#firth element

[wisdomfish]

Ethics, although contains an element of human creativity and inventiveness, is even more clearly a discovery, something which is not of our own making.

Louis P. Pojman

[velvetrinity]

[scotianostra]

21st September 1745 saw The Battle of Prestonpans.

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising commonly known as the ‘45.

The subject of my earlier post, Walter Scott made the Battle of Prestonpans the centrepiece of his first novel Waverley, and another Edinburgh literary giant, Robert Louis Stevenson looks back on its importance in Kidnapped. The national bard Robert Burns also wrote about it and has connections with the area, his brother worked in Prestonpans and he is remembered around the town to this day.

The battle later reached the big screen with David Niven’s Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1948, and more recently Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels and TV series have brought the Battle of Prestonpans to audiences all around the world.

The victory became a symbol of Scottish resistance to British government rule, and of the negligence of Hanoverian military commanders.

Thanks to local knowledge and a thick haar that drifted in from the Firth of Forth, the Jacobite army filed along a narrow path during the wee small hours giving them the element of surprise over the redcoat army and General “Johnny Cope”

At 6am around 2,000 men drawn to the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart clashed with a larger force of some 3,000 government troops under the command of Sir John Cope close to the Firth of Forth in East Lothian.

Cope’s men, originally facing South, were forced to rapidly wheel around to face the Jacobites, who charged unexpectedly from the East.

British dragoon regiments, stationed on either flank of Cope’s infantry, abandoned their posts soon after fighting began, leaving the foot soldiers dangerously exposed.

Surrounded on three sides, the remaining Hanoverian force was swept aside in a little over ten minutes.

Hundreds of government troops were killed or wounded, and a further 1,500 taken prisoner by the Prince’s men, Jacobite casualties were light.

But while the rout took just a few minutes, Jacobite commanders had been far less confident about victory in the days leading up to it. There had been a few skirmishes, including at High Bridge in Lochaber in August, but this was the first large-scale confrontation with a sizeable Hanoverian force.

The Hanoverians were professional soldiers, infantry and dragoons, the forces at Cope's disposal were - or should have been - competent.

In contrast, contemporary accounts emphasise the role of poor Highlanders, who marched south with Prince Charles, in the Jacobite force. If the Jacobites had lost it would have been game over, especially since there was much dissension among the senior Jacobite commanders in the hours before the battle.

Several accounts of the battle emphasise how spooked Cope’s men were by the Highlanders, as well as their struggle to deploy heavy cannon and cavalry that should have given them an advantage. Cope is said to have been so frustrated by his artillery units that he dismissed them and sent word to Edinburgh for replacements. They did not arrive in time.

Despite being cleared of any negligence at a court martial in 1746, Sir John Cope’s reputation as a military commander was destroyed by Prestonpans, and never recovered.

Immortalised in Adam Skirving’s famous Scots song “Hey, Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waking Yet?, Cope was characterised in contemporary accounts as a coward and a buffoon.

Fye now Johnnie, get up and run,

The Highland bagpipes mak a din,

It's better tae sleep in a hale skin.

For 'twill be a bloody morning.

When Johnnie Cope tae Dunbar came,

They spiered at him, 'where's a' your men?'

'The Deil confound me gin I ken,

For I left them a this morning.'

Skirving's song did much of the damage, but Burns also published a version and there wasn't much of a counter-narrative in his favour.

The site of Cope’s defeat - and the Jacobite’s surprise victory - has been listed in the Scottish Government’s national inventory of significant battle sites when that was established in 2009, and re-enactments of the fighting regularly take place.

A cairn in memory of the battle was erected in 1953 and others have been added throughout the years. A visitor centre is planned.

The illustration is from the hand of the late Andrew Hillhouse depicting the night march. https://www.andrewhillhouseprints.co.uk/gallery_660173.html

[weclassybouquetfun]

Netflix is so funny. The streamer goes radio silence on their projects for years ::cough:: THE OLD GUARD sequel ::cough::, then turn around and say, "By the way: this and that drops tomorrow."

Or tonight in the case of the new SING short. Did you know there was going to be a SING short? Neither did I. But today Netflix announced that tonight at midnight, the Halloween themed SING short will debut.

SING THRILLER.

What is is about? Well, just that. The gang decides to stage their version of Michael Jackson's music video "Thriiller"

Returning for the short is Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, Tori Kelly as Meena, Nick Kroll as Gunter, Scarlette Johannsson as Ash, Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly and Taron Egerton as Johnny.

To prove the global reach of "Thriller" Taika Watiti did a Haka inspired bent at the end of his film BOY.

Taron Egerton's not coming off of his IG hiatus for this, but perhaps he will in December when his Netflix thriller CARRY ON is finally released (on December 13th, to be exact.).

Maybe by December 13th they will release a better poster.

Entertainment Weekly exclusive pictures from the upcoming film (and other KINGSMAN alums goings-on).

Since Edward Holcroft has provided Taron's fans with a few glimpses of Taron since his self-imposed social media hiatus,

I'll give Ed equal time.

Holcroft's Lithuanian limited series A WOLF'S PALATE (which, to date is Lithuania's most expensive sereis) is one of the five series selected to screen at TV Beats Forum's inaugural screening day on November 20th.  The six-parter, A WOLF's PALATE is described as a psychological drama with supernatural elements.

While I await Ed's return to the screen, I just have to be satisfied with his selfies.

Our other KINGSMAN alum, Colin Firth has been absent from screens for a moment, but he will soon be back with the Sky/Peacock five-part limted series, LOCKERBIE: A SEARCH FOR TRUTH.

LOCKERBIE: A SEARCH FOR TRUTH tells the real-life story of Dr. Jim Swire whose daughter was among the 259 people who lost their lives in the 1988 bombing of a PamAm flight over Lockerbie, Scotland (with an additional eleven who died on the ground due to the disintergrating plane). It will drop January 2nd in the UK and the US.

Like Mark Strong, Firth will set foot in the Sherlock Holmes universe. He has been cast in Guy Ritchie's upcoming YOUNG SHERLOCK series for Amazon Prime Video starring Heros Fiennes-Tiffins as the young detective, Fiennes-Tiffin's uncle Joseph Fiennes as his father Silas,

Natascha McElhone as his mother Cordelia, Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes, Tsine Tseng (3 BODY PROBLEM) as Princess Gulun Shou'an, Dónal Finn (WHEEL OF TIME) as Moriarty and Firth as  Sir Bucephalus Hodge (no further character details have been announced).

And while not confirmed, there was a report that Colin Firth will be joining his ARTHUR NEWMAN and MARY POPPINS RETURNS costar Emily Blunt in Steven Spielberg's next film that is slated for a 2026 release.

[randomfoggytiger]

Kitchener Essences: David Duchovny

Already tackled Gillian Anderson's essence here, so, it's David's turn!

John Kitchener, like Kibbe, created his system on top of the yin-yang methodology other stylists were constructing in the early 20th century. Yet instead of focusing on the body's structure as a whole (Kibbe's method), Kitchener zeroed in on the face: particularly, its holistic expression.

ESSENCES AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

(Credit to: Ellie-Jean Royden)

I'd previously written a post about the Feminine vs. Masculine balance in David Duchovny's face (post here); but found, as I was working on this project, that that method and the Kitchener method overlap each other. Both assess the yin (soft, rounded, curved lines) and yang (sharp, narrow or blunt, chiseled lines) of a person's face; and draw up a general impression others would have of them at a neutral first glance.

These tools may not appeal to everyone; but boy do they work hand and glove in the entertainment industry. Actors can disguise their natural essence in a role by embodying another person; can tone down their masculine vs. feminine balance with hair, makeup, and styling; and can lean into their natural aura for promotion and marketing. Of course, there is some degree of typecasting-- it would be harder (or impossible) for a person with Gamine Essence (smaller facial features with dynamic odds and ends) to pull off an Ethereal Essence (long, sleek, elongated, elegant lines) than it would for an Ethereal to pull off a Dramatic Essence (as Cate Blanchett did for Thor: Ragnarök.) This system also effectually proves Kibbe's warning: one cannot evaluate a person's Kibbe body type by the face alone-- Ingenue Leonardo DiCaprio and Classic (if I recall) Colin Firth are both Romantics, after all. Similarly, 5'2" Kibbe Theatrical Romantic Gillian Anderson and 5'10" Kibbe Dramatic Tilda Swinton share a striking Ethereal Essence.

**Note**: If you don't care to ingest the full post, skip straight to the DAVID DUCHOVNY header for his analysis.

DECODING KITCHENER ESSENCES FOR MEN

As per my first Essence post, I will be including transcripts and screenshots from Ellie-Jean Royden's video on the topic (here). Also, highly recommend Gabriella Arruda, who has a more practical, everyday wear approach to the Essences (as well as excellent videos combining them with the Kibbe Body Types-- my posts on GA's and DD's Kibbe here and here, respectively-- and seasonal color analysis.)

Dramatic

The Most Yang Dominant (strong features)-- sharp, narrow, long, hard. Defined by: danger, wildness, boldness, theatrical, dark, extravagant, intense, dignified. Dramatic faces tend to have three or more elongated and “hard” traits: high and dominant cheekbones, long faces, sharp jawlines, sharp noses, slightly narrow eyes, narrow lips.  

Dramatics look best in sharp, tailored clothes; in bold, extravagant, theatrical styles; …in unconventional or unusual patterns; in asymmetry or straight lines; …in unusual textures or dangerous styles (leather, for example.)  

Natural

Yang Dominant (strong features)-- blunt, wide, broad, and elongated…instead of elongated, sharp, harsh (you might see men with Dramatic Essence as the villain in a movie… Natural Essence tends to be… the hero of the film.) Defined by: relaxed, earthy, sporty, active, wild, easygoing, approachable, rugged (...chopping a tree down or hacking a block of wood ready for a fire.) 

They look best in simple, comfortable, relaxed clothes. They tend to look formal in the most casual and simple styles; whereas… in a suit, they tend to look quite constrained…. Jeans and a t-shirt… don’t look casual or sloppy… looks like it belongs…. Look good in loose fitting; sturdy, oversized sort of styles. Anything with unstructured shapes, layering, or denim. 

Gamine

Yang Dominant (strong features)--  sharp or angular features, with some youthful elements (large and soft eyes, or slightly wide and soft noses, or slightly rounded cheekbones with a sharp jaw and narrow eyes.) Defined by: quirky, rebellious, whimsical, youthful (but not as youthful as Ingenue Essence), boyish, playful, fun. Like a Dramatic in some ways… with a youthful undercurrent to them.  

They look really good when poking fun at fashion. They look good in mix-n-match or retro styles. They look good in bold colors or unusual patterns. High contrast; quite cool in rolled up jeans or “teenager” hoodies. They look good in lots of detail and compact styles and maybe some whimsical elements. 

Classic

Neither Yang nor Yin Dominant (symmetrically balanced features)-- in the middle, not particularly sharp or soft; timeless, neutral features (no defining characteristic features.) Defined by: clean, timeless, elegant, sophisticated, formal, conservative.  

They look best in minimal details, allowing their own beauty to shine through. They look good in smooth and controlled lines. They become more memorable as everything else is "stripped" away. They look good in timeless looks-- it doesn't look boring or outdated; tends to look very elegant and chic. You could even describe them as looking regal... in these styles. They look good in symmetry, balance, neutral colors, and quality fabrics.

Romantic

Yin Dominant (soft features)-- soft, round facial features; smouldering eyes; lush lips; slightly narrow jaws; round cheeks or slightly wide noses; often have dark hair and high contrast (like Dramatics, except with shorter, softer lines.) Defined by: sensual, alluring, lush, romantic.  

They look good in soft, lush fabrics (like velvet.) Look best in bowties over long ties. They might look good in something a little undone, looser fabrics, softer fabrics. In red or lush colors. In large, rounded patterns. Jewels or jewel tones. 

Ingenue

Yin Dominant (soft features)-- baby-like faces (lots of Hollywood male heartthrobs are Ingenues, ex. Leo DiCaprio); small, slightly wide noses; rounder eyes; round cheekbones; plump but smallish lips; rounded and shorter faces. Defined by: sweet looking, innocent, gentle, delicate, adorable, youthful (less “boudoir” than Romantics in the same styles.)

They look best in delicate and small details. Whimsical styles; in anything vintage; in pastel or pale colors; in decorative styles like small floral prints or things that hark back to another era. They look really good in ornate, intricate sort of things. And of course, with soft, delicate fabrics. These men look much better in a bow tie than in a long tie because this mimics their short, rounded facial features. 

Ethereal

The Most Yin Dominant (soft features)-- a meeting between yin and yang features. They have elongated faces; some sharp facial features like cheekbones or high foreheads, but with rounded or slightly wide set eyes or soft lips. (Not blending their yin and yang together like Classic, or contrasting it like Gamines.) Defined by: pure, wise, timeless, otherworldly, ageless, old souls, uncanny, celestial (tend to be cast in fantasy roles.) 

They look really good in metallics; soft, lightweight, fluttery fabrics; vintage or period pieces with… fantastical, ornate, intricate elements. Too many overdone details tips into caricature; instead, they could opt for gray instead of black, or create a long visual line down with their hair.

DAVID DUCHOVNY

Let's start from the top: discovering what are David's worst essences.

What David Isn't

Dramatic

Dramatic is the worst Essence for DD, turning his flare for the "out there" into costume and caricature, wearing him instead of the other way 'round. As such, he often hams up his poses or expressions to better match the energy of the shot, transforming it from avant-garde fashion to tongue-in-cheek performance art.

Gamine

David is drawn to pizzazz, to bold colors, to unique styles. There's a part of his nature that responds to it-- which is easy to see why, when we explore his primary Essence. However: he walks right by the most flattering option to snatch up the second worst.

He's a handsome man, no doubt... but even his looks can't save him from the consequences of his dilapidated fashion sense. Youthful vibes very well with David; but he jumps upon an "aha!" too vigorously, overdoing it with more and more funky, punky, spiky, mismatchy elements. Not even his Kibbe can save him: if he'd been Romantic or Gamine instead of Soft Natural, his shorter bones might have been able to more effectively cover up the disjointed effect.

The bottom rows can be salvageable, as his hairstyle would be dependent on what outfit he wore with it. But even at face value, there's something off about too much tousle either way. The bland-for-him Classic Essence shirt in the last picture doesn't help matters.

Classic

Classic is not the worst on David; but it's not the best, either.

Minimal detail on David tends to wash out his unique charm, burying it under too much finish or polish. The suit in the first picture appears to have been purposefully bought a size up in an attempt to "soften" the silhouette on DD (without success); and the second is too pinched and narrow in the shoulders and too widening and tailored at the hips (a typical Classic silhouette composed of equal parts yin and yang.) The two gray shirts, however, are better: they fit the lines of his body (Kibbe), are Medium Value gray (an aspect of his seasonal color analysis), and are better accessorized with tiny details (buttons and pockets.) Steps in the right direction, but not a complete victory.

Romantic

David's styling and poses are overtly sexual here; but the result is more akin to off-the-clock lounging than reach-into-your-heart-through-your-eyes-and-consume-your-soul sensuality. Put more concisely, his sexy isn't boudoir or bodice ripper.

The top pose is the most off-kilter; but the second row's pictures are all salvageable. David's neutral expression in the first pic changes the effect into steamy relaxation; his pose and delicate elements in the second turns the shot into something fresh and almost soulful; and his luxuriously soft hair and pajamas in the third reads as one clean, complete look. The last two particularly are mixed with his primary and secondary Essences.

What David Is

Natural

Maybe. Not discounting the possibility.

It wouldn't be a surprise: David is a Kibbe Soft Natural; and there is definite overlap between its lines and Kitchener's Essence. However: David can only handle teeny tiny amounts of it. Too much and he looks like a clean-shaven homeless man wearing the wealthy neighborhood's overpriced hand-me-downs instead of his old, gunky, raggedy hoodie. That, or a struggling artist.

The top left look is salvageable: his glasses are a complimentarily small detail, his sleeves are rolled up above the wrists, his hair isn't too wild or unkempt, and his pants aren't visible in the shot. Not the best, but definitely not the worst.

Ethereal

The gray shirt's back! That's because, despite the intent of the shot, the end result is an Ethereal Essence come to life: long, luxurious, draping silhouette; lower contrast grey instead of a harsher, richer color like black; and shadowy, "otherworldly" set dressing.

David's first two looks are from the same photoshoot. The metallic sheen in his suit and Ethereal graphic on his shirt turn this look from a classic silhouette into a statement piece, one that perfectly accords with David's blink-and-you'll-miss-it expression and understated-overstated drama.

However: it's not his best Essence: lines that are too flowy or too long or too "flyaway" jar slightly with his persona-- not quite messy, but not quite right.

Ingenue

David's best Essence is Ingenue-- and no wonder. Even early on his career, fans were calling him a puppy and wanting to take care of him.

His sensuality is expressed by irrepressible innocence, that element of childishness he misinterprets as Gamine's boyishly spunky, eternally youthful spark. With that in mind, he should focus on softer details instead-- not replacing his funky inclinations so much as tempering them. Funk on a smaller, scale: delicate ornateness instead of jagged edges and opposing prints; repeatable patterns instead of differing styles mashed together. David should also lean into buttons, comfy textured fabrics, and bowties to match the tiny, repeated curves in his face.

COMPARING OTHER SOFT NATURAL ESSENCES

Let's test out his Ingenue Essence.

How shall we do that? By comparing him to other men that share his same Kibbe Soft Natural body type.

Dramatic Essence: None

I don't have a Dramatic SN to compare; but i think we can all conclude that this Essence doesn't scream 'David Duchovny.'

Natural Essence: Brad Pitt and Robert Redford

Brad and Robert are put together and at ease in differing levels of "dishevelment." David, though more "himself", does not (even with the same level of tailoring and styling care in the first photo as Brad.)

Gamine Essence: Gene Kelly

Gene comes alive in bold, expressive, potentially clashing elements. David, however, looks mismatched and uncomfortable.

Classic Essence: John Wayne

While John shines with minimal detail, David becomes flat.

Romantic Essence: George Clooney

Here we can see George's effortless romanticism and David's endearing Ingenue charm radiating from their pores.

Ingenue Essence: Bing Crosby

With both of their hair slicked up and back, it's too easy to spot the shared tiny, delicate aspects dominating Bing's and David's face. Bing's bowtie and David's small-scale tie further accentuate these features, as do their softer profiles and lower contrast.

Ethereal Essence: None

Again, I was unable to find a Kibbe approved Soft Natural that fit the Ethereal requirements. However, I did find DD in an Ethereal shirt and studio set; so, let us gaze upon it, note it works but not fully, and move along.

COMPARING TWO INGENUE ESSENCES

To further prove the Ingenue theory, we can compare him against Kibbe Romantic Elijah Wood's Ingenue Essence. Both have smaller scale facial features, softer lines, and softer silhouettes. They are also complimented very naturally by smaller scale accessories, smaller scale repeating patterns, smaller scale soft tailoring, and smaller scale bowties (compared to their regular ones.) These touches tap into and bring out their "cute" undercurrent easily and effectively.

ALL TOGETHER

CONCLUSION

Ingenue-Ethereal, perhaps Ingenue-Ethereal-Natural. Not bad!

It makes sense why he and Gillian sold The X-Files: the softened bluntness of his Kibbe created a striking visual contrast against her narrow, sharp Kibbe while their close percentages of Ethereal Essence knit those differences back together in an otherworldly, mythical pursuit of the truth (be it men, monsters, or insane work hours.)

Meanwhile, David is drawn to characteristic detail, unfortunately expressing that dynamic essence through Gamine rather than its perfect twin Ingenue. Furthermore, his love of long, less-restrictive lines is also misplaced in the Natural Essence, whereas it would be right at home in the equally less restrictive but also softer and sleeker Ethereal Essence.

Thanks for reading~

Enjoy!

[stedefxckingbonnet]

So this is gonna be entirely too much info but like. I've fallen into reading your reader x Izzy fics and I LOVE them! I've been going through a hard time with it getting to Christmas and having no family, and the Izzy fics just make me feel lighter. So mostly just thank you thank you thank you!

Now the cheeky bit - is there any way we could get a Male reader x Izzy with a pride and prejudice element. My friend said something about Con O'Neil as Mr Darcy and I damn near swooned. Either like a Colin Firth wet white shirt scene or like anything like the Matthew Macfayden Darcy (The hands! The sopping wet pathetic man!)

If not, that's more than okay! I still love your work so much! And again, thank you so much for it!

Hi, anon! First of all, I completely understand how rough the holidays can be, especially without family around. My heart is truly with you during these times and I hope you can still find joy, peace, and love this winter. If you ever need anything, I am always in your corner. I know I'm just a random writer on Tumblr but I truly do care for you, each and every one of you, for that matter! I'm happy I could even bring you a sliver of joy with my work. Thank you endlessly for reading, and I am sending an abundance of my love your way <3 feel free to message me if you'd like, I'd love to be your friend! My messages are always open, everyone! But if not, that's okay too. I'm just happy to share this with you!

Anyhow, I absolutely lit up at this request—I love Pride & Prejudice! OFMD and P&P intertwining is honestly heavenly, I got so excited to write this that I put a pin on another x reader I was writing (never fear! You will all get this one by the end of the week if finals don't absolutely drain me!). This one is reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice and the vibes it emits, but more so, my own spin on it, as well as twists and turns. Like, Izzy honestly exhibits more of a Lizzie in this one but it's also very clear his actions parallel Darcy. I really, truly hope you enjoy this nonetheless!

Lastly, speaking of the holidays, I'm thinking of writing some holiday headcanons for Izzy or a few x readers regarding the holidays with Izzy! So stay tuned for that! Thank you everyone for your everlasting kind words, understanding, patience, and encouragement with my slight delay with writing in the past week.

My Gem | Izzy x Male Reader

Warnings: slight angst, some strong language, slight enemies to lovers, not so in depth research of 1700's aristocracy (even though I'm a damn dramaturg, but we'll look past that for now), made up my first non-canon canon character because just referring to her as "she" felt inhumane, brief mentions of fake suicide note, kissing

Word count: 2324

Thoughts of the first mate of The Revenge were absolutely consuming you. Devouring you alive, plaguing you—you truly couldn't get him out of your head no matter how hard you tried. Oh, yes, you tried. But there was no use. Daydreams would always swirl in your mind and they would only increase tenfold throughout the course of your days.

You were grateful that you at least didn't have to carry the burden of breathing the same air as Israel Hands anymore. You would even collapse being within ten feet of him, let alone seeing him every single day. Your chest ached even at the mere thought of the man.

To say you were confused by his last actions toward you was an understatement. Confused, embarrassed, miserable, even flattered...You couldn't get Izzy Hands out of your head. You couldn't get his hands out of your head...

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

"So you really are doing this, then."

"Yes," you nodded. "I am. I don't belong here—"

"You are a damn great pirate," Izzy almost seethed. "I'll be damned if I believe you really want to go back to that...lavish lifestyle."

You looked slightly frantically behind you in hopes that no one heard Izzy's dig at what was about to be your life again. You hesitantly looked back at Izzy, almost biting your lip in disbelief. "I just need to do this."

"Really? That's all you have to say?"

"What—what else am I supposed to say?"

Silence loomed between the two of you. He nervously fidgeted with the coat that Stede had lent him to disguise himself as an aristocrat. He couldn't wait to toss it back into Bonnet's arms, but he needed this in order to see you off safely, without any suspicions of what you had been up to in your absence from the life you were born into. He knew full well that you were making a mistake, but that you couldn't be convinced of this. His chest ached upon realizing that you wouldn't change your mind, that he wouldn't be able to change your mind.

"Goodbye, Israel."

Instead of responding, Izzy carefully intertwined his fingers with yours as you were about to step up into the carriage. You froze, yet began to melt into his touch, his warmth. You finally met his eyes just as he let go of you, and before you knew it, you were riding off into the distance, Izzy becoming a small speck fading from your sight. Before he began to fade out of view, you caught a glimpse of him flexing his hand by his side as he watched you depart.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

You scoffed as the yellow carnation was pinned to your coat.

"Is something wrong, sir?" one of your dressers inquired, concern washing over his expression.

You almost laughed at such a question, thinking back to all of the late nights you spent studying flowers and their meanings, dying to tell him how this marriage was going to be doomed if you had to wear a yellow carnation. At the last minute, you decided against it, holding your tongue. "Everything is perfect. Thank you."

He nodded, exiting the room as soon as he finished dressing you. You turned toward the mirror, a frown falling onto your lips upon seeing your reflection. You had never dreaded a coming day like you dreaded tomorrow. Before you could internally lament further, a rhythmic knock was heard from your door. Genevieve—future wife. How delightful. It's not like you dreaded it every time she walked into a room, let alone walked over to your side, and it's not like you could tell she dreaded you all the same.

"Yes. Come in," you sighed, plopping down onto your bed. Only, it wouldn't be your bed anymore—you would share it with her, come tomorrow. Your solitude would be interrupted and put on pause forever.

Genevieve quickly rushed in, making sure to shut and lock the door behind her. She fixed her hair a bit as she did so.

"What is it that you want?" you demanded softly, your brows furrowing.

"Hello to you too," she rolled her eyes. "I'm not looking forward to tomorrow—"

"That makes two of us, Genevieve! Finally, something we can agree upon," you laughed, falling backwards onto the bed.

"Will you let me finish?" she crossed her arms without realizing it. Once she had in fact realized, an expression of guilt overcame her as she untwisted herself. A guilt you had never once seen her bear. You sent an apologetic look her way. "I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, nor the rest of our lives together, but I just wanted to say that you are lovely. I don't hate you. I just hate this."

"I don't hate you either," you sat up carefully, your head sort of spinning as you did so. "Far from it. This is just an...unfortunate situation we've found ourselves in."

"Yes," she agreed, carefully placing herself beside you on the edge of the bed. "You know, I would love you, if you were...there's no way to dance around this. I would love you if you were not a man."

"Oh!" you realized, looking over at her, relief crashing over you. "And I would probably love you if you were not a woman, quite honestly."

Genevieve gasped in delight, wrapping her arms around you as she laughed happily. You couldn't help but smile upon her embrace.

"Who is the lucky woman?" you playfully smiled, nudging her shoulder. You watched intently as you watched the pigment of her face turn rosy.

"Well...we've known each other since we were babies," she sighed happily. "But our families have been dear friends since before we were even conceived. It would never work out."

"Take "never" out of your vocabulary this instant!" you exclaimed, shooting up off the bed and onto your two feet.

"What are you planning?" Genevieve tilted her head.

You rushed over to your desk, filing through all that had piled atop it until you found a quill, some ink, and some parchment.

"We can't say you've run away—no, that would give hope that you're still alive and then you would be seeing wanted posters with your face plastered across trees anywhere you go," you sighed. "No. We'll fake your death instead. And you'll run away tonight."

Genevieve bit her lip concernedly. "Are you sure this will work?"

"I'm certain," you assured her. "Are you able to communicate this plan to your love before midnight?"

"Yes, she is coming to the rehearsal dinner tonight and I'm sure we'll sneak off to the gardens," she nodded.

"Wait—is that why you and Alice go there every time—"

Genevieve's hands flew up to her face, covering it as she giggled.

"My goodness!" you couldn't help but share the laughter. "Wow. I am not surprised, honestly."

"What about you?"

"Have I ever snuck off to a garden to—"

"No!" Genevieve rolled her eyes playfully. "Do you love another?"

"I..." you sighed. "Well, it's complicated."

"I've got time."

"I'm kind of upset with him at the moment. And I'm not sure how he feels about me. And I didn't realize I love him until after I left—"

"One thing at a time!" Genevieve tilted her head back to laugh. She place a hand on your shoulder. "Why does he have you upset?

"He held my hand before I left." you admitted, staring out the window as you spoke. Most days, you would have the curtains closed in order to mask the view of the ocean, as it would only bring you feelings of sorrow and regret.

"And you really question how he feels for you?!"

"Well, he's not like us," you frowned. "Believe me, I'm glad he's not. Though I just don't think he understands what a touch of the hand means to someone like me."

"You may come from different worlds with different values and rules, but holding hands is still an expression of affection wherever you come from," Genevieve pointed out.

"He did wear a fancy ensemble just to see me off safely..."

Once again, Genevieve's laughter filled the room. "You are blind!"

"It's just hard to tell with him!" you protested, laughing along with her. "He's hard to read. He's...very easily irritated."

"Is he like that when he's with you?"

"Less so, but yes," you shrugged. "He is a complicated man."

"But his feelings for you are apparent."

"My god, I need to go!"

"Yes, you do!" she encouraged you, patting you on the back.

"I can't right away. I have to get in contact with someone first, and if both you and I are found missing or dead by morning, it's going to be terribly suspicious—"

"You will find a way. I know it," she assured you. "Let's go and oversee the menu for tonight. I'm starved."

You laughed as she jokingly linked arms with you, leading you out into what you were about to leave behind once again.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

All had gone according to plan—you saw Genevieve and Alice off safely, and falsely mourned your fiancée the next day, and for only a few days after before Stede caught wind of your message. As soon as he had, you scurried to the beach, only bothering to bring a few possessions with you. You hadn't even bothered to leave a note—nothing attached you to the aristocratic life anymore. For good this time.

"Captain!" you exclaimed, almost out of breath. "Thank you. I'm so, so sorry."

"No need to apologize to me," Stede assured you warmly. "Believe me, I get it."

"I wish you warned me—"

"Oh, you wouldn't have listened," he teased. "I do regret having done the same thing you had, but if I hadn't, I never would have gotten closure with Mary and bade farewell to that side of me fully. You had to do the same."

"And you and Blackbeard—he forgave you?"

"We're working on it," Stede laughed. "He has, mostly."

"Do you think Izzy will ever forgive me? How is he?"

"Go see for yourself," Stede suggested kindly. "He's on watch tonight. I'll be in my quarters should you need anything at all."

Before you could thank him again, he vanished into the darkness. You smiled, though you could have swore your heart stopped upon the sight of Izzy Hands. You almost choked on the breath you had taken before gaining the courage to waltz over to him. Before you knew it, you were beside him once again. Izzy jumped upon sensing your presence.

"Jesus fuck," Izzy mumbled.

"Hello to you too."

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Oh, Izzy, I'm happy to see you too!"

"I'm serious—what the fuck? You just up and leave and then you're back. Is this some sort of pattern? How long will your stay be this time, perhaps only a day, maybe two—"

Without much thought, you found your fingers laced between his once again. Izzy's train of thought stopped in its tracks and all he could focus on now was the feeling of warmth that had been yanked away from him ever since you left, and that now, it had been restored. A warmth he thought he would never get to experience again, nor experience at all. Whenever he spent countless days and hours reminiscing upon it, he scolded himself, convincing himself that he should be grateful he got to feel that at least once in his life. It was one more time than he ever expected he would feel it. It should have been enough, but it wasn't even close. His heart began beating out of his chest—what was this feeling he couldn't quite place? He knew it all too well and he was tired of pushing it down to drown. Eventually, you softly removed your hand, and you noticed Izzy's hand flex by his side once again.

"Did it mean something to you? When you held my hand before I left."

"I was giving you a boost onto your ride," he shrugged it off, turning away in hopes that the darkness would hide his smile.

"Right," you laughed. "Izzy, seriously. I have been going crazy. Every single day, wondering if you ever understood what such a gesture meant to me or if it meant absolutely nothing to you."

"Of course it meant something to me, dammit," Izzy sighed. "You are such a fool if you thought for a second that it didn't."

You laughed breathlessly, relief overcoming you instantly as you pressed your forehead against his. The way the moonlight shone upon his face made him even more breathtaking, even more earth-shatteringly beautiful. You couldn't believe what your eyes were allowing you to see, and you couldn't believe how warm you'd felt. You almost swore you'd never shiver once again. Your lips softly grazed his forehead before you pressed another kiss upon his cheek, before resting your forehead against his once again, your eyes fluttering shut, butterflies flying around in your stomach as you reached for his hands once again.

"Mark my words. I will never, ever leave again—"

"Shh," Izzy gently whispered against your lips. "We can talk about it later."

"Later," you nodded gently as finally, your lips collided. Your heart did pirouettes as your lips danced against one another's. In the darkness of your vision, you caught a glimpse of your future aboard The Revenge, with Izzy. You had never seen so clearly, until now, that you had finally found the place you were meant to be after denying it for so long. You had found your family and your lover, and they were all gathered in the same place. This was a luxury that would always beat the fancy balls you attended, the gold-laced coats you wore upon your back, the gems you were gifted often. Izzy was your gem, and he made your life shine brighter than it ever had.

[thethirdromana]

Blake's costumes, rated

Every time I do one of these, someone asks me for another one. So... I guess I'm doing the set?

Here are my thoughts on Blake's costumes in Blake's 7. Get ready for a whole lot of brown. Screengrabs from here (they prefer their images copied, not linked) and record of what Blake wears when from here. Here's the same for Avon, Servalan and Jenna.

As seen in The Way Back, Space Fall, Cygnus Alpha, and Time Squad.

This is Blake in his normal, pre-Liberator clothes, and wow are they boring. This is clearly a man who was waiting for any opportunity to cut loose. Look how small his sleeves are! This isn't the clothing of a freedom fighter; it looks like the uniform of a handyman at an eco-friendly adventure park. It's not really Blake at all. 3/10.

As seen in The Web, Seek-Locate-Destroy, Mission to Destiny, Duel, Project Avalon, Breakdown, Deliverance, and Orac.

I was going to say that this is a long time to be wearing the same outfit, but at a closer look, Blake does change his shirt. Thank goodness, because the question of who does the laundry on the Liberator has bothered me before, and I didn't like to think of Blake being stinky for most of series A.

Also, this is a great outfit. I feel like the way it has four different elements and textures should be too much, but it's working for me, particularly the chainmail-esque sleeve detail. 8/10.

As seen in The Web, Seek-Locate-Destroy, Duel, Project Avalon, Bounty, and Orac.

Jenna made the pink version of this look cool; Blake looks like a dad in a National Trust car park. There might be poo bags for the family Labrador in one of his many pockets. Honestly, kudos to the Blake's 7 costume designers for this one: obviously functional and yet perfectly of a piece with the more ridiculous outfits in the series. I don't love to look at it but I have to admire it. 6/10.

As seen in Redemption, Shadow, Horizon, and Killer.

In which Blake appears to be wearing an entire cow. Honestly, I love this outfit, from the sleeves to the boots. It's Romantic hero meets Robin Hood, it's ridiculous, it's wonderful. Gareth Thomas must have been so warm. 15/10.

As seen in Shadow, and Voice From the Past.

I got a telling-off in the notes on my Jenna post for not including her in the karate ghi. So let the record stand that I approve of the karate ghi universally for Blake's 7 characters. I particularly appreciate that Avon and Jenna have theirs fastened up, while Blake's is open halfway to his midriff. Quarry chic, you can't beat it. 8/10.

As seen in Weapon, Pressure Point, Trial, Countdown, and Voice From the Past.

This feels to me like the classic Blake outfit. It's like Avon's bajillion studded black leather jackets: green leather and bishop's sleeves are simply what Blakes in their natural environment should wear. But it's not quite as batshit as some of his other outfits and so I can't love it quite as much. 7/10.

As seen in Horizon.

I accept that I'm straining the definition of "outfit" here but come on, I couldn't not include this moment. I love the artfully placed grime; I love the way, it being the 70s, that Blake's trousers come up to his navel; I love the fact that this is, to the best of my recollection, the one and only scene of someone taking their top off in the whole of Blake's 7. 10/10.

As seen in Horizon.

The Romantic hero look is BACK. Here Blake is starring as a rebel version of Colin Firth's Mr Darcy. Get this man a lake to jump in. It is my firm belief that no man has yet existed who doesn't look good in this kind of shirt, and Gareth Thomas is no exception. 9/10.

As seen in Hostage.

This is one of those "who wore it best?" moments and I have to be honest and say: Avon did. The rule that Avon should wear tight things, preferably leather, and Blake should wear loose things, preferably with massive sleeves, is not being disproven here. 4/10.

As seen in Hostage, Gambit, The Keeper, and Star One.

There's just too much stuff going on here. The chainmail effect outfit was also quite busy but in a way that made Blake look bigger and bolder. This is the opposite; he looks almost smothered by it. There's a lot of fabric around his neck. It's brown and there's leather, but Blake doesn't look at home. 4/10.

As seen in Blake.

Normally I rate these costumes based partly on how good they look, and partly on how well I feel they suit the character, and normally those two things are in alignment and it's all good. But here, I'm so torn.

Blake looks like shit. He's wearing some kind of horrific quilted knee-length gilet like a cross between a knight and someone who spends too much money in Jack Wills. It's too big for him and the little grab-handles on the front are... well, they're not very functional without Avon around to be grabbing him, are they? But on the other hand, it would be really weird if he looked good at this point in his story. The costume designers have judged this perfectly, and I hate it. 5/10.

[wonder-worker]

"Despite her indisputable agency and successes as ruler of the Mercians, the title of ‘queen’ eluded Aethelflaed. [...] Her feats were adjudged by Irish, Welsh, and Anglo-Norman chroniclers as worthy of the title, but in contemporary West Saxon and Mercian sources Aethelflaed is known as the ‘Lady of the Mercians’. This title was not an indictment of her merits, but rather a reflection of Mercia’s relative status within the context of West Saxon hegemonic expansion. […] To all intents and purposes, every indication within contemporary West Saxon and Mercian sources is that Aethelflaed was not viewed as a queen, that her subordination to her brother [Edward the Elder of Wessex] was well known, despite her having garnered immense authority as the Lady of the Mercians."

-Matthew Firth, "Early English Queenship, 850-1000: Potestas Reginae"

Aethelflaed's role as co-ruler in the tenth century [...] takes on an element of pragmatism. There was no male heir to the rulership of Mercia, and presumably no prospect of this given either Aethelflaed's abstinence or Aethelred's illness. In turn, their daughter Aelfwynn would only have been around 12 years old at the turn of the tenth century, thus representing no reasonable alternative to her father’s rule. For Edward, annexation of Mercia was not a resolution to this problem, especially with Aethelred still alive, no matter his physical condition. This would have risked rebellion in Mercia and conflict between the two kingdoms, which would have rendered both vulnerable and jeopardised the gains that had been made against the Danes in preceding decades. For Aethelred and Edward, Aethelflaed's promotion to co-ruler served a useful political artifice. It maintained the status quo, giving the semblance of Aethelred's continued involvement in governance, even if those powers in practice devolved to Aethelflaed. This then avoided any potential power vacuum developing during Aethelred's convalescence, it placed an individual with personal loyalty to both rulers at the head of Mercian government, and it ensured a succession tolerable to both Edward and the Mercian elites in the case of Aethelred's death. In short, Aethelflaed's rise to power preserved political stability. It remains, however, that in all extant diplomatic evidence for the couple’s rule prior to 911, this was formalised as co-rule and a tradition of this, as codified in Aethelred and Aethelflaed's charters, entered subsequent cultural memory.

Although Aethelflaed was well positioned to take over governance of Mercia upon Aethelred death, this did not mean that the Mercian ruler’s passing went unnoticed in Wessex. Aethelred's death represented a shift in the West Saxon–Mercian political dynamic, and Edward was poised to take advantage. According to the Chronicle, he immediately moved on Mercia’s southern borders, seizing London and Oxford and their surrounding lands. Yet there is no indication that this was an act of aggression directed at Aethelflaed herself, and it may be that this annexation represented some agreement between the siblings. The Register characterises Aethelflaed's period of sole rule as one of great activity, defined by remarkable outward-facing political and military agency. Aethelflaed goes on to build further burhs in the north and east of Mercia, annex key Danelaw burhs, and even arrange an incursion into Wales. However, she is never shown to be active in Mercia’s south. The implication is that the West Saxon–Mercian hinterland was stable, and sovereignty settled, so long as the siblings ruled over the two kingdoms. This allowed both Edward and Aethelflaed to turn their attentions to the project of extending their hegemony into those territories that had been claimed by the Heathen Army at the end of the ninth century.

[...] For all her independence in ruling Mercia, any doubt that Aethelflaed was, at least on a performative level, subject to her brother’s authority, should be put aside on review of the numismatic evidence. No coins were issued in either Aethelred or Aethelflaed's name. Those Mercian coin designs likely to derive from their reigns are remarkable for their distinctiveness – a symbolism undoubtedly imbued with meaning for a Mercian audience – but they bear the inscription Eaduueard rex: King Edward.

[...] However, whatever political or cultural considerations lay behind the Register’s decision to characterise Aethelflaed as Lady of the Mercians, rather than as their queen, was clearly absent from external sources. The histories and chronicles of societies separated from tenth-century England by time or place (or both) demonstrate no such reservations. While few sources purport to record the perspectives of Scandinavian settlers to Mercia’s east, no less their experiences of the Lady of the Mercians, Welsh and Irish sources provide valuable insights. In reporting her death in its entry for 918, Annales Cambriae names her Queen Aethelflaed (Edelflet regina), as does Brut y Tywysogion (Edelffleda vrenhines). This prominence is yet more pronounced in the Irish annals. In noting her passing, the Annals of Ulster declare her to have been famosissima regina Saxonum (the most famous queen of the Saxons). The claim that she was queen of the Saxons, rather than just Mercia, is also reflected in Brut y Tywysogion, as well as in Fragmentary Annals. In this latter, of course, she features more prominently than the simple recording of her death in the other Welsh and Irish chronicles. Fragmentary Annals names her as queen around eight times, identifying her as ‘Queen of the Saxons’ (rioghan Saxan) to Aethelred's ‘King of the Saxons’ (righ Saxan). All four texts are, as noted, later compositions or collations, and thus not necessarily contemporary to Aethelflaed's queenship. Nonetheless, they give some insight into the cultural memory of Aethelflaed's rule in Mercia and the perceptions of it held by her western neighbours.

It may also be that Aethelflaed's legacy simply grew in the telling. And here we come full circle to Henry of Huntingdon’s panegyric. William of Malmesbury does not accord Aethelflaed the title of queen, nor does John of Worcester. Geffrei Gaimar introduces Aethelred as king of the Mercians and later asserts that Aethelflaed was the rightful heir to his kingdom, but she herself is never named queen. Henry is, in contrast, refreshingly direct. While his prose closely follows the Register, and so titles Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, his verse is unambiguous. Aethelflaed was regina potens rexque trophea parans (a mighty queen and a victory-winning king). There is, of course, no evidence for Aethelflaed's ceremonial endowment as queen, quite the opposite in fact. But, to borrow from Stafford again, medieval authors ‘knew a queen when they saw one’, and in Aethelflaed, Henry of Huntingdon clearly saw a queen in action. So too did Welsh and Irish chroniclers who compiled their various annals around the same time as Henry. Perhaps then, the ideals of queenship had shifted into the twelfth century and beyond, and so Aethelflaed was more readily recognisable as a queen by later historians. More likely, however, is that the political impetus that saw her modelled as the ‘Lady of the Mercians’ had died alongside the West Saxon dynasty in 1066.

[...] Aethelflaed's political trajectory was remarkable among pre-Norman royal women. She ruled Mercia as its queen in practice, if not in name, for seven years, exercising singular military and political agency. She achieved political stability within her realm, secured its defensive capabilities, reconquered lost territories, and expanded Mercian hegemony to the north, east, and west. There is little wonder that the Lady of the Mercians stood out to later generations of historians, that she attracted their admiration and praise, and that they claimed for her the title that she had been denied in her own lifetime: queen.

[wyola-normiss]

The Eight House (horary)

Will I get a refund?

Analysis:

8 house: Symbolizes debt, monetary obligations that the questioner can receive from another person. The steward of the 8th house: shows the possibilities of obtaining money and the factors that can affect the result. The steward of the 7th house: symbolizes the relationship with the debtor. The steward of the 2nd house: symbolizes money, finances, property that the debtor can use to repay the debt.

Example:

The steward of the 8th house in a harmonious aspect with the steward of the 2nd house: this may indicate that the debt will be repaid. The steward of the 8th house is in conflict with the steward of the 7th house: this may indicate that the debtor does not want to repay the debt or that the return of money may be related to conflicts.

For example, the question of a husband's salary may be related to finding out his financial capabilities and determining his role and influence in a relationship.

The question of "How will the flight go, is there nothing threatening me?" implies an assessment of risks and external circumstances. Here you can study the effects of Uranus and Mars to determine if there is a possibility of hazards associated with power outages or unexpected events.

When analyzing the issue of flight safety, it is important to take into account that the 8th house carries elements of risk and danger. Thus, the horoscope can provide information about possible obstacles or circumstances indicating the need for greater caution on the trip. It is through the prism of 8 houses that you can see the possible threats associated with travel and give recommendations on how to reduce risks.

How soon will I receive money from [name]?

Analysis:

8 house: Symbolizes financial resources, debts, debts that the questioner can receive from another person. Ruler 8 of the house: Shows the possibilities to get money and the factors that can influence the result. Ruler of the 2nd house: Symbolizes money, finances, property that can pass to the questioner. Moon: symbolizes the emotions of the questioner and his expectations regarding receiving money.

Example:

The steward of the 8th house in a harmonious aspect with the steward of the 2nd house: this may indicate that you will receive money soon. The ruler of the 8th house is in conflict with the Moon: this may indicate that receiving money may be associated with disappointments or troubles.

When it comes to finance and investments, the question of a partner's investments in a business also falls within the scope of the 8 house. It is important to determine how much the partner is willing to take risks and how to do it.

Questions such as: "Will the partner invest money in the business?" require an analysis of joint resources. It examines how the perception of risk and the financial stability of a partner affect the investment decision. Variations in the interpretation of these issues can significantly affect the understanding of financial dynamics in a relationship.

The First House (horary)- "I myself"

The Second House (horary) - "My resources"

The Third House (horary) -"Household"

The Fourth House (horary) - "Homeland"

The Firth House (horary) - "creativity"

The Sixth House (horary) - "ailments"

The Seventh House (horary) - "other people"

[drymushroomfics]

"Thanks, Stan."

Colin Firth x ofc

Blaire is a makeup artist on the set of Supernova. She has a bit of a crush on Colin Firth. Colin is a bit akward and his co-star and friend, Stanley Tucci comes to the rescue as the perfect wingman

 Blaire awkwardly knocks on the cabin, waiting for someone to answer. The smile that greets her couldn't be brighter.

"I'm glad you're here, Blaire.", Colin says, letting her in.

Blaire looks over, seeing Stanley in his element, cooking away.

"How long has he been cooking?", she asks, shimmying off her coat.

"About an hour. I'm practically ready to take a bite out of the plate.", he teases.

"Impatients gets you nowhere, my friend.", she hears Stanley say.

He takes Blaire's coat, hanging it on a rack.

"Is Julie still coming?", Stanley asks.

"Um... I think so. May just be a little late. Takes her forever to get ready, in my experience."

"You clean up quite nicely... You always look nice, really...", Colin says, scratching the back of his head.

She notices Colin giving Stanley a look.

Chiming in, Stanley says, "He means your face... It's amazing how quickly you can paint yourself up like that. It would take both of us a week to even figure out eye shadow."

"Should've seen when I started. Looked quite like a racoon, actually. Pretty bad."

Julie eventually arrives when the food is ready. Everyone sits at the table, eating and discussing their busy day on set.

"This is quite good.", Colin tells Stanley.

"I don't think so... It's pretty shit." Julie laughs and Blaire agrees with Colin.

"No, I definitely like it too.", Blaire says, "I can barely cook a bloody egg."

Stanley laughs, "That just means that you need good cookbooks and a great teacher! Luck for you, I can supply both!"

"He's quite full of himself, isn't he?", Julie laughs.

After dinner, Stanley busts out some more wine.

"Where's the ice?", Blaire asks.

"Should be around back in a freezer.", Stanley says, smiling at Colin.

"Yes... Would you like me to go with you.?", Colin asks.

"You don't have to.", Blaire replies.

"I don't mind. It's surprisingly not raining at the moment. We should probably cease the opportunity."

She nods, grabbing her coat. They walk outside and head around back.

As she opens the door to the freezer, Colin stops her.

"Is everything alright?", she asks him.

"Yes... Um... I- There's something I'd like to ask you."

"Okay... I'm all ears."

"You may not be interested and I may look a bit pompous for it but I would like to ask if you-", he's cut off by her kissing him.

She pulls back. He looks at her, confused.

"Would you like to have dinner in my room tomorrow night? I can't cook like Stanley but I can order food just as well."

"I'd quite like that actually."

As they're walking back, Blaire asks, "So is this why you and Stanley kept giving each other looks all night?"

"Was it that obvious?"

"Yeah.. um... kinda."

"He's the one that encouraged me to say something to you."

"But I beat you to it."

"That you did."

They walk back inside with the ice. Blaire walks over to Stanley.

"Thanks.", she whispers.

For what?", he asks.

"Pushing Colin."

"He did it?"

"Dinner tomorrow night."

"I'm on it. I'll make something and bring it over."

"I owe you."

"Yes you do but I'll remember for future favors."

"Fair enough."

------------------------------------

   Blaire opens the door to Stanley holding various containers of food.

"You're welcome for this.", Stanley smiles as she lets him in.

He sets the food on the table, uncovering everything.

"Everything's still warm. Just drizzle this over this and you'll be fine.", he explains, gesturing.

"I really do appreciate it.", Blaire thanks him.

They share a quick hug, "Colin's nervous but I've noticed pushing him a little can bring things out quite easliy."

"I'm nervous too, if I'm honest."

"It's going to be good. And, you look fantastic. I won't be surprised if I see him doing the walk of shame in the morning."

"Stan!"

He laughs, "Alright. I'm gonna head out. Have a good time, dear."

It's not long before Colin arrives.

"You look nice.", she smiles as she lets him in.

"It was odd not to shave. I usually always shave for occasions.", he replies as she pours him a glass of wine.

"I like it. But you are one of those people that looks good clean shaven or not."

"You look wonderful, by the way.", he tells her.

"Thanks. I don't get much of a reason to dress up."

He smiles. They sit down at the table and eat the food Stanley made.

"I'll make sure to thank Stanley.", Colin chuckles, "So you really can't cook?"

"It's not that I can't cook. It's just that I'm not good at it. I tend to either under cook everything or overcook everything."

He laughs, taking a sip of wine.

After dinner, she takes the plates to the sink. She turns around and he's standing next to her.

"Well, maybe I can teach you some things."

"Like what?", she asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Well... What would you like to learn?"

"We're still talking about cooking right?"

They both chuckle.

"I believe so.", he replies, itching the back of his head

"Besides, is there really anything else you could learn from me?", he asks, teasing.

"I don't think so but... I um... think Stanley was right."

"About what?"

"He said you'd be doing the walk of shame in the morning."

"Right... Well... I-"

She cuts him off with a kiss. His arms go around her waist and hers goes around the back of his neck. He pulls her close as they kiss.

Needless to say, his walk of shame the next morning was anything but shameful.

[piscesseer]

Virgo Season 🌾 August 23 - Sept 22

Virgo Season spans from August 23 to September 22. A time of attention to detail, sorting through the things in your life, and a strong desire for perfectionism. We can use these energies to improve our lives, especially if we know the positives to look toward and the negatives to navigate.

Symbol: The Virgin (or Maiden) Mantra: I analyze Element: Earth Ruling Planet: Mercury Modality: Mutable House: 6th Crystals: Jade, Citrine Anatomy: Digestive System Flower: Buttercup Tarot Card: The Hermit

Thoughtful • Meticulous • Caring • Organized • Petty • Loyal

Famous Virgo Suns: Beyonce, Idris Elba, Zendaya, Keke Palmer, Salma Hayek, Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Pink, Shania Twain, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury, Blake Lively, Nial Horan, Stephen King

About Virgo

Virgo Season begins August 23, setting off the final phase of summer. The sun’s heat and light are beginning to mellow and surrender to the coolness of the upcoming Autumn. Virgo’s season is when nature’s abundance and fertility become ready for harvesting, lending to their earthy, caring, organizational qualities. Yes, Virgos are known for being picky and critical, and they can be. But their attention to detail is for a reason: to help others. Virgos are born to serve and it brings them great joy!

To the ancients, the constellation of Virgo appeared to be a winged woman carrying wheat. In many ancient cultures she was considered the “Queen of the Sky”, being the largest constellation. She was linked to purity, fertility, agriculture and the harvest. Babylonians associated her with the goddess Shala, who ruled fertility and harvest. In Greek mythology, Virgo was connected with Demeter, the ruler over the earth and agriculture, and her daughter Persephone, who returned from the underworld for part of the year when the Earth was barren. It was the ancient Greek way of explaining the changing of the seasons. In Ancient Rome, Virgo was related to Vesta, the goddess of domestic life, dedicated to purity and service. The Vestal Virgins dedicated their lives to Vesta by tending to her hearth and caring for people. The Virgin represents Virgo’s purity and acts of service, and Virgo is still connected to planting, growing, harvesting and medicinal herbs. 

The Hermit tarot card relates to Virgo, sharing the earthy, contemplative, and analytical energies of this sign. The Hermit retreats from life to go within for self-reflection. This card can also appear as a warning that we have over extended ourselves in overdoing. This is a reminder of what action we can take when we are at the end of a cycle in the still point of self-discovery before the next thing.

In classical astrology, Mercury was assigned rulership of both Gemini and Virgo. Virgo was thought to be the night home of Mercury, a conscientious and detail-focused earth sign that allows Mercury to express its most swift and easy functions like analysis, communication, and dexterity. As the voice of clarity and precision, Virgo’s mantra is: I analyze. The sense of purpose is about organizing, so our lives can flow and operate efficiently. They rule the area in life that we approach in an organized, contentious and efficient way. 

Virgo’s affinity for being efficient, skilled and resourceful are related to the structure and tangibility of the Earth element. They tend to be practical and grounded, keeping it 100% real.  As a mutable sign, Virgo is able to find relationships between seemingly unrelated factors and transform them into a meaningful harmony. It’s important for them to be helpful. They are great at dedicating themselves to projects and relationships that need some care, healing, and tending to. 

Virgos are perfectionists who strive for excellence in everything they do. Virgos are natural organizers, and they are able to see the big picture and break it down into manageable tasks. They are also very detail-oriented, which makes them excellent at proofreading and editing.

Virgos are also known for being helpful and caring individuals. They are always willing to lend a helping hand, and they are often the first to offer advice or support. Virgos are also very loyal friends and family members. They are always there for the people they care about, and they will do whatever it takes to help them.

Their perfectionist nature can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can lead to Virgos being very critical of themselves and others. However, it also motivates them to always strive for the best. Virgos are also quick to learn from their mistakes. They are always looking for ways to improve themselves, both personally and professionally.

Virgos are natural achievers, and they are able to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way. With their determination and focus, Virgos can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Virgos are a valuable asset to any team or organization. They are hard workers who are always willing to go the extra mile. They are also great problem solvers and are always looking for ways to improve things. They made amazing friends and are loyal family members.

How Can Virgo Season Affect You?

Virgo Season can bring focus about the workforce and economy. Discussions about job stability, labor and enhancing productivity could come up. While Virgo energy tends to be strict, it is also caring. Perhaps this energy can lend to the support of local initiatives and humanitarian causes. Working toward helping each other could be important at this time. Refining systems and society is natural during this time, and our hopes are that this is a positive change that focuses on the needs of others, and all. 

In our personal lives, Virgo Season might bring focus on smaller details. We will want to improve our efficiency and productivity. We may feel like tackling difficult projects, want to work overtime and get out responsibilities in order. We may be looking to finetune the finer points of projects that may have been overlooked before.

This is a time for getting organized and taking care of business. We can use the qualities of Virgo to bring order into our lives and take care of tasks that have been neglected. The Virgo energy is all about service, order, and efficiency. This can be a great time to get organized, declutter your life, and set some goals for the future.

We can also use this time to focus on our health and well-being. Virgo Season is a great time to start a new exercise routine, eat healthier, or get a check-up from the doctor. It’s a great time to focus on our personal development and make positive changes within our lives. Refine your daily routine to better suit your needs.

Virgos are also known for being helpful, so use this time to give back to your community. Volunteer your time, donate to a charity, or simply do something nice for someone else.

We may be overly critical of ourselves during this time. We might be evaluating our actions, and reflecting on areas that we look at as imperfect. It is important to be self-aware to lead to self improvement and growth, just be aware that our inner critic is hyper-aware at this time. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

We may look at things through a new lens. The analytical and practical mindset can bring us back down to reality, where we will find solutions to challenges in personal and work life.

Here are some tips for making the most of this time:

Declutter your home. This can be a daunting task, but it will be worth it in the end. Get rid of anything you don't use or need, and organize the things you do keep.

Create a to-do list. This will help you stay on track and accomplish your goals. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

Set some goals for yourself. What do you want to achieve during Virgo Season? Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Be kind to yourself. Virgos can be critical of themselves, so make sure to be kind to yourself during Virgo Season. Forgive yourself for your mistakes, and focus on your strengths.

Virgo Season is a great time to focus on your goals and aspirations. With the determination and focus on Virgo energy, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. So make the most of Virgo Season and start working towards your dreams!

Virgo Reflections & Journal Prompts:

🌿 What causes or organizations resonate with my values, and how can I support them? 🌿 What small acts of kindness can I incorporate into my day? 🌿 How do I feel about my current work or career path, and what adjustments could I make? 🌿 In what areas of my life do I need to pay closer attention to the details? 🌿 How can I be more efficient in managing my time, tasks, and responsibilities? 🌿 What goals do I want to set for this season, and how can I break them down into actionable steps? 🌿 How can I engage in constructive self-reflection without becoming overly critical? 🌿 What self care practices resonate with me and how can I integrate them into my routine? 🌿 How can I practice mindfulness and stay present in everyday activities?

[catgriosaich]

Vocab from SpeakGaelic eps 1-2

Tha mi air mo dhòigh - Given as "I'm excited"; my dictionary says "I'm happy", "I'm in my element"

Tha mi toilichte a bhith an seo - I'm happy to be here

Bidh spòrs againn - We'll have fun

Gabh air do shocair - Take it easy

Tha thìd agam falbh (?) - It's time for me to go

Chì mi a-rithist thu - I'll see you again ("see you later")

-

Domhainn - deep

An linne (f) - firth

An caladh (m) - harbour

An talamh (m) - land

An crann-ola (m) - oil rig (lit. "oil mast", "oil plough")

An leumadair-mara (m) - dolphin (lit. "sea leaper")

-> Tha e a' leumadh - He is jumping

-> Tha e na leum - He's in a rush

[scotianostra]

On 13th January 614, St Mungo or St Kentigern died , and was buried at his church in Clas-gu which later become Glasgow.

Our early saints were extraordinary men, they believed in an unknown God and by spreading his word changed history, whether you are a believer or not Saints like Kentigern, Coulmba and last weeks subject, Nachlan, all had a lasting effect on our country, reflected in the place names around Scotland associated with them.

Kentigern was born near Edinburgh, Scotland in the sixth century. His mother, St Enoch, was daughter of the King of Lothian. Her pregnancy was illegitimate, the result of rape by one of her suitors, whose identity she refused to reveal. Her father was so incensed, he had Enoch and her child cast adrift in an open boat on the Firth of Forth, expecting them to perish. The currents carried them across to the other side of the Firth, bringing them to land near the present town of Culross where they were offered shelter at the monastery of St Serf.

Serf took the boy under his special care, educating him and training him in the monastic life. When he reached manhood Kentigern left the monastery and journeyed across to the west of Scotland, finally establishing his own religious foundation on the site of the cathedral in Glasgow. Here he set about converting the area to Christianity. At a later stage he journeyed south into England and many parishes along his route still bear his name. Legend has it that he finally reached North Wales and spent several years there before returning again to Scotland, where he died c 614.

From the time of his death Saint Kentigern was venerated as Glasgow’s patron saint, and the cathedral of Glasgow was built in his honour. To this day his figure and the symbols associated with his legend make up the crest of the City of Glasgow.

The best known legends surrounding Glasgow's patron saint are told in the coat of arms of the city, as seen in the pic, the arms and the saint are forever linked.

There’s the tree that never grew,

There’s the bird that never flew,

There’s the fish that never swam,

There’s the bell that never rang.

Taking the symbols one by one, each refers to a legend during St Mungo’s life in Glasgow or his education before he came to found the monastery.

The tree is the first symbol in the rhyme and references a story from St Mungo’s early days. Legend has it that St Mungo was tasked with watching over a fire at the refectory in the monastery, while still a young boy. Mungo, though, fell asleep and some other boys, who were jealous of him, decided to put the fire out. When he woke up and found the fire extinguished, Mungo broke off some frozen branches from a hazel tree and prayed over them until they burst into flames, restoring his fire.

The bird that never flew also refers to a legend from St Mungo’s youth. It commemorates a wild robin, who was tamed by St Serf while Mungo was still in Fife. Sadly, the robin died, something which some legends attribute to the cruel actions of one of St Mungo's young peers, who were jealous of him. Desperate to make his friend and mentor, St Serf, happy again, Mungo took the dead bird and prayed over its body and was able to bring it back to life.

The third element, the fish that never swam, is one of the longest and most convoluted stories of St Mungo’s life. It involves the King of Strathclyde, Rydderach Hael, his wife Queen Langeoreth and a knight.

In the story, the King of Strathclyde gave his wife a ring as a gift. She, in turn, gave it to a knight - perhaps her lover - who almost instantly lost the artefact. King Hael demanded soon after to see the ring, threatening to kill the queen if she could not present him it.

The knight confessed what had happened to St Mungo, who sent a monk into the Clyde to catch a fish. When the monk returned, the fish was cut open and inside the ring was found. Some versions of the story go on to specify that this was the moment after which the King and Queen lived happily ever after.

The image of the fish which appears today is based on the seal of the Bishop of Glasgow, designed around 1271, which shows a salmon with a ring in its mouth.

Finally, the bell that never rang, is one story less explicitly linked to the saint. It is thought that the bell in question may have been given to St Mungo by the Pope. By the 15th century, the hand bell had become symbol synonymous with the city of Glasgow. Following this legend, in 1450, John Stewart, known as the first provost of Glasgow, let a bell ring out for his soul. The replacement bell, purchased in 1641, remains on display in the city.

Have a wee listen to Mother Glasgow, the Michael Marra song, Marra might have been a Dundee man, but he must have had a good understanding of Scotland's history, and indeed Glasgow's examples of the lyric include...

I dreamt I took a dander with St. Mungo

To try to catch a fish that couldnay swim.

The song ends and fades out to....

And the tree

And the fish

And the bird

And the bell

Let Glasgow flourish!

As I mentioned, the legacy of St Mungo still flourishes today in Glasgow, the first pic is a modern interpenetration of the saint on Glasgow High Street by the artist Smug, the second is another by Smug at the corner of George Street and High Street, it portrays Mungo as a child in the arms of his mother, St. Enoch, herself another patron saint of the city. The third pic is Glasgow's Coat of Arms, and finally we have the arms of the University of Glasgow, again using the legends symbols.

[clarasghosts]

I made a post on this before, but I'm still thinking about how tumblr live was never a tumblr feature, and that's why it never worked. it's not just that you'd have to agree to a terms of service for a third-party company, but that the streaming community (which did exist, apparently; it wasn't just the porn blogs we always saw promoted) had nothing at all to do with tumblr's culture.

the tik tok live style currencies that make no sense didn't help either.

if it had been a built in feature, imagine the weird shitpost style streams we could have had (and stumbled across on our dashes). people counting every style of cheese at the supermarket. live streaming the crabs at the zoo. it would have been so stupid, but I could even have live streamed watching yet another colin firth film (so few of you here know I watched 50 separate things on his filmography in 2023! I even made a bingo card based on repeating elements in his films!) but with the way that tumblr live existed here, my mutuals and followers would have to agree to a third-party terms of service first, before they could join in on the nonsense. and that screen alone would kill it.

[randomfoggytiger]

Kibbe Body Types, Part 2: David Duchovny

Gillian Anderson's Kibbe analysis here; beginner's guide here.

Okay.

So.

We're going to have to do this analysis a little differently.

David Kibbe has a thorough quiz to type your body correctly... if you're a woman. So... I'm going to have to go around the mulberry bush a bit to arrive at David Duchovny's Kibbe Type.

...Why don't you tag along with me? We'll find out together.

(Spoiler: I already know his Type.)

KIBBE BODY TYPES-- BUT FOR MEN

(**Note**: You can skip this section if extra reading isn't your thing.)

Kibbe identifies female bodies through their height, their hips, their chest, their waist, and their shoulders. However, male bodies are a whole different ballgame: width is the key measure-- of greater importance even than height-- as well as the softness or "fleshiness" of the frame.

THANKFULLY, Aly Art's got my back with this video.

Now: we must identify the yin-- soft, delicate, short, light-- qualities and separate them from the yang-- strong, tall, lean, vertical, angular, sharp-- qualities. Everybody has a blend of those two traits slapped on their skeletons; but Kibbe tried (tries) to keep it as simple as possible.

There are five basic body types; and those five types are divided into yang (sharp) and yin (soft) variants.

Dramatics-- 100% yang energy: tall, lean, strong, hard. They look angular and heavy. Typically have smaller eyes, prominent nose and chin, and thin lips.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Sean Connery, Charlton Heston, Ricardo Montalban, Errol Flyn, Daniel Craig

Soft Dramatics-- predominant yang energy with some yin added: softness and fleshiness added to their sharp, angular frame.

Dean Martin, Christian Bale, Matthew McConoughy, John Travolta, Nicholas Cage, Clark Gable

Flamboyant Naturals-- strong and hard, but with wide, blunted edges. They appear sporty or athletic: moderate to tall height, wider shoulders, and slimmer waists and hips.

Calvin Klein, Dick Van Dyke, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck (maybe), Michael Landon (maybe), Joe Biden  

Soft Naturals-- like the FNs, they are wide, and blunted; but their width is softened by added fleshiness, appearing slightly less tall, less dense and more delicate. They sport plusher, softer cheeks, lips, torso, and thighs; and often appear "cuter" than FNs, Ds, and SDs.

Alan Alda, OJ Simpson, John Wayne, Robert Redford, Robert Conrad, Bing Crosby, Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Gene Kelly, Brad Pit, Gene Hackman

Dramatic Classics-- is an even, "average" mixture of yin and yang elements with a slightly more dominant yang presence. They have a very blended bone structure with tauter cheeks and more predominant facial features.

Carey Grant, John Ham

Soft Classics-- is an even, "average" mixture of yin and yang elements with a slightly more delicate yin presence. They have a very blended bone structure with softer lips and fleshier cheeks.

John Slattery, John Glenn, Gregory Peck, Bryant Gumbel

Romantics-- is 100% yin: smaller, shorter, softer, more delicate. No sharp angles. They appear gentler, less harsh, less "brutally" masculine than their Dramatic and Natural counterparts.

Colin Firth, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elijah Wood, Simon Baker, Richard Gere, Michael Jackson, Omar Shereef, Billy Dee Williams, Elvis Presley

Theatrical Romantics-- is 100% yin with a taut touch of yang to their features: narrow, delicate bones instead of fully-rounded, softly-widened angles.

David Kibbe, Orlando Bloom, Prince, Johnny Depp

Flamboyant Gamines-- an uneven mixture of yin and yang elements, with more pronounced yang in their angularity and sharpness. They have small, rectangular muscularity: angular facial bones, smaller shoulders and torso, some tautness to their physique.

Jimmy Kimmel, Frank Sinatra, Neil Patrick Harris

Soft Gamines-- an uneven mixture of yin and yang elements, with more pronounced yin in their rounded curves and softness. They appear the most "cute" of the types: an even smaller Gamine, with softer cheeks, softer noses, softer lips, bigger eyes, smaller hands, etc.

Fred Astaire, Robert Downy Jr. 

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MONOTONE

David's frame is dominated by prominent, long vertical lines-- dare I say, blunt edges?-- and shoulders that appear-- or are?-- wider because of his narrow waist and hips.

Using this previous post as a rough guide to map out his features, DD has pronounced yin-- softer cheeks, rounder nose, softened jawbone, softer flesh over his muscles-- but not enough to cover or dominate the long, strong bones in his frame and overall musculature.

I have my suspicions, and they swing Soft Natural (not enough T-bone shoulder to fit Flamboyant Natural); but let's put this theory to the test.

COMPARISON IS OUR REPRIEVE AND JOY

But you ask: how are we going to type the Man, the Myth, the Monotone without a handy dandy reference guide?

Easy peasy. We compare him to other body types and notate the differences.

David and Gamines

We're eliminating Gamines first because their shorter lines, shorter stature, and more angular or rounded bodies are in direct opposition to his longer, denser lines.

Compared to DD's wider shoulders, denser frame, and squarer facial features, Jimmy Kimmel and Lucy Liu (and Theatrical Romantic Gillian Anderson) appear more"weightless", angular, and narrow.

Soft Gamine Winona Ryder and Halle Berry appear weightless as well; but their angular features are tempered by an added layer of softness that corresponds with the fleshiness of David's face.

David and Romantics

We have a look-a-like for this section: Richard Gere, a pure Romantic.

Compared to DD's wide shoulders, slim torso and hips, and more defined musculature (even at his skinniest), Richard is composed of rounded curves, more delicate facial and skeletal bones, and a soft layer of flesh over his torso, arms, thighs, and legs. Even at Richard's fittest, there was still a softness present in his body that could not be chiseled away or hidden.

The two Romantic Type women below-- Drew Barrymore, pure Romantic; Gillian Anderson, Theatrical Romantic-- again highlight the density of David's structure, bringing out a "heavier" presence than the Gamines had previously.

David and Classics

Is David a Classic Type? Frankly, no-- his bones are too long and dense to be moderate and balanced; and he, even more frankly, looks terrible in very quaffed, groomed, and buttoned-up outfits.

Compared to DD's length and width, Dramatic Classics appear more proportionate, their touch of sharpness blending in with-- not rivaling-- the balance of their frames. DC Carey Grant's more balanced edges bring out the angles in DD's face, more so than the Gamines or Romantics did.

By contrast, Soft Classics' proportionate frames contain a touch of softness-- Meryl Streep's yin calls forth David's, appearing more rounded instead of angular or blunt.

David and Dramatics

Compared to David, Dramatics' structure is more elongated, narrow, and angular. Dramatic Benedict Cumberbatch has sharper, more prominent features; less width across his shoulders and torso; and barely any yin to speak of in his face.

(I also suspicion Tea Leoni as a Dramatic; so sneaked her in here.)

Soft Dramatics have the elongated sharpness of the Dramatics with a soft, fleshy padding over the tautness of their features. Compared to SD Christian Bale's sharpness-in-spite-of-his-softness, DD's softer, blunter edges become more obvious.

David and Naturals

And last but not least, we reach the native soil of David Duchovny's body type.

Flamboyant Naturals are a close but not perfect match-- their elongated, blunt width not only matches but exceeds DD's shoulders, torso, arms, legs, and facial features. FN Harrison Ford looks denser, more muscular, and even more athletic when compared to his softer brother from a different mother.

Soft Naturals: finally, David is home! Soft Naturals have the width and length of the FNs Types softened and slightly moderated by an added, pronounced yin quality. Their face, lips, arms, torso, and slim waist appear less blunt (if no less wide); and the dense musculature of their frame is less noticeable in comparison.

LINES, SILHOUETTES, AND OTHER FASHION ADVICE

Now that David's found his SN kind, I shall pack him up a little box lunch of good wardrobe advice to take with him. ...Or that was the theory, except it is notoriously hard to get my hands on Kibbe Body Type advice for men.

I shall do my best to transcribe and transform Aly Art's excerpts (here) from David Kibbe's Metamorphosis book:

"Soft Natural: it is the overall combination of the very soft yin with the yang undercurrent. Slightly soft and fleshy body type on an angular frame combined with an appealing, innocent essence.

Height: moderate.... Bone structure: slightly angular bones, slightly broad shoulders, moderate to slightly short limbs, slightly leggy look also possible. Blunt or small and irregular facial contours-- nose, cheekbones, and jawline. Hands and feet are moderate and fleshy, or slightly small and wide. Body type: slightly soft..... Facial features: full and rounded. Round eyes, round eyes, full lips, soft cheeks. Nose tends small and wide; or slightly irregular, blunt or wide. If overweight, the body tends to become extremely soft and fleshy, with the waist thickening. The upper hips, arms, and thighs tend to collect excess weight most rapidly.

"Physically, you are basically angular in bone structure-- although this is softened by a fleshy body type and full facial features.... To disperse your soft yin undercurrent..., we want to develop an appearance that could best be described as fresh and sensual....

"Shape: Asymmetric and irregular curves-- elongated ovals, wide circles, ellipticals, and so on. Relaxed geometrics with rounded edges, easy swirls. You might not look as good in sharp geometrics; in wide, chunky, and boxy shapes; in plain, symmetrical shapes; in overly ornate shapes.

"Line and silhouette: unconstructed silhouette with shaping, particularly at waist. Relaxed lines with subtle drape and flow, particularly bias cuts.

You might not look as good in wide, shapeless silhouettes; in sharp, severe silhouettes; in symmetrical silhouettes; in fitted silhouettes.

"Details: details should be loose, relaxed, delicate, slightly intricate, and very creative. Any detail that suggests a bit of antique or the earth is excellent. Shoulders should not be sharp or stiff. Necklines should be loose and soft, not closed, restricted, or fussy. Simple draped necklines; soft cowls; soft notched collars; clean lapels; shawl collars; and so on. Waist should be defined, although loosely: there can be a slightly blousy effect with the top draped over the waistline, or a slightly dropped waist as long as the silhouette is fluid. Gathers and falls should be deep, full, and soft; sleeves can be full and flowing, or gently tapered at the wrist with minimum detail.

"Trim should be delicate and antique, shearing applique, and so on. You might not look as good in sharply tailored detail, in no detail, in overly fitted and fussy detail, in animated, perky detail."

Conclusion

David Duchovny's gonna do and wear what he's gonna do and wear. And that's just fine.

Thanks for reading~

And take care of yourselves.

Enjoy!

[zachafinackus]

I figured that with mention of Ildrex's wife and daughter, it's only right to post the art for each of them in separate posts. Also though that adding her stats would be a fun change since all 3 of them are level 20 adventurers.

Firth Argenthrixus Bronze Dragonborn Big Game Hunter Fighter Level 20 AC - 21 HP - 240 Strength - 18 Dexterity - 14 Constitution - 18 Wisdom - 12 Intelligence - 8 Charisma - 12

Magic Items L - Red Dragon Mask L - Gurt's Greataxe --- VR - Plate Armor +2 VR - Battleaxe +3, Warleader VR - Battleaxe +3, Unbreakable VR - Fire Absorbing Tattoo VR - Juiblex's Ooze (reflavored Kyrzin's Ooze) VR - Battle-Standard of Infernal Power --- R - Horn of the Endless Maze R - Bowl of Lil' Jubi (reflavored Bowl of Commanding Water Elementals) --- U - Gauntlets of Ogre Power U - Battleaxe +1 --- C - Feather Token C - Ceremony Spellwrought Tattoo C - Clockwork Amulet

Meet Firith Argenthrixus, the daughter of Ildrex and Shuu. She helps out at her dads smithy with the blacksmithing projects, and even made her own armor and axes with her skill. Being a bronze dragonborn doesn't help too much in smithing work, but she excels in using it in combat situations. She's been working as a smith since she was a child, though once she came of age she asked if she could go north to train up in Icewind Dale. Spending several years there she learned many ways to fight foes much bigger than herself due to facing off against Yeti, Giants and other such large beings. She came to realize that fighting with two axes was her preferred method, allowing her to have more dexterous strikes, attacking from different angles. Returning back to her families blacksmith in Neverwinter, she took up adventuring jobs whenever they had downtime. She's had many adventures, but none as memorable as one. What started out as a rescue mission quickly turned south as they learned that Demon Lord Juiblex (or at least a fragment of it) has made its way onto the material plane in this mine. Luckily the party she was in managed to escape due to a warlock being especially adept in making deals with devils. The cost for leaving? Firiths servitude to Juiblex to feed it, time undermined. Though it might sound like a bad thing, Firith grew to appreciate the relationship, as Jubi provided many boons like a part of it that could be summoned in battle as well as the ability for Firith to turn to ooze for a short time and the gain of immunity to acid damage. Over time once Firith became more powerful she was also gifted an onyx warhorn with gold filigree from Jubi. Upon blowing into the horn up to 15 abyssal minotaurs could be summoned to fight for her. She doesn't use it often, only for last resorts, but when summoned the minotaurs fight fiercly until they either die or reach their limit of being on the material plane.

Like Shuu, she has gone through some design changes since I got this commission, mostly that her armor has been blackened and the symbol of the abyss covers the majority of her chest plate.

Whoever reads this, I hope you enjoyed!

Art by Bluidu Subclass source here