#goodbye Germain

[datadirewolf]

[sulkingsmoke]

(Mbappé has now put the record straight by insisting that PSG knew of his intention not to extend his deal as early as last year and that the letter sent yesterday was just a reiteration of his desire to depart.)

(“The board has been informed since July 15th, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024, and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them,” he wrote in a statement.)

And pissg are acting like they didn’t know about his decision n stuff

🙄😑

psg are such assholes with their contracts and part of me believes its because they know that their future is looking dim.

psg is the type of club that thrives on big names and personalities, ie. zlatan, neymar, messi (although his fame and place in the club were different and much more controversial). mbappe is literally the posterboy for psg, and he's already spoken out about his discomfort with that, which speaks volumes when you consider how much the club needs him to stay marketable.

given all the departures from psg this year, the disagreements and miscommunications from players and the board, and the shitty performances post wc, I'm glad he's decided not to renew, but I wish he could've made the decision a few years earlier :(

[they-killed-cassandra-first]

Thank me later 😚

[allaboutnayeli]

Cute aggression with Elisa I FKN BEEEEEEGGGGGGGGG

SHE SOOO FKN CUUUUTE I JUST AGAHAHHXHFHDHDHEHRHRGCHFHDFGGFHFBFNFJHDDHHCBGTTDT

I love her way too much

can't help myself [e.de almeida x reader]

summary: elisa is always so cute you just have to show her that you love that about her in an overly aggressive way.

author notes: this is such a cute request! love you anon for this one. enjoy it y'all!

elisa is many things. a skilled footballer, a chaotic girlfriend, an absolute family person, and a cat mama. she is also the cutest thing you have ever seen and half of the time she doesn't even know it.

there are so many moments where elisa is just absentmindedly pouting about something or cuddling up to you two's black cat, lily. the times where she's too tired to function are the best. the pouting, groans of annoyance when you move away from her, and the "c'mon, stop, babe" when you start laughing at how irritated she looks. it's so adorable of her.

elisa is such a cutie and that makes you internally want to just bite her or squeeze her cheeks so hard she whines and pushes you away. the cute aggression when it comes to your girlfriend is unmatched.

the cute aggression towards elisa is always an all time high when she comes back from away games. from the moment you pick her up to her head hits the pillow she's adorable.

it's around eight am when paris saint germain make their way back to paris from a champions league match against roma with a win. you sit on the sorta uncomfortable seats in the airport near where the team should be coming out. a warm smile curls up your lips as you spot elisa coming out behind sakina. anyone could see how tired she was from a mile away. elisa smiles softly once she spots you. opening up her free arm, the other is pulling her suitcase, to pull you close as she reaches where you are sitting. she lets go out of her suitcase for a moment to wrap her arms fully around you and nuzzle her face into your neck. letting out a small sigh.

you chuckle as she says, "sometimes i wish the champions league didn't exist." the genuine annoyance in her words makes you laugh even more. "that's not true. you love playing in the champions league and traveling was one of your top reasons, so what changed now, miss de almeida?" you pull away from her grasp which makes her groan and frown at you. the sight was so cute you almost screamed, but held in it because public decency and all that jazz. "that was past elisa. current elisa is tired and about to pass out so can we go home already?" the footballer groans again as you pinch her cheek. you had to get that elisa-induced aggression out of your system somehow. "hm. i don't knoww. i wanted to talk to jackie and korbin for a minute or two before going," you say. smiling once you see the small eye roll your girlfriend does.

"babee," elisa pouts, "i'm serious. let's go home." you sigh out a small fine before grabbing onto her suitcase as she goes back to clinging onto you. she waves goodbye to her teammates still lingering around. knowing damn well at the next practice they were going to be teasing her relentlessly, but at the moment all elisa could think about was bed, you, and sleep. that's it, nothing else.

"c'mon, babygirl," you say playfully as you two come out of the airport and to your car. elisa lets out a sound of mock annoyance at the nickname. she hated it, but you always found a way to say it. usually she would give you a light hit on the shoulder, but was too tired to truly care about the petname so you are let off scotch free for now.

it takes a bit of time to get into the car with elisa refusing to let you go. groaning and pulling you closer every time you tried to get into the driver's seat. finally you sigh out of frustration and say, "what if someone who knows you see this, elisa? stop being a baby and get in the car so we can go home like you wanted."

your words make elisa sigh out dramatically before letting you go and going over to the passenger side. crossing her arms across her chest once she snaps on her seatbelt and gets all comfortable. "elisa, it is never that serious," you laugh as you slip into the driver's seat. snapping in your seatbelt before pulling off. the footballer just lets out a small hmph before turning away from you as best as she could and leaning her head against the window. elisa is fast asleep only five minutes into the ride.

her eyebrows are slightly furrowed as her lips are in a small pout. somehow her hair is still perfect as her face sits half against the glass of the window, half against the actual door. elisa's arms are still across her chest as she sleeps.

you nearly crash the car as you look over to see how adorable she's being. the strong urge to just pinch her cheek again almost gets you, but you rather not be under the wrath of an exhausted elisa, so you resist; for now.

when you two reach home, elisa is back on her clingy stuff. as you set her suitcase by the couch she refuses to let you go. almost making you both trip as you try to walk over to the kitchen to grab a juice. "oh my god, elisa.." you whine softly as you try to reach the fridge with all of elisa's weight on you. the woman is still half asleep so she hardly reacts. basically being like dead weight. "i love you i swear, but please let me go. you need to change anyways," you try to pull her arms from around your waist, but she puts that footballer strength to use even while half sleep. "elisa..i'm serious," she groans as she finally pulls away. turning to go towards the bedroom. a small hmph can be heard as elisa slips into the room.

you let out a sigh of relief as you can finally move freely. grabbing some juice for yourself and a water for elisa. you set them down on the counter as you go to look into the cabinets for some popcorn. a small movie marathon was promised by elisa when she would come back and now she's back, it's time for that. even though you knew she would just be sleeping throughout all of the movies you have planned.

just as you put the automatic popcorn bag into the microwave, a small groan fills the otherwise silence of the apartment. you look behind you to see a grumpy looking elisa. her arms are crossed across her chest as she pouts and gives you a small glare.

"we are supposed to be cuddling right now," the footballer mumbles. you just chuckle as you come over to her. the cuteness levels right now were so high, you couldn't help it as you go to pull her close. squeezing her so hard until she tries to pull away. "why are you trying to suffocate me, babee?" she whines as she tries to pull out of your grasp. you don't let her as you squeeze her again.

"you're just too cute right now," you say as you finally let her go. giving her ass a small squeeze before fully pulling away. elisa gives your arm a light slap as you move to go back over to the kitchen. "yeah, yeah, whatever. just hurry up," she pouts. turning around to go slip into you two's bedroom once again.

the sound of the popcorn finally slows as you come over to the microwave. stopping it and taking the popcorn out. you put it into a large bowl before going into the bedroom. ready to cuddle and snack while old nickelodeon movies play.

"already so cozy? without me?" you tease as elisa looks at you from the bed. she is tucked in and looking very comfortable. her eyes are basically closed as she looks at you. "shut up and hurry up," elisa mumbles. you just roll your eyes as you set the bowl of popcorn on the bed. elisa reaches her arm out to try and pull her onto the bed but you move back fast enough. "nuh uh. i have to change first," you chuckle as she lets out a small groan. "c'mon, babe, hurry.."

you roll your eyes at how she keeps rushing you, but still you slip into your pajamas as quick as possible before getting into bed beside her. the moment you're in the bed, elisa pulls you close and nuzzles her face into your neck. "finally.." she says softly as her arm goes to wrap around your waist. trying to pull you closer if that was even possible. you move slightly, which makes her groan out in annoyance, to grab the bowl of popcorn. setting it on top of you two before grabbing the remote that is on the other side of elisa's body.

once all settled, elisa slips back off to sleep. clinging to your body with a strong grip.

you end up falling asleep an hour later, in the middle of the hey arnold movie. the now empty bowl of popcorn is long forgotten. laying on the floor.

it's around one am when you wake back up, suddenly needing to pee. you try to pull out of elisa's grasp, but again that footballer strength is unmatched. "babe.." you say softly, still trying to pull away.

"no.. where are you going?" elisa murmurs, her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes stay closed. "bathroom," elisa just lets out a hmph of annoyance as you reply. still not allowing you to get out of bed. it's an adorable sight truly that makes your cuteness aggression so bad, but you still need to pee. one idea pops into your head that can help both of those problems.

you lean your head down a bit before biting down on elisa's cheek. "babe, what the fuck!" she shouts as loud as a half asleep person can. pushing you away enough that you end up falling off the bed. elisa sits up and leans over to look at you. "damn, elisa. it wasn't even that bad!" you say as you get up. "you bit me!" she reasons.

"and? you were like a koala and i had to use the bathroom, so it's your fault," you argue back. she just sticks the middle finger up at you before going back to laying in bed. "whatever. just hurry up," elisa says as hugs onto your pillow.

still so goddamn adorable.

[s30620]

Chapter 120: Kashima Reiko's Maiden Heart

Lots of endings and lots of beginnings in this chapter. The Space Globalists arc is finally completed! Even though we say goodbye to some characters, there's no doubt we will see them again. Momo, you better make your confession soon, otherwise we will be seeing Kashima Reiko sooner than later! We also got to see what happened to the Sumerian grannies so check that out 👀 Also Count Saint Germain is introduced... so many new things... Let's keep reading!

[giggly-squiggily]

Visual Novel Masterlist

Here's the full master list of all my visual novel fics!

Last Updated: 9/30/24

Full Masterlist

🚪Cafe Enchante ☕

A Fae’s Sensitivity (Lee!Canus, Ler!Kotone)

Howling With Mirth (Lee!Ignis, Ler!Kotone)

🩵 Code Realize ⚙

A Saintly Mistake (Lee!Saint-Germain, Ler!Cardia)

Love Me SiSi! (Lee!Impey, Ler!Cardia)

Of Puffy Sleeves and Romance Novels (Switch!Impey, Switch!Lupin)

Rather Interesting (Lee!Lupin, Ler!Sholmes)

Reflexive Training (Lee!Cardia, Ler!Van Helsing)

Smile For Me! (Lee!Victor, Ler!Cardia)

The Human Weapon Can Laugh? (Switch!Van, Switch!Impey, Switch!Lupin)

Wake Up, Mademoiselle (Lee!Cardia, Ler!Lupin)

☠Collar x Malice 🐈‍⬛

The (Dis)Advantages of Being Short (Switches!Takeru, Ichika)

Get Along Children (Lee!Takeru, Mineo, Ler!Aiji)

Getting Used To It (Lee!Mineo, Ler!Ichika)

It's A Secret! (Lee!Ichika, Ler!Okazaki)

Movie Night (Switches!Okazaki, Ichika)

Time For Bed! (Lee!Mineo, Ler!Ichika)

Take That, Gremlin! (Lee!Takeru, Ler!Mineo)

💞Cupid Parasite 🏹

#Fc89ac (Cupid Parasite)

Just Tell Her, You Fool! (Lee!Gill, Lers!Allen, Raul)

Out Of Touch (Lee!Allan, Ler!Lynette)

~~~~🐻‍❄ Danganronpa 🐻~~~~

🐻 Trigger Happy Havoc🔒

Big Softie (Lee!Leon, Ler!Mondo)

Sailor Mouth (Lee!Mondo, Ler!Taka)

🐰 Goodbye Despair 🏖

Band Aid (Lee!Mikan, Ler!Ibuki)

Cheering Up The Yakuza (Lee!Fuyuhiko, Ler!Hajime, Ler!Komada, Ler!Kazuichi, Ler!Gundham)

Have You Been Eating? (Lee!Hajime, Ler!Akane)

Love Yourself Like How I love You (Nagito x Reader)

Not A Loser (Lee!Souda, Lers!Sonia, Gundham)

Shared Weakness (Lee!Sonia, Ler!Gundam)

🐻‍❄ Killing Harmony 🤖

Gentleman’s Guide To Etiquette (Lee!Gonta, Ler!Kirumi)

Giving It A Try (Lee!Korekiyo, Ler!Gonta)

Gonta Wake Up (Lee!Gonta, Ler!Korekiyo)

Morning Bird (AmaGujiMatsu)

Pen Pals (Kiiboumasai)

🔫 Piofiore 🇮🇹

Peaceful Days To Come (Lee!Orlok, Ler!Lilianna)

The Tickle Mobster (Lee!Liliana, Ler!Nicola)

The Tickle Mobster Returns (Lee!Dante, Ler!Nicola)

Weakness Located (Lee!Dante, Ler!Liliana)

[alexbkrieger13]

Sara Bjork’s pregnancy story shocked women’s football, but it’s different at Chelsea

Everyone at Chelsea has been so supportive of Melanie Leupolz before, during and after her pregnancy. Her baby boy has even become our mascot!

Possibly the biggest story in women’s football so far this year has been that of Iceland captain Sara Bjork winning her case against her former club Lyon after they stopped paying her when she got pregnant.

I read her account on the Players’ Tribune and it is fair to say it raised questions about the culture of women’s football and attitudes towards pregnancy and motherhood. The same goes for Reading captain Emma Mukandi’s comments recently questioning the maternity conditions available to WSL players.

Both stories created headlines but I would like to paint a different, more encouraging, picture for you. Last weekend my Chelsea team-mate Melanie Leupolz was back in our matchday squad for the first time since giving birth in September.

Since the day she surprised us by announcing her pregnancy, everything has been positive inside our club surrounding Melanie. We have had open discussions and shared in her joy. Not for a second was there a feeling of “she won’t be able to play now”.

We were actually in a meeting room expecting something on tactics when we found out. An ultrasound scan appeared on the screen and her name was there at the top: Melanie Leupolz. She then stood up and told us and the response was like she had won an award.

We had a baby shower for her and a goodbye meal before she went back to Germany to give birth. When we played at Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League in October she paid us a surprise visit with her baby boy.

Where Emma Mukandi said her baby was not welcome at her club’s training ground, things could not be more different with Melanie.

Of course, there are certain restrictions regarding times and places but the staff and team have welcomed Melanie’s baby with open arms. Whenever he is around the training ground, everyone just lights up – he is like a little mascot and gets passed around. He is such a happy baby and puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Melanie even brought him and his nanny along to our mid-winter training camp in Spain, and it was cool to see the club allow that. When we got emailed the squad list for that trip, Melanie’s name was there and his below – like he had been called up too, which was so cute.

If I am giving you a positive picture, I acknowledge that pregnancy does raise big question marks for female athletes. In some ways, things will never be the same and you have to make sacrifices. And if you do not have a partner who can look after the baby, there is the financial cost of childcare.

Yet I am optimistic things are changing for the better. The WSL took a forward step, for example, with the introduction of a league-wide maternity policy for the first time ahead of this current season. This means a player going on maternity leave is paid 100 per cent of her weekly wage, as well as any other remuneration and benefits, for the first 14 weeks before reverting to the statutory rate. Emma Mukandi has said it is not enough but it is a start at least.

Going back to Melanie, the specialist support she has received has been wonderful. We are fortunate at Chelsea to have help from a sport scientist called Georgie Bruinvels who is a consultant with our menstrual cycles, and she was in weekly contact with Melanie even while she was back in Germany.

With the break from playing football, Melanie was able to focus on other aspects of her body, including building up the strength in her glutes and her hamstrings. Crucially, the club engaged a pelvic-floor physiotherapist to work with her too

What impresses me is how quickly Melanie has got her fitness back. I know her sleep is not the same – as you would expect – but she has surprised herself with her physical condition since coming back at the end of November. It is important not to rush back, though, and she finally rejoined us in full training at the start of this month.

Melanie is not the first team-mate I have seen bounce back after having a baby. A couple of years ago, my Sweden colleague Elin Rubensson recorded her best sprint-test speed six months after giving birth.

I am fascinated by the science of this and Georgie at the club explained to me this week that during pregnancy, a woman’s heart rate and the oxygen-carrying capacity in her blood increases – after all, her heart has to pump for two. For athletes who continue to train during pregnancy, these benefits can last longer than the usual six to 12 weeks after giving birth and bring performance improvements.

As Georgie added: “Quite a few people are known to have improved their personal best in track and field, for example. There are cases of athletes coming back and being better, partly because their body has gone through this process.” In short, keep a close eye on Melanie in the weeks ahead!

[erisxdrifter]

Can you make a story about Eris telling Drifter that he's going to be a father. Drifter is overjoyed. Eris tells him that the baby is a blessing and a source of happiness for them both

This might be a little too fast HAHAHA

Note: it's a baby girl

Omg awwww 🥺 so sweet, thank you so much for the request! It was super fun to write, hope you love it!

Eris Morn walked across the metal grated floor of the Derelict, twiddling the ring on her left hand. There was a strange and rare excitement coursing through her veins as she paced back and forth down the hall outside the closed room she was sure the Drifter was in right now, more than likely running his usual Gambit schedule.

  After pacing a few more steps, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her thundering heart before she knocked on the door.

  "Germaine?" She called as her knuckles hit against the metal. 

  A moment later the door was opened.

  "Hey, Moondust!" The Drifter greeted her with a wide grin.

  Eris walked past him into the room. "Are you busy?" She asked, eyeing the monitor screens behind him, which showed live feeds from the Gambit arenas.

  "Nah, just finished a match. Probably got a few minutes before the next one. Why? You miss me?" He arched one of his brows with a flirtatious smirk.

  "I have news for you," Eris replied, barely able to contain her glee.

  "Yeah? Well if it's got you tickled pink like this it must be somethin' pretty good, huh?" The Drifter replied, finding Eris's joy contagious. "C'mon, tell me what's up."

  "I'm pregnant, Germaine." Eris told him with a smile.

  "What?" The Drifter asked, a surprised expression across his face.

  "Your going to be a father." She told him. "We are going to have a girl."

  "A girl?" The Drifter asked, dumbfounded. "Your... your pregnant?" His lips began pulling into a smile, and before Eris knew it he was on top of her with warm hugs and clinging kisses. "Your serious, Moondust?" He breathed out at last.

  Eris smiled, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "Yes."

  "And you know it's a girl?"

  Eris nodded. "I went to a professional in the City to confirm my pregnancy, and the results came back positive and with the gender of the child." She replied. Then softly, she continued. "This child... our baby, she will be a blessing and a source of happiness unto us both, I am sure of it."

  The Drifter's whole face beamed gloriously before falling into a nervous smile. "You think we'll be good parents?" He asked softly.

   "No one is perfect, of course," Eris began. "But I am sure we will do fine, Germaine."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yes." She smiled, reaching out to stroke his scarred cheek. "You will be a wonderful father."

  Suddenly a shrill beeping interrupted their conversation.

  "Guess I gotta go start the next match." The Drifter told her reluctantly.

  "That is fine, we will speak more of this when you get home tonight."

  The Drifter smiled, leaning in to kiss her again. "Can't wait, Moondust." He said as she walked out from his arms.

  This would change their lives beautifully, bringing them joyous blessings and happiness, Eris was sure of it. And with that thought, she left with a light and happy heart, waving goodbye to the Drifter as he blew her a kiss.

[theawkwardterrier]

Wednesday 100: Family Means

"Brianna and Roger left suddenly for Boston, seeking a cure for Amanda's heart," writes Milord, although he includes no address to which Fergus and Marsali might write, although Fergus cannot imagine the most expensive Boston expert knowing more than Milady.

Even without being told, he understands that the MacKenzies are gone now as Milady was for all that time, gone such that grief leaks from the letter's staunchly inked words, gone so that he has no answer when Germain asks when they will visit Jem again, gone in a way that has robbed him once more of a true goodbye.

[redwineconversation]

Lindsey Horan Le Progres Interview (September 28, 2023)

She might not kneel for the national anthem but she will kneel for Lyon's values. Give and take if you will.

An interesting interview with a player who maybe embodies Lyon's values in a way people are only just beginning to understand.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; this cold is KILLING me and I am singlehandedly financing the Medicine Ball supply from Starbucks (hint hint OL Comms Dept); I wish I could emphasize how much invasive shit annoys the HELL out of me and YES I do think stans should be banned from stadiums; y'all know the speech by now.

As I so often say, to know Lyon is to understand them. This is how you get to that. (Turns out you CAN get to know a player without developing a parasocial relationship!!)

LINDSEY HORAN LE PROGRES INTERVIEW

Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais Féminin): "Playoffs or not, we want to finish first at the end of the season"

Returning from the midwest in the United States, where she has just spent two weeks during the international break, Lindsey Horan confirms that she will be ready to play against PSG on Sunday at the Parc des Princes. A first clash of the heavy weights according her, despite the new format and the playoffs put in place in the D1 Arkema.

How are you feeling after this international break, are you ready to go?

It was really nice being in Chicago and Cincinnati. We played two really good games against South Africa, which we won, and that did us a lot of good, we needed that. But it was also sad because we had to say goodbye to Megan Rapinoe who retired. I came back from the United States on Monday, and was in training with the team on Wednesday. With each return from international break, I am jet lagged, it usually takes me between two to three days for my sleep schedule to get back on track, and a week to recover completely. But that's my life (laughter).

Have you recovered enough to play against Paris [Saint-Germain] on Sunday?

Oh yes, without a doubt, I can only be ready!

The scheduling of this PSG-OL isn't exactly ideal, right after the international break?

You'd think the French Federation were doing it deliberately, they always schedule the clashes between PSG and Lyon right after the international break. It's obviously not ideal. We got most of the national players back on Wednesday afternoon, so that doesn't leave a lot of time to prepare. But that's part of our job to put everything in place, along with the staff, to be ready for Sunday. This situation isn't exactly better on the Parisian side...

Usually the games against PSG carry a lot of weight. With the playoffs system put in place this season, is the PSG-Lyon clash somewhat less important?

No, not for me, and I hope nobody else thinks like that. For us, at Lyon, we want to win every game, even more so games like that. If we want to be champions, stay at that level and maintain our standards, we have to play our best football to win. So yes, this season, it's a bit different with the play-offs. Some say that it's not that important as long as they finish in the top four, because they can still win the league. But that's not the Lyon mentality: we want to win everything and finish first at the end of season, play-offs be damned.

What do you think of this new structure?

I prefer the former one. I'm from the United States where we're used to playing playoffs, it's the norm. But what I liked in France up to now, it's that to remain at the top and keep your position as first in the league, and qualify for the Champions League, it's that you had to be consistent throughout the season. The slightest error, a draw or a loss to PSG could put everything into play and you'd be in a difficult situation. Personally, I'm not a fan of this [new] system, even if it's not "bad" and I understand that it's attractive for the broadcasters and for the D1 Arkema followers. But for me, being top of the league throughout the season shows how much team is strong and powerful.

What do you think of this 2023-2024 PSG team which you played against three weeks ago in the Trophee des Championnes?

It's still a really good team who represents a big threat. Sure, they lost one of their best players which was to our benefit. And I'd rather she (Kadidiatou Diani) is on our side, so I'm happy to have Kadi[diatou Diani] amongst us. But they also got a lot of players since we played them at Troyes. It's always a real battle and a proper fight between Lyon and Paris [Saint-Germain], anyone can win it, so it should be exciting.

The Lyon roster is incredible this season. Lyon is the big favorite, no?

Yeaaahhh. (laughter) I don't really look at nor listen to what people say about Lyon, honestly. I don't like people saying that we are favorites. We respect PSG and we know we have to up our game against them to win. The most important, it's that we play our game, with our strengths and our style. We're Lyon, we want to dominate and make sure the prophecies come true.

Lyon has a huge offensive arsenal this year with the arrivals of Diani and Dumornay. Is that competitiveness in the attack a good thing in your eyes?

Yes, it's incredible. Lyon has always had top players but to be challenged on a daily basis to earn your place as a starter or to play some minutes, it's the most important thing in a team. It's great, it makes us better.

In the midfield as well, there's some very stiff competition. You're part of the [core] players, but do you feel that your place as a starter is at play?

Nothing can taken for granted. If a player thinks their place is guaranteed, that's a mistake because there are so many good midfielders, you have to be at the top of your game and give your best at each practice. We all have to have those standards because if you want to be on the team sheet on game day and as a stater, you have to perform well the whole season.

You chose to extend with Lyon until 2026. Why?

For the pure and simple reason that at Lyon, I'm playing with the best players in the world and that I can play a style of football which I couldn't have in the United States. And to play the Champions League each year, it's just incredible. We don't have that kind of competition in the United States. To not have access to that, to not play those kind of games with the emotions that come with it, it would be too hard. And also, it's hard to refuse an offer of a contract extension with Lyon, it's such an extraordinary club...

Your good friend Amandine Henry did the opposite and returned to the US.

Yeah, we met in Portland and we connected really well, both as friends and on the field. She really brings something different to the team, she's so powerful, so competitive... It's crazy. But I'm losing her again, she decided to leave me. (laughter) The truth is I'm really happy for her. Every player should have that kind of experience and play in different leagues. It's a great growing experience, discovering other cultures. I would have liked for her to stay but I'm happy for her, especially because she's back with the French National Team.

You seem to have formed a great partnership with Ada (Hegerberg) and Vanessa (Gilles), you're quite the threesome.

Quite the what now? (laughter) No worries, I can say some nice things about both of them if you want (laughter) They're really great, they're my two closest friends at Lyon. Last year, when Vanessa arrived, the three of us bonded as friends. Which is really surprising because at the beginning, I didn't like Vanessa (laughter) I'm kidding. But she was a real introvert. I got to know her, and she's someone who is very authentic, one of the best people I have met in my life. It's cool to have someone like her on a team, it's rare.

They say that at 29, a footballer is living their best years of their career. Do you feel that way?

Oh yeah, people are saying that? I hope so (laughter) I hope that I am at my peak but I also want to continue to improve (laughter) But seriously, I don't think I've ever played as well during this World Cup, just like last season with Lyon. For me, it's a personal challenge to get better year after year. This season, I want to win more trophies, win the Champions League again, so I have to do even more individually. As you said, these are the best years so I hope it will be the peak.

How did you experience the changes with the staff (departure of the head of physical fitness Romain Segue and the arrival of Simon Pouplin as the goalkeeper coach, replacing Christophe Gardié)?

It's always difficult when people leave but it's good to have a bit of change as well, especially in how things function because it brings some new ideas. I think that with the arrival of Michele Kang, the size of the staff will grow and our team needs that because we need the best. At this point, we're happy with the changes and we hope that it will allow us to continue to progress.

Are you happy with the owners?

When she took over Washington Spirit, Michele Kang immediately set the objective of making it the best club, to bring the best players, the best head coach, to have the best of everything, really. Today, lots of teams are beginning to invest and we have to keep doing that to stay at the top of women's football. It's necessary.

What was hardest last season: Lyon being knocked out by Chelsea in the Champions League or the US being knocked out in the World Cup?

Both. Against Chelsea, it was very difficult because we were full of confidence, we were on the cusp of being qualified [for the semis] and we fell short. On a personal level, it was even harder because I missed a penalty. It's really complicated to accept and process, but that's football. The World Cup, it's the same, we went to penalties but only one team goes through and once again, that's football. It's hard to compare, both were really hard to experience, but maybe the World Cup was a little harder because it only happens every four years.

Does Lyon want revenge after that cruel elimination against Chelsea?

Each season and each team is different, from one season to the next. I don't really like to use the word revenge. We have a new opportunity, a new team, lessons to learn from with this new edition. We don't want to live that again, we want to win and play our best football.

Has the loss in the World Cup been properly processed?

In hindsight, I don't think we played our best football in the group stage. There were a lot of reasons and when I think back on it, I tell myself we could have done a lot more. In the Round of 16, we played a really good game that we could have won. But Sweden is a really good team and their goalkeeper made some incredible saves until that penalty shootout. But we left the competition with our head high and I think that's the most important thing.

Are you still doing well in Lyon?

Yeah, I'm really happy here and it's one of the reasons I wanted to stay. My partner was able to join me and can work from Lyon. And my dog should come next week!

What's his name?

It's a French bulldog named Ferguson! I'm not a Manchester United fan because I support Arsenal [men], but I really like Sir Alex Ferguson.

You're one of the rare Americans who imposed themselves in Europe. How do you explain that?

I'm not as American as people think (laugher). My style of play is better suited and valued in Europe. A lot of American players didn't like their European experience or weren't able to play their best football because they were playing with a really American style and that doesn't always work her. A lot of my teammates tell me actually that I'm the most American European they have ever met. But it's just my style of playing. I like that the football culture is more developed here than in the US, even if it's getting better and better. In Europe and at Lyon, it's all about football. Maybe that's why I have succeeded and why I love my life here.

In the US, do they understand your choice to stay in Europe?

Most of my teammates understand it because they know how I play and know it's a good thing for me. A lot of others think that I'm crazy to stay two or three years overseas because it's hard to be so far away from home. But I keep the American spirit ... with a European style of play!

Who or what do you miss the most in the US?

Spending time with my parents. Especially at my age, where you are aware that your parents are getting older and time spent with them is precious (she chokes up). I want to try and get them to come to Lyon more often. This year it might actually happen because they'll be missing Ferguson! (laughter)

[renee-writer]

Loved Her First Chapter 60

AO3

“Please God!” she prays as she searches through the medical supplies brought from the future. “Thank you!” Finding the Dramamine, she offers thanks. This voyage will be hard enough with Faith’s severe morning sickness ( a misnomer if there ever was one), the twins crawling about everywhere, Fin’s colic, and Germain’s teething, without Jamie’s  severe sea sickness to boot.

 

“What is it auntie?” Ian stands beside her. She hadn’t even heard him come in.

 

“Medicine from our time to with Jamie’s sea sickness.” He knowing their secret makes teaching him so much easier.

 

“It helps with the rolling wame, does it?” He takes the little bottle from her.

 

“Yes.”

 

He nods and grins. “Will it help Faith with her pregnancy illness?”

 

“It will.”

 

“Praise the saints for she is barely keeping anything down though she is always hungry.”

 

“It is that way sometimes. It should settle in the second trimester.” He frowns. “That is after the third month. The first three months are the first trimester, four through six the second, with seven through the end the third.”

 

“I see. Was it much different in your time, the care of a expectant mam?”

 

She thinks for a moment. “There were blood tests, to closely monitor the health of both mam and child. Something called a sonogram, that allowed the physician to see inside the womb.” His auntie has explained what can be seen in the blood, about germs and how they cause illness, even about the way a child comes to be. All this startled him. It is nothing though to hearing there was a way to see into the secret place, as the bible calls it

 

“How extraordinary!” he breaths.

 

“Yes, they were just starting to be used in my time. It was amazing to see how the child formed.”

 

“So you ken what our child looks like?”

 

She smiles. “An idea, yes  At two months, it has a head and spine, little arms and legs are started to form. It has a heartbeat.”

 

“A miracle.”

 

“Yes, always that.” She doesn’t wish to overwhelm him, but she thinks there might be more than one miracle. Faith’s intense morning sickness, something about the way she looks and moves, her body seems looser already; all this makes her mama suspect twins.

 

Preparing to move across the Atlantic is hard anytime. When you are moving a entire extended family on a ship, including two that are pregnant ( Marsali and Fergus announced their second days before), four babies under one, and nine adults, it seems impossible.

 

Trunks are packed and repacked, replacements for different jobs arranged ( Janet is ready to take over educating those children that remain) and Jenny has learned some medicine from Claire and her son. The coming goodbyes are hard. They put them off as long as they can.

 

“Now just because you will be at the colonies with a newborn, is nae excuse not to write.” Jenny reminds her son and daughter -in-law.

 

“Aye mam. We promise.”

 

“I will see to Lallybroch, ye ken not tae fash.” Ian Sr. reassures Jamie.”

 

He hugs him tight. “I never have.”

 

“You will always have a home here.” Jenny reminds her nieces, “If ye need, ye and the bairns.”

 

“Aye auntie. You, Uncle Ian, and our cousins will in America as well.” Brianna hugs her and she gets another cuddle with Fin.

 

“I will see our grandchild safely delivered.” Claire says hugging her heart sister close. “I promise.”

 

“I ken you will. Write, tell me of Caelan James and Ainslie, of Fin and Germain, and the ones yet unborn.”

 

“You have my word.”

 

Tears flow as the wagons are loaded. Wee Jamie and Sam, Maggie’s husband, are riding with them to bring them back. Final hugs and promises before the four couples, their bairns, and Murtagh join the drivers and the wagons are driven away.

[bongaboi]

Paris Saint-Germain: 2023-24 Coupe De France Winners

Paris Saint-Germain beat Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final on Saturday to end the season with a domestic treble in Kylian Mbappé's last game for the club.

The Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions dominated the first half at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy to secure their record-extending 15th Cup title and first since 2021.

Ousmane Dembélé put PSG ahead after 23 minutes when Nuno Mendes' cross found him unmarked in the six-yard box to coolly head home, and Fabio Ruiz doubled the advantage with a strike from a tight angle at the second attempt.

Lyon pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half thanks to Jake O'Brien's towering header off a corner before PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a superb save minutes later.

PSG's all-time top scorer Mbappé failed to find the net in his final game for the club, leaving his record at 256 goals in 308 appearances over his seven-year spell.

"You feel a bit more the weight of things because you realize that it's really over," Mbappé told broadcaster beIN Sports. "When I said goodbye to the Parc des Princes, there were still some games left, so you are still focused on what awaits you.

"Now, I have nothing left with PSG. But I'm very happy to have been able to finish with a trophy.

"I'm happy to have been part of its history and to have made it a bit."

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned violence ahead of the final as Lyon and PSG supporters clashed on a highway leading to Stade Pierre-Mauroy a few hours before kick-off.

Supporters threw flares and windows were smashed on buses full of supporters. The local prefecture said police had "quickly put an end" to the clashes. In a post on X, it also confirmed buses had been damaged.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[ghanashowbizonline]

Sports Today - Exclusive: Several signings lined up to replace Mbappe at PSG

Ghana Sports Today; bringing you all trending sports news as it happens. Get daily comprehensive summary of the recent sports – football news that have rocked the online scene. Check out the news below. Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to say goodbye to Kylian Mbappe at the end of the season. Attempts by the French club to extend the striker’s contract were unsuccessful, with Kylian opting to…

[legends-of-time]

The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (Outlander)

Chapter 19: Big Brother

Masterlist

Brian and Ellen return to the inn and Lizzie so that they can gather their belongings and join their parents on the journey to Fraser's Ridge. Young Ian is already outside, loading the wagon and Jamie soon joins him. It is then that Brian hears loud and happy chatter. He and Ellen share a confused look while Mama simply grins and strides outside, urging Brian, Ellen and Lizzie to follow with the last of their things.

They emerge from the inn to find a man and woman standing in front of Jamie and Ian. The man is tall with brown hair and blue eyes with a wooden left hand. Brian frowns as he wonders why this man is familiar. The woman next to him is shorter and has blonde hair poking out of her cap and blue eyes and is carrying a baby in a sling, Brian would estimate the child to be over a year and a half old.

The man's face goes politely blank in incomprehension as he stares at them.

"Ah, there's two people I want yer to meet, Fergus." Jamie beams, clasping Brian on the shoulder as he comes to stand next to him with Ellen following.

Fergus? The Fergus that Mama and Jamie found in France and basically adopted? Mama then Aunt Jenny and Uncle Ian had told him stories about Fergus, the man that is essentially his elder brother.

"Fergus?" Ellen speaks, and she glances at Mama questioningly. "As in the French kid Fergus?"

Mama grins. "Yes."

"I—" Brian begins to speak as the silence drags on as Fergus simply stares at them and the woman, who Brian can only assume is Fergus' wife, frowns as she gazes upon them.

"You're Brian." Fergus interrupts, letting out a disbelieving laugh.

"I am."

Fergus suddenly hugs him, and Brian lets out a surprised laugh. Brian glances at Fergus' wife and is glad to see that she is no longer frowning and is looking more friendly.

Fergus pulls back with a smile. "I don't believe it! I know milady said you were well but..." his eyes land on Ellen who smiles awkwardly, "and you?"

"Ellen. His sister." She's a little hesitant and reserved. Brian doesn't blame her for being uncertain around strangers, but is Fergus really a stranger? Brian can't remember but he and Fergus had known each other for nearly two years before Brian travelled through the stones.

"Weel, they certainly favour ye." Fergus' wife remarks and Fergus prods her in the back of the ribs, muttering "Marsali" reproachfully, but Jamie looks delighted.

Brian feels overwhelmed with having met his birth father, but he can only imagine what Jamie is going through. Thinking he'd never meet his children and then they appear fully grown and warning him of his death.

Ellen smiles, looking slightly more relaxed. "So, we've been told."

The party travelling to the Ridge must leave before noon to reach it in daylight, so the meeting is all bundled up with leave-taking and promises that they'll speak more when they meet next. Eventually, everything is packed and ready, and Jamie has put his hands on Fergus's shoulders to bid him farewell and Mama has hugged Marsali and Germain, whose name Brian had learnt. Ellen and Brian share awkward but hopeful goodbyes with the couple and Brian watches as the three stand together in the street to wave as the wagon trundles off.

——

December 1744

♪ Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? ♪

♪ Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! ♪

♪ Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong. ♪

Brian is being bounced on Fergus' knee, facing him, as he sings a familiar melody but with French words put to it. Brian smiles and laughs as he listens, his pudgy hands clapping together.

"Fergus, where did you learn that?"

Brian turns his head to the familiar voice and sees his mother watching them with a smile.

Fergus' head snaps up, looking a bit self-conscious at being caught singing and he shrugs one shoulder as he answers, "The ladies at Maison Elise taught it to me."

"It's lovely. And Brian seems to like it, too." Mama smiles at him encouragingly.

Fergus grins. "I will have him speaking en français in no time, milady!"

Brian decides they haven't paid enough attention to him, so he yanks on Fergus' hair to gain his attention causing the other two in the room to laugh but Brian doesn't care as Fergus relinquishes to his demands.

——

A/N: One more reunion to go!

Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[hum2020blogtv]

Anatomy of a Scene

The two movies I chose to analyze are a comedy and a drama. The first movie I analyzed is the 2003 comedy film Lost in Translation. The movie starts with the American actor Bob Harris in a car. He went to Tokyo, Japan, to shoot a Japanese Whiskey commercial. Bob is an aging movie star who was very popular and famous in his youth. Then, there is Charlotte, who is a newlywed. She is also accompanying her husband, a celebrity photographer, to Tokyo, Japan. They are strangers who meet at a bar at the hotel where they are both staying. They form an emotional connection as they seem to have marriage issues. Throughout the movie, they spend much time together, going to bars, restaurants, karaoke, etc. In the end, when they say goodbye, Bob stops the car to look for Charlotte again and whispers something to her in her ear. After that, they kiss for the first and final time, leaving the viewers in suspense since it is not said what he whispered to her. The movie was fast-paced but was not rushed.

The second movie I analyzed is the 1942 drama film Casablanca. The movie takes place in December of 1941, in the refugee town Casablanca, where people go there to be safe and protected. It is set during World War II. Rick Blaine, one of the main protagonists, owns a nightclub in this town. French and Germain officials, including people seeking refuge in the U.S., go to his nightclub. Rick has in possession letters that guarantee safe passage to the U.S., and his former lover Ilsa and her husband Victor need the letters to go to America to continue their work. However, Rick refuses to give them the letters or sell them. Ilsa tries to make him believe that she still loves Rick to get the letters. In the end, Rick puts Ilsa and her husband on a plane so they can leave Casablanca, and with a friend, Rick will go to a French colony in Africa. The scene I chose to analyze from this film is when Ilsa tells Rick she loves him. It is a dramatic scene because of the raw emotions Ilsa is portraying to the audience. The background music gives it the touch to make it more dramatic, and then she threatens Rick with a gun to get the letters. During the scene, many close-up shots show more of the characters' emotions and increase the drama and suspense. It does a great job at attracting the viewers.

[oceansoulmatesblog]

Neymar quits PSG to sign for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal

AFP , Tuesday 15 Aug 2023 Brazil forward Neymar has signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain, the clubs announced on Tuesday, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema as the latest big name lured to the oil-rich Gulf state. “I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” Neymar said in a video posted to Al Hilal’s social media accounts. “It is always difficult to say goodbye to…