#delia sherman

[sixofravens-reads]

Started this book in the bath. I'm enjoying it more than my last two reads, so hopefully this is an end to the pattern of reading a book for a week and then DNFing it!

[jelotinousblog]

christmas book haul!

[laziestgirlintown]

I have! 😃 It's lovely! Read it, especially if you've liked Swordspoint, The Fall of Kings, and The Privilege of the Sword! And if you haven't read them, go do it right now! Modern classic queer fantasy melodrama of manners! Think Shakespeare, except you get the dirty jokes that were in 17thC slang. Must read.

[dreamypqulson]

i don’t want chocolates or flowers for valentine’s day; i want cordelia goode.

[logarithmicpanda]

Swordspoint - The Privilege of the Sword - The Fall of the Kings (Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman)

Very queer fantasy books!

Each can be read more or less as a standalone, while there are recurring characters there's also consequent time skips between each volume (like, decades)

Very atmospheric

No magic until the last book

A lot of swordfighting and duels of all kinds

8/10

[blxckchxrrybxby]

Couples Retreat [Pt.2]

Pairing(s): Cordelia Goode x Wilhemina Venable, Diane Sherman, Billie Dean Howard, Mildred Ratched x Gwendolyn Briggs, Ally Mayfair-Richards, Y/N, **Mentions Ivy**

ASMR: Blue Takeoff & Landing

A/N: I wrote this tipsy, it's all over the place. Not edited, sue me.

Wordcount: 5.3k

6:02pm

A pleasant blue hue covered all of the passengers in first class.

Empty champagne glasses were collected—some of which had been refilled nearly three times. Headphones were dispersed for those wanting to tune into the film playing. However, most of the passengers chose to sleep or gaze out of the windows at the dark, passing clouds. To say the experience was luxurious compared to most flights Mina had been on was an understatement.

Alas, there was only one thing keeping her from fully enjoying it.

“Cordelia, for the sake of my sanity, please let it go,” Wilhemina grumbled in a whisper as she tried to relax against her seat. A lilac neck pillow aided in supporting her neck, however, the earplugs she brought were to no avail as Cordelia took the opportunity of the long flight to question her intentions about the woman they had met earlier.

“All I’ve done was ask a question,” Cordelia began, “One you can’t seem to answer… which gives me an answer,” She whispered softly, not wanting to interrupt the sleep of any of the surrounding passengers. Wilhemina frowned at her statement and remained quiet. Inside of her mind, the origin of her lover’s anger replayed over and over again.

“I’m no fool, Mina. That look you gave her— you’ve only given that look to me... Were you attracted to her?”

Wilhemina would have responded earlier, but the truth was, she was hurt by Delia’s accusation. Yes, the woman from earlier was attractive, however, Mina wasn’t attracted to her. The only person who could fulfill her being entirely and set her heart aflame was Cordelia. Hell, she even married her to prove it! If it wasn’t for her already knowing how deceptive the last person Cordelia married was, she would have shut down altogether. But now that she had taken time to respond rather than react, Cordelia thought she was intentionally dismissing her.

A few moments passed, leaving Cordelia to scoff at Wilhemina’s lack of words. Twisting in her seat so that her knees were facing away from the redhead, she wondered how a perfect morning had turned into a sour day. Perhaps she was overexaggerating, but Cordelia couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that resided in the pit of her stomach; and if being the Supreme had taught her anything, it was to always follow her gut.

Feeling her shift, Wilhemina slowly uncrossed her fingers that lay on her lap and reached out a manicured hand towards her Delia. It landed softly on the witch’s thigh, seeing as that her new position made her knees too far for Mina to grasp. She turned her head towards Cordelia after slowly opening her eyes. The blonde still faced the window, most likely watching the city lights below to ease her nerves. Mina gently squeezed the soft flesh, waiting a moment for the witch to show interest in her again.

This wasn’t how she wanted to start their vacation.

Cordelia remained unmoved and Wilhemina couldn’t take it any longer. She squeezed the blonde’s thigh again, pleading softly, “Delia… please look at me.” Taking a moment to breathe before returning to her original position, she was met with Mina’s heavy, dark eyes. The hand that once laid on Cordelia’s thigh lifted up to gently cup her cheek. Cordelia couldn’t help but melt into her touch. “The answer is no.” Cordelia’s eyebrows furrowed as Mina’s thumb swiftly caressed her smooth skin. “Delia… the only woman I am attracted to is you.”

They both took a moment to relish in silence.

It was as if they had become in tune with one another. Cordelia basked in the heat radiating from her lover’s hand and Wilhemina focused on the sensation of her wife’s skin beneath her fingertips. Her thumb halted for a moment as her hand sank a bit further down Delia’s face. She glided her fingertips towards the witch’s lips, allowing her eyes to fall from their shared gaze.

Cordelia momentarily closed her eyes, feeling Mina’s fingers ghost across her lips. As she opened them again, she leaned in, laying a soft kiss on each frigid fingertip. Wilhemina shuddered, finding the light sensation quite pleasing. Something the Supreme took a mental note of. Mina bit the inside of her bottom lip, not entirely slipping it beneath her teeth.

Cordelia replayed all of their earlier conversations in her mind and felt a pang of guilt; pausing her kisses. “Mina…” Her glossy eyes met the redhead’s, “I know I should trust you, but I…” Her hoarse voice broke off into silence as a few tears escaped her eyes, “…I’m sorry… I didn’t-”

“Shh… you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for,” Wilhemina stated, feeling a bit of courage. Her thumbs wiped away the tears of her distraught partner as she pulled her closer. Ever since Cordelia entered her life, she allowed Wilhemina a safe space for her emotions. She’d never dismissed them; always validating her lover’s feelings as long as they weren’t self-deprecating. Now, it was Mina’s turn. The redhead laid her forehead against Delia’s and stared deeply into her eyes. “I know your past… I know your wounds… and I know I may not be the best person to help you heal them, but I’ll try…” A great heat spread across Wilhemina’s face as if embarrassment had kissed the apples of her cheeks while wearing red lipstick. She was at a loss for words, so awkwardly, her heart took over her tongue, “I’ll always try for you, Delia… You are everything and more. Believe me when I tell you that it is only you.”

Cordelia could feel her eyes glaze over with emotion. Mina was a lot of things but being emotional wasn’t one of them. It was rare for her to be this raw and vulnerable—especially somewhere public. Cordelia nodded and bit her quivering lip in an attempt to halt any insecurity from spilling over. For whatever reason, her thoughts held her hostage and reminded her of how easily someone could walk out of her life again.

Perhaps this was how it felt to walk in her wife’s shoes.

Looking over with slightly unfocused eyes and a foggy brain, you watched the older women embrace. You had just woken up from a hard nap and everyone around you seemed to still be under the spell of drowsiness. You brought your hand up to rub the sleep from your eyes as Diane stirred beside you. Somebody must have been having a bad dream. Transferring your attention to the woman who had accompanied you on the flight, you smiled at how messy her hair was. Careful not to wake the sleeping woman, you gently raked your fingers through her tresses until her auburn waves no longer spilled messily across her face.

As you took in Diane’s features, you couldn’t help but linger on her long lashes and soft lips. You wondered how a woman as lovely as she could be on vacation all alone, then again, your own circumstance wasn’t foreign to the concept. As you continued to memorize each beauty mark and freckle adorning her face, a hoarse, yet sultry voice rang out quietly.

“Do you always offer strangers a first-class seat, or was today her lucky day?”

You glanced behind you, eyeing the businesswoman between the seats. With a decorous smile, you chuckled, “Her lucky day, I suppose. However, if it were up to me, I would have preferred the original plans set for this flight.”

“Oh?” Her attention peaked as she slid off her blazer and stretched. Your eyes immediately fell over her extended torso, “Such as?”

You bit the inside of your cheek and stopped yourself from oversharing, “I don’t think going into detail would be a good idea.”

She lifted her wrist, glancing at the fancy watch, “It seems we have about an hour left on this flight. It would be a shame if we exited the same as how we boarded.��

Arching an eyebrow and meeting the audacious woman’s gaze, you queried, “And how did we board?”

“As strangers, of course.” A sly smirk graced her lips.

“Hm,” You internally debated on opening up to the woman. After all, she was a stranger, but what really made her any different from Diane? Both could be psychotic for all you knew. Then again, after today, it was obvious that you knew nothing. Especially when it came to the ‘relationship’ you shared with Ivy. “You first, red suit.”

She simpered confidently, “I’m Ally.” Holding her hand out for what you assumed was a handshake, she continued, “And you?”

Smiling back in a coquettish manner, you slipped your hand between the small gap in the seats, “Y/N. I doubt you’ll forget it if we share the same destination.”

Firmly grasping your hand, she restrained it from moving. Your eyebrows furrowed, not understanding why both hands weren’t formally shaking. Within a second, Ally leaned in and kissed the back of your hand amorously. You froze, watching as her lips slowly pulled away, yet grazed against the sensitive skin. Her eyes pierced your own and that sly smirk returned. It was as if she mastered hypnosis because you were completely entranced. Her skin set yours aflame as you fought off the butterflies fluttering about in your belly.

Ivy was never this charming.

Stirring once more, Diane shifted to lay her head on your shoulder; frowning at your awkward position. You quickly reclaimed your hand and cleared your throat before she could awaken. A low chuckle could be heard from behind you as you flushed from the sudden interaction.

*

“Ladies and gentlemen, Sona Airlines welcomes you to Lucia, California. The local time is 7:22pm. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate. The Captain will then turn off the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when opening the overhead compartments and removing items, since articles may have shifted during flight.”

“About time,” Diane mumbled to herself, trying to get a signal from her phone. “Chloe’s probably worried sick.”

You giggled softly and shook your head, “How old is your daughter? You haven’t mentioned her much.”

“For good measure, I assume,” Ally muttered low enough for only you to hear. You glanced between the seat, throwing her a lour.

“Oh, Chloe’s 17. She’s turning 18 soon.” Diane began, showing you a picture of her. You had to admit, she didn’t favor Diane as much as you expected.

“She’s beautiful, Diane.” You smiled, “Is she looking at any colleges?”

Her smile faltered at your question, “Well, Chloe is um… College isn’t really in the plans.”

You nodded, empathetically, “I can understand.” You laid a comforting hand on hers, “I chose to skip a few years and by the time I thought about attending university, I was already in a suitable career. Everyone’s path is different. I’m sure she will excel at whatever she puts her mind to.” Diane nodded in agreeance as you continued, “Besides, if she’s anything like you, I’m sure she’ll go far.”

She blushed immensely from your statement, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ears, “I sure hope so.”

You smiled and playfully bumped your shoulder against hers, hoping it would help ease her nerves, “I still can’t believe you have a teenager. You don’t look a day over 25.”

She laughed, playfully pushing you, “Nonsense, but thank you. She’s my world, truly.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, focusing on how radiant her smile was. Although Ivy was still very much present in your mind, you had to admit that Diane was a great distraction—and a very attractive one, at that.

“If I may ask, what all do you have planned once we land?” You fidgeted with your phone, trying your hardest to ignore the overwhelming urge to check it for any calls or texts from your absent ‘lover’.

Diane bit her lip, thinking to herself, “Not much. I’ll most likely order in and watch a movie.” You nodded in response, taking in her words. You figured she didn’t want to give out much information since safety was the first priority when traveling alone, and understandably so. At least, until, “I’ll be residing at the Caille Blanc Villa for my whole stay...” You bit your bottom lip, holding in a smirk, “In case you decide to stop by at any point. I’m sure with your spouse not joining  you, you’ll have a bit of free time on your hands.”

Ally cleared her throat and stood up, grabbing her things from the overhead. You ignored her and smiled at Diane, “It seems I’ll be seeing more of you than I expected.” Her head tilted in confusion, “I’m residing at the Caille Blanc Villa as well. All the couples on this retreat are given suites there.”

Ally snickered, mumbling under her breath, “What a coincidence.”

You peered at the standing woman, preparing to respond before Diane beat you to it, “What was that?” She asked, staring directly at Ally. Her expression held no trace of benevolence for the brunette.

Lifting her carry-on bag onto her shoulder, Ally smiled; feigning innocence, “Oh, nothing.” Her hand landed on your shoulder, giving it a light squeeze, “I’ll see you at the Villa, hm?” With a wink, she strutted off passing other passengers who were retrieving their belongings as well.

You shook your head and returned your attention back to Diane, “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” She chuckled lightly, “I just don’t take kindly to off-putting strangers. Especially when they bother someone I find myself quite… fond of.” You bit the inside of your lip, feeling your face go crimson from her words. Avoiding eye contact to help soothe your sudden timidness, you looked back down at the phone resting in the palm of your hand. Diane chuckled, placing her hand on the phone, “How about you take my number? In case you find yourself with more time than you know what to do with.”

After gaining Diane’s number, you waved at the woman and watched her walk down the aisle past other passengers. Grabbing the few belongings you brought with you, you stood up and readied yourself to exit the plane, until you noticed the older women from earlier fast asleep. All the emotion they displayed must have finally worn them out.

You cautiously made your way over, and looked around nervously, wondering if you should wake them or not. With a gentle touch, you tapped the blonde’s shoulder repeatedly until she began to stir. Her eyes slowly opened from your gesture and met your gaze.

You nearly froze, getting sucked into her doe eyes, “I-I’m so sorry for waking you, but um… we just landed and-”

“Who are you?” The redhead beneath you asked in a groggy and grumpy tone—awakening right after the blonde.

You quickly fixed your posture, no longer hovering over her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was telling your wife that-”

“Why do you assume we’re married?” The blonde asked in a teasing tone, but for you, it only intensified your anxiety.

“Oh, I thought-…” You paused for a moment, to gulp down your uneasiness. The woman in purple stared you down, while the blonde looked you over—unashamed of her wondering eyes. You were sure your knees would buckle at any moment. Without another word, you looked down and scurried away from the awkward situation.

Upon exiting the plane, Cordelia and Wilhemina made their way to the Villa, making light conversation about your fleeting presence. A guide stood at the entrance, welcoming the late arrivers as they piled into the lobby. Room keys were dispersed, and the litter of bodies soon disappeared as everyone found their designated rooms. As Cordelia explored the suite in awe, Wilhemina looked over the itinerary.

“There’s a dinner being held for all of the couples who arrived late.”

“Does it state what will be served?” Cordelia called out from an unknown location in the suite.

“Unfortunately, not,” Mina mumbled, with a slight huff. “Perhaps we could order in for the night?”

“But Mina,” Cordelia began, walking back into the main room, “The night’s still young.” Cordelia knew her lover was probably exhausted, but she couldn’t help the giddiness she felt from being in such a luxurious place. Besides, it wasn’t common for the Supreme to take a vacation and her wife was well aware of that. As the redhead perched herself onto the edge of the bed, Cordelia kicked off her shoes and straddled her lap, “Let’s ditch the dinner and go have a meal by ourselves, hm? Just you and I.”

Sliding her hands along the witch’s thighs—Mina tentatively agreed while Cordelia’s lips seductively grazed her ear—lightly nipping at it, “Hmm, I’m sure a change of pace would do us some good.”

*

After a quick change of attire, the two women made their way to Lucia’s finest restaurant. Soft jazz music could be heard floating along the coastline; harmonizing with the rhythm of Wilhemina’s cane. A clad waiter led the two to a favorable table, facing the shore. The lighting was dim, and the restaurant was nearly vacant since most residents were tucked into their beds or out on the town. Cordelia was more than ecstatic as she took in the atmosphere and melted against her lover’s side.

“You can’t buy peace like this,” Cordelia stated softly as she stared out into the vast night sky.

Wilhemina would beg to differ but knew better than to start a disagreement over something so insignificant. Moving her eyes from the menu to Cordelia, her breath caught. She looked almost ethereal with the restaurant’s fairy lights and the moonlight clashing against her skin.

Catching her lover’s starstruck stare, Cordelia shyly looked down at the menu, “The lobster sounds quite nice.”

“Indeed.” Mina nearly whispered out, still taken aback.

As the night commenced, the two shared stories and laughter, along with a few glasses of Chambourcin. All the worries of the academy slipped from the Supreme’s mind and the only thing she could focus on was Mina. Feeling a great heat reside in her chest, Wilhemina grasped Delia’s hand—spreading kisses across the flushed skin like a wildfire. Cordelia laughed heartily, unable to keep her giggles contained.

As time passed, the restaurant picked up speed. It was clear that the lovers weren’t the only ones who had the bright idea of ditching the itinerary’s plan for a shared dinner.

Originally, you had intended to order in and catch some sleep. However, once the loneliness began to gnaw at your heart, you figured you would text Diane and invite her out for a bite. Walking into the restaurant, you grinned with the older woman and sat at the last available table. Looking around, you spotted a few familiar faces from the plane ride. Your gaze momentarily caught on the same doe eyes from earlier, until Diane began speaking.

“I bet the food’s amazing here,” she stated, looking through the menu. “I don’t usually eat out.”

“Well, tonight we’re changing that.” You smirked, “And it’s all on me.” Diane quickly looked up at you, ready to protest the declaration. “I don’t want to hear it,” You giggled, “I have more than enough money to splurge on and by default, I’m going to treat you to a nice, warm meal.”

Diane rolled her eyes and huffed, “This isn’t fair.”

You couldn’t help but smile as you watched her adjust her cardigan, “All’s fair in… food and wine.” She chuckled at your lame statement and playfully swatted at your hand.

“You’re a stubborn one, I see.”

“Look to your left, Mina.” Cordelia whispered. The redhead turned her head, smirking devilishly as she spotted you. “I suppose she has a thing for redheads, hm?”

Wilhemina snorted, shaking her head, “I’d assume it was more so directed toward blondes with the way she was eyeing you on the plane.”

“Stop it,” Cordelia giggled, playfully swatting the other woman’s arm. Laying her chin on the palm of her hand she continued, “Do you think she’s on a date? Maybe that’s her wife.”

“Hm, perhaps. I believe they were sitting together on the flight.”

Cordelia’s eyebrow arched teasingly from Mina’s statement, “How did you know that?”

“I have eyes, Cordelia.” Wilhemina retorted monotonously.

The Supreme couldn’t help but laugh at her wife’s response. Maybe if the two weren’t as tipsy, the statement would have earned Mina an eye-roll, but the wine dulling their senses didn’t allow much room for seriousness. With a low hum, Cordelia moved closer to Wilhemina. The scene before her made her head spin with memories, “Remember when we first started dating?”

The redhead chuckled and grasped her wife’s hand delicately, making eye contact. “Did you expect me to forget?”

“Thank you.” You stated as the waiter brought out water and wine for you and Diane to sip on until the food was ready. “Do you have a favorite wine?” You asked, directing your attention to the woman you came with.

“No, not really.” Her fingertips moved along the side of the water glass, collecting droplets of condensation, “I mean, I may indulge in a cheap merlot on the weekends, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite.” She finished with a light laugh.

You chuckled at her answer, enjoying how down-to-earth and frank she was. “There’s nothing wrong with a sweet red.” Not thinking, you took a sip of the water and placed it on the table—right beside the coaster. “It’s actually one of my favorites.”

“Oh? So you’re keen on alcohol?”

“On occasion,” You shrugged, finally letting the fermented grape juice soak into your palate, “but recently, I’ve cut down significantly. I can’t handle hangovers like I used to.”

The two of you laughed, making the most of the small talk and wine. Letting a bit loose, Diane slid off her cardigan after finishing the glass and excused herself to the bathroom.

Unbeknownst to you, two experienced lovers watched in amusement.

“There’s no spark,” Cordelia whispered, “No chemistry at all.”

Wilhemina hummed, “She missed the coaster entirely.”

“Maybe we should help the poor girl?” Cordelia suggested.

“She is a lost little thing, isn���t she?”

Cordelia glanced at her lover and smirked, knowing the familiar glint in her eyes, “Some guidance would do her good, Mina. And who else could assist, but you?”

The tipsy side of Wilhemina lifted her head in condescension, staring you down like you were a pathetic piece of prey. There was something about you so alluring, yet innocent. However, the sober side of Wilhemina knew that it had been a while since they’d tried adding a third and if she were to fail, it would embarrass her to no end.

Grasping her cane firmly, she stood and walked over to you without hesitation. Hearing the tapping of the cane grow nearer, you lifted your head in Wilhemina’s direction and froze. You could see the blonde from earlier gazing deliciously at you from behind the austere woman, and you had to admit that her dark eyes were making you warm. Or feasibly it was the wine.

Standing in front of you with both hands on her cane, Wilhemina peered down at you, “Ignore her.” Your eyes snapped from the blonde to the redhead. “Good.” She praised monotonously, causing your chest to fill with warmth. “Enlighten me. What’s your name?”

You licked your now-dry lips and cleared your throat softly, “Y/N. And you?”

She chuckled deeply, “Bold of you to assume you deserve to know my name.”

“It would only be fair,” You began, finding your voice.

“Anyway,” She stated, cutting you off, “I didn’t come over to engage in tortuous small talk. It seems you have your hands full with that already. However, if you find yourself needing a hand, feel free to speak with my wife.” You stared, dumbfounded at the woman. Was this some kind of joke? You didn’t know whether to be offended or thankful for the permission. You nodded quietly and watched as she began to turn away but yielded in her tracks. Turning back to face you, she reached past you and grasped the water glass, setting it on the coaster. Staring into your eyes due to the close proximity, she smirked, “Have some class.”

You exhaled audibly once the redhead had retreated to her table. Looking around, you blushed from the possibility of anyone witnessing what had just happened. Trying your best to focus your attention on something less confrontational, you opened your phone and checked for any sign of communication from Ivy.

Wilhemina sat down next to her wife and chuckled as the witch asked about what was said. In the midst of drunkenly explaining her approach to the blonde, a polite pair of voices could be heard not too far away.

“Oh, isn’t this lovely?”

“Look at the view. It’s almost as astonishing as you.”

The familiarity of one of the voices slipped into Wilhemina’s ears, causing her to stiffen. Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, she could feel the night’s ease leave her body as animosity slipped into her veins. Cordelia—noticing the change in demeanor—frowned, looking around to see whom the redhead’s gaze had landed on. Glancing to her right, she eyed two women seated next to their table.

It was clear there was a theme of blondes and redheads tonight. Cordelia’s hand laid on Mina’s soothingly, “What is it? Do you know them?”

Wilhemina clenched her jaw before looking away from the table, “One of them.”

Cordelia’s eyebrows furrowed. She was beyond confused and doubted it was primarily due to the alcohol in her system. Sneakily, she stole more and more glances at the couple before whispering to her wife. “Forgive me, but I’m not sure what to say without context.”

“Nothing is preferred,” Mina responded, irritably. Whomever this woman was, her presence was enough to get under Wilhemina’s skin.

“Should we go?” Cordelia asked, sliding her chair back. Screeching across the floor, the chair caught Mildred and Gwendolyn’s attention.

“Venable?” Mildred called out, not believing her own eyes.

“Ratched.” Mina stated, having nothing more to say.

Gwendolyn looked over and offered a soft smile to Cordelia seeing as the other two women were eyeing one another. “Gwendolyn Briggs.”

Cordelia returned the polite greeting and shook hands with her, “Cordelia Goode.”

“I apologize for not speaking. Had I known there was shared familiarity, I would have spoken immediately.”

“No worries,” Cordelia chuckled, trying her best not to show just how tipsy she was. “I was unaware as well.”

In the midst of speaking, a waiter approached the couple explaining his mistake of seating them without realizing the table was reserved for another party.

Gwendolyn pouted, disappointed in the mix-up. “Well, I suppose we’ll just have to wait until another table is ready, hm?”

“Again madams, I am so sorry.” The waiter apologized.

Being the tipsy people pleaser she was, Cordelia chimed in, “Oh, well we were just about to leave. You could sit with us until they bring out the check then it’s all yours?” She suggested to Wilhemina’s dismay.

“Are they merging tables?” You whispered to Diane. The two of you were on your second glass of wine and invested in the hard-to-hear drama.

She nodded, stabbing the bell peppers with her fork, “Maybe we read the situation wrong?”

You looked at her as she stuffed her mouth and shared a drunken laugh.

Having pushed Mildred’s chair in and sat beside her, Gwendolyn smiled, “Well, this is nice.”

Cordelia grinned, “I agree.”

Gwen chuckled and faced Mildred, “Since Cordelia and I seem to be completely lost, care to let us in on the history between you two?”

Mildred took a sip of her water, refusing to break eye contact with the redhead across from her, “An old… friend.”

“How generous,” Wilhemina replied sarcastically.

“Well, of course. One of us has to be.” Mildred retorted.

Gwen’s smile faltered as she looked between the two women—similar to Cordelia. The tension swelling between the two could be cut with a knife. Cordelia cleared her throat and glanced at Wilhemina. Avoiding the questioning stare, Mina grabbed her glass and swallowed the rest of her wine. Nearly slamming it onto the table, her gaze reverted back to Mildred.

“What are you doing here?” She inquired.

“I could ask you the same thing.” Mildred countered.

“Spending quality time with my wife.”

“As am I.”

You and Diane giggled from the drama with mouths full of food.

“Wait... are they fighting?” She questioned.

You shrugged drunkenly, leaving your shoulders up longer than necessary. “No idea.”

The two of you could barely make out every other word, but it was clear that there was a discrepancy between the women. And the bickering wouldn’t stop.

“Have you no manners?” Mildred scolded as she moved Venable’s glass onto the coaster.

How ironic, Cordelia thought.

In response, Wilhemina merely smirked and moved the cup back onto the bare table; never breaking eye contact with the nurse’s unwavering gaze. Since the woman in purple had scolded you for the same thing earlier, you figured she must have wanted to irk Mildred. “I have many.”

“Arguable.” Mildred shot back.

“One of your hairpins must be stabbing into the part of your brain that makes life comprehensible. Either that or you’re too mentally incompetent to realize whom you’re talking to. I suppose you should be the one admitted into that damned hell hole you work at.”

Cordelia looked at Gwendolyn apologetically as the blue-eyed woman simply chuckled and gave Cordelia’s hand a pat. As if to say she wasn’t bothered at all by Wilhemina’s commentary toward her lover. It didn’t take long for you and Diane to realize that what the blonde was actually trying to convey was that Mildred could handle her own.

And that’s exactly what she did.

The nurse smirked deeper than Mina and leaned across the table, invading the other woman’s space. “It seems to me that you haven’t a clue what you’re talking about, because if you did, you’d be educated enough to know that my limbic system is well intact despite the many pins residing in my hair. However, I’m sure a good lobotomy would do you well.”

Gwendolyn glanced at Mildred worriedly, “Mildred…”

“Never insult my line of work, nor the hospital that I work for.” Mildred continued, “I am as sure of being an impeccable nurse as you are of being an impeccable bitch.”

You and Diane froze, along with a few other tables. Cordelia’s eyes widened in shock from the outburst. However, Wilhemina sat undaunted.

Mildred sat back in her chair and smoothed down her dress, “Besides, Venny, if you wanted me to put in a good word for you, it’s all you had to say. I’m sure you’re sick of working for those two drug addicts.”

Wilhemina scoffed, “You’re the last person who should be speaking about drugged-out bosses. Last I heard, your supervisor abuses medication-“

“Abused.” Mildred corrected, standing up from the table. “He no longer works there. However, I’ll be sure to put in a word with Nurse Bucket for you. I’m sure you two would get along swimmingly.”

Gwendolyn held back a chuckle as she stood with Mildred, “Where to, my love?”

The redhead pondered, “Anywhere but here. I have an appetite, just not for this cuisine.”

With a nod, Gwen wrapped an arm around Mildred and pressed a kiss to her temple, “Oysters it is. I spotted this nice little joint on our way here. Plus, a nightcap would be divine, don’t you think?”

You watched as the two women left.

[readingrobin]

June was the beginning of summer reading and man did I come out swinging. If you've been following me for a while, you know that summer reading is a BFD at my work and we have a competition between departments to see who can read the most. The winning department is awarded a 3D printed trophy of a pineapple to store in their office for the rest of the year. My department hasn't won since I switched roles in the library, but really that does not do anything to hurt my competitive nature. I'm a little bit behind where I want to be in my goal towards a specific point total, but it won't be hard to catch up. Gotta give Youth Services a run for their money.

Total Books Reads: 14

Total Pages Read: 5,608

Books Read:

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz (4/5) - An undeniably sweet, charming, hilarious love story that really puts you in the mood for a toasty grilled cheese. Seriously, I must have had three separate cravings while reading this comic. Each character has such a lovable personality, from Camembert's at times clueless, yet endearing nature, to Brie's sweetness and passion for her causes. They work well as a duo, their personalities a true compliment to each other. 

The artwork is absolutely stunning, especially when to comes to the outfits. It gave me flashbacks to The Prince and the Dressmaker in how articulate and gorgeous they could be. Brie's commitment to pink really makes each one of her wardrobes leap off the page, and, again, brings a great balance when seen with Cam's deeper palettes. 

I somewhat like the anachronistic aspect of the story, that you have traditional depictions of the monarchy with lavish balls and opulence that you would expect out of a fairy tale, and then someone would literally be playing with a Nintendo Switch in the next scene. It plays with the theme of steering away from tradition, depicting more contemporary, progressive-minded characters in a world that still holds onto the aesthetics of the past. 

The Bloody Chamber: And Other Stories by Angela Carter (4.5/5) - Review

The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (3.5/5) - Trickster tales are my bread and butter: Coyote, Hermes, Loki, Crow, Anansi, each one so varied in their mischief but share a great chaotic force. This archetype has always fascinated me, particularly in how involved they are in humanity, whether that means taking an active role in a creation myth or imparting some wisdom that helps humankind develop in a world that is always in flux. This anthology sports many of these figures, as well as some original ones, and mostly gets its job done of portraying various tricksy individuals.

Like any anthology, it had its hits and its misses. My favorite was "The Fiddler of Bayou Teche" by Delia Sherman. The atmosphere of this particular story really stood out amongst the rest, as well as the voice of the narrator, who has a Cajun vernacular that sucks you even more into the setting. The inclusion of the loup garou also is a massive plus for me. Always a sucker for werewolves am I.

Other stories I enjoyed were "One Odd Shoe," "The Listeners," "Crow Roads," "A Reversal of Fortune," and "Black Rock Blues." Probably a bit of a sign that, out of 26 stories, I only resonated with a small fraction of them, but that's just how it goes. I was definitely thinking by the end that the anthology felt a bit too weighty, or perhaps I was trying to read too much in one go. A lot of the more middling stories were unfortunately stuck in the second half, so by the end it felt a little bit more of a chore to get through.

Burning Down the Haus: Punk Rock, Revolution and the Fall of the Berlin Wall by Tim Mohr (3/5) - An interesting snapshot in history of the punk movement during the time of the Berlin Wall. The author makes the bold claim that the punk presence was a cause for the fall of the wall when he doesn't really say anything to back that information up. The book mainly talks about specific people within the punk community and the challenge of trying to live a subversive lifestyle when going against the status quo could get you arrested. The journeys of some of the people were very engaging, though some did seem more fleshed out than others and many didn't get much of a resolution. I would have loved to have read some retrospectives from some of the people in the community, as it seemed that the author was in contact with them, just to get a wider scope of their stories.

Squire and Knight Vol. 1 by Scott Chantler (4/5) - A charming, funny graphic novel that champions the thought of books over brawn, shown through a young squire saving the day by using his intelligence and reason to get to the bottom of a cursed town. The art of the comic is wonderfully fall-like, the author sticking to a palette of muted oranges, yellows, blacks, and greys that also give it a distinct medieval vibe. Definitely a worthwhile quick read if you like a bit of mystery and humor with your quest narratives.

Also there's a cool looking dragon in it, which should be enough for anyone to read anything really.

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley (4/5) - Robin McKinley has such a fine way of transforming ages old stories and making them more vibrant and engaging for a modern audience. Given how passive Sleeping Beauty is in her own fairy tale at times, McKinley does a phenomenal job of making Rosie a very active agent in her own story in this retelling. Her stubborn, determined, and no nonsense attitude had an odd way of making her endlessly endearing and her rise to action in the climax, as well as her sacrifices, solidified her as a strong, layered character.

The world is so mischievously magical, to the point where fish are a myth and, if you let your kettles unattended, the magic dust settling over them may lead to a surprise of snakes in the pot. McKinley's descriptive style only adds to the mysterious wonder of this land, not making it too difficult to feel yourself instantly transported within its pages.

Since I am a big fan of female friendships that are polar opposites, like the rough and tumble Rosie and the beautiful, princess-like Peony, it's always a shame when those relationships fall second place behind the romantic interests that have all the appeal of drying plaster.  Also, how old exactly is Narl? He's already a smith by the time Rosie is a baby and she develops feelings for him by the time she's 16 having known him her whole life. I have no idea why large age gap romances with emotionally distant men are such a trend in fantasy but I really I think we've had enough of them. 

Other than that, this was a stand out read for me, which is a welcome surprise since I found her other work, like Beauty and The Outlaws of Sherwood to be a bit middling. 

Violet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins (3/5) - Read this book as it is my library's book of the summer for this year. It's a simple, sweet story that deals with adapting to new situations shown through two house mice suddenly finding themselves living in the wild. Since the story stuck mostly to lighthearted adventure, I was surprised by its somewhat bittersweet ending. It was a little more mature that what I usually expect out of stories like this, saying that sometimes people drift away from who they love to get where they need to be, and that's all right. The memory of them is what keeps that love alive and I thought that was a sweet sentiment to end on.

The Secrets of Chocolate: A Gourmand's Trip through a Top Chef's Atelier by Franckie Alarcon (2.5/5) - Has some great insight into the process of chocolate making, as well as some scrumptious illustrations that really had me craving some chocolate afterwards. It was a so so reading experience and I mainly read it to fill a category for summer reading, so I can't really give it too high a rating.

The Sandman: Act III by Neil Gaiman (5/5) - Another gorgeous installment in the Sandman Audible series. Seeing as this one collections the Orpheus story, it has some wonderful, beautiful, and melancholic music to it. The full cast brings each character to life and I continue to be impressed at how truly immersive this series is as an audiobook.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (4/5) - Romances aren't usually my kind of thing, but when you mix in the qualms of a struggling author with ghostly shenanigans, then that makes a title a little more enticing. It also helps that the story focuses on the vulnerabilities surrounding grief as well as love. Florence's emotional journey was such a compelling element, especially when she holds so many fears, aspirations, and insecurities that seeing her come to terms with them feels like more of a triumph.

Though there was plenty of raw emotions in this book, it never turned morose. There is something comforting about seeing Florence rekindle her love for her hometown and finding refuge in her family. Tensions run high at times, but ultimately they're there for each other and somehow make a funeral home feel like a lively place. It's an oddly cozy book at times, full of reflection and soft moments.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (4/5) - Firekeeper's Daughter is such a powerful, heartbreaking, but necessary book. Boulley takes the complicated life of Daunis, full of grief and pain. but also an unwavering love and devotion to her family and community. I love how the author speaks of Daunis in relation to her community, that she finds solidarity, wisdom, and support in the Elders that hold the traditions and knowledge of her heritage. Daunis comes from a mixed background, but being Ojibwe is a fundamental part of her character and how she views herself. I loved that she always felt confident in who she was, even when so many refused to recognize her place in the tribe.

I have to say, this book was hard to read at times. Daunis faces so many betrayals and moments where people try and succeed to take advantage of her. It's difficult to see a community in danger because of people who only want to use it for their own selfish desires. The stakes are what make Daunis' every move so important and, even when some decisions don't seem so smart in the moment, you know she's doing everything she can to make sure the people that she loves stay safe. 

Her relationship with Jaimie I felt was handled very maturely. It feels like a natural parallel to Travis' and Lily's, one that knows and respects the aspects of love and what comes with it and one that doesn't. Boulley makes it abundantly clear through so many plotlines that self serving actions are what truly destroy a community and harmony with its members. 

Definitely worthy of its many accolades and a great conversation starter for many of the issues it discusses. 

Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall (3/5) - Review

Spider-verse by Dan Slott (4/5) - An epic Spidey tale for the ages. Though there were SEVERAL Spider people that I was not familiar with, I felt like the story handled/balanced them well enough with the more recognizable ones so it never felt too confusing. I'm sure many of them were introduced in this event series (I definitely tracked this story down solely for reading anything that involved Spiderpunk) so I didn't feel outrageously out of the loop.

While I felt that the story dragged on and off, I never got too bored with it. I wish that the omnibus I read had organized the comics so that certain character-specific issues were included at the time they happened within the overall story. Scarlet Spider, Spiderwoman, and Spiderman 2099 have separate issues that tie directly to the overall plot and are collected after its end, which make them feel like a pointless bit of catch up. They are exciting and important issues, but they could have been integrated a little more coherently.

Definitely going to see if I can track down some more Spiderverse event comics.

Edge of Spider-Geddon by Gerardo Sandoval, Jason Latour, Zac Thompson, et al. (3.5/5) - Sort of a setup for a larger event comic, but gave great introductions/reintroductions to more Spideys across the multiverse. Also, I am a simple creature, and when I see Spiderpunk on the cover, you can bet that I am going to read it in a heartbeat.

Average Rating: 3.71

[fetchmearum420]

The Congress singing broadway songs at karaoke:

Adams: On My Own from Les Mis cuz he’s basic AF

Franklin: To Be Alone With You from Ben Franklin In Paris cuz he’s iconic

Jefferson: So Much Better from Legally Blonde cuz I just feel like he’d slay it

Dickinson: Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid cuz hello? He actually means it.

Rutledge: Be Prepared from The Lion King cuz Duh.

Hancock: One Last Time from Hamilton cuz he’s giving George Washington from Hamilton vibes the whole time.

Hopkins: I Am Not Dead Yet from Spamalot cuz he’s goofy af.

Lee: The Lees of Old Virginia because ummm obvs.

Thomson: Chip On My Shoulder from Legally Blonde cuz I’m just getting that Emmett vibe from him.

Wilson: With You from Ghost cuz he’s a depressed lad.

McKean: Betrayed from The Producers cuz I’m just feeling it from him.

Hall: On a Clear Day You Can See Forever cuz that’s like totally his song and y’all fucking know it cuz I said so cuz he’s baby girl.

Read: Dance With You from The Prom cuz he’s gay for Wilson.

Rodney: I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis cuz he’s dying.

Chase: Super Sea Star Savior from SpongeBob cuz he’s literally the real life Patrick Star.

Sherman: Brotherhood of Man from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying cuz I feel like he’d slay that number.

Bartlett: Maybe from Annie cuz I know he wants to get the fuck outta Congress.

Hewes: No Reason from Beetlejuice cuz he’s purple like Delia.

Morris: abstains, courteously from singing.

Witherspoon: I Don’t Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar for obvious reasons.

Livingston: Something Was Missing from Annie cuz he has that voice to sing it.

[thislittlekumquat]

Saw all the cool (?) kids doing this on booktube for their 2023 reading, and while I don't think a tiermaker style chart is quite right for comparing some of these books (like how am I supposed to compare The Haunting of Hill House with like. How to Resist Amazon and Why?)

Anyways, S tier is my personal biases, just my absolute faves of the year, no notes. A tier is very good, would recommend to basically any reader without caveats. B tier is "If you're really into this type of thing or have the necessary historiographical context and use your critical thinking skills (as relevant), solid read, worth your time". C tier is like. I've read much worse, but honestly disappointing, though there were at least a few redeeming qualities. D tier is no, definitely skip.

I'm still figuring out how well storygraph works to non-users, but if you're curious to see any further details on these books: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/ovvlish

Titles and authors in the order they appear, because the images are small. For the manga, some I started this year, others are ongoing reads for me, and I only included one volume of each. All told it was 65 books, so you can see I read a lot of tankubon!

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries - Heather Fawcett

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) - Yana Toboso

Gideon the Ninth | Harrow the Ninth | Nona the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir

The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson

Witch Hat Atelier - Kamome Shirahama

Death on the Nile | The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie

My Man Jeeves - P. G. Wodehouse

Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief - Maurice Leblanc

The Ancient Magus' Bride - Kore Yamazaki

Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) - Ryoko Kui

Dracula - Bram Stoker

The Future of the Past - Alexander Stille

How to Resist Amazon and Why - Danny Caine

The Evil Wizard Smallbone - Delia Sherman

The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan

Stiff - Mary Roach

A Mighty Fortress - Steven Ozment

Showa - Shigeru Mizuki

The Proud Tower - Barbara W. Tuchman

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales - Mel Gillman

The Stripping of the Altars - Eamon Duffy

Twisted Wonderland - Yana Toboso/Wakana Hazuki/Sumire Kowono

The Relic Master - Christopher Buckley

The German Empire, 1870-1918 - Michael Stürmer

Versions of History from Antiquity to the Enlightenment - Donald R. Kelley

Cast Iron Baking - Dominique De Vito

The Bear and the Nightingale - Katherine Arden

Bea Wolf - Zach Weinersmith/Boulet

Testimony of Light - Helen Greaves

The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon

The Fossil Hunter - Shelley Emling

[poorshadowspaintedqueens]

Have you read The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings?

I'll be honest--I am not a big fantasy reader. This may come as a surprise (or not, depending on how long you've been reading this Tumblr), but the main reason I started reading A Song of Ice and Fire wasn't the fantasy--it was the historical basis. I've read Tolkien, and a scattering of MG/YA fantasy, but I generally gravitate toward books that are either alternate histories (e.g. Guy Gavriel Kay, Jacqueline Carey) or some sort of historical-fantastical fusion (e.g. Mary Robinette Kowal, Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman, Dhonielle Clayton, S.A. Chakraborty). I think the last straight fantasy I read was Samantha Shannon's Priory of the Orange Tree, which I enjoyed well enough, even though I think it should have been split into two books to deepen the worldbuilding. I haven't yet read the sequel but it is on my list.

Which is to say I've never read Jordan, Eddings, Sanderson, Zelazny, Herbert (yeah I know Dune is technically scifi but also it's fantasy), or any of those guys. And I'm now at the point in my life where I do not have the time.

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Look I was too late to submit them but shout out to Ellen Kushner for writing Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners and Richard St Vier and Alec.

It's THE fantasy of manners and also have openly gay and fleshed out main characters... in 1987, which is quite long before most of the books here were published.

Also sword fights and court intrigues. You have to love that.

Honorary mentioned to Katherine Talbert from The Privilege of the Sword (2006) in the same series. She's Alec's teenage niece and quite fantastic. The book even won a Locus award.

I haven't read the last book, The Fall of the Kings, of the series (fair warning, expect a big time jump and no Richard and Alec), that Ellen Kushner wrote with her wife, Delia Sherman, but I'm looking forward to it.

Do you know what's best ? You can read these books as standalones.

who doesn't love a good sword fight?

[sixofravens-reads]

March Reading Wrap-Up!

This was a much better month than February! I read 9 books (!!), wiped some oldies off my TBR, and only DNF'd one book.

Read

Through a Brazen Mirror - Delia Sherman (started in Feb.)

The Obelisk Gate - N. K. Jemisin

The Stone Sky - N. K. Jemisin

Dragons of Spring Dawning - Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison

Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata

Ordinary Monsters - J. M. Miro

We Are Bellingcat - Eliot Higgins

Blackfish City - Sam J. Miller

DNF'd

Under the Whispering Door - T. J. Klune

Currently Reading

The Night Eaters vol 1: She Eats the Night. - Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda

[shrikeseams]

I feel like anyone really into celegorm/orome would also enjoy The Fall of the Kings by Delia Sherman and Ellen Kushner.

[gellavonhamster]

monthly media recap: january 2023

(taking a page from @robertcapajpg‘s book)

read:

Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears (ed. Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) - a 1996 anthology of short stories based on fairy tales. Many works seemed to me lacking something (and many I didn't like at all), but there were also several stories I really enjoyed, especially towards the end. Favourites include: The Fox Wife by Ellen Steiber, The Traveler and the Tale by Jane Yolen, The Printer's Daughter by Delia Sherman, The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon by John Brunner, Roach in Loafers by Roberta Lannes (yep, the last one is Puss-in-Boots but with a cockroach, and in modern-day New York)

Issues 4-6 of the Hellebore zine - I am honestly planning to order and read all currently existing issues over the course of this year, because the articles are really interesting - folk horror, archaeology, history, literature, and the intersection of all of these - and the art is beautiful. Also, I didn’t even pay for the first issue in the end, because I ordered it in October and by the very late December I was sure it got lost in the post, so I wrote to the store for a refund, and then the package came after all, I wrote to the store again asking how to return the money back to them, and they said that since the delivery took so long, I could keep it... if it was a clever plan to acquire another regular reader, then it totally worked, haha

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black - good! As always, love how Black paints the faerie world in all its whimsy and violence. I posted some of my thoughts on this book here.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo - I liked Ninth House, but I kinda forgot it existed and also forgot approximately 2/3 of the plot, so I certainly didn't expect to enjoy the sequel as much as I did! It's been a while since I stayed up late reading like that. I am once again pretty indifferent towards the main pairing, but friendships and teamwork and characters seeing and accepting each other's vulnerabilities and past sins really moved me. Also, loved the helpful ghosts and unexpected [other mythical creatures, spoiler]

+ I am also still making my way through Lancelot-Grail/the Vulgate Cycle; in January I read Part II and III of Lancelot, as well as The History of the Holy Grail (this one I mostly just skimmed through, quite frankly, sometimes skipping a page or two where someone’s just, like, praying or preaching for a very long time. I am probably not very smart and definitely not religious enough for this)

watched:

The Musketeers (s1-3, 2014–2016) - well, you know, what with me obnoxiously reblogging gifs of it, lol. First things first, this is not an accurate adaptation of Dumas's novel, it's a very ahistorical procedural/western combo set in the 17th century France, and it fucking rules. I mean, swashbuckling adventures, the Power of Friendship™, women in stays and corsets, men in those puffy pirate shirts sluttily undone. Catering to my tastes personally. Season 3 was not as good as the first two, but what you're gonna do

Glass Onion (2022) - I think I enjoyed Knives Out more, but this one also was a lot of fun! Guessed some plot twists, but some were a total surprise to me. Love how the pandemic was integrated into the plot and characterization (e.g., a mesh mask says it all)

El vampiro (1957) - a Mexican horror film about a family targeted by a vampire that covets their estate. Very obviously influenced by the 1931 Dracula and weirdly cute in the way old horror often is (must be the toy bats on strings, though here could also be the romance).

The Field Guide to Evil (2018) - a horror anthology based on myth and folklore from around the world. The first two stories set a strong beginning, but then most of them (except the second-to-last, though the last one also is worth mentioning for being perfectly stylized after the classic silent films alone) fail to do something truly interesting with what they’re based on, in my opinion.

[rifoodwars]

Patriotic Food Production

In January of 1918, The Bristol Women's Committee on Food Conservation organized a campaign of "mutual helpfulness" in the "matter of meeting patriotic obligations." The housewives would meet informally to share recipes. "Foreign" (immigrant) women were encouraged to join.

The Bristol committee consisted of Mrs. C. T. Sherman, Mrs. J. H. Wall, Mrs. Harold DeWolf-, Mrs. William LeClair, Mrs. Frank H. Hammill, Mrs. Delia Morte, Miss Emma, August Mrs. A. L. Morgan, chairman'.

A demonstration of fish as wartime food was offered at the Home Economics Laboratory, 77 Washington street Providence on Jan. 8th, hosted by Miss Ethel Wright.

Bristol Phoenix January 8, 1918, p. 1

(A lot of other food stories appear on that page as well).

Poster from the National Archives

[jamesdavisnicoll]

The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman

A young girl wishes her way from 1960 to 1860, where she is immediately enslaved.