#homey Louis

[sunshineandlyrics]

.. including the stress cleaning #AllOfThoseVoices

[theresthespark]

Okay Lestat is canonically a Scorpio and Louis a Libra which are both painfully accurate. I wanted to play Estelle and share my astrology headcanons

Claudia:

Leo rising – the hair, the general slayage, her association with yellow aka the sun

Aries sun – she’s so bold plus libra and Aries are sister signs so they share traits that present different which feels right for Louis and her’s kinship

Taurus moon – not prone enough to over emotionality to be a water sign but not overly practical in the way the other earth signs are. Very stubborn and does canonically enjoy beauty and luxury. Also if you know a Taurus I feel like it just makes sense

Madeleine:

Virgo Rising – She just gives demure when we first meet her and yet no bullshit either. Virgos just seems very put together almost unassuming which is funny since every Virgo I know is crazy lol

Aquarius sun – the decisions she’s made in her life feel the best suited for an Aquarian. Also her talking to Armand? That woman stopped giving a fuck about what everyone else is doing years ago

Cancer moon – Almost did Scorpio here but her loyalty and intensity didn’t feel suited there. Cancer still has some of Scorpio’s snap but its homey and soft too. I also can’t see Claudia gravitating towards someone similar to Lestat at all lol

(Bonus: suspected Aries Venus. The intensity of her!! Her directness when she cares! How she chases life and joy!)

Armand:

Pisces Rising – those big ole eyes are a big marker for this one. Also Pisces have big baby energy despite being the oldest sign which feels perfect for him

Gemini Sun – Please what else could he be? There’s the 27 different faces but more so, the love for technology and knowledge, the urge to always strategize. The near inability to ground into his emotions. The perpetual anxiety. Also Geminis are so funny without even trying but that’s just me

Capricorn Moon – Caps are ruled by Saturn which is in short a struggle bus placement. Fits well with the forever 27 thing (stuck in perpetual Saturn return) and his tendency to self flagellate. Also it being represent by the devil card in tarot. Iykyk

Daniel:

Capricorn rising – When you first meet him he comes off quite no bullshit in a way that only makes sense for Capricorn to me. Also fits for the workaholic tendencies (our risings tend to be a truest to self energy aka us at our best). Also feel that may be what draws Armand to him hehehe

Sagittarius sun – If you look up famous Sags all of them are silly goobers (and lowkey problematic 💀). Like him being a Sag makes SO much sense to me for San Francisco. Only a Sag would make that many dumb decisions just bc it was a vibe lmaoo

Aries moon – Thinking about Eric’s comment about Daniel not taking kindly to bullies. Also how similar him and Claudia feel to me I feel they’d share some major signage too

(Bonus: Gemini Mercury bc his got the gift of the gab, the quick wit)

Louis: (i couldn’t resist finishing their big three)

Libra rising – Ruled by Venus, Helen of Troy, Malena coded. What else could he be really?

Libra sun – Painfully canon

Scorpio moon – With how he talks about himself and his life versus how he moves through the world it makes perfect sense to me. So much emotion but also a lot of passion all bottled unless in the right company. Also he would loooove SZA (plus plus you’re more likely to become heavily attached to people who’s sun is your moon)

Lestat:

Aquarius rising – Leo’s sister sign (perfect for him and Claudia’s dynamic). She’s a rebel she does her own thing she does not give a flying fuck about the rest of yall. Only an Aquarius could be responsible for the events in Queen of the Damned

Scorpio sun – Again debilitatingly canon

Leo moon – Do I even need to explain it? Pull any TVL passage if you want an explanation lmaooo

I hope you enjoyed my analyzes I love astrology and would kill to get a proper birth chart for these characters. The house placements! The Aspects! The CHIRONS!! I need to chill

[rapha-reads]

IWTV rewatch

Season 2 episode 1 [What Can The Damned Really Say to the Damned] - part 4/4

- And now... Mood shift, setting change, back to Dubai, 2022, and the 77 year-long lie. And lord oh lord, we jump right into it with the shot of the bedroom being a cell and Armand selling Louis' art without even telling him the works are up for sale. Greaaaat. This is gonna be fun.

[Louis] "'Could I see the pages we removed? Of Claudia's diaries?'

[Armand] 'We made an agreement.'

[Louis] 'I don't know what else is blurred or misremembered.'

[Armand] 'My name is in some of those pages.'

[Louis] 'I sit across from him and reckon with the knowledge I don't know what other misrememberings made into it. I won't share them with him but I need to read them again.'"

Brb, need to SCREAM. Oh, the control Armand us exercising over Louis... The way he micromanages every aspect of his life. The way Louis has to bargain for everything he wants, and the way he thanks (thanks!!!) Armand for every breadcrumb thrown his way. The way Armand cares more about his image, his reputation, his grip on Louis, than Louis' well-being and peace of soul and mind. And the way the scene is shot and designed, the bars behind the bed and the skyscraper settling, the lack of any colors and any homey furniture, the huge bed with an ocean separating them, contrasting with the comfy house and room of 1132 rue Royale, and how Lestat and Louis used to sleep entwined in each other's embrace... I will go mad.

- BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA THE ENTRANCE HAND IN HAND, ARE THEY SERIOUS. Oh, this is too hilarious. And how they drop the hands as soon as they're seated, yeah, real convincing, fellas.

- Oh, Devil's Minion's crumb! Armand responding to Daniel by mimicking his "Yeah" and those big eyes looking so amused and fond at that old man. Couldn't care less about the Loumand, I'm here for the Devil's Minion. What a performance, Louis rubbing Armand's shoulder, lmao.

- Daniel shutting down Armand immediately is hilarious. "Sure, sire, you're on the record, but you still haven't made an appearance in the story so for now stfu and wait for your turn". No wonder Armand goes crazy about Daniel, that guy doesn't know how to be afraid. And second shoulder pat, Lou, hon... You're enjoying this, aren't you. You are enjoying the way Daniel puts Armand back in his place, something you haven't managed to do in years, despite what you both like to pretend.

- Oh, I love that piece of music! That one is "The Whole World Was Ready to Return" and it is gorgeous. It's played here, as Claudia and Louis go to Paris, and at the end, when Louis issues his threat/warning to the vampires in Dubai. Very thematic. The music in s2 is different from the music in s1, by the way. S1 soundtrack had very folk/blues undertones, New Orleans style, while s2 is much more orchestral/symphonic, Paris style. The music adapts itself to the setting, and I adore that. It gives so much more texture to the story.

- [Louis] "The war had turned off the lights, stripped its streets of their beauty, sent its avant-garde into exile. But now, the whole world was ready to return, to remake their lives. Pilgrims, on their hopeful way."

Nah, the avant-garde, at least artistic, was there, just, waaay underground or dangerously flirting with censorship and hidden meanings. In Paris itself during the war, there were several plays written and played against fascism while the Gestapo was patrolling the streets. Notably, though conflictingly, Jean Anouilh's famous "Antigone", in 1944, Josephine Baker singing and spying , as well as Sacha Guitry, who was arrested after the Liberation and accused of collaboration without any evidence, but who managed to save a lot of Jewish artists and personalities by playing double agent, or good ol' Sartre (who hilariously makes a cameo later on in the show) who writes a lot of stuff between '40 and' 44. Anyway. There's more but I ain't have time right now to do serious research. Back to Louis.

- [Louis] "'I wanna say something to you. I don't need to hear anything back I just need you to hear me. Hard words and soft words. The hard. Our life is shit. It's been shit. It is shit. It's gonna be shit again. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. No one's watching, no one cares. A shit life beats no life. But where we're going now we can't be running away again. Doesn't mean we forget what we saw. What she did in front of us. I see you going that way I'm gonna pull you back. I don't need that from you. As long as you walk the Earth, I'll never taste the fire, you understand me? We're going to find others like us. Aind if it ain't here, cos life is shit, or I fuck it up again, or you fuck it up, we'll go to the next place. We can't be the only good ones out there. Soft words. If you were the last vampire on Earth... it would be enough. It's you and me. Me and you. You and me. Me and you. You and me.'"

And my hallucination of your dead father.

Anyway that's his child, that's her parent.

Gotta give it to Louis tho, he doesn't lie. Embellishes, obfuscates, but lying, no. As long as Claudia's alive, he's not gonna try the sun. But if she dies... All bets are off.

Also Louis is right and hey, actually needed to hear that right now, thanks bae. Now someone needs to tell him back his own words, I think he needs to hear it back.

Episode insider:

Jacob talking about the heart full of sugar and how he spent the rest of the night on a sugar high is so adorable and hilarious when the part that comes next is Dreamstat. Also hey, "Dreamstat" was coined by Jacob himself, nice!

[Jacob] "Anne Rice's vampires are so human. This is kind of a departure from these sort of beautified, glamorous vampires. It's just really fun." - yeah, I like the glam vamp, but the monstrous vampire, a bit like Mike Flanagan does in Midnight Mass, is also a thrill.

Love Delainey saying she loved doing her stunts and all the physical stuff!

[Assad] "Armand wants to protect himself, but also wants to protect his relationship with Louis, what they have. He feels he has no choice except to come in, sharing the narrative with Louis." - yep. Protecting himself. Protecting what he has with Louis, even at the expanse of Louis' own will. Because what does Armand fear above all else? To be unloved. Not necessarily alone, like most vampires, but to be considered unlovable and unworthy of people's care. So if he can't be sure that people's feelings for him are genuine, he will orchestrate and manipulate them to tie them to himself. That's Armand's schtick.

season 1 masterpost

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

episode 2 | episode 3 | episode 4 | episode 5 | episode 6 | episode 7 | episode 8

[moonchats]

glue song - S.R

summary: where spence has a dance with you :)

warnings: major fluff, reader is also an agent,spencer’s bi because just because the writers can take it away doesn’t mean it’s staying away,

*reader is gender neutral and description isn’t described!*

Your home was homey, green walls and dim litted rooms, it made you in awe of it every-time you walked through the door. It made you smile even more when you realise your boyfriend lived in your dream home without you ever knowing.

You and Spence were close before you finally got together, you two were the best of friends, you sat across from him for 3 years feeling sorry for yourself as he talks about a girl he kissed, or a guy he liked wallowing in self pity, wishing it was you he chose to care for, and wish was there when he awoke. And finally your wish came true. And it had been the best years of your life.

Both of you had the day off, you decided to spend finishing up research and baking while Spence had took himself on a walk to the bookstore on the corner before he got groceries. Chocolate fudge cake, with sprinkles of course, was a favourite of Spencer’s so you decided to make it regularly, and any left overs were greatly appreciated by the rest of your team, which is what you were making now. Spencer and you were insanely alike, both of you loving doing your own thing but in the company of each other, more like shared silence, but both of you still needed recharge time and you both have your own ways of doing it.

Their was cocoa powder all over the kitchen, and cake mix on your face, but with the sound of music humming from the record player throughout the appartement, nothing could diminish such a good mood. With birds lightly chirping from the gutter above the window, and the sun shining on the ever growing collection of books, it was a perfect day.

As if on queue, Spencer walked through the door as soon as you thought of perfect, holding bags of groceries and a smile on his face. “Isn’t this a sight for sore eyes” he gushed, heat rushing to your cheeks, as he placed the groceries on the counter placing a kiss to the top of your head.

“Well hello” You smiled towards him, he wore a light washed pair of jeans with a thin jumper along with his shirt and tie, with the glasses that make you smitten, “,this should be done in about 40 minutes”

The glow on his face was nothing but appreciation, an appreciation of you, and your love for him, “I love you” He smiled, a thank you from him.

“I didn’t even do anything”

“Yeah, but you’re here and so i love you” He responded, your heart full.

The piano started, from a track you both adored, ‘Hooked on romance’ from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra filled the room. You looked him in the eye, “Dance with me?”

“Dance with yo-, I can’t dance, i can barely stand without falling” He chuckled, you smacked his shoulder lightly, pleading with him with your eyes, “Fine but you can’t judge me.”

His fingers lightly grasped yours before he pulled you into him to rest your head on his shoulder, as you swayed with him to the song, before he pulled away from you, holding on to your hand to spin you around before pulling you back to him. Your head instantly rested onto him again,

“I feel like i’m stuck to you, like i cant think of my life without you” You whispered.

“Then don’t, stop acting like you’ll become a ghost of my memory, i’m here for you, till forever” He rubbed your back and you both carried on swaying.

A smile appeared on your face, which he felt grow against his chest “Then I guess i’m stuck forever”

by the glue OH AND YOUUUU!!!

also the song they danced too was

it’s on of my fav tracks of all time, please give it a listen if you get time i promise it won’t be a bad decision!!

also, i’m making all my ‘x Reader’ fics gender neutral from now on, i try to limit the description on the reader as much as i can so be as inclusive as possible, please let me know anywhere else i can make it more inclusive with my language

and also please lmk if you enjoyed, spencer is a very comforting character so i love writing fluff for him because it comes to me so easily!!! - Love you to the Moon and back xx

[melit0n]

One of my favourite things about the Phantom of The Opera fandom is the juxtaposition between two of the Phantom's lairs (ALW's Erik and Leroux's Erik).

The musical version's lair is a large cave underneath the Palias Garnier (it's reason of being there unknown) and is, well, oddly homey. The tall ceiling removes the claustrophobic feeling that you may get from being far beneath surface level, the boat tethered loosely on the moat shines a ray of hope for freedom, and the over all decoration of the place isn't, well, terrible. It may be filled with Opera props from over the ages and whatever Erik could get his hands on with that 20,000 Francs per month, but it's all immediately accepted because 'he's the Opera Ghost'. If you ignore the smell of stagnant water and smoke (honestly though, why does musical Phantom have so many candles??), it's pretty comfy for a cave 200ft + underground. You can take into realisation that the cave is The Phantom's lair easily, and makes the place seem almost whimsical, to the point where getting dragged down (in hindsight, of course) isn't even that scary. It's basically a new world to explore, and not really ominous (on first impression).

However! Leroux's Phantom's lair is much more terrifying for the point that it is so normal. Minus the torture room and Erik's coffin, the whole apartment is incredibly average for someone of higher status of the age. Louis philippe furniture, whole place is well dusted, stocked kitchen; a complete Parisian apartment with a drawing room, dining room, kitchen, cellar and two bedrooms. That is what makes it much more terrifying than ALW's lair. It can be easily confused for a normal apartment if not for the oddities of the lack of windows (no natural light), rooms never to be seen by anyone other than Erik (torture room), freedom so close yet so far (a locked front door), the impending darkness, the scent of rot etc. The mimicry of humanity for the sake of Christine (and himself) would quite easily drive someone nuts. Further, imagine the feeling of being watched down there; the paranoia of that. It's dim, barely lit by oil lamps/candles and there are a dozen more mirrors for Erik to hide behind. It's so much more terrifying than an open cave where his every move can be mapped.

[yellowsugarwords]

Hey:) I'm glad you're back and are feeling better I've been missing your posts! If you could (and want to; no worries if you don't!) could you do a "What state (do you think) is every twdg s4 character from?"

Thank you!<33

OMG OKAY WAIT I LOVE THIS HAHAH

(let the record show: I am Canadian so this could very much be biased)

okay ima do the whole season 4 squad so let's go

Clementine: Georgia feels the utmost fitting for Clementine. Possibly because of the first season, but probably also because of her ‘doesn’t take shit’ yet sweet personality.

AJ: I can see him emerging from Nebraska. Something about that just makes me giggle.

Marlon: Montana 100%. Marlon fits the vibes immaculately.

Louis: California. He’s way too chill and easy going in the face of imminent death to be from anywhere else.

Violet: Wisconsin. I can see her being obsessed with cheeses and the cold.

Mitch: Definitely New York. His aura just fits.

Willy: Florida. He’s crazy and reckless and I think that fits perfectly. He is the embodiment of “Florida man” in the news.

Tenn/Minerva/Sophie: I’m getting strong North Carolina vibes but I have no idea why.

Aasim: Wisconsin. I don’t know why, I can just feel it.

Ruby: I can see Ruby growing up in Georgia. There’s something about her sweet homey personality I can see coming from there.

Omar: Pennsylvania. I feel like he would fit the vibes there and it also kinda makes me giggle thinking about him facing vampires.

Brody: I’m getting Alaska vibes. Something about her being private and often isolated.

𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 💌☕️ | 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘯! ♡

[nalyra-dreaming]

Daniel is a picky 20 year old college student. He is a college student right? Berkley? 'Cause I'm looking at the house and doesn't look too shabby. Looks kinda homey. It's not enough to be called a dump.

Which leads me to wondering why Louis doesn't have the presence of mind to have bought some blackout curtains. Louis seems to be hiding in the other room when the sun is out. It looks like they put newspaper on the windows further into the interview when Armand is around. Armand talks about how he was at home doing something. So home must be elsewhere.

Probably, yes.

It will be interesting to see if that was premeditated or just happened. For now I tend to think the latter, because of the impromptu daylight-protection (which, btw, makes it even more sus that Louis had to "sleep" till sundown in 2x03).

[seeingteacupsindragons]

Idk if you've answered this question before but do you think albert is truly a culinary hazard and only knows how to make crème brulée or was moran just exaggerating?

Honestly, I don't think Moran had any idea what he was talking about. It's either that, or Albert made something fucked up for Moran in the past because he thought it would be funny.

I went back and re-read bits of this to make sure I got it right and...he doesn't really...there's nothing indicating he has any experience with Albert's cooking.

He says Albert has no sense for home things (which we know isn't entirely true, because he's hella neat), but, well, he's also a soldier and a murderer and a manipulative fuck, and I think Moran sees far more of those sides than Albert's homey side.

But when he first comments on it, he's commenting on the fact that basically everyone else was assigned food-preparation tasks, while Albert was being sent way out of the home to go invite Mycroft, something that probably didn't need to be done in person but would keep him well away from the kitchen. And, it was the first task Louis assigned/thought of.

So I think Moran made some assumptions based on things.

I also think this is one of those things that grew a little out of control because of the publication schedule of the manga--the set up for this was nearly a year before the payoff of Moran being wrong lmao loser, so the fandom had many months to assume this was a Thing, because Albert being an awful cook would also be funny, of course. But it made people get very entrenched in a certain view before it was tossed aside in canon and that can be hard to reconcile.

So, yeah, Moran just gets hit with the butt of the joke stick again.

[bluewinnerangel]

Harry's band still has 'Chicago' on their overalls. Harry set up a phone box so people could call him from Chicago 👀

Okay anon I had to come across some twitter threads to see what you were getting at and let's sum it up yeah, a list of coincidences, things to do with larry and Chicago. I'm probably gonna miss a bunch (and prob not gonna list a bunch of others- i barely see the logic in these being intentional already), soo its a bunch of things that are in the realm of chicago + bears + phones/calling + home coinciding? I guess? Anyway:

Obviously the main point that's making us talk about this is Louis releases the song Chicago. With lines like "if you're lonely in Chicago you can call me (baby)" (that's not whole the takeaway of the song but I'm bringing in TSBL in a later point so we're highlighting her)

Adding here he said its half based on real events half theoretical, and he does have an affiliation to Chicago:

To start off with your points, during Harry's Chicago residency in October 2022, there was a phone booth at the venue and llama Doris posted about it (they havent much since :( ), with a description about calling Home.

Harry's band wears overalls with names of cities they've performed at, since Chicago some have showed up on stage with the name on it, for instance Mitch yesterday (that is nov 25th 2022.). I don't know how often they wear what. The band was also wearing Chicago overalls (Sorry for shit pic) on Nov 9th 2022, but like again I have no clue what they wear every other night.

On that note, nov 9th 2022 was also when the Silver Tongues mv released, and the shirt Louis wore in it, the Englandy Homey one, he was last seen weaing innnnnn padapadapada Chicago! (Feb 2022) (He wore it on stage before in Indianapolis)

Sidetrack on recent music videos, somehow the Sushi mv features a dude wearing a shirt that says "LT HS SENIORS", from a high school in Chicago. Although I think the highlight here is LTHS idk how many LT highschools are there to pick from if we're going for intent here.

More sidetrack on the Silver Tongues note: first teased couple days before it via photoshopped phone (or was it even, unclear, maybe a ref to all the calling lyrics in FITF incl. Chicago, is the phone in the mv?, he just said have a phone via youtube xoxo):

During Harry's 2022 Chicago shows he did some ring related stuff ( pointing a sign out in the crowd) and posted that pic of him with a ring backstage that looks like he was making fun of all the peace ring talk lol

During Harry's 2021 Chicago show(s sept 24 and 25), this was I believe the only time (or one of the rare occasions) there were mentions of Home playing before the show - artists pick

In 2021 he also first played To Be So Lonely ("don't call me baby again - it's hard for me to go home - to be so lonely") at Chicago night 2, mind this is the 12th show of the tour and only then added it, and it was and continued to be bathed in bluegreen lights (but then he got bullied into playing it thr previous shows and especially chicago night 1 so that's most likely the reason eh... and also i hope the fans never do that again.)

During one of the 2021 shows he also found 2 people in the crowd in Chicago where he went off (paraphrasing, check link) YOU LOVE EACH OTHER? [out of the fking blue:] YOURE BEST FRIENDS?? GET MARRIED. Mind you this was a few days before a 4 day break including September 28 so I can think of better reasons than the place he was at if we wanna read into that fhfhdhd. This was also when we got those Louis spotted in uh relative close proximity receipts.

For Louis' 2022 tour the only exit song among the massive list of curated post show songs that still stands out to me (although yes I can place it in the list of songs-we-fucked-around-with-on-stage-during-1d like I can make it make sense still thematically it's a detour from the rest imo) is Ceelo Green's Fuck You, yepyep played in Chicago

Were going back in time now: Louis got his 28 tattoo in Chicago in 2015 (together with the buttpenguin which keeps being brought up in current interviews)

In 2015, 1Ds Chicago show featured these bears:

Like there's so much shit going on here there's a masterpost.

Basically the worst in terms of things to read into. Go read that post.

Again 2015 when the rainbow bears came up with this sign, borrowed from the Chicago Bears. (See the logo bottom right). Now that is the first sign you find on the Google when you try to find a sign about bears coming out so again seems coincidental, but still.

(Also green bay packers <> chicago bears? Eh? Eh.)

There was an attempt to get them points together tumblr. They're gathered from all over the place but instigated by anon as well as this thread woop credit.

Honestly I think we just notice more Chicagos now? They're just being their regular home calling rbbsbbs and also do that in chicago and thats it lol. On the other I do like to entertain the thought they for whatever reason have this connection with Chicago (also yes im very much aware of stunt related connections) and its showing in the quirky stuff they do beyond the obvious (being writing a song called Chicago huh).

Out of all this the one thing that does make me go OKAY THEN is Harry first playing TSBL in Chicago, 12 shows in, bluegreening, the idea Ls around at the time, and then a year later blep parallels Louis' Chicago.

Oh also I think getting the 28 tat in Chicago could be significant. He sure still knows that number dhdhdhss

[mariacallous]

If you did a culinary DNA search on baba au rhum, you’d find that this fancy French cake’s ancestral line has the same humble roots as the homey babka. 

It all started with the inspired tinkering of an exiled Polish king. No one knows exactly what happened, of course, but it seems that Stanislaus I, twice deposed in 18th-century Poland, moved to his country estate in France, where he loved to cook and held court in the chateau kitchen. There, he baked a gugelhopf, a yeast cake invented by Viennese bakers to celebrate the victory of the Austrians over the Turks in 1683. Gugelhopf is rich and regal-looking. It’s usually baked in a tall, fluted pan called a Turk’s head mold because of its resemblance to an Ottoman sultan’s turban. 

The cake came out too dry, so the ex-king soaked it in wine and decided to call it baba (grandma), because it reminded him of the welcoming confections of everyone’s baba back in the old country. In fact, besides for the shape and some chopped-up dried or candied fruit, gugelhopf and baba are essentially the same. 

As is babka, which is among the most beloved of Jewish comfort foods. But while babas are large cakes and were mostly saved for special occasions such as Easter, babkas, though similarly egg-rich and yeasty, were smaller and regularly baked by Jewish balaboostas. Babka means “little grandma,” and in most Eastern European Jewish households, they were not only smaller but plainer, too, as dried fruit, raisins, and spices were costly. Babkas were more like little loaf-pan versions of Stanislaus’ gugelhopf. 

The ex-king was so pleased with his invention that he served it in dramatic fashion to his guests at a party one night. He poured some alcohol over his gugelhopf, set it aflame, and carried it into the dark ballroom, thrilling the crowd. He called the cake Ali Baba — a play on the word baba, but also a tribute to a character in The Thousand and One Nights. 

The story and recipe might have ended there, except that the Stanislaus’ daughter eventually married French king Louis XV and gave the recipe to Nicolas Stohrer, her pastry chef, who revised it to include raisins, candied fruit, and a soak with rum. And thus, baba au rhum was invented. 

Over the years, baba au rhum and babka went on to produce more progeny. Parisian pastry chefs, reluctant to be outdone by a Polish pretender, created several versions, changing spices, shapes, and alcohol soaks. More than a century later, when baba au rhum had already become a classic, a pastry chef named Auguste Julien decided to bake baba in a plain ring mold and substituted kirschwasser (German cherry brandy) for the rum. He glazed the cake with melted apricot preserves and served it with a mound of whipped cream in the center. The cake, named savarin to honor Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French author of The Physiology of Taste, is considered one of the most elegant pastries ever created.

And the homey babka? Less stylish to be sure, but most beloved by Jews and non-Jews alike, and reinvented with ever-more variations. For most babka-lovers, the basic question is: cinnamon or chocolate? But these days there are recipes galore and this “grandma loaf” is stuffed with chocolate, nuts, marzipan, fresh and dried fruit, preserves, and sprinkled with streusel in top. 

And so the baba, a simple old recipe, stands proud today, centuries on. We take pleasure in the numerous varieties that have sprung from it — fancy offerings in elegant pastry shops, humble cakes from neighborhood bakeries, and fragrant loaves baked in our own ovens. Because a great recipe will always stand the test of time.

[officalroyalsofpierreland]

St. Celeste Hospital, Windensen, Pierreland

A consistent beep is heard throughout the room

David: Any news on Maria Aisha? [sigh] We should've had her go straight home from Cannes... Louis: She's in the car Papa.

Magdalena:It's gonna be okay Ri....you did the right things... Henri: But...he's here...and... Marcos [tiredly]:I will be alright Henri, really...I'm an old man, these things happen.

Katalina: This is your second heart attack this year Papi...this has proven me right that you shouldn't live on your own! Marcos: I will not live in the palace...no offense David, but those places aren't homey. David: None taken...my love, your father is grown. If he wants to live on his own, let him! Katalina: At least let us place an aide with you Papi! What if Henri wasn't there?

Marcos: Aye Dios Mio Hija...you worry too much! Katalina: You do not worry enough! David: Kat...maybe we all should-

Maria Aisha: BABA! What happened? Marcos: Just a bit of a tumble my dear Katalina: Papi, you had a heart attack. Maria Aisha: Well...what are we going to do?

David: I was thinking...your mother, brothers, Maggie and I need to step out for a bit Katalina: I'm not leaving him David. Marcos [sighing]: Mija...you stepped off a plane...after experiencing a very..intense day...let me spend some time with Aisha. I'll still be right here...they won't let me check out anyway.

Katalina: I just want you to be okay Papi... Marcos: I know Katalina...You know I'm very proud of you Katalina: Don't talk like that... Marcos: Come give me a hug Mija...unless [teasing] The Empress is too important to-

Katalina: Nonsense...I'm still your little girl... Marcos: Te amo hija...your Mama and I are so proud of you...so proud... Katalina: I love you Papi... Marcos: Now..go shower, get some coffee..or some chai... Katalina: I will...te amo... Marcos: Te amo Katalina.

[the doors swing shut as David and Kat leave]

Maria Aisha: Baba...you wanted to send Mama away for a reason didn't you? Marcos [chuckling]: very perceptive Maria Aisha...like my Aisha...sit with me little one

Marcos: So...Cannes huh? Maria Aisha: Baba... Marcos: Come come...tell me about Henri's little film...and Francesim...I read the Emperor was there? Maria Aisha: He was. With his fiancee, they seem...nice? I dunno, Simpartes are different for sure...Henri's film was good but you can't tell him I said that Marcos [chuckling]: I won't. Your secret is safe...[yawning] I'm tired Nieta...

Maria Aisha: Baba...it's..okay you know...if you want to...you know...that's why you made sure Mama left... Marcos: Insightful again Aisha...You know...[yawning] don't let all the attention people will give you corrupt you...you're a good person. Dont forget that. Maria Aisha: I won't Baba...I love you. Marcos[yawning]: I love you too little one

Maria Aisha: Rest now Baba...

Magdalena belongs to @simsroyallegacy

[its-to-the-death]

Thank you so much for running this poll and giving us a chance to celebrate and nerd our about our best boy, Louis. I've been having a ton of fun, even if this whole time we've been up against some pretty strong odds.

I love our homey, smart, stabby boy, and it's been so good and fun to rally around him as a fandom. So thank you!

You’re welcome! I’m really glad I got into Moriarty the Patriot through this tournament! Reading everyone’s Louis propaganda has been fun.

[lunarheslwt]

One line, any fic

I was tagged by @stylesthebrave and @hellolovers13 ; thank you lovelies!

Game rules are: Pick any 10 of your fics, scroll somewhere to the mid point, pick a line, and share it! Then tag 10 people!

Curves of your lips rewrite history | 8k | E

“Wish your subjects could see you like this,” he murmured idly, caressing Harry’s cheek where it bulged. “Wish they could see how well their prince carries out orders, how eager he is to serve.”

Dip you in honey | 6k | M

He had to pry himself away or he’d all too happily neglect priorities to stand in their homey kitchen, wrapped up in the person he called home and their baby that he adored more than anything else.

Breathe me in, breathe me out | 14k | G

He didn’t even want more ; was it truly so terrible to ache for someone’s calming presence or the way his permanent headache seemed to dull around the gentle alpha?

Tingle running through my bones | 5k | E

“Even when you’re stuffed full, you need me to come sort you out, huh?” Louis asked hotly, before leaning over him and drawing him into a filthy kiss.

Cut me up, kiss me harder | 9k | M

“Y’know, you push and push and you’re mouthy and defiant , but it’s all an act isn’t it,” Harry pressed tauntingly, walking Louis backwards towards his room carefully, aware that in any other circumstance he would probably be biting back. Quite literally or figuratively.

All work and some play | 6k | E

“That’s right,” Louis replied, relinquishing the grip on his hair. “A shame,” he continued, words tinged with something purposeful, darker, “you were being so good, but you just couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to be impatient.”

If I was a bluebird | 3k | G

The kiss was desperate; all at once the hurt, the longing, the sadness he carried for two months gave way to this unquenchable need to immediately familiarise himself with all of Louis till that’s all he would feel and know.

Let's start the year off right (with a kiss) | 3k | G

He fell into Louis, who steadied him with a firm grip on his elbow and a soft ‘woah there, easy love’ and Harry wanted to kiss him. Instead he giggled, for two beats too long and Louis chuckled easily with him, studying him a little.

Shit, maybe I miss Lou | 3k | G

"Don't, Harry, don't say sorry,' Louis interrupted him before he could even get the words out, 'I just wish I was there next to you right now.'

I'm giving y'all 9 because I don't wanna acknowledge the rest of my older works lmao. Idk who has done this already, but I'm tagging: @bravetemptation @larrysballetslippers @allwaswell16 @alwaysxlarrie @homosociallyyours @neondiamond @faithinwalls369 @larry-hiatus @paranormalbabydoll @thebreadvansstuff and anyone who wants to do this can say I've tagged you!

[beyondxmeasure]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love

I've had a few of these asks and have been a little too busy this week to properly respond... but thank you to the lovely anons and @huggieshalo for tagging/asking me. Sorry for the delayed response.

My 5 fave fics that I've written...

The Habit I Can't Break This one, probably because it became such an (unexpectedly long) labor of love that ended up not at all how I thought it would when I first set out, but am thoroughly grateful for all the twists and turns because I think it made the fic better in the end. And judging by the hits and kudos, I would tend to think you all agree. 💖

A Simple Twisted Fate This one, because I just love the dynamic between this Louis and Harry and their banter, plus the smut... not to toot my own horn, but yeah... it's pretty good. So I guess I did--toot, toot!

Longing like a Searchlight This one, because she's my first, my baby and warts and all I really do love her dearly. I tackled some difficult topics gracefully (I think, I hope!) while still having lots of fun banter, solid smut and lots of mutual pining to keep it interesting. I also really still enjoy the world building, homey vibes and characterization of Harry's family that really brought his home town to life.

Let Your Heart Be Light This one, because unlike the Louis in this fic... I'm anything but a Grinch around the holidays, and turn into a gleeful kid at the thought of Christmas, winter and any valid excuse to be nestled snug in my bed with a nice long fic. This fic is like a cozy cup of cocoa for your heart... There will be a little bit of heartache, but it will wrap you up with loads of good feels, laughter, joy and seasonal splendor.

I Know You Rider (Gonna Miss Me when I'm Gone) This one, because I'm an 80s kid who grew up in the 90s and loves nostalgia. This fic is full of it and if you want a blast from the past, it's a really fun read. A carefree teenage summer vacation tale set in a beachside New England town against the backdrop of an outdated amusement park. It's steeped in a lot of local references and stuff from my childhood, so it's close to my heart. A lot of research and deep dives of random odd bits of historical info or other stuff went into writing it.

I know this has already gone around a bunch and so many of you have done this, so I won't bother tagging anyone... but if you see this and feel so inclined, consider yourself tagged!

[fff777]

Watched Ten on Bam's house!

They both "have a screw missing"

Tiredness + excitement = losing your mind Right you are dude

I JUST recently watched the Nutcracker and only then did I know Waltz of the Flowers was from the Nutcracker. Anyway Bambam has Waltz of the Flowers as his doorbell music?

Ten literally did not move when Bambam jumped out. Plan failed.

Hugs :3

Of course he ordered Thai food

Ten kitty :3

I wonder why Ten and Bambam speak Thai more than Minnie? Or does he mean that when they speak together, they tend to speak in Thai more than when they're speaking with Minnie?

Yes >3 Bambam said that he and Ten would probably speak in Thai a lot.

I've noticed that Bambam is calling Ten Ten-hyung in Korean

LMAO Ten and Bambam only recently had a deep talk where they felt they became friends and this is the second time they're meeting after that deep hang out sesh.

Bambam came back from a world tour just to film Bam's house with Ten XD

Ten had one (1) bad experience with day drinking and it scared him from day drinking ever again...until today? XD

After Ten introduced On My Youth, Bambam was like aight now that work is over, let's PLAY >3

Bambam: Why are you speaking so formally to me, you don't even normally do it >(

Lol Ten is doing that thing that my grandpa supposedly said XD You have to drink at least a bit to be able to control your tolerance.

Bambam: I think you're the best drinker in your group Ten: .....aiya....*blush*

The PD became a fan of Ten after looking him up! :3

Ten's hair is really pretty today btw. The way the tips are a little thinner kind of like a mullet?

Bambam, after Ten introduces On My Youth in Mandarin: 聼不懂啊! Probably picked that up from Jackson and Mark Tuan >3

Was it necessary to include the uhm

Bambam's enjoying Ten speaking in Thai so much

Ten's top 3 hyungs are Taemin, Key, and Yunho

Ten compared choosing between Taemin to having to choose between mom and dad and Bambam immediately went well I prefer mom

Ten watched Bambam on TV X'D

Ten only eats delivery ToT

Aw, Mark Lee often sends Ten birthday wishes right at midnight

LMAO the differences between Mark Lee and Mark Tuan

Nooo Mark Tuan is late with birthday greetings lmao

Ten met Mark Tuan at a YSL event~!

Bambam worried that Ten won't like the somtam he prepared. Probably because Ten knows enough to be able to judge.

Both Bambam and Ten are cat slaves XD

LMAO comparing which cat products they use

Omg the WayV kitties doing the turn trick

Ten scolding his cat in cat hisses XD

Ten's cats: Louis, Leon, Levi Bambam's cats: Pudding, Latte, Cupcake Bambam was like why are your cats' names so cool? Meanwhile he has princess names for his cats lmao.

Ten is too competitive and that's why he doesn't like playing games ToT

GEORGE BUSH

Ten says that he doesn't have as many worries nowadays. I hope that's true ;_;

Ten's drawings are so pretty

Bambam taking a photo of Ten as he draws :3 Two artists in action

Ten's picture for Bam's house :3

Bambam ALWAYS brings up Taeyeon and Ten was all like "oh, Taeyeon would fit this program well." Maybe because it's a homey show and Taeyeon is a homebody :P And every time Bambam just gets so excited and overwhelmed at the thought of him being associated with Taeyeon at all.

Ten: If Taeyeon comes, ask me to come too! Bambam: I think Key would want to come too Ten: It'll be so fun! Bambam: ...but I want to spend alone time with her Ten: ...

Twas fun as usual!!! :3

[bucketkicked]

@ofteaandmagic gets a random Louis starter!

Louis walks through the door of the shop, finding it quite quaint and homey. He looks around, interested in the wares as his fingers dance around them, reading their labels and descriptions. He wouldn’t be able to do much with the herbs, as his magic wasn’t as strong as it used to be, but the potions…perhaps he could do something with those. That wouldn’t stop him from getting herbs anyways, he could always find something to do with them.

He glances up from one he was particularly intrigued by, happening to catch the shopkeeper in his gaze. Friendly, from the looks of it. “Excuse me,” he calls out, giving a wave, “how much does this agrimony cost? I’ve also got a question about a potion or two.”