#French courses near me for adults

[britishexpresss]

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[a-room-of-my-own]

Woman tells trial of husband who invited men to rape her: ‘I was sacrificed on altar of vice’

Gisèle Pélicot says French police saved her life when they investigated husband, who drugged her and enlisted men to rape her

A French woman whose husband has admitted drugging her and inviting more than 80 men to rape her over the course of a decade has said she “was sacrificed on the altar of vice” and treated “like a rag doll”.

Gisèle Pélicot, 72, said “police saved my life” when they investigated her husband, Dominique Pélicot’s, computer in November 2020, after a security guard caught him filming up the skirts of women in a supermarket near their home in a village in southern France.

Police said they found a file labelled “abuses” on a USB drive connected to his computer that contained 20,000 images and films of his wife being raped almost 100 times.

Recounting the moment in November 2020 when police first showed her images of a decade of sexual abuse orchestrated by her husband, Pélicot, who had been drugged to the point of unconsciousness, told the court: “My world fell apart. For me, everything was falling apart. Everything I had built up over 50 years.”

She said she had barely recognised herself in the images, saying she was motionless. “I was sacrificed on the altar of vice,” she said. “They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag.

“When you see that woman drugged, mistreated, a dead person on a bed – of course the body is not cold, it’s warm, but it’s as if I’m dead.” She told the court rape was not a strong enough word, it was torture.

She told a panel of five judges that she had only found the courage to watch the footage in May this year. “Frankly, these are scenes of horror for me,” she said.

Referred to by her first name in court, Gisèle Pélicot has waived her right to anonymity in order for the trial to be held in public, with the support of her three adult children. She said she was testifying “for all women” who had been assaulted while drugged and to ensure “no woman suffers this”.

Her husband this week answered “yes” in court when asked if he was guilty of the drugging and attacks. His lawyer said that after his arrest he “always declared himself guilty”, saying: “I put her to sleep, I offered her, and I filmed.”

Police have said that between 2011 and 2020, Dominique Pélicot crushed sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medication and mixed them into his wife’s evening meal or in her wine at their home in Mazan, near Carpentras in Provence. He then enlisted men to rape and sexually abuse her, contacting them via an online chatroom, where members discussed preferences for non-consenting partners.

The accused men recruited by her husband were instructed to avoid smelling of any kind of fragrance or cigarette smoke to avoid alerting his wife and to leave if she moved so much as an arm, investigators said. Fifty men are on trial for allegedly taking part in the rape and abuse.

Speaking in a calm and clear voice, Gisèle Pélicot told the court how she and her husband had married when they were 21, had three children and seven grandchildren, and had been very close. “We weren’t rich but we were happy. Even our friends said we were the ideal couple,” she said.

She told the court that without knowing she was being regularly drugged at night, she had begun to have difficulties remembering things and concentrating and even feared taking the train to see her adult children in case she missed her stop. She said she had lost weight and at one point had difficulty controlling her arm.

Worried she was suffering from the start of Alzheimer’s disease, she discussed the subject with her husband. She said he had supported her and booked an appointment with a specialist, who said it was not Alzheimer’s.

Asked by the judge if she had experienced gynaecological issues, Gisèle Pélicot said yes. She said medical tests during the police investigation showed she had been infected with several sexually transmitted diseases.

Demonstrators hold placards during a during the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home.

She said in the hours after being told by police what had happened to her she felt like dying. She described how she had to explain the trauma to her adult children, saying her daughter’s scream “was etched into my memory”.

She left the house with two suitcases, “all that was left for me of 50 years of life together”. Since then, “I no longer have an identity … I don’t know if I’ll ever rebuild myself,” she said.

Gisèle Pélicot, who has been supported in court by her children, has been praised by lawyers for her strength and calm at the trial. She said she appeared solid but was “in ruins” and did not know how her body had withstood the abuse and now the trial.

The 50 men on trial with her husband include a local councillor, nurses, a journalist, a former police officer, a prison guard, soldier, firefighter and civil servant, many of whom lived around Mazan, a town of about 6,000 inhabitants. The men were aged between 26 and 73 at the time of their arrests.

Several of the accused have denied the charges, telling police they did not know Gisèle Pélicot was not a willing partner, accusing her husband of tricking them. Detectives were unable to identify and trace more than 30 other men who were recorded.

Gisele Pélicot said she had recognised only one of her alleged rapists, a man who had come to discuss cycling with her husband at their home. “I saw him now and then in the bakery; I would say hello. I never thought he’d come and rape me,” she said.

Gisèle Pélicot’s lawyer, Antoine Camus, said she did not want a trial behind closed doors because “that’s what her attackers would have wanted”.

The trial in Avignon is expected to last four months. Dominique Pélicot, 71, and the 50 other defendants face 20 years in prison if convicted of aggravated rape.

[myemuisemo]

Suddenly we're three Letters from Watson into The Valley of Fear. I'm fairly sure I didn't read it during my late-childhood discovery of Sherlock Holmes, so my tabula is more than usually rasa.

In chapter 1, Watson refers to the date as being in the late 1880s. Since the serial started publication in September 1914, and was presumably written not too long before that, this would be like you or I writing a novel set circa 1999. Some of the readers who eagerly awaited their updates, back in the early weeks of World War I, would not have had adult memories of 1889-ish.

The events of chapter 1 appear to hang on Whitaker's Alamanack, which it turns out was in continuous publication until... wait for it... 2021. Here's the site with some information on the final edition. Whitaker's was a compendium of useful facts, updated annually. For Americans like me, the near equivalent would be the World Almanac, which may still be published. Both Whitaker's and the World Almanac started up in 1868, so apparently that year was a cultural moment of feeling that a person needed some handy way to understand an increasingly connected world.

The idea that "everyone" owns the same book, in the same edition, feels absolutely wild now, in 2024. This was true in my childhood for the World Almanac, though, and probably for a couple other books.

For Holmes' era, "Bradshaw" was, of course, the big railway guide. What ended its importance was not the internet, but railroad consolidation, with its influence waning as early as the mid-1920s.

As we get into chapter two, I am quite liking Inspector MacDonald, who is in on the stereotype of the practical, energetic Scotsman.

Jean-Baptiste Greuze was a real French painter in the 18th century, working in a soft, but very nearly photorealistic style (catalog). Per Wikipedia, La jeune fille a l'agneau also exists and sold in 1865 for more than a million pounds. I'm not surprised that Holmes is most interested in one of the "genre" paintings (scenes of everyday life) rather than the portraits of the famous, but it seems like an odd like insight that Professor Moriarty is, too.

I'm having a heck of a time identifying an online pic that is actually, definitely La jeune fille a l'agneau, rather than one of the many copies, reproductions, and pastiches. This raises a question that Holmes and MacDonald do not: could Moriarty's painting be a copy or reproduction? Greuze had multiple legit pupils who at some point copied his style: not only was copying a master's works a standard part of art education, but it would have been a normal practice for pupils to have painted portions of Greuze's works. Heck, if Moriarty is a master criminal, surely he knows a good art forger or two. I do not entirely buy that Holmes could distinguish a forged version from the original -- that's such a specific skillset. I do think Holmes would prefer his art to be originals, and he believes the same of Moriarty.

Master criminal Jonathan Wild is also a real person who was the real head of a crime ring, back in the last days of the reign of Queen Anne. Wild was also a professional thief-taker, recruited by London's Under Marshall (essentially chief policeman), Charles Hitchens. Hitchens was wildly corrupt, and his pals were known as the "Mathematicians"... at which point, honestly, is Moriarty a projection of Holmes' psyche? (I know that's the premise of The Seven Percent Solution, a movie I adore for its train chase. I just... never quite appreciated the fit before.)

Birlstone is the beneficiary (or victim, depending) of the phenomenon that reliable and extensive railroad travel made it possible to live in a quaint rural exurb while still conveniently doing business in London as needed. I feel like Birlstone wants very badly to be East Grinstead, which is about 15 miles from Tunbridge Wells, at the edge of the forest, and possessed of convenient manor houses.

As an aside, East Grinstead is known for the East Grinstead Martyrs, who were burned at stake for heresy in 1556, when (Catholic) Queen Mary I was slaughtering Protestants. I've been dabbling at 16th- and 17th century history a bit lately, mostly to appreciate how much Reign (which I adore for its batshit OTT drama) deliberately got wrong about actual history. I was surprised that although it was Henry VIII who split with Catholicism, it was not until Elizabeth I that English Protestantism was codified with distinct rituals and the Book of Common Prayer. Just not a thing I'd thought about!

We have a manor house with working drawbridge! Also, a suspicious couple, an even more suspicious brand on the mysterious (and dead) American husband, a suspicious friend, a butler, a note in code, and a missing wedding ring.

I started this one not sure how into it I'd be, since I'm not a great fan of the entire idea of Moriarty, but now I'm on tenterhooks to see what we find out about the dead American's past.

[rockingrobin69]

Soup Thursdays at the office

There were four fish in the bowl, and all of them were George. Draco named them, and apparently didn’t find it at all confusing.

“There’s George one,” he said, tipping the fish food over the tank with an exasperated roll of his eyes, “that’s the little red thing in the corner. Boy George is the one with the stripe. George two always forgets it’s been fed—and then this one, it’s just George.”

“Just George?” Harry asked, a crinkle in the corner of his lip.

“Not—just George. Its name’s George. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Just George is the best.”

Draco sighed, carefully administering colourful droplets of feed. “Of course you’d play favourites with the fish.” Rubbing his hands clean, head tilted to the side, giving Harry that look. The one that made his mouth go dry. “Now, unless there’s anything…? Then excuse me, Mr. Potter. Paperwork awaits no man.”

Oh, right, he was in the way. Had this habit of crowding Draco into tight corners, entirely unconscious. Harry took a step back, and another, startled and warm in the cheeks, mumbling this half-formed, automatic response that wasn't quite an apology. Draco walked away with a small smile-part-smirk, leaving Harry at the windows, near the fish tank, heart racing.

This wasn’t at all what he came out here for. Not to watch Draco feed the fish, third time today. He needed the copies for Mrs. Nelson’s case, and he needed… a moment. Honesty. Like he’s not built any resistance, stacked up any immunity to Draco’s—antics. Come on now, come on, come on.

Copies, then. Throat cleared, breath caught, head shook, Harry gathered himself, bit by bit. The copies were in the cabinet, by Draco’s station. Could have just asked him for it. But that would’ve led to a whole new debacle, and besides, it’s good to get away from his desk sometimes. Before he hired Draco, he never remembered to stretch.

Forgot to stretch still. Got an email, ran back to his office and furiously typed a reply to his stupid boss who wanted to assign them another case, as if their hands weren't full enough. And then it was getting near lunch-time, and Harry’s belly started on this dance, a little jig it only learned recently. Since Draco.

Thankfully, it was a Thursday, and Harry came prepared. With the fancy soup he spent three hours making, and the softest rolls Aldi had to offer. He caught Draco on the way to the kitchenette, signalled with his eyebrows (and with the tub, raised in promise). He’s really going to like this one; Harry made sure to get the cheese he knew Draco preferred, the perfect bottle of wine to pair with it. For the soup, he meant. Not that he brought wine to work. Harry may have been silly sometimes, but he was still an adult, and a professional. Who took his job seriously. Very seriously, even.

A fact he often forgot when Draco did this. Just walking, mind you, but slowly, almost on-show, dragging the chair next to Harry with big open eyes. Didn’t ask, didn’t say anything: crossed his arms in his lap, waited. It made something in Harry jump, seared right through him.

“French onion soup, as per requested. With so much fucking cheese it’ll give you heartburn. You’re welcome.”

“Looks delicious,” Draco said. His tongue darted out to lick his lips, a gesture so small it had to be unintentional.

That burnt bit inside Harry sizzled. “Why don’t you try some?” he handed the microwaved bowl. “Careful, it’s really hot.”

“Yes, Mr. Potter,” Draco said, with that look. “Aren’t you having some? Heartburn isn’t something to suffer on one’s own.”

He tried to laugh the dry-throat-ness away. “I will, yeah. How is it? Too much salt? Not enough?”

“Mm,” Draco took a spoonful, closed his eyes. “Perfect.”

Whatever he was going to ask melted away. Took a moment or two to shake himself, get up. Punch the time on the microwave with a slightly-trembling hand.

Harry started this a while back, bringing lunch for the both of them. Not so much as a decision as a series of events: too much pasta made, an extra sandwich bought by accident, leftover soup from soup Wednesday. And—he got a little addicted, he supposed, to the way Draco reacted. The way he—

The beeping of the microwave made him jump, meet the cabinet, too close, too suddenly.

“All right over there?”

Cursing under his breath, Harry nodded, returned to the table with a throbbing forehead. “Sorry. Got a little… distracted.”

“Mrs. Nelson?” Draco asked, handing him a napkin, then a spoon. “She called again. I told her we don’t have the results yet.”

“No, not that. We’re getting a new case. I've been trying to fight it, but...”

“Fighting the boss man,” Draco nodded. “Always drama with you, isn’t there. Hand me the pepper, please? Thank you.” Without another word, Draco was peppering Harry’s dish. “So, more importantly, it’s been brought to my attention you haven’t signed up for the draw this year.”

“Hmm?”

“The draw. Strictly come dancing? You know, the only thing anyone in the office talked about all week.”

Harry wasn’t all that interested in office talk. He might have heard about this one—had this vague recollection of Draco in blue, nattering about some dance show on the telly. “Can’t say I… sign up?”

“To the draw. Each pair picks a couple out of a hat. The principle is very simple, you should be able to follow.”

“Pairs,” Harry repeated, just to be sure he heard right. Tasted the soup: peppery, the way he liked it. “Who… erm, who’s your partner?”

Draco gave him that look again. “Why, Mr. Potter, it’s you, of course. I took the liberty of signing you up—please don’t be mad, it’s important for the people here to see you taking part. Not just, work-work-work all the time. It’ll be good for you.”

Harry grunted something wordless and tight. “Fine. If I'm with you it’s not—fine. What’s for the winners, then?”

“Of course you think you’d win it.” But he was smiling. “I don’t know, HR hasn’t announced yet. Probably some puny prize not even worthy of taking home. It’s for the camaraderie, knucklehead.”

“Camaraderie. Right. I think I know what that means.”

Draco rolled his eyes. It was warm in the kitchen, and nice. It was nice. They ate their soup in peace; Draco was busy with his crosswords, that he never completed and never gave up on, and Harry went back to his notepad, looking at what still needed to be done for Mrs. Nelson. Lunchbreak never used to be like this. Unrushed, like it was important all on its own. Draco made things feel like that. Important.

When the bowls were empty: back to the office, and the copies he forgot to take from Draco’s station were waiting on his desk. With a smile, and a sigh, and another sigh, Harry sat down and got to work.

He had to finish everything for Mrs. Nelson by tonight, with this new case threatening to take most of his time. Harry was no stranger to late nights, to coffee after coffee and reading until his eyesight blurred fuzzy. It was five thirty by the time he looked up again, and that was only because Draco was at his door.

“Hmm? You were saying something?”

Leaning against the doorjamb, long legs crossed, head tilted back. “Just enjoying the view,” with a wink. “Come on. Time to go.”

“Can’t,” Harry said, raising the contract he was currently reviewing. “Got to finish this first.”

“Mr. Potter,” Draco said, in that tone. Harry felt the lump he just swallowed, burning all the way down his chest. “Can’t leave me to brave the train station all by myself. I might get lost.”

“Please do,” Harry laughed, helpless. “You know I drive anyway. And you take the bus.”

Draco’s eyebrow arched, unimpressed. “You’ve stayed late every night this week.”

“It’s only Thursday.”

“Exactly. Now get off your arse, please, or you’re going to be in serious trouble.” When Harry didn’t look persuaded, he sighed, overly-dramatic and far too sweet. “Don’t make me beg, Sir. Not in the office. It’s unseemly.”

The ‘pah!’ of his laughter didn’t go a long way to hide the blush, coming rapidly and extensive. “Shut up! I have to… it’s the new case. Got to finish with Mrs. Nelson, or Gregson’s going to give her case to John.”

Draco winced. “God, not that tosser. Well… all right, pass over the consent forms.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll proof while you work on the contract. Come on, chop-chop. We’ll finish much quicker if we work together.”

“Draco…” Harry started, gently, felt this thing in his chest go tight and tender. “It’s half five. You should go home. Your cat will miss you.”

“Whisker’s a dog, as you well know, you wanker,” Draco smiled sweetly, falling into the chair across from him. “He’ll be fine, my neighbour’s watching him. Now, hand me the papers.” He sent a hand forward, waiting, imperiously, for Harry to obey, which of course he did. Didn’t have much of the resisting part of his brain wired right, when it came to Draco.

“Fine. But you’re leaving by six.”

“Half six, and so are you.” Draco smoothened the papers and stole a pen from Harry’s cup. “Aha, see! Already found a typo. Truly, you should fire your secretary.”

“Not in a million years,” Harry smiled, and allowed himself to sink back in the contract, his chest a little lighter.

[tip-top-cloud-surfer]

The Benjamin Effect - Rooster

Pairing: Rooster / Fem!OC (Kate Benjamin-Mitchell)

Length: 3.2k

Warnings: (Childhood) Enemies to Lovers; Mentions of Goose and Carole; Angst; Feelings of Abandonment; Tension; Strained Relationships; Daddy Issues; Questionable Decisions; Age-Gap (about eight years), but Everyone is Very Much Adult; Female OC with Physical Description

This work, all of my other works, and my entire blog are 18+ Only.

Summary: With Maverick and Penny's wedding drawing closer, Rooster is called upon to convince Maverick and Penny's first daughter, Kate, to come around to the idea. Of course, Rooster and Kate have their own history to work through and Kate is definitely not going to make it easy for him.

Note: Amelia is Maverick's biological daughter in this too. Kate is about eight years younger than Rooster, but is very much an adult. She's in her late 20s and Rooster is in his mid/late 30s.

Part 2

Master List

Rooster should have known that Maverick had an ulterior motive for taking him out to dinner.

If Maverick wanted to just hang out and catch up without any additional bullshit, he would have simply set up the grill and they would have shared a few beers outside on the back porch. But buying him dinner at a restaurant was a move that Maverick played when Bradley was young and easily swayed by the promise of French fries and ice cream sundaes. And, apparently, now too.

“You want me to do what?” Rooster asked his godfather, staring over at Maverick incredulously.

“I need your help in getting Kate to talk to me again,” Maverick explained casually.

“Kate? Your daughter Kate?”

Kate, who went by Katie as a kid, was Maverick and Penny’s daughter from one of their previous will-they-won’t-they situations. She was a surprise addition to the family and a near-death sentence for Maverick when Admiral Benjamin, Penny’s dad, found out about her. But by the time that Kate was born, Penny and Maverick were both completely dedicated to co-parenting.

So, why did Maverick need his help with getting Kate to talk to him again? And why did Maverick think that Bradley of all people would be a good candidate for that job?

Bradley and Kate were never close.

There was several years difference between them—probably eight or so, if Bradley did the math right. And Bradley thought that she was a whiny brat whenever their paths crossed as kids. She was always upset whenever Maverick and Bradley did something together without her and she complained until she got her way, which Maverick always gave her in the end.

The last time that Bradley saw Kate, it was at his mom’s funeral. And he hadn’t heard from her since the paper pulling incident. That was eighteen, nearly nineteen, years ago now. For fuck’s sake, he just found out that she went by Kate now instead of Katie.

“Yeah, you remember her, right?” Maverick asked, folding his arms underneath him.

“I mean, yeah, but why do you need my help?” Rooster inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“She doesn’t . . .” Maverick started to explain but then he trailed off. Maverick sighed, rubbing his face tiredly, before turning back to Rooster. “I wasn’t the best dad for her. I wasn’t around and I didn’t make the right efforts when I needed to because I got caught up in my own demons and fears. And she—and I understand why—hasn’t forgiven me for any of it.”

“I’m still missing the part where I fit into this whole scheme,” Rooster replied honestly.

“I’m hoping that since the two of us started to reconcile and address what happened in the past with our relationship, that you could help me do the same with Kate. To at least help me show her that I’ve changed and I’m taking my personal relationships seriously.”

“So, you want me to help you steal an F-14 to patch things up with your daughter?” Rooster asked sarcastically, earning a sigh from Maverick.

“No, I just . . . maybe just talk with her about what we worked through. I’m prepared to do all of the talking and amending on my own, but I need help convincing her to talk to me in the first place,” Maverick explained softly to Rooster. “She just shuts down every time that I try to make amends or bring up the past.” 

“So, that’s why you took me out here?” Rooster asked, glancing down at his plate. “To try and bribe me to help your daughter talk to you again?”

“You love the French fries here,” Maverick pointed out, earning an incredulous look from Rooster.

“I did when I was nine,” Rooster corrected Maverick.

“Bradley,” Maverick stated, trying to get the conversation back on track, “will you help me? Or at least just try? If she doesn’t come around to you, then she doesn’t come around to you, and that’s fine. I just . . . I want to try to make things right with her. Before Penny and I get married.”

Rooster could hear the sincerity dripping from every word that Maverick spoke. And he recognized the borderline desperation in Maverick’s eyes. And as Maverick’s best man, this seemed to fit into his promise to help Maverick with wedding preparations.

And maybe Rooster did really like the fries here and the special sauce that they always came with.

“I feel like I’m going to regret this,” Rooster groaned, lowering his head for a moment. “But, sure. I’ll try and help you. I’ll be your wingman with this.”

“Thank you, Bradley,” Maverick stated sincerely, smiling softly. “It means the world to me, really. And Penny too.”

“Can it count as your wedding present then?”

~~~~~

Kate Benjamin wasn’t exactly the warmest or friendliest person by her own admission.

She took after her grandfather, retired Admiral John “Pike” Benjamin, more than her mom in that regard. Penny could talk and comfort any person off the street. And Penny gave people the benefit of the doubt, believing that people changed and second chances were only fair.

Kate did not share her mother’s forgiving disposition.

People could change. People did change. But that didn’t mean that Kate was willing to forgive, forget, and sing kumbaya with them afterwards. Second chances were earned, not given. And Pete Mitchell was on his seventh or so chance in Kate Benjamin’s book.

“I just don’t understand why he’s so suddenly interested in settling down,” Kate complained over the phone to Amelia as she sat in rush hour traffic.

“He’s retired now,” Amelia pointed out, sitting up in her bedroom.

“So, he’s bored? That’s why he wants to marry Mom?” Kate huffed, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. “Bullshit, is what I say.”

“He seems really sincere this time,” Amelia replied calmly, shrugging her shoulders.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Amelia didn’t respond for a moment and Kate could hear a background conversation between Amelia and their mom. Kate waited patiently, staring at the same blue Honda that she’d been stuck behind for what felt like hours when Amelia returned to the call.

“Mom wants to know how far you are from home.”

“Around forty-five minutes. Give or take. Are Grammie and Pop there?”

“Yeah, they flew in this morning. And Maverick and Rooster are joining us for dinner.”

“Rooster?” Kate repeated, clearly confused. “Who the hell is Rooster?”

“Bradley,” Amelia translated for her sister.  

“So, they’re talking again?” Kate muttered gruffly.

Kate remembered Bradley. She remembered how he called her a brat. And she remembered telling him that his name was stupid in retaliation. And Kate stood by that sentiment. ‘Bradley Bradshaw’ was one of the most ridiculous names that she had ever heard in her life. It wasn’t quite Philip Philips, but it was damn close.

“How in the hell did he get . . . never mind, because I don’t care,” Kate cut herself off.

“Mom also told me to tell you to be on your best behavior.”

“I’m always on my best behavior, Ames,” Kate insisted innocently, though her smirk betrayed her words. “Tell Mom that everything’s going to be fine.”

“I will. See you soon, Kate.”

“Bye, Ames.”

Amelia hung up the phone and Kate switched back to the radio while she inched through traffic.

So much for a quiet family dinner with her mom, sister, and grandparents after a long week of work. But she knew that she was going to have to get used to Maverick —if he wanted the title ‘Dad,’ he was going to have to earn it—and Rooster too.

~~~~~

Rooster sat in Penny’s backyard with Amelia, Grammie Joan, and Pike, which is what everyone except for his immediate family called him, while Maverick and Penny went to pick up dinner.

“You’re a Lieutenant Commander?” Pike asked Rooster, leaning back in his chair.

“Yes, sir. Got promoted after that mission with Mav.”

“A well-earned one then,” Pike mused grimly, glancing over at the Kawasaki. “Maverick told me what he could about the mission. You’re either really smart, or have a lot of dumb luck, kid.”

“Or both.”

“Or both,” Pike echoed, nodding along. “And you just transferred back to North Island then?”

“Yeah, I was stationed out at Oceana most recently, but after the mission, I thought that it was finally time to return to the West Coast, so I put in the request and it was approved. And now I’m working as an instructor out here.”

“How many years are left on your contract?”

“Two and a half,” Rooster replied, doing the math in his head.

“And do you think that you’ll stay on after that’s up?”

“Don’t know,” Rooster answered honestly. “I’ll have to see what life looks like then.”

“Smart. Focus on what’s right in front of you,” Pike agreed, nodding curtly.

“Kate’s home!” Amelia exclaimed when she spotted Kate’s car pull into the driveway.

Without another word, Amelia stood up from the table and hurried around the gate. Grammie Joan smiled when she heard the two sisters reunite from the other side of the fence and shuffled down to Rooster and Pike’s side of the table.

“Have you met our Kate?” Grammie Joan asked Rooster, sitting beside her husband.

“Back when we were both kids, but not for a long time,” Rooster answered honestly.

“She’s grown into quite the firecracker,” Pike chuckled, waiting patiently for his two granddaughters to return. “Her mother says that she takes after me. Maverick seemed to agree with Penny, though he didn’t say it to my face.”

“I think that he still gets flashbacks about the ass chewings you gave him in the eighties and nineties,” Rooster joked, taking a sip of his beer.

“Which time?” Pike asked, seemingly amused.

“Oh, be nice, John. You know that if Kate sees you giving Maverick a hard time, she’s going to give him an even worse time,” Grammie Joan replied knowingly, shooting her husband a look. “And I’m not sure that Maverick can survive the two of you at the same time.”

“Well, if he’s going to finally marry into this family, he’s going to have to learn,” Pike pointed out gruffly.

“Don’t hold onto the past, John. That flyover business was so long ago,” Joan dismissed with a wave of her hand. “It was before the girls were born. Let it go.”

“Rooster?” Pike asked, out to prove a point.

“Yes, sir?”

“Have you ever done a high-speed pass over an air traffic control tower?”

“Never as the pilot, no.”

“What about a high-speed pass over an admiral’s daughter? You’ve ever done that, Rooster?”

“No, sir.”

“See?” Pike told his wife, who shook her head at him again. “Not normal conduct.”

“Oh, get over it, John.”

The back door opened, cutting off Pike and Joan’s back and forth. Amelia trotted down the stairs first with Kate Benjamin—or Katie Mitchell, which is what she went by the last time that Bradley was around her—close behind.

But the woman that stepped out of the house was not anything like Rooster expected.

Kate seemed to be a perfect mix of her parents. Her hair was dark, like Maverick’s, but wavy, like Penny’s. Her smile was far too mischievous to come from Penny, but Kate walked with Penny’s seemingly flawless grace. And when they locked eyes, Rooster realized that Kate seemed to have inherited her mom’s captivating gaze.

He subconsciously straightened his back a bit as Kate walked past him.

Kate greeted her grandmother first with a hug and a kiss on the cheek before greeting her grandfather in the same fashion. And when she straightened up, the breeze blew the scent of her shampoo—which was something sweet and flowery—in his direction and let the subtle natural highlights in her hair to catch the sunlight.

A sharp pinch in Rooster’s side caused him to whirl around to spot an annoyed Amelia.

“Stop staring at my sister like that,” Amelia stated quietly, looking disgusted. “We eat out here.” 

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Yes, you were.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“You’re a horrible liar,” Amelia replied, ending the argument.

“How was the drive?” Pike asked Kate, who missed all of Rooster and Amelia’s conversation.

“Not too bad. Traffic, but what else did I expect?” Kate joked, moving to take the seat across from Amelia. “How was your flight in?”

“Not too bad.”

“Maverick was a gentleman and picked us up from the airport,” Joan replied with a kind smile.

Joan was clearly trying to put in a good word for Maverick with Kate, probably under the direction of Penny. Rooster, however, didn’t miss the grimace on Kate’s face at the mention of Maverick. Joan simply smiled wider and gestured over to Rooster.

“And you remember Bradley, right, Kate?”

“Yes,” Kate replied, reluctantly turning to Bradley. “Though I hear that you go by Rooster now.”

“I do,” Rooster agreed, nodding along. “And I hear that you go by Kate now.”

“I do,” Kate returned, looking bored with him.

“You heading home to your apartment tonight?” Pike questioned his granddaughter, ending Kate and Rooster’s staring contest.

“No, I’ll stay the night. We’re supposed to do some errands tomorrow morning for the wedding.”

“Have you met any nice men recently, Kate?” Grammie Joan asked her eldest granddaughter.

Kate immediately grimaced at her grandmother’s question. Amelia snuck a giggle until Kate kicked her shin under the table.

“No, Grammie.”

“Don’t pressure her, Joan,” Pike grunted, leaning back in his chair. “Better that she’s single and working hard at a good paying job than wasting her time with some no-good dumbass freeloader.”

“Yes, but this wedding planning has me thinking about the girls’ weddings,” Joan replied wistfully.

“Here we go,” Amelia murmured under her breath.

“One wedding at a time, Grammie,” Kate reminded Joan gently. “How is the wedding planning going around here anyways?"

"It's not,” Amelia answered, sharing an amused look with Rooster. “Mom’s mostly busy with the bar and Maverick doesn’t want to make any decisions without her approval. And he’s still trying to move all of his stuff over here.”

“He’s living here now?” Kate asked, immediately on the defensive. “At the house?”

“No, he’s rooming with Rooster for now.”

“Oh.” Kate’s gaze flickered over to Rooster, causing him to subconsciously straighten up again. She seemed to study him for a moment before asking, “How’s that going then?”

“It’s going well,” Rooster replied, trying to keep Maverick in a good light.

“So, he’s living in Miramar full time then?” Kate asked, still analytical.

“Mostly. He has the hangar out in Nevada, but he’s here more.”

“Lovely,” Kate replied dryly.

“Speaking of Maverick, I believe that’s them,” Pike stated, glancing down the driveway.

Kate got up and headed inside and Amelia followed after her sister. Penny and Maverick stepped inside and Kate hurried into her mom’s waiting arms. Penny squeezed Kate to her chest while Maverick stood behind them, smiling at their interaction.

“Oh, I’m so happy that you’re back home,” Penny breathed out.

“I’m not that far away, Mom,” Kate reminded Penny softly. “But it’s nice to be home.”

“How was the drive?” Penny asked Kate, letting go of her eldest daughter.

“Not too bad.”

“Good.” Penny turned to Maverick, who was clearly waiting for some kind of acknowledgement from his daughter. “Aren’t you going to greet your dad, Kate?”

“Maverick,” Kate greeted him stiffly, unwilling to call him ‘Dad.’

“It’s good to see you, Kate,” Maverick returned quietly, clearly subdued.

“Likewise.”

“Help him with the food, please, Kate,” Penny told her eldest daughter.

Kate took one of the bags from Maverick and quickly moved to put distance between them. Penny and Maverick shared a look before following Kate out into the backyard again. Amelia carried out some plates and utensils while Kate pulled out the takeout boxes.

“Amelia, can you grab the wooden spoons for the salad?” Penny questioned, glancing over the table.

“I’ll do it,” Rooster offered immediately, standing up. “You need anything else?”

“No, I think we’re all set. Thank you, Rooster,” Penny replied with a smile.

Rooster nodded, glanced over at Kate, before he headed inside. Maverick was in the kitchen, putting away some extra plates and pulling a few drinks out of the fridge.

“How did it go with Kate?” Rooster asked, opening drawers to look for wooden spoons. Maverick sighed, causing Rooster to pick his head up. “That bad, huh?”

“Could have been better,” Maverick sighed, grabbing some beers from the fridge. “But I suppose that it could have been much worse too.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Rooster glanced out the window, watching as Kate talked with her sister and her mom. Catching himself staring at her again, Rooster turned back to Maverick, who seemed to be unaware of Rooster’s sudden staring problem.

And that was good. For Rooster’s personal safety.

“Did she at least acknowledge your existence?”

“Only when prompted.” Maverick shook his head at himself. “I guess I’ll have to just keep trying to make things right with her.”

“I don’t think that she’ll make it easy for you.”

“No, she won’t. But I’m not going to let that stop me.” Maverick turned around and squeezed Rooster’s shoulder, smiling up at him. “Thanks again for trying to help me out. With making amends with her. I really do appreciate it.”

“Yeah, of course, Mav,” Rooster replied quietly.

They walked outside together to join the Benjamin family for dinner. Rooster ended up seated next to Kate somehow but they didn’t really acknowledge each other. It wasn’t until the wedding got brought up by Joan that they even looked at each other.

Well, that Kate looked over at Rooster. He still seemed to have a bit of a staring problem.

“So, you’re Maverick’s best man then, Rooster?” Joan asked kindly, causing Rooster to nod.

“Yeah, I am.”

“And Kate and Amelia are both the maid of honor?”

“Yeah, we’re sharing the position,” Kate agreed, sharing a glance with her sister.

“Yeah, but I don’t know how much I’m going to be able to do to help because of school and everything,” Amelia replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“I can handle most of it,” Kate insisted, looking down at her plate. “The only big thing that I should need your physical presence for is the maid of honor dresses.”

“Either way, it seems that the five of you will be spending a lot of time together over the next few months,” Joan stated with a kind smile.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Rooster spoke up, earning a sharp, curious look from Kate. “And to getting to know you guys more.”

Kate tilted her chin up a bit, challenging as she met Rooster’s gaze again. Amelia glanced between the two of them and stuck her tongue out. Penny and Maverick also shared a look, but Maverick signaled to Penny that it would be fine.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Kate replied dryly.

Part 2

[soll-amca]

Do you have any Alessi headcanons for someone desperate ?🫣 Too shy to come off anon to ask ..

uHHHHHHHH MAYHAps :) Thank you for the ask! I’ve been dying to write for awhile :) !

I legit don’t know what I have and haven’t posted yet since I haven’t been on tumblr for a hot minute but uhhh uhhhhhhhh. There’s lore-dumps near the top, but it gets better near the end I promise

Obligatory song for my headcanon posts. There’s no specific reason for this song, it’s just a banger, and I’m also trying to be very normal about Walid Toufic and not put his music for every single Alessi post

Alessi’s of Lebanese-Armenian descent, but extremely estranged from his Armenian roots due to internal family issues — mostly his father facing scorn from his intolerant side of the family for marrying an Armenian woman. Despite this, Alessi was very close with his mother and, even as a grown man, regrets not learning more from her. Of course, he’s never going to admit this, no matter how obvious it may be that he tries to pick up parts of the Armenian language and culture 

Alessi was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1951, but was eventually forced out due to a civil war in 1975. Though, what gave him the final push to leave was a falling out with his siblings. With both their parents gone, his sister going off to a loveless marriage, and his brother wanting to join the war effort, Alessi loses control of Sethan during a confrontation and turns them into children. This ends up as a strange, happy accident as he would try keeping up the charade for a few days, exploiting their memory being reverted to fake a “happy family” in an effort to keep the last remnants of his old life from slipping away 

Things end horribly for Alessi as his siblings eventually find out and oust him from the home they all grew up in. With nothing left for him, he leaves and dedicates himself to mercenary work throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa to keep himself afloat

With fourteen years under his belt by SDC, Alessi’s considered one of the best in the region. And since he’s well-traveled, he’s proficient in a majority of the Arabic dialects, so nine times out of ten, nothing got past him in Dio’s mansion regardless of where the other assassins were from

The joke is that most Arabs don’t understand North Africans, but everyone can understand Egyptians, so whenever Alessi wants to phase out of a conversation, he’ll slowly change to to a dialect that’s “further out” and difficult to understand despite Levantine being his first

Since French is a secondary language in Lebanon, much more prevalent during Alessi’s time in schooling, and especially North Africa for mercenary work. He knows enough to get around like the basics, but can’t read or write for shit. His little brother was easily more fluent than him, so he has a weird sort of resentment yet fondness for the language. Whatever French he knew definitely came back when he was chasing around Polnareff in the Sethan arc

Very, very curly hair, but he doesn’t take care of it. Back as a kid, when he had his mom, she would help him and he was basically a puff-ball, but as an adult, he doesn’t have the slightest clue on how to style it while also maintaining his hair. If you catch him when he just wakes up, or immediately after a shower, it’s seemingly perfect but then he’ll proceed to douse himself in a can of hairspray 

The gun he uses in SDC isn’t his, it’s his late brother’s. But going into that right now on why and how he even got it should be it’s entirely own post so —

Any endearment at all related to babe/baby will have him throwing up in his mouth. It’s one thing to mention a child, it’s another to somehow relate it back to HIM. Honestly, Alessi doesn’t read as a “habibi” person to me, he’s too bitter to be a “habibi” person. Albi and eini come much more easily to him as petnames to call someone

He’s a sucker for trashy American television. He used to think he was above it, but now if you leave him alone for long enough, he’ll put on TLC and binge whatever’s on. Although back home, he had a thing for spaghetti westerns even if they were horribly dubbed in Arabic

Adding to the Western trend, he was super into Lucky Luke comics as a kid. Since they were really popular in the Middle East, and the translated ones were produced in Egypt. It’s definitely not a stretch that during the 80s and SDC, his grown, mercenary ass sat down to watch cartoons of his favorite cowboy. Would Alessi hog the mansion’s TV to watch Lucky Luke? Perchance. Would he stay cooped up in his Luxor hotel room to watch it? Also perchance

Tintin was popular, too, but I think I need an outside opinion on that. If a Tintin person could come back to me about this please help

Hol Horse fascinates him. Not in an admiration sort of way, but a “holyshit a real cowboy” sort of way. To Alessi, it’s like Hol crawled out of his family television and old comic books

I don’t know who it was, but I want to say back in like,, 2016ish one of the original Dio’s Fuckhouse blogs had a headcanon that Hol was actually from New England or something, but basically nowhere near “the Wild West” or even the South. So the image of Alessi being interested and asking him stuff while Hol Horse is just,, sweating bullets because he’s not a “real cowboy” is hilarious to me

Because of what happened with his sister, Alessi’s very standoffish when it comes to love. He’ll take any chance he can get to mock touchy couples and heckle anyone that he thinks is getting “too intimate” in public, but I think we all know he’s compensating for something

But the moment someone touches him or is very direct about making a move, he flusters and doesn’t know what to do with himself. Cheesy pick-up lines will only embarrass him and he can’t tell whether or not you’re making fun of him

Having gone through wide extremities of emotions when he was younger, and then having to suppress them all as a mercenary, Alessi wouldn’t understand sensitivities. Especially since he’d have to adopt a pragmaticism in his line of work to keep himself alive — and arguably sane. He’d get confused over someone being upset over an inconvenience that isn’t “up to par” to what he went through, but at the same time fly off the handle at small things happening to him since he bottles up all his emotions

If someone cries around him, he falls into the routine of having this initial frustration, stuffing it down to not make things worse, and eventually follow through with a weird shoulder pat — sorta like “there, there”. After that, he’s clueless

[sophieswundergarten]

(Also very much not to do with me digging through everyone's past fics for the last week /s)

I think the Benedict humans should have more unconventional/interesting communication methods!! Specifically, I was thinking of ASL, because I really love learning it, but then it occurred to me that it would be fun if each duo/trio/group in the family had their own preferred way to talk.

I imagine that all of the kids use morse code (They teach Martina and SQ), while the adults favour sign. Within that, of course Miss Perumal and Reynie speak Tamil, and I feel like Mr. Benedict and Sticky would use Greek or Latin with each other.

Milligan and Kate have some complex system that consists mostly of their farm-code terms and meaningful glances (Moocho can participate in most of it, but his meaningful glances aren't compatible with both of them at the same time, so it takes longer).

I think Sticky and Reynie would be the type of silly people to sit down and teach themselves, like, Quenya (A Tolkien elvish conlang) or something just for kicks. Kate tried to learn with them, but she wasn't having near as much fun so it's something just the two of them do. Mr. Benedict knows Sindarin (Other Tolkien elf conlang), but it doesn't help him much.

Constance and Mr. Benedict have perfected a form of communication that is exclusively reciting snippets of poetry to each other. It's actually kind of impressive. They make it a game, and when one of them uses a poet the other doesn't know, they break off to ask about it. This was initially supposed to be part of Constance's schooling and broaden her artistic horizons, but she's stubborn and kept coming back to it so as not to admit defeat (And it fully delights Mr. Benedict anyway, so he lets it continue until it's just another thing they do)

I'm going to (sort of) pull this from the books and say that the twins speak to each other in Dutch. Rhonda, Number Two, Milligan, and Sticky all know a little or have picked it up over the years just from being around Nicholas, but when he and Nathaniel are in a room together they go too fast for anyone else to follow properly.

For some reason, I feel like Rhonda and Number Two (Besides the obvious Sister Speak that they're beginning to let Constance into) would enjoy speaking German or French? I'm not super sure where that idea came from, but there you go. (Their sister ability to communicate is a lot of sideways glances and exaggerated facial expressions, but it is occasionally supplemented with hand signals)

SQ leaves little written notes everywhere. Sometimes he puts them in spots that he knows only one person will get into (The cabinet with Number Two's mixing bowls, Mr. B's pen drawer, Sticky's encyclopedia shelf), but he also likes to sneak them into jacket pockets and things. His favourite is to try and slip them into Kate's bucket. He likes to use a special color code for each person when he can, so that way if someone gets into the mixing bowls and sees a little yellow slip of paper, they'll know who it is intended for.

Reynie's been asking Milligan to teach him some "spy codes", so they will often communicate short messages with an Alpha-Bravo-Charlie and number strategy, mostly assigning each member of the family a short "callsign" of sorts and then using it to check where someone is with each other.

Constance and Sticky, surprisingly, have worked out a fairly good system with their cheating morse code. They got a lot better at it, and now can do it so subtly and quickly that it's hard for anyone else to catch.

Martina and Kate make up absurdly long nicknames and terms for activities/locations and turn them into acronyms. They are fantastically over-complicated and no one has even tried to puzzle out what they're talking about.

[ladyseidr]

some light-hearted and/or silly headcanons for the fn.af muses!! ( crossed out because some kept getting sad or dark sorry LMAO )

is a big fan of snow. his family used to travel to the mountains regularly ( i swear this headcanon isn't getting any sadder than that. ) obv it's a lot less likely to snow in hurricane, but y'know. if it ever did? oh boy. it's definitely a very bad idea to let him out into it ( melting water getting into his circuitry and all that ), but he will ask. more than once. insistently. catch him standing in front of the windows just staring outside

absolutely does have a british accent despite it making so little sense ( born in utah to a very english father, a french american mother with an indecipherable accent, and surrounded by americans. it's funny to me. ) he tried to lose the accent post-william going missing. it lasted a singular attempt in public. he just can't fake accents. he will reply to any questions about where in england he's from with a deadpan "utah" however, and yes he does find that kinda funny

genuinely actually like so good with kids. not just the big performing and playing, but she's very good with the emotional side of things. she's hung out with kids who were left alone or had been bullied more than once. she generally gets very attached to individuals who spend time with her and remembers things like names and birthdays completely organically ( as in, susie remembers them herself ) on the flip side, she doesn't take it well when an older child stops coming to the pizzeria or a family moves away. in many ways, she sees herself like those children she tries to help—rejected and alone, save for the band

completely oblivious to the animatronics becoming haunted until it's near impossible to ignore. definitely thinks their coding is just fucked up at first. he only really decides even that when he's working late one night, looks up, and sees bonnie just standing in the half-open door. staring. he doesn't recognize the actual hauntings for years. at first because he simply doesn't believe in ghosts, and, later, because he's in denial. either way, the animatronics speaking to him in strangely human ways will always send shivers up his spine

aunt who lets her niece and nephews get away with literally anything. william is like "please don't let them have too many sweets while i'm gone" and she's like "yeah no of course" and then the door shuts and she turns to them and is like "so let's go out for ice cream" in all seriousness, jayne dotes because she knows shit's been hard ( the divorce, and then later the loss of CC and elizabeth ). she can and will try to dote on mike even when he's a teen/adult because she really does sympathize. ( mini bonus william hc: he absolutely knows this goes on, but jayne just generally gets a free pass from him on most things LMAO )

he really does just have the time of his life when he first becomes sentient. like, he's not really fully aware during The Horrors, and he genuinely loves performing. unironically views william as his perfect, amazing creator until he does realize. spring is never dangerous in the way the others are—he's not haunted, not really. still, he wanders at night, even when he's long, loooong out of use. he talks with far too much self-awareness to night guards and other staff. he begins to glitch out generally, but he's usually only dangerous toward one person: william.

[ivycopur]

ty for the tag @simmer-until-tender!!

1. what’s your favorite sims death?

death by fright is fun with how it can escalate, ghosts killing people to create more ghosts killing more people... i enjoy the chaos of a very haunted house 😈

2. Alpha CC or Maxis Match?

i lean more maxis match these days but i don't have a strict aesthetic

3. Do you cheat when your sims gain weight?

i assume this is more about ts4, i hardly ever see sims gain weight in ts2. but in either case nah

4. Do you use move objects?

of course, i'm not much of a builder tho

5. Favorite mod?

hmmmm there's soooo many i consider essential but if i had to play with just one mod i guess it would be the sim blender

6. First expansion/game/stuff pack you got?

ts2 university! and it's still a fave, i love playing dorms

7.  Do you pronounce “live mode” like aLIVE or LIVing?

i always assumed it was like aLIVE until the behind the sims summit which was the first time i actually heard someone from EA say it out loud lmao. ive tried to adjust to say LIVing but it still sounds wrong

8. Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made?

im gonna go with Clementine Bosden, the C heir of an alphabet legacy i attempted in 2011 (which got nowhere near Z, lol). she's a family sim with 1 nice point which is a hilarious combination to me. pictured here raging in the park for some reason & cheating at chess with her wife (an aged-up Chloe Gonzaga). ahhhh digging up these screenshots makes me wanna pick that hood back up again....

9.  Have you made a simself?

the last one i made was in 2016 when i had an undercut... not terribly accurate ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

10. What sims traits do you give yourself?

using TS3 traits... Vegetarian, Computer Whiz, Brooding, Loves the Outdoors, Animal Lover

11. Which is your favorite EA hair color?

again i assume this is more about ts4. but i am a fan of the various ts2 rainbow mohawks

12. Favorite EA hair?

it's basic but i've used the french braid hair a lot

13. Favorite life stage?

the younger stages are cute but it's gotta be adults, that's where the most gameplay is at

14. Are you a builder or are you in it for the game play?

building is a STRUGGLE for me, im here for the gameplay. although lately i've spent more time reading about how the game works & poking around in simpe than actually playing haha

15. Are you a CC creator?

nah, i've messed around a little with texture edits but im more interested in making mods than CC

16. Do you have any simblr friends/a sims squad?

me n my gf play sims together a lot but besides that not really

17. What’s your favorite game (1,2,3,4)?

ts2!!!

18. Do you have any sims merch?

i have some sims themed stickers from redbubble...

19. Do you have a youtube for sims?

well i have a sub-account on my youtube just for all the sims youtubers i subscribe to so i can keep up with them without it all being mixed in with all my other subscriptions on my main account. but no i don't make sims videos myself. i do like to imagine the sims video essays i would make if i had a infinite time to spend on that sort of thing but i doubt i ever will 😅

20. How has your “sims style” changed throughout your years of playing?

my MO is usually to start with one sim, have a bunch of kids & then a bunch of grandkids, get overwhelmed by the number of sims i'm managing & then abandon the family. but now i'm setting up an uberhood to play with LD's story progression and im very excited to see how it goes when i can just focus on one household and let everyone live their lives without me :)

21. What’s your origin ID?

it's simbly but there's nothing on there

22. Who’s your favorite cc creator?

tbh i've been avoiding going down the cc rabbithole for now... i have a ton of stuff bookmarked to check out later but idk what i'll end up using.... i'm picky about keeping my files organized and wrangling my huge mods folder has been enough of a headache, the amount of cc out there is even more overwhelming >.<

23. How long have you had a simblr?

only since fall 2022, ive been on tumblr since 2013 but this account is pretty new, i'm just getting back into the sims after not playing for a long time!

24. How do you edit your pictures?

photoshop babey

25. What expansion/game/stuff pack do you want next?

OpenTS2😭😭🙏🙏

[everygame]

A Christmas Adventure (Apple II) Developed/Published by: Chartscan Data, Inc. Released: 12/1983 Completed: 11/12/2023 Completion: Couldn’t get Rudolph to drink his bloody milk.

Well, it’s been two years since I thought I’d “have a look at the earliest Christmas games” and I managed to play… one of them. And then last year I was sick for most of December so I didn’t really play anything other than tapping miserably at Marvel Snap. But I’m back, baby!

First up, I owe almost all understanding of this game to Joe Pranevich over at The Adventurer’s Guild who has written an insanely detailed post on it which I highly recommend reading, but I’ll summarise some of the findings here.

A Christmas Adventure is generally considered online to be the second Christmas-themed video game ever released commercially, following the somewhat bizarre Santa’s Sleigh Ride, but I’ve since discovered that there’s several ZX Spectrum games with a 1983 date (including one, potentially lost media, called A Christmas Adventure as well???) so there’s probably more out there for like… the Dragon 32 and shit. But let’s talk about this one anyway. What makes it more interesting than just potentially being the second Christmas-themed video game ever is that it isn’t just, as you might expect, a Christmas cash-in, but an attempt by a French Canadian fellow named Frank Winstan to make video games that acted as greeting cards. Mind how for a while personalised children’s books were all the rage, and you got this crappy book where a jpeg of your child’s face was awkwardly stuck on the main character? Like that basically, with the idea that they’d start with this Christmas “card” and then do… well probably Easter, and then branch out to like… “Happy 43rd Birthday: the adventure” or “Sorry Your Grandma is Dead: the adventure” I guess!

Unfortunately (or not) due to time pressures they never quite managed to get the company off the ground, with this selling poorly its first Christmas, although Winstan would continue to work on it through 1986(!) updating and improving it. As far as I know, I’m playing a version from the same era ion Pranevich did, which seems to be a later version than the one you can watch on Youtube.

Anyway. A Christmas Adventure is an early graphical text adventure; originally released in 1983, it would be contemporary with the very end of Sierra’s Hi-Res Adventure line before they’d go on to make the more sophisticated King’s Quest, and surprisingly, very few other examples, making this… sorta cutting edge?

What does feel cutting edge actually is the opening cinematic, which you have to flip the disk to see, which includes an animation where you fly to Santa’s Ice Palace. Sierra’s Hi-Res Adventures have insanely terrible art (well, apart from Dark Crystal I’d say, which has a near stained-glass window approach) so getting something that generally looks like it’s had a bit of effort put in is rather nice.

Telling that classic story, “Santa’s been kidnapped and only YOU can save him” after the intro you’re dropped in his house and have to wander about picking things up and using them to save him. I very quickly hit the issue that has stopped me bothering to play any of Sierra’s early output: the parser is terrible. Doing literally anything is a nightmare, and I will fully admit I had to use Pranevich’s article to walk me through the game, and he had to hex edit it just to understand how to solve it!

It’s confusing, because this is a commercial concept based on greetings cards. Now, I imagine nowadays you can probably get “escape room” greeting cards where you have to like, solve a fucking cypher or whatever to see something that says “We’re getting divorced” (and if there isn’t, I should get on that) but in general, if you’re giving someone a gift like that you want them to… enjoy it? I really assumed that this would be very simple. You know, for kids. I mean you’re saving SANTA. Not Santana (ft. Rob Thomas) which would of course be for cool adults only.

I suppose I’ve said it before, but maybe people in 1983 were made of sterner stuff; less likely to give up. I guess some puzzles in this are easy, like dressing up like Santa to fool his safe, or the disk that tells you the password right on it (Santa’s Jewish???) But then like… there’s a time machine. And there’s just so much wrestling with the parser to get anything done. Typing “HELP” gives you a list of words that the parser understands which is, 100%, a lie, because almost all the words don’t work.

Ultimately, it’s the reason I couldn’t finish this. In his article, Pranevich was able to feed Rudolph, but despite having stuck the “was’bask+mlk” in the fireplace I could not feed him. I went through every possible thing I could imagine, really tried to get Martin Luther King out of that was’bask, but I’m starting to believe the archive.org version of this is just bugged. It is what it is, and I watched the ending on youtube (and for good measure used the HELP to see the message as well.)

Feels a bit harsh to say this isn’t good despite the fact it it is, er… not good, just because it’s an interesting attempt at something that just seems to have come at the wrong time and with some rather wrong-headed ideas about how challenging it has to be. Also: it didn’t make me feel christmassy at all!

Will I ever play it again? I have a save. If anyone can tell me what to type to get Rudolph to eat I’m making that bastard eat.

Final Thought: It’s worth noting that you can really feel the developers–at least Frank Winstan?--cared about this project because it’s full of little touches. I love that Santa has a poster of Bob and Doug McKenzie’s backdrop up (as Canadian a reference as you’re going to get) and there’s non-sequiturs like Pac-Man showing up for a hot minute.

Support Every Game I’ve Finished on ko-fi! You can pick up a digital copy of exp. 2600, a zine featuring all-exclusive writing at my shop, or join as a supporter at just $1 a month and get articles like this a week early.

[britishexpresss]

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[emilydaisymasters]

Recent Films / Shows that have inspired me

Whilst traveling or creating in the recent week, I have had a lot of films and shows just running in the background, and I want to highlight here just a few of the animated ones that I have gained some kind of inspiration from, or that have simply interested me and informed me in some way.

Luca

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I recently re watched the Disney film 'Luca' (2021) for the first time in a while, and came to realise all over again just how pretty and unique the animation style truly is, albeit it being a CGI film puts it a little far out of my current domain of work. I really appreciate how Luca as a film isn't afraid to stray from the usual 'Disney' model style, making the characters look a little kookier and more unique. I think I feel inspired by this film in particular as I have been searching for my own unique animation styles that are simple enough to consider utilising in my work, and Luca proves that even a simple style can be forged into something truly stunning

--------

Big Mouth Season 7 Ep. 04 - Day Tripping

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Big Mouth isn't a show I particularly enjoy, nor one I particularly like. I find the humour to be overly crude, the subject matter to be handled poorly, amongst many other reasons, but for some reason I find myself returning to watch each new season. I think it may be simply that it's a recent example of ongoing adult animation that has garnered a cult following, and I feel the need to keep up to date, to see how things are progressing. In the midst of my turmoil having come back to watch yet another new season however, I found one scene to be surprisingly beautifully animated. A particular scene in the episode where two of the characters take edibles and begin to hallucinate has stuck with me enough for me to even consider writing about the show. In the scene, the animation style shifts and changes with the development of their high, clearly a hand-drawn animated scene with no use of rigging character puppets. The colours used, variety of styles included and their seamless transitions between styles genuinely shocked me, and I find myself actually wanting to take some notes and inspiration from the scene, something I never thought I would say about a show as notoriously crude as 'Big Mouth'.

--------

The Simpsons - Season 25 Ep. 12 Couch Gag

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The Simpsons as a show is no stranger to welcoming guest animators to create its couch gags, but one that always comes to mind as my absolute favourite is the Sylvain Chomet sequence. The french animator was welcomed onto the show in 2014 and created one of the most beautiful pieces of animation ever included in The Simpsons to date. The gag is drawn in Chomet's signature style, and breaks up the simplicity of the Simpsons' designs with harsh sketchy lines and detailed shading. Though not a recent gag by any means, almost being at it's 10th anniversary, when casually re watching the series, I found myself falling in love with the gag all over again. It really helps to prove to myself just how detailed animation can become, with enough time and effort allowed. I am personally under time restrictions with this project of course, but the hope this fills me with is enough to prompt some more detailed character designs for my project in the near future.

[kittenfangirl20]

Lucifer had to talk to Adam, he couldn’t help but dream of Adam. He wanted to show Adam a life beyond the confines of his gilded cage. He wanted Adam to experience real love, a love that Lucifer knew that only he could give. He knew in the short amount of time he knew Adam he had fallen in love with him. But Alastor got between him and Adam.

Alastor: Young Miss Lilith thanks you for saving her fiancée, but she demands that you don’t get anywhere near him anymore. Adam has been reprimanded and punished for his misdeeds last night, unless you want him to experience further punishment you will turn around.

Lucifer: Adam is an adult man, stop acting like he is a child that must be punished.

Lucifer turned around, but this wasn’t the end of that. He waited until he saw a long black coat left draped over one of the chairs outside and he put it on over the clothes. He walked by Adam and went into the gym where they could be alone.

Adam: What are you doing here?

Lucifer: She hit you for what happened last night.

Adam: Yes, but she reminded of duty to my family.

Lucifer: But it’s killing you, I saw your eyes shine with happiness and life, I don’t want to see that go away.

Adam: How will you do that?

Lucifer: By giving you the kind of love that you deserve. Lilith can’t love you the way I love you. I have a feeling that the way you feel about me is the same way I feel about you.

The two men got closer to each other, Adam leaning down and Lucifer standing on the tips of his toes. But Adam stepped back a couple steps fear in his eyes.

Adam: I can’t.

Lucifer: I know you can and I know that you will. I will be waiting for you at the front of the ship, there is something I want to show you.

Adam left to have lunch. Sera and Emily talked about the upcoming wedding and Adam saw a family where the husband and wife couldn’t stand each other while the children looked miserable. He didn’t want that life, he wanted Lucifer.

Adam: I need to take a short nap.

Sera: Of course dear.

But instead Adam went to the front of the ship and as he said Lucifer was waiting for him.

Lucifer: Close your eyes.

Adam closed his eyes and held out his hand. Lucifer took Adam’s hand and had Adam stand on the lower railing of the ship. Lucifer placed his feet a little bit above Adam’s so he could be level with the taller man. He then took Adam’s arms, their arms now stretched out like they were wings. Lucifer’s hands holding Adam’s hands.

Lucifer: Open your eyes.

Adam’s eyes opened and joy filled them.

Adam: I’m flying.

The joy Adam had in his voice last night had returned.

Lucifer: 🎶Come Josephine in my flying machine. Going up she goes. Up she goes.🎶

Adam felt tears in his eyes hearing Lucifer softly sing to him. He knew that he could never go back to Lilith. Lucifer then wrapped his arms around Adam in a loving embrace. They then looked at each other and kissed for the first time. When they pulled away a thin line a saliva connected their lips.

Adam: I love you.

Lucifer: I love you too.

They stayed with each other and made it back to Adam’s suite. They sat on the couch kissing.

Adam: There is something I want to do.

Lucifer: Ok.

Adam walked off and returned with a box. Adam opened the box and inside was a very fancy necklace.

Lucifer: Wow, that is fancy.

Adam: Lilith gave it to me for an engagement present.

Lucifer: Doesn’t the man usually give that to his lady.

Lilith: It was her way to show she has power over me. But remember those drawings you made, those French girls.

Lucifer nodded, he drew some women in France completely naked. Adam leaned close to Lucifer so he could feel his warm breath on Lucifer’s cheek.

Adam: I want you to draw me like one of your French girls wearing this.

Lucifer: I can do that.

He thought it would be some drawing of Adam wearing a necklace. But when Adam grabbed Lucifer’s thigh, he fully understood what he meant.

Adam: Wearing only this.

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

(Titanic AU)

Everyone was clamoring to see the maiden journey of the Titanic. People watched in interest as a car drove up. Back in the year 1912 having a car meant you were rich. A brother and sister stepped out of the car, the tall handsome man wore a dark blue suit with a gold tie. His brown hair styled in the latest fashion and his eyes were honey brown. His younger sister Emily had his brown hair and freckles, but her eyes were a lovely pale blue color. Her hair was up and she wore a beautiful lavender dress. They were joined by Sera, a regal woman with silver hair and the same pale blue eyes as Emily she also silver dress. There was also Lilith, Adam’s fiancée, who had gold hair and violet eyes wearing a the same color as her eyes. Ever since Adam and Emily’s father died they fell on hard financial times and as the eldest child of the Kadmon family, Adam had to marry into the extremely wealthy Magne family. But Lilith Magne was extremely cruel, arrogant, and spoiled.

Emily: Isn’t the Titanic amazing? We will be the first on a maiden voyage.

Adam: It is a sight to behold.

Adam felt like the luxurious ship was more like a prison dragging him back to a life in America he didn’t want. They got onto the ship and made their way to the luxury suite that would comfortably house four people with room for more. Aside from his loving family, the only thing that offered Adam comfort was the beautiful paintings that Lilith bought for their engagement even if she thought no one would care about the likes of Picasso, Monet, or Van Gogh. To Adam they gave insight to how others viewed the world. Meanwhile at a pub another young man was celebrating his luck. He just one steerage tickets to the Titanic, after years of travel Lucifer Morgenstern was going home to America. The short blonde man with piercing blue eyes grabbed the ticket and the money he won and ran to get onto the ship before it left. He made it to his cabin which he would share with four other people. He didn’t care about the small cabin, all he cared about was the fact that he was on the greatest ship ever. That night Adam was getting ready for bed and Lilith arrived with her creepy bodyguard Alastor who was staying in second class.

Lilith: I have one more gift for you.

She stood behind Adam and put a necklace around his neck. It was beautiful, a string of smaller diamonds that held a large blue diamond with smaller diamonds surrounding it.

Adam: The Heart of the Ocean.

Lilith: Yes, it looks quite stunning on your neck. Give me what I want and I will give you the world.

But Adam felt as if this necklace was a collar showing the world that Lilith owned Adam and he never felt more embarrassed in his life. When Adam was alone he broke down crying wanting to die. He didn’t know that when he decided to try and throw himself off the back of the ship he would find his one true love.

He couldn't go through with marrying Lilith, it would only be a life of embarrassment, control, and her making sure he knew he saved him and his family from the poor house. Adam would leave everything he had to his mom and sister so that they could sell it to get by.

He just hoped that they would understand.

When night time fell, Adam snuck out of his room and to the deck of the boat, going to the back of it. The ocean air was salty and crisp, the wind licking his hair making it slightly messed up.

Adam gripped the railing looking out into the vast darkness that was the ocean, he couldn't see anything in front of his face. There was only a faint glow a couple lights behind him.

Lucifer had decided that he needed some air, even though he got on great with those he shared his room with he needed some fresh air. He took a deep breath and smiled, it was a beautiful night for a little stroll on the deck.

Deciding to go to the back, that's when he noticed the other man as well. Curious, Lucifer watched him for a moment only to realize that he was going to go overboard!

Lucifer: Woah! Hey!

Lucifer ran to him and pulled him back, they landed on the ground and he checked him over to make sure he was okay.

And he was the most beautiful man he's ever seen.

Adam: Wha-? Why would......

Lucifer: Are you okay? You could have really gotten hurt.

Adam: I'm okay...... Who are you?

Lucifer smiled and helped him up: The names Lucifer Morgenstern and who might you be?

Adam flushed: Adam, Adam Kadmon.

Luicfer kissed his hand: A beautiful name for a beautiful person. What are you doing out here?

Adam's eyes watered: I.... I'm supposed to marry this woman but I won't be happy. My family needs her money and I just...... I don't know what to do.

[elitefrenchtutoringdc-blog]

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[yeehawbvby]

Falling Away With You | Ch. 6 (EDITED JAN. 6 2025)

Sebastian x F!Reader and M. Rasmodius x F!Reader 

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Chapter Summary: You have an absolute blast at the Flower Dance (no you don’t lol) 

Author’s Note: She really hates this Fucking Dress™. As always, I hope you enjoy, and take care! x

Table of Contents + Work Summary

Check it out on ao3!

Prev | Next

I hate this fucking dress.

It’s big and puffy. It cinches in a weird spot on my waist. It’s blindingly white and has faded Egg Fest-esque colors lining it in weird spots. And god, it is so fucking scratchy. On top of that, my allergies are running rampant from all the scents going on around me… amplifying the pain I feel from wearing this fucking dress. 

Evelyn did a lovely job decorating Cindersap, but there is such a wide variety of flowers in a very small proximity. It’s a big ol’ itchy punch to my nostrils and eyeballs. On paper, the Flower Dance sounds precious. But now I understand why I heard so many whispers around town about how dreadful it is.

Anxiously twirling some of my heat-curled hair around between my fingers, I scope out the area near the entrance. I’m less out of place than I was in the last town event, but I still can’t help but feel super weird. It’s gotta be the dress. This stupid fucking dress…

Seb, Sam and Abby all cleaned up nicely, and even though everyone is dressed more or less the same, I still feel too embarrassed about how I look to go and say “hi” to them.

Plus, I made eye contact with Sam, and his reaction was super off brand. Usually he smiles or something, but the dude totally ignored me… Maybe he’s still nervous about the other night. I should just leave those three alone.

I opt to hide against the wall, hoping I blend in with the cliffs and the decor. It’s super underwhelming being over here, so I people-watch to pass the time.

Jas and Vincent are screaming about how badly they want to dance, but apparently only the adults are allowed. Marnie keeps having to go and lightly scold Jas for causing a ruckus. She and Marlon have been talking a lot — an unexpected pairing, to be honest! — and he totally keeps checking her out. I’m rooting for him. 

Pierre, as predicted, is sputtering about his holiday sale over by the entrance. Anything to keep afloat a failing business, I guess. Caroline, as predicted, looks bored and lonely. Maybe Pierre has a failing marriage to keep afloat as well?

Leah and Elliot look beautiful as ever while they chat over by the cliff’s edge… god they’re pretty. Leah’s usual french braid has ammis and vines woven into it, and Elliot’s hair is in a low ponytail, a scrunchie made of multicolored forget-me-nots holding it together.

I wonder what they even talk about. They’re like fae to me.

I lock onto Lewis next, who seems to just be overseeing the event. He notices me and waves me over to the top corner of the field where he’s situated . Reluctantly, I meet up with him.

“Well now, how’s the valley’s newest farmer doing?!” Maybe it’s just a warped perspective  because I’m grumpy, but he seems awfully chipper today.

“I’m alrighd.” I sniff. “ Yoba , my dose doesn’t like all dhese flowers... Is there always this many obf them?” I sound like such an idiot oh my god.

“Of course, that’s the whole point!” He leans in, loosely cupping a hand around his mouth, loudly pretending to whisper to me as if it’s some inside joke. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Yeah? Will I get used do this dress dtoo?” 

“Now that, I don’t know about.”

“Maybe someday.” He sent it to me a few days ago without asking, alongside a letter about this supposedly mandatory event. I wonder… “How’d you eben know my size?”

“Lucky guess! I’m glad it fits you so nicely.” Lewis gives me a pat on my big, puffy shoulder.

“Could’bve just asked…” I mumble under my breath.

I really don’t mean to take out my annoyance over the event on him, but I like, he did organize it. 

Either he couldn’t hear my sassy comment, or if he chose not to answer, but it’s probably for the best that this part of the conversation died there. And although this would be a perfect opportunity to dip back to my previous spot, alone , it somehow feels impolite to abandon an old friend of Grandpa’s so soon.

I rub my achy, itchy eyes, not caring if it smudges my makeup. Then, I ask, “Are you goi’g to dance, Mayor Lewis?”

He glimpses at Marnie, his eyes lingering on her form for a moment before answering. Damn, she’s got all the old men around here wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?

He sighs, “No, no. I don’t think I will.” So melancholy compared to his previous demeanor. He notices his jovial facade break and quickly feigns recovery. “What about you?”

I shake my head. “Not my kinda thi’g. I don’ have anyone to dance width anyway.” I wonder if Sebastian would, if I’d asked… nah. There’s no way. He thoroughly hates this event. I think I do too.

“Nonsense! You’re very popular around these parts, Miss Torres.” Lewis seems to hone onto a few people specifically, before peering back down at me. He winks knowingly. “I’ve noticed quite a few wandering eyes land in this direction, and they’re surely not for me.”

I cringe a little, not loving the alleged attention. But before I can comment—

“ Sandy!!! ” a high-pitched voice shrieks from across the field.

Lewis and I hone our eyes in on the source. We observe as a blue blur sprints to greet a tall, tanned, and scarlet-haired woman that I’ve never seen before. Emily throws herself at the newcomer, as she’s accepted into one of those full body-swaying bear hugs.

“Ah, I better go and say ‘hello.’ It’s not often that Sandy shows her face here anymore!” Lewis makes his way to the impromptu reunion, leaving me alone again. 

I awkwardly fidget with the bottom of my dress, not caring that the several layers of petticoat are on full display as a result. I don’t have anything else to do with my hands. They need to keep busy so that my brain calms down.

I guess I could people-watch some more…

This is gonna be a looong day.

Clint is longingly gazing at Emily, a hint of jealousy in his eyes. I wonder if he’s into her. Maybe she’s dating that Sandy girl, and he’s upset he missed his chance to bust a move. Or, maybe they dated once, and she moved swiftly on but he hasn’t.

“♪You’re the only one for me, my lovely Emily!♪” he’d serenade outside of her bedroom window. It would be a cheesy tune he made up, just for her. He’d spent every night for the past week rehearsing it.

“It’s over, Clint! I’ve moved on, and so should you!” she’d exclaim in return, a patient Sandy waiting nearby. She’d shake her head with pity, giving him a pained smile before closing the window and returning to her newly beloved.  

Ooooh, the drama!

I give myself a small pinch as if to erase the scenario from my head, before finding my next target. 

My eyes meet Linus’, and he looks a little stunned by the nonverbal interaction, but doesn’t look away. I give him a smile and a nod, and a small grin creeps up on him in return before he breaks contact, peering to the side – almost behind him, even. Must be shy.

I’ve heard that the tent up in the mountains behind Seb’s house is where he lives. I wonder if he tried to live amongst everyone, but being so scruffy-lookin’ forced him into that position. Our neighbors do seem to be the type to judge someone’s character based on their appearance, to a certain degree…

Or maybe he was always like this, preferring nature to infrastructure, and the townsfolk just didn’t approve, which outcasted him. 

I should try talking to him sometime. If he’s as socially isolated as I’ve been most of my life then we could probably get on nicely. Maybe I could learn a thing or two about living so ruggedly, and maybe I could teach him to grow his own food, in case he wants to make a small garden by his spot.

My thoughts are cut off as music begins to blare from the nearby speakers – ouch – while Lewis rings a handheld bell a few times to gather everyone’s attention. I was so lost in thought I hadn’t even noticed that he came back here. 

Based on the flow of the crowd, it seems as though it’s time for the big dance. I scoot further into the corner, basically hiding in the nearest flower display. I’d rather not be noticed standing here alone and awkward like a total loser. Wanting to avoid eye contact with anyone busting their moves, I look behind the commotion.

My plan fails immediately . 

Beautiful eyes, as deep and ambiguously purple as red wine, scrutinize me against what looks like grey skin. They’re almost entirely hidden amongst the foliage of Cindersap.

Once it registers that I’m looking back at them, the eyes change color — rosy and pink like my cheeks probably are, now. The figure is wearing a black hooded cloak, so I can’t really tell what they look like, if I know them, or anything about them, really. I think I see a stray purple hair or two falling into their vision, though.

This is… kinda unsettling. Who are they, and what are they doing over there? Why do they look like that? Are they an actual fae of some sort? Why are they looking at me like that? Are they, like, I dunno… bad? 

Paranoid thoughts run rampant within my mind, but something inexplicably keeps me from looking away. I could’ve simply ignored them, pretended like this silent interaction never happened, and I would’ve over it. Maybe. Instead, I feel this intense yearn to go and reach for the person (or whatever they are). It’s like I have to fight my own body not to follow their aura, to not walk headfirst into what could possibly be a dangerous situation.

Before I can really figure out what the fuck is going on and how to approach this, the figure vanishes into thin air. 

Was I just imagining that? Or did they just fucking teleport away? 

I take a deep breath, trying to ignore whatever the hell just happened. The dance suddenly seems like the perfect thing for me to focus on. This is freaky too in its own way, but at least it’s safe. Familiar.

Maru is dancing with Dr. Harvey, and they look very cozy – a little creepy considering the age gap and their professional relationship, but whatever. Emily’s with Sandy, Elliot’s with Leah, Alex is with Haley… oh. Seb and Abigail are together. I shouldn’t be surprised, considering Abby’s nature, so why does it hurt a little?

While giving Abby a spin, Seb catches me creepin’ around over here. He snipes me with a playful squint, instantly releasing whatever weird little insecurities I had a second ago. I stick out my tongue and throw him the bird — for added effect, of course — to which he feigns pain before returning his focus to his partner. The lingering upward curve of his lips doesn’t go unnoticed, though. 

As the main dance and Midsommar -ass crowning ceremony come to a close, several people begin to leave. I follow, wanting to get home as fast as possible so I can fucking breathe again — but then I remember the figure I saw earlier, and hesitate. 

What if I see them again? What do I even do at that point? Say something? Ignore them? Run? Fight?

A tug on my dress breaks me from my morbid thoughts. “You look like a fuckin’ doll in this thing.” 

I spin around to Seb menacingly staring down at me, and give him a curtsy. “And whad about it?” Great, I still sound like a boogery mess.

“Nothing, dollface. Don't worry your weird, plastic head.” He frickin’ winked while he said that.

Is this supposed to be flirting? Or am I being bullied?

I fake confidence in the first choice, replying with a snicker, “Enjoy the loogk while you can. There’s no way I’mb subjecting myself do this thing again neksht year.” 

“Good luck getting Lewis to approve your own fashion choice.” 

“Fuck his approbal!

“Dude! Why are you talking like a fucking nerd?” 

“Shuddup, I habve allergies.” I shudder. “Doo many flowers.”

“ You poor thing ,” Seb mocks. I feel some heat in my cheeks. The demeaning undertones here are killing me. “C’mon, let’s get you out of here.” 

He wraps an arm around my shoulder, not helping at all with how flustered I am, and guides me along the wooden path that connects the festival area to the rest of Cindersap. Within a few steps of the exit, I’m already able to breathe easier. 

Shaking Seb’s arm away, I sniffle back any remaining snot and take a deep breath, appreciating that I don’t feel a need to sneeze or cough while doing so. “This is muuuch better. Holy shit.”

“Glad to have you comprehensible again.”

“Bite me.”

He leans down closer to me. An impressive feat while walking as briskly as we are, to be honest. Must be those stupid long legs of his. In a low and mischievous tone, Seb asks, “Alright, where? ”

I squeak, feeling the effects of him accepting that challenge — and while so frickin’ close to me, too — heating my tummy right up. Yoba, get it together, Elise.

Seb chuckles at my reaction and I shove him away. “Must you always be so…”

“Smooth?”

Yes, part of me wants to respond. I deadpan him and he wriggles his eyebrows. 

“No, incorrigible .”

He nudges me, and I nudge back. He dips me into a noogie, but a firm elbow to his belly puts him to rest. We then walk in silence up until we reach the hedges that divide my land from Marnie’s. 

“Why are you still here?“ I ask, not meaning for it to have come out so harsh. Shit. Nice one. When Seb winces, I try to save myself. “Wait, no, not like that. I mean, like, I’m just surprised you didn’t leave with Sam and Abigail.” 

“No, it’s cool, I get it. You hate me and want me gone forever.” 

“ Sebastiannn ,” I groan.

He chuckles and bestows pity upon me, easing up on the teasing. “I don’t know. It’s almost like I enjoy spending time with you, or something.” 

I can feel my cheeks getting pink. “I don’t get why. I’m nothing special,” I sheepishly admit. Never been someone with high self-esteem, nor someone who’s good with compliments.

Seb takes a moment to inspect me, assumedly deciding how to approach my self-deprecating humor.

He opts to play with me like the stupid lil’ doll I apparently resemble right now.

“Yeah, you’re right. See ya.” He snickers as he walks in the direction of the town square. 

“Fuck you!” I laugh back.

He shouts behind him, “ Oh my! Take me out to dinner first.” His head is tilted just enough for me to see the left side of his face and does yet another eyebrow wiggle.

I can’t think of anything witty or defensive to say on the spot, so I simply let him go as I trek into my yard.

[mesfantomes-marie]

My Favourite TenRose Fics

Fanfiction is brilliant. There, I said it. After years of studying for my PhD in Linguistics and Phililogy, endless nights spent reading Calderón, Diderot and Dostoevsky, I still believe certain fanfiction should be praised and published. It should be remembered.

Quadrophobia by Howlcastle. The Doctor is split in 4 personalities, but not in a creepy James McAvoy kinda way, trust me. I love this, because of our beloved TenRose dynamic. It's well-written and laconic. Novel, Teen (there will be a lot of these in this post, since I'm not a big fan of explicitness in fiction, since it's hard to find something tasteful)

Wolf and the Butterfly by sparrowmarrow. When Rose begins to be plagued by ominous nightmares of the Doctor’s future, a future without her, they realize that something sinister may be lurking behind the exotic stalls of Opifex’s acclaimed market. Oh the Angst! With a happy ending, of course. The characterisation is SO GOOD, darn. Novel, All ages.

Breaking Vows by Molleyn. Ten and Rose accidentaly bump into a parallel version of Rose on parallel Earth at war. Basically, the Doc can't tell them apart and leaves the His Rose there, only to realise his terrible mistake and come back to her 3 months later. Will she ever forgive him? Beautifully written angst with a happy ending. Evil doppelgangers, love confessions and a smidge of well-written smut. Novel, Teen.

Effeuiller La Marguerite Part 2 by whollyuncertain. Angsty and original. Happy ending. Hurt/Comfort. Post ThatDamnedFireplaceEpisode I hate so much it took me 5 months to even CONSIDER reading fixits of. Short Story, Teen

TenToo/Rose

I think it's the best happy ending Rose could've ever gotten. Not gonna lie, it had been difficult and so many fics had dissapointed me in the past. 99% just go in the exact same direction of 10.5 being miserable and as far from 10 as possible. I don't like it. So these fics are the only ones where I feel like Tentoo is actually 'in character'.

Laddie, Lie Near Me by @abadplanwellexecuted. Beautiful. I am a big fan of this author, check out her work. Here, Tentoo is not OOC (what a surprise...) and Rose is not a total byotch to him (another surprise). Short story, Teen.

The Wind By Night by @tripwirealarm. A masterpiece! Told from His perspective, which is honestly refreshing. Angst with a happt ending. Novel, Adult.

AUs

Never been a fan of AU fics before, but I guess falling in love with this particular pairing means you all of a sudden become a fic addict and anything goes. Am I right?

A Place Where We Only Say Goodbye by @weezly14. I cried, but actually it was worth every single tear (cheesy, but heck! that's the way I feel about this masterpiece). So much insight, great character development. Coffeshop AU, novel, part of the Time Loop series, Teen. Did I mention it's slow burn? Gotta love 'em.

nothing happens until something moves by @lauraxxtennant. UniVerse. Professor!Ten / Student!Rose. I had a crush on my German Professor once, it was wonderful. Novel, tastefully Mature.

Sweetheart by @stoprobbersfic. UniVerse. TenRose, Oxford. Read this whilst listening to 'Dark of the Matinee' by Franz Ferdinand with a cuppa on a war mnight in early spring. Romaticize your life a bit. You will not regret it. Novel, part of a Series, tastefully Mature. Warning: mentions of a certain French individual.

A Sun Will Always Sing by @lixabiz. Tutor!Ten / Student!Rose. I guess I'm just a sucker for this particular trope, especially written by someone so talented. What a pleasure. Short story, Teen.

That Home I Find Outside Your Door by Queen of The Castle. Homeless!AU. Last, but definitely not least. This fic just left me speechless. The idea is bloody brilliant, keeps you on your toes 'til the very end. Angst with a happy ending, of course. 2-parter, Teen.

And a bit of a (unofficial) crossover. I love the Harry Potter series and especially the character of Barty Crouch Jr. Tennant in a long leather coat will haunt my dreams forever. So, there's this incredible fic, called Snakes' Nest by elmira777. Summary: When Rose Clifton, a pureblooded witch, had been abducted and forced to marry Barty Crouch Jr, it didn't even cross her mind that this was her chance to save the world. AU, takes place after Goblet of Fire. It's a Work In Progress, which sucks. BUT! And it's a big 'but'. It's so cool! Technically, it's not a HP/Doctor Who crossover, but I just can't help it. Rose here, Rose there. It somehow just works.

And you know what? The best thing about WIPs - you can use your imagination and finish them in your head. Novel, Teen.