#Unearthing Human Legacy

[marandsviet]

(via ""Bananas for Artifacts: Primate Excavators Unearth Human History" number 4" Essential T-Shirt for Sale by MarandSviet)

[leona-hawthorne]

KINKTOBER #7– JUST PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE / lorenzo berkshire

october 22nd no smut in this part

part one part two

lorenzo berkshire x fem reader

summary: it wasn’t until now, sitting across from lorenzo berkshire behind the cold walls of azkaban, that you realized the seriousness of your line of work.

warnings: criminal psychologist!reader, dark!lorenzo, he is lowkey an actual psychopath in this so tread carefully when reading :D, the smut will be in part two

words: 3.9k

a/n: like i’ve said before, these are not typical kinktober fics—they include plot so yeah they’re quite long, don’t hate me lol. this one is a favorite of mine! part 2 will be out soon!

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You had never imagined you would sit in a place like this, surrounded by stone walls that absorbed sound and light alike, a reminder of the darkness beneath the surface. The air was thick with secrets and despair, each breath heavy with the history of those who came before you. Here, in the heart of Azkaban, the ghosts of the past whispered their regrets, their voices mingling with the clinking of metal bars.

As you prepared for the interview, the gravity of your role pressed against your chest like a leaden shroud. Each tick of the clock echoed like a metronome, marking time until you confronted one of the wizarding world’s most notorious figures. Your choice to seek understanding among chaos felt both a privilege and a burden. You had devoted years to studying the complexities of the human mind, yet sitting alone in that sterile room, you couldn’t help but wonder if you were truly equipped for what lay ahead.

The darkness of his deeds stretched far and wide, and the weight of his legacy hung over you like a storm cloud, threatening to unleash emotions you had spent years learning to contain. You had read the reports, the testimonies, the chilling accounts that left a mark on the page, but nothing could prepare you for the reality of sitting across from a man whose choices had altered countless lives. Doubts crept in, whispering questions you had pushed aside: Was this the right path? Could you unearth the truths hidden beneath layers of calculated cruelty?

As the door creaked open, the air shifted, and you steeled yourself for the confrontation. In that moment, you realized the fragility of your conviction, the thin line you walked between empathy and revulsion, a dance with shadows that could consume you whole if you let them.

With a slow, painful exhale, you watched as two guards brought your subject in, harshly holding him by the arms like they were disgusted to touch him. Your breath, measured and controlled, still felt heavy, weighted by the reputation of the man across from you. A minute later, the guards were gone, leaving you alone with him.

Lorenzo Berkshire—infamous, calculating, and entirely too comfortable in the chains binding his wrists.

He watched you with amused detachment, as if this interrogation were nothing more than a mild inconvenience. His eyes, dark and unrelenting, never left your face, reading you like a book you hadn’t realized you’d written.

You cleared your throat, though the sound seemed small in the silence. “Mr. Berkshire,” you began, your voice more controlled than you felt, “It’s nice to finally meet. I’m here to understand and help you.”

A flicker of amusement passed over his features, and then he leaned back in his chair, deceptively relaxed despite the magical restraints. The smirk at the corners of his mouth made your skin prickle, like a warning signal your body recognized before your mind caught up. “Help me?” he echoed, his voice low, rich, almost playful. “How very… noble of you.”

You pressed forward, refusing to let his arrogance throw you off balance. But it was impossible not to feel the tension, thick and charged. Each word from his lips felt like a dare, like he was waiting for you to crack under his presence. But you were determined not to let him win, not to give him the satisfaction.

His gaze locked with yours, and for a split second, it felt like the entire room disappeared—the walls, the chains, everything. Just his eyes on you, unflinching, curious. Something flickered inside you, uncomfortable and unwanted. You pushed it down, forcing focus.

“This is an opportunity for reflection,” you continued, a little more forceful, needing to regain control. “A chance for rehabilitation.”

He laughed, melodic in a way that didn’t belong in a place as desolate as this. The sound curled around you, drawing you in before you even realized it. “Rehabilitation,” he repeated, tasting the word as if it were foreign. “You think I need fixing, Doctor?”

His smile widened, and you could feel the heat rising in your chest, spreading to your neck. The intensity of his gaze crawled over your skin, peeling back layers, searching for the pieces of you he could exploit. The files on him hadn’t prepared you for this. They were clinical, cold, facts and figures that tried to capture his cruelty. But there was no preparing for the feeling of being in the same room as him, for the way he twisted words into something far more dangerous than you anticipated.

You tightened your grip on the folder, trying to ground yourself. “Your actions brought you here,” you said, though your voice wavered. “You’re here because of the choices you’ve made, Mr. Berkshire. This is an opportunity to explore why.”

His smile deepened, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. “Choices,” he drawled, leaning forward, chains clinking softly. “I’ve made a great many choices, love, but none I regret.”

You bristled at the way he threw the word ‘love’ at you, casual and intimate all at once, like he was playing a game you weren’t even sure you knew the rules to. You could feel the shift in the air, the way the space between you suddenly felt too small, too intimate for a setting like this. His legs stretched out beneath the table, and though the room was vast and hollow, it felt as though he was far too close.

“It’s Dr. Y/L/N,” you corrected, needing distance. But he only smiled wider, his eyes never breaking from yours, as if he could see through your barriers.

“Dr. Y/L/N,” he repeated, and the way your name rolled off his tongue sent a strange thrill through you, something you despised yourself for feeling. You straightened, willing your body to remain rigid, professional, in control. But you could feel his eyes, pulling at the threads of your restraint. “Now that’s a name I could get used to. Pretty. Suits you.”

What the fuck?

A strange heat pooled in your stomach, twisting unease and the thrill of his presence. It wasn’t fear—not quite. It was something more insidious, far more dangerous because it felt like an invitation. You could sense it in his gaze, the way he tilted his head, considering you. He wasn’t just interested in the interrogation; he was interested in you. And that thought, more than anything, sent your pulse racing.

“We’re not here to discuss my name,” you stated, though your voice came out breathless. You forced yourself to look back at the file, the black-and-white details of his crimes staring up at you, but they like a flimsy shield against his intensity.

“Shame,” he murmured, voice dragging over your senses. “I’d much rather talk about you.”

You snapped your gaze back to him, feeling the frustration flare beneath your skin, mingling with the strange pull of his words. “That’s not why I’m here,” you said, firmer this time, trying to anchor yourself in the facts, in the reason for your presence in this cursed room. But even as you spoke, you could feel him pulling you into his rhythm, like a song you couldn’t quite resist dancing to.

His gaze slid over you, slow and deliberate, as though he were cataloging every reaction, every slight movement of your body. You wondered if he could hear the way your heart hammered against your ribs, could sense the way your breath quickened despite your attempts to remain unaffected. “Are you sure?” he asked, voice like silk. “Because I’m finding this little game of ours rather entertaining.”

Your throat tightened as his words settled over you, heavy and intoxicating. There was a flicker in his eyes—something raw, something that spoke to the danger lurking beneath the surface. It twisted inside you, something dark and unnameable, something that frightened you because of how close it came to desire.

You took a steadying breath, trying to clear your mind. “This isn’t a game,” you said, though the words felt hollow, meant more for you than for him.

“Isn’t it?” he asked, leaning forward, his presence pressing against you. His lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think you’re enjoying this more than you’d like to admit.”

A shiver raced down your spine, but you refused to let it show. Instead, you leaned back, forcing the space between you to widen even though it felt like the room was closing in. “I’m here to discuss your actions, Lorenzo. This conversation is about you, not me.”

For a moment, his smile faltered, something cold flashing across his expression. But it vanished, replaced by that same unsettling charm. “Oh, but Doctor,” he purred, voice dripping with dangerous allure. “That’s no fun.”

Lorenzo’s grin sharpened, something almost wicked in the way his eyes darkened, glinting with an edge that made the room feel smaller, more suffocating. He leaned forward, the chains clinking softly against his wrists, though the sound carried a weight heavier than the steel. His gaze flicked over your face—intent, invasive, peeling back the thin layers of control you’d carefully crafted.

“I’ll tell you a little secret.” His voice, low and deliberate, slid across the space between you like a blade, smooth but with a promise of violence beneath it. His eyes bore into yours, and despite the coldness of Azkaban’s walls, a heat twisted in your chest. You swallowed against it, but it stayed lodged in your throat like a forbidden truth.

You kept your expression neutral, fighting the urge to shift in your seat, to break the tension. But Lorenzo could sense it—your discomfort, your curiosity, the tiny betrayals of your body. He leaned back slightly, as if to give you space, but it only made his presence more commanding. There was nowhere to hide.

“Want to know what makes me feel alive?” His voice dropped, curling around the words like he was letting you in on a dark, personal joke. He tilted his head, his eyes tracing a slow path over you, from the top of your head to where your hands rested, clenched slightly, on the table. “It’s taking control,” he purred, letting the word linger, heavy with implication.

“Control?” you repeated, voice steady, though it felt like you were speaking through cotton. “You’re bound in chains, Lorenzo. Not exactly in a position of power.”

That smile of his deepened, his amusement dark and tangible. He wasn’t the type to be provoked, not by something as obvious as his physical limitations. No, his control didn’t come from strength, from force—it came from something far more insidious. And he was using it now, in the way his gaze roamed over you, pulling at your defenses, testing just how far he could push.

“You think these chains mean anything?” His eyes sparkled with dark glee. “I take what I want. Always have, always will.” His voice softened, a dangerous purr. “And you know what’s better than control? Watching the happiness drain out of people like you. Girls like you…”

Your pulse spiked, a flash of heat prickling over your skin. He’d said it so casually, like it was nothing, but it hit you hard. The calm mask you wore cracked, just for a moment, before you could steady yourself again. You clenched your jaw, refusing to let him see the effect his words had on you. But Lorenzo noticed. He always noticed.

He shrugged, his gaze never leaving yours. “It’s the way it lights me up, you know? Makes me feel alive,” he said, his voice laced with an almost boyish nonchalance, as though the things he did, the lives he ruined, were merely a hobby. “And you, Dr. Y/L/N… you’re fascinating.” His gaze flickered down to the rapid flutter at your throat, as if he could hear your heartbeat from across the table.

You forced your spine to straighten, though the effort felt trivial. “It doesn’t matter what makes me feel alive,” you said, careful to keep your tone neutral, measured. “This isn’t about me.”

Lorenzo smiled—a slow, predatory grin that spread across his face with a kind of lazy satisfaction. “Oh, love,” he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement. “Right now, everything is about you.”

Your breath hitched before you could stop it, and his smile widened, like he’d caught you in a lie. His eyes followed the subtle movement of your throat, watching the pulse point there with unnerving focus. You could almost feel the weight of his gaze on your skin, like it pressed against the very place where your heartbeat betrayed you.

“Well, look at that,” he mumbled amusedly.

You forced yourself to sit back, feigning a calm you didn’t feel. “It’s just a physiological response,” you said, the words tight. You could feel your cheeks flush slightly, but you refused to look away from him, refused to let him have that power over you.

Lorenzo chuckled softly, leaning back as well, though his eyes never left yours. “Ah, yes, always so clinical, Doctor.” He tilted his head, considering you with a dark glimmer in his eyes, like he was enjoying this far more than he should. “But your body doesn’t lie, does it?”

Your breath caught again, a flash of frustration mingling with the heat spreading through you. No. You had to maintain control. “We need to talk about your notebook,” you said, voice firm.

For a moment, the playful glint in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something colder, something far more dangerous. His smile didn’t fade, but it sharpened, hardening into something unfeeling. “Always back to business, aren’t you?” he said, the warmth in his voice gone, replaced by a cold edge. He leaned back further, the chains on his wrists rattling softly as he shifted in his chair. “Very well, ask your questions.”

You swallowed, feeling the shift in the air between you. It was colder now, heavier, as if the playful façade had fallen away, revealing something darker beneath. You took a breath, willing yourself to remain steady. “Why did you keep a list of the women you targeted?”

His eyes darkened, his grin fading into something colder, almost predatory. “To remember them,” he said, his voice soft but chilling. “To remember every detail, every reaction.” His gaze flicked over you again, and this time it wasn’t playful or curious. It was calculating. “Because I like to keep my memories alive, just like I plan to keep this one.”

The room seemed to close in around you, the weight of his words pressing against your skin. You struggled to keep your voice even, to push through the unease settling over you. “But why target women?” you asked, your voice lower now, but steady.

Lorenzo’s lips curled into a smile again, but it was a different kind of smile—empty, devoid of any warmth. “Because women are fascinating,” he murmured, almost as if he were talking to himself. “They feel so deeply, so much warmer than men. The way they break… the way they fight before they shatter. It’s captivating.”

A chill slid down your spine, but you held his gaze, refusing to look away, even as your pulse raced beneath your skin.

For a moment, the silence between you was unbearable, stretching thick and heavy, the only sound the faint scrape of his chair as he shifted, eyes still locked on you with a dark, unblinking intensity. His gaze had become sharper, less playful, like he was peeling away layers you didn’t even realize you were wearing.

You forced yourself to remain steady, to focus on the role you were meant to play here. He was an inmate—a subject for analysis. He wasn’t someone who could get under your skin. He wasn’t allowed. But still, something about the deliberate cadence of his voice, the way he watched you so carefully, so… possessively—it twisted in your gut, a discomfort you couldn’t easily shake off.

“Captivating?” you finally said, your voice quiet, but not weak. You leaned in slightly. “Is that what you think this is? Some kind of… study?”

Lorenzo’s eyes gleamed, as if your attempt to turn the tables amused him more than it should have. He tilted his head, the chains clinking softly against the table as his fingers flexed. His smile softened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s exactly that,” he murmured. “People like you, you always think you’re the ones in control, don’t you? Coming into places like this, thinking you can untangle what’s inside the mind of a man like me.”

You didn’t flinch, but the way his voice curled around the word “control” made your pulse jump again. It was subtle, but he noticed. Of course he noticed. His gaze flickered briefly to the side of your neck, where the rhythm of your heartbeat betrayed you once more. His smile widened just a fraction, eyes gleaming with an unsettling delight.

“Physiological response,” he repeated, almost like a taunt. He leaned back in his chair, but the space between you felt even smaller than before, like his presence had grown larger, more oppressive. “You know, I don’t really care about the list,” he said, almost conversationally, as if the shift in subject meant nothing to him. “The names, the details… that’s for your records, not mine.”

You frowned slightly, taken aback by the ease with which he dismissed the topic. “So, it wasn’t important?”

Lorenzo’s gaze darkened, his smile fading once more into something colder. “I didn’t say that. It just wasn’t important in the way you think it is.” His eyes flicked to yours again, pinning you under their weight. “They were just names. Just faces. The real satisfaction comes after the fact.”

Your stomach tightened, the meaning of his words clear. You couldn’t help the way your breath caught slightly, though you hoped the flicker of fear didn’t show in your expression. He fed on reactions like that—thrived on them. “After the fact?” you repeated, trying to keep your voice even, though you could feel the edges fraying.

Lorenzo’s grin returned, sharper now, more predatory. “It’s not the act that matters,” he said, his voice soft, almost intimate. “It’s the memory of it. The way it lingers. That’s what I like to keep. The memory of how they looked when they finally understood…”

You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to stay present, forcing the cold, detached mask back over your face. “And what do you think you’re going to remember from this conversation?” you asked, pushing the words out before you could second-guess them. “Do you think you’ll walk away from here feeling satisfied? Like you’ve gained control?”

For the first time, Lorenzo’s smile faltered, just barely, a flicker of something unreadable flashing across his features. He seemed to be studying you again, his eyes scanning your face, your posture, the way your fingers had tightened slightly against the edge of the table.

When he finally spoke, his voice was lower, quieter. “That depends,” he murmured, “on how much you give me to remember.”

You leaned back slightly, breaking the eye contact for just a moment, just enough to gather yourself. The air between you felt thick, oppressive, as if the walls of the room had closed in even further, leaving you with nowhere to go.

“You’ll remember nothing,” you said firmly, meeting his gaze again, your voice steady despite the tension pulling at the edges of your composure. “Because I won’t give you anything.”

Lorenzo’s smile returned, slower this time. “We’ll see about that,” he said softly. His eyes gleamed, dark and predatory, as if he were already imagining the moment you would break.

But you wouldn’t. You couldn’t. You were here to analyze him, to understand him—not the other way around.

You shifted in your seat, the slight movement betraying the tension coiling tight in your muscles. He noticed, of course—his eyes never missed a thing. The faintest flicker of amusement passed over his features as you finally met his gaze again. There was no doubt in his mind that you were unraveling, that you were right on the edge of giving him what he wanted, even if you couldn’t quite name what that was.

But he was wrong.

You stood abruptly, the legs of the chair scraping harshly against the stone floor, the sound cutting through the thick tension like a knife. The movement felt final, decisive, and for the first time, you saw something shift in Lorenzo’s expression. His smirk faltered, just for a second, as if he hadn’t expected you to pull away so quickly, so completely.

He watched you rise, his gaze following your every move, but you refused to let it pin you down anymore. You were done with this—done with the game he was trying to play. Your heart still pounded in your chest, your nerves still thrummed with the aftershocks of his words, but you buried it all beneath a mask of cold professionalism. He wouldn’t see how much this had affected you. Not now. Not ever.

Without a word, you stepped toward the door, your movements steady. You could feel Lorenzo’s eyes boring into your back, that dark, predatory gaze following you even as you placed one hand on the cold metal handle. You hesitated, just for a moment, and in that brief pause, you heard him shift in his seat again, the soft clink of chains reminding you that, despite everything, he was still bound—still trapped.

“Leaving so soon?” His voice was low, almost mocking. He wasn’t in control anymore, not completely. You’d taken that from him the moment you stood up.

You didn’t turn around. “This session is over,” you said, your voice cold, professional, a stark contrast to the tangled mess of thoughts and emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Lorenzo chuckled softly, but it was a hollow sound. “Come now, love,” he murmured, the warmth from before gone, replaced by something sharper. “You’re not going to walk away without a proper goodbye, are you?”

“I’m not here for your games, Berkshire. You’ll get nothing from me.”

For a split second, there was silence. Then, the sound of chains clinking again as he shifted forward, the weight of his presence pressing closer despite the distance between you. “We both know that’s not true,” he said, his voice darker, quieter now. “You’ll be thinking about me long after you leave this room.”

You swallowed hard, your fingers tightening around the handle until your knuckles whitened. He wasn’t wrong—not completely. He was already under your skin. But you wouldn’t let him know that.

Without another word, you pushed open the door. The cold draft from the hallway rushed in, hitting you like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that there was a world beyond this room—a world where that man’s hold on you didn’t exist.

You stepped through the threshold, the echo of your footsteps filling the narrow corridor as you moved further and further.

As the heavy door swung shut behind you with a loud, metallic clang, sealing him away in that cold, dark room, you felt a strange sense of relief. You’d left him there—alone, chained, and powerless, despite everything he’d tried to make you feel.

He was the one locked up. Not you.

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[perseidlion]

So for no reason in particular, here's a master list of my Dead Boy Detectives fic.

Cat and Ghost - M, 40k. (Catwin, casefic, Sandman crossover, post-canon)

A few months after their return to London from Port Townsend, the Cat King shows back up in Edwin’s life. He’s bent on courting Edwin, and has somehow acquired a magical collar that allows them to properly feel each other. Edwin meets him in secret, unsure of whether he’s ready to tell Charles about the relationship.

In the meantime, business at the Dead Boy Detective Agency continues. They receive a case where a woman is trapped between life and death, tethered between the mortal realm and the beyond by a cursed sorcerer.

But there may be more going on than meets the eye, and an Endless pulling strings from the shadows…

Through a Mirror, Darkly - M, ongoing 25k as of Aug 31. Updating 1-2 times weekly. Sequel to Cat and Ghost. Continued Catwin + developing Cricketcrow. Casefic.

It's been a few months since Edwin, Charles and Crystal left Port Townsend after the death of their friend Niko. They've done their best to move on. In the meantime, they've matched wits with Desire of the Endless, and Edwin has started dating the Cat King.

Cat's gift of a spirit mirror offers the boys a chance to speak to Niko again - if she is indeed on the other side.

Bonus: A short fic, The Human Bargain fits in this continuity (between Cat and Ghost and Through a Mirror, Darkly) where the Cat King teaches Monty how to transform into a human again.

Daydreamers - M, complete, 3.6k. My contribution to the Payneland first kiss genre.

Ghosts can't sleep, but they can daydream. Those daydreams sometimes bring revelations.

Love in Red and Blue - T, complete, 1.5k. Niko and Edwin friendship short.

Niko and Edwin have a movie night and watch Red, White & Royal Blue. The movie unearths feelings in Edwin and Niko supports him.

Warning: spoilers for the RWRB movie in this! If you haven't seen the film, you probably won't be confused but also probably won't fully get Edwin's reactions!

Your Body or Mine? - M, complete, 36k. Multishipping (Payneland and Catwin focus), pre-poly bodyswap fic.

Edwin and Charles are granted a 'Hall Pass' from Lost and Found that allows them to become human again for a limited time. They were warned not to mess with the spell, but curiosity got the better of them. The spell goes wrong. Instead of ending up as human versions of themselves, they end up in each others' bodies - with the others' tastes and proclivities.

They must pretend to be each other as long as they're human, lest Lost and Found discover they tampered with the Hall Pass.

The Legacy of Edwin Payne - T, complete, 2.1k. Alternate universe fic where Edwin and Charles both live and meet for a brief window at the end of Edwin's life.

It's 1989. Charles Rowland is about to be sent off to boarding school by his abusive father. Before he can be sent away, the police catch his father abusing his mother and arrest him.

An elderly gentleman, Edwin Payne, who lives in Charles' neighbourhood, consoles him as his mother is being tended to.

CW: Domestic/spousal abuse. Referenced but not seen.

---

I have at least a half dozen other ideas for stories, both short and long. I have no intention of stopping writing anytime soon.

[thechanelmuse]

How genealogy is used to track Black family histories

Our names are important to us. They tell us who we are and often, who we come from. So imagine suddenly discovering the last name you’ve always carried… might not actually be the name you should have. 

Alex Neason began looking into her family’s history after discovering her great grandfather’s name was different from what she believed for her whole life. In her search to discover the story of that last name, she enlisted genealogist Nicka Sewell-Smith.

For Black Americans, genealogy can fill in the blanks left by the legacy of slavery and racism in the U.S. Services like the Freedmen’s Bureau and Slave Voyages provide free access to records and documents to help with that search. We talk about the power of genealogy in fostering knowledge and connection for Black Americans.

Source

If you click on the word “source,” it’ll take you to the article where you’ll see a LISTEN button. It’s a 30-minute audio that discusses the info provided in the article even further. Y’all know I’m big on getting people to trace their lineage. All that “we don’t know where we come from.” Who told you that? Everything in the US is in plain sight. Everything.

Discover your fam. 

I assist others when they reach a roadblock, like getting past the “1870 wall.” But you can’t beat the feeling of you discovering them on your own. Unearthing your history, seeing photos, reading stories that were stored, and saying their names that haven’t been said for centuries. I’ve been tracing mine (scanning, logging) since my family reunion in 2005 through oral family history and obituaries (those are records), and since 2011 through databases of US archived records like ancestry.com (purchased by BlackStone) and familysearch.org (free database owned by the Latter-day Saints Church). There are others, but those are the main two I use for comparative results.  

Archiving Centers, Census Records & Other Records

There are archiving centers in every state and DC that also keep records for those particular states and the federal capital. There’s a footnote on all records that tells you where they are housed. And please...Don’t just do a simple pedigree chart of your family tree. Get to know your great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins. It’s also helpful for seeing who lived around who (fam often lived next door to each other) and puts more of the pieces together of your complete family story. You can see the land and acres they owned or your fam today still owns, as well as if that land was stolen from them.

US census records go back to year 1790. Depending on when or if your ancestors were enslaved or free: you’ll find them attached to slave logs that have been made available online or kept in archiving centers (you go there), or or they’ll be listed on census records as free persons (1790-1710), free colored male/female (1820-1840), Black (1850-1920), Mulatto (1850-1890, 1910-1920) or Negro (1900, 1930-1950). “New” census documents are put on sites, like ancestry.com, every 10 years. As of 2023, you can only trace from 1950 to 1790. The 1960 census will be out in 2030. How to trace from 1950 to today, birth, death and residential records. So again, depending on the census year, you’ll notice your ancestors racial classification change throughout documents for obvious reasons. 

Keep in mind that the the largest slave trade for the United States was the domestic slave trade. In house human trafficking and selling (in addition to property insurance of enslaved people and the selling of enslaved people as the building block of Wall Street’s stock exchange) is how US capitalism was built. So just because you know a lot of your people are from Tennessee, for example, it doesn't mean that’s where that line stayed. I’ve found my ancestors throughout 7 states (so far). Another example, people with Louisiana roots damn near always have ancestors who were trafficked from early Virginia. Going beyond year 1790, records were kept in Christian and Catholic churches and old family history books so most of those documents are scanned online and/or still kept in the churches. I’m talking books books. 

If your ancestors walked the Trail of Tears, or were caught as prisoners of war or trafficked to Indian Nations to be enslaved, you’ll find an Oklahoma Indian Territory and Oklahoma Freedmen Rolls section on ancestry.com. You can discover more info on sites, like the Oklahoma Historical Society. (Every state has its own historical society for archived genealogical records.) 

Here’s the National Archives.

Also for Oklahoma, you may also find your ancestors in Indian Census Rolls (1855-1940) as [insert tribe] Freedmen, depending if they weren’t rejected through the “blood quantum” Dawes Rolls for not being the new light to white status. You’ll see their application and the listed questions & answers with or without a big void stamp. And on the census, you’ll even see the letter I (pronounced like eye) changed to the letter B. This is also for those in Louisiana.

Freedmen’s Bureau & Bank Records 

There were Freedmen’s Bureau records and Freedman’s Savings Bank records in other states. To see if your ancestors had their records in those systems, you can search by their name. The state and age will pop up with people having that name. It’ll give you a wealth of other info, like all of the kids and other fam if they were present or mentioned to the person who logged that info in. With the Freedmen Bank records, you can see how much money your ancestors put in there (that was later stolen from them by way of the United States government), which is still there today. It’s the biggest bank heist in US history (that they try to keep hush hush) with the equivalence of more than $80 million in today’s value stored in there today. Back then, it was valued almost close to $4 million. Stolen wealth met with bootstrap lectures. 

Here’s a short video on that heist:

Today the bank is called the Freedman's Bank Building, located right on Pennsylvania Ave. Plain sight. 

Trace your lineage. 

There’s a lot more that I can list. But this is just the basics. Like I said before, it’s a more rewarding feeling when you discover your ancestors by yourself. You may reach roadblocks. Take a break. Try going the “Card Catalog” route on ancestry.com’s search engine. Don’t skip the small details. 

SN: Slave Voyages isn’t a genealogical site, but rather a database for slave ship logs and the estimates of purchased Africans who became human cargo to be enslaved by country like USA, or by colonizers like Spain, Great Britain, etc.

[paperwhitekindle]

Exhuma

Jang Jae-hyun

4.5/5

Suspense, supernatural, mystery, Korean culture, history, geopolitics, WWII, horror

An intense and visceral movie about a team of afterlife specialists — two shamans, a geomancer (feng shui specialist) and a mortician — exhuming a cursed grave with a plot that goes all the way back to World War II, and addressing the legacy of wartime horrors wrecked onto the Korean peninsula and its people since.

This movie is extremely well-paced, without meandering dialogues or over-exposed emotions disturbing the unfolding mystery — from a generational curse in a wealthy Americanized Korean family to a vertically buried coffin, to a historical plot during the Japanese occupation, where the imperialist's shamans cursed the Korean land with a "nail" to break the country into two.

The horror in this movie comes not from jump scares, but from the cinematography of contrasted, atmospheric discomfort, as well as the capacity for evil found within human hearts — that it wasn't just the invading imperialists to blame, but also the traitors who aided them by betraying their own country and brethren.

And yet the awfulness from all that never quite persists, for the movie believes just as strongly in goodness and excising evil. The team cares genuinely for each other, and each possesses the nobility to do something greater than, and at the risk of their own lives. Through shoveling dirt, through pig and horse blood, through possession and hysteria, hope is also waiting to be unearthed.

This is a poignant and contemporary film with a very clear message from beginning all the way to the end.

[reasoningdaily]

History of the Slave Trade: The Origins of the Slave Trade and Its Impacts Throughout History and the Present Day

by Hareth Al Bustani, Josephine Hall, Edoardo Albert

Book Overview

The transatlantic slave trade is one of the most shameful chapters in human history. Between 1500 and 1900 it's estimated that around 12 million African men, women, and children were stolen from their homes by Europeans, before being forcefully transported thousands of miles across the Atlantic. Those who survived the horrific 'Middle Passage' would then be sold, often separated from their families, and put to work as enslaved labor on plantations throughout the New World. While this inhumane trade was eventually abolished in the 19th century, the scars still remain and the lasting impact is still being felt by communities around the world. In History of the Slave Trade, we seek to tell the story of the transatlantic slave trade - from its origins to its abolition. We discover the impact on Africa, the horrors of the Middle Passage, and what life was like for millions of enslaved people. We also look to explore the legacies of slavery and how the effects are still being felt in the modern world.

CLICK THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM THE BLACK TRUEBRARY

[brokehorrorfan]

The Universal Classic Monsters Collection will be released on 4K Ultra HD (with Digital) in digibook packaging on October 3 via Universal. Designed by Tristan Eaton, the eight-disc set is limited to 5,500.

It includes 1931's Dracula, 1931’s Frankenstein, 1932’s The Mummy, 1933’s The Invisible Man, 1935’s The Bride of Frankenstein, 1941’s The Wolf Man, 1943’s Phantom of the Opera, and 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon.

All eight films are presented in 4K with HDR10. The Spanish version of Dracula is also included. Special features are listed below, where you can also see more of the packaging.

Dracula is directed by Tod Browning (Freaks) and written by Garrett Fort (Frankenstein), based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, and Edward Van Sloan star.

Dracula special features:

Alternate score version by Philip Glass

Dracula (1931) Spanish version directed by George Melford

The Road to Dracula

Lugosi: The Dark Prince

Dracula: The Restoration

Dracula Archives

Monster Tracks

Trailer gallery

Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula bends a naive real estate agent to his will, then takes up residence at a London estate where he sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.

Frankenstein is directed by James Whale (The Indivisible Man) and written by Garrett Fort (Dracula) and Francis Edward Faragoh (Little Caesar), based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, and Boris Karloff star.

Frankenstein special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer

Audio commentary by historian Sir Christopher Frayling

The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made A Monster

Karloff: The Gentle Monster

Universal Horror

Frankenstein Archives

Boo!: A Short Film

100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics

Monster Tracks

Trailer gallery

Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.

The Mummy is directed by Karl Freund (Dracula) and written by John L. Balderston (Dracula). Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners, Edward Van Sloan, and Arthur Byron star.

The Mummy special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Paul M. Jensen

Audio commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns, and Brent Armstrong

Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed

He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce

Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy

The Mummy Archives

100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era

Trailer gallery

An Egyptian mummy searches Cairo for the girl he believes is his long-lost princess.

The Invisible Man is directed by James Whale (Frankenstein) and written by R.C. Sherriff (Goodbye, Mr. Chips), based on H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel. Gloria Stuart, Claude Rains, William Harrigan, Dudley Digges, and Una O'Connor star.

The Invisible Man special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer

Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed

Production Photographs

100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters

Trailer gallery

A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.

The Bride of Frankenstein is directed by James Whale (Frankenstein) and written by William Hurlbut. Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, and Elsa Lanchester star.

The Bride of Frankenstein special features: 

Audio commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen

She’s Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein

The Bride Of Frankenstein Archive

100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics

Trailer gallery

Dr. Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate.

The Wolf Man is directed by George Waggner (Operation Pacific) and written by Curt Siodmak (I Walked with a Zombie). Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Chaney Jr. star.

The Wolf Man special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver

Monster by Moonlight

The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth

Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney Jr.

He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce

The Wolf Man Archives

100 Years of Universal: The Lot

Trailer gallery

Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.

Phantom of the Opera is directed by Arthur Lubin and written by Eric Taylor (The Ghost of Frankenstein) and Samuel Hoffenstein (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Claude Rains, Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, and Edgar Barrier star.

Phantom of the Opera special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen

The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked

Production Photographs

100 Years of Universal: The Lot

Theatrical trailer

An acid-scarred composer rises from the Paris sewers to boost his favorite opera understudy’s career.

Creature from the Black Lagoon is directed by Jack Arnold (The Incredible Shrinking Man) and written by Harry Essex and Arthur A. Ross. Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, Nestor Paiva, and Whit Bissell star.

Creature from the Black Lagoon special features:

Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver

Back to the Black Lagoon

Production Photographs

100 Years of Universal: The Lot

Trailer gallery

A group of scientists try to capture a prehistoric creature luring in the depths of the Amazonian jungle and bring it back to civilization for study.

Pre-order Universal Classic Monsters Collection.

[askthesawyers]

(Proposal) Choptop. Babygirl.

I hope this finds you in good spirits amidst your uniquely chaotic lifestyle. From the moment I first laid eyes on you in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2," I was captivated. Your eccentricity, wit, and, yes, even your unconventional charm drew me in like a moth to a flame. Each humorous quip and those unforgettable moments made it clear: you are unlike anyone else.

In a world filled with the mundane, you stand out, unafraid to embrace the shadows while twirling your beloved metal plate. Your quirky personality reflects a vivid tapestry of laughter, darkness, and a uniquely spirited resilience. Every time I hear your voice or see your mischievous grin, it becomes painfully obvious: I am completely and utterly smitten.

So, with a heart full of courage and a mind swirling with dreams of a life together, I must ask you this very important question: Will you marry me?

I envision us carving out a life filled with our own kind of madness, wherein we can enjoy midnight drives through the backroads of Texas, crafting art from the unexpected, hosting wild dinner parties that leave guests in awe, and embracing the unconventional adventures that life has to offer—just as you do so effortlessly.

I know we may not fit the typical mold of a couple, but our love story would be an extraordinary one. We could unearth treasures in the most unlikely places, spreading the kind of love that challenges the ordinary. Together, we could create a new legacy, one of human connection against all odds.

So, what do you say, Chop Top? Will you take my hand and join me on this wild ride through life? I promise to stand by your side, embracing every twist and turn, loving you in all your wonderfully chaotic glory.

With all my heart,

Froyo zombie

HOLY FUCKING ASS SO MUCH WORDS-)) "..ya know what, sure! yoouuu talk a whooole lot tho! less of that more killin' people!!"

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of Fantastic Four #17

FANTASTIC FOUR #17

When construction unearths something unexpected, Susan Storm is called in—not as a super hero but an archaeologist! But when the bones she uncovers—tens of thousand of years old, dating back to the first arrival of humans in the Americas—turn out to be female…and matching her build…and wearing the shredded and decayed remains of what appears to be BLUE FABRIC constructed of unstable molecules, she must accept the fantastic: Dr. Susan Storm is going to DIE deep in Earth’s prehistory…and that time is coming sooner than she might think! Also in this issue: an anniversary date for Reed and Sue! So Sue gets both inarguable evidence of her own death AND some romance. Not in that order though. LEGACY #710 Written by: Ryan North Art by: Carlos Gómez, Jesus Aburtov Cover by: Alex Ross Page Count: 28 Pages Release Date: February 7, 2024

Reed Richards as a skeleton is creepy!

[violetren]

Two things I appreciated about The Giggle aka the final 60th anniversary special episode of Doctor Who.

1. When unearthing/amplifying Kate's negative traits she was a paranoid xenophobic ableist. Wild thing to have appreciated I know, but here me out. They asked themselves what is the deep dark urge that underlines a military leader meant to monitor alien life on earth, and then put their answer on full display.

At this stage of the game I cannot picture a Doctor Who that doesn't have some form of military intervention, whether human or alien, occasionally cropping up as a plot point since war is so deeply entrenched in our history and culture so it makes sense to just use the fake military rep, and then go "hey even the so called "good" military force and the nostalgia prompting legacy character leading it have this rot as a foundation as to why they think and act the way they do." The fact that directly after getting her sanity back she ignored The Doctor's stand down order and ordered people to shoot at the intruder leading to immediate deaths of those under her command REALLY emphasised the point in my opinion.

2. The complete lack of pants of Fifteen from the moment The Doctor arrived on screen until the credits rolled. It was stupid and fun especially because of the absolute refusal of anyone to bring it up or even allude to it.

[alto-tenure]

The Specter of Misthallery, allusions, and narrative framing

Professor Layton and the Last Specter alludes to the fact that, of course, this is not the first specter to have been in Misthallery -- the specter is, in fact, a much older fairytale, the nature of which is, just as with most folklore, impossible to verify.

The nature of fairytales is such that they often get distorted by those who are telling them, and then those distortions continue to be passed onwards to generations afterwards, and new distortions evolve. The way characters tell the story of Misthallery's specter tells us things about them, too, and the parts they play in the story.

Long ago, in a lawless age, a pack of bandits invaded a small village. Amidst the chaos, a terrified young farm girl played her flute to drown out the madness. As the music spiralled high into the sky, a giant spectre appeared above her. She begged the spectre to destroy the bandits and it swiftly obeyed. The town was saved, and the spectre vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. But the farm girl knew that in times of danger she needed only to play the flute and the spectre would appear again.

This is, of course, Descole's narration from his first appearance. He is taking advantage of the legend of the specter, and seems to be reading from a book during this cutscene.

The specter is unequivocally a force for good the way Descole words the tale. The specter is the girl's savior. It's a bit of intrigue, but also...the way it's portrayed here feels like a very obvious allusion to Arianna and Loosha, for which Loosha is very much Arianna's savior, getting her to the Golden Garden so that she can live. Descole also says after this that it's time for them to "pen the next chapter". He is using the myth of the specter on purpose to smokescreen his true intentions of unearthing the Golden Garden. He means neither to help the villagers or hurt them -- he only has his own agenda. Of course, this isn't the last we hear of this tale...

There's a legend here that tells of an ancient spirit… A specter. When the town was in danger, the specter would act as Misthallery's guardian in its moment of need.

This is how Clark tells the tale. Note its brevity compared to Descole's telling (or Luke's, later on). When the town is in danger, the specter acts to protect it. It is more general than Descole's telling, but is more in line with Luke's version of the events. His portrayal of the specter of lore is fairly bare-bones, but enough to understand that Descole's version is nothing more than a false echo. Something that he understands more than the people of Misthallery, considering that he knows more about the specter due to the blackmailing.

Long ago, the villagers used a flute to call upon a spectre for protection from their enemies… So, if the spectre does the bidding of whoever plays the flute… Then someone is trying to destroy Misthallery! "If the spectre is ever used for impure motives, it shall unleash its wrath upon humanity. It will destroy all in its path, creating its own paradise."

Luke's telling of the tale centers around the idea that the world will end if the specter is used to cause harm -- his telling fuses both ideas from Descole's (the flute is used to summon the specter and control it) and Clark's (the specter was there for the town at large, not for one specific person it was bonded to). This suggests that Luke is familiar with the version that appears in the book (after all, the book is likely from the Triton library), but he's filtering what he remembers through the lens of his anxieties around the specter attacks, his mother's disappearance, and his father's behavior. He expects the world to end because of the connection to the tale.

(And, of course, the connections to Azran Legacy can't be ignored here -- everything destroyed to carve out paradise for the villain of a story.)

The truth is, as always, a complicated affair -- there is no such things as specters, only machines fighting monsters -- but it is likely that the story started out with a specter that protects the village. The version in the book has probably gone through several layers of generational filtering, but its relevance to the narrative remains.

[blueikeproductions]

I’ve been seeing debates on whether Hasbro should do a remake/continuation of G1’s cartoon. While most have said no for one reason or another, citing the poor reception to MOTU: R and the mixed reception to X-Men in particular, I’m more curious on the matter. While I agree we don’t need it, part of me really wants Hasbro to do it just to see what they’d do with it.

I’ve seen some point out there wouldn’t be toys to sell for it, but my rebuttal is that’s what Legacy/Prime Generations is for. Basically just have this hypothetical show be the WFC/PW equivalent. One MAJOR stipulation: it must be tonally in line with the original cartoon and Transformers Devastation. Make this an all ages, but especially kid friendly show. None of that nonsense PW/WFC did. In fact keep those writers away from it, bring in Simon Furman, Flint Dille & Bob Budiansky to throw in some sexy adjectives and be script supervisors/editors to the new staff.

As for the plot, it depends on what they’d do: full remake-AU or continuation. The later would be simpler I think, just following up on what Galvatron and Zarak have been up to and the Autobots’/humanity’s reaction to it.

No matter what they’d do I feel like Hasbro would insist on lite retcons that include the 13 Primes and their Relics, which in turn fuel Galvatron and Zarak’s ambitions, while Optimus and Hot Rod have shared premonitions about the history of the Prime lineage, revealing in the cartoon universe, the thirteen primes were the prototypes the Quintessons developed after the Trans-Organics, with the Prime relics being Quintesson tools the Primes inherited after the Quints were driven off Cybertron. The Quints aren’t particularly happy their own tools are being uncovered, let alone seeing Galvatron using the Forge to upgrade his troops into Micromasters, Action Masters, & Pretenders. It becomes a race to see who collects the relics, with the Autobots determined to stop the Quintessons and Decepticons from abusing this ancient power. All the while, Solus Prime, Alchemist Prime and Quintus Prime are watching from the sidelines, the last survivors of the ancient Primes. And because Furman, there’d be a bit in here about Grimlock being a vessel for Onyx Prime temporarily, lol.

A clean slate AU could be done any number of ways, though my stipulation would absolutely no Allspark plot, but instead maybe combine elements of Dark of the Moon and Devastation where the factions are looking for the Ferotaxxis, which possess the data necessary to restore Cybertron by producing Synthetic Energon to whoever finds it first. The Ferotaxxis is unearthed by humans meanwhile, who study it and the unearthed Nova Prime, seeing a technological boom as far as the 80’s/90’s are concerned (similar to the Bay films and Sumac Systems in Animated). Nova isn’t particularly pleased at being poked and prodded by what he deems a lazy inferior species, and like Bay Sentinel concocts a scheme to screw over humanity, Optimus’ Autobots and secure the Ferotaxxis to gift Cybertron Earth’s energy. Because Cybertron is all that matters, the devil with anything that gets in the way of it.

The Autobots human friends would be Spike, Carly and Chip, the children of scientists and engineers working on Project O-Part; the O-Part, the Ferotaxxis, reacting to the Autobots and Decepticons presence on Earth.

The plot would then extend to the lineage of the 13 Primes and their relics, as they were things Nova and the Ferotaxxis were privy to, leading to the Autobots and the kids from stopping the Decepticons from getting their hands on the relics, with another wrinkle being added that some countries already found some like Carbomya, and won’t surrender them easily…

Like I said this concept can go any direction, but for a pivoted AU, this is just how I’d do it, going by what I assume Hasbro would still want with the 13 Primes being a component. Elements of Skybound would probably be here too, like Spike and Carly being those designs in particular.

But I think continuing where The Rebirth left off would be the better option, being the easiest to work with and with the already admittedly shoddy continuity of the G1 cartoon, you could pretty effortlessly add aspects of Skybound, IDW (and by that I mean characters like Nova, Rung, Rubble, Termagax, Three Fold Spark, etc) and the modern 13 lore.

Will do they do it? If they’re desperate enough, absolutely, but I don’t know if we’re entirely there yet. It’s getting closer and closer though.

[mariettebonneville]

─𝟎𝟐 【𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲】 𝐊𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐨 𝐱 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢

In the ethereal gloom of the Infinite Castle, which sprawled like a maze of shadows and echoes, Kokushibo stood as a figure of power and dread.

Centuries had sculpted him into a formidable demon, but even demons, it seemed, were not immune to the unexpected turns of fate.

Conversely, Mitsuri Kanroji carried with her a warmth that seemed at odds with the cold expansiveness of her surroundings.

The Love Hashira, as she was known, was an emblem of benevolence and strength, her vibrant hair a stark contrast to the monochrome corridors of the castle.

Her presence was like a brush of color against a desolate canvas, and it was this vibrancy that had inexplicably captured Kokushibo's attention—an attention that quickly curdled into an obsession.

Their meetings had been clandestine, with Mitsuri seeking to bring a touch of compassion to even the coldest of hearts.

Perhaps it was this very mission that led her into the web of the upper-rank demon. Kokushibo, whose mindset was deeply rooted in the hierarchical and patriarchal values of the Sengoku period, initially saw Mitsuri as an amusing contradiction to his beliefs. But as they spent time together, he was inexplicably drawn to her innate goodness.

He was, however, a demon of the ancient ways, and his affection took on the possessive hues of his kind.

It was a strong, overbearing love, which he expressed in the only way he knew—through the need to protect and control.

Mitsuri wondered how she should reveal she was with child, carrying a new life wrought from their forbidden union.

How would she tell him? Kokushibo, the Moon Breathing demon, whose presence was as formidable as the tides, and as mercurial as the phases of the moon they mirrored.

Kokushibo, a being who had transcended human limits, watched her with eyes that could pierce the veil of reality itself.

In his solitude, he had glimpsed into the see-through world, the rare ability unearthing secrets hidden even from time's unfaltering march. His heart, if it could be called that in his altered state, already knew of the life their intertwined destinies had spun.

The evening waned into a tender twilight as Mitsuri found Kokushibo enveloped in darkness, his silhouette a stark contrast to the softening sky. She drew near, her heart fluttering reckless and fierce.

❝Kokushibo,❞ she began, her voice a tremulous whisper, the words vulnerable as fledglings. ❝There is... there is something I must tell you.❞

His gaze found hers—a thousand night skies reflected in them—and it was freighted with a knowledge that wrapped around her like an inescapable shroud.

❝Mitsuri...❞ he replied, his voice both thunderous and intimate, ❝you carry the future... a legacy of our union."❞

Her eyes widened, dewy and green as fresh leaves after rain. ❝Y-you know?❞

❝I have always known,❞ he said, the darkness around him dancing to his stillness, ❝since the moment... creation burgeoned within you."❞

Mitsuri felt a tremor of unease, yet also an indescribable comfort in the eclipse of his certainty. His nature, a cantering duality of protective love and dangerous obsession, now had a new focus—a new purpose.

He approached her, and in that moment, she felt the enormity of their circumstance envelop her.

She placed a gentle hand upon her abdomen, the future beating softly beneath her skin, and Kokushibo's hand joined hers.

❝This child... will be the zenith of my existence, the dawn for which I have endured... an eternal night,❞ he spoke, his breath a whirlwind of solemn oaths and whispered devotions.

Mitsuri, for her part, was a whirlwind of emotions. She had never expected this, the consequence of her fleeting lapses into the arms of one who represented everything she opposed.

But life, she believed, was sacred and precious. The child she bore, even in such unconventional and dangerous circumstances, was an embodiment of her boundless capacity to love.

As the days passed, Kokushibo's behavior towards Mitsuri grew alarmingly affectionate yet still laced with a darkness that he could not shed.

He demanded her constant presence, fearing what the outside world—a world opposed to demons—might inflict upon her. His fears were not unfounded, as enemies lurked in every shadow, waiting to eliminate a demon's kin.

Mitsuri, with the resilience of her loving heart, sought to temper the wildness of his possessiveness.

She confronted him with unwavering kindness, even as his protective measures bordered on the prison-like.

She spoke to him of a future where life could be cherished, where they could find a sliver of peace in a world torn by conflict.

For months, as Mitsuri's belly grew, so did the complexity of their relationship. Each passing day was a battle of wills, a testament to love's power and a reminder of the fearsome grip of possessive obsession.

The Infinite Castle became a stage for this unfolding drama of light and darkness, hope and despair, life and the eternal struggle against one's inherent nature.

[pyrokineticwarrior]

Main Verse

Name: Devendra "Dev" Yug Age: appears 36 (Oct.24th) FC: Ray.mond Abl.ack Gender: Male Species: Human Features" dark brown hair, bright amber eyes, dark olive tanned complexion Sexuality: Bisexual, leans towards women

About

Devendra "Dev" was born into the warrior clan of the Indus River, a lineage steeped in tales of valor and protection. His early days were shrouded in the legends of his ancestors who had fought against asuras, monsters, and spirits that threatened their people. Dev's mother, a spirited traveling entertainer, found a temporary home in the town of Chanderi when she discovered she was carrying Dev. It was in this town that Dev took his first breath, amidst the bustling streets and the whispers of ancient spirits.

Growing up, Dev was a beacon of light in Chanderi, known for his open heart and unwavering courage. People gravitated towards him, drawn by his bravado and inspired by his constant encouragement to be their best selves. Despite the unnerving mysteries that loomed over the town, Dev remained a pillar of strength and hope, his infectious energy touching the lives of all who crossed his path.

One of Dev's greatest loves was his affinity for dogs; their loyalty and companionship mirrored the values he held dear. Another passion of his was dancing with fire, a skill he honed in the quiet hours of the night, the flames flickering in time with the beat of his heart.

Fate smiled upon Dev when he stumbled upon a hidden gold mine deep within the dark caves of Chanderi. The wealth he unearthed not only secured his future but also provided for his mother, Agni Devi, whose mind was slowly slipping into the clutches of madness. Dev devoted himself to caring for her, his love for her shining brighter than any treasure he had found.

Despite the abundance of positivity that surrounded him, Dev was acutely aware of the encroaching darkness that lurked at the edges of the town. He often pondered the mysteries that haunted Chanderi, questioning why the creatures of the night seemed to be drawn to him specifically.

Driven by a sense of duty and a desire to protect his home, Dev began training others in the art of defense, imparting his skills and knowledge to those willing to learn. As his students grew in prowess, Dev knew it was time to embark on a journey beyond Chanderi, to seek answers to the questions that weighed heavy on his heart.

A warrior's departure was met with both reluctance and blessings from his mother, who, despite her ailing mind, understood the importance of his mission. As Dev set out into the unknown, his spirit ablaze with determination, he carried with him the legacy of his warrior clan and the hope of uncovering the hidden truths.

[popcornpicks]

BLOG ENTRY N0.3

The Unsettling Allure of "Sinister"

"Sinister," directed by Scott Derrickson and released in 2012, is a chilling entry in the horror genre that delves deep into the realms of fear and suspense. With its haunting atmosphere, gripping narrative, and spine-tingling scares, "Sinister" stands out as a modern horror classic. The film's ability to unsettle and disturb viewers makes it a must-watch for horror aficionados and a compelling study in the mechanics of terror.

Plot Overview

The story follows true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), who moves into a new home with his family to work on his next book. Unbeknownst to his wife Tracy (Juliet Rylance) and their children, the house has a dark history: it was the scene of a gruesome family murder. Ellison discovers a box of home movies in the attic, which contain footage of multiple families being murdered in various brutal ways.

As Ellison delves deeper into these disturbing films, he uncovers a connection between the murders and a pagan deity named Bughuul, also known as the "Eater of Children." The more Ellison investigates, the more he realizes that his own family is in grave danger, ensnared in the sinister legacy of the house.

Characters and Performances

Ethan Hawke delivers a compelling performance as Ellison Oswalt, capturing the character’s descent from ambitious writer to paranoid, desperate father. Hawke’s portrayal is both nuanced and intense, grounding the supernatural elements in a very human fear. Juliet Rylance’s portrayal of Tracy provides a counterbalance, embodying the emotional and rational side of the family dynamic.

The supporting cast, including James Ransone as the helpful but skeptical Deputy So-and-So, adds depth and authenticity to the film. The child actors, especially those portraying the ghostly victims, deliver chilling performances that enhance the eerie atmosphere.

Visuals and Special Effects

"Sinister" excels in creating a visually disturbing experience. The use of Super 8 footage to depict the murders is particularly effective, lending a grainy, realistic quality that amplifies the horror. The juxtaposition of these home movies with the present-day narrative creates a sense of timeless dread, as if the evil in the house transcends eras.

The film’s lighting and cinematography contribute to its unsettling ambiance. Shadows and dimly lit spaces dominate the visual palette, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The practical effects and minimal use of CGI ensure that the horror feels tangible and immediate.

Themes and Impact

At its core, "Sinister" explores themes of obsession, the consequences of unearthing dark secrets, and the corrupting influence of evil. Ellison's relentless pursuit of a story blinds him to the dangers he is exposing his family to, making a poignant statement about the cost of ambition and the lure of forbidden knowledge.

The film also delves into the idea of legacy and the cyclical nature of violence. The presence of Bughuul as an ancient entity manipulating modern families adds a layer of mythic horror, suggesting that some evils are eternal and inescapable.

"Sinister" has had a significant impact on the horror genre, praised for its innovative approach to found footage and its ability to evoke genuine fear. It has inspired discussions about the nature of horror and the psychological effects of true crime on those who immerse themselves in it.

Overall Ratings

Plot/Storyline: 9/10

Script/Writing: 8/10

Cinematography: 9/10

Acting: 9/10

Attraction value/Rewatchability: 10/10

why do i recommend this movie?

"Sinister" is a must watch horror film. This movie is the only horror film that I can never forget, and it became my favorite after I watched it in elementary school. The story and plot truly shocked me, which is why I still can't get over this movie.

Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or new to the genre, this film promises a haunting experience that lingers long after the screen goes dark. So, turn off the lights, brace yourself, and dive into the unsettling world of "Sinister." The terror awaits!

[myshunodolls]

𓏲 ࣪₊♡𓂃 not so berry | gen. 1 -> meet thea berri

meet thea berri, the founder of my 2nd attempt at the not so berry legacy challenge <3 i'm mixing up lilsimsie and alwaysimming's original challenge with sweetlysimss' updated version !!! check my goals + more about thea below, hehe <3

(al)thea berri | young adult | materialistic, genius, vegetarian, vain, jealous

gen. goals + rules

you’re a mischievous scientist that really loves the color mint, you’re career driven but still make time for silly pranks and outings with your closest friends, you love luxury and want the best for yourself and your family, but you can quickly turn sour and hold a grudge

Goals: Master the Scientist career, master the Nerd Brain & the Chief of Mischief aspirations, master logic and mischief skills, complete the elements collection, assign a voodoo doll to at least one sim, find your spouse through an hate -> love relationship, invent all inventions, use the electroflux wormhole generator to travel to sixam, invent all serums, master the rocket science skill and build a rocket and use it to travel to sixam

+ thea's backstory

Many moons ago, one of Sixam National Laboratories' pollination technicians was looking for a suitable Sim to experiment with when they found Theodore Berri; it was a night of full moon, and he was charting the constellations in the sky, looking for one he hadn't found yet.

He didn't feel his body levitate toward the small spacecraft controlled by his abducter, didn't even flinch at all the tests and experiments they put him through all night. In his alien-induced haze, everything felt like a dream, even though he was very much awake.

The morning came, and Theodore woke up in his bed, but it was still made; he scratched his chin, feeling his stuble against his fingertips, thinking about how real his dream had felt - and how tired he must have been to fall asleep without changing his clothes or getting into the bed.

Just then, Theo felt a strange feeling in his stomach - something like a kick? But surely, it couldn't have been... Unless? He knew it was a possibility, how could he not after all the years he spent researching Sixam and its inhabitants?

Time seemed to fly by and sooner rather than later, Theodore Berri held a baby girl in his arms. He knew he could give her back to Sixam, he knew that he probably should, but he didn't have the heart to do so. No, not when his beautiful Althea looked so precious, so normal, as he held her.

And yet, he couldn't keep her for long. When she turned five years old, the same spacecraft appeared in the sky, silent as ever - but this time, it was the little girl who was taken.

In Sixam, the girl was told her father had given her up - that he realised that, after all, it was not right for a human to raise one such as her. Thea refused that - she knew her father would never leave her side, not if he could choose not to. This was an inconvinience - and an easy one to resolve, at that.

The very next day, all of Althea Berri's memories were of Sixam; of being nursed by a figure in a lab coat, of playing with other children her age in a stark white room, of eating only what could be unearthed from Sixam's soil. But those children, despite her age, didn't look like her. For a hybrid, she looked a whole lot more like a human.

On her 18th birthday, Thea was brought to a room, stark white like all the others, at the top floor of the facility where she lived her entire life. Well, where she thought she had lived he entire life.

Her superior told her then that she would be dismissed from Sixam. She had reached maturity, and yet she had never morphed into her alien form. She was a failed experiment, her superior said. She was, for all intents and purposes, a human. The only thing that set her apart from a common human was that she was hauntingly beautiful, unnaturally so, and that her hair was as pure white as the facility's walls and floors. Every inch of her was perfect, like she had been designed and engineered for months, even years, so much so that it gave anyone a headache to lay their eyes upon her for too long. And, for that reason, she was of no use to Sixam.

As quickly as they whisked Thea from the planet that watched her scream to life, they gave her back - alone, with no memories of that place she had been taught to fear.