#and i'm rewatching bly manor already | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fimproda · 6 months ago

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do you have aswell some movies or tv series with also good plot twists, or that in general you like narrative wise?

Dude, how can I tell you this...

I've got too many 🫠

TV Shows:

Sense8 on Netflix. I'll never get over its cancellation. It was such a good story, with great actors and characters, a compelling narrative, wonderful music and photography, and it was created by the Wachowski sisters of Matrix fame. At least we got two full seasons and a final episode that wrapped up all the plot lines as best as it could.

Anything by Mike Flanagan. You can find The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club on Netflix; if I recall correctly, there's also his adaptation of Gerald's Game from the homonymous book by Stephen King (but this one is a movie). As for Guillermo del Toro, I think Mike Flanagan's brand of horror is more of a gothic story, with ghosts and other paranormal elements. He always chooses stellar actors and the photography is just top tier.

Dark on Netflix. It's a German show that deals with time travel and its respective paradoxes, and that's how much I'm willing to tell you.

The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. I wouldn't have even begun to care about this show if it hadn't been for Robert Sheehan, but it's actually nice, all things considered; it has a very peculiar aesthetic that not many productions can hope to achieve.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. It's one of the cringiest, most senseless things I've ever had the displeasure to watch, but God if it makes me laugh. For all the wrong reasons, sure, but it does. I hate Sabrina so much, I want to slap her across the face so much, that rewatching this garbage fire of a show serves as an outlet for all my frustration and anger. I rewatch it religiously at least once a year.

Good Omens on Amazon Prime. Speaking of this, I forgot to recommend you the homonymous book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, which is one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. I'd only advise you to watch season one, though; I haven't watched season two yet, but I've heard about it, and it's kind of meh narrative-wise.

American Gods on... I don't know, the Starz network? I read the Nail Gaiman book and loved it (forgot to recommend it to you, too), and I really liked season 1. Season 2 was meh, just like Good Omens. I think they made a third season, but I'm not sure. Anyway, both the book and the show are a must if you like mythology, in my opinion.

Let's stay on the Neil Gaiman train: The Sandman on Netflix. Tom Sturridge's performance as Dream (especially his voice) makes it worth a watch by itself, and if I hadn't already realized that I'm an uncurable bisexual, seeing Mason Alexander Park as Desire would've done it. But jokes aside, it's a lovely, well-made show that surely won't waste your time.

Westworld on HBO. At surface level, it's a story about a Far-West-themed park populated by androids. I only watched season one, so I don't know how the show develops from there, but I can tell you that the plot twist is *chef kiss*. Terrific actors, too — and I seem to recall a pretty naked Ben Barnes in one memorable scene.

Speaking of Ben Barnes, Shadow and Bone on Netflix. It's one of the few times an adaptation is better than the book(s) it's been adapted from, and I'm still not done being salty about its cancellation. I think that the show's new storylines fit the characters better than the books', and those things I didn't like in the books have been explained and/or done better by the show.

Brooklyn 99 on Netflix (at least, it's on Netflix in Italy/in the EU). It's a completely different thing than all the other ones above it, and I think it's fitting as my last entry for this list. It manages to combine a comedy show and a cop show in a perfectly natural way, and even the last two/three seasons, which are considerably worse than the previous ones, still remain funny and enjoyable. Plus, Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago are Cassian and Nesta in another universe. Change my mind.

Movies:

Call Me By Your Name. I would never recommend you the book, as it's some of the most pretentious, boring shit I've ever read, but the movie is another thing entirely. Although, might I say, I haven't been able to bring myself to rewatch it since all the allegations about Armie Hammer came out. Pity; I liked him and his chemistry with Timothée Chalamet in this one.

Donnie Darko. This movie turned 20 years old a couple of days ago, but it's still great even in the Year of the Lord 2024. It's a bit cryptic, sure; I myself have never been able to completely understand it. 10/10 anyway.

The Shawshank Redemption, adapted from a novella by Stephen King titled Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It's a story about a prison escape, and I'm not going to tell you anything more than this.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This wonderful title has been translated in Italian as Se mi lasci ti cancello, "if you leave me, I'll delete you". Too spoiler-y of a title if you ask me, but this should give you an idea of what this movie is about.

The Truman Show and the Matrix trilogy, which are adaptations of Plato's allegory of the cave — and which, indeed, my philosophy professor made us watch at the end of the third year of high school.

Shrek 2. Yes, the second one specifically. Best movie ever made.

#ask response #ask reply #tv show recommendations #show recommendations #movie recommendation

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scuderlia · 9 months ago

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hello lia! do you have any movie recs/show recs (for the ask game thing)

from here

let's ignore that i'm getting to this ask literal DAYS late. but yes, i do:

The Haunting of Hill House cr. Mike Flanagan | limited series

- if you haven't seen this already get on that. literally so devastating, makes me want to pull all my hair out and melt into the floor, but i've still watched it through over eight times... the editing is perfect.

The Haunting of Bly Manor cr. Mike Flanagan | limited series

- another MF production. basically a Phoebe Bridgers song if they gave it a script and cast. "this is a love story" but it's the most heart-wrenching one you've ever heard.

Hell House LLC dir. Stephen Cognetti | feature film

- a found footage baddie! genuinely horrifying though... i felt perpetually anxious for the duration of the runtime and had to do breathing exercises after the final scene. all clowns are evil.

Greener Grass dir. Jocelyn DeBoer, Dawn Luebbe | feature film

- hilarious in a weird way, the entire ensemble acts like they know each other's secrets and are in physical pain because of it. overall, very absurd and a fever dream but one of my recent-ish faves.

Best in Show dir. Christopher Guest | feature film

- slowly fighting its way into my letterboxd top four... i rewatch this so often and it's honestly hysterical. perfect cast, really drives home just how weird dog people are. Jennifer Coolidge and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) play a lesbian couple with a poodle.

Pussy dir. Renata Gąsiorowska | animated short film

- watched it this morning on Kanopy... i was charmed. only eight minutes long, but the animation is so fun, and very subtly funny.

Girl Blunt dir. Clementine Narcisse | short film

- you can find this on YouTube! very lush, a real-life dollhouse production. for the femmes who hate crusty men and smoke weed.

(follow me on letterboxd for more recs/reviews/lists, i try to keep up-to-date on what i'm watching over there)

#asks #ask game #media rec

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toms-cherry-trees · 1 year ago

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Oooh I love this! I rarely read modern AUs but as someone who's rewatched The Haunting of Bly Manor like five times I am super caught up already! I'm very curious about what ghosts reader has and what terrors lurk in Harrenhal. Totally looking forward to the next part!

Chapter 1: Welcome Home

main masterlist || series masterlist || next chapter

summary ~ Hired by the elusive Aemond Targaryen, you arrive at Harrenhal House to care for his niece and nephew. Things go bump in the night.

warnings below the cut for your convenience

warnings ~ spooky ghostly stuff, angst, mentions of death, loss of a child, blood, wound care

note: and so begins our spooky adventure! I hope you enjoy it!

banner made by the ever lovely @ewanmitchellcrumbs, ilysm ange!

Harrenhal stands on the edge of our world atop lush, green hills. The God’s Eye Lake is the biggest in the country, more like the sea than any landbound body of water you’d ever seen before.

As the Uber driver creeps along the bend of the God’s Eye, the old manor begins to come into view. A thick layer of fog seems to cling to the bricks; gray tendrils creeping onto the driveway and spilling onto the lawn.

“Are you a long way from home?” your driver asks, meeting your eyes in the rearview as he attempts to strike up polite conversation. You assume it’s because of the rather rough start you got off with him.

“Harrenhal House?” he had asked, face red, eyes wide, “That place is cursed.”

Not exactly the warm welcome you had wished for when you arrived in the Riverlands. Not exactly the impression Aemond Targaryen had given in his email when he offered you the job. The interview had been completed over the phone. His voice was cold, words clipped as though he wanted to find someone qualified and quickly to care for his niece and nephew.

The car pulls up to Harrenhal, tires crunching against the gravel of the driveway. The iron gates were open as you’d driven up, expecting your arrival. Hedges and statues covered with moss decorate the path toward the main house. The car slowly creeps closer. Your driver clutches the wheel as though the house means to swallow him whole.

Harrenahal stands out like a stain against the clear blue sky. It is an enormous manor, with shutters, and brick the color of pitch. The terrifying eyesore of the Riverlands. Crows have made their nests in several of the gables, their beady black eyes watching intently as the car comes to a halt.

A murder.

Of course, you’d done your research before accepting the position. Both on the home and on your host.

Harrenhal had a grizzly history. Your driver wasn’t wrong when he called it a cursed place. But the dead didn’t scare you. You had ghosts of your own.

Aemond Targaryen was a different story. Second son of Viserys Targaryen, whose recent passing was still hot news in the corporate world. Not that you paid close attention, but you’d heard there still had been no decision on the naming of the new CEO of Fire & Blood Co.

The death of the patriarch seemed to trigger a chain reaction of devastating events. If Harrenhal was cursed, so was the Targaryen family tree. Wherever the silver-haired blue bloods go, tragedy seems to follow.

The death of little Jaehaerys is the most tragic of all.

You’d yet to see a child-sized coffin and desperately hoped you never would.

They’d whisked Helaena Targaryen away from the boisterous streets of King’s Landing rather quickly after the funeral of her first son. After her accident.

You didn’t know what had happened, it was omitted from the press. Even the tabloids had only guesses. You doubt there are many limitations to actions caused by a mother’s grief.

Jaehaerys left two siblings behind; a twin sister and an infant brother still too young to toddle. Aemond Targaryen was hardly ready to be a father. You’d researched him as well and read about his ascent up the corporate ladder.

The boost of nepotism couldn’t have hurt, but from what you could tell, as you hunched over your laptop in the darkness of your hotel room, Aemond Targaryen had worked hard for his success. A tragic accident when he was a child left him blind in his left eye, leaving it cloudy and sightless, though nothing more was disclosed online about the incident.

There were other Targaryen siblings; an elder sister from a first marriage, a party boy, and another brother backpacking through the eastern continent. You flipped through countless articles and stalked the Instagram pages of the elusive family.

However, Aemond Targaryen did not have social media.

What he did have, was a marriage announcement, followed soon after by an obituary.

A handsome young widower. Not even thirty.

The deceased wife was much older. You’d browsed through Google images while slurping cold pad Thai, though there were hardly any pictures of them as a couple. Aemond seemed to avoid the press at every chance.

There weren’t many photos of him; just candid shots here and there—a dark suit, a flash of silver hair. You had shut your laptop after that, feeling suddenly self-conscious, as though Aemond would know you’d read about him the first time he laid eyes on you.

Your Uber driver helps deposit your bags onto the gravel, shutting the trunk with a grunt. He turns to you, eying the manor nervously, as though it's a living thing waiting to open its jaws and devour you.

“You be careful, love,” he tells you, nodding towards the house.

“I’m tougher than I look,” you assure, awarding him a wry smile.

The smile he offers in return is more of a grimace, and he is quick to return to the safety of his vehicle. You grab your carry-on and the handle of your suitcase, gazing up at the manor. A crow caws, alerting the others to your arrival.

A group of crows is called a murder.

You walk up to the doors, knocking once, twice. There is no answer. Turning the handle, you stepped into the grand foyer. A large staircase is the first thing you see, though you’re distracted by the man walking down the steps at a leisurely pace.

Aemond Targaryen is more intimidating than the candid photos you’d hungrily browsed. He’s tall, with broad shoulders and a slender waist. His long, silver hair is braided into a bun resting at the nape of his neck, a few tendrils ghosting around his face. Pouty lips, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a beautiful straight, pointed nose.

You’d always had a thing for noses.

Seven hells. Stop that. This guy is your boss, your employer.

His eyes. One blue, the other milky and lifeless. The gash of a faded scar running up the side of his face only served to make me more handsome.

He greets you with the title of Miss, the gentle timbre of his voice floating down to you. It’s so formal, as though you’ve walked through a portal into a Jane Austin novel. He doesn’t smile, just watches you, sizing you up.

Fucking hell, he’s even more handsome in person.

The man could be a model if business doesn’t work out for him.

You swallow the lump in your throat as you watch him descend the steps. With his hands in his pockets, and white button-down sleeves rolled to his elbows, he oozes an air of cold confidence as his eyes trace over you. He doesn’t offer a hand to shake, despite his formality. Even when he removes his hands from his pockets, letting one drag slowly down the railing.

“You didn’t arrive with any other baggage?” Aemond quips, the fingers of his left hand uncurling from a clenched fist.

You blink, before glancing at your suitcase, at the carry-on bag beside it, “No…?”

Aemond hums to himself, lips pressed firmly together. His face gives nothing away, an emotionless mask of disinterest.

“No estranged boyfriend who’ll be coming looking for you?” he asks pointedly.

Your cheeks warm at his statement. You should have guessed he’d be direct. He didn’t ask you in the interview about a partner; just made sure you were able to commit to the position for at least six months.

“No,” you tell him, “No boyfriend.”

His eyes, both the blue and the milky sightless, hold your gaze intently before he nods.

“Follow me then.”

Aemond gives you a tour of the house, showing you all the rooms you’ll have access to. Mysteries are hidden behind closed doors that Aemond doesn’t acknowledge, including a closed door decorated with paintings of vines and flowers. He omits the majority of the west wing of the house which includes the location of his study.

A man has his secrets, you suppose.

What he does show you is the kitchen, along with the nursery and the library. Despite the age of the house, the kitchen is large and modern, with cabinets painted a deep forest green beside stainless steel appliances. A gas stove houses a tea kettle, ready and waiting.

He shows you to your room last; on the eastern side of the house close to the nursery. You follow him down the hallway, the sound of your footsteps echoing in the silence. Aemond has not attempted small talk throughout the tour of the house.

Aemond has stayed silent unless he is informing where he is taking you next, his hands clasped behind his back. It almost looks uncomfortable, the way he holds himself upright, his spine straight as an arrow.

“Your sister lives here as well, right?” you ask absentmindedly looking at the tapestries that decorate the hall.

Aemond stops in front of a door, turning back to you. Those cold eyes stoke a fire within you, setting you ablaze with each glance. He is silent for a moment before he opens the door.

“This is your room,” he continues, ignoring your question, “There are extra sheets in the lower drawers, and on Sundays, the housekeeper comes to strip the beds and tend to the rest of the house.”

He opens the bottom drawers of the large oak dresser. A large mirror rests on top of it accompanied by a dark jewelry box. The dresser matches the rest of the furniture in the room; all dark stained wood as though each piece was dunked in ink. A large four-poster bed sits in the middle of the room, the green comforter is warm and inviting. You can see God’s Eye from the large arched window; the water sparkles with the afternoon light cascading across the surface like diamonds.

“I hope you’ll find it satisfactory,” Aemond says.

You turn to face him, standing in front of the window letting the warmth of the sun on your face.

“It’s more than satisfactory,” you tell him, “Straight out of a Shirley Jackson novel.”

Aemond shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other, seemingly perturbed by your praise. He purses his lips, glancing at the carpeted floor. You swear he’s smirking slightly.

“A backhanded compliment.”

“It’s not meant to be,” you assure him, your face warming with embarrassment.

“Yes well,” he says, clearing his throat, “Let's hope that’s how the buyers feel as well.”

“I didn’t realize you meant to sell,” you tell him.

“It’s ours for now, but I mean to relocate to Summerhal,” he comments, “This house isn’t held long.”

That’s all he says on the matter. You don’t ask him to elaborate. You doubt he would anyway, he seems keen to ignore your curiosity. Aemond leads you down the stairs once more and out through the kitchen onto a stone patio. The view of God’s Eye is spectacular, it’s close enough to stand at the edge if only you run down the hill.

A garden disrupts the spacious greenery and you walk beside Aemond, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

“She’s here, she’s here!” a small voice calls, followed by a young girl bursting through the doors and out onto the patio.

“Jaehaera!” a woman calls, chasing after the young girl.

She races down the steps to where you stand with Aemond in the gardens. Cheeks rosy, smiling brightly, Jaehaera Targareyn boldly walks up in front of you. Her blue eyes are wide and she holds out a fist full of daisies.

“I’ve picked these for you,” she declares and you kneel to meet her height, “Talya said I needed to wait.”

You take the flowers from her, pressing them against your nose and inhaling their sweet scent. You’ve always loved daisies.

“Which you did not,” Tayla says, catching her breath as she arrives, “I’m sorry sir she didn’t-”

“It’s fine,” Aemond quips, arms tucked behind his back, “They needed to meet anyway.”

“It’s nice to meet you Jaehaera. I love your dress,” you tell her, and she twirls letting her baby-blue skirt billow around her.

“You’re much prettier than Kepus told me,” Jaehaera says, eyes drinking in every inch of your face.

“I told you I hadn’t any idea what she looked like,” Aemond gently corrects.

You smile, chest feeling warm at her kindness. You tell her your name and her nose crinkles.

“I’m going to call you Miss Gevie,” Jaehaera declares softly, “Because of how perfectly lovely you are.”

“Someone’s been practicing their High Valyrian,” Aemond remarks, “Have you had your lessons today?”

Jaehaera sighs, a very small sound, “Kessa kepus.”

“Syz riña,” Aemond says, a small smile appearing on his face before glancing at you, “You’ll have to meet Maelor as well.”

“Though he’s rather boring,” Jaehaera interrupts, “He only sleeps. I told muña I wanted a sister. I already have a brother.”

Your stomach flips at her words and you glance at Aemond. His expression is stoic, though Talya pales beside him. She steps forward, kneeling next to Jaehaera, who is busy counting the petals of the daisies you now hold.

“Jaehaera,” she says, forcing a small smile.

“What?”

Tayla grimaces, placing a hand on her shoulder, “We’ve talked about-”

“I want to see muña,” Jaehaera interrupts, shaking off Talya’s comforting hand. She glances at Aemond for help, though he offers none.

“She’s resting now….”

“I want to see her!” Jaehaera insists, louder this time lower lip wobbling.

“Why don’t you say goodbye to Talya first,” Aemond says, “She’s been very kind accompanying you here.”

“You’re leaving?” you ask the woman.

“I’m needed elsewhere, this was a very temporary arrangement,” she tells you.

“She works for my mother,” Aemond clarifies, nostrils flaring slightly, “She was unable to make the journey here.”

You remember reading about Alicent Hightower. You don’t see any of his mother in Aemond’s features. Where Alicent is soft, Aemond is sharp; nose straight and long, chin prominent. The word lethal comes to mind.

Aemond has looks to kill.

You shake your head trying to clear your thoughts.

“Can I show you my room?” Jaehaera asks, smiling once more.

“I’d love that,” you tell her, letting her place her small hand in yours and lead you back towards the house.

You glance behind you, watching as Aemond and Talya converse before Harrenhal swallows you once more.

“Miss Gevie,” Jaehaera asks, tugging her comforter up to her chin, “Are you going to stay with us for a long time?”

You stop picking up some of her toys from the floor. You’d been playing with dolls since after dinner and had just settled down to read a story before bed. You smile, sitting on the edge of her bed.

“I am,” you tell her, “Your uncle is working very hard and needs a little extra help.”

Jaehaera nods, taking in the words you speak. Her blue eyes watch you carefully, seeming wiser than her years.

“I like you,” she says softly, “Kepus likes you too. I can tell. He just doesn’t say so.”

You smile at her. Aemond was clearly softer in the presence of Jaehaera. He’d been more pleasant at dinner than when you’d first arrived. Helaena was absent from supper.

“You’re not going to leave? No matter what?”

You stroke some hair from her face, “I am not going anywhere, any time soon.”

Jaehaera scoots down, laying back against her pillow. You stand, pulling the covers up when something catches your eye. You reach under her pillow, removing a doll that was hidden there.

“Who’s this?” you ask, staring at the doll.

It’s barely a doll, more a stick of melted charred plastic, warped from the heat. You can see remnants of legs and arms, the path a flame must have licked up through the plastic; the hair burnt to the scalp. The face is unrecognizable.

Jaehaera reaches up, closing her small fingers around it.

“He stays here,” she tells you, “He likes to stay inside his castle.”

Geez. Creepy or what? You force a smile, letting her take the weird Barbie.

“Okay,” you tell her, “Goodnight Jaehaera.”

“Goodnight Miss Gevie,” she sing-songs.

“You know, you can just call me by my name,” you remind her.

“I like Miss Gevie better, it suits you,” she insists, yawning.

You find yourself yawning as well, and head to bed. The manor is quiet as you make your way to your room, tucking in for the night.

Sleeping in a new place can cause strange dreams.

A bloodcurdling scream tears through the halls of the sleepy manor, its icy tendrils ripping you from your dreams and back into your bed. You awake with a gasp, sucking in air as though you’d been held underwater, just breaking through the surface. Hand clutching your throat you sit up, hair sticking to the back of your neck from the layer of sweat that covers your body.

The house is quiet once more.

Breathing heavily you sit up in bed for a moment, trying to calm the rapid beating of your heart. You rise on shaky legs moving towards the door, and the ancient doorknob groans in protest as you turn it.

The hallway is dark, moonlight shining through the window at the end painting the floor with streaks of silver.

Maybe you were still dreaming.

But then, a low groan begins, the guttural sounds of a mourning mother’s wail. It washes over you like ice water and your stomach turns as the scream reaches its highest peak. Despite the alarm in your mind telling you to turn back into your room and hide under the covers, you race down the hallway towards the sound.

With each and every step toward the western wing, the screaming gets louder, broken up with deep sobs. You quicken your pace, bare feet padding against the carpet as you reach the source. The door you’d passed earlier, painted with flowers and twisting vines is open now, yellow light pouring into the hall from the lamp.

Aemond holds a girl in his arms--not a girl but a small woman; she’s frail, elbows poking against flesh like a starved baby bird, tears streaming down her ashy cheeks. Her silver hair is damp with perspiration, clinging to her face and neck as she clutches Aemond’s forearm. They’re in a heap together on the floor, Aemond’s arms tensed around her as he gently shushes her.

“Helaena…it's alright, it was just a dream,” he assures her, his voice softer and warmer than you’ve heard since meeting him.

He glances up at you, acknowledging your presence but saying nothing; his entire attention is on his sister.

“It’s never just a dream,” Helaena wails, nails digging into Aemond’s forearm, “Or maybe it is, maybe I’m asleep even now.”

A chill runs down your spine at Helaena’s words.

“Maybe I’ve been sleeping all along,” she continues, eyes glassy and her voice hoarse, “I could feel him, Aemond, it was so real.”

“I know,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss into her hair.

“I could feel him…in my arms….against my breast like when he was a baby…feeding, it was so real,” she says, her voice dropping into a whisper.

Helaena’s lips trembled, parted in a silent sob. The hand that does not anchor her to Aemond rests atop her breast, as though she can feel Jaehaerys against her chest even now.

“It’s alright dōna mandia,” Aemond murmurs, still stroking her hair. He rocks back and forth, starting a gentle pace to soothe her, “Go to the kitchen.” His voice is directed at you this time, your eyes meeting his. The tone he uses is still soft, and when you don’t move, he gestures toward the hall with a nod of his head.

“Do you hear him?” Helaena continues, “Running down the hall? Jaehaerys! Māzigon kesīr dōna valonqar!” (Come here, sweet boy).

“There’s no one there, Helaena,” Aemond soothes.

“I hear him,” she sobs, turning her face into Aemond’s chest, “Why can’t you hear him?”

Helaena’s sobs and questions are still ringing through your head as you leave the room, heading downstairs.

You make your way to the kitchen, standing in the dark, shocked for a moment before turning on the light. Helaena’s cries and pleas still echo in your mind as you fill the kettle left on the stove and turn on the gas burner. Searching through cabinets you find an array of handmade mugs, choosing a purple one with a twisted handle.

You rummage through some more drawers until you find some herbal tea, setting it beside the stove as you wait for the water to boil. You tap your fingers against the counter, a nervousness curling in your belly as you gaze out the window that leads to the backyard. You had known Helaena wasn’t well, but you didn’t realize just how serious it was.

You inhale a deep breath trying to steady yourself. It’s shaken you up quite a bit, hearing her agonized screams. Your hands tremble and you press your palms flat against the counter. A door slams from somewhere upstairs and you glance at the ceiling.

You look out the window once more, peering into the darkness. The God's Eye is just a still pool reflecting the light of the moon. A shadow moves behind you, reflecting in the glass and you gasp turning around.

“Seven hells!” you curse as Aemond walks into the kitchen, “You scared me.”

He doesn’t say anything, he just watches you for a moment, chest rising and falling with his breath. He must have also been asleep when Helaena’s terrors began as he’s clad in a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants, silver hair loosely braided down his back.

Ruby-red beads of blood blossom from the crescent-shaped marks on Aemond’s left forearm. You watch them swell into ruby marbles against his porcelain flesh before he grabs a rag on the counter, covering them.

“Are you alright?” you ask, as Aemond sits in a chair.

It’s almost like he doesn’t realize you’re talking to him; he takes a moment to process before he nods. You watch him as he stares at the table, tension rolling off his shoulders. The kettle begins to whistle and you quickly remove it from the stovetop, turning off the flames.

You pour your own mug before moving to the cabinet where you’d found it, retrieving a second. This one is green with gray streaks. Another handmade treasure, you’re sure.

You make Aemond a cup of tea, placing it in front of him before taking the seat next to him. His eye flickers toward the steaming cup. Though he hesitates for a moment, he wraps his long fingers against it, pulling it closer.

“It’s hot,” you tell him, as he lifts it to his lips.

“I don’t mind,” he murmurs. You’d likely burn your lip if you didn’t wait a few minutes. Aemond sighs contentedly, violet eye meeting yours.

“Thank you,” he says softly, “I should have told you…”

“It’s alright,” you assure him, “I figured she was grieving. You’d mentioned she’d been unwell.”

“The doctors say it's night terrors,” Aemond comments, taking another sip, “Due to the trauma she’s experienced.”

“That makes sense.”

“I’m meant to speak with her psychiatrist later this week,” he says, “She’s begun a new medication to help her sleep. I don’t think it’s been doing her any good.”

“Sometimes those things take time,” you tell him, trying to ease some of his distress. He merely hums in response, as though he’s heard it all before. You glance at the rag on his forearm, biting on your lower lip before deciding to speak again. “Do you have a first aid kit?”

Aemond nods, bringing a hand to his face, rubbing the bridge of his nose, and squeezing his eyes shut.

“Above the fridge,” he murmurs, not looking up.

Rising from your seat, you retrieve the small kit, and place it on the table in front of you. You reach out toward him, tentatively moving the rag from his forearm, revealing the crescent-shaped marks. They’ve begun to clot, and you fold the rag into a small square, placing it on the table beside you. You dig for a few bandaids settling for the smallest ones.

“She had nowhere else to go,” Aemond says, more to himself than to you as you place the bandages on his arm, “Jaerhara, and Maelor they need to be with family. There’s no one else. Nowhere else.”

“They’re lucky to have you,” you tell him, pulling your hands away. You reach for your mug, placing your hands around it and letting the warmth seep into you.

Aemond hums, not answering, though he seems unconvinced by your statement.

“I mean it,” you tell him, “I can see how much you care about them. And your sister.”

Aemond meets your eye once more, his gaze softening.

“She is the best person,” he tells you, his voice even and calm, “The best mother….the best sister.”

There’s pain hidden behind the words that he speaks; you can hear it coating his voice.

“She’s just in one of her hard times,” he assures you, “She goes through phases. Not..not wanting to see Maelor…it comes and goes.”

You reach for his hand. In the heat of the moment, you’re not sure what else to do. There are no more words of comfort to offer him. Your hand fits in his perfectly, resting on top of the table. His palm is warm, the skin surprisingly calloused. Your lips part, a soft gasp slipping free at the feeling of his hand in yours.

Eyes wide, you smile softly at him before squeezing comfort into his hand. Aemond doesn’t squeeze back, but he doesn’t pull his hand away either. You sit like that for several minutes, neither of you moving.

“Your tea will get cold,” Aemond eventually murmurs, breaking the silence.

Your hand slips out of his grasp, the sudden emptiness making you shiver. Clutching the mug, you bring it to your lips, sipping carefully.

It’s already cold.

How long have you been sitting here?

Aemond is watching you still, as you lower the mug. He stands then, taking both mugs to the sink.

“It’s late,” he comments, “We should get some sleep.”

You nod, standing. Aemond pushes into your chair, walking beside you back upstairs. He turns toward the western wing.

“You’re not going to sleep?” you ask, unable to help yourself.

“I am,” Aemond says, turning slightly, “I prefer to stay in my study.”

“Oh,” you comment, “Well ... .goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Y/N,” he says before disappearing down the hallway.

You return to your room, lying underneath the covers trying to get warm when you come to a realization.

That was the first time Aemond had called you by your name.

note: let me know what you think! as always, comments, likes, and reblogs are appreciated but never expected (though you will receive a forehead kiss from me if you do any of them)

if you would like to be tagged in this series, please let me know!

ACP taglist: @aebi12 | @lokiofasgard12 | @darkenchantress

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#aemond x reader

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crimsonandcloverwrites · 4 years ago

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I think like in terms of time spent together, while I'll always wish they got more at the other end, at least we did not have to sit through v drawn out pining between Dani and Jamie. they interacted abt 3 times and that was that. married

#i count my blessings that way i guess #if anyone knows how many days it actually was from when they first met #to making out in the glass house #but then jamies moonflower speech which basically began their forever #let me know in the comments below #i mean I'll probably do a rewatch soon n map it out #but if anyone already knows #the haunting of bly manor #damie #dani clayton #jamie #they subverted the useless/oblivious lesbian trope so hard #and in the 80s no less!!!#I'm so proud #tho i mean they did uhaul p hard. but I'm not mad abt it #gotta fit some stereotypes. some are cute #mine

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gaybarbiegirl · 3 years ago

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top 5 ships of all times? and if you don't want to answer that because sometimes it's hard when it's not a specific fandom, top 5 violetta boys please!!

I'm gonna answer to both because I have nothing but time here 😅

Top 5 ships of all times

This one is a little though - not because I can't think of any, but because it's hard for me to choose between them and put them in order - so I'm just gonna go with what I'm feeling right now, but keep in mind that if I had to write this again tomorrow the order would probably be different

5 - Catradora

She-ra mention on main, I know, I know. But yeah, even if I'm not as into this show and this ship as I was back when it was still airing, these two still hold a very special place in my heart. They're funny, they're sweet, they're complex, they're angsty, and they just have pretty much every dynamic I like in a ship. Also, I'll never forget the feeling of watching She-ra for the first time and thinking "this looks kinda gay" and then it actually was gay and canon and they kissed and-

Maybe that's just because most of the shows I watch don't have a lot of representation, but still, it was very nice to see. These two were the epic sapphic romance I was craving at the time and I'll always cherish them.

4 - Ludmi/Naty/Cami

My favorite chaotic girlfriends ❤

Finding this ship was for sure the best part of my Violetta rewatch last year, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that they are a big part of why I love this show as much as I do today. I've already made quite a few posts listing off things that I love about them, so I'll just keep this short and say that they own my heart. They're three top notch ship dynamics condensed into one and the result is something even better. Not something you see every day.

3 - Simbar

A straight ship? In my top 5? It's more likely than you think.

But in all seriousness, I am in love with these two. Their bond is absolutely beautiful and it's all so natural and well developed and just so amazing to watch. I love the way they complement each other and how both of them brought the other one exactly what they needed in their life. To me, this ship is pretty much the embodiment of people being loved in the exact way that they need to be loved and becoming the best versions of themselves for it, and it's the type of thing that gets me craving love too, which is so rare that I don't even know how they did it (a theme for these top 3, really). They mean everything to me ❤

2 - Damie

Something that you might not have noticed from my blog is that I'm a huge sucker for good horrors and thrillers. This is more of a children's media oriented blog so that's why, but when it comes to adult media, these are really my favorites. So you can imagine how amazing it was for me to go watch Bly Manor after the absolute banger that was Hill House, and end up finding not only an even better banger, but one that has one of the sweetest most beautiful ships I've ever seen in my life. These two are everything, and no joke they got me believing in love again. Plus, they also get me actually craving emotional intimacy, which like I said before is rare as hell. And the lack of a happy ending, tied with message that "even if it ends painfully, love is still worth it" resonated so much with me, and it made this ship even more meaningful in my eyes. Now I'm already regretting not placing them first on this list, but oh well, I told you I'd have a hard time ranking these.

1 - Liana/Alexa

Now here's a ship that I have history with. It was not only my first ever sapphic ship (and the ship in this list that's been in my life the longest), but also one of the pieces that made me realise that I'm sapphic myself. I've had so many feelings about them since I was a kid, and they're the type of ship that only gets better the more you think about it - like, I'm always realising new things about their relationship that make me love them more. But to me the core of what makes them so great is just how devoted they are to each other, how both of them know and admit with no fear that they're the best parts of each other's lives. They're perfect, really, and I have so many analysis posts about their relationship just sitting inside my brain waiting to be written. And I will say that this is the only ship in this list that gets me craving proper romance. Like, the last two get me craving love, sure, but it doesn't necessarily have to be romantic love (though I wouldn't be complaining if I got that). But every time I watch this movie, I spend the whole time thinking "where is my girlfriend and our demon dogs and our cottage in a flower field 🥺?"

These two really own me and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Top 5 Violetta boys

Just a note, since you asked for boys I'm only counting the teenage characters, but if you had asked for just men in general Gregorio and Beto would for sure be here.

5 - Marco

He's just a very sweet boy, ok? He's caring and wholesome and only ever tries to do the right thing. He did lose some points with me with how he behaved in late s2 - overwhelming Fran with flowers was crossing some boundaries, I think - but it's the type of well meaning mistake that I can forgive pretty easily. Just yeah, very good boy, deserved better, should have been a proper part of s3.

4 - Diego

Moving on to Marco's boyfriend, Diego. I think most of the fandom agrees that he's like, an universal guilty pleasure character. Objectively he's a feral racoon of a man roaming through the garbage bin outside, but he's charismatic and funny and interesting, so we all decided to bring him inside and adopt him, and I'm glad we did. He made the show a lot better and I really enjoy most of his plotlines.

3 - León

And now we've reached Diego's boyfriend, León. Honestly, I didn't care that much about him when I first watched the show (which probably had something to do with the army of sixth graders demanding that I had a crush on either him or Tomás), but on my rewatch, he really won me over. He's very chaotic and fun, but also surprisingly mature in a way that always impresses me. He hits a nice balance between wild and down to earth, and I overall really like him as a character.

2 - Maxi

Very good very nice boy. He's just a very wholesome and chill guy, and I like how he's pretty much friends with everyone because of how open and kind he is. I wish he got developed more, but overall he's a joy to have onscreen. He's the voice of reason of the group, he's friendly and playful, and yeah, just a very nice endearing guy. Deserves the best.

1 - Federico

He's a chaotic diva man and also funny as hell, so what else could I ask for? Also, I really love the impact that he has on the show whenever he shows up. Like, for some reason, every season only feels like it's reaching its full potential once he gets there. He adds such a breath of fresh air to the group and really improves every dynamic that he's a part of - the studio kids, the boyband, Violetta's family, etc. He's just so fun that it's contagious, you know? Whenever he arrives, everyone around him gets more fun too, and I love him for it.

Thank you so much for your asks! I had a really good time answering these 😁

#asks #violetta #soy luna #barbie #she-ra apparently #and the haunting of bly manor even more surprisingly #never thought these shows would be popping up on this blog lol #though don't get me wrong i do love them

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brittie-frog · 4 years ago

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Haunting of Bly Manor

Right.

I love horror and after spending sometimes days watching video essays on gay history, specifically in (horror) movies and film, I now kinda understand why so with the Haunting series and its gay rep and them not being the villain of the story, I loved it.

(Quick note I have only rewatched the show twice and can only take from my own experience of media)

My phone also knows me so will suggest news stories on things I've recently watched or current murder cases. So it suggested me this story today:

I went in open minded knowing that some people were angry about the ending falling into the 'kill the gays' trope (which I will come back to).

At first it was fine, talking about the ghost story/love story comment and how it relates to the show and has good analysis that I agree with. Then it goes on to basically summarise the show.

It keeps mentioning that all the gay subtext is implied:

why Dani broke up with her fiance

why Jaimie is reluctant to be vulnerable with Dani (before the monologue)

And that there needs to be a “lot of filling in between the lines” to understand their romance despite their practically constant flirting (Jaimie's 'Poppins' for Dani is the cutest nickname) and multiple kissing scenes. However, I digress, it can be sometimes hard to understand certain attitudes to each other at the beginning.

It also states that its like they want on the pat on the back for "making them queer, without making anything about them very queer". I don't know what this means, but I took two interpretations:

That not all queer people need to stereotypically look queer to be and that is a step forward for gay rep (I prefer)

That the creator wants to be celebrated for making gay rep without truely showing their queerness (which I think is pretty false)

Then it talks about the fireside chat and Jaimie's backstory, describing the monologue as "shoehorned" into the scene and "devoid of any mention of her sexuality". This is where the first part of my 10 minute research for context comes in. This is set in 1987 in a small town in England with an American. In charge of England at the time was the famously homophobic Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that implemented Clause 28. No one in this setting and right mind - especially after being ridiculed for most of her life - would come out to any one, flirting or not, that they have known for at most a month or two. Also, this entire scene resolves around Jaimie's attitudes towards people, and why she's reluctant to get close to people, favouring taking care of her flowers over interacting with others.

Then it talks about Owen and Mrs. Grose having "more meaningful screen time and backstories that continue throughout multiple episodes".

First Hannah. We basically get Hannah's entire backstory in episode 5: how she met Owen, scenes of her working at the Manor (in non-chronological order) and how she died in the first episode. Then that continued into the final episode when she finally comes to terms with her death and her love for Owen to save everyone. We don't actually get much backstory in the way of her childhood or even how she met the family (from what I remember, correct me if I'm wrong).

Now Owen. His backstory is that he grew up in Bly, left to go to France and became a Sous Chef, only coming back because his mum got diagnosed with dementia and he needed to take care of her despite her constantly mistaking him for other people. That is also only explored through Hannah's memories of the interview and the bonfire-side chat.

Those are both sad backstories but you can't call them any more or less meaningful than Jaimie's of in depth about how her and her family were ridiculed and bullied throughout her life and even spent time in juvie. They all have points mentioned in their stories that I would love more indepth on: how Hannah met the family/met Sam, either Owen's childhood in Bly or his time in France and why Jaimie spent time in juvie. But I also realise this is a short series that has to make fleshed out characters and tell an entire story in 8 episodes.

The article then talks about how even the ghosts got an entire episode to themselves when they barely show up. If you look in the background of the majority of scenes you'll see them and personally I really enjoy getting their stories of how they died. However, that episode is about more than just finding out about the ghosts and Viola's life, it’s mainly about what led to her being the first ghost and causing other dead people to stay as ghosts and the origin of those specific words that give a ghost access to an alive person’s body, to help explain the majority of the show. If I showed my friend this show and removed that episode I would have more questions asked than when my mum finished it.

Now I don’t know what to say. I agree there is no law on art so it can be anything and I usually think that the haunting series are in a slightly different universe (it’s how sleep at night knowing that someone can’t be so stubborn they become a murdering ghost) but also yes, trans-roles should be given to trans people more often. However they are actors and their job is to play some they aren’t for entertainment so for the most part I agree with Scarlett about being able to play anything. Also yes the self-congratulatory approach after playing an LGBT+ character when you’re cishet is kinda bad unless you have the full support of the community telling you it was a good portrayal and accurate representation. It won’t be enough for minorities if our representation, that people outside the communities are calling great, are just surface level characters that are just there for tokenism but you can’t compare Bly Manor characters to those types of characters. All of them have so much development and are well done that the majority of the community that has watched the show have no problem with and love their representation.

Personally I love both Theo Crain and Jaimie and Dani because they represent different things. Theo Crain is on a basic level. as a lothario, a stereotypical butch lesbian, constantly hooking up and struggles to actually open up and love people. Dani and Jaimie are soft, domestic cottage core lesbians in a flower shop AU. This is not a bad thing and just because they have a “tepid romance” doesn’t mean it’s a step back. Also more context time:

As said before Thatcher was in charge and heavily homophobic, creating laws to stop people from teaching children about homosexuality since gay sex had been decriminalised recently

It was the middle of the AIDs epidemic. Dani was coming from a country that was doing nothing about the deaths of thousands and going to a country where hysteria about AIDs was rampant but they were doing more, like the ‘AIDs: don’t die of ignorance’ information leaflet despite it not being as huge with 46 deaths by 1984. (That assumes that the AIDs epidemic happened in this universe)

Dani clearly had some form of internalized homophobia before even coming to England because she spent so long with her fiance hoping to feel the way she’s supposed to (I think the ghost of him is her guilt and internalized issues personified as it constantly appears when she’s trying to move forward.)

Also in the final episode it shows that is probably at least some homophobia in America as they kiss in the shop then look outside and go to the back so no one can see. (This could be interpreted as seeing if anyone is planning on coming in so they can escape without having to stop early for customers but Jaimie had already changed the sign to closed.)

Now onto the ‘kill the gays’ trope. Yes this is a huge trope that is so damaging to the community that we’re constantly the ones killed off for views or when their tokenism is no longer important, that is fucked up! However this doesn’t mean that we should give every gay character plot armour, cause that’s also unrealistic, just to please the select few that will call it out as a damaging trope. There is huge difference between say, The 100 killing Lexa and Bly Manor killing Dani as one has plot relevance and brings the story to a close while the other enraged an entire generation so much they started a brand new convention to celebrate queer relationships/characters in media. It’s also not like she was the only one to die, it’s horror after all, Hannah, Rebecca and Peter, the parents and all those ghosts died or were already dead.

Like many of the comments on the article - If all you got from this show was it falls into kill the gays, you have completely missed the entire point of the show.

#bly manor netflix #haunting of bly manor #dani and jamie #just my thoughts #ramblings #this is a product of my frustration

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