#amber north

[gwydpolls]

Time Travel Question 46: Early Modernish and Earlier

These Questions are the result of suggestions from the previous iteration.

This category may include suggestions made too late to fall into the correct earlier time grouping. Basically, I'd already moved on to human history, but I'd periodically get a pre-homin suggestion, hence the occasional random item waaay out of it's time period, rather than reopen the category.

In some cases a culture lasted a really long time and I grouped them by whether it was likely the later or earlier grouping made the most sense with the information I had. (Invention ofs tend to fall in an earlier grouping if it's still open. Ones that imply height of or just before something tend to get grouped later, but not always. Sometimes I'll split two different things from the same culture into different polls because they involve separate research goals or the like).

Please add new suggestions below if you have them for future consideration. All cultures and time periods welcome.

[lifeisstrange-incorrectquotes]

Said I'd do one of these for every 100 followers, and guess who just reached 1600! :)

Presenting: Life Is Strange: Before the Storm meets AO3!

Credit for screenshots below the cut

In Order: @/inquizies, Santosx07 (YouTube), @/life-is-trange-but-i-am-more, Life Is Strange Wiki, GodisaGeek.com, Life Is Strange Fans, Steam Community, @/computergamephoto, @/nikkinikums, @/strangeionius

Tags from @/dear-ao3 and @/ao3screenshots

[allgirlsareprincesses]

I'm so proud of this episode recorded with Mike of Thunderquack podcast! If you enjoyed Prey (I mean, who didn't?) or just like mythic/feminist stories in general, please check it out! We cover all kinds of topics, including how this tale reflects star stories of Indigenous Americans:

I'd love to share a lot more of my thoughts about this movie some day! Such an unexpectedly gorgeous film!

[dalekofchaos]

The complete lack of a black protagonist in Life is Strange is disappointing

We've got 5 games and not a single game has gotten a single black protagonist.

I do love the series, but even I can see  a problem. A complete lack of black characters in the franchise. 

Found these two great articles that delves into the problem

Link 1

Link 2

None of the main characters are black. None of the secondary characters are black and the only black characters they have are side characters or background characters.

Like there was no reason whatsoever why Rachel, Warren, Kate, Steph, Ryan, Cassidy, Finn, Jacob, Sarah Lee or Chris couldn't have been black. Hell, there is no reason why Max, Chloe or Rachel couldn’t have been black.(although personally I would've loved it if Rachel was Indigenous)

And the black characters we do have is really bad in terms of representation.

Wells, a drunk and crooked  principal.

Hayden, a stoner and member of the Vortex Club

Drew North, a bully jock who got in the drug trade

Charlotte, a likable character, but who's anger is consuming her and blaming others around her, tho I understand where she is coming from, but her characterization tends to be reminiscent of the unfortunate angry black woman stereotype. And just so happens to own a pot shop...

Ms Grant, Mikey, Penny, and Joey the Nurse seem to be the only positive black characters in the series.

And we still have not gotten a single black protagonist in the franchise.

I find it weird that we seemingly have little good black representation that isn't just associated with drugs.

Like I’m not trying to say DONTNOD, D9 or Square Enix are racist or anything, but I’m saying they need to do better when it comes to representation. 

We were robbed of a black main character for Life Is Strange and are instead getting a cash grab sequel with Max who might as well be a completely new character seeing as how they’re throwing away everything that Max experienced and learned and everything we loved from LIS 1 to make it.

But considering how the fandom treated Sean and Daniel and their story, I can only imagine the disgusting hate a black protagonist would get in an extremely white franchise.

[amberheardarchive]

AMBER HEARD as JOSEY AIMES in NORTH COUNTRY (2005)

[whatsjulietslastname]

Okay, this is random headcanons time (except they gradually get more out of character).

Rachel can sing pretty well. Max too, even though the only one who ever heard her was Lisa. (Have you heard Hannah Telle’s cover of Obstacles omg—)

Chloe loves playing Guitar Hero, and she used to have contests with William and Max when she was a kid.

Warren definitely watched Doctor Who.

Victoria is a canon nerd, so headcanon that she’s secretly into Star Wars.

Chloe kept playing with Steph and Mikey every once in a while until Steph left. And she kept in touch with Steph, so after Max and her left Arcadia Bay, Alex, Steph, Max and Chloe all met and introduced each other.

Dana was a Mean Girls kid (do you see my vision??)

Kate had a tamagotchi as a kid and cried when it died.

[thingsasbarcodes]

Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 3: Hell is Empty

[2kverrr]

STEPH GINGRICH - That Smile is Poison

LIFE IS STRANGE || Steph Gingrich x Reader

Summary: You and Steph have been apart for years after leaving Blackwell, and a return is due. (5218 Words)

Another day of reminiscing for one Steph Gingrich, clearing up the mess customers and herself had made throughout the bright day of New Year's Eve.

Mikey's a plane ticket away that she simply couldn't afford nor bring herself to consider the possibility. Chloe's gone, Rachel's gone - Which she still couldn't accept, even after being years. You've gone off the fucking radar ever since leaving Blackwell; to put it in a candid and straightforward style, she's ignoring what her life used to be. She's got new friends - Great friends. She loves her job, though it comes with some very prominent negatives.

She's stuck in a cycle of nostalgia and longing for the past, unable to move forward or fully let go of those who have left her behind. The weight of their absence hangs heavy on her heart, a constant reminder of what once was and what could have been. Steph knows she needs to break free from this pattern, to find a way to live in the present and embrace the future without being held back by the ghosts of her past. But it's easier said than done, and as she eyes up the champagne bottle resting teasingly on the low wooden side table outside her studio, she can't help but feel like she's expecting something from Haven Springs, a piece of something she's still unconsciously searching for.

Was it the attention from the roaring crowds whilst rocking it with her best friend?

Could it be being so far away from her family? So far away from the people who knew how to cure her isolation.

Maybe as much as Blackhell fit it's nickname (given by Blackwell's finest, Chloe Price), there could be a slither of a chance that the school meant something to her. School hadn't come easy for Steph, bullies, only a handful of friends, teachers who had taught her for three years and not even knowing her name. What could it be?

It was the people, she knew this all along but refused to believe it. Blackwell in her mind was a living hell, she couldn't comprehend that through all this torture, which people like to call high school, there was something positive after all.

An odd group, but surprisingly pleasant.Herself and Mikey: The two geeks who spent most of their time playing pretend. Chloe: the 0-fuck-given badass who stormed her way through any problem she faced. Of course, there was Rachel: Blackwell's superstar, famous by the students and admirable by the teachers, it was an honour to Steph for her to stand within 10 feet of their bench. And you: the single most lovable person Steph had ever met. You never failed to make her laugh or smile, even when faced with demons of Blackwell, such as Victoria Chase or her minions, you'd beam your pearly whites and charm anyone and everyone into sharing the same smile.

You don't exactly remember how you met Steph, you'd pretty much spoken to everyone at Blackwell at least once. You only seem to remember being as close as ever with her.

Steph remembers, she's good at taking notice of the little things, it's one of the things you liked about her.

- - - - - - - - - - 11/04/2008

'Fuckkk. Where is Mikey? I look like such a dork on my own.'

Steph sits on her and Mikey's signature bench awaiting her friend's arrival, DnD equipment already laid out amongst the graffitied wooden table as students walk by and spare an intrigued glance that screams judgment to the ginger girl.

She taps her foot impatiently, scanning the courtyard for any sign of Mikey. Distracting her from her impatient surveying, Elamon's character sheet flies along with a gust of wind, off the table and flurrying away from the girl. As if it were fate, you walked past and stuck out your foot to stop the paper after noticing the girl's brief worry. You pick up the paper, give it a quick scan,

"Oh! Is this that- um, what's it called?" You conflict with yourself as you hand the paper over.

Steph returns quietly, expecting the worst of you, "It's an RPG game."

She's seen you around before, that she's sure of. You were the exchange student who hung out with Rachel, which seemed obvious, you're the opposite of what Steph is, you know how to hold yourself, socially and physically, and you're deemed attractive through social status and appearance, clearly worthy enough to be Rachel's friend. She jogs her memory, briefly seeing you converse with Victoria but soon doubts herself immediately. How could somebody so kind tolerate being in the same room as the Ice Queen?

"Cool, how d'you play?" You question, your interest anything but faux.

Steph looks down at her fiddling thumbs, debating on letting you in slightly, but she falters. "It's-um- really complicated, and long- really long." She looks up with an apologetic face, "Sorry."

She was cold and quite distant but you didn't give up, "How about you give me a game? That's only if you want." You suggest, with and shy but hopeful smile on your face, Steph soon realised that from this moment your smile would be a pain in her ass. "I'm a quick learner Stephanie."

You knew her name.

She couldn't fathom what was happening at that moment, usually, people walk past and silently giggle with their friends or shoot a snare without knowing a single thing about her, but you didn't, you had this aura that imaged your care for people, it stood out from anybody else. It gave her no other option besides to accept your offer despite the risk of becoming a blushing mess.

After that first game, you and Steph quickly became inseparable. You spent hours talking about your favourite books, movies, and music. You shared inside jokes and made plans for future adventures. It was like you had known each other forever.

- - - - - - - - - -

And ever since that day, Steph considered you a friend. But deep down, Steph knew that her feelings for you went beyond friendship. Every time you smiled at her, every time you laughed at her corny jokes, her heart skipped a beat. You couldn't deny the growing attraction she felt towards you. She kept her feelings hidden, burying them deep down hoping that one day you'd magically return all feelings. But you didn't, you left, like everybody does after high school.

Steph knew your plans for the future, join the military, travel the world, get some life experience then finally settle down.

You'd been to Oman, El Salvador, Finland, and South Africa showcasing aircraft and participating in charity work. You'd almost forgotten you're life before the military, but you simply couldn't, you too had heard about Rachel's and Chloe's passing and it lingered over your head like a dark stormy cloud that spat at you whenever you'd verge on peace.

You've always been one to face your problems head-on, you have to confront the pain that occurs each year when a news report reminds you of the tragic events in Arcadia Bay. You couldn't keep running from the memories, from the guilt that weighed heavily on your shoulders.

So, you made a decision. You booked a flight back home, back to where it all began.

- - - - - - - - - - 03/23/2009

"Suck it, losers!" Chloe belted after rolling a solid 19 on the D20, "I... I grab the slimy dwarf by its neck, I don't say a single word, I just squeeze and squeeze and SQUEEZE."

Mikey's face drops in disgust whilst Steph's forms into an amused grin, "Calamastia's scare tactic worked like a charm, the dwarf horde drop their sharpened branches and scattery in a scurry, leaving one dwarf, on the floor - dead." She narrates as she knocks over the 5 dwarf figurines and scoops 4 off the bench.

But as she focused on her next move, she couldn't help but feel a sense of distraction creeping in. It was you, approaching with your trademark smile on your face, causing her heart to skip a beat. As you drew closer, Steph's attention wavered, her role of game master momentarily forgotten as she found herself captivated by your presence. Your eyes met hers, sparking a connection that sent a rush of warmth through her veins.

"Damn it!" Mikey exclaims, aggressively eyeing down the 3 he'd rolled against one vengeful dwarf that remained.

"Hey guys," Rachel beamed, taking a seat next to Chloe on Mikey's side of the bench, ", so where do Y/n and I come into this?" Yours and Rachel's arrival brought a welcome distraction. Chloe smiled warmly at Rachel and you, happy to have more friends joining in on their game..

You slide into the space to the left of Steph, your hand brushing her shoulder while you continue to wear your smile. Steph looks up at you, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hey Y/n, glad you could make it!" she whispers, returning the physical touch you'd continued before turning her attention back to the game.

You could just about keep up with the game, you'd been given the class of 'Rogue', and you forgot your name months ago but didn't want to ask in fear you'd somehow offend her. But the game carries on, you quite enjoyed watching a master at her work, Steph's like some sort of genius, she knows everything about each character and all the possibilities.

Now and then, Steph would glance over at you, a small smile playing on her lips and a blush flurry throughout her cheeks whenever you'd return the eye contact, almost as if she'd been caught. It made your heart race just a little bit faster each time. It's unfamiliar but not all too bad.

- - - - - - - - - -

First was the Two Whales Diner, on entry, it was unusually empty, only the same police officer sat on a barstool along with a truck driver a few seats along. Only one booth was occupied by what looked like a couple of kids from Blackwell, obviously skipping class.

That was a common hobby of mine and Chloe's, we didn't know each other all that well, but we were the only ones out of the group drastically failing everything. It was weirdly bonding and odd, but nice, we'd just chat shit and vent. The blue-haired girl would go on about how David had now left a toothbrush in her bathroom and I'd complain about getting suspended for something you totally did do.

You two could just hate life together, it was soothing, something you missed.

Treading towards the surface amongst the barstools, you scan the room for any sign of Joyce. Nada. Maybe she's round the back.

You lean up against the surface that still adorned the same old carvings we all left over Christmas.

'bah humbug - mikey, chloe, y/n, reach, stephanie (it's steph)(it's not)'

You giggle at the memory before your attention is drawn towards the familiar waitress uniform, "Hey Y/n! Long time no see kiddo." But as you look up, a wave of disappointment washes over you as you don't see the blonde, kind-faced older woman, instead met with one of her closest work friends.

"Hey Judy, how are you?"

She tilts her head with a smile and nudges your arm, "I'm same as ever, darling. Clearly, you're doing better! Look at you, all tough and militant."

This isn't what you're here for, "Sorry to cut this short Jude, but I really need Joyce, do you know whether she's around? It's pretty urgent."

Judy's face slowly falls, "Oh honey, Joyce hasn't been around for a while. Chloe's death took quite the toll on her, not heard from her In months."

You briefly thank Judy for the information and bid her goodbye, quickly making your way out of the diner, your mind racing with thoughts of Joyce and what she could be going through after years had passed.

- - - - - - - - - -

Parked right around the corner from the Amber household, you take a deep breath recalling that pang of guilt and regret you were punched in the chest with at the news. Rachel was your best friend, someone you've got to care for, support, protect. You did none of that, in fact, you suspected nothing and let her die.

About 4 months after she'd gone missing, that's when you decided to leave and start your basic training. You dropped off the belongings she'd left at her house to her parents, a cardigan, an extremely flamboyant pen that had feathers sticking out of it (which screamed Rachel), and her bag that contained a book. This book, you'd always assumed it was her diary and refused to read it let alone even touch it for more than 15 seconds.

As you sit in your rental, staring at the street that leads to the Amber household, you finally build up the courage to get out, one last gulp and then you release your tight grip on the wheel and hop out of the car.

You know that returning her diary was the right thing to do, but it also serves as a painful reminder of your shortcomings as a friend. What if giving that back sooner could've saved her? You wish you could turn back time and be there for Rachel in her time of need, but all you can do now is try to make amends in whatever way possible.

Approaching the front of the house, you recognise something out of place, one or two signs, their brightness contrasting the cool tone of the house. As you get closer you make out the 'SOLD' signs, if it were appropriate you would scream in the air out of annoyance, but still, you walk up to the door and knock, just in case there is a chance in hell, heaven and earth at least one Amber would be there.

3 Knocks.

Another 4.

With a deep exhale you turn around, debating why you even came back, it was such a waste of time and soul. You might as well just go bac-

"Um... Hello? Can I help you?" A deep voice questions.

You turn back around to see a tall, rugged man standing in the doorway. His piercing blue eyes seem to look right through you as he waits for your response. You clear your throat and stammer out, "I-I was just... looking for a husband and wife, James and Rose Amber. Are they here?"

The man's expression softens slightly as he shakes his head. "Sorry, no Ambers here. This place was sold a few weeks ago." You feel a pang of disappointment but try to hide it as you thank him and turn to leave.

At this point you could only think of one more person in Arcadia Bay, it couldn't exactly be the closure you needed but it's close enough.

Sera Gearhardt: Rachel had mentioned her a few times after discovering her whole family scandal. Her mom isn't her mom, so her 'mom' is fake, but her dad is still with her fake mom while he cheats on said fake mom with real mom. Real mom comes back but Dad says no even though having an affair with real mom behind fake mom. Fake mom is aware of real mom and has been from the beginning.

Makes sense right? You met her once, briefly, by accident, you were a tad bit (1 hour) early to your get absolutely shit-faced sesh. Seemed nice, knew your name, not too much to tell.

- - - - - - - - - - 05/21/2010

To Steph, I overlook all, yet too far for the eye to see A wide body of water, if you really wish to seek me I look far and can be seen from afar I actually fucking give up, I'm by the lighthouse - Y/n

Steph's eyes light up like a Christmas tree at the thought of the two of you alone, in the most romantic spot in shitty Arcadia Bay.

The lighthouse had always been a place of quiet intimacy with its sweeping views of the ocean and the salty air whipping around you. It was where she'd imagined you two sharing your first kiss, a clumsy, awkward fumble, but somehow almost endearing. Now, with the words of your note burning in her mind, she felt a surge of anticipation.

She'd thought about things like this a lot but each time she would shut it down, realising how delusional she sounded.

So Steph took the bus to the shoreline and began the short walk. As she reached the top, the lighthouse stood tall and proud, its beam slicing through the fading light. There you were, silhouetted against the setting sun, your hair tousled by the wind.

"You actually found me," you say sarcastically, a cheeky grin spreading across your face. Steph felt a warmth spread through her body, a mix of relief and joy. "Yeah, you made it really difficult. Why couldn't you just send a text?" You chuckled, your voice rough with emotion. "Just thought you'd enjoy if I made it a bit mysterious. Clearly, it didn't work too well on my behalf."

As she walked towards you, the silence between you filled with unspoken words, the weight of your recent struggles hanging in the air like a storm cloud. "Um- well." "I'm being held back a year," you mumbled, your gaze fixed on the turbulent sea below. "I don't know whether it's because I'm lagging behind or whether it's because of the exchange thing. Either way, it's pissed me right off."

"I... I'm so sorry-," she managed to just about say before you interrupted her. You interrupt, shrugging with that smile twisting your lips. "-Don't apologise, Steph." You sigh deeply, "It just ruined a few plans is all." Steph knew you were trying to be nonchalant, but she saw right through it. The disappointment, the frustration, the irritation - it was all there in your eyes.

She knew those 'plans' were more than just a few. They were dreams, aspirations, and hopes for a future filled with adventures and possibilities. The exchange program messed up your education more than you can handle to even explain. You're impatient now, having to wait another year, well that's what it seemed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't bring you up here to go all 'Woe is me' on you, " You both chuckle, knocking into each other, "You're leaving this year, so I thought we'd better make the most of it."

You reach into your jacket pocket pulling out two pathetically made string bracelets, "They're not exactly a masterpiece," You hold out the two on one hand, one green, one red, "Feel free to throw them into the sea and me with them if this is too much, Steph. But I wanted you to know you're a really good friend, y'know."

"To another year with Victoria!" Steph toasts, picking up the red bracelet and knocking it to the green, despite the gut-wrenching pain of being friendzoned.

That damn smile, how could she resist?

- - - - - - - - - -

Why has Sera disappeared off the face of the earth? You scroll and search through your phone searching up anything and everything relating to the woman and the Amber family, but all that appeared was your best friend’s death.

Lay down in the back seats of your rental car, you stare into roofing, how the fuck are you still here but not Chloe and Rachel? Why the two of them? At one point you considered paying the Prescott family a visit, hell even Nathan in the psych ward or wherever he is. But your senses soon saved the day preventing you from doing anything that'd make you lose your job.

You drop your phone onto your chest, letting your arms hang upwards, reaching out. You're still here, you spend a few seconds surveying every millimetre of your hands, and then down your left wrist, twisting it slowly. Then finally the right, the bracelet.

You don't really remember ever keeping that bracelet on, it was a weird feeling.

You tried to dismiss it, to convince yourself it was just a silly trinket, a meaningless gesture from one friend to another. Yet, the more you tried to ignore it, the more its presence gnawed at your mind.

As you look at it you feel its teasing, you can imagine the stupid single pieces of thread pointing and laughing at how pathetic your attempts at reconnecting with your past are. The bracelet felt like a burden, a constant reminder of what you had lost.

But you couldn't let go of the bracelet, not yet. You needed it, even if it felt like a cruel joke, a constant reminder of what you could never have, it felt wrong.

So you pull out your phone again and ring Steph's old number, you hadn't called her for what? 2/3 years? Y/n you dickhead.

Caller: Um... Hello?

Y/n: Hey, sorry to be a nuisance, does this number still belong to Steph?

Caller: No, it doesn't. Goodby-

Fuck my life. When is it going to end? Why am I getting nothing?

The only other solution you could think of at that moment would be calling Mikey, but honestly, what are the chances? So, again, you pull out your phone, linger your thumb over his name and eventually call.

Caller: Hey?

Y/n: Is this Mikey?

Caller: Oh heavens! Is that Y/n L/n?

- - - - - - - - - -

A couple of hours passed, and Mikey filled you in on both Steph's and his own situation, he was really intrigued by how you'd spent Christmas in the army (but you had to disappoint him by informing him you weren't at war and didn't have to spend every single moment at base), and you even got the chance to speak to Drew after years.

It was quite emotional, however you'd never let anyone know, but now you knew where Steph was after all this time. Haven Springs, Colorado.

17-hour drive? Fuck that, looks like another plane ride is in order.

- - - - - - - - - - 10/09/2009

"So... I'm basically a ninja?" You query, Steph fed up with your stupid questions, "Don't look at me like that! Okay, whatever, I'm a Rogue."

Steph nods her head slowly with a teasing grin.

"Rachel is a, um- Claric?" You raise one eyebrow towards the ginger girl.

Steph debates letting you off, shaking her head side to side biting her lip, "Cleric, but close enough. Carry on."

You quickly exhale and lean back onto Steph's bed, "Steph I'm done with this, why can't I just wing it?"

"Because even Chloe knows her shit, you don't!"

You roll your eyes, sitting up a little bit with crossed arms, 'Chloe? Seriously?' you scoff, unable to contain your incredulousness. "Chloe, the girl who can't tell Poland from Indonesia? She's got it figured out, but I don't?"

Steph raises her hands in surrender, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Hey, don't underestimate Chloe," she says, "she's got a surprising amount of street smarts. And besides, she's got the whole 'magic is easy peasy' thing going on. You, on the other hand, have the grace of Bambi trying to walk on a tightrope."

You groan, sinking back onto the bed. The truth stung, but it was undeniable. You, the self-proclaimed master of 'winging it,' had somehow landed yourself in a situation where you desperately needed to learn the basics. You were supposed to be saving the world, but you couldn't even tell a spell from a chant. "Fine, fine," you relent, deflated. "But only because I have to. What do I need to know?" Steph, ever patient, pulls out a worn notebook and a battered copy of 'The Beginner's Guide to D&D Characters'. "First things first-"

"No. No, no, no! If I cook you dinner will you give it a rest?" You offer in an attempt to save yourself from further mental pain.

Steph laughs until she realises you're being serious, "Wait, you'll actually cook me dinner?" She furrows her eyebrows, "You can cook?"

'Yes, I can cook,' you admit begrudgingly. "And it's the least I can do to spare myself this torture." Steph's eyes light up with anticipation. "Deal. But remember, you're not getting off that easy. After dinner, we're hitting the books hard." A groan escapes your lips as you acknowledge the inevitable. But deep down, you know Steph is right. It's time to embrace the basics and shed the illusion of your so-called 'mastery.'

Steph gave into temptation and spat out the lingering question, "Is this a date?" She blurted out and immediately regretted it, her face flushing from her neck to the tops of her cheeks.

Your head tilts and your face softens with a smile, "If you'd like," You get up from your seat and stretch out a hand towards her, "I do love a gorgeous geek."

With grinning faces, you both head toward the kitchen, determined to both nourish your body and, begrudgingly, your mind. As you rummage through cabinets and flick on the stove, you can't help but wonder if this culinary diversion will be sufficient to postpone the dreaded onslaught of 'The Beginner's Guide to D&D Characters.'

- - - - - - - - - -

New Year's Eve and you're out chasing the past, how sad. It's late at this point, you accidentally fell asleep in the waiting room for the coach to Haven Springs, leading to you having to take the later one. Steph's probably out with her new friends celebrating.

You step off the bus and onto the gravelly road, praying she'd magically be waiting for you.

You walk past an old-fashioned pub, 'The Black Lantern' is lit up from the inside, music playing, and voices humming loudly. There were numerous shops, hiking, smoke, ice cream; but there it was. If Mikey was right, Steph should work in a record store as some sort of DJ.

It's pitch black, and only the tall dark streetlights illuminate small flickery sections of the village, it was quaint and charming, fitting.

You stand outside of the shop for a few seconds. The lights are on, You could've sworn you saw a shadowed figure through the vague light, with each passing moment you pussied out more, it was now or never.

3 Knocks.

The door opens, "Can I he- Fuck me! Y/n?" The still ginger girl exclaimed with disbelief, her eyes darting from eye to eye to ear to leg to shoulder, for a moment you thought she was having a stroke but she soon stepped aside to let you up the stairs.

As soon as you got up to the 2nd and final step she enveloped you into a bear hug, something she wasn't too fond of the last time you'd seen her. "I can't believe you're actually here."

Steph's mind was all over the place, she'd met with her high school crush who she thought she'd moved on from, clearly, she hadn't because the first thought in her head when she opened that door was - 'Oh my god, this is fate'.

Here the pang of guilt hit you harder than ever, "I've missed you, I'm sorry for not seeing you or - shit even calling you sooner." It's a shit apology, but you're sure you'll make it up.

"I missed you too," Steph returned shyly, "How come you're here? How did you know I was here?"

You lean up against the register counter, taking in Steph's workplace and home, taking in Steph, she was a little bit taller, and still wore a beanie wherever she went, boots? They're new. "It's a bit of a long story," You begin, ", but Mikey told me."

Steph looks like an excited puppy, "You can tell me another time, yeah? You're staying, right?", she can't hide the excitement in her voice, and you know you can’t disappoint her. Taking another deep breath, you nod.

"You know," Steph starts, clearly hesitant and still debating over her next words, "High school Steph would be going feral right now. She used to have a bit of a crush on you."Steph fiddles her fingers, looking down at her hands awaiting the silence's end.

You try to hold back a smile in a pathetic attempt, "Yeah, I think I got the hint."

You watch her, her hands moving with practised ease, her focus laser sharp. It's like a different version of her, the one you remember from high school, but more mature, more confident. 'What about you?" she asks suddenly, her eyes meeting yours. "Did you have a crush on me back then?" The question catches you off guard. You were always good at hiding your feelings, and you'd never let on how deeply you felt for her. "Maybe," you answer finally, a smile playing on your lips, "Maybe a little." A blush creeps up Steph's cheeks, and you notice a small dimple appear on her chin. You're suddenly aware of how close you are, the scent of coffee and cinnamon swirling around you. The air feels electric, charged with unspoken possibilities. "So," Steph says, her voice barely a whisper, "What are you doing here, really?"

"It-" Before you can excuse yourself from explaining yourself, you're saved by the roaring crowd outside, you assume they're beginning the countdown. Steph immediately races off and returns with a bottle of champagne, "Been saving that for this moment?"

"Of course I have." She shrugs sarcastically, popping the bottle just as the countdown reaches 1 the cork pops with a satisfying whoosh, and the champagne sprays a fine mist across our faces. We laugh, the sound swallowed by the roar of the crowd from outside as the fireworks begin their ascent.

You each take a turn at chugging the champagne until your face is covered.

Silence eeks between us, heavy with the weight of what's unsaid. Then, unexpectedly, Steph reaches out and takes a step closer. Her hand lands on my cheek, and the touch is electric. "You know," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin, "I don't think I ever lost feelings for you. I always had a thing for your smile."

Your heart leaps to your throat as you gaze into her eyes. The feelings you shared were too intense to be simply extinguished. You lean in, your lips hovering just a breath away from hers. 'I never stopped thinking about you,' you murmur. Your lips meet in a kiss that is both familiar and intoxicating. It's new but so normal and calculated. The fireworks continue to explode overhead, painting the sky in vibrant hues. It's as if the universe itself is celebrating this reunion.

You turn Steph around and push her against the register counter, her back pressed against the cool wood, her arms circling your waist, you feel the echoes of your past in every inch of her closeness. The kiss deepens, and neither of you can get enough, this made up for the 5 years of what you both craved but just simply couldn't get.

You break apart for a brief moment, breathless and flushed, your foreheads resting against each other. Her eyes, the same deep emerald green you remembered, sparkle with an emotion that mirrors your own. 'I can't believe this is happening,' she whispers, her voice thick with a mixture of disbelief and longing.

'Me neither,' you breathe, your finger tracing the curve of her cheek, familiarising the feel of her skin under your touch. The kiss resumes, this time more urgent, more desperate. It's a desperate attempt to reclaim the lost time, to make up for all the moments they missed. She tastes like summer nights and laughter, like the sweet promise of something beautiful and forbidden. With each touch, each sigh, each fleeting glance, your heart rekindles a fire that had long been dormant.

"Happy New Year, Stephanie." You tease

"Shush."

[youareunbearable]

Not to be a Hetalia freak on main but im teaching about WW2 again so you all have to suffer with me as this old obsession puts me in a choke hold

I personally just think it would be So Fun to write a story about how Canada (Matthew) changes over the years.

To start off, I think North America is a lot closer with her nations than other Ancients, like Europa who hasn't really been seen since Grandpa Rome fell. North America, like her twin to the South, spends her time amongst her Nations, spending a summer traveling with her nomadic ones like the Anishinaabe (her three children who live together under the Council of Three Fires) or spending the winter with her nations down south in their sprawling cities carved into her rockbed.

She knows every one of her nations, speaks all their languages, knows all their histories, she celebrates their highs and mourns their lows, she loves them all and grieves when they war with each other and sings her joy to the sky when they make peace

One day, she travels up north. She spends time with her daughters, the Nations of the Beothuk and the Thule people, and on her coastline, she spies something curious. There, watching the waves make the horizon dance as clouds drift by, is a child unlike one she has seen before.

Beothuk gives a frightful hiss, and Thule clutches at her mother's arm. The child is as pale as death, but is not one of the blessed creatures, with snow white colouring and eyes that shine like the sunset of a warm summer's eve. No, this child's skin is the colour of pale sand, its long hair in a tumble of waves, as if a braid was just removed, is the colour of pale corn silk, and its eyes, when it turns to look at the trio, dances with the brilliance of the purple seen in the Northern Lights.

North America knows this child instantly, he is Hers. With a gentle and calming hand on each daughter's arm, she brings them forward with a happy smile on her lips. "Little one," she calls as they approach, "I know you. You are a child of my lands, but your features are one of my almost forgotten sister. Tell me, child of Europa and my own heart, what is your name? Where are your people?"

The little child, a boy no older than 3, waddles up to his mother. He reaches his hands up and she gladly takes him to her breast. He rests his head there, eyes closed in bliss as he listens to her heart beat. His sisters begin to calm as they watch the babe. He's not so frightening after that first glance, this pale little sibling of theirs.

When he opens his eyes again, they shine with that twinkle that all nations have, one that pulls their kind together, makes them recognize each other despite their human form. In the language that his sister Beothuk uses, but with a strange accent that makes her nose scrunch at the difference, the child speaks.

"My name is Vinland, and my people are coming." With that, he snuggles into his mothers embrace, but turns to watch the waves again, where in the horizon, some of the clouds get closer.

--------

Big brother Iceland always growled that it wasn't fair that Mamma found him first. He would clutch little Vinland to his chest and grumble that he was His little brother first, and that Mamma's influence was too much. Vinland didn't see what the big deal was, he spent a lot of time with Big Brother Iceland, and Big Brother Norway even though Big Brother Iceland also didn't like that, saying that Vinland was His little brother, not Norway's. Vinland personally thought he had a lot of Iceland's influence, more than Mamma's. He shared his colouring, with their matching pale hair and skin, even if Vinlands was a lot longer and he refused to let Big Brother Iceland cut it. Vinland's people also had the same housing style as Iceland's and Norway's, and the same customs. Vinland even shared their language and when he spoke to Mamma or his sisters he had their Norse accent.

But Big Brother Norway just shook his head when Vinland pointed this out. "She found you first. You will always belong to her more than us. Her heartbeat was the first you heard, and so that rhythm is the one your heart beats to. No matter what, no matter who's influence you may be under," and here Norway played with a piece of Vinland's ice blonde hair, and pinched his fair cheeks, "that heartbeat is what you will always go back to in the end."

Vinland frowned, his little toddler face sad as he tries to piece together what he was told.

"I'll always have Mamma's heart as my heart, but I'm still yours and Iceland's. She may have been the first to find me, but I Saw you first. When my eyes opened, the first thing I saw, the first thing I knew, was your ships coming towards me." One of little Vinland hands reached up to cover one of his big twinkling violet eyes, the other hand reaching up to do the same to one of Norway's. "You gave me life, and the proof of that will stay forever, no matter what."

Iceland gave a huge groan as he suddenly scooped up the little colony and gave a muffled scream as he squeezed the boy. "Too precious!! Illegal!! Im keeping you forever I don't care what North America says!!! I'll fight an Ancient to keep you by my side!!!"

----

While Iceland and Norway didn't end up having to fight an Ancient, they did have to fight Vinland's sisters. A fight they lost.

It was chaos, tensions had been building and a bull being set loose didn't help matters, and before Vinland knew it, he was curled into a ball sobbing as the pain of mortal deaths burned under his skin. Iceland had tried to grab him, to bring him with him and Norway on their retreat, but he was cut off by Thule, who snarled and screamed for the children of Europa to leave her Mother's land. Beothuk had scooped him up, cooing and hushing his whimpers as they fled the chaos, the deaths, not stopping even as Iceland screamed his name, cursing out at Norway, at Thule, at Beothuk for keeping his little brother way from him.

This was the last time Vinland saw the Nordic countries for a long, long, time.

------

With no colony of people, he was a nation adrift. Iceland's people kept him alive by their stories, and there was the occasional fisherman that came ashore, but none stayed for long.

Vinland felt himself weaken, like he might fade away if he blinked for too long. His Mamma frowned when she came to visit again, and just like last time she brought the little Nation to her breast, rested his ear to her heartbeat, and walked south. She carried him down to his brother, the Mi'kmaq Nation, who was lonely from the loss of his own little brothers, the Anishinaabe Nations who felt stifled and traveled westward down the Big River, a 100 years prior. Here, Vinland was cared for and entertained. While he still felt weak and faint, and would get weaker and fainter as less and less of Iceland and Norway's people kept him alive in their memories, he was loved. Mi'kmaq was kind, treated him well, and would take him all over his territory to meet his people and visit the other Nations in the area, their siblings. Nothing really would help him get better. Mamma had told Mi'kmaq this as she handed him over to his older brother. Vinland was one of her children yes, but he was also a child of Europas' descendants. He could not survive or thrive without them both. For the next few hundreds of years this is how he lived, half alive.

Until one day, as Vinland was resting on the shore of the mouth of the Big River, he suddenly felt stronger than he had in long time. His eyes snapped eastward, and there, faint and distant but there, were ships being pulled by the clouds themselves. Mi'kmaq frowned at the sight, but Vinland's smile split his face in two.

--------

It wasn't Big Brother Iceland or Big Brother Norway, but a different child of Europa. His name was France, and his hair was a darker blonde, like an oak tree in fall, a mixing of bright yellow and brown and a little red depending on how the sun hit it. His eyes weren't purple, like Vinland's or Iceland's or Norway's, but a blue that sparkled like the sea under the sun's brightest rays. His face had hair growing on it, not in a full bush like Iceland or Norway's people, but thin and almost pointy at the ends.

He had the same power that Norway had, he felt strong, not as strong as Mamma, and a different strong than Mi'kmaq. Where his older brother felt strong and steady as the current, this new nation felt as strong as a buck at its prime. Ready to lock antlers to show its strength, but would soon fade with the passing seasons. That didn't matter, however, because France fell in love with Vinland at first sight. He didn't care that Mamma found him first, or that he lived with his brothers and sisters. As soon as France saw him he wept and knelt before him, and though he was shocked that Vinland spoke old Norse, he asked if the little Nation wanted to be his Colony.

Mi'kmaq was hesitant, made France jump through all these hoops to prove that he would take care of his little brother, and not just leave him behind at the first taste of conflict like Iceland and Norway did. He also made France promise that he was just taking Vinland as a colony, not himself or their other siblings, and that France would treat them all with respect.

France, who only had eyes for the little nation, and also had a healthy fear of the knowledge that an Ancient was walking these shores and would be visiting in time, was more than happy to swear to that.

The European nation promised, they even signed a big treaty that ended in a feast and gift giving, but in the end, Vinland, no, Canada, got a new Big Brother.

"If he doesn't treat you right, we'll be here for you, little Brother." Mi'kmaq promised, giving the little Nation a kiss on his golden hair. After the treaty was signed, Canada began to change a little. His eyes stayed the same violet shade, and his heart still beat in time with his Mamma and siblings, but his hair darkened to the same dirty blonde as France's, his skin became a little more tan as if he was used to a stronger sun then what was felt up north. But more importantly, Canada began to feel more solid, more real than he had in a very long time.

Life with France was good while it lasted.

‐--------

Life with England, was different.

To begin with, England hated Canada's siblings, and hated his Mamma. To England, Canada's only siblings were Newfoundland, the American Colony States, and more than a dozen other colonies under England'svast Empire. England, and his people, tried to scrub away any influence of Mamma's or his Siblings had on him.

Fortunately, England didn't spend as much time with Canada as he did with his other Colonies, and left Canada behind to stay with his older brothers- Scotland and Ireland. These nations loved to tell little Canada all about how snobby and boorish England was. In their own way, they showed Canada the love that he was missing, and took him back to the eastern coastlines where he grew up and thrived. He even got to visit his older brother Mi'kmaq sometimes, even if the older nation always snarled and huffed about how poorly England was treating Mamma and the others. About how England had no respect for a signed and agreed upon treaty.

When England came back for a visit, he shrieked when he saw that Canada's hair had a ginger shine to it, and that there was a spattering of very pale freckles across his nose. Ireland and Scotland just sneered as he screamed at them.

"Thats what you get" they would mock, "when you leave your little brother to be raised by others. Just cause you own him doesn't mean he'll be like you. Or like you." They laughed at this, and would always smile whenever they caught word of the tensions between Canada's French population and the English one, or whenever their people, or Canada's siblings' people, caused a fuss.

England threatened to make boarding schools that would ensure that Canada became a fine Englishman if he kept having bad influences corrupt him.

(He did end up making those boarding schools, and Canada did end up being forced to attend. Canada never did forgive England for that, nor for influencing his government decades later into keeping those schools, or making them mandatory for his Siblings' people. Canada still had those scars over his heart, still felt his heart weakly flutter sometimes from the long lasting internal damage. No apology would ever make his heart beat normally again)

Canada expanded, he grew stronger and stronger, larger and larger. He fought in wars, in rebellions, he went over seas twice to fight for France, for England against their foes and won. He came out of those conflicts as a known power, as a global power. At one point, he boasted the title of having the third largest navy, and his siblings would just laugh and tease and jeer at him that of course he did, he was born of Norseman and settled by explorers, and his siblings' people used his rivers and lakes as their own personal freeways.

Soon, Canada was the tallest out of all his siblings. Mi'kmaq had to look up at him, Haudenosaunee would make him sit when she spoke to him or else she would wave her lacrosse stick in his face. Even America had to look up at him, peer at him over his glasses as he rambled about whatever crossed his mind. Soon Canada was even allowed to sit in the land where his Mamma first found him, feeling that earth under his fingers once again become a part of him. All around him was a coastline, with rolling hills that hid an ancient settlement, his old being, under its soil.

He closed his eyes, feeling the warm sea breeze brush by his face. Vinland, it seems to whisper to him in a language almost forgotten. He could almost remember how his long gone sisters Beothuk and Thule sounded as they called to him. He had almost forgotten about them.

"Canada," his Mamma called to him from behind. Her son turned around, violet eyes twinkling as he got up, stretching his long sun kissed limbs, pale freckles dotting his scrunched up nose. When he relaxed, he smiled and went to her. No matter how tall he had gotten, he was still able to snuggle up to his Mamma, rest his head to her chest and feel that heartbeat that sounded in time to his own, as weak as it fluttered sometime, but getting stronger and stronger. Her warm, steady hands came up to cradle the back of his head, fingers burrowing in his strawberry blonde hair.

"Oh my child, how far you've come, and how far you will go still." She placed a kiss to his hair. "My darling little Canada."

[amberheardnet]

amber heard in north country (2005).

[lifeisstrange-incorrectquotes]

Chloe: From now on, we will be using code names. You can address me as "Eagle One."

Chloe: Rachel, code name: "Been There, Done That."

Chloe: Max is "Currently Doing That."

Chloe: Steph is "It Happened Once in a Dream."

Chloe: Mikey, code name: "If I Had To Pick a Dude."

Chloe: Kate is... "Eagle Two."

Kate: Oh, thank God.

(Later)

Chloe: This is "Eagle One." "Been There, Done That" is leaving the stage. "I'd Be Lying If I Said I Hadn't Thought About It" (Victoria) is in position.

[whenthegoldrays]

an (incomplete) fancast of North and South characters (based on who I pictured as I read it)

Margaret Hale - Amber Anderson

She’s got the regal looks, the height and mannerisms. I’ve seen people say she was too icy as Jane Fairfax, which is probably true, but on the other hand, that makes her perfect to play Margaret :)

John Thornton - Cosmo Jarvis

Am I prepared to defend this choice? … no, but it suddenly came to me in a flash of inspiration. Not very conventionally attractive, but there’s something There that makes him compelling. Also, he deserves to appear in a better period drama than Persuasion.

Mr Hale - Simon Ludders

He has that Sad Overwhelmed Dad energy.

Mrs Thornton - Helen Norton

Heh, it rhymes. I mainly thought of her because of her role as Mrs Parker in Miss Scarlet, a similarly strong-willed and, frankly, scary lady who’ll do anything for her son.

Fanny Thornton - Lucy-Rose Leonard

This is mostly because she played Fanny in The Artful Dodger, which I’d seen right before reading N&S, and my brain conflated the two.

Mr Bell - Damien Garvey

That’s a huggable old man right there.

… and that’s all I’ve got so far 😅 I was going to look for people to fill all the other roles, but I don’t know a lot of actors and I didn’t want the fun little project to turn into a chore, so I’ll just post these and add more as I think of them.

[multicolour-ink]

Friendly reminder that the time frame between Roger's death and Lyra and Will entering the world of the dead was less than a month.

Evidenced by what Lyra says in Chapter 22:

[dalekofchaos]

Life Is Strange fancast(new)

Already did a LIS fancast before, but since some of them were too old, I think it's time to do a new one

my other LIS fancasts

LIS BTS fancast

LIS 2 fancast

LIS TC Fancast

Thomasin McKenzie as Max Caulfield

Sophie Thatcher as Chloe Price

Kristine Froseth as Rachel Amber

Elle Fanning as Kate Marsh

Wyatt Oleff as Warren Graham

Reneé Rap as Victoria Chase

Austin Abrams as Nathan Prescott

Aaron Eckhart as William Price

Robin Wright as Joyce Price

Ving Rhames as Principal Raymond Wells

Yvette Nicole Brown as Michelle Grant

Douglas M. Griffin as Samuel Taylor

David Harbour as David Madsen

Norman Reedus as Frank Bowers

Bryan Cranston as Sean Prescott

Dewon Sawa as Mark Jefferson

Barbie Ferreira as Alyssa Anderson

Brianne Tju as Brooke Scott

Jacob Batalon as Daniel DeCosta

Ryan Potter as Evan Harris

Jenna Ortega as Stella Hill

Jolie Vanier as Dana Ward

Kelli Berglund as Juliet Watson

Ross Lynch as Luke Parker

Charlie Rowe as Justin Williams

Noah Centineo as Trevor Yard

Stefanie Scott as Taylor Christensen

Tiffany Espensen as Courtney Wagner

Mason Gooding as Hayden Jones

Justin Prentice as Zachary Riggs

Because of tumblr's new layout with the 30 picture limit, I cannot add more pictures, so here's the rest.

Dylan Minnette as Logan Robertson

Angourie Rice as Samantha Myers

Mischa Collins as Skip Matthews

Mark Hamill as Travis Keaton

[amberheardarchive]

HOME > FILMS > NORTH COUNTRY > NORTH COUNTRY (4 085)

4 085 screencaps of Amber Heard as young Josey Aimes in North Country have been re-uploaded to the gallery in open matte.

[orangecatty-shiningnikki]

【 Shining Nikki TW+CN 】 Pavilion

【 Shining Nikki TW+CN 】 Pavilion

Frostland's Victory, Polar Confrontation

Cold wind and solid ice are the constant battle songs on this frozen land.

After the update on January 5th, the theme event [Frostland Chasing Victory] will start for a limited time, let's win the snow game with Nikki.

Suit Display ::

Original :: Will of the Wind (凛风意志)

Recolor :: Law of the Frost Night (霜夜守则)

Collection :: Rift of North

Designer :: Tang Hupo (唐琥珀)

Rarity :: SSR

Attribute :: Cool

Date :: 05—11/01/2023

Type :: Pavilion

Design Concept ::

"Polar Clash" sounds like a very interesting game.

On Chi Xiaoyu's recommendation, Nikki downloaded "Polar Clash" and quickly joined her team.

Among them, Chi Xiaolong and Tang Amber are also ready, and the game is about to start.

Between the skyline as far as the eye can see, jumping down against the howling wind, Push away the snow and sundries, collect all kinds of buried materials, and march towards the final victory.

Design Hilight ::

The white velvet on the cloak surrounds the clear ice blue, which outlines the depth and romance of the snow field.

When standing on the snow-capped mountains to welcome the dawn, you will have a firm and clear heart, facing the wind and facing the sun.