#dyvyne

[deaconskookyinsaneblog]

I'm just imagining this entire meet up with alot of marvel animals....and things go wrong and stuff

[onenicebugperday]

@dyvyn submitted: saw these two on my walk to work one day a couple years ago

Luna party! Kinda rude they didn't invite me

[queer-eggman]

Rocket's Backstory

*deep breath* God help me

This is the most inconsistent Marvel backstory and I, the top expert on Halfworld, am here to clear it up.

I'm going to split the variants into the following catagories: 1985, 2014, modern comics, show, and mcu. (the show is simply called Guardians of the Galaxy and is on disney+ and i highly recommend).

I have compiled a spreadsheet to go over the main points

As you can see, it's a shit show.

(As i go over the stories as best I can, please note that i am not a comic buff i am a 15 yo with Asperger's and an obsession with Halfworld and if i get something wrong plz don't be mad at me just tell me and I'll fix it :3)

1985 Rocket Raccoon- Rocket is a genetically modified caretaker on Halfworld, a mental asylum used to hold the insane of the galaxy, known as loonies/shrinks (extremely offence things to call mentally ill ppl but it was the 80'ssss). They have a book called the Halfworld Bible, which holds the secrets of the planets and it's people. The planet is ruled by Mayhem Mechaniks and Dyvynicies Inc; rival toy companies owened by Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne respectively. Jakes killed Lylla's parents to steal the company and it's... horrifying robot clowns. Pyko steals the Halfworld Bible for it's instructions on how to escape the planet in a giant human-shaped ship. Jakes and Dyvyne find out about this plot and team up to crash a party and there's a big battle and Rocket, Lylla, Pyko, Wal, Blackjack, and possibly Pyko escape Halfworld on the ship, leaving it in shambles as the loonies are left to the own devices to rebuilt the planet with their newfound wisdom (Pyko manages to 'cure' them)

2014 Rocket Raccoon (my fav series :3)- This one doesn't have much in the way of backstory, all we know is what Captain Sale gives us in the last book. Throughout the series it is shown that Rocket has no memory of his creation and believes he is the last of his kind. Until he ends up on Captain Sale's ship. She gives he the key to the Book of Halfworld and he takes 4 hours to read it. He is shown to be disgusted and horrified at the contents, leaving it with Sale and going home. (Clowns and the toy factory etc are mentioned, implying it is a sequel to the 1985 version.

Modern Comics- This section is specifically about v5 GotG #8 as I don't recall any other comics going into much detail. Here, there are loonies and robots, but no clowns. They must have thought it was too silly. Rocket is a therapy animal turned sentient with cruel experimentation. This is the first version of Rocket's backstory to show him sustaining significant and lasting trauma from his past. Not to mention the debilitating physical effects of having a metal skeleton and countless other weird things he doesn't understand. After his transformation, he is shown with the 1985 gang and other past team ups in a montage. It seems there is also an attempt at continuity here but it misses the mark a bit.

GotG Show 2015- This is by far the worst adaptation in my opinion, as it completely overhauls the story. So note that I have bias here. Here, Rocket is a simple Earth raccoon that has been transformed with the purpose of being a living weapon. His purpose was more 'artificial genius' than 'genetic marvel'. Immediately after being let into a more open enclosure, he meets Groot and effortlessly destroys the robots and steals a ravanger ship. After freeing all the creatures, of course.

(i am unable to provide images for this section as disney is a pussy ass company and won't let me screenshot but just imagine it sucking)

MCU- Anyone reading this has already seen the movies but I'll go over it anyway. The High Evolutionary is a man trying to recreate a sentient Earth-like planet by modifying creatures. Rocket is one of these poor souls. He lives his early years in a cage with Floor, Lylla, and Teefs. Rocket manages to open the cage one day, only to have his friends shot in front of him by the High Evolutionary. He then escapes. He meets Groot later in a well, not shown but confirmed by James Gunn.

Wow this took long to write. Time for the conclusion. Here i will 'average out' all the stories and throw in my personal theories.

My version- Halfworld is an insane asylum built by the Kree where they experiment on mentally ill people to try to cure them(we used to do this here on earth until the 60's). The 'toy factory' is a cover-up for this operation. The robot 'doctors' use clown faces to put the patients at ease. But what do psycho robot doctors do when the asylum is abandoned and not longer supplied with patients? They turn to the animal inhabitants on the planet. The Halfworld Bible/ Book of Halfworld is an engineering manual documenting the disgusting progress of making an innocent creature sentient. Pyko frees his people after decades of slavery in a grand rebellion and Lylla becomes the Priestess and guardian of the book like in 1985. Unfortunately, during the rebellion, 89P13 and Groot get stuck in an escape pod and sent away from the Keystone Quadrent, leading him to believe all of his people are dead or re-enslaved.

I think this version harnesses the soul and vibe of all the backstories while making it make more sense in the long run.

I had a lot of fun putting this together and I hope y'all appreciate it :D (Follow for more Halfworld content <3)

[burningchandelier]

nine people you’d like to know better tag game

thank you the one and only @telegraphavekiss for the tag! Myspace surveys forever and ever 🫶

last song: ... Into The Blinding Light by Thursday

fav colour: Purple, particularly aubergine.

currently watching: Chester the cat groom his fluffy belly. Oh! Like, TV? Mostly just Dimension 20 lately. I am so into this season of Fantasy High it's unreal.

sweet/savory/spicy: I am most likely to go for savory, although I have had more of a sweet tooth lately. I don't have a very developed pallet when it comes to spice. I like "white people spicy" and I accept that I will be laughed at in kitchens.

relationship status: Married. Also in the neighbourhood polycule with @telegraphavekiss @thatautisticemo @blakelywintersfield @kal-thas and our imaginary scenarios with our various band dudes. (all of you are tagged now, by the way, because I love you).

current obsession: If I am anything, I am consistent. My obsessions have been the same for anywhere from five to twenty years depending on the subject. Primarily: music (attendance of; creation of; blues, hardcore, jazz, punk, opera) theatre (attendance of; creation of; weird shit) history (study; revolutions)

last thing you googled: moma tickets

tagging: I hate this part because, to paraphrase Richard Siken in an interview, to name one is to exclude everyone else. Please, please, if the mood strikes you and you see this, I want you to answer these! Specifically tagging some people who I think might be into this (but please no pressure if you don't feel like it!) @chewbokachoi, @static-horrors, @shitpunsforshitnuns, @evensquirrellier, @shofarsogood, @shrimpmajordomo, @dyvyn, @harpyharpyharpy, @fleacollar999 &lt;3

[scienceninjaturtle]

ROCKET RACCOON: MARVEL TALES #1

Written by BILL MANTLO

Penciled by MIKE MIGNOLA

Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY NICK BRADSHAW

The fiery furball known as Rocket Raccoon shows he has what it takes to one day be a Guardian of the Galaxy as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories and highlights some of Marvel's most impressive talent from the past eight decades! In ROCKET RACCOON (1985) #1-4, acclaimed writer Bill Mantlo teamed with superstar-in-waiting Mike Mignola to present Rocket's first solo adventure as Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant! When Rocket's girlfriend Lylla is kidnapped by the mercenary Blackjack O'Hare and held captive by Lord Dyvyne, one of the most powerful creatures on Halfworld, it's up to the galaxy's deadliest weapons expert to go in – guns blazing – and save the day!

104 PGS./Rated T …$7.99

[funnyshorts]

Thank you @dyvyn and everyone who got me to 2000 reblogs!

[amalgamgooze]

preparing to Justify my Wonder Algorythm to the EverMighty Judges of Aptitude and Brain Cell Havingness

The context is Presented As Such:

The Miraculous Wonder Algorythm (a script I've worked on for work over the past few weeks) is entering the stage in its life (I have 2.5 weeks left at this internship) where it must face Judgement (peer review) as doled by the EverMighty Judges of Aptitude and Brail Cell Havingness (the actual students and doctors in the neuroscience lab I'm working for during this internship).

The Wonder Algorithm (script that attempts (poorly) to isolate calcium events in microglia cells (immune response cells (like white blood cells)) of the brain) has been Meticulously Crafted (cobbled together based on purely observational data) over Countless Epochs and Sunryses (the past 4-ish weeks) to Deliver the Optimal Wonderage Event Cellage Detectinator Experience (the analysis of calcium events becomes less tedious as a result of the algorithm (because I'm too lazy/distractable to actually look at images of calcium activity all day and do it all by hand (even though it'd be more accurate))).

The Novel Wonder Algorythm is Revolutionary (there's not much past work on calcium activity as related to microglia) and GruundBreaking (my computer heats up a LOT while running the algorithm), and as such, Mystic Dyvyne Powers channeled through my mind as the Splendor Conduit are to be Cyyted for this Work (I played around with different image processing sequences until I saw something that amplified specifically calcium events).

As with all Mortally-Bound Spells, the Miraculous Wonder Algorythm is Prone to Tainted Impurity (the algorithm works 90% of the time (50% of the time)), and As Such (I'm being put on the spot to do so, but I need it anyway--), I come before You, the EverMighty Judges of Aptitude and Brain Cell-Havingness (the others in my lab), to Requyist Thine Blessings and Talismans (I need recommendations on how to make this work better), and also Scry the Future the Oracles You Are and Tell Me My Fate (let me know if I wasted a bunch of time and effort on this algorithm--I won't be crushed if you say yes, I just want closure).

...

Yes. That's how the presentation shall Go.

And Go it Shall.

[juniorsoultrane]

Weekend life of a photographer!!! #couples #wedding #photography #love #texas #worldwide #headshots #canon #7d #tbt #dyvyne #juniorsoultrane #engagementphotos #engaged #beautiful #hollywood #glamourous #luxury #picoftheday (at The Mustangs of Las Colinas)

[trashpandaxrocket]

Rocket could hear Tony asking him who he was talking to but he didn't answer. The name was the first thing that came to him and it opened the door to the rest of the memories of Lylla. "Rocket, you need to get out of here..."

The door behind him swung open and he spun. Dyvyne was stepping in, a smile on his face. "Come now, we have work to do." Rocket watched his creator coming closer and closer and he started backing up. "No...no, you stay away from her!"

Tony cocked an eyebrow , not sure what to make of that name. "Who are you seeing Rocket? " he asked, not sure what that name would trigger in his friend, but he had his finger on the ready to get the guardian out of that dream state.

[deaconskookyinsaneblog]

How crazy are they?

Lylla: not crazy at all. Pure cinnamon roll

Rintrah: not much, full of fortune

Dogpool: crazy, but much saner than regular DP

Rocket: anger issues but not necessary crazy

Dyvyne: literally wants to rule the world, is that not crazy to you?

Croki: "oops, I'm going to an Asylum!"

[black-jack-o-hare]

Rocket! #6 - October 11th 2017

[queer-eggman]

I really want to hear more about your takes on Pyko, Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne. These three tend to get the most overlooked out of all the animal halfworlders (who tbh are all underrated to begin with), and I find that a shame. Pyko is a low-key badass, being the only guy one step ahead of everyone else in his knowledge of the halfworld bible, and Jakes and Dyvyne’s rivalry being super entertaining. They’re both great villains in the 85 miniseries and all their interactions together are gold. Just these two petty greedy dramatic comic book villains bickering like an old married couple.

I have genuinely considered headcannoning them as married but I don't know if I'm strong enough to make yet more halfworlders gay when I've already sentenced so many to the fate of silly

Blackjack is transmasc bc i said so Wal is gay bc i said so Dyvyne and Judson Jakes are currently under review Shocket and Linda are both transfem and lesbian bc i said so Sale is bi bc i said so

with so many ppl asking me my take on stuff at this point i might just make a 2nd ao3 account and restart my fanfic grind (i used to write fma and marvel fics plz do not ask me to leak said old marvel fics they scare me)

[rakruined]

I agree that animal divorce is EXTREMELY funny, but the reason I focus on the romance part is because Rocket's solos keep placing it at the center of the story. We see him in toxic relationships from both sides, most notably in how he devotes himself so much to Otta because he's so desperate for a connection like that, and I feel like part of resolving the Halfworlders' pasts could be finally putting some of that to rest. Giving us a satisfying conclusion to that just feels like the natural thing to build on when you're gonna be bringing Lylla and Blackjack into the story.

Also yeah, the old Halfworld gang is in DESPERATE need of a modern update. While I loved Batch 89, I'd much prefer an original story that incorporates the comics more accurately and gives them all defined characters. Give Lylla and Wal something to do, like being supporters on Knowhere or something, and don't stop with the main four, but other Halfworlders like Dyvyne and Jakes, too. Hell, throw Captain Sale in if the situation calls for it! Or Shocket! GO NUTS!

In all seriousness, I think if there is another Rocket solo, it'll have to address the elephant in the room with his origin. If they're ever gonna firmly define Halfworld's lore, it should be soon, while the vol 3 iron is hot and people care about Lylla, Blackjack and Wal.

I really hope in a future comic (can be either a gotg run or a Rocket solo) they acknowledge the whole love triangle between Rocket, Lylla and Blackjack. We know Blackjack got divorced (implied to be due to trying to kill Rocket), but we haven't really seen Lylla in the present much at all. I'm hopeful vol 3 will spark a return for her without fridging her for synergy...

I really just wanna get the whole trio's thoughts on the matter and some closure, or at least a status quo. There are a lot of issues for them to unpack beyond romance and I think it'd be interesting to see how that whole situation shakes out. I especially want to see how Rocket's views on love and relationships have changed over time, from the Young solo to the Ewing solo to present.

IDK, I know the Halfworlder romance hasn't been much of a thing since the 70's, but I think there's real potential for a compelling story. And for the love of god, don't leave Wal out.

i can’t say i’m interested in the romance side of things at all really (animal divorce is so incredibly funny to me) but that being said i agree that something needs to be sorted out!!!

we’ve talked about rocket’s backstory before being an enormous mess. i’d be down for a rocket solo that’s really an ensemble of rocket and the halfworlders figuring out what happened to them and why and see throughout how it has affected them. what’s real, what’s not. it would be a good opportunity to clean up the mess somewhat while also giving rocket another solo opportunity. young’s series i wasn’t a fan of, ewing’s I liked ok enough but what i’m really craving is a rocket solo that plays who he is and what he is totally straight. for some reason writers manage that in the mainline series but when it comes to his solos there is always kind of…. a Bit going on? (that’s definitely not the word i’m looking for but it’s 1am here so if i think of the exact word that’s on the tip of my tongue in the morning I’ll edit this lmao).

it would also be an opportunity to shed light on lylla, blackjack, wal-rus. a modern update. it could definitely be really compelling with the right creative team. and i agree lylla would be the one i’m most concerned about if past synergy is anything to go by :/

so yeah i think even if i disagree on the romance aspect of it we both ultimately want the same thing in terms of the half-worlders making a comeback and being given a bit of depth, and what that would mean for rocket. obviously, with cates’ death of rocket plotline and also strange tales rocket’s backstory is obviously something that’s being played up as having a huge effect on him. i’m genuinely quite surprised none of this became a thing after rocket’s backstory being back in the spotlight from like 2014, again in 2019 and then alongside blackjack making a return in 2020. it’s kind of overdue

[trashpandaxrocket]

Continued from this:

Rocket had blacked out most of Halfword - and for good reason. The place had been a hell from what little he could remember. All he knew was the place had turned him into a monster and he never ever  wanted to step foot back on that planet unless it was to blow it up. However, Stark had brought up some things that had raised some interesting concerns, not to mention he still owed Blackjack O’Hare a good kick in the ass, but the answers to these questions were all locked away in the memories he had blocked. “Ya know, I was perfectly happy not knowin’ anything, but if there’s somethin’ that can tell me about how to shoot Dyvyne in the face with my mega-blaster, then I’ll do it. Just get it over with before I change my mind.”

@icarusofhousestark​

[richmond-rex]

Speaking of Easter, there is a memoir of Henry VII’s first progress to the northern provinces in 1486 that goes into detail about how he kept his devotions that year. After departing from London, riding to Waltham and visiting Cambridge, Henry VII arrived in Lincoln on Holy Week:

“. . . and ther his grace kepte right devoutly the holy fest of Ester, and full like a cristene prince hard his dyvyne service in the cathedrall chirche and in no prive chapell. And on Sherethursday he had in the bisshops hall xxix poore men, to whom he humly and cristenly for Christez love, with his noble handes, did wesshe ther fete, and yave as great almes like as other his noble progenitours, kings of England, have been accustumed aforetyme. And also on Good Friday, after all his offerins and observances of halowing of his tinges, after dyner yave merveolous 2 great summes of mony in grotes to poo[r]e people, besides great almes to poore freres, prisoners, and lazares howsez of that countrey. And oon Sherethursday, Goodfryday, Estereven, and Esterday the bisshop of that see did the divine service; and everyche of the iij dayes folowing the principallest residencers ther being present did ther divine observance. And the king him silf kepte every day thus, during both the high masse and evensonge in the saide cathedrall chirche.”

The account relates two important ceremonies. The first one is the washing of the feet of a select number of poor men, one for each year of the king’s age, on Maundy Thursday (Shrethursday), that was meant to imitate the actions of Christ and demonstrate the king’s humility. The second, which Henry VII performed on Good Friday, was the ‘hallowing of the rings’ aka the blessing of cramp rings (against cramp and falling sickness). Those two ceremonies, plus the lavish giving of alms, were important to demonstrate to any reluctant subjects that Henry VII was intent on following in the traditional footsteps of his predecessors in the exercise of kingship, especially his late uncle King Henry VI. What really called my attention was the extremely public face of his personal devotions which, as the herald commented, could have been kept in a private chapel.

Instead, Henry VII performed his Easter devotions in Lincoln Cathedral, spending the entirety of Holy Week in daily rounds of services (both high mass and evensong). It is interesting to remember how throughout his whole reign, though especially at the beginning, Henry VII was willing to advertise his connection to Henry VI as an additional way of legitimising his rule. As Henry VI’s spiritual heir, it was important for Henry Tudor to show his willingness to emulate the virtues of his saintly uncle, as well as his adherence to the requisite princely qualities of piety and magnanimity according to his uncle’s example. In contrast, A. J. Pollard has observed that Edward IV does not seem to have been particularly or frequently engaged in acts of public piety. 

As Emma Cavell points out in her thesis (2001), Henry VII’s journey in the spring of 1486 was an important opportunity to put himself on display for those subjects who still did not know him.

“The journey was to be an exercise of princely and pious display, and of the advertisement of the strength and credibility of the new regime among those men and women less eager to except his rule.”

However, I would like to point out that, as much as Henry VII was willing to shine light on his connection with his Lancastrian predecessor, so were the cities and subjects who were seeking his favour or pardon. A good example is the city of Worcester whose citizens sought to ask Henry’s mercy in face of a recent local rebellion against his rule. The pageants organised to meet his visit had a saint Henry (Henry VI) asking his nephew to, among other things, be merciful as he once had been:

And, gentil cosyn, sith thou hast this chaunce To be myn heire, use wele my governaunce; Pytie with mercy have alwey in thy cure; For by meknesse thou shalt lengest endure.

And now, swete Henry, doo somewhat for me: I stod for vj and now ye stande for vij — Faver thoos folk that fele adversitie; God wille rewarde the therfor high in heven.

[coppicefics]

Masked Omens: Week One

New chapter here, or read from the start here!

(Right click picture and select ‘View Image’ or ‘Open Image In New Tab’ for hi-res version.)

[Image Description: Image 1 - A simple rendition of the Masked Singer UK logo, a golden mask with colourful fragments flying off of it. The mask has a golden halo and a golden devil tail protruding from either side. Below, gold text reads 'Masked Omens'.

Image 2 - A newspaper page from the Capital Herald, dated Saturday, 26th December, 2020. Full image description and transcription below the cut.]

The Capital Herald, Saturday 26th December 2020 News, page 11

GODLEIGH MANOR RESTORATION SET TO BEGIN YouTube Community Comes To The Rescue Of Historic House In Unprecedented Donation Spree Restoration work on Godleigh Manor, Little Dyvyn, is set to proceed at last after years of stagnation – thanks to an unexpected influx of donations from interested members of the public. A house has stood on the site since at least the early 13th century, but most of the current building was constructed in the 18th century by its then owner, Lord Michael Godleigh. It remained a private residence until 1914, when it was commandeered as a military hospital for officers injured in the First World War. When the war was over, the officers went home, but the Godleigh family had suffered severe losses, and those who had been involved in treating the injured officers had many bad memories associated with the place. What was left of the family moved out, and – barring the operation of a second temporary hospital during the Second World War – this once-busy house has remained empty and silent ever since. Left to its own devices, the house began to crumble. Water found its way through the roof, and weeds forced their way up through the floor. By the time the deed to Godleigh Manor was passed on to its current owner, Lucy Godleigh, in the mid-1990s, barely a few rooms were anything close to habitable. “I set up in a mobile home on the grounds,” Godleigh told The Capital Herald, “and basically just started trying to secure the few rooms that hadn't been completely exposed to the elements. Then I contacted a restoration expert to find out what could be done for the rest of it.” The experts' verdict wasn't what she wanted to hear. “There was no chance I could pay for it myself. The rest of the family opposed me moving back here; I was on my own. And to get the whole place back to the way it was, we were looking at anything from fifty million to three hundred million pounds. I was going to need help raising the funds, so I started campaigning. But it was slow going. Nobody's keen to put their hands in their pockets to restore a stranger's old family pile.” And, for over two decades, it seemed that a pile would soon be all that was left. Godleigh moved into Little Dyvyn, and the property was abandoned once more to the tender mercies of the elements and the frequent trespassers who came to explore. “I'd go up a few times a week, but it hardly seemed worth it. I'd all but given up. But then one of those visitors saved the day.” A YouTube personality known as Sergeant Shadwell, famed for his urban exploration videos and the occasional paranormal investigation, contacted Godleigh to ask to film in the house. “I said yeah, whatever, do what you like, it's a mess,” Godleigh recalled, “and he saved it. He saved my home.” Shadwell uploaded a video of Godleigh Manor in the last week of November. In it, he speaks frankly about the challenges and benefits of preserving such old buildings. “I don't know about there being ghosts here,” he tells viewers, “but there's a lot of wasted potential. Stately homes like this can and should be used, and it'd be a real shame for this one to crumble. I'll add a link to the fundraiser in the video description.” The Wytchfynder Army, as Shadwell's fans call themselves, have so far contributed £80m to the Save Godleigh Manor campaign. The fundraising page is filled with messages of encouragement and support, attached to donations ranging from £5 to £1500. Some donors have even explained that they raised the money through sponsored swims, bake sales, and car washes. “It's enough to get started, to make a really good start,” Godleigh explained, “I can't thank him – all of them – enough. They really came together to help me – a complete stranger – and it means so much, it really does.” So what's next for Godleigh Manor? First, says Godleigh, the surviving rooms will need to be stablised. Then the house's ground floor will be restored to its former glory, and Godleigh hopes to work with local historians to ensure that it is both a functional and educational space. “I won't charge people any more to use it than I need to cover the cost of maintaining it,” Godleigh said. “How can I? It's being restored by this huge community; it belongs to the community, and to Little Dyvyn. It's going to be a great space for everyone to enjoy.” Work is now set to begin on the Godleigh Manor restoration project as early as April this year, depending on local planning committee approval of plans first drawn up in 1998. MARY HODGES. To find out more, or to contribute to the renovation costs, visit www.savegodleighmanor.org.uk.

[Image Description: A sepia photograph of a large, grand house. Inset, a colour photograph of a hole in a wall, through which weeds can be seen growing. End ID.] [Caption] NEGLECTED: Godleigh Manor, pictured above in 1980, was once the heart of a thriving community. Inset, weeds grow in what used to be a service corridor to the rear of the main building. (Photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash. Inset: E. Diop on Unsplash.)

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS 800 years of a house on the site 300 years in its current form 23 generations in the same family 29 bedrooms 40 acres of land £50m lowest estimated renovation costs £300m highest estimated renovation costs 198k subscribers to Wytchfynder 291 Wytchfynder videos 10 years Sgt Shadwell served in the Army £80m raised by the Wytchfynder Army £91m renovation funds raised so far 15 years estimated to complete renovation

[Image Description: a rectangular ad with a picture of Dr. Raven Sable. His name is signed beneath his photograph. Text reads: Don't settle for a balanced diet when you can have a SABLE DIET. End ID.]

Corner Cuppa with Esther James

[ID: Photo of a young woman's face. She has black hair cut into a bob, and slightly gothic makeup. End ID.]

Why do we know you? I'm the captain of the Red Roses, which is the England Women's Rugby Team. What are you passionate about? Rugby! Also, my girlfriend Jane (Adams, also on the squad), and my charitable causes, of course. I support the NSPCC and the Albert Kennedy Trust, in particular - both fantastic charities helping young people who've been let down, in many cases, by the people they should most be able to rely on. I'm really glad to be involved with them. What's your favourite holiday of the year? Pride! I love getting dressed up and going to the parades – most of the time Jane and I get to march, these days, which is great. Last year we even got to ride on a float at one of them, which was really surreal – we got to cover ourselves in rainbow feather boas and just have a laugh waving at people. What a great time! What's been your proudest moment? So far, it's a tie between coming out as bi in a press conference – which was really scary at the time but which led to such good things and such good conversations – and being made captain of the Red Roses. It's an honour just to be selected for the national side, but to be chosen to lead from such a talented group of women is even better. I was walking on air for a week! If you could do anything in the world once, what would it be? Only once? I'd hate to do something and enjoy it and never get to do it again. But, OK, hypotherically... Something completely different and mad, like getting up on a stage and performing a song like I really mean it, or bungee-jumping. What scares you? Bungee-jumping! Which is exactly why I'd like to do it. I think it's good to get out of your own head and your own comfort zone and just do something that scares you, if you can. What's your ideal day? Taking a day off of training and just lying on the sofa watching films with Jane for the whole day. We love what we do, but we don't get a lot of downtime to just relax and snuggle. But then, when we do get a day off, it's usually at the same time, so that's lovely; we're always together and it hasn't started getting on our nerves yet! If you could go anywhere in the world right now, with no complications or restrictions, where would you go? I've always wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower, but somehow whenever I end up in France I don't find the time. Jane's never been to Disneyland, so I think we'd have to combine the two if we got a no-holds-barred trip somewhere. And, obviously, I wouldn't exactly hate getting to meet Mickey again! What's the best advice you've ever been given? My gran was as tough as old boots, and proud of it. She once sat me down, when I was quite young, and she said, “Essie,” which is what she called me, “Essie, you'll do all right in life if you remember this simple rule. Make sure you keep your nose clean, but don't be afraid to get your boots dirty.” I'm not sure she meant me to take it quite so literally! But I think what she meant was, don't get into trouble unnecessarily, but don't be so scared of getting it wrong that you can't do anything right. That's stuck with me, I've held onto it all these years, and I think it's a good motto to live by. What's one thing you wish someone had told you when you were younger? I wish they'd told me it was OK that I fancied girls, that things were getting better. I think we've still got a long way to go, as a community, but I never could have dreamed that a bisexual woman could captain England when I was a little girl. Let alone that it would be me! Finally, what's one thing you'd like to tell younger people now? Be true to yourself, be true to your friends, and be kind. I think the world will turn out fine if we all just try to be kind to one another, above all. Next week's cuppa: Ligur Mortice, head of the Ligur fashion house.

[End of page.]