#a lover of Viking culture

[mjolnir-viking-jewelry]

Excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: Wood viking longship wall hanging. Wood Ragnar Lothbrok longship decor. Jormungandr viking wall panel.

[lady-0f-the-wood]

[familythings]

Cats: The Furry Legends of History and Culture

Let’s talk about cats. Those mysterious, fluffy creatures that rule the internet, our homes, and sometimes, our lives. We adore them, but there’s so much more to cats than just purring, napping, and occasional chaos. Today, we’ll dive into some hilarious facts, fascinating history, and curious cultural representations of our feline friends. So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s make this a perfect…

[babey-fruit-bat]

Molliter Nix Cadit - Softly the Snow Falls

Caracalla goes to great lengths to cure your home sickness, in more ways than one 💍🎄🥂✨

Please Note:

Slight time skip, fast slow-burn, strangers to lovers

Not sure if this will be OOC for Caracalla- author has not seen movie but has seen some spoilers - I heard Dondus is a boy in the movie- author took creative liberties and she’s a gal now

Reader wears braids in hair and is referred to as female- no other descriptors !! Viking/Norse communities ‘adopted’ people from all walks of life and never had just one ‘look’

Language translations list at the end of story (It’s just Google translate rip) xx

🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️

Rome seemed worlds away from your home the closer and closer you got to city center

The sounds, smells, and colors were dulled to your senses as you were brought before the young emperors through the palace gates

Your home in the North had seen much destruction, not from the romans, but other enemy ships and villages

And so you’d fled away with other young woman and children in hopes of peace, of freedom

You should have known it wouldn’t be so simple

You stood facing petty theft from a roman carriage with food, you plead in your broken tongue as best you could for them to spare you- the bread in your hands ripped and flung away

It was fate that Geta had allowed Caracalla to bring Dondus to the city hearings today to keep his boredom and episodes at bay- she was usually always able to calm him

The bread landed close to the emperors feet and Dondus leapt down at once, never one to turn away a snack

With tears in your eyes you watched as a pet was allowed the full loaf over you and you hung your head in defeat- your fate was in their hands

Ever the lady, Dondus ran to share a piece of bread with her master, looking at you with her wide eyes

Caracalla took the piece of bread and popped it in his mouth before speaking

“Where is she from? She’s not Roman, nor Greek?”

A guard bowed and spoke “She hails from the North, the savage lands”

His eyes glittered darkly realizing she was so far from home, from family or friends- only you, all alone, and what was a poor girl to do? Caracalla could use some fun, he’d tired from the same concubines and you looked so different from any Roman citizens

Your hair in serval braids marking victories over your enemies while on the road, dark eye makeup and clothing to blend into the grey, cold Earth- you stuck out like a sore thumb in the richly colored city

He declared no harm to fall you and ensured you’d be treated as his guest, Geta rolled his eyes but had no objection to his brothers latest conquest

Caracalla had you and your few belongings moved to a room in his wing of the palace- gifting you every finery the next morning, including a glorious rose water bath and large breakfast right to your bedside.

After you were dressed in the softest rose shades, complimenting your figure draped in glittering finery

You saw little of him throughout the first weeks dedicating time to learn the roman culture and language.

When the servants found you presentable he had you accompany him throughout the day.

Between meetings and social gatherings you felt as much of a pet as lady Dondus, who affectionately rode on your shoulder most evenings.

It was one evening she joined you in your room, both resting on a table as you scribbled away in a journal.

You’d written so many stories from your first day and escaping death to the witness of gladiator tournaments and the place gardens.

It felt as though you’d entered your own Valhalla and praised your Gods for a safe journey. The solstice was approaching and though the Romans had their own celebrations and Gods you��d not forgotten yourself or family.

It was a quiet, early morning, not even the servants had rose out of bed

Caracalla, unable to sleep his mind plagued- and venturing out of bed, found you weeping in the gardens. The pines set out for Saturnalia so similar and different to yours back home

He sat softly next to you bringing you close in a warm embrace, wrapping an outer layer of his toga over you keeping you warm on the stone bench

“Why do you weep, Dulcissima?”

Your journal beside you, you’d opened the page with your writing about the winter solstice- ‘Yule- the Winter Solstice” is what you called it

Visions of spiced cakes, roasted meats, ale and mead, every recipe you could remember, drawings of Yule decorations and traditions, gift giving and the stationary scent of dried oranges hit Caracalla full force

Not only inviting him into your small world but realizing you were terribly homesick, the festivities of Saturnalia looking so similar were no help to your sorrow

He was determined to do everything in his power to impress you with a Yule festival fit for a Goddess

It was a week of strait planning and preparation, forgoing his formal duties in favor of planning the perfect feast.

He’d demanded the largest pines found in the city displayed in the grand hall of the palace

Droves of servants rapidly created ornaments, bits, and bobbles made of metal by the hundreds, placing each one on the tree with care despite the task at hand

Meticulous effort went into creating each recipe to perfection, in Caracalla’s eyes nothing was good enough, he’d tasted every dish and hoped it was close enough to your meals back home

You arose the day of the festival, maids preparing the bath in Caracalla’s room and leading you in, scrubbed down with rich oils of vanilla, cinnamon, clove and cherry

You were dried and dressed in a deep green and gold stola with a soft white fur collared cape

Your hair was styled in sweeping, grand braids with gold pieces and a pine wreath replaced the traditional laurel

You felt like a Goddess dressed so nicely for what felt like the most magical day

You’d spent your time the past week crafting a gift for Caracalla, a beautiful new blade, bronzed handle engraved with the sacred runic words Viska, Sigur, and Ast, the last word you’d treasured the most

You found yourself growing fonder and fonder of Caracalla’s company and the time he made for you each day grew longer and longer

He’d said he found it impossible to stay away from you- plucking the nearest flower down to place behind your ear the first month of your stay

That memory felt so familiar now as Caracalla met you on the steps “You look divine, Carissima - You’ll outshine all here!”

You could say the same for him, looking nothing less than regal in a long emerald toga and donned a golden laurel

You blushed as you took his arm guiding you to the grand hall with a confident stride, the tree aglow with candle light and strung with red berries

You delighted all night sharing a large feast, music, you friends company and relished the grandeur Calla had spent so much effort to display for you

He made you feel welcome, invited and included- he warmed you from the inside out

As the festivities died down he pulled you aside to the gardens, they were decorated with silver and gold garland illuminated by the moonlight

You walked hand in hand stopping at a stone bench with a cover when a light snow began to fall

“It seems you’ve brought Aquilo’s spirt to Rome this season- it was a wonder I found you” he sighed caressing your face

You grabbed his hand lifting your gaze to his “It seems that Rome is becoming more like home the longer I stay”

“I have one more surprise for you, Dulcissima!” He whispered excitedly, leaning closer to you “Dondus?”

You gazed up a she dropped down to a lower branch and dropped a bundle of leaves into his hand before scurrying off for more treats from the grand hall

“Have you ever heard the story of visci, Cor Meum?” He said, taking you hand once more

You shook your head never hearing this story but recognizing the plant and the tradition it carried back home you hoped his story would lead you down the same path

You giggled with a blush as he pulled you in by the waist holding the bundle over your head “Let me show you, Carissima” his lips moulding perfectly to yours in an unbreakable kiss

It seemed to last a lifetime in only a few moments and he knew he could have no other in his life

“Mea Omnia please be mine? I’ll give you anything you could desire- you’ll want for nothing except to spend you days committed to your passions- I’ll treasure you always. With you by my side I will be unstoppable in every way- Make me feel alive- whole. Become my Empress?” He held a crafted ring with delicately placed emeralds surrounding a lavish diamond in the center, inside was carved the symbols of Mars and Venus- a true work of art.

A soft gasp left you, eyes welling with tears at his truest, most vulnerable confession

“Of course my Calla! How could I turn away your love, your bewitching displays of affection? You see me as I am and who I am becoming, as I see you” you pulled out your gift to him, the dagger embellished with your language, a sacred blessing for you lover

“It’s blesses the wielder with wisdom, victory, and love, things you now have much success in” you said, a giddy lilt in your voice. He swung you around laughing softly holding you close and slipping your ring on your hand

“I shall wield it every day if I must, vanquish anyone who would try and take you away from me!” He taunted and slipped the dagger into an inner pocket

Now strolling arm in arm again he pulled you in for another kiss, the snow softly coating you both in the silent, perfect night

🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️🕊️🎄🥂🕯️

Anyways!! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed xx

📜Tag list: @doodle-with-rhy @s-lverwing @certifiedcodbabygirl

Language Translations:

Title - Molliter Nix Cadit - Softly the Snow Falls

Dulcissima - Sweetest

Carissma - Dearest

Viska, Sigur, and Ast - Wisdom, Victory, Love

Aquilo - Roman God of winter and the North wind

Visci - Mistletoe

Cor Meum - My Heart

Mea Omnia - My Everything

[trekbait]

Where to find a queer time on Qo’noS!

While Federation society is very open about the diverse sexual practices of its member species, many travellers may be ignorant of the situation in Klingon society. This is your guide to finding par'Mach among queer Klingon society (locally known as Har'eyngan).

Klingon Spar Dating

Trying to find your perfect match can be time a time-consuming affair, especially when you have to weed through all the heterosexuals first. In Qam-Chee you’ll find special Spar Dating sessions. Each participant spars with a partner for one minute before switching partners. At the end of the session, lacerations are counted and participants are matched according to their martial skill. At that point, couples who have found par'Mach may retire to a side room to mate and declare the marriage oath known as the u’Hal.

Cruising for Qovpatlh

For gay men in Klingon society, venues often emphasise anonymity through darkness, barriers or masks. For example: A club in Tong Vey called Exhaust Manifold has closed cubicles with two holes in the side for participants to enjoy each other though; while Cloaked Rendevous in Kl'alath hosts masquerade parties where the participants don full armor (except for certain areas of the body).

This is because Klingon culture, like many warrior cultures such as the Andorian Imperial Guard, the Skorr or human Vikings and Romans, doesn’t have a stark straight-gay divide with pansexuality being largely normalised. The divide among men is more between who is the dominant, active participant, and who is the submissive, receptive participant. 

Klingon men who assume the submissive role, termed Qovpatlh, have historically been subject to discrimination and have trouble ascending through the ranks of the military. In recent years, they have been fighting for greater protections, what you could term a ‘bottoms rights movement’. Protests outside the High Council chambers have seen signs reading (roughly translated): “Douching brings no dishonor!”, “There is no disgrace in subspace! (unless we’re into that)” and “I find glory in my hole!”

Until their appeals are heard and society begins to shift, such secretive venues will often be the norm for Klingon men to protect their houses.

Quin'lat Ngem Musicals

Quin'lat’s renowned theatres put on some of the queerest productions in the Empire, such as the latest adaptation Klach D'kel Brakt: The Musical! This retelling of the famous Briar Patch battle pits the Klingon and Romulan commanders as bitter former lovers feuding after an acrimonious breakup. Kor has a heartfelt ballad in the first act about how Chulak ran off with the sabre bear they adopted together and wouldn’t even let him say goodbye. Be prepared for catty insults and bloody battles.

Then there is A Portrait of a Matriarch on Fire about Chancellor L’Rell’s famous affair with the artist of her first official portrait, the story of which only came out via letters lost for the past hundred years.

Like most Klingon theatre, these are strictly drink-along events. However, these are also a stab-along events so bring a blade and every time there is an epic betrayal and someone is dismembered, remember to stab the person to the right for the most immersive experience (bring a bandage for your left side).

The Pink Targ Bar

There are a lot of lesbian bars across Qo’noS, including Bloodwine Supernova in L'chorta, The Pink Targ Bar in First City and Super Honorable Ultra Deadly Girl in L'vln Lak Raal. Most of these bars operate strict roles of butch and femme mirroring straight gender roles (and they do not like you playing outside these roles). But to an outsider, the difference between a masculine Klingon woman and a feminine one may be too subtle. So we went to the The Pink Targ Bar and asked some locals, Kali and Kolana, “which one of you recites poetry, and which one of you throws things?” 

Kali: “Ha, it is good you ask us, puny Bolian. You risk offending many in your ignorance. You see how many Mek’leths are here?”

Trekbait: “Gosh, everyone has one.”

Kali: “It is a traditional for us to carry one. You see a woman with a Mek’leth over the battlefield or the bloodwine, then you know she desires par'Mach with a fellow female warrior.”

Kolana: “But do you see, little blue girl, how some of them, like mine, have patches of dried blood while others, like Kali’s, are spotless?”

Trekbait: “Are some of you better at cleaning weapons?”

Kolana: “...”

Kali: “Dried blood of long defeated enemies is a signal to others that the bearer that they take the path of the feminine. Those you can see your face reflected in follow the path of butchness.”

Kolana: “Assuming that is she hasn’t just been stabbing someone. Hence, dried blood.”

Trekbait: “So then what do I do? – I mean – What would you do? To ensure you don't offend them with the wrong overture?”

Kolana: “If you see dried blood, like on mine, ensure you have come prepared with poetry. Something original, we’re all bored of Shakespeare.”

Kali: “Ugh, those damn sonnets."

Kolana: “And if it is clean, like mine, strike her across the face or hurl a nearby object at her. All good lesbian bars will have a supply of throwable objects and blades around.”

Trekbait: “Doesn’t that get expensive?”

Kali: “There’s a reason the drinks are so expensive, speaking of which: my tankard is empty, Bolian!”

Kolana: “And don’t be surprised if the whole bar begins to brawl as soon as you’ve thrown the first mating punch of the night. We don’t dance on ‘floors’ like weaklings. We fight, bleed and **** to the music!”

Disclaimer 

While most of our reporters suffered physical injuries during research for this article, none have yet to be proved fatal.

Got your own tips? Let us know below!

[mermaidsirennikita]

I’m a WHORE for bodyguard romances but I haven’t read them in a veeeeeerrrrrry long time.

Any recs???

Absolutelyyyy

Princess by Gaelen Foley. A newer all-time favorite of mine, the ultimate bodyguard book imo. He was raised by her parents after the age of 13, she's a princess, he feels unworthy as hell but is also an ELITE killer.... She wants to be with him so badly and puts her entire back into trying to seduce him. He gravitates between going "GET OFF ME" *shakes leg she's currently clinging to* and "you're a bad girl huh" because he's so trying to resist but is also desperately in love with/horny for her. Alternates between perfect angst and perfect hilarity. He fucks her while probably bleeding internally. *chef's kiss*

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt. No bodyguard romance rec list can go without this one! He's a retired captain of the guard, she's a duke's sister who's recently lost her vision. He's suuuuper into her but is all "I'm OLD, and she's a DUKE'S SISTER". But then some motherfucker tries to kidnap her (future hero of another book, naturally) and they have to go on the run. There's only one bed (and one of the best dry humping scenes I've ever read) ensues.

The Duke Identity by Grace Callaway. This one is a lot of fun because she's an underworld princess, and he's actually working for the feds, but he's undercover as her bodyguard and she's actually a nightmare woman who one day decides she must have him and doggedly pursues him like her life depends on it. Also, he wears glasses.

A Fated Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen. A fantasy romance based on viking culture; the heroine is coerced into marrying this gross old man because of a prophecy, but he really has zero interest in her sexually. And then he's all "POWERFUL STRONG MEGARAKE SON OF MINE, YOU SHALL GUARD HER WITH YOUR LIFE". Not realizing that she met the son first and they had a Moment. Has a scene where he fingerbangs her in the furs~ with like, seventy people including his dad sleeping nearby.

The Professional by Kresley Cole. A Russian mafia book; the heroine turns out to be the secret daughter of a mob boss, and the hero is sent in to collect her/protect her. Verrry kinky, very hot, very fun.

Joss and The Countess by S.M. LaViolette. Joss is technically Alicia's footman, but she's actually employed him to be her bodyguard while she (a widow 12 years his senior) bops around town trying to find a lover now that her husband is dead. Joss.... is a former gigolo.... and knows EXACTLY what she needs. Which is a dom. A dom who will toss her about the bedroom.

Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster. Paranormal historical, a fluttery debutante type girl gets involved with some undercover mission stuff. The hero, a virgin werewolf, is assigned as her bodyguard. The problem: he can't have sex with her, because werewolfitude is passed through bodily fluids!!!!

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan. Another paranormal historical werewolf book, the hero is the heroine's unofficial bodyguard because someone is trying to kill her. She's a witch, he's a Scottish werewolf rake, he's also recently had problems getting it up... But those problems sure don't seem to be an issue around HER...

Temptation of the Highlander by Elisa Braden. The heroine fled England because someone was stalking her, and the hero is a massive Scot who's been enlisted to protect her. You know how it goes.

Knockout by Sarah MacLean. Blueblood Imogen keeps getting into trouble because she blows things up. Detective Tommy gets hired by her family to protect her; the family does not know that Tommy and Imogen have been circling each other for mONTHS.

Waiting for a Scot Like You by Eva Leigh. A widow on her way to an orgy (because she can finally have fun now that her husband is dead) enlists a Scottish veteran as her bodyguard. He's very grumpy, and also very dominant.

The Lyonesse Series (ongoing) by Sierra Simone. BUT OF COURSE. Tristan is hired as the bodyguard for Mark, who he begins a sexual relationship with... only to find out that Mark is engaged to Isolde (they have an agreement, it's not really cheating). And when Mark sends a heartbroken Tristan over to collect Isolde for the wedding... shit goes down.

(He goes down.)

Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart. Anne Stuart usually has primary and secondary romances in her historicals. The primary romance doesn't have a bodyguard thing (though it's delicious) but the secondary one does. And it's GREAT, because the hero is a knight sworn to celibacy, and the heroine is a beautiful flirt who drives him INSANE.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can't stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

For Gemma's whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking things: the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There's just one major problem: to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather's home in Taiwan. And the only way Gemma can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, she finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it's about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

Review:

Academic rivals and exes have to work together to uncover a secret treasure that connects both their families... that is if they can even stand to be near each other, but if working together means finally facing what went wrong in their relationship, maybe there is more at the end of this treasure hunt than a treasure. Gemma's entire life has been about her and her mother against the world, her mother has hidden her past and refuses to tell her about anything relating to her grandparents or her dad, in fact she refuses to tell her anything about her ties to taiwanese culture. Yet when a mysterious man shows up at Gemma's door telling her that her grandfather whom her mother had told her had died, is recently passed and leaves her map of his things, Gemma is determined to get her inheritance. One problem: in order to complete said hunt she has to go to Taiwan... and that means asking for help from her ex and her academic rival, Xander. Gemma and Xander can barely stand to be in a room together yet to her surprise he helps her... and when she discovers more clues she realizes she needs more of Xander's help because the clues include to him and his family..... now Gemma and Xander must run around Taiwan and find the clues to find the truth about how their families are related and why their families hate each other.... while facing their own feelings for one another. This was definitely a unique YA story about your own cultural roots, relationships, and family relations. It definitely focuses on the journey of Gemma as she wrestles with her difficult family relationships and discovering herself. The romance is extremely light and doesn't really happen until 70% into the book. Overall if you are looking for a YA book that focuses on family secrets and discovering your cultural roots, give this a go.

Release Date: December 31,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[biryukzlodei-artblog]

The swastika is an ancient Slavic symbol of the sun/fire which Hitler stole from the Slavs. It was a popular ornament of Slavic pagan tribes and widely used by modern neo-pagans. The difference from the German swastika is in the number of rays. German - 4 rays, pagan – 8 rays.

Exists dozen of variations of it with different names.

Baltic Slavs (Finns, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians) and Ukrainians both use 4 rays one in style which Hitler chose for the Reich, both hate Russians, both were collaborators of the Nazi Germany during ww2, both committed genocide and war crimes against the Russians. That’s why Russians understand perfectly well what it means when those "ancient symbols lover" warmongers on the West wear their swastikas proudly.

Russians use 8 or 6 rays swastikas because ancient Rus pagan cultural symbols and esthetics are popular among the modern Russian warriors like you, westerns, are love to jerk off on Vikings runes and Celtic patterns.

But I knew that western propaganda will use it as "Russians are Nazis" narrative. And such people like you, who know and understand little about Slavic history and culture in general, will easily fall for it.

Post-soviet elder generation doesn’t like all of those symbols and displeased that some Russians wear such patches, pagan or not it’s all Nazism for them too. But modern 20-30 y.o. Russian soldiers don’t give a fuck what old farts in the rear like or dislike. Take a gun and get on the front, then your opinion may be important for a warrior who protects your ass.

After all, today Russian young men fight because soviets old men did their work badly in the past. So they can wear any patches they want and western propaganda will never have a kind word for a Russian anyway. If only he is not a traitor of Russia, of course.

[x0x0josephinex0x0]

surrender | boo seungkwan

I’m back!!! I wrote this awhile ago but didn’t have time to post it. Hope you enjoy!!! Idk if there are any warnings. Lil bit enemies to lovers, soonyoung makes an appearance, there’s a part that is inspired by business proposal (kdrama)…. Enjoy

It is finally time for your office's volunteer summer camp -- an expedition into the forest that you have historically taken very seriously. It would be completely perfect if it weren't for Boo Seungkwan, the annoyingly handsome, eloquent, confident head of the sales team, who was your ultimate competition for best camp counselor every year. The role came easily to you -- an HR professional with years of experience building company culture into something people would quit their jobs to join -- but he somehow also had a natural affinity for the job. Probably all that smooth-talking sales swindling he does, you think to yourself as you hop out of your car and grab a box out of your trunk.

There is only one girl's head counselor, and two boys'. This year, a newcomer has replaced last year's other candidate -- someone named Kwon Soonyoung. You hope he'll take your side in what promises to be the most intense year of rivalry yet, as you and Seungkwan battle for the coveted title of best camp counselor -- a title that comes with an extra week of paid vacation time.

You put Seungkwan out of your mind as you set about decorating your campsite. The theme for this camp was Ancient Cultures, and you had decided to decorate based off a viking theme. Your girls would become warriors, but could also participate in cool camp activities that were on-theme, like braiding each other's hair and adding beads, painting their faces, and — the crowning event of the camp festivities — playing capture the flag. Your team was the reigning champion, having beat Seungkwan’s team two years running, and you were not about to relinquish your title without a fight.

You have almost finished constructing the huge viking ship entrance when he discovers you. "Wow," he says, seemingly impressed at the work you've already put in. "All this work just to lose to me?"

You scoff. "It's my year, Boo Seungkwan," you sing from atop the ship, using a screwdriver to attach the wooden dragon head to the bow of the ship. “Just like every other year.”

"Actually," he says, leaning against a tree, "I think we both need to be worried."

"About what?" you ask, looking around for your wrench.

"Kwon Soonyoung," Seungkwan says seriously. "He's not messing around."

"What do you mean?" you say. You begin using the wrench you found to loosen a floorboard in the ship that looks a little out-of-place.

"You should see his campsite. It's been decorated since I got here at 2."

You roll your eyes. "I get that you want to distract me, but I'm a bit busy here, so I'm gonna have to ignore you."

He shrugs and strolls away. "You're welcome for the heads-up," he says over his shoulder. "Come by later. I'd love to show you around my site."

The girls begin arriving one by one, until there are 26 altogether. This is your biggest group yet, and you start by touring the campsite. You’re quite proud of how it all turned out: electric flaming torches that will light up at night are scattered between tents, a heavy hand-painted tapestry that you worked on for six months is hanging in the pavilion, and there are large fur rugs in each of the nice tents.

The girls are amazed by all of it. They quickly take to the Viking activities, the older girls copying the Norse symbols in face paint on their cheeks and arms and braiding the younger girls’ hair. The most outspoken girl is a thirteen-year-old named Heejin, who has already braided her hair and looks ready for battle. You note her eyeing the foam swords and make a point to do some training for capture the flag later.

Your dad stops by in the evening for dinner, accompanied by a young kid dressed in a Roman soldier’s tunic, helmet, and staff. He looks amused. “This centurion helped me find you,” he says, ushering his employees over to the pavilion, where they start to set up the feast for your campers. The centurion bows to him and then, hand on his chest, shouts, “Praetor Seungkwan requests the presence of the General at his Camp with her cohort. Shall I bear news of your imminent arrival?”

Always so theatrical, you think to yourself, unable to suppress a smile. “Yes, soldier,” you say back, and he nods stoically. “Can you keep an eye on things, Dad?”

He nods, amused, and you grab Heejin, the tallest girl, Eunbi, and a loquacious ten-year-old named Jiwoo. “Where are we going?” Jiwoo asks.

“We’re headed into enemy territory,” you whisper conspiratorially. The girls grin at you. “Keep a wary eye out.”

Together, the four of you follow the Roman soldier into the thicket of trees just outside your camp. You’ve only trudged a few minutes when you begin to hear yelling ahead of you. The young soldier runs ahead and emerges through the trees, stopping so quickly that Jiwoo collides with him.

The camp is in shambles. “Rome is burning,” says Eunbi in awe. She’s only partially exaggerating — campers clad in makeshift Roman armor are running everywhere, yelling. Seungkwan, dressed in a toga over his camp clothes, is trying to round them all up. You have to stifle a laugh.

“Seungkwan,” you call. “What’s going on?”

“We were raided,” he admits, looking torn between distress and hysterical laughter. “It was Soonyoung’s kids. They came in here wearing some kind of Chinese stuff, and they stole all our grape juice.”

You can’t help but roar with laughter. “I think I’m in love with Soonyoung,” you say, wiping a tear from your eyes. At this, Seungkwan bristles.

“Wait until he does it to your girls,” he says grumpily. “In fact, I bet he’s headed there now.”

You feel a moment of unease at his words. “Why would you say that?”

“Because that’s not my camper,” he says, pointing to the kid who’d led you to the Roman camp.

The little kid splits an evil grin at you before running away, into the trees. The girls and you run back to camp and gasp.

A man dressed in all black with a gold tiger insignia on his back stands ahead of a small group of young boys, who stand at attention with arms behind their backs. He turns at your approach. “Ah, there you are,” he says, and his smile seems…evil somehow. “Kwon Soonyoung,” he says, offering his hand. You look at the little girls, and they shake their heads.

You ignore his proffered hand. “I saw what you did to Seungkwan’s camp,” you say, staring Soonyoung down with a raised eyebrow.

“In true Mongol spirit,” he says simply. “I’m hoping things will go easier here.”

“What do you want?” You say tersely.

“A favor,” he asks, his smile dropping slowly.

“What is it?”

“My boys and I seem to be without food tonight. We had a bit of an accident at camp. Would we be able to dine here?”

You happen to know your dad brought enough food to feed a literal army. Still, a part of you wants to say no. You don’t trust the look in Soonyoung’s eyes. One look at the hungry young men, however, and you soften.

“Fine,” you agree, “on the condition that there is no looting.”

The boys sit down beside the girls and begin eating. You and Soonyoung meet away from them. “So are you planning on waging war?” You ask him.

“The Mongols conquered most of Asia under the rule of Genghis Khan. It’s a great way to learn about history,” he says easily, less dramatic now that the boys aren’t present. “And a great way to win best camp counselor,” he adds with a wink.

You roll your eyes, and he laughs. “Seungkwan was right,” he says. “It IS cute when you do that!”

“Seungkwan said what?” you snap, looking at him in alarm.

Soonyoung laughs. “You really don’t know,” he says, giggling. “Well, I won’t spoil the fun. But make no mistake, there’s more to Seungkwan than you think.”

Just then, screams start coming from the pavilion. You shoot a venomous glare at Soonyoung, who is grinning ominously, before running to check on your girls.

They are crowded atop the tables under the pavilion, some shrieking, some looking around, some crying, some clutching at the girls next to them.

“What’s going on?” You shout over the clamor, and one of the girls points to the attached benches at each table.

Snakes. You have to bite your tongue to keep from shrieking yourself. They’re slowly undulating on the benches. Then suddenly, a little girl named Sumin steps forward, more curious than scared. “It’s not real,” she says, poking the snake right in the eye.

It doesn’t move a muscle in her direction, simply continuing to squirm. You take a step forward and curse. It’s a toy snake, seemingly controlled by a remote. A prank.

This is, as far as you’re concerned, the final nail in Soonyoung’s coffin. You meet eyes with Heejin. “Run back to the Roman camp for me,” you instruct her. “It’s time for a war council.”

The next morning, you and the girls — in full Viking gear — march on Rome. There’s a ridiculous sort of tension in the air as you approach the pavilion, which Seungkwan has decorated with an actual stone statue of a Roman soldier, a sacrificial altar, and an incredibly accurate set of four pillars. A young, but tall boy, probably no older than twelve, is standing before the statue, and the “men” are in neat lines facing him. He meets your group, led by Heejin, with a bow. “I am Dosan,” he says in a commanding voice. “I am the unit’s general.”

Seungkwan is grinning with pride off to the side. The two of you meet eyes, and he gives you a look that seems to mean, “I told you they were impressive.” Indeed, the children seem incredibly well-trained after just a day at camp. You nod in agreement and his smile grows. A strange warmth steals over you, starting somewhere in your midsection, as though you’ve moved from the shade into the sun. Perplexed, you turn your attention back to the kids.

“Bring the treaty,” you instruct, and Jiwoo steps forward with a piece of paper you’ve made to look old through tea stains. It has a very real signature on it. Seungkwan holds his hand out to Jiwoo and she gives it to him. He reads it through, his eyes getting more and more wide every second. “A truce?” he finally asks, his face a mask of doubt.

“A truce,” you confirm. “If we combine our strength, Kwon Soonyoung can’t win, no matter how clever he might be.”

He looks to the boys. “What do you think?” he asks them, his face serious but his eyes full of mischief. They nod enthusiastically, and you grin. “Then it’s a truce,” he says, grabbing an actual feather quill off the desk and signing the treaty with a flourish.

You look to Heejin. “What do you want to do first?” you ask her.

She thinks for a minute before responding, “Train for Capture the Flag.”

You nod in approval.

Soon, the camp quickly dissolves into a commotion of organized chaos. Heejin and Dosan are heading up the actual swordfighting practice -- but not before Dosan sends a pair of twins on a “recon” mission to “canvas” the enemy camp. You can’t help but feel inspired by how seriously they’re all taking this war they’re in.

Seungkwan, too, is watching them proudly. You allow yourself one single second to think about how handsome the softness in his eyes as he observes his campers makes him look before addressing him. “You didn’t have to warn me they were coming. You could’ve let them do worse than they did. And honestly, if you’d asked me earlier, I would’ve assumed you’d have tried to team up with Soonyoung to bring me down.”

He gives you a wry smile. “There aren’t many people I’d stoop to Soonyoung’s level for, and you definitely aren’t on the list.”

“I’m going to try to take that as a compliment,” you say.

“Trust me, it is one,” he says, shooting a distasteful look into the trees where Soonyoung’s campsite is. “What about you, though?” he suddenly asks.

“Me?” you reply.

“Surely Soonyoung tried to ask you to join hands with him,” he says.

“He didn’t,” you say coolly, “and even if he had, I wouldn’t have done it.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Why not?”

You stand up. A brawl has broken out on the training fields, and you need to break it up. “I’m quite attached to you as my rival, Boo Seungkwan,” you say lightly, “and I don’t have any room on my roster for one more.”

You dance away, toward the fighters, only stealing a slight glance at Seungkwan over your shoulder. He is watching you leave, his mouth open in what looks like incredulity, but with a smile at the corners of his mouth and that same devastating softness in his eyes.

You suddenly wish you hadn’t looked.

***

The day has come.

After two days of training, a fair bit of history, and much too much interaction with Seungkwan (who seems to get more and more wonderful the more you see him), it’s come time for the Great War. It’s Capture the Flag Day.

Jiwoo and one of Seungkwan’s boys, Minseok, have been named head strategists. They’ve spent hours poring over the map of the entire campsite, planning for every alternative and educating the rest of their squads on tactics. Heejin and Dosan have headed up the infantry, because this year capture the flag features foam weapons, and if you get hit, you have to stay frozen until a fellow teammate can get to you. Heejin is a fencer and Dosan is a martial artist, and together they have taught the younger ones everything they know. To hold to Viking tradition, you have selected two Berserkers: an insanely energetic seven-year-old named Yura, the youngest of your campers, and the biggest and beefiest and wildest of Seungkwan’s campers, Junho. Their job is to whack as many of Soonyoung’s campers with a foam ax as possible.

Before the game begins, Dosan and Heejin stand on one of the pavilion tables in your camp, dressed to the nines in Roman garb and Viking skins, hair braided, face painted. Dosan opens his mouth, and begins to read from several sheets of paper Heejin is holding in front of him.

“Each of you has chosen the path of a warrior, not for glory or fame, but to defend all that we hold dear – our families, our land, and our freedom. We face a formidable foe, but know this: it is in the face of adversity that heroes are born!

Remember this, my brave soldiers – we fight not just for ourselves but for generations yet unborn. The deeds we accomplish today will echo through the corridors of time. Let us be the architects of our destiny and shape a future where freedom and justice reign supreme!

In the face of fear and uncertainty, remember that you are not alone. Look to your left and your right; you will find your comrades standing shoulder to shoulder with you, unwavering in their commitment to this righteous cause. Together, we form an unbreakable wall, an unstoppable force!

As we march into battle, let us carry the memories of our ancestors who fought valiantly before us. Draw strength from their legacy, for their spirits march beside us on this hallowed ground.

On this day, we shall etch our names in the scrolls of history. When our descendants speak of this moment, let them speak with pride of the day our courage blazed like a thousand suns!

Forward, my comrades, into the crucible of destiny! Together, we shall triumph, for we are warriors of indomitable spirit! May the winds of fortune favor our just cause, and may we emerge victorious, for this is the hour of heroes!”

At the end of this rousing speech, Dosan gives a deep roar.The onlooking campers yell in solidarity. You look at Seungkwan in absolute hysterics. “What was that?” you hiss. “That was incredible.”

“This kid has watched way too many war movies,” he whispers back, choking on a laugh. “I wish I’d recorded that.”

Jiwoo is barking instructions at everyone while Minseok talks to the recon team. Heejin and Dosan have gone ahead to meet the opposing team captain. Soonyoung emerges from the trees, his eyes hooded, the tiger on his back gleaming in the reddish sunset.

“May the best team win,” he says. “We can watch the whole game from the lake.”

The three of you head to the canoes so you can watch the game unfold. Soonyoung catches your arm, holding you back. “I think you need to see this video,” he says seriously.

He laughs at your glare. “I might be the bad guy, but I’m not a bad guy. Trust me.”

He hands you his phone and jogs to catch up with Seungkwan. You watch the video. It seems to be of a drunk Seungkwan, slumped in a chair in what must be his living room, hand over his eyes. “She’s gorgeous,” he moans. “Ugh, she hates me and she’s gorgeous. What am I supposed to do?”

The laughter in the background is definitely Soonyoung. “Stop laughing,” Seungkwan drawls in the video. “She’s seriously...oh, she’s my dream girl. She’s smart, and she’s beautiful, and she can make me laugh. Competitive. Almost scary. I like her so much,” he confesses, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Your heart is pounding. You put the video away, suddenly wondering why you’d never considered it before. The attraction between you has always been palpable, and the disdain has been majorly fabricated. But you find yourself remembering how Seungkwan carried one of your campers back a mile when she’d sprained an ankle at the last campout. Or the time when he stopped a particularly rowdy camper of his from picking on one of the girls in your camp. Or when he rushed one of the kids to the emergency room after they’d been stung by a bee because they were allergic. You’d been with him at that particular event, and he had paced in the lobby like the kid was his own until the nurse had come back to tell them he’d had an epi-pen and he was fine.

That was when your heart had started aching -- an ache you had tried to ignore, and mostly succeeded at ignoring, for two years. You rarely saw him around the office, but when you did, just his smile was enough to make you crazy. And now, here, in this place, the truth of your own heart was so embarrassingly clear. You loved Seungkwan. You had for literal years. And you’d put off the feeling for so long it had grown into something wild and untameable -- something that made you have to fight to conceal as he turned to look at you, ushering at the canoe. “We don’t have all day,” he teases, and you give him a weak smile. The light in his eyes, the wind tousling his perfect hair, that skin that basically glowed -- how had you ever lived without him?

And how could you, if you never said anything?

Seungkwan shoves the boat with you in it into the water before hopping in himself. Before he can grab his oar, Soonyoung deftly grabs it, jumping into his own canoe and paddling away. The two of you are stranded in a canoe that is moving fast toward the middle of the lake with absolutely no way of getting back. Soonyoung winks at you. You stare back, one part amused, one part abjectly horrified. You have no choice but to watch the game and try desperately not to throw yourself at Seungkwan, who is yelling at Soonyoung in the most adorable way possible.

The woods are alive with the sounds of feet pounding the ground and battle cries echoing through the night. Soonyoung's campers move swiftly and silently, using their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage.

The Roman and Viking campers, on the other hand, rely on their cunning and teamwork. They divide into two teams – one group works as a decoy to divert the enemy's attention, while the other stealthily moves towards Soonyoung's camp to capture their flag.

In the midst of the chaos, Jiwoo and Minseok emerge as the tactical masterminds. They have devised a clever plan, exploiting the weaknesses in the enemy’s formation. Using silent hand signals and coordinated whistles they developed during their training, they communicate with their fellow campers seamlessly.

Just as the sun is fully set over the horizon, the moment of truth arrives. Jiwoo and Minseokhwvr executed their plan flawlessly. The decoy group, drawing the enemy away, creates an opening for the second team to infiltrate Soonyoung's camp undetected.

In a heart-pounding moment, your campers snatch the enemy's flag from under their noses, and their victory is sealed. Cheers erupt as they make their triumphant return to their campsite, holding the captured flag high.

Seungkwan's campers and your campers celebrate their hard-fought victory, hugging each other in excitement and relief. The intense game has brought them closer together, solidifying their bonds as a united front against their rivals.

You don’t know when you ended up in Seungkwan’s arms in the canoe. You had both been cheering the kids on like parents, and at some point, in triumph or suspense, he had grabbed onto you. But now you caught yourself staring at him in the dim light of a rising moon. Trapped on a tranquil lake, with no one else around -- since Soonyoung has gone off to console his beaten campers.

Seungkwan swallows hard and lets go. “Sorry,” he mutters. “Got carried away.”

You grab his hand. He looks down, confused, at your fingers on his. “I saw the video,” you say in a rush.

For a moment, he thinks, seemingly not comprehending. Then, a light dawns in his eyes. A blush rises on his cheeks, and he curses. “Uh....I’m sorry,” he says, and then, clothes and all, he jumps. Out of the boat. Into the water.

“Seungkwan!” you yell, shocked.

“Don’t worry about me,” he says, trying and positively failing to sound cool. “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

You can’t help but lose it. Laughing your head off, you jump in after him, your clothes quickly soaking. “Come back!”

You reach the shore at the same time. “I want to talk to you,” you say, reaching for his hand. Your numb feet catch on a large stone, and you tumble over, only saved from face-planting into the shore by Seungkwan, who has shot out his arms to grasp you.

He pulls you closer as a reflex and looks over your face, worried. “Please watch where you walk,” he says, his voice soft due to your closeness, and you blush as his warm breath sends a shiver down your spine.

But then the sound of footsteps makes you jump. Your campers are looking for you. Seungkwan looks horrified. “Hide,” he says, and you run into the trees hand-in-hand , stepping behind a tent wall. Seungkwan places a hand over your mouth as he looks around to see if anyone saw you.

He is incredibly close. You can see the water dripping off his hair onto the back of his neck. You move his hand. “Seungkwan.”

He looks at you, distressed. “What?”

“Did you mean it?” you ask him quietly. “What you said in the video.”

“I...” he stutters, seeming to be looking for an excuse, but then he looks at you. “I did. I have never met someone who can make me feel like you can. The competitive banter drives me crazy. But the craziest part is that I don’t want to be your rival anymore. I want to be more. I have no idea how to get there.” His voice is quiet and soft like yours. “So have a little mercy on me. I don’t know how to be to you what you are to me.”

You gaze at each other for a long moment. Then, you both move together, reaching for each other like a marathon runner reaching for water. He kisses you once, twice, three times gently before you grab the wet collar of his shirt and pull him in. He takes you into his arms, brushing his warm fingertips across the cold, wet back of your neck and making goosebumps erupt onto your arms.

“What a truce,” you murmur against his lips.

He chuckles. “No, this is a surrender.”

[male1971]

The Origins of The Wolfman

The story of Universal's "The Wolfman" (1941) is one of the most iconic werewolf tales in cinema, but its origins are a blend of older folklore, literature, and mythology. The concept of werewolves has been around for thousands of years, long before Universal's monster movies.

Origins of "The Wolfman" Story

The 1941 film "The Wolfman", written by Curt Siodmak, introduced many of the tropes we now associate with werewolves, such as the use of silver to kill them, the transformation during a full moon, and the notion of the curse being passed on through a bite. While Siodmak invented much of this for the film, he drew from centuries of werewolf lore and mythology, weaving them into a modern narrative that fit the Universal monster film canon.

Who Invented Werewolves?

Werewolves have been part of human mythology for millennia, and there is no single person or culture credited with "inventing" them. Instead, werewolves have appeared in various forms across different cultures:

Ancient Greece and Rome: One of the earliest werewolf stories comes from Greek mythology. The legend of "Lycaon", a king who angered Zeus and was transformed into a wolf, is where we get the term "lycanthropy." Roman authors like Ovid also wrote about men turning into wolves in works such as "Metamorphoses".

Norse and Germanic Mythology: The Norse sagas and Germanic folklore also feature tales of men who could transform into wolves, such as the Viking berserkers who were believed to be able to take on the powers of animals, including wolves, during battle. The "Volsunga Saga" tells of men who wore enchanted wolf pelts and transformed into wolves.

Medieval Europe: In medieval Europe, werewolves were often linked with witchcraft and the devil. Many believed that witches could transform into wolves or other animals, and there were numerous werewolf trials in places like France and Germany, much like the witch trials. The fear of werewolves was often tied to religious and superstitious beliefs about the devil's influence over humans.

Indigenous Cultures: Indigenous peoples in North America, such as the Navajo, have legends about shape-shifters, often referred to as skinwalkers, who could transform into animals, including wolves.

How Long Have Werewolves Been Around?

Werewolf myths and legends date back to at least the ancient world, more than 2,000 years ago, if not further. The idea of humans transforming into wolves, either voluntarily or through a curse, has been a common theme across various cultures. Throughout history, werewolves have appeared in art, literature, and oral traditions.

The Epic of Gilgamesh (circa 2100 BCE) – One of the earliest known references to lycanthropy. In this Sumerian epic, the goddess Ishtar turns a former lover into a wolf.

"The Satyricon" by Petronius (1st century CE) – A Roman work of fiction that includes a passage where a man transforms into a wolf, making it one of the oldest literary depictions of a werewolf.

"The Metamorphoses" by Ovid (8 CE) – This Latin narrative poem contains the story of Lycaon, a man transformed into a wolf by Zeus, one of the earliest and most influential werewolf myths.

"Bisclavret" by Marie de France (12th century) – A French medieval romance about a knight who turns into a wolf. This tale is an early example of sympathetic werewolf stories.

"The Book of Were-Wolves" by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865) – One of the first comprehensive studies on werewolves, combining folklore, history, and mythology about lycanthropy.

"Wagner the Wehr-Wolf" by George W.M. Reynolds (1846-1847) – A serialized Gothic novel that tells the story of a man cursed to become a wolf.

"The Were-Wolf" by Clemence Housman (1896) – A short novel about a mysterious and seductive woman who transforms into a werewolf, blending Gothic horror with themes of gender and power.

"The Phantom Ship" by Captain Frederick Marryat (1839) – While the main focus is on a haunted ship, there is a notable episode involving a werewolf.

"The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains" by Captain Frederick Marryat (1839) – A short werewolf story often included in collections of Gothic horror, with a sinister white wolf terrorizing a family.

"The Werewolf of Paris" by Guy Endore (1933) – A key influence on later werewolf films, this novel explores a man’s transformation into a werewolf in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

Films:

"The Werewolf" (1913) – A silent short film believed to be the first werewolf movie ever made. It was based on a short story by Henry Beaugrand called "The Werewolves", about Native American shape-shifting legends. Unfortunately, the film is considered lost.

"Le Loup-garou" (1923) – A French silent film with a werewolf theme, directed by Pierre Bressol.

"Wolf Blood" (1925) – Another silent film, this one blending early horror with elements of the frontier. It follows a man who believes he is becoming a wolf after receiving a blood transfusion from a wolf.

"Werewolf of London" (1935) – The first full-length werewolf film from Universal Studios, preceding "The Wolfman" (1941). It tells the story of a botanist who is bitten by a werewolf while on an expedition and transforms into a creature after returning to London.

[pillow-anime-talk]

Hi! If it's not too much trouble, may I ask for prompt 38 with William Moriarty in Viking!AU? For some reason, I can easily imagine this very British gentleman taking on a role of viking tribe leader (who knows why ^^")... Thank you for accepting my previous request with William - I absolutely loved it! 💖💖💖

# tags: scenario; strangers/lovers; kinda romance; mostly angst; drama too; viking!au; slave!reader; inspired by vinland saga; mention of sexual harassment and death; bruises and blood; suggestive

includes: gender neutral reader ft. william james moriarty {mtp}

author’s note: thank you for another request, my precious anonnie! hope you will like it too :)

38. “You love flowers, right?” “Yes… I love flowers very much.”

Viking expeditions and their popularity among Scandinavian countries had their greatest apogee between the ninth and eleventh centuries of our era. At that time, specific royal families began to gain fame, as well as some names of the most murderous ascomanni around the globe. The Vikings and their trusted companions were warriors known for their strength, cunning, and animal instincts. Of course, the highest-ranking men were also characterized by above-average intelligence and knowledge, but definitely their prevailing features were bestiality, the desire to have large property and as many women as possible.

The leader of the most famous Viking clan in the extreme east of England – William – however, felt no urge to plunder or kidnap women for his own pleasures. He preferred talking to the city’s merchants, scientists and also bartenders, who by far had the longest tongues (and real alcohol). His name was respected even among great rulers, and business with him, though expensive, was by far the most valued and worth every coin.

Traveling by ship around European, Scandinavian and American countries was a kind of adventure for William, but above all also hard work – learning languages, cultures or even traditions of different peoples. From every place conquered or visited by him, the young leader learned as many lessons as he could; he learned the techniques of poisoning enemies, riding bisons weighing several tons or the technique of gluing shoes by himself. He learned about the religion of many minorities, but also boasted considerable interest from women and girls slightly younger than him. As a Viking, he saw many beautiful landscapes, tasted many delicious dishes and specialties, listened to folk music and gained indescribable amounts of gold, gems and jewelry.

However, there was the other side of the coin; he not only saw beautiful things, but also witnessed the death of people close to him, the cries of women and small children begging for mercy, he saw ships and cities burning, he himself administered justice to enemies and gave orders that a normal person would never even think of. He was at once an angel with a wonderful smile, but also a devil craving power and respect. He was disgusted with nobility and at the same time had as much money as the king.

Yet he has never personally raised a hand against a child, nor has he ever harmed a woman; he often spoke to them, showed them a way of escape, promised help when other clans raided defenseless villages. He also thanked for meals and killed those who forced women to perform sexual acts. Although he was a criminal in the eyes of men, women were always grateful to him and willingly helped him heal fresh wounds.

No wonder then that during the next expedition in a row, when he ended up in one of the minor cities and on the day of the slave trade, he almost killed one of the sellers who lined up five young girls – each of them had a dozen or so bruises, gray skin, tired eyes and dried tears on cheeks. The youngest of you was fourteen, the oldest almost thirty... And there was you: stood among them, wanting to die and never be born again. Even though your face was sleepless and your hands dirty from working in mud, there was still a little hope in your eyes. Barely perceptible and almost imperceptible.

You looked calm, and at the same time in your heart there was a huge fear that you were about to find yourself in even worse situation and next to an even worse man than your current owner.

Fortunately, that day the sky was a bit brighter than usual and had the color of myosotis.

“You love flowers, right?” William looked at you and your torn dress with the red poppy embroidered on the right breast pocket, then extended his hand towards you, which held a pale blue flower. A slight, if uncertain and tired smile appeared on your dry lips.

“Yes… I love flowers very much.” You said almost in a whisper, and the man nodded towards his subordinates.

Somewhere between the words that the blond Viking is taking all five girls and the warmth of the sheepskin coat draped over your shoulders, you heard your savior’s name and the announcement that you’d soon be exploring the coastal areas of France.

You were saved.

[musingsofmonica]

July 2024 Diverse Reads

July 2024 Diverse Reads

•”The Lion Women of Tehran” by Marjan Kamali, July 02, Gallery Books, Literary/Historical/Coming of Age/Friendship/Own Voices/20th Century/Post-World War II/World Literature/Iran

•”I Was a Teenage Slasher” by Stephen Graham Jones, July 16, S&S/Saga Press, Horror/Thriller/Suspense/Cultural Heritage/Native American & Aboriginali

•”Catalina” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, te

July 23, One World, Literary/Coming of Age Cultural Heritage/Hispanic & Latinos

•”A Thousand Times Before” by Asha Thanki, July 09, Viking, Magical Realism/Saga/Women/World Literature/India

•”This Great Hemisphere” by Mateo Askaripour, July 09, Dutton, Science Fiction/Thriller/Dystopian/Cultural Heritage/African American & Black

•”Midnight Rooms” by Donyae Coles, July 02, Amistad Press, Supernatural/Horror/Gothic/Thriller/Historical/Saga

•”Toward Eternity” by Anton Hur, July 09, Harpervia, Literary/Psychological/Science Fiction/Genetic Engineering/Dystopian/LGBTQ

•”It's Only a Game” by Kelsea Yu, July 09, Bloomsbury YA, Thriller/Suspense/Psychological/Cultural Heritage/Asian American

•”We Carry the Sea in Our Hands” by Janie Kim, July 09, Literary/Coming of Age/Family Life/Cultural Heritage/Asian American/Adoption 

•”The Road to the Salt Sea” by Samuel Kolawole, July 02, Amistad Press, Literary/Historical/Saga/Religious/Thriller/Crime/Diversity & Multicultural, World Literature/Nigeria/

•”They Dream in Gold” by Mai Sennaar, July 30, Zando - Sjp Lit, Literary/Historical/Coming of Age/Cultural Heritage/African American & Black/Women/Feminist

•”My Mother Cursed My Name” by Anamely Salgado Reyes, July 30, Atria Books, Contemporary/Magical Realism/Family/Women /Cultural Heritage/Hispanic & Latino

•”Pink Slime” by Fernanda Trías, translated by Heather Cleary, July 02, Scribner Book Company, Dystopian/Horror/World Literature/Uruguay

•“All This and More“ by Peng Shepherd, July 09, William Morrow & Company, Literary, Science Fiction/Speculative/Thriller/Suspense/Dystopian/Action & Adventure/Time Travel/Women/Multiple Timelines

•”Between Friends & Lovers” by Shirlene Obuobi, July 30, Avon Books, Contemporary/Romance/Romantic Comedy/Women/Medical/Workplace/Diversity & Multicultural/Cultural Heritagel/African American & Black/Women

•”Off the Books” by Soma Mei Sheng Frazier, July 30, Henry Holt & Company, Literary/Mystery/Suspense/Cultural Heritage/Asian American

•”The Coin” by Yasmin Zaher, July 09, Catapult, Contemporary, City Life/Women/World Literature/NYC/Palestine

•”More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop” by, Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa, July 02, Harper Perennial, Literary, Coming of Age, Family Life/Women/Friendship/World Literature/Japan

•”The Melancholy of Untold History” by Minsoo Kang, July 16, William Morrow & Company, Literary/Science Fiction/Time Travel/Fairy Tale/Folk Tale/Legends & Mythology/Family Life/Marriage & Divorce/Multiple Timelines/World Literature/Korea

•The Lucky Ones” by Zara Chowdhary, July 16, Crown Publishing Group, Memoir/Women/Islamic Studies/Muslim Family/India/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/Discrimination & Race Relations/Race & Ethnic Relations/Social Justice 

[rebeccalouisaferguson]

Interview with narrator Rebecca Ferguson

Q. What made you want to be part of this series?

I was brought up having a magical connection to nature.  When later introduced to the world of BBC wildlife programmes it brought back so much nostalgia.  Being asked to be part of this series therefore was a huge honour for me.

Q. Tell us a bit about growing up in Scandinavia.

When I was growing up, I always wanted to go exploring in the woods and become one of my favourite childhoods characters Ronja from stories by Astrid Lindgren. She was a true representation of Swedish and Scandinavian nature. I also loved to do another tradition of picking wild strawberries and threading them through strains of straw.

Q. Tell us about your personal passion for Scandinavia

It’s Raw and wild. It’s Pinecones, mushroom picking, cold, mythical mysterious.  So many tales and stories come from the world of Scandinavia. 

Q. Describe any personal experiences you’ve had with wildlife in Scandinavia

It’s hard not to have connections with nature.  For me it’s about feeling connected to it and being a part of it daily.  I was brought up in Stockholm then moved to the south of Sweden to a remote fishing village, meaning I got to explore such drastic difference in environments and temperatures.

Q. Were there any standout or memorable sequences in the series for you?

Being a part of the whole story and seeing things that I would have never got the opportunity to see was such a treat. It brings me as close to it as possible.  It’s so unusual to see it all first-hand and I got to be part of it adding my narrative which was magical. As an ocean lover, I particularly enjoyed the reproductive process of the synchronised star fish and watching the sea cucumbers feed on the algae and plankton from the seabeds. 

Q. Did you learn anything new about Scandinavia that you didn’t know before narrating the series? 

Yes! I couldn’t believe that they are still preserving fish the same way we did in the Viking times! It was fascinating to see that process. 

Q. What do you believe is so captivating about this region?

The Landscape is the main characteristic, it’s sharp and harsh and the animals have had to learn to shape to their environment.  The extreme difference between the North of Sweden with its angular landscapes to the south of Sweden with its rolling hillsides, orchards and apple trees.

Q. Do you have a favourite species from the series and why?

Yes! The White-Tailed Sea Eagle is my favourite species from the series. They are so majestic flying through the air.  Their hunting skills of catching the fish is like watching a thrilling chase scene from a movie! It’s so highly skilled and chaotic at the same time.

Q. What do you hope viewers will take away from watching Wild Scandinavia?

I hope that they it will Learn about new environments and that it opens up their eyes to the beauty of this region.  How different it is. Why it’s so different. How the people have had to adapt to the environment.  The extremes of the seasonal weather and landscapes.  I hope it makes people want to visit and to nurture and to care for our world even more.

Interview with Series Producer, Tuppence Stone

Q. What do you think Rebecca Ferguson brings to the series, as the narrator?

We were very keen to have such a strong female role model to voice Wild Scandinavia. With her roles in Mission Impossible and Dune, it is great to collaborate with such an international star. Rebecca is Anglo Swedish, so was a perfect choice – with her intimate knowledge of Scandinavia and fluent Swedish the mythology and names included in the script felt so natural when she delivered them. She added an important authenticity to the series, building on our decision to work with the brilliant Icelandic composer – Biggi Hilmars, so that our views feel totally immersed in the Scandinavia wilderness.

[synonymouswithanonymous]

☺☺ you were right!

you were right! That's so exciting, he's completely integral to the plot!!! A catalyst for later drama, at least in part. I'm excited to see him play this character! A broken Vietnam vet. He's going to be great in this part!

So the article from last month that named him, was a bit off, but that's ok bc now we know more! 😊😊 and EM is Swintons characters daughter! He plays Swintons character's lover/father to her child! This confirms he's definitely got scenes with the leads!

"or her recounting the death of her child’s father, a Vietnam veteran with PTSD, in a house fire on the side of a highway."

----------

This will be a great character, the catalyst for so much drama within one family later, it makes you wonder what would be the lifelong impact of such a tragedy. A character sent off to proverbial slaughter, who most likely had to commit and witness acts he'd never wished to have even witnessed. And then returning to a country that doesn't understand PTSD or what soldiers went through, but are instead spat at in the streets and their mental health largely ignored/misunderstood. And then to have such a tragic end. That's so sad. This is a movie aiming to make me cry in a variety of ways. Lol I'm excited!

Sidenote: please skip if uninterested. I don't think his interview says he's given up on his career, so to speak, but maybe taking a more realistic view on his career prospects is healthy and warranted. Not everyone is going to be Brad Pitt, someone has to be Gary Oldman  (for differences in career paths, as an example).

Perhaps he's just not getting his hopes up bc in another interview he said his hopes were dashed, repeatedly by covid/strikes/not getting hired for gigs immediately after Vikings etc. AND the fact that Vikings isn't as popular a show as the fandom bubble created around all these actors in it made it seem like they were (I'm still calling them all, even Winnick an underdog bc she's "B list" or lower by "hollywood" standards. She's not up there in the hierarchy like say Reese Witherspoon. AHA realistically would be B list too.

That's not an insult but realistic. How many actors are in SAGAFTRA? Currently? And how many more newbies each year? Hollywood is always about the next big thing. But Hollywood is losing its grip on its dominance due to streaming and other factors.

Plus how many movies/shows are actually shot in Los Angeles nowadays? it's always a location elsewhere it seems.

His more humble approach is good, didn't he say he was aiming for a mads mikklesen (sp?) or NCW career? If so then he's well on track to having great character roles. He's going for longevity, not a quick buck. Maybe he has been picky, but it's working for him. He doesn't need to be in every lame remake hollywood comes up with that's destined to lose money. Tinseltown has lost its shine in the wake of technology from jets, to streaming services letting us see originals in original languages, instead of watered down remakes that pale next to the original. Or just original innovative stories, the foreign films/shows on netflix alone are great! I'm looking at you Nightwatch american remake that was just bad. 😳😳 He's even been able to write and star in his own idea for a tv show. There might be a second season. He can fly to locations, it's a modern world, he doesn't have to be isolated in "hollyweird made of vices" away from his home, family/gf and language/culture. And while Hollywood might take offense to him "complaining" about really long days, in the cold, and that Denmark has better labor laws....where's the lie? If there's something that isn't right, why should he be silent? Why should people be worked to the point that they can't even recover from being in hospital, no sick days or back up plan in case of illness on set. To the point that they've been broken down physically and mentally. Isn't that the reason labor laws exist, to protect people from suits who only care about schedules and money instead of the actors health? That goes for any job not just actors. Or their mental health, most people don't have to fly to a different country for jobs either, that's got to be rough no matter how much you love your job. But anyway, it doesn't seem to have affected his hiring status that much. 😊

But I think he's playing the long game quite smartly. He's going for a real career, not to be a teenage idol. Why be a small fish in an overlarge pond (hollywood) when he can be a bigger fish in a much smaller pond and build a career like Mads M? The same reason Ole Bornedal and Pedro Almodóvar stay in their respective countries (mostly). Bornedals's movie was remade, and changed, instead of just releasing It with subtitles. It could be that there they can create the art they want to without time/money/script restrictions? Bc in Hollywood they've even put time/plot limits on THE Ridley Scott! To the detriment of many of his films post gladiator ( kingdom of heaven should have just been the directors cut imo bc they cut important story parts). I say let him create art the way he wants to, he's on his timetable, not fans. It's his career that We are hoping to watch for the next 30-40 years. Or longer, Almodóvar is 74! Clint Eastwood is how old? We will just have to be patient for new projects. 😊😊 I know its fun to get all my Gary Oldman movies immediately bc he's been around for over 40 years ! I don't have to wait between Leon, Sid & Nancy or even The Scarlett Letter! To much newer works. Im working my way through from the beginning. 😳😳 imagine how his OG fans felt getting one or two projects every so often or a year. Having to wait to see the next film, if it was even released for very long in theaters (that's imo wild to think about). And then waiting months for it to come out on a dvd to see it if wasn't released for long. Or if you missed a show you would have to wait for it to repeat?!?! Things not being readily available would be so brutal, and here I was complaining that bridgerton season 3 was cut up in 2 parts!!! I couldn't binge it all in one day!! Patience is a virtue. And even Alan Rickman didn't get his "american debut breakthrough" until he was in his 40swith die hard. And he is a legend (just bc he passed away doesn't change the tense of his legendary status)! AHA has plenty of time, and is doing great. Imo.

Sorry for the side ramble, but I take issue with the idea that he can somehow do more than what he's done. He's right there are some things beyond our control. Or that his work ethic is somehow lacking, bc between owning a stake in a watch company( it being sold wouldn't change his stake/shares too much, maybe it made him more money?), doing multiple voice works, making movies, creating his own show and filming other shows/short films, and working for charities (plural) he's been a really really busy person. And side projects with photography. He's working fairly steadily and a lot. Choosing great projects from Shadows to RND. How much do they want him to work? Lol he doesn't exactly have a 9-5.

I'm still hoping that this movie will be the one that makes people see his skills, and set him up for the longevity he so desires. 😊😊😊 Best wishes to him and his lovely JM.

Edited to add, even though it's just his character that gets a mention, the reviews are positive. If he wasn't right or good in a stellar movie, it would have been mentioned. So he at the very least performed well enough to not get a bad review. So he's given another great performance!!!! But really with those two ladies as leads, with the story mostly focused on them, I'm impressed that his small role has been mentioned several times. Even if not by name right now, his part was noticed enough to make the articles, moreso than Nivola, in a P Almodóvar film that has Moore and Swinton in it. 😊😊 huzzah to anyone that's made it this far, still always surprised lol.

[mjolnir-viking-jewelry]

Wood mjolnir wall hanging – 299$

Introducing our Wood Mjolnir Wall Hanging, crafted in the iconic Oseberg Style a tribute to Viking heritage and craftsmanship. ✧ Material: oak ✧ Height: 15.74 inches (40 cm) ✧ Width: 12.59 inches (32 cm) This remarkable wall decor features a Thor's hammer design inspired by the prow of the famous Viking ship from the Oseberg burial site. Meticulously carved from high-quality oak, this wood carving captures the essence of Viking artistry and symbolism. The intricate detailing of the Mjolnir design adds a touch of Norse mythology to any room in your home or office. Embrace the spirit of the Vikings and elevate your space with this unique and historically inspired wood Thor hammer decor. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of Viking culture, or simply seeking distinctive decor, our Wood Mjolnir Wall Hanging is sure to leave a lasting impression.

[strongheartneteyam]

❝you don't have to be like everybody else, you don't have to fit into the norm, you are not here to conform.❞

𓆩♡𓆪 about me:

i'm a daydreamer with an endless love for art and for how beautiful life can be despite it feeling overwhelmingly hard sometimes. i think the dichotomy of it all, the pain mixed with joy, is what makes living so poetic. i was born in a big urban city but, even though i love the many options you have in a place like that, nothing is better than peace and nature. i'm extremely connected to nature, so, i identify a whole lot with kiri sully <3

languages: portuguese (first language), english (fluent), spanish (basic), i can read hangul and understand/speak a few words in korean and i can also read and understand/speak a little bit of german

passionate about: music, nature, sleeping, TV shows/movies, history, languages (i study na'vi every now and then, among other languages 💕), the human mind, science, anthropology, artificial intelligence, goth subculture, food, night time, vintage stuff, singing (i'm a good singer - that's what ppl tell me haha), fantasy, mcu, reading, sci-fi, dancing, self expressing through clothes, accessories and makeup, swimming, japanese & korean pop culture, gaming, writing poetry, song lyrics & fanfiction, celtic & norse culture, photography, ancient mythologies, crafts, painting, barbie, solitude, cooking

my favorites:

music ➳ evanescence, HIM, lana del rey, taylor swift, avril lavigne, marina, rihanna, grimes, aurora, halsey, iggy azalea, little mix, miley cyrus, in this moment, within temptation, pretty little reckless, selena gomez, blackpink, taeyeon, nicki minaj, twice, gfriend and many more (i'm utterly obsessed with music!! ahaha)

literature ➳ the little prince, barbarian alien, barbarian lover, the hobbit and romeo & juliet are the books. the sick rose (william blake) and the raven (edgar allan poe) are the poems

tv shows ➳ friends, game of thrones, wandavision, house of the dragon, the office (usa), vikings, pretty little liars and the empress

movies ➳ the avatar franchise, pride & prejudice, atonement, titanic, the hunger games franchise, beauty and the beast (disney cartoon), battlecreek, barbie as the island princess, predator: prey, little women and 10 things i hate about you

animes ➳ kimetsu no yaiba, inuyasha and boku no hero

games ➳ stardew valley, mass effect: andromeda, minecraft, overwatch 2 and assassin's creed: valhalla

foods/drinks ➳ chocolate, sushi, pizza, coffee, soda and tea

i studied the english language for years and got a certificate that allows me to teach 📚🤓

i suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic illness, so, i often end up taking a long time to answer private messages, comments, asks, requests etc bc i have to take many breaks to rest and recover, so, it doesn't mean i don't love u if i take some time to answer, it only means i'm dealing w/ my health problems 🤍