#james nicholls imagine

[smolvenger]

Miss Narracott and The Captain, Chapter One

Fandom: War Horse

Pairing: Captain James Nicholls x fem! Reader

Summary: It is 1912. You are Y/N Narracott, the older sister of Albert Narracott. You must do what you can so your family can keep their farm. And so your brother can keep his beloved horse. Under financial struggles, you never expect romance to come into your life...until you have a chance encounter with James Nicholls- a Captain with a knack for drawing. But the threat of war lingers in the air...

A03//My Ko-Fi//My Etsy Shop//Masterlist//Wattpad

Chapter Word Count: 4K

Taglist: @evelyn-kingsley @jennyggggrrr @five-miles-over @fictive-sl0th @ladycamillewrites @villainousshakespeare @holdmytesseract @eleniblue @twhxhck @lokisgoodgirl @lovelysizzlingbluebird @raqnarokr @holymultiplefandomsbatman @michelleleewise

Warnings: A horse ALMOST gets shot but lives. Landlords being landlords. Period Typical Attitudes. But very fluffy with cottagecore vibes and a meet-cute with the captain.

A/N: You can decide if you want to be a member of the family by birth or adoption. I try to make Reader fics as neutral in appearance as I humanly can. I hope you like this! It won't get too super sad or angsty and will have a very happy ending- so enjoy! Comments, asks, reblogs, and messages about my works are always appreciated!

“If the rent’s not paid by October, the farm is foreclosed. And I take the horse, too!” the Landlord had threatened in your kitchen, finishing his tea.

Gritting your teeth, you let your arms fall to the sides. Your mum cleared his cup and saucer. Then she met you where you stood, a frown on her face. You tried to slip your hand in hers. Your younger brother, Albert, was slowly heaving beneath his flannel shirt and overalls.  And your dad only sat at the table, his fingers twitching to get the flask you knew was in his pocket. But even his white whiskers couldn’t hide his own frown.

Those words made stiff and haunted you- all of you.  Just as the Bible verses in embroidery decorated about the house, those words were about you. Staring at you.

Foreclosed. Foreclosed. Foreclosed.

You decided to get a job as a shop girl in the town nearby. Dad and Albert had to work the fields constantly. Too much to mend and do for any other occupation. Mum ran the house with an iron fist. She’d say she’d have to stay at home. She’d say the place needed at least one woman. Not two, you noted-one. You were available. You could do it.

The day you announced you got the job, and that the paychecks would help go to rent, your mum wiped happy tears.  She kissed you.

“All of it’s going to the rent,” you promised her.

“No-keep a little!” she shook her dark head. Strands kept falling form her bun- she was an active woman, always thinking, always working. Even her own hair would not stay still.

“No- all! We all need it!” you refused.

It would be a sacrifice. But a sacrifice that would keep a roof over your heads. Hopefully.

“Whatever you pick- it’s your choice. I’m proud of you, my girl. All of us are…” she said before sweeping you into a hug.

After all, It was what you could do to bring money in. To keep that word from ringing in your head.

Foreclosed. Foreclosed. Foreclosed.

That was the word that motivated you to get up from bed in the morning. You shivered from the chill in your little room. Not that you were unused to getting up early. You lived with your family on a farm after all.

Besides, you loved the farm you lived on. It was a beautiful place. You and your family stayed in a stone house, two stories, thatched with a roof. The rolling green and brown hills could be seen from your bedroom window. You loved watching the sun rise and shine past your lacy white curtains. Stone gates trailed all over the place separating the gardens, shed, laundry area, crop fields, chicken coop, and backyard.

And there was no shame in being farmers, as dad would say. Farmers kept the country going and would for all eternity.

 As you looked up, the morning was shining pink. Peeking down, you could see Dad and Albert, going about distributing hay and making sure the animals were fed. Dad had some hay while Albert was filling his bucket with oats.

After washing yourself with a cloth and hot water, you dressed into socks, corset, shoes, petticoats, skirt, and blouse. You double checked to make sure there were no mud stains on your checked, white and blue blouse and blue skirt. You had to look presentable.

That morning, you sat at the table. Mum ate fast and ran off to begin a mountain of laundry. You were eating breakfast and drinking coffee from a beautiful porcelain cup with a painted flower on it.  Enjoying a moment of peace before your shift began.  There was the sonatas of birds and the rooster outside of a country morning. Accompanied by the clucking of chickens that wandered about the stone pathways on the grass. Albert walked in from outside, wiping off his hands on his pants.

“Y/N! Morning” he cheered. Already his cheeks were ruddy from the exercise and air.

“Albie! Good morning! How’s all the creatures?” you asked.

“All well-all well. Wish us luck- gonna start training Joey today! Gonna put the plow on him. If anyone can, it’s me!” he announced.

He sat down, slabbed a slice of bread with butter, and stuffed it in his face.

It was always dark inside the house. The stone blocked the sunlight except for the windows. Pots were on the ceiling over your head. Your embroidery was decorated over the walls. Over the crackling fireplace was a bookshelf with a book and a tiny clock. You kept peeking at it to make sure you weren’t going to be late for the nine am shift. fireplace. Little potted plants and flowers sat everywhere- inside the house on tables and counters and outside on windowsills. You and mum did you best to make sure the place was cozy. Pretty even. She taught you how to garden and put flowers into little clay pots. You both spent that early spring down on your skirts. Patting the dark dirt over the seeds and watering them.

Albert went to the corner of the kitchen section of the room. On the counter, right before the window overlooking the garden, was a bowl of fresh fruit. He grabbed an apple, shined it on his vest, and bit into it. Then he peeked outside and gasped.

“Y/N-come! Look at the garden! Your flowers!” he cried.

It was a lovely spring day. Looking about, you were glad to see the crocuses you had planted were in bloom. So much beauty even amidst the great stress. You kept only ten percent of the wages and decided to use it on crocus seeds to put in the flower section of the garden. Now it was speckled with the pretty flowers across the grass, nearby the carrots and tomatoes.  

Albert pointed to the window. You got up and your eyes followed his finger.

A little brown rabbit was in the flower garden. It went to one blossom and was chewing away.

“Hmm, should we stop him?” you teased.

Albert shook his brown head. Part of you predicted he would answer this- bless Albert! His soft heart for animals was his best quality!

“No! Don’t!” he cried.

“Well good thing I agree! He looks quite content- cute little fellow!” you commented.

Looking more carefully, it was quite small. Perhaps still a baby. Both you and Albert paused to admire the adorable intruder.

“What should we name should we give him?” you asked.

The rabbit finished the bloom of one crocus. It then hopped forward and began chewing on another. His miniscule mouth nibbling on the leaf of the stem.

“His name should be Peter- just like the old stories!” Albert decided.

“That’s a wonderful name! You always have the best names for the animals, Albie! But… if it’s a girl?” you pointed out.

“Then let’s call her after one of the sisters- let’s call her Mopsy!” Albert said.

“Good idea! That fits the theme!” you laughed in agreement.

Besides,  you were glad the rabbit ate the flowers. Glad it wasn’t one of the crops that would serve as both income and supper. Mum would have had a fit. Dad might have shot it for lunch.

But both of you smiled as you watched the creature breakfast along with the two of you. The little bunny finished his stolen meal and hopped off. It easily squeezed through the wooden gate and escaped.

“I should plant more- give it a whole salad bowl!” you suggested.

“I wouldn’t complain if you did- invite all the rabbit sisters and the mum too!” Albert added on.

It was a lovely day. The air was cool, the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the field was green. All this beauty even amidst such fear. Such stress. Some even whispered of a war. Didn’t the landlord say something about a war? No, that was too much. That must have been your imagination.

“Don’t be late- Y/N! Good luck! Maybe this might be the day you meet a handsome stranger at work!” Albert teased, he wiggled his eyebrows.

You rolled your eyes.

“Oh, the only strangers I meet nowadays are customers! And the men aren’t handsome-I’ll tell you that! And Albie-does he like carrots?”

He nodded, handing you a leftover carrot.

“One tip- offer it to him by turning backwards!” he added.

“Put it in my basket-I’ll see you later,” you said.  

After putting a carrot into your lunch basket, Albert returned to the table. He scooped up more of breakfast and ate a second helping. As you walked out to the stone pathway through the ground, there was a sudden honk from below.

The proud goose, more intent on making mischief than productivity, strutted your way. He blocked your path. He raised his head and flapped your wings as if he was the king of England. He ran- flipper before your feet.

“Oh, please! Let me through! Shoo!” you scolded.

He had to chase anyone and everyone on the farm. And that didn’t stop at the residents. Last week, he charged the landlord and his posse as they left. They fled to their motorcar like he was a giant bull and not a little goose. Both you and Albert tightened your lips at the sight and then laughed about it later.

You, however, were used to Goose’s antics. No other name fit him, according to Albert. He was what he was-Goose. You let him take his beak to nip a bit of your skirt and shake it with his flexible, goosey neck. Then you gave a light tug, and he relented and released. He then flapped his wings again around you. He began honking out again as if urging you to work.

“I have five minutes before I need to get walking! But I’m going to say goodbye to Joey first!” you replied to the gander.

As you made your path to the backyard you heard him honk behind you. Intent on nipping more of your petticoats per his own Goose ritual. But as you got closer, there was the sound of a whinny and the clutter of hooves in the back yard.  The goose gave a goodbye honk in surprise and eyeing the much bigger creature in the backyard, fled.

It was the newest addition. Joey. A beautiful young colt. On his way to growing into a magnificent stallion.  Joey was brown as a rich tree trunk with the white diamond on his snout. Every time you went out to see the young horse, he would neigh loudly and break into a run. It made you back off every time, your hands up as if to calm him. Throughout the day, you and your parents often had to jump back to avoid getting run over as Joey dashed through the yard. Albert insisted he was spirited, but good.

Joey was an Irish Hunter- not the usual breed for farms. Your dad noticed his strength and energy at an auction and bought it, claiming he would become a  plow horse. And how did he buy it? With Rent money. And Joey by now had become the apple of Albert’s eye. The house was at stake based on if Joey could be trained to plow. That is if your own shopgirl wages could not save the farm from foreclosure.

  Dad tried to put a plough over Joey and the horse bucked away. You cried when Dad got his gun to kill the beautiful animal. You, Mum, and Albert all yelled at him to keep him from shooting it that day. You tried to physically hold him back by hugging him, tugging the trigger out of target. Mum let out a scream when Albert got between. Thankfully, he gave in when Albert announced he would train the horse. He was the one Joey would listen to the most.

It cheered you to see Joey alive this morning. Galloping about freely. You knew how happy he made Albert. You wondered if such a wild, free creature would even shine to you. From your basket, you got out the carrot. You leaned your arm over the gate and clicked your tongue to get his attention.

“Here, Joey…how about a treat?” you offered.

Joey clopped forward.

“Here, Joey, come on! Come on, love!” you urged.

He went, but then backed off, shaking his head and long, black mane with a brush of his lips. You let out a sigh. Then you turned around, leaning your hand backward.

“Come on, Joey- you’re going to learn to plow today. You’ll need a little extra strength! I’m not dad-I’m your friend!” you urged.

If you made no sudden movements, it wouldn’t scare him to raise his front hooves and kick your head You heard his feet trotting close to you. Then you felt his wet mouth open and accept the carrot. As you turned around to see him eat it, you smiled.

“Oh-you took it for once!  Good boy! Good boy! And keep being a good boy today- I got to work today… and so do you. But between us, we can help keep the farm afloat- can we?” you wondered out loud.

The horse blinked in response. To think there was something in common you shared with the colt. You gently reached out a hand, and he let you pet his nuzzle.

“See-even letting me pet you for once! Every day you’re improving! You better do what Albert says-I’ll see you later, goodbye Joey!” you wished.

As you walked up the tiny slope to leave, you picked up your petticoat and tiptoed around the mud. You had to look as presentable as you could for a farm girl. Opening the wooden gate, you made your way to town.

You walked down into town, keeping to the sidewalks away from the motorcars. People busied about you, ready to begin their own jobs. You walked right to the shop. Even before opening there were already customers waiting to buy things just outside. Their noses touched the front windows. You went inside to the counter, tied an apron around your skirt, and switched the sign on the window to “OPEN.”

So began another day. Today, you made sure there were catalogues displaying a new selection of dresses for women. It was hard not to drool over them from the corner of your eye. Not to envy the daughters of lords of the land who had the surplus allowances to order them here. You sometimes saw them enter the shop with their maids by their sides.

How you wished you could be a lady! They couldn’t come from a farming family. And even more importantly, they didn’t work. You heard all about them. How you daydreamed about it night and day.

You could live in a giant manor house. You’d have a maid to do your hair and drape you in dresses and pretty jewels. So would mum! And how handsome both dad and Albert would look in tuxedoes at dinner! Mum would have to present you at court. You would come out and get to briefly meet the king and queen themselves! Then you’d go to fancy balls. There would be handsome suitors who would wait in lines outside your door to kiss your gloved hand with their unworthy lips. You would have no concerns except for which pair of gloves to wear. And which eligible bachelor to marry. Then he’d ask for your hand and there would be a giant wedding full of pomp and splendor. Then you’d move into another manor and eat breakfast in bed every day! You would relax and not have to do a minute of work!

Perhaps…you would meet someone if you moved out…or if by a miracle, you got a scholarship to a university or lived in another town, far from Devon…

You knew you did not have enough to move out on your own. Besides, even if you did- how could you? How could you abandon your family when they needed you? When they needed help? Especially since dad had a weakness for wasting money on booze until he drunkenly stumbled to bed in the wee morning hours. The landlord would sigh and remind all of you he ran a business, not a charity. Every time.

But sadly, you had to go back to reality.  You could only fantasize in catalogues and magazines showing off the latest overpriced fashions from London. You did grab an issue to look at during your minutes off. You went down for the post-lunch break. You began to sip on tea, look at the catalogue, and rest your weary feet from hours of standing.

But after you returned the shopkeeper, Mrs. Snow, went up to you in a hurry. And the shop was filled with eager people eyeing all the half-off sales.

“Oh, Miss Narracott! Look what I found!” she cried.

She brought forth a little black book.

“A gentleman was just here-I saw him with it! He placed it down on the table and left without it! He should be right outside- And it’s so busy now- could you please run off and get it to him?” she instructed.

“How will I know it’s him?” you asked.

“You’ll see him in a uniform- like a sore thumb! Please return it to him!” she pleaded.

“What kind of uniform?” you asked.

Immediately, a lady was at the counter with five spools of ribbons. She was frowning and tapping her gloved hand on the wooden surface.

“Just go! Go, girl!” Mrs. Snow urged. She pushed the book into your hands.

You nodded and hurried outside. But you looked around and noticed the people outside. Bowler hats and blouses blended in around you. None of the men seemed concerned about anything. They only got out the pocket watches from their waistcoats to check the time.  

What uniform- a university uniform? A police officer uniform? A chef’s uniform, even? You saw none of those as you looked about.

Curiosity hit you- what was in this book? Maybe he would return. And you could steal a little bit of time to rest your mind from work again.

The book was thin, so it couldn’t be a novel. Perhaps it was a short story? A photo album?

You opened it and saw a pencil drawing of a woman at a piano-it was a sketchbook. But her hair, her dress, and the doily over the instrument was perfection in its attention to detail.

They were some of the most realistic drawings you had ever seen. You flipped past one to find another more beautiful than the last. You saw one of a willow tree- it was as if the tree the were drawn merely shrunk in size. When you saw an old man’s face, each wrinkled line was as if he jumped into the drawing or was in frtont of you. They were nearly perfect. Why weren’t these already in a museum?  You flipped another page-the most impressive of all. It was the drawing of a large stallion,  colored to be a rich black. He was on his back hooves, raising his might front legs into the air.  He was like a mythological beast rather than some common horse. And at the bottom, was some writing.

“TOPTHORN- CPN J. N.”

You were so invested in admiring it, a baritone voice had to break you out.

“Excuse me miss-“

Jumping at the sound, your head went up.

You saw a gentleman. A tall gentleman. And yes- an astonishingly handsome gentleman. He took off his hat, perhaps to show respect in the presence of a lady. His eyes were absolutely piercing in their blueness, as if he could see right through you to your guts. But they were soft, like two sapphires on his lovely ivory face. He had a uniform on- a soldier’s uniform.

“Miss…what is your name?” he asked.

“Y/N Naracott. And you are?” you replied.

“Nicholls. Captain James Nicholls.” He answered.

“Is the sketchbook yours? Left in that shop?” you asked, holding up the book.

“Yes, it is,” he answered.

“I’m so sorry- I work for the shop and was intent on returning it. But I got curious and peeked inside,” you blurted.

With his gaze on you, you felt warm. Suddenly aware of every bit of your appearance and movements. It was everything in your to not go into a giddy panic and flee from bashfulness. You forced your feet still.

“Don’t be, you did nothing wrong…” he said.

Turning to the page with the black horse, you lightly traced it’s outline.

 “The drawings they’re…they’re beautiful! Was it a gift?” you questioned.

“It’s mine. My drawings…” he explained.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I should have guessed!” you babbled out.

“No, don’t be at all!” he replied. He grinned at you.

Smoothing your skirt, tucking in the blouse, you felt the wind knock out of you at his smile.

“I just thought they were…they were beautiful! My favorite’s the horse here! Horses are so hard to draw- but the way you got his shape, his legs, his body-he’s so lifelike! I thought a real artist must have them- not a soldier!” you added on.

“That’s Topthorn. He’s my Major’s horse. An impressive beast- I had to capture him,” he explained.

He took a step closer. Goodness, the uniform really did make him even more attractive! It made you dizzy. Your mouth moved faster than your brain.

“You should meet my brother. He’d love the horse drawing. We have a new horse and he’s obsessed with-“

 The same lady walked out with a bag of her purchased ribbons from the corner of your eye. It shut you up. Captain Nicholl’s turned to glance at her, and then back at you.

“I don’t wish to keep you from working, Miss Narracott, here- I’ll walk you back,” he offered.

It was not a very long distance at all. But you were grateful. There were worse things than being accompanied by a pleasant, gallant, handsome young captain.

“Are you new in town?” you asked him at the door.

“Just stationed. Staying here for the moment.” he explained.

“Then, welcome to Devon! I hope you like it,’ you greeted.

He nodded his head. He opened the door for you to walk inside.

“I already do,” he replied.

There was a whistle. Captain Nicholls turned his head to the outside. There was another group of men in army uniform nearby. One tall gentleman with a mustache called out.

“Hey! Jim! Stop flirting with the girl and get back!”

You flinched and saw his cheeks turn a little pink. You dipped your head down. Would that phrase cause a scandal- even a small one? On one hand, flirting was completely discouraged between men and women. There was no flirting until you were engaged. Then one could be absolutely sure a gentleman had pure intentions. You could be sure a gentleman wasn’t a skirt chaser and seducer.

But on the other hand- you both weren’t a duke and debutante at a ball. Just two village people having a chat. And flirting…maybe…maybe he did already…notice you…liked you…

“Well, I’ll see you around, Captain,” you said.

“And I you, Miss Narracott. Thank you again for returning the book,” he replied.

He dipped his head, put his hat back on, and left.

“Bless you, girl! Took you ages to find him! But you did! Now- it’s time to get back!” Mrs. Snow urged from the shop counter.

The busy crowd kept you on your feet, but you felt ready. The hours flew until closing. You could deal with even the most demanding customers with a smile on your face. As you flipped the sign to close and returned home, you found yourself looking forward to tomorrow.  Besides, maybe the new captain might return for a visit.  

[so-much-history-in-these-streets]

AFTG PLAYLIST - NORA'S PICKS

(If Nora blogged it or tagged it, it's here - I hope I got them all, feel free to add if I didn't!)

The Foxhole Court Lean On - Major Lazer & DJ Snake I'm Not A Saint - Billy Raffoul State of My Head - Shinedown

The Sunshine Court Breathe - Lo Spirit

Seth Gordon Hey, What's Up - Munn Someone, Please Come Help - Munn

Neil Josten Scars - Boy Epic

Andrew Minyard Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold

Kevin Day I'm So Sorry - Nico Collins Burning Castles - Nathan Wagner

Jean Moreau Bird Set Free - Sia Movements - Daylily

Jean & Neil Used to the Darkness - Des Rocs

Nicky Hemmick Saints - Echos Cat & Jean My Same - Adele Jeremy & Laila Count On Me - Bruno Mars

Jean/Renee Walk Thru Fire - ViceTone She Is The Sunlight - Trading Yesterday

Minyard Confetti - Charlotte Cardin

Neil/Andrew Perfectly Broken - Banners

Jeremy Knox I Am - Tom Walker Best Day Of My life - American Authors

Jean/Jeremy The Other Side - The Greatest Showman Stargazing - Myles Smith

Carry You Home - Alex Warren

Kevin & Jean

Shinedown - Through The Ghost Xavier & Min A Boy Named Pluto - Hailey Knox Jean & Elodie (I’m Guessing, tagged: J&E) All of the Stars - Ed Sheeran Cody Winter Not Like I’m In Love With You - LEW

"To be tagged later" A Friend Like You - Andy Grammer

(tagged as 'not technically a TSC song' or as 'writing' in 2023) You're Not Alone - Saosin Hear Me Now - Framing Hanley Darkest Hour - Astrid S Might Love Myself - Baretooth My Brother - MisterWives Wings - Birdy Depression - Nathan Wagner Love Me Now, Or Lose Me Later - Kygo, Matt Hansen Untagged - (maybe just music she likes) Shots - Imagine Dragon Let's Hurt Tonight - One Republic La Di Die - Nessa Barrett I'm Doing Fine - Mike Waters Who Are You - SVRCINA Stole the Show - Kygo ft Parson James Sound of Surviving - Nichole Nordeman Pieces - Daughtry

[naquey]

Drake loves Marnie

taglist: @myloveforhergoeson @partiallypearl (i hope you two are okay with a tag on this even if its not really all that btr centered)

Character(s): Drake Parker, Josh Nichols, Megan Parker, Audrey Parker-Nichols, Walter Nichols, Mindy Crenshaw, Lucy Stone, Camille Roberts, Lynette Smith oc, Veronica Clark oc, Kendall Knight, James Diamond, Logan Mitchell, Carlos Garcia

Pairing(s): Drake Parker/Marnie Jones, Kendall Knight/Veronica Clark, Mindy Crenshaw & Marnie Jones, Veronica Clark & Marnie Jones

a/n: I wrote wedding headcanons a while back, but I finally decided to do justice by writing a one-shot/drabble for it! The title is taken from the episode from Drake & Josh "Mindy likes Josh"

It was the night before her wedding, and she wanted to stay inside, watch a movie, and maybe make some brownies or cookies. At twenty-five, Marnie didn’t want much to do with clubbing or late-night partying, but it was never her thing in high school. She spent a lot of time going to Drake’s concerts and following after him to clean up his messes. In another universe, her bachelorette “party” would have been Audrey, Mindy, Megan, and herself, but when Drake moved to the Palm Woods, she met quite a few people to fill her social circle. Lucy was a rockstar, Camille was a famous actress, Lynette was one-fourth of a girl singing group, and Ronnie was an aspiring singer who started as a songwriter for Big Time Rush. Audrey was kind enough to let the girls celebrate tomorrow's wedding at her house. 

“I still can’t believe you’re marrying my brother. My stupid, lazy, pathetic brother.” Megan was helping her mom set up the group. Marnie felt a bit awkward because neither of them wanted to help. 

“He’s not… Okay, he can be a little stupid– Are you sure you don’t want me to help?” 

“Nonsense! You shouldn’t have to lift a finger.” Audrey smiled brightly as she grabbed blankets from the downstairs closet. 

“I appreciate that. I do, but–” 

“You know, I never thought Drake would ever get married. Not with the way he treated all those girls in high school.” Megan pulled out a chair and sat down. ��Much less get married at twenty-five.” 

“Megan,” Audrey chided. 

“What? I’m saying what we’re both thinking.” 

Marnie laughed and shook her head. Even at nineteen, she was still the same at age eleven. The sibling dynamics hadn’t changed, and this was a family that Marnie was happy to be a part of. She could only hope her brother Eddie wasn’t giving her husband-to-be a hard time. Her brother could be pretty over-protective, or at least he was in his twenties. She could only imagine he had mellowed out ever since. The same couldn’t be said for her sister. She would have loved to have her sister Emilie be a part of the bridal party, but unfortunately, it couldn’t happen. Her sister would have been her maid of honor, but instead, Mindy was her maid of honor. 

For years, Audrey had welcomed Marnie into the Parker-Nichols home with open arms, and she wanted to repay her somehow. It was only fair to find a way to repay her. Although they were all adults, there was no alcohol. Drake’s bachelor party most likely had alcohol and a lot of it. Knowing Josh planned his brother’s bachelor party, she could assume he would try to catch his brother slip up because even years later, Josh always tried to catch his brother in a lie. 

Marnie jumped to get the door before Audrey and Megan, a big smile stretched across her face. Mindy was the first to arrive. For a moment, Marnie swore she was looking at someone who hadn’t aged. Mindy was dressed almost the same as in high school, wearing a sweater vest and all. 

“I brought some card games,” she gestured to the purse hanging off the crook of her arm. 

“Mindy, can you believe it? Drake gets married before Josh, of all people.” Megan groaned and threw her head back. Mindy rolled her eyes and shed her shoes at the door, slotting them into the cubby by the door. 

“We should be questioning Marnie’s sanity.” It may have been a joke, but she couldn’t help but take it personally. Marnie knew that Drake Parker was not the best person, but he didn’t have to be the best person. How he acted in high school doesn’t define him, and he grew into quite a gentleman. 

“Okay, okay. No more making fun of Drake, and especially no more making fun of Marnie getting married to him.” Audrey chided the two as she set the extra blankets and pillows in one of the recliners. It wasn’t the bachelorette party that was a sleepover, but it would make everything easier for it to be a sleepover. 

“Honestly, I figured I would get married first between us,” Mindy whispered and nudged Marnie. 

Her other friends showed up soon after Mindy arrived, and their night of activities could finally start. Sitting around in a circle with her friends at home was cozy, unlike being out at some party. She didn’t need anything crazy, but she was okay as long as she had her friends. The group played card games and shared embarrassing stories. Audrey made brownies for all of them, and it was a relatively good night. This was an experience that Marnie never got to have in high school, and it was freeing to share this experience with people who cared about her. She also didn’t get to see Lucy, Ronnie, Lynette, or Camille as often because of their schedules. 

Megan and Audrey went to bed early, leaving Marnie, Lucy, Camille, Mindy, Lynette, and Ronnie to talk amongst themselves. The group sat in the living room, the lights dim. Marnie sat cross-legged in the middle of the couch next to Mindy and Ronnie. 

“James would not stop talking about the bouquet toss,” Lynette laughed softly. She reached for a brownie on the coffee table. 

“Kendall wouldn’t either!” Ronnie’s eyes lit up. 

“Do neither of them know that the bride typically throws her bouquet to a group of women?” Mindy quirked a brow. “It’s not like they’d be able to catch it either way,” 

“Hold on,” Marnie put her hand on Mindy’s shoulder. “If Kendall and James want to catch the bouquet, I’m not stopping them. There are no rules about the bouquet toss.” 

“I think it’s sweet they’re planning to marry you,” Camille sighed wistfully and leaned against the recliner. For some reason, she was sitting on the floor. 

Mindy frowned. Initially, she had been happy for her best friend, but now she couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed in Josh. Didn’t he love her? What was he waiting for? 

No one knew when they fell asleep, but someone’s alarm rang in the morning, scaring them awake. It was the morning of the wedding, and everyone was running around like chickens without heads. Audrey and Mrs. Jones had their hands full helping Marnie with her dress and hair, leaving Mindy and Megan to get bridesmaids into their dresses and put makeup on their faces. Josh had accidentally left Drake’s suit at the house, so everyone was yelling at them when he and his brother came by. It was bad luck to see a bride before the wedding. Drake was dazed as his little sister and Mindy had pushed him out of the house. 

Everything was going well. Spoiler alert: not really. 

The ice sculptures had melted at the venue, and the doves had gone missing. The train of Marnie’s dress had snagged when she got into the car to get driven to the venue. The day was unfolding wildly. What was even better was that the venue was double-booked. Mr. Jones stood toe-to-toe with the father of another bridge, and even with the doors shut, they could still hear the shouting. As the maid of honor, Mindy tried to take the stress away from Marnie and barked orders to everyone. It was challenging to keep Marnie and Drake from accidentally seeing each other before the procession started while the chaos ensued. Kendall and James ran around, trying to wrangle the escaped doves. Logan and Carlos were trying to clean up the water from the melted ice sculptures. It was clear that Mindy and Josh were in over their heads as they tried to get the situation under control. Megan put her skills to work and tried to fix the train on Marnie’s dress. 

But once the disaster had been cleaned up, once the bridal party and guests took their spots, the wedding went off without a hitch. At the altar, Drake kept adjusting his suit and fidgeting with his tie. He was getting antsy. He couldn’t stand in place for much longer. He anxiously kept fixing his hair. The music started, and he froze, his hands falling to their sides. When the double doors opened, and the bridesmaids in their lilac dresses walked through, he waited patiently. Unable to see Marnie until now was killing him. Megan, unironically, was the flower girl. Drake had suggested it jokingly, but his sister would have killed him if he had told her she wasn’t the flower girl. The bride’s walk-in music started, and he swore an angelic light was haloing Marnie. 

Her hair was put up in a bun. Somehow, her curls cooperated with the hairstyle. The golden flowery clips in her hair glittered from the light streaming through the wall-to-ceiling windows. The bouquet she held was an arrangement of blue orchids, pink amaryllis, and white lisianthus. Marnie was glowing, practically glowing. He felt his heart swell three times its size and was breathless. She was ethereal. Her gown was a white, satin, mermaid-styled dress with a lace train. The sleeves hung off the shoulder and were ruffled. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t brought to tears. He didn’t think any girl would agree to getting married, but Marnie surprised him. She stood in front of him, and his heart stopped. 

He should have known that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Marnie. 

The officiant did that schpiel, and Drake had gone over his vows in his head. For once in his life, he prepared for something ahead of time. When it was time for the vows, he took her hands gently, and that small action chased away the anxiety in his chest. 

“I know I’ve messed up a lot and have gotten in my fair share of trouble, but you were always in my corner, helping me every time. You’ve supported me far longer than I could have imagined, making me feel like I’m making the right choice.” Drake paused and took a deep breath. There was a weight on his chest. He had never been this vulnerable. “I love you and want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you, and I’ll support you as much as you’ve supported me.” 

Marnie let his hand go for a second and carefully tried to dab away the tears starting to fall. She smiled and laughed, hoping that it would chase away her tears. 

“Drake,” her voice faltered, and she squeezed his hands. “I’ve loved you for a long time, and I’ve watched you grow into a person you’re proud of being. I–” She paused to clear her throat. “I can’t wait to find out what kind of person you’ll be in the future.” 

Audrey and Walter were crying in the front row, and next to them, Marnie’s parents were crying. Their vows were heartfelt and touching. Josh even teared up a little. This wasn’t something he expected from his brother. Eddie was carrying the rings. He handed the gold bands to the couple, and Marnie and Drake exchanged rings carefully. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and a shred of Drake’s high school persona slipped back in. Marnie squeaked. She didn’t expect to be dipped dramatically but melted into their first kiss as a married couple. It shocked everyone involved when Drake carried her bridle-style down the aisle, but Josh already assumed that his brother had been waiting all day to consummate their marriage. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

At least, the married couple was expected to consummate their marriage. Marnie and Drake had enough time later in the evening to get busy; it was more fun to join their friends at the after-party. For the after-party, Marnie wore shorts, a black lace dress, and a pair of black flats. As much as she would have liked the extra height to poke fun at her husband, she was already taller than him, and the heels were killing her. 

Megan sat at a table with her parents. She was practically bouncing off the walls. The whole night, she had been waiting for the bouquet toss. She wanted to see women tripping over themselves to catch it, but to her surprise, Kendall and James stood out amongst the group of women waiting for Marnie to toss the bouquet. Curiously, Megan looked around for Ronnie and Lynette, only to find them sitting at a table on the other side of the room. Her brows shot up into her hairline, and an evil glint appeared in her eye. Audrey and Walter were preoccupied with talking to Josh and fishing for information about when he’d get married, which gave Megan the perfect opportunity to slip away into the crowd. The women around her gasped as Marnie threw the bouquet, and Megan chuckled under her breath. She “gently” pushed Kendall and stepped on James’ foot “accidentally. But she didn’t expect Kendall to catch the bouquet, so James snatched it from him. The crowd of women had disappointedly dispersed, and Megan returned to her chair to watch the chaos from a safe distance away. 

James and Kendall were best friends; she knew this much, but they were practically playing tug of war with the bouquet. Marnie and Drake exchanged confused looks. Somehow, the two men started rolling around on the ground, but the good thing was they weren’t breaking anything or hitting each other. Megan cackled and sipped on her water. She was enjoying this. She had been waiting for something like this to happen. Somehow, the bouquet had rolled away and stopped at Mindy’s feet. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands. The flowers were crushed and somewhat wilted. Stems were broken, but otherwise, it was good. She turned to Josh and smiled wide, waving it around. Megan laughed at her brother’s despair. 

It was a rough start, but they made it to the after-party. Enough fraternizing with their friends, Marnie and Drake finally slipped away. Megan was observant. She didn’t join in any conversations and instead picked at the pastries provided by her mother’s catering company. People got up and danced to the music. Couples slow danced.

All in all, it was an excellent wedding, and if her brother had kids, she would make fun of him. There was never a moment when Megan wouldn’t make fun of her brother. It brought her joy. She sat back and observed the couples who were semi-drunk. The way they swayed on the dance floor. At one point, she swore she saw her parents at the bar. They were all adults, so it made sense. Now, she hoped Josh and Mindy’s wedding went smoother than this one. 

Kendall and James were pouting about not getting the flower bouquet. Ronnie and Lynette giggled at their boyfriends. 

“We don’t need a bouquet to tell us if we’ll get married next.” Ronnie leaned her head on Kendall’s shoulder. 

“I know.” Kendall was sulking like a toddler. “I wanted to get it for you.” 

“I don’t need a bouquet when I have you,” Ronnie giggled and kissed his cheek. 

James fake gagged and turned away, which caused Lynette to laugh and smack his arm. 

“Come on, let’s dance.” Lynette grabbed him by the hand and led him to the dancefloor, leaving Ronnie and Kendall at the table. 

Ronnie fidgeted with the tablecloth and exhaled sharply. 

“Do you want to get married?” Kendall was surprised by her question and choked on his saliva. 

“Well… Of course!” He sat up and turned his body to face her. He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “I technically have it all thought out. We get married and then have three kids, but I’m unsure if we should put them in private or public school.” 

“Woah, woah. We’ll take it one day at a time. Ronnie snorted. His excitement made her laugh. 

“Well, I want the rest of my life to start right now…”

[jbfly46]

Despite the popularity of "Stranger Things" it is little known that it is actually based on the Montauk Project, a conspiracy that supposedly involved the kidnapping of orphans who were subjected to physical and psychological torture to research the possibility of time travel, teleportation, & mind control.

In 2015, Filmmaker Christopher P. Garetano released his documentary The Montauk Chronicles, based on 10 years’ worth of research, and more recently continued his investigation for the History Channel series, The Dark Files. And he’s not the only one hooked by the conspiracy theory. The legends of Montauk – experiments on children, alien abductions, time travel, psychic powers, journeys to the far side of the galaxy, mind-bending drug tests, and monsters conjured out of thin air – were also the original inspiration for Stranger Things.

The stories are commonly thought to have started with the book The Montauk Project: Experiments in Time by Preston B. Nichols and Peter Moon, a novel about the supposed events. Nichols claims to be an electrical engineer who worked on the project in real-life.

“As I say in the book,” he tells Garetano in Dark Files, “you can believe it as fact, or you can believe it as science fiction.” Nichols’ account, along with those from alleged time-traveller Al Bielek, and a handful of survivors make up the popular narrative of the Montauk conspiracy theories.

Children are said to have been abducted and subjected to horrific torture – with many of them dying – to create Manchurian Candidate-style super spies. According to Nichols, they were “shattering their minds, programming them, then putting them back together.”

The survivors of these experiments are known as the “Montauk Boys”, and the most famous of them is Stewart Swerdlow, a self-professed “Hyperspace Intuitive” who’s part alien abduction survivor, part new age healer (he’ll “de-programme” you from the government’s mind control for a cool $300). According to Swerdlow, alien beings snatched him while his parents were brainwashed; he was then experimented on at Camp Hero, and sent back in time on secret missions.

Another survivor, identified under the alias “James Bruce” in Garetano’s documentaries, recalls mind-bending drug tests in so-called “Acid Houses” at Camp Hero. The drugs, he says, could create psychic link with other subjects.

The US government does have a proven fascination in paranormal phenomenon and parapsychology. In January of this year, the CIA dumped over 13 million files online, revealing details of the agency’s “Stargate” programme, which ran from the 1970s to 1990s and involved tests into psychic abilities, research into UFOs, and a particular interest in “remote viewing” – seeing far-off objects or places with the mind. One file even attempts to document an attempt at astral projection to the surface of Mars.

Between the 1930s and 1970s, the US authorities were responsible for some hideous experiments in the name of science and national security: the Tuskegee syphilis study, which duped African American men into being infected with the disease and left them untreated; MK Ultra, a secret CIA operation into “mind control” techniques for interrogation and torture, which administered drugs to unwitting civilians; and the experiments in Philadelphia’s Holmesburg Prison, where tests were carried out on prisoners’ skin using biochemical substances, including dioxin, a highly carcinogenic ingredient in Agent Orange.

“My thinking is, if happened in one place – or even two or three places – I wouldn’t put it past it happening at Camp Hero,” says Garetano. And with its already-dodgy track record, the US government testing drugs does sound credible next to aliens, monsters, and time travelling soldiers. “Survivors always talk about an injection being given to them,” says Garetano. “You can imagine that a highly experimental hallucinogen could cause them to think they’re seeing these things.”

[alj4890]

Hii 🥰

What is something you love about your MC / OC? You can create and share anything you’d like 😍 HC‘s, moodboards, edits or drabbles. Have fun and gush about your MC / OC 🥰

Also what made you create your MC /OC what was your inspiration?

Eek! I love this idea @peonierose 🤣 So I did a little moodboard, or tried to 🤦🏻‍♀️ I wish I was better at them, LOL! I went with my OC Amanda Bridgerton. *on a side note, I'm still out of town so this was done after long theme park days and nights 😂 So my exhaustion might be shining through with multiple mistakes 🤣

One of the things I love about her is how once she is assured that her love interest returns her feelings, she immediately relaxes and is so giving with her heart and affection. She settles into the role of girlfriend/fiancee/wife with ease and does nothing but look forward to being with the one she loves. Her adoration of her love interest only makes him fall even more in love with her. Her gentleness and humor go a long way to endear her to those she considers hers.

My FC for her is Anne Hathaway. The other two FC's are James Marsden for Maxwell Beaumont and Jon Hamm for Thomas Hunt. Amanda was created at first for Maxwell Beaumont. In my HC, she is a duchess from Cordonia. Her duchy is St Orella. Her parents died at sea when she was twelve and she grew up with Liam, Maxwell, Drake, and Olivia. Her uncle, Nicholas Bridgerton "Uncle Nicky" raised her and was a huge influence on her life as well as her friends' lives. He was warm, fun loving, and wise and died shortly before the events of TRR.

I usually had her either crushing hard on Maxwell or in love with him. In a few older AU's of mine, they always ended up together. Amanda is also a successful author. From the beginning, I had her working with Thomas Hunt and Ryan Summers of Red Carpet Diaries to turn her book about her ancestor into a movie. In the beginning, I had her falling for Ryan Summers when she believed that Maxwell would never see her as anything more than a friend. Then I did something that changed everything 🤣

I decided to write an angsty piece with Maxwell and Amanda. I allowed Thomas Hunt to enter into the picture as a love interest and realized (along with a few others on here) that she was better suited with him than she was with Maxwell.

So the end of Maxwell x Amanda came about and I entered into the Thomas Hunt x Amanda saga.

I must admit writing their love story came about so much easier than when I tried to force her with Maxwell 😂😂😂 Now I can't imagine her with anyone else.

So, regardless of the Love Interest or the AU, Amanda is trying very hard to not be a suitor for Liam because she is desperately in love with either Maxwell or Thomas. And usually, they are working just as hard to make certain she doesn't have to.

Amanda longs to find the one she is meant for, marry, and have a family of her own. With Maxwell, she has two daughters, Nichole "Nicky" and Emily. With Thomas, she has three children, Kathleen and the twins: Ian and Elizabeth. All these names are what I wanted to name my own children, especially if I had been fortunate enough to have girls and one more boy. 🙄 I have two sons and was unable to have anymore due to serious health issues that developed after having my second son, so it at least I have my imaginary ones 😂

As for inspiration for my OC, it belongs with my late aunt whom I lost in 2013. Aunt Ann always encouraged my imagination and story ideas and she wanted me to one day write a story and have a character with my name (she loved how it looked written out). So Amanda has my first name and long before Bridgerton became popular on Netflix, I devoured the Bridgerton series of books back in 2016/2017 and gave her their last name in honor of my all time favorite series of books.

I've also given Amanda my own quirks and insecurities along with my dark hair and hazel eyes.

She has my hatred of having to stand and speak before large groups. She loves to dance. She loves movies, especially the classic films which is something I was raised to adore. Her favorite flower is the tulip and her favorite color is blue (which is also her duchy's color along with silver)

She is an only child like me. She suffers with many of the doubts I did as a teenager and young adult while waiting on my perfect match to appear.

She is highly critical of her own body like I am. She loves cheese enchiladas and chip and dip like I do 🤣 She laughs often which I'm guilty of and is pretty upbeat for the most part when she isn't wallowing in her doubts.

Amanda also over thinks things and jumps to conclusions though tries to be logical about them in her arguments much like I do 🤦🏻‍♀️ I also gave her my clumsiness. It's been so great to have in life 😂

LOL! I've given her a lot of me in case you can't tell. So if you like her, then chances are very high that if we were ever to meet, you'd like me too.

[booksbydlwhite]

Bookcast Episode 70: First of the Month

Welcome Episode 70 of the Bookcast, my platform for sharing short fiction and updates on what I'm reading and writing. If you love what I do as an author and you look forward to this show every week, I desire support of this podcast. At bookcast.buzzsprout.com you can offer a one-time or recurring monthly gift, for which I would be ever so grateful. Every little bit helps. Thank you so much in advance for your support. 

If you would like to offer up a comment, a question, a wish for the new year, here is the link to my blog post with the speakpipe function or the form listed. Use your voice or your fingers and send it on through! I’ll add the post to the show notes and share your input in a future show. 

 In this episode, I'm excited to share with you my latest writing plans, recent book reviews, and we talk MONEY. I share my earnings and sales across different platforms, offering some honest(and earnest) insights into the financial side of being a writer. Alongside this, I'll be talking about future book releases,  fan fiction writing, and what's on the horizons. Grab a snack and a drink and settle in for a good chat. 

I talk about the following books on today's show: 

-The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni -Somebody Somewhere by J. Nichole -Yours for Now by J. Nichole -King: The Life of Martin Luther King by Jonathan Eig -Erasure by Percival Everett -Another Country by James Baldwin

Listen to the show (grab a transcript HERE):

2023 In the MONEY

So, every year, author and author coach Rachael Herron does a money episode where she talks bout how much she made and how she made it. I wanted to share a bit of transparency on what money looks like as a very small time indie author. SMALL TIME is not me insulting myself, it's bringing levity and realness. There is a reason I work a full time job.

All told, I made $3708: $700 more than 2022. Imagine if I didn't put any books out?

The breakdown:

Amazon KDP $2,042.63

BookFunnel $490.57

Draft2Digital $455.64

Google Books $28.55

Findaway $458.61

ACX $232.30

Ebook/print : $2,791.01

Audio: $736.41

Paperback: $172.49

Ebooks sold: 1243

eBooks gifted 15440

Audiobooks moved 3818 (free + reduced price)

Paperback sold: 87

KENP- 566 pages (my books have been out of KU since 2019 but if they never turn the book in I still get paid for pages) $2.39

My highest selling platform is of course KDP, followed by draft2digital. No surprises there because those are the major players. And of course book funnel is my 3rd. I've love for book funnel to be #1, but I think readers still don't really trust direct sales. My readers are on Amazon.

Paid units by market are overwhelmingly US readers. The next largest percentage is literally 'other' so that's likely Canada, UK, etc

Paid units by title- Biggest seller was Hey Lover with 491 copies,, then Elysium at 155 units, Then second time around, then Never List, then Ruby's.

Paid Units by series- my standalone works clock in first (The Never List, Hey Lover, A Thin Line), then Black Diamond and Potter Lake series are basically neck and neck, then the holiday shorts and then Ruby's.

Support the show

Support this show with a recurring gift HERE. Buy books by DL White at https://BooksbyDLWhite.com/books. Buy Merch by DLWhite HERE. Find the Bookcast on booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast or your fave podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts |Stitcher| Youtube

[namenerdery]

Girls with interesting names born in Ohio between 2011-2015 [I, J, K & L]

Iceis Empris Noces Icing Ann Icona Navi-Jhourdyn Iellyah Noel Ignacia Matilde

I'Land Latoya Ileighsia Nevaeh Ilithyia Iris Illustrious Epiphany Imagin E

I'Missy Irianabella Im'Unyque Rena Love Inara Cyan Indasianna Marie Indicah Celeste-Capri

Infinitee Jai Berniece Insignia James Ione Beatrix Iridessa Skye Iris Magdalena

Isadora Cyrinthia Isla Florin Evangeline Sunflower Island Renee Issabellalynn Zuileikia Italia Principessa

Ithaca-Rose Aurora Moon Ivahngelina Grace Ivannablessed Donnamonique Izrhyel Victory Patrice

Jachary Amira Jacsin Louise Jacx Corbett Morgan Jaelihana Rose Jakenzie Lee

Jalaciana Emilee Ann-Nicole Ja'Lexzy'Aonna Nevaeh Jamaica Mone'T Jamar'Eeaye Brenda-Marie Janaesis Ah'Majae

Jareighya Louise-Maxine Jastlyn Nichole Marie Jaxann Olivia Jaymeslynn Elisabeth Rose Jaz'Oreighe Gracey-Lee

Jazrael Elizabeth Jazz'Brielle Rachiel Diane J'Dyn July Jeighlyn Eula Jenahsis Janice Goddess Jennifer

Jenezaeibella Marie Ammie-Lee Jenzley Kay Marie Jerezmay Suebella Jerkarrah Belle Jermeatriana Lamae

Jessillenna Storm Grace Jesstinee An'Marie Jevaeh Mi'Angel Loretta Jewlnetta Ann Jewlrie Rochelle-Sandrea

Jeyvaeha Queen Jhadde Edith Jhamzyne Rachelle Jinger Eva Delilah Joe'Liegha Arteshaunna

Joshieana Yvonne Joy'Phull Monshea Nicole Jubili Spirulina Julicciana Mystique Amanda Tiera Mae Serenity Justice Lynn Jupiter Reighn

Jyaxn Lilyann J'Yazzeriaha Carissalyn Jynx Violet Aurora Jyzelle Paij

Kadilyhne Bonnie-Jo-Lillian Kaednz Theory Kaighin Taylor Kalasia Kheringtyn Alyvia Kalexander Niyalyn

Ka'Liayh Georgia Ann Kalifornia Diane Kalumbi'Auna Marie Evelynn Kansas Crystal Lynn Kanzis Rayine

Kaorynn Marie Kaspyn Rayne Katalie Jaide Kawaii Reign Elizabeth Kayaence Amor

Kayleighna August Keighlauna Raine Keishliannie Dianne Kempress Ihana Kentasia Jaliyah

Kenya Omega Grace Kerosene Elizabeth Keurstyn Monroe Khaleesi Michonne K'Harma Iva'Faye Maychel

Khiyliane Rena Khn'Zii Mi'Faith Khoebie Lee K'Hole Piper Kimverlin Valesca

Kimystri Marie Kinslaey Jayde Kitelynn Grace Kixx Emerson Cain Kiz'Ziee Denise-Marie

Kountry Grace Kraigrihanna Yvette Kreadence Mae Krescent Shernoble Kricket Mae

Kurtacy So'Miya-Nicole Kwindalyn Rae Kylliye Renea Kymhstrie Arnay Rose K'Zaylyn Simone Catherine

Laeghan Elizabeth Laeleianna Kathleen Lakayasia Rlexis Laker Sally Jo-Ann Lannister Eleanor

Lauciaunna Marie Ann Lauxanna Alaire Lavender La'Rue Legacy Da'Prettiest Unique Lavora Leighyonia Jaspierre Unique

Lensey Rebecca Liburtee Sue Lightning Rebecca Skye Lilivanna Rose Lloyalty Royale

Lord Presence Lotus Coccinea De'Neese Lovaeh Rayne Jamison Lovealeiana Deziya Shapray Unae Luvly'Ann Renee

Lyilyian Deniece Lyluxe Mae Lyrica Candy Dawn Lyvaeh Analeigh

[amara-scott]

WAR HORSE

BACK TO FULL MASTERLIST

Captain James Nicholls x Reader

Come back to me. summary: Saying goodbye to your love so they can leave for war is hard but having to say goodbye twice is unbearable. Your kids grow up wondering why he isn’t there, making it harder to move on and keep living.

[lokiskitten]

!! SEEKING FOR A RP PARTNER !!

Marvel, Star Wars...

~•~

[ Hello, I am currently in quest of finding a serious, open minded and invested roleplay partner who would be willing to entertain double rps depending on my mood ( I won’t necessarily ask you for a rp if I’m not feeling like handling two of them ). If interested, make sure to check the infos below and read one of my fics to get a peek of my writing style! ]

~•~

RULES :

No god moding. The plot is to be discussed and agreed on together. Communication is also key, so don’t ever hesitate to share your ideas/opinions.

Smut is allowed, and I tend to be comfortable with most topics so don’t hesitate to come up to me with any “taboo” subjects you’ve been afraid to ask for from anyone. Judgment isn’t a thing with me.

OCs are heavily welcome, but please remain rational. I’m extremely attached to realism, and tend to keep things and events logical whenever I write.

Please be literate. I expect one paragraph or more, especially as I tend to write a lot and give much efforts into my answers.

Now that you went through my rules, allow me to present the characters I would have muse for/once portrayed in my writer background or would be willing to give them a shot! :3

CHARACTERS ( classed under their actor ) :

Tom Hiddleston :

Loki Laufeyson | any version

Thomas Sharpe | Crimson Peak

James Conrad | Kong : skull island

Dr. Robert Laing | High Rise

Jonathan Pine | The night manager

Captain James Nicholls | War Horse

Tom Hiddleston himself | young and old

Benedict Cumberbatch :

Doctor Stephen Strange | mcu

Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch himself

Cillian Murphy :

Thomas Shelby | Peaky Blinders

Jonathan Crane | Batman begins

Lenny Miller | Anna

Timekeeper Raymond Leon | Time Out

Sebastian Stan :

Bucky Barnes | mcu

Mickey | Monday

Lee Bodecker | the devil all the time

Sebastian Stan himself

Lance Tucker | the bronze

Steve Kemp | fresh

Michael Fassbender :

David8 | Prometheus/Covenant

Erik Lensherr | x-men franchise

Brandon Sullivan | shame

Adam Driver :

Ben Solo/Kylo Ren | Star Wars sequels

Flip Zimmerman | blackkklansman

Charlie Barber | marriage story

Jacques le Gris | the last duel

Additional characters :

Michael Gray | Peaky Blinders

Harry Osborn, both version | spider man, TASM

Andrew Garfield’s spider man | TASM

Henry Bowers | IT

Michael Langdon | AHS : apocalypse

Billy Hargrove | stranger things

King Louis XVI | the man in the iron mask

Jim Mason | the tribes of Palos Verdes

Alex Summers | X-men franchise

Mysterio | spider man : far from home

President Loki | Loki series

Anakin Skywalker | Star Wars prequels

Thandruil | the hobbit

Legolas | LOTR and the hobbit

Din Djarin | the mandalorian

Michael Scofield | prison break

Achilles | Troy

Norman Bates | psycho

Jaime Lannister | game of thrones

And probably more, so don’t hesitate to ask! ( mostly marvel, Star Wars, Games of Thrones, etc... )

Genres I like :

- romance

- drama

- action

- science fiction

- daily life issues ( if that makes sense lol )

- horror/thrillers

- medieval

[ Thank you so much for taking time to browse through these infos! Please don’t be afraid to message me, I promise I don’t bite. Take care :3 ]

[just-the-hiddles]

12 Days Of Hiddlesmas Masterlist

Day 1: Magnus Martinsson | All I Want For Christmas is You

Magnus has been working overtime to pay for your Christmas present.  

*Day 2: James Conrad | Please Come Home For Christmas

James Conrad is called away on a mission weeks before Christmas but promises to be home in time.  But delays may spoil your Christmas wishes.

Day 3: Bill Hazeldine | Home For the Holidays

Bill Hazeldine is due home for the holidays but when he gets home Jewel is there instead of his mom.

*Day 4: Jonathan Pine | It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Jonathan loves Christmas and this is his first one working at The Meisters.  A chance encounter gives Jonathan more Christmas joy than he could hope for.

Day 5: Captain James Nicholls | I’ll Be Home For Christmas

A letter home from James.

*Day 6: Prince Hal | Greensleeves

Hal should be at the royal residence for the holiday but is instead at a local inn with Falstaff and Poins.  He has his eyes on you.

*Day 7: Dr. Robert Laing | Do They Know It’s Christmas

As chaos descends upon the high-rise, Laing schedules a date with you, not realizing the auspicious date.

*Day 8: Adam and Charlie | The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

It is the day after Thanksgiving and Charlie should be sleeping.  Instead, she has gone full Buddy the Elf.  Adam will take extreme measures to temper the Christmas cheer.

Day 9: William Buxton | Blue Christmas

It is the first Christmas since Peggy left William.  The town of Cranford still whispers about him.  He has taken to walking at night.  One night he stumbles upon the reader.

*Day 10: Loki | Santa Baby

You have no idea what to get Loki for Christmas.  After no help from the team, you settle on a gift.  You only hope he likes it.

Day 11: Sir Thomas Sharpe | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Your sister and children have come for the holidays to Allerdale Hall but all is not merry and bright.

Day 12: Tom Hiddleston | White Christmas

You have been cast as Betty in the remake of White Christmas with stars Tom Hiddleston as Phil and Michael Bublé as Bob.  And you have a huge crush on Tom. You don’t know if he feels the same way.

[reine-sigyn]

Imagines recevoir du courrier de ton mari James accompagné de son portrait...

Imagine receiving mail from your husband James accompanied by his portrait....

[smolvenger]

Miss Narracott and The Captain- Chapter Eight Finale (!)

Fandom: War Horse

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of sex, death, and violence but nothing brutal other than one brief mention that gets a bit vivid. But LOTS of fluff and emotions and crying and hugging. A Happy Ending.

Chapter Word Count: 3K

Series Summary: It is 1914. You are Y/N Narracott, the older sister of Albert Narracott. You must do what you can so your family can keep their farm. And so your brother can keep his beloved horse. Under financial struggles, you never expect romance to come into your life...until you have a chance encounter with James Nicholls- a Captain with a knack for drawing. But the threat of war lingers in the air...

Part One//Part Two//Part Three//Part Four//Part Five//Part Six//Part Seven

A03//My Ko-Fi//My Etsy Shop//Masterlist//Wattpad

A/N: Thank you guys so much for sticking with this story for a character who we saw only briefly but deserved much more <3!! I hope you enjoy the finale!!

Taglist: @evelyn-kingsley @jennyggggrrr @five-miles-over @fictive-sl0th @ladycamillewrites @villainousshakespeare @holdmytesseract

@eleniblue @twhxhck @lokisgoodgirl @lovelysizzlingbluebird @raqnarokr @holymultiplefandomsbatman @michelleleewise @wolfsmom1 @infinitystoner @12-pm-510 @meowmeow-motherfucker

November, 1918

It was another long day at the hospital. Not another overnight, but still long. You had an hour to go for your time, as you checked the clock. You headed over to make sure there was a glass of water on each bedside table.

It was simple training. It didn’t take long to get a First Aid and Home Nursing certification. They gave you a uniform of a white cap, a dark dress, and a white apron with a red cross stitched over the chest. Your first days as a VAD were full of fixing cups of tea and changing sheets.

But by now you had sewn flesh together. You had seen men die with their eyes open. You had seen infections that made you feel queasy to look at. Once, you were asked to hold down a man’s leg as it was amputated. You never forgot his screams. They rung in your nightmares for a week. Compared to that, sewing together flesh was easy. Many of the other volunteers were women from families who were not accustomed to hard work. They were in for a large shock and were forced to adaptation. Only a few came from labor or farms, as you did,and could tolerate work for long hours. But it was as if the sight of death had bonded and toughened you all.

With the young men in town away to fight, it was mostly women you ran into. They were glad and grateful friends. Your weekly knitting club for the troops led to much baked goods, playful gossip, released sobs, and vulnerable confessions. You valued the women you met and befriended in your circles, your fellow VAD’s, and neighbors and new in-laws.

But none of them could replace James, of course. James with his occasional visits when he was discharged- visits that ended too soon every time. James with his constant, beautiful letters filled with sketches. Just the last one read.

“My dear Mrs. Nicholls,

Joey is doing well. He’s as fit and stubborn and spirited as can be, no wonder he’s lasted so long. He’s racing alongside Topthorn-not that I’m too surprised about the speed of his gallop. Jaimie sends you his love and good wishes as well.

 I’ve been thinking of you in Somerset. Of the reward to come-to come back to my wife, to come back to you. I hope you recall the Teddy Bear I sent you for your birthday. Yes, it is a children’s toy, but when you miss me, you may embrace him as you would me and kiss him on his head as you would me.  It is a bit of love I send back to you to console you. At least until I can return to your arms and kisses for real.

Do not think of me as less of a man, but I confess, that is what moves me- a future of ours. A house of our own.  Children of our own playing around the living room and getting into trouble. We can play music on the phonograph all we want without the cacophony of guns around us. We will laugh and talk over any silly old thing over every meal. Then we’ll go to bed, and I’ll take you as I did in the grass and we’ll make love without any fear or shame, only how much we adore each other…”

But now it was not only James and Joey you had to worry about. That first year, Albert ran off to join the army. When you found out, you ran to your parents and sobbed as you hugged them. Only sometimes you got a letter from him and you would press your parents for updates.

It only pushed you to work harder as a VAD and take it seriously. Knowing these soldiers groaning in their beds were someone else’s James or Albie. That someone was going to lose their husband or brother or son. And if you hurried and focused on the tasks at hand, you could help save someone’s life. That was what was on your mind when one of the doctors walked into the room.

“Everyone, there is an announcement- all staff must hurry into the lobby,” he declared.

Finishing pouring the last glass of water, you set the pitcher on a table and hurried there. All of you gathered in your uniforms, heads turning with whispers of what it could be. The head of the hospital stood there in the center of the room with a newspaper, he took off his spectacles to face you all. There were tears in his brown eyes.

“Everyone…England is going to sign an armistice this month with Germany and the other countries on the eleventh of this month. It will be the last day of fighting. In short, the war is about to end.”

There was silence. You could hear a few gasps. Every bit of you was vibrating and the breath in your lungs stopped. Finally, there was a cheer and an applause that broke out. Your colleagues wrapped their arms around you and hugged you and you hugged back.

You couldn’t believe it. Had it all been so fast? Yet so slow? It’s over…it’s over…the war is finally over!

But, from that last letter…James sent it just last month. Things could have changed. He still could have been killed! Or Albert too! All you had to do was wait for a final letter or telegram. One last one and it would confirm if James and Albert survived. Or not. In your heart, the war was not yet done. Just a few more days of fear…then it would be settled.

November 11th arrived, and the bells of the church rang louder than any Christmas you had seen. People danced in the streets, threw confetti, and cheered. There was no telegram. But no letter either.  You shook every time the mail was delivered that month. But nothing crucial so far. 

You were enjoying one of your free days eating luncheon with Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls. There was a knock on the door that made you jump.

“This isn’t when the postman arrives- it’s two hours early. Are we expecting visitors?” asked Mr. Nicholls.

“No, Mrs. Hayter isn’t arriving until tomorrow…” Mrs. Nicholls answered.

“I’ll get it,” you offered, getting out of your chair.

As you took a few steps closer to the door, you heard a sound.

A whinny. A horse’s whinny. A very familiar horse’s whinny. A whinny you had not heard since…since…

Your steps to the door became a run. You threw it open and let out a scream at the sight.

It was James in his now dirtied green uniform. He was standing outside leading Joey by the leash and giving you a salute. Without another word, you ran towards him, almost tackling him into a hug.

“James…James…is it you? Please tell me if this is real! Please-please tell me it’s you!” you begged, your voice breaking into tears.

You felt a hand reach your back. You could smell him, feel him, and hear that voice you loved so much.

“Yes, my darling…it’s me…and I’m not leaving anywhere, I’m staying with you for a very long time…” he answered.

There were footsteps and a shout from his parents behind you. You grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. He smelt of wind and the smoke of travel as well as the horse and could feel his hands wrap around your back. You hugged him again and began to sob into his uniform, not caring anymore if it stained. He wrapped his arms around you and hugged you back so tight. Then he let go and greeted his parents, taking off his cap. Mrs. Nicholls kissed her son’s face a dozen times. Mr. Nicholls was weeping so badly his back shook as he hugged his son, James let him cry and rocked him as he stood. Assuring him, “it’s alright, father-I’m here. I’m back…”

You then turned to Joey and hugged his muzzle. The younger colt in the Narracott farm would have run away the second his leash was freed. But Joey, now a beautiful stallion in his own right, stood still. He accepted you just as he did the last day you saw him.

“I missed you, old boy. I missed you so much! I’m glad you made it- I’m so glad! Albie’s missed you most of all-he’ll be beside himself!”  you whispered to the horse.

You kissed his long snout with its white diamond. He leaned back into you as if to hug you back.

To think, James was back home. Every single neighbor visited to see him all afternoon.  Already at dinner, he was here to eat and compliment the cook. He finished his plate, cupping his wine in his large hand with one palm.

 “Good God, I’ve missed all of you so much…the things I’ve seen…things I’ve heard…I don’t know if I can be in another war after this…” he said.

“This one is over…it’s all bad memories, James…you can rest now…” Mrs. Nicholls said.

“And how is the prettiest volunteer in England? I hope she can rest as well?” James asked, turning to you.

“I was thinking…I do like being a part of the VAD…if they still need help, I’ll volunteer…”

“Oh, of course you can, Mrs. Nicholls,” he replied with a smile.

“You can always tell us what you saw…what was it like-fighting?” your mother-in-law questioned.

James became still and his face was white.

“I saw everything ….my first battle, I saw a man blasted to pieces-his guts flying from the shot of a machine gun…”

He opened up as much as he could. The horrors and violence he had seen. The deaths too many to name. A friend one day was a corpse the next hour. All of you were silent as he recounted.

Both of you planned to return Joey to the Devon farm tomorrow. You both laid in bed after dinner. Too tired for anything more than simply holding each other. You put your fingers through his blonde-red hair. Traced each feature of his to memorize it.

“You didn’t fool around with some French girl, I hope!” you huffed.

His voice was earnest.

“I swear on my grandfather’s grave, there were no girls from any country anywhere near me all that time! Jaimie will tell you likewise…Y/N…may I confide something to you?” he asked.

“Yes…”

“I remembered the promise I made you when I left. When it started…”

“Yes, I recall, my dear…”

He turned over to you. Adjusting himself on the pillow so he lay right in front of you. You retreated your hands.

“I kept it. I talked to my superiors. Told them we needed to consider the German’s weaponry and plan accordingly. At first, they said no. I asked them again. They said no again. Then another major came in. He agreed. Then the more they talked to, the more it was agreed. Like common sense. They got permission. They sent spies. We fought with guns when we knew there’d be guns…no surprise attacks. Nothing without strict preparation and knowledge…”

“Did you ever charge your calvary?” you asked. You shifted to be in the blankets from the cold November night.

“Only a few times. But, Y/N, I remembered…I remembered you. And I did my best to survive without disobeying orders. Somehow…well, to be honest, I never went against major orders and even then, I don’t think I was ever caught to be killed as a traitor! But I survived. I thought of you…of how sad you were and how you told me you didn’t want to spend your life a widow. I wanted to keep my word…”

He swallowed. You saw one tear in the duct of his eye.

“You did, James, you did…”

He took both of your hands. He smiled down, seeing you both still wore your wedding bands. Then he placed a kiss on them.

“I wanted to thank you, Y/N…if it wasn’t for that…for you, your promise-if I never met you, never loved you, never married you…I don’t know if I���d be here…” he confided.

You gave him a kiss on the lips. It was probably your fiftieth of the day. But after four years of deprivation, you were glad to be caught up. You positioned him to rest against your chest, wrapping your arms around him.

“My parent’s will cry when they see you tomorrow…when they see Joey, too. We’ll have to ask them if they heard any word on Albie…I can only pray he’s alive now,” you said.

“He’s a natural soldier. There’s a chance he did…” James mused.

You stared up at the white ceiling. The house creaked with the nighttime settling over it.

“To think, James, we have one part of our lives ending. Now there’s a new one. No guns, no violence. A peacetime-just beginning….”

He got up from how you held him, then pulled the blankets over the both of you.

“As long as that peacetime is with you, then it will be worth it…” he said with a smile.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

April 1920. A year and almost a half later.

A new spring was born to match the new decade. Today, it was the perfect temperature of not too hot and not too cold. The tulips, daisies, and crocuses were in bloom everywhere. The field between Somerset and Devon was stunning. You noticed how it rolled on as James drove the motorcar down to visit your family. The brown rabbits hopped around the fields. The river, Innocent’s grove, was such a bright blue it seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. Soon it turned to the wide, sloping streets of your hometown. You waved hello to your old shop friends- Mary, Ida, and Alice all had found loves, marriages, or occupations of their own and were smiling. Of course, you made a quick stop to admire the painting of your husband in the town hall. On one corner, you could read its inscription.

’Joey’- Cpn. Nicholls, Fall, 1918.

All of you then finished the drive to the Narracott farm for a picnic.

Your family, along with a much alive Albert, welcomed you each. You, your husband, and baby sitting up in your arms. She thankfully didn’t make one cry the whole trip!

Dressed in her little white frock and little tufts of hair that looked just like yours, Little Rose Nicholls was the picture of infant health. Named after her grandmother, your mother.

There was never a happier night than when she arrived.  She was born in October of 1919. She arrived and cried her first cry when the clock struck eleven. James ran up to the room the second he was allowed, and her crying calmed down when he held the small baby in a white bundle. He teared up and kissed her forehead, never letting her go until she needed to be fed.

James told you he was glad he survived the war just for that day. He got to live to have her, to see her, to hold her in his arms, to love her.

The newly crowned Uncle Albert took her in his arms and blew a raspberry on her cheek. She turned with wide eyes.

“Can we introduce her to Joey?! I don’t think they’ve met yet!” he offered.

“Yes, of course we can!” you said.

Out all of you walked to the backyard. Harold still waddled about. The War To End All Wars came and went and Harold was still biting everyone’s legs. He did make a few threatening nips of his beak that made Rosie a little scared and she cried. But she stopped when they passed him, and you approached Joey’s field.

“Oof- she’s already getting’ heavy!” Albert commented. “She’s a big girl now!”

“Here, let me have her,” James offered.

Her father scooped her into his arms. Albert whistled like an owl as Joey trotted closer, swishing his long, black tail.

Would Joey make a sudden noise to frighten her? No. The creature seemed to know that she was young and had to approach her with gentleness. How incredible animals had a sense like that, Albert would say! Joey slowed his steps and moved his nuzzle close. Only his breath tickling her cheek.

“Here-this is a horse. His name is Joey, darling. What do you think?” James asked, holding her up and closer to the animal.

Her eyes went wide, and she made a small coo. Joey leaned forward. She reached out a grubby hand and touched his nose, petting him.

“There…there’s my girl, Rosie, you pet him like that,” James nudged.

She kept reaching for him, petting him again and again. Then Joey got out his large, pink tongue and licked her hand. Rose Nicholls smiled and began squealing in delight. Joey let her pet him with her grubby hands. And once she was done, he turned away. James carried her over to show her the farm and the animals.

“Here’s the garden mummy grew up in. She’d see rabbits eating her flowers, like the naughty rabbit eating the vegetable garden in your storybook! If you look, we might see one!”

You couldn’t help but smile. Your daughter was worth every sleepless night and disgusting diaper. James was always there by your side to help you. He knew your child needed her father as much as she needed her mother. In fact, he was already beginning to spoil her! A room in your new house dedicated to her nursery. It had the teddy bear in her cradle as well as any little cloth dolly and book and dress he would splurge on for her.

James decided to retire from being a soldier. The War to End All Wars had done too much for him to endure another. Sometimes he even awoke from a nightmare or jumped at a loud sound. He did find work as a schoolteacher. His gentle authority and calm voice of reason was one his students adored him for. And it meant you could still volunteer as a VAD on weekends. He would grade his papers next to Rosie’s cradle in the evening.

You turned around to see Albert smoothing the corners of the picnic blanket out on the grass. Your father brought over a picnic basket. He looked healthy and cheery-he told you he was going to quit drinking and was on his second month without a sip.

“Here! Foods ready! While it’s hot everyone!” Your mother announced, bringing out the savory pie, fresh from the oven.

All of you sat on the blanket. James handed you little Rosie as you sat down. You bounced her on your lap. James made you a plate and passed you yours. Savory pie, sliced bread, berries, cheese, and fresh produce and jam cake too.

Then your father lifted a glass of lemonade.

“Here-let’s have a toast, eh?”

 You all lifted a glass with your free hand.

“Here-to us. Our family!” he cried.

“To us!” all of you repeated.

James turned to you and clinked your glass again.

“And our little family as well,” he cheered.

“To the three of us,” you agreed.

You received him with a peck on the lips. Then all of you began to help yourselves. Rosie herself was beginning to enjoy the small bits of bread you gave her. She gave a laugh like music and you, and James beamed at her. You took a deep breath. Enjoying the spring weather and the picnic with both families. The one who raised you and the one you had. A family, a happy life full of peace with a living husband who loved you.  

[tom-hiddleston-imagines]

- EAL

[vivvvy]

hello hello! my name is vi! before i get started with actually writing, i would like to be clear about stuff i will be writing about.

-Wednesday

Ajax Petropolis

Rowan Laslow

(not sure about this one yet) Bianca Barclay

-The Amazing Spiderman

Spiderman/Peter Parker

Gwen Stacy

-The Umbrella Academy

Diego Hargreeves

Five Hargreeves

Lila Pitts

Viktor Hargreeves

Ben Hargreeves

-Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Hermione Granger

Ron Weasley

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

-Cobra Kai

Robby Keene

Tori Nichols

Miguel Diaz

Sam LaRusso

Eli Moskowitz

Kenny (fluff or angst only)

-10 Things I Hate About You

Cameron James

Kat Stratford

Patrick Verona

Bianca Stratford

-Scream

Randy Meeks

Stu Macher

Billy Loomis

Sidney Prescott

Dewey Riley

Tatum Riley

-The Fear Street Franchise

Deena Johnson

Samantha Fraser

Kate Schmidt

Simin Kalivoda

Cindy Berman

Tommy Slater

Alice

Young Ziggy Berman

Young Nick Goode

that’s all for now! also, i will only write fluff or smut. it all really depends on the request, but i can also write imagines or scenarios. (x readers of course) no dark stuff, but just nice little things. (you’ll see!) anyways, that’s all for now. bye!

[chernobog13]

HAPPY STAR TREK DAY!

(although if you live in Canada, “Star Trek” day was two days ago, because the show was broadcast there first)

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise.  Premiering on the NBC network at 8:30 pm, the country encountered most of the crew of the USS Enterprise for the first time in the episode The Man Trap.

Although it was the first episode broadcast, The Man Trap was actually the sixth episode produces.  However, it was a good choice as a premier because it  included most of the main cast as well as many of the elements that would become staples of the series.

First and foremost being the USS Enterprise, a ship unlike any other ever seen.

Ah, the old NCC-1701!  She is a thing of beauty!

The episode, of course, opens with the familiar voice over “Captain’s log,” which was a wonderful storytelling device for setting the narrative.  But even though we hear Captain Kirk’s voice first (although we don’t know his name yet), Spock is the first major character we see.  The log entry informs us that Spock has been left in charge onboard the Enterprise.

We also get our first glimpse of Lt. Uhura, seated at the navigator’s station.  It won’t be until a little later that we learn that she is the communications officer for the ship.  But this quick scene establishes that the Enterprise’s crew is very diverse (an alien and a Black female both on the bridge), which raised more than a few eyebrows back in 1966.

Next we get our first view of the transporter effect.  There is no explanation given as to what is happening, other than Kirk’s voiceover stating that he and Dr. McCoy are “beaming down” to the planet’s surface.  Star Trek, especially in the early days, decided the audience would be able to figure out what was happening.

Then we get out first look at Captain James Kirk and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.  The scene immediately establishes the friendship between the two, with Kirk’s gentle teasing of his ship’s doctor.  Also note, this is the shortest you’ll see Kirk’s hair in the entire series.  He’s got a proper military cut here; by the end of the third season he almost looks like a hippie.

There’s also a great bit later on, when Kirk and McCoy are speaking to each other on the ship via viewscreen.  McCoy tells Kirk he’s having trouble sleeping.  Kirk’s reply: “Try taking one of those red pills you gave me last week.  You’ll sleep!”

Throughout the episode we’ve seen Kirk as the tough, no-nonsense, by-the-book captain who commands the respect of the people he leads.  But these bits with McCoy show his humorous, human side that makes him a great character.  I truly miss first season Kirk, especially the first part of the season, because that’s my favorite version of him. 

Peppered throughout the episode are shots establishing many of the other characters  who will become regulars on the series.    Here we have Yeoman Janice Rand, who we learn is the captain’s yeoman and quite popular among the male crew members.

Unfortunately, Yeoman Rand only appeared in eight episodes spread across the first half of the season.  

Rand delivers the tray of food at the botany lab, where we meet Sulu for the first time.

Since this is the first time the audience see Lieutenant Sulu, it would be understandable if it was assumed that he was just a botanist.  Actually, Sulu had a few different positions in the first season (he was a physicist in the second pilot Where No man Has Gone Before, which would be broadcast 2 weeks after The Man Trap).

Surprisingly, Lieutenant Uhura seemed to get the most screen time of all the secondary characters. (not that I’m complaining; Nichelle Nichols is absolutely gorgeous!).  Earlier on the bridge she was flirting with Spock (with Spock subtly tugging on his shirt collar, indicating his discomfort), and then chastising him for his apparent lack of concern when he learned that a member of the landing party is dead.  Here she is being the queen that she is, teaching two other crew members proper turbolift etiquette: you let the person in the lift get out before you get in (same goes for elevators, just in case you didn’t know).

Two other recurring characters, Chief Engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott and Nurse Christine Chapel, are the only two not seen in this episode.  Scotty’s voice, though is heard on the communicator responding to Kirk from the transporter room. As for Nurse Chapel, she was not introduced until The Naked Time, which was the next episode (#7) produced, but the fourth to air.

One thing which I didn’t notice until I rewatched this episode just now (or maybe I did notice, but just forgot) is that Kirk is carrying a phaser almost the whole show, even while on the bridge.

Sharp-eyed viewers may also spot various crew members in older uniforms, like those worn in the two pilots, The Cage and Where No Man Has Gone Before.

Some people may call these continuity errors, or chalk it up to the wardrobe department recycling costumes for the extras.  But anyone who’s been in the military knows there’s always a transition period when new uniforms are introduced.  For example, my Basic Training class was the absolute last in the Army to be issued the old olive drab green fatigues.  The next class was issued the new woodland camouflage BDUs that became the standard for the next ten years.  I was given six months to purchase a full set of BDUs (you read that right: I had to buy them with my own money).  However, unless BDUs were specifically designated as the uniform of the day I was able to wear the o.d.green fatigues for another two years until they were phased out completely. I imagine these crew members are in a similar situation.

A few more Star Trek “firsts” from The Man Trap:

Kirk (or any crew member) using the communicator.  Kirk is on his communicator a lot this episode.

The Enterprise on red alert.

A gun - or, more correctly, phaser - battle.  Here we see Professor Crater armed with an “old style” phaser, but really just them same type that was used in the two pilots.

The very first phaser shot, as Professor Crater snipes at Kirk and Spock.

Kirk firing his phaser.  Don’t worry, it’s set on “stun.”

Professor Crater getting struck by phaser fire.  Don’t worry, it was set on “stun.”  He’s going to talk like he’s drunk for the next few minutes.

Kirk and Spock planetside, establishing that the two highest ranking officers will beam down alone to handle a dangerous situation.  It’s not like they have an entire Security Department on board the ship.

The very first meeting in the Briefing Room.

The crew at various stations on the bridge, although Uhura and Sulu are not at their usual posts, which just shows that this crew is highly competent and can handle multiple duties.  Oh, and two of them happen to be women, and tow are people of color.

Sulu chiming in on the meeting via viewscreen.

And then, because it was a science fiction television show in the 1960s, the network insisted there be a monster.  So we got the salt vampire, the shape-changing creature that had been killing all sorts of people by sucking the salt out of their bodies.  Not too scary by today’s standards, but I wouldn’t want to run into it in a dark alley.

The first time we get to see Kirk make that face as he screams in pain.

And the first time we see a dead monster/alien on the Enterprise.

The, finally, the what will become familiar denouement with everyone on the bridge as Kirk gives the order for the Enterprise to break orbit and proceed to its next assignment.  Notice that Sulu has finally managed to make it to the helmsman’s station.

Headed off into space for another adventure next week!

1966 was a great year.  It gave us Ultra Q. Ultraman, Ambassador Magma (aka The Space Giants), The New Adventures of Superman animated series, the Slurpee and, of course, Star Trek.

55 years later Star Trek is more popular than ever, with several new television series available, and another feature film in the works.  Here’s hoping for another 55 years of exploring the galaxy!

[lesbiancolumbo]

Elizabeth Taylor

It was years since Elizabeth Taylor had made a proper movie. Yet we knew she was there, still: her face bloomed for perfume promotions, and she was always likely to be standing up for AIDS victims or Michael Jackson. Were we meant to think she had the same sincerity for all three? Or was she resting? That would be sad—for at one time, she seemed uncommonly engaged, in movies and scandal alike.

Though her love life and the soap opera of her health seem to have been with us as long as the H-bomb, Liz was younger than, say, Audrey Hepburn or Rock Hudson. When they made Giant (56, George Stevens), she was actually a year younger than James Dean. Brought up at a time when sexuality on the screen was still creatively suppressed by censorship, her private life was paraded by the press as that of a love goddess. That now looks like the last flare of classic star charisma, the last time the public could read any imagined voluptuousness into a decorous, sulky princess of House & Garden. Image and reality clashed like cymbals in Cleopatra (63, Joseph L. Mankiewicz). But though the chaos of that film’s making included Liz dangerously ill and Liz exchanging a fourth husband (Eddie Fisher) for a fifth (Richard Burton), her Queen of the Nile emerged a plump, complacent clotheshorse.

She may have been apprehensive about the lurid extreme of public attention; intrigued by the label of “acting” that trailed from Burton; and she was surely perplexed by the way fashion accelerated away from the sexual mode of 1958–62. In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (58, Richard Brooks), as Maggie the Cat, she seemed aggressively candid about sex. But by 1970, she was a throwback to elaborate hairdos, fussy clothes, and earnest emoting. She had not matured, but regressed into that vague eligible debutante—or her mother—that she once infused with indolent wantonness, half asleep from being stared at. Even her good films were prominently signaled as “serious acting,” whereas there was once a poignant osmosis of young Hollywood doll and the parts she played.

It is the difference between her two Oscar films—Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (66, Mike Nichols) and Butterfield 8 (60, Daniel Mann)—the first based on a clever stage play, the second on a hack novel. Martha in the first is a “character,” far deeper and more demanding. You can hear Taylor thinking out all her complexities as she plays. In Butterfield 8, however, she serenely inhabits the melodrama in exactly the way that cinema encourages audiences to live through its stars. Like the audience, Liz had a superstitious preoccupation with glamour.

[...]

Yet the work of which she is probably most proud is her feisty, eloquent, and quite implacable resolve to have people talk and know about AIDS. It is somehow fitting that her astonishing strength and durability should now be given so generously to the vulnerable, and in 1993 she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for this service.

Over the years, there had been jokes about Elizabeth Taylor—more than that, she was for a decade or so a roaring comedy of disaster. Yet at the tender age of seventy, she was one of those stars whose mere look or voice brought back so many memories. Her worthless movies of the seventies and eighties were not really held against her. It was hoped that she would give us a few sensational old ladies—something better than her role in The Flintstones (94, Brian Levant) and These Old Broads (01, Matthew Diamond).

When she died, it was as if our last star had gone out. A year later, Richard Burton’s diaries were published, where it was possible to see that he adored her—and why. Many felt the same way.