#Siege of Paris

[weirdlookindog]

“The danger of eating mice is that your cat might run after them”

from Album du siège, 1871

source

[agelessphotography]

Barricades de la Commune, avril 71. Coin de la place Hotel de Ville & de la rue de Rivoli (Barricades of the Commune, April 71. Corner of Place Hotel de Ville & Rue de Rivoli), Pierre-Ambrose Richebourg, 1871

[ithinkthiswasabadidea]

Thoughts about Wrath of the Druids and Siege of Paris, now that they're both done!! (Also I don't really have any desire to play Dawn of Ragnarok tbh, so I'm just not gonna get that one)

WotD was sooo beautiful, and aesthetically I loved this dlc. It was so so nice to explore Ireland, especially all of its landmarks, standing stones and tombs!

I also really liked the characters!! Bárid very quickly grew on me, I enjoyed his characterisation a lot, and both Flann Sinna and Ciara were very compelling for different reasons

I was also much more invested in this dlc because of the way they quickly set up the familial ties and friendships between Eivor and the other characters, and showed what was at stake

I was quite interested in the Children of Danu and their workings, especially the more 'fantasy' elements that the faction brought

I kind of wish we got to see more of the story from the perspective of the druids, I think it would've made the final confrontation even more heavy to deal with, seeing as the choices made don't exactly have any weight to them outside of the dlc itself

I think overall, I enjoyed WotD a lot more than SoP, as it was more consistently fun to play and discover Ireland

SoP was very slow to start, and I feel like we didn't get much of a chance to bond with these allies before jumping into 'we need to kill all the Franks'. It didn't grab my attention

The majority of this dlc was more unremarkable than I expected. There were no targets to hunt down, and the setting itself was rather grim and boring (also FUCK the rat swarms and cavalry)

HOWEVER, I thought that the Paris siege itself was one of the better and more interesting sieges we got to take part in, even across the whole main game too, because it was so dynamic

Taking down the bridge, fighting in the streets, then running with Toka across rooftops while fire rains down around us? Fantastic and visceral, super fun stuff

Also really interesting to see Eivor's different opinions when she's fighting not for herself and her loved ones, but for someone else, on the off chance that subduing France will help her people. She's so much less invested, and more worried about the potential fall-outs and casualties here. That was almost never apparent in England, she's so much more introspective

The acting was really good, especially towards the end, and I really liked Count Odo as a character. Richardis, Charles and Sigfred were done well also

Overall, while a few missions in Paris really wowed me, Ireland was much more consistently enjoyable! I still had a good time with Eivor of course, spending more time with her before I fully finish up, and I feel like these dlc's were net positive to the game 😊

[vikingnerd793]

Sometimes her scars look so absolutely intense. I can’t imagine how that must have felt as a kid. And how horrified Sigurd was when he found her. And how Svala probably found a way to keep her alive because ya know…. Isu memories and we all know she passed on said knowledge as best she could to Valka for her to care for wounds in the same way.

But anyway, that must have been a horrible, super traumatizing situation for Eivor and for her people seeing her so wounded. 😢

[master-hekates-ceremonials]

Toka Sinricsdottir

[francishodgson]

The Kids Are Alright

Well, here is a rare and rather enjoyable thing.  I’m used to writing about pictures whose author is known, whose subject is known, whose date is known, whose cause is known, whose customer is known or any or all of those things.  The experience starts as that which is familiar to anyone who has finger-walked through shoeboxes of old post-cards, or cartes-de-visites or stereos : here’s something…

[welcometotheoddlands]

Playing through the Siege of Paris DLC gave me flashbacks to Assassin's creed Unity

[ahedalshaer]

Very important, stop, we need help, This is not a campaign that we can afford to wait for weeks to complete

EVERYONE PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN’T THEN SHARING MY GOFUNDME LINK. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO HELP MY FAMILY EVACUATE AND MAKE THEM BETTER 🍉🙏

My family wants you, wants your help, don't leave us alone, please.We live in tents in the worst place in the world. Everything here is difficult. We find it difficult in everything to obtain food, drink and water. The temperature of the tent cannot be described, it is like hell.

Ihope you don't ignore my story. You can make a big, big difference. I am in a very difficult situation. I'm so tired. I'm very tired. But despite everything that's happening, I'm fighting. All I have left is my beautiful family. I have no one but them after I lost many of my friends and relatives, our home, my future, my university, everything. I am fighting for my family. I hope you don't stop reading my post. I really need you so incredibly much. I want you to be by my side and support my story. support me. I want you next to me. This is not just a request. This is my call. I hope my words and message reach you.

Please don’t read this as a tragedy story ,, I’m here to ask you to prevent it from getting more tragedy and to help us start our life all over again. I’m here to ask for your help not your sympathy , to ask you to take action whether by donating or by sharing this to everyone you know who can help, please read this with your heart and take action as if it’s your family, your mom, your siblings who are under these conditions

Asking for your help is the only way I have to rescue my family’s life and future, your help may become our hope when hope is far away from us under these conditions, every dollar you can help with may save a life, bring hope to a tired heart and save a future of a youth one

3.845€ -> 80000€

@el-shab-hussein @commissions4aid-international @nabulsi @90-ghost @appsa @orbleglorb

@palestinecharitycommissionsassoc @palestinegenocide @apollos-olives @queerstudiesnatural @buttercuparry @brutaliakhoa

@helppeople @neshamama @baguetttee @sar-soor @divinefeline28 @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @sata-cable @mohameddd @gaywrites @victoriassecretangelsss @aces-and-angels @turian @difty-dift @gamer-guff

@gamergoodwin-blog @blackfem @black-and-white @omegaversereloaded @omegomagnit @heritageposts @feluka @feluart @drangues @bijoux-et-mineraux @afro-elf

@journalsforpalestine @elierlick @artezui

[tumblingxelian]

Chloe Knows:

Apparently game Chloe knows Marinette is Ladybug, so I wrote this:

Summary: Chloé Bourgeois is perhaps the last person Marinette expected to see on her roof after having lost the Miraculous to Felix.

Chloé Bourgeois is also probably the person Marinette least wants to see on her roof.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Chloe knows more than she's ever let on and that complicates things, but it just might end up helping too.

Chloe Knows:

The last thing Marinette expected to deal with right now was Chloe hanging out on her roof, arms folded and tapping her yellow jacket impatiently.

It was also the last thing Marinette wanted to deal with, save maybe finding Hawk Moth waiting for her. & that thought just sent her gut into a tailspin, so Marinette forced open her ceiling hatch and stalked onto the roof.

Chloe zeroed in on her instantly, hissing, "You kept me waiting!"

Marinette barely resisted the urge to grab and shake the blonde, because she had only just finished re-tethering herself after the disaster of losing the Miracle Box.

Still, she had just enough restraint to only force her way into Chloe's space, grounding out, "How did you trick my parents into letting you up here, Chloe?"

The blonde blinked confusedly, "I climbed?" She motioned to a discarded pair of gloves sitting in the rooftop bin. "Why would I talk to your parents about that anyway? This is our business."

Marinette tried very hard to parse that question but she was still trying to process Chloe having scaled her walls!?

"Because they-, I-" No she as not dealing with that right now. "Chloe we don't have business!" Marinette settled on, arms flailing.

"Normally we wouldn't, you made sure of that-"

"Oh I made sure of it?"

"Yes you," Chloe huffed, somehow the one affronted, "When you got me to be terrible for my mother, then made it impossible for me to be good as Queen Bee by taking Pollen. Now you go and lose her & the others? I thought you were at least cunning to pull that scheme off Dupain-Cheng, or are you just lucky!?"

Marinette technically 'heard' what Chloe said, but she didn't have the wherewithal to react to it. Not right now as her whole world felt like it was suddenly unreal and empty and yet crushingly full all at once.

"Hah, haha, what are you t- talking about? Me, take a pollen? I don't know what that is? I don't even like wasps!"

Chloe dragged her hands down her face, screaming into her palms, "You cannot be this thick, no one can, for the- I know you're Ladybug, I've known your Ladybug for ages. Now tell me how you lost the Miraculous!"

"I could never be-"

Chloe stepped forward, counting off on her fingers.

"Rena is Alya, Nino is Carapace, Sabrina the Hound, Max is Pegasus, Kim is monkey guy and Zoe is Vespera, very petty of you, kudos really. Need I list more?"

"I"

"I've seen your Kwami, do I need to grab your damned earrings!?"

Marinette's hands flew to them, and she flung herself back, then started to giggle, maniacally.

"Hahaha, of- of course, this is a nightmare! All a nightmare! I didn't fail, Chloe doesn't know anything, I didn't get tricked by Felix and doom Paris! Hahaha- OW!"

Chloe pulled her hand back and out of pinching distance.

"You're awake Dupain-Cheng & finally answered my question to boot. Felix, ugh!! What, did he pull that stupid 'I'm Adrien' stunt and you just tripped over yourself?"

"Actually-" Tikki cut in gently, drifting out of her bag. "There was no tripping that I recall, & he'd had help this time, as Adrien wished to stay in Paris so it was more believable."

Marinette felt like her throat was closing up as she rasped, "Tikki, why!?"

The Kwami turned to her, big eyes doleful, "I am sorry Marinette, but it was obvious she knew and has evidently known for sometime. I felt you continuing to try and cover this up would only make things worse not better."

"Good thing too, I was about to tackle her and shake you out of that bag-ah!"

Marinette grabbed Chloe, spun her around and trapped her against the nearest wall. Eyes wild and frantic, the command phrase to transform dancing on her lips.

"Where's Hawk Moth? What's your game Chloe!?"

"If this was a game I'd be having fun, also," Chloe brought her hands up, and sharply but lightly 'chopped' her way out of Marinette's grip with the sudden pressure on her elbows and then shot out of grabbing range.

"Uhu, you had your chance to straddle me and passed it up."

Marinette's overtaxed brain wanted to 'scream' at that particular mental image. But Ladybug Brain was taking over and she snapped.

"How long have you known? It can't be that long or Hawk Moth would have found out already. After Penal-Team, no after-"

"Are you kidding? I've known way longer than that," Chloe boasted.

"Then why doesn't Hawk Moth know? Why didn't you just Akumatize and bring him the Miraculous!?" Marinette hissed.

"Because I don't want him to win, obviously!"

"You say you want him to win all the time!"

"I say stupid stuff when I'm angry, sue me!"

"Marinette!" Her parents called, and she could hear them racing up the ladder and nearly tripping over one another in a bid to make it to the rood.

Tikki vanished back into her purse and Marinette stood stock still frozen as her parents clambered out. Her mother hugging her close and her dad stepping between her and Chloe.

"How did you get up here?" Her father groused.

"Marinette, are you OK?" Sabine asked, fretfully.

A million and one excuses flew through Marinette's exhausted brain. Class project, Chat Noir dumped Chloe on her roof, she was Ladybug & Chloe had come to yell at her- No wait, that was the truth!

"What business is it of yours?" Chloe snapped back, evidently not intimidated by her father.

"Because this is our home, and our daughter and you are trespassing." Tom rumbled.

Chloe leaned to the side and looked at Marinette, still in her mothers arms, and then pointedly looked 'past' them.

"That doesn't answer my question, Marinette and I's business is none of yours."

Her mother frowned, "You've never had business with our daughter, just sharp words at best. You have no right to her or anything here."

"Ch- Chloe was just checking up on me, after Monarch's announcement." Marinette rambled, trying to piece the pieces together into something workable that wouldn't send Chloe into a fit.

Both her parents looked stunned and also like they wanted to ask if she was concussed.

Fortunately, Chloe managed to pick up where she'd left off.

"Exactly, we certainly aren't friends, but I felt obliged to check up on someone else I knew Ladybug wouldn't check on."

"What?" Her mothers hug tightened, and her voice actually quivered.

Her father looked between the two sides, seemingly lost for what to do with himself.

The pieces fell into place and Marinette came to the truth, in a sense.

"I was Multi-Mouse, when my science teacher god Akumatized, Ladybug needed someone who was good at multitasking."

"Marinette," Her father rushed forward and pulled her into a hug that knocked the air out of her lungs.

"I... I helped her, I did OK I think."

"You got the Miraculous back so you did your job," Chloe cut in, neither warm nor scathing.

Her mother evidently didn't agree, "It shouldn't have been her job, either of your jobs. You're children!"

"Mum, dad, it's fine, really it's fine!"

Her mother ran a hand through her hair, "I feel like there's something you aren't saying sweetheart."

She glanced at Chloe who was watching the exchange with an inscrutable expression. Some strange mix of confusion and almost starvation like hunger that was honestly painful to perceive.

Marinette licked her lips and pressed on.

"Chloe was right that Ladybug might not check up on me. At least not in a way I could see."

"She's usually such a good hero?" Her father said, sounding despondent.

"It's because I asked her too! I... When I was Multi-Mouse, I used the other Miraculous. A lot. I shouldn't have, but nothing bad happened!" she hastily added, at her parents near frantic looks of worry.

"Ladybug warned me, but I misunderstood and she said even though I was OK this time I shouldn't use magic again for a long time. I was upset, I wanted to help her, I-"

Why was she crying?

"I wanted to be a good hero, but I just screwed up and now," she was sobbing. Gods she was sobbing in her mothers arms.

"There there, my treasure, I am sure you were brilliant, let it out," her mother stroked her hair while her father hovered protectively, one large hand rubbing circles on her back.

Fortunately, Marinette had already cried her heart out once tonight and was too tired for a truly spectacular breakdown.

She managed to half slip her mothers grip, wiping at her eyes. "Thanks, both of you," she glanced at Chloe who was back to not quite staring at them. Her face was a mask of forced, haughty neutrality that looked like it was being kept in place with wires buried beneath her skin.

"Thanks for checking up on me Chloe, and for somehow not telling Hawkmoth our, my, anyone's identities when he had you Akumatized all those times." Because she still needed an answer to that, only the fact Tikki hadn't seemed panicked was keeping her grounded.

Chloe swallowed, hands clenching and unclenching before she spoke.

"Yes, well, I might not be Queen Bee or a hero anymore, but ridiculous circumstances demand ridiculous actions. So for tonight I'm a hero and it's the duty of a hero to look out for people. Even one's they hate."

OK, ow.

Chloe pressed on, "As to identities," She shrugged. "If that idiot Hawkmoth, Shadowmoth or whatever he's calling himself had that kind of control he wouldn't have to wait for people to break before getting them under his thumb. Even when I let him in the last few times, I never let him dig deep and I'd just kick him out if he tried to paw at any of my secrets."

Marinette felt like her heart was going to collapse in on itself because, "Even knowing everything you do, you just- I can't- I don't understand you at all Chloe!"

That actually seemed to draw the blonde up short, "That's a surprise, I thought you knew me better than anyone. You're certainly good at," Chloe looked at her parents ten back to Marinette, "Hitting my weak spots when we come to blows."

It felt like there was a lot to unpack there and for the first time in a long time, Marinette knew she'd actually have to spare no small amount of time and thought on Chloe's inner workings.

For now though.

"Even if you 'can' just kick him out."

"You know I can!" Chloe stomped her foot. "You saw me do it when I was Penal-Team!"

"That's my point! Isn't that like willingly helping him!? Other people have to be tricked!"

Chloe scoffed, "Tricked she says, don't over-sell it, it's being angry or sad, or whatever and taking a deal. Besides, does it look like I'm helping? I played soccer for an hour then quit."

"You had a bunch of people trapped in deadly orbs Chloe!"

"So what!? People try to kill me all the time! Ivan tried to smear me on the pavement! Nathanial tried to chop my legs off! Mommy murdered me and no one cared! No one!"

There was a choked edge in that but Chloe pressed on. "Because it's not a big deal, and anyone trying to make it a big deal is just looking for sympathy points, so there." 

She huffed and unfolded her arms, "Anyway you've clearly got people to tend to and I got what I came for. See you at school, Multi-Mouse."

With that she marched across the rooftop to her sky-box. "I'm not climbing the walls again if I don't have to so I'll just leave out the front and avoid the stray dog."

Before she reached the door, Marinette was surprised to see her mother reach out and gently grasp Chloe's shoulder.

"Chloe," She said firmly, as the blonde practically froze up, looking half ready to bolt, or shout. "Thank you for checking up on our daughter, that was a good thing and for whatever it's worth. People should have cared, I'm sorry those who should don't."

There was a moment where Marinette honestly expected Chloe to start crying, to fling herself at her mother and howl and sob. She was sure she saw something glisten in her eyes before Chloe wiped it away, and swallowed.

Her voice was rough as she said, "It's... Thanks, or whatever, doesn't matter. I don't need anyone's help."

"Everyone needs someone, so if your feelings change, don't be afraid to ask, people can surprise you. Especially if you don't break into their house." Her mother said the last part with a sort of forced, hopeful smile.

Chloe nodded, like taking an instruction, a rasped something escaping her lips before she achingly pulled away and climbed down the ladder.

A million and one feelings, questions and terrors still swirled in Marinette's mind but as her father and mother gently guided her down the ladder, intent on hot coco and comfort talk. She knew they'd have to wait. Could wait, until she was rested and ready.

Even still, a part of her would linger on the question of Chloe. What to think, to feel, to do, certainly. But also on the quieter, more uncomfortable thoughts.

Like who someone who felt they had no one would turn to if they were desperate and at the end of their rope.

'& it's not just Chloe either, who does Chat Noir have besides me?'

It was an uncomfortable thought, but one buoyed by a new revelation. No matter how omnipotent Hawk Moth seemed, no matter how all knowing he claimed to be; he was clearly far less than that.

It wasn't much to build on, but it was something, a foot hold from which she could dig in her heels and drag him down from his perch.

Golden hair flashed in her mind again and another thought echoed in her head.

'One good foot hold may be enough to bring down Hawkmoth. So what could it do for someone else?'

Because no matter what she said or had done, Chloe made a choice tonight, and had been making choices for longer than Marinette realized. Not having fallen down the slope but merely standing on the brink.

'But she took a step back tonight, to somewhere I can reach.'

& maybe all Marinette needed was one good foothold to pull Chloe all the way back, perhaps Farther than she'd ever been, or Marinette even realized was possible. 

It was a tender little hope, strange and unsure, but somehow, in Marinette's mind, it felt like solid gold. 

NOTES:

Wrote this is one sitting, then edited it, I hope it reads well XD

I have no plans to continue this, though if someone else wants to take it and run with it please feel free. I kind of envision Marinette re-inviting Chloe to the class group chat as a sort of olive branch and them slowly working through their respective issues.

Also Chloe turning up at Felix's with a tazer and the same martial arts skills that let her fight Mayura to a stand still and possibly, violently reclaiming Doosoo, cos you can pry Jock!Chloe from my cold dead hands!

[walkingstackofbooks]

I've just realised I've never posted about Tom Paris/Julian Bashir because I was avoiding posting about Voyager when I was watching it...

But yea - Tom/Julian??? They'd burn fast and hard but I think they'd have an absolutely excellent time of it while it lasted

Honestly it's mostly just vibes but also:

They'd both be as into holo adventures as the other (though admittedly they both have a bit of a problem not being the main character)

Common interest in 20th century media

Tom definitely wouldn't give a shit about Julian's augmentations, and quite honestly once he's done his research, I think he'd be pretty righteously angry about it all.

Both pretty happy to be left alone to their hyperfixation for a long time (honestly I can see Julian taking research to the cargo bay while Tom tinkers and both just doing their thing in silence)

Neither expecting anything more than a short fling (and are surprised when it lasts that little bit longer) (okay this isn't a good reason but tell me I'm wrong)

Bad at communication (it's fine if neither of them want to talk about their feelings right?)

No actually tbf Tom's kind of pushy about getting others to open up and I think Julian would genuinely appreciate it overall, even if sometimes not in the moment

Not sure how it would work vice versa but Julian's more amused by defensive secrecy than anything imo

I hate to say it, but lbr... doctor/nurse roleplay. (Hopefully not in the actual infirmary but if for some reason they were both on a long, dull shift, I'm not sure I'd count on their combined willpower to keep them out of mischief...)

(Of course because it's me the augment reveal comes out because Julian's volunteered himself to play Chaotica in the holosuite because it was quite fun the last time... The plot just happens to be about him trying to take over the world with genetically engineered superhumans, and yea, that hits just a LITTLE bit too close to home 😅😅😅)

[misty79]

Why is he kinda buff now 😂

[bklily]

I need everyone to STOP BULLYING Chat Noir's new look. He's allowed to be a skrunkly little guy. A dirty, bug ass stray cat. That's his inner passion don't you know. Every time you make fun of him Maribug sobs and cries harder STOP BREAKING HER HEART

(supposedly official renders for S6)

[talulagrimm]

Well that was fast. I haven't gotten 5 stars in all the levels yet though so I plan to do that. My honest opinion is that this game is slightly better gameplay wise than rise of the sphinx but that's about it really? I kind of missed the character interactions + the unique context specific voice lines in the levels of Rise of the Sphinx. The battle areans though pissed me off so bad. The enemy waves are glitched majority of the time so the next wave just doesn't spawn or you have to wait ages for it to spawn. You also can't access your save file once you beat the final boss. You can go back and play the levels but not the arenas meaning your stats are reset which sucks.

Overall I'd say both games are about the same in quality. While one has better gameplay the other has better character stuff.

[howhow326]

Miraculous ladybug is scamming it's audience now????

This game costs 50 dollars????

[generalluxun]

I don’t remember Chloe helping Mari out in the new game. When did it happen?

It's an optional conversation. She's standing 'talking to?) Zoe when Marinette's running around in civie mode after the Soul Crusher fight. If you go up and talk to her, she basically gives Marinette all the info on what's happening. She does it in her usual jerkish way, but she wouldn't be our Chloe if she didn't. 🤣

[dremilioastutoworld]

Competing For Palestine & Humanity in the Summer Olympics in Paris: Valerie Tarazi! Song by É Roscha!