#ravenwolf

Warnings: Sexual Themes/Acts - Alcohol/Substance Use - Eludes to Traumatic Past / SA. Forced Servitude.. probably others that I'm forgetting.

The pirate lay on his back, staring up at Beledar as it shifted dark. The night had been a strange sort of wicked to him, he'd meant to take a dip in for the sake of a drink, and possibly a touch of flirting.. but what he had seen... He couldn't stay. Not for the full show, not for the dancing afterwards. No, he'd nearly instantly shadow-stepped back to Dornogol, picking up a few things from his ship along the shore. A change of clothes, a large bottle from his personal stock... and a cigar box. These ones free of the poison that he knew those he had grown close to would scream at him for... these ones designed for one thing alone... make him forget who he was for a while... He'd traveled away from the town, along the rocky cliffs that overlooked the valley. Far out of the reach of Kobyss, of Nerubians... and even the Arathi or their other guests. Tucked up into an alcove, he stared at what amounted to the sky, removing the patch from his scarred eye, bright sapphire shining out next to it's jade twin. Popping open the cork on the bottle of whiskey, he poured himself a glass, swirling it, before setting it aside to pluck out a cigar with a dark purple wrap, smelling heavily of the opiates he used to oh so favor, along with a heavy currant undertone. Lighting the cigar, he took a deep drink from his glass... then raised the strongly scented object to his lips, Inhaling, sharply, before leaning back, glass in one hand, and cigar in the other, allowing his eyes to drift closed.

She never had anyone to pick her back up and help her rise again when she fell.

The only person that was always there..was her.

Through the heartaches, the pain and disappointments, she didn’t have anyone to turn to..and she was okay with that.

While the world sees a strong, independent woman now, there was once a broken little girl that learned never to depend on anyone.

It’s not that she didn’t have people to care about her, she just realized that she needed to forge her courage from the struggles of fire..

From within herself.

She always seemed to end up on broken roads chasing dead end love and trying to turn projects into partners.

She was strong enough for two people, and somehow, she inevitably tried to fix her damaged love interests.

She knew what she wanted and she wouldn’t stop until she found the happiness she knew she deserved.

She stopped wasting pointless tears on people that didn’t care and started loving herself for staying true to herself.

She didn’t have all the answers and often got lost trying to find her way, but she didn’t settle, quit or stop trying to elevate her life and find happiness however she could.

So, as she stood strong- a confident, independent and vivacious woman that amazed the world, she guarded her truths with courageous passion.

She’d make no apologies for who she was or accept treatment that was beneath her, and that didn’t always sit well..

Especially with weaker people.

Come what may, she’d keep chasing her dreams, loving her people passionately and living her best life.

All those secrets that the little girl had learned to protect?

A proud woman knew that the right person would come along someday and appreciate, accept and love every one of those imperfections.

Until then, she’d keep flying high and living passionately..

In all the ways that made her happy.

I’m a handful, I’m too much, I’m a lot to take in.

Well, all I can say to that is good!

If I’m too strong for most people’s taste, then I’m doing something right, I think.

I’m not trying to be memorable, stand out or be different..

I’m just unique.

I’m just me.

People that shine brighter catch the eyes of others because of who they are, not because they’re trying to be the center of attention.

Weaker men would try to tell me to tone it down, scale it back or be a little less me.

So, I did what anyone should do when I heard that..

I turned up “me” even more.

If they can’t handle me at my normal level of amazing, what makes them think they can handle me at any level?

They can’t, they won’t and I don’t really care.

I’ve never sought approval to be who I am or asked anyone’s permission for my personality.

I just am who I am without apology or regret.

Sure, I may stick my foot in my mouth by saying the wrong things sometimes and I may not be the quietest one around, but you’ll always know where you stand with me and what I think..however that plays out.

There’s a lot of people pretending to be a lot of things to impress others who really don’t care in ways that aren’t important.

What counts is what I think of myself and the love I have for myself and my people.

I’m always real, authentic and genuine..and not everyone likes that.

Oh well, that’s their loss.

Asking me to tone it down is like asking the sun to stop shining,

So I think I’ll keep doing what I do best and be the best version of me that I can be.

It may not always be pretty, it may not always be perfectly put together, but at least I’ll always be true to myself.

So, to all those people who told me I’m “too much” or “a lot”, you’re right-

I love too much, I trust too much, I care too much and I love too much..if that’s even possible.

No, I’m a lot of all the things that matter- a lot of depth, a lot of fun, loving and loyal..

And nothing or no one will ever change that.

I’m not asking for your permission to fly, I’m just going to keep spreading my wings and soaring like I was always meant to do.

Maybe one day, they’ll stop worrying what I’m too much of and start appreciating me for the amazing person I am.

Until then, I’ll keep flying high, loving hard and losing myself in the moments of my life.

Catch me if you can.

#ravenwolf

Find that man that isn’t like the rest, the one that stands apart and makes his feelings for you known.

He doesn’t play the games and he shows his heart..he’s a keeper.

Find that man that stops you in the kitchen, turns on the music and dances with you until the melodies fade away..

Until all that is left is him, staring lovingly into your eyes..

That man is a keeper.

Find that man who finds your gaze across the crowded room, eyes locked and without a single word, you can just feel just how very much he loves you..

That man is a keeper.

Find that man whose love and loyalty you never question, who puts you first, is always there for you and no matter how hard life gets, he makes you the priority.

That man is a keeper.

Find that man who opens your door, gives you his coat, pulls out your chair..even walks on the outside of the road. He is a protector and will do what it takes to make you feel happy and safe.

That man is a keeper.

Find that man that holds you close, softly runs his fingers through your hair and kisses your forehead.

He is and always will be sensitive to your needs and listen to your heart.

That man is a keeper.

Find that man who, in an age of texts, computers and social media, will take the time to write you a handwritten note about how much you mean to him..and how deeply he loves you.

That man is a keeper.

Find man who is always there, always makes time to listen to you, care for you and just make you feel special.

He’ll love you, cherish you and do whatever it takes to make your relationship better.

He’s learned that it’s not always about the big things, but the small and thoughtful gestures that mean so very much..

Because chances are, in a time when love is fleeting and hearts seem distant, he’ll pull you closer and in the middle of everything, kiss you and tell you that he loves you.

That man, my friends, is a keeper.

Don’t ever let him go and he’ll be there through it all, supporting and loving you the way you deserve.