#visit Kalymnos | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

forrestdtcmouritzen · 2 years

Text

Are Yachts A Smart Investment?

The seas are together with friendly dolphin fish, manatees, and many other varieties of fishes and animals. Guides and captains of Siesta Key within your boat still give you advice on the greatest places to observe them. Siesta Key is the true Garden of Eden in every sense. Can be a tropical trees, flowering shrubs, beautiful birds and a good variety of life provides. See beautiful birds along its bays and beaches, ever present for the puppies enthusiast.

Go to the horse backrounds. On many Saturday afternoons, the Barbados Turf Club holds race meetings in the Garrison Savannah racecourse. Betting is controlled and always honest. Read the people, the friends and lay a bet or two; such a wonderful method spend a lazy day.

Does the brokerage employ direct email advertising and marketing? We keep a communication marketing connected with several thousand boaters, a proficient number of whom are patrons. On a bi-monthly basis we email these buyers with a publication about new vessels on the market, price changes, boating headlines and other subjects of marine passion. Your yacht will be marketed listed. It sends customers to the website.

Boat holidays can wind up being much over your traditional holiday. When you can rent a boat for a few days, it's also possible to rent a boat for seasons at once. This gives that you nice, long holiday the actual really less expensive than you'd expect. It's certainly cheaper to spend three weeks on a boat holiday than always be be to invest three weeks in a hotel, where you'd likewise to mull over buying food, paying for transportation or parking, and paying admission to events. Having a Boat Holiday, it's all included-the accommodations and those activities. You will need to supply food, however, but buying groceries is less expensive eating at restaurants each and every meal.

The "Isle of Patmos" is noted for the famous writings of Saint John the Divine, who wrote the book of Revelations in the Greek New Testament for the Holy Bible verses. He was exiled to this island after attempts on his life failed. аренда лодки в греции на неделю stop here, and the island has beaches having a beautiful vis. Skala is the main town, which caters to cruise ship travellers. However visit the monastery of Saint John above Skala, and the Monastery of the Apocalypse which built all over cave where Saint John had his vision of end periods. There are connections by ferry to Kos, Rhodes, Leros and Kalymnos, together small boat to the city of Lipsi.

Almost all House boats come with televisions and music systems and other such basic entertainment ??? ?????????? ????? ? ?????? musical instruments. For a little extra they may well come along with DVD players and refrigerators and wash machines various other really luxurious gadgets.

Go bird and animal watching. Most forest parks and camping sites have brochures or leaflets for your different regarding animals that will be found around pick a that count watching and to look out for. A fun thing to enjoy is to buy books on wildlife before your camping trip and are game with your children and then determine who can spot the animals extremely. Just be particular you maintain your children at a safe duration.

5 notes · View notes

besthoneyintheuk · 1 year

Text

Greek Thyme Honey

Buy the finest Greek Thyme Honey online. The best collection of Greek Thyme Honey, antibacterial honey, and premium raw honey products can be found at Wildabouthoney.co.uk. For more details visit our website: https://www.wildabouthoney.co.uk/products/kalymnos-thyme-honey-by-wild-about-honey

#Greek Thyme Honey

0 notes

epestrefe · 3 years

Text

Κάλυμνος...βουνό και θάλασσα....

#Κάλυμνος #νησί #Τέλενδος #θάλασσα #κρυστάλλινα νερά #παραλία #καλοκαίρι #Δωδεκάνησα #Kalymnos island #Telendos islet #beach #summer #Dodecanese #Greece #visit Kalymnos #clear waters #colours #aquamarine colour

10 notes · View notes

zaffrenotes · 4 years

Text

[TRR] Kairos

Kairos - Part 1B

Book: The Royal Romance Pairing: Liam x Riley, Liam x OC Series Rating/Warnings: 18+; language; series will include ns*w 🍋 scenes Chapter Rating/Warnings: none Author’s Note: * All main characters belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them * Kairos (καιρός) is a word in Greek that translates to “the right time” or “the right moment to act” * Word Count: +/- 2400

Perma/Series Taglist (let me know if you’d like to be added/removed for future Kairos updates): @ao719 @blackcatkita @debramcg1106 @everythingchoices @gibbles82 @hustacks @loveellamae @ofpixelsandscribbles @smalltalk88 @aestheticartsx @aworldoffandoms @bbrandy2002 @burnsoslow @choiceskatie @darley1101 @dcbbw @gardeningourmet @hopefulmoonobject @iplaydrake @jovialyouthmusic @leelee10898 @liamxs-world @rainbowsinthestorm @riseandshinelittleblossom @superharriet @texaskitten30 @theroyalheirshadowhunter @the-soot-sprite // @alyssalauren @cordonianroyalty @gkittylove99 @kingliam2019 @mom2000aggie @omgjasminesimone @princessleac1

Elia was surprised at the amount of food Liam and Leo ordered just for the pair of them. Horiatiki – a traditional Greek salad with chunks of seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers, slices of red onions, olives, and chunks of feta, dressed with rich olive oil and a splash of lemon – along with kalamaria yemista – baked squid, stuffed with rice and herbs – Greek potatoes, and dolmades. It looked like dinner, rather than a late afternoon snack. The platters covered the space of the small table, barely leaving room for their plates and drinks. “This looks like you haven’t eaten in days,” she teased, taking a long sip from her frappe. The cold, foamy Greek coffee drink was a delightful reprieve from the summer sun.

“We spent most of the day bouldering on Kalymnos,” Liam answered, offering Elia one of the dishes. “Worked up quite the appetite, even with a hearty lunch.”

“It’s great for climbing and bouldering, and generally very relaxing,” Leo added. “But the island isn’t as lively as night.” He speared a wedge of tomato with his fork. “What brings you to Kos?”

“I’ve always wanted to visit Greece,” Elia answered, carefully working to cut the food on her plate without hitting anything else. “I spent the last ten days exploring Athens, and some family friends own a little apartment here.”

“Is that why you speak Greek so well?” Liam watched the dainty way she sliced her food into smaller, more manageable bites.

Elia laughed softly. “I…well, I just finished studying at university, with a degree in international affairs. I had to minor in at least one language, but my parents insisted I learn at least two.” She grinned when she looked up to see a curious expression on their faces. “I took Spanish and French in primary school, Italian for my degree, and Greek on sort of a dare when I was a teen.”

“And the German?”

“Boarding school,” she shrugged. “Difficult not to learn the language when you’re shipped off to Munich for two years. How did you come to speak Greek?”

“We’re from a small island not too far from here, so we sort of grew up exposed to different languages,” Liam replied. “Where are you fr—”

Liam’s question was cut short by the sound of Leo’s phone ringing. He pulled the phone from his pocket, frowning slightly at the screen before swiping to answer. “Excuse me, I need to take this,” he whispered, rising out of his seat. He walked out of the eating area, several yards away to avoid being heard, leaving Liam and Elia at the table.

“I’m from a small island in the Pacific,” Elia said quietly, flashing another small smile at Liam. She seemed to smile every time she looked up at him, which was just as frequent as he looked at her. It didn’t help that Liam’s cheeks warmed every time their eyes met.

Liam’s lips formed a tight line as he studied Elia’s features; he chewed and swallowed a piece of dolmades before asking another question. “Malaysia? Philippines? Guam?” He squinted his eyes at her. “Taiwan?”

Elia grinned and looked down at her food. “Adjacent to one of the countries you mentioned.”

“Care to elaborate, for the curious?”

Elia glanced up quickly through her lashes to see Liam grinning at her. “Not really, no,” she admitted, stifling a giggle. Liam’s downturned expression turned to an amused smile at her response.

They ate in comfortable silence for a minute, until Leo returned, looking crestfallen. “What is it?”

Leo didn’t bother to sit down, instead pulling out his wallet to count out some bills. He spoke in a language Elia couldn’t understand, and Liam nodded. “Something’s come up at, uh, work,” Leo answered, switching to English. “I’ve got to head back in the morning.” He bowed his head at Elia. “Miss Elia, it was lovely to meet you, I hope my idiot brother will be adequate company to finish your meal.” He knocked back the rest of his drink and looked at Liam again. “We’re still on for tonight, but I have to take a conference call for work.” Leo said something in the strange language again and left Liam and Elia where they sat, heading down towards the water.

“You and your brother work together?”

Liam cut a piece of potato in half, pausing to answer. “He’s a rather…unwilling apprentice…to the family business. I’m more of an advisor, while I learn more about operations.”

Elia and Liam spent the rest of their meal getting to know each other, though it was clear they were both being purposefully vague with some of their responses. She learned that Liam and Leo made this trip a semi-regular summer tradition, climbing during the day and partying at night, mostly at Leo’s behest. She also learned that Leo was Liam’s half-brother, which explained the difference in their appearances.

Their waiter cleared away dishes and deposited generous servings of baklava and galaktoboureko while he left to box up the leftovers. Elia and Liam’s eyes looked at the desserts with appreciation, and he nudged the baklava towards her. “I know this is what you wanted to order earlier, please, help yourself.”

Elia grinned. “You shouldn’t say that,” she warned. “I really do love this dessert more than anything I’ve had while I’ve been here. If I was dining alone and no one was looking, I’d wolf this down in two forkfuls.”

Liam arched his brow at her. “Impossible,” Liam laughed. “There’s at least twice that much on the plate, if not more!”

“It would be extremely unladylike, but I could do it!”

“The whole thing in your mouth, in just two forkfuls?”

Elia nodded.

Liam nudged the plate towards her again. “Prove it.” He clasped his hands together, resting the tip of his elbows along the edge of the table. “If you do, I’ll answer any question you want, no games, no hinting at something more detailed.”

“And if I can’t?”

He quirked his brow up at her question. “Then you’ll have to answer one of my questions with complete honesty. Do we have a deal?”

Elia set her fork down and held out her hand to Liam. He shook it in agreement. “You have a deal.” She cut the baklava in half, crunching through the crispy layers of phyllo, and paused to look over her shoulder as well as Liam’s shoulder. She waited for the few people on the street to walk past, shaking her head as she looked down at the sticky dessert before her. “Here goes,” she said quietly. She stabbed one of the triangles, opened her mouth wide, and maneuvered the piece of baklava until her lips engulfed the fork; she pulled the fork free, cheeks puffed out with honey, phyllo, and walnuts.

Liam grinned smugly at her, trying to hide his amusement. “Do you yield?”

Elia pushed the baklava to one side of her mouth with her tongue, fighting the urge to laugh. She clamped her lips between her teeth, raising her left hand to Liam, and shook a finger at him as she stabbed the other half of the baklava with her fork. She grinned and used her free hand to shield her mouth, taking in Liam’s surprised expression as his eyes widened, watching her shove the rest of the baklava into her mouth. Her shoulders shook in silent laughter, cheeks stretched to their limit, now full of food, and once again she wrapped her lips around the fork before pulling it free.

She set the fork down on the now empty plate, chewing carefully, trying not to cough as the phyllo broke and poked against the roof of her mouth and into her cheeks. Liam watched on with rapt attention, smile growing wider by the second. He clapped, laughing heartily, when she took her final swallow. It was the kind of laugh that seemed to start in one’s belly, erupting boisterously enough to require tipping one’s head back.

“Évge! Évge!” He applauded, congratulating her. “You’ve more than earned your prize.”

Elia continued to clear her mouth as politely as she could in front of Liam, taking a long drink of water to wash down the richness of the baklava. She breathed deeply through her nose and used a napkin to hide her smile, dabbing the corners of her mouth before setting it down on the table. “What sort of business are you and your brother in?” She took another sip of water from her glass. “What are you hoping to find on this excursion away from home?”

“Those are two very different questions.”

Elia tilted her head slightly, noticing the way Liam’s brows pinched together in thought. “The second one, then.”

Liam leaned back, pulling the plate of galaktoboureko towards him, eyeing the sweet custard filling. He sliced through it with his fork, freeing a small piece away. “The truth is,” he began, looking up to meet Elia’s gaze with his own, “I’d just like to be…me, for a time. Without anyone trying to butter me up for some kind of favor.”

Elia blinked several times, her deep brown eyes unnervingly unreadable. “And that’s something difficult to find, in your line of work?”

“Sadly, yes.” Liam took in a nervous breath and exhaled slowly. “Everyone knows my family where I’m from, and not a day goes by where we don’t have to manage some sort of proposal that benefits all parties involved. As much as I love parts of my life, it’s daunting and draining to know my future will be filled with endless days of managing similar deals left and right.”

Elia nodded solemnly. “Rather large shoes to fill, from the sound of things. I’m in a similar position.” She glanced across the table to see a curious expression on Liam’s face. “My family has all but mapped out the next stage of my life for me, and while I love them dearly, I don’t want to follow the path they’ve made for me. I’m still figuring out who I am.”

The waiter returned with a pair of carryout bags and the bill, and Liam took the money Leo left for them when he departed, adding a few more bills as a tip. “May I escort you back to wherever you’re staying?”

Elia gathered up her things from the back of the chair and they started walking down the street. “That’s not really necessary,” she replied.

“I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Elia chuckled. They were roughly fifty paces away from the café, and she paused in front of a gate. “I’m staying just up there,” she said, pointing above them to a small balcony above a shop.

Liam laughed to himself, running his fingers across his forehead. “I thought I’d have more time to steel my nerves.”

“Steel your nerves for what, Liam?” Elia crossed one foot behind the other and looked up at him.

“To ask you to meet me tonight, if you don’t have any plans for the evening.”

“Nothing set in stone, no,” she replied, feeling something flutter behind her ribs.

“I’ll have your name added to the list,” Liam grinned. “We’ll be going to Mascotte, around 9?”

“On Tigaki? I’ve seen it.”

“So I’ll tell them to add Elia…?”

“de Leon. My last name is de Leon. Nine PM. Mascotte. I look forward to seeing you again.” She turned and placed her hand on the gate. “Thank you for the meal today.”

“Thank you for your company, I’ll see you tonight.” Liam smiled bashfully at her, watching her walk up the steps before she disappeared behind the whitewashed wall. He turned on his heels and headed towards the marina, feeling a lightness in his chest he’d only felt a trace of before.

Liam never saw the way Elia sighed happily as she unlocked the door to the apartment, pausing with her hand on the doorknob when she swung it open. Leaving the keys in the door, she dropped the carryout bag to the ground and her hand immediately went into her purse, feeling around for the small pistol she always carried with her. The windows were open; she remembered closing them before leaving for the beach that morning.

“Careful, it’s just me,” a familiar voice called out. A tall figure stepped into the arch leading to a sitting room, his arms held up to either side.

Elia exhaled loudly and lowered the pistol, easing her tension on the grip. “Beni, what are you doing here?”

The older gentleman stepped into the light, taking a few steps in Elia’s direction, and ticked his chin at the weapon in her hands. “Glad to see you’re at least following my advice to protect yourself.”

“Benigno,” Elia scoffed. “Why are you here?” She clicked the safety in place before setting the pistol in her purse again, and picked up the bag off the ground, pulling her keys free from the doorknob.

“You haven’t been answering phone calls or messages,” he answered, pulling a chair away from the kitchen table. He sat down and picked up one of the magazines on the table, leafing through it slowly. “Your parents are expecting you in Macau for the consortium gala.”

“I was under the impression that it was Mariela’s turn.”

“She’s overseeing things at home while your parents are attending to the consortium.”

“Which is just another ploy for them to set me up with some new rajah, or duke, or some CEO with distant royal ties.” She unpacked the boxes of leftovers from her meal with Liam and stacked them in the small fridge.

“Be that as it may, it is your duty.”

“Can we leave in the morning? I have plans for this evening I don’t wish to cancel.”

“I’m afraid not, Miss,” Benigno replied. “The flight itself will take nearly a full day, it would be best to leave for Athens this evening. We’re booked on a return flight at eight.”

“Give me an hour to shower and pack, at least?”

Benigno closed the magazine and stood up, straightening his tie. “Of course,” he replied, bending slightly at the waist in a modest bow. “I’ll be just downstairs, getting a coffee.”

Elia waited for Benigno to shut the door and leave, before leaning her hands against the kitchen counter and sighing heavily. She had no way of contacting Liam to tell him that she had to cancel. “Perhaps it’s for the best,” she said to herself, taking in a cleansing breath.

#the royal romance fanfic #trr fanfic #trr fanfiction #trr au #the royal romance au #trr liam x mc #trr prince liam #trr king liam #liam x oc #choices the royal romance #choices fanfic #playchoices fanfic #zaffrenotes writes

58 notes · View notes

villasingreece · 3 years

Text

Five “Secret” Greek Islands

A Greek Island escape makes the perfect holiday, but with around 1,400 islands in the Greek archipelago, choosing a destination that is not overrun with holidaymakers can be a challenge. While Corfu and Crete are deservedly popular, especially with first-time Greece travelers, here are five ‘secret’ Greek islands that should be on your itinerary.

Kea

Part of the Cyclades, and close to the mainland, laid-back Kea is no secret with the locals who flock here to their weekend retreats. Ferries to Kea leave from Lavrio, a 90-minute bus trip from Athens. Kea has a laid-back atmosphere, good walking trails, and 50 miles of coastline with tiny bays and unspoiled sandy beaches. Ioulidha, has some holidays on crete charming tavernas, while the delightful hill capital of Ioulis, the marina at Vourkari and Otzias Bay are other highlights.

Evia

Dominated by Mt Ochi, this Greek island ‘secret’, is really the second-largest Greek island after Crete. With remote villages nestled in the mountain slopes, connected by stone paths and tracks, it’s a walker’s delight. But add a captivating coastline, plenty of Roman ruins, old buildings, secluded beaches, and a wide choice of lively tavernas, and you have the perfect holiday ingredients.

The walks traverse lush valleys with old stone bridges fording streams, watermills and fountains. The walk to the Dimosaris Gorge ends at the village of Kalliani. Like Kea, you can get the ferry here from Athens. The capital, Karystos, overlooks the Aegean Sea and the Cycladic Islands in the south. Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches and Frankish castles are interspersed with olive and fruit groves, vineyards and cypress trees and deserted beaches and coves are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Kalymnos

Mountainous and picturesque Kalymnos, set between the islands of Leros and Kos in the Dodecanese, is renown for its sponge divers. It is a beautiful Greek island and way less touristic than its neighbour Kos, since it’s black-sand beaches are not as attractive for swimmers. For nightlife head for Masouri, but at Vathi, a haunt of yachties, you can dine on fresh seafood and afterwards dive into crystal clear water from the little jetty. You can reach Kalymnos by ferry from Peiraias.

Karpathos

The Aegean Dodecanese Islands, of which Karpathos is the pick, has a wild, natural beauty in the north, and is tamed and tranquil in the south. Sharp mountains, uncrowded beaches and tracks ideal for hiking make Karpathos the perfect Greek holiday experience, only without the hordes. The village of Olymbos has distinctive windmills that produce flour, while the surrounding countryside grows olives, grains, fruits, vegetables, and grapes that produce a distinctive local wine. Diafani has the remains of a Minoan settlement and Hellenistic-era public baths.

Nisyros

Between Kos and Tilos this tiny volcanic Greek island caters mainly to day-trippers although hotel and villa accommodation is available. Ferries run between Piraeus on the mainland and Rhodes. Be sure to visit the volcano crater, view fuming mini craters and walk the pathways of the dramatic and mountainous interior. Perhaps try the sulphurous waters of the health spa. There are many charming Orthodox Christian churches as well as four uninhabited monasteries, the largest is built beside a medieval fort.

1 note · View note

gegingrecia · 3 years

Photo

L'ARCHIVIO FOTOGRAFICO BENAKI

Gli Archivi fotografici Benaki conservano alcune tra le immagini più importanti e toccanti della Grecia del XIX e XX secolo.In una delle foto allegate, scattata a Mykonos, possiamo osservare una ragazza sorridente scendere una scalinata che conduce a un vicolo fiancheggiato da case costruite nel tipico stile cicladico: bianche, cuboidi e con muri spessi, piccole finestre e porte.Il cielo sopra è limpido; sullo sfondo si vede la sommità di un mulino a vento. La ragazza indossa abiti estivi e si può quasi sentire il calore del sole che riscalda il terreno roccioso e irregolare.L'immagine in bianco e nero non apparirebbe fuori luogo in una campagna pubblicitaria che promuove il turismo greco. Gli elementi archetipici di Mykonos in essa contenuti sono quasi un cliché: tutto ciò che manca è un pellicano.Eppure questa fotografia è stata scattata all'inizio degli anni '50, in un momento in cui il turismo era ancora un concetto estraneo per Mykonos e per gran parte del mondo, lo stile "Cicladico" non era ancora ben definito. La ragazza probabilmente è cresciuta sull'isola osservando i primi visitatori stranieri scendere dalle barche e iniziare a esplorare i suoi villaggi e le spiagge incontaminate. Il mulino a vento nella fotografia ha le vele non per migliorare le istantanee turistiche, ma perché veniva ancora utilizzato per macinare il grano coltivato sulle dolci colline di Mykonos.Scattata dall'importante fotografo greco Voula Papaioannou (1898-1990), questa immagine è solo una delle migliaia che documentano la vita in Grecia nel corso del XIX e XX secolo che sono conservate nel dipartimento degli archivi fotografici del Museo Benaki.Creato nel 1973, il dipartimento Archivi fotografici è un importante archivio che contiene il lavoro di rinomati fotografi come Nelly's, Voula Papaioannou, Pericles Papachatzidakis, Dimitris Harissiadis, Georgios Rizos, Nikolaos Tombazis e altri. Il loro lavoro fornisce un'importante testimonianza della vita in Grecia nell'era moderna.Una selezione di questa collezione unica è disponibile per l'acquisto. Le fotografie vengono elaborate e stampate in varie dimensioni all'interno del dipartimento sotto la cura esperta del suo personale, con prezzi a partire da 40 euro.Un’idea fantastica per un ricordo o un regalo di alta qualità che cattura la vera essenza della Grecia e supporta il lavoro svolto dal Museo Benaki.Per sfogliare tutte le stampe disponibili online potete visitare il sito Web del Benaki Museum Shop.

(fonti e foto web)

Do you want to travel to Greece? Visit our website www.gegingrecia.it and contact us

THE BENAKI PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE The Benaki Photographic Archives preserve some of the most important and touching images of Greece of the 19th and 20th centuries. In one of the attached photos, taken in Mykonos, we can observe a smiling girl descending a staircase leading to an alley lined with houses built in the typical Cycladic style: white, cuboid and with thick walls, small windows and doors. The sky above is clear; in the background you can see the top of a windmill. The girl is wearing summer clothes and you can almost feel the heat of the sun warming the rocky and uneven ground. The black and white image would not look out of place in an advertising campaign promoting Greek tourism. The archetypal elements of Mykonos contained in it are almost a cliché: all that is missing is a pelican. Yet this photograph was taken in the early 1950s, at a time when tourism was still a foreign concept for Mykonos and much of the world, the "Cycladic" style was not yet well defined. The girl probably grew up on the island watching the first foreign visitors get off the boats and start exploring its pristine villages and beaches. The windmill in the photograph has sails not to enhance tourist snapshots, but because it was still used to grind wheat grown on the rolling hills of Mykonos. Taken by the prominent Greek photographer Voula Papaioannou (1898-1990), this image is just one of thousands documenting life in Greece during the 19th and 20th centuries that are kept in the Benaki Museum's photographic archives department. Created in 1973, the Photographic Archives department is an important archive containing the work of renowned photographers such as Nelly's, Voula Papaioannou, Pericles Papachatzidakis, Dimitris Harissiadis, Georgios Rizos, Nikolaos Tombazis and others. Their work provides an important testimony of life in Greece in the modern era. A selection of this unique collection is available for purchase. The photographs are processed and printed in various sizes within the department under the expert care of its staff, with prices starting from 40 euros. A fantastic idea for a high quality keepsake or gift that captures the true essence of Greece and supports the work done by the Benaki Museum. To browse all the prints available online, you can visit the Benaki Museum Shop website. (sources and web photos)

#greece #travelgreece #grecia #viaggiareingrecia #greciabella #beautifulgreece #travel #greek culture #photo #photography

2 notes · View notes

machhapuchchhre · 4 years

Text

I dreamt of city trips with you - eat a pizza in Rome, spend Christmas in Prague, make love in Brugges, visit every single church in Firenze, watch a ballet in Vienna, have a hot chocolate in Innsbrück.

I dreamt of climbing everywhere with you - take you to my childhood crags, enjoy Chamonix in september, get lost in the Dolomites, take a long vacation in Kalymnos, explore the woods of Belgium, get humbled by Fontainebleau boulders, visit California.

I dreamt of taking you to my Himalayan happy places, to trek under the Annapurna and admire the crazy colors of the Ladakhi mountains.

Dreams, pretty cruel dreams that i'll keep with me forever.

2 notes · View notes

sammysdewysensitiveeyes · 4 years

Text

@thecorteztwins

I wound up writing a little thing based on those panels you showed me of villains “rehabilitating” (but actually being mind-controlled) at Clear Mountain Center in X-Men 92. This was meant to be a funny story about Fabian in rehab learning how to talk to women, but it got a little disturbing because of the mind-control aspect, and also Avalanche tells a grim little story about baby murder, so warnings for that. But now I’m really tempted to write something about Haven taking the place over and actually Doing It Right.

“So,” Fabian began, speaking in the halting tones of someone attempting to wrap his mind around a difficult concept. “You’re saying you’re not attracted to me?”

“Not in the slightest,” said Tabitha Smith, the mutant known as Boomer (and also Time Bomb, Boom-boom, Meltdown, and whatever other code-name caught her fancy). Her tone was firm, but she smiled at him, as if to soften the blow. “I mean, you’re obviously good-looking, just not my type.”

“Oh, of course, you prefer women. I understand. I am open-minded about such things –“

“Nooooo…..” Boomer cut in, with some slight irritation creeping into her voice. “I’m mostly into guys. Just different types of guys.” Fabian thought hard. He was tempted to spread his legs out wider, to give her a better look at what she was rejecting, but he’d gotten enough tiny power-bombs to the crotch to learn that that was a bad idea. (The low-powered bombs did no real damage, but they certainly stung.)

“I get it, I get it. You are holding yourself back. You are maintaining a professional relationship because you are my counselor.”

“No!” Boomer held her head in her hands for a moment, sighing. “Look, not every woman will find you attractive, okay? Everyone has different preferences. Like, people think Leonard Decaprio is super-hot, and he just doesn’t do anything for me, I’m more of a Brad Pitt girl. It’s not something you need to feel bad about, it doesn’t mean you’re like, ugly, or anything like that.”

Fabian’s mind whirled. This girl was young, beautiful, a powerful mutant, and had showed him such kindness as his mentor. She had a surprising amount of wisdom underneath her shallow and flippant demeanor. And yet, her judgement was so unsound. Perhaps she had some kind of psychological condition, like a strange form of face-blindness? But then, Fabian had been learning to accept many ideas that had previously seemed impossible. The idea of living with the humans in peace. The idea of answering hatred with understanding, not violence. The idea that he should treat others with kindness and respect, instead using them as stepping stones in his quest for status and power.

“Very well,” Fabian began again. It was difficult to force the words out. “I…accept that you do not find me attractive. I….accept that some people…..may….not find me attractive. After all, there are many different preferences in this world.”

“Yeah, dude, exactly. It’s like…some people like Cool Ranch Doritos? And some people prefer Nacho Cheese. There’s no right or wrong, except for the people who like Funyuns, because that shit is nasty.” Fabian wanted to roll at his eyes at her rather low class tastes, but instead he found himself laughing good-naturedly.

“Ha, ha, yes, that is a funny joke,” he said, beaming. It was strange. His mind felt so….slow. Like there was this weight pressing down in it. But at the same time, it was oddly pleasant. A bit like Anne Marie’s more enthusiastic hugs, which always threatened to break the recipient’s back.

“In Spain we have jamon flavored potato chips. Perhaps you would find them interesting to try. I will bring some back the next time I visit home.” He did not add that he had never eaten those chips, they were junk food for peasants, but if this girl found them enjoyable, he would indulge her. It was a nice thing to do, and he found that he wanted to be nice lately. He didn’t entirely understand why.

“Oh dude, that would be amazing!” Boomer exclaimed. “I love trying junk food from other countries. There’s so much cool stuff out there. Did you know that they have, like, a whole ton of Kit-Kat flavors in Japan?”

I don’t care, Fabian wanted to say. I spent my time in Japan eating Kobe beef and blue-fin tuna, not wasting my money on cheap candy.

“No, I didn’t know that,” he said aloud instead. He hadn’t meant to say that. He hadn’t intended to sound so interested, but his mouth and brain did not seem properly connected. The pleasant feeling hung over him, almost suffocating.

“OMG, there are like, so many! There’s strawberry, and sweet potato, and soy sauce, and wasabi – which is like, better than you’d expect – and sake, and…”

Fabian wanted to tell her to stop prattling, but he couldn’t quite find the words. He looked around the outdoor area while she rambled on. There was Blob pruning rhododendron bushes with Storm, the blossoms tiny in his huge, clumsy hands.

“….and blueberry cheesecake, and apple pie, and brown sugar syrup, and cantaloupe which sounds totally disgusting but apparently it’s pretty good, and…”

The Kleinstock brothers and Frenzy were tossing a Frisbee around with Feral and Cannonball, while Vertigo and Arclight were playing scrabble with Polaris and Multiple Man. Ruckus was strumming a guitar, pausing occasionally to sweep his hair back dramatically, and clearly looking around for an audience. Ugh, he was singing “One Tin Soldier.” Fabian hated that song. Fabian hated……a lot of things that were happening at that moment.

“….and maple, and pumpkin, and chestnut, and green tea, and Tokyo Banana, because apparently that’s a thing, and..”

He hated listening to this stupid girl spew out every thought in her empty brain. He hated sitting in group therapy and listening to the peons that he shared the facility with whining about their inconsequential problems. He hated having to hug people. He hated being stuck in this adult daycare while he should be leading his Acolytes to victory against humankind (and racking up a few kill points for the Upstarts while he was at it.) Something in his mind was breaking free.

“Enough!” he snapped, jumping to his feet. “This isn’t right! I shouldn’t be here!” Boomer paused in her Kit-Kat flavor recital.

“Whoa, dude. Chill out. You need a time-out, or something? Maybe you need some time in the Angry Room.”

“No, I do not need some time in the Angry Room,” Fabian snarled. “I don’t belong here with the rest of these losers, there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m….I’m so much better than the rest of you. I’m practically a god! I should be….should be –“ His eyebrow twitched. His body shuddered, and a fixed grin came over his face.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be saying things like that. What am I thinking? We’re all special in our own way. I just want us all to be friends,” Fabian continued. A single tear leaked out of one corner of his eye.

“Hey, good job, man,” said Boomer, patting him on the shoulder. “You recognized a negative thought pattern, and then, like, stopped it. That totally deserves a Hershey Kiss.” She tossed him the silver wrapped chocolate.

“Thank you.” Fabian shuddered again, and then his body seemed to relax, his tense smile softening into one that seemed genuine, if a bit dazed. “I like Hershey Kisses.”

“Don’t we all, buddy.”

“They are good,” Fabian continued, pulling the foil off and popping the chocolate in his mouth absent-mindedly. “This place is a good place. We are all good here.”

At the table, another group was mid-way through a fairly intense game of Uno. Most of the group (X-Men included), would have preferred poker, but apparently that wasn’t wholesome enough the rehabilitation process.

“I’m just saying, we didn’t start the war.” Avalanche slapped down a card, perhaps slightly too hard. “Humans want to stomp out anyone who’s different. That’s the whole damn history of the human race.”

“But nothing will change if we continue the cycle of violence,” argued Colossus.

“We must ‘turn the other cheek,’” agreed Nightcrawler. “Send out a message of peace and love.” He betrayed that sentiment by tossing down a Draw Four card.

“Yeah, and the guy that did that got nailed to a cross, didn’t he?” Avalanche retorted. “Didn’t work out so well for him.”

“You can’t be expecting us to imitate Christ, can ya?” Pyro put in, throwing a Reverse on the stack. “He was all flawless and perfect and ‘ineffable,’ right? And he had a get-out-of-death-free card. We ain’t got that.”

“You could have that, by the Grace of God –“ Nightcrawler began, than stopped, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, this is not the right place for that conversation. I know religion is very personal, and everyone must make their own choices. But I will talk about it with any of you privately, if you want.”

“All I’m saying is, humans have tried to bloody kill us,” Pyro continued. “Are we supposed to just lie down and take it? I’ve had people turn on me, even back before the Brotherhood, before I committed any crimes. People that I thought I could trust.” The cards in his hand crumpled as his fist clenched.

“Humans are fucking brutal. I’ve seen…..” Avalanche shook his head. “There was a woman back on Kalymnos, gave birth to a baby with gills. Nothing wrong with the kid otherwise, it was just a cute baby. But people acted like it was the damn anti-Christ. Her husband moved out and wouldn’t have anything to do with her. And one day….” A slight tremor rippled across the table as he continued. “One day some guy just snatched the baby out of her arms and threw it down on the rocks. I’ll never forget how she screamed. And nothing ever happened to the guy. He was a murderer, and the police did nothing. Everyone just pretended that it never happened –“ The table shook visibly now, the vibrations spreading out into the ground around them.

“Tovarish, please calm down. I understand how that memory must pain you, but –“

The vibrations suddenly stopped. For a moment, Avalanche looked confused, then a dull smile spread across his face.

“I’m sorry, friends. I just get upset sometimes, thinking about that. I shouldn’t dwell on such horrible memories.”

“Yes, we should just think about good things,” Pyro agreed, wearing the same sickly smile. “We are in a good place. We are all good here.”

Sitting in the sun on the roof, Toad wrapped his arms around himself, smiling. He felt….good. For the first time that he could remember, he was entirely at peace with himself. He wasn’t plagued with anxiety at every social interaction, waiting for the inevitable rejection, wasn’t miserable when he looked into the mirror. No more flashbacks or sudden fits of sadness or anger. He woke up and was actually eager to get out of bed in the morning, eager for a day that he knew would bring good things. And people were actually being nice to him! There was no superficial politeness or poorly hidden disgust, no cheap pity. Just genuine kindness. His counselors and the other former super-villains actually seemed glad to see him every day.

Of course, sometimes it felt too good to be true. Sometimes he would look around and everything would feel slightly off, like one of those hyper-realistic dreams where you can only tell that you’re dreaming because something in your room is out of place. He felt like he was constantly wrapped in a blanket of warm air, and it was so good and comforting, but it made him dull and sleepy. (Perhaps this was what being drunk was supposed to be like? For the normal people? When Toad tried alcohol, it only seemed to make him sad.) Things were very hazy, and it was hard to put his thoughts together. But that didn’t matter, did it? Because finally he was safe and happy, and everyone was so nice.

“This is a good place,” he said aloud to no one in particular. “We are all good here.”

#fabian cortez #dominic petros #avalanche #pyro #st. john allerdyce #toad #mortimer toynbee

6 notes · View notes