the top of the other’s there - Abigail felt a true sense of achievement and happiness at switching out the original plan.
---
When Shada had suggested a Girl’s weekend for the three of them - all single and well and truly wanting to avoid how sickeningly sweet Abigail’s new family could be - she’d jumped at the idea to get out of the house, give them some private time and also bond with her quasi-aunts who felt more like potential best friends she would never have to hide her past from.
Ombre had been so giddy, spinning about the hotel lobby crazily when Abigail’s taxi had pulled up and she’d entered. The blonde had been running about from place to place, speaking rapidly in French over and over exclaiming over this shiny object or that vase of flowers and taking photo after photo of everything and herself like she did every day. Abigail had laughed when she’d first been asked to see the blonde shadow’s Instagram account and had since spent forever laughing at both the goofy images of the other woman and the endless number of comments asking how a young woman like her could live the life she could that never got answered.
Abigail had been swept up in a hug immediately, and a pair of sunglasses slid over her eyes before the blonde took a snap kissing her cheeks, the color rising to a bright pink to match the bright pink lipstick left on the apple as the blonde span away with a squeal at an older woman walking past with a tiny toy poodle.
“I see Ombre caught you first.” The older shadow said with a laugh, the warm honey sound that Abigail could pick out of a crowd these days the same as any of her adoptive family. She rubbed at her cheek nervously, wiping the lipstick off as she slid her sunglasses onto the top of her head as she turned to greet the mastermind of the original weekend plans. “Hey Abby, how did you go getting here?”
“Not bad. Easy enough to get a taxi from the cinema.”
“Oh good! I would have taken you with me-”
“But you know I’m not a fan of your mode of travel.”
“Exactly. Can’t have you getting motion sickness in the first hour of the night!” Shada exclaimed in agreement, nodding as she pulled back from the tight hug she’d pulled the other into, and Abigail smiled back at the other. The shadow really was very accommodating, and she always seemed to focus on what was best and important for others. The same as Abigail knew the plan for the weekend was to get herself more comfortable in crowds with the comfort and support of the two shadows, as well as to give the trio back home to privacy for their fun. It was a shame, as she always thought, that the dark-haired beauty had no luck in finding someone who could appreciate how lovely she was. “Besides, we’ve got an amazing suite for tonight, and massages and a makeup artist and hairstylist and just an overall pamper session planned for tonight. I wouldn’t want you feeling unwell and miss it.”
“So, that’s the plan for this evening. What’s the rest of the weekend?” Abigail asked as she was guided along towards the gilded elevator as Ombre span about and twirled in her skirt with her phone recording in front of them and behind the two brunettes were two porters pushing a trolley loaded with bags that included Abigail’s one suitcase for the few days. “Are we staying put or-”
“Oh Abs, we’ve got plans to go to the beach for a few hours of sunbathing, and then Ombre wanted to go to some restaurant-”
“Let me guess, its French?”
“How did you guess? Anyhow, dinner for three and then perhaps some flirting at a cocktail party that we weren’t invited to.”
The brunette girl let out a laugh at the last one, shaking her head as the elevator closed behind them and the bellhop pressed the button for the penthouse suite. Abigail didn’t want to think how much this weekend was costing. Not the shadows and not her, but every place they were likely to go. It was something she would have once found unsettling and distasteful - her father’s frugality would cause him to shake his head at the excesses around her as the trio and the bag-man moved off of the elevator on the top floor; Hannibal would find the literal theft to be rude, and the few times the shadows had shown up laden with bags for themselves, Jo and Abigail the looks on Will’s face echoed those of her father - but after the way that the world had turned on her over her father’s factions and her fear? She no longer cared that the lavish surroundings and luxurious fabrics were essentially grasped without permission for the three of them this weekend.
“Your room is this way, miss.” The hotel worker spoke quietly, turning down one of the long halls from the elevator entry, and Abigail followed after him quietly while the other two girls made their way around the main living space of the suite and unpacking bags upon bags of something around the place.
Abigail settled in quickly, and the man left without even waiting for a tip with the same slightly glossy look that Abigail once remembered had covered her own eyes from a completely different form of manipulation. Her bags unpacked, the warm flannel sleep pants and t-shirt that Jo brought her for Christmas last year with a hunter's scope emblazoned across the front switched into, and her hair pulled into a messy bun before she looked out the windows of her suite with a sigh. Life had certainly changed.
---
The makeup artist had been phenomenal and there for hours, working in conjunction with the hairdresser to do look after look based off of anything any of the girls thought of. Their every whim was suddenly transformed, and Abigail had found herself sighing repeatedly at the sheer number of photos being taken around them as a waiter continued to refill the snack bowls with fresh fruit and dipping sauces, waffle slices to be slathered in fruit and syrup, and the cheese platter that Abigail knew was all types of French only cheeses specifically chosen for the youngest of them. There was music playing and Shada even initiated a brief dance competition with the stylists and the sisters for Abigail and the very pretty redheaded waiter to pick out of.
As the hour closed towards midnight, the makeup artist and hairstylist were finally sent on their way - eyes glassy but at Abigail’s request their purses filled with cash - and the waitress finally produced bowls of popcorn and refilled the snacks section one last time before leaving in much the same way. Abigail had watched sadly, trying not to stare obviously, as the young woman left without even a glance behind her with the same dull look as the rest.
“Oh Abby, don’t worry - I’ll make sure not to make her forget about seeing us at breakfast in the morning.” Shada piped up from her spot on the chaise section of the lounge, laid out and gorgeous in a way that would have made the brunette girl flush to see in the short lacy black and purple nightie if she was still nursing that awkward crush on her like a few months ago. “Perhaps we can even see about if she gets the night off tomorrow-”
“Shada!”
“Oh oh, does mon petit ami have an interest in the jolie serveuse?”
“Yes, Ombre, she does have a little crush on our waitress!”
“Shada!”
The two shadows giggled conspiratorially as Abigail felt her cheeks heating up more and more, and watching the two’s gigglings soon had her joining in even as she found herself shaking her head ruefully before deciding to flip the tables on both.
“At least I’m woman enough to acknowledge it. What about you two!” Abigail cried back, pointing a French manicured finger at each of the now surprised shadows. “I get Ombre’s still very young and not quite looking yet-”
“Hey!”
“You better not be, little sister, you’re far too young for boys and girls and all that nonsense.”
“But-”
“But what about you, Shada?” Abigail interrupted and continued, staring back at the startled and then shifting to uncertain look on the other woman’s face. It was something Abigail found most interesting about the shadow, just how expressive her face was when she’d heard from Jo over a late-night drink that it was a learned behavior rather than one born of growing into it, but blinking unphased at the slightly sad shift to the woman’s face she didn’t want to back down right now. “You’re beautiful, you’re loving, and you’re far more caring and good-natured than a lot of people I know. There’s no reason you should be isolating yourself like you do, and avoiding the opportunities that come your way.”
“I don’t-” Shada began responding, rising in a sharp jerk from the previously relaxed and languid position she had draped herself across the couch in, eyes darting from the fiercely loving one’s of Abigail’s into the curious concern from Ombre. “I don’t avoid opportunities.”
“It’s fucking Valentine’s weekend, Shada,” the brunette girl responded, leaning forward across the small gap between their chairs to rest a pale hand atop the tanned and slightly shaking one of the other. “You deserve to have something special this weekend.”
There was a sharp inhalation of breath, before the sad look that flashed across the dark-haired beauty’s face suddenly swirled and twisted into one of happiness looking back and forth between the other two women. Abigail thought she might have pressed too hard, or said something too rough for a second before a tan arm was wrapped around her neck and she was jerked forward from her chair in a fierce hug, smooshed against the blonde’s side as the eldest of the three dragged them into a bear hug.
“Don’t you see, Abby?” Shada said softly, rocking the trio back and forth a little as she let out a small hiccup of a giggle. “I already have something special this weekend. I’m getting to spend it with my best friends.”
---
That hadn’t been explanation enough for Abigail though, and after Ombre had cried some and waxed poetically as she sipped on what the brunette was beginning to suspect had been spiked cherry juice rather than just the tart-sweet juice the girl liked so much, and after Shada had scurried off with the blonde in tow to get some giant bubble bath or hot tub or something along those lines from the high pitched giggling that Abigail had struggled to understand though, she found herself sneaking off back to her own bedroom for a moments peace.
A moment's peace to call the one person she knew would be able to come up with a solution and answer to the ideas that were bubbling up in her mind.
The first call went unanswered, and glancing at the clock, Abigail bit her lip uncertain if she should try again. They were probably back from dinner, or maybe just driving home, so perhaps it would be the worst time to call them given just how active she’d found they could be left to their own devices the few times she’d made it home earlier than expected or that week her noise-canceling headphones have broken and she didn’t want to bother anyone about getting her some more when she’d only been home for a few weeks. But if she left it any later, it would have to wait until morning - and that was far too late to be able to do anything about it.
Calling again, Abigail sighed quietly to herself hearing the tinny voice through the other end of the phone.
“Sugar, what’s wrong?!”
“Nothing’s wrong, Jo, I’m okay.”
“You’re fine? You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m good. I promise. You don’t need to sound so worried.”
“Yes, you scared me-”
Abigail let out an audible sigh at that, smiling ruefully to herself as she moved to sit down on the end of her bed, looking out the window at the black night's sky and the twinkling lights of the city around her. Trust Jo to have jumped to the worst possible conclusion. All three of them were so protective of her, ever since she’d been driven up the driveway the first time and felt Will’s arms wrap around her. It had been a learning curve for all four of them to work out how to live together and just breathe when the others were away from home after her escape from Hannibal’s capture, but the inability to truly pin the doctor’s crimes on him made all three older adults jumpy if Abigail was away from home for too long without checking in. Or in this case, checking in earlier than expected.
“I’m fine, I just had something I wanted to ask you about. If it’s a good time-”
“No, it’s okay now. Why are you calling?”
She wasn’t sure how to start but found herself quickly blurting out the first thing that came to mind. “I’m trying to get Shada a date for the weekend, or a treat that actually isn’t all fake. And I just don’t know where to start.”
There was a long pause, before the tone through the phone turned slightly wicked and amused, the humor running through the woman’s voice that Abigail somehow knew she was smirking slightly to herself in glee. “Oh, yeah, sure. I can help with that.”
---
And help Jo did.
It wasn’t a jump at all for the blonde to suggest the man Abigail was now watching flirt a little too obnoxiously with the dark-haired woman. In fact, it was the first and only person that Jo had said that they should try to get the shadow access to over the weekend. If she had been trying to organize it herself, she never would have thought of the hunter - him being a hunter and all, and the way he would sometimes scowl a little too harshly towards Grey the few times the brothers had visited the farm since Abigail arrived, and the way he seemed just a little too gruff and rough around the edges from Shada’s own polished and sophisticated ways - but Jo was adamant he was the perfect person to spice up the weekend for the shadow without the secrecy that other men in random clubs would entail. Without the falsehood of making up a fake job, or talking about fake family members, or even just not talking about herself at all.
Watching the two, Dean’s hand laid firmly atop the back of the barstool Shada was perched in, and the way the shadow’s legs were crossed at the knee and pointed and pressing firmly against the man’s torso, she knew immediately that this had been the right call. The way if Abigail lent a little further back to the side she could see the thumb of his hand stroking against the open patch of skin at the back of the dark-haired woman’s backless dress. And hilariously enough, the way that the much taller brother came walking over with a tray of drinks for the remaining three in their little sequestered booth - a rum and coke for her, a Shirley Temple for Ombre who was still busy taking photos of herself and the thin gold chains that made up the privacy breaks between them and the next booth, and a gin and tonic for himself - to say quietly, “You know, whoever thought of this was a genius.”
“You mean bars or for that?” The dark-haired girl replied, jerking her head towards the bar where she could see Shada tossing her hair back with a laugh she couldn’t hear over the crowd to be immediately set back in place behind her ear by the hunter’s other hand. Abigail smirked a small smirk to herself as she could see the color darkening in the shadow’s cheeks before she seemed to giggle over something else. “Because I can’t take credit for either entirely.”
“You mean you’re not centuries-old and created the concept of drinking ale in a tavern?”
“Unfortunately not!”
“Ah, too bad. I’d have had so many questions about how to draw a pint from one of those old casks.”
Abigail laughed to herself at the joke, shaking her head as Sam relaxed into the other side of the booth all by himself. She was surprised as usual how much space one man could take up and glanced back across at the pair they were spying on as surreptitiously as possible as she took a sip of her drink. “Too bad indeed. I can’t even take credit for the idea to get you and Dean here tonight-”
“Yeah, I figured the frantic late-night call last night was not your own thought process,” Sam replied, leaning forward to see past some of the gold draping chains to watch his brother and the shadow flirting up a storm, a small smirk in place. “Jo?”
“Definitely all her idea. Or at least, the idea that, uh, Dean might be a good, um-” Abigail trailed off, not sure exactly how comfortable she was suggesting she’d been trying to use the man across from her’s brother as a stud for her friend until she caught the wicked grin on the other’s face. “Well, she thought they would match well together. Or something.”
“Or something.” Sam parroted back, sinking back in his seat with a shake of his head and an uncomfortable look on his face. Abigail spotted the cause of it immediately, as she noticed Dean crowded a little closer to the other’s stool, if that was even possible, and his hand had moved fully off of the chair’s back and onto the exposed skin of the lithe woman’s lower back while Shada had a hand stroking behind his ear as they continued to talk about whatever it was they were clearly faking an interest in. “You know why she’s done it, right?”
The question threw her off, looking in confusion across at the other as the booth seat next to her dipped and rose a little as Ombre chirped quietly that she wanted to check the lighting in the bathroom and disappeared into the swell of bodies in a way that seemed entirely unnatural for a girl as tall as her. If she wasn’t back after half an hour, Abigail would need to go look for her, but the shadow was good at keeping out of trouble and taking out any trouble that did come her way. Instead, it left her mind whirling around what on earth the hunter across from her, sipping at his drink pensively, could mean.
“Why?”
“Yes, why. Why Jo thought those two would flirt up a storm, potentially even disappear up to one of those hotel rooms you girls have-”
“We got a suite actually.”
“Well then, disappear up to there, and have themselves a good time. Why she thought that.”
Abigail frowned to herself at that, tilting her head slightly to look back at the pair who very much looked like a loved up couple from the outside or if not that, then an exceptionally good looking pair that had just met and were radiating out from them that nobody else should dare to approach either party despite the many other men giving Shada the once over and the few women nearby that ran an eye across Dean’s back as well. They looked like something out of a movie, where a man orders a drink and looks to his left to see the woman of his dreams sat right there - or perhaps more aptly the woman of his dreams for that night. And from the sultry eyes she could see the shadow directing towards the hunter, Abigail figured that was exactly where they were headed as she watched the dark-haired girl slide off of the barstool, Dean’s hand now firmly held in hers as they weaved towards the cocktail bar’s exit.
“Okay, I can’t think of it.”
“It’s because of what Shada is, and what Dean is.”
“Huh?”
Sam took another long sip of his drink, his eyes moving from the doorway that his brother had just disappeared out of towards her own wide-eyed blues, a look on his face that Abigail had never seen before. Something between anger, appreciation, and longing that she knew had nothing to do with her.
“Shada, as you know, isn’t human. And Dean has always had objections to the mixing of humans and those who aren’t. Like Grey and-” Sam spoke softly, swirling his drink in his hand, the lime and ice cube spinning gently around the crystal, as he bit the corner of his lip thoughtfully. “Jo and Will. Like Bobby and this woman he was once with. Like... Like me and Ruby.”
She found herself frowning at that, not recognizing the name at all, and reconciling that perhaps this explained how harsh Dean was sometimes to the man who was so sweet and kind and forgiving. To the man that was nothing but polite to the hunter every time that he was around, despite the almost hostile reactions that would sometimes follow him before Jo would chime up with ‘Bad hunt? Let’s talk’ and draw him away. It wasn’t always, and it was barely even often anymore, but it had still been there enough that Abigail had always wondered if he was an exception compared to Jo and his brother Sam, or if he was more the rule and Jo and Sam were the odd ducks out.
“So.. she suggested Dean to...” Abigail started, a small frown of her own forming as she realized she might have just been included and played in a game of Jo’s own matchmaking or scheming. “To make him more okay with Grey’s relationships?”
“Sort of. Though I think it was also possibly in order to make Dean more comfortable with the idea of that sort of relationship for himself.”
“What?”
“It’s a long story, but if he keeps up his prejudices then he’s going to miss out on the love of his life.”
“I hardly think-”
“Not Shada, Abby, but someone else. He’s got enough issues working through the fact it’s a guy, I think Jo might be trying to pull the non-human bandaid off with Shada’s help.”
“Well, that’s just using Shada!” Abigail jerked upright in her seat, affronted to have been played and manipulated all over again by someone she thought she trusted, blinking her eyes a few times as she tried not to let the prick of teas she could feel starting up fall. “That’s just-”
“Shada is a big girl, and I expect it’s going to take Dean a long while to work out his feelings. She’s also a lot better and more willing to read people, Abs, than Grey is.” Sam said soothingly, reaching across a large hand to rest against hers on the tabletop. “Shada will be absolutely aware that there will one day be an expiration date on this, but she gets to have some fun, she gets to be with someone kind and respectful in the meantime, and she gets to help her brother out as well.”
Abigail found herself shaking her head a few times, trying to see past the tears and think as calmly as she could. Sam was right, she knew that. And she knew that Jo loved Shada very very much and wouldn’t have said anything that might have hurt her. But it just stung a little that perhaps she, herself, hadn’t been let in on the larger planning but even then, she knew she didn’t know everything there was about the hunter and his history - so it made sense. She just wished there was a way to know that Jo wasn’t trying to hurt Shada, or herself, with her idea.
That was right up until her phone buzzed, and pulling it out of her pocket, Abigail felt her cheeks flaring up as she read the message flashing up on the screen - Jo
‘Hey, hope everything is going to plan! You’re so sweet to want to help Shada like this, I’m so glad we’ve got each other to help her now.
PS - the name is Felicity and she finishes at 10pm, so get out to the lobby!’
Frowning at the last bit, Abigail looked up as she looked up at the blonde shadow’s return, Ombre looking far too innocent and sweet and a little out of breath that could not have been all from going to the bathroom and taking a million selfies. There was a second before she felt the other girl’s hand wrap around her forearm and tug her up.
“Abby, mon petit ami, I have a surprise for you in the lobby!” Ombre’s voice was the same sing-song tone she would get whenever she was being crafty or up to something that was sprinkled with mischief, and looking at her phone again, Abigail found herself smiling as she realized that Shada wasn’t the only one getting a set up that evening. Though she expected that the other brunette was well and truly having a much more scandalous ending than her own.
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