Giant teacup

Any name ideas for my Bull guy made of china?

2024.05.15 00:45 sochieberry Any name ideas for my Bull guy made of china?

i've got an OC thats a big hulking bull made entirely of china. he's an eduardo from fosters home kinda character. really big and brutish but extremelt timid and scared due to his fragility. he wields a giant porcelain teacup spoon and his body is adorned with various cracks and scratches.

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2024.05.14 21:24 Technical-Pie-5775 Trip Report: 10 nights from the UK (very long)

For context: we have two kids age 8 and 5.
Just back from 10 nights at POFQ, our first ever Disney trip. Overall really liked the hotel, it's a shame they had a pipe burst in their swimming pool and it was being repaired for most of our stay, but it was still a really nice place. Swimming pool at Riverside was only a 10 min walk away.
I had a good outline of our itinerary for the whole stay written up before we left with plenty of ADRs , however what we actually did was quite different.
Wrote up as much as I could remember, the exact order of events in particular is a bit muddy but I did my best.
Day 1: Arrive in the early evening, went to the pool, had inner in the food hall, went to bed.
Day 2: Genie + at Magic Kingdom. Totally screwed up EE that day because the park opened at 8am that day which caught me off guard, but aside from not rope-dropping Seven Dwarves as planned, we still got SO much done that day.
Arrived at 8am park opening.
Jungle Cruise
Big Thunder Mountain x 2
Pirates of the Carribbean
Ariel
Barnstormer x 2
Dumbo
Genie + Peter Pan
Laugh Floor
Genie + Buzz Lightyear
Peoplemover
Cosmic Rays for lunch, chosen for it's close proximity and indoor tables. Fine but extremely boring.
Genie + Space Mountain/Speedway (in two parts since my youngest didn't go on it, I took both my kids to speedway while my husband had his turn)
Big Thunder again
Small World (but son needed toilet in queue so we left and husband and daughter stayed)
Then we went back into Smallworld while daughter and husband did Barnstormer again.
Genie + Winnie the Pooh.
Dinner at Skipper Canteen - so good!
We also watched the parade that day but it was sooo hot, we opted for a poorer view from a main street shop in the shade. Was not worth sticking out the heat for the length of time you would need to get an optimal view. I think trying to go our very first day was a mistake because we weren't acclimatised at all yet.
The longest queue we had that day was probably for Smallworld. Everything moved really quickly! Was also happy with Genie+.
Day 2: Animal Kingdom
Had entry issues and needed cards re-assigned at entry so kinda messed up FOP EE rope drop but husband and daughter persevered anyway. Son and I did Na'vi River and explored Pandora and stared Wilderness Explorers. Spent a LOT of time in Pandora gift shop.
Gorilla Trek
Wildlife Express and Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Festival of the Lion King (so good!)
It's Tough to be a Bug
Triceratops Spin
Had really nice homey feeling cookie and gigantic ice cream in Dinoland
Dinosaur (3 of us loved this ride, my son thought it was a bit too scary also it seemed like they should increase the height requirement because he could barely reach the bar to brace himself. I know it's being discontinued though.)
Safari
Dinner at hotel.
Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Successful EE rope drop for Rise of the Resistance
Smuggler's Run
Met Donald Duck
Met Goofy and Max
Star Tours
Runaway Railway (queue was brutal in the sun but it was a great ride)
Indiana Jones Show
Star Tours again
Muppets 3d
Race Academy - did not know what to expect coming in. If we had known we would not have trekked all the way across the park in the heat for that. My son DID like it, but it really didn't feel like it was the same quality as any of the other shows or rides.
Went back to Galaxy's edge for Blue and Green milk + puffbread. All really good. We possibly did Star Tour again, I don't remember haha.
The wait times for everything else being very long + the heat had us going back to the hotel early.
Dinner at hotel.
Day 4: Magic Kingdom Day 2
Tried to EE rope drop 7 dwarves but it was down and we decided not to wait it out (rookie mistake)
Teacups
Thunder Mountain x 2
Split up and did Haunted Mansion/ Smallworld (and got stuck on Smallworld for like 15 minutes)
Haunted mansion crew did Carousel while waiting for us, then we did Carousel after.
Took Daughter to meet Pooh and Tigger while the others did Speedway + People Mover .
Pinocchio Haus for lunch somewhere in there, really good flatbread!
Back to hotel early for dinner.
Day 5: Genie + Epcot.
Failed to get Guardians Boarding at 7am.
EE Test Track
Mission Space (Green)
Genie + Remy
Genie + Soarin
Moana water walkthrough
Genie + Living with the Land
Got boarding for guardians for about 6pm. Cancelled ADR because of it.
Spaceship Earth
Met Moana
Genie + Nemo
Genie + Figment
Met Figment
Met Joy
Nemo again
Quick Dinner in Mexico
Gran Fiesta Tour (honestly had no idea this was here, really cool building, kids liked the boat ride)
Finally boarding group for guardians called at nearly 7pm.
Really great day! I seemed to be able to book really quickly back to back for Genie +. Kids really liked all the chill dark rides .
Wanted to do Frozen that day but the Genie+ was sold out even before lunch.
At this point we are really just trying to get things we missed
Day 6: Magic Kingdom Day 3
Successful EE rope drop of Seven Dwarves. Said 75 min wait when we entered but it really wasn't too bad, maybe 30-45. This ride had amazing theming, but was lacking as a coaster.
Teacups
Split up and 2 of us did astral orbiter that had a wait time of 25 minutes, and the other 2 did space mountain with a wait time of 35 minutes. Space mountain finished first!
Carousel
Swiss Family Treehouse
Enchanted Tiki Room
Magic Carpet - this seemed to be my son's favourite of this style ride. He's been talking about magic carpets evey day since.
We actually had a boarding time for Tron but the kids got fed up of the heat so we gave up and cancelled or place in the virtual queue.
Took the train back to the entrance. Very pleasant.
Dinner at hotel
Day 7
Epcot Day 2
We really wanted to do Cosmic Rewind again and do Frozen since we missed it the other day.
We failed to get a 7am boarding so bought an ILL for 11:30
EE rope drop at Frozen, which was down and they tried to get us to go elsewhere but it was open by about 8:45.
Gran Fiesta Tour
Met Asha
We were going to go do Soarin but we got distracted by a giant Joffrey's donut and a squirrel that was fun to watch, and then there was a minor child meltdown so we had a long break before heading to our ILL for Cosmic Rewind. Totally worth the cost.
I tried one last time to see if the kids would explore the World Showcase but they voted to go to the waterpark instead.
We went back to the hotel, then off to Typhoon Lagoon where 3/4 of us got minor scrapes in the wave pool, but kids loved it and would have gone back a second day.
Went back to Disney Springs and got dinner at Chicken Guy. Probably the best fast food I have ever had.
Day 8
Animal Kingdom Day 2
This was a lot of running around chasing short queues. Genie + would have been really good for us at this park.
EE rope drop Everest x 2. Was really good but going backwards made my stomach a bit iffy.
Na'vi River
Safari (finally saw an elephant!)
Nemo Show
Lion King Show again
Met Dug (first character my son was actually excited to meet)
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Back to Disney Springs for Dinner. Went to Pizza Ponte so we could all choose a different topping of pizza. Also walked around and heard live music before we left.
Took daughter to Happily Ever After fireworks that night. Stood above the railway station for a quick escape at the end.
Day 9
Last day :(
Genie + Hollywood Studios
Genie + didn't seem to work as well at this park, it seemed at Epcot I could always book after entering a ride and we used it a lot but at HS it seemed strictly 2 hours apart. Maybe I am just not seeing it clearly.
On reflection , next time I would probably do Slinky Dog at EE followed by Runaway Railway and buy an ILL for Rise and skip Genie + if I was looking to save some money. I would de-prioritise Toy Story Mania next time, but our first day we missed all of the Toy Story area.
EE rope drop Rise of the Resistance. Pretty sure we were on the ride before EE even officially started.
Smuggler's Run
Met The Mandalorian and Grogu (probably the best meet!)
Star Tours
Alien Flying Saucers
Droid Depot
Genie + Slinky dog
Beauty and the Beast show
Met Chewbacca
Met Pluto
Genie + Runaway Railway
Star Tours again
Genie + Toy Story Mania. Ride broke down while in queue. Waited for ages before the put us on the other side, almost missed our next booking.
Oga's Canteen. Tried 4 different non-alcoholic drinks and they were all good. It was super cool. Only downside is we had a high table (standing only) and my son couldn't see the top of the table/anything and he was pretty unimpressed by the whole situation. Flying Saucers Mama Melrose for dinner. Muppets 3d Fantasmic. I read 15 min early "at least" aimed for 30 minutes early, and the place was well more than half full by then. Took a really long time to leave. If there is a next time I would go much earlier and bring snacks just to make getting out easier. Overall I was hugely impressed with the level of detail in everything, and all the cast members were amazing. It was a really cool experience, and it's hard to imagine never going back. If there is a next time I really want to explore the world showcase and do more sit-down meals. We had a lot planned but the kids didn't have the stamina for being in the park all day so we cancelled almost all of them. We also ended up doing parks in a somewhat different order than I initially planned. Kids got really tired of travelling on buses, which is also why we didn't break in the middle of the day and then going back to the parks. Would look at skyliner options next time. Things we didn't get to do:
Try dole whip (never noticed a place to buy it, ice cream was often an urgent necessity so didn't seek it out specifically) Tron (too hot to wait for boarding group when it was already day 3 at magic Kingdom and basically felt done.) Explore World Showcase (too much walking for few rides, from kids' perspective) Eat for fun more (we ate more out of necessity but found fun snacks when convenient) Tower of Terror (queues too long and genie + bookings too late) Frozen Singalong (timing never seemed to work out) Luminous (son had no interest in late night shows so we only did a couple things at night.) Take ride on skyliner. Something that surprised me: queues for popular rides stayed long even at 9pm. Couldn't see a viable alternative to EE rope drop + genie plus to get all the big rides "done" except perhaps if you had extended evening hours, but that would not have worked with our kids. Number of beignets consumed during our stay: 12

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2024.05.11 02:56 PhilMathers Sophie V - FInal Days

10,000 Stolen Days

May 10, 2024 marked exactly 10,000 days since Sophie’s life was taken. 10,000 days which had they not been stolen from her in December 1996, must have seemed to be filled with possibility .1996 had been a banner year, she had achieved so much in the previous 6 months, setting up her production company "Les Champs Blancs", and producing three different productions, with more on the way. But it had been exhausting few months with all this work and travel, and although Christmas is a holiday, it is not always a relaxing one.
Christmas had often been a difficult time for Sophie. She walked out her first husband Pierre Jean at Christmas 1981, so suddenly, she left her infant son behind and had to steal him back with a ruse involving a relative. She broke up with Bruno Carbonnet over Christmas in 1993. leaving him a puzzling note;
“Je suis partie là où tu n'a jamais été, là où tu n'iras jamais".
“I have left there where you have never been, there where you will never go”. This didn’t make much sense to Bruno. He waited alone for two weeks in the apartment hoping she would return, he a had bought a bicycle for Pierre Louis for Christmas. In January he left to teach in Le Harve and when he returned the locks had been changed and all his stuff was on the landing. Sophie was deliberate about change in her life she didn't just let things happen to her. Her agenda year planners reflect this. She was meticulous in recording meetings, calls, contact details and travel plans. She brought 1995, 1996 & 1997 year planners with her. There are notes and reminders stretching into February 1997. She even tore off the little perforated corners as each week passed. It's a poignant reminder of how abruptly her life was cut off in full flow - the week beginning 23/12/1996 still has its corner intact.
Sophie’s style was austere, almost minimalist. Her cottage was painted white inside and out, with a except for the ground floor, which was black slate with a shiny varnish. The only decorations were a few sprigs of holly placed by the housekeeper to welcome her. A traditional Christmas week filled with loud music, tinsel and overconsumption was the diametric opposite of her character.
Worse there is the prospect having to trade pleasantries with tiresome relatives.
That Christmas Daniel had decided for the first time to have a big family Christmas inviting his extended aristocratic family to his chateau in Ambax in the South of France. For Sophie, who even after six years of marriage barely knew Daniel’s relatives, this was an easy choice and a hard no.
She bought her ticket on the morning of her travel planning to spend nearly a week in Ireland including Christmas Day and return on the 26^th. It may be that this was the only return flight she could get at the time. Or it may be, as she told her aunt Madame Opalka “she was going to go to Ireland to spend Christmas there, because the house in Ambax was full of people”. From what Daniel has said, and from what others have said, it may be he tried to persuade her to come to Ambax for Christmas and convinced her. Sometime during the weekend she got an itinerary by fax at the cottage confirming her flight back on the 24^th. But even on Sunday afternoon she told friends she had not made up her mind which flight she would take.
It is difficult to say how well their marriage was going at that time because the reports vary. Daniel said it was "harmonius and peaceful" which was far from accurate. There are several biographies of Daniel Toscan du Plantier, and they paint a vivid picture of a man who though incomparably charming, lived his life his own way without much concern for his family. He married four times and in three cases his wives were already pregnant before they got married. When he married Sophie, his eldest son and daughter were not even told about it, they only found out later in the summer when Sophie turned up at events.
Some witnesses including Daniel said was it was the happiest period, others say she was basically “an official wife” and that “their open marriage was an open secret”. The truth was probably somewhere in between. She had visited Ambax in November and collaborated closely on the documentary Europa 101 with Daniel. Whatever their personal arrangement, Daniel was deeply affected by her death, even though he refused to come to Ireland. His daughter Ariane wrote how she spent months taking care of him, feeding him sedatives and sleeping pills. He was clearly overwhelmed, so Sophie must have been more than an "official wife" to him. Was their marriage "open"? They clearly had a high degree of independence from each and had affairs in the past.
Nevertheless, Sophie may have balked at spending Christmas in Ambax. For one thing, it was far away from Paris, where her friends and family lived. For another, Daniel’s family and entourage knew very little about her. Apart from his second son Carlo, who was friends with her son Pierre Louis and some servants, she would have been on her own. Christmas in Paris would have been tolerable, she could escape and visit her parents and friends whenever she wanted, but in Ambax, she would be cooped up with nowhere else to go.
There is a question of whether Daniel was having an affair at the time. According to a Garda memo, French journalist Caroline Mangez said that Daniel was with a female film producer. However the files are full of unsubstantiated rumours and lies. Even if he wasn’t having an affair Sophie may have suspected he was. If Daniel had invited a mistress, or even a former mistress, or a former wife to Ambax, it would be unbearably awkward for Sophie. Daniel had uncountable affairs, and many of his mistresses knew each other, some remained on good terms.
Daniel may have been faithful at that time, perhaps he was telling the truth when he said their marriage was harmonius, but in any case Sophie had other reasons to skip Christmas. She had wanted to come to Dunmanus for months, but work got in the way. The heating had just been fixed and she needed to pay the plumber and her housekeeper. They preferred cash.
And if Daniel was unhappy that she wasn’t going to be there for Christmas, they were going on holiday together in the New Year to Dakar, Senegal. It would be much easier for Sophie to be with Daniel by himself than his whole family. This trip to Ireland would be a breather for her. She didn’t want to be alone, she asked at least 8 different people to accompany her, including 2 former intimate partners, though there is no evidence that she was having an affair or intended to have an affair.
There is a post-it note with a message in Sophie's hand seemingly inviting someone to spend Christmas: "Je vous laisse le choix : venir ou de refuser histoire que vous passiez un bon noel"
"I leave you the choice: come or refuse just so you have a good Christmas"
Whoever that note was written to, it was to someone she addressed as "vous" so not one of her closest friends or family.

Work

If she had another relationship, it is not obvious from her diary and it was unknown to her friends. What her diary does show though is that she had thrown herself into work.
Apart from her agenda she kept a working notebook, a red hardback book which is filled with a tantalizing mash of different references to famous works of art, music, and contacts details of artists and philosophers. She had recently completed work on three different films. The first work was a documentary on African Art. The next was Europa 101, a documentary written by Daniel showcasing the wealth of European cinema. This was Daniel’s pet project, he loathed US cinema and the dominance of Hollywood. He once likened his wife’s death to a “bad movie”. His life’s work was a “struggle against cheap portrayals of violence, which is what leads to deaths like this” (Irish Independent 12/07/1998). This project involved gathering interviews and footage from dozens of famous directors and actors, including John Malkovich, Ingmar Berman, Pedro Almodovar, Werner Herzog, Nanni Moretti, Jean Luc Godard and many others. It was broadcast on December 8, 1996.
The third was an art house movie called “He sees folds everywhere”, a concept movie exploring the idea of folds and creases in everyday life, in hanging clothes, paper, wrinkles on skin, folds of a human brain. This was a project of the director Guy Girard, and it was the work to complete this that delayed her trip to Ireland. But she had other projects in train in her notebook. She was researching Greek folk music, Rebetiko. She had a project or projects in mind which were somewhat dark in nature.
She was in contact with George Didi-Huberman who had written a book called “The Invention of Hysteria”. This is a photographic history of how Jean Marie Charcot – one of the giants of 19c French science – locked up thousands of women for the imagined maladies of hysteria, lethargy, catalepsie and experimented on them, deliberately photographing them in contrived and frightening poses. It is a very weird and frightening history.
Her next project seems to have been based around human fluids. Her final notes are filled with references to human flesh, death and the four medieval humours of blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile. There are extensive notes to what seems to be a lecture given by linguist Jean Claude Milner on the subject of melancholia. Note that “melancholia” is a synonym for “black bile”, one of the four humours.
She was researching the avant garde Irish/British painter Francis Bacon, who was known for producing uniquely disturbing images. She references “Three Studies for the Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion”. There was a Bacon exhibition in Centre Pompidou in 1996 and Sophie must have attended it. Her notebook contains her jottings from a lecture on Bacon by writer Philippe Sollers which seemed focused on blood.
"Why does painting touch the central nervous system?" "We are carcasses of meat, meat above all" "The canvas bleeds, blood spurts red" "Dostoyevsky had a crisis in front of the 16^th century Hans Holbein’s painting “The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb She jotted down a quote from the play Libation Bearers from Aeschylus:
Orestes sees the Furies coming and exclaims "O Lord Apollon look! Now they come in troops, and from their eyes they drip loathsome blood!"
The last entry reads "research the Furies"

Friday

Having failed to convince anyone to join her in Ireland for Christmas, she went alone. She telephoned Josephine on Tuesday 17^th, told her she would be arriving alone on Friday. She called her again on Thursday to ask her to make sure the house would be warm.
She went to the airport on Friday morning, bought a ticket with the return date on the 26^th, carrying with her a rather hefty bag filled with clothes, including some eveningwear. Perhaps she envisaged visiting people at Christmas time. She expected to stay nearly a week. Later, possibly on Sunday she changed her ticket, she called the Aer Lingus ticket desk in Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris and got a return flight for the 24^th. She received the itinerary details by fax, as she had a machine in the cottage.
She was not in a good mood when she arrived. She had some words with the woman at the Avis counter who passed her to her colleague. The photos on CCTV show a woman looking tired and drawn, something which was remarked upon by the Avis rep, who estimated she was in her forties, a little older than her 38 years. But nobody looks their best walking off an aircraft. She had also attended the Unifrance Christmas party the night before. This was a lavish party held in “Les Bains Douche”, a unique Paris nightclub combined with a swimming pool. Apart from the late night, the social effort must have been tiring. There was a rumour that Sophie had a row that night at Les Bains, a row with one of Daniel’s mistresses, but I have never heard that confirmed. But other reports say that those who met her there found her "radiant", "in good form", "playful". "She went arm in arm to see friends," one guest at the party told Paris Match, "but she always came back to the table where Daniel was sitting." (Paris Match 09/01/1997) Daniel was quoted years later by Michael Sheridan - “She spent some hours having an intense, passionate conversation with a film-maker” - Alain Terzian, producer of Les Visiteurs, one of the most successful French comedies of the 1990s.
Strangely though, Daniel’s first statement said she left on Wednesday. So perhaps it didn’t register with him that she was at the Unifrance party with him on Thursday 19^th, or perhaps he had forgotten the party altogether.
Sophie was captured on Cork Airport CCTV at 14:41 pushing a trolley through the arrivals gate. The scheduled arrival time was 13:20, but because of almost an hour’s delay in departure it didn’t touch down until after 2. It would have taken about 15 minutes to pick up baggage from the carousel.
Cork is a small airport and it is quick to get through the arrival hall to the car hire desks, only a matter of a few meters away.
Sophie hired a silver Ford Fiesta and would have been on the road by 14:50.
The quickest route to West Cork would have been via Bandon and Dunmanway but it is more likely she went via Clonakilty and Skibbereen. She stopped in Ballydehob to buy kindling. She may have stopped in Skibbereen to buy petrol. A pump attendant reported seeing a woman matching her description driving a silver Ford buying petrol. He also noted a tall male companion in the passenger seat. The Gardai discounted this sighting because they accounted for the petrol in the car when it was hired and the mileage thereafter. There were also some discrepancies in the vehicle’s appearance and its description in the statement. Also the Ballydehob sighting is more reliable as the woman got a chance to talk to her. It would seem odd to stop in both Skibbereen and Ballydehob, both petrol stations.
But she seems to have stopped again in Schull because she bought bread and cheese in the Courtyard Deli, and this was most likely on Friday. She talked with the proprietor, Denis Quinlan to ask if there would be live music. At this stage it would have been around 4:30pm and after this she went to the cottage. She called her caretaker Josephine at 5:15, so she must have been at home by then. We don’t know if she went out after that point. She may have stayed in. At 10:15 she called her friend Agnès Thomas and spoke to her for half an hour.

Saturday

Sophie’s whereabouts on Saturday morning are unknown. Perhaps she stayed in, perhaps she went out. Finbarr Hellen was working on his land nearby and saw her car outside the house 12 to 1pm. He didn’t see her and thought it was unusual for her not to come out and say hello. He also remarked her car was parked in an unusual place. He did not elaborate more than this.
The next event we know is that she bought some groceries in Brosnans supermarket on the main street in Schull and took £200 out of the ATM.
For the curious, her shopping list is listed below:

Item	Price
Firelighters	0.85
Independent Newspaper	0.85
EP Televised "Chopped" & Her	0.52
Parsley	0.40
Low Fat Yoghurt	1.90
Ballygowan Natural Spring Water	0.85
Napolina Penne	0.75
Rashers	1.26
Courgettes	1.23
Chicory	1.79
Onions	0.09
Fox's Classic Biscuits	0.83
Flat Mushrooms	0.65
Pepper Coated Salami	0.85
Cooked Turkey	1.89
Mushrooms	0.34
Avonmore Leek & Potato Soup	0.99
Monini Olive Oil	3.45
Ballygowan Natural Spring Water	0.85
Avonmore Carrot & Coriander Soup	0.99
Ballygowan Natural Spring Water	0.85
	22.18

This list does suggest she was buying just for herself, but also that she planned to cook moderately elaborate meals with parsley, courgettes and chicory. Together with the cheese, bread and fruit already in the house she had enough food on there to last a few days. This quantity of food suggests she had not decided to travel home on the 24^th at this stage.
The till recorded a time of 2:49pm.
Sometime after this or perhaps before Sophie entered Tara Fashions, the clothes shop run by Marie Farrell. What Marie Farrell saw that day and subsequent days has been subject to revision, retraction and details seemed to be added with each telling. But I think the most reliable report is the first and all the subsequent revisions cannot be trusted. Farrell called the Gardai on the 25^th but they didn’t get around to taking a statement from her until 27^th. Even so we can assume her memory was fresh. Here is her statement, verbatim.,
On Saturday the 21st December 1996 I was working in my shop at Main Street, Schull, Co. Cork. Between 2p.m. and 3p.m. I noticed a weird looking character across the road from my shop. He was approx 5’10” in height, late 30’s, scruffy looking, long black coat, flat black beret, thin build, sallow skin, short hair. He was there for about 10 minutes. On Sunday morning at 7.15a.m. approximately I noticed the same man on the road at Airhill. When I saw him he was walking towards Goleen on the right hand side of the road and I was travelling in the opposite direction. When he saw me he stopped and put up his hand to thumb a lift. I did not see this man before or since. On Saturday the 21.12.1996 at approx 3p.m. there was a woman in my shop. She did not buy anything. I now know that this woman was the deceased woman from Goleen. I recognised her from the photograph on the television.
There is also a record of her questionnaire which may have been taken earlier than this statement.
In reply to question no 8 When/where did you last see him/her alive? She replied "saw her in shop. She bought a "Carrig Donn" aran sweater aran nap coloured, rolled neck late Sat aftemoon. Paid £39.00. Questions No. 9, 10, 11 & 12 were left blank. In reply to question No. 13 "any other help?" Marie Farrell replied "saw a man on Sat afternoon hanging around street. Desc late 30's, 5'10" very short hair wearing black beret. Saw him again Sun morning @ 7.20am walking towards Airhill but thumbed her.
In a later questionnaire, Farrell said the sweater was too big and she didn’t buy it.
What is interesting her is that Farrell does not draw any explicit linkage between the weird character in the long black coat and the woman in the shop. They were just there at approximately the same time. Farrell did say in later statements that the man followed her up Ardnamanagh road, but this was many years later. Her statements that she saw the same man at Kealfadda bridge at 3am on Monday are untrustworthy, but we won't go into this here.
A farmer, Frank Lannin, saw Sophie driving towards Schull from Goleen around 3pm. She saluted him as she passed him in his tractor. The time or the direction of travel must be wrong here.
The final sighting on Saturday she was seen in the Courtyard pub, eating a crab sandwich and left at 3:30pm. Sally Bolger went to feed her horses on Alfie Lyons land at 4:15pm and says she saw Sophie’s car at her house.
Saturday evening is a complete blank. Nobody saw her, she may have called people on the phone but we don’t have precise details. Her husband said she called him twice on Saturday, but we don’t have any confirmation of this.
At some point Sophie changed her ticket home. Her diary has a number listed as “O’Mahony” and the number was the line to the Aer Lingus ticket desk in Charles-de-Gaulle Roissy airport. The new itinerary was faxed to her in her cottage. The reason why she decided to come home early is not known. Her friend Jean Senet said her husband Daniel persuaded her. For his part Daniel said there was no particular plan and he was to pick her up from the airport at Toulouse at 8pm. Another report tells that she came home early to meet her father, so she could help him with his taxes.

Sunday

For Sunday morning we don’t have any reports.
She called to Dunlough at in the early afternoon, perhaps around 1pm. Sophie had walked here several times before. It is a spectacular headland featuring a lake and three crumbling castles. It was cold and dry at the time, good weather for a walk, if bracing. It is necessary to pass the farm to walk the headland and when Sophie did so she met Tomi Ungerer. This was the second time they had met. Sophie had called here in April but it seemed Tomi and his wife were having a row at the time and Tomi had not paid much attention. Daniel said that Sophie feigned a puncture as an excused to call to the farm. In June Sophie had sent Tomi a fax about the death of a mutual colleague, Gilbert Estève. She may have been seeking information or just making contact. Sophie made a habit out of making contacts with important artists and thinkers. It was one of the things that a colleague said of her, she knew all the right people. It is possible that Tomi was one of the people Sophie wanted to meet for a while. Tomi invited her in for a drink after she had finished her walk. She returned an hour later and they had a conversation over two glasses of wine.
Tomi was a renowned visual artist, with a keen eye and a professional interest in culture. Born in Alsace he was marked by World War II and had seen the ravages of the Nazis and the backlash from the French afterwards. He worked for as a cultural ambassador to improve Franco German relations.
The statement that Tomi gave is remarkable in the insight it gives to Sophie’s character her interests and state of mind.
“She was saying how great Ireland was for literature and education compared to France, how France had thousands of books published every year but that there was no good Authors there, how Ireland was vibrant as a centre of literature for a small Country. She discussed her family, moreover her children and their education in France. She indicated that the reason she was here in Ireland was she wanted to be alone for Christmas. I considered this strange but I sometimes like to be alone too. We talked about books and culture and how the language here was more meaningful and truthful compared to the superficial nature of the French.”
“She seemed a very genuine person, a fine person, not pretentious or snobby. I thought she was deep and intelligent, so much so that I made notes of some things she said, “In a language there should be no need of the use of cuteness” “The problem of France is her lack of modesty”. I wrote those saying they might be useful for my work in the futre. I wrote the quotes on a card in which we exchanged addresses before she left. On hindsight now I would go as far as saying she was not beaming, that she had something on her mind. It’s hard when you do not know someone well to say. I offered her a third glass of wine but she did not take any. We gave her some eggs to take with her, half dozen for her supper. We have hens.”
The word “genuine” is telling. Tomi was struck by Irish people, how the highest compliment an Irish person can give about another, is to say that person is “genuine”.
Tomi described her appearance:
“She was wearing some type of black leather expensive looking pants, brown suede hiking boots, a white/cream ribbed polo necked sweater and a beige wool blazer and a navy blue wool jacket with belt and a navy wool cap and red suede gloves, wine/red gloves. She was dressed very well. She had her hair tied back.”
As to her demeanor, this seems to have grown with the telling. The documentaries made much of the legend of the lady of the lake, whose appearance is reputed to be a harbinger of death. This lurid tale does not feature in the early Garda statements. Tomi remarked that “she was not beaming”, that she may have had something on her mind. His wife Yvonne turned up while they were chatting.
“While we were chatting, Sophie told me that while she was up at the castles she felt this great anxiety almost fear. This is not an uncommon feeling for people who visit the castles. She wasn’t in a cheerful mood but she wasn’t really glum either. She talked about her plans for the future and we spoke about meeting up in Paris in the Spring. She seemed happy to be here and she wanted to be here. She said she liked it here but her husband didn’t. She said she would be back at Easter. We made vague arrangements to meet over the next three days. I gave Sophie some eggs and she left here at about 5.45 p.m.” Yvonne’s estimate of the time she left must be an error. It is more likely she left at around 3:45.
After leaving Dunlough Sophie went to Crookhaven to Sullivans pub, a legendary stop. Here she spoke with the proprietor Billy O’Sullivan and his son Dermot, both of whom speak good French and knew Sophie from prior visits. They also knew her friend Alexandra Lewy. One time Alexandra had arranged to buy a cast iron church gate for Sophie’s birthday, Sophie was fond of antiques and bric-a-brac. Dermot had carried this gate up to the cottage. Sophie asked about getting logs for her fire. Dermot recommended she go to a filling station. She said there was only kindling at the filling stations.
It is interesting that so much of Sophie’s alleged stops and conversations were about fire, kindling, logs etc. Despite this, the photos from her house show she had a lot of fuel. There is a stack of logs, several bales of peat briquettes, what looks to be a 40kg bag of coal and one, perhaps two baskets full of kindling. She had enough for days of fires, unless she lit both hearths, which would be unlikely considering the second hearth did not draft properly, and she was arranging to have it fixed. The kindling may have been bought from Camiers Garage when Kitty Kingston reported meeting her on Friday.
She told her friend Alexandra before she left that she was going to sleep in the guest room because it was the warmest room, being directly above the oil range. There was also a brass bedwarmer found next to her bed. All these details point to Sophie being acutely aware of the cold.
A witness heard her discussing the old Coastguard houses with the Sullivans. These are a prominent landmark visible from O’Sullivan’s pub across the water. The witness left before Sophie did at 4:30pm so she must have returned to the cottage no earlier than 5pm.
The witness noted she was wearing “black leather pants and brown suede desert boots and a long chunky jumper”. This matches well with Tomi Ungerer’s account.
Note the "desert boots" seen by this witness and the "suede hiking boots" mentioned by Tomi Ungerer are probably not the hiking boots she was wearing when she died. The hiking boots she was wearing were very worn, the laces had snapped and had been tied halfway down the lace holes. It looks to me she shoved them on without untying/tying the laces. Sophie would not have visited Schull wearing old worn-out shoes. A pair of dark brown suede "desert boots" are visible at the bottom of the stairs in the garda photos. These match better with the shoes seen by the witness.
It’s 25 minutes drive from Crookhaven back to the cottage so if Sophie left at 4:30 she would have been back home before 5pm.
We know she most likely went home, because at 5:32pm she called her friend Agnès Thomas to wish her a happy birthday. Agnès was out so Sophie left a message.
The postman called at 6pm and noted the lights were on. Presumably he was doing a Sunday shift to cope with the Christmas rush. He didn’t see Sophie’s car, but as he only went as far as the lower gate, it is quite possible he missed it.
At 7:30pm she called her housekeeper Josephine but she was out. She tried her again at 9:10pm but again she was out. Josephine returned and called her back at 10pm. Sophie told her she would be leaving on the 24^th, not the 26^th as she originally intended. They arranged to meet the following day at noon.
Sophie’s phone records were not available, as the exchange she was on was a traditional analogue exchange, with no recording facility. Schull was one of the last places in the country to have such an old system. Days later Garda technicians tried to retrieve call details from her cordless phone but its batteries were flat and nothing was found.
At around 10:30pm she called her husband Daniel, who said he couldn’t take her call. He said he was in a meeting with Unifrance associates. As it was nearly midnight in France, this an unusual time to have a work meeting. Daniel called her back “about twelve minutes later”. He said she was sleepy and probably in bed. Given that the cordless phone was found next to her bed, this seems plausible. He also said that she told him about her visit to the Ungerers and had formed a work project with him. He said she told him she returned home at 9:30pm, but he could be wrong about this. The phone calls to her friend and housekeeper strongly suggest she was at home from 5:30pm.
This was the last anyone heard from Sophie until her body was discovered at 10am the following morning.
From this point all we have is are the police photos and the story they tell is ambiguous, there are multiple possible interpretations.
The fire was lit that evening and there was an empty wine glass on the mantlepiece with dregs of wine in it. There was a loaf of bread, a white crusty “basket loaf” which had been sliced and left open. This is odd as there are no crumbs visible on the table and no plate. Would Sophie have gone to bed leaving the bread out? It’s possible. Another possibility is that the bread was sliced in the morning. But if so where is the plate that she used?
Conceivably Sophie may have left these items from another evening, but it is more likely she consumed the wine that evening, possibly with some cheese she had in her pantry, and the bread she had cut. There was a book open on the table, propped open by a jar of honey next to an empty teacup. However as the cordless phone was found by her bedside, it seems likely this was all left from the previous evening.
It seems the most likely Sophie spent her last night reading, went to bed and then took the call from Daniel.
The book propped open was not a Yeat’s anthology. There is a tale repeated by many true crime authors that Sophie was reading a Yeats poem called “A Dream Death”. It contains the lines
I DREAMED that one had died in a strange place Near no accustomed hand,
Ralph Riegel titled his book after this poem. But this is not the poem she was reading, if any. Yes there was a Yeats anthology found on her bed, but not the bed she slept in, it was on the bed in her personal room which she didn’t use that weekend. The anthology is “Quarente-cinq poèmes suivi de La Résurrection”, a collection of later Yeats poems translated by Yves Bonnefoy. It does not contain the poem “A Dream of Death” but it does contain a poem called “Death”, a meditation on how animals die versus men.
Nor dread nor hope attend A dying animal; A man awaits his end Dreading and hoping all;
But the Yeats anthology is not open on the bed, it is closed in the police photos. Unless the Gardai picked it up before photographing the room, then we cannot be sure what poem or poems she read. As regards the book propped open on the kitchen table, it’s prose and it is French. Journalist Lara Marlowe wrote that the book open on the table was a book about lighthouses.
Among the exhibits the Gardai took are three books

Le Coeur Battant – “The beating heart” – this is the title of a 1960 French movie.
Le Tenes Vert – Unknown – looks like a transcription error by the Gardai, could be “Les Terres Vertes”
Le Cine Monde – World Cinema

Other books in the house seem to correspond well with what we know of her character. On the landing there is another book from an Irish writer, Sean O’Casey, “Les Tambours de Dublin” in French.
On the shelf in her box bedroom we can see a book by Virginia Woolf, the title itself is illegible in the photo but Woolf’s distinctive profile photo is visible on the spine. I wonder if the book might be “A Room of one’s Own”. This essay advocated that a woman writer could never accomplish anything unless she had financial independence and her own space to work in. Even if it was some other book by Woolf, this essay would have been known to Sophie. It hints at what the white cottage meant to her. Her tiny box room tucked under the gable and raised single bed was a quasi-monastic cell - a creative space, a room of her own in West Cork.

submitted by PhilMathers to MurderAtTheCottage [link] [comments]

2024.04.30 18:47 Aarelyn [LF] Orange, Green, Pink, and Blue Folding-Fans [FT] NMTs, Bells, Currencies, Specialty items, Villager Photos, Art, DIYs, etc.

Just need the Orange fan now. Thanks!
Hello, hello! All sorts of things to trade:
Currencies:
-Large and normal Star fragments
-Snowflakes
-Blue/Gold Ornaments, Red wrapping paper
-Acorns, Pinecones
-Glowing Moss
-Gold Nuggets
-Bamboo
-Flat/Skinny/Round Mushrooms
-Maple leaves
-Fish bait (Several stacks!)
-NMTs and Bells
-Pearls
-Rainbow feathers (x8)
DIYs and Recipes:
-Apple recipes
-Bamboo basket, floor lamp, lunch box, noodle slide, sphere
-CB branches, petal pile, bonsai, pond stone
-Cherry recipes
-Frozen fence
-Falling-snow wallpaper
-Gift pile
-Giant vine
-Golden recipes like shoes, bars, mining cart, bathtub, dharma, dishes, toilet, vase, wristwatch
-Glowing moss suit, ruins wall
-Maple leaf pond stone
-Mush partition
-Natural mum wreath
-Peach recipes
-decorated pillar, broken pillar
-Shell bed, fountain, music box, rug
-Snowflake pochette, wreath, wall
-Traditional balancing toy
-Tree’s bounty little tree
-Vine bench, crown, lamp, pochette, hat
Real Paintings and Statues:
Proper, Glowing, Scenic, Basic, Wild Left and Wild Right, Valiant, Moving, Wistful, Tremendous, Motherly
Fake Paintings and Statues:
Famous, Serene, Scenic, Basic, Valiant, Gallant, Rock-head, Warrior, Beautiful, Moving, Beautiful, Motherly
Villager Photos:
Timmy and Tommy, Lottie, Doc, Mira, Hopkins, Toby, Chelsea, Flurry, Flo, Dobie, Julian, Vic, Rilla, Phoebe, Renee, Puddles, Whitney, Raymond, and Fauna
Specialty items and furniture:
-Mermaid chair, closet dresser, vanity, lamp
-Birthday table
-Sloppy table (x2), Sloppy sofa (x3)
-Wedding bench (x3)
-Termite mound, lady bug rug, bug aloha shirt, bug cage (bag), butterfly backpack, spider web
-Zodiac furniture: Gemini closet, Pisces lamp, Taurus bathtub, Capricorn ornament, Aries rocking chair
-Lunar rover and lander, Space shuttle, Astronaut suit, Crewed spaceship
-Solar panel (x2)
-Golden altar, casket, plate armor, gear tower, gear apparatus, meter and pipes, wristwatch, garden bunny, mini dharma, dharma, urn, samurai suit
-Plaza train, bench, inflatable toy, teacup ride, clock
-Parabolic satellite
-Soccer goal
-Volleyball net
-Lifeguard chair
-Silo
-Construction sign
-Crosswalk signal
-Round topiary
-Mom’s items: cushion (x5), tea cozy (x2), homemade cake (x12), candle set (x10), tissue box (x5), plushie (x3), art (x4), embroidery (x1), hand-knot sweater (green fox and blue bear), knapsack (cherry, flower, and colorful)
-Moai Statue
-Pagoda (red)
-Wands: bug, cosmos, golden, iron, mums, mushroom, rose, tulip, tree branch
-Fossils: Trilobite, Amber, Dinosaur track
-Spooky carriage (x2)
-Lots of gyroids!!

submitted by Aarelyn to ACNHTrade [link] [comments]

2024.04.28 23:00 Aarelyn [LF] DAL Model Plane, Fishing-rod stand [FT] NMTs, Bells, Currencies, Specialty items, Villager Photos, Art, DIYs, etc.

Hello, hello! All sorts of things to trade:
Currencies:
-Large and normal Star fragments
-Snowflakes
-Blue/Gold Ornaments, Red wrapping paper
-Acorns, Pinecones
-Glowing Moss
-Gold Nuggets
-Bamboo
-Flat/Skinny/Round Mushrooms
-Maple leaves
-Fish bait (Several stacks!)
-NMTs and Bells
-Pearls
-Rainbow feathers (x8)
DIYs and Recipes:
-Apple recipes
-Bamboo basket, floor lamp, lunch box, noodle slide, sphere
-CB branches, petal pile, bonsai, pond stone
-Cherry recipes
-Frozen fence
-Falling-snow wallpaper
-Gift pile
-Giant vine
-Golden recipes like shoes, bars, mining cart, bathtub, dharma, dishes, toilet, vase, wristwatch
-Glowing moss suit, ruins wall
-Maple leaf pond stone
-Mush partition
-Natural mum wreath
-Peach recipes
-decorated pillar, broken pillar
-Shell bed, fountain, music box, rug
-Snowflake pochette, wreath, wall
-Traditional balancing toy
-Tree’s bounty little tree
-Vine bench, crown, lamp, pochette, hat
Real Paintings and Statues:
Proper, Glowing, Scenic, Basic, Wild Left and Wild Right, Valiant, Moving, Wistful, Tremendous, Motherly
Fake Paintings and Statues:
Famous, Serene, Scenic, Basic, Valiant, Gallant, Rock-head, Warrior, Beautiful, Moving, Beautiful, Motherly
Villager Photos:
Timmy and Tommy, Lottie, Doc, Mira, Hopkins, Toby, Chelsea, Flurry, Flo, Dobie, Julian, Vic, Rilla, Phoebe, Renee, Puddles, Whitney, Raymond, and Fauna
Specialty items and furniture:
-Mermaid chair, closet dresser, vanity, lamp
-Birthday table
-Sloppy table (x2), Sloppy sofa (x3)
-Wedding bench (x3)
-Termite mound, lady bug rug, bug aloha shirt, bug cage (bag), butterfly backpack, spider web
-Zodiac furniture: Gemini closet, Pisces lamp, Taurus bathtub, Capricorn ornament, Aries rocking chair
-Lunar rover and lander, Space shuttle, Astronaut suit, Crewed spaceship
-Solar panel (x2)
-Golden altar, casket, plate armor, gear tower, gear apparatus, meter and pipes, wristwatch, garden bunny, mini dharma, dharma, urn, samurai suit
-Plaza train, bench, inflatable toy, teacup ride, clock
-Parabolic satellite
-Soccer goal
-Volleyball net
-Lifeguard chair
-Silo
-Construction sign
-Crosswalk signal
-Round topiary
-Mom’s items: cushion (x5), tea cozy (x2), homemade cake (x12), candle set (x10), tissue box (x5), plushie (x3), art (x4), embroidery (x1), hand-knot sweater (green fox and blue bear), knapsack (cherry, flower, and colorful)
-Moai Statue
-Pagoda (red)
-Wands: bug, cosmos, golden, iron, mums, mushroom, rose, tulip, tree branch
-Fossils: Trilobite, Amber, Dinosaur track
-Spooky carriage (x2)
-Lots of gyroids!!

submitted by Aarelyn to ACNHTrade [link] [comments]

2024.04.13 13:02 Cosinix- All eleven golden E-Tickets' locations in Epic Mickey

I do hope I didn't forget any ticket, but I do think I've found all of them! 1st - Using thinner on the Teacup Ride's pump in the Ticket Booth 2nd - Located on top of the Gremlin Village's clock tower by using paint on its pump 3rd - Located on one side of the Gremlin Village's windmill 4th - Located on top of one of the columns near the entrance of the Notilus area 5th - Located in the right eye of the giant head statue in the Notilus area 6th - Located in one of the Notilus area's temples 7th - Located on top of a structure near the entrance of Tomorrow Square 8th - Located on top of a beetleworx generator in Space Voyage 9th and 10th - Located inside Walt's appartment 11th - Obtained in Ostown after repairing Donald's boat

submitted by Cosinix- to DisneyEpicMickey [link] [comments]

2024.04.12 04:18 Embarrassed-Car-5875 Party/side ft

submitted by Embarrassed-Car-5875 to AnimalJam [link] [comments]

2024.04.12 02:04 CPU_Dragon JoJo's Bizarre OC Tournament #7: R2M12 - Dawn Hu and Chase Frederick vs Emi! and Grace "Prodigy" Papāka

The results are in for Match 10. The winner is…

Roxanne, with a score of 83 to Glossolalia’s 32!

Category	Winner	Point Totals	Comments
Popularity	Roxanne	7 (1+1+2) - 22 (9+1+2)
Quality	Roxanne	12 (5+4+3) - 24 (8+8+8)	Reasoning
JoJolity	Roxanne	3 (1+1+1) - 27 (9+9+9)	Reasoning
Conduct	Tie	10-10

“That was AWESOME!” Roxanne beamed, hugging her teammates in a tight grip. “Salya, you made the COOLEST castle for us to defend! And John, the way you were tripping them up all the time was so funny! You both did amazing, my subjects!”
“Did-” John gasped, his breathing heavy from the exertion of the game. “Did we do it? Did we win? I can’t see the flag anywhere.”
“I’m not sure.” Salya admitted. “I lost track of it too…”
“Hey, you guys!” Roxanne called out to the other children, who had gathered up around Gloss at the conclusion of the battle. “You all fought valiantly! And for that, as princess of this kingdom, I would like to extend a welcome for you all to join our empire, and hang out in our castle!”
“Wait, what?” John held up a hand in protest. “We JUST spent forever fighting them off! Shouldn’t we like, lock them in the dungeon or something?
“...we didn’t MAKE a dungeon, John…”
Roxanne laughed. “None of that’s important, ya sillies. The important thing is the memories. The fun times we get to share, and will get to cherish for the rest of our lives. After all…” Roxanne gestured to the shack they called their Castle. While the battle for the flag had certainly worn on it, it still managed to stand in spite of their opponent’s best attempts.
“Win or lose, we’ll all live happily ever after.”
After playing a few more rounds of capture the flag, both the kids and their babysitters were wiped out. As the sun set on the Haven, its two guardians finally returned, looking satisfied at the tuckered-out kids lazily throwing them their greetings while lying on the grass. A job well done and a fun day had by all, Hāvā walked the two visitors back to their own strange abodes.
On the way down however, Roxanne spotted a bright piece of cloth sticking to one of the rocks. “Oh! So this is where that first flag landed! Well, I suppose the Gallery could always use another trinket to put on display. Speaking of which...”
Gloss then swivels her (repeatedly loosened) head to see the little puppet girl staring at her. “Did you need something Miss Roxanne?”
“Well, I was just thinking... if you wanted to try something else out for an odd job, I know a place with a few empty displays- I mean openings!”

Don’t have a cow, man - go vote on this Deathmatch in a tiny barn!

Scenario: Matchbox Twenty Amusement Park, Reshmerasta — 3:24 PM
The sunlight danced along the surface of the nearby river, which dappled its light across the backs of Matchbox Twenty’s refreshment stands. Most were dressed in the eye-catching- or even eye-gouging- reds, greens and whites of carnival stands, while a few took on a more modern feel, with beiges and greys for contrast.
While smaller amusement rides, like the teacup spinners lived in the shadows of giants, like the spinning pirate ship and the ferris wheel, those massive metallic monsters shined beneath the harsh sun’s rays.
A pair of people walked in the shadow of the pirate ship. The first was a man in blue basketball shorts and a green tank top, with eyes fluttering over everything he dared to walk by. His eyes stopped on the pirate ship. “Hey Dawn, do you think they’d let me ride down the securing rail here?”
The woman to his right, whose rust-orange denim jacket cast shadows over her already black tee, kept her eyes focused forward. She looked down the clear straw at her lips, and pulled back on the cup to get it away from her face. “I wouldn’t mind, but I’m not the one you’d have to ask, Chase.” She tapped the straw back into place, and got back to drinking.
Chase eyeballed the green-and-white-striped cup Dawn was sipping out of, and slowly got back to walking. “Hey, what’s in that?”
Dawn blinked a few times, then looked down at the viscous orange liquid on the other side of the transparent lid. “I have no idea, but it’s fruity.”
Chase nodded quickly. “Yeah, you did say ‘dealer’s choice’ at the counter, huh?” He gave Dawn a wide smile, with half-lidded eyes to complement it.
Dawn gave Chase a knowing glance, complete with a wiry smile. “I’ve had pretty good luck with that line so far…but now that you mention it…” She shook the cup a bit, and listened to the ice rattling against the inside. “...Now I’m curious.”
Chase thought to himself for a bit, and put a hand on his chin. “It’s pretty orange, so there’s definitely some mango in there.”
Dawn nodded along. “I can taste that, but it’s not the only thing in here.” She looked down at the mix, and spun it, looking for loose rinds or pulp that made it into the drink. “It’s definitely got a hint of guava, which’d explain why it’s so dark…”
Chase pressed his tongue against his cheek, and pulled it back, making a quiet pop noise. “Does it have a particular smell?” Dawn’s eyebrows slid right down to her eyes, and her head turned to focus on Chase. “Like, if you pop the top off, what do you smell?”
Dawn pulled her head back, and gave Chase an awkward side-eye. She pressed a thumb into the transparent cover, and popped it off. She took a single sniff before her eyes started to water. “The sugar killed it.” She popped the cover back on it. “It kinda smells like the ocean if you dissolved sugar in it.”
“Lychee.” Chase, who genuinely believed he was right, put on a massive grin. “Mango, Guava, and Lychee.” He laughed to himself a bit. “D’you think it’s gonna be the new fruit punch?”
“It’s not red enough.” Dawn repositioned the straw with her pointer finger. “It’s good, but it’s not quite red enough.” She leaned the cup towards her, but stopped early. “Are you a juice fan?”
Chase shrugged. “I mean, when in Rome.” He waved a free hand about the area. He stopped himself. “I googled local fruits yesterday when I was laying in bed, bored.” Dawn got back to sipping, and nodded along to the sentiment. Chase’s eyes got back to fluttering shortly thereafter. Soon, he felt he'd find something hew to distract himself with!
He did, quite quickly, even! On the edge of his vision sat a pop-up stage. “Hey, an outdoor concert!” He wagged his finger in their direction. “It’s a little small for a stunt performance, but I could make it work.”
Dawn pulled the straw away from her mouth. “I wouldn’t.” She brought it back in nearly the same breath.
Chase focused on the singer for a bit. “That’s…Emi!, if the sign is anything to go by.” He shrugged. Idol music wasn’t his thing, particularly, but he had no problem with it. His eyes got back to moving, perhaps trying to find something else to skate off of, or trying to find an employee to ask about the pirate ship’s rail.
“WOO! EMI!!” “THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!” “EMI!, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!” “HELL YEAH!!!”
The cheers of the crowd began to fade as Emi! skipped across from the limelight to the backstage, a carefully calculated joy on her face after a successful performance. Normally, this may have been a moment that the performance would end for but a moment, but eyes were still upon her so the show must go on.
“Miss Emi!?” a crew member waved her down, catching her attention. “Miss Emi!, that was a great performance, but do you have a moment to talk about—”
“Can we talk later?” Emi! responded with a pout. “I need a minute to relax and talk to my guest, if that’s ok?”
“Well, uh, sure, but uh—”
Emi! put a finger to the woman’s mouth. “Great! Thank you so much, see you in a minute~.” The crew member was left stammering with a blush as the idol moved to speak with her friend waiting backstage.
Grace looked up as the singer walked towards him, clicking pincers together in a form of applause as his eyes carefully analyzed her. [He will be a problem,] the shadow behind Emi!’s persona thought: this kid was perceptive, and had his eyes set right on her for the time being. Ever since he came back from that Nightbloom Trial at the mountain Grace had become honed in on doing ‘good’—and when his sights hadn’t been set on that Metropolis Suite he has been looking in her direction, and now was one such time.
The worst part is Emi! couldn’t justifiably notice either of these investigations of his.
“So, what did you think?” she began—his excuse had been to see what one of her concerts was like, after all. “Good performance,” the young agent noted, Emi! reacting with a grin as she started drifting about where he was sitting. She was humming to herself, absentmindedly looking around the area before she stopped to respond to the praise.
“Thanks!~ Just so happy that everything went well,” Emi! replied, while it ran through the options they had. Being too hasty could be a bad call, and while a support beam easily ran above his head it could look bad on her if this venue ended up collaps—why is it shaking.
Emi!’s internal shift in mood did not bleed over into her external persona, though it was too preoccupied mentally to see if Grace noticed anything. “That was an impressive end to the show too—that beam of light shining down through the center stage at the end was a nice touch, how did you do it?”
[Ah.] Emi! giggled as inside her a realization hit. “Well, it was really complicated, I can’t remember exactly what the mechanic said…” [I thought I had measured everything out in regards to punching out that hole in the ceiling with my Stand, but the supports were hidden…yes, that would explain it. So this place is coming down after all. What now? I could leave the boy be: if he dies he dies, and it can just be chalked up to a terrible accident; but at the same time, if I instead *saved him then perhaps his investigation into me would end. But could Emi! even spot the signs before it is too late? Do I have time to think this through while also in conversation?*]
“I see…” Grace eyed her with suspicion, before noticing the crew member running back in a panic and pointing her out. “I think she might be able to explai—”

He didn’t have time to finish his train of thought before he was tackled out of the way of a falling support beam as the concert venue began to fall apart.

Chase’s eyes fall on the stage again, after hearing fearful screams coming from its direction. His mouth pops as he rips his lips apart. “Dawn—” He taps her shoulder, causing the ice in her drink to rattle. “—look at the stage!”
Dawn turned to look, but Chase’s feet were already in motion. Hers were quick to fall not long after that, on seeing stage lights crashing down towards the crowd. “Why does stuff like this always happen on your day off?”
“Such is the life of the thrillseeker!” he chuckles. “When you don’t go looking for them, they come looking for you!” The pair ran towards the bustling crowd, with Chase pushing on ahead to get through it, while Dawn tried to calm everyone down.
“Single file, “ She shouted over the screams, “ panicking will only make it worse!” Her eyes fell on Chase, who was watching something else. Emi!, the songstress who was backstage prior, had someone in her hands.
Emi! barreled out from the back of the stage and into the park, mind going into overdrive as they were rushing into unfamiliar territory. [Perhaps this is a bit too much,] it thought, [or maybe I trusted those construction workers more than necessary…] Grace, who wriggled in her arms, caught her attention.
Grace peered over Emi!’s shoulder. “Uh, Emi!?” He picked up a claw, which rubbed against her idol outfit. “I think we’re being followed.”
Emi! looked back over her shoulder, and saw a blonde man in untidy clothes chasing after her. [With his strides, he shouldn’t be able to catch up with us. If I can find a suitable hiding place-] her eyes fell on the ferris wheel, [-perfect.] “Don’t worry, I can lose him!”
Grace wriggled just a bit more in her arms, clearly increasing in stress. “I don’t think that’s gonna help much, ” His head cocked a little to the left, “ ‘cuz there’s already another one coming.”
Emi! faced forward to look at the woman carrying a drink, which she’d dropped in a trashcan on her run. [That set of symbols…one away from the jackpot.] An idea dawned in her mind. [Looks like that *jackpot** is mine: with a well-placed kick against the lever that controls attractions like this, this venue is made all the more useful.*]
Emi! put on her famous stage smile as she looked down to Grace. “Don’t worry, I have a plan!” As she curled the corner towards the ferris wheel ride, Emi! kicked the control rod, forcing the Ferris Wheel ‘on’. Emi! leapt up onto the ride, from the side, with Grace under her arm and her free hand around one of the metal supports.
At this point however, the agent tore himself out of her grasp—this was not going well for him at all. His investigations into the Metropolis Suite had reached a dry spot, so he thought he could just attend Emi!’s concert to continue looking into his suspicions on her: but now he was stuck atop a ferris wheel with no relation to anything, being chased by a duo who most likely thought that the Lotus Street duo were in the wrong. And if that shallowless he saw within the idol was something more…he sighed, trying to clear out his mind for the inevitable fight ahead.
Chase and Dawn watched from below. “Do you think this is a high-profile kidnapping or one big misunderstanding?”
Chase turned to Dawn with a big smile on his face. “Either way, we’re not gonna find out until we bring ‘em back to the ground!”
Dawn sighed, deeply. “I guess you’re right.” She shot a steely gaze up at the pair already on the ferris wheel, as they clambered into one of its cars. “Let’s Get This Show on the Road.”
Open the Game
Location: A ferris wheel, which has an 8m radius and ten cars in it. Grace and Emi! begin higher up on the ferris wheel in comparison to Dawn and Chase. The cars (in light grey) are all made of metal sheets over wood, with benches inside. They are strong enough to resist Dawn’s marbles and smaller blasts of Anti-Noise, but can be broken apart with sufficient ordinance on either side. Each contains a tarp (in red) which similarly acts as some amount of cover from the top. The wheel is 2.5m across.
Major structural members are marked on the map in grey and white; destroying the ferris wheel is a loss condition as you will have to foot the bill for breaking it entirely, though individual cars and non-vital structural members are free game. The outside and interior of the wheel is covered in these members (not shown on the map to reduce clutter) which may be freely climbed on or otherwise utilized.
The bottom of the map contains a platform to get up to the ferris wheel and the ground under the platform is made of gravel.
The ferris wheel undergoes one rotation every three minutes, slowing slightly as a car reaches the very bottom.
Goal: RETIRE your opponents!
Additional Information:

Team	Combatant	JoJolity
I.M.P.A.C.T.	Dawn Hu and Chase Frederick	“What you’re seeing is my after-image, from seconds ago…” This wheel is moving far too slow for the likes of you two! Ignore the “speed limit” of this “arena”, and focus on your superior mobility and positioning!
Lotus Street Manifold	Emi! and Grace "Prodigy" Papaka	“The strongest power in the world, and it definitely doesn’t come from Calculation. That’s how Destiny is formed…” This wheel is turning pretty slow, and you aren’t nearly as mobile as your opponents. But who needs that when you’ve got abilities like yours? Assert control with your skills, abilities, and/or personalities!

Link to Official Player Spreadsheet
Link to Match Schedule
As always, if you would like to interact with the tournament community and be among the first to get updates for the tournament, please feel free to PM a member of our Judge staff for an invite to our Official Discord Server!

submitted by CPU_Dragon to StardustCrusaders [link] [comments]

2024.04.07 22:12 Sassy_Cucumber Proof 59: I went second

submitted by Sassy_Cucumber to u/Sassy_Cucumber [link] [comments]

2024.04.05 00:44 ThatDayStreamer hi! I'm looking for a trade or a hacker to get the items listed below before shut down >.<

!~ EDIT: CLOSED I have all my items from another trade/hacker (ty matriarchnow ) ~!
*(list below in order of priority)*
NPC framed photos: ~~^{Katie's pic x2}~~
Hand held items: ~~^{Good-Luck Roll x3}~~
HHD (Happy Home Designer) furniture items obtained after linking up a save with NL:

~~^Carriage~~
~~^{Giant ant}~~
~~^{Giant stew pot}~~
~~^{Giant Teddy Bear}~~
~~^Iceberg~~
~~^{Large Egg}~~
~~^{Luxury Car}~~
~~^{Massive Cake}~~
~~^{Monitor Tower}~~
~~^Mountain~~
~~^{Mountain of Money}~~
~~^{Propeller Plane}~~
~~^{Robot Hero}~~
~~^Submarine~~
~~^Sun~~
~~^{Teacup Ride}~~
~~^Tent~~
~~^UFO~~

Clothing:

~~^{Sheik pants}~~
~~^{Felyne outfit}~~
~~^{Green loafers}~~
~~^{Green gingham shorts}~~
~~^{Callie pants}~~
~~^{Callie shoes}~~
~~^{Marie shoes}~~
~~^{Marie tights}~~
~~^{Link hat}~~
~~^{Sheik mask}~~
~~^{Wolf Link outfit}~~
~~^{Link outfit}~~
~~^{Ganon outfit}~~
~~^{Epona outfit}~~
~~^{Medli outfit}~~
~~^{Black anchor tee}~~
~~^{Takoroka mesh}~~
~~^{Ganondorf outfit}~~
~~^{Ganondorf pants}~~

thanks for reading!

submitted by ThatDayStreamer to AnimalCrossingNewLeaf [link] [comments]

2024.04.04 05:55 MAGQgirl I can't believe they actually agreed on this trade 😭😭😭

submitted by MAGQgirl to RoyaleHighTrading [link] [comments]

2024.04.02 18:01 bjackrian Spring Break Trip As Only Adult with Two Kids!

Took the kids (10 y/o boy and 7 y/o girl) to WDW for Spring Break without my wife because she had to stay at work. Day-by-day with some commentary below (including a brief summary of our pre-WDW trip to the Everglades and Biscayne for anyone else who is thinking about adding that on to their trip).
Overall, we had a great time, and while it was crowded, we were able to work it so we didn't wait in any lines for more than 60 minutes and still got into every attraction we wanted (except for my son who was very sad that Rock n' Roller Coaster was closed). Going early was definitely the key to doing that well, more so than ILL or Genie. I bought a bunch of breakfast bars and juice boxes on Instacart and had them delivered, and doing that for breakfast definitely helped us get out early each day. For our two days with two parks, our strategy was to go early to the first park and ride using standby lines until the lines got too long while accumulating afternoon/evening lightning lanes for the second park, and I think that strategy also worked really well. The kids did better waiting in the morning before they were exhausted, and in the afternoon, we largely walked from LL to LL which made everyone happy.

Saturday, March 23 - Travel Day
Flew to Ft Lauderdale, drove to Homestead, FL for two days (stayed at Fairfield Inn which was a completely ordinary chain hotel!)

Sunday, March 24 - Everglades National Park
Morning tour of Shark Valley by Tram--tons of gators including baby gators and also a lot of cool birds. Highly recommend
Afternoon tour of Royal Palm, the Nike Missile Site, and Pa-Hay-Okee with the Everglades Institute. Our guide was amazing, especially with the kids. It was one of the best National Park programs we've done!

Monday, March 25 - Biscayne National Park
Morning boat tour called Heritage of Biscayne. The history was really interesting and the scenery was beautiful, but it was pretty windy, and we all unexpectedly got absolutely trenched crossing the bay from Homestead to the islands. Spent about an hour wandering around one of the islands with a lighthouse and small beach. This tour I think would have been better in an enclosed boat!
Drove back up to Ft Lauderdale to the Brightline train station downtown to return the rental car, see a friend who lives there, and take one of the later afternoon trains to Orlando. The Brightline was easy to use for the trip. The only issue was that they were out of almost all food on the train (where we'd planned to eat dinner), but we made it, and even caught a glimpse of a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral on our way by.
We took a Lyft from the Orlando airport (where Brightline drops off) to the Caribbean Beach Resort. We requested a room in Jamaica and ended up on the second floor of building 45, which was a great location. A 5 minute walk to the Skyliner and 5 minutes to Old Port Royale where the lobby, food, and big swimming pool are. There was also a smaller leisure pool one building over for us. We had a 2 queen + 5th sleeper which worked great with me and the two kids. Would absolutely stay here again

Tuesday, March 26 - Animal Kingdom
Purchased extras: ILL for Flight of Passage, Walking with Giants
ADR: Rainforest Café dinner

Took bus (10 minute wait), arrived about 7:20 am for early entry
Expedition Everest x 2 - This is one of my kids favorite rides and we were able to walk on twice with early entry!
Kilimanjaro Safari - line looked scary long since they didn't open until 8:15, but we were on in 15 minutes
Na’vi River Journey - remains meh for all of us, but at least it was a quick wait
Walking with Giants - this tour is a hidden gem! You get a peek behind the scenes and then some time pretty up close with the elephants with a cast member who is an expert in all things elephant. Baby Corra was out and we enjoyed watching her romp around with her mom. As extras go, this one is relatively affordable and was pretty amazing!
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ - this was fine and we used mobile order which worked well.
Meet Moana - my daughter was wearing her Moana dress by coincidence and was definitely not going to pass up the opportunity to meet her twin! :-)
Dinosaur - Because this and Indiana Jones are just so bumpy-jolty, I really don't enjoy them, but my kids insisted.
The Boneyard - I thought my kids would be getting too old for this but they had a good time for half an hour or so
ILL Flight of Passage - Remains amazing. And well worth the ILL to skip the line.
Festival of the Lion King - This show was fine, but I definitely think there are other Disney stage shows that are better. Worth seeing, but probably wouldn't be my top choice if time-pressured.
Discovery Island Trails - found many, many animals. Would be great to have a checklist or game from Disney for how many animals you can find!
Rainforest Café Dinner - This is a tradition for us every time we come (and has been since I was a kid). It's always been a mediocre, but it's our mediocre!
Back to Hotel for brief swim in Jamaica pool and bed
Total steps: 14,595

Wednesday, March 27 - Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs
Purchased Extras: ILL for Tron, Cirque du Soleil tickets
ADR: Boathouse Cantina dinner

Took the bus for early entry, arriving around 7:20
Tried to do Space Mountain but was down at opening so regrouped
Barnstormer - this remains a strangely intense roller coaster despite seeming like it's aimed at little kids
It’s A Small World - nothing to add!
Haunted Mansion - quick time to get on. The mood was brought down a little by several CM announcements to stay seated, etc.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin - waited about 30 minutes. Toy Story Mania is definitely better--had some tech issues with the space guns during the ride.
ILL Tron - I've never seen the movie, but they give you enough in the preshow to understand what's happening. Definitely enjoyed the roller coaster!
Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor - My 10 y/o is all about the puns. The text a joke was down for us while we were there.
Lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus - pizza
Mickey’s PhilharMagic - this show is still fun, even if it's definitely getting a little dated
Hall of Presidents - my son is a politics/history buff and has to see this every time we go. The only cheering/booing was for Polk. For reasons.
Bus back to hotel for a quick room break with some cartoons
Bus to Disney Springs
Wandered around shopping a bit, also did some pin trading and played in the Lego bins
Dinner at Boathouse Cantina which was excellent for all. Definitely the best food quality of the week
Cirque du Soleil's Drawn to Life (early show) - we sat pretty high up which I was worried about, but we could see fine. The show was a lot of fun for all of us. Amazing mix of artistry and physical performances!
Ice cream at Salt and Straw on the way back to the bus
Bus back to hotel for bed.
Total steps: 14,867

Thursday, March 28 - EPCOT and Magic Kingdom
Purchased extras: Genie for MK
ADR: Teppan Edo Lunch, MK Pre-Fireworks Dessert Party

Skyliner to EPCOT, arriving 8:20
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure - waited about 45 minutes despite Early Entry. It was fine, but I was honestly a little disappointed. It felt too screen focused and missed some of the Disney magic.
Frozen Ever After - waited about an hour. I still miss Maelstrom, but the ride is still fun and this is a much better mix of animatronics and screens!
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - so hokey, but hey it has Donald
Meet Pluto - ran into him in front of Spaceship Earth, and had to stop since he is our favorite classic character
The Seas with Nemo and Friends - took surprisingly long to get in. We'd planned to do Turtle Talk inside, but didn't have time before our Lunch reservation.
Manatee Feeding - this was fun--lots of lettuce for them and a keeper who had some interesting factoids
Lunch at Teppan Edo - excellent--both kids loved the hibachi style and the chef was great!
Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-Long - stopped here on the way back and enjoyed the revision to the story.
Back to Hotel via Skyliner
Swimming Time - big pool was still closed for renovation, so we swam at the Jamaica pool
Bus to MK, arriving around 5
LL-Space Mountain - still great!
LL-Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess (Elena of Avalon) - this was a better experience than I'd have guessed. It was fun to watch the princesses interact with kids from babies to teenagers
Pirates of the Caribbean - 20 minute wait to get on. The DL version still has my heart, but we had a good time.
Swiss Family Treehouse - climbed through--the tree house itself is great, but should really be rethemed--there were far too many confused kids who'd never heard of the Swiss Family Robinson.
MK Pre-Fireworks Dessert Party--this was a splurge but so much fun. So much dessert that we had dessert for dinner (hey it's vacation!) . The CMs were friendly and helpful. And the viewing area is right in front of the castle.
Happily Ever After - loved the show and being able to see all the projections!
LL—Jungle Cruise - not my favorite skipper, but still some good jokes.
LL-Mad Tea Party x 2 - should say, this was just the kids. I do not do teacups because I valued keeping my dessert dinner inside me!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid - because no line. Pretty skippable otherwise.
LL-Big Thunder Mountain - close out the day with some nighttime train riding!
But back to hotel for bed
Total Steps: 18.268

Friday, March 29 - Hollywood Studios
Purchased Extras: ILL for Rise, Genie (late - I set my alarm wrong, so missed first pick!)
ADR: Toppolino’s Terrace Character Brunch, 50s’ Primetime Café Dinner with Fantasmic Seats

Skyliner to arrive 8:15
Slinky Dog - 45 minute wait. This roller coaster is fun, but I still don't understand why it's as popular as it is
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad - 45 minute wait, but this rides is always surprisingly fun
Skyliner to Riviera Resort for brunch
Brunch at Toppolino’s Terrace (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy) - loved the Riviera outfits for all the characters. Food was good. View was amazing. Happy we did it.
Skyliner to hotel (could have walked, but my daughter loves the Skyliner!)
Nap time after late night the night before and early morning
Back to park around 1:30
LL-Millenium Falcon – Smuggler’s Run - one or more systems were down, so this was almost an hour wait WITH lightning lane. This ride always seemed a little too video gamey for me.
Toy Story Mania! - love it every time. Made a mistake and got into the meet Woody line by accident which cost us 15 minutes of waiting before I caught it, and ended up waiting just under an hour to get on in standby
ILL-Rise of the Resistance - still an amazing ride. First Order cast members were not as harsh as they'd been on previous trips--don't know if that was luck of the draw of a one-off.
LL-Star Tours - Ewok forest and JarJar sea this time
Dinner at 50’s Primetime Café with Fantasmic seating- was disappointed with this. The food was good, but our waiter had none of the cafe attitude I expected.
Muppet Vision 3D - mostly to kill time, but we all enjoyed it very much
LL—The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - my daughter's favorite ride. They talked me into going. I always half-regret it, but hey, memories!
Fantasmic! - had great seats because of the dinner tickets. The dragon did not catch on fire. Always a fun show. We did get a little wetter and colder than we expected. I think I like the Disneyland version on the park-integrated river better than the theater version but both have plusses for sure!
Total steps: 14,344

Saturday, March 30 - Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
Purchased Extras: ILL for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Genie for EPCOT
ADR: Space 220 late lunch, Rose & Crown Fireworks Package

Bus to arrive around 7:15
Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train - 20 minute wait, great ride
Peter Pan - 20 minute wait, my favorite nostalgia ride
Prince Charming Regal Carousel - because why not?
The Many Adventure’s of Winnie the Pooh - the queue activities are better than the actual ride
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover - hadn't done it since I was a kid. Wish you could see more inside the rides.
Back to hotel for swimming. The Fuente Del Morro pool had opened so swam there and got snacks at Banana Cabana. Kids loved the slide.
Skyliner to Epcot
Meet Pluto (again) - hanging out again in front of Spaceship Earth
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana - what a cool area! The educational bits were well done, the water effects all worked, loved it!
Space 220 Lunch - disappointed in this one. They say out by a window where we couldn't see earth at all. The food was fine. Definitely not worth the cost overall (though they didn't ask about kids ages here and decided that my 10 y/o was a kid).
LL: Mission: Space - 7 y/o and I did green, 10 y/o did orange all thought it was great
LL: Test Track - actually made it through the queue, design, and ride with nothing breaking! That's a win!
ILL: Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind - this ride is incredible. By far the best thrill ride in the parks!
LL: Soarin’ Around the World - Definitely showing its age. The screen had black marks almost directly below us which were really distracting. I hope that the new patent is a sign of things to come because I love this ride, especially the California version.
Living with the Land - thought the kids would be bored, but my daughter was super excited to go on a science ride!
LL: Journey Into Imagination with Figment - I do love Figment. I was sad that the gift shop didn't sell a Figment-themed picture frame--if anyone knows where to get one, let me know.
LL: Turtle Talk with Crush - the kids were fighting so the ended up sitting on opposite sides of the carpet and both got to talk with Crush! We entered through the gift shop this time to avoid the Nemo line.
Rose and Crown Fireworks Dinner - This was probably the most disappointing meal of the week. The food was overall pretty bad. Service was incredibly slow (we were seated at 7:45, appetizers at 8:30, entrees at 9, dessert at 9:30 after the show and park had closed. The kids menu had one choice for an appetizer: salad with fat-free ranch dressing. Of our three entrees, my fish and chips were very underseasoned (and no salt on the table) and my daughter's chicken was rock hard. My son's shepherd's pie was good. Despite the good, the view of the show was near perfect, so that part was good.
Luminous: The Symphony of Us - this show was shorter than I'd have guessed. We all enjoyed it though.
Skyliner back to hotel for bed--our only time with a significant Skyliner wait--25 minutes.
total steps: 15,949

Sunday, March 31 - EPCOT and Travel
Purchased Extras: None
ADR: Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall Character Breakfast (booked the morning of!)
We got up a little later and were bringing our bags over to Old Port Royale to store for the day when we came across Easter festivities! The hotel CMs had multiple designs of Caribbean sea creatures made out of candy, each for a different age group. The kids got to do a candy scramble and left with a ton of candy. Very fun and they had more things going through the day that we elected to skip.
Skyliner to EPCOT, arriving around 9:45
VQ: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - We wanted to ride again, so got a virtual queue spot in group 6. We didn't make it over in our window (which was 8:48-9:48), but they let us on at 10 am anyway. Remains very fun.
Brunch at Akerhus Royal Banquet - met Aurora, Tiana, Belle, Ariel, and Snow White. Food was also quite good. Much more low key than Royal Table!
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure: Japan, France, and UK - Kids watch the show, so we decided to try assuming it would be silly, but it was actually one of the most fun thing we did. Highly recommend for anyone school aged or above! I'll be doing more the next time I go back for sure!
Skyliner back to hotel, walk to Old Port Royale, Lyft to airport, and flight home.
Total Steps: 11,689

submitted by bjackrian to WaltDisneyWorld [link] [comments]

2024.04.01 21:26 Curious_Patience637 Funny little ficlits

Chapter 38: play time

Summary:

new best friend!

“Sorry about this, but could you wait here for a while? Our other rooms are full at the moment. Should be about an hour.” the human says leading the arxur into a strange room before closing the door behind him.
The arxur blinks at the bright colors around him. Giant flowers painted on the walls, huge colorful bags to sit on. Pattern on the floor. There are strange things everywhere. Bright balls on the floor, spinny things hang from the ceiling. Clickers, and puppets, plushies and puzzles.
He grimmisses to himself at the strange things around him before taking a seat in one of the large bean bag chairs to wait. It squishes under him as he sinks into it.
One minute goes by, then two, then three. He hates being idle. Idle is not productive and is frowned upon on wriss. Shifting his eyes to the table in the room he moves over to it. A puzzle half finished looks up at him. He picks up a piece and snaps it into place. Then another, then another. A few minutes later it's done. A colorful rainbow unicorn looks back at him.
He sighs and sits back on his haunches looking around for something else to do. There is a half finished castle in the corner of the room. He finishes that next. Then there is the coloring book, and the log cabin set. He picks up the ball and bounces it once, then again. He tosses it at the wall then catches it again. It lands in the pile of plushies. He goes to retrieve it and his claws feel something cold and smooth in the pile. He pulls out a leather alligator plush. Its little button eyes and felt teeth stare back at him.
“Hello there.” he arxur says. Then looks around to see if anyone is watching.
“What’s your name?”
The plush doesn’t reply.
“Ya, I don’t have a name either… that's what happens when your exiled from wriss.” he says.
“You think humans are going to experiment on me?” he asks the plush as he sits down in the chair again with his new friend.
“I know I'm supposed to prefer to be alone, but I’m glad you're here.” he says, holding the plush over his head and making its little arms wave around. He grins at the little thing in his hands before taking it over to the tiny table set up with a tiny tea set for tea time.
……………
“That’s 3 out of 5.” the human says jotting down some notes on her clipboard as she watches the screen.
“Thee for gator, one unicorn and a lion. I suppose the gator would be most common to them. Almost like a ragdoll, but arxur version.”
“How long do you think he’ll keep playing with toys?” another asks, watching the huge predator pour a tiny teacup for an imaginary tea party. All the arxur they have put in the child's room seems to regress to childlike wonder if left in the room for more than 30 minutes. Most playing with toys and imaginary friends.
“I imagine till he’s hungry and wants food, or till we go get him.”
“From what little we know about arxur life and development it seems like their actually childhood is cut very short with the war. I’ve read a little bit about it in humans when they feel safe at last they will subconsciously try and have the childhood they never got. Playing with toys and things of the like.”
“Trauma response to growing up too fast.”
“Ya…. let’s give him another hour. Don’t want to interrupt the tea party, and I’ll get another gator from storage. I’m sure he’ll try and sneak that one out like the others did.”

submitted by Curious_Patience637 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]

2024.04.01 04:09 Curious_Patience637 Funny little ficlits Chapter 32: tea?

Chapter 32: tea?

Summary:

don't spill this tea!

Solvlin’s eye twitched as he struggled not to react as he sat at the table. Pure rage and hate washed threw him in waves making his ears ring. He didn’t really know how he ended up in his situation, only that he had to play along.
The arxur across the table from him flicked his tail in irritation as he bit back a growl.
“Freak,”
“Trator!
“Worthless animal!
“Scaly wretch!”
“Why I au to-!”
“I’m back!” Nulia sings, stepping into the room again carrying a tiny flower teapot and a plate of cookies!
“Oh goodie!” Isif says happily flipping from rage to happiness as fast as a coin flip. Solvlin clears his throat and holds up his tiny teacup for her to fill. The giant yellow summer hat on his head is held in place by a blue ribbon tied under his chin. Across the table Isif’s matching hat and flower necklace is in pink. Because Nulia said pink and green match so that is why he needed the pink hat.
The rabbit and horse stuffed animals sit limp in chairs next to them completing the members of the tea party.
“To new friends!” she says holding up her own teacup to toast. Isif and Solvlin swallow what little shreds of pride they have left and hold up their tiny teacups.

submitted by Curious_Patience637 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]

2024.03.28 19:29 JesterOfDestiny How does it FEEL to levitate a thing?

Magic systems are the bread and butter of fantasy nerds and worldbuilders. But if there's one thing that I don't really see anyone talk about is how it feels to use magic. I personally think that should be the most important thing within a magic system. Being able to describe what goes on inside the character makes the experience far more personal and immersive. This is kind of the weakness of so called "soft" magic systems, like the pony-show has. When the rules of your magic are a bit loosey-goosey, it can be difficult to make the experience personal, since you don't have the means to describe what's exactly going on when a spell is cast. Unlike in hard magic systems, where it's much easier to describe such things, because you have a firm grasp of the basics.

If you've ever written a pony fanfic, you have probably written a scene where a pony has to use magic. Like cast a complex spell, or perform something really precise, or learning a new spell. I've seen a few fanfics (and I'm pretty sure I have written that way before as well) use the word "concentration" to describe a spell being cast. But what exactly is being concentrated on? The pony show actually touches on this slightly, when Starlight tells Trixie how to turn a thing into a teacup. "What does your teacup look like? What shape is it? What colour?" So it is more than just a spell that you cast and the universe somehow understand which way it should contort itself to make it happen, it's more of a cerebral thing, where your mind does the heavy lifting and somehow you can manifest it.

But I wanna go back to the very basics. Something like simple, run-of-the-mill levitation. How do you write a pony simply levitating a thing? What is that energy that you can somehow manifest with your mind and what exactly is that energy doing when you're directing it to lift a thing into the air? What do you concentrate on exactly, when you do that?

It's probably a lot like trying to describe what it's like to have a body part that most people don't have. It's like when a baby is first trying to hold things; they have to concentrate on how to move their fingers around an object and hold it up with their arm. That's probably what levitation feels like; like having an extra limb and trying to wrap your invisible fingers around an object and using the invisible muscles in your invisible arm to lift it. Except they don't really have a concept of fingers and arms. So levitation is like holding something with your arm, except your arm doesn't exist and you have no idea what fingers are.

Think of the scene in Magic Duel where Zecora teaches Twilight to focus and we see Twilight levitate three blobs of water around herself. Like how is that a difficult thing? We see Twilight levitate multiple things at once all the time. Well, think of it this way. You have two hands to hold things with, right? Holding a thing with one hand is such a no-brainer, that you can literally start searching for the very thing you're already holding. But when you have one thing to hold for each hand, it starts being difficult. Like the classic, make a circle on your belly with one hand, while patting your head with the other. Can be difficult, unless you're a musician and you're used to doing two different things with each hand. Now imagine if you had an infinite amount of arms, but the same finite amount of attention you can allocate to each. You already know how difficult it can be to hold two things at the same time, imagine how difficult it must be to hold a third thing. And then a fourth and a fifth.

And how exactly do you hold something that isn't even really an object, like water? Even two arms are kind of subpar at holding water, imagine how many arms you're gonna need to even begin to become an effective fluid holder. Do you grow one arm for each particle of water? Or do you grow just enough arms that can hold just enough water to keep it in one place? Okay, now try moving them in a circle at a constant velocity. Not that easy, is it?

That's probably the difficult part about holding heavy objects as well. Even we have to use both arms to hold something heavy. If we had an infinite number of arms to hold heavy objects with, you'd still have to constantly gauge how many arms exactly are you gonna need to grow, in order to lift the object. It's not that you don't have the potential to move a heavy object with your infinite arms, it's that you're going to have to be able to control each and every one of them. Think of the scene where the Cutie-Mark Crusaders bust Troubleshoes out of jail and Sweetie Belle has to levitate the keys. That's Sweetie on her way of growing her one invisible baby arm, into an adult arm that absent-mindedly misplaces things. The first of potentially infinite.

That's why we only see higher level unicorns levitate multiple things at once. Just like how we need to train to be able to rub our bellies while patting our heads at the same time, unicorns need to train their invisible arms to do multiple things at once. Holding one object is basic. Holding two requires coordination. And it just gets exponentially more difficult as you go. Holding a giant animal, while playing music to soothe it, while also giving it a giant container full of milk you just got directly from the cows? Now that's some insane level of coordination. How many hypothetical limbs does that take?

And that's just levitation. We didn't even get into situations where the infinite arms allegory starts breaking down. Like time-travel, transfiguration, or even basic combat skills like lasers and shields. How do you do that? How do you think of magic while writing about a character using it? What are some examples of fanfics that write magic in a really good way?

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2024.03.25 21:41 PrestigiousHornet766 Wonderland Whimsy: A Magical Alice in Wonderland-Themed Wedding

Step into a world of whimsy and wonder as we explore the enchanting realm of Alice in Wonderland for Your Perfect Wedding inspiration. From the whimsical characters to the Mad Hatter's tea party, this beloved tale offers endless possibilities for creating a truly magical wedding celebration. Join us as we journey down the rabbit hole and discover how to infuse your special day with the charm and whimsy of Wonderland.
https://reddit.com/link/1bnodsp/video/qv7wcbqpkjqc1/player

Setting the Scene: Transform Your Perfect Wedding venue into a whimsical wonderland reminiscent of the magical world of Alice in Wonderland. Create a whimsical garden setting with lush greenery, vibrant florals, and oversized mushrooms to evoke the enchanting atmosphere of Wonderland. Incorporate whimsical decor elements such as vintage teacups, pocket watches, playing cards, and mismatched furniture to add to the whimsy and charm of the theme.
Mad Hatter Tea Party: Treat your guests to a Mad Hatter-inspired tea party filled with delicious treats and quirky decor. Set up a whimsical tea station complete with an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries served on mismatched china. Create a playful atmosphere with colorful table settings, whimsical centerpieces, and quirky signage inspired by the characters and quotes from the book. Encourage guests to embrace their inner child and join in the fun with interactive games and activities like croquet, giant chess, or a Mad Hatter hat-making station.
Whimsical Characters: Embrace the spirit of Wonderland by incorporating whimsical characters into your wedding celebration. Invite guests to dress up as their favorite characters from the story, whether it's Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, or the Cheshire Cat. Create photo opportunities with themed props and backdrops inspired by iconic scenes from the book, allowing guests to capture memorable moments throughout the event. Consider hiring costumed characters to mingle with guests and add to the magical ambiance of the celebration.
Personalized Touches: Infuse your Wonderland-themed wedding with personalized touches that reflect your love story and personalities as a couple. Incorporate subtle nods to the book through whimsical details such as custom stationery, themed favors, and whimsical cake designs featuring iconic elements from the story. Consider incorporating meaningful quotes or passages from Alice in Wonderland into your vows, readings, or speeches to add depth and significance to the ceremony.
A Wonderland-themed wedding offers a magical and whimsical way to celebrate your love story in style. From the Mad Hatter's tea party to the whimsical characters and enchanting decor, every aspect of your celebration can be tailored to create a truly unforgettable experience for you and your guests. So why not embark on a journey down the rabbit hole and bring the charm and wonder of Wonderland to life on your special day?

Stay tuned to Your Perfect Wedding for more creative wedding ideas, inspiration, and tips to help you create the wedding of your dreams. Happy planning!
Your Perfect Wedding - Where Fairytales Come to Lif

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2024.03.19 23:22 brunettepwr How often a day should I be feeding her?

I have a 4 month old GS, currently feed her 3 cups a day of Purina one plus large breed puppy formula, broken up into 3 separate meals throughout the day. Should I only be feeding her twice a day?

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2024.03.18 12:11 Sweet-Count2557 Disney Rides for Toddlers

Disney Rides for Toddlers Are you ready to embark on a magical journey through the best Disney rides for toddlers? Look no further, friends!As parents ourselves, we know the importance of finding age-appropriate attractions that will captivate your little ones and create lasting memories.From the enchanting world of Dumbo the Flying Elephant to the iconic it's a small world ride, we've handpicked a selection of rides at Magic Kingdom that are perfect for your little adventurers.So let's dive in and experience the magic of Disney together!Key TakeawaysDumbo the Flying Elephant, it's a small world, Peter Pan's Flight, and Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid are some of the best Disney rides at Magic Kingdom for toddlers.The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Spaceship Earth, Frozen Ever After, Test Track, and Mission: SPACE are some of the best Disney rides at EPCOT for toddlers.Toy Story Mania!, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Alien Swirling Saucers are some of the best Disney rides at Hollywood Studios for toddlers.Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na'vi River Journey, TriceraTop Spin, The Boneyard, and Festival of the Lion King are some of the best Disney rides at Animal Kingdom for toddlers.Best Toddler-Friendly Rides at Magic KingdomWe've heard that the best toddler-friendly rides at Magic Kingdom include Dumbo the Flying Elephant, it's a small world, Peter Pan's Flight, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, and Mad Tea Party. These rides are perfect for young children who want to have a blast while exploring the magical world of Disney.Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a classic ride where you get to hop on a colorful elephant and soar through the sky. It's a small world takes you on a boat ride around the world, where you'll see different cultures and hear a catchy song that you won't be able to get out of your head. Peter Pan's Flight takes you on a magical journey to Neverland, where you'll fly over London and battle pirates with Peter Pan.If you love The Little Mermaid, then you'll definitely enjoy Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid. You'll get to go under the sea and join Ariel and her friends on an adventure. And if you're in the mood for some spinning fun, then Mad Tea Party is the ride for you. Hop on a teacup and spin as fast or as slow as you want!When it comes to EPCOT, some of the best rides for young children include The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Spaceship Earth, Frozen Ever After, Test Track, and Mission: SPACE. These rides will take you on exciting adventures and make your visit to EPCOT unforgettable.Exciting Attractions for Toddlers at EPCOTLet's explore the exciting attractions for toddlers at EPCOT, where they can embark on thrilling adventures and create unforgettable memories. EPCOT isn't just for big kids and grown-ups; it has plenty of fun and interactive experiences for our little ones too!Here are some educational attractions that toddlers will love:The Seas with Nemo & Friends: Join Nemo and his friends on an underwater adventure. Toddlers can explore the ocean and learn about different sea creatures.Journey Into Imagination with Figment: This playful ride takes toddlers on a journey through the imagination. They can let their creativity soar as they meet Figment, a mischievous purple dragon.Frozen Ever After: Do your little ones love Frozen? They can hop on a boat and sail through Arendelle, experiencing scenes from the beloved movie. Don't forget to sing along!Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: Join Donald Duck and his friends on a musical boat ride through Mexico. Toddlers will love the vibrant colors and catchy songs.At EPCOT, toddlers can have a blast while learning new things. These interactive experiences and educational attractions will engage their minds and ignite their curiosity.Fun-filled Disney Rides for Toddlers at Hollywood StudiosWe have five fun-filled Disney rides for toddlers to enjoy at Hollywood Studios. Are you ready for an adventure? Let's go!First up, we've Toy Story Mania! This interactive experience will have you playing carnival games with your favorite Toy Story characters. Grab a blaster and aim for the targets to earn points. Can you beat your parents' high score?Next, we've Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Hop aboard a wacky train ride with Mickey and his friends. You'll be whisked away into a cartoon world filled with surprises and laughter. It's like stepping right into a Mickey Mouse cartoon!If you're looking for a thrill, Slinky Dog Dash is the ride for you. Join Slinky Dog on a roller coaster adventure through Andy's backyard. You'll twist, turn, and zoom past giant toys and colorful scenery. Hold on tight!For all the Star Wars fans out there, don't miss Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Join the Resistance and help defeat the First Order in this epic battle. You'll encounter stormtroopers, droids, and even Kylo Ren himself. May the Force be with you!Last but not least, we've Alien Swirling Saucers. Join the aliens from Toy Story for a spin in their flying saucers. Hold on as you twist and turn through space. It's an out-of-this-world experience!Don't forget, while you're at Disney, you can also meet and greet your favorite characters at Magic Kingdom. Get ready for hugs, autographs, and lots of pictures with Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends.Adventure-packed Rides for Toddlers at Animal KingdomWe're thrilled to explore the adventure-packed rides for toddlers at Animal Kingdom, where little ones can embark on exciting journeys through the animal-filled savanna and take a thrilling spin on TriceraTop Spin. Animal Kingdom is full of interactive toddler experiences that will make their visit unforgettable.Here are some of the best animal-themed rides and interactive attractions for toddlers:Kilimanjaro Safaris: Hop aboard a rugged safari ride and journey through the African savanna. Get up close and personal with real-life animals like lions, elephants, cheetahs, and crocodiles.Na'vi River Journey: Sail through a mystical bioluminescent forest on a gentle boat ride. Toddlers will be captivated by the beautiful scenery and enchanting music.The Boneyard: Let your little adventurers roam free in this prehistoric playground. They can dig for fossils, climb on dinosaur bones, and explore hidden caves.Festival of the Lion King: Join Simba and his friends in this lively and interactive show. Toddlers can sing along to their favorite songs and even get a chance to dance on stage.These attractions provide a perfect balance of fun and education for toddlers. They can learn about different animals, cultures, and ecosystems while having a blast.Other Must-Try Disney Rides for ToddlersThe Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Disney's Magic Kingdom is a must-try ride for toddlers, as they can soar through the skies on a magical carpet adventure. But did you know that there are other amazing Disney rides for toddlers in Disneyland Paris? Let's explore the best Disney rides for toddlers in Disneyland Paris and learn some top tips for enjoying Disney rides with our little ones.In Disneyland Paris, some of the best rides for toddlers include 'It's a Small World,' where they can see dolls from all around the world singing and dancing, and 'Peter Pan's Flight,' where they can join Peter Pan on a magical journey to Neverland. Another great ride is 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,' where they can hop on a honey pot and join their favorite bear on a whimsical adventure.When enjoying Disney rides with toddlers, it's important to plan ahead. Make sure to check the height requirements for each ride and choose ones that are suitable for their age and height. It's also a good idea to use FastPass or Rider Switch options to minimize wait times and keep the little ones entertained.Remember to take breaks and stay hydrated throughout the day. Bring snacks and small toys to keep them entertained while waiting in line. And most importantly, have fun and create magical memories together!Frequently Asked QuestionsAre There Height Restrictions for the Toddler-Friendly Rides at Magic Kingdom?Height restrictions and safety guidelines are important factors to consider when enjoying the toddler-friendly rides at Magic Kingdom. We want to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe experience!While some rides may have height restrictions to ensure the safety of the little ones, there are plenty of rides that are perfect for toddlers to enjoy. It's always a good idea to check the height requirements before hopping on a ride to make sure it's suitable for your little adventurer.Safety first!Are Strollers Allowed on the Toddler-Friendly Rides at Epcot?Strollers, like trusty companions, are welcome on the toddler-friendly rides at EPCOT. These magical journeys are designed with little ones in mind, ensuring accessibility for all. The ride capacity allows for strollers to be safely accommodated, allowing families to explore the wonders of EPCOT without worry.Are There Any Character Meet and Greets Available at the Toddler-Friendly Rides at Hollywood Studios?Yes, there are character meet and greets available at the toddler-friendly rides at Hollywood Studios! Meeting your favorite Disney characters can be so much fun. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with other beloved characters, are waiting to say hello and take pictures with you.The best time to visit for character interactions is usually in the morning or late afternoon. So, make sure to bring your autograph book and camera to capture these magical moments!Are the Adventure-Packed Rides at Animal Kingdom Suitable for Toddlers With Motion Sickness?The adventure-packed rides at Animal Kingdom can be thrilling for toddlers, but it's important to consider motion sickness.Some rides, like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Na'vi River Journey, are gentle and may be suitable for little ones prone to motion sickness.However, it's always a good idea to check with your child's doctor before trying any rides.Don't forget to bring a stroller for tired little legs, and keep in mind that there are also character meet and greets and dining options available for a well-rounded Disney experience.Are There Any Dining Options Near the Must-Try Disney Rides for Toddlers?Sure!When it comes to dining options near the must-try Disney rides for toddlers, there are plenty of delicious choices available. You won't believe the variety of food that awaits you! From tasty pizzas to mouthwatering ice cream sundaes, there's something for everyone.And the best part? Many of these dining spots are conveniently located near the attractions, so you won't have to walk too far. Get ready to satisfy your taste buds and fuel up for more fun!ConclusionAs we bid farewell to the magical world of Disney, our hearts are filled with joy and wonder. We've explored the best rides for toddlers, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.The laughter, the smiles, and the pure excitement on your little one's face are truly priceless. So, hold onto these moments and let the magic of Disney continue to inspire and delight your family.Until we meet again, may your dreams soar as high as Peter Pan and your adventures be as wild as a safari in Animal Kingdom. Read More : https://worldkidstravel.com/disney-rides-for-toddlers/?feed_id=1989&_unique_id=65f8215d98fa6

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2024.03.17 14:44 Sweet-Count2557 15 Day Trips for Boston Area Kids and Families This Summer

15 Day Trips for Boston Area Kids and Families This Summer Are you tired of spending your summer cooped up in the house with your kids, desperately trying to come up with ways to keep them entertained? Well, fear not, because we have the perfect solution for you!In this article, we will be exploring 15 day trip options for Boston area kids and families that will make this summer one to remember. From thrilling adventures to educational experiences, we have got it all covered.So, sit back, relax, and get ready to discover some amazing destinations that will leave your little ones begging for more.Key TakeawaysEcoTarium, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Boston Harbor Islands, and The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum are great options for day trips from Boston with kids and families.Davis Farmland is a fun farm to visit with baby goats, kittens, pony rides, and a splash pad in the summer.Canobie Lake Park, Kennebunkport, Roger Williams Park, Yorks Wild Kingdom, and New Hampshire Children's Museum are other day trip options for families in the Boston area.These day trips offer a variety of activities and attractions, including museums, outdoor adventures, beaches, amusement parks, and interactive exhibits, ensuring a fun-filled day for all ages.EcoTariumIf you're looking for a fun and educational day trip for your family this summer, look no further than EcoTarium in Worcester, Massachusetts. At EcoTarium, you and your family can have exciting animal encounters and explore nature trails to your heart's content.One of the highlights of EcoTarium is the opportunity to have up-close animal encounters. You and your kids can meet fascinating creatures like turtles, snakes, and even an adorable red fox. The knowledgeable staff will provide interesting facts and answer any questions you may have. It's a great way to learn about different animals and their habitats.Aside from the animal encounters, EcoTarium also offers nature trails and exploration. You can embark on a hike through beautiful wooded areas, discovering hidden treasures along the way. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for all ages, so even the littlest members of your family can join in the adventure. Don't forget to bring your camera, as you might encounter some breathtaking views and unique wildlife.EcoTarium is the perfect destination for a family day trip. It combines fun and education, allowing your children to learn while having a great time. The animal encounters and nature trails provide hands-on experiences that will leave a lasting impression. So pack a picnic, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for a day of exploration and discovery at EcoTarium.Gunstock Mountain ResortLooking for an exhilarating adventure for the whole family? Look no further than Gunstock Mountain Resort! At Gunstock, you'll find a wide range of outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities that will make your summer day trip unforgettable. Whether you're seeking thrills or just want to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area, Gunstock has something for everyone.Check out the table below to get a taste of what Gunstock Mountain Resort has to offer:ActivitiesDescriptionScenic chairlift ridesTake a relaxing ride up the mountain and soak in the breathtaking views.Segway ridesExplore the resort on two wheels with a fun and unique Segway tour.ZiplinesZip through the treetops and experience an adrenaline rush like no other.Mountain roller coastersGet your heart racing as you twist and turn down the mountain slopes.Gunstock Mountain Resort is the perfect destination for a day trip with your family. The resort offers a variety of outdoor activities that will keep everyone entertained, from the littlest ones to the most adventurous teenagers. Whether you're soaring through the air on a zipline or enjoying a leisurely chairlift ride, you'll create memories that will last a lifetime.In addition to the thrilling activities, Gunstock also provides a safe and welcoming environment for families. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, ensuring that you have a fun and stress-free experience. The resort also offers amenities such as picnic areas and food options, so you can refuel and relax between adventures.Boston Harbor Islands, MABoston Harbor Islands, MA offer a perfect getaway for families looking to explore nature, enjoy outdoor activities, and soak up the beauty of the islands. Whether you're craving some beach time or interested in exploring historical sites, the Boston Harbor Islands have something for everyone.One of the highlights of visiting the Boston Harbor Islands is the opportunity to engage in various beach activities. From building sandcastles to playing beach volleyball, there are endless ways to have fun in the sun. The islands also offer opportunities for swimming and snorkeling, allowing you to cool off and discover the underwater world. Don't forget to pack your beach essentials such as sunscreen, towels, and beach toys for a memorable day by the shore.In addition to beach activities, the Boston Harbor Islands are home to several historical sites waiting to be explored. Fort Warren on George Island is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts. This Civil War-era fort offers guided tours where you can learn about its fascinating past and even participate in interactive reenactments. Other historical sites include lighthouses, such as Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, which provides breathtaking views of the harbor and its surroundings.Whether you're looking to relax on the beach or delve into the rich history of the islands, the Boston Harbor Islands, MA are an ideal destination for families. With a variety of outdoor activities and historical sites to explore, there's never a dull moment. So grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic, and get ready for a day of adventure and fun on the Boston Harbor Islands.The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss MuseumAfter exploring the historical sites and enjoying the beach activities on the Boston Harbor Islands, families can continue their adventure by immersing themselves in the enchanting world of Dr. Seuss at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. This magical museum is a must-visit for kids and adults alike.One of the highlights of the Dr. Seuss Museum is the outdoor sculpture garden. As you stroll through the garden, you'll be greeted by larger-than-life sculptures of beloved Dr. Seuss characters like the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and the Lorax. These whimsical sculptures bring the pages of Dr. Seuss's books to life and provide the perfect backdrop for memorable family photos.After exploring the museum and the outdoor sculptures, families can find a cozy spot for a picnic. The museum offers designated picnic areas where you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal together. Whether you pack sandwiches, fruit, or your favorite picnic snacks, this is a great opportunity to refuel and recharge before continuing your adventure.In addition to the outdoor sculptures and picnic spots, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is filled with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging displays. You can step into the pages of Dr. Seuss's books, explore his childhood home, and learn more about the man behind the beloved stories. It's a truly immersive experience that will leave you feeling inspired and filled with wonder.Davis FarmlandWe had an amazing time exploring the enchanting world of Davis Farmland. This family-friendly farm is the perfect day trip for kids and families in the Boston area. From animal interactions to water play activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.One of the highlights of our visit was the opportunity to interact with the animals. Davis Farmland has a wide variety of animals, including baby goats, kittens, and even pony rides. The kids loved getting up close and personal with these adorable creatures. They learned about their care and feeding, and even got to pet and hold some of them. It was a truly memorable experience.Another great aspect of Davis Farmland is the water play activities. The farm has a splash pad where kids can cool off and have fun on a hot summer day. There are sprinklers, water slides, and fountains that provide endless entertainment. The kids had a blast running through the water and splashing around. It was the perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy the outdoors.In addition to the animal interactions and water play activities, Davis Farmland also offers other attractions such as tractor rides, a corn maze, and a play area with slides and swings. There's never a dull moment at this farm.One-Mile-Or-Less Hikes Around BostonLet's explore the beautiful trails and nature spots that are just a short distance away from the bustling city of Boston. If you're looking for outdoor activities for preschoolers or family-friendly hiking spots near Boston, you're in luck! Here are three one-mile-or-less hikes that you can enjoy with your little ones:Middlesex Fells Reservation: Located just a few miles north of Boston, the Middlesex Fells Reservation offers a variety of easy and scenic trails perfect for little hikers. Take a leisurely stroll along the Crystal Springs Trail, where you'll find babbling brooks and stunning views of the surrounding forest. Don't forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the many picnic areas!Arnold Arboretum: Situated in the heart of Boston, the Arnold Arboretum is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful escape from the city. Take a short walk along the paved paths and explore the diverse collection of trees and plants. Kids will love spotting different species and learning about nature in a fun and interactive way.World's End: Located just south of Boston in Hingham, World's End is a picturesque peninsula that offers breathtaking views of the Boston skyline. Take a leisurely hike along the easy trails that wind through rolling hills and meadows. Don't forget to bring a kite to fly in the wide-open spaces!These one-mile-or-less hikes are perfect for families looking to enjoy the beauty of nature without straying too far from the city. So grab your hiking shoes, pack a picnic, and get ready for a day of outdoor adventure with your little ones!Boston-Area Restaurants With Play AreasAs we continue our exploration of family-friendly activities in the Boston area, let's now turn our attention to Boston-area restaurants that offer play areas for kids to enjoy while you dine. These restaurants understand the importance of keeping little ones entertained and provide indoor and outdoor play areas for kids to have fun and burn off some energy.Indoor play areas for kids in Boston restaurants are a great option for those rainy or chilly days when outdoor play mightn't be possible. One popular restaurant with an indoor play area is the Boston Pizza Company. They've a dedicated play space filled with toys, games, and even a mini jungle gym. Kids can have a blast while you enjoy a delicious meal.If you prefer to dine al fresco, there are also restaurants in Boston that offer outdoor play areas for kids. The Barking Crab is a fantastic choice, as their outdoor seating area includes a sandpit where kids can build sandcastles and play. They also have a selection of outdoor games like cornhole and giant Jenga, ensuring that kids of all ages will have a blast.These restaurants with play areas provide a great opportunity for families to enjoy a meal together while also allowing kids to have fun and be themselves. It's a win-win situation that guarantees a stress-free dining experience for everyone.Things to Do in the Merrimack Valley With KidsLooking for exciting activities to do with your kids in the Merrimack Valley? Look no further! Here are three fantastic options to consider:Explore Merrimack Valley farms: The region is home to several farms that offer a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Take your kids to places like Smolak Farms in North Andover, where they can pick their own fruits, visit the petting zoo, and enjoy tractor rides. Connors Farm in Danvers is another great option, with its corn maze, hayrides, and farm animals. These farms provide a unique opportunity for children to learn about agriculture and interact with animals in a hands-on way.Visit Merrimack Valley museums: The area is rich in history and culture, making it the perfect destination for museum enthusiasts. Check out the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, where kids can explore interactive exhibits and learn about the region's textile industry. The Children's Museum at Holyoke is another must-visit, featuring hands-on exhibits that encourage creativity and imagination. These museums offer a blend of education and entertainment, ensuring a memorable experience for the whole family.Enjoy outdoor activities: The Merrimack Valley is blessed with beautiful parks and natural landscapes, providing ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. Take your kids to Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, where they can hike, have a picnic, and explore the park's stunning gardens. If your family enjoys fishing, head to Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, where you can spend a relaxing day by the water. These outdoor activities allow children to connect with nature and engage in physical exercise, promoting their overall well-being.With these exciting options, your family is sure to have a fantastic time exploring the Merrimack Valley. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and embark on a memorable adventure together!Canobie Lake ParkCanobie Lake Park, located just a half-hour car ride away from Boston, offers over 85 rides, carnival games, and a water park section, making it the ideal destination for a fun-filled day trip with family or friends.At Canobie Lake Park, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The park boasts a wide variety of rides and attractions, ensuring that thrill-seekers, young children, and everyone in between will have a blast.For those seeking adventure, there are thrilling roller coasters like the Untamed and the Yankee Cannonball. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can hop on the Canobie Corkscrew or take a leisurely spin on the Ferris wheel. The park also offers classic carnival games, where you can test your skills and win prizes.But the fun doesn't stop there. Canobie Lake Park also has a fantastic water park section, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. With water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, you can splash and play to your heart's content.What sets Canobie Lake Park apart is its commitment to providing a memorable experience for all ages. There are plenty of rides and attractions designed specifically for younger children, ensuring that even the littlest visitors can have a great time. Plus, the park offers a variety of dining options, from quick bites to sit-down meals, so you can refuel and keep the fun going.Kennebunkport, MEKennebunkport, ME is a charming coastal town located just 90 minutes from Boston, offering a delightful mix of picturesque beaches, a vibrant downtown area, and a variety of family-friendly attractions. When visiting Kennebunkport, families can enjoy the following:Seashore Trolley Museum: Step back in time and explore the world's largest collection of trolley cars at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Kids will love riding the vintage trolleys and learning about the history of public transportation. It's a unique and educational experience that the whole family can enjoy.Outdoor activities in Kennebunkport: With its beautiful coastal location, Kennebunkport offers plenty of outdoor activities for families to enjoy. Take a kayak or paddleboard and explore the scenic coastline or go on a thrilling boat tour to spot seals and other marine wildlife. Families can also relax on the sandy beaches, build sandcastles, and take a refreshing dip in the ocean. There's no shortage of outdoor fun in Kennebunkport!Explore the downtown area: Kennebunkport's downtown area is filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants, making it the perfect place for families to explore. Take a leisurely stroll down the charming streets, browse through unique boutiques, and indulge in delicious seafood at one of the local eateries. Don't forget to try the famous Maine lobster roll, a must-have when visiting this coastal town.Kennebunkport, ME is a fantastic day trip destination for Boston area families. With its mix of history, outdoor activities, and coastal charm, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for a memorable adventure in Kennebunkport!Roger Williams ParkNestled in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park offers an array of family-friendly attractions and activities for a day of fun and exploration. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature, learn about wildlife, or simply enjoy a picnic in the park, Roger Williams Park has something for everyone.One of the highlights of Roger Williams Park is its zoo, which is home to a wide variety of animals from around the world. Kids will love getting up close and personal with elephants, giraffes, and monkeys, while parents can appreciate the park's commitment to conservation and education. The zoo also offers interactive exhibits and feeding opportunities, allowing visitors to learn more about the animals and their habitats.In addition to the zoo, Roger Williams Park features a natural history museum and planetarium, where families can explore the wonders of the universe and learn about the history of the Earth. The park also boasts beautiful botanical gardens, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic. And let's not forget the fully accessible playground, where kids can climb, slide, and swing to their heart's content.To help you plan your visit to Roger Williams Park, here's a handy table highlighting some of its family-friendly attractions:AttractionsDescriptionZooHome to a wide variety of animals from around the world, offers interactive exhibits and feeding opportunitiesNatural History MuseumLearn about the history of the Earth and explore the wonders of the universeBotanical GardensStroll through beautiful gardens, perfect for a picnic or a peaceful walkFully Accessible PlaygroundA playground where kids can climb, slide, and swing to their heart's contentPlayground and Picnic AreasOffers a range of playgrounds and picnic areas, ideal for families looking for a place to relax and enjoy a meal togetherYorks Wild KingdomAfter exploring the family-friendly attractions of Roger Williams Park, let's now turn our attention to Yorks Wild Kingdom, a must-visit amusement park and zoo combo that promises a day of wild adventures and interactive animal encounters.Animal encounters: At Yorks Wild Kingdom, you can get up close and personal with a variety of amazing animals. From feeding the giraffes to petting the friendly goats, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about and interact with different species. Kids will love the chance to see their favorite animals up close and maybe even make a few new furry friends along the way.Water park activities: When the sun is shining and the temperatures are rising, head over to the water park section of Yorks Wild Kingdom for a refreshing splash. With thrilling water slides, a lazy river, and a giant wave pool, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a thrilling ride or a relaxing float, the water park is the perfect place to cool off and have some fun in the sun.Adventure rides: Yorks Wild Kingdom isn't just about animals and water fun. The amusement park section offers a wide range of rides and attractions that will thrill kids of all ages. From classic roller coasters to spinning teacups, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to try the Ferris wheel for a bird's eye view of the park and the surrounding area.Yorks Wild Kingdom is a place where adventure and education come together in a fun and exciting way. So gather your family and get ready for a day of wild encounters, thrilling rides, and plenty of water park fun. It's time to make memories that will last a lifetime at Yorks Wild Kingdom.New Hampshire Children's MuseumThe New Hampshire Children's Museum offers a world of interactive fun and learning for kids of all ages. With a variety of exhibits and activities, this museum is the perfect destination for a day trip with the family. One of the highlights of the museum is its outdoor exploratory area, where kids can engage in outdoor activities while learning and having fun.The museum features a range of interactive exhibits that encourage children to explore and discover. From a pretend grocery store where kids can learn about healthy eating to a construction zone where they can build and create, there is something for every child's interests. The exhibits are designed to be hands-on and engaging, allowing children to learn through play.To give you a glimpse of what the New Hampshire Children's Museum has to offer, here is a table highlighting some of the exhibits and activities:ExhibitDescriptionAge RangePretend Grocery StoreKids can shop for groceries, learn about healthy eating, and play cashier3-8 years oldConstruction ZoneChildren can build and create using various tools and materials4-10 years oldScience Discovery CenterExplore the wonders of science through interactive experiments6-12 years oldArt StudioLet your creativity soar with various art materials and projects3-12 years oldOutdoor Play AreaEngage in outdoor activities such as climbing, sliding, and exploringAll agesWhether your child loves science, art, or simply playing outdoors, the New Hampshire Children's Museum has something for everyone. It's a place where kids can have fun while learning and exploring. So, pack your bags and head to the museum for a day of outdoor adventures and interactive exhibits.15th Day Trip OptionFor our next day trip option, let's explore the charming town of Kennebunkport, Maine, which is just 90 minutes away from Boston. Kennebunkport is known for its beautiful beaches and family-friendly attractions.Here are three reasons why it should be on your summer day trip list:Best beach locations near Boston: Kennebunkport boasts some of the best beaches in the area. Gooch's Beach is a popular spot for families, with its soft sand and gentle waves. Goose Rocks Beach offers stunning views and is perfect for long walks along the shore. If you're looking for a more secluded spot, head to Colony Beach, where you can relax and soak up the sun in peace.Must-visit museums for kids in the area: Kennebunkport is home to the Seashore Trolley Museum, a unique attraction that showcases the history of trolleys and offers rides on vintage streetcars. Kids will love exploring the museum's collection of trolleys and learning about their role in transportation history. Another must-visit museum is the Brick Store Museum, which features exhibits on the local history of Kennebunkport and the surrounding area.Outdoor activities and charming downtown: In addition to its beaches and museums, Kennebunkport offers plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards and explore the scenic Kennebunk River, or take a boat tour to see seals and other wildlife. Afterward, take a stroll through the town's charming downtown, where you'll find a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants to explore.With its beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions, and outdoor activities, Kennebunkport is the perfect day trip destination for Boston area families. Pack your sunscreen and sense of adventure, and get ready to enjoy a day of freedom and fun in this charming Maine town.16th Day Trip OptionLet's continue our exploration of exciting day trip options by discovering another fantastic destination near Boston. If you're an animal lover and looking for water activities for your kids, then we've just the place for you. How about a visit to York's Wild Kingdom?Located in Maine, just a short drive from Boston, this must-visit amusement park and zoo combo offers a wide range of rides and attractions that will keep the whole family entertained.At York's Wild Kingdom, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. From lions and tigers to monkeys and llamas, there's something for everyone. The interactive exhibits, like the butterfly exhibit, allow kids to learn about and appreciate nature while having fun at the same time.But the fun doesn't stop there! York's Wild Kingdom also has a water park section where your little ones can splash around and cool off on those hot summer days. And when hunger strikes, you can enjoy a delicious Maine lobster roll right on the beach.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Much Does It Cost to Visit the Ecotarium?Visiting the EcoTarium is a great option for families in the Boston area. When considering the cost comparison, it's important to note that admission prices vary depending on age and membership status.However, the benefits of visiting the EcoTarium are well worth it. With a children's museum, nature center, and hiking trails, there's something for everyone.Plus, it's a fantastic way to engage with nature and learn about science in a fun and interactive way.Are There Height or Age Restrictions for the Rides at Gunstock Mountain Resort?When it comes to the rides at Gunstock Mountain Resort, we know you're wondering about height and age restrictions. Well, let's tell you, safety is their top priority!They've measures in place to ensure everyone has a fun and secure experience. While specific restrictions may vary for each ride, they've a range of options suitable for all ages and heights.What Is the Ferry Schedule for the Boston Harbor Islands?The ferry schedule for the Boston Harbor Islands is something we should look into. It's important to know the times so we can plan our day trip accordingly.Exploring Georges and Spectacle Islands sounds like a great idea for hiking, beachcombing, and flying kites. We can enjoy the beautiful scenery and have a fun-filled day with our family.Let's check the ferry schedule and make sure we don't miss out on this exciting adventure!Is There a Gift Shop at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum?Yes, there's a gift shop at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. They offer a variety of Dr. Seuss souvenirs, perfect for fans of his beloved stories.You can find everything from books and plush toys to t-shirts and artwork. The gift shop is a great place to pick up a special memento from your visit and continue the Dr. Seuss magic at home.Don't forget to check it out during your trip to the museum!Are There Any Special Events or Shows at Davis Farmland During the Summer?Yes, there are special events and activities at Davis Farmland during the summer. They've a calendar packed with fun-filled events like Farmyard Feedings, where kids can help feed the animals, and the Meltdown Festival, featuring ice cream and water play.There are also daily activities such as pony rides, tractor rides, and exploring the splash pad.Davis Farmland offers a variety of engaging experiences for the whole family to enjoy.ConclusionGet ready to make unforgettable memories with your family this summer!From exploring the wonders of nature at the EcoTarium to experiencing thrilling rides at Gunstock Mountain Resort, there's something for everyone in the Boston area.Don't forget to visit the Boston Harbor Islands for a beach day filled with hiking and kite flying.And for the little ones, check out the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and Davis Farmland.Get ready for endless fun and adventure on these amazing day trips! Read More : https://worldkidstravel.com/15-day-trips-for-boston-area-kids-and-families-this-summe?feed_id=1907&_unique_id=65f6f3d39a6ee

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2024.03.14 17:59 Strange_Success_6530 Minerva's Backstory

Hel followed Artemis through the halls of Ragnarok. This was the worst part of the hunt. The wait. They had figured out rather quickly who the culprit was and had set a trap for Izanami or whoever she sent to get the job done.
The half-breed sighed. Hel could be managing her court in Helheim right now. Instead, she was doing this because she wanted to impress-
“Minerva! Hey!” Artemis waved as she saw her elder sister approach. Minerva returned the gesture.
“Nice seeing you Artemis. However, I'm not here to dote on my favorite sibling. I came to invite Hel for tea. A private affair.” Minerva clarified.
Artemis examined her sister. “Why? I know you recommended her for the job. But I didn't realize you were that close.”
“Minerva is something of a mentor to me. She taught me how to wield a sword.” Hel interjected. These were not lies, so the intuition of the divine huntress would be avoided.
“If you say so. I'm going to watch the next match then. Pan is supposed to be a fighter. I'll retrieve you when that's all over.” Artemis explained. She gave a half-ass wave and departed.
Minerva looked at Hel with a smirk. Her daughter did not return the expression. With a silent walk, they made their way to Minerva’s lodging. As she prepared the tea, Hel took a seat at the table. She crossed her legs and stared at her mother.
“What is it you want? I'm already doing this mission for you. What else is there?” she questioned. Minerva looked at her with a slight trace of disappointment.
“The only thing I want is to connect with you Hel,” Minerva explained.
“My formative years were a few thousand years ago. Though, I shall accept these terms. Despite being my mother, I hardly know anything about you.” Hel replied. “I would like to know your story.”
“If that is what you desire. Then get comfortable, for my story is a long one.” Minerva explained as she brought the tea over to the table.
https://www.reddit.com/ShuumatsuNoValkyrie/s/amo4lK94Rk
Long Ago, Gaia informed Zeus of a vision she had. That his first daughter would surpass him. Were as most gods would be afraid of this revelation. Zeus loved a challenge and excitedly went looking for Hera. To Zeus's disappointment, his firstborn was Vulcan. Not only was it a boy, but he was also crippled.
His second child was a daughter. The only child of Zeus to share his recognizable eyes. He named her Minerva. After me, there was Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Aries, Hermes, and then way down the line was Heracles.
I was an incredibly fast learner. Already having fully formed conversations at the age of 1. By merely watching other gods, I could gain a deep understanding of their craft. At the age of 6, I was dubbed the goddess of handicrafts.
7 at the time, weaving a tapestry of my father’s battle against my grandfather. My mother, Hera, was brushing my long locks.
“Minerva, you have such lovely hair. Like a shimmering wave of gold. Promise me you won't ever cut it?” she asked.
“If I want to be like Father, I will need it short. Long hair is a terrible idea for combat.” I dismissed her idea as I weaved my tapestry.
“You could put your hair into pigtails or a ponytail. Boys like girls with nice hair.” Hera mused. I stuck out my tongue and made a blah noise.
“What use will boys bring me?” I groaned, still having not seen the appeal in love.
“Ooh, you'll find out one day.” Hera smirked as she tied her daughter's hair into pigtails.
At the age of 9, my father had given me his divine treasure, the Jupiter Bolt. A crossbow that could shoot bolts of lightning. I impressed him with my marksmanship. So he amped up the targets. Small animals then big animals. I was hesitant at first but I wanted to do right by my father. So he brought out the final test. A god in shackles.
“This is Halirrhothius. He tried to cut down the world tree. The Norse have kindly asked us to take care of him. Shoot him.” Zeus encouraged. The crossbow aim was incoherent in my shaky hands. I didn't want to do this.
“But I don't know him. He's in chains. He looks sad. He’s unarmed-” I was interrupted by my father’s fist creating a crater in the ground.
“That's what an unarmed god can do. Never sympathize with your enemy. The mercy of a god is something to be earned. Now take the shot, Minerva.” Zeus explained as he put a hand on my shoulder. I pulled the trigger and watched the god fall limp. The first of many to be slain by me. “Great! No mercy!”
It became clear the older I got how different I was from my other siblings. I was rough housing with Aries one day and he managed to nick me. So I responded by beating him to submission with a boulder. I was only 13. My siblings began to look up to me for my strength, especially Aries. Always entrusting me with their problems. Knowing their big sister will save them. They are each my muses to get stronger.
At the age of 16, I was dubbed the goddess of Wisdom and Warfare. I had already 3 divine treasures to my name. The Jupiter Bolt, The Athenian Lance, and my most powerful weapon that I keep locked away in the same vaults as Moonlight of Artemis and Sunshine of Apollo. The Aegis Spear. A weapon I've only used once in my life.
My Athenian Lance struck so much fear into my enemies that the humans mistook my name for Athena. Well earned, during the Gigantomachy, I had slain 360 giants. At the time, I was so proud of myself. Only 26 and that powerful. I truly felt the divinity in my blood. Everyone patted me on the back and praised me.
But then I saw the tally at the end. I was in 3rd place. My father had killed 667 giants. My Uncle Poseidon had killed 543. Then I found out that my Uncle Hades had single-handedly killed the horde of Titans trying to escape hell. So really I was in 4th place.
Something snapped inside me at that moment. I had realized there was a gap of power between me and those three. A gap that I found disgusting. I vowed to become greater. I studied them and trained hard to surpass those who came before me. I began to incorporate their techniques into my own.
Then the Pandora incident happened when I was around 100 years old. My younger brother and I had failed to retrieve the evil box and were scolded for it.
“It's not my fault! The box had already been opened by the time I found it!” I argued. Not able to accept the failure of my mission.
“Oh? You disagree with my judgment Minerva? Well in my world, we don't settle things with words. Please make my day and say you want to settle things.” Father grinned as he sat in his chair. Ever since the day I was born, he had been waiting for the day I'd challenge him to battle.
I tightened my fist. I knew I couldn't win yet. I could maybe defeat Hades or Poseidon but until I could undoubtedly defeat those two. I didn't have a chance at fighting my father. The gap was far too wide.
“No sir. I failed my mission. I'll have a squadron of angels keep an eye on Pandora. I'll take full responsibility for anything to do with the cursed woman.” I pledged. Father frowned as he relaxed into his seat. He would not get his fight today.
When it came time for the great flood. Greece had wanted to spare a large portion of their Providence. Poseidon and I were selected to divert the flow of the flood. My uncle used his control of water to redirect half of it to a city known as Atlantis. I, however, summoned my Aegis Spear. The only time I've ever swung it outside of training. In that mighty swing, I had completely quelled my half of the flood. It began to rain down behind me on the village that would become Athens.
In the next century was one of the greatest wars in heaven. The Norse vs Greece. It was a long and bloody war. I became known as Promachos, she who fights in the front.
I had to rest for a while after I went blow for blow with Thor. I had broken my arm and several ribs, having underestimated the force of that hammer. But I returned the favor by impaling my lance into Thor’s chest.
Had Odin and Father fighting not spilled into ours. One of us might have died. We were both forced to retreat. Odin had suffered near-fatal injuries and father…. He was reduced to an old man due to the All-Father’s decay.
During my rest, the Egyptians offered to hold a peace conference on their turf. To my surprise, I was the one chosen to represent my pantheon.
Hestia, Aphrodite, and Mother all crowded me and started to “doll me up”. Lipstick, braids, makeup, fishnets, painted nails, heels. I felt like a stranger.
“In all my wisdom, I don't understand why Aphrodite isn't the representative.” I protested as Hestia applied eyeliner.
“Because my reputation precedes me.” Aphrodite replied as her massive reputation jiggled in front of me.
“But they don't know you aside from being a warrior. We all trust you to broker a peace treaty for us.” Mother explained.
“It's true.” Persephone said as she leaned against the door. “You constantly impress everyone. Even my dear husband knows you can handle any responsibility thrown at you.”
This filled my confidence. “That's right! I'm Minerva! I succeed no matter the circumstance! Doll me up! I shall peace talk the hell out of this conference!” I grinned. I looked into the mirror and no longer saw a stranger. I saw a winner, just wearing different clothes.
I had spent five hours waiting for my counterpart to arrive in that lodge of the sandy dunes. I wondered who the Norse would send. Heimdal? No, he was nearly killed by my little brother Aries recently. Frigg or Freya? I was hoping it wasn't those damn birds.
The reality in front of me warped before a well-dressed god appeared. I stood up to greet him. I enjoyed that heels made me taller. He leaned forward and stuck his tongue out. This guy looked annoying.
“Loki, I presume?” I asked. A god of trickery for a peace conference? That's bold.
“Good presumption. I've seen you before, Promachos. Would have fought you if Pan, Demeter and Adamas hadn't gotten in my way.” Loki explained as he twirled around before plopping himself down on the opposing chair.
“So you were the one who defeated those three.” I noted as I sat down myself.
“But don't you have a few other names? Minerva being your real one. There's also Athena, Artytone, Ergane, Chalinitis…… Parthenos.” he snickered. My face flushed. Parthenos meant virgin. It was a pact I had made with Artemis and Hestia. Granted I was drunk when I made it, but I didn't think anyone would find out we gave a name to the pact! I bet Artemis was the source of the leak.
“Well there is the nasty rumor about you and that horse.” I replied with a smirk of my own. He had reached for a glass of wine and paused his movements. He instead adjusted his cravat.
“Let's begin discussing those peace talks. We want the oracles, the golden fleece, Hermes, Artemis, and a few of your monsters. We aren't really picky about the monsters.” Loki said as he crossed his legs.
“Why would I agree to give you my siblings?” I glared. “We simply want your undying loyalty. Maybe even make you a subservient pantheon and fold you into ours.”
“Now that's a demand! You got some stones, Minnie.” Loki laughed before floating over to sit next to me. “But here's the way I see it, your chief is a fossil and out of commision. Hades, Poseidon, and Gaia are neutral. And the other pantheons like us more. So as it stands, you're currently the strongest in your pantheon fighting in this war. Oh wait! You’re not out on the battlefield right now. Whose the strongest with you gone? Apollo and Artemis? Think they can hold down the fort? But you can save them. Just have to agree to some terms.”
He had gotten close to my face. His eyes glittered with passion. He seemed to really enjoy talking. Lucky for him, his voice was rather nice.
“Sitting next to a person instead of in front of them is an age-old conversation tactic, to give the illusion of comradery. Odin and Thor are also out of commission. Who's the strongest god with them out of the picture? Is it you Loki?” I challenged as I pressed my forehead against his. His grin widened.
“I'm flattered you think it's me,” he whispered. “But you got anything else to say?”
“More pantheons may favor you. Us Greeks aren't exactly beloved. But we have far more notable gods than you. So I guess that equals out. Neither of us are in a position to make huge demands. Maybe we should start from square one?” I propose.
Loki floated back and looped through the air. “I suppose,” he agreed. But then the building shook. The windows were blinded by sand.
“One of your tricks?” I asked, not impressed. He shook his head and shrugged.
“This sandstorm is not caused by little old me~” Loki confessed. I believed him. So we continued our peace talks.
Neither of us gained any ground. He kept seeing through any ploys I was setting up. He was smart and it annoyed me. It also invoked other emotions that I couldn't understand. He was a true intellectual challenge.
Eventually we started to get tired. But neither of us trusted the other enough to sleep. The Egyptians had built the lodge so that there were only three rooms. A two person bedroom, a bathroom, a living area/kitchen.
We sat on the opposing beds and stared at each other. Loki put up his hand as magic surrounded him. His clothes transformed into a set of pajamas.
“Are you not gonna change into something more comfortable?” he asked.
“Pfft, you wish. As I undress you'll stab me in the back. Or when I'm asleep you'll slit my throat.” I laughed.
“Please, Minnie. If I wanted to hurt you. I would have done so already.” he chuckled. I raised my eyebrow.
“Wait? You think you could actually defeat me?” I inquired. The audacity of this bitch.
“Absolutely.” he shrugged. All the annoying shit he's done today has reached my limit. I leapt out of my bed and connected my fist against his face.
Loki tumbled out of his bed and onto the floor. Blood trickled out of his nose. He got to his feet and snickered as he put his hands up.
“Okay then. Peace talks are over. Let's decide the war with this battle.” he grinned like a maniac as chains emerged from his hands.
I was weaponless. I could summon my Aegis Spear. But then I would destroy the lodge with a single attack and get blinded by the sandstorm. I would have to do this barehanded.
Loki swung his right hook at him. I flipped back and landed on my high heels. They of course snapped. I recovered with a split into a spin on my shoulders to follow up with a jump-up kick at Loki.
He crashed through the wall and into the living room. He used his chains to start collecting the firewood and throwing them at me. I quickly deflected the projectiles with a well time punch. But he used the opportunity to lodge a hook into my left arm and pull me towards him.
Loki jumped off and gave me a powerful spin kick to my face. I slammed into the couch and tipped it over.
“Come on Minnie! You can do better!” Loki laughed. I responded by lifting up the couch and bashing his skull with it. He was laid out on the floor with the debris of the sofa surrounding him. He let out a whine of pain.
I lunged at him to deliver a mighty knee but he teleported out of the way and appeared behind me. He wrapped his legs around my waist and was bringing his hook to my throat.
If it wasn't for reaction speed, I would have died. I punched the hook upward. So instead of puncturing my throat, he etched his hook into my cheek. I grunted and slammed him into the kitchen counter to loosen him off my back.
I spun around and grabbed his head as I lifted him over me and brought his face through the kitchen counter.
With a swift kick to the side of his gut, he was sent tumbling away. I took out a kitchen knife and ran to finish him off. But as I brought down the knife he shapeshifted to look like my youngest brother, Hermes.
I faltered. I knew it wasn't real but I faltered. Loki kicked the knife out of my hand and he flew up. He dropped his disguise as he caught my left arm again and then drove a hook into my back.
“I win.” He bragged as he slashed upwards, tearing up my flesh and causing blood to fly. I glared. Like hell this pretty bitch would win. With a swift elbow to his face, I knocked him loose and then grabbed his throat.
With a decisive choke slam, I saw his consciousness leave him for a moment. In that moment, I pinned him down and began to slug him on repeat.
My blood was pumping. I couldn't lie, this fight was fun. He was a challenge. I'd love to see him again. But my father’s mantra echoed in my mind. No Mercy.
I stopped punching. How does one earn the mercy of a god? I should be able to decide who I give mercy to. Loki looked up at me. With those purple, glittering, soft eyes. That punchable face looked so delicate now. I inhaled before leaning down and kissing him. He responded kindly to that and ran his hands down my-
“You can skip over that!” Hel yelped. Her cold demeanor has cracked.
“Oops. Forgot who I was telling this story to. Yeah, I'll fast forward through that week of passion-”
“WEEK!!!???” Hel squeaked as she spilled her tea. She was trying her damndest not to picture it.
“That’s how long the sandstorm lasted. Needed something to do. Anywho, peace talks turned into pillow talk.” Minerva segued back into her story.
We ended up agreeing to a complete ceasefire. We admitted that neither of our forces was in a good state to win. And with that, we went our separate ways. I had already started to miss him. He occasionally told a joke that was actually hilarious. It was rare but when he did. It was funny. I wanted him to make me laugh again. Amongst other feelings.
A few weeks later, I held a hot towel over my head and groaned as Aphrodite did her nails. Hestia was drawing me a warm bath.
“What's wrong dear sister of mine?” Aphrodite asked.
“I've been throwing up a lot lately. And my training is leaving me so tired. Maybe I'm off my game?” I complained. Hestia glanced at me with a strange look on her face.
Aphrodite walked over and put her hand on my stomach. I was about to ask what she was doing but then my stomach glowed pink. Her divine technique?
“As I thought. You’re pregnant. Didn't see that coming from you, Miss Parthenos.” she smirked.
“Oh…. Oh no….” I murmured.
“Oh… Oh yeah…” Aphrodite giggled. Hestia used sign language to ask who the father was.
“..... Loki.” I mumbled as I put my hands over my face.
“Oh, he's cute.” Aphrodite gasped while Hestia had a panicked look on her face.
This was incredibly bad. Cross-breeding between pantheons was a messy affair. For those related to a chief god, it was a straight-up taboo. If my daughter overthrew Odin. She also had a legal claim to Zeus’s throne and could challenge him without a war. Because of this hypothetical, the only escape clause was full disownment. But even then…. The baby would still be the target of who knows what. I'd also be robbed of my destiny.
“Neither of you two can tell a soul!” I quickly begged. My little sister zipped her lips. Hestia jokingly mimicked the gesture.
“So what's the game plan, oh brilliant wisdom goddess?” Aphrodite asked.
I took out a pen and paper and began to write down the situation in code. “Aunt Hestia. I need you to deliver this note to Loki and then burn the letter. Can you do this for me?” I asked. She nodded and took the letter from me.
“I'll tell father I'm going away for a few years to train. I wish not to be disturbed. I'll build myself a nice cabin. Maybe I'll hide out in Midgard.” I schemed.
And that's exactly what I did. Loki actually stayed with me throughout the entire pregnancy so I wouldn't be alone. He was the only one who knew my location after all.
When my daughter was born, I named you Hel. Because the idea of being without you was hell to me. Maybe it wasn't the best name but I didn't have any real people to bounce off ideas with besides Loki.
After your birth, Loki limited his visit down to a few months at a time throughout those few years. During those times, I felt truly happy. Maybe the happiest I've ever been to this very day. But I had a realization. Whenever Loki left, he said he loved you Hel. He never has or would say, "I love you, Minerva.”
I quickly figured out why. I wasn't his wife, or even his girlfriend. I was simply someone he knocked up. The mother of his child. But…. I didn't hate him for not loving me. I wanted more but I didn't need more. Or maybe it was the other way around. I don't know.
Then I made the hardest choice in my existence. What to do with you?
“She’s five years old. It's time we decide who she'll be with from now on.” I said as I watched you train with a wooden sword.
“Well. In my opinion, A daughter should be with her mother. Especially with a brilliant goddess such as yourself. Beesides (he turned himself into a bee for a pun) I'm not exactly a responsible god.” he explained as he floated around me and turned back to normal.
“True…. But questions would arise. More questions are asked about who's the father than who's the mother. Especially for one being supposedly an asexual. But if she goes with you. Then people will just assume you had a little too much fun with a fair maiden.” I sighed.
“We’d need to cover up her right eye. It's too recognizable.” Loki mentioned as he laid his back against mine.
“..... I’m going to have to avoid seeing Hel for a few years. Can't risk her getting excited at seeing me.” I whispered. Tears threatened to run down. But then in a disgusting act, Loki just licked them off. I reeled back. “Why the hell (you looked up hearing your name) did you do that?” I gagged.
“Simple. If you were grossed out by me. You wouldn't cry.” Loki grinned as he took a bow. A snort of laughter came out before a fit of giggles overtook me. My little girl joined the laugh before her father chimed in.
This was the last happy memory I had in a while. I didn't see you for decades. The first time I did, was during a banquet at Hades palace. I saw you across the room. All grown up. You looked so beautiful.
I made my way over and struck up a conversation. “And what's your name?” I asked trying to be subtle.
You looked at me with a face that masked pain. It broke my heart. “Hel. Goddess of Death.” you introduced. My act broke for a second.
“Wait, you’re death god? How did that happen!?” I inquired. A few looks were tossed our way.
“Odin decided I should be one. I'm leaving. I left my dog Fenrir out waiting for me. He gets so lonely when his momma leaves him.” you said with such malice in your voice.
“Wow. Kind of a bitch. Right cuz?” Dionysus said, walking over. I broke the wine glass in my hand. I managed to suppress the urge to deck Dionysus for insulting my daughter.
“Everyone has a chip on their shoulder. We should all be more understanding.” I dispensed my wisdom.
Hel looked at the teacup as she cleaned it with a cloth. “I was out of line that day. I wasn't ready to see you….. But to an earlier point you made. Dad definitely loves you. Or at least cares immensely about you. When you were injured in Ragnarok 1 against Frane Selak. He had disguised himself as a doctor and was the one who stitched you up.”
“Oh…. I never… I never knew that.” Minerva said as a blush and smile emerged. Dear readers, the rest of her story would be rather sad and morbid.
Whenever there were council meetings amongst the pantheons. I found myself arguing publicly with Loki. Not because I was desperate to talk with him but because he would say the most ridiculous things that pissed me off. Even then, he still found his way into my bed the same night.
For a few centuries, I took an immense interest in running my own temple on earth. I got used to the humans calling me Athena.
“Lady Athena. A red-haired god is here to see you.” Medusa, one of my most devoted followers, informed me.
I was busy brewing an elixir. Hecate had gotten me interested in potion brewing. “Must be my uncle, Adamas. Let him in.” I authorized.
I noticed in the reflection of my mirror, that when Adamas entered, he goggled at Medusa’s rear as she walked away. What a pig.
“Welcome to my holy grounds, Uncle Adamas.” I greeted as I turned to face him.
“Minerva. Don't you think there is someone far more suited to the throne than Zeus?” Adamas asked. Yeah… Me.
“I would agree to the wording of that statement.” I replied.
“Good! I've already acquired the support of 49 members of Zeus’s council. And a few of the 13 gods of Olympus. I have tamed giants, titans, and Typhoon! If I can get you and Poseidon to agree-”
“HAHAHA!” I laughed at his face. Adamas scowled.
“What's so funny?” he snarled.
“2 things are hilarious. 1: that you think Poseidon would follow along. And 2: This is the one that really has me chuckling.” I swallowed my laughter and looked at him with a serious glare. “That you think I’d let you steal my destiny.”
“What the fuck do you mean by that?” Adamas yelled as he swung his arm through the air. His other fist was clenched. Was he…. Nervous? I've always known him to be rather cocky. Did he… fear me? A sinister smile creeped on me as I approached my uncle.
“Gaia prophesied that I would surpass Zeus one day. So one day, when I'm strong enough. I'll kill my father in a glorious battle to end all battles. I won't need an army. I don't need support other than praise for when his body falls before me.” as I got closer, he fell to his knees. “I don't need you.”
“W-w… fuck you!” Adamas cursed before scampering off. I should have walked him out. Because he didn't leave immediately. Under my nose. In my very own temple. He took out the troubles that plagued him by violating one of my followers.
I heard a crash and went to check it out. The sight sickened me. The way he held Medusa. She was crying. The last interaction I ever had with my uncle was punching him out of my temple. Apparently he was killed by Poseidon later that day. Good riddance.
I looked down at Medusa. She was trying to cover herself. The poor thing wouldn't stop crying. In the opposition of a god, she was powerless. As all humans were. I didn't want Medusa to feel helpless. So I decided to fix it. Fix her from the weakness of mortal power.
As I grabbed her by the wrist and guided her to my room. She kept apologizing. She didn't need to apologize.
“Enough of that. No more apologies.” I ordered. I didn't want to hear her be sad over something she had no power in. She was silent but I sensed fear in her.
I sat her down on a chair and prepared my elixir. “No one will ever be able to get that close to you again, Medusa. From now on, you'll demand fear. This is everything you deserve. Now drink.”
Medusa held back her tears. “Please don't.” she begged. What could she possibly mean by that? Was she in shock from what Adamas did to her? Poor girl.
“Don’t worry Medusa. This is the mercy of your goddess.” I whispered as I held her mouth open and gently poured the liquid down her throat.
I stepped back and watched her transform. Her skin turned pale. Her hair turned green and swayed like snakes on the hunt. She covered her eyes as steam emitted from them.
“What… What have you done?” she asked. Ah the sound of gratitude.
“Your hair is a living weapon. You're stronger and faster than everyone else. And any mortal who makes eye contact with you. Will be turned to stone. Lastly, you will not know the pain of aging.” I explained. Medusa fell silent. I patted her on the back before leaving. There were affairs in order I had to take care of.
When I came back from the heavens. Medusa was no longer at the temple. Maybe she had gone to test her abilities? Or simply went to gather herbs. I started to think about it, there will be a learning curve for her to not accidentally turn her fellow priestesses into stone. I'll have to teach her the cure. 30% nitric acid and 70% alcohol creates the solution to free anyone from their stone prison.
I never saw Medusa at the temple again. Occasionally, I'd think about her and hoped she was doing well.
A few centuries later. I had ran into you a 2nd time. You needed help fending off a plethora of demons and Typhoon who were trying to escape Helheim.
Hel sat in her seat and looked down to hide her smile. She remembered the battle well. It was the day she reconnected with her mother.
When Hel had needed her most, Minerva had shown up to maintain order in Hel’s domain. She led a battalion of angels and Hel was left amazed at her strategic skills.
“There's a crevice. If we hide angels there, they fly up and take the demons by surprise. Angels come from the heavens, so they won't expect them to come from below.” Minerva planned.
Then in the battle against Typhoon, Minerva had ordered her forces to retreat. “I don't want anyone caught in the crossfire. Stand back, I'm ending this.” she claimed.
I planted my feet and took a deep breath. The wind swirled around me from the sheer force of preparation. “BREAKER OF STORMS!” I yelled as I drove my lance through a horde of demons and eventually, Typhoon.
As the monster’s blood rained down, I looked up with glee. I had killed a monster that gave my father a struggle when he was young. I had perfected a move copied off Hades. I had earned my daughter's respect. It was all going so well.
After that battle, I decided to take a break and rest at a human village for a while.
As I sat on the fountain and entertained the people with stories of my latest adventure. A young boy walked up to me. “Lady Athena! They say you're the greatest weaver in heaven. Is that true?”
“Well. I'm sure my brother Apollo could give me a run for my money. But sure, I'm the best!” I chuckled.
“Well my mommy is the best weaver in Greece! I bet she is even better than you.” he challenged. Gasps echoed across the crowds.
I gave the boy a soft smile and patted his head. “Tell your mother to come out. We can see who creates the better tapestry. God or man.” I accepted the challenge. It seemed like a fun competition that would lead to the humbling of man.
I met a woman named Arachne. We began an intense weave off. I don't really remember what I weaved. It paled in comparison to Arachne’s work. A gorgeous tapestry that aired out the gods dirty laundry. I was having an amused chuckle until I noticed something. Medusa was on the tapestry. Right alongside terrible things gods have done to humans. There was me transforming Medusa.
“What the fuck is this? You beat me in one of my favorite hobbies then you also disrespect me by putting what I did next to everyone else’s wrongdoings! You rotten wretch!” I yelled as I drove my foot through her masterpiece. I stormed off. I always hated losing and Arachne was the only person to have ever truly defeated me.
After a few hours of calming down, I realized I may have been a tad out of line. So I grabbed a basket full of fruits and journeyed to Arachne house to apologize. Maybe even ask for a rematch.
A spider spun its web.
Where I walked, the humans were afraid. When Arachne’s son saw me, he broke down crying.
A spider dangled from its web.
I got onto my knees and patted the boy on the head. “I came to make things right with your mother. Where is she?” I asked.
The web snapped.
I found her upstairs. Dangling. The chair on its side. Knotted cord around a fragile neck.
The spider was dead.
A few hundred years later, Hermes had approached me in my dojo. He had the faintest look of worry on his face.
“Do you recall me telling you about that boy I was mentoring? Perseus. I had equipped him to face off against a creature called the gorgons.” he said. I nodded. “Well, my information for the first time in a while was wrong. There weren't 3 of them. Only one who is far more powerful than I would have deemed Perseus capable of. I need you to go save Perseus.”
“Why should I clean up your mess my dear brother?” I asked as I swatted my training dummy.
“Because the gorgon's real name is Medusa.”
I kicked the head off the dummy. Without a word, I gathered my gear and set off on my griffin mount, Owlin.
The cave I walked into was filled with bile. Broken statues laid across the ground. Faded blood traced the ground. Not blood of man. As I walked into the core chamber. I found them. The petrified Perseus and Medusa.
I have never seen a more wretched creature. One of my own making. She was starving. Blood trickled down her body. An exhausted creature who fought many battles and never recovered properly. When she looked up at me, her eyes contracted with scorn unrivaled. She even began to foam at the mouth.
“ATHENA!!!!” Medusa roared as she lunged at me. In one silent motion, I beheaded her.
“I'm sorry.” the words from my lips were barely audible to me. After providing the cure to Perseus, I put Medusa’s head in a bag. “You defeated Medusa. I simply guided you. I do not want credit for this death.” I explained as I handed him the bag.
What Perseus didn't know at the time. Was that I had stolen Medusa’s eyes. I couldn't trust humanity with that kind of power. I rashly made that mistake before.
I placed the eyes in what is now called the Gorgon Shield. It's locked beyond several different lenses. So instead of turning mortals into stone. It merely paralyzes for a moment.
An interview was conducted a thousand years later. Asking people what they thought of Minerva.
Zeus looked at who asked him the question. "Minerva? What do I think of her? Well she's my eldest daughter! What else can I say except..."
"I've always found the title of "god who others can rely on most" to be far more fitting for her. After all, I'm far too busy running Helheim." Hades answered. "Besides, she's..."
Poseidon didn't look at the interviewer. "Giving praise is beneath a god. But I will speak the truth. Minerva is..."
"Great! I love my big sister!" Heracles shouted. Aries gave a double thumbs up behind him. Hermes let out a chuckle.
"I concur. Who wouldn't, she's..."
"Absolutely beautiful! I've seen her fight before and it's a marvelous sight! The ferocity! The passion!" Apollo preached. Artemis smirked and joined in the tirade. "She's..."
"The Culmination of Olympus."
In a room of solitude, I sat in a chair beneath the slow moving ceiling fan. I looked at my reflection. Thinking back to my failings. Choosing my pursuit of my destiny over Hel, the treatment of Medusa, the fate of Arachne.
"Wretched. I'm wretched.” I whispered.
That's when Sobek knocked down my door. He had been the most pissed about Zeus’s on a whim choice to stop interfering with mankind.
“Minerva! I desire barbarity!” he roared. Sobek had been on a rampage challenging gods. He already beat Aries and had just got back from his recuperation due to fighting and losing to Zeus.
“I'm not in the mood.” I dismissed him. He responded by smashing the mirror I was looking at.
“GET IN THE MOOD!” he roared. I sighed and stood up.
“I will make no promise of sparing your life. It was a miracle you survived Zeus. You want to push your luck?” I asked him. He responded by swinging his polearm. I ducked underneath it and tackled him out the window.
The fight doesn't matter. Sobek was a challenging god. But he eventually realized that he was on equal footing with an unarmed version of me. He lost steam at that point.
“I’d lose if you had your divine treasures. I am correct, aren't I?” he asked. I simply nodded. He turned around and began to leave. “Then you are the strongest war god. No point in fighting about it.”
After that, it felt like an open invention. War gods from across pantheons tried to challenge me. I'd be lying if I said beating them didn't raise my spirits. Victory gave me the rush I needed to end my misery. It's funny. Sobek's depression started when mine began to fade. These war gods were all stepping stones to my finish line.
I think the year was 1920. I was in bed with Loki and bragging about a recent victory.
“I knocked out Huitzilopochtli. You know, had Hestia pursued her crush on Quetzalcoatl from long ago, I would be an in-law to Huitzilopchtli and have legal claim to the Aztec throne now.” I explained. Loki found that amusing.
“So you defeated a chief god? With zero repercussions. Pretty reckless, wisdom goddess~” he teased as he twirled his hair around his finger.
“Hey, he was the one who challenged me. Apparently, Tezcatlipoca egged him on to do it. Something about, goddesses should know their place or some bullshit like that.” I recalled.
“I'm gonna go freshen up. Can't let the more beastly gods smell the Greek stench on me.” he yawned as he floated to the bathroom.
“I smell wonderful, you snake.” I protested. He mimicked my mouth with his hands as he closed the door. Jerk.
I then walked around the room. It had been the first time in a few thousand years I was in Loki’s quarters. He had a second door inside the main one that wasn't a bathroom. My own room didn't even have that. So I naturally opened it out of curiosity.
Minerva looked at Hel. “I'm not gonna tell you what was in that room. Every god has a secret. This is not my secret to tell.” maintained Minerva. She recalled the memory of the porcelain dolls. One of Minerva. A smaller one of Hel. And for some reason, the Valkyrie Brunhilde.
Loki had tried to explain to her why it wasn't creepy. What they were for but Minerva didn't feel like listening at the moment. She had simply left and didn't interact with him for a few centuries.
“Now that I think about it. These past few days have been the first real interaction I've had with him since that day. Aside from him stitching my wound but I was unaware of that.” Minerva explained.
“I always viewed you as a peerless egomaniac. But underneath that. You are a very troubled individual.” Hel commented.
“Most gods are. Hel…. Do you hate me?” Minerva asked as she leaned against the table. She wouldn't blame her if she did.
“You're selfish. The goddess of sore losers. Your biggest aspiration in life is to kill your own father, which in my opinion, is a sign of a mental illness. You deeply crave violence. Lastly, you can't admit you're in love with a wack job you've been seeing for nearly a million years.” Hel summarized.
“How astute.” the wisdom goddess chuckled. Normally when people talked like they knew her, Minerva got defensive. But being picked apart by her daughter… felt nice.
Hel then took off her eyepatch. “But you are my mother. Most problems you cause start with good intentions. I think intent is the mark of one's character. People say trying is all that matters. So intent is the prime root of value. You are also incredibly intelligent and powerful. I must respect that. But love is a strong word. I don't think I love you. Nor do I love my father. I find him to be immature and obnoxious. The only person I do love is probably my wolf, Fenrir. He has always been a loyal friend. But like father…. I've grown quite fond of you.” she explained.
“I think fondness is much more impactful than the overused word love. But Hel. Do you know what I think of you?” Minerva asked with a smile. “I cherish you.”
Hel couldn't cover her blush fast enough. “Mom!” she whined, she couldn't handle affection well. Minerva’s heart skipped a beat.
It was the first time in thousands of years that Hel has addressed her as her mother.
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2024.03.13 00:44 Sweet-Count2557 2024 Needham Carnival

2024 Needham Carnival Get ready for the most unforgettable event of the year - the 2024 Needham Carnival!This year, we are taking the excitement to a whole new level, with thrilling rides, mouthwatering food, and endless fun for everyone.But that's not all, because this carnival is about to unveil something truly extraordinary.So, mark your calendars and prepare to be amazed as we take you on a journey like never before.Trust us, you don't want to miss what we have in store for you at the 2024 Needham Carnival.Key TakeawaysThe 2024 Needham Carnival is organized by the Rotary Club of Needham.The carnival takes place from July 21st to July 24th, running from 6:00pm to 10:00pm ET.Entry to the carnival is free, but the cost of rides varies.The carnival offers activities for all ages, including kiddie games, big kid games, and thrill rides.Event DetailsThe 2022 Needham Carnival, organized by the Rotary Club of Needham, is an exciting event that offers a variety of activities for all ages. Taking place from July 21st to July 24th, the carnival runs from 6:00pm to 10:00pm ET, providing ample time for attendees to enjoy the festivities. The best part? It's free to enter, with the cost of rides varying.For the little ones, there are kiddie games designed to entertain and delight. From ring toss to duck pond, these games are sure to bring smiles to their faces. But the fun doesn't stop there. There are also big kid games for the older children and thrill rides for the thrill-seekers among us. The midway offers a wide range of attractions, ensuring that there's something for everyone.And what's a carnival without the delicious food? The Needham Carnival has you covered with a variety of carnival food options that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From cotton candy to fried dough, there's no shortage of tasty treats to indulge in.The carnival takes place at Needham High School, conveniently located at 609 Webster Street in Needham, MA. It's just a short distance away from Boston, making it easily accessible for those in the surrounding areas.With the Rotary Club of Needham organizing the event, you can trust that it will be well-run and enjoyable for all. For more information, you can visit the Mommy Poppins website, where you'll find details about the carnival and other family activities. Don't forget to check the website for any updates or changes to the event schedule.We hope to see you at the 2022 Needham Carnival for a memorable and fun-filled experience.Dates and TimeThe 2022 Needham Carnival takes place from July 21st to July 24th, offering attendees four evenings of exciting entertainment from 6:00pm to 10:00pm ET.Here are some important details about the dates and time of the carnival:Dates: The carnival will be held for four consecutive days, starting on July 21st and ending on July 24th. This provides ample opportunity for everyone to attend and enjoy the festivities.Evening Entertainment: The carnival will be open in the evenings, starting at 6:00pm and running until 10:00pm ET. This ensures that attendees can make the most of their time at the carnival and have a memorable experience.Family-Friendly Schedule: The evening timing is perfect for families, as it allows both children and adults to participate in the fun activities. Whether it's the kiddie games, big kid games, thrill rides, or exploring the midway, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.Age RestrictionsAge restrictions at the 2022 Needham Carnival vary depending on the specific activities and rides.For the kiddie games, children of all ages are welcome to participate. These games are designed to be age-appropriate and enjoyable for the little ones.On the other hand, the big kid games are geared towards older children and teenagers. These activities may involve more physical exertion or require a certain level of skill.As for the thrill rides, there are height restrictions in place for safety reasons. Some rides may require riders to be a minimum of 48 inches tall, while others may have a higher height requirement. It's important to note that these restrictions are strictly enforced to ensure the well-being of all participants.Moving on to the midway, there are no specific age restrictions for this area. It offers a variety of attractions and games that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages.Lastly, when it comes to the carnival food, there are no age restrictions. Everyone is welcome to indulge in the delicious treats and snacks available.Pricing InformationPricing for the 2022 Needham Carnival varies depending on the specific activities and rides. Here is a breakdown of the pricing information:Free Entry: The carnival offers free entry for all attendees, allowing everyone to enjoy the festive atmosphere and explore the various attractions.Ride Cost: The cost of rides at the carnival varies depending on the type and intensity. Kiddie games and big kid games are available at affordable prices, providing entertainment for children of all ages. For thrill-seekers, there are thrilling rides that offer an adrenaline rush, with prices reflecting the excitement they provide.Carnival Food: Indulging in delicious carnival food is an essential part of the experience. From classic favorites like cotton candy and popcorn to mouthwatering treats like funnel cakes and corn dogs, the prices of these delectable delights are typically reasonable, allowing visitors to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank.It's important to note that while the carnival strives to provide accurate pricing information, it's subject to change. Therefore, it's advisable to verify the activity dates, times, and prices on the official website before attending.As a family-friendly event organized by the Rotary Club of Needham, the Needham Carnival aims to provide an enjoyable experience for all. The carnival's pricing structure ensures that visitors have the freedom to choose the activities and rides that suit their preferences and budget.Activities OfferedWith a wide range of activities available, the 2022 Needham Carnival offers something for everyone to enjoy. From kiddie games to thrill rides, there's no shortage of fun to be had.For the little ones, there are various kiddie games that will keep them entertained for hours. From classic carnival games like ring toss and duck pond to face painting and balloon animals, the options are endless.Older kids and adults can test their skills at the big kid games. From basketball hoops to target shooting, there are plenty of opportunities to win prizes and show off your competitive side.For thrill-seekers, the carnival offers a variety of exciting rides. From roller coasters to spinning teacups, there's something for every adrenaline junkie.The midway is also a popular attraction, featuring a wide array of games and prizes. Whether you're trying to win a stuffed animal or a giant inflatable, the midway is sure to keep you entertained.Of course, no carnival would be complete without delicious carnival food. From cotton candy to funnel cakes, there's no shortage of tasty treats to indulge in. Whether you're craving something sweet or savory, the carnival has got you covered.Kiddie GamesKiddie games at the 2022 Needham Carnival offer endless entertainment for the little ones attending the event. Here are three reasons why these games are a must-try for kids:Wide Variety: The carnival offers a wide variety of kiddie games to cater to different interests and ages. From classic games like ring toss and duck pond to more interactive games like balloon darts and bean bag toss, there's something for every child to enjoy. The games are designed to be fun and engaging, ensuring that children have a great time at the carnival.Prizes: One of the highlights of playing kiddie games at the Needham Carnival is the opportunity to win prizes. The games are set up in a way that allows children to win small prizes, such as stuffed animals or small toys, by successfully completing the game. This adds an element of excitement and motivation for the kids, making the games even more enjoyable.Skill Development: While having fun, kiddie games at the carnival also provide an opportunity for children to develop and improve their skills. Games like ring toss and bean bag toss help children enhance their hand-eye coordination and aim. Balloon darts require concentration and focus, which can help improve a child's ability to stay focused on a task. These games not only entertain but also contribute to the overall development of the little ones.Big Kid GamesBig kid games at the 2022 Needham Carnival offer thrilling experiences for older children and teenagers attending the event. These games are designed to provide excitement and challenge to the participants, allowing them to test their skills and have a great time. From high-energy sports games to interactive challenges, there's something for everyone.One popular big kid game at the carnival is the laser tag arena. Participants gear up with laser guns and navigate through a maze-like arena, trying to tag their opponents while avoiding being tagged themselves. It's a fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping activity that brings out the competitive spirit in players.Another exciting game is the obstacle course. With a variety of hurdles, tunnels, and balance beams, participants race against the clock to complete the course in the fastest time possible. It's a test of agility, endurance, and determination, providing an exhilarating experience for those who dare to take on the challenge.For those who enjoy strategy and teamwork, there are also big kid games like escape rooms. Participants work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock mysteries within a set time limit. It's a mentally stimulating activity that requires communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.In addition to these specific games, the carnival also offers a range of other activities that cater to older children and teenagers. These include carnival classics like ring toss, basketball shooting, and dart games. There are also thrilling rides like roller coasters and spinning attractions that provide an extra dose of excitement.Thrill RidesAs we move on to the thrilling aspect of the carnival experience, attendees of the 2022 Needham Carnival can expect an adrenaline rush with the variety of thrill rides available. Here are three reasons why thrill rides are a must-try at the carnival:Unmatched Excitement: The thrill rides at the Needham Carnival are designed to provide an unparalleled level of excitement. From towering roller coasters that twist and turn at breakneck speeds to gravity-defying spinning rides, there's something to satisfy every thrill-seeker's appetite for adventure. Get ready to feel the wind in your hair and your heart race as you experience the exhilaration of these high-speed attractions.Diverse Options: The carnival offers a diverse range of thrill rides to cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer stomach-churning drops, exhilarating loops, or dizzying spins, you'll find a ride that suits your thrill-seeking desires. From classic favorites like the Ferris wheel and bumper cars to more intense attractions like the drop tower and pendulum ride, there's no shortage of options to get your adrenaline pumping.Family-Friendly Fun: While thrill rides are often associated with extreme sensations, the Needham Carnival ensures that there are also family-friendly options available. These rides provide a milder yet still exciting experience, allowing families with younger children to enjoy the thrill of the carnival together. So, even if you're not a fan of intense rides, you can still join in on the fun and create lasting memories with your loved ones.With the variety of thrilling options available at the 2022 Needham Carnival, attendees are in for an exciting and unforgettable experience. So, buckle up, hold on tight, and get ready for a wild ride!The MidwayLocated at the 2022 Needham Carnival, the Midway offers a variety of attractions for attendees of all ages to enjoy. This section of the carnival is bustling with excitement and is a hub of activity. The Midway is filled with thrilling rides, fun games, and delicious food options that will satisfy any craving.One of the highlights of the Midway is the assortment of thrill rides available. From towering roller coasters to spinning teacups, there is something for everyone seeking an adrenaline rush. The Midway also features a selection of kiddie rides, ensuring that even the youngest attendees can have a great time.In addition to the rides, the Midway is home to a wide array of games. Test your skills and try your luck at classic carnival games like ring toss, balloon darts, and basketball shooting. Prizes are up for grabs, and the competitive spirit is in the air.To fuel your adventure, the Midway offers a tempting selection of carnival food. Indulge in favorites like cotton candy, corn dogs, and funnel cakes. The mouthwatering aromas wafting through the air will entice you to try a little bit of everything.To make the Midway experience even more engaging, here is a table showcasing some of the attractions you can expect to find:CategoryAttractionsAge GroupThrill RidesRoller Coaster, Ferris Wheel, Drop TowerAll agesKiddie RidesCarousel, Mini Train, Bumper Cars2-10 yearsGamesRing Toss, Balloon Darts, Basketball ShootoutAll agesFoodCotton Candy, Corn Dogs, Funnel CakesAll agesWith something for everyone, the Midway at the 2022 Needham Carnival is a must-visit destination. From exhilarating rides to entertaining games and delicious food, this section of the carnival promises a memorable experience for attendees of all ages. So grab your friends and family, and head to the Midway for a day filled with excitement and fun.Carnival FoodCarnival Food at the 2022 Needham Carnival offers a delectable array of treats for attendees to indulge in. Here are three mouthwatering options to satisfy your cravings:Funnel Cakes: Sink your teeth into this classic carnival delight. These deep-fried pastries are sprinkled with powdered sugar and can be topped with your choice of sweet sauces, such as caramel or chocolate. The crispy outer layer gives way to a soft, doughy center, creating the perfect balance of textures. It's a sugary sensation that will leave you wanting more.Corn Dogs: Get ready for a savory delight on a stick. These deep-fried hot dogs are coated in a thick layer of cornmeal batter, giving them a crispy and golden exterior. The juicy hot dog inside provides a burst of flavor with every bite. Add some ketchup or mustard for an extra zing, and you've got a classic carnival treat that never disappoints.Cotton Candy: Indulge your sweet tooth with this fluffy confection. Made by heating and liquefying sugar, then spinning it through tiny holes, cotton candy is a whimsical treat that melts in your mouth. Its airy texture and vibrant colors make it a carnival favorite. Take a stroll down memory lane as you savor the sweet, sugary strands.With these delectable options, the carnival food at the 2022 Needham Carnival is sure to satisfy all of your cravings. So come and enjoy the freedom to indulge in these delightful treats while immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere.Location DetailsWe can find the location details for the 2022 Needham Carnival at Needham High School, which is situated at 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494. The carnival will be held at this location from July 21 to July 24, running from 6:00pm to 10:00pm ET each day. Needham High School is conveniently located in close proximity to Boston, making it easily accessible for visitors.The carnival is organized by the Rotary Club of Needham, a community organization dedicated to serving the local area. They've partnered with Mommy Poppins, a family activity website, to help people find things to do with their kids. Mommy Poppins offers free newsletters and allows activity submission and business listings, making it a valuable resource for families looking for fun-filled events like the Needham Carnival.Needham High School offers a variety of activities for all ages. There will be kiddie games and big kid games, ensuring that everyone can find something enjoyable to participate in. Thrill rides will also be available for those seeking an adrenaline rush. The midway will be filled with exciting attractions, and carnival food will be plentiful for those looking to satisfy their cravings.It is important to note that activity dates and times are subject to change, so it's advisable to verify the details on the website. The carnival is free to enter, but the cost of rides may vary. A map of the location is available, and contact information can be found on the website. Additionally, there are quick links to activities, providers, and family travel resources, as well as an about section and policies such as Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms of Use.Address and Contact InformationThe address and contact information for the 2022 Needham Carnival can be found on the website, including the phone number to reach out for any inquiries. The carnival will take place at Needham High School, located at 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494. If you need to get in touch with the organizers or have any questions, you can give them a call at 781-929-2453.The Needham Carnival is organized by the Rotary Club of Needham, a community-driven organization dedicated to serving the local area. They've partnered with Mommy Poppins, a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids. Mommy Poppins offers free newsletters, allows activity submissions, and provides business listings.In addition to the address and contact information, the website also provides a map for easy navigation to the carnival grounds. The Needham High School is conveniently located in close proximity to Boston, making it easily accessible for attendees from both Needham and the surrounding areas.For additional information about the carnival, be sure to check the website, as the activity dates and times are subject to change. The website also provides quick links to activities, providers, and family travel information. You can also find an 'About' section on the website, as well as the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms of Use for your reference.Whether you're looking for a fun time for the whole family or simply want to enjoy some carnival food and thrilling rides, the 2022 Needham Carnival is the place to be.Map and Proximity to BostonLocated in close proximity to Boston, the 2022 Needham Carnival at Needham High School is easily accessible for attendees from both Needham and the surrounding areas. Needham High School is conveniently located at 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494. For those coming from Boston, the carnival is just a short distance away, making it a convenient destination for families and individuals looking for a fun-filled event.The carnival organizers have provided a map to assist attendees in finding their way to Needham High School. This map is available on the official website of the Rotary Club of Needham, the organization behind the carnival. The map can be accessed easily, allowing visitors to plan their route and ensure a smooth journey to the event.With its close proximity to Boston, attendees have the freedom to choose their preferred mode of transportation. Whether traveling by car, public transportation, or rideshare services, accessing the carnival is hassle-free. Needham High School's location offers ample parking space for those who choose to drive, ensuring convenience for all attendees.For those who prefer public transportation, there are several options available. The event location is easily accessible by bus or train, with various routes that connect to Boston and neighboring towns. This accessibility provides flexibility and convenience for attendees, allowing them to enjoy the carnival without the worry of parking or traffic.Organizer InformationWho is responsible for organizing the 2022 Needham Carnival?The Rotary Club of Needham is responsible for organizing the 2022 Needham Carnival. As a well-known service organization, the Rotary Club aims to bring the community together through various events and initiatives. They've taken on the task of organizing the carnival to provide a fun-filled experience for families and individuals of all ages.Here are three key things to know about the Rotary Club of Needham's involvement in the carnival:Family activity website: Mommy PoppinsThe Rotary Club has partnered with Mommy Poppins, a popular family activity website. Mommy Poppins helps people find things to do with kids and offers free newsletters with activity suggestions. They also allow activity submissions and business listings, making it a valuable resource for families looking for fun events like the Needham Carnival.Event coordination and logisticsThe Rotary Club handles all aspects of event coordination and logistics for the carnival. From securing the venue to coordinating with vendors and managing the schedule, they work tirelessly to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone attending.Community engagement and supportThe Rotary Club of Needham is deeply committed to serving the community. By organizing the Needham Carnival, they provide an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to showcase their offerings and engage with the community. The carnival also serves as a fundraising event for the Rotary Club, allowing them to continue their philanthropic efforts throughout the year.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre Pets Allowed at the Needham Carnival?Pets are a common question at events like this. It's important to check the event's guidelines or contact the organizers directly for accurate information.While we can't provide specific details about the Needham Carnival, it's common for pets to be discouraged at large public gatherings due to safety and hygiene concerns.It's always best to prioritize the safety and comfort of all attendees, including our furry friends.Is There Parking Available at Needham High School for the Carnival?Yes, there's parking available at Needham High School for the carnival.The parking lot is located directly next to the school building.There will be attendants on hand to help direct you to available spaces.Please follow their instructions and park in designated areas only.Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.We encourage carpooling to help reduce congestion.If the parking lot is full, overflow parking will be available at the nearby community center.Please make sure to lock your vehicle and secure any valuables.Remember to allow enough time to find parking and walk to the carnival area.We appreciate your cooperation and hope you have a great time at the carnival!Are There Any Special Discounts or Promotions Available for the Carnival Rides?Yes, there are special discounts and promotions available for the carnival rides! Who doesn't love a good deal, right?The organizers of the Needham Carnival are all about making sure everyone has a great time without breaking the bank. So, keep your eyes peeled for those awesome discounts and promotions that will make your ride experience even more enjoyable.Trust me, you won't want to miss out on these fantastic deals!Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks to the Needham Carnival?Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks to the Needham Carnival.We understand that people have different dietary preferences and restrictions, so we allow attendees to bring their own food and drinks to the event.However, please note that there will also be a variety of food vendors at the carnival, offering a range of delicious options for purchase.Are There Any Restrictions on the Types of Bags or Backpacks That Can Be Brought Into the Carnival?There are no restrictions on the types of bags or backpacks that can be brought into the carnival. You're free to bring whatever bag or backpack suits your fancy.We believe in the freedom to carry our belongings in the manner that best suits us. So go ahead and bring your favorite tote, backpack, or duffle bag.Just make sure to pack all the essentials for a fun-filled day at the carnival!ConclusionSo come one, come all to the 2022 Needham Carnival! Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement, laughter, and delicious treats.With activities for kids of all ages and affordable pricing, this carnival is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your loved ones.Don't miss out on this thrilling event, conveniently located just a short distance from Boston. Visit our website for all the details and we can't wait to see you there! Read More : https://worldkidstravel.com/2024-needham-carnival/?feed_id=1487&_unique_id=65f0e8cb319be

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2024.03.10 19:17 mrs_TB Yorkie Sizes: Giant, Standard, and Teacup Yorkshire Terriers - PetHelpful

I found this interesting, as my yorkie who is a 3 year old rescue is 10+ pounds. At 9 inches tall at the withers (shoulder).

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