#Eleanor shows her qualities

[atsadi-shenanigans]

What Shall We Become 30 - Linda Hamilton

You catch feelings oh fuck oh shit oh no.

On AO3.

You don’t even got a whole second to register what you see. Something moves behind Astarion. Seems to pop up outta the ground like a spud shot outta a potato gun. You catch an impression of something big and hunched and big ass scythe arms, and you move. Plow right into Astarion, tackle the both of you to the ground as something whistles overhead.

The second you hit, you roll away. Let Astarion scramble up, reach for his knives. But that big hook bitch is fast and it is mean. It don’t give him the chance to finish either of those before it swipes at him.

Fucker snags on Astarion’s armor. Saws right through the rope connecting you two. But then Hook Bitch spins, and that fucker is strong. It flicks Astarion up and tosses him into the rock wall behind y’all.

You’re already dumping your pack. Pawing through your shit. Your hands shake. You do your best to focus through that, force them to move despite the shakes. Fumble once. Grit your teeth. Hook Bitch turns to you.

Can’t find no fire bottle or nothing. Just healing, dirt potions, and what the fuck is that one?

No time.

You chuck the mystery bottle.

It hits Hook Bitch square in the chest and shatters. Smells weirdly like peppermint and musty feet? And before you can process much more than that, a blue shimmer engulfs it. It flails, makes a rattling sort of squawk, and the blue flashes and disappears.

When you look again, Hook Bitch is the size of a doberman. A scuttling, hunched doberman with a skesis face and big fucking murder hooks for hands. All of it hissing and squalling at you.

Big bitch? You’re fucked. Mini bitch?

You whack it with your stick. It flinches, but keeps on coming.

“Sonuvabitch! You ugly sonuvabitch!”

Which is when Astarion fucking pounces onto the damned thing and drives his knife through the back of the crusty little skull.

It spasms and drops. Lies on the ground twitching and shivering. Just as the blue shimmer kicks back in and it morphs into its bigger self. A very dead bigger self.

“What the fuck,” you say.

Astarion scoffs and examines the slash in his armor (it does suit him real well) (why the fuck do you keep looking at his damned shoulders).

Y’all were, admittedly, having some kinda moment until that shit jumped y’all.

“You okay?” you say.

He looks at you. Actually looks you square in the eye for the first time in over a week. And it makes your stomach go all fluttery. You blink and try to squash that.

He says something back. But before you can ask, the both of you catch movement. There’s a slope to the right, leading down the cliff towards the chasm that weirdo tree grows out of. And up that slope, bounding like a nightmare kangaroo, is another Hook Bitch.

“Oh shit,” you say.

“Ignis!” Astarion says. Because he can do that. He’s got magic that can light a bitch on fire thank fucking god.

But nothing happens. He looks to his hand, cupped like he’s expecting somebody to hand him change, but ain’t nothing there.

You both stare at that empty hand a second. Then at each other. And then at the Hook Bitch halfway up the damn slope.

And y’all know the drill by now. Don’t gotta say nothing. Y’all turn tail as one and fucking run.

But Astarion can see now, and he’s way faster than you. Even with all the recent practice, you’re stumbling and gasping after him. Hook Bitch is fucking fast. A phrase pops into your head, something about not needing to be able to run faster than a bear, just faster than at least one of your buddies. Oh fuck oh fuck—

Astarion stops, whirls. Reaches for something in his pack, and it’s all one movement, some lord of the rings Legolas shit. That thing is on y’all’s asses what—

A bow. The bow he stashed away once y’all realized he couldn’t see. He pulls it out in a sort of twirling shimmy and somehow manages to do a twisting motion and suddenly the bastard is fucking strung. Goddamn elf shit.

He fires.

It skitters off Hook Bitch’s carapace.

“Fuck us,” you say.

Astarion snarls. Tosses his bow and reaches for his knives again. You make some kinda noise. Not even his name or nothing, not a warning, not a word. Just a noise as your heart jams up your throat to choke you and that thing pounces.

But Astarion dives at the same fucking time. Sails right under the big bitch and lands in a tight roll. Comes up and throws himself backwards.

Because he’s an elf and a motherfucking vampire and he can just do crazy shit like that. Like plunge his knives into that thing’s back like he’s ice climbing. And then pull his way up, stab at a time, as the thing screeches and tries to swipe at him. Them hooks remind you of mantis claws, all curved and serrated and, in y’all’s luck, probably fucking poisonous. But they don’t make very good back scratchers.

Hook Bitch knows this, and you can tell it’s gonna do something horse-stupid. Gonna throw itself onto its back and crush Astarion. But Astarion is too fucking quick. He’s already reached the skull.

He snarls drives that knife, too, into the back of the thing’s head. Stabs it with the other knife for good measure and it’s like whacking a fish in the head with a good billy club. You can see the brain death in the sort of gasp and flail the thing makes: limbs flying wide, mouth dropping, whole body jerking like it licked an electrical outlet.

Astarion calmly rides the body to the ground.

“Holy shit,” you say.

He wrenches his weapons free. Notices the weird-colored goo on the blade and gives it an experimental sniff. Then grimaces and says what you can only surmise to be some kinda, “Ew, no.”

“Okay?” you say in English. Realize ain’t none of your party taught you any form of that in either language they’re teaching you, but you know words like cock and corpse and ain’t that just a fucking snapshot of y’all’s group dysfunction.

Astarion babbles back in Chondathan. The only part you can pick out is the “darling” at the end.

And then he’s gone. A flash of white. A partial shout. The space before you is suddenly empty. And it takes a second to figure out what in the fuck.

A third Hook Bitch. It holds Astarion in its clutches. He’s got a knife between his chest and one of them fuck off hooks, but his arm shakes with the effort of holding it. One slip, and that monstrous fuck’ll rip him open like a can of biscuit dough.

This ain’t like that drow. It ain’t even about that flying mouth bitch you threw that implosion grenade at. You got no capacity to think. No time at all. You hone in on Astarion—he’ll fucking die—and your brain goes all cold and still and direct.

You lift your staff. Lunge. Spear towards that thing’s face. Take out an eye, distract it, whichever. It sees you coming—you ain’t subtle—and snaps out with a clawed foot. Catches your whacking stick and rips it outta your grasp. It goes tumbling over the side of the cliff.

The shining line is already there. You ain’t processing. No strategy or statistics. It’s like you just know what to do. It’s already there, in your brain, and you don’t examine it because you already feel the deep certainty of it. The crocodilian coldness of the knowledge.

You dive between them legs. Toe claws like steak knives. They’d puncture you like a goddamn soup dumpling. But there ain’t room for that here. Cause you’re grabbing the knife the fucking drow used on you. The one you’ve kept in your belt since Astarion handed it over.

It ain’t some big dagger or nothing. A little more sizable than a buck knife, probably not a legal carry where you live. But it’s long enough and it’s sharp as fuck.

Hook Bitch got that carapace. You can’t reach the throat without hopping around and that’s assuming the thing stood still and gave you a fair shot. But there’s generally two places a thing can’t be armored and one of them is the mouth.

You start stabbing up. Towards where you think it has a butthole.

You’re clumsy. Hands shaking. Most of it’s messy slashing along the thighs and taint but you get a couple’a good digs up there. Enough the think shrieks and finally flails back. Swipes at you with a hook. Catches your shoulder, but you barely feel it and you’re already scrambling away. Throw one last, wild slash at the calf, and the thing stumbles, but it don’t go down.

It’s enough. Because while you was stabbing it, it dropped Astarion. And he’s way better than you with a knife.

One punches up through the thing’s lower jaw. He rams the second one through the eye once. Twice. Goo spatters and the thing makes an aborted sound. Twitches hard. Then he’s stepping back, reaching for you with sticky hands, and you both stumble away as the Hook Bitch collapses in a dying, gurgling pile.

At which point your legs give out. A sharp stitch lances up your side. You try to bring the knife up to re-sheath it (knife safety 101) but you almost drop the thing a couple times. And for some godforsaken reason, that’s what makes your eyes start to water.

“Christ fuck,” you say and swipe at your face. Realize your forearms is gummed in gore.

Then a pale hand slips into yours and eases the knife away. Sheathes the blade calmly, and then holds it back out for you.

You look up. Find Astarion staring, looking both bewildered and real fucking deranged. Also holding your pack.

Did you stab that thing in the ass? he wonders.

You stare.

Why did you stab it in the ass?

Because porcupines gotta shit. Can’t shit through armor plates.

You both stand there and stare at each other.

He thinks you’re a mad little creature. And then he cackles.

You look back to the dead thing you did, actually, stab in the ass at least twice. Wonder where in the fuck you got that idea.

Astarion holds out a hand, still covered in gore himself. You only consider that for a second, before you clasp it and let him help you to your feet. Your whole body shakes and you totter like somebody’s meemaw. He hands you your pack, and you take a few, precious moments getting that back over your head.

Then you look up.

You and Astarion are about the same height. Y’all are both spattered in god knows what fucking monster goo. Underneath all that, he stares at you. Red eyes focused right on you, and wow, his lips sure do look soft, huh? How come you never noticed that before? Or the way his adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.

You should lick it.

And that thought right there catches you so pants-down gobsmacked you damn near flinch away (and instead stop breathing for a second).

You…do not think that sort of thing. You ain’t never really thought that sorta thing. It’s kinda up there with noticing Rachel Olmstead’s tits when you was in the throes of puberty.

You feel all warm and, and shifting.

Oh.

Oh what the fuck.

Oh no.

Astarion looks at you and something in his face changes. Goes all, like, intent. But also soft? At the same time? His gaze flicks down. To your lips, you think.

Oh god. You should move away. But he’s right there and you just thought about licking the man’s neck and…is that warmth shooting to your crotch?

Sweet baby jesus, it is.

Holee shit. Oh lord, you done went and did it now. Oh no. Oh no.

He says a word. You recognize it: lips. But he’s changed the end. Made it…a verb? What—

You ain’t getting enough air. Have to suck in a huge lungful. Which snaps his attention back to your mouth. He’s asking a question. Lips, but a verb.

…kiss? He’s asking to kiss you, isn’t he.

He says it again. Good god, he’s breathing harder, too. Or maybe it’s just how close y’all are. You was between his legs a day or two ago with his fucking tongue on your goddamn neck and is this shit fucking contagious? You didn’t get all, all…twitterpated then?

Except.

You maybe kinda did.

Not like this! Nowhere near like this. But you’d been squirming. Trying real hard not to focus on the scent of him and the vibration of his voice on your fucking skin and just how close you were to where his own legs joined. And all the while, the man was just enjoying his meal. Wasn’t like he sounded like he was doing something else.

Astarion stands there. Leans in slow. Real slow. Giving you time. Asking you all blatant because he knows you already said you weren’t interested.

Except.

Except you’re leaning in, too. Heart slamming against your ribs. Brain gone all light-headed. You…want to kiss him. Good god almighty. You want to kiss the man.

Suddenly he pulls back. Whip-crack fast. Leaves you standing in the chill with your pulse pounding in your ears and heat mixing with oily dread and shame. You fucked this up. He came to his senses. Oh god, what the fuck is even happening—

“Drow,” he says, tone hard, staring off into the dark y’all’d emerged from.

You peer out like you’re gonna see something. And don’t. But he’s all sharpness now, part barn cat on the prowl, and part alley cat being prowled.

He looks at you. His cool hand finds yours.

Y’all run.

[mathildeaquisexta]

But seriously, what did the people of medieval times listen to?

Let's answer this post :

The short answer is : the things they listened to were FAR MUCH WORSE than anything in our Spotify playlists.

The long answer is :

In the 12th century, southern France knew an exceptional cultural and linguistic wealth. It is in medieval Occitanie that the fin'amor took roots and these stories of courtly love inspired a whole literature of archetypal romances between a queen and a knight, of an inferior rank, who surpasses himself to reach the object of his desires while knowing his romantic goal to be vain and inaccessible. These stories advocating qualities of respect, honour and chastity were very popular at the court of the county of Toulouse.

These love stories were sometimes in the form of poems and always sung by musicians who mastered the local language, the langue d'oc: the troubadours. Very influential in the local nobility, the troubadours were allowed to take certain liberties that in other courts, further north in the country, would be offensive: for example, they could sing a melody proclaiming their love for the queen.

The Occitan ballad "A l'entrada del temps clar" (meaning "at the beginning of the warm season") was written and sung during the 12th century, supposedly in honour of the late Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. It tells the story of a "queen of April" or "queen of spring" who leaves the king, deemed too old, and prefers him a handsome young man. The song tells that the queen organizes festivities and invites the whole kingdom to dance and eventually a night of general debauchery.

Now, to the actual lyrics:

A l'entrada del temps clar, eya Per jòia recomençar, eya E per jelós irritar, eya Vòl la regina mostrar Qu'el' es si amorosa

In English:

At the beginning of warm weather, indeed To bring back joy, indeed And to anger the jealous, indeed The queen wants to show That she's in love

Who are "the jealous" here? If we stick to the theory saying that the song is about Eleanor, it’s probably the king of France and his court, particularly pious and austere (so not a very conducive place for celebrations and festivities). They struggled to understand and accept the queen’s strong character and the southern Occitan education she had received.

Moving on.

Lo reis i ven d'autra part, eya Per la dança destorbar, eya Que el es en cremetar, eya Que òm no li vòlh emblar La regin' aurilhosa [...] Mais per nïent lo vòl far, eya Qu'ela n'a sonh de vielhart, eya Mais d'un leugièr bachalar, eya Qui ben sapcha solaçar La dòmna saborosa

In English:

Furthermore, the king is coming, indeed To put an end to the dance, indeed Because he is afraid, indeed That another man would steal from him The Queen of April […] But his efforts were in vain, indeed As she doesn’t care about an old man, indeed But rather for an ardent young man, indeed Who knows how to satisfy The savoury lady

Here, the king is openly mocked and ridiculed: he disturbs the festivities and refuses to join it, he is reduced to his old age and his inability to satisfy his wife and nobody cares for him, preferring his more handsome and entertaining rival.

Qui donc la vezés dançar, eya E son gent còrs deportar, eya Ben pògra dir de vertat, eya Qu'el mont non aja sa par La regina joiosa

In English:

Anyone who sees her dance, indeed And show off her beautiful body, indeed Can say without lying, indeed That there is no equal in this world To the merry queen

Here, praise is made on the beauty of the queen but especially the beauty of her body, in a rather licentious way. As said earlier, it is a privilege that only troubadours of Occitanie can indulge without fearing repercussions.

Nonetheless, the King is not the only person that can be subject to critics and mock in medieval times. No one is untouchable, including the church.

"Ai vist lo lop" (I saw the wolf) is a popular song from the 13th century, also of Occitan origin. Here, animals are used to represent real-life people: the wolf is the king, the fox is the churchman and the hare is the tax collector. These three representatives of power are accused of being responsible for the misery of the people.

Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard, la lèbre Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard dancar Totei tres fasiàn lo torn de l’aubre [...] Fasiàn lo torn dau boisson folhat

In English:

I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare I saw the wolf, the fox dancing All three went around the tree I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare All three went around the tree They went around the leafy bush

Seen like this, the lyrics sound rather cryptic. But the next lyrics are extremely explicit:

Aqui triman tota l'annada Pèr se ganhar quauquei soùs Rèn que dins una mesada Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard, la lèbre Nos i fotèm tot pel cuol Ai vist lo lèbre, lo rainard, lo lop

In English:

Here we slave away all year To earn a few pennies And in a month I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare We have it in the ass (meaning that we have nothing left) I saw the hare, the fox, the wolf

And then everything becomes clear. People work hard and the few coins they receive go directly into taxes, first those of the king, then of the church, and other unjust taxes that existed at the time. The wolf, fox and hare will then waste this money on useless parties ("All three went around the tree") and orgies between themselves ("They went around the leafy bush").

So yeah... They definitely can handle your Spotify playlist lol.

[prettyboysinmyheart]

You’re my home | hughes!sister x Ollie Bearman au

“To me, a home is no longer just a place; it's you, my love.”

Name: Saige Eleanor Hughes

Nicknames: sai, aggie, and gigi

Birthday: June 23th, 2005

Age: 18

Zodiac: Aries

Birthplace: Manchester, New Hampshire

Height: 5’0

College: Boston college (will be taking a gap year to travel the world)

Major: Early Education

Family: The youngest and only daughter of Ellen and Jim Hughes. The younger sister of Quinn, Jack, and Luke.

Likes: keeping herself busy, babysitting, traveling, reading, Jewelry, staying in, listening to music, hugs and shopping

Dislikes: being told what to do, crying, the dark, overthinking and her brothers

Fun facts about saige:

✰ Saige spends her summers working as a camp counselor.

✰ she’s very close to Quinn

✰ favorite snacks are pita chips, fruit snacks, little bites (the ones with chocolate chips and chewy bars

✰ Saige’s favorite music artist is Luke combs, Sabrina carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Dan + Shay and Ariana Grande

✰ is very much a mommy’s girl

✰ needs to have an iced coffee every morning to feel awake

✰ love language is acts of service, physical touch and quality time

✰ doesn’t like interacting with her brother’s friends unless they’re a friend of quinn

✰ likes to keep her friend group small

✰ Saige loves to travel around the world with her Mom

✰ meet Ollie during a random trip to the UK

✰ ended up literally bumping into him at a restaurant

✰ Saige loves showing up to Quinn’s game in head to toe canucks gear

✰ for Jack and Luke’s game the most she’ll do is wear a devils hat and shows no emotion when shown on the Jumbotron

I really want this to be an interactive AU! Feel free to send any questions, blurbs, or your thoughts. I would absolutely love that!

[natalie-goodmn]

Next to Normal round 3 thoughts:

there’s a lot of things I noticed this time that I didn’t before but that’s just bc as a Natalie stan I must be looking at her the whole time

- I never noticed Gabe throwing Dan’s keys in Just Another Day before that’s SO funny

- I also finally saw Diana kiss Henry, she really WENT FOR IT

- is it just me or does the Wyndhams need to turn up their mics?? Maybe it’s just that I need it In My Ear Canal but I’ve noticed the singing is a bit quiet (I also didn’t notice this in Oklahoma)

- I love Gabe holding the microphones to Natalie and Dan during their I’m Alive dialogue. He might be a demon with the spirit of a dead two year old but he’s sooo silly :D

(this is getting long so more under the cut)

- something something Natalie playing her fake keyboard with the band’s piano behind her, something acting and pretending like she’s a normal person with a normal family

- I just realised that Gabe AND Natalie licks up Diana’s leg. Diversity win

- the parallels of Gabe and Diana reaching out to each other in Im Alive vs Natalie reaching down to her in Wish I Were Here (and maybe Catch Me I’m Falling) i feel sick,,,

- Gabe holding Diana in I Am the One like Henry’s holding Natalie, welcome back Freudian Gabe

- also the head kiss parallel with Gabe in Just Another Day and before he’s about to leave in I Dreamed a Dance

- the blood is so visceral but a part of me misses the bway staging too where they just walk off slowly and as dr madden talks abt Diana’s attempt. It’s basically the same thing but the reveal felt slower idk

- also man every time I miss the donmar staging of the one tiny bit where Dan’s going “Is this helping or? Di?” as Diana just walks off and back to the therapy chair. Idk it just felt like dissociation better to me, but I do like Ominous Circle Of Thinking

- I also love love love how they play the “I love you as much as I can” in this. They play it like a failed charm roll, and you really get everyone’s frustration and that she’s trying hard

- and then in Maybe when you see that Diana actually knows Natalie deeply bc she’s like her,,, hold on. Similarly, I love how the first person Natalie hugs in act two (I think?) is Diana instead of Henry. Me when the real story is between a mother and daughter (mamma Mia who)

- Diana rolling her eyes and mouthing ‘oh my fucking-‘ to Dan going “can you tell me what it is you’re afraid of” is maybe the best representation of anxiety and I’m not even kidding, MOOD Diana

- god I know it’s been in all the productions but I love how much agency Diana has, you rarely see it with mentally ill characters but she’s so funny and knows what she wants and I love her

- everyone’s said it, everyone knows it but JACK WOLFE god he’s amazing every time

- I’ve thought this both times, is it just me or when Gabe is silhouetted (I think with the music box) is his neck like inhumanly thin??? Like genuinely asking, I don’t think that’s Jack’s neck?? Is it?? Am I just misunderstanding human anatomy when someone wears a hoodie

- I’ve said it before but I Am the One reprise is one of the best scenes in musical theatre and it should end there. I’m a Light hater SORRY, I like the message a lot but it’s always felt like a studio note or something where they’ve been told that it has to be uplifting at the end or it’ll do badly and make everyone sad

- natalie,,, covering her ears and her big headphones. Autism. Also really love Eleanor’s portrayal of her anxiety. Instead of Jen’s anger, she has a hamster like anxiety quality to her (complimentary)

- also I swear I see no one talk about it WHEN GABE TOUCHED NATALIE’S HAND??? AND SHE NOTICES SOMETHING??? That’s new for this production right?? Theories???

- Natalie starting to tidy up Gabe’s toys,,, she’s breaking the cycle,, she’s the hope. And playing with them with Henry and showing him the bunny toy 😭

- I’ll say it. The “you’re like number one on my list of problems” doesn’t work that well if you don’t have Jen and Adam’s sarcasm. Too earnest. Banned.

- I’ve said a lot abt this Henry but I actually like this act 2! He plays him v desperate and anxious which I don’t think Adam does, it shows the stakes for act two. Also his arc UGH. From being a Dan parallel where he’s saying he’ll be perfect for her and that he wants who he knew and that he’ll stay anyway because he made a promise to,,, the dance and saying that he’ll stay bc he loves her and he doesn’t care if she goes crazy

- Also I think Natalie mouths ‘help me’ as she stops Henry from walking off in A Promise owwww

- also Henry apologising to the pianist after the recital (I think?) and picking up Natalie’s bag from the club 😭

[skippyangel16]

Seriously? Sharing a star with Tomlinson?

Never heard of before today but…

The Ostend Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Ostend, Belgium. The film voted by a jury as the best in the competition section receives the Best Film Award. A highlight in the Flemish film year, the Ensor Awards take place at the end of it to honor the cinematic achievements by the industry. Wikipedia ( launched 2007)

TCND was on as a premier… so why the star now?

According to the festival …

To honor their visit to Ostend, Dries Vos and the cast will be honored with a star on our prestigious Walk of Fame. This special recognition on the promenade marks their exceptional contribution to the world of film and television.

(source below at bottom of page)

So they just showed up and got a star for individual past works?

So why did ‘they’ ….Sam and Eleanor get a star? There was a cast of 4 and in my mind all equal? Silly me obviously not that equal? Did Driez Vos get a star on his own?

Anyway, never in my wildest did I expect that this soap opera of a series would lead him to have his name immortalised in a star with Tomlinson…dear god!

As the star was not specific to TCND…why do they have to share one? Now forever linked 🙄.

My cynical mind …another NOT WITH BALFE.

We all know S&C were robbed of true accolade in Outlander along with Tobias imo.

Sam will never be automatically linked with Tomlinson. Another year TCND will be forgotten. It’s not going to be binged over and over imo. It’s barely getting the ratings. But yes he has his name in a star and his work has been recognised…in Belgium. Where everyone knows his name.

It’s sad but Sam should have had a star years ago with a certain lady. It’s like season one and two of outlander never happened. This was quality! This was sexy! This was hot! THIS WAS CHEMISTRY NOT TCND! This was what paved the way for TCND, side to side its shite Sam. Your chemistry does not waver so give up the sexy leads, unless it’s Balfe it seems to be an epic fail…but yes the best effort so far 🤷‍♀️JMHO

You will never replicate this hotness so play a different role…

Unfortunately the only Star that will ever be for them is the one with the z in it…but one can live in hope!

TCND, I stand by my review 👇out of all of them Jessica De Gouw was the stand out. Give her a star …

Source

Other star owners include Pierce Brosnan who turned up to promote his film November Man 2014 and Jeanne Claude Van Damme in 2018 promoting his film Lukas, aka the Bouncer…

[fideidefenswhore]

"By comparison with numerous ‘workshop’ versions, this rediscovered print from an apparently lost portrait of Anne Boleyn has every appearance of an authentic likeness, with its claim to represent Anne supported by Sir Roy Strong’s Tudor and Jacobean iconography and Eric Ives’s work in establishing a link between the portrait style and the gold and enamel image in the ‘Queen Elizabeth’s ring’, currently held by the Trustees of Chequers. Two copies of the print have so far emerged – one revealing the inscription near the top: ANNA BOLINA UXOR HVIII, perhaps added at a later date, and the other, of lesser quality, showing a little more of the shadowed background to the portrait and of the sitter’s wide black sleeves. It would not appear that the portrait is by Holbein. But in style and pose it does correspond closely to other contemporary female paintings by the German artist, Joos van Cleve, particularly his 1530 portrait of Eleanor, Queen of France (below).

[...] It is further significant that its sitter’s features, unlike those of other ‘workshop’ copies, bear close comparison with the Holbein ‘Anne Boleyn’ drawing in the British Museum, which has been and is still disputed as a likeness. With the ‘Van Cleve’ portrait reversed and the two images set side by side, the lines of forehead, cheek and chin appear virtually identical. The long, narrow jawline – also evident in portraits of Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth, and of her Howard and Carey relatives – is accentuated in the painting by the (invisibly narrow) ribbon which holds the French crépine head-dress in place. The shapes of the nose, mouth and brows, a little flattered in the painting, are essentially similar; while something indefinable in the expression of the dark eyes establishes a common likeness.

Moreover, there are good reasons for supposing that Van Cleve had the opportunity to paint Anne Boleyn in 1532. His well attested portrait of Henry VIII has been dated for the early 1530s and it has been suggested that Van Cleve came to England for the commission. According to the Royal Collection Trust, this portrait ‘may have been painted to commemorate his visit to Calais in 1532’. In fact, it is more likely that the King sat for the artist in Calais or Boulogne during the visit itself; and it follows that a portrait of Anne Boleyn by Van Cleve could also have been undertaken while she was there with him. It is known that Van Cleve was summoned to work at the French court by François I in the early 1530s, and the 32 days Henry and Anne spent in France in the autumn of 1532 would have allowed ample time for preliminary sketches, if not for completed portraits. The question of how a portrait of Anne Boleyn, sketched in 1532 and perhaps completed in time for her coronation in 1533, survived her disgrace and death in 1536, when other images of her were deliberately destroyed, might be explained by the fact that artists were frequently required to undertake multiple versions of royal portraits. Van Cleve was known for his ‘impressive studio organisation and collaboration’, and at least two versions of his portrait of Eleanor of France survive, wearing different costumes and jewellery. There are also two copies of Henry VIII’s portrait by Van Cleve, both of good quality, in the Royal Collection and that of Burghley House. If Anne Boleyn did sit for Van Cleve in Calais, one would expect official versions of the portrait to feature jewellery obtained for her from Katherine of Aragon in time for the French visit; (e.g. the jewelled cross with pendant pearl in Katherine’s miniature by Lucas Horenbout, and worn successively by Anne in her portrait medal of 1534, Queen Jane in the Whitehall Mural and by Catherine Parr in another Horenbout miniature.) Moreover, if the one surviving original portrait of Anne features a symbolically initialled ‘B’ pendant – with B being for Boleyn, rather than A for Anne – it was very possibly ordered by her father, Thomas Boleyn, for his portrait gallery at Hever, where a later copy hangs today. In similar circumstances, Edward Seymour commissioned his own portrait of his sister Jane. Nor is it hard to imagine a plausible chain of ownership for such a survival – from Thomas Boleyn’s death in 1539 – through Anna of Cleves, who gained Hever Castle and its contents as a part of her divorce settlement in 1541 – to her executor, Henry Fitzalan, who had charge of her effects on Anna’s death in 1557 – to his son-in-law, John, Baron Lumley, who inherited Fitzalan’s paintings in 1580 and included a likeness of Anne Boleyn in his inventory of 1590. It is known that Anna of Cleves personally occupied Hever Castle and would have been familiar with its paintings. If she had decided to sell a portrait of her disgraced predecessor by her countryman, Van Cleve – as a notable art collector, her friend Henry Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel would have been an obvious buyer. Alternatively, if she’d left the painting for his disposal as her executor, he’d surely have taken the opportunity to acquire it, having known Anne Boleyn personally and accompanied her to Calais in 1532. On Henry Fitzalan’s death, his art collection was merged with that of his son-in-law and heir, John, Baron Lumley, which a decade later certainly did include a portrait of Anne Boleyn. The fact that the portrait in the Lumley Inventory of 1590 is described as ‘full-length’ would not have made it unusual (Queens Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr were both painted full-length) or incompatible with other commissions for Joos van Cleve’s studio. We now know that the Lumley portrait was cut down at a later date; and if the rediscovered head-and-shoulders print is amalgamated with another three-quarter-length female portrait by Van Cleve (as below), some idea can be gained of how such a painting might originally have appeared."

[all-eyes-lead-to-the-truth]

All Eyes Lead to the Truth | Small Potatoes (4x20)

“Well, what do you want to talk about?” she asked, swirling her wine around in her glass.

Usually, when he did this, Eddie had to tread delicately on a path someone else had already laid before him. Sometimes it was a Herculean task to get to learn little details about the women he was pursuing because it would be stuff their husbands would never ask. 

But this was different. 

It didn’t take him long to realize he’d initially misread the situation when he saw them at the clinic. Based on the look Dana Scully shot him when he tried to hold her hand at the airport, he knew he was navigating territory Fox Mulder had yet to conquer.

It didn’t make any sense to him. Such a good-looking guy, an agent of the Federal Beurow of Investigation, couldn’t get with his hot, nerdy partner? When he was watching them earlier, they seemed so into each other, like they were two people living in their own little world. It was something he usually only saw with couples in love.

“Earlier, you uh- you said you’d be Eleanor Roosevelt if you could be someone else for a day. Why her?” 

“I thought you said it couldn’t be a dead person,” she teased, giving him a pointed look.

He shot her a soft smile. “I want to hear why you chose her though.”

That wasn’t even a lie, he really did. Eddie saw through the window the way Mulder’s face contorted into something akin to revulsion when she answered, presumably in response to the First Lady’s appearance. It was the same expression Amanda had when she talked about him. Yet Dana didn't seem to judge a book by its cover.

“Well,” she started, taking a deep breath. “I think she’s an admirable woman. She has a lot of beautiful qualities that I would love to embody.”

“She continued her husband’s work after he fell ill right? Motivated him to keep going when no one else would, even going so far as to take on some of the load herself despite the criticism she received?” For the first time, he was grateful one of the women from the clinic loved watching the History Channel.

She nodded, seemingly pleased. “They were a great team.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you already embody a lot of the First Lady’s admirable qualities.”

She looked caught off guard by the compliment, but recovered quickly, a dusting of color on her cheeks the only giveaway that his assessment had an effect on her.

“You never answered your own question,” she stated into the hollow round of her wine glass.

“Hmm?”

“Who would you be?”

A small exhale of laughter escaped through his nose before he could catch himself and it didn’t go unnoticed. “What?” she pried.

Eddie raised the glass to his lips and pretended to take a sip to buy time. Who wouldn’t he rather be? He wanted to be someone who was funny, someone smart, someone who was loved — but at the end of the day, he truly did want to be Eddie Van Blundht. He just wished other people would want that too.

Sure, he wasn’t attractive in the conventional sense and maybe he didn’t have a fancy job working at the Federal Beureaw of Investigation, but he wasn’t all bad.

Setting the glass back down, he remembered something he’d seen in Mulder’s apartment and it seemed as good of an answer as any. 

“Elvis,” he answered.

“Elvis?” she deadpanned, her amusement showing itself in a slight grin.

“Have you heard the voice on that man? And his moves?”

“I would just like to state for the record that you also chose a dead person,” she remarked.

He shrugged in mock surrender. “My love for the King goes beyond the grave. But what about you? What type of music are you into?”

“Oh, um,” she paused, contemplating her answer. “I’ve always been a fan of R&B. Dennis Edwards, Stevie Wonder, Al Wilson–”

“What about Al Green?”

“Of course,” she replied with an earnest grin. “I have all his albums.”

“You should put them on!” he encouraged.

“Now?”

“Why not?” he countered, pleased when she nodded her head in acquiescence and got up.

His eyes trailed over her form as she walked across the room and he felt the familiar coil of arousal twist in his gut. This was probably the most beautiful woman he’d spoken to in a long time, and he wanted this to go well.

While she was preoccupied, Eddie took the opportunity and leaned over to top up her wine, pretending to do the same to his untouched glass. It’s not that he wanted the women to be drunk by the time he made a move, he just found that it helped blur the lines between how they expected their husbands to be and what he would do for them. They were less likely to question why their husband's kiss felt different or why he was trying something new. It was just better this way.

He grimaced as droplets of wine fell onto the papers scattering the coffee table, and he looked back to make sure she was still preoccupied before snagging a couple of tissues and blotting the liquid. 

His attention was drawn to a legal pad sitting amongst the papers. In delicate, feminine scrawl, he made out the words “Doctor Appointment - Thursday at 8:30.” His confusion only deepened when he leaned over to throw the tissues in the waste bin and saw a few others stained a different shade of red. She didn’t look sick, but then again he knew better than anyone looks could be deceiving.

He quickly moved back into place when Al Green’s voice filled the room. “I haven’t played music like this in so long,” she admitted, walking back to him with a shy expression.

Suddenly he realized this might be easier than he thought. Maybe she needed this as much as he did.

Read the rest of All Eyes Lead to the Truth on Archive of Our Own!

@gaycrouton

[angevinyaoiz]

The Devil’s Crown (1978)

Not news to anyone who follows me lol, but for the folks who are now doing their seasonal The Lion in Winter watching and going “Wow I’m getting some real Succession Vibes from this weirdo family” Are you all aware that there is, indeed, a miniseries about the Plantagenets where Brian Cox indeed plays Henry II and does his own take on the famous bombastic patriarch dealing with Heir Drama…in 1978…

He’s so toxic and unhinged with lots of artistic license of course but there’s a lot of cool details from various texts included into his characterization, which I love. I especially appreciate the approach to stuff oike the Thomas Becket drama, which places it more in the historical context while still keeping in line with the homoerotic precedent. Jane Lapotaire’s Eleanor is brilliant too, and it’s great to see her as kind of the center of the story as it covers and develops over several years.

It’s available (in french) on Madelen but not really available officially on english platforms which is a shame, but you can find uploads various places if you dig around (or u can ask me… hehe)

The “style” of the show is very artistic and stylized stage-play esque, lots of not hiding the Artifice of the costumes and set, kind of in the vein of I, Claudius but kind of inspired by medieval manuscripts. Which isn’t everyone’s thing but i personally ADORE. A lot to nerd out about!

Also the toxic Dadson (x3) in it is unreal. As one of the only adaptions ever (besides Becket i think? And that one Dan Jones Goofy documentary with the reenactors) To feature Henry the Young King as a major character, they incorporate that kind of weird political/personal emotional dependency that ends up being a huge instigator of the conflict. they even do the cute dadson bed sharing at Chinon…(right before the BETRAYAL)

Anyways, I always feel like I should share… it’s tough for what’s practically a lost media bc its literally only in this Potato Quality, but for me the design and the strength of the actors and loving attention to lots of detail in the decisions made visually and storywise makes it really special to me, it’s just really neat to see! I love TLIW, but it’s also cool to see the longer version of the “story” of these figures and how it develops and changes over time, and also explores I think some of the more abuse and relational consequences over the years. It is a bit dated in its historical positions at times, like any media, but it holds together as a story well. Very strange show, very made with love, very problematically gay (for real)and incestuous (as we like it). Highly recommended to people who want a medieval experience that is both colorful and strange but also familiar…

[sailorgoon13]

Aurora Wilder

Basics:

Full Name: Aurora Wilder

Nickname: Rory

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: 22 September, 1873

Heritage: English

Blood Status: Pure Blood

Wand: Vine wood, Unicorn hair, 10 3/4", Flexible

Appearance:

Hair Color: Chestnut Brown

Eye Color: Bright blue with a ring of dark blue around her pupil

Skin Tone: Light olive

Height: 5'2"

Body Type: Petite. Slender

Style: Whimsical, Eclectic Earthy

Features: Soft freckles across her nose and cheeks, Expressive eyes, Messy curls, Kind smile, Wildflowers in her hair

Personality:

Traits: Intelligence, Curiosity, Compassion, Adventurous

Likes: Stargazing, Potions, Exploring, Quiet moments, Creating

Dislikes: Conflict, Injustice, Feeling Powerless, Loud and crowded spaces

Hobbies: Brewing potions, Gardening, Stargazing, Reading, Painting or Sculpting

Fears: Rejection, Not being enough, Loneliness

Family and Friends:

Father: Alexander Wilder

Respected wizard from an old and esteemed pure-blooded wizarding family.

Works as a magical historian, specializing in ancient magical artifacts and lost magical practices

Mother: Elenor Wilder

Known for her grace, intelligence, and strong sense of tradition.

Specializes in potion-making and has a keen interest in magical plants.

Friends: Has more 'acquaintances' than friends

Magic:

Special Abilities: Can wield an ancient form of magic

Boggart: Victor Rookwood

Patronus: Rabbit

Polyjuice: Soft, earthy hue with subtle flecks of green or brown swirling within. Herbal flavor with hints of chamomile and mint, would be slightly sweet, like honey. Silky texture, airy quality, almost like a mist or a gentle breeze.

Amortentia: Fresh rain, freshly cut herbs like basil and thyme, lavender and jasmine.

Backstory:

Rory Wilder's upbringing was a blend of magic, history, and natural wonder. As the only child of Eleanor and Alexander Wilder, she grew up surrounded by the enchanting world of wizardry and the beauty of the natural realm. From a young age, Rory showed a remarkable aptitude for potion-making and Herbology, skills she inherited from her mother, Eleanor, who was a talented witch with a deep knowledge of magical plants and their properties.

Eleanor spent countless hours with Rory in the family's greenhouse, teaching her daughter the art of potion-making and the secrets of herblore. Together, they brewed potions, tended to exotic plants, and explored the magical properties of various botanical specimens. Rory absorbed every lesson with eager enthusiasm, her curiosity and imagination ignited by her mother's guidance.

Meanwhile, Alexander, Rory's father, regaled her with tales of wizarding history and legend. He shared stories of brave witches and wizards who had shaped the course of magical history, inspiring Rory with tales of adventure and heroism. These stories sparked Rory's imagination and instilled in her a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of wizarding lore.

Despite the magical wonders of her upbringing, Rory often felt isolated and lonely. As an only child, she lacked siblings to share her adventures with, and her quirky and whimsical nature made it difficult for her to connect with her peers. She found solace in the natural world, spending hours wandering through the Forbidden Forest, collecting ingredients for potions, befriending magical creatures, and weaving flower crowns from the wild blooms she found along the way.

Rory's aversion to loud, crowded spaces and her need for solitude sometimes puzzled her classmates. She preferred to spend her free time exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of Hogwarts Castle, seeking out secluded spots where she could immerse herself in the tranquility of nature or simply curl up for a peaceful nap. Her unconventional habits and eccentricities earned her a reputation as the "quirky loner" among her peers, but Rory remained steadfast in her convictions, embracing her individuality with unwavering stubbornness.

Life at Hogwarts opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Rory, far beyond the sheltered confines of her childhood home. The challenges she faced and the adventures she embarked upon were unlike anything she had ever experienced before, pushing her to grow and evolve in ways she never imagined possible. With each passing day, Rory's love for magic, nature, and discovery only deepened, propelling her towards new heights of knowledge and understanding in the captivating world of witchcraft and wizardry.

Academics:

Best Subject: Potions

Favorite Subject: Astronomy

Favorite Professor: Garelick

Worst Subject: Runes

Least Favorite Subject: Transfiguration

Least Favorite Professor: Sharp

Student Life:

Dedicated and studious Ravenclaw

Her wanderlust leads her on countless adventures throughout Hogwarts and its surrounding grounds.

Her quirky and whimsical nature adds a touch of eccentricity to Hogwarts.

Can often be found atop the Astronomy Tower, gazing up at the stars and pondering the mysteries of the universe.

Template: @hazyange1s

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 1

Betty Hutton (1921-2007): Incendiary Blonde (1945) - Texas Guinan | The Stork Club (1945) - Judy Peabody | Red Hot and Blue (1949) - Eleanor Collier | Annie Get Your Gun (1950) - Annie Oakley | Let's Dance (1950) - Kitty McNeil

"She's literally Annie Oakley! Anything you can do she can do better! We love a diva who brings energy and comedy along with her singing and dancing chops." - anonymous

Vera-Ellen (1921-1981): On the Town (1949) - Ivy Smith | White Christmas (1954) - Judy Haynes | Call Me Madam (1953) - Princess Maria

"She’s so PRETTY and CAT-LIKE this little pixie FELINE QUALITY she is so tiny but her dancing is BIG" - anonymous

This is Round 1 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround1, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Betty Hutton:

Vera-Ellen:

"Not her most impressive number [video below] of all time, but I think it's very charming and shows off her tap and singing skills as well!" - anonymous

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous | Photos submitted by: @funnygirlthatbelle

[atsadi-shenanigans]

THE CHAPTER I AM WORKING ON.

😈😈😈

I have been waiting the ENTIRE FIC for this bitch, and now MY TIME HAS COME.

[verreprincesse]

@diivineray

Silk and lace and ribbons. A world she had been born into and had it so violently ripped away. And yet... She fidgeted with her lace glove while she stood next to her stepmother. She felt her stepmother's cane whip at her ankle. "Hold still." She hissed.

"Yes, Madam." She whispered, folding her hands in front of her. She had dreamed of the day she might finally leave home, that she may finally be free of her stepmother's cruelty. She just never thought it would be this way.

Her gown was simple, her stepmother didn't want to spend money on a gown but Ella didn't own anything nice, and hadn't since she was ten. And so one was made, the fabrics of fine enough quality to show her status but simple to show she wasn't a part of her family.

"Lady Eleanor, may I introduce my son, Leona." She heard a voice say, and without hesitation she dropped into a graceful curtsy.

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

[bonearenaofmyskull]

Hey! Curious if you're currently into any great shows. If so, mind sharing your recommendations? Always on the lookout for some good TV suggestions!

I imagine you've seen everything I have. I spend more time gaming. Not into anything great at the moment, but I can dig deep and see if I can remember what shows I've watched since Hannibal aired and give my opinions. I binge TV series with my mom who is in her 80's and has Parkinson's and macular degeneration and can't really do activities or read anymore, so I rewatched some old ones with her here largely to torture her with them, so they'll be in here also.

S-Tier (Winners)

My Brilliant Friend. Probably the best thing I've watched since Hannibal. If S4 is out I haven't seen it yet, no spoilers.

Better Call Saul. Possibly tied with My Beautiful Friend. Better than Breaking Bad. Much better ending. So good, no complaints. Nailed the ending. Did I mention the ending?

A-Tier (Runners-up)

Black Sails: God, there were some parts of this that were so gratuitous and tedious, especially early on, and I hated Eleanor Guthrie and not in the kind of way that means good things for a show. Some of the dialogue was just really on the nose too. This sounds like a lot of complaints, but the things it did well, it did SO WELL that it really does make up for the negatives. The acting was sooooo good and the Flint and Silver dynamic was AMAZING and the show looked great, and over all that, it really had something thoughtful to say, and that stays with you when it's over.

Stranger Things: Some parts of this show hit better than others, but I'm squarely in the bullseye of the target audience and get the vast majority of the references and nostalgia, and I love David Harbour. I appreciate their exploration of various types of horror, attempting a new style each season, and I like the charm and humor and cheese, and it's a show that knows its voice and its tone and commits fully to those things. It's trying to be a fun show and it is, and it wants to deal with real fears and real grief, and it does.

The Handmaid's Tale: Speaking of shows that are committed to their tone, this one definitely is that. It's too heavy and relentless for most people, I think, but I don't mind that at all. Parts of it do drag, but it has a lot of the same qualities (for good or bad) as Black Sails: great acting, powerful character dynamics, the things that it does well it does so well it makes up for the shortcomings, imo.

Breaking Bad: Famous show, not much to say here. Rewatched it recently and don't think it's as good as Better Call Saul, so I put it here.

B-Tier (Can't complain but will anyway)

Good Omens: Can't get into it, can't find anything particularly wrong with it. I'm into the ship. I guffaw out loud while watching it yet am thoroughly bored most of the time. Love Michael Sheen and David Tennant on screen together. I know the show can't be that all the time but I wish it was. Aziraphale ftw. I feel like people missed the point of the ending of the last season.

Mad Men: Show could give Seinfeld a run for its money in terms of being about nothing, but definitely had its charm. Watched it with my mom so her nostalgia and appreciation for how historically authentic it felt went a long way. Good performances. God, it could be boring sometimes though.

Vikings: This one was a lot like Black Sails for me. They had a bit of a struggle for a season or two but once going, they really got going. Many great acting performances and characters. Loved Ecbert and Ivar especially. Didn't have Toby Stephens and Luke Arnold, so you know...can't quite make that tier. And didn't have as much to say, or didn't say it as well, and it doesn't stay with you.

C-Tier (Can complain and will, but were good enough to stick with)

LOST

The X-Files

His Dark Materials

Downton Abbey

BBC Sherlock

Game of Thrones (I think most people have misdiagnosed this show's problems, but it sure did have them)

D-Tier (Tried but could NOT, though many people will like these...they were just Not For Me)

Bridgerton

Dark

The Good Place

The Gilded Age

Outlander

The Crown

Outer Range (what even the fuck with this show)

I tried to think of more shows I've watched in this time, but this about sums it up. But here are a couple YouTube channels I really like:

Beau of the Fifth Column

Bistro Huddy

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Eleanor Klibanoff at Texas Tribune:

Two women have filed federal complaints against Texas hospitals they say refused to treat their ectopic pregnancies, leading both women to lose their fallopian tubes and endanger their future fertility. Texas law allows doctors to terminate ectopic pregnancies, a condition in which the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes, instead of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are always non-viable and can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated. Despite these protections, these women say they were turned away from two separate hospitals that refused to treat them. The complaint alleges that the doctors and hospitals are so fearful of the state’s abortion laws, which carry penalties of up to life in prison when violated, that they are hesitating to perform even protected abortions.

The complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, a federal statute that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing medical care to anyone who shows up. That rule has long been interpreted to include medically necessary abortions, which has run up against state bans, including in Texas. Typically, federal EMTALA complaints are investigated by state health agencies, but the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the complaint, is asking for it to instead be handled by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. “CMS should not rely solely on a state agency’s assessment of the facts in reaching its determination because of Texas state officials’ hostility toward interpreting EMTALA as requiring hospitals to provide pregnancy termination to pregnant patients experiencing emergency medical conditions,” they wrote in the complaints. The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year declined to say that Idaho’s abortion ban trumps the EMTALA requirement, but a federal appeals court in New Orleans has found that Texas hospitals cannot be required under EMTALA to provide life-saving abortions.

Similar diagnoses, similar results

Kyleigh Thurman says in the complaint that she went to Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital in Round Rock, north of Austin, with a tubal ectopic pregnancy. She says the hospital initially discharged her without treating the ectopic pregnancy, but she returned three days later with vaginal bleeding and worsening symptoms. Despite her doctor’s orders, the hospital refused to give her methotrexate, a common treatment that stops an ectopic pregnancy from continuing to develop. “Infuriated, Ms. Thurman’s OB-GYN met Ms. Thurman at Ascension Williamson to plead with the medical staff to give her methotrexate,” the complaint says. They eventually agreed. But it was too late; the ectopic pregnancy had grown too large, and ruptured. Thurman nearly bled to death and had to have her right fallopian tube removed. A spokesperson for Ascension declined to discuss the specifics of the case, but said in a statement that they are “committed to providing high-quality care to all who seek our services.”

Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz had a similar experience at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, outside Dallas. An emergency room physician diagnosed her with a tubal ectopic pregnancy and said she should get an injection of methotrexate or have surgery to remove the pregnancy. She chose surgery, but once the on-call OB/GYNs arrived, the complaint alleges, the hospital refused to treat her and told her to come back in 48 hours. “Ms. Norris-De La Cruz’s mother asked if the hospital’s refusal to provide care had anything to do with Texas’s abortion bans but received no response,” the complaint says. “As the conversation became more heated, the OB/GYN confirmed it was possible that Ms. Norris-De La Cruz could rupture over the next 48 hours and subsequently stormed out of the room.” Texas Health did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Norris-De La Cruz eventually found an OB/GYN through a friend who agreed to perform an emergency surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy. By then, the mass had grown so large that it required also removing her right fallopian tube and 75% of her right ovary. “I ended up losing half of my fertility and if I was made to wait any longer, it’s very likely I would have died,” Norris-De La Cruz said in a statement. “These bans are making it nearly impossible to get basic emergency healthcare. So, I’m filing this complaint because women like me deserve justice and accountability from those that hurt us. Texas state officials can’t keep ignoring us. We can’t let them.”

Two Texas women, Kyleigh Thurman and Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz, filed federal EMTALA complaints against 2 Texas hospitals over refusal to treat ectopic pregnancies as a result of Texas’s strict anti-abortion laws.

See Also:

The 19th News: Two women say Texas hospitals wouldn’t treat their ectopic pregnancies. Each lost a fallopian tube as a result.

Jezebel: Texas Women Denied Care for Ectopic Pregnancies Due to State’s Abortion Ban Take Legal Action

[generic-whumperz]

OC in 3

Choose 3 pics to represent your OC

Oops, I got overly excited and made 10 three-picture collages

Omg thank you @mj-iza-writer for the tag! I am honored that I came to mind! 🥹

No pressure (& open to anyone interested!) tag: @rainydaywhump @eatyourdamnpears @clairelsonao3 @dresden-syndrome @lights-out-knives-out @snakebites-and-ink

| Aid Masterlist | Aid Character Sheet | Character Info

Soooo, I know I’m supposed only to pick three pics, but honestly, I simply cannot (I know, no surprise there). I have been wanting to do a vibe photo dump for The Aid (the Whumpee & title of the story) but have yet to do it (hello, my ever-expanding Pinterest boards), so I’ll take this chance to explore The Aid’s past phases he’s gone through (pre & post-Wyatt {Whumper #2}) and give some explanations because it’s a lot. However, I don’t know if explanations are necessary for this tag game, but I’m famously too much, so of course, I’m going to over-explain myself because of my crippling fear of being misunderstood!

Ironically, I call his time with Madame Eleanor (technical Whumper #1) his “Aid Era” because that’s when he becomes this character we are introduced to and currently know him as. Yet, this is the part of his life he is phasing out of. **Insert something-something about being haunted by your past.**

(In the current storyline, he is going through a succession of more changes, and his world is about to be turned upside down yet again, but I’ll hold off on showing those for now because they’re spoilers, and I have more than enough here!)

Starting from the top, here we goooo—

P.S. The people in these pics are not what the characters look like, this is simply vibes only!

Day 1

1. As soon as The Aid arrives at his new home, Madame Eleanor gets custom-made Gucci uniforms made for him that looks like this. This is his go-to everyday attire. (I spent too long looking at scrubs and hospitality uniforms on and off for over a month—tell me you like it and think it’s cool and sleek.)

2. He has a special built-in in his closet specifically for all his fancy, jewel-encrusted collars Madame Eleanor gifted him throughout the years, but this is what the facility's standard-issue collar looks like for his designation (Grand Servant: Domestic Aid).

3. His favorite Prada frames Madame Eleanor got him. (Wyatt later breaks them because he’s an asshole, leaving him straight up blind for several months).

Fancy Threads

Eleanor Sullivan was a Rich Bitch™️, so best believe she had her servant dressed to the 9s in designer fits when out and about or for Family events and the like. She may also put him in a butler uniform from time to time when they were hosting a party at their residence—which was often, Eleanor was known for her soirées. (To clarify, he’d still wear a collar even when dressed up, and all those attending knew who and what he was.)

The Host

He loved a good party just as much as Eleanor did! He likes serving and seeing people have fun and enjoy themselves (people-pleasing empath). He was known for his food displays and had a knack for creating a proper afternoon tea spread that garnered attention from all those present.

Speaking of Empath…

We can’t talk about him without bringing up his not-so-secret secret! Lil’ homie has a gang of abilities (telepathic empathy, hyper intuition, premonitions, and psychometry) just bubbling up inside him at all times. His relationship with himself and his sixth senses is complicated, to say the least—he finds them burdensome, yet he cannot function without them, despite how much he argues otherwise. It’s a whole thing, but for a certified Telepathic-Empath™️, he sure is dead inside (which only gets worse after Wyatt OFC).

*Sorry for the shitty upload quality of the Emotional Sponge, idk why it looks so bad!

Domestic Duties

Not only can he slap together the best charcuterie board you’ve ever seen and easily untangle Christmas lights, but he’s also a man who can cook, clean, and keep a house. What can’t he do?

Hobbies? Interests?

Don’t be ridiculous, he didn’t have time for leisure activities! But when he had some occasional downtime, he would spend an ungodly amount of it doing facials and grooming himself. He also loved to go to the spa with Madame Eleanor. As far as reading went, he wasn’t into novels, but he would occasionally peruse short-story myths and legends, old fables, or read picture books in funny voices to Eleanor’s grandchildren. Primarily, he’d like to read trashy magazines, comics, and cookbooks. But let’s be real, he considered cleaning, gossiping, and baking his primary hobbies.

RIP Madame Eleanor Sullivan

(She’s been dead for about a year and a half when they story picks up)

First and foremost—above everything else—The Aid was Eleanor Sullivan’s literal live-in medically trained caregiver, which is why she bought him in the first place. They had a very close relationship for five years, and he did everything for her. When she died, his world was shattered, and he took her death really hard. Wyatt was jealous of his Mother’s relationship with her servant from day one, which is where part of his animosity comes from. Quick note—Eleanor was a posh, vintage-Chanel-wearing Grandma and would never be caught dead wearing a bathrobe outside. Eleanor was Queen of being That Bitch.

Enter: Wyatt Sullivan

These pics are pretty tame all things considered, but after Eleanor’s death, The Aid is now in a World O’ Hurt and the subject of Wyatt’s drug-and-alcohol-fueled rage. The Aid went from a high-class servant loved by his Madame and respected by her friends, associates, and family (besides Wyatt) to a human punching bag overnight. The beef between these two runs deep and maybe Eleanor isn’t as innocent as she seems. Stick around and you’ll find out all the Sullivan family tea.

To: Wyatt

Just some memes directed towards Wyatt and The Aid being painfully aware of his shitty situation (I got too many of these and had to sprinkle some in).

Where We’re at Now…

Quite the fall from grace, wouldn’t you say? Our boy is currently bed-ridden and zombified while having the worst time imaginable. He’s drugged up, fucked up, and can’t move half of his body!

*This took me an embarrassing amount of time to assemble, but I went the extra mile because this doubles as a reference guide.

[realcatalina]

This is an imagen of María of Aragón, Queen of Portugal, from the Tríptico de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, Jan Provost, c. 1515. 

I presume you wish to hear my thoughts about this painting, since no question was written.

Despite Jan Provoost never provenly leaving Low Countries, surprisingly not so small amount of his art are on Iberian peninsula.

Some of them provenly there since not long after their making, presumably comissioned directly. Not really sure how that comission process exactly worked.

Probably the best quality photos I could find of it are from this webpage.

Which also sheds bit of light about its history.

This painting is believed to be comissioned by Nuno Fernandes Cardoso and his wife Leonor Dias in 1511 when they had ordered construction of Chapel called la Capilla de San Juan de Letrán including the triptych for its altar. Thus it is presumed the painting was comissioned between years 1512-1515, not long after.

I have some issues regarding the royals within.

Number 1 all photos ignore the fifth presumed member of royal family-The girl in red dress on right.

(and fact two more figures are partially hiden behind the altar.)

It is believed by some that from left to right these are Manuel I, Maria of Aragon-his wife, Isabella of Portugal-his eldest daughter, Eleanor of Viseu(Dowager Queen of Portugal-wife of his predecessor) and Beatrice of Portugal-his younger daughter.

Not sure about costumes of everybody, but presumed daughters are dressed in Netherlandish outfits.

While i cannot rule out he was sent some sketches, the faces of these women are consistent with generic figures from other paintings by same artist. With designs which he was reusing.

Thus even if identification as royals is correct, it is not likely for it to be true likeness. (However in some cases, the artists were chosen because their already existing work reminded people of their loved ones. )

But the question on my mind seeing this triptych is-Where the heck are his sons? The painting is believed to be made in betwen 1512-1515.

By this point Manuel and Maria had 3 daughters and 5 boys. People were sexist back then, so idea King Manuel got depicted with wifey and daughters only is cute...but unrealistic.

While we have 7 male figures on left, one is pope(on right), one is old man, then there is monk(infante Henry was cardinal), and 4 more figures, not all of them even showing full face. They are not at front, but at back. Like is it symbolical...or were those boys not important?

Secondly, why would every royal except Manuel be depicted in clothes better fitted for somebody of lesser status?

Another depiction of the same royal family by Netherlandish artist Colijn de Coter is called Fons Vitae, and there despite outfits being netherlandish at least they were what we would expect from depiction of royalty.

Ermine, cloth of gold, crimson also popular with plenty of royals. But here only Manuel wears such suptuous robes.

(the other male with fur-that is not ermine, they specifically sewn those so that the tails appeared regularly.)

Thus i fear, it might be the case that Manuel is the sole royal depicted.

And that we have pope and king in central positions beneath Virgin Mary and people on sides will be the patrons and the family.

Possibly people who had the painting comissioned. Which would mean the grey-haired man in red and black is ment to represent Nuno Fernandes Cardoso(with his male relatives behind him).

And his wife Leonor Dias, is represented by either the woman in green or the woman in black with white headwear-which is also positioned probably the most at front(with the female relatives behind her.)

Thus in my opinion it could be the case of wrong identification, based upon proximity to the figure of the king and the fact the woman has golden hair (or at least i think she might have) and ribbon on upper part of forehead is bit similiar to how cofia the tranzado was worn with ribbon across forehead.

But even if i was wrong about this female not being ment to represent Maria, the face matches rest of generic saints by this artist. (for example the one on left)

Sorry. This is pretty face, but likely not Maria's.