#especially when Mathew has a beard

[lieutenantbiscute]

Throwing this into the void of LOTR/wider Tolkien fandom but

Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen as Beren and Luthien

[idigitizellp21]

MOVEMBER

We, youngsters, are very fond of following different fashion trends that are been introduced to us most of the times by the celebrities. Aishwarya wore lavender shade lipstick during the Cannes festival and then the trend of wearing lavender lipstick was popular amongst girls around the world. This and similar to this there are many trends that are been followed not only by youth but by people of all age groups all around the world.People tend to simply follow the trends because they feel trends keep them updated with fashion.But all trends are not just fashion oriented they are been followed for a social cause.One such trend that is been followed through the world, especially by men, is NO SHAVE NOVEMBER. So guys reading this have you really wondered what this NO SHAVE NOVEMBER ACTUALLY MEAN?????? NO SHAVE NOVEMBER also known as MOVEMBER(MOustach+noVEMBER) is followed to raise awareness of men's health issues, eg. prostate cancer, depression. The story for this trend is stated below: Rebecca Hill and her friend Bret Ringdahl in 2009 thought of many ways to raise money for cancer patients. They wanted a way in which people of all age, gender and religion can participate and have fun along with raising funds for cancer treatment. No Shave November was their brainchild. Basic idea was that every individual spends some part of their salary in grooming themselves whether it is shaving, waxing, threading or trimming. If just for November, those individuals gave that cost to a cancer charity instead, friends and family alone can collect a huge amount to help cancer patients and their families. No Shave November started as a Facebook fan-page with under fifty participants in its first year. Rebecca the founder understood the impact of cancer as well as social media on the people across the world. Rebecca’s dad Mathew was diagnosed with cancer first in the year 1996 and passed away in 2007.He was a devoted contributor towards his community.  In the spirit of his service, all of the Hill siblings and their spouses - Nick, Monica, Aaron, Caitlin, Theresa, Christine, Andrew, Abbey and Thomas - joined in the fundraising effort as the campaign grew.  Thanks to their various talents and the ever-sprouting legion of supporters, No Shave November(Movember) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. In 2013, No Shave November(Movember) partnered with the American Cancer Society to ensure that the funds raised in the annual campaign would be distributed to all of the areas that matter to the team: research, prevention, education, and continuing care. With every whisker grown and dollar raised, No Shave November celebrates the hair that many cancer patients lose and gets one step closer to eradicating the disease.   This trend not only teaches us to love our hairs but also to appreciate their presence. So men reading this go ahead and allow your beard to grow wild and at the end of the month give it a nice shape and then you can flaunt your new look for coming days. And also don’t forget to donate the money that you shaved throughout the month to some cancer charity. Go ahead and celebrate the NO SHAVE NOVEMBER(Movember). And don’t forget:

MEN IN BEARD ARE SEXIEST!!!!!!

Wisemonkeys, is an LMS platform with unique features like “Ask a question” and get it answers by experts within no time . It’s a mass initiative to spread knowledge worldwide, truly believe in “When we know knowledge is free then why not spread it.” From various sectors to industries, write your heart out and get noticed.

Explore Wisemonkeys now. 

For the Monkeys | By the Monkeys.

[twinklelilstarkey]

Request You look cute with a baby bump!” with Mathew Barzal

A/N: Hope you like it. I just made this into a very very small blurb, hope that's okay. My imagination for pregnancy stuff has been really bad, lately.

You're at a point of your pregnancy when your bump is finally starting to really show. Some people might have thought it wasn't there when you first noticed it, but it was always there. 

As time went on, like now, your bump got bigger and bigger and that's exactly when your friends noticed and said, "Oh, now, I see it!".

It's all fun and games at the end of the day, but even after all those jokes, that little change in your body is something that can honestly just brighten your day. Sure, pregnancy isn't just rays of sunshine and rainbows, but this little bump... cutest thing ever.

You're also not one to purposely wear clothes where you can actually see it, but, for example, now, you're just wearing some shorts and a cropped shirt while walking around the house on your lazy summer weekend. Yet it's enough to make you sometimes stop at a mirror and look at it, and, especially...

Make Mat look at you.

Your boyfriend, Mathew, is probably even more in love with the bump than you are. He swears that whatever you feel when you see it, he feels it x2. And he swears that with his whole heart.

You stand from your couch, putting your laptop to the side as Mathew continues to watch his show on the TV. His eyes drift over to you as you move around the living room to grab a paper from the middle of the coffee table.

As you walk back to the couch, you sense his stare, so you look up.

"What?" You ask with a smile.

"Nothing." He shrugs.

You take back your seat beside him and he lifts his arm to drape it behind your shoulders on the couch's back just so you can lean in closer. All while you start to compare what's on the paper to whatever’s written on the document on your screen.

"Just think you look cute with a baby bump." He whispers as if it's a secret.

You take your eyes from the laptop's screen to look at Mat and he offers you a smile.

"Have you gone soft, Barzal?" You ask playfully, hitting his side softly with your elbow.

He shrugs, his smile outstretched, and opens his mouth to speak again.

"Maybe." He answers, "Are you complaining?"

You chuckle.

"Nop. Not even a little." You tell him.

Your eyes go back to the screen and to the paper that you’re holding. Mathew watches you as your attention is stolen from something, he assumes is related to work, and leans in.

A soft kiss is laid over your shoulder and soon you feel Mat lay his head over you, bringing his attention back to the TV again. A small smile lifts the corner of your lips and you bring your vacant hand up.

Your hand lays across his neck and over the back of his head. Your fingers play with his hair and you feel him relax further, beside you. The beard at his chin tickles your wrist and he moves ever so slightly to get more comfortable.

His hand lets go of his phone and, carefully, it’s laid over your stomach. Warmly laying over your shorts’ fabric and sometimes caressing it with his thumb. All while deep in thought about what’s happening on the TV screen.

*I’M REALLY NOT PROUD OF THIS AND I REALLY HAAAATE THIS ENDING* yet I don’t think I can’t write anything better. I’m sorry, anon.*

[thirstaidkitpodcast]

THIRST AID KIT | S6E12 | A BOTTLE OF MATTHEW RHYS-LING

First of all, go ahead and groan — we know ‘Rhys-ling’ is the cheesiest thing we could’ve done this week, and YOU KNOW WHAT? We did it anyway. Because even the most explosively lactose-intolerant person will tell you: a little brie ain’t never hurt nobody.

So. Mr Rhys had literally been on the very first Thirst Object longlist we ever made. It’s very easy to see why: he’s so good at bringing his characters to life. He is a master of eye acting, so good at letting the emotions chase one another across his face, plain as day. And while we’re talking about his face... it’s s Good Face. There’s a knowingness in that face, and a vulnerability too, and because vulnerability is HOT (strength, weakness, a soft and exposed underbelly, seeking care and understanding... UNF), it has the side effect of making Matthew Rhys look not only hot, but like, oppressively so. In summary,, the range is what? 🗣 impeccable. 

We spoke a lot about the thing that Matthew Rhys has, which is a sort of layered energy. It means he can play both stern and soft in the same role, as he does to Emmy-winning acclaim in The Americans. Did y’all watch that? We spoke about quite a few moments from that show, because it is the best showcase of everything we love about Matthew. Like the scene where he goes after the child predator. Or... *faux-casually* ...the tooth-pulling scene.

Bitch.

But then we also spoke about him as Fitzwilliam Darcy in Death Comes To Pemberley, where he is a man seemingly made up of rigidly-packed emotions but again, there’s that classic Rhys vulnerable edge: a man in love with his wife and yet at odds with her and her abominable family (and he’s mostly right!). In Rhys’s skilled hands, these characters grow deep as rivers.

But while drama has made his name, there’s LOLs aplenty in the back catalogue too!

See his turn as Kevin in Brothers and Sisters (FOUR years before Parenthood; put some respect on B&S and don’t act like you didn’t eat that shit up!), or his fantastic guest spot as a Welsh freedom fighter in Archer, or his joyously boyish antics alongside his friend and co-star Mathew Goode in The Wine Show (where he is sporting a full beard 🥵). Do more comedy, Matthew — you’re good at it, and also, we deserve it.

Last thing to say here: we rarely comment on the personal lives of our Thirst Objects, because: a) it’a none of our business; and b) it’s REALLY none of our business! But. We talked a lot in this ep about Rhys’s IRL partner, Keri Russell, because they co-starred together for years and the overlap (especially when discussing The Americans) was inevitably knotty! And so since we’re already here... can we talk real quick about the way these two look at each other?

IT’S...

...VERY.

...HOT. 🥵

So that’s Matthew Rhys-ling: spicy, complex notes and a smooth finish., Pour us a glass and leave the bottle. Fanfic Wars was very fun this week, with both drabbles taking on a different facet of the Rhys diamond (and one of us taking inspiration from the gif below), and letting it shine. Thirst symmetry. 🤝

You can listen to the whole episode RIGHT HERE (more ways to listen are listed below).

A FEW THINGS TO WATCH AND READ, IF YOU LIKE

This season 2 moment Nichole recalls in the episode (”You respect Jesus but you don’t respect us!”)

Matthew Rhys talking about how his guest spot in Archer came about and was written

His laugh is contagious, per these The Wine Show bloopers

Just two Welshmen in a car, being excellent.

——————————————————————————————-

Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to your device automatically every Thursday. We’re on Apple and Stitcher and Podbean and Google Play and Overcast and iHeartRadio and Spotify and and and… Search ‘Thirst Aid Kit’ wherever you get your podcasts, and we’ll come up. Honestly, we will.

We’re on Twitter at @thirstaidkit. You can reach us — with drabbles or love notes or you know, the direct contact details for any of our known Thirst Objects’ — at thirstaidkit@slate.com. 😘

Stay thirsty, read your fave fanfic, lust out loud this week. Can’t hurt, right? 💜

[secondstarfanfics]

Brand New Christmas (one-shot

Fandom: Girl Meets World

Two years ago

The microwave beeped, letting me know that my hot chocolate was ready, this was my second cup. What could I say? I loved hot chocolate, plus, it was really cold during the winter here in New York, especially, when it snows,  which is what it was doing at this very moment. 

I headed back into the living room of mine and my boyfriend's shared apartment, snuggled up next to him as we watched Eloise at Christmastime, my favorite childhood movie, and still is my favorite movie after eighteen years. 

Even though he had his arms around me,  I could tell something was off with him. 

"Chance, is everything okay?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. 

Uh oh...

"Maya, we need to talk."

The five words no human liked to hear. 

"O- oh okay... about what?" I asked, scared. I felt my heart rate pick up. 

"About us," he says.

"Okay," I said and untangled myself from him, sitting with one leg under me, facing him. 

He took a deep breath, taking my hands in his before he said, "Maya, I've found someone new."

"What- what do you mean?" I knew what he meant I just needed to hear him say it. 

"Maya, I have found a new girlfriend."

And that was it. Those were the words that made my heat break.

"So, you've been cheating on me?"

He held his head down, took a deep breath again and looked back up at me, saying, "Maya, I never meant to hurt you, I swear I didn't, but I just don't feel the connection between us anymore." 

And that was all the answer I needed to know the truth. 

"Where - where d- did you meet her?" I asked, stumbling over my words once again, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Maya, I never meant to hurt you," he says. 

And that's when I snapped. I snatched my hands out of his, stood up and said, "If you never meant to hurt me, you wouldn't have met someone new and you wouldn't be breaking up with me on Christmas eve."

The entire time I was saying this, he was looking down. 

"You know what?" I said walking toward the bedroom, grabbing the big bear he just gave me not even two hours ago and took the promise ring he gave me too and said, " Take these back and leave."

"You can keep these, Maya," he says. 

Is he serious? He honestly thinks that I'm going to keep something he's given me after he tells me he's breaking up with me? 

"What makes you think that I want to keep them? You're breaking up with me so there for, I don't want anything you have given me anymore. Now, do you want to leave or do you want me too?" 

He took a deep breath before getting up and saying, " I'll leave." He grabbed  the ring and bear, heading to the door, but turned around, moving the bear out of his way so he could see me and said, "I'm really sorry, Maya."

"Just go," I whispered, trying not to let the tears spill. 

When he left, I closed the door behind him, sliding down it and letting everything go that I had been holding back. 

 Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away. 

                    Present 

Come on, Maya, come to the Chirstmas party, please?" Riley continued to beg me. "You haven't been since you and Chance broke up and everyone is missing you. Plus, your mom and Shawn are really worried about you."

I sighted,  I didn't  want to go because I feared he would be there, but I did miss my friends so I reluctantly agreed. "Okay, I'll go."

Riley squealed and clapped her hands, going over to my closet, looking through my clothes, picking out a silver  knee-high dress and matching flats.

"Here, now go change," she said, shoving the dress and shoes in my hands.

Every ounce in me wanted to protest about this again, but I knew that there was no way to get out now. So I went into the bathroom and changed and put my hair up in a ponytail. I know that it's not the ideal hairstyle to choose when wearing a dress, I just didn't have the energy to do something more with my hair.

"Okay, I'm ready," I told my best friend.

"Yay!" she cheered again. "Now, let's do your makeup."

Whoa, whoa, whoa, you didn't say anything about makeup," I pointed my finger at her.

"Oh come on, just a little bit, " she said.

I sighed saying, "Okay."

After finishing my make-up, I went to the bathroom, and I have to say, Riles did a good job. Everything was light.

I smiled, coming into my bedroom, giving her a thumbs up.

She smiled, getting up from the bed, walking over to me, asking, "So, are you ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The Mathews family puts on a big Christmas party every year and invites everyone to come, and by everyone I mean their entire family, friends and everyone in the neighborhood. It's gotten so big that they had to move it to the Town Hall.

When we got there, the outside was decorated with blow up Santas, reindeer, snow globes with snowmen​ in them. On the building were colorful lights and some around the front door also.

Wow, I thought.

We walked in, Christmas music playing. Riley told me she was looking for her mom and dad,. Which is where my mom and Shawn are, too so I followed her.

"Hey everyone, look who I found!" she said, moving out from in front of me.

"Hi everyone," I said, smiled and waved.

"Maya!" they all yelled.

My mom and Shawn were the first to hug me. Mom telling me how much she missed me, me telling her the same thing. After hugs, lots of talking, and catching up, Riley told me she wanted to take me around to see "Old friends".

"Merry Christmas, guys," Riley smiled, walking toward two guys that were talking amongst each other.

When they turned to face Riley, they couldn't believe who they saw next to her.

"Maya?" the guys both said in shock, their eyes big and smiles on their faces.

"Lucas, Farkle?" Maya said, equally as shocked. She couldn't believe it was them, she hadn't seen them since before the break-up. Lucas had grown a beard and his hair got darker, and as for Farkle, well, he still looked the same just older. "How are you?"

"We're good, it's nice to see you again, Maya," Lucas answered as he hugged her. "We've missed you."

"Awe, I've missed you guys, too," she says while returning lucas' hug and then going over to hug Farkle.

All of them were talking and catching up when Maya caught his eye, and he cought hers.

I keep my distance

But you still catch my eye

Maya Couldn't tear herself away from his stare.

Now, I know what a fool I've been

But if you kissed me now

I know you'd fool me again

Until she heard Lucas call her name.

"Yes?" she smiled, looking at him.

"Are you okay?" he asked, realizing she was looking in the direction she was a minute ago. He followed her gaze.

"Hey, what do you say we give him something to stare at?" Lucas smiled, a hint of mischief in his eye.

"What do you mean?" she turned her head to the side, confused.

He looked up, Maya following his gaze this time.

Mistletoe...

He smiled, leaning in to kiss her.

When they pulled apart, he grabbed her hands in his and said, "Maya, I have had feelings for you ever since high school, however, I didn't say anything because I knew you were with Chance. I know what he has did to you and I know that you're probably scared to let some in, but I promise if you let me I will show you how you are supposed to be treated."

Maya had tears in her eyes when he finished.

"Oh Maya, I- I- I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you cry.

"No, no, it's okay, and you're right I'm scared of giving someone else my heart-"

Lucas cut her off. "And, I understand if you're not ready to be in a relationship right now, I'll wait. I mean I've waited this long, so what's waiting a little more​?"

"Well, what if I said I wanted to give us a try?" she smiled, arms crossed.

"Does this answer your question?" he says, putting his hands on each side of her face, kissing her again.

"Yes, I think it does."

Maya grinned to herself. She had a good feeling about next Christmas.

[oneletterwrites]

Could I request something from the Beauty Worth au?? Thats like my child and I love them so much ❤❤ (And you 😍)

You could ask for garbage and I would willingly give it.

This part of the AU has been knocking around my head for a while and this ask gave me the push to finally get it written down. It’s. Drama time.

An Offer

Part of the Beauty Worth AU, where your status is based on how pretty people think you are.

When the letter arrived Gilbert had been skeptical. Still Matthew had gasped and hugged both him and Lovino in happiness before even being able to explain what is going on. The Cold Kingdom tended to stick to themselves, so an engagement party seemed a little out of the ordinary, especially one addressed to Matthew from the First Prince himself.

“I will leave both of you here to attend by myself if I have to,” Matthew threatened with a smile. Gilbert had to snicker at that, and Lovino sighed but called open the day for all of them to travel the event. They had adjustments made to their outfits, ones that made them sweat in the climate of the Olive Kingdom but only an absolute fool would go anywhere near the Cold Kingdom with less than three layers of clothing.

“Marvelous,” Lovino had told him, having decidedly dressed Gilbert in a dashing black outfit complete with silver buckles. Gilbert stood a little taller, giving them both a very exaggerated wink, causing both of them to laugh. He knows it, and so do they, but his confidence has grown tremendously all thanks to them. This outfit does not have a hood to hide his face.

They pile into the carriage, well Gilbert rides on a sturdy horse next to the carriage. He keeps himself held high, an easy thing to do now. He talks as best he can to the princes, the future King and Queen, snickering when they say something ridiculous and loving both of them in secret.

It’s easy to tell when they get close to the Cold Kingdom. The path gets more bumpy, and patches of snow litter the ground. Gilbert suppresses a shudder and piles on a coat from the saddle bag. He simply smirks when Mathew asks if he’s alright. He can handle a little cold. The outskirts, while maybe not as deadly as this climate, had gotten him freezing. This is close to nothing.

It’s habitual to follow Matthew and Lovino up the stone steps to the palace, tall and deadly sharp in angles and covered in snow. The windows are thick but the obvious sight of people mingling inside is all Gilbert needs to set his nerves to steel. Jackets have been shed to a safe space and they are lead to the immaculately large ball hall. Decorated in a lovely shade of blue and silver jewels. People dance and laugh and barely give the new comers any glance, though some point and stare and whisper.

“Matvey!” Someone calls the moment they are inside. Matthew’s face lights up and he reaches out his hands to someone coming their way. Gilbert stands back and watches. This person is tall with silver hair and a giggle already pouring out of them. Their outfit gives away their rank, fine threads all silver and blue, and a small crown of ice and wire around their head. Matthew and the Prince lean to put their heads together.

“I am so happy to see you!” The prince smiles brightly, giggling again. Matthew smiles up at him to, then turns to Lovino and Gilbert.

“This is my husband, Lovino,” Matthew cares not to explain rank and it really doesn’t matter. The Prince blinks at Lovino, eyeing him up and down before tilting his head in a polite nod. Then looks at Gilbert curiously. Matthew just smiles.

“And this is Gilbert,” That’s all that needs to be said, Gilbert gives away his own rank by bending fully at the waist with his hand at his chest. When he stands the Prince’s face is a little more twisted but still smiling. His giggle is somehow darker.

“Lovely to meet friends of Matvey, I am Ivan,” The Prince introduces himself, hands still tight to Matthew’s, and then proceeds to ignore them both.

“How has Matvey been? I am very sad to find our letters had to be put on hold.” Ivan pouts pulling Matthew closer to him. Gilbert can’t help the confusion on his face at the act but Matthew just laughs.

“With the changes I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you as quick, though I can soon imagine you’ll be going through the same,” Matthew is polite and his smile is genuine. Ivan giggles something more happy and real, less putting on edge, when a large door is opened. A low hollows note is sounded out and banners are raised up in the doorway, a colorful display. Ivan gasps happily and leaves without manners to go towards the noise.

“A little rude isn’t he?” Gilbert snarks when the Prince is out of ear shot. Matthew laughs brightly, threading his fingers with Lovino.

“Ivan means no harm. He has a hard time being who he is around people who expect him to act a certain way.” Matthew tells and explains as Gilbert watches. The room parts and he can see. The banners are bright like a feathered bird, but there is a eerie feeling. The banners have a maw on them, sharp teeth and angry. The person in front of the entourage of people coming in has a crown of sharp jagged teeth on their head, dressed in long red robes that shine like scales.

Ivan walks right up to them, holding his hands to to his mouth to try and keep his smile hidden, but he’s giggling and practically swoons when the King takes Ivan’s hand and kisses the back of it.

“Welcome Dragon Kingdom,” A voice booms out. Here Gilbert looks to the noise, and for the first time, and sees the King of the Cold Kingdom. He stares not long as the King looks to him and he jerks his sight back to where he should be looking. Ivan and the King of the Dragon Kingdom are talking with smiles to each other as if they are the only ones in the room. Soon politicians and some nobles of both kingdoms are conversing, mingling, trying to get that low hollow and dangerous note out of their minds.

“Have they talked before?” Lovino leans in and whispers to Matthew. 

“Oh yes,” Matthew smiles brightly to he couple, both of them looking far too smitten for each other than people who have just met. This is planned and many people can see it.

“When King Yao had his coronation, Ivan had been out in society so he had to attend the galla. Yao had called him childish and Ivan-” Matthew takes a moment to shake his head. Music starts up and King Yao in his bold red, dances Ivan around the room.

“Ivan nearly lost his life as he pinned Yao to the wall by his neck.” Gilbert snaps his eyes to Matthew, completely loss for words at what he’s hearing. Lovino has nearly the same reaction. Matthew just keeps smiling, sighing happily.

“Yao fell for him hard then, adoring the strength, the danger Ivan held. Very highly regarded in the Dragon Kingdom.” Matthew leans into Lovino, and they watch as the dance comes to and end, Ivan giggling and putting his arms over Yao’s shoulders with Yao smiling like he won the prize but not by playing fair. 

Gilbert decides it best not to concern himself with thinking about it any farther.

It’s a loud mess when Matthew’s brother Alfred finds them, grabbing Matthew by his face and smushing it in his hands. He’s talking a mile a minute about how much he misses Matthew and how boring lessons are and ‘oh Matthew you still have him around?’. Gilbert ignores that question.

Alfred’s insistent talking is stopped abruptly by a cool hand sliding from behind him and smacking over his mouth. Alfred makes a squeaking noise, jerking and snapping his head down to where his future queen is keeping him quiet. She barely looks at him and Alfred lets out a muffled laugh into her hand.

“Natalia so lovely to see you again,” Matthew says gently and honestly. Natalia regards him, the slightest twitch of a smile on her face. Her and Lovino share a graceful nod. Then her attention turns to Gilbert.

Had it been a year ago, Gilbert would have shrunk under her gaze, piercing and cold. Matter of fact, he did. Anytime the Princess soon to be Queen would even pass him a glance, he could feel himself sinking into a pit of wanting to be invisible. He hid in his hoods and refused to meet eye contact. It would be rude by some manners.

Now though, Gilbert is bolder. He holds her judgmental look with his head held high and his shoulders back. She looks him up and down once and he lets her, no falling in on himself. She meets his eyes again.

“Father would like to speak with you,” She says evenly. For all the bravado he just pulled, the words she says have his stomach dropping. Still he follows her, trying not to trip over himself with his Prince’s behind him. Natalia bows before the throne, and when she steps to the side, Gilbert is face to face with the King of the Cold Kingdom.

A rugged man with a neatly trimmed white beard. His eyes are dangerous and a crown of icicles sticking towards the sky doesn’t help that image. He’s dressed in a dark blue adored with white jewels atop a marble throne. And Gilbert is terrified. He forgets his manners, a grave mistake by others, and instead of bowing at the waist, he raises his head back just enough to straighten himself out. He knows he is being judged, he will make it easy.

The King does not say anything, eyeing him up and down and then up again, tilting his head left and right and left again as if it will help him see something he hadn’t before. Gilbert can feel himself unraveling and wanting to shake in his spot. Suddenly when he feels he may collapse, the King lets out a gruff short laugh.

“What is your name?” The King asks with a rough voice.

“Gilbert, your majesty,” He responds immediately. From the shadows appears a person with a notepad at the ready. They do not look at Gilbert or even the King, they just keep their eyes down but it is clear they have been summoned. The King nods slowly to his answer.

“And where are you from Gilbert?” Gilbert inhales slowly, memories of old hit him hard and while the Olive kingdom is where he is now, the rickety shack will always be home.

“The outskirts your majesty, between the Glow and Olive Kingdoms,” He presses on through his answer, honest and unchanging in his stance. The King blinks at him and leans back in his throne.

“The outskirts?” He hisses but it sounds directed at himself. Gilbert clenches his jaw wondering if he will beheaded for saying such a thing. Natalia gives him a side look and he can only hope it’s a good thing.

“Lukas,” The King says sharply. The person with the notepad doesn’t look up but steps a little closer.

“Did we not see him when we made the rounds?” The King turns his head slightly to be sure the question is directed at his adviser. Lukas makes a ‘hum’ noise.

“How old are you Gilbert?” Natalia asks him. Gilbert swallows hard before answering.

“22,” He says. The King narrows his eyes, his hand rubbing at his stubble.

“What is your position now?”

“I am the personal servant to the future King and Queen of the Olive Kingdom.” Gilbert pushes on, gesturing slightly to Matthew and Lovino behind him, both with matching confusion on their faces.

“Interesting.” The King’s eyes burn as they stare and Gilbert finds relief when they turn to look at something Lukas has written down. Gilbert isn’t sure how to feel. Lukas speaks in whispers they can’t hear over the music. Finally the King sighs and leans forward on his legs.

“I must confess myself… Disappointed,” His voice is dark and the glare on his face is one not to be messed with. Gilbert can only keep himself frozen in place as the King stands and walks towards him, looking down like he had been born to do such an act.

“I would like to speak with you,” The King says and Gilbert has to remember to breath. He goes to follow and freezes again when the King turns a sharp glare over his shoulder.

“Alone,” The word is hissed and vile. Gilbert jerks to glance behind, seeing Matthew and Lovino ready to follow, both now frozen as well in their place from the direct order to keep away from the King.

“Come Gilbert,” The King’s voice rings over him and Gilbert can only look to his Princes as his feet follow where they have been told to go. He briefly wonders if this will be the last time he sees them.

The room he’s lead to is lined with books and papers, organized impeccably and wonderfully. Perhaps he would be comfortable in such a room, but the only other people in this room besides him are the King, and his adviser. 

“Did we miss him?” The King says sharply, staring down at a pile of papers. Lukas says nothing but it seems to say enough. The King huffs and then levels Gilbert with a softer look.

“I.. apologize Gilbert,” The King says with a resigned tone. Gilbert is too stunned by the sorrow to ask what the apology is for. Luckily the King must sense his confusion because he goes on to explain himself.

“Should we have found you sooner, perhaps we might have been able to give you a position worthy of your appearance.” Here the King smirks. Gilbert shakes his head.

“I’m afraid I do not understand,” He finds himself saying. This can’t be happening. The King lets out a low chuckle.

“You lived between Olive and Glow did you not? Should you have been in our boarders, you could have been royal.” Gilbert stumbles back at the words, his back hitting books with a thud. He shakes his head trying to wrap himself around what he’s hearing. It’s not possible.

“Lukas is the East Manor still open?” Gilbert snaps his head up. The King and his adviser seem to be ignoring his panic. Lukas makes another ‘hum’ noise and nods. The King sends him a wicked smile.

“While I can not make you royal, I can make you noble.” The King stands and goes to him. Gilbert isn’t sure what to expect, yet flinches anyway, when the King puts an easy hand on his shoulder.

“I knew this conversation would have been different with those two here.” There’s a certain amount of disgust in the King’s voice as he mentions Matthew and Lovino. For what Gilbert isn’t sure but a protective streak rushes through him and he finds himself glaring. The King seems delighted with him anyway.

“Come back to the kingdom in a few weeks, spend some time in the castle, at the East Manor, live the way you should have here.” The King pats his shoulder and makes to exit, pausing in the doorway.

“Oh, keep this between us. This is your decision, don’t let the Prince’s know.” And with that the King is gone. Gilbert slumps, his head in his hands and thoughts racing, racing, racing in every direction. It’s not possible is all he can really manage. He’s an outcast, a servant, a footman. He’s been told so all his life there had been no other position for him. To hear, with a blinding confidence, from a King, that he could have been so much more, is nearly impossible to understand.

Gilbert lets out a strangled sound, slapping his hands over his mouth and a tear slips through his defenses. It’s just so much to handle. But he does. He shakes his head, wipes his eyes and shakes himself back to normalcy. Once he’s ready, he notices Lukas by the door with his eyes down, ready to guide him back to the main hall.

It’s a quiet walk, but Gilbert’s thoughts are too loud.

The dances and mingling are still full swing when he returns. Lukas slips away from him and he’s left on the edge of the wall, watching everyone. He can’t help but wonder where he would be should he had been raised here, lead to believe he belonged here, told he is pretty enough to be someone here.

Then he spies Matthew and Lovino across the way, heads low and talking to themselves with worry still etched into their expressions. His heart yearns for them and all they give him. There’s a deep sadness counteracting it with an idea of what could have been.

“Excuse us,” A small voice says. Gilbert looks beside him, two young persons in dark purple look up to him with bright eyes. Gilbert swallows when they bow their heads to him, he returns the gesture cautiously. They both giggle to themselves then smile back at him.

“Are you enjoying this evening?” The girl asks. Gilbert looks back to the crowd, choosing his words carefully.

“I suppose I am a little distracted from it all.” He’s not sure what to think. The boy takes his turn to ask a question.

“Are you from the North or South?” He asks. Gilbert blinks at him, eyes narrowing with confusion.

“We’re from the West Manor, and we’ve never seen you before,” The girl explains. Nobility, Gilbert realizes, the broaches now apparent on the left side of their chests now evident of their status.

“Are you from the East Manor?” The boy gasps softly. Gilbert stands a little taller, rolling the words over in his mind.

“I could be,” He avoids the answer. He could be though, he could be the Master of the East Manor, he could take that title and be a noble, a fresh noble. The two giggle to themselves again.

“Will you dance with me?” The boy asks. Gilbert’s eyes widen in shock, the expression thankfully unnoticed as the girl gawks.

“I was going to ask him brother no fair!” She whines. The boy laughs and smiles to Gilbert now, inviting, hoping. Gilbert isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do. This can’t be happening. It’s all too clear now what they think he is, what he could be. A noble, someone to be fought over, someone to be seen and heard, someone who can be beautiful.

“Gilbert,” The tone is soft and it snaps Gilbert into focus, gentle and easy. He look to Matthew smiling at him with such adoration in his eyes. Gilbert takes an easy breath, the two young nobles now silent. He turns to them and bows at the waist.

“Forgive me I am needed elsewhere,” And with that he follows Matthew and Lovino to a different secluded area of the ballroom to talk.

“Are you alright?” Lovino asks sternly, a small glare on his face sent towards the King. Gilbert nods, the thoughts still racing, but calmer now. Matthew whines.

“What did he want with you?” Matthew’s tone is more concerned, worried for him, and Gilbert has to shut his mouth tight. He’s not sure why he does it, certainly not because the King asked him to, but maybe the underlying threat of what might happen should he tell of what they talked about.

“He wanted to know more about my past, where I got my appearance.” He says, not telling the full truth. Lovino huffs, anger on his face. He’s always been sensitive when others had not been to Gilbert’s unorthodox self. Matthew is kinder, reaching up a hand to place on Gilbert’s cheek gently. Oh he wishes he could fight the feeling but he can’t help it. The love boils over and Gilbert places his hand over Matthew’s and leans into the touch.

“I’m okay, but the experience has left me, very frazzled, forgive me through the rest of the night,” He says softly. Matthew lets out a small giggle and brushes a thumb over his cheek. A silent agreement that it’s okay and there’s nothing to be forgiven.

The night continues. People dance and eat and talk. Lovino and Matthew dance together beautifully, then Matthew and Ivan as well, the two stepping all over each other’s feet. Alfred and Natalia are surprisingly elegant as a couple, and Lovino dances with the First Princess and future King of the Cold Kingdom as well, a politeness between them, though she looks very shy to do so.

Gilbert watches from the sidelines, a small smile on his face seeing the two he loves having a wonderful time. His mind wanders back to the conversation with the King. If he had been noble, then maybe he could be with them, and not just as a servant, but as an equal. Gilbert dares a look at the King sitting smugly on his throne, he nods at Gilbert when he spies him looking. Gilbert nods back as is polite but the action makes the King more smug.

His Prince’s can tell something is wrong but they do not pry. On the way home during the cold hours of the night, Gilbert keeps a hood over his face, and when he glances back to the snow covered tops of the castle, he decides to return and see just what life can be like as a noble. And when he glances to Matthew and Lovino inside their carriage, cuddled up together, he decides not to tell them.

[larryland]

by Macey Levin

Lanford Wilson was one of America’s foremost playwrights during the latter half of the twentieth century.  Though he garnered his initial fame with the 1973 off-Broadway production of Hot l Baltimore, some of his later, more controversial, plays dealt with returning Viet Nam War veterans, in particular The Fifth of July, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980, and Redwood Curtain, a vastly underrated play in 1993.  It is receiving an intelligent and affecting production at the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill, New York.

Geri (Julie Pham) is a 17-year-old Amerasian adoptee from Viet Nam visiting her aunt Geneva, (Molly Parker Myers,) her late father’s sister, in Northern California at the outskirts of a redwood forest. This haunting and mysterious locale attracts Viet Nam vets who want to disassociate themselves from the greater society.  Geri, a pianist who has toured the country and Europe and has a Sony recording contract, has put her immediate life aside to search the forest for her American father.

She follows one of these bedraggled men, whom we get to know as Lyman, (Joseph Tisa) out of town into the redwoods until they confront each other.  She questions him as to whether he knows, or perhaps is, her father.  He rejects her attempts to explore his past and instead bullies her to give him her purse and wallet.  A mystical element enters the play as she insists she has the power to affect the atmosphere and does so to impress and frighten Lyman.  After a physical tussle she faints and he retreats back into the woods.  Geneva finds her in the glade, brings her home and attempts to dissuade her from the search and to return to where her genius lies… the piano.

Geneva’s family has owned and logged the forest for decades, but she is now being forced out by a corporate maneuver.  Though suddenly wealthy, she sees a bleak future for herself.  Just as the centuries-old trees are going to be destroyed leaving the forest grounds decimated and rootless, Geri, Geneva and Lyman will have no place to call theirs.

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Wilson is commenting on the tendency of American society to repress its past as it fearfully wends its way to an uncertain future.  Geri wants to know her history and fantasizes, if not outright lies, about her early life in Viet Nam as she banters with Lyman.  He is in the forest so that he doesn’t have to confront the demons that plague him.  Geneva is protective of her family and is apprehensive regarding the potential discovery of her step-niece’s father.

The first scene is somewhat tenuous in that exposition comes pouring out in some labored exchanges.  When Geneva appears in the latter part of that scene the plot structure strengthens as the mystery of family secrets and flaws are revealed in realistic and pointed dialogue.  On the whole, the script grabs you as it leads its characters through revelations and acceptance.

The cast creates specific identities in their roles.  Pham is quirky as an adolescent on the doorstep of maturity while she brings a grounded strength as she searches for her father and forsakes what she considers the peripheral elements of her life.  She infuses this dichotomy into her physical presence as well.  Geneva is finely tuned by Myers.  She is a wisecracking realist who feels threatened by what she doesn’t know.  She covers her apprehension with some of the best laugh lines in the play, but we can read something else in her eyes.  It is a role that could be played broadly but she resists that and makes Geneva a sympathetic character.

The character who ties the plot together is Lyman. Tisa captures the pain of his life and the fear that surrounds him.  He is dirty with his matted hair, shaggy beard and grimy clothes.  But it is his soulful eyes and hesitant speech that defines his psychoses.

This is a script that could be maudlin but that doesn’t happen under John Sowle’s  sensitivity and sensible direction.  Where characters could be come caricatures he has guided his cast into insightful performances.  Despite an awkward fight in the first scene, his stage pictures, especially in the last moments emphasize the various conflicts and resolutions.

Sowle has designed the atmospheric lighting and sets in collaboration with Harry Mathews who created the realistic tree sculptures.  The music room in Geneva’s house suggests the wealth of her family.  Michelle Rogers’ costumes underline the characters’ status and personality.

The Bridge Theatre’s production of this neglected play is worth the trip.  It is a touching human and theatrical experience.

A side note: As a further incentive, Catskill is an attractive town not only with the Bridge Street Theatre but it also has terrific restaurants.  Just down the street from the theatre is Winkle’s Bakery that serves breakfast and lunch.  All the food is made daily in their kitchen including most of their breads.  Sandwiches and platters are huge but the rices are not.  A short distance way at 353 Main Street is the New York Restaurant.  They have a full menu from wings to steaks, but they have Polish specials.  The Golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls, rice, sirloin, house seasonings, creamy mashed potatoes) is absolutely delicious.

Bridge Street Theatre presents The Redwood Curtain by Lanford Wilson; Directed by John Sowle; Cast: Julie Pham (Geri) Joseph Tisa (Lyman) Molly Parker Myers (Geneva); Scene/light Designer: John Sowle and Harry Matthews; Costume design: Michelle Rogers; Sound design: Carmen Borgia; Stage Manager: Caedmon Holland; Running Time:  Bridge Street Theatre, 44 W. Bridge Street, Catskill, NY; From 11/2/2017 – 11/12/2017

REVIEW: “The Redwood Curtain” at Bridge Street Theatre by Macey Levin Lanford Wilson was one of America’s foremost playwrights during the latter half of the twentieth century.