#Florian London

[perfettamentechic]

Outfit of the Day by Paola Moretti

Outfit by Paola Moretti #outfit #ootd #wwt #fashionstyle #jenniferlopez #orangestyle #silviatcherassi #antikbatik #huishanzhang #hugoboss #florianlondon #kennethjaylane #joannalauraconstantine #iho #paolamoretti #perfettamentechic

Pantalone: Silvia Tacherassi Maglia: Antik Batik Cappotto: Huishan Zhang Scarpe: Hugo Boss Borsa: Florian London Orecchini: Kenneth Jay Lane Anelli: Joanna Laura Constantine Fashion Blogger: Paola Moretti Instagram: paolamorettiiho

[brokehorrorfan]

Mondo will release An American Werewolf in London by Florian Bertmer, Shaun of the Dead by Gian Galang, and The Mummy by Troy Nixey today, May 31, at 1pm EST.

An American Werewolf in London is a 36x24 screen print limited to 215 for $80. Shaun of the Dead is a 24x36 screen print limited to 185 for $80. The Mummy is a 24x36 screen print limited to 215 for $80.

[gotankgo]

Florian Bertmer - American Werewolf in London poster. These were done for Monsterpalooza 2024

[theaskew]

Lyrics:

Dressed in white again Waiting for your time to come Nothingness in bouquets Obeying as it falls astray

It’s the last time that I’ll see your face Fatal day to come Fatal day to come

Existence cursed today Negation burned white to grey Freedom on display Burdened by the choice to stay

It’s the last time that I’ll see your face Fatal day to come Fatal day to come

[willstafford]

Blowing The Whistle

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Duke of York’s Theatre, London, Thursday 22nd February 2024 Henrik Ibsen’s play from 1882 is brought kicking and swearing into the 21st century in this new adaptation by Florian Borchmeyer and director Thomas Ostermeier.  What’s wrong, you might think, with a straight translation from the original Norwegian performed in late Victorian attire, and leaving us to draw our…

[theroseempress]

Happy STS! It's been a long, weird week, so have a character ask! Which one of your characters would you trust to dress you? Would they pick pieces in your style or would they mostly use you as a chance to play dress up?

happy sts! Oooh, let me think...

Most of the cast are non-fashion people, so I don't know that I'd pick any of them. More specifically, Scarlet and Whisper a) aren't fashion people and b) might steal my clothes instead of helping.

Florian and Bricriu do have pretty good clothing sense, but Florian would either a) be impossible to find or b) not be interested, and I wouldn't want Bri to help for non-fashion related reasons. On a similar note, Kaira probably wouldn't be available, but if she was she's got a pretty good fashion sense and I think it'd go well.

I'd trust Tay, Iris, and London to help, we'd probably wind up having a fashion show and not actually getting any outfit chosen, but it would be a lot of fun and now that I'm thinking about it I really wanna do that.

And that leaves Felix and Helen, if I wanted to actually get clothes chosen instead of having a fun fashion show I think I'd pick them. Helen's good with looks in general, and Felix knows what most fashions are like, so I think I'd wind up looking very nice.

Thanks for the ask, this was fun to think about!

[joanofexys]

You were straight up with me, you were so kind

But I knew what you knew, honey, great minds

It was harsh 'cause I lost what I wanted

I was brave when I kissed you in London

We're collateral here, man, we got hit

Hope you find somewhere safe for your baggage

it’s literally flor and kevin btw

free now by gracie abrams is so florian and no i wont elaborate

[ofowlsdinosaursanddragons]

AUs I like and my one favorite thing about them:

@tealmaskmybeloved’s Toxic consequences au.

Synopsis: An au Kieran made a deal with Dokutaro (aka pecharunt) and instead of going down the canon, he helps the Lousy three along with the peach to gain the real mask. And it’s up to Ogerpon, Carmine and the BB elite 4 to stop the plans of the Never-rotting peach.

Favorite thing: Kinda the authenticity of this for me. And it being the first AUs that got my Pokémon hyperfixation rising back from the dead really helped me out.

@skyedancer2006’s Bridged Toxicity au.

Synopsis: An au where Kieran, after making a deal with pecharunt, painfully transforms into a reptomammalian dragon creature as he deals with the struggle of his new form.

Favorite thing: The body horror and themes of what it is to be truly human. I honestly enjoy this topic of post-humanism or as I like to call it: “the altered self horror”. Things like all tomorrows, An American werewolf in London, or any other kind of fiction involving body horror in any way I really enjoy!

Check out this video for a more in-depth look at “the altered self horror” genre.

@indigodiskmybeloved’s Mochi Desires au.

Synopsis: The “what if” scenario where everything wife’s down a rollercoaster down. Nemona never got a perfect rival, team star is expelled and Arven’s Mabosstiff dies of its injuries. Pechakeen, a glimmora and the half of the now human Geeta, controls the three and forces them under their will.

Favorite thing: the tone and somberness of it all. And yes, this is coming from someone who prefers happy endings over downers, but considering how the AU and the tone, this doesn’t feel like a simple “toxic chained au” that can be stopped with a Pokémon battle. No. This is not that kind of au. Here, there was no Florian/Juliana. There was no helping them out. And in their place, are two siblings forced to take the role of the hero. It kinda has a somber feel of “oh god” for the poor children unable to climb out of the pit of no return… it kinda reminds me of Giant of the skies’ ornithocheirus in a sense.

but on a more “light hearted” note:

@ezlo-x’S Lost Family au

Synopsis: A botw/Totk au that deviates heavily from the canon of the era of the wilds. 17 years after a great calamity, Sheik and Ganondorf must save Hyrule from the threat of the Scourge king, with help of allies old and new, to bring balance and slay the ancient malice king.

Favorite thing: The character designs and vibe. Ezlo’s job at redesigning the Gorons, Zora and Rito is something I genuinely enjoy as they are given more realistic traits like the Gorons being more akin to dinosaur people. All her art has a sort of nostalgic vibe like this could be from a cartoon from the late 90’s to early 2000’s like samurai jack or a studio Ghibli movie. The art style really elevates the tone and narrative of this unique BOTW/TOTK au in a way that I honestly prefer over the original (I still love Botw/totk btw)

Honestly, this is probably one of my favorite TLOZ AUs out there.

@sp1derc1der’s Draco Scaled Au

Synopsis: an au where the main antagonists (along with some other characters) are weredragons, beings with both a dragon and human form.

Favorite thing: The dragon designs. Yes, I know, the one who likes dragons likes the au. But it goes deeper than just that. Each of the designs are all completely unique from one another in one way or another.

From Diminutive “baby” dragons like Hau, Penny or Marnie,

To hulking leviathans like Archie, Ghetsis and Cynthia.

From flightless drakes and lindwyrms like Maxie, Saturn and Cyrus,

To great Soarers like Zinnia and Lysandre who probably put the great Azdarchids of yore to shame.

So yeah! Just a funny lil’ thing about my favorite AUs I like rn.

[cher-rei]

love song ♬— chapter 5 [ J.M ]

pairing: jamal musiala x fem!oc

summary [please read]

genre(s): strangers to lovers, fluff, angst and sports romance [love song playlist]

[w.c: 3k] masterlist

notes: cutie piesss. that's what they are. omw and the next chapter is gonna he super domestic too shut uppp

previous chapter | next chapter

“wow, you're all decked out, spider-nerd,” aaliyah said and turned to look at noelle as she entered the living room, looking as if she was about to head to comicon.

with a proud smile, noellle showed off her spiderman zip up hoodie, a vintage blue and red spiderman t-shirt which she definitely thrifted and a pair of washed denim jeans. to a stranger it would seem that she'd been preparing for this moment her entire life.

which wasn't technically true. she didn't flinch at aaliyah's “spider-nerd” nickname, not when she saw it as a compliment, an accomplishment.

when sophia walked in she didn't even bat an eye, simply patting noelle's shoulders before sitting down on the sofa. “this isn't even bad. when we still lived in london, there was a day that she skipped school because the cinema was doing a rerun of the amazing spiderman. all three movies.”

the look of shock on aaliyah's face was comical, a scoff of disbelief leaving her mouth while noelle simply shrugged. “noelle braun, you start shaking when you accidentally jump a red light.”

she didn't fight however, and held her chin up. “I have no regrets,” the last thing she said before sliding away on her socks, leaving her friends to laugh as they finished up getting ready.

when they got to the cinema, the boys were already there and occupied with their own conversation. but soon the attention was on them, calls of approval from florian and kai rang through the air at noelle's outfit.

“you're seriously committing to this,” florian commented, impressed with her dedication to a simple movie.

a smile of pride tugged at her lips as she gave everyone a twirl to show off her full outfit. “I gotta represent.”

as they made their way over to get their snacks the conversation continued, this time the highlight happened to be the red light that noelle jumped in fear of being late (they were 30 minutes early). she couldn't catch a break, just when aaliyah mentioned that she wasn't a fan of breaking street rules.

“hey,” she put her up her hands in defence. “one little red light never killed anyone. the road was empty.”

kai raised an eyebrow at her excuse. “one little red light? you're like a racing prodigy— of questionable life choices.”

the jab didn't phase her, neither did their banter. noelle had known kai just as long as she'd known sophia, their sibling like relationship always bringing a smile to his girlfriend's face. “at least I'm consistent. I'm just living life on the edge.”

“the edge being the line between green and red?”

the group erupted into laughter, their banter filling the cinema lobby but noelle just shrugged. eventually aaliyah intervened, ready to defend her friend. “hey, no teasing noelle. she's just embracing her inner speed demon.”

“more like inner speed bump,” florian deadpanned, earning a look from noelle and before anything could happen sophia pushed them further into the line so that they could finally order their snacks.

everyone got their combos as per normal but aaliyah made sure to clarify that noelle didn't want popcorn, which raised some confusion in jamal who had been silent for a bit, still upset that this was a group activity.

he raised an eyebrow. “how can you not like popcorn?”

the question made her pout. “just not my thing.”

from ahead of them florian scoffed, not too fond of the idea of not eating popcorn

while watching a movie. “that’s like watching spiderman without the webs.”

the younger girl rolled her eyes. “I'll survive.”

the vip movie theater was surprisingly empty, causing jamal to internally jump up in triumph. this was exactly what he wanted. the seats were separated, two recliners and a table with nearly a metre of space between the others.

nothing was said as they stepped in besides the silent look of significance that was shared between the three footballers, followed by nods.

they stalled finding their seats, waiting until noelle sat down, which took longer than expected because she was awkwardly hopping in between the open spaces and then looking at the screen before moving on to the next row.

“what are you doing?” jamal asked in genuine confusion, his brows furrowing.

“I'm finding the perfect spot. I need to sit somewhere where I won't have to strain my neck or my eyes… here!” she exclaimed, settling into her chosen seat.

with that, the rest of the group found their seats with jamal next to noelle just as planned. “spider-nerd needs optimal viewing conditions,” kai teased, earning a playful shove on the arm from his girlfriend.

she was strange. that was jamal's initial thought— funny in her own way. she did things a certain way, had certain preferences that differed from most but it made her attractive. and what he learnt throughout the movie was that she was a lot geekier than he originally thought.

she spoke throughout the movie— her hushed whispers commenting on certain scenes and details that he didn't catch. she even took the liberty of explaining the base of the spiderman lore to him.

Iit got to the point where he would ask questions just to have her explain it to him. she would turn in her seat to look at him, her attention occasionally directing back to the big screen while her friends whisper-yelled at her to be quiet.

“the spider-verse is collapsing,” she muttered, more to herself. “the spider-totems, the web of life… it's all connected.”

jamal leaned in, his face inches from noelle but she didn't seem to care in that moment. “what's happening?” (he knew exactly what was happening)

noelle's explanation poured out in a rush, her excitement filled eyes glued to the screen. “the spider-totems are destabilising the spider-verse. each spider-person has a unique frequency, and when they intersect, it creates a rift.”

there were so many things running through jamal's mind at that moment. so many things that he couldn't say out loud for so many different reasons. he was entranced to say the least, eyes unintentionally dropping to her lips as she spoke. of course, he had to swallow those words and keep the interaction as pg as possible.

he cleared his throat, sinking further into his seat. “you're like a spider-verse encyclopaedia.”

noelle smiled at the compliment, waving him off. it was quiet for a moment again until her hand flew to grab jamal's hand to gain his attention— her excitement blocking out her consciousness. “oh, look.”

he didn't look because what the hell was stopping him from intertwining there fingers??

“thats’s the web of life. it's the interconnected web of spider-people across dimensions. each strand represents a life, and when one breaks, the entire web unravels–”

she was interuppted by aaliyah shushing her from the row in front of them, but jamal silenced her with a gestare, the girl's lips parting in shock at the audacity. “let her finish,” he mouthed, and she turned back to the front.

from the row in front, florian nudged his girlfriend who was plotting jamal's murder. “jamal’s got that ‘I'm-listening-to-you-and-only-you’ face.”

aaliyah scoffed in amusement and took another look at the two behind them, having a ball of a time. “I give them five minutes before discussing the merits of spiderman's web shooters.”

from in front of them sophia snickered, taking the liberty to get up and join them on the floor to enter the conversation with kai flowing after her. “we should start a betting pool— how long before he asks noelle about the difference between dc and marvel.”

their hushed whispers and laughter continued as they discussed the situation, looking back at the two every so often but they were stuck in the same position— with jamal nodding along to whatever noelle was saying. it was all jokes from there but aaliyah felt off.

she knew noelle, and just a few days ago she wasn't too happy about what happened at the training session. “guys, can I ask you something?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.

the three of them nodded, more than ready to conspire. “noelle's been off lately. she's been doing really well with him, but… something feels off.”

kai frowned. “what do you mean?”

“she's a naturally guarded person, we know this but she's realising that she's becoming more comfortable and friendly with jamal.”

florian pulled a face at her statement. he understood what she meant about being guarded, it took noelle a week after meeting florian to tell him her last name. an entire week for something that wasn't even important.

the group went on to discuss the possibility of her pulling away from jamal and doing a full 180. sophia looked back at the two of them again, her laugh stifled as she watched them go through some sort of handshake, noelle stopping jamal and asking him to try again between her laughter.

“man, she's got this look in her eyes when she talks. it's like her face lights up.”

“oh boy, here we go again,” kai sighed in irritation as they entered the camp, his head pounding with the sound of jamal’s voice talking about noelle.

the entire car ride back, it's all that he talked about. he kept on talking about “special” she was, but kai and florian couldn't back him up. they've known her for years, and have seen sides of noelle that haunted them— how groggy and mean she could be when she was tired and having caffeine withdrawal, and how easy it was for her to zone out during conversations.

that was just the surface of it. noelle was what they called a tough cookie. she had her moods, she needed reassurance and comfort because of how often she overthought certain situations. and jamal found her rambling and hard working nature attractive but he never experienced how it could break her.

she was like a volcano. with emotions that shifted like the wind. one moment, she'd be effervescent, her eyes sparkling with passion and the next she'd be disconnected and lost in thought.

despite her tough exterior, she was vulnerable and guarded. even if it didn't seem like that right now.

no.elle

liked by sophiaamealia and 213 332 others

no.elle i dig the whole "spider-nerd' thing 🕷

view all comments below

liyah babe that lighting white washed you so bad 😭

→ no.elle no shut up, I tried to fix it!!

spamjam._. need the link to that hoodie yesterday

→ no.elle of courseee xx how's the euro tour going so far?

→ spamjam._. I can't say any of the words that I want to say here 😃

→ no.elle well that's just great! (manifesting that germany plays england so that we can meet up)

→ spamjam._. 🕯🕯🕯

it was about 20 minutes into the first half of the germany and denmark match in dortmund and barely anything had happened apart from the expansion of the darker clouds in the sky, and the droplets that noelle chose to ignore. the wind had started to pick up as well, but there was nothing more to do than to endure it.

eventually, the rain worsened and it started pouring. thunder clapped in the distance, the bright strike of lighting hitting only seconds before. sophia jumped up at the sound and reached for noelle's free hand, a giggle leaving her lips at the situation.

“petition to go home?” she asked jokingly and aaliyah lightly shoved her, glad to see that she was slowly regaining her colour.

another clap of thunder sounded, and the referee's whistle as well which earned mixed reactions from the crowd. apparently they were checking to see if an intermission was necessary due to the weather interference.

a decision wasn't even made yet but the storm had worsened, the players having no choice but to stay on the pitch, drenched. water was pouring from the gutters, the supporters taking the liberty to enjoy the atmosphere and make the most of it.

“up, up, up,” aaliyah hurriedly said, indicating that they were going to head to the family booth so that they could dry off. the game was going to be suspended until further notice, which was unfortunate because it was 10 minutes before half time.

the three girls looked up at the sky for another moment, their jaws dropping sight of the strikes of lighting striking through the clouds. noelle couldn't move, it was too captivating. her friends thought the same, their phones out to capture the moment as they stood on top of the stands, nearby the exit.

the pitch was empty, both teams had been sent to their dressing rooms but some had other priorities. noelle was the first to feel a tug at her hand, pulling her backwards into the shelter of the building only to realise that sophia and aaliyah were already gone.

“I'd prefer if you didn't get struck by lighting,” the familiar voice said and when she turned around, jamal was standing in front of her, drenched and out of breath.

noelle's heart skipped a beat as she met jamal’s concerned gaze. his eyes sparkled with amusement, despite the chaos around them.

“thanks for saving me from myself,” she said, out of breath and slightly taken back.

jamal's smile widened, his lips curling upward. “I'm starting to think that you need a permanent bodyguard.”

she playfully rolled her eyes at his comment, following him to the family booth where her friends were warming up. when they entered the booth, sophia and aaliyah were quick to rush to her side, concern etched on their faces.

jamal took a step to the side, watching as aaliyah took noelle by the shoulders. “since when do you let go of my hand in public places?” the apprehension in her tone was amusing, and made noelle stifle a laugh.

“sorry, mum” she replied jokingly with an eye roll. “the lighting was going off like crazy.”

aaliyah rolled her eyes, sophia taking the liberty to thank jamal, who waved her off. “no problem. besides, I couldn't let my favourite psych student get struck by lightning.”

noelle's cheeks flushed, her friends’ confused but curious eyes drifting to her, their smiles mocking her. “you're really milking that, aren't you?”

not long after, kai and florian entered the room with relived sighs to see that sophia and aaliyah were okay. there was still enough time until the game continued, so they spent it chatting and warming up.

most people were familiar post *insert situation* clarity. that gut-wrenching feeling and pit of realisation that settles in after coming down from a high, or just any good feeling. at that moment, while everyone was laughing and comfortable she felt herself drift.

it was an outer body experience.

noelle's gaze drifted away from the laughter-filled room, her mind disconnecting from the warmth and camaraderie. the sounds of her friends' voices faded into a distant hum, like a radio dial tuned to a distant station.

a jolting shock spiked through her body, up her spine and through every nerve, pulling her back down from the suffocating cloud she was on. with a deep breath her eyes blinked to regain awareness of her surroundings— jamal, kai and florian getting up to leave, seeing as they were needed back in the dressing room and aaliyah and sophia laughing.

“please be careful,” sophia's gentle voice sounded and she placed a kiss on kai's cheek. “everytime you slip on the pitch aaliyah and noelle laugh like it's their last day alive.”

her comment alone made aaliyah laugh again, hitting florian on the back as she did so. he tried to walk away, to break free from the torture but she managed to pull him back into a bone breaking hug. “stay dry on the bench, okay?”

although her tone was maternal, it was obvious that it was meant to be backhanded and jab him which it did of course. without another word, kai pulled his friends back into the corridor, his bidding goodbye drowning out florian's cries of protest.

they stayed in the booth for the remainder of the match because the rain outside was not in anyway appealing. the match was slow, yet somewhat electric as usual. germany emerged victorious once again, 2-0 thanks to jamal and kai.

the stadium was ecstatic, their country now into the quarter final with more hope than ever before. and even as noelle stepped onto the soaking pitch with a light drizzle in the air, the supporters didn't care and continued to celebrate underneath the stadium lights.

“ah! you did it!” sophia squealed and leapt into kai's arms with a beaming smile.

noelle pulled a face of disgust at the couple. “ew, can you not do that in front– ah! what the hell flo?!”

“I'm giving you some affection,” the footballer said and tightened his grip on her, a cunning smile on his face as she tried to fight him off.

noelle scoffed at the answer, knowing that he just wanted to wet her clothes since he was already soaked. she resorted to jabbing him in defence but he was stubborn, violently swaying their bodies to the side.

“liyah!” she called out in desperation. “he won't let go! flo I swear to god I will bite you.”

aaliyah didn't bat an eye at the situation and simply waved the two off and carried on with her conversation with a few of the other family members on the pitch. noelle could practically feel the water seeping in through her jersey, a desperate fight for comfort not reigning.

“I'm just sharing my love with you,” florian said with a smile, his mocking tone making noelle whine as she continued to struggle.

“I don't want your love,” she shot back, a slight laugh escaping her lips and before she could fight anymore, his grip loosened on her.

with sly grin and the sight of his friend walking up to them after talking to their coach, florian took hold of noelle's arm. “you're right, you don't want my love.” and with one harsh shove, “you want jamal's.” she landed on jamal's chest.

noelle stumbled, her eyes shut at the impact. florian’s mischievous grin lingered in the background, clearly please with himself as he skipped over to his girlfriend.

“hi, to you to?” jamal joked with a lighthearted chuckle, his hands draped around her shoulders to hold her in place.

she mentally cursed herself and tried not to focus on the proximity or the sound of her heart violently pounding in her ears. she let out an apologetic sigh, not having the courage to look up at him.

“sorry for the tackle.” she rolled her eyes. “your friend's a walking migraine.”

jamal's chuckle deepened, his cheeks a flush of dusty pink that he ignored very well. his demeanour was calm and to any other person it would look like he didn't think much of the situation. “he's just trying to spread the love… and chaos on occasion.”

noelle stifled a laugh, finally craning her neck slightly to look up at jamal. “I think he enjoys watching me suffer more than kai.”

there was silence for a beat until her eyes flickered with genuine fear and dread. “you're not going to shove me at anyone else, right?”

a hearty laugh vibrated through his chest and she could feel it so close to her own. this was undeniably the closest she's ever gotten to man. the feeling was strange but… nice? it was comforting, lighthearted, to be this close to him and still have a conversation.

jamal shook his head and pretended to think for a moment, leaving noelle to worry slightly and prepare to be tossed back to florian. “no, actually I think I'll keep you here.” he relaxed his grip around her shoulders. “you're really warm.”

noelle's heart skipped a beat. her lips parting in shock as her smile faltered for a moment, their gazes locked. “you're kidding. you can't even handle a little rain?”

a mock gasp left his mouth. “I can handle rain. I just prefer warm, dry women.”

her eyebrows shot up in shock, her body relaxing against his. “warm, dry women?” she repeated. “that's your type?”

“yeah. it's a niche market.”

as they stood together, the stadium's vibrant atmosphere faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a bubble of intimacy. noelle's heart still skipped a beat from jamal's words, her lips parted in surprise. his gaze held hers, sparkling with mischief and warmth.

the chill of the rainy evening dissipated, replaced by the gentle heat radiating from his body. she felt her tension melt away, her shoulders relaxing into his grasp.

this proximity was unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting. noelle's experiences with men were limited to kai and florian's playful teasing, but jamal's gentle, lighthearted manner put her at ease.

as they stood there, the sounds of celebration and laughter swirled around them, but noelle's focus remained on him. his eyes crinkled at the corners, his smile softening.

the stadium lights cast a golden glow on his features, accentuating the sharp lines of his face. noelle's gaze drifted to his lips, her pulse quickening.

she felt herself drifting into uncharted territory, the connection between them growing stronger with each passing moment. her instincts whispered warnings, but her heart overrode them, savoring the warmth and closeness.

jamal's hands, still draped around her shoulders, seemed to anchor her to reality. his touch sent shivers down her spine, yet she felt grounded, protected.

the world around them blurred, leaving only the gentle pressure of his hands, the warmth of his body, and the captivating sparkle in his eyes.

noelle's thoughts whirled, struggling to keep pace with her emotions. she couldn't deny the connection between them, the sense of belonging that settled within her.

as the moments ticked by, noelle realized she didn't want to pull away. for the first time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

the uncertainty was exhilarating, the thrill of the unknown coursing through her veins like adrenaline. noelle's heart soared, her senses heightened, as she let herself drift deeper.

[dovesdreaming]

Song prompt list:

This is where you can find fics inspired by songs. There is a list of songs that you can request for any character off my character guide. I will only do each song for 2-3 characters.

Find: Character guide

Playlist:

Close to you (by Gracie Abram’s) : Schlatt , Hazel Callahan ,

All because I liked a boy -(by Sabrina carpenter) : Ben Florian ,

The smallest man who ever lived (by Taylor swift) : no one yet

Dirty little secret (by The all American rejects) : Benny weir , Benny weir v2 ,

Still standing (by the Rasmus) : no one yet

Call it what you want (by Taylor swift) : Bucky barnes , Jack sparrow ,

Still into you (by Paramore) : Benny weir , Steve Harrington

Margaret (by Lana del ray) : no one yet

Waiting room (by Phoebe Bridgers) : no one yet

So long London (by Taylor swift) : no one yet

The gold (by Phoebe Bridgers) : no one yet

Get him back! (By Olivia Rodrigo) : no one yet

Out of Oklahoma (by Lainey Wilson) : no one yet

More to come!

[perfettamentechic]

Outfit by Paola Moretti

Outfit by Paola Moretti #outfit #ootd #wwt #fashionstyle #goldarosheuvel #queencharlotte #bridgerton #cellardoor #dolcegabbana #lisecharmel #apparis #casadei #florianlondon #poppyfinch #pomellato #gabriellasalvete #iho #paolamoretti #perfettamentechic

Pantaloni: Cellar Door Camicia: Dolce & Gabbana Lingerie: Lise Charmel Pelliccia: Apparis Scarpe: Casadei Borsa: Florian London Orecchini: Poppy Finch Anello: Pomellato Palette: Gabriella Salvete Fashion Blogger: Paola Moretti Instagram: paolamorettiiho

[fairytale-nonesense]

My map for the descendants universe:

Everything labeled is tied to a Disney movie. Any letters repeated with a numeric value are locations mentioned/inferred in their respective movies.

Not pictured: Agrabah, China, the Americas, London, Isle of the Lost. Incorporating real places is hard and so is making maps, and I didn’t have the space. The grey section on the left is a land bridge that would connect the fictionalizations of these locations. (Also I couldn’t decide where I wanted the Isle.)

Locations:

A. Snow White’s Kingdom

A2. Prince Florian’s Kingdom

B. Cinderella’s Kingdom

C. Aurora’s Kingdom

C2. Prince Phillip’s Kingdom

D. Camelot (The Sword in the Stone)

E. Prydain (The Black Cauldron)

F. Prince Eric’s Kingdom

F2. Atlantica

G. Belle’s Kingdom

H. Fictionalized France

I. Fictionalized Greece

J. Corona

K. Fictionalized Scotland

L. Arendelle

L2. Southern Isles

M. Auradon

Stars= Capitols/Castles

X= relevant movie locations

A X1: home of the 7 dwarves

A X2: the gem mines

B X: the Tremaine estate/Cinderella’s childhood home

C X: Forest where Aurora was in hiding

G X: Belle’s village

J X: Rapunzel’s tower

M X: Auradon Prep

Xa: the horned king’s castle

Xb: YenSid’s tower

[transbookoftheday]

The Potion Gardener by Arden Powell

Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. It’s while hiding in a rural garden shed that he meets Kells, a potion witch, who agrees to shelter him in exchange for manual labor until he gets his life together. Leaving his pampered London existence to work on a secluded cottage farm is a shock, but Florian throws himself into it with passionate determination.

And it’s not just gardening he's passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor.

There’s just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florian’s main concern is how to explain himself when it happens. He's definitely not a girl, but he's not entirely a boy, either. With all the magic in Kells’ garden, there must be a way to achieve his ideal androgyny.

However he looks, Florian will have to face his past if he wants a future with Kells. Even if he avoids London forever, eventually his past is going to come looking for the girl he used to be.

The Potion Gardener is a low-stakes, low-angst cozy fantasy novella in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s world with magic. Featuring a trans, nonbinary lead, a butch cis lesbian love interest, a scruffy terrier with anxiety, and a great deal of gardening. All the Flos Magicae stories are standalones, and can be read in any order.

[the-al-chemist]

Not Alone At Last

A/N: I know, I’ve gone a little off the rails from the original prompt @drinkyoursoupbitch gave me.

However, the idea it sparked was too much fun to not run with it. So, here we are again. Also, I’ve missed Rowan. Haven’t we all?

Warnings: potentially triggering for mothers of toddlers prone to tantrums…

The Khanna family tended to keep themselves to themselves. It wasn’t often that they ventured far from their farm, let alone as far as London. Every time that they did, Rowan Khanna was struck by how different the city felt from the countryside. She was used to peace and quiet, to rolling green fields, acres of trees, to birdsong echoing in the otherwise silent air.

Diagon Alley was not quiet or peaceful at all. It was always busy and bustling, filled with noise and colour and people. Today, it was busier than Rowan had ever seen it; it was not just bustling, it was heaving. To think, she had been looking forward to coming and buying all her school supplies. Now, several hours into shopping, she couldn’t wait to go home, back to her solitary comfort zone.

It seemed like she wasn’t the only one. Her two younger siblings had also grown tired of the whole experience. Baby Ela had been grizzling for the past hour, and little Ashok was well past the point of being bribed with the prospect of an ice cream from Florian Fortescue’s. When they both started to cry simultaneously in Potage’s Cauldron Shop, even Rowan’s mother looked like she might join in with their collective chorus of tears.

“How much do we have left to do?” she asked Rowan, balancing Ela on her hip and bouncing her gently in one arm, whilst running the fingers of her other hand through Ashok’s hair. Neither of them was soothed by these gestures.

Rowan pulled out the list of school supplies. “There isn’t much more we need. Just my uniform and the books.” She tried not to look disappointed as she realised that they would have to rush their visit to the bookshop, the thing she had most been looking forward to. “It shouldn’t take too long.”

“No, you’re right. Right.”

Mrs Khanna nodded decisively, and put baby Ela back into her pram. Ela immediately redoubled her efforts at screaming, and Ashok, apparently encouraged by his younger sister, threw himself down onto the ground and started to thrash with all four of his limbs. Rowan’s mother closed her eyes and sighed loudly, deeply.

More than ever, Rowan wished that she was in her bedroom with Fuzzclaw the cat and her books. She could hardly bear to look at her mother and two siblings, and yet, she felt as if everyone else in the shop was looking at them. She took a moment to glance over her shoulder at the other customers, hoping that none of them were too annoyed by the scene her family was making.

Her eye was caught by a girl waiting in the queue to buy a school-regulation pewter cauldron. The girl must have been around the same age as Rowan, to have been buying school equipment, but she looked younger. She was tiny, far shorter than Rowan, and skinny, too, but she did not look at all intimidated by the size of the crowd around her. She was wearing Muggle trousers that were too big for her and a t-shirt that was too small for her, and she fidgeted incessantly as she waited for her turn to approach the shopkeeper. With her scrawny frame, her tangled hair, and her wide eyes, she had a wild, rangey sort of look that reminded Rowan of one of J.M. Barrie’s Lost Boys, or Rudyard Kipling’s Mowgli.

But, it wasn’t the girl’s scruffy appearance or her similarity to any beloved book character that had drawn Rowan’s attention. The reason she had noticed this particular girl in the crowd was due to one thing, and one thing only: the girl was alone.

Rowan was used to being alone, she spent most of her time alone, and yet she had never considered that she might be able to go to Diagon Alley without anyone else. But, if the girl in the queue could do it, why couldn’t she?

“Maybe you should take Ashok and Ela home, Mum,” she said. “I can get the rest and Floo back after.”

Her mother blinked. “And leave you here all by yourself?” She did not look convinced.

“I’ll be going to school all by myself in a few weeks,” Rowan reasoned. “I’m sure that I’ll be able to manage getting some uniform and going into a bookshop without any help.”

“It’s not help you need in a bookshop, sweetpea, it’s supervision. Especially with my Galleons.”

Even Rowan had to admit that her mother had a point. She felt her cheeks grow slightly warm at the truth in her words. Mrs Khanna still looked dubious, but more of the other customers were now looking at the still-screaming Ashok and Ela, and that was probably why she agreed to Rowan’s idea. With Rowan’s shopping bags loaded on the back of Ela’s pram, and the rest of the shopping money safely hidden in Rowan’s pocket, Mrs Khanna left with her two youngest children.

And, just like that, Rowan was alone.

Rowan had always enjoyed her own company. She had spent most of her childhood as an only child, living in the countryside with only her parents and her cat. She had never had any real friends of her own, only the characters from her books. And she hadn’t minded that one bit.

Still, it was different to be alone and friendless in one’s own room than it was to be alone and friendless in the real world. It was for that reason that Rowan went to Flourish and Blotts before anywhere else. Nothing that bad could result from spending time surrounded by books.

Flourish and Blotts was the biggest bookshop that Rowan had ever seen, far bigger than the largest bookshop in Bales-On-Wye. There were several levels, with balconies overlooking the main shop floor and bookshelves that extended all the way up into the rafters. It would have been heavenly, were it not for the crowds. Unfortunately, the sheer number of people filling the space with their bodies and their noise made it more stressful than any bookshop should have been.

But, of course, Rowan was alone. That meant that she could do whatever she wanted. So, she slipped into a corner of the bookshop that was empty, tucked away behind a stack of acid green books bearing the title: Cursed By Name, Cursed By Nature. Hidden amongst the shelves, she sat down on the floor, reached into her pocket and took out her own book, the one she had been reading for the past few days, and was already over halfway through.

She didn’t know how long she had been reading for, but by the time she was nearly at the end of her chapter, she became aware that she was no longer alone. Someone else had joined her in her not-so-secret hiding place. Rowan recognised the newcomer almost immediately; it was the fidgety, feral-looking girl who had been standing in the queue at the cauldron shop. However, the girl no longer looked so indomitably independent as she had when Rowan had spotted her earlier.

The girl was flicking through one of the lurid green books, her lips silently mouthing words as she read, and her eyebrows furrowing deeper with each page. After a few minutes, she slammed the book closed with such force that dust billowed into the air above it, and screwed her eyes closed as if she were in pain.

Rowan eyed her cautiously. She had always been shy - or she had presumed herself to be shy, as she had never had much opportunity to tell if she was shy or not - but the girl was clearly distressed. And, she was alone. If Rowan didn’t offer her some help, who would?

“Are you okay?” Rowan asked. Her voice came out quieter than she had thought it would, but the girl must have heard her, because she opened her eyes. She looked surprised at the sight of Rowan looking at her, as if she wouldn’t have thought anyone would notice her being there.

“I’m…” The girl paused. “I think I am. Yeah.”

She may have thought that she was okay, but she did not look okay. She was still frowning, and her hands trembled slightly. Rowan tilted her head to one side.

“It’s so busy and noisy, isn’t it? I had to come and get some quiet, too. Are you here by yourself?”

Rowan knew that the girl was there by herself, but she hadn’t answered any of her other questions, and she didn’t know what else to ask. At least this got a response. The girl nodded, so quickly it was almost like she was twitching.

“Yeah, my mum hates crowds. I thought I’d be fine buying everything by myself, but…”

The girl’s voice tailed off, and she looked down at her feet, the toes of which could be seen wriggling against the ends of her trainers. Even with her eyes cast downwards, Rowan could see the colours in them. They were hazel, with mingled shades of olive and brown, like the bark and moss of the trees at home, and a distinct ring of green around the pupil, like a cat. Rowan had always felt at ease in her family’s orchards, and she had always adored cats. She couldn’t help but like this girl, as unforthcoming as she was. She couldn’t help but feel that this girl might just be the friend she had never had, the friend that she hadn’t even known that she wanted until this very moment.

“I’ve just finished this chapter,” Rowan told the girl. “I could help you pick out your books, if you like. And I’ve still got my robes to buy, if you wanted to do that together, too? I’m guessing your a first year like me.”

It was nerve-wracking, trying to get someone to be your friend. Rowan wasn’t sure she was doing it right. But then, the girl smiled. She had a nice smile, friendly and somehow full of mischief.

“I am. And I would,” she said. “Thanks.”

Rowan smiled back at her, before realising that she hadn’t even told the girl her name yet.

“I’m Rowan, by the way. Rowan Khanna.”

“I’m Artemis. Artemis Hexley.”

Should Rowan shake her hand? Probably not. She rose to her feet, and Artemis rose to meet her. They stood facing one another, each matching the other’s postures as if they were in a mirror, as if they were friends already.

And, just like that, Rowan was no longer alone.

[confield]

PSA

If you're into any of the following bands/artists: Autechre, Ryoji Ikeda, Pan Sonic, alva noto, Bernard Parmegiani, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, TODAY IS THE DAY, Peter Rehberg, Merzbow, Oval, Yasunao Tone, Pierre Schaeffer, Pierre Henry, Hecker, Unwound, Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, John Cage, Muslimgauze, Jan Jelinek, Anthony Braxton, Farmers Manual, Daphne Oram, Mira Calix, Einstürzende Neubauten, Eric Dolphy, Karleinz Stockhausen, Maryanne Amacher, Edgar Varèse, Iannis Xenakis, Laurel Halo, Fennesz, General Magic, Gescom, Ramleh, Prurient, Vladimir Ussachevsky, Pauline Oliveros, William Basinski, Luc Ferrari, Matthew Shipp, City of Caterpillar, Kouhei Matsunaga, Sensational, Mike Ink, Coil, Nobukazu Takemura, Halim El-Dabh, Martin Tetrault, Tod Dockstader, Matana Roberts, Chicago Underground Quartet, Microstoria, Vladislav Delay, Sonny Sharrock, Beatrice Dillon, SND, Mark Fell, Mika Vainio, Robin Rimbaud, Darkthrone, Christoph de Babalon, Toshimaru Nakamura, Steve Roden, Lithops, Nisennenmondai, Tackhead, Aaron Dilloway, Henry Flynt, Foehn, Yamantaka Eye, Portraits of Past, Pg99, Maxwell Sterling, Slint, Big Black, Russell Haswell, Sébastien Roux, Loraine James, Surgeon, Terrence Dixon, Underground Resistance, Dopplereffekt, Plastikman, Wolfgang Voigt, Robert Hood, Cecil Taylor, Matmos, Kangding Ray, Hijokaidan, Babyfather, Team Doyobi, Paul Lansky, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Soul Oddity, Kid606, Hugh Le Caine, Actress, Klein, Sven-Åke Johansson, Porter Ricks, Luciano Berio, The Third Eye Foundation, Grischa Lichtenberger, Replikants, Genocide Organ, Joji Yuasa, The Jesus Lizard, African Head Charge, Drive Like Jehu, Peter Brotzmann, Sonic Youth, Jawbox, Chino Amobi, Luke Vibert, James Ferraro, Florian Hecker, Tim Hecker, Eyehategod, Gorgoroth, Basic Channel, Maurizio, Steve Reich, Mouse on Mars, Burial, The Future Sound of London, Dean Blunt, Susumu Yokota, Skream, Benga, Farben, Polvo, Keiji Haino, The Black Dog, LFO, The Bug, SOPHIE, Global Communication, B12, Jlin, Stereolab, Pole, Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Juan Atkins, Wormrot, Oli XL, Napalm Death, Orchid, Bitch Magnet, Codeine, Microstoria, Moss Icon, Frank Bretschneider, Joey Beltram, Jeromes Dream, A Guy Called Gerald or DJ Manny

I am looking for a sugar baby to spoil with a $5000 weekly allowance. DM me if you are interested.

[weepingfromacedartree]

Ten Milestones (Interlude): Voicemails

Hi friends!

Another interlude chapter is ready for ya. It's quite different than our standard chapters, so... enjoy :)

Two quick notes:

1. This interlude spans the first five-ish years of Colin’s travels abroad. It starts after the events of Chapter 5 and will lead directly into next chapter.

2. Anytime “…” appears between paragraphs, it’s to indicate that the speaker is pausing for a few seconds.

June 9th, 2015 - 3:23 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hey! I wanted to call and make sure you landed safely. But I, uh —

[Laughter.]

I think I got the timing wrong. I think you’re still in the air. So just call me back whenever you do land.

…

I still can’t believe you’re really doing this. I mean —

[Nervous laughter.]

Obviously, I can believe it. I just — I can’t wait to hear all about it. 

Bye, Colin. 

~~~~~~~~~~

June 29th, 2015 - 7:07 AM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. I just emailed you a few pictures, but um —

[Laughter.]

Did you know there are like a million stray cats roaming around Athens? I swear, there’s at least one on every corner, popping his head out looking for food or attention. But I was just going for a run and — I swear to god — I saw the reincarnation of Mr. Whiskers pissing on an olive tree. This tiny grey fur ball looked up at me and —

…

Wait. Is Mr. Whiskers dead? He would be like twelve now, right? I —

…

Well… In the case that he’s still alive, I think I just saw his long lost Greek cousin. Professor Whiskers, maybe.

[Laughter.]

Alright, Pen. Talk soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

August 27th, 2015 - 2:13 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. Just saw your text. Yes, I landed safely. Yes, Madrid is beautiful. No, I have yet to try the paella — but I promise you’ll be the first to receive my review. 

[Laughter.]

I’ll call you later once I get a bit more settled. Bye Pen. 

~~~~~~~~~~

October 18th, 2015 - 9:20 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hey. I just finished reading over the Italy piece. It was good. Like, really good… But perhaps one too many cheese puns? 

…

Anyway… Call me back when you have the chance. You still haven’t told me about Caffè Florian. [Laughter.] Do they even stock enough sugar for your tea? 

…

Okay, well… Goodnight Colin. 

~~~~~~~~~~

November 23rd, 2015 - 7:39 AM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. 

Sorry. I know it’s early. But I also know today is gonna be shit so, uh…

…

Call me later, if you can. 

~~~~~~~~~~

December 16th, 2015 - 10:01 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. I’m calling from Paris and —

I don’t know why I said that. [Laughter.] Obviously you know I’m in Paris. But, I — I was just watching the tower light up and I had a sudden memory of you telling me you wanted to come here once and I…

…

I could be misremembering. [Faint laughter.] It was a while ago, I think. But I think you’d like it here. I’ll tell you all about it at that surprise Welcome Home/Birthday/Christmas Eve Party that I know absolutely nothing about. 

Night, Pen. See you soon.

~~~~~~~~~~

February 14th, 2016 - 9:27 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. I hate to admit it, but I am only just now realising that time zones exist and that if it’s 9:30 in New York, it’s…

…

Shit. 2:30 in London.

I apologise for ringing you in the middle of the night —

Actually — no I don’t. If I recall correctly, you’re up writing or reading or procrastinating until at least 3 AM every night anyway. Please call me back ASAP with your own apology for dodging this very important phone call. 

~~~~~~~~~~

April 7th, 2016 - 8:08 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. I’m on the train heading into Chicago. My computer just died, so I apologise in advance for the stream of consciousness bullshit I’m about to leave for you in this message. But, um…

There’s something about being on this train that has me thinking about travel and distance and —

Good god, this already sounds corny. Sorry. Bear with me a moment. 

…

It wasn’t until I landed in New York that I realised just how far away from home I was. I looked it up, and the city was about five and a half thousand kilometres away from London. I mean — god. I remember being at Eton and thinking 35 kilometres was an insane distance. 

In January, New York was the furthest place I had ever been from home. Then I went to Toronto, and that became the furthest place I had ever been from home. Now I’m heading into Chicago and —

I don’t know. There’s something about being on a train that’s making me hyper-aware of just how fast I’m hurdling forward. How, every second, I’m travelling even further and further away from the pinpoint where I’ll always measure my distances from. I —

[Tired laughter.]

I’m not sure where I’m going with this, honestly. Nonetheless, thank you for lending me your future ear — assuming you actually made it this far. I —

…

Oh — I see the city up ahead. Once I get to my hotel, perhaps I can try to turn this bullshit into something a bit less corny. 

I’ll call you tomorrow. Night, Pen. 

~~~~~~~~~~

June 6th, 2016 - 6:15 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. 

Guess who’s flight just took off without him? I know — shocking, coming from such an experienced traveller such as myself. But my connecting flight was delayed so I really can’t take any of the blame.

…

Anyway… I’m stuck in Terminal E of Logan International, where I’ll likely be spending the next several hours dying from boredom and eating as many bags of crisps as I can get my hands on. If you aren’t too busy, maybe you can call me back and help with the boredom bit. 

Talk soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

August 7th, 2016 - 12:49 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hi! I was just looking at your pictures from Cyprus and I —

[Distant clap of thunder.]

Oh. [Laughter.] I was wondering what it’s like to be in beautiful, sunny weather in the middle of the summer. Must be devastating. 

~~~~~~~~~~

September 21st, 2016 - 8:30 AM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. I was just reading back your notes on my piece and I’m a little confused about the last one. 

What the fuck does “too many food puns” mean? The only reason I came to Hungary was to capitalise on its pun potential. 

Please call me back ASAP so we can get this sorted.

~~~~~~~~~~

December 24th, 2016 - 12:02 AM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. 

Sorry, I know it’s late. But I’m also waiting around doing absolutely nothing, so I thought I would check in. 

I’m still in Sweden. But we’ll, uh — we’ll probably take off in the morning once the snow lets up. I —

…

I can’t believe it’s been six months since I’ve seen you. Since I’ve seen anyone at home. I’m a little worried that I’ll get home tomorrow and find that Greg now towers over me. Hyacinth called me last week just to complain about his latest growth spurt, so…

… 

Oh shit. Sorry — I knew it was late, but I didn’t realise it's already midnight. 

Merry Christmas Eve, then. I suppose it’s still technically the 23rd in London — but I suppose that doesn’t matter much when it comes to voicemails. 

I feel like there’s another commemoration on this date that I’m forgetting. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but it’s so late and I’m just so bloody tired…

…

Oh well. It’ll come back to me. 

Night, Pen. See you soon.  

~~~~~~~~~~

May 3rd, 2017 - 11:50 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. Sorry. I didn’t realise how late it was. I —

…

Did you know that you can’t sink in the Dead Sea? The water is so dense with salt that your body will just pop up if you try to go under. You could try your absolute hardest to sink to the bottom, and it just wouldn’t let you. 

I think there’s a metaphor in there somewhere. But it’s also very late and I just spent half the night staring at a Word doc and I’m starting to lose my ability to process complex thought. 

…

Fuck it. I’m sending you the first draft now. It’s shit, but if you’re not too busy tomorrow, maybe you can send me your thoughts. And prayers.

…

Alright. Night Pen. 

~~~~~~~~~~

August 24th, 2017 - 10:17 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hey! Um… 

Daphne wanted me to call and remind you all not to get the groom too drunk the night before his wedding. Fair warning: if you don’t call me back within five minutes to confirm that Simon is still standing upright, she’s prepared to send Eloise in to break up the party. 

~~~~~~~~~~

October 10th, 2017 - 7:54 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. Just calling ‘cause I wanted to ask if you’ve ever tried pickle soup. It sounds kind of strange but —

[Slurp.]

Good god. It’s bloody delicious. Absolutely recommend. 

[Slurp.]

Talk soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

December 31st, 2017 - 10:58 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey, Pen. At the risk of sounding extremely needy… 

You’re still coming tonight, right? God knows who invited her, but Cressida Cowper is here and she keeps handing me tequila shots and I really don’t —

…

Oh shit! There you a—

~~~~~~~~~~

January 19th, 2018 - 2:30 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hi! Just wanted to call and see how Sydney’s treating you so far. Is it weird to be experiencing summer in the middle of January? 

[Laughter.] 

Anyway… Call me back when you have the chance. 

~~~~~~~~~~

April 20th, 2018 - 5:58 PM

To: pen ✨✨

From: colin ✈️

Hey! Good news — the baby’s here! In worse, but also extremely funny news…

Apparently El walked in while Daphne was pushing. Mum said her face literally went white before doubling over onto the floor. I —

…

Actually, I should probably go and check on her. I think they’re treating her for a concussion as we speak. 

See you soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

May 24th, 2018 - 4:44 PM

To: colin ✈️

From: pen ✨✨

Hey! Sorry — can you call me back when you have the chance? I know we’re supposed to get lunch tomorrow, but Danbury just called and asked if I could come in tomorrow about the columnist position and I know we already had to postpone, but I’m worried I —

[Sigh.]

Sorry. 

[Nervous laughter.] 

I’m rambling. Call me back so we can discuss.

~~~~~~~~~~

June 25th, 2018 - 6:21 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. Just wanted to call and see how your first day on the job was. And, of course, to complain about having to travel by myself again. I almost forgot how bloody boring these layovers can be without someone there to complain about them with. 

[Faint laughter.] 

In person, I mean. 

…

Anyway, call me when you’re free. I can’t wait to, uh — 

[Cough.]

To hear about your day. Talk soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

August 22nd, 2018 - 9:09 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. Just calling because, uh — 

Because I wanted to say hi, really. 

…

Venice is good. It’s quite nice, this time of year. The weather’s starting to cool a bit. The water is calm. The food is the best in the world — but that’s not really time sensitive. 

…

I really cannot stress this enough. I believe it to be a great tragedy that you have yet to eat real Italian pasta. I know you’re extremely busy with work, but if you happen to have a free weekend over the next few weeks, the door is always open. 

…

Alright. Night, Pen.

~~~~~~~~~~

September 21st, 2018 - 11:51 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. Sorry for the late call. But I, uh —

[Faint laughter.]

I forgot how warm it is in Greece this time of year. I’m currently sitting by a river at midnight and it’s actually quite pleasant. Disturbingly so, if you ask me. 

There are a few dozen other people here enjoying the weather — smoking and talking and wearing sandals, or all things. I can’t imagine anyone wearing sandals in London tonight. 

…

There’s a lot I’ve forgotten about Greece. Like the cats. It’s insane, Pen. I can see three right now without even having to turn my head. I —

…

It’s just strange. I stayed here for nearly three months. That was three years ago, but still… Nothing fundamental has changed during that time. And yet…

…

And yet it feels unfamiliar to me now. But I suppose that has more to do with me — and perhaps time — than the country itself. 

…

God. I sound like somebody’s grandfather. I think that’s my cue to head back to my hotel.

Night, Pen. Talk soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

December 19th, 2018 - 11:12 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. Sorry — I know it’s late. 

I just sent you the first draft of my piece and…

I don’t know. There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. I tried to weave it into the story, but my readers don’t come to me for Bridgerton family history lessons, so —

[Laughter.]

Suffice to say, I left it out. 

But I don’t know. I just — I keep thinking about it.

…

Did you know my grandfather was stationed here at the end of World War II? He came here in ‘44, about a year before it all went shit for the Germans. And when it did, he was given the option to leave Vienna and immediately return to London. At the time, he hadn’t been home — hadn’t seen my gran — in over three years. They wrote hundreds of letters to each other during that time — all of which are stashed in a box at Aubrey Hall, in case you were wondering. But anyway…

When the war ended, as much as my grandfather wanted to go home and see my gran’s face again, he wrote to her and asked if she would be willing to wait a little while longer. If she could stand it if he stayed here. If he remained in Vienna while the allied forces first occupied the city — to continue carrying out his duty. 

She said yes. He stayed here another two years. He arrived back on English shores on April 6th, 1947. Two days later, they got married. They did at a courthouse, just the two of them together. Like they were the last two people in the world. 

…

I, uh — I didn’t piece this all together through the letters alone. My dad actually told me about it a few weeks before he died. I remember asking him why granddad stayed in Vienna for so long after the war technically ended. How he could stand to stay away from the woman he seemed so desperate to return to.

I remember my dad telling me: “There are times when duty surmounts passion.” Which I didn’t understand. Mainly because I was eight and had no fucking clue what the word “surmounts” meant, but…

Now, I understand what he was trying to say. That duty and passion are separate. That my grandfather’s duty lied in war, while his passion lied with his love. That his duty went beyond his required deployment period. That he stayed in Vienna those extra two years because that’s what he felt was right, even if he would have preferred to go home and be with the love of his life. 

Now, I —

…

I think my dad was wrong. He described my grandfather’s duty to his country as passionless — as if it was something he had to do when he wanted to be elsewhere. But I’ve read my grandfather’s journals from that time, and he never wrote about his life like he was carrying the weight of the world on his back. He may have been homesick and distressed at times — it was a bloody war, for god’s sake. But he — he was also proud of what he was doing. He was fulfilled. He was not drowning in a lack of passion. 

I think we —

[Cough.]

I think some people, at least, have multiple passions. Passions that are at war with one another. That make it impossible to achieve everything we want all at once. Some that beg us to go home, some that beg us to stay. 

I think my grandfather made a choice. I think he chose one passion for a while, and one forever. I think he knew that once they married, he wouldn’t be able to bear living without my nan ever again. 

…

[Awkward laughter.]

I guess he was lucky that she was willing to wait for him.

…

[Sigh.]

Well… I believe I’ve taken up enough of your time. If you somehow managed to listen all the way to the end, I sincerely apologise for the rambling. I promise I’ll wait until Sunday to share the rest of my travel epiphanies with you. 

Take care, Pen.

~~~~~~~~~~

December 20th, 2018 - 12:11 AM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

I always listen until the end. 

I’ll see you on Sunday. Goodnight, Colin. 

~~~~~~~~~~

January 31st, 2019 - 3:45 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

You know, Pen, I’m starting to suspect that you purposely ‘miss’ my calls just so you can listen back to these wonderful voice messages whenever it pleases you. And while I can understand your desire to have these recordings stashed away forever, I would selfishly prefer some actual back-and-forth between us. 

I’m currently sitting outside one of the seven wonders of the world. Call me back and I’ll tell you all about it.

~~~~~~~~~~

March 21st, 2019 - 5:17 PM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Hey! Thank you so much for your insights on my story. Danbury loved it. 

Call me back when you have the chance. Thanks again!

~~~~~~~~~~

April 29th, 2019 - 7:57 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. Just wanted to give you a head’s up that I just sent you a draft and it’s absolute bollocks. If you can manage to turn it into something vaguely readable, I will literally fly you out here just to say thanks. And I know how much you love Thai food. 

~~~~~~~~~~

June 29th, 2019 - 10:20 PM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Hey! Sorry, I just saw that you called! And I am now remembering that you’re in Dubai and probably — hopefully — fast asleep by now so…

[Laughter.]

…

[Indecipherable noise.]

We’re, uh — We’re still out for Kate’s birthday. We’re on our way to karaoke, actually.

[Laughter.]

Thank god El is here, or else I would be worried about being the worst singer in the pub. I —

[Indecipherable noise.]

Sorry! I have to go. Call me when we’re both awake. 

Lo—

[Cough.]

Um… Goodnight!

~~~~~~~~~~

October 18th, 2019 - 8:08 PM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Did you really just send me an SOS text from Los Angeles? I admire your creativity, but this is not how you convince someone to drop everything and take an impromptu holiday with you. 

…

In the event that you are in an actual emergency, please contact the proper authorities. I appreciate your commitment to the bit, but I ask that you please not sacrifice your life for it. 

~~~~~~~~~~

December 9th, 2019 - 8:30 AM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen.

I just finished reading your new column. Phenomenal, as always… But how the hell did you manage to sneak a pun in there? I thought Danbury had a strict policy against “superfluous literary devices.”

However you managed it… Congratulations. I couldn’t be prouder. 

~~~~~~~~~~

December 19th, 2019 - 4:41 PM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Hey! I had a work thing tonight but it just got cancelled. Any chance you want to meet at Mondrich’s? 

Let me know. I’ll, um, hopefully see you soon. 

~~~~~~~~~~

January 29th, 2020 - 9:22 PM

To: pen 💛 

From: colin 🤡

Hey, Pen. 

…

You’re the closest thing I have to a manager, right? In your professional opinion…

Would it be crazy to bail on this trip early? Give myself, uh… 48 hours to go home and grab some proper fish and chips. See Auggie and Blair. See mum. See you — obviously. London isn’t the most logical pit stop between Berlin and Prague but…

…

Yeah — you know what? It was a dumb idea. I’ve got plenty of those, so… 

Call me back when you’re not too busy. Maybe I can share some more. 

~~~~~~~~~~

February 14th, 2020 - 10:00 AM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Good morning!

Is it still morning in Prague? I —

[Faint laughter.]

I suppose that doesn’t matter much when it comes to voicemails. I, um — 

I’m doing some research on old churches. Which — don’t ask. But I’m currently sitting on the steps outside St. Bride’s Church. I don’t know if you’d recognise it, but it’s the one downtown that, um —

[Laughter.]

The one that looks like a wedding cake. 

I think you’d like it. And not just because of its food-shaped exterior. 

It’s actually considered a church for writers. And for publishers. It got that reputation back in the 17th century, when the publishing industry was booming here on Fleet Street. But, regardless of all that…

It’s really quite an interesting building. I can see why it’s attracted and inspired so many great writers over the years. 

Maybe we can check it out the next time you’re in town. Which is…

God. June, I think? 

…

Anyway… I’m still at the very beginning stages of my research, so I barely know what it is I want to write about yet. But one thing that’s stuck out to me so far is how old these buildings feel. How the architecture, the acoustics, the artwork, the — 

…

Honestly? I’m not sure exactly what does it, but something makes these buildings feel as though they’ve stood here forever. This particular church has only been here about 350 years. But still… You feel all that time when you walk through its halls. 

It’s a good reminder, I think. To know how long things last. 

…

Wow. So this is how it feels to be on the other side of these long, rambling, stream of consciousness voicemails. 

[Faint laughter.]

Bye, Colin. Thank you for lending me your future ear. 

~~~~~~~~~~

March 11th, 2020 - 5:55 PM

To: colin 🤡 

From: pen 💛

Hi! I just got off my train. I assume you’re still in the air, so just text me whenever you land. 

Hopefully the airport wasn’t too chaotic, but um…

…

I’ll meet you at the hotel. I — 

I can’t wait to see you.