#gil watches blossom

[therukurals]

know that after episode 23 i will be making a set of dou zhao with monaleo lyrics

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

Freudian Symbolism: Sauron x Galadriel in Season 2 of "Rings of Power"

After my post about the same theme in Season 1, I would like to analyze the Freudian symbolism and symbolic sex devices of Season 2, concerning Sauron and Galadriel situationship.

In Season 1, the overall Freudian symbolic theme between these two characters was the open sea (infinite freedom, moral ambiguity, sexual exploration), the dagger (phallic symbol) and the pouch (clitoral symbol), and the interaction between these symbols, which indicates sexual intercourse.

“Touch the darkness once more” and “You bind me to the light”.

Virginity on Trial

On my post about Season 1, I explored the connection between Galadriel’s character and Joan of Arc, in 1x01. Joan’s trial and execution mirrored Galadriel's "sentence" to return to Valinor. And as I’ve mentioned on the same post, Joan’s virginity was also put to trial and examined, twice.

In 2x01, once Galadriel arrives to Lindon, she’s escorted by soldiers to meet with High King Gil-galad. This is very evocative of an arrest and being brought to trial before the authority of the Church/Noldor, like Joan of Arc herself.

And right from the start, she’s judged by Elrond and deemed guilty. She’s not a virgin, she engaged in sexual acts.

Gil-galad is more inclined to give Galadriel the benefit of the doubt. He, too, judges her, but is still weighing whether she’s guilty or not.

And so, symbolically, Galadriel’s character arc with the Elves in Season 2, is a trial to prove her virginity, mirroring Joan of Arc.

And by the end of the Season, it appears the roles of her judges are reverse (although we can only know for sure in Season 3): Elrond absolved her of her accusations, while Gil-galad is the one who’s not convinced of her innocence.

“Are They Not the Seeds you Planted?”

In Season 2, the open sea symbolic theme of Season 1 is replaced by the garden. And the dagger was now transformed into a ring, Nenya, the “Ring of Water” which will cause sea-longing on Galadriel, on the long term. These symbolic themes are connected.

Galadriel starts Season 2, consumed by regret, shame and guilt.

While the raft was symbolic for Sauron’s sexual domain in Season 1, the garden represents Galadriel’s sexual realm in Season 2. In Freudian symbolism, natural scenery is a representation of the female genitals, especially a garden. Fruits are evocative of breasts, and flowers and blossoms represent not only the vagina, but virginity.

Gardens also express an unconscious desire to return to one’s mother. In Galadriel’s case, in 2x02, she’s planting flowers at the feet of her brother’s effigy: the character we saw acting as a symbolic mother to her character in 1x01. On a subtextual level, Galadriel is expressing her desire to uphold her previous chastity vow (virginity) and hunt for Sauron (the same vow she made her brother thousands of years prior).

And like the raft design was evocative of phallic imagery (penis); this tomb is filled with clitoral symbolism. Its shape is reminiscent of female genitals, and its flowers are in full bloom, a omen of fertility and sex acts consummated. Only these particular flowers (and we’ll see) are connected to death and the Underworld.

In this scene, Galadriel is following the Elven tradition of planting alfirin seeds; which, according to Arondir in 1x06, it’s Elven tradition to plan them before a battle begins. “New life, in defiance of death”; like Adar and Bronwyn say. And it’s connected to Yavanna, like Arondir also tells the audience: “It is believed that one of the Valar watches over growing things... And those who tend them. The rest... we shall plant after the battle is over. In a new garden. You and I.”

Alfirin flowers are connected with death, because in the legendarium they grow on the tombs of Men. In Letter 312, Tolkien describes them as “an immortelle, but not dry and papery: simply a beautiful bell-like flower, running through many colours, but soft and gentle”. These flowers do not wither, and some Tolkien scholars have noticed the similarities of the word with Ancient Greek, and the connection with the Underworld and the Elysian Fields (the final resting place of the heroic and virtuous in Greek mythology).

And as Galadriel symbolically returns to her chastity vow, the object of her sexual shame makes an appearance in her garden, her symbolic sexual realm. And she’s terrified by these visions. Sauron is sharing her masterplan of the rings of power with her, yes, but on a symbolic level this is Galadriel scared, not only, of her own sexuality, but of her sexual past, which is now being judged by the Elves.

Sauron wrecks the seeds/flowers Galadriel planted and taunts her via Celebrimbor “Are they not the seeds you planted?” when the vines slither towards them like snakes.

This red is also reminiscent from her opening scene in 1x07, when Galadriel awakes from the volcano eruption in the Southlands, and the first thing she does is to touch her womb, and then look for Halbrand.

Symbolically, Sauron is destroying Galadriel’s vow of chastity, and deflowering her, in 2x02. And taunting her with loss of virginity, too. He’s talking in the past tense, quite literally. He’s rubbing her symbolic shame on her face, like he will do, again, in 2x08.

Like the raft scene from 1x02, the garden scene from 2x02 will echo in Sauron and Galadriel’s reunion in Season 2 finale; when Sauron literally presents himself as a symbolic snake, paralleling the Temptation and Fall of Eve/Galadriel. Snakes are phallic symbols, representing sexuality, temptation, and erection; and also repressed sexual desires.

She reunites with Sauron at the top of a hill, and their scene will culminate near a cliff. In Freudian symbolism, mountains and cliffs are phallic symbols. Galadriel entered Sauron’s sexual domain, again. They are fighting, there are swords (phallic symbol) and a crown (clitoral symbol), they pass under ruins (and every space that can be filled is a symbol for female genitalia in Freud theory). Their scene in 2x08 is filled with symbolic sexual acts.

In 2x01, Galadriel was also on top of a cliff with Gil-galad and Elrond, where she symbolically had her sexuality shamed and her virginity questioned.

There is a very interesting symbolism happening here: while with the Elves, Galadriel’s sexuality is castrated, shamed and has to be contained (which is very fitting with the Eldar purity culture), with Sauron, the opposite is true; he offers her infinite freedom of self and raw sexuality. And this sexuality is dangerous, unpredictable and aggressive. What the Elves want to restrain in Galadriel, Sauron wants to unleash. Which makes total sense with the demon he is.

And so, symbolically, Galadriel and Sauron’s scene in 2x08, is about her accepting her own sexuality and their shared sexual past, that she wants to keep hidden from the Elves. But Galadriel refuses to acknowledge what happened between them in Season 1. It wasn't real, she was deceived.

Symbolical penetrative sex right on her face.

And Sauron gives her a visible mark of what they did, by making her bleed again, by penetration. And this also echoes with the vision from 2x02, where the scene is tainted in red, the color of Galadriel’s blood.

Sauron forcefully binds them together, using the iron crown (clitorical symbol) Morgoth forged to hold the Silmarils, and for everyone on Middle-earth to know they belonged to him. Paralleling this, Sauron wants everyone on Middle-earth to know Galadriel belongs to him, too.

Finrod’s Dagger and Nenya

In Freudian symbolism, rings are clitoral symbols, too. They represent female genitalia, but also marriage. In Season 1, Galadriel carried her brother’s dagger (phallic symbol), which was melted down to create the Three Elven rings of power in 1x08. Symbolically, a penis (dagger) was transformed by fire to create three vaginas (rings).

But this symbolism is more true to Galadriel because she was the previous owner of the dagger, and it was a symbol for her chastity vow in Season 1. Now, the phallic symbol she carried was transformed by fire (Sauron) into a clitoral symbol, who’s representative of herself. Her sexuality was forever transformed by Sauron in Season 1. Symbolically, Nenya represents Galadriel’s new and transformed sexuality. She’s not longer the symbolic Joan of Arc of 1x01. She’s no longer a virgin. Sauron took her virginity.

And this is what Sauron wants when he demands for Nenya (a clitorical symbol), in 2x08. Symbolically, he wants Galadriel herself and her sexuality, again. And he wants her to give it to him freely and willingly, otherwise he would have just snatched the ring from her (sexual assault).

But marriage rings are not only a symbolic expressions of love, they are a stamp of ownership, too; which resonates with the rings of power masterplan, which is something Tolkien scholars who study the legendarium via Freudian symbolism have already noticed.

There’s also a very evident sexual innuendo happening when rings are placed on the finger. Galadriel, herself, touches Nenya several times in Season 2, as it’s usually in connection with Sauron.

At the end of 2x08, Galadriel refuses to give Sauron her sexuality (Nenya), and jumps off the cliff, escaping his sexual domain and paralleling Elrond in 2x01; symbolically she’s embracing her chastity vow and the Eldar purity culture. She chooses death, over her own sexual impulses and desires. She sacrifices her sexuality for the greater good.

And she awakes from her healing (rebirth) dressed in white, a metaphorical virgin, evocative of Joan of Arc, again. She emerged from her trial by the Elves triumphant, and they accepted that she is, indeed, a virgin.

However, her sexual shame and dirty secret is now visible on her body, and always will be (since this wound is mirroring Frodo’s). She’s not a metaphorical virgin, her sexuality has already been transformed by Sauron, in Season 1. And now, she has a physical mark to prove it, so she can no longer hide or run from it, like she spent all Season 2 doing.

[kitcat22]

There is a crib in the topmost tower of Himring.

The wood it is made of is polished and has elegant designs carves into it, small birds taking flight, flowers blossoming, the stars and the two trees all engraved. It truly is a fine piece, Feanor would have nothing less for his first child.

This was not the first time Fingon had seen it. He had first laid eyes upon it after being shoved into a storage closet in Feanor and Nerdanel’s townhouse in central Tirion after Maitimo’s parents had returned early from their date. The second time it had been in use by a small infant Tyelpe who was swaddled in blankets and pillows and attempted to pull on Fingon’s braids.

Seeing the crib again was would not be all that unusual. It was a family heirloom dearly held in his half uncle’s heart, it made sense it would be taken to Middle Earth.

Except that instead of being in an old storage room collecting dust or even in Tyelpe’s possession, as the youngest member of the House of Feanor, the Crib stood tall and beautiful against the wall in the small room connected to Maedhros’ bed chambers.

He walks closer to it, slowly and carefully as though something terrible may by hiding in it. Something terrible may indeed be hiding in it if Fingon’s suspicions are correct. Rarely is the truth kind but Fingon must know. He must know. It does not matter that the very thought causes his heart to seize in pain and his stomach to shift uneasily. He came here to Himring, the only part of Beleriand to not sink to the depths of the ocean, on a mission and he will not leave until he has the answers he seeks.

The small room, no, the nursery, has been very well preserved despite its age and the thick grey dust that makes a sheet over every object. Tapestries hang from the walls depicting scenes from fairytales that Fingon remembers being read in his own youth. The windows are tall and the curtains are light and flowing. Inside the crib are several different toys, a large fabric horse with actual horse hair sewn on it. A bunny with long ears one of which stand ramrod straight and the other which flops forward. A wooden figurine that looks a lot like Feanor. There are blankets too, rich luxurious things likely worth a fortune on their own in the war torn age of their making. It is the red blanket with a name embroidered in gold that attracts his attention the most.

Ereinion Gil-galad.

Any doubt is cast from his mind and Fingon falls forward onto his knees with a cry.

He had not believed the rumours at first, had thought the boy king a liar and a fraud had wanted to confront him as soon as he was released from Mandos but the gossips had been right. Gil Galad was his son.

Not only his son though. He pictured Maedhros, miserable and grieving, watching in the mirror as his stomach grew round with a child neither of them had expected. His eyes stung with tears that would not fall.

He had a child. He had a child. He had a child.

And his child had been dead for millennia.

The tears fell.

[queen-dahlia]

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲?

Note: Translation is not 100% accurate. Expect grammatical errors.

// : alternate translation | ⫘⫘ : flashback

I want to apologize for one thing to the rabbit who became a child.   //   There is one thing I would like to apologize to the little rabbit who has become a child.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Gilbert: "What are you doing here?"

Tough Guy: "Ah, I’m sure this has nothing to do with you, but stay back, you idiot!"

Gilbert: "What? It's creepy to stare at me."

Gilbert: "Can I crush your eyes?"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

I thought I was being careful at the time, but I let out murderous intent.

The feeling of the baby rabbit trembling in my arms is still fresh in my mind.

Gilbert: "Emma, please."

Emma: "Wow, sparkles!"

Emma's little hands hold the suncatcher she just bought.

It was made from a collection of colorful gemstones, which scattered light around it through the sunlight.

Emma: "Are you sure?"

Gilbert: "Of course. I'm happy if the little rabbit is happy too.''

Emma: "Thank you. I will make it my treasure!"

Emma was so pleased with the "sparkles" that she wouldn't take her eyes off them.

It's not an uncommon commodity at ore festivals, but for Emma, it doesn't seem to matter.   //   It's not an uncommon item at an ore festival, but that doesn't seem to matter to Emma.

(You don't seem to be forcing yourself to be happy.)

(I hope that the scary memory from earlier will fade away soon...)

Gilbert: "Emma, there's a delicious sweet shop over there."

Emma: "Sweets!"

Gilbert: "Do you want some?"

Emma: "I want to eat!"

Gilbert: "Let's go, then."

I hold Emma's hand, still distracted by the suncatcher, and start walking away.

As I was about to head to the candy shop I wanted to visit, I felt a small resistance.

I stopped my steps and followed the gaze of those round eyes.

Before I knew it, she was staring at a small park in a corner of the city.

In a park that has only recently been developed using national funds,

Children about the same age as Emma are now playing happily.

(Is she… tempted to get in there?)

If it is an adult Emma, I would not let her get involved with people as much as possible because of jealousy, but I have no intention of tying her up as a child.

Perhaps it was because I had very different feelings about (little) Emma than I did about the adult Emma, but I was willing to be forgiving now.

Gilbert: "Go ahead."

Emma huffs as I let go of her hand.   //   When I let go of her hand, Emma gasped.

Emma: "What about Gil?"

Gilbert: "I'll wait here for you."

Emma: "Are you just waiting?"

Gilbert: "Then I'll watch the little rabbit play all day long."

Gilbert: "If you look like you’re having fun, I’m having fun too."

Emma: "…"

Emma's gaze keeps going back and forth between me and the park.

After making a pretense of hesitation, a small hand grasped my cold fingers.

Emma: "I knew it."   //   "As I thought."

Gilbert: "Why?"

Emma: "Because I wanted to be with Gil."

Gilbert: "It's written all over your face that you want to play with those kids."

Emma: "That's not true!"

Gilbert: "I know a liar when I see one."

Emma: "Then I'll play with Gil!"

Emma puffs out her cheeks and starts walking, pulling me by the hand.

The destination seemed to be in the park, and when I stopped in front of a swing, she asked me to sit down with her gaze.

Gilbert: "Maybe you'd have more fun playing with the other kids than me?"

Emma: "It's much more fun with Gil!"

(Did you care about me?)

(No, no matter how Emma is, she's still a child, so I can't believe that.)

When I give up and sit on the swing, Emma jumps onto my lap.

(... I can't help it.)

When I swung Emma slowly so she wouldn't fall, her innocent face blossomed. **

Emma: "Gil, more, more!"

Gilbert: "Emma has courage, doesn’t she?"

I kick the ground, thinking about my physical strength and trying to live up to expectations because I have been hoped for.   //   Since I was expected to, I tried to live up to her expectations and kicked the ground while thinking about my physical strength.

Although Emma was innocently enjoying herself, there was something smoldering in her chest.

══════════════════

Emma: "Sparkle... sparkle..."

Back at the Imperial Castle, Emma never gets tired of looking at the suncatchers.

I could even hear what sounded like singing and could tell what kind of mood she was in.

Gilbert: "Do you like it that much?"

When I sat down a little further away and asked, Emma turned around quickly.

Emma: "Yeah! It's so beautiful."

Emma: "And you know what, those sparkles... they're just like Gil's eyes!"

A small finger indicated a red gemstone that stood out among the suncatchers made of multiple gems.

(Speaking of...)

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Emma: "But you know what sparkles the most?"

Gilbert: "Oh, isn't that a gem?"

Emma: "Nope!"

Emma: "Gil's red eye is the most sparkling and beautiful."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

I chuckle at the memory.

Gilbert: "I wonder if my eye sparkles that much."

Emma: "Yeah, it sparkles. But you know..."

Emma: "Sometimes the sparkle just disappears."

Gilbert: "Disappear?"

Emma nods, releases her hand from the suncatcher, and runs over on her little feet.

And then she tugged at my clothes and tilted my face as if listening to a secret conversation.

Emma: "You know, you know."

Emma: "When Gil isn't sparkling, he looks lonely."

little Emma is talking about Gil's eye here.

Gilbert: "…"

(... It's my first time hearing that.)

(Yeah, but... maybe it's the difference between keeping your eyes down or not.)

Adults and children alike always look up when Emma is around.

I can't take my eyes off Emma, and when the sunlight hits her, her eyes may seem to sparkle.

(But I don't really pay much attention to the others.)

Of course, it's not like I haven't seen it at all, but I'm not interested.

I've never been conscious of it, but I seem to spend more time with my eyes downcast.

(Emma, as a child, is really watching closely.)

As I admire her, Emma raises her hands up.

When I picked her up, she looked like she was in a "hold me" pose, but when I picked her up, her little hands grabbed the fluff (of the cape) firmly—

Emma: "See, it's still sparkling."

Emma: "Sparkling like jewels!"

Her innocent eyes peered into my face, and my cheeks unconsciously relaxed.

Gilbert: "... I see."

Gilbert: "Maybe the reason you didn't go to the other kids at the park is because I'm not sparkling anymore?"

Emma: "Yes. When Gil isn't sparkling, things get a little tight here.''

Emma indicated the chest by saying, 'here.'

(I didn't mean to restrict you, though.)

It is no different for child Emma and adult Emma to react to loneliness that has come out unconsciously.

Gilbert: "I'm sorry."

Emma: "…?"

Gilbert: "Hehe, it’s okay if you don’t understand."

Gilbert: "In return, gentle one, I'll tell you big brother's secret."   //   "In exchange, I will tell you big brother's secret, who is kind to you."

Emma's eyes light up in response to the word "secret."

(I think you're more sparkly than I am.)

Gilbert: "When big brother is sparkling, that's when he thinks, "I love you, little rabbit.""

Emma: "!"

Gilbert: "But don't tell anyone, because it's embarrassing."

Emma: "All right!"

Emma clings happily with a big smile on her face.

(You probably knew intuitively that I was a scary person in the back alley...)

(You still feel attached to me.)

Gilbert: "You're so cute… Please love me forever."   //   "You're so cute… You'll always love me."

Emma: "Yes! Gil, you'll always, always love me, too."

Gilbert: "Hmm, of course."

(I know my "likes" are not always good for you, but...)

That is not something I should say to the little baby rabbit.

Gilbert: "Don't forget your promise to big brother, okay?"

[yana-bananai]

The night was alive with laughter and the salty scent of the ocean as you and the crew of the ship gathered on the deck for an impromptu party. After days of hard work, everyone was ready to unwind. Someone had suggested a game of spin the bottle, and the energy in the air was infectious.

You found yourself seated in a circle with familiar faces, but your focus kept drifting to Gil, who was sitting next to you. His usual carefree attitude was in full swing, and you couldn’t help but smile at his antics. He had been extra playful that evening, and something about the way he laughed made your heart race.

“Alright, everyone knows the rules!” Uma declared, her voice rising above the chatter. “Spin the bottle and kiss whoever it points to! Simple, right?”

The crew erupted in cheers, and the bottle was placed in the center of the circle, glinting in the moonlight. One by one, everyone took their turns. The atmosphere was filled with light-hearted teasing and laughter, each spin bringing a mix of anticipation and excitement.

Finally, it was your turn. You felt a rush of nerves as you leaned forward to give the bottle a good spin. It twirled wildly, the tension building as everyone watched closely. It slowed, inching toward a crew member across the circle, but at the last moment, it wobbled and landed squarely on Gil.

A chorus of cheers erupted, and you felt your heart race. Gil’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in closer, a playful grin stretching across his face. “Looks like the bottle has good taste!” he joked, earning a laugh from everyone.

You swallowed hard, trying to maintain your composure. “Well, I guess I have to kiss you then,” you replied, matching his playful tone.

“Guess so!” he replied, leaning closer. The laughter around you faded as you locked eyes with him, the world around you blurring into the background.

As you leaned in, Gil closed the distance between you, his lips brushing against yours in a quick, electrifying kiss. It was soft yet playful, leaving you both surprised. The crew erupted in applause, and you couldn’t help but smile at the thrill of the moment.

When you pulled back, Gil was grinning from ear to ear, his cheeks slightly flushed. “That was a nice surprise,” he said, a hint of shyness in his voice, which was rare for the usually confident pirate.

“Yeah, it was,” you agreed, feeling a warmth spread through you as you glanced at him. His gaze lingered on you, a playful glint still shining in his eyes.

The game continued, but the atmosphere had shifted slightly. Whenever Gil spun the bottle, he always seemed to hope it would land on you again, and you couldn’t deny that you felt the same. Each time it was your turn, you would exchange teasing glances, building a tension that was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Finally, it was Gil’s turn again, and he leaned down to spin the bottle with a flourish. As it spun, everyone watched with anticipation, the laughter fading into quiet excitement. When it slowed and pointed directly at you, a cheer went up.

“Looks like I’m up again!” Gil said, his grin growing wider. He leaned in closer, and you felt your heart flutter as he brushed his thumb against your cheek.

“You ready?” he asked playfully.

“Always,” you replied, your heart racing.

This time, the kiss was longer, more lingering, filled with an electricity that sent a thrill through you. The crew cheered again, but it felt like you were in your own little world, the noise around you fading into a distant hum.

As you pulled away, both of you were breathless, caught in the moment. The playful teasing from earlier had transformed into something more meaningful, a connection you both felt.

“Okay, okay!” Uma called, grinning. “You two are making the rest of us look bad! Who’s next?”

You and Gil exchanged shy smiles, the thrill of the game lingering in the air as the night continued, filled with laughter, kisses, and the promise of something new blossoming between you.

[fandomsandfairytales]

Fic Recs for Elrond Week 2024

Hello! Here’s a last-minute handful of Elrond-centric fic recs to wrap up Elrond Week 2024. (Time got away from me this week!)

These fics are all rated G or T, and I’ve loosely categorized them into groups so it’s a bit easier to parse through them. I also noted ones I recc’d in my 2023 Fic Recs list, which I posted on my main blog, @awwyeah107. I'm tagging each author in this list once (if they have a Tumblr account), although there may be more than one story from an author in the list.

Also, to clarify, none of these were written *for* Elrond Week—these are all simply fics about our beloved peredhel that I've enjoyed and wanted to share/recommend.

Massive shoutout to @meluiloth for putting on Elrond Week! I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing all the posts this week cross my dash. Also, thank you to all of the fic authors, fan artists, and meta writers out there who celebrate Elrond ❤️

Elrond & [Biological or Married] Family

The Complexities of Avian Biology by @runawaymun Celebrían takes on a charity case. Elrond helps, because of course he does. Some Celrond fluff by request. (Oneshot, G, 776 words)

Without depth or bound by waitingfover Love is never an easy emotion to navigate, particularly if you also hate the other person's guts. or Elrond doesn’t like Celebrían’s attitude, Celebrían hates Elrond’s guts, Gil-Galad is determined to play matchmaker, and Celebrimbor just wants to be left out of this drama. (23 chapters, complete! T, 29k words)

Wealth Enough of Joy by @starspray Elladan and Elrohir are born at twilight in summer. (Oneshot, G, 1.6k words. Recc’d this in my 2023 Fic Recs list)

Athelas by erulisse_starchild Estel gets a lesson in herb-lore from Elrond. (Oneshot, G, 831 words)

Hiding Places by @sweetteaanddragons (Drag0nst0rm on AO3) It had been a long time since Elrond was last under a bed. The novelty was probably good for him. (Oneshot, G, 437 words)

Kind as Summer by @arofili (starlightwalking on AO3) Elrond and his family, after the First Age. A collection of ficlets from tumblr prompts, loosely related to one another. (8 chapters, complete! G, 2.1k words)

More than the Stars Above by sweetteaanddragons (Drag0nst0rm on AO3) Elrond had lived without his parents for this long. He could certainly continue to do so if they proved to be indifferent. That didn't stop his hand from shaking when he reached out to knock on the door. (2 chapters, complete! G, 5.6k words. Recc’d this in my 2023 Fic Recs list)

Blossoming Red by @bralesscommie Snapshots of Elrond throughout his life. A character study. Elrond dealing with his trauma, and finding his rare moments of joy. (Oneshot, T, 4.9k words)

Elrond & Friends

Demons by @theheirofashandfire (ScribeofArda on AO3) On a dark night in Imladris, with the Watchful Peace having come to a bloody end, one elf finds that the darkness brings back unwanted memories of flames and fear. And Glorfindel can remember all of the fall of Gondolin. (Oneshot, T, 4.5k words)

Old Swords by StarSpray Elrond and Gandalf chat about Glamdring. (Oneshot, G, 661 words)

Primary Sources by @cycas (bunn on AO3) Bilbo Baggins, now living in Rivendell is working on his Translations from the Elvish and needs some help. He learns a few things about Elven board games, plumbing and housework in Rivendell, a little bit about the War of Wrath, and something about Elrond's family. It might just be that making songs about Eärendil in the House of Elrond was not something that Elrond himself considered to be over Bilbo's head. (Oneshot, G, 4.4k words)

Kidnap Fam

Note: All of the Kidnap Fam fics here are Elrond-centric—either they are from his perspective, or they primarily focus on Elrond and Maglor and/or Maedhros.

And Love Repaid by sweetteaanddragons (Drag0nst0rm on AO3) It was never about owing. (Oneshot, G, 2.3k words)

See How They Grow by @grundyscribbling (Grundy on AO3) Elrond wasn't born a great healer. Some would have said living among Feanorians was an unlikely place to start that journey. (Maglor probably would have agreed with them.) (Oneshot, G, 11.7k words)

Rosemary, Fennel, & Rue by grundyscribbling (Grundy on AO3) Maedhros stumbles onto an unhealthy secret Elrond has been keeping. Elrond is surprised to find Maedhros has experience in these matters. (Oneshot, G, 5.7k words)

Once They Were Wolves by @elentarial (BaccaratBlack on AO3) After receiving an unexpected Midwinter gift, Elrond learns something new about one of his captors fathers. (2 chapters, complete! G, 2.4k words)

Quiet by sweetteaanddragons (Drag0nst0rm on AO3) Dust blanketed Maglor’s harp where it sat undisturbed in the corner. (Oneshot, G, 566 words)

Series

On Elrond Peredhel by @elvinye (leodesic on AO3) A series examining Elrond's kidnap-adoption [and Elrond himself] from a variety of different perspectives. (In-progress series of 13 works, each between 1-2 chapters, all rated T or G. Only AO3 users can read this fic.) (Note: For anyone who does not ship Russingon—like me—the series does contain it, but it is minor and can be skipped over fairly easily.)

Return to Aman by cycas (bunn on AO3) A series of stories about Elrond's return to Aman at the end of the Third Age. All these assume that Maglor son of Fëanor was one of the other unnamed Elves who accompanied Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo on the ship when they left Middle-earth. Point of view is usually either Maglor or Elrond, but occasionally someone else (Celebrian, Lalwen, Nerdanel...) (Complete series of 15 works, each between 1-5 chapters, all rated G. Recc’d this in my 2023 Fic Recs list)

AUs

The Last Homely Hostel by sweetteaanddragons (Drag0nst0rm on AO3) Barin was nearly entirely sure this hostel wasn't supposed to be here. It won't be the last unexpected appearance of the night. (Oneshot, G, 5k words)

we will make this place our home by @leucisticpuffin Elrond and Elros are sent to live with their distant cousins in a house that is crumbling slowly to pieces. They aren't especially happy about this. For Maedhros and Maglor, the twins are a rare chance to start living again. It will take a lot of work to turn a house full of ghosts into anything resembling a home. (70 chapters, in-progress! G, 259.5k words. Only AO3 users can read this fic. Recc’d this in my 2023 Fic Recs list)

-

-

-

@elrondweek

Other Fic Rec Lists: 2023 Fic Recs (on my main blog) 2024 Fic Recs (on my main blog)

[rosyfingered-moon]

2023 drama roundup

Unchained Love: I still hum the unhinged flute intro on a regular basis, easily my fave intro of 2023! I didn't actually finish the show due to dwindling interest, but for the first 14 episodes or so I took a keen pleasure in it (and it made me go on a eunuch webnovel spree, expertly curated by @mercipourleslivres). I love it when heroines are allowed to be truly funny, rather than just quirky or ditzy. Also appreciate the goofy Lamp Prince turning into a brutal incel tyrant the moment he got power.

Six Flying Dragons: I don't think I can write anything succinct enough for the roundup format so I direct you to my "my sfd tag" if you want to access my enthused livetweeting. Show of all times, lives were changed.

Tree with Deep Roots: I literally can't think of a better topic for a tv show than Sejong the Great constructing hangul together with his band of nerds, one of whom he has a weirdly intense, vaguely erotic relationship with. Han Suk-kyu carried this entire show on his trembling shoulders. What an actor! What range!!! It was such a treat to watch him smugly debate his ministers, roleplay a farmer, and hiss half-mad soliloquies to himself in the dark. It took nuance and depth to portray the kind of inner conflicts and generational trauma that Sejong battles in the background of this drama. To be honest I didn't always enjoy the Milbon subplot which I felt got repetitive, and often found myself wanting to fast-forward the wuxia scenes. In a better world the show would have centered the whip-smart palace maids and their alphabet workshops. But I will definitely rewatch this soon. And maybe also write a fix-it where Sejong and Soo-yi fuck idk.

Quartet: Cute little murder mystery about a found family of freaks, liked it a lot.

My Country: The New Age: As entertaining as ever. Very fun to rewatch this back to back with Tree with Deep Roots, since Jang Hyuk plays diametrically opposite characters with the same vigor and commitment.

Gone with the Rain: Sometimes you watch something which you understand is technically a masterpiece but it doesn't do anything for you, and sometimes you watch a piece of campy silly fun and it makes you tingle with joy. This was the latter category for me. I liked the first and middle parts enough to make up for the lukewarm fizzle of an ending.

The Autumn Ballad: Has some fucked up elements that are difficult to stomach, but the parts that are good are really good.

Not Others: Bingeable! But imo they could have cut out the stalker/murder cases and just focused on the excellent family drama.

The Matchmakers: This surprisingly swooped in towards the end of the year as my favorite comedy of 2023, all thanks to a rec by @haraxvati. I adore Cho Yi-hyun in this role!!! She is so hot as a shrewd matchmaker with a fake mole and a twinkle in her eye. Love the virgin prince with his yearning-induced panic attacks (Rowoon didn't work for me in The King's Affection in a quite similar role, but he's so much weirder and lamer here, which is something I like in a man). I am obsessed with the side plot of the crossdressing romance novelist and the solemn police officer who is trying to capture her and ends up giving her free home renovations and smouldering looks instead. Also, Park Ji-Young and Lee Hae-Young are two of my favorite villain actors on their own, and here they are married!! Still have a few episodes to go, but I intend to binge them as soon as I post this.

Dramas I dropped or paused:

Our Blossoming Youth: I shipped the heroine and her cute maidservant a little too much to bear the dull prince they stuck her with. But I might rewatch it some day bc I want to write a Sherlock Holmes fic for the girls.

Little Women: A real disappointment, because I love Louisa May Alcott and I love Jeong Seo-kyeong. Once again, letting the women kiss might have solved much of it.

Island: Casting Kim Nam-gil as an expressionless cool-guy action hero offends me personally. (Yes Song of the Bandits I'm giving you the stinky eye also.) But Lee Da-hee and Cha Eun-woo were delightful!

See you in my 19th life: I couldn't, even for my most darling Shin Hye-sun, go beyond episode 1. There's something about a kid dating another kid even though she's a literal adult inside her brain that I can't really vibe with.

My Dearest: I do intend to finish this, but I lost the thread after the first half. It got a little too dark for me I think.

[violettduchess]

Hello Violet! For the Beach Event, may I request watching a meteor shower on the beach with Gilbert? Thank you!

A/N: an entry for @solomons-poison 's Summer Fun event. Here you go @atelier-the-atelier 💜

Gilbert x f reader

Mildly spicy content

WC: 1239

The sky above is an endless canvas of midnight blue, bespeckled with thousands of glowing silver stars. Before you, the sea stretches out to meet the sky, arms wide in welcome, ocean waves singing a soft song of reunion. The water kisses the shore, over and over again, white foam kisses that tickle your bare feet as you stand there, staring out into eternity. The night wind whips your clothing against the soft curves of your body and gently pulls your hair from its pins, as if doing Gilbert’s bidding, as if it knows how he likes you best: nothing restrained, nothing held back from him. You turn to look at him over your shoulder, to where he is propped up on his elbows beneath the sand dunes. Even from here, you see the intensity of his crimson eye as it takes you in, frames you within the beauty of the night, engraving the moment into his mind so it may forever be called forth when he wants it.

You gather your skirts in one hand and run back to him, your feet sinking into the soft, fine sand. He opens his arms and you fall into them, laughing at the thrill of being in his embrace, away from the responsibility of ruling, away from the austere walls of the palace, the tall forests and bare hills of Obsidian. You have both worked so hard, building up the country, building up a group of nobles you can trust, building relations to other countries, including your own Rhodolite. It was, in fact, after you both had stumbled into bed on the wrong side of midnight that Gilbert took one look at your tired face and announced he had an idea.

A small, private island off the coast of Tanzanite had turned out to be a brilliant idea. No one else on the island, no one needing anything from the imperial couple. No distractions, demands or concerns. Just you, Gilbert and the beauty of the beach, the blessing of solitude.

You turn within the circle of his arms, reaching up to brush his hair away from his forehead. God, you love him. A love so expansive that it sometimes feels like it might just break you into pieces, grind you into dust and carry you away into the ether. Gilbert smiles slowly, pulling you closer.

“Yes, Häschen? Is there something you want to say?”

You shake your head, instead leaning up to kiss him. By now you’ve kissed him a thousand times. You’ve run your fingers over every inch of his skin, tasted him in a hundred ways, fallen asleep next to him countless nights. And yet each time you press your lips to his, it feels new, another blossom sprouting in the arboreal shelter of your love for him. He shifts you both, laying you down onto the blanket, already pressing his body against yours. His cool fingers kiss your bare skin as he skims the scooped neckline of your dress, laughing huskily against your mouth as you try to arch up into his touch.

“Ah ah…..Geduld, meine Liebe.” Patience, my love.

You sigh your frustration as his hands run along the shape of your body, over your clothing, where layers of fabric suddenly feel torturous against your warm skin. You ache for the soothing coolness of his touch. And he knows it. He drops his head, white teeth nipping at the sensitive skin of your neck. One hand pins your shoulder down, the other stretches, expertly catching the damp hemline of your skirt and slowly drags it upwards, the backs of his fingers purposefully feathering over the bare skin of your calf, your knee, your outer thigh.

“Gil….” His name is seized by the wind as it leaves your trembling lips, carried away towards the black ocean and glittering sky. He bites the soft skin of your shoulder as his hand slides across the top of your thigh, fingers curling possessively inwards. Your eyes close, shutting out the world, as your body winds itself tighter, a mechanism in the hands of an expert engineer. One who knows exactly which minute adjustments of hips and fingers, teeth and tongue, will have the greatest effect.

You gasp as he traces filigree on the inside of your thigh, his touch teasing, cloyingly close to where you need him. Your body twists, trying to right the course of his fingers but they remain where they are, the maddeningly sensitive skin on the inside of your thigh, no matter how you move. 

Your laugh is fluttering ribbons of frustration and admiration, your eyes opening with the intention of catching his gaze and telling him to stop being so cruel. 

You gasp again but not because of your husband.

“Look…..” You grab his shoulder, pulling him away from your half open blouse and the rose-red kisses he’s been painting across your skin. Had he managed to undo the buttons with his mouth? Or his other hand? Or had he simply torn it? You have no idea. And right now it doesn’t matter. He looks up at you, his beautiful face flushed with desire, questions in the crimson depth of his eye. You point up at the sky. 

Velvet black is alive with light as several silver-white orbs streak across the sky, trailing long, glittering tails behind them. They burn white-hot as they fall like celestial beings falling from the heavens, aflame with holy light. Gilbert reaches up, removing his eyepatch, his gaze fixed on the sky.

His lips part in awe at the sight but he is quiet, drinking in the sight as the cosmic flames continue along their shimmering arc. He reaches out a hand without looking, knowing you'll take it and you do, threading your fingers through his as you watch alongside him in perfect quiet. Only the waves provide a soft accompaniment to the orchestral beauty of the meteor shower.

The only thing more moving than the living artwork of the sky is the feeling of experiencing it together. You glance away to watch him, his face another window to the divine, its beauty as heart-stopping as the meteors. He has gilded your life in silver, wrapped you within the tangles of his gossamer heartstrings and raised you into the light of a love brighter than any star.

The last shimmer fades from the sky, leaving only the memory of its radiance behind. You squeeze Gilbert's hand gently. He turns and he smiles, his eyes glowing like stained glass, backlit by the light of deepest affection. He tugs you towards him, clasping you against his chest as you fall back together onto the sand.

"I love you," you murmur in a voice smooth as sea glass, soft as the night wind.

Gilbert brushes your hair away from your face, his hand lingering behind your ear.

"Ich liebe dich auch," he answers in the language of his heart. 

Love, like the eternal movement of the sea, passes between you, carried by your words, tangible in your touching.

And then he shifts, rolling until he is above you, blocking your view of the night sky and filling it with something even more beloved.

His lips touch yours, his fingers wind through your hair, and you close your eyes once again, your heart radiant with a desire as bright and beautiful as any cosmic wonder.

Tagging: @aquagirl1978 @alixennial @alexxavicry @queengiuliettafirstlady @rhodolitesrose @ikemen-writer @bellerose-arcana @thewitchofbooks @aria-chikage @redheadkittys @tele86 @dear-mrs-otome @firestar-otomeobsessed @curious-skybunny @rhodoliteschaos @kpop-and-otome @writingwhimsey @mxrmaid-poet @silver-dahlia @wendolrea @otomefoxystar @nightfoxqueen @myonlyjknight @queen-dahlia @aceuuuuu @scorchieart @bubblexly @joiedecombat

[alwayschasingrainbows]

Hi, @alwayschasingrainbows. There's something I'm curious about. We know the moment when Anne realized she loved Gilbert. But we didn't see the moment when Gilbert realized he loved Anne. Have you ever thought about this? When and how do you think he noticed?

Hi! Thank you for your lovely question, dear @pinkenamelheart!

Of course, Gilbert told Anne "I’ve loved you ever since that day you broke your slate over my head in school.” But loving - and realizing that we love - are two entirely different things.

I think that Gilbert was charmed by Anne from the first moment he saw her. There was definitely something about her that caught his attention; perhaps it was her large, gray-green eyes that revealed her extraordinary character and intellect? He had certainly shown more interest in her than in the other girls, from the very beginning. Immediately after the unfortunate incident at school, during which he called Anne "Carrots", he tried to apologize to her and gain her sympathy. He gave her a candy heart, and later - an apple (both gifts were of course refused).

I think that over time this fascination turned into admiration as he saw how intelligent and persistent Anne was. He probably watched her from a distance, noticing how she blossomed and transformed from a child into a graceful and charming young girl. After Anne dyed her hair and had to cut it, he noticed that it had become darker. I think he realized how much he liked Anne when she again rejected his offers of friendship, when he rescued her from a sinking boat (or rather; from a slippery old pile).

Later, he was reciting a poem during a concert and when he got to the line: "There’s Another, not a sister,’ he looked straight at Anne. He was probably already aware of his infatuation.

I think Gilbert knew from the very beginning that Anne touched his heart in a way no one had ever touched before.

If I had to pinpoint a specific moment when Gilbert realized he had fallen in love with Anne, I would say it was when he first saw her in the brown glorria dress Matthew had given her. Anne outdid herself with her recitation talent and looked exceptionally charming.

After the show was over, Diana told Anne: "When you ran off the platform after the fairy dialogue one of your roses fell out of your hair. I saw Gil pick it up and put it in his breast pocket." It seems to me that this gesture clearly indicates that Gilbert fell head over heels in love with Anne.

Although I think he may have realized this earlier, and the process was gradual.

Thank you for your question! <3

[pr1ncesspopstar]

Secrets, Secrets - FFXIV Write 2024 - Day 14: Telling

Ao3

-

Halditar wasn’t unfamiliar with the crime that ran in the city-states underbellies. Most of the time, on the end of the persecutor. Whether it be against Redbelly hunters in the Twelveswoods or the conning marketers of Sapphire Avenue. More than once she had been their target, their victim, and their downfall. But no place was quite as openly, hypocritically criminal infested as Limsa Lominsa. It only made sense, ‘twas an island taken by pirates and sea ravagers, at first to survive, then thrive. It was a legacy long and storied, and only recently finally given some rest under the watchful eye of Admiral Merlwyb.

Of course, rules penned in such dark ink were hard to wipe away in such a short time. It would take years to fade, seen in how thieves and beggars and bribes could be found around every corner, and twice as many thieves were wise enough to stay hidden in plain sight. One of the reasons that for all her love of the culture and the salty air, Halditar never considered living amongst the seafolk for even a moment.

And such a point was proven on her walk around the dock late into the night.

The fishing boat she sailed upon docking as a heavy fog swallowed up the towering white stone Limsa was so known for. She could only see a few feet ahead of her, her only guidance being lanterns that pierced through the mist. Even the moon was muted by the clouds, a ball of yellow light that hung low to their star this night.

She was so focused on making sure she didn’t step off the docks she failed to hear the footsteps as they came up from behind. Only aware of the danger when it was too late, a dagger’s blade pressed firmly against the tender flesh connecting the bottom of her jaw to her neck. The other hand wrapped around her waist and arms, pulling them close to her assailant’s body. A touch of warmth blossomed from her skin, and she soon felt a drop of blood stick to her shirt as the dagger tip scraped her skin open.

“Easy there, lad,” Halditar was surprised by how steady her own voice was. She’d crumpled under lesser threats before. Though she supposed that was before she’d been to lands and worlds far beyond this one. “Are you sure you want to do this? If you’re in need of gil I got plenty to-”

“Shut it! Make any move for a weapon and we both get to find out if your blood is really red or blue. No screaming either,” He emphasized his point with a tap of the blade on her chin. Already, she could feel a sense of wooziness start to overtake her sense. Ah, that scrape hadn’t been an accident. “Now, why don’t we just take a quiet walk along the piers together, you and I? I’ve some important fellows interested in meetin’ ya.”

“Well, there’s a problem with that lad,” she began, resisting the urge to gulp as the blad pressed harder in a silent threat. She didn’t let her voice strain through, as she closed her eyes and felt an aetheric connection buzz to life and slip silently off her back. “Nouliths make very little sound or mess when their fired.”

The moment her sentence finished, the arms around her slacked, the body of the stranger falling forward on her back, and then to the side. The only sign of the finishing blow was a faint purple flash as all four of her weapons shot different, critical parts of the body. Perhaps a bit overkill and cruel after using aetheric lasers to sever spine from skull, but she wasn’t willing to mess with someone willing to bring a poisoned knife to try and subdue her.

Speaking of, she felt her vision start to darken and blur. Before the world could spin and start falling out from under her, the swiftest cast of esuna she could manage had her feeling like she was doused in cold water. Wide awake, steady enough to feel the waves lapping beneath the boardwalk. She stretched her neck, enjoying the simple freedom of neck movement before turning to look at the corpse she just made splayed across the wood ground.

He was a Hyur, a big and bulky type with dark hair and a dash of scaring across his face. He didn’t seem Ala Mighan or from anywhere near Othard. His voice had a bit of gruff yet posh twang to it… A former Garlean conscript or devotee? Would have been the first to come after her in cold blood so openly.

Regardless of his origin, she didn’t have the technical skill to dig up information of his body and leaving a body stranded for the poor sailors to deal with in the morning would have been in poor taste. Ever thankfully, she knew of a dutiful sort capable of handling the rat’s body with all the graces the Twelve could offer. With little care for the bastard, she picked him up like she was supporting a drunk rather than a corpse, and made way to the Convent of Edelweiss.

-

“Cor, this is some nasty stuff he tried to get you with,” Jacke remarked as he twirled the would-be kidnappers blade between his fingers, eyes glinting with a mix of admiration and anger. Halditar made no remark, more focused on cleaning her own blood off her shirt. “Though, what you did to the bastard in turn was nastier. The first blow didn’t even kill him proper, just sent him into shock.”

“Had I known that I might not have killed him right away, I could have squeezed a bit more information out. Drugs didn’t have me thinking straight…” She swore and turned, grabbing a shot and swallowing it down. Drinking was probably the last thing she should have been doing just before the sun rose, but with what just happened, she considered it medicine for the soul.

“Nah, better the bastard dead than you stolen away.” Jacke said, leaning back to watch her with a playful glint to his gaze. She never liked that look. It meant he knew something she didn’t.

“So, what’d you pull off the bloke's body before sinking it?” She asked.

“Nothing useful, unfortunately. Either his employers give good instructions or he was smart enough not to leave many ties. We’ll still report this of course, but not much will come of it, sadly. Seems targeted though, so we shouldn’t have to worry about them going after others.”

She hummed. It was disappointing to her, but expected. Not everyone could cover their tracks well, but those that did left other’s grasping for scraps of information.

“Though, there was one thing we found…” Jacke didn’t bother hiding a knowing grin. Halditar could groan and roll her eyes. This had to be something if he was looking so smarmy about it.

“Out with it then, I ain’t got all night.

“The name ‘Snoebryda’ ring a bell?”

“... Nope.” She paused, for many reasons. A quick flurry of emotions lit up in her gut, before quieting as her voice of logic spoke up. Calming the panic she felt after hearing that name, attached to one that so blatantly tried to kidnap her. It could have meant exactly what she worried it did. Could have been a chance. Most likely, a former enemy she made when she still had that name she didn’t remember. It didn’t matter as there was no trail to pursue, and she wasn’t intent on traveling them.

“Ah, a shame. Could have been a lead.” Jacke said with a nod, and in a kinder tone for what a bastard he could be. He may have been a rogue to the very core, but he was a man of honor and subtly to the last. Halditar knew he could read her. He knew she was lying. And it was a secret that would now follow them until death or she told it freely.

“Could have.” she mused, slamming her shot glass down and pushing off from the bar.

From the hole in the stone the Rogue’s guild called home she emerged, slipping into the fog with a much more careful lightness to her step. She all but melted into it, holding secrets of an abandoned life to her chest, and another body that was dropped into the seas far from port under the dark of night.

[oodles-of-noodles]

more google translated mess

hi it's been an hour and i'm back

"The door opened and my trembling fingers opened" i'm sorry, your FINGERS opened?

"Measurements, adrenaline, and. . .well, a little fear, but daddy will help you."

"Well, it's true, the aliens here have no bones and are very attached to the safety of life." i would be attached to the safety of life too, as a fellow boneless person

"“I-” I started, but I couldn’t come up with a good reason without sounding like a three year old who needs a stuffed animal all night. “This is Changa"" no, this is patrick 🙄🙄

"“Please,” she moaned, reaching out and pulling him closer with a mischievous smile." okay i..... i got lost here who's SHE and why is she MO--

"Achilles could not kill all these five people." achilles where did you come from get back with your bf

"Then he lay down. “Welcome.”" um??????

"“Gil.” I said in a broken voice" ah yes, gil, the thing everyone knows about

"He stroked my dck again. “How about we give it a try and move in together?" UM WHAT???? WHAT IS HAPPENING IM ????? THEYRE SUPPOSED TO BE EXPLORING AN ALIEN PRISON SINCE WHEN-??? ITS??? ITS FATHER AND SON????? WHAT???????

im done, bye 😭

no im not there's more

"I was taught positive thinking from preschool age so it was hard for me to think otherwise" ah yes, indoctrination

"The last word is ‘love’ because it tastes like lemon." how....

"He held a black metal ticket in his hand and watched the airport as we passed" what... since when did they get to an airport 😭 THEYRE IN A PRISON

"My heart and soul are facing down" me too buddy, man if this isn't a mood and a half

"“I have another problem,” he continued with an evil smile." me everyday

""THE?" I asked myself. The back door of the prison... a man?" A MAN? idek what's going on here

"Xena is a robot that steals your soul." darn ai. first they're stealing art now they're stealing souls

""Don't worry, I can put my head on my shoulders and try every day, okay?"" slow clap for that ladies and gentlemen, slow clap for sam's motivational words

"I answer a lot, rarely or never." me too (?)

"The giant centipede's roar echoed through the tunnel." WTF??? EVERYONE RUN

"My "good" hand is like my first hand. Then I fell into eternal darkness." noouououoooo sammmm ): don't do that to yourself ): thats mean

"Zeena got up happily and came with me. “What do you think of the black?”" oh no. sam. sam pls don't be racist.

"There are also good trees." cherry blossoms are nice, and willow trees 🙂‍↕️

"Take the slaves and destroy them before their eyes." sam..... i.... no.

k, NOW i'm done, so sorry that you had to witness that 😭 i may do more when i transcribe the rest, but for now im having mercy on you

[paxtonrp]

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒

Name: UTP

Age: 40+

Occupation: Chief Compliance Officer

Affiliation: Executive Member for Obsidian Holdings

Gender & Pronouns: Man (he/him)

Faceclaim: Gil Birmingham, Taylor Kitsch, Keanu Reeves, Pedro Pascal, Oscar Issac, Bejamin Bratt, Alexander Skarsgard, Richard Armitage, Riz Ahmed, UTP

𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐍

tw war mention

The CCO will never admit it, but they always made a better solider than an officer. They preferred to be on the battlefield as opposed to behind desk. This included their military career. They were known for their bravery on the battlefield, but is it bravery or bloodlust?

When his service was over, he made his own private security firm. It was essentially alarm systems for a while, but then he was picked up by a few wealthy people who needed bodyguards, and thus his company really blossomed. He helped place out of service veterans with security jobs.

The CCO met Hector through a mutual contact. The job was simple enough, but it did step into something The CCO never thought he'd be doing: curating hits. The target was the former CEO of Obsidian Holdings, and it was to look like a simple car crash.

That secret stays between Hector and The CCO. The job meant that The CCO was promoted to a coveted Executive Board position and since then it's come more and more clear that Hector defaults to more extreme methods of problem solving. Which, the former CEO was far from innocent, but a little further from obvious felonies.

𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐂

The suit covers up his true nature: he's a monster. Single-sighted on the protection and goals of Obsidian Holdings, his conscience doesn't get in the way. He might be a General now, but he's a solider through and through. He's the first one to propose extreme methods for resolving problems; while he's grown experienced in his age there's still the urge to set quick resolutions into motion without a care for the consequences — unless they affect him. Him and Hector are alike in that. Where they're not alike is that The CCO has secrets and securities of their own should the tide change against Hector. He's worked hard to become someone Hector can trust, but he won't let one man drag him down when he's gotten so far. So far, he has a team he can trust, but can they trust him? They're not so sure now that remains have been found at Oceanview Apartments, as it seems like the whole company is gunning for answers... and a head to mount for the failure.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

The Fixer - The CCO knows that Hector calls on the Fixer and it drives them crazy. Technically, they are the Fixer’s direct supervisor and they dislike being undermined by the CEO. As a result, they have begun to butt heads with the CEO more and the Fixer suffers as a result. The CCO doubles up the Fixer’s schedule on the regular and does their best to keep a watchful eye over whatever deals they make without their permission.

The CFO — It's always a risk when you've got to submit your expense reports. While the CCO does a good enough job as covering his tracks, The CFO isn't stupid. The CCO is beginning to suspect that The CFO might have idea of what's going on behind closed doors.

The Collector — One would think that The Collector didn't belong under the supervision of The CCO, but it's clear that all sharks swim together. The CCO finds the Collector impatient and brash, as the CCO worked hard to separate themselves from somewhat similar roots.

[awesomek00]

I live alone. ｜ Actress Han Ji-min. Where is the tteokbokki place

1. I Live Alone: Han Ji-min’s Love for Tteokbokki

 In the world of Korean entertainment, there’s no denying that actress Han Ji-min has a special place in many hearts. Known for her down-to-earth personality and undeniable charm, she has repeatedly mentioned her love for tteokbokki as her favorite dish. In a memorable episode of I Live Alone, Han Ji-min treated herself to a delightful tteokbokki feast at her friend’s house. Watching her enjoy the spicy, chewy rice cakes really showcased her passion for this beloved comfort food. It’s always a joy to see celebrities indulge in simple pleasures like this! Not to mention, in another show called The Manager, she even shared a tteokbokki moment with comedian Hong Hyun-hee, proving that this dish is a true crowd-pleaser among her circle of friends.

2. Tteokbokki Spot Featured on I Live Alone: Location, Hours, and Menu

 If you’re craving tteokbokki like Han Ji-min, you need to check out Achasan Sintoburi Tteokbokki located at 42 Jayang-ro 43-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. This cozy spot is known for its fantastic combination of tteokbokki and hot dogs, making it a perfect place to satisfy your cravings. The restaurant typically opens around 11 AM and stays busy until 10 PM, so you have plenty of time to grab a bite after work or on weekends. The menu features a variety of options, but their tteokbokki paired with a crispy hot dog is what really stands out. It’s the kind of meal that hits the spot and brings back memories of carefree days spent enjoying street food with friends!

3. Recent Updates on Actress Han Ji-min

 Aside from her culinary adventures, Han Ji-min has been in the spotlight recently due to her romantic relationship with Jannabi’s leader Choi Jeong-hoon. After starting a public relationship, she’s been glowing more than ever! The age gap of ten years hasn’t seemed to affect their bond, and fans have been buzzing about their romance. Their connection reportedly blossomed after they met as MC and guest on KBS2’s The Seasons - Choi Jeong-hoon’s Night Park last August. This marks Han Ji-min’s first public relationship since her debut, and it’s exciting to see her find happiness. With her radiant beauty and undeniable talent, I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next—both in her career and in love!

[byneddiedingo]

Ivy Close and Séverin-Mars in La Roue (Abel Gance, 1923)

Cast: Séverin-Mars, Ivy Close, Gabriel de Gravone, Pierre Magnier, Georges Térof, Gil Clary, Max Maxudian. Screenplay: Abel Gance. Cinematography: Gaston Brun, Mac Bujard, Léonce-Henri Burel, Maurice Duverger. Art direction: Robert Boudrioz. Film editing: Marguerite Beaujé, Abel Gance. Music: Arthur Honegger.

The plot is operatic, the technique is novelistic, and the aim is tragic. Abel Gance's La Roue (aka The Wheel) never satisfies on any of those counts, but it's not without a lot of effort on his part as well as his actors and technicians. At its premiere, it ran for somewhere between seven-and-a-half and nine hours (depending on which source you trust), spread over three days, and was a success, earning praise from Jean Cocteau among others. Gance then produced a cut that ran for two and a half hours, which was the version most people saw for many years until film historians set about to reproduce the original. That restoration is the one I sat through for sevenish hours spread over four nights on the Criterion Channel. I have seen seven-hour movies (and some that seemed like it) before, most notably Bela Tarr's Sátántangó (1994). The urge I usually have afterward is to try to justify the expenditure of time, typically by categorizing it as an "immersive experience." That approach works with films like Tarr's, which has a grounded reality to it that provides a look into a human existence other than my own, which is the aim of all narrative art. It's less easily justified when the film is as preposterous as Gance's is in many ways. I said it was operatic in its plotting, and here it's useful to think of the melodramatic excesses of works like Verdi's Il Trovatore, based on a florid Spanish play that involves foundlings, mistaken identities, and people torn between passion and duty. La Roue has a foundling, survivor of a train wreck, rescued by a railroad engineer who raises her along with his own son, allowing both of them to believe they are siblings, which works until she blossoms into a young woman and first the father and then the son realize they're in love with her. The treatment of this story evokes, as others have noted, the novels of Victor Hugo and Émile Zola, but it also reminds me of Thomas Hardy's works, in which fate (which Hardy calls "hap," or the blind workings of chance) forestalls any efforts by the protagonists to chart their own course. And since the story involves a kind of incestuous passion, the legend of Oedipus comes to mind, and sure enough Gance quotes Sophocles in one of the intertitles. But of course it's a movie, and that necessitates a good deal of spectacle, starting with the train wreck that sets the plot in motion. La Roue is never dull, and it's sometimes emotionally affecting, but it's not an opera (although Arthur Honegger's score suggests its potential in that regard) and it's not a novel or a tragedy. It's a movie, and one with a great deal to watch if you're willing to commit seven hours to it, but I think you have to be devoted to learning about the craft of movie-making to profit much from it.   

[elifereinion]

Gil-galad Fic.

first of all, i want to mention that i made chatgpt write this due to a lack of existing fiction about gil-galad and that i’m sharing it for a few people who might enjoy it. instead of using Y/N, i will be featuring my own original characters in the stories i share. i apologize for any translation errors, as i translated it from my own language into english. i hope you enjoy it. see you in other stories!

here it is! @ladyoflindon @alyaofthedunedain @ares-daughter94 @lostkizzy @tavern-cat this is for you guys 🩵

characters: gil galad, eärien

Lindon Royal Gardens, After Eärien's Death

Gil-galad quietly stepped into the royal garden under the dark night sky. The stars above sparkled one by one, but each appeared dim and cold to him. Memories of Eärien echoed in every corner of the garden. As he walked on the stone path, with each step, his heart grew heavier, drowning in the bittersweet pain of the past.

The flowers in the garden had bloomed just as Eärien had loved them. He remembered how she would enjoy walking here every spring, inhaling the fragrance of the blossoms. Her laughter would light up the garden, and her eyes would shimmer under the stars. But now, only silence and the coldness of her absence remained. Every corner where they had once been happy now felt like a scene of torment for Gil-galad. Every flower, every leaf reminded him of Eärien’s absence. Gil-galad lifted his head to the stars, but tonight, they brought him no solace. For his brightest star, Eärien, was no longer by his side.

He came to the bench where they used to sit together. It was the spot where he would sit next to Eärien and listen to her soft voice. He reached out to the bench, but his fingertips touched only a cold, lonely surface. At that moment, the deep pain he carried surged like a rising tide.

A gentle breeze brushed against him. It felt like a whisper from Eärien. Her sweet voice echoed in his ears:

“It’s hard to see the sorrow in your eyes. Perhaps this darkness is a reflection of the emptiness within you…”

A tear slid down Gil-galad’s face. The words Eärien had spoken to him now held even more meaning. For that inner void had become an indescribable depth. Each day and night without her felt like losing himself in a sea of darkness. Eärien’s warmth, her voice, her touch, were now distant memories.

He walked towards the small pond in the corner of the garden. This was Eärien’s favorite spot. She loved to sit by the pond and watch the stars reflected in the water. Gil-galad looked into the pond’s surface; in his reflection, he saw a lonely king. A king who once had everything, but now was empty and filled with sorrow. Eärien had been not only his love but also a light that brought him peace and hope. That light had been extinguished, and Gil-galad was left alone in the darkness.

Her last words to him echoed in his mind:

“Gil-galad, even with my last breath, I love you. Our child will remain a beacon of hope. Please, raise them well.”

Gil-galad placed his hand over his heart, struggling against the deep ache within. Eärien’s final wish had become his greatest responsibility. Their child was the most precious legacy Eärien had left him. But sometimes, the pain inside made even carrying that responsibility feel unbearable.

Slowly, he sank to his knees, bowing his head and closing his eyes. His hands dragged through the earth, as if searching for the last traces of Eärien in a desperate act. In the garden, there was only the sound of the wind and the soft ripple of water. Yet Gil-galad, in that moment, felt Eärien’s presence. Her scent, her voice, seemed to wrap around him as though she were there. But when he opened his eyes, everything was as it had been—empty. Only the sorrow within Gil-galad remained.

“Eärien…” he whispered, his voice almost lost in the wind, choked with sobs. “Losing you is the deepest wound of my soul. I miss you more with each passing day. I promised you, Eärien. I promised I would protect you, keep our kingdom safe. But I failed... I lost you. The future of our kingdom withered with you…”

He slowly rose, casting one last look at the pond before preparing to leave. This garden would always carry the memories of Eärien. But those memories brought him both comfort and unbearable pain. Gil-galad walked alone once more that night, but this time his loneliness was deeper than ever. For in this garden, there was a spirit waiting for him—the one he had loved and would forever miss. As Gil-galad left the garden, he walked with a heart still full of love for Eärien, but also burdened by the grief of losing her.

Eärien was gone. But her love, her memory, and their child would continue to live as a beacon of hope within Gil-galad. In this sorrow-filled garden, her memory would remain forever.

i’m having chatgpt create a story about gil galad. so far, i’ve been creating and reading these stories myself, but would you like me to share the stories i’ve crafted?

i know it’s DELUSIONAL but i’m obsessed with him 😮‍💨

[amoonglove]

Renovations

Anthea watched as the plants swayed happily back and forth in their new garden. The water in the small indoor pond swirled ever so gently toward a drain in the center before being replaced by the soft water falling from the roof fixture. It seemed like the system was working as intended. “This is… miraculous…” she whispered to herself. 

She moved downstairs quickly to see the result of running the system and indeed, the water from upstairs cascaded downwards into thin sheets before being collected and sent back up to the ground floor for reuse. She ran her fingers gently along the waterfall, careful not to disturb its flow, before returning up the stairs.

They had been planning these renovations for moons now, and seeing it all come together was all the reward she needed. She had taken time away from her friends to mull over recent events, and luckily, the shop’s finances lined up perfectly with the renovations that they wanted. She walked across to one of the beds, the smell of fresh herbs energized the air a bit, and giggled to herself. 

There were many that laughed at the way the Oracle ran her business, but gil was never important to her. She closed her eyes and imagined Vione walking through the front door, smiling, arms wide open. “Thea!” she would say, “Look at all you’ve done! I’m so proud of how much you’ve grown.” A small sigh escaped her lips and her eyes became glassy as they fell to the floor.

Then the front door opened. 

Anthea stood up, looking toward the entrance to see Shiro and Kami stepping into the shop wide-eyed. “The system works beautifully, boys,” she said with a chuckle.

“It’s so beautiful it’s made you cry, has it?” Kami walked over, drying her tears on the corner of his apron. 

Anthea just smiled. Love has a strange way of continuing to blossom. Even after things seem to come to an end; even if it looks completely different than it did before.