#1000 pillars hall
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Meenakshi Temple
Main Gate of Meenakshi temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Temple (Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple) is an historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Shakti, and her consort, Sundareshwarar, a form of Shiva.
An aerial view of the compound from the top of the southern gopuram, looking north.
The north tower of the temple
Meenakshi temple has 14 colourful gopura (entrance towers). These are gateways to various shrines and mandapas.
The Airakkal Mandapa (Thousand Pillars Hall) of the Great Pagoda
Carved pillar - Female Musician playing an alapini vina or Kinnari vina in the Thousand Pillars Hall
The massive temple is enclosed by high walls entered through soaring gopuras, or gateway towers. Inside are colonnades, columned mandapas (halls, some of which were used for shops, storerooms, and stables), a sacred tank, lesser shrines, and, at the centre, the two main shrines to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi. The gopuras are some of the most elaborately decorated in India. Brightly painted, they are completely covered with figures of divinities, celestial beings, monster masks, guardians, and animal mounts. The tallest of the 14, the southern gopura, rises to more than 170 feet
View of the temple from the west-side tower
Looking up at the South Tower
Meenakshi Temple
Vishnu (left) gives away his sister and bride Meenakshi's hand into the waiting hand of groom Shiva. The temple commemorates this legend every year with a festive procession.
Thousand-Pillared Hall, 16th century
Another view...
Golden tower (shikhara) of the Madurai Meenakshi temple
The Meenakshi from behind the Temple Pool
Golden Lotus in the temple pool.
Meenakshi temple decorated for the Navarathri festival.
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. It spans over nine nights and ten days
Temple at Madura photographed in 1860 by Francis Frith
#The Meenakshi Temple#navarathri festival#Durga#Airakkal Mandapa#thousand-pillared hall#gopura#1000 pillars hall#thousand pillars hall#Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple
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In case anyone isn’t caught up, here’s a rundown of what has happened with the SHINee Fanmeet fiasco:
SM announced the fanmeet would be held in Kintex, a notoriously bad venue about 1.5 hours from most places in Seoul. Fans complained, but hoped the layout would make it work out, although many considered just watching the beyond live since they knew the views might not be very good (edit to add clarification: Kintex is like exhibition halls with walls that can be removed to make the rooms bigger and the freedom to build the seating/stage layout differently for each event since it’s essentially just a very long empty room)
SM originally made the Korean ticketing announcement with a line included stating that there would be a beyond live, but shawols noticed at some point that this line was removed, bringing doubt that there would actually be a live stream
Shortly after that was noticed, SM dropped the seating layout and it was terrible. It would take place in one long, flat room with no elevated seating and a pillar in the middle of it. If you were about halfway back, you wouldn’t be able to see anything past the heads in front of you or the pillar. Additionally, this wasn’t a venue made for music events, so even the audio wouldn’t be good near the back
With the line about the beyond live removed from the announcement and the seating chart being worse than we imagined, it added to the upset as it felt as though SM knew the venue/views would be terrible and fans would prefer to watch a livestream, so they removed that option, making fans feel like they had no choice but to pay ~$100 for a ticket where they couldn’t see or even hear the boys. Also, SM dropped the seating chart right before a sort of half-holiday weekend in Korea (Labor Day) so it seemed even more sketch, like they knew fans would complain so they made the announcement at a time when they wouldn’t have to deal with it over the extended weekend.
SM also included a little notice saying that some seats would have limited views but there would be no refunds if that were the case, so choose your seat wisely. Except they didn’t even confirm where the restricted view seats were, leaving the responsibility entirely up to the fans with no offer to refund
On top of it all, shawols have felt for years that shinee gets treated badly by their company, and shawols by extension. There are many instances of shinee goods being more expensive or not as good of quality, and a lot of shawols felt walked all over because it was like the company knew we would just pay for anything they gave us without complaint, like bad merch or an awful venue. But not this time, this was the last straw.
Kwols immediately rallied together to protest the seating layout and venue choice. By the same night, a list of demands were made (apology from SM directly, direct confirmation of beyond live, venue change or at least a seating change layout). An anonymous shawol even donated $1000 for the rental of protest trucks to be placed outside of the SM building. If the demands were not met, most shawols agreed to boycott the live performance
SM released a statement confirming there would be a beyond live, but they weren’t going to change anything about the live performance. They claimed that they originally had a venue that could hold 5000 people (which was insulting on its own) but that reservation fell through, so they went with kintex. They said there would be a screen on the back of the pillar, so fans in the back would be watching the entire thing on a screen since it would be impossible to see the stage from any point beyond the pillar, and the members would go around in carts for people in the back to see them (which, keep in mind, usually only happens for one or two songs out of the entire event). And they’d look into potentially making inclined seating, but no guarantee. Keep in mind, it is possible in this venue to design the stage/seating layout in any way the organizer wants, but they kept the bad layout they originally made.
This only made fans angrier. It felt like they were using the members as an excuse (citing the members schedules even though we know the members cleared most of their schedules specifically for the anniversary) and underestimating shawols by going for a 5k capacity venue at first, and then refusing to make any kind of change that would actually better the situation, not even a seating layout change, nor lowered prices for those in the back. Plus, fans themselves found other venues that are available for the same day. It gave the impression that SM didn’t have a plan B in case their first choice failed, so they just went with the quickest, easiest, and cheapest option. Even though they could have started planning this months ago since the anniversary is a fixed date :/
Fans doubled down on the boycott. This time, if SM didn’t change the venue entirely, shawols agreed to not only boycott ticketing for the in-person event, but also the beyond live and the merch. Hearing from the kwol side of things, there were a few that didn’t want to boycott, but the overwhelming majority would boycott. Plus oversees shawols agreeing to boycott the beyond live meant this would be a global boycott that would mean major revenue losses for SM.
This even reached major news outlets and multiple articles were made. The members didn’t say anything about it, but on ticketing day around noon, Onew responded to a comment on his Instagram post acknowledging the situation and stating that he and the members were talking to the company to find the best possible solution.
Finally, only 4 hours before the fanclub pre-sale was supposed to begin, SM announced that ticketing would be postponed while they look for a new venue. We did it!
There’s more information, but that’s the gist. I hope everyone understands, no one really wanted to boycott. Of course we all wanted to see SHINee and support them for their anniversary, but shawols didn’t want to give SM the impression that this kind of organization or treatment of SHINee or the fans was okay. If we all just bit our tongues and bought tickets, what would stop SM from doing something just as bad for the next SHINee event? Or even another group? We made our voices heard and it worked! Now we’re just waiting for the new ticketing date/venue to be announced. Happy SHINee month!
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We need more horseplay between the boys. Even worse, I feel like Inosuke, 1000 percent, would pull a bunch of pranks. Tanjirou is usually fine with them, Zenitsu hates them! But, one day while Tanjirou is in the bath, Inosuke steals his clothes and runs out☠️of course Tanjirou sees this, and without thinking runs out after him with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Inosuke, hold on!" Right. Into. The. Hashira. Walking down. The. Hall. Is that blood dripping from their noses? Tanjirou stops, embarrassed, but hearing Inosuke laugh brings him back out of it. "S-sorry! Inosuke, don't make me chase you outside!" As he goes to run out. Wait, EVERYONES GONNA SEE HIM LIKE THAT?!
Zenitsu just snorts. "And this is why I hide my clothes from that savage." 😌
The Pillars stop Tanjirou before he gets to the backyard (where a lot of slayers are training) and convince him to stay while Sanemi gets his clothes back.
Because they're the only ones who get to enjoy the view.
"But don't hurt him, Sanemi-san!" Tanjirou pleads. "He was just trying to have fun!"
Gyomei puts his haori around Tanjirou's shoulders while Muichiro happily dries his hair and Shinobu is waiting her turn to brush it.
Zenitsu is rolling his eyes already as he watches Kyojuro bring some food, Obanai and Mitsuri a little bit of tea as Tengen and Giyuu sit next to the confused but thankful redhead.
Meanwhile outside (well, something like that):
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1000 followers celebration request
Plus size reader
Prompt 1, 4 , and 50
Character Obi wan Kenobi
Friends to lovers
Mutual pining
Finding Her
Obi-Wan Kenobi x plus size reader
The tension had been there for years, only getting stronger after the fall.
Warnings: Obi-Wan POV, past violence and death, references to Order 66, reunion, fluff, lost limbs, blood, some horny thoughts (I really can’t help myself)
WC: 2.7k
Minors DNI
1: “God you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
4: “Can I kiss you?”
50: “I can’t believe you’re mine.”
2: Friends to lovers
7: Mutual pining
1000 Follower Celebration
“This party is downright boring.” She complained, body leaning against one of the many decorative pillars in the huge hall. Obi-wan chuckled as he took his place beside her, their shoulders barely brushing. Her eyes were locked on the Senator she was meant to be guarding tonight but she visibly cringed when he winked at her.
“You should be thankful. Anakin was going to be here instead of me.” A wicked grin crossed her face. “Seriously? And you decided to come to this? At least if flyboy was here, it would be more entertaining.” He bumped her shoulder with his own, jostling her slightly. “But I know you like me more.” She stayed quiet.
“You do like me more right?” He asked, slightly insecure. She just laughed and walked away, blue robes flowing around her as she moved into the crowd, sending him a wink over his shoulder that knocked the breath from his lungs.
——————
Obi-Wan watched as the stars sped past him. It had been so long since he had last been in hyperspace and it was bringing back painful memories.
He wondered if she was still alive. If, by some miracle, she survived the decimation, where would she be now? But in his heart he knew she would’ve never been able to kill any of the clones. They were her brothers, she would rather die than hurt any of them.
She would’ve loved Luke. Probably constantly seeing Anakin in his eyes and words. She would’ve smacked him over the head, telling him that he should’ve dropped everything to save Leia the moment her parents called.
But then she would’ve reassured him, telling him Anakin’s fate was not his fault. Giving a long and impassioned speech, the ones she was known for that would have eased his guilt just a bit. Then comforted him for his perceived failure, both in protecting his brother and saving Leia.
The smell of the bacta that engulfed him sent his mind spiraling once more.
——————
“I’ve always wanted kids.” Her voice was soft and incredibly sad. He looked over at her, the stars reflecting in her glassy eyes. The adrenaline from the mission was starting to wear off, his shaking hands slowly steadying on the controls of the stolen ship.
The entire thing had gone sideways. They had barely escaped with their lives after being ambushed by rogue bounty hunters with enough explosives to destroy a planet.
Her robes were now brown with dried blood, the left sleeve empty and hanging at her side. A large cut ran from her collarbone, all the way up the left side of her face. It was jagged and ugly. She smelt of bacta, the chemical stretch that clung to everything. There wasn’t enough in the ship's small storage compartments to completely fix her up, just enough to stop the bleeding for a while.
The explosions shook the ground they ran on. He hadn’t seen the one by their ship until it was too late. The fireball was nothing short of magnificent as it engulfed the ship, setting alight the fuel stores. He froze.
Scrap rained down on them, like some sort of apocalyptic storm. A powerful push shoved him to the side just before the huge door of the gunner ship pierced the hard earth. He heard her scream above the ringing in his ears.
She was pinned under the door by her left arm, the ripped metal had cut her face deeply. “Go!” “I’m not leaving you!” He shouted over the thunderous roars. “I’m trapped Ben! There’s no time!”
He didn’t hesitate to activate his lightsaber and swing down.
“Really? I can’t picture you as a mother.” He joked, trying to ease the tension in the small cockpit. He breathed in relief when she gave a weak chuckle. “Yeah well you’re a crap shot and they still gave you a blaster.”
Obi-Wan shot her a glare but there was no malice behind it. She sent him a small smile, her eyes still filled with tears. “I had this dream when I was younger that I could grow up to be a Jedi and once I felt I made a difference, I would leave. Travel the galaxy, find a home. A real home. And help lost children.” There was a pregnant pause before she continued.
“I know the temple has done a lot for me and has saved a lot of kids. But I don’t know if this is the life that I really want.” “Why are you saying this now?” Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she avoided his eyes. “I don’t know if the order is worth it anymore. At what point did we stop helping people and just become pawns in some fucked up game?”
The cockpit was silent for a moment, the small compartment filled with explosive tension. He opened his mouth to reply but she beat him to it. “Just, just forget I said anything ok. We can blame it on the adrenaline and the obscene amount of painkillers I’m on right now. Get us home Ben.”
——————
The nightmares haunted him. His ears rang with Anakin’s angered screams. He could still feel the heat of the lightsaber descending on him. He could smell the blood, whether someone else’s or his own, he didn’t know. He knew he was running again.
Running from his past. Running from who he was. He had to stop and stand tall once more. He had to become that Jedi master. The one who would run head first into battle to protect the people he held in his heart. The one who could take on a whole platoon of droids to rescue his idiot padawan.
But he was older now, weaker both in mind and body. He’d lost so much with the downfall of the Jedi, never allowing himself to mourn. He couldn’t help but think of the last time he saw her, only a week before the massacres.
——————
Her chambers were quiet, they had been for the past two weeks. The sheets were pristine, the pantry empty. Obi-Wan sighed, he knew where he’d find her, maybe he was just holding out hope that she had come to her senses.
She was alone in the training room. Her right hand shook as she struggled to hold her blade. Her saber was unique among the order. It was heavy weight, meant to be a two-handed weapon that could deliver hits with incredible power. Sweat poured down her back. She stepped forward and took another swing at the hologram, losing her grip right before she made contact.
The heavy metal clanged against the floor, immediately turning off. She simply grunted and bent over to pick it up once more, her muscles straining with exertion. “It would be wise to rest.” The bandages wrapped around her left shoulder taunted him, reminding him that this was all his fault.
“I will rest when you stop feeling guilty.” She replied but clipped the lightsaber to her belt anyway, turning to her friend as she did so. Guilt curled in his gut at the sight of her scarred face. “Stop it.” She ordered, taking a seat on the bench behind her. “I wasn’t doing anything.” She rolled her eyes.
“Yeah right, and I’m a purple bantha.” “Really? I figured you were more of a yellow wampa.” A genuine smile crossed her features. It was one he rarely ever saw, reserved for moments of great joy. The corner of her eyes crinkled as the edge of her plump lips curled upward and her shoulders relaxed. It took years off of her, reminding Obi-Wan of how she used to be when they were themselves padawans.
Plopping down on her right side, he studied the large window on the other end of the room that looked over the vast city. “There was a reason that they haven’t given you a new arm you know.” “Yeah and what’s that?” “You need a break. You’ve been going non stop even before the accident. The council is worried that you’ll get too tired and trip up.”
“No one knows why you’re doing this. Why do you push yourself so hard even when you don’t need to.” She sighed and leaned her head on his broad shoulder, his own arm wrapping around her thick hips to hold her close. “I feel like something bad is coming. Something that could destroy us all. I just want to be prepared.”
Her voice was grim, far darker than he was used to. “Well no matter what it may be, we will survive. We always have.” She placed her hand on his muscular thigh. “I hope you’re right Ben, I really do.”
The silence settled over them, an unknown threat building in front of the pair.
——————
The ship had landed on Jabiim and he was anxious to keep moving, to find Leia. He had been away from Luke for too long, a knot forming in his gut, worried that something might have happened in his absence.
Maybe it was a bit ironic that he had been tasked with caring for children when she was the one that was truly destined for it. His body still ached. He probably needed at least a month in a bacta bath but he doubted he would ever get that lucky.
Their plan was slowly coming together. It was pretty much a suicide mission but it was worth the risk. He couldn’t let Leia die. “There’s one more person that could help us.” He raised a greying eyebrow at Kawlan over the map table. “Is it truly wise to bring in another person?” The man huffed, clearly miffed at the Jedi.
“She’s a damn good warrior. She can help.” He reinforced firmly, not backing down. Tala spoke up, eager to break the tension. “We could use all the help we can get.” She nodded, indicating for the fighter to leave and fetch the woman he was referring to. Obi-Wan turned from the table to whisper to Tala. “Are we sure this is a good idea?”
“Probably not but if he trusts her then maybe that’s enough for now. We just keep our guard up.” He sighed, truly too tired to fight it. But she was right, they needed more muscle, especially if Vader was behind this. Leaning on the table, he lowered his head, trying to concentrate on that part of him he had been ignoring for years. He had to connect to the Force once more.
A tugging in his chest made his body tense. The feeling was nostalgic. Fragments of memories zipping through his mind as the knot inside him got tighter. It was an ever present ache when he was young, the tell-tale sign that she was close by. But that couldn’t be, she had to be dead.
His head shot up when the ache became a downright burn, his heart beating wildly in his ears. Kawlan was at the mouth of the red cavern, a smaller hooded figure beside him. The stoic man was smiling at them, and a laugh rang through the cave that froze him in place.
He knew that laugh. It was a staple of his childhood, a constant companion during the hardest days. The dark hood fell away from their face and he couldn’t breathe. Suddenly the past nine years fell away and he stood up straight.
She was older, that much was obvious, but no less beautiful. In fact, she aged gracefully, blossoming from a stunning young woman to a goddess walking among mortals.
He knew that body. So much of his youth was dedicated to imagining what her soft dips and curves would feel like under his hands. He knew how that body fought, how that body protected.
He knew those eyes. How many hours, how many days had he spent staring into them, mesmerising the depth of emotion within the multitude of colours that hypnotised him. The wrinkles around them were deeper now, more pronounced but unlike his own, hers were obviously from joy and not worry.
They sparkled as they fell upon him. “Hi Ben.” He couldn’t help but smile as he gazed at her.
He moved quickly, far more quickly than he thought possible, not hesitating to bring her into his arms, finally feeling complete once more. “You’re alive.” He breathed what felt like for the first time in centuries. He felt two pairs of hands travel up his back to hold him close, her face settling into the crook of his neck, like she always used to do when they were reunited after a long mission away.
“You got old.” She joked but the tears shimmering in her eyes betrayed her true thoughts. She thought he was dead too. “You two know each other?” The others seemed confused about this sudden burst of emotion. “Yes, we’ve known each other since we were younglings.” She spoke over his shoulder, unable to release him from her grasp.
Tala gazed at the pair for a moment. “Then, let’s go over this plan again. They must have some Jedi secrets they need to share with each other.” Thank the stars for Tala, Obi-Wan thought. Just a second, just a small moment with her, that’s all he needed.
She pulled him into a little side room carved from the rugged stone. “Oh Ben, it’s been so long.” Her warm hand cupped his bearded cheek. He felt the love pour out of her, the soft wave of yearning that both soothed him and made him feel like an adolescent boy once more. And just like that, the walls he had so carefully built since he was taken to the temple as a child, crumbled to dust in her arms.
“God you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” It slipped out so easily that he did not have a moment to regret it. “I don’t know how I’ve survived this long without you, without your beauty, your kindness, your love.” She looked bashful, an emotion he has never seen colour her cheeks before. “Obi-Wan,” Doubt curled in his gut but was quickly stamped out as her soft body pressed even tighter to him, “I’ve loved you since you accidentally tripped and face planted into my bone broth.”
His shoulders sagged in relief. “That moment, really?” She shrugged. He suddenly felt ten years younger. If he thought hard enough, maybe he could pretend they were somewhere safe once more. Somewhere where they could ignore the plights of the galaxy and just be happy. “I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Her face moved closer to his own, his hands falling to her wide hips.
“Neither would I.” He whispered. “Can I kiss you?” Her voice was soft, softer than he had ever heard it before and it set his body alight. “You never have to ask.”
Her lips were even better than he could have ever imagined. The kiss was gentle, barely even a brush of lips but it was enough for his heart to explode within him. How long had he waited for this moment? How long had he dreamed about it? He pulled away reluctantly. “This can’t be real. Not after all this time.”
Her eyes roll in that all too familiar way, fingers sliding up into his grey hair to grip the strands tightly. “Wanna try that again?” She yanked his head down so their mouths could clash once more. It’s more intense now, raw emotion pushing them closer and closer, the kiss quickly heating into something more.
She moaned into his mouth and he felt his knees buckle. His hands moved from her hips to her back, palms splayed out, trying to touch as much of her as possible. Breaking away, both of them gasping for air and visibly disheveled, they still remained in each other’s arms. “I can’t believe you’re mine.” He muttered. Her forehead came to rest against his own. “I always was Ben. I always was.”
They took comfort in the silence. Neither of them needed to speak again, just happy to finally be themselves, with each other. Suddenly his eyebrows crinkled and reached behind his head to pull her arms away. He studied her left limb which was still covered with a long sleeve and a glove.
“You have an arm.” She threw her head back and let out a deep belly laugh, trembling in his grasp. “Of course I do! What did you expect me to be lopsided for the past nine years?” Giggles still bubbled from her chest. “Oh shut up.” He growled and their lips collided once more.
Star Wars Masterlist | Main Masterlist
Taglist
@im-a-slut-for-fluff
#obi wan kenobi#plus size reader#fluff#reader insert#female reader#obi wan x plus size reader#obi wan kenobi x plus size reader#obi wan kenobi x reader#obi wan x y/n#1000 follower celebration#obi wan kenobi x you#obi wan x reader#obi wan kenobi x female!reader#obi wan x female!reader#star wars#jedi!reader#obi wan series#request fill
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The Demigod From Asgard - Steve Rogers x Reader (Part 23)
Summary: Back in DC Steve’s world gets flipped upside down
Word Count: 1.6k
Warnings: Angst! Canon Typical Violence! Slow burnn!
Dividers by @firefly-graphics
Series Masterlist / Masterlist
Chapter 23: Ears and Eyes Everywhere
Back in DC Steve considered heading to your apartment but decided in the end to go visit the VA.
As he walked in the lady at the front desk instantly recognised him, standing up quickly from her chair. She glanced down at her outfit, smoothing out her hair, adjusting her blouse before sparing a quick glance at her reflection in the monitor. Once steve had reached the desk she had put on a winning and charming smile. Not that Steve really noticed.
“Hi I’m looking for my friend, Sam Wilson” Steve says remembering his promise to Sam the day before.
“Oh uh yeah of course. Just down that hall” she says slightly flustered as she points him in the right direction.
He thanks her before heading off in that direction. As he approaches he can hear a woman telling a story, talking about how she swerved to avoid a plastic bag, thinking it was IED. Steve leant up against the wooden pillar listening in.
He knew exactly what it was like. When fireworks went off on New Year’s and the fourth of July he’d have to remind himself that it was just a firework not a bomb. He heard a car backfire the other day, it nearly caused him to duck for cover.
Part of him thought that fighting with SHIELD would stop it, since he’d be exposed to it at work. He wasn’t sure if it was working though or just making the problem worse.
Steve hangs back as the session ends waiting until everyone was gone before he approaches Sam.
“Look who it is. The running man” Sam smiles sorting through the flyers as Steve walked over.
“Caught the last few minutes, it’s pretty intense” Steve sighs leaning up against the wall.
“Yeah brother we all got the same problems, guilt, regret” Sam sighs looking back up at Steve.
“You lose someone?” Steve asks.
“My wingman Riley. Flying a night mission, standard PJ rescue op. Nothing we hadn’t done 1000 times before. Until an RPG knocked Riley’s dumbass out of the sky” Sam sighs “nothing I could do about it. It’s like I was just up there to watch”
“I’m sorry” Steve sighs quietly, knowing exactly what it was like to just watch something happen and not be able to stop it, how powerless it makes you feel.
“After that, I had a real hard time finding a reason to be over there you know” Sam sighs.
“But you’re happy now? Back in the world?” Steve asks glancing down at all the flyers and brochures to help people adjust to life post military.
“The number of people giving me orders is down to about zero” Sam says looking around before turning back to Steve with a grin on his face “so hell yeah”
“Are you thinking about getting out?” Sam asks him.
“No” Steve says almost instantly before shaking his head, sighing “I don’t know”
“To be honest I don’t know what I would do with myself if I did” he sighs glancing down.
“Ultimate fighting?” Sam offers making Steve laugh “just a great idea off the top of my head”
“Seriously you could do whatever you want to do. What makes you happy?” Sam asks.
Steve thinks for a moment, but the only thing that came to mind was the memories he had of you.
“I don’t know” he sighs shrugging his shoulders.
“Well you’ll find something, and in the meantime if you need anyone to talk to about all of this just give me a call or pop round” Sam says grabbing a pen and scribbling down his number and address before passing it to Steve.
“Thanks Sam, I’ll see you around” Steve smiles holding out his hand.
“No problem, I’ll probably see you on your next run, if I don’t just see a blur that is” Sam smirks making Steve laughs as he shook his hand.
The sun had completely set by the time Steve made his way back to his apartment. As he made his way up the stairs he could hear his neighbour Kate talking to someone. He’d known Kate since he moved to DC, she seemed like a lovely person. You had said to Steve multiple times that there was something that felt off about her, but Steve didn’t see it.
He gives her a small smile and a wave as he passes her to get to his apartment.
“My aunt, she’s kind of an insomniac” Kate says when she put the phone down placing it in her basket of clothes.
“Hey if you want... if you want you’re welcome to use my machine. Might be cheaper than the one in the basement” Steve offers with a small shrug.
“Oh yeah? What’s it cost?” Kate asks with a smile.
“Uh a cup of coffee?” Steve suggests.
“Thank you but I already have a load in downstairs and you really don’t want my scrubs in your machine. I just finished a rotation in the infectious disease wards so” she says shaking her head gently.
“Well, I’ll keep my distance then” Steve chuckles taking a small step back.
“Hopefully not too far” she smiles and Steve suddenly realises she was flirting with him.
Yes he thought Kate was an attractive woman, and maybe a relationship with her would be easier considering he wouldn’t be working with her. But his heart wasn’t in it, she was just a friendly neighbour to him. Out of every woman he’d met none of them came close to you.
“Oh and I think you left your stereo on” Kate says as he turns away towards his door.
“Oh um thanks” he says waiting until she had gone down the stairs before turning back to his door.
Listening in he could hear one of his records being played. While Steve did own a modern day stereo, he still listened to music with his record player. Even if he had left that on this morning, considering he hadn’t been back to his apartment all day, it shouldn’t still be playing now.
Turning back around he finds a window climbing onto the fire escape. He keeps himself low and he approaches his apartment from the outside. Glancing through the window all the lights were still off and he couldn’t see anyone inside. He thought for a moment that maybe you had popped round using your spare key but you normally texted whenever you did that to give him a heads up.
He finds a window, gently opening it and climbing inside his own apartment. As he walks down the corridor he grabs his shield. As he pokes his head round the corner he spots the intruder sat by his record player. Sighing to himself he drops his defensive stance when he recognises who it is.
“I don’t remember giving you a key” Steve sighs.
Fury grunts as he sits up in the chair “you really think I’d need one” Fury says leaning forward.
“My wife kicked me out” he tells Steve.
“I didn’t know you were married” Steve states raising a brow.
Fury shrugs his shoulders “there’s a lot of things you don’t know about me” Fury says.
“I know Nick that’s the problem” Steve sighs walking further into the room to turn the light on.
As he does so he notices how beaten up Fury was, letting out a small gasp. He goes to say something but Fury holds up his hand to silence him, reaching up to the lamp beside him turning it off. Fury then starts typing away on his phone before showing it to Steve.
Ears everywhere
Steve sighs glancing around realises the apartment was most likely bugged.
“I’m sorry to have to do this but I had no place else to crash” Fury says typing out another message.
SHIELD compromised.
“Who else knows about your wife?” Steve asks.
Fury stands up holding up another message
You and me
“Just my friends” Fury says taking a couple steps towards Steve.
“Is that what we are?” Steve questions arching a brow.
“That’s up to you” Fury says.
Steve didn’t get a chance to respond as bullets flew through his apartment walls hitting Nick in the chest. Steve instinctively hides behind his Shield. Once the bullets stop Steve grabs Fury by his collar and drags him to cover. As he does so, he spots the shooter through the window. He goes to chase after the shooter but Fury grabs his hand stopping him.
“Trust no one” Fury coughs slipping Steve something.
Steve looks down and sees the flash drive from the Lemurian star. He doesn’t get a chance to question it as his door is broken through.
“Captain Rogers?” He hears Kate say, glancing round the corner he sees her walking in gun raised.
“Captain I’m Agent 13 of SHIELD special service” she tells him walking further into his apartment.
“Kate?” He says confused.
“I’m assigned to protect you” she says walking past him towards Fury.
“On whose orders?” He questions his voice raised in annoyance.
“On his” She answers nodding down to Fury.
“Foxtrot is down, he’s unresponsive. I need EMTs” she says into a radio.
“Do we have a 20 on the shooter?” Steve hears the guy on the radio respond.
As he glances around he spots the shooter through the window on the opposite building.
“Tell them I’m in pursuit” he says before running towards the window smashing through it to into the building opposite.
He races through the office building jumping over desks and smashed through doors. He sees the shooter jump onto the roof in front of him so he smashes through the window onto the same roof. He ducks and rolls throwing his shield as he does so. The shooter however easily catches it with his metal arm before throwing it back at Steve. Steve catches it easily but the force of it still pushes him backwards. When he looked back up the shooter was gone. Running over to the edge he looked down to see the shooter was long gone. The only thing he could see was Fury being loaded into an ambulance.
LIKE FOLLOW AND REBLOG!
Series Masterlist / Masterlist
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#NiamhWrites#the demigod from asgard series#Steve Rogers#steve rogers x reader#steve rogers x y/n#steve rogers x you#captainamerica#captain america x reader#captain america x y/n#captain america x you#marvel#mcu#Chris Evans
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Wed[nesday] 26 October 1836
7 3/4
12 1/2
V
No kiss fine morn[in]g and F[ahrenheit] 49° and out at 8 40/.. – Rob[er]t Mann + 4 low[erin]g in front of the h[ou]se and mak[in]g
(sink[in]g for) hall-cellar drain – Ingh[a]m + 2 men and a boy h[a]s tonight g[o]t the walls of the cross
arch up to the spring of the arch – Rob[er]t Schof[iel]d finish[e]d wall for the new court pillars to rest on –
his man Jos[e]ph w[i]th the gard[ene]r mov[in]g soil etc. in the gard[e]n - 2 masons as yest[erday] at the west tow[e]r and 2
(Ja[me]s and Ab[raha]m) flagg[in]g und[e]r the serv[an]ts hall wind[ow]s and Ja[me]s cut one of the large ragst[one] n[ea]r the rock-bridge
in 2 - Mark Hepw[or]th levell[in]g aft[e]r the N[orth]g[a]te carts in front of the h[ou]se – h[a]d Mr. Husb[an]d
ab[ou]t the cross arch wind[ow]s etc br[eak]f[a]st at 9 1/2 - A- [Ann] d[i]d h[e]r Fr[en]ch - then h[a]d Mr. Husb[an]d ag[ai]n ab[ou]t the new gr[ea]t
r[oo]m and stabl[in]g at Mawson’s (Stump x Inn) - I propos[e]d an alterat[io]n in his plan that w[oul]d
ma[ke] the gr[ea]t r[oo]m m[u]ch bet[ter] proport[ione]d and handsomer - and to be wall[e]d a bricks’ length in thickness
249
1836
Oct[obe]r
L
N
inst[ea]d of being ceiled off ag[ain]st the adjoin[in]g new r[oo]ms – propos[e]d carry[in]g the wall ov[e]r the stab[le]s and
c[oa]ch h[ou]se on arches - all this took till aft[e]r 11 - then off w[i]th Booth to Hilltop – Fletch[e]r the ten[an]t
there – exam[ine]d Mrs. Carter’s adjoin[in]g tenant[e]d by civil persons Mrs. Baxendale and her husb[an]d –
Mrs. B- [Baxendale] w[oul]d be gl[a]d to ha[ve] her out-door chang[e]d and then my new barn-wall might be set in
a line w[i]th Mrs. C-‘s [Carter] cot[tage] - set Mrs. B- [Baxendale] to Mrs. C- [Carter] to ask if she had any object[io]n - in
the meanwhi[le] Booth and Fletcher and I look[e]d r[ou]nd the new fence-wall[in]g well done by Ingham –
saw Mrs. Carter walk[in]g in h[e]r f[iel]d – spo[ke] to h[e]r – shew[e]d the fence part[l]y hedge part[l]y wall
that I [?] up and ta[ke] d[o]wn and replace w[i]th a good new wall, like the walls just done,
if Mrs. C- [Carter] h[a]d no object[io]n to my sett[in]g the wall 2ft. fr[om] the centre of the hedge, and if she w[oul]d
sell me wh[a]t mo[re] gr[ou]nd I might want a ft. or 2 farth[e]r int[o] her f[iel]d at a reasonab[le] price
then took to Hilltop – shew[e]d her the 2 propos[e]d lines of new barn-wall[in]g to the r[oa]d - in a line
w[i]th h[e]r cot[tage] or a lit[tle] farth[e]r b[a]ck - Mrs. C- [Carter] h[a]d no object[io]n to the form[e]r line, or to my
propos[e]d new fence wall and w[oul]d sell me the gr[ou]nd I want[e]d (perh[aps] 1000 y[ar]ds) b[u]t w[oul]d consult
her son Dan[ie]l - this ver[y] prop[e]r - I sh[oul]d be gl[a]d to ha[ve] his ans[we]r tomor[row] and wh[a]tev[e]r it might
be, it w[oul]d be right - all this took so long that I d[i]d n[o]t get away fr[om] Hilltop
till 3 40/.. - I h[a]d stop in go[in]g w[i]th Jos[e]ph Mann at the Trav[elle]rs’ Inn wat[e]r-drift whi[le] Booth
look[e]d ab[ou]t at Hipp[erholme] quarry – stopp[e]d ag[ai]n in ret[urnin]g, w[i]th Jos[e]ph M- [Mann] - and told h[i]m wh[a]t
I th[ou]ght w[oul]d be bet[ter] than the way ord[ere]d by Mr. Husb[an]d ab[ou]t convey[in]g the wat[e]r - the diff[eren]ce in exp[ense]
w[oul]d n[o]t be mo[re] than 40/. and A- [Ann] w[oul]d be secure ag[ain]st the waste of wat[e]r or anyone’s gett[in]g it
b[u]t her own peop[le] - the trough to supply the cot[tage]s being pit in the comb-tub place in front of
them alt[ere]d (enlarg[e]d) for the purp[ose] and made a sort of lock-up cellar - I h[a]d gone int[o] the
drift as I w[e]nt to Hilltop and ca[me] out a dirty fig[ure] b[u]t no matt[e]r - there will be 50 y[ar]ds
l[en]gth of drift that will stand full of wat[e]r damm[e]d up by the trough (20 y[ar]ds fr[om] the h[ou]se end)
in w[hi]ch the pipe is to be set - 50 y[ar]ds long x 2fr. 6in. high x 3ft.+ wide = say 50
cub[i]c y[ar]ds of wat[e]r to draw up[on] – en[ou]gh for the Inn and all A-‘s [Ann] adjoin[in]g cot[tage]s – ho[me] ab[ou]t
5 1/2 – loit[ere]d ab[ou]t - in the stab[le]s and in front of the h[ou]se and ca[me] in at 6 5/..- dress[e]d – din[ner] at 6 1/2 –
A- [Ann] r[ea]d Fr[en]ch – coff[ee] – h[a]d Oddy up - to go on Mon[day] and ret[ur]n to cook for us if we want her
on the go[in]g away of our pres[en]t temp[orar]y cook recomm[ende]d by Mr. Jubb – 1/2 asleep for 1/4 h[ou]r on
the sofa – Let[ter] 3 p[ages] and one end fr[om] M- [Mariana] Lawton she will co[me] for a week on the
2[n]d or 3[r]d of next m[on]th - her neph[ew] Duncan Milne to be marr[ie]d the 1st week in M[ar]ch
and sail the 1st week in June b[a]ck to India – no[te] by the post fr[om] Dr. Kenny H[alifa]x
1835 Dr. Kenny’s adv[an]ce to the late Mrs. Lister in Oct[obe]r one guinea w[i]th Dr. Kenny’s
respects and condol[en]ce Wards end Oct[obe]r 25 1836’ !!! h[a]d just writ[ten] all the ab[ov]e of
today at 11 p.m. at w[hi]ch h[ou]r F[ahrenheit] 47 1/2° fine day
Hilltop.
Mrs. Carter
Trav[elle]rs’ Inn wat[e]r drift etc.
vid[e] A-‘s [Ann] Journ[a]l
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The Pepperwoods
CITIES:
Aepsod: Heart of the jungle, built around a massive set of thick, green jungle trees - massive jungle trees of huge bugs, florescent mushrooms, glow lichen, and vines. Over your heads, something rushes - fast than any regular bird. Its shadow moves so fast it's out of sight before you can spot what cast it. Following the shadow's direction, you get to a beautiful clearing, 1000 foot drop into a lush pit, full of moss, lichen, and water pits of clear, untouched water. Waterfalls pour into them from rivers at your level, and the trees seem to know its too precarious to grow in this area, thus sunlight pours in and lights up glass shards hanging from every branch around, casting amazing rainbows of magenta, blue, pink, and yellow into the cavern.
Wetwood: Home of the elves, abandoned and overrun with giant spiders. Huge white-bricked pillars support black-capped spires. Surrounded by a thick fungus of stone mushrooms, tall fir trees have sprouted underneath, and stalactites hang from the bottom of the shroom cap, casting a dark shadow of bats and giant spiders over the abandoned castle.
Reeas: An underground city.
PLACES:
Dingo Hut: witches' hut farm of mushrooms, gems, and potion ingredients.
Mount Feather: Dwarven hall of Spirit, religious and capital of dwarven blood.
Cacti Caverns: Huge sandstone caves going miles underground into pitch darkness.
Crimcrop: A gourd farm in the middle of the Fir Forest inhabited by Dogir, the Owlin, and his family.
#dnd campaign#dungeons and dragons podcast#dnd party#dungeons and dungeons#dnd podcast#dungeons and daddies#dungeon master#dungons and daddies#dnd world#dnd worldbuilding#worldbuilding
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Let's Do the Time Warp Again!
Team Chaos and the eldritch gays find themselves stuck in a time loop! That's it.
**Hopefully by now, you've noticed that S.G. uses all pronouns, but I wrote this before I realized it and I do not have the time to go back through and fix that. I will at some point, but today is not that day.
Team Chaos is a Queer-Platonic Polycule and Callisto/Prophis (17586 words)
~~~
Glib
"Gang, I don't feel too hot about this one," Goodbid says as they stare up at the imposing gothic architecture of the castle. Well, castle isn't exactly the right word. It's closer to a mansion in design, but it has tall, imposing protective-walls that surround the garden they are stood in with several spires piercing the sky with their sharp peaks. The brick walls are dark and cracked, covered by overgrown vines, and the windows are covered by heavy sun-bleached drapes, adding to the unsettling aura of the place.
Glib had to agree with Goodbid; nothing felt right about this. The castle belonged to an insanely powerful sorceress that suddenly vanished several years ago, and the town's mayor wants them to get through the castle and make sure that the lady is actually gone. Mayor Blackbell had convinced them (by them, Glib means mostly S.G.) to take the job because he said that they could take any of the magical items they found inside as well as 1000 gold if they started looking through the castle tonight.
"Stop being such cowards!" S.G. laughs. "The lady's been dead for years! What are you afraid of?"
"Death. Violent death," Glib deadpans.
"Well, you are already dead, so really there is nothing to be afraid of," Canyon says as he strides forward.
Goodbid and Glib look at each other. They nod at each other in a silent understanding that there is no way this will not go horribly. Canyon and S.G. walk up first, throwing open the doors, showering everyone in a huge cloud of dust, while revealing a grand foyer.
The ceilings are high with tall marble pillars holding it up. The walls are some sort of dark wood, and a chandelier hangs in the center of the room, unlit and covered in cobwebs. The floor is an old dark stone making Glib's bare feet chilly as it offers no insulation against the cold. There is a grand staircase on either side of the room that arches up and connects in the center of the wall. The stairs lead to a set of closed oak doors.
"Great, now I'm dusty," Glib says as he tries, in vain, to get the dust off of his sticky skin. Goodbid gives him a sympathetic look as he brushes the dust off of his top hat. He takes his jacket off and shakes the dust off of it before putting it back on.
"I can try to brush it off of ya," Goodbid offers as they advance towards one of the large grand staircases.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure this shit isn't coming off without me jumping into a river," Glib says sourly as they ascend the dirty stairs. They throw open the doors at the top of the stairs, revealing an unlit hallway. The hallway is done in a similar style as the foyer. Tall ceilings, dark walls, and dark stone floors. The hall is sparsely decorated with only a few paintings and creepy busts along the walls, and a deep red carpet that runs along the center of the floor.
"Hey, Glib," S.G. says already holding out her hand. "Give me Stick."
"What? Why?" Glib says as he hesitantly holds out Stick.
"Because its dark," S.G. says bluntly. She casts a spell on Stick making it glow before giving it back to Glib. "There now Goodbid and I won't walk into walls."
They wander around the building, checking every room they come across and pocketing everything they can.
"Five gold says that this is another empty bedroom," Canyon says as he walks up to the doors.
"No, I'm pretty sure this one's an office," Goodbid says with a distant tone.
Glib glances at him but he seems to be absorbed in his thoughts. Canyon throws open the door revealing an office.
"Wow, Goodbid, nice call!" S.G. says clapping him on the shoulder as she brushes past him into the office. Canyon grumbles something about cheating businessmen and puts the five gold into Goodbid's unresponsive hand.
"Y'all, I'm pretty sure I've been here before," Goodbid says as he glances around the office. "She wanted a hit on someone."
"You remember who?" Glib asks sticking close to him.
"No, I've probably done more than five hundred since I've been here. I can't remember them all," Goodbid says as he walks over to the desk. They find an enchanted quill and several research papers on things that seem less than ethical. Goodbid takes the papers while S.G. puts the quill in her bag of holding.
Glib takes one of the papers off the desk before Goodbid can get to it. He scans it over, his eyes widening as a realization slowly dawns on him.
"Hey, I think she was a warlock," Glib says as he holds up the piece of paper.
"Why ya say that?" Goodbid asks.
"Because this-" he holds up the piece of paper for the businessman to read, "looks like a written form of the contract I have with my God."
Goodbid takes the contract and skims it over. "Any clue who their patron is?" Goodbid asks.
"No more than you do," Glib says with a sigh. A word in an ancient language keeps coming up in the paper, presumably the patron's name, but Glib can't identify who it belongs to.
"Damn," Goodbid says as he sticks the paper in his briefcase. "Maybe you could ask your God."
"I will once we are out of here," Glib says dismissively. He doesn't want to risk angering the patron of this place. His patron has few friends and a number of enemies.
Once the room is devoid of anything even remotely valuable, they leave and set back down the hall.
A flash of white catches Glib's eye and he comes to a dead stop.
"Anyone else see that?" Glib says as he clutches stick closer to himself.
"See what?" Goodbid asks, already stepping closer to Glib and looking around for a threat.
"I saw something white move around down there." Glib points into the darkness where he saw the flash of white.
"It's probably nothing," S.G., gaslighter extraordinaire, says with confidence.
"Uh, Glib, I can't see past the light ring. Is something there?" Goodbid says, pointedly ignoring S.G. much to her chagrin, as he squints at the darkness.
"Oh, right, uh." Glib walks forward and can see the clear outline of a door at the hallway's end. "There's a door?" He looks a little closer at it. "But it's barred off."
"Well, are ya sure ya saw somethin'?" Goodbid asks, his accent coming in more heavily the more anxious he becomes.
"No, not really," Glib admits.
"Well obviously we should go through that door," Canyon says smugly. "That's obviously where the ghost wants us to go."
"Mm, yes, I agree. Besides we were told to check all of the rooms. Ghost or no, we would've gone in there," S.G. says, rolling her shoulders and straightening her hood. She's clearly putting on a confident front to disguise her discomfort.
Goodbid stiffens at the mention of a ghost. He's been very skittish about spirits ever since they were attacked at the bottom of Rift Reach.
"I doubt it was a ghost," Glib says in an attempt to calm Goodbid. "I just saw the door glint in the light."
Goodbid nods stiffly, side stepping closer to the Glow Stick and, by proxy, Glib. The frog just nods slightly and silently passes Goodbid Glow Stick so he can at least see where they are going. Goodbid mouths a silent thank you as he takes the light and holds it in one hand and his brief case in the other.
When they get to the door, Canyon tries to remove the bar. He struggles with it for a moment before huffing and taking a step back.
"Welp, that's a sign, y'all, I say we-"
"Hold on, I can help you," S.G. says stepping up to the door.
"Damn witch," Goodbid swears, clutching his briefcase to his chest.
Together, they dislodge the bar and throw the door open.
"Y'all I've a real bad feelin' 'bout this," Goodbid says.
"I mean, you can always stay out here," S.G. says with mock sympathy. "Alone. In the dark."
Goodbid looks visibly distressed, but he slowly nods. He hooks his briefcase to his belt and grabs the back of Glib's hood. Glib flashes him a look, but he can see how upset Goodbid is, so he lets it go. If Goodbid holding onto Glib's hood keeps him from freaking out, he can keep holding on.
They'd barely stepped through the door's threshold when it swings shut, locking behind them, and the enchantment on Stick suddenly stops working.
Goodbid shrieks and turns on his heels. He grabs the door handle and tries desperately to open it, chanting "come on ya damn door!" before devolving into an impressive combination of prayers and swears.
"Bid! Bid!" Glib says, trying to get his attention but very quickly coming to the realization that Goodbid's in hysterics. He grabs Goodbid's arm and pulls himself onto his back. He latches onto him like a living backpack and starts talking. "Goodbid, you've got to listen to me. It's alright, you are going to have to calm down. We can find another way out, this is a really old castle, there are other entrances."
Goodbid doesn't seem to understand what Glib is saying, but he slowly starts to calm down.
"I told y'all!" He yells, turning to face the group. S.G. is looking in the other direction, but Canyon is looking at them with a strange expression, much harder for Glib to understand in the dark. "Somethin' bad was gonna happen! Now look where we are!"
"Goodbid! Stop overreacting! Everything is fine!" S.G. says while looking at Canyon. Glib realizes that while he can see about as well as he can see normally and Canyon can probably see like it's a moonless night, S.G. and Goodbid are completely blind.
"Fine? Fine?!" Goodbid shouts. Glib swears he can feel Goodbid getting hotter through his shirt. "Is this what you call fine, you crazy witch?! We are in a pitch-black room in a random haunted godforsaken castle!" He howls in a fury. He waves his hands wildly in the air even though he can't see them and S.G. is non the wiser. Glib holds on for dear life as the man jostles him around. "We are not fine!"
"Yes, well, shut up and stop whining!" S.G. counters. "I'm working on it!" She turns and is yelling at the wall.
At this point, Canyon and Glib are barely holding their laughter.
"Hey, S.G. I don't know what that wall did to you, but Goodbid's over here," Glib says trying desperately to not laugh, only to start rolling with laughter as she does a full 180 and starts yelling at Canyon again.
"Well unlike some people, I can't see in the dark!" S.G. snaps.
"Well, sucks to suck," Canyon says bluntly before holding his hand out. "Glib throw me Stick."
"Stick go to Canyon." It pulls out of Goodbid's hand and goes to the giant cat-man.
"Cool. S.G." He turns back to S.G. "Relight this." He grabs S.G.'s hand and puts Stick in it.
S.G. grumbles something about Canyon being stupid before trying to 'relight' Stick. She tries a few times before throwing the stick at Canyon. It smacks him square in the face.
"It's not working!" She snaps. "There must be something with this room."
"Alright, well, we have two people who can see jack shit and two who can see well enough in the dark. I guess we'll just have to continue wandering around until we find a way out," Glib says. He shifts to get off of Goodbid's back, but the mustached man grabs his hand.
"If you sit on my shoulder's you'll be able to direct me around better," Goodbid says with the underlying message, "please don't leave me in the dark."
"Okay," Glib says. He crawls further up Goodbid's back until he's perched on his shoulder. "Stick!" He yells and catches it before it can hit Goodbid, who flinches. In front of them, S.G. latches onto Canyon's arm in the image of modern chivalry, or at least it would be if S.G. wasn't complaining about not needing to be guided around.
"Can you see?" Canyon says leaning over her.
"No," S.G. says hotly.
"Then shut up and hold on."
With that they start down the hall, checking every door they come across, all of them being locked.
"We should start pick locking," Canyon suggests, already getting his picks out.
"We will later, Canyon, but first we need to get them outside," Glib says tiredly. "They are kinda sitting ducks."
Canyon thinks about it for a moment before nodding and pocketing the picks again.
After about ten minutes of trying all the doors -and S.G. and Goodbid getting increasingly more uncomfortable- one at the hall's end opens. Past the door is a stone spiral staircase.
"Oh great," Glib grumbles. "Canyon, you and S.G. go first."
"Go first?" Goodbid asks, stiffening under Glib.
"Oh, right, you can't see what just happened," Glib says apologetically and Goodbid shakes his head. "A door actually opened and there's a spiral staircase on the other side."
Goodbid just makes a noise that sounds like a whine and a groan at once. "Why did I ever agree to stay with y'all after my contract was up?"
"Because we are the best for 'biddness'," Glib says as he watches S.G., and Canyon slowly climb the stairs. Once they were out of eye line, Glib nudges Goodbid forward. Slowly they start up the stairs. It's precarious and Glib feels like he's about to die of a stress induced heart attack, but they are managing.
About halfway up, S.G. yells, "wait! I can see light!"
"You can?!" Goodbid yells back up, sounding relieved.
"Yeah, there's torch light!" Canyon calls.
Goodbid starts climbing the stairs a little quicker, and sure enough, there is the slow orange flicker of torch light. It illuminates Canyon and S.G. at the top of the stairs, who are waiting patiently for Goodbid to arrive.
"What's the hold up?" Goodbid asks when Canyon looks antsy.
"Why are there torches here? This place has been abandoned for years," Canyon says. His ears are pinned slightly, and he keeps looking through the doorway.
"Magic torches," Glib says dismissively. "We've seen them before."
"Yeah, but I just think that its weird that they are only in that room." He points through the door where Glib can barely see anything but can clearly make out a long bridge reaching across a dark room.
"I don't know, but right now this is the only way forward," Glib says pointedly.
Canyon makes a clicking noise and shakes his head. He turns around and gestures S.G. through. "Ladies first."
"Gee, thanks," S.G. says sarcastically. She looks around the room before cautiously stepping through. Canyon goes next, and Goodbid brings up the rear.
"What was that?!" Goodbid yelps, jumping to look at the door.
"What? What?" Glib yells, holding onto Goodbid before he can throw him off.
"You didn't see that?!"
"No!"
Goodbid pants for a second before slowly turning back. "Must've been the wind."
Glib stares at him, but Goodbid says nothing else, gesturing for the others to continue walking. They slowly cross the bridge with S.G. in the lead.
"Woah! Look at that!" Canyon says in amazement as he leans over the ledge.
"What?" Glib asks. He turns and looks over into the dark room and is awestruck by what he sees.
Gears take up the far walls and large portions of the floor, leaving only small pathways to and from the clock with bells and chimes covering the roof. The wall across from the bridge is the only one not covered in (or seemingly made of) gears. Instead, it seems to be made of dark, thick glass which, despite being in the center of a wall, is facing the sky. In the center of the glass wall sits a large clockface, the only indication of what this massive machine is.
The clock face is the most impressive of them all. The detail is hard to pick out in the shadowed room, but he can see the raised details dancing in the fire's light. The grass of the flower field sways like the breeze is blowing and the stars shine in the low light. A tree sits off to the edge of the painting with an elf boy laying under it. He has a thin straw hat over his face and his hands crossed over his chest. His long golden-white hair tumbles past his shoulders and splays into the tall grass like white vines.
"That's impressive. Can you guys see that?"
"See what- oh my god," Goodbid says, coming to a dead stop. He walks over to the sturdy wood railing, and, knowing better than to put his weight on something like this, he places his palms on it to get a better look.
S.G. whistles as she joins the boys at admiring the hauntingly beautiful clock.
"Think we can fit that in your bag?" Canyon jokes.
"I'm willing to try it," S.G. counters, a mischievous look on her face.
Before anyone can say anything else, a white streak lunges from the wall behind them. With a terrifying shriek, it picks up Goodbid and Glib and hurls them at the clock's face. They slam into it with a sick crunch before falling to the ground. They miraculously land on one of the gearless patches.
Glib slowly gets off the ground. Everything is spinning and he can faintly taste blood, but he knows he needs to get up. He looks up and can see the fuzzy image of Canyon and S.G. fighting the white ghoul. White things keep whipping around its face, and it keeps making these loud sobbing noises.
"Banshee," Glib says through the link. "That's a banshee." He shakily raises his hand and fires off as many eldritch blasts as he can before he collapses back in exhaustion, half landing on Goodbid, who has not gotten up. Glib feels for his pulse. It's faint, but it's there. Suddenly, the bells and chimes start ringing loudly, shaking the entire castle.
The last thing Glib hears before everything fades to black is S.G. and Canyon through the mental link screaming their names, telling them to get up and get out.
*
Glib shoots straight up. He's in his room, sleeping in his fur-lined bed (thank you magical loopholes) and he's completely unhurt.
"Just a nightmare," Glib mutters, running a hand down his face. "Just a stupid, stupid nightmare." Before he can go back to sleep, his door swings open with enough force that he's worried its going to come off its hinges.
"It was not just a nightmare!" S.G. yells, marching into Glib's room, Canyon and a traumatized-looking Goodbid in tow. "We remember it too!"
"And today's the same day!" Canyon says as if that makes any sense.
"What?" Glib asks, still half asleep.
"What day did we go to the castle?" Canyon asks.
"Uh, it was the twenty sixth?" Glib says, trying very hard to remember everything from the not-dream.
"Yeah! And today is also the twenty sixth!"
"What are you talking about?" Glib asks, not particularly wanting to deal with Canyon's nonsense.
"We're repeating the day," Goodbid says in a distant tone. Glib looks at him and Goodbid is just staring at the wall above Glib's head with a thousand-yard stare.
"Is he okay?" Glib asks, slightly worried that Goodbid, while he is still smiling, is smiling in a very manic way.
"No, he thinks he took a contract there, and you know how he gets when we have to deal with the undead," S.G. says, only a little sympathetic, as if she isn't also terrified of most ghosts and Glib was not an actual vampire.
"I would just need to find that contract. I keep my contracts, it'll be easy," Goodbid says, mostly to himself. The room falls into silence while everyone thinks over what just happened.
"Oh shit," Glib says. "Mystery man is going to kill us if we don't figure this out."
***
Prophis
"I don't know what you did, but you are going to undo it," Callisto says, throwing open the door to the home of the adventuring party he unintentionally created. Prophis wants to chide his boyfriend for being so rude to their friends, but he is certain that doing that will result in an argument so instead he sighs deeply. Besides, Callisto has a reason to be upset. This is the third time they have woken up to this day.
"Why do you think they did it?" Prophis counters as he enters the house behind him.
"Because look at them!" Callisto snaps, his chest puffing up. Prophis cocks an unamused eyebrow at him, and Callisto deflates, unable to withstand his boyfriend's silent scolding.
"No, Mystery Man's right," Canyon says from his seat on the couch. His feet are thrown over the couch's arm and he is laying across half of the couch with his arms crossed over his stomach. His head is directly next to Goodbid's leg, who does not look to care. The afore mentioned businessman's entire torso is inside his briefcase. Prophis can faintly hear him muttering, but he's either too far away or Goodbid is just whispering gibberish because Prophis cannot make out what is being said.
"Canyon!" Glib snaps. "Why would you tell them?!"
"Because they obviously knew and now, they can help us undo it," Canyon says nonchalantly.
"He's got a point, Glib," S.G. says. She is at the dinner table looking over old records that Prophis is pretty sure they stole from somewhere. Glib is sat across from her and is reading an ancient tome that looks to be heavier than he is.
"Fine, whatever, just help us," Glib grumbles. He gestures to the stacks of scrolls, books, and papers all around the house.
"We'll help once you tell us what happened," Prophis says walking over to Glib. "And is he okay?" He points to Goodbid.
"Oh yeah, he's just looking for a specific paper. He says he's worked with the lady that caused this. He keeps all of his contracts so if he can find it, it will slim down the amount of reading we have to do," Glib says, not even looking away from the massive book.
Callisto walks to Goodbid and touches his back. Goodbid doesn't even flinch as he continues his frantic search.
"And you're sure he's okay?" Prophis says, his brow pinched in concern.
"Like 80 percent sure- anyway!" S.G. says. "Do one of you want to explain this to them because I would like to stay on good terms with them," S.G. says bluntly and Prophis is slightly more worried now.
"Yeah, I'll do it since I don't have to read," Canyon volunteers.
"Yes, why aren't you helping?" Callisto asks crossing his arms.
"I am helping," Canyon says. "I'm keeping Goodbid from losing it." As if cued in by Canyon's words Goodbid suddenly starts freaking out.
"Where is it?! Where is it?! I ain't ever lost a contract!" He says in an accent so thick that Prophis barely understands him.
"Hey, hey, Goodbid, relax," Canyon says calmly. He pulls Goodbid out of the briefcase and pushes himself into his lap. He gently headbutts Goodbid's face in the same way a house cat would. Goodbid seems to recognize what Canyon wants him to do and starts to pet him until he looks slightly more rational. Canyon eases himself off of Goodbid and returns to his laying position next to his thigh while Goodbid returns to his briefcase, not nearly as deep or panicked. "See, helping," Canyon says smugly.
"I see," Callisto says, casting Prophis a confused look. Prophis shakes his head, knowing that Callisto is asking him if the cat man and Goodbid are dating. The team hasn't told Prophis if they are, so he just has to assume they aren't, but he can see where Callisto is coming from. Prophis is certain that the four of them are in a queer-platonic polycule, it's certainly obvious in the way they behave, but whether or not they know that they are in a queer-platonic polycule is a different question entirely.
Prophis clears his throat. "You were going to explain what happened," he prods, stepping over to the couch.
"Oh, yeah," Canyon says. He shifts into a more comfortable position before he continues. "So, we were exploring this castle that belonged to a really powerful magic lady-"
"She was a warlock!" Glib corrects.
"Yeah, that. She worked with some sort of powerful god, it might also have been a trickster of some sort, we don't know. Point being she made some strong stuff. And one of these things happened to be a really big clock, for some reason. Now, we didn't exactly break the clock -we weren't even going to touch it at first- but then this thing came out of nowhere and threw Glib and Goodbid into the clock. It chimed a couple of times and then stopped ticking. This day has just been repeating and it seems like the only ones who are 'awake' are us and- well- you guys I guess."
Prophis nods slowly, processing all the information that was just thrown at him.
"So, let me get this straight," Callisto says, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You went into an old castle that belonged to an extremely powerful warlock, Glib and Goodbid were thrown by something-"
"It was a banshee," Glib says tiredly. "It was a fucking banshee."
"And that thing was a son of a bitch to get rid of!" S.G. adds spitefully.
"Okay, a banshee threw Glib and Goodbid into a giant clock and now we are stuck in a time loop?" Callisto finishes.
"Pretty much, yeah," Canyon says, the perfect picture of an uncaring cat.
"I found it!" Goodbid yells holding up a fairly yellow and fragile piece of paper up. "Sweet mercy, I found it!"
"You found it?!" Glib says. He launches out of his seat and slides to a stop next to Goodbid.
"Yes! It was one of my first contracts, it's a miracle that I had this," Goodbid says giddily. S.G. misty steps over to the boys and gets on the other side of Glib. "Her name was Zinrie Olvito and she was an elf woman with an extremely powerful time patron. She contacted me to take out her brother."
"Why?" S.G. asks.
"Dunno, I never ask why, I just do what I'm told," Goodbid says as he puts the scroll down. "That bein' said she made sure that I knew to kill him cleanly and with as little pain as I could."
"So, she was a time warlock," Prophis begins slowly, making sure he's properly understanding, "and you broke the giant clock?"
Goodbid startles, jumping a foot in the air before staring wide-eyed at the newcomers. "When the hell did y'all get here?" he asks causing the others to laugh.
"We've been here for the last five minutes," Prophis says lightly.
Goodbid nods slowly, seemingly taking in his surroundings for the first time in a while.
"Hey," Glib says suddenly. "Do you think that the crazy time-lady was the banshee?" The others stare at him, obviously waiting for him to continue. "Banshees can only be made from heart-broken or grieving elf women."
"I suppose so," Callisto says rubbing his chin. Prophis nods his head along. It would make sense that she was twisted by one of her experiments or spells and became a banshee as a result. Or maybe it was the grief of having ordered Goodbid to kill her brother.
"Wait, hold on," Prophis says looking between Goodbid and Glib. "How exactly were the two of you thrown?"
"We paired up the two of us that could see in the dark and the two of us that couldn't," Goodbid explains. "S.G. hung onto Canyon, and Glib was on my shoulders. The banshee came out of nowhere and picked me up and hurled us at the big clock that was on the wall."
"Do you think that the banshee was just trying to attack Goodbid because he killed her brother?" Prophis ponders.
"She hired me to do it!" Goodbid snaps defensively.
"I'm not blaming you for doing your job, Goodbid," Prophis says in a motherly tone, shutting him up. "I'm just suggesting that maybe that's why she attacked the two of you and not the others."
"She might have tried to resurrect him," Callisto says, running a hand through his hair. "If she had a powerful time patron, maybe the final test was resurrecting a loved one."
"And she failed, causing her to die of grief from the brother that she had killed and couldn't save, turning her into a banshee," Prophis finishes.
"Okay, but she's the one that failed, why attack Mustache?" Canyon asks, pointing out the obvious.
"Because technically I killed him, she just couldn't save him," Goodbid says tiredly, taking off his hat and scratching his head. "It happens sometimes with contracts. They get mad at me for killing their family or spouses or whatever even though that's what I was hired to do."
"People get buyers regret in your line of work?" Canyon says with a laugh.
"You'd be surprised," Goodbid says sourly. "Some people just can't stomach murder."
The others laugh before S.G. clears her throat.
"Yes, well, that's good and all, now that we know the Banshee is the crazy time warlock or whatever, and she feels bad for having her brother killed or what not, but we are still in a time loop!" S.G. says, drawing attention back to the main focus.
"S.G.'s got a point, got any ideas?" Glib asks, pulling his cloak sleeves up and rolling them slightly.
Prophis thinks for a moment. This is definitely out of his department of expertise. He can control -or mutate depending on how you choose to look at it- most things, but time is not one of them. He has opened portals into different realms, but messing with time? Even he's not stupid enough to do that. Its one of the several reasons he doesn't understand Doc. Doc can talk for days about how they have manipulated the timeline and have effectively created a really big time-loop, but just thinking about that makes Prophis' blood run cold. This is definitely not his forte.
"No, I don't have a clue how to fix this. I work chaos, but I don't touch time. Callisto?" He turns to look at his boyfriend who is stroking his chin, deep in thought.
"I have to agree with Prophis that time is one of the few things I try not to mess with," Callisto says after a long moment. "I might be able to find a solution if we go to the castle."
The others nod. Canyon and Goodbid get to their feet, popping and stretching as they do.
"What day is looping?" Prophis asks suddenly. "Is it the day you hit the clock or the day after?"
They look at each other for a moment before Glib turns back to them. "The day of?" he says like it's a question. "Why does that matter?"
Callisto looks at Prophis and shares a long-suffering look. "Because if it's the day of, you haven't killed the banshee," Callisto says in a way that shows just how old he really is.
"Damn," Goodbid says, and the others just nod their agreement.
"I should have just killed you all in that cabin," Callisto groans into his palms.
*
They keep close as they enter the castle. Prophis is casting an orb of chaos light as they walk around. Goodbid, seemingly traumatized, walks as physically close to Prophis as he will let him- well as close as Callisto lets him before glaring daggers at him. Every creak of a board, or rat scurrying across the stones has Goodbid jumping out of his skin. He's holding his briefcase to his chest like a safety blanket and is clutching it so tight that his knuckles are bone white.
The other members of Team Chaos keep rotating "Goodbid Duty" where they walk close to him and calm him down. Prophis thinks the way they handle him is unique and oddly endearing.
Canyon will half drape himself across Goodbid and demands pets. He does not get up until Goodbid laments and pets Canyon's head; at which point, Canyon begins to purr like a house cat until Goodbid doesn't look like he's about to pass out from fear.
S.G. will minor illusion small comforting things for Goodbid to hold or fidget with. His favorite seems to be the weighted quill that he can just swing between his fingers, or when she creates the smell of home just after Goodbid's made breakfast.
Glib does the most normal thing, but probably what helps Goodbid the most. He gets him talking. He asks about old contracts or friends. He got Goodbid going on a rant about an old tailor shop that made him a suit that was wrong in just about every aspect ("They got all of my proportions wrong and used the cheapest fabric I have ever seen!") and he didn't notice that they had walked across the bridge where they were previously attacked. He didn't notice where he was until they were stood in front of the clock.
"Honestly! The audacity! And I had paid them good money for that! It was not good biddness!" Goodbid complains.
"Hey, monopoly man," Glib says with a grin. "Look around." Goodbid pauses and stares dumbly at the little frog man before slowly looking around.
"Oh, when 'id we get here?" Goodbid says scratching his head.
"About a minute ago," Glib says patting his arm.
Prophis chuckles to himself as he watches this interaction unfold. It's such a far cry from how they originally interacted. If Prophis would have told all of them a year ago that they would be helping keep Goodbid out of a panic attack, he is very certain that none of them would believe him. Callisto "I wouldn't know a heartfelt moment if it slapped me across the face" Mystery-Man shoves past them and struts up to the clock. He levitates off the ground and begins to inspect the massive machine.
"And it was ticking like this when you originally came here?" Callisto says as he hovers in front of the clock's face.
Prophis can't help but admire the intricate craftmanship of the clock. Everything is so impressively detailed. The clock is painted with a flower field at night, and it almost looks alive. Like the flora would sway in the wind and the stars twinkle idly. There's a tree close to the edge of the painting and in the tree's branches is a bird's nest with sleeping birds. Under the tree a young elf boy sits sleeping, with his hat thrown over his face and his arms crossed lazily over his stomach. His hair is messily braided and thrown over his shoulder. In one hand he holds some sort of half-eaten fruit. Prophis feels like he could lose himself staring at it for too long.
"Yeah, it's what drew my attention to it in the first place," Canyon says. He is watching Callisto the same way a housecat watches a bird and Prophis is a little worried that he's going to try and pounce on him.
Before anyone can respond, a mournful sob rings through the room. Everyone except for Glib flinches or yells as pain rips through their head. Goodbid screams the loudest and the color drains from his face. He rocks on his feet for a moment before fully passing out.
"Shit!" Glib yelps and jumps forward to catch him. A white figure comes charging at them from the wall. "Not again!" Glib cries and tries to jump out of the way with Goodbid, but he's not a strong frog. He gets about five feet away, but the Banshee is undeterred.
Prophis, thinking on his feet charges a chaos bolt and throws it. It just barely connects with her. The hair surrounding her face whips wildly, tangling in the air and pulling away from her face.
Callisto, having a similar idea hits her with a bolt of magic. She wails and the hair flies away from her face revealing a rotting elf woman. The face turns to dust and flies off in the wind while the white cloth and hair fade away.
"Well, then," Callisto says, dusting off his hands, "that fixes that."
"Hey guys?!" Glib yells. Goodbid is laying on the ground and Glib is kneeling next to him. "I don't think he's breathing!"
"Oh, that's not good!" Prophis yelps running toward the pair. He drops to his knees and shoves Glib out of the way. He puts his hands on Goodbid's chest, and with a silent prayer that this doesn't go horrendously, he mutters a very powerful healing incantation. Goodbid's eyes fly open, and he shoots up, chaos magic crackling around his pupil.
"Damn demon!" He screams as he tries to fight Prophis and Glib off him. His head whips around frantically looking for, presumably, the banshee.
"Woah, woah, Bid, relax," Glib says, putting his hands on Goodbid's shoulders. "It's okay. We came here with the cavalry, remember? They killed her in two hits." Goodbid visibly relaxes as he nods.
"Love," Prophis says turning to Callisto. "How do we fix this?"
"Honestly? I don't have a clue-" a groan rises from the group. "-yet. I don't have a clue yet! Give me a few days to study the clock and then maybe I'll have an answer."
"Yeah, except we don't have a few days," Prophis reminds him. "The day will loop, and we will wake up in bed again."
Callisto sighs deeply as he floats back to the bridge. "I'm aware. I suppose that every morning I will simply have to come back here." Prophis nods, understanding Callisto's annoyance. It's not like they can blame the party for being thrown over the ledge in what was supposed to be an abandoned castle.
"Maybe we should-"
Suddenly the clock starts chiming an old rickety rhythm.
"That's probably not good," Callisto says. Instinctually he puts himself in between Prophis and the clock.
"Uh, guys? What time is it?" Prophis asks as the clock starts ringing louder.
Goodbid fishes a pocket watch out and flips it open. "It's five minutes until midnight!"
The clock continues to grow louder, and the castle starts to come down around them.
"We should run!" Prophis says backing away. "We need to run, right now!" He grabs Callisto's hand and turns on his heels, sprinting down the stone staircase and out into the halls. Large chunks of the ceilings and walls crash to the floor around them, sending dust and debris into their faces. They careen into the foyer and Prophis throws a shield up over their heads to keep the pillars from crushing everyone. Callisto doubles the shield, taking some of the strain off of Prophis as he runs forward and throws open the doors. Everyone dives into the grass as the castle collapses behind them.
Glib lays face down in the grass, S.G. kneels next to him, Canyon and Goodbid stand behind both of them as they all pant heavily. Prophis and Callisto stand a few feet away, leaning on each other.
Distantly from under the rumble Prophis swears he can hear one last knell of the bells in the clock before his world fades to black and he wakes up in his warm bed again.
***
S.G.
S.G. throws herself out of bed and runs down the stairs, Goodbid hot on her heels.
"Alright, so what now?" Goodbid asks as Canyon gets off the couch -where he apparently had the misfortune of falling asleep the night before the loop began.
"I don't know," S.G. says as she starts pacing up and down the living area.
"What is there to do other than wait for Mystery Man and his Chaos God boyfriend to fix this mess?" Glib asks with a yawn from the top of the stairs before he slowly saunters down. It is well understood that if someone out sleeps Glib, they are probably sick or hurt, but if Glib wakes up before everyone else, he is probably sick.
"We could always go to the mansion and help them," S.G. suggests.
"Now, I don't think that's a good idea," Goodbid says anxiously.
"I agree with Goodbid," Glib says. "We'd just-" he stops to yawn into his hand. "We'd just get in the way." S.G. wants to yawn with him. She's so tired that she feels dead on her feet, but she shouldn't be tired. She just woke up, right?
"Yes, but we aren't helping by staying here!" S.G. counters sharply.
"But down there, we'd slow everything down. And anyways I think Goodbid is going to go catatonic if we take him back there again," Canyon says with a lazy flick of his tail.
S.G. glares but says nothing, returning to pacing up and down. She paces and tries to figure out how to fix this, to come up with a plan.
As she walks a hole in the ground, she watches as the boys begin to dog pile on the couch. Goodbid sits on the left side of the couch, kicking his legs up, and taking up the entire couch. Canyon, instead of having Goodbid move his legs like a sensible person would do, lays face down on Goodbid's chest. The mustached man just sighs and excepts Canyon's antics.
"Cat, sit up, I wanna be in the middle," Glib demands. Canyon huffs a laugh, but props himself up on his elbows, nonetheless. Glib, being just a little frog, crawls in between them and plops down. Canyon lays back down and Goodbid just chuckles tiredly. They settle down and start dozing off.
S.G. thinks about joining them, but then she has a thought.
"What if we ask Doc?" S.G. asks.
Goodbid cracks open an eye. "Yeah, maybe, but can we wait until after we nap? I feel like I haven't slept in three days."
"We probably haven't," Glib says, although his voice is muffled from being under Canyon. "We keep waking up, but we haven't been sleeping."
"Shut up, both of you," Canyon gripes without opening his eyes.
"Wanna join us?" Goodbid asks with a yawn.
"The couch is too small for that many people," S.G. says, "I vote we have a cuddle pile on my bed," she suggests with a smile.
S.G. has the best room with the largest, softest bed in the whole house, payment for being the only girl. It had cost a decent amount of coin to get it, but S.G. adores her bed. And so does Canyon. Canyon's head perks up at the mention of her bed. He's always looking for a reason to cat nap there -pun intended.
He gets off the others and motions S.G. up the stairs. S.G. swallows a laugh at Goodbid following them up, carrying Glib like the world's angriest teddy bear. Said teddy bear is half-awake which somehow makes Glib docile. Goodbid collapses just left of the center of the bed, Glib laying on his chest. S.G. crawls up and lays down heavily next to him, letting out an oomph sound as she hits the pillows. She throws one leg over Goodbid's and one arm over Glib. Canyon is the last to join because he lays across all of them, carefully minding his chaos arm, and curls up tightly. S.G. buries her other hand in his fur before using her mage hand to pull a blanket over all of them. Her curtains are still drawn so the room is completely dark, except for the lazy pulsing of Canyon's magic arm.
"Night, y'all," Goodbid says with a yawn.
"Night," Canyon says with a slight purr.
S.G. just nods her head in acknowledgement while Glib is out cold.
*
By the time everyone woke up and ate something, it was 10 in the evening, leaving them two hours until everything will repeat.
They're all sat at the dining room table. Canyon and Goodbid are on one side with S.G. and Glib across from them. Canyon is sharpening blades, Goodbid's mending clothes -with the spell, although he is not above using a needle and thread- S.G.'s trying to polish and clean the armor she still hasn't figured out how to get off, and Glib is simply trying to wake up.
The house is calmly quiet, except for the rhythmic sound of Canyon's wet stone against his dagger, and smells of coffee, and the breakfast the Goodbid quickly through together to avoid the wrath of a hangry S.G.
The aforementioned changeling adores quiet morning moments like this. It gives her the feeling of having a normal little family, something she never really got to experience when she was young.
S.G. had just finished cleaning the blood out of her right gauntlet when Glib breaks the comfortable silence.
"Are we still going to try and ask Doc about this?" Glib asks while he sips his blood-coffee which is coffee made with blood instead of water.
"This loop or in general?" Canyon asks, he holds his dagger up to the light to inspect his work before returning to sharpening it.
"Both, I guess," Glib says as he downs the rest of the coffee.
"I can get in contact with Doc," S.G. says while she works on her left gauntlet. "But honestly, I want to take a day to relax and sleep. All of that reading wiped me out."
The others hum or nod their agreement.
"I'm not sure I'd be able to follow a Doc explanation right now, anyway," Glib says as he stands up to put his mug up.
"I've never understood a Doc explanation," Canyon says, completely honestly, but the rest of them laugh at the relatability of it.
"So, tomorrow then?" Goodbid says as he finally finishes mending the last of the clothes.
"Bid, you know you'll just have to do that again, right?" Glib says as he pads back into the room.
Goodbid opens his mouth before looking disgruntled and clicking it back shut.
"Well, if we aren't doing anything today, I want to go back to sleep," Canyon says as bluntly as ever as he sets down his blades once he also realizes he'll just have to do it over again.
"I'm down with that," Glib says already heading for the stairs. S.G. starts to put everything up before realizing that it won't matter anyway. She follows them upstairs where they reform the cuddle pile in the same way they had it before.
Everyone falls asleep slowly, not nearly as tired as they were the first time they fell asleep, but still tired. S.G.'s asleep for what she knows must've been two hours because she thinks she hears distant bells ringing before she wakes up alone in her bed, the birds singing the same stupid tune they've been singing. She groans and throws herself out of bed. Time to find Doc and get back to business.
***
Canyon
"If I ever try to sleep on the couch, someone smack me."
Canyon is absolutely, positively, without a singular doubt sick of waking up on the couch. It isn't comfortable and it makes his back hurt.
"Its not our fault that you were too lazy to move to your room after dinner," Goodbid says as he passes Canyon his breakfast. Toast, eggs, and bacon. Simple but good, and it doesn't hurt that its Canyon's favorite meal.
"Thanks," Canyon says as he starts inhaling his food. "How'd you become the cook, anyway?"
"I was the only one that could do it," Goodbid says simply as he sits down with his own breakfast. S.G. is in a different room talking to the other psychics trying to locate Doc.
"What do you mean the only one? I can cook!" Canyon says hotly.
"But they don't want you in the kitchen," Goodbid explains. "Something about how you constantly shed fur."
Canyon bristles but says nothing about it, instead he asks, "okay but what about S.G. and Glib?"
"Glib's too short to see onto the stove and he also has toxic skin." Goodbid stops to take a bite of his food. "And S.G. nearly burnt down the kitchen while trying to cook the pasta I had pre-made." Canyon barks out a laugh at that. He remembers that and how genuinely distraught Goodbid had been when he came home to no dinner and a scorched kitchen.
"Is she allowed in the kitchen?" Canyon asks with a teasing grin.
"Not without supervision," Goodbid says bluntly, crunching into his toast.
"What are we talking about?" Glib asks as he meanders into the kitchen.
"I asked why Goodbid does the cooking and he told me that I shed too much, you are too short, and S.G. nearly burnt down the kitchen," Canyon says. He stands up and takes his plate back to the kitchen for seconds.
Glib laughs tiredly. "Yeah, to be fair I'm not sure I actually remember how to cook normal food anymore anyway," Glib says as he gets the jug of blood out of the cold cabinet. He takes a long drink from it before putting the stopper back in it. He sets in on the counter. "I drank all of that so if we break the cycle this time, we'll need to get more."
"Alright I'll put it on the list," Goodbid says. Canyon can hear him click open his briefcase, write something down, and then the click of it shutting again.
"I have good news and bad news!" S.G. announces as she joins everyone. "Well, it's actually good news, bad news, and slightly worse news."
"Of course, it is," Glib grumbles as he and Canyon walk back into the dining room, the cat man carrying more food than should be physically possible to eat but the others know better than to doubt him. His stomach is a bottomless pit, and he has proved that fact time and time again. "Alright what's the good news?"
"Good news, I have located Doc."
"Alright, bad news?"
"Bad news, he's at Franklin Castle because of rumors of a psychic living there," S.G. says with a shrug. The others groan.
"Okay, great," Glib says in a "God-kill-me-now" way.
"On the bright side, we don't have to listen to a Doc rant," Canyon says in his normal nonchalant tone, even though he wants to bash his head into a wall.
"Canyon's got a point," Goodbid says as he plays with his mustache. "We probably wouldn't have gleaned any information from it anyway."
"Yeah, yeah, alright," Glib says waving his hands around, "what's the slightly worse news?"
"Callisto and Prophis were at the castle all of yester-loop and they can't figure out how to end this," S.G. explains, crossing her arms as she does.
They sit in silence and stare at each other. If their God friends couldn't figure it out, what were they good for? Wait, God friends.
"Hey, Glib," Canyon exclaims, "have you asked your God?"
Glib stares at him for a moment before slowly shaking his head. The room goes dark, his eyes glaze over in a bright blood red.
"Hey man, we got a problem!" Glib says. A deep, watery grumble answers him. "Yeah, okay so obviously you aren't apart of it, I was just hoping you would know how to fix it!" Another grumble answers. "I'm getting there!"
The others look between each other. No one can understand the elder god except for Glib so these conversations are a little stressful.
"So, we are stuck in a time loop." There's silence for a moment before an outraged roar. "It's not like we did it on purpose, get off my ass!" There's a huff before Glib continues. "We were walking around a castle that belonged to- uh- Goodbid! What was her name?"
"Zinrie Olvito," Goodbid tells him after checking his briefcase.
"Yeah, that! She was some sort of time warlock and we got thrown at this giant clock and-" The God cuts him off, apparently asking a question. "Uh, yeah actually. Why does that matter?" The God tells him something and Glib pales, or at least he kind of pales. It's hard to tell with his skin being black and blue. "You've got to be kidding me." The God responds by laughing before cutting the call, returning the room to its normal light levels.
"So?" S.G. asks hopefully.
"We are so fucked," Glib says exasperatedly. "We are so fucked! Okay, so you know that clock that we hit?"
"Yeah, is it important?" Canyon asks.
"Oh, yeah it's just one of the three Celestial Clocks on Vontral," Glib says with a slightly deranged laugh.
"I thought there were two Celestial Clocks?" Goodbid says, scratching his head.
"Yeah, the one here and the one in Parian," S.G. chips in.
"Apparently this Zinrie lady also built one," Glib explains. "And when we crashed into it, I think we broke it."
"We broke a Celestial Clock?" Goodbid asks, his smile looking increasingly more manic.
"Yep." Glib drags a hand down his face. "Hey, S.G. could you get Mystery-Bitch and his boy toy down here? They probably need to know about this."
S.G. sighs. "Yes, give me like five minutes."
*
"You what?!" Callisto roars once they finish explaining what the God had told them.
"Love, calm down, it's not like they meant to do it," Prophis says, placing a hand on Mystery Man's shoulder.
"I don't care whether or not they meant to! They still did it!" Callisto roars. Canyon just stares at him with a blank expression.
"If you want to throw a tantrum, do it outside," Canyon says bluntly with an air of amusement. "I don't want to listen to it."
"I'm not-" Callisto says getting even angrier.
"I don't know, that kinda looks like a tantrum," S.G. says coyly. Canyon watches Prophis bite back a laugh while Callisto gets increasingly redder as he sputters indignantly. He suddenly stands up, his chair screeching awfully against the floor, and walks through a wall. The entire house shakes with the force of Callisto screams, but Canyon can only laugh at the grown man who is throwing a tantrum. He walks back through the wall, noticeably calmer, and retakes his seat.
"There, now I won't kill you," Callisto says.
"How come you didn't know it was a Celestial Clock?" Canyon asks. "I thought you were like all knowing or something."
"I'm not 'all knowing' I'm just extremely powerful," Callisto says tiredly. "And what part of 'I don't fuck with time' didn't you understand?" Callisto snaps hotly.
"Yeah, but shouldn't you have recognized it?" Canyon says tail flicking playfully.
"Shouldn't you have recognized it if they're so famous?" Callisto counters.
"No, I've never seen them," Canyon says boredly.
"Neither have I," Callisto states bluntly.
"What but your like thousands of years old!"
"Yeah, and the founders of Symmetras has been dead for most of those! Those clocks are extremely well guarded to keep things like this from happening!" Callisto exclaims.
Canyon makes a quiet 'o' noise before shutting up. Callisto really might nuke him if he keeps talking.
"So, I think it's fair to assume not a fucking one of us has a clue how to fix these Celestial Clocks?" Glib asks.
Prophis and Callisto shake their heads.
"Great, fucking great," Glib grumbles.
"Alright, well, someone has to know something about these clocks," Canyon points out before they fall into a pit of despair. "Isn't there some sort of clock master thing, right?"
Callisto thinks for a moment before nodding slowly. "I think there are researchers who study the clocks."
"Maybe one of them knows something," Prophis suggests.
"Alright, but how do we get in?" Goodbid asks.
Prophis and Callisto look at him for a moment before they share a secret smile.
"What?" Glib asks, taking the word right out of Canyon's mouth.
"You are looking at the two living founders of Symmetras," Callisto says with an air of confidence that he wasn't using before.
"They'll have to let us in," Prophis finishes with eloquence and squares his shoulders.
Team Chaos looks at each other before grinning mischievously.
"Well, lets go see some clocks!" Goodbid exclaims happily.
"I already regret this," Callisto sighs as he stands up and heads for the door.
*
It took the six of them a while to actually get to the clocks. Finding the building should have been easy except the clock is apparently one of the few things underground in Rift Reach. Next came the hassle of finding someone who could explain anything to them. More than once Callisto nearly shot someone; S.G. was told to stop gaslighting; Glib considered drinking a scholar or two; Goodbid had to explain that, yes, he is a hit man, no, he is not going to kill anyone here; Canyon was told to put his weapons away; and Prophis sent the Team outside before they caused a fight.
All in all, Canyon was having a blast.
"So, you are saying there is a third Celestial Clock near Wainua?" Mr. Yewheart, a kind centaur man who is willing to help them out, asks.
"Yes, and these idiots stumbled upon it while searching the castle for the previous owner," Callisto reiterates for the thousandth time.
"I see, and how exactly was it broken?" Mr. Yewheart asks as he walks towards the library of documents about the Celestial Clocks.
"Glib -the frog man- and I were picked up by the banshee that lives there and thrown at it," Goodbid explains, taking over for Callisto who looks like he will send the centaur to a glue factory if he is asked to repeat himself again.
"I see, and you just hit it?"
"Yes, sir," Goodbid says with his best businessman smile.
"Was anything cracked or otherwise broken?" Mr. Yewheart asks. He grabs two scrolls off a stack and starts skimming over them. He readjusts his glasses and pinches his eyebrows.
"No, well, uh," Goodbid scratches his head before looking at Glib. "I was knocked out about as soon as we hit the clock, so Glib?"
"Uh, there was a crack when we hit, but I think that was just Goodbid's bones shattering," Glib says bluntly.
"My bones?!" Goodbid yelps.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that hitting the clock killed you."
Canyon cackles at the alarmed look on Goodbid's face.
"Well, you look quite alright for someone whose been so recently... harmed," Mr. Yewheart says kindly to Goodbid with a questioning look.
"Oh yeah, we are in a time loop," Canyon chimes in.
Mr. Yewheart stops reading and snaps his eyes to him. "Did you just say time loop?'
"Uh, yeah?" Canyon says kind of alarmed by the sudden change in the centaur's demeanor.
"Next time, lead with that tidbit of information!" the centaur scolds. "How long has this been looping?" he asks seriously.
"Uh, this is day like five?" Canyon says confused.
"Mm, that is good, much longer and things could have been much worse," Yewheart, says nodding.
"What do you mean much worse?!" Glib shouts, clutching Stick to his chest.
"The longer you live in this loop, the worse the world will react to you when you leave the loop," Yewheart says as he puts his scrolls up and turns to a different stack of papers.
"Oh great! Why the fuck do you know that?!" Glib shrieks.
"This has happened a few times before," Yewheart explains.
"Okay, that's good! Now how do we undo this?!" Callisto roars, completely done with this.
Yewheart looks unamused at Callisto's outbreak before saying, "I am not sure. This has not happened in my lifetime, nor is it the area I am educated in."
"Of course not," Callisto groans.
"I'm sorry, but you are welcomed to look through our scrolls," Mr. Yewheart says, gesturing around him. Canyon immediately thinks of all the ways he could get out of reading. He hates reading, always has always will.
"Thank you," Prophis says, placing a hand on Callisto's shoulder to silence the rude remark Callisto was clearly about to say. "Goodbid, what time is it?"
Goodbid fishes out his pocket watch and flips it open. "We have four hours until midnight."
"It's 8 already?!" Callisto says confused.
"Yeah, it took all day to find someone who will take us seriously," Canyon says as he walks over to the table of scrolls. "So, we better get started before we have to do it all over again."
"That is a good point," S.G. says as she starts picking up scrolls and books, reading their titles in order to see if they would be any use to them.
The next four hours are spent in agonizing silence while everyone reads their texts.
A faint bell startles Canyon. His head snaps up at the same time most of the other's also raise.
"Five minutes 'til midnight?" S.G. asks Goodbid who pulls out his watch and nods. Glib hasn't looked up, seeming to be absorbed in his reading.
"So, we all heard the bells?" Goodbid asks relieved.
"Huh?" Glib asks his eyes still glued to the book.
"Did you hear those bells?" Goodbid asks again.
"Yeah, they've rang every night at the same time," Glib says dismissively, still reading. Canyon's got to give it to him, he is very determined to finish that book despite having only five minutes left.
"Anyone find anything helpful?" Canyon asks, pushing his book away from himself. Prophis and Callisto read the most, going through several books and scrolls in the short time while S.G., Goodbid, and Glib have made it through a handful of scrolls and half a book in Glib's case.
Canyon has only made it about a fourth of a way through his own small book, but it's not his fault! These books are for magic users! He's a rogue! None of this makes any sense to him!
"No, I only found information about how they were made and how they work," Prophis says, rubbing his temples.
"I couldn't find anything pertaining to time loops," Callisto says as he floats all of his scrolls back to where they belong.
They look at S.G. who shakes her head.
"Goodbid?"
"Only thing that I found is that they work on the blessing of a God," Goodbid says tiredly. "So maybe we upset a God by hitting it?"
"Shit, maybe, but my God would have said something if another God was beefing with me," Glib says, flipping a page of his book.
"You find anything, Glib?" Canyon asks hopefully.
"Maybe?" Glib says. "Hey, Mystery Man."
"Yeah?" Callisto responds. Canyon wants to point out that he has accepted the fact that they only call him Mystery Man, but he decides that now is probably not the best time for that.
"You went to the castle and studied it for a day, right?" Glib asks, flipping another page.
"That would be correct, yes," Callisto says in his trademark "get on with it" way.
"Were the clock hands moving correctly? Like were they timed out correctly?" Glib asks.
Callisto is silent for a moment and then slowly nods his head.
"Did you just nod?" Glib asks, still nose deep in the tome.
"Yes," Callisto says hotly.
"Okay, Jesus, man, relax! Since the hands were moving it means we didn't break the clock, there's something we need to do to end the cycle," Glib explains. "And from what I'm reading, it could be literally anything though, so we are kinda fucked."
"Where are you getting that information?" Callisto asks, although its closer to demands and if it were Canyon, he would've made Mystery Man ask nicely before he told him jack shit.
Glib holds up his book. "This. It's a collection of accounts from the people who have been stuck in loops. Next loop you should probably read it." Glib for the first time looks up. He sits up and pops his shoulders.
The bells suddenly get much louder, still sounding faint and distant, but now a clearer noise.
"Here we go again!" Canyon says with a smile that immediately fades when he wakes up with back pain on the couch.
***
Callisto
Waking up to look at his beautiful boyfriend is a sight that Callisto is certain he can never nor will ever get sick of. Especially not after being deprived of the gorgeous sight for a couple millennia.
He is, however, getting extremely sick of the circumstances in which he wakes up looking at his boyfriend.
"Should we go to the library by ourselves or get the idiots first?" Callisto asks, his voice gravelly from just waking up.
"Be nice to them!" Prophis scolds with no heat. "And we should get them first in case we have any questions."
Callisto nods and sighs deeply. He holds onto his boyfriend for a moment longer before getting out of bed. With the snap of his fingers, Callisto is dressed in a sleek-white button-down shirt (the top two buttons being left undone of course. He is a manwhore after all), dark grey dress pants, loose-fitting black overcoat, and his signature black gloves. He summons a mirror and makes sure the rest of him is presentable.
He fixes his hair while Prophis gets out of bed and stretches. Callisto drinks in the pale expanse of his chest while Prophis rolls his shoulders and neck. Callisto knows Prophis is hot, and so does Prophis, so he has no issue with openly staring at his handsome boyfriend. All too soon, Prophis' chest is covered again, as he does the same spell that Callisto did moments ago.
The dark-haired man sighs and begrudgingly opens a portal to the front of Team Chaos' door.
"After you, my love," Callisto says with a broad gesture.
"Such a gentleman," Prophis says sweetly as he steps through the portal onto the calm and empty street.
"Only for you, Prophis, only for you," Callisto says with a smile, following behind.
Callisto had actually bought them the house, a goodwill gesture he had called it. Really it was just a way to keep them close enough for the destruction and chaos they caused to be easily counteracted which had worked until now. In fairness to himself, Callisto is also certain that there really wasn't anyway to predict that they would find a Celestial Clock and then accidentally break it.
Callisto is many things, but a miracle worker is not one of them. That's a lie, he frequently does things that qualifies as miracles but not in this instance! Celestial Clock! Time Loops! How could he have known?!
"Deep breaths, Cal," Prophis says, putting his hand gently on Callisto's cheek. "We aren't even inside yet."
"I know, my love, I know," Callisto says while trying to reign in his anger before he throws open the door and strides in.
"Jesus!" Glib screams, spilling his strangely colored coffee everywhere.
"We are going back to the library so we can read that book the frog-"
"My name is Glib! You know that you dick!"
"-had yesterday. We are bringing you with us in case either of us has any questions," Callisto explains bluntly while Prophis magically undoes the coffee splatters, always so kind to the idiots.
"Yeah, okay, Jesus!" Glib says frustratedly. "Just let me finish this and we'll go."
Callisto wants to tell him to take it with him, but Prophis silences him with a side-eye glare.
"Y'all want some breakfast? I made plenty of pancakes!" Goodbid says as he brings two large plates of pancakes out of the kitchen and sits one down in the center of the table, and the other directly in front of Canyon.
"No-" Callisto tries to say but Prophis is already walking forward with an excited look in his eye.
"Yes please! I've heard wonderful things about your cooking, Mr. Goodbid!" Prophis says as he politely takes a seat next to Canyon.
"Aw, shucks! You're gonna make me blush, Mr. Prophis!" Goodbid says with an over-the-top southern gentleman's smile.
Callisto sighs tiredly.
"Do you have any more coffee?" Callisto asks as he takes the spare seat next to his blonde boyfriend.
"We do, assumin' you don't want any blood coffee," Goodbid jokes as he walks back to the kitchen.
"Blood what now?!" Callisto exclaims, appalled by the idea alone.
"It's what Glib drinks," Canyon supplies as he begins to eat the stack of pancakes in front of him. The stack is easily the size of his head, but he is eating it as if it was nothing. Callisto just watches in amazement as the overgrown cat scoffs down his food with impressive -and slightly terrifying- speed.
"And why is it blood-coffee and not regular coffee? I've seen you consume regular food and drinks," Prophis asks with genuine curiosity, but Callisto is still watching in horror as Canyon eats his last pancake.
"Here ya go, Canyon," Goodbid says as he re-emerges from the kitchen, again carrying a large plate of pancakes that he sits down in front of Canyon. "Remember to taste it!" He sets a massive plate of bacon down at the center of the table and a few smaller bowls of fruit.
"Two birds, one stone," S.G. says simply while she and Glib pile their plates with breakfast. "Glib gets his blood and caffeine in one drink."
"Here's your coffee, sirs," Goodbid says as he puts down two giant cups of coffee in front of the lovers.
"Goodbid, sit and eat some of your own damn food," Glib says, tapping the seat next to him. "You don't need to wait on us."
"I will, I'm just gonna get S.G.'s water," Goodbid says, already walking back into the kitchen before coming back with a glass of water for S.G., a glass of milk for Canyon, a second cup of blood-coffee for Glib, and an ice-tea for himself.
"Okay, we have food and drinks, now sit your ass down and eat," Canyon says around a mouth full of food, pointing his fork at the empty seat next to Glib. At this point everyone except for Goodbid and Callisto are eating.
"Alright, hold your horses-!"
"Friday?!" S.G. asks excitedly, but Goodbid just keeps talking over her.
"I'm sittin' down!" Goodbid says with no heat as he plops down next to the frog man. He takes a heaping portion of the food and eats it down quickly, but not really as quick as Canyon.
Callisto gives in and tries a pancake, and he has to admit that they are insanely good.
"They're my Mama's recipe!" Goodbid laughs when he sees Callisto's shocked face. "She's one hell of a cook!"
The rest of breakfast passes with the occasional small talk while they all eat Goodbid's amazing food. Impressively, he made just enough for all of them with no leftovers. Canyon, S.G., and Glib pick up the plates and take them to the kitchen. They form an efficient team as they wash, dry, and put up all of the dishes while Goodbid drinks the rest of his tea.
"I take it this happens often? You cook and they clean up?" Callisto asks.
"Oh, yeah. I do all the cookin', but they do the dishes in return," Goodbid says as he fixes his mustache. "We all do a good bit of cleanin' around the house though."
"You guys work really well together," Prophis says as he leans onto Callisto, mostly out of habit.
"Yeah, we formed some really quick habits after the first month of living together," Goodbid laughs, "I really think it's the only reason we haven't killed each other yet!"
Callisto laughs, remembering the first few months that he and Prophis lived together and how often they fought because of it.
"It only took a month for you to work everything out?" Callisto asks, drinking the last of his coffee.
"Yeah, we basically sat in the living room and divided chores," Goodbid says with a softer smile. "Here, let me take that to the kitchen." He holds out his hand and takes the coffee cups from Prophis and Callisto before taking them to the kitchen. Callisto watches him press against S.G. so he can place the mugs into the water without her having to move. Callisto waits for S.G. to hit him, but it doesn't come.
"And your certain that they aren't dating?" Callisto asks lowly, his eyes not leaving Goodbid who is still in the kitchen, helping S.G. dry a different cup. Her gauntlets are apparently making it difficult, and Callisto is curious why she isn't just using a mage hand to do it.
"My love, I believe they are," Prophis says lightly, his voice also low so the others can't eavesdrop, "but I'm unsure if they know that's what they are doing." He leans back and straightens his vest, brushing away invisible crumbs.
"Hmph," Callisto huffs as Goodbid starts back to the dining room.
"And its not romantic in any case," Prophis says quietly so Goodbid can't overhear.
"I suppose," Callisto says as he strokes his beard.
"Once they're done, we'll head on down," Goodbid says, fixing his suit sleeves.
Callisto nods. He's willing to sit in silence while they wait, but Prophis seems to be allergic to silence.
"You said those pancakes where your Mother's recipe?" Prophis asks politely.
"Yes, sir! She is the sweetest little lady," Goodbid says with a reminiscing smile. "But you hurt her family and she'll have ya on your knees beggin' for mercy." He chuckles as he fixes his mustache, leaning on the table.
"Do you have a big family?" Prophis asks kindly.
"Oh, like you wouldn't imagine! I've got six siblings and twenty-five cousins! Includin' marriage of course," Goodbid says with a broad smile. "Oh, and six second cousins -all of them are little right now so none of 'em are married- and one niece!"
"Oh my!" Prophis says, shocked.
"Jesus!" Callisto says, already imagining what that many Goodbids could possibly be like and getting a headache from it.
"Family dinners must be packed!" Prophis laughs.
"Y'all should come ta one! Ma would love to have ya!" Goodbid says good-naturedly.
Callisto shoots a pleading look to Prophis, who completely ignores him.
"We'd love to!" Prophis says with a malicious smile thrown at Callisto.
"Alright, the kitchen is clean!" S.G. says as she walks out, flanked by the other two.
"Great! Let's get going then," Callisto says, standing up and walking to the door. With a silent incantation, Callisto opens a portal directly next to Mr. Yewheart, who jumps and backs away from the portal looking petrified.
"Hello, Mr. Yewheart!" Prophis says sweetly as he steps through. "You probably do not remember us, but we are stuck in a time loop because the businessman and the frog-" he points at Goodbid and Glib, "-were thrown at the third Celestial Clock which is located near Wainua," Prophis explains quickly and efficiently.
"Now, if you would please give us access to the library so we can find a way to undo this," Callisto says in a similar "we aren't here to cause trouble" tone.
"O-oh, yes of course," Yewheart says as he straightens his glasses and rights his clothes that gotten wrinkled and twisted in his panic. "Follow me." He starts walking down a hall and the others are swift to follow. "If you don't mind me asking, how exactly do you know my name?" He asks nervously.
"Oh, no need to worry, you met us last loop and you were the only one in this place that was not an asshole to us," S.G. says, telling the truth for once.
Yewheart visibly relaxes. "That's good to know," he says, his shoulders dropping from their tight position.
He stops in front of the doors to the library. He opens them slowly and steps to the side. "I'm sure I've already told you this, but please be gentle with those books. They are quite old," he says quietly as everyone files in.
"Yes, yes, thank you," Callisto says as he shuts the door with a magical flick of his wrist. Glib walks down one of the library aisles before coming back with the book he had last loop.
"Here ya go," he says as he hands the book the Prophis.
"If you need us, we'll be over there, napping," Canyon says as all of them walk to an open space on the floor. Callisto watches in amazement as they form a well-practiced cuddle pile on the floor.
"Either they are playing us for complete fools, or they really are the most oblivious adventurers I could have possibly found," Callisto whispers to the elf with less malice than he intended and a startling amount of awe.
"Well, I can't argue with that," Prophis whispers back with a silent laugh. "They let Palnaros out without thinking of the repercussions and did the same thing with Aldor not even a week later!"
Callisto tilts his head to the side before shaking it.
"In my defense I really did think they would die before finding that portal," Callisto says playfully as he takes a seat at the ancient wooden table. Prophis gently places the book between them, and they read through it in silence.
They finish it in about ten minutes thanks to a speed-reading spell Callisto perfected years ago.
"So," Prophis says slowly, as if he is still trying to wrap his head around everything he just read. "The easiest way to undo this is for the same thing to happen again?"
"It seems that way," Callisto agrees, relieved that this nightmare of a day can be over with.
"But that would mean Goodbid and Glib would have to be thrown at the clock by the banshee again," the blonde elf points out, playing with his hair out of nervous habit.
"That is correct," Callisto says, trying to get Prophis to spit it out.
"Well, Goodbid is terrified of that Banshee, remember?" Prophis says worriedly, his eyes flicking to the pile of Team Chaos. "There's no way he'll agree with this!"
"It's not like we have any other options," Callisto says rationally. Leave it to his boyfriend to want to baby full grown people. "He'll get over it."
"Cal! Stop being so cruel to them!" Prophis scolds. "They are your friends!"
"Hardly," Callisto says bluntly.
"Callisto!" Prophis hisses.
"Fine, fine, we have the rest of the day to look for alternatives, but we are telling them the plan when they wake up," Callisto concedes as he stands up to gather more books.
"Thank you," Prophis says in such a way that makes Callisto wonder how he could possibly ever tell his lover no.
*
It takes several hours for the others to wake up. By the time they have extracted themselves from the floor, Callisto has read most of the material in the library using the same reading spell.
"Welcome to the world of the awake," Callisto says sarcastically as he floats the books back to their places. "I was beginning to think you'd never wake up."
"How are the two of you not sleeping? Glib asks with a yawn.
"What do you mean?" Prophis says as he finishes his book.
"I mean, we're tired unless we nap," Glib says.
"What the frog means is how are you not tired?" Canyon asks as he brushes his fur back into place. "Are you- like- napping when we aren't around?"
Callisto looks at Prophis to translate what the hell they are going on about.
Prophis looks just as lost a Callisto feels until something seemingly clicks in his head. "Oh, I'm a Chaos God, I don't need to sleep, I just do, and Callisto does a spell every morning to dispel any sleepiness that he has. I suppose we just aren't tired," Prophis says, not sounding completely confident in what he says.
"Lucky," Goodbid yawns, looking the worst out of all of them which makes sense seeing as he was on the bottom of everyone. His mustache is skewed, his suit is wrinkled, and his hair is sticking up in odd ways under his top hat.
"Callisto, help him," Prophis tells him mentally.
"Fine, but only because you asked me too," Callisto huffs before using the same spell he uses on himself on Goodbid.
Goodbid is startled for a moment before looking down at himself.
"Well, gee! Thanks, Mr. Callisto!" Goodbid says cheerily, smoothing his palms down the front of his shirt.
"Yes, please hold on to that good attitude, you're going to need it for this plan to work," Callisto says only a little regretfully.
"What Callisto is trying to say is, we have a plan, but you might not like it," Prophis says with enough sympathy for both of them.
"Well, what's the plan?" Goodbid asks, noticeably more nervous.
"The only way we have found to undo this loop is the same way it got started. Which means you need to get repicked up by the banshee and slammed into the clock," Callisto says quickly, trying to rip the bandage off.
Goodbid's eyes go wide, and his smile becomes manic. "What?" He laughs, looking like he is a hair's breadth away from going insane.
"It's the only way we've found, Goodbid," Prophis says. He rounds the table and gently places a hand on Goodbid's shoulder. "I am truly sorry." He wears a sad smile, a starch contrast to the thousand-yard stare Goodbid is sporting.
"However, we do need to wait until tomorrow- er- the next loop to do it," Callisto explains, trying to ease the thick tension. "So, you have the rest of the day to mentally prepare."
"With all do respect, Mystery Man, there is not much I can do to prepare for this," Goodbid says through gritted teeth.
"Let's get you home, okay?" Prophis says taking his arm. Prophis opens a portal and gently guides Goodbid through. The others follow quietly behind.
Callisto catches S.G.'s arm. "Make sure he is okay enough for us to go through with this tomorrow," he says sternly. "I don't want to traumatize him."
"Will do," she says as Callisto lets go of her. She and the other boys go upstairs, Goodbid following like a zombie.
"Are we sure this is the best course of action?" Prophis asks gently as Callisto opens a portal to their house.
"No, not really, but it's the best we've got," Callisto says honestly, knowing better than to lie to his boyfriend, even if it would be a white lie.
They spend the rest of the day relaxing together before turning into bed early. They are both startled awake by the bells.
"God, I hope this works," Callisto murmurs into the back of Prophis' neck.
***
Goodbid
Goodbid is not having a good morning. He wakes up sick to his stomach with anxiety and doesn't want to get out from under his blanket.
He knows he needs to get up and make the others some breakfast or the house might get burnt down, but he can't bring himself to do it.
He has to go back to that mansion with a banshee in it, and he has to let it pick him up. He has to let it touch him. His stomach rolls and he leans over his bed and dry heaves into a trashcan he has near his bed.
He's sick. He can't do it. That's what he'll tell them. They'll have to believe him.
The knock at his door causes him to scream as he presses himself against the back wall.
"It's just me, Goodbid," S.G. says through the door. "Can I come in?"
Goodbid sighs in relief. "Yes," he says shakily.
S.G. cracks the door open before slowly stepping inside. In one hand she has a cup of coffee and in the other she carries a bowl of what looks like oatmeal but smells decidedly different.
"It's a simple food made in my village for the sick," S.G. explains when she sees where his eyes go. "It's so plain that not even I could mess it up."
Goodbid chuckles lightly and relaxes slightly. S.G. hands him the bowl and sets the coffee on his nightstand.
"It's a cold dish, so I didn't risk burning everything down," S.G. says as she sits on the edge of the bed.
Goodbid cautiously takes a bite. Its texture is similar to oatmeal, but it is smoother and tastes sweeter. It tastes like thick cream with faint hints of cinnamon and fruit.
"This is really good!" Goodbid says appraisingly.
"Thank you," S.G. says with the cocky confidence you can only find in S.G. before she skittishly adds, "its normally served with fresh soft bread, but we didn't have any, and I didn't want to risk setting fire to the kitchen while you were asleep."
"It's okay S.G., I like it just as it is," Goodbid says with a genuine, soft smile. "You'll have to teach me how to make it."
S.G. looks at him and nods. Goodbid is under the impression that if she could smile, she would.
"But first we have to break this loop," S.G. says as lightly as she can, but Goodbid still feels his anxiety come crashing back down onto him.
"I don't think I can do it, S.G.," Goodbid says as he starts picking at the fur of his blanket.
"We don't really have any other option, Goodbid," S.G. says honestly. "If there were, we would, believe me I don't particularly enjoy this plan either, but we still have to go through with it."
Goodbid looks at her and shakes his head. "Glib said that my bones cracked when I hit it last time, what if this time it really kills me?"
"You were unprepared last time. This time you'll have time to use protection spells," S.G. reasons. "Besides this time, I'll have Callisto and Prophis on standby, if you get hurt, they'll be there to help you."
"But what if Glib get's hurt?" Goodbid says, changing tactics.
"He's a squishy frog, he'll be fine. Last time he was alright enough to fire off three eldritch blasts at the banshee before he fell back," S.G. counters, completely unphased.
Goodbid sighs into his hands. "You're not taking a 'no' are you?"
"Nope, we need to end this cycle," S.G. says, lightly placing her hand on his shoulder.
Goodbid tsks before he slowly nods. "Let me finish this and my coffee and I'll meet you downstairs," Goodbid says, stroking his mustache.
"Okay, Prophis and Callisto are already here, so try not to stall for too long," S.G. jokes as she stands and leaves the room.
Goodbid watches her leave before drawing a shaky breath.
He can do this. He has to do this.
With shaky hands he drinks down his coffee and eats the rest of the not-oatmeal S.G. had made him.
"You can do this Mr. Goodbid!" He tells himself as he gets to his feet, pointedly ignoring how his legs shake like a newborn deer's. "Your friends are countin' on ya!" With very false confidence he carries his mug and bowl downstairs. It takes more effort than normal to put on his signature smile, but he's not Mr. Goodbid without it, is he?
In the living area Callisto and Prophis stand near the door while Canyon lays on the floor, and Glib and S.G. sit on the couch.
Prophis flashes him a kind smile, one which makes his heart yearn for his mother and her warm hugs.
"Are you up for it?" Prophis asks, crossing the room to take the bowl and mug from him. With a wave of his hand the dishes are cleaned before disappearing, assumably into the cabinet where they belong.
"I think so," Goodbid says, scratching his arm. "I don't have any other option so I might as well man up and get it over with."
Prophis nods before pulling him into a hug. "I can wipe your memory of it after if you want," Prophis whispers. "Or at least I can make Callisto do it. I don't know if you want me messing around with your memories," he jokes, nudging his side.
"I think I'll be okay," Goodbid says, pulling out of Prophis' hug to straighten his suit jacket. "Thank ya for the offer though." Prophis studies his face before nodding. He pats his shoulder before dropping his hands and turning back to the door. He opens a portal to the front door of the castle and motions the others through. Goodbid is in the back because it takes a lot of effort to get his quaking legs through the portal without collapsing.
"Monopoly, you are shaking like a leaf, you sure you're gonna make it?" Glib asks walking over to him.
"I'll be better once this is over with," Goodbid says, swallowing thickly. He runs his hands down his suit, not trying to straighten it, but trying to remove the thick layer of sweat that has settled on his hands.
"Yeah, that tracks," Glib says jokingly before looking towards Prophis and Callisto. "Does it need to happen at the same time of day, or...?"
"No, it can be anytime, the only thing that has to happen is you two have to be picked up and thrown at the clock by the angry banshee," Prophis says as he pulls his hair into a low ponytail. Goodbid almost outright laughs at Callisto practically drooling over Prophis and his hair. Goodbid has to give it to Callisto, he really does worship his Eldritch Chaos Monster boyfriend. "Which also means in order to make sure everything goes to plan, we are going to stay out here, isn't that right Callisto?"
Callisto stares for a whole second longer before slowly nodding.
"Do you have any idea what you just agreed to?" Prophis laughs.
"Huh, what?" Callisto says, shaking himself out of his stupor. "Uh, yeah we have to stay out here." His face is a little redder when he turns back to the rest of them, but Callisto is never one to admit when he's been caught. "Which means all of us. S.G. and Canyon included."
"What?!" S.G. demands. "Why can't we go in?!"
"Because we can't risk the banshee targeting you instead of them," Prophis explains, having the decency to look apologetic.
"With that being said, should anything bad happen, we will be one portal and a mental link away," Callisto says tapping his head. Prophis nods before flashing them a smile and gesturing for them to go to the doors.
"You'll make sure we don't die, right?" Goodbid asks as they approach the doors. He rings his hands one more time before placing them flat on the doors, mentally preparing to open them.
"Yes, I have a number of healing items on standby should anything bad happen." Callisto shows them an array of magic items before they disappear again.
"Alright, alright," Goodbid says. He laughs a little manically before throwing the doors open in a burst of bravery. "Let's get this fucking over with."
Glib sputters a cough as Goodbid picks him up and puts him on his shoulder, confidently strutting to the stairs.
"Woah, man! Chill! It's not like we're on a time crunch!" Glib yelps, throwing his arms around Goodbid's head.
"Yep, but if I stop movin', I don't think these ol' legs will get goin' again," Goodbid says, still walking up the stairs as he pries Glib's arms off his eyes.
Glib huffs a sigh but doesn't protest anymore. He rearranges himself on the mustached man's shoulders and holds on tightly.
Goodbid doesn't slow down until he is stood in front of the thick oak doors.
"Goodbid?" Glib prompts.
"I'm trying," Goodbid says before slowly pushing open the door. The hall is pitch black, he can only make out faint outlines of doors and paintings. "It's the door at the end of the hall, right?"
"Yep, just walk dead ahead," Glib says, settling on his shoulders. "I'll tell you if you're about to walk into anything, I promise."
Goodbid squeaks out an affirmative before stumbling ahead. He walks blindly forward, the only sounds being the sound of his breathing and the thump of his footsteps.
"Hold out your hands your about to be right in front of it," Glib says suddenly, digging his heel into Goodbid's shoulder like he was trying to steer a horse. Goodbid nods and sticks his hands out, only for them to brush against the hard wood of the door. He lowers his fingers to the nob, only to find a bar.
"Shit, right, this thing's locked up tighter than a drum," Goodbid says as he grabs a hold of it. "Give me a second. It took two people to open this last time." He fights and struggles against the bar for several minutes before it gives way with an awful screech of the metal.
"You doin' okay?" Glib asks.
"Managin'," Goodbid says honestly as he shakily steps through the door. Just like the last two times, the door slams behind them, still causing Goodbid to jump a foot in the air. "Al-alright," he sputters. "Walk forward?"
"Yeah, this hallway's longer than the last one," Glib says. They settle back into a comfortable silence as Goodbid slowly walks forward.
Every slight noise makes his skin crawl. He hates being blind. He would go as far as to say that he despises being left to wander in the dark more than he hates ghosts. He shakes his head slightly. Now is not the time to start thinking about ghosts. In order to keep his mind from wandering too far off track, he starts counting his steps.
He gets to two hundred-thirty-six steps before Glib stops him.
"The door is in front of you, remember this one leads into a staircase," Glib warns. Goodbid nods slowly as he reaches down and grabs the nob.
He can do this.
He twists the nob.
His grip begins to quake and shake as fear starts to settle in his bones again.
"Glib, I can't-" he says, tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't think I can do it."
"Goodbid, you'll have to do it eventually. Why prolong the inevitable?" Glib says rationally.
"Because it'll kill me!" Goodbid snaps. His hands are shaking worse, and he can feel hot tears streak down his face.
"No, it won't," Glib says dismissively. "Everyone is right outside, relying on us to get this over with."
Damn Glib and him using Goodbid's weaknesses against him.
"Damn you, frog man!" Goodbid hisses as he opens the door. And so what if he cries as he climbs the stairs? Or if by the time he reaches the top, where he can see the bridge and the dancing flames of the torches, he's shaking worse than a leaf in the wind? Glib's the only one there to see him, and he's not above blackmailing Glib into silence.
"Bid, we are almost there, just go out onto the bridge and stop in the middle," Glib says comfortingly.
"Uh huh," Goodbid nods as he takes slow steps across the creaking metal. It feels like it takes him a thousand years to get to the center of the bridge. "Now what?" he asks around his thick tears.
"We wait, I guess," Glib says, his hand fisting the fabric of Goodbid's shirt. "Last time we were looking at the clock for a few minutes before the- before it came," Glib says, censoring himself for Goodbid's sake.
Goodbid nods and forces his eyes to focus on the clock's face because something about it seems new, but he can't place what feels so different.
The picture is the same as it was before. A flower field with a tree in the corner. The flowers are in a beautiful bloom and the elf boy sits under the tree braiding flowers together into a crown as he hides from the hot sun. The birds almost look like they are flying across the sky as the fire's light dances across it. The glass behind the wall shows the sky but provides no light. The sky is bright and dotted with very few clouds, making the day bright and beautiful, perfect for a day at the park.
Goodbid had almost calmed himself completely when a screech sounds from behind him.
"Shit!" He screams when both he and Glib are picked up and slammed into the clock for the second time. He was better prepared, but it still hurts. He crashes to the floor. His vision dances with black dots as he tries and fails to get off the ground. He can see Glib fighting the banshee, blood dripping down his face, but he can't help him. He weakly reaches for him before collapsing into the darkness.
Suddenly he is standing in a flower field, the warm sun bearing down on him. The flowers and grass dance and sway under his feet and over head he hears birds singing.
"Hi there," a boy's voice calls from behind him. Goodbid spins on his heels, readying a spell only to stop when he sees a familiar face sitting under an old tree, making a flower crown. "Remember me?" He asks lightly.
"What the hell is goin' on?" Goodbid demands as he cautiously approaches the elf.
"You are knocked out and the frog man is fighting my sister. I saw my opportunity, so I took it and brought you in here so we could chat for a minute," he explains calmly.
"What do you mean you brought me here?" Goodbid asks, stopping in front of the young man- no kid.
"My sister accidentally trapped me in here," he says, tightening the knots on his crown before setting it on his head. "So, I've been here a few years."
"Are you the one keeping us in this loop?" Goodbid asks, crouching down in front of him.
"Kind of? I'm not doing it on purpose anyway," the kid explains. "Want one?" He offers his crown to Goodbid.
"Uh, sure? And what do you mean you aren't doing it on purpose?" Goodbid asks. He sits down in front of the kid who starts gathering more flowers.
"I mean I'm not supposed to be in here, but I am. You weren't supposed to cause a loop, but you did. So, I can help you if you help me," he says calmly. "Oh, I'm Sayrn, by the way. I never got an adult name."
Goodbid feels his heart break at the simple statement. "I'm sorry," Goodbid says, feeling guilty for cutting this kid's life so short. He rarely takes contracts that have anything to do with kids. That rule probably wasn't in place when he took this hit.
Sayrn gives him a genuine smile. "It's fine, my crazy sister hired you to do it."
"Did you two not get a long?" Goodbid asks, picking at the grass absentmindedly.
"She loved me, but I was always afraid of her, especially after she became a warlock," Sayrn says as he tucks his hair behind his ear again. "That's why she hired you to kill me. She couldn't do it herself."
"Oh, I see," Goodbid says. He watches the kid make him a flower crown for a moment before slowly asking, "so how do I help you, so you'll help me?"
"Easy, in the middle of the room, there is a fancy looking rock," he says looking up at Goodbid for the first time. "Break it and kill my sister's ghost. The loop should end then. Here," he puts the crown around Goodbid's hat. "Now you'll wake up, you'll be in pain but remember this: break the rock, kill the banshee."
Before Goodbid can respond pain flares through his body and he opens his eyes to a dark room. He is laying on the ground, bleeding sluggishly. Gritting his teeth, he pulls himself to his feet and stumbles forward.
"You're alive?!" he hears someone, probably Canyon, shout, but he doesn't have time to respond. He has to find that rock.
An obvious battle rages over his head as he navigates the maze of cogs and gears before stumbling into a clearing under the bridge. In the center is a glistening crystal on a marble pedestal.
"Fancy indeed, kid," Goodbid mumbles. He coughs into his hand, bits of blood splattering onto his sleeve. He lifts his briefcase over his head before smashing it down onto the crystal with all his force. It shatters like fragile glass.
He hears the banshee shriek mournfully, but the pain washes numbly over him.
"Kill her! It'll break the loop! Kill her!" He yells, praying someone is still there to hear him. His vision dances with spots of color and he sways on his feet. The banshee shrieks in pain swiftly followed by cheers. With a smirk he lets the pain knock him back out.
The last thing he sees before everything fades to black is the clock's face. A beautiful flower field, swaying in the wind, and a tree with birds on the branches. But under the tree, there is no elf boy.
*
When Goodbid comes to in his bed, he almost throws a righteous fit. Like hell was he going to do that to himself a second time! But before he can work up his temper, he feels bandages wrapping his torso.
"Oh, good! You're awake!" Prophis says, sitting down the book he was reading. "We were starting to get worried."
"Did it work?" Goodbid asks hoarsely.
"Yes, it is the twenty-seventh," Prophis says as he brings Goodbid a glass of water. "Drink."
Goodbid takes it with a grateful smile and downs it in two gulps.
"How did you know that would work?" Prophis asks as he takes the glasses back. "Breaking that rock."
"The kid in the clock told me."
"What?"
Goodbid laughs at Prophis' confused expression. "Yeah, the lady's brother's soul, whose name was Sayrn by the way, got trapped in the clock. He told me if I broke the rock under the bridge and killed the banshee the loop would end. Oh, and he made me a flower crown," Goodbid says with a weak smile.
"Oh, that explains the weird flower pattern on your hat," Prophis says as he picks up the hat and gives it to him. Goodbid inspects his hat and sure enough around the hat is a faint flower pattern, like it was painted on.
"Well, I'll be damned," Goodbid laughs.
"Indeed," Prophis says with a soft smile. "Oh, I should probably tell the others you are awake." Prophis leaves the room, and a few moments later there are several thumping feet before his door is thrown open and S.G. launches through the door, followed by an equally enthusiastic Canyon, and a much calmer Glib.
"You did it!" S.G. shouts, throwing her arms around Goodbid and pulling him into a death grip hug.
"S.G. don't rebreak his ribs!" Glib snaps at her, but her hold only loosens slightly.
"Well, you know what would be great for his ribs?" Canyon asks.
"I swear to God if you say a cuddle pile," Glib threatens only for Canyon to smile even wider.
"A cuddle pile on S.G.'s bed," he says smugly.
"He's been demanding a cuddle pile ever since we got back," S.G. explains while Canyon and Glib light into an argument.
"I'm willin' to do a cuddle pile," Goodbid says as he slowly gets out of bed. "As long as y'all mind my injuries."
"Deal!" Canyon says before running to S.G.'s room. Goodbid and the others follow behind, much slower.
They had just got settled on the bed when Prophis sticks his head in the door.
"Callisto and I are headed home, if you need us, you know how to contact us," he says quietly before disappearing back down the hall.
Goodbid smiles and lets his head fall back against the pillows. "Night, y'all."
"Night," Canyon purrs.
"Good night," S.G. says quietly.
Glib grunts, already mostly asleep.
It doesn't take long for sleep to take Goodbid, he is still extremely exhausted, after all. In his dream he is in a field with two other elves sitting in the distance. One is a woman, who looks vaguely familiar, having her hair braided with flowers, and the other is a young boy with a flower crown sitting on top of his long white-blonde hair.
He wakes up happy and calm but thinking one thing clearly.
Never fucking again.
#d&dorks#sir superhero#pandaredd#momoiscariot#naethan apollo#nikhilclayton#glib#mr.goodbid#s.g. iguess#mystery of the canyon#callisto#prophis#time loop#fanfic#repost#This is hella long but only because on my Ao3 its divided into chapters
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14 Days TamilNadu And Kerala Tour Package
+91-74181-33135 / [email protected]
14 Days TamilNadu And Kerala Tour Package
DAY 1 : Arrival in Cochin - Embrace the Rich History
Tamil Nadu cordially welcomes all of you for your South India Tour. Upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be warmly received and transferred to your designated hotel. In the afternoon, commence your Chennai Metropolitan City Tour, where you will have the opportunity to explore various notable attractions. One such attraction is the renowned Fort St. George, which was constructed in 1640 by the British East India Company. This historical site also encompasses other significant monuments, including St. Mary's Church and the St. George Fort Museum. Additionally, a visit to the world-famous Marina Beach, the second longest beach globally with a sandy foreshore, is highly recommended.
Take a short drive to the St. Thomas Church, where the Basilica was erected over the tomb of St. Thomas, one of the three in the world. Conclude your day with a visit to the renowned Kapaleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Head back to your accommodation, where you can unwind and enjoy a peaceful overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 2 : Chennai to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram - Exploring Temples
This morning, embark on your temple tour to the city of "Kanchipuram". Kanchipuram is renowned for its plethora of awe-inspiring religious and historic monuments that have captivated visitors for centuries. Begin your tour by visiting the magnificent Ekambareswarar Temple, which happens to be the largest temple in the city. Notable features of this temple include the impressive 1000-pillar hall, the grand outer stone wall, the five spacious corridors, and the towering 57-meter-high Gopuram. Afterward, take a short drive to the Kailasanathar Temple, an ancient site dating back to the 8th century. Finally, proceed to Mahabalipuram and check-in at your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3 : Mahabalipuram - UNESCO World Heritage Monumental Sites Tour
Today presents an opportunity to partake in the UNESCO World Heritage Monumental Sites Tour in Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram. This historic town, steeped in ancient Hindu mythology and legends, was a thriving port city from the 1st century BC until the time of the Pallavas in the 9th century BC. Present-day Mahabalipuram is a modern town that proudly showcases the remnants of its rich heritage. Visitors can marvel at the exquisite works of art, such as the Sea Shore Temple, Five Rathas (Five Chariots), Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball, and Varaha Cave, all of which have been included in UNESCO's heritage site lists. An additional night's stay in Mahabalipuram is highly recommended.
Day 4 : Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry - Embracing French Colonial Charm
After you have done your breakfast, proceed to Pondicherry, formerly known as the French Colony and currently renamed as 'Puducherry'. The Old City, which was under French rule until 1954, is characterized by cobbled streets lined with mustard-yellow and sky-blue colonial townhouses and French-named landmarks, creating the impression of being in a small town in South India. Upon arrival, kindly check in at your hotel. Later, embark on a Pondicherry City Tour, visiting renowned attractions such as Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the Church of the Sacred Heart, and Notre Dame des Anges. As evening descends, enjoy a pleasant rickshaw ride through charming French colonies and bustling shopping streets. Rest assured, luxurious overnight accommodation in Puducherry awaits you.
Day 5 : Pondicherry to Thanjavur via Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram - Sculptural Journey
Please complete your breakfast and proceed to embark on a sculptural tour en route to Thanjavur. Along the way, make a stop to visit the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. This magnificent temple was constructed by King Rajendra Chola, the son of Raja Raja Chola, with the intention of emulating his father's remarkable achievement, the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel, and in the evening, take the opportunity to explore the Darasuram Temple. This temple is renowned for its exceptional artistry and architectural brilliance, boasting a collection of exquisite stone carvings. Despite its smaller size compared to the Brihadeeswara Temple and the Gangaikonda cholapuram Temple, it surpasses them in terms of intricate detailing.
This is attributed to the temple's construction being inspired by the concept of nitya-vinoda, or 'perpetual entertainment'. It is worth noting that both of the aforementioned temples have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Continue your journey to Thanjavur and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Overnight accommodation will be provided in Thanjavur.
Day 6 : Thanjavur to Trichy - Exploring Heritage and Spirituality
Begin your day by embarking on the Heritage Tour in Tanjore. Known as Thanjavur or colloquially referred to as the 'Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu', this ancient capital of the Chola Dynasty is renowned for its aesthetic beauty. As one of the largest producers of rice in the country, Tanjore has earned its nickname.After enjoying a delightful breakfast, make your way to the famous Thanjavur Art Gallery. This gallery houses an impressive collection of sculptures and statues. Next, visit the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum, which is a treasure trove of knowledge and history. Finally, explore the Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as the Big Temple. This magnificent structure, built by the Chola Dynasty in the 10th century, is recognized as a World Heritage Monument.
Following your visit to Tanjore, embark on a short drive to Trichy. Tiruchirapalli, located at the geographical center of Tamil Nadu, may have served as the capital of the early Cholas in the 3rd century. Throughout history, it has been under the rule of various dynasties, including the Pallavas, medieval Cholas, Pandyas, the Delhi Sultanate, and Vijaynagars. However, it reached its pinnacle under the Madurai Nayaks in the 17th century. In the afternoon, partake in a Spiritual Tour by visiting the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. This temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, is a testament to the rich spiritual heritage of the region. In the evening, explore the famous Rockfort Uchchipillayar Temple of Tiruchirapalli. Perched atop a 273-foot high rock, estimated to be at least a billion years old, this temple offers breathtaking views of the entire city. Although it requires climbing around 400 steps to reach the top, the effort is well worth it for capturing stunning photographs. Conclude your day with an overnight stay in Trichy.
Day 7 : Thanjavur to Chettinadu - Embracing Tradition in Chettinad
Embark on a journey to experience a Traditional Tour in Chettinad, the ancestral homeland of the affluent merchant community known as the 'Chettiars' (The Nagarathars) of Tamil Nadu. These enterprising individuals ventured far and wide in pursuit of their fortunes. The architectural marvels of the early 20th century, which were constructed to cater to the social and ceremonial needs of the community, also serve as a testament to their economic prosperity. Although these houses remain closed to the public, they continue to be utilized for various family ceremonies. Engage in captivating activities such as exploring the village via a traditional bullock cart, witnessing the art of ceramic tile making in Athangudi village, visiting a weaving center, and exploring the local public school. Conclude your day with an overnight stay in the enchanting region of Chettinadu.
Day 8 : Chettinadu to Madurai - Exploring Heritage in the Ancient City
Situated in the southern region of India, Madurai is an ancient city that shares similarities with the illustrious city of Varanasi in the North when it comes to its rich history and continuous habitation over the centuries. Today, we invite you to embark on a captivating Heritage Tour in Madurai, where you can marvel at the renowned Thirumalai Nayak Palace. This majestic palace, constructed in the 16th century, stands tall with its impressive pillars and serves as a prime attraction for visitors. Originally built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, this architectural masterpiece seamlessly blends elements of both Dravidian and Islamic styles.
To enhance your experience further, make sure to explore the Meenakshi Amman Temple in the evening, a sacred place dedicated to the worship of Goddess Parvati. Here, you'll also be captivated by the intricate sculptures housed within the thousand-pillared hall. Your journey concludes with an overnight stay in Madurai, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the city's vibrant heritage.
Day 9 : Madurai to Thekkady - Exploring the Beauty of Thekkady
Thekkady, situated in the Idukki district, is considered one of the most breathtaking and enchanting destinations in Kerala. Its unique position on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu allows Thekkady to experience a blend of cultural and ecological influences. Visitors can enjoy a serene boat ride on the forest lake of Thekkady and also explore the scenic Spice Plantations through guided walking tours. These tours provide valuable insights into the medicinal properties of various spices such as Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Green Chillies. Visitors can conclude their experience with an overnight stay in Thekkady.
Day 10 : Thekkady - Wildlife Encounters and Cultural Experiences
Experience the Wildlife Tour through a range of exhilarating activities such as trekking, jeep safari, elephant rides, and immersing yourself in the captivating Traditional Kerala Martial Show known as 'Kalaripayattu.' Additionally, indulge in an extra night's accommodation in Thekkady, enhancing your overall adventure.
Day 11 : Thekkady to Alleppey Houseboat - Sailing the Backwaters
Today is the perfect day to indulge in the Alleppey House Boat Tour. Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is renowned for its breathtaking backwaters and extensive network of waterways. While the town center may be bustling, it falls short of earning the title of the 'Venice of the East' due to its limited number of canals. However, just beyond the town center, towards the beach or backwaters, Alappuzha offers a completely different and captivating experience. Upon arrival, you will check-in to the houseboat and enjoy a delectable lunch featuring authentic Keralan cuisine.
Embark on a leisurely cruise through the picturesque Vembanad Lake aboard the houseboat, which will remain anchored in one place until evening. As the day progresses, you will have the opportunity to savor a delightful dinner on the boat, followed by a restful night's sleep in the comfort of an air-conditioned houseboat. Your overnight stay in Alappuzha promises to be a memorable experience.
Day 12 : Alleppey to Kochi - Exploring the Queen of the Arabian Sea
Following breakfast, check out from the houseboat and proceed to Kochi. Embark on a delightful Cochin City Tour, situated in the Ernakulam district and renowned as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', serving as the commercial hub of Kerala. In the late afternoon, visit significant monuments and churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Commence with a visit to St. Francis Church, the oldest Protestant church constructed by the Portuguese in 1510, housing the tomb of Portuguese Sailor Vasco-da-Gama. Subsequently, visit Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, a Catholic Church, and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Enjoy an overnight stay in Kochi.
Day 13 : Kochi - Immerse in Cultural Marvels
Embark on your Cochin City tour by commencing your visit to the renowned Mattancherry Palace, originally constructed by the Portuguese. Subsequently, in the 17th century, the Dutch made modifications to the palace and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. Adjacent to the palace lies the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, which boasts magnificent embellishments of Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Take a leisurely stroll along Marine Drive, the extensive coastal pathway adorned with trees that runs parallel to the backwaters. This activity is particularly enjoyable in the late afternoon. The bustling backwaters, replete with fishing boats, speedboats, ships, tankers, and passenger boats, can be observed from this walkway that lines the coast. Additionally, do not miss the opportunity to witness a traditional Kathakali dance show in the evening. Conclude your day with another night's stay in Kochi.
Day 14 : Farewell to South India
On this day, you will conclude your journey with cherished memories of the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Tour. You will be escorted to Cochin International Airport, Kochi, in accordance with your flight schedule for your return home.
#southindiatourpackageswithitineary#travel agency#tour package#southindiatourstravelsmadurai#14daystourpackage
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Lore: Architectural Styles and Inspiration
I thought about putting this in the other blog but I thought it fit better here, as it is very much established in the game.
When I was working on Nerath for the first campaign, I had a few caveats in terms of style: I didn't want bog-standard medieval fantasy, no eurocentrism, and preferably no 1:1 Earth analogies. I liked worlds that have a completely different style - Blue Rose, Exalted, Athas, etc. These are settings with exotic materials, with the ability to conjure materials and even structures from magic itself. And in this case, it isn't a planet, it's construction isn't based on astrophysics of terrestrial worlds but by fiat of planar beings. As a result, I wanted to flex my creativity a bit.
On the continent of Nerath I introduced a number of styles. The dominant theme was the dwarven influence on humans (stemming from the post-Giantwar colonization effort), the rejection of the same after the Revolution of Valis, and the might and majesty of imperial Nerath, with the growing influence of the Summer Court and ambitious attempts to emulate the mythical city of Hestavar without the magic of the gods.
Dwarves of Nerath (and elsewhere) tend to prefer solid geometric shapes with hard lines and angles like in the 5e art. And they use a mix of mining, masonry and transmutation magics to construct their cities, homes and halls. To show off their craftswork, they love elaborate themes, the seemingly impossible integration of different types of stone, gems, and metals and make an effort to do so without magic.
Eladrin by contrast, live and breathe the magic of the feywild. So their structures are impossible mixes of dream-like whimsy and the vibrant energies of the plane. One element common to their buildings is the restriction of windows where they wish privacy, even going so far as to seal off such areas by doors that vanish, etc. This is a cultural reflection of the fey's facility with short line-of-sight teleportation - so the lack of windows, illusions and manipulation of the structure are natural structural precautions. Since the materials have less to worry about in terms of structural integrity, most are incredibly delicate and made in ways that cannot be reproduceable on the First Work (the material plane) without considerably magical intervention. They love the shapes of the flora and fauna of the plane - so plant-like arches and pillars, towers that resemble unicorn horns, walls that resemble the fragile wings of insects.
Imperial Nerath rejected the rigidity of the Moradin-orthodoxy, and their structures over the nearly 1000 years of the empire, incorporated more woods, clays, local stone, and magic as building materials. In practice, this resulted in architectural elements that resemble ancient Indian and medieval Japanese designs but in the late imperial age, with the full power of the empire, the holy city of Mauer, the imperial capital, took on elements echoing Hestavar (vaguely heroic age Athenian design mixed with high-fantasy elements, especially in scale).
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Chennai to kanchipuram tour package by car. A Guide to the City of Thousand Temples
Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred Hindu pilgrimage cities in India, and is known as the "City of Thousand Temples". It is located about 70 km from Chennai, and is a popular day trip destination from the city. There are many tour operators that offer Chennai to Kanchipuram tour packages, which typically include transportation, temple visits, and sightseeing.
A typical one-day Chennai to kanchipuram tour package.e will include visits to the following temples:
Ekambareswarar Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is one of the most important Shiva temples in South India. It is known for its massive 60 feet tall gopuram (gateway tower) and its 1000-pillared hall.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is one of the most important Vishnu temples in South India. It is known for its beautiful architecture and its unique Brahmotsavam festival.
In addition to the temples, some tour packages may also include a visit to the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, a Hindu Mutt (monastery) that is one of the most important religious institutions in South India.
Chennai to Kanchipuram Taxi
If you prefer to travel at your own pace, you can also hire a taxi from Chennai to Kanchipuram. This is a good option if you want to spend more time at any particular temple or if you want to visit other places in Kanchipuram, such as the Kanchi Silk Saree Weaving Centers or the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
Kamatchi Amman Temple: This temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi, and is one of the most important Shakti temples in South India. It is known for its beautiful carvings and its powerful deity.
The price of a Kanchipuram tour package. will vary depending on the operator, the length of the tour, and the inclusions. However, you can expect to pay around ₹3,000-₹5,000 per person for a one-day tour package.
Tips for Booking a Kanchipuram Tour Package
When booking a Kanchipuram tour package, be sure to read the itinerary carefully to make sure that it includes the temples and sights that you want to see.
Also, be sure to compare the prices of different operators before booking.
If you are traveling with a group, you may be able to get a discount on the tour package.
Be sure to ask the operator about any additional charges, such as parking fees or entrance fees to the temples.
For more info :-
Chennai to kanchipuram tour package.
Kanchipuram tour package from Chennai.
Chennai to kanchipuram taxi.
Chennai to kanchipuram one day tour package.
Chennai to kanchipuram tour package by car.
Kanchipuram tour package.
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[1000 Cuts] [Plot End] Inheritance
Heidi, Melony, Tor, and XD001 all landed in Spear Pillar. It was a long journey, but Heidi would rather had flown than teleported. She... still needed time to think about everything. Now that they were there, Heidi took point to meet whoever it was that Izanami referred to.
“….” Out in the distance, someone was looking out to the horizon of Spear Pillar.
Heidi was on the other side of Spear Pillar. She remembers when she got here, nor of what was going on… yet something started to compel her to call out Izanami's name.
Yet, she knew better. She knew FAR too well who that was.
"I should have known that I would have encountered you eventually, Nergal."
Nergal turned around. "And not even a warming salutation? My, you know how to break a poor woman's heart, don't you, Heidi?"
Heidi scoffed as the other three prepared for battle; however, Heidi stopped them. "Don't."
"b--but she's with--"
"I know, but she's one of our contacts." Heidi glared at Nergal. "Wonder what deal you fucking struck to get this far."
"Nothing of too much importance~"
That's when two more figures appeared next to Nergal. One was Mewtwo, and the other....
"You know, when Izanami mentioned that the two of you had history, she had not informed that I required some popcorn as well. Do I need to treat you like schoolchildren?"
Nergal chuckled. "No need to worry. She just enjoys playing hard-to-get."
Heidi scoffed at Nergal before her tone changed to the new face.
"Good morning, Mewtwo, Arceus. I'm sorry if you guys have been waiting for me. I'm... finally ready now and would like to begin my training as soon as I can get my sisters to settle in their new home."
"..." The Arceus couldn't help but smile. "There is no need to rush, Starchild. We have plenty of time for you to settle down alongside them, but first, what is each of your names?"
"Heidi."
"Tor."
"I Melony, and this XD001." Melony pointed at XD001.
XD001 nodded.
The Arceus nodded. "Aye. Welcome. It is good to meet you. I am Leah. I'll take you each to your rooms, yeah? Now, come this way."
A large flight of stairs appeared behind the three hosts as Nergal and Leah walked up. Mewtwo, however, waited for the quartet.
Heidi still took point as they begun to ascend the stairs. Mewtwo was walking next to Heidi.
"Good to see that you're doing okay, Mewtwo."
[...] Mewtwo nodded. [...You too. I had expected for you to take longer.]
"I did too, but... I guess I've accepted everything faster than I had expected."
Mewtwo looked forward. [Arceus's death was tragic, but it is good to know that you are willing to push forward despite it.]
Heidi nodded. The two continued in silence as they ascended the Hall.
#plot: 1000 cuts#xd001#tor#mewtwo#leah#event end#// it's finally done#// I have finally finished this month-long plot#muse heidi#muse melony#muse nergal
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Destination wedding venue in Nagpur
Nagpur is a beautiful city situated in the heart of India. It is known for its picturesque landscapes and lovely weather. The city has many wonderful places to get married, but if you are looking for the best destination wedding venue in Nagpur, Queensland celebration lawn and banquet is the place for you.
Queensland celebration lawn and banquet is a beautiful venue located in the heart of Nagpur city. It is situated in a serene and peaceful environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The venue offers a perfect setting for a grand and romantic wedding.
The lawns at the Queensland celebration are well-maintained and offer a stunning view of the city. The banquet hall is spacious and decorated with eaves, pillars and chandeliers. It can accommodate up to 1000 guests.
The venue has a team of experienced and professional staff who will make your wedding a memorable and hassle-free event. They will take care of all the details, from decorations to catering, so that you can enjoy your big day to the fullest.
So, if you are looking for the best destination wedding in Nagpur, Queensland celebration lawn and banquet is the perfect place for you.
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Mandap Ceremony: A Unique Indian Wedding Tradition
Indian weddings are exuberant, meticulously planned, culturally rich celebrations that are rich in celebration and tradition. Indian weddings have so many traditional rituals which are unique and beautiful. One of the unique traditions followed in Indian marriages is the Mandap Ceremony. During this ceremony, the couple ties their nuptials under in Mandap. Wedding mandaps, also known as the wedding altar, are regarded as the sanctum sanctorum place where all essential marital ceremonies are performed. It is a temporary structure built during the wedding ceremony. This is a particular spot and the focal point of the wedding since the most significant people will be seated here for everyone to witness the holy matrimony. It is a separate space reserved for the bride, groom, priest performing the ceremony, and immediate family members during the wedding. It may appear on a raised platform and be embellished with anything from flowers and greenery to fabric and crystals.
According to the Hindu Vedas, the four pillars represent the four stages of life: Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa. Furthermore, the pillars represent the four vital parts of human life - Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha - that the husband and wife promise to uphold in their married life. Stacks of pots called 'Chori' are placed at the four corners of the Mandap and are lavishly decorated with velvet material, embroidery, and stones, which represent the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. The 'gopuram' on top represents the fifth element, Space. Kalasha, a brass or silver jug, is placed in front of the bride and husband, which is topped with a coconut, which represents a human's head or mind, and is adorned with five mango leaves, which represent the five senses. The holy fire-Agni is the 'Sakshi' (witness) to the marriage, representing purity and spirituality. The vows made with Agni as the Sakshi bind men and women in their marriage and societal responsibilities. The priest uses the Agni Kund (the sacred ceremonial fire) in the centre of the ceremony while reciting holy mantras from the Vedas. Burning fragrant plants, ghee, raw rice, and millets are used to elevate the Vivaah-home. Kanyadaan, Saat Phere or Saptapadi, Sindoor or Maang Bharai, and Mangalsutra are the principal wedding rites done at the mandap.
A perfect space is an integral part of the whole wedding, as the wedding largely depends on the overall aesthetic and Space of a venue. If you are planning your wedding in Gurgaon, we have you covered. Although there are many wedding hotels in Gurgaon, you want the best venue for your special day. Ramada Gurgaon Central is one of the best wedding venues in Gurgaon for celebrations. It combines excellent features with easy access to neighborhood commercial districts and business centers. The hotel has 94 rooms to meet all needs, a superb restaurant with various cuisines, four indoor halls, and one outside grass. The interior events can hold between 60 and 300 people, while the outdoor venue can hold up to 1000 people. The venue is an excellent choice for various wedding celebrations with a diverse spectrum of attendees. This hotel is outstanding and breathtaking, with high-end decorations, amenities, and luxurious design. The lavish celebrations with loved ones and the reduced management headaches add to the number of joyous and memorable moments in one's wedding journey. You can effortlessly enjoy your functions with beautiful décor and a customized package. The hotel meets all your requirements for your dream wedding by ensuring a comfortable stay and providing exceptional services, making it an ideal hotel for weddings in Gurgaon.
Ramada Gurgaon Central also has a popular wedding lawn in Gurgaon, which will undoubtedly impress your guests. By basking in the glow of your nuptials, you may make your wedding ceremony both exciting and truly beautiful.
#Wedding Banquets in Gurgaon#Wedding Hall in Gurgaon#Marriage Lawns in Gurgaon#Wedding Gardens in Gurgaon#Hotel for wedding Gurgaon
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Lesser Knowns
Taj Mahal is astounding,
breathtaking, lovely,
shouts the world.
A wonder. one of the seven
in the world, the only one in India–
hyperbolic in respects.
Closer to me there are temples
built and formed out of caves,
eliciting the finest architecture,
12 Gopurams, 33000 sculptures,
1000 pillared hall, some produce
musical notes, an architectural
marvel, called as Meenakshi…
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[KISS] Friday 11 August 1837
7 35
12 40
[KISS] last night she had pain in her stomach gave her a tablespoonful of sheer brandy she turned to me and had a goodish kiss I heard her crying afterwards I feigned sleep and talked said distinctly ‘the receipt you see is of no use to him’ (Mr. William Priestley against her aunt) this caught her attention and I think helped to stop the hysteric tears and she fell asleep – fine but dullish morning and F59° now at 8 ½ - out about (A- off to Cliff hill rode to the top of the turnpike hill and George walked by the side) till breakfast with Mr. Gray at 9 ¼ in about ¾ hour – proposed his publishing – he mentioned Hogarth’s print illustrating false perspective and said he had some sketches of his shewing the common faults in composition – E.G. a sundial – a lady sitting – a little dove-cote set on a pillar – so placed that looking from a window the lady sitting with her feet on the sundial, and the dove-cote to be resting on the ladys’ shoulders! a few spirited sketches of this sort with a well-written humorous text nicely got up in 4to. would take, and pay? out with G- at 10 – busy planning terrace tower stair – 19ft. 7in. of descent – want an ou-vouz-savez and a small garden tool house opening upon this little staircase then planning about the troughs in the carriage court – the larger set this afternoon – the little field trough brought down this evening and left ready for setting tomorrow and G- and I after Hainsworth busy ordering about stone (one long one) to form the archey architrave of the pillars to support the carriage court rain water cistern – Mr.Hainsworth came at 9 this morning but with Booth till who checked and signed his bill for stones for Shibden hall the garden etc – settled with Hainsworth – paid him in full for the wheel-race ashler 47.15.11+ £130 paid in a/c = £177.15.11 and paid his bill from 30 April to 4th instant for stones =£56.9.0 ½ - his last ½ years’ upper Place quarry rent = £28.2.6 – then sat talking politics – H- all for my association system – he himself can influence – can count upon – (he made?) 20 votes – Mr. Holroyde the attorney their present active secretary to the conservative association of which Mr. John Edwards Dyson is chairman – all application to be made to, and information given to Mr. Holroyde – but Hainsworth himself could give a great deal of information – he and Messrs. JE.D- and Mr. Holroyde would be glad to come here, and talk things over – said I should be glad to see them – Mrs. Prescott (Hainsworth’s landlady) would lay nothing out – for £40 might have made another vote and H- would have paid her £3 a year more rent – no! but he had laid the money out himself on a condition in the lease to be paid or take the buildings away on his leaving the farm (Folly) – lastly mentioned the cattle market (Hainsworth knew of 12 masters who would act with him in politics if not afraid – if sure of being borne out) – I saw H- was not much for it – knew nothing about it – the town had a field for the purpose in Pellon lane – but owned at last that people would not take their cattle there, so cold and out of the way – I said I was indifferent about the market being in my ground – why not be in Mr. Pollards on the other side of North parade – but if the market did not extend below a certain limit, I could make it derange my plans so little that I should make no objection if the town and I could agreed as to terms – I could only let them have about 6300 yards – but the horses might be shewn, in the north parade road which would give about 1000 yards more room = 7300 yards but they wanted 3D.W. or 9000+ yards – in a fortnight or 3 weeks should have a birds’ eye view of my idea of laying out the ground – mentioned my idea of an exchange that might be if wanted – (a circle of 20 yards diameter) and if not a circle of small shops – but something must pay – H- asked if I had many applications for the hotel or if it was let I forget which – I said I thought I had let it sometime ago but that it was not yet exactly settled – I thought however it would not stand long empty after it was finished – but it was so planned that it would easily turn into shops and private dwellings – something must pay – said I had began my platform and hoped to have my colliery complete in 2 years – should loose 112 acres of coal of my own – did not .:. want to buy any – and when the 112 acres were got I had a still further loose, and all was arranged accordingly – H- here from 11 to 2 – then out again at 2 20 all the afternoon till came in at 7 25 ((vid. line 14 of last p.) in the carriage court and about – at six went with G- to the Lodge. Mawsons’ 6 men just going away – then to the platform – and at the back Lodge – stood sometime talking to the gardener about [?] Hemingway’s son aetatis 17 coming on trial – the father came to me between 2 and 3 pm to ask me for work himself or to take his son – at any wages I liked so long as they would keep him and leave something for shoes etc. said I dared not give him any hope but would think about it – the gardener would keep (board lodge and wash and sew for him for 7/. a week) and 2/. more would be enough to give him – the gardener himself had but 6/. a week at Mrs. Cunliffe’s – paid a shilling a week to an old woman for sewing and cooking for him had but 5/. a week to feed and clothe himself and slept in the garden shed – came in at 7 25 dinner at 7 35 – coffee – A- came upstairs at 10 and I about 10 25 – having stood talking to G- about the 2 letters applications for the hotel to Mr. Lever (Charles, Esquire) 10 Kings’ Road, Bedford Row, London and forwarded by him to Messrs. Parker and Adam, and received per post in blank envelope from Mr. Parker tonight – one applicant late of St. Leonards’ hotel Hastings asking many questions in a very neat good hand – the other from the Adelphi Liverpool – George Bacon – asking if the proprietor would object ‘to put a young man in the hotel to manage it on his own account’ (i.e. the proprietors’) ‘for the 1st year then after that time if he finds the young man goes on according to his satisfaction he will let him have the hotel at a certain rent and take the stock at a valuation’ – G- thinks well of this and would answer it soon – but I need not do so of ten days – G- would ask the young man’s prospects etc – Mr. Charles P- coming at 10am tomorrow to hear what he says – A- and Messrs. G- and Harper think CP- will not take it – I think he will – to open the conversation tomorrow by asking his advice about the tap – and I shall ask him if he knows anything about Mr. George Barker of the Adelphi – A- in bed when I came upstairs at 10 25 at which hour F57° - fine day – ¼ hour looking about me in the west tower and about its staircase then till 11 40 wrote all the above of today – Mark Hepworth and 3 carts carrying terrace-stuff from opposite tower to front of house embankment and Mawson’s men sod-walling with platform sods from Back Lodge downwards – Edward and John (Waddington and Sharpe) doing the red room passage top and window and doorway into tower – and Firth the glazier and his 2?man at the leading that is to cover the passage – Parkinson and his men at the terrace walls, and Nelsons 2 or 3 men at terrace tower
Hemingway had been at Rotterdam in June 36 hours going 29 hours returning Steamer starts every Wednesday night £2.10.0 cabin fare. 15/. steerage
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