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braveclementine · 4 months

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Chapter 26

Warnings: None. However, future chapters will contain sexual content so readers that are under the age of 18 may have to skip those chapters (Please keep note of the warnings).

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

𝕴 𝖘𝖆𝖙 𝖔𝖓 the edge of the lakeshore, eyes puffy and swollen. My wand, socks, and shoes were on the rock next to me, along with my bow and arrows. I wondered if Firenze would be told what I had done and how proud he would be. I wondered if perhaps the centaurs would be impressed enough that I could go and live in the forest with them.

There was something tempting, about leaving the wizarding life behind. Living in the forest with the centaurs. I knew Firenze would care for me. I half-way even wondered if it would go in a romantic direction.

"Elizabeth." It was not a voice I had ever before, and it was American accented, heavily. I looked up to see the most out of place man in the world.

He was clearly a muggle, wearing a white lab coat with a blue button down shirt underneath and a tie. He even had a clipboard and pen in his hands. He wore glasses and was probably about 170 inches tall (5ft 7 for the Americans). He had white hair and wore square glasses.

"Are you lost?" I asked, confused. Clearly, he knew my name, but how could he possibly be here? I glanced over my shoulder but no one had come out of the school yet.

"No, I am not Miss Everdeen." The man said. "I want to show you something."

He stepped to the side and I stood up slowly, seeing a door simply standing there. It had no doorway to be sitting in, not any hinges from the looks of it. It was a standard door as well, simple and made of wood, except for the fact that it was turquoise in colour.

"The Starless Sea. . ." I whispered, walking towards it slowly as though in a trance. All thoughts of Severus or Dad or Fred or even my children were dissipating. Any thought of anything besides what laid behind the door was gone, only fleeting flickers of thoughts.

"Not quite. But please, be my guest." He gestured to the door.

I opened it, finding that there was a dark staircase instead of the tree that should've been on the other side of this door.

I stepped inside, walking down the stairs. The door closed behind me, but instead of plunging me into darkness, candles lit up on the walls, showing me the path forwards.

I stop as I reach the last stair, finding myself in a room that looks like a cathedral, with sweeping high ceilings intricately tiled and buttressed. There are six large columns of marble, also tiled in patterns though some tiles are missing here and there, mostly near the bases, leaving bare stone visible beneath. The floor is covered with tiles woven down to the stone beneath, mostly the ones near my feet and in a loop around the perimeter of the round space, with heavier wear near the other entrances.

There are five entrances not counting the stairwell that I just stepped through, the doctor coming to a stop next to me. Four are archways, leading off in different directions into darkened halls.

I recognize the room from my drawings in my sixth year. There are chandeliers, some hanging at irregular, chandelier- inappropriate heights, and others resting on the floor in illuminated piles of metal and crystal, their tiny bulbs dimmed or extinguished entirely. A larger light above is not a chandelier at all but a cluster of glowing globes hung amongst brass hoops and bars.

I look up to see if there is the same detail as the drawings- and there is. There are hands at the end of the bars, human hands cast in gold and pointing outward, the tile above them laid out in a pattern of numbers and stars. In the center, the midpoint of the room, a chain drops from the ceiling, terminating in a pendulum that hangs inches above the floor.

Unlike in my drawing however, the pendulum does not seem to be in action, hanging quite still.

"Lead the way Miss Everdeen."

I step forwards cautiously, unsure of where I was supposed to go. But my curiosity got the better of me and soon, I was heading down one of the hallways.

Almost immediately, it branches off into other rooms. I peer into them as I pass, but none of them catch my interest until I see one that is perfectly round and I step inside. The walls are lined with bookshelves, much like the rest of the rooms, but there is something that calls me here.

Most likely, it is the grand staircase in the direct middle of the back wall that seems to lead into another room with books, with another staircase that leads up to a reading area with a large circular window to look out at whatever laid out there. Foliage lined the stairs and hung from the ceilings, giving it a rather mystical look.

"Please, sit." The man says. It isn't until I turn to look at him that I realized I don't actually know his name.

"Who are you?" I asked bluntly. I sit in the chair across from the one he sits in.

"Ah, yes, my name is Dr. Anthony Gates." He introduced himself. "I come from the real world and you are my patient, Elizabeth Everdeen."

"Patient?" I asked. "Real world?"

"It will be simpler if I explain from the beginning." He said. Tea was on the table now, although I wasn't actually sure where it had come from. He pursed his lips and suddenly it turn to coffee. I looked at it shocked, before it reverted back to tea after he had served himself.

He sipped the black drink and then started. "Five years ago, you were admitted to the hospital with a terminal illness. Fatal. No cure. It was in the brain, you see. You lived in the hospital and you read your books when your friends weren't visiting you and watched movies when they were."

He sipped his drink again. "But then, there was a technological breakthrough. You had nothing to lose, so you ah- volunteered."

I frowned. "It doesn't sound like I volunteered."

He waved his hand like this detail was of no importance. "This technological breakthrough was based off of Virtual reality technology, except even more in depth. You would actually be teleported into the world. Meanwhile, you wouldn't die of your illness, or so we hoped."

"I was the first clinical trial?" I asked, doubtful.

"Well, considering how successful this has been. . . I am quite certain some lines were crossed previously. It is of no matter."

"So am I laying on a bed somewhere in a coma like state while my brain creates this?" I asked, confused.

"No, no! See that's the genius part of it! You are here, flesh and blood! And what's more, you are truly a character Miss Everdeen! It was unprecedented. In fact, we thought we failed when you were nowhere to be found in this world. Then, something unexpected happened. Lily and James Potter gave birth to not only Harry, but a mystery girl, and we realized what had happened."

"So. . . I am a part of this world?"

"Very much so! More than the other characters in fact!" He laughed. "I mean, it's extraordinary."

I pondered it over. "How old was I?"

"Ah yes, you were twenty-three. We believe this is one of the reasons you have been so successful in your relationship with Snape despite the perceived age difference in this world, because you are much older technically than the people of your characters' age. And while you clearly have no memory of the other world, somewhere in your subconscious, you had recognized to be with an older man who is closer to your real age. Had the two of you been in the real world, you would be considered twenty-seven and Snape thirty-six."

It was definitely not as big an age difference as before. Hearing Severus' name though also made me realize that my children were waiting for me to return. And yet, I had so many questions. Once more, everything above this new dimension I was in faded away.

"So. . . this world is a book?" I questioned.

"Yes! And movies, of course. It's a huge hit back home."

"That's why I see the future." I said slowly. "It's not the future at all, it's memories from reading the book."

"Yes! Yes! Exactly!" He said, his hand scribbling notes on the clipboard. "Except for one thing. In your sixth year when Bellatrix and Greyback attacked the Weasley house. That was something that only happened in the movies. It was certainly strange that it happened here. Quite fascinating. Some of my fellow doctors think that perhaps when you were pregnant, the movie line took precedence over the book since the book is more complicated. But that's just a theory."

"And I'm assuming this is what the Sorting Hat meant by 'I had been sorted into Hufflepuff long before I got there'?"

"Yes, back in our world there is a website called Pottermore. You took the test three times and was sorted into Hufflepuff every single time."

It was overwhelming. It was the most bizarre conversation ever and yet. . . being in the Starless Sea, talking to a man from America whose accent was disappearing and I sounded like him now was just as bizarre.

"What about Trang?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"Ah, yes, Trang. We really aren't sure about her." He frowned now. "There was never a character in the books by her name or description. Nothing about her parents being Death Eaters or their names in association with Greybacks' WIKI bio. But back in this world, you had a friend named Trang who looks identical to her. It's possible that you simply manifested her out of the desire to keep your best friend."

"But she's real?" I asked slowly. "She's not going to turn into a puff of smoke if I stop thinking about her?"

He shrugged. "It's quite uncertain."

"Why have you revealed yourself now?" I finally asked after I couldn't think of anymore questions to ask.

"Because we believe it is time for you to return home." He said. "Your parents and brothers are waiting anxiously for your return. They cannot wait to see you again."

"What happens to my children if I left?" I asked.

"We are not sure. It is possible they will continue to exist. Trang and Harry and the Weasley family will raise them I am sure. Your belongings would be found on the lake shore and speculations will be made about your disappearance. No body will ever be found. Perhaps you will become myth and legend. Or. . . perhaps because your presence is gone, the world will revert back to how it was if you had never existed."

My children would cease to exist.

I stood up. "I want to return to the surface. I want to see my children."

"Please, Elizabeth." He raised a hand. "Let's not be hasty."

I huffed, moving away from him towards the bookshelves. My eyes roamed the titles until my eyes landed on a title called 'The Starless Sea'. I pulled the book out slowly loving how it felt in my hands. The cover was black except for simple gold paint designs surrounding the bee, key, and sword.

I opened up the first couple of pages and found the copyright. 2019. My mouth went dry. It was only 1997. How could I be having visions and creating art from scenes of a book that was written 22 years in the future.

"What year is it?" I whispered softly.

"You were admitted to the hospital in 2025. Today it is October 31, 2030." the man said.

The day my parents died in their world. Somehow, it seemed poetic.

"If you are worried about the pain of losing your husband and father, let me give you two notices of comfort. They weren't real anyways Elizabeth. They are simply book characters whose fates were written in ink. You were never going to be able to stop their deaths, it was. . . inevitable."

I looked back at him in hatred.

"And once you are back, your pain will fade. How does that book put it. . . ah yes. 'Occasionally a visitor will become overwhelmed, disoriented, and dazed by all there is to explore, the space closing around their lungs and their heart and their thoughts, and they will find their way back before much time has passed, back to the familiar surface and the familiar stars and the familiar air, and most will forget that such a place exists, much less that they set foot in it themselves. It will fade like a dream. It will fade like a dream Miss Everdeen. You will not feel the pain."

I had already made up my mind.

"I am going back to my children."

"What about your real family?" The doctor asked, fishing a photograph out of his pocket. Like most normal photographs, it was still. I recognized myself right off the bat, though much younger in this photograph. The man I presumed to be my father looked kind, though old with pepper hair and a beard with white mixed in with it.

The woman was about the same age, with red-brown hair and grey-blue eyes. She wore glasses and her smile was marred by a small scar on her lip, keeping her from truly looking happy. The smile didn't reach her eyes.

Then there were two boys, one much taller than me and the other shorter. The taller boy looked a lot like the woman, with red-brown hair and glasses. He looked bored while the other boy smiled cheekily, his face dotted with freckles and his short brown hair was curly.

"They miss you Miss Everdeen. You can't keep them waiting."

"Do they love me?" I asked softly, putting the photograph back down on the table.

"They do. Very much."

"Then you need to tell them to let me go." I whispered.

He chuckled shortly, "Like that Tom MacDonald song? Those random lyrics that play through your head and you don't remember listening to the song? That's Tom MacDonald, someone you start listening to in 2020. You are being selfish."

I looked him straight in the eye. "Selfish because I want to keep living? If I go back I'll still be sick, won't I?"

"Yes, but this was always supposed to be temporary. We have found a new, potential cure, Miss Everdeen. You could live in the real world."

"This is my real world." I said heatedly. "And all I can remember now is pain. Pain and suffering and a want to end it all. I refuse to go back to that and you can't make me."

He grimaced and that was when I realized it. "You actually can't force me to go back, can you?"

The room around me changed. We were no longer in a library and the book dissolved from my hands. We were in an interrogation room now, with a metal table and two metal chairs with nothing else for decor. The walls were black and there was no window and a single door.

"I guess now that I don't want to play along things become a little unfriendly." I whispered.

"I am begging you to reconsider." He said urgently, pushing his glasses up on his face. "You can always return, Miss Everdeen, but for the sake of the experiment. . . I mean you worked so hard to get this position."

I clutched my head in sudden pain, getting a glimpse of my real past. I was in a wheelchair, sitting by a river. The doctor whispered something in my ear and I slowly let my head go, letting the vision fade away.

"Is that what you call hard work?" I whispered, disgusted. "Really?"

He shrugged. "You're here, aren't you? I figured it was worth it."

"I'm leaving." I said, moving to the door. "Goodbye doctor."

He shook his head, opening another door behind him. "You've truly made the wrong choice Miss Everdeen. I pity you. I wonder how your family would react when they find out you don't belong in their world."

I opened the door in front of me without looking back, stepping back out onto the shore of Hogwarts lake. I looked around, disoriented and then gasped as every emotion came rushing back to me, as though I had suppressed everything down in the Starless Sea.

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks now as I looked around. It was still silent, bodies gone from the front of the castle. I wiped my tears, my heart pounding slightly. I wondered how much time had passed down below. After all, seventeen years for me had been five for them. What if months had passed? Years?

What if my children were three? Five? Twelve? Adults?

I raced across the rocky surface to where I had been sitting when the doctor had approached me. I breathed out a sigh of relief that my wand, bow, and everything else was still where I had left it. I put my wand in my pocket. It had been stupid of me to leave my wand behind.

I sighed, sitting once more on the edge of the lake, tense now. There were so many other questions I wanted to ask now. Was I on camera? Had they seen every moment of my life like the Truman Show? Including the sexual parts? Were they still watching me? Could they harm me in here?

"Hey." A voice made me jump and I looked up to see Harry. He sat down beside me on the shore. "How are you feeling?"

"I couldn't celebrate." I whispered. I decided right then and there that I wouldn't tell a soul about me being from another world. I didn't want Trang questioning everything she was and I didn't want anyone to question that I belonged to this world. I didn't belong anywhere else.

"I know." Harry said quietly. I noticed he was holding his picture album in his lap. "There's no pictures of us."

I looked over at him and then slowly pulled my locket out from underneath my shirt. I hadn't worn it all year, but I had taken it out last night to put on for the fight.

I opened it up and grabbed the small folded up picture out of practice as it jumped from the locket, before unfolding it.

Harry took the photo gently, looking at baby me play with the cat while he sat in our parents lap. Sirius was in the photo too, so it was sort've like being able to see everyone at once.

I also showed him the photos in the locket. How he was sitting with Lily, and I with James. I duplicated the photos while he held them, letting him take the copies so he could put them in his photo album.

I leaned my head on Harrys' shoulder and he put his arm around me, hugging me close. We watched the giant squid swim about like nothing had happened and for a few seconds, I could feel like everything was normal.

I heard footsteps cross the grass and then Kingsleys' voice said, "You two should come inside."

I sighed softly, getting up off the rocky surface, Harry following my lead.

I turned to face Kingsley and froze, my eyes on another figure behind him.

"Severus." I whispered, taking a step forwards. And suddenly we were running at each other. I couldn't even think, didn't know how to breathe, but I launched myself into his arms and he wrapped them around me, pulling tight to him.

"Oh my God, oh my God." I sobbed, burying my face into his chest.

"I'm here, it's okay. It worked." Severus whispered, smoothing my hair back. "It's okay Elizabeth."

"You were d-dead!" I sobbed.

"Yes, I was." Severus whispered. "And then my heart started again. It was just. . . luck."

He petted my hair and I felt this extraordinary feeling of happiness inside of me. My husband was alive and safe. Everything was going to be okay. We were going to be okay.

"Come on sweetheart." Severus murmured, "let's go see our kids."

I nodded, wiping my eyes.

Kingsley and Harry were both still there, looking extremely awkward. Harry stepped forwards first. "I owe you an apology Sir."

Severus looked cautious for a second, like he wasn't sure if he should slip back into his cruel demeanor. But then he held his hand out. "None are necessary Potter." They shook hands and then let go.

"I've been selected as temporary Minister of Magic." Kingsley said. He didn't look the most pleased with Severus, but I was glad that he didn't seem to hate him either. "There will be a trial of course, but with both Harry and Elizabeth here as your defense, along with Voldemort's own words with hundreds of witnesses, you won't even get a fine. And I'll be pardoning you as Minister anyways."

"Thank you." Severus said, squeezing me tightly. Harry headed back up to the castle and I turned to Severus.

"Go on ahead, I'll catch up. I just want to talk to Kingsley for one second."

He nodded, kissing my cheek, before slowly heading back up to the castle as well.

I stepped forwards and kissed Kingsley gently on the lips, before pulling back, "Thank you." I whispered. "For everything you would have done for us. I know what you were willing to sacrifice for that."

"It wouldn't have been a sacrifice Elizabeth. I would gladly have done it in a heartbeat." Kingsley said just as softly. I knew what he was saying in that sentence and I said nothing more, squeezing his hand, and then rushed to catch up with Severus, who wasn't that far away.

Severus took my hand in his and murmured, "Going to have to keep and leash on you if you're going to kiss others." He smirked darkly and turned red.

"Never again." I promised, blushing red, "It was a thank you kiss, that's all."

"I know." He said softly now.

We walked into the Great Hall, pausing in the archway. People murmured, turning to look at us, hand in hand. I took a deep breath and we walked through the Great Hall, looking around.

"DWADDY!"

Remus toddled across the Great Hall, which made many of the people around us smile. Severus fell to his knees, sweeping the little boy up in his arms, actually crying, clutching him tightly. The sight lifted my heart and I looked over at the nearby table Remus had run from, expecting to see Trang with the other little ones.

But my eyes landed on a different person instead and my heart stopped completely for a whole beat, before speeding back up. I raced past my husband and son, before skidding to a stop in front of the table, surveying the person before me.

"Hi." Dad whispered looking down at me, tears in his eyes.

I punched him.

"How could you do that to mean!" I sobbed, not loudly this time at least, pounding my fists against his chest. "I thought you were dead!"

"I just did what felt right Elizabeth. That was all. It was like. . ."

"The potion was talking to you?" Harry finished softly.

"Exactly." Dad said, taking my hands into his as I stopped hitting him, sobbing against his chest. "I'm sorry it caused you so much pain Elizabeth. I'm so sorry."

I had forgotten that liquid luck did strange things to you. The entire reason that Harry had even gotten the information he needed from Slughorn was because the potion had told him to go to Hagrid. Whatever the liquid luck had told dad and Tonks, it had been to help us win.

I wiped my tears away, only nodding my head since my throat was to closed up to speak.

Severus came over next, Remus on his hip. Our son was playing with his long hair, looking rather content.

"Severus." Dad said, getting to his feet, holding out his hand, which Severus shook.

Trang was sitting at the table with Tonks, who looked sheepish, along with Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Oliver. Ginny was holding Minerva while Luna cooed softly to Elijah Kingsley.

Professor McGonagall was the next person to come over, looking rather hesitant. Severus beat her to it though. "You don't owe me an apology Minerva."

Professor McGonagall pretended to be offended. "Who said I was giving you one?"

Severus smiled a little.

She smiled gently. "I just wanted to say that I'm glad- Oh is that her!" Her face turned to surprise as she laid eyes on the little girl. Severus looked more startled now and Ginny quickly handed Minerva up. "Well hi there sweetie." I raised an eyebrow, watching my strict Professor coo at the baby in a completely different voice. "You're so beautiful."

Severus and Remus were both gaping now while I laughed softly, shaking my head.

I left them for a little bit, checking on all of my friends, seeing who survived. Zacharias from Hufflepuff hadn't stayed, fleeing with the underage students long before the fight started. But Ernie, Hannah, and Susan were okay. I didn't see Justin though.

Then I checked on the Weasley family, finally able to share their pain in Freds' death. Mrs. Weasley turned to me, with the rest of the family.

"I am so sorry-" Mrs. Weasley engulfed me into one of her hugs, sobbing in my shoulder. Tears ran down my cheeks once more, as I was sure they would for many days to come.

Percy, surprisingly, hugged me next. "It wasn't your fault. You tried." He said thickly, squeezing me tightly.

I was hugged by all of them, George last. "George. . ." I whispered as he took my hands into his. "I. . ."

He just pulled me into him, crying. "He was happy, Eliza. His ghost was happy. You showed us him one last time."

I hadn't really thought about it like that. I had gotten to see them one last time too. Uncle Moody and Sirius and Cedric and Dumbledore and Dobby and everyone I had loved and known.

"I just wish I had saved him." I whispered.

"You saved him in other ways." George murmured, finally letting me go.

And lastly, I stopped over by Firenze, who was being treated by some other Centaurs. Ivagio and Ronan were helping him out.

"You did wonderfully with the herb bandage Elizabeth Kane." Ivagio complimented me before I had even knelt down next to them. He was reapplying the bandage tightly and Firenze gritted his teeth in pain.

"Thank you Ivagio." I said softly. "Will Bane keep his promise?"

"Promise?" Firenze asked sleepily.

"I asked if he would take you back to the forest after the battle was over." I said softly, stroking his blond hair back from his face. "He said he would, but now that it is really over, I want to know if he will keep it."

"He will." Ivagio promised me. "We always keep our promises."

I nodded. "Good." I hesitated and then said, "I hope this is not the last time I see you."

Firenze took my hand. Ronan got up, trotting over to some of the other Centaurs, but Ivagio stayed beside the two of us. "I have seen the stars. It may be many years, but we will see each other again Elizabeth."

I squeezed his hand, before leaning over and kissing his cheek. "As fate says." I whispered, then stood. I squeezed Ivagios' shoulder and walked away.

"Are you ready to go home?" Severus asked as I rejoined him.

I scanned the room once more. The Malfoys were reunited, simply sitting on one of the tables, isolated, as though they didn't know whether to leave or ask someone if they should be arrested. Lucius met my eyes and he nodded once, before turning away.

"Almost." I said softly, seeing Lee sitting by himself, his head bowed and his hands folded as though in prayer. "There's one last thing I have to do."

⬅️➡️

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abwwia · 4 months

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Roberta Williamson, You're Perfect, 1998, hand fabricated, pierced, formed, soldered, bezel set sterling silver, crystal, lithograph, paper, ink, polychrome, steel, plastic, carnelian, brass, and wood, 4 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 x 5⁄8 in. (11.6 x 5.7 x 1.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Richard T. Evans Fund, 2000.4

#Roberta Williamson #art by women #art #palianshow #fly #you are perfect

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frankensteinshimbo · 2 years

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Dance

Set in Atlanta, Georgia shortly before it was sacked during the American Civil War, this is what ensues after a mortal reverend rejects a vampire's offered Embrace.

It's not meant to be a pleasant scene so much as it is a horror and an injustice, so take precaution of both the setting and the contents when you crack it open. The scene is a fight/assault styled in prose as a dance. And there is blood, of course, but it doesn't feature heavily.

Shock was the cold hand that seized Stéphane's heart, but missing the component of life to make it beat, the ugliness of rejection did not pump throughout his body. It did not take the heat from his already cold corpse. Perspiration did not bleed from his pores. His chest did not stutter.

It flushed from without. He was twenty-three and the sixteenth century was alive again under Versailles' crystal drop chandeliers. Louis and Marie had fled to Tuileries as the destitute reposessed their home. But he. He stood still, in awe of all the splendor that it was possible for a man to own while Stéphane had starved.

Crystal, glass, and brass. They were such arbitrary objects, but the realization washed over him warm and painful as it had back then. Even surrounded by finery, he could posses none of it. Not the clothing he wore. Not the Hall they sat in. Least of all the man opposite him. But even half-colored and lower than his peers, Junior's white aristocrat's blood sealed his place in the landed gentry.

"You made me believe we were beautiful together."

"Stefan, I was young--

"--And yet I still gave myself to you with no expectation."

A shudder of revulsion at the memory of their shared touch ran through the other man. It shattered Stéphane's world. Without warning, he grabbed the colored reverend's mouth. His pale white fingers caught Junior around the lower jaw, like he was a biting dog.

"Your mother never wanted you," he hissed as he dragged Junior's head forward. "Neither the slave that was forced to carry you, nor the white woman that took care of you. So who's left for you, Junior?"

It was gratifying to see the fear in Junior's dull black eyes equivocate the pound of flesh his rejection had dug out of Stéphane's chest. So gratifying that Stéphane barely registered when the animal he'd bridled bit and then ran.

Junior knocked over his own chair as he brayed for help, but the collar of own habit choked him back.

He tried to wrench the cloth away, but Stéphane, although shorter, had always been stronger.

"Haven't you noticed, mon cher?" He twisted Junior around. "We waited on ourselves at dinner. The servants are in their quarters. The Estate is big. And it's empty. So."

Stéphane leveraged his grip on the man's coat to grasp his broad shoulders and shove them down.

"Go down, nice and easy."

Junior's willowy frame bent, like a twig between Stéphane's hands. If his boots weren't kicking gouges into the floor, Stéphane might've been dipping him.

But now that anger had been vented in an ugly rent on Junior's cheek, Stéphane was remorseful; the creature struggling in his grasp was wretched to throw away eternity with the only love he'd ever known. As much as he'd wanted to ask for this dance, he had over-estimated Junior's ability to see the steps, so he tried to be quick. He tried to be kind.

He sunk his teeth in the sliver of a pulse below the alcove of Junior's jaw and neck, but the mortal jerked away with surprising strength. His beautiful brown skin ripped from Stéphane's fangs into wet trenches, but senseless of his own pouring blood and Stéphane's icy grip around his wrist, he threw his weight against the length of his tether.

Their bodies collided as Junior kicked and twisted into lithe shapes, but he was always at the edge of Stéphane's clutching hands. Again and again he reeled Junior's arms and clothing back until the seams and joints popped.

It was the kind of violent choreography that Stéphane's immortal body knew from the gutters of Paris during the revolt; his corpse did not bruise. It did not tire.

Vitality, however, was finite, and Junior, a sedantary pastor, had poured it from his throat in his own terror. He had put up a good fight, but Stéphane could feel from the heaviness of his limbs and his unsteady balance that he was overdrawn.

He snagged Junior around the torso and pinned him to his chest with a weight one arm alone shouldn't have possessed. Frederick struggled, but his failing body was kitten-like in Stéphane's grip.

A dark inevitability settled over the end of the dance. Stéphane shut the chandelier's spotlight off. In the dark, both men breathed in heavy ragged silence. It was broken only by the horrible crash of their empty dishes being swept onto the floor. Stéphane laid Junior on his back.

The darkness was meant as a modesty, but Stéphane could still smell him. The table groaned as he climbed up onto it, one knee between Junior's thighs and another at his hip. He pressed the heel of his palm against the cut vessel, stemming the flow with the same strength he'd tamed with, he'd endured the night's abuse with, that he loved with.

His other hand wrenched the shirt open a section at a time. Buttons pinged off of scattered silverware and wood. He'd fix it later by gaslamp. He'd dutifully sew each one back on. For now, he peeled it off of him, leaving the man of God splayed, bloodied, and bare.

He laid his injured hand over Junior's gasping lips, then slowly squeezed it into a fist, wringing out each drop of the blood the wound could give into his mouth. It left dark splotches against the soft lips in the ambient light. It was almost too much for Stéphane to bear but he threaded the last of his patience to prolong for a moment what should have been gentle and sacred.

"That's my blood," he panted. "Now for yours."

Then he leaned down to kiss the well tap and take communion.

#ockiss23 #vampire #vampirism #horror #horror genre #gothic #gothic horror #Vampire: The Masquerade #vtm #cw violence #cw blood #This can be reblogged👍🏾#my works #by quinn #short story #San Francisco Nights

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laundryandtaxes · 2 years

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Ukraine is not only holding Russia off but taking back territory, whilst 'Putin's War' is becoming increasingly unpopular at home as conscripts are given Airsoft scopes and have to buy their own body armour and tents. Russia's logistics have failed. Biden definitely never foresaw this scale of incompetence but why are you phrasing this as a failed American imperial gambit instead of a surprisingly successful Ukrainian self-directed war of liberation?

Any conflict can and frankly usually does have more than one way in which it can be accurately characterized. For instance, I agree that Ukraine has put up a surprisingly effective fight against remarkable odds. But I absolutely don't think this war has been self-directed in any meaningful sense. The reason Ukraine was able to do such remarkable damage to the number of Russian brass alive is because NATO (the US) helped them locate and kill those targets- that doesn't mean use of open communications by Russian troops and the fact that Russian brass was so close to the battlefields weren't major factors, but NATO intervention is the deciding factor in those assassinations. The reason Ukraine has been able to push back Russian offensives is because NATO is pumping weapons into it, and NATO has all but admitted to having its own boots, if not on the ground, very very close to the ground. NATO is absolutely running this show, and without its weapons and intelligence and, frankly, probably more, I think this war goes very differently and is a whole lot shorter. While I don't have a crystal ball I think the conflict is growing rather than shrinking, and while it is unfortunately very likely to end in direct contact between NATO troops and Russian troops what we are currently looking at is, in my opinion, a proxy war in which NATO is feeding Ukrainians into a meat grinder to nip at Russian military capability while Putin tosses young Russian men into his own meat grinder because he clearly does not really care how many conscripts he loses. One fundamental question is who can keep this up for longer. Americans don't like paying for war, even if their leadership does, and the only way these weapons shipments continue to happen is with US taxpayer money for a war many Americans have all but forgotten about, and Europeans are tightening their belts for a cold winter and considering holding their weapons for protection in the event of further Russian advancement West. Zelensky wouldn't spend so much time courting Western military support if he didn't think he needed it, and he wouldn't speak nearly so boldly if he didn't think NATO was backing him up. But at some point the importation of a war effort will either dry up, effectively ending the war (this is what I suspect would happen with more limited media coverage of the war as people decided they just didnt care enough about a war overseas to pay for it, but media and politicians and their respective propagandists lean war hawkish here, even if the people again do not) or it will explode as NATO officially steps into the fray. Either way, the difference is having NATO heavily involved, or not.

In terms of whether the war has been a "failed gambit" I think it is far too soon to tell, but the majority of wars do not see one actor only ever winning and one actor only ever taking losses, and that means it is very easy to create any narrative you want out of wins and losses but very little reason to put much stock on any one of them until all the dust has settled. For instance, the US won a number of military and non military conflicts in Afghanistan, perhaps culminating in the installation of its own government there, but it was only as long as the US was actively propping that government up that it stood any chance of survival and ultimately the war was a failure and destined to be a failure almost from the outset. So perhaps Ukraine can be said to be taking back some territory. It can also be said to be losing some territory. I suspect this means news media will be able to paint Ukraine as "winning" for quite some time, but that doesn't mean I have much reason to believe that's what's actually happening any more than I have reason to read Russian news of their great advancements and think they're definitely "winning" at this exact moment. So talk of conscription, for instance, is like reading tea leaves right now. Conscription is not at all an unusual choice in war, and Russia sent conscripts to war well after Ukraine prevented any of its fighting age men, many of whom absolutely would have preferred to go to Poland and live a full life with their wives and children, from leaving. But the point is I don't think this war last nearly this long and costs nearly so much human life without NATO intervention.

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marymerchandice · 5 months

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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: American Eagle Outfitters AEO Gray Cardigan Sweater Small.

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kaashni-co-in · 7 months

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The use of plant life in 20th century American interiors.

Step 1: Embrace the Green Revolution

In the mid-20th century, American interiors were undergoing a botanical revolution. The first step to creating a luxurious green haven in your space is to embrace this trend. Start with a few houseplants – they're the ultimate in luxury decor.

Step 2: Choose Your Green Companions

Selecting the right plants is crucial. Opt for statement plants like a towering Fiddle Leaf Fig or a lush Monstera Deliciosa. These plants not only purify the air but also scream luxury.

Step 3: Elevate with Elegant Pots

Once you've chosen your green companions, it's time to pamper them with elegant pots. Mid-century modern ceramic planters or metallic finishes add a touch of opulence to your decor.

Step 4: Create Green Vignettes

Arrange your plants in carefully curated vignettes. Group them on side tables, window sills, or even hang them from the ceiling for a lush, luxurious effect.

Step 5: Go Beyond Houseplants

Expand your greenery beyond houseplants. Consider creating an indoor garden with statement trees like the Weeping Fig or Rubber Plant. These botanical giants exude luxury.

Step 6: Layer with Green Decor

Incorporate green into your decor in other ways too. Think luxurious emerald-green velvet couches, rich jade upholstery, or leafy-patterned throw pillows.

Step 7: Light It Up

Illuminate your green haven with the right lighting. Crystal chandeliers, elegant sconces, or even brass floor lamps can add a luxurious touch to your plant-filled space.

Step 8: Add Mirrors

Mirrors are a key element in luxury design. They reflect light and create the illusion of space, making your green interiors feel even more opulent.

Step 9: Accessorize Thoughtfully

Accessorize with botanical-inspired decor. Think art prints of lush landscapes, leafy-patterned rugs, and coffee table books on the world's most stunning gardens.

Step 10: Layer with Textures

To create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere, layer your interiors with textures. Plush rugs, silk curtains, and velvety upholstery will complement your green paradise perfectly.

Step 11: Play with Scale

Experiment with different plant sizes and pots to play with scale. Oversized potted plants can be a showstopper in any room, adding a bold luxury statement.

Step 12: Maintain the Oasis

Don't forget to maintain your green oasis. Regular watering, pruning, and repotting are essential to keep your plants healthy and your interiors looking luxurious.

Step 13: Celebrate the Season

Finally, celebrate the changing seasons by switching up your plant decor. In spring, opt for fresh blossoms, and during the holidays, incorporate festive greenery like poinsettias and wreaths.

Step 14: Enjoy Your Green Paradise

Luxurious greenery isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating a serene, rejuvenating atmosphere. Enjoy your green paradise, a sanctuary of opulence in the heart of your home.

Conclusion: A Century of Lush Luxury

From the mid-20th century to today, the use of plant life in American interiors has evolved into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. By following these steps, you can transform your own living spaces into lush, opulent sanctuaries that celebrate the beauty of nature within the home. Happy decorating!

https://www.kaashni.co.in/post/the-use-of-plant-life-in-20th-century-american-interiors

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frenchelshade · 9 months

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Illuminating Elegance: The Enduring Allure of Vintage Lamps and American Light Fixtures

Adding vintage lamps to your home is a great way to bring history into your room while also making a personal statement. The unique design and artistic expression of each lamp reflect a period long past. The need for unique and individualistic interior design is likely behind the recent uptick in sales of antique lights in the United States.

You can make your house a one-of-a-kind expression of your taste and admiration for the enduring beauty of vintage interior design with the help of lamps, whether you're drawn to the elaborate details of an Art Deco table lamp or the simplicity of a mid-century floor lamp.

In this exploration of antique lamps, we will look at their cultural significance in the United States and showcase five stunning models that you can get at a discount from Fenchel Shades.

The Value of Vintage Lamps in the United States

Timelessness and Nostalgia

Vintage lamps transport people to a bygone period through their design aesthetics, making them feel nostalgic. From the Art Deco glitz of the 1920s to the minimalist mid-century modernism of the 1950s, every antique lamp has a history and represents the aesthetic preferences of its era.

Distinct Design Statements

In a time when mass-produced goods predominated, antique lamps were a striking example of individualistic design. They add character to rooms that generic, mass-produced furniture can't always manage, thanks to their meticulous craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.

Environmental Friendliness

Embracing antique light fixtures is in line with the current movement toward eco-friendly lifestyles. By reducing the demand for new manufacturing and decreasing environmental effects, individuals can contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle by reusing and enjoying existing products.

Wide Variety of Forms

Vintage lamps are available in a multitude of forms, from industrial-inspired task lights to exquisite crystal chandeliers. Because of this adaptability, homeowners can design visually stunning and one-of-a-kind eclectic interiors by skillfully combining modern elements with more traditional ones.

Five Remarkable Vintage Lamps from Fenchel Shades

#1 Pair Of Vintage Aquarium Blue Glass Table Lamps With Polished Nickel Fittings

The enchanting charm of these two vintage aquarium blue glass table lamps will elevate any room. These lamps deftly combine form and function with their mesmerizing aquatic hues and polished nickel fittings. An ideal way to spruce up any space with a splash of color and style.

#2 Vintage Petites Choses Metal Brass Blackamoor Nubian Man With Bird Cages

The craftsmanship of old lamps is on full display in Blackamoor Nubian Man with Bird Cages. Both a light fixture and an enchanting sculpture, this one-of-a-kind item displays the detailed artistry of a bygone age.

#3 Vintage Hexagonal Pagoda Form Brass Painted Lantern, Circa 1940

The Vintage Hexagonal Pagoda Form Brass Painted Lantern will give your room an air of 1940s glitz. The graceful form of a lantern matches the classic beauty of brass in this magnificent work of art. Hanging from the ceiling, it brings an air of old-world splendor to any space.

#4 Pair Antique French Seltzer Bottle Lamps

These lamps have a classic, country-French vibe that will always be in vogue. You can't go wrong with these lamps made from recycled seltzer bottles for your retro-themed home. They bring a touch of history to your space while also serving a practical purpose.

#5 Pair Nickel Dandelion Accent Desk Console Lamps

These lamps capture the carefree charm of nature and will be a welcome addition to any office. The subtle dandelion pattern embodies nature's beauty, while the nickel plating brings a hint of modern elegance. Ideal for individuals who want their old and modern decor to work together.

Finding Your Way Around the World of Vintage Lamps

Do Your Homework:

Before you buy any antique lamps, be sure you know their history and can verify their authenticity. If you take the time to learn about the pieces' histories and designs, you can buy authentic ones that suit your taste.

Condition & Restoration:

Think about how well the vintage lamps are holding up in terms of restoration. While little wear and tear could be charming, major damage could necessitate expensive repairs. To make a well-informed investment decision, weigh the costs and restoration options.

Style Considerations:

Antique lamps range from those with elaborate Victorian designs to those with a more modern, minimalist aesthetic. Think about the room's current furnishings and the aesthetic you're going for. Harmoniously enhancing your space is the aim.

Functional Considerations:

Check that the vintage lamps serve their purpose. Take a look at the electrical components, including the wiring and sockets. Although rewiring may be necessary for some antique lamps, others may have been well-cared for and are now ready to illuminate your home.

Adopting a Retro Style of Lighting

Even if trends come and go, antique lamps will always be treasured for the memories they hold and the quality of their construction. Their use in American homes is indicative of a need for genuine, character-filled interiors and a respect for the craftsmanship of bygone eras.

Peruse the hand-picked collection of Fenchel Shades as you set out on the path to include antique lamps in your dwelling. Each lamp has a unique history, shedding light on bygone eras while gracefully illuminating the present.

Vintage lamps are a great way to take a trip through time with their charming, one-of-a-kind, and environmentally friendly appeal. Use these beautiful, adorable lamps to decorate your space and give them a luxurious look.

Buy Vintage Lamps at Chandelier Sale from Fenchel Shades

At Fenchel Shades' Chandelier Sale, you will find a collection of vintage lights that exude an air of classic elegance. The understated vintage lighting will transform any room. You can bring a little bit of nostalgia into any space with our carefully selected collection.

These lamps feature one-of-a-kind designs and superb craftsmanship. Careful craftsmanship guarantees a harmonious combination of form and function in every piece, from traditional table lamps to eye-catching chandeliers.

You won't want to pass on this one-of-a-kind chance to give your home a charming retro vibe. Shop now at Fenchel Shades for charming vintage lamps that will add character and warmth to any room.

Original Source, https://bityl.co/NDEp

#vintage lamps #chandelier sale

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