#Napoleon's voice of authority

[klutzyroses]

IkeVamp HCs: Beautiful Reader

How do they react when they meet a reader who is one of the most beautiful women they have ever seen?

Suitors: Napoleon, Arthur, Galileo, Drake

Napoleon

When the woman lost in the halls of the mansion met his gaze, he knew being the woman's protector would be the chore to end all chores.

In this day and age, women already weren't safe. Much less when they looked like they were handcrafted with love and care, the way she did.

He wasn't looking forward to it.

And he himself, though not aloud, found he was curious about the stunning stranger who'd stumbled into his life. He'd seen beautiful women before, but she was on a completely different level.

"I'm going to have my hands full with you, nunuche."

He ruffled her hair with a smirk as she merely blinked at him in confusion.

He would definitely be aware of many eyes on her, admiring, lusting, but they wouldn't get near her when she was with him.

Beautiful as she was, Napoleon knew the risks of letting her be alone for too long...but there were only so many complaints he could have when he was in the company of such a gorgeous madonna. There were worse ways to spend his time.

He's not telling her that directly though. Not in those exact words at least.

Arthur

When he first laid eyes on the maiden fair, he knew life in the mansion would be just a little sweeter.

He had no qualms about saying that to her the first time they met.

"Well now! The stars are shining just a little brighter tonight. Such a bonny lass you are."

His urge to tease her only grew when she reacted with a timid averted gaze, her lovely cheeks painted pink.

He commonly made sure to compliment at least once a day, usually referring to her as the 'Lovely Y/N'.

The author was commonly surrounded by women, but whenever she went anywhere with him, most of them kept their distance, intimidated by the ravishing lady by his side, regardless of the nature of her relationship with Arthur.

"I'm afraid that nobody holds a candle to a heart stopper like you and anybody with eyes knows it."

"Arthur!"

Teasing her just see that cute blush on her beautiful face would be enough to make his day.

Galileo

He wasn't one to generally take much notice of women, though the particular girl ambling through the halls of the university didn't escape his notice.

Galileo knew women could be pleasing to the eye, of course, but that was a fact of life, not something that actually touched him.

But she was objectively the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he found that slightly disconcerting. Almost as disconcerting as the fact that said woman was not paying attention to her surroundings and was to trip on a loose tile.

He moved quickly, catching her shoulder as she stumbled. When she turned to thank him, her beauty hit him full force from up close as he took her in.

She was a vision of loveliness, an earthly Aphrodite. Her lips parted and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment, only adding sweetness to her visage. She suddenly spoke in a soft tone.

"Erm...thank you sir...that was clumsy of me."

Her voice broke the spell as he let go of her, stepping back. If she had any effect on him, it certainly didn't show.

"Be more careful."

Was his only response before leaving.

He will find himself thinking back to that lovely face from time to time, often when the word 'beautiful' happened to cross his mind.

Drake

When he called to the lone woman passing by the Seine, intending to invite her into his boat, he didn't expect anything out of the ordinary. But when she turned around, his eyes widened as he blinked in surprise.

"Wow. You're beautiful."

Those were the first words out of his mouth, his head tilted in near confusion as the lady blushed at his forwardness.

The man was a sailor that traveled the world and seen different places and people, so he knew a beautiful woman when he saw one. And her? Breathtaking. She could make the hardest of pirates fall at her feet.

When he managed to convince her to take a ride with him, winning her over with his friendly disposition, he playfully told her that getting such a beauty into his boat was risky because alas, he may not return her, much to her amusement.

"Sir, I would appreciate being put on solid ground at some point..."

"Haha, just kidding. You're just so pretty, I want to keep you."

He said with a bright smile, but he was only half joking...

Drake would definitely want to steal her away. Pirates don't just let go of treasure.

🌸

[possessedbyforcesunknown]

My Favourite Jooster Fics

Bertie's Blog (ongoing series)

The writing is so charming and whimsical. I've never read a Wodehouse story but I assume that if he wrote Bertie as a modern-day blogger he would write exactly like this. It gave me some Bridget Jones' Diary vibes if Bridget Jones was a gay man in his twenties with a career in blogging (influencing?). I just love picturing a cute blond Bertie and his tall, clever, solicitor boyfriend. They even have a meet-cute!

2. Refused Entry (probably abandoned)

(TW: sexual assault) Begging the author to release chapter 5 because this is just one of the best stories I have ever read. So much potential. Bertie catches the eye of a perverted male OC and Jeeves' protective side comes out. POV alternates between the OC and Bertie—their inner monologues are great. I just love reading about Jeeves from another character's perspective.

3. The Pianist (last updated Feb 2023)

Long fic about Bertie and Jeeves' paths crossing in different circumstances starting from childhood. Slow burn. Literally 'invisible string' coded.

4. My Man Wooster (ongoing series)

I can't wait to read the fourth fic!! Literally everything you want for a role swap, featuring Bertie as England's worst valet and Jeeves as the Olivia Pope of 1930s London. I need them to get together so badly!! There are also hints as to why Bertie has fallen so far from high society and my boy is going THROUGH it.

5. Something of Vengeance (15/15 chapters, Sherlock Holmes crossover)

The romance isn't very direct but it's still one of my favourite stories. Interesting plot and seeing old Johnlock react to oftentimes air-headed but always kind-hearted Bertie is so cute. I need to reread this soon!!

6. All's Well That Ends Well (4/4 chapters, Completed)

I'm a sucker for anything ABO. A classic 'Bertie gets himself into trouble and Jeeves saves the day' story. Jeeves really is a saint for having so much self-control because there are quite a few romance tropes like accidental lap-sitting. It just tickles my brain.

7. The Yaxley Affair (one-shot)

I was hesitant to read this because it's a crossover with The Man from UNCLE but I'm so glad I did. It's quite a long story at 57k words (novella-length) but very worth the read. The older, 'established relationship' version of Bertie (now Lord Yaxley) and Jeeves are perfectly-written. It's like Ilya and Napoleon are stuck in a generic spy thriller but they're constantly in disbelief at how Jooster don't follow the 'norm' and still survive. (Do you know what I mean?) The author (Mice) has also written a number of great fics in this fandom.

8. Jeeves and the Best Laid Schemes (6/6 chapters)

I haven't read a lot of stories from Jeeves' perspective. In this fic, Jeeves is trying to make Bertie take a hint about his true feelings but he keeps getting sidelined by other characters. I love it when Jeeves is the one who falls first.

9. Jeeves in the Shower (one-shot, E)

Short and sweet. I just love it when Character A finds Character B taking a shower and they proceed to have sex.

10. Jeeves and the Gadsby Filly (one-shot)

Bertie in drag meets Jeeves in a night club and are drawn together. Don't know how else to describe it but fluffy and cute.

11. Totleigh Academy (3/3 chapters)

I'm a reader of simple tastes. I will always click on a high school AU (which are hit or miss). This is a hit!! Teenage Jooster dynamic is just lovely.

Final Note: There are probably more fics out there because the writers in this fandom are so good at writing in this sort of Wodehousian style. They capture Bertie's voice so well and the dialogue in some stories is just sparkling!! I would recommend the entire catalogue of fics on AO3 tbh.

[64-jungle-planks]

Night at the Museum: Redesigning Characters 2/4(?)

Character profile: Al "Scarface" "Snorky" Capone

This character is based off of and takes inspiration from the historical Al Capone.

Real Name: Alphonse "Al" Gabriel Capone

Nickname and Meaning: Scarface - He earned this nickname because of the three scars on the left side of his face, two on his cheek and one on his neck. Embarrassed by them, Al hates the nickname and never shared the real story of how he got them, siting that he actually got them fighting in WWI.

Snorky - Snorky was slang for sharp dresser. Al loved expensive, flashy clothes. Only close friends used it for him

Age: 26 (January 17, 1899)

Time Period: America's Prohibition in the 1920s, around mid-1925 Johnny Torrio, Al's boss, stepped down and let Al take over the Outfit.

Family: James "Jimmy" Vincenzo Capone, Raffaele "Ralph" James Capone, and Salvador "Frank" Capone + Three younger brothers and one sister that wasn't brought back.

(Headcanons under the cut)

Based on/taken from History:

Can play Banjo and Mandolin, prefers Mandolin

involved in the Five Points Gang with mobster John Torrio as a kid. John Torrio mentored him and gave him the role as the Chicago Mob leader

Only got into the mob for the money to care for his family

Can go from 1 to 10 very quickly

Played in a semi-pro team in Brooklyn as a kid/teen with Ralph. They were known as the Al Capone Stars

+ Intelligent + Generous + Confident - Overdramatic - Attention seeker - Petty

My own silly headcanons:

A little twerp, Al doesn’t respect authority

Feels that he’s better than Ivan and Napoleon because he’s from a newer generation and knows more.

“Okay boomer” vibes

Acts like he hates Napoleon and Ivan (mostly Napoleon), but likes them secretly. They are two men in history that did grand things- in fact he liked learning about Napoleon in school! Al just thinks he had a too big of a head.

Only has one tone of voice- really loud

Swears every other word

He’s a basically still a kid, one with too much power. Al knows his way around the mob, he’s been in it since he was around 15, but now he’s been given power over the Outfit and hasn’t come down off that high yet of being in charge.

Hes happy to have Frank back, they were four years apart in age and were extremely close. He’s missed Frank the year he’s been dead

Was extremely tempted to play baseball using the Einstein’s as balls. He doesn’t like them.

On that note, Al is slightly unnerved around the miniatures. He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself around them.

He likes sitting at the bench in middle of the hall of miniatures just watching them. Al liked Cowboys and liked playing cowboys and robbers with his brothers as a kid. Some part of him wishes he could be part of their group.

After finding the Sinatra songs made after Al died, he’s constantly found humming them and making up his own lyrics to go along with them. He likes That’s Life the best.

Al somehow acquires a camcorder and films the whole night that they’re trying to take over the world, making himself a big star and part of the plan. He wants that stardom, he loved it when he was alive – he was just getting a part of it when he was alive

Really loves making up nicknames and short stories for people around him. One of his favorite things to do with Ralph is people-watch.

Al: I don’t like Napoleon! He’s a fuckin’.. fuckin’ bitch! A short ass goblin! Ralph: Yeah.. goblin’ that dick. Frank: MMHHEHEHAHAHAHAHAAH!!! Al: What.

Makes jokes about Napoleon and his boys being gay because he's frightened about questioning his own sexuality. He knows he likes women, but he's got that good ol' "1910's Christian beat the gay away" ideal still stuck in his head. It takes a bit for Al to realize he's bi

Loves giving gifts

He likes having at least one of his brothers by his side. Historically it's been Ralph, but during the events that take place during NATM 2, Al kept Frank close because he was frightened of loosing him again.

Frank, Ralph, Napoleon

[eventinelysplayground]

How Old?

Well today is everyone's favorite playboy author's birthday so Happy Birthday Arthur! Here's just a short little fic for it as I had a lot on my plate this week. Pure fluff WC approx 570.

It was a typical morning at the mansion as a few of the residents sat around eating breakfast.

“Are you looking forward to next week Arthur?”

Vincent's cheerful voice broke the quiet that had settled over the table.

“Why of course, I can't wait to see what Mitsuki has up her sleeve this year.”

Mitsuki smiled briefly at Arthur before her brows knitted together.

“I've never asked before but, how does that really work anyways?”

“How does what work?”

It was Napoleon's voice drifting towards them as he entered the dining room.

“It's not important luv.”

Mitsuki frowned at Arthur's dismissal, her brows knitting together even more in concentration.

“Don't make Hondje think so hard in the morning, it's not good for her.”

“Hey!”

“Theo be nice. I'm not really sure, I've never thought about it before.”

“Thought about what?”

“Mitsuki was wondering how birthdays work for us now.”

“It's really not that important, Leon old chap.”

“Well Mitsuki thinks it is and honestly now I'm curious too.”

Vincent flashed Arthur one of his angelic smiles but there was clearly mischief in his eyes. Napoleon looked puzzled and Mitsuki continued with her thought.

“I mean a birthday celebration and the thoughts and feelings behind it are the same no matter what but…how do you figure out how old you are now?”

“Ya, just how old are you now?”

Theo leaned back in his chair as he folded his arms across his chest and smirked at Arthur.

“Still younger than you lot.”

“I don't think that's right.”

“It’s not, if we add on to your age from before you're over 8-”

“Didn't you say you wanted to go to that popular bakery this morning luv, we really should get going.”

Arthur glared at Theo and Napoleon while desperately trying to change the subject.

“Well if you don't like that, we could always just start counting from when you were revived.”

Vincent's way sounded better on paper but…

“That would put you around what-”

Arthur coughed loudly interrupting Napoleon.

“I don't ever want to be quite that young again.”

“Well I don't see another option, sorry Arthur.”

Vincent looked repentant but he truly wasn't, at times like this it made Arthur wonder which brother was truly the devilish one.

“Actually there is a third option.”

The group startled at Isaacs sudden contribution, they had all assumed he was off in his own little world not having acknowledged any of them until now.

“What would that be Isaac?”

Isaac looked up at Napoleon and sighed.

“Just use the age he's supposed to be.”

“Huh?”

Mitsuki wasn't the only one to voice her confusion.

“Well Arthur was still alive at this time right, so just use whatever age he would have been this year.”

“How old would you have been Ar-”

“43.”

Theo and Vincent's voices overlapped each other. Arthur was pouting now as he slumped in his chair.

“Well given my other choices I suppose this way isn't that bad.”

Mitsuki leaned over and kissed Arthur on the cheek.

“I think it's a good age, but honestly I'd love you just as much no matter what age you were.”

“It really wouldn't matter if I was an old man?”

Mitsuki shook her head.

“No, you're still you no matter how old you are.”

Arthur's smile was back as he pulled Mitsuki in for another kiss.

[queengiuliettafirstlady]

Lovely perfumes and naughty deeds in the villa

Lovely perfumes and naughty deeds in the villa

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairing:   Napoleon x MO (Lesser vampire)

Part of : Sexy Ikemen Summer hosted by @xxsycamore

Prompt : 1. Your rich friend's summer villa

Tag: Established relationship PIV Creampie Scent kink Biting kink Smut Minors DNI!!        

Word Count : 3.733

Author’s Note: A vacation on an island is the right occasion to turn a simple holiday in so much more, deepening the bond of the two lovebirds as they give in to their love. 🥰

Tag list

@kissmetwicekissmedeadly @aquagirl1978 

@william-rex @writingwhimsey

@fang-and-feather @moonstruckmelancholic

@wistfulwanderingone @rjthirsty @lichtluv

@ike-garden2024 @jollibeeshappiness @starzyquee              

@maeko-kun @rkmaru

You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊

Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊

Summer has arrived at least stronger than ever, the heat wave a mighty lion engulfing the country in an indolent lifestyle that, though relaxed, not everyone in the mansion appreciated.

Napoleon was one of them, running around the halls ordering things he only saw to be messy, while his little students enjoyed a well deserved vacation from their studies.

“It reached my ear that this summer was indeed being too hot for you to bear, is it ?”

As he spoke, Comte sent a glance to Julia who sat slumped on Jean’s chest on a sofa hidden under the tree’s thick foliage, he smiled at the sight of her nephew’s chartreuse eyes glimmering with happiness at the news she foresaw coming from him.

“But I have an idea.”

The spark in his amber gaze didn’t go unnoticed to the residents gathered in the garden, shocking even the usually stoic Sebastian who was holding a parasol over their head.

“I think we all could enjoy a vacation on our own. I will cover all the expenses you just have to pick a destination of your choice and let your fate in my hands.”

Needless to say no one thought twice about his offer, and so baggages in hand everyone adventured themselves in their own journey.

“I am so excited we have picked the same palace to go on vacation in.”

Julia’s shrill voice seemed to shake the whole train wagon awake as she looked at her friend, whose hazelnut eyes glimmered in the dimlit out wagon with a smile that didn't fail to outshone the sun itself since they found each other at the train  station barely a few hours ago.

“I am too. I can’t wait to see all Corsica has to offer and let’s say I adore the idea of staying at your uncle’s villa.”

“I bet he has mansions all around the world.”

“Well he seem he come up with a good idea for once.”

Jean’s voice made her laugh softly as she playfully slapped his chest looking up at him as he stroked fondly her cheek with his thumb.

“Come on, you know he wouldn’t let an occasion to spoil us pass him by.”

“To spoil you.”

“And you too.”

Playfully she brushed her nose against his, oblivious to the curious glances of the train’s passengers … and even those of their friends sat in front of them.

Napoleon’s cough did nothing to separate them and so he resumed his chat with his lover, whose chocolate locks fall like a voluptuous cascade around her shoulder in the noon’s sun shining through the windows.

“I am really happy you have picked this destination. It is a lot to me.”

“I know, that’s why I picked it.”

Between carefree laughs and idle chats the travel went on, it was long but no one of them mind given the pleasant company and even the beautiful scenery of the countries the train passed through.

At least they landed in the isle of Corsica.

It was a sight to behold, mountains, valley and cascades all took her attention in turn as the seagulls shrieked fling high above the water from where they came from, accompanying the boat in its travel as the peculiar group decided to retire for the night in the mediterranean style villa secluded in an hidden corner of the isle surrounded by a luscious greenery to grant as much privacy as possible from the outside world.

Napoleon remembered that island well, memories of distant past overlapping with most recent ones, but along lights there came shadows, demons swirled in his mind immediately brushed away from the warmth of her hand taking his.

They were two against the world and he had all the intention to make her the happiest girl on earth as she made him.

Every season had his peculiar scents, and sights worth of painting he never got tired to admire yet nothing could compare to his lover’s beauty.

She was really a sight to behold, he never could get tired to admire in all her glory every time of the day, smiling at the sight of her chocolaty irises flashing scarlet with lust when they were in bed, cherishing any moment and giving himself over to her, revelling in the little prickle of her fangs scraped on his skin, quenching her thirst with him while groans of pleasure fled from his lips.

He enjoyed even submission taking pleasure as she rode him out all through the night, using him for her own pleasure, letting him lead only at the break of dawn for an intense session that would have made her sore the next day but she didn’t mind, not at all. 

Her voice, a melody to his ear, hearty laugh or easy talks it was a song he never got tired to listen to, like the sensation of her hand engulfed in his, as they strolled side by side through Paris, making shopping or sightseeing the stores’ windows basking in the busy atmosphere of the city, it felt natural as a second nature like the love he hold for her has become to him.

To think of the day he would have been this happy, sharing that simple life he always yearned for, was a gift he couldn't believe to be so lucky to have, loving her like he had never loved before, thinking that maybe his arrival at the mansion had a purpose after all, to meet and feel in love with that peculiar girl who had enough courage to stick up to him, becoming a vampire just to be at his side.

His heart swelled with affection at her thoughtful act, ready to support and love her so much she wouldn’t have been able to regret her choice because he wouldn’t have given her any reason for it.

The sun was shining high, bathing everything in sight in its tepid warmth, the laundry billowing in the wind seemed to dance for an imaginary audience following the chirping melody of the birds hidden among the foliage of the trees.

It was such a nice day she spent all morning running out and about in the villa’s gardens going to the extra miles to spend as much time as possible basking in the tepid air of the summer ocasinaly refreshed by the salty breeze brushing in the garden, whispering about adventures the island had to offer, with prompt she collected fruits from the trees thinking already of the delicious meal she would have prepared, picturing the smiling on his lover face enough to make her heart race furiously in her chest, a rosy blush arised to her cheeks hidden by the huge stack of laundry neatly folded in the basket she was taking inside. 

The moment his loverp stepped in the hall he senses her presence, it wasn't just the habit of her soft voice singing to herself that awoke him rather it was something else he couldn’t point out, and then just when he was to give up, mindlessly walking down the staircase to greet her suddenly it invaded his nostrils.

The sweet aroma of peach melted with the fresh scent of bergamot, harmoniously mixed with jasmine and sandalwood, her perfume the same he would have recognized among thousands exactly like standing out like a colorful flower in the dull monotony his life had been up until their meeting.

She placed the basket in the little storehouse before walking toward the kitchen, he followed his movements stealthy in a way he hoped she couldn't hear him, proud of himself for his idea, he followed his plan smirking at the little yelp escaping her rosy lips as he hugged her from behind. 

“Leone!”

“You didn’t expect me, mia piccola principessa ?”

“You can say. I thought you were sparring with Jean.”

“I was but then his wife came in and … well he remembered he had to help her with reordering their luggages.”

“Do you really think Julia needed his help for that ?”

“Not at all.”

“Why do I have the sensation there is something naughty going on ?”

“Because you have a good instinct. They were only walking hand in hand through the corridor but it was clear as the day how much they loved one another, trust me with the accomplice's glances they shared I am more than sure you are right as ever.”

He nuzzled in her neck, letting her sweet scent invade his nostrils, driving him mad a sensation he experienced only with bloodlust but totally different, here he felt the need to lick and suck on her skin not to draw blood but to sign her fair skin with rosy love bites, visible proof of his unyielding affection. 

“Ahhh … Leone, what are you doing ? It’s still morning.”

“I know.” 

His voice huskier than what he normally was as he tightened his arms around her, pushing his body against her betraying a need that wasn’t there before.

A desire he wishes to satisfy only with her alone.

That thought put disarray in her as she yielded, as she always did, to that uncontainable passion that linked their hearts together.

“I love your perfume.” 

His lips nibbled on the soft skin of her shoulder, before trailing the tip of his tongue from her neck to her earlobe, brushing an earring of hers with his nose.

It was a gift of his for their anniversary and the idea she wore it ever since, thinking each day of him, never failed to make his heart beat a little faster in his chest, filled with a warm love he never believed he could have experienced, 

“You naughty boy, we aren't alone in the house, you know ?”

“If you can still think of something else then I am not doing a good job.”

He scraped his fangs on the side of her neck, taking her flesh between his teeth sucking on it, careful to not pierce her skin.

“Ahhhh Leone … please-”

“Please what, my little ?”

“Please … ahhh … don’t tease me like that.”

“I am not teasing you at all … mia piccola principessa.”

He murmured sultrily in her ear taking in the view of the blissful smile curling her lips while a dreamy sigh escaped her lips.

“You seem to be so clingy today Mon Roi.”

He chuckled at the title, while his arms tightened around her torso.

“I can’t help it. I like way too much keeping you close Ma Reine. You're so warm.”

He nuzzled his nose in the crook of her neck, revelling in the little yelp of surprises tumbling out her soft lips.

“Your perfume is amazing I think I am going crazy for you all over again 

She arched her neck offering it to him moaning as his fangs pierced her skin, a wave of pleasure ran straight down her core, the way she rolled her butt against his, brushing over his crotch, driving him mad, robbing a groan from his throat.

As payback he pushed back earning a sinfully moan form her luscious lips as his hands begin to roam on her body, his fingers doing a quick job of her dress’s buttons sliding it off her shoulder enough to cup her breast from above her chemise, groaning as he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger hardening under him as he generously gifted her other nipple alike, while the warm touch of his fingers crawling under her light undergarment leave a trail of fire in his caress.

Slowly he pulled away licking her wound clean before offering his arm up to her, her bright rose eyes flashing red with lust as she grabbed his hand with trembling fingers leaning her warm lips on his skin sucking his blood, pure erotism he couldn’t take his eyes away from, groaning at her soft tongue lapping the wound sucking it.

An act of nourishment they both used to their own advantages for naughty sessions of love making ever since she was turned into a lesser vampire, all for him. 

“Napo … leone.” 

His name enveloped in her melodic voice while his hands palmed down her tights, raising the fabric of her drawers in his trail, trickling his fingers over her supple skin, bending over to him, mewling at his fingers sliding off her drawers enough to give his fingers space to work his magic on her taking his time caressing her labia tickling the soft sensitive skin around her clit before brushing over it.  fleeting touch but that was enough to make her yearn for more. 

The soft pad of his digit probed at her entrance dwelling a bit longer in the warm space between her folds. 

“Leone please.”

A whiny whimper fled from her lips as she desperately pushed her hips against his hand hoping to be enough to make him do something, anything but that slow tease tantalizing her arouse with all the intention to satisfy it …  only not any time soon.

“I see my little is impatient today.”

He caressed her butt cheeks playfully slapping it, her core glistened with her wetness seeping onto his fingers, making him even more aroused as the painfully hardened bulge in his pants begged for a release. 

Gently he leaned over her, his hand already gripping her hip, up and ready for him as he whispered sultrily brushing his lips on her earlobe.

“Are you ready ?”

“Yes please.” 

He lined his cock with her entrance, dipping its tip in her juices, barely resisting the urge to sink in a single thirst and forget the rest for how delicious wet and tight she was.

“Are you sure baby ?”

“Just got at it already Napoleone.”

“It seems I am getting myself in quite a mess aren't I ?”

“You sure would be if you don’t move Napoleone Buonaparte”

A hearty laugh escaped his lips at hearing his full name pronounced by her lips, surely she has gotten bold since they started dating but he was happy to see her so straightforward with her desire, exactly like she has taught him to be.

“Get at it or  Ahhhh.”

Her moans coupled with a low guttural grunt as he sheathed fully into her, his fingers tightened on her hips, as he stood still to give her time to adjust to his size. 

“Or mia piccola principessa.”

“Or I would anf think of ahhh a revenge.”

“It seems my lover has such a temper.” 

“You already know, don't go around ahhh acting all surprised now.”

“I never dream of doing it, piccola mia.”

It was only when she pushed her back against his pelvis eliciting him to move that he did, setting a slow pace, rolling back and forth like a wave of pleasure he yearned to ride alongside her.

The only sound in the cozy kitchen was the melody of moans and grunts filling the air making it even hotter than what already was, refreshed partially from the light breeze coming from outside caring with it the salty scent of sea and the screeching of seagulls chatting freely with the chirping birds flying round the garden in a cascade of colors falling from the luscious greenery.

“You are so good mia dea so ngghh tight and wet all for me.”

“Only for you. Ahhh always for you, Leone.”

Her pink nails clawed helplessly the table doing her best to steady herself amidst the waves of pleasure wrecking over her body, mewling at the way his fingers grip on her waist tightened like the knot in her belly as the light massage of his skilled thumb on her sensitive clit increased speed, helped by her soaked cunt sucking in every so sinfully good his aching cock, mercilessly diving deeper into her at each thrust robbing a wanton moan form her lips as his tip kissed the base of her cervix making her see stars.

His ever skillful fingers though tired to grip her hips begin to roam upward, sliding under her blouse tickling her sensitive skin in their travel.

“Ahhh Napo you are not nghh fair.” 

Her words mixed up with her moans turned him on more than he could say, excitement he showed pulling down and then sinking back in a single thrust robbing a wanton moan from her soft lips.

“Who said I ever was nunuche ?”

She scoffed but he knew she wasn’t really mad, but still to make up for his pettiness he nuzzled softly in her neck nibbling on the tender flesh on the crook of her shoulder, erasing any animosity she may have had, and he knew that the payback for that would have been merciless, be it teasing him to the point of madness for a whole day in which she would have then denied him any pleasure. 

“I know you love this about me.”

“As this is the only thing I love, mio principe.”

Her tender words taking him off guard, making him falter for a second, moment she took advantage of to push her butt back to him, turning as she could toward him to leave a gentle kiss on his cheek, making him yearn for more he didn’t shied back to take grabbing her face in his hand, freed from her blouse, and smacking his lips on hers, his tongue probing inside ravaging her mouth only to entwine at least with her own.

A kiss they reluctantly broke off a tiny string of saliva still connecting their lips as she crashed her lips on his once more, sweeping him in a passionate tango of pleasure that never failed to fill his heart with love, so bright to outshine even the brightest star and warmer than a thousand suns.

He broke off the kiss leaning his forehead on her back as he regained his breath, feeling her doing the same, pressing his hand gently on her bosom to keep her upper half from slumping once more on the table, sliding off only when her breath returned steady, his naughty fingers taking advantage of her surprise to slide the buttons of her shirt off one by one, feeling her eagerness in the way she arched her back taking his hand in hers only to palace it flat on her bosom eliciting him to play her magic on her once more as he always did never failing to make her feel loved and cherished like only he could.

His digits ever naughty tugged the ribbon of her corset making it come undone enough for him to cup her breast in his capable hand out of her light chemise, pulled downward giving her an air of blissful decadence that fitted the naughty squeaking noise of their coupling as his hips continued to pound into her over and over again, bringing her to the edge with the help of his left thumb mercilessly stroking her sensitive bud only to withdraw as she least expect it, leaving her unsatisfied and eager for more, she didn't shied away from taking it herself covering his hand with her own stoking her clit along his forefinger bringing her to a climax long yearned for.

She slumped on the table curling blissfully on his arm, wrapped around her torso all the while his right fingers went on the prowl on her body, rolling her peaked nippled between his thumb and forefingers smirking as it hardened under his touch, thrusting in and out of her at a light pace enough to make her regain enough energy to give in his ministrations to the fullest.

Ever the tease he decided to mould her other breasts a bit longer than its counterpart, caressing her areola robbing wanton moans from her lips, sending a pang of arousal in his already aching cock stills sheathed in her cunt, the same he yearned to fill with him, signing him with his cum, with his scent, even though he knew that so much jealousy wasn’t necessary now that they were alone on the island he couldn't help himself.

He wanted to sign her for everyone to see and wear the lovebites she gave him with pride, a seal he was hers, signed by the one and only he loved, the same he would have done anything to see smile. 

Gently his left forefingers begin to rub circles on her clit, earning a soft mewl as he set a fast pace, all the while his right hand continued to knead at her breasts only to slide down to caress her hips, holding her close all through their copulation, tightening his fingers as he felt her walls close around his shaft in a vice like grip, groaning into her ear as he felt her came all over his dick, coated with her juice as he spilled his cum deeper into her in a single trust, painting her inside white as he rolled back and forth riding through their orgasms.

Bliss washed over her features as she slumped on the table, letting him holding her close to his chest with his right arm, bathing in the light whimper of dissatisfaction as he pulled away, with practised movements he lifted her in his arms, smiling as she nuzzled her head in his shoulder.

“Where are you going Napoleon, it's still morning ?”

“I know but I don’t think I can wait to ravage you, even more because I am sure Jean and Julia are pretty busy already and they sure won’t mind if the meal is ready or not.”

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, tightening his grip as he started to wander around the immense villa, slowing down his pace only when inside their room.

“So now what do you say to let me continue to enjoy ourselves to our heart’s content?”

“I would say it is a wonderful idea.” 

She slumped on the soft sheets of the bed welcoming him with open arms as he hugged her to his chest, looking fondly at her, his eyes full of promise as he stroked the back of his fingers on her cheek, his voice a tender confession warming her whole heart bursting with love.

“I love you so much Mia Regina.”

“I love you too Mio Re.”

Wasting no moment they give in to the temptation, ready to show off their love to one another with only the stars as audience of that peculiar spectacle, affection swimming on their warm gaze, curling their lips in happy, bright smiles.

[thiefbird]

Despite all my better judgement, I appear to be into Boat Media. Having thoroughly enjoyed Temeraire and Aubrey-Maturin, I am now looking to broaden my horizons. Do have any recommendations for further reading?

I do!

I don't think CS Forester has quite the same voice as an author as Patrick O'Brian, but the Hornblower series holds a fond place in my heart - I actually recommend the TV series with Ioan Gruffudd, Jamie Bamber, Richard Lindsey, and Paul McGann before the books, if you like the Aubreyad, which I rarely do; it has a bit more of the feel of daily life added to it than the books originally did, which may well have been the influence of O'Brian's writing, and it is an affectionate adaptation.

I have not read this yet, but @gabrielnovakgoestomyschool has been badgering me to read a Boat Media, the name of which escapes me, so I will have them give propaganda for it in the notes.

I do not know if this is based on a book, but the miniseries To The Ends of the Earth was very good!

Similarly, I have not read The Terror, and I have heard that the show is better than the book, but I really enjoyed the first two episodes of The Terror! Unfortunately it is a show that requires me to actually pay attention, so it is taking a long time for me to watch it because I don't often have the spoons+time I don't want to be writing rn, but I have heard many good things and few bad.

I haven't read Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, or Moby Dick since high school(and I'm not certain I finished Moby Dick as that was right when my very severe adhd/autistic burnout started) but I very much enjoyed them then!

My last, but certainly not least, recommendation is Gone To Weather, an absolutely stunning webcomic by @focsle (beg pardon for the tag!)!

(And finally, watch this space - I'm working on an original Napoleonic War Boat Media novel, and I hope to have a finished first draft by the end of the year!)

[ikesenwritings]

The Seasons and Love Languages

[Isaac x fem!Reader] + mansion residents

<< Winter + Words of Affirmation >>

“I would rather spend my evening with you,” Isaac pouted. And only you, he would’ve added.

“Oh, Isaac. Don’t be like that! It’s the last hours of Christmas,” she exclaimed. “The last hours of your birthday!”

“I don’t see the purpose of this. We’ve never celebrated before.”

The pair stopped short of exiting the mansion. Loud, jovial voices were just beyond the grand double doors—the alcohol, no doubt, having already made its way through some of the residents’ systems, birthing a lively atmosphere.

“Why have we stopped?”

She dropped Isaac’s hand and grabbed the beanie that hung out of his shallow coat pocket. A handmade gift—it was maroon and a bit horribly made, his favorite color and the level of craftsmanship to be expected from a novice knitter.

Her fingers ran through his strawberry brown hair with a smile so soft, so forgiving. If Isaac had started his day moping in past mistakes and current worries, it would have all been okay because of that smile. It deepened along with her admiration when she pulled the beanie over his head.

“By all means, it’s a terrible hat, but you look cute anyway,” she beamed. Isaac sighed, his cheeks now flushed. “Sorry. Handsome.”

“It’s making me itch,” the vampire grumbled.

She laughed and rubbed vigorously at his wool-covered forehead, earning a grunt of dismay from her lover.

“C’mon,” she urged, once more holding onto Isaac’s gloved hand. “Everyone wants to see the birthday boy!”

“The whole lot saw me at breakfast and din—”

They stepped through the doors. A cacophony of greetings rang in the late night air.

“Newt, ol’ boy!”

“Isaac, you made it!”

“Isaac, I got these graphite pens for your research. They’re high quality.”

“Do you and hondje care for eggnog?”

“We’ve been waiting for you, Isaac!”

“Were you and Toshiko-san having fun in the foyer?”

“O-Of course not!” Isaac cried, the tips of his ears having already turned red. “We were having— we were just—”

“No teasing tonight, Dazai,” Napoleon interjected. Talking. We were just talking. The former emperor laid a heavy hand on the author’s shoulder and directed a tender smile at the physicist.

“I know we’ve all said it today, but happy birthday, Isaac. We’re all glad to have met a man like you.”

“Really…” Isaac grumbled. A cherry blossom hue dusted his cheeks, his gaze fixed to the paved ground littered in snowy footprints. “There’s no need to say that, Napoleon.” But no one could have dismissed the smallest, shyest of smiles Isaac reserved for these kinds of gentle words.

Comte held his cup of eggnog high. Affection—the deep golden color of his eyes. He looked to the physicist. “A cheers to our dear brother and friend.” The others followed suit.

Soon, previous conversations resumed, Isaac being pulled every which way into discussions he would find himself very immersed in or wishing to be anywhere else. Either way, he was left only with a sense of belonging and a gratefulness for what was now his daily life.

Because he was looking at her. As Arthur prattled on about wagers and games of chess and little birds he’d met at the bar, Isaac was looking at her and she was looking at him, like two people at opposite ends of the room. And she was beautiful.

He watched as she apologized to Napoleon, dismissing herself from the conversation. She latched her arms around Isaac’s waist from behind and began to clumsily pull him away from the old Scot. She laughed as she struggled to walk backwards with Isaac’s taller frame.

“We’ll fall at this rate. And I’ll crush you,” he warned, eliciting a giggle from his love.

“And I’m fine with—” She let out a small shriek as she began to fall. In his own supernatural speed, Isaac managed to turn halfway before hitting the ground. One hand cradled her head, the other firmly planted on the ground, holding his top half up.

A third round of laughter erupted from her as Isaac’s frantic eyes scanned for any possible injury or sprain. He came to when he felt her arms gingerly wrap around his neck.

“I love you,” she said.

“Where is this coming from?”

He couldn’t help but ask.

“From me.”

Simple. Simple and so freely given.

‘I love you.’

“I love you, too,” Isaac replied. “With everything I am, everything I wish to be.”

And in that moment, with his family telling grand stories of the lives they once lived and the crackle of the fire pit and the flurry of snow that stuck to her hair and eyelashes and the red noses and the bated breaths, he felt complete, happily destined to this new, little life of his.

-

A/N

The original plan was to write one for each season of the year with a different suitor but who knows if that’ll happen 😅😅 either way, I’m happy that I got to finish this piece. I’m glad to be back and I’m sure I have much reading to catch up on!!! Both on this app and in the games!!

[patbworship]

Mod Introduction #1 (Welcome to the Blog! Narf!)

Hellooooooooo Tumblr!!! If you are seeing this, you have stumbled across the newest Pinky and The Brain exclusive blog (as hinted by the title of course!) that will be dedicated to celebrating the legacy, brilliance, and gayness of the PaTB franchise! I am Mod Pinky (my other half will be making an intro very soon) and many of you may know me from my main blog @theonethatyaks93 where I post Animaniacs and PaTB content for a living. I am really glad to share this fun new project with my bestest partner and we are both excited to be sharing our love for the mice with all of you! Now I am aware that the fandom is not as active as it once was, and many blogs like this one have been abandoned. Still, we are excited to be keeping the fandom alive and we are looking forward to helping cement this show into public conscious for a while longer. But enough about that; we'll be making another post to describe the blog in more depth at a later time. Let's get to the fun, actual introduction part of the post:

Name: Please call me Pinky or Mod Pinky if you'd like

Pronouns: She/They

Basic Interests: Writing, Singing, Acting, Animation, Drawing,

Dream Job(s): Voice Actor, Author, Writer on a PaTB Reboot

OTP: Brinky

My History in the Fandom: Surprisingly, I've been involved in the Animaniacs fandom since 2020 and the PaTB fandom since 2021. I got into the show thanks to the trailer for the Animaniacs reboot and I instantly fell in love. I was actually more into the Warner Siblings when I first watched the original series and I spend the first months in the fandom obsessing over them. However in 2021, I got really, REALLY into Pinky and The Brain. I believe it was because I saw people talking about them everywhere. And I started shipping Brinky as well. The mice just appealed to me specifically, and as I was going through the worst time in my life, they were there to help me out. Since then, nearly three years later, I've become an expert in all things PaTB. Pinky and The Brain has actually gotten me interested in other things shockingly, including neurological science and even rodent care, believe it or not. These mice have a death grip on my life and I am looking forward to growing my love for the series even more.

Favorite Episodes of PaTB (All episodes that I've seen so far) (In no particular order):

A Pinky and The Brain Christmas

This Old Mouse

A Pinky and The Brain Halloween

Broadway Malady

Brinky

Brain's Way

Talladega Mice

Narf Over Troubled Water

Of Mouse and Man

That Smarts

Megalomaniacs Anonymous

Snowball

Welcome to the Jungle

Future Brain

How The Brain Thieved Christmas

Groundmouse Day

Pinky Suavo (Yeessssss)

Plight of Hand

Brainie the Poo

Brain's Night Off

Happy Narfday

Mouse Madness

Royal Flush

Mouse Congeniality

How To: Brain Takes Over the World

Spell-Bound

Yes, Always

Brain Meets Brawn

Bubba Bo Bob Brain

Inherit the Wheeze

Where Rodents Dare

Pinky POV

Favorite Moments from PaTB: You guys are going to have to wait for the blog. I wanna make posts about them and talk about why I love them so much. But one of my favorite moments, of course, is the ending of the Christmas episode because it makes me sob every time I watch it

Most Underrated Episodes (Again, in no particular order):

Brain's Song

Pinky's Dream House

Anything from the Animaniacs Reboot

Melancholy Brain

The Pinky and The Brain Reunion Special

But That's Not All Folks!

Dangerous Brains

Beach Blanket Brain

Pinky at the Bat

You Said a Mouseful

Brain Drained

Hoop Schemes

Napoleon Brainaparte

Battle for the Planet

Win Big

When Mice Ruled the Earth

Favorite Songs:

Just Say Narf!

Brainstem

Pinky's Memories

Cheese Roll Call

The Really Great Dictator

A Meticulous Analysis of History

I Ate a Rock

Pinky's Dream House (Song)

Brain Doggie Mambo

International Mouse of Mystery (For the vocal performance alone)

Most Interesting Opinions on the Show:

I really like Snowball. He's my favorite side character from any iteration

Julia (from the reboot) is AMAZING in her second and third appearances. Not in her first

I prefer the fan versions of Billie to her canon character

I do not like Phar Fignewton very much. She isn't a very interesting character

I think Pinky and The Brain thrived in the late 90's while Animaniacs faltered a bit. Seasons 3-5 of Animaniacs had some good episodes but quite a few duds while PaTB had an incredible third and fourth season

To me Brinky is canonized in the reboot. Not in the traditional sense but it's pretty obvious

The reboot PaTB episodes are really good

I am not a big fan of the episode Brainania. It's not bad but I find it a bit slow in the pacing department

Mousechurian Candidate (from the reboot) is the worst episode of PaTB ever made

Pinky, Elmyra, and The Brain is not as bad as people think and there are some good jokes. But it is nowhere near the quality of the rest of the franchise

Pinky is the best character ever created (not biased)

My favorite episodes of the show are usually the ones that focus more on character dynamics and emotion

The animation of the show is very inconsistent. My favorite studios are TMS and Rough Draft since I think they capture how they characters look the best. Wang could be pretty good too but in other episodes they made the mice look strange. Akom did some weird lighting techniques but they did great on the episode Snowball, and the less said about Startoons the better.

I like Pinky and Brain's reboot designs a lot. And I think there are some improvements (i.e. Brain's more expressive face, the details in the designs, Pinky's more angular body, Pinky's tail, their cute little fangs). But I like them in the original series for the softer edges and more classic feel

What am I Going to Do on this Blog: One of my biggest ideas (along with getting to share my love of the mice with everyone and my partner-in-crime) is maybe to do a weekly thing, where I analyze an episode or moment from the show. I also want to review fanfictions and post random funny mouse things. Maybe I can show you guys the comics I have or my ever-growing merchandise collection. I will be opening the ask-box to suggestions at some point so if you want me or my partner to look at a specific moment, feel free to ask. I might even make some Tumblr-exclusive fanfics to post on here too. This is mainly just a fun place for us to express our love for Pinky and The Brain so it might seem random at times. But I can assure you all that I want to do some fun stuff to build up excitement. These are all things I wanted to do on my main blog but I think it will be better to do it here.

Once again, I would like to say that I am really excited for all that we have planned! This is a project I have been secretly wanting to do for a long time, and now I have someone to do it with. My Brain is perfect and I know that we're going to do so many amazing things with this blog! She's the greatest. Stay tuned for another intro coming soon and be prepared for more regular posts to come out in the following days.

The Revolution for Gay Mice Supremacy begins!

Mod Pinky over and out! Narf!

(this is not an elaborate plan to take over the world I promise you)

[psalm22-6]

The difficulty of disliking Les Misérables when the year is 1862 and all your friends are fans

In this post, I want to explore a particular dimension to the politics involved in reviewing Les Misérables in 1862, through the writings of Horace de Lagardie. “Horace de Lagardie,” according to the 1884 book Les Pseudonymes du jour, was the pen name of one Madame de Peyronnet. Although there is some confusion over her identity (see here), I am fairly certain that the woman in question is Georgina Frances de Peyronnet (née Whitfield), a British journalist who lived and worked in France. Her father owned a slave plantation in the West Indies and she married a French count of little importance (it is believed that she was the author of the translations published under his name). She wrote a column called the Revue du Mois in Charpentier’s Revue nationale et étrangère. She also published a collection of those articles under the title Causeries parisiennes (Parisienne chit-chat). Lagardie disliked Les Misérables for a number of stylistic and ideological reasons that I won’t get into here (believe me, it would be a long list) but her articles also offer commentary on the constraints she felt on her ability to voice that dislike. In her first article about Fantine, she writes:

The arrival of the two volumes forming the first part of Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables, has proved a useful diversion. All other subjects of conversation pale before this work, around which a unanimous chorus of praise is raised. Today he who would permit himself to utter the most minor discordant note would be very poorly received and the voice of criticism, even in the most respectful form, is rarely heard. To tell the truth, the passionate admiration that is being produced is a bit astounding to the observer who only sees this book as a literary work. It is difficult to understand how people who didn’t admire Notre Dame de Paris or le Dernier Jour d'un Condamné are so enthusiastic about a work that is similar to them in so many ways, both in its beauty and its faults. This cannot be explained either by admiration for its author or by sympathy for his social theories and it is evident that one must take into account the pedestal of exile from which Victor Hugo has not yet descended.

There’s so much to talk about in just that paragraph! First, there’s her assertation that there was a “unanimous chorus of praise” surrounding Les Mis. Despite the fact that there were negative reviews within three days of the publication of Les Misérables, Hugo’s (successful) advertising strategy (which consisted of asking friendly papers to publish praise alongside excerpts of the book) led to the accusation/impression that there was only praise for the book and that those papers were promoting Les Misérables not in support of the book (as a literary or philosophical work) but in opposition to Napoleon III. (This claim had some merit but the full extent to which it is true is not the subject of this post.)  The reference to Hugo’s exile was another common talking point in the same vein. The reason one might praise Les Mis to express one's dislike of Napoleon III is simply because it was not permitted to criticize Napoleon III in a newspaper. To evade censorship, praising Hugo would signal one’s political sympathies. Lagardie notes how adept journalists had become in this form of evasion:

It is certain that the art of saying without speaking and the use of innuendo have made great progress in France, and it is no longer with clarity that the French mind shines today.

Besides those who wrote disingenuous positive reviews of Les Misérables, there was a sizeable contingent of people who opted to say nothing at all rather than criticize Hugo. But only a few journalists who (ostensibly) shared (some) of Hugo's political views, Lagardie among them, opted to criticize his newest work. Lagardie observed that:

As soon as the work was published, and following the publishers' preliminary advertisements, we saw first articles by friends who praised universally and en bloc; then came the real critics, then finally the detractors, personal enemies or intolerant adversaries.

But Lagardie positions herself as none of the above, stating: “I think the time has come to state my opinion [on the first volume]. I think it's essentially the opinion of many people who are not as well placed as I am to express it frankly.” Although I agree with basically nothing she has to say about the contents of the book, it is interesting to note that she was one of the few women positioned to have her opinion published. Maybe her relative anonymity is what gave her the freedom to express her dissent? (Side note: it’s possible that Hugo read Lagardie’s review of Fantine. Lacroix definitely did and mentions it to Hugo among a list of negative reviews. “So much the better!” he wrote. “A controversy around Les Misérables is excellent. It's the consecration of success and proof of the work's strength.”) In Lagardie’s review of Cosette and Marius (released simultaneously a month after Fantine), she wonders whether she should continue to publish her negative review since there are so many positive reviews from the journalists in her sphere:

I am beset by doubt over my own competence. Can I be correct, opposed as I am to so many people, especially journalists, and to the author himself; and will I be permitted to judge by the ordinary rules of good taste and good sense a work which, according to general consensus, should be placed above common law? Evidently, I have a different tuning fork than the other critics–at least different than the one they use to tune their writing.

Lagardie asserts that there is a gap between what critics are writing and what they are saying privately (which we know to be true to an extent).

When the public isn't there and the doors are closed, more than a few change their tune, and are more in unison than you might think with "the one who writes these lines," to borrow a favorite expression of the author of Les Misérables.

I've noticed this somewhat contradictory claim in quite a few reviews: that Hugo was buoyed by misguided supporters who made dissenters afraid to voice their opinions, but also that Hugo actually had no supporters at all. Lagardie notes Hugo’s strategy of courting positive reviews. He wrote letters of thanks to the authors of almost all the positive reviews (and this wasn’t new. There were already jokes about how he did this before the publication of Les Misérables). Specifically, she criticizes how in these letters of thanks Hugo encourages the recipients to support political reform.  She cites this letter from Hugo to the publisher of Le Théâtre, Anatole Cerfberr:

With auxiliaries such as yourself, the work I have undertaken will succeed: the recasting of the old world in the mold of the new; the purification of the reality in the crucible of the ideal.

(Note: I assume that Cerfberr, one of Hugo's most enthusiastic supporters, published this letter in Le Théâtre but there is no online archive of that paper, much to my disappointment so I can’t verify this. However, Hugo did use the phrase “with auxiliaries such as yourself” and expressed similar sentiments in several of these letters of thanks.) Lagardie wonders how Les Misérables could achieve the goal outlined in that letter:

As a plan, that’s not so bad; but as a call to action? Here is what I found by randomly opening the latest volumes: “This book is a drama whose main character is the Infinite. Man is the second.” How is it that I didn’t understand all that? Must I accept the explanation I received the other day from a devotee? “You don't understand it,” he told me, “because you don’t like it.”

In the case of Lagardie, based on her reviews, I think she probably did understand the book, it was just more radical than she would agree with. To this point, we can look at her commentary on the banquet held in Bruxelles in September 1862 to celebrate the success of Les Misérables. About 80 journalists (not all of them French) traveled to Belgium for the occasion.

Without a doubt many people will agree with me that the success of Les Misérable is no reason for Europe to rejoice; but we understand that, in spite of Les Misérables, they wanted to pay homage to a writer who has engaged two generations of enthusiastic readers, and we are saddened by the thought that they had to cross the border in order to do so. [emphasis original] 

Ouch. At the banquet, Hugo gave a speech in which he claimed that it was the role of the free press to bring down the old society and remake it. Lagardie argues that there are things worth preserving in society, essentially showing that despite their shared dislike of Napoleon III, she had more conservative aims. But in summary, I think this series of reviews is interesting for the insight it gives us into the different political strategies that informed people's decision to review or not review Les Misérables. In another post, I will explore the review by Edmond Schérer, who had a similar approach to Lagardie. Thanks for reading!

Sources: Revue nationale et étrangère Causeries parisiennes Lacroix to Hugo, 4 May 1862 My research into the ID for H. de Lagardie

[klutzyroses]

Sorry to bother I adored your panuck attack headcanons and was wondering plesse van you do it for the other suitor as well ? 🙏 Thank you Have a wonderful day 😍

I wasn't entirely sure which suitors you wanted in particular so I picked 4. Have a wonderful day~

IkeVamp HCs: Panic Attack pt.2

Suitors: Arthur, Isaac, Comte, Vlad

Arthur

As frivolous as one may have the impression he is, when the time really calls for it, he will step up.

When the woman started to get anxious, he picked up on it immediately. Being as observant as he was, he noticed the telltale signs.

Jittery movements, agitated breathing, flushed face, all the signs of an incoming breakdown. The mystery author has had anxious patients before, it was nothing all that foreign to him.

Stopping a panic attack as it begins is no easy feat, so he knows its better to either prevent it, or do damage control.

He would gently guide her away and sit her on his lap, rubbing her arms as he whispered soothingly to her.

"Let's breathe luv. Deep breaths, there you go, my darling..."

He cupped her face and encouraged her to focus on him. When she calmed, he praised her and made sure she was alright, having her drink something warm and keeping an eye on her mood afterwards.

He would basically be the best comfort.

Isaac

Okay...he is a bit hopeless here at first...

He genuinely felt at a loss when she started to hyperventilate and quivering, behaving like a cornered animal ready to attack and defend herself.

To be honest, he had half the mind to find Napoleon, he always knew what to do but...

He couldn't allow another man to take care of his woman.

So, to the best of his ability, he tried to handle the situation himself. He took her to his room and sat alone with her, holding her hand. He hoped the quiet place would sooth her frayed nerves, drawing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.

He kept this up until her hand tightened around his, indicating she was regaining her control.

"Are you...okay now?"

He hesitated to tell her that seeing her like that had been scary, he had thought for a moment she was having a heart attack.

From then on, he would be just a tad more wary about things that could frighten or unsettle her.

Comte

He had seen so many tragedies, disasters, horrors that had jaded him to that sort of anxiety, to the point he nearly forgets that his cherie was not quite of the same metal.

When she started to fall apart, he reacted immediately, taking her in his arms when her legs gave out, shielding her in his embrace.

He had her listen to his calming voice, tenderly brushing her hair from her face as he pressed his forehead to hers, bring one of her hands to his lips.

His eyes never left her teary, wide ones as his presence started to ease her anxiety. Her vulnerability both hurt and touched him at once, feeling a surge of protectiveness.

"Mon diamant, your tears make my heart ache, tell me what can I do for you?"

Once he had her breathing calmly, he asked her if she wanted to leave, quick to comply when she says she does, cradling her to him as he wrapped her in his coat. As soon as they were at home, he has Sebastian make her a relaxing tea.

He would not leave her side until he knew she was completely at ease again.

Vlad

If he were to be honest, he himself was no longer familiar with the concept of panic and anxiety. Perhaps, after living so long, through the things he had, he was numb to that sort of thing.

That didn't mean that he wasn't quick to react when his love started to succumb to fear.

Trembling, whimpering, labored breathing, erratic movement.

Behavior that reminded him that his beloved was just a human being. She seemed to fragile and breakable.

Leaning down to her, he brushes her forehead, using his abilities to fill her mind with pleasant sceneries, flowery meadows and mesmerizing lakes, anywhere to take her mind away from what so frayed her nerves.

When she was calmer, he pressed his lips on her forehead.

"I am here, my flower, don't be afraid."

He would shower her with love long after the attack passed, simply because he felt she needed that extra bit of doting.

🌸

[empirearchives]

Eugène Delacroix speaks with Menneval about the abdication of Napoleon. Marshal Ney conspires to kill Napoleon.

———

Note:

Baron de Menneval (1778-1850), the former secretary of Napoleon who had accompanied him in the retreat from Russia; author of a book of memories of the Empire.

Baron Fain (1778-1837), one of the secretaries of the Emperor, published historical memories of the Empire.

———

From Delacroix’s journal. Monday, 23 July 1849:

In the evening M. Menneval told me of the frightful conduct of the generals and marshals toward the Emperor, at Arcis-sur-Seine or sur-Aube. M. Fain, lodging in another house than that of the Emperor, and crossing a square in order to join his master, came on a group of generals, among them Marshal Ney, who were deliberating among themselves as to whether they should not mete out to their benefactor the fate of Romulus: to kill him and to bury him there seemed to them as good a means as any other of getting rid of him and of getting back to their hotel, where they could enjoy themselves; he was, so they said, the scourge of France, etc. The Emperor, to whom M. Fain related the affair with emotion that will be imagined, contented himself with saying that they were mad.

Marshal Ney’s greatest impropriety toward him occurred after the battle of the Moscova, when he complained that by sparing the guard, the Emperor had deprived him of the fruits of a more complete victory. Marshal Ney was the cruelest at Fontainebleau; he went to the point of threatening him with physical injury if he did not abdicate.

In the course of the Russian campaign, Berthier did not fear to tell him how terrible it was to see oneself endlessly dragged into new enterprises: “What good does it do,” said he, “to have wealth, houses, and lands, if one has to go to war eternally and compromise everything?”

To their reproaches, which often were odious, Napoleon’s only answer was patience; despite their ingratitude, he loved them as old comrades.

Before the last years, M. Menneval told me no one had dared to permit himself an observation when he gave an order. Confidence had partially abandoned him, but the sureness and firmness of his genius not at all, as the French campaign so well proved. If, at Waterloo, at the end of the battle, there had been at his disposal that reserve of the guard which he refused to engage at the Moscova, he would still have won the battle, despite the arrival of the Prussians.

I asked M. Menneval whether he had not been completely indisposed at the Moscova, according to generally accredited opinion. This is correct: he was sick, and attacked with a loss of voice, especially after the battle, so that it was impossible for him to give a spoken order.

He was obliged to scribble his orders on bits of paper. Notwithstanding, he was completely master of his ideas. But after the battle of Dresden, the sudden indisposition with which he was seized paralyzed all the operations, carried with it the defeat of Vandamme, etc.

During the Consulate, he was very sick with malignant mange. which he had contracted at the siege of Toulon. He would lean against his table, pressing his side with his hand during crises of violent suffering. His paleness and his thinness, at this period, are explained by this sickly condition. Corvisart got him rid of his disease, at least in appearance; but it is probable that the disease of which he died had its original cause in this cruel malady.

Source: The Journal of Eugène Delacroix

[shatcey]

Ikemen Vampires (characters)

I'm finally ready to say goodbye to this game… Even though this game doesn't want to say goodbye to me… but about it later…

And since I'm currently writing my final thought about it, and it turned out to be quite long, I decided to say a few words about the characters first. Just my emotional reactions, without much specifics. Sorry if I don't like your favorite characters, I have a very unusual taste.

My tier

Shuji and Will are truly unique characters. If Will just speaks Old English (although not in all events… I have a theory that sometimes developers forget about it). The way Shuji thinks, the way he expresses his thoughts and emotions, is on completely different level from others. Devs didn't just make him extraordinarily beautiful… Those eyes seemed to be looking straight into my soul. But also soft and gentle, caring and extremely romantic, observant and funny. Yes, sometimes his depression and dark thoughts are quite difficult to bear… but that's part of his charm. I can't imagine Shuji without it.

Jean is sweet, delightfully serious in the most unexpected situations, and completely naive. Vincent is an angel… there is nothing to add. Isaac blushes all the time and is completely inexperienced in everything related to romance. But in other areas, he is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. They're so cute.

Johann… I'm really in love with his voice. It has everything I like about voices. Strong and laughing, but with an absolutely charming softness. I have very contradictory feelings about this character. So… I decided to put him in that category because it's the only thing I'm sure of. Leo has a very low and vibrant voice. It's very beautiful. But it's strongly associated with a smoker. There's something about it that makes it quite obvious. And the character smokes a lot. But I don't like smokers. I'm sorry, Leo. Wolfie has an absolutely adorable and gentle voice. Without that voice, I would have put this character in a lower category. Even though he's really cute, and some scenes made me laugh, I can't say that I have very strong feelings for him.

Arthur… I'm sorry, Harry, don't like your favorite author. I can't say that I don't like him… I just don't trust him. I once wrote that I don't trust flirtatious characters, and Arthur is no exception. I feel bad for including Charles in this list. He's cute and adorable, like a cat. He reminds me of Liam a lot… but… I don't feel anything for him. I don't know why. But I'm pretty sure Ally would like to take care of him. That's what I was talking about. I'm ready to say goodbye to this game, but the stories with this character keep spinning in my head. Abel… the father figure who likes to pamper his "children", including MC. And that's it. Nothing else. It feels like he's missing something… for example, personality. I don't know. Maybe I forgot… I read his route a long time ago.

Vlad… it is very difficult to understand him. I usually like that. The more a person tries to hide something from me, the more it piques my interest. But here… It's like this whole character is a mist, and I can't catch him no matter how hard I try. A very similar character, contradictory, with the same goals… Kicho at Ikemen Sengoku. He's much better. Perhaps the information about this character was presented in a more digestible form… I just think Mai understands and explains everything better. Another great example is my beloved Ally (Alfons in Ikemen Villains). It's really hard to understand him, but it's possible. And they both have the same voice actor. It's a very odd coincidence.

You can call me a weirdo, but I don't wanna be called a dog... constantly (Theo). For the same reason I wanted to put Johann in this category. I'm not a pig!!! I don't want to get hit in the forehead every time he feels like it (Sebastian). This is weird. And I don't want to hear hysterical laughter from my man (Napoleon). I… don't mind if it happens from time to time, but not all the time. And again… maybe it wasn't that bad. It was my first route, and that was almost 2 years ago. But that's what I remember about Napo. He laughs hysterically and kisses the first one who wakes him up. I'd like to know how he does it… does he have a magnet in his lips that automatically makes contact with other lips?

As you can see… there are no categories "I love him", "I like him"… "I would sell my soul to the devil for him", etc… Because I can't say that I fully understand them so that I like them so much. And there are quite a few reasons for this. But I'll talk about a bit later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🔝 𝕊𝕋𝔸ℝ𝕋 ℙ𝔸𝔾𝔼 🔝

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[samanthahirr]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤

Off the Books (Skyfall AU, 00Q, Explicit, 83k WIP). By far my most ambitious project to date! The James Bond I’m writing as the narrative POV here feels like why I’ve loved James Bond for decades; the stoic spy, the broken man, the hopeful lover, the inveterate manipulator, the skilled fighter, the loyal subject, the shameless hedonist. And on top of all of that, the claustrophobic complexity of an unreliable narrator too busy ignoring his own traumas to see his world clearly. I’m really looking forward to writing the finale of this epic romance-and-revenge tale this Fall!

Please Ask (for Help) (James Bond, 00Q, Teen+, 29k). I think this has been my favorite fic to write. I wrote it based on a super-sweet art prompt of James Bond taking care of injured Q, and that sweetness gave me the excuse to fully indulge in all my favorite tropes: hurt/comfort, pining, and James Bond in love. Is it self-indulgent? Yes. Do I feel a bit exposed by all of the yearning in this fic? Yes. But every inch of this fic feels written ‘for me,’ which I suppose is why I loved every moment of the writing process.

Roman Holiday (Spectre AU, 00Q, Teen+, 2k). This canon-divergence prompt, randomly assigned as part of Festive Fanwork Fiesta, turned out to be the perfect prompt for me. I saw the whole scene instantly and wrote it in a rush of excitement. I’m really proud of the structure and pacing and dialogue and feelings packed into this short scene, not to mention the world of possibilities it opens up for what comes next. In a way I can’t put into words, this one feels like a quintessentially me fic, a perfect exemplar of my style.

Aftershave (The Man from UNCLE, Illya/Napoleon/Gaby, Explicit, 4k). I’m thrilled with how the characterizations and voices turned out in this fic; they feel like they’re straight out of the 2015 movie! For all that it’s an OT3 established relationship, I loved putting Illya into a situation where he has to confront his remaining reservations about Napoleon—the American’s incessant needling, the way his smirks always feel like an insult. And what better time to confront your trust issues (and your partner’s latent trust kink) than when he’s holding a knife to your throat…

A $500 Bottle of Bordeaux (Glam RPF, Adam/Kris, Teen+, 8k). This one’s a real throwback! The first fandom I ever wrote for was American Idol RPF, and even though I haven’t read or written RPF in several years, I have such a soft spot for this particular fic. What starts as a classic meet-cute between a fan and his Broadway-star crush becomes wildly complicated over the course of an intimate dinner party. I love how the four characters all have their own motivations and histories, and none of them are ‘bad’ people, despite the ways they hurt one another; there’s a lot of forgiveness and heart in this fic. The goodnight kiss at the end is some of my most romantic writing, and overall it’s a really hopeful, romantic story that always feels comforting to revisit.

Tag, you're it! @aprettyspy @spiritofcamelot @anyawen @hammerbacks @stinastar @dhampir72 @theserpentgirl

[popculturebuffet]

Pirate Month III: The Pirates! In an Adventure With Whaling! (Comission by WeirdKev27)

Ahoy all you happy people and welcome back to Pirate Month! As we wind it down, it's time once again for our yearly look at Gideon Defoe's pirates series. We started with Aardman's fantastic adaptation of his work, went on to the first book and now where we are at The Pirates! An Adventure with Whaling... or Ahab if your in the US like me... or Moby Dick for the reprint for the 2012 uk reprint.

For those just joining in pirates is a series of comedy novels by british author Gideon Dafoe. The first book, and parts of this one and possibly others but we'll get to that, was adapted into a movie by Aardman Animation. I'd seen that film but now kev has me reading the books as he's a fan too.

Last year I read the pirates first adventure, adventure with scientests where our heroes casued a lot of black comedy deaths, halfheartedly helped Charles Darwin on his adventures, wore dinosaur masks, picked up a new crew member in Jennifer, met a humanpanzie and other nonsense i've likely forgot. I also found out the film was a great adaptation as while it didn't follow the book to the letter it captured the spirit of these books fantastically.

I did have one worrying question in the back of my mind going into the second one: Would the books keep up the momentum or lapse into the formula of "the crew meets and teams up with a historical figure, wackiness ensues" i'm delighted that while that's technically true, Adventures With Whaling ups the ante, tightens the plot and is still gut busting all the while. It's a nice evolution of the series that makes me excited to keep sailing with the other three books eventually. To see what I mean join me under the cut for whale puppetry, mobs of cowboys in las vegas, and severe crippling debt.

So to start us off Adventures with Whaling has a tighter plot. Like Scientists, the plot is largely a loose frame to work jokes in but unlike Scientests, where the pirates really barely cared about Charles Darwin's plight and only needed his money, here the stakes are a lot more personal and are the reason for all the wacky nonsense we know and love.

This time Pirate Captain makes a mistake i'm sure many has and overspends. With the pirate's unamed boat falling to bits their fearless leader Pirate Captain takes the crew to Nantucket, insert your own dirty limerick here, intending to get the boat fixed by Cutlass Liz

Yup to my plesant suprise Cutlass Liz was also in the books, having a bigger role that likely could've come up , and still could come up, in any sequels. I'm seriously hoping now Aardman is on steady ground with netflix we get a sequel. And reading through the jackets of the future books it seems like the pirate of the year compettion is directly taken from Adventures with Napoleon. The Aardman Film simply took a bunch of neat bits and pieces and the basic characters and reconfigured them into it's own mostly original plot about charles darwin badly wanting to get laid. Not something i'm against mind as it worked well and like i've said it gets the spirit of the books down perfectly.

Here instead of just another rival pirate and the object of Pirate Captain's affections for one fantasy sequence, Cutlass Liz is an infamous pirate who runs a boat yard and enters the book killing a pirate who couldn't pay her while terrifying the crew. So naturally.. the Pirate Captain gets into massive debt with her due to a combination of trying to impress her and his oldest foe, Black Belamy.

Yes to my delight Black Belamy is back, having set off the previous book by setting our heroes on Charles Darwin. He's also not voiced by jeremy piven, another well worn plus. He has a bigger role this time out, not only setting off the plot AGAIN, but also coming back twice to bedevil our heroes. He's also one of the few things the film didn't do better as rather than just a broish bully he's the kind of bully who pretneds to be your friend while mocking you and is far more cunning. While he generally just meant to insult pirate captain here, his later two schemes show a nicely petty and manipulative streak.

To start he just mocks the boat Pirate Captain was going to buy and Pirate Captain's own ego does the rest, instead buying the biggest boat possible. Thankfully Bellamy leaves before he gives a bs excuse about his treasure he bragged about to impress Liz but still for some reason agrees to still buy it.

Liz is at least.. sorta forgiving and agrees to give him a few weeks to pay it off .. or else. SO our heroes with low suplies, less money and a threat to cut off the captain's luxioruus beard set off.

This elevates the book as rather than the adventures mostly being disconnected, with the very loose goal of we need money , we have a firmer goal: We need money or we're all gonna die horribly.

It's not the only connecting bit too as while Liz is the looming threat that sets the plot off, well that and Pirate Captains fragile ego but that's the kind of threat you can nevery truly beat, there's another figure we see throughout the first half. While the Pirate Captain is having some drinks he runs into Moby Dick's Captain Ahab. I haven't read moby dick but thankfully this book just really requires you to know he's a grim old man whose leg got bitten by a whale and he's been trying to murder it ever since. Ahab pops up once or twice before becoming the center of the last act. It's small stuff sure but it helps make the silly story feel all the more impactful by the end: tying together these loose bits into one uprorarus set piece

Before we get there we have some smaller set pieces: the pirate captain's old mentor mails him a treasure map... that turns out to be a child's smile.. which they try to grin and bear but throw into the ocean because what the fuck man. I mean.. it's not a bad lesson but come on.

Since that fails the next one and one that made the book jacket is VEGAS BABY. Which I was so excited for and it did not disapoint. It's filled with kitchy landmarks, gambling and naturally our heroes loosing what little money they had left gambling. For once it's not even pirate captain's fault as he warned the crew. He runs into Ahab again who was told the whale was in the casino. And now I just want a version of Ocean's eleven where Ahab is one of danny's crew. I mean.. we're getting Godzilla vs the Great Gatsby and the rest of western literature this year, it's no longer impossible.

The Pirate Captain's real plan and reason for going is simple: Showbusiness! Vegas is all about those big flashy shows and this series has no concept for time or accurate history so the Pirate captain puts ona bit peformance. Antecdotes! Knife Throwing! An Albino Pirate! all the usual stuff.

To my shock given the title isn't adventures in vegas though given my love for vegas set stories I badly wish it was, it works. THey get a decent if not nearly enough pile of money scare a child who dosen't know the albino isn't a ghost, and have the child fead the albino merunge to show he's not threatning. All sentences I just got paid for recapping, all so over the top as not to be offensive

Sadly this dosen't pan out as Black Belamy, the bastard swoops in with a better show and the pirate captain's attempts to have a lymicrk battle with him result in him insulting an audience of cowboys and having to run for their life. A once an adventure staple, but not exactly good.

Our heroes seem to be at a dead end, depressed about their possible death and lack of success on the stage. I love how pettily angry the pirate captain is about how little they appricated his work. Such a good character. He stays largely the same this time, a bit of an ass (the bit about him trying to go into the showers while jennifer there has aged like fine mlik on a sidewalk but thankfully he clearly never got away with anything), an egotistic and a layabout, but a guy who genuinely loves his crew.

Well.. MOST of them. There's one exception introduced this book and he is a delight, the only pirate beyond Captain's #2 pirate with a scarf, the albino pirate and jennifer to really get much of a personality: The Pirate in Red. The Pirate in Red is a sarcastic bastard who freqnuently makes jabs at the Pirate Captain's expense, only stopping when the captain gestures to his cutlass. He's the only one besides pirate with a scarf who seems to have an idea what he's doing and unlike Scarf Pirate, will actually point this out.

While Pirate Captain DEFINTELY wants to kill him he either defintly knows...

Or more likely it's a sign of a change between books: Scientests relied HEAVILY on black comedy, lots of casual murder and death. This is still present in Whaling, Liz's plans ot kill our heroes are repsented by a threatning greeting card reminder and several people still do die, but it's tone down a bit, more in line with the eventual movie. There's still racy jokes, some that work like PIrate Captain not wanting his beard to get hurt as it'll hurt their gay following as he's known as a bit of a bear, and some age like fine milk left inside a monster truck in a hurricane, like the mention of thiland's "Ladyboys". Bleh. But most of the humor has held up perfectly and it's leaning a bit more into the nonsense, while keeping some casual deaths and murder for funsies. IT's a better ballance. I also got a rather large chuckle out of both times the inventory included the acordian pirate who died last book still stuffed and and mounted after his death.

So while Pirate Captain is loathe to agree with Pirate in Red, he finds his suggestion to... do some fucking pirating for a change actually has merrit. We get them boarding a leper boat an da school trip, both jokes that would be used in the movie. Both are pretty funny with the lepers giving them used bits and with the kids after getting what little money they had they just.. hang out. They build frankestines out of the leper parts, which is fucked up but man if I didn't giggle and Pirate Captain dosen't take them with him as they have moms to think about. Awww

Eventually though they find a whaling vessle and Ahab. Once again the rest of the plot is kicked off by a bad bit of piracy.. but it works largely because rather than someone they barely know.. it's a casual aquantince and it's hilariously awkward, with PC having run through his first mate and Ahab being angry as hell. I just love how it comes off as if you ran into a friend while doing something embarassing and having to make that awkward small talk. And invite him to dinner which is also awkard.

It does provide our heroes an out though: Ahab blows up at the pirate captain making a whale with his mashed potatoes, but admits it's more because he's just fucking tired. So he offers bounty: the same 6000 dubloons our heroes need.

So the rest of the book, the bulk of it really is truly an adventure with whaling as our heroes have no clue HOW to actually do this. The schemes are fast, furious, and stupid with having a bunch of pirates pretend to be krill, dangling various pirates off the bow, and naturally loosing a bunch more to sharks, and the Pirate Captain reading his secret romance novel loudly, which the crew naturalyl enjoys but dosen't do anything.

Eventually in a turn I find neat that REALLY ups the stake the Captain gets obsseed: he works everyone harder, then does the unthinkable: his prized ham, which gets mentiond quite a bit gets nailed to the door for the winner.

I like how this emphasises how the crew works; Sure pirate captain's killed a few dozen of them, and is incompitent as hell.. but he makes the ship fun, gives them adventure and does love his crew. He's not a great leader but he's THEIR captain and him taking all that fun away makes them deseprate

So ... because rule of threes.. the turn to the devil himself: Yes Jennifer suggests the impossible: A few of them including her sneak out and ask Black Belamy. I'ts a genius turn I did'nt see coming: we've seen how clever he can be, and it's the exact worst thing.. but our heroes are short on time and actual ideas.

Belamy being his bastardly self is actually.. helpful, wooing jennifer with a dinner and to his credit not being a dick: he clearly IS trying to win her into bed with his fancy dinner, flirting and what not, btu when she just calls him friend and dosen't quite catch onto his intrest, he dosen't force it. It's a bare minimum but Bellamy is such a scoundrel it's neat to find out he has standards. And he agrees to help. Granted it's of course another scheme on his old school chum and arch enemy, but it's more of a solution than our heroes have

I love how Pirate Captain reacts too: he's mildly livid for a second.. but upon it being explained they were all worried about him, he's genuinely touched by their gesture and belamy giving them what seems to be THE whale in 20 minutes.

As I said though it' sonce again another classic Black Belamy prank. Honestly i'll be dispaointed if adventurees with communist doesn't have him pull some half assed con on our heroes at this point that only works because our heroes are a few barnacles short of a hive minded barnacle monster.

He painted a whale from the zoo white... and our heroes just run with it. Yeah for once his half assed scheme actually helps as they had no other plan so "Hope he buys it" is all they got. Pirate Captain naturally has to take it one step further and stupider: have someone puppet the whale from the inside and apologize. On his last fucking nerve with the guy, PC assigns pirate in red for the job.

So our gang plans to have the whale apologize and arrives to a sketpical ahab and cutlas liz for a GLORIOUS climax. I mean it this finale is just so damn good. It starts with Pirate in Red going off script to insult pirate captain who can't just point to his sword as he can't see him, one of my faviorite gags of the book. Lucky for them before Cutlass Liz can understandably kill them, Moby Dick himself shows up and starts destroying their boat thinking i'ts a lady whale. This is also a great callback as that was thier first scheme. So the book climaxes in pirate captain hanging on for dear life as the whale bats him around and destroys his nice new ship while everyone thinks he's a total badass, cumilating in him and his prized ham, which he ran back for while everyone else jumped ship, ending up in the whales blowhole.

With the newfound respect of their creditors and thier debts paid Liz gives the pirates thir old boat back and we get a pretty sweet ending as they all watch clouds as they did at the start of the book.. they didn't really gain MUCh from this adventure.. btu they learned something: don't get into debt to impress women. Also maybe whaling's not for them.

Adventures in Whaling is a perfect sequel: it ups the stakes, ties the plot together way better, ups the jokes nad in general is just a delight. I dont' knokw if I can wait a year for the next one, this one was pretty damn fantastic. Thanks for reading

[dolphin1812]

I love that Hugo excuses this digression-within-a-digression as a “story-teller’s right;” he’s at least aware enough of how far from the main narrative he is that he’s explaining it.

(The digressions are fun to read, but they’re also fun to mock)

For all that Hugo claims he won’t “pretend” to write a history of the Battle of Waterloo, pleading ignorance to military strategy, he does speak of it a great deal. On the one hand, he says he does not write as a historian because it’s unnecessary; Napoleon himself, along with various historians, has already given excellent accounts of the battle. On the other, he specifies the framework through which he’s approaching the battle:

“As for us, we leave the historians at loggerheads; we are but a distant witness, a passer-by on the plain, a seeker bending over that soil all made of human flesh, taking appearances for realities, perchance; we have no right to oppose, in the name of science, a collection of facts which contain illusions, no doubt; we possess neither military practice nor strategic ability which authorize a system; in our opinion, a chain of accidents dominated the two leaders at Waterloo; and when it becomes a question of destiny, that mysterious culprit, we judge like that ingenious judge, the populace.”

Here, Hugo presents himself as two voices: his own (as a passerby) and the voice of the “populace.” In both cases, he emphasizes the people. As a “passer-by”, he sees the soil as being “made of human flesh,” prioritizing the ordinary soldiers (and civilians, as seen in the last chapter) who died at Waterloo over the famed generals who fought there. He also presents his perspective as being akin to that of the “populace” rather than the professionals (Napoleon, as a general, historians) who narrate the battle, asserting that the people are an “ingenious judge” and, consequently, are the ones who truly evaluate these sorts of events. Perhaps those historians and military figures are better qualified to describe the military and strategic aspects of Waterloo, but Hugo isn’t primarily focused on that; he’s interested in its impact, which is felt by the people who were there and the people who lived after it.

This return to the people is also contrasted with how he describes Napoleon as a “great man,” dedicating a full paragraph to questioning his stature before declaring that he deserved his fame as a general. While this does, in part, lend credence to his claim that Waterloo was lost for environmental (the rain) rather than strategic reasons, it also juxtaposes this “titanic charioteer of destiny” with those who live with the consequences of that “destiny,” whatever it may be. Hugo’s not exactly attacking the obsession with these “great men” here, as he praises the works dealing with them, but he is distancing himself from that kind of writing. Still, he also makes certain that his praise of Napoleon as a general is very clear, softening the prioritization of the people over him.

[queengiuliettafirstlady]

L’ héros de mon coeur 

L’ héros de mon coeur 

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairing: Jean D’Arc x OC (Julia Lesser vampire)

Prompt: 6. "I knew I could find you at our secret spot." 

Part of  Be my valentine content creation challenge hosted by @xxsycamore and @chaosangel767

Tag: Fluff

Word Count  1.012

Author’s Note: A lovely date await a peculiar pair of lovebirds, enjoying Saint Valentine in a special unique way like their love destined to deepened more each day more linking their heart to one another with the red string of affection. 🥰

Tag list

Tag list

@kissmetwicekissmedeadly @aquagirl1978 

@william-rex @writingwhimsey

@fang-and-feather @moonstruckmelancholic

@wistfulwanderingone @rjthirsty @lichtluv

@ike-garden2024 @jollibeeshappiness @starzyquee              

@maeko-kun @rkmaru

You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊

Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊

It was a quiet day at the mansion, the warm light of the setting sun painting everything in its warm colors while the residents found their way back to the dinner room where le Comte decided to held a party for a few old friend  and fellow vampires he had invited over, much to the dismay of the more introverts people who lived with him, his niece included who not finding anything better to do wandered around to explore the mansion surroundings direct to a palace she knew could find that quietness who soon would have been disrupted with shallow talks and idly chats she had no intention to get involved in.

The air was placid, the warmth of the sun still lingering over the hill where little animals played around and dozed off under the trees, butterflies flying over the pure petals of the white lilies a bucolic scenery eliciting fluffy dreams to fill her notebook with until a deep low voice resonate in the air carried over by the gentle breeze ruffling her dark curls making her heart begin to beat faster as she promptly waved her hand in the direction of the sudden guest she longly attended with ill concealed excitement

"I knew I could find you at our secret spot." 

“I was waiting for you to find me.” her smile bright and warm enlighten the whole hill as he made his way toward her, lighthouse guiding him home next to her where he belonged to 

“Napoleon told me no one managed to find you in the mansion.” hurriedly she patted the grass under the tree inviting him to sit down, he promptly obeyed his heart melting by the warm welcome she reserved only for him, a light smile curled his lips hearing her chuckle softly 

“It would have been strange otherwise.”

“Does your uncle have guests at dinner again ?” she nodded a light frown she did her beast to conceal curled her lips as her fingers laced together on her knees make her look like a doll her gaze lost in the distance as she spoke

“I prefer to stay away from the garish spotlights my uncle thrive in, that world made of balls and idle chats of fakeness and shallow friendship is not for me. I never belonged there.” she sighed softly, feeling his strong arms hug her tightly his deep low voice resonating in her heart warmed up by his company 

“I feel the same.” softly she nuzzled better into his arms leaning her head on his chest, a blissful smile swiftly replaced her frown as she set the mood for a lighter conversation 

“How was your work today ?”

“The usual.”

“This would be ?”

“I never stopped thinking of you.” a light giggle escaped her, a sheepish smile on her lips as she confessed candidly 

“Me too.”

“I was constantly looking at the clock.” 

“Poor monsieur Dubois, he must have thought you had a date.” she shook her head, picturing the ruddy face of the weapon shop owner with his thick parisian accent as he coaxed him to leave at once to enjoy to the fullest that special day with his belle, worrying nothing for him left on his own until closing time fantasising about the wonderful night he would have spent with his wife showing off their love to one another to the fullest.

“He was right.”

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, mesmerized by the playful smirk on his soft lips

“After all, I could not wait to come back to my precious girl. We met up at our spot, we are talking and enjoy being together, it sounds like a date to me. Do you not agree ?” a sensual smile on his lips his gaze alluring as he caught her hand leaving a gentlemanly tender kiss on her knuckles seeing a soft shade of red bloomed on her cheeks

“I agree.” her voice a shy whisper only for him to hear, leaning closer she hide in his chest smiling as his arms tighten around her back, a dreamy sigh escaped her lips she raised on her knees to plant a chaste achingly tender kiss on his scar looking straight up at him, desiring to convey with that kiss all the love she felt in his heart for him alone reveling in his smile bright and warm replacing the sun who shily decided to hide further away behind the mountains, his voice a low and sensual purr making her heart swell her chest fluttering with affection, 

“Julia, Je t'aime plus que tout au monde.” 

his warm breath tickled on her lips leaving her desiring for more, wish he fretted over to satisfy as he slowly closed the gap between them placing a soft chaste kiss on her forehead reveling in the blissful smile she gifted him, feeling his heart bursting with love as she wrapped his name in her sweet soft voice 

“Oh Jean, Je t'aime aussi de tout mon cœur.”

her fingers brushing softly on his cheeks, slowly he entwined his fingers with hers leaving an heart melting kiss on her knuckles, deeming it not enough to show his love properly, he melted his lips on hers reveling in the way her fingers deepened their kiss crawling to caress his raven lock moaning softly as his tongue lead a waltz she so obediently followed, breathless and panting they pulled away only to kiss again, each time more passionate and deep than the previous one as they tumbled on the hills surrounded only by the aster accomplices and peculiar audience to the show of love happening in the shadow of the lilies which seemed to dance in the breeze all around them creating a magical atmosphere glowing under the moonlight keeping them hidden from birds’ prying eyes of the that curiously gossiped a rumor for once true about the love of a prince who had finally found his princess, worthy to be in a fairytale as decided by the universe itself bonding soulmates together for all eternity.