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sky-kenobye · 6 months ago

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13 books

What’s up readers?! How about a little show and tell? Answer these 13 questions, tag 13 lucky readers and if you’re feeling extra bookish add a shelfie! Let’s Go!

Thanks @willameena for the tag! :D

1) The Last book I read:

Idk if it counts since it's a graphic novel but the last thing I read was Bolchoi Arena, by Boulet and Aseyn. It's a sort of Ready Player One universe (less dystopic i think though). I really like it, but I'm waiting for the fourth volume to come out and there isn't a release date yet 😭

(I don't think there's an English translation (yet) so i can only recommend it if you speak french, sorry)

2) A book I recommend:

Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao. LOVED IT! I'm bad at recommending stuff but: big monsters, pacific rim style machines to fight the monsters, polyamory, ruthless woman, plot twists... So cool!

Also Loveless, by Alice Oseman, because it's about aromanticism and asexuality which is almost non-existent in... any media really, and that book is very dear to me.

3) A book that I couldn’t put down:

All the ones I really like x) I struggle a lot with putting down a book once I'm into it. The first advice to fall asleep easier is always 'don't use your phone before bed, read a book instead!' but if I do that I won't even try to sleep, I'll just keep reading all night...

But I guess the one that I was the most surprised about not being able to put down is The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet. I'm not particularly into historical books, and that's a huge book around the building of a cathedral, so I was a bit skeptical, but damn, it was great! It's over 1000 pages and I still managed to read it in less than a week while on a school trip.

4) A book I’ve read twice (or more):

So many of my childhood books. I almost spent more time re-reading my favorite stuff than reading new books lol. I think the ones I've re-read the most are Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and La Quête d'Ewilan.

5) A book on my TBR:

So many. Soooo many. I keep buying books even though I don't read them, help.

I'll go with the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers because I really want to read them, people keep recommending them, I have them (in a really cool edition), I can literally see them in my bookshelf right now, and yet I don't read them for some reason 🤷

6) A book I’ve put down:

Also a lot. If I manage to put a book down I can forget it exists in a couple of days, even if i loved it, and weeks later I'm like "oh shit, I never finished that book".

One of the few that I put down more or less on purpose is Silo, by Hugh Howey. I'm pretty sure I would like it if I kept reading but something happens only a few chapters in that put me off and kind of annoyed me so I never read the rest.

7) A book on my wish list:

Revenge of the Sith! And many other star wars books. The reason why I still don't have it is that I want it in english so I have to order it online from the UK probably, and between the shipping and the taxes from being from outside the EU (sometimes there are taxes, sometimes not, i don't understand how it works)(one time I had to pay taxes on my own clothes that I sent myself from the UK to France 😭😭 I'm still mad about it) it'll end up being way more expensive than it should, so I'm putting it off x) I looked for it when I was in scotland but they didn't have it :(

8) A favorite book from childhood:

The ones I mentioned in 4) were my all time fav, I can't think of any other right now even though I used to read a lot more books than i do now 🤔

9) A book you would give to a friend:

Honestly I would be so scared they didn't like it that I probably would never give a book to anyone unless they asked for it 😬 (except my family I guess)

Mayyybe a Dan Brown, like The Da Vinci Code? I feel like that would be a pretty safe bet, unless they hate the genre.

10) A book of poetry or lyrics that you own:

I don't think I have any? I had to read Alcools, by Apollinaire for the baccalauréat (french high school graduation exam) but I think it was my mom's copy and i honestly hated it. According to my teacher it was "cubist poetry" which, what? I was not smart enough to understand any of it, and it wasn't doing it for me.

(Literary analysis is my nemesis, I'm usually pretty smart but when I try to analyse a text it's just *no thoughts, head empty*)

I'm really picky about poetry so I don't really know where to start to read any.

11) A nonfiction book you own:

I don't have many: a few anthologies of queer stories, How to Invent Everything by Ryan North (literally what the title says lmao), Eject! Eject! by John Nichol (about the history of ejection seats, super interesting!), Les Guerres de Lucas by Renaud Roche and Laurent Hopman (a french graphic novel about George Lucas), and Tu mourras moins bête by Marion Montaigne (scientific stuff explained, but make it hilarious, also french comics)

12) What are you currently reading:

Ithaca, by Claire North, but I've barely started.

13) What are you planning on reading next?

No idea! Maybe Iron Flame, maybe The Priory of the Orange Tree, maybe Floating Hotel, maybe finally the Wayfarers series, maybe a random other book, who knows 🤷

If you've read all of that, thank you and congratulations!

Tags: @piecesofeden11 @sendpseuds @kingdomvel @bolshoiromanova @renlyslittlerose @intermundia @desmothene @arobiwan @cottonraincoat @starwalkertales @artbythedarkside @shakeskp @somethingsteff (I tried not to tag people I had seen tagged already)(but no pressure!)

#long post

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chaoticeddie · 5 years ago

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15 for the identity ask.... btw we’re recently mutuals 😘

Thank you for the ask uwu!!! I'm Lena sjskajjaka I'm glad we're mutuals omg! 💗💞💓💞💓💕💓💕

15. five most influential books over your lifetime.

This is a tough one skajjska I'm not gonna have any deep answers cause that's just not how my brain works but uhhhh probably Percy Jackson and the Olympians for the first one!! Can the whole series count as just one? I guess specifically it would Heroes of Olympus (not the first series but I say the whole universe counts) because that's how I got into fan fiction and that's been huge in my life sjsksjks.

Harry Potter for the second as long as the whole series can count again. I don't really have any justification for this other than that it's just been really big for me ever since I first read it. Ik Rowling has been problematic but she really did create a whole new world.

Third would be Simon Vs the Homosapiens Agenda! I only just read it last year but reading a published book about a gay kid was really big for me. I grew up in a very conservative catholic home so buying that and reading it was a big step for me. Even though I've been reading fanfiction for years and watching movies and TV shows that feature gay characters ever since I got a kindle that I could watch stuff on, actually buying a gay book was different.

Why is it so hard to think of five books that have actually impacted my life? I can think of a bunch that I loved, but they didn't impact my life I don't think. Am I overthinking this? Yes.

Fourth is LotR because I loved the series and it inspired the movies which I've watched a billion times and Ian McKellen is in them and he's gay which makes my relatives unhappy which makes me happy so. Anyway.

And fifth is It by Stephen King! I haven't actually finished the book yet cause it is gigantic and I'm in college and too stressed to read it in my free time right now, but it inspired the movies and those plus the fanfiction have impacted my life this year. And even more than that, It Chapter Two introduced me to Bill Hader and I would literally not have made it through my public speaking class this semester without him. Or at least it would have been even more difficult. Him talking about how he deals with anxiety in public speaking situations really really helped me. Not to mention watching other things that he's been in and interviews and stuff with him. Him laughing makes me laugh, bless.

This turned into me talking about Bill Hader sorry

Ask me stuff?

#asks #anti-social-prettyboy #I'm sorry this turned out so long!#I over think things!#Thank you for asking though dkaksjak

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glamrockmonarch · 6 years ago

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The Flu: Ben Hardy Mini Series

Part 2. Not Meant To Be

Mini Series Masterlist | Part 1 | Part 3

Words: 4335

Summary: You are an actress and worked with the boys in BoRhap, after the premiere and press tour you wind up working on another project with one of them; Ben. As your roles are tied together you find yourselves spending more and more time in each other’s company, becoming closer than ever and developing feelings. Ben cannot bring himself to ruin what you have with another one of your friends by acting on these new found love until you get sick out of the blue right in the middle of the production and this sparks something between the two.

A/N: I tried my best but I think this one is a little rushed due to the number of events I wanted to get in here (we don’t even get to the good Mozzarella Sticks bits yet!) without making it too long... anyway, I would love your feedback on this and maybe you could help me decide if a fourth chapter would be a good idea. Let me know, and ENJOY!

You stared at Ben with tearful eyes, he looked down and licked his lips before his blue eyes full of sorrow found yours.

“I’m afraid not.” He reached up to put his right hand on your cheek.

You took a step back, a tear escaping the corner of your eye.

“We are to move to New Zealand. Your father has given his blessing and you are my wife now.”

Ben stepped closer to you and cupped your face, your chest heavied trapped in a tight corset. You felt a slow stream of tears slide down your cheek, met by his thumb. You fail to turn away to his touch although it is written on the script.

“Goddamnit!” You think to yourself. “Maybe if I tense up my neck?”

“I -“ you stuttered, “I don’t want to go.” You admitted.

Ben blinked and his eyes fell on your bright pink lips.

“CUT!” The director yelled from behind the camera, “Y/N, he is the man making you leave the love of your life, leave your home and family, you are about to leave the country forever! Is this the energy you want to give me?”

Ben stepped back and the two of you turned to look at the director.

“I guess not....but she was raised to be quiet and hold back!” You reasoned, trying to extend your back in your costume.

“Exactly!” The director grabbed you by the shoulders and shook you, “forget all that, convince him to stay! Go wild!”

Turning to look at Ben you saw him squinting at the director.

“And you,” Ben straightened up, “get out of your head, this is a tense moment. Make it count! Jack’s a villain in this moment!”

You struggled to look annoyed and uncomfortable around Ben, so the director had to intervene. You ended up ditching some parts of the script in favour of more dramatic lines.

Henry, the man directing, told Ben to go with something a lot harsher.

“Bring Percy into it.”

It was a simple instruction, but it made the biggest difference. Once the cameras were rolling again Ben was almost scary.

“I -“ you stuttered again, “I don’t want to go.” You admitted in a small voice.

Ben’s hands dropped from your face and his jaw became tense.

“Because of Percy. Right?” He stepped closer to you and you blinked in confusion.

Of course, your character was in love with a farm boy who worked for her family but she had to cut all ties to him in order to marry Mister Everleigh - Ben’s role.

“I do not know-“ you started, taking a step back.

“Oh, please Miss Jones! I am not a fool!” Ben licked his lips. “You clearly love him. Do tell me, were you expecting to have an affair with him?”

“Excuse me?” Your eyes widened. “I am offended! Mister Jones, I assure you-“

Ben cut you off again.

“I will manage my family’s business in New Zealand. And you will come with me as my wife.” He said harshly. “This... Percy boy will not be around. So forget about him. Forget about your dirty little farm and your country boy. You are Gwyn Everleigh - my wife, and you will come with your husband to New Zealand.”

You stared at Ben with tearful eyes, imagining your character’s heart to be breaking at these words coming out of his mouth. Gwyn Jones would feel her soul crushed under this burden, becoming an Everleigh and getting on that ship...traveling to another country without her family to bear some evil man’s children. Gwyn would have felt like screaming, but she would hold back because she was taught to do so.

“I understand Mister Everleigh.” You said with your voice cracking, looking down and excusing yourself before leaving through the hall with cameras following your every move.

The director cut and you let out a loud scream outside of the set. You were still in character when Ben ran outside to see what was happening with you.

Not having heard the director say cut, once Ben approached you, you lashed out.

“Don’t! Don’t touch me...” You slapped his hands. “I didn’t ask for this!”

Ben frowned, unable to understand you hadn’t heard you were not rolling anymore.

The blonde tried to touch your arm and as he did you slapped him across the face, half the crew gasping at it.

“I said don’t touch me!” I cried out.

“Y/n! Y/n!” Henry intervened while Ben held his cheek in his hand.

He blonde would hate to admit you were quite strong for your size.

“Oh, my!” You covered your mouth with your hands. “Ben, I’m so sorry!” You apologised and went to check on him.

“I like that, can we shoot that?” Henry turned to one of the producers.

You sighed and looked away from Ben.

“Shit, I’m sorry! I didn’t hear him, I just...” you admitted, “I hate it!”

Ben was confused and looked around for help, not knowing what to say. You pressed your palm against his cheek and gave him an apologetic smile.

“It got better for Gwyn,” he tried to console you, “Jack is a good man, he just...he was jealous...” Ben explained.

The director watched you talk about the scene you had just improvised and heard you go on about your character.

“She was scared!” You cried out, dropping your hand from his face, “Gwyn doesn’t even know Jack! She thought she would at least have her sisters to turn to! Now Jack is jealous? Jealous?! Of what!”

You turn to Henry and shook your head.

“And then he pretty much rapes her the second they arrive in New Zealand!“

“Hey, hey!” There was little to defend there but Ben still felt as attached to his role as you did. “He watched her kiss Percy!” Ben explained. “He didn’t mean to hurt Gwyn!”

“Well, he did!”

Before things could go any further, as usual, Henry had you go back to your marks to keep working.

“You two are gonna be fun to work with on the press tour!” Henry pat both of your backs.

It was a long week of shooting, the last one. The last scene you shot was one with Trine Dyrholm, who played your mother. It was a somewhat easy short scene, but you had to repeat it a few times before the director got all the shots he wanted.

“It’s a wrap ladies!” You were happy to hear Henry congratulate you and Trine.

You celebrated later when the whole production wrapped. Craig and Ben filmed their last scenes together and the crew cheered and clapped.

“It’s a wrap!” Everyone repeated.

You were still in costume when the boys made their way behind the monitor to hug you. Craig was the first to wrap his arms around you, having met you during readings before shooting started, he was glad to be done and promised to stay in touch with you after this.

“You better call me, Craig!” You warmed him with your eyes widening.

He laughed and turned to see Ben joking with Beth.

Everyone in the crew and cast seemed to know you and Ben had something going on between you, whether you knew it or not was something they couldn’t decipher.

“Y/N!” Ben wrapped his arms around you and lifted you up, making you hold on to his shoulders for dear life. “It’s a wrap!”

“It’s a wrap!” You grinned at each other in excitement.

Everyone was happy and sad, it was a big mixture of feelings around the set. The crew was glad it was over because they were proud of the work that they had put into the film, as the cast was too. But there was a melancholic vibe around that nobody could deny; this was the realisation that you would never be together like you had been for the past few months ever again. If there was a second part to this film, which was something possible, the crew would probably not be the same, only the main characters would get called back to take their roles and that if the characters were not written off or grown older - which could mean re-casting. It was time to face it for everyone; the production was over.

That night you had the wrap party, where you got to hang out with everyone and have a bit of a farewell. Henry, your amazing director made sure to thank his employees and you had a great time, besides, the next morning there was something to look forward to... shaving Ben’s sideburns.

Although you partied till well into the am, you woke up early and made sure to text your friends.

Gwilym was happy to hear you were free from work now, at least you would be for a couple of weeks now until you had a date for your meeting with some executives for your next big project.

“Hi, how are you?” Gwil called.

You and Gwil had been very close during the production of borhap since you played the part of his wife.

“Great!” You replied honestly through the phone and asked how he was doing in return.

Gwil had a way of speaking that seemed to soothe people, for you it was like standing in front of the calm waters of a river; hearing him talk about his projects and plans for the next few days made you feel some sense of normality, even though you felt out of place standing in your kitchen at 10 in the morning while you had been running around set at this same time for the past few months.

“I heard you are going to this fashion show next week.” Gwil inquired, he was aware thanks to Joe that it was an important trip and since Joe was his friend he had been asked to get some information from her.

Joe was nervous about asking you out, he wanted to for a long time now, ever since you were in New York earlier in the year he had been sure about his feelings toward you. Joe missed you, he wanted to talk to you, listen to your voice, see you smile, hold you, kiss you… and he knew that if he wanted to take this relationship to next level he had to get a move on. So he asked his friends to lend him a hand. Ben was supposed to get you to go where you had to go, Rami and Lucy were told to keep people away while Joe talked to you, and Gwil was given the golden task of asking if you were even interested in Joe like that.

“Yeah, Ben and I are flying there together.” You announced, your face lighting up without you noticing. “It’s a shame you aren’t coming, we will miss you!” You said.

“Aw, I’m sorry, I’ll be in America for once!” Gwil explained. “I guess it will be nice to see Rami and Lucy...and Joe…” He tried to be smooth.

You giggled at the mention of Joe; he had been adorably annoying since he heard you had confirmed your assistance to the fashion show in Paris.

“Yeah, I think Joe will tackle me the second he sees me…” You predicted, to which Gwil chuckled. “I wouldn’t blame him, he lives across the pond! Don’t we all miss his chaotic energy around?”

Gwil agreed. “Sounds like that’s gonna be a hard goodbye.” He commented.

“I mean…” You heard a car outside, “Joe’s lovely to have around, but so are the rest of you. I think I might just hide in someone’s luggage and see where that gets me…” You rambled absentmindedly with your eyes scanning the windows to look outside and see who it is.

There is a knock on your door and you apologise to your friend.

“Why don’t you text me later, we should go out for coffee or something, could tell Lucy and Ben too.” You proposed as you left the open kitchen area to go to the door.

“I’d love that.” Gwil sounded pleased.

“I’ve got to go, Gwil...but seriously, congratulations on Top End Wedding.” You reached out to the doorknob. “I’ll see you soon! Bye!”

“Thanks, bye!”

Hanging up the phone you turned the knob and waited to see who it could be on the other side of the door. Not too surprisingly, you found Ben there and let him in without saying anything. He pressed a kiss to your cheek and you gave him one back, stepping aside so he came in and closed the door behind himself.

“Time to get rid of this thing!” Ben announced once you turned to him.

He rubbed his jaw and touched his sideburns.

“Guess you couldn’t wait then.” You said.

Ben was unable to refute you, he was eager to get rid of the hair, it was starting to become too much, so he wanted the sideburns gone and a haircut to go with his polished look. You extended your hand and Ben handed you a small bag with the necessary utensils to shave. Together, you walked down the hall and into your small bathroom.

“So when are you leaving?” Ben asked from his improvised seat on the edge of the bathtub.

You prepared everything on the counter next to the sink and tried to count the days.

“I think I’m going back home next month.” You announced.

The truth was, you were not used to living in London. You just went there regularly, but you still had your home in Cardiff.

“I’ll miss you, you know?” Ben said, biting his tongue after, mentally cursing at himself for admitting this.

“I’ll miss you too, Ben.” You turned to him in your pajamas and offered him a side smile.

You noticed Ben wore a pair of trainers and sweatpants. He nodded his head and his expression mirrored yours.

Clapping your hands and sighing, you got to business and grabbed the razor to shave the sides of his head. You were careful and kept focused on not cutting him, your eyes on his face and one of your hands cupping his cheek while you run the razor down his face. Ben did not dare speak, so he wouldn’t distract you or make you move the blades wrong. It was not possible to avoid, Ben put his hands on your hips while you stood between his legs to shave the rest of his face. Once you were done you pressed the lotion on his skin and ran your fingers along his chin.

“Served, mister.” You smiled down at him and caught him staring.

Ben’s hand did not leave your hips and you were made aware of the contact as you dropped your hands on his shoulders. You remained like this for a few minutes before you gathered the courage to move.

It had been enough, too long since you deciphered the meaning of the fluttering in your stomach when you were together. You ran a hand through Ben’s hair and leant down to press your lips against his. Ben did not move, too scared, too involved to pull away.

He let you kiss him and even worse, he kissed you back. Moving his lips against yours and breathing in the sweet scent of coconut coming from your hair. You cupped his face and Ben’s arms wrapped around you to pull you closer. He would later regret it, but now he could not deny: your lips felt like heaven and he was craving for more. You parted your lips and let his tongue come in contact with yours, it was much more than it had been when you were on set. This was not a pretend kiss, this was real and it felt like it too. You moved your legs so you could straddle Ben and once you did, Ben’s arms tightened around your middle, his hands finding the small of your back and your neck.

As you pulled away for air you pressed your nose against Ben’s cheek and suddenly it all came crashing down on him.

Ben was not supposed to kiss you, he was meant to stay away from you. Joe had told him how he felt about you, this was a horrible thing to do to a friend… so ben did what he had to make it right to his friend because he owed him at least this. He pushed you away and rushed to pick up his stuff.

“What-what’s wrong?” You jumped back as Ben put everything back into his little bag.

“This.” He said, shaking his head. “Y/N, I...I’m sorry.” He blinked because he had to say things he did not feel, but he needed to make sure you would forget about this. Ben could not stab Joe in the back like this. “This is wrong… I’m sorry if I led you on…”

“Lead me on?” You frowned, “Ben…”

“You are my best friend,” Ben reassured you, although he was trying to convince himself. “You are, and I want it to be that way.”

You were shocked, embarrassed...terrified! What had you just done?! It sounded like Ben meant this, you were fooled. He looked serious, you were unable to tell if he was mad, but he did not look like someone who was making this up.

With a hand on your mouth, you nodded and then you looked away. How could you make it right with a friend who you had just kissed under the impression that your feelings would be reciprocated? You felt all colour leave your face and a sudden need to run and hide settle in your stomach making your hands shake.

“I’m so sorry, Ben!” You rushed to explain, “I...I…” You covered your mouth again. “It won’t happen again!” You frowned.

Your voice was small and shaky. Ben looked at you over his shoulder and felt sick to his stomach. Your concern was visible. He looked away again, picked up his stuff and sighed.

“Please don’t go?” You whispered.

It was too late, you had ruined everything. Ben gave you one last glance and mumbled something about seeing you later before he stormed out of the house. You were heartbroken and felt tears stream down your face the second you heard the front door close.

Ben decided he would act as if nothing had happened when he met you a week later at the airport. You did not speak about what happened, in fact, you did not even speak for days after the bathroom incident. Ben was feeling guilty about it and you were sure that if you tried to talk about it with him you would only ruin your friendship - which you felt was hanging by a string.

Without making a big deal out of it, Ben assured Joe that he would be fine asking you out and when the time came to meet up at the airport, you were past the initial shock and made no effort to bring up the topic of your status.

It was clear to the two of you that friendship was all there would be between you, even if it broke your hearts, but you dealt with it as you sat together on the plane. The flight was short and you spent the whole time talking.

“This haircut really suits you,” you said to him and then touched your own hair, “I think my manager is sending me to the hairdresser soon, honestly I wouldn’t mind.”

Ben chuckled.

“You look beautiful as it is, no need for any changes.” He assured you.

Knowing better than to take his comment as a compliment bigger than it was supposed to be, you made a mental note not to blush.

“Thanks,” you changed the topic, “I am going to New York next week.”

Ben frowned, intertwining his hands on his lap as he heard you. He waited for you to elaborate and when you did he felt his heart sink. Of course, once Joe heard of this he would be thrilled. And he himself was happy for you, although his stomach turned to the thought of you being so far away for what would probably be a long time.

“I am being offered a roll by Netflix. I’m meeting with the producers and maybe signing before coming back.” You smiled. “It’s a series, but I think…” You nodded, sucking air through your teeth, “I think it could be big. I like the script very much.”

Ben blinked and forced himself to smile, reaching out and squeezing your hand.

“That’s great! You’ll do amazingly, Y/N! You are very talented, I bet you’ll snatch some awards soon.”

You blushed at that and looked away, raising your brows and squeezing his hand back before leaning your head on his shoulder. You sighed and closed your eyes.

“I know you’ll make it big soon.” You mumbled, “so I hope we can both have what we want.”

Arriving in Paris things became hectic. You were separated from Ben to go to your hotels, an assistant helped you with your things and after a quick lunch at a local café, you were whisked away again into your hotel to get ready for the show. A “glam squad” ready for you.

You had your hair done and your eyebrows waxed, your toes pedicured and your dress ironed to perfection. With your hair and makeup all done you were helped into a dress by the same designer you were seeing that evening.

“Alright, alright, we need to go!” Your assistant said once the car stopped outside the venue.

Looking around you could not see any of your friends, so you walked through the hall on your own. Some cameras shot pictures of you and you offered friendly smiles at them, not knowing what was coming your way…

“Would you take the picture?” A voice you knew too well said behind you as the weight of an arm was placed around your shoulders.

Your brows shot up with your eyes widening. Turning your head you saw the dark hair and the long nose. The friendly smile made you feel better about everything, your confidence boosted and your still sore heart felt slightly lighter and warmer.

“Joe!” You giggled and wrapped your arms around him, letting him hold you too while the camera flashes went wild. “Oh, I missed you!”

Joe chuckled and kissed your temple before pulling away, he grabbed your hands and looked down at you, pointing at your outfit.

“You look beautiful…” He brought a hand to his chest and his brown eyes looked into yours. “Come on, we should be goin’ in there!”

You nodded and turned to wave at the cameras. Joe’s hand found yours and you smiled back at him while you walked into the showroom together. Your seats were right next to each other so while people poured in you two had a chance to catch up, ignoring everyone around you. As you laughed with joe you forgot to catch up with Lucy and Rami, although they knew of Joe’s plans and did little to still your attention.

The show passed you by in a flash. The show was great, while Joe made smart little comments on your ear and made you bite your tongue to keep from laughing out loud you set your eye on some of the pieces, ready to ask if you could wear them later for events, maybe during promotions for projects or appearances.

“Y/N, how long will you be in Paris?” Lucy wondered after the lights went down once the show was over.

Being on the front row, the smartest move from you was to wait till the people left the room before you even attempted exiting.

“I’m leaving on Monday morning, you?”

Lucy giggled and intertwined her arm with Rami’s as he talked to Ben, who had not said a word to you all night except for a weak “hello” from earlier.

“Me too… we should go somewhere! Rami is trying to find his mum a gift, thought we could help him.”

“Are you sure?” You frowned and mimicked her but with Joe instead of Rami. “Won’t I be third wheeling?”

Joe put his chin on your naked shoulder and pouted. “‘course not! I could go to…” he said smoothly, “make it a double date instead!”

You laughed at that and watched Lucy bite her lip.

You sensed the air change and tilted your head to the side to put your eyes on a curious looking Joe.

“Mozzarella Sticks,” you used his nickname, “are you for real?”

Joe had turned to Lucy when Ben explained to him that he was going to be late to the show, he was supposed to help him as you out, but he backed out last minute, so yes, he turned to Lucy for help. And here you were, caught off guard and surprised.

Still, Joe felt confident looking at the way your eyes lit up.

“I am.” He straightened up and put his hand on your thigh with the palm looking up.

His eyes fell to his hand and yours followed. With your heart shrinking, you remembered how embarrassed you had been after Ben rejected you. How could you reject Joe?

With a small smile, you told yourself that there was nothing to lose. Joe was your friend, the one who made you laugh without fail. He had made sure to ask how you were doing when you got sick and he even sent you a big bear when he had the chance, although by the time it had arrived you were back working.

“Well...” You put your hand on his and watched your fingers intertwine. “I’d like that.”

An excited looking Joe leant forward to press a loud kiss to your cheek while Lucy clapped in the background, Rami mumbling a “finally!” and a quiet Ben nodding at his friends with a forced smile.

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dandelionthoughts · 7 years ago

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A Backstory Of The Frey & McGray Books & Review Of ‘Loch Of The Dead’.

So, this blog is more about my writing, rather than critiquing other's writing. But, I have just finished, probably my favourite book in the Frey & McGray series by Oscar De Muriel, and if I don't get down my thoughts on it, I might explode. I shall start by detailing my finding of the Frey & McGray series, and a little backstory into the books. I will apologise, I didn’t know that when I started writing this it would turn out so long, over 1500 words! This review will contain some spoilers, but most of them are from the beginnings of the books anyway, but I implore you, please, have a look into reading the books, more people need to find out about this incredible book series.

I distinctly remember browsing the shelves in the book section of my local Sainsburys, now I'm not normally one to judge a book by it's cover, but I saw the cover of the first Frey & McGray book, 'The Strings Of Murder', and I fell in love. I usually read the blurb, and the first few pages to get a grasp of whether I'll like the book. I read the blurb, and I instantly wanted to know more, so I read the prologue, and again, I wanted to carry on reading, and so I bought it, and I haven't regretted it since. The series has fast become my favourite series, I did have another, but that was spoilt due to a film made of it, which in my eyes has rendered the sequels from the first book useless. The second Frey & McGray book was released a year later, 'A Fever Of The Blood', and reading the synopsis on Amazon, I saw that it was set at Pendle Hill, not far from where I live, and a place I have been countless times. As you may know Pendle is synonymous with the Lancashire Witches, one of which, Alice Nutter, I am (according to my father's cousin) related to by marriage some where along the line. Needless to say, I was ecstatic about it being set so close to home, and I was delighted to have something in common with Frey's maid, Joan, she came from my hometown. Not that there's much to be proud of in my town, but to know someone, even fictionally, who is such a strong character is from my town, was great. The third book was announced, 'A Mask Of Shadows', and when I saw the news on twitter, I said 'I screamed like a banshee', and the author, Oscar, tweeted back saying it was funny I mentioned that. The third book told the tale of prophecies from a banshee, during the time Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Bram Stoker were in Edinburgh with their rendition of Macbeth. Now we come to the fourth book, which I will review in just a moment, I know this has been long so far, but please, bear with me.

The series is set in November 1888 at the start of the first book, and the two main characters of the series are, Ian Percy Frey, and Adolphus 'Nine-Nails' McGray. Ian is a Londoner, or a 'Southron' as McGray calls him, he comes from a well to do family, and is an Inspector for the CID. His tale began in London, where he was ousted from his post in London, due to Sir Charles Warren being ousted from his post as head of Scotland Yard by Lord Salisbury, the prime minster at the time, and James Monro taking his post. Frey was then forced to take a position in McGray's subdivision in order to keep his place in the police, the sub division itself is made a mockery by the majority of the police, the division is the 'Commission For The Elucidation Of Unsolved Cases Presumably Related To The Odd And Ghostly.' Needless to say, the prim and proper Frey, is not at all happy about being sent up to 'Edin-bloody-burgh' as his father calls it, and being in the most mocked subdivision of the entire CID. With his career in tatters, he visits his fiancée, Eugenia, who announces to him that she is calling their engagement off, due to a better offer, which Frey would later find out is his older brother Lawrence, whom he detests. With nothing left to lose, he embarks to Edinburgh, where he soon meets, the infamous 'Nine-Nails' McGray.

McGray is as Scottish as they come, on their first meeting, Frey describes McGray as being one of Mary Queen of Scots jesters, as apart from his moth eaten overcoat, and tattered shirt, he is covered in tartan. McGray's backstory is a rather tragic one, his father a distiller of whiskey, and on June 23rd 1883, on a family holiday to their home in Dundee, tragedy struck when his younger sister, Amy 'Pansy' McGray, then only 16 years old, in a spate of madness, murdered both of their parents, and hacked McGray's ring finger off on his right hand, hence his nickname. When the good Dr. Clouston, the doctor from Morningside Lunatic Asylum in Edinburgh came to the family after the tragedy, the last thing Amy said, was that it was the devil who had caused her violent outburst. Since the tragedy, she has resided in Morningside, apart from in the 3rd & 4th book, when Dr. Clouston took her to the Orkneys to try and improve her condition after the events of the 2nd book, where she was witness to a rather brutal murder. Since, the McGrays are a laughing stock, and everyone takes the opportunity to remind Adolphus of his mad sister, or what happened, which is usually met with a swift punch to the face from McGray. Since the tragedy, McGray has poured all of his efforts into finding a cure for his sister, so much so, that he created the division he and Frey work in, and has entirely funded it himself. His office at both home and work is full of books, and artefacts related to the paranormal.

Frey & McGray's relationship is a rather ragged one at the start, Frey not liking McGray's vulgarity, his uncleanliness, and his predilection for violence. McGray on the other hand can't stand the soft southron he has been partnered with, and winds him up at every opportunity. The relationship, and banter between them both, is one of the strongest suits of the series, though they are starting to come to a mutual understanding.

Now, we move on, briefly, to the events of the 4th book. McGray has gone to visit his sister in the Orkneys, and Frey still in Edinburgh, with his uncle, Maurice Plantard, who is one of his favourite members of his family, the other being his younger half brother, Elgie, who after the 3rd book went back down to London after appearing in the 1st book. Frey gets a visit from a Millie Fletcher, a servant of the wealthy Koloman family who reside in a elegant, extravagant manor on the shores of Loch Maree, a rather interesting loch, as within it’s waters, are a number of islands, one of which has a smaller loch inside, she comes asking to see McGray, because she believes he, and only he can help with the case, and in return, she can help cure his sister of her madness, with mystical waters from a well on Loch Maree, which are said to cure madness, and cured the madness of Mr. Nellys, who resides on Juniper Island which is in the loch. Millie had a son, 16 years ago, after being raped by Maximillian Koloman, the wayward, womanising brother of Konrad Koloman. Due to Millie being a servant in the Koloman's household, and also the child conceived out of wedlock, it was improper for her to keep the child, named Benjamin, so he was sent to Thruso to live with a priest. Millie now believes there is a serious threat against her son's life, after having a brick thrown through a window, with a note saying as much. With a few murders, and a gloomy, and mysterious setting Loch Of The Dead is quite the read.

The book, like the others is incredibly well written, De Muriel has quite a way with describing scenes so vividly, the gloomy loch, contrasts with the vibrant elegance of the Koloman’s house. He also has a knack for creating well rounded, and believable characters, describing them in great detail, giving them intriguing and believable backstories, and giving them quirks, which make them more human and relatable, like in this book, we find that McGray has debilitating sea sickness, and now has a distaste for salted herrings, and the incredibly clever, and curious twin daughters of the Kolomans, Veronika and Natalja, who have a shadows room in the house, and are interested in the science of light, and conduct experiments using different shaped prisms. The books usually keep you guessing right up until the end, with plenty of red (salted) herrings thrown in, though I had my suspicions in this one, I felt that Dominik and Calcraft were rather obvious, but I didn't count them out, I also suspected Minerva Koloman, since she is talented at medicine, and all of the wounds suffered by the victims were described as being done with surgical precision. De Muriel’s background in chemistry allows him to write the intricacies of the scientific elements in greater detail. The book also leaves a rather interesting cliffhanger, McGray had taken a sample of water from the well on the loch to take back to Edinburgh for Dr. Clouston to give to Amy. Regardless, I am very excited for the 5th book, which Oscar has said on twitter he is working on now.

#oscar de muriel #frey and mcgray #the strings of murder #a fever of the blood #a mask of shadows #the loch of the dead #review #book review #tw: rape

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