#Successor artwork

[jeannereames]

Professor Reames, I was looking at the so called burial crown of Philip and I was wondering what’s the relation between that type of crown and the diadem?

Crowns, Diadems, and Headbands

None. They're two different things. First, "crowns" are typically made of plant stems woven together. Later, gold versions of this appear, like the crown in Royal Tomb II. (As you suggest with "so-called," that is probably not Philip's Tomb, whatever tags Greece or the media place on it. Why is a long, detailed story I don't have time to get into but there's literally years' worth of publishing about the identity of the bones in Royal Tombs I and II.)

These gold burial crowns are found ALL OVER the north/Balkan area by the Hellenistic period, but they show up before that (the ossuary of the Spartan general Brasidas at Amphipolis had one). This crown below is from the ginormous tomb of Seuthes III of Thrace, and looked to both Ann and I like a "I can do it bigger and better!" to the Macedonian vault tombs. It dates to the early Hellenistic period. The gold out of that tomb (found in the Kasanlak Museum) is impressive. But you'll see these things a lot. The one from Royal Tomb II is distinctive mostly by its size and attention to detail.

Crowns served lots of purposes. The four big atheletic Games in ancient Greece, including the Olympics and Pythian, were called "stephanic" because the only prize the winner got was a crown. (And not a gold one, either; it was either olive, laurel, pine, or wild celery, depending on the Contest.) It was the HONOR associated with the crown that mattered. (Stephanos = "crown" in Greek, if you or one of your friends is named "Stephen/Steven" or any variation.)

Anyway, crowns show up in all sorts of contexts from drinking parties (symposia) to burials--as with Tomb II. They don't imply anything royal, although they do usually imply some sort of honoring or "dressing up."

"Diadema" just means a headband. We see these all over, even before Alexander. It was designed to keep hair out of your face, often during sports, and might be made of leather or ribbon or some other flexible substance. The first image shows a guy tying one ... the ends are what he's holding in his hands. The pieces broke off the statue, so all that's left is what's around his head and what's in his hands. The second shows in marble the cloth back tie. Many statues had diadems attached in some other material that has since been lost. Remember, these statues were all painted and sometimes had "added bits" like semi-precious stones for eyes, or gold crowns, that later disappeared. So if you see an indention around the crown of a Greek (or Roman) statue? It's missing its diadem!

It was repurposed as women's jewelry too. See below. These start becoming prominent in the Hellenistic Era after ATG, but we do find them earlier, as noted. The diadem as a ROYAL symbol gets connected via Alexander, and then his Successors. (Coin of Antiochus below with his father Seleukos I's image in diadem.)

The diadem as ROYAL symbol seems to be specifically ancient near eastern. The Persian Great King employed it as sort of "action crown," different from the upright tiara that would fall off if he had to move around much (like fight). The Persian royal diadem was either white and blue striped or white and purple striped cloth, and was tied around the head so that the ends dangled.

Apparently, Alexander adopted it instead of the upright tiara (whether he really never wore the tiara is debated). Sometimes, he tied it around his hat (presumably the kausia, a special Macedonian hat that looked kinda like an ancient beret, but there doesn't seem much room on that for a band, so maybe a petasos, or floppy straw sunhat).

Anyway, the gold-covered silver circlet in Royal Tomb II at Vergina is a dressed up version, and one (of several) reasons people have argued it's not Philip's tomb. It's very unclear that the king used a diadem in Macedonia before Alexander. I'd argue they didn't, but admit we lack much evidence either way, except literary.

So while you wear both a crown and a diadem on the ol' noggin', these are two different objects. The later conflation of "crown" with "diadem" = a symbol of royalty, is medieval, or at most, late Roman.

[gummy-sharks666]

Mama, I’m chasing a ghost

I don’t know who he is

[sableeira]

My drops of tears I'll turn to sparks of fire.

or ode to new beginnings

[scumbomcjumbo]

Various members of the zeta marines chapter, the terminator is Blaez Veisi of the first company, then there is Mavrc Fezi of the 6th company, the dreadnought Methusula and the last guy is just a template for their color scheme (:

The Zeta marines are successors of successors, born from the 2nd founding chapter the rampagers who themselves were born of the white scars, they send enemies to the grave with heavy weapons and a zealotry to the emperor

[hawke-jpg]

I drew my Rook!

[laboitediabolique]

Artwork of the character Ruri Hoshino from the anime "Martian Successor Nadesico" illustrated by Keiji Gotoh. Commissioned for the cover and a pull out poster for the book "Keiji Gotoh Illustrations - The Art of Martian Successor Nadesico", Tokuma Shoten, August 1999. Scanned from my personal collection.

[elaraskirbyart]

On vacation and hyperfixating as usual

Zero is finally getting a redesign

Bonus: my cousin’s drawings on the back 🥹

[ernestdescalsartwok]

MUERTE-ALEJANDRO MAGNO-ARTE-PINTURA-BABILONIA-DISPUTAS-SATRAPAS-ANTICIPO-GUERRAS-DIADOCOS-ARTISTA-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS por Ernest Descals Por Flickr: MUERTE-ALEJANDRO MAGNO-ARTE-PINTURA-BABILONIA-DISPUTAS-SATRAPAS-ANTICIPO-GUERRAS-DIADOCOS-ARTISTA-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS- Con el cuerpo presente del Rey de Macedonia y nuevo Emperador del conquistado Imperio Persa, la muerte de ALEJANDRO MAGNO era muy reciente, empezaron las disputas por el poder, sus amigos, sus generales y sus ´satrapas discutieron con violencia verbal y tambíen física sobre quien tenía que ser su sucesor, Pérdicas, Ptolomeo, Seleuco, Casandro, Lisímaco, etc, todos ellos creían que reunían los méritos sufientes para llevar la corona, es el principio de las Guerras de los Diádocos, la codicia humana en una escena que he querido Pintar de forma explícita, la gloria imperial era motivo entre los posibles sucesores, aquello que había conseguido Alejandro se desmoronaba por el bajo nivel de los aspirantes, se demostró que ninguno podía ser como el forjador de la unión, muestras de las aspiraciones humanas de aquellos que no reúnen el necesario potencial. Pintura del artista Pintor Ernest Descals sobre papel de 50 x 70 centímetros, acuarelas que se nutren de la plástica creativa con temas históricos, el Arte que revive los momentos.

[polarf0x]

山田三郎 齢14だ まだパブロ・ピカソでも修行中

The line from Glory or Dust, which inspired the background of this work, suggests that Saburo's creativity, talent, and distinctive way of thinking intersect well with Pablo Picasso's multi-stylistic artworks, as the young genius claims to be something of a successor to the great artist. Although it's just an author's interpretation, I'm glad I was able to depict both art incarnations in the painting. Happy birthday, my dear star💛🌟.

Also! In honor of such an occasion, I can present some old artworks. First was for Saburo's B-day 2022, second July same year, and the last one is old as time...

[dm-tuz]

Fear the Forgotten Foes coming to Kickstarter!

Fear the Forgotten Foes is joint effort between Ben Fleuter and me, a project that followers of my blog are probably very aware of.

Be ready for the official spiritual successor to my "Horrors of the Dark" (Darkest Dungeon Monster Manual) to bring you 150 new monsters each featuring high quality artwork and gripping lore!

Visit the prelaunch page and hit that follow button to be the first one to know when this project goes live!

[junovae]

scusi scusi

can i get genshin impact x reader

specifically neuvi x paralegal!reader and they're in a cute relationship

maybe after a case win they fuck PLEASE PLEASE PLEWAE EPLEASE PLEASP PLEASE PLEASE

OOOH THE IDEAS I HAVE FOR THIS ONE. yes :D i'd be so happy to write this.

in contempt of innocence

lawyer!neuvillette x paralegal!fem!reader ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ nsfw bonus

artwork: artwork is NOT mine. art is by @l78154477 on twitter. go check out their art if u have time T_T so mf pretty.

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

summary: a collection of bullet-points spanning academic life and the dynamic of working as neuvillette’s very own paralegal at the lex fontaine.

cw: lawyer!neuvillette x paralegal!fem!reader, bullet-points post case win celebration namsayin - nsfw (MDNI), angry fucking, not so fast there's a plot beforehand, neuvillette wears glasses when he's writing, specifically rectangle frames, you also wear red rectangle frames, pining, angst, groveling for sure, academic rivals, there's still a cute relationship, he may get jealous and possessive heh

wc: storyline - 2.1k, nsfw - 4k

a.n: emphasis on neuvillette wearing rectangle frames AH. and also we are bullet-pointing this because i fear that this will make a long oneshot or a story with multiple chapters if details were elaborated on.

· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·

𓂃 𓈒𓏸 academia 𓂃 𓈒𓏸

to your surprise, you reconnect with neuvillette at fontaine's research institute

you are both studying to become lawyers, with the eventual goal of working for the archon of justice

your families have known each other for many years. though your families were close, you barely saw him since he had been studying at sumeru's akademiya ever since you were kids

he'd still spend summers in fontaine, and during these times, your childhood crush on him began to develop, though it eventually faded away

he decided to spend his final year of school back in fontaine to gain legal experience in its environment

before the school year begins, your friends insist on taking you to the bar to loosen up and "mentally prepare." to your surprise, you meet a pair of ethereal purple eyes—an enchanting fusion of beauty and chaos

"oh, it’s you," he says, nonchalantly

the school year begins, and you and neuvillette inevitably become the top students in class, constantly competing for the highest grades and recognition

you are convinced that his position as the successor to fontaine's chief justice is getting to his head, especially since his father is the current one

you are determined to prove him wrong

“you seem to be missing the core principle here. the law is not about ideals, it's about what can be proven in court," he argues one day during a heated class debate on legal ethics. you squint and smile at him, ready to rebuttal. "your parents are lawyers, no? you think the law can be so easily distilled into mere facts? what about human justice?"

despite the rivalry, there seems to be an undeniable attraction and admiration simmering beneath the surface

during a late-night study session at the library, the two of you are working on a challenging case. frustrated by a legal loophole, you struggle to find a solution, and neuvillette offers his help in a cocky way

"why don’t you try solving this if you think it’s so easy?" you snap

"i'd be glad to, but your method of working through it is... unorthodox," he says with a smug smile. oh, you wanted to punch him so badly.

your sharp banter begins to turn into genuine collaboration

as the year goes on, you spend more time with your childhood friend, refining cases, debating, and studying for the bar exam

one night after a long session, he pauses his reading and looks at you. "i regret not studying here earlier," he says. "why? this place too easy for you?" "no. if i had, i could've gotten to know you better." betraying your rivalry, your heart skips a beat

unwanted feelings start to grow on your end, but you can’t help it. you’ve come to admire and respect him on a deeper level, and you can’t shake the feeling that maybe he feels the same way too

it's the day of the bar exam, and neuvillette is waiting for you outside the building by the fountain

he checks his watch, his eyes scanning the crowd for your face. he catches a glimpse of you. uh oh, you look sad

"i'm just kidding, i did pass!" you smile. he instantly picks you up by your waist and spins you in a tight hug. you break away, faces close to each other, smiling. you smelled like moonflowers, he noticed. his favorite

graduation approaches, and with each passing day, neuvillette becomes more elusive. you realize you're falling for him, but he's pulling away, becoming distant

one day, as you're walking to your dormitory, you overhear neuvillette's voice talking to a friend, asking about you who noticed the tension building between the two of you

"i can't let myself get distracted. my future... my family needs me to focus on my career"

in that moment, you decide to bury your feelings. it's better this way. you tell yourself you can't afford to be a distraction to someone with neuvillette's responsibilities

it's graduation day. you walk on stage, receiving your awards and degree

your eyes meet a familiar shade of purple. he holds your gaze, but nothing is there

there is an unspoken agreement between you and neuvillette: stay away from each other. don't be a distraction. from that day on, the two of you part ways and never speak to each other again

𓂃 𓈒𓏸 the lex fontaine 𓂃 𓈒𓏸

the archons have blessed you. you finally quit your job at virdictis legal group and landed a position at the well-known and well-established ✧ lex fontaine ✧

although you were offered a position as a paralegal (unfortunately, having to start from the bottom at this company), you were still ecstatic

it was your first day, and you were told to wait in the fancy lobby to be assigned to the lawyer you'd be working with

"hello, miss," a sweet melusine grabs your attention. "this is the senior lawyer you've been assigned to work with"

to your surprise, it was him. the leviathan judiciary himself. neuvillette's eyes flicker with recognition, but he maintains his professional demeanor

"i wasn't expecting to see you here," he says stoically

"neither was i," you say coolly

the melusine smiles and skips away happily. he turns around and walks off, not even motioning for you to follow him

"you're lucky with your timing. we just got assigned probably one of the most important cases in fontaine's history"

in his office, he explains the case regarding the hydro archon, focalors. just the brevity of her name sends you into hyperfocus. this case was important. you take notes

as he explains the situation, neuvillette takes you in. a lot about you has changed. you were always beautiful, but fuck, you've somehow grown even more gorgeous

he notices your red rectangular frames. stunning

moonflower

though you looked different, one thing remained the same: you still smelled like moonflowers

days go by, and you've adjusted to your new job, gathering evidence

and honestly, you were still bitter. your past feelings for him lay dormant but unresolved, all the more now that you were working under him as his paralegal

neuvillette, on the other hand, feels guilty for how he treated you all those years ago. but he's very good at hiding it behind a mask of professionalism

despite the tension, he wants to make amends with you. he knows you want nothing to do with him, but all these years, he's thought about you

in the mornings, you'd find a warm cup of coffee on your desk once you arrived at work. it was just to your liking

late at night, he'd occasionally check in on you to make sure you were doing okay, offering his guidance on difficult cases. you'd politely refuse

when commuting to meetings with clients, he'd open the door for you and offer to carry your cases. this, you agreed to

and of course, you'd notice all these things, but you don't allow yourself to take them to heart. though you two have history, you didn't want to be his distraction yet again.

on an evening when you're working late, he walks in and notices that you're exhausted

"you've been here for hours. take a break. you'll burn yourself out"

"i can handle it," you snap back, irritated from today's challenges

hours later, he comes back to check in on you. he lets out a soft, deep laugh when he sees you slumped over your desk, drooling on the paper in front of you

when you wake up, you find a soft blanket wrapped around you

during a trip, the two of you visit the maison gardiennage. a charming and ambitious man begins to show interest in you. neuvillette notices, and though he tries to remain indifferent, the jealousy eats at him

one day, he sees you laughing with the very same maison gardiennage officer. had he come to visit you at work? he watches you from the balcony, his jaw tightening

you catch him staring, but he quickly looks away. you can't help but smirk

days leading up to the trial of the century, you and neuvillette spend countless sleepless nights, reviewing evidence, strategizing, and brainstorming in intense, focused sessions. this eases some of the tension between the two of you, leaving you stuck somewhere between less than friends but more than strangers

this reminds you of your late-night study sessions

one night, the two of you are in his office, papers scattered everywhere. you both decide to share a bottle of wine to unwind after a particularly exhausting day

in a spare moment of silence, you take him in. you notice how his rectangular frames sit on the bridge of his nose as he turns the pages of his paper. he has long since shed the professional look, now dressed in a white button-up with the top buttons undone and sleeves rolled up. a strand of white hair falls across his face

suddenly, leaning back in his chair and half-smiling, he says, "i forgot how easy it is to talk to you"

you tilt your head, taunting him with squinted eyes and a half-smile. "of course you did. you distanced yourself from me, remember? i was just a distraction to you"

he's taken aback. had you really heard him say that? he quickly regains his composure, but his expression falters. standing up, he moves toward you with urgency. he was determined to make it right with you, right here and now. "i thought i was doing the right thing. i was so focused on my career that i let go of what truly mattered"

"and what could that be, hm? you can’t just undo what you did," you hum, looking up at him as he hovers over you

"i know." and without a warning, he pulls you closer to him and gently kisses you. his mouth warm and tongue waiting to be invited in. you are angry at yourself for giving in this easily. but you know that the deepest parts of you wanted this for years

when you break apart, you are both left breathless, looking at each other. you look at him through lidded eyes, and something stirs within him—an impulse to take you right there, to make up for all the years of unsaid words. but he restrains himself, knowing that's not what you truly want. he is determined to do this the right way, to earn your forgiveness

"i'm sorry. i was wrong, but you don't know how much i've been wanting to make it up to you. my heart is in your hands," he whispers, his vulnerability laid bare. gently, he places your hand against his cheek, his lips brushing softly against your wrist—a tender gesture of both apology and devotion

you stand frozen, unsure of how to respond. the walls you meticulously built are beginning to crumble, yet undeniably, you are scared of getting hurt again. vulnerability feels like walking a precarious tightrope, with the memory of past pain threatening to unbalance you at any moment

on the days leading up to the trial, you and neuvillette tentatively begin to mend your broken friendship, slowly bridging the chasm of years lost to time. cautious understanding replaces the previous distance, each careful conversation a step towards reconnection

on the day of the trial, despite nerves and fear, you and neuvillette have rebuilt a mutual respect and admiration. he moves with calculated precision, cunningly rebutting every statement thrown his way—his eloquence a shield, his intellect a weapon carefully wielded in the face of adversity

after hours of intense back and forth, the verdict finally arrives. the oratrice declares a victor, and the courtroom erupts in cheers. the hydro archon radiates pure joy, while neuvillette meets your eyes across the crowded room, a moment of shared triumph and unspoken understanding passing between you

you feel ecstatic. in this shared moment of victory, a panorama of memories floods your mind—every excruciating obstacle you both had to overcome. you can't help but look at neuvillette with a deep, familiar admiration, the same reverence you've held for him throughout your life. though a part of you remains guarded, scared of potential hurt, you now know with certainty that he would spend a lifetime making amends if necessary. in this moment, you allow your feelings to revive, your heart fluttering with tentative hope. yes, a part of you is still wounded, still hesitant—but for the first time, you are truly willing to start over

“you did it," you mouth to him

he nods at you, “we did it”

𓂃 𓈒𓏸 nsfw bonus 𓂃 𓈒𓏸

cw: unprotected sex, starts off gentle at first but then progresses, consensual, positions, jealous fucking, make-up fuck session, accidental edging, praising, foreplay on reader muaha, aftercare, you’re wearing a pencil skirt hehe

quick a.n: hi reader! i don't write much detailed nsfw often but i tried my best with this one mwehehe. also this took forever to come out, sorry. had to lock in for finals. do enjoy! "hey." a familiar voice calls your name, cutting through the hum of conversation in the court of fontaine's grand lobby. you're standing off to the side, suitcase in hand, waiting for neuvillette to finish his discussion with the high officials. right now, he's speaking with the hydro archon herself. your gaze lingers as she wraps her arms around him and places a kiss on his cheeks, a pang of jealousy stirring in your chest. before the feeling can take root, you turn toward the voice. it's the maison gardiennage garde—the one who's taken a particular liking to you.

"oh, hi! santallier, how are you?" you greet, stepping forward to embrace him in the hug he's offering.

"hi," he says, pulling away from your hair. little did you know, another pair of sharp eyes were watching your innocent encounter with the garde. "i just wanted to congratulate you on the win. not a lot of people know you played an important role in this, so i wanted to make sure you knew," he says sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.

you tilt your head and smile. "santallier! thank you so much, i truly do appreciate it." you go in for another hug, excitedly wrapping your arms around him, almost jumping into the embrace. you don’t notice that the skirt you're wearing rides up your posterior slightly, quickly exposing the white lace beneath. in the distance, you hear a loud cough, but you're too caught up in your own bliss to pay it any mind. "you're very kind."

"it's no problem, really," he chuckles, gently setting you down. regaining his composure, he asks, "i was wondering if you wanted to do something after this? maybe we could grab some coffee at café lutece, and then take a little stroll around the court of fontaine’s park?"

you take his hand in yours, excitement lighting up your face as you eagerly agree. "yes, let's go! i've been needing a break after all the hard work these past few months."

"really?" he says, his voice filled with excitement.

"mhm!" you nod, a wide smile spreading across your face.

"what time should i pick you up from your apartment?" santallier asks, already planning out his outfit in his head.

"not tonight," a deep, smooth voice cuts through your conversation. "she's busy tonight." you feel a larger, calloused hand pull yours away from santallier's grasp from behind you. you turn your head to see neuvillette, his stoic, unreadable gaze meeting yours as he looks down into your eyes.

"what? no, i'm not. you said i could take a break tonight," you snap at him, frustration creeping into your voice. he lets out an annoyed grumble, his expression hardening.

"you are. we still have unfinished work to do tonight," he responds, his tone firm. neuvillette turns to a now upset santallier, his expression cold. "she's busy tonight. don't bother checking up on her later. or ever."

before you could protest, neuvillette drags you away by your hand. sheepishly, you mouth an apology to santallier. he gives you a soft smile and a wave, indicating that it was okay.

𓂃 𓈒𓏸

the two of you walk through the empty office, the moonlight casting a soft glow through the window wall. neuvillette guides you to his private workroom, and as you enter, he lets go of your hand. you slam the office door shut behind you, leaning your back against it as your eyes narrow, fixating on his back.

"what the hell? you said i had tonight off," you snap, your voice tinged with frustration as you cross your arms, still glaring at his back.

he turns around to face you, his expression unwavering. "not anymore," he scoffs. "you're going to be with me tonight."

"this is tyranny! what if i don't want to be with you?" you snap back, anger bubbling to the surface as you stand your ground.

an unknown look flickers across his face. "too bad," he says, making his way to his desk. you watch as he uncuffs his watch and tosses it onto the surface, then removes his blazer, leaving only his white button-up shirt. "i don't care," he hums, his voice devoid of emotion.

you stride over to his desk and slam your arms down on its surface. his eyes narrow as he takes in your slightly bent posture and the way your arms are pushing your chest together, accentuating your cleavage. he clenches his jaw tightly and you can sense the underlying emotion that caused such a reaction - it's the same feeling you experienced when you saw focalors embracing him earlier today. "you're jealous," you tease with a smirk on your face.

his eyes snap up to meet yours, intense and unwavering. he matches your stance, hands pressed on the surface of his desk, leaning forward to face you. the two of you are now locked in a silent standoff across the desk, an unspoken battle happening between your eyes. the only sound in the room is the crackle of the fireplace by the bookshelves, adding an eerie tension to the stillness.

he leans in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper that catches you off-guard. "so what if i am?"

your eyes soften, but there's still caution in them as you process his words. seeing you stare at him like that, with such vexation, unsettles him. he didn’t like it. ever since graduation day, he had thought about you—about how poorly he’d handled the whole situation. his family had put so much pressure on him, and with those expectations weighing on him, he had been a bottle, just waiting to explode. and when he did, for some stupid reason, he placed the blame on you. and now, he can only himself for it.

he’s thought about how he could make it up to you, if you’d ever listen to him, that is. and like the archons had answered his yearning to fix things with you, you appeared in front of him in the lobby of his law firm, now working under him. seeing you every day drives him insane. it drives him mad how you’d ignore him when he greeted you or tried to start small talk, but would engage so easily with others. he deserved it.

it’s the regret and the desperate need to make it right that drives him now, a fire in his chest that makes him think—maybe, just maybe, he’d kneel before you if that’s what it takes to earn your forgiveness.

it started off as childhood friendship between you two. back then, he hadn’t known you well, but he always looked forward to those summer days, eager to see what new adventures you’d bring him on. when he decided to go back to study in fontaine, it was the best decision he had ever made. that’s where he got to truly know you. at first, it had started off as a bit of a rivalry, but before he even realized it, he found himself admiring your sharp wit and how easy it was to talk to you. you didn’t fall at his feet like everyone else did. you matched his banter with ease, and that drew him in.

he loved your late-night study sessions in the library, laughing with each other as the hours passed unnoticed. he enjoyed comforting you when you were stressed and teasing you for fun. he adored seeing your smile when he managed to make you laugh. he loved you.

how could he have thrown it all away?

now, it didn’t matter because when he saw you standing in front of him on your first day at the firm, he silently vowed to make it up to you, no matter what. but seeing you look at him with such displeasure now? it was eating at him. his thoughts drifted back to earlier, when he saw santallier embrace you, a touch he had longed to be the one to give. the jealousy was overwhelming. the thought of another man touching you, sharing the kind of intimacy the two of you once had—it was driving him insane.

he knows you’re upset with him, but the desire to prove that you were his and his alone was consuming him.

i love her, were the only words repeating in his head. without warning, he launches himself over the desk, catching your lips with his in a fiery, impassioned kiss, raw and filled with longing.

this caught you completely off guard. you had kissed him before, just a few days ago, but this was different. this wasn’t just a kiss—it was primal, full of unspoken desires and regrets. the anger you felt for him hadn’t disappeared, but somehow, in that moment, it didn’t matter. you wanted him just as much as he wanted you. your brain screamed at you to stop, to push him away, but your body betrayed you, pulling him closer. as though you both couldn’t be any nearer to each other, as though this moment was the only thing that truly mattered.

the taste of you on his lips is sweet, and your consent to his kiss only drives him wilder. he lifts you up by your waist and sets you onto his desk. your fingers tug at his tie, desperate to be closer to him. your arms wrap around his neck as he supports himself with his hands. with a growl, he moves down to shower your neck with hot, wet kisses. his lips reach your clavicle, and he reaches for the top button of your blouse. he grunts while lifting the article over your head, leaving you in just your bra and pencil skirt. fuck, he groans. without wasting any time, he showers your breasts with kisses, relishing in the soft moans of pleasure that escape from your mouth. as he pins you down on the desk, papers flying everywhere, you feel something poking at you, sending heat rushing to your pelvic region.

as neuvillette's hands explored your breasts and his face buried in between them, you grip onto his back, yearning to feel his bare skin. you tug at his shirt desperately, wanting it off, causing him to pause and glance up at you with a playful smirk.

"off?" he asks, teasingly. you respond with a light whimper, craving for his touch. "as you wish."

in a split second, he is now shirtless, revealing his chiseled physique. "hah," you breathe out, admiring his body. "kiss me, please."

without hesitation, he pins you down on the desk and captures your lips with his own. your head hits the hard wood but you don't care, too consumed by the passion of the moment. your tongues immediately entwine in a fiery dance as his hands travel down your body, eliciting waves of pleasure against your skin. in response, you run your hands over his bare chest, relishing in the warmth of his skin against yours. his hand slips under your skirt and travels up your thighs.

"i've been dying to take this skirt off you all day, moonflower," he whispers seductively.

you feel yourself blushing at his words. "neuvillette, i-" you can't find the right words to say, but deep down you know he's not entirely wrong. ever since your last kiss with him, you've been having inappropriate thoughts about him in the workplace.

his hands rest on your thighs as he asks, "can i?"

with pleading eyes, you nod and beg for his touch. following your approval, he pushes down your skirt, leaving you only in your undergarments. his eyes roam over you, taking in the sight of you in your white lace lingerie. you spread your legs out for him, laying on his work desk, and his thoughts become clouded with desire. he needs to taste you now.

neuvillette leans over you on the desk and gently kisses your forehead. "do you want me to touch you?" he asks once more. You eagerly nod, yearning for his hands on your dampness. and oh, it feels so good when he finally does touch you. his deep purple eyes lock onto yours as his fingers rub against the surface of your laced underwear.

"look at you, already soaking wet for me, darling."

your breaths quicken as he circles his fingers over you. by all the archons, he didn't even need to slip a finger inside to make you this wet. with every stroke, your back arches and you can feel yourself becoming lost in pleasure. his other hand finds its way to your breast, fondling with them as he watches you squirm beneath him. a slight smile forms on his lips as he takes in the beauty of your reactions. you looked like a goddess, with your fluttering eyes and parted lips. he wants you to know just how stunning you are.

as he kisses your lips, his hands slide down to remove your underwear and unclasp your bra, leaving you completely naked. he pauses for a moment to admire you. "you look beautiful, you know that?" his deep voice rumbles in your ear. you look at him with intense desire and whisper his name. he slowly kneels down between your legs, parting them as you anticipate the pleasure to come. suddenly, his tongue is on the parts of you that you didn't even know you wanted as much as this. a soft moan escapes your lips as neuvillette devours you with his mouth, making you feel divine. the lawyer buries his face deeper in you, skillfully pleasuring you until your toes curl with pleasure.

"so… beautiful," he grunts, intensifying your frenzy. as he picks up speed, you let go of any inhibitions and fully surrender to the sensations.

"you're such a good girl for me," he breathes out, admiring how you squirm under his touch.

"neuvi- i…" you see stars as his tongue continues its skilled movements in and out of your wetness, bringing you closer to climax.

"do you like that?" he asks, moving in a way that brings forth a warmth from the pit of your stomach and rises up into your chest.

"yes," you breathe, biting your lip in ecstasy. you can barely contain yourself now, overwhelmed by the pleasure he's giving you. and as you look down at him adoring every inch of your body and intimacy like it's the most perfect thing in the world, you reach your climax.

he watches as your voice echoes his name in pleasure, listening intently as you reach orgasm. he leans back, mesmerized by the way your breasts rise and fall with every heavy breath. your legs tremble slightly and your wetness drips onto his eager tongue. you shake as he pleasures you, paying close attention to every movement and meeting your gaze in mutual understanding. he wants to hold onto this moment forever.

neuvilette leans over you gently, whispering "i love you" as he brushes a stray strand of hair from your face.

in that moment, all the longing and pain disappear. in this moment, you forgive him completely for the past and realize the depth of his regret. "i love you," you whisper back, gazing into his eyes.

with those words, something ignites between you both - a fiery passion fueled by years of separation and a desire to make up for lost time. he pulls you towards him, sitting up as his lips crash down on yours. the kiss is filled with raw passion, causing you to grind against him eagerly. you feel his hardness pressing against your stomach and wish for nothing more than to feel it without any barriers. neuvilette steps back to quickly remove his belt and undergarments, leaving him naked before you. your insides do a flip as you watch his hard cock spring up instantly. he was perfect for you in every way imaginable.

he playfully tilts his head at your expression and asks, "what is it?"

you quickly interject, "nothing. come here and kiss me." you grab his arms and pull him closer.

"i'll do more than that," he responds, wrapping your legs around his body. he positions himself in front of you with his erection in hand. "have you been intimate with someone before?" his voice catches, nervous for your answer. you nod yes, and his face briefly falters before becoming unreadable. "then we'll have lots of fun."

with careful intent, he slides into your wet pussy. the combination of precum and your wetness makes it an easier slide. you let out a slight gasp as he fills you up completely. this is the first time you've ever felt this full, and he truly is perfect for you. "ah~" you breathe out in pleasure.

"oh, good girl. look how easily you took me in," he praises as he looks down at where your bodies are joined. he starts to slowly thrust back and forth, not because he knows you're not used to this, but because he wants to savor every moment of taking you tonight and making you his forever. "do you see that?" he hums with self-approval in his voice. and you do see it - the way he expertly moves inside of you, gradually increasing in speed until your breasts are bouncing with each thrust. your arms wrap tightly around his neck as your hips hold onto his waist for support on top of his desk. "you feel so good," he purrs in your ear as he continues to pleasure you in every way possible.

watching him pleasure you while wearing nothing but your red frames drove him wild. your eye contact, heavy with desire, only added to his arousal as he pushed himself inside you. he couldn't get enough of the way your body fit perfectly against his, the way your breasts bounced with each thrust, and the sweat that glistened on both of your bodies. the only sounds in the room were the crackling of the fireplace and the skin-to-skin contact between the two of you. it was raw and intense, and he felt like he could stay in this moment forever.

but then, thoughts of your past intimacy experiences crept into his mind, fueling a sense of jealousy within him. he couldn't hold back any longer and crashed his lips onto yours in a display of urgency, causing you to let out an surprised "mm" sound.

"who else has fucked you like this?" he growled in your ear.

confused by his sudden inquiry, you responded with annoyance in your voice. “what?” you didn't care about your past partners or who you had been intimate with before. all that mattered in that moment was him and you.

neuvillette continued with his steady pace, pulling your hips closer to him for better access. "santallier?" he asked, increasing his intensity and hitting all your pleasure spots just right. you moaned in response, unable to form words as pleasure consumed you.

"hm? use your words," he taunted, noticing how much he was affecting you. he kept up with the same speed and pressure, knowing he had found just the right spot to drive you wild.

your back arches as you claw at his back, overcome with ecstasy. you know you're close to reaching your limit if he keeps going.

"he's been around you a lot lately. does he know you're not interested?" he asks, thrusting into you.

"hah~ i-i don't know," you manage to gasp out in response.

in one swift movement, he pulls out and positions you so that now you are bent over his desk, one leg up and your backside exposed to him. a wave of disappointment washes over you momentarily, wondering if the euphoria will continue in this new position. but those doubts are quickly replaced with pleasure as he enters you, hitting your g-spot almost immediately. this might just be your new favorite position - it's definitely going to be good.

he notices how much you enjoy this position as your back arches and you push yourself against him. "you naughty girl," he growls in your ear as he slaps your ass. he leans over your shoulder, playing with your breasts with one hand while using the other for support. "you don't know?" he asks, trailing kisses down your neck as he continues to thrust into you.

"no," you repeat, each thrust causing the desk to rock back and forth.

"does he know that i'm fucking you like this?" he demands, thrusting harder into you.

"n-no," you respond again, lost in the pleasure of the moment.

"does your boyfriend know how much you crave me? how you beg for me, bent over my desk like a good little girl?" you know that he's jealous and upset. neuvillette knows that you and santallier have nothing but a friendship going on. but yet, his words make your heart race as the sound of your bodies colliding fills the room. your moans and grunts mix together in a perfect harmony of pleasure. you can hardly contain yourself as you reach your climax, your vision beginning to blur. all that matters is showing neuvillette how good he makes you feel.

"am i still just a distraction to you?" you taunt him, moving your hips in circles on him. you know this hits a nerve, driving him crazy. he picks up his pace, his eyes narrowing with determination as if fucking away his regrets was possible. with every thrust, he vows to spend the rest of his life making it up to you until all of this becomes a distant memory. but for now, all he can do is fuck you harder and deeper, trying to make amends.

"i-i'm about to-" you manage to say before losing yourself completely in ecstasy. the sounds of his grunts and the force of his pelvis hitting against your body push you over the edge into pure bliss. he can barely contain himself either, consumed by the sight of your beautiful ass bouncing on top of him and knowing that he's the reason for your pleasure. as he feels himself nearing climax, you utter the words that release all inhibitions within him.

"cum inside me, neuvillette, please."

a switch flicks inside of him. just like that, he releases all of his load into you at the same time as you reach your peak on him; your legs shaking as a messy stream of white holds the two of you together. you both are panting, heart rates at maximum as your head collapses onto his desk in exhaustion. he leans over your bent body and kisses your head, leaving breathless kisses along your neck. slowly, he withdraws from you, a thin string of stickiness connecting the two of you until it breaks.

"come here," he says, picking you up effortlessly and holding you bridal style. you let out a yelp as he moves so suddenly, your sweaty bodies pressed against each other.

he carries you to a red velvet couch by the fire and sets you down gently. from where you lie, you watch as he walks away to get a soft blanket, admiring his form with a soft smile. he soon joins you on the couch, draping the warm blanket over your bodies while enjoying the heat from the fire. you look up at him and smile, and he returns the gesture with a soft smile before planting a delicate kiss on your forehead. a strand of hair falls in front of your eyes and he brushes it away.

you gaze into his deep purple eyes, filled with intense emotions. as he looks back into yours, with the reflection of the embers from the fireplace dancing within them, he can't help but think that you are the most beautiful person in all of teyvat - dare he say even in all of celestia.

"no, you're not a distraction to me," he whispers gently while planting kisses on your head between each word, causing you to giggle at the ticklish sensation. "let me make it up to you," he adds.

you eagerly accept his offer, feeling your heart flutter as you plant a kiss on his cheek, hopeful for the future between the two of you. "i love you," you whisper.

the smile on his face reflects that of fontaine's tranquil streams - serene yet ever-flowing. "i love you too, moonflower."

[sleepytoycollection]

Barbie Dream Besties "Brooklyn": A review

Barbie Dream Besties is a newly released doll line by Mattel, and is a spin off of their main Barbie line. Looks wise, they seem to be a spiritual successor to My Scene, Ever After high, and the more recent Barbie Extra/Barbie Extra Minis. Also trying desperately to compete with LOL and Rainbow High.

They are $20 USD each retail.

I was interested in these for three reasons: 1) I liked Ever After High and My Scene. 2) They have much more quality outfits than I tend to see from modern Barbie. 3) @queenofsquids enjoyment of them made me hopeful I'd like them too.

So do I? Let's find out.

I choose the character Brooklyn as I like her face up the best.

Her packaging is the standard plastic clam shell that seems to be all over the doll aisle anymore. I can't say I love it. I miss the cardboard boxes, so much easier to open and so much less plastic.

This box isn't super great aesthetically either. There's a lot going on in the service of nothing.

Which is a shame, because I do really like the actual character art on the box. It's super cute and matches the dolls really well. It would pop even better if the rest of the box was a smidge simpler. Sometimes less is more.

The back of the box.

We get more of this delightful artwork, showing of the full set of characters available at the moment.

We also get a short character bio for Brooklyn. She wants to be a choreographer, loves making dance routines, video editing, and creative writing. Despite her favorite color being listed as pink, she has no pink in her outfit and only one pink accessory.

Here is the box without the cover. This is what I meant when I said the box design was doing a lot for nothing. Over packaging isn't just a problem with Mattel dolls of course, MGA is arguably worse, but it's still frustrating.

Brooklyn herself is very pretty though. I tried very hard to pick one without a wonky face, but the way she's posed makes it very hard to tell.

I think one of her eyes is slightly bigger than the other. It's not enough to bother me at least. That said, so many of these were VERY wonky at the store. I would not buy these online unless you can see the specific doll you're getting. The QC is all over the place.

Here are all the accessories she comes with.

I do appreciate that all her accessories tie into her interests and character. That said, these are hit and miss.

The purse is nice, and does open.

The dog is okay, but I don't really care for these types of doll pets. It looks more like an in-universe toy than what's supposed to be an animal.

I initially liked that the phone and case were separate, until I tried to put the phone in the case and it didn't fit. It will not go in there. If I force it in, it just pops right back out.

It's a shame because I liked the 80's Barbie logo case, but without the phone in it, it looks weird when the doll is holding it.

At least the phone fits into the ring light stand.

May I also say some of these accessories feel really flimsy? The phone and Ipad are VERY thin plastic.

The boom box in hollow and unpainted.

I wish instead of having seven mid accessories we could've had two or three really good ones. Or nixed all of them and given her a stand. The doll herself is nice enough to deserve a stand I think.

Let's look at Brooklyn. She's pretty darn cute. She stands at the standard 11", and has saran hair with tinsel.

Her outfit isn't my favorite though. Mattel stop giving your dolls ugly fur sleeved varsity jackets challenge. This could've been so cute as just a regular varsity jacket.

Despite being ugly, the jacket is made pretty well. Though a button was already falling off mine. That poor QC strikes again.

Though I suppose it's moot as I doubt I'll ever put this jacket back on her ever again.

Now that she's free of that ugly thing, you can see how nice the rest of her outfit is. I didn't realize how much I missed dolls getting to wear neutrals until I saw her plain denim skirt and white tank top.

It's simple, but she's dressed like a real person. Plus, I can easily pair these pieces with a lot of other outfits. Doll wardrobes need pieces like this for mixing and matching.

Body wise she's a bit smaller than Barbie, and her feet are a little bit larger. This body reminds me a lot of the current bodies for the Disney Princess line now that Mattel has it back, though those have larger feet. If I can find the one I have, I'll do a body comparison to those later.

Her sculpt in three views. The Ever After High comparisons are very apt, though the screening itself is more reminiscent of My Scene mixed with a little bit of G3 Monster High.

For comparison, here's an actual EAH doll next to her. Brooklyn's head is just a smidge larger, but balanced out better with larger eyes, thicker brows, and bigger lips.

After this, I got Brooklyn redressed with just a few changes...

I replaced her jacket with this vintage Barbie and the Rockers one, added a necklace, and hey! Now she gets to wear her favorite color.

Final thoughts?

It's a good doll, but the quality control issues, on top of the same BS Mattel throws on all of it's dolls anymore, is dragging it down.

The fact you have to look through every single one of the shelf to make sure you're not getting a crappy one is exhausting. Plus, kids don't do that. They're going to get home with their new doll and then realize as they open it something's wrong. Kids don't deserve that.

The accessories are mostly cheap and not special enough to justify their existence. The purse, phone with case, and ring light would've been enough if they were made a bit better.

The outfit is well made, and a huge improvement over what I see in the main Barbie line, even if I don't like all the design choices, but again, that's if you get one without QC issues.

The doll herself is super cute though, and screw it, I like the tinsel. Fight me.

Overall I really love this doll, I just wish picking one out wasn't a hassle. Hell, I even bought a second one already.

I got inspired enough I wanted to repaint one, so I purposely bought this wonky Renee because she had the worst face up out of everyone at the store.

So I think there's definitely potential here. If this line continues, I hope they can improve the way G3 Monster High has improved from it's first wave.

I hope this can be the start of Mattel revitalizing it's Barbie line as well. It needs it. See ya next time.

[gummy-sharks666]

Mama, I’m chasing a ghost

I don’t know who he is

[city-of-ladies]

"The prominence of female divinity in Minoan culture might well have reflected the prominence of Minoan women in daily life. In Shang dynasty China, the authority of goddesses such as the Eastern and Western Mothers was echoed to some degree by the authority of women in elite society and even the army. Fu Jing and Fu Hao, wives of King Wu Ding, led men into battle before being honoured in death with monumental tombs containing the victims of human sacrifice, battle axes, knives and arrowheads. In Egypt, many of the images of Hatshepsut were destroyed or defaced after her death when her name was removed from the official list of rulers by her male successors, who sought to claim direct descent from her husband. It is possible that images of powerful Minoan women were subject to similar mistreatment.

While there is no evidence that Minoan women ruled in the same manner as Hatshepsut, or joined battle like the women of Shang China, the sheer number of artworks depicting them centrally placed and on a larger scale than men has prompted some historians to speculate that Minoan society was matriarchal or matrilineal. ‘Neopalatial Crete,’ writes one scholar, ‘presents the best candidate for a matriarchy – if one ever existed.’ There is nothing to say that the position of Minoan women was in any way secondary to that of men. 

Minoan women were certainly not confined to the weaving room. Sculptures show them playing lyres, flutes and zithers, sashaying in flounced chevron-patterned skirts and raising their arms in the air in ecstasy. In the ‘Grandstand Fresco’ from Knossos the women are more carefully delineated in paint than the men. Each woman has her own identity, her own style. The women appear to occupy the main rooms of the palace while the men congregate as an anonymous mass beyond. Women depicted seated – a sign of divinity or authority – are often being approached by men or animals. A highly enigmatic fresco at Thera (Santorini), for example, features a woman wearing large hoop earrings, a snake in her hair, and a neck-chain of ducks, sitting on a dais with a griffin beside her while a blue monkey pays her court.

 On a gold ring, a female deity, we may presume, is seated beneath a tree, where she receives flowers from two women. A smaller figure of a man with a double-headed axe over his head hovers between them.  By depicting the man beneath the axe, and on a smaller scale than the women, the engraver of the ring perhaps hoped to convey that he was a divine vision, almost a thought-bubble, originating in one of the female worshipper’s heads. Trees, as Arthur Evans recognised, were sacred in Minoan culture, and were perhaps believed to be capable of inspiring divine visions in those who honoured them. Such artworks contribute to the picture of Minoan women exerting considerable religious authority in the palace complexes and society more widely. 

Minoan women also played a crucial role in ritual. The early Minoans sometimes interred their dead twice by exhuming the bones of their family members and resettling them later in jars. The more usual custom, however, was to bury the dead in chamber tombs or stone beehive-shaped ‘tholos’ tombs, clay sarcophagi or, in the case of infants, under the floorboards of the home. The colourful paintings on a rare limestone sarcophagus from Hagia Triada, circa 1400 bc, show three men carrying young animals and a model boat to the deceased, who stands in front of his tomb, ready to receive his provisions for the afterlife. There are also three women present, the first of whom pours a libation into a cauldron placed between two upright axes mounted by birds; the second carries further vessels; the third – darker skinned like the men and thus possibly of lower social status – has a lyre. On the other side of the sarcophagus the women assist in the sacrifice of a bull on an altar. Other wall paintings show women involved in rituals of their own involving blood.  A fresco from Akrotiri features a group of women, one of whom sits beside a sunken room or ‘lustral basin’ with a bleeding foot. A tree also bleeds. It is possible that lustral basins were used for purification by women during or after menstruation."

The Missing Thread: A Women's History of the Ancient World, Daisy Dunn

[enchanting-chit-chat]

Beetlejuice's Backstory and the Black Plague 💚🕷️🥀💀 PART 3

Good evening! As promised, here’s Part 3 of my series on Beetlejuice’s past and movieverse. Today, we dive deeper into historical fashion, analyzing the outfits of Beetlejuice and Delores to uncover their personal stories.

If you missed the earlier parts, check out PART 1 and PART 2.

Warning: This post contains SPOILERS for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)... and many, MANY speculations.

Quick recap: In Part 1, we discussed the Plague. In Part 2, we delved into Beetlejuice’s past, questioning the claim that he died over 600 years ago.

I wondered: is that really true? Why does his clothing reflect the Baroque style, then?

That's right! In Part 3, I confirm my previous point: there are several clues suggesting that Beetlejuice most likely lived during the Baroque era - a cultural movement that began in Rome at the end of the 16th century and faded around 1750. Here is the list of the clues I noticed:

The lace neckband around BJ's neck.

His three-piece wedding suit.

Delores off-the-shoulder neckline and puffed sleeves.

The bird masks used by Delores and the undertakers.

AliveBeetlejuice first outfit (when he's stealing from corpses): specifically, the pirate shirt and the type of shoes.

Keep in mind that most of these elements were revolutionary novelties of the 16th-17th century. Here is proof for every. single. one of them.

The Lace Cravat

A behind the scenes still of Michael Keaton in 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' vs. the portrait of Jacob de Witte, Lord of Haamstede (Netherlands). The artwork was made by Jan Mijtens in 1660.

The first cravat, the predecessor of modern neckties and bow ties, originated in France during Louis XIV’s reign as a political and fashion statement. (Although the early idea comes from the Ancient Roman focale, used around 200 CE). The King was inspired by a particularly eye-catching necktie wore by Croatian mercenaries as part of their uniform. The new article of clothing quickly became a fashion staple for high-ranking men across Europe.

In its use, it represented the evolution of the common handkerchief, already popular in the 1500s as a practical tool, a flirty decoration, and a status symbol. I believe the variant Beetlejuice is wearing in the picture is called ‘jabot,’ and is one of the older, simpler versions.

Lace, often used in cravats, highlighted the wearer’s wealth. Italian lace, especially from Venice, was highly sought after by the European elite since the 15th century, when ruffs and collars were in vogue.

This detail suggests two possibilities:

Beetlejuice might have been an impoverished aristocrat (or a rich merchant) clinging to his title until the end. This could also explain the ring on his index finger, symbolizing power or family ties. Or both.

Alternatively, he may have been someone who strongly wished to be part of the elite.

Jacket and Breeches

Aristocratic fashion, 1630 (Victoria & Albert collection) vs. What Beetlejuice wore in the wedding scene.

Another standout innovation of the Baroque period was the introduction of the three-piece men’s suit, known as the ‘Habit à la française.’

This ensemble included a tailcoat (a calf-length jacket), a coat (a long waistcoat), and knee-length breeches. Like the cravat, this fashion was adopted across Europe. As you can see, Beetlejuice is perfectly embodying this fashion, which evolved and remained popular until the 19th century. Interestingly, one shoe is missing.

Pirate Shirt

Originating in the 16th-17th century, the ‘poet shirt’ or ‘poet blouse’ remained popular through the Romantic era. These multi-purpose shirts served as both underwear and nightwear, featuring long tails that reached mid-thigh or knee. The body and sleeves were gathered at the collar and cuffs, creating a full, loose fit.

Delores' Outfit

For comparison, I’ve included an illustration of noblewomen’s fashion at the court of Louis XIII (died 1643). His successor, Louis XIV, made France a cultural and fashion beacon for the next two centuries.

In the movie, Delores wears two nearly identical outfits: long dresses with puffed sleeves ending just below the elbow, a corset, and an off-the-shoulder neckline. This style aligns with 17th-century trends when fashion became more comfortable and relaxed.

The black color suits her character’s personality and role in the film, possibly hinting at a connection to the late Renaissance and the Spanish Court.

In fact, during the reign of Charles V (1500-1558) and his son Philip II (1527-1598), Spanish aristocracy particularly favored the black color, as it represented austerity and power for both men and women. Additionally, a deep shade of black was particularly difficult to achieve with the dyeing methods of the time, making those fabrics quite expensive to make.

However, The Spanish style was quite the opposite to what France later proposed: it consisted in a severe and somber luxury, which increased in opulence as the time passed. As Spain happened to be the beacon of fashion before Louis XIV came along, it's only natural that black rapidly became quite popular all around Europe as well. The color was particularly appreciated by the members of the middle class in Protestant nations and, apparently, in Italy as well.

Finally, keep in mind that 'Delores' is a variant of the more common 'Dolores'. Both names have Spanish origins and means 'sorrows'.

So what do we think? Was Beetlejuice from a rich family? Was Delores a Spanish witch?

Who knows! But I’m willing to dream and speculate!

Until the big reveal from Tim Burton himself in the now teased but not confirmed yet sequel, have a fantastic week!✨

[immunetoneurotoxin]

ENTANGLEMENT | Part I, Chapter III

That woman — Caroline, curtailing the enigma of her past. They were both one and the same; forced into a position of power against her will by order of their full-blown egomaniac of a CEO. Old Aperture was a long-forgotten remnant in a time capsule sealed away from the era of a 1950s world, but Aperture’s legacy went on nonetheless, stretching out into the subsequent decades. Olympians, war heroes, missing astronauts, countless controversies, company rivalries, senate hearings. As Cave Johnson spiraled into mania and bankruptcy, lunar poisoning was the inevitable fate that took him in the end. Except, a man of his caliber would never leave this Earthly plane without leaving a successor in his wake.

A Portal/Half Life Universe Novel from Chell's Perspective > Where to Read: Archive of our Own > Chapters: 3/20 > Rating: Explicit > Overall Word Count: 39,824 > Artwork by: Narklos B:\> Back to the Beginning_

NEW OVERHAUL UPDATES: Fixed formatting errors in previous chapters, edited geographical mistakes, added interactive content on AO3 in previous chapters, and added in extra scenes.