#Lillian Barrett

[pinkysberg]

do ALL the starfield potential romances talk abt their ex this much or...

also can the flirt prompts stop coming up right after they've given me a lot of personal information about their last long term relationship please.

[spookyspecterino]

Left Behind

Sam Coe x GN! Reader

GN! Reader. Use of They/Them pronouns, no use of Y/N, or reader descriptions. Reader is referred to as Captain sometimes, like in the game.

Characters: Sarah, Barrett, Sam Coe. Mentions of Cora Coe and Lillian

No spoilers for the end of game or Sam's romance questline

A little bit of angst, but with a happy ending, language, a sprinkle of pining. No official romance with Sam has started in this fic, but the hint of one forming is there.

Seemingly out of nowhere, you ask Sarah to go out exploring with you instead of Sam one day. He’s clueless as to why, until he talks to Barrett. After realizing his mistake, he’s determined to close this rift between you and him.

This idea came to me while playing the game and going through the many different conversations about Sam’s ex-wife, Lillian. I’ve since finished his romance questline, and needless to say, I loved it and the whole thing was worth it. More is on the way. I have written many outlines. I have a particular feeling that I'm going to need a starfield masterlist here soon.

Florescent lights in the interior of the Frontier. You’d have to change those, because now more than ever, you wanted to be anywhere other than here. Every action was spurred by this increasing desire to get the hell out. Things were shoved half hazard into your bag. You took only a few meager supplies, rationalizing that more could be scavenged from the temperate planet.

A deep voice over your shoulder only makes you frown harder. “Hey, you ready to go? Looks like a good planet.”

Maybe it wasn’t the lighting that made you want to leave, but it didn’t help.

“Yeah—uh, actually. Sarah—”

Your friend looks up from messing with the ship’s calibration. “Hm?”

“You wanna head out?”

She’s unsure what to do. Her eyes flicker to Sam. “Oh, er—sure.” Slowly, as if waiting for you to change your mind, she gets up to start collecting her gun and some supplies.

With a halfway look over your shoulder at Sam, “Gonna take Sarah with me today. Spend some time with Cora, or, I don’t know, play cards with Barrett.”

Or go think about Lillian

Sam doesn’t move. Doesn’t say a word. With your pack slung over your shoulder, you’re already heading toward the exit. “Ready Sarah?”

“All set Captain.”

The sound of the hatch opening and closing marks your speedy dismissal. Sam is left where he stood. Brows pinched. The ship is deathly quiet and oddly empty without you.

And Sam does what you suggested. He sits with Cora, listening to his daughter describe the books she’s reading, listens to all her theories on what the books’ themes are, listens to her feelings on the books’ authors—it takes up only a few hours. And he likes it, he always does, but somethings’ missing. Somethings wrong.

And you’re still not back. He’s bored to tears and can’t shake that funny feeling. It’s probably nothing. Right?

After a few more hours, when he tried to take a nap and couldn’t, he got up and decided to scan the planet. And then rescan it. Then scan the system, then rescan it.

Why’d you leave him behind?

Yesterday you were fine. Looking at him with those bright, happy eyes of yours. You were such a good listener—the way you leaned in, focused all your attention on him. It made him want to keep talking. Sam sighed, maybe a little louder than he intended, and leaned back in his chair, leg bouncing.

“What’s wrong, friend?”

He snapped out of his thoughts as Barrett appeared. “Not sure what you mean.”

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me. You’re shuffling around the ship like a kicked puppy.” He leans in a little. “You missin’ the Captain?”

Sam crosses his arms. “That’s none of your business.”

This makes Barrett grin even more, as infuriating as that is for Sam. “Oh sure, sure…I just can’t help but notice they decided to take Sarah today.”

“No shit.” Sam mumbles, looking away.

“Does that…bother you?” He holds up his hands in defense. “Not trying to be nosy, just attempting to help.”

“You’ve never asked if something’s bothered me before—or if you could help with it.”

“Well, it’s no secret the captain prefers to take you along.” He waggles his eyebrows. “As in they take you everywhere, man. Even Sarah was surprised when they asked her instead. It was more than a little awkward.”

Sam only groans and rubs a hand over his face.

“Did you two get into a fight?” Barrett leans in. “A little lover’s quarrel?”

“No! No—we’re not even…it’s not like that—there was no…I…” Sam’s jaw twitches. “It’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

“Doesn’t seem that way to me.”

“I don’t need you to be my counselor, Barrett.”

“Alright. Alright. Have fun trying to figure out why you’re stuck on the ship. Who knows, maybe you’ll figure out the reason they’re mad at you…in a month—or two.”

Sam frowns. “How do you know they’re mad at me?”

“I thought it was obvious.” Barrett laughs. “You don’t even know you’re in the doghouse? Oh, you’re doomed.”

“Damnit.” Sam hisses. “Ok! ok. Barrett…” Sam grits his teeth as his friend slowly turns to face him with a grin. “Please help.”

“Say no more friend.” He claps his hands once, sitting across from Sam and getting comfortable. ��Ok, how bad was the fight?”

“I told you, there wasn’t one.”

“You didn’t fight? Not even an argument?”

“Nope. Everything was normal yesterday.”

Barrett runs his fingers through his beard, deep in thought as he concentrates. “What did you last talk about?”

Sam sighs. This was already more than he bargained for. “Lillian.”

“Oooh, ex-wife troubles, huh?”

“Watch it, Barrett.”

“Alright, alright. What about the conversation before that?”

“Lillian, again.”

Barrett gives him a look. “Annnd the one before that?”

“Uh…I think it was…it was about Cora and Lillian.”

“How many times have you talked about Lillian with the captain?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to explain what Lillian’s like and what we’ve been through.”

“So, I’m guessing there’s been quite a few?”

“Sure, you could say that.”

The all-knowing Barrett nods. “There it is.”

“There’s what?”

“You two obviously have feelings for one another—” He holds up a finger as Sam tries to interject. “—don’t bother denying it, I see the little glances you give each other when you think no ones’ looking.”

Sam’s face tints a light shade of red despite his frown.

It delights Barrett and he continues on. “And since you two wanna be together and do all that sappy, lovey-dovey stuff, don’t you think constantly bringing up your ex-wife is a bit of a buzzkill?”

“I’m just trying to express how I feel. Can I help it that I’m constantly mad at Lillian?”

“That’s ok—I mean you obviously need to see a professional about it—but don’t bring it up every conversation. Especially when they’re trying to be sweet with you.”

“Sweet with me?”

“The lingering touches, the glances, the way they laugh at your jokes even when they’re terrible.”

“My jokes aren’t that bad.”

“Do you see Sarah and I laughing?”

“Erm…no, no I guess not.”

“Maybe ask them how they’re doing or ask them about their life. Lend an ear if somethings bothering them, but also, don’t try to fix it for them. Sometimes people just want to vent.”

“But that’s what I was doing—venting about Lillian.”

“You were doing it too much.”

“So, vent, but don’t do it too much? You’re not making any sense, Barrett.”

Barrett shifts into a straighter posture in his chair. “Let me run you through a scenario.”

He leans to the left as Sam watches with a raised eyebrow. “’Hello, Mr. Sexy Space Cowboy, how are you today?’” He makes over-exaggerated doe eyes to really sell it.

He shifts over to the right side of his chair and adopts a deeper, over the top, gravelly voice. “’I talked to my ex-wife, the mother of my child, last night. Here’s the specific details of our relationship and our history.’”

“’Oh, well, that’s nice. What if we talk about something else—’”

“’All I think about or talk about is Lillian.’”

Sam waves a hand, stopping Barrett. “It’s not like that. Plus, I’m not gushing over Lillian–I’m not even talking highly of her.”

“The fact that you keep bringing her up sends its own message.”

“What kind of message?”

“The sort of message that says you’re not over her.”

“But I am, I really am.”

“Have you explicitly said that in these conversations you’re having?”

“…Not exactly.”

“Seeee? Ok, let’s put you in the opposite position. The captain starts bringing up one of their old partners, constantly. They vent and they tell you all the horrible things about them, and all the good things too, but it’s like every conversation something about their partner comes up. How does that make you feel?”

“Wait, were they in a serious relationship?”

“Oh yeah. The most serious. Picket fence with a dog kind of relationship.”

Sam grips the handles of his chair. “When did they tell you this?”

“No, no, no this is for the demonstration. But do you see what I mean? I could tell you were getting a little on edge there.”

Sam clicks his tongue, leaning back and looking away. “I was not.”

“You looked like you were about to jump out of your seat.”

“…Ok, maybe I was.”

“Now imagine if that was real, and they brought them up as much as you do with Lillian.”

A hard pit forms in Sam’s stomach. “Alright, you’ve got a point there.”

“Doesn’t feel great, does it?”

Sam runs a hand through his hair with a long sigh. “I get it now. But how do I fix it? By bringing it up, isn’t that still talking about Lillian?”

“In a way, yes. You just have to get over that first hurdle and then let the love flow.”

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“Let your feelings out!”

“That isn’t…that’s not really my style.”

“You’d better change that. Cause if not, you’re gonna get left behind more often, you’re going to grow even more distant, and someone else is bound to show up, you know that. The captains’ a catch.”

“You’re not wrong.”

“So just go out there and explain how you feel. And while you’re at it, confess you’re in love with them.”

Sam chuckles nervously. “That’s way too soon.”

“Ok, if the time isn’t right then maybe save that for later, when you inevitably mess up again. I will admit I like the dramatics a little too much.”

“What do you mean mess up aga—”

“It’ll happen. But we should really talk about if your approach doesn’t work.”

“Why wouldn’t it work?”

“The damage might’ve already been done. The captain may think you’re not over Lillian.”

“But I’ll tell them I’m not.”

“It might be harder to convince them than simply saying a few words.”

“So, what do I do?”

“You gotta let them go.”

“What?”

“You gotta give them their space and some time. Let them mull it over. You can’t force someone to be with you, and you certainly can’t force them to stop being mad at you. It would only make things worse.”

“You’re suggesting, if I talk to them and they’re still mad, I just…let them figure it out and step away?”

“If you love something, set it free. If it returns, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it was never yours to begin with.”

“Ah, clever. You had to sneak a phrase in there didn’t you?”

“It’s been too long since our game, friend. You spend all your time at the front trying to catch the captain’s eye.”

Sam’s head was starting to hurt and the pit in his stomach only grew when he imagined you exploring without him on a regular basis. He closes his eyes. “I don’t know if I could lose them. It would… it would tear me apart. I don’t know what I’d do with myself.”

“That’s love.”

“I’ll talk with them when they get back. Or do you think I should go out there and find them?”

“The dramatic part of me wants you to do that…but the practical part says no.” He looks out the ships’ window at the sunset and mumbles, “Plus it’s not even raining.”

“What does rain have to do with anything?”

“Confessions in the rain always have more umph to them. Best to wait.”

Sam groans. “I’m gonna go stir crazy in here.”

“Just relax, think about what you’re going to say. In the meantime, shall we play a few rounds of our game?”

Their game of back-and-forth sayings has Sam feeling better, or maybe it was simply talking with Barrett, but it was late into the night when they finished, and you were still nowhere to be found. Feeling defeated, Sam went to bed, tossing and turning endlessly before falling into a restless sleep. The little dreams he could remember consisted of trying to find you, and chasing a ghostly figure that wouldn’t stay still.

It’s late into the next morning when Barrett registers you and Sarah on the ship’s scanner. Finally returning after your scouting expedition on the planet. What Sam would have given to spend the night out under the stars with you, it makes him burn with envy at the thought.

However, he quickly forgets about it as you come into the Frontier laughing and smiling with Sarah. Talking about some weird rock formation you saw on your travels.

“Certainly odd shaped.” Sarah laughed.

“Never seen one that big. Rock or otherwise.” You replied grinning, sending Sarah into another fit of laughter.

Sam almost didn’t want to spoil your good mood, a wave of uncertainty threatened to knock him over. In fact, he was so jostled seeing you happy and laughing without him that he avoided looking at you. Preferring to mess with the straps of his holster or fiddle with his jacket out of insecurity. Maybe you would be happier without him. Maybe he should just let you go—

“Hey, Sam. Can we talk?”

Your heavenly voice is both music to his ears and the reason his heart pounds out of his chest. He looks up at you, startled, confidence wavering, and sees your gentle eyes and smile.

“Uh, sure.”

You nod toward the hatch. “Let’s go outside.”

Sam catches Barrett’s encouraging look as he leaves. The fresh air helps, a little, after being cooped up in the ship for a day. You’re wringing your hands together and kicking a branch around as he joins you. Seeing you so anxious ties Sam’s stomach into painful knots.

You stand up straighter, shoulders squared. “Thanks for agreeing to talk.” Sam prepares for the worst. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

An apology? He wasn’t expecting it and his reaction said as much.

“The way I acted was rude and inconsiderate. I should’ve said something to you much earlier, rather than letting you rightfully assume you would be joining me instead of Sarah. For that, I’m sorry.”

He took a step closer, fighting the urge to fidget. You looked just as nervous as he was, and for a brief moment he wondered why. The apology did help, but his biggest question was:

“Why did you leave me behind?”

Your jaw flexed, eyes skittering around the landscape before taking the plunge. “I…I needed a break, I think—from talking about Lillian.” You were quick to raise your hands. “Not that I don’t want to support you and let you talk about your problems…I was just…”

Pinching the bridge of your nose, eyes squeezed shut, you started over. “I care for you. That’s no secret. But sometimes I have my limits. Hearing you talk about Lillian—I want to be able to help you, and I don’t see any way that I can, when it comes to her. And that hurts. It makes me feel like lending an ear and my support isn’t enough—like I’m not enough. And the way you talk about her sometimes…” You trail off with a crestfallen look out into the distance. “What I’m really trying to get at is that stepping away from it for a day really helped. I have a clearer mind now and I’d like to resume our usual exploring together.”

So, Barrett was right—not that Sam was ever going to tell him. He starts slowly. “Well, I think it’s time for me to apologize now.”

“N-No, you don’t have to—”

He smiles, good-naturedly. You were always so kind to him. “Hang on now, let me finish.” He’s feeling more confident now, the fidgeting is gone. “I was a little hurt from yesterday, but now that I know why I wanted to say thank you for listening to me vent so much about Lillian, and I’m sorry that I went overboard. You have no idea how helpful it is to have you listen and support me. I’ve never had anyone do that, and it means the world to me.” He takes another step closer. “If you need to take some time for yourself, then take it. It would be unfair otherwise. I care for you, so much, and I want you to do what makes you happy.”

Sam thinks he sees your lip quiver a bit, but your eyes are full of nothing but adoration.

He continues on. “I’ve never said anything specifically about this, and I’m just hoping that it has some weight to it, but I’m not interested in Lillian anymore. I know I talk about her too much. But I haven’t harbored any feelings for her in a very long time, and I certainly don’t now.”

“You don’t?”

He chuckles. “Absolutely not. And I never meant to give you that impression either.”

A mixture of emotion spreads across your face, one moment you laugh—the next your mouth is twisted into an anxious and nervous tilt—and then you’re laughing again.

“I feel like an absolute dumbass.” You murmur, placing a hand on the back of your neck.

The grin is slow to spread across his face. “Don’t tell me you were jealous?”

You spin to face him. “Uh…well…jealousy is an unfortunate human emotion that’s inherent in every one of us—”

“Yeahh, it sounds like you were jealous.” He laughs, his brilliant smile beaming at you.

“It was only a little bit.”

“Mhm, yes, of course.”

You laugh and throw your hands up. “Come on, can you blame me? With you talking about her having the, and I quote, ‘voice of an angel’, how was I not supposed to be?”

Sam groans, half in pain and half playful. “I didn’t say that, did I?”

“I just quoted you. You totally did.”

“Well, I’m obviously the dumbass then.” He makes a great, joking bow. “Allow me to apologize—”

“No, no—” You’re grinning delightfully. “I won’t have any more apologies today. I will, though, have a hug.”

“Ah, much better.” He opens his arms wide. “Come ‘ere.”

Without hesitation you’re in his arms, burying your face in the crook of his neck. He can feel your smile against his skin as you pull him close.

The rift between you both has closed. And Sam felt whole again.

[silurisanguine]

15 lines of Dialogue game

As ive been away for the weekend, not sure if anyone tagged me with this but saw it open tag so here we go. Tagging @vorchagirl @despicablediet and anyone who'd like to do it! 15 Lines of Dialogue Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well! Since i've written the most with Seren Jones, I shall pick her for this!

1 -"Maybe I am, but there isn’t anything left in this universe worth staying for. Whatever is in the next universe has to be better than this one Barrett, it has to. I can't bare to stay here any more, not without him, not when I could have done it so differently."

2 - "Cora… she was there, saw her dad die…She hated me, blamed me for not saving him. After the funeral, Lillian took her and that was the last I ever saw that wonderful twelve year old. I realised then I had no reason to stay in my universe as everything i loved had been taken from me. I hoped maybe another would give me a second chance. To fix things..to try again…

…That’s why I do this.”

3 - "I came here the first time with no preconception of what I’d find. I was in awe at the location, just as you are now. But what I learned here has guided my hand in relation to how I see the Artifacts, how I see Unity and the Starborn. Anyone who wants to complete the Artifact collection, needs to know the full story for themselves.”

4- "Now you see how dangerous this place is, and this is just the start. The Starborn Guardians here have lost all empathy, all compassion, their humanity in pursuit of their cause. They have nothing left in their existence except to stop anyone else reaching the Temple. …I sometimes wonder what is the point of their existence before I wipe them out of it for good.”

5 -”You washed them clean. I can say one good thing about Lillian in that she gave you the chance to do that. You’re not the same man, Sam.”

6 -”They makes me smile every time I come back here. But I’m not entirely alone, the fish there get a view unlike any other.” She pointed to the couple of little fish swimming in their tanks, sitting right at the edge of the massive view screen. “If you don’t mind taking care of them for me, they’ve been a good little crew, never complained once.”

7 - "I've never met you before. Until today I'd never met a single pirate here." That was the truth, if a little stretched Seren thought.

8 -"All this, this universe is a nightmare. I've been to so many variations and… You… everyone here is so different, so wrong. It’s like Unity decided to show me the worst outcome possible just to make me appreciate who I’d - what I’d lost.”

9 -"Neat trick, have to remember that next time I'm in a hell-hole universe."

10 -"Sorry, Sam, just picturing you over Vlad���s head brought on images of you in ballet tights and…yeah, sorry, I have too much imagination.”

11 - "Yes, justice, Delgado. See that’s behind most things I do now. In this case justice for those your fucking coloured coded Spacers have harmed- have murdered. It’s interesting really how far I got here without anyone realising who I really am... I wondered why no one noticed the SIN of my ship. Even Jess surprisingly. It was a gamble using it of course…But no one ever clocked that I was flying the Razorleaf."

12- “Until I knew for sure you felt the same way I did, I wasn’t sure how to really act around you. But now I know, expect more of this, Sam Coe.”

13 - “You know I would! I mean she called me darlin, you know that makes me melt.”

14 - "…He always said he was bad with words, yet he could say things that were like love poetry to me, that would dazzle me. He was so open with his feelings when he trusted you. Funny, absurd sometimes and he cared deeply and loved passionately. He was an amazing father and I-"

15 - "I've no idea. Being Starborn didn't exactly come with a manual."

[zvahl]

MCD Characters Ranked By Thumbnail Appearances

why did I do this? who knows. Anyways have this silly little list I made ^-^

Aphmau: 49 (s1 - 16 / s2 - 18 / s3 - 15)

Garroth: 16 (s1 - 7 / s2 - 6 / s3 - 3)

Laurance: 11 (s1 - 6 / s2 - 5)

Katelyn: 9 (s1 - 2 / s2 - 6 / s3 - 1)

Dante: 8 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 3 / s3 - 2)

Aaron: 7 (s1 - 2 / s2 - 4 / s3 - 1)

Levin: 7 (s1 - 5 / s2 - 2)

Lucinda: 7 (s1 - 2 / s2 - 4 / s3 - 1)

Travis: 7 (s2 - 4 / s3 - 3)

Naoko: 5 (s2 - 4 / s3 - 1)

Shad: 5 (s2 - 1 / s3 - 4)

Alexis: 4 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 1)

Brendan: 4 (s1 - 4)

Cadenza: 4 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 1)

Castor: 4 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 1)

Kiki: 4 (s1 - 2 / s2 - 2)

Lilith: 4 (s2 - 3 / s3 - 1)

Nana: 4 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 1)

Sasha: 4 (s1 - 3 / s2 - 1)

Vylad: 4 (s1 - 1 / s2 - 3)

Zane: 4 (s1 - 2 / s3 - 2)

Zoey: 4 (s1 - 1 / s2 - 2 / s3 - 1)

Chad: 3 (s2 - 3)

Dmitri: 3 (s2 - 3)

Emmalyn: 3 (s2 - 2 / s3 - 1)

Ivy: 3 (s2 - 3)

Leona: 3 (s1 - 1 / s2 - 2)

Lo: 3 (s3 - 3)

Malachi: 3 (s1 - 1 / s2 - 2)

Nicole: 3 (s1 - 2 / s2 - 1)

Alina: 2 (s3 - 2)

Boss: 2 (s2 - 2)

Donna: 2 (s1 - 2)

Gene: 2 (s3 - 2)

Hailey: 2 (s2 - 1 / s3 - 1)

Hyria: 2 (s2 - 1 / s3 - 1)

Irene: 2 (s2 - 1 / s3 - 1)

Kenmur: 2 (s2 - 2)

Molly: 2 (s1 - 2)

Urla (Crazy Cat Lady): 2 (s1 - 2)

Zenix: 2 (s1 - 2)

Abby: 1 (s2 - 1)

Amber: 1 (s2 - 1)

Azura: 1 (s1 - 1)

Barrett (Neapolitan Guard): 1 (s1 - 1)

Bigglesworth: 1 (s1 - 1)

Bodolf: 1 (s1 - 1)

Demon Warlock: 1 (s2 - 1)

Dr. Bees: 1 (s1 - 1)

Dr. Doctor: 1 (s1 - 1)

Enki: 1 (s2 - 1)

Esmund: 1 (s2 - 1)

Fenrir: 1 (s2 - 1)

Isabell: 1 (s2 - 1)

Janus: 1 (s2 - 1)

Jeffory: 1 (s1 - 1)

John: 1 (s2 - 1)

Kiva: 1 (s1 - 1)

Lillian: 1 (s1 - 1)

Logan: 1 (s1 - 1)

Lord Burt: 1 (s1 - 1)

Lord Luke: 1 (s1 - 1)

Matilda: 1 (s1 - 1)

Meowki: 1 (s1 - 1)

Michi: 1 (s2 - 1)

Mikai: 1 (s2 - 1)

Neapolitan Blacksmith: 1 (s1 - 1)

Raven: 1 (s2 - 1)

Sean Connery: 1 (s1 - 1)

Thorgi: 1 (s1 - 1)

Yip: 1 (s2 - 1)

[dryad-of-the-dogwood]

The Grav Jump Tango Chapter 10: The Bridges We’ve Burned Pairing: Sam Coe x Spacefarer

Excerpt below the cut for main story spoilers

Much to Cora’s disappointment, the second temple hadn’t made Cass’s gravity powers stronger after all. Instead, it had given her the ability to create some strange… bubble of clean air, which was an odd thing to try to connect to the gravity-related nature of the Artifacts and temples themselves. Sam had joked it would come in handy if she ever accidentally spaced herself. Cass had looked thoughtful and pointed out that it could save someone with a suit leak, too. Not that either of those things were particularly likely, but it couldn’t hurt to have in her back pocket just in case.

Things settled into a kind of routine, after that. Sometimes Sarah would stay in the Lodge and Andreja or Barrett would join in for the surveys Vlad set for Cass, but every time she’d extend an invite to Sam and Cora, too. A few times they stopped a while in Cydonia or Akila, to shop or hunt down rumors. Often as not, Cass would find someone like that little girl in Akila City who she couldn’t say no to helping out—including another kid who had wanted help hanging drawings of a space frog, of all things. He’d expected that one once the girl pulled out the puppy dog eyes at least, and Cora had been over the moon when Cass sneaked out one of the posters for her room in the Lodge.

Their most recent visit had seen Cass first break out her mining laser to help the crew meet their quotas, and then somehow managed to snowball into her leveraging her background in corporate espionage to get them new mining equipment, talk down a miner turned attempted thief, and ended with her handing evidence to the head of security that cost the governor of Cydonia his job. Personally, Sam didn’t think the murderer deserved the dignity of stepping down before he stood trial, but with bureaucracy there was never a real win, just a mildly less distasteful solution.

They’d been on downtime since then, and Cass seemed to keep herself busy in the city a lot when they were on Jemison, so it had been a couple of days since he’d more than passed her having dinner. Not that he was keeping an eye out or anything, but her absence from the Lodge seemed oddly obvious already, despite what a relatively short time she’d been there. Nobody to referee Mattias and Noel except Barrett without her, after all, and his version of refereeing was usually more like goading them both.

So Sam had made sure Cora was tucked in—with her reading lamp on and some dusty novel in her hands, naturally, but tucked in nonetheless—and then gone to check on his ship to avoid the latest disagreement over the nature of the divine, or whatever Mattias was most recently convinced the Artifacts really were. Sam hadn’t taken his ship into the ’field in a couple of weeks by that point, but he didn’t feel like trying to squeeze in an evening departure slot so he settled for giving the drive a little TLC. Until Lillian called, and then he was glad he was far out of Cora’s earshot.

That conversation had gone about as well as it ever did, especially after Lillian tried berating Sam for putting Cora in danger again. Apparently, based off something she had heard from Pryce in Neon about Cass. Like Lillian had any damn ground to stand on as far as protecting Cora was concerned, when she couldn’t even manage to show up for visits. Whether Jaylen’s info was true, Sam didn’t know or care, because it didn’t much matter. He’d seen by now how high keeping Cora busy enough to stay safe ranked on Cass’s priority list, and also how much having someone to talk to who loved books as much as she did meant to his little girl. Cass had volunteered to stay away entirely rather than risk being a bad influence, for fuck’s sake. Those were the important things as far as he was concerned.

Sam was still fuming when he made it back to the Lodge sometime around midnight, glad that at least everyone else should be asleep. Maybe he could get in a few rounds on the punching bag until he was too exhausted to be angry. But despite the hour, Sam heard a glass clinking as he came up the stairs. He paused on the landing and then let his feet carry on past the hall. He was curious to see who might have stayed up for a nightcap, and then only more so when he realized it was Cass. He’d never seen her in the bar before, but she was pouring what appeared to be at least her second glass.

“Long night?” he asked cautiously as he approached. She seemed like the type who when she did drink, might prefer to do so alone.

Cass didn’t exactly startle but her head did snap toward him unusually quickly, so he thought he might have still caught her off guard. The tension in her shoulders relaxed fast enough though. Maybe she preferred having her late night drink witnessed by him rather than Sarah. He knew he sure would, in her place.

“For you too, it looks like,” she said, taking a sip. Sam would’ve liked to have been able to say his eyes didn’t focus on the way the tip of her tongue ran over her lips afterward, but that would’ve been a lie. Still failing at not paying attention to those small, tantalizing little motions, no matter how many times he reminded himself he should. She frowned once she got a look at him. “You all right?”

“Well, managed not to break my neck trippin’ over another one of Cora’s experiments, so I’d say I’m ahead so far for today,” Sam evaded, though he still didn’t take his eyes off her. “Have I just missed every other time you’ve come up here, or is there a special occasion?”

Cass hummed noncommittally, taking another drink and then staring down into the glass as she swirled the liquid around inside. “I wouldn’t exactly call it a special occasion. More like a nice trip through purgatory, with a non-zero chance of a detour to hell.”

[cherrytreegrove]

My Creepypasta OC’s

Not sure if anyone really cares but I’m willing to do x readers with my OC’s, I also ship them with main creepypasta’s and I wanna see if y’all can guess which ones! Good luck!

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ. ₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ. ₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

Angelica (Angel) Abby Anderson was the first born of the empress of Japan, Empress Lillian Anderson, and the Tsar of Russia, Tsar Viktor Lev Anderson, three years later they would have Hope Harper Anderson. Angel loved throwing and going to parties, she lived for fame and money. Hope loved her sister and would always follow her around. When her parents tragically passed, due to a disease, in 1918 Angel inherited the mansion, money, and property of her father, she preferred to be called Duchess Angel instead of Empress Angel. In 1920, Angel threw a party to celebrate her engagement to Edward Barrett; she wouldn’t live to see her wedding, however, for a group of strange individuals wearing black robes stormed into the garden party. They set the garden ablaze, they slaughtered most of the guests, Angel, Hope and Edward were hidden in one of the many rooms in the mansion, Edward knew they wouldn’t get out alive so he wanted his death to be by the lady he loved, so he handed Angel a revolver and asked her to shoot him, with teary eyes and shaky hands Angel shot her lover. The gunshot and the loud sobs of the Duchess caught the attention of the strange men, they found the sisters and knocked them out. When the sisters awoke they found themselves tied to each other, back to back, on the ground of a clearing. The men stood in a circle around the two girls, chanting something not in a human language, while the others continued one of the men grabbed a dagger and stabbed Hope in heart, Angel tried to scream but the fabric around her mouth prevented her from doing so. Angel felt her sister go limp, she cried and cried but nothing happened. Once the men had stopped chanting, another man stepped closer to Angel, he pulled her blonde hair back, he slit her throat with the same dagger that had killed Hope. It had felt like they were just sleeping, for Angel and Hope woke up they were met with a demon, the demon, who called himself Zalgo, told them they were now his children -he explained how the men that had crashed the party were minions of his- Angel was enraged, she refused to work for him, she attacked him and fled with Hope. It took a while but Angel soon learned how to use her powers, she taught Hope how to use her’s too. Angel and Hope soon found other girls with tragic pasts and took them in, Angel gifted them with powers to aid her in battle. Soon the ground of girls joined the Slenderman alliance.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚��‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

Mai Sakai died while giving birth to her daughter, Luna Sakai, Her husband was devastated but he cared for his daughter. Luna was raised in London, but her father made sure she knew Japanese. Luna’s father, Liam Sakai, dealt with alcohol abuse and soon after Luna’s 14th birthday he died of excessive drinking. Luna didn’t have any other family so she was sent to an ‘Orphanage'. The ‘Orphanage’ was actually just a place where the boys would rape and torture the females, and Luna was their new victim. After five years of the rape and torture Luna had enough, she escaped in the dead of night. She hid under a tree, she worried about what she would do next when a woman in a red cloak walked up to her. The woman extended her hand to the shivering girl, Luna hesitated at first but she told herself ‘what’s left to lose’. The woman was Angel Anderson. She took Luna in, gave her a room, warm food, and she turned Luna into an immortal human with an increased sense of smell and hearing. Luna’s soft brown became a deep purple, her blue eyes turned into a vibrant golden yellow. Luna now protects Angel and Hope along with the rest of the group.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

Anna Walter was the only child of the Walters, a wealthy family,in 1840, The family was disappointed that their only child was a female, they thought her to be useless unless she married a rich man, but they also believed their daughter to be hideous. Anna was only five when her parents locked her up in a room, they barely gave her food, they would constantly abuse her, and by the time she was sixteen the Walter girl was numb to the pain. Not even the staff had any remorse for the girl, one day the maids decided to scare Anna. They dragged her to the roof of the manor, one of the maids held Anna by the neck, holding her over the edge, she taunted and threatened to drop her, but Anna’s face was stone cold. Anna was so done with her life, she spat in the face of the maid, making the maid let go of the sixteen-year-old, Anna fell to her death on May 15 1856. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed but one day she woke up, her light brown hair was now jet black, her green eyes now a deep scarlet. A woman, named Angel, had brought her back from the dead, she was in a body Angel had made with her soul in it. Anna still had all her old memories, she hated her old life but the life Angel gave her was everything she had ever wanted, she had given her a family that loved her. She changed her name from Anna Walter to Riku Ross, a name given to her by Angel.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

Zuri was left at an orphanage when she was just an infant, only a note saying her first name. Zuri wasn’t adopted for a long time because she was seen as too violent, she bounced around in the foster system for fourteen years, the only reason the orphanage kept her was because of her advanced intelligence. At school she was often picked on for not having an actual family. During a school field trip, a group of mean girls dragged Zuri from her bed and to the lake, having never had actual parents before no one taught her how to swim, the girls ran back to their cabins not knowing they almost caused Zuri’s death. Zuri almost died, until a woman with silver hair helped her out of the water. The woman took in Zuri, she gave her a family and she turned her into an immortal human. She pleaded her loyalty to Angel and her crew.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

[kessielrg]

Writing Bingo: Meeting the Parents

Mega Man X. In which X joins Aero as she makes her yearly visit to her parents. Full story in the Read More cut. 1,161 words.

Feel free to send an empty square as a prompt through my ask here: link

X was sure that he could date motor vehicles now by whether or not they could accommodate a Reploid. Models dating before his finding had much lower ceilings and were occasionally a bit wider as well. Aero’s truck was one of them. Her dutiful, leaf green pickup did its best to hold X in the passenger seat, but it was still a bit too cramped to be comfortable. Let alone hold a small vase of flowers like he was now. At best, he didn’t have to worry about it falling and shattering on the floor. At worst, he barely had room to wiggle without bumping into Aero as she drove.

“Are you sure about this? You don’t have to join me.”

X looked over at Aero. Her eyes were on the road, and her grip on the wheel was rather relaxed.

“I’ve never met your parents before.” he told her.

Aero slightly turned her head at him just to cock an eyebrow. Not long after she took a deep breath out.

“Alright.” she relented. “We’ve already gotten this far, I guess.”

X gave her a small grin.

“I could still jump out the window if you asked.” he joked. “I can make the landing.”

Much to his delight, Aero laughed. They both knew he couldn’t squeeze out the window if he tried.

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Aero knew where they were going well. She had told X -before he offered to come with- that it was a trip she made once a year. There were many times where she didn’t want to, but ended up doing it either way.

They parked her truck at the church. The path from there was well maintained, allowing X to take in another one of humanity’s grimmest reminders. Aero led them to a certain spot, and simply stopped there. X could feel his heart clench as he read the gravestone.

‘Barrett and Lillian Sephira

2109

Lives ended early leave memories lasting far longer’

“Hey guys,” Aero softly said to the gravestone, “I brought a friend with me today.”

To X, she then said, “You can place the vase at the bottom of the gravestone. There’s a strong magnet in there to keep the vase in place.”

X gave her a nod before doing as he was told. As he stepped away, the feeling that he had to say something as well came over him. Just as sudden, X felt just as nervous as he would have been if her parents were still alive.

“H-hi, Mr and Mrs Sephira. My name is X, I’m a Reploid. The first.” he said, even giving a shy half-wave. “Doctor Cain has taken me in. So I guess I might be a cousin in a way? Heh… I don’t think I am though. I am grateful for Doctor Cain though, and what he’s done for me, but he’s not… he’s not...”

X’s words stalled. He wasn’t quite sure what he would have said next. Instead of finishing the thought, X turned to Aero.

“Do you think they would have liked me?” he asked. “Especially since...”

Aero looked down in a contemplative silence.

“I didn’t have a lot of guy friends when I was younger,” she admitted. “So I don’t really know.”

“Oh...”

“However, based on my and Gran’s opinions, I would like to think they would. Dad would insist that you call him by his first name, and Mom might wonder if you’re able to eat. Then she’ll ask if you prefer cookies or cakes. She’ll bring them to you on your birthday- or… the day Cain found you, at least.”

“Your mom could bake?”

Aero laughed. “Nah. Not really.”

X couldn’t help but laugh a bit as well.

The two remained at the graveside for quite a bit longer. X knew that it had to be Aero who gave the okay to leave- not that he thought of leaving. The graveside was oddly calming.

“Did I ever tell you about their deaths before?” Aero asked.

“Bits and pieces.”

Aero absently nodded.

“It was my aunt who killed them,” she quietly explained. “The reason why I ended up living with the babushka instead of someone younger. I never got to see Aunt Vi much when I was younger. She and my mom just never got along. At least, that was the story I was told most of the time. Even then, as a kid, you gotta figure- what could cause two siblings to hate each other so much that they never want to see each other?”

X gave a nod. “I can’t imagine it.” he agreed.

“One day, sometime after I turned 11, Aunt Vi showed up at our house uninvited. I was in my room, and didn’t think to come down, but I could hear everyone make small talk one minute and then full blown arguing not five minutes after. I wonder if she even knew I was there...”

“Were… were you the one to call the police?”

Aero shook her head.

“Aunt Vi did in a panic.” she explained. “As more first responders showed up, I got scared. It started to dawn on me what had happened. So I stayed were I was. Gran was called to confirm the bodies, and that was when someone noticed I was there. Gran was the only one who bothered to look for me. She told me to stay in my room until all the police left. Including Aunt Vi, who was escorted out for questioning.”

Aero’s body started to tense. Hate and grief overcoming her as she thought back to that day. X tried not to think about what would have happened to a young Aero next. She had been a witness, and likely would have been part of her aunt’s trial. All of which would have occurred while making funeral preparations, still attending school, and having to adjust to no longer being home- to no longer having parents.

“They didn’t have to die.” Aero said. Her voice suddenly so dark that it scared X. “If I had just-”

“You were a kid, Aero.” he tried to remind her. He was trying his best not to just take and shake her, but it was hard.

Aero looked to him. Her eyes were glistening from imminent tears.

“But I-”

“Were smarter than you think by staying in your room. By panic or otherwise. She could have killed you too. Or worse.”

Aero bit her lip. When the first tear finally fell down her face, Aero could no longer hold it back. X didn’t quite know what to do. Taking a gamble, he placed his hand in hers- a small reminder that she wasn’t alone. Aero didn’t think twice before using it as an invite to hold him. X didn’t think twice as he held her as tight as he could without hurting her.

He also shed a tear or two, but he never mentioned it to her.

[noble-guards]

Mcd Minor Character Tournament

I’ll be putting out new rounds (3-4 per day) every day (times will vary, sorry) and they’ll be put here 💪

Look for posts under the tag #mcd minor character tournament

1.Boss vs. Zack - Winner: Boss

2. Calku vs. Merida - Winner: Calku

3. Visher vs. Brendan - Winner: Brendan

4. Cloud vs. Roco - Winner: Cloud

5. Luca vs. Yip - Winner: Yip

6. Malachi vs. Cadenza - Winner: Cadenza

7. Malik vs. Paul - Winner: Malik

8. King of the Southeastern Wolf Tribe vs. Logan - Winner: Logan

9. Nuntis vs Kyle - Winner: Kyle

10. Issa vs. Matilda - Winner: Matilda

11. Boldof vs. Kaguhf - Winner: Boldof

12. Emmalyn vs. Mikai - Winner: Emmalyn

13. Lillian vs. Jeffory - Winner: Jeffory

14. Castor vs. Joh - Winner: Castor

15. John vs. Leona - Winner: Leona

16. Kiki vs. Vincent - Winner: Kiki

17. Ivan vs. Fenrir - Winner: Ivan

18. Zoey vs. Lello - Winner: Zoey

19. Aerith vs. Dmitri - Winner: Dmitri

20. Samos vs. Chad - Winner: Chad

21. Urla vs. Lilith Garnet - Winner: Lilith Garnet

22. Abby vs. Tahnavul - Winner: Abby

23. Zenix vs. Khira - Winner: Zenix

24. Dr. Bees vs. Kiva - Winner: Kiva

25. Dale vs. Louvel - Winner: Dale

26. Gale vs. Kalzul - Winner: Gale

27. Tala vs. Ungrth - Winner: Ungrth

28. Corey vs. Burt - Winner: Corey

29. Ylva vs. Tarnak - Winner: Ylva

30. Janus vs. Rollo - Winner: Janus

31. Hayden vs. Alina - Winner: Hayden

32. Isabel vs. Mino - Winner: Isabel

33. Maccon vs. Glenda - Winner: Glenda

34. Lowell vs. Liochant - Winner: Liochant

35. Molly vs. Brian - Winner: Molly

36. Alexis vs. Emma - Winner: Alexis

37. Azura vs. Ulrich - Winner: Azura

38. Dell vs. Dr. Doctor - Winner: Dr. Doctor

39. Ice Cream Sandwich Man vs. Rose - Winner: Sandwich Man

40. Hailey vs. Levin - Winner: Levin

41. Ulger vs. Amber - Winner: Amber

42: Lo vs. Kenmur - Winner: Kenmur

43. Gabriel vs. Phelan - Winner: Gabriel

44. Alpha of the Eastern Wolf Tribe vs. Raven - Winner: Raven

45. Balto vs. Nekoette - Winner: Nekoette

46. Thomas Yale vs. Oliver - Winner: Thomas

47. Barrett vs. Lily - Winner: Lily

48. Gaia vs. Kimberly & Sylvia - Winner: Kimberly and Sylvia

49. Lord Puu vs. Trall - Winner: Trall

50. Balder vs. Asmund - Winner: Asmund

51. Amethyst vs. James - Winner: Amethyst

52. Elder Wolf vs. Xavier - Tied, will be rerun

53. Gary vs. the Lord of Scaleswind - Winner: Gary

54. Lord Luke vs. Gavin - Winner: Luke

55. Tifa vs. Sota - Winner: Tifa

56. Jacob vs. Damian Yale - Winner: Damian

57. Lord Janna vs. Donna - Winner: Donna

[sporadiceagleheart]

Iliana Rose “Lilly” Garcia, Lily Rose Diaz, Lily, Rosa Alice Lilly Lilly, Lily Rose Hughes Callaghan, Lily Rose Dragna Cormier, Lily Rose Barrett Fray, Lily Rose, Rachel Elizabeth Souza Entwistle, Lillian Rose “Lilly” Entwistle, Lillian Rose “Lily” Klages, Lily M Conroy, Lily Kerkorian, Nathalie “Lily” Sergueiew Collings, Lilly Gray, Lilly Edith Gray Gray, Lily Peters, Liliana Marie “Lily” Peters, Olivia Pratt Korbel, Saffie Rose Roussos, Makenna Lee Elrod, Eliahna Torres, Jackie Cazares, Elizabeth Shelley, Sara Sharif, Charlotte Figi, Jersey Dianne Bridgeman, Sidra Hassouna, Sloan Mattingly, Audrii Cunningham, Athena Strand, Athena Brownfield, Macie Hill, Mercedes Losoya, Lucy Morgan, Star Hobson, Lois Janes, Louis XVII, Sharon Lee Gallegos, Anna D Crnkovic, Irmgard Christine Winter, Norah Lee Howard, Ava Jordan Wood, Leiliana Wright, Semina Mary Halliwell, Lily Lynette Furneaux, Elizabeth “Lily” Jackson, Lily Irene Jackson, Lillie Jackson Brown, Lillie May Carroll Jackson, Cherish Lily Perrywinkle, Cleo Paroli, Lily Sage DeMuth, Lily Alyscia Ledbetter, Lily Silva-Lopez, Lili Elbe Lili Ilse Elvenes, Andre Kostelanetz, Lily Pons/Lily Ponds, Lily G. Puckett Furneaux, Noel Lister, Lilly Hatfield, Charlotte Ruby “Charlie” Emily, Lily Laskine, Lily Leone Morford Cottey, Patricia Elise “Patsy” Parrott Williams, Lily Elise Price Parrott, Mary Lily Connally Morehead, Lily Connally Morehead Mebane, Lily Deacon Forepaugh, Elizabeth Mary “Lily” Cove, Lily Kelly Kahn Harrison, Lillie Langtry, Lillie Matilda Swift, Mrs Lillian “Lily” Kroesen Pickett, Eli Lilly, Eli Lilly, Gustavus Lilly, Esther Elizabeth Kirby Lilly, Emily Lemon Lilly, Lilian Elizabeth “Lily” Badger, Sarah Hudson Badger, Grace McCarthy Badger, Matthew Owens Badger,

[lifeinthestarfield]

Me, I'm marriage agnostic. I mean, if you love someone you can be a couple and who cares about the legality and some ceremony, right? Sam is more of a romantic traditionalist. So we compromised and got married. 😂

Honestly though, I'm perfectly content. Cora gave her blessing, Lillian was fine with it and Jacob, well to my surprise, Jacob was actually on board! He welcomed me to the family! Sam was shocked and I could tell he had to hold back a smart-ass remark, but maybe this is a new era for the Coe family. A little harmony is needed.

Cora stayed with Jacob for a few days while Sam and I honeymooned in the Murphid system doing planetary surveys and capturing some specimen samples for Dr. Walker. It was wonderful, just the two of us and, of course, some Spacers that we ran into. Nothing too difficult.

After getting the crew together we stopped by the Lodge. Vladimir had more Artifact locations to suss out and Walter Stroud found some guy on Neon selling what sounds like an Artifact.

Well, it really was an Artifact, one which was stolen from a Stroud-Eklund competitor. It was a little dicey, but with the help of Walter's wife (who is a hoot, utterly charming, and completely ruthless) we managed to come to an agreement. Even managed to save the thief, though he will spend time in jail.

And then.... (you just know there's an "and then..", right?)

We reached orbit after leaving Neon and a ship like none I've every seen dropped out of grav jump and hailed us. The captain called themself "Starborn" and claimed the Artifact; actually claimed all of the Artifacts. Said they weren't for us, we couldn't understand them, but wouldn't answer any of our questions.

We jumped as they fired up their weapons.

Back at the Lodge there was a Constellation meetup about the ship (no one recognized the technology) and the "Starborn". Matteo thinks they are some kind of angel, Barrett holds out for aliens, but Sam and Sarah both point out that the technology of their ship, while advanced, is recognizable, and most likely of human origin.

I'm leaning towards human as well. If they have the abilities I'm gaining from the Temples, they might be seen as godlike, even though they are just human.

Whatever they are, they are a threat and want us to stop looking for Artifacts. That's not going to happen, obviously. In fact, I'm more determined than ever to keep going.

[llxx0715]

Ruth Barrett you did a good job here

[astrognossienne]

the star analyses...so far

the actors

ira aldridge

eddie “rochester” anderson

fatty arbuckle

humphrey bogart

marlon brando

charlie chaplin

montgomery clift

gary cooper  

sammy davis, jr.

james dean

errol flynn  

clark gable

cary grant

william haines 

juano hernández

rock hudson

rex ingram

canada lee

harold lloyd

robert mitchum  

tom neal

ramón novarro

laurence olivier

gregory peck

lincoln perry

sidney poitier

anthony quinn 

paul robeson

frank sinatra 

rudolph valentino

john wayne

orson welles

the actresses

lauren bacall

josephine baker

theda bara

brigitte bardot

ingrid bergman  

clara bow

louise brooks

diahann carroll

joan crawford

dorothy dandridge

bette davis

doris day

dolores del río

marlene dietrich

peg entwistle

maría félix

greta garbo

ava gardner

lillian gish 

gloria grahame

jean harlow

susan hayward  

rita hayworth

audrey hepburn 

lena horne

grace kelly

eartha kitt

veronica lake

hedy lamarr

carole landis

vivien leigh

carole lombard

jayne mansfield

hattie mcdaniel

marilyn monroe

mabel normand

merle oberon

barbara payton  

gail russell

norma shearer

barbara stanwyck

olive thomas  

gene tierney

lupe vélez

fredi washington

natalie wood 

loretta young     

the couples

annabella + tyrone power

bogie + bacall

frank + ava

frida kahlo + diego rivera  

gable + lombard 

john + yoko

oj + nicole brown simpson

viv + larry

the rivalries

bette davis vs. joan crawford

inspirations + muses

joyce bryant

gia carangi

coco chanel  

beloved public figures

jacqueline kennedy onassis

john f. kennedy  

princess diana

the notable + infamous

david bacon

susan cabot

shauna grant

dorothy hale

hugh hefner

athalia pondsell lindsley

donyale luna

anjette lyles

marquis de sade

niccolo machiavelli

evelyn mchale

evelyn nesbit

adam clayton powell, jr.

philippa schuyler   

literary figures

jack kerouac

musicians + artists

louis armstrong

syd barrett

maria callas

katherine dunham

duke ellington

ella fitzgerald

marvin gaye

jimi hendrix

billie holiday

whitney houston

frida kahlo

john lennon

keith moon

edith piaf  

hazel scott

selena

tupac shakur

tammi terrell 

yoko ono 

special analyses

cancer men and suicide

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

The Lady Gambles

The typical film buff gets excited at spotting Tony Curtis in a two-line bit as a bellhop in Michael Gordon’s THE LADY GAMBLES (1949, TCM). I was thrilled to spot Nana Bryant of LADIES OF THE CHORUS (1948) and Preston Sturges regular Esther Howard, who has no lines. But enough about me. Barbara Stanwyck may be the first Hollywood star to play a person whose gambling is treated as an addiction. It’s all handled in Hollywood terms. She has a simple psychological trigger; she blames herself because her mother died in childbirth, a guilt reinforced by her co-dependent sister (the wonderful character actress Edith Barrett). It’s about as convincing as Don Birnam’s writer’s block in THE LOST WEEKEND (1945) or Lillian Roth’s rebellion against her mother in I’LL CRY TOMORROW (1955). And Stanwyck’s descent into addiction, playing first with house chips given her by an amorous casino owner (Stephen McNally) as her nostrils flare and eyes widen, is almost comically quick. But she plays the whole thing in her usual balls-to-the-wall manner and has some great tough dame moments and a very convincing bout with hysteria. There’s also a scene in which ironing her husband’s shirts drives her to hit the gambling tables, thereby proving that housework is, indeed, dangerous to your mental health. It’s fascinating how the film, shot under the Production Code, makes it clear that Stanwyck has descended to prostitution to fuel her addiction without ever actually saying she’s become a prostitute. Robert Preston is pretty good as her husband and has a great voice (who wouldn’t fight any addiction to keep hold of him), and John Hoyt is a doctor with a decidedly chilly bedside manner.

[pineriverhq]

Congrats! Welcome to Pine River! The following applicants have been accepted. You will have 24 hours to submit your account or else your spot will be re-opened. Please be sure to look at the new member checklist and the blogroll.

Rylan Barrett (Sophia Bush) penned by Lex 

Lillian “Lily” Zhou (Gemma Chan) penned by Rose

Weston Brooks (Alex Fitzalan) penned by Rose

[ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes]

Roguish Women Part 48

Summary: Kate is an American who fled to Paris to escape her past life. Now she's dancing and  playing the part of a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. There she meets Tommy Shelby who thinks she can be useful in expanding his empire. But has he been blinded?

Part 48: Kate and Tommy’s wedding. During the reception, Alfie asks a serious question. 

            “Tommy and I are getting married tomorrow. I still can’t believe it. Even saying it out loud is like a surprise.” Kate laughed softly to herself. She was in the stables, taking her time grooming Blue. It was spring and his winter coat was shedding off and Kate wanted to see his black coat gleaming in the warm sun again. She spoke softly with the gelding as she combed his made and brushed his coat.

            Although she was happy about finally getting to the altar after such a long time of waiting, nerves were starting to get the better of her. With her past and with Tommy’s, it was hard to tell what the future held. But what Kate wanted was to at least try to guarantee a good life for their children.

            Besides, she decided that maybe she was still clinging to the idea that she didn’t deserve love. Something that she knew Tommy struggled with too.

            “I’m sure everything will go alright. At least Tommy’s already gone through a wedding before.”

            “Oi, heard that.”

            Kate poked her head out of the stall and smiled. Her fiancée was walking down the stable aisle. “I’m just stating facts.” She replied with a smug look. "Out of the two of us, you're the one with wedding experience." 

            Tommy chuckled and pecked her lips. “You might want to duck out while you can, the boys are coming soon.” The day before the wedding, Arthur set up to go hunting in Warwickshire to celebrate with just the lads. “And they’ve already had a go at some champagne.”

            “Well, I’ll make myself scarce. I don’t want to ruin the fun.” She teased.

            “Oh please, they’d get a kick out of you coming along.” Tommy stroked Blue’s nose as he poked his head out of the stall to greet him. “Want me to take him?”

            “What do you think?” Kate cooed to the gelding. “Do you want to go along for the hunt?” She patted his strong neck. “I think he’d have fun. Lord knows I can’t entertain him much.” She rested a hand on her stomach. It was more than obvious that Kate was pregnant. At five months she had gone through a variety of getting dresses rehemmed or buying new clothes all together.

            “I’ll take good care of him,” Tommy promised and began to head to the tack room. But his fiancée stopped him.

            “Y’know, I was talking to Frances today,” She said. “Um, about the nursery.”

            The two had talked plenty about the pregnancy and subsequently the child or children, depending on if Polly was right. They had even discussed names. But the upstairs of Arrow House had become like a minefield.

            Grace’s room was locked and only Tommy had the key. The unfinished nursery that adjoined the room was still under debate. Kate felt as if it was her duty to make sure she wasn’t forcing him into anything. The estate had more than enough rooms to accommodate them if he wanted to close off that part of the hallway.

            Yet Tommy had pushed his feelings down. Deep down. As if he was trying to force everything to be okay.

            “The nursery is half done.” He replied. “All the furniture is new; we’d just need another cot if it’s twins like Pol says.”

            “If it’s twins then maybe we should use one of the bigger rooms?” She moved cautiously through the conversation. The last thing she wanted to do was put a damper on his day. But she still thought it was important.

            He met her eyes. “Kate, we talked about this.”

            “I know I just worry that you’re not addressing how you feel.” She touched his cheek. “The more honest you are with yourself; the easier life is.”

            “We have time on another day to discuss it further.” He kissed her cheek. “Go on back to the house and rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

 ~~~~~~~~~~

            “I think you’re right about twins, Pol,” Ada said.

            “When have I been wrong?”

            Kate chuckled softly. She turned right and left to look at herself in the mirror. Ada wasn’t joking. She remembered seeing Ada and Esme pregnant and they didn’t show nearly as much as she did. Especially in a wedding dress, it was hard to conceal. Not that she particularly meant to. She didn’t think anyone who was coming to the wedding that day would be openly critical. “Are there twins in your family?” She wondered.

            “Maybe a pair on the Strong side,” Polly recalled and walked over to place a dazzling barrette in Kate’s hair to hold back the curls from her face.

            “I didn’t know my mother’s side of the family very well,” Kate admitted. “It may be from her family.”

            Polly pivoted the conversation. “Are you sure about walking down the aisle alone? Arthur said he would walk with you.”

            “Yeah, he talked to me about it yesterday.” Kate mindlessly adjusted her dress in the mirror, smoothing a hand over her baby bump. “I appreciate it, but I’ll be alright.” There was never a point in her life where she pictured anyone giving her away. She never pictured herself walking down the aisle, to begin with. Her father was never fit enough to be that sort of figure in her life before his death. She felt much more comfortable making the short walk by herself. That's how she found her way to Tommy, all on her own.

            “Here.” Ada helped Kate step into her heels so she wouldn’t have to bend down.

            “Well, if you change your mind, I’m sure Arthur won’t mind the short notice.” Polly smiled and made sure every Kate’s hair was in place.

            Ada glanced up as she fixed the straps of Kate’s heels. “Is it true you invited Alfie Solomons?” She wondered.

            “I know his popularity in the family is mixed but he’s a good friend.” Kate asserted so there would be no confusion on the matter.

            “It’s your day. Whoever you want at your wedding, you can invite.” Polly nodded in agreement. Although in the back of her mind she hoped that Tommy had prepared the others to see Alfie. She didn’t want the wedding erupting in chaos over some old bad blood.

~~~~~~~~~~~ 

            “I’m leaving.”

            “Brother, easy.” Tommy grabbed Arthur by the suit sleeve before he could storm across the lawns and out of sight.

            The guests were starting to take their seats and it just so happened that Alfie Solomons had a near front-row seat to watch the affair. He had a beautiful woman on his arm, Mabel. She looked less like the painfully shy thing that Kate had met at the boxing match. In fact, she was positively glowing with happiness as she exchanged kisses with her sister and the other ladies of the Forty Elephants.

            “You invite him to your fucking wedding? Your home?” Arthur seethed under his breath trying not to cause too much of a scene until he had an explanation.

            “Kate invited him,” Tommy replied quietly, not to draw attention to them. “And I won’t have you fighting with him on my fucking wedding day. I’ll keep him away from you if you promise you won’t kick-off. If you upset Kate, you're dead.”

            Arthur narrowed his eyes and reached into his coat pocket for his flask. “Could’ve warned me.” He muttered.

            “I did tell you. Not my fault you were too high on snow not to remember.” Tommy let go of Arthur’s sleeve, confident that his threat had done the trick. “He’s retired, anyways.”

            “Men like that don’t retire.” Arthur tucked his flask away.

            "Men like us don't retire." Tommy clarified. 

            The sun had come out, thankfully, for the wedding. Although Polly wanted the union to be under God’s watchful eye, Tommy and Kate had balked. Kate was unsure if she wanted to step on a nerve and get married in the same church Tommy and Grace did. There was no use in being forced to relive painful memories on what was supposed to be a happy day.

            Kate suggested perhaps getting married outside. Arrow House had plenty of room out in the lawns. And it reminded her of John and Esme’s wedding. There was something so romantic to her about the beautiful countryside in the spring.

            Tommy agreed and a suitable wedding venue was arranged. They were just fortunate that the weather had held and it hadn’t rained like the week before.

            So many times, Tommy had thought he’d lost Kate for good. On his journey to bring her home, he was restless as they crossed the Atlantic.

He hardly slept at all, spending most of his time, smoking on the deck of the ship. In the night, he waited until land came into view. But the inky black expanse of the waters and the night sky gave him nothing.

            He tried to think of what to say to her. The last words she spoke to him still cut so deep. He knew they weren’t true. She still loved him. But she was trying to keep him safe, trying to sacrifice herself.

            He pictured beating Santo Leoni into a bloody pulp. The sound of the gun as he put a bullet through the man’s head.

            Finally, the coast came into view. Exhausted but the drive to bring Kate back to safety kept him awake and alert.

            On the phone, Frank told him that Kate was fine and that she had killed Santo herself. Tommy hung up and could barely stand still as he waited. The wait at the port felt longer than the entire trip across the ocean. Every second dragged on until the car pulled up.

            Kate threw herself out of the car before it had even stopped. Tommy felt so much relief he could’ve cried. He vowed to himself that he would never let her go from that point on.

            “You look like you’ve gone into a dream state,” Kate murmured to him when Tommy took her hand.

            “I’m trying to convince myself it isn’t a dream.” He replied with a soft smile.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

            “Oh, they’ve been inseparable since he left for Margate. Lillian said Mabel hasn't come back to Camden since she first visited him. She simply had her stuff sent to her. Been there ever since and has no plans of leaving.” Alice loosely held the champagne flute in her hand. She and Kate were speaking on the edges of the dancefloor. "Of course, everyone's talking about it, but nothing to change. They seem to be in love, far as Lillian says." 

            Arrow House was abuzz with energy after Tommy and Kate married. The reception was considerably less proper compared to Tommy’s first one with Grace. With no cavalry members in sight, it was a little more relaxed. Not to mention the number of criminal masterminds in attendance. But truthfully, they were the most fun.

            Kate looked smug watching Alfie and Mabel talking across the dance floor. “Well, I won’t say I told him so.”

            Alice smiled and finished her champagne. “Alfie handed over some paperwork to me this morning.”

            “Oh?”

            “Wants me to take over the bakery.”

            Kate tried to play it cool even though she was excited for her friend and even more excited that Alfie had gone through with what he said. Maybe this was his final act of retirement and his acceptance of his new life with Mabel. “Well, you have the support of the Peaky Blinders.”

            “Just can’t wait to see Sabini’s face when he finds out.”

            “Ha,” Kate snorted. “I’d like to see that too.”

            “Mind if I interrupt?” Tommy stepped into their conversation.

            Kate beamed. What had been such a beautiful ceremony was melting into the ideal she never knew she wanted. A life forever by the side of the man she loved.

            “Of course.” Alice smiled. “I’m going to go find Lillian and Ruby.”

            Tommy took Kate’s hand and led her to the dancefloor. Holding her close, they began to sway together to the soft jazz music.

            “You haven’t gone off to meet with some crazy Russian duchess again, have you?” Kate teased.

            He chuckled. “For a Shelby wedding, this has been very uneventful.”

            “The night is still young.” She murmured in his ear with a smile.

            “I like it better this way.” He admitted. “I didn’t want anything to happen, it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

            “You’ve always treated me like I’m some sort of royalty.” She lightly ran her fingers up the nape of his neck.

            “That’s how you deserve to be treated. Every day I was apart from you, I promised I would make it up to you.”

            “Tom, you don’t need to beat yourself up because of the past. I’m here, we’re finally married. We’re going to be parents soon. Everything that happened, happened. And despite all of it, all my paths lead back to you.” She stopped dancing a moment so she could look him in the eyes. “And they always will.”

            Tommy saw the world in her eyes. A world very unlike the one he had planned for so many years. In Kate’s eyes, he saw himself walking away from everything. Moving into Arrow House permanently. Raising the children, they would have. Spending his days riding horses, hunting, and being the best father, he could.

            Those blue eyes invited him to do all of that and more. But he couldn’t. Not yet.

            He gently kissed her, hoping that he could hold steady onto his given path.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

            “Thought I’d find you out here.” Tommy sat down on the front steps next to Alfie. “Mabel was asking around for you. Kate had me come look for you.”

            Alfie seemed to snap out of his thoughts. “Oh, congratulations, mate.” He hadn’t really heard what Tommy had said to him. “Kate’s very happy. Y’know, before all this she’d come into me office. I figured it was because she was doing her fucking job but then she’d start lamenting to me about you. Like I were her gossip buddy.” He snorted and shook his head. “She wanted nothing more than to have you but didn’t think she deserved it. Of course, you and I both know it’s the opposite way around, innit?”

            Tommy shrugged.

            “I don’t deserve Mabel. Not in a million years. Not even if God himself came down and told me we were meant to be.”

            “I thought you two were hitting it off. That’s what Kate said.”

            “I ain’t never been so happy.”

            Tommy raised an eye at him. “Then what’s the problem, Alfie?”

            The man beside him took a heavy deep breath. “I’m dying, Tom. I told Kate at the boxing match. I’ve got skin cancer and it’ll kill me in a couple of years if I’m lucky. That’s why I want you to kill me.”

            After two blows, Tommy was a bit speechless. Alfie was dying and he wanted him to kill him. In what world were they living? This certainly wasn’t the man who had threatened to shoot Tommy on many occasions.

            “I’m not going to kill you, Alfie.”

            “Oh, c’mon you know you’ve wanted to fucking put a bullet through me head ever since we met. I ain’t blind. Now I’m giving you the option and you turn it down like a scared little boy?” Alfie wasn’t angry. When he was angry, everyone around him knew. No, this was fear. Fear coming from a man who claimed to be fearless.

            “What would that do to Mabel? Aye? And d’you think Kate would ever speak to me if I did?” Tommy questioned harshly. “You’ve got another part of life to appreciate, try not to skip out on it.”

            “Yeah, how much you think I’m gonna enjoy that while I’m rotting away?” Alfie demanded. “While Mabel watches?”

            Tommy shook his head. The logic wasn’t lost on him. How many nights had he been wide awake wondering how long he had to suffer? How much longer would he tolerate the pain and weight of the world? How many times had someone held a gun to his head? How many times was he completely at peace with the cold metal of a gun pressed against his skin? How many times had he waited patiently for that click and then….nothing.

            “I’m not killing you.” He said again. Because if Tommy had given in, he wouldn’t be sitting there. Married and about to be a father. “We’ll get the best doctors in London to help.”

            “Oh, right. So now you’re my saving grace?” Alfie rolled his eyes. “Fucking ridiculous. I don’t want some fucking doctor drugging me up. I ain’t gonna roam around life high like you lot.”

            “I know you don’t think you deserve Mabel. Maybe you don’t. Maybe I don’t deserve Kate. But look at us, aye? They’re still here with us. You fucking need God to come down and explain that to you?”

            Alfie grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. “I knew you’d be no fucking help.”

            “Take it up with Kate. See how she reacts and then you’ll realize how much easier I was on you.” Tommy replied and lit up a cigarette. “She’d go ballistic.”

            The two men sat out in the breezy spring night. Past the gravel drive was nothing but dark countryside with the sounds of nocturnal life.

            “I saw the ring Mabel was wearing.” Even at his own wedding reception, Tommy was perceptive. He could never turn it off even if he wanted.

            Alfie merely muttered something incoherent under his breath.

            “So, I invite you to my wedding but I’m not given the same courtesy.”

            “It were a gift.” He grumbled crankily. "Can't I buy jewelry for her without people getting their knickers in a twist?"

            Tommy tapped the ash off his cigarette to the step beside him. “So, no plans then?”

            “Her mum threw a fit when she found out. Even in retirement, I’m still the devil of Camden. No one wants their women near me. Her mum hated that we were friends when we were kids. Guess she thought she was in clear, that I wouldn't ever go near Mabel again.” He let out a humorless laugh. "Guess she were wrong and now I'm corrupting her thirty-four-year-old daughter. S'fucking ridiculous." 

            “Since when have you cared what anyone else thinks?”

            “I don't. But Mabel's getting an earful every night. Ain't fair to her." Alfie shrugged. “Just know there won’t be no blessings coming my way, that’s for sure.”

            “Except for Kate.”

            He laughed. “It’s tough to disappoint her, innit?”

            “I think she’d be disappointed if I killed you especially if she found out you asked me to do it.”

            “There’s just no pleasing some people.” Alfie shook his head.

            “Come on.” Tommy stood up. “Don’t want Kate thinking you’ve skipped off without saying goodbye to her.”

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[aquariumdrunkard]

The Aquarium Drunkard Show: SIRIUS/XMU (7pm PDT, Channel 35)

Via satellite, transmitting from northeast Los Angeles — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm California time, Wednesdays.

Intro ++ Scott Hirsch – No No ++ Art Lown – Deep Blue Sea ++ Help Yourself – Look At The View ++ Bob Dylan – New Morning ++ Alexander “Skip” Spence – All Come To Meet Her ++ Jerry Jeff Walker – About Her Eyes ++ Madrigal – The Ballad (Dreams) ++ Erasmo Carlos – Largo Da 2 Feira ++ Oliver Klaus – Here Comes The Sun ++ Warren Zevon – Join Me In L.A. (demo) ++ Shagrat – Beautiful Dancer ++ Syd Barrett – Octopus ++ Ween – Sarah ++ Marc Benno & Leon Russell – Hello Little Friend ++ Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Observatory Crest ++ Tim Hill – Payador ++ James Matthew VII – Stoned When I Pray ++ Sylvie – Sylvie ++ Tobacco City – All The Tired Horses (Aquarium Drunkard Session) ++ Tobacco City – Till The Moon Don’t Shine (Aquarium Drunkard Session) ++ John Andrews & The Yawns – Don’t Spook The Horses ++ The Wizards From Kansas – Hey Mister ++ Howard Wales – Karnaval ++ Creme Soda – Daydreamin’ ++ Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles ++ Traffic Sound – Yellow Sea Days ++ White Fence – Allison Road (Aquarium Drunkard Session) ++ The Velvet Underground – Ride Into The Sun (1969 Mix) ++ Babe Rainbow – Peace Blossom Boogy ++ Tony Caro And John – Eclipse of The Moon ++ White Fence – Lillian (Won’t You Play Drums?) ++ Duffy Power – Where Am I? ++ Dirty Beaches – True Blue ++ Floating Action – Unrobbed ++ Michael Nau – Rides Through The Morning ++ Innovations – Seabird