#Truly past Del was in a wild place

[delborovic]

Some Rellik doodles from last week!

Starting to loosen up and be able to draw more regularly, which feels good. Have had the cranky vampire on the brain since the kids are back into LoT (hi everyone!) thank you for enjoying his misadventures, he is enjoying retirement <3

[wen-kexing-apologist]

Bengiyo's Queer Cinema Syllabus

Hello! After a holiday hiatus, I am returning to @bengiyo's queer cinema syllabus. We will be ringing in the new year with Unit 4: Heartbreak Alley, the totally light-hearted, definitely not agonizing section of the syllabus where I get to watch countless acts of violence be committed against queer people. That fuck I have Lesbians waiting for me at the end of this unit. The films in Unit 4 are: Bent (1997), Strange Fruit (2004) [cannot for the life of me find this film], Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Parting Glances (1986), Philadelphia (1993), The Living End (1992), Holding the Man (2015), Jeffery (1995), and Boys on the SIde (1995)

Today I will be writing about 

Brokeback Mountain (2005) dir. Ang Lee

[Run Time: 2h 14 min, Lang: English] 

Summary: “Ennis and Jack are two shepherds who develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Their relationship becomes complicated when both of them get married to their respective girlfriends.” -imdb

Cast: * Jake Gyllenhaal as Jack Twist *Heath Ledger as Ennis del Mar (Rest in Peace)

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Okay, so unsurprisingly Brokeback Mountain is one of seven of the movies on this syllabus that I had seen before I embarked on this project. I watched it for the first time in 2021 and walked away from it with two images in my head: Jack and Ennis’ reunion kiss and Jack getting his face bashed in with a tire iron. This film is in Heartbreak Alley for a reason and that’s because it is fundamentally depressing as fuck. Jack and Ennis are stuck in unhappy marriages, lonely all their lives, struggling to carve desire out of a life that does not let them have it. Ennis ends up alone, and Jack ends up dead and these things are important. Ennis slipped out of his role as attentive father and doting husband the second Jack walked back in to his life, Jack kept breaking his own heart by daring to dream of the life that he wanted. 

A life he was denied. 

I want to mention these tragedies up front because I want primarily to talk about something else in this film. But i do not want to just push past the violence here. This is probably something other people have heard, it was definitely something I was told by the person who recommended this film to me the first time. But the way Jack dies, the way Earl dies, these are both similar to the way that Matthew Shepard died. Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, pistol whipped, tortured, and tied to a fence in Wyoming for being gay and was so brutally beaten his entire face was covered in blood. Jack was beaten to death with a tire iron on the side of the road, Earl was brutally tortured and left in a ditch. These men are not just killed, but brutally, violently, torturously murdered for being queer. 

That said, this movie felt so different to me the second time I watched it and I am so amazed to see how much I truly missed my first time around. I was younger, freshly queer, and did not have anywhere close to the extensive queer media viewing history I do now. It is wild to me to see how I have grown in my engagement with media after spending a year writing about body language. Because this film is so fucking brilliant, like legitimately intelligently crafted in it’s displays of gay politics. Maybe this is stuff that I picked up on subconsciously the first time through because I never found the movie boring despite it being rather slow. But this time? My brain was buzzing at how expertly crafted the dialogue and body language was around trying to be safe while being queer. 

I am thinking of the way that Jack sizes Ennis up at the beginning, Jack’s posture as he leans against his truck the first time they meet. I’m thinking about the line “Mr. Augirre’s got no right making us do something against the rules” when you consider that queerness is very much against the rules at that time and in that place. The way Ennis refuses to let Jack be gentle with him at first, tending his own wounds, staying distant and quiet, until he doesn’t.

Maybe it’s just because of how much I’ve watched The Sign drift further away from the hyper-masculinity aspect of their story, but I could not stop thinking about the delicate dance that is required to navigate the growing feelings and sexual relationship between these two extremely masculine men. I started looking and I think there are about three times in the entire movie where Jack and Ennis are soft with each other. The first is on Brokeback the second time they have sex, and Ennis is struggling and just rests his head on Jack’s chest before going in for a kiss. The second is when they are cuddling in bed at the motel after their first reunion. The third is the scene after Ennis tells Jack he won’t be able to see him again until November. That’s it. Otherwise they aren’t touching, or when they are touching they are rough, rough housing, rough kissing, rough fucking it doesn’t matter. 

Ennis says he isn’t queer and Jack says he’s not either, but they fuck and then they are drawn to one another for the rest of their lives, because there is no one who could get it like they do. Ennis isn’t lying when he tells Jack that is the most he’s spoken in a year. Ennis is a lonely man. Ennis is a rural, hyper-masculine rancher he does not have emotions, not anymore, if he ever did. Whatever conscious or subconscious queerness he had undoubtedly shriveled and died the day he was shown Earl’s body. And that, I think, is part of why Ennis is just constantly drawn to Jack, why his face lights up when he sees Jack, why he throws such caution to the wind upon their first reunion. 

Ennis does not need words for Jack to understand him. Jack is also a rural, hyper-masculine rancher. He gets it in a way that Alma never will. The violence they bestow upon each other, Jack understands why Ennis would lash out. The need to escape in to the mountains, Hack understands why Ennis needs it. It’s just so smartly written. Ennis so unmoored from his own feelings that his body physically rejects them when he and Jack separate for the first time. The way he has to suck it in, suck it up, pretend like he’s unfazed, unaffected, until the minute he has a chance to be out of eyesight, and then he just collapses retching, sobbing, punching walls. 

And then he’s able to separate himself from his emotions once more, he marries Alma, he stays lonely, he does his duties, until Jack comes calling. I think I remember a story about how the first kiss that Heath and Jake have when Ennis and Jack are reunited, their faces slammed together so hard one of them almost broke a nose. And that is how 90% of Ennis and Jack’s relationship is. Those emotions come back and then Jack is leaving again, and Ennis just starts to crumble. 

I could not stop thinking about the dialogue in this film Mr. Aguirre’s carefully chosen words when he is telling Jack exactly why he isn’t hiring him for another season, the way Jack tries to suss out if the man sitting next to him at the bar after the rodeo is queer and down to fuck, how that man picks up on it, rejects him, and how quickly Jack gets the fuck out of the bar afterwards. The inherent understanding of what being invited to the cabin means in that conversation with David Harbor’s character. GOD, it’s just so well done. 

Favorite Moment 

To continue on the subject of incredible code work in this movie, my favorite scene is when Ennis goes to visit Jack’s parents to try to get Jack’s ashes so he can spread them on Brokeback Mountain. How without ever saying anything directly, Jack’s parents are able to convey that they know the reason Jack died, what Jack and Ennis were to each other, and that they accept Jack and accept Ennis was just beautiful. The way she lets Ennis go up to Jack’s room, Ennis finding the shirts, stained with blood because that’s what it is to be queer, Jack’s mother letting Ennis take those with him, Jack’s father saying: “We’ve got a family plot. He’s going in it.” as Ennis is about to walk out the door, Jack’s mother saying: “You come back and see us again” and not have either of those things feel like a threat or a trap? It was incredible. 

Favorite Quote

Hmm, I know we have the two famous quotes, but it’s hard to pick a favorite line because there is so little dialogue in this film considering it is over two hours long. I think I am going to go with the last line of the movie:

“Jack, I swear”

Cause it made me cry. Alma Junior pays a visit to her father to let him know she’s getting married, and she drives away forgetting her coat, and Ennis opens his closet (intense staring at the visual commentary) and he buttons the top button of Jack’s shirt, and he swears to Jack and to me that feels like a wedding vow. 

Score 

10/10 This film is gorgeous, just utterly beautiful all around. The cinematography, the script, the commitment and the care the actors give to these characters, to the subject. I am so glad this was on the syllabus so I had this opportunity to revisit this film. I got a whole lot more out of it as a result.

[behoright]

alive for you l j. studnicka

I drive fast / wind in my hair / push it to the limits

summary: Jack just cannot wait to get you out of this club. He also can’t seem to wait until you get home.

wordcount: 3k

song: burning desire - lana del rey

warnings: minors dni! Surprise surprise: cursing and smut! Also, semi public sex. Oh and proofreading was uhhh…fast. So bear with me.

a/n: I actually don’t super love this one but I have a huge cr*sh on him and there isn’t enough talk about this man so here you go. Inbox is always open for you. Love u love uuuuuu

⠀⠀⠀⤷⠀⠀⠀⭒⠀⠀⠀˘˘⠀⠀⠀⠀🍮⠀⠀⠀⟡

“I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, baby.”

The vibrations of the music ran through your body as you found yourself in the corner of the Canuck’s most cherished and frequented club in the city, your arms securely wrapped around your boyfriend.

That's what he had become, officially, a couple weeks ago.

Much to your surprise, Jack blew your expectations when he took you out to dinner to ask you properly.

You had gotten to see how romantically cheesy he was behind closed doors, but taking the step to officially call you his girlfriend made you swoon to no end.

“It drives me insane when you call me that.” He muttered, moving his lips across the shell of your ear.

As you looked at him, his skin reflecting colorful lights amongst the crowd, all you could do was place your lips on his again.

It felt like you had spent the whole night attached to each other.

You truly hadn’t been able to stop kissing and making out since you met at the doors of the club. The first kiss in two weeks was spectacular, but something kept you pulling each other together.

Magnetized.

The feeling of being together felt addicting; it felt like peace, like placing the last piece in a puzzle.

The slight problem was that as much as you had craved each other for a while now, you hadn’t actually gotten to spend private time together yet.

Right after making it official, Jack had to leave for a ten day roadie, leaving you equally high and dry.

So right after you became official, you were separated. It was okay, part of his life that now involved yours, but it had come at the worst time.

The last kiss before he left leaving a sopping puddle in your underwear.

So tonight, finally reunited, you stuck to each other like glue.

There was absolutely no way he was going to leave your side, just like you only went to meet up with him.

Mostly self contained people, you could care less about the club or the drinks. The earlier you could both politely sneak away from the team, the better.

The tension was there, palpable, and obvious to everyone, even though you didn’t care, both in each other’s worlds.

Jack's favorite spot tonight had been behind you; whether at the bar, reaching over your head with his lanky arms to grab drinks, or on the dance floor.

He had always been shy, the more reserved guy in every group he was part of.

It all went out of the window with you.

He didn’t know if it had been the shots, he doubted it was the environment, but he felt alone with you as he bravely took you to the middle of the dance floor before immediately slipping his tongue past your lips for the millionth time.

You couldn’t hear the scoffs and chirps from his nearby teammates as you collided, craving to be on top of each other already.

His muscular thigh boldly splitting your legs apart, he was all around you.

Wild and intoxicating, he ondulanted himself against you harder and harder, practically rubbing your small frame on top of him as he kept kissing you. The fabric of his dark washed jeans reverberated against your clit, creating waves of pleasure under your thin panties.

His cock began swelling fast, having you in such a vulnerable position, both mentally and physically, all while in a public place.

He couldn’t help himself.

He had to have you close to him; he had to grab you and run his fingers through the roots of your hair, up and down your silhouette as you grinded together to the beat of the music.

He knew you were moaning, your whimpers and sweet meowings vibrating against his lips as he moved his mouth in unison with you, pushing his tongue against yours deeply.

He wanted more, and it was hard to hold back as your hip would bump into his hard and evident boner every time he pushed your back closer to him again, literally moving your body up and down his perched leg.

It was only when he realized his hands were gripping the flesh of your ass underneath your bodycon dress that he pulled away from you, breathlessly, his eyes panicking with lust as he took your features in.

“I’m about a second away from bending you over this bar and fucking you right here.¨

He muttered against your ear, causing eyes to widen as you felt your underwear drench at his explicit words.

He watched you smile sweetly in response, the hint of nervousness as you bit the inside of your cheek being the last straw for him tonight.

“C’mon.” He said, reaching out to grab your hand.

He wouldn’t bother with goodbyes or formalities.

Not tonight.

Jack had fallen hard.

After his last breakup, he was sure he’d never love again, or at least not anytime soon.

With the undoing of his long, tumultuous relationship with Boston as the backdrop, the only thing that kept him going was hockey.

But it was all in the past now.

You came into his life at the perfect moment, in all of your splendor, and took the poor boy by storm.

He had no clue how enthralled he would become with you, falling fast and hard, and yet, so securely.

You had brought such a sense of normalcy and tenderness back in his life, acclimating him to his new city in the most simple and still significant way.

He knew you had to be his.

He was over the moon when you accepted, regardless of the looming trip that was upcoming.

Now that you were his, he could have you whenever he wanted.

He basically hauled you to his car, your platforms dragging through the asphalt as your tiny steps attempted to keep up with his strides.

He knew that the next 20 minutes were going to be difficult.

He didn’t mind the roadie, even if he thought about flying you out while in the midst of it. The anticipation that had built up between you two excited him; but he knew that his patience had worn thin.

He couldn’t keep up the civilized act in the club, around the whole organization and teammates, let alone in this empty parking lot.

He knew that if he slowed down, or picked you up, or even glanced at you, that he was going to rip that tiny dress right off your body and take you right then and there.

So he kept his gaze stuck to his shoes as he hurried you through the night, opening the car door. with an excited giggle that he couldn’t contain as he peeked at you slipping in the seat.

“Jack, you’re so-“

“Shut up.” he interrupted you, his face changing shades as he shut the door swiftly.

It was bad enough that you heard him giggling like an idiot schoolboy; he didn’t need your chirping.

You got on the road quickly, Jack pushing down on the gas pedal harder than he should have as his speakers began playing, coincidentally, the sultriest playlist he had.

He inhaled sharply as the engine of his vehicle roared, giving his impatience away.

“You okay, babe?”you asked, peeking over at him with a smile.

It was almost adorable how hard he was trying to keep himself tamed.

“I can’t wait to get you in my sheets, Y/N.” He uttered, running his clammy hand through his thick locks.

You instinctively bit your lip in excitement, your body betraying you as you let a whimper out.

He tried to hide it, but you could see him smirk when he turned his head slightly towards his window.

“I, um, I can’t wait either.” You uttered.

As you looked around the slick interior of his sports car, the dark and empty road moving fast around you, you let your mind wander for a little too long.

Perhaps it was the drinks, or just him, but you turned yourself towards him, ending up with your knees on the seat and your elbows on the console.

The initial cheek kiss that you gave him made the both of you blush, his bashful eyes battering over at you slightly. But the more kisses you planted, the louder your humming against his chiseled jaw became, the thicker the air felt around you.

“Wh-, what are you doing?” He gulped.

“Am I distracting you, Jack?” You asked, unconsciously seductive.

“I don’t mind that it’s you distracting me…”

“Can you stay focused?” You continued, placing more kisses on his face, by his cheekbones and sideburns.

“…Yeah.” He responded after a couple of beats.

“You can?” you whispered into his skin, now lowering your lips against the back of his ear, his neck and collarbones.

“Mm, yes. I can.” he said, his low voice quivering.

“Right.” you said, your free hand slithering over onto his throbbing bulge, his cock pressing painfully against his fly.

Your skin absorbed the pulsations of his cock as you undid his pants, silky fingertips feeling the ridges of his member through his boxers.

“God, baby, you’re such a tease.” He quivered as you circled your nail around the wet spot that he was leaving on the fabric.

“I don’t have to be.”

Hastily, you moved your head down, letting his cock hit your face as you pulled the boxers away from him and his length into your throat immediately.

The car swerved slightly as a moan violently left Jack.

“Baby…?” you asked, batting your eyelashes up at him.

“I can do it, I can do it” he reiterated, not brave enough to face you. “Just took me by surprise, that’s all.”

You chuckled as you closed your mouth around him once again, swirling your tongue and mixing your spit with his salty precum, making out with the head of his cock, now bright red and palpitating.

“You’re a dream, you’re a fucking dream.” he moaned, the leather of the steering wheel creaking under his tightening grip, knuckles fading into a creamy white of frustration.

You took him deep again, choking on his girth as he hit the back of your throat. His hand flew into your hair as he praised you through gritted teeth, the way you were hollowing out your cheeks as you bobbed up and down had his muscles clenching involuntary.

“Fuck yeah, baby.” he groaned, still responsibly keeping his eyes on the street signs as began to unravel under you.

Muffled and choked moans were the only thing coming out of you, spit dripping down from your throat and seeping into his pubic hair, his balls, his clothes.

“Wait, wait, wait.” he said, pushing you off him a little too harshly. “Uh, you’re going to make me cum, baby.”

Jack made sure to wipe your bottom lip as you came up, the rough texture of his fingertips recoiling against your plump mouth. He did everything to stop his thumb from sneaking inside you, the vision of you sucking on his digits too much to take.

“We’re almost there, baby. Just a little more.” You whispered against his hand, rubbing his clenched arm. He couldn’t stay away from you, and you could see it was truly taking a toll on him.

All Jack could think about was touching you.

Evidently, he had more self control than you, but not by much. His eyes kept darting over to your legs, your skin tight dress having raised up just enough to have him twitching in anticipation.

It was becoming more unbearable to focus on the running pavement in front of him, the sounds of your heavy, exasperated breathing muffling the music.

“Fuck it.” he muttered. “Spread your legs, angel.”

You did as commanded, no reluctance, and watched his hand lower onto your heat right away.

“Holy fuck.”

He pulled your panties to the side, still as focused as he could be driving, and wasted no time in dipping his fingers inside your dripping pussy.

“God, baby.” He groaned, moving uncomfortably in his seat.

Jack’s eyes struggled to stay on the road, his light brown irises moving back and forth in pleasure. The more he played with you, the more he could feel you get wetter around his digits, his skin wrinkling as you soaked your desire within his touch.

All he wanted was to see you.

He didn’t want to be around anyone else.

He for sure didn’t want to be driving.

He had spent weeks away from you, dreaming about lowering his head in between your thighs so you could finally reveal the heaven he had fantasized about so much.

And now, he found himself painfully stuck feeling you only, piecing you together by touch only.

Running his fingertip up and down your folds, Jack felt every single inch and crevice of your cunt.

The warmth of you transpiring onto him as he rubbed your clit with his thumb, reaching his long fingers around to feel more of you.

He was able to mostly keep it together, puzzling you inside his mind as the sounds of your moaning made his skin raise into delicious goosebumps.

That’s what ultimately drove him mad.

He couldn’t bear to listen to you like this and not see it, not be closer to you and present.

“You’re making it so fucking hard to hold back.” He said, his jaw clenched. “Look how hard you’re making me.”

Your eyes darted over to him, his cock sitting up, dripping and making a mess over him. The sight made you twitch onto his fingers, calling for a moan out of you both.

Jack thought about it for two seconds, but seeing your hips grind on his fingers when he peeked over at you solidified it.

“Fuck this.” he said. “I’m pulling over.”

Thankfully, he was able to find a secluded spot quickly, his bicep visibly clenching through his dress shirt as he pulled on the parking break.

“I’m going to fuck your brains out.” he said, immediately turning to you and wrapping his hands around your cheeks, holding your face.

You both laughed as you ran to the backseat. It took no time for him to get settled, spreading his thighs in the middle seat as you straddled him at the same time.

Your hands ripped his button up open, revealing his flushed chest as he let your breasts trickle out of your dress, directly burying his face in them while you began to rub yourself up and down his shaft, circling your pelvis instinctively.

“You ready?” He asked as he came up for air, his grip tight on your hips, angling you above his leaking cock.

“I’ve been ready since I saw you hours ago.”

Jack threw his head back with a smile, the warm, golden light of love rushing through him at your words. He could see your illuminating smile fade into a gasp with him as you sunk down onto his cock.

The moment you two had been waiting so long for, yearning for weeks, and…

… it wasn’t enough.

As tight and overwhelmingly good it felt, Jack just felt the need for you increase.

He wanted, needed to move inside you.

He craved the waves of pleasure to thunder through your bodies, electricity jumping through his nervous system with arching hedonism.

Jack’s hands began to roam as you started to bounce on top of him, tearing your dress off in as many ways as he desperately could.

His extremities started tingling in pleasure as you kept moving, bouncing and grinding, letting your body seek out gratification and ecstasy on its own and driving him further and closer to his peak.

He was grabbing you perilously, as if he had never felt skin before, reaching for indulgence in every possible way.

“Jack, oh my god.”

The look of delirious pleasure, the way he was reaching for you, groaning and growling loudly, squeezing you a little too hard and even accidentally scratching at times, made you move faster. He was completely unhinged and primal, running his tongue up your neck, you tits as your nails trembled from gripping onto his thick shoulders so hard.

“Fuck, baby, I’m so close already.” He said against your arm, planting sloppy kisses in between words.

You were covered in each other, all around, making the windows fog.

The wheels of the car began to move just by the slight force of you riding him as he gave into his instincts and stated fucking back up into you, his cock reaching even deeper than before.

He could feel how gushy you were inside, your temperature heating him up and covering his twitching member in your desire. The louder he groaned and let go, the harsher he thrashed into your cunt, hitting the perfect spot to make you see stars.

“Jack, I’m, I’m-“ you warned him.

Jack felt your heels shake against his shin, as you started to lose control of your muscles at the edge of your orgasm.

“Don’t hold back, baby.” He coaxed, making sure he could see your clearly by holding your hair back.

“Cum all over me, fucking cover me in it, baby.” He said breathlessly. “Mark my car, my seats, I don’t give a fuck.”

His words made the floodgates open, a gush of syrupy cum ripping out of you with enough force to make you convulse in his lap, moaning as no one in the world would be able to hear you.

“Holy fucking-, you’re going to make me cum. Oh, baby.” He gulped in response, his eyes following your every expression.

The passion had built enough to release, becoming to powerful for either of you to take, as you came over each other. You gripped him hard, his hands clenching on your ruched up dress as he emptied his load inside you, audibly hyperventilating and growling deeply into your chest as you clutched his soft hair, coming down, shaking.

You both trembled for a while, quivering and wavering in each other’s arms as you let the chemicals run through your veins; only pulling back after a while, Jack staring up at you, dumbfounded.

“You’re an angel, I think.” He said, bringing you down to kiss him as you wiped the sweat beads off his forehead gently.

Hours could have passed before you decided to leave; keeping each other breathless as you sat together, his cock soaking the mixture of cum as you kept kissing, ending the night just how it had began, before you headed home to do it all over again.

[oliviab-scstudyabroad]

Bouncing Back After Burnout

Hey everyone! Back here with another post for your reading pleasure.

Ever since coming back from Argentina, life has been even more chaotic. I have a group project in each of my classes, so I’ve been spending a lot of time attending meetings and doing research outside of class. Because of this, I haven’t had much time to allow myself to relax. I know that I won’t be here forever, so I also often feel the need to pack everything that I can into the day: to visit a new place, to try a new dish, to learn a new phrase in Spanish, to talk to someone different every day, etc. All of this combined with the drastic change in temperature (it went from 80 to 60 degrees in one week!) has led me to feel physically and emotionally drained.

When I’m feeling exhausted and wishing nothing more than to be at home in the U.S. snuggled up with my cats, I remind myself to be kinder to myself. Yes, I am here to discover more about the culture and make the most out of my experience, but I am also living here, and that in itself is a way of learning how Uruguayans live too. I also know that not letting myself truly rest will lead to even more stress and burnout. Therefore, I strive to cook a good meal every day, go on a walk to decompress, do cross-stitch in my down time, or call a friend when I’m feeling lonely. In terms of studying, I realize that I am doing the best I can, but I also shouldn’t obsess over it. Overall, I do everything that I can to take care of my body physically and seek fun and relaxing outlets to calm my anxiety.

With all this to be said, I have had some incredible experiences in the past couple of weeks! 2 weeks ago, I went to Punta del Este with a few Uruguayan friends! Punta del Este is a beach town a little less than two hours from Montevideo where everyone in Uruguay goes to vacation over the summer! Here, it’s becoming fall, so nobody was there (ie we had the whole place to ourself!). We walked a lot, played card games, and enjoyed the beach views. This past Saturday, I celebrated my friend’s birthday. Several friends and I went to a pub called Montevideo Beer Company and enjoyed appetizers and drinks with my friend, Fabiana (she’s from Chile!). I gave her a little succulent, and the look on her face told me that it was the perfect gift. On Sunday night, I went to a soccer game! There are two major soccer teams in Uruguay: el club Nacional and Peñarol. I went to a Peñarol game vs. a small team in Colonia, and I had a blast! The atmosphere was incredible- there was a marching band in the middle of the bleachers, and they played the whole 90 minutes of the game! Everyone there knew the lyrics to every chant, and you could see true pain and frustration in their phrases when the other team advanced. The score was tied 1-1 for a while, until at the very last minute, a player from Peñaroldid an unbelievable bicycle kick and scored! As you can imagine, the crowd went wild. People climbed up on the fences, threw color smoke bombs, and sang the chants walking out of the stadium. To be honest, my favorite part was that the game was quick. I was fully expecting to settle in for a three-hour game like the football games at UofSC. To my surprise, I got into bed before 10 p.m.!

Studying abroad isn’t without its challenges, but I’m learning how to manage the stress and thrive in this unique environment. I now understand that it’s ok to put myself first and say “no” to things to rejuvenate myself and come back feeling more refreshed. And if all else fails, I know that a mate will always make my day better.

As the Uruguayans say, Vamoarriba! Hasta luego!

[dhruv88tourism]

Adventure Travel: Top Destinations for Thrill Seekers

Adventure Travel: Top Destinations for Thrill Seekers

Adventure travel is an exhilarating way to explore the world beyond traditional sightseeing, offering unique experiences for thrill-seekers. From hiking through remote mountain ranges to diving into the deep blue of the ocean, adventure travel provides adrenaline-pumping activities that challenge the body and invigorate the spirit. Here are some of the top destinations for those looking for the ultimate thrill.

1. New Zealand: The Adventure Capital of the World

New Zealand has earned its reputation as the "adventure capital of the world," and for good reason. The country’s stunning landscapes, ranging from volcanic mountains to pristine lakes, provide a natural playground for adrenaline junkies. Queenstown, in particular, is a hotbed of adventure activities, including bungee jumping, skydiving, white-water rafting, and jet boating. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers a challenging hike with breathtaking views of volcanic craters and turquoise lakes. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced adventurer, New Zealand’s diverse terrain guarantees an unforgettable experience.

2. Costa Rica: A Central American Paradise

Costa Rica is a haven for adventure enthusiasts with its lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and pristine coastlines. It’s one of the best places in the world for zip-lining, especially in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you soar over the canopy for an exhilarating experience. Surfing is also popular along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, where the waves are perfect for both beginners and advanced surfers. For a truly heart-pounding experience, white-water rafting in the Sarapiquí or Pacuare Rivers offers adrenaline-filled rapids set against some of the most stunning natural backdrops. Costa Rica’s biodiversity and focus on conservation make it a must-visit for eco-adventurers.

3. Patagonia: The Ultimate Outdoor Playground

Located in the southernmost regions of Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is an untouched paradise for hikers, climbers, and outdoor lovers. The region’s dramatic landscapes are filled with glaciers, towering peaks, and sweeping valleys, making it a top destination for trekking. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile offers some of the best hiking in the world, with trails that take you past stunning granite towers, turquoise lakes, and wild, rugged terrain. Whether you’re tackling the famous W Trek or attempting to summit Mount Fitz Roy in Argentina, Patagonia offers some of the most breathtaking adventures on Earth.

4. Nepal: The Gateway to the Himalayas

For thrill seekers with a love for mountain climbing and high-altitude trekking, Nepal is a dream destination. Home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, Nepal is the perfect base for an epic adventure. The Everest Base Camp trek is a challenging but accessible option for those who want to experience the majesty of the Himalayas without summiting Everest itself. For more experienced climbers, there are opportunities to attempt peaks like Annapurna and Lhotse. Beyond trekking, Nepal offers thrilling white-water rafting, jungle safaris in Chitwan National Park, and paragliding over the stunning Pokhara valley.

5. South Africa: Safaris and Extreme Sports

South Africa is a land of contrasts, combining extreme sports with iconic wildlife experiences. Cape Town is a hotspot for adventure travel, offering rock climbing up Table Mountain, cage diving with sharks, and paragliding off Signal Hill. The country’s diverse ecosystems also provide opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to embark on safaris in Kruger National Park or the Eastern Cape, where you can encounter the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge, one of the world’s highest bungee jumps, offers an unforgettable experience.

6. Iceland: Nature’s Playground

Iceland is a land of fire and ice, with its volcanic landscapes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls making it a dream destination for adventure seekers. The island is home to some of the most unique outdoor activities, such as ice climbing on glaciers, snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure between tectonic plates, and exploring lava caves. For a truly otherworldly experience, take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa surrounded by volcanic rocks, or trek across black sand beaches and frozen landscapes. Iceland’s dramatic scenery and adventurous spirit make it a top pick for thrill-seekers.

Conclusion

For those seeking adventure, these destinations offer experiences that are as diverse as they are thrilling. Whether you're conquering mountain peaks, diving into the deep blue, or navigating wild rivers, these locations provide the perfect combination of challenge and excitement. Adventure travel not only pushes you to your limits but also opens doors to unforgettable memories in some of the most stunning environments on the planet. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, these destinations promise an adrenaline-filled journey that you won’t soon forget.

[tanishateachertalk]

Island Dreams and Rainforest Escapes: My Favorite Places in the Caribbean and Central America

Some places speak to the heart, drawing you in with their rhythm, warmth, and beauty. The Caribbean and Central America hold some of the most unforgettable landscapes and vibrant cultures, each destination offering a unique story. Whether it's the lush rainforests of Costa Rica or the sun-kissed beaches of Jamaica, these places are etched in my memory, leaving behind the kind of imprint you never quite shake. Here are four places that have captured my soul:

1. The Untamed Wilderness of Panama

Panama is a country where contrasts meet in the most extraordinary way. From the bustling modernity of Panama City’s skyscrapers to the ancient rainforests that seem to pulse with life, it’s a land of rich history and wild beauty. My favorite place? The unspoiled islands of Bocas del Toro. There's something truly magical about the turquoise waters, swaying palms, and colorful coral reefs. Days spent snorkeling in crystal-clear waters reveal a kaleidoscope of marine life, while evenings are about unwinding in a hammock, lulled by the soft crash of waves.

But it’s not just the islands that enchant me. Hiking through Boquete, nestled in the misty highlands, feels like stepping into another world. The air is cool, the coffee farms stretch out like a green quilt, and the roar of hidden waterfalls fills the forest. It's a place where adventure calls you at every turn, yet serenity is never far behind.

2. The Rhythmic Heartbeat of Jamaica

Ah, Jamaica — where the beat of reggae seems to blend with the pulse of the ocean. The island is alive with color, sound, and energy, but it also knows how to soothe the soul. Negril is my favorite spot, with its seven miles of powdery white sand stretching along the coast like a postcard come to life. The sunsets here are legendary, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink as you sip on fresh coconut water, toes buried in the warm sand.

Beyond the beaches, Jamaica’s spirit is found in its people and its music. A walk through the bustling streets of Kingston, where the sounds of Bob Marley echo from street corners, reminds me that Jamaica is more than just a paradise for sun-seekers; it’s a place where culture, history, and art breathe through every interaction. And when I need to escape the heat, a trip to Dunn’s River Falls — a cascading waterfall that you can actually climb — offers a refreshing adventure like no other.

3. The Tranquil Shores of Antigua

Antigua, with its 365 beaches, promises a new shoreline for every day of the year, but it's not just about the numbers. There’s a feeling of quiet serenity that washes over you as soon as you step foot on the island. My favorite? Half Moon Bay, with its sweeping crescent of pink-tinged sand and gentle waves lapping the shore. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time, lounging under palm trees and letting the world drift by.

What really makes Antigua special, though, is its history. Exploring Nelson’s Dockyard, a beautifully restored Georgian naval base, takes you back in time. You can almost hear the echo of sailors’ boots on the cobblestones and imagine ships anchored in the harbor centuries ago. Antigua’s laid-back vibe, coupled with its rich maritime past, makes it the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.

4. The Wild Wonders of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country that speaks to the adventurer in me. It’s a land where nature reigns supreme — where volcanoes loom in the distance, rainforests teem with wildlife, and beaches are kissed by both the Pacific and the Caribbean. The biodiversity here is unmatched, and every visit feels like stepping into a living, breathing nature documentary.

My favorite escape is the wild and rugged Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically intense places on the planet. Here, you can hike through the dense jungles of Corcovado National Park, where howler monkeys swing through the trees and scarlet macaws flash like jewels against the green canopy. It’s a place that feels primal, untouched — where you’re reminded of the earth’s raw beauty with every step.

And then, there’s the peaceful side of Costa Rica. In Monteverde, I’ve wandered through cloud forests where the mist clings to the leaves and the world feels hushed, like nature is whispering secrets you’re lucky enough to overhear. It’s a place that invites introspection, where every breath feels like a communion with the natural world.

These places — Panama, Jamaica, Antigua, and Costa Rica — are more than destinations on a map. They are experiences, feelings, and memories. Each one offers something different: the adventure of the jungle, the peace of the beach, the rhythm of a city, or the quiet beauty of history. They’ve taught me that the world is vast and full of wonder, and I know I’ll return to these places again, seeking that familiar sense of awe.

What about you? What places call you back, time and time again?

[jujurose222]

Present 𖦹

Laying in my bed and everything hurts. Ten and a half hours from now I will be shaking down the steps towards my car. Where I will have to use my new scraper to get rid of the snow all over my windshield. While doing so I will accidentally get snow in my socks and try to stay calm to prevent frustration. Something that will be the hardest challenge of my day. First it is work, smelling chemicals that burn my nose hairs. While I scrub the toilets of people who need a place to stay in my lovely little town. Afterwards is a break where me and my friend will smoke in the car with our windows down. Listening to Lana Del Rey sing of soft sex and men who fuel her creative passion. Just for my friend to rush home, for she must serve at the local diner. Many old folks await her arrival. I am in turn, left alone and bored. A beautiful mixture left up to the fate of my sky. Whatever I shall do will always be fun, yet part of me craves a nic rip and empty mind, watching fiction to avoid reality. Now I just try to stay healthy, yet my meals are processed and cheap, because I have herbs to buy to kill my anxious defeat. Fast food and rushed drivers speeding right past me. How do I slow it down, or maybe speed it up to find a moment of contentment? I know it is all worth it, and nothing is truly wrong. I will be okay even when I die, I just simply crave fate's pleasures sometimes. Something a true alchemist or philosopher would never mention to their colleagues, but I am almost eighteen and feeling utterly obscene. I must settle and share my knowledge supposedly. But I crave a land of chaotic minds and playful dreams. A place with dragons and fairies flying all around me. My head is full of delights, but everyone always tells me, reality is dense. The stuff that matters is apparently rock solid, yet some of these matters have been shifted to a lighter form. Usually only through my mind and perception, but I feel as though one day, I will see it right in front of my eyes, a shift so wild and bright. True dense matter, rock solid, melt right in front of me, proving my work and efforts are not in vain. Alchemy, something of my dreams, how must I obtain the gold? I recently heard something quite “insightful,” it comes from Albert Einstein. “The pursuit of knowledge is more valuable than its possession.” I have a long journey of confusing insights and funky questions, yet that is the fun in this strange game. Hoping for a break at least from this back pain.

[writing-in-a-chipotle]

Unbearably Mortal (Part 2)

(Alcina Dimitrescu x gender neutral reader)

Part 1

Words: ~2.5 K

Summary: In which a lot of things happen and none of them are good.

A/N: Hey, y’all! Back at it again with another chapter! Hope you enjoy!

“Nope nope nope nope… no way in hell…” You shook your head violently, unable to process what Mary had said. “This is… this is all some sort of elaborate prank, right? You’re messing with me. Yeah.” You swallowed. Your saliva felt like acid.

Mary grimaced. “I’m sorry, but this isn’t a game. This is very much reality.”

“So… what are they then?” You began pacing the floor, anxiety clinging to the pit of your stomach. “You expect me to believe that they’re some sort of weird, blood-sucking vampires?? You must be out of your mind… they don’t exist! They can’t be real!”

Mary stood up and walked over to you, gently placing her hands on your shoulders. With her blocking your path, you were forced to stop pacing and look at her.

“Listen,” She began, eyes gleaming with fear “I have no need to lie to you. Believe whatever you want to believe, for the only thing on the line right now is your head. Jane and I risked our lives to save you. If we were caught, all of us would have died. So, are you going to freak out and get yourself killed, or are you gonna listen to me?”

You were stunned into silence. Mary was being deathly serious. You nodded shakily.

“Good.” Mary breathed a sigh of relief. “If you had a mental breakdown and they heard…” She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t need to either; the implication was horrifying enough as it was.

“Thank you, by the way,” you sighed, sitting back down on the bed, “you really didn’t have to save me.”

“Honestly, I’m still scared out of my mind,” she admitted breathily, “but I’m glad you’re better now.”

“Thanks.”

She hummed, then pursed her lips. Her frown deepened even more. “Well… now what do we do? The Dimitrescu family is notorious for slaughtering any trespassers they find.”

Your eyes widened and your stomach dropped. “Oh no… oh no, no, no…”

You were stuck. You were stuck in a terrifying castle with horrifying, blood-sucking monsters who would gladly turn you into a mangled corpse on their living room floor. You had no way to call for help, and your parents probably didn’t even know what was happening…

Your phone.

You patted your pockets and fished through them. Let’s see: some dirt, a crumpled flight itinerary, your house keys… aha!

“...what’s in the box?” Mary asked, “I don't think I’ve seen anything like it before.”

You blinked. Box? “Oh, this? It’s my phone.” You rotated it slowly in your fingers so she could easily see all its sides. “It’s a bit larger and blockier than your average iPhone because it’s designed to connect directly to the satellite, making it easy to call anyone from anywhere in the world. It cost me a lot of money, but since I was planning on traveling the world after I graduated, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to have it a few years early.”

Mary gave you a completely confused stare. “What’s an… iPhone? Or a sad-del-light? Did you make those up?”

You frowned, your eyebrow twitching in confusion. “Uh… no? I wouldn’t make anything like this up. You… you truly don’t know what modern technology is like?”

She shook her head. “I’ve… never been outside the village. I have no idea what the rest of the world is like.”

“And you don’t have a phone? Internet? Anything??”

“I’m afraid not,” She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, “the Lords don’t allow anyone to leave the village or write letters to the outside world.”

A chill shot up your spine. “That’s… terrifying…”

Mary nodded, then tilted her head, thinking. She pursed her lips and motioned with her finger for you to come closer. You lean your ear to her.

“What is it?” You whisper.

“There are rumors of a girl who escaped the Lord’s wrath,” she began, “apparently, she managed to leave the village unharmed. There was an old hag who used to moan about how her daughter left her for a new life. She sounded half mad, so no one bothered listening to her.”

Your grandmother. She was talking about your grandmother.

And your mom.

This meant that… your mom knew about these crazy monsters? That she let you come here, to a place where you would most likely die? Alone??

Nothing made sense anymore.

You realized you had zoned out of Mary’s story. You shook your head, bringing your attention back to the present.

“Is that a good idea?”

“Uh, sorry, what?” You blinked. Mary was staring at you like you were an idiot. (Which you were, but that’s not the point.)

“I said,” she repeated, “you need to blend in until we can figure out how to escape.”

“That’s… that’s a pretty good idea. And wait….” you repeated her words in your mind. “We? You want to come too?”

“Goddess, it’s like you’re dense or something.” Mary muttered under her breath. “Of course I want to leave! Are you out of your mi-“

“I get it, I get it,” you huffed, interrupting her, “What do we do now?”

“Now,” she folded her arms, “we need to get you a disguise.” She walked over to a tiny dresser in the far corner and pulled out a neatly-folded maid’s uniform. “I hope you’re my size.”

————————

Turns out you weren’t Mary’s size.

You couldn’t help it; your new friend was practically a walking stick. Your shoulders were too broad, your legs too long; but with Mary’s excellent sewing skills, you were able to make it work… sort of.

“Damn, this uniform is itchy,” you complained, scratching at the neckline.

“You’ll grow used to it after a while,” Mary replied. “Now we need to get to work or-“

“We’ll be made into wine. Got it.” You straightened out your sleeves.

She nodded. “Just follow my lead.”

The two of you walked quickly and quietly out of the servant’s quarters. Your heart was racing. Every time you turned a corner, you half expected a bloodied monster to jump the both of you and tear out your arteries.

You rounded another bend and nearly walked into Mary. She had stopped suddenly and immediately fled to the side of the hallway, bowing deeply at the corridor. You quickly followed her lead.

The moment you bowed your head, a steady buzzing filled your ears.

Swarms of flies flitted through your vision as they flew down the hall, buzzing excitedly. Maliciously. You don’t know how they managed to convey such emotions, but they seemed…. off.

And then, they changed.

The insects spiraled and spun into a large, buzzing mass, sewing themselves into a completely different form; one with a deep black cloak, ghoulishly pale hands, wild blonde hair…

And blood-stained teeth.

Mary curtsied deeply and you were quick to follow suit. “Good evening, Lady Bela,” she said softly, refusing to look up, “how may we be of service?”

Bela gave a bored wave of her hand. “We’re a bit... short-staffed in the kitchens at the moment,” she drawled, “Mother doesn’t want dinner to be served a second too late. She-” Her eyes fell on you and she stopped dead in her tracks. “You smell familiar, human…” she growled.

Oh no, you were dead, you were dead, you were dead. Cold sweat fell from your neck, and your heart raced. Bela stepped closer to you, brows furrowed and hungry eyes glinting.

“They’re new, Lady Bela,” Maria said quickly.

She raised an immaculate brow. “New, you say?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“... I see.”

It was only a moment before she leaned away, but to you, it felt like hours. The Dimitrescu was a terrifyingly deadly whirlwind, one that seemed to stare directly into your soul… maybe even smell your fear. Bela’s lips twitched, giving you a glimpse of sharp fangs.

“Well then, newcomer,” she hissed, amusement dripping in her voice, “if you’re so eager to serve us, I want you to pour the wine.”

Your heart raced in panic, your hands shaking. Pouring the wine meant seeing these monsters at their most bloodthirsty. It meant you would get caught.

I won’t survive, you thought fearfully.

You quickly dropped into a clumsy curtsy before you forgot yourself. “A-as you wish, Lady Bela,” you choke out.

“Hm… we’ll see, won’t we.” She dissolved into a sea of flies and flew down the hallway and out of sight.

You breathed heavily. Your heart was still going a mile a minute. Before you could say anything, Mary grabbed your arm and tugged you along.

“Wha-“

“Shh,” she hissed. “Not yet.”

You followed her silently to the kitchen. This whole situation was too hard to process… you’d barely been in Romania for a day and you suddenly had to face the reality of your imminent death.

You felt lightheaded. Your vision swam.

“Where are you, draga mea?” A smooth, enchanting voice swirled in your mind. You felt your pulse hammering in your temples. The voice sounded so close, yet so far away. It was familiar and warm… but it was too hard to tell if it meant anything. You were too woozy, too lightheaded…

“It’s time to wake up, darling,” the voice continued dreamily, “Open your eyes for me?”

“...hey… hey!” A familiar voice hissed, “hello? Are you alright?”

Your eyes snapped open.

Mary stood in front of you, her hands on your shoulders. Once she saw you move, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you alright? You haven’t blinked for the past few minutes, nor have you responded to anything or anyone around you.”

“Yeah, I just…” you swallowed thickly. What was wrong with you? “... I just spaced out.” Mary frowned, giving you a suspicious glance, but didn’t push.

You were in the kitchen. Cooks and maids bustled around in an organized fashion, whispering instructions to each other while slicing, cooking, and plating bright red slabs of meat. You definitely didn’t want to know what kind the Dimitrescu’s were eating tonight.

Someone grabbed your arm and you flinched, turning around. It was one of the older cooks, a salt and pepper haired woman with soot-stained clothes and greasy calloused hands. She shoved a a bottle of wine into your hands so fast, you nearly dropped it. She glowered at you.

“As soon as the meal is served, you pop open the bottle and pour for everyone.” She hurriedly rattled off instructions. “When they finish their drink, pour them another. You do not look at them, you do not touch them or their glasses, you don’t even breathe around them. And for the love of the Goddess: Do. Not. Spill.”

You gulped and nodded. You just had to do your job, then leave. That’s all. You could do this.

Or so you told yourself.

The old woman gave you a quick look, and for a moment it seemed she gave you a twinge of a sympathetic smile. But just like that it was gone, replaced by her signature scowl.

“Alright, we go in three…” she held up three fingers covered in burn scars. One second passed. Then another.

The kitchen maids smoothly entered the dining room in one sweeping motion; a flurry of skirts and iron serving trays. You followed them close behind. The maids placed the trays in front of each Dimitrescu before fleeing to the kitchen single file.

And then it hit you.

You were the only maid who was supposed to stay throughout the entire meal.

Without you even knowing it, Bela had assigned you one of the most dangerous jobs at the castle; one where you had to stay, alone, in the same room as four hungry, bloodthirsty vampires.

You quickly began pouring the wine.

You walked around the massive mahogany table, trying your best not to spill the blood-red drink. You poured for Bela first, and you tried your absolute best not to look her in the eye. You didn’t know what you would do if you saw her grinning.

You moved on to the next Dimitrescu: a redhead with glistening fangs. As you poured, she suddenly hissed. In your surprise, you fumbled the bottle. But you didn’t spill.

The last sister (you assumed all three of them were sisters based on their similar appearances) was a brunette with mischievous eyes. You didn’t mean to look at her… you really didn’t…

Based on her low, rumbling cackle, you knew you were doomed.

The last Dimitrescu, the Lady Dimitrescu, was much different than the other three. She was incredibly tall, with a flowing white dress that fell to her ankles, a wide-brimmed hat…

And pearly-white satin gloves.

Why did that seem so familiar?

You shook your head. You had to stop thinking and just pour the wine! You only had one more glass to fill, after all.

The brunette stuck out her foot, and you went down.

You landed on top of the bottle, and it shattered under you. Glass and wine flew everywhere, piercing your clothes, slicing your skin, staining the rug…

And completely drenching the front of Lady Dimitrescu’s immaculate dress.

The air cracked with electricity. “You...” she hissed, in a stranglely familiar voice.

Before you could even beg for forgiveness, the towering terror of a woman stood from the table and grasped you by the collar before you could even blink.

She growled, breath smelling of blood. “You will pay for your insole-“ her breath hitched. Her death grip on you loosened and faded, till you dropped to the floor like a rag doll.

Fearfully, you looked up at her.

Her demeanor had completely changed. Where once stood a cold-hearted monster was a shocked, crying… woman. Tears streaked down her face, dripping from her chin as she sunk to the floor. She didn’t look like a monster, she looked… human.

The lady reached out a gloved hand, then flinched as if burned. She looked lost and confused and sad; unable to process what she was looking at… or rather, who she was looking at.

A chill ran up your spine, fearful tendrils snaking through your system as you both stared into each other’s eyes.

And then, Lady Dimitrescu uttered a single word, barely a whisper at all, and your stomach dropped. Your world spun.

“Y/N?”

You couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Everything you had ever known was completely useless, and your life would end at any moment, you were sure. You felt like crying, you felt like throwing up.

She said your name.

Lady Dimitrescu, one of the most powerful supernatural beings in the world, who couldn’t possibly know who you were, had said your name.

It was too much. There were too many strong emotions, too many near-death experiences in one day. Your body was bloody and exhausted, your energy spent.

You collapsed on the dining room floor, and your vision faded to black.

[brian-in-finance]

Jamie Dornan: A Quiet Force in ‘Belfast’

There are many different types of fathers.

In Kenneth Branagh’s cinematic memoir Belfast, 2022 SAG nominee (Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture) Jamie Dornan plays Pa, the kind of dad who would do whatever it takes to save his family even if it means leaving his beloved home. He’s smart enough to know that he can’t fight the hate that has been percolating for decades and be certain that his loved ones would survive. He’s savvy enough to pick his battles carefully. He’s fierce when it comes to protecting his sons against those who would teach them prejudice. He adores his wife. He isn’t without sin. He’s paying for his past sins, literally, but he’s doing his best in a time and place where men like him are being threatened if they refuse to turn to terrorism.

Belfast is set in 1969 when life in the titular locale becomes a nightmare for the working-class families that keep the city alive. Branagh keeps focus on one 9-year-old boy,Buddy (a fine Jude Hill), and his folks (the magnificent Caitríona Balfe and Dornan) and grandparents (Ciarán Hinds and Dame Judi Dench, just amazing).

The film manages to be a tribute to the medium, to the city, and oddly, to the turbulent time.

Dornan, who is doing some of the best work of his career recently, is a quiet force here, giving us just tiny glimpses of the volatility that hides behind his mollifying presence. What he does with a simple glance or reaction truly impresses. In a key moment near the film’s end, he receives tragic news, and the camera barely gives his face time to react. Yet, everything we need to know rests in that reaction.

The actor, who made his film debut in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette in 2006, has come a long way from the Fifty Shades Trilogy. The RTÉ/BBC miniseries The Fall proved that he was an acting force to be reckoned with. Wild Mountain Thyme and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar showed off his hilarious comic gifts. Belfast secures his place as one of our most gifted dramatic actors.

https://www.awardsdaily.com/2022/01/12/jamie-dornan-a-quiet-force-in-belfast/

Awards Daily had the pleasure of a recent Zoom chat with Dornan.

Remember… Dornan, who is doing some of the best work of his career recently, is a quiet force here, giving us just tiny glimpses of the volatility that hides behind his mollifying presence. — Awards Daily

[gaymer-hag-stan]

Lara Croft's Biography

This is my attempt at consolidating Core Design's two biographies for Lara Croft as well as Crystal Dynamics' revised version for Legend into one, cohesive background story that includes all key events from her past adventures. Certain elements of the first nine games and their backstories are bound to be included in the new, unified timeline so any Reboot fans that are not as familiar with Classic Lara may find this interesting to read :) Hope you like it!

Name: Lara Croft

Nationality: British

Date of Birth: 14 February 1968

Birthplace: Wimbledon, London

Marital Status: Single

Blood Group: AB-

Height: 1,75m

Weight: 58 kg

Hair Colour: Brunnette

Eye Colour: Brown

Distinguishing Features: 9mm Handguns

Bio

Lady Lara Croft is an 11th generation Countess. The Croft family was granted the title and rights to Abbingdon, Surrey by King Edward VI in 1547. The Croft Estates are comprised of three separate manor houses, two of which are maintained by the National Trust, and the third is home to Lady Croft.

Lady Croft herself has suffered several personal tragedies, including the deaths of both parents on separate occasions before she came of age. Reputably an accredited genius and Olympic-standard gymnast, Lady Croft is the focus of wild speculation and intense debate in both the scientific and political communities in addition to the popular press. Idealized and vilified in equal measure, she is perhaps one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures of our time.

Lara Croft was born in Surrey's Parkside hospital on the 14th of February in 1968 to Lady Amelia Croft and the notorious archeologist Lord Richard Croft, the late Earl of Abbingdon. She was raised to be an aristocrat from birth, and had lived in luxury and security aloof from the world at large. Between the ages of three and six, she attended the Abbingdon Girls School, where it quickly became clear that she was an exceptionally gifted child.

At the age of nine she survived a plane crash in the Himalayas that took the life of her mother. In perhaps the first story of her prodigious indomitability, she somehow survived a solo ten-day trek across the Himalayan mountains, one of the most hostile environments on the planet. The story goes that when she arrived in Katmandu she went to the nearest bar and made a polite telephone call to her father asking if it would be convenient for him to come and pick her up.

For six years following the plane crash, Lara rarely left her father's side, traveling around the world from one archeological dig site to another. During this period she was ostensibly given a standard education from private tutors, but it would probably be more accurate to say she was her father's full time apprentice.

When Lara was fifteen, her father went missing in Cambodia. Extensive searches by the authorities and Lara herself turned up human remains that could not definitively be identified. Since Lord Croft's body was not officially recovered, Lara could not directly inherit the Croft title and Lara was thrust into a bitter family feud over control of the Abbingdon estates with her uncle Lord Errol Croft. Lara eventually won the legal battle, and took possession of her inheritance but at the cost of a deep rift in the Croft family that left her estranged from her living relatives.

At 16 she began studying at Gordonstoun, one of Britain's most prominent boarding schools where she discovered the mountains of Scotland. One day Lara came across a copy of National Geographic on the hall table. The front cover featured a familiar name - Professor Werner Von Croy. A respected archaeologist, Von Croy had once lectured at Lara's school to pupils & parents alike.

The experience had a profound effect on Lara, triggering a desire for travel to remote locations in search of adventure. In some ways Von Croy had become an inspirational figure for Lara. As Lara read further, she learned that Von Croy was currently preparing for an archaeological tour across Asia, culminating in a potential new discovery to be made in Cambodia. Unable to pass up this opportunity, she walked over to the desk & penned a letter to Von Croy. She Introduced herself and offered financial assistance in exchange for her place on the expedition. Von Croy's reply assured her that the territories were friendly and that he had ample experience to look after both his & Lara's well being.

Lara's company as an assistant would be welcome, as was the offer of such a generous cheque. He remembered Lara from his lecture - her incessant yet insightful questions had made quite an impression upon him. And so it was agreed that Lara would accompany Von Croy for the duration of the tour.

At 21, while in college, she was part of a team of aspiring archaeologists in charge of a dig in Paraiso, Peru. Her closest friends, Amanda Evert, aspiring anthropologist, and Anaya Imanu, engineer, among them. They were attempting to break through the tomb of the Queen of Tiwanaku. The expedition was cut short however, as a tragic accident led to the deaths of most of Lara's friends and colleagues, including Amanda, with Lara and Anaya emerging from the dig as the only two known survivors.

Lara probably should have died there, as most did, instead she learned how to depend on her wits to stay alive in hostile conditions a world away from her sheltered upbringing. Her experiences had had a profound effect on her and in that process transformed herself as well. Her Peruvian odyssey was both miraculous and enlightening, as the young woman not only survived, but gained a perspective on herself and the world that made her past appear shallow and naive. Out of the darkness of her ordeal, she saw her future reflected in a different light.

She felt profoundly that there was more for her in this life than the coddled existence that had become her numbing habit. Unable to stand the suffocating atmosphere of upper-class British society any longer, she realized that she was only truly alive when she was travelling alone. Over the eight following years she acquired an intimate knowledge of ancient civilizations across the globe. Despite this drastic life change, Lara still retains the essence of her upbringing - most notably with her polite, upper-class accent. She turned to writing to fund her trips.

While in England, Lara lives in a mansion in Surrey which she inherited many years ago. At one time she saw little use in it but now realises that, if nothing else, it is at least handy for storing all the artifacts she has acquired on her travels. She has also had a custom-built assault course constructed in the grounds for training purposes.

Lady Lara Croft has already eclipsed her father's career; as of this writing she is credited with the discovery of some fifteen archeological sites of international significance. These sites are still yielding new and exciting insights to the past on an ongoing basis. No one can deny Lady Croft's incredible contribution to the field of archeology, however she is not without her detractors.

Lara's methods have been frequently called into question by government officials and other practicing archeologists. She has been described variously as anything from cavalier to downright irresponsible. Some scholars have suggested that her notorious lack of documentation and brute force methodology have contaminated countless sites and done more harm than good. There have even been (unsubstantiated) allegations that Lara actually takes items from these sites before informing the international community of their locations, and that she is nothing more than a glorified treasure hunter.

Despite the tabloid press's infatuation with her, Lara Croft guards her privacy with complete determination. She has never granted an interview nor made any personal comment to any of the rumors associated with her, preferring to express herself through brief formal statements given by the family solicitors, Hardgraves and Moore.

Predictably there have been a number of unofficial biographies printed about the young Countess, that attribute wild and fantastic feats to her exploits, ranging from the discovery of living dinosaurs in the Congo to infiltrating the infamous Area 51 in Nevada. The official line from the Croft Estate to these works is simply that "...these books are utter rot: disgraceful, trashy works of total fiction."

Nevertheless if you even make a cursory search on the Internet for the Unexplained, the Mysterious and the Downright Unbelievable, time and again you will find Lara Croft's name appearing. She appears to be a hero to conspiracy theorists and alternate history aficionados alike.

It seems the further you dig into Lady Croft's life, the more bewildering and mysterious she becomes. Perhaps like the archeological sites she discovers, we have only scratched the surface of this incredible woman and the complex and inscrutable secrets buried deep within her.

Lara Croft became the seeker of truths, both large and small, and in that pursuit she continues to this day.

Employment

Lara doesn't consider tomb raiding as a job, merely a way of life - although she has been known to uncover archeological artifacts on commission. To fund her radical lifestyle, Lara writes travel books. Titles so far have included 'A Tyrannosaurus is Jawing at My Head' and 'Slaying Bigfoot'. Her common complaint though is that she doesn't have enough time to put pen to paper.

As well as uncovering many notorious archeological sites - including the Atlantean pyramid and the last resting place of the dagger of Xian, Lara has found fame in other areas - she has driven the dangerous Alaskan Highway from Tierra del Fuego in South America in record time (although this was later denounced by the Guinness Book of Records due to her "reckless driving") and she hit the headlines again when she hunted out and killed Bigfoot in North America.

Sports

Not much of a team player. Discovered rock climbing while at Gordonstoun and used to set off into the hills alone during netball practice. Also took up shooting as an extra-curricular activity but was instantly banned for showing "too keen an interest'. However, the strength that climbing gave her fingers was to become useful when she started pulling triggers for real.

Music

Lara was brought up to appreciate classical music but having been a guest on U2's Popmart tour, has since become a fan of their music. She has also been introduced to the sounds of Nine inch Nails by her Aunty and considers it "good easy listening". Finds trance music, in general, good for training.

Food

Despite being a proficient cook from her days at finishing school and having sampled most of the exotic delicacies of the world, Lara usually opts for beans on toast when at home.

Hobbies

Any challenging sports. Has a particular interest in experimenting with different, often extreme forms of transport. Has also once admitted to stitching a kind of Bayeaux tapestry of her own adventures while at home.

Ambition

With her unique physical abilities, Lara is certain of being able to break many world athletic records and so sees no challenge in this herself. Her main ambitions still lie in the undefined world of tombs and the past. She has also however, developed a personal regard for Brian Blessed's attempts to climb Everest. If he never succeeds, she is determined to piggy-back him up there.

Heroes

All the great ancient figures who respected themselves enough to design such intricate tombs to be buried in. "Nobody goes to trouble like that anymore..."

Fears

Her Aunty's Corgi which has bitten her on several occasions - about which, for once, there is little she can do.

Lucky Charm

Any gun at hand.

[guillemelgat]

Masterlist of my posts

Because I tend not to reblog old posts of mine and they have a tendency to get lost into the nether on here, I thought I’d make a list of all the more langblr-y posts I’ve done. Just an FYI, some of these are ancient and truly wild, but I’m still putting them because some people might find them helpful. Also I may pin this and keep updating it as I make more stuff, just because it’s easier than wading through my blog.

CATALAN

El català a casa

Demonstratives in Catalan

Flower names (English/Spanish/Catalan)

Fenòmens fonètics

Pronúncies no-estandards

Catan vocab

Junteu-vos translation

Irrationally Long and Extremely Specific - Linguistics Edition

Eco-friendly vocab

Ramadan vocab

Atles lingüístic del domini català

Weekly Catalan vocab dump

Això vs aquest

Solstice vocab

Hanukkah vocab

Connectors discursius

Periphrastic past tense

Catalan WOTD

Música de poetes

Christmas carols (one of these is not for Catalan but whatever)

Catalan folk music

Fiber arts vocab

Football vocab

Musica en català 2017 (playlist)

Música en català 2018 (playlist)

Música en català 2019 (playlist)

Música en català 2020 (playlist)

Música valenciana (playlist)

Answering questions

Rodamots

Plaça del diamant

BASQUE

City vocab

Geography and climate vocab

Time vocab

August Writing Challenge

Hanukkah vocab

Advanced Learner Challenge

Juntagailuak

Basic vocab/intro

Auxiliaries (past tense)

WELSH

Vocab dumps - Part 1 | Part 2

Plygain

The Mabinogi(on)

Hanukkah vocab

Wintry vocab

Advanced Learner Challenge

St. David’s Day Extravaganza

Everyday Welsh

MALAYALAM

ആണ് vs. ഉണ്ട്

Hobbies Vocab

Places vocab

Body vocab

Mango vocab and sentences

Pronouns and basic verbs

Cases cheatsheet

Hanukkah vocab

Flashcards for vocab

ROMANI

Conjugation & declension worksheets

Vocab dump

Verbal auxiliaries - present tense

Verbs - present tense

Cases

Poem translations - Untitled | Vràma si jekh, vràma sajekh

TAMASHEQ/TAMAHAQ

Verbs - Pt. 1

Study notes series (also available as a Google Doc)

ABENAKI

Wintry vocab

Fall vocab

Table vocab

Water vocab

Invariable vocab - adverbs

Dialogue

Trees vocab

Directions vocab

Sky/natural phenomena vocab

Grammar series

Weather vocab

Seasons vocab

Plants and animals vocab

Resources

SPANISH

Música diversa en castellano

“Sofía” tutorial & guitar/basic music vocabulary

GENERAL

Platforms for lesser-studied languages

Indigenous Language Awareness Challenge - challenge post | my posts

Languages of Kerala (LDC)

Advent calendar (mix of posts in different languages)

My Google Drive

Langblr NaNoWriMo - challenge post | my posts

Literature Challenge

Lyrikline

How to learn vocab with songs: Google Translate & dictionary editions

Music recommendations

Tuvan resources

March Polyglot Challenge

What do to when you are tired of language-learning

Let me know if any of the links go down and I will try to fix them!

[likeadevils]

hey! for your post about sun moon and rising but with taylor albums, can you list out the characteristics of each album? i'm having a hard time associating them and it'd make it a lot easier, if you could do that :)

oh totally! Its really all about your personal association, so i’ll give vibes for the era and the album. a good rule of thumb is to read the prologue if you want the tone for the era quickly. honestly, there’s no set system, go wild

taylor swift (2006) “debut”

era: blue and teal and brown. cowboy boots and sundresses, wild curly hair, trucks and mud and wildflowers. very 2006, very high school, very country

album: swings between pining from a distance and wanting to destroy a boys whole ass life and feeling like you have no friends and no one understands you in the whole world. like I said, very high school, but also full of whole ass bangers

fearless (2008)

era: yellow and white. 24/7 prom. she’s got the fairy tale aesthetics set in high school, she’s got calling your ex boyfriend out on national television, she's got so many headbands. god to be 8 years old when the joe jonas/taylor swift drama was going down

album: again, fairy tale set in high school. lots of crushes, lots of realizing men aren’t shit. it’s about the pull between childhood ideals and real life tearing them down, and deciding how much you should cling to your dreams and how much you have to let them go. it’s also a pull between knowing that these little moments are kinda ridiculous but also taking everything so goddamn seriously

speak now (2010)

era: purple purple purple. she’s starting to grow up! her look has evolved out of sundresses and prom dresses and into a more preppy style. she’s moved out of fantasy and into this like. circus aesthetic? 30s movie type thing? watch the mean music video, idk how to explain it. her hair is still curly and but under control, and she’s solidly Famous at this point. the idea that she can’t sing is Big, and the man-eater stereotype is starting to get popular 

album: she’s starting to grow out of country. she’s experimenting with rock, but her pop sound is starting to take off. it’s all about Dramatics: she’s experienced her first heartbreak, broke someone else’s heart, and was in an emotionally abusive relationship all within two years. she’s moved out of her parents house and is both infantilized and forced to grow up to fast by the media.

red (2012)

era: its 2012 hipster style. her hair is Straight and she’s wearing vintage dresses everywhere, and she’s posting sketches of red lips and quotes from fitzgerald about heartbreak and finding yourself on instagram. she is dating and breaking up with harry styles Very Publically, and its the last major relationship she’ll have for two more years. the idea that she dates to much is everywhere, and she’s being slut shamed to an insane degree, while also being dismissed as a goody-two-shoes

album: it’s designed so each song has the opposite emotions of the song before it. it’s dramatic and it’s heart wrenching and it portrays these relationships that were toxic and messy and captivating. has the last vestiges of country, some more rock, and the first pure Pop songs, all nestled against each other to give you the epic highs and lows of being 22

1989 (2014)

era: its the height of her stardom, and she’s more beloved then she’s ever been and (probably) will ever be again. she’s cut her hair and moved to New York, she’s wearing high waisted stuff and taking polaroids, and she’s been single for two years and it’s has given her the freedom to find a “tight” group of friends and herself. shes talking about third wave feminism all the time, she’s papped every day, and she started dating c*lvin h*rris; they date for a year, he was the first boyfriend to be posted on social media, and the one she was with the longest (until her current bf). publically, she’s the happiest and most successful she’s ever been. personally, it’s more complicated, especially by the last few months. “she lost him, but she found herself and somehow that was everything” and “from the girl who said she would never cut her hair or move to new york or find happiness in a world where she wasn't in love”

album: single handedly brings 80s pop into the mainstream. (like seriously, her only contemporary influence is lana del rey, and even that is only on a few tracks. listening to this when it came out was a religious experience). it sounds basic now but only because she influenced all of the pop music that came after her. its also her first sonically cohesive album since fearless. subject matter wise, its very 80s movie. it’s the first album without a break up song that ruins a man's whole career— no cold as you, dear john, or all too well type. the relationship is on and off again, but more muted and mature then the tumultuous ones portrayed on red. its very star crossed; two people who just can’t find the right time. she’s also writing about how fame has affected her— blank space, shake it off, and i know places all directly reference it, but the idea that the whole world is watching is woven all throughout the album

bleachella (2016) 

this isn't an album but its definitely an era

taylor has become so oversaturated that people are starting to turn on her, and her mental health is suffering. her relationship with c*lvin h*rris is falling apart, she's changing her hair every couple of moths (most notably she bleaches it, and goes to coachella. so like bleachella), and then all of a sudden The Phone Call happens. kim and kanye release edited footage of a phone call that makes it seem like taylor swift is a liar who intentionally plays the victim to stay in the public’s good graces, and the world pounces on it. between that and the idea that her friend group is super cliche-y and exclusionary, her reputation is ruined and she goes in hiding for months. before going into hiding though, she breaks it off with c*lvin (he throws a FIT on twitter) and starts a whirlwind romance with tom hiddleston that includes them flying all over the world on vacations and meeting each others parents super quickly. this all happens in one summer.

reputation (2017)

era: black and white and gold. very edgy, very rich, lots of snakes and casual wealth. there’s the aesthetic of her being very hurt and defensive and lashing out, but the reality of her being the happiest she’s ever been. she’s still famous, but she’s learned how to have a private life and healthy relationships. the tough times have shown her who and what’s important to her

album: pretty much that. the first half is brash and bombastic and playing off what people expect her to be like, how they expect her to fall in and out of love quickly and manipulate those around her to see her as a good person (while exploring sounds that no one expected her to explore) and the second half slows it down and shows her falling in love more explicitly and sweetly and under cover. “in the death of her reputation she felt truly alive” and “finding love through all the noise”

lover (2019)

era: bright pink and pastels and bright colors and happiness and butterflies!! she’s in love and beloved by the general public again, but all of her past albums have been stolen from her by a man she thought she could trust. sadly cut off short by covid. “step into the daylight and let it go”

album: her messiest album (sonically) since red. a popular saying when it first came out was that it had the writing of speak now but the sound of 1989, which is... understandable? its the kind of thing you have to form your own opinion on. it’s on the surface all bubblegum pop and being in love, but it has some of the absolute saddest songs of her entire discography. a 18 song long rollercoaster

folklore and evermore

preface: these are definitely two separate albums and there’s a definitely a difference but this girl has so many albums and it’s taken me an hour to answer this ask and it’s 1am right now so i’m gonna smush them together. go listen to them, and we’re in the era right now

eras: it been covid so all we’ve got are a couple performances and the album visuals. cottagecore, a return to the small town setting of her first two albums, very understated and timeless. one noteworthy element is that both albums were surprise releases (especially after lover had almost a year of build up that kinda worked against it). she’s reached a level of artistic respect that she’s never had

albums: folklore is a level of sonic and thematic cohesion comparable to 1989, as well as having a similar feeling of like. oh god we’ve been waiting for you to make an album like this for years and you’ve still exceeded every exception and made it surprising. evermore is mostly a continuation of its sound, though it’s a bit more experimental. both albums are incredibly mature, and move into non-autobiographical storytelling for most of the songs. it’s easy to build your own world based on one or both of the albums. their main themes are also mostly divorced from relationships, and more tied to personal identity and mental state (though there is quite a bit about divorce and heartbreak in both)

[hortensemitchell]

Into the Woods: Chapter Two

After Big Time Rush, their lives seemed to only get more hectic. So on the rare chance their schedules lined up, they had to make the most of it with an epic camping trip for the ages.

Rating: Mature

Pairing: Kendall Knight/Carlos Garcia/Logan Mitchell/James Diamond

Words: 2295

Logan has been pacing back and forth by the door for the past ten minutes, and looking at him was starting to make Kendall feel tired. He’d make it to one side of the room, check his watch and immediately trek to the other side. “We’re supposed to be on the road already.” Logan made his way over to where Kendall was laying across the living room sofa.  “I gave them a laminated schedule and everything.”

“You sent Carlos and James upstairs with James clad only in a towel and you think they’re up there packing?”

Logan gaped for a moment, his eyes instantly flickering to the stairs. “They wouldn’t.”

“I think we both know they would.” Kendall replied, trying to bite back a laugh. He couldn’t care less about a schedule, he’d always been more of a go with the flow type of guy. But he had seen the hard work that Logan had put into his planning for their trip, and he wasn’t about to hurt his feelings. “I could go check on them if you want?”

Logan just shook his head, and turned on his heels heading directly up the stairs. From his spot on the couch, Kendall could hear the bedroom door open upstairs and Logan’s exasperated sigh of “Really guys?”

Several minutes later, Kendall heard the telltale sound of footsteps coming down the staircase and the sound of luggage being drug behind them. Kendall finally sat up from his spot on the couch, loading his bags on his shoulders to bring to the car. 

Logan came down the stairs first, with Carlos not far behind. Logan was quickly shuffling around in the other’s bag, most likely checking to make sure he brought more essentials than his game system and snacks. 

James came down the stairs last with a slight pout on his face, no doubt caused by Logan’s interruption. He made a beeline to stand beside Kendall at the foot of the stairs and whispered into Kendall’s ear, “He’s such a cockblock when he’s on a schedule.”

“You guys do this every time, you think you’d have learned your lesson by now.”, Kendall replied with a laugh. He looked over at his taller boyfriend before something caught his eye. “By the way, you have a little something right there.” He said as he gestured to the developing mark right under James' jaw. 

James’ hand immediately flew up to touch the spot before he threw a teasing smile in Kendall’s direction. “Jealous?”

“Nah, there will be plenty of time for that later.” He readjusted the straps of his luggage on his shoulder. “But if we don’t get out this door, I think Logan will murder us before we get the chance.” With that he linked his fingers with James and finally headed out the door, ready to get this vacation under way.

For once the California sun wasn’t quite as overbearing, which Kendall was thankful for. A nice breeze broke through the normally dry heat and the cloud coverage was mild. It was almost like the entire state knew they were on vacation. 

In the passenger seat beside Kendall, James typed away on his laptop, no doubt answering some last minute emails to his agent. Having been in the entertainment industry together, the other men fully understood the sheer amount of obligations James was under.

In the back, Logan and Carlos were sitting together, the rest of their luggage piled on the seat behind Kendall. The two of them looked through a pamphlet of the campground they had chosen, quietly discussing where the best place to set up would be.

Kendall reached over, turning on the radio of the car, making sure to turn the volume down to not disturb James. The sound of an obnoxious car salesman flooded the car, and Kendall rolled his eyes.  When he was a kid, he actually could hear music on the radio, but now all he heard were commercials. He would have said those thoughts out loud if he didn’t think it’d make him sound like an old man. 

His thoughts were cut short when the radio announcer came back on air. “Welcome back, you’re listening to WYMZ, the station for all your favorite throwback hits. Coming up next, we have Big Time Rush’s hit, “Boyfriend.” The starting beats of one of their first songs filled the car, and all four men looked toward the stereo. 

No one said anything, the car silent except for the voices of their younger selves in the stereo. Until Logan started to laugh. “Throwback? Has it really been that long?” 

“Pretty soon, we’ll be on the Golden Oldies channel, right next to Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.” Carlos added. 

James finally closed his laptop and turned around to face the men in the backseat. “Speak for yourself old-timer, I happen to be in my prime.” 

Logan leaned forward in his seat, playfully shoving at James’ shoulder, “Yeah yeah, we know. Aren’t you at week eight topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart?”

“Just hit nine weeks actually. My agent Nigel says this is a good sign for the album drop in October. Soon you won’t be able to turn on the radio, without hearing my angelic voice.” 

When the conversation first came up about everyone taking a hiatus from Big Time Rush, James had been reluctant for the change. It had always been his dream to be on stage performing, but he’d grown to love the safety net of having Kendall, Carlos and Logan with him.

He had always planned to have a solo career at some point, but when that moment finally arrived he felt nervous. Anxious that no one would like him on his own, and that his boyfriends would see him as a failure.

None of them had ever doubted his ability to shine without them though. There wasn’t anything like seeing him step out on stage and sing his heart out. It was simply what he was born to do. And thankfully it seemed the world could see that too. 

Kendall leaned over, placing his hand on James' knee squeezing gently .“I’m proud of you, but didn’t we say no work talk on our vacation?”

The car filled with murmurs of agreement at Kendall’s careful reminder. It seemed like such a simple rule, but it could be so hard to follow sometimes.

After Big Time Rush officially ended the boys imagined that they would finally get a chance to relax. For four years they had been going from dance practice, to the recording booth, to concerts, and interviews. While they were all thankful for the chance of a lifetime, it really took a toll on them.

Logan was the first one to bow out of their quiet free time after just four days. He’d applied to several colleges in the surrounding LA area, anxious to get a jump on his studies. When Kendall thought about those days, he wondered how Logan had even made it out alive.

He would take 18 credit hour semesters, a decision he made to make up for the two years he claimed he was behind. And while that alone seemed like a lot to the other guys, the classes weren’t exactly easy either.

While none of them could keep up with the concepts that Logan had been learning, they all tried to help out where they could. Kendall was usually elbows deep in flashcards filled with medical terms that he still couldn’t explain to this day. And James would try his best to stay up with Logan as he studied late into the night, rubbing the stress from his shoulders and making him take breaks. 

The late nights and early mornings were worth it though, that much Kendall knew. One of his favorite photos of Logan was taken on the first day of his residency at a local hospital. His smile shined just as brightly as his new lab coat, and Kendall had never seen such genuine happiness etched on his features before. 

Logan had pretty much always known what his dreams were, Carlos on the other hand had chosen to get out into the world and explore. Letting his future come to him.

During those early years, he had held a variety of jobs, and he took to them with such exuberance and focus that it was always hard to picture him doing anything else. When he started working at a bakery, it was like he was born to do that. And when he took up a job at a local daycare, Kendall wondered why he hadn’t been doing that his whole life.

Carlos was simply the kind of man who thrived in any situation. But it became clear to everyone when he found exactly where he was meant to be.

Growing up when asked about his future, Carlos always said he wanted to be a superhero because he wanted to save people. And while he had long since put away his ‘El Hombre Del Flaming Space Rock Man’ costume, the urge to protect was still inside of him.

When he finally applied for the police academy, it was like it all had made sense. Following in the footsteps of the greatest man he had ever met, his father, Carlos understood how his boyfriends had felt everyday as they put all their hard work in.

It truly was something special, being able to see all of them achieve their dreams everyday. Kendall didn’t know what force of the universe he had to thank, but something somewhere was looking out for them. 

While they all loved where their futures had brought them, that didn’t mean there weren't some sacrifices to be made. 

From the very first time he had a hockey stick placed in his hands, Kendall knew he was going to be a center for the Minnesota Wilds. And to this day, he still couldn’t wrap his brain around the fact that he achieved his goal.

However, the sobering reality of just how demanding his career was always hit when hockey season began.

Being gone from your loved ones for months at a time was difficult, especially for Kendall who had gotten so used to seeing his boyfriends every single day. They all tried their best to make it easier, video chatting often, and flying out to see each other when the opportunity presented itself. That didn’t make up for the feeling that something was missing every night when they went to bed though.

The four of them had gotten pretty good at saying goodbye with how often Kendall and James had to be on the road. And when they finally had time to spend together, it was important to make it count. That’s why this trip meant so much to Kendall. He was looking forward to spending the weekend with the three men who were the world to him. Completely uninterrupted, they could be together just like they had as kids, when they would trek out into the Minnesota wilderness with Papi Garcia. 

 Kendall felt a warm palm cover the hand he still had absentmindedly rested on James’ knee and was pulled from his thoughts. He glanced away from the road to see the other man looking at him fondly. “We’ll be there pretty soon, you excited?”

James leaned into Kendall’s ear voice barely above a whisper. “Absolutely, don’t tell Logan but I’m totally gonna push him into the lake first chance I get.”

“Dude you’re like a foot away from us, we can hear everything.” Carlos piped up from the back. “Besides, if anyone is throwing him into the lake it’s gonna be me.”

Logan looked frantically between Carlos and the front of the car, meeting Kendall’s gaze in the rearview mirror hoping for some backup. “I personally like the plan where I don’t get thrown in the lake.” Kendall fought back a smile, as he listened to Logan plead his case and his other boyfriends tease about their future plans. Up ahead he saw the worn sign for the campgrounds and pulled in already feeling much more at ease. 

As he got out of the car, Kendall had to shake feeling back into his achy limbs, as he fished his supplies out of the dogpile in the trunk. The sheer amount of bags they had managed to shove into the tiny vehicle was actually impressive. However, now reality had sunk into him that they would have to carry everything to the designated camping spot. 

Once they were finally loaded up with their belongings, Logan stood at the front, his nose buried in the map to lead them to their destination. James was not far behind him, carrying not only his own bags, but most of Logan’s as well. He didn’t seem to mind too much though as he hummed a soft tune that Kendall couldn’t place. 

Kendall took up the back and Carlos bounded up beside him and offered his hand for Kendall to take. It took him a couple of moments to rearrange all of the bags he had been carrying, but it was worth it for the smile that came across Carlos’ face as he intertwined their fingers.

They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the sounds of the wind rustling the leaves and the birds chirping in the trees. It felt like the calm before the storm, and Kendall knew the moment they arrived, things were going to get chaotic, it was just in their nature. 

But he would be lying if he said he wasn’t excited to see what the weekend had in store. After all, he had to see which of his boyfriends would get to push Logan into the lake first. Little did they know, Kendall would probably get to it first.

[themanicmagician]

Shipwrecked [4/4]

[AO3]

Summary: When Redd’s boat crashes upon the shore of Bastion Island, Tom reluctantly takes him in while he recovers. Tom despises Redd for his past deceit, but when he has no choice but to spend time with him, Tom is reminded why he fell in love with the wily fox in the first place.

“Welcome!” Mabel chirped, ever a font of enthusiasm. She clasped her paws together. “How can I help you two?”

Redd, looking decidedly uncomfortable, did not speak up. It fell upon Tom to explain.

“He needs a wardrobe.” Tom said. “He lost most of his things in the shipwreck, so we’re replacing what we can.”

Tom could admit, to himself alone, that he would miss the sight of Redd in his shirts. But Redd really should wear more fitting, comfortable clothes instead of baggy tees. And besides, Tom didn’t have that many spares.

“Oh, of course! How many outfits were you thinking?”

“Let’s do five, to start with. And two sets of sleepwear.”

Mabel nodded, then beckoned Redd over to the fitting platform. “Right this way, Mr. Redd.”

“It’s just Redd.” He did not follow the porcupine’s instructions right away, instead murmuring to Tom: “I’ll pay you back for all of it when I can.”

Redd was embarrassed—embarrassed to be unable to provide for himself, to be forced to rely upon Tom’s charity.  

“Don’t worry about it.”

This didn’t reassure Redd; his mouth twisted in discomfort.

“But…”

“Everything alright?” Mabel circled back to them, tape measure in hand.

“Yes, just give us a moment, please.”

When Mabel returned to the platform, Tom tried a different approach. “You’ve been a great help with the boys lately.” Indeed, story time with Redd was now a nightly ritual in the Nook household. They were steadily making their way through Flurry’s entire library. “Just think of it as repayment for that, alright?”

Redd mumbled something unintelligible, but finally nodded his acceptance. They joined Mabel. Redd stepped up on the platform, and Mabel began taking his measurements, jotting them down in a little spiral notebook.

Sable watched them shrewdly from her sewing station. Redd and Sable had never met in person before, but both knew of each other thanks to stories from Tom. Redd saw Sable observing him, and he offered a sheepish smile.

“I suppose we can’t do a complete wingspan measurement for now.” Mable mused. Redd turned away from Sable to look at the younger hedgehog, grateful for the plausible excuse to break away. “I’ll just have to use the measurement of one arm for the other as well. Oh! We can fix you up with a new sling, too. Wouldn’t be hard at all.”

“It’s fine, really,” Redd demurred. “It’s not necessary.”

“Oh pish. It’ll just be a bit of fabric, won’t it?” Mabel trotted over to her sister. “Sable, surely you’ve got something lying around that we could use.”

Redd threw a helpless look to Tom. Tom only shrugged. Once Mabel got started on something, there was no stopping her.

“Here.” Sable offered up a stripe of black fabric. Mable seized it with a happy “Thanks sis!” and then spent a good ten minutes between the front of the store and the back storage room, putting together an ensemble for Redd.

“Okay, you can try these on to start with.” Mabel set a bundle of clothes down in the changing room. “Do you need any help getting dressed?”

Redd colored. “No, I can handle it myself.”

As they waited for Redd to get changed, Tom chatted lightly with Mabel. The young hedgehog was overjoyed that their middle sibling, Label, was making frequent trips into Bastion. By the time Redd emerged from the dressing room, Tom had learned more than he ever needed to know about how Label’s hot pink clothing line was revolutionizing the fashion industry.

“Well?” Redd asked, scuffing his foot on the carpet.

Tom gave him a once-over. Mabel had selected comfortable clothes, suited for island living. Redd wore tan corduroy shorts, and a light pastel color block t-shirt. He didn’t look like a sleazy businessman, but like a true islander. Like he’d fit in well here.

Tom shoved the thought aside. He and Redd had made amends, but Redd was still going to leave in a few short weeks. Best not to dwell on things like that.

“It suits you,” Tom told him.

Redd muttered a thanks before Mabel dragged him off to try on something else.

~*~

Tom chopped apples into slices in his kitchenette for today’s lunch. He was fond of pears, but was infinitely grateful to Alex for bringing other fruits to the island, thereby expanding their cuisine possibilities. He was preparing fruit salad, made of the island’s entire available assortment, and included generous scoops of orange sherbet as well.

He stopped by the Cranny to drop off the boys’ lunches before he headed outside. He found Redd exactly where he thought he would: by the sea, an easel and canvas in front of him. He was working with acrylics today. Redd was painting the shoreline before him, capturing a wave mid-crash. Even partly-done, his work was impressive. It was a bit of luck that the shipwreck had spared the fox’s dominant hand.

A little ways in front of Redd was Julian. The unicorn must have assumed Redd was here to paint him, because he was currently splayed out on sand in a very dramatic pose.

“Make sure you get my best side, glitter!”

Redd, focused on painting a collection of wispy clouds, didn’t pay Julian any mind. Unperturbed, Julian remained in his chosen pose.

Tom nudged Redd’s shoulder with the bowl of fruit salad.

“Lunch.”

“Mmm.” Redd’s gaze didn’t lift from his canvas.

There was a splotch of blue paint on one of his ears. How on earth had he managed that?

Tom set the fruit salad down on the sand beside Redd. The fox’s tail swished lazily back and forth as he worked.

“It looks very good.” Tom complimented.

“Flatterer. I’m out of practice. Been a while since I’ve done something like this.” A while since he’d patined original art instead of copying classical pieces.

Redd added layers to the wavers. They began to look like wild, angry things.

Tom frowned.

“I spoke with Orville. He has spare life jackets he can donate for your boat. And he’s happy to go over basic sailing techniques with you. It won’t be like that again.”

“It was so sudden.” Redd explained, at length. His brush paused on the canvas as his gaze became distant. “One moment the waves were calm, and the next, they were roiling. I’m lucky I got away with just this.” He gestured to his splinted arm.

“Maybe someone can go back with you.” Tom suggested. “One of the dodos at the airline could sail with you and then fly back at port.”

The light in Redd’s eyes dimmed slightly. “Oh, yeah. The dodos. Maybe.”

The air between them felt thick with awkwardness. Tom kicked at the sand, begging someone up there for a distraction.

His prayer was answered in the form of Julian.

“My goodness!” Julian gasped, clutching a hoof to his chest as he ogled Redd’s work. “What a painting! You have captured my beautiful essence! Sublime! Magnifique!”

Redd leveled him a flat look.

“Yes, that’s exactly what he was going for. You truly have a mind for art, Julian.” Tom said.

Julian gave a bow before he pranced off with a self-satisfied smirk.

Redd snickered. Tom chuckled. They seemed to set each other off. Once they started, they couldn’t stop, until they were both letting loose full belly laughs.

~*~

June was a welcome reprieve from the previous month of cold rain. The air was mostly pleasant, occasionally humid. Rain came in short bursts and cleared up just as quickly.

Tonight was mildly warm, and they’d constructed a decent-sized bonfire in the town square. Residents mingled around the area. Flurry and Diana sipped drinks and chatted. Lucky was showing Del the proper marshmallow roasting technique. Julian and Elvis were arguing over whose turn it was to sing at the microphone. Fang grumbled about “kids and their wild parties” and yet mingled with the group anyway.

Tom sat on the swell of a grassy hill, overlooking the plaza. Sable was at his right. She could never sit entirely still, so she’d brought a half-finished scarf along with her to work on.

He watched the impromptu party for several moments, until a thought occurred to him. He straightened up from his casual slouch. Where were the boys? They knew the island, but it was still scorpion season.

“Sable, have you seen—?”

She pointed before he finished his sentence. Tom squinting in the dim lighting to see what she was gesturing towards.

“Oh. Oh no.”

“Mhm.”

Celeste had dragged her brother over to her telescope. Blathers was peering through it as Celeste chattered at his side. The siblings were utterly preoccupied with their occupation, completely oblivious to the three forms sidling up behind them. Timmy, Tommy, and Redd were inching closer and closer. Each of them was holding a fake rubber tarantula. Tom had raised an eyebrow when the boys ordered a box of them a week ago, but hadn’t thought to question why they wanted them. He’d just assumed they were for the Cranny’s stock.

Timmy giggled visibly, his tiny shoulders shaking with laughter. Redd shushed him.

“Shouldn’t we stop them?” Tom asked.

“Better Blathers than me.” Sable said simply, needles clicking lightly as she knit. There was a gleam of mischief in her brown eyes.

“Sable!” She startled a laugh from him.

The boys rose up on their tip-toes to place their fake bugs on Blathers’ shoulders; Redd deposited his rubber tarantula atop the owl’s head.

Blathers, feeling the touch, lifted his wing in confusion. He squawked at the bugs on his wings, and flapped them in panic. In his fright, the tarantula on his head slipped down, landing right between his eyes. Blathers’ resultant squeal turned everyone’s heads.

Timmy and Tommy leaned on each other, bodies wracked with laughter. Redd snickered.

Blathers, having now realized he’d been played, stomped over to the perpetrators. He pointed an accusatory wing at Redd.

“You! You—You—!”

“Hey, hey, calm down, Babbles. Don’t get your feathers in a twist.”

Blathers sputtered indignantly.

“You wouldn’t hurt an invalid, would you?”

“I... well...no…but still!”

Redd sobered. “Sorry, I guess we went too far. I apologize. Put ‘er there.” Redd held out his hand for a shake, to make amends.

Blathers took it—then shrieked again. Redd had palmed him another fake spider. The boys started giggling again.

Tom facepalmed.

~*~

Tom deposited the splint and sling on the coffee table. The fur on Redd’s now-freed arm was a bit matted, unwashed for seven weeks. But the arm itself appeared sound.

“Well?” Tom asked, a touch anxiously. “How does it feel?”

Redd flexed his arm carefully. Drew his fingers into a loose fist before he extended them again.

“A bit tender. Stiff. But better.”

Redd’s ship had been fully patched up about a week ago. Now that the fox’s arm was finally healed, there was no real reason for Redd to stick around. He had confessed to coming here to see Tom. But Tom couldn’t give his heart away so easily a second time. And Redd had never promised to stay, only to visit.

Tom busied himself by picking at some fuzz on the arm of the couch. “I suppose you’ll be wanting to get on your way then.”

“...Actually, I figured I should stick around for a bit.”

“Oh?” Tom was grateful his tone came off at just the right level of interested, not too eager.

“Sure. Should probably hang around another week. Maybe more. You know, just to make sure my arm is strong enough. It’ll be a problem if I get out there and can’t really grasp the wheel.”

“Uncle Redd!”

“...Redd!”

Timmy and Tommy burst into the room, a whirlwind of excitement. Tommy was clutching a new book to his chest.

“Can you read this one to us tonight?”

“...night?”

“Of course.”

The twins noticed Redd’s discarded splint, and squeezed themselves on either side of Redd to cuddle.

“Careful, boys.” Tom warned. He didn’t want them to accidentally hurt Redd in their enthusiasm.

“They’re fine,” Redd said, softly. He gently ruffled the fur on both the boys’ heads.

“K.K. is in town today. Can we all go see him?”

“...him?”

“Who?” Redd asked.

“He’s Uncle Tom’s favorite.”

“...favorite.”

Redd raised an eyebrow at Tom. “Favorite?” He repeated, dryly.

“Favorite  musician.” Tom corrected.

“Can we go? Please?”

“...please?”

“Why not.” Tom said. The boys cheered and scampered off to get ready.

~*~

Lightning bugs blinked in the air as the quartet meandered from the Cranny over to the town plaza. K.K. sat on his customary stool, giving his guitar a quick tuning before his performance. A few villagers were already milling around the area, waiting for the evening concert to begin.

“Right, my dudes and lady dudes, any request?” The musician asked the crowd.

Suggestions were hollered out, and K.K. inevitably went with a jaunty fairground melody. Diana and Julian clapped along to the melody. Isabelle coaxed the twins into dancing with her, and the trio jumped and swayed merrily in the center of the plaza. One song melted into the next, and more villagers joined in. Muffy twirled in elegant pirouettes. Del performed a shambling robot. Neither of them really matched the tone of the music, but they were having fun.

Redd nudged Tom. “You should be out there too.”

“Me?” Tom laughed. “Hardly.”

“What, are you shy?” Redd teased, before he offered his hand. “C’mon. I’ll go with you.”

After a beat, Tom placed his paw in Redd’s. It was warm.

Redd didn’t bring them to the center, instead lingering on the fringe of the group. Neither of them tried to keep up with the frantic beat of the music, instead swaying with each other, from side to side. They were close like this, closer than they had been in some time. Redd smelled like the sea, like his acrylics, like the lemon-scented soap Tom owned. Their noses brushed by accident.

“Sorry.” Redd murmured.

“No, no—it’s fine.” Tom had one hand splayed across Redd’s back. For support.

The music shifted to something slower. Tom groaned inwardly as he recognized the melody. K.K. Love Song. He glanced over to K.K. Timmy and Tommy were next to him, looking rather smug. Had they been the ones to request the song? After all he’d done for them…

At least Redd was unfamiliar with the music. The one saving grace.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Never a good sign.” Tom quipped, weakly.

“I’m grateful for everything you all did to rebuild my ship.” It was still shocking to hear Redd speak so plainly, so honestly. “But, if it was alright with you, I thought. That maybe instead of going, I could...stay?”

Tom froze. It was what he’d wanted, and now that it was being offered to him, he could scarcely believe it.

Redd mistook his silence for a denial. He began to draw away.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’ll go. I can go tomorrow.”

Tom clutched his arm so he wouldn’t slip away. “No! No, I mean—yes. If you wanted to stay I wouldn’t be opposed.”

Redd’s smile was like the sun.

“Good. Great. Yeah.” He let out a breathless laugh of relief.

“We’ll have to pick a plot of land for you. Alex can help coordinate that.”

“We’ll be neighbors. Neighbors,” Redd tested the word out, and seemed to like it. “I’ll badger you for a cup of sugar. You’ll yell at me for mowing my lawn too early in the morning.”

“The boys will lose their baseball in your yard. You’ll have to return it. Over and over again.”

“Will I? Maybe I’ll be a crotchety neighbor. Who wants those darned whippersnappers messing about my perfectly-trimmed lawn?”

Tom laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.”

Tom did.

It was a good idea for them to live separately, for now. They would wade into it slowly this time, not plummet into the deep end right off. They’d see what happened, how it played out. But even though they were taking their relationship slow, that didn’t mean he couldn’t…

Tom ducked down to press a chaste kiss to Redd’s cheek.

“Welcome home, Redd.”

[isabella-aldwyn]

Isabella Aldwyn

Skeleton: The Hoyden  Name: Isabella Rose Aldwyn  Age: 24 Family Title: Viscounty Cheltenham  About: See Below FC: Caitlin Stasey

O1 ━◞ ISABELLA

Being the eldest of the female Aldwyns was always a curse for Bella, specifically because of her personality. Headstrong, independent and stubborn, if you told her to go left, she would go right without a moment’s hesitation. And when she did so, she’d speak with such a sweet and charming tongue abreast mirthful giggles that you’d always sigh in defeat because you simply can’t turn down that look of sheer joy. Known among the household to be as unruly as a wild stallion yet to be broken in, many of the house staff and family members who must manage her affairs are often chasing after her, her body racing as quickly as her mind (and attention span). Upon hearing such comments, Bella wholeheartedly agrees that she proudly has the spirit of a stallion, wild-hearted, adventurous and happy to indulge in what freedom she can taste. She believes very strongly in making her own decisions and following her own path, an opposite sentiment to what she’s been taught all her life and she struggles constantly with the tension of what she selfishly wants and what’s expected of her.

Bella wears her heart on her sleeve, unashamedly expressing her highest highs and lowest lows.  Neither does she shy away from confrontation. Especially when displeased or when facing conflict, she will say it as it is, no matter how hard she tries to keep her mouth shut. Her loose tongue has gotten her into deep trouble more than she’d like to admit.

While impulsive, Bella also lacks any sense of self-preservation. At her best, it means she will go above and beyond (perhaps even at her own expense) to those she loves and are loyal to. At her worst, Bella wouldn’t realize she’s in danger if she was looking at a wolf six feet away. (To be quite honest, she’d possibly try and attempt to tame it.)  As such, her schemes and fun often get away from her and put her in arguably dire circumstances.

The world outside her tiny universe in the Aldwyn estate always drew bella to it like a moth to a flame. It took time and numerous failed attempts to learn how to sneak out of the house; from taking advantage of the servant exits, to bribing the footmen, to convincing her maid Nancy to accompany her. When she managed to escape from her governess, Bella would explore Cheltenham (or London depending on the season) and became acquainted with as many of the townspeople and the common folk as she could. At times, her brother, Harry, would sneak out from his studies to accompany her. Other times, she would visit her cousin, Simeon, and wrangle his arm to convince him to take her around.

O2 ━◞ FAMILY

Teresa di Santa Maria del Ponte, the fiery ninth daughter of a Marquis in one of the Papal states in Rome, had not intended to marry an English man. But when Philip Aldwyn visited Italia for business and he met the saucy girl, it is as they say -- it was history. Teresa, who hailed from a large family, only wished to instill the same warmth in her own family. Teresa was fortunate enough to survive childbirth of nine children -- two sons, Edmund and Henry (”Harry”) and then seven daughters. (See more about Bella’s siblings here.)

As Teresa hoped, the Aldwyn siblings were as close as can be. Even as a wee child, Bella liked to follow her brothers, especially Edmund and all his schoolboy friends. But it was Harry who she was closest to. Proximate in age, they grew up as best friends. Harry would let her get away with the most, defend her against Edmund and their parents, and even assist her little acts of rebellion. Of all their family members, Bella believes that Harry is the only one to truly understand her desire to make her own choices and have her own thoughts.

In the same vein, Bella dotes on her younger sisters, often pushing her sisters towards following their passions and to ignore the pending doom of being married off. Her mother and governess, all too aware of bella’s tendency to spoil and lead her sisters astray, are particularly firm in their discipline with the younger Aldwyns.

The Aldwyns had intended to debut Isabella when she turned 20, but after having her heart broken by her first love, she begged her parents to delay her entrance. This was followed by both her Father’s passing, and then Edmund’s passing only years after, which delayed her debut further. Now considered rather late for her first Season, Bella is debuting with her two younger sisters simultaneously. She is more than aware that her Mama is anxious for her eldest daughter to make the first match and set the precedent for her six (6) other daughters. In light of the recent deaths, and the taking up of the mantle by Harry, who had never prepared for the role as Viscount, a secure marriage would assure their old name continued to thrive, despite the recent tragedies. 

However, Bella still struggles with Edmund’s sudden and mysterious death. Paired with the loss of her closest brother who must throw himself headfirst in being the Lord Cheltenham, Bella has been left stranded and alone in direction. What Bella is unawares of a dark shifting behind the scenes that may had led to Edmund’s death. 

The Aldwyn name is one of old money and old title, passed down from generations. Despite only being a viscounty, their family is known for their wealth and fortune. Bella had never given thought to how the Aldwyns made their means. What she does not know is the unseemly business that her Father, Edmund, and cousin ran -- that the Aldwyn fortune is dirty and has been for generations, their family having multiple hands in the shadowy sides of England and beyond. From the talk of the town, she had heard rumours milling about pertaining to the secrecy behind their mass fortune and snippets of her father’s reputation -- ones that slandered him, claiming that anyone who spoke dirty of their family would be ridden of. Such rumours were always quashed as fast as they appeared. Neverthless, Bella finds it hard to believe her sweet father and her doting brother who were widely respected in the Ton would be anything but honourable. 

O3 ━◞ LIKES, QUIRKS, AND TIDBITS

Growing up in Cheltenham, a region famed for its horse breeding and informal horse racing (soon to be formal in 1815 actually!), meant Bella was no stranger to horse riding. She had been riding with her Brothers since she was old enough to walk and handle a horse. Her favourite past-time is exploring the town and surrounding landscapes with Harry and her horse, Athena. Since childhood, bella always sought to be outdoors, preferring to run around on the grounds or to swim in nearby waterholes. Unfortunately, the older she became, the less she was permitted to do so.

Archery being one of the more active upper class activities that she is ‘permitted’ to engage in passionately, Bella is an excellent archer, and enjoys showing off her bowmanship at any garden or picnic event. Though she would not claim to be as polished in her pall-mall skills, she is irrationally competitive with the game. If she were to identify a reason, she would blame how often she and her siblings played in their childhood.

Having seen the way her parents looked at each other, Bella believes in marrying for love. That being said, the Season is not the most fitting of circumstances, and Bella finds herself more irritated than not after being constantly compared and sold around like cattle. The thought has crossed her mind to not marry as the biggest act of rebellion but finds herself waning in resolve at the thought of how it would affect her siblings. And she also has not put the possibility to rest that she possibly could be as fortunate as her parents and not only fall in love, but have the cards fall into perfect position. 

Tidbit 1: Her birthday is February 18.

Tidbit 2:  If she is to be courted, the way to her heart is dancing. Bella has every quadrille, every waltz memorized, enough so she can dance the steps in her sleep.

Tidbit 3:  Though she lacks the attention span to make the most of her studies, bella does happen to have excellent visual memory, allowing her to play the lyre or the pianoforte from memory in short bouts. (Excellent party trick!) She does rather enjoy music, especially that of the lyre where she is not forced to sit. 

Tidbit 4: She has a scar around her neck from an unfortunate horse-riding incident from when she was 12. Consequently, she is never without a large necklace. It is what she is most self-conscious of.

O4 ━◞ SECRETS

One of her dearest friends who she had met from town is one of the girls at her cousin’s whorehouse. There have been rumours that she frequents the place, more than any proper lady should, but not enough to have ever made trouble.

Something happened that scared her and that she’s buried deep in her memory; something that her Father covered up for her before he died. Will expand on this as roleplay goes. Dun dun dun. 

[lustandlordsrp]

The Hoyden | Isabella

Twenty-Four | The Honble. Isabella Aldwyn Viscounty Cheltenham

Formally or Informally Announced: Miss Aldwyn

Addressed on Formal or Informal Social Correspondence: The Honble. Isabella Aldwyn

Formal Correspondence Salutation:  "Madam,”

Informal Correspondence Salutation: “Dear Miss Aldwyn,”

Addressed in Speech: Miss Aldwyn

Referred to in Speech:  Miss Aldwyn

Social Correspondence Signature: Isabella Aldwyn

Biography

O1 ━◞ ISABELLA

Being the eldest of the female Aldwyns was always a curse for Bella, specifically because of her personality. Headstrong, independent and stubborn, if you told her to go left, she would go right without a moment’s hesitation. And when she did so, she’d speak with such a sweet and charming tongue abreast mirthful giggles that you’d always sigh in defeat because you simply can’t turn down that look of sheer joy. Known among the household to be as unruly as a wild stallion yet to be broken in, many of the house staff and family members who must manage her affairs are often chasing after her, her body racing as quickly as her mind (and attention span). Upon hearing such comments, Bella wholeheartedly agrees that she proudly has the spirit of a stallion, wild-hearted, adventurous and happy to indulge in what freedom she can taste. She believes very strongly in making her own decisions and following her own path, an opposite sentiment to what she’s been taught all her life and she struggles constantly with the tension of what she selfishly wants and what’s expected of her.

Bella wears her heart on her sleeve, unashamedly expressing her highest highs and lowest lows.  Neither does she shy away from confrontation. Especially when displeased or when facing conflict, she will say it as it is, no matter how hard she tries to keep her mouth shut. Her loose tongue has gotten her into deep trouble more than she’d like to admit.

While impulsive, Bella also lacks any sense of self-preservation. At her best, it means she will go above and beyond (perhaps even at her own expense) to those she loves and are loyal to. At her worst, Bella wouldn’t realize she’s in danger if she was looking at a wolf six feet away. (To be quite honest, she’d possibly try and attempt to tame it.)  As such, her schemes and fun often get away from her and put her in arguably dire circumstances.

The world outside her tiny universe in the Aldwyn estate always drew bella to it like a moth to a flame. It took time and numerous failed attempts to learn how to sneak out of the house; from taking advantage of the servant exits, to bribing the footmen, to convincing her maid Nancy to accompany her. When she managed to escape from her governess, Bella would explore Cheltenham (or London depending on the season) and became acquainted with as many of the townspeople and the common folk as she could. At times, her brother, Harry, would sneak out from his studies to accompany her. Other times, she would visit her cousin, Simeon, and wrangle his arm to convince him to take her around.

O2 ━◞ FAMILY

Teresa di Santa Maria del Ponte, the fiery ninth daughter of a Marquis in one of the Papal states in Rome, had not intended to marry an English man. But when Philip Aldwyn visited Italia for business and he met the saucy girl, it is as they say – it was history. Teresa, who hailed from a large family, only wished to instill the same warmth in her own family. Teresa was fortunate enough to survive childbirth of nine children – two sons, Edmund and Henry (”Harry”) and then seven daughters. (See more about Bella’s siblings here.)

As Teresa hoped, the Aldwyn siblings were as close as can be. Even as a wee child, Bella liked to follow her brothers, especially Edmund and all his schoolboy friends. But it was Harry who she was closest to. Proximate in age, they grew up as best friends. Harry would let her get away with the most, defend her against Edmund and their parents, and even assist her little acts of rebellion. Of all their family members, Bella believes that Harry is the only one to truly understand her desire to make her own choices and have her own thoughts.

In the same vein, Bella dotes on her younger sisters, often pushing her sisters towards following their passions and to ignore the pending doom of being married off. Her mother and governess, all too aware of bella’s tendency to spoil and lead her sisters astray, are particularly firm in their discipline with the younger Aldwyns.

The Aldwyns had intended to debut Isabella when she turned 20, but after having her heart broken by her first love, she begged her parents to delay her entrance. This was followed by both her Father’s passing, and then Edmund’s passing only years after, which delayed her debut further. Now considered rather late for her first Season, Bella is debuting with her two younger sisters simultaneously. She is more than aware that her Mama is anxious for her eldest daughter to make the first match and set the precedent for her six (6) other daughters. In light of the recent deaths, and the taking up of the mantle by Harry, who had never prepared for the role as Viscount, a secure marriage would assure their old name continued to thrive, despite the recent tragedies. 

However, Bella still struggles with Edmund’s sudden and mysterious death. Paired with the loss of her closest brother who must throw himself headfirst in being the Lord Cheltenham, Bella has been left stranded and alone in direction. What Bella is unawares of a dark shifting behind the scenes that may had led to Edmund’s death. 

The Aldwyn name is one of old money and old title, passed down from generations. Despite only being a viscounty, their family is known for their wealth and fortune. Bella had never given thought to how the Aldwyns made their means. What she does not know is the unseemly business that her Father, Edmund, and cousin ran – that the Aldwyn fortune is dirty and has been for generations, their family having multiple hands in the shadowy sides of England and beyond. From the talk of the town, she had heard rumours milling about pertaining to the secrecy behind their mass fortune and snippets of her father’s reputation – ones that slandered him, claiming that anyone who spoke dirty of their family would be ridden of. Such rumours were always quashed as fast as they appeared. Neverthless, Bella finds it hard to believe her sweet father and her doting brother who were widely respected in the Ton would be anything but honourable. 

O3 ━◞ LIKES, QUIRKS, AND TIDBITS

Growing up in Cheltenham, a region famed for its horse breeding and informal horse racing (soon to be formal in 1815 actually!), meant Bella was no stranger to horse riding. She had been riding with her Brothers since she was old enough to walk and handle a horse. Her favourite past-time is exploring the town and surrounding landscapes with Harry and her horse, Athena. Since childhood, bella always sought to be outdoors, preferring to run around on the grounds or to swim in nearby waterholes. Unfortunately, the older she became, the less she was permitted to do so.

Archery being one of the more active upper class activities that she is ‘permitted’ to engage in passionately, Bella is an excellent archer, and enjoys showing off her bowmanship at any garden or picnic event. Though she would not claim to be as polished in her pall-mall skills, she is irrationally competitive with the game. If she were to identify a reason, she would blame how often she and her siblings played in their childhood.

Having seen the way her parents looked at each other, Bella believes in marrying for love. That being said, the Season is not the most fitting of circumstances, and Bella finds herself more irritated than not after being constantly compared and sold around like cattle. The thought has crossed her mind to not marry as the biggest act of rebellion but finds herself waning in resolve at the thought of how it would affect her siblings. And she also has not put the possibility to rest that she possibly could be as fortunate as her parents and not only fall in love, but have the cards fall into perfect position. 

Tidbit 1: Her birthday is February 18.

Tidbit 2:  If she is to be courted, the way to her heart is dancing. Bella has every quadrille, every waltz memorized, enough so she can dance the steps in her sleep.

Tidbit 3:  Though she lacks the attention span to make the most of her studies, bella does happen to have excellent visual memory, allowing her to play the lyre or the pianoforte from memory in short bouts. (Excellent party trick!) She does rather enjoy music, especially that of the lyre where she is not forced to sit. 

Tidbit 4: She has a scar around her neck from an unfortunate horse-riding incident from when she was 12. Consequently, she is never without a large necklace. It is what she is most self-conscious of.

O4 ━◞ SECRETS

One of her dearest friends who she had met from town is one of the girls at her cousin’s whorehouse. There have been rumours that she frequents the place, more than any proper lady should, but not enough to have ever made trouble.

Something happened that scared her and that she’s buried deep in her memory; something that her Father covered up for her before he died. Will expand on this as roleplay goes. Dun dun dun.