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musicforastylesrestaurant · 1 year ago

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Anything dadrry 🥺 I love your work!!!

I just imagine Harry having a child that is just so feral and adventurous 😂 that maybe she need the walking reins (if you know what i mean) when they go out on walks and on trips with people just looking on in adoration and she just wants to run everywhere and talk to people but Harry has to hold her back 😂

Styles On The Reins.

my masterlist || ask my anything <3

word count - 2k

my blurb masterlist!

in which, harry’s looking after his two year old son, parker whilst you go out with your aunt, so they decide to go on a walk around the small streets of italy where your currently residing, but that’s easier said then done when the little one is just as feral as his father.

authors note - i’m not really happy with this, but i hope you like it:)

Once upon a sunny day at their beautiful Italian villa, Harry Styles found himself in charge of his energetic two-year-old son, Parker, while you, his wife, and his sister Gemma went out for the day. The two of you were going to an art museum and Harry had decided to stay at home with his mini me.

He was happy to spend some quality father-son time together.

In the cosy kitchen, Harry poured some juice into Parker's sippy cup, humming a tune as he did so. He screwed the lid onto the blue cup.

"Alright, little man, juice is ready," he called out, carrying the sippy cup into the living room where Parker was playing with his toys.

To his surprise, Parker had left his toys and was standing by the front door, pointing towards it.

"Hey there, buddy, what are y’doing by the door?" He asked with a smile, placing the sippy cup on a nearby table.

The two year old beamed up at his dad and replied with enthusiasm, "Walk!"

Harry chuckled, delighted by his son's eagerness.

"Y’want t’go on a walk? That sounds like a great idea!" he said, playing along.

As soon as Parker heard Harry say they could go on a walk, his eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly darted over to the shoe rack, his tiny feet padding across the floor, and grabbed his favourite blue crocs.

“Walk, walk!" he exclaimed, waving the shoes in the air as if to remind Harry of their adventure.

Harry grinned at his son's enthusiasm and crouched down to help him put on the crocs.

"That's right, little explorer, we're going on a walk!" he said, guiding Parker's feet into the shoes with gentle precision.

Once the shoes were on, Parker proudly wobbled around, testing them out and making sure they fit perfectly.

"Big boy shoes!" he declared, his eyes shining with pride.

Harry chuckled, ruffling Parker's hair affectionately. "You're absolutely right, buddy! Now, let's get ready."

As Parker excitedly explored the room, Harry slipped on his trusty Vans, knowing they would keep him comfortable during their walk. He then grabbed a small rucksack filled with all the toddler essentials they might need - a water bottle, some snacks, a favourite toy, and a small blanket.

"Are you all set, Parks?" Harry asked, holding out the rucksack for his son to inspect.

Parker nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"Ready!" he exclaimed, reaching out for the rucksack and holding it with both hands, trying to imitate his dad.

"Great job!" Harry praised, giving his son a thumbs up. "You're going t’be a fantastic little explorer. Now, shall we head out and see what adventures await us?"

Parker squealed with delight and nodded vigorously, his excitement palpable.

"Yay! Walk with Daddy!" he said, taking hold of Harry's hand with a firm grip.

As they approached the front door, Harry bent down to pick up his son, as he usually did when they went for walks. However, to his surprise, Parker pushed his hands away gently and shook his head.

"No, no, Daddy," Parker babbled in his adorable baby talk, a determined look in his eyes. "Big boy!"

Harry chuckled, amazed by Parker's newfound independence.

"You're right, buddy. Y’are a big boy!" he praised, trying to hide his slight disappointment at not being able to hold his son.

"But, big boys still need t’be safe," Harry continued, his voice gentle but firm. "We have t’hold hands when we go f’walks, so y’don't wander off t’far, okay?"

Parker seemed to consider Harry's words, and then he reached out his small hand towards his dad.

"Hold hand, Daddy," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"That's m’parks," Harry spoke, beaming with pride as he took Parker's tiny hand in his own. It was a heartwarming moment for Harry, realising that his son was growing up and embracing his independence.

But bittersweet at the same time, it felt like yesterday that he held him in his arms for the first time.

Hand in hand, they walked out of the villa, and Harry couldn't help but marvel at the sight of his little one walking beside him with such determination and excitement. Parker's steps might have been small, but his spirit was as big as ever.

As they strolled along the familiar paths, Harry was amazed at how eager Parker was to explore the world around him. He pointed out butterflies, curious stones, and even tried to mimic the chirping of the birds they encountered.

Half an hour into their walk, the Italian sun had grown stronger, and Harry could feel its warmth against his skin. As they walked past the beach, Harry noticed how the waves shimmered and the sand glistened in the sunlight. He turned to Parker and asked,

"Hey buddy, do y’want some water? It's getting pretty hot out here."

Parker nodded enthusiastically, his face flushed from the heat.

"Yeah!" he said in his adorable toddler language, reaching out his hands eagerly.

Harry smiled and quickly pulled the rucksack off his back. He crouched down to retrieve the water bottle, intending to quench his son's thirst. However, as he looked up to offer the water, his eyes widened in surprise and concern.

Parker was no longer standing beside him. Instead, he had run off a few feet away and was gently stroking a random person's dog that they had encountered on their path. The dog seemed friendly, and it wagged its tail happily at Parker's touch, but Harry couldn't help feeling worried.

"Hey, Parks! Wait up!" Harry called out, hastily putting the rucksack back on his back before jogging up to his curious son.

As he reached Parker, Harry gently touched his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hey there, buddy," he said, trying to keep his tone calm. "Y’can't run off like that, okay? Y’need to stay close t’daddy so I can keep y’safe."

Parker looked up at his father, his face showing a mix of innocence and curiosity.

"Doggy, Daddy!" he said, pointing to the furry friend he had made.

Harry smiled and nodded, acknowledging the dog.

"Yes, I see the doggy, and he's very cute," he said, giving the dog a friendly pat. "But next time, y’have t’let Daddy know if y’want to go see something or someone, okay?"

Parker seemed to understand, and he nodded, his eyes still fixated on the dog.

"Okay, Daddy," he replied, before finally letting go of the dog and returning to Harry's side.

Harry then turned to the old man who was with the dog and apologized, "Mi dispiace molto per questo. È solo un ragazzino curioso."

(I’m very sorry about that. He’s just a curious little guy.)

The man smiled kindly and waved off the apology.

"Nessun problema. È un tesoro, e il mio cane ama le attenzioni," he said, patting his furry companion.

(No problem at all. He's a sweetheart, and my dog loves the attention.)

"Grazie." Harry said gratefully, relieved that the man was understanding.

(Thank you.)

As they continued their walk, Harry remained vigilant, holding tightly onto Parker's hand to ensure he stayed close. However, as they neared a main road, Parker's curiosity got the better of him once again. He spotted something interesting on the other side and suddenly pulled his hand from Harry's grasp.

"Wait, Parker! Stop!" Harry called out desperately, but he was too slow to catch his son's hand in time. Panic surged through him as he saw Parker darting towards the road, oblivious to the dangers of the passing cars.

"Parker, get back! Stop!" Harry shouted, his heart racing with fear for his little boy's safety. He ran after Parker as fast as he could, praying that nothing would happen.

Just in the nick of time, Parker halted at the edge of the road, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked back at his dad, startled by the urgency in Harry's voice.

"Daddy!" he cried, his lower lip trembling.

Harry reached Parker, scooping him up in his arms and holding him tightly.

"Oh, Parker, y’scared me! Y’must never run into the road like that, it's very dangerous," he said, trying to control his own trembling voice.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Parker sobbed, feeling overwhelmed by the combination of his dad's shouting and the frightening experience.

"It's okay, buddy, I'm not mad, I'm just really worried about you," Harry said, his voice softening as he held Parker close. "I know y’want t’explore, but y’have t’listen t’daddy and stay close t’me when we're near busy roads. I need to keep y’safe."

Parker nodded, tears still streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," he repeated, feeling guilty for causing his dad distress.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Harry reassured, wiping away Parker's tears with gentle strokes. "I love y’so much, and I just want to keep y’safe. Let's sit down f’a’moment, catch our breath, and then we'll continue our walk, okay?"

Harry found a nearby bench and gently placed Parker on it. He sat down beside him, pulling him close and wrapping his arms protectively around his little boy.

"I love you too, Daddy," Parker whispered, sniffling as he leaned into Harry's comforting embrace.

Harry kissed the top of Parker's head, his own heart still racing from the close call. "I love you more than anything in the world, Parker. Y’mean everything to me, and I want to keep y’safe always."

Parker nodded, feeling reassured by his dad's words and warm embrace.

"I'll stay close to you, Daddy," he promised, understanding the importance of staying by his side in unfamiliar or dangerous situations.

"Parker, I know y’don't like the reins, but they're important to keep y’safe," Harry explained gently, trying to reassure his little boy.

Parker looked up at his dad, tears still glistening in his eyes.

"But I don't like them, Daddy. They're uncomfortable," he whimpered, shaking his head in protest.

"I understand, buddy, but sometimes we have t’do things we don't like t’stay safe," Harry said, his voice filled with love and concern. "The reins will help me hold y’hand and keep y’close, so y’can still walk, but I can make sure you don't run off near the roads."

Parker sniffled and wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.

"But I want to walk without them," he said, his little voice filled with frustration.

Harry sighed softly, understanding his son's desire for independence.

"I know, sweetheart, and when we're in safer places, y’can walk without them," he said, trying to find a compromise.

Parker looked uncertain, still not entirely convinced.

"Promise?" he asked, his eyes searching Harry's face for reassurance.

"I promise," Harry said, nodding sincerely. "But right now, we need to use the reins for y’safety.”

With a deep breath, Harry took out the reins from the rucksack and showed them to Parker.

"See, they're like special straps that go on y’shoulders and connect t’m’hand. That way, y’can walk, but I can still keep y’close," he explained gently.

Parker studied the reins for a moment, his little brows furrowed in thought.

"Okay, Daddy," he finally said, albeit with a hint of reluctance.

Harry smiled, relieved that Parker seemed to understand the importance of the reins.

"Good boy," he praised, gently putting the reins on his son's shoulders and securing them in place.

As they continued their walk, Parker walked alongside Harry, holding onto his dad's hand as the reins kept him securely close. At first, Parker still wasn't entirely comfortable with the reins, but Harry was patient and understanding, explaining that they were for his safety and that they would take them off once they were in a safer area.

Gradually, Parker's initial resistance faded, and he grew more at ease with the reins. He realised that even with them on, he could still explore and enjoy their walk together. Harry made sure to praise and encourage him every step of the way, making the experience as positive as possible.

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sugar-sweet-tea · 3 months ago

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tiny gwen hcs maybe?

Gwen headcannons

Personally one of the best characters, not my favourite but a character I really enjoy. And I would be lying to myself if I said I never imagined her little.

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

She would probably regress around 4-7 years old. Independent somewhat but still like having someone there incase she needs help.

She regresses from her time on the show and from some events that happened in her childhood, but it’s mainly just for whatever stress she’s under.

It’s always been voluntary. So far. And she’s been able to keep it that way for a while.

Her main caregivers would be Duncan and Courtney. Bridgette and Leshawna babysit her sometimes when her caregivers aren’t available.

Courtney absolutely 100% makes sure Gwen gets a chance to regress at least once a week no matter what. It’s very important for her to have a schedule so Gwen is able to consistently regress. That’s probably why she hasn’t involuntarily regressed yet.

She’s definitely more of a daddy’s girl. She affectionately calls Duncan, daddy, which always makes his heart melt. She’s closer with Duncan but still pretty close with Courtney, calling her Coco. (You can pry that headcannon out of my cold dead hands lol).

I don’t really feel like she’d be comfortable calling Courtney (or anyone else for that matter) mommy or mama or any other variation of it.

But honestly Courtney loves being called Coco so she’s not complaining. It’s her special nickname 💙

Speaking of nicknames- Duncan often calls her baby bat, munchkin, squirt and kiddo. Whereas Courtney calls her lovely, baby, and honey. They both however, mainly use the nickname Gweny.

Her favourite show to watch is Ruby Gloom and her favourite movie is Coraline. Despite Courtney being worried that the movie is too scary for her, they always end up watching it in the end. Gwen and Duncan love the movie but no matter how many times she watches it, it still manages to freak Courtney out.

She has a black bat plush who’s her comfort item. His name is Echo. Duncan got it for her the first time she felt comfortable to regress around him.

Some of her favourite activities are colouring, painting, any type of arts and crafts. She’s an artsy child.

Duncan keeps all the art she makes for him. No matter how small.

*Little Gwen handing Duncan a random piece of paper with a ton of scribbles on it.*

Duncan : This is the best drawing ever omg you’re my little artist and you did so good it’s so beautiful wow you’re so talented kiddo. *tears up*

*Gwens nods before walking away.* she didn’t care much about the drawing but just wanted to give it away.

He will cherish anything and everything that child gives him.

Still a goth when small. But much more child appropriate cloths and a bit more pastel colours.

She is fairly well-behaved since she thinks it’s too much effort to be naughty and she doesn’t get anything good out of it.

Duncan 100% let’s Courtney do the serious stuff most of the time. She always has to be the one to discipline while Duncan is the fun dad.

I think that’s all I can think of at the moment.. but I hope you guys enjoyed anyways! Let me know if there’s any else or any more I should do. And yes my inbox is open, I’m just slow lol. And yes I absolutely wrote this at 2:30am because when motivation hits you gotta take advantage.

#anon ask #sfw regression #age regression #safe agere #agere #total drama #total drama gwen #total drama agere #total drama duncan #total drama courtney #total drama bridgette #total drama leshawna

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thehallstara · 1 year ago

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hi hello it's both itch creator day AND my birthday so this is a perfect excuse for me to do a master post of my games and zines!!!

Collabs:

Agami Village: Created with Weiwei Xu as part of last year's HES SUPERFestival, supported by Hand Eye Society and Canadian Council for the Arts. It's a short visual novel about fishing and time loops!

ghost story: A short prototype of a first person murder mystery where you're a ghost trying to solve your own murder. Done as a final project for Code Coven's Intro to Game Making course back in the winter.

(neither of these are purchasable but if you try them and like them you can always send a kofi!!)

Bitsy:

on nights we dream of stars: a semi-autobiographical story about stars. mostly just me figuring out how bitsy works.

on the nature of ghosts: small vignette about ghosts made for the february 2022 bitsy jam.

the end is near: a soliloquy about the end of the world, done for both the july 2022 bitsy jam and crabjam 2022. inspired by s24 for of blaseball but wholly independent to it.

lungs to burn: a short poem game about wildfires, grief, and queer connection done for the may 2023 bitsy jam. featured in indiepocalypse #43

no postage required: a somewhat-sequel to the end is near; or a letter to a lost love. done for the 2023 trans game dev server jam.

Twines:

cards fall where they may: anthology of interactive blaseball stories told through a tarot reading. some of the most impressive css i've done to this day, and i honestly think it's worth checking out just for that.

ablaze with the people you've been: another interactive story, this one a story about edric tosser told in four acts. still worth checking out even if you know jack shit about blaseball imo and still one of my favourite things i've ever made.

run from me or rip me open: the thing that started it all, the first game i ever made. yet another blaseball story; it's a little rough around the edges but it's got heart.

Zines:

Kriah: A personal zine about my experiences with antisemitism over the years. a heavy read but one i would implore gentiles to take a look at regardless.

square roots: made with @tigerquoii for the 2022 blaseball zine jam. a series of conversations.

and that's it!!! all of them (besides the collabs) are pay what you can, forever and always. if you've ever enjoyed something i've made, consider supporting me and my projects! and if you can't, rating and comments are always equally appreciated mwah

#s.txt #stara makes stuff #indie games #indiedev #gamedev #zines #zine #jumblr #interactive fiction #long post #sorry this thing is massive but hey!! that just means i've done a bunch of stuff

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kyouka-supremacy · 8 months ago

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ooh how about Yosano for the ask game?

Yay Yosano!!! I love her so much <33

Favorite thing about them: Her backstory,,, It's just a masterpiece, for me it's really the peak of bsd's writing. “We don't want your skill. We want that kindness of yours” and “You don't need a skill at all. There's real value in your sadness.” ueueueueueueue. In two chapters it made of a relatively flat character a complex and human one, and we love to see that.

Least favorite thing about them: Nothing, she's great??? I can't think of anything.

Favorite line: There's no line that hits me in particular I can think of, but I really like the emotion / delivery of some of them. This one I like tons:

brOTP: Aaaaahhh I love her I want to see her interact with everyone. Older-sister kind of characters are ALWAYS my favourite. I love her dynamics with Ranpo and I like to think they have this sort of sibling complicity of two people who have known each other for a very long time and love each other deeply. I like her relationship with Fukuzawa, I like how explicitly protective he is of her, I'm glad she has someone she can trust who looks after her and makes her feel loved. (Actually, the Yosano / Fukuzawa relationship makes me emotional. Because Yosano was so deeply traumatized and broken and basically dead when he took her under his wing, and she looks so healthy and confident and serene in the canon timeline, it's basically a miracle; and the only way this could have happened is by having someone who deeply loved and cared for her, someone who kindly guided her through every step of rehabilitation. It moves me a little). I really enjoyed her interactions with Atsushi!! And I like to think Yosano and Kyouka would hang out, I feel like Yosano would be happy to sort of return the favour and help back a little girl who was able to slip out of the darkness just in time; I can see them have this kind of inter generational relationship where they go shopping together and chat about girl things.

OTP: I really like kousano!!! I feel like Yosano deserves her spicy pm love affair too ahah. I think it's got lots of potential for both fluff and angst, and I believe it's a cool relationship to explore for both characters!! I wish they'd meet in canon. When I first watched the anime I was low-key into ranposano, and though I don't feel very strongly about them anymore, I think it's a nice ship nonetheless!

nOTP: Nothing. Really I don't dislike ships pffttt.

Random headcanon: Something I don't think I ever brought up but that I firmly believe in is that whereas all the other ada members live at the ada dorms, Yosano, Ranpo and Fukuzawa have their own house where they live together. Fukuzawa took Ranpo to his home when he adopted him, and then Yosano joined them when they took her in because I mean, there was no way that they could leave her alone, right? So they've always lived together, and they are happy together, they never felt the need to change that. That's the real ada found family for me if there ever was one. Really like deconstructing the idea of nuclear family or of the fact that children can't live with their parents as adults while still being independent. Also it just makes sense? And it's heartwarming to think that Fukuzawa, the lone wolf with no friends of relations, now lives in a happy and lively household.

Unpopular opinion: Yosano existing isn't enough to beat the bsd being sexist allegations, I'm so sorry everyone I wish that was the case.

Song i associate with them: Kilmer by Niru Kajitsu, I just wish I didn't (个_个) There's even a beautiful fanart of Yosano in the style of the Kilmer pv here. Also Fräulein=Biblioteca by nyanyannya, just based on vibes alone (the purple butterflies!!), to mention something a little less depressing lol.

Favorite picture of them:

Favourite panel from the manga:

(Took me like. One hour to pick just one. She's always stunning in Harukawa's art style.)

Favourite illustration:

Favourite illustration in the anime art style:

Favourite Mayoi card:

Send me a character?

#Thank you for the ask I love her!!!! <333 #akiko yosano #bsd #mine #people asks me stuff

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thebumblecee · 7 months ago

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NICE ASS(K) WEEK IS UPON US!!! 🎉

Cee, my love!! I 💛 you, you’re always so sweet. I have a very important ASS(K) for you!

Tarlos has decided to go to Edinburgh for their honeymoon. What must they do? Where must they go? What’s it gonna be like?? Any places they have to see?

Oooh Lemon my dear I LOVE this Ass(k) because it allows me to think of my favourite things (Tarlos & my home).

Okay, so they’ve gone a bit crazy and decided to give up the Texas heat for the cold of bonnie Scotland and once they get over how COLD it actually is they settle in nicely. (After buying new shoes because you can’t really drive here and it’s on 7 (yes 7) hills)

Firstly they decide to take a nice stroll along Princes Street Gardens. The spring blossom is in the air and they’re clearing the jet lag.

Now, city is great if you like history and well, walking so they can take a stroll around the old town and soak up the atmosphere

If inner city living isn’t for them then they can check one of the many many villages that actually makes up Edinburgh (it’s a series of smaller villages merged together) its peaceful and Carlos (almost) doesn’t feel too homesick in the quiet.

A day of culture and eating ahead of them with hundreds of bookstores, bakeries, pubs, restaurants and shops. A lot of which are independent! TK has to buy a new hold-all for all the stuff he picks up.

If they decide to take a boat ride out then, they’re right on the sea for miles and they can say hey to some local friends (no TK can’t keep one)

If they’re unsure about their sea legs (I can’t see Carlos on a boat) then there’s lots of hikes in the city to take too

Ending the day by locking down their love by the sea

And they take a late night walk through one of the parks that offer night time light shows

And once they’ve had their fill of fresh air it’s to one of the many (many) nightclubs and bars that are here. Most of which are underground! Which makes both of them grimace at the potential fire risks but they relax into it.

—-

There concludes their day(?) tour and they obviously have booked to go up the highlands and they’ve gone ALL the museums and art galleries here (which are all free) and TK spent most of it face buried in a highland cow.

It rained - a lot and because if the cold Carlos went full mother hen on TK (not reliving that!)

I reckon they spend a whole day just in bed though …. To recover from all the walking ofc 😉

#thanks for the ask!#cee speaks #911 lonestar #tarlos #carlos reyes #tk strand #i am sorry for the quality of the photos. you’re only allowed 10 so I had to play tricks #however all photos except the first one were taken by me #so if you want to see a non blurry version hmu #I had so much more but I really need to do work #but thank you so so much #i had a great time

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cannibalisticdespair · 4 months ago

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Hey, how's it going? If you don't mind answering, how's the system constructed? Who's in there? If you do mind answering, what's your favourite colour?

It’s myself (Krys, she/her), Junko (Junko fictive, she/her), Zaedel (my twin since we formed at the same time for bad prolonged trauma reasons, he/him), Cherry (he/she and don’t consistently use one, bigender little who takes after the original host in some ways but is a more idealized version, mentally 8-10), and Val (she/her, oldest one here, grew up with the original host but Zaedel and I only became aware of her much later on because historically she existed for “we need to be a vicious feral beast to match the energy of the family screaming matches and whatnot” reasons, but has been rehabilitating you could say).

Headspace-wise, I just look how I look with maximum effort. Zaedel meanwhile has our dad’s olive skin tone (lifelong outdoor loving and working Sicilian man), stubble to a short beard, long black hair, and black molting angel wings. And usually a leather jacket. Junko’s mostly canon, just the clothing tends to be more early 2010s emo girl. Fishnet tops and a bra or shirt where the sleeves and neck are cut out and the back is sliced up, ripped skinny jeans, docs or converse, a black/red/danganronpa blood pink color scheme.

Cherry is an androgynous, pale, heavily freckled boygirl with long brown hair and brown eyes, usually a black tanktop, shorts, and flip flops. And Val looks like a cross between the HL2 rotting corpse with the real corpse face and Samara from The Ring if she was actually depicted as a waterlogged corpse that’s been sitting there for a week or two (we had unrestricted internet access starting in the 2000s, we have quite the frame of reference).

Zaedel and I formed in tandem with the death of the original host. Originally, he held all the trauma memories from before we formed and I had near-total amnesia. He also spent a few years trying to get me to kill ourselves because he couldn’t take control of the body over it. LSD changed us and our dynamic, and also caused a slowly rising amount of access to the memories for me.

Val we didn’t really realize was a headmate until more recently because of her purely utilitarian fronting and lack of communication, but once we started talking it became clear she was the first one to form. The original host was extremely timid and shy and nervous, which didn’t really work for the environment we grew up in. So Val was the fighter.

Cherry and Junko both broke off of me. Cherry started out as my littlespace, but more and more life stress and stuff eventually snapped him off entirely and made her his own thing.

Junko meanwhile is a mix of causal factors. One, writing hundreds of thousands of words of fic in the 2010s with my method. Which is “I just place these semi-independent thoughtforms of characters in a situation with a little bit of scripting and prose-journal what happens”. Two, strengthening that with constant listening to a playlist build around her for years. Three, more LSD, which led to our first direct conversation enabled by a poster of her (the Egirl Junko art by JunkoEXE). Four, yet more psychological trauma. What finally led to her permanently emerging was me accidentally getting triggered and restoring my earliest CSA trauma memories, which broke me pretty bad. Like… I thought it began way later than that. She took on pieces that broke off of me when that happened and it finished her.

Name-wise, I stole mine from an emo girl I knew in high school. Zaedel thought up his after a few years with a mix of ��it needs to have the right mouthfeel and also needs to end in -el”. Cherry got hers from a friend of ours. Junko is Junko, that’s just her name. And Val is short for Valerie and is a nerdy joke about her being our “evil side”. It’s a feminine name play on “Valeyard”.

And also, my favorite color is purple. Junko’s is anything in the red/magenta/pink spectrum. Zaedel is black. Cherry really likes green and blue. Val is the sorts of purples you get from bruising and discoloration on a corpse.

#despair.irl #ask #moots #plural system #system posting #system stuff #system discussion

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svetzzi · 2 years ago

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knightklok stuff Is it headcanons or an au? I don’t know, but either way I sure as hell wrote about it.

Timeline: 1450’s-1480’s

Main Location: Pre-Sherborne/Sherborne, Sherborne Abbey Cathedral

Content Warnings: Character death, Christendom, religious fundamentalism, mentions of torture, mentions of social and systemic racism, mention of alcoholism.

Note: I subscribe to the implication that Dethklok, or even so the other people foretold in the prophecy, have been subjected to reincarnation for eons. Whether or not reincarnation is a normal aspect for everyone’s life-death cycle in the Metalocalypse universe is unknown to me as of writing this, but here I am making it certain for the pawns of the prophecy. Personally I find that the prophecy cave art in season 4, the “ancient animal forms” from season 2 and onward, and the lyrics of Blazing Star are evidence for this notion. Every force included in the prophecy are doomed to their fates; despite being placed in deadly situations time and time again, they can make it out totally unscathed until their death. Said deaths may seem sudden or untimely on a surface level, but they are always decided by destiny or the universe (or perhaps The Devil if we lean more into the Satanic narrative). Here we see a version of Dethklok from their long line of reincarnations (that also happen to be ancestral to the present-day members), who had failed to fulfill the prophecy and thus had to die and start over.

If there are severe historical inaccuracies, then my apologies, I am not a buff and I made this for fun. If it helps to ease the pain at all, I am certain if this were to actually happen in the show, it would also be incredibly historically inaccurate.

I am also not Catholic, so some things may be wonky in that context as well.

Noah Eruption

Nationality: English / Roma

Weapon: Morningstar

The surname Eruption evolved to Explosion as the English language advanced.

His looks and demeanor forgave his non-chivalrous attitude, however being a man of few words made the public mistake him for chivalrous. Nonetheless his stature and steadfast fighting ability granted him both knighthood and the role of leader for the Sherborne Guard. Born in Canterbury, Noah traveled to Sherborne for personal independence and to no longer deal with those that knew of his mixed Romani bloodline. His morningstar was his closest companion.

Fled and retired to The Western Isles post-exile. In retirement he turned to cattle farming.

Death: Drowning (reason ruled unknown, speculated to be either suicide or accident)

Aengus “Picil (The Ruthless)” Barrel

Nationality: Irish

Weapon: Dual-Wielded Scottish Dirks

The surname Barrel derives from his English grandfather’s favourite pub.

Picil, freeloader son of a shepherd, lived at his village’s pub. Of course, this habit kind of ruined his life and reputation within his hometown, however he did get some decent knife-tossing skills out of it. The pub eventually changed ownership, and consequently he was banned for being a pest. In some spark of clarity, the young man decided to start off on a clean slate. He packed a bottle for the road and headed for England (I reiterate short-lived clarity was mentioned, not intelligence). As a stumbling Irishman his time living there was incredibly difficult, but upon meeting Noah and Bishop Offgyrdd seemingly by coincidence he was “taken in,” so to speak.

And yes, his classic dirks slightly resemble penises, like God intended.

Fled to Wales post-exile.

Death: Went into the wood at night in a typical drunken stupor and was never seen again.

William “The Barbarian” “The Royal Guard’s Boil” “Barnacle Meat” Murdgruff

Nationality: English-Italian/Ethiopian (see Medieval Ethiopian Discovery of Europe)

Weapon: Battle Axe

William Murdgruff fled from Italian slums as a young adult, in fear of further discrimination and possible death. He hid in a cart of hay bales and went wherever it took him. Sherborne did not treat him much better upon his arrival, even less so than expected, but the Bishop of the village saw his potential. Murdgruff then proved himself to be a merciless fighter, and with the strong persuasion of Bishop Offgyrdd, he was knighted by the Lord and assigned to the small guard sanctioned in that very town. An exchange was brought in return for his knighthood– that he would keep his appearance a secret from the public, as it would damage the church’s reputation. They even commissioned a custom helmet in order for him to fulfill such an order. He did as told, however that did not stop him from becoming the town’s punching bag due to how he held himself (and having the most non-chivalrous of attitudes, obviously).

Fled to Germany post-exile.

Death: Tortured and Executed via Wheel at the beginning of The Werewolf Trials after fleeing to Germany.

Sigfrøðr / Sighfridh Swkigelf

Nationality: Geat

Weapon: Knightly Sword, though prefers Falchion

Irregular for the time and place, Sighfridh was born to closeted Heathen parents. Their Geatland patriotism imprinted onto him, but he found himself drawn to the Christian environment surrounding his family. Sighfridh saw himself not only in Odin, but in both the Lutheran and Catholic depictions of the Lord. In interest of visiting an authentic Roman Catholic cathedral, he decided to journey west. His stay in England was supposed to be temporary, especially after Toki began to accompany him on his journey, but finding good work with the Sherborne Guard (along with acclaim from all the English ladies…) Sighfridh stayed until the group’s exile.

Before England, Sighfridh was an ice harvester.

Returned to Scania post-exile.

Death: Disease of Totally Unknown Origin (it was definitely not syphilis).

Toki Wartúþr

Nationality: Norwegian/Norse

Weapon: Knightly Sword

(To my knowledge the name Toki has existed since like ~7th Century AD, so I find it perfectly sensible that the name Toki would be present multiple times throughout his family tree.)

He was a Sami boy adopted by Christian parents as a babe. Blessed with the spirit of death, his parents eventually blamed him for the unorthodox deaths of crops and farm animals, even if he was not tending to or near the area at the time of death. Their negative superstition surrounding their son grew more, soon blaming him for the rot of their food and the harsher winters. Believing him to embody the antichrist, they intended to kill him, but Toki found this out and escaped before they could execute their plan. He was a homeless wanderer for years, getting by on stolen goods and river water. It was when he ran into the traveling Sighfridh that Toki finally found some sort of path in life. To Sighfridh’s dismay, Toki was enamored with him and his journey, and so tagged along.

Exiled.

Death: Murdered.

Bishop Offgyrdd

Nationality: English/Welsh

Weapon: Holy text, witchcraft, sabre

Under the guidance of his most trusted companion, Sherborne’s Archbishop, Offgyrdd was devoted to the underbelly of the church. He typically kept an eye out for any newcomers during the day, and was a transcriber at night. Before the mysterious and gruesome death of Canterbury’s Archbishop, Offgyrdd was– although emotionally distant– an average abbott. Even though transcribing was work for a lower monk, Offgyrdd happily took on the task for The Church of The Black Klok. The loose lips on the group of knights he brought together was ultimately his, their, downfall. From Sherborne Castle, the royal guard was demanded to put an end to this heresy, but they refused. Because they liked Offgyrdd. He was pretty nice to them after all, you know? Their Lord allowed for word— panic— to get out due to this. Reeves and the rest of the general public ended up taking matters into their own hands. The traitorous royal guard’s executions were debated. The enraged mob was still somehow infatuated with them, despite their association with witches. Out of fear of his own life, the Lord mercifully damned the knights to exile. After the beheading of the Archbishop, the last thing Offgyrdd saw was Noah watching his demise from among the crowd.

Thankfully, the actual Black Klok meeting grounds were never found by authorities.

Death: Executed; burned at stake.

#I’m kinda forcing myself to post this #feels justified with how much time I put into it #I understand things aren’t fully fleshed out either so take it as you will #metalocalypse #fan art #svetzstuff #hope y’all like the art at least <3 #also thanks so much if you read all that..

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lowpolynpixelated · 2 months ago

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The Great Divide

What is an Indie game? Is it the literal definition? A game developed and distributed by an independent developer and/or publisher. Is it a connotation of style? Pixel or simplistic graphics, cozy vibes, outlandish mechanics. Is it a representational title? Small development teams, smaller experiences, cheaper games. It is, in a way, all and none of these things. During what I would call the “true bloom” of the Video Game Landscape in the late 90s and early 2000s, such a term was seldom common nomenclature. No in those days it was “enthusiast titles” or “hobbyist” releases. Nothing like the Indie-Directs we see now. So what happened? And why does there seem to be such a clear divide in people’s minds between what’s Indie and what’s Triple A, and why can’t they explain it very well?

Part One: Where did it start?

To say that it started in the early 2000s would be incorrect. Ever since video games began being made people have taken it upon themselves to let their creativity flow through their digital catalyst of choice. The interactive medium was, and still is, unlike anything that came before. Video games are far more than “movies you can play in” they’re art pieces. Statements. An entirely unique way to engage with and experience a work of art, music, writing, and digital wizardry all packaged onto something that fits in the palm of your hand. Video games are magic. And so its no wonder that people wanted to make them. Look at such a famous game like DOOM. Ids smash hit originally had its first level freely distributed via mail-in receipts or at electronic stores, and was sold by Id itself before it took off to a nationwide scale. Developed and distributed by just a few people in an office. Sure there’s always more logistics to it than that, but doesn’t that fit a few of the definitions already? The 80s and 90s were truly the “Wild West” of video games. Because of the market’s fresh growth and upwards trend it took very little to get your game onto a console. Just look at all the titles on the original NES/Famicom systems. Before the advent of the term “Shovelware” it was quite common for such experiences to flood a library. Though this fell out of fashion more in the 90s during the SNES/Genesis era of things in favour of more well tuned and marketable competitive experiences. Such varied scales of polish and concept were doubly so if you look at the Computer Game community from the time. Developing your own games was a passtime. A trick to learn on new fangled devices. So what happened after? During the 3D revolutionary period in the 5th generation of consoles there were more standards. Sure, there were still some more shallow experiences around, but if you wanted to be known in the mainstream world video games you needed to be on a console. And so this is where I think began the true form of what most modern standards would call an “Indie game”.

My favourite examples of such titles include games like “Katamari Damacy” and “Okami”. Both games were developed by either a much smaller studio or in Katamari’s case, just a few select people. They were indeed published by established names, Namco and Capcom respectively, but they have much more in common with the Indie titles of today in that regard as well. In this era it was quite common to find games made by smaller studios, or even sometimes smaller teams within larger studios, given a run on the most popular hardware because the idea was fun. Or for perhaps a more clinical point of view, the idea could be sold. So I ask again, what happened? If you could find such games on consoles for six entire generations of video game consoles, why is there now this “Great Divide” between the Indie and the Triple A? Let’s go back to PC gaming during this time for a bit more information.

In 2003 something very important to this conundrum happened. This event would forever change the way digital distribution of video games would happen, and eventually, in my opinion, lead to where we are now. In 2003 Valve Software launched Steam as a software client meant to manage and deliver updates to their catalog of games. In 2005, only 2 years after its launch and the same year as the launch of the 7th generation of games consoles, they began using the client as a digital storefront to sell and distribute 3rd party software. Before Steam digital distribution of games was spread quite thin due to its relatively new nature. The early 2000s saw internet speeds both fast and stable enough to properly facilitate said distribution, and Valve were hardly the only ones to try and jump on the train as it began to speed up. Storefronts like Stardock stand as earlier examples of attempts to sell games over the web. Steam would be the one to not only take off, but to stick the landing as well.

In the year before Steam’s foray into offering 3rd party software, the 6th generation of consoles had an early adopter of this online storefront model. In 2004 the Xbox Live Arcade as launched on the original XBOX. This allowed owners of the console to purchase additional titles directly to their console, granted they had Xbox Live and the hard drive space to spare. These two factors, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam, would become the catalyst for the explosion of digital purchasing as well as ground zero for when The Great Divide would begin to form. When Xbox Live Arcade was in its prime it was offering games more frequently and successfully than any other console at the time. The Wii’s Wii Shop did a decent job keeping up and was a delightful experience in purchasing old Nintendo Software, and the PlayStation Store was no slouch either. Xbox, however, had an edge. As a part of many of their events such as “Summer of Xbox Live” it would offer alongside many well known console titles, smaller titles made by small and often independent developers. Games such as Castle Crashers, Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac, Splosion man, and many others joined the ranks as “Xbox 360 experiences”. Meanwhile on the other side of the coin, Steam was offering these independently made games as a part of its online marketplace. But of course, as we discussed, it was common to find these in the PC space.

So why was Xbox a big deal? Because suddenly, offering these “Indie” games for smaller price tags was wildly successful. It had precedent, certainly. In it’s infancy the Xbox Live Arcade offered games at smaller price tags, anywhere from 4.99-9.99. It wasn’t just a way for smaller games to get recognition on consoles. On the other side of the coin, it was a marketing tactic. “Indies” were hot ticket items all of a sudden. Bolstering your library with indie games meant that the Xbox was the place to go for smaller developers who wanted a life on console, it meant that Xbox was supporting the wider gaming community, it meant that Xbox had video games at bargain prices. I’m sure the executives had dollar signs in their eyes the whole time, and perhaps that is a bit of a cynical way to view it, but it worked out that way. The ramifications of this tactic would continue on and its consequences felt for years to come. Some good, some bad, all very frustrating to categorize.

Part Two: The divide widens

After the massive uptick in the marketing of “indie games” via the pushing of the label in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the gap between what people considered “Triple A” and what was considered “Indie” only got wider. Indie games were small, quaint, not to be judged on the same rubric as those big budget releases that sold consoles. Criticism towards these titles was usually relegated to things like length and price. People were more forgiving to games made by two person teams on aspects like music, gameplay, and graphics. But if you dared to think that your game was worth 30$? Now you’re pushing it. Criticism levied at independently made video games grew more and more harsh in these realms. Why is your 6 hour game 25$? Why does a game with graphics like this cost more than 5$? Pixel art is easier and cheaper, right? This type of criticism was the bread and butter of judging the value of an indie title. If you packed in all the polish and fun of a “triple A” release and sold it for 15$, you were perfect. If it was your first title that you worked on for 5 years straight and DARED to think it was worth 20$, or even 30$, you weren’t experienced enough to ask for that. Every rough edge, every bug, every glitch was now ammunition to say how your game was a “flawed masterpiece that just costs too much” or “A surprisingly fun hidden gem held back by a few things”. The softer “fun little game” approach wore off quickly, and what was left in its place was criticism and judgment just as vicious as those reserved for big name releases.

This was also the time in which some of the more glaring flaws of the “triple A” sphere began to rear their heads higher into the light. The mid 2010s saw the data size of big name releases double or sometimes triple in size demanding more and more storage space for consoles. Some of the time the responsibility was put on the owners of the consoles, with external hard drives being common for the ps4 and Xbox One even more so than they were with the PS3 and Xbox360. A big reason for this was that larger games were steadily getting worse quality wise. Rushed development cycles, overbearing crunch time for developers, and corner cutting development practices encouraged by executives were making AAA games into buggy messes that didn’t go down in price and needed day one patches. Criticism did keep up with these factors, but not in a very popular light. Voices in the gaming landscape who had been advocating for people to pay more attention and demand better from larger companies with resources to do better (a prime example is Stephanie Sterling, who is a longtime video game journalist and extremely vocal about the myriad issues plaguing the industry), and were often ignored in favour of hype and “just wanting to enjoy things”.

All of this amounted to a market with a clear divide. Indie games were small and shouldn’t be judged as the bigger stuff is, but the bigger stuff is also getting worse and deserves more criticism. Indie games were their own genre by this point. Anything that could be called cheaper or less impressive than a standard console release was an indie game. Anything that could be called WORSE than a standard console game was compared to an indie game. They became both a standard that triple A games should outdo, and an insult to be hurled when the game didn’t. The passion, skill, and artistry of hundreds upon hundreds of developers and artists became nothing more than what the Nintendo Switch was using to boast “hundreds of new games every day!”, with most of said games being shovelware and phone apps being hocked onto the console at inflated prices. Still, with how games had come to be categorized, Hollow Knight and Calculator App 412 are worth the same.

Part Three: What does it mean?

So what relation does this have to indie games? Well, the issue with the way criticism was being levied against big name releases was that the criticism effecting independent releases stayed the same. The late 2010s and early 2020s saw some of the worst triple A launches in gaming history, but when a game made by a few people sold for 15$ does all the supposed highest level of the industry can and sometimes more it’s only “surprisingly polished for an indie game”. I ask you, reader, what are we comparing these games to? When most so called “triple A” releases are half finished, rushed to release, or just barely functional, how are games that meet their own goals or even surpass them still a surprise? My argument here is that the terms “triple A” and “indie” no longer apply as much as they used to. In more recent years (I’m writing this in 2024) a middle step has been gaining traction among popular gaming news and review sites, the AA game. “Double A” games, as they’re being called, are supposedly indie games with much higher levels of polish, but not enough to reach the supposed heights of “triple A” games. A more apt description of how the term is being used though, is a way to justify big name releases, floods of half-baked remakes/remasters, and substandard work being pushed by the heads of the industry. Saying a modern big name release is “about as polished as a double A game”, is less inflammatory than saying “it only plays like an indie game” but is no less insulting.

What even IS a double A game? A previous example, Hollow Knight, has often had this new classification applied to it due to its level of polish and apparent higher value than other independently made games. All this label has done is create yet another step for independent games to never achieve unless they get popular enough. There is no inherent value to a video game. The circumstances of its development and skill of its developers do not make it worth more or less than another. So without labels like indie, double A, and triple A, what do we call video games? The answer lies in the question, Video Games. This isn’t to say you can’t judge the quality of a video game. That quality, however, will vary wildly from person to person. Call of Duty Modern Warfare is a classic masterpiece to some, and a boring military shooter to others. The same can be applied to all “classic masterpieces”, and all modern works as well. Horizon Zero Dawn and Hollow Knight exist on different levels of developer and artist intent. They exist in different genres, in different dimensions of art, in different modes of gameplay, but they’re both video games available for the PlayStation 4 and will have their fans and detractors just the same. Hollow Knight was priced as its creators thought they could value it, but price is not quality. Quality in art cannot be discerned as fact. Art does not exist in such cut and dry terms and circumstances. What is inspiring to one might be mundane to another.

There ARE inherent things on which to judge a video game. To exist within the art medium certain factors MUST be up to snuff with what the developer wants the game to be. Core mechanics and gameplay, graphics reading well for what they represent, audio functioning correctly within the expectations set by the game. A game must be playable to be enjoyed, after all. But this is a baseline. You can’t call a calculator app a video game. That just isn’t what its meant to be. It doesn’t meet the base of what a video game is as an interactive experience. What you actually judge and criticize within a video game is the developer’s skill to make it what it says it is. Its price, and more often than not its length, do not determine that. Neither does an arbitrary category created to split the market into “standard and premium” video game experiences. You, the player, do.

Part Four: Thanks and future thoughts

Hello, and thank you for reading my article. The Great Divide is a theory and thought process I’ve held about the gaming landscape as a whole for quite a while, and it feels good to put those thoughts to digital paper. I do have more thoughts on the subject, but am electing to leave this here for now and return to it later in the form of another article, or perhaps an extension or video companion piece to this one. This piece is an opinion, and though it states true facts about video game history I do not offer the whole as fact. These are the ways I feel, and I hope that if you read them you might feel the same. Thank you for reading.

#article #my stuff #my writing #writing #video games #video game article #opinion piece

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mirjam-writes · 11 months ago

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What about you? What writing are you happy about this year?? Is there anything you want to brag about?

Happy Yule, solstice, Christmas, Festivus, (belated) Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Doctor Who Day! And anything else you might celebrate, or happy Monday if you don’t!

Thank you so so much for asking 🧡🧡

This was quite a writing year for me. I wrote only four stories, but I'm quite proud of all of them. To Love Somebody was my first foray in rare pairs. An angsty backstory for Shadwell, and what made him the way he is. It has an hopeful ending, and I'm quite proud of the structure, and how much I managed to squeeze into the small word count. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a short and wholesome outsider pov story I wrote for an event. I was surprised how much people liked it! It was also my first attempt on present tense, which continued in A Stable Relationship, one of my FTH stories for this year (the second one will probably be a bit late, and be completed in January). I had fun writing it, and it turned out to be a good one, and the only one of these oneshots that was Explicit. It was set in horse riding world.

The reason why I wrote only three oneshots, and why my second FTH piece is late, was of course my favourite story of all time: Be Still My Soul trilogy. A human AU story set in the sad moments of Finnish history.

Despite the class differences, landowner Azirafel Fjäll and sawmill worker Anton Crowley have been friends since childhood. The Great War rages over Europe and the Empire of Russia is in the firm grip of a revolution. The echoes of these fateful events carry over to the Grand Duchy of Finland, vaguely sauntering towards independence. Azirafel and Crowley find themselves on the opposite sides of a conflict that will eventually lead to a bitter civil war, tearing the country apart.

Is there a possibility for them to find their own side, or will this be the end of their budding love story?

I started writing the third part in January, and finished it just before S2 aired in July. It finished posting in October, and it's now complete and done, though I'm still commissioning art for it. This story took over my life for over two years, and it's my baby. I've had such a hard time to let go of it! It also has its own blog @be-still-my-soul-fanfic where I posted dozens of posts about historical and cultural facts. The story is written in a way you don't need to know anything of the Finnish history beforehand (my American betas made sure of that). It's a lovestory, not a history lesson, BUT if you want to learn more, there's a lot of extra info available 😅

I think it's the best story I've ever written (and probably ever will). Many readers have agreed, but it's angsty with very heavy themes until the happy ending, so it's not for everyone and I think posting it just when S2 aired cut some of the potential readers. The third part of the trilogy is now five kudos shy of 100 kudos, and I'm hoping it could get past that milestone before new years. 😂 So yeah, my own personal favourite gets the least interaction of them all. Oh well.

I'm gonna sound a bit self-absorbed, but I'm proud I finished it and it turned out even better than I hoped. My dream would be to print a physical copy or to record a podfic of that, but both might be a bit too much work.

For the next year I have two zine fics to finish, and I have applied to a third one. I have one event fic in the works as well, but the FTH story will be the one I'll concentrate until it's done. It's an oneshot human AU which somehow grew limbs and now it's 7.6k words and nowhere near done 😱 That's my holiday project.

Thank you for asking!! I was so delighted to get a chance to ramble myself 🧡 There's never enough chances for writers to gush about their own work because it always feels a bit self centered. That's why I like to wander around Tumblr and give people the perfect excuse to do that! Peek at the #writer's favourites tag if you want to see other fanfic writers sharing their favourites! And feel free to use the tag yourself if I forgot to ask someone (I was very much not organised when going through the blogs and I'm not good at matching blog names with writer names 😅)

I hope you'll have a magnificent new year 🧡

#writer's favourites #my writing #good omens #ask #good omens fanfiction

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captain-gillian · 2 years ago

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i love him on purpose

1,756 words. rated t. summary: After a long week, Carlos plans a cozy date night of reading and comfort food for his husband.

Living in the heart of downtown, most things are within walking distance of Carlos, and TK’s loft, including some of the best queer nightlife Austin has to offer, TK’s favourite Chinese takeout place, a Trader Joe’s and a great bookstore.

Unlike most of the bookstores in the area, this one isn’t a chain but a little independent place with a coffee shop that makes some of the best coffee in the city. As it’s only half a block from their apartment, TK and Carlos are frequent visitors.

When Carlos stops to pick up an iced latte on the way home from picking up groceries, he has an idea.

It’s been a long week in the Reyes-Strand household, and the majority of Carlos’s opportunities to see his husband have been passing greetings as they head in and out the door for their shifts on opposite schedules and a few shared lunches at the firehouse—all of which ended up interrupted by calls.

But they both have the next two days off together, and Carlos’ shift ends earlier than TK’s, so he makes plans for a date night while waiting for his coffee.

They’ve both been working overtime since the wedding and the honeymoon to make up for the time off, so a date night is more than overdue. After a long week, Carlos has just the thing in mind for date night. Nothing fancy; after the week they’ve had, Carlos figures a quiet night is just what they need.

When he gets home, Carlos thumbs through the recipe folder on the counter until he finds what he’s looking for—a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe he’s made before with TK’s help. Carlos has always preferred the freedom and art of cooking over the exact science of baking. Still, cookies have always been one of TK’s go-to comfort foods—it’s not unusual to find him baking cookies at odd hours if he’s had a hard shift or wants to feel closer to his mom—cookies and Chinese takeout.

keep reading on ao3 or under the cut

By the time the cookies go into the oven, Carlos has flour in his hair—though he couldn’t possibly tell you how it ended up there—the kitchen is a mess. TK is due home in twenty minutes, which Carlos hopes will be enough time to clean up and have the whole apartment smelling like freshly baked cookies.

As Carlos takes the cookies out of the oven, TK texts to say a call ran over and he’ll be a little late. Carlos finishes the last of his washing up, and although they’re still hot, he can’t help but sample one of the cookies before settling into the couch with a magazine. Of course, it’s nothing like the cookies TK makes with Gwyn’s secret recipe—nothing will ever compare to those—but they’re perfectly crisp with a soft, chewy interior and chocolate that melts in his mouth. If nothing else, they’re made with love and make the apartment smell inviting.

“Hi, husband,” TK says as he walks into the apartment, throws his keys in the bowl on the end table and shrugs off his backpack. “It smells incredible in here, Carlos.”

“Hey, babe. How was your shift?” Carlos asks, standing and leaning against the arm of the sofa to greet him.

TK leans in to hug Carlos, momentarily burying his face in his neck. “Long. How was yours?”

“Uneventful.”

“Where is this delicious smell coming from?” TK asks.

“I made you cookies.” He says and watches his husband’s expression soften.

“You made me cookies?”

“It’s nothing special, just chocolate chip.”

“Nothing special? Taking the time to make me cookies is special, babe.” TK says, planting a kiss on Carlos’ cheek and crossing to the kitchen. “Thank you.”

Carlos stays resting against the back of the sofa as TK crosses the room and hops up to sit on the kitchen counter beside the rack of cookies.

“So what’s the occasion? I haven’t forgotten an anniversary—at least I hope I haven’t—and it’s not my birthday, so what’s the occasion?” TK asks as he takes a bite of the cookie in his hand. “Babe, these are delicious.” He says through a mouthful.

“No occasion. I don’t need a reason to spoil my husband, and besides, we’re overdue a date night.”

“I don’t know if I’m up for a date night, baby. It’s been such a long week. I was hoping we could just chill at home tonight.” TK says, and Carlos gets it; he feels the same, which is precisely why he planned a lowkey night in, not a night out.

“Who says a date night can’t be chilling?”

“What have you got planned?”

“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you,” Carlos tells him with a wink.

“Do I get a hint?” He pouts, but Carlos shakes his head, his curls bouncing as he does so and plants a kiss on his forehead.

“No hints, babe. Grab your coat.”

TK hops down from the counter, grabbing a second cookie, “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

It’s a crisp fall afternoon, and the leaves crunch beneath their feet as they walk half a block to their destination, hand in hand.

“Are we going for coffee?” TK asks as Carlos stops outside the bookstore & coffee shop.

Carlos shakes his head. “We’re here to buy each other books, and then we’re going home to read and order Chinese for dinner.”

“So I get to pick your book?” TK asks.

Carlos nods. “And I’ll be picking one for you. Meet you outside when we’re done?”

TK steps inside and starts searching the aisles for the perfect book. On the other hand, Carlos already knows exactly what book to pick for TK and only takes a few minutes to collect the pink paperback he had in mind from a display of queer book recommendations put together by the staff.

He’s not waiting outside long before TK appears, grinning and holding a paper bag.

“It’s about a handsome Texan who falls in love with an even more handsome outsider. I thought you might relate,” TK says with a flirtatious wink as he pulls a familiar pink paperback out of the bag and presents it to his husband.

“That’s funny because I thought you—a handsome outsider—might relate to a book about falling in love with an even more handsome Texan.” Carlos laughs as he takes out the same pink paperback from his own bag, a copy of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

“We’re definitely on the same page today,” TK says, taking Carlos’ hand in his own to walk back to the apartment.

“Must be why we make such a good team.”

When they get back to the apartment, TK kicks off his shoes and changes into a soft pink hoodie, Carlos sets out tea and cookies on the coffee table, and they settle in to read. They start out at opposite ends of the couch. Carlos is wearing his reading glasses and maintaining impeccable posture as he sits up straight against the back of the sofa, while TK is curled with his knees up to his chest in the corner of the chaise, book in one hand and a cookie in the other.

After about half an hour, Carlos looks up from his book to see TK seemingly zoned out. His gaze is fixed above the book in his hands. “Why aren’t you reading your book?”

“I prefer watching you read,” TK says, dog-earing the book—earning a wince from Carlos—and placing it on the couch beside him, “I could watch you read all day. You look so peaceful, and you’re so damn sexy in those glasses.”

“Shut up,” Carlos responds playfully.

“You love me.”

“That I do.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Carlos replies, putting a bookmark in and closing his book.

They order Chinese and eat on the couch when it arrives, discussing what they’ve read and how Carlos can’t get over the similarities between TK and Alex Claremont Diaz so far. When TK clears away the takeout containers and puts the leftovers in the fridge, Carlos picks up his book to resume reading but is soon interrupted by TK planting himself right beside him, resting back against his chest.

“Read to me?” He asks, relaxing further into him and looking up at him with those green eyes softened into an expression Carlos finds damn near impossible to say no to.

Carlos nods and wraps his arms and the book around his shoulders. “Where were you up to?”

“Chapter two,” TK responds, and Carlos starts reading.

By the time Carlos starts reading chapter three aloud, TK looks like he might have fallen asleep, but he insists he wasn’t.

“I was just closing my eyes and enjoying the story. Your voice is so soothing. This was exactly what I needed tonight, babe. Thank you.” TK says, turning to kiss him.

Several hours later, Carlos is once again sure TK is falling asleep on his chest, so he closes the book softly and starts to take off his glasses.

“One more page?” TK asks, opening his eyes to look up at him.

Carlos can’t resist that look, “One more page.”

Later that night, as the moonlight peeks through the curtains, Carlos lies awake, enveloped in his husband’s comforting embrace. Like most nights, TK drifted off quickly while Carlos lies awake with the world's weight on his shoulders. Some nights, even being wrapped in his husband’s arms isn’t enough to quieten his anxieties.

As if he can sense how Carlos feels, TK, now awake, whispers to him. “He’s like you, you know.”

“Who?”

“Henry.”

Carlos is surprised at first, but for the most part, he understands the comparison other than one huge point of difference. “Yeah, maybe, except for the fact he’s a prince .”

“You’re a prince too, my very own personal prince charming,” Though he can’t see TK’s face, Carlos knows he’s grinning after delivering such a cheesy line.

“You are so cheesy,”

“But you love me,”

“I do,” Carlos says; he loves TK more than he ever felt possible or than he ever thought he could allow himself to. He thinks over a quote from the book that reminds him so much of his own relationship, ‘I love him on purpose,’ because despite everything in his own past, in TK’s past, he loves TK— all of TK—on purpose. So he whispers back to his husband, “I love you on purpose.”

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veetyuh · 5 months ago

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Spicy time! What would you say is your most problematic/controversial ship? Or, similarly, the ship you would have to take the most time explaining because it might not make sense to anyone but you?

Hello anon, I am so sorry to get back to you late. Been going through some shit but this question genuinely cheered me up. It's very sweet of you to invite me to ramble. And it's just what I needed. Thank you. 🙏

And... All of them? ..all of them. My favourite ship dynamic is this: two characters whose mental illnesses fit together like puzzle pieces, such that they become an abomination greater than the sum of their parts. They are happier than they have ever known when with each other, but it is making them both worse. What these bastards need to improve as people and what they want are antithetical.

I'll limit myself to two of my favourite/most extreme instances of this, though. One which confuses people the most (EngSea) and one which I feel would be the most controversial (FraKug).

Let's actually start with the spicier one. FraKug requires background context into how I write Kugel, I think. For reference, I don't have a set age for them yet, but they're nebulously a t(w)eenager — just old enough to wander around alone without the greater public being alerted. Which is fantastic, because Roderich does not take an active parental role in their life. Kugel is less a child to supervise and more a phenomenon which Roderich bears witness to. There was this idea which Fed and I came up with: Imagine if you will, Roderich asking them while VISIBLY uncomfortable: "What, er... What are you..? Junge oder Mädchen..?" Kugel takes the day to think about it, then answers with an abstract painting of various red shades, hectic splashes and smears, with an actual goat horn piercing the canvas— and that draws the red pigment into question, EUGH. Nevermind, Roderich shouldn't have asked.💧Kugel reveres Roderich as their host country, and for saving their life by moving them to Vienna. They also believe him to be a master artist — and thus he must have understood what Kugel was trying to say with that painting. It is clear. (It is not.) Roderich's solution is to call them, uh... Whatever causes the least conversational friction. Elise is over? She thinks Kugel is a girl; Roderich will refer to her as a girl to keep from confusing anyone. Kugel infers that this is less a semantic convenience and more of an ontological statement. The master artist is giving them a new identity, for today. What could this mean...? What does it mean, to be a girl...?

There is continuous communication breakdown between them, and this is an impediment to active parenting — as if Roderich needed any disincentives. Roderich is just not made to take care of kids. It is a good thing that when Kugel came to him, they were already largely self-sufficient and fiercely independent. They come home every night for dinner, yes? Then they are fine... Sometimes Roderich does worry about them, and sometimes there are genuine moments between them, usually when Kugel has collapsed from exhaustion in the wake of a manic episode. But for the most part, Kugel is left to do their own (weird) thing.

All this to say, Kugel believes they are an adult. In their mind, they may as well be, right? They are well over 50 years old. They have been taking care of themself for quite some time. They actually have some artworks in prestigious galleries, and are an active, respected participant in the Vienna art scene (albeit anonymously, and under a pseudonym). Day in, day out, they are absorbed by studying, pondering, and artistically exploring the human condition. Without a shadow of doubt in their mind, they are an adult.

And, what worse a person to put within Francis' grasp? The long-haired, gender-flexible, artistic big brother who canonically is into kids, and the unsupervised, long-haired, intersex & gender fluid, artistic child who fancies themself mature for their age. The story practically writes itself.

Fran takes the kid to the Louvre and gets high off their unfettered reverence and admiration. It's a religious experience for them, and how cute is that?? It reminds Francis of some of his precious little colonies looking up to him. Ugh, Kugel is almost like a little Veneziano all over again — dammit, he never truly got his hands on Feli, but... Well, how easy would it be to convince Kugel to sketch one another? In the nude, of course; it isn't sexual, it's artistic. I won't go any further in describing that, but I'm sure you can see the potential for manipulation. There's fulfillment of fucked up fantasies Fran has had for a loooong time, and the attention of an older, skilled artist makes Kugel feel special. All flying under the radar thanks to the aforementioned minimal guardian involvement. Fran would go full pederast with it, too. No no, this is his apprentice, he is teaching them about his culture's history and artistic practices. He buys Kugel art supplies, fancy clothes, expensive jewellery. He introduces them to important people to help their art career. He dotes on them. And Kugel doesn't see anything wrong with the situation.

Moreover, because Fran also steps into a pseudo-parental role, Kugel receives a taste of what it might be like to have an active guardian. Fran combs their hair, preens them, teaches them French, regales them with stories of the old days (all heavily-embellished such that he comes out on top — in more ways than one). Fran cooks for them. Real food. Not the paint-splattered bag of potato crisps Kugel usually inhales from a vending machine when they suddenly become cognizant of the fact they haven't eaten in 12 hours. Fran takes them on trips to the countryside, they paint landscapes together. There are good aspects to their relationship, and those are hyper-visible. The rot beneath is concealed by flowers above.

What Kugel needs is a psychiatrist to treat their manic disorder, and a responsible supervisor capable of protecting them from those who would otherwise exploit them — say, Gilbert or Ludwig. They would find this to be restrictive and would take exception to it at first, until their quality of life gradually begins to improve. This is fundamentally at odds with what they want, which is to be treated as an equal to adults, even though they obviously aren't. In the same vein, what Francis needs is therapy to deconstruct his hypersexuality and pro-contact tendencies; what he wants is to relive his former glory through this child's admiration, and isolate with them in his fucked idea of a love story.

And similarly, EngSea is built upon this foundation of joy at the expense of mental health. Another disclaimer: my version of Sealand is history-based as opposed to canon, so he is aged up to 18, which is something I view as more appropriate given he's a WW2 veteran. (If you've murdered Nazis you deserve a drink, haha.) And his issues are innumerable, touching many of the classics: a dog abandoned by his master, a soldier without a war to fight, and an immortal dying a prolonged death. All issues which would be easily-solved if only the bastard whose face he shares acknowledges him. But of course, given the bizarre obsession of the British govt over Sealand, Arthur has acknowledged him, perhaps not in the way he wants though. At any rate, they do not fight like they used to, and both England and Sealand (IRL) are friendly toward one another nowadays. I choose to interpret this as them settling some of their differences.

It is difficult for Arthur to acknowledge all of his wrongdoings to Peter. But should he choose to start making right, he'd find that it's easier than imagined. Because in truth, Peter is far too much like him. His citizens are English, after all. The Sealandic embassy is located in a Toby's car park lmfao. And for a narcissist like Arthur, who craves external validation? Having someone match his tastes and his interests, and offer him undying loyalty (not exactly voluntarily, but still?) is at once everything he's ever wanted, and a recipe for making that narcissism worse. Peter is his mood booster. He wants his trusty fort around — for banter, for validation, for gossip, and for company that understands him. And, when Peter's natural instinct to protect and serve his host country accidentally stray a bit too far into the realm of an incestuous crush? Rather than handle the situation with grace, Arthur pounces on it.

A partner who is his guard dog, who loves him unconditionally, who is already steeped in his culture and loves his shitty food, and who is elated and head-over-heels at any modicum of attention from him. Again, he's everything Arthur's narcissism craves, and exactly what's needed to make it worse. Peter soothes his insecurities and reinforces his biases. Arthur's ego becomes outright insufferable to others, which in turn drives him back toward Peter. On Peter's end, he gradually and reluctantly compromises more and more of himself for Arthur's love; Arthur wants his fort. He does not want "England's Cuba" (actual quote from declassified British govt docs). The more he coaxes Peter into following his instincts as his fort, the more he pulls him away from his identity as Sealand. This is both a relief to Peter (who has been suffering a six-decade identity crisis from the duality of being an English military installation and a pirate/secessionist) and very disconcerting. In his mind, Roughs and Sealand are two very different people — and Arthur being insistent on Roughs makes him feel rather vulnerable. But if it's for Arthur...

There is, of course, quite a bit of good to the relationship. For starters, Arthur finally has someone he can trust fully, and subsequently be entirely vulnerable around. Even if it is sometimes reluctantly so. Some of his paranoia is soothed over by the ability to relax and let Peter serve him. No, not everyone is out to get him, and he is safe here... They also make huge strides in getting Arthur to be less bitterly self-deprecating, and also less uptight. He's more willing to be a bit goofy and nerdy while around Peter. Wearing the Tom Baker scarf outside, over their matching jumpers. Getting Peter a replica of The One Ring. Outings to Adventure Island in Southend, the beach, and self-indulgent niche historic tours that Peter positively eats up — take this lad up to Old Saltburn!! Hell, even taking him to iconic tourist spots will have him marveling. Peter also works through a good bit of his issues while with Arthur. Fewer war nightmares, less emotional dysregulation, and he begins to unpack some of his food trauma. Slowly but surely. Arthur can see the improvement and that only feeds into his ego more. Look at how good he is for Peter, look at how 80+ years of trauma are melting away. Who else could do this but him...?

Again, those good things are hyper-visible and disguise the worse parts. Arthur has a penchant for pushing Peter's boundaries, and it's a learning curve to manipulate him without pushback. One hint of frustration or anger and Peter is snapping in return, falling back upon his rebellious tendencies. For every failure, there is a lover's squabble which ends in Peter crawling back to him, and/or Arthur offering a half-baked apology after some serious reflection. He thinks won't push those boundaries again, except... Except he does. Just with more skill. And when Arthur finds the correct way to frame it — as a favour Peter is doing him, and lavishing him in praise and affection — then he truly has Peter eating from the palm of his hand, even against his own self-interest. In this way, they descend into hell together. Peter is slowly stripped of his autonomy, Arthur's worst traits are fed by Peter's admiration, and they become awfully co-dependent. But god, are they happy while hurting themselves.

Anyway. Thank you again anon for prompting me to ramble, and thank you for a welcome distraction in these difficult times. This was a delight in my inbox. 🫶

#engsea #frakug #ask

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rayspookyhistory · 3 months ago

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ᡣ𐭩 Queen Elizabeth I: Triumph, Talent, and the Legacy of England's Golden Age ᡣ𐭩

for one of my favourite queens, also ill do all the word highlighting later i just wanna get this posted :3

Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, presided over a period of unprecedented change and development in England. Her reign, from 1558 to 1603, is often considered a golden age—a time when the arts flourished, exploration expanded England’s horizons, and the nation emerged as a significant European power. Despite numerous obstacles, Elizabeth I established herself as one of England’s most successful and admired rulers. Her exceptional intelligence, political savvy, and charismatic leadership enabled her to overcome immense challenges, secure her kingdom, and leave a lasting legacy.

Early Life and Preparation for Power

Elizabeth’s early years were marked by instability and danger. Born on September 7, 1533, to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she was initially welcomed as the potential heir to the throne. However, her birth was a disappointment to Henry, who had desperately sought a male heir. When Elizabeth was just two and a half years old, her mother was executed on charges of treason, and Elizabeth was declared illegitimate, stripping her of her status as a potential successor. These early adversities shaped her cautious and resilient nature, traits that would prove crucial in her later life.

Despite the political uncertainties surrounding her, Elizabeth received a first-rate education, which was rare for women of her time. Her tutors, including the eminent scholar Roger Ascham, trained her in languages, history, rhetoric, and philosophy. Elizabeth became fluent in Latin, Greek, French, and Italian, and she developed a profound understanding of both classical and contemporary works. This education not only prepared her intellectually for the complexities of rule but also imbued her with a love for the arts and learning that would later characterize her reign.

Elizabeth’s path to the throne was fraught with danger. After her father’s death, her half-brother, Edward VI, ascended to the throne, but his reign was short-lived. Upon Edward’s death in 1553, her older half-sister, Mary I, took the throne. A fervent Catholic, Mary viewed Elizabeth, a Protestant, as a threat. Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London on suspicion of being involved in a Protestant rebellion, a situation that could have led to her execution. However, through a combination of diplomacy, intelligence, and good fortune, Elizabeth survived. Her experiences during this period instilled in her a deep understanding of the precariousness of power and the importance of caution and discretion.

Ascending the Throne: The Religious Settlement

When Mary I died in 1558, Elizabeth became queen at the age of 25, inheriting a nation deeply divided by religious strife. England had been torn apart by the conflicting demands of Catholicism and Protestantism under previous monarchs, leading to persecution, rebellion, and instability. Elizabeth’s first major challenge as queen was to bring peace and stability to her fractured kingdom.

Elizabeth’s solution was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, introduced in 1559. This series of laws established Protestantism as the official religion of England but allowed for a degree of religious tolerance. The Act of Supremacy reasserted the independence of the Church of England from Rome, with Elizabeth as its Supreme Governor. The Act of Uniformity mandated the use of a common prayer book but allowed for some latitude in practice, which helped to appease more moderate Catholics. This settlement was a masterful compromise that reduced religious tensions and avoided the extreme measures that had led to bloodshed in the past. Elizabeth’s ability to navigate this religious divide was a testament to her political skill and her deep understanding of the need for national unity.

Maintaining Power: The Virgin Queen and Domestic Policy

In a male-dominated society, Elizabeth’s rule was an extraordinary achievement. She faced constant pressure to marry and produce an heir, as it was widely believed that a woman could not govern effectively on her own. However, Elizabeth deftly managed to use her unmarried status to her advantage. By remaining single, she retained full control over her own destiny and kept potential suitors, both domestic and foreign, at bay. Her status as the “Virgin Queen” became central to her public image, symbolizing her devotion to England above all personal concerns.

Elizabeth’s domestic policies were marked by careful management and a focus on stability. She surrounded herself with loyal and capable advisors, such as Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley, who helped her implement effective governance. Elizabeth’s reign saw improvements in England’s economy, the consolidation of royal authority, and the development of a more centralized state. Her government was characterized by a cautious approach to expenditure and a reluctance to engage in unnecessary wars, which helped to secure the nation’s finances and avoid the pitfalls that had plagued previous reigns.

Facing External Threats: The Defeat of the Spanish Armada

Elizabeth’s reign was also defined by her handling of external threats, particularly from Catholic powers like Spain. The most significant challenge came in 1588 when King Philip II of Spain launched the Spanish Armada, a massive fleet intended to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth. The defeat of the Armada is one of the most celebrated events of Elizabeth’s reign and a turning point in English history.

Despite being outnumbered and facing a formidable foe, the English navy, under commanders like Sir Francis Drake, used superior tactics and the advantage of home waters to defeat the Spanish fleet. The victory was aided by the weather, with storms—referred to as the “Protestant wind”—dispersing the Spanish ships. Elizabeth’s leadership during this crisis was crucial; her speech to the troops at Tilbury, in which she famously declared, “I have the heart and stomach of a king,” rallied her forces and inspired confidence in her leadership. The defeat of the Armada not only secured England’s independence but also established the nation as a rising naval power and laid the groundwork for its future dominance on the seas.

Cultural Flourishing: The Elizabethan Renaissance

Elizabeth’s reign is often synonymous with the flowering of English culture, known as the Elizabethan Renaissance. The queen herself was a great patron of the arts, and her court became a center of cultural and intellectual life. Elizabeth’s love for literature, music, and the visual arts fostered an environment where creativity could thrive.

This period saw the emergence of some of the greatest figures in English literature, including William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, and Ben Jonson. These writers produced works that explored complex themes of power, identity, and the human condition—many of which reflected the challenges and triumphs of Elizabeth’s own reign. Shakespeare’s plays, in particular, are often seen as a mirror of the Elizabethan world, with their deep explorations of political intrigue, ambition, and the nature of kingship.

Beyond literature, Elizabeth’s reign also witnessed advancements in music, architecture, and the visual arts. The Elizabethan style, characterized by elaborate decoration and classical motifs, became prominent in English architecture and design. The queen’s own image, carefully crafted through portraits and public appearances, reinforced her authority and the perception of her as a powerful and almost mythical figure. The cultural achievements of the Elizabethan era left a lasting impact on English identity and continued to influence the arts for centuries.

Cultural Achievements: Fashion, Architecture, and Social Customs

The Elizabethan Era was a time of cultural renaissance in England, driven by Elizabeth’s patronage and the growing prosperity of the nation. Under her reign, fashion, architecture, and social customs flourished, reflecting the confidence and creativity of the period.

Fashion and Social Norms

Elizabeth I’s influence on fashion was profound. Her personal style, characterized by elaborate gowns, ruffs, and intricate jewelry, became the standard for the English court and beyond. The queen’s attire was not just a matter of personal preference but a tool of statecraft, designed to project power, wealth, and authority. This fashion trend quickly spread among the nobility and the rising middle class, who adopted these styles as symbols of their own status and aspirations. The emphasis on fashion during Elizabeth’s reign also mirrored the era’s social stratification, where clothing was a key indicator of one’s place in the social hierarchy.

Social customs in Elizabethan England also evolved, particularly among the upper classes. The court became a center of sophisticated manners, where etiquette and ceremony were meticulously observed. These practices extended into the broader society, influencing the behavior of the gentry and merchants. The growth of a more refined social culture reflected the increasing importance of social status and decorum during Elizabeth’s reign, as well as the queen’s own efforts to cultivate a court that embodied the ideals of order, loyalty, and honor.

Architecture and the Arts

Architecture during the Elizabethan period saw the emergence of a distinctive style that blended Gothic and Renaissance influences. This era produced some of England’s most iconic buildings, such as Hardwick Hall and Longleat House, which symbolized the power and wealth of their owners. These grand estates were designed not only as residences but as statements of status and influence, with their symmetrical facades, large windows, and richly decorated interiors showcasing the fusion of traditional English and new European styles.

The arts also flourished under Elizabeth’s reign, particularly literature and theater. The queen’s support of the arts, combined with the relative peace and prosperity of the period, created a fertile environment for creative expression. The Elizabethan theater became a central cultural institution, with playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson producing works that explored complex themes of power, identity, and human nature. These works have endured as some of the most significant contributions to English literature, reflecting the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of Elizabeth’s reign.

Shaping the Future: Elizabeth’s Influence on Monarchs and Society

Elizabeth I’s reign had a lasting impact on the English monarchy and society, setting precedents that would influence her successors and the development of the nation.

The Elizabethan Religious Settlement

One of Elizabeth’s most significant contributions was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, which established a moderate form of Protestantism as the state religion while allowing for a degree of religious tolerance. This pragmatic approach helped to stabilize a nation that had been torn apart by religious conflict under previous monarchs. Elizabeth’s settlement laid the foundation for a distinctly English form of Protestantism, which would become central to the national identity. Her ability to balance religious factions and maintain peace in a deeply divided country influenced the policies of future monarchs, who would continue to navigate the complexities of religious governance.

Monarchical Authority and Image

Elizabeth’s reign also had a profound impact on the concept of monarchical authority in England. She skillfully crafted an image of herself as both a powerful ruler and a devoted guardian of her people. This blend of authority and benevolence became a model for future monarchs, particularly in the way they engaged with their subjects and justified their rule. Elizabeth’s use of symbolism, pageantry, and the arts to reinforce her authority demonstrated the importance of public perception in maintaining power, a lesson that would resonate with later rulers, especially during the Stuart era.

Economic Growth and Colonial Ambitions

Elizabeth’s reign also laid the groundwork for England’s later economic and colonial expansion. Her support for explorers like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh helped to establish England’s presence in the New World and other overseas territories, setting the stage for the British Empire’s rise in the following centuries. The queen’s economic policies, including the encouragement of trade and industry, contributed to the growth of a more modern capitalist economy. The establishment of the East India Company in 1600 marked a significant milestone in England’s commercial history, reflecting Elizabeth’s vision of expanding English influence beyond Europe.

The Significance of Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy

Elizabeth I’s foreign policy was characterized by a delicate balance between maintaining England’s independence and navigating the complex politics of Europe. Her relationships with other European powers, particularly Spain and France, were marked by a combination of diplomacy, caution, and, when necessary, military action.

Relations with Spain and the Defeat of the Spanish Armada

The most significant foreign threat to Elizabeth’s reign came from Spain, under King Philip II. The religious and political rivalry between Protestant England and Catholic Spain culminated in the Spanish Armada of 1588, when Philip attempted to invade England. Elizabeth’s leadership during this crisis was crucial. The defeat of the Armada was not only a military victory but also a powerful symbol of English resilience and Elizabeth’s ability to protect her realm. This event solidified her reputation as a strong and capable leader, capable of defending her kingdom against even the most formidable foes.

Diplomatic Relations with France

Elizabeth’s relationship with France was more complex and required careful diplomacy. As another Catholic power, France posed a potential threat, but Elizabeth recognized the value of using France as a counterbalance to Spain. Throughout her reign, she maintained diplomatic relations with France, skillfully navigating the shifting alliances and rivalries of European politics. Elizabeth’s cautious approach to foreign policy, marked by a reluctance to engage in costly wars, preserved England’s resources and allowed the nation to emerge stronger and more unified.

Legacy of Caution and Diplomacy

Elizabeth’s foreign policy legacy is one of caution and pragmatism. She avoided unnecessary military conflicts, relying instead on diplomacy, espionage, and strategic alliances to secure England’s position in Europe. Her approach influenced the foreign policies of her successors, particularly in the early Stuart period, where a similar preference for diplomacy over war can be seen. Elizabeth’s ability to maintain England’s independence while navigating the complex web of European politics set a standard for future monarchs and helped to establish England as a significant power on the international stage.

Historical Interpretations and Ongoing Debates

Historians have long been fascinated by Elizabeth I’s reign, and interpretations of her legacy have evolved over time. Early historical accounts often portrayed her as an ideal monarch, celebrated for her wisdom, virtue, and strong leadership. During the Victorian era, Elizabeth was revered as a national icon, embodying the ideals of female authority and English pride.

In more recent years, scholars have adopted a more nuanced view of Elizabeth’s reign, examining the complexities and contradictions of her rule. Some historians have highlighted the challenges she faced, such as the precariousness of her power, her use of political manipulation, and the difficulties in managing a deeply divided kingdom. Others have debated the extent to which her achievements were due to her personal qualities versus the circumstances of her time, considering factors such as her skilled advisors and the relative stability of the period.

Debates also continue about Elizabeth’s legacy, particularly regarding her failure to provide a clear succession plan, which led to uncertainty and conflict after her death. However, despite these discussions, Elizabeth I remains a towering figure in English history, admired for her resilience, intelligence, and the lasting impact of her reign.

The Final Years and Enduring Legacy

The later years of Elizabeth’s reign were marked by increasing challenges. The deaths of key advisors, ongoing threats from Spain, and economic difficulties strained the aging queen and her government. Additionally, the issue of succession loomed large, as Elizabeth had refused to marry or name an heir, leading to uncertainty and anxiety within the court. Nevertheless, Elizabeth remained a formidable ruler until her death on March 24, 1603, at the age of 69.

Elizabeth I’s legacy is one of resilience, intelligence, and successful leadership in the face of daunting challenges. She managed to maintain her authority in a male-dominated society, navigate complex international politics, and foster a cultural renaissance that defined an era. The Elizabethan Age is remembered as a time of national pride and achievement, and Elizabeth herself as a monarch who embodied the spirit of her people. Her reign laid the foundations for England’s future as a global power and left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

In summary, Queen Elizabeth I was an extraordinary leader whose reign transformed England. Despite facing immense opposition—from religious conflict and foreign threats to the pressures of ruling as a woman in a patriarchal society—she emerged as one of the most successful and revered monarchs in history. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence, making her one of the most iconic figures in the annals of English history.

photo belongs to Historic Royal Palaces

#history #dark aesthetic #dark academia #literature #gcse #queen elizabeth i of england #british history

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alcohen · 7 months ago

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on "real" vs. "entertainment" literature

i wrote this a while ago, when discussing this online as one does at 1am, like all well-adjusted people do. I do like my thoughts here though, so i figured i'd share.

I personnally think that separating literature into "real literature" and "literature for entertainment" (and looking down on the latter because it fits into popular "tropes", therefore lacking integrity) is inherently a trap. Let me explain my point of view.

When I think of many, many pieces of literature that are now considered classic, I can't help but notice that they were, for the most part, actually popular with the readers of their time, and that's what ensured that we still hear about them today. Sure, there are some Van Goghs in literature, whose works only became well-known after the author's death, but these are exceptions. There's no canon without the people who appreciated it when it was first written, without an audience to share it. And what do people like? An interesting story. Sometimes it has depth to it (think Camus, L'Etranger), sometimes it's just a good plot without much philosophy behind it (think Pride and Prejudice)--and I'm not trying to be condescending here, I truly believe that both are equally valuable in their own way. What I'm trying to say is that fitting into a popular, well-marketable trope doesn't in and of itself define the worth of a piece of literature. You never know which story will crush your heart and soul and make you stay up at night, thinking of it.

Secondly, independently of the goal the writer has in mind, independently of their writing skills and the depth of the idea they want to convey, ultimately, a book has to be interesting to read. Think of Boris Vian and his Ecume des jours (sorry, don't know the English title)--he wrote a whole novel in which the daily life of the characters is jarring to read about, and still, we read, because the human story behind it keeps us interested. This is what makes good literature, in my opinion: the ability to captivate the reader. The ability to make the audience think, second-guess themselves, come back to the story, or maybe even be unable to come back because it was too emotionally impacting.

The last thing I wanted to address is writing a cliffhanger solely to sell a sequel. I think that the real question here is why we as writers (including myself here) tend to so eagerly condemn this? I understand being mad about it as a reader; however, as writers, why does it piss us off so much? I think that it has to do with our ego, our need to feel superior to other authors, and we find an easy prey: authors who sell well because they adapted what they write for the market. I honestly think that integrity is a secondary question here; it's about us, not them.

Once I understood this about myself, I decided that I don't want to appoint myself the judge of literature. Literature, as any art, can be good or bad; sometimes what I consider bad will sell well and resonate with a lot of people. Who am I to tell them they like the wrong thing? Who am I to say that what shook them to their core is mediocre? They'd probably say the same about my personal favourites, and I'd be rightfully pissed. At the end of the day, there is no measuring stick in art; I choose to uplift those whom I like and ignore those who do nothing for me.

#writing #literature #writers on tumblr #live and let live

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maladaptive-jcb · 1 year ago

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Chapter 6: Canvas of Connections

Jamie x female!reader

(fluff, safe for under 18)

Click here for chapter 5 if you missed it.

Summary: Reader is an independent artist who lives on her own in a small town and meets Jamie, a musician, in an art studio where their budding relationship formed through shared interests of different forms of art.

Warning: There will be talks about trauma and PTSD from sexual assault, domestic abuse and dissociative episodes throughout the story.

I check my phone screen as I hear that familiar notification sound from it. I feel a jolt in my chest when I see Jamie's name pops up as I click it. I open to a selfie that he sent and chuckle silently. It's a photo of him pouting in the driver's seat angled slightly towards the empty space beside him.

"Feels quite lonely when you're not here… ☹️," the message reads.

I start crafting my response in glee: "How sad. Guess we have to change that pretty soon. ☺️"

Jamie and I have been texting back and forth ever since we reconnected at the cafe. When we felt a deeper sense of closeness, we decided to exchange phone numbers at the end. Both of us realized that our heart-to-heart time wouldn't be enough in just a short coffee break. We texted about everything from our favourite books, destination spots, movies to even as silly as our quirky habits. With every text, my heart dances in flips. I can almost hear his voice, laughter and his genuine smile behind every single one of them.

Ding! Another response received. "How about I'll pick you up tomorrow for our class? We can go together! 😉"

I start beaming at the thought of starting a new routine with Jamie. Usually when I walk into class, he'll already be sitting there with his paintbrushes laid out or I'll be the one who's waiting around to hear the familiar footsteps of his ankle boots walking in. Now that he's already initiating a plan to come together shows how familiar and comfortable we already are getting with each other. This thought thrills something in me.

"Sounds perfect! Can't wait to see you tomorrow! 😊" I hit send, feeling a smile creeping up on my face again.

_____

One more time. I tell myself as I check my appearance in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, knowing full well I'll be back to check myself again in a few minutes. I keep tidying the hair that I tied up while still lowering some face framing bangs, adjusting my colourful-patterned top, paired with a simple denim jacket and a black skirt. I intentionally planned the balance between casual and put-together into my whole look. As I step back, the last touch of my subtle stud earrings sparkle under the sunlight streaming through my bedroom window. Yeah, that looks good.

I wonder if Jamie would even notice the effort behind my look. All those clothes laid out in bed and tossing aside the ones I didn't want from the previous night seems comical to me at the moment. However, I really do want to put more thoughts into how I look to Jamie today. He's quickly becoming an important person to me and I don't want to take that for granted.

"Good morning! I'll be there in 10 minutes. See you soon!," his text pops up on my push notifications. I pack my bag up with my art supplies and go to wait at the window. The view from my apartment window overlooks directly on the front driveway of my building. Peering down, waiting with anticipation of every passing car that could potentially be his. Sure enough, after a while, a familiar blue convertible turns into the driveway. Even after imagining that image so many times in my head, my heart still jumps when it actually happens.

When I walk out of my building, I'm met with Jamie standing right outside the car waiting to open the door for me. I speed up my walk towards him in excitement and give him a quick hug. He smells different, a little woody yet fruity at the same time. It's very intriguing and inviting. Seems like he's putting in the effort for me too. It makes me want to hide my smile at the thought.

"Hi! Wow, you look gorgeous!" he exclaims, admiring myself from top to bottom, which makes me more nervous than I thought I would be.

"Oh, thank you. Well, you don't look so bad yourself," I playfully push his arm.

Sure enough, he looks as stylish as ever but truth is, it doesn't matter what he wears. I'll always be captivated by his ruffled up blond hair, clear ocean eyes, striking features and lean build. Always towering over me with a sense of protection.

"Why, thank you, darling," he smiles and runs his hand through his locks. "Are you ready?" He finally opens the door of the car for me. I chuckle at him.

"You really don't have to do this every single time, you know?" I say.

"Try and stop me," he grins back and closes the door after me.

_____

Mr. Hayes and a few of the students were already there. We arrive quite early so we figured we would set up our stuff before we start. When I see two empty seats next to each other, I turn to Jamie.

"Do you want to sit together?" I ask him. His head turns towards me with a little bit of surprise and gladness.

"Really?" he asks back.

"Yes, silly! Come on!" I nod my head towards the seats.

We take the seats and put down our bags.

"It's just…" he starts ruffling his hair again.

"What? What is it?" My curiosity starts growing.

"I don't know. I just think it's funny since there were times where I was thinking of sitting next to you but there was never an available seat. Even when I was early, someone else took the seats next to mine instead," he stares forward, remembering them in his head.

My heart feels touched until something clicks in my head all of a sudden.

"Wait, I might be crazy here but… is that why you were always so grumpy in class?" I ask.

He starts blushing and rubbing his cheeks with his left hand to hide it. His silver rings twinkling under the fluorescent studio lights as he did. "Oh, lovely. You finally caught on me."

"Wait… Jamie Campbell Bower, have you been thinking about me? This whole time?" I start playfully shoving his arm and teasing him endlessly about it. His face starts getting even redder and it's even harder for him to hide it.

"Stop it, behave yourself!" he says in a slightly higher pitched voice with a shy grin on his face.

"Okay, I'll stop… this time," I giggle.

"I'm glad we're here together by the way… even though it took us long enough," I add, shifting the teasing away to calm him.

"Yes, me too. Plus, you promised to help me in class, didn't you? I'm still holding onto that," Jamie says as he leans his body closer.

"Yes, absolutely my dear boy," I pat his back. He smiles with it.

_____

Today, Mr. Hayes gave us a few options of landscape photos to study and copy them into our paintings for the day. The landscape photos were put up from the easiest to the hardest one. Jamie chooses the one in between. Sort of an intermediate level. It's a lovely photo of a purple sunset with different hues of mountains overlapping on the horizon as they fade away. I choose the same because I think it would be nice for us to study it together.

Jamie has the first few layers of colours on the canvas and is now struggling to get the perspective right. I stop to look at his work and help him learn how to realign the proportions through sketching out the shapes before layering another colour. The change of mood shown in his demeanor after accomplishing what he thought he couldn't do makes my heart warm. It feels as if I succeed alongside him as well. He looks up to me again for approval when I notice something and laugh.

"Jamie, you have purple paint on your cheek," I point at the part of his face, continuing to giggle.

"Oh, great…" he rolls his eyes at himself. "I must look soooo attractive right now."

Yes, you do.

I shake my head and smile. "It's okay, I got this." I pull out my wipes from my bag, gets up from my chair and starts cleaning the acrylic paint on his cheek. The acrylic paint is a little dried up so I'm trying a little harder to get it out when I finally notice his iridescent eyes staring right at me. My heart skips a beat.

"Is it gone?" He asks.

I clear my throat. "Oh, yes a little bit more and… there you go."

"Thanks," he beams.

Class is going really great today, especially now that I have him here with me. No longer just staring from across the room or stealing glances at him when he's not looking. No. He's actually sitting next to me now. As my friend.

Jamie and I couldn't stop talking the whole time. Sometimes he would peek over my painting and tried to learn the techniques that I've been using. Because of his eagerness, he'll try and reach my hand to move it away so he can look closely at what I'm doing. I just shake my head at give a slight chuckle from time to time. His behaviour is quite entertaining to see.

Mr. Hayes comes up to us and tells Jamie that his work is super impressive for the day.

"I'm glad you have been learning more with y/n now, huh?" Mr. Hayes nods at me as he talks to Jamie.

"Absolutely. She's an amazing teacher. A cute one too," he smirks and winks at me.

"Now, now am I not a cute teacher for you, Jamie?" Mr. Hayes teases back.

"Oh sorry, Mr. Hayes, I mean-" Jamie's hand on his mouth now.

"That's what I thought," Mr. Hayes chuckles. "You keep an eye on this young boy, y/n. Alright?" He then says to me.

"I will, Mr. Hayes. I promise," I giggle as he moves along to check the other students.

_____

"Hey, thank you for today. I know it was a lot, you know, teaching me while also doing your own painting too," Jamie says to me as we step out of the studio.

"Are you kidding me? It was so much fun doing this with you. I knew I could unlock your potential."

"I really did great today, didn't I?" I sense his happiness in his high pitched voice and his usual big grin on his face.

"Oh yeah, Mr. Hayes was very proud of you!" I place a hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you too."

Jamie pulls me into a hug. It takes me by surprise but I feel pleased to welcome it, taking another sniff of his woody scent. His chest feels warm and I can hear the excitement in his heartbeat.

"You're not working today aren't you?" he asks.

"Nope. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would like to do something," he suggests.

I can feel a smile starts forming on my face.

"Well, what do you have in mind?"

"Come with me. To the beach," a thrill in his voice as he speaks.

"Okay, but please let me get ready and change before we go out again this time."

He laughs again. "Alright, let's go get you back home then."

Jamie drives me home and promised to come back in a couple hours.

Chapter 7

_____

Hi, guys! I'm back! Thanks for all the notes and sweet messages you left me for my stories so far. I'll try to update as often as I can. I hope you like this chapter as much as I do. Just you and Jamie being cute hehe. I'm planning to do more cute stuff like these without derailing my actual main plot. So much in work! I'm excited!

#jamie bower fanfic #jamie x reader #jamie bower x reader #jamie campbell x reader #jamie x female reader #jcb #jamie bower #jamie campbell bower #vecna #jamie x y/n #jamie bower x y/n #jamie campbell bower x y/n #jamie bower x female reader #jamie campbell bower x female reader #fanfic fluff #romance #artist #musician #jamie campbell bower x reader fluff

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windsweptinred · 8 months ago

Text

Get to know me tag game

(extended addition)

So I've been tagged in three seperate tag games. And since I'm notoriously bad at following instructions... I thought, I'll just do them all at once. 🤷😅

Thank you for the tag @bobbole @martybaker @marlowe-zara @just-cosmere-fan and @mashumaru

Enjoy the essay I guess? 😅

Are you named after anyone?:

One of the three virtues? I dunno, it's probably a Catholic thing. My name sounds like I'm a Vampire Slayer love child.

When was the last time you cried?:

I'm from the north, we don't do that here. We just stare stoicly into the distance.

Do you have kids?:

One, my daughter. I'd have loved to have had more children. But sadly that doesn't seem to be what fate has in store for me.

What sports do you play/have played?:

I used to dance when I was younger, but yeah... I'd rather knaw off my own knees then do sport.

Do you use sarcasm?:

Eyes some of the answers I've given.

What's the first thing you notice about people?:

Something beautiful about them. Not in a shallow way. You spend enough time around artists for a living, you start to notice how lovely someone's elbow is. How someone holds themselves just so. How pretty someone's hair looks in a certain light. Stuff like that. Every body is it's own work of art.

What's your eye colour?

Blue/Grey... Picture what you think the skies in Britain look like, 10 out of the 12 months of the year. That.

Scary movie's or happy endings?:

Both, neither, like everything else in my life it entirely depends on my mood. I'm an intemperate creature prone to whimsy.

Do you have any talents?:

I'm far too English to admit to being talented at anything. (Insert embarrassed, awkward mumbling). I have been told I'm fleet of foot upon the moorland. Is being a moor elf a talent?

Where were you born?:

Gods own county.

What are your hobbies?:

I dabble in many an art and craft. I love walking in nature, I'd be out there every day if I could. TV, film, books, podcasts. There's so much wonderful media at our fingertips today, it's amazing when you stop and think about it. My beloved scrapbooks ofcourse, cataloguing my life and loves in an array of pictures and washi tape.

Do you have any pets?:

I have a literal zoo.

How tall are you?:

Taller then a pony, smaller then a horse. Glad we could clear that up.

Favourite subject in school?

History, I've always loved history. I'd have spent my entire education in history if I'd been allowed to.

Dream job?:

I love my current job. But if I had to pick another, something where I could be independent, outdoors and busy. Something as simple as a postlady or a moorland warden would see me happy.

Spicy/Savory/Sweet? :

I can be whatever you want me to be you delicious little love muffin. 😏

Favorite colour? :

I'm pretty sure people who barely know of my existence here on ye olde tumblr could answer this...But red.

Relationship status? :

Married a year and a half now. Engaged on Dream and Hob's centennial anniversary, married on national hobbit day.

Last song? :

Joan Jett, Dirty Deeds

Last movie?:

The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Currently watching?:

I've just wrapped up Interview with the Vampire season one and am rewatching True Detective season 1. Both, mwah. Chef's kiss.

Currently consuming?:

A glass of shiraz, while stroking a white cat. I like to get my cultured Bond villain game on on a Tuesday evening.

3 ships? :

Corinthiel (The Corinthian x Daniel Hall), Danbert (Herbert West x Daniel Cain) and The Devil's Minion (Armand x Daniel Molloy).

Current obbsession? :

Daniels apparently.

First ship? :

Daiken/ Kensuke. Can you remember when we used to flip the names depending on who was top/bottom 😅. But Daisuke x Ken from Digimon 02.

Currently working on?:

1001 ideas. Working on absolutely none of them. I need a motivational kick up the jacksie.

(I won't tag anyone and force them to answer this monstrous list. I'm not that barbaric. Unless you want to, then by all means have at it. Let me know and I'll tag you, 90s chain mail style. You'll have to answer and forward it to 5 other people within 24 hours or 'IT' will come for you!)

#Tag game

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