#Featuring: Lord John Grey

[felassan]

Post on the Dragon Age website:

"Journal #2 The Voices of the Veilguard Get acquainted with some of the voice actors and join us for our upcoming character panel at SDCC! --- Hey everyone, We're packing our bags and heading down to SDCC this week and alongside that comes more Dragon Age: The Veilguard reveals! Today, we're excited to reveal some of the voice actors who bring our characters to life - a few of whom will be joining us for our character-focused panel at the convention. ICYMI, our SDCC panel "Dragon Age - Meet The Heroic Companions of Thedas” will feature Creative Director John Epler and Creative Performance Director Ashley Barlow as they discuss bringing the cast of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to life. Moderated by Lucy James, host and video producer at GameSpot, panel attendees will hear from Neve, Emmrich, Harding, and Lucanis’ voice actors as they discuss their motivations and inspirations that have lit up the personalities and uniqueness of each companion. The panel will be held on Friday, July 26 from 3:15PM - 4:15PM in Room 6BCF.  If the panel isn't enough to satisfy your Dragon Age cravings and you'll be at SDCC in person, join us at the Dark Horse Comics booth (#2615) where we will have swag to give away as well as talent & developer signings. Keep an eye on our social channels for more information on this. Discord members who drop by the booth and show us that they're a part of the server will receive a Romancer pin while supplies last. For those of you who will be keeping an eye on SDCC coverage from home, we'll have the full panel video available at a later date. Stay tuned. With that said, let’s get into our cast."

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"Four Rooks are Better than One Featuring the most comprehensive character creator in Dragon Age yet, your character, nicknamed Rook, debuts with four different voice overs to make this story truly your own. Rook is Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s leader in the making who has to bring the Veilguard together to take down the threats on Thedas. Immerse yourself even further by picking your voice, with two options from US/North American personalities and two from the United Kingdom/EU.  Rook’s voices have been provided by iconic television, film and video game personalities Alex Jordan (Cyberpunk 2077, The Amazing World of Gumball), Bryony Corrigan (Baldur’s Gate 3, Good Omens), Erika Ishii (Apex Legends, Destiny 2), and Jeff Berg (Battlefield 1, NCIS). What even is Dragon Age: The Veilguard without the Veilguard? These 7 companions stand ready to join the fight to restore order to Thedas. We're happy to announce that our cast of companions includes: - Ali Hillis (Mass Effect 3, Naruto), returns to the fray as Harding, the dwarven scout, a Dragon Age: Inquisition hero with a big heart, a positive outlook, and a ready bow – as well as unexpected magical powers. - Ike Amadi (Mass Effect 3, Halo 5: Guardians, Insomniac's Spider-Man) as Davrin, a bold and charming Grey Warden who has made a name for himself as a monster hunter. - Jee Young Han (Perry Mason, Unprisoned) as Bellara, a creative and romantic Veil Jumper obsessed with uncovering ancient secrets. - Jessica Clark (True Blood, Pocket Listing) as Neve, a cynic fighting for a better future, both as a private detective and a member of Tevinter's rebellious Shadow Dragons.  - Jin Maley (Star Trek: Picard, Silicon Valley) as Taash, a dragon hunter allied with the Lords of Fortune who lives for adventure and doesn't mind taking risks.  - Nick Boraine (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Black Sails) as Emmrich, a necromancer of Nevarra's Mourn Watch who comes complete with a skeletal assistant, Manfred, voiced by Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Fallout 4). - Zach Mendez (Horizon Forbidden West, Married Alive) as Lucanis, a poised & pragmatic assassin who descends from the bloodline of the House of Crows, a criminal organization renowned throughout Thedas.  Last but not least, we’re excited to let you know Gareth David-Lloyd is returning as Solas, and Brian Bloom as Varric. We have so many more people to introduce you to, including some returning characters, but we’re not quite ready to reveal all those yet, because of you know - story spoilers.  While that’s all we have for now, we’re eager to meet those of you attending SDCC and to continue our summer filled with reveals from Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Talk soon. — The Dragon Age Team"

[source] [Twitter post]

[undeadcannibal]

Your honor I'd like to propose an amendment to the 🍆 head cannon post:

Curvature and distinguishing colors, features? Are they darker or the same shade? Lighter? Hair color? Texture? Who's got a lean? 🥎⚾s?

Summary: More requested ‘N.SF.T’ headcanons for Task Force 141, Los Vaqueros, and König~ Part 2 of this post here!

Genre: Headcanons, request(s) Characters featured: Price, Gaz, Ghost, Soap, Alejandro, Rodolfo, and König.

Warnings: explicit content!

A/N: Never did I expect for that other post to become as popular as it did. I’m happy y’all enjoy my gross and overly-detailed headcanons. Also, please note, if any of you happen to not like or find any of my hcs to be gross or not what you expected, keep in mind they’re just my headcanons. Don’t take ‘em seriously, dudes. Weird and rude replies will be deleted. ( Gif credit: xxx )

Gaz―

Not much of a curve to it, honestly, he’s pretty straight curvature wise. Distinguishing colors? I’d say his foreskin is the same as his skin tone overall, tip-wise? I’m thinking it’s a bit darker than the color of his lips and flushes an even deeper color when he’s fully aroused, mhm. Hair color of his pubes is dark and also has a some curl and texture to it when he does let it grow out for some time. Balls, too? Hm... I’d say Kyle’s sporting a nice, snug set he prefers to keep smooth and clean more often than not.

Bonus! Kink headcanon is that he adores you paying extra special attention to his balls. Worship them and he’ll be cumming all over your face in no time~

Ghost―

Slight upward curve that stimulates you in the best of ways. IDC what anyone says, man has a mouthwatering cock with a nice flesh-pink tip and anyone can fight me on it. Probably slightly darker than his overall skin tone but not by much. Pubic hair stuff... I’m torn between him being a natural dirty blond or brunet. (I can’t remember where I saw the fanart from, but someone has a headcanon that he bleaches his brunet hair blond and oof, I’m in love, also give him long ass roots since he can’t keep up with his root touch-ups while out on missions) Straight-ish texture to his hair as well, grows pretty smoothly altogether. THIS MAN has a thick vein running down the middle of his shaft, my lord. And finally, for his balls, I’m thinking he’s got a hefty set that he’s quick to push you down to so you can pay them some attention, expect some light tickling from the hair there, too. uwu

Bonus! Kink headcanon is he struggles with being submissive and prefers being dominant the majority of the time due to his trauma. He doesn’t like the idea of submitting to someone -- he’s far too afraid of what kind of consequences it could possibly have for him. This doesn’t mean he’s a sadistic or strict Dom. If anything, he’s hyper aware of your reactions to every little thing he does, also refuses anything hard or physical against you, he detests the thought of causing his partner pain.

Price―

Leans ever so slightly to the right, isn’t too noticeable though. Since he’s circumcised in my previous post, could probably notice a scar that separates light flesh-tone color of his shaft from the faint pink of his tip. Also, despite him preferring to trim his facial hair specifically, I’d see him as going fully natural bush-wise. Man’s got a lovely cushion of brown hair that’s got just the faintest amount of gray speckled throughout. While he looks very textured, I personally think his hair would be soft af. Large set of balls that droops a bit lower now than when he was younger~

Bonus! Kink headcanon for John is - if you’re willing - he’d love to use you as an ashtray when he’s smoking. He’d light up, take a few puffs, than order you to open your mouth so he could tap the ashes off onto your tongue. Ordering you to keep your mouth open so he can see the black and grey specks of ash decorating your tongue before having you swallow.

Soap―

Has just the slightest upward curve to him, definitely jokes it’s great for helping stimulate his partner’s g-spot. Also knows all the best camera angles for top-tier dick pics. Shade darker than his natural skin tone and also has a smidge of hair going up the bottom of his shaft. Doesn’t mind in the slightest though. As mentioned before, he prefers going all natural and doesn’t shave or trim much. Lord, the amount of hair this man has. Has treasure trail, hair thighs, ass, groin, everything. Sorry, I love hairy men, what can I say? Also, when he’s super pent up, his tips turns a deep ruddy shade you love to see every time. Balls are on the larger side with one being slightly smaller than the other, also very sensitive and will have him turning into a whimpering mess if you pay special attention to them.

Bonus! Kink headcanon is he takes every spare chance he can get to take and send nudes and videos of him jacking off. Doing his best to make those sounds you love whilst trying not to get caught by anyone. Those moments are for your eyes and your eyes only~

Rodolfo―

Sobbing because his cock is the same gorgeous shade as the rest of his skin, although can see the head of his cock and his balls being a tad darker. Maybe has a tad lean towards the left. Has trimmed dark hair that feels amazing beneath your fingertips. Balls are a bit on the larger side. Run your tongue over them and his dick will be twitching above your face in no time, also will draw up tight to him when he’s cumming~ Please spread this man’s thighs apart, he’s got beauty marks for days and will fucking tremble if you kiss and run your tongue over them!

Bonus! Kink headcanon is he’s got such a praise kink when it comes to his partners. The hottest thing in the world for him is for him to be showering his partner with compliments, feeling them clench tightly around him as his words register in their pleasured-addled minds.

Alejandro―

Much like Rudy, he’s a beautiful shade of tan all throughout, and his cock head is just as flushed and ruddy when he’s aroused. Much like Rudy, has a lean but his is the exact opposite, veering to  Also is hairy just like Soap, but nowhere near to the same degree. If anything, man’s sporting a thick bush, hairy thighs, and legs. Also another man sporting thick veins throughout the length of him that he’s more sensitive about being touched than he’d like to admit. Large set of balls that do sag a bit but doesn’t mind in the slightest definitely likes to teabag his partner as a result if they allow him to  

Bonus! Kink headcanon for our man is that he’s a sucker for sloppy oral, giving or receiving, but especially receiving. Nothing excites him more than seeing how ruined and messy he can make your face as he fucks it.

König―

Doesn’t really have much of a curve or lean to him, but rest assured he’s got veins for days lining his shaft. And, if you run your tongue along them, he melts on the spot. Perfect male whimpering audio material <3 The color of him is noticeably darker than the rest of him. That, combined with his beautiful sandy colored curls make for a mouthwatering view. Also has large, yet tight balls that are far more sensitive than he’d like. Overstimulate the big guy right now!

Bonus! Kink headcanon is that due to his size all around, he’s grown to have a liking for size difference with his partner being smaller than his. It’s pretty easy given his height, but more so it drives him feral to see his cock bulging his partner’s belly out with every thrust he gives.

[thetruthwilloutsworld]

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

Spoilers if you haven't watched the Season Finale

Parade.com

Paulette Cohn Jan 17, 2025

'Outlander' Author Diana Gabaldon Weighs in on the Shocking Season 7 Finale (Exclusive)

The bestselling author reveals how she helped shape that unexpected ending. Plus, her favorite moments from the episode.

If you’re a book reader like me and not just a TV watcher of Outlander, the Season 7 finale was quite the shocker. It hinted that baby Faith, Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser’s (Sam Heughan) child, didn’t die in France and that Master Raymond (Dominique Pinon), who was prominent in Season 2, had something to do with the mystery.

“No part of the ending is from the books, save that Frances's mother's name was Faith,” bestselling author Diana Gabaldon, who created the Outlander novels the series is based on, tells Parade.

In the books, soon after Fanny (Florrie May Wilkinson) comes to live with the Frasers, she shows Claire her tiny cache of possessions, including a locket, with an indistinct miniature of a woman with dark brown hair, and the name "Faith" engraved on the cover. So, while the series changed the when and where Fanny showed Claire the locket, the event did take place in the books.

Courtesy: STARZ

Also, according to Gabaldon, “They totally made up the [use of the song] ‘I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside’ in Season 2 and re-used it here.”

She indicates that it will come into play in the prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood, as well, but that since that series won’t premiere until this summer, it’s too early to discuss it.

“I agree that the ending of 716 is flat-out weird, partly owing to their (evidently) having exhausted their budget,” Gabaldon continues. “They could have made a more convincing visitation by Master Raymond with blurry special effects, rather than having him just walk through the door and stand there. Better to have kept it soft-focus and leave it up to question as to whether he'd actually been there, or perhaps Claire imagined or dreamed the whole thing. But easy for me to talk; I don't have to figure out the logistics.”

Then she adds, parenthetically, (“I'm frequently pleased that I can do things easily in a book, that are incredibly difficult [not to say expensive] to do in a visual medium. A book is a remarkably useful [and economical] way to tell a story.”) That's not to say that Master Raymond showed up in this manner in either An Echo in the Bone or Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, upon which Season 7 was based.

That said, Gabaldon did have some input into the idea and maybe something similar will show up one day in one of the Outlander spinoff novels she writes, like the Lord John Grey series, especially if she does a book featuring Master Raymond, who is an interesting character. Or if she changes her mind and maybe does a second graphic novel. The first one, The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel, features Jamie Fraser.

Sam Heughan

Courtesy: STARZ

“They actually did get the (general) idea from me, though,” she admits. “When chatting with [showrunner] Matt [Roberts] about All Things plot wise, I mentioned that if I had written a second graphic novel (I didn't, for assorted reasons), I would have shown what actually happened after Faith's presumed death at the Hopital des Anges, and how/why Master Raymond resuscitated and nurtured the baby secretly, but wasn't able to come back with her before Claire and Jamie left France. So, they liked that idea and ran with it.”

Because Outlander is ending with an eighth season that will be only 10 episodes long, and Gabaldon has a lot more story, Season 7—as mentioned—was a combination of An Echo in the Bone and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, which together are more than a million words of adventure and story.

“The show had 16 hours; just listening to the (very good) audiobook versions takes more than 90 hours, which tells you something about how much has to be left out,” Gabaldon points out. “It's amazing that they're able to make a comprehensible (and usually very good) show, using no more than 20 percent of the book version of the story. (On the other hand, a visual medium is also economical, insofar as they can capture thousands of words of description in a few seconds of film.)

Sam Heughan, David Berry, Caitríona Balfe

Courtesy: STARZ

“Naturally, I have my favorites among the episodes: Ep. 708 and the two battles of Saratoga, for instance, and the parallel stories of Jamie and William [Charles Vandervaart], and some of the later episodes in the second half of Season 7—I love how they handled the accidental triangle among/between Claire and her two husbands, with the collateral damage to Lord John. <g> In re which, while I love and admire all of the actors, who did a remarkable job with this season, my kudos to David Berry, for Lord John's adventures in the last few episodes of 7B."

There’s no word yet when Outlander Season 8 will begin airing, but it has finished filming, so possibly later this year. The Outlander: Blood of My Blood prequel has been announced for this summer.

[himluv]

DA Review Series: Tevinter Nights

<<< Previous Review: Absolution

I've read this anthology once before, and I'm happy to say it holds up beautifully on a re-read. Since this features multiple stories, I'm going to review the whole work, and then do little reviews of each individual tale.

Title: Tevinter Nights Editors: Chris Bain, Trick Weekes, Matthew Goldman, and Christopher Morgan Year Published: 2020 In-World Year: ~9:45+ Verdict: Required reading. This is a fantastic look at the state of Thedas after Trespasser, as well as an introduction to a few of our companions and factions in Veilguard. If you only consume one piece of tie-in content leading up to release day, make it this one.

Tevinter Nights is a collection of short stories all set after the fall of Ventus. We meet Strife and Irelin, Evka Ivo and Antoine, Lucanis and Illario Dellamorte, Andarateia Cantori and Viago de Riva, Emmrich and Manfred, and Neve Gallus, among others. We also see all of our factions — Inquisition, Lords of Fortune, Veil Jumpers, Shadow Dragons, Antivan Crows, the Mourn Watch, and the Grey Wardens. This book really feels like a primer for the next game and is a ton of fun. I enjoyed my second reading as much as the first!

1. Title: Three Trees to Midnight Author: Trick Weekes Verdict: Set in the aftermath of the invasion of Ventus, this story feels like the perfect jumping off point. It picks up from the comics and introduces us to the Veil Jumpers and Arlathan Forest — a very exciting first story for longtime fans.

2. Title: Down Among the Dead Men Author: Sylvia Feketekuty Verdict: Undead murder mystery, what's not to love? Plus, we meet Emmrich and Manfred and it's absolutely adorable. And, I'll be honest, I'd do anything for Audric. This story makes the Mourn Watch seem pretty darn cool.

3. Title: The Horror of Hormak Author: John Epler Verdict: Absolute nightmare fuel. If you're worried that Veilguard isn't going to be dark enough... Read this story. A pair of Wardens are investigating a missing unit, and discover a very messed up underground lab of some sort. This story very much gave that same creeping dread as meeting the Broodmother in DAO. And if I have one fear for Veilguard, it's a Broodmother in 4k.

4. Title: Callback Author: Lukas Kristjanson Verdict: Heartbreaking. But also a really moving farewell to Skyhold. I love this story even though it kills me. In fact, I loved it enough to write some fanfic revolving around it! That's how good it is.

5. Title: Luck in the Gardens Author: Sylvia Feketekuty Verdict: This story introduces us to the Lords of Fortune faction. Hollix takes a job from none other than Dorian Pavus (and we see him with Mae!!!) to find out what's been hunting people in the docks. And it's uhhhh not anything you might expect. We see more evidence of gross, tentacled, briny-blooded monsters lurking underground. Again, things are getting real messed up in Thedas y'all.

6. Title: Hunger Author: Brianne Battye Verdict: In another throwback to Origins, werewolves are back babeyyy! This time a pair of Wardens (Evka Ivo and Antoine) are on their way back to Weisshaupt when they come across a cursed village. The pair decide to lend a hand and quickly realize they might have taken on more than they bargained for...

7. Title: Murder by Death Mages Author: Caitlin Sullivan Kelly Verdict: More Mortalitasi in this one. We get a peek at Nevarran politics, a brief glimpse of Cassandra, and more insight into the Mortalitasi. I will say, this is probably my least favorite story in the collection. While it showed Inquisition agent Sidony's power, it didn't really come together for me plot-wise.

8. Title: Streets of Minrathous Author: Brianne Battye Verdict: Helloooo Neve Gallus! This is an utterly stunning introduction to our private detective companion. A great noir-style tale that confirms that the Venatori are very much still a problem in Tevinter.

9. Title: The Wigmaker Job Author: Courtney Woods Verdict: Oh man. This is one of my favorite stories. There's just so much to love here! Lucanis and Illario are great together (I fell in love with Lucanis here and have rooted for him to be a companion since I first read it). The action sequences are great, and again, some real nasty, dark things are happening in Thedas.

10. Title: Genitivi Dies in the End Author: Lukas Kristjanson Verdict: This story is So. Much. Fun! It's also a pretty deep cut for fans, featuring Brother Ferdinand Genitivi (from DAO) and Philliam, a Bard!, as well as a few references to the Randy Dowager. All figures you'll only know if you are a lore hound in Inquisition. We also meet another Lord of Fortune and get a fun romp into elven ruins. What's not to love?

11. Title: Herold Had the Plan Author: Ryan Cormier Verdict: More Lords of Fortune, this time stealing an artifact from the Grand Tourney in Starkhaven. We also see Vaea and Ser Aaron at the end, which was a nice little treat. I will say though, this one had me a bit misty-eyed by the end. I usually want to see more of characters I love, but I hope Bharv retires to his farm and never treasure hunts again. Man has earned it.

12. Title: An Old Crow's Old Tricks Author: Arone Le Bray Verdict: After a troop of Tevinter soldiers attack a Dalish clan to make way for their camp, the Dalish seek revenge. That vengeance comes in the from of an old woman named Lessef. Watching her decimate the soldiers was gruesome good fun, and I cheered each time she said "Lessef of the Antivan Crows has fulfilled the contract."

13. Title: Eight Little Talons Author: Courtney Woods Verdict: This is the longest of the stories (I'd probably consider it a novelette) and it is maybe my favorite. I love a good whodunnit, and this one has a remote lake house, Antivan Crows, murders that replicate historically famous assassinations, AND sexual tension through the roof! We are formally introduced to Andarateia Cantori and Viago de Riva in this story, though we can infer from the text that they are the unnamed Crows we met in the comic Deception. I love them and NEED them to kiss on screen on Veilguard, okay?????

14. Title: Half Up Front Author: John Epler Verdict: It's hard to follow up Teia and Viago, but this little heist story is good fun. We see Gatt, and go to Kont-Arr! We also learn that the Agents of Fen'Harel are uhhhh real intense, Solas is after yet another artifact, and his feud with the Qunari is alive and well. We also learn that Dorian hired the narrator of this story to steal something from the Archon(?!) and at the end Gatt suggests the narrator and her girlfriend Irian head to Kirkwall to meet Varric. So, I guess we'll see if they show up in Veilguard?

15. Title: The Dread Wolf Take You Author: Trick Weekes Verdict: Look. As a Solavellan, I was never going to be normal about this story. I remember screaming (and crying) the first time I read it. It's a really interesting look at some different groups around Thedas, including the Carta, the Mortalitasi, and the Executors. We get to see Charter again, and she mentions Tessa! But the real gem here is that Solas himself shows up, and he somehow manages to break my heart all over again all while leaving me we more questions than answers. What an absolute banger of an ending for this anthology!

[hebuiltfive]

The Five Mistakes of Virgil Tracy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIRGIL!

I posted an actual happy story for one of their birthdays? I am in shock.

This is part of a wider alternate universe set in the Regency era that I'm developing... with a twist. You may have a hundred questions regarding a certain scene in this story, but I promise it will all make sense once the actual Regency AU story is published (which will be soon, I hope!)

For now, enjoy Virgil getting up to some mischief.

There is no explicit smut or sex in this, but it is implied. If you do not like romance, this one might not be for you.

For those who prefer to read on AO3.

Mister Reeves's private art collection is not quite what Virgil had been expecting to visit. What happens at the Reeves's family estate, stays at the Reeves's family estate.

March, 1816. London.

It had been a stroke of luck — of good or bad was still to be determined — when John noticed Lord Tycho Reeves contemplating one particular landscape. He had soon introduced him to Virgil as a friend and colleague at the Novatores club. Virgil had been overly keen in meeting one of John’s friends. Most of the time, his studious brother kept his club and its members far away from the rest of the family. Virgil did not mind, although making a good impression had been paramount.

Art seemed to be the topic of choice, given their location. Virgil had turned to the painting Lord Reeves had been assessing and began to critique it earnestly. Surely any smart man who was a member of John’s club, and who possessed an interest in art, would too be able to see the imperfections of the piece.

“It lacks imagination,” Virgil had so boldly claimed. “The shadows are all wrong for one thing. Even a novice would be able to see that those shades are entirely incorrect. It gives the painting an inauthentic feel, and then, of course, there is the case of the sky.”

“What is wrong with the sky?” Another voice had asked. If Virgil had been paying proper attention to his surrounding company, he would have noticed that, while this new man sounded like Lord Reeves, it was not he who had spoken.

“It’s grey.”

“The skies of England are usually grey, are they not? Perhaps, as an American, you would not recognise this.”

Offended, Virgil finally returned his attention to the group. Though Lord Reeves had humoured his inital critique, he was now standing a little further back with his arms behind him. His grin looked suspiciously like a smirk. Next to him, John had a twinkle in his own eye.

That was when Virgil had realised they had been joined by another man. Slightly taller than Lord Reeves, with similar features, but identifiably a very different man.

“Please,” this new addition to the group continued, “carry on. What is wrong with the sky being grey?”

Virgil, suitably uncomfortable and feeling like he was missing part of the puzzle that made it all so amusing to Lord Reeves and his brother, had meekly explained. “… Everything else in this landscape suggests… a happy memory. The lake twinkles as the sunlight catches it, though I cannot fathom where the sunlight is coming from, which suggests a magic spark.”

“Could it not be simply the light refracting the surface of the water?”

“That would be too literal.”

“And art cannot be literal?”

“Of course it can, but this is obviously not.”

“How so?”

Virgil sighed with a hint of irritation. “Metaphors in art are curated in the palettes, designed in the brushstrokes, admired by the viewer. Imagination is what drives art forward. Creative, human spirit!”

“The sunlight could pierce the clouds.”

“It does not represent that.”

“Imagine that it does then.”

Before Virgil could further dig himself into a hole, Lord Reeves stepped forward. “Mister Tracy, please allow me to introduce to you my younger brother, Percival… the artist of the piece you are currently observing.”

The blood had drained from Virgil’s features as the situation slowly sunk in.

He was thankful that Mister Reeves had not been insulted by Virgil’s strong critiques. Instead of turning away from him in anger, he had invited Virgil to tour the rest of the gallery with him and, once they had finished, invited him to visit his own private studio back at his family seat in Kent. This invitation had been solidified when, two days later, Virgil had received a letter from Reeves once again inviting him to his family home. Feeling as though he could not decline such a kind request, Virgil organised his schedules for his trip and set off the following week.

The long journey south had filled Virgil with anxiety. Every couple of hours he’d contemplate whether visiting would be a good idea. The last thing he wanted to do was put his foot in it again. When his carriage rolled up to the Reeves’s Estate at noon, Virgil had still not reached a definitive conclusion on what was best. He noticed Reeves all but skipping down the steps to greet him and quickly decided it was too late to do anything but stay.

April, 1816. Kent.

As Virgil stepped out of his carriage and the man drew closer, Virgil could make out the intricate pattern on Mister Reeves’s waistcoat. A design of dark, swirling lines, blooming in flowery explosions. The colours complimented the rest of his attire well and Virgil instantly realised two things: the first was that this was a man who knew how to present himself. Of course, he was hosting a guest for the next couple of days, however the clothing he wore suggested to Virgil that was ostentatious. The second realisation was that Reeves was a man who prided himself in being that way. If Virgil hadn’t already known better, he wouldn’t have been shocked to hear of Reeves’s love of art. He used himself as a canvas, and Virgil unexpectedly found himself appreciating that.

The first item of their agenda, according to Reeves once Virgil’s luggage had been seen to be a footman, was a guided tour of the country estate. His brother was apparently out for the weekend with their mother and Mister Reeves had expressed great relief at having the estate to himself (minus the obvious staff that flitted in and out of rooms as they passed through them).

Before arriving, Virgil had done thorough research on the man he was about to visit. He had asked John for tidbits of information from what he’d heard from Lord Reeves regarding his younger brother, and had surreptitiously inquired about the man at various events and social gatherings in the week leading up to his journey. He hadn’t been expecting Reeves to share as much as he currently was during their stroll, but had listened intently, as he would with a close friend, pretending he hadn’t heard half the story already.

Unlike his brother, Lord Reeves’s imagination had led him down a path of academia. He favoured turning to science and mathematics in order to understand the world around him. Percival's passions had always been more fanciful, decreed by the arts and a far cry from the world of equations and physics.

With his freedoms as the second-born son, it meant that Reeves had spent the better half of his youth creating. While his brother conducted his technological tests up in his study, Mister Reeves had dared to study the various crafts of art. First, the childish abstract art that a muddy puddle in the grounds of their vast country estate, then, as he grew older, so did his interests. Sculptures and poetry fascinated him, but it was in painting where his true passions dwelled.

Virgil could relate to most of that. He, too, was called to a different path than his brothers. It was refreshing to hear Mister Reeves’s brief story, though when he asked questions regarding Virgil’s own family in the process, Virgil was a much more closed book. He was thankful when the topic of conversation changed to the varieties of plants in Tycho’s greenhouses, even if neither of them were particularly knowledgeable on the subject.

Drizzle began and they made the decision to start back up to the house. They passed a lake that appeared very similar to the painting Virgil had critiqued when they had first met, and then various flower beds before ending the tour by the stables just as the rain began to pick up.

It had been fascinating, taking a walk through the gardens of the Reeves’s estate, but Virgil was far more at home once he was given the tour of the interior. The paintings that hung on the walls of the house were more familiar to Virgil than plants and trees. They strolled further into the grand manor, passing through halls and rooms so elaborate they would no doubt rival the Royal Palaces themselves, until they eventually came to the private art gallery.

Most of the artwork that lined the first room was very similar to those that Mister Reeves had already displayed at the gallery where they’d first been introduced: a couple of watercolour landscape pieces that had been inspired by his home in Kent; a portrait of his older brother painted with oils; a few commissioned pieces that had never been paid in full and so Reeves had kept them as payment.

“An unfortunately common occurrence.” He had sadly claimed.

All had been what Virgil was expecting to see upon arriving. No bold, critiquing comments were made on any of the pieces he saw, however. He had learned his lesson the first time around and the shame he felt in the aftermath… Virgil hadn’t forgiven himself for days. If that had been him on the receiving end, he wouldn’t have recovered for a while. Not that his self-esteem was bad, that is. The case with Virgil came down to his sensibilities; out of the five Tracy brothers, Virgil was undoubtedly the most sensitive.

Mister Reeves guided him through to the second room of the studio. It was low lit and more crowded than the first chamber. As they entered, Reeves pulled back the covers that had been blocking the windows and the afternoon sun streamed in. Light lit up the area, the canvases that were haphazardly strewn across various work surfaces…

And Virgil stopped dead in his tracks.

The previous landscape images and average portraits were the paintings he had been expecting to view.

The image of the scantly clad woman, however, was not.

Virgil blushed.

And Percival Reeves liked that. His smile turned devilish.

“Is this imaginative enough for you, Mister Tracy?” Reeves asked as he sidled up beside his new friend.

Virgil observed the painting. It was certainly suggestive and Reeves’s alluring demeanour and tone only amplified it.

He convinced himself that he was only interested in the brushstrokes, in the colour palette that had been used. It only half-worked.

The ivory dress the model wore had slipped down substantially, leaving bare shoulders on display. Delicately painted hands held up the gown which remained covering her more intimate parts, but the suggestion was enough. Soft ringlets of her brunette hair fell from her fancy up-do.

Whoever this woman was, she was exquisite. Virgil wasn’t sure whether she was real or merely a figment of Reeves’s imagination, and he dared not ask for her identity. The last thing he wanted to appear as was indecent.

Then again, it had been Reeves who had invited him to his private studio, who had guided him into this second chamber, who had revealed to him these secret paintings.

To further his point, Reeves did not seem to care for indecency. As if reading Virgil’s mind, he traced his fingers lightly over the woman’s painted features. “Her name was Clara. She was a model down at the club I frequent.” His index finger reached the rouged lips of the model. “She’s magnificent, isn’t she?”

A variety of questions inundated Virgil’s mind. He kept them at bay and simply — meekly — nodded. “You said ‘was’?”

“Clara no longer models for us.” Mister Reeves explained, dropping his hand back down to his side. “Rumours claim that one of our members became ‘involved’ with her and, when their relationship ended unpleasantly, Clara left and never looked back.”

So entranced as he was by such a scandalous image, that was now additionally paired with a scandalous story, Virgil found he could not take his eyes off the painting.

When Mister Reeves’s gaze drifted over to him, he felt the man’s eyes on him rather than saw them.

“Gossip can be such an obstacle.” Reeves continued. “The Ton seem to thrive on tittle-tattle. Have you ever read that damned gossip sheet that makes it’s rounds now and then? Utter poppycock! Drivel! I believe it to be a vulgar practice. In fact, I think spreading frivolous gossip is far more vulgar than showcasing a painting of natural beauty. Would you not agree, Mister Tracy?”

Beside him, Virgil felt Mister Reeves inch closer.

“Yet, while the gossip rags are allowed to be published and distributed, my paintings are prohibited from being shown in public art galleries. Tell me, do you believe that to be a fair practice?”

Virgil’s collar suddenly felt too tight. The question posed by Reeves sounded like a test of some kind and Virgil found himself not wanting to fail. He could see how such an illustration could be deemed “too promiscuous” to display, no matter the natural beauty it showcased, but made no comment. He continued to stare at the painting, unblinking.

Reeves went on. “I do not think you are the sort of man who enjoys listening to mindless gossip. You appear to be a man who prefers thoughtful conversation.”

His host’s words became more emphasised, more accentuated, more connotative.

“You come across as someone who would rather indulge in more stimulating dialogue, no?”

Virgil grew hotter. Mister Reeve’s arm now brushed against his own and Virgil’s heart-rate quickened. He blamed it easily on the portrait that he still stared directly at.

If Reeves was testing him, Virgil thought that is was a rather unfair test.

“How do you like to be captivated, Mister Tracy?”

His host was being wilfully provocative. Mister Reeves’s arm again brushed up against his own sleeve. It was a momentary touch, fleeting and possibly accidental… No, not accidental. Paired with the words and the images and the previous touch, Mister Reeves had intentionally moved closer a second time.

Still Virgil said nothing. Still he did nothing. He allowed the feelings, so unfamiliar to him they almost frightened him, to swell and infect every part of his body and mind.

He began to wonder if this was the sort of thrill his brother sought when he visited her. If that was the case then Virgil was on the path of understanding what the appeal was.

Mister Reeves had grown quiet, and Virgil realised he had yet to answer his question.

Nervously he cleared his throat, his words seeming foreign on his tongue as he spoke. “I, uh, do partake in poetry.”

He dared a glance towards his host. That was his first mistake —

No, it was his second.

Virgil’s first mistake had been accepting Mister Reeves’ invitation, though, of course, despite his initial hesitations, he had not known back then what would transpire.

This second mistake of his — turning to face Reeves — could have been far more avoidable. Upon seeing the portraits, Virgil could have upped-and-left. That would have been the proper thing to do.

But he had been so transfixed by the images he had seen, marvelled by their beauty, that Virgil simply could not leave. Never mind the fact that it would have been a rather rude gesture towards the man who had essentially given him a second chance with that kind invite.

Just as the painting was easy to get lost in, Mister Reeves’s eyes, Virgil realised, were the sort one could drown in. Without a second thought, he imagined how he could possibly paint them. Bold and daring, with a touch of tawny in the hazel iris. Perfectly opulent…

Dear Lord, he was staring! Straight into the other man’s eyes and—

Virgil’s blush returned with vengeance. His cheeks grew warm and there was nothing he could do to stop them from reddening.

Perhaps the invite had not been kind at all. Perhaps it had been an elaborate scheme that Mister Reeves had concocted to further embarrass him after he had made those comments!

Reeves chuckled, however. It was not the sort of vicious or malicious laughter that came at the expense of another, but one that was reassuring. Gentle and understanding, Mister Reeves reached out.

Despite the fabric of his shirt separating their skin, a thrilling tingle was still sent up Virgil’s arm upon his touch.

…

Oh, this was ridiculous!

Virgil cleared his throat, attempting to compose himself in the face of Mister Reeves. He inhaled deeply, which proved to be his third mistake. The scent of rich orange and bergamot coming from the man standing beside him drowned his senses completely.

“One shade the more, one ray the less, / Had half impaired the nameless grace / Which waves in every raven tress, / Or softly lightens o’er her face; / Where thoughts serenely sweet express, / How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”

“Byron.” Virgil instantly recognised the piece.

“I, too, partake in some poetry from time to time.” Mister Reeves admitted.

“It is a beautiful poem.”

“It is. I have a variety of poetry books in my private library.”

Virgil cracked an amused smile. “Is this private library as solicitous as this private art collection is?”

Mister Reeves simply stared at him and, for a moment, Virgil wondered if he’d been too bold.

Before he could backtrack and offer an apology, however, Mister Reeves’s smile curled. “Would you think poorly of me if they were?”

Virgil did not think poorly of any man or woman, with the exception of a couple who were truly, under Virgil’s terms, despicable. Mister Reeves, in the short amount of time he had known him, did not seem to be that sort of man.

“Art is not to be thought poorly of.” He diplomatically decreed. “It should be subjective, not discredited due to themes or images alone.”

“Unless it is an unimaginative piece down at the Royal Art Gallery?” Mister Reeves chuckled, the twinkle in his eye suggesting he was glad Virgil was being more direct.

“Am I ever to live that down?”

“It is looking more and more unlikely, Mister Tracy.”

That was fair enough, he thought to himself. “I see. Well, in that case, I shall have to work hard to regain your trust in my judgement.”

“I do not distrust your judgement in the slightest, Mister Tracy.”

Virgil could feel the blush return to his cheeks. “That’s very kind of you to say, Mister Reeves.”

“Please, call me Percival. If we are to be friends, it feels only right.”

The offered hand that Mister Reeves — Percival — had extended was met halfway by Virgil, who had been expecting a handshake from the man. There was no handshake, however, and instead Percival enclosed his fingers around Virgil’s hand, squeezed gently and then pulled him back through the doorway of his art studio. Virgil did not stop him, which proved to be his fourth mistake, and they retraced their steps through the hallway, turning in the opposition direction to lead down a new staircase Virgil had not yet seen. The steps were lined with a beautifully soft red runner and, eventually, Percival came to a stop outside another room, this time locked.

Percival made short work of unlocking the door, opening it to a view of his private library, if the lines and lines of shelving were any clue. Percival pulled Virgil inside, only letting go of his hand once the door behind them was shut.

“This is my second home.” He announced rather proudly. “Or my third, if you were to count the actual house as a home.”

“You do not?”

Virgil’s question was asked half-distractedly. He began to inspect the rows and rows of books that sat upon the nearest shelf.

On the Origin of Species

Believing Is Seeing: Is There Life on Mars?

Relativity: The Special and General Theory

Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Hidden 95% of the Unknown

A Brief History of Time

Challenging Technology

Sustainable Transport Innovations

The Voyage of the Beagle

Beyond the Horizon: Exploring Breakthroughs in Modern Science

Whatever answer Percival had given to his question, Virgil did not hear. He ran a finger along one of the books worn spines, feeling the groove of the embossed titles that made no sense. After all Percival had said regarding the differences between his brother and himself, Virgil had half-expected a library full of books on the arts. This library looked more like a trove fit for Tycho instead.

His eyes scanned over the titles again.

A Brief History of Time… The Voyage of the Beagle… On the Origin of Species…

Virgil’s mouth grew dry. Beneath the layers of his clothing, goosebumps rose.

Something was wrong.

Fog descended on his mind, skewing his thoughts from questioning any further. The hair on the back of his neck rose and static noise drowned out whatever Percival was currently speaking about. There was a steady beeping sound that was barely audible amongst the crackling disturbance.

Virgil glanced back to the row of books, impossible books, books that seemed wrong. They didn’t belong here, and not because he thought they were Tycho’s books instead. There was something Virgil couldn’t quite put his finger on, something very obvious that was staring him right in the face… but that damned hissing wasn’t helping him think! He resisted the urge to lift up his hands and cover his ears; it wouldn’t have helped.

Virgil jumped when Percival’s hand landed on his arm. The fog instantly lifted, the noise dissipating until he could hear his host’s words clearly once again.

“Are you feeling well, Tracy?”

Without missing a beat, Virgil nodded his assurance. “Yes! Yes, I am… I am well. My apologies.”

“Are you quite sure? You seemed…” Percival trailed off, his eyes searching Virgil’s cautiously. “… distant. Like you were—”

“I assure you, I am fine!”

Despite the confidence with which Virgil had declared his health, the truth was much more different. His heart was still thundering away behind his chest, his head swimming, not only from confusion but from some sort of after effect. He held onto the shelving for support, disguising the fact by gesturing to the line of books. “You have a wonderful collection here, Percival.”

It was only once he complimented the books that Virgil dared to look at the titles again.

The Analysis of Beauty

A Treatise on Painting

The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects

Bile rose up Virgil’s throat. He was certain those same books held different titles only moments ago. He frowned, tearing his eyes away from the books that had caused his funny turn; he did not wish to go down that rabbit hole again.

“Thank you.” Percival bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Whether he could sense Virgil’s unease or not, Virgil did not know. All he knew was that his host was guiding him by the arm to sit upon one of the leather couches in the centre of the library. Virgil allowed himself to be seated, forcing himself to offer Percival a weak smile. It did nothing to quell Percival’s look of scepticism.

Nevertheless, Percival continued. “As I was saying, I count this as a home away from home.”

“Yes, you said you did not class your house as a home.” Virgil recalled, tracing his mind back to their conversation before he’d been swept up in… whatever that had been. “Is the house not naturally your home?”

“No.” Percival had been nothing but confident since Virgil arrived. He had stood tall, spoke relatively freely and without concern. Yet, with that small, one-worded confession, the man had changed. His tone became quieter, his shoulder hunched making his appearance seem smaller than normal.

“I find the house is less of a home and more of a place where one resides.” He explained carefully. “My studio, this library, feel more homely to me than the house at large does. Oftentimes, the bottom of my liquor bottle is more conversational than my brother or anyone else in this damned household.” Percival’s eyes met Virgil’s. “Do you not feel that way too sometimes, Mister Tracy?”

He took the seat beside him on the couch, his arm stretching out across the back cushions behind Virgil. “Do you not feel encased or entrapped by the house in which you reside?”

Virgil shook his head, though in truth, he had never once given it a thought. His family were the kindest, most welcoming people he knew. They made his house a home. He refrained from sharing that, however. The last thing he wanted to do was sound as though he was boasting, even if Percival had asked him the question in the first place.

Percival grinned with a subtle touch of jealousy. “How lucky you are to not understand first-hand what the pain is like.”

“But surely your brother—”

“I told you, Tycho is less interesting than my bottles of liquor on a good day. He rarely cares for what I do, being too busy tinkering away in his little laboratory or polishing himself up in order to appear just as our father did, a pillar of society. He does not care what I do or who I have become.”

“He was at your art show the other month.” Virgil carefully pointed out. “Surely that means he still must care in some capacity?”

“Everything Tycho does is for show, Mister Tracy.” Percival met Virgil’s eyes again and the vulnerability was clear. This was a man who had turned to his creative pursuits to escape his own reality. Virgil could relate to that, even if he couldn’t entirely empathise with the exact reasons why.

“You must be lonely.”

“Sometimes.” He smiled weakly. “But I am glad I have found a friend in you, Mister Tracy.”

“Please, if I am to call you Percival, you must call me Virgil.”

Percival’s smile grew, softening the hurt in his eyes. “Well, I am glad to have found a friend in you, Virgil Tracy.”

“And I with you.”

“Do not tell me a man such as yourself is without friends?”

“I am afraid all my friends are back home in America.”

Any trace of Percival’s vulnerability was shed. He welcomed the change in topic gladly, lifting one leg up to tuck underneath himself as he turned to face Virgil, his arm still outstretched behind him. Virgil felt relief when Percival did not retrieve that hand, and then batted away his feeling once he’d realised it.

“Tell me about home. My father visited once but he rarely spoke about it.”

“Probably because there isn’t a lot to say.”

“Nonsense! Do not be modest with me now, Virgil. I showed you my most secret collections.”

Virgil grinned. “Perhaps do not call them ‘secret collections’.”

“Why not?”

“It gives the impression that you are a secretive man.”

“Is there a problem with secretive men, Tracy?”

“No, not at all, but it usually begs the question as to what the man is keeping secret.”

“I have laid pretty much all bare with you. What possible questions might you still have?”

“If everything is a secret, Reeves, I’m afraid I wouldn’t know what else I might be wondering about.”

“In that case, allow me to wonder about you. You may not have private art collections, Virgil Tracy, — or maybe you do, who am I to judge? — but you are quite the enigma yourself. Tell me, compared to myself, how deeply have you answered my questions this afternoon?”

Virgil felt slightly guilty. “Perhaps I am simply not as deep as you might think I am.”

“I would have to disagree with you there. I think that you’re extremely deep and meaningful. You just don’t trust very easily, which I understand entirely, but…”

Percival trailed off, shuffling a little closer to Virgil. The hand outstretched behind him gently brushing against Virgil’s shoulder. He tried not to elicit a reaction, tried to ignore the sweet tingle that was left once Percival’s hand left him again, but it was harder to hide than it had been in the art studio.

“But you don’t have to worry here.” He continued, so close his whisper breezed Virgil’s cheeks.

Virgil Tracy’s fifth mistake was not standing up and leaving the library in that very moment, though mistake might have been too harsh a word. The word ‘mistake’ is commonly left with connotations of regret, and Virgil did not regret what happened next in the slightest. Percival’s rich scent of orange and bergamot clouded Virgil’s senses. It enveloped him, ensnared him. He noticed now how Percival’s eyes were more tawny than they were green, citing the different in lighting in the library being the primary reason. He’d have to remember that when he painted the man… if he painted the man.

His muse quite often struck at odd moments. On one occasion, while stuck at the dinner table of one of Lord Clingsdale’s banquets, Virgil had composed an entire symphony in his mind. On another occasion he had written the most beautiful poem whilst playing a round of ninepins with his family. He transcribed it later that evening before he could forget it entirely.

But this sudden surge of creative passion was different. It was stronger. This time his inspiration did not arrive due to boredom or having a lovely afternoon on the green with his family. This time his inspiration came from the very handsome man who had invited him into his home and bared his soul to him.

Virgil reigned himself in.

There was never a logical or calculated moment for when his muse would strike, but he just couldn’t be thinking about that, not now.

Not when Percival was this close to him.

Not when Percival inched his face toward him.

Not when Percival’s lips, so soft, experimentally pressed against his own.

It was over within a second. Percival pulled his lips away and stared at Virgil, assessing his reaction. The kiss had been so fast, Virgil hadn’t been able to process it fully. His confused blinking had Percival frowning, his cheeks warming up.

“Was that…? Oh, God, that was too much, wasn’t it?” Percival jumped up from his position, clearly embarrassed, but all Virgil felt was his absence the moment he left. Beside him, the couch still had a Percival-shaped dent from where he’d been seated.

Distraught, Percival clamped a palm over his forehead. “I’ve ruined it all now, haven’t I? Please, Mister Tracy, accept my thorough apologies! I do not know what came over me…”

The buttons on his waistcoat, unique in its periwinkle shade, were fiddled around with. That vulnerability Percival had displayed earlier, of which Virgil was sure he’d only barely glimpsed, only scratched the surface of witnessing, had returned.

Virgil stood immediately and strolled over to the pacing man. He caught Percival’s hands before he could do any damage to his waistcoat buttons and, to his surprise, Percival ceased his fidgeting. Virgil knew he had a calming quality, an aura that was tranquil, but he rarely didn’t surprise himself with his abilities. His father had once claimed that he was a lot like his mother in that regard and Virgil had held that compliment close to his chest ever since.

The not-quite-tawny-not-quite-hazel eyes glanced at him with hesitance, but Virgil didn’t allow him to back away. If Scott was allowed to have his fun, then why couldn’t he? After all, one more kiss was harmless enough, wasn’t it?

Gently, for he did not want to ruin Percival’s intricately designed waistcoat, Virgil’s fingers wrapped around the lapels and drew him nearer. Their slight difference in height had Virgil leaning forward and up, but he wasted no time in reassuring Percival that he hadn’t ruined anything.

This time, Virgil made sure that their kiss wasn’t so light and experimental. Their brief few hours together had enticed both of them, and Virgil wanted Percival to know that he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Whether it was love or lust, or maybe a mixture of both, Virgil did not know. All he knew was he craved more of Percival’s attention, more of his touch.

Percival seemed stunned when Virgil went in for his less delicate kiss but, once he got over his initial shock that yes he hadn’t ruined his new friendship — could it be deemed such now? — with this man, gave as good as he got. Hands trailed clothed bodies, tables were bumped into and enamoured giggles were exchanged in short bursts of breath, until they found themselves back at the couch once again.

When Virgil had first arrived earlier that afternoon, he had not known what to expect. If he had been able to cast his mind’s eye to the future to envision this current scenario, he might have turned away out of fear. Now that he was here, however, living in the moment and cherishing every second, he was glad humans did not possess that impossible ability.

‘One more kiss’ turned into a cascade of them. Lips began to explore more areas — cheeks and necks and chests. They almost missed dinner, too wrapped up in themselves and their desires to care for the time. When society deems something as taboo for too long, one is more inclined to take a bite out of the denied apple.

In between their fits of passion, Percival assured Virgil that what happened during his stay would remain within the walls of the manor… or the greenhouse, or the confines of the lake area, wherever they wished to adventure next. Silly little love affairs were not something to be ashamed of, Reeves had claimed, but something that deserved to be experienced every now and then, and Virgil had to agree.

He was almost sad to leave the following afternoon. Percival had been disappointed that Virgil did not accept his offer to stay longer, but after promising him he’d return as soon as he could, Percival had lightened up a little again. He waved him off as his carriage departed and Virgil found himself looking back through the cab’s windows, watching the small speck that was the Reeves Estate slowly disappear over the horizon.

When John had inquired about his trip the morning after he’d returned back home, Virgil had kept the details minimal. If his brother had seen through some of his more reserved statements, he did not let on, nor did he question Virgil when he spent more time in his studio painting over the subsequent month. Virgil was grateful for that. Inspired by Percival’s private art studio, Virgil had installed a small lock on the door to his own. The portrait he was currently working on was for his eyes only. He didn’t want to make the mistake of allowing one of his brothers to accidentally stumble across it. He was on a running streak of not feeling guilty over the last five mistakes he’d made, and, high on life, Virgil had no intention of breaking that streak just yet.

[forest-falcon]

WIP Wednesday

The Polaroid 📸

"Is that what I think it is?"

Scott paced over to the wooden unit and scooped up a small polaroid camera.

"One of Gordon's finds - that kids sure loves his vintage gadgets. I like this one though; there's something special about a polaroid," Grandma gave a wistful smile.

"Bring back memories?"

"Oi, I'll have you know, they were old even when I was a girl!"

Scott gave a sheepish grin.

"Sorry."

Grandma batted the air in good humour.

"They're like vinyl records. They don't give you a perfect result, but there's some beauty in that."

Scott set the camera back down, then gathered up the tower of photos stacked next to it.

The first few featured the various sunrises Gordon must have snapped before his early morning swims; the dusky pinks and golds silhouetting slumbering palms.

Grandma was right. The pictures were beautiful.

Scott smiled and continued to flick through the images; the golds and pinks suddenly interrupted with a burst of cerulean blue.

"There's one of me in here!" Scott presented Grandma with the photo. I didn't know he had taken this.

"Oh, now that I like!" Grandma smiled, wafting the photo as though it needed drying.

The image was of John and Scott surfing together. A rare occurrence to be sure, but such a treasured memory.

There were others just like it.

Alan stargazing - the cosmos filling the night with such an abundance of stars, the polaroid looked somewhat surreal.

There was another taken not too long ago of Virgil with a seedling. Scott had walked in to find the gentle giant conversing with the tiny plant.

"Why on earth are you talking to a plant?"

"Helps it grow."

"Plants don't have ears."

"No, but they're living beings. All it takes for a soul to grow is a little time and love."

Scott couldn't argue with that. And although he wasn't convinced by the concept enough to strike up a conversation with the nearest tree; he did love his brother that little bit more for the kindness he brought to the world.

Scott gently set the image down.

"You're right Grandma, this camera is special."

Gordon's photos had captured life on the island in such a wonderful, smell-the-roses way. It gave him pause for thought. Gordon was so like Virg in that manner; seeing the good in the world. The camera was his canvas.

Scott had planned to file some more reports, but the love emanating from the pictures ultimately won out, and Scott sank into the sofa next to his Grandma.

The reports could wait.

It was time to appreciate the little things.

The commander slouched to allow for his head to rest on her shoulder, and they flicked through the remaining pictures together.

The photo pile was deceptively large.

Scott was just about to save the rest for another day when one in particular caught his eye.

"Who's this?"

Scott held up the polaroid for closer inspection.

"Who? Her?"

"Yeah, the girl kissing Alan."

"Oh! That's Mandy, Alan's girlfriend."

"Alan has a girlfriend?"

Grandma took a sip of tea.

"Mmm, I've only met her the once, but she was just lovely."

Scott stared at the picture. The girl was pretty, in a girl-next-door-type way.

"How did they meet?"

"How does Alan meet anyone?"

"Rescue?"

"Gaming."

"Oh."

Grandma set her tea down.

"They've been chatting for years online, then met in person at that comicon the boys went to last year. I believe there's a pic in here somewhere..."

Scott surrendered the remaining stack of photos, but continued to inspect the stranger... Mandy...to try and get a read on her. It was only a headshot of them both, so not much to go on. She was wearing a simple bobble hat and thick woolen scarf. Her face was somewhat obscured by a mass of bouncy dark curls, but as far as he could tell, she was besotted - all smiles as she kissed Alan.

"Ah! Found it!" Grandma handed him a second photo. Four figures beamed back at the camera. Warrior Alan, Elven Lord Virgil, Kraken Gordon and a grey-bearded wizard.

Scott squinted at the photo.

"This is her?"

"The wizard, yes."

Sure enough, some bouncy brown curls could just be seen jutting out from behind the faux beard.

"Hasn't she the most wonderful cow eyes?"

"Cow eyes?"

"Y'know - big, brown, soulful eyes."

"Can't say that I noticed."

"You, Scott Tracy? Not notice a pretty face? Are you feeling alright?"

"Hard to see it behind the beard,” he deadpanned.

Grandma swatted his arm.

“Besides, she's too young, Grandma. And so is Alan." He returned both photos to her and lightly folded his arms.

"He should be focussing on his studies."

"Oh, like you did at his age?" Grandma arched a brow.

"Scott, honey, your brother isn't twelve anymore."

Scott gave a noncommittal grunt.

"And, as far as I can tell, his grades have been exemplary."

It was true, his grades were well-above average, but Alan was still the baby of the family, and Scott wasn't quite ready to view him as anything else.

"Still, he has enough going on, doesn't he? Between coursework, International Rescue, driving lessons..." he trailed off.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

"He games." Scott offered.

Now it was Grandma's turn to fold her arms.

“Scott, he's twenty next month.”

“So?”

"So…you're telling me that you're happy to risk the life of your brother out on missions, but object to him being happy with someone he loves?"

"Loves? I thought it was just the odd date?"

"Like I said; they've been friends for years. But does it even matter? Date, hook-up, love.

I, for one, am just pleased to see your brothers are all happy with nice people."

"John isn't seeing anyone."

"Why? Did he break up with Ridley?"

"Captain O'Bannon is just a friend. They play handball together, that's all."

"Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?" Grandma chuckled and took another sip of tea.

"Grandma!"

Grandma was the epitome of coy as she gave an innocent shrug.

"You're reading too much into things. What Captain O'Bannon and John have...it's strictly professional! They're work colleagues, nothing more."

"Okay Scott."

"What?"

"I'm just wondering at what point you thought International Rescue had become a nunnery?"

Scott cleared his throat.

"I - don't…think that”

He idly picked at a stitch that had come loose on the sofa.

“What I meant was, surely if they were all in relationships, they'd just tell me?"

"What? So you could give them the same reaction you gave me just now?"

Scott stood, and slowly paced in a circle as he digested.

"Is that how they see me...a prude?"

"No, I wouldn't say that. They just don't feel the need to run every last relationship by their brother. You sure didn't with your dad or myself when you were younger. We'd still be here today if that were the case!" Grandma gave another wicked chuckle and Scott groaned into his hands.

"Newsflash, your dad and I weren't as blind to those late night study partners as you thought we were. That script is as old as time!"

Scott squirmed as he looked for a way to redirect the focus back from himself.

"I guess Allie's just remained around twelve years old in my head. I blinked and he grew up."

"That's parenthood for you, Scott."

Scott flinched.

"Look kiddo, nobody could replace your dad. You're simply not him. But what you've grown into... well, you've not just filled your father's shoes; you've sized up! Allie has had one hell of a guardian."

The sincerity of her tone brought a lump to Scott's throat. It was all he had ever hoped for. To do right by his family, his brothers…by little Allie.

"You had to grow up pretty fast and I used to worry about the toll that would take on you, but look how much you've grown - from a bereaved little boy to just the finest man! Not just the Commander of International Rescue, but a wonderful brother, guardian and grandson too."

"You're too kind, Grandma."

"I'm merely stating facts. You never stop worrying. Parents, guardians - it doesn't matter. But you can't let that worry clip their wings. It's time you opened your eyes to see how much your brother has grown too. He isn't twelve, Scott; but the wonderful young man he's grown into is a testament to how much love we, as a family - how much love you have poured his way."

[silentxsymphony]

People I'd like to know better!

Thank you for the tag @in-my-loki-feels @loki-is-my-kink-awakening and @thosegayoldmen ! 💚

Last song: https://open.spotify.com/track/1DTRUYVd8rYpla9hhVVwjo?si=kix_RbmgS8-G4UMgnsenUA

Favorite color: Red ❤️ Moulin Rouge coming out when I was in middle school basically formed my aesthetic 😂

Last read: still working my way through @lokiusbang fic! Currently bopping back and forth between Regency AU and Cowboy AU 🥰

Last movie: WICKED 💚🩷

Last TV show: Outlander is back and just as unhinged as ever 😂 We’re getting more of my babygirl Lord John Grey featured this season, which makes me very happy. Still 🕯️manifesting🕯️that spinoff 🤞🤞🤞

Sweet / Spicy / Savory: Sweet

Relationship status: extremely single 😂

Last thing I googled: probably something about Pokémon Go because I’m a huge nerd lol

Current obsession: a year later and it’s still lokius to an absurd degree 💚🧡

Looking forward to: going to NYC in March 🤩

No pressure tagging!

@kusakichan15 @devilbearingtrouble @impulsemuppet

@elodiah @lokimobius @natendo-art @kcscribbler @andthekitchensinkao3

@mirilyawrites @scifikimmi @ilaytrapsfortroubadours @boredintjqueen

[hero-of-crefeld]

I just read this article and I couldn't calm down out of joy. We all know what's going to happen to John in the upcoming books, but it seems David is (finally) stepping up to the main ranks and getting the scenes he deserves. And it's going to be great!!!

„One of the great confluences of these rivers in season seven is the love triangle of Claire, Jamie and Lord John Grey (David Berry). Both Claire and John love Jamie "desperately and passionately," Roberts says. "There are so many layers and dynamics between these three people, and this season it'll definitely come to a head. I think a lot of people will fall in love with John again."

For her part, Davis says, "I cannot wait for everyone to see David Berry's performance in season seven. He's outstanding. He just kills it in this role, especially this season. He's really stepped it up."

Perhaps his performance this season will help seal the deal on the long-gestating idea of a Lord John spinoff. "Just speaking for myself, I think the Lord John series is a no-brainer," Davis says. "I would love to see that series. The books are great, and he's such an interesting character."

OMG! ❤️

Full article link:

https://www.emmys.com/news/features/onward-outlander

LOVE your blog! 🥰

Thank you so much for sending this, anon! <3

Here's a direct link to the article for anyone who wants to read it: https://www.emmys.com/news/features/onward-outlander

I apparently had many thoughts on the subject, so the rest is under the cut. :D

I have to begin with: hell yes people are going to fall in love with John! The character is so interesting, and although I find it a bit tedious that we often sometimes only get to see him as this lovesick dude who conveniently shows up to solve Jamie’s problems, I think the show actually does a decent job of portraying him. Because he’s the character you want to know more about. In a show where you have so many characters, he is the one that kind of feels like a main character even though he isn’t one. He feels nuanced and you get a sense of him actually living his life in between making appearances in the show. And that’s something I don’t necessarily get with a lot of the other characters. (Okay, I may be super biased but still!)

Introducing him more firmly into the main story through a love triangle is a good way of at least getting more LJG in our lives. I hope they change the story a bit and tone down homophobic-punches-John-in-the-face Jamie, and I think they will, since they’ve done a great job in making Jamie less conservative in other aspects, too. With regards to what happens later with John, I wonder how much they plan to include in the show. But whatever they do, I hope they don’t run through a million things in a half-assed way and then just go “anyway, that situation resolved itself, don’t worry about it.” But we’ll see.

In any case, it makes me so happy to know that there is support for an LJG spinoff! It’s so true that there is good material to draw from if they were to make it, and I think it would be really great to get a historical show that had an LGBTQ+ main character. But simultaneously, I have to admit that my expectation for such a show would be sky-high, and I would probably throw a tantrum at the smallest historical inaccuracy. (So they’d better do their research unlike DG…) I know it’s historical fiction, but it can be accurate and entertaining. (Fun take, I know) My expectations would anyway be really high because David Berry deserves the world, and that includes flawlessly written shows where he is the main character.

And speaking of David. Oh my god, anon, when I read the words “I cannot wait for everyone to see David Berry's performance in season seven. He's outstanding. He just kills it in this role, especially this season. He's really stepped it up.” my heart skipped a beat. Like I don’t have praise kink, I have a ‘praise David Berry’ kink. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it is to read those words. He deserves it so much. I don’t even know what to say… I just… I don’t even know. Like he doesn’t seem like the most confident person in the world, so it makes me so indescribably happy to read about people explicitly saying that he’s amazing. And also the fact that there is talk of a spinoff shows that there is sooo much love not just for Lord John but for David as well. He is the perfect LJG. My heart is so full, anon! So full! And I absolutely get why you can’t calm down out of joy, because hard same!!!

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

“You salute the rank, not the man"

In Outlander season 7, episode 12 titled “Carnal Knowledge”, General Washington appoints Colonel Fraser to serve in the Continental Army as a brigadier general and aims him a battalion.

It's the same in the book: “And you, Colonel Fraser," Washington said. Jamie closed his eyes and commended his soul to God. "Will you do me the signal service of accepting command of Henry Taylor's battalion? General Taylor fell ill and died two days ago." Excerpt From Written in “My Own Heart's Blood” Diana Gabaldon.

Two issues with this.

1. The continental army was organised into companies, regiments, brigades, divisions, and armies. George Washington had an amalgamation of troops under his command, he organised into three divisions, six brigades, and thirty-eight regiments in 1775. He also selected and guided the generals.

2. A battalion is normally smaller than a regiment and is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Brigadier general is the lowest rank among general officers, typically falls between the ranks of colonel and major general and the smallest military unit that normally committed would be a brigade - two to five regiments- and historically a brigade in the Continental Army was commanded by a brigadier general.

In 1776, the Continental Congress passed the "eighty-eight battalion resolve" which required each state to contribute a battalion of infantry regiments in proportion to its population. Each regiment was made up of 8–10 companies, and at full strength, each company had 728 men. The remaining men were officers and staff and each company was led by a captain. The Field officers in a regiment usually included a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and a major (not a brigadier general)

A Regiment or battalion in the Continental Army of 728 men at full strength included: 640 privates and corporals with muskets, a surgeon; a quartermaster; and a drummer. Each company is led by a captain,

The terms "regiment" and "battalion" were often used interchangeably in the Continental Army because nearly every regiment had a single battalion, the military unit key part of the conflict: During the American Revolution, battalions were built in different ways than the British.

During the American Revolution, the number of troops commanded by a brigadier general varied depending on the specific battle and the general in command. While a brigadier general did not command a regiment, battalion, or company, he typically led a brigade in the field, of several thousand soldiers. Generally, he would command between 3,000 and 5,000 troops when he was appointed to a field command.

In season 7, episode 14 titled “Ye Dinna Get Used to It” General Fraser musters his troops the American colonial militia for battle and said: I have 300 men under my command.

In the same episode 14, there is a dinner at Lord John Grey's residence, which is now occupied by the Frasers, featuring George Washington and his staff officers. During this dinner, a brief encounter occurs between Major General Charles Lee and Brigadier General Fraser. Lee reminds Fraser that his “companies” will be under Lee's command, indicating that Fraser is directly reporting to General Lee as his subordinate.

General Fraser said he has “ten companies of militia” all under his command each with his own corporal and aide: He has two lieutenants and two aides. Ten companies in the Continental Army formed an infantry regiments were often called simply regiments or battalions.

Major General Charles Lee commanded and led approximately 6,400 troops at the “Battle of Monmouth”, which was exactly the battle they were preparing for in the series. General Charles Lee was the second major general in the force after George Washington in seniority, and Lee‘s brigadier generals commanded a brigade in battle.

In the show, Fraser, as a brigadier general of the Continental Army, has the responsibility to see over his 300 men leading up to the coming battle. He has never led 300 men into battle before; also he has never held 300 souls in his hands. He had never led more than 50 men, his most significant military experience, which it is a platoon, a lieutenant's command.

A group of 300 soldiers in the Continental Army typically belonged to a battalion or regiment, which was equivalent to about two or three companies or a short battalion. A forward operating base of this size would generally be commanded by a captain or a major overseeing a company. Nonetheless, if the command involved significant responsibilities, the regiment's field officers would include a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and a major.

@emptagehallett

A key component of the Continental Army was brigades commanded by brigadier generals A brigade is a military unit larger than a battalion or regiment but smaller than a division a permanent organisation. A brigade in the Continental Army served as the basic tactical unit, consisting of two to five regiments and supporting units above 4,000 soldiers, and commanded by a brigadier general. The rank of brigadier general is usually above a colonel and below a major general or divisional general.

General Fraser commands ten companies of American militia, forming a battalion of about 300 soldiers instead of a brigade, which is inconsistent with his rank. It also does not represent a full battalion. Furthermore, the officers who accompanied him to review the troops for battle are lieutenants, not captains, who typically are the commanders of companies being reviewed.

Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan); Lieutenant Bixby (Hyoie O'Grady); Charlie Whelan (Max Pemberton); Shaffstall (Wilf Scolding). PHOTO: ROBERT WILSON/STARZ

As Commander in Chief, George Washington relied on several generals to assist him during the war. However, he did not have any high-ranking officers named General Henry Taylor or General Jamie Fraser. These characters are creations of Diana Gabaldon's imagination.

"Outlander" is a fantasy show that presents sometimes a fictionalised version of history, which may not always be accurate. Nevertheless, it is unusual for a general-in-chief to promote a colonel to brigadier general to command a small battalion of 300 men. Typically, a brigadier general commands a brigade, which consists of at least two regiments.

It is unclear why General Fraser was assigned to a military unit that did not correspond to his rank in both the book and in Season 7, Episode 14 of Outlander. This situation just doesn't make sense. No brigadier general in the Continental Army, especially during the Battle of Monmouth, would command a unit as small as 300 men; that number is far below what constitutes a full regiment.

Episode 14 “Ye Dinna Get Used to It” was written by Diana Gabaldon herself, and used similar terms in the book, but she is known for not allowing any changes or edits. So if the mistake was in the writing, it was the author's mistake all the way around.

Posted 3rd January 2025

#GeorgeWashington #americanrevolution #continentalarmy #brigadiergeneral #CharlesLee #general #continentalcongress #command #brigade #troops #regiments #battalions #BattleofMonmouth #YeDinnaGetOutlander7x14

[kit-williams]

Captain John Price

Demon name: Jocnr Hpie Born: Unknown *Unlike the other Bloodthirsters in the group we managed to interview he is very tight lipped.* -Demonologist [REDACTED]

Notable feature: Bone growths around the sides of its head and mouth that give him a "beard" or facial hair type of appearance. Also the fact that smoke seems to billow out of his mouth just like that one hive noble that could never stop smoking. -Agent [REDACTED] who was reprimanded for gaining access to the Demonologists documents *You're not saying that I'm wrong sir* **FURTHER REPREMANDING** *** He also liked wearing this weird hat I think it was Agent [REDACTED]'s old fishing hat?***

He has a habit of referring to the lower ranks under his care as his 'kids' or 'team'. Usually will help Handler [REDACTED] corral the Initiates to where they need to go which has caused confusion amongst the lower ranks as they think Jocnr is an Agent.

[AUDIO LOG] + Sound of bones popping and a deep inhale+ = You hurt one of my kids= Jocnr taking a drag of his cigar =My lord we're simply trying to free you from the corpse worshipers!= Unknown cultist, groveling +Annoyed huff+ =Do you believe me to be so weak I cannot break these bindings myself?= Jocnr clearly using his true voice. The groan in the background is Initiate [REDACTED] barely alive by this point but this is when the blood vessels in their nose and ears ruptured. +Foot steps moving+ =My Lord wait! AUGH= +Sounds of flesh against stone before the sounds of bone breaking and the wet slap of most likely viscera. Splatter and a sigh, at this time Initiate [REDACTED] groans again+ =Kiddo?= +Feet moving rapidly+ =Hey there Kiddo you're gonna be alright I've got you!= +A grunt as at this time cameras will show Jocnr carrying Initiate [REDACTED]+ [END AUDIO LOG]

*We need to study further why Jocnr so easily bonds to squads he's apart of* -Inquisitor [REDACTED] **Granted** Lord Inquisitor [REDACTED]

Demonhost: Another that has lax host standards but hosts that are around 1.8 to 2 meter's tall are his preferred; 90+ kg; late 30's to early 40's; and prefers hosts with military backgrounds. If those standards are met he can inhabit a body for several months up to a year. They all shift in the same way they'll all grow a beard in the same pattern as his demonic one and their faces will shift to look similar which is how lower ranks have been confused as he appears the same in every body. Skin color will lighten and hair will turn to a greying brown. His eyes normally are a molten brass (as most other Khorne demons) but Initiates have said his eyes are blue. Keeps his hair short and his beard trimmed.

[felassan]

New today on DA:TV from Game Informer, 'Breaking Down Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Classes And Factions':

"Breaking Down Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Classes And Factions by Wesley LeBlanc on Jun 25, 2024 at 02:00 PM "As part of the character creation process for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players will have to select both a class for their player-controlled Rook and a faction. After customizing much of your Rook's body, including things like a Qunari's horn type and material, for example, with the hundreds of options available in Veilguard, it will be time to pick said class.  [embedded link to DA:TV reveal trailer] There are three classes to choose from: Rogue, Mage, and Warrior. As the names suggest, each features a unique combat system and plays differently as a result. Though you’ll be performing things like light and heavy attacks using the same buttons, what those attacks do varies based on your class. For example, a sword-and-shield Warrior can hip-fire or aim their shield to throw it like Captain America, whereas a Mage can use that same button to throw out magical ranged attacks – read more about the combat of Veilguard in Game Informer's exclusive feature here. Plus, as you spec out these classes and unlock their individual specializations, the differences will only grow even more stark.  - The Rogue has access to three specializations. The Duelist is the fastest of the three, with two blades for rapid strikes; the Saboteur uses tricks and traps; and the Veil Ranger is purely range, sniping enemies from afar with a bow. - The Mage can utilize necromancy with the Death Caller specialization; Evokers wield fire, ice, and lightning; and the Spellblade uses magic-infused melee attacks. - The Warrior can become a Reaper, which uses night blades to steal life and risk death to gain unnatural abilities; a Slayer, a simple but strong two-handed weapons expert; or the Champion, a tactical defense fighter. While these specializations don't matter upfront – you class into them via the skill trees you progress through the game – it's nice to see the potential of each class before you choose it."

"For the penultimate step of the character creator, at least during the demo BioWare shows me, players select a faction. The Grey Wardens return, joined by other returning favorites and new additions like the Antivan Crows, the Mourn Watch, the Shadow Dragons, the pirate-themed Lords of Fortune, which is what I chose in my demo for the current Game Informer cover story, and the Veil Jumpers. Each faction has unique casual wear, which is worn in specific cutscenes when the character isn't donning armor, and three unique traits. The Lords of Fortune, for example, gain additional reputation with this particular faction, have increased damage versus mercenaries, and perform takedowns on enemies with slightly less effort. Veilguard game director Corinne Busche says this faction selection, which ties into your character's backstory, determines who your Rook was before, how they met Varric, why they travel with Varric instead of their faction, and more. "The message of The Veilguard is you're not saving the world on your own – you need your companions, but you also need these factions, these other groups in the world," creative director John Epler tells me. "You help them, they help you now.""

"He says BioWare wanted to avoid the trope of needing to gather 200 random resources or objects before helping you save the world. Instead, the team aimed to create factions that want to help you but have realistic challenges and problems in front of them so that narratively, it makes sense why you help them in return for their help when the time comes.  "Gameplay-wise – each of our classes has a specialization, and each of them is tied to a faction," Epler continues. "But beyond that, each faction has a [companion] as well as [people we're calling agents, ancillarily] who exist as the faces of these factions. We didn't want to just say, 'Here's the Grey Wardens, go deal with them.' We wanted characters within that faction who are sympathetic, who you can see and become the face of the faction, so that even if there are moments where the faction as a whole may be on the outs with you, these characters are still with you; they've still got your back."  [old version of this paragraph] If you find yourself unhappy with your lineage or your class, you can change them using the Mirror of Transformation, found in the main Veilguard hub, The Lighthouse. You can also change your Rook's visual appearance there, too." [new version of this paragraph] If you want to make changes to your character's physical appearance, you can do that with the Mirror of Transformation, found in the main Veilguard hub, The Lighthouse. However, class, lineage, and identity are locked in and cannot be changed after you select them in the game's character creator. [Editor's Note: This article previously stated players can change their physical appearance, class, lineage, and identity using the Mirror of Transformation. That is incorrect as class, lineage, and identity are locked after you first select those. The article has been updated to reflect that, and Game Informer apologizes for any confusion this mistake may have caused.] For more about the game, including exclusive details, interviews, video features, and more, click the Dragon Age: The Veilguard hub button below."

[source]

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Due to my last post being a platonic yandere playlist featuring a few characters I like, I've decided to compile a small list of songs here for each character I mentioned! Now, some may feature songs that can be anything from wild to dark to fluffy. But all of it is about that character in particular, or their (platonic) relationship to their bby (a.k.a. the reader, you!). And this is just my opinion. So, if you headcanon different songs for them, that is a-okay👍 We are here to have fun and enjoy platonic yanderes; no need for any arguments. Let's begin (p.s. everyone gets a Christmas song. You can imagine it either fitting them, being sung by them, or you and them singing/listening to it together):

• 🧡Wolverine/Logan Howlett🦡: Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, Hallelujah by Panic! At The Disco, Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, I Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (you can do a sweet cover or a dark cover if you want), Demons by Imagine Dragons, Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce, Bring Me to Life by Evanescence, Take Me To Church by Hozier, I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons... 🌨Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra🌨

• 🦁Sabretooth/Victor Creed🦷: Meet Me in the Woods by Lord Huron, Hidden in the Sand by Tally Hall, Animals by Maroon 5, All of Me by John Legend, Emperor's New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco, Trust Me (The Scorpion And The Frog) by Terrance Zdunich;Saar Hendelman;Marc Senter; and Paul Sorvino, Natural by Imagine Dragons, Duality by Set It Off, Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran, Twilight Zone by Golden Earring... 🤴Good King Wenceslas sung by Bing Crosby🤴

• 🦡Wolverine 2.0/Laura Kinney💛: Heart Attack by Demi Lovato, I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry, Give Your Heart a Break by Demi Lovato, Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears, This Is Gospel by Panic! At The Disco, Cake by Melanie Martinez, It's Time by Imagine Dragons, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics, Immortals by Fall Out Boy... ❄Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin (or Frank Sinatra)❄

• 🐺Daken/Akihiro🌀: Some Nights by Fun., You're My Best Friend by Queen, Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, The Ballad of Mona Lisa by Panic! At The Disco, Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5, Unholy by Kim Petras and Sam Smith, I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons, Royals by Lorde, Partners in Crime by Set It Off... 🌌 Silent Night by (anyone, really)🌌

• 🔥Marvel Girl/The Phoenix/Jean Grey🦚: Ain't No Moutain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel, Just Like Fire by P!ink, Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys, Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) by Train, Hey Look Ma, I Made It by Panic! At The Disco, Diamonds by Rihanna, Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons, Control by Halsey, Bad Romance by Lady Gaga... ☃️ It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams (or Amy Grant's cover)☃️

• 😎Cyclops/Scott Summers🚨: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Yellow by Coldplay, I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic! At The Disco, Bad Liar by Imagine Dragons, Heat Waves by Glass Animals, Bad Guy by Set It Off, Lean On by Major Lazer and DJ Snake (or the Pentatonix cover, either works), Unconditionally by Katy Perry, Little Talks by Of Monsters And Men... 🎁It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby (or sung by Micheal Buble)🎁

• 🥈Cable/Nathan Summers🤖: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, Roaring 20s by Panic! At The Disco, I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner, Hey Soul Sister by Train, Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr., You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis (or any cover version you prefer), You Are So Beautiful by Joe Crocker, A Thousand Years by David Hodges and Christina Perri... 🕊Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono🕊

• 🎭Mystique/Raven Darkholme💙: Karma Chameleon by the Culture Club, What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner, Cool for the Summer by Demi Lovato, Love Like You by Rebecca Sugar, Victorious by Panic! At The Disco, Birds by Imagine Dragons, Killer Queen by Queen, Applause by Lady Gaga, Sugar We're Goin Down by Fall Out Boy... 🎅Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt🎅

• 🎱Rogue/Anne-Marie🥀: Darkside by Alan Walker, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, Good as Hell by Lizzo, House of Memories by Panic! At The Disco, It's Time by Imagine Dragons, River by Bishop Briggs, Just Dance by Lady Gaga, Like I'm Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor, Stand By You by Rachel Platten... 🎄Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee🎄

• ♠️Gambit/Remy LeBeau♥️:Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds, Raise Your Glass by P!nk, Call Me by Blondie, Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, Miss Jackson by Panic! At The Disco, Bones by Imagine Dragons, Team by Lorde, Umbrella by Rihanna, Poker Face by Lady Gaga... 🥶 Baby It's Cold Outside by Dean Martin (or any cover you like)🥶

• 🌌Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner😇: Count On Me by Bruno Mars, Born This Way by Lady Gaga, Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars, Halo by Beyonce, High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco, Mouth of the River by Imagine Dragons, You're Beautiful by James Blunt, Church by Fall Out Boy, Hallelujah cover by Pentatonix... 🌟 Joy To The World cover by (anyone of your choice as long as it is the Christmas song)🌟

And I have a surprise playlist to add: the reader!

•🌈 You/The Protagonist (Darling)💖: I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts (a.k.a. the themesong from Friends), True Colors by Cyndi Lauper, Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time by Panic! At The Disco, Amsterdam by Imagine Dragons, On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons, Try by P!nk, Panic Room by Au/Ra, BANG! by AJR, I'm Still Standing by Elton John... 🐑Do You Hear What I Hear? sung by (anyone you prefer, guy or gal or nonbinary pal)🐑

And that is all for now! I spent about 10-11 hours on this. All of these songs I have listened to/heard before. The pairings are just my opinion. If you disagree, that is okay. Just don't bring any arguments here. These playlists are all PLATONIC yandere ONLY. No romance, no sex! Now, yes, some songs are sexual, or intimate. But they are meant by me to be platonic in this playlist, or to show a part of the character who they are paired with. The playlist can describe the platonic yan's relationship to their bby, the yandere themself, or even just songs that fit their personality/theme/tone! If you want to make a playlist on a music app or whatever there is, you can do so, just give credit to me for putting the songs together. The rest of your video/playlist/creation is yours. Here is a very thoroughly thought out honeycomb thought!

[immobiliter]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐓 ――   Repost, don’t reblog;

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒 ――

FULL NAME:  James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser NICKNAME: Jamie ALIASES: Jamie Mactavish, Laird Broch Tuarach, Red Jamie, Dunbonnet, Alex Mackenzie, Jamie Roy / Alexander Malcolm, Colonel Fraser. SEX: male. SIZE:  6'2". AGE: I write him between the age of 22 and his late 50s. ZODIAC: Taurus (May 1st) SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Gaelic, English, French

𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 ――

HAIR:  a red/auburn colour, long and worn loose in his youth, but tied up more frequently later in life. FACIAL HAIR: he normally has some light stubble. EYES: blue. SKIN TONE: he's a pale scot. BODY TYPE:  well built, muscular. VOICE:  enjoy. DOMINANT HAND:  right. POSTURE:  he carries himself like any soldier would, tall and broad, often towering over everyone else. SCARS: Jamie has many scars, but most notable are the lash marks across his back, and the healed gash on his inner thigh from Culloden. TATTOOS: none. PIERCINGS: none. BIRTHMARKS:  none. MOST NOTABLE FEATURES:  his mop of auburn hair, the scars on his back, his broad shoulders.

𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃 ――

PLACE OF BIRTH: Lallybroch, Scotland. HOMETOWN: Lallybroch, Scotland. SIBLINGS: William Fraser, Jenny Fraser, Robert Fraser. PARENTS:  Brian & Ellen Fraser.

𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 ――

OCCUPATION:  Scottish Laird, Jacobite rebel, Prisoner, Printer, Smuggler and Landowner. Not all at the same time, mind you lmao. CURRENT RESIDENCE: Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina. CLOSE FRIENDS: Lord John Grey, Murtagh Fitzgibbons, Anora Theirin, Elizabeth Swann. FINANCIAL STATUS:  verse dependent, but mostly comfortable. DRIVER'S LICENSE: n/a. CRIMINAL RECORD: a reformed (maybe) enemy of the British Crown and former Jacobite.  VICES: his anger and pride for sure, his tendency to act first, think later, the fact that he is a violent man, as well as his somewhat traditionalist views.

𝐒𝐄𝐗 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 ――

SEXUAL ORIENTATION:  heterosexual. PREFERRED EMOTIONAL ROLE: switch. PREFERRED SEXUAL ROLE:  switch. TURN OFFS:  this is pretty tricky to define aside from "anyone who is not Claire" lmao. but I think, talking about an AU during the twenty years without Claire, Jamie would struggle to go for anyone who wasn't strong-willed and stubborn. LOVE LANGUAGE: physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, gift giving, quality time. all of it, basically. he loves to love. RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES: completely and utterly devoted ? he's the most romantic bastard ever.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐒 ――

CHARACTER'S THEME TUNE: moch sa mhadainn HOBBIES TO PASS THE TIME: Jamie enjoys reading, playing chess, hunting, fishing and busying himself with his hands around Fraser's Ridge. He built the main house in Fraser's Ridge mostly by himself and enjoyed every second of it. LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED: left brained. SELF-CONFIDENCE LEVEL: he is pretty confident in himself, his moral compass, and the love he holds for those around him.

TAGGED BY: @goldenngore   TAGGING: anyone who would like to do this!

[photogirl894]

If I may add a few of my favorites to this already great list:

Viggo kissing Billy during Sam's wedding scene to help get a good reaction out of the couple and Billy going, "I saw stars...and I think I fell in love for split second and then I felt a bit sick."

Dom talking about how John Rhys-Davies would take out every single stunt guy in a fight

Viggo headbutting all the stunt guys and then telling Sala to go headbutt Orlando

Of course, Viggo breaking his toes kicking the helmet. A classic!

Sean Bean refusing to ride in helicopter and the cast seeing him climbing up a snowy mountain in full costume

Andy Serkis accidentally ripping off Sean Astin's wig

All the hellish filming of Helm's Deep

Sean Astin forgetting his waistcoat during the Grey Havens and all the Hobbits being so pissed that they had to film the big crying scene again

The wind up at Mount Sunday being so strong, it whipped Peter Jackson's glasses right off his face and they fell down the mountain. He had to then squint all day at the monitors in order to see them when rewatching takes

Brad Douriff having to shave his eyebrows for Grima and his wife being so pissed about it

Dom getting a splinter in his foot when filming Buckleberry Ferry and claiming it was huge and made of titanium, but it was just a small splinter

Viggo splitting a tooth with his sword and wanting to just superglue it so they could continue filming

The New Zealand Army playing soldiers for the Battle at the Black Gate

Also the cast filming that scene where the Army did demolitions training (or something like that) and being told to avoid stepping on any leftover explosives that might be out there

Orlando's bow breaking during pickups for Return of the King. "I'm Legolas, my bow doesn't break!"

John Rhys-Davies being gifted a prosthetic mask on his last day and him gleefully running and throwing it into a fire (because he was allergic to his prosthetics that had to go on his face)

Viggo having a ton of crazy makeshift crowns during the coronation scene

Christopher Lee knowing the proper sounds for when someone gets stabbed in the back

Can you tell I've watched the Lord of the Rings Behind the Scenes features quite a lot?? 😆😁

favorite bits of the cast interviews in the LOTR special features:

Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen all taking the piss out of Orlando Bloom for going on about a cracked rib too much, while Orlando Bloom desperately tries to wriggle out of talking about it (special mention to Elijah Wood’s “oh it hurts, babes, and I can’t ride the horse, babes” and Viggo Mortensen’s “they can be very fragile, elves, especially the…Mirkwood strain…”)

Ian McKellen commenting that “they never did find any suitable underwear for Gandalf…”

Dominic Monaghan going on and on about how Viggo Mortensen apparently had a crush on one of the Rohirrim extras (who like a lot of the Rohirrim extras was a woman in a fake beard) while Vigoo Mortensen just mutters “one could perhaps say something about Mr. Monaghan’s…proclivities…”

Dominic Monaghan’s imitation of John Rhys-Davies ordering food at a restaurant for the whole cast. “You have partridge? BRING THE PARTRIDGE!”

John Rhys-Davies talking about an incident with the Lothlorian boats and saying “if an elf and a dwarf are in a boat…and…the boat goes under…let us say that the blame was not placed on the elf” while Orlando Bloom splutters “he’s a big guy, man!” 

Elijah Wood talking about how the hobbit actors shared a trailer with Ian McKellen and sometimes they would hear inarticulate bellows of protest from his side when they played loud music in the mornings

Viggo Mortensen talking about how, while filming with those same boats, Kirin Shaw (Elijah Wood’s scale double) started telling him “if the boat tips over…save yourself…I can’t swim.” 

Elijah Wood describing how Sean Astin would try to direct the helicopters to land while they were on location, while the other three hobbits were screwing around and throwing pinecones at each other

Christopher Lee recounting how he had so much trouble going up some steps in Orthanc with his long robe that he stopped in the middle of the scene and said, “I cannot get up these goddamn steps, Peter.” 

Viggo Mortensen mentioning that he left a weekend rehearsal and went walking down the street still swinging his sword around, and promptly got the cops called on him

[thelensofyashunews]

JP SAXE WANTS TO MAKE YOU FEEL “SAFE” - NEW SINGLE OUT NOW

Today, multi-platinum master storyteller JP Saxe releases “Safe,” a sweetly quiet but subtly sticky new single out via Arista Records. The R&B-kissed pop track is the multi-platinum GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s first new solo song in more than a year, since Saxe hit the road in late 2023 in support of John Mayer’s arena tour then kept going deep into 2024 on his own sold-out, globe-spanning, headlining run. This past week, JP premiered the song live at what would have been a single release show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom that he instead transformed into a NY For LA benefit show raising money for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. He was joined by friends Allison Ponthier, Ally Salort, Elliot Skinner and Kristiane. Coverage of that was featured in  Billboard & Rolling Stone.

His first release “Safe” is more beat-based than Saxe’s most recent singles, creating a mellow mood out of a reversed soul sample, bent synth tones, shimmering keys, and crunchy drums. But our host delivers his signature mix of personal reflection and humorous wit all the same: “Never needed a sword, never needed a shield / Never stormed a castle on a battlefield / Haven’t needed a fist since since third period gym / Jeremy Copeland, honestly f--- that kid.” Soon, it’s clear that the battle he faces is a more subtle one: learning to make his partner feel emotionally protected.

On his first release since 2023, JP shares:

It’s a strange feeling to be dropping a song about what it means to protect the people we love on this particular week. I guess we don’t really get to decide what our songs are about. I thought it was about emotional safety — about the masculine urge to protect with fighting before listening, and relearning what it really means to make the people we love feel secure around us. Right now it feels like  "hey checking on you" texts and donations to the gofundme's of our friends who've lost their homes and voting for environmental protection policies and against the leaders who oppose them. “I want to make you feel safe” feels like, “come over stay as long as you’d like.” I have a love/hate relationship with the way songs intertwine their way into the scariest parts of our lives. I just hope this one can lovingly contribute to our conversations about how we’re all looking out for each other. 

The comforting cut reunites Saxe with GRAMMY®-winning songwriter/producer Malay (Frank Ocean, FLECTHER, Lorde). The pair worked together closely on Saxe’s last album, 2023’s A Gray Area, which included the groove-steeped, John Mayer-featuring “I Don’t Miss You,” plus collaborations with the likes of five-time Latin GRAMMY® winning Colombian musician Camilo, folk-pop trio Tiny Habits, and singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine. The set garnered praise from Billboard, People, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, and more. By openly exploring his deepest thoughts, anxieties, and emotions, Saxe shared his most relatable song set to date.

Last year, after canvassing North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia on his A Grey Area World Tour, Saxe shared a pair of performance albums: A Grey Area (Live Sessions) — featuring acclaimed guest instrumentalists like Cory Henry and Tal Wilkenfeld — and Live on Stage, recordings from his recent tours that included a moving solo version of his late 2019 blockbuster, “If the World Was Ending.” Stay tuned for more music from JP Saxe in 2025.