#MP!Leo

[khlegacynexus]

Now that 2024 is coming to a close:

1) Of everything you've made this year, which ones are you the most proud of?

2) What are a few of your favorite things (art, comics, fics, etc) that someone else has made this past year?

I’m most proud of the designs for my girls even if we have a canon face for Frida now

 I’m proud of this picture with all six turtles that even Russ Carney liked on blue sky

It turned out really well I’m also proud of the fact I was able to Finish Aftermath and Others this year the former I began last year around this time

A few of my favorite things this year are Empyrean Weeping by @cupcakeslushie Michelangelone by @error-code400 Operation sleepy slider by @artralic and too many Turtles by @dysfunctional-doodle

And the Good Future ROTTMNT comic by @andysuriano

Here’s hoping to more fruitful year next year if not just as fruit

[khlegacynexus]

1-D must be writhing in rage right now MP!Leo is laughing Sorry 😅

Even More of a Disaster - @evenmoreofadisaster

Little Brother AU - @sharkfinn

[flowerbloom-arts]

‘All right!’ said Moominpappa, putting the poker back in its corner. ‘All right. If she’s not the slightest bit dangerous, you won’t want me to look after you then. That’s just fine by me!’

(...)

She went up to the big map hanging on the wall, the one showing Moominvalley with the coast and its islands. (...)

‘There it is,’ she murmured. ‘That’s where we’re going to live and lead a wonderful life, full of troubles…’

‘What did you say?’ asked Moomintroll.

‘That’s where we’re going to live,’ repeated Moominmamma. ‘That’s Pappa’s island. Pappa is going to look after us there. We’re going to move there and live there all our lives, and start everything afresh, right from the beginning.’

- Moominpappa at Sea, 1965

[mountphoenixrp]

We have a new citizen in Mount Phoenix:

           Thoth, the Egyptian God of Knowledge.            He is a City Council member and law professor.

FC NAME/GROUP:  Luo Yunxi/Actor GOD NAME:  Thoth PANTHEON:  Egyptian OCCUPATION: Mount Phoenix University Professor of Law, Egyptian Pantheon City Council Representative DEFINING FEATURES: Tall and willowy figure, necklace bearing a golden crescent moon pendant that transforms into his crown at will, often seen with a pen in his breast pocket which transforms into his staff, a golden Ankh bracelet on his right wrist, usually carrying a digital tablet.

PERSONALITY:  With a great wealth of knowledge, arrogance would be expected, but arrogance is something Thoth lacks.  True, he seemingly knows EVERYTHING, but he is not boastful and he never uses information for personal advantage.  He is considered “the great mediator”, not only serving as scribe to the gods but also as counselor and peacemaker, the grand mediator.  As expected, this introverted deity favors the company of books over people, but he is by no means standoffish or unkind.  Quite the opposite, Thoth is very approachable and considerate, always respectful to others, and does not talk down to them even the slightest bit.  Though clearly wise, he prefers to take an advisor role as opposed to being someone in a higher leadership position.  Seeing every moment as a teachable opportunity, he has a knack for guiding others through a lesson of which they may or may not be aware is happening.  Though gentle as moonlight and just as soft spoken, his presence is weighted with the gravitas of wisdom harnessed within his very essence; gazing into his eyes, entire universes can be seen.  Yet it is also a comforting thought that despite his vast wealth of knowledge, he never abuses it.  He could, oh how he COULD, but he chooses not to do so, which also speaks volumes of his character.  But also, just because someone knows how to do something, doesn’t mean they have the capabilities to do it.  

HISTORY:  In the beginning, there was One, and the essence of all things produced its own sentient presence known by many names, master of mortal and divine law.  Thoth birthed the calculations that would establish the heavens, the stars, the earth and all things in between.    From there, he authored works of mathematics, science, astronomy, medicine, government, languages both written and spoken, seasons, and astrology.  He played a crucial role in designing the pyramids, creating the connection between realms.  

Along with Ma’at, he maintained the balance of the universe.  He laid the eggs that would hatch Ra, Atum, Nefertum, and Khepri.  When the gods squabbled, Thoth was there to record and mediate and is known as the great mediator of the divine.  When the battles became physical, he used his wealth of medicinal and magical knowledge to heal the injured party so neither good nor evil would have decisive victory over the other.  When Nut was cursed with sterility, he made a bet with Khonshu for 1/72nd of the moon’s light which resulted in the creation of five extra days in the year which Thoth then gave to Nut so she could bear children.  He taught Isis the words and ritual to resurrect Osiris and Horus.  

With such a distinct concentration of gods and demigods in one place, Thoth saw Mount Phoenix University as a prime opportunity to teach the young ones about both mortal and divine law in an attempt to maintain the balance of the universe.  Thus, he accepted the position of Professor of Law as well as a seat upon the City Council.

POWERS: 

SIEVE OF KNOWLEDGE:  As the God of Knowledge, Thoth has the innate ability to recall documented history, rituals, and magical spells from any moment of time, be it recorded through written, video, audio, digital, art, or any other mediums, including live theatrical performances.  This does not make him omnipotent, just an excellent source for verified information.

THOUGHT TO MEDIA TRANSFERENCE:  As Scribe to the Gods, he also has the ability to instantly transfer thoughts into a coherent medium such as a scroll, painting, or video for the sake of documentation.  In the cases of willing recipients, he can immediately transfer a thought from their mind to another with a single “pluck”, though this is reserved primarily for those who have difficulty articulating their thoughts.

THE ORIGINAL OMNIGLOT:  The creator of language, both spoken and written, he has the ability to communicate in any and all languages fluently, including those long dead and once forgotten as well as “made up” languages. 

STRENGTHS:  Intelligent, patient, calm, nonjudgmental, great at giving advice, considerate, master strategist

WEAKNESSES:  Introverted, know-it-all, stubborn, people who purposefully do illogical things for attention annoy him, tends to avoid large crowds. 

[silicacid]

MEMO Interviews: Will Brits fighting for Israel be charged with war crimes? MEMO speaks to British lawyer Ilora Choudhury about the legality of Britons going to fight with the Israeli army in Gaza, and whether they could be implicated in war crimes on their return to the UK. Choudhury, senior counsel at the International Campaign for Justice for Palestinians, sent a letter to the British Foreign Office requesting information on the numbers of British citizens currently fighting with Israel in Gaza, and whether they plan to issue legal guidance for those travelling to the Middle East to fight, like they did with Ukraine in 2022.

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) November 29, 2023

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67621116

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60522745

Jeremy Corbyn presses Foreign Minister on British troops in Gaza; minister avoids answer In a parliamentary exchange, UK MP Jeremy Corbyn raises a question about the presence of British soldiers on the ground in Gaza. UK Foreign Minister Leo Docherty avoids a direct response, saying Israel's objective is to defend itself against Hamas.

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) December 6, 2023

[jupiitersreturn]

In some branches of Astrology, the Sun is commonly associated with the Husband whereas the Moon is associated with the Wife. In Modern Astrology, Jupiter is representative of the Ideal Man or Spouse for Feminines and Venus is representative of the Ideal Woman or Spouse for Masculines. That's why the Sun/Jupiter and Moon/Venus Midpoints are important to look at when considering Romantic Compatibility. They are a combination of what we are subconsciously attracted to in a partner and therefore the energies/signs we naturally gravitate to and form connections with.

The Sign That Your Sun/Jupiter (For People Attracted To Masculines) or Moon/Venus (For People Attracted To Feminines) Midpoint Is In Could Tell You Your Ideal Partners;

Sun, Moon, or Venus Sign

Catherine Zeta - Sun/Jupiter MP in Libra | Michael Douglas - Sun + Venus in Libra

Keith Urban - Moon/Venus MP in Leo | Nicole Kidman - Venus in Leo

Paul Newman - Moon/Venus MP in Aquarius | Joanne Woodward - Moon in Aquarius

David Beckham - Moon/Venus MP in Aries | Victoria Beckham - Sun in Aries

Nicole Kidman - Sun/Jupiter MP in Cancer | Keith Urban - Moon in Cancer

Nicole Kidman - Sun/Jupiter MP in Cancer | Tom Cruise - Sun in Cancer

Perrie Edwards - Sun/Jupiter MP in Leo | Alex Oxlade - Chamberlain - Sun in Leo

Priyanka Chopra - Sun/Jupiter MP in Virgo | Nick Jonas - Sun in Virgo

Jessica Biel - Sun/Jupiter MP in Capricorn | Justin Timberlake - Venus in Capricorn

Jay - Z - Moon/Venus MP in Scorpio | Beyonce - Moon in Scorpio

I'll make another post about Midpoints more in depth later this week! <33

[evenmoreofadisaster]

I wonder what 1-D would think of Leo’s Victory dance doesn’t have to be MP!Leo or doing it just any Splinter Raised Leo doing this https://youtu.be/P4gaPr018X4?si=6MOOVVMkfZ_hOaI3

cringe

[lucksea]

first pass at an actual astra design... i think if i were to really go in for finalization i would give astra shorter hair and give leo an afro but im doing this to give mp astra a consistent human form so im trying to learn to draw hair this way . I WILL IMPROVE

[turneradora]

Here are the press article from the Radio Times magazine.

Thanks again to Emma Jones for the written version ! 🙏🥰

Rutting in Rutshire!

Bouffants, bounders and creaking beds… Jilly Cooper reveals why Rivals is her favourite book (and shares the secret of a happy marriage)

‘Buckets of electric blue eye shadow, heaving shoulder pads atop polka dot and pinstripe suits, haystacks of bouncy hair, kept in place by enough lacquer to fuel a rocket – it feels like I’m back at school getting ready for the end-of-term disco. In fact, I’ve walked onto the set of Rivals, Disney+’s big-budget adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s 1988 bestselling bonkbuster.

We’re inside a huge restaurant in Gloucester, which is doubling up for a posh eaterie in the novel’s fictional Rutshire of 1986. Waiting to make his entrance is Aidan Turner, sporting a moustache to make Tom Selleck proud, in the role of TV chat show host Declan O’Hara. Other names on the call sheet include David Tennant as the cartoonishly named Lord Baddingham, Danny Dyer as big-of-heart, bigger-of-wallet Freddie Jones, and Alex Hassell as the polo player-turned-Tory minister and one-man shagathon, Rupert Campbell-Black. It’s quite the starry cast, but despite all the familiar faces in the room, there is an audible hush upon the arrival of one small, smiling figure through the door – Dame Jilly herself is in the building.

Later, in a quiet corner, she expresses her enthusiasm for the project in exactly the selfeffacing, giggly and gushing style you would expect from the creator of such scrumptious literary – and now TV – fare: “It’s miraculous!” What about the producers? “They’re brilliant, they don’t really need me.” This is clearly not true. With 45 titles to her name since her light-hearted guide to wedlock How to Stay Married debuted in 1969 and 11 million books sold in the UK alone, Cooper is best known for her Rutshire Chronicles, an 11-strong set of door-stopping tomes that began in 1985 with Riders and follow the antics of the horsey set in bedrooms and boardrooms, stables and swimming pools. Rivals, the second in the series, focuses on the very 1980s idea of a battle to secure a regional TV franchise. “I think of all the books I’ve written,” says Cooper, “Rivals is my favourite. The battle for franchises in those days was so strong. And people made absolute fortunes."

The ideas he presented were lovely and he was lovely. It just happened.” She grins. “Plus, the fact that he is double-barrelled, that’s nice.”

As is her priapic protagonist. Rupert Campbell-Black is at the centre of the new drama, as he is in the books, and was the one bit of casting over which Cooper exercised her veto. “I thought Alex (Hassell) wouldn’t be right, he wasn’t blond, but then I met him and… he is very attractive.” Campbell-Black is a composite of two real-life, double-barrelled men, Rupert Lycett Green and Andrew Parker Bowles, as well as the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, all of whom the author met soon after she and her husband Leo moved to the Cotswolds in 1982.

“I’d just moved to the country and met these heavenly men, they became great friends and and I was able to study how an upper-class man would behave there.” Do her friends mind appearing in her novels? “Oh no, they love it.”

Campbell-Black may have wall-bouncing charisma, but he’s not entirely chivalrous with its deployment. Is that OK? “People do behave badly,” says Cooper. “They certainly did in the 1980s. Rupert has good qualities. He’s lovely to his dogs, he’s a good MP and he adores his wife. They fall madly in love with each other. Lots of men are frightfully promiscuous until they find their true love.”

Does she believe men like Campbell-Black are at risk of being squashed out of society today? “Yes. When did you last see a fantastically attractive man on television in drama recently?” Hmm, Poldark? Another grin. “He’s in my story. I love good-looking, glamorous, funny, macho men.”

Cooper’s own great romance was with Leo, her publisher husband of 52 years until his death in 2013. She says: “Happiness in marriage comes from creaking bed springs, not so much from sex but from laughter. Well, a bit of both, but definitely laughter. He was lovely, funny, clever, full of military history and kind. He loved cats and I loved dogs, so we worked that out.” She is perhaps referring to his well-documented 1980s affair that rocked, but didn’t ruin, their marriage when she says, “Obviously ups and downs, but when you go through a down, you just hang on and hope it gets better”.

Cooper’s stories are all as raunchy as they are romantic – “I just like people to be happy,” she smiles – but in between all the muddy boots, labradors on mats and shepherd’s pies on kitchen tables, there are progressive layers to be found in both the books and now the TV adaptation. The female characters are strong and self-determining. “The women in those days were seduced, and were seductive,” Cooper says, before adding wistfully, “Beautiful men and women… and they didn’t fight so much.”

Have love and romance changed in the 30 years since the book came out? She sighs. “Half of teenage children are brought up without their parents staying together. It’s so sad. Happy marriage is the best recipe for life and if people can try to stay together, they should try to make it work. The world is very frightening now. Don’t give up on things easily.”

In real life, Cooper counts among her set Andrew Parker Bowles’s first wife Camilla, now better known as Her Majesty, of whom the author can’t say enough good things. “She’s a friend of mine. I adore her and I think she’s going to be a wonderful queen. She looks beautiful at the moment, she’s become very glamorous.” And, of course, a real-life totem of Cooper’s favourite thing, a happy ending.

”‘FOR JILLY TO APPROVE MY RUPERT WAS IMPORTANT’

ALEX HASSELL PLAYS RupeRt Campbell-blaCk

You were chosen from hundreds of possible actors to play Jilly Cooper’s romantic lead. Did you feel the pressure of expectation?

Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d get the part, I’m not blond or blue-eyed and I��m not from that world, but it’s important to me to live up to a certain Rupert-ness. To have Jilly’s seal of approval was very important.

Where did you go for inspiration?

I’ve met two of the men she based him on, which was helpful. But once on set, you put on your costume and start to feel it.

Or take your costume off…

How did you prepare for that naked tennis scene?

By trying not to get intimidated! If I did have nerves, that day was important as I had nothing to hide behind and it was a naked crucible through which to believe myself as Rupert.

With his arrogance and privilege, is Rupert a force for good?

It depends… He’s reaching middle age and rattling around in his house with just dogs and horses for company, and he’s realising that past choices aren’t going to end well for him. But there is a core of goodness there.

IT’S A PERIOD PIECE LIKE DICKENS’ DAVID TENNANT PLAYS

Lord Tony Baddingham

What was the appeal of Rivals? Before I’d even opened the script, my wife Georgia saw the title and told me I was going to be in it, so any element of choice was taken away from me. She had quite a visceral reaction to it and has been a champion of the whole thing. Did a little part of you want to play Rupert Campbell-Black? It didn’t really matter who I played. But I couldn’t compete with Alex for Rupert. I think Lord Tony Baddingham is a more natural fit for me.

Tony is the resident baddie. Do you have any sympathy for him?

He doesn’t see it that way, he’s just doing what he needs to do in order to survive. Objectively, I can see that some of the things he does aren’t particularly morally robust. It’s all Daddy issues. I don’t think Tony is difficult to make sense of, he’s very plausible. The characters all have drama to them, but they’re nuanced and make sense. You’re not struggling to join the dots, they’re well-crafted and that’s why Jilly’s books have survived. There is a quality in this work that makes it timeless.

Would these characters be believable in a more modern setting?

No, they are entrenched in the politics and mores of that era. It was such a specific moment in time – all that excess; Margaret Thatcher saying there was “no such thing as society”. It changed how people were allowed to think and certain people grabbed it, ran with it and wallowed in it. These characters all swim in that swamp.

The big battle in Rivals is to win a TV franchise. Is the story still relevant?

It’s not something we really have an understanding of now. When I first read the scripts, I thought, “Are the stakes of this going to make sense?” But it doesn’t matter what they’re competing over, it’s just who they are and that’s what drives them and that feels very alive and human.

What kind of portrait of 1980s England do we see in Rivals?

Jilly Cooper is a great chronicler of the human condition. It’s a period piece like a Dickens drama. You can marvel at how different some things were and how similar other things were. That’s part of the joy.

What did you love most about the 1980s?

I’ve loved rediscovering the music. I was a teenager during those years, so there was a lot of music it wasn’t cool to like. But some of these tunes are banging.

‘A WOMAN WITH RED LIPS KNOWS HER BUSINESS’

NAFESSA WILLIAMS PLAYS Cameron Cook

You were born and raised in West Philadelphia, a long way from Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire. What drew you to the role of TV producer Cameron Cook?

It was the script, plus how smart Cameron is. You have this black woman in a white man’s world in the 1980s, being able to run a company. She’s very fashionable, very strong, very grounded in who she is — and very comfortable in her sexuality.

She’s very distinctive. Did you have a particular style influence?

The singer Sade was a big inspiration for how Cameron looked, with the flicked back ponytail and the long braids.

Would you resurrect any of that era’s distinctive fashion?

I loved the high waists, the belts, the hair. It was all bigger, bolder, brighter. We don’t see as many red lips and nails now as we did back then — that speaks of a lot of confidence and sexiness, and being bold. A woman with red lips and red nails knows her business. Bring some of that back!

‘THERE WAS AN INSTANT TRUST WITH AIDAN’ VICTORIA SMURFIT PLAYS

Maud O’Hara

Maud doesn’t seem very satisfied with her lot as Declan’s wife and is very open to temptation… She is a very complicated, insecure, broken butterfly who exists on validation. She’s feeling down, she wants every man to fancy her, and her selfishness drives her to where she wants to go.

Had you met Aidan Turner, who plays your screen husband, before?

I didn’t know Aidan, but there was an instant trust. We barely talked about how our characters operated, we just knew they were existing in an English hierarchy, as this scrappy, passionate Irish family. We instantly knew where we were at.

Does Jilly Cooper treat her female characters well?

When you watch the whole arc of all the different women, by the time you get to the end, it feels like a feminist piece. All of the female characters play their politics out the way they want to — some get what they want and some get what they need.

Maud is very colourful in her mood and clothes. Did you have fun with your costumes?

Maud is more boho 70s than the others. The costumes did a lot of the work for us. As soon as we put on our clothes, it felt like we knew who our characters were.

I BASED DECLAN ON MY DAD’

AIDAN TURNER PLAYS Declan O’Hara

When you got the script for Rivals, did a little part of you want to play romantic rogue Rupert Campbell-Black, as opposed to Irish chat show host Declan O’Hara?

No, not one single bit. Alex [Hassell] does it better. It’s a best person for the role thing. There are very few Irish actors who can do Declan O’Hara as well as me, know what I’m saying? My eyes were always on the O’Hara prize.

How familiar were you with Jilly Cooper’s books before you were cast?

I remember dating an Irish girl who loved Jilly Cooper. She was in the atmosphere, but I hadn’t read the books until I started shooting. On the first day of filming, I got into the trailer and there was a copy of Rivals. We already had all the scripts, but we could use the book as a reference for tone. It was great to have it there.

Declan has quite a distinctive look. Where did you go for inspiration?

There’s something of my dad, who had a moustache all through the 1980s and 1990s. I lightly based a lot of Declan’s character on my dad — he sounds like him and has his physicality. Plus Declan is a dad, and I’m a father now, too. I felt I made a lot of connections.

Was there a TV interviewer or chat show host you studied beforehand?

Declan’s an amalgamation. There are some modern British presenters, but someone I went to a lot was the host of the American debate show Firing Line, William F Buckley. His show was political, smoky, quite serious, slow-paced and high-brow — all the things Declan would love.

You’ve been interviewed many times before. What did you discover about life on the other side of the microphone?

When you’re interviewing someone, there’s power because you can ask what you want, but it’s about building up the trust. If you just lambast people, you won’t get to a second season — people have to respect you.

These things are important to Declan. Even the word “chat” irks him slightly. Rivals is set firmly in the 1980s. What would you like to bring back from that decade?

The lack of telecommunications and mobile phones. As we see in the show, it forces people into situations that could be easily solved with a phone call. The characters can’t contact someone on the other side of the county, they have to show up unannounced at their house. There’s a lawlessness, a looseness, an unpredictability.

‘I MISS THE SHOULDER PADS’

KATHERINE PARKINSON PLAYS Lizzie Vereker

Lizzie is the sweetest of the local women, but she can be easily led by her Rutshire neighbours… Lizzie gets caught up with the snobbery of the world she’s in, and she does that thing of joining in with the crowd for survival. Then when Freddie Jones [Danny Dyer] arrives and they mock him, she’s chastened.

It takes an outsider to come in and hold a mirror up to these people. The married but neglected Lizzie embarks on an affair with Freddie. Did you approve?

They are both quite pure and drawn to each other for the right reasons, so it’s actually a positive thing. You want these characters to find themselves again.

Rivals is set in 1986. Have things got better for women since then?

My mother’s generation were more likely to sacrifice their talents for the sake of their husbands. I think that’s definitely evolved since the time Jilly Cooper was writing about, but it’s helpful to look back and see what still needs to change.

In your opinion, what was better about the 1980s?

The earrings… and the shoulder pads.

‘I’VE NEVER CLAIMED TO BE A HARD MAN’

DANNY DYER PLAYS Freddie Jones

Tech millionaire Freddie Jones is a lot softer than the “hard” men you usually play?

I don’t know where that comes from. I know I’m a working-class actor, I swear a bit and walk like a duck with a swagger, but I’ve never claimed to be a hard man. When I was in EastEnders, I wore a pink dressing gown. But this is something different and, for me as an actor, I needed an opportunity to look different. I don’t get many opportunities to do that. Even my biggest haters through their gritted teeth might have to accept that Freddie is a nice, watchable character.

Was that your real hair?

I wish. I had it all clipped on. What a bouffant it is! I’ll cling on to what I have for dear life, but I accept it. I’m a grandfather now, I’m allowed to go bald.

Freddie is the richest of all the characters, but an outsider in Rutshire. Is he the real top dog?

There’s a kindness behind the eyes of Freddie, but he’s a teddy bear with a bite. He has no desire to be top dog, but when he needs to put his foot down, he does. I fell in love with him when I read the script.

One scene, where Freddie and his wife are mocked by the Rutshire set, makes for uncomfortable viewing...

There’s an element of classism and other -isms in the show. As much as they want Freddie and his money around, they also look down their noses at him.

In 2018, you accused David Cameron of “putting his trotters up” instead of working hard. How did it feel going to Gloucestershire, the stomping ground of Cameron and his pals?

It’s not the world I come from. But this is set in the 1980s, we’re in a different era and environment now, but we’re true to how it was.

Freddie also develops a slowburn, hard-earned romance with Lizzie Vereker…

They’re both in marriages where they feel suppressed and don’t feel seen. Hopefully, the audience will root for us to have an affair, which is a strange thing as it sounds awful.

Do Freddie and Lizzie get a suitably Cooper-esque sex scene?

You’ll have to keep watching. Things take a surreal turn.

What was the best aspect of the 1980s? Anything you miss?

I think we have far too much technology now. I have children who can’t understand how we survived without mobile phones. I feel it was slightly less complicated in the way we engaged with each other: sitting down, making eye contact.

EMILY ATACK PLAYS

SARAH STRATTON

Your character, the wife of the Tory deputy Prime Minister, appears very manipulative and conniving. Did you enjoy playing her?

She’s a car crash, but she’s ambitious, smart and a bit sick of being told all her life she’s a ditzy blonde. Particularly at the time this is set, women felt there was little other option for them but to use their sexuality to get what they wanted. Characters like her are often written as unlikeable, but there are lots of hidden layers and vulnerabilities.

Her look is very much of her time. How did you go about creating it?

My morning pick-up times were the earliest of the entire cast. Hours and hours in hair and make-up — so much hairspray and backcombing. At my first fitting for costume, I thought, “I’m never going to fit into that,” but with a pair of Spanx we were good to go. And I bought some cheap 80s perfume, which I wore every day.

For one famous scene of naked tennis with Rupert Campbell Black, there are no clothes at all. How did that feel?

The whole cast were warned early on that there would be nudity and sex scenes, so you knew what you were getting into. The sex is integral to the scenes and the characters, and the tennis scene is very famous, so I wanted to get it right. Alex [Hassell] and I talked it through with the director, to make sure we felt comfortable. It was a closed set. I felt very safe, and I had a great spray tan.

Last year you made a documentary about the sexual harassment you’ve received for several years. Did you hesitate to take this role, or did you feel defiant?

You can’t win whatever you do. If you keep your clothes on you’re a frigid nun, if you take your clothes off you’re a tart. But I love my job and if a role I’m playing requires nudity and it’s integral to the story and I’m safe, I’m exactly where I should be. I’ve learnt it’s not my behaviour that needs to be looked at and changed, it’s other people’s. I’ve learned to take back the narrative that was taken from me — my sexuality, my body. These kinds of roles are fun. I’m still young and it’s OK to feel liberated. I enjoy what I do. And it’s Jilly Cooper – it’s an honour to do it!

Since filming, you’ve had a baby. Are you thinking about work again yet?

For nine months solid, I sat on my arse, ate peanut butter sandwiches and watched all of Downton Abbey. So I’ve had my time off, and now I’m back

[def-not-kaz-brekker]

Ok ok if the character cast consists of:

Dark haired guy with an object as defense mechanism and hides emotions but is insanely in love with significant other who is practically the embodiment of an angel but could also murder people and Dark Haired Guy would be giving their SO heart eyes while they’re murdering people (kaz brekker, nico di Angelo/percy Jackson, kinda fitz vacker)

Significant other (or Murder Puppy) who is really sweet and caring and in love with Dark Haired Guy but could also murder DHG but won’t because they have more morals than DHG and everyone loves them and fans need to learn to recognize the fact that Murder Puppy is also their own person and not just DHG’s SO (inej ghafa, will solace/annabeth chase, Sophie foster)

BFF of DHG’s MP. Usually a confident queer person who drives to look hot but doesn’t need to because already hot and their own partner has died and this impacted them profoundly but now they’re stronger than ever (Nina zenik, piper mclean, biana vacker)

Partner who died who was a goody two shoes who got corrupted. Usually blond haired and tall, grew up in strict environment. Everyone misses them and had a weird relationship with DGH (Matthias Helvar, Jason grace)

Chaotic Bisexual. Can kill you, and will roast their way into hell. Super flirty but will physically short circuit when their partner (Shy [Murderous] Cinnamon Roll) flirts back. Humor as coping mechanism and mother died when they were young. Awkward relationship with father. (Jesper fahey, Leo Valdez)

Shy (Murderous) Cinnamon Roll. Cute little baby uwu until you realize they’re insane. They will murder you. But also really innocent and will not understand CB’s sexual references unless explained to them. Usually red headed guy. (Wylan Van eck, sorta frank zhang and hazel levesque, Dex dizznee)

Blonde Sarcasm Guy. Playful and flirty, probably bisexual, actually really smart. Underestimated by everyone, and tbh kinda similar to DHG. Everyone loves him but gets really freaked out when he starts murdering people. (Nikolai Lantsov, Keefe sencen)

Then it’s a good book.

[chussyracing]

What has been happening in the world of motorsports lately?

(it's very long again, so the roundup is under the cut)

Franco Colapinto becomes a new Williams driver for the last 9 races of the season, Logan Sargeant was dropped with immediate effect

apparently Franco found out on Monday only and he knows he won’t get the seat in 2025 because Carlos has already been confirmed

as a result, Oliver Goethe moves up from F3 to F2 immediately with MP Motorsport in Franco’s place and Noah Stromsted drove in his place in F3 for Campos in the last race of the season in Monza

also gentle (not so gentle) reminder that Roman Staněk was with Trident for the last race weekend in Monza and everything after is uncertain for him

the whole story is: he has two main sponsors, one of them is his own father who decided to stop supporting him, so he can no longer afford it, he got an offer for 2025 from DAMS, but they ask for € 4.7 mil

Roman got replaced by Christian Mansell for the rest of the season (he is not related to Nigel btw) in Trident

Zak O’Sullivan is in a similar situation, Monza was his last race because of funding issues despite being a part of Williams driving academy, he got replaced by Luke Browning from F3

And on top of that, there are rumours that Richard Vershoor is also unhappy in the team and looking for a way out

Also since Kevin the icon he is, got a race ban for Baku, Ollie will step up for him and Gabriele Mini from F3 will fill in for Ollie in Prema to create an all Italian lineup for Italian team

Leo Fornaroli is stepping up to F2 with Invicta Racing next year

Ferrari announced a new technical structure: Loic Serra (technical director chassis), Fabio Montecchi (chassis project engineering), Marco Adurno (vehicle performance), Diego Tondi (aero), Matteo Togninalli (track engineering) and Diego Ioverno (sporting director and head of chassis operations), Enrico Gualtieri (power unit division)

Safety car crashed in Parabolica during a high speed test before Monza but both driver and passenger are ok and there was also another safety car ready if they are needed during the race weekend (what is concerning is a message I saw somewhere about it potentially being a brake failure)

apparently drivers were not very happy with the changes in Monza track and discussed it in length in the WhatsApp group, their main issue was that these track modifications are not communicated with drivers beforehand

last week George did Pirelli testing for Mercedes and Liam Lawson for Red Bull and Ollie did a wet weather test for Ferrari

also did you know Ollie has a younger brother who will race in EURO F4 in Spielberg

Lenovo becomes F1’s global partner, so they will have naming rights for 2 races in 2025

Pato O’Ward will be driving in an FP1 session in Mexico for McLaren

Williams started their Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy for young talents

Maya Weug joined 7th round of FRECA in Imola with KIC Motorsport

Newey joined Aston Martin, so expect them to have big psychological advantage (they had a press con to announce it, he spoke about wanting to work with either Lewis or Fernando, he spoke about British bias and how it was involved in Abu Dhabi 2021…, he will start working for them early in 2025, he will also become a shareholder in the team with more rights than other teams could offer him besides being a leader of technical division)

Lawrence will apparently pay him massive amount of money (rumour has it it is Eddie Jordan who is asking for a big pay check for himself and many teams said no to that), after Newey and de la Rosa and Honda, he is also looking to sign Max Verstappen (and there is a possibility to get him in the team, Lance could head to WEC instead) – next thing you know he will also sign Christian Horner and Checo Perez to have a full RBR

Nico Rosberg, Guenther Steiner (and somebody else I freaking forgot, maybe Ted Kravitz) spoke about neither Kimi nor George having their seat secure for 2026, because Toto Wolff is still eyeing any opportunity to sign Max Verstappen

The team also sold stakes in the team to HPS and Accel

All teams were in compliance of the cost cap rules for 2023, BUT Honda and Alpine were found of procedural breech (aka none of them spent more money on catering, but these two made a mistake sort of not submitting the paperwork on time or filled incorrectly…)

Ella Lloyd is the wildcard entry for F1 Academy’s race weekend in Singapore

Red Bull junior academy signed Christopher Feghali, Ernesto Rivera, Rocco Coronel and Jules Caranta

Not only is the situation messy in junior series, it is also kinda messy in FE (Nato stays with Nissan while Fenestraz is out, Wehrlein and da Costa stay with Porsche, Günther will drive for DS Penske…)

Rumouredly, Val received an offer from Audi for one year, he was asking for more – at least 1+1 deal, besides him Binotto has Bortoleto highest on his list (and Theo Pourchaire further down the list) with McLaren potentially letting him go from their junior program if Audi wants him

Zak Brown spoke about the papaya rules shit and said how they will probably back Lando now because he is in mathematical contention for the title and Oscar will help him however he can and whatnot

Fun fact: in rally Greece, Seb Ogier spoke shit about Thierry Neuville that the “championship leader is not that fast) and then he crashed and Thierry won

For the first time ever, 4 women finished inside top 10 in NASCAR

James Vowles would apparently like Ferrari to release Carlos early so he could join them for post season test in Abu Dhabi

Santander is officially out of Ferrari with Unicredit taking their place and instead, they will become the partner of F1

Hyundai is ending in WRC next year and they would rumouredly like to join WEC

Ferrari Challenge will be a supporting series for the Las Vegas F1 GP

According to Ted Kravitz, Liam Lawson could be replacing Daniel as soon as for this weekend (that goes along what James Vowles said about trying to sign Liam for the rest of the season but Red Bull not wanting to let him go since they might need him for at least 3 races this season)

Nico the professional shit-stirrer he is, claimed that he got an offer in his e-mail inbox to buy Alpine for 1 billion dollars

Another fun fact: Ferrari already collected more points than they did for the whole season last year

Red Bull is running their engines on lower modes due to reliability concerns (part of the reason why Max had the lowest speed of all in a speed trap during the Monza GP)

All front wings are under compliance with the technical rules as per FIA (clarification that apparently Red Bull and Ferrari asked for, especially taking McLaren and Mercedes into consideration)

There is a funky feud for racing number 12 going on behind the scenes with Doohan asking for it first publicly and Mercedes asking for it for Kimi even before “secretly”, so now both teams are waiting for the result

This was meant to go into one of the previous roundups but F1 is talking to the teams to see if after season rookie race would be possible for them, which could give opportunity especially to driver who won junior series but never got into the sport

McLaren signed a sponsorship deal with NTT Data for their F1 Academy team

Also rumours and gossip from my fave source: Red Bull hired Rob Wilson to help Checo Perez get his lost form back (he is basically an observer, watches you drive and then gives you a long list of stuff you need to improve to get faster)

Williams got Globant sponsorship deal thanks to signing Franco for the rest of the season

Due to sustainability concerns, F1 might combine Canada and Miami to be a double header

There are also rumours that Ferrari tried to sign GP as a race engineer for Lewis next year

Non-sport fun

Oscar posted from a cockpit of a plane with a funny caption and then deleted because he posted it on 11th September

Max, Lando and Nico flew together to Baku for some reason

Charles won the karting marathon with his friends for LC8 team, spoke at yacht conferences and predicted weather

Lewis was sat with Noah Lyles and Anna Wintour at US open which is honestly kinda iconic

Charles and Goerge met up with Domenicali at what might be Briatore’s yacht party???

I just found out Kimi Antonelli’s girlfriend is from Czechia thanks to my sister lol

Hamda Alqubaisi from F1 Academy apparently got engaged so congrats!!!! (I thought she is like 16 I am so sorry Hamda)

Apparently Fernando Alonso got a new AM Valkyrie car that immediately broke down while he was driving it in Monaco and he was unable to fix it (he also said that they don’t get discounts on the cars from the team)

oh and kinda sports related but it is completely out of question right now BUT there is talks about F1 coming to Brno with the new resurfaced track and possible new facilities as they return on the MotoGP calendar for 2025

[khlegacynexus]

An AU crossover I did with @evenmoreofadisaster yeah these 1-D and MP!Leo don’t get along clearly if you saw my bits from last years SepAUcompetition that’s where it all started.

I also like the idea that 1-D has furious look. While Leo’s is a bit more loose

Heads up @teaableu and @3lectricinsomnia

[skullsmuldon]

Do you really prefer Gillian and David not talking on his podcast? wouldn't it be interesting/funny to have them talk on a podcast?

I don’t think I’ll have to worry about it because lemonada media is bankrupt as far as I know. So DDs podcast might not be around for much longer.

But generally I really don’t need a podcast where I hear the same regurgitated stories we all have heard a million times. DD nor GA will make themselves vulnerable to new stories about each for their own reasons. I’ll give GA that she was always a little more open and playful when she was comfortable with an interview or talking with DD. For me DD has nothing to offer that would be of interest because he has become the typical Hollywood cliche and is part of the problem. After he blamed his mother who cared and stuck around instead of his father who left the family his internalized misogyny showed clear enough that I think instead of a podcast he needs therapy.

And I will never be ok with his relationship no matter how many Hollywood creepers like Leo etc want us all to believe it’s normal to date someone 30+ yrs younger. GAs daughter is the same age as MP so I don’t think GA should support that kind of Hollywood male behavior either.

[lup-ines]

i always giggle when people get shocked by tr*mp’s antics because being and astrologer and seeing his big three makes everything click so fast!

like he is a gemini sun, sagittarius moon, and a leo rising!!! that man wouldn’t be quiet if jesus came down and silenced him himself!!

[mountphoenixrp]

We have a new citizen in Mount Phoenix:

           Hades, the Greek God of the Underworld.            He is currently unemployed.

FC NAME/GROUP: Leo - VIXX GOD NAME: Hades PANTHEON:  Greek OCCUPATION: None at the moment HEIGHT: 187cm / 6'1ft  DEFINING FEATURES: 2 tattoos: skeleton key on his right arm, bident down his spine.

PERSONALITY: Tired, is the first word that will leave Hades’ lips whenever someone asks him how he’s doing. And there’s some truth to that single word reply, but the fact is that he doesn’t quite knows how to put his feelings into words, even less with strangers. Hades can be considered what in modern times is called an introvert, and a loner, keeping mostly to himself and going through his day to day. If he doesn’t crosses paths with another living being throughout the day, he will consider it a good day.

This doesn’t means that he will push people away, or that he won’t help those in need, the world is mistaken when they claim Hades is a cruel and conceited God. He has a strong sense of justice that keeps him from looking away when things need to be set back into the right path. It might be quite a task to get him to open up, even more to befriend him, but once one manages to get on his good side, he can become quite a loyal and valuable friend.

HISTORY: Hades suffered a terrible upbringing alongside his siblings, when his Titan father swallowed them at birth, terrified of a prophecy claiming he would be dethroned. Fear that became a reality when the youngest one, Zeus, helped free them from the entrails of their father, and he, alongside his older brothers Hades and Poseidon, were able to cast away the Titan, and rule over the skies, the earth, the waters and underworld. Call it bad luck, or perhaps fate, but Hades ended up becoming the Ruler of the Underworld, King of the Death, Lord of Riches. His main responsibility, to make sure that those Souls that didn’t belong to the Mortal Realm anymore, found their way to the Realm Beyond they deserved to be, as well as keeping those dark forces lurking in the shadows from getting out and harming innocent humans.

His close connection with the dead, the lost souls and a taboo realm were soon to provoke a misunderstanding, Hades was claimed to be a cruel and evil God, worthy of being feared. This proved to be somewhat of a positive outcome for the God that was better of alone. This exile caused him to lose on many events happening on Earth, prevented him from taking sides on needless wars, and allowed him to continue fulfilling his duty of guiding souls through the Underworld.

Through the ages, Hades became a supporting character in other’s fabulous quests, finding himself in the middle of situations created by other Deities. He wasn’t above helping others that needed him, whenever he felt it was right, Hades has a strong Sense of Justice thus in his eyes there’s not an evil nor a good path, just a righteous one that shall be respected. Whether it was lending his own Divine Items, or punishing those that deserve it, Hades will intervene in a way that will bring the situation back to it’s rightful balance.

But now, long gone is the age of Gods, and the humans that once worshiped them have forgotten about them, believe now they were always just a myth. Unlike many of the others, Hades never needed humans’ belief and prayers to survive, and he continued to Rule over the Underworld and fulfill his duty through centuries, occasionally returning to Earth out of curiosity, but keeping his human interaction at minimum. Personal bonds have never being a priority of his, but it can become quite the lonely life. Hades is not sure when, or from who, did he hear about Mount Phoenix, the Island kept on popping up in conversations he eavesdropped, and after a long time in self isolation he decided to take the chance at as much of a normal life as someone like him could have.

Hades’ arrival to the Island was kept under wraps, he didn’t want any fanfare he strongly believes he’s not worthy of. Being almost a forgotten God means he is not familiar with many of the other Deities there are, but his objective regarding his life in the island is of slowly living a fulfilling life that is more than just what he was ( forcefully ) entrusted to him, even if he has never forgotten about his responsibility and continues to Rule over the Underworld, from a different location.

POWERS: Necromancy, control over the Underwold and its subjects, Immortality, Invisibility thanks to the Helm of Darkness, complete obedience from canidae. STRENGTHS: Patient, Responsible, Diligent, Strong sense of Justice. WEAKNESSES: Socially awkward, Humorless, Callous.

[silverfirewolfsurtleaus]

POV: You’re one of the Leo’s arriving for the competition but when you arrive this is what you see MP!Leo having arrived before you…he’s looking pretty smug

Leo simply blinks and turns to his brothet and her allies. "Are they a red eared slider?"

"It apears so. Intresting." Donnie hummed. "Should we introduce ourselves?"

"Hero names only...if only to save people the headache given this seems to be well" his eyes flickered to a banner. "An inter dimensional competion...and we still are in our hero gear."

"Aww really? No real names?" Raph pouted just a bit. "Its not like anyone here if from our world besides us!"

@tmntseparatedaucompetition

"I mean theres always a chance someone else from our world could sneak in and if you wanna risk it but moon drops got a good idea." Mikey shrugged.

"Welp then lets go introduce ourselves I suppose I do want to talk to my counterparts see the simirities and diffrences between the multiple universe.