#for publishing all his wife’s secrets after her death

[the-secretary-of-baker-street]

How Dr Watson fooled a nation: And why we continue to hide his secret

Everyone has heard of Mr Sherlock Holmes: within the same breath, we are usually moved to mention his companion, and the man who we have to thank for narrating the famous detective's life, Dr John Watson. One only has to mention a terrifying hound, perhaps relate to a watery death by the Reichenbach falls, or even (for more dedicated readers) discuss retirement in Sussex, for the name ‘Holmes’ to come to mind. Who out of us has not responded to a blasé statement with the phrase ‘No shit, Sherlock’? Who out of us does not link the deerstalker and pipe to the familiar detective? Who out of us hasn’t watched a single adaptation, in which the malicious Moriarty or mysterious Mycroft are referenced? It is highly improbable one has never heard of this detective duo, even if one hasn’t ever been moved to read any of the sixty stories produced over a forty year time frame. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are icons, arguably cemented into the fabric of the nation.

But how much of it is true?

Obviously, it is fair to state that no, none of the fictionalised work penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century is real, aside from occasional real-life inspiration (such as Sherlock Holmes being influenced by Sir Doyle’s deductive teacher, Dr Joseph Bell, or John Watson feasibly being a stand-in for the author himself). Although, it is worth mentioning that in a 2008 study, 58% of British teenagers believed Mr Holmes to be a real detective (whereas 23% thought Winston Churchill was a fictional character), so it is worthwhile to first and foremost clear up this grey area. 

However, for many Sherlock Holmes fans (often called ‘Holmesians’ or ‘Sherlockians’) we take our reading a few steps further. Perhaps Dr Watson was fictional, but are his narratives also fictional within his reality? We, as readers, are only able to read what he writes (apart from the select few cases in which Holmes has his say, or the elusive tales where the narrator is unknown… more on this later), so how do we know if he is telling the truth? 

Personally, I have a hard time believing anything Watson tells us, as he is proven to alter the truth to fit his own preferences on multiple surface level cases. Famously, he creates quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding his wife, introducing her as Mary Morstan, the orphan in need of rescuing, then including her visit to her mother’s in The Five Orange Pips- and this is only the beginning of his falsehoods. Watson shapes the narrative to suit his needs, contradicting himself through many ‘mistakes’, which could be attributed to his (or, more believably, Sir Doyle’s) forgetfulness. After all, many people have minced up the dates of events in their life, or forgotten the name of their landlady, or been called the wrong name by their wife…supposedly. Can we not forgive Watson/Doyle for mild absent-mindedness?

Admittedly, this is the easiest and more likely option. Over the forty years, Sir Doyle’s attentiveness for chronology understandably dwindled, given that his dedication to the detective eventually waned. Sir Doyle wanted to explore different aspects of life and his career outside of serial ‘penny-dreadfuls’ which required new and updated twists and turns every week, and can we blame him? But, I ask you, dear reader, to suspend your disbelief momentarily (committing to death of the author), and imagine a reality in which Sherlock Holmes and John Watson actually lived and worked in 221B Baker Street, solving crimes and going on adventures in and around London, whilst the detective’s ‘Boswell’ dutifully wrote-up and published their time together on The Strand. 

Now, I reiterate my initial question, how much of it is true?

In whichever adaptation you have watched (as I highly doubt you have never glimpsed any), whether it be an exciting action movie version; a modern-day update which rose to fame as quickly as it… disappointed; a more faithful television series that pulls direct dialogue from the canon; a movie series clearly laced with war propaganda but still beloved; or any adaptation produced over the past century, one element is essential to any retelling of these well-known stories- the topic of Holmes’ and Watson’s relationship. To joke about two close men living in close quarters with each other potentially being gay is a tale as old as time (although this joke can have serious real-life implications) but to believe it? To say that, yes, Holmes and Watson were in a loving, homosexual relationship with each other and were incredibly happy together- this is not taken seriously. It is attributed to the recent surge of ‘over-homoerotisicing’ male friendships and not allowing men to just be friends; or, dismissed as usual ‘fangirl shipping’ without any real understanding as to why many believe this to be a fact. (I should point out, the phrases I have written between apostrophes should be read with both sarcasm and tiredness, as I do not believe it is fair to state either of those occurrences as lesser than, or something to mock). 

When I first approached the canon at the ripe age of eleven years-old, I came from a background of murder mysteries suitable (sometimes unsuitable) for young eyes, all under the shadow of Sherlock Holmes, and was beginning to watch a certain infamous television series which probed at ‘gay’ jokes like a bear sticking its paw inside of a bee’s nest and surprised when it is stung. Of course, I was learning about this new and interesting ‘fandom’, where people viewed pages and scenes under a microscopic lens, searching for intertextual clues or meta thematic elements that might just hint that the two main male leads, known for their intimate association, might, maybe, potentially be more than friends. I took it all with a grain of salt. I knew what ‘gay’ meant, and knew I was likely gay myself (I told myself that was a ‘problem’ for later), but I had hardly ever seen it respectfully depicted in the media. Sure, the odd mention of a gay man was possible, but for it to be treated the same way as a heterosexual couple might? Doubtful- I wasn’t holding my breath. 

I read the Holmes books with a sense of glee, like I was being accepted into some sort of ‘community’- one of iconic detectives and the ability to off-handedly reference exactly how Holmes deduced Watson’s brother was a drunk (scratches around his pocket-watch keyhole, a mistake a sober man would never make) and to say ‘elementary, my dear Watson’ whilst wearing a deerstalker and smoking a pipe… all in my young imagination, of course. 

I was obsessed. From the start- Watson’s direness to find a suitable flatmate, indicating a life of misfortune, followed by a miserable descent into adulthood, only to find Holmes, a light in his darkness. Their adventures full of action and twists and turns and fear, at times, all parenthesised by breakfast at Baker Street and supper at Claridge’s, or a visit to the music hall. All of it felt comfortable, familiar- baring Watson’s unreliability to tell the whole truth, which, at the time, could be ignored. 

As I’ve grown up, I’ve revisited these stories multiple times, ‘silly’ detective stories which might not have the same depth and subtext as Dostoyevsky or Dickens. 

Slowly, I lost faith in that belief.

Led on by like-minded people who also agreed that Holmes and Watson (in whichever universe they existed) were more than friends, I began to invest in the evidence, which I hadn’t realised had been glaringly staring me in the face all along. Whereas before, I told myself that Holmes and Watson were never intended to be together, it was impossible and merely a light-hearted misreading of the text, I started to join the dots. How I solidified my belief?

1895.

‘Here dwell together still two men of note’, so begins Vincent Starrett’s poem, titled ‘221B’, where he claims ‘it is always eighteen ninety-five’, often cited as Holmes’ most successful and ambitious year of solving crime. Watson tells us specifically which cases happened in this notable year, without any need to search for intertextual clues that the cases of The Solitary Cyclist, Black Peter, The Bruce-Partington Plans and The Three Students all occurred in 1895. Surprisingly, we are given specifics: respectively, we are told these cases happened on the 23rd of April, July and November, although he wasn’t as precise with The Three Students. In fact, in this case, Holmes and Watson have left London, for reasons he doesn’t care to indulge.

What else occured in 1895 which has so convinced me Watson was cleverly concealing the true nature of his and Holmes’ relationship? The shocking Wilde trials. 

The celebrated author and playwright who bolstered the aestheticism movement, or ‘art for art’s sake’, was found guilty of gross indecency and imprisoned for two years- this led to many homosexual couples evacuating London, for no given reason. Why on Earth would Watson specify a year (which, as many readers know, dates are not spared lightly in a Watsonian narrative) only to refuse to provide information as to why he and his close, intimate associate decided to leave London? Why specifically 1895, a year apparently not short of mystery and intrigue for the detective duo? Why else but to hint to knowing readers of the Victorian/Edwardian period that there was something more to the stories he told? And this, dear reader, is why I (finally) state my case: Holmes and Watson were a homosexual couple in a time when their mere existence was vilified and criminalised, so to protect themselves, Watson began to publicize their life under carefully constructed narratives- one big lie wrapped in truths so it is deemed believable. The cases might be real at times, as Sherlock Holmes was still a detective and Watson a doctor, but could be reflective of other events in their life, or Watson’s own imaginings to fill up a gap where they were, for example, out of London for reasons Watson ‘need not enter’. Those inconsistencies and mistakes? The elusive wife who might be an orphan or might be at her mother’s or who might have passed? The shifting chronology which is near impossible to pin down if we believe everything Watson tells us? Breadcrumbs.

Watson is lying to us, and he hopes that one day ‘the true story may be told’. 

Therefore, I have attempted to construct my own order of the published cases, both when the events occurred and when Watson wrote them up (somewhat like William Baring-Gould, but with a very different mindset) to establish where he has told us the truth, or where he truly takes on the title of ‘unreliable narrator’ to hide his and Holmes’ romantic relationship. In doing so, I’ve wilfully ignored much we have been told directly, often creating my own lines to read between, but trying to gauge the mindset of the biographer turned doctor to understand the reality of this piece of fiction and faithfully reproduce an order of events. I will add, Watson is a complicated man, too humble to admit that in his own narrative of course, and should these stories all been written by Holmes (unlikely), I might have found it easier since I understand his mindset better. Whilst connecting these cases, I felt like Holmes on a case, but grasping the human nature, the human errors behind them? I needed a Watson.

Reader, I admit, I have taken liberties. But all, I believe, are justified. Again, I ask you to suspend your disbelief as we return to the very beginning: the Criterion Bar, 1881. 

[spindlesaurus-rex]

Do we all know about Shelley and her dad? Do we know about the awful letter? TUMBLR DO WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE WHOLE GODWIN SHELLEY CURSÉD VIBES?

[claymoresword]

Where's My Love

Cersei Lannister x Stark Fem!Reader 🐺

Prompt: I was wondering if you could write a Cersei x Stark!fem!reader where she's Ned's youngest sister and Cersei's ex-secret lover. Reader is a rebel like Arya and never married but she's very protective of her nieces/nephews. She and Cersei had a bad breakup and are finally reuniting during the events of the first GOT episode when the king's court goes to Winterfell. You could write reader backing up Arya again Joffrey and Cersei seething 😂😂😂 you can include g!p and smut if you want.

Wordcount: 5.8k

Pairing: Cersei x Stark Reader

Warnings: g!p reader, smut, power play, depictions of physical abuse, cheating , very toxic , references to alcoholism, breeding kink if you squint, emotional manipulation, did i already say this was toxic ?

Note: thank you so much 🐑 for the prompt! i actually had a lot of fun writing this one. also important to note this is my first time actually publishing something y'all have requested me to write so hopefully i got this right.. i know i tweaked and added a couple things but i hope you don't mind! and if you hate this i'm sorry lmao i tried <33

(smut after asterisks)

Bouts of laughter erupt from your nephews as Bran once again misses his mark, the arrow flies way over the target.

You glare at the older boys, in response Robb places a hand over his mouth, Jon instead chooses to avoid your gaze entirely focusing his stare at the ground beneath.

All dirt and sleet on the base of your boot, the ground squelched with every step you took.

“Try again, Bran. Take a deep breath, aim properly.” You order placing a lingering hand on his shoulder. 

The young boy nods obediently as you step back once more, he raises his bow arm. 

He aims, soon releasing the string, and once again, he misses. The arrow pierces the edge of a barrel on the far left, leagues away from his actual target.

Once again the boys burst into fits of laughter, this time is it not you who reprimands them.

“And which one of you was a marksman at ten?” You follow the sound of your brother's voice, he is standing on the balcony above, Catelyn by his side.

“Keep trying, Bran.” Jon decides to cease his teasing, he encourages his half-brother.

A sudden gust of wind tickles your face, the cold breeze permeates the air, bleeding through the thin fabric of your doublet. You immediately regret not putting on more layers this morning. You have lost track of the days, but there is no doubt that winter is coming.

“Robb, make certain your brother continues practicing. I am going back inside, but remember– your father is watching.” You warn your eldest nephew, as stern as you can manage. 

Shaggy streaks of red hair fall over his eyes as he nods. 

You wrap your arms around yourself as you start up the stairs, but your plan to slip back into your chambers unnoticed fails.

“Y/n.” Cat appears next to you.

“Are you alright?” The Lady of Winterfell asks, and you force a sweet smile, one to disarm and hopefully quell her worries. 

Catelyn didn't exactly warm to you at first, and neither did you with her, but over time you both grew to truly care for one another. She was like an older sister to you, the void left by your late sister Lyanna did not seem so large with her around.

“I'm fine, I just needed to fetch something from my bedchambers, that's all.” You lie. However, the older woman somehow always manages to see right through you.

She gazes upon you skeptically only to eventually release your arm. She takes a step back, allowing you to take your leave without further interrogation.

-

In truth, you were far from alright. 

Despite yourself, you have been on edge since finding out that the King is on his way to Winterfell with his Lady wife and all of their children.

This visit is a sudden one. Upon the death of Jon Arryn you had expected things to be different, knowing how much the former Hand meant to your brother– but you never anticipated a visit from the King himself.

You hadn't seen Robert in nine years, and his wife for longer than that. 

It is not by accident.

If it was up to you, things would be different. You would still be in King's Landing today, perhaps serving as Knight– or as Cersei had once intended, a personal guard for the Queen.

You were once certain that you would spend the rest of your days by Cersei's side, no matter the circumstances, but you merely held the high hopefulness of a young girl. 

Since then have been forced to accept that life is nothing like the tales and songs you were fed as a child. The Gods are not always merciful, things rarely ever go to plan and love most certainly does not conquer all.

Life got in the way of your love, and pride did the rest. 

You have not spoken to Cersei Lannister in a decade, yet your entire being continued to ache with every day that you have spent apart. Time does not heal the type of hurt that only yields to resentment.

When the King and Queen arrive for their visit on the morrow, you intend to avoid her Grace at all costs, for her sake and your own. Above all, you will have no choice but to grit your teeth and endure what you must.

You haven't seen Cersei in years, but you were bound to slaughter each other given the chance.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

“Come in!” You beckon whoever was on the other side of the door as you fastened the clasps on your doublet.

Ned ceases his knocking, pushing the door open, he looks upon you in a way he knew you hated, but your brother can hardly help it.

He worries about you. When you returned home all those years ago, you were inconsolable. 

You are a Stark, not made for the South. Your brother tried in jest, but he knew it wasn't the weather, or even court politics that despaired you. 

It was Cersei, it had always been Cersei.

"The King was seen riding up; he should be arriving any moment.” Ned states.

“Right, I'm almost done here.” You quip, but the man takes it upon himself to assist you with your sheepskin cloak, draping it over your shoulders.

He keeps his hands on you, his brows furrowed with evident worry, and for some reason you can't help but find it all a bit silly, you chuckle lightly. “I will be fine, Ned.” 

Your brother appears less than convinced,  you shove him playfully. “You worry about me too much, brother, it’s beginning to age you.”

Ned scoffs. “Aye, try being in my position for a day and you'll understand why I worry so much… but it is time that's aging me, little sister.” Ned quips in response and this makes you pause.

You notice the streaks of white, scattered across his dark locks. As the morning sun peeks through the window, catching his face, you observe more of those streaks in his beard.

Where has time gone?

Ned steps closer, it seems that he has mistaken your silence for something else. Your brother plants a quick kiss on the crown of your head as a result.

In times like this you can't help but feel like a girl of thirteen again, looking to her older brother for protection.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

You watched as the Kingsguard rode through the walls of Winterfell, Lannister banners in hand. It unsettles you more than you thought it would. You gnaw at the inside of your cheek, turning to Sansa, her younger sister still nowhere in sight.

“Sansa, where is your sister?” You question and the girl only shrugs dismissively, but you aren't left wondering for long as Arya can be seen pushing through the crowd, quickly settling next to you.

The young girl was wearing an iron helm you had never seen before, her once pristine dress now ornamented with specks of dirt and grime. You shake your head disapprovingly, an effort to suppress your amusement.

Sansa scoffs at the sight of her younger sister, while you snatch the helm off Arya's head, she looks up at you with a scowl.

“Where did you even get this?” You ask, your tone manages to match the look on her face.

Arya gives you no response, and you aren't allowed the opportunity to press her further as you feel a nudge against your arm. Ned forces you to look ahead as the King can be seen dismounting his horse.

Ned kneels, and you and everyone else follows suit.

After a beat, the King's command all of you to rise, and soon you spot the carriage halting a few feet behind him.

You involuntarily held your breath as the door opens. The Queen emerges, she keeps her gaze ahead as she climbs down the steps.

Cersei looks the picture of poise and grace. She seems older, and somehow even more beautiful than you remembered. It knocked the wind right out of you, you had to look away. 

Your eyes are no longer on the Queen, but your chest aches all the same.

“Cat!” Your attention is pulled to the display before you as the King addresses your sister in law, pulling her in for an embrace that she doesn't appear to be prepared for.

“Nine years. why haven't I seen you, where the hell have you been?” Robert addresses your brother once more.

“Guarding the North, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours.” Ned replies, practiced and noble as he always was.

Robert then turns to you, a scowl upon his face, one that stuns you slightly. Your mind turns to Cersei, you consider what she might have shared with her Lord husband in your absence. 

She must have told him the real reason you left King's Landing, no doubt the King will want you punished for repeatedly bedding his wife all those years ago. but then the King's frown turns, and your mind ceases its torment. 

Robert lunges only to pull you in for an embrace, a gesture that startles you, your body remains tense until he releases you from his hold.

“I expected better from you, Y/n.” The King narrows his gaze in a puckish manner. 

“Unlike your damned brother here I thought you enjoyed the Keep. I was sure you wanted to serve in my Kingsguard.” He adds, and you force a grin, gallant yet strained.

“I admit that was a different time, Your Grace. These days, my passions lie elsewhere.” You reply, and you can hardly prevent the way your gaze flits towards the Queen for a moment.

Cersei has been stood beside her husband, staring at you relentlessly for the entire duration of this interaction. If the Queen has remained the same person she was all those years ago, then you know for certain this was her attempt to intimidate– but you were not so keen on letting her have the upper hand. 

You drill your expression, unfazed.

The King snorts derisively at your answer, but says nothing more.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

You had spent most of the afternoon, drowning in your cups. The knowledge that Cersei was only a few doors away was aggravating, everything you thought to have successfully repressed has now resurfaced.

Every inch of you calls out to Cersei, your very soul yearns for her. You craved the unbearable pain, and blinding pleasure that came with being around her.

You have laid awake many nights picturing the ways you would confront her. The things you would say to her. 

You fantasized about the possibility of finally being rid of all of your pain. To hurt her the same way she hurt you. Your heart, dense and cold, obstructed by all things Cersei. Within you, you carried everything you despised about the other woman– and all the things you adored.

The Queen was a mistake you couldn't erase, and simultaneously the best thing that has ever happened to you. You hate her, but you cannot stand to be apart from her.

-

The sound of commotion snatches you out of your thoughts. The voices that permeate sound vaguely familiar to you, but you are only able to place them once you take a glance out your window.

You spot Arya and Bran in the courtyard. Prince Joffrey standing over them, your face falls as you spot his steel unsheathed from his scabbard and in his hand.

Without another moment's thought you rushed downstairs towards the training yard, prepared to pacify the affair, however dire it may be, but it seems Arya has taken the situation into her own hands.

Bran is gone, but the Prince is now on the ground. It seems that Arya has managed to disarm the older boy, his steel thrown to the side in the dirt. 

Now she is threatening Joffrey with a wooden practice sword, her direwolf beside her, growling with intent at the Prince.

“Arya enough!” You intercept the blow, forcefully dragging your niece away from the boy.

“What the seven hells do you think you're doing?” You bark, and Arya drops the sword, her chest still heaving.

A young girl seething with unbridled fury was such an uncommon sight that it makes you grimace.

“He was trying to hurt Bran! I had to protect him.” Arya gestures to the Prince, the boy still whimpering in pain.

“Damn you and that stupid dog! I am telling my mother! I will report you to the king!” Joffrey hurls his threats, and Arya makes the juvenile decision to respond.

“Nymeria's a direwolf, not a dog!” She shouts and you sigh, placing a hand over your niece's mouth to silence her, an action Arya fights but your grip on her doesn't relent.

“My Prince, I am sure my niece meant no harm–” You try but the boy interjects.

“No harm?” The Prince hisses. “She nearly sliced my arm off!” Once again he whimpers like a pup that had just been trampled.

You take a step forward to examine the cut on Joffrey's arm, and it was only that– a minor cut, one that will heal without leaving as much as a scar.

Large footsteps approach, the Prince's sworn guard comes rushing to the scene, Sandor Clegane scowls at you before assisting the boy to his feet effortlessly with one hand.

“Some protector you are, dog. I almost died!” Joffrey then redirects his frustrations towards his guard.

He continues muttering insults as he retrieves his sword from the dirt, strutting out of the training yard.

Nymeria doesn't cease her growling until the boy was entirely out of sight, it was also only then you remove your hand from Arya's mouth.

“Have you completely lost your wits?” You gape, looking down at your niece disapprovingly, before kneeling to be at eye level with her.

“He was–” Arya starts, but you interrupt.“–I don't care what he did, Arya. You never attack a Prince.” You state firmly.

“You do something like this again and I will make sure you never get the chance to wield a weapon again, do you understand?” You assert, and your tone is harsh enough to make Arya wince.

She doesn't reply with words, she continues looking down at her feet as she nods.

“Let's go and get you cleaned up.” You state, you try to pull her by the arm but Arya doesn't budge.

“I was trying to be brave, like you.” She mutters under her breath, and you turn to look at the young girl once more.

“What?” You ask.

“Don't be upset with me, please, please. I'm sorry.” Then Arya states frantically, her voice small and frail– it shatters you.

“Oh, Arya– my sweet girl.” You say, kneeling once again. “I'm not upset, I was worried.” You pull her in for an embrace, your niece clutches you tightly in return.

After a prolonged moment, you cease the hug, wiping away some of the dirt from her face with the pads of your thumbs. 

Then you took a quick scan of your surroundings, to ensure that you were alone before speaking again.

“Our Prince is a bit of a cunt.” You finally quip, earning a chuckle from Arya.

“He is.” Your niece beams at you, in turn this makes you fill with relief.

“I am proud of you for disarming him. but next time, leave it at that. Do you understand the consequences that come with attacking a King's heir?” You ask, and you watch as a realization graces the young girl, she averts her gaze, this time with guilt.

“Never again, do you hear me?”

═══════════════════════════════════════════

You were exhausted from the events of the day, and yet it was not close to over. 

You decide to retire to your chambers, aiming for at least a few hours rest before the King's welcome feast later this evening.

Resting your hand on the pommel of your sword, you take large steps through the gallery. You crave the horn of ale waiting for you on your nightstand, the comfort of your warm bed.

You turn the corner, a figure appears before you and you swerve out of the way quickly enough to avoid whoever it was that decided to walk toward you in this exact moment from the opposite direction.

As you gather yourself to take a proper look at the woman who you nearly bumped into, your blood runs cold. 

“Your Grace, forgive me.” You state curtly, inclining your head at Cersei. 

Your hand remains resting on the hilt of your sword as you attempt to slip past her, but before you can successfully walk away, she has a hold of your arm, dragging you backwards to where you stood.

You yank your arm out of her hold, a scowl covers your features, but Cersei ignores your visible discontent as she speaks.

“That niece of yours tried to murder my son.” The Queen accuses.

“What?” You can't help the half-laugh that slips out of you. Cersei takes offense to this, her expression hardens.

“Joff will bear those scars for the rest of his life.” She is not backing down, and you can't pretend that you possessed the will to deal with her theatrics.

You only roll your eyes, finally slipping past her and into your chambers.

You step inside your room, but before you can close the door Cersei intercepts, forcefully pushing it open to let herself in.

She slams it closed behind herself.

“You dare walk away from your Queen?” She bellows.

This time you groan, collapsing onto your bed.

You ignore her statement, rubbing your hands over your face in frustration. “Oh, Cersei, it is a cut, it'll heal!”

A prolonged silence from the Queen, she only speaks again once you sit up in your bed.

“You've not changed a bit.” She remarks, treacherous emerald gaze meeting your pale greys.

“Neither have you.” You retaliate boldly.

More silence until Cersei is first to look away, clasping her hands infront of herself she assumes an impassive stance.

“I will have that girl punished.” The Queen threatens, her tone sounds spiteful. but you don't hide your incredulity.

“For what?” You ask, and Cersei's jaw clenches even tighter, you wonder if she might lunge at you.

“She attacked my son. the King's heir.” Cersei retorts, and you scoff.

“Is that what Robert’s teaching his sons? How to lose to a little girl?” You taunt, not backing down.

You knew Arya should receive consequences for her actions by right, but giving Cersei that satisfaction is the absolute last thing you plan to do.

“Or is it not the King's doing at all?” You ask again as Cersei fails to respond. You rise from the bed, stepping closer to the Queen.

“Is it Jaime's fault?” You tilt your head inquisitively, mockingly. 

You are close enough to smell the lavender oil on Cersei's skin. Her eyes flit to your lips for a fleeting moment, and yours do the same to hers. 

Then a madness overcomes you, prompting your next choice of words.

“I expect it is him you've been opening your legs for these days–” You utter, but you are swiftly silenced when Cersei's palm makes contact with your cheek.

She slaps you across the face, your head turns slightly from the force of it. Your face is now throbbing, raw and red with traces of Cersei's wrath. 

She goes to strike you again, and this time it is intercepted by your firm grip on her wrist. 

A fury reignites within you as Cersei tries to fight out of your hold, entirely allowing your emotions to guide your actions, your hand finds her throat. Before your rational mind can mitigate it, you have your fingers firmly wrapped around her neck. The back of her head slams against the wooden door as you forcibly pinned her upon it.

The Queen is clawing at your hand, struggling to take a breath as you restricted her airway. A real fear flashes across Cersei's face, and a part of you wants to watch her fall limp within your grasp, to quiet her once and for all, to destroy the cause of your agony. but you don't– instead you take a step back, releasing her. 

Cersei gasps as air sharply re enters her lungs, roughly wiping away the tears that have made it down her cheeks.

The Queen attempts to regain her resolve the best she can, and the look she gives you is not one of shock, instead it is pure disdain, and you look at her the same. Cersei doesn't speak, she merely shoves you harshly with both hands against your chest, as you stumbled back, she turns to open the door.

You collapse on your bed once more as Cersei dissapears into the hallway, the door shutting behind her. 

“Fuck.” You cursed under your breath. It seemed the Queen will never fail to elicit the worst from you– to make you act like an utter lunatic.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

The welcome feast has been dragging on now for what felt like an eternity. 

The King was no longer seated as his high table, instead he was in the center of the hall, shamelessly flirting with some of the servants.

You roll your eyes, reaching for the flagon of ale infront of you, as you attempted to lift it, it doesn't budge. You fleetingly wonder if the liquor had caused you to lose all strength in your arm, only to realize your brother was holding the jug firmly on the table so it wouldn't move.

You squint at Ned, and he glares at you in return.

“Enough. You'll drink yourself into an early grave if you keep this up.” Your brother warns and it makes you snigger.

“That is the plan, brother.” You slur slightly, but Ned makes the deliberate effort to ignore you.

You slump backwards in your chair, when you've realized you lost this argument, as you often did when it came to the lord of Winterfell.

You eyes fall upon King Robert once more, he is still in the middle of the room, surrounded by maidens and even more whores. 

This time he is no longer flirting with them, he is in a full lip lock with one of the women. He does this in the presence of the Queen, dishonouring her for all to see.

You grimace at the sight, an unwanted rage overcomes you. You can hardly believe this lecherous drunk was King of the Seven Kingdoms. Married to the most beautiful woman in all of the seven kingdoms, the only woman you have ever wanted.

You can't bear to look at Cersei's reaction to this, in fact you can hardly remain at this feast for a moment longer. You abruptly rise from your seat, Ned looks up at you, puzzled.

“May I please be excused?” You asked formally for the rest of the table to hear and your brother hesitates before nodding curtly in response.

As you walked back to your chambers you can't help but invision what your life would have been like if your brother had taken the Iron throne instead of Robert Baratheon. If you had remained in King's Landing– if you had wedded Cersei instead.

Perhaps in a different life. 

You and Cersei would be married, and you'd rule together. In another reality Cersei would be your Queen and not Robert's. She would bear your children, your heirs. You would grow old together and live out your days by each other's side. In a different life, you would have remained faithful to Cersei, you would have given her everything she desired and in return, Cersei would offer you her heart. 

You would have been happy.

In another life. 

By the time you reached your room, the tears had stopped flowing, but the collar of your shirt remained drenched.

As you shut your door, you unclapsed your doublet, lifting it above your head, tossing it aimlessly across the room. 

Now only in your tunic and breeches, you feel the urge to weep some more, but you refuse to allow your tears to fall this time. 

You take a seat on the settee, head in your hands. The effects of the ale already wearing off, a headache rapidly setting in, you realized that you needed another drink.

You get up to fetch the flagon from the small table but as your door flings wide open, nearly hitting you in the process, you freeze where you stand.

A familiar golden haired beauty emerges through the doorway, and you allow yourself a deep breath. Clutching your chest slightly to calm yourself.

“Your Grace, the hour is late.” You state dismissively, starting across the room to fetch your goblet.

“If you have come to order my execution for my behaviour this afternoon, best get it over with.” You quip, the liquor in your system doing all of the talking for you.

You hear the door shut, without looking back you assume Cersei had taken her leave but you are perplexed when you turn to see her still standing by the door, watching you set down your goblet.

You walk across the room once more to take a seat on the settee, you remove your boots, setting them aside.

Cersei has remained silent for long enough that you nearly forgotten her presence entirely. Her next ask startles you.

“Look at me.” Her commanding tone leaves no room to argue, you glance at her. 

Her eyes were swollen, her cheeks flushed. It is clear to you that she has been crying as well.

You rise from your seat abruptly, approaching her. “Are you alright?” You ask, and again the Queen says nothing.

She merely stares at you, hopefulness at your concern and despair at the fact that you needed to ask.

**

She lunges forward, before you can fully comprehend it, her lips crash against your own, she kisses you deeply, pure anguish and want. It snatches the air right out of your lungs, but you have no desire to pull away.

Your tongue makes contact with her own and Cersei moans, pulling you impossibly closer by the nape of your neck.

Your body pressed up against hers as she leans against the wall. You were now both panting into the kiss, all aggression and desire. 

You had not been with Cersei like this in a decade, and yet there was a complete lack of uncertainty. It felt right, you were certain that you are meant to be with her like this, until the end of your days. 

However, there still exists voice deep within you, whether it is pride or reason, you cannot say for certain. but it urges you to pull away, so you do.

The Queen chases your lips eagerly, but you pull back even further. “Cersei, stop. What is this, what are you doing?” You ask, every moment you spent without your lips on hers felt like pure agony.

“I just need you– please–” Cersei replies with a desperation you have never heard before, and this was enough to break you. 

Any semblance of dignity vanishes into the very depths of yourself, all that's left is your deep and tortuous want for Cersei.

You kiss her again, rough and urgent, you are panting and groaning into each other's mouths. Cersei's hands immediately move to the hem of your breeches, she unlaces them in record time, slipping her hand inside.

You nearly lose it all when she wraps her fingers around the base of your cock, stroking it with such dexterity you fear your knees may give out.

“Gods–” You grunt, bucking your hips embarrassingly into her touch. 

You find the strength to remove her hand from your breeches. Soon enough you slip them off, your slacks pooling around your ankles before you kicked them to the side.

You swiftly remove your own tunic as Cersei's trembling hands struggle to undo the laces of her dress. 

Your patience wearing thin, you flip her around, indecently ripping the fabric open with one swift tug. 

“Y/n–” Cersei scolds in response to your eagerness, glancing back at you with dissaproval, but her dress easily slips off her shoulders after that, her smallclothes follow suit.

The Queen is still facing away from you as you part her hair away from her neck, trailing open mouthed kisses against her hot flesh, as you reached a certain familiar spot, your teeth grazed the skin, before biting down on it briefly. 

This earns a louder noise from Cersei, she is still trembling as she turns back around to face you, grabbing you firmly to pull you in for another sloppy kiss.

Lips still interlocked, the Queen walks you backwards onto the bed, Cersei doesn't waste another moment, straddling you as soon as you settled your rear on the edge of the bedding.

Your cock now stiff as a rod, poking at Cersei's entrance. The other woman begins moving her hips as you kissed, rubbing her cunt on the length of your shaft, coating it with her slick.

Your breath quickens, the sensation was maddening, you needed to be inside her now.

“Gods, I missed you.” You let it slip as your lips parted for a moment, but Cersei doesn't respond. 

The Queen's grip on the nape of your neck moves to your hair as she grasps a handful of it, tugging your head back slightly. Her other hand travels south, she grips the base of your cock once more, this time lining it up to her entrance. 

She begins lowering herself onto your length, Cersei moves quickly, with every inch that enters her, she lets out a gasp at the sensation. Soon you are sheathed inside of her to the hilt, and Cersei throws her head back, she releases an unrestrained moan, her hands now firmly on your shoulders.

She attemps to push you back against the bed, but you refuse to budge. Cersei relents, kissing you again as she moves her hips up and down the length of your cock. With every moan from Cersei you retaliate with a groan.

The feeling of her walls fluttering against your girth made you dizzy. The Queen felt so unbelievably good wrapped around your cock, you had forgotten just how intoxicating it was.

Now that you were experiencing it again, you never wanted it to end.

 Vulgar noises of your coupling filled the room as Cersei moved herself desperately against your lap, your cock hitting just the right spots within her. 

The Queen can feel her release already approaching, entirely overwhelmed by this she falls limp against you, but you manage to support her weight with minimal effort. Her hips still moving at a steady pace until it finally hits her, her orgasm washes over her like a wave. 

Cersei cries out in pleasure, partially muffled against your neck, she holds onto you for dear life as her peak overcomes all her other senses, relentless and unforgiving. You feel her cunt clenching painfully around your cock, her short shallow breaths against your neck, she is trembling helplessly, and you never want to let her go.

“Seven hells.” The Queen breathes out, finally lifting her head to look at you.

Cersei's eyes were nearly glazed over, her chest heaving violently, but you were far from done with her.

You capture her lips with your own again, earning a content moan. You remained sheathed inside of her as you flipped your positions, now Cersei laid on the bed, with you on top of her. The other woman's gasp in surprise is muffled by your own mouth against hers.

Once again she moans into your mouth as you began your thrusts, deep and slow, you aim to feel every inch of her. Cersei wraps her legs around your waist, pulling you in even deeper.

The Queen gasps as your mouth found the swell of her breasts, your tongue leaving a trail of saliva as you expertly moved from one nipple to the other. 

Your thrusts grow harsh and inconsistent as you felt your own climax building. Cersei's back arches, a deafening moan rips out of her. 

You roughly placed your hand against her stomach, pinning her down against the bed as you continued to rut into her. Cersei was mewling and panting like a whore now as you used her for your own pleasure, heightening her own in the process. 

The Queen finds just enough strength to pull you closer, her lips now against your ear.

“Tell me you love me.” Cersei pleads, and this takes you entirely by surprise, you slow your movements but you don't stop.

“What?” You ask, shaky, breathless.

“Just say it.” The Queen repeats amidst another moan, she clenches around your cock and the sound that emits from you then is guttural, primal.

You oblige without asking further questions.

“I love you, Cersei” You speak, from the heart, damning the consequences.

With that, Cersei reaches her peak again, her nails digging into the flesh of your back as she comes. The feeling of her perfect cunt milking your cock, accompanied by her writhing body underneath you was enough to push you over the edge.

As you attempt to pull out, Cersei kept her legs firmly wrapped around your waist, holding you in place. You are not given the opportunity to question it as it was already too late, you moaned as you released your load deep inside her, painting her womb with your seed.

**

═══════════════════════════════════════════

Nearly a candlemark has passed since your coupling and neither you or Cersei have said more than a few words. 

Simply embracing each other under the sheets, she rests her head against your shoulder, tracing circles absentmindedly with her finger against your abdomen. 

This position was achingly familiar, almost as if no time had passed.

Cersei soon moves her hand further up, she traces her fingers across your bottom lip before running her thumb down the bridge of your nose. The sensation earns a chuckle out of you, you finally had to reach up to remove her hand, guiding it away from your face.

Cersei's stare betrays an intensity that makes your heart constrict painfully in your chest.

Still unspeaking, it was your turn to explore her body, but you don't get very far, your fingertips trace the faint bruising on her neck, the marks left by your own cruelty.

The Queen then shuts her eyes, she doesn't allow herself to look upon your guilt any longer. Wrapping her arm across your torso, nuzzling her face against your shoulder.

“I'm not letting you go– never again.” Cersei mutters, and the smile that tugs on your lips is one of relief and acceptance.

You don't supress the urge to plant a lingering kiss on her temple, one the Queen allows herself to melt into.

[atlasdoe]

THE HOGWARTS CLASS OF 1978 - pt 27

EMMELINE VANCE

Name - Emmeline Vance

Blood status - Halfblood

Date of Birth - 26th August 1960

House - Ravenclaw

Academic achievements - Prefect, Part of the Slug Club

She fought in both wars and was killed after being sold out by her own side. She left behind her Muggle wife and step daughter

Canon

Was apart of the first and second Order of the Phoenix and the Advanced Guard

Was killed by Death Eaters near where the Prime Minister lived during the second war during the second week of July 1996

Her death was considered a significant and devastating loss for the Order and her murder was published in Muggle newspapers most likely because of the place of her murder being so close to the Prime Minister

Severus Snape claimed to have given information to Voldemort that led to Emmelines death

Headcanon

Pansexual

Her patronus was a robin

Her boggart was letting herself be corrupt with magic

Her middle name was Grace

Was the older sister to Finn and Jude Vance

Grew up in Birmingham

Her father, Patrick never told her mother, Rebecca that he was a wizard after he found out during their third date that witchcraft scared her. He knew that the right thing to do was either come clean there and then or cut things off but he had already fallen in love and was scared of her leaving. In the end he decided to keep it a secret and live the rest of his life as a Muggle for her

When they had Emmeline and her brothers, Patrick had hoped that they had been Squibs but by the time Emmeline was 5 it was becoming clear that she was a witch

Eventually Patrick had to come clean and tell Rebecca the truth hoping that her love would be greater than her fear but unfortunately he was wrong. Rebecca left that night and took all of her belongings with her, ignoring her children's quiet voices as they asked her where she was going

All Emmeline’s mother left was a polaroid camera which Emmeline kept and took with her almost everywhere. Nobody was allowed to touch her camera a part from her brothers but even their time with it she would limit out of fear of them breaking it

Emmeline grew up in Birmingham, England. Her father was studying to become a teacher before her mother left but after she was gone he decided to go back to the wizarding world and got a job as an independent tattoo artist. It was something he always wanted to do growing up and decided to give it a go while he was reimagining his life. His business was a success and he managed to earn more then he ever would as a Muggle teacher

Emmeline adored her father but she longed for her mother. The fact that her reasoning for leaving was because of magic made her resent it in some way. She fantasised about a alternate life where she was never a witch and could live happily with her family all together

Emmeline, Finn and Jude all still went to a Muggle primary school because their father wanted them to stay somewhat like their mothers children. Even after she abandoned them he still loved her

One time when Emmeline was 8 all of the girls in her class began coming into school with their hair in braids and not wanting to feel left out Emmeline asked her dad if he could braid her hair. When he attempted to the next morning it was awful but Emmeline didn’t care and went into school with it like that anyway, proud of her dad for trying. That morning all of the girls made fun of her for how her hair looked and her teachers made her take it out and brush it again because it didn't look “presentable.” Emmeline burst out crying when her dad asked her what happened to her hair when he picked her up

Finn had seen all of this happen and the next day went to the girls in his class and asked them to teach him how to braid hair. The next morning he surprised Emmeline by braiding her hair almost perfectly (one of the girls had given him one of their dolls for him to practise on) and from then on Finn would always braid Emmeline’s hair for her

Emmleine didn’t grow up knowing any magical kids so when she started Hogwarts she was all alone and was too scared to ask anyone if she could sit with them

Aurora Sinistra found her standing by herself outside of her compartment and invited her to come in

Emmeline accepted and there she met Emma Vanity, Septima Vector, and Florence Greengrass who were all sharing the compartment with Aurora

Emmeline didn’t talk much during the train ride unless she was spoken to but near the end had come out of her shell a little more as the girls were able to settle all of her worries that she originally had about the school

During the sorting ceremony the Sorting Hat had no problem putting her in Ravenclaw. She wasn’t surprised as her father told her before leaving that she came from a family of Ravenclaws

Emmeline spent the majority of the start of term feast having small talk with her other fellow Ravenclaw first years and Millicent Bagnold, who had recently became one of Ravenclaw’s prefects. Aurora and Septima also moved their seats down to sit next to her during the feast and welcome her into their house

On the first night Emmeline and her other Ravenclaws, Marlene McKinnon, Hestia Jones, Sybill Trelawney, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Gilderoy Lockheart and Alexander Steddings, all sat together on the floor by the fire and played 21 questions as some of the older students occasionally came over to introduce themselves

The relationship between the Ravenclaws of the class of 1978 was always a tricky one. They all acted like cousins who couldn’t stand each other during Easter but loved each other during Christmas. They got into arguments frequently and Flickwick would often have to gather them all in his office to talk things out

One time in their second year, during a potions lesson things got so heated between the 7 of them that spells started shooting and as punishment Flitwick made them all do team building exercises for an entire Saturday afternoon

Emmeline herself didn’t really find a problem with her classmates. She respected Kingsley and Alexander, she loved having conversations with Sybill and as annoying as he was Gilderoy made her laugh a lot (even if it wasn’t intentional) Hestia had always been a sore subject but she didn’t hate the girl. And Marlene was and always will be Emmeline’s literal soulmate

The love Emmeline had for Marlene she will never have for anyone ever in her life. The two of them were twin flames, two peas in a pod, the strawberries to her cream, inseparable and above all, best friends

The majority of the time, Emmeline’s involvement in the Ravenclaws arguments was her blindly taking Marlene’s side no matter what

There were many people at Hogwarts who thought that Marlene and Emmeline were dating until Marlene started dating Dorcas Meadows in their sixth year. Although Emmeline was Marlene's first kiss and they did lose their virginity to each other in their fifth year

The only problem with Marlene (and it was only a tiny tiny small problem) was that Marlene despised Hestia and Hestia despised Marlene. Therefore the girls' dorm room always seemed a bit divided. Emmeline and Marlene on one side and Sybill and Hestia on the other

Now, if Emmeline had had her pick of course she would have chosen for everyone to get along as that’s just who she was. But, no matter what she would always pick Marlene. It could be them against the world and she wouldn’t even think twice

Emmeline became somewhat of a social butterfly during her times at Hogwarts. She soon became her years “IT girl” although she never actually knew that herself

She only thought it was manners, saying hello to your classmates and asking if they’re alright, making sure that someone wasn’t feeling left out, offering sweets to someone as a way to extend a hand in friendship, but soon it was becoming clear that Emmeline seemed to be friends with everyone

She wasn’t friends with everyone of course. Her real friends (outside of her own house) consisted of Lily Evans, Frank Longbottom, Pandora Lovegood and Benjy Fenwick

Pandora she met through Marlene (as at this point she wasn’t just comfortable around people she didn’t know yet)

Emmeline met Lily Evans properly during the summer of 1975, right before their fifth year at Hogwarts

Emmeline had known of Lily beforehand and knew her to have mutual friends but they had never had a conversation 1 on 1

They met while both of their families were visiting Diagon Alley in the late June and started talking

In early July Lily invited Emmeline to one of her sisters friends house parties and white there they kissed for the first time

Long story short they had a summer fling

When school started back up again in September Lily was hoping for them to be in a relationship but Emmeline was confused about her sexuality. She thought there were only two options, gay or straight, and she knew that she was attracted to men so thought of her feelings for Lily as nothing but a phase. So when Lily asked her out she turned her down

Her feelings for Lily eventually faded and they remained friends but not seeing what could've happened with Lily would always be one of Emmelines biggest regrets. She didn't start exploring her sexuality more until after the war

Emmeline also met Edgar Bones through Marlene when she was in her first year and he was in his second

Emmeline had always found Edgar attractive but for the first two years of knowing him brushed it off hoping she'd grow out of it

During these two years Edgar would try to make Emmeline comfortable by trying to joke around with her

Emmeline started to realise her true feelings for Edgar during her sixth year when she ran into him on her way to Marlene's house on Christmas eve. He had just gotten into an argument with his parents and left his grandparents house early, but was locked out of his own house. Seeing how upset he was, Emmeline stayed with him and he opened up to her about his problems with his family and expectations. In return, Emmeline told him about her own problems with her mother

Eventually Amelia Bones showed up and took over in comforting Edgar and Emmeline continued her journey to the McKinnons

The first thing Emmeline told Marlene when she walked through the door was that she was in love with Edgar

During her sixth year and his seventh Edgar came up with the theory that he only catches the snitch during games where Emmeline was present and even made a table of the games he played the year before as evidence for this theory. He therefore stated calling Emmeline his lucky charm and insisted that she had to go to all of his games so he could win

Because his theory started to seem true Marlene banned Emmeline from going to the finale Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff in 1977. However, during that game Marlene fell off her broom and suffered a career ending injury (it turns out that Emmeine was Marlene's lucky charm and not Edgars)

While Emmeline and Edgar were both waiting to see Marlene in the hospital wing they confessed their feelings for each other and kissed. When Emmeline made a joking comment about how they were making out while Marlene was in the hospital Edgar replied with how Marlene was probably all over Dorcas in that moment so it was only fair that they got to kiss also

When they got to see Marlene and told her that they had kissed she said that it was the only thing that made her feel better (she was mostly just happy that she didn't have to keep the secrets of them liking each other anymore)

When Edgar left Hogwarts and joined the Auror training program they stayed together throughout Emmelines last year at Hogwarts and kept in touch by sending letters to each other and meeting up during Hogsmead weekends

Before we get to the depressing shit here's some random headcanons

Her favourite drink was hot chocolate

For her 16th birthday Benjy got her a record player but she could never trust herself to not scratch the vinyl so she would get Marlene to turn it on for her

Emmeline was considered tall when she was younger but by the time fourth year came around everyone seemed to have overtaken her in height. She said that the day she realised Marlene was taller then her was the worst day of her life

Emmeline and her family loved Muggle sports, particularly football. They supported Aston Villa and one time wore her Villa shirt to a Quidditch match just to piss off Marlene

During their seventh year Marlene and Emmeline decided to play matchmakers and tried to get Tommy (Marlene's younger brother) and Jude together. (and it worked, though Tommy and Jude would always deny that their sisters had anything to do with it)

Marlene once convinced Emmeline to read Little Women but Emmeline never finished it. When Beth died Emmeline threw the book across the room and vowed never to read a book again

She would send little handwritten notes to people via magical paper robins

She would always say she didn't want children but really she just didn't want to get pregnant

She was scared of clowns

She was incapable of having a casual drink. It was either all or nothing

She would call people “dude” and “bro” unironically

Whenever she played Quidditch for fun she would play as seeker

She had the messiest handwriting ever

She and Edgar had many museum dates even though neither of them knew anything about art

When Emmeline graduated she started a healing internship at St Mungos

She later joined the Order of The Phoenix

While with the order she became their unofficially healer and would always be the one people turned to when they needed medical attention

Whenever Edgar was at St Mungos and needed taking care of he would always insist that it was Emmeline to do it despite the fact that she was only a trainee. He did this for two reasons, 1) because he was usually in a lot of pain and trusted her and wanted her close and 2) so that she had the opportunity to prove herself infront of her superiors

Eventually everyone else in the Order started to do the same and would only want to be treated by Emmeline if they were ever in St Mungos. It got to the point where once Sirius Black created a scene at Mungos demanding to be seen by Emmeline without realising that Emmeline was in the bed next to him being treated herself

One time for a mission Emmeline was paired up with Sirius to be a lookout for any suspicious behaviour in a town where suspected Death Eaters were living. They were on the stakeout for 24 hours and in that time they managed to 1) Emmeline taught Sirius how to use her camera 2) Sirius told literally everything he loved about Remus 3) They layed 5 games of wizard chess (which neither of them was good at) 4) Sirius had convinced Emmeline to start listening to Queen by continuously singing Don't Stop Me Now and 5) When Emmeline fell asleep Sirius tried to see how many objects he could place on her without waking her up

When Marlene was killed on the 14th July 1981 with her family Edga made sure that he told Emmeline first (as he was the one who found them)

Marlene's death was the hardest thing Emmeline had every had to go through. She shut down completely for a while and only came back to her senses after talking to Benjy about it

During the McKinnon's funeral Emmeline got really drunk and refused to leave the wake, because once the funeral was over that meant that Marlene's death isn't “new” anymore and she really did have to go on without her best friend

During the war and especially this time Edgar started drinking as an escape and would go in and out of himself a lot. He would go from drowning himself in work trying to end the war to drinking and locking himself in his room when things got too much

On the 2nd of September 1981 Jude, Finn and their dad attended the Sunderland v Aston Villa football game. Death Eaters attacked the stadium during half time and all three of them died along with 7 other wizards who were there and 20 muggles were killed

The next day, after a week-long mission, Edgar was found barely alive with Fabian and Gideon Prewett. The Prewett twins were both already gone by the time they were found

Emmeline was settling into her new room in the Orders headquarters when she was called into St Mungos, before Edgar even woke up

Emmeline didn't even have any time to begin mourning her father and brothers before she had to comfort Edgar over not only the large amount of pain he was in but also the death of his two best friends. Emmeline was also given the task of having to tell the Prewett family that Fabian and Gideon were both dead (as the families were contacted and told that only one of the three survived, but wouldn't tell them who lived until they were stable)

Emmeline decided not to tell Edgar about her family's death but he eventually found out quickly when Dumbledore mentioned it to him

From then on it was a constant back and forth between them of trying to look after each other while not falling apart themselves

Edgars drinking was getting worse by the day and Emmeline was pulling her hair out by the fact that she couldn't just fix it

When they started taking their grief out on each other, Emmeline decided that they both needed a break from each other at least until the war was over. Edgar didn't want to break up but agreed

They both were under the impression that they would eventually get back together

Neither of them took the break up well and in late September 1981 Edgar told Emmeline that a week before he had gotten too drunk and slept with a Muggle women called Elizabeth who he got pregnant

Edgar also told her that she was currently staying in one of the Order's safe houses while she decided if she wanted to keep it or not. He had decided that if she wanted to keep it he wouldn’t leave her to raise their child alone

Emmeline didn't know how to feel, but she still loved him and she knew that he still loved her. They both wanted to make it work, so she was willing to try. They just had to wait until the war was over

A few weeks later word got out about Elizabeth to the death eaters and they attacked her house, Elizabeth saw them coming and called Edgar before she was killed. Edgar rushed to the house but the Death Eaters were waiting for him. He was killed before he could even fully open the door

Sirius was the one to pull the short straw and was the one to tell Emmeline. She was the last in the Order to be told

After Emmeline is told she goes to the Bones house to check on Amelia. When she gets there Amelia (who is very upset and angry) lashed out on her and told Emmeline that it's her fault that Edgar died because if she didn't break up with him then Edgar would've never slept with Elizabeth and he wouldn't have died

(Really Amelia knows that it's unfair to blame Emmeline when she's grieving just as much but she just lost her twin brother so cut her some slack)

Emmeline took Amelia's words to heart and ended up blaming herself for his death

When the war ended Emmeline went to the Leaky Caldron to “celebrate”

By now her training at St Mugos had finished (she had finished early due to her part in the war) and she was given until the New Year off before she started properly

On the 23rd of December 1981 Emmeline went for drinks with Pandora, Kingsley, Hestia and Xenophillius where Emmeline and Hestia got into an argument about the war

On the 1st of January 1982 Dumbledore asked Emmeline to meet him to ask her two favours. One being to look after Remus after the full moon (because she is a talented healer and a familiar face (this was also the first time Emmeline was told about Remus being a werewolf she didn't know before) and to spend some time with Snape and keep an eye on him to either make sure that he doesn't turn back to the death eaters or to make him feel more welcomed on their side

Emmeline agrees to both of them and starts to spend more time with Snape and Remus

Remus allowed Emmeline to heal him but didn't really try to become friends with her

Snape had already known that Dumbledore was going to send someone to monitor him before Emmeline had showed up at his door. They had a quick conversation which ended short when Emmeline called bullshit on his excuse for joining the Death Eaters

Snape told her that if she wanted to leave and not see him that he wouldn't tell Dumbledore. So Emmeline leaves and doesn't contact him again until 1984

Remus eventually started warming up to Emmeline and the two began to become friends

During that time Emmeline also started seeing a therapist

She had major trauma when it came to being in the hospital. By the end of the war she had forgotten that being a mediwitch used to be what she wanted to do for a career and not just a side gig while the war was on

Being in St Mungos reminded her too much of the war and she was beginning to realise that she had lost her passion that she once had. The only reason why she stayed was because she didn't have a backup plan

In 1984 Frank went missing and Alice showed up at Emmelines door asking for help. Along with Kingsley and Remus, Emmeline suggested going to Snape to see if he knew anything. Snape told them that he knew where Bellatrix was currently staying but when Alice said that they should go straight away they all tried to convince her to sleep on it and let them get more information

Alice did not listen and while everyone was sleeping she left to go after Frank

Emmeline, Kingsley, Remus and Snape all went to Bellatrix’s once they realised she was gone but by then it was too late and Frank and Alice were already gone

Also in 1983 Emmeline attended Pandora and Xenophillius wedding

While there she ran into Amelia, who was the maid of honour

Amelia did end up apologising for what she said after Edgar died and told Emmeline that it wasn’t her fault but even though Emmeline does forgive Amelia she doesn't forgive herself and continues to blame herself for Edgars death until the day she dies

During the wedding is also when they find out that Barty Crouch Jr was part of the group of Death Eaters to torture Frank and Alice

In December 1986 Dumbledore contacted Emmeline, Remus, Severus and Gilderoy and asked them to do a mission for him in New York. They all reluctantly agree

On the 30th of January 1987 they all move to New York and start living together in an apartment in Brooklyn

The American Minister of Magic feared that a similar uprising as Voldemorts may be happening behind the scenes in the MACUSA and their mission was to help prevent it

Bunch of shit happens over this year including them all meeting an American Warlock and helping him save a village from werewolves. The night before they succeed in helping the warlock, Emmeline receives a letter from Pandora telling her about the Horcruxes and Regulus’ plan. In Pandora’s letter she tells Emmeline that she’s beginning her trial and error run for a spell that can destroy the Horcrux and is telling Emmeline in case something goes wrong and Emmeline has to finish the job for her. Emmeline burns the letter as instructed to and after they save the village Gildeory obliviates all of them, erasing Emmelines memory of the letter

While in New York Emmeline also ran into Mary MacDonald. When the two first saw each other they got into an argument because Emmeline was told by Marlene that Mary would be coming back to the wizarding world after the war was over and that’s why she joined the Order. When Mary told Emmeline that her plan was to never come back Emmeline yelled at her and told her that Marlene died for nothing

Emmeline and Mary have this whole arc

By the time it’s December 1987 they’re all a bit sick of each other and Snape and Remus end up getting into this massive argument which ends with Remus punching Snape and breaking his nose after Snape accuses him of being a evil

Remus storms out, Mary goes after him, Gilderoy goes to his room and Emmeline is left with Snape

Snape tells her about how the Marauders “bullied" him and his "love" for Lily and he tells her about the Prank and twists the story to make it sound like Remus wanted to kill him also. Emmeline is furious and when Remus get back they argue about it

Emmeline tells him that Snape was right and that Remus probably never cared about anyone and that he's a monster like all the other werewolves

After their argument Emmeline and Mary talk and Mary explains why she left the wizarding world and all that. They connect very emotionally. Emmeline eventually ends up falling asleep and she never sees Mary again

The next day (Christmas Eve) a bunch of shit happens while everyone’s still mad at each other I won’t get into it now but it ends with Severus, Emmeline, Remus and Gilderoy burning an entire building filled with possibly bad MACUSA employees in and killing them all

They move back to England the next day

Emmeline ends up missing all the full moons after that

In 1988 Emmeline meets a muggle called Noelle Daviss and falls in love. Because she's a muggle she starts to lean towards a muggle life for her and goes to medical school, she slowly loses contact with Snape

In 1990 Pandora died and Emmeline was among those wondering why

Also in 1990 Emmeline and Noelle got married and adopted a daughter called Julie Vance

When she heard the news of Remus being exposed as a werewolf she considered trying to contact him but doesn’t

When the Order got back together Emmeline refused to talk to Snape despite how many times he tried to talk to her. She was also avoiding Remus and Sirius like the plague. She would mostly talk to Kingsley during this time

The day before her death Emmeline went to visit Amelia while she was skating and warned Amelia to lock all of her doors because she overheard rumours that the Death Eaters might be after her

Emmeline was killed by Death Eaters while walking to Grimmauld Place on the 14th July 1996. Snape was the one to give the Death Eaters information that led to her death because Dumbledore told him to

She died exactly 14 years after Marlene

[romana-after-dark]

Room's on Fire Masterlist

Dark!Santiago Garcia x Fem!Reader Dark!Francisco Morales x Fem!Reader Dark!William Miller x Fem!Reader Dark!Benjamin Miller x Fem!Reader

Summary:

Years after the world fell apart, various communities have established themselves, one of which is ran by four men who claim to be divine.

When they decide it's time to and heir to be born, they chose a virgin from their cult and make her their wife. Reader is offered a choice, of course. She doesn't have to marry them. But if she doesn't, the savior won't be born. She choses to become the Madonna. She is wed to all four of them, and moved into their home where her body is open to use whenever her husbands desire (free use au), in the hopes of getting her pregnant. It doesn't matter whose baby it ends up being, because they are all part God, so it doesn't matter... right?

Warnings for full fic, if anything is added or really emphcized it will be in additional warnings.

THIS IS A DARK FIC THOUGH SO BE WARY! I CAN'T PROTECT AGAINST EVERYTHING.

DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT

DUB CON MOSTLY but there WILL BE NON CON. Major character deaths, forced breeding, physical abuse, brainwashing, manipulation, violence, gore, alcoholism/addiction, BIG OLE BLASPHEMY WARNING like this cult appropriates a lot of religious themes and they call reader their Madonna, Santi is called the Pope, like all that stuff. However, this is a cult so I mean. It happens. None of it are my thoughts on religion or meant to make fun of religion or demonize religious people. Disgusting views on virginity. Attempted rape outside the boys. T*m warning. Age gap. Creepy terrible men. Non-reader rape, dub con, violence. Covert incest, massive mommy issues, sexual abuse all around, past grooming by parental figure. no CSA but the victim isn't much older. some Bates Motel type shit. I cannot properly warn you for everything, without just telling the story but consider this a major warning that there are dark dark themes. No one involved here is morally clean, and who you perceive as the good guy cannot be relied on. Don't come to my story and say im romanticizing these things until at least the story ends.

Unknown amount of chapters right now.

Chapter 1: Pilot: Delta finds their Madonna Chapter 2: The wedding Chapter 3: Aftermath of the wedding FishBen: Symptom of Being Human Chapter 4: Pope is not pleased. Chapter 5: Jonah lore, Madonna gets through to Frankie Chapter 6: Madonna gains Frankie's heart, Santi is jealous Iris: Rey and Iris find pockets of time Chapter 7: Fun with Ben: wining Pope back Chapter 8: big announcement to the community

Non canon Frankie Madonna Chapter 9: Madonna’s blissful ignorance to the world around her. Chapter 10: There's a lot Madonna doesn't know.

Chapter 11: Things start to crumble around Madonna

Chapter 12: It's all too much for Madonna

Chapter 1 3: Santiago’s true colors come out

Chapter 14: Jonah tries to show the truth

Chapter 15: madonna begins to learn her power

Chapter 16: Frankie and Ben reflect

Chapter 17: Ben shows his true colors

Chapter 18: Iris makes her stand

Chapter 19: Jonah's chapter

Chapter 20: Frankie finally does something.

Chapter 21: ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Bonus Content

not necessary for the series. Pieces in the main list are suggested as they add depth and sometimes small plot points.

"Can you peel my orange?" Jonah smut

Jonah Hanson character ai

ROF characters Star signs

Jonah x non-Madonna reader x Marcus flashback commission

Art

By @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog

By @survivingandenduring

Lil comic by @my-secret-shame

As I said, a lot of themes and dynamics ended up accidentally similarly to Watch Your Step by the amazing @charnelhouse Some was because that fic is what developed my characterizations of the boys. Some was totally incidental, like Pope and readers relation to art. It's different though, a much different series, but I wanted to tell y'all that she s PUBLISHING WYS AS A NOVEL NOW, Its called Cardinal Sin's and I'll link it right here!

How to keep up with the story!

Comment on this masterlist that you want to be tagged and I'll tag you in updates

Follow @romana-updates and/turn on notifications

Follow the tag Rooms on fire

THANK YOU FOR YOU'RE SUPPORT!

Please remember to reblog, and I love comments/asks, anon or not, and would love to see engagement and theories!

[thepastisalreadywritten]

•

Princess Diana Made Secret Tapes For The Future Bride of Prince William. ❤️

“Cherish my grandchildren. They carry my heart.”

Before her tragic, untimely death in a Paris car crash at 36 years old, Princess Diana thought she might die young and may never be able to meet the future wife of her son, Prince William, according to a friend of the late Princess of Wales.

Though she didn’t know her name then, Diana recorded an audio diary for Princess Catherine, a young girl living in Berkshire.

According to OK!, the friend — who asked to remain anonymous — said Diana got the idea after recording tapes for what would become Andrew Morton’s groundbreaking Diana: Her True Story (1992).

Even after the book was published, Diana continued talking into her little Sony cassette recorder, off and on, from 1992 until she died in 1997.

On the tapes, Diana offers motherly advice and reveals her hopes for the future of William and his respective family.

"As incredible as it seems, she told me she made the tapes for the day if she wouldn’t be around to help guide William.”

Diana asked for the tapes to be played at key points in her son’s future.

“That way, she could continue to be a part of their lives, even after she was gone,” the friend said.

“She thought it was quite clever — and loved the idea of being what she called a nagging mum from beyond the grave. She found it quite amusing.”

“This particular one was for William’s future wife,” the friend said.

“He was about 13 or 14 at the time, just discovering girls. Diana was fascinated by the idea that he’d marry and one day have his children. She was sure he’d be a wonderful husband and warm, caring father—more like her."

The friend said that Diana wanted William and his future wife to avoid divorce. This particular tape lasted about two or three minutes.

“What struck me was her honesty,” the friend said. “She was so sincere. You could hear it in her voice. She spoke straight from her heart.”

“It was so very moving,” the friend continued.

“I remember bits of it quite well, even after all this time. I was surprised she played it for me. And when it was done, we talked about the kind of girl William would marry.

She thought his bride would be beautiful, smart and independent. And, amazingly, she was right. Kate is all that and more.”

The tape shared memories of William’s childhood and Diana’s dreams of always wanting a daughter. Diana seemed to speak directly to Catherine when she said:

“Brace yourself for a one-way chat. We haven’t met, though I want you to know that I certainly wish we had.

I know I’d adore you, and we’d be fast friends. You have to be someone exceptional. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be my William’s wife.”

She gave marriage advice, specifically surrounding marriage as a future queen, saying:

“For your marriage to survive the public glare and the private pressures of royal life, it will take patience, compromise, understanding, trust, loyalty, and, of course, love,” Diana reportedly said.

“But you both must work at it. Daily. I’m sure you know my failings and those of William’s father. Learn from these mistakes. Build a relationship that endures. You deserve it. And so do your children.”

Diana then shared that her fondest dream for her and William was to have a life filled with love and joy and to raise happy, healthy children free of divorce, which both William and Diana had to endure.

“Family is the most important thing in life,” she said. “Cherish your children for me. They carry my heart. Let them know I love them and will always watch over them.”

The friend said she ended the tapes with a kiss and told William she loved him.

Though the friend wasn’t sure how many tapes Diana made or who was entrusted with making sure the recordings made it to William, the friend is confident that Princess Catherine had heard the tapes.

💙🥹🤍

[medusapelagia]

03 - The price of success

written for @steddieangstyaugust (prompt:  The sunset looks lovely, don't you think?") and @augustwritingchallenge (Prompt: Dark Academia) Rating: Mature Relationship: Steve/Eddie TW: demons, enemies to lovers (mentioned), gun violence, murder, major character death, sad ending, magic, demons Words: 1448

(A big thanks to @midsummer-semantics who told me about the Ornamental Pear Tree 😂)

Steve should have known better. There was no way that using an old book he found in the prohibited section of the library to conjure a demon to help him with his college grades was a good idea. Robin tried to talk him out of it, but he did it the same, and it worked.

It worked so well that now he quickly became the youngest professor in the entire Academy, and even his long-time rival Edward Munson had to acknowledge Steve's competence.

Ancient Rome's history and culture? He knows everything, from the most trivial things to the biggest secrets none was ever able to unravel.

But a deal is a deal, and every deal has a price.

The demon told him that he would have claimed his soul the very moment he found love. As if someone could ever love Steve for real.

Steve immediately agreed, but instead of making him sign a scroll with his blood, the demon just said, “The sunset looks lovely, don't you think?” and disappeared in thin air.

From that moment on Steve’s grades got better and better, he won scholarship after scholarship and numerous colleges offered him a place to teach, but Steve never accepted, being at his college and watching Edward Munson struggle was more than enough for him.

Looking behind himself, with a glass of whisky neat swirling gently in his hand, Steve can see all the opportunities he missed in his life.

He lost all his friends, and he never got married or had a life away from college. He devoted his entire life to his studies, and now that he's close to retirement, nobody is here to celebrate with him.

Still, there's a party down at the cafeteria in honor of his old rival, Edward Munson.

Some old students traveled from all over the world to celebrate the old teacher who left such an impression on their young minds. A couple of those have even dedicated their academic success to Edward Munson.

None did that for Stephen Harrington. The only thing he got was a threatening letter from one of his students accusing him of destroying his future. As if a failed exam could do that to a person.

But that’s just Steve’s life. None was there with him when he won his first Award from the Historical Association or when he published his graduation thesis in a prestigious historical magazine.

Not even his parents, who Steve was so desperately trying to impress, gave him any recognition of his academic success like he was always expected to succeed and the fact that he actually did was just a confirmation that he was doing what he was expected to.

He missed Robin, deeply, but he couldn't really blame her for choosing to follow her girlfriend, now wife, to the other side of the globe. She even tried to stay in contact for the first few years, but after facing Steve's stubborn silence, she slowly distances herself from him.

That hurt, Steve can't deny it, but in the end, it was a good thing, if none was close to Steve he would be safe from the demon curse.

He gulps down the whisky in one go and slowly moves toward the fancy bottle to pour himself some more when a soft knock on the door catches his attention.

For a moment he stills, who might be knocking at his door at this hour, he asks himself, frowning at the big wooden doors. Probably a prank.

He turns back toward the chiseled furniture, pouring more whisky, but someone knocks again with more intention.

"Professor Harrington? Are you there?" a familiar voice asks.

"Professor Munson, what are you doing at my door? I thought you were having a little celebration with your acolytes." he snarls back, not hiding the disdain in his tone.

"Yeah. The kids throw a little party for me. It was nice, I must admit it, but I wanted to celebrate with my old enemy. Would you like to join me in the garden? Our bench is still there."

Steve knows exactly what he's talking about, the old wooden bench where they used to sit when they were young, next to the Ornamental Pear tree, or cum tree as Eddie playfully used to call it due to its strong smell.

But that was ages ago, before Steve's deal, when they were studying together and they dreamed of making some great discovery together.

Steve looks at him weary, before deciding that instead of drinking whisky alone in his office he could always drink whisky with Eddie under the cum tree. After all, today was the last day he would be forced to see him.

He grabs the bottle and two glasses, "Lead the way." 

The college is almost cleared out, the lessons ended the week before and only a handful of students and teachers are still there.

They sit under the cum tree, chuckling about their shared past made of academic competition.

"Do you ever think that things could have gone differently if you weren't such a prick?" Eddie asks, sipping his whisky slowly.

"I'm not a prick. I was a man with a goal and I did my best to achieve it."

"And you totally did. Stepping on everyone, not caring about the debris you left behind, but hey, even after thirty years you're still the greatest expert on Ancient Roman History." Eddie chuckles.

"And you were too busy having fun every night and playing that stupid guitar. Did you ask me to come here just to insult me? Because if that’s the case I think I’ll go back to my study."

"Nah. But I wanted to ask you a question. Was it worth it?" Eddie asks, gulping down the last of his whisky, "Was it worth it to spend all your life alone? Maybe I never won a prestigious award or hosted a special on History Channel, but I had a full life and love and now that I'm retiring everyone came to celebrate." he turns slowly, "Your retirement celebration plan was getting drunk in your office."

"There's nothing to celebrate," Steve replies, "I'm going to lose my home and someone younger will teach a course I created from nothing. Why should I celebrate?"

"You never celebrated. Not even one of your academic successes. Why?"

"I just did what was expected from me." 

"Jee… that's sad even for you, Stevie."

Stevie, like he used to call him when they were friends.

Steve looks into Eddie’s eyes, they are clear and honest like always, and he makes a stupid decision.

"Would you believe me if I told you I made a deal with a demon to achieve academic success?" he asks, pouring more whiskey into his glass.

"I think you're drinking too much."

"I did. But the demon told me that the price was that he would have claimed my soul the very moment I found love. Didn't sound like a big deal at the time."

"Exchanging your happiness for a stupid title? It sounds like a big deal to me!" Eddie replies, chuckling.

The whisky bottle is almost empty when Eddie puts a hand on Steve's knee, "You were the biggest regret of my life, Steve. I had a happy life and few lovers but you… you were something else. The other half of my soul. The missing piece of my puzzle. And I asked you to come here because I'm leaving tomorrow and there's one thing I regretted all my life, and it was not kissing you when I had the occasion. Would you… would you let me...?”

It's just a kiss and then they'll never see each other again. It can't hurt, right?

Eddie tilts his head and bends toward Steve, slowly, giving him the time to recoil, but Steve doesn't move and they finally share a kiss.

"I love you, Steve Harrington," Eddie whispers on his lips and Steve would like to answer that he loves him too, he always did, but someone is running toward them and an angry voice screams something about how unfair Steve's grades were and how he destroyed his future. Steve doesn't really have the time to understand what's going on because the boom of the shoot deafens him for a moment before the man lets the gun fall to the ground and runs away. 

The college security chases the shooter, yelling, while Steve holds Eddie's bloody body in his arms.

"The sunset looks lovely, don't you think?" Eddie stutters. The same word the demon said to him when Steve signed his contract, and when Eddie’s body goes limp Steve finally understands that that's the price the demon requested.

[aimeedaisies]

Princess Anne’s visit reinforces Sri Lanka-UK bonds - Plaudits for hard work and modest outlook

Published 14th January 2024

By Pramod de Silva

The British Royal Family is changing their outlook following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II and amidst increasing calls for truncating or even abolishing the monarchy.

Indeed, gone are the days when the British Empire was known collectively as a region where the “Sun never sets” as its colonies were located all over the globe, from Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) to South Africa. Now there are only a very few British protectorates left, including the Falklands Islands. All others have either become Dominions with King (Charles III) as the titular Head of State (examples include Canada and Australia) or Republics with no sovereign ties to the British King, such as Sri Lanka and India.

A humble Princess Anne carried her own bags off the plane as she arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy LaurenceA humble Princess Anne carried her own bags off the plane as she arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

Yet, the British Royal Family maintains a measure of popularity in the so-called Commonwealth Countries, which are former colonies of Britain, even if their fame has taken a hit in the UK itself particularly following the death of Princess Diana, and the separation of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle from royal life. The couple has since been living in California, USA.

Queen Elizabeth II’s visit

Sri Lankans, for whatever reason(s), do have a soft corner for the British Royal Family, in spite of the mixed colonial legacy in the country. This was evinced when Queen Elizabeth II arrived here for the first time in 1954. This visit was significant for two reasons. The first was that Sri Lanka hadsaman gained Independence from Britain just six years earlier, in 1948. And Sri Lanka was still a Dominion back then.

The second was that this was one of the Queen’s first official overseas visits after her Coronation on June 2, 1953. She wore her Coronation Frock at one of the events in Colombo during this tour. She would go on to occupy the Throne for nearly 70 years. Her next visit to Sri Lanka was in 1981, by which time the country had become a Republic. But judging by the raucous reception she received wherever she and Prince Philip went, her popularity in Sri Lanka was intact.

In between those two visits, the couple became the proud parents of four children – Princes Charles (the present King), Andrew (Duke of York, though now mostly retired from Royal Duties following a string of scandals), Edward (Duke of Edinburgh) and Princess Anne, now known officially as Princess Royal. She thus happens to be the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth.

It is no secret that Princess Anne is the sibling closest to King Charles, ever-ready to steady the ship amidst the turbulent storms that the Royal Family faced in the years following the tragic death of Princess Diana in Paris in 1997. Her scandal-free life and easy going nature had endeared herself to Royal fans all over the planet.

This might explain the buzz surrounding last-week’s official visit of Princess Anne to Sri Lanka to mark 75 years of diplomatic links between the two friendly countries. Given the revolving door that is Number 10, one cannot imagine a better ambassador to mark this occasion than apparently someone from Buckingham Palace – and the hardest working member of the British Royal Family at that. Princess Anne has earned that moniker from the press thanks to her non-stop work for good causes around the world.

A royal expert has explained why the Princess Royal was chosen as the first member of the family to go away in 2024, as she was praised as being “invaluable” to King Charles. Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Princess Anne is an example of what the public most admire in a working royal, she is dedicated, conscientious and prefers a low profile and no fuss.”

First-ever Royal visit for 2024

Princess Anne began the second day of her Sri Lanka tour with a visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in KandyPrincess Anne began the second day of her Sri Lanka tour with a visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy

In fact, her trip to Sri Lanka gained international media attention due to several reasons, with magazines such as Hello! And People devoting multiple pages to the coverage, not to mention all mainstream British newspapers. After all, this was the first-ever overseas visit by any Member of the Royal Family for 2024. Princess Anne is no stranger to Sri Lanka, having visited the country previously in 1995, as a patron of the Save the Children Fund.

The media were quick to highlight the fact that Anne (73) and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (68) flew on a commercial airline to Colombo, whereas they could have requested a Government Airbus A330 or other aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF). In fact, SriLankan Airlines, the only carrier which flies directly between London (LHR) and Colombo (CMB) could not hide its delight, posting on X under the headline “A Service Fit for a Royal”.

A SriLankan Airlines post said: “We are delighted to welcome onboard Her Royal Highness (HRH) the Princess Royal on her journey from London to Colombo on a three-day official visit to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the UK. It is truly an honour to extend Her Royal Highness and the delegation our inherent Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality, thereby presenting the first taste of our island home through our service. We thank the HRH for honouring us with her presence onboard and choosing us for the journey.”

Royal commentators and observers were also delighted to note that the couple carried their own bags, both at the points of embarkation and disembarkation. Princess Anne and Sir Tim’s down-to-Earth nature was displayed by them carrying their own bags onto the flight, the commentators said. One eagle-eyed royal writer even noted that one of her bags was from the French brand Longchamp’s La Pliage Line, costing just 115 Sterling Pounds, at a time lesser mortals like to show off bags from the likes of Louis Vuitton costing thousands of pounds or dollars.

A welcome ceremony at the airport saw the two Royals greeted by dancers, music, Union Jack flags and a red carpet. Princess Anne, sporting sunglasses, was received by dignitaries including the British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, PC.

Princess Anne and Sir Tim kicked off their engagements right away, heading first to the MAS Active Factory near the Airport, one of the largest apparel tech companies in South Asia and identified by the UK Fashion and Textile (UKFT) Association as an important Sri Lankan partner. As President of the UKFT, the Princess Royal met staff and toured the facility to hear more about their innovative designs and partnerships with leading UK brands.

Princess Anne, Princess Royal signs the golden book after she arrives for a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the BIA in KatunayakePrincess Anne, Princess Royal signs the golden book after she arrives for a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the BIA in Katunayake.

Letter from King Charles

The couple also met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prof. Maitree Wickremesinghe at the President’s House. Her brother King Charles had outlined “considerable challenges” that the world is facing in a letter delivered by Princess Anne to President Wickremesinghe during this meeting.

The Royal Couple also got the opportunity of meeting former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on this occasion. She was the incumbent President when Princess Anne last toured the island in 1995. Royal watchers praised the Princess’s modest outfit worn to this important event. Hello! Magazine described her outfit in this manner: “Putting on a colourful display, the Princess Royal asserted her sartorial prowess in a ravishing red shift dress adorned with blooming pastel flowers. For an additional pop of colour, the royal added a berry-red lipstick, balancing her ensemble with a draped cream scarf and white gloves.” Another royal watcher said that her white gloves worn at the event were a subtle nod to the legacy of her mother.

Princess Anne, with her lifelong affinity to the Save the Children Fund, also took time off her busy schedule of meetings to visit its offices in Colombo and inquire into their programs in Sri Lanka. After unveiling a plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of Save the Children working in Sri Lanka, she gave an impromptu speech to staff and guests at the charity’s Colombo HQ.

Princess Anne said: “It’s a real pleasure to return to Sri Lanka and the chance to visit Save the Children’s (headquarters) and underline the fact you have been doing extraordinary work here for 50 years.’ And I know, because when I came before it was slightly different, things have changed a lot. But the very fact that you are here and seen as valuable partners to the Government and the departments – that says a lot for what you’ve achieved…So a big thank you to all those who have been part of that journey, thank you all very much.” She also visited the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo.

Princess Anne paid her respects to the Fallen Heroes of World Wars when she laid a wreath in their memory in Colombo, during her first visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery in the Jawatta area as the organisation’s President. They also visited the nearby Vajira Pillayar Hindu Kovil, where Sir Tim dashed a coconut to ward off bad luck. Chief Priest Sachithanantha Kurukal went into the shrine to conduct the pooja as Princess Anne and her husband watched, and they later toured the temple viewing the many shrines to Hindu Gods.

The Royal Couple then left for Kandy, where they paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Dressed in white, Princess Anne was ushered into an inner sanctum, reserved for the temple’s most important guests, to make her offering to the Sacred Relic in private.

Princess Anne engaged in a friendly conversation with Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike KumaratungaPrincess Anne engaged in a friendly conversation with Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Later, the couple travelled to Jaffna, where they toured the famous Jaffna Public Library, which was burnt down by mobs in 1981 and then rebuilt to reflect its former glory. The couple toured the library “where they heard of its significance to the community and met key figures from the fields of education, arts and culture,” said the British High Commission in Sri Lanka. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, called the building “a landmark of great significance”. “This important moment marks the first visit by a member of the Royal Family to Jaffna,” he added.

The library was one of the largest libraries in Asia and housed over 97,000 unique and irreplaceable palm leaves books (ola), manuscripts, parchments, books, magazines and newspapers, before its destruction in 1981.

The couple had several other engagements in Sri Lanka before they flew back to the UK after a highly successful visit, which reinforced UK-Sri Lanka ties. Several more events will be held in 2024 to mark this milestone.

Princess Anne’s Sri Lanka visit is her second official engagement of this year, having returned to duties on January 4 to attend the Oxford Farming Conference.

The King and Queen are also set to fly overseas later this year. The couple are expected to visit Canada in May, before flying to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa in October.

As for the Prince and Princess of Wales, they too will be preparing to return to Royal Duties in the coming week, which comes after the family celebrated Princess Kate’s 42nd birthday on Tuesday January 9.

[dufferpuffer]

what types of books do you think remus would be into, if any? i see a lot of people tend to view him as a big fan of ancient greek/roman literature or just classics in general and while i do like the idea I'm very curious on what your thoughts would be about it.

Remus book taste HC:

Mysteries, Murders, Detectives - the occasional Spy or Sci-fi... the occasional sweet romance, and the occasional cheap smut. He likes stories of regular, unassuming people being clever and righteous, going on adventures - and getting to know others on a deep, personal level, even if it is just to 'read' them for a case. Non-Fiction - especially when he was a kid - especially magical.

For comics he likes comedy and children's adventures (not heroes)

More below:

I do think he is a bit of a bookworm. It's something quiet to do between jobs, while traveling, while resting (when it isn't too exhausting to read) that takes his mind off of reality for awhile. Being unable to make friends as a kid he probably read a lot then, too.

His father working - his Muggle mother was likely home taking care of him and homeschooling him, so he would be very familiar with Muggle authors, though his dad would have passed down Wizarding stories too. I like to think his mother, an imaginative woman, enjoyed them just as much. They left out any story with a Big Bad Wolf.

I think he would have always struggled a little with stories about friends going on adventures (The Famous Five/The Secret Seven, that sort of thing) - but have loved them the most. The idea of a group of friends going on adventures, solving mysteries was just... an impossible dream. Reading them was bittersweet.

For similar reasons - superhero stories didn't fully appeal. Someone having secret powers, or transforming, wearing a costume so nobody could recognize them... it just didn't hit for him. It felt a little sad that they had to hide themselves, too... that they had to work so hard just because they had a 'responsibility' to keep others safe.

With a dad whose job was studying non-beings, and probably took him out on adventures to find little Dark Creatures and such - He would have devoured non-fiction. Especially magical non-fiction. Seeing the world made him feel more connected with it - and he could talk to his dad about stuff when he was home.

He has a slight taste for the morbid, the dark, the spooky - it's what his life is after all. There's catharsis in engaging with terror when you're in control of it for once, when it is just a story. Spooky stories - as he got older, proper mysteries became his favourite. Agatha Christie is a beloved Muggle author and his mother jumped on the chance to introduce him, as cliche as that is. (It was something Albus picked up on - and shared with him. Agatha was just a little younger than him, and he was rather enamored with her publishing's as they were coming out - he has a personal collection of first editions.)

He stuck with mystery's as he got older, too - the best part about them was they were often about an unassuming hero, a simple detective or a lovely old lady, working largely on their own to do the right thing. Using their minds and never quite trusting anyone. THAT speaks to him far more than any superhero.

Muggle sci-fi could be fun, as could Spy novels... ...But his guilty pleasure, one that physically hurts him to read in the MOST bittersweet way, is romance. Romance and Porn. He rarely does it - it's embarrassing, for one thing - but he longs for connection... and the constant "Wife strangled her husband to death" of murder stories can get depressing.

Sometimes he wants to read about an awkward, stern but thoughtful guy falling for a simple, bubbly dame... he can experience a little bit of love and romance in his life, though he knows its impossible. Sometimes he also wants to read about a flock of Veela fucking the absolute brains out of an unsuspecting captured researcher, too.

With all the stereotypes of "Werewolf libido" (which are not true) he feels guilty engaging with his sexuality at all... stories about men being able to safely let go, lose control and be looked after are a weakness.

He was caught once reading a romance novel at school - and was teased for it by his friends. They'd all look at raunchy magazines together, they were teens. He pretended to be less interested. "Come on Moony - isn't it close to Full Moon? Where's your fire?!" Just another jeer he shook his head at... and worried whether or not the stereotypes were true. He should push it all down, just in case...

... I don't really see the 'classic literature' or 'Roman/Greek' angle. Why? To make him seem smart? He reads old plays from an ancient Muggle period - and 'the classics'...? What enjoyment does he get from that? Like where does that specifically piece into his character? I can see him enjoying some classics, and enjoying some Roman stuff, sure - but he never comes across as a history buff. He comes across as a lonely nerd.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

How do you kill a prophecy?

The Prophecy has arrived…and with her, war.

A prisoner caged within the walls of her own mind, the once-fierce assassin known as Shin Lina can do nothing but watch as a tide of blood and chaos sweeps across the Three Kingdoms. After all, Lina is the one who unleashed the malevolent Prophecy upon her world.

So many secrets. So many lies. And it’s all her fault.

Yet Haneul Rui—the immortal Dokkaebi Emperor who stole her heart—refuses to surrender. He alone leads the armies against the dangerous, serpentine Imugi. He alone wields his scorching fire atop blood-soaked battlefields, and he alone rallies his soldiers against a terrifying future of death and destruction.

Now the red thread of fate ties them all together in love and hatred—Rui, Lina, and the merciless Prophecy herself. And the more Lina fights against her destiny, the tighter the thread becomes.

For they are bound in both life and death; to wound one is to wound them all. To kill the Child of Venom is to kill them all.

And soon, not even the wrathful gods themselves can stop their inevitable ruin.

The Talons series is best enjoyed in order. Reading Order: Book #1 Last of the Talons Book #2 Wrath of the Talon Book #3 Reign of the Talon

Review:

The finale in a wonderful trilogy filled with secrets, devious gods, unbreakable prophecies, and the love that not even death can tear apart. Picking up where the previous books left off Shin Lina has become a prisoner inside her own body, grieving the loss of her younger sister and the hand her new husband has played in it... all the while the Prophecy, a parasite, has taken over her body and begun a bloody ruthless war. Hanuel Rui, the immortal Dookaebi Emperor and husband of Lina is determined to stop the war, but most of all to get his wife back. Hanuel still feels the connection to Lina but he knows that if he doesn't find a way to get her back in control of her body he will be forced to kill her. With devious gods plotting against them, with fate playing at them... and with so much heartbreak and pain, can Lina and Rui find a way to defy it all or will they be torn apart forever? I've loved this series from the first book to the last, it was a action packed, heart wrenching series that had me so excited for every single book. The romance was so beautifully plotted and the various relationships between the characters was well fleshed out. Lina and Rui both go through so much and grow so much from the first book. This story had romance but most of all it had the heart to show Lina forgiving herself, reclaiming herself, and fighting for herself. It's such a fantastic series and I truly will be recommending this for anyone who enjoys fantastic fantasy series that will stay with them long after they've finished reading it.

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[dinsbeskar]

Hi Amanda! Just coming from Ao3, I just loved your In the Darkness series. Ive been a casual LOTR fan forever and a classmate recommended ROP and I just fell in love with the series (and the worlds baby girl Sauron). I found your series and I really appreciate not only how well Sauron is written, but your ability to seamlessly incorporate a new character into the established universe. Nothing felt forced, and to see a soft side of Sauron was sweet, even for a character so caught up in trying to destroy middle earth. I guess in a messed up way, his love for his wife (no matter how twisted) was the only light he had left in his heart. I love that in the after life Sauron was like a sulking child on his throne. I did have one question for you, Amarië, how was she able to stay under the radar of so many foe's and groups thirsting for power? I know Sauron and her weren't exactly the most loud in terms of their devotion to each other in public (obv reasons in the beginning), but how commonly known was it that she was attached to Sauron? And even after the creation of the two rings, she was wandering around Middle Earth with it to undo as much destruction as she could. Was it Sauron's power in the ring that struck fear in those who could feel it and therefore she was left alone, or was it purely up her skill or luck that she avoided any injury or even death for so long? Thank you so much for publishing your work ❤️ I look forward to whatever you have in store!!!!

Hi!!! First off, your ask made me giddy, kicking my feet, so sweet 💜💜💜 thank you for all your lovely comments, they mean so much to me 💜💜💜

Literally, that's exactly how I saw it, as long as he still loved her, there was light (the tiniest sliver but still!)

Hahaha sulking child, honestly yeah lmao I couldn't imagine him taking defeat any other way 😂

So I was thinking, whenever I come back to it (bc I will), I'd expand on that, bc I did leave it vague.

The ring itself is only a little thing. The One Ring spends 99% of its time at the bottom of a river, or in the hands of 3 hobbits, one after the other. They are easily concealed. And if anyone did sense it, it probably did let her go untouched, like who's going to mess with that! And she used it for good when she did use it (sparingly, bc it too was treacherous, it was Sauron’s creation after all), so if anyone witnessed her, they'd have been grateful or fearful, but either way they're not spreading that. Who wants to get hexed by an Elf witch? 😂

My other thought was, the ages of Middle Earth are so long, and other than the Elves and the Ainur, no one else lives long enough to remember. Perhaps there's a whisper in the Orc ranks that their master once bedded an Elven witch, a rumour that she still wanders the land, but it's all hearsay and they have more pressing matters.

Sauron himself wouldn't want it known that the person who is literally bound to him in every which way had abandoned him, so unless he sent out legions to find her under some sort of ruse, I think he'd have kept her relatively under wraps (like he still cares about her, wants her back, and knows that chasing after her was only going to push her further away - so he visits psychically when she lets him lmao)

And the Elves probably would have kept her secret too, they wouldn't want it know that one of their own, especially someone they loved and trusted, had been involved with the enemy.

I reckon she stays fairly hidden like any other character does in LOTR, there's so many places to hide, she can use her magic to protect herself, and she's lived so long, she has skill and wisdom on her side.

Like I said, perhaps I'll expand properly, bc it is something I mused over a while.

Thank you again, this is so lovely, it made my day 💜💜💜

[dragon-swords-prophecies]

Writeblr Re-Intro, 4th Edition

Hi! I'm copper or dragon or whatever else you wanna call me. Minor, he/him preferred but they/them also works. My main is @copper-dragon-in-disguise. I'm queer & neurodivergent.

Asks and messages welcome! I might take a while to respond to them but I like them. I mostly write fantasy, and my current main WIP is a steampunk fantasy murder mystery called Herald At Dawn. I also have a few back burner WIPs, which are all below the cut. (also, these all have taglists, if you're interested i can add you to them!)

Post subject to updates at any time.

My WIPs:

Herald At Dawn (#wip: herald at dawn)

Synopsis: 11 years ago a woman named Marisol Ekker was murdered by the wife of her son's father, Evelyn Belmont. Despite evidence to the contrary, Evelyn Belmont was acquitted, and faced no punishment. Nearly a decade later, investigative reporter Alexandrina McLelland approached Marisol Ekker's son, Nathaniel--who was 12 at the time of her death--, to write an article about the corruption present in the case. Shortly after the article is published a string of murders begins, with no seeming rhyme or reason to connect the victims. But the timing seem suspect, and as the fallout of the articles publishing hits Nathaniel, more and more people keep dying, until the killer targets somebody much closer to home than Alex would've ever guessed.

Herald At Dawn was originally done for NaNo 2023 (I did a half nano, 25k not 50k), and its a steampunk murder mystery with a dash of fantasy. Set in a city called Volimere, it tells the story of the staff of a newspaper called The Clockwork Herald, and their adventures with a murder. The main POV character is Alexandrina McLelland (she/her), an investigative reporter. It's gay as fuck and also the first in what I intend to be a series!

Backburner WIPs:

Some context: The first three are all inspired by dnd characters/campaigns, and are in the same world/universe. The fourth is also in the same universe & dnd inspired, but it doesn't have a specific character attached to it.

Frost & Fire (#wip: frost & fire)

Synoposis: The death of an ancient primordial dragon brings the greatest (if not that well known) adventurers of the last centuries together. Enna Helder-Kromlin, half-Elf thief and contractor for the crown of Halmond, along with her sister, Anne, leader of the thieves guild Oleski. Anastrannia & Redari Galendel, twin half-Frost Dragon, half-Elves, one a shadow ranger and one a shadow sorcerer. They must work together, if not get along, to stop a evil dragon named Dizerdrat from trying to claim the power released by the death for himself, because if he does his could conquer the world—and would.

Frost & Fire is my original WIP, and I need to rework the plot a lot, but I still quite like it. Its about two twin half-elves named Anne (she/they) and Enna (any pronouns) Helder-Kromlin , and their efforts to stop a dragon from using magic (that he got from killing another, different dragon who was as old as time, pretty much) to conquer the world (this one particular continent, but despite the fact that they're spectacularly well traveled for half-elf orphans neither of them have ever actually left the continent, so its the world to them). Along the way they meet Anastrannia (she/they/ze) and Redari (they/he) Galendel, two siblings who have a lot of secrets and know a suspicious amount about dragons. This has a wip intro, though it isn't super current, but I'm linking it anyway.

One of Copper (#wip: one of copper)

Synopsis: The current god of death, Illa, came to power during a war between the gods a thousand years ago. A wizard is now trying to start another one, aiming to kill a god and take their place. Illa does not want to see another celestial war. She has no direct influence on the mortal plane, however, and so she outsources the quest to a ragtag group of heroes, when the original group of heroes sends back a memo saying that they're retired, and she can come down herself and make them go herself if she's so insistent.

One of Copper is about a bard named Kairon (he/they) and his friends, Ash (she/her, 60-something blacksmith), Joshua (he/him, quarter-elf fighter with minor nature magic and a massive crush), and Elas (they/them, elf sorcerer who is mildly (read: Very) cursed) & their adventures. Originally this was gonna be high fantasy, then it was gonna be lighthearted high fantasy, and now its gone in the exact opposite direction into high fantasy except much sadder than the original. Its about Death trying to stop a war between the gods that a wizard is trying to start, because the wizard wants to become one. (the goddess of death is called Illa. she's inspired by the Raven Queen in d&d).

UNNAMED, aka Enna's Prequel (PREV: Angel's Daughters) (#wip: ennas prequel)

By the time they were 19 years old, Enna and Anne Helder-Kromlin had been accused of murder once, imprisoned at least three times, and orphaned twice. By the time they were forty, those numbers would be changed to six, fourteen, and one, respectively. They had only ever actually committed four of the murders they were accused of, as Enna liked to remind people. Unfortunately, they had also been the targets of a blood feud, gotten kidnapped then almost killed by a necromancer, and twice had to go into hiding.

This is the backstory of Anne and Enna. Its set approx. 10-20 years before Frost & Fire, and it shows how they ended up where they are now, and their adventures. This is directly based off the original d&d campaign I played with Enna as my PC, and the main plot elements are a necromancer named Eleanor, a murdered brother, blood feuds (of a sort), and various other things. This is unnamed. It was previously called Angel's Daughters, but that rather spoiled the ending.

Silence and Secondhand Souls (#wip: silence and secondhand souls)

Fate is an interesting thing. Some doubt it even exists. Not me. Not anymore. Souls don’t rest until they’ve told their story, and I’ve got a long way to go yet. My friends are dead and so am I, haunting a narrative I never got a choice in. How exactly did that happen, you ask? Let me start at the beginning. Or the end, rather. I died when I was 21 years old.

Silence and Secondhand Souls is a first person POV story, narrated by Alexandra Rovenowa. She is dead. This is the story of how she died, set seventy years or so before Frost & Fire. It is also the story of how history likes to repeat itself, and how sending kids on quests for the sake of the world is bad, and of a kind Death, despite it all. (This is my most dramatic wip. Its a tragedy, and I really, really like it.) This does not have a current wip intro.

[kittystargen3]

Story Summary: Alternate Universe- What if Anakin's mother survived and Anakin never went dark side. Padme has the twins on Tatooine and survives. Anakin tries to help the surviving Jedi, while still keeping his family secret. Meanwhile Darth Sidious has been crowned emperor and is going after the remaining Jedi. Rumors have it he's looking for a new apprentice. Anakin gets to be a daddy.

I've published a 99th chapter to Return of the Survivors. Below is a small selection, but please do click on the links to read more.

Chapter 99 - Begging

“Angel Please,” Anakin begged.  If he was able to, he’d put down the commlink he was holding and bow before his wife’s holo.  He’d already explained to his wife about the risk to Tatooine, and sent a ship to pick them up.  His mother and step-family were already on their way out of the system.  

“Ani, this is the first time in all of its history an elected council has formed on Tatooine.  I can’t abandon it now.  We have massive evacuations to plan, and a refugee settlement to set up on Utaruun.  I have to make sure everyone gets transport offworld, even the Tuskens and poorer moisture farmers.  I will be there, once our work is finished.  I promise.”  Anakin nodded.  He knew his wife would try to get out, but he also knew she wouldn’t leave anyone behind either.  It was one of the reasons he loved her, but today, it made him worry.  He would worry until he got that message from the rebellion officers saying his wife was in transport offworld.  

“I understand.  Hurry, okay.” 

“Okay love,” Padme blew a kiss at the holo, and then with a blink, she vanished.  

Anakin ran to another room, and instructed the men who were working, “Tell me you have news.”  

“No sir, not yet.” 

Anakin had sent a team in to verify intelligence they were receiving from the rebellion, suggesting the Death Star 2.0 was unfinished, and still inoperable.  He sighed at the lack of news.  “Alright.”  It was looking like they were going to have to leave to attack it soon, even without the data.  Especially when an Imperial Flagship was detected on its way to Geonosis.  

The door opened and a gray-haired Obi-Wan walked in.  Anakin knew why he was there.  He left the men at their info-booth, and walked towards the Master.  “No news yet.  You have any luck?”  

Obi-Wan put on a very tight face, and responded.  “No.  Satine is determined to start a government on a soon to be dead world.”  

“Uh huh.  Padme too.  Well hopefully we will be able to do something about that soon.”...

[jkl-fff]

do you have any ocs please tell me about them in as much detail as you'd like

Since I'm working on a series I hope to publish one day, I do indeed have OCs. Nothing but OCs in that series. OCs for days and nights and some more days thereafter.

Since the series involves three sets of three characters (with interweaving plot points across a continent-spanning empire), we'd be here all day if I said as much as I'd like about each one. In fact, we'd be reading the book.So I'll give a quick summary: who they are, what they do, and why.

THE BOYS

Domwyn (21), a roving minstrel who goes from town to town performing for room and board and tips at inns. He was born with the rare ability to see and speak with spirits, which would see him condemned as a sorcerer if anyone found out. All he wants is to be free and safe, so he keeps wandering, reluctantly helping spirits when he must. At least, until a handsome abd ecxentric young man discovers his secret ...

Plow (23), a student of archaeology and history working on a doctorate project by excavating one of the many sites of ruins on the Continent. Finding out Domwyn can unlock a magic seal in them (because of his sorcerous abilities) is the most exciting discovery of the century (in his opinion), and he immediately dragoons Domwyn into being his ruin-exploring assistant. What world-shattering secrets will they discover?

Moose (36), Plow's cousin and a member of the local militia that protects the town from bandits and monstrous beasts. Currently, he's on off time and using it to make sure his cousin doesn't get himself eaten by a giant spider or something while geeking out over pottery shards and other artefacts. He'd much rather be playing with his daughter and making kissy faces with his wife, though.

THE LADIES

Maeve (23), Plow's twin sister and a secret agent working for the local princess against the continental empire. Her cover is that she's the lead of a famous performing troupe, which gets her invited into high society locales where she and her team can spy out gocernment secrets. One of the things she enjoys as much as performing ... is knitting. Oh, and also making love to the princess.

Sweets (24), a political hostage taken as a young girl to keep her noble father loyal to the empire, she was practically raised with Maeve and Plow. She now works as part of Maeve's performing and spy group to help both the local princess *and* her father's house ... and especially her best friend, Maeve. One of her talents is makeup and costume design, which makes her a competsnt master of disguise. She can and will kick a bitch through a wall if that bitch annoys her, though.

Agria (24), an aspiring knight, she's a member of the local milita receiving special training for leadership when recruited by Maeve to join her spy ring. Why? Because of her photographic memory, which would allow the spies to take information from documents without stealing them, leaving their targets none the wiser. She agrees to do this to win favor with the princess, advancing her career towards knighthood. She has some complicated religious beliefs.

THE ASSASSINS

Masque (?), a shapeshifting assassin who fears Death itself is after them, and the only way to keep Death from catching them is to offer up others (the more important and social upheaval inducing, the better). They're fascinated by their reluctant partners' weapons, and also their personalities, and also that neither one can leave because Masque has got all sorts of leverage!

Nomiv (20), a former militia recruit (basically cop) who accidentally got himself bonded to a sword capable of cutting through anything (even souls) while trying to apprehend Masque during an assassination of a government official. Now everyone thinks he died while betraying his government, and Masque is extorting him to help with further assassinations. He just wants to do good, but doesn't know what that means anymore as his simplistic, moralizing worldview shatters before him. And it doesn't help that the sword wants him to kill ...

Uma (31), a prisoner indentured out to a rich engineer now on the run after being framed for his murder. She pioneered a new type of firearm (a revolver with prepacked bullets instead of flintlock pistols) which could revolutionize warfare and neutralize the combat supremacy of mages if anyone else got their hands on it. But all she wants is to disappear somewhere she can continue her research in peace and freedom. Unfortunately, that'll be hard to do with the magic collar around her neck. If only someone could cut through it without killing her ...

THANKS SO MUCH!

[cassynite]

For Ophenia:

27. Has a chance encounter ever had an unexpected effect on them?

For Vonzi:

44. Who, if anyone, would they trust with their deepest secrets?

For Sparrow:

10. Do they have any regrets?

OOooh thank you so much for the good questions Dujour!! (I'm sorry I already got Sparrow's tho lol)

Openia: Has a chance encounter ever had an unexpected effect on them?

Yes, in fact! As I've touched on before, Ophenia's first wife's death devastated her pretty badly. One of the things she ended up doing towards the end of her life was write a novel where her wife was the protagonist; after she died, Ophenia had it published, but it wasn't a big hit or anything--much too sad, even with the hopeful ending Ophenia had given it because she couldn't bear to leave her wife in a story of tragedy. The book was more of a vanity thing, to get it in binding, than an actual attempt to make it marketable.

But it was sold, and a few years after Ophenia did it and was deep in a pretty long depression/detachment slump, she ended up running across someone who had, in fact, read it--a Forlorn elf who had seen his own lost spouse in the pages and who thanked Ophenia for giving him something that he could hold on to and cherish the rest of his days.

The interaction didn't last long; Ophenia hadn't felt terribly comfortable seeing someone who ultimately shared her fate of outliving everyone they loved. But it did cement the idea that, while those people died, the books she wrote about them would stay forever. She'd start writing her second novel shortly afterward, and her career started to flourish.

Vonzi: Who, if anyone, would they trust with their deepest secrets?

*Alicia Keys voice* No one, no one, no one~~~

Vonzi's deepest secrets stay where they belong, in a box she's got locked in the back of her mind and suppressed under fifteen layers of self-assurance. Why would she ever share those when she can just bury them and ignore it all until the day she dies?

Hypothetically, someone could get close enough that she'd be willing to divulge those secrets. But even then it would be difficult and not something she'd be able to talk about very often.

[historyhermann]

Spy x Family Season 2 Spoiler-Filled Review

Spy x Family is an action spy comedy based on Tatsuya Endo's manga. It is directed and written by Takahiro Harada. The first season aired in two cours / parts from April to December 2022. Kazuhiro Furuhashi directed and wrote that season. Wit Studio and CloverWorks produce this series. The latter studio is known for Akebi's Sailor Uniform, My Dress-Up Darling, In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki, and Bocchi the Rock!. The former studio produced Attack on Titan's first three seasons. As a warning, there will be discussion of blood, violence, death, murder, and other mature themes.

Spy x Family focuses on three people staying together as a family unit, each for their own reasons. Twilight (voiced by Takuya Eguchi) receives the top-secret mission, Operation Strix, from the Westphalia intelligence agency (otherwise known as WISE). They want to stop war from breaking out between the East and West by investigating reactionary political leader Donovan Desmond. Twilight lives in Berlint as a psychiatrist named Loid Forger. He's the patriarch of a mock family including himself, his wife, Yor Forger née Briar (voiced by Saori Hayami), and his adopted daughter, Anya (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki). He's unaware that Yor is secretly an assassin named Thorn Princess or that Anya is a telepath. They all live together, hiding their true identities from one another.

The first episode of this season, episode twenty-six, re-introduces viewers to the characters. This includes Bond (voiced by Kenichirō Matsuda), who can see the future, akin to Garnet's future-vision in Steven Universe. The opening is more aberrant and cartoony, differing from those for the two cours /parts of season one. I like the openings of those cours much better. This season opening gives the impression that this season will be wild and out of control. That somewhat pans out.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and my personal WordPress blog. This was the sixty-sixth article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on February 7, 2024.

There's no doubt that this season is more centered on female characters, especially Yor, than previous episodes. Surely, Anya has received a huge spotlight, leading to the nomination of her character as a "must protect at all costs" character during the Crunchyroll's Anime Awards this year. Anya's voice actor was also nominated for another award. However, Yor hasn't received as much of a spotlight. This season changes that. The season's first episode involves Yor and Loid going on a date after he notices her foul mood. In reality, a "bad person" shot her in the butt, while she was working as an assassin, and it hurts badly. Adding to the comedy, Anya and "Scruffy Head" (also called Franky), follow them.

This episode shows Yor and Anya's inner strength. For instance, Anya uses her telepathic powers to stop someone who wants to kill Yor. She makes a bomb out of peanuts, telling the assassin to go back to his normal life. Yor eats a poisonous blowfish but survives because she has a built-up immunity to poisons. As a result, she enjoys her time with Loid and wants to go out on more dates with him. The next day, Loid has no idea what's wrong. In reality, the medicine/poison has worn off and she feels terrible again, making him lament that he doesn't understand women. From the get-go, it was clear that Yor would get "her due" this season.

Spy x Family episodes after this focus on male characters. Bond figures out a way to stay alive. Damian Desmond (voiced by Natsumi Fujiwara) goes on a field trip with his classmates, and an instructor named Mr. Green (voiced by Hiroshi Shirokuma), to the wilderness. The latter resembled a scene from Laid-Back Camp, and reminded me of my days in Boy Scouts, including a trip to the Adirondacks. The twenty-eighth episode focuses on an operation against Franklin, who distributed underground newspapers, and spotlighted secret police officer Yuri Briar (voiced by Kensho Ono). Although he has been shown as harsh, Yuri tried to be compassionate. He agreed to give Franklin's father financial aid.

This series doesn't attempt to portray Yuri's work comedically. Rather, its shown negatively. Historically, both sides in the Cold War developed secret police forces. They were tasked with preventing the other side from overthrowing their government. Austin Murphy wrote in The Triumph of Evil: The Reality of the USA's Cold War Victory that East German secret police were tasked with protecting "government leaders and buildings...uncovering plots to overthrow the government, collecting information...and spying in the West." He described how political repression and secret police actions in Eastern Europe were exaggerated by the U.S. government and mainstream press. In this series, it does not go against this perception. The idea the East is "bad" and the West is "good" is ingrained in the plot. In this series, the Eastern secret police are brutal agents of repression, engaging in surveillance and harsh interrogation.

Yuri is determined to track down Twilight. He is not aware that Twilight is married to his sister, Yor, as Loid. Even so, he is angry at Loid, due to his obsession with his sister. Anya dislikes him. Otherwise, there's a scenario from an episode of the in-series show, Bondman. Bondman creates a harem of eight women. He declares he'll make all these women like him. Fissures form. Some women are angry at not getting enough attention from him and the harem breaks apart. After Anya asks him about it, Loid rejects Bondman's actions, which echo polyamorous relationships. He say that Bondman was only being "gentlemanly" and hints that he doesn't like the idea of relationships with multiple people. I would say it is more about respecting other people rather than a statement against polyamory and favoring monogamous relationships.

I'd forgotten how many slice-of-life moments are in Spy x Family before an arc which compromises almost half the season. Anya rides on a silly polar bear machine. Loid realizes he doesn't understand the children's minds. Anya is determined to get legendary pastries from the Eden College pastry chef. Perhaps hinting at the future, Anya cries in front of Damian. He loses the game of Old Maid, as a result. She gets a macron, following her failed efforts to be a "cool liar" and almost being exposed for being a mind-reader.

One of my favorite slice-of-life moments is where Franky Franklin (voiced by Hiroyuki Yoshino) and Yor work together to find a cat named Kopi. Kacey (voiced by Marie Ôi), a girl who works at a nearby cafe, owns the cat. This scene artfully combines combination of humor, technology, and action. Franky develops cat-shaped listening devices which cats destroy, and a device which shoots out catnip pheromones, which work too well. In the end, Franky is disappointed. Kacey has a partner named Mark. Yor is glad she helped Franky. This fades away when she's called into a room to answer a call from her boss-of-sorts. She learns about another assassin mission.

Episodes 30-34, and part of 35, comprise the cruise liner arc. It is perhaps one of the best Spy x Family arcs due to the focus on Yor, something severely lacking in the series up to this point. Apart from episode 26, Yor had been treated as a secondary character among the protagonists. This echoed Oshi no Ko. That series centers around the perspective of Aquamarine "Aqua" Hoshino. Female perspectives are downplayed. Some critics raised the same issue about Helluva Boss.

The latter is curious. Hazbin Hotel, also created by Vivienne Medrano, centers on female characters. This raises the question as to why more wasn't done in Helluva Boss. Medrano defended this decision in a Twitter thread. She said "Hazbin has always had a heavier emphasis on women led stories, so Helluva has steered more towards male-led stories." She added even with such storytelling, she still loved female characters in the series.

Coming back to Spy x Family, the arc started off strong. Yor meets her aforementioned boss-of-sorts, known as the Shopkeeper (voiced by Junichi Suwabe). She receives her mission: protecting someone seeking asylum in the East. Her mission is complicated when she learns that Anya and Loid have tickets on the same luxury cruise ship, the Princess Lorelei. It is in-character for Anya to be excited for the cruise and then be disappointed once she entered the living quarters.

Yor protects Olka (voiced by Aya Endō), her son Gram (voiced by Marie Ôi), and Olka's husband, Zeb (voiced by Shinya Takahashi). Olka and Zeb have shared wartime experiences. Olka gave Zeb a piece of bread when he was starving which brought them closer together. Assassins threaten Yor and her clients. Some even bug the entire vessel.

The episode that follows involves Yor fighting off an assassin, masquerading as someone providing room service. She;s assisted by Matthew McMahon (voiced by Kenyū Horiuchi), the director. Loid notices wiretaps and tries to avoid suspicious characters. At the same time, there's a substory between Loid and Anya. She tries to ensure that assassins don't try to kill or attack Yor and attempts to distract Loid. In the process, Yor and the Director use brutal tactics to defend their clients (Olka, her husband, and son). This includes Yor killing someone with a button and another with her hand strength, while the Director throws an assassin into the water.

The thirty-second, thirty-third, and thirty-fourth episodes of Spy x Family give more depth to Yor. This mixes with Franky realizing that he can "pick up" women with Bond and Anya continuing to distract Loid in one way or another. In the process, she ends up enjoying mini-golf, going on roller-skates, attending a play, and so on, rather than thinking about helping Yor. She realizes that she is worrying Loid and notes that she misses Yor. In response, Loid says he will leave a message to let them know when Yor is free.

These episodes feature some of the most brutal fights for Yor, which she wins. Anya assists her. She convinces people that Yor is only a circus performer. As a result, assassin becomes distracted and Yor leaves victorious. She kills other assassins through various means. Blood, violence, murder, and death in this episode make clear that this series is for adults.

Yor's battles against assassins is some of the best action sequences in the entire series. The flowing animation fits well with the music and voice acting, all while she begins to question what she is fighting for. At one point, she gets cornered. She contemplates what would happen if she died. She remembers why she took on the job as assassin: to protect the simple life of her brother, Yuri. To fulfill that mission, she vows to "thoroughly clean" the world and ensure Loid acknowledges her.

She doesn't give up. Using her strong kick, she lurches the enemy assassin backward and kills him. This episode, the thirty-fourth in the series, is shorter than others. It provides appropriate context for Yuri becoming sick that his sister isn't around. As he drinks terrible herbal tea, he remembers when Yor went to extreme lengths so he would feel better. This led to determination to make the world gentler for her. This goal echoes what she is trying to accomplish as an assassin.

The thirty-fourth episode of Spy x Family is the final one entirely focused on this arc. The stakes are higher than before. Yor is determined to defend Olka and her family, who were formerly part of the Mafia, and attempting to defect. The fireworks distracts everyone from the bloody battle. Anya unknowingly saves all the passengers by giving hints to Loid and finding Yor's weapon. Loid disarms the bombs on board, one of which unintentionally kills two assassins.

Yor is unsure how her weapon got there, not aware that Anya is her unstated accomplice. But, she's glad that her fight is over. Loid hints at possible tensions to come: a group of miscreants attempt to destroy the vessel using bombs resembling those from the West. They hope war will break out, again, causing weapons sales to skyrocket. Loid's quick thinking, and clues from Anya, ensure that all the bombs are found and disarmed. One bomb causes two extremists to be knocked into the water and be eaten by sharks.

Yor's victory not only benefits the Garden, the "extremist terrorist group" she is part of, but Olka. She thanks Yor and hopes that her family, some day, can have true peace. Yor gets permission to meet with Loid and Anya. Loid is tired and annoyed he put his family aside. Yor does medical care on herself. The arc doesn't end until the next episode, in which they them relax on Resort Island. Yor attempts to hide her injuries, even while they go snorkeling, go to a cafe, ride a tandem bike, ride a zip-line, ride hoses, build sand castles, or do spelunking. Through all of this, they enjoy themselves. After everything they have been through in Spy x Family up to this point, it is only right they get to relax.

After Yor and Anya conk out, Loid carries them both in a double princess carry. Following this, they return home, and Bond greets them. Loid tells his boss about what happened on the cruise ship, noting that some suspicious people were aboard. His boss reveals that the State Security Service is covering up what happened and says they will keep an eye on Ostanian "extremists." Funny enough, Loid says that after everything Anya put him through, he has had enough vacations. He describes it as more backbreaking than his usual missions, making clear the challenges of being a parent (albeit of an adopted child).

Although this arc is enjoyable, I'm doubtful there will be another Yor-centered arc in Spy x Family. In the second half of the episode, which ended the arc, Yor attempts to give her co-workers skeleton keychains, an idea they are lukewarm to. Loid prepares the apartment for Yuri's arrival. Anya attempts to brag about her cruise ship visit. However, this is a magnificent failure. This is a "normal thing" for students at this elite private school. Everyone makes fun of her. She attempts to lie about it but this does not work. They all commiserate, with Loid, Yuri, and Yor absurdly telling Anya that liars are terrible, even though they are all lying. Anya responds, saying that lying is too much work and that she isn't going to do it anymore.

Following the end of this arc, there are stories which focus on two female characters: Becky Blackbell (voiced by Emiri Katō) and Nightfall / Fiona Frost (voiced by Ayane Sakura). For the first of these characters, Becky attempts to use "lessons" she learned from Berlint in Love to express her "love" for Loid. It's an expression of her privileged mindset. Whether this obsession is a stand-in for fans who like Loid or male anime characters, I'm not sure.

A possible second cour / part of this season, could expand upon her assistant, who Loid remarked carries herself like a soldier. It is typical for Becky to think that Loid is acting sweet toward her, when he is being nice only because he sees her as a good source of information, knowing that the Blackbell family runs an arms manufacturing business. They are "masters of war" as Bob Dylan once described such people. Of all of them, Yor realizes that Becky is happy to meet Loid, who is wary of Becky.

The episode has some of the worst misunderstandings I've seen in a while. Yor jumps to the wild conclusion that she put alcohol in Becky's drink, not realizing that Becky is fawning over Loid, and rushes her to the hospital. Becky ends up clearing everything up. But, Yor isn't angry with her. She appreciates that Loid is loved. She tells Becky that Loid chose her because she is strong. This leads to another misunderstanding, on Becky's part: that Loid prefers strong women.

She tries to use a hammer to hit a pan, and ring a bell, a common game used to test someone's strength. This is another failure for Becky because the hammer is too heavy. Yor uses it, gets first place, and breaks the machine, because she can't control her strength. Becky realizes that she isn't a match for Yor and offers to become her apprentice. Yor happily agrees.

For the first time in the season, Nightfall appears. She's still deeply in love with Loid. The Handler / Sylvia Sherwood (voiced by Yūko Kaida) warns her to not push herself too hard. Her missions are aptly interspliced with Loid and his family on vacation. She perfectly executes all the missions that Loid would have been tasked with if he wasn't on the cruise ship.

Once again, she plays the role of the romantic interloper. She's determined to take the role of Loid's wife, wanting to achieve "complete victory," even going through intense training. After Loid returns, she tries to ask if Operation Strix has changed and he tells her no. He does not tell her what happened on the cruise ship. She is overjoyed to receive a gift from Loid. He gave it to her in appreciation for all the hard work she did while he was gone. Although she doesn't know that, she skips happily.

In some ways, Nightfall shares a similar obsession to Yor's brother, Yuri. She isn't the most sympathetic, considering the fact she wants to split apart the burgeoning romance between Yor and Loid, by claiming Loid as her "prize." In reality, Loid has no feelings for her whatsoever. He only sees her as a diligent and skilled agent. Undoubtedly, she is dedicated. She works hard for the same goals as Loid. It remains to be seen if he will shatter her love for him.

The final episode of this Spy x Family cour centers on Bond. He tries to use his future-vision for good, causing problems at first, at least until he runs into a burning building and saves a pug dog named Daisy, with the help of Loid. Both escape and stop the man who set the fire. It is revealed that Bond is actually very skinny. His fur makes him look more puffy.

Loid is proud of Bond, although annoyed he bit the arsonist in the wrong place (the leg rather than the arm). He says the top priority is making Bond feel he is part of the Forgers, with his training taking a back seat. He promises to bring him to a dog park the next day. Later, Anya gives him and Bond fake Stella starts. Loid wants Anya to get real Stellas.

The episode ends with Damian studying and getting in a pillow fight with his dorm mates, Becky posing with her dog and trying on new clothes, Yuri eating his sister's terrible cooking in which he sprays blood, Nightfall practicing her shooting with Loid's photo in the middle, and the Forgers having a nice meal together. It says "see you next Mission" at the end. This episode is the last one for a while. The next cour is reportedly coming in October of this year. The movie, Spy x Family Code: White, released in Japanese theaters last year. It will release in theaters, and on streaming services (like Crunchyroll) sometime this year. A date has not been announced.

It is worth noting that manga artist Tatsuya Endo, who created the original Spy x Family series (for which this anime adaptation is based) has worked on manga series since 2000. While this has, primarily, included one-shots such as Blade of the Moon Princess and I Spy, there has also been serialized stories such as the action-thriller, Tista. He has been created as an illustrator for three books. Spy x Family is the first of his manga to receive an anime adaptation.

Endo is said to create well thought-out characters. Some say he writes stories which indicate negative or positive shifts in psychological states of characters. This translates into this anime. Anya, Loid, and Yor are more than they seem on the surface. Each one is trying to hide their true identities, either as a telepath, spy, or assassin. This is partially what drew them all together, and keeps them as a family, with each of them acting the part. As Jaques, an exiled noble, famously stated in William Shakespeare's 1516 pastoral comedy, As You Like It, "all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

(K)now_Name, a J-pop music group, composed the show's music. Comprised of three vocalists, seven composers, and one illustrator, (K)now_Name also produced opening and ending themes for Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Sakura Quest, Fairy Gone, and Dorohedoro. The group did the theme song of Quiz RPG: The World of Mystic Wiz too. The music in this series earned the series some nominations, for various songs, in the recent anime awards hosted by Crunchyroll.

The English dub and Japanese voice actors enhance these aspects. Takuya Eguchi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Saori Hayami, and Kenichirō Matsuda, who voice the four protagonists, are emblematic of this. Eguhi voiced Kazuya Kujo in Gosick, Julius Euclius in Re:Zero, and Byakudanji Tsubaki in My Master Has No Tail. Tanezaki voiced Mizore Yoroizuka in Sound! Euphonium Season 2, Rio Futaba in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Sajuna Inui in My Dress-Up Darling, Eiko Kikuchi in Shine Post, Gyokuyō in The Apothecary Diaries, Serina Yoshida in The Dangers in My Heart, and Iroha Inukai / Cure Friendy in Wonderful PreCure! (currently airing).

In addition, Hayami voiced Chizuka Nishikigi in Whispered Words, Mylene Certon in Bodacious Space Pirates, Midori Aoyama in Is the Order a Rabbit?, Yuzuki Shiraishi in A Place Further than the Universe, and Viola Cadaverini in Ace Attorney. She also voiced Maria Campbell in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Ruby Rose in RWBY: Ice Queendom, Inori in Shy, and Charlotte Evans in I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness.

Matsuda voiced characters in Pluto, Tearmoon Empire, and Chainsaw Man. Hiroyuki Yoshino, Yūko Kaida, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Natsumi Fujiwara, Emiri Katō, Kensho Ono, Ayane Sakura, Umeka Shōji, Manaka Iwami, and Junichi Suwabe are just as talented. Yoshino voiced Masaaki Ohyama in Azumanga Daioh, Shakti in Carole & Tuesday, and Jaron Fate in Metallic Rouge (currently airing). Kaida voiced Minako Tsukiyama in Maria Watches Over Us, Amane Ootori in Strawberry Panic!, Nanette in Emma: A Victorian Romance, Sakura Muroi in Stars Align, Seira Amawashi in Birdie Wing, and Flare in The Executioner and Her Way of Life. Adding to this, Yamaji, Shoji, and Iwami voice many characters across anime.

Ono voiced Mikazuki Subaru in My Roommate is a Cat and Fujiwara voiced Yozora in the absurdist Too Cute Crisis. Katō voiced Himari Uehara in BanG Dream! seasons two and three. At the same time, Sakura voiced Alisa Ayase in Love Live! School Idol Project, Natsumi Koshigaya in Non Non Biyori, Cocoa Hoto in Is the Order a Rabbit?, Ran Mitake in BanG Dream!, and Kurei in Do it Yourself!!. Iwami has many roles under her belt, as of late. This includes Akane Kurokawa in Oshi no Ko, Euphyllia Magenta in The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, Kokona Ōtori in World Dai Star, and Sakuna Memoir in The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess. 

Presently, English dubs for most second season episodes are on Crunchyroll, but not on Disney+ (with Hulu Bundle) or Hulu as of yet. I plan to watch the dubbed episodes like I did with season one. Although I enjoyed watching this series, I wish the cruise ship arc had been longer. More episodes focusing on female characters, particularly Yor, would be great.

For that reason, and the fact the story too easily falls into the East (bad) / West (good) dichotomy, I am rating the story section lower than in my first season review. In that review, I was far too charitable when it came to storytelling issues. While saying this, I look forward to what the second season and film has to bring. I hope for more stories centered on female characters, like Yor, Anya, Becky, and Nightfall, in the future.

Spy x Family is streaming on Hulu, Disney+ (with Hulu Bundle), and Crunchyroll. Misordered episodes can be purchased on Prime Video. Also, you can order the Blu-ray or DVD for the series from the Crunchyroll Store.

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