#Plains Bear Cub

[the-astral-express-archive]

Honkai: Star Rail CN | "Little Misha: I want to wake up from my dreams and embrace the stars"* From Pom-Pom's Favorites

Artist: 月见玉子烧 *Rough translation

[inkskinned]

it's because the bear wouldn't kill me just for being a woman. the bear doesn't kill me for fun. the bear can be shouted at, and will leave me alone. the bear won't make a tiktok complaining about how i crossed to the other side of the path when i saw him coming. if a bear kills me, it's just being a bear: it cannot understand logic. it is not acting out of malice - just fear or hunger.

bell hooks once wrote about how porches might be the only outside space left for women - it is still the domain of the house while it is also outside-but-safe. when i am in the woods, i am in the bear's home, and he has a right to defend his property. outside spaces - anywhere at night, certain parks in the day - those are often implicitly "owned" by men. i cannot explain the feeling of knowing when you have entered a man's "territory." you walk into a place and just know you are in their space. you get a sick sense - you're in danger.

the other day a group of about 8 men were fooling around in the woods while i walked my dog. i had to go around, take the extra 3 miles just to avoid them. it's okay, i like walking. this wasn't even a #feminism moment. it was just a tuesday.

what a plain and easy question. only one of the situations is seen as a tragic accident. i would rather die and have a park bench erected in my honor rather than have my family questioned about why they let me, an adult, walk in the woods in the first place when i should really be at home in the kitchen.

i worked in retail and food service. i have had women say and do absolutely heinous and abusive things to me - not because i was a woman, but because i was there, and they were angry. the way men treated me when angry was different - it was because i was a woman. you can always feel the difference, how there's an undertone of i'd hurt you worse if i could get away with it. i keep seeing people try to cite stupid statistics. why is there always a strange rage whenever women agree on things? like men can argue their way out of our lived experiences? it isn't a buzzfeed quiz - which of these traumas are you? 10 super cute ways not to fear strange men.

i have actually (thrice!) seen a bear in the wild, by the way. i died each time, obviously, and am a ghost writing to you. (it was scary but completely and utterly fine). the second encounter was a black bear with her cub. she looked at me like - do we have to do this or are we good? my dog was busy sniffing a bush, completely nonreactive. i felt like i was in a sitcom: feminist poet reacts - does she actually mean she'd choose the bear? my only thought was - she's so beautiful. her paws are massive.

and there's a part of me that feels the rage spinning out in a corner. why do we have to come up with quippy little comments in order to teach men empathy. would you rather die in a car accident or due to a mugging? and would you rather your house burn down due to an electrical fire or due to arson? gee willikers - it's almost like we're human people, and want to risk the accident versus the intention.

i would rather my last thought be oh shit, a bear rather than i'm a person too. why doesn't that matter? why don't you care?

[catscraftsandcommentary]

Okay, continuing the idea from this post... (Basically, that the witchers from each school can shift into the animal that their school is named after, but also get some comical/cute traits of that animal.)

The mages didn't intend to create shapeshifters originally, they were mostly just fooling around and seeing what would happen. (With real children, yes they are horrible people.) But then someone found a combination of chaos and genetics that allowed a subject to shapeshift into an animal under certain circumstances. So they went "hey, what else can we do with this?" and on the testing went.

Eventually they thought to send their new experiments up against actual monsters and realized that they had the potential for a magnificent warrior...or minion. Same thing.

Over time, they realized some drawbacks:

The new creatures - dubbed "witchers" and further divided by which creature they could shift into - would first shift into a baby of their species. Not terribly useful.

As the witcher grew in age and chaos ability, so did their animal form...and never seemed to STOP growing. (There was a long argument over whether this was beneficial or not.)

When terribly wounded, the witcher would often change into their animal form, seeming unable to control the change until they healed most of their wounds.

Shifted witchers required both food and magical energy to sustain themselves and their abilities. This made them ferocious against chaos-fueled monsters, as they could absorb the chaos from those they killed, but proved a weakness if they absorbed less chaos than they needed to heal the wounds they had taken.

The full moon, which raised the ambient level of chaos in the world, would force a shift unless the witcher had impeccable control. Even then, it was so-so.

Once shifted, the animal instincts easily overpowered the witcher's conscious mind - at least until they had long practice in controlling themselves. Young cats got the zoomies and old ones took long naps. Wolves played. Vipers sunned themselves. Bears foraged for food or - if it was cold - hibernated.

The mages attempted creating a female bear ONCE. It proved to be their downfall - mama bears do not suffer threats to their cubs.

Now please imagine:

Teeny tiny wolf cubs chasing each other around the training grounds, biting each other's tails and tripping over their new paws.

Master trainers scruffing them and carrying them in an elbow or over a shoulder, while the tiny puppy tail wagged uncontrollably. Teaching them what their new bodies could do, with the teacher the size of a wagon and the students not yet knee high.

Puppies trying to scratch an itch and slowly tipping over.

Adult witchers shifting and cuddling with the students, carrying several on their back.

Ivar, oldest and most powerful of the vipers, is as large as a barn and can hold his entire school in his coiled form - and can swallow most monsters whole.

Vesemir is the size of a shed, and Geralt (twice grassed) and Eskel (incredible chaos) are not much smaller. Lambert is a perfectly normal size, thank you very much...he just looks tiny next to them.

Clothing, armor, and weapons which are crafted from the remains of chaos-fueled monsters (ie, they are inherently magical) CAN shapeshift with the witcher. Mundane items (cotton or wool, iron and plain steel) cannot. They lose more knives that way...

Young witchers learning how to harvest, process, and use various monster bits so they don't shift, shift back, and end up naked or in ruined clothing. (Yes, even the THREAD used to sew the clothing together must come from monsters. It's a pain.)

An old witcher taking the time to relax in their shifted form in the woods and being mistaken for a monster, so a nearby town hires a SECOND witcher to hunt them...bonus points if the second witcher is a friend or lover of the first, who came looking for them. Just walking into a clearing going "really? You know that town is going crazy over a huge monster that's moved in, and here I find you lying around."

(It's Ivar and Keldar. Ivar just laughs. "I ate the only monster last week, while I waited for you." And then he snatches Keldar up and wraps him in his coils.)

@everything-but-the-not-natural I know you were excited about this AU!

[tsalala]

Throughout October, a coalition of two ageing nomads—the Kruger Male and the Southern Avoca Male—has been wandering through the area. These two males from different backgrounds have banded together to live out their twilight years. A union for survival rather than dominance. Their presence brought an unsettling air to the territory, especially when they ventured westward, closer to where the Tsalala Female had been keeping her cubs safe among the rocky outcrops.

The details of what happened remain unclear, but reports from our neighbouring reserve suggest that a tragic encounter unfolded. It appears the nomads may have stumbled upon the cubs, prompting the Tsalala Female to defend them fiercely. This altercation attracted the attention of the Plains Camp Males, who rushed in to protect what they believe to be their progeny. Despite the bravery displayed, the aftermath revealed that only two cubs had been accounted for, leaving one little life lost in the chaos.

After days passed we could accept the confirmation that one of the female cubs did not survive, weighing heavily on our hearts. For a small pride like the Tsalala Pride, every cub holds the promise of a stronger future, especially the females, who remain with the pride to bolster its ranks. The young male will eventually face his own journey of independence, but the female cubs represent the continuity of the Tsalala Legacy. Losing one is not just a personal tragedy for the mother-it is a setback for the pride's chance to rebuild.

The Tsalala Female herself was seen bearing a few wounds, though thankfully, none appeared serious. Meanwhile, the Kruger Male was spotted alone wandering far from the scene, his solitary figure suggesting the conflict had scattered the parties involved. Days passed without any trace of the missing cub, and though the hope lingered, the reality settled in: the little lioness was gone.

Londolozi Private Game Reserve, South Africa Words by Sean Zeederberg, 5 November 2024

[miifu666]

What do you think suklha and Wukong kid would look like if they did have one ? 🤔 …..Celestial realm one fear after hearing those two are courting each other 👀

Theres 2 reasons, i believe they would have a child.

1. Yandere! Wukong AU.

2. It was an accident. A GENUINE accident

_____

CW : mentions of abortion, body dysphoria, weird descriptions of pregnancy, Im trying to write it as how Suklha would view it as so it might be uncomfortable, Pregnant Monkey Suklha Doodles?

Lets say its the Latter, should Suklha accidentally drank the water of fertility and somehow had sex with Wukong. She will try to abort the child, out of respect for their life, not out of disgust. Its a child thats created by a creature from within and outside of this universe, to bear one means to conceive a natural disaster. A sort of Red boy and his samadhi fire. But this time, it can sever through time and erase everything from History, a true personification of the end of death and end of life.

Even as Wukong tried to fight the logical side of Suklha, she would insist on not keeping the child. Preferring to care for the mountain cubs than creating such a trigger. "out of the safety for this wretched world" she would claim, but also a part of her is afraid of what outcome, what probability should come once she does give birth.

It is definitely something the Celestials wouldn't want happening. They'll stop at nothing to try and destroy a pregnant Suklha, in which case is also in monkey form. To ensure the child won't be an amalgamation of anthropod and mammal, a combination of two completely different animal kingdoms that shouldn't exist.

Throughout the pregnancy, Suklha would try to lay low with the cubs following her around, and a couple of Wukong's clones being at her beck and call. One would walk beside her, and the other stayed hidden, out of plain sight. Should Wukong have other businesses to attend to. Wearing long and loose garments to walk around the estate, Suklha tries to hide the wretching feeling of carrying something inside of her. She's already dealt with her identity crisis, and now the thought of something living and itching inside is giving her nausea at every second. The pregnancy won't last much, as the combination of her pure Centipede features and current Monkey form will take around 4-6 months.

Should the child come, it would be the day all hell broke loose. With the underworld using its knowledge on destroying Suklha's vessel, to the Celestials who would try and take the child away, only to keep it in a capsule buried deep within the earth's core. As they have planned, use anything in their arsenal to destroy whatever hope the Monkey king and the messenger have. In this time, Suklha checked the probability and successfully ran to one of the dragons that she kept in touch with. A plan that the celestials wouldn't figure out, to be an opposite of how you usually am. A dragon of the South, A Lady of the red who runs a small village as their protector.

Suklha would soon give birth in the village, particularly in one of the Lady Dragon's estate. While Wukong would try to fight off the several armies, theres a few fake clones of Suklha around Flower Fruit mountain hiding to act as a decoy. The laboring process is enough to shake the heavens. there's a slight tear in the fabric of the universe at each scream, small cracks forming around Suklha as she continues to push out the child inside of her.

I haven't thought much about the child, i think she'll be someone who is spiteful and energetic (as she should, her parents basically are. It should be a genetic trait atp) but still friendly and cheerful, a glance of her attitude, and you'd never expect she'll scream and curse like a sailor with a cheeky face.

Connsidering both of her own parents are revered gods and beings, she would be bold enough to not get intimidated by mere threats. Prone to lashing out violently, should things "isn't logical at all!!"Despite her bold and strong-willed attitude, she's smart enough to understand the things her mom would give. A small advice and she'll see it how her mom would do it.

A contradiction is what she is. Appear cold and withdrawn when you see her around, yet quickly changes once she warms up to you. Showing a more childlike and jovial side. Someone who shines like the sun under daylight, a being unlike any other beneath the moonlight.

A child who has both the ability of Sun Wukong and Suklha, a mix of Trickery and Knowledge. A child of Sorcery, eager to spread knowledge through the world, she is the reason why humanity is hell bent on discovery the maddness within the void. The truth behind the lies, since her birth humanity has been deriven to madness and delusions far more often than it should.

[junkpile-of-eterna]

Some Aventurine Pulling Rituals!

For the record, I don't "believe" in pulling rituals, but they're very fun and make the pulling experience more interactive and interesting. So, with my best boy coming soon, I've been thinking of all kinds of little things to do for him! These range from very simple to a bit complex. Feel free to maybe add some of your own, and I'd be really interested to see which was "the one" for you when the time comes!

1.) Take the Trailblazer to the reception desk in the Reverie (reality) where we first met him, and pull

2.) Take the Trailblazer to their room in the Reverie (reality), and pull

3.) Take Dr. Ratio into the model Golden Hour and pull

4.) Take Dr. Ratio to the balcony where we got close to his giant self, and pull

5.) Walk through the curtain at the theme park and then pull

6.) Take a picture at the Hanu standee in the theme park, then pull

7.) Play the capsule machine one time, then pull

8.) Take Dr. Ratio to Aideen Park and keep using his technique until you get the heart-hands statue, then pull

9.) If you have Acheron (I don't), take her to the stage and use her slash technique, then pull

10.) If you have Topaz (I don't), take her to the Jarilo-VI snow plains near the bear cub where we heard his voice for the first time, and pull

11.) Take a deck of standard playing cards, shuffle them, then keep flipping them until you find the ace of spades, then pull

12.) If you just so happen to have a real aventurine stone (I don't think I do? But I should look through that box of crystals a friend gave me once, lol), hold it in one hand while you pull

13.) On the warp screen, hold your left hand to the screen (probably not possible on a phone or a touch-screen monitor), recite the blessing of Gaiathra Triclops, and then pull (this is going to be my last resort, because I might start crying, lol)

[teecupangel]

What if the Desmond gets turned into an immortal animal and sent back in time trope happens but because of Isu bullshit it happens thrice once for each main ancestor

like Desmond pops into being around young Altair and is like this might as well happen so he stays with Altair for the rest of his life and travels around for a bit before thinking it's probably time to go see Ezio and he arrives in time to see another animal that he somehow knows is also him pop out of nowhere and they would be doing the Spiderman pointing meme if either if them had fingers

So they think this is weird but just go along with it for years and years until they go visit Ratonhnhaké:ton when it happens again

If you wanna be thematic maybe the desmonds ate an eagle a wolf and a bear but I thinks it's funnier if they were all the same type of animal

The Desmonds can speak to each other but no other animal or human

Honestly, I think having Desmond be an eagle, a wolf and a bear would be thematic. In that idea, I think Altaïr should have eagle!Desmond, Ezio should have wolf!Desmond and Ratonhnhaké:ton would get bear!Desmond. 

We’re giving them the following so that Altaïr’s eagle!Desmond would have an easy time traveling around before visiting Ezio. Altaïr would find eagle!Desmond as a child, maybe after training, and tries to pet him because he seemed docile. Desmond lets it happen because it’s Altaïr and Altaïr starts bringing him a bit of his food to feed him which Desmond eats because raw food felt weird even though they’re surprisingly delicious. Desmond stays with Altaïr, being known as Altaïr’s eagle who doesn’t mind getting petted. Unless you’re Abbas. Abbas only gets pecked. In one memorable incident, Desmond almost managed to peck his eye out when he was insulting Altaïr and… yeeaaahhh… everyone agrees he’s a smart bird. 

Wolf!Desmond is given to Ezio because, this way, he could be mistaken as a dog when he’s just a pup and also because Ezio had ‘dealings’ with the Followers of Romulus in Rome and I think it would be funny if Ezio was kicking their ass with an actual wolf. Give them a bit of ‘maybe we’re being punished?’ vibes before they die. XD Okay, but in all seriousness, we’re giving Desmond to Ezio as a child. To be more exact, he’s a wolf pup Petruccio found during the rare times he was strong enough to take a walk outside for a bit. He looked like a dirty little thing but Petruccio was so happy that Desmond allowed him to pet him and followed him home that his parents couldn’t say no to his request. (Up to you if Desmond being with Petruccio leads to him being able to save them or even just Petruccio or we’re going for the ‘they still get arrested and executed and Ezio keeps apologizing to Desmond for being unable to save them as he cries’ route)

Now, Ratonhnhaké:ton getting the bear is a matter of convenience. For one, it would be easier for a wolf to sneak into the cargo of a ship than a freaking bear. Another idea though would be if Ratonhnhaké:ton found the bear cub after the burning of his village, when he was at his lowest and grieving the death of his mother. Just imagine Ratonhnhaké:ton hugging the bear cub who he believes also lost his mother as he cries.

For an alternate take of Desmond being the same animal: we can go for cats.

Seeing stray cats wouldn’t be that weird and they’re usually smaller than dogs so they can easily slip in and out of places. They’re also sprinters so Desmond has a high chance of getting away.

Now.

The funny thing would be if Desmond is just a pure white cat for all three of his reincarnation. If you want to screw Desmond up a bit more, his right front paw is either black or is completely furless.

The only thing that would differentiate them is the collar.

Altaïr’s Desmond has a plain red ribbon that came from Altaïr’s sash.

Ezio’s Desmond has one of Claudia’s old ribbons with lace at the end and a small bell (that Desmond doesn’t like because it makes stealthing harder than it should be).

Ratonhnhaké:ton’s Desmond has a plain leather collar that Ratonhnhaké:ton had hunted and made himself.

[alaynasansa]

‘ She knew how to dress ’

Sansa already looked her best. She had brushed out her long auburn hair until it shone, and picked her nicest blue silks

Sansa I — A Game of Thrones

Sansa was dressed beautifully that day, in a green gown that brought out the auburn of her hair, and she knew they were looking at her and smiling

Sansa II — A Game of Thrones

Sansa had put on a lovely pale green damask gown and a look of remorse

Sansa III — A Game of Thrones

She chose a simple dress of dark grey wool, plainly cut but richly embroidered around the collar and sleeves. Her fingers felt thick and clumsy as she struggled with the silver fastenings without the benefit of servants

Sansa IV — A Game of Thrones

She was dressed in mourning, as a sign of respect for the dead king, but she had taken special care to make herself beautiful. Her gown was the ivory silk that the queen had given her, the one Arya had ruined, but she'd had them dye it black and you couldn't see the stain at all. She had fretted over her jewelry for hours and finally decided upon the elegant simplicity of a plain silver chain

Sansa V — A Game of Thrones

When the time came to dress, she chose the green silk gown that she had worn to the tourney. She recalled how gallant Joff had been to her that night at the feast. Perhaps it would make him remember as well, and treat her more gently

Sansa VI — A Game of Thrones

Knowing that Joffrey would require her to attend the tourney in his honor, Sansa had taken special care with her face and clothes. She wore a gown of pale purple silk and a moonstone hairnet that had been a gift from Joffrey. The gown had long sleeves to hide the bruises on her arms

Sansa I — A Clash of Kings

Sansa threw a plain grey cloak over her shoulders and picked up the knife she used to cut her meat. If it is some trap, better that I die than let them hurt me more, she told herself. She hid the blade under her cloak

Sansa II — A Clash of Kings

I have to look pretty, Joff likes me to look pretty, he's always liked me in this gown, this color. She smoothed the cloth down

Sansa III — A Clash of Kings

Dress warmly, Ser Dontos had told her, and dress dark. She had no blacks, so she chose a dress of thick brown wool. The bodice was decorated with freshwater pearls, though. The cloak will cover them. The cloak was a deep green, with a large hood. She slipped the dress over her head, and donned the cloak, though she left the hood down for the moment. There were shoes as well, simple and sturdy, with flat heels and square toes

Sansa V — A Storm of Swords

The dress she picked was lambswool, dark brown and simply cut, with leaves and vines embroidered around the bodice, sleeves, and hem in golden thread. It was modest and becoming, though scarce richer than something a serving girl might wear. Petyr had given her all of Lady Lysa's jewels as well, and she tried on several necklaces, but they all seemed ostentatious. In the end she chose a simple velvet ribbon in autumn gold

Alayne I — A Feast for Crows

Down below, Alayne must dress modestly, as befit a girl of modest birth. It makes no matter, she told herself. I dared not wear the best clothes even here.

Gretchel had stripped the bed and laid out the rest of her clothing. Alayne was already wearing woolen hose beneath her skirts, over a double layer of smallclothes. Now she donned a lambswool overtunic and a hooded fur cloak, fastening it with an enameled mockingbird that had been a gift from Petyr. There was a scarf as well, and a pair of leather gloves lined with fur to match her riding boots. When she'd donned it all, she felt as fat and furry as a bear cub. I will be glad of it on the mountain, she had to remind herself

Alayne II — A Feast for Crows

Sansa Month 2023 : day nine — wardrobe

[petewentzisblack1312]

fall out boy in animal crossing.

pete is either lazy or jock. hes a black and red wolf. he has a bat motif going on. maybe wears the spider web shirt, not sure. coffee order is 3 sugars and 2 or 3 milk. im thinking either blue mountain or mocha.

patrick is either a bear cub or a duck, and he has a hat, and his personality is smug. he looks like a normal duck. wears glasses. he wears either a plain t shirt of some kind or a denim jacket of some kind. i think he has a really average coffee order. like 1 sugar regular milk. blend or mocha.

andy is a gorilla and he does have the tattoos in game and he wears a tank top because he cant be shirtless. jock, obviously. coffee order is no milk no sugar but im not sure what his beans are. kilamanjaro probably?

for joe im not sure what animal. my instinct was like monkey or rabbit or hippo but maybe an ostrich would fit best. i think hed be like blue and grey with sleepy eyes. lazy or smug (im leaning towards smug), would wear a black vest of some kind, blue mountain with 1 or 2 sugars and a little or regular milk.

thank you for your time.

[witchyleehibernates]

The Gang's Arena's (HG AU)

Two-Bit’s

The Arena was divided into three sections, Open land, Rocky Cliff Side, and a Dense Forest. The Open land was just plain land, just grass and dirt and some rocks that sat nicely in the palm of tribute’s hands… and exploded. The Rocky Cliff Side was just a cliff side that you could climb up and sit at the top of, though half way through the games, there was an avalanche that nearly took out Two-Bit on his journey out of the forest. The Dense Forest has a lot of trees, sneaky and mischievous little animals and Capitol mutts ready to try and tear you apart. Two-Bit was so relieved when he figured out he was faster than both the Tributes and the Mutts.

The cornucopia only had weapons, packs for ‘basic survival’ (a blanket, rope, throwing knives, small packages of food, an empty flask, a compass, some matches and a flashlight), and if you wanted more food you either had to brave the forests (mutts came out at dawn and dusk, for three hours each time) or try to steal from the cornucopia.

Dally’s

A Wasteland where it was so hot during the day that you burned and got so cold at night that you had the potential of freezing with a lot of abandoned and wrecked buildings everywhere. On the edge of the arena, the entire entire arena was surrounded by a lake of water that froze at night, so if tributes wanted hydration, they had to go during the day… At this time, tributes could touch the barrier without getting hurt, they’d just bounce back or whatever touched it was bounced back. Dally notes this when he’s first exploring his arena. He, unlike the others, is more than fine with moving around during the day, despite feeling like his skin is burning.

The cornucopia had a lot of burn cream in bags and stuff, and so Dally just carried one of those with him at all times as he got his weapons. The games started at ‘sun down’/’dusk’ to give everyone a chance of getting weapons and to survive.

Steve’s

An Icy Wasteland with ‘iceberg’ like structures that have little shelters inside them. It snows through the night and the snow burns you, which Steve learned the very hard way. He has a very distinct snowflake burn with a ‘C’ in the center of it on his middle finger from flipping off the capitol when it first started snowing. There are also ‘polar bear cub’ mutts, tiny little things that are surprisingly good hunters; you get seen and they can heat seek you, and it’s not their teeth that you should fear (even if they secret venom/poison), but their claws are so sharp that simply poking one could cut your finger. They are also deaf, they cannot hear or smell anything.

The cornucopia had the weapons, food, and blankets alongside extra blankets. Steve grabbed one for the hell of it and was so glad for it. He’d nearly frozen to death the first night. He made sure to work on getting another two blankets by day three/four.

Johnny’s

A rocky terrain with abandoned buildings outlining the edge of the Arena, and some more abandoned buildings a little closer. There was absolutely no water anywhere. At night it floods, and Johnny near drowns the first night because it floods from midnight to 8 am before the water dries up. It also gets really hot during the day but if you take your jacket off, you’ll freeze before the day’s over. The water that floods the arena is 100 percent safe to drink, and there’s flasks in the cornucopia.

The Cornucopia has survival packs, and each bag has two flasks. Further inside the cornucopia there are four masks and 8 oxygen tanks. Johnny manages to take 4 oxygen tanks and two masks before he runs out into the arena. He was weighed down but it was worth it on night two and three. The Water was extremely heavy.

Sodapop’s

A grassy field with cliff faces surrounding the arena, there’s a river of water breaking up the arena like a compass (NESW), and there are pathways to make up the other directions (NE NW SE SW) and small scatters of trees (small groups of five) scattered around the arena. At night there are furry little creatures that are Capital mutts come jumping out of the trees or scurrying down the tree trunks and into the really tall grass. Really sharp claws and teeth, making a very painful death for anyone unlucky enough not to be in a cave further up the cliff sides. They don’t climb, and they rely on their hearing and sense of smell, they are also blind. Sodapop gets into a surprise fight with three of them on night two and managed to survive by sheer luck.

The cornucopia had all the weapons, survival packs, and thin blankets. Sodapop refused to ever take his jacket off to feel the temperature around him, Johnny’s games scared him a little. There were also a lot more long range weapons, and Sodapop was quite glad to get himself a bow and arrow and a ton of arrows.

[the-astral-express-archive]

Honkai: Star Rail | Characters' Phone Cases (5/?)

[themculibrary]

Young Natasha Romanoff Masterlist

All It Takes Is Everything (ao3) - thetbone T, 5k

Summary: Natasha protects Yelena from a bully at recess — and worries her methods may mean the end of her time in Ohio.

Ballet Could Be Scary (But Natalia, She Really Did Like Listening To The Music) (ao3) - Wrds_R_WpnsM, 5k

Summary: Before she was an Avenger, before she was anything, Natalia Alianova Romanova was a girl.

And then, and then... She was a monster.

Twenty years. A Red Room. The birth of a Widow.

And yes, they do ballet.

Christmas in July (ao3) - thetbone G, 1k

Summary: It’s photo album day, and Natasha assumes all of the boxes under the Christmas tree will be empty.

She assumes wrong.

dreaming with her feet (ao3) - Catstycam G, 1k

Summary: in swan lake, the cursed girls' doom is lifted. natasha romanov is not so lucky.

dancing is just dreaming with your feet. a cursed girl and ballet, through the years.

Everything is Blue (ao3) - frizz22 alexei/melina G, 1k

Summary: Her reflection wasn’t one she recognized immediately. And after the initial flutter of delight, Natasha bit her lip.

Melina would be furious with her.

Her stand-in father, Alexei, would chuckle and ruffle her new hair affectionately as something about a fierce Russian spirit residing inside her rumbled through him…. But Melina wouldn’t find it humorous.

Because this was hardly considered ‘blending in’; what her sole purpose to do here was.

Innocence Lost (ao3) - The_Procrastinator T, 1k

Summary: Natasha had been trained to never fear. Fear was weakness, and weakness wasn't accepted at the Red Room. Now, though, she was terrified.

in spite of everything, i shall rise (ao3) - Blackwidow1984 N/R, 826

Summary: she was dropped into a world that knew no fear, pain or love.

i will look for you as the sun rises higher (ao3) - strawberriesinmoominvalley G, 1k

Summary: She hadn’t meant to do it. She really really hadn’t.

The breath was knocked out of her lungs as the gun fired again, her finger accidentally pressing the trigger. She screamed, throwing the gun away as fast as she could.

And-

She didn’t mean to. She really didn’t, and she didn’t know what to do-

OR children make mistakes and accidents happen. when your children are widows, accidents tend to be more fatal

Keep Listening, Are You Listening? (ao3) - herrealname clint/natasha, bucky/natasha T, 9k

Summary: A run-through of Natasha's entire childhood leading up to the strong, beautiful, important woman she is now in the MCU. This is a critical journey of trauma, abuse, mental health, and recovery.

Like a Bear With Her Cubs (ao3) - Sibir alexei/melina T, 6k

Summary: Alexei is the muscle, not Melina. But without him around, pumped up on adrenaline, and fearing for the girls' lives, she takes matters into her own hands.

Plain Vanilla (ao3) - StopIWantToTalkAboutCheese G, 1k

Summary: Natasha Romanoff's first night with her new family.

(adjective: plain vanilla: having no special or extra features; ordinary or standard.)

Shadows and Reflections (ao3) - abovethesmokestacks T, 1k

Summary: They are taught to be fearless, but each night they lie as still as they can, breaths shuddering in terror at each pass of heavy boots against concrete floor.

The Monsters in the Dark (ao3) - Rubick T, 1k

Summary: It was 1994. Natasha was ten years old. Yelena was five. It was a different time back then, when kids were allowed to bike or run around their neighborhood and no one would worry about someone stealing them away.

But Natasha knew better. And why would Melina and Alexei worry, anyway? They didn’t have to worry about the monsters that crept through the night. They were the monsters.

there’s no use in keeping track of love, it’s just instinct (ao3) - happen_endingG, 2k

Summary: Natasha likes to daydream. More often than not. More than she should allow herself to, if she’s being honest.

“I dream that we escape.”

“The world of the free is not for us, child.” Melina sighs, resigned.

-

or: Natasha once tries to fool herself with the idea that love is all they need.

The Spy Who Came in From Recess (ao3) - ThePlaceByTheRiver G, 3k

Summary: Being a Soviet child soldier wasn't great.

Third grade isn't much better.

(Natasha Romanov in the early days of the Ohio op.)

Three Halloweens (ao3) - flipflop_diva T, 1k

Summary: Natasha and Yelena and the three Halloweens they spent in Ohio.

to begin again (ao3) - xeretein T, 2k

Summary: where melina makes a choice and gives her girls the life they deserve.

or what could've been if melina took natasha and yelena away from the red room with s.h.i.e.l.d.s help

we shall find a pleasure (in the dimness of the stars) (ao3) - andibeth82 T, 8k

Summary: “I don’t have a home,” he says when he finally speaks. He doesn’t sound sad, just defeated, as if he’s accepted that there’s nothing he can do about his position. “Just that.” He points to a pile of blankets next to a black bag hidden in the corner, and Natasha raises an eyebrow.

“You live on the street?”

“So what?” he asks defensively, without bothering to cull his inflection. Natasha shrugs.

“So. I do, too.”

OR: the one where Clint and Natasha meet as kids, and find that you don't have to go through everything alone.

yes, i know you’re ten years old (but you’re still old enough to die) (ao3) - Charlie_Balle N/R, 3k

Summary: Melina had been very clear to Natasha that she was never to be around Alexei when he was drunk. There was something about the way that alcohol interacted with the super solder serum that made him foolish and rash.

Natasha never needed to protect herself from her pseudo-father. But one evening when Melina was out picking up an ingredient she forgot for dinner, Alexei got angry.

//

Natasha just wanted to do her homework. She hadn’t planned on being accused of giving away information to the enemy.

You Told Me I'd Be Iron (ao3) - awwcoffeenooooo minor natasha/bucky T, 5k

Summary: Natalia had come far. Gone was the girl scared of the dark whom needed her doll. Now, in her place was a fearless monster. Never would she use that word. No, she had a better term. She was iron.

The story of Natalia Romanova, subject of the Red Room.

[walker-extended-universe]

Cry for Help, Chapter 4

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Relationship(s): Cordell Walker/Emily Walker

Tags: Canonical Character Death, Mystery, Hospitals, Angst, Hurt No Comfort

Summary: What happened to Emily

Written for @medwhumpmay prompt 30- From the Brink of Death

Taglist: @theladywyn, @ihavepointysticks, @klaatu51, @itsjessiegirl1, @neptunium134

------------

Ten Years Ago

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Walker, but we've done everything we can. The bullets hit him in some vital places. His chance of survival is low. Even if he does make it, he'll likely never walk again, and that’s being optimistic. We won’t know the full extent of his condition until he wakes up, but we’re not sure that will happen either. The next 48 hours will be critical. We’ll do everything we can but it may be time to have some difficult conversations with your family about what’s next.”

Emily nodded. “Thank you, doctor,” she said calmly before turning and walking back to the waiting room.

This was always a possibility, she knew that. The kind of work Cordell did was dangerous on a good day and deadly on a bad day. That was why she’d insisted on getting life insurance policies and making sure they set up a will soon after the kids were born. They needed to be prepared if anything happened.

She thought doing all that would give her security in a moment like this. She thought knowing that no matter what happened in the field, their family would be taken care of, would help her grieve. She thought having a few less things to worry about would ease her mind.

But all she could think about was what the hell she was supposed to do once he flatlined.

Stella and August were still in elementary school, only just starting to form the most important memories of their lives. They thought their father was a hero and the most indestructible man alive. Just last week Cordell had promised August they could check out the local cub scouts group because August wanted to try camping. He and Stella had just started reading the next Hank the Cowdog book together. She’d been refusing to read the next chapter until her dad came home.

They were both so young, had so much life to live, so many milestones to experience…..

And Cordell wouldn’t be there for any of them.

She sat in the waiting room for over an hour just trying to wrap her head around this. She tried to tell herself that a miracle could happen, that her husband could wake up and at least be alive if not completely 100%. She could work around a disability and him finding a new job. Their kids could still have their father, he could still be there for their most important moments. It would all be fine, just fine.

She couldn’t even convince herself. How on earth was she supposed to tell Stella and August? Or his parents? Or their friends?

Her phone binged with a text, sharply knocking her out of her thoughts. Opening her phone,s he saw it was Abby, asking for an update. She responded that they would talk when she got home and quickly left the building. 

On the drive home, she rehearsed what she would say to her family. It’s not looking good, but the doctors will do everything they can. There’s a chance he could pull through. We have to believe in that.

She had to believe there was a chance. She had to. If she didn’t-

It was 2 in the morning and she sat alone at a 4-way stop, a plain crossroads about a mile from the Walker ranch. No one else was around and she couldn’t bear to tell anyone that Cordell was dying. Not yet.

Her forehead fell onto the steering wheel and she cried. She cried for her husband, dying for people who would never truly appreciate him. She cried for a marriage that should’ve lasted so much longer. She cried for the childhood Stella dn August wouldn’t have. She cried for a family that lost a son, a brother, a husband, a father far too soon.

She cried, because there was nothing else she could do. She cried because if she didn’t do it then, she would break down at the worst moment.

“There, there darling, it’s not so bad.” A kind voice broke through her tears and someone pushed a tissue at her face.

“Thank you,” she murmured, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. She flipped down the sun visor to check the damage her tears had done on her makeup. No sense showing up looking like a wreck.

In the mirror, over her shoulder, she saw a man sitting in the backseat. She screamed and reached for the gun in her glove compartment.

“Now, now, no need for that.” A strong hand gripped her arm and she stilled. “Come now, you don’t want to shoot the man who’s going to help you.”

She glared at him through the rear-view mirror. “Help me with what, exactly? I’m married, just in case the ring didn’t tip you off, and my husband-”

“Is currently dying in a hospital 10 miles from here. Yes, he’s terrifying. I’m quaking in my boots.”

Emily swallowed hard. She was alone in a car with a man that clearly had disdain for her husband. Who knew what he planned to do? “Wh-What do you want?”

“I want to make you an offer.” He blinked and his eyes turned red. She gasped and- in a blink- he’d moved from the backseat to the passenger seat. “Look, we both know you’re stalling going home because you don’t want to tell the kiddos and his parents that he’s dying. And I know you don’t want him to die either. I don’t blame you; he’s a good man. And I can help you with that, for a price.”

Emily stared at him, pressing her back against her door. “I- What? How did-”

The man sighed. “I’ll spare you the theatrics and explain: I’m a demon and I’m offering you a deal. I fix your husband right as rain, and you sign your soul over to me.”

She shook her head. Sure, he was a demon. She could buy that. She was raised Catholic, after all. But a deal? No. No, Cordell wouldn’t want that. “So you save his life and I drop dead? I’ll pass.”

“Who said anything about you dropping dead? I mean, you will eventually. All humans do. But it wouldn’t be a fair deal if I just made you switch places in the hospital now would it? Hardly worth a soul. No, I have a better offer.” He smirked. “You get to keep your soul- and your life- for say… 10 years. 10 long, beautiful years with your husband. You get to watch him advance his career, raise your children with him, maybe get around to paying off that house. Sure, you won’t reach retirement age, but 10 years is a long time. There’s a lot a smart lady like you can do with that time.”

10 years. That was a long time. Stella and August would be in high school by then. Practically out of the house. Cordell had enough of a support network that he could manage without her for a bit. And at that age, he wouldn’t have to worry about them acting out if he wanted to get married again. Maybe-

No. What was she thinking? Selling her soul to a demon wasn’t the answer. Cordell would never forgive her if he found out. He wouldn’t want this for her- no one would. And how could she live with herself, knowing she doomed him to suffer losing her in the end?

Unless.

“10 years isn’t enough. I’d give you my soul for-”

“I’m not in the business of negotiating,” the demon said firmly. “10 years is a more than generous offer. Most people would get less, but I’m feeling sorry for you.” When Emily didn’t say anything, he sighed. “Listen, I know this is a tough choice, but the way I see it you don’t have much of one. Either your husband dies and everyone loses one of the best people they know, or you take the opportunity that’s been dropped in your lap and save him. It’s not perfect, I know, but nothing in this universe is. At least this way he has a chance of dying with dignity in old age instead of wrapped in a million tubes and pissing in a bag. Don’t you want that for him?”

God she did want that for him. She wanted that for him so badly. But was it really worth it? For just 10 years? Anything could happen in 10 years. Cordell could end up right back here and she’d have nothing left to bargain with.

Or maybe he’d be fine. Maybe he’d get his chance to be a father, watch their kids grow up, make so many more memories with his family.

Maybe they could get lucky.

“I…. I’ll take the deal.”

The demon smirked. “I knew you would, darling. Now, let’s make it official.”

Emily held her breath while he kissed her. She sat in the car staring at nothing for a few long minutes after he disappeared. Then, she rushed home.

It’s not looking good, but the doctors will do everything they can. There’s a chance he could pull through. We have to believe in that.

The next morning, she got an urgent call from the hospital. Cordell’s condition had rapidly improved overnight. “We must’ve read some of the scans wrong,” they reasoned. “He’ll still need some time to heal but he should be ready to come home in a few weeks.”

When Emily told her children the good news, she knew she’d made the right choice. Watching Cordell get better, she knew it was worth her soul.

Even 10 years later, when a hellhound was chasing her to her doom, she couldn’t find it in herself to regret it.

[tsalala]

On this day in 2021, the then-last adult of the Tsalala Pride was killed.

The unnamed lioness was born on 2013 into the iconic Tsalala Pride in a litter of four: three boys and one girl. She was sired by the Majingilane Coalition after having rid of the infamous Mapogo Coalition. Her mother was Tailed and her grandmother was Tail-less (the elder). Two of her brothers, after having left their pride in order to form their own coalition, perished in a freak accident involving a storm. The other brother eventually joined a different coalition of unrelated males and has never been seen since.

Life, as expected, was difficult for the Tsalala lioness. Despite being a social cat, her loneliness pushed her into living more like a leopard than a lion. By the time she became a mother to her first litter of three cubs she was already the last of her pride. When she lost two of those cubs, the family was back down to just her and a single daughter. In the first half of 2020, she was attacked by a related rival pride, the Kambula Pride, and could have nearly died had she let herself be surrounded on all sides and had the Birmingham Males - one of which was the father of her only surviving cub - not been there to help. In separate instances, the Tsalala lioness would defend her own against a clan of hyenas and take down large kills herself when usually it would take multiple adults.

At eight years of age, her end was an abrupt one. She was presumably killed by the increasingly dominant Plains Camp Males while still pregnant with her second litter and nearly ready to give birth. She is survived by her only daughter who now bears the title of the last Tsalala.

(Photographs belong to Londolozi Game Reserve.)

[dark-elf-writes]

Aahdjxjx. Guys.

Oboro Vs. Izuku’s elementary school.

Like maybe it starts with him realizing that the bento containers he sends Izuku to school with are going missing more often than not. Maybe he asks Izuku and they won’t look at him when they say they forgot it at school. Maybe one day they forget their lunch entirely and Oboro swings by because yeah they’re a kid but they’re so small compared to Tenya and he knows something isn’t right.

The man working the desk in the office sneers when Oboro tells him Izuku’s name even though he’s been nothing but helpful and concerned up until that point that a student forgot their lunch. It’s weird enough that when the man promises that he’s going to give Izuku the food, Oboro insists that he’s want to see them first. Maybe he uses a bit too much of his sway as a hero but his head is starting to hurt in the way it only does when something is wrong and if he doesn’t see his kid right now something very bad is going to happen.

The man gives Izuku’s class number without even checking to see if Oboro is even authorized to be on school grounds (he is. He cried when Inko showed him the papers with “Shirakumo Oboro” written plain as day rather than “Midoriya Hisashi”). And Oboro sprints to the classroom.

He takes a moment to look through the window in the door before anyone could notice him. Takes a moment to see what they would hide when he walked in.

Izuku sits at a table alone covered in trash and scraps clearly not left by them. Not when he knows just how particular they are about a clean workspace at home. The other kids are turned away from them, separated as far as they could get, though every so often one turns to sneer at his kid.

Then Izuku reaches for their pencil case, battered and mostly empty even though Oboro just bought them new pens and pencils a week ago, and he sees the red mark on their wrist when their sleeve moves.

Needless to say the school wasn’t prepared for an angry hero parent with a protective streak. They were even less prepared for a Incredibly Pissed Inko Midoriya still in her scrubs from the hospital to descend on them with all the wrath of a mother bear protecting her cub. Izuku won’t let go of Oboro’s jacket for hours, won’t get off the cloud he made for the two of them in hopes that the slight rocking motion of the wind soothes them for even longer.

Inko, who has been so outspoken against him paying for things she felt that he didn’t have to, who has been determined to do things alone like she has for so long, has him call up Tensei so they can start the transfer to Tenya’s school that night. Later he holds her for hours while she cries silently into his chest, muffled as to not wake Izuku up, and promises himself that he will not let this happen again.

[kaspenhoward]

Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth the First book written by Tracy Borman commentary:

I recently just finished tackling the 240 pages somber fest of the book written about Anne Bolyen and her daughter and have already started re-reading it, as I read it the initial time I made notes to go along with it, here are some of them:

(Please note these notes are just quotes, comments, jokes, over exaggerated summaries, or stuff I remembered while reading, these are not to be taken seriously as I wrote these to keep it light hearted because the book was tragically sad, I decided to share this with the internet to share my raw opinion and thoughts on this captivating book, note I didn’t really put a filter while writing so these are a bunch of unsolicited thoughts)

Heads up! Spoilers below! Tw for Tudor Era darkness (slight discussion of SA of Elizabeth the 1st and Katheryn Howard)

Page 12 - Anne’s Admiration for and amount of knowledge obtained by Marguerite is impressive, along with her mastery of French. I’m also intrigued that Anne was in the presence among humanist scholars such as Erasmus.

Page 28 - Anne is petty and funny AF, this is the most humorous stuff I’ve read, declaring herself queen before a coronation and obviously hinting at her pregnancy by shouting “she wants apples” is amazing, this is woman is smart, calculating, dangerous, petty, but so so so funny

Page 30 - Anne apparently had another cousin named Katherine (not to be mistaken with K. Howard) who married to Edward Stanley Earl of Derby who was an in-law of Anne’s through her brother George, really keeping it in the family here. Anne also had a like for Yellow Orche.

Page 31 - Anne had Irish and Norman Ancestry.

“Perhaps, too, the fact that the falcon is a bird of prey of which the female is larger than the male appealed to a woman known for her domineering nature” (Borman 31). I don’t understand why I fond this so amusing but I do.

Page 34 - Henry put Anne and her baby’s health at risk simply for showing her off at her coronation, the bastard never cared.

Page 42 - Anne doted and loved Elizabeth from the start even though she was now at risk.

Page 47 - “Aware of the hostile gossip, Anne protected her daughter as fiercely as a lioness her cub — even against members of her own family” (Borman 47). Man that is so freaking cute wth

Page 49 - Mama Bear Anne is the most heartwarming thing ever

Page 50 - More Mama Bear Anne

Page 54 - Elizabeth learned some Welsh

Page 58 - Anne tried to give all that she could to Elizabeth especially knowledge

Page 59 - Apparently both beheaded cousins adore animals, dogs especially

Page 68 - Girl boss Anne supporting education and the poor

Page 70 - Reformist Anne super cool 😎. But no Anne is losing her confidence 🥲

Page 71 - Jane shows up!!! But your writing is good Borman but how dare you call Jane “plain”, she is so much more than that 😤

Page 72 - No! Depressed Anne 😢, you deserve better girlie you’re amazing!!! (Although you could’ve been a bit nicer to Mary..)

Page 75 - Anne has another miscarriage, goodness she must have been so terrified, someone please give her a hug. Jane is also smart and playing one of Anne’s cards.

Page 76 - Mama Bear Anne desperately trying to protect Elizabeth and doting on her 😖 (Can Anne be my mom?)

Page 77 - Bada*s Anne playing people for reform, super cool girl boss

Page 79 - Anne worried about Elizabeth so she picks her up and carries her around in panic, she’s such a protective mum ❤️❤️❤️

Page 80 to 90 - . . .

Henry is the bastard here and deserves worse, poor Anne must’ve been petrified, she didn’t want this she just wanted better religious reforms and to be a mom, this whole situation being put into a perspective for me to imagine just.. breaks my soul, for someone to go through something so inhumane and heart wrenching. Literally abandoned and betrayed by everyone except her Brother and Daughter. And the fact that through the end of it all, about to lose her d*mn head for something she didn’t do, Anne still thinks and puts Elizebeth first.

I’m rendered speechless this is so damn unfair. Anne Boleyn deserved so much better, she did everything she could to survive and still lost the game of living in a life dictated by men. The fact everyone was so freaking bent on killing her that they didn’t even put together a coffin for her is messed up.

Page 88 - The fact that her thoughts are still on Elizabeth when she’s about to lose her life is astounding. I’ve never heard of a mother with such instinct to be able to shut off a fight or flight in a guaranteed death situation simply for the safety of their child.

Page 90 - Anne had her lasting impact. She deserved better and her impact on and creation of Elizabeth, along with her reforms make her one of the greatest monarchs to have reigned in England.

Page 92 - These allegations against Anne are so freaking stupid

Page 93 - “Closeted away at Greenwich, Elizabeth was apparently oblivious to the earth-shattering event that had just taken place five miles away at the tower. She had lost not only her mother, but her place in the royal succession, her importance to her father— and by extension to England. Robbed of her chief protector, hence-forth Elizabeth would be buffeted by the ‘storms and tempests’ of life as a royal outcast” (Borman 93).

. . .

SHE WAS YOUNGER THAN 3!! SHE WAS TWO! WHAT HECK! WHY THE HECK DID THEY STEAL THAT POOR CHILD’S LOVING MOTHER!

Page 96 - I just.. don’t know how to feel no one is there to protect little Elizabeth anymore.. Poor child must have felt so lost and alone

Page 99 - Because her mum was no longer around no one was there to send Elizabeth anymore clothes 😖, do you hear my heart shattering into a million pieces Borman?? Do you???!?!

Page 101 - Baby Elizabeth really wants to know what happened to her mum 🥺. Also wth, in tudor times you’re considered an adult by 6?!?!

Page 102 - “‘The harm done to Elizabeth as a small child resulted in an irremediable condition of nervous shock’ asserted one author. ‘In the fatally vulnerable years she had learned to connect the idea of sexual intercourse with terror and death’” (Borman 102).

Good hecking job Henry, you traumatized her for life!

Page 103 - The loss of her mother left Elizabeth so traumatized she really needs a hug and her mum

Page 112 - Excuse me Borman?? Your attitude towards K. Howard is not appreciated. That was a child who was taken advantage of! But I will hand it to you, I do love that you wrote about the connection between Kitty and Elizabeth.

Page 115 - Ha take that Henry! Like mother like daughter, cunning, smart, and p*ssed with you.

Page 120 to 122 - . . . That is so effed up. Elizabeth was only a child. Nor should she have almost been blamed for it. No one to protect or save her. Anne would’ve lost it if she was still alive.

Page 122 - Elizabeth seems really attached to Kat I’m glad she had someone but sad she lost her

Page 138 - Poor Elizabeth is terrified I also loved the line; “Much suspected by me

Nothing proved can be” (Borman 138).

Page 140 - KATHERINE CARY (Elizabeths Cousin) HAD SIXTEEN KIDS?! HOW IS THAT SURVIVABLE?!

Page 142 - Elizabeths fear of marriage is honestly a little petrifying but relatable and understandable, she went through a lot and saw a lot, having her mom and her step mom being beheaded on charges of being associated by men must’ve fueled this, children learn from their environments

Page 146 - “If Elizabeth was to hold onto the throne, she knew that she would need to focus her efforts on bolstering her legitimacy— something that Anne had not survived long enough to do” (Borman 146). What the heck, must you make me sad at this time of day Borman?? Anne tried so hard for Elizabeth and yet she still lost and Elizabeth had to fight for herself, strong like her mum. 🥺

I love that document lmao, girl bossing just like her mum, “‘I am the most English woman in the kingdom’” (Borman 146). Her majesty is just as prideful and boastful as her mother.

Page 153 - “This was the first time in more than twenty years that Anne had been publicly — and positively — represented. The fact that Elizabeth gave her mother equal status with her father demonstrates not only her loyalty towards Anne but her determination to prove she was the child of a legitimate marriage” (Borman 153). Oh my goodness that is so cute, Elizabeth wants to be proud of her mom while flipping the court off.

Page 154 - “The symbolism could not have been more obvious: the reformed faith, championed by Anne and adopted by her daughter, had triumphed” (Borman 154). It’s really touching seeing Elizabeth continue what Anne could not, her loyalty to her mother is the sweetest thing ever.

Page 155 to 156 - Elizabeth must’ve been horrified but felt seen by such a thing, Ales really did the right thing

Page 157 - “But his words had left a profound impression on the new queen, stoking her already fierce loyalty towards her late mother. It also strengthened her determination to avenge Anne’s death by firmly establishing the religion of which her mother had been such a passionate advocate” (Borman 157). Listening to Six while reading this makes me want to cry, this is just really heartbreaking and touching wth

Page 159 - It must’ve been so refreshing for Elizabeth to learn so much about her mom and to hear nice things about her, the fact she took this to heart is amazing, it really really is cute and touching 💚💚

Page 164 - “Now that she was queen, she felt at liberty to express the reason why she held him in such high esteem: that his father had ‘died in a noble cause and in justification of her mother’s innocence’. This is one of the clearest indications Elizabeth ever gave of just how much Anne Boleyn meant to her. It was also one of the rarest because it was expressed in words, as well as actions” (Borman 164). This really warms my heart, wth Borman, thank you for this.

Page 171 - Kat’s back! And the two are likely half sisters? “Elizabeth ‘loved Lady Knollys above all other women in the world’” (Borman 171). That honestly really is nice and cute. I love that Elizabeth finally has someone. Although I would have preferred if it had been Anne 😶

Page 174 - “She therefore focused her energies on realising Anne’s ambitions by becoming the most successful of Henry’s heir’s” (Borman 174). Yeah you go girl! Get that revenge in your mother’s name!

Page 175 to 177 - Elizabeth being protective over her mother is the cutest thing ever 🥺

Page 179 - NOOO KAT DIES??? Who’s gonna be Elizabeths companion now??

Page 180 - WHAT THE HECK LADY KNOLLYS TOO??? IS SHE JUST NOT MEANT TO HAVE COMPANIONSHIP??!

Page 184 - Oh Elizabeth girlie, I understand you’re queen and you’re not doing well but that’s not okay to do

Page 185 - “Their fickle, changeable nature enabled both mother and daughter to wield greater power than sixteenth-century society would otherwise have allowed them. They did not just break the mould: they shattered it” (Borman 185). Wooo I love this mother daughter duo! Go you girlbosses!!!

Page 193 - “Her [Elizabeth’s] decision to remain the Virgin Queen had been inspired by her mother and it condemned her father’s dynasty to extinction. It is perhaps carrying the argument too far to say that this was a deliberate act of vengeance on Elizabeth’s part, but it certainly handed her mother a posthumous victory” (Borman 193). Omg lmao, imagine being so petty towards your father you end his entire bloodline in retribution.

Page 198 - Poor Elizabeth can’t handle executing people, poor queen is reminded of and needs her mom 😖

Page 199 - “Elizabeth’s confidence as queen was evidently secure enough for her to abandon her former discretion about her mother and celebrate the fact that she was a Boleyn, not just a Tudor. She adopted one of Anne’s mottos, Semper Eadem (‘Always the Same’), which became increasingly prominent in her portraits and documents . . . The queen’s subjects soon realised that complimenting her mother was a sure path to favour” (Borman 199). I love this sososo much, Elizabeth can finally openly and proudly love her mother after years of having to hide it. 💚💚💚

Page 207 - Lmao Elizabeth nicknamed Francis Duke of Anjou and Alençon as “her frog”, goodness 16th century nicknames are hilarious

Page 214 - “It was issued at a time where new Catholic plots in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots were gathering momentum; the queen might have preferred not to draw attention to her scandalous past. But by now, her pride in Anne Boleyn would not be silenced” (Borman 214). AWWW not even fear will scare her out of being proud of her mummy.

Page 216 - “But there was more to it than that. The only other occasion in the long history of English monarchy when an anointed queen had been executed was 50 years earlier. The victim that had been her own mother, Anne Bolyen. The prospect of order the beheading of another queen — one of her own blood — provoked such horror that Elizabeth almost broke down under the strain” (Borman 216). COME ON SOMEONE JUST GIVE HER, HER MUM RIGHT NOW. POOR GIRL IS TRAUMATIZED.

Page 219 - “But the genuine horror that Elizabeth felt at having sent a queen to the same death as her mother would haunt her for the rest of her days” (Borman 219). My heart, how much more can I take? How much more can she take??? Give her, her mum!

Page 223 - NOOO, why is everyone dying on Elizabeth! Girlie is alone enough as it is!

Page 230 to 231 - “His betrayal left her reclusive and fearful. ‘These troubles waste her much’, reported Sir John Harington. ‘She walks much in her privy chamber . . . the dangers are over and yet she always keeps a sword by her table’” (Borman 230-231). Please goodness. Please just have Anne appear and hug her please. For the love of god, just please. She lives her literal entire life in fear, she’s 60, queen, and yet she’s still terrified!

Page 233 - “Familiar guilt over Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution made her cry out in torment. Robert Carey described how she ‘shed many tears and sighs, manifesting her innocence that she never have consent to the death of that Queen’. Thenceforth, Elizabeth lost any desire to go on living” (Borman 233).

… What the heck am I supposed to say to that. This is fricking unfair, give her, her mum! She knows too much about loss that she’s just given up.

Page 235 - Goodbye Queen Elizabeth, shall thou and your mother, Queen Anne, not be forgotten.

Page 238 - That scene of Anne predicting the future in that movie will always be iconic lmao

Page 239 - “She had defied convention — just as Anne had broken the mould of a meek and compliant queen consort. Elizabeth had been the living embodiment of her mother’s legacy and, as queen, she had constantly striven to avenge Anne’s death — and, more positively, to celebrate her achievements” (Borman 239). 🥹 Anne you would be so proud of your little girl.

Page 240 -

The fact they really wanted Elizabeth back when she was gone is a little funny cause they tried to rid of her when she was in power, shows how unappreciative people were of her when she did live.

“It seems that in the story of the Boleyns and the British monarchy, there a few more chapters yet to be written” (Borman 240).

Wow, that’s it, Anne left such a lasting legacy. That amazing woman did that. I didn’t know I’d be so proud of someone who died 500 years ago, but I am. God bless you Queen Anne, forever shall thou be remembered 💚

_Post reading analysis_

Starting my second read of this book I took notice it’s likely best to write all my unsolicited thoughts before I develop new opinions with my second read.

Both Elizabeth and Anne Bolyen are tragedies within themselves, involving themselves in the tudor political environment whilst being women, damning them from the start. The difference is, Anne willingly entered the game and lost, while Elizabeth was born into it but won, albeit with lots of setbacks and significant losses on the way. These two very influential women in history are so significantly close and influential for one another for only having been in each other’s lives for 2 and a half years. Elizabeth at the age of two lost her protector for when she was alive, did everything she did in her power for her daughter. Elizabeth at a young age wouldn’t see much impact by this except the discussion of her legitimacy but as she grew, without her mother to protect her, she began to face the horrors of life as a tudor era woman. From being sexually assaulted by her stepfather Thomas Seymour to being locked up in the tower of london twice by her siblings, awaiting death there just like her mother, to thankfully survive and make it to queen hood just to have assignation attempts directed at her and an entire continent against her reign whilst her short list of companions slowly died off until she gave up. Yes the rule of Queen Elizabeth the First was glorious and brought upon the golden age of England, but it also wasn’t easy. Elizabeths life was not easy by any means and without her mother to guide and protect her it must have been even more rough. But the little pieces of Anne that Elizabeth kept makes my heart happy, the ring of their portraits, Anne’s Falcon, and defense of her mother. There’s so much of Elizabeth I know Anne would be proud of, Elizabeths smarts and personality resembling Anne’s. If I was Anne, I’d be cheering Elizabeth on proudly from the afterlife until I saw her again. This book is one of the most beautiful and captivating pieces of history I’ve ever read of. The number of information also gathered about Anne makes my soul happy, knowing the intelligent french-like reformist who produced the best queen in english history will not be forgotten. No one deserves to be forgotten or separated from their loved ones. Hearing their story fills my heart and breaks it. If only the two had more time.

I rank this book a 10/10, I would say “I’d read it again” but I currently am reading it again. Never did I think this book was gonna be that good.