#Prince Rupert's tower

[lounesdarbois]

[pierrotsoup]

suffering martyrdom sacrifice (boys edition) etc board 🙇 thinking about the christmas truce 💔

[scotianostra]

On July 2nd 1644 Scots forces under David Leslie helped in the victory of the Parliamentary forces over the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor.

When the Covenanters made an alliance with the English Parliamentarians, Leslie was appointed lieutenant-general, When the Covenanters made an alliance with the English Parliamentarians in 1644, Leslie led a brigade of Scottish horse in support of Cromwell’s Ironsides at Marston Moor on the left wing of the Allied army. His flank attack tipped the scales in Cromwell’s favour in the struggle between the Ironsides and Prince Rupert’s cavaliers, saving a wounded Cromwell in the process.

A year later Leslie would later take his army back into Scotland in pursuit of James Graham, The Marquess of Montrose but by 1646 was back in England, where Charles I surrendered to him, thinking he would be a lot safer in the hands of a Scottish army.

Unfortunately Leslie “sold” him to the English in exchange for wages due to the Covenanter army, the outcome of course was the King was executed, sending shockwaves through Scotland, Charles was the last King of Scots to be born here.

Leslie would go on to support Charles II, but lost to Cromwell’s army at Worcester in September 1651, he was imprisoned at The Tower of London for nine years, his freedom was granted on the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The memorial to the battle is in the third pic and in the background is Marston Hill, crowned by the clump of trees known as "Cromwell's plump", reputedly the site of the Parliamentarian and Covenanter headquarters.

[period-dramallama]

What's your opinion on The White Queen and the other shows in the PGCU?

*stares out of the window, eyes full of memories* The White Queen… now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time…

Ah, 2013. Springtime. I was excited for the White Queen to air through the Beeb. Since 2011 I had devoured the first four books of PG’s Cousins’ War series: The White Queen (loved it) The Red Queen (loved it even more) The Lady of the Rivers (you mean best girl Jacquetta gets her own book? RESULT!) The Kingmaker’s Daughter (whaaaat the story is completely different from another person’s POV? MIND BLOWN!)

Yes, people don’t like the role of witchcraft in the story, but I didn’t mind it at all. It made sense to me that women might practice white magic, because medieval people really did believe magic could work. And if the Tudors felt special by claiming descent from King Arthur, it made sense that descent from Melusine would feel special to Elizabeth Woodville and her family. After all, as far as back Julius Caesar people were claiming descent from heroes gods and mythological figures. And yes, it’s a cliché to have your Empowered Woman practice herbology or witchcraft etc Divine Feminine etc, but Margaret Beaufort was a HBIC while explicitly rejecting magic, and the same goes for Anne Neville.

The tabloids were already grumbling about how the show filmed in Belgium because the medieval architecture there was less intruded-upon. Then the first episodes aired and the tabloids were grumbling about zippers, straight teeth, concrete steps, guttering, handrails, Rebecca Ferguson’s accent. ‘It’s not as good as Game of Thrones’. What was this show, ‘Game of Thrones’? I felt rather envious/jealous. I wanted my show to be good. I wanted my show to get good reviews and have people enthused about it and be genuinely objectively well-made. Now I’ve moved beyond this attitude; and if a show is better than ‘my’ show I don’t resent it because there’s nothing to stop me enjoying the better show too.

(….mostly moved beyond this attitude).  

Funnily enough it was because of the White Queen that I landed upon this strangely-formatted website called ‘tumbler’. Sorry, ‘tumblr’.

Ah, the cast! I wouldn’t change a single person. Janet McTeer! James Frain! David Oakes! Rupert Graves! Amanda Hale! Veerle Baetens! Eleanor Tomlinson! Faye Marsay! Aneurin Barnard as Richard the Frodo!

Also, Leo Bill as Reginald Bray, he was great! I remember at the time saying that Reggie B and Maggie B should have their own sitcom spinoff called Saints’ Knees.

Episodes 6 and 7 were my favourite because I was a big Richard/Anne shipper. Even the reviewers came around to the show with episode 9 ‘the Princes in the Tower’.

And then the finale….how I hated it. Bosworth FIELD in a wood?? In winter?? Bullshit! Torpedoing the Richard/Anne ship with INCEST? UGH.

I particularly hated the last scene because it was such a damp squib. The show should have ended on a high note, with Margaret’s triumph, with her dream coming true, with her sheer relief that her only son has gambled his life and won. With mother and son gloriously reunited. But no, it ended with Elizabeth of York, the least interesting character in the whole show. SNORE.  I have the White Queen on DVD but idk if I’ll ever rewatch it.

Then the book The White Princess came out and W-T-F? I loved the first 4 books but the 5th book was a SLOG to get through. What was PGregs thinking?? This wasn’t Henry VII. This wasn’t Elizabeth of York. This wasn’t the Margaret of the Red Queen, with her flaws, her loves, her fears, her strength, her dreams, her humanity. I finished the White Princess but I only got through 2-5 pages of The King’s Curse before I gave up, suspecting that the book would be another 500 pages of whining about the Tudors and nothing else. Yes, it’s unfair to call Margaret Pole whiny as she had legit reasons to be unhappy, but it felt whiny.

Years passed. Empires rose and fell. Ironically, I got into Game of Thrones and read all the books. Then 2015 arrived and I watched the first episode of series 5, realised they made a huge mistake killing off a certain major character, and I was right because it was DOWNHILL ALL THE WAY.

2017. I didn’t watch the White Princess but I followed the Discourse, especially the excellent analysis by MelinaPendulum (now Princess Weekes). In theory, the show should be right up my street. A vengeful princess in love with her shady king uncle? Her shady king uncle is killed in battle and she must marry the conqueror? Vengeful princess vows to be ‘hidden and patient’? It’s enemies to lovers? The conqueror reveals hidden vulnerabilities? She realises she wants her son to be king after his father? She’s torn between her ambition, her mother’s ambition, her brother’s ambition, and her burgeoning desire for her husband, a sexy mop? She destroys her brother, the Rightful King ™? She executes her brother, just as her father executed his own brother? She finds her own power but loses a tiny and precious part of her soul in the process? SIGN ME UP.

The show should have been historically inspired fantasy. Just change the names! The costumes were more fairytale than medieval anyway! Change Richard III to Gorlois, Elizabeth to Igraine, Henry VII to Uther Pendragon.

I loved the posters for The Spanish Princess series 1 but I had no reason to watch it.

And then… The Spanish Princess series 2. What an event that show was! We didn’t know what Fraham would give us each week but we knew it would be illogical, hilarious, terrible, TASTELESS. Reading everyone’s reviews and liveblogs each week, the endless meme potential, the consensus that the show was utter shlock, so lowbrow that it made The Tudors look like Breaking Bad in comparison. The show was so stupid that it was almost beneath contempt. And there were unironically good things about it: Georgie Henley and Sai Bennett acted their socks off and I wish them all the best, I hope they get good parts in better shows. Their characters were genuinely interesting and engaging: fun, sassy, flawed. Me gusta. Maggie Pole, Lina, Oviedo… sympathetic characters with little to do, but it was nice seeing POC and ‘middle aged’ women and I wish they were the protagonists instead of poor Charlotte Hope desperately struggling to speak Spanishly. (Ruairi O’Connor also tried hard, he just wasn’t well-cast or well-written.) In a way, maybe it was more fun than Becoming Elizabeth because at least there was no wasted potential and no frustrated expectations: we expected shlock, we got shlock. The show wasn’t good but the community around the show livened up the end of a….not terrible but definitely WEIRD year of my life.

[ao3feed-gav900]

Broadening Horizons

https://ift.tt/odekjGI by SeeWithMyOwnEyes Effectively a sentient encyclopedia, Nines thought he could answer any question of importance…. …Except for why the mer have been at war with the Avians for centuries now… Regardless, as future king of all merfolk, Nines doesn’t need to know what started the war. Only how his people can come out victorious. A young prince is supposed to be strong and wise, and yet a chance encounter with a strange Avian man has shown Nines that he’s not strong enough to do what he needs for the good of his kingdom, nor wise enough to even know how. Words: 4067, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: M/M Characters: Upgraded Connor | RK900, Gavin Reed, Connor (Detroit: Become Human), CyberLife Tower Connor | RK800-60, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Daniel (Detroit: Become Human), Rupert Travis, Kara (Detroit: Become Human), Lucy (Detroit: Become Human) Relationships: Upgraded Connor | RK900/Gavin Reed, Connor & CyberLife Tower Connor | RK800-60 & Upgraded Connor | RK900, Hank Anderson & Connor, CyberLife Tower Connor | RK800-60/Daniel Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Merpeople, Alternate Universe - Wings, Alternate Universe - Royalty, War, Fantasy, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Body Horror, Vivisection, I Tried, I Don't Even Know, Mystery, Case Fic, Child Abuse

[damelucyjo]

Let’s spend some time with Little Lasso!

Episode 8 - We'll Never Have Paris

Oooh this is a cool montage

Haha angry Rupert 🖕🏼

Yeah, that’s not a happy Ted 😕

How are neither Jake nor Michelle incredibly awkward over this?? I feel awkward just watching them!

It’s nice that Ted & Michelle can joke and pretend he’s not there ✌🏼😂

Uh oh, awkward. Again.

Okay, so the red & blue magnets are gonna mean something, right? Because we’re sure the matchbook does

Prince Henry 🫡 Nice one, Mae

(They are some sad English Breakfasts, I’m sorry)

He doesn’t need to know, nor care, what you are, Jake!

Big piece of cereal making a come back! Does Ted know there are 100s of other cereals available or…?

Ted, why would they bring Henry to you for the weekend if they were just going to fly back to America?? Come on, dude

Oh poor Ted 🥺

YYEEEAAAHHH!!!!

Of course Keeley thought she’d have to play 😂

Show off your ‘girlfriend’. Sure, Jan 🫠

‘Does he need another fake niece’ 😂 Keeley, please never change!

Nate, keeping tabs on Richmond 🥺

Okay, I’ll say it again and again but JADE & NATE ARE CUTE!!

Of course he shaved and showered 😂

Fiona Apple 😍

Oh poor Keeley 🥺🥺 Juno making me want to climb into the TV and give her a big hug

Will making a game out of getting Henry to do his work for him 😂 well done, king!

The guys at the window 😂

I like how none of them ask him why he’s asking where they’d propose. They just answer 😂

Also Beard’s answer made me audibly say ‘aww’ 🥹

ROY KENT ASKING IF HE WANTS TO TALK?! My baby’s come so far 🥰

Or maybe not 😂

Jeremy’s run 😂😂 oh that got me!

Welcome new pup, Trent 🫡

“I’m her ex-husband, not her current father. So, no” 😂

Roy wanting nothing to do with these meetings but always listening from his desk and getting involved anyway 😂 love to see it!

Beard is done with your bullshit, Ted. So is Higgins! The guy ran down and up stairs for you! HE’S GONNA HAVE LEG CRAMPS IN HIS SLEEP, TED! DO YOU NOT CARE?!

The pointing 👉🏻👈🏻 😂

‘You should find out before you flip out’ sound advice there from Higgybottom! 👍🏼

‘Woof’ PROTECT TRENT CRIM WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE!!!!

Nate trying to have his own diamond dogs meeting 🫣 The poor boy really thought Rupert would show up 🫣

‘Love Hounds’ 🫠

‘Never let them know how you feel. It’s very expensive’ Disco, you’re fun 😂

‘Are we in trouble now’ poor Roger 😂 he must get ‘told off’ a lot 😂

BISCUITS!! BISCUITS!! This is not a drill 🚨 🚨🚨

Rebecca, channeling her inner Hannah 👀😂

The boys playing with Henry is too adorable! (I wish she’d gone to the window to see it, though)

Look at these two, talking like a married couple🫠

‘The Eiffel Tower is just a lamppost with a publicist’ 😂😂

Oh, he pulled out a ‘Rebecca’. That means he’s serious. And she knows it with how quick she agreed to help 🥹🥰

There’s a whole discussion to be has here over whether she really did call a PI like he asked, or she just said she would because she knew it’d calm him down enough that he wouldn’t continue to spiral so bad 🤔

That smile at the Oscar Wilde line was totally Hannah trying not to laugh 😂

His sad little high-five to the tree 🥺 (you can’t convince me Jason didn’t do that because he knew how much Hannah loved his ‘high-five tree!’ from season 1)

I want to believe Barbra wishes she could say more to Keeley but feels like she can’t. I think they’d have a great friendship if they allowed themselves.

Juno is absolutely breaking my heart with all this. Just give her the awards now 🥺🥰

Jamie’s Lynx collection 😂

The fucking Sun 🖕🏼

Colin with another ‘joke’. In reality he’d be called out and accused of being gay for how much he makes these jokes

Rebecca deleted Candy Crush from his phone, for sure 😂

‘Fuck yeah, 24601’ 😂 I love how varied these boys are! Of course they’re fans of Les Mis

All these guys questions are brilliant, but O’Brien’s got me 😂 that’s gross, mate!!

It’s absolutely wonderful how they all completely switch as soon as they find out Keeley was one of them 🥰 Like it didn’t seem like a real thing until they found out how close to home it hits (but Issac only wants them to protect themselves, even though we all know it wouldn’t even be a thing the other way around because they’re guys and Keeley is a girl 🫠)

Will, what kind of picture you got to get a reaction like that from Jamie?! 😂

(I know story wise it had to happen like this, but why did Issac follow Colin out of the room? As close friends he surely should have trusted that he’d do what he asked??)

Listen here 📢📢📢THAT IS NOT A MAN WHO IS ANGRY HIS FRIEND IS GAY. THAT IS A MAN WHO IS ANGRY HIS FRIEND DIDN’T FEEL LIKE HE COULD TELL HIM 📢 📢📢

Keeley, baby, why were you taking topless photos for your teacher at 15?? 🤔 Rebecca’s reaction is exactly right

This whole plot point for Keeley is coming directly from Keeley Hazell and the line about choice solidifies that for me.

If anyone could change society it’d be Rebecca Welton ✌🏼

Just the fact she has to ask if she should be ashamed or embarrassed is heartbreaking 🥺

Alright Nanna, put your glasses on 😂

‘Just think of how many young women you are going to teach how to masterbate properly’ 😂😂😂 Oh, Rebecca. We all need someone who praises us instead of making us feel like we should be ashamed 🥰

Queen Rebecca humping her parents furniture to the point it had to be reupholstered 😂 I’d expect nothing different! Then blaming a non-existent dog is just *chef’s kiss*

‘I’ve got you’ 🥹🥹🥹 this woman is so maternal it actually hurts my heart she does t have a child

Poor Richard 🫡 😂

It was going so well Roy! Why did you have to ask her that?? 🫣 I’m disappointed in you, grandad 😕

Jack is all over the place. Having already watched the episode I know what is coming up, which makes this scene very important. I like her less and less every time I see her now 🫤

Of course Barbra is a party animal! Now I need a girls night between Barbra, Keeley & Rebecca 👍🏼😂

A Marcus Rashford book 😍

Totally unrelated but TED’S FLAT HAS AN UPSTAIRS?! I’m so confused 😂😂

Another cute call back to the kid Henry was bullying with them now being friends and starting a band 👍🏼 And a lovely little nod to Jason with the drums. Well done

Ted delicately trying to ask Henry questions about Michelle & Jake only for him to be asleep. Happens every time! 😂

Aww, they text each other goodnight and good morning 🥰 ADORABLE!

(I wonder who else does that 👀)

Fair enough for cancelling it, but why do these people never communicate?! Drives me crazy

So Jack doesn’t really care about Keeley. Am I the only one getting those vibes??

Fuck yes, uncle Beard! Love to see his & Henry’s relationship.

Okay but why do I want to see Beard, Ted & Henry at a rave now 😂

It’s actually incredibly sweet that he wants to go watch football. That’s his dads life that he doesn’t really get to see properly for himself. Of course he wants to actually witness it 🥹 Henry, you’re a good egg

Angry Beard having to stop at home first because of course there’s no question that they’re not going to that match. I LOVE THIS LITTLE FAMILY 🥰🥰🥰

Beard being at a West Ham match is full Richmond gear. YOU, SIR, ARE AMAZING!

So is this showing that Henry probably spent a fair amount of time with Nate when he was there the first time?? Or is he just a sneaky little shit who wants to mess with him!! 😂

These two would be incredibly cute if I weren’t so suspicious of Jack 🫣

Yes, be all over her until someone you know is around. Then refer to her as your ‘friend’ 🖕🏼 RUN KEELEY!

(I also recognise this Alyssa girl and a quick search shows she was in Downton, so maybe it’s from that 😂)

That’s a little strange for Rupert to text that to Nate 🤔 Surely he wouldn’t actually care???

I love Mae’s commitment to hating West Ham 🫡

‘You think I wanted to fucking be there’ 😂 of course not, but you’d do anything for your nephew and we love you for it, sir 🫡😂

Sidebar: Rebecca’s kitchen is gorgeous. Just like it’s owner 🥵

At home, comfy Rebecca is delicious, too

Unconsciously correcting his mispronunciation is terribly wifey behaviour, Rebecca 👀 You two aren’t fooling anyone anymore

IT’S NOISY!! TISH CALLBACK 🤔

‘You think I’m nuts’ as she’s munching on nuts, I mean…

He likes The Beatles because Ted does 🥹🥹

Uncle Beard is amazing 🥰🥰

I challenge anyone to listen to this song and not ‘ na na na na Hey Jude’ along 😂

It’s important that Ted has this conversation with someone, but I think it’s incredibly important that it’s with Rebecca. Yea, it is my Tedbecca loving heart saying this but whatever

‘You need to stop letting yesterday get in the way of today, Ted’ just like I’ve learnt to do! Yes, we’ll done, Rebecca 😂

She told you she couldn’t do it so why are you still going on about the statement, Jack. Put your listening ears on, woman!!

I’m so proud of Keeley for sticking up for herself! She shouldn’t feel ashamed for it and it’s disgusting that another woman is telling her that she should! And she’s telling her to her face that she cares more about what people think than her ‘girlfriend’s feeling. Bitch, bye! 🖕🏼

You don’t need her Keeley! You need to spend some time alone for a change!!

Subtlety showing Nathan doesn’t care about winning anymore. Nicely done 👍🏼

He’s evolving, guys! I’m excited!! I need him to rip into Rupert before he leaves, though

‘I love your smile. I like to see my boyfriend happy’ THEY’RE SO BLOODY CUTE!!

Baby boy Jamie’s grown up so much. I’m so proud of him!!

Of course he thought password only had 1 ‘s’ 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 so wise yet so dumb

He didn’t need to hold onto the bag that long 😂 that was weird

No fist bump 😂 FUCK YOU, JAKE!

He’s got the army guys in his window 🥹

Well that was another wonderful episode! A great one for Juno, especially. Fingers crossed for more Rebecca & Keeley besties moving forward 🤞🏼

I think Keeley Hazell did a great job on this one. Seems like a lot of her personal experience, and being the blueprint for Miss Jones especially, worked really well here.

[mhiavi0707]

Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert Adventure: A Journey to Iconic Vacation Spots

If you're seeking a trip that combines rich cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and outdoor adventures, Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert are two vacation spots that should be on your radar. Nestled on the stunning northern coast of British Columbia, these destinations offer travelers a unique blend of history, nature, and excitement. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or just looking for a peaceful retreat, Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert promise to be unforgettable vacation spots for anyone seeking an adventure off the beaten path.

 Haida Gwaii: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Often referred to as the “Galapagos of the North,” Haida Gwaii is a remote archipelago off the west coast of Canada, known for its rugged beauty and rich cultural history. As one of the most captivating vacation spots in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the culture of the Haida people, who have lived on these islands for thousands of years.

The natural beauty of Haida Gwaii is unparalleled. Towering ancient rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and secluded beaches are just a few of the scenic wonders that define these islands. Whether you're hiking through lush old-growth forests or exploring the mystical Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, you'll find endless opportunities to connect with nature in these vacation spots.

A visit to the Haida Heritage Centre is a must for any traveler. Located in Skidegate, the center provides insights into the history, art, and traditions of the Haida people. Explore the impressive totem poles and learn about the stories behind these magnificent works of art, which are intricately tied to the land and sea.

 Prince Rupert: The Gateway to the North Coast

Just a ferry ride away from Haida Gwaii lies Prince Rupert, a charming coastal city known as the “Gateway to Alaska.” Prince Rupert is one of those vacation spots that perfectly balances the excitement of outdoor activities with the comfort of a small, welcoming town. Its location on Kaien Island offers easy access to some of the best fishing, wildlife viewing, and kayaking experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

One of the top attractions in Prince Rupert is the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. Known as one of the best places in the world to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, the sanctuary provides guided boat tours where visitors can get up close and personal with the region’s resident grizzly bears. Prince Rupert is also a prime spot for whale watching, with humpback and orca whales frequently spotted off the coast.

For history buffs, the Museum of Northern British Columbia offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples of the area. It’s a fascinating complement to your Haida Gwaii adventure and underscores the deep connection between the land, the people, and the ocean.

Why These Vacation Spots Stand Out

Both Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert offer a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and tranquility. What sets them apart from other vacation spots is their remoteness and authenticity. Here, you won’t find the bustling crowds of more mainstream tourist destinations. Instead, you'll be greeted by unspoiled landscapes, warm communities, and experiences that resonate long after your trip has ended.

If you're looking for vacation spots where you can truly escape and recharge, Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert should be at the top of your list. From awe-inspiring natural beauty to profound cultural encounters, these destinations offer everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore two of the most unique vacation spots in Canada.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"'MAHAHAT' ARRESTED," Vancouver Sun. May 29, 1934. Page 13. --- CREW CLAIM $1926 FOR WAGES ---- The five-masted schooner Malahat as arrested this morning by Marshal Valter M. Cochrane.

Less than two months after she sailed out of Vancouver Harbor, re- conditioned for coast shipping, the Malahat once again lies at the Burrard docks after running ashore in a fog.

Now she is attached for wages totalling $1926 claimed by members of her crew since Feb. 12.

Writs have been issued out of Admiralty Court against the Malahat Hamilton Read Patterson, solicitors for the following members of The crew: Capt. Robert Gemmeli Lawson, master, who claims $713.30; Chester R. Stone, assistant chief engineer, $252; George Lewis, junior engineer, $234.60; Ronald Stone, junior engineer, $174; George Smith, boatswain, $109; Allan Whiting, third ate, $183.80; Percy Conover, able seaman, $95.80; Thomas Adair, cook, 103; Norman Towers, steward, $47; Falter Brown, cabin boy, $13.50.

This five-masted schooner has had an interesting career since she was launched at Victoria in 1917, and made her first voyage to Australia and return entirely under canvas, in the lumber trade.

In 1923, the Malahat went into the liquor trade and for 10 years was a "mother ship" for rum runners off the coast of California and Mexico.

After many months at the North Vancouver wharf, the Malahat went to dry dock and was reconditioned early this year for the coast trade only to run ashore after a call at Prince Rupert.

[ohtendril]

1.07 vs 1.09

[hogwizards]

[fatehbaz]

what’s happening with “North America’s oldest company” and “Canada’s most prominent department store”

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The largest anchor tenant at Coquitlam Centre has been forced to shutter its doors. A representative with the shopping mall told Daily Hive Urbanized the lease for Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has been terminated after the retailer failed to pay rent. Hudson’s Bay was Coquitlam Centre’s largest anchor retailer for decades [...]. According to the report, HBC has not paid any rent to eight landlords in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Florida, based on legal filings. The leases are worth $20 million monthly across 21 locations. In the BC interior, the landlord of Cherry Lane Mall in Penticton served their HBC location with an eviction notice last week, and filed a lawsuit against the retailer for unpaid rent totalling $546,000. [...] In Eastern Canada, landlord Oxford Properties sued HBC for $2.3 million in unpaid rent for two locations in Quebec City and Ottawa. The retailer indicated its sales at the two locations fell by more than 99% in April. Furthermore, HBC has reportedly not paid rent for its stores at eight of the 11 Oxford-owned malls in Canada where it has locations. [...]

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Excerpt:

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Three-and-a-half centuries after Hudson's Bay Co. received its first charter — giving Prince Rupert and his "Company of Adventurers of England" an exclusive trading monopoly over the entire Hudson Bay drainage basin — its biggest symbol of colonization is coming to an end.

In February [2021], the company plans to close its six-storey flagship store at Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, literally Canada’s gateway to the West. When it opened in 1926, its palatial architecture was an homage to proper and profitable English civilization. As a testament to the Empire, the Union Jack once flew high on its rooftop, towering over a burgeoning city, pronouncing progress and evolution.

Inside were goods manufactured from Canada’s settling of the plains: furs, blankets, and, eventually, Guess cologne [...]. Everything Canada, including Olympic gear, came from HBC. [...]

So, this is how colonization ends. The people who profit the most take all they can from the land and people within it, and then quietly leave when there’s nothing left to take. Soon, all that will be left is an empty, lifeless pile of plaster and metal that will cost millions to repair or remove for those who actually live here.

Really, though, this is how colonization continues. HBC is not a retail empire — never really was — but a massive real estate company. Just as King Charles II gave Prince Rupert lands that were not his to give, HBC holds deeds to billions of dollars of global property (much within former Rupertsland itself) and will march on. [...]

HBC’s legacy of exploitation, violence and theft is permanent, though. 

HBC began with profits from the slave trade and cheap goods from the British colonies. It was instrumental in manufacturing goods for the Commonwealth [...]. Alongside were billions built off Indigenous lands and resources.

On its website, HBC admits it "relied on Indigenous expertise for general survival, surveying, trapping, translating, kinship and much more" to build the company, but when it came to sharing profits and the land (particularly when transferring Rupertsland to Canada in 1870), everything was done "without consulting First Nations or Métis inhabitants." [...]

So, yes, the HBC building means a lot to Winnipeg beyond warm memories of the Paddlewheel restaurant [...]. The building is the face of British occupation [and] theft [...].

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Text published by: Niigan Sinclair. “Right place, right time: Downtown Bay building a monument to colonization’s brutality, but it could be transformed into a place of Indigenous positivity, reconciliation.” Winnipeg Free Press. 5/6 October 2020.

[thestonelady]

What happened this update; part four - Hell and High Water

Dedicated to my poor anon whose government doesn't know geography

Warning: spoilers under the cut

Apologies for the delay, dear anon, real life was taking up most of my time.

So this episode is dedicated to the new story Hell and High Water. Firstly allow me to show you the MCs:

You see it correctly :) different body type options were introduced! I went with the medium opinions. If you want to see the other options, refer to this links

The default name is "Lori" but I named her Amelia, after Amelia Earhart :D

The story starts with this:

Interesting thing is that MCs surname is Kaplan as well

Now onto the episodes;

Episode 1: Southbound

First we see the opening I showed above

MC wakes up very early to prepare for her next trip. There's an option to wake up Chand (colleague and possible LI) or not

She goes to Bakeshop to pick up some rations

Small talk with Pramila and Todd. MC says they won't be gone longer than 5 days.

MC and Chand go to the docks

Once by their ship, Nina comes and tells them to take care. Nina is the one who taught them how to sail

Phoebe Alvarez, a doctors daughter and the second possible LI, comes to them and asks them for a ride to Quiet Bay

After they set sail, they eat breakfast they got from Bakeshop. MC finds a note from Todd who asked them to find some flour for him, because Anna's birthday is coming up.

They see Dreamspinner, the boat belonging to Sunny, third possible LI, and Chand suggests to race with her. Sunny agrees.

Thanks to correct choices, MC and co win. Thanks to an earlier diamond choice, MC gets a necklace and Sunny now owns MC and Chand dinner.

Rain & talking

Aquila, the supply ship, reports. It's departing Prince Rupert and bound for Ketchikan, which is one stop before Homeport (the place MC and Chand live)

They arrive at Quiet Bay and drop off Phoebe

They continue their journey. More talking, where we find out Chand has a girlfriend named Krissa

An orca appears

Episode 2: Red skies

MC falls into the water, but Chand pulls her out

They're quite concerned about the orca, because apparently orcas now kill people

Clothes change

Radio message: major front developing off coast to the west and moving inland

They arrive at Coffmans Dock, where they meet with Krissa and her family. They eat dinner and spent the night at the Durants (Krissa and her dads surname)

Diamond choice: MC overhears Chand and Krissa breaking up

More talk over breakfast.

They return to the boat. Once more at sea, they talk with Tay (the person who reports all the radio messages from a tower) and then Nina comes in. Nina calls MC Honeybee, and insults Chand

The wind lowers, so they tuck in Ratz Harbor

They go ashore. MC wants to stretch her legs and there's an option to take Chand along

If the player takes him along, they talk, and there's a romance option. They them find a weird knife with the initials DT

They return to the ship. In the evening Sunny joins them and cooks them the dinner she owns them

One word: otter :)

Chand has a diamond scene

In the morning a storm rages

Aquila sents a distress call

Radio goes static

It's noon and Aquila comes in, and then:

End of episode 2

Stats and boat talk

Characters, Krissa and her dads

Free CG

...aaand that's the 10 pic per post limit. Apologies anon.

Final thoughts: I like it! While the boat talk confuses me, and I raise my eyebrows at the orca thing, the story is very likeable! MC herself is very interesting. Meanwhile Chand, who I think I will romance, is nice too. And he has night vision, similar to Riddick (I wonder if anyone in this fandom knows those movies)

The only major thing that I don't like is the boats name.

Link to the previous post of What happened this update

Next up in What happened this update: Gladiator Chronicles

[cyraniadebergerac]

Garden Assassin OCs

Free to use for any future fanwork.

Going off the framework provided by Yor.

Nix & Rubina Rose: Twinned Blooms - Twin girls that needed help to survive after their mother died. They move utterly in sync with each other to the point where no one seeing them in action can tell if they are really one person or two, using their speed to give their targets death by a thousand cuts. Off duty, the two still live together with the two working at an animal sanctuary. (Plant: White and Red Roses, Fairytale: Snow White and Rose Red).

Rupert King: Prince Hyacinth - The young scion of a ruined family name who came to the shopkeeper for help to survive and revenge after all his parents' secrets and lies to protect him all crumble into dust. He sneaks into cultured venues to get alone with his target, able to blend in among the elite. His preferred method is to knock his target out then chock them to death, allowing him to relish the death as it happens. Only noticable feature is a rather large nose. (Plant: Hyacinth, Fairy Tale: The Tale of Prince Hyacinth)

Rachel Tower: Mother Rapunzel - After her husband abandoned her with their children, a twin brother and sister, Rachel struggled to find work that would provide for them. And so the shopkeeper found her and she became Mother Rapunzel, her expertise being able to scale high places where people assume they are safe then only killing her targets, using a garrote. Anyone not her target, she blinds so that they can't see her, through sleeping gas first then by gouging out their eyes when worse comes to worse. Her unusual trait is long, flowing hair. When off the job, she remains a kind, loving mother for her children and to those around her, working as a part time school nurse and helping her kids have the life they should despite all the gossip at her expense on the location of her husband.

Ella Hearth: Ash Maiden - Ella's birth parents were kind and loving, but after she died, she ended up being placed with cruel parents that worked her to the bone. After having enough, she ran from her abusive foster parents and tried to survive on the streets, winding up sheltering in the Garden under the Ash Tree, hence her codename. She then became an assassin in exchange for help to make a new life for herself where she would be free of those that would try to harm her. In action, she's a female honeypot assassin, using her charm to lure her targets into a false sense of security before stabbing them somewhere fatal that's easy for her to strike. She's been known to mutilate targets if she's especially angry with them. Off duty, she's managed to land herself a role as a tailor's apprentice working on elegant formal dresses, seemingly distant but kindly and able to do a lovely seam. And yet, she finds she's not sure if she could leave the Garden even if she wanted to. (Plant: Ash Tree, Fairy Tale: Cinderella, particularly the German version Ashpeshal (will look up real name later) where instead of a fairy godmother, her mother's spirit helps her through her old favorite ash tree).

Demetrius Rivers: Narcissus - A poet who ran into debt chasing the life he thought he should live, and so he ended up coming to the shopkeeper to come out of debt. He acts as the male honeypot assassin, attracting the target to him then either killing them through poison, suffocation, or drowning; which ever he feels is most 'appropriate' for the occasion. Off duty, he still writes his poems, though those that actually read his work notice that it's gotten darker as of late. (Plant: Narcissus, Tale: Greek Myth of Narcissus [I wanted to add some guys in but there aren't that many fairy tales that explicitly touch on plants and flowers without being female protagonists, at the very least not that many that I can think of at the top of my head right now. So, we have some leeway on the fairy tale rule. Besides, it also allows a broader range of inspiration that way]).

Luke Baldwin: Godslaying Trickster - It was only Luke and his little brother left in the world, but Luke managed to con his way into getting by. But then, his little brother became seriously ill and the only cure was expensive. After failing to raise the funds himself, the shopkeeper bailed him out and promised to pay for the surgery if Luke took on some tasks. And so Luke became the Godslsying Trickster, using lies and disguises to get near enough to his target to give them a death by poison dart before disappearing again. The shopkeeper helped him get legitimate work as a civil servant and helped to pay for his brother's repeated treatments as the former ones worked but the illness still left him sickly and liable to go entirely blind if he doesn't get what he needs. For this, Luke also acts as one of the shopkeeper's go-to men for intel on targets, with Luke in no position to refuse. (Plant: Missletoe, Tale: The Death of Balder).

I may have more later. If anyone wants to add to this to add comments, feel free! And if anyone does use any of these, I would love to see how you use them.

[scotianostra]

On July 2nd 1644 Scots forces under David Leslie helped in the victory of the Parliamentary forces over the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor.

When the Covenanters made an alliance with the English Parliamentarians, Leslie was appointed lieutenant-general,  When the Covenanters made an alliance with the English Parliamentarians in 1644,  Leslie led a brigade of Scottish horse in support of Cromwell’s Ironsides at Marston Moor  on the left wing of the Allied army. His flank attack tipped the scales in Cromwell’s favour in the struggle between the Ironsides and Prince Rupert’s cavaliers, saving a wounded Cromwell in the process.

A year later Leslie would later take his army back into Scotland in pursuit of James Graham,  The Marquess of Montrose but by 1646 was back in England, where Charles I surrendered to him, thinking he would be a lot safer in the hands of a Scottish army. Unfortunately Leslie “sold” him to the English in exchange for wages due to the Covenanter army, the outcome of course was the King was executed, sending shockwaves through Scotland, Charles was the last King of Scots to be born here.

Leslie would go on to support Charles II, but lost to Cromwell’s army at Worcester in September 1651, he was imprisoned at The Tower of London for nine years, his freedom was granted on the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

[rons-hermiones]

Come Find Me

Come Find Me

by rons-hermiones

Summary: Unplanned, Hermione is forced to spend Christmas at the Burrow due to her grandmother falling very ill. After being ignored by Hermione for weeks, Ron is determined to show her how much she means to him. Just before he gets the chance to tell her, Bellatrix Lestrange shows up with other plans for Hermione. Can Ron get to her before it's too late? (Ron/Hermione Half-Blood Prince AU)

Rating: M for language & dark themes in later chapters.

Chapter Thirty 

“Come on mate, if we don’t leave now, we’re gonna be late.” Harry told his friend from the door. 

Ron couldn’t help himself, he did another once over in the mirror. 

The Chosen One groaned, “You look fine, let’s go!” 

And he did look fine, better than fine actually. The dress robes he had on were new. They were tailored perfectly to him and were a lovely navy blue that brought out his eyes. 

However, being Ron Weasley, his insecurities still were shining through. He really hoped he had cleaned up well enough. 

“Alright, I’m coming.” He sighed, quickly smoothing his hair one more time before bolting to the door, making sure to grab the flowers on his way out. 

By the time he actually made it, Harry was halfway down the steps, he had to jog to catch up. 

“Oi, slow down, will ya?” Ron teased. 

“I just don’t want to be late, I have to walk to Ravenclaw tower to get Luna.” He commented, “Anyway, you should be worrying more than I should.” He said airily. 

“Me?” Ron squeaked nervously. What had he done now?

Matching socks? Check. 

Shirt tucked in? Check. 

Teeth brushed? Check. 

Flowers? Check. 

Sensing his friend's anxiety, Harry jumped in, “Well, you know how she is. Punctual and all. I reckon you’ll get a harder time than I would with Luna.” 

Ron’s eyes flicked to the clock above the stairs, noting he was running on schedule, “lay off Harry.” He said, half joking. 

When they reached the bottom, Ron suddenly didn’t know what to do. “Do we sit?” he asked his friend stupidly. 

Harry chuckled at his nerves, he knew what this meant to Ron, “I don’t see why not.” He shrugged. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, the pair of them flopped back onto the couch in silence. Harry drummed his fingers against his thighs, whilst Ron nervously fiddled with a button on his robes. 

It wasn’t until about ten minutes later something drew the pair from their stupor. 

Heels clicking against the stone steps. 

At the sound, they jumped up, Ron first. Harry followed too, but stepped back, knowing this was his best mate's moment to shine. 

Weasley noticed, only increasing his already erratic nerves. 

Don’t bugger this up. Don’t bugger this up. Don’t- 

As the figure reached the bottom, he could only manage one coherent word. 

“Merlin.”

“Hi.” Hermione said shyly, hand’s smoothing over the skirt of her dress. 

Ron was still too enchanted by her to speak.

She was absolutely stunning.

Seeing her come down the girls dormitory steps rivaled when she entered the Great Hall fourth year. 

She wore a long gown that was funny enough, the same blue as his dress robes. The top was tighter, the entire thing adorned with little navy flowers sewn into it. The flowers cascade down into a belt of sorts, then trickled off into the tulle skirt that just floated above the floor. 

Her hair had obviously been given a light amount of sleakesys, just enough to tame the frizz. It seemed to be in a bun of sorts, but only halfway, a good front of the pieces falling around her face. Some tucked behind her ear. 

Her eyelashes looked longer and darker. Her pink lips glistsend under the flickering fire. Her cheeks were tinged pink, but it wasn’t from blush. He swore he could smell the perfume he gifted her last Christmas. 

And her eyes. Well, if this was the last look he ever saw. He’d die a happy man. 

“Hi.” Ron manages breathlessly. 

At the tone of his voice, the brunette smiles, insticilvey pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, smearing the small amount of lip gloss she put on. 

“You look,” he couldn’t find the words, there didn’t seem to be a singular one that could describe it, “beautiful.” Angelic. Irresistible. Breathtaking. Lovely. Bewitching. Heavenly. Gorgeous… 

Her cheeks darkened, “you look quite nice yourself.” Hermione responded sheepishly. 

“These are for you.” He fumbles with the small bouquet a little before handing them over to her. 

She smiled gratefully as she took a small sniff, before looking at him again, “they’re lovely.” Hermione told him truthfully, “I’ll be sure to display them properly on my table upstairs.” With that, she flicked her wand, sending the bouquet exactly to that spot. 

“Brilliant.” He breathed at her wand work, a grin plastered on his face in admiration. 

Harry, watching the scene from a small distance, knew this could go on all night. This awkward dance of pauses and daring compliments. But he didn’t have all night, he had to get to Ravenclaw tower. 

Clearing his throat, the pair jumped, “you look lovely Hermione, but could we please be on our way? I have to get Luna.” 

A little embarrassed she didn’t notice him before, the brunette offered a flustered nod. Harry didn't spare a moment rushing over to the portrait hole. 

Just as Hermione went to take the final stair down, she stumbled a bit. Almost instantly, Ron caught her arm. 

“Oh, you’ll have to excuse me, I’m not used to these shoes.” She told him sheepishly as his eyes flicked to the small heels on her feet. 

Thinking quickly, he offered his arm to her, “I’ll help you.” Ron told her. 

Both pleased and surprised, she wrapped her arm around his extended one. 

“Thank you.” The witch said as they traveled across the common room. 

“Of course Mione.” The red-haired boy answered without a second thought, “I won’t let you fall.”

After that, they lapsed into a comfortable silence as they followed Harry through the corridors. Not that Ron could speak anyway, he was way too buzzed off the feeling of her being so close. 

It wasn’t until after Luna’s barmy greeting about how the moon was in perfect alignment for tonight did they break the streak. 

“Thank you again for coming with me.” Hermione said in a low voice, Ron thinks so Harry and Luna wouldn’t hear.

It makes him feel warm knowing the words are just for him. 

He dares to give her a small squeeze, “Hey, there’s where else I’d rather be tonight than here.” With you, he adds silently. 

“Me too. I can’t imagine coming here with anyone else if I’m being honest.” She admits shyly, eyes trained on the decorations above. 

“Really?” He asks, surprised, looking down at her. 

Finally, her brilliant brown eyes meet his. She simply nods in confirmation. 

“Wicked.” He breathes. 

She giggles. 

It’s the best fucking sound he’s evr had the pleasure of hearing.

“I will admit, I’m a bit surprised you agreed. I know Slughorn isn’t your favorite.” Hermione tells with a small smile. 

“Well, I didn’t come for Slughorn.” Ron states confidently, “besides, if I wanted to get to know the bloke I reckon I’d get a detention or something.” He adds teasingly. 

She laughs again.

His chest squeezes at the sound. 

“Come on!” Harry calls from the doorway. 

Ron didn’t even realize they had stopped until now. 

“Git.” he mumbles. 

Gently, he places his much larger hand on the small of Hermione’s back to lead her into the source of the music and chatter floating through the corridor. 

Her eyes snap to his at the action, but he just gives her a lopsided grin, which she returns with her own dazzling smile. 

Carefully, he nudges her on and they’re soon meant by all sorts of things. Floating trays of foods and beverages. Drapes cascading the room. Lanterns lighting the scene. A mass of even more Christmas decorations. An even larger mass of people, students and staff alike. 

“Ah Miss Granger!” Slughorn immediately noticed the new presence in the room. 

“Good evening professor.” Hermione said, voice heightening a little over the music. 

“Ah, Rupert, have some mead my boy!” Ron heard’s Slughorn say, though his voice sounded far off. Surely that wasn’t what he said. 

Shaking away whatever the hell that was, he tuned back in. 

“So happy to have you! Whose this young man?” He asked, eyeing Ron funnily, seeming to have noticed his dazed look. 

He suppressed a groan. He’s had Sluggy for potions all year and there’s not exactly a mass of red headed sixth year Gryfindors. You’d think he’d take a little notice. 

“This is Ron Weasley,” she stated produly before pausing for a moment, “he’s my date.”

Never, in his entire life does he think’s heard more brilliant words leave someone’s mouth. 

He can’t help but smile so wide you’d think the Cannons won the World Cup. 

“Yes sir, that’s me,” he holds out his hand as the old professor shakes it. Soon, he averts his gaze to the girl next to him, eyes twinkling as he does, “I’m Hermione’s date.”

Ignorant to the moment, Slughorn releases his hand and smiles, “Lovely! There are some people I’d love for you to meet Miss Granger, I think-” his eyes find the door, “Oh! Excuse me, will you? We can catch up later.” He’s gone before she can answer. 

After Slughorn leaves, he still can’t help but stare at her with pure amazement and adortion. 

She flushes under his gaze before speaking, “I’m sure you’re dying for something to eat, come on.” Hermione grabs his hand and leads him to a table. 

He never wants to let go. 

They soon find themselves at a table with Harry, Luna, and Ginny. Neville comes around and serves food and Ron even takes notice of his manners, as means to impress Hermione. 

Having polished off his plate and noticing everyone else has too, the friends fall into comfortable chatter. 

However, they’re soon interrupted when a fifth year Hufflepuff, who also seems to have gone alone, asks Ginny to dance. It’s only after she agrees did Ron notice the couples swaying in the center of the room. 

Come on you tosser, just ask her. Ask her dammit! He mentally scolds as he watches Hermione pick at the table cloth. 

Just as he opens his mouth to ask, a wispy voice cuts him off, “Oh Harry, I love this song, would you care to dance?” Luna asks softly. 

Harry, whose mind seems to have been elsewhere all night, agrees as he extends a hand to the blonde. Despite the notion, Ron still notices his green eyes scanning the room for someone else. Malfoy no doubt. 

Speaking of Malfoy, I wonder if Fred and George ever did owl back about- 

“I’m happy Harry brought Luna. Much better than someone like Romilda Vane.” Hermione noted from next to him. 

Romilda Vane? Why did that sound so familiar? Sure, she and Dean went to the Yule Ball, but there was something else he couldn't quiet place. 

Ignoring his thoughts he shakes his head, “yeah.” he agrees, still working up the courage to ask her to dance. 

At his words, she offers a small smile, seemingly sensing his nerves. 

At the gesture, he melts. It feels like ages since he’s given her that look. He hasn’t seen it since before Lavender. 

Wait! Lavender? No. He’s here with Hermione. He hasn’t spoken to Lavender about more than homework, right?  

Thinking his flustered nature is causing all these barmy thoughts, Ron jumps to his feet and extends a hand, taking them both by surprise. 

“Would you like to dance?” He asked shakily, any confidence soon leaving. 

Her brown eyes softened, “I’d love to.” Her much smaller hand slipped into his large one as they walked to the dance floor. 

Tentatively, he pulls her to him, reveling in her body’s warmth. He cups her waist with one large hand, letting his long fingers skim the small of her back as he places his other one in hers. She responds adequately, placing one hand on his shoulder and responding in kind by grabbing his larger hand back. 

Ron isn’t sure if it's him or her who initiated it, not that he cares, but suddenly they're closer. Her body is flush against his as she places her head on his chest and he drops his own on top of hers. Resting his chin against the smooth brown curls. 

They sway like this for a while. Neither one said anything. Just enjoying being so close. 

“Come find me.” He hears Hermione whimper, breaking the silence. 

Instinctively, he jumps back a little, “what did you say?” Those words, they were so familiar. 

Hurt washed over her features, “I said, I’m having a nice time, but if-” she began sadly. 

“No!” He assured, confidently pulling her back into their former position. “I’m sorry, I thought you- I heard-” He sighed, “I’m having a really nice time too.”

At the proclamation she visibly eased in his arms, tension leaving her body as she burrowed closer. Instinctively he wrapped his arm tighter around her, peering mometraily over her head. 

For a second he thought he saw a witch donned in black robes with wild curly hair grinning right at them, unmistakably Bellatrix ruddy Lestrange. But when he blinked, she was gone. 

Merlin, what the hell was in that Butterbeer? 

“Oh look Harry, mistletoe.” Luna’s voice broke his thoughts. 

Quickly, his eyes found hers, needing to see the uncomfortable interaction that would ensure between his best mate and the Ravenclaw. However, upon further observation, the sprig wasn’t above them. Not at all. 

It was above him and Hermione. 

“My father says if you ignore the tradition of mistletoe then your crop of dirigible plums will be spoiled by spring.” The blonde told the pair. 

“We can’t have that.” Harry commented with a shit eating grin. 

“No I suppose we can’t…” He was shocked when he realized it was Hermione who had agreed. 

Apparently his look of surprise was evident on his face as she soon looked away, “but we don’t have to, it’s just some silly tradition. It’s not like-” she began to justify, embarrassed. 

“Hermione, there is nothing I’d like more than anything to fulfill this tradition with you.” He promised softly. 

She blinked, “Really?” 

He nodded, “like you said, we can’t be ruining the plums before winter.” 

“No I suppose-” 

Whatever she was about to say was cut off as a pair of smooth lips found themselves over hers. Though taken off guard, she soon eases into it, responding with just enough passion. 

“Mm.” He moans softly against her. 

At this she pulls away for air, pupils blown, lips swollen. 

When he opens his eyes to take her in, he soon realizes they’re no longer at Slughorn’s Christmas Party. 

Instead, his hand is clamped over her mouth as she trembles in fear under the old oak tree at the Burrow. 

Living this night many times, he refuses to let it take over, not again. Not this time. 

Blinking again, he's grateful to have some sort of control as he finds himself back where he needs to be. Her in her navy blue dress. Him in his robes. Under the mistletoe. 

Perfect. 

Knowing he couldn’t have much longer, he practically whimpers her name before diving in for another kiss, “Mione.” He grumbles. 

When she catches her breath a second time he can’t help but speak again, “It’s just you and me.” 

No Bellatrix. No Greyback. No Death Eaters. 

“You and me.” She confirms breathless, before leaning in for the third time. 

He can only utter one thing before his world goes dark again, “Ermyknee.”

… 

“He’ll be alright?” Harry asked for the umpteenth time since being allowed in, making Madame Pomfrey sigh in annoyance. 

“He’ll be fine. He needs his rest.” She fussed over his blankets before turning to face the dark haired boy, “did he hit his knee when he fell?” 

Potter thought about it, Ron fell on his bum. 

“No, why?” He said after a moment. 

“He keeps groaning about his knee.” She shrugs, “I”ll mix a pain potion just in case. I’ll be right back.” Madame Pomfrey says before rushing away. 

As she goes, Harry takes a moment to observe Ron. He looks so serene, so calm. It’s the first time in months. 

His face is usually screwed up as he yells in agony for them to take him instead of her. Night after night Ron begs to be killed so they won’t touch her. 

The weight of the fact he easily could’ve lost him becomes overbearing, too much. That along with losing Hermione, Harry thinks he’d just crumble. 

He feels a tear on his cheek before he knows it, as he moves his hand to wipe it away. 

He quickly removes it from his face when he hears a groan from the bed next to him. 

“Mm,” Ron grumbles, head swaying a bit. 

“Mione.” It’s barely audible, but Harry knows what he’s saying. 

“Ermyknee.” He groans again sleepily.

He can’t help the small smile that grazes his lips at Ron’s words, it must be a pleasant dream. 

And for whatever reason, at this very moment, Harry knows Ron really does love Hermione. 

However, he can’t revel in it for long, because soon enough, Neville comes barreling into the Hospital Wing, parchment clutched in his hand. 

The door benags loudly againstg the wall, causing Ron to stir slightly. 

“Neville! Keep it-” He doesn’t finish, Neville cuts him off. 

“They’re dead.”

[harley-sunday]

Final Approach [01]

Summary: Something’s different at Sandspit Airport when you return after some much needed time off. 

Pairing: Chris Evans x reader (f)

Warnings: Language

Word count: 3352

AN: This has been sitting in my drafts for a while now and I think I’m finally ok with putting it out there. You can blame my endless love for NGC’s ‘Air Crash Investigation’ (no crash involved here though!) and having worked in aviation for this. That it involves Chris Evans is somehow a given for me because he just seems to ‘fit’ the story.   For the observant reader - yes I already posted this a week ago, but I didn’t like the direction it was taking and so I changed some things around. You might want to reread :) 

Masterlist

You stifle a yawn just as Deb appears at your table with the Cobb salad you ordered a couple of minutes earlier, earning you a kind smile from the older woman before she says something that you don’t quite catch. Like pretty much always, Mike, the bartender, has turned the music up way too loud and so you point to your ear before you shake your head to let Deb know you didn't get any of what she said.

"You work too hard," she says, her voice raised just enough for it to reach you over the outro of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run', the look on her face nothing short of judgmental, her arms now crossed in front of her chest for good measure. When your parents moved back to the mainland a little over ten years ago, Deb promised them to take good care of you and so you’re used to this by now.

There's a lull in the music then, in which you assure her you're fine even though you know she doesn't believe you. You sit upright to appear more awake but the scowl doesn’t disappear and you know there’s nothing you can do to convince her otherwise. She’s right, of course she is, but you can’t let her know that, now can you? “Must be because I just had a couple of weeks off,” you try in a last ditch effort, “too much sleep, I guess.”

The way she nods lets you know she doesn't really believe you but that she'll let it go for now. It's at that moment Mike turns up the volume even more for Chumbawamba's 'Tubthumping' to let everyone know happy hour is about to begin. A loud cheer erupts inside Don Cherry’s Bar and so all you can do is smile in a way that you hope tells her there’s nothing to worry about.

Deb just winks and mouths, "Enjoy your meal!" She never could stay angry for too long.

Like every Friday night the bar is slowly filling up, most if not all of the patrons Prince Rupert locals who have known each other, and thus by default you, since pretty much the day they were born. The high table you're sat at is closest to the door and so all throughout your meal a chorus of, "Hey, how are ya?" and, "Good, how about yourself?" echoes around you as more and more people make their way inside.

There’s chatter all around you but you eat in silence, eager to finish your meal and head home. No happy hour for you tonight, you still need to unpack and get some laundry done before you get back to work on Monday.  

As if on cue Deb brings your bill the moment you push the plate away from you, because that’s how well she knows you. You hand her your card and while you wait for her to return it you grab your jacket off the back of your chair and put it on, pulling the zipper all the way up because you know it’s going to be cold outside. They’ve predicted some snow over the weekend, which is unusual on the island, but there has been a chill in the air that tells you the forecast might be right.

Deb hands you your card and the receipt back with a smile and tells you to enjoy your weekend.

You’re about to tell her you will, but she’s already rushing off to another table and so instead you wave to Mike who winks at you from behind the bar. You greet a few other people on your way out and nod to the guy who’s holding the door open for you, who you recognize as someone you went to Kindergarten with.

It’s dark outside even though it’s still early, but that’s how it is this time of year. You hurry towards your car, hands deep in your pockets and shoulders up high, trying as much as possible to shield yourself from the cold. It’s not much better inside though and you’re quick to start the car so you can at least get the heater going. It takes you a few tries to get the engine running, but your car is old and always acts up when the temperatures drop below forty degrees and so you are not too worried.

That is until you’re almost halfway home and all of a sudden there’s a weird shudder that runs through your car before the ‘check engine’ light comes on. Before you even have a chance to react everything shuts off and you come to a complete standstill on the middle of the road. 

“Fuck.” 

Sixth Avenue isn’t a particularly busy street, day or night, and there are street lights on either side, but you still turn on your hazard lights, relieved to see they at least still work. With a sigh you get out and kick the front tire for good measure before you realize you’re going to have to push your car off the road until it can get towed. Leaning back in you put it in neutral and grab a hold of the steering wheel before you try to push it to get it moving. 

It won’t budge.

Fine. It’s fine. You’ll just leave it here for now and call Burt to come pick it up. His tow trucking service’s only a few miles away so it shouldn’t take too long. You take your phone out of your back pocket and push the home button only to see the screen light up with a battery warning. Of course. Unlocking your phone proves to be too much and so that dies on you too then. 

It takes everything you have not to scream in frustration and so you aren’t really paying attention to what’s going on around you.

“You ok?” 

The voice comes out of nowhere and scares the shit out of you and so you can’t help but curse, “Jesus!”

“I’m sorry,” he takes a step back, hands up to show you he means no harm, “I’m sorry. I just wanted to see if you were alright and if you need any help.“

“Well, you scared the shit out of me,” you say even though, in all honesty, you’re glad there’s someone kind enough to come up to you. You take him in and realize you don’t know him, which is weird, because over here there really are no strangers. It’s hard to get a good look at his face though, because he’s wearing a baseball cap that’s pulled low over his eyes, the logo on it not one you recognize. It’s then you notice a dog sitting next to him, patiently waiting for whatever comes next. 

You’re about to ask him if he’s new here but then he interrupts your thoughts, “But you’re alright?”

“I’m fine,” you assure him. You motion towards your car then, “This thing though, not so much. And my phone’s dead, so you know, double the fun.”

He chuckles, “What’s wrong with it?”

“I think it’s the battery. I mean, you get an iPhone and you would think that by now they would have figured out how to make the battery last longer than one day, but no-“

“I was talking about the car,” he interrupts you and laughs, “but if you want to talk shit about Apple products for a little longer, please, be my guest.”

You smile and shrug, “It’s an old car, who knows what’s wrong with it? Maybe you could have a look?”

He puts his hands in his pockets and kicks the gravel at his feet, not looking at you now, “I’m not really that great with cars.”

You snort, “So much for helping a lady out.” 

“Hey,” he crosses his arms in a defensive manner, but smiles anyway, “at least I have a cell phone that’s fully charged, thank you very much.”

You throw him a wink, “That’s the one thing you have going for you at this moment.”

“Listen, why don’t I call someone for you and I’ll wait here until they arrive?”

“That’s really not necessary,” you hold up your hands when you see his eyebrows knit together in confusion, “I mean the call, yes, please, but really, you don’t have to wait here with me. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” He doesn’t sound convinced. “Let me at least call first to see how long it’ll take.” 

“Fine.” You give him Burt’s number and listen as he tells him where you’re at and what’s going on while you take a step closer to pet his dog, his tail wagging when you scratch him behind his ears. You can’t hear what’s being said on the other end, but he ends the call with a “Thank you,” shortly after.

‘He’ll be here in five,”

“See,” you nod, “I’ll be fine.” 

“Well, if you’re sure,”

“I am.” It’s not that you don’t want him to stay, it’s just that you don’t want to hold him here on a Friday night, you’re sure he’s got other things to do. You smile at him, “Thanks for your help though.”

He lets out a low whistle that has his dog jump to its feet, “No worries.”  

You’re quietly singing along to the song that’s been stuck in your head since the moment you got up this morning when a flicker of light on your left draws your attention. A quick glance over your shoulder and out of the window has you smiling, the reflection of the sun in the water of Mathers Lake bouncing around beautifully, like a welcome back sign from Louise Island. All around the lake there are flecks of orange and yellow, surrounded by fir trees that stay a dark shade of lush green all-year round.

Seeing Mathers Lake lets you know you’re almost at your destination and so you hit the switch to transmit the call to let Joanne know you’re on your way, “Sandspit Tower, this is PASCO seven five, fifteen miles out south, requesting inbound.”

“PASCO seven five, report over channel three for runway one left.”

You’re about to respond, almost absentmindedly, like you’ve done a hundred times before, but then you realize something’s off. It takes you a moment to realize what it is. Because unless Joanne’s voice suddenly dropped a few octaves, there’s someone else in the tower. Panic hits you almost instantly, knowing Joanne would never give up her seat out of free will. Hell, she tends to joke she’ll be at Sandspit until the days she- Oh shit.

“PASCO seven five?” The unfamiliar voice returns. “Report over channel three for runway one left.”

“Who the hell are you and what did you do to Joanne?” It comes out more like an accusation and less like the question you intended it to be, but you’re freaking out just a little bit because why isn’t Jo answering your call? Jesus, you were only gone four weeks.

“PASCO seven five, please confirm.”

There’s a lot more authority in his voice and it sets you on edge almost immediately. This can’t be a good sign. Right? You let out a frustrated sigh with the mic still open before you respond, “Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, reporting over channel three for runway one left.” Then, as an afterthought, “You still owe me an explanation though.”

“PASCO seven five,” there’s a hint of irritation seeping through now, “do I need to remind you of protocol?”

You roll your eyes even though he can’t see you, but also because you know he’s right. You’ve broken just about every aviation protocol there is, but things like that never really mattered at Sandspit Airport, not until now anyway. Apparently whoever took over from Joanne is a stickler for the rules. Cursing quietly, you switch to channel three even though he’ll still be the one taking your call because Sandspit Airport isn’t big enough for Tower and Ground to be separate departments. And because you’re still a little upset and want to stick it to him, you put on the voice you only ever use at Bella Coola airport, where the woman working at ATC is an absolute bitch, “Sandspit Ground, PASCO seven five, requesting inbound on runway one left, if it so pleases you.” Then in a sing-song voice, “Thank you.”

The reply comes almost immediately and is as unfazed as it was before, “PASCO seven five, enter right for runway.”

Shaking your head ever so slightly you try to regain your focus - you have an airplane to land, after all. You’ll figure out what happened to Jo once you’re on the ground, you decide, before you sit up in your seat and relay the latest information, “Sandspit Ground, PASCO seven five, entering right for runway. Seven miles out.”

You’ve just started the checklist needed before you can start your descent when his voice returns, a little kinder now, “Joanne retired two weeks ago, by the way.” 

“I’m sorry, what?” Any concern for protocol has disappeared, knowing full well things aren’t as strict once you’re on Ground frequency. At least that doesn’t seem to have changed.

“She didn’t tell you?”

“No,” you shake your head even though no one can see you, “no, she did not.”

“I’m sorry.”

Realizing how defeated you must have sounded, you clear your throat before you continue, “Sandspit Ground, PASCO seven five, four miles out, please stand by.” You end the call and try to clear your head, knowing you need to focus on the task at hand. No matter how small the plane, taking off and landing are where most fatal errors happen and so there’s no room for distraction. But the checklist isn’t long and everything is as it should be and so you call back not much later, “Sandspit Ground, ready for final approach, please advise.”

“PASCO seven five, confirmed on runway one left.”

Even though Joanne won’t be there to greet you, you can’t help but smile when you see the Sandspit Air Traffic Control Tower in front of you, the two runways of the small airport looking as pristine as ever, no doubt thanks to Joe’s commitment to the place and his new sweeper. “Sandspit Ground, PASCO seven five, ready for touchdown on runway one left.”

“PASCO seven five, landing confirmed. Please taxi via Delta over to parking nineteen, one-niner.”

You scoff, pretty sure you heard the hint of a snicker coming through over the radio, “All the way in the back? Really?”

“Protocol, PASCO seven five," he replies almost instantly, but he doesn't sound all that serious.

“Fine,” you mutter before repeating, “Sandspit Ground, PASCO seven five, parking one-niner, taxi via Delta confirmed.” You lean forward in your seat a little as you fly past the tower, trying to catch a glimpse of this mysterious new air traffic controller. No such luck of course, because the mirrored windows only show the reflection of your plane. 

Almost there, you think to yourself then, as you take a deep breath that you hold in until you feel your wheels hit the tarmac and you get to add another successful flight to your record. Superstitious? Maybe. But you’d rather be safe than sorry.

“Nice landing, PASCO seven five,” he compliments once you’ve touched down. “Dave will be your valet for today. Please standby.”

“At least Dave’s still here,” you joke quietly. “PASCO seven five, standing by.”

Your smile only grows wider when you see Dave guiding you onto your parking spot, because like Jo he’s been at Sandspit for as long as you can remember. Once you’re in the right place you kill your engine and wait for the propeller to slow down somewhat before you open your door and jump down onto the tarmac, “Hi Dave!”

“Hey kid, how have you been?” He gently slaps your shoulder, always considering you one of the guys albeit being a little less rough with you. Which you appreciate. “How was your holiday?”

“Good, good,” you reply while you take off your sunglasses and put them in the pocket of your jacket.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, it was nice to be away for a while,” you admit easily.

Dave nods understandingly, “Sort of like a fresh start, eh?”

‘I guess it was,” you agree, although you don’t really want to talk about it. Not now. And so you change the subject rather abruptly, “But what’s this I hear about Jo retiring?”

“Well, you know she was long overdue anyway,” Dave explains as he opens your cargo door, “and then Roger had some troubles with his heart a couple of weeks back, right after you left, and I guess she decided enough was enough, ya know?”

“Hmm,” you respond absentmindedly, trying to figure out if you have time to go see Joanne and Roger soon, a little disappointed when you realize it won’t be for at least another couple of weeks. “Roger’s ok now, though?”

“Sure is,” he says with a wink, “they’re tough, those two.”

“Just like you,” you offer kindly, even though you absolutely mean it. Dave is one of the most dedicated ground crew out there and always ready to give you a hand even though you’ve told him many times already you’re more than capable to handle your own. Something Dave somehow never seems to remember.

“Oh stop it,” he grins, as he reaches into the cargo hold and grabs the first bag of mail, “you’re making me blush.”

“So…” you draw out, “who’s the guy replacing Jo?” You take the bag from him and place it on the back of his truck, “Sucker for protocol or what?”

“He’s not that bad,” Dave offers, “came in right after Jo left, from somewhere on the east coast I think. We still busy teaching him how things work around here.” He laughs then, “Don’t worry, kid, Joe and I will have him whipped into shape for you in no time.”

“Ah, thanks Dave,” you reply as you take another bag from him, “I knew I could count on you.”

“You know I got your back, kid.” He turns to you then and nods to his truck, “Let’s get some coffee before we load you up for your trip back, eh?”

Enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee you listen to Dave as he brings you up to date to the latest news and gossip at Sandspit Airport. Turns out none of the crew particularly liked the guy they sent in to replace you while you were on holiday, and once you learn it’s Chad Dave’s talking about you can’t help but agree. The guy’s a dick.  

“Alright, kid,” Dave grunts as he gets up out of his chair after putting his now empty cup down on the table, “let’s get you loaded.”

There’s just one mail bag to take with you this time and some empty crates you know have to go back to Vancouver Airport eventually, and so loading only takes a couple of minutes. Before you know it you’re back in your seat, calling the tower once you’ve filled out the departure forms, “Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, at parking nineteen, one-niner, ready for departure.”

There’s no immediate reply but you decide to give him a couple of minutes, after all you’re not really in a rush. Plus, you figure, he might be occupied with some of the sightseeing planes that always circle the island in the afternoon and so you busy yourself with the weather forecast instead.

He comes on not much later, sounding a little out of breath as though he has been running, “PASCO seven five, hold short for runway two right via Charlie.”

You decide to ignore the probability of having caught him on a bathroom break and instead confirm, “Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, holding short for runway two right via Charlie.” As you line up at the runway you glance at the tower again, but of course there’s nothing to see from the ground and so you shrug and call him instead, “Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, ready for takeoff.”

“PASCO seven five, fly straight out until advised, runway two right, cleared for takeoff.”

“Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, taking off, flying straight out.” You open the throttle and build up speed as you move along the runway until finally there’s liftoff and you’re steadily climbing higher and higher. Some people ask if it never gets old, flying from one small airport to the other, the flights only three and a half hours at most, but you always assure them that even after seven years you still get as excited to get airborne as you did the first time.

“PASCO seven five,” he says, his breathing back to normal, “turn at your discretion.”

“Sandspit Tower, PASCO seven five, will turn at my discretion.” Then, because there’s no need to blame him for Jo’s departure and it’s always nice to be on good terms with ATC, “See you on Thursday.”

“Safe travels,” he responds and you swear you hear a hint of a smile.

“Sandspit Tower,” you scold, already starting to laugh at your own joke, “do I need to remind you of protocol?”