#@ask-grigori-rasputin

[sakuraswordly]

[nickl-art]

the most successful influencer of the late 1890s to the early 1900s

[soullessjack]

31 for the ask game?

31 / three random facts

> the Iron Maiden torture device never actually existed, and was a myth heightened by the idea that the Middle Ages were uncivilized.

> Grigori Rasputin’s dick is allegedly being held in a pickle jar in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Museum of Erotica, after his daughter sold it to them in 1977

> Costas Mandylor aka Mark Hoffman from Saw V, VI and 3D asked for real glass to be put in his glass coffin trap and for his trap bindings to be tighter, and was described as “an actor that likes to be bound.”

[otmaaromanovas]

Romanov myths part three - did the Grand Duchesses go shopping?

Over the years, a prevalent belief that the Romanov Grand Duchesses, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, did not go shopping continues to be repeated. Some historians have even suggested that the girls did not know how paying for items worked. However, primary sources including those written by people who knew the girls, were members of their entourage, and the Grand Duchesses' own diaries, tell a different story...

"Saturday. 10 August. … We walked along the historic boulevard and the main streets, but crowds followed us everywhere, so we were able to go into only 2 shops for a minute..." "Friday. 15 November. Had lessons, after that went shopping for wool with Nastenka as usual.." From Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna’s 1913 diary [my underlining]

In this entry, Olga describes shopping Countess Anastasia 'Nastenka' Vassilievna Hendrikova, who was a young lady-in-waiting at court and a particular favourite of the Grand Duchesses, often accompanying them on trips. As described in the first entry, it appears that safety and security concerns due to crowds, rather than a lack of understanding about shops, contributed to the Grand Duchesses not being able to shop frequently. Nastenka is frequently mentioned by the Grand Duchesses in their diaries, and volunteered to join the Romanov family in their house arrest and imprisonment. She was murdered by the Bolsheviks in September 1918.

"After coffee, I went for a walk with my pupils… They really liked to go to the shops and buy everything. Anastasia Nikolaevna was especially attracted to stores, where they sold doll shoes of various sizes… Tatiana Nikolaevna did not always accompany since the doctors found her heart was weak and she went with the Empress to take baths." A Few Years Before the Catastrophe by Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva [my underlining].

This was was written by Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, who was a maid-of-honour to Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. In 1907 she was appointed as governess to the Grand Duchesses. The Grand Duchesses referred to her affectionately as "Savanna", a mix of her first name and patronymic. She was dismissed in 1912 when she voiced concerns over Grigori Efimovich Rasputin. She wrote a short memoir in 1945, from which this quote originates, and passed away in 1957.

"[The] Grand Duchesses went shopping in the morning with one of the ladies-in-waiting to the Empress. They delighted in that because they could mix with the crowd and buy things just as everyone else did, and they were so pleased if they were not recognised at once." -- Upheaval - Olga Voronova [my underlining]

This was written by Countess Olga Konstantinovna Voronova, who was part of the aristocratic Kleinmichel family. In 1914 she married one of the Romanov girl's favourite officers, Pavel Alexeievich Voronov. Through these connections, Olga Konstantinovna became a friend of the Grand Duchesses, exchanging frequent letters with Olga and Tatiana in particular, before and after the Revolution. She published her memoirs in 1932. Once again, it is inferred that being recognised and subsequent security concerns stifled the Grand Duchesses' shopping sprees.

Where did the myth come from?

It appears that the myth came about due to this extract from Margaretta Eagar, an Irish nanny who cared for the children from 1898 to 1904:

Her only knowledge of shops and shopping was derived from the toy and sweet shops in Darmstadt. One day she asked me why the Americans spoke English, not American. I told her the story of the Pilgrim Fathers, and described how they built houses and shops, and so made towns. She was exceedingly interested and inquired, ' Where did they find the toys to sell in the shops ? " Six Years at the Russian Court, by Margaretta Eagar

It appears that some historians forgot that Margaretta Eagar moved on from her nanny position in 1904, when the eldest Grand Duchess was nine and the youngest was three - young children. It seems they did not look for sources from when the Grand Duchesses had grown up and had slightly more independence, which was encouraged by their parents.

Over time, the myth appears to have been exaggerated and repeated until it became part of the 'folklore' surrounding the Romanov Grand Duchesses, portraying them as isolated and naïve.

Whilst it is clear that the Grand Duchesses did enjoy going shopping in their lifetimes, safety and security concerns meant they could not enjoy shopping as frequently as other teenagers may have, in the same way royals today would not be able to go to shops without being recognised. There was a chance that a crowd could gather. Similarly, Olga and Tatiana appear to have shopped more than the younger pair, Maria and Anastasia, likely due to being older in age and therefore having more independence.

Photos:

First set, left: Olga, Anastasia (hidden behind Olga), and Maria Shopping in Germany, 1910. Right: Olga and Tatiana out shopping in the Isle of Wight, 1909, accompanied by Dr. Evgeny Botkin (in the suit)

Second set, left: Tatiana and Maria shopping with Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, circa 1910. Right: The Grand Duchesses and their entourage by shops, most likely taken in Germany, 1910

Sources:

Journal of a Russian Grand Duchess: Complete Annotated 1913 Diary of Olga Romanov, Eldest Daughter of the Last Tsar, translator Helen Azar, (Independently published: 2015)

A Few Years Before the Catastrophe: The Memoirs of Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, translator George Hawkins, (Independently published: 2020)

Upheaval, Olga Voronova (Woronoff), (New York; London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1932) -- Free to read online here

Six Years at the Russian Court, Margaretta Eagar, (New York: Charles L. Bowman and Company, 1906) -- Free to read online here

[specialcolorfulshabon]

"Misha... I'm done lying to myself. I'm done trying to live up to the reputation of someone I'm not, and, let's be real, will never be.

I've spent all this time chasing after a "Russian queen" of my own, thinking maybe, just maybe, that would make me feel more like the "love machine" I was expected to be, when all I really needed... was someone who truly understood me. Someone who was willing to accept me and love me as I am, without any pretense or ulterior motives.

For the first time, I feel like I don't have to prove anything to anyone... Just that I'm ready for real love."

At long last, some real Jagsputin content! Obviously this is inspired by my Love Somebody map concept, which I understand now could absolutely happen given how Payphone ended. I didn't think I'd grow so fond of this particular ship, but seeing the vast majority of the community beg for Rasputin to stay with that toxic yandere Bridezilla and continue to sugarcoat their relationship by making up fan map concept for Die with a Smile and other such romantic songs, even though they never really made sense together and Payphone made it abundantly clear she never cared for him in the first place ("you can't expect me to be fine, I don't expect you to care") only made me ship him with Jagger even harder, even if purely out of spite. I mean... It just feels right. They were already best friends, they're both based on real people who coincidentally are both notorious ladies' men (Mick Jagger is said to have a child in every continent, just ask Luciana Gimenez!), they're both Maroon 5 coaches, Jagger's primary colors go well with Rasputin's secondary colors... England and Russia!

In general, the idea of Rasputin being a closeted gay man makes so much sense to me. Rasputin's whole story arc (if the Quest for Love playlist on Just Dance Now is any indication) revolves around his search for love, and the real-life Grigori Rasputin has a certain reputation for sleeping around (his genitals are literally a museum exhibit!) that is consistently reiterated in the song written about him, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that Rasputin the coach would be aware of that and desperately trying to live up to his historical namesake's legacy, in order to validate himself. Even if it's not what he truly desires, it's what the world expects of him. So even though he happily dances to Y.M.C.A., a notorious LGBTQ+ anthem and essentially a song about healthy masculinity and male solidarity, with his best buds from his old boy band, he still throws himself at the feet of women like the Body Movin' coach, who clearly didn't want anything with him, and of course, the Bride, who just wanted to get married to the first poor sap who showed interest in her, and who's desperate enough to the point of wearing her wedding dress 24/7. She only ever saw him as a mean to an end, and that wasn't made clear until Rasputin missed their wedding to break Icona and the other Gaga coaches out of Night Swan's prison. After the wedding that almost was, and the subsequent end of that relationship, Rasputin could easily find solace in the arms of his dearest friend, and from there, everything would fall into place for him.

I mean... Can you imagine the impact that story would have? One of Just Dance's most famous coaches, inspired by a real historical figure associated with a country where LGBTQ+ relationships are outlawed, breaking free from the shackles of comphet and finding true happiness and love in his male best friend?? Imagine the headlines! Imagine the game sales!

[technicolorfamiliar]

THE DEATH OF RASPUTIN PART I: General Impressions, Design, and Concept

Note: This write up has spoilers on top of spoilers with a side of spoilers. But I wanted to share all this because the social media posts from attendees have been pretty generic and not really doing much to hype the show beyond "everyone wears black and we ride the ferry!"

The short, totally spoiler-free version is this -- I have not seen any kind of immersive theater this well-crafted, this unique, this clever in many, many years. From the direction to the performances to the design to the marketing to the location, it's all working. Why? Because it's fun. Believe it.

For a long time I've been feeling pretty bummed out by immersive theater in general and completely uninspired to make any kind of "serious" art myself. Historically, immersive theater was THE thing that gave me direction and focus in my personal artwork, ask just about anyone who knows me. But I left The Death of Rasputin vibrating with the residual energy of the show. I haven't been this excited by a new piece of art in a long time. That's entirely thanks to the incredible team who conceived, built, perform, and run this show. If you are in or anywhere near New York City this month, get tickets to this thing immediately.

Read on for a totally spoilery account of my time in the Winter Palace, but don't say I didn't warn you.

---

General Impressions:

The Death of Rasputin is everything immersive theater should be. It's surprisingly funny, at times downright ridiculous. It's also deeply tragic, the specter of the Great War and the subjugation of the working class by the Russian elites are ever present. It's intense; you may be invited to conspire with the leaders of the revolution, or surrender to ecstatic shared rituals led by Grigori Rasputin himself.

There is an urgency and a fervor to The Death of Rasputin. It felt at times like being in caught up in a great storm, tossed around between scenes of debauchery and wild celebration in the face of impending destruction. Sometimes I felt like I was in the eye of that storm, where quiet insight began to put things in perspective.

It is, as I said above, exceedingly well-crafted.

First of all, regardless of whether Governors Island was their first pick of venue, it's kind of a genius move having the show out there. There's something really special about having to cross a body of water, having to go on a collective journey, to get to the show. The ferry is like a liminal space all its own -- to be among a small army of people all dressed in black on a boat crossing a river, travelling literally from the real world to the world of the show, it's brilliant. Practical and necessary, yes. But also something completely unique to DoR and adds to the whole experience.

I was curious how they would differentiate between the audience and performers. But I thought DoR's all-black dress code was an easy way to separate the guests from the characters, and it invites a sense of participation before you even set foot on Governor's Island. (I had a really cool outfit, at least I thought so, and not a single photo to prove it.) I also think removing the sense of anonymity that a masked show can give encourages better audience behavior, more politeness, even though it means everyone can see everyone else's various face journeys the whole time.

In the weeks leading up to my trip up to New York, it was important to me to avoid spoilers for the show itself. So there was some mild concern in the back of my mind when I heard from multiple sources that DoR features a lot of interactivity. I was worried they were going to make me solve puzzles; I'd been to a couple smaller interactive-y immersive shows where the whole point was solving riddles and code cracking. Maybe that's fine for some people but it is decidedly not my thing. My brain shuts down when I'm put on the spot like that and I end up having a terrible time. But I can now report with full confidence that no one in DoR made me solve a single puzzle, and honestly thank god. However, I will say that I had an incredibly awkward moment when one of the performers asked me to waltz with her. My heart said yes, but my body said fuuuck no. She was very nice to me though, so I felt like I had to. And because of a sense of goofiness threaded throughout the show, feeling like a huge dork was fine because there were other people being just as dorky just across the room.

A big bonus for me was the 90 minute run time. Apparently other people aren’t as into this as I am. One of the creatives told me after the show and that people have been telling them that the show should be three hours long and have three hour-long loops like Punchdrunk's work does. I guess because that's what most immersive fans are used to. But I say no thank you to that, I am in my late 30s and being on my feet running around and standing for three hours is something my body no longer easily recovers from. And because of the pacing and high energy of DoR pretty much from top of show, I can’t imagine the performers would want to be going at that speed for three hours, repeating the same level of intensity over and over in one night.

A very minor issue I had as someone who isn't super tall was getting stuck behind people. It was usually easy enough to creep along the edges of the room to find a break in the crowd, but sometimes I found myself wishing there were levels, like maybe some low platforms to help out people stuck in the back. But the rooms in the performance space generally aren't large enough to accommodate this, so it's not a huge deal breaker.

Going in, I had the impression for some reason, not sure why, that there weren't any 1:1s. Apparently there are a few, or so I hear, but they're not the point of the show the way they became for Sleep No More, etc. The weekend crowd I saw the show with was generally pretty chill and seemed to be a mix of people who were super into it and knew the ropes and people who looked like this might have been their first immersive show ever. Creating different kinds of opportunities and ways for audiences to enjoy this show, either as an active participant (to an extent) or purely as an observer, or somewhere in between, was really smart on the creators' part. It lowers the stakes for the audience, there's less fear of missing out, and so people can chill out, be present, and just enjoy the show and the company of their fellow audience members for a change.

Speaking of being present, I realized later that for once I didn't spend the whole time thinking about the mechanics of the show. I wasn't anxious about being in the way, I wasn't worried about being in the right place at the right time, I didn't have to plan ahead in order to maximize my experience. At Punchdrunk shows, I was always thinking two or three steps ahead to be close to the right exit or in the best spot to get the best view of a specific scene. At Life and Trust, which I only saw once, I was too aware of the structure and cues built into the sound and lighting design. But at The Death of Rasputin, something or maybe a combination of things happened early on to get me out of my head that allowed me to relax and trust the show and trust my intuition in an unfamiliar space.

Oh, and there's merch! From totes and posters to custom jewelry and character inspired fragrances, they're adding new stuff all the time. I grabbed a sticker pack but have yet to stick them anywhere -- my inner 90s kid covets stickers and must find the absolute most perfect place for them before I remove them from their sheets can you tell this is why I am the way I am??

---

The Design:

The set design is, in my opinion, just enough. It serves the story without distracting from it. The magical touches don't take away any focus from the narrative but rather enhance it. During an impassioned sermon and group breathing exercise in Rasputin's Siberian cottage, at one point he looked up, so I looked up too, and the ceiling was covered in dangling crystals, hanging just over our heads like melting snow or stars. The bar is dressed in well-worn textiles and propaganda of the revolution, and is bathed in a wash of red from the hanging paper lanterns. There is a military outpost, a chapel, palace rooms, and a grand ballroom. Apparently there is a secret passage way somewhere. Here and there I noticed a few subtle room scents, another nice detail and perhaps familiar to SNM fans. Maybe they don't have the biggest budget in the world, but they're really doing a lot with the small space they have.

Immediately upon entering the show, you can hear multiple scenes happening simultaneously. Even in the bar when the first crowd enters the show, you can hear their footsteps overhead which was a cool moment, everyone left in the bar in a lingering dead silence and just the sound of creaking floorboards over a low drone. But upstairs the walls aren't always flush to the ceiling and the people of Petrograd have a lot of problems and a lot of feelings, so there's quite a lot of sound bleed. At first, I was concerned this would be majorly distracting but after a while I grew used to it. I also can’t say enough good things about the sound design itself; like the set design it's not obtrusive, it's there to enhance the story and the overall vibes. Because the sound was designed by the GOAT Stephen Dobbie, it's got all the things I love: drones, period and culturally appropriate music, ticking clocks, heartbeats, and naturally the occasional electronic club track. And after the finale, everyone walks back down to the bar to, what else, "Rasputin" by Boney M.

Similarly, the costume design is a combination of pieces suggestive of the various Russian social classes in the early 20th century and things that are more modern and intended to evoke certain moods or personality traits rather than aim for total historical accuracy. And this is maybe the only immersive show these days where that works. The production isn't taking itself too seriously so the designers are given room to have fun and take some much appreciated creative liberties.

---

The Story/Concept/Writing:

The Death of Rasputin is a satire, possibly it could even be called a dark comedy. It's smart without being pretentious, and relevant without being too obvious. The humor in the show ranges from subtle to outrageous and back again. There are also moments that are staggeringly heartbreaking. And regarding the story itself, I imagine if someone walked into this show with zero prior knowledge about this corner of history they would probably be able to piece it together. I'd just finished Unobscured's fourth season, which is ten episodes specifically about Rasputin, the Romanovs, Russia's part in WWI, and a little about the early days of the Russian Revolution, so I felt pretty prepared. I definitely recommend it to anyone like me, i.e. anyone who actually enjoys doing a little homework before going to an immersive show.

That said: DO NOT expect this show to be a history lesson. I just came across a random blog review where the author's main take away was that they didn't learn anything. Who goes to immersive theater to learn things?? It baffles the mind.

I'd be curious to know how much of the dialogue in DoR is scripted. There are some wonderful monologues that must be, but there's so much room for improv because of the high level of interaction between the performers and the audience. The characters constantly break the fourth wall to the point I don't even think there is one to begin with. The audience is very much there, we are present at these events and with these characters. They see us just as much as we see them. I wasn't sure I'd like this much interactivity, but it's just the right amount. You might be asked to carry or hold or wear something, read aloud something written, hide (prop) explosives, or any number of similarly easy tasks.

The mix of historical figures and constructed characters is interesting. Most of the characters were real people. But then there are the three characters who represent the working class. These characters had to have been almost entirely created from scratch, and what a fun and fascinating exercise that must have been. I would love to know how much of Katya, Fyodor, and Petra were already on the page and how much was from what the actors brought to the table. But tbh that's probably true across the board because even the historic characters are clearly not intended to be 100% true to life for the sake of the story the creators are trying to tell, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Oh, uhh, the show is, like, way hornier than I was expecting. I mean, yeah, typically there's some sexy stuff in this style of immersive show, and in this case… it's about Rasputin, historically a very horny man. I made the mistake of sitting right next to the chair where Lohktina puts Rasputin during her ritual in the cottage. O___O Maybe it feels like A Lot because it's a dialogue heavy show so everyone (especially Rasputin, jesus christ) is more vocal. Like… a lot. I've never been borderline uncomfortable in an immersive show because of any kind of sexuality or nudity or whatever, but this came close to making me feel like I should not be there, like this thing happening in front of me should be private?? There was nothing super explicit that I saw, but maybe it's just the vocal nature of the show that makes it feel more… just more lol.

---

I just want to wrap up this first DoR post by saying it was so nice to walk out of an immersive show and feel genuinely surprised and light in a way I haven't in ages. Pretty much every immersive show I've seen has left me feeling devastated or, at least recently, frustrated. Life and Trust left me wanting something else, my last Sleep No More show felt like going to a wake, The Burnt City was hardcore depressing as hell, even Then She Fell wrecked me emotionally. But walking out of the finale of DoR, I felt buoyant for a change, even though the show ends in death and destruction. I think part of it maybe is that the cast is having fun? And that sense of fun is contagious? Maybe I'm speaking out of turn, I didn't speak to many cast members after the show, but it certainly seems that way.

[stromuprisahat]

Hey, umm, feel free to ignore of this is a stupid question, bit why do some people call the Grishaverse “Gregverse”? I’ve seen it used a lot and I can’t figure out why.

Hi, don't be afraid to ask anything. I might be a bit slooooower to answer, but without questions we never learn. ;)

Once upon a time LB (or her publishers) claimed Ravka is inspired by tsarist Russia and so is its language. Unfortunatelly it also drew people interested in such setting, or even familiar with Russian culture, and those pointed out certain inconsistencies in language, naming customs, or the tiny little detail LB decided to call her "not-magicians" by diminutive of an actual name- Grigori (Григорий). Name corresponding with English Gregory, therefore Grisha could be translated as "Greg".

It's a lovely summary of the whole world and the author's approach to its alleged inspiration. It's supposed to look and sound cool and fresh, but you shouldn't look too deeply into it. Therefore Gregverse is often used in slightly derogatory sense by people openly criticising it.

Another funny detail I realized while writing this- Grigori- or Grisha if we want- was the first name of an infamous holy man/charaltan and reputed miracle-worker you'll probably know from certain Boney M song and several Western works of fiction- Grigori Yefimovich Ra-Ra-Rasputin...

[muiitoloko]

Firstly absolutely love your writing, I always look everyday to see if there is a new story written by you. Seriously, love your writing. Would you ever write stories for the other characters the late great Alan Rickman has portrayed in the past like Grigori Rasputin, Metatron, John Gissing, Antonine Richis? Obviously I know you need to have ideas for them, it’s not something you can pull out of the air. I am trying to write my second one shot but, I either lose inspiration or I keep changing things as I over think all the time.

I was thinking about the Rasputin character and had an idea where he is hired by a different royal family to teach the two daughters about god and religion. One princess is to be the heir to the throne, while the other will not be as the doctors found she can not bare any heirs. The princess who is to be the heir tries to seduce Grigori, but he is more interested in the other princess who is treated cruelty by her family He teaches her about how people make a living outside of the royal family. Then asks if she would like him to teach her about the pleasures of the flesh (smut).

it’s cool if this is a bad idea, just thought I would put it out into the universe.

Thank you so much for your kind words and for following my writing journey! It means the world to me that you enjoy my stories. 😊 Writing can definitely be a rollercoaster of inspiration and overthinking, so I totally understand where you're coming from.

As for exploring other characters played by the late, great Alan Rickman, I'm absolutely open to the idea! Each of his characters brings such depth and complexity, and there's endless potential for new stories. Your idea about Grigori Rasputin sounds intriguing and full of possibilities! I love how you've woven together elements of intrigue, royalty, and personal growth. I'll definitely give it some serious thought and see where it takes us. Keep an eye out—I'll be diving into Rasputin's world soon! 😊📝

[hrefna-the-raven]

See you in Warsaw

Masterlist - Misc. masterlist

Grigori Rasputin x female reader

Part 1

Words: 2153

Summary: you, dear reader, are a thaumaturge traveling through the world. As you finally arrived in Warsaw at the Szulski residence, the phone suddenly rang...

Reader: short female reader with curves, but no other specific descriptions are used

Part 2

While he was excited to finally get to Warsaw for his very own reasons, the moment he stepped out of the train and the Nadarzynskis greeted him cheerfully, regret crawled into his mind. For the first time his own goals seemed unimportant, a forgotten thought lingering in the shadows of his mind. For the first time since he started his journey he felt like there was something he craved more than complying to his visions and his faith...you. Although, in his very own way, he believed you to part of God's plan and that your paths had crossed couldn't be a mere coincidence. He had to tame his own desires for at least a day, it was crucial that he'd take his time to get acquainted with his hosts and the neighbourhood, and it would most likely point him eventually towards you.

You had arrived early in the morning at the Szulki residence, Grazyna greeting you with a warm hug and invited you in. It had been a while since you visited Ligia and after giving her a day after her father's funeral, you'd decided that you couldn't wait any longer to meet your friend. She was sitting in the dining room, the fork falling out of her hand as she gasped at you entered.

"How long has it been?", Ligia asked jumping up from her chair so fast it almost fell backwards before walking towards you.

"Too long", you replied, pulling her into a tight hug, "my condolences."

"Thank you", Ligia whispered before pulling away, "Wiktor is here too, he should be upstairs."

Before she could say any more, you nodded with a mischievous grin and turned on your heel, striding through the hallway towards the stairway when the sudden ringing of the telephone startled you. With hesitant steps you approached and took the receiver, holding it up to your ear without saying anything.

"I talk here...? Do you hear me now? Wiktor? Wiktor, are you there?"

A small chuckle passed your lips and your heart skipped a small beat as you instantly recognised the voice. You found it almost endearing how he seemed to use a telephone for the first time but the mention of Wiktor's name made you wonder if he had asked him for help to decipher you little message and if Wiktor would have revealed that you knew him since childhood.

"This is the Szulski residence but I'm afraid it's not Wiktor", you finally replied, trying your earnest to keep your mischievous giggles down.

There was an awkward silence for a few minutes until Grigori softly murmured 'angel'.

"And here I thought you'd be asking for me but no, apparently I'm not your favourite thaumaturge", you teased, curious what he'd reply.

"Far from it my dear", the man chuckled at the other end of the line, "although Wiktor was the last one I met and he was so kind as to translate that little message of yours to me", he paused for a moment as if weighing the choice of his next words very carefully, "should you desire your brooch back, I have found lodgings here in Warsaw, Seven Powązkowska Street, by the cemetery."

"That brooch is one my favourite, so expect a visit soon", you grinned to yourself, eager for the opportunity to see him again so soon, "oh and Grigori, it's good to hear your voice."

Rasputin was taken aback by the sudden softness in your voice and it took him a moment to collect his thoughts before answering.

"It's good to hear you as well. And please inform Wiktor of the address too, he may have need of me. Goodbye."

There was pause and just before you wanted to hang up, you could his voice laced with confusion and astonishment.

"I want to end now. What do I...? Like this? Wonderful device. Remarkable. Hello...? Oh. And now...?"

With an amused chuckle you set the receiver down and made your upstairs to greet Wiktor.

A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he saw you strode into the living room of the Nadarzynskis. The excitement of meeting you again almost made him feel nauseous and, all over sudden, all his resolve to remain calm crumbled and he jumped up from the sofa and pulled you into a tight hug.

"It's wonderful to see you again, my angel", he whispered softly against your neck.

Finally, you were in his arms again as he continued to hold you in his arms, his chin resting lightly on top of your head. A fleeting worry crossed his mind—that perhaps you were merely a figment of his imagination—but the warmth of your body pressed against his dispelled such doubts. That divine melody of your heartbeat resounding within your chest and now that his guardian angel was finally by his side again, a strange sense of peace settled over him. He took a deep breath, inhaling your scent. It was like a gift of the Heavens to him, a soothing smell that reminded him of warm summer days and long walks through forests filled with the most beautiful flowers. He felt the tension in his shoulders melt away, and for the first time in days, the knot in his stomach seemed to ease. A silent prayer echoed within him, beseeching God to allow this moment of tranquillity and closeness to last forever.

Reluctantly, he drew back from you, his hands gently resting on your shoulders before tenderly cradling your face. In his eyes shone a fervent adoration, akin to a religious devotion, as he gazed upon you.

"I've missed you", he whispered, "you can't imagine how happy I am to see you here, God's sweetest angel."

"I'm a thaumaturge", the tone of your voice was laced with amusement, "I have a very good idea of how happy you are. Besides you still hold something dear to me."

A wide smile tugged at the corners of Rasputin's lips and his hand reached into his pocket, taking out the brooch and offering it to you. The moment your fingertips graced the cold metal of the brooch, visions of emotions flooded your mind. You could see and feel the traces of passion clinging to the object and thoughts of you that had occupied the person's mind. Blushing slightly, you looked up at Rasputin. Despite the initial surprise leaving you momentarily flustered, you managed to smirk at him with playful defiance.

"You touched yourself while thinking of me, Grigori?"

Clearing his throat, he felt a flush of embarrassment sweep over him as he watched you examine the jewellery with a teasing grin. He couldn't deny the fact that he had been plagued by sinful thoughts upon on which he acted while your angelic beauty haunted his mind. You were a gift from God and whatever love and passion he harboured for you, it felt strangely holy to him. And yet, he couldn't help but still feel exposed and vulnerable.

"I... well...", he stammered, searching for words that eluded him, for you had already seen and felt the true essence of the love and passion he held for you within his soul.

With a defeated sigh, his eyes found yours, summoning every ounce of courage to meet your gaze with a faintly amused grin.

"Can you blame me?"

Laughter bubbled within your chest at his question and you shook your head, leaning closer as you whispered your name into his ear.

"You might want to at least know which name to moan the next time."

You pulled away, giving him a sly wink as you took a seat on the sofa.

A shiver ran down his spine and his eyes seemed to darken a tone, his pupils dilating, as your name echoed endlessly in his mind. He could almost imagine it, the sound of your name spoken from his lips like a fervent incantation as he lay upon his bed, fingers digging into the sheets while his hand wrapped around and stroked... He shook his head and sat down next to you, trying to dispel the fog of desire that thickened inside his skull. You gently placed your hand upon his cheek, turning his face towards you to capture his attention.

"Let's talk somewhere a bit more private, away from prying ears", you whispered.

Rasputin's vision blackened for a moment before he found himself standing in a dark void, where crimson mist flickered like embers in the air around him. The place was devoid of all sound and as panic started to rise within him, he spun around only to be met with the vast emptiness of the boundless Then, without warning, you emerged before him, a gentle smile lighting up your delicate features as you raised your hands.

"Welcome to the inside of your mind."

His eyes widened as a towering figure emerged behind you, its gaze intently focused on an ancient tome cradled in its hands. Rasputin tried to concentrate on the man's face but the more he tried, the more it seemed to elude him, ever-shifting and changing from beauty to monstrosity, from man to woman into a strange mixture of all of it at once. The man moved with a supernatural grace and when his eyes finally met Grigori's, he was overcome with a strange sense of love, engulfing his entire being with a comforting warmth.

"This is Dantalion, my salutor", you spoke softly as you approached the two men.

Your hand tenderly caressed your salutor's cheek, and as you shared a moment of profound connection, Dantalion vanished once more, leaving only you and Rasputin enveloped in the darkness.

"Impressive", he muttered under his breath.

He stood there captivated by how different you communicated with your salutor compared to Wiktor, it held much more power and grace. The connection between you and Dantalion seemed to be a incorruptible unity, bound by a strange yet familiar love and Grigori noticed a sudden hint of jealousy prickling beneath his skin.

"I've never seen Wiktor's salutor", he spoke as his eyes found yours.

"That's because he chose not to reveal it to you", you shrugged with a slightly amused grin, "I decided to share it with you since Dantalion is an integral part of who I am. Anyone who chooses me must also accept him."

"God has bestowed upon you a truly wondrous gift, my dearest angel", the calm in his voice resonated through the black void around you, "and he has blessed me with your presence and trust."

"You still believe me to be an angel, even after witnessing the demon standing beside me?"

You moved closer to him, gently cradling his face in your hands, your fingers threading softly through his beard as your eyes danced between his gaze and lips. Before he could respond, your lips clashed on his in a passionate kiss. Despite you being inside his mind, it felt real and there was a tenderness to his lips that stirred something profound within your heart. As you felt him melt into the kiss, your tongue pushed past his lips to deepen it. He was as irresistible to you as you were to him, an unholy union sanctioned by God himself and Grigori thought he was touching Heaven's divinity for the first time.

As he felt you pull away, his eyes fluttered open and the room around him swimming into focus beneath the bright glow of the parlour lights. The scent of a few burning candles mingled with the fragrance of aged wood and he was back on the comfortable sofa in the Nadarzynskis' drawing room. He blinked twice, trying to anchor himself in the present, but his mind was still adrift in the mind void that you had taken him to. Standing by the doorway, you wore a captivating smile that danced across your lips.

"He's all yours", you said, your voice an angelic melody that pierced through the haze of his consciousness, "I was about to leave."

Grigori's lips parted, but no sound emerged. A tempest of emotions brewed within him—confusion, bliss, and an insatiable craving for more. He yearned to touch you, hold you and prevent you from escaping him yet again. His God-sent temptress who was always a step ahead of him.

"See you around, Grigori," you said, bowing with a grace that only deepened his yearning.

As you turned, your satisfied grin was the last thing he saw before you vanished from sight. Wiktor stepped into the room, his presence grounding Grigori back to reality. The two men shared a glance, but no words were exchanged. Wiktor’s eyes, however, held a knowing look that told Grigori he wasn’t alone in his newfound fascination.

"She's quite something, isn't she?" Wiktor finally broke the silence, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Grigori nodded, still speechless. The lingering warmth of your presence enveloped him and he found it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.

Part 3???

Enjoy and feel free to reblog :)

[best-romanov-monarch]

BONUS ROUND 2: The Royal Favourite Rumble

The main poll is all fun and games, but let us not forget that the charm of the Romanov dynasty is not just about the guys with the crown of Monomakh. In fact, some of them might outright pale in comparison to the colourful characters in their vicinity. And this bonus round is dedicated to exactly such men-behind-the-man (or a woman, or a child). Alas, none of these (with one exception) are official dynasty members, but we'd be remiss if we didn't also celebrate them, and their contributions to the most dramatic dynasty of Early Modern and Modern Europe.

And oh, before anyone asks - Rasputin was disqualified for being vastly more famous than any other person on this poll. No other reason. If you miss him so badly, there are several other shady clergymen one might turn to...

OUR CONTESTANTS

Patriarch Filaret (Fyodor Nikitich Romanov) - Also known as the ACTUAL first Romanov ruler.

Patriarch Nikon (Nikita Minin) - The orthodoxy's biggest drama queen.

Alexander Danilovich Menshikov - Boy went pretty far from (allegedly) a pirozhki seller. And by far we mean Siberia.

Ernst Johann Biron - You know he was an upstanding gentleman just from the fact he was the favourite person of Anna Ivanovna.

Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin - The reports of his artificial villages were greatly exaggarated. Which is surprising considering how hard exaggarating about this dude is.

***

[adelhe1de]

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

Letters from Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov to Nicholas II🤍

English and Russian!!

May 8,1913, 12.30 p.m.

"...I am in Tatiana's room. Tatiana and Olga are here... I am sitting and digging in my nose with my left hand. Olga wanted to slap me but I ran away from her swinish hand..."

8 мая 1913 г., 12.30 дня.

"...Я в комнате Татьяны. Татьяна и Ольга здесь... Я сижу и ковыряюсь левой рукой в носу. Ольга хотела меня ударить, но я убежал от ее свинской руки..."

Oct.25, 1914,p.42 "...It's 9.10 a.m. now. We are waiting for Grigory (Rasputin) to come. Olga is sitting idly and digging in her nose. She is just a "swine"... I am in a great hurry to write as Grigory is coming soon... He has just come..."

25 октября 1914 г., стр. 42 "...Сейчас 9.10 утра. Ждем приезда Григория (Распутина). Ольга сидит сложа руки и ковыряется в носу. Она просто "свинья"... Я очень спешу написать, так как Григорий скоро приедет... Он только что приехал..."

Oct.28, 1914, p.44 "...Ortino and Tatiana are running about the room now. Mother is going to receive Maklakov at 9 a.m. and Malama will come, too, which is very pleasant. I took this picture of myself looking at the mirror. It was very hard as my hands were trembling. ...I had 7 classes today and tomorrow I am going to have 4 or 5... I am having a Russian class now and Pyotr Alexeyevich is reading Turguenev's "The Hunter's Notes" to us..."

28 октября 1914 г., стр. 44 "...Ортино и Татьяна сейчас бегают по комнате. В 9 утра мама примет Маклакова, и Малама тоже придет, что очень приятно. Я сфотографировал себя, глядя в зеркало. Это было очень тяжело, так как руки дрожали. ...Сегодня у меня было 7 уроков, а завтра будет 4 или 5... Сейчас у меня урок русского языка, и Петр Алексеевич читает нам "Записки охотника" Тургенева..."

The photo Anastasia was talking about!she was using a Kodak brownie camera

March 7, 1915. "...I'm so grateful to you that you allowed us to use your bath. We bathed there yesterday. It was such fun! I was the first to go. There was much water. I was able to swim around the bath and then jumped down from its sides. It was terrific! Then Maria and I played in the water for some time but, unfortunately,I had to get out soon. Ortino was running about all the time and barking. After that Olga and Tatyana bathes and also enjoyed themselves!.. . Mother has already got in her room the flowers which you like. You know those blue flowers which grow in front of Grandmother's windows. They have just opened. Tomorrow is Sunday. It's so good not to have lessons when you can lie about in bed longer than usual... All of us are kissing you including Ortino who is running about here like a mad dog... She is such a dear..."(Looks like Nicholas allowed them to take a bath in his bathtub)

7 марта 1915 г.,"... Я так благодарен вам за то, что вы позволили нам воспользоваться вашей ванной. Мы купались там вчера. Это было так весело! Я был первым. Было много воды. Я смог плавать вокруг ванны, а затем прыгать с ее бортиков. Это было потрясающе! Потом мы с Марией некоторое время играли в воде, но, к сожалению, мне пришлось вскоре выйти. Ортино все время бегал и лаял. После этого Ольга и Татьяна купаются и тоже наслаждаются!.. . Мама уже поставила в своей комнате цветы, которые вам нравятся. Вы знаете эти синие цветы, которые растут перед окнами бабушки. Они только что распустились. Завтра воскресенье. Так хорошо не ходить на уроки, когда можно валяться в постели дольше обычного... Мы все вас целуем, включая Ортино, который бегает здесь как бешеная собака... Она такая милая..."

★This proves that the girls took baths together!!★

June 14, 1915. "...We've just had breakfast in the balcony. It was so pleasant. At the service the choir sang "Lord, have mercy upon us!" by Tchaikovsky and we were all thinking about you, Father dear. Yesterday evening we were at Anya's (Vyrubova). Demenkov, Shvedov and Zborovsky were there, too. We were to rehearse the comic item of the programme. We were dying of laughter looking at the actors... Uncle Pavel will, of course, have tea with us. So dull... When we are at home we sit in the balcony all the time and have dinner there, too... Ortino has rushed into the room and is running about looking for you. When she failed to find you she jumped up on Mother's lap... I am sitting now and grating carrots and radishes. Very tasty. At 11 a.m. I go to Aleksey's room and gobble Aleksey's food samples. Almost all teachers also take part in it. I miss dear Shvybzik (Anastasia's dog). I still have the cigarettes you gave me and I smoke them sometimes with pleasure and thank you very much. The lilacs are finishing blossoming already..."

14 июня 1915 г. "...Мы только что завтракали на балконе. Было так приятно. На службе хор пел "Господи, помилуй нас!" Чайковского, и мы все думали о вас, батюшка. Вчера вечером мы были у Ани (Вырубовой). Там были Деменков, Шведов и Зборовский. Нам предстояло репетировать комический номер программы. Мы умирали от смеха, глядя на актеров... Дядя Павел, конечно, будет пить с нами чай. Так скучно... Когда мы дома, мы все время сидим на балконе и там же обедаем... Ортино вбежала в комнату и бегает, ищет вас. Не найдя вас, она вскочила на колени к маме... Я сейчас сижу и тру морковь и редиску. Очень вкусно. В 11 утра иду в комнату Алексея и объедаю образцы блюд Алексея. Почти все учителя тоже примите участие в нем. Я скучаю по милому Швыбзику (собака Анастасии). У меня до сих пор хранятся сигареты, которые вы мне подарили, и я иногда с удовольствием их курю и большое спасибо. Сирень уже отцветает..."

★This letter was sent to Nicholas II just 4 days before Anastasia's 14th bday!★

Feb.25,1917. "...I am sitting in a semi-dark room now with Olga and Tatiana (they are ill with measles)... We have breakfast upstairs in our classroom. Only Mother, Maria and me. Very nice..."

25 февр. 1917 г. «...сейчас я сижу в полутемной комнате с Ольгой и Татьяной (они больны корью)... Мы завтракаем наверху в нашем классе. Только мама, Мария и я. Очень мило...»

Photo of all the sisters with measles in 1917,they had to shave their heads in order to prevent further damage.

From left to right we see a 16 year old Anastasia who didn't seem too pleased with her shaven head.

A 20 year old Tatiana with a smile on her face.

A 22 year old grinning Olga .

And a 18 year old Maria with a soft smile on her face.

Fact:the sisters appeared to be happy and amused when they were asked to take a photo despite their hair loss and being held in captivity.-said by the photographer.

Bonus photos of Anastasia hanging off a balance beam.

[xaviers-student-union]

List of mutant celebrities?

Okay so! I'm not super studied on this, so I kinda just asked some history needs in the library?

Historical:

Joan of Arc [ Alleged; but likley]

John F. Kennedy [ Magneto told me!! And I believe him]

Santa Claus

David Bowie [ Speculative]

Oscar Wilde

Edgar Allen Poe

Grigory Rasputin

Virginia Woolf

Nikola Tesla

Miyamoto Musashi

Vlad Tepes

Queen Victoria

Currently alive [ as far as I know] famous people

Ozzy Osbourne

Michael Phelps

Alison Blaire

John Cena

Keith Richards

Jameela Jamil

Jacqueline Wilson

Warren Worthington III

[ OOC : Mostly, I pulled these from Reddit as I'm not super versed in celebrities. ]

[xstained-glass-heartx]

🦇 BYF + DNIs! 🦇

Hello! I'm A and welcome to my blog where I post and gush about my dearest F/Os! ❤️

I’m a 27 year old neurodivergent, agender, polyam, queer person that uses they/them pronouns.

My darlings that I'm uncomfortable sharing:

-Gregori Rasputin (The King's Man) [#The Tortoise and the Hare]

-Allied Mastercomputer/AM (I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream) [#Love and Hate]

-Toecutter (Mad Max) [#Freewheel Burning]

-Toad (Stone 1974) [#Living After Midnight]

-Count Dracula (Dracula 1931) [#Eternal Night Eternal Love]

-Pagan Min (Far Cry 4) [#My Religion]

Darlings that I'm okay with sharing:

-Astarion Ancunin and Halsin Silverbough (Baldur's Gate 3) [# Honeyblooded]

-Grigori Rasputin (Anastasia 1997) [#To Love a Lich]

-Jamison 'Junkrat' Fawkes (Overwatch) [#Bombfire]

-Ivan 'Russia' Braginski (Hetalia) [#Warmth from a Sunflower]

-Cooper 'The Ghoul' Howard (Prime Fallout) [#Under the Wasteland Stars]

DNI:

Proshippers, Tradwife/'Stepford'ers, Neo-nazi/White Supremacists, Minors/anyone under 18 (Not really comfortable with having them follow me bc I post/will post nsfw/+18 content. Please state your ACTUAL age in your blog description/intro if you’re going to interact. i’ll even accept (+18, 20s, 30s, etc). if there’s no age in your bio/intro, i will either block you or not interact with your comments, messages or asks.), Racists, Misogynists, Ableists, TERFs/SWERFs, Queerphobic/LGBTQphobic, AI “Artists” (AI “ART” IS THEFT!), Ped0s/MAPs, Zo0s, or any ED community/thinsp0 blogs (highly triggering to me)

[saccharine-serpent]

Viper laughed, “ Nah, I’m not specialised in it. I can just smell what you are and feel it. ” He put a hand to the bandages around his neck with a faint smile, it still burned and stung, impossibly fused to his very skin as if it had always been a part of him. He paused at the name and blinked, “ Grigori? As in like Grigori Rasputin or something? That’s cool. Good name. ” He remarked with a chuckle before he paused hearing a snicker from the back of his mind. He squinted, “ Wait… seriously? ” He asked before he looked confused, “ I don’t really want anything in particular thought? I just wanted to see who lived here. ” He replied confused.

Closed RP W/@let-your-evil-shine

Viper cussed vibrantly as he stumbled through the dense thicket of the forest foliage, his head throbbed and his skin crawled, he felt nauseous and so he knew he’d been displaced. “ Fuck Bitch, where did you send me now? ” He grumbled to the god, knowing fully well they heard him loud and clear. It wasn’t until he caught the scent of something that gave him pause, his forked tongue flickered past his lips for a moment and he squinted. Why did he smell a corpse? His green eyes gazed around and the trees seemed to shift themselves to open the way to the source. He moved forwards before stopping, he could feel the ripple of power and glancing down at the grass he could see it clipping in and out of existence. He smirked, “ Oh. Secret things in the woods? Sounds fun. ” He chuckled before stepping through the force field, he felt the power wash over him and felt the death tangled with it. As the house appeared he tilted his head, there was thick magic here. Just whose home was this? “ Hellooooo~? ” He called out, strolling up towards the front door, “ Anyone home? ”

[sciencestyled]

Rasputin's Revelations: Unraveling the Enigma of AI Mind-Reading

Hey there, fellow knowledge junkies and curiosity cat-herders of Tumblr! Are your mind grapes thirsty for some juicy, mind-boggling intel? Well, buckle up your brain belts, because we're about to serve you a feast of fantastical facts that's going to make your neurons do the Harlem Shake. (Oops, did we just date ourselves? Whatever, on with the show!)

Picture this: It's a dark and stormy night (because, drama), and who do we have as our narrator? None other than Grigori Rasputin himself. Yes, you heard that right. The mystical, magical, maybe-a-little-misunderstood Rasputin is back from the great beyond to drop some knowledge bombs about a breakthrough so wild, it'll make your ancestors spin in their graves.

So, what's cooking in the cauldron of science today? It's AI-powered mind-reading technology! This isn't your garden-variety crystal ball gazing or palm reading shindig. We're talking about hardcore science flirting with the edges of the arcane. Imagine being able to read thoughts as easily as scrolling through your Tumblr feed. Mind-blowing, right?

Here’s the 411: These brainy boffins have whipped up something called functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and it's like the crystal ball of the 21st century. This baby doesn't just look at your pretty face; it dives into the swirling whirlpools of your brain activity. It's like having a psychic session with your neurons!

But wait, there's more. Enter the AI decoder – this piece of wizardry is like the Rosetta Stone for your brainwaves. It takes the cryptic codes of your cerebral cortex and translates them into plain old English (or whatever language you fancy). We're talking about a tech that can understand the whispers of your grey matter. Spooky? Absolutely. Awesome? Double absolutely.

Now, this journey wasn't a walk in the park. The brain is a tough nut to crack, more complicated than your last relationship status. The scientists faced challenges like a knight in shining armor battles dragons. They had to deal with brain signals that are slower than your grandma on Facebook, but they persevered. They fed this AI decoder with 16 hours of spoken stories, which is like binge-watching your favorite show but for science.

The result? A technology that doesn't just parrot back words, but actually gets the gist of your thoughts. It's like having a heart-to-heart with your brain. And this isn't just a party trick; it has the potential to help people who can't communicate in traditional ways. We're talking about breaking down barriers and opening up whole new worlds of conversation. It's like giving a voice to the voiceless.

But, as with all great power, comes great responsibility (thanks, Spider-Man). We've got to think about the ethics of this tech. Do we really want people poking around in our headspace uninvited? It's a bit like reading someone's diary without asking. Not cool, right?

As we peer into the future, like looking into a misty crystal ball, we see possibilities that are both thrilling and a tad terrifying. We could be on the brink of a world where our thoughts could control everything from computers to coffee makers. But let's not forget to tread carefully, because with every step into the unknown, we might just be poking a sleeping dragon.

In conclusion, dear Tumblrinos, we've just taken you on a whirlwind tour of a scientific breakthrough that's as fascinating as it is freaky. It's a tale of brains, machines, and the magical dance of technology that could change the world as we know it. Share this story, talk about it, meme it up, and let's keep the conversation going. Because in the end, it's our collective curiosity that fuels the future. And who knows? Maybe Rasputin was onto something after all.

[seccndequincx-blog]

you all made a mistake

this blog is trash