#Hart II household

[ennysimmer]

Thomas and Elliot spent Friday noon at their art gallery, while Lucille was at school.

[damneddamsy]

renegade | aemond targaryen x oc (part ii)

My friend, I am writing this to you from the depths of the forest behind the castle. A thrush builds a nest far over my head while a violet beetle strums a tune, and nearby, a brown hart crosses a brook with her doe. It rains more often, and I stroll in it, wet to my bones. I alone bear witness to the marvels of my home. I cannot sit idle in my chambers anymore when no one seems to care about my whereabouts. Write soon, I eagerly await your tales of voyages on Vhagar. Yours, Aemma.

You should've seen him, the way Aemond Targaryen appeared when he unfurled the little scroll. It was a habit now. He would read and read it, for hours, a single wistful eye going back and forth on the page, mulling over each painstaking word, tracing her name, inhaling the scent of the soil on Dragonstone, before rolling the paper and depositing it with the others in his wooden chest for safekeeping. This letter found him over three moons ago. He had written back, twice, all to be met with nothing. He took to heart the gloom that seeped through the paper, unlike the bewitching girl he had heard from ages ago. She used to speak of collecting dragon eggs, running off with a boat into the sea, and exploring the caves beneath the courts. What was she up to now? What did she look like now? What were they doing to her?

Far away, on Dragonstone, Aemma's days evolved into boredom, a mere observer of the storms that raged. She grew further apart from her still-devoted mother, biding in heartbreak and loss while the princess enabled the household with Prince Daemon. Aemma couldn't help but see her father, Ser Laenor, everywhere. In the salt of the sea, in the misty eyes of his dragon, Seasmoke, in the boats that were docked at the bay, and in the sea glass that washed ashore. She became more disturbed, more evasive, and similarly, more accustomed to her smarting headaches. You could tell the days of her girlhood and absurd adventures were behind her.

There were times when her dear brothers would find a way to shed some light in her life by taking her to the watchpoint to have her see them glide above the ocean, mounted upon Vermax and Arrax. She had once ached for a dragon of her own, but she had given up as the years rolled into others. It didn't seem to matter, nothing changed in the way her family saw her.

Other times, she'd think of her dearest friend, Aemond, across the reach, training hard, fighting battles, riding Vhagar—he felt like a distant dream. A wish that would never quite be. Writing to Aemond brought back serenity to the young princess' mind. The quieter times were behind her. Her getaways were discounted now, but she'd continue to search the island for new excitement just for him. He was a gentle reminder that it was never too late to take action on what she had once dreamed herself to be.

On the morning of her father's observance, Aemma was informed that the princess would like to break bread with her. She didn't know what to expect. So she dressed in her best silks and joined her mother at the overflowing table. Aemma engaged in silence, scraping her fork against the plate, unable to hold her mother's expectant eyes. She wanted to share her troubles, talk about the past, and remember him the right way. Nothing came out except—

"I've missed you," Aemma managed to speak. It was the truth, she'd missed her mother's presence around her dearly.

"Then why have you been shying away from me?" her mother returned, her voice gentle. "Tell me, Aemma. What have I done to receive your silence?"

She met her mother's gaze, stronger now. "Nothing."

Her mother breathed a sigh. "I have not forced it upon you to wed a strange lord. Daemon often prompts me on this, but I refuse it because I know your heart. It belongs to no one but you." She reached across to warm her daughter's cold fingers. "Your brothers worry that your woes have become too deep these days. I share this concern with them, my love. I know you ache for Laenor—"

And the whisper-thin weir broke loose. Aemma's face crumpled into distress, using a hand to muffle a soft cry. She hasn't heard that name around here. No one would dare speak it. This has been a long time coming.

"No, mother," Aemma wept.

"Oh, Em. Even after all these years." Rhaenyra stood up to bound to her side, pressing her daughter into a tight embrace against her chest. "I'm here. Unburden yourself."

"Why doesn't it hurt as much for anyone else?" she asked through her tears, her shoulders shuddering. "Not you, Jace or Lord Corlys. Why me?"

"You loved your father more fiercely than any of us." Her mother stroked her fingers through Aemma's braids softly. "In time, you'll learn to make peace with the memories. Just as we have."

Aemma nodded, eventually finding it in herself to take solace in her mother's careful words. She felt a soft nudge against her stomach, moving out of her mother's arms to touch her swollen belly. Another addition to the family.

"I still want you to take a husband in marriage, Aemma, at your own will and time," her mother said to her, more serious now. She brushed a finger over her tear tracks.

"It does not interest me, mother," Aemma confessed with a sigh. "I've said this plenty."

"Yes, I know."

"Spare me the argument then."

"At the very least a kind, respecting companion who will support you in upholding your duties and protect your ideals, just as your father did for me," she insisted.

"If I were to wed, you would make me a pillar in a dismal court at King's Landing," she tried to explain, but her anxieties piled up to rush out in a mess. "Name me heir to the throne, face all those vile aspersions with a stone heart, and have me mindlessly plough out babes which I don't think I'm capable of for the life of me. I will not be made into a husk of my—"

Rhaenyra caught her chin to interrupt and glared her daughter straight in the eye. "You will not be heir."

She blinked once. "Mother."

"You should be, as my firstborn. I don't deny it. I've fought the very Gods for this privilege my entire life." Her mother palmed her cheek, her expression softening. "But it does not outweigh my oath to you and myself when I first held you in my arms. That I would never subject you to what my father had me brook, a mere political headache until I couldn't see past myself on the throne. I see my misplaced youth in you, daughter, and I want you to prevail for the both of us. Live as you please, captain a ship, voyage as an explorer, and not a tongue will raise against you. I will see to it."

Aemma stared at her mother, her words dripping into her mind one by one. She hoped she heard all of it right.

"For that, Jacaerys will be named my heir," the princess affirmed. "Although, as your brother's kin, you have to take to husband. I cannot have Jace's claim questioned any further. I can only grant you so much latitude on this, not freedom. I am sorry, it's all I—"

Aemma leapt at her mother to swallow her in a delighted embrace. It felt like a warm sunrise after a cold, unclear night, and it carried all before anyone. She pushed her face into her mother's neck, squeezing her as close as to pour her graciousness into her. She would never forgive herself if she were to do wrong by the princess, someone who trusted their years of deprivation and defeat to her.

"Thank you, my princess," Aemma whispered.

Her mother exhaled a laugh, smoothing many kisses against her cheek. "I am all but worthy of you."

"But, mother," she drawled and pulled away to show her the confusion. "How am I to move forward with this?"

"We can do this slowly. I will soon send word to a few great houses in Westeros. Essos, too, if you'd like," her mother divulged, smiling. "You will treat with them until you find someone who agrees with you. I won't bestow you upon them as a broodmare, they will value you as a princess and a lady. Take all the time you need, and satisfy your discretion."

"You make it sound so effortless," Aemma muttered.

"It will be, Em. Don't think too much, speak your mind, if you must. Someone who does not squinch at your wishes is most suited for your hand."

She shook her head. "I am not confident about that."

Her mother kissed her cheek again. "Simply let it happen, my love. Good things will follow."

X

As it turned out, the word of mouth of insurgency and challenges of Prince Lucerys' claim to the Driftwood throne brought the Dragonstone Targaryens back to their home on King's Landing. The young princes and princess were to stay with the rest of their kin after a long period of separation. A union for the ages.

Soon enough, that word grew old and what delighted the realm was the pleasing news that Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen of Dragonstone was arranging matters with a select few houses to place suitable marriage prospects for her eldest daughter, Aemma Velaryon. At sixteen years of age, her flowering into maidenhood had made her more beautiful. She would eventually draw the eyes of many young lords in the kingdom. Hightower, Blackwood, Arryn and Stark were among the favoured handful.

This matter did not escape Prince Aemond's ears, but he remained impassive to it. It shouldn't bother him, why would it? He knew it was only a matter of time before Aemma would be within these castle walls and he would heed her words before all else. This must be foul play from his sordid half-sister Rhaenyra. The Aemma Aemond knew would never stand for this plight. She would stand before him and remind him of his promise all those years back, they would mount Vhagar together and take to the open seas. Of course, he remembered. He always knew this day would come.

The morning Aemma arrived at the Red Keep, Aemond stood atop the verandah past the courtyard with his brother and sister, his head held high to show his duty and not his deference. But his eye searched and hungrily awaited the sight of her again. What did she look like? Was she as nimble and reserved as they said? That she was the epitome of a true Targaryen princess? Or perhaps—

"Whose eyes does Aemond One-Eye seek?" Halaena droned quietly, taking his attention for a moment. That title irked him.

The carriage was emptied and already making for the gates. Had he missed her arrival? No, she was too hard to miss.

Halaena took his arm, leading him back into the entrance doors. Aemond wavered, his sights still on the courtyard. Why hadn't she come? Where had she gone?

"Come, brother. She'll join us later, I'm sure of it."

He was having none of it. People expected Aemond to simply go about his day as if Aemma's disappearance from the occasion was irrelevant. He was ushered to break bread with his family in a rather torrid affair and train with Ser Criston in the undern when all of his thoughts were linearly on the young princess. Where, where, where.

He sweated out his anguish, battling hard, swinging his sword in lithe twists until Cole's sword was knocked out of his fingers with Aemond's simple outmanoeuvre. While the sparse crowd clapped for him, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two of Aemma's brothers. The bastards of Dragonstone. The ones who cost him his eyesight. He'd been through a world of pain since that night. He would not let that slide, not so soon.

"Nephews! Have you come to train?" Aemond called out, hoping to get something out of them. Any one of them would know where Aemma had run off to.

Jace's gaze sharpened with a black stare as Aemond approached them in fleeting steps. Jace put himself protectively in front of Luke. Aemond scoffed through his nose and dropped his sword on the table nearby.

As if he'd venture to cut the throats of the princes of the realm. In front of all these witnesses. How unseemly.

"Aemma," he declared. Her name left his lips like a plea.

"What about her?" Jace sneered.

Oh, he was not making this easy. "The princess was missing this morning."

"Why would I ever—"

"She went to the stables to see her direwolf," Luke said instead, catching his eye. Aemond wanted to carve out his skin every moment the boy lingered unpunished. "She didn't arrive with us because... she didn't want the attention."

This piqued him. "Why not?"

"Seven hells, Luke," Jace hissed.

"You know how much sister cares for him," Luke mentioned.

Jace sighed, sensing his fairness, and spared Aemond an apprehensive look. "Aemma's not in the mood to speak to anyone. In fact, she should've stayed back. My poor sister had an unfortunate incident attempting to claim the Bronze Fury not long ago."

X

Aemond wasted no time in tracking down her chambers from her brother's directions. With bated breath, he burst through the doors—"Aemma?"

His dread intensified when he noticed her belongings still stacked in spotless trunks in the corner by the vanity as if she were planning to leave as soon as she came. No, he simply would not allow it.

He carelessly pushed the curtains of the bed aside to find it untouched. The room was freshly scented of lavender oil; she had recently taken a bath. Her cloak hung off the edge of her dining chair. Her gold jewellery was left scattered on the table. She had been here.

"Aemma!" he called aloud again.

"Aemond?" Aemma's delicate dulcet reached his ears.

From the short balcony, she finally presented herself before him, coming between the sunlight and him. Indeed, the rumours were true. Gone was the tempestuous little girl from his treasured memories and instead, in her place, stood a lady so impressive he couldn't believe it was Aemma. She had come into her own beautifully, in the graceful slopes of her breast, waist, nose and lips. There were still traces of that young girl which refused to give way, blessed in her doe eyes, sun-kissed skin and—her hair.

This was what her brothers had vaguely mentioned to him.

Her silvery-blonde hair, that usually flaunted intricate braids or hung in pretty ringlets around her waist, had been completely singed off by dragon fire, all the length and volume lost to a limp mess of curls around her neck. Her mother must have attempted to cheer her up by fashioning a delicate crown of braids around her head.

Aemond didn't care for any of it. She could've stood there with a third eye or a cock in her hands—this was his Aemma, in the flesh. Six years he had gone without her. Nothing could stop him now.

He couldn't contain himself any longer, he strode across the floor to bear her in his arms. As tightly, closely, and intimately as his strength allowed. This had not changed at all, she was as warm as the day she'd parted him.

"It's really you," Aemond exhaled with a faint, incredulous laugh. He spun her around in just as much elation as when he had first dismounted Vhagar and taken to her celebrations.

When he set her on her feet, Aemma had laughed in delight and taken his face into her palms, her dark eyes observing every tick of muscle in his features with a disbelieving smile. Even if his ghastly scar had startled her, she didn't show it.

"I've missed you every day, my friend," Aemma murmured. Gods, you could see his chest swell with satisfaction. It was exactly what he wanted to hear from her.

"How you've grown," he commended, warmly stroking her waist. "So tall and elegant... no wonder all the realm is vying for your hand."

Even the words tasted like poison in his mouth. His expression soured a little.

"And you! I never thought I'd live to see the day your hair was longer than mine own," she exclaimed back, overlooking his mood shift. She held his broad shoulders, measuring the distance between her hands. "You've come to be with the power of a true dragon-rider. I am proud. How goes Vhagar?"

"Insatiable." Much like him right now. "Come with me. I'll fly you over the bay for as long as you'd like."

He'd like to get the word out to the smallfolk, that the princess has been taken to another prince more deserving of her.

"Oh, no. I don't think I can even see another dragon without pissing myself," she told him, her eyes set on their feet. Discomfiture was evident on her face. "I tried to mount... Vermithor upon Daemon's guidance and my hair—" she sadly touched the soft trims around her neck "—I lost it in doing so. If it weren't for him, I would've lost my life, too."

Aemond's arms tensed under her touch. The thought of it was excruciating. What was his uncle thinking, putting such a hysterical little girl in front of a beast as large as Vhagar? And what was Aemma thinking, that such a ferocious beast would bow to someone with her merciful attitude?

She looked up at him, heavyhearted. "Do I look dreadful?"

Aemma could not begin to question that when he had been stricken by her fortitude all those years ago. No burned braids, dirtied skirts, or lost dragons could make up for that.

"I'm certain it'll alarm the lords but not me. You were always glorious to me, princess," he appreciated her, not-so-subtly.

She threw her head back to laugh freely. "Then I must tell my mother to cease this weary pursuit to find me a husband. At least until my hair has grown to an adequate length."

That sounded like a great strategy. It gave him enough time to plot a controlled plan to relieve Aemma of this pressure.

"Have you met with anyone?" he asked, his voice calculating.

She made a face. "Not yet. Lord Blackwood has written to my mother. But..." A lightness overtook her features. "After my stay has ended, I'll be heading north to treat with the Lord of Winterfell."

"Winterfell?" He made the word sound like filth on his tongue. "Those vulgar cunts will cut you up and stuff you in a pie before you can wish them good morrow."

She snickered. "Lord Cregan Stark, my mother tells me, is a gentle giant. No older than I am. I hear from my grandsire that he is an honourable king to his people." She twiddled her thumbs to hide a smile. "Lord Stark wrote to me a while ago. He is rather charming."

Aemond couldn't stand her growing fondness for that filthy northerner. "You write to each other?"

"It was only one letter," she denied. "To pursue familiarity? In any case, my family are thrilled. House Stark is an invincible, age-old power."

Aemond sneered under his breath. A mere word of mouth had swayed her affections to the cold deadness of the north. As if Aemma would last a single winter up there. Warm and beaming in that Stark's arms... he wanted to gouge his one remaining eye out and douse it in acid.

His vindictive thoughts faltered to the Aemma in front of him, who was lulling him to immodest thoughts at the way she stroked her finger down the long scar on his cheek. His eyes almost shut at the bittersweet sensation.

"Jace told me what happened that night with you and Luke," she professed, sadness enveloping her expression. "I never got to tell you how sorry I am, my friend. You must've been in great pain."

He gulped down the bile that rose to his throat at the mention, but he maintained his calm demeanour. Instead, he brought her fingers on his cheek to his mouth and, without thinking, lay a delicate kiss.

"Long forgotten," he lied.

He didn't miss the way Aemma's lips fluttered with a sharp inhale and slipped her hand to her side. She massaged the wrist with a flustered chuckle.

"The eyepatch is... different," she said breathlessly.

Aemond was affecting her, quite obviously. Just not enough. He glanced from the corner of his eye, smug, as she walked around him and toward the bed.

"You might not like what lies under it," he said. "Besides, I'd say we match for life now."

If only she read into what he truly meant. She knowingly touched the noticeable scar that cut through her eyebrow with an absentminded smile. "Yes, we do."

He couldn't wait on this any longer. The words were bursting at the seams, coming undone. "I must talk to you at once."

Aemond took her hand to hasten her to sit beside him on the bed. He entwined his fingers between hers and held it to his chest as he asked her, enunciating his words carefully. She watched him with all her focus.

"Do you truly want to be wed? Have they imposed this on you? You can tell me, Aemma, I will do anything in my power to stop this insanity. I will burn down that damned Sept for you if that's what it takes."

She smiled at him. "Don't fret for me. I am content."

"Surely you lie. 'Tis not good for you." They're not good for you, he wanted to say.

"My mother is right, my dear friend. If I can find someone who can understand what I want out of the marriage, I certainly couldn't ask for more. An honest relationship," she whispered intently. "It's all I want."

Her words burned him more intensely than any inferno in the world. Because she never saw him as a prospect. He would make her see him.

"Whatever fucking happened to fighting for your liberties? To not run in the face of adversity?" he snapped, dropping her hand from between his. "You said it to me, did you not?"

"I have done my part. I've deferred it fairly," she stated, slightly staggered at his tone. "This is a resolution."

"You've given up."

"I have not."

"They've turned you against me," he muttered.

"Oh, spare me the theatrics. Am I to remain a maiden all my life?" she asked, laughing.

He reached out to clasp her chin, but he made sure to be gentle how much ever he raged on the inside. Her smile fell to confusion, her gaze flickering to his fingers and then his eyes.

"You said we'd travel the world together. That we'd ride together on Vhagar, feast all we liked, row boats, build tents, see the world's wonders—am I to consign those ideals to nought? Have you filled my head with meaningless fiction?"

She breathed out a short gasp of incredulity before relieving his grip on her in sharp movement. She stood up to slant by a pillar, pushing her head into her hand. She was a picture of perfection toiled in a peculiar sort of misery. Beauty became her.

"We were children," she mumbled. "Priorities shift over time. I am a princess, a Targaryen no less, sans a dragon. I am without worth if not for my mother, and so are my ambitions."

He scoffed. "Maybe to you. I have counted on every letter, every fucking word, you've penned to me like a madman. You've grown a hunger in my heart and now you mean to crush it with your unfeeling hands."

"I don't understand what you want from me," she spoke, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I want you!" he growled, pushing to his feet.

She turned to stone before him. Perhaps she had not heard him properly. Aemond took a calm breath inward. No turning back from this anymore.

"Wed me, Aemma," he said, surer of himself. It felt right to say those words aloud, in that exact order. He had never imagined saying it to any other lady except her.

Aemma eventually thawed and lifted her head to stare at him. As if she was waiting for something. He couldn't get a read on her. Her immense, dark eyes softened and smouldered and ravaged his mind.

"Wed me and make me yours," he persuaded softly. "I will protect your honour, our dreams, and our future together better than any foul-mouthed, fat swine lordling this realm has to offer. May the Gods help anyone who stands in my way."

"Aemond," she whispered with an edge of hysteria in her voice.

"Aemma," he murmured.

He sauntered closer to her, leisurely dragging his knuckles down her forearm all the way to her wrist. She had the softest of skin, unblemished, kissed by daylight. He elicited a shiver from her, an abrupt action pressing her closer to his chest.

"I've waited a lifetime for this. For us," he confessed. "I have known no other hope that was not you. Now that I have you, my hope is not misplaced."

The little vestige of control he had on his self-restraint began to splinter and then it would be damaging for him to be around her. It was only right to give her some leeway to consider his transparent proposal.

Aemond deliberately stepped away, tucking his hands together behind his back. "But I am a man of virtue. I will never push you to do something you disfavour."

Her lips parted as air shuddered back into her, a hand supporting herself over the stone pillar. She kneaded at her forehead, soothing away a headache.

"I... need to think."

He beamed brightly. "Yes, good. 'Tis a lot to fathom. A night's rest should do nicely. On the morrow, I shall revisit you, and we shall break our fast together."

Her brows furrowed when she understood. "You mean to court me."

"Apparently so."

"You will cause indecent speculation," she warned.

He pursed his lips, unable to contain his amusement. "Hmm. Why can't a prince and his dear niece dine together after all these years apart?"

Aemma uneasily bit her lip.

"We disregard their baseless whispers as we always have."

X

The hearsay of Prince Aemond and Princess Aemma breaking bread together and alone swept like wildfire around the Red Keep. It was said that among those the news had stunned, it was Prince Jacaerys who had taken this as a slight. Meanwhile, the Princess of Dragonstone and her consort, Prince Daemon, weren't certain of the positive response on this matter. One night, a thoughtful conversation in High Valyrian was heard from their shared chambers.

"Laenor had always sworn that Aemma was for Aemond," she pondered out loud to Daemon. "They've been following each other around since they could walk. We all saw this coming."

"She has hardly met with any other men," he said. "Offer her other options. Taste the local flavours. I hear Lord Stark has been quite pleased. He wrote to her personally, didn't he?"

"Aemond is what she wants," she sighed.

"She takes after her mother," the prince teased. "Seeking out her uncle."

"Daemon."

"Then make her see that the boy is not what he seems. Our girl has purposes that do not conform to his own. She intends to be like me," he chuckled, "and he is loyal to his sword."

"I will not twist my daughter's mind into submission," she grumbled.

"Gently dissuade."

The princess laughed quietly, stroking her pregnant belly. "Or it would do good for us to form an alliance with Alicent and the king. Protect our lineage from within. And with it, strengthen my claim to the throne."

Daemon hummed, mulling it in his mind. "He is only the second son after all. It is that drunken cunt who will be a threat."

"Precisely. I intend to hit two birds with one stone."

X

you can continue to read part iii here! and here's my masterlist!

hope you like the way this is progressing! do let me know what you'd like to see ~*

[camillasgirl]

The Anointing Screen

The Anointing Screen has been designed and produced for use at the most sacred moment of the Coronation, the Anointing of His Majesty The King. The screen combines traditional and contemporary sustainable embroidery practices to produce a design which speaks to His Majesty The King’s deep affection for the Commonwealth. The screen has been gifted for the occasion by the City of London Corporation and City Livery Companies.

The Anointing takes place before the investiture and crowning of His Majesty. The Dean of Westminster pours holy oil from the Ampulla into the Coronation Spoon, and the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the Sovereign on the hands, chest and head. It has historically been regarded as a moment between the Sovereign and God, with a screen or canopy in place given the sanctity of the Anointing.

The Anointing Screen was designed by iconographer Aidan Hart and brought to life through both hand and digital embroidery, managed by the Royal School of Needlework. The central design takes the form of a tree which includes 56 representing the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. The King’s cypher is positioned at the base of the tree, representing the Sovereign as servant of their people. The design has been selected personally by The King and is inspired by the stained-glass Sanctuary Window in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, which was gifted by the Livery Companies to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

The Anointing Screen is supported by a wooden pole framework, designed and created by Nick Gutfreund of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters. The oak wooden poles are made from a windblown tree from the Windsor Estate, which was originally planted by The Duke of Northumberland in 1765. The wooden poles have been limed and waxed, combining traditional craft skills with a contemporary finish.

At the top of the wooden poles are mounted two eagles, cast in bronze and gilded in gold leaf, giving the screens a total height of 2.6 metres and width of 2.2 metres. The form of an eagle has longstanding associations with Coronations. Eagles have appeared on previous Coronation Canopies, including the canopy used by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Equally, the Ampulla, which carries the Chrism oil used for anointing, is cast in the shape of an eagle.

The screen is three-sided, with the open side to face the High Altar in Westminster Abbey. The two sides of the screen feature a much simpler design with maroon fabric and a gold, blue and red cross inspired by the colours and patterning of the Cosmati Pavement at Westminster Abbey where the Anointing will take place. The crosses were also embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework’s studio team.

At the Coronation Service, the Anointing Screen will be held by service personnel from Regiments of the Household Division holding the Freedom of the City of London. The three sides of the screen will be borne by a Trooper and Guardsman from each of The Life Guards, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards.

The screen has been gifted for the Coronation by the City of London Corporation and participating Livery Companies, the City’s ancient and modern trade guilds. His Majesty The King is a keen advocate and supporter of the preservation of heritage craft skills, and the Anointing Screen project has been a collaboration of these specialists in traditional crafts, from those early in their careers to artisans with many years of experience.

The individual leaves have been embroidered by staff and students from the Royal School of Needlework, as well as members of the Worshipful Company of Broderers, Drapers and Weavers.

As well as heritage craft, contemporary skills and techniques have formed part of this unique collaboration. The outline of the tree has been created using digital machine embroidery by Digitek Embroidery. This machine embroidery was completed with sustainable thread, Madeira Sensa, made from 100% lyocell fibres.

The threads used by the Royal School of Needlework are from their famous ‘Wall of Wool’ and existing supplies that have been collated over the years through past projects and donations. The materials used to create the Anointing Screen have also been sourced sustainably from across the UK and other Commonwealth nations. The cloth is made of wool from Australia and New Zealand, woven and finished in UK mills.

The script used for the names of each Commonwealth country has been designed as modern and classical, inspired by both the Roman Trojan column letters and the work of Welsh calligrapher David Jones.

Also forming part of the Commonwealth tree are The King’s Cypher, decorative roses, angels and a scroll, which features the quote from Julian of Norwich (c. 1343-1416): ‘All shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well’.

This design has again been inspired by the Sanctuary Window in the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, created for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. At the top of the screen is the sun, representing God, and birds including the dove of peace, which have all been hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The dedication and blessing of the Anointing Screen took place earlier this week at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, where it was officially received and blessed by the Sub-Dean and Domestic Chaplain to The King, Paul Wright, on behalf of The Royal Household.

[asongofsilks]

ASOIAF FANCASTING –> EVERY NAMED FEMALE CHARACTER ABOVE THE AGE OF FIVE, PART XXIV

Gwyneth Yronwood (b. 287 AC): Youngest daughter of Lord Anders Yronwood of Yronwood. She hopes to marry Quentyn Martell, son of the Prince of Dorne, once she has flowered. Fancast: Willow Shields.

Gysella Goodbrother (b. approx. 278 AC): One of the twelve daughters of Lord Gorold Goodbrother of Hammerhorn in the Iron Islands. Fancast: Maisy McLeod-Riera.

Hali (d. 298 AC): Spearwife who accosts Bran Stark in the godswood along with Osha and two deserters from the Night's Watch. She is slain by Bran's direwolf, Summer. Fancast: Natasha Culzac.

Hanna Harroway (d. 44 AC): Sister of Queen Alys Harroway, one of the wives of Maegor the Cruel. She was slain by Maegor's Kingsguard trying to protect her sister from Maegor's wrath following accusations of the queen's infidelity. Fancast: Sezgi Sena Akay.

Harma Dogshead (d. 300 AC): One of the captains in Mance Rayder's army, she is known for hating dogs and kills one every fortnight for a new banner. She is killed in the battle against Stannis Baratheon's forces at the Wall. Fancast: Natalia Tena.

Goodwife Harra (d. 299 AC): One of the servants of Lady Shella Whent's household in Harrenhal. She is later executed by Roose Bolton after he takes Harrenhal during the War of the Five Kings, for telling the other servants to serve the Lannister forces. Fancast: Donogh Rees.

Hazel Harte (c. 110-132 AC): Wife of Daeron Velaryon, grandnephew of Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark. Her only child, Daenaera Velaryon, married King Aegon III following her appearance at the Maiden's Day Ball of 133 AC. Fancast: Elizabeth Lail.

Helaena Targaryen (109-130 AC): Only daughter of King Viserys I and his second wife, Alicent Hightower. She was married to her older brother, who later seized the throne as Aegon II, and had three children with him. Both of her sons were cruelly slaughtered during the Dance of the Dragons, and she committed suicide by jumping from her window in Maegor's Holdfast. The very night she died, the smallfolk of King's Landing rose in riot against Queen Rhaenyra and the "black" faction of the Dance, thinking that she had been murdered and demanding justice for her and her sons. Fancast: Holliday Granger.

Helicent Uffering (b. approx. 171 AC): Sister of Ser Rolland Uffering, who was the fourth husband of Lady Rohanne Webber of Coldmoat. She came with him to Coldmoat and remained there after his death. Fancast: Nicola Coughlan.

Helly (main series era): A serving girl at the Peach in Stoney Sept in the Riverlands. Fancast: Szandra Asztalos.

Previous

[isogreys]

Cauldrons of war stalingrad

#Cauldrons of war stalingrad how to

Germany’s success with the tactic at the beginning of World War II hinged largely on the fact that it was the only country that had effectively linked its combined forces with radio communications. Tested by the Germans during the Spanish Civil War in 1938 and against Poland in 1939, the blitzkrieg proved to be a formidable combination of land and air action. See how German troops parachuted behind the Maginot Line as part of the blitzkrieg against Allied forces See all videos for this article Once surrounded, the opposing army, demoralized and with no chance of escape, would face the choice of annihilation or surrender. A frontal attack would immobilize the enemy while forces on the flanks would execute a double envelopment, forming a pocket called a Kessel (“cauldron”) around the enemy. Once the strategic Schwerpunkt had been identified, the attack could commence, using the concept of Kesselschlacht (“cauldron battle”). Fuller and Sir Basil Liddell Hart providing the tactics necessary to translate the theory into action. During World War II each blitzkrieg campaign contained a Schwerpunkt that gave it meaning and substance, with doctrines of mobile warfare expounded by British military theorists J.F.C. Beginning in the 20th century, technological advances such as radio, aircraft, and motorized vehicles allowed a commander to concentrate force at the Schwerpunkt so as to annihilate the opposition and achieve victory. In smaller countries or countries engaged in internal strife, according to Clausewitz’s reasoning, the capital becomes the centre of gravity and should be identified as the Schwerpunkt. If the army was destroyed, the commander would be considered a failure. SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!įor historical generals, from Alexander the Great of ancient Macedonia to Frederick II of 18th-century Prussia, their armies functioned as the centre of gravity.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.

#Cauldrons of war stalingrad how to

COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.From tech to household and wellness products. Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.

[floater0352]

House of the Dragon’s “White Hart”: A History Lesson

TL:DR: the usage of the White Hart is a blending of both European and Asian symbologies of monarchy. It’s very fun to unpack.

Quick note for everyone in here: Fire and Blood did not have this plot point. The White Hart only ever appeared in the first two books of ASOIAF as an alleged magical creature within Westeros. However, using the White Hart as a symbol is harkening back to hundreds of years of medieval warfare--especially considering the Ice and Fire franchise owes a lot to English medieval history.

First, for the English reference: the White Hart has notable royal heritage. To quote its Wikipedia page it was:

“... the personal badge of Richard II... In the Wilton Diptych (National Gallery, London), which is the earliest authentic contemporary portrait of an English king, Richard II wears a gold and enamelled white hart jewel, and even the angels surrounding the Virgin Mary all wear white hart badges.

Pretty straightforward, right? However, this gets additional layers when you take into account the personal history of King Richard II.

Richard II was a fore-runner in his time within the Plantagenet dynasty for culturally and politically asserting the idea of divine right--centuries even before James VI of Scotland wrote about it in his The True Law of Free Monarchies. There’s a reason William Shakespeare devoted the first play of his Major Tetralogy/Henriad to him, if only because the deposition of this king (however bad or inadequate he may be) poses massive questions regarding the justice or necessity of kingly rule altogether--if overmighty subjects can overthrow a king, what do we need a king for?

If overmighty subjects can overthrow a king, what do we need a king for? Is this not, indeed, the ultimate fate of House Targaryen? If one minor house such as the Hightowers can pervert and creep upon their authority--what does prevent other Houses from trying so? What prevents a Great House from subsequently asserting its claim--either of independence or the Iron Throne itself? The Storm Kings that descended into House Baratheon and the Stark Kings of Winter already gave us the answer in Game of Thrones.

But we go further. Let’s return to Richard II and the White Hart--and more importantly, how he turned into a tangible symbol of his political power--even at the expense of the unifying rule of the monarchy. See the Wilton Diptych:

The angels here are shown wearing the badge of the White Hart. As it happens, the White Hart was also recorded to be the livery badge of an armed man serving Richard II directly. Livery badges became identifiers of loyalty to a lord or knightly household retaining a fighting man for their services--in contrast to the traditional “feudal ideal” of land, lord and serf.

This informs Shakespeare’s own creative turn of phrase in the play:

Not all the water in the rough rude sea

Can wash the balm off from an anointed king.

The breath of worldly men cannot depose

The deputy elected by the Lord.

For every man that Bolingbroke hath pressed

To lift shrewd steel against our golden crown,

God for His Richard hath in heavenly pay

A glorious angel. Then, if angels fight,

Weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right.

--- Richard II, II.3.55-63.

Armed service and knightly duty, therefore, is now equated to financial pay, not traditional values. To once again quote from Wikipedia:

These were badges in various forms made for a leading figure bearing his personal device, and given to others who would demonstrate by wearing them that they were in some way his employees, retainers, allies or supporters. They were especially common in England in the age of "bastard feudalism" from the mid-fourteenth century until about the end of the fifteenth century, a period of intense factional conflict which saw the deposition of Richard II and the Wars of the Roses.

The Diptych is therefore an artistic representation of Richard II’s megalomaniacal assumption of royal authority: he is not only king by right of men, but also by God--to the point that angels themselves are under his personal pay--the very definition of bastard feudalism. This referred to the phenomenon of standing armies maintained not in service to the realm, but to the highest bidder--the very phenomenon that sustained and won House Lannister its hegemony (at great cost) during the War of the Five Kings. We are given a more plain yet apt description of it by Robert Baratheon himself:

Robert Baratheon : Which is the bigger number, five or one?

Cersei Lannister : Five.

Robert Baratheon : [holds up his left fingers]  Five... [clutches his right fist]  ... one. One army, a real army, united behind one leader with one purpose. Our purpose died with the Mad King. Now we've got as many armies as there are men with gold in their purse, and everybody wants something different...

There is some irony, perhaps, in that the very symbol used in the real-life perversion of unifying monarchy is the one used to highlight the purity and royal majesty of the pre-Conquest kingship(s) of Westeros. However, there’s another straightforward usage of the idea of the “symbolic beast showing itself to the rightful ruler of the realm”.

Enter the Japanese kirin / Chinese qilin ( 麒麟 ).

The kirin is more like a mystical hodgepodge creature, not unlike an East Asian dragon. However, it is a matter of traditional folklore that the kirin is supposedly only shown to a strong warrior or ruler who promises to eventually unite a torn realm. 

This very plot point pops up in a number of Japanese popular fiction involving the notorious Warring States/Sengoku Period of Japan--from something as straightforward as the 2020 NHK Taiga Drama Awaiting Kirin (Kirin ga Kuru), which portrays the tragic dream of the Ashikaga Shogunate and Akechi Mitsuhide to return to samurai valor--much as it is faced by the growing ambition of the relative upstart Oda Nobunaga...

... and even as family-friendly a franchise as Pokemon Conquest (where you seek to capture Arceus, the God of the Pokemon universe and the most kirin-like of all of then to unite a pastiche nation of the Sengoku Period in the Pokemon Universe).

All of this, then, once again casts the wasted pursuit of Viserys I and Rhaenyra’s effortless encounter with the Westerosi White Hart in greater symbolic light.

Practically the whole realm supports--and perverts--the process of the hunt in order to hand and guarantee that Viserys I will capture and kill the White Hart as a symbolic good omen for his newfound male “heir” Aegon II. Yet all they have to show for it is killing a base (albeit still impressive) brown deer. Viserys can’t even kill it with own strength of body--failing, faltering, necrotic and overdrunk as he already is.

Rhaenyra, after having a night of adventure with Criston Cole and proving that they are both worthy people, not just by the titles they were granted (Princess of Dragonstone and Knight of the Kingsguard), but by their own skills, encounter the White Hart for themselves. They have just proven themselves as capable hunters (if not even better), yet they eventually decide the better of it and let this majestic beast go. They respect the omen and their connection with the Realm. Their encounter with this beast of omens shows to us, the viewers, that they are perhaps to symbolically and emotionally attach to.

And yet, all the same, we are reminded of the gut punch: this is not medieval England. This is not Sengoku Japan. This is not real life, history or current. This is Westeros--where the worthiest are not granted power save what they can scrounge for themselves. Where the best intentions and attempts at peacemaking (even that of the still-kindly but increasingly-caught in the middle Alicent) are not rewarded with gratitude. Where the crows will feast on corpses because the high lords play their game of thrones. This is the Westeros at the eve of the Dance of the Dragons--where armies bought by the gold and steel of great houses will fight and die and burn in the name of loyalty to two competing claimants--one of whom was once the Realm’s Delight. Yet this still-hopeful princess is forced to go up against a realm that Rhaenys Targaryen aptly said would “sooner put itself to the torch” than accept a woman’s rule.

This is not real life. But it is a mirror of the ugly histories of men, of feudalism and the world that took us centuries to move away from, and yet still seem to be enthralled by in our fantasies that we inadvertently bring them back to the real world.

[brokehorrorfan]

Prehysteria 2 will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 5 via Full Moon Features. The 1994 direct-to-video family fantasy sequel to 1993's Prehysteria is executive produced by Charles Band (Puppet Master, Ghoulies).

Albert Band (Ghoulies II, I Bury the Living) directs from a script by Michael Davis (Shoot 'Em Up) and Brent V. Friedman (Mortal Kombat: Annihilation). Kevin Connors, Jennifer Harte, Dean Scofield, Bettye Ackerman, Larry Hankin, Alan Palo, Greg Lewis, Michael Hagiwara, and Owen Bush star.

Prehysteria 2 has been newly restored in high definition from the original 35mm camera negative. Special features are listed below.

Special features:

Videozone behind the scenes featurette

Original trailers

When the Taylor family goes away on vacation, they put their tribe of diminutive dinosaurs - Elvis, Paula, Jagger, Hammer and Madonna - under the care of the kindly Mr. Cranston. But the creatures escape and wind up being shipped across the country, where they're discovered by a young girl named Naomi and a lonely rich kid named Brendon. Soon, the heroic dinos are called into action to help Naomi save Brendan from his cruel governess who not only hates all animals but aims to send the boy away to a military school so she can take control of the household.

Pre-order Prehysteria 2.

[hello-robin-goodfellow]

SHAKESPEARE AND THE PRETTY SPEECHES OF A KING

@ardenrosegarden @amalthea9 @lioness--hart @princesssarisa @hmmm-what-am-i-doing @suits-of-woe @malvoliowithin @noshitshakespeare

I was once watching Brows Held High review of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V (1944), where the reviewer, Kyle Kalgreen, analized how it faired in the context of British World War II Propaganda Machine,  as a Shakespeare film adaptation and in comparison to the Kenneth Branagh 1989 Film Adaptation. 

There is a moment he pauses to analyze the most popular speech of the play, wich is the Saint Crispin’s Day Speech:

What’s he that wishes so?

My cousin Westmoreland? 

No, my fair cousin.

If we are marked to die, we are enough

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honor.

God’s will, I pray thee wish not one man more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my garments wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

But if it be a sin to covet honor,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.

God’s peace, I would not lose so great an honor

As one man more, methinks, would share from me,

For the best hope I have. 

Oh, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, 

Westmoreland, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart. 

His passport shall be made,

And crowns for convoy put into his purse.

We would not die in that man’s company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is called the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day and comes safe home,

Will stand o' tiptoe when the day is named

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall see this day, and live old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors

And say, “Tomorrow is Saint Crispian.”

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say, “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.” 

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot

But he’ll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day. 

Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words, 

Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,Warwick and Talbot, 

Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.

This story shall the good man teach his son,

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be rememberèd—

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he today that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now abed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

(William Shakespeare. Henry V: Act IV, Scene III)

Beautifull. Powerfull. Lie.

Because, as Kyle Kalgreen apoints, while the Laurence Olivier had to cut it to make Henry V more simpathetic, the original Shakespeare text and the Kenneth Branagh Film Adaptation have this scene following the Saint Crispin’s day speech, where the young king reads a list of the english man who died in battle: 

Edward the duke of York, the earl of Suffolk,

Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam, esquire;

None else of name, and of all other men

But five and twenty. O God, thy arm was here,

And not to us but to thy arm alone

Ascribe we all! When, without stratagem,

But in plain shock and even play of battle,

Was ever known so great and little loss

On one part and on th' other? 

Take it, God,For it is none but thine. 

(William Shakespeare, Henry V: Act IV, Scene VIII)

The death nobleman are named, while the death common soldier is just ‘None else of name’. The death nobleman is ‘so great loss’. The death common soldier is ‘so little loss’. Contrary to what King Henry V promissed, not everybody who died fighting on his name in France will be considered his brother, remembered and mourned by him.

And them later, we watch the consequences of the reign of his son in the Henry VI trilogy of plays, and in Henry VI Part III, our new protagonist gives this beautifull speech about the blessing of a commoner’s life while sitting over a molehill:

This battle fares like to the morning’s war, 

When dying clouds contend with growing light, 

What time the shepherd, blowing of his nails, 

Can neither call it perfect day nor night. 

Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea 

Forced by the tide to combat with the wind; 

Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea 

Forced to retire by fury of the wind: 

Sometime the flood prevails, and then the wind; 

Now one the better, then another best; 

Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast, 

Yet neither conqueror nor conquered: 

So is the equal of this fell war. 

Here on this molehill will I sit me down. 

To whom God will, there be the victory! 

For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too, 

Have chid me from the battle; swearing both 

They prosper best of all when I am thence. 

Would I were dead! if God’s good will were so; 

For what is in this world but grief and woe? 

O God! methinks it were a happy life, 

To be no better than a homely swain; 

To sit upon a hill, as I do now, 

To carve out dials quaintly, point by point, 

Thereby to see the minutes how they run, 

How many make the hour full complete; 

How many hours bring about the day; 

How many days will finish up the year; 

How many years a mortal man may live. 

When this is known, then to divide the times: 

So many hours must I tend my flock; 

So many hours must I take my rest; 

So many hours must I contemplate; 

So many hours must I sport myself; 

So many days my ewes have been with young; 

So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean: 

So many years ere I shall shear the fleece: 

So minutes, hours, days, months, and years, 

Pass’d over to the end they were created, 

Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave. 

Ah, what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely! 

Gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade 

To shepherds looking on their silly sheep, 

Than doth a rich embroider’d canopy 

To kings that fear their subjects’ treachery? 

O, yes, it doth; a thousand-fold it doth. 

And to conclude, the shepherd’s homely curds, 

His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle. 

His wonted sleep under a fresh tree’s shade, 

All which secure and sweetly he enjoys, 

Is far beyond a prince’s delicates, 

His viands sparkling in a golden cup, 

His body couched in a curious bed, 

When care, mistrust, and treason waits on him.

(William Shakespeare. Henry VI Part III: Act II, Scene V)

Also a beautifull and powerfull speech, if a bit revealing of a romanticized view of the poverty that Henry VI never lived. And also a lie, or, at least, a half truth for Henry VI himself.

By contrast to the Molehill Speech, here is the dialogue exchange between him and two keepers, in the next act:

Second Keeper

Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens?

Henry VI

More than I seem, and less than I was born to: A man at least, for less I should not be; And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

Second Keeper

Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king.

Henry VI

Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough.

Second Keeper   

But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?

Henry VI

My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is called content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

Second Keeper

Well, if you be a king crown'd with content, Your crown content and you must be contented To go along with us; for as we think, You are the king King Edward hath deposed; And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance Will apprehend you as his enemy. 

Henry VI

But did you never swear, and break an oath?

Second Keeper

No, never such an oath; nor will not now.

Henry VI

Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

Second Keeper

Here in this country, where we now remain.

Henry VI

I was anointed king at nine months old; My father and my grandfather were kings, And you were sworn true subjects unto me: And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

First Keeper. 

No; For we were subjects but while you were king.

Henry VI

Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear! Look, as I blow this feather from my face, And as the air blows it to me again, Obeying with my wind when I do blow, And yielding to another when it blows, Commanded always by the greater gust; Such is the lightness of you common men.

(William Shakespeare. Henry VI Part III: Act III, Scene I)

We can perceive here a condescending tone that King Henry VI has when he talks with two members of the people. He is surprised to see that they don’t believe in a divine right that gives him a “natural kingly aura”. They don’t see him as a superior, wise and benevolent saviour, but only as a man who once weared a crown, but now, without the crown, they don’t have any obligation to obey him. 

And Henry VI can’t accept that.

Later, he is rescued by Clifford, Warwick and Clarence from imprisoment under King Edward IV’s rule. And when those three man offer him back the crown and title of king, he don’t refuse it to live the simple commoner life he described as more beautifull in the Molehill Speech. He accepts it. Even if he intends to let the actual work of ruling to Warwick, Clarence and Queen Margaret, he still wants the sense of superiority, the privileges and the confortable life offered by the title of king that he grew accustomed to since he was nine months old.

By justaposing those speeches and scenes, Shakespeare pulls us of the rug in our view of those two characters, who want the people to believe they are good, heroic and chivalrous kings, anointed by God himself, when in reality what anoints them is their money and their armies.

Intentionally or not, with those plays, Shakespeare was at the same being a precursor and subvertor of the Relatable Royal Trope, showing that those people with the title of kings are like us... but not really.

They feel sadness, fear, anger, love, envy and jealousie like us, but they are more rich, powerfull and privileged then us.And they don’t really  want to renounce that power, because it will take away their sense of being superior to us.

To paraphrase Kyle Kalgreen: 

Beware pretty speeches

(Kyle Kalgreen. Brows Held High: This Day is Called the Feast of Crispian, a review of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V. October 26th, 2018)

Specially if they come from a person that wears the crown of a king.

[purplesurveys]

1003

survey by --rainboweyes--

When you think of this country, what first comes to your mind?

Argentina: We have a local brand of canned corned beef called Argentina, so instead of the country I immediately thought of that food. But if I really have to connect this to the country, I also remembered a wrestler called Giant Gonzales; he hailed from Argentina.

Brazil:  Those “Come to Brazil” hashtags that used to trend all the time on Twitter. Brazil had some reallllly loud fanbases; I’m just not sure if they’re still as vocal now.

Canada: Bret Hart. Also @inchoate-surveys, heh.

Denmark: I don’t really know anything about Denmark. OH WAIT NO there’s Legos, so we’ll go with that.

England: I honestly thought of their dishes first since I find them rather unique and super different from the Asian dishes I’m used to. We don’t really use beans or make a lot of puddings and pies, but I think they’re all interesting. 

France: Escargot and baguette lol. I’m constantly thinking of food, guys; what a shocker. Also the movie Funny Face since most of it was set in France.

Germany: Sauerkraut and long words.

Hungary: I always confuse Hungary with Germany, but the difference is I don’t know a single thing about Hungary. So I don’t actually know how to answer this haha oops, sorry.

Ireland: Niall Horan HEHE. Also the wrestlers Becky Lynch and Sheamus. Ireland’s got a lot of talented folks.

Italy: @justsurveys (:D), Lizzie McGuire, the movie Roman Holiday.

Jamaica: I also first thought of a wrestler. His name is Kofi Kingston and I remembered him because at one point in his career he was packaged to have a Jamaican gimmick even though he’s actually Ghanian, just because of his race and the fact that he had dreadlocks. Like seriously? Classic example of WWE being racist and stereotypical...ugh. It’s truly hard to vouch for them sometimes.

Japan: The brutally honest first thing I thought of wasssss how they took over my country for a few years and subjected thousands of women and children to various forms of torture before killing them.

Korea: Korean food :( Man I miss having jjajangmyeon.

Libya: Their old flag, which was just entirely green. No designs, no stripes, no other colors. Just a good ol’ green flag.

Morocco: I think of Marrakesh and how colorful the place is. I’d love to go someday.

Norway: Northern lights.

Poland: The current Pope. < OMG editing this answer. The Pope I was thinking of was John Paul II, the actual Pole. Pope Francis is from Argentina lmaooooo so sorry

Romania: I honestly can’t tell you a single thing. Slowly starting to realize that I’m not as good in geography as I thought I was, ha.

Russia: Onion domes, I think that’s what they’re called.

Spain: When I think of Spain I always immediately think of the unfinished church, Sagrada Familia is what I think it’s called, if I remember correctly. It’s in my bucket list of places to see, for sure. Then there’s also the 333 years of colonization, but I’m not feeling bitter enough tonight to rant about that.

Tunisia: Not a clue. I’m bringing my ass to read more about other countries after this.

Turkey: Gabie, because she has Turkish blood.

Uganda: That Joseph Kony documentary that blew up nearly a decade ago. I’m pretty sure that was based in Uganda.

United States of America: Trump, Target, cheeseburgers, elderly people on scooters, those machines at the store that count your coins for you, more cheeseburgers.

United Kingdom: The royal family, Black Mirror, accents that sound fancy.

Australia: Barbecue, kangaroos, deserts, Vegemite.

New Zealand: I thought of my relatives who live there. Also Lord of the Rings.

List 3 movies you like in each genre.

Action: Eugh, I hate this genre. Wonder Woman is probably the only action movie I ever really enjoyed.

Comedy: Can romcoms count? I like The Proposal, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, andddddd This Is Spinal Tap. 

Drama: Room, Revolutionary Road, Requiem for a Dream.

Fantasy: Huge pass.

Horror: Midsommar, The Shining, (the original) Carrie.

Kids/Animated: Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Tangled.

Romance: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Carol, Two for the Road.

Sci-Fi: 2001: A Space Odyssey(!!!), The Martian, Interstellar.

Thriller: Misery, Black Swan, Gone Girl.

Western: Not my cup of tea. The only thing I could think of is Breaking Bad, and that’s not even a movie.

Answer just in numbers.

Number of brothers you have: 1.

Number of sisters you have: Also 1.

Number of the house you live at: Eh.

Number of close friends you have: Off the top of my head, 3.

Number of pets you have: 2.

Number of times you shower a week: 6 or 7.

Number of concerts you've been to in your life: Too many to count if I include local gigs at schools. But if we’re only referring to bigger acts held in arenas or stadiums, 4.

Number of cars your household has: 3.

Number of serious relationships you've been in: 1, but we dated twice.

Number of movies you've seen at the cinema this year: Hahahaha

Number of people who live in your house: 5, including myself.

Number of plug sockets in the room you're in now: 4.

Some more randomer questions.

What food do you have cravings for the most? My cravings are always changing, though. Right now, it would be sushi and takoyaki. We actually just had both last night for dinner, but we devoured them SO fast and now I’m seeking them out again.

What TV shows do you hate to miss on TV? I’m not that attached to any show. I used to religiously follow WWE Raw and The Walking Dead and always wanted to watch both live as often as possible, but those days are long gone.

What do you tend to lose the most? My appetite. As for actual items...probably pens.

The last time someone shouted at you - why were they shouting? It’s been a while since that happened, so I don’t remember.

Would you rather have a cactus or a bonsai? Cactus. I heard taking care of bonsai trees is quite complicated, and I just know I’d kill it within a day or two, if not a lot shorter.

What scary story freaks you out the most? Not really in the mood to think of an answer to this considering it’s 1:07 AM and dark as fuck in my room D:

Are you better with gadgets or cooking? Probably gadgets, but just barely.

How would you rate your own looks? Personality? I hate deciding on things about me. I don’t want to hype myself up too much but I don’t want to drag myself down either lol

What accent is the most attractive? Some English accents are very pleasant to the ear.

Do you get annoyed when people spell your name wrong? Not for the most part since I have the more uncommon spelling anyway. But if someone is talking to me on like Messenger or Viber where my name is blatantly stated and spelled out and they still misspell it, then I get peeved.

[artdaily7]

The Municipal Gallery Revisited by William Butler Yeats

I Around me the images of thirty years: An ambush; pilgrims at the water-side; Casement upon trial, half hidden by the bars, Guarded; Griffith staring in hysterical pride; Kevin O'Higgins' countenance that wears A gentle questioning look that cannot hide A soul incapable of remorse or rest; A revolutionary soldier kneeling to be blessed;

II An Abbot or Archbishop with an upraised hand Blessing the Tricolour. 'This is not,' I say, 'The dead Ireland of my youth, but an Ireland The poets have imagined, terrible and gay.' Before a woman's portrait suddenly I stand, Beautiful and gentle in her Venetian way. I met her all but fifty years ago For twenty minutes in some studio.

III Heart-smitten with emotion I Sink down, My heart recovering with covered eyes; Wherever I had looked I had looked upon My permanent or impermanent images: Augusta Gregory's son; her sister's son, Hugh Lane, 'onlie begetter' of all these; Hazel Lavery living and dying, that tale As though some ballad-singer had sung it all;

IV Mancini's portrait of Augusta Gregory, 'Greatest since Rembrandt,' according to John Synge; A great ebullient portrait certainly; But where is the brush that could show anything Of all that pride and that humility? And I am in despair that time may bring Approved patterns of women or of men But not that selfsame excellence again.

V My mediaeval knees lack health until they bend, But in that woman, in that household where Honour had lived so long, all lacking found. Childless I thought, 'My children may find here Deep-rooted things,' but never foresaw its end, And now that end has come I have not wept; No fox can foul the lair the badger swept -

VI (An image out of Spenser and the common tongue). John Synge, I and Augusta Gregory, thought All that we did, all that we said or sang Must come from contact with the soil, from that Contact everything Antaeus-like grew strong. We three alone in modern times had brought Everything down to that sole test again, Dream of the noble and the beggar-man.

VII And here's John Synge himself, that rooted man, 'Forgetting human words,' a grave deep face. You that would judge me, do not judge alone This book or that, come to this hallowed place Where my friends' portraits hang and look thereon; Ireland's history in their lineaments trace; Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends.

James McDougal Hart 1876 Among Friends, oil on canvas, PC

[arielseaworth]

Thank you so much for all your likes, reblogs, comments, kudos, bookmarks and translations, I really appreciate them <3 <3 <3

||ASOIAF FICS|| 

Sunrise 

Arianne Martell & Quentyn Martell, happier moments.

A Great Unrest

His death was a mishap, almost certainly, and it is written that Prince Maekar always bitterly regretted Baelor’s passing and marked its anniversary every year. (The World of Ice and Fire)

Maekar Targaryen marking the twelfth anniversary of his brother’s death, during the first year of his reign.

The Picture

Laena Velaryon, Laenor Velaryon, and a gift for their parents’ tenth wedding anniversary.

Remember Me (Chapter 3)

Mothers, daughters, and the words said and unsaid.

Chapter 3: Mellario of Norvos & Arianne Martell

Loren of the Rock

He was Loren the First and then Loren the Last, and in between, he fought the Targaryens and lived to tell the tale, a fate he sometimes considered to be worse than death.

The Son

And Addam Velaryon, lately Addam of Hull, sought out the Sea Snake after the battle; what they spoke to each other even Mushroom does not say. (Fire & Blood)

What was said and not said between Addam Velaryon and Corlys Velaryon after the Battle in the Gullet.

Unbetrothed

Lady Elissa had been twice betrothed, once at twelve and once at sixteen, but she had frightened off both boys, as her own father admitted ruefully.  (Fire & Blood)

The two broken betrothals of Lady Elissa.  

Or, how Elissa Farman frightened off her betrothed, not once but twice.

The Knighting

“Aegon is to return to my castle at Summerhall. There is a place there for you, if you wish. A knight of my household. You’ll swear your sword to me, and Aegon can squire for you.” […] “I will take your son as squire, Your Grace, but not at Summerhall. Not for a year or two.” (The Hedge Knight)

Duncan the Tall requesting a boon from Maekar Targaryen before swearing his sword as a knight of the prince’s household.

Onion Soup

[Stannis] sat at the high table as a dish of onion soup cooled before him, hardly tasted, staring at the flame of the nearest candle with those hooded eyes, ignoring the talk around him. (A Dance with Dragons)

Stannis, Davos and onion soup.

Nameday Wish

She remembered Ser Willem dimly, a great grey bear of a man, half-blind, roaring and bellowing orders from his sickbed. The servants had lived in terror of him, but he had always been kind to Dany. He called her “Little Princess” and sometimes “My Lady,” and his hands were soft as old leather. (A Game of Thrones)

Daenerys Targaryen, Willem Darry and a nameday wish.  

Riverlings

Nonetheless, during all those years of Catelyn’s girlhood, it had been Brynden the Blackfish to whom Lord Hoster’s children had run with their tears and their tales, when Father was too busy and Mother too ill. Catelyn, Lysa, Edmure … and yes, even Petyr Baelish, their father’s ward … he had listened to them all patiently, as he listened now, laughing at their triumphs and sympathizing with their childish misfortunes. (A Game of Thrones)

The first time Catelyn ran to her uncle with her tears and her tales.

and they shall know you by your ghosts

When Alysanne asked if she would return to Greenstone, Rhaena shook her head. “There’s a ghost there as well. A kinder ghost, but no less sad.” (Fire & Blood)

It wasn’t so much that love ended. It was more the fact that it remained mired in the past. The ghost of how easy they used to be with another stalked them every step of the way, on this small island Larissa had made her new home.

The Banker

The Hightowers had not entrusted so much as a groat of their gold to the Lyseni, and thus remained one of the wealthiest houses in all Westeros, second mayhaps only to the Lannisters of Casterly Rock, and Lady Sam wished to learn how to put that gold to better use. Thus was born the Bank of Oldtown, which has made House Hightower richer still. (Fire & Blood)

Samantha Tarly and the founding of the Bank of Oldtown.

The Cold Light of Day

And yet it was to Archmaester Vaegon that the Old King turned now, summoning his last son to King’s Landing. What passed between them remains a matter of dispute. Some say the king offered Vaegon the throne and was refused. Others assert that he only sought his counsel. (Fire & Blood)

What transpired between Archmaester Vaegon and Jaehaerys Targaryen.

Clever Wives

Lord Redwyne was incredulous. “The Tyrells are dolts,” he said. “I am sorry, Your Grace, they are my liege lords, but … the Tyrells are dolts, and Lord Bertrand was a sot as well.” (Fire & Blood)

The Tyrells were dolts, it was sometimes alleged, but they had a knack for marrying clever wives.

Growing

“Egg wanted me to help him rule, but I knew my place was here. He sent me north aboard the Golden Dragon, and insisted that his friend Ser Duncan see me safe to Eastwatch.” (A Feast for Crows)

Maester Aemon and Ser Duncan saying goodbye at Eastwatch (and reminiscing about the first time they met).

The Sun and the Moon

Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen, Moondancer, Sundancer and Morning.

The Man Who Was Not There (Chapter 2)

Stannis Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, and a tense exchange during the wedding of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister.

Chapter 2: Tywin’s POV

Remember Me (Chapter 2)

Mothers, daughters, and the words said and unsaid.

Chapter 2: Ellyn Reyne & Rohanne Tarbeck

||ASOIAF DRABBLES||

Daenaera Velaryon/Aegon III Targaryen

Daemon Targaryen/Laena Velaryon

Brandon the Burner & Brandon the Shipwright

Jonquil Darke & Daenerys Targaryen

Arya Stark, Old Nan & Black Aly

Plumm and Egg

Rhaelle Targaryen/Ormund Baratheon, white harts and roast stags

Brandon Stark & Rickard Stark, the boy who hated stories

Jocelyn Baratheon/Aemon Targaryen

Stannis, Cassana and baby Renly

Cregan Stark/Alysanne Blackwood, beginning

Quote Swap: Argella Durrandon + She wanted a storm to match her rage.

Daeron Velaryon/Hazel Harte (the parents of Daenaera Velaryon)

Rhaena Targaryen & Baela Targaryen, dragonriding

Rhaena Targaryen & tears

Aegon III Targaryen & Viserys II Targaryen, reunion

Egg, Daella and Rhae talking about the first Aegon and his sisters

Rhaena Targaryen/Melony Piper

Baela Targaryen & Laena Velaryon

Alyssa Velaryon celebrating the birth of her granddaughter (and great-granddaughter) Rhaenys

Oscar Tully & Kermit Tully

Alysanne Blackwood & Benjicot Blackwood

Jonquil Darke & Alysanne Targaryen

Anya Weatherwax

Myrielle Peake

Aegon III Targaryen & the “secret siege” of Maegor Holdfast

Cregan Stark/Arra Norrey, beloved companion

Rhaena Targaryen/Larissa Velaryon, reserved

Aegon III Targaryen & Viserys II Targaryen, stars

Baela Targaryen/Alyn Velaryon, marriage proposal

The Boy Who’d Sooner Have A Clout Than A Wife

Maekar’s Guilt

Lyanna Stark & Benjen Stark reenacting the duel between the Scarlet Shadow and the unnamed wildling woman

Rickard Stark & Ned Stark discussing the Pact of Ice and Fire

Argilac Durrandon & Argella Durrandon, tell me

Argella’s reaction to Orys resigning his position as Hand of the King

Doran Martell & Mellario of Norvos, “My mother had sent for him, I learned later.”

[ennysimmer]

It's time for the Hart II household, consisting of the brothers Thomas and Elliot Hart, and Thomas' daughter Lucille Hart.

The last time I played them, Thomas caught his ex-wife cheating on him with his brother and kicked her out. Somehow, he and Elliot have rebuilt their relationship since then.

[maddoxxhart]

Maddox Hart - random muse questions to ask.

I .     What are three of your muses traits / habits / mannerisms that someone else would inevitably notice when living together with your muse?

Maddox has a tendency to get his laundry out of the dryer and put the clothes in his basket but never put them away in the closet or drawers. He just digs through to find what he needs. Maddox loves opening every window in the house rather than using the air conditioning, especially at night. He loves the fresh air flowing in. Maddox is only ever very particular about two things being extraordinarily clean-- his truck and the stovetop.

II .     Does your muse have a morning and / or evening skin care routine? What does it look like?

Maddox washes his face in the morning and shaves/trims his beard as needed. But beyond that, there’s not much besides the occasional face mask, which he will literally never tell anyone in the gang about.

III .     Are there any clothing items and / or fabrics your muse does not like? And why is that so?

Maddox rarely, if ever wears shorts, even in the summertime. He has very thin legs which he prefers to cover with jeans. The only exception is when going to bed, then he just wears boxer briefs.

IV .     Does your muse listen to music when studying? Why / why not?

While in school, Maddox didn’t listen to music while study because it would ultimately lead to him singing the songs rather than focusing. The only exception was when it’s extremely noisy around him.

V .     What kind of books are most likely found in your muse’s apartment? What genre? How often has your muse read those books? And how are they sorted / stored?

Maddox doesn’t read much but he does have his mechanical school books and some manuals stashed on a bookshelf. His mother also bought him a “bachelor cookbook” which has been collecting dust since he received it.

VI .     Does your muse work out? If yes, does your muse prefer going to the gym or working out at home? And do they have any equipment for home work-outs in their apartment?

While he doesn’t have a specific routine, Maddox will find himself occasionally working out but his job is rather labor intensive and he lifts heavier things so he gets a decent workout at work. If he does workout, it’s just running, hitting a heavy bag, and some body weight exercises.

VII .     What does your muse’s wardrobe look like? Is it big, small, stuffed, sorted? Do they actually wear all of the clothing items they have?

Maddox mostly uses his drawers for his clothing which is pretty empty most of the time because he never puts laundry away but even when it’s away, it’s not full. He mostly has t-shirts and jeans. He owns a few sweaters, dress shirts, suits, etc. that hang in his closet. He wears almost everything he owns but some stuff is more occasion based.

VIII .     Does your muse use any scent to perfume the apartment? What kind of scent is it? Does the apartment smell of home-cooked food?

There is definitely a scent in the home but it is not of home-cooked food as Maddox isn’t the biggest cook but he knows how to make a few select things that are more than sandwiches, boxed, or cereal. His house has some plug-in devices from Bath and Body Works so it doesn’t smell of grease from the shop all the time.

IX .     Does your muse’s apartment look like they live alone? Does it appear empty? Is it filled with pictures? Could a visitor guess your muse’s relationship status by looking at the apartment’s interior?

Maddox’s home is pretty empty in general but the dishes in the sink show that someone lives there. He had decorated before Allana moved in so her things just were added in as she wanted but she didn’t have a lot of household items as she moved in. So, it mostly just looks like a man lives there alone, till you look a bit deeper.

X .     How often and how willingly does your muse allow friends to stay over? Would they let a stranger sleep in their apartment / rent a room for a little extra money? How often does your muse bring home a one-night stand / casual hook-ups?

Maddox owns (on a mortgage) a three bedroom home that he would likely never rent out a bedroom in since he likes his space but he would certainly let friends stay as much as they wanted to with no questions asked. Also, before his mother became more ill, she stayed with him on and off or he stayed with her. When he wasn’t in a relationship, he didn’t bring home many women but the occasional hook-up happened here and there. 

[actionfigureinsider]

HEROES UNITE TO COMBAT MOUNTING VILLAINOUS PLANS AS WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT, DC AND NICKELODEON PRESENT

BATMAN VS. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

COMING TO 4K Ultra HD™, BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK AND DIGITAL

OWN IT EARLY ON DIGITAL ON MAY 14; 4K ULTRA HD & BLU-RAY DEBUT ON JUNE 4

  BURBANK, CA (March 14, 2019) – It’ll take the unlikely unification of the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-shell to overcome combined villainous forces afoot in Gotham City in the all-new, feature-length animated thriller, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon and DC, the film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting May 14, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack on June 4, 2019.

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack ($39.99 SRP) and Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP), as well as on Digital ($19.99 HD, $14.99 SD). The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the film.

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Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles finds Gotham City reaching new levels of danger when Shredder joins forces with Ra’s al Ghul to enact a nefarious plan – leading to the team-up of the Dark Knight and the Turtles to combat the combined might of the Foot Clan and League of Assassins!

  The Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all-star cast is led by Troy Baker (Batman: Arkham Origins, The Last of Us) as the voice of both Batman and the Joker – making Baker the first actor to ever play both roles in the same film. Opposite Baker are the Ninja Turtles themselves – Emmy Award/Golden Globe Award/SAG Award winner Darren Criss (American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Glee) as Raphael, Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live) as Michelangelo, Baron Vaughn (Grace and Frankie) as Donatello, and Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons, The Woody Woodpecker Show) as Leonardo.

  Other key members of the voice cast include Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as Batgirl, John DiMaggio (Adventure Time, Futurama) as Mr. Freeze, Tara Strong (Batman: The Animated Series, Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!) as Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Penguin, Carlos Alazraqui (Reno 911!) as Bane, Cas Anvar (The Expanse) as Ra’s al Ghul, Keith Ferguson (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) as Baxter Stockman & Two-Face, Brian George (Seinfeld) as Alfred, Ben Giroux (Hart of Dixie) as Robin, Andrew Kishino (The Lion Guard) as Shredder, and Jim Meskimen (Parks and Recreation) as Commissioner Gordon & Scarecrow.

  Jake Castorena (The Death of Superman) directs Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a script by Marly Halpern-Graser (Mad, Batman Unlimited, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo). The film is inspired by the comic book series “Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II (published by DC Comics and IDW Publishing) and is based on characters from DC and Nickelodeon. Ben Jones (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is producer. Executive producers are Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan. Sam Register and Chris Viscardi are executive producers.

  Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Enhanced Content

Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital

  Cowabunga, Batman! When Comic Worlds Collide (Featurette)– Super hero crossovers have inspired some of the most unique comics of all time. Explore the concept of the crossover, and see the creativity that ensues when the worlds of Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meet.

    Fight Night in Gotham (Featurette) – DC animated movies have continued to push the realism of hand-to-hand combat on-screen. Take an exciting look at both Batman’s and the Ninja Turtles’ fighting styles, and how the creators make it feel like you’re in the fight!

    A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Batman: Hush – An advance look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection.

    The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

  Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.

Fans can also own Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles via purchase from digital retailers beginning May 14, 2019.

  DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

  On May 14, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, FandangoNow, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On June 4, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

  ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE

  Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.

  ABOUT DIGITAL

  Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.

    BASICS

  PRODUCT                                                                  SRP

4K UHD Combo Pack                                                $39.99

Blu-ray Combo Pack                                                  $24.98

  4K and Blu-ray Street Date: May 14, 2019

EST Street Date: June 4, 2019

Blu-ray Languages: English, French, Spanish, German

Blu-ray Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian

Running Time: 90 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence.

    About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.:

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

  About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 39th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.

  About DC

Home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), DC Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, DC is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia. DC works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

  BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.  © 2019 Viacom International Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

  About Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally.  Theatrically, WBA’s full-length film, Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, released on July 27, 2018.   WBA’s TV series include  Teen Titans Go!, Unikitty! and the upcoming DC Super Hero Girls and ThunderCats Roar for Cartoon Network; Be Cool Scooby-Doo!, Bunnicula, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, The Tom and Jerry Show, New Looney Tunes, Wacky Races and the upcoming Scooby-Doo! and Guess Who? and Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs for Boomerang; Mike Tyson Mysteries for Adult Swim; Green Eggs and Ham for Netflix; Harley Quinn and Young Justice: Outsiders for DC Universe; Animaniacs for Hulu; and the upcoming Looney Tunes Cartoons content initiative. As home to the iconic animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD, Blu-ray® and digital media. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

  “Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” coming to Digital (5/14) & 4K/Blu-ray (6/4) HEROES UNITE TO COMBAT MOUNTING VILLAINOUS PLANS AS WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT, DC AND NICKELODEON PRESENT…

[tornsurvivors]

@noxflores sent in:  five times touched with isa and jennet too 🥺🥺

i.     The struggles of a restless night is all too familiar in the Hart household. Especially when one is stricken with grief and stress.  Isabel and Kristina endured the torture of it-- after their parents had passed. It went on for a fortnight after the funeral, Kristina sobbing herself to sleep and Isabel stressing over the financial struggles... all while trying to offer support for her devastated sister. Ignoring her own heartbreak. Nightmares often plagued them. Not as much now, but they still linger. When she’d gone to check on Jennet before hitting the hay,  who was staying in her room that she gladly gave up,   her heart felt like it was being squeezed so painfully tight as she stood at the door. Listening to Jennet’s muffled sobs. Instead of entering, Isabel had retreated to the kitchen to boil some tea-- like how she has often done for herself and Kristina.  It was her mother’s favorite brewed tea.    “ Jennet? ”   Isabel’s voice was achingly soft, as she gently laid her free hand on her friend’s trembling shoulder. Internally kicking herself for startling Jennet when the woman straightened up and tried to hide her face away, wiping it clean.  She understood why, nobody likes to be seen crying.   “ I made you some tea. My mother used to make it... I do not know if it will do you any better, but it has often helped soothe father on his stressful nights. ”    A smile tugged at her lips when Jennet blinked at her, and quietly thanked her, accepting the tea. Before Isabel could leave, she was stopped by a request she would never dare deny:  please stay with me for a little longer?   And Isabel did-- ended up spending the whole night. It became a habit after that night, making conversation to ease her friend’s anxiety and depression-- or Isabel would read one of Kristina’s books to Jennet, till her friend would fall sleep. 

ii.     Today was a special day-- Isabel was sure it would be a memorable one, for Jennet.  Everyone deserved a celebration of the day they were born on. It, indeed, had been a gorgeous day out. So, she saw fit to take Jennet and Kristina out for a walk at the nearby park and for lunch at a local restaurant that was a personal favorite of the Hart family. It didn’t even bother Isabel one bit, the questioning glances cast their way-- whenever Isabel would offer a hand to Jennet or lend her arm to escort. Then again, it could be that because Isabel did not wear women’s clothing. As matter of fact, she had taken to wearing her father’s old clothes. Breeches and a work shirt at home, or at the factory. Today, she had decided to don one of her father’s best suits. They both stood at six feet tall-- making a perfect fit. She just wanted to look her best for Jennet’s birthday.  It had been an eventful day, and Jennet seemed to be content. Which was all that mattered to Isabel. By nightfall, they were back home-- enjoying a piece of cake, that Kristina baked today. She learned from mother, of course. Kristina was absolutely beat and called it a night, leaving the two women alone at the kitchen table. They chatted for a while, and played a card game. Before Isabel had a sudden impulse to do something to end the day with-- moving to the living room which was right by the kitchen in plain view. On a table, sat a phonograph and a stack of records her father collected. Isabel chose a record that her parents’ frequently listened and danced to. As soon the music began, Isabel made her way over to Jennet and offered her hand with a grin-- “ May I have this dance, M’lady? ”  It was rather adorable, how Jennet looked a little embarrassed but laughed nonetheless. Thankfully the birthday girl accepted her hand.

iii.     Everyone has their bad days, and moments. You know, moments where you get extremely frustrated and upset. Even the happiest person in the world can have those days. It was rare for Isabel to put her anger on display. She was the type to bottle it up most of the time. Just grin and bear it. However, if anyone were to threaten the life of a loved one... she would not hesitate to release her fury upon the perpetrator.  It was Jennet who snapped first, clearly stressed and upset-- their jobs at the factory being the cause.  Then Isabel, who also had a rough day at work, snapped back. The argument wasn’t long-winded, however they both were determined to get the last word in. Despite being thoroughly frustrated, a part of Isabel felt guilty and wished for this argument to end. Another part, for some reason only God knows, dimly found an angry Jennet... attractive?  It must have been what triggered Isabel to make a rash decision to end the argument-- her hands grabbing Jennet’s biceps and pulled her in, lips crashing upon lips.  Shock clearly devoured Jennet to the point where the woman was absolutely still, not reciprocating at all. It wasn’t till Jennet’s hands lightly pushed at Isabel’s chest, that the horrifying realization of what she’d done struck her like a lightning bolt. She immediately released Jennet’s arms and stepped back, breathing out hard. Blue eyes wide.  “ Oh, fuck. ”    She panted out and tore her gaze away, apologizing profusely as her ears and face burned in embarrassment. Internally, she shrank away in shame-- now that Jennet knows her true sexuality. She felt absolutely... dirty. And she couldn’t even begin to imagine how Jennet must feel. Not wanting to find out due to the crippling fear, Isabel quickly stormed out of the room.

iv.     ‘I’m surprised she’s still here,’   The tall blonde mused, brows furrowing as she carefully wrapped a gauze around her forearm. A slip-up at work... which wasn’t anything new.  It was a dangerous environment after all, and absolutely horrid. This cut was merely an addition to the scars littered here and there along her body. It had been DAYS since the... incident, in her-- Jennet’s room. Isabel could not bear to look at Jennet, deathly afraid that she would find distaste in her friend’s eyes or features. The closest they’ve gotten to one other is passing by each other in the house, and at work. Not even a single word was spoken.  However, it didn’t stop Isabel from looking after Jennet... leaving sweets or supper on the table for her. Or a new book she’d find, leaving it on the nightstand in Jennet’s room when the other woman was out of the house. With a quiet sigh, Isabel tucked the end of the gauze underneath the wrap for it to hold and then looked up in the mirror. Staring, and swallowing hard.  Suddenly, she was thinking about how soft Jennet’s lips felt, and---   ‘No, ENOUGH.’  Isabel tore her gaze away and grabbed the shirt draped over the empty wash bin. Before she could pull it on, a voice came, then a knock and the door opened.  “Isabel, Kristina said you had an accident today--   oh.”   Her heart felt like it was trying to hammer it’s way through her ribcage as she was left face to face with a wide-eyed Jennet. She was frozen in place as Jennet’s eyes slowly dropped, taking in the view of a half naked Isabel.  They’re both women so there should be nothing embarrassing about this. But she could tell Jennet was blushing. Clearly the view of Isabel’s well-defined muscles stole the show. Then Jennet seemed to snap out her momentary daze, stammering an apology and turned to leave. But Isabel didn’t want her to go, quickly reaching to to grab Jennet’s forearm. “Wait. I... think we need to talk. I want to apologize for, umm... you know. I don’t know what became of me then. But I couldn’t help myself. I just wanted--”  Her rambling was abruptly cut off by a pair of soft lips, the very same set she’d been thinking about A LOT lately, were on hers.  When they eventually parted, Jennet still close to her, Isabel let out a quiet laugh-- the feeling she had now was like a weight lifted off of her. Blissful. “I suppose that makes us even now.” 

 v.     The time for bringing a new life into this world was near.  Jennet was about eight months along.  Isabel was more than excited-- but it saddened her at the same time, the thought that she and Kristina were more happier for Jennet... than the woman’s own wretched family was. Alice still would not give Jennet the time of her day. It made Isabel want to hunt her down, and have a few words with that horrid woman. But she didn’t want to risk causing more unnecessary problems for Jennet-- poor woman had more than enough on her plate.  A summer storm had passed, but light rain continued to fall outside-- the bedroom window was open, so Jennet could get some fresh air and to cool off a little. Cooking meals tend to cause heat build up in the house. They just had finished supper, and Kristina was cooped up on the sofa downstairs with one of her books. The two women had decided to retreat to Jennet’s room for their nightly routine-- another new book.  Isabel was laying on her side behind Jennet, an arm under her companion’s pillow where Jennet’s head laid. The blonde’s other hand was on the huge belly, almost as if she was protecting the child... when she felt a kick.  “ Oh! That was a mighty fine kick. I think the kid’s going to be a fighter. ” Isabel chuckled softly, gaze flicking down to the side of Jennet’s face-- catching a smile curling the woman’s lips. She truly couldn’t wait to meet the child, and help Jennet give them the good life they deserve. 

She will do her best to give them the world they deserve.

[booksandwords]

Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake

Read Time: 3 Days Rating: 5/5

The quote: Vulnerability is a gift, baby. A gift not many are brave enough to give. — Gran /Violet Ryder

Warnings: homophobia, discussions of life and death.

I don't know what I expected but it wasn't this. This hits emotionally hard. Having a character in a vegetative state and that debate is not easy. It will ask you to think about your own stance on right to die, dignity and love. My personal stance on this is hard and fast due to personal experience but I know not everyone has thought about it. Smoky Mountain Dreams is a book that prides itself on representing love in all its forms. We get to see romantic, unrequited, platonic, love of God and importantly familial. Familial actually feels more like the focus of Part II of the book. Part I feels like it focuses on the romantic relationship between Jesse and Christopher. There is of course blending. I liked the parts, the way it was broken up, the split is in a natural position. It doesn't impede the flow.

The main characters are all really likeable and distinct. From the little I've read so far, it is fair to say Leta Blake writes complexity and human characters well. No one is what they initially appear. Their motives are usually made plain and they are usually on some level relatable or at least understandable. Bat shit crazy preachers excepted. That said I think she might also have cleverly written an unreliable narrator into Smoky Mountain Dreams, at least in one aspect of his life. I will avoid spoilers for that. I'm going to go through the main characters but all the characters are distinct and easy to identify. Nova and Tim and so endearing. Joe is a fave is Christopher's family. I definitely think there was more to Lee.

Christopher Ryder is just sweet. His upbringing in a fundamental Christian household has hurt him given him massive self-confidence issues. He's a failed musician but happily working at Smoky Mountain Dreams a theme park. On some level, I relate to him. His familial abuse shines in later chapters. It just hurt.  He is grans fave grandchild. He's really close to his gran, not so much the rest of his family. His relationship with family changes as the book goes on. Jesse is the only person who sees him, really sees him.

Jesse Birch is rich like loaded for a life rich but works as a boutique jeweller. He's a father of two struggling to deal with an accident that left his wife, Marcy, in a vegetative state. He wants to honour her wishes but doesn't have medical power of attorney. Christopher is the first person he's gotten close to the 5 years since the accident. He's a fan of Chris' music and performances at Smoky Mountain Dreams. Jesse's coding is fascinating to me. He is a bisexual man because that is the label given to him, as with real people your label is yours to decide. But his coding could make him a bisexual demiromantic maybe. It would tie his romantic attraction to his emotions (but it's complicated). There is something truly appealing about a character living in a town where everyone knows his business where he never has to explain his family (wife or parents). Only to have to try and articulate it to a love interest. Marcy in particular is complicated.

Jesse's kids are 12-year-old Brigid and 9-year-old Will. Will is just a happy open child. Chris is accepted easily by Will after a fun moment. Brigid is not. While Will was 4 when Marcy had her accident, Brigid was 7. She is holding onto her mother, her dreams of her family as it was. Brigid has so much growth as a character, a lot of the plot revolves around her and what it will take for her to accept Chris being with Jesse. But as Jesse sees Chris, Chris sees Brigid. It is worth saying that while she is 12 she is slightly emotionally stunted due to her mother's accident.

A  dump of good things

“Are you…so, you’re gay? And living a lie?” “No, no. Of course not. If you’re not honest, then you’re not anything in this world, son. Learn that lesson now and you won’t be sorry. I’m bisexual. And monogamous.” — This was a joy to see. An older parental figure guiding and educating a

“Thank fucking God. There’s nothing worse than getting this far only to find out I don’t get to bottom. Let’s go.” — Christopher has no fucking filter and I love him for it.

"I’d be embarrassed but I don’t think I know how anymore. Not when it comes to him and his dick.” — All I could think when I read this line was oh god James is Zeus Jr. kinda reinforced when we got around to meeting the prick. Joe has the best reactions to this family, I mean really. Nopeing on out of there would likely be my reaction too.

The whole conversation is rhyming couplets made me smile. I was just so unexpected and must have taken some work to create.

This is insanely sex-positive. From Jesse's hookups across Europe to dirty talk and top/bottom and their conversation limitations to safe sex. There are no pressures to go beyond what is comfortable. I quite like Jesse he is a top plain and simple. It's not tied to not wanting pain or dominance and he can express himself as to why. But seeing a top who is just a top without being dominant feels slightly unusual these days.

It’s not adultery to me. My wife died five years ago. I had to move on.” “Okay, but legally, you’re still married.” “Yes.” — I think this broke my heart a little. Contextually I think it's one of the most interesting lines. Jesse knows some things intellectually but not emotionally.

Paper Cranes are a massive theme in this book. If you know the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes you will have some idea of what is coming

For those interested here is the audio of The Rose by Bette Midler which is oddly important to the story in a way. (via Spotify)

This is one of those books that has a lovely ending. It ends in a way that is definitely happy for now rather than happily ever after. It suits the tone of the book. Of equal importance to Chris and Jesse's happiness is Will and Brigid's given Chris and his position on Jesse prioritising his kids first. Everything comes back to family and acceptance. It did make me a little emotional which is what I wanted from it. There are some heartbreaking moments, some hot and heavy ones and some beautiful characters. It isn't always an easy read but it is well worth it. I like how Leta Blake writes, I like her character creation and her plots. I recommend trying if you are looking for some emotional romance to read. I can see why people who read her do, she's much along the same lines as Riley Hart and Kiera Andrews writing humans and something closer to realism.

2nd quote: “From my stepfather. From my mom. I mean, they didn’t hurt me. Physically. But you know how it can be in the South.” “They’re conservative Christians?” “That’s a polite way to put it. Given their beliefs, I tend to call them motherfucking lunatics.” — Christopher Ryder & Jesse Birch