#jacques besse

[jacobwren]

I unblock everything. I uphold my basic knowledge of scandals.

Jacques Besse, The Great Easter: Ambulation

[edwordsmyth]

Bamako, Abderrahmane Sissako (2006)

[davidlavieri]

The sidewalk is white, the moon just appeared, all the bistros are closed, and my pockets are empty anyway. Farther north, I dash off toward the Chevaleret station. I'm alone in the street again. Then suddenly, two shadows appear, at least one of which has a home. The Moon is thanked for appearing. A message from distant civilizations: what is she, the Moon, alongside the poor Earth? A neighborhood near Chevaleret or a village out in the Causses, far from metropolitan France. She's so lonely, far away from her star! I too am so alone, at 12:45 a.m., on this avenue running northeast, even in one of the great cities of the world!

The Chevalaret station is also lifeless. It's the desert, the desert rebuilt in the middle of one of the biggest cities on Earth. The silent arches supporting the overhead tracks are like fossils from a vanished civilization. There aren't even any hotels around here. Wait, I see one, barely lit in blue. I'm suddenly taken by desire, it's crazy. These desires caused by hunger interrupt my thoughts like blades cutting through straw. Where's the Moon? Oh, the boulevard isn't really solid, oh, yes it is, my footsteps build it back up, and I suddenly hear the sound of the soles of my shoes on the asphalt, and the Chevaleret station, and a clean and normal train storms through the nocturnal agora. Two travelers are coming down to lose themselves in this wonderful paradise! A single flat note from a detuned flute comes from the Seine. Quick, return to the Seine and to something that resembles geography.

Jacques Besse, The Great Easter

[punchylr]

Nancy Drew Games: analyzing the couples

4. Jacques and Isabelle – There was speculation that Jacques married Isabelle just to get a green card.  If this is true then they will probably break up eventually. ❌

10. Mary and Tex – Good couple! 💚

11. Linda and Hugh – There was speculation about Hugh meeting up with Renee in Rome, and to be honest, I don’t think Hugh should have married someone who wouldn’t be a good stepmother to Jane.  (Linda called Jane a pest, who says that about their own stepdaughter?)  So even though Hugh said he would do what it took for them to be a family again, I kind of think Hugh and Linda eventually broke up. ❌

17. Henry and Summer – I think Henry hopefully came to his senses and broke up with Summer.  I’m sure this is one that everyone can agree on. ❌

19. Kyler and Matt – Matt comes to his senses and realizes he shouldn’t have jeopardized his friendship with Kit just to date Kyler.  But by that point it’s too late and Kit has cut ties with him.  Now his relationship to Kyler has soured since it ended up costing him his best friend.  They fall back into their old pattern of fighting every day, and speak less and less to avoid conflict.  Kyler loses herself in her books and Matt loses himself in the internet.  (This person collected quotes that say Matt is tech-addicted.) ❌

23. Miwako and Rentaro – Rentaro has goals and aspirations beyond romance so I think he should just move to the city like he always wanted.  Too manipulative. ❌

23. Bess and Logan – I actually thought this pairing was kind of cute.  But the main problem is that Logan likely doesn’t live in River Heights. 😢

24. Karl and Mildred – Very happy in Canada together! 💚

28. Colton and Lexie – I don’t like the fact that Lexie accepted the bribe to leave Colton.  If Lexie really loved him then no amount of money could make Lexie stay away.  But I suppose there might be some nuance to this, I mean, maybe Lexie knew that Colton’s family would never accept their relationship and didn’t want to ask Colton to cut ties with his parents just so he could be with Lexie. ❓

28. Wade and Savannah – I’m kind of hoping it works out between these two. 💚

30. Leena and Patrick – There’s nothing glaringly wrong with this couple so maybe it could work out.  Although.  Leena doesn’t remember how she and Patrick got together!?  And Leena was pressuring Patrick to do something unethical that he felt uncomfortable with, during that argument of theirs.  I do like how Leena defended Patrick though about him having a depth that most people don’t see.  And how she was a rugby fan until her favourite player retired.  Just, the things she was saying about him were nice.  They seem like a good balance.  And Patrick stands up for himself when he disagrees with Leena so that’s good.  Though she shouldn’t try to pressure him into things in the first place. 💚❓

32. Elisabet and Magnus – Sea of Darkness was one of the only few games I didn’t rewatch, so I don’t know about them.

[nancydrewpcpolls]

Aside from Nancy

[assortedseaglass]

The Seamstress & The Sailor - Chapter Fourteen

[Masterlist]

Warnings: Language, Smut, World on Fire spoilers

Word Count: 4.3K

Notes: Angst and horniness, coming right up.

June 1940

No matter how hard he kicked, Tom couldn’t get his legs loose of the damn sheet.

“Calm down, calm down!” Tom had come round to find himself crammed into a corridor lined with other injured men, his shoulder bound with gauze strapped to his chest. The accent of the man shouting at him told him everything he needed to know. Still in bloody France. The man, a doctor judging by the white coat he wore, held Tom’s shoulders and pushed him down. Tom hissed as the touch aggravated his wound.

“Get your dirty, grubby hands off me now!” He kicked his leg and caught the man holding down his legs. “Let go of me and I’ll take my chance!”

“Listen! If you leave now, you will die!”

“Oh, so I just stay here and surrender like you lot?” Tom spat in the man’s face as another doctor and nurse arrived. “Paris has fallen. She just told me,” he indicated to the woman. “And not a shot fired. How’s a bunch of cowards going to keep me safe?”

“Pardon?” The doctor holding his shoulders lunged at Tom, who squared up to him from his position on the bed.

“Jacques,” the nurse grabbed him. “Jacques!”

The doctor at the end of the bed spoke. An American. “Before you say another word about French cowardice, just remember it was a French ambulance crew who rescued you.”

Tom relaxed his shoulders and pushed out his chin. “Christ. You think you rescued me?” His temper was rising. “Thanks to you I’m in a city crawling with Nazis. And where are my clothes?”

“Incinerated.” Said the nurse.

“You fucking what?” He panicked. The only thing keeping him sane was gone.

“I assume you are after this?” Jacques, the doctor, picked something up from Tom’s bedside table. Tom snatched the photograph from his grip and rolled onto his good shoulder, Bess safely tucked beneath his pillow.

“Now piss off and let me die in peace.” His voice was final, and the medics left him. Certain that they were gone, Tom took out Bess’ photograph and traced her face with his finger. The letters were surely gone, and there was no way that he could get one to her while Nazis lurked around every corner. He had to get home, and soon.

✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼

Distantly, Bess heard the ring of the telephone in the ground floor hallway. Manchester was warming as sun gleamed off the stone buildings and rose into the smog strewn sky. Every door in Carver Mills was open. Other girls’ laughter fluttered through the stairwell and, occasionally, so too did the warble of a record being played. Bess was lounging on her bed, watching white bed linen flutter on the washing line beyond the window. A rare day off and a chance to relax. She was just closing her eyes when Mrs Russo’s voice called up to her.

“Bess! Phone for you, darling.”

No-one ever telephoned Bess. The only people who would were Cora, Dot and Dadda, and they’d have to borrow Mrs Mason’s telephone or else use the phone box on Plymouth Street. Trying to ease her rapidly rising nerves, Bess swung her legs from the bed and hurried barefoot down the cold stone steps. Mrs Russo was stood by the front door, apron on, phone tucked beneath her ear as she dusted the hallway cabinet. She smiled when she saw Bess coming down the stairs.

“Here she is, love,” she said to whoever was on the other end of the phone and passed the receiver to Bess. “Your sister,” she mouthed, before striding into the bright light of the day armed with a mop and can.

Bess held the receiver to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hi honey,” It was Cora, her voice unnaturally bright. “How’s the day off?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Cora never called. “What’s happened?” There was a sniffle on the other end of the line and Bess’ heart lurched.

“Oh, Bess,” Cora’s voice wobbled.

“What’s happened?” No reply. “Cora? Is it Dadda?”

“No, it’s not Dadda-” Her voice was small, defeated.

“Oh darling,” realisation dawned on Bess. “Has something happened to Roger? Do you want me to come ho-”

Cora spoke over her. “It’s not Roger.” Her voice was firming up, and before the words left her sister’s mouth, Bess swayed where she stood. This was the sound of someone readying themself to deliver bad news. Having heard their friend’s raised voice, Helen and Joan appeared on the stairs. Bess looked up at them wide-eyed as she waited for Cora to deliver the devastating blow.

“Bess, it’s Tom.”

“What about him?” Bess’ voice was sharp, steel walls rising to avoid any pain.

“Douglas got a telegram this morning. Darling, Tom’s missing.”

The soft flesh of her knees split as she hit the floor, though she didn’t feel it. A hand groped for the receiver, now dangling from its wire, and Bess vaguely saw that it wasn’t hers.

“Hello? Cora? Yes, it’s Helen-”

Bess’ body was pulled sideways and her arms trapped at her sides. Joan had wrapped her arms about her and was holding her tight. Bess lay there silently, pressed into Joan’s chest as Helen spoke lowly into the telephone. A minute later, she joined them on the floor and covered Bess’ body with her own. Joan whispered gently in her ear, though what she was saying, Bess couldn’t tell. When Helen reached out an arm to grip Bess’ hand, it was then that she realised she was shaking. Quaking with paroxysms of despair.

“Come on, little love,” Joan brushed some hair out of Bess’ face. “Let’s get you upstairs.” Together, Helen and Joan hauled Bess to her room, patched up her knees and laid her own the bed.

“Dry your eyes,” Helen passed Bess a tissue. She’d been crying? All Bess knew was that in the time Cora had telephoned, she had seen nothing but Tom. Tom, trapped in a prisoner of war camp. Tom, lost in the wilderness of battle-scarred Europe. Tom, lying unfound in ditch. Tom, in a shallow grave next to the rotting body of her brother.

She stared at her bedroom wall. The light turned from egg-yolk yellow to bitter plum, the only indication that the day had faded into evening. Helen and Joan left few hours ago. Or was in ten minutes? Bess was beyond the world of noticing. When a knock came at the door, she did nothing, only continued to stare at the cold wall and peeling wallpaper.

“Bess, love?” Mrs Russo stood at the door to Bess’ bedroom. “Some post came for you.” When Bess didn’t move, the older woman stepped into the room and placed the letters on the bedside table in front of where she lay. “You’ll catch your death lying here,” Mrs Russo leant over Bess’ lifeless form and shut the window. “Come down later, if you feel up to it. I’ve made soup.” She kissed Bess’ head and left, the click of the door and her retreating footsteps the only sound.

When all was quiet again, Bess sighed. Before the war, she had been content, and that was all a working-class girl from the north of England could hope for. She would never open her own fashion house. Never marry a rich man. Likely never leave Manchester. But Bess did have her work, her family, her pride. She’d heard Dot speak about her fear of never achieving anything. Looking back at her life when she is an old woman and seeing nothing but duty and boredom. When did greatness and notoriety become the measures of a good life? Bess always told her, is it not enough to be joyful and love and be loved? To be content and happy. What now, then, when contentment and happiness had gone from her life? Albie alone in France, buried God knows where. Tom with him, or soon to join him? An older sister who would never know first love without fear. A younger sister whose remaining years of childhood were defiled by war, and a father wounded by grief.

Bess’ eyes drifted the letters Mrs Russo left. Her name was smudged a little, and for a fleeting moment, she thought it was Tom’s handwriting. The address, however, proved her excitement wrong and she stilled. Who was left to write? She took the letter and ripped open the envelope.

“I know what you’re trying to do. Telling me all about your little date in the hopes it will make me jealous. Would it make you smile, love, if I told you it was working?”

Bess dropped the letter like hot coal. She ran to the bedroom door and slammed it shut. Leant against the doorframe, she clutched her heart and felt it hammer against her chest. Even missing, Tom Bennett could still make her weak. Tentatively, as though it would scold to touch it, Bess padded to the bed and picked up the letter once more.

“Does he know you like I do? Does he know that you collected feathers and eggshells when you were small, or that you write secret letters to a criminal like me?”

With every word, her breath quickened and pulse raced.

“Can he read you like I can? That you only smoke as a means to avoid speaking?”

Her mouth went dry.

“That when your eyes darken and those perfect lips of yours part, when you blush and it spreads right across your nose, it means you desperately want fucking?”

Bess’ head hit the pillow.

“It means you desperately want fucking”

Despite her terror. Despite the grief of the day, Bess laughed. He wanted her. Until the moment he went missing, he wanted her. If he was alive, perhaps he still did. She reached for the photograph of Tom, propped against her lamp, and held it behind the letter. The other hand ran down the buttons of her loose shirt and ruched the hem of her skirt. Over the edge of the letter, Tom’s eyes watched her.

“Can he satisfy you like I can, Bess? Are his fingers long? Have they been inside you yet? I know I could do it, Bess, if you’d let me.”

Heat welled between her legs as she pressed a palm against her sex.

“If I try, I can hear you moaning my name. I can feel your cunt against me. If your family hadn’t come home I’d have ravished you, Bess. I’d have fucked you with my mouth, my fingers, my cock.”

Bess’ fingers dipped into the warmth of her folds, and with half-lidded eyes she committed Tom’s photograph to memory.

“Made love to you until your mind could think of nothing but me. Can this James boy do that for you? Can he satisfy you like I could?”

Over and over she read the letter, over and over her nimble fingers worked her arousal undone.

“I’m mad with wanting you, love. I’ll kill any man that gets in my way to you. You’re mine, Bess.”

With a shudder and moan of his name, Bess unravelled to the image of Tom on her tailor’s stand. Tom beating Walter Watson to a pulp. Tom between her legs. Weak from her release, the letter fluttered to the ground and for a few blissful moments Bess forgot her heartache. Tom Bennett still wanted her. She giggled and reached for the letter, desperate to read his words once more. As she leant over the bed, she saw the mess of paper on the ground. Tom’s photograph, his letter, and the second envelope. She must have knocked it to the ground in her haste to be rid of the first.

She froze. It was him. Again. The smudged scrawl. It was definitely him. Abandoning her attempt to retrieve the first letter, Bess once again ripped open the envelope. Would it be a repeat of the first? In a perverse way, she hoped it was.

“Your letters are the best thing that happens to me at sea, but I couldn’t bear being the cause of more pain.”

In direct opposition to his first letter, the second caused Bess’ heart to stop.

“We’re going into something big, Bess, and I’m scared I won’t come back.”

“Oh, Tom.” Bess stood from the bed and hurried her way through the tiny flat.

“If I don’t, know that I think of you every second of every day.”

She opened the door, eyes never leaving the page.

“I’ll spend the rest of my days regretting what I did to you but know this, I adore you.”

Tears were falling now, and she could feel them. Angry, heartbroken, elated, fearful tears.

“Think of me, as I’m forever thinking of you.”

Her feet brought her to a door on the second floor of the boarding house. She knocked twice and brushed some tears form her red cheeks. The door swung open, and Joan stood before her, cigarette in hand and hair in curlers.

“Bess?”

Bess could do nothing but hold up the letter and laugh sadly.

“He adored me.”

✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼

Tom watched as Webster’s blood funnelled through the tube and into his veins. What with the pain in his shoulder, the city heat and his growing unease at the Nazis walking the halls of the hospital, the sight did nothing to settle his stomach and he looked to the ceiling.

Webster, while admiring Tom’s spirit, was himself growing annoyed at the man’s impatient recklessness. He understood as much as any other his desperation to be away from Paris with the one he loved, but the reality was not as easy as their imaginations would wish.

“What are you going to do with out help?” Webster whispered quietly. “All these men need my help. You’re prisoners of war now.”

“I’ll head for the coast.” Even agitated, Tom seemed a cocksure and certain man. If not for the war, Webster would have liked a drink with Tom Bennett.

“And which way is that, hm?”

Tom paused. “I’ll think of something.”

“Listen,” Webster sat up a little, careful not to disturb the needle in his arm. “I’ve talked to a couple of French guys who are setting up an escape route. They can help you.” Tom’s eyebrows rose and he waited for Webster to continue. “You can go across the Pyrenees into Spain, Spain to Gibraltar then home from there.”

Tom smirked. “I get lost walking home from Belle-Vue, mate.” Exasperated and having reached the end of his capacity to cope with the Mancunian, Webster rested his head against the bedframe with a sigh. “What? You’ve never heard of Belle-Vue? You don’t know what you’re missing.” Bright lights flashed before his eyes and he could see Bess on the carousel, head tipped back with laughter. Tom smiled.

“First, you need to get registered as an injured prisoner of war,” Webster’s voice was hurried, eager to test out his plan.

“Yeah, then what?”

“Then you die.”

Tom looked at Webster flatly. “Well I hate to be picky-” Webster ignored him.

“Once you’re declared dead it makes it easier for you to escape. They won’t be looking for you.”

Tom spotted a flaw in the plan. “Won’t they want to see a corpse?”

“We’ve got no shortages of corpses, buddy.”

“And this’ll work, will it?”

“You’ll know before I do.” Tom stared at Webster, disbelieving. “We’ve never actually tried it before.”

Tom scoffed nervously. “Great.”

“The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be reunited with your girl-”

“She’s not my girl anymore.” Tom snapped, and the two watched in silence as the dark blood ran between them.

✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼

“And Bess, thank you for the clothes. Douglas brought them over on his last visit.”

Despite herself, Bess felt a pang of jealousy. Douglas has clearly made a new friend since her move to the city. She’d have to drop in soon.

“Of course, Albie would’ve been glad to see them go to a good home.”

Robina Chase nodded awkwardly, caught somewhere between giving thanks and condolences. She turned away and began to dress as Bess packed away her tools. Summer meant preparing for autumn fashions. Or, in wartime Britain, autumn tailoring.

The front door opened and shut with a thud, and Robina sighed. “Will you stay for a cup of tea, Bess? What’s one more person, hm?” Bess smiled and followed the woman downstairs, where she saw Harry, Jan and a man that could only be Demba; Mrs Chase had already told Bess all about the Senegalese soldier Harry had brought home.

Harry kissed his mother’s cheek, and then Bess’. “I’m so sorry about Albie, Bess. We’ll miss his face at the dances.”

“And he’d miss the dancing!” Bess smiled to ease the sadness rapidly descending on the entrance hall. “You must be Demba.” She held out a hand to shake the stranger’s. His smile was warm when he shook her hand, and Bess could see why Harry liked him so.

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” He said.

“Miss!” Bess teased with mock offence.

“Pardon,” Demba held is hands to his heart and the three of them laughed. Mrs Chase clicked her tongue and hurried away to fetch the tea.

“Hello, Miss Bess,” A little voice said from behind Harry.

“Hello, Master Jan.” Bess held out a hand to him, which he took, and she led him into the sitting room where Robina was setting out the china. He perched himself on an armchair, and Bess took the seat next to Demba. Harry stood somewhat agitatedly behind them and watched as his mother picked up her newspaper.

PARIS HAS FALLEN

The headline was accompanied by an image of the Luftwaffe flying over Paris. Noticing the silence, Robina lowered the newspaper.

“Harry tells me you saved him.” She addressed Demba. He smiled graciously before replying.

“He saved a lot of men.” A true gentleman. Bess smiled before Robina could ruin the moment.

“How very reassuring,” she gave her son a pointed look.

“Like his mother and father perhaps?” Demba seemed unaware of the bump in the conversation. “His courage?”

“Harry’s father had many qualities, but it transpires that courage wasn’t one of them.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Harry’s tone was terse.

Robina bristled and picked up her newspaper. Bess wanted the plush settee to swallow her whole. She took a sip of her tea.

“The Germans didn’t bomb Paris,” Robina’s voice was hopeful. The three young people opposite stared at her. “That surely is a good sign.”

“Of what exactly?” Bess could hear Harry trying to restrain is frustration.

“That when all is said and done, at least they are a civilised people-”

“Je suis désolée,” Demba and Bess turned to look at Harry as he spoke. “Ma mère ne sait pas de quoi elle parle.”

KNOCK KNOCK KOCK

Thank Christ. Bess and Demba relaxed in their seats. Jan saw and giggled. The same could not be said of Robina, who sighed and threw her newspaper on the couch. “Surely this week can’t get any more surprising.” She strode towards the front door. The four left in the sitting room said nothing, and Bess stuck her tongue out at Jan to make him smile.

When Robina returned with Lois Bennett, Harry jolted forwards and, struck by a similar awkwardness to his mother, abruptly stopped whatever motion his body had been about to enact.

“Lois!”

“Bess?”

“Bess has been tailoring some clothes for me.” Lois sat next to Robina, and Harry plonked himself next to Bess, causing her to shuffle sideways into Demba. Silence reigned once more, until little Jan spoke up.

“Is Douglas coming?”

Robina laughed.

“No, sorry. But he sent you this,” Lois leant over her now enormous bump and picked up a package wrapped in brown paper. “It isn’t brand new. It’s the same one Tom had when he was your age.” She locked eyes with Bess, who suddenly found a loose thread on her trousers to fuss with. “Dad says next time you play, you can wear it.” Jan smiled, unaware of Lois and Bess’ sorrow.

“I feel rather as though I’ve arrived late at the theatre and need someone to explain the plot to me.” Robina look to Bess and Demba for agreement.

“I am sorry,” Lois said sincerely. “I had no idea you had so many people here.” She stood up and Harry did the same so suddenly it nearly caused Bess to spill her tea. He was pleading with Lois.

“Lois, wait. I…”

Sensing that she was intruding on familial politics far more complicated than she first assumed to know, Bess jumped from her seat. “Come on Jan, let’s see if Tom’s shirt improves your aim.” The little boy laughed and followed her into the garden, the red football jersey trailing behind him.

“She’s an odd girl, Demba.” Robina said as the four remaining in the house watched Bess and Jan play. “Would be ever so charming if she only sorted her hair and wore rouge. There’s a spinster in the making.”

“Mother, please.”

From the garden, Bess kept one eye on Jan and one on the people in the sitting room. When Demba was the only person left sitting, she ran inside.

“Harry?” She was a little out of breath. “Do you have a camera? I want to get a photo of Jan in his jersey.”

“Just a minute.” Clearly glad of an excuse to leave, Harry left the room. No-one spoke, and Bess saw Robina’s eyes follow the path of Harry’s footsteps on the ceiling above. He returned a minute later with a camera and handed it to Bess. “Keep it,” Robina opened her mouth to protest but Harry silenced her with a look. “I never used it.”

“Thank you,” Bess squeezed his hand and ran back outside.

“Jan!” The boy stopped kicking the football against the wall and looked at her. She held up the camera. “Give us your best pose.” The little boy placed his arms against his hips and foot atop the ball. Bess laughed and clicked the camera. “Very good!”

Lois put her head into the garden. “Harry is taking me home, Bess. Do you want a lift?”

“No, you’re alright, I’m going to stay with Jan for a bit.” She beamed at the boy and he smiled back, thinking of his older sister as he did. “And if you need help, when the time comes,” Bess nodded to Lois’ bump. “You let me know.”

“Thanks, love.” Bess and Jan watched as she retreated into the house.

“Right then, young man,” Bess clapped the little boy on the shoulder. “Show us what you’ve got.” She ran into the makeshift goal and Jan lined up the football.

✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼　 　✼

That night, after her dinner with Mrs Russo and the other girls, Bess made her way to her room. Switching on the wireless, she tuned it to some music and covered her windows with the blackouts. From her bedside table, she retrieved the stack of Tom’s letters she had gathered over the nine months since the war began. All but one, which she left tucked beneath her pillow. Rereading it had become a common occurrence in her night-time routine. And morning routine, come to think of it.

Sat at the kitchen table, under the soft lamplight, Bess twiddled a pen between her fingers as she read over his last letter.

“I adore you.”

Tom was right, he knew her better than anyone. All those years of stolen conversations and silent glances. And just as Bess had found her voice, found herself opening her heart to him in her letters he was gone. Tom might never come back, but Bess wasn’t ready to let go of him yet. Contentment and love could still be hers if she tried.

Retrieving a leaf of paper, Bess unscrewed the cap of her pen and began to write.

Tom,

Your letter arrived the same day I found out you are missing, and you broke my heart for the third time. Your letters could never hurt me, and I only wish I could look forward to more.

She stopped to hastily wipe away a tear. Looking at Tom’s letter, she answered each of his admission in turn.

If I never see you again, I hope you are resting now in the knowledge that I too, think of you every single day and will never stop.

If, by some miracle, you come back home to us, know that I will spend the rest of my life regretting the night we fought and that day at the train station. I’ll never stop telling you how much I adore you.

Dream of me, wherever you are, as I am forever dreaming of you.

Yours, as I always have been,

Bess.

She placed the sheet of paper in an envelope, writing Tom’s name and date on the fore. With nowhere to send it, nowhere to send her love, Bess rested her head against the table and wept.

Notes: Jan and Demba deserve the world! I changed the order of some of the TV scenes just to make it flow a little better. We’re with Tom more for the next chapter, which will probably be up sometime mid-next week as I’m heading home for a hen do. Will try to get some writing done on the dismally long journey. Want to really get inside his head and his feelings!

Tags: @aemonds-wifey @multiple-fandoms-girl @jessssica1234 @babyblue711 '@exitpursuedbyavulcan @myfandomprompts @anditsmywholeheart @allthefandomtherapy @valerie977 @bookwyrmsblog @phantomontheinternet @chainsawsangel @greenowlfactif @thelittleswanao3 @yentroucnagol @beiigegalx @skikikikiikhhjuuh @just-emmaaaa @mefools @aquakaris @its-actually-minicika @whoknows333 @arcielee @honeymaltgelato @girlwith-thepearlearring

[wardrobeoftime]

Master Post - N to Z

If you notice any show, movie or character missing that I’ve made gifs of, please let me know. Characters are sorted alphabetically by first their last name and then their first name.

Go to A-M | Last updated: December 19th, 2024

N

Nussknacker und Mausekönig (Louise Stahlbaum | Marie Stahlbaum | Zuckerfee/Sugar Fairy)

O

Oktoberfest 1900/Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood (Clara Prank | Curt Prank)

Once Upon A Time (Belle French | Colette French | Cora Mills | Ella Mills | Regina Mills / The Evil Queen | Robin Mills | Emma Swan | Anastasia Tremaine | Drizella Tremaine)

Once Upon A Time in Wonderland (Alice | Cora Mills | Anastasia Tremaine)

Outlander (Abigail | Marie Louise de La Tour d'Auvergne | Jocasta Cameron | Margaret Campbell | Geilis Duncan | Geneva Dunsany | Isobel Dunsany | Madame Elise | Brianna Fraser | Claire Fraser | Jamie Fraser | Janet “Jenny” Fraser Murray | Harold “Hal” Grey | John Grey | Lady Grozier | Mary Hawkins | Jeanne LeGrand | Louis XV | Mairi | Laoghaire MacKenzie | Letitia MacKenzie | Joan MacKimmie | Marsali MacKimmie | Mary MacNab | Elias Pound | Alexander Randall | William Ransom | Charles Edward Stuart | Suzette | Margaret Wake Tryon | Martha Washington | Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wemyss | Extras)

Oz the Great and Powerful (Evanora | Glinda | Theodora)

P

Q

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Agatha Danbury | Queen Charlotte | Violet Ledger | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Princess Charlotte of Wales)

R

Reign (Aylee | Kenna de Poitiers | Amy Dudley | Robert Dudley | Claude of France | Greer Norwood | Penelope | Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots | Elizabeth Tudor/Elizabeth I | Elisabeth of Valois)

Reinas/Queens: The Virgin and the Martyr (Joanna of Austria | Empress Maria / Maria of Austria | Margaret Douglas | Bess of Hardwick | Isabel de Osorio | Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots | Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain | Anna Throndsen | Elizabeth I/Elizabeth Tudor | Elisabeth of Valois)

Rise of Empires: Ottoman (Katarina Branković | Mara Branković | Gülbahar Hatun | Hüma Hatun | Constantine XI Palaiologos)

Romeo & Juliet [2013] (Juliet Capulet)

S

Sechs auf einen Streich (see the individual movies)

Shadow and Bone (Tatiana Lantsov | Zoya Nazyalensky | Genya Safin | Alina Starkov)

Sisi [2009] (Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria | Archduchess Sophie of Austria | Helene “Néné” in Bavaria | Charlotte of Belgium | Eugénie de Montijo)

Sisi [2021] (Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria | Archduchess Sophie of Austria | Helene “Néné” in Bavaria | Karl Ludwig von Grünne | Eugénie de Montijo)

Sissi Trilogy (Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria | Archduchess Sophie of Austria | Helene “Néné” in Bavaria | Ludovika, The Duchess in Bavaria)

Snow White and the Huntsman (Ravenna)

Sophie - Braut wider Willen (Sophie von Ahlen)

Still Star-Crossed (Guiliana Capulet | Juliet Capulet | Rosaline Capulet | Tessa Montague | Princess Isabella of Verona)

T

The 100 (Emori | Clarke Griffin | Lexa)

The Age of Adaline (Adaline Bowman)

The Last Duel (Marguerite de Carrouges | Jacques Le Gris)

The Little Mermaid [2023] (Vanessa)

The Crown (Catherine Middleton | Queen Elizabeth II | Princess Margaret)

The Empress (see Die Kaiserin)

The Eras Tour (Taylor Swift)

The Gilded Age (Mamie Fish | Bertha Russell | Peggy Scott | Extras)

The Great (Countess Belanova | Catherine the Great | Georgina Dymova | Marial | Queen Agnes of Sweden | Extras)

The Greatest Showman (Jenny Lind)

The Hunger Games Trilogy (Katniss Everdeen | Peeta Mellark | Johanna Mason | Finnick Odair | Coriolanus Snow)

The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Lucy Gray Baird | Livia Cardew | Arachne Crane | Clemensia Dovecote | Palmyra Monty | Iphigenia Moss | Juno Phipps | Persephone Price | Diana Ring | Vipsania Sickle | Tigris Snow | Lysistrata Vickers)

The Huntsman: Winter’s War (Freya | Ravenna)

The Originals (Davina Claire | Hayley Marshall | Aurora de Martel | Freya Mikaelson | Hope Mikaelson | Keelin Mikaelson | Rebekah Mikaelson)

The Other Boleyn Girl 2008 (Anne Boleyn | Elizabeth Boleyn (née Howard) | Mary Boleyn)

The Pillars of the Earth (Empress Matilda)

The Princess Switch (Margaret Delacourt | Fiona Pembroke)

The Royals (Princess Eleanor Henstridge | Queen Helena Henstridge | Wilhelmina “Willow” Moreno)

The Scandalous Lady W (Seymour Fleming)

The School for Good and Evil (Emma Anemone | Clarissa Dovey | Leonora Lesso)

The Serpent Queen (Catherine de Medici | Diane de Poitiers | Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots)

The Spanish Princess (Catherine of Aragon | Henry VIII | Mary Tudor)

The Tudors (Catherine of Aragon | Bessie Blount | Anne Boleyn | Anne of Cleves | Katheryn Howard | Ursula Misseldon | Kathryn Parr | Jane Seymour | Elizabeth Tudor/Elizabeth I | Margaret Tudor | Mary Tudor/Mary I)

The Twilight Saga (Charlotte | Alice Cullen | Edward Cullen | Katrina “Kate” Denali | Jasper Hale | Rosalie Hale | Peter | Bella Swan | Caius Volturi | Demetri Volturi | Jane Volturi)

The Vampire Diaries (Bonnie Benett | Caroline Forbes | Elena Gilbert | Jo Laughlin | Rebekah Mikaelson | Katherine Pierce | Annabelle “Anna” Zhu | Pearl Zhu)

The White Queen (Anne Neville | Isabel Neville | Margaret Plantagenet | Bona of Savoy | Elizabeth “Jane” Shore | Elizabeth Woodville | Cecily of York | Elizabeth of York | Margaret of York)

The White Princess (Mary of Burgundy | Elizabeth of York)

The Witcher (Calanthe of Cintra | Pavetta of Cintra | Tissaia de Vries | Philippa Eilhart | Sabrina Glevissig | Margarita Laux-Antille | Triss Merigold | Keira Metz | Lydia van Bredevoort | Yennefer of Vengerberg)

The Young Victoria (Victoria, The Duchess of Kent (née of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld) | Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen | Queen Victoria)

Three Thousand Years of Longing (Hürrem Sultan | Kösem Sultan)

Trenck - Zwei Herzen gegen die Krone (Anna Amalia of Prussia)

Tulip Fever (Mrs Overalt | Sophia Sandvoort | Mrs Steen)

Tut (Ankhesenamun)

U

V

Vampire Academy [2022] (Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir)

Victoria (Queen Victoria | Victoria, Princess Royal)

Vom Reich zur Republik (Victoria, Princess Royal)

W

War & Peace [2016] (Natasha Rostova)

What We Do In The Shadows (Marwa | Nadja of Antipaxos)

Wolf Hall (Anne Boleyn | Catherine of Aragon)

X

Y

Z

[notahorseindisguise]

bess. thoughts on amsterdam (the jacques brel song)

just listened to it, so like . as a general rule..and i know i know wow how so closeminded of me..but i generally just do not enjoy music in different languages as much? just because the lyrics are a very important part of the listening experience to me. but like still super good song !! dudes vocals are insane fuck yeah. the crooners all had like such amazing vocals. i think hes a crooner he sounded likeone anyway

[adzrielfaie]

Navigation for my premades rotational gameplay

All links have /chrono at the end.

##: Link to the week

The XYZ: Link to all rotations of this family

(X, Y, Z): Link to all posts where this Sim appears*

*including all other gameplays or shoots I've ever tagged them in 😅

First rotation

01: The Brokes (Bob, Betty, Brandi, Skip, Dustin) | 02: The Pancakes (Bob, Eliza, Iggy, Babette) | 03: The Goths (Gunther, Cornelia, Mortimer, Bella, Cassandra, Alexander) | 04: Lothario (Don) | 05: The Calientes (Nighat, Nina, Dina) | 06: The Fengs (Lily, Victor, Andrew) | 07: The Landgraabs (Geoffrey, Nancy, Malcolm, Johnny, Marion) | 08: The Jangs (Baako, Anaya, Billie) | 09: The Villareals (Jacques, Hugo, Luna, Max) | 10: The Pleasants (Daniel, Mary-Sue, Angela, Lilith) | 11: The Burbs (John, Jennifer, Lucy) & The Oldies (Herb, Coral) | 12: Sterling-Rico (Bess, Jules) | 13: Pizzazz (Penny) | 14: The Bheedas (Arun, Jesminder, Avani) | 15: The Nishidakes (Shigeru, Sachiko, Kaori) | 16: The BFFs (Travis, Summer, Liberty).

Second rotation

17: The Brokes | 18: The Goths | 19: Goth-Lothario (Cassandra, Don, Victor) | 20: The Villareals | 21: The Bheedas (+ Anjali) | 22: The Calientes | 23: Pizzazz | 24: Bailey-Moon (Thorne, Octavia, Orange)

Third rotation

25:???

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

Any opera recs for a musical theater nerd who keeps wanting to check opera out and hasn’t gotten around to it yet?

ooh!!! as a lover of both opera and musical theater, YES!!!

so here are some basics:

-any operetta or light opera basically ever. some of the best: gilbert and sullivan. johann strauss’ die fledermaus (the bat). franz lehar’s die lustige witwe (the merry widow). any jacques offenbach operetta, ESPECIALLY orphée aux enfers (orpheus in the underworld, aka the one with the famous can-can) or la vie parisienne (the parisian life). leonard bernstein’s genre-defying candide.

-speaking of which, there are a LOT of good, reasonably short american operas out there. george gershwin’s porgy and bess (the source of MANY standards, most notably “summertime”) premiered on broadway, actually. so did gian carlo menotti’s the saint of bleecker street. others i’d recommend: menotti’s the medium, carlisle floyd’s susannah, kurt weill’s street scene. all of these are pretty intense/tragic though. my fave in a lighter vein is bernstein’s trouble in tahiti, which i saw live once and it was DELISH.

-giacomo puccini and his contemporaries are a GOLD mine for musical-loving opera newbies. they’re reasonably short operas, they’re INTENSE, they’ve got amazing scores. so:

puccini’s la bohème: yeah, rent is based on it. however: VERY MUCH NOT THE SAME. (bohème is better imo.)

puccini’s tosca: you want an intense night at the opera? this one has EVERYTHING. it’s a straight up thriller. basically everyone dies. the music is glorious.

i’m not a huge fan of puccini’s madama butterfly but miss saigon is based on it, so there’s that i guess.

puccini’s il trittico: three short (1 hour) operas with three wildly different moods: il tabarro (the cloak) is a thriller, suor angelica is about a nun Going Through Some Shit and is DEVASTATING, gianni schicchi is a side-busting comedy and also has that iconic aria “o mio babbino caro”.

pietro mascagni’s cavalleria rusticana (rustic chivalry) and ruggero leoncavallo’s pagliacci (clowns) are a frequent double bill. they’re both INTENSE short operas about infidelity and passion and revenge and murder. and they both have tunes you will recognize.

-other recommendations:

-wolfgang amadeus mozart’s die zauberflöte (the magic flute), which has lots of spoken dialogue and hit tunes. MAJOR caveat however: you’re better off picking a production that plays much more fast and loose with the dialogue and lyrics because the original is uh…HUGELY racist and sexist! look up the pacific opera project’s nintendo-themed production on youtube.

-gioachino rossini’s il barbiere di siviglia (the barber of seville). hilarious as shit. so many shenanigans. can be a little long for a newbie but yeah. plus: TUNES.

-gaetano donizetti’s l’elisir d’amore (the elixir of love), don pasquale, la fille du régiment (the daughter of the regiment), and lucia di lammermoor. the first three are hilarious comedies, the last one is a tragedy of bloody murder with an ICONIC mad scene for the soprano.

-giuseppe verdi’s rigoletto and la traviata. both pretty short (~2 hours or so). both have iconic tunes and great stories. the latter is more or less the basis of both pretty woman and moulin rouge.

-georges bizet’s carmen. SO MANY HIT TUNES YOU WILL RECOGNIZE. also the basis of carmen jones.

-maurice ravel’s l’heure espagnole (the spanish hour). it’s a short opera about a woman who juggles three lovers by hiding two of them inside clocks in her husband’s clock shop. it’s risqué and funny and fun and does not get done enough.

-if you like WEIRD german stuff: richard strauss’ salome (which i love, but it’s disturbing as fuck) and elektra (which i don’t love but respect people who do) and alban berg’s wozzeck (SUPER weird and disturbing) are all in the 1.5-2 hour range and have been known to make unexpected fans of newbies. but do not attempt these unless you’re willing to experience a total mindfuck.

i hope that helps some! fellow operablr members pls feel free to add anything i may have overlooked 💗

[scenicworlds]

January 15, 2024

Getting the saxophone shots for videos with Bess Jacques. Portland, ME.

[bessmrvin]

Headcanon - Bess & Love: A Breakdown

Bess is a known boy-crazy girl. She loves love. She loves romance and she loves boys. Over the years, Bess has had a lot of crushes and a lot of exes. Here are a few.

some of her crushes:

Joe Hardy Joe is her closest guy friend. She's known the Hardy boys for forever. That means at some point she's. . . thought things. Imagined if they dated. She thinks they'd get along best as couple out of the two brothers. Theyre both fun-loving, they get one another's jokes, and they both love eating. However, she values their friendship too much to make a move and more often than not she does see him as a friend more so than a potential boyfriend.

Frank Hardy Yes, if she's wondered about Joe, she's wondered about Frank. Again, she's known him almost her entire life. Frank is reliable. Sturdy, smart, logical. He makes her feel safe and heard. It's attractive to have that from someone (especially a boy). Bess knows of his crush on Nancy though. . . she didnt want to be a second-choice.

Sonny Joon (from the Shattered Medallion) Sonny Joon is probably Bess' biggest crush yet. He was just so... so... Mysterious! And eccentric! And smart! And cute! Especially cute. She lost all her charm around him and was a bit awkward to be honest - however he was always kind to her. Which honestly made her feel even more stupid and flustered and head-over-heels for him. She went a bit nuts with this crush - making edits of him on her phone even. To this day, Bess still has a crush on Sonny!

Jacques Brunais (from the Treasure in the Royal Tower) A French skier, oh la la. She asked for a picture of him ASAP when Nancy told her of this handsome man in the middle of a snowy castle landscape. He was so handsome, she nearly melted. But he has a fiance, boo. Oh well, it was a fun fluttering of butterflies.

Brady Armstrong (from The Final Scene) An actor on some of her favorite trashy teen movies Lie Like a Rug and Doctor Salsa. He has such a boyish look to him Bess couldn't help but imagine every cliche high school romance trope with him as the star. Nancy meeting him made her very jealous! She begged her to give him her number - who knows what could've happened!

Rick Arlen (from Stay Tuned For Danger) A soap opera star who is just a DILF. Even if he wasn't a dad. . . or even that old. She's watched all of his soap operas and can't believe he told Nancy to stay beautiful, oh my gosh!

Jeff Akers (from the Ghost Dogs of Moon Canyon) This was a purely long-distance crush based on what Nancy told her via phone calls. Oh, how she made Jeff to be so dreamy. He was a park ranger - obviously he was cute. She eventually lost interest in him within a few hours especially when Nancy spoke about all the busy-work he gave her. Ugh. Buzzkill.

some of her ex-boyfriends:

Matt Deon (from the Haunted Carousel) Matt was the cute boy at the movie theatre she had a huge crush on. She had slipped him her number when she went to get her popcorn bucket refilled after watching a movie. He waited so long to call her (i.e. the next day). She had approached him solely on his looks (and that he always gave her extra popcorn). Their shared interests were listening to music and shopping. He was actually amazing at coming on shopping trips and she had a great time with him a lot. They broke up when he moved away from River Heights (despite trying to be long-distance for a month or so).

Dave Gregory (from Secret of Shadow Ranch) Bess did not have a steady back home, Dave Gregory. Dave and her were a summer fling while she stayed at her aunt and uncle's ranch. He was a bit shy and Bess was. . . not. Their relationship was fun and flirty. He taught her to ride a horse. They went on fun dates around the town. . . they went to a carnival together. But he kind of ignored her (at least it felt like it) and she quickly ended the relationship that night.

Dave Evans Yes, Bess dated another Dave back-to-back. Dave Evans was a 'skater boi' and a bit of a tech nerd. Visually, they didnt vibe. Him grungy and her bubblegum pink. But they got each other so very well. He loved her softness and spice and energy. She loved his smile, his cleverness, and his Labrador gamer ways. They dated for a year and half before they mutually broke up.

Kevin Kim (from the Last Train to Moon Canyon) Kevin is a clumsy boy who worked at the local ice cream shop Scoop. He had moved to town that fall and Bess claimed it was love at first sight. She began flirting with him immediately (despite George's warnings). They lasted one month, separating after she caught him on a date with another girl. . . at the ice cream shop too!

Charlie Marino (from The Haunting of Castle Malloy) Charlie is a local boy from River Heights; she's known him most of her life from kindergarten to college. They get together at a pool party hosted by the Dunhills. Their relationship lasted the summer - a summer of pool dates, sunscreen-flavored kisses, and cuddling in the back of a pick-up truck. When he went back to college, he broke up with her.

Logan Mitchell (from Shadow at the Water's Edge): Savannah Woodham's assistant. Bess' initial interaction with Logan was to get him to help Nancy, flirting with him to get Nancy access to Savannah. It was a bit mean but fun. He bought her a new outfit even! And when they got talking. . . they really had a lot in common. They both liked researching things so they could talk about random things in circles and they both liked exploring different foods and he was really sweet. They dated long-distance for about a year. He began to get more invested with work and Bess saw their phonecalls and texts become secondary to his work. She broke up with him. Nancy later told her that he was also fired from his job a few months later.

[docrotten]

BLUEBEARD (1944) – Episode 179 – Decades Of Horror: The Classic Era

“I don’t smoke. But I always have matches with me. I find they frequently come in handy.” You never know when you or someone you’re with might want to signal someone by lighting a match. Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff and Jeff Mohr with guests Michael Zatz and Gregory Crosby – as they discuss Bluebeard (1944), a film far exceeding its poverty-row origin.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 179 – Bluebeard (1944)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

  In Paris, an artist hires portrait models, and after he finishes their portraits, he strangles them.

Directed by: Edgar G. Ulmer

Writing Credits: Pierre Gendron (screenplay); Arnold Lipp (as Arnold Phillips) and Werner H. Furst (story)

Produced by: Leon Fromkess (producer); Martin Mooney (associate producer) 

Music by: Leo Erdody (as Erdody)

Cinematography by: Eugen Schüfftan (uncredited); Jockey Arthur Feindel (camera operator) (director of photography) (as Jockey A. Feindel) (credit only)

Production Design: Edgar G. Ulmer (uncredited)

Selected Cast:

John Carradine as Gaston Morel

Jean Parker as Lucille Lutien

Nils Asther as Inspector Jacques Lefevre

Ludwig Stössel as Jean Lamarte (as Ludwig Stossel)

George Pembroke as Inspector Renard

Teala Loring as Francine Lutien

Sonia Sorel as Renee Claremont

Henry Kolker as Deschamps

Emmett Lynn as Le Soldat

Iris Adrian as Mimi Robert

Patti McCarty as Babette

Carrie Devan as Constance

Anne Sterling as Jeanette Le Beau

Harry Cording as Policeman (uncredited)

Frank Darien as Inquiry Judge (uncredited)

Bess Flowers as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Mabel Forrest as Woman (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Eddie Hall as Paul (uncredited)

John Maxwell Hayes as Man (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

George Irving as The Duke of Carineaux (uncredited)

Ethelreda Leopold as Laughing Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Jeff and Daphne are joined by guest hosts Gregory Crosby and Michael Zatz, for a John Carradine extravaganza. Director Edgar G. Ulmer, along with Carradine, an accomplished cast, and a ringer for a cinematographer spin an effective and atmospheric tale about the serial killer known as “Bluebeard” with style, class, and unexpected charm. While on the fringes of horror, Bluebeard should not be missed. Check out what the Grue-Crew has to say if you need more convincing.

At the time of this writing, Bluebeard is available to stream from the Classic Horror Movie Channel, Wicked Horror TV, Amazon Prime, MGM+, Screambox, Tubi, and PlutoTV. It is also available on physical media as the standard Blu-ray format 80th Anniversary Edition from Kino Lorber.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Up next in their very flexible schedule, as chosen by Doc, is The Lost Continent (1968), the Hammer film that features blood beasts, torture pits, giant jaw-snapping mollusks, a floating death ship, crazed kelp monsters, and fiery destruction … at least, according to the poster. A couple of familiar faces will join the Classic Era Grue Crew: Bill Mulligan (Decades of Horror 1970s and 1980s) and Richard Klemensen, the publisher of The Little Shoppe of Horrors: The Journal of Classic British Horror Films and the voice you hear on the commentary for the Scream Factory Blu-ray of The Lost Continent.

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com

To each of you from each of them, “Thank you so much for watching and listening!”

Check out this episode!

[davidlavieri]

The pedestrians are hieratic and sane, their eyes are cold and lucid, their features hard. The motors and the little taps on brakes slowly approach music theory. I slow my pace to relax. The wills of destiny seize me like an animal. Stay in line to see what will happen.

I haven't reached Carrefour de l'Odéon yet, but I already feel all the pedestrian and automobile traffic strung together by the hint of a future lyrical creation, by the warm and metallic decision of some angel rolling about in the spheres of floors and roofs installed above us, so close to us, in multidirectional circles, like the master of an organ's keyboard whose sonorous mechanisms are the people of Paris and their machines, happily obsolete despite their elegant gears.

Jacques Besse, The Great Easter

[punchylr]

Nancy Drew Games: all the romance

Here is a list of all the romance.  I put this together so I’d have something to refer to while making my queer headcanons.

1. Connie likes Daryl but Daryl likes Nancy.  Hulk alludes to romantic interest in girls.  (Nothing with Hal.)

3. (Nothing with anyone.)

4. Jacques and Isabelle got married.  Prof. H likes Dr. Bakhoum.  Lisa thinks Jacques is cute and says he's washed up now skiing-wise but at least his looks haven't gone down the tubes. (Nothing with Dexter.)

5. Not sure.  Nick and the demolition boss’s daughter?  Simone and Georgie?  Brady branded as heartthrob?

6. Henrik had a wife.  (Nothing with Joanna, Alejandro, or Taylor.)

7. Red had a wife.  (Nothing with Jeff or Emily.)

8. Elliott may like Poppy.  (Nothing with Ingrid, Joy, or Harlan.)

9. (Nothing with anyone.)

10. Tex and Mary like each other.  Dave liked Nancy.  (Nothing with Shorty.)

11. Linda is married.  Mrs. Drake had a husband.  Jane has a celebrity crush on Brady.  (Nothing with Ethel or Nigel.)

12. Jim has a wife.  (Nothing with Emily, Jane, or Richard.)

Lori and Tino dated.  (Nothing with John or Charleena.)

14. Heather likes Dieter but Dieter likes Minette.  (Nothing with JJ or Jean.)

15. Mike had a wife.  Not sure about Pua and Quigley.  Mike makes it sound like Pua went out with some guys, and it sounds like Quigley might like that movie producer.  (Nothing with Dr. Craven.)

16. Ollie has a wife.  (Nothing with Bill, Lou, Lupe, or Yanni.)

17. I hope Henry dumped Summer.  Dr. Buford alluded to a romantic past.  (Nothing with Lamont or Renee.)

18. Colin liked Nancy.  Margherita had a husband.  Helena says it’s a shame about Colin’s personality because he’s not bad looking.

19. Kit liked Kyler but Kyler married Matt.  (Nothing with Donal.)

21. Izzy and Leela liked Jacob.  (Nothing with Rachel, Mel, or Corine.)

22. Frosty likes Lori.  Pa had a wife.  (Nothing with Chase, Debbie, or Scott.)

23. Takae had a husband.  Miwako and Rentaro dated.  (Nothing with Yumi.)

24. Karl likes Mildred.  Anja and Markus dated.  (Nothing with Renate or Lukas.)

25. Alexei liked Maggie.  Toni liked Tommy.

26. Lily likes Dylan.  Dylan had a girlfriend and Lily is his type.  Dr. Bakhoum had a wife that he divorced for being tactless.  (Not sure about Jamila.  She says she’s going to have a daughter but there’s adoption.  How can she be so sure she’s going to have a girl unless she’s going to adopt and can choose the gender?)

27. Mason went on dates.  (Nothing with Ryan, Ellie, or Grey.)

28. Savannah and Wade like each other.  Colton likes Lexie.  Clara and Austin.  Jessalyn had boyfriends.  (Nothing with Harper.)

30. Bess likes Sonny but Sonny doesn't care.  Leena and Patrick like each other.  Kiri has been on dating shows.

31. Grigor alluded to romance.  Xenia and Thanos power couple?  (Nothing with Niobe.)

32. Elisabet and Magnus like each other.  Gunnar had a wife.  Dagny liked Alicia.  (Nothing with Soren?)