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storysofmyown · 4 years

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Obey me! A devilish trip

Plot: The brothers decide to take a trip to the beach. It’s all fun and games until a demon decides to ruin it.

Trigger Warning: Foul language, rape attempt, mild violence, mentions of catcalling, stalking.

Word count: 4,254

“Do you think the pastel pink might be a better choice to wear to the beach than the dark pink? I get that both will look good on me because I’m wearing them, but one can only hope to look their best!”

“They look exactly the same!”

“You are not even looking! The pastel one is shorter and makes it look like it has a cute lace while the darker one is tighter and makes my butt look better.” Asmo fell onto the bed besides Mc with both bathing suits still in hand.

“Do you really need me to answer that?”

“Yeah you are right…the laced one makes the sexiest look”, Asmo packed the bathing suit on one of his several suitcases before looking at Mc.

“Do you really need five suitcases for a 3-day trip to the beach?”, Mc’s eyes fell on the suitcases before getting their view blocked by Asmodeous.

“Of course, dear! One of them has exclusively clothes for when we are at the hotel, another has my bathing suits, this one has my creams and face mask for my night-time routine, that one has some special gears in case something spicy might occur, and the last one has some extra clothing just in case.” Mc rolled their eyes at him before leaving the room and Asmo with a mountain to take care of.

After a while of accommodating stuff in the suitcases Asmodeous piled them up on the side of his bed just in time for Lucifer’s check-ins.

“No.”

“EH?! C’mon Lucifer! I need the five of them. Do you have any idea what will happen if I leave any of those here?”, Asmo hugged protectively one of the suitcases before Lucifer took one from the pile and placed it on the bed.

“It’s only a 3-day long trip. Knowing you, half of the stuff in here you don’t need.” Lucifer started to open the suitcases and take out things from it. “You really have an entire suitcase for creams?”

“How else would I sustain this flawless skin?”

“You can take with you five items from this suitcase.” After a fit from Asmodeous and an agreement on settling for 7 items while ruling out the entire suitcase of special items it was time to argue about the clothes Lucifer did not approve.

“This shirt is too short, this one is almost see trough, this bathing suit looks like lingerie and those pants are way too short.” Lucifer said as he threw the clothing in the floor. Making Asmo have a heart attack.

“Lucifer! You always do this! What am I supposed to wear to the beach tomorrow if you take out all my cute clothes?” Asmo tried to put the bathing suit on the suitcase again but Lucifer was having none of it.

“You call them cute? Those I would hardly call clothes. Even if it’s the beach where we are going that doesn’t mean you have to go walking around almost naked. The clothes that I left inside are appropriate. Don’t worry I still made sure you it fits your style. Now, make sure they are all organized in one suitcase for tomorrow.” Lucifer walked up to the door leaving a pouty Asmodeous mad at his cruel fate.

While organizing everything in it, Asmodeous may or may not have sneaked in some of the inappropriate clothing Lucifer took out, but that was for him to know...and for Lucifer to get mad at later.

The next day

“Oi! Beel, stop trying to eat the seat belt. And Belphie, rest your head on the door instead of me, yeah?” Mammon yelled at his brothers while Mc, Satan, and Levi sat in the last row of seats talking about last night’s episode of a detective show Satan had recommended them.

“This is so boriing”, Asmo protested while yawning, Lucifer side eyed them in the mirror before locking his eyes back in the road. “How long till we arrive?”

“We are close. Maybe another 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I can let one of you choose a song.”

“Not fair! They are going to play some normie stuff and not what I want to listen to.”

“You literally wear headphones almost 24/7, just put them on.”

“Oi! So, you were not actually sleeping and just decided to use me as a pillow?”

“I am surprised Lucifer is letting us change the song he has played since we got on the car.” Satan smirked a little.

“You just lost radio privileges, anyone else?” Lucifer changed the station before Asmo plugged in his phone and chose a song at random.

“Hey! Why do you get to choose the music?” Mc yelled from the last seat.

“Shot gun has DJ rights.” Asmo stuck his tongue out at Mc only for them to return the action.

“Lucifer…”

“Mhm?”

“…I’m hungry.”

***

“Okay the lady rang us in already, we are on the sixth floor. Let’s go, I’ll give you the keys to the rooms when we get there.” After a very cramped elevator ride, they all arrived at the floor. “Okay, Asmo, Satan and I will be staying in room in 624, Mammon and Levi on room 625, and Beel, Belphie, and Mc on room 626. Here are the keys. In an hour we will meet on the lobby to talk about our schedule. Be on Time.”

“Hey! Why do they get to share a room with Mc while I’m stuck with Levi?”

“You think being stuck with me is bad? Imagine being stuck with an annoying lowlife like you.” Levi grumbled while opening the door to their room.

“OI! I am your older brother, show me some respect.” The arguing faded once the door was closed.

“All right! Who’s on for a movie marathon tonight?” Mc asked excitedly facing both Beel and Belphie.

“If there will be popcorn I’m in.”

“Only if we watch some horror movies.”

“Pst, Satan.” Asmo whispered.

“What is it?” Satan looked annoyed.

“Why are we stuck with Lucifer? He ain’t fun at all. He is going to ruin all my plans.” Asmo complained while holding his suitcase.

“He probably wants to keep an eye on us.” Satan closed the door behind them and claimed the middle bed while Asmo took the bed closest to the bathroom.

After setting everything up, and Asmo taking almost half an hour in the bathroom to refresh himself, the three of them made their way to the lobby where Levi was complaining about something while Mammon decided what would be worth stealing to profit off. After a few minutes of waiting, finally, Beel, Belphie, and Mc showed. Lucifer gave some rules which none of them listened to and after a warning about ‘not wondering off to get in trouble, you all need to maintain an appearance even if we are not at school or on a meeting, we need to maintain Diavolo’s pristine image and yadda, yadda, yadda.’ The eight of them made their way to the beach.

Beel, upon arriving, made a v-line directly to an ice cream stand that was there. Belphie put an umbrella and lied in the sand to take a nap, Levi started to play in his phone, Satan took a book out of God knows where and started to read. Mammon, like an idiot, rented some diving gear claiming that the ocean had all kind of treasures and he was going to find them while Mc laughed at him. Lucifer and Asmo both were at the bar that was in the middle of the beach.

“My, my, Lucifer I didn’t know you were planning to actually have fun during this vacation.” Asmo teased his older brother while Lucifer scanned the beach making sure no one was dead yet.

“This is the only thing that will keep me sane trough out the day.” Lucifer flashed a smile for half a millisecond before downing his three vodka shots that already had been served. Asmo chuckled before flashing a wink to the cute bartender who immediately was taking his order.

“I would like a Devils Seacrest Blue.” After getting his drink and sipping on it for a while Satan decided to join them.

“Aren’t you having fun.”

“I’ll have more fun once Mammon decides to accept that there is no treasure under water. The idiot is going to drown.”

“Look at the positive side, Levi actually stopped playing in his phone for a minute.”

“…I have to see that for myself, be right back.” Lucifer drank his last shoot before checking that Levi was not suffering from a heat stroke.

Satan ordered a drink as well and started to make small talk with the bartender. While that was going on, Asmo found some demon staring at him, to whom he flashed one of his signature’s smiles. The demon smiled at him as well before Asmo averted his eyes back to Beel, who had eaten at least 5,000 grim’s worth of ice cream.

“I am surprised you are not flirting with that demon already.” Satan commented sipping from his Margarita.

“Not my type.” Asmo commented casually.

“That has not stopped you before.”

“I have standard you know, just because a demon looks very ‘masculine’, doesn’t mean I’m going to flirt with them.

“My mistake, I’ve only known you for like, I don’t know, a couple of millennia; my bad for making assumptions.” They both laughed for a bit before carrying on with another subject for a while. That was, until Satan noticed the demon still starring at Asmodeous. “You said he may not be your type, but I think you might be his.”

Asmodeous looked briefly at the demon before turning to Satan again and rolling his eyes. He was glad Lucifer had left for the moment or else he would have caused a scene because of the demon. Asmodeous finished his third drink before getting up from his chair and announcing he was going to bother Mc and Mammon for a while. On his way to the water he could feel someone staring at him intensely, for some reason, that bothered him. He always loved attention…when he wanted it, he just ignored it and got into the water to find Beel, who had left clean the ice cream stand and Belphie had joined them. Levi had taken Mc on a trip to the deeps while Mammon was pouty about it.

After a few hours of messing around and Mammon almost drowning Mc, a burned Belphie, Satan destroying a couple of chairs because water got on his book, Lucifer whooping some asses, and Levi almost adopting a sea monster whom he named Henry 3.0, they got back into the hotel. Lucifer had arranged a for them to eat at the hotel’s restaurant, so they needed to get there before 9, the reason why Asmo was frantically searching for what to wear.

“Why does this matter so much? We are going to be there for only two hours. No one is going to notice that you are not wearing clothes that literally scream ‘I need people to notice me’.” Asmo glared at Satan before nodding.

“You are right. What I wear isn’t what screams for attention is just generally me.” Satan groaned as Lucifer came out of the shower.

“You have until 8:30 to finish, go in now.” Lucifer set up an alarm while Asmo sprinted to the bathroom.

After bathing and doing hair and makeup, Asmo got out fully covered in a towel still wondering what to wear. Before he could even think about it, Lucifer threw at him some clothes and left the room. Asmo raised an eyebrow at Satan who shrugged.

“Just get dressed.”

Asmo was the last one to get ready, of course he was, once he got out of the room, he noticed that only Beel was outside. He explained that Lucifer and the other went ahead to apart the table and ordered him that if Asmo was not ready by 8:50, to drag him out. Without stalling too much, they hoped in the elevator. Beel was vibrating of excitement thinking of all the food he could eat.

“Do you think they will have human world burgers? I have been dying to eat one since we arrived.”

While Beel rambled about food the elevator stopped and a demon hooped in, at first Asmo didn’t pay much attention, but when he felt someone creeping in closer to him, he decided to look. Turned out to be the demon that had watched him earlier and was not trying to hide it this time. The demon had this look on his face that made Asmo feel uncomfortable. Coming from the Avatar of Lust it may sound weird, but the way this demon looked at him was as if he was undressing him right there.

Asmo had been with a lot of people in his life, but he had made sure 100% of the time that his partner felt comfortable. But that demon did not seem to care about that, with every second the demon was inching closer and Asmo felt his blood run cold. Luckily, Beel seemed to have noticed this because the moment the elevator reached the lobby, he took Asmo hand and basically ran from there. Before Asmo could even process what was happening, they were already making their way into the restaurant.

“Who was that?” Beel asked, and while Asmo was grateful that he didn’t ask with Lucifer on earshot, he did not know how to answer...so he opted to joke about it.

“Probably some fan of yours truly. You should know that by being as desired as I am people will be leaping at the opportunity to get close to me.” Asmo chuckled, but there was an edge to his voice that Beel noticed.

“Your fans don’t just stare at you; they try to talk and even get your number or something like that. That demon was doing none of those things.” Asmo appreciated Beels concern, but it also made him feel more vulnerable.

Once thy arrived at the table, Beel did not mention the demon again. Asmo was immensely grateful for it. But he still felt…odd. Throughout the dinner he barely spoke, his mind was in other places. Like, what would have happened if Beel had not been with him? If that demon found himself completely alone with Asmo?

It made him feel completely insecure and unsafe, during dinner Asmo could not shake this feeling that the demon was lurking around, watching him. None of the brothers or Mc mentioned, even if they noticed, the state he was in. After dinner they all made their way to their respective rooms. Asmo was the first to enter the room and immediately took a bath. He wanted to wash off the feeling of the demons stare off himself. Once he got out, neither Satan nor Lucifer had entered the room. He decided to start with his night routine and after finishing he would pop into Mc, Beel and Belphie room and join the movie marathon. But Lucifer had other plans.

“Asmodeous, you know that tomorrow we had schedule, at night, to go down the bar of the hotel and check it out.” Asmodeous nodded not looking up from the magazine he was reading. “Well, you, Satan, and I will not be attending.”

Lucifer spoke as if Asmodeous had no say in the matter, like he had all the authority to just state what Asmodeous could and could not do and he would obey just because his older brother wanted him to. Asmodeous wanted to protest but he knew better than that. If he put up a fight Lucifer would only put more restrictions on him, and he was not going to end up like Mammon. No, he was smarter than that.

The next day proceeded as planned during the daytime, all of them followed Lucifer’s damned schedule to do all the activities the hotel offered. The incidents had been an all-time low with Mammon only attempting to steal the silverware during breakfast once, Beel only eat part of a table, and Levi almost losing it when he saw that Mc bought a limited edition Ruri-chan key chain for him. Now, Satan, Lucifer, and him were trapped in the room with Lucifer in the shower and Satan submerged in one of his books.

The moment Lucifer got out, Asmo went in with the clothes he was going to wear to the bar, and a loose pajama to disguise them. He took a long while in the bathroom, assuring that when he got out Lucifer would be already asleep, and he would only need to get past Satan. And so he did, after leaving the shower he used a little of his personal charm on Satan, which gave him enough time to put a tv show of detectives Satan would like for when the charm wore off. Once that was taken care off, he took off the “disguise”. Finished his makeup, put on some shoes and off he went.

The ride to the elevator was uneventful, once he arrived at the bar, well that was another story. Demons have always been known to party, and there was a reason for that, and Asmo planned on joining them. He was on vacation and he refused stupid details ruin this, he was not going to pay any attention to what had happened the other day and he was going to live a little. Drink after drink, song after song, Asmo was having the time of his life, maybe the drinks were started to get to him a little, because he got on top of a table and started dancing. He didn’t care who saw or who cheered, he just danced because he wanted to and it made him feel happy.

After the wildness wore off, he got down from the table and asked the bartender for a water. He was certain he saw the face of Mammon somewhere in the crowd but even if Lucifer appeared now, he was content with himself.

“You put quite the show huh?” A voice came from behind him. Asmo laughed before facing who spoke and feeling himself froze. It was the demon that had stared at him. He put those thoughts behind and just tried to be polite. A few minutes of small talk with the stranger turned into him cat calling and making suggestive comments at him while being a little too touchy. Asmo tried to get away from the demon a few times but he felt trapped in the space.

Before he could protest the demon put an arm on Asmo waist and whispered something in his ear, making sure to kiss his neck before smirking. Asmo pushed the demon away and tried to walk through the crowd but the demon was having none of that. Once he was a bit away from the crowd, he felt a hand grab him and pull him back in. The hands of the demon hold him against a wall as the demon tried to convince Asmo to go with him into his room. Asmo was able to get away from their grip and made a run to the elevators.

He pressed the buttons, but the elevators were not coming down and as he turned around to make sure he wasn’t being followed his eyes fell on the demon who was walking fast towards him. Without a second thought he started to climb up the stairs with rapid footsteps behind him. Halfway up the stairs the demon got close enough to grab Asmo by the leg making him fall. The demon immediately pinned both of Asmos hands to the ground while staring at him with such a lust that it made Asmo want to scream. He tried to kick the demon, but he evaded them.

How could he escape from this one? Even if he was one of the most powerful demons in hell he was not physically strong, his powers in this case would not help because even if he got the demon to look him directly in the eyes and charmed him the demon would not stop because, to put it this way, he was already “charmed”. The demon tried to take off Asmos shirt, but he resisted, the demon slammed his wrist against the stairs and got close to his face.

“The more you fight, the worst this is going to be for you, I recommend you stay still and don’t scream.” Asmo was horrified as the demon started to kiss him and bite him hard. He felt disgusted, scared, dirty, he was petrified with terror and he only wanted to scream, which he tried but the demon put a piece of cloth in his mouth. He felt the wet trial of kissed leading from his neck to his stomach, the demon was sucking on Asmo skin like it was some type candy, Asmo felt the demons hand unbutton his pants.

Asmo tried to get away from the demon once again, resisting to him, moving, fight, trying to scream, the demon only pulled him from the hair and slapped him. “What did I just tell you? I was considering going easy on you, but it seems like that’s not an option. You brought this on yourself.” Asmo felt the demon´s nails dig in his skin to the point that he bleeds and as tears ran down his cheek, he felt a weight lift off him unexpectedly.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Lucifer having tackled the demon off him and Satan was holding him down. Asmo felt someone touch him and while his first instinct was to pull away once he saw that it was Beel helping him to his feet he let him. The next few instances flew by in a blur. One moment he was being pulled up by Beel the next Mammon, Levi, Belphie, and Mc around him trying to make sure he was okay. Everyone talked but he could barely even focus on what any of them were saying.

Asmo decided to take a bath, and while bathing he started crying while looking at his red wrists. How could he be so stupid as to go down at the bar knowing that demon could be lurking around. For the first time in millennia Asmodeous felt disgusted in his own skin. He rubbed a sponge in every spot that the demon had touched so hard that once he looked, they were red. After getting out of the bath and standing in the mirror he noticed the trial of red and purple hickeys the demon had left on his skin. Asmo wanted to scream and to punch himself for being such an idiot.

If he had listened to Lucifer and stayed with him and Satan in the room, then none of this would have happened. But he had to go and put on a show while calling attention upon himself, right? After getting dressed Asmo left the bathroom and Mc sat him down on the couch beside them. He was feeling exhausted and just wanted to get back to the House of lamentation. He just wanted to feel safe.

He cannot tell how, but before Lucifer entered the room he felt this impending sense of dread shake him to his core. Lucifer stood in front of him while Asmo looked nowhere. He was expecting Lucifer to yell, scream, lecture or even hit him because he had disobeyed him, but he certainly was not expecting Lucifer to hug him.

“I shouldn’t have restricted you. After Beel told me what happened in the elevator I thought it be safer for you to stay in instead of going with you and making sure you were safe…I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Lucifer sounded broken and at the verge of tears. Asmo tried to brush off the feelings and smiled weakly at his older brother, before breaking down in his embrace and crying.

“No, I’m not okay I’m sorry, I should have listened to you.” Asmo gripped on Lucifer’s coat was the only thing keeping him from shaking.

“Asmo, listen to me”, Satan sat by his side, “you did nothing wrong, so don’t you dare think this is your fault at all, okay? The only one who’s at fault here is that…that demon.” Everyone could feel the fire in Satan’s word’s, but they also noticed that glimpse of tenderness and care for his brother.

“Do you want to go home?” Lucifer asked with a softness in his voice Asmo could swear he had never heard before.

“We could leave now if that’s what you want.” Beel spoke softly. Asmo smiled at them shook his head.

“Thank you, but I just want to sleep. Can we leave tomorrow, during the morning?” They all nodded and Asmo smiled at them still feeling a bit scared.

“Do you want to stay with us?” Mc spoke, Asmo shoot Lucifer a look who only smiled.

“I think it might be better if all of us stay together tonight.” They agreed and after pushing the 3 beds together and lying down in them, the darkness of the night made Asmo think. None of this had been his fault, for some reason he had thought it was but no. The only one to blame was that demon who tried to hurt him. Asmo finally was able to breathe, feeling all that weight that was crushing him lift momentarily. The darkness of the night made Asmo feel the warm, he knew his family had his back. That made him feel happy, and most importantly it made him feel safe.

**************************************************************

Hello once again people! Fun fact; this started as something entirely different but halfway trough i was like “But what if Asmo was aware of the concept of consent?”, and this was born. Hope y’all enjoyed it, and remember to stay safe bye! :3

#obey me!#obey me #obey me one master to rule them all #obey me! lucifer #obey me! satan #obey me! mammon #obey me! asmodeus #obey me! beelzebub #obey me! belphegor #obey me! leviathan #obey me! mc

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buns-with-a-book · 4 years

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Eventide

Spice with Feels, entirely not-canon, just exploring a concept I had been mulling over for a while. It’s similar to this ask drabble but changed in other ways. Inspired by this song.

This fic contains spicy content!

Fandom: Devil May Cry Characters: Dante/OC Tags: @furyeclipse @synchronmurmurs @queenmuzz @harlot-of-oblivion @tehrevving

Summary: In the aftermath of the Fortuna incident, Cassandra and Dante have a moment that leads to them opening up in a very long time.

The fading light of dusk illuminated the beaches of Fortuna, still clear and pristine despite everything that had happened in Fortuna. With all the demons, the destruction, and the madness cleared, this moment of quiet was something Cassandra needed.

Of course, that time was also being spent with Dante, her old flame.

The two were just silently walking down the beach, hand in hand. Behind them, Fortuna stood, proud and defiant despite the demon attack that nearly destroyed it. Ahead of them, a small cottage she had called home for fifteen years. Her mind drifted back, beyond the incident, to when she first met him in the highlands of Scotland long ago. Back then, not long after she arrived in Red Grave City, the sight of Earthfaith mercenaries spooked her into leaving. Not that she feared Dante couldn’t handle it, no, he could handle many things. Like being stabbed repeatedly. Or shot at by Lady (which was quite hilarious, looking back on it).

No, it was the thought of him being hurt that truly frightened her. That was why she left him, but not without spending one final night with him before leaving Devil May Cry and Red Grave City for a new home, to keep him safe.

How the time had passed for them! They were older, wiser perhaps (at least for her. For him? Debatable, given that she witnessed him jump into the cathedral and shoot point-blank at Sanctus. Not that she liked Sanctus in the first place). Of course, Nero went right for the proverbial throat against him, before she could react, much less process the fact that it was Dante, right there in the flesh (not dead, importantly enough).

The moment he fled from the scene, she had followed him, as fast as her feet could carry her. She held no fear of the demons, she could handle the demons, the legendary blade at her beck and call ensured that. No, it was people she was more afraid of. They could be as cruel as the very demons assaulting the city, after all. It was because of people that she fled from Dante in the first place, to protect him from those who would seek her out, to force her to return back home.

But they never came. Not to Fortuna, at the very least, and she thought she would have more trouble with them for pretending to be a diplomat from Eternis Brillia, the sister city of Fortuna. As far as she was aware, there was no news of them making landfall in Red Grave City. Perhaps her concerns, her fears from fifteen years ago, were no more?

“Babydoll?” Dante murmured, stopping in his tracks. Cassandra leaned onto him, relishing the memories that the pet name brought back. “Why did you leave?”

“...I guess I’m not sure anymore.” Cassandra replied. She felt him stiffen up.

“...was it because of me? I was kinda a slob back then-” Those words came out too fast, spilling out guilt and...shame? Dante? She looked up, seeing him run a hand through his hair.

“No, not because of you.” She said. “Not in the way you think.” A faint breeze began to blow, bringing with it the scent of sea salt through their hair. “Dante, I left because the thought of hurting you was something I couldn’t bear. Never because I hated you. Quite the opposite, actually.” She lifted up her hand, cupping his face. He leaned into her touch, a soft noise slipping from his lips. His hands moved to wrap around her midsection, pulling her close.

“I missed you so much, babydoll.” He murmured.

“I missed you too, Dante.” Cassandra buried her face in his chest, her arms lazily wrapping around his neck. “I just...I was so afraid of finding you dead, surrounded by knights who would drag me back to my own personal hell.” She sniffled. “I could handle that, I could run away again...but the sight of you, l-lying there lifeless...that would’ve broken me, Dante, more than anything they could have ever d-”

“Shh…” She felt his hand pet her head, comforting her despite the fresh tears falling.

“You deserve better than that fate, Dante. Earthmother knows you deserve so much more than what was thrown at you. I never wanted to hurt you-”

“It did hurt, you leaving me like that.”

“I know, I know. I was so scared of losing you, I didn’t realize I was hurting you. I’m sorry, Dante.” But she knew that it wasn’t enough, not for the pain she had inflicted on him unknowingly. Even if she hadn’t known, it did not make her actions inexcusable. She missed him terribly, that one little fling in the Order H.Q, fueled entirely by desperation and need, made that evident. But she dared not make a move, waiting for Dante to make the first move, the first step into actually letting her back in.

Dante gently pulled her along the beach to the cottage, to the exposed bedroom that faced the sea. As they entered, Cassandra carefully pulled off her boots and set them near the entryway, not wanting to track sand into her bedroom. Dante let her go to do the same, the woman moving to her bed and sitting down.

“...you know…” She murmured, glancing to Dante as he removed his garish boots (that she really liked). He paused, grey-blue eyes staring at her through silvery hair. “I...I never had another man in this bedroom since I arrived.” She swore, for the briefest of moments, a flash of flame red appeared in his eyes. Just like that, it was gone. He dipped his head down, body trembling as laughter spilled out of him.

“Nobody in town you liked enough?” He asked, a soft jest in his voice. Cassandra snorted as she pulled off her jacket.

“Nobody could hold a candle to you Dante. Nobody can.” She said, tossing it aside. She could feel his gaze on her neck, focused on the love bite in her skin. They knew who really caused that, the devil in Dante’s veins, but left it unsaid.

They just knew.

Dante slowly pulled off his coat, letting it collapse onto the floor. He slowly walked towards her, eyes completely focused on her and her alone. His hands pulled off his gloves, knowing where her eyes were focused. Setting the gloves down on the bedside table, he sat down on the bed and rested his hand on her collar, thumb rubbing at the scarred love bite. She shuddered at the touch.

“Still hurts?”

“Only a little. More tender than actual pain.” He let out a soft hum. “I know what you’re planning.”

“No idea what you’re talking about, babydoll.” He purred, leaning over to nuzzle her.

“Liar. You want to bite me up all over.”

“Mmnn…it would look good on you.” Dante pulled her into his lap, peppering kisses against her skin. His hand slid up her back, taking the zipper and pulling down. She let him shed the dress from her, leaving her in her bra and shorts.

“No fair, you’re still clothed.” Cassandra pointed out, her hands resting on his zipper-up shirt. “At least you learned to wear a shirt under the straps.”

“Ow. Still holding that against me?”

“Only a little.” She hummed, the conversation feeling more natural now, as if they hadn’t been apart for fifteen years, as if they were still young and dumb and ready to take on the world with nothing but each other’s backs and their swords, the legacy of their forefathers, they bore in their hands.

As if that painful split never happened at all.

Dante quietly watched as she pulled down the zipper, pulling the shirt off him and throwing it onto his discarded cloak. Her eyes flicked up and down his muscular chest. “As unscarred as I remember...aside from this.” She murmured, her hand resting on an old scar, just to the left of the heart. Dante shivered as her fingers grazed the skin of the old wound.

“Still as pretty as a picture.” Dante murmured, taking her hand and kissing the palm. “Guess the sun did good for you.”

“And you.” Cassandra pointed out, taking his hands and settling them on her hips. Dante’s lips curled into a grin, his thumbs hooking on her waistband. He pulled down, taking her shorts and panties down her legs and letting them fall to the floor. Cassandra reached back, undoing her bra and letting it fall on Dante’s face. She chuckled at the white garment falling on his face. “Sorry…”

“Tch, make a mess of the best seat in the house?” He asked, his voice lacking any real bite. He reached up to take the bra and throw it to the side. “I’m sure you were taught better than that.”

“Best seat in the house? How about I determine that?” She asked playfully. Dante grinned as she moved forward. Settling his hands on her thighs, he pulled her down, his mouth promptly suckling on her clit. Cassandra let out a gasp as his tongue worked against her clit, rolling around the sensitive bud. She reached down to entangle a hand in his silvery hair, the other squeezing one of her breasts.

“Dante...fuck…” She panted, ignoring the muffled playful scolding she faintly heard underneath her. She began to grind her cunt into Dante’s mouth, seeking more pleasure from him, pleasure that Dante happily obliged. A finger slid into her slick entrance, earning a surprised gasp. As it began to move in and out of her, Cassandra moved her hand off her breast to the mattress, more focused on keeping herself upright. The second finger slid into her. She could hear the obscene slick noises from his fingers, the softest of groans of Dante quite audibly enjoying the taste of her cunt on his tongue.

“Dante...Dante!” Cassandra gasped, falling over, body shuddering as she came all over his face. She faintly heard him hum as his fingers pulled out of her trembling cunt. He helped her to her side, sitting up.

“Told you it was the best seat in the house.” He said with a smirk, a smirk that she could tell was all too fake. He reached down to undo his pants, kicking them off a little and letting them rest on the floor. She felt him roll her over onto her back. “Still raring to go?”

“Yeah, still kicking.” Cassandra panted. She faintly saw Dante grin before she felt his fingers slide back into her.

“Been a while since we’ve been together. You know I’m a pretty big boy, right?”

“Can’t forget.” Cassandra pointed out. “We stayed in bed...until lunch, as I recall.”

“You made lunch. Best pizza I ever had.” Dante corrected, nuzzling her. “The local places don’t taste the same.”

“Then I should make one soon. Don’t know if the local- ah! -farmer’s market is g-gonna be open on account of the demons…” Cassandra shuddered as Dante’s fingers thrust and scissored her, stretching her for the main event. The mere thought of it made her cunt gush more slick, something that made Dante purr.

“I can wait.” He pulled out his fingers, giving them a careful lick. “...I’ve waited long enough for you to come back to me.” He crawled over her, lining up his cock with her entrance. “Ready for me babe?”

“Ready.” Cassandra nodded. Dante took in a breath before carefully pushing inside her. Cassandra squeezed her eyes shut, taking in breaths as his cock stretched her wide. The sting was not unfamiliar, pricks of pain that accented the pleasure of being full of him, of Dante. She squeezed his hand, shivering as he pushed inch by inch into her, feeling his gaze watch for any sign of discomfort.

Drip. Drip Drip.

Cassandra opened her eyes, meeting tear-filled blue-grey. Was Dante...crying?

“Dante?” She asked softly, her other hand reaching up to wipe away the tears. “Dante…”

“Sorry babe...I just-”

“It’s ok. I’m staying. I promise. I’m not going to run away again.” Cassandra gently soothed. She leaned up, gently kissing him. Dante slowly laid down on his side, pulling her close, keeping them conjoined. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You were scared-”

“I still hurt you. It doesn’t make what I’ve done excusable, especially to you.” She pressed another kiss to his lips, followed by a breathy apology. “I’m sorry.”

They were still, just quietly enjoying each other as the waves crashed against the shore, carrying with them the soft scent of the sea. Cassandra could hear Dante’s soft breathing, the distant wind blowing across the salty waters beyond their bedroom.

In the distance, Cassandra could hear the bells of Fortuna. Seven PM, if she counted the tolling correctly.

“Hm. The bells still ring.” Cassandra murmured. “That means at least some of the church towers still stand, their bells intact.”

“Sounds nice from here, with the beach nearby.” Dante mumbled. Her gaze met his silver-blue, shimmering with happiness. “You lucked out on this place. I could vacation here.”

“Maybe when the city isn’t fucked up from the Order’s experiments on demons.” Cassandra pointed out, her hand moving to stroke his silvery hair. “There’s a nice bakery in town, sells the best bread rolls in Fortuna. Their specialty is the Poppyseed Bun, as I recall. I prefer their muffins myself.”

“Do you think they’ll have a strawberry muffin?” Dante asked cheekily. Cassandra laughed softly.

“Unlikely. Strawberries aren’t really a thing here in Fortuna.” Dante gasped.

“No strawberries!? Ok, change of plans, not coming here for vacation.” Cassandra could feel laughter bubble in her.

“Not even to see Nero? I know you’re fond of him, enough to let him keep your brother’s blade.” Cassandra pointed out. Dante mulled over it for a minute.

“Fine, maybe to pester Nero for free food. Or maybe come see you.” He suddenly bucked, making her gasp in surprise. “Indulge in you, make love to you...fuck, I missed you so much.”

“I did too.” Cassandra admitted as he began to move. “Not a day went by that I didn’t think of you, that I selfishly wished I could be with you without endangering you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging onto him. “I’m sorry for hurting you like that, I’m sorry for leaving you behind, I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry-” He took her chin and made her look up, their lips meeting in a desperate kiss. She clung onto him, whimpering as Dante continued to thrust into her. Her mind screamed out for the devil hunter, more of his presence, his scent, his everything. Her body trembled as he continued to thrust, hard and fast and eager to make her see stars.

‘Dante! Dante! DANTE!’ Her mind screamed as she felt warmth shoot through her body, whether it was from her own orgasm or Dante’s, she couldn’t tell. She felt his nails dig into her bare skin, his body trembling as he held her. Slowly, Dante pulled back, breathing happily.

“Cass…”

“Dante…”

They just stared at each other, mind catching up to what they did. After a few minutes of quiet, he lowered his head and nuzzled her before he slowly pulled out.

“I guess we need a shower…” Dante panted. Cassandra nodded.

“The shower’s big enough for both of us, unless you’d rather try the bath. It’s a hot tub bath, a luxury from the mainland.” Dante let out an ‘oooh’ of interest, visibly interested at the sound of that. He carried her out of the bed and to the bathroom, settling her in the bathtub. Turning on the hot water, he settled down next to her. She glanced over to him, to his sweat-sheened body, muscular form, and still rock-hard cock. “One time not enough for you?”

“Hm?” Dante glanced down. “Oh. Uh, maybe?”

“Dante, that’s a yes or no question.” Cassandra said, sitting up to settle herself into Dante’s lap. His cock slid easily back into her, making him shudder.

“Cass-”

“Shh…” She pressed a kiss to the corner of his lip, her hands resting on his shoulders. “You took care of me. Now I’ll take care of you.” With that, she began to ride, her gaze meeting his as she did so. Dante leaned back, a grin slowly forming on his face. She knew his eyes were watching her as she bounced on his cock, to her bouncing breasts specifically. His hands moved, one to hold her waist, the other gently groping a breast. Cassandra let out a soft pant at the grope, lowering her head. Dante tilted her head up, their eyes meeting.

“All eyes on me, babydoll.” He purred, a lazy smile on his face. Cassandra let out a slow exhale before nodding, still riding his cock, green eyes boring into silver-blue.

She didn’t expect the sudden buck, making her gasp out in surprise. He chuckled before continuing to do so, finding a rhythm between her riding and his bucking.

“Dante!” Cassandra gasped, that rhythm sending shots of pleasure through her body. “I-I’m close!”

“Me too, babe.” Dante panted. His hands moved to her hips, suddenly slamming her down as a torrent of heat shot into her. Cassandra fell onto Dante, trembling as she came with him. Once again, a blissful quiet passed, Dante only moving to turn off the water before it overfilled the tub, before leaning back with Cassandra in his arms. Cassandra slowly pulled off Dante, cuddling up to him.

There was nothing more to say, not between them, but Cassandra couldn’t help but feel that something was simmering beneath Dante’s lazy smile and half-closed eyes.

“Hey Dante, how’s bed sounding?”

“A real good idea right now.” He murmured. Cassandra nodded and wasted no time in cleaning up. “You can still move?”

“Yeah, I gotta move to change the sheets.” Cassandra said. “You relax. You earned it after everything today.”

“Alright.” Dante nodded and leaned back. Cassandra quickly got out of the tub, drying off (and knowing full well Dante was watching her). She tossed the towel onto the rack before stepping out of the room, her mind wandering to the day’s events as she changed the sheets.

What a day it was! What started out as a celebration of Sparda turned out to be a day of dismantling a demon-obsessed cult, a shadow of a once-proud order. She wondered what Sparda would think about the town he once (allegedly) ruled. Would he be ashamed of what it had become? Perhaps, if any of the old legends held any truth to them. Tossing the soiled sheets into a laundry bin, she pulled new sheets onto the bed and fresh blankets. She heard the sound of water draining before a pair of arms wrapped around her. She yelped before turning around, seeing Dante with his signature grin.

“Dante! You startled me!”

“Sorry babe.” He pressed kisses to her temple. “Didn’t mean to.”

“You ready to turn in for the night?”

“Sounds fine by me.” He said, letting go of her to slide under the blankets. Cassandra did the same, letting Dante pull her into his arms, a hand entwined with hers. She closed her eyes, feeling Dante settle behind her.

And yet, something still felt off. Despite Dante quickly falling asleep, something in her gut warned her that something was off.

It was then that she felt it, a demonic heat blooming on her back. The heat was familiar, the heat of Devil Trigger, but what reason would Devil Trigger happen when there was no threat around. Unless...

“You…” She tensed up at the sound, a warped growl. “I do not like you.”

“Understandable.” She murmured, seeing Dante’s arm slowly morph from flesh into scales. It let go of her hand like it was an unwanted toy.

“Why should I forgive you for what you’ve done? He may forgive easily...but I will not.” The devil growled.

“I will admit.” She said softly, feeling the demonic heat against her back. “Perhaps my reason to leave was selfish. Instead of facing my past, I ran from it and broke Dante’s heart.” The devil let out a snort, as if that was the most obvious conclusion. “I can say sorry as many times as I want but forcing you to forgive will only make you push back against it. I know well enough, at the very least, that you are independent of Dante. He may forgive but that doesn’t mean you follow suit immediately.”

“His heart is soft.” She could feel the sharp teeth against the shell of her ear. “It is his greatest strength...and his greatest weakness. We must protect him.”

“I expect no less from you.” She murmured, keeping her eyes closed, body still, giving him no reason to lash out at her. But at the same time, demons rarely needed a reason to lash out at humans. He was only keeping himself where he was so as to not rouse Dante’s human heart to reign him in.

“If you hurt him again…you will not leave unscathed.” The growl genuinely made her shiver from fear, the hatred barely contained in that warped voice. “Do you understand?”

“...yes.” She exhaled, a whisper that only barely betrayed fear. She could hear her heart hammering in her head, every instinct telling her to flee...but she stayed, paralyzed. The devil was quiet for a moment before, just as suddenly as the heat came, it disappeared. Cassandra wasn’t sure what to do, or even if she was dreaming or not, before she felt Dante rise behind her.

“Hey, you ok? Did something happen?” He asked sleepily. “Did the big guy threaten you?”

“No, no, we just had...a little talk.” She lied. She didn’t want to worry Dante over the perfectly reasonable concerns of his demonic heart. She didn’t move, didn’t want to face the scrutiny of his grey-blue eyes.

“...you’re not a very good liar.” She scowled. “Never were anyway.”

“You have me there.” She sighed. “He just wanted to protect you from getting your heart broken again. He didn’t hurt me...but he made it clear not to do it again.” Dante was quiet for a moment before sighing, wrapping his arms around her.

“He means well...but I can’t control him all the time.” He said, burying his face into her hair.

“I know. I know.” She murmured. “...I’m not leaving this time. I promise.” She reached up to squeeze his hand.

“I’m glad to hear that, babydoll.” Dante murmured before yawning. “Night night.”

“Goodnight, Dante.” Cassandra murmured, closing her eyes as well. Slowly, she was lulled to sleep to the sound of Dante’s breathing and the sea beyond the bedroom.

#devil may cry #devil may cry oc #devil may cry dante #spicy #lemon #hurt/comfort

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tancheesing · 5 years

Text

{ pearl of the orient – penang island in 2000 }

penang is a beautiful pearl in my home country.

georgetown, the main city on penang island, has a UNESCO world heritage core area which is well-loved and frequented by tourists all over the world. ( The other UNESCO world heritage site in my home country is in Malacca : Malaysian sensibilities – Malacca old town )

” Designated a UNESCO world heritage site, the historic quarter of George Town in Penang, Malaysia, showcases multi-cultural influences. The region’s heritage can be traced back almost 500 years, when the former British colony was a prominent hub of trade on the Malacca Strait, enabling cultural exchange between Malay, Chinese, Indian and European residents.

As a result, George Town retains its unique character – evidenced by the mix of pastel-painted shophouses and Chinese mansions, European government buildings, diverse religious buildings, festivals, music, food and fortresses. “

in the year 2000, i visited penang & georgetown. it really touched my heart and opened up my senses.

in the year 2019, i.e. 19 years later after my first visit, penang & georgetown have changed a lot, with cars and high-rise apartment buildings dominating the townscape. some say it is a change for the better, as the economy digit is booming. to me, it is a change for the worse, as the charm and beauty of the townscape has been diluted in the name of development ( at all cost ). to me, development should be sensible and sustainable, though this requires the joint effort and collaboration of all parties involved in the development.

penang – a melting-pot of communities and cultures.

penang – a spicy 200 year old tale of migration, maritime trade and intrigue.

dragon reaching for the sky, the azure blue sky, but it is unable to fly and leave the temple. it is unwilling to leave the kaleidoscope of penang. it is a penang dragon.

penang hill railway. the railway links the bottom and top of penang hill. it brings people to explore the penang hill. “expect the unexpected!” the railway told me.

mid hill station. the wooden steps are built following the gradient of the railway. there is another train waiting for passengers on the other side. the train will guarantee you a nice and pleasant journey to and fro penang hill, just like penang …

” At the top of the hill, the air was buoyant, cool, and exciting to the appetite.”

~ John Turnbull Thomson

on the way to strawberry hill, you will see a big tree greeting you. “good day, sir!” on peaceful nights, sitting under the tree, you will hear the tree murmuring … “long live great britain!” … it remembered the old colonial days. it is a tree clinging to the past glory.

the pattern of the wall shows the hardwork of the laborers who piled up the stone works one by one.

which way does the wind blow from? east? west? south? north? penang is a blend of the east, west, south and north.

a balinese painting in bellevue, the hotel on top of penang hill.

cheong fatt tze mansion two signages on the wooden door advising people to ” practice courtesy & appreciate poems “.

an old lady in the old mansion. the lady ages with passing time, the mansion ages too. the lady will tell you an old story, the mansion will tell you more stories. the mansion is a library with a collection of stories, while the librarians are temporary …

gable end wall decorations at cheong fatt tze mansion

framing the old wall? framing the old stories told by the old walls? framing the time?

windows are the eyes of the building. the old colonial buildings in penang are masterpieces. too bad this one has put on too strong a make up …

love is a lane, at least in penang.

francis light statue in front of the state museum. he rooted the Englishmen in penang, he performed magic out of this island called “Pinang”.

notes on my native land

to this corner of the world came

people from china and india

from indonesia and europe

some of the people

adopted local ways

they spoke malay

dressed malay

but still kept their customs

others stuck to their ways

while firmly planting

a foot on malaysian soil

the alchemy worked

and today we have a nation

that is a kaleidoscope

of many things and many people

we all belong to this fabric

having each lent a stitch

to make up a whole

now we invite the world

to see this tapestry

~ David Lazarus 1986

the Europeans, the Indians, the Chinese, the Malays, the Arabs, the Archinese, the Eurasians, the Siamese, the Burmese, the Japanese, the Jews, the Armenians.

gambling ruins your family and kids

light street convent school. old memories left behind by the departure of the nuns …

the names of the prisoners detained during the Japanese occupation were carved on the wall. the wall is a storyteller. shall we have a museum of walls?

st. georges church. pairing of classical columns.

st georges church

the clock tower. colonial architecture + muslim crown. a perfect blend, just like the blending of cultures & peoples in penang. they are all called the penangites.

the Chew jetty kongsi penang

the Chew jetty at weld quay. keys of the fishing boats being hung on a wooden plate. the keys are important to the boats, the sea is the greatest source of livelihood for the people living in clan jetties. the sea is the past, present and future.

old rusty boat anchor. the anchor clings on to the seabed to moor the boat amid roaring sea, just like the clan jetties clinging on to the shore to house its peoples, the sons & daughters of the mighty sea.

the chinese texts depicting “cooked meat ball”. these texts are written on the wooden planks in the Chew jetty. is this simply an act of vandalism by the kids? or is there a meaning behind the texts?

wooden walkway in the Chew jetty. it is the spine of the jetty, connecting houses and promoting bonding among the residents. the clan community is closely knitted.

a tin to keep the cash. it is a typical way of keeping cash in old chinese provision shops. a red paper is pasted on the tin, with words of blessing “may profit comes”.

beach street fire station. beach street is the Lebuh Pantai ( in Malay language ). it was a street by the beach in the old days before land reclamation. it is now a bustling commercial street.

little india. this is a shop with the name “gathering life”. it is a pharmaceutical store, selling traditional chinese herbs and medicine. the birds are plenty here. maybe they are looking to “gather life”.

sri mariamman temple. ritual to bless the sick.

acheen street mosque. minaret piercing through the azure blue sky.

joo eng ching ( Dr Sun Yat Sen’s penang base ). green plant symbolises new life. do we bring new life to an old building through conservation?

syed alatas mansion. the mark left by syed alatas, a great man. the mansion itself has a story to tell. listen to the mansion. we should learn to listen to old buildings.

the kapitan kling mosque

the Khoo kongsi

theatre at Khoo kongsi. Khoo kongsi is a clan association that emphasizes strong brotherhood. the building stands as a tribute to the perseverance, tenacity and toil of the early chinese settlers in penang.

the gap between buildings revealed the sky above. however, there may be no gap in-between the strong brotherhood in the clan associations. or are there?

Cheah kongsi, the close neighbor of Khoo kongsi. bonding also exists between one can and the other. one for all and all for one.

tua pek kong. the God of Prosperity. the massive chinese migration to penang took place in the 19th century. the chinese came to penang with the aim to gain prosperity.

nin yong temple. stone lion roaring at you …

a paper one gets from the temple via praying to the temple God.

kuan yin temple. burning paper monies for the ancestors and the deceased.

interesting objects in a chinese temple

windows that are opened to the past. the old house intends to breath in old penang air …

brightly painted stupa sitting on top of a building, overlooking lebuh carnavan. a new age religious building fits itself into the context.

market at pulau tikus. what are inside the containers? memory of the past?

shirts for sale, hung on tree.

dhammikarama temple. delicate carvings on the layered roof of the temple. the play of light and shadow further portrays the beauty of the roof.

stupas pointing to the sky. the stupas resemble bells. hit the bells and you may hear a pleasant old burmese folk song …

the sculpture of a bird-like creature, the “naga” sitting on the corner of the roof, protecting the temple from devils. a tiny angel is praying underneath the “naga”, praying to the God to bless the penang people.

a dragon-like creature, feeding on the coconut leaves …

wat chaiyamangalaram ( thai buddhist temple ).

colourful dragnon-like creature. its left front foot is holding a red color object. what’s that?

stupa-like tower of the thai temple. there are many tiny men holding and supporting the many floors of the tower.

bangkok lane. some stained colored glass panels are missing. preservation and conservation are urgent to keep the rich heritage in penang.

value our heritage. it took decades to create something invaluable. however, it takes just days to demolish the invaluable heritage of ours.

“enjoying food is the top priority of the general public.”

mbf tower by eco-architect ken yeang. a well-ventilated high rise residential tower.

the tower slopes toward the sea.

E&O hotel, once occupied the longest stretch of beach front in penang. 256 meters long.

batu ferringhi beach, bayu senja.

walking in sync with the rhythm of the sea waves.

a boat is made to venture into the sea, not to be left doing nothing on the beach.

the beach is an arena for the nature lovers.

i came to penang to explore places and people. i left with a deep memory of beautiful places and people.

pearl of the orient – penang island in 2000 { pearl of the orient - penang island in 2000 } penang is a beautiful pearl in my home country.

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herxtiic · 7 years

Text

There were some that said the world began with a song.

That it began with a hum that vibrated through the blackness of space, that burst the stars into existence in cacophonies of symphony. The planet’s bedrock was a drum beat hammering out into the nothingness, the flowers and trees the melody, the animals forming the harmony, intertwining in a language of red and green beneath the constant roar of the sea. There were many theories about how the earth had begun. Formed out of clay, or words, or breath, and to a very small Alaskan village, formed out of the toenails of an enormous raven. But he liked this story the best. If all the world was a song——but the world was not a song, or songbirds would be its philosophers.

He did not play his violin yet, merely felt the known shape of the thing beneath his hands with strong, slender fingers and hard, hollowed palms, soft touches and ghost-like caresses over ghosts and dips as if committing every grain to memory. A languid stroking, testing the strength of its back, beating a patient and slow tattoo against its hollows, and smelling the scent of wood and and a distant satchel of perfume like a melody. The scratch of a worn point against the pads of his fingers itched like an uncle’s kisses against his cheek, and he remembered the laugh of a roaring drunkard and the merry points of fire that had shone in his father’s brother’s eyes. His uncle’s cheeks were red, his gaze reflecting with some kind of terrible, ironic joy like light glittering off a blade, his mouth wet and red and stinking of ale, his greying hair spilling across his broad shoulders like Père Noël grown old and mad and terrible.

He had called him from where he practiced, this great giant of a father’s brother freshly returned from the navy, saturated in rum and steeped in casual criminality but basted twice with good intentions. He called up the little boy from where his fingers danced like nervous butterflies lodged in strings. “Sailor boy,” he called out in his deep, rolling thunder of a voice, a hurricane, but a hurricane with a sense of humour. “Come up, my sailor boy, and tell me why you look so sad this fine evening.”

There would be a child’s hesitation before the music stopped, the great blue eyes lowered, a faint line already forming on a babyish forehead that disappeared when he leaned against the chair, a novice at the foot of a king. “I’m not sad, uncle,” he would inevitably say, his eyes finally flitting up to his, with a sense of a child’s expectation still lingering.

“And then, you always look sad,” the Giant would say, ruffling the tousled locks. “The townsfolk try to flatter your father by saying that you’re his spitting image, but I don’t see it.” The boy smiled, and even there, in its burgeoning stages, his smile was a complex things, a genuine expression tentatively creeping forward through the stifling miasma of social convention. The Giant smiled back, fond. “You’ve got your mother’s eyes. You’ve got his chin, poor devil, but aye, they’re not all wrong about our family, you’ve got my hair.”

“So that’s where it went.”

There was a rumble of impending laughter and the boy waited patiently until the earthquake subsided.

“You’ve got a wit on you, make no mistake. Smart as paint. That could get you into trouble one day. Is that why you’re so serious this day, Tristan? Some bit of your wit landed you into trouble?”

The boy smiled again, faint, and again, it was a curious expression, a plant cut off from all growth and light turning trembling towards the sun. “Father said a boy should be serious. I don’t agree with him but I’m trying to make him happy, so I’m practising.”

The Giant tilted his head. “Your fiddle, boy? What for?” “It’s a violin, actually,” the boy said earnestly. “Father agreed to buy it for me, said that it promoted discipline. I’m going to practice every day.”

“You like practicing?”

“It doesn’t matter if I like it,” he answered honestly and soft. “If I play well enough, when Father gets back, I’m going to play for him!”

The Giant chuckled, his smile soft. “

Oh?”

“Yes,” the boy said brightly. “When he gets back, he said that if I practice long and hard enough, that he’ll listen to me play. Just me and him. Says that if I work at this every day after my schooling, if I do my chores and make my bed, that I’ll shape to be a proper soldier when I grow up.” His face was glowing bright as an infant sun, his obvious delight shifting only at the returned expression from his uncle. It was a grown-up smile, and one he always hated, full of nuance in a language he was barely functionally literate in.

“And do you want to be a soldier, my sailor boy,” his uncle brother asked, and he cupped his cheeks in his warm, rough hands, and fixed his eyes on his, watching the childish brow crease and the mouth fall open, hesitating on the precipice of wonder and dread.

“Of course,” he replied. “What else is there?”

The rheumy eyes with their red-snapped whites always averted at that, and the boy always meant to ask him why.

He never did.

He knew that he made him sad, but that sadness was a part of him, like the bunched rawness of his knuckles and the stoop in his shoulders and the way the old drunkards’ songs roared from his lips. He liked them, for he hadn’t yet seen the sea himself. All he could do was sit with him and let him tell him his stories in silence, let him weave his fantastics, girls with fish tails and terrible beauty, sea goddesses that lived in the storms, blind monstrosities that pulled ships down to the deep. He would listen and when he called for his bottle, he would scramble up and fetch it to him, and memorise all the melodies that he sang trembling in the darkness when the fire in the great fireplace burned low, word by word and instant by instant.

But his favourite, and the one he begged to hear most often was The Devil Captain, if only for the way he sang it, how the rough, off-key words jilted and hummed and broke-backed to the trill of a boy’s violin in savagery and civilisation. It wasn’t even French, he knew, but René his uncle seemed not at all to mind. “Sent me off on a real old boat “ the Giant would sing, marching with his head held high before the fire like the navy man he once had been, “By Christ, she was no beauty. Far far across the sea we went, afore to do my duty—-”

Fought the Spaniards, maybe the Dutch Really couldn’t tell, sir All I know is they fought so hard They sent us all to hell, sir.

And the light would catch in the terrible redness of his eyes, the red of sailor’s warnings and dying soldiers and the frightful reeling way he walked. He became something wonderfully monstrous, an old seaman caught at the expanse of his journey as they listened to the way the trill of the violin swooped and plunged with the silvery voice of a child as they sang the old words together—-

Poor old sailor, poor old sailor, If ever I ‘list for a sailor again, Devil shall be my captain.

The boy would laugh at the words, because to him they were only words, and only the bright, toy-like pleasure of what they were. They would dissolve into hiccups and chuckling and dropping the violin he would throw his arms around the Giant, and smell the smell that was like fish and like fatherhood, his fingers curling into the scratch of his coat.

He would wait for him when his father did not have time to listen to the music he had bought, wait for him in the bitter, tear-drenched disappointment, sit in silence at the dinner table while his father mired in workings too arcane for little boys to comprehend. He would stand nose pressed to the window, breath fogging, waiting for that characteristic rolling walk, before running out to embrace him, flying, prompting the familiar rumble of the Giant’s laughter. “Sailor boy,” the Giant would roar, “oh, my sailor boy! Do you remember the rest of the words? Sing them to me, lad!”

Went to a tavern and I got drunk That is where they found me Back to ship in chains I was sent And there they did impound me.

Poor old sailor, went the words, and he had wrapped his arms around him that final time, without knowing that it was that final time, and he kissed his cheek despite the bristles and pulled back and saw the sad look that the jolly man held when he thought he couldn’t see.

A clear of a throat, and the boy looked to his father, straight-backed, eyes as focused and sharp as arrowheads. They were looking at the Giant. “Say goodbye, Tristan,” his Father said, and the boy was lost, caught between these two titans, these two forces of nature that he could entire contain nor fully understand.

“Goodbye, Uncle René.”

He hugged his uncle again tight, and breathed in deep, imprinting in the scents of deckyard fish and ground-in sweat, the spicy scent of cloves he often chewed, the burn of smoke that seeped into his clothing and coated him like a pall. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered, and smiled as he ruffled his hair.

Memories flashed and sparked, and faded, and his eyes closed as they evaporated, his fingers still lightly stroking the instrument, lying easily and precisely around the stretched neck, and feeling the burr and glide of horsehair under his thumb, his chin resting delicately on its belly. His hand moved with the bow, it glided easily, reluctant and first and then opening to him like the petals of a flower, perfect, precise rhythms, achingly exquisite and achingly distinct.

The entirety of his life lingered in perfect contradiction and he played them out in his mind’s eye—-the birthing bed that he had been told of and the smell of blood and perfume and a ballad to blue eyes that shone like the sea. The feel of the rocky bed of the Seine’ bank beneath his feet and the imagined feel of sand as he ran beneath a clouded sky.

The one man save his brother that had showed him true kindness in his youth, and beneath his father’s gaze once he had become older, he had denounced him, had pitied him for trying to shape the mind of a boy through the foolishness of old shanties and stories. The music soared in soft contemplation. Let me enlighten you, he thought, and his fingers danced upon the strings.

What it means for a man to be a man, and a man is not a monster. A hypocrite, perhaps, he considered, as he played upon the ruins of aristocracy and his childhood as if heralding the fall of Rome, but not a monster.

A war was brewing all around them and this war was for them all, against the inevitable forces of old and evil, but what was perhaps more true, which was neutrality. The human mind could not cope easily with the idea of neutrality, but he found it liberating, in a strange, self-indulgent way. All that he could think of was that it was beautiful. That the voicelessness of morality save for what was created was a reminder that one was not alone, and an ease at the temporariness of everything. Nothing but the empty arch of the sky, a morally blank world, an empty canvas upon which one could scrawl their own design.

Redemption. Meaningless to anyone but him, and yet, meaning everything.

His fingers flew upon the strings as if it was an ascension, as the climax built and tumbled into ecstasy and soared as if gathering up all the sadness in the world, outlined in shades of black and blue and arrogance. He played as if the world was in his hands and he was forming it into being. First the stars, violent birth into the darkness, and then the planet, sea and land. Life trembled between the notes. Older than the stars traced within the background of a song that few could name, meaning drowned, like stars growing cold and dead in the blackness.

#drabble #blood tw #alcoholism tw #under read more for length

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instantdeerlover · 4 years

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The SF & East Bay Birthday Takeout And Delivery Guide (1) added to Google Docs

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On a typical birthday, you’d usually have dinner with your friends before pulling out all your terrible dance moves at the bar you swore you’d never go to again. But just because we’re in quarantine doesn’t mean your birthday has to be a total flop. There are great restaurants around the city with takeout and delivery to make sure you can dive headfirst into another year and celebrate to the fullest. Here are 35 of our favorites. By the way, happy birthday!

For more ways to support the restaurant industry now, you can find some ideas and resources here.

For a list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery, check out our constantly-updated San Francisco, East Bay, and Peninsula Delivery & Takeout Directories. And if your bar is in need of a re-stock, our SF Delivery & Takeout Alcohol Collection will help with that, too.

All restaurants featured on The Infatuation are selected by our editorial team. The Birthday Takeout Guide: San Francisco & East Bay is presented by Uber Eats. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, supporting our local restaurant community has never been more important. Uber Eats customers can now give directly to the restaurants they love at checkout. 100% will go to the restaurant. Order now to support. See app for details.

Featured In The Ultimate San Francisco Delivery & Takeout Guide See all our guides Jump To

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The Spots

SAN FRANCISCO Rich Table $ $ $ $ American in Hayes Valley $$$$ 199 Gough St. 9.3 /10

A meal at Rich Table is almost as exciting as celebrating a birthday with 20 close friends at a crowded bar in the Mission. Fine, it’s actually more exciting - and the fact that we can order their takeout right now is a celebration in its own right. Rich Table is offering weekly-changing four- and five-course menus (posted every week on their Instagram) for around $45-60 per person. It includes entrees like ribeye or duck breast, and you can also add on batched cocktails and bottles of wine.

Yubu by The Shota $$$$ 115 Sansome St

If your idea of a solid birthday involves sitting in front of a colorful, fresh chirashi bowl in your sweatpants while Alexa blasts Rumours (Super Deluxe), then order from Yubu, a new takeout operation from The Shota. They’re specializing in inari ($5-9) and donburi (around $30), and also offering $40 DIY hand roll sets with fatty blue fin tuna, scallop, crab, and eel, and bottles of sake.

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack $ $ $ $ Italian in Bernal Heights $$$$ 3230 Mission St Not

Rated

Yet

If you’ve lost three straight rounds of Words With Friends, you may be in need of some comfort food. Order takeout from Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack. This spot in Bernal Heights makes awesome Italian-American classics like spaghetti and meatballs and eggplant parmesan, and it all comes in portions large enough for leftovers. Order by calling 415-206-2086 or using their app (Apple, Google Play).

Farmhouse Kitchen $ $ $ $ Thai in Mission $$$$ 710 Florida St 8.4 /10

In an ideal world, we’d go to Outside Lands for our big day. But since that may not be a possibility any time soon, we’ll gladly settle on getting delivery from Farmhouse Kitchen. This Thai restaurant makes some of the city’s most exciting dishes, from a spicy papaya salad with a good, slow burn that lasts for an hour after you eat it to short ribs smothered in rich curry. But to really make it feel like a celebration, they have a Lao Table special for two for $69 that comes with different items like papaya salad and an incredible hat yai fried chicken with yellow curry.

Order delivery The Dorian $ $ $ $ American , Raw Bar in Marina $$$$ 2001 Chestnut St 7.2 /10

Since all the days are starting to bleed together, your birthday may as well be one weekend-long celebration. Make part of that Saturday or Sunday brunch delivery from the Dorian. Their Ultimate Birthday Package comes with a tequila-cucumber Don Juan cocktail for four, a bottle of sparkling wine, funfetti cake, and their excellent truffle fries, all for $65. If you’re really in it for the food, their Brunch At Home ($50) option comes with sparkling wine or rose and two mains - just make sure one of those mains are the fries (yes, they count as a main).

Order delivery Che Fico Alimentari $ $ $ $ Italian in Nopa $$$$ 834 Divisadero St. 8.4 /10

In the beforetimes, we went to Che Fico Alimentari for special occasions and casual catch-ups with friends over really great cacio e pepe and rigatoni amatriciana. And these days, there’s no way we’d rather celebrate a birthday at home than with their lasagna and a pint (or five) of their labneh mulberry gelato. And because it’s not a birthday without booze, you can also order from their extensive wine list.

Zuni Cafe $ $ $ $ American , Raw Bar in Civic Center , Hayes Valley $$$$ 1658 Market St. 8.8 /10

We’ve recently experienced a lot of firsts: our first actually-finished puzzle, our first time drinking a margarita in an inflatable “Paw Patrol”-themed kiddie pool, and our first birthday at home in the middle of a statewide stay-at-home order. Another one is ordering Zuni’s whole wood-fired chicken for takeout without having to wait an hour at our table for it to cook. And doing so is a great way to celebrate when you’re stuck at home - you can even stick a candle in the chicken and make a wish. Order here for pick-up from Wednesday-Sunday.

Batter Bakery $ $ $ $ American , Cafe/Bakery in Tendernob $$$$ 2127 Polk St

For you, birthday dinners are just a time filler standing in the way of what’s really important: birthday dessert. And Batter Bakery is one of our go-to dessert spots, especially when we want some incredible cookies and devil’s food brownies. But if you need your dessert to take the edge off your cabin fever, pick up an alcoholic float or milkshake from The Ice Cream Bar, like their Dublin Honey with Guinness, sherry, and caramelized honey ice cream.

Beit Rima $ $ $ $ Middle Eastern in Castro , Mission $$$$ 138 Church St 8.2 /10

There’s nothing overtly celebratory about getting takeout from Beit Rima, the food is just really, really good. We love all of their dips from the buttery fava bean ful to the sweet muhammara, and their puffy hand-kneaded bread is so amazing that the FDA should classify it as a stress reliever. Their portions are also large enough to split with your roommates or eat all by yourself while you sit through a Reese Witherspoon movie marathon. Call 415-703-0270 to order.

Hina Yakitori $ $ $ $ Japanese in Nopa $$$$ 808 Divisadero St 8.5 /10

If chicken on a stick is your primary love language, then celebrate your birthday with a Torima bento box from Hina Yakitori. At $25, it’s more affordable than their $110 omakase-style yakitori menu, and also filled with five of their delicious skewers (tsukune, momo, teba, negima, and mini tomato). The bento box is an excellent birthday present if you weren’t able to get that heirloom beans sampler expedited.

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plus more restaurant intel you won't find anywhere else. TRVL ATL ATX BOS CHI LDN LA MIA NYC PHL SF SEA DC Subscribe Smart move. Excellent information will arrive in your inbox soon. Do you have friends and family who also eat food? Enter their emails below and we’ll make sure they’re eating well. (Don’t worry, we won’t subscribe them to our newsletter - they can do that themselves.) Help Your Friends No Thanks Well done. You’re a good person. All good. We still like you. Want to quickly find restaurants on the go? Download The Infatuation app. OMA San Francisco Station $ $ $ $ Japanese , Sushi in Japantown $$$$ 1737 Post St 8.3 /10

Your idea of a great birthday dinner is getting omakase in a quiet place, but for now, you’re stuck at home with three people who are convinced the living room is an IMAX theater. You can take care of the omakase part by ordering takeout from Oma San Francisco Station, which makes some of the best nigiri in the city. Right now, they’re offering a $65 takeout option with 11 pieces of sushi (you can order a few days in advance on their website). As for your loud roommates, just politely ask them to watch Hulu or Quibi in their bedrooms for a half-hour so you can enjoy your birthday sushi in peace.

Three Babes Bakeshop $$$$ 2501 Phelps St

If you’re looking for something celebratory to slice up for your birthday (go with something better than an omelette, please), order a pie from Three Babes Bakeshop. They’ve got pre-made pies and crumbles, and par-baked pie shells so you can put those random bags of cherries your neighbor dropped on your front stoop to use, and make your own filling at home. Order for delivery or pick-up here.

Humphry Slocombe $ $ $ $ Embarcadero $$$$ 1 Ferry Building Not

Rated

Yet

Whether you’re celebrating your birthday or your first win at online Catan, you’ll need something to commemorate the special moment. A pint of matchadoodle ice cream from Humphry Slocombe should do the trick. And if eating ice cream out of the carton is more of a daily routine for you right now, make your birthday a little more exciting with one of their sundae kits.

Order delivery Dumpling Time $ $ $ $ Chinese , Dim Sum in Design District , Soma $$$$ 11 Division St 7.9 /10

If you’re looking to have a birthday feast, get delivery from Dumpling Time. This place is offering everything from lobster har gow and garlicky green beans to shrimp toast and seafood gyoza (our favorite thing here). They’re also open from 11:30am-9:30pm, so you can have your birthday dumplings for brunch, lunch, or dinner - not that time means anything when you’re spending all day at home.

Order delivery Atelier Crenn $ $ $ $ French , Molecular Gastronomy in Cow Hollow $$$$ 3127 Fillmore St Not

Rated

Yet

It usually takes months, a fast internet connection, and Doctor Strange-levels of sorcery to get a reservation at Atelier Crenn on your actual birthday. But during shelter in place, you can eat their incredible food thanks to their boxed meals called Crenn Kits, which includes dishes like vegetable gratins, grain bowls, and chocolate cake (candle not included). And all you have to do is buy one in advance and pick it up in your dog-pattern PJs to take home and eat on your couch.

Noe Valley Bakery $ $ $ $ Cafe/Bakery in Noe Valley $$$$ 4073 24th St Not

Rated

Yet

If you and baking aren’t exactly on speaking terms, but you still want to dig into a multilayered, perfectly frosted funfetti cake, order one from Noe Valley Bakery. They’re also taking custom orders (including edible photo cakes, so you can gift your roommate a cake with Keanu’s face on it).

Nari $ $ $ $ Thai in Japantown $$$$ 1625 Post St 9.1 /10

The combination of flavors, textures, and spices make having a meal at Nari an unforgettable experience. And because you’ll never forget your birthday in quarantine, you should make it count by getting takeout from here. Right now, Nari’s takeout menu includes things like massaman curry and khao soi that’s pre-packed and ready to reheat at home. Order ahead on their website.

Verjus $ $ $ $ Spanish , French , Tapas in Financial District $$$$ 550 Washington St 8.0 /10

You already have a bunch of birthday Zoom calls scheduled with friends and family - so you’ll need something to drink (especially to take your mind off your grandma asking you for the 100th time when she’ll have great-grandkids). Order a bottle of wine from Verjus, and their housemade pâté en croûte, and settle in for the evening.

Tacolicious $ $ $ $ Tacos , Mexican in Marina $$$$ 2250 Chestnut St 7.6 /10

Since bar hopping your way around the Marina is unfortunately not happening anytime soon, you could do the next best thing and have Tacolicious delivered to your apartment. They’re doing $39 taco kits for two for takeout and delivery, as well as ready-made cocktails for six. And if you need something to drink after all those al pastor tacos, get more margaritas or wine delivered from our alcohol guide.

Order delivery Lord Jiu's $$$$ 2065 Polk St

A reservation at Lord Stanley or Mister Jiu’s would usually be the perfect way to celebrate a birthday - and while we can’t do that right now, they’ve teamed up for the next best thing: Lord Jiu’s, an $80-ish five-course menu available for pick-up from Tuesday-Saturday. The menu changes weekly, but you can expect things like seared tuna, wagyu sirloin, and stuffed zucchini blossom.

Fiorella $ $ $ $ Pizza , Pasta , Italian in Richmond $$$$ 2339 Clement St 7.8 /10

We have an entire pizza delivery guide you could order from, but Fiorella is delivering kits so you can turn your birthday into a make-your-own-pizza party. They come with dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings for two to four people, and if you don’t own a rolling pin, you can use it as an excuse to have a dough spinning competition (even if it’s with yourself). Then pattern the pepperoni for however old you’re turning, bake it, and pull something out of the oven that’s better than a birthday cake.

West Coast Wine and Cheese $ $ $ $ American , Mediterranean in Cow Hollow $$$$ 2165 Union 7.8 /10

Much like watching the contestants on The Bachelor make awful life choices (like choosing to be on The Bachelor), there’s something strangely cathartic about sitting on the rug in your living room and drinking a bottle of wine. And if a floor session is how you want to celebrate your quarantine birthday with your friends (either in your house or over Zoom), West Coast Wine And Cheese has you covered. They’re offering free wine and cheese delivery as well as discounts on wine bottles.

EAST BAY AKEMI Japanese Restaurant $$$$ 1695 Solano Ave

It’s a simple fact that if you stick a bunch of candles into one of Akemi’s super soft chirashi bowls, it’ll taste better than a birthday cake. We’re also not opposed to celebrating in self-isolation with a few orders of their chicken karaage (also good for putting candles in) and a couple of special rolls. This Berkeley spot on Solano Ave. is open daily from 5-9pm, and you can call 510-524-1286 to order.

Lois the Pie Queen $ $ $ $ Southern in Santa Fe $$$$ 851 60th St Not

Rated

Yet

According to divine law, if it’s your birthday you are legally required to start your day with chicken and waffles in bed. So you’ll want to order takeout from Lois the Pie Queen in North Oakland. They’re also making their lemon icebox pie - which we also fully endorse eating in bed.

Order delivery Burma Superstar $ $ $ $ Burmese in Temescal $$$$ 4721 Telegraph Ave 8.5 /10

Since you couldn’t go to Coachella for your birthday this year, the next best way to celebrate is to turn up your speakers at home and order the tea leaf salad from Burma Superstar. It features a laundry list of great ingredients, like garlic chips, fried yellow split peas, and tea leaves, and will bring you nearly as much excitement as an afternoon in the Sahara Tent. And since this is a celebration, after all, you should also get the excellent mango chicken and basil chili pork belly. Order online for delivery or for pick-up by calling 510-652-2900.

Fentons Creamery $$$$ 4226 Piedmont Ave

Sometimes you don’t want a fancy meal or a big feast for your birthday, and all you really need is a huge bowl of ice cream. We’ve got just the thing: a jumbo sundae from Fenton’s (we like the coffee cookie dream topped with copious amounts of hot fudge). You can order online for curbside pick-up or delivery via apps.

Corso Trattoria $$$$ 1788 Shattuck Ave

Nothing says happy-birthday-to-you quite like a salumi board, handmade pasta, and a 45-day dry-aged steak. This North Berkeley Italian restaurant is also offering 20% off bottled wines, in case you feel like drinking (which, of course you do). Call 510-704-8004 to order for curbside pick-up or delivery within a three-mile radius.

Shan Dong $$$$ 328 10th St #101

Before all this, your birthday was always one giant feast featuring friends, family, lots of food, and a unicorn-themed jump house. You may not be able to get the jump house, but you can still have plates of delicious food delivered. Time to call Shan Dong, the Chinatown spot specializing in hand-made noodles. Order the sesame paste noodles, dumplings, chow mein, and hot and sour soup. Basically, order everything you can by calling 510-839-2299.

Zachary's Chicago Pizza $ $ $ $ Italian in Rockridge $$$$ 5801 College Ave 8.6 /10

So what if you can’t spend your birthday bar-hopping before ending up at a pizza joint drunk at 2am. It’s OK, you can still order in a bunch of booze from our SF Delivery & Takeout Alcohol Collection and eat one of Zachary’s stuffed pizzas until you pass out on the couch. Order online to have your pie delivered or call 510-655-6385 to pick-up.

Order delivery Feel Good Bakery $$$$ 1650 Park St

If your birthday is coming up and you’ve been getting strangely intense cravings for carrot cake (why is everyone on the internet experiencing this? Please advise), head over to this Alameda bakery for one of the best carrot cakes in the East Bay. Since we’re celebrating, you should also consider getting their delicious pear almond tart, gluten-free chocolate cake, and cheesecake. If you live in Alameda, they’re offering free delivery. Or call 510-864-2733 to place an order for pick-up. Check out their Facebook for the latest updates.

Alamar Kitchen & Bar $$$$ 100 Grand Ave Suite 111

If you’re looking for a fun birthday activity that doesn’t involve yeast or scrolling through your Twitter feed, may we suggest ordering a whole crab or a couple of pounds of shrimp from alaMar. You can take a break from your screens and turn your apartment into a crab feed celebration at the same time. They’re also serving cocktails from their sister restaurant, Sobre Mesa.

Smitten Ice Cream $$$$ 5800 College Ave

Like brunch and Glee mash-ups, sometimes mixing two things really does work out for the best. See: Smitten’s Brookies ’n Cream. It’s a brownie-cookie mixed into a sweet cream and vanilla base, and, yes, we’ll be eating a pint of it a day for the rest of quarantine. You can order some for yourself, or send a pint (or quart) to a friend for their birthday. Their Rockridge location is open for takeout and delivery. You can order online here.

Order delivery Nido’s Backyard $$$$ 104 Oak Street

If all you wanted for your birthday this year was to celebrate with a DIY taco night, you’re in luck. Nido’s is offering family meal taco kits (serves four) for $55. If you need something strong to wash down your tacos, the mezcal cocktails are delicious, and they’re selling them in servings of six. And if you’re not a cake person, order their coconut vanilla flan topped with a huckleberry compote for dessert. Call 510-500-9757 to order for pick-up or order through apps for delivery.

A16 $$$$ 5356 College Ave

The Bottle and a Box combination from this pizza spot in Rockridge is a great way to kick off an evening of friends singing to you over Zoom. For $25, you get a bottle of red wine and a perfectly-charred margherita pizza with a soft, chewy crust - this combo might be one of the best presents you give yourself ever. Order for pick-up or delivery here.

Order delivery The Kon-Tiki $$$$ 347 14th St

Since it’s your special night, you probably want a change of scenery from the heaps of laundry and discarded puzzle pieces in your living room. For an easy fix, you can turn your apartment into a tiki bar by throwing on a swimsuit, rounding up all the wooden furniture and decor you own, and ordering cocktails from The Kon-Tiki. They’re offering everything from the Virgin’s Sacrifice (this tequila and mezcal drink is less scary than it sounds) to a classic mai tai. There’s a $75 minimum for delivery, or you can call 510-823-2332 to order for pick-up.

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fashiontrendin-blog · 6 years

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What Your Choice Of Fragrance Says About You

http://fashion-trendin.com/what-your-choice-of-fragrance-says-about-you/

What Your Choice Of Fragrance Says About You

Like your clothes, your favourite tipple or your most played on Spotify, your choice of fragrance says a lot about the type of man you are. “Because the sense of smell leads us straight to that part of the brain that deals with our emotions, completely bypassing rationale, you might say our choice of fragrance leaves us stripped emotionally naked,” says James Craven, Fragrance Archivist at Les Senteurs, London’s oldest independent perfumery.

It’s because of this link that it’s almost impossible to pick a fragrance without bringing a lifetime of baggage to the table. “A man will wear a fragrance that’s comfortable for him and that choice is often a reflection of his experience as well as his personality,” says Sarah McCartney, perfumer and founder of 4160 Tuesdays – a brand whose evocative and quirky fragrances are all about tapping into memories. “It’s rare that a guy chooses a marine scent if he doesn’t enjoy swimming in the sea, for example, because we’re drawn to scents that we recognise and to things that feel familiar.”

This is why perfumers often keep in mind a profile of the type of man they’re mixing for and why Dior chose Johnny Depp as the face of its Sauvage campaign: the mission is to match the fragrance notes to the man, so as to perfectly reflect his personality and spirit.

But as well as reflecting personality, Craven reckons a lot of men use fragrance to project a personality they may not actually have. “I suspect that men often choose a scent to compensate for some perceived deficiency in their character: like picking a brutishly virile scent if they doubt their masculinity,” he says. “Others are shy of revealing their real selves by choosing something outré and so hide behind an ‘approved’, mainstream fragrance which doesn’t reveal too many secrets.”

But, even by doing this you’re still revealing something about your character, because when it comes to fragrance, you really are what you wear. “In a nutshell, just like a handshake, or a signature, scent is an extension of a man’s ‘soul’,” says acclaimed British perfumer Roja Dove.

Not only does what you wear speak volumes about who you are, but according to McCartney how much you wear says a lot too. “Overconfident men will wear a bucket load of fragrance, whereas the quietly confident ones opt for just enough so that you need to get close to appreciate it – a good move in my book,” she says. As always, less is more.

She also believes in being true to yourself when picking a fragrance. “Quentin Crisp used to say ‘One should never wear a hat with more personality than oneself’ and I think the same applies to fragrance,” she says. “Your personality should never lag behind your perfume.”

So could the fact that you prefer Dior’s Eau Sauvage to Tom Ford’s Oud Wood really be more revealing about your personality than a Rorschach Test? Here are our notes on notes.

Citrus

Citrus-based fragrances like Clinique Happy For Men, Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino, Atelier Cologne’s Bergamote Soleil and Dior’s iconic Eau Sauvage are mainstays of many men’s fragrance rotations, in part because they evoke clean, sharp, energetic freshness. “In my experience it’s the sporty ones who pick citrus fragrances,” says McCartney. “They’re the competitors – runners, squash players, cyclists, men who aren’t afraid of fluorescent trainers and a bit of body-sculpting Lycra!” (The latter for sporting pursuits only, of course.)

You may also be subconsciously drawn to them for their therapeutic benefits. “Citrus notes really do wake you up, but they also give a good balance between refreshment and calm,” she says – an observation backed up by a study by Northumbria University, which found that the smell of lemon balm can improve both mood and cognitive performance.

Gourmand

Fragrances that take their cue from food and feature notes like chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and coffee have become increasingly popular in recent years. And if you like the ‘edible’ quality of scents like Thierry Mugler’s heady A*Men, Gaultier’s Le Male, Tom Ford For Men Extreme or Parfumerie Generale’s caramel- and hazelnut-laced Aomassai, chances are you’re an unashamed sensualist. “Men who go for gourmand fragrances tend to be sensual, hedonistic, sexually adventurous types with enquiring minds,” says Craven.

Particularly popular are fragrances featuring vanilla. “Andy Tauer’s new Vanilla Flash by Tauerville is going down a storm with blokes right now,” he says. Vanilla, of course, has long been thought of as a psychogenic aphrodisiac so if you’re a fan, chances are, you spray to play, you dirty devil you.

Wood

There’s a reason woody fragrances like Gucci Pour Homme, Terre d’Hermès and Davidoff Horizon are so popular with men: they’re seen as representing a solid, reliable and easy-going kind of masculinity. “Woody scents are often asked for by married men accompanied by their wives,” says Craven. They’re also favoured by ‘men’s men’ partly because they’re so popular with other men, re-enforcing their general acceptability.

But when you choose a woody fragrance over all others, there could be something else – something a little more ancient – at work too: “Woody scents like Lorenzo Villoresi’s dense, opulent Sandalo take us right back to the way our forefathers perfumed themselves at the altars of the old gods,” says Craven. “There’s something of the Green Man and The Sacred Grove about them.”

Marine

Like clean, fresh aquatic or ‘marine’ fragrances that have a faint whiff of the ocean and salt spray about them? Then you might be a minimalist at heart, someone who appreciates simplicity and design that’s both elegant and uncomplicated.

“Modern-day aquatic fragrances were born out of the likes of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, Kenzo Pour Homme and CK One,” says Moore. “These were the minimal, bracing and fresh fragrances of the 1990s. They’re still as popular as ever today and suggest a minimalist attitude and an aspiration of purity.”

Oriental

What message do ‘oriental’ fragrances like Opium Pour Homme, Gucci Envy For Men, YSL’s M7 and Dolce & Gabbana’s The One Gentleman – which are full of exotic spices, resins and sweet vanilla – put across? In a word: hedonist.

“The man who wears this kind of fragrance stays right until the end of the party, and never leaves the table without eating dessert,” says McCartney.

“Orientals seem to attract ‘Yeah, bring it on!’ types.” This may be partly because so many of them feature sensual vanilla notes, exotic, daring spicy ones, smoky ones and boozy ones, too. “We’re basically talking lickable, smokeable, drinkable,” she says.

Floral

It takes a certain type of man to carry off floral fragrances like Byredo’s Rose of No Man’s Land, Dior Homme and Papillon’s Tobacco Rose: one who’s bold, self-confident and at home in his own skin and with his sexuality.

“Men who love florals are – like gourmand-lovers – adventurous and uninhibited, aesthetes and sophisticates, eager lovers of unusual sensations,” says Craven.

Of all the floral notes, rose is the one men go for most. “The scent was always popular with men in ancient civilisations and with modern Arab cultures and is becoming increasingly popular with Western males especially when blended with leather, woody or tobacco notes,” he says. “Men are still not keen on powdery, petally or jammy rose on the whole – they prefer the dark, woody, earthy roses: and those notes reflect drama and strength.”

Oud

A mainstay of Middle Eastern perfumery, rich, warm and smoky oud (or agarwood as it’s also known), is at the core of fragrances like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood, Boss Bottled Oud and Roja Parfum’s particularly extravagant Musk Aoud.

“Real oud is one of perfumery’s most expensive ingredients, so the kind of man who wears it is very self-assured,” says Dove. “They don’t need to shout and they have nothing to prove. Oud delivers a promise of success and inner strength.”

Sport Scents

Specially created ‘sport’ fragrances like Paul Smith’s Extreme Sport are a fixture of the men’s fragrance market now while others, like Paco Rabanne’s Invictus, are sport fragrances in all but name. Spicy and uplifting, they’re designed to be an adrenaline rush, bottled.

“By opting for a sport fragrance, a man might be saying he embodies the associated lifestyle: active, aspiring and hard-working,” says Liam Moore, founder of fragrance magazine ODOU. “Though not a hard and fast rule, these qualities are at least suggested in the notes of a sports fragrance, which tend to stick to a rough formula of citrus/gingery notes at the top, something woody or herbal in the middle and a musk or amber base.”

According to Moore, both Dior Homme Sport and L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport are all-time classic fragrances – proving that sport fragrances can be sophisticated and considered – but you’re probably going to need to look like an athlete rather than just smell the part if you want to impress. “Don’t be fooled by the marketing,” says Moore. “Women won’t fall at your feet like they do with Nick Youngquest in the Invictus advert.”

Boutique

The kind of guy who likes to wear a luxury boutique fragrance like Shay & Blue’s Blood Oranges, 4160 Tuesdays’ Invisible Ben or Roja Parfums’ Enigma Pour Homme is no different from the one who gets a kick out of drinking boutique ales: he appreciates originality, quirkiness and a high level of craftsmanship.

“Many perfumes smell the same and lack authenticity or integrity because they’re anonymous products churned out in factories in their millions,” says Dominic De Vetta, founder of London-based fragrance house Shay & Blue.

“A boutique point of view means personal passion. It means a concern for detail and craftsmanship and the man who buys one knows what makes it good and wears it with the same kind of pride with which he wears a bespoke Savile Row suit.” In a nutshell, wear one and you let others know you’re more connoisseur than mainstream consumer.

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