#i never pay for expedited shipping

[major-alenko]

look what (FINALLY!) came today!!!!

[swappingbryn]

Best Purchase

I knew I would likely not be able to achieve ALL my fitness goals, but I still wanted to try and achieve some of them. I was on the wrong side of 30, not balding but my head was thinning, I gained the “freshman 15” and it grew like compound interest, and I had little visible muscle.

After a year of strict diet, exercise, supplements, I had lost about 20 pounds of fat, gained some muscle, but I was fat from where I wanted to be and from where I thought I would be after all this hard work.

I kept seeing ads for a clothing brand “Midlife Changes,” which I only remembered because I thought it was strange that a company called “midlife” would have only influencers as models. However, they had lots of five star reviews and nothing below a 4, but the weird thing was that all the reviews were short or had no comments. Their prices were high, so I only bought a shirt from the clearance page called “Ragin Ray.”

It arrived in a small, nondescript package a week later (since I refused to pay for expedited shipping). Inside the package was a note thanking me for my purchase, a request to leave a review once I was satisfied, and instructions. I thought it was strange to include instructions with a shirt, but figured it was just washing instructions, but it was a detailed note explaining how to use it. I was to shower, then wear it to bed, the entire following day, making sure to work out as much as possible, not to shower or remove it, and sleep in it once more, and only then should I remove it and shower and then was the shirt. I thought it was stupid, but figured I had nothing to lose. I waited until Friday night, so I’d have all day Saturday to follow the instructions, I showered, put on the short and went to bed.

I woke up the next day and I felt different, and once I saw myself, I realized I was at lease 10 years younger. I wasn’t big, but I was younger, and with the extra time, I knew I could make better gains.

I wore the shirt all day as instructed, and went to the gym for two hours that morning, when I’m usually exhausted after one hour. Went home for lunch, I wanted to shower since I smelled but I held out, then knowing I couldn’t go out with friends or do anything since I was sweaty and smelly, I went back to the gym. I did another 3 hours. I was drenched in sweat but still felt good. When I went to the locker room, I saw my reflection, I was amazed, I was huge.

I went home, had a small dinner and went to bed. I refused to deviate from the instructions. I woke up Sunday and KNEW something was different. I ran to the bathroom and realized I was even bigger. As per the instructions, I removed the shirt, got in the shower and explored my body. It felt amazing, huge muscles, hard abs, and my dick was almost 9”. I exited the shower and when I entered my room, it was all different, trophies all over the wall, messy bed, a desk, and a closet full of clothes that for me, the new me.

I threw on some clothes, grabbed my phone and wallet and went to the gym. When I arrived, the desk attendant, who never paid attention to me before, said “what’s going Ray? Party last night?” I mumbled agreement and kept going. I checked my wallet in the locker room and saw a new ID, I’m Joel Raymond Edwards, 24 years old.

This was the best purchase I’ve ever made, and I made sure to leave a 5 star review, but only write “best purchase ever, love this shirt.”

@kiwineeds

[brucequeensteen]

can i be so so so ernst for a second. and by a second i mean a really long ranty post. but it pisses me off how many people characterise edward little as incompetent or useless or something along those lines because i think that reading misunderstands him entirely . like he is actually good at his job. he's competent in his role as first lieutenant to the extent that he can do what the job would Normally require of him, and do it well. obviously he doesn't function under the dire intense conditions of the show because who would, he's never done this shit before, he's second in command to a depressed alcoholic who takes at least 2 months to get his shit together, he's sworn to secrecy about said depression and alcoholism, he's had loyalty to his captain and adherence to the system and hierarchy deeply engrained in him because ofcourse he has, every navy personnel on that expedition has, and the workplace environment is DIABOLICAL aboard those ships and he is so eager to do well and so eager to please and so devoted to crozier that he operates on 90% anxiety & stress and 10% willpower. The fact that he fumbles at terror camp when the mutiny starts is not because he's incompetent, that is literally the worst situation to be in when you have just been thrust into a command position WHICH HE WASNT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE IN because fitzjames is THERE but he's too busy being a christ figure in his tent to pay attention to what is happening and little is doing his best. he doesn't have the knowledge and experience crozier has, sure, but in his defense crozier did not leave him well equipped and is frankly putting far too much pressure on him at literally every turn! edward little is not useless, he's overworked and underappreciated and he's literally sad all the time can you please cut him some slack. you can see in subtle moments where he does take charge that he's good, he's good at this, he's amiable and considerate and efficient. he follows orders well, and maybe that's his downfall, he's too good at following orders. when he finally steps up to the mantle and takes charge and has the confidence to make a decision in authority, the rest of the men have already made a decision without him, and that's not his fault is it!!!!!! by all means edward little is pathetic, a people pleaser, has little to no self confidence and is overall a wet cat of a human being but i will not stand by and see people call him incompetent and useless, that's what francis crozier wants you to believe and do you really want to take a page out of crozier's book on how to treat edward little? No you don't

[hayleymarriedjakurai]

DRDT (Jarei) Pirate AU

i made a little jarei pirate au post on twitter and got attached to the idea so i decided to expand on it a little more

Setting: The Kingdom of Rosas. With the Rosales being the royal family, of course. Rosas is a seaside kingdom with lots of ports. Deep forests surround the non coastal parts that lead to the border to the other kingdoms.

Very basic magic laws apply in this world, and wealthy people have easier access to magic, whether it be training, schools, or attuned items/weaponry. Everyone is born with some scale of magical energy, usually with a concentration on a type of magic that you can cast easier than the others (conjuration, divination, enchantment, etc.)

Most people wait for their attunement to come naturally (Age like 6-7). It sort of just happens, everyone having a different trigger. Most people that can afford it pay to get it triggered by some sort of official, they treat it like a coming of age sort of thing! Otherwise you gotta wait or just never get it. There’s some people, although rare, that don’t attune until very late. And most people don’t have a crazy amount of magic, it’s rare too be very strong or very weak.

People with access to conduits like wands or staffs can control their magic easier. It also helps people with weaker magic cast more difficult things.

Any fantasy race you can think of probably exists here.

Julia “J” Rosales - Was forced attuned at age 6, slightly above average magic with a concentration in transmutation. The only daughter of Queen Mariabella Rosales. The eldest child. She is currently about to be married off to a neighboring kingdom. Normally, someone would marry HER to marry into the Rosales family, but she is so uncooperative and “not worthy of the title of Queen” that her younger brother Ryan is going to become the heir instead. She will be married off and out of the way. Plus, establishing a connection with the other kingdom will be very important.

J has been miserable since birth. She had brief relief when she found out that her mother didn’t intend on her being the heir, but being told she was going to be married off was worse. She was forced to dress in the most extravagant gowns, looking like the perfect princess of the land. She was never able to do anything or go anywhere without a guard or permission from her mother. The King is not present, having left on an expedition about two years ago and has not returned. Mariabella always had more authority anyway, even before he left.

Ryan doesn’t wanna be the heir to the throne. He’s lazy and prefers to stay in his room doing various activities. He always asks for puzzles or games and then just does nothing else. J will sneak into his room so they can hang out, but it usually ends up turning into a ‘let’s talk about how ass mom is’ session.

Ryan covers for her the night she decides to leave once and for all. As sad as he is to see her go, he understands that it’s either this or her being forced to marry some random prince.

Her plan isn’t very well thought out. The ports always have pirates. Whether they’re here to trade, buy, steal, whatever- there’s always at least one pirate crew somewhere in the city. She plans to sneak onto a ship and hide below deck until they dock in another kingdom. Then she will get out and be free.

So when she leaves the castle in the dead of night with nothing but the clothes on her back and her attunement wand, she’s taken off guard when she’s caught almost immediately.

Because she climbed onto Captain Arei’s boat while they were docked and in a tavern, hid in an empty barrel, and accidentally made a crazy amount of noise when she tried to get out. Because SOMEONE put an object on the top of the barrel and she knocked it over by mistake.

So now she’s a hostage on this ship, which is now sailing out. And she’s the princess. They could hold her ransom and get a LOT of money.

Arei and her crew…

Arei Nageishi - Human. The captain herself. Ditched her own life as a miserable peasant girl and killed her sisters. Killing them actually unlocked her attunement <3. Average magic, concentration in abjuration. Ruthless captain who mainly focuses on ransacking other ships. Doesn’t really kill a lot unless they’re HUGE assholes. Loves to torture/tease captives though. Shes a decent captain and treats her crew like family, even though they bicker and insult each other a lot

Hu - Half human half nature fae. Isn’t really involved in the pirate violence, she’s moreso the caretaker of the crew during periods of rest. Plays the zither still, they do so many music nights on this ship they got so many instruments. Was born attuned bc fae blood and has a strong concentration in enchantment. She uses her instruments as a wand equivalent, and can even cast with just her voice. Her wings are similar to a butterflies, and she keeps them under her clothing because she would most certainly be killed/have them cut off to sell them somewhere in pirate world. Everyone on board knows about them.

Whit - Half elf. Attuned via ceremony at age 6. Below average magic with a concentration in illusion magic. His mother was a powerful magic user and he feels like shit having to live up to her bc he does not have her talent. Is very close to Arei, they’re besties. He’s been with her the longest out of everyone else on board. Loves egging her on when it comes to torturing captives. Loves pranking people with illusions.

Charles - Nobody really knows what he is. Nobody knows when he was attuned. He has the tiniest fucking horns on his head and a devil-like tail, but never gives a flat out answer when you ask him what he is. Thin pupils. Isn’t for the violence on board either, kind of works as the guy that focuses on the maps, the travel, and looking over the things they steal and checking for their value. Skilled in divination but cannot cast without his attuned gloves. He’s great at identifying curses or magical properties on objects. Sucks at most other magic but Whit is trying to teach him very basic illusions. Acts like he doesn’t really care about the crew + never actively participates in their shenanigans but he would literally die for them.

Veronika - Human. Attuned at age 8 after nearly accidentally killing herself. Is desperate to be bitten by any vampire-esque creature. Her dream in life is to find one and convince them to turn her. Thats why she joined the crew; so she can travel. She LOVES the life of a pirate and loves egging Whit and Arei on because they’re so entertaining! She loves bothering charles too because he’s secretive and really fun to analyze. Doesn’t have a magic concentration, so in return she uses all of them but just weaker. She uses a human bone as her attunement artifact. Don’t ask her which one, she will never stop talking.

Xander - Human. Is not attuned to magic at all. Has a deep rooted hatred for the royal crown, specifically Mariabella. He lived in a small village by the border of the kingdom, in which the entire population including his family succumbed to a terrible blight. Mariabella did nothing to aid them. He seemed to be very close to attunement on the day he became the sole survivor, but something seemed to interrupt it….

Very skilled fighter in non magical combat, spare with the others and teaches them in case they cannot use magic and need a back up. Veronika is 2nd best in hand to hand combat.

Teruko is a captain on another ship that is on a neutrality pact with Arei’s group. They just don’t rob each other when they pass each other on the water. And yes they’ve definitely all anchored and jumped on one of the boats for like a party and regretted it the next morning

Teruko’s crew consists of Eden, Nico, Rose, Ace, Levi, and later David (who is a noble pretending to be a pirate because he wants to kill Teruko but that’s another story)

[spiriteddreams]

flee(ting)

— a kiss that isn't meant to happen but does so anyway Pairing: Jing Yuan x Reader Warnings: angst, no comfort, reminiscing memories of someone (who isn't dead), possibly ooc jing yuan i just met the man hehe Word Count: ~1.3k A/N: the question was if i should write code or write a jing yuan fic and guess what i chose to do

time is fleeting. it is the steady drag of hands around a circle, the clock paying no mind to the desperation that people cling to in the hope that time will stop for just a moment and allow for just a little more. jing yuan finds that he curses time without knowing it. he stands behind his desk, hands behind his back as he looks at the papers scattered across his desk, his scrawled handwriting detailing reports from the cloud knights, logistics within the xianzhou alliance, and piled in the corner, never to be put away, are the sparsely gathered notes of your whereabouts.

he finds himself reaching for the papers, thumbing through the paper, some recent, others months, now years, old. he finds that he can’t quite remember the last time he saw you, and the memory of your last moments with him have begun to slip from the front of his memory. he hates the feeling. he curses the fact that he cannot hear your laughter echoing in his office any longer, as if your own memory was pulling away, trying to flee from the grasp he has so selfishly held onto for so long. you were there, and then you weren’t. an expedition gone wrong, a ship attacked and no sign of communication, now labeled as a closed case by the xianzhou alliance. but those close to jing yuan know that he’s never truly given up on it. instead he finds his mind drifting back to the day of your departure.

“don’t worry about me,” you stand proud at the docks, decorated outfit a sign of your standing in luofu. both yours and his companions had allow you both some space, privacy amongst the boxes of cargo and decorated architecture. jing yuan has no reason to doubt your abilities, after all, you had risen in the ranks alongside him and he is more than confident in your own skill. that doesn’t mean he isn’t worried. he can fight in wars, lead soldiers into the dark unknown and yet the thought of you leaving for an expedition scares him more than he would like to admit. it’s the nagging feeling that tugs in the back of his mind, warning him to ask you to stay, just one more time.

but jing yuan had always been good at hiding his intentions, presenting a calm and collected front to offer some semblance of comfort to those that look up at him. and he finds that his facade is a bit too easy to put on as he chuckles softly at your words.

“you will make all of us proud,” his voice is uncharacteristically soft, and he’d be damned if his companions heard the way he spoke to you in private. “i look forward to your return.” 

you smile softly, offering him a reassuring smile, “i’ll be back before you know it.” he isn’t sure if the smile is meant to reassure him or you. there are unsaid words between the two of you, a delicately drawn line that the neither of you have dared to cross. instead, over the years you’ve resorted to a game of cat and mouse, both of you taking turns to play predator and prey. what went from teenage games has become something more, and yet neither of you had the courage to cross the line. he curses time in this moment, wishing that he could have just a bit longer to sort out this poorly woven tapestry that the two of you have created. he wants to tie the loose ends and seal it off, but you’re already slipping from his grasp.

“jing yuan—“ hands cup your cheeks before you can finish speaking and he pulls you close, lips desperately finding yours as your hands fly up to steady yourself on him. he’s moving all too fast, heart thundering and mind racing as he pulls away, wide eyed and apologies on his lips. but they die when he sees the subtle movement of you chasing after him, hands curling around his clothes as your lips tremble. you stare at him in shock but make no move to pull away.

“come back to me, promise me,” he breathes out. his hands fall to your waist as if to steady you and to keep him grounded. he doesn’t care if anyone else is around any longer. let them see for all he cares, and let them know how much he will miss you while you’re away. 

“of course,” you sound breathless, eyes searching his. you smile gently and let your hand come up to gently cup his cheek. your other hand goes to brush away the hair that has fallen into your face. you stay like that for a moment, indulging in one second, two seconds, three seconds— you pull away.

your hands move to the back of your head, fingers tugging at the red ribbon in your hair. it’s silk of the finest kind, and yet you pull it free in one swift movement.

“take this as my promise,” you offer it to him with a smile that almost worries him. “give it back to me when i return.” he smiles in amusement but indulges in letting his fingers drag across your palm as he takes it from your hand. 

then time calls back to you both as the ship horn sounds, a signal to prepare to leave. he swallows thickly when neither of you make an effort to go. no doubt your companions will come searching so he takes the step forward again and pulls you close, sealing every unsaid word with a kiss that has you grasping at him to stay close. you two aren’t meant to be doing this in secret. you aren’t meant to be behind cargo boxes like teenagers, holding onto one another as if you were dying in his arms. and yet here you are.

“i should go,” you step away first and jing yuan feels his chest constrict. he can’t read the emotions in your eyes, the way you can’t meet his gaze, the way your fingers tremble, and the way you take deep breaths as if to calm yourself. but you cast aside his worries when you shake your head and throw your arms around him, hugging him tight. his hands find placement at your back and you stay like that until your companions find you locked in embrace.

“general.” a sharp voice cuts him from his daydreams and jing yuan looks at the holographic image of yukong standing by his desk. she looks upset, more so than usual and he puts on an easy expression as he asks what’s wrong.

“we have guests from the astral express, tingyun has informed me they are on their way. we’ll send over more information as they arrive.” he nods as she disappears. jing yuan looks back over at the papers and sighs. his hand comes up to thumb at the ribbon in his hair and he asks if you are still out there and well.

time is fleeting. and jing yuan wishes you had promised to return, not avoided the words as if you knew that you wouldn’t return. he wishes you didn’t give him the ribbon, and he wishes you never kissed him farewell.

— — —

extra: so why is it, that when he receives word of travellers from the astral express arriving in luofu that he catches a glimpse of your face amongst the group that has come. why is it, that when tingyun and yukong greet you with some familiarity, you shy away and apologize that you don’t quite recognize them. and why is it, that it hurts so damn much when you look at him with no remembrance of who he is. the ribbon in his hair feels like it’s slipping.

reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated! <3 © spririteddreams

[toseehowthestoryends]

Hal Gates = Henry Avery

So, I've seen the theory that Hal Gates = Henry Avery, and I laughed at it until I did the research.

And holy shit, it fits.

What made me start scratching my head was when I stumbled upon a second draft script for the pilot that is a little different from what aired. It straight up says that Hal Gates is in his 60s in Episode I/1715. For some reason, I figured him a bit younger, but since Mark Ryan was only 58 when the show started airing...it starts to make sense.

Henry Avery was (probably) born in 1659. He'd be 56 in 1715.

Short history: Henry (Hal?) Avery was a British-born sailor who spent some time in the Royal Navy as a master's mate, became a privateer, and then a pirate captain when the crew of his ship mutinied and elected him. Then he became the most successful pirate of his age, the "Arch Pirate," and the subject of the first-ever worldwide manhunt after only two years as a pirate captain.

Then he escaped with his loot around 1695, twenty years before Black Sails begins, never to be seen again.

But there are theories that he disappeared to New Providence Island.

(More on that below the cut). Isn't that fascinating? We don't know where Hal Gates comes from, but we know he's been around for quite awhile. He's the right age (practically spot on). Hornigold implies that Gates has been at sea for around 50 years, which would mean he first went to sea around 1665, give or take a little. The first mention of Every at sea is around 1671, but what's 5-6 years when you're rounding?

The Black Sails universe credits Avery/Every as one of the founders of the Nation of Thieves, saying "this is a place for free men," on New Providence Island. He's also the man who found Skeleton Island.

We know Hal Gates sailed on his crew and had his journals (his "prized possession," which he gave to Flint for safekeeping. Why give those to someone who was supposedly a minor member of his crew (someone who was "terrified Avery knew his name")? That doesn't add up very well. Why would Gates even have those journals?

"They say it started with a man named Henry Avery. Sailed into the port of Nassau, bribed the colonial governor to look past his sins, encamped his crew upon the beach, and thus began the pirate issue on New Providence Island." (Thomas Hamilton to James McGraw)

Avery vanishes into thin air, after supposedly giving Hal Gates his journals and leaving some of his crew on New Providence Island, including - presumably - Gates. Unless, of course, he is Hal "Gates." Then we've definitely seen him, the man who didn't really want to be a pirate captain until it was thrust upon him. That's a weird attitude, unless, of course, he's retired and is just going to see as a quartermaster because he missed the action?

More Avery/Every history beneath the cut.

Black Sails spells his name as Avery, though the common spelling is actually Every. So, what's his story?

Henry Every, also known as Henry Avery, Jack Avery, John Avery, Benjamin Bridgeman, or Long Ben, was the "Arch Pirate" or "King of Pirates" in his day.

He was probably born in Newton Ferrers, England (near Plymouth), in August 1659. His last name may have been spelled "Evarie" at this time.) Sometime between 1671 and 1689, he joined the Royal Navy under the name Henry Every and made it to the rank of master's mate before being discharged in 1690.

He also married to Dorothy Arther in 1690. Even in the navy, he was known as a family man, sending his money home instead of wasting it.

Then Every joined up with a new shipping company, and became first mate on a privateer warship, Charles II. The Spanish Expedition Shipping company was basically a bunch of English privateers who headed out to help Spain (then an English ally) hurt the French (never an English ally) in the West Indies. But Spain didn't deliver the promised letter of marque, failed to pay them, and left them sitting around as virtual prisoners. The crew of Charles II mutinied. Next you know, Every was unanimously elected captain and they changed the name of the ship to Fancy.

Over the next two years, Every and his crew embarked on a legendary series of raids that culminated in him commanding a squadron of pirate ships and taking a prize worth about £600,000 (about $135 million today). This was a 25 ship convoy owned by the Grand Mughal (Emperor), and it was the biggest prize ever taken by a pirate at the time.

The result? The first ever worldwide manhunt for one Henry Every. Britain's privy council and the East India Company offered a bounty of £1,000 (about $224,000 today) for his capture, plus a free pardon to informers.

It was due to his actions that Parliament declared pirates hostis humani generis ,or enemies of all mankind.

What happened to Every after this? What we know for sure is that he disappeared, forever to be the one pirate who got away scott free with his treasure. Sightings were reported for years, but none were reliable. Some say he died in poverty after squandering his treasure or being unable to sell it. But there's a strong theory that he disappeared in a place we all know very well: New Providence Island.

According to this theory, in Every and Fancy headed to St. Thomas and sold some of their treasure. Anchoring about 50 miles off New Providence Island, some of his men went to talk to the governor and ask leave for the crew to come to the island in exchange for hefty bribe. Their captain, "Henry Bridgeman" promised the governor a gift.

Every's crew spent months in the Bahamas and Fancy was stripped of everything valuable, ending up running aground and sinking, perhaps at the governor's orders. Eventually, the governor learned about the price on Every's head and put a warrant out for his arrest, but he seems to have tipped off the crew. Of 113 men, only 24 were captured (and 5 executed). Every was never seen again, having told his men multiple stories about where he intended to go.

And then he vanished, never to be seen again.

Unless he didn't.

[needle-noggins]

A Guide to eezybree's Trigun Fanfiction

Hi all! For @trigunfanfic appreciation week, I would like to do a little self-promo. I've only been writing fanfic for about a year (if you don't count my POTC fic from middle school) but it has changed my life and I'm really proud of what I've done so far. If you'd like to read some of my stuff, here's a quick guide!

Bluebells | E | Vashmeryl | 43k, in progress | post-canon Trimax, canon-compliant | Hurt/Comfort, Emotionally-driven, Character-driven. My long fic about Vash and Meryl figuring out life after Trimax. It's mostly Meryl POV, with an emphasis on her PTSD and trauma, but Vash is even more messed up. He's lost and grieving both Wolfwood and his brother, and Meryl's hangups about his nature as a plant certainly don't help their feelings of loneliness even as they're living together. It doesn't help that the ghost of Wolfwood won't leave the damn room. They work it out together while still acknowledging the things that haunt them - Vash's grief and Meryl's fear - and put on a brave face for the TV special on his life. This fic has converted a few people to see Vashmeryl, has made people laugh and cry, and has inspired a little bit of art. This fic is my baby, and I'm so so damn proud of it. ALSO: The smut is skippable!

Funeral Rites | T | Vashwood | 3k | Trimax canon-compliant Vol. 10 Burial fic. My first fic and still beloved. Vash buries Wolfwood and gets weird about it, would you expect any less? This baby is so chock-full of love and grief.

Freaks of Nurture | M | Gen/Vashwood | 2.8k | any canon. Vash gets vivisected and he hallucinates that the surgeon is Knives. Wolfwood gets triggered to hell trying to save him. This is my best and weirdest prose, and I had the most fun writing this. Dead doves abound here.

Silent Night | T | Gen | 4k | Pre-canon sci-fi epistolary-style story of Rem on the SEEDS expedition, leading up to the birth of the twins. My heaviest sci-fi with Rem's grief over her late partner Alex and regret over Tesla running throughout. I adore this fic. It was also inspired by Lenipez's Becoming Eden series, and in turn inspired another Rem-centric fic by mydetheturk!

Fresh Cut | E | Millionsummers | 5.7k | DEADEST DOVE. DESSICATED. My uhhh... body horror smut and essay on what compels me about the messed-up relationship between Legato and Knives. I wrote most of this on a plane (in public). This one is very kinky and weird and somehow hot, if you're into getting visions of your lover cannibalizing you when he comes.

Cigarettes & Saints | E | Mashwood | 3.8K | post-canon Trimax, set somewhere within/after Bluebells. Vash and Meryl visit a grave outside Hopeland and they... get weird with it. One of the tags is Outdoor Sex, and it does a lot of the heavy lifting. Wolfwood's ghost pays them a visit in Vash's butt. This sounds incredibly silly but it's very sweet and sad and there isn't a single dry eye by the end of the fic.

Growing Black Irises | T | Stryfewood | 1k | set somewhere in Bluebells again. Here's how post-canon trimax stryfewood can still win, but oh no it's painful and somehow sweet. So much yearning and regret over things never said or done.

Lightning Rod | M | Elendira POV | 1K | Trigun Stampede | Body Horror week fic; there's a dead dove in here. Inspired by Beelzebby666's Elendira/Tesla, I wanted to explore Elendira's thoughts and feelings about growing up and being experimented on, lauded as Knives' new Tesla. Compels me.

Learn to count on you (as my own fingers) | G | Vashmeryl | 800 words | Any canon. Meryl helps Vash clean his prosthetic, and it's very sweet.

Meet in the Middle (Like Pistols at Dawn) | G | Vashmeryl | 672 words | Domestic Fluff and Sillies. For the indirect kiss prompt for Vashmeryl week. I just really love writing them be goofy and sweet.

Ship to Wreck | T | Stryfewood | 1.6k | Pirate AU! Two small scenes of my pirate AU that is actually a bit more elaborate than the fic lets on. It's a fun time.

Raising Hell | T | Trigun OCs | 1.7k | If you ever had more questions about my silly trigun OC Fanny Paine, well, here's half her backstory. This was fun to write and got me out of a funk! I may write more again. I love Fanny.

[scotianostra]

On 23rd August 1614 forces under the command of the Earl of Caithness landed on Orkney to suppress a revolt by Robert Stewart, son of Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney.

Patrick was the son of Robert, Earl of Orkney, a bastard son of King James V, his rule over Orkney was not a particularly pleasant one, earning him the nickname “Black Patie”. A cousin of King James VI he ruled Orkney with an iron fist.

Patrick’s reputation for extravagance, arrogance and greed was matched only by his love of finery - exemplified in the magnificent Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall. A contemporary extract from the 16th century “The Historie and Life of King James the Sext” tells us…….

“[Earl Patrick Stewart’s] pomp was so great, as he never went from his castle to the kirk, nor abroad otherwise, without the convoy of fifty musketeers, and other gentlemen of convoy and guard. And sichlike before dinner and supper, there were three trumpeters that sounded still till the meat of the first service was set at table, and sichlike the second service, and consequently, after the grace.

He also had his ships directed to sea to intercept pirates and collect tribute of foreign fishers that came yearly to these seas.

Whereby he made sic collection of great guns and other weapons of war, as no house, palace, nor castle, yea in all of Scotland were not furnished with the like.”

Patrick Stewart held the native Orcadians in very low regard. When not bickering with his own family, his time was spent feuding with the more powerful local families.

By 1606, Earl Patrick was heavily in debt and ignored a summons to appear before the Privy Council, in Edinburgh, to explain the complaints received regarding his extremely oppressive rule. He was even charged with treason but the charge was dropped in 1607.

The appointment of Bishop James Law, in the same year, marked the beginning of Patrick’s end. The bishop, a close friend and confidante of the Scottish king, James VI (and I of England), presented a petition before the king, describing the oppression suffered by the people of Orkney. It is thought he also made mention of the danger the Stewart family posed - at this time the islands were still more Norse than Scottish.

Earl Patrick’s financial mismanagement and his brutality against the local population led to him being again summoned before the Privy Council in 1609, and then imprisoned, firstly in Edinburgh Castle and then in Dumbarton Castle.

He didn’t take this well and sent his illegitimate son Robert Stewart to stir things up in Orkney in his favour. Robert’s attempt to comply with his father’s orders resulted in what amount to a rebellion against royal authority. Earl George Sinclair of Caithness - who had a score to settle with the Stewarts - came to the King’s aid, volunteering to lead and pay for an expedition to Orkney to quash Robert Stewart’s rebellion.

Towards the end of August a siege began at the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall. Barricaded inside were as many as 700 rebels led by Stewart, eventually Sinclairs men breached the palace - the Stewart rebellion was brought to its knees by the work of a traitor working from the inside.

Earl George threatened to demolish St Magnus’ Cathedral as a reprisal against the Orcadians who had nearly ruined him but fortunately Bishop Law persuaded him otherwise.

In a summary judgement twelve of Robert's men were hanged, Robert was taken south to Edinburgh, put on trial, and hanged with five others.

Robert and his father denied they had planned the rebellion together, but Robert's accomplice, Patrick Halcro, insisted he had acted on Earl Patrick's instructions. Evidence was taken in Orkney from Margaret Buchanan, a servant who claimed she had read instructions for Halcro written by the Earl. She said that Halcro showed the paper to Robert, who tore it into pieces and they both told her it were better so, that it could do no hurt in time coming, and "the Earl of Orkney should not want his head for it".

Robert's execution evoked much sympathy from the people, owing to his young age, around twenty-two, and his "tall stature and comlie countenance".

The trial of Earl Patrick followed that of his son. His titles were forfeited and he was sentenced to death, but his execution was postponed after a plea from the chaplains, who, finding him so ignorant he could barely recite the Lord's Prayer, wanted time to educate him and give him Communion. The execution eventually took place on 6th February 1615, when he was taken to the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh and beheaded.

The picture shows a reconstruction of Earl's Palace, Birsay and how it looks now, in ruins, the third pic is the Coat of arms of Earl Patrick, you’ll notice the black cross over the the Scottish royal arms, this was a symbol of bastardy, while the second and third quarters show the arms of the Earldom of Orkney.

[tc-lp]

Comment Bingo: Old Fic Edition

Original Bingo Card by @feedthefandomfest

This card is to encourage commenting on older fics.

*

I realize this doesn't have to be all for the same fandom or pairing. But I'm gonna count only kylux fics.

I'm also aiming to comment on fics I've never read before. Some of them are in my ever growing reading queue, others I found while searching for a square's exact criteria.

List of fics under cut.

*

1. Posted First Year of its Fandom's Existence

Stopwatch Hearts, by Clarice Chiara Sorcha (claricechiarasorcha) ⎢ 3k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 6 February 2016

The general is just doing his job. Kylo Ren isn't sure why that's so fascinating to him. (It's because he's naked. Isn't it.)

2. 6+ Years Old & Under 30 Kudos

For Those That Follow, by jediluke ⎢ 8k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 9 September 2018

No one understood what it was. They called it "the shimmer". The walls of the otherworldly substance had the appearance of oil on black pavement, of bubbles shimmering in the summer sunlight after being blown out of a yellow bubble wand by a small child. Except, this wasn't explainable. Hux, a botanist is sent into The Shimmer along with a group of ex-military memebers to conduct research and try to figure out the cause of the mystery.

3. Posted 10+ Years Ago Since the pairing is younger than 10 years I'm going for: Posted Within the 1st Month After TFA's Release

once I could see (now I am blind), by cracktheglasses (cormallen) ⎢ 4k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 16 January 2016

If Ren dies, they’ll all be joining him, Hux thinks, because he’s going to have to scuttle the ship. Pick a camp on D’Qar, or whatever other pathetic hell-hole in the Outer Rim the Resistance calls home, and smash all three kilometres of the Finalizer right into the gooey center. (Or, the map is lost, Starkiller is lost, and Kylo Ren is seriously injured. Hux doesn't deal with it very well)

4. Rec Fic (1+ Year Old) on Tumblr and/or Discord & Tell the Author So

sensory memory by Lost_In_Mind_Palace ⎢ 4k ⎢ WIP, but can be read as a stand-alone ⎢ Rated M ⎢ posted 13 July 2023

Rec post can be found here!

And Ren's back here, by Hux's side, invading his personal space, probably with his personal interests which Hux can't quite figure out yet. 'Who are you?' Hux mumbles, pushing his face into the warm chest so he doesn't have to see this odd, foreign face anymore. Ren laughs madly, not paying much attention to the ravings of the madman Hux became. 'Someone who's gonna take you away from here.' As if that was enough of an answer. Before Hux blacks out again, he's sure of one thing--the only place where Ren is able to take him is hell. * After losing everything, the last thing Hux needs is his long-gone home. Ren disagrees. Alas, Ren is also the pilot here.

5. Posted in the Past 2-6 Months

Expedition Unsolved, by A_Poison_Tree ⎢ 8k ⎢ Rated M ⎢ completed 30 July 2024

When Armitage Hux is disowned, he's left scrambling for everything from rent money to purpose. A spur-of-the-moment application to an on-site research position ends up with him joining the cast of a schlocky documentary series as its host, Ben Solo, """"investigates"""" far-flung corners of the world. At least the horrors of camping take his mind off how attractive his boss looks while covered in mud. (An entry to #KyluxShortShorts that Evolved!)

6. Sort by Date Updated: Fic Listed in Final 10 Pages

lover of the devil, by selenedaydreams ⎢ 2k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 4 January 2016

“I worry about you.” His fingers tighten around the blanket until his knuckles turn bone white. “That’s not your job.” “Was it my job to find you almost dead with snow clinging to your wounds?”

7. 1-2 Years Old & Under 5 Comments

8. Comment on an Author's Oldest Fic

9. 3-5 Years Old & Under 20 Kudos

10. Sort by Dates Updated: Fic Listed on LAST PAGE

11. Posted 6-9 Years Ago

fever to tell by IrisParry ⎢ 8k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 1 January 2017

Hux was waving the thought like an obscene placard, and when Kylo latched onto it he made a low sound, half surprise and half pleasure, grip tightening around Kylo's wrist. It was crude, but appealing nonetheless, and it rose up on a seething mass of images and emotions that Hux hadn't a hope of concealing now. Kylo took a deep breath, centring himself, resisting the temptation to just take and take. Hux thinks he understands what Kylo Ren wants from him. So does Kylo Ren.

12. WIP Last Updated 3-5 Years Ago

Days Under Different Suns by GingersSailboat ⎢ 18k ⎢ WIP ⎢ Rated M ⎢ last updated 20 Feb. 2020

Armitage Hux wakes up on a shuttle he doesn't recognise, drifting through dead space with two open wounds and an air supply that's running out fast. He has no idea who put him there, and remembers nothing beyond being shot by General Pryde. Ben Solo is slowly integrating with the Resistance, who are now intent on restoring peace to the galaxy and ending the cycle of hatred and wars that has plagued them for so long. Although every effort is being made to accept him and put him to use, there is a part of him that can't stop thinking about Hux, who he believes to be dead and continues to mourn despite the conflict it brings to his new relationships among the Resistance. (A.K.A - a much-needed fix-it fic wherein Hux survives his execution, with the help of some loyal First Order officers, and sets about attempting to find Ben so they can continue the relationship that had been developing between them before the events of RoS. Please read notes for more information!)

13. Free

14. Sort by Date Updated: Fic Listed on Random Page

15. Comment on Every Chapter of Long-Running WIP

16. WIP Last Updated 1-2 Years Ago

To Take The Sun by phylonoe ⎢ 30k ⎢ WIP ⎢ Rated M ⎢ last updated 7 Aug. 2023

As a professor, you really shouldn't fall in love with your students. That's gotta be the number one uh-oh. Unfortunately, he's beautiful, and Armitage can't do much but let it happen. or Ben Solo wakes up with a panic attack for the third time in as many days. He's tired. So is Hux. The term is just about over, and neither of them have anything they can do except finish finals and figure out how to avoid the other one. With two people trying, you'd really think that would be easier.

17. Posted in Your Birthday Month at Least a Year Ago

18. 6+ Years Old & Under 15 Comments

19. Posted 3-5 Years Ago

20. WIP Last Updated 6+ Years Ago

21. 3-5 Years Old & Under 10 Comments

Just This Once, by StarCrossedRebel ⎢ 4k ⎢ Rated E ⎢ posted 20 December 2019

I know that this idea is kinda outdated, but I just really wanted to do a quick one chapter story of Ren and Hux's first and last time together intimately after the destruction of Starkiller.

22. Posted 1-2 Years Ago

23. Sort by Date Updated: Fic Listed in Middle Pages

24. Comment, Kudos, & Bookmark Fic Completed 1+ Year Ago

25. 1-2 Years Old & Under 10 Kudos

[historia-vitae-magistras]

How do you feel about nation jobs or finances in your universe? Like are modern Matt or Alfred on government payroll even if they don’t do anything? I know you’re mentioned that Alfred is better at managing his money than Matt, is he rich??

Sorry I’m not phrasing this very well 😅

This is somewhat esoteric even for me, but I tied their abilities with money to their economic histories.

Alfred was born looking pretty pathetic next to the Spanish possessions in Mexico and South America or even British holdings in the Caribbean but, in short order, made up a significant percentage of the ships, people, and wealth of the British Empire. He became that on what was primarily the efforts of private enterprise. Alfred grows up understanding he is valuable; he represents value, and his choices create value. He's easy to love because he's a goddamn cash cow for Arthur until the Seven Years War when Britain spent a shit ton and wanted the Yanks to pay their share, and we threw a bitch fit and declared independence.

Matt, however, has the French bitching about what a money hole he is from about 20 minutes after he comes into being. The Basque, by far, made the most money initially with their fishing and whaling in the east, following what was reasonably similar to the Viking routes into Newfoundland. The fur trade that drove French settlement faced collapse about a half dozen times in his childhood, and besides a short binge economy for Ginseng and its brief boom in China, his entire existence was just fur. Dead beavers and the black market. That's it.

While the US was building ships, growing cash crops, running a fur trade economy, engaging in fishing, rope making, pitch collection, barrel making and everything and anything else, in the Caribbean, they had 90+ control over sugar production and trade routes. Canada had 10% of the population and thus 10% of the market power. We didn't do shit except freeze, fire at the British, commit war crimes against the New Englanders, ditch the farms and run off to the west to make families with indigenous women and run furs up the rivers to the point that France tried to make it illegal for people to leave the settlements of Quebec City and Montreal without permission.

So from a relatively early point, Alfred is very smart with his investments, and he's been making his investments since the early 19th century, so there's a significant but often catastrophically destroyed habit of investing. When he was younger and incredibly newly independent, he got fleeced a few times, but he's called smart and secure, especially since the 1929 crash. It's not remarkably large amounts of money because he'll never completely trust the government, and he doesn't want to attract attention or pay massive amounts of taxes, so he's very well diversified. But he's certainly not poor. All his more expensive hobbies come from a particular office in the state department that Alfred sometimes cooperates with and sometimes doesn't, depending on how anti-establishment he and the public feel.

As for Matt, having spent a lot longer as a colonial subject, it's not that he's entirely shit with money but what he knew how to do. The heart of the empire was the financial hub and was outside his control long after even the Confederation in the 1860s. The money situation has been a nightmare since the earliest days of the French Regime using playing cards to pay people. Colonial America had some similar issues. The whole concept of the US dollar originated in the 1690 invasion of Quebec when the Massachusetts Bay Colony printed its own money to fund the expedition, but Alexander Hamilton did some flash economic magic for the US in this department in the 1790s, so it got its shit together long before Canada. Matt knows what he needs to know. He was stationed in various Canadian ports, keeping an eye on his father's investments, not his own.

So, in the modern day, Alfred reads his bank statements every month, keeps track of his subscriptions and bills, and probably has an accountant. Matt is more aware of Alfred's money habits than his own. Because he's over here just kind of vaguely wondering if his debit card will work because my man cannot make heads or tails of his economy (no, seriously, Canadian economists have no idea how Canada's own shit works. Sometimes it's pretty fascinating, there's often no real consensus like the US academic economist have.) And international investors in Canada are always freaking out because the Canadian economy is always getting its shit rocked by the US economy. It's hilarious to think of people in Matt's life frustratedly trying to figure out where and what his money's doing. If their health is tied to their economies, Matt's in pretty good shape, thanks to close ties to the US, but he's randomly dying reasonably often because the US economy's tiny little ripples will randomly tear him apart. It's pretty funny (laughs so I don't sob in the Canadian job market.)

And that's pretty fitting, considering that most Canadian economic policy is boiled down to 'hope the Americans are feeling cooperative next time NAFTA comes up for debate.'

[half-life-citizen]

What are some plotlines in the game (ex. making your name, playing with the soul, scientific expeditions, etc) that are canon for Digby/had a significant impact on his story?

This ask has been sitting in my inbox for a while, sorry about taking so long to answer

I'd like to preface with the fact that I made Digby after reaching the endgame, and this paired with a memory that isn't exactly the best has led me to forget a good chunk of earlygame stories, so I apologise if I leave out anything

Digby didn't really have an early struggling period where he needed money in the neath. He had the inheritance the original Digby had come down to the neath for and also the resources the original Digby had too, so instead of being persuasive to scam someone he'd be persuasive to truly convince someone he was actually Horatio Digby and not someone pretending to be him.

Obvious spoilers for fallen london ahead:

"In search of a stiff drink"

Digby ends up stealing some brandy and leaving the whole debacle behind him, but with a new appreciation for neathly drinks

"The fighting rings"

Despite his age, his experience on the surface and status as a tomb colonist lends him an advantage, he accidentally kills someone and stops altogether.

"Long lost daughter"

He really believed her, took a bit of shine to her.

When the truth was revealed, he sent her away and shut himself in for a while, not wanting to confront the truth.

"The soul trade"

Digby learns what exactly the soul is in fallen london. He's horrified at what he learns and vows to never sell his own. He joins the shephards.

"The forgotten quarter"

He doesn't go to the forgotten quarter himself. He's incredibly scared of what the devils do there, but one of his expeditions finds a curious stone, he puts it aside but takes more of an interest in it after his freedom from the Dawn Machine.

"The empress's court"

He was invited, he had to go for appearances but the whole place made him feel sick.

He did see a very impressive albeit controversial show get put on. He heard the artist got chased off.

"Scientific expeditions"

Digby pays quite a lot of money for two ships to escort him on his expeditions, he presents his findings to Summerset (along with a donation, not a bribe) and is presented with a doctorate that he doesn't feel proud of.

"Port carnelian"

He's offered the station as governer. He feels nothing but disgust at the prospect and declines.

Obviously I didn't name them all but this is mostly early game/mid game stuff I can think of that'd apply to Digby.

I can't see him doing anything shadowy, he'd be more likely to get someone else to do it rather than sneak around as a 60+ year old man, some other stuff isn't exactly in his nature to do, like investigate jack.

[boogiewoogieweeb]

would LOVE to hear about the ned quits the navy one 👀👀

hi kay! thank you for the ask!

it's more of a nebulous, 100+ bullet point listicle of an au than an actual wip at this point, but i'm more than happy to yap on about it:

it's essentially a ned-centric post-rescue joplittle au in which ross ex machina saves a handful of the expedition survivors (including some of the mutineers). it mostly follows the show's timeline, with some self-indulgent exceptions regarding canonical character death (jfj doesn't die, for instance. he and francis had their 'wedding night' scene, but francis couldn't go through with it, and jfj is not quite as scorbutic in this au).

aboard the investigator, ned learns that jopson survived being abandoned, and has to wrestle with his conscience. he tries apologizing to jops, only to be soundly and coldly rebuffed in the attempt. this shakes ned to his core, and he questions the purpose of his own survival. things only get worse for his mental state when he overhears francis tell jcr that he feels personally responsible for what happened to the men after he got captured by the mutineers.

this makes ned question his entire naval career, and what it means to be a good man. after some soul searching, and further developments once they reach ye olde england (including an inquest by the admiralty; and sending francis money on the condition of anonymity to help pay for jops' recovery), ned decides to quit the navy and start a shipping venture of his own with the help of his (legendary) brother, james, and some rich benefactors thanks to his connection to lady jane.

things go moderately well. james invites ned to come live with him for a spell, their business grows lucrative, and ned slowly relearns what it means to be, if not happy, then at least content. until a very angry jops shows up on his doorstep one day and goes, "so. it's come to my attention that it's not captain crozier, but you i have to thank for funding my recovery". this leads to them having it out in the foyer, with jops angrily telling ned he doesn't need his charity, and ned replying even more angrily that it's not charity; but he had to do things behind jops' back because he knew jops would never accept his help otherwise.

eventually, jops asks him why he's so deadset on helping, and ned - without thinking - blurts out: “my heart stopped beating the day i left you behind, and only restarted when i learned that you’d survived. but by the time i could tell you so, however, you already hated me. and now, all i have left is my ability to care for you from afar.”

they're both stunned into silence by the admission. ned, in a near panic, hastily tries to salvage what little dignity he has left by vowing to stay away from jops forever if that's what he truly wants.

but instead of turning away in disgust, jops breaks down right in front of ned and simply says, "it would've been easier for both of us if only i was capable of hating you."

smth smth emotional catharsis. and then james little - gay legend that he is - walks in on them having their heart-to-heart, takes one look at jops and goes, "oh, this explains so much about why ned's Been Like This™ since he got back."

cue happy ending, applause, etc.

and yeah, that's basically ned quits the navy in a nutshell! i'd be more than happy to share the full bullet point list on here for anyone who'd like to know more.

once again kay, thank you for picking my guilty pleasure au to ask about! i hope you enjoyed learning more about it 💖

[alexversenaberrie]

Naboo Founder Queen Elsinoré den Tasia

Queen Elsinoré den Tasia ruled the planet Grizmallt beginning around 3950 BBY. She sponsored numerous colonization expeditions throughout her reign, including one that led to the Human occupation of the Renatasia system. Many of the expeditions failed, and around 3900 BBY, Tasia sponsored the last of those expeditions, which was carried out by three colony ships; the Beneficent Tasia, Constant, and Mother Vima (They are seen flying on the right. As images of three colony ships did not survived, they were presented as a look-alike of the J-type 327 Nubian royal starship. We can also see hologram of Naboo system and ships on the left.) Tasia died shortly afterward, wishing the ships would find a home in her final moments. The ships would later land on the planet Naboo, which the colonists inhabited, becoming known as the Naboo.

The current style of Naboo dresses and facial adornments pay homage to the regalia of Queen Tasia of Grizmallt, and to whom some Naboo claim to be able to trace an unbroken ancestry. As Naboo and Grizmallt fashion were similar, Tasia was presented in a costume wore by one of Naboo queens. They are black, as if saying that she didn't live long enough to see Naboo by herself.

Behind the Queen, we can also see a graphic of a solar system on the wall to additionally show that she promoted cosmic expansion.

One is known for sure - without her, the planet Naboo would have never been discovered and its rich culture would have never existed.

Queen Amidala | Queen Jamilia | Queen Neeyutnee | Queen Apailana | Sosha Soruna | Queen Réillata | Queen Mairayni | Queen Sanandrassa | Queen Kylantha | Sabé - The Decoy Queen | Queen Yram | Queen Dalné | The Gungan-Naboo War Queen of Naboo | Queen of Naboo from the New Republic | King Jafan I Star Tours Queen of Naboo | King Veruna | The First Queen of Naboo | King Tapalo | Queen Ameé | Queen Ekay | King Jafan III | The Queen of beaded emblems | King Narmlé | Queen of Naboo from High Republic

#star wars paintings  |  SW Paintings

[fayrinferno]

The Terror of the Franklin Expedition (in my head)

So, a while back I watched The Terror and... there were warnings that it was a rabbit hole but I did not specifically mind them. Boy oh boy, was I wrong.

So I started watching this, knowing it was only one of the most critically acclaimed series of the recent years, strangely popular with both men and women, and that it was based on a true story. I haven't heard the story before, in this land-locked country, the naval exploration just isn't a huge thing even for history buffs. It's funny how the geography forms you.

Tell you truth, my first watch was rather lukewarm. I am no stranger to Hinds, Menzies, or Harris, so their acting did not floor me, I knew what to expect. I wasn't hanging onto every word and I only vaguely realized all the people with sideburns probably weren't just one guy. The creature felt kinda far-fetched although yeah, the atmosphere of dread it contributed to felt very real. But I guess what really cemented my interest was looking at the historical stuff. About halfway in, I carefully started searching, almost immediately finding out about the discovery of the Fitzjames' mandible, discovering the findings of the tumblr fandom, soon after, I got to see the frozen mummies of Beechey island, read about the archaeological discoveries, few and far between... and yeah, suddenly I was intrigued and it got my 100% undivided attention. So much that I watched the show again, back to back (that never happens). Mostly to catch the details and the real story references, ngl, but I did pay more attention to the little guys as well.

In the last few weeks, I did the expected run of documentaries, videos, articles and news, and a question has got stuck in my head: why is this whole matter so fascinating? I know, it was the most tragic Arctic expedition, it was a huge mystery, it was a race to discover what happened... but is it just that? I got to thinking: would it be the same without all the elements? I think this legend of a story wouldn't be the same without any of the following.

The huge, altruistic goal and the sense of adventure. Obviously you can (and should) think of it in terms of colonialism and finding new, or easier ways of obtaining wealth by discovering possible new trade routes. But it isn't just that. They go where (almost) none has dared before. It was the space exploration of their time! The environment will give them practically nothing, they need to have all that they may need on board of their ships. And they do, they have everything their age can offer. They still know it may kill them, many of them firsthand. And yet, they dare. They present it as this greater goal, a possible victory for humanity. And it feels almost Verne-esque.

The almost literary quality of the story. I mean, just looking at the story, at the names, at the background of the protagonists... it feels like fiction! It literally feels like someone named these characters, thinking of "what name would fit the vibe of this character?" Yes, I'm aware that Simmons probably plays the nominative determinism, since so does the show. I know the characters of The Terror do not need to match the actual people (nice of the writers to sort of absolve the real Hickey btw., but his name truly sounds villainous). But these names felt almost like they couldn't have been just accidental. And even beyond the names, they are like fictional characters, starting from Sir John Franklin... a dignified name, though he once "ate his boots" already... and it did not cure his hubris any! Who the hell is named James Fitzjames and has a backstory like that? Doesn't Francis Crozier sound like the most reasonable of the three? The person responsible for the well-being of the crew of all people is called Goodsir? And so on. Everyone whose name should sound pompous DOES, and the same goes for plain ones. I almost don't feel the irony that the real life usually brings with itself. And then, the names of the ships. You sail into this deadly area with your metal bands ships called Paralyzing Fear a.k.a. The Terror and Personification of Darkness., a.k.a. The Hell. Brutal. Not like a cartoon villain naming his lair at all. I know British navy had many ships at the time. I know they would have been named all kinds of names, both glorious and silly. But names of these ships would make sense in reverse; if they were (nick)named later on by some historians after knowing the horrific fate of the expedition.

The tangible horror. Going through all kinds of Franklin content and reading the comments of the people (which I admit is my bad habit), I lost count of how many times I've seen one like: "I saw the Jon Torrington mummy at (preteen age) and I never forgot it again/became obsessed about the story." I think about the mummies a lot. Like, would it be the same for the contemporary "fandom" if we had never seen those faces? If there were only fragments of bones? If we never knew how emaciated they were but still treated with (for the situation) unexpected level of care for their final rest? An unimaginable number of the nameless people historically, even their contemporaries, died of similar causes, in much milder environment, right within civilization... of disease that had no cure at the time, of the long-term effect of harmful substances that people were not aware of or did not/could not care about, of violence, of overwork, of starvation, of exposure... many of them younger, possibly more pitiful than these sailors. Many of the Franklin expedition would be a more pitiful sight on their deathbed. But you never saw their eyes, knew the exact colour of their hair. You never bridged those centuries of decomposition; not only of their bodies, of memories, of feelings. So many people died facing hardships so that we could be here, with the knowledge we have. But nothing gives you the sense of empathy like seeing someone's face. The mixed feelings of empathy and horror (the uncanny valley is a strong thing) upon seeing the bodies for the first time are indeed unforgettable. And you can imagine just another almost literary paradox: the Beechey survivors would look with pity at Torrington, Hartnell, and Braine. But it is very likely that none of the over hundred other men would have had a better fate than those three. Just, insane levels of foreshadowing and stuff.

The tangible desperation. There is still so much we don't know about the expedition. But even knowing nothing about its fate besides the bare fact of getting stuck where they did, you could imagine the level of desperation. Their only means of transport, immobile, and being slowly crushed, with no one knowing for how long. Even spending that winter on the ships having everything they needed must have been a trial for the psyche already. And then, the insane walk. You can barely imagine how much they must have steeled themselves for that. Did they know the distance they would have to walk or was it just kept from them like the fictional Crozier tries to keep away everything that may affect the morale? Everything would have been becoming worse and worse... the malnutrition, the diseases, the cold... And I can just see it leading to the grisly end. Imagine how much, as one of the last survivors, you would have gone through until that point. How physically and mentally resilient you had to be, how strong your will to live had to be, how hard you had to convince yourself that it was not hopeless. It would be impossible to get as far without it. And then you realize it was not enough. You got that far, went through it all, and it was all for nothing. It's chilling to think of the state of mind like that... breaking, or just continuing to walk that survival mode slope? I'll leave the cannibalism discourse to the anthropologists, but you just know there are people capable of that and worse, and it doesn't require such pressure and time spent under it. I couldn't help but wonder who the last survivors were, whether they were Darwin's biologically fittest, the Hobbesian wolves of humans, or if it was those who could best cooperate... we will never know. It's way too deep. It's...

The mystery and the irony. It wasn't even that long time ago, and yet we can only piece together a few archaeological sites, Inuit oral history, random items, hearsay... and it's unlikely to get much better. Most of the crew's many handwritten notes are gone with hopes of finding more waning. Even what was almost perfectly savoured is so sparse. I cannot understand, for example, why these tubed notes in two(!) separate cairns that preserved them for decades had to be written on page margins. Was there no more paper left? Was there no time to record the fate and cause of death of Franklin himself at least, if not the other people who died around that time, especially when you compare it to the Beechey victims? And then, the sheer irony of the silly, very human, poems surviving, shielded by a dead body of a man who did not even write them. And the passing mentions of some, probably more telling, handwritten materials given to Inuit babies to play. The role of the Inuit in the whole story, even... fascinating. Coming back to the first point, I can only applaud the author of this story. I'll remain curious to read the next instalment about the lead level in Fitzjames' teeth or whatever. I'm sure the scientific community and tumblr will deliver it to me eventually.

Oh yeah, and go watch The Terror (season 1). Beware, but, watch it.

[satureja13]

The UFO dropped Rubyn and Ji Ho at the Burrow. Francine is already waiting for them. There's a lot to manage and discuss... Rubyn: "Are you ok, Ji Ho?" Ji Ho didn't take the last flight with the UFO very well... Ji Ho: "Uh... a bit dizzy but way better than last time!"

They followed Francine inside. Where Genji already waited for them. Francine had called him after she sensed that Vlad and the others left this world with the Ship. Ji Ho was going to live with Genji anyway after Vlad and him would have cut the Bond eventually. But now they have another problem: Vlad, Ji Ho's bonded, is gone. Who knows where. And now other Vampires might want to claim Ji Ho. So Francine hopes Ji Ho returning to his first bonded Genji will do to keep them at bay...

Rubyn and Ji Ho filled Francine in about the Expedition, Professor Callahan and the other Jeb and Jack's message... Francine teared up. Jeb is her beloved grandson: "Gods, Jeb..." Rubyn: "But now we have all I need to proceed. We should soon see positive results and send Ji Ho over to the others to bring back Kiyoshi and 'move on' - whatever that means."

Francine took Ji Ho aside to talk alone with him. Francine: "When you return to the others tell them it's up to you now. We won't interfere. You proved you became a proper team now. So wether you cut the Bond or not - it's your decision. I know this won't be an easy one. It's your life after all and we can't force you to stay with Vlad, whom you don't love, to save creatures and fight the Council."

"But remember: you and Vlad signed a contract to do everything to cut the bond. We put in a lot of money and effort to help you and we ask a part of this money back from you. A lot of Rubyn's reasearch will be useful for the Resistance, but still." Ji Ho: "I'm sorry we caused so much trouble. We made this decision from what we knew at this point to keep our friends safe from the Council. But we can't ignore Jeb's message. *Ji Ho sighs* It's a dilemma... But I will accept my fate and stay with Vlad and we will use the Bond to do good. I will learn to love Vlad. And we will pay back the money." Francine: "Very well then."

And then Rubyn, Ji Ho and Genji left the Burrow. Rubyn went back to Britechester to continue her research on the meteorites, the pedestal and the recordings from Albaleyh. And Ji Ho and Genji went over to Genji's flat above the Laundromat...

So many memories! Here, September 2022, just across the street Genji bit Ji Ho and claimed him, Vlad died, Ji Ho left the Space Bar to live with Genji, they held the duel where Vlad claimed Ji Ho and bit him and they formed their bond, which poisoned Vlad - and he died again...

Genji: "Are you sure it's ok for you?" Ji Ho: "Don't worry, Genji. You had no choice either. It hadn't been easy for you too. Thank you for having me."

Ji Ho: "Oh. You kept the photos." Genji: "You are so beautiful. Shall I take them off?" Ji Ho: "No. It's ok." Ji Ho knows that Bonds are doing things and make creatures a bit obsessed ^^' See Vlad...

Ji Ho took a shower and got rid of his jungle attire he wore almost non stop for the last days. They chatted and laughed and Genji was cooking for him. Ji Ho can't remember when he sat in peace alone with someone and just had a good time. (This was last time when you stayed with Genji, Ji Ho...)

Or anyone cooking only for him. Not even his own mother did this. Definitely not his mother...

It's so - homely... Ji Ho never had a proper home. He grew up in the Slums of Sulani and practically lived in the streets. Jeb, Saiwa and the others became his 'home' no matter where they lived. But they were always on the run - a save place, a haven, somewhere to stay... He licked blood and started to crave for something like this...

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest 📚 Previous Chapters: 🌴 'The Expedition' from the beginning ▶️ here 🎤 'Putting the Boys Back together' from the beginning ▶️ here 🥀 'Disbandment of the Group' from the beginning ▶️ here

[desertfangs]

OH MY GOD WHY DIDN'T I REALIZE IT LIKE THAT BUT ARMAND WAS AT ONE POINT OF TIME DANIEL'S KIND OF SUGAR DADDY!!!!

LOL! Sort of! Like Armand does give him wads of cash when he shows up randomly during the chase years (and bails him out of jail at least once - lol!)

And I'm guessing he probably paid for some of the many apartments they lived in during their time in London and New York. But Daniel actually supports Armand at least somewhat, too, or is at least helping. Like we know Daniel is paying for the airline tickets for their constant travel:

"What do you mean, millions!" Daniel had scoffed. "You throw your clothes away after you wear them, you rent apartments and forget where they are. Do you know what a zip code is, or a tax bracket? I'm the one who buys all the goddamned airline tickets."

Which means he'd probably paying for other expenses. Armand is stealing cars and things and getting money that way, but Daniel is contributing.

And then when Armand decides they need real, tangible wealth (with which to say, build their own island), he makes Daniel work for it. Daniel apparently leads the expedition (or at least arranges it) to find the sunken treasure Armand has located:

It had begun with a treasure find in the waters off Jamaica, Armand chartering a boat to show Daniel where salvage operations must begin.

And then later he's forced to spend his daylight hours fencing goods and turn the random jewels and riches into cold, hard cash or movable assets:

Pearls, rubies, emeralds, diamond tiaras, these he brought to Daniel. "Never mind, they were stolen, no one will claim them." And from the savage narcotics traders off the Miami coast, Armand stole anything and everything, guns, suitcases full of money, even their boats.

(Never forget it's canon Armand gave Daniel at least one tiara. I hope he kept at least one.)

So honestly while Armand does obtain crazy amounts of wealth for them both and build the Night Island (which probably Daniel also does a lot of work to make happen given that he's buying fleets of cruise ships and managing all kinds of stuff at that point), Daniel is not just hanging out in hot pants looking sexy while Armand takes care of him. Dude is earning his keep.

Thank you for the ask anon! I still want a vampire sugar daddy of my own.