#Dominic Bess

[hazelminesims]

Making the best out of the situation.

[didanagy]

The Duchess (2008)

dir. saul dibb

[pedroam-bang]

The Duchess (2008)

[for-a-longlongtime]

Alright, I’m just gonna say it.

(Because somebody is bound to at some point lbr)

I watched the original Gladiator movie last night (hadn’t seen it before because I wasn’t interested, but it did suck me in this time), then couldn’t fall asleep

so then it was 3 am (which is a dangerous hour) and @lotusbxtch and I were talking

and…

Senator Leto Atreides

vs General Marcus Acacius

and they utterly hate each other.

No enemies to lovers trope — just enemies who secretly would absolutely fuck each other but wouldn’t even be able to figure out how because they’re both such dominant tops.

(Look it’s about the gayest era in history, I can’t help it that my brain does these things, but tell me Leto wouldn’t be such a force in the Roman Senate and butt heads with Acacius??)

Where are my Oscar girlies (GN) at?? @reallyrallyauthor @qveerthe0ry @nowritingonthewall @oliveksmoked @ohforficsake

@melodygatesauthor @reggiesfilthylittlesecret @ivystoryweaver @pimosworld @romanarose

@writefightandflightclub @astroboots @virtie333 @pedrit0-pascalit0 @ghostofaboy

@max--phillips @marisferasiop @avastrasposts @nerdieforpedro @lady-bess

@julesonrecord @grumpyeagleandfriends @softlyspector @soft-persephone @something-tofightfor

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Lauren Bacall (To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep, Key Largo)—"Just put your lips together...and blow" excuse me ma'am i'm briefly going to turn into a kettle. She's the quintessential Femme Fatale who may betray me in the end but I'd let her it'd be worth it

Pearl Bailey (Carmen Jones, St. Louis Blues, Porgy and Bess)—vintage crush of all time, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and my GOD the PIPES! She wasn't in nearly enough movies, but every time I see her I'm aghast all over with what a gorgeous woman she was. Vote Pearl for diva glamor like no one else! (also....she was on the Muppet Show!)

This is round 5 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Lauren Bacall:

"She is soooo neat. And hot. And everything. That one scene in To Have and Have Not where she says "you know how to whistle don't you? You just put your lips together and blow" altered my brain chemistry during media archaeology class and here we are."

"The VOICE, the SLINK, the EYES. Woof."

"Lauren Bacall was a major lesbian awakening for me. Every picture of her makes it look like she’s about to destroy you physically and emotionally (why is that so hot, I may need help). She had incredible long running chemistry with her husband, Humphrey Bogart, but was an absolute star in her own right. I’ll never be over my crush on her."

"She's got that confident, no-nonsense air about her. She's a boss babe who knows what she wants and gets it DONE. Staunch liberal Democrat her whole life. Campaigned for RFK. From Wikipedia: "In a 2005 interview with Larry King, Bacall described herself as "anti-Republican... A liberal. The L-word". She added that "being a liberal is the best thing on Earth you can be. You are welcoming to everyone when you're a liberal. You do not have a small mind."" Beautiful hair. Beautiful eyes. Beautiful lips. She's just beauty. LISTEN TO HER VOICE. TELL ME THAT'S NOT THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF."

"HER VOICE. Like yeah, she was absolutely stunning but oh my god, I'm obsessed with her voice"

"A gorgeous lady inside and out. One half of an absolute power couple with Humphrey Bogart, tended to him and other actors suffering from malaria whilst filming the African Queen, generally radiated grace and poise throughout her life. Also her last role was in Family Guy so she needs justice for that"

"She was stunning. Tall and beautiful with a distinctive voice and able to carry her own in a male dominated field. She won the heart of millions, including one of Hollywood's most iconic leading men, Humphrey Bogart. Their story was the stuff of legends, and the chemistry between them was apparent in the multiple films they started in together. She personified the film noir dame and yet she also adapted as Hollywood changed. Her career spanned decades, and she was honored multiple times."

Pearl Bailey propaganda:

"Pearl Bailey was an absolute POWERHOUSE! She's best known for her career in music and theater (she's a DIVINE singer, and very funny). But she also did several feature films, including a controversial adaptation of Porgy and Bess (controversial because of the story; the actors were pretty much coerced into it). She's got a style all her own, you can recognize it from a mile away. She's got you chuckling and crying from one phrase to the next. I love her <3"

"Cheekbones to die for"

[buginateacup]

A list of things that have delighted me thus far in My Lady Jane

- Genuinely hysterical

- It's literally Tudor animorphs

- The leads have fantastic chemistry

- The entire sound track seems to be pop punk girl group covers of classic rock songs

- Carolyn Bingley (Anna Chancellor) having the time of her life as a scheming Tudor noble

- Dominic Cooper's arse

- King Edward giving his entire court the double bird and telling them to bugger off

- Gorgeous costumes

- All of the side characters feel like they came out of a Discworld novel

- Geriactric gout-ridden creepy old husband murdering baby sisters

- Queen Mary's Tudor dominatrix outfit

- Dominic Cooper's arse (part 2)

- The Narrator giving exposition and poking fun at the English inability to communicate emotional vulnerability in the plummy tones of who I assumed was Arnold J Rimmer until I looked it up

- Princess Bess being played by literally the most beautiful woman, I am entranced every time she is on screen

- No really a bunch of people can turn into animals, it's a whole thing and you'd have no idea from the trailer

- Rob Brydon as another scheming Tudor noble who I spent a solid half episode thinking was James Miller

- Court slapfight

- Urchin kicking milf chasing himbos

- Have I mentioned the costumes are great?

- Actual chemises

- Father-son bonding moment over choosing codpieces

- Arranged marriage where the characters actually talk to one another (and have highly charged snogs after moments of danger)

- Anna Chancellor biting into that pear after her youngest daughter used it to suffocate that old man

- "You married me for my brain!" (Actual romance)

- "That's not a knife, this is a knife" Tudor edition

Anyway watch it, it's great, I'm having the best time

[evolnoomym]

🌙🧚‍♀️username song game🌙🧚‍♀️

Thank you for the tag: @milla-frenchy @fruityreads @zloshy @guiltyasdave @ace-turned-confused @thundermartini (I’m sorry if I missed anyone🫠)

E: Empty Places - Trent Reznor / Atticus Ross

V: Voices - Martin Phipps

O: Ocean Drive - Duke Dumont

L: loml - Taylor Swift

N: Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

O: Outsiders - Martin Phipps

O: Océan rouge - Flavien Berger

M: My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski

Y: Yellow - Coldplay

M: Mama’s Boy - Dominic Fike

Npt: @ozarkthedog @pedropeach @joelstummy @tonysopranosrobe @moonlitbirdie @baronessvonglitter @sp00kymulderr @mothandpidgeon @slutsoutgutsout @beardedjoel @punkshort @endlessthxxghts @merz-8 @lady-bess @rivnedell @luxurychristmaspudding @toxicanonymity @ovaryacted @morallyinept ( and of course everyone who sees this 🫶🏻👆🏻)

[joels-darlin]

Braces

Pairings: Jack Daniels x f!reader

Warnings: p in v sex, unprotected sex, bondage, restraints, consensual sex, rope bondage, dirty talk, praise, oral sex (female receiving), rough kissing, kinks, kink exploration

Summary: You have one request for Jack and it involves a very special accessory in your favourite room.

Word count: 1,693

Author Note:  Oh hello! I have returned and I'm back on my shit. Sorry if this is bad but I am rusty af and getting back into writing again has been an journey. Only one way to start it and that is with everyone's favourite cowboy, Jack Daniels!! This piece was written with someone special in mind. You know who you are and hope you enjoy it, sorry I kept you waiting so long! ❤ I did it though, I finally wrote for that damn cowboy! Also, special thanks to my good friend B who helped me with this and gave the push I needed to finish it! ❤ Credit to @lady-bess for the amazing mood board for this fic❤

Enjoy all and any feedback is appreciated, thankyou!

Jack knew what he was doing.

Teasing.

And he loved every single minute of it.

It all started the second he plucked the braces out of the drawer, knowing quite well the response it would elicit from you. A cheeky smirk plastered across his face as you lay in bed, still worn out from this morning’s escapades, as he donned his Statesman attire for a day in the office. Feeling the heat rising on your already flushed cheeks, but also between your legs at the thought of him using his braces for something else.

Which lead to this moment. Jack had barely been through the door a minute and you were on him, not a single word uttered between you both. Arms slung around his neck pulling him as close as possible to your frame. Lips connected together in a fight for dominance, barely taking a moment to stop for a breath. Knowing exactly what you wanted, the cowboy, and damn you were having him.

The kissing continued feverishly. Jack slipping his tongue past your lips to explore your mouth in ways you could’ve never imagined, making you moan wanton.

“Sugar, tell me what you want?” he said softly, moving his hand to take your chin softly between his thumb and forefinger, guiding it up slowly so you could lock eyes with his.

“Can you maybe tie me up…withyourbraces?” the words coming out in one jumbled mess, nerves clearly taking over. Throughout your relationship there had never been a time where you had been scared to ask Jack for anything, but this was uncharted territory, something as a couple you had never tried before.

“Try that again darlin’, slower for me hmm” he said, guiding the words out of you slowly, desperate to hear what was going through that pretty little head of yours. Flashing Jack a small smile in return you took a short but deep breath in before trying again.

“I want you to…tie me up with the…braces” you stuttered, feeling the blush creeping on your already flushed cheeks at the request.

Jack grinned wide gazing down on you, those brown orbs darkening further, gently taking your hands in his, he spoke softly.

“Sugar, you remember your safe word right? I’m only doing this if you are 100 percent with it okay?” Nodding in earnest at him, you wanted this. Oh so badly. Within seconds you were hiked up and over his shoulder, a loud slap sound bouncing off the walls of the room as his hand made contact with the semi-bare skin of your ass.

“Damn cowboy” you muttered, a deep chuckle coming from the man as you headed for the bedroom.

Closing the bedroom door he slammed you roughly against it, kissing each other feverishly; peeling what very little clothing adorned your body in-between breaths. You stood naked, Jack still dressed in the same shirt and pants he donned earlier in the day. Abandoning the kissing for a moment, chests heaving and frantically trying to catch your breath. More importantly the braces were still on, trying your hardest not to physically drool at the sight.

“Now darlin’ I’m gonna ask one last time, are you sure?” Those dark brown orbs gazing down at you again, a hint of warmth and lust shining brightly through.

“Yes Jack, pleaseeee” virtually begging. Knowing that was something he could not resist, a simple nod to give the signal to get on the bed; not far behind.

Unhooking the braces one at a time from the clasps at his waist, discarding them on the quilt, both items coming off with a snap. A sound that only got you even more aroused, the burning in your lower stomach set alight once again, legs parting at the sight of watching him.

“Good girl” he muttered, his low and gravely tone sending a shockwave to your centre.

Taking your left wrist between his palms Jack lay soft, gentle kisses on the skin. For a man with such a hard and stern aura about him, when it came to you he was loving and tender. One thing you adored about your cowboy, watching in awe as he removed his lips from your wrist, picking up the brace from the bed.

The coolness of the material took you by surprise at first, making contact with the bare skin. Jack gently putting the first restraint around your left wrist before securing it to the headboard. Proceeding to then do the same with the opposite, arms now suspended above you and tied firmly in place. Hovering over you Jack gently kissed your lips, venturing further down your body leaving soft kisses in his wake, to the place you needed it mostly.

The dull ache in your wrists was only adding to the burning desire in your lower stomach. Every sense heightened as his lips attacked your skin in a frenzied haste, kissing and weaving his way down. Then he hit the sweet spot. Tongue lightly glancing over the sensitive bundle of nerves, making you writhe and scream out in pleasure; back arching off the bed. Jack going down on you was one thing, but doing it whilst you couldn’t touch him? Torture. But in a good way. Pulling against the restraints the bed shook abruptly, wrists crying out in pain as you fought against them. A loud crash of the metal headboard against the wall pulling his focus.

“Sugar…behave” Jack warned. He could feel you trembling with excitement making him pause briefly, the loss of his tongue from your clit making you whine out in frustration. How could you possibly act normal when you have a cowboy between your legs, lapping away at your core like it was his last meal. To make things worse you couldn’t even touch him.

“Jack, please…just…” words leaving your lips in a breathy manner. Forgetting about the braces, you move arms to reach out, the headboard jolting again with a loud thud as you pulled against the restraints. Another groan leaving your lips making Jack giggle mischievously from below. You were getting riled up now, wanting nothing more than to have your man make you scream and writhe as you come undone underneath him. But no, he was taking the slow route tonight, making a mental note to get payback next time for the games he was playing.

“Sugar, this what you want?”

Completely fixated eyes on the cowboy as he sat back on his knees. Watching with intent he reached down into his boxers pulling out his already hard, weeping cock.

“Jack, pleaseeeee” you needed him and begging was the only way to get it. Stopping yourself from moaning loudly at the sheer sight of his hard member. Wrapping his hand around his length Jack gave it a few pumps, soft whimpers leaving his lips; hand moving up and down slowly.

Jack leant down crowding your body, aligning at your entrance. Teasing once again he swiped the head of his cock through your soaking wet folds, nudging your already sensitive clit lightly making you gasp.

Without any warning Jack thrust into you hard completely filling you to the hilt, which had you crying out in pleasure. His length reaching the places only he was made to reach. Jack rolled his hips down into you roughly never missing a beat, moans tumbling from you at speed and volume; the hot, burning desire spreading through you like a wildfire. You had already been close whilst he was eating away at your core but now, who even knows how long you were going to last.

“Darlin’, look at you taking me so well…made for me” Jack grunted, continuing to pound into you at alarming speed. The peak was approaching fast for the both of you, Jack's movements getting sloppier at the feeling of your walls fluttering around his cock.

He loved watching your body and how it reacted to every move and every touch. Of course not forgetting those beautiful moans that tumbled from your lips, which echoed around the room only spurring him on further.

Jack was so close. The sounds of you moaning his name and watching his cock sink in and out of your soaked cunt, were bringing him closer and closer to his peak.

“Darlin’ not gonna…last long” words leaving his lips in gasps as he tumbled closer and closer.

“Come for me Jack…inside…I’m gonna-”

That encouragement was all he needed and after a couple more hard thrusts, you both come undone. Walls throbbing around him milking his cock as he spurted ropes of cum deep inside of you. Both moaning each other’s names in unison. Flopping down on top of you, you both took a moment to recover. The sounds of both your frantic breaths filling the room as you come down from your high.

Jack was the first to move, realising you were still tied up his hands went straight to the restraints freeing your wrists. Fingers softly caressing over the red marks on the skin there. Scooping you up into his arms, he carefully manoeuvred to sit back against the headboard, you sat in his lap head tucked into the crook of his neck. The blanket now around you both. Jack didn’t just give his everything during sex, the aftercare was on another level. Always making sure you were comfortable, had snacks and were hydrated.

“Everything okay sugar?”

“Yeah Jacky, that was everything I needed and more been thinking about it for a while…thankyou” you giggled, feeling the heat rushing to your cheeks. Ducking your head further into the crook of his neck to hide. Feeling the slight shaking of his frame as he chuckled along with you.

Leaning down Jack pressed a light kiss in your hair, fingers tracing comforting patterns along the soft skin of your arms. Moving from his neck you closed the small gap between you, stealing a few chaste kisses. Leaning back, eyes locking with his, you smiled widely at your cowboy.

“Anytime sugar, I love you” he whispered softly.

It was then that you decided the braces were definitely being put to use again.

[geekcavepodcast]

My Lady Jane Trailer

In history, Lady Jane Grey was a Tudor noblewoman who was beheaded in 1553 after being Queen of England for nine whole days. My Lady Jane is a reimagining of history in which Lady Jane saves herself from a beheading.

Inspired by Cynthia Hand's novel, My Lady Jane stars Emily Bader (Jane Grey), Edward Bluemel (Guildford Dudley), Jordan Peters (King Edward), Dominic Cooper (Lord Seymour), Anna Chancellor (Lady Francis Grey), Rob Brydon (Lord Dudley), Jim Broadbent (Duke of Leicester), Henry Ashton (Stan Dudley), Isabella Brownson and Robyn Betteridge (Jane's sisters), Kate O'Flynn (Princess Mary), Abbie Hern (Princess Bess), Máiréad Tyers, Joe Klocek, and Michael Workeye. Gemma Burgess serves as creator, co-showrunner, and an executive producer. Meredith Glynn serves as co-showrunner and an executive producer.

My Lady Jane hits Prime Video on June 27, 2024.

[hopelessromanticsavage]

Mounia, the first Black Haute Couture model and Yves Saint Laurent's muse ✨

Mounia was born in Martinique, a Caribbean island that's part of the Lesser Antilles. She worked at the island's local airport as an announcer and was then transferred to Paris' Orly airport, finding herself in the epicenter of fashion.

When she started her career in fashion, other models like Iman, Beverly Johnson and Pat Cleveland were breaking the barriers of this white dominated industry. Mounia herself became the first-ever Black model to walk a Chanel runway.

She was then noticed by Yves Saint Laurent, the French fashion designer who heavily disagreed with the fashion industry's white-only traditions. He was taken by her beauty and grace, situating her as the pinnacle of his work. She was able to inspire him both through her beauty and through her friendship.

Through his very diverse fashion shows which had her as the star, the fashion world came to celebrate Mounia's excellence. In 1978, she walked the Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture show, becoming the first Black model to appear on the couture runways.

In an interview with W Magazine, she said "I was his first Black muse... He helped open the door for Black models. Sometimes I was his confidante, and I would sometimes inspire his creativity. He called me Moumounn. The collection that made me a celebrity was the one inspired by Porgy and Bess. I wore a pink pantsuit and a boater hat. I walked to 'Summertime' and really took on the character of Bess. Catherine Deneuve stood up and started clapping. Then everyone stood up and called out ‘Bravo!’ Yves Saint Laurent peered around the curtain - a thing that he had never done before - to see what all of the commotion was about. The people were shouting 'Bravo, Yves Saint Laurent!' and 'Brava, Mounia!' He took me in his arms, and we kissed. This for me was history."

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC Review: Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard

4.25/5. Releases 1/09/2023.

Vibes: romance on the high seas, badass heroines, ridiculously besotted heroes, and sword fight boners

Heat Index: 7/10.

Lady Lisbeth, countess, divorcee, and spy, is on the run. She's taken on the persona of Bonnie Bess, feared by all--except her new sailing master, the infuriating Raphael Saint. Problem one: Raphael may be a part of the smuggling ring Lisbeth is attempting to infiltrate. Problem two: she is, sadly, both extremely annoyed by and extremely attracted to him. Problem three: she may just have to rely on him if they're going to get away from the people pursuing her in one piece.

I was, to be honest, a little worried about how Amalie would pull this off. A lot of pirate-adjacent romances can get super fetishistic super fast. Plus, Raphael (who is of mixed-race ancestry) could easily dip into the Exotic Brown Man caricature. However, after I let her do her thing, I was pleasantly surprised with a romance that is both heartfelt and ridiculously sexy, with a solid dose of adventure. It's worth the risk!

Quick Takes:

--If you're a fan of "man falls first and harder" in romance... You'll love this. Lisbeth is a very guarded, icy heroine who's here to do a job and doesn't have time for nonsense. Raphael... is so naturally flirtatious, first off--but he's also much more in touch with his emotions and isn't afraid of letting Lisbeth know that he's interested. The sexual tension is THICK, but their banter and interplay is another huge part of the fun. They play off each other so well, and it all begins with a SWORDFIGHT!

--Raphael does bring a lot of humor to the story. In a lot of ways, he reminds me (and this is a compliment) of Prince Naveen from The Princess and The Frog? Like, he's very consciously leaning into being FRANCH, and he never misses an opportunity to hit on Lisbeth, but he also genuinely appreciates her talents and abilities and has a lot of really sweet moments.

He's also super secure in himself, which brings up another thing I loved about this. Raphael isn't by any means "feminine", and he definitely has several scenes wherein he takes a dominant role in his dynamic with Lisbeth. But he's also very comfortable with being, like... pretty. And delicate. He's a swashbuckler, but he'll also joke about wearing her blouses, and revel in the newfound possibilities of her taking control in the bedroom. There's a very "local man realizes he may have a bit of a submissive side and he's GOOD with it" vibe to it all.

--I don't usually like kids in romance, but here we have a legitimately good one! Lisbeth comes into the story familiar with Narina, a twelve-year-old girl whose mother she was friends with. Narina becomes a part of their adventures, and she's... fucking hilarious? Like, a foul-mouthed, snarky young girl who has a knack for piracy. And it's one of those things where Lisbeth is always like "DECORUM" because she's attempting to save this child's manners, and Raphael (who of course has an immediate affinity with Narina, NATURALLY) can't help but indulge her and encourage her wrongs. It's adorable, it makes him even hotter in a "doting father" kind of way and I loved the conclusion it reached.

--I'm really not an expert on this particular part of history, so correct me if my impression is wrong. But it felt like Howard made an effort to represent the unique interplay of cultures across the islands, as well as how one really isn't that different from the other. Raphael, as I mentioned, is French--but he's also of Indian and Creole descent. The novel doesn't delve too deeply into the complexities there, but you do get the sense from Raphael that he hasn't really fit into any of the boxes offered to him by nineteenth century society, as a French duke who isn't white and is very much his father's legitimate heir.

But I really appreciate seeing a book that really didn't take place in the ballroom, or ballroom adjacent, or really in England at all. You have a great sense of life at sea here, as well as some island-hopping, a detour to America, and so on. It offers a much bigger, grander world than a lot of conventional Victorian romances.

--There's a great emotional beating heart here, and you really feel Lisbeth falling for this man, essentially against her will, while he steadfastly waits for her to recognize her own feelings. It leads to a great culmination, and some truly swoony emotions.

The Sex:

Um, really good. I do want to call out that Lisbeth is pansexual, and the book doesn't shy away from that; one of the supporting characters is her ex-lover, and at one point another friend is outright like "oh wait, you like dudes too?" I loved that, and I loved that it's seriously not a big deal, just this known thing about her and her experiences.

But yeah. This shit is hot. There's not a huge emphasis on penetrative sex. Like it, happens, but there are a lot of other things that happen, and they do not feel any less like sex. (Including one scene that I don't want to spoil, but you don't see a lot of that exact configuration in historical romance, and..... it's so good.)

Raphael has piercing(s!) and tattoos, and Lisbeth's obsession with them is certainly incorporated. And like I mentioned earlier--there's some exploration of both of them discovering New Things about themselves together. Essentially, they both go into this believing they prefer to be dominant, and realize that they're both, perhaps... switch-y. This leads up to a scene towards the very end that delighted me Very Much. Put simply: the sex in this book is REALLY great.

Like I said, I was at first a little worried about how this one would turn out. However, I was ultimately really happy with where it went. Seeking a "woman and her overeager dangerous himbo go do piracy together" book? This is it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[rom-e-o]

Bess asking Connie, when she and Wolf finally start going all the way, "Um... h-how... do you... know if you're any good at sex? A-And if you're not any good at it... is it possible to get better?" Turns out, except for their first time on their engagement night because emotions were so high, Wolf isn't being as wild or vocal when they have intercourse as he has been and still is when they do other bedroom activities. He's even making rather unpleasant faces and not putting his hands on her quite like he normally does.

At the same time, Wolf approaching Connie to ask her, "Does it make me a bad lover to want to lose control and take charge in bed when I know Bess' history?" Turns out, the poor man is just fighting for his life as he holds himself back from completely dominating Bess because she makes him feel so good but he doesn't want to scare her or potentially trigger her PTSD. He's also been teased by other girls in the past for how he handles himself in bed (vocal, touchy-feely, emotional, etc.), so that doesn't help.

So Wolf hasn't communicated his desires and fears yet because he doesn't know how. Worry-wart Bess, on the other hand, naturally assumes it's something wrong with her because she has so little experience and Oliver hadn't seemed to enjoy himself all that much with her either, so she must be bad in the sack. Both of them really just need some encouragement to talk to each other.

Awwwww, these two. They’re so sweet. What a nerve-wracking thing though, especially when they’ve pined for each other for so long!

I see Connie hearing Bess’ concern, and just KNOWING there has to be more to it. She knows Wolf loves Bess, and there must be a reason for his reaction. She DOES reassure her that she KNOWS Bess can’t be bad in bed, because she’s lived through someone being bad in bed. Orin was a super selfish lover who liked inflicting pain…not Bess. It sounds like something is going on with Wolf. “Have you asked Wolf about it? Perhaps something is going on with him that he’s nervous to bring up. I don’t think it’s you, though. After all, things were quite passionate in the engagement night, yes?”

So when Wolf comes to her, the lightbulb clicks. “Oh. OHHHH.”

He gets pulled aside immediately. Of course, her first thing is to guide him to talk to Bess. That doesn’t mean she can’t assuage his worries a bit.

“First of all, thank you. Thank you for caring for Bess and thinking of her emotional and mental health. That…is not something every partner would do. I respect that so much, and it just cements my belief that you are man truly worthy of her love. With that being said, I have some good news. I think you’ll find that…perhaps she wants you to lose control a bit. Your engagement night? Quiiiite a fond memory for her.”

Wolf blinking is realization while Connie just grins.

“Arrange a cozy night in. Dim the lights, grab some wine, and just talk. And don’t make any next-day plans.” 😉

[quill-pen]

two things!! ahoy again!!

1) do you have a bess/ebeness playlist? bc sometimes i think of them when i listen to certain songs and i’m like “oh man this would go so well on a playlist for them” (ahem. “howl” by florence + the machine)

2) do you think bess and ebenezer ever pretend-argue about the metric vs imperial system

Ahoy again! Welcome back to my little Scroogey corner!

I don't technically have a playlist just for them (yet), but I do have a playlist for my Scroogeverse in general, and, admittedly, a lot of the music in it is very much Ebeness vibes. You can listen here if interested. And now I need to go add that song to the playlist as well as my general playlist. Also, can I just say how genuinely touched I am to hear that you think about my Wolves? I often feel that my head is the only one they take up space in (apart from @rom-e-o, but that's because we've twined our worlds together bia Sims). So it's so nice to hear they're living rent-free in some other people's heads, too.

Pretend-argue? No. It's an actual argument. Not one that'll cause any sort of great marital strife, but it's a legitimate--if small--argument. They do this a lot concerning British and American cultural differences, and Bess usually starts it just for shits and giggles. She's something of a little instigator and likes to get her beloved Brits all riled up and heated on occasion. Especially Eb, because it typically ends up with some breathtaking sexy time with him being rather dominant in the sack. She loves to be dominated by him--gently and conscientiously, of course. He's quite skilled.

[crabbynutcase]

(2021) Elite YCH: Bess decided to attend a formal event on a Sangheili colony to gain prominence within their circles. She mades a statement by bringing a sword from Humanity's past to show off in the Swordsman dominated space. To say it was a hit would be an understatement. Bess' newfound company comprised of (left to right):

@/Fancy_Charizard's Vaye 'Romaai, @/GhostWife4000's Feya 'Nradom @/Farm_Heili's Taro 'Marur @/SonofJoori's Gheld'vet Murn Thank you so much for the support and I really enjoyed drawing your characters. Can't wait for the next!

[aimmyarrowshigh]

Sapphic September 2023

099. Domineer - Nancy Drew/Bess Marvin - Nancy Drew Franchise

[ndfan3]

The Ringmaster’s Secret, The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #31 (1953)

In one of the rather more contrived Nancy Drew stories, the girl detective’s Aunt Eloise, aware of Nancy’s love of horses, and a hitherto unrevealed interest in learning bareback riding skills, sends her a gift of a golden bracelet of five charms, each featuring a horse performing a different gait. Aunt Eloise’s letter also informs her a foreign queen had bequeathed the bracelet to a trapeze artist circus performer in acknowledgment of his skill, but he had later been forced to sell it for reasons unknown. Nancy realises one of the charms is missing from the set. When attending Sim’s Circus, which is coincidentally in town, Nancy meets the circus’ troubled trapeze artist, Lolita, whom she later discovers from the clown, Pietro, has the missing horse charm in her possession. Nancy become intrigued by Lolita’s unhappiness and soon provokes the suspicions of Lolita’s abusive adoptive father, Ringmaster Kroon. Nancy’s continued attendance at the circus trying to solve the mystery of Lolita’s real parents, eventually leads her to being asked to take the place of an injured bareback rider. For some reason Nancy persuades her friend Bess to attend the interview for the position and then lightens her hair and poses as Bess to perform at the circus - which she does expertly. Meanwhile she and George continue to investigate Sims Circus and Kroon, convinced skulduggery is at play. This results in the two girls eventually being chloroformed and kidnapped and stowed on board a freight train, bound and gagged. The intrepid sleuths escape, continuing their pursuit of Kroon and their attempt to rescue Lolita from his dominance.

The desperate Kroon later seizes Nancy and throws her in the circus’ lion’s cage, but once again, the young woman escapes, thanks to boyfriend Ned and Pietro, and eventually turns the tables on Kroon, successfully bringing him and his wife to justice. Along the way Nancy reunites Lolita with her real mother and succeeds in completing her bracelet with the missing charm which she then presents to Lolita as a wedding present for her marriage to Pietro.

Although on one level a nice gentle feminist tale of female skill and empowerment, this story has way too many coincidences for comfort and disbelief has to be suspended to accept Nancy could become a skilled circus performer after just a couple of lessons in bareback riding and stunts. Still, Nancy is fantasy and this is a high-spirited romp and should be accepted as such.