#i wonder what sophie thought the first time she saw THAT

[ejzah]

A/N: I hope everyone celebrating had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

***

Gratitude

Deeks dumped the boiling water from a massive stock pot into the sink, recoiling from the rush of stem billowing up towards him. When most of the water was drained, he set the pot to the side, and added several tablespoons of butter.

“Rosalie, how’s it going?” he asked, joining her at the counter where she had cutting boards, bowls of ingredients, and a large platter spread out in front of her.

“The fiambre is almost ready,” Rosa said, delicately placing folded pieces of ham atop a very colorful salad. It contained a truly impressive number of vegetables, cheese, meat and other ingredients that somehow worked together.

“It looks fantastic.” She smiled at the compliment, offering him an olive. Deeks accepted it, chewing as he looked around the busy kitchen.

“The potatoes are ready to mash, and Mama Deeks is basting the turkey for the last time. Do you need any help?” he asked. “I could cut some more radish roses.

“No, I think I have everything. Thank you, though.”

“Mama?”

Roberta huffed from her spot by the oven, looking over her shoulder. “Marty, you know I can cook a turkey in my sleep,” she said dismissively.

“Yeah, let’s not have a repeat of that, please,” he requested.

Rosa raised an eyebrow, tilting her head at him, and he shook his head quickly mouthing, “Don’t ask.”

Rosa shook her head, continuing with layering her salad. He expected that story would come up sometime tonight. The Thanksgiving they’d eaten pizza for dinner because Roberta slept through an alarm was hardly the most scandalous story she’d shared.

Leaving Rosa and Roberta to their devices, he walked out into the living room and right into some twins shenanigans.

“Hey Kiddo, where you think you’re going?”

Caleb, in the process of pulling himself up from a chair onto the dining room table opened up and set to accommodate their guests. He jumped, spinning around with a startled look. Grabbing him under the armpits, Deeks swung him down into the floor. He turned to Sophia, who clung to one of the table legs.

“And what are you up to, Miss Sophie?”

She offered him a wide, innocent smile that spelled nothing but trouble.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he said. Picking them both up around the waist, he deposited a kiss on each of their heads. “C’mon, let’s get some of your toys.”

Deeks had just got them set up in the front room with piles of blocks when Kensi came rushing out of the bedroom.

“Caleb, Sophia!”

“They’re in here, baby!” Deeks said, leaning over so she could see him around the table.

“Oh, thank goodness. I left them in the bedroom while I went to the bathroom,” she explained, regarding the twins with fond exasperation. “I thought they’d be ok for a couple minutes, but apparently someone figured out how to open the door.”

Wado,” Caleb replied with a grin.

“Of course you’d say that,” Kensi replied, and bent to kiss him. She sat down opposite Deeks, settling Sophia between her legs. “How’s everything in the kitchen? I didn’t hear any shouting.”

“Everything’s almost ready. We should probably go check if there’s anything else we can help with before everyone else gets here.”

“Ok. Come on Sophie. Let’s make sure Grandma Deeks doesn’t spike the cranberries again.” Kensi settled Sophia on her hip.

“Oh, I already hid the vodka, bourbon, and scotch,” Deeks told her. He poked his head through the kitchen door, smiling at what he saw.

Roberta and Rosa’s head were bent over a saucepan. She offered a spoon of the contents to Rosa, who tasted it and tilted her head.

“Hm, it might need a little more pepper.”

“Yeah, you might be right, kiddo. You got good taste,” Roberta replied, giving her an approving pat on the shoulder.

“It’s a lot different than our first Thanksgiving together, isn’t it?” Deeks murmured. He didn’t want to interrupt the moment between the two.

“You mean when our mom’s were ready to battle it out to cook dinner?” Kensi asked wryly.

“Yeah. Not to mention the three kids.” He watched Rosa and his mom for a few more moments. “Is it cheesy to say this is what I’m thankful for?”

“Mm, yeah. But I feel the same way.” Sighing contentedly, Kensi leaned her head against his.

Yeah, grateful didn’t even begin to cover it.

***

A/N: Based on a little research, fiambre is a common Thanksgiving/holiday dish served in Guatemalan families.

[lindseymcdonaldseyelashes]

Will never be over the portrait hanging over Nate's bed!?!

[greenwitchfromthewoods]

feel enough. l Frankie “Catfish” Morales

Summary:  your head was full of unpleasant thoughts about you

Warnings: (+18) smut, fluff, unprotected sex (don't do it!), oral sex (f!receiving), fingering, complexes caused by how the body looks after pregnancy, mentioned pregnancy, breeding kink, a few curses

A/N: I wanted to write something cute and safe, something that would be nice. I hope I succeeded, at least a little. your feedback is very important to me and I thank you for all the reblogs, comments and likes. 🖤 sorry for all the mistakes

"What's going on?"

His sleepy, slightly hoarse voice echoed quietly through the bedroom. You quickly adjusted your-once-his t-shirt that you were wearing and put a charming smile on your face before turning to him.

"She woke up. I had to feed her." you replied and slid back under the covers. "She should give us some more time to sleep."

"Mhmm..." Frankie mumbled, moving closer to you. The large hand slid gently over your body, wrapped around you and pulled you closer, he kissed your shoulder softly. "She knows no mercy."

"Her favorite person in the world said." you giggled. "I know perfectly well that she wrapped you around her little finger."

"Not my fault." he replied, moving in the bed so that his long legs intertwined with yours, he was like an octopus. "She gets it from her mom. Sweet, charming, with a beautiful smile. I have no chance."

"I almost feel sorry for you."

The soft stubble brushed against your neck as Frankie kissed you somewhere under your ear, or wherever he could reach. 

Mornings like this were the nicest. It was still early enough that it seemed that life and household chores were far away from you. Just you and him, a warm bed, the remnants of sleep in front of your eyes.

For a few minutes, not a single word was said and you were sure that your husband had fallen asleep again, but his hand, which slowly slid under your shirt, made you realize that it was different. The touch was tender and gentle, but you held your breath almost immediately.

"Do you think she'll give her parents some time alone?" his voice was still soaked in sleep, but you heard him clearly, "I miss you, baby girl."

The hand slid over your stomach and slipped between your soft breasts, but it didn't stay there for long because soon it slid to the back of your neck and gently turned your face towards Frankie. His plush lips first brushed the corner of your mouth, and only after a moment they landed on your lips. Gentle and unhurried kisses, perfect for mornings like this.

But now everything was different. Your brain was working at full speed and you felt everything, every thought, every touch, was starting to overwhelm you. He had to sense it, he knew you too well.

The kisses stopped and he gently stroked your cheek. You opened your eyelids and saw his sweet brown eyes staring intently at you.

"Everything okay, sweetie?" he asked.

You nodded "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You seem a bit tense. Don't you feel like it?"

"No, it's fine. Just..." Frankie smiled gently, carefully sliding his hand out from under your shirt and laying down next to you.

He watched you with concern, but you felt worse with every passing second. The feeling that you were hurting him, that you were failing him as a woman, began to fill every cell of your body quickly. 

Frankie was lying so close to you that you could feel the warmth of his body perfectly, but an invisible boundary was standing between you, and it was definitely in your bed, but not only there.

On the couch when you were both watching a movie in the evening, in the kitchen when he came to hug you from behind when he came home, practically every time his hands touched your body, his arms wrapped around you or you felt the closeness of his body - you tensed up and did everything you could to move away from him.

You felt bad about it. You felt that it was your fault, that something was wrong with you, because it had to be.

Sophie was almost four months old and she was a wonderful baby. She definitely had her daddy's brown eyes and curly hair, but her smile was yours. Despite the tiredness, you loved being a mom, and Frankie was the proudest father around. 

He understood and practiced tying baby wraps much faster than you did, and he looked damn handsome with little So, as he called her,  sleeping on his chest while he shopped or cooked.

"She grounds me." he would say when you pointed out that they looked like two koalas together. How could you fight it?

"What's wrong, honey?" he asked. "What are you thinking about?"

"I don't know..." you sighed, staring at the ceiling. You felt embarrassed that you couldn’t tell him all your worries.

He brushed a stray strand of hair away from your face and gently stroked your cheek. He could see perfectly well that something was eating you from the inside, he wasn't blind or deaf. 

You were his baby girl, his best friend, his wife, and his lover. He had a beautiful child with you and a life he never thought he could be a part of. It broke his heart to see you like this, but he didn't want to push you.

"Frankie..." your voice was quiet, but he heard it tremble perfectly, "Do you still find me attractive?"

He frowned, clearly surprised by the question. His semi-hard cock was resting on your thigh, and you were asking him things like that?

"Of course." he replied firmly, "Why do you even ask questions like that?"

You pouted and pulled the covers up a little higher.

"I just... Lately I've been feeling... It's stupid!"

"Hey." Frankie lifted himself up to look at your face, seriousness in his eyes, "Nothing you feel is stupid. I want you to remember it, hermosa. Tell me, please."

You took a deep breath. The words were about to leave your lips for the first time, and you were terrified by the fact.

"I don't feel good enough for you, Frankie." you said quietly "I've been feeling this way for a dozen or so weeks. After Sophie came along, my body isn't what it used to be. I don't feel good about it..."

Frankie looked at you, trying to digest your words. This was something new to him. He knew and saw that your body was different from when you met, but he never took it as a flaw, quite the opposite - it was wonderful.

"Sweetie..." he said after a moment "You gave birth to Sophie a few months ago. Your body did an amazing thing..."

"I know, I know..." you groaned, covering your face with your hands, feeling even more embarrassed by yourself "But I saw so many beautiful and smiling young mothers on social media, with flat stomachs, in perfect make-up. They looked amazing! And my belly pooch..."

"What?"

"My belly, Frankie!"

"I love your belly." he stated honestly "And I don't like you comparing yourself to other women, to be honest. Because then I'd have to have a six-pack and butts of steel, and I'm not going to keep eating rice and chicken every fucking day."

You snickered. "But I love your body."

"So why can't you love yours too? Baby..." Frankie shifted so he was enclosing you between his strong arms, his hair a mess but he was the sweetest thing, besides your daughter, you saw in the mornings. "Since I met you are the sexiest girl I've ever seen. Out of my league. But you were and always are more than just a body. You're loving, compassionate, caring, understanding, supportive and smart as hell. I love your sense of humor and when you're a little grumpy in the mornings, too. You sacrificed your body to give us this little being sleeping in the other room and I will be forever grateful to you for making me a father." he noticed how your eyes started to glaze over and a muffled moan escaped your throat "I don't know what I should do to make you understand how beautiful you are to me. I'm half hard, but if there's anything I can do, tell me. I'll do anything. Just please, don't think you're not enough because I can't stand it."

"So I'm not disappointing you that we don't make love as often as we used to?"

"I love sex with you, baby, but a relationship is about something more." he smiled "If you want to wait, I don't see a problem with that. I want you to feel comfortable with me, and the thought of you forcing yourself to do anything just because you think I expect it... We don't do that here, do we?"

You nodded. A heavy stone seemed to lift from your heart because you even managed to smile, and Frankie beamed at the sight. He kissed your hand as you tenderly stroked his stubbled cheek.

"I love you very much, you know that?"

"I love you more." He replied and kissed you softly. "And next time you have any doubts, you are to come to me immediately, do you understand?"

"Is that an order?" You giggled, his bulge suddenly twitching close to your crotch.

"You can take it that way, Private." He replied, his voice distinctly lower and deeper.

It went straight to your core and struck those chords that made you desire your husband even more.

You moved slightly and he used that to position himself between your legs. You could clearly feel how hard he was and you were getting wet at the thought that it was because of you. That no matter what you thought about yourself, Frankie really wanted you.

"Baby..." he sighed and cleared his throat as your fingers slid down his neck and you started playing with hair on his nape. "I really meant it, if you're not ready..."

"Do you want me to stop?" you asked, pouting your lower lip slightly and making a sad face.

"Fuck, no." he shook his head "But..."

"You said you'd do anything to make me feel better." you reminded him, moving your hips so his cock felt the friction and Frankie let out a loud breath "You know best what to do to make me feel better. You know every nook and cranny of my body so well..."

"Shit! Hermosa, please..."

"I need you now, baby." you pulled his face closer to him to kiss him "I want you, Francisco..."

Even if you wanted to say something more, he wouldn't let you, because his lips pressed against yours with such force that you moaned. His tongue slipped between your lips without hesitation, deepening the kiss, and his cock brushed against your core so hard that you knew you'd go crazy if you didn't feel him inside you.

You slid your fingers into his hair and tugged lightly, a strangled moan escaped Frankie's throat. How fucking sexy that was. His lips slid down to your neck as one of his hands kneaded your hip and waist. With each passing moment, you felt the arousal building up in your lower abdomen.

You managed to grab the edge of Frankie's shirt and somehow pull it off him. His sun-kissed body almost gleamed in the morning rays of the sun.

"Can I?" he asked when he wanted to do the same with yours.

You nodded. Slowly, with great sensitivity, he took off your shirt. Brown eyes moved with love and admiration from your face, through your breasts to your stomach. You felt a little embarrassed, but Frankie's look was something that worked on you like a warm and pleasant breeze. You felt love in that look, he wasn't lying.

"I want to taste you."

His voice was captivating. Whatever he said at that moment, you would have agreed to it without thinking. You nodded slightly. Long fingers grabbed the edge of your panties and slid them down your legs, his lips showering kisses on your ankles, calves, thighs.

His movements were slow, full of tenderness and closeness that you needed so much. Frankie took his time with you. He kissed your lower abdomen, and then settled between your legs, his wide shoulders opening you up to him even more.

"Just feel it, hermosa. Don't think about anything... Let me take care of you." 

And you let him. His first lick made you press your body even harder into the mattress. He tasted you, sliding his tongue over your folds, sucking on the bundle of nerves that made a quiet sigh leave your lungs. 

You didn't even hear him say, "Now I'll give you a little more. Can you come on my fingers, hermosa?" 

Two fingers slid between your velvet walls, stretching you pleasantly. Frankie pushed them in up to his knuckles and curved them to find the spot that made your head spin. 

His cock was painfully hard and leaking, but that wasn't important at that moment. His fingers moved inside you, and he sucked on your clit as if he had set himself the goal of proving to you how amazing your body was, how much he wanted you.

Frankie's muffled moans reached your ears, but you were already immersed in the pleasure that was spreading through your body. Skilled fingers hit a sensitive spot, and your legs trembled with the pleasure that was so close.

"Cum, baby. I know you want it. You need it, right?"

And he was right. You reached your hand to his curly hair, and you probably squeezed it a little too hard because Frankie groaned, but at the same moment you let out a loud moan from between your lips.

"Fuck! Jesus, Frankie..." you babbled, stunned by how hard you came on his fingers.

He kissed the inside of your thigh and soon he was on top of you. His hair was a total mess, and his lips and chin glistened with your juices. There was nothing sexier than him.

"Do you want to continue?"

You nodded quickly. Your hands grabbed him by the neck and you pulled him to you quickly to taste his lips, to have his tongue deep in your throat again.

This man was pulling things out of you that you had no idea existed. Just a moment ago you felt complexes about your body, and now you felt like the most desired woman in the world. It was crazy!!

"Shit!"

"What happened?" you asked when he suddenly pulled away from you.

For a moment you thought that your daughter had decided to wake up after all, then you would have to stop everything and hold out until her next nap. But that wasn't it.

"Condoms. We don't have any fucking condoms." Frankie hissed, resting his head on your chest.

You hadn't needed them for over a year, so they weren't on your shopping list, but now you felt their absence strongly. His hard cock lay between your body and his, and you were so high up that you made the only possible decision.

"You're going to pull out, Frankie." he immediately raised his head and looked at you with hope in his eyes "It's the only solution. What worse can happen? I mean..."

"I get it, I get it, baby girl." he nodded quickly "I can do it."

He kissed you feverishly, and you stroked his cock a few times.

"I'll give you a blowjob later, but right now I want to feel you inside me."

"Fuck, it's a deal."

He didn't even fully understand what you said to him. It could have been anything. All the blood flowed from his brain straight to his loins and Frankie had only one goal - to get to his wife's pussy.

When the tip slid inside you, he already knew he was gone. A throaty "Fuuuuck!" resounded somewhere by your ear, and he almost came at that moment. The further he slid into you, the more he realized how much he missed this feeling, how much he missed you and the closeness that was between you.

His fingers gripped your thighs tightly as you wrapped your legs around his waist, allowing him to enter you even deeper. And when he reached the end, you both froze for a moment.

It was wonderful to feel him inside you again after so long. The pleasant stretch and filling, the sweet weight of his body against yours, his warmth, the gentle kisses he placed on your shoulder. You wanted to hold on to this moment longer, but your body needed him to move. To give you again what made your heart explode.

"Frankie... Please..." you whispered, and he immediately understood what you needed.

He pulled out almost all the way, and then he pushed in with such force that the oxygen flew out of your lungs. And then again and again. You were gasping for breath, and your brain had stopped working properly a long time ago. 

Frankie moaned and kept repeating the same words - how wonderful it was to feel you again, how sexy you were, how he missed your body, how much he wanted to stay between your thighs forever. But as each of his thrusts brought you both closer to your peaks, after all this time you didn't need much, his words became dirtier.

"Ohh, that pussy really missed me, huh? You take me so good, baby girl, fuck, so deep... Do you hear that? Do you hear how wet you are? I bet you wish I could take you from behind, right? Hard and rough, huh? Fuck! I could put another baby in you right now. I've never seen anything sexier than you full of our baby, swollen from what I left inside you."

"Fuck!" you gasped, "I'm so close, baby... So close..."

"Yeah, I can feel it. You're squeezing me so good. Cum, baby girl! I've got you, I've... Fuck!"

Your thighs clenched tighter as you came loudly. Your spine arched and your nails dug into Frankie's flesh, but he didn't even groan in pain. Quite the opposite. His next thrusts were harder and a bit chaotic, but he soon pulled out of you to spill onto your lower abdomen, moaning almost as loudly as you did.

You both struggled to catch your breath. Frankie sat back on his heels, his dreamy eyes watching the mess you both made.

"Do you know how fucking sexy you look right now?" he breathed, squeezing your thigh. "This should be on the cover of every magazine." He raised his hands and made a gesture like he was taking a picture of you, and you laughed.

"You're incorrigible." you said, and a sly smile appeared on his face.

"But somehow I put a ring on your finger and made you a baby, right?"

You shook your head in disbelief. Frankie got off the bed, went to the bathroom and came back a moment later with a wet towel. He carefully cleaned you up, unable to resist a few kisses that he placed on your stomach.

"I love you." you murmured, snuggling into him as he laid down next to you again. "I don't know what I would do without you. You're the best medicine for everything."

"You're so sweet to me because you just came twice, huh? And you probably want to do it again?" he laughed, pulling you closer and kissing your forehead. "You can't even imagine how much I love you. You give me everything I need."

"Same here."

You felt the warmth of his body, and heard his heartbeat. In that moment, you felt the happiest in the world. He made you like that. He helped you feel good again, and you wondered how you could ever think that you were not enough for him.

His fingers slowly stroked your bare shoulder and you both slowly began to doze off when a quiet squeaking from the other room reached your ears.

"I got it, baby." Frankie rasped, freeing himself from your arms and getting out of bed. He reached for his boxers and looked at you fondly. "How about I take So downstairs, and you take a long shower, huh? We'll make you a delicious breakfast."

"You spoil me."

"That's my role, hermosa." he laughed, kissing you hastily and heading for the door.

After a moment, you heard a sweet "Hey, So! How did you sleep? Did you grow again? We talked about this, young lady. You're not supposed to grow anymore!"

You felt better, much better. Maybe all your complexes hadn't disappeared as if by magic, but you knew you had a man by your side who made you feel beautiful and loved. 

And when you finally went downstairs and saw your daughter's bare, plump legs sticking out of the scarf she was wrapped in on her father's chest as he made you breakfast, you knew you were exactly where you wanted to be. 

With them.

☆☆☆

Thank you for your time.

[b0r3dtod3ath]

Hey Sophie, I hope you’re having the best week! I saw your requests were open and I was wondering if you could do something for either Lando or Charles. Where their gf is travelling a lot with them and is starting to get anxious and exhausted and she’s really stressed on a flight (maybe at the time, she’s flying with another driver whose her bestfriend) and they spill to Lando/Charles exactly what’s going on? Thank you xxx

an: Thank you for the request and patience! I'm sorry you had to wait so long.

The cabin was dimly lit as the plane flew through the night sky, its engines humming softly in the background. Seated next to each other in first class you, Charles and Lando exchanged tired glances. You were fidgeting nervously, your hands playing with your fingers or gripping the armrest. You had been traveling with Charles frequently lately, wanting to be close to your boyfriend and to support him during races around the world. You thought you could handle traveling and your online job. But as the miles accumulated, so did your exhaustion.

Tonight’s fight seemed particularly turbulent as there were some thunderstorms going on. You nerves were on the edge, you were feeling overstimulated and tired. You glanced at Lando, sleeping in his seat next to Charles. You two knew each other even before you started darting the Monegasque. You kind of wished to switch seats and be comforted by your best friends presence as you knew he would understand you. 

"Charles," you finally whispered, your voice trembling slightly.

"Yeah?" he replied, turning to look at you with concern.

"I... I need to talk to you about something," you began hesitantly, your gaze fixed on your shaky hands.

Charles reached out and gently squeezed your knee, silently urging you to continue.

"I... I don't know how much longer I can do this," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "The constant traveling, the pressure... it's all starting to take its toll on me”.

Charles listened attentively as you poured out your feelings, his heart aching at the sight of your distress. He had been so focused on his own career and responsibilities that he hadn't fully realized what you were going through. 

Meanwhile, Lando glanced over at the two of you, sensing the tension in the air. 

"Hey, is everything okay?" Lando asked, his brow furrowing with concern as he took in your tear-stained face.

You hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I... I'm just really tired right now," you admitted, words coming out in a rush. "Flying, racing, my job…  it's all a little too much”.

Lando nodded understandingly, offering you a sympathetic smile. "I get it. It's a lot to handle, especially with everything going on. But you're not alone. We're all here for you. And you don’t have to follow us to every race. It’s our job”.

“Yes. That’s true. I love having you by my side but if it’s better for you to attend only a few races then I don’t mind” said Charles stroking your hand with his thumb. 

Tears welled up in your eyes as you felt the weight of the spoken words sink in. As Charles kissed you tear-stained cheek, you knew that you could find a way to make it work. 

May 26 2024

[otamotone-dnp]

thoughts on the atlanta tit show/the show in general!!!

okay to start off, they’re so beautiful. oh my god. when they came out on stage for the pre show I was looking down at my phone not expecting it and their presence scared the shit out of me akskssk I jumped. phil’s eyes are so beautiful and piercing (in a good way lmao) and there was a part where he says a line by himself into a mic that was on my side of the stage and I was five rows back and I could just see his eyes so clearly. dan looked so happy and smiley and beautiful too. they look so good together!!!!

I thought the show was so well done, you could tell they thought it all through thoroughly, I can’t imagine how much planning it took. my friend who came with me has a degree in theatre and specializes in set and lighting design and she was saying how cool and well done the set was (she was giving me some info on how the screens work but I didn’t understand but it sounded kind of complicated lol)

okay now spoilers ahead:

the dolls part, oh my god. first of all, the little cardboard sets are so cute and accurate. they must have taken pj and Sophie so long to make. the “humping/fucking” part where phil makes the dolls fuck and 69 almost made me look away in like idk I felt bad almost watching that? lmao not fr but I was like Jesus dan and phil y’all are crazy and also we’re going there

I thought they did the conspiracy theories part in a classy way. we got tour bus, Vegas, and toilets. I liked the ice berg concept, it made me wonder if they’ve seen that “phandom iceberg” video somebody made on YouTube even though I don’t agree with that person’s approach to the fandom.

I thought the boxing was so well done, omg. it was so fun to watch. the clips of them before the boxing like the “hype” clips or whatever you call it were so good

seeing sister daniel on stage was iconic!! my friend leaned over to me when she came out and said “do you think he’s wearing underwear or something under there” aksksks I was like yeah, they’re just short. she doesn’t use tumblr much but I explained stuff from on here like how we got a glimpse of a little too much one time and he made them longer after that 😂 I also loved phil’s monologue while dan was changing

the song was great!! the audio cut out a few times but they’re so professional and played it off well. the dancing omfg iconic. dan was cracking me up, he gets so into it and they both did so great

there was one part where phil was forgetting a line, he kept saying “dan” where like he was meant to say it once and then say a line and he said it like three times and dan was like “yes phil” and walked closer to him, i could tell he was going to feed him the line but then phil remembered <3

during the part where they shoot the money guns at us, dan was over by my side of the stage, and the gun had like 5 bills in it and that was it ajsjsjs but he thought it was just jammed so he was like slapping it trying to get it to work and it sprung open and there was nothing in it lolol

also Dan’s pants kept like sagging down but I could tell it wasn’t intentional and he kept like trying to inconspicuously pull them up but I saw the top of his underwear at some point lol somebody help him out and get him a pair that fit better 😭

they’re so talented!!! so funny, so sweet, so beautiful. it was amazing and I’m so happy I got to go. I wish I got meet and greet but honestly it felt like a privilege to just be in the same room and be able to see them from the audience!

I have more thoughts on the parasocial/fan conceptualization of the show but it might take me a while to fully form those. I thought it struck a good delicate balance between acknowledging the damage the intense effort to out them did to them (especially dan) while also acknowledging what their fandom has done for them and how they appreciate us. also it definitely strikes a fucking delicate balance between “hard launching” and not lmao. I do think they will do that after tour, it just feels like this is what it’s leading to.

oh and I didn’t buy any merch bc I’m trying to save for Christmas and I might go on a trip in January but I loved the photocards we got in the silver VIP bag, they’re such a cute idea and I will treasure them

[dailycass-cain]

Birds of Prey #12 brings the Cass action to the forefront!

It also gets me something I always wanted to see: Sophie Campbell drawing Cass. But it comes-- with a TWIST!!

We're nearing the end point of this arc, and we get the craziest issue yet of the world hoping. This time the Birds getting "toonnified".

And that is "the twist"

Since I first saw her work on IDW TMNT. I always wanted to see Sophie Campbell draw Cass. Well wish granted this issue. But it's an utterly adorable Cass.

Though, what shall we call this Cass version? Toon Cass? Cass Toon? No wait that one is taken. 🤪

Anyhoot, this toon world feels honestly the most fleshed out of them all. Like it felt there was this underlying unease with each world the Birds visited.

Here this is the first one that feels like a world onto itself. I wonder where this will go with the "final world" teased at the end.

Even though, last issue Cass was put on the back burner, this issue she gets A LOT of focus. So much so I believe this issue she has more dialogue than the prior ELEVEN issues!

Even with all this Cass, all the Birds get a moment this issue. Barda and Vixen get absolute banger moments this issue and their toon designs are just perfection. Likewise so does Sin, and even Babs. Everyone gets something this issue.

And it all starts with Cela walking out, and Cass following. Now I now there was A LOT of shippers jumping onto the two this issue.

So let's dissect the real bonding, and maybe-- it can go to be more?

Writer Kelly Thompson has touched on many dimensions to Cass in the series thus far. Here she digs into the core of Cass: compassion.

A few issues ago, we learned Cela's origins, and last issue put it on the back burner, but this issue we get the forefront as she knows the Birds reunited that time is almost up with her newfound companions and the hope of being free from this prison.

I think Cass can really relate to Cela. That she's stuck in this world, and really is trying to be good despite the world wanting otherwise. Not to mention losing A LOT of sisters?

It sounds FAMILAIR doesn't it?

think Cass relates a lot to Cela and is trying to break that ice with her being there for her. She can see how her body is screaming for someone to vent with.

And well... we get the scene between the two.

Now as to WHY people are jumping on this ship bandwagon so much? Well, when was the last time Cass had an honest to god love interest in the main DCU?

You could say Stephanie Brown (Batgirls 2021-2023). Or... Harper Row (2016).

But if we're going to her honest-to-goodness CONFIRMED she's interested in?

It was Sal from Batgirl Vol. 2 (2009).

It's been THAT long since Cassandra Cain had a CONFIRMED love interest.

I think fan interest in wanting Cass to get SOME loving is WHY we're at this point. The girl deserves it. Though personally I see ANOTHER option (if not Harper), who just happens to show up this issue too.

So I get WHY many shipping vibes are there for Cass/Cela.

But the rest of the issue is Cass coming up with a plan to FINALLY be free while also dealing with Maia problem too.

And here we get our SECOND bit of Cass in the issue.

This and a few other reaction images are so getting memed by us Cass fans. I know it.

But yeah it's a nice "character progression" from someone who told a "bad story" in #1 to now coming up with a good plan in #12.

And the plan even involves a homage to what Sophie Campbell is most famous for. 😁😁😁

You thought I wouldn't notice the streams crossed did ya? BUT I DID!

Birds of Prey #12 is an emotional ride but with a toony twist. It has such a glorious cute edge this issue. And this world with the Birds REALLY clicked. I've gone back to reading this issue more over than the prior bits of this arc.

I feel there's nothing more to say than I'm REALLY curious where this all goes next issue and how this will tie into the Spirit World?

I guess we'll see. Other than, I'm curious what your thoughts are on Cass/Cela?

And are you surprised it's been THAT LONG Cass had a love interest?

*this is me now waiting for comments*

[scythegirl13]

alright time for theories >:3

okay so what i think this video is paralelling is that a bunch of dumb teenagers are going to go into bons burgers, or the K-9 facility. we already saw references to ashley being murdered by bon which could be their first victim, but i think it proves it now, ashley is their first victim and the person whos in TVA is their second victim. who is that? i dont know (this also hints at Jack Walten possessing Bon due to the sheep representing Sha and theyre married)

another interesting thing in this video is how the minute the dog girl or Jay lit up the pumpkin, EVERYTHING started to go haywire, the pumpkin bunny, Lorenzo, started his hunt. Ms. Waterman, or Rachel played the TV. She seems likes shes someone of a mother, perhaps she lost her child, like La Llorona. By this time, she's very apathetic, and quiet, she seems like shes in mourning. Its also interesting that Rachel let go of Jay, attacking Lorenzo and taking off his mask, stunning him. She reminds me of Jenny, especially her striped shirt which is similar.

I dont think there are any paralells to Sophie, her blue is matched with Ralph but honestly, its not as close with Jenny and Jay. Dino is someone, who seems to be a little young but is probably smart, in some way. Yes he did notify the Watermans of the group but honestly he probably thought that was okay cause Jay lit a freaking pumpkin but whatever. He survives because he hides behind a stupid door, and being easy to look over. He hasnt been introduced yet, but its probably gonna be someone close to Jenny.

So, heres what I got. Jenny, along with some of her friends, decide that they should go investigate the K-9 facility, following the death of Brian Stells, and Jenny being worried about her girlfriend and wondering what the fuck is this. One of them stays outside to see if something tries to leave. The guy outside wonders and find Brian Stells body, with Bon right behind him. He tries to run and fucks up by going to a dead end or gets caught (Ralphs situation can also be a parallel to Brian anyways so this might not be the case) Jenny and two others go in and do something to awake the spirirts. Something to do with Sha happens, and the group doesnt pay any mind (gets the fuck out) and goes except one who gets killed by Sha. Jenny loses her friend and hears something and hides, and Bon attacks her. she gets away barely and bumps into her friend that was hiding and they go into the backrooms of the K-9 shelter. there they find Ashley, (MAYBE susan and charles) and run for their good god life and escape. do i think that they get murdered? no. do i think they end it? maybe...MAYBE, maybe they stop it for a while but this isnt Scream. idk but this is all lose, i know one thing and one thing only, jay is parallel to jenny and those kids are dumb as fuck for not leaving immiediately

EDIT: JAY MIGHT BE SOMEONE ELSE, CAUSE IN THE TRAILER IT SHOWS HOW THEYRE GONNA BURN DOWN BONS BURGERS, CHAT WHO IS THAT??>????

[holybatgirlz]

going to the chapel | chapter 3

read here on ao3 (first chapter)(previous chapter)

Summary:

“Three days?” she yelped. “I thought you said next week.” “Three days is next week.” Sophie frowned. “Oh. You’re right. Monday, then?” (An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn, Chapter 23) What happened in the days leading up to Benedict and Sophie’s wedding.

Word Count: 5.6k

“She’s gone! She’s gone!”

Violet glanced up from the latest Whistledown pamphlet reading to see her youngest daughter race into the dining room. Her dark chocolate curls, only half pinned up, flew wildly behind her as she ran excitedly around the room.

The Bridgerton matriarch frowned. “Hyacinth, you know better than to run inside this home,” she chided sternly as her daughter rounded the table, racing to her side. “Now what is the matter? Who is it? Who’s gone?”

“Countess Cruel and her wicked daughter,” Hyacinth replied giddily, bouncing up and down in her excitement. “I saw it. Her and Rosamund were packing one of the carriages this morning. Footman John went over after they left and asked what had happened and the footman said she was departing for the estate in the countryside. For the rest of the year.”

“Good riddance,” Eloise remarked into her tea. 

“It seems she must have chosen the dowager residence now that the new earl does not wish to share his properties,” Francesca said.

Violet glanced towards Posy, sitting silently on her left, and saw the poor girl was staring down at her breakfast with a shocked and sullen look. Her mouth twisted into a tight pout. She looked hurt but also conflicted, and why wouldn’t she. Her mother and sister had left without even leaving her a note, without even a goodbye, abandoning her as if she was an old suitcase left on the side of the road. And while Posy had chosen to leave her mother, to no longer live under her thumb, it didn’t still sting by it. 

Violet reached over and patted her hand, giving her a supportive smile. The younger Reiling returned it with a small but sad one of her own.

“I have to tell Sophie!” Hyacinth squealed. “Is she up yet?”

“Oh no, you don’t. You let that girl sleep,” Violet ordered harshly, pointing a finger at her. “Heaven knows this is the first morning since she arrived that she slept past sunrise. I will not have you disturbing that.” 

Violet then pointed at the empty chair next to Eloise, making it clear she expected her youngest daughter to sit down and eat her breakfast instead of allowing the young girl to race upstairs and wake Sophie. And while it wasn’t what she wanted to do, with Hyacinth letting out an annoyed sigh as she slumped into her chair, acquiescing to her mother’s orders (but she was not happy about it!).  

Seeing her daughter’s disappointment, Violet sighed and made a compromise of her own.

“You can tell her when she comes downstairs.” 

—

Sophie was surprised when she heard the news her stepmother had left London. Her soon-to-be-in-laws (mainly Hyacinth) were more than welcome to tell her all about it when she arrived in the dining room that morning for breakfast. Informing her that they had departed for the countryside while she’d still been asleep upstairs in her bed. 

And while Sophie had certainly felt some semblance of relief at the knowledge she would no longer have to worry about crossing Araminta on the sidewalk before her wedding day, she wasn’t given much time to process it before she was swept into a carriage and taken to Madame Delacroix’s modiste shop her final dress fitting. The moment she finished with her breakfast she found herself sitting in a carriage on route across town, wondering how well the fitting would go given it would be the one and only one. There wasn’t much time left now to finish the adjustments. It would have to be perfect. 

Which didn’t do much to relieve Sophie’s stress, but she was using it as an opportunity to distract herself. Trying to focus on the future as she stood on a small, circular fitting platform Madame Delacroix had in the back of her shop, her arms outstretched as the modiste checked the stitching around her chest and arms. 

Given the modiste’s shop was much smaller than the parlor at Number 5, it was decided only Francesca and Violet would come with, so that Francesca could get measured for her own wedding gown. She was currently milling about the front of the store, scanning the fabrics, lace, and ribbons while Violet stayed in the back with Sophie. A second pair of eyes to scan the dress for any obvious imperfections. 

“You look lovely, Sophie,” Violet told her, smiling fondly as she scanned the gown. 

“She is the picture of virtue, non ?” Madame Delacroix remarked cheerfully as she moved the skirts of her gown around. Her remark unknowingly made Sophie’s cheeks burn.  

But she had to admit, Madame Delacroix had exceeded her expectations. In only two days, the modiste had sown together a bridal gown that Sophie felt would put the royal family to shame. It was neither gaudy nor plain, extravagant nor cheap. Her gown was a perfect mix, elegant while also subtle, not over the top. The white silk looked to reflect silver in the light while still retaining a creamy white color, which was exemplified by the embroidered pattern fabric used for the bodice. And the gown was smooth to the touch and incredibly comfortable over Sophie’s stay. 

“It’s wonderful, Madame Delacroix. You’ve truly outdone yourself with this one,” Violet said, hands clasped together. 

“Yes, it’s beautiful. Thank you,” Sophie added. 

“You may thank me by telling me the look on Monsieur Bridgerton’s face when he sees it,” Madame Delacroix teased, making Sophie’s cheeks burn hotter. 

“Oh, I’m certain Benedict will love it,” Violet commented.

Sophie smiled softly back as she gave herself another look in the mirror before her as she ran her hands over the soft fabric. The bell over the front door rang in the next room. 

“Ah, Miss Bridgerton,” a female voice cheerfully greeted. “What a surprise.”

“Lady Haddington,” Francesca returned with equal, polite cheer. “How are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. Here to pick up a few gowns for my daughters. They’ll be debuting next season so my husband and I have decided to have them attend the final summer ball with us,” Lady Haddington explained. 

“How wonderful,” Francesca commented sweetly. “They must be excited.”

“Yes they are, and especially after hearing of your match to Lord Stirling,” Lady Haddington said with a laugh. “My congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”

“Thank you.”

Geneive continued with her final adjustments to the dress, moving around Sophie as they listened to the conversation Francesca was having on the other side of the curtain.  

“And how are you doing? Dealing with all this?” Lady Haddington then asked, sounding sympathetic. 

“Well there are still a few more weeks since the banns are still being read, but John and I are quite happy with a small–” Francesca started.

“I meant about your brother. Marrying that little upstarter must have thrown quite a shadow over your impending nuptials,” Lady Haddington clarified.

It went silent inside the modiste shop. 

Sophie felt her stomach drop, felt her heart slowly sink with it, until it was resting on the ground between her feet. Next to her toes. 

Of course this would happen. Why should she be surprised? 

“What a wicked thing to do. No doubt she must be the center of attention I assume,” Lady Haddington continued, almost gleefully in her judgment, as if unaware Sophie was standing only a few feet away behind a curtain.

Madame Delacroix and Violet had also frozen in place. Violet’s head whipped towards the curtain, a furious expression crossing her face, one that Sophie could not see from where she stood though, while the modiste gave Sophie a supportive smile and rubbed her arm comfortingly. It didn’t stop the water that began building in Sophie’s eyes, water she tried blinking away. 

Violet took a step away from them, heading towards the front of the shop, most likely to confront the woman, but Francesca’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“You assume incorrectly, Lady Haddington,” she said, an edge leaking into her tone. “My brother and Sophie are quite happy. As I am for them. Sophie is a welcomed addition to our family.” 

“Oh!” Lady Haddington sounded surprised. “Miss Bridgerton, I meant no–”

“Oh, I think you and I both know what you meant. And I can assure you, my sister is not some little upstarter,” Francesca said, the sneer she had to be giving Lady Haddington obvious in her tone (and very unlike her). 

“Well,” Lady Haddington cleared her throat after a moment. “I suppose I will have to re-evaluate who I interact with if that’s the case. To allow such a woman to marry into our soc–” 

“I certainly have no interest in interacting with those who look down their noses at those over something as simple as their class, so I suppose you have done me a favor,” Francesca stated before the other woman had a chance to continue. “And I have no doubt that John will agree with me.” 

The lack of response from Lady Haddington was a sign she’d been reduced to silence. Francesca’s words were a clear threat, and while Sophie had not heard of Lady Haddington before, she suspected the woman did not have as high of a title as Francesca was soon to have. And a cut direct from an earl would do no favors for Lady Haddington’s soon-to-be debutante daughters.

“I believe it will be best for me to return later to pick up my daughters’ gowns,” Lady Haddington then said. 

“I believe it would,” Francesca returned, tightly. 

The bell ringing signaled Lady Haddington’s quick departure from the store, and was also when the curtain ripped away as Francesca stormed into the small changing area. A furious crease between her brows. 

“That infernal woman,” she hissed, looking over her shoulder. “How dare she.”

“You handled yourself wonderfully,” Violet assured, gently resting her hands on Francesca’s shoulders, rubbing her thumbs supportively over the sleeves of her daughter’s gown. 

“You certainly put her in her place,” the modiste added. 

“Sophie, I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry you had to listen to that,” Francesca told her. 

Sophie shook her head. “I’m alright.” 

“Pay no mind to what Lady Haddington said,” Violet said to her next. “Some women truly do not know how to behave in polite society.”

“I really am fine,” she assured them, still blinking away the tears. 

She was given three sympathetic looks in return, which did nothing for the building anxiety she felt in her stomach. And standing on the podium wasn’t helping. All this sudden attention made her want to flee out the back door of the shop, which was the last thing she needed to be doing right now. Especially in her wedding dress. 

“Maybe we should give Miss Beckett a moment to see the dress on her own?” Madame Delacroix suggested politely. 

Francesca nodded quickly back to her, picking up on what the modiste truly meant, as she turned to her mother.

“Mother, why don’t we go pick up the shoes for tomorrow, while Madame Delacroix finishes with the gown?” she suggested. "It should only take us a few minutes."

But Violet did not seem to want to, maternal instinct having taken over, and she hesitated. But a small look from her daughter and she eventually relented with a small sigh, telling Sophie they’d return momentarily. 

Madame Delacroix waited until they had departed before handing her a silver handkerchief and asking. “Are you alright, Miss Beckett?”

Sophie nodded as she gently dabbed her eyes with the small piece of soft silk. “Of course.”

“I can promise you, madam, Lady Haddington is in no position to remark on your marriage, let alone judge it,”  Madame Delacroix told her. “From what I heard, her marriage to her husband only occurred because they were caught together unchaperoned. And her daughters are incredibly ill-mannered. She is no doubt jealous that there will be one less available Bridgerton for her daughters to try and marry. Not that I believe they would ever be successful.”  

“Thank you,” Sophie said politely. She knew the modiste was only trying to help her feel better. 

“They do not matter,”  Madame Delacroix added and Sophie nodded. 

“I know,” she replied, softly, trying to convince herself. 

One more day and she had a lifetime with Benedict to worry about. She didn’t need to be worrying about what others in society thought of her marriage. What mattered to her was Benedict. 

“Besides, you will be a most incroyable bride,” Madame Delacroix commented. 

And once again, Sophie was reminded of the matter of Madame Delacroix's out of place French accent. The more she thought about it, the more she’d begun to believe the modiste had never left the country, let alone the city. 

“You can drop the accent,” she told her gently.

“Pardon?”

“You’re French accent,” Sophie said, giving her a sheepish smile. “I know you are not French.” 

“I assure madam I-” Madame Delacroix quickly started.

Sophie gave her a look and the modiste stopped mid sentence, before she let out a deep sigh. 

“What gave it away?”

The French was gone. Her actual accent was a typical London accent, not country or northern. One which Sophie commonly heard amongst those of the lower classes. 

“Well, my father spent a lot of money making sure I was fluent, enough that I was teaching Hyacinth French,” Sophie told her, before quickly adding. “But your pronunciation is far better than hers.” 

The modiste shrugged. “Years of repeating the same words many times.” 

“I won’t tell anyone,” Sophie assured her.

Madame Delacroix gave her a small, kind smile. “Thank you. And since you now know something only my closest friends know, I think it only fair that you call me Gen as they do.”

“Oh, well then you must call me Sophie,” she quickly replied. 

Gen’s smile widened. “Of course.”

“Might I ask, why the act?” Sophie asked, curious. 

“Well, firstly, I can charge more by claiming to be french trained,” Gen replied simply. “And it helps with keeping my work and private life separate.”

“Is that how you met Benedict?” 

A mischievous smile tugged at Gen’s lips. “We met at a party. Long ago. Anything else you would like to know?”

“I did have one question I wanted to ask you.”

“Of course.”

Sophie hesitated momentarily, taking a moment to think of how she should phrase her question. “Did you know my fiance…personally?” she soon asked, delicately. “I couldn’t help but notice that you speak of him the way an old friend would.” 

The modiste was both silent and surprised by her sudden question. It was apparent she did not wish to answer that question. But Sophie wanted to know. 

“I am aware of my soon-to-be husband’s former habits,” she added. “And I do not mind. It’s evident to me it was long before he and I met.” 

Gen still hesitated for a moment, looking unsure about how she should answer Sophie’s question. If she should even answer it. 

“We were involved once. Briefly,” she finally admitted. “But it was very short. Our time together. I assure you.”

“I do not mind,” Sophie replied quickly. “And I do not judge you for it either. I swear.” 

Gen gave her a small smile. “Sophie, I do not think you the type to.” 

“I know Benedict…got around before I met him,” Sophie told her with an awkward laugh. “And I have heard the rumors surrounding him. I have seen how women in the ton look at him.”

“Well, he may have been very…outgoing, when I first met him. And he’s built himself quite a reputation since then. He was, how do they say…?” Gen suddenly struggled to find the words. 

“A whore?” Sophie suggested plainly.  

The modiste’s dark brows shot up in surprise, eyes widening at Sophie's sudden remark, before the surprise turned into a smile and she laughed. 

“I suppose he was,” she replied with a sly smile. One which Sophie returned with one of her own. “But I’m certain he is a changed man now that he’s met you.”

“I suppose he is, yes, but he is still…well…” Sophie laughed, suddenly feeling a little awkward. Her cheeks began to burn. “It has been helpful since he is…so experienced.” 

Gen let out a laugh as she quickly put two and two together, realizing Sophie had already had some experience with her fiancé. “Miss Beckett, I do believe you and I will get along quite splendidly.”

“I cannot help but agree,” Sophie said sweetly, and the bell over the front door rang again. Signaling Francesca and Violet’s return.

—

Benedict had never thought he’d hate having a stag party.

As much as he enjoyed his brothers’ company, and the good bourbon that came with it, he was in a fool mood to begin with. And his brothers were not helping. 

He’d spent the entire day unable to see Sophie, and today was the last day before they got married. 

She’d been gone from the home by the time he arrived that morning, off to the modiste for the final fitting, and while he’d tried to stick around, waiting for her to return, his darling little sister Hyacinth would not let him. 

Damn Hyacinth and her blackmailing. She’d even gotten all the servants to aid her in barring him from the home. The footman had blocked his path every time, refusing to budge, and even Mrs. Wilson had refused to step aside, letting the cook threaten Benedict with bodily harm if he dared set foot in the kitchen. 

So, while he sulked in one of the leather arm chairs, his brothers were enjoying their bourbon and game of pool. Mocking him relentlessly as they did.

“It certainly will be a change now that you are married,” Anthony said as he walked around the table. “We’ll finally be free of your sulking and drama.” 

Benedict rolled his eyes, trying to ignore his brother. 

“Still, we best prepare. There may be another tiny little Benedict running around soon,” Colin mockingly said to Anthony. “We’ll have even more melodrama to deal with then.” 

“God help us,” his brother returned with a sly smile and Benedict watched the two descend into a fit of laughter. 

Clenching his jaw, Benedict accepted that, no matter how annoyed he was, he probably deserved this. So, he bit his tongue (hard) and downed his glass of bourbon. He wondered how Sophie was doing right now. Was she having a good time with Daphne and Kate? The two had told him they planned to celebrate with her at Number 5 while he drank with his brothers. 

“Are you alright, brother?” Colin said, chuckling. “You have a very melancholic air about you tonight.”

“No doubt grieving his last day as a bachelor,” Anthony commented.

“I am not,” Benedict quickly retorted, almost sounding like a child. And the pout he gave certainly didn’t help his case against it.

But his brothers only laughed ( at him !) again. 

“He has not been allowed to see his sweet Sophie,” Colin said to Anthony. “He’s been in a foul mood ever since.”

“How do you know about that?” Benedict asked, annoyed. 

“That the servants have all banded together against you on Hyacinth’s behest? Who doesn’t,” Colin answered.

Benedict only huffed a reply, slumping further down in his chair as his brothers returned to their relentless mocking. He took another sip of his bourbon, swirling the amber liquid around the glass in an effort to pass the time.

He just wanted to be done here, so that he could return to his lodgings and go to bed. Sleep the time away. It was the only solution he had to his conundrum, besides sneaking into Number 5 through a window so he could see Sophie. Maybe he could throw a few stones at the window where Sophie was sleeping, get her to unlock it for him. 

As he mulled over his options, the door clicked open and in slipped Eloise. 

“Eloise?” Anthony asked, surprised to see her. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I’m here to celebrate,” she replied sharply, as she beelined for the tumbler of bourbon on the table next to Benedict.” 

“Eloise, do not–” Anthony started to warn, watching as she poured herself a rather large glass of bourbon. 

But Eloise only ignored him, and Benedict certainly wasn’t going to stop her. He was content with watching her fill the glass far higher than necessary, knowing exactly what the outcome of this was going to be.

“Cheers,” Eloise said, looking down at Benedict as she spoke, lifting the glass high up before downing it in one go.  

Anthony only sighed in disappointment. “Eloise,” he remarked, exasperated. 

But her decision to act as though she was as grown as they were had apparently backfired. They watched as Eloise’s face twisted up in disgust before she let out a choking cough, the liquor burning her throat as it went down.

And Benedict could only chuckle. Served her right. 

“Christ, how do you all drink this so easily?” she asked them. 

“Years of experience,” Colin replied, smiling smugly at her. 

“I hate you all,” Eloise said back, still coughing, as she placed the tumbler back down on the table.  

“Why exactly are you here?” Anthony asked her. 

“Besides wasting good bourbon,” Colin commented.

His comment only got him a mocking look from Eloise, her lips pulling up into a sneer as she glared at him, before she moved towards the open chair and dropped into it, practically sinking into it as slouched down. Her hands rested on the arms of the chair. Utterly unladylike, as was the norm for her. 

“Am I not allowed to celebrate my brother’s engagement?” she asked.

“You understand what a stag party is, don’t you?” Colin said back, but Eloise only rolled her eyes. “Men only.”

“How’s Sophie?” Benedict asked, knowing Eloise would at least be honest with him.

“She’s fine. She was in the parlor celebrating when I snuck out,” Eloise answered simply.

“Good,” he said, nodding along. Kate and Daphne would certainly make sure she had a good time. “That’s good.” 

Somehow he thought repeating that to himself would help calm his nerves. It didn't, but Benedict still repeated them a few more times.

“They were plying her with wine when I left, after what happened at the modiste, she no doubt needed it,” Eloise explained dismissively as she dropped down into the available chair next to his. 

Benedict frowned. “What happened at the modiste?”

Eloise froze. Her dark brows popped up, her eyes widening as she realized she said something she probably shouldn’t have. Colin and Anthony also frowned with concern, waiting for an explanation their sister seemed to suddenly be struggling to give. 

“Eloise,” he said warningly. 

“It was nothing. Mother and Francesca handled it. Far better then I would have,” Eloise told him assuringly, still not meeting his eye. 

“What. Happened?” Benedict repeated, tensely, before she could continue.  

Eloise opened her mouth to reply, before stopping, thinking over what she was going to say before finally letting out a sigh.

“Sophie may or may not have been called a few choice words by some other patrons,” she admitted.

“Like what?” Benedict grounded out.

“Benedict–” Eloise started.

“What did they call her?” Benedict returned flatly. In no mood to argue. 

Eloise took a moment. “I think…I think Francesca said she was called a…an upstarter,” she admitted finally and Benedict shot to his feet. “But Francesca already put them into their place and–Benedict! Benedict, stop ! You don’t–” 

“I’m going over there,” he told them all, practically slamming his glass down on the table next to him.

“Brother, you need to stop and think,” Anthony told him, stepping around the pool table to come and block his path. 

How dare they? How dare anyone in this city speak of his fiancee, his Sophie, in such a way. Benedict’s hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as he felt the anger building within him. This bloody ton and their bloody expectations and assumptions. He expected talk, he expected insults, but he hadn’t thought any of them cruel enough to say their foul thoughts directly to Sophie. 

He had to see her. Make sure she was alright. Tell her that none of them mattered before she was scared off for good. 

“Benedict, wait!” Eloise cried out. “She’s fine.”

“I need to go check on her,” Benedict retorted, snappishly, but as he turned to leave he found Colin had already jumped up to block him, beating Anthony to it. When he tried to step aside, Colin only followed, stepping in his way once more and preventing him from leaving. His brother even gave him a look to let him know he’d continue at it if needed.

“Benedict,” Colin said gently. “Just take a second to breathe. Alright?”

“I know you're worried about Sophie, but storming over to Number 5 won’t do her any favors,” Anthony informed him calmly. “It will most likely cause her further stress.”

He was right. As much as he hated it, his brother’s words still cut through the rage building within him, reminding him that Sophie would no doubt be more upset about him being upset then what had been said.

“Who called her an upstarter?” he demanded from his sister.

“Lady Haddington,” Eloise told him.

Anthony scoffed. “Of course it was one of the Haddingtons.”

“Mother’s already planning to give them the cut direct the next time she sees them. So will Daphne,” Eloise added, as if that would be enough to placate Benedict’s anger. 

While he knew his sister snubbing Lady Haddington and her daughters would be enough to put them in their place, Benedict's body was still vibrating with anger. He ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down.

“Here,” Colin handed him his still full glass of bourbon. “Sit down and take a moment.”

He allowed himself to be gently pushed down by his younger brother, so he was once more sitting on the amber colored, leather chair, drink in hand. The other one gripped the arm of the chair tightly.

“Kate and Daphne are keeping her company. Distracting her,” Eloise repeated. “And when I saw her she was happy and celebrating. No doubt focusing on tomorrow's events.” 

Benedict took a sip of the alcoholic liquid, focusing on the burning sensation it left as it went down his throat. A familiar feeling. He let it distract him, tried to distract him, as he focused on his siblings' assurances. They did what he no doubt knew Daphne and Kate were doing with Sophie; celebrating, distracting, keeping company. 

Still, he’d give it another hour. Then he’d go to Number 5.

—

“Good night, Sophie.”

“Good night,” Sophie called back as she dragged herself up the stairs. 

“We’ll see you in the morning,” Kate cheerfully called up, her voice slurring somewhat from the wine. “Sleep tight.”

Sophie gave a small wave over her shoulder as she made it to the top of the stairs, slowly heading down the hallway to her room. Her movements were slow as she was somewhat buzzed at the moment. Her body felt lighter, weightless. Her limbs loose, her muscles relaxed, from all the wine Daphne and Kate had made her drink. They'd kept handing her glass after glass, and it had been rather difficult for Sophie to refuse.

But she’d still had a nice time with Daphne and Kate. Her future sister-in-laws had been more than welcome to prepare her for a married life, letting her know all their tips and tricks for keeping their own husbands in line, all while celebrating her impending marriage. Making sure she enjoyed her last day as an unmarried woman. 

Withholding sex will always help you win an argument.

No matter what you are always right. Not Benedict. 

Oh! If you want to have kids, make sure you're on your back with a pillow under your hips. That’s how I was able to convince Belinda and Caroline so quickly.

Oh, Benedict’s right, it is completely normal to take a six month honeymoon. Don’t worry. 

It had helped, her soon to be in-laws had worked hard to make sure she was calm and ready for her wedding day. And after an evening of chatting and laughing, one where Daphne had been more than welcomed to inform her of all the embarrassing and mortifying things Benedict had done when he was younger (some of which she’d found quite humorous), Sophie had almost forgotten about Lady Haddington’s remarks at the modiste. 

Almost. 

But they’d at least tired her out. No doubt she would sleep soundly tonight. 

As she closed the door to her room, the room Violet had put her in now that she no longer slept in the servants quarters, she got to work undoing the laces of her gown, quickly slipping out of it and the additional skirts, her stay, before throwing on her nightgown. 

All she wanted to do was to collapse onto her bed and fall into a blissful sleep. The quicker she did the closer she was to marrying Benedict, which the mere thought sent a wave of butterflies through her. 

Right as she finished preparing for bed, there was a knock at the door. 

Sophie assumed it was Kate or Daphne, with one last piece of advice, but when she opened it to check she found someone else on the other side. Someone who was not supposed to be in the house because it was ‘unlucky to see the bride before the wedding’ even though Sophie was pretty sure that meant the day of the wedding, not the day before. 

It was Benedict. 

“What are you doing here?” she hissed quietly, opening the door wider. Firstly, so that he could come in unnoticed (and quickly!) and secondly, so Sophie could then stick her head out and give a quick scan of the hallway, making sure no one was around. 

“Eloise told me what happened at the modiste, she kept Hyacinth busy while I came up through the servant’s stairs,” Benedict explained as he slipped into the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Sophie sighed. “I’m fine, Benedict, I don’t–”

She was cut off by him cupping her face in his hands and suddenly pressing his lips desperately against hers. The feel of him against her melting away her anxious thoughts and frazzled nerves seconds. And Sophie’s body responded instantly, sagging against him as the tension bleed out of her, her hands snatched at the lapels of his jacket so she could keep herself upright since her legs had suddenly turned to jelly.

“Lady Haddington has always been a foul woman and her opinions are not worthy of your attention. She is not worthy of your time,” he told her once he’d pulled back, his hands still cupping her cheeks. 

She sighed, breathless. “I know I just–”

But Benedict wasn’t having it. 

“She is not,” he started as he kissed her cheek. “Worth.” He then kissed her other cheek. “Your.” Then her forehead. “Time.” 

And he finished his sentence by kissing her once again fervently on the lips, before letting his hands drop to his sides as he stepped away from her. By this point, Sophie’s body was buzzing. She felt lighter. Her whole body was suddenly warm as she clung to him. And it felt like a flock of birds were caged inside her chest, flying around her heart in an attempt to escape. 

“Better?” Benedict asked with a knowing smile.

She nodded, feeling her cheeks burning hotly. “Yes.”

The crooked smile of his widened further. 

“I have something for you,” he told her, reaching into his pocket and pulling something out. 

It was a small box. Tiny. Benedict held it between his thumb and index finger as he held it out towards her. 

“What is it?” she asked. 

“Just something I thought you should have before tomorrow,” he said. 

He then opened the box, revealing a small, emerald ring nestled between champagne colored silk inside Even in candlelight, the green gem glittered, the soft orange light reflecting off the sharp angles.

“Oh!” Sophie stared down at the ring in awe. “Oh, Benedict. It’s beautiful.”

“I wanted to give it to you earlier. Had this whole plan where I would propose to you. I even had a whole speech prepared,” he told her with a nervous laugh, gently pulling the ring from the box. “I felt I owed you an actual proposal since I never really asked if you wanted this.”

“Benedict, of course I want this,” Sophie assured him, chuckling. “You don’t need to ask me.” 

“But I do,” he told her and Sophie caught the seriousness in his eyes. “Sophie, I owe you so much.” 

Something swelled within her, her body suddenly warm (and not from the wine this time). It felt like the night she first met him, that buzzing sensation that washed over her when she’d first entered the room had returned. Filling her with joy and a sensation similar to content. 

“I love you,” she blurted out, unable to stop herself. 

Benedict smiled. “I love you too.”

Sophie caught her lower lip between her teeth, feeling nervous suddenly, even as her body sang from joy. Her heart beating rapidly against her sternum. She was certain she’d never felt as happy as she did at that moment.

And the nasty voice in her head, the one that constantly told her she didn’t deserve any of this, had been silenced with the drop of a guillotine’s blade. The love Benedict felt for her, and what she felt for him, was too much for it to manage.

This is what she wanted. And she deserved it too.

A quiet life with Benedict was all she wanted, and all she would ever want. 

So she watched, fondly, as Benedict gently took her left hand in his and slid the ring down her ring finger till it sat snuggly at the bottom, fitting perfectly on her finger. Almost a sign it was meant to be. He took a moment to study it, before looking back up at her. 

“Right, now where was I?” he said, smiling proudly down at her. “Ah, yes. Sophia Maria Beckett. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Sophie couldn’t help but she laughed, smiling brightly back at him. Reaching out with one hand, she cupped his cheek and leaned forward to kiss him.

“Yes, Benedict. Yes, I will marry you.”

She could feel Benedict’s smile against her lips as he kissed her once more. 

[carebooks]

Emma and Daniel did not belong together.

After extensively rewatching Every Witch Way during Spring Break (yep, that's how I spent Spring Break), I went through tumblr and saw people wondering if this fandom still exists. Well, even if there's only like fifteen people on it, let's discuss Emma and one of her main love interests: Daniel.

I would like to disclose that I am a Jemma fan, after Jax showed up in S2, Daniel went out the window for little thirteen-year-old me. This isn't a Daniel VS Jax post, this is just about Emma and Daniel's relationship. This post will mainly reflect on why I think that, in the long run, they did not belong together. They're definitely a first loves ship, but not an endgame ship.

In S1 both were still young and finding their footing, but mainly Emma. Daniel had already dated Maddie for a while and then went through the whole first season flirting and liking Emma after his break up with Maddie. Daniel was also on top of his game, being the Sharks Swim Captain, and other than Maddie being his girlfriend, his life was happy and fine. Emma coming in merely improved it, she was nicer, thoughtful, and down to earth. But Emma's story was just beginning, she was discovering being a witch, having to deal with her powers, a witch bully Maddie at school, and daily shenanigans that entailed the magical world. Daniel is the last person to discover Emma is a witch and he also has the worst reaction to it. Not that surprising considering how regular his life has been, but that kind of tells us where this was headed.

In S2 Emma and Daniel have been together for months now, all through the summer. The thing is, Daniel's been happier than ever and he thinks Emma's powers never came back, something that she's been hiding from him this entire time. Lying to your SO is never a good thing, especially about something this big, something that is literally part of you. There are reasons for both of them however:

Emma knew how happy Daniel was that she was 'regular' and didn't want to ruin what they had by bringing in all her witch stuff, which tended to bring all sorts of chaos and antics.

Daniel didn't want Emma to have powers out of fear that other evil witches would come after her because she was the Chosen One.

While these are reasonable explanations for both of them, they're not fixing any of their real issues. Emma should not be lying to her boyfriend, eventually, it did catch up to her and she tried using magic to make him forget. Also not a good thing, even if she wanted a 'redo' at telling him. When he does find out, it causes their downfall. The thing is, Emma lied because Daniel just can't handle her being a witch. He's said that her powers being back would "ruin everything" and has shown a fear of witches when magic was brought up in S2E05. Emma keeps telling him that powers or no powers, she's still a witch. Still, she chose to hide a part of herself to try to have a normal relationship with her boyfriend. But hiding a part of yourself is never the answer and it eats away at you.

S2 also explores the fact that witches can't date humans, it's not allowed. The Council tries to have Emma break up with him otherwise they must take the witches magic away, but Emma being the Chosen One is a special case. Her magic removal is not on the table and she wants to keep her powers regardless. (I mean I agree with Emma, let the girl date whoever she wants) But it is another thing that drives them further apart, unfortunately, the Council ended up being right, most humans just can't handle the magical world. (Andi can handle it, so can Katie and Sophie, but Daniel can't.)

When it comes to the Fool Moon, it has a different effect on all sorts of witches. Jax's greed and envy magnify, Desdemona turns vindictive and wants Emma's powers, and Emma's impulse control is gone. This leads to Emma casting spells without really thinking about the consequences and out in the open. The Fool Moon is just a witch or wizard's desires coming to the surface. In retrospect, Maddie was just as affected, she started improving (slightly, but still progress) and didn't run from her feelings toward Diego. She was more open and entered a relationship with him.

We also see Emma's clones in this season. Her first clone, E, encompasses her dark side with none of the good. She calls Daniel dull, she's bored with him and his ideas for dates, and she finds Jax fun and wants to do magic whenever she wants. She's happy when Daniel breaks up with Emma because 1. She found him boring and 2. They get to keep their powers now and the Council can stop hounding them. This may be Emma's darkest side but it's still Emma. Some part of her does believe that Daniel is dull and finds Jax fun. Granted, her third clone, the Nerdy Emma is all about Daniel. This is why the clone spell is so very illegal, a witch is essentially pulling out a part of themselves and without the rest to balance it, they become a paragon of just one emotion or drive or aspect of their original personality. They're not whole. The Real Emma shares all these traits inside herself, she does like Daniel, she does find him dull sometimes, she does like math, she does find it boring at times, and she does like Jax but she does think he goes overboard sometimes.

See, this is where we come into an important piece of dialogue in S2 E16 between Maddie and Daniel talking about their romantic troubles.

Maddie: But if you two were still together, you'd want her to stop using her powers? Daniel: Maybe. Maddie: Then you don't accept Emma for who she is. And as a fellow witch, I'm offended for her!

This is an interesting moment in which someone like Maddie, someone who doesn't like Emma but is a witch just like her, sees that while Emma lied to Daniel, she did it because Daniel doesn't accept her as who she is.

Daniel has openly expressed anger and disinterest at the magic world. And hey, I understand, after all the spells Jax has cast on him to make him look bad in front of Emma's dad, or just the usual magic hijinks from Emma or Maddie, magic is not Daniel's friend. He doesn't find it fun or cool like Andi, he's not desensitized to it like Katie and Sophie. He's suffered from it and doesn't want anything to do with it and hey I can respect that. But this isn't good when you're in a relationship with a witch, the most powerful one in fact. So he's tiptoeing a line constantly between wanting to be with his girlfriend but disliking and fearing something that's part of her (and part of his friends' lives: Maddie and Diego).

Let's get to S3 when he was marked by Mia with her Kanay spider. Spider!Daniel broke up with Emma, started dating Mia, was a general jerk at school, even tied up his little siblings. It turns out that Mia's Spider doesn't cause him to act strange or evil, it just unleashes someone's 'inner wild'. It makes them do what they most want to do. So, Daniel did want to break up with Emma. He called Emma and Maddie trouble-brewing witches and had no problem telling a complete stranger all about their powers.

Now we could get into how Daniel's life was turned upside down more than plenty of times because of magic, but nothing beats S4 when Emma literally rewrites time when Daniel disappears. He and his family end up running an animal sanctuary and dating Mia. Then his life gets put back and it's for the worse because now he has no animals, no girlfriend, and he's back in a school hated by the principal. Overall, Daniel was not having a good time in S4. One of the many reasons why Emma puts him back where he was happy. (I would also like to remind everyone that Mia and her previously deceased parents were alive in the new accidental timeline of S4. I believe that Emma also was the cause of this, not only did she unintentionally give Daniel a better life but the same to Mia. And then she restored that life at the end of the season.)

In conclusion, Jemma forever.

But really, I hope someone reads this and enjoys or sees the situation from both sides and how they weren't really a good couple. Kind of doomed in the end when you think about it. I mean the girl loves butterflies and he's allergic to butterflies. I don't think the writers were subtle with that one, huh.

[silverfoxstole]

OK. Right. I've sorted my panel photos, which I'll start posting tomorrow (I won't bombard you with them all at once!), so I can get my thoughts straight about yesterday. This is going to be long; sorry! I'll divide it into two parts so that those who want to skip my wittering and just see the pics can.

I hadn't actually thought I'd ever go to a con again; my last one had been back in 2009 and they've got a hell of a lot bigger since then, which sort of puts me off as I don’t really like crowds, and living as I do right down on the south coast they're usually too far away. However, when back at the end of January an ad popped up out of the blue on my Facebook feed informing me that Paul would be appearing at Portsmouth Comic Con (less than ten miles from me) my heart skipped a beat and I started wondering whether I'd be able to go. Of course, there was nothing stopping me but I wasn't keen to go on my own, and I knew my DW-and-anything-else-related-to-scifi-fantasy-etc-hating sister would never agree.

When not long later I saw Sylvester was going to be there as well I mentioned it to my friend P (with whom I’ve attended cons in the past), lamenting that I had no one to go with and not really expecting her to suggest that she try to come down from Manchester so we could go together but to my surprise she did and so the tickets were duly booked. Fast forward to about three weeks ago, unfortunately, and things started to go - literally in this case - off the rails thanks to a driver's strike and then engineering work that meant no trains into Portsmouth for the 11th and 12th and P very reluctantly having to drop out because she wouldn't be able to get down here and back in time for work on Monday. Still wanting to go but not really wanting to do it alone I had no choice but to ask sis to come with me, which she very gamely did and I owe her. Big Time. It’s really not her thing and I know she didn't enjoy it at all. She works in town and made me stand on the outside in the queue in case she saw anyone she knew!

I had been worried about how I was going to react as I do suffer from anxiety and I've not been amongst crowds since before Covid, but much to my surprise I was completely relaxed, even when talking to the guests; I'm obviously long past my 'OMG it's Paul!' phase (thank goodness!) and instead it was a case of 'Oh, yeah, there he is, and Sylv and Sophie (a later addition, and one I'd been hoping for) too.' I don't know whether it's because they're so familiar or I just got used to actors popping in when I worked in a shop near a theatre, but it was easy and I'm so glad! The reflexology session I had in Thursday might have helped keep me calm, too; if you’re feeling tense I recommend it!

I had only previously visited the Guildhall for concerts (sis knows it better as she's had to do presentations to the city council in the past) so it was rather odd to be in there during the day. I have to say that I think they could have put aside more room for the guests as it was difficult to work out who was queuing to see who (ho ho). It was very warm and the setup also made taking photos a bit awkward with people having to dance round each other a bit. We went to see Paul first (of course), and when he clocked me in my NotD cosplay he leaned back, smiled and announced 'It's like lookin' in a mirror!' I honestly can't remember exactly what I said in response to that! Probably nothing that coherent! He asked if I'd made it myself, which gave me a neat opportunity to present the gift I'd made for him: an Eighth Doctor bear and Mr Bush bear.

I think i've wanted to make bears for Paul ever since I put together the first one nearly three years ago, but I never thought I'd get a chance so when I knew I'd be going to the con I started planning. I was originally just going to do the Doctor, and make a Seven bear for Sylvester, but as they were coming to Portsmouth I decided to do Bush as well since I can’t imagine Paul gets a lot of Hornblower-related gifts. Of course, when it was confirmed that Sophie would be there I had to make an Ace bear too and here they all are before I packed them up yesterday morning, sitting on the bags i'd also run up to put them in (not pictured, my terrible embroidery name tags to help me tell who was who):

I'll do some more detailed posts so you can see them properly another day, but I was so pleased with they way they turned out that it was really hard to give them up! At least I knew they'd be going to good homes!

When I gave Paul the bag he just looked at me in surprise and went 'Is that for me? Can I open it now?' and there was a smile on his face as soon as he saw what was inside. 'That's my career! Doctor Who and Hornblower!' He absolutely loved them, couldn't believe I'd made them and told me 'I have a room where I keep all the gifts I've been given, and these are going to take pride of place.' I couldn't wish for more than that! Well, maybe a photo of him with them but it was busy and I didn't like to ask and possibly hold things up. I hope he's found the alternative Dark Eyes outfit that I added for Eight bear as I had some fabric leftover from my jacket; the sonic for that one took a bit of ingenuity!

He asked about my costume again while we were getting into position (for want of a better term) for a photo and commented that so many people are paying someone to make their cosplays now and spending a hundreds of pounds, something I'd guess he finds quite astonishing given the incredulous look on his face when he said it. I could be wrong, but I got the impression that he likes to see what different fans have come up with; there are a lot of people who seem to be patronising Steven Ricks since Paul got his remade costume last year, which I can understand because the man is a brilliant tailor, but sometimes it must be a bit like seeing clones.

Jen took the photo and we were about to leave it there but then this strangely confident person I found inside me asked Paul a question:

‘Can I be cheeky?’

‘Sure.’

‘Can I give you a hug?’

‘Of course!’

Well, if you don’t ask, you don’t get! (says the woman who hates asking for things in shops) He gives very good hugs. 🥰

I did manage to let him go (it wasn’t easy!) and he thanked me again for the bears before we moved on to see Sophie, which involved going round to join another queue in the same small space. Confusing? Yep!

I don't know who here has met Sophie Aldred but you should because she is so, so lovely. Ace has always been one of my favourite companions and I was so pleased when I saw she would be coming. I'd already started an Ace bear with the intention of giving it to Sylvester with his, but of course that got changed and Sophie was smitten. She looked really closely at it, remarking on the little details - 'Oh, it's even got the plait. And a rucksack and baseball bat!' - and sat it proudly on the corner of her table, where I assume it stayed for some of the day. Apparently it's the best Ace bear she's ever seen - you can't get a better accolade than that! (My head was swelling somewhat by this point, by the way. I don't like to blow my own trumpet but I don't often get so many compliments, and never in such a short space of time, so i hope you can forgive me for including them.)

Last but not least, of course, there was Sylvester, which meant another queue in the same space, which was just daft as because their tables were next to each other you didn't know whether people were waiting for him or for Paul. I'm sure that could have been organised much better than it was. In the same section there were also two chaps who had somethng to do with Star Wars who weren't getting much attention at all which was a bit awkward. They haven't gone back today and I can't blame really them.

I've wanted to meet Sylv for years and he didn’t disappoint. He liked the fabric the bag was made from because its starry night pattern was similar to his waistcoat, which admittedly was why i bought it in the first place. When he got it open and saw what was inside he said 'Oh! I'm a little bear! That’s lovely!’ and when I said I'd made one for Sophie too leaned round trying to see it on Sophie's table. I half wish I'd made a set of both for each of them now but that might have been overkill, and I would have needed a rucksack of my own to transport them all; my bag was full to bursting as it was. Maybe if I see them again I’ll give Sophie a Doctor bear and Sylvester an Ace. As it stands I am so, so pleased that all three of them liked something I'd made so much, and Sylvester and Sophie were both also taken with the cartoons of the Seventh Doctor and Ace that I asked them to sign.

Phew! If you've reached the end of this, well done! I know I have tendency to ramble on and I commend your stamina! I'll put the photos in a separate post but I was one happy camper, especially as just afterwards i got another compliment on my costume and was asked to pose in the TARDIS! We didn't stay the whole day as it was hot, I'd pretty much seen what I wanted to (the Doctor Who 'exhibition' was just a few monster replicas, most of which weren't that good, unlike the really impressive experience they had last year for the 60th and which I would have loved to see. And there were no daleks! My ambition to hug a dalek sadly remains unfulfilled *sniff*) sis had developed a headache, but I'm very glad I went. 😀

[the-way-astray]

are you going to tell us your thoughts on the unraveled excerpt or not

well now i have to don't i (though i did reblog a couple of other people's posts with thoughts). this was not supposed to be this long, but as i was going along i had several thoughts, sorry. spoilers for virtually every aspect of the excerpt under the cut (but minor spoilers overall, if you ask me):

"kingdom of lumenaria" was definitely written by ai. who edits these. i know that has zilch to do with the actual excerpt but i need to say it

keefe snuggling the tree was cute. strieefe shippers this is not a safe space for you

he's obviously in a forest somewhere, which is interesting to me. i guess i didn't imagine him living rogue. i envisioned him being in the forbidden cities the entire time. maybe not having the best time of it, but i didn't expect him to be living off the land, as they say. it just doesn't fit kotlc's vibe. so that was interesting. whether i like or don't like that is something i'll only be able to say with more context, but it's different for sure

my first thought when he saw the animal prints was that this was the scene where he meets the fox, but on a reread i saw that he said the prints "did not look [] tiny", and fox prints are relatively tiny. he might've seen a bear instead

the fact that he's super, super cold but does not once think about regulating his body temperature, something he himself said was incredibly useful in flashback, points to the fact that he's too physically or mentally drained to use it or even think about using it. so i'm curious about whatever scene came directly before this

he does think about levitation, though. so. clearly he has enough energy for that

"otherwise he'd go splat!" was the second worst line in this excerpt. the second i saw it i went. ah. why is that exclamation point there . . .

he seems to be worried about people finding him, which to me seems like a worry he'd only have toward the beginning of the book. i'd wager that this scene happens during the days he spends back-to-back light-leaping, as mentioned in stellarlune

i need dex to make keefe a panic switch. i need it to be teal. for. reasons

"he should be totally untraceable" keep believing that buddy

keefe pouring energy into trying to block an unblockable person from getting into his head is. weird. to me. you see him try to block her and then immediately after you get a monologue about how she's unblockable. weird waste of words, if you ask me

oh, boy, here comes the sokeefe

i thought it wouldn't be bad because for a while all he talks about is how he likes speaking to her telepathically. so i was like. oh, okay, i can handle this. this is cute. i get why this is the scene the marketing pushed. it gives fans a crumb of the story, while also remaining so vague about the actual plot that it won't spoil anything major

but then he started talking about the letter . . . it all goes downhill from there

i have a pet peeve for the way everyone around sophie claims she's "oblivious", which i don't believe to be the case at all. i genuinely don't think she's oblivious, which i've talked about. and even if it was a valid argument, i hate that it gets brought up so. much. and almost always feels like it's shaming sophie. can we leave it alone. so this point i was rolling my eyes

keefe thinking about sophie peeing through her leggings was! not! it! thank you, shannon! i did not! need that! this was the worst line in the excerpt. but also i wasn't surprised. idk what you all expected from keefe "king of cringy potty humor" sencen

speaking of middle names. i did briefly wonder before reading this excerpt whether the revelation would be made in it, because it isn't really plot-relevant (unless it is? idk) but also enough of a revelation to get people talking and hyped. but i was wrong

the weird sophitz bashing was. sigh. i've talked about this before, but jealousy isn't a character flaw to me, it's only the actions a character takes because of their jealousy that determines whether or not it's a character flaw. so this isn't really something that's objectively wrong with keefe, but it does grate on me all the same

it's annoying to me that keefe is convinced fitz is the one in the wrong and the reason sophitz broke down, though. i've talked about this before, but i would put roughly 90% of the blame of sophitz falling apart on sophie. it was mostly her fault. so the fact that keefe thinks that fitz needs to do all the groveling, when, realistically speaking, sophie should have to do a shit ton of it too, makes me go. sigh. typical keefe

i don't like keefe's mental image of sophie. i'll have more thoughts about this in the part two rant, but it feels incredibly dumbed down and feels like he sees her as a lot less mature and strong than she really is, and makes her seem more weak and silly. fin touches on that a little bit in this post, if you want more details. but the weirdly infantilized mental image of sophie continues in this excerpt. you can see that when he pictures fitz and sophie kissing, she bites her lip and idk that feels incredibly stereotypically like. adorable and soft and immature and cute. if that makes sense

the monologue about how sophie deserved to choose whoever she wanted without keefe shoving himself into her face is another symptom of shannon's immense capacity to show and not tell how sweet and perfect keefe is. i talked about this a lot in my rant, but keefe's actions portray him as pretty much the exact opposite of what he says here. he puts down fitz, he bolsters his own relationship with sophie, he assumes sophie will end up with him one day anyway, and so on. so to see that continue here, and to know that sokeefe stans will undoubtedly use this as evidence to continue to be delusional about their favorite guy, was. not fun for me

"he understood foster's feelings even better than she did" had me banging my head into the wall. tied with the peeing line for worst line in the excerpt. i hate this. it's inherently invalidating, and i despise the head-heart theory as a concept in general. probably this also ties into my hatred for sophie's "obliviousness"; i just don't like this idea that it's possible to know someone's emotions better than. they know their own emotions. to even say that is something that's just supremely, immensely invalidating, in and of itself. this post, also by fin, comes to mind. he explains it much better than i am right now. but anyway. thanks for taking sophie's agency to know what she's feeling away from her i guess. sure. make keefe the expert on sophie. this will end well

and then he continues to monologue about sophitz. which is like. i get he's jealous. but this is over the top

the line about how he hadn't been able to hang out with humans for long before he snapped intrigues me. maybe that's the scene before this one. idk

"not this pathetic angst" i hope shannon listens to that for the rest of the book

[agentnatesewell]

hello lovely mar!! i just read "they saw you in my written words" for the first time and i just wanted to say what a wonderful writer you ❤️ i love how you write nate and suri is just an absolute goddess

a question! i have never seen bridgerton before, but that regency art of N & A got me thinking. do you have any thoughts or headcanons about if nate & suri had met in a similar setting? 😌

Bree!! I am literally just sitting here with my jaw on the floor! Thank you so much for reading ‘they saw you in my written words’ and sending me this very, very sweet message!

I am floored!! Blushing!

And thank you so, so much. Nate’s always been a little bit tough for me to try to figure out writing wise, but it was really fun writing him and Suri together. I think about them all the time, and it was nice to put them together. Especially in that sort of way 🥰

Ah Bridgerton! I loved season two, and I really love Anthony&Kate, and Benedict. So much that I also really love Benedict’s book because of his love, Sophie Beckett (who is a maid, and I really, really hope she’ll be on season four!)

As for Regency Nuri! I’ve had a few thoughts!

* Nate would be a member of the gentry, still. Surina would be the daughter of a dowager titled woman (Rebecca) and they both participate in society. While the others learned the more common second languages like French and Latin and Italian - I think they both knew Arabic (and he would know more, such as the tongue of his biological father — I assume Mama and Papa Sewell in this AU) . But that was a draw for them both (they would have known each other before the official debuts)

- And in true historical romance fashion, of course the titles and succession might be smudged, just a little bit

* For fun, because they knew they loved each other even before debuts, I imagine - in true historical romance fashion - they get up to some sneaky things, and do a lot of fun sneaky things. Do they get caught? Well, if they did, they were wanting to get married anyway!

* I went to a butterfly garden today in the afternoon and it was just lovely. It made me think that N’s family probably had a stunning orangery and grounds, and that’s also a headcanon!

* Before we were told that N’s family was part of the gentry, rather than the peerage (titled), I hc’d (with a friend) that Nate and Suri eloped because she quoted Violet Bridgerton saying that rakes make the best husbands and Nate agreed (not that he still couldn’t be a rake but I don’t think so at all)

One of these days, it is my goal to play around with a Nate and Suri historical/modern romance and see where that goes (actually the thoughts are very angsty but I’ve been enjoying doing some mental plotting)

Ah! Thank you SO much! You’re so sweet and wonderful to take time out of your day to send me such kindness! I am so, so glad you’re here with us!

I loved your Adam fic so much! We were on a road trip that day you posted and I couldn’t wait until we got to our destination so I read in the car! It was amazing!!

[fluidstatick]

I'm rewatching Sophie's day 3 stream of blsmp and I just got smacked in the face with an offhand bit of lore that I don't think anyone else spotted. I can't find a discord channel or subreddit or anything else specific to dump my thought process into, so I'm just chucking it here. Spoilers for Balloon SMP - particularly Team E - and a wild stab at conjecture, under the cut.

Socks finds Team E's base after wandering around for three hours, and while everyone is making plans and trading information Sophie asks about the Globber, the Enyyts, and the hands. Socks says she saw "A bunch of hands hopping around near a crafting table, and one of them pointed in [team E's] direction." She followed the pointing and ended up at Claire's fishing spot.

The hands helped Socks make it to Team E as early as day two. On day one, they only started attacking Team E when Milk Ape and Bailey attacked first, and they never showed up at Team E's base after that. Sure, they tried to get into the house, but what if they hadn't been attacked? Maybe they were a welcoming committee, helping hands; they dropped very tasty food, and material for a wet shovel, which would have been very useful for underwater digging. Would the hands have defended the house if they were welcomed peacefully? Did they want to help the teams navigate to each other? We may never know.

Speaking of day one - I'm still sad about The Globber. It didn't attack anyone, only the birds did; Its HP bar was white. It looked like a deshelled raw lobster tail shrouded in runes. In real life, whale corpses that wash ashore are called globsters. The rune birds ate it slowly. If it had been left alone, maybe the rune birds would've eaten enough of it to become corporeal, and maybe helpful? There were fish near where it landed that were also runes, and Claire could catch them, but they only dropped rotten flesh. If she didn't catch them, and the globber had landed in the river to become whale fall, maybe they would have been beneficial too.

The Enyyts' HP bars were white, and their balloons were floating up and away from the Caldera, not toward it. When shot down, they didn't defend themselves, just sat in the water and drowned. Nobody's figured out what the Critical Mass can do - one of them is a coffee table now - but if the Ennyts had been dropped on land and left alone, could they have defended players from hostile mobs somehow? That big cyclops eye reminded me of an Ender eye; I'm wondering if they could stare down and attract Endermen, so players could farm ender pearls for Ender chests.

After those first couple of days, the balloons only brought vanilla mobs, and very rarely hostile ones - mostly edible animals, villagers, occasionally hostile mobs at night. When Bailey was revived the first time, a cloud of red balloons met them in the sky, not far from Sophie's body, carrying fish - were the balloons welcoming Bailey back to the living? Were the red balloons collecting hellium to keep the blue balloon at bay, and keep the server safe? When Gibson nuked the Caldera, the sky turned red, and several people suggested they were inside a balloon - Could that have been the souls of the Caldera rushing to protect the teams from the gaze of the blue balloon?

When a player dies, there's a hole in the sky. I forget who, but someone (Kuu? RenoBee?) told Holly that at one point, while they were dead, they flew up into the hole in the sky and saw what was really going on. Holly didn't stick around to find out what they meant by that,

Now that Sophie's sacrificed herself to the Hellium, the sky is blue. Gibson and Bailey commented on how much they wish Sophie could see it. At one point during Gibson's day 25 stream, I noticed two giant eyes in the sky instead of just one.

When Katy and Gibson held an impromptu meeting at an intersection on the nether highway, Kuu interjected at one point, insisting that Sophie isn't dead. Katy said she thinks the comment was just Cope, but Kuu has been several different colors now. I haven't watched his streams yet, but that guy's got secrets, and maybe even more than vague old Gandalf.

On day 14, Holly mentioned that "Shelly says the win condition may have changed." It's not about the End anymore. I think it's about finding and destroying the blue balloon, so the red balloons don't have to deflate more mobs to keep it at bay.

I also don't think the white whales clustering all over the SMP map is an Alex's Mobs glitch. I've run that mod before, and did so for almost a year. I saw a white whale listed in the encyclopedia, but none ever spawned on my map. I think the obscene number of white whales are a message. I think something is trying to tell everyone -- This could have been a peaceful and prosperous world, but you chose fear and violence, and now your luck is a cancer that will destroy you.

When Sophie fell into the Hellium and met The Mother, she saw herself with massive black wings, spotted with the Eyes of Tragedy. I think it's a hint. The Mother said "you will all be reborn." Gandalf hasn't said a word against the balloons. Neither has Serpy. Everyone on the server has seen or experienced something that they can't express effectively, and I think it all goes back to the note Bailey gave to Sophie on day seven - Follow the Blue Balloon - and what her doppelganger said at the end of that day: We came out of the sky.

I don't think the doppelgangers were meant to read as a threat. I think they were trying to explain to people that they're friendly. Bailey's doppelganger only started to howl and screech and chase Sophie when she threatened it on day seven, and on day eight it screamed when it saw her It stretched terribly, like it was being pulled tight. I think something was trying to snatch Fake Bailey into the sky before it could befriend Sophie. I think the reason it possessed her later on - "what's wrong? what's wrong?" - was that it wanted to make peace and explain itself, and it knew that Team E trusts Bailey's judgement.

I think the real villain of this SMP isn't the balloons, red or blue, yellow or otherwise. I think it's communication failure.

I think the Hellium has been improperly labeled. I wonder if it's actually Healium.

[stormingfrost]

Wonders of the Invisible World 

Tags: Body horror, major character death, Implied/Referenced child abuse, original characters, pitch/sandy, Katherine/nightlight

summary: 

Through hundreds of years of strange things happening all over the world, finally someone sees. The Bennett family is now at the forefront of every children's tale - except, now, they learn that these tales are not only real, but much, much darker than they first thought.

For @rotg-halloween day ten: slasher 

Read it on AO3

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 /13

chapter ten: slasher

under cut

The small one didn’t cry. She held his hand, shying away from Katherine. 

They made a pit stop, made a fire, and camped for the night. Nightlight looked up at the sun, judging that it was around noon. 

“You’re still quiet,” Katherine said, sitting next to him. 

He shrugged, smiling. 

He wasn’t a stranger to sharing a body. He inhabited the Shadow but was freed. Then something happened. The battle cost him everything, down to his physical form. 

The boy he found was a perfect host. Mischievous and fun. Caring about those around him. 

This time it was different. This time, the boy was in control. He lived for fourteen years in the backseat, watching with annoyance as the boy had an unremarkable life. He wasn’t like the Shadow, who simply was just trapped by him. 

When the boy drowned, Nightlight begged for Manny to save him. He didn’t want to die. He couldn’t find another host in time for his light to not fade. 

Something went wrong. He would only come up, still in the backseat, once a year. He felt Death’s grasp, trying to pull him under like the pond took him under. 

This new transformation cost something. A little soul traded for his own. 

It had to be a child. 

Katherine hummed, handing Sophie her breakfast. 

“I want my mom,” she murmured. 

“Aw, I know. You’ll see her soon, alright? We just have to do something first.” 

There was a new presence. Nightlight looked around, seeing nothing but dead trees and snow. 

“I’m going to get more firewood,” Katherine said. “I’ll be back.” 

Nightlight smiled, turning his attention back to the small one. She was quiet, which made it easier for Nightlight to do this. If she screamed or cried or fought, he would lose his will, and she would get to live. He would die. 

There was a scream. Nightlight jumped up, looking around. The scream echoed. 

“Katherine?” He shouted. 

The boy’s voice echoed back at him. 

Then a snapping. Nightlight frowned. 

So they did come for the girl. 

He dragged Sophie to the noises, hiding as he watched Katherine fight against the wolf. 

Trees whipped around them. Emily Jane had control, raising her fists and yelling. She had a wound on her stomach, blood dripping down into the snow. Another wolf jumped onto her, and she struggled. 

A cold knife was held against his throat. 

“Give me the girl,” Mary whispered. The boy’s impulses wanted to hug the witch. Nightlight snarled, watching as Katherine was dragged away. 

“You don’t want to harm him,” Nightlight said. 

“I will.” 

He let go of Sophie, who ran away and tripped. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girl’s mother hold her and cry. 

“You can’t kill me,” Nightlight whispered. “You love me, Mary. I love you. You’re my sister.” 

“Don’t try. I know Jack would never do this.” 

Nightlight turned to face her. 

“You don’t know what it’s like. I lived for three hundred years in a corpse’s body. I was shot and buried. Desperation would make you a murderer too.” 

Mary was glaring at him. He heard Katherine’s voice. He smirked. 

A branch hit Mary, sending her flying. Nightlight flew up, glancing around. 

“Nightlight!” Katherine shouted. He flew down to her, grabbing her. She was limping. 

“Where’s the wolves?” He asked. 

“I threw them in a hole.” 

“Hey!” 

They looked up to see the girl’s mother. A human. Katherine grinned, her smile turning more like Emily’s than her own. 

The woman screamed, light pulsing from her. Nightlight felt a sudden burst of grief. Sadness. Terror. 

He fell on his knees, his eyes tearing up.

“Stop this!” Emily roared, wiping tears away from her face. She controlled a tree, slamming it into the woman. The woman screamed, being flung aside. 

A different scream echoed from behind them, and Katherine ducked as an axe slammed into the tree next to them. 

Vivian, Nightlight realized. The woman who buried him. 

She swung the axe again, but Nightlight rolled aside and whacked her with his staff. 

“Bad zombie!” Andy cried, tearing away the staff. Nightlight growled. 

Katherine got up, forming water in her hands. 

“You were the ones to kill him.” 

Mary jumped down from a tree, latching onto Katherine, and held her in a chokehold. Katherine flailed. 

“Emily!” She wheezed.  

Nightlight dodged another swing from the axe, backing away as Vivian and Andy circled him. The wolves came back, the biggest one carrying the two children. 

“Sleep,” The mother’s voice said, a hand on his shoulder. 

“You feel tired.” 

He did feel tired. 

“Nightlight!” Katherine wheezed, fighting against Mary. “Don’t listen to her!” 

He collapsed, falling onto the ground. It broke underneath him, icy cold water filling his lungs and shock invading his body. The water was angry. The ice was unforgiving. 

It was dark and cold. And he was scared. 

[alaydabug2]

Tag list: @paloma-ascends-into-hellfire @nowjumpinthewater @bookwormgirl123 @thishumanformislimiting @aspenaspenaspenaspenaspen

History Repeats

Chapter three

The war is over. Everyone is happy. Years later, Biana is accepted as a councilor. Only then, does she realize she wants what she can't have. Dex Dizznee. She could step down so they could be together, but progress is finally being made with her on the Council. If she steps down, that could reset all the progress that was done. What will she do? Stay? Leave? Have this affair in secret? Will they end like Kenric and Oralie, two star crossed lovers who fate had different plans? Find out in this story.

(Biana pov)

Biana watched as Dex desperately dashed away. That... was unexpected. Pieces wanted to click together in her mind, but she couldn't let them. That would complicate way too many things. Things she could not be able to even dream of happening now she was councilor.

The best thing she could do now was pretend this encounter had never happened. She had a meeting in the morning with the rest of the council to discuss how she wanted to improve the lost cities. She needed to get her rest.

Rest never came. She kept tossing and turning all night at how the day could have gone if she hadn't been chosen for the council. Would she still feel a deep ache inside of her that she had now? Could Dex have asked her out? Would she have said yes.

The more she thought about it... the more she realized she wouldn't be apposed to the idea.

Her and Dex have had an interesting dynamic throughout their time, knowing each other. He had always been in the background of the gossip circles at school. The, quote unquote, 'weird Dizznee child'.

She had never paid much attention, really. Not until Sophie came along. Even then, Dex had seemed to hold a resentment to her family. It took her a while to realize that was because everyone thought the Vackers were perfect. Meanwhile, the Dizznees were outcasts in society.

After getting over that barrier, they just seemed to... click.

She found that he was quite charming and a gentleman. She found what he could do interesting. Slowly, they started to lean on each other when they didn't get picked to go out on missions.

Biana realized... she wasn't against the idea that he might've asked her out. Oftentimes, she wondered over the years, but things were too hectic to worry about those things.

Her alarm blared. Sleep had not been on her side. She spent most of the night wrapped up in her own thoughts.

Biana got out of the plush, canopied bed and padded across the pink carpeted floor. Naturally, she had inherited Oralie's castle after she had resigned. They had similar tastes- shocker -so Biana hadn't made many changes to it.

Many things had been left behind. When she tried to return it, Oralie told her she could keep it all. She had asked how much she took with her. Turns out it wasn't much.

Oralie had moved to an estate in a medow. Biana had visited once to help her get settled. Much to her surprise, Oralie had ditched all of her frilly gowns. She resembled more of, what Sophie had shown her, Little House on the Prarie.

None of it was necessarily bad. Biana just wondered why the sudden change. At one point, she had asked.

The awnser she was met with was, "I want to forget the past."

That hurt Biana's heart. She knew she had meant Kenric.

Biana reached the closet. She decided on one of the big purple dresses that had been left behind. It really was gorgeous.

Once she was finished getting ready, she headed to the main building of Enternalia. That's where the meeting would be.

Her heels clicked across the crystal floor. It echoed off the walls. She found the silence eerie. Especially since she was the first one to arrive at the meeting room.

Bronte was the next one in. He paused when he saw Biana already in her seat.

He bowed at her. "Councilor Biana. Punctual, I see. I knew you were voted in for a reason. I'm eager to see what direction you'd like to take the Lost Cities."

She got out of her seat to curtsy. "Thank you, Councilor Bronte. It's an honor to be able to be here."

rest of the Council arrived shortly. When everyone was ready, she got up to present her ideas.

She cleared her throat. "Hello, everyone. I want to say I am thrilled to be able to be here with you today. You all picked me because we need change in the Lost Cities. I hope you all are able to keep an open mind as I tell you these."

Most of the Council seemed ready to hear her out, as she explained changes that needed to be done. However, a few interrupted multiple times in objections. After the fifth time Alina interrupted her speech, Bronte had to shut her down.

Some of the topics included the talentless, matchmaking, and pyrokinesis. Majority of them heard her out. A select few, however, were scowling the whole time.

She sat back down once she was finished, quite pleased with herself. Twenty-two eyes stared into her very soul. She wanted to cower, but she held her ground.

Eventually, Bronte spoke, "I think we could work with these. I'm sure your addition to the council will become invaluable."

[sea-owl]

You've written about Eloises running off to Phillips in a variety of scenarios.

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if the women of the family arrived at Romney Hall instead of her Brothers?

Well, that would be an interesting thought, wouldn't it? I think Phillip might be more scared of the women, he doesn't know how to talk to them. He also can't bond with them by getting drunk and talking about Lucy the tavern woman with the big breasts. Though honestly once they all realize that Eloise was in fact fine, and left on her own violation, they probably would try to be a calmer presense around Phillip than the guys.

Hyacinth would definitely follow Gregory's footsteps and punch Phillip in the face first. He might get respite from the other sisters though but that wouldn't make them any less threatening. Daphne and Francesca have been a duchess and countess for years by this point. They know how to command their presence and a room. Both also would outrank Phillip too.

Could you imagine if it was Kate, Sophie, and Penelope that came? Reminder that Sophie is heavily pregnant at this point, but you know what she's got a family member to potentially save so that ain't stopping her. They're marching in, Sophie is waddling. They're not going to resort to physical violence right away because Penelope already suspected that her best friend was up to some tomfoolery. Eloise would never be kidnapped quietly.

I think it would be funnier if the women came into that dinning room, saw Eloise and Phillip, and then sat down like they were supposed to be there the whole time. Some of them are grilling Phillip, some of them are grilling Eloise, both are scared.

I can see both Kate and Daphne taking up Anthony's role in the study scene, maybe they tag team it if both of them are there. They do promise though that Anthony will be having another talk with Eloise once he arrives.

Once he does meet the brothers, I think Phillip will probably have preferred to deal with them rather than deal with the scary women. At least he's familiar with explosive tempers.