#jane austen inspired

[crazy-ache]

Jane Austen's most romantic letter, if it had been written by Lucien Vanserra (Persuasion x Elucien)

Or what would happen if Lucien overheard Elain have a conversation about the bond? And what if he wrote a gut-wrenching love confession in said letter? Inspired by literature's most infamously romantic letter ever written.

Some text is directly taken from Chapter 23 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

"We will write the letter to Helion we were talking of, Rhysand, now, if you will give me materials."

Materials were at hand, on a separate table; Lucien went to it, and nearly turning his back to the rest of the Inner Circle, was engrossed by writing.

Elain eyed him carefully, studying the leather strap that held back his long, molten red hair. Clearing her throat, she found Nesta across the room by the open window of the parlor as they were both on the outskirts of the Inner Circle’s political discussions. It was a respectable distance from where Lucien was writing at the desk, although still somewhat nearby. 

“I have a question for you,” Nesta turned to her younger sister, face like stone. “One that I have been thinking about for some time. What do you think our parents would have thought about the mating bond?” 

With wide, brown eyes Elain sucked in her breath. It was an unexpected question, but also a familiar one. For her thoughts had circled the very same doubts and insecurities that plagued her sister. “Well,” Elain wrung her hands nervously. “Mother would have adored Feyre’s, being mated to a High Lord after all. But if she didn’t like the outcome, she would have demanded a way to break it or alter it for her own advantage.” 

Nesta’s wicked grin revealed an agreement, knowing full well their mother would have been furious at her marriage and bond with an Illyrian general, and her matching status as a Valkyrie now. 

“As for father, well, I suppose, based on what he discussed with me in the past—there is a small chance he would have been disappointed.” Her voice dropped in both volume and confidence, barely escaping as a whisper passed her lips. As if she was instinctually afraid someone would hear, perhaps someone sitting across the room. 

Elain felt compelled to explain further. “He always told me the most important thing to find in a husband was true love. That I should not settle for anyone less than a kind, loyal heart who loves every part of me, because that kind of love will never leave you.” 

Out of the corner of her eye, Nesta regarded her with furrowed eyebrows. “And you do not believe that a mating bond can also encompass those very same feelings? That same love?” 

She considered her question carefully, chewing on her bottom lip. “Perhaps it can, but how can you know it is true? That it is not just the manifestation of desire in its place?” It was always that doubt, that fear, that crept into the darkest crevices of her heart. For as long as those shadows existed, she could not bring herself closer to her own mate, afraid she would be unable to determine the answer. In return, she was afraid of what she could possibly want or feel for him.

“I wish I could make you comprehend, Elain.” Nesta frowned, “I wish I could properly convey the feeling of how your soul glows when your mate loves you—”

Before Nesta could continue, Elain found herself apologizing with a hand on her elbow. “Gods forbid that I should undervalue the love and bond you share with Cassian, or Feyre’s either for that matter. It is a reminder that bonds can be true and constant attachments.”

She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was too full, her breath too much oppressed.

“You’re a good sister,” Nesta replied affectionately and Elain wonder if her sister could see past her tenderness, if anyone could witness the mask of kindness that Elain could so easily put on for the sake of others to hide her own feelings. The conversation faded as Feyre now joined them with Nyx on her hip, a welcome distraction for Elain as the three of them turned to him. 

“Ready to go?” Cassian’s voice eventually broke through the hum of the room, an echo across the parlor. “We need to meet with Vassa and Jurian.” Lucien was folding up a letter in great haste, and either could not or would not answer fully.

“Yes,” he said. “I will winnow us. I will be ready in half a minute.” 

Cassian left to wait for him at the front door, and Lucien, having sealed his letter with great rapidity, was indeed ready, with a hurried and agitated air, as if he was greatly impatient to leave. Elain could not understand it. Cassian had given her a smile and shoulder a warm squeeze as he left the room, but from Lucien himself, not a single word. He had passed out of the room without a look.  

Elain moved closer to the table where he had been writing, when suddenly she heard footsteps returning; the door opened and it was Lucien. He gave her a polite nod and gestured to where he had forgotten his gloves, instantly crossing the room to the desk. He drew out a letter from under the scattered papers, placed it before Elain with eyes glowing in longing fixed on her, and hastily collected his gloves, once again out of the room before anyone could even be aware he had been in it at all. 

The interaction was almost beyond expression. The letter, with strokes of pen that were hardly legibly, as if rushed, read “Elain Archeron,” was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily. While he had supposedly been writing to Helion, he had also been addressing her. On the contents of that letter depended all which this world could do for her. Anything was possible. Sinking into the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words:

“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when this bond first snapped, two and a half years ago. Dare not say that a mate’s love cannot be true, that his love is influenced by our tether. I have loved another, but none like you. Unjust I may have been, distant and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Velaris. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these past few days after Solstice, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine, I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish your true thoughts through the bond when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent female! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among males. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating in your mate,  L.V. I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow the court, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter the Night Court this evening or never again.” 

Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from. 

[thevelouria]

Persuasion Zosan Au

Thinking about Sanji and Zoro falling in love during their teenage years, both of them unaware of the affections of the other. Zoro works for Sanjis dad and feels unworthy of Sanjis possible affection or attention, so he enlists in the army and tries to build a career that will make him worthy of him, aka, of the same social status.

He still confesses his love, but Sanji ends up rejecting his proposal because his family convinced him Zoro wasn't good enough.

Anyways fast forward ten years, Sanjis still single (but really loved in his community) when he starts hearing rumors from everyone and their mamas about the new and demanded bachelor.

Zoro is back and hottter and biggger and richherrrrrr.

And Sanji sees how much he has grown into himself and the high range he currently has on the Marines and assumes he came back to get with the recently society-presented ladies, young and richer than he is. Especially given he has already rejected him, for very superficial reasons, and hasn't stopped thinking about him in the seven years they have been away.

Meanwhile zoro is sweating bullets cos sanji is hotter??? He filled in and looks so good??? And all the feelings he had been harboring are back and hitting him in the face.

The core of this is, Zoro left so he could be worthy of Sanji and when he's back Sanji begins to think he's not good enough for him and never has been.

Vaguely very inspired by Jane Austens novel

[sfaira]

Messy doodle of René Lemongrove, the young lord, a visionary of a thousand unfinished projects and the youngest child of the most scientific family of all - my character for Flowerton Larp this weekend. I had a blast, played my first crossgender role and got some praise for it being believable and even stepped outside of the comfort zone a bit to dip my toes in a romantic plot. Photo of the Lemongrove family under the cut! It was a Bridgerton themed ball larp with some scandals and intrigues, some dancing and amazing food and drinks!

[d33pwithinmys0ul]

˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚*･･*:.｡.. ˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚* .｡.:*･˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚*･･*.｡.˳✧༚

did somebody say.. chapter 3 of Pride and Prejudice and Titans??

Here's a little snippet of the chapter, read the full fic on ao3! Moodboard photos from Pinterest. Regency romantasy Attack on Titan x Pride and Prejudice/P&P Zombies AU. CW: canon typical violence

˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚*･･*:.｡.. ˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚* .｡.:*･˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚*･･*.｡.˳✧༚

Y/n thought it evident that Anne was fond of Mr. Arlert, but wondered if the man was on his way toward falling in love with her. Anne was a little shy, and although kind and well liked, often mistakenly stoic in the eyes of others, with a general uniformity in her smile and strong composure, in the nature of a prepared soldier and to guard herself from being impertinent. 

Y/n mentioned this to Petra when sparring in the tall field behind the Ral’s estate. She explained her worries as they fought, the sun burning directly above them. 

“If a woman conceals her affection,” Petra huffed, and stepped quickly to the side to dodge her friend’s punch. “There is a risk that she would lose the opportunity of seizing his affection and good graces.”

She struck the side of Y/n’s torso and tried to sweep her leg, but her friend lunged forward and thrashed into her lower abdomen. 

“Ah!” Petra hissed, and rose again to throw a right hook. “A slight preference is natural,” she said through grit teeth, aiming to anticipate Y/n’s movements. “Few of us are brave or vain enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman ought to show more affection than she feels!” She landed a blow at her chest.

“That is nonsense,” Y/n protested, and she blocked Petra’s next two hooks with the solid part of her forearms, muscles stinging from the harsh contact. 

“Arlert likes your sister undoubtedly,” Petra said, and jumped back, turning into a high kick to her nose, quickly blocked. “But he may never do more than like her–if she does not help him on!” Her last words were accented by another kick, followed by a quick second. 

“She does help him on, as much as her nature allows,” Y/n grunted, and shielded her face as she stepped away. She attacked with her elbow diagonally and pushed Petra forward again, knocking her unsteady with her leg in one swift movement.

Petra fell backwards into the grass as she lost her footing.

“If I can perceive her regard for him,” said Y/n, “he would be a fool indeed not to discover it as well.” 

She grabbed the leg that Petra had extended and pinned her opponent to the ground. “Hah!” She mimicked a final death blow at her skull, and then let her go. 

“He does not know Anne’s disposition as you do,” Petra sighed, staring up at the sky as she remained laying there, her arms and legs sprawled among the grass. “Mr. Arlert and Anne may meet often, but it is never for many hours together, and always in the company of others. They cannot engage in conversation, but once they are married, she may fall in love with him as much as she pleases.”

“She has only known him a fortnight.” Y/n lowered herself to the ground. “That is not long enough to know his character.”

“If she married him tomorrow, I believe she would be as much in love as she would be in a year.” Petra pulled up strings of grass from the root as she spoke. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, you know. It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person you will spend all your life with.”

“It is not sound, Petra,” Y/n laughed. “You know it is not sound. You would never behave so yourself, I hope.”

Read the rest here on ao3

[evegoldenwoods]

Letters from Bath - A solo journalling game.

You: an unmarried woman of the gentry.

You: entirely dependent on the charity of your brother.

You live in a city you hate. Your only respite is writing to your sister/friend.

1. Name everyone.

2. Letters must include, in order: commentary on the last letter you received; an account of an event you attended; descriptions of 1-3 people; description of food; commentary on your current projects; indirect resentment/frustration with your life; indirect expression of a desire; something funny/stupid someone said.

3. Never: directly express any transgressive feeling, such as: resentment/criticism of your male relative; resentment for your place in society.

After every letter, roll 2d6. If the dice are equal, write a final letter and describe:

1s: Your male relative decides to return to the family home.

2s: Your correspondent invites you to stay with her for a few weeks.

3s: You are "invited" to visit your pregnant sister/in-law who needs help.

4s: Your wealthy great-aunt dies and leaves you a small independence.

5s: A man you do not entirely hate proposes marriage.

6s: Your artistic pursuits are successful. The sale of your art provides a small independence.

[Author grants permission for off-site archiving.]

200 Word RPGs 2024

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

This is the submission thread for the 2024 event, running from November 1st, 2024 through November 30th, 2024. Submission guidelines can be found in this blog's pinned post, here.

[cloud3francois]

Pride and Prejudice: Who Betrayed Elizabeth?

[inky-duchess]

Fantasy Guide to Regency Fashion

The Regency. The King is mad, the Prince of Wales is lording it up as the de-facto head of state. Napoleon is raging in Europe, Jane Austen is Austen-ning and the Bridgertons are on the prowl, waiting for their glow-up season. But what are they wearing during this period? Now, for this post, I am focusing on the actual Regency period (1811 to 1820). The before and after will come… eventually.

The Regency is a curious sub-era of fashion because it is bracketed between the early Victorian era with its large skirts and large puffy sleeves and the Georgian fashions with the court mantuas. I once read an article that pondered what the Victorians thought of the fashion of their grandmother’s and great-grandmothers during the Regency, wondering if they were scandalised.

Undergarments

The Regency undergarments have much of the same structure of those that came before and after, just with tweaks.

For ladies, the Regency was a time for natural silhouettes, so this meant that the long-structured corsets of the Victorians were a way off and the panniers of the Georgians were forgotten (except at court but we will talk about it later).

Chemise: This goes under everything. This is not up for debate. I am talking to you period drama wardrobe people, yes you, you know who you are. The chemise is like a big linen shirt worn under everything else.

Petticoat: This was a thin skirt worn over the chemise to keep the chemise from sticking to the skirts. These weren’t worn for volume as petticoats were and would be worn.

Corsets: The Corset in the Regency period was much shorter than you would expect but so were bodices. Regency corsets might make you think of modern-day bras since they sometimes spanned from the breasts to the waist rather than the hips.

Stockings and garters: Stockings are like long socks that go up past the knee, usually in muted colours and embroidered. Stockings were held up by garters, which were strips of cloth tied around the leg to keep them in place.

Drawers: Technically most Regency women didn’t wear any underwear, but the Regency period was the beginning of the interest in wearing them. Some women adopted the drawers which were modified versions of the drawers worn by men. Princess Charlotte, Princess of Wales was said to have tried them out which confused a lot of other women. In the later years of the Regency, some women adopted the pantaloons which were like drawers only longer. Drawers were short of linen or cotton shorts, only with a split in the crotch and a drawstring waist.

Gentlemen

Undershirts: Men wore their own kinds of chemises, but these were much shorter and tucked into the drawers. You’re thinking of Colin Firth aren’t you?

Drawers: Like I said, the lady’s versions are adaptations of the men, cotton/linen shorts with a drawstring. But during the Regency, the drawers were adapted to have buttoned flaps.

Corsets: Yes, men also wore corsets. The Prince Regent wore one for his back issues officially but there were rumours of him wearing one to try manage his considerable weight.  

Stockings and garters: Stockings are like long socks that go up past the knee, usually in muted colours and embroidered. Stockings were held up by garters, which were strips of cloth tied around the leg to keep them in place.

Gowns and Suits

The Gentlemen

The men of the Regency were just as interested in their fashion as their female counterparts and their predecessors of the Georgian period.

Tailcoat/Jacket: Jackets and tailcoats were tailored, with the tails shaped into a “M” shape. These were made to show the shirt, vest and cravat underneath.

Waist Coat: The Regency waistcoats were vests, usually single-breasted but double-breasted were popular too. The trend in the Regency was high collared vests.

Shirt: Men would have worn shirts over their chemise for warm, only this shirt would be of more substantial fabric and often embroidered.

Cravat: The cravat is like a tie, wrapped around the neck and knotted.

Pants: When not at court, men wore trousers. These were buttoned at the front and usually tailored.

Breeches: Breeches were worn more at court as they were considered old-fashioned.

Pantaloons: These were tight, fitted trousers that were worn with high boots.

Suspenders: Trousers worn with suspenders were originally a working-class trend – as all the best trends are – become popular in the years preceding the Regency.

Inexpressibles: Probably what you’re thinking of when you think of Regency pants. These were extremely tight fitting and have reputation.

Buckskins: These were sort of the equivalent of comfy pants for the men. They were made from deerskin and worn during down time.

Great Coat: The great coat is a long coat worn over the ensemble and could be as fancy or as plain as the gentleman wants.  

Shoes: Usually, leather dress shoes and worn to every sort of event except outside where boots might be the best option. Boots were never worn at night.

Ladies

The women of the Regency period were experiencing something new, something more aligned to the Romanticism of the day. Women took inspiration from the Classical world in their fashion. Bodices became shorter, sleeves shorter and silhouettes less structured.  

Morning Gowns: These were dresses worn in the morning or during the day time if one was staying at home. It had an empire waist, short sleeves and worn with shawls and bonnets if taking a stroll in the garden. These were usually made of light fabrics such as muslin or poplin

Visiting Gowns: Visting gowns were worn when calling on friends or family. They were made of more substantial fabric like wool, satin or silk and less plain than the morning gown. They would be long sleeved and worn with gloves.

Walking Gowns: Walking gowns are pretty much self-explanatory, worn when walking outside, so that means long sleeves. They were made of thick fabrics such as wool, cotton and velvet and always worn with a bonnet and a spencer or a pelisse and gloves.

Promenade Dresses: These are a fancier gown than walking gowns, usually more decorated and worn both for walking and for riding in a carriage. Worn with a bonnet and gloves. Usually worn when one is taking a quick trip by carriage.

Carriage Dresses: Yes, the Regency not only had one dress for riding in a carriage, they had many. These were very similar to the promenade dress but designed for better comfort. Can be worn with gloves but definitely worn with a bonnet. One might wear this one on long journeys by carriage.

Riding Habits: This was worn by women when they were riding horses. They were usually made of thick cotton, leather of wool depending on the weather. This outfit was comprised of a long coat, riding gloves, high boots for the muck and stirrups and worn with a hat to keep the hair from the lady’s face.

Ball Gowns: Ball gowns were short sleeved, empire waisted and made from silk, satin and usually well decorated depending on the lady’s rank. They were always paired with long gloves. No bonnet worn here. Hair would be arranged under a tiara or an array of flowers or jewels or combs.

Shawl: Was a drape of fabric worn over the upper body against a chill. It may be made from wool or a heavier fabric but if worn to an event, it would be made of lighter fabric.

The Spencer Jacket: The Spencer is a fitted jacket, long sleeved and waist-length jacket worn over a dress when walking.

Pelisse: Is an coat dress which like the Spencer was close fitting but it was much longer.

Cloak/Mantelet: The cloak wasn’t dead yet in the Regency period. Women would have worn them in the evenings when attending balls, parties, the opera and the theatre.

Tucker: The tucker was a piece of fabric tucked into one’s bodice to cover as much as one’s chest and shoulders as possible.

Bonnet: The bonnet was usually a cap with a wide brim, trimmed with fabric flowers or ribbon and held in place by a ribbon tied under the chin.

Slippers: These look like a ballet slipper. They would be made from silk, satin, leather etc.

Boots: These were made of leather, often worn when walking distances in the city and country and usually only reached the ankle.

Pattens: This was a metal lift worn at the bottom of the lady’s shoe to keep her from ruining her shoes in rain or the city’s muddy streets.

When at Court

If you have ever watched Bridgerton, you might see that Queen Charlotte doesn’t wear the same gowns as the rest of the ton. This is actually historically accurate as Queen Charlotte was a traditionalist at heart and distrusted the new fashions, though we have a surviving empire-waisted dress of hers worn in private. When the ton descended on court, especially at the debut, they would not be wearing their short-sleeved, empire gowns. They would be wearing a wide hooped dress with a long train – but the Regency ladies weren’t about to give up on everything modern, they followed Queen Charlotte’s rules but kept the empire waist which lead to a ridiculous looking gown. I mean, look at it.

Bejewelled

The Regency era is a very important era for jewels because *trumpet sounds* it was the dawn of the tiara, or the renaissance of it. The modern idea of tiara came about during this era due to the women taking inspiration from the stephanes worn by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Tiaras became a staple during this time, giving us some of our most famous and beautiful tiaras we still have today.

[duckprintspress]

Cover Reveal for A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

HAPPY COVER REVEAL DAY! Duck Prints Press’s next anthology, A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, will be crowdfunding starting November 20th, 2024. We’ve been hard at work on this collection for a loooong time and we are thrilled to finally be making it available for y’all. The gorgeous cover art, made by artist Aceriee, was inspired by the classic 1898 “peacock edition of Pride and Prejudice – but of course, we made it queerer. The spectacular full cover is wrap around.

(spoilers: this art will be offered a postcard as one of the Kickstarter campaign backer rewards!)

This awesome book features 21 stories each up to 5,000 words long and 20 full-page color artworks. Our campaign features six merch items, too, with peacocks standing proud on much of the art.

Want to be sure you don’t miss the campaign? Follow our Kickstarter pre-launch page now!

Become a Patreon backer to get behind-the-scenes access to sneak peeks and more!

[thoughtkick]

And sometimes I have kept my feelings to myself, because I could find no language to describe them in.

Jane Austen

[perfectfeelings]

I was quiet; but I was not blind.

Jane Austen

[quotefeeling]

There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves; it is not my nature. My attachments are always excessively strong.

Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

[thehopefulquotes]

I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.

Jane Austen

[resqectable]

And sometimes I have kept my feelings to myself, because I could find no language to describe them in.

Jane Austen

[kissmypoets-hp]

hello drarry fandom please accept my humble offerings... they are reading together <3

[andallshallbewell]

[sillyandsensibleheart]

I am a writer.

Full stop.

I knew a lot about myself already, but until about a year ago, I did not know this critical aspect of my self. The most wonderful thing about being a writer, is that it needs no further qualification. I write, and therefore I AM a writer. A hard concept to grasp for someone who feels like an imposter in nearly everything they do.

Let me tell you how I got here:

Postpartum depression.

It is a strange thing. Hard to put into words if you haven't lived it, but so much changes when you have children. Even when you love them with all your heart, there is a part of you that has to be put aside for your children. I would do it a thousand times over , but it doesn't take away the grief and loneliness that comes along with it.

Those long, sleepless nights blended together as my son grew strong and happy, but still felt like such a shadow of who I was—active, adventurous and always on the move.

If you haven't had children, I can tell you that parenthood is slow. And I mean-- very slow. And most especially in the beginning.

Those first months, I felt so trapped. Bored and stale. I was colorless entity, slave to the wonderful sunbeam I had created.

Just a big, fat, bland mom.

Then, out of the blue a story hit me. A fan fiction idea, to be exact.

But I told the idea that I wasn't the right person. I wasn't a writer after all and I didn't know the first thing about how to craft a story.

But, the idea was persistent.

This stupid little thing didn't care that I was in shambles. It just kept showing up, and telling me about itself—as if I had the time, energy or patience to hear it.

"you're the only person who knows me." it whispered, as I rocked my baby in the middle of those long sleepless nights.

So at last, tired and messy as I was, I began to write.

Here and there, and on my phone at first as I was holding my fussing baby with my other hand-- but I wrote, nonetheless.

Some nine months later, Ive just crossed 100k words, and this idea is now 80% complete. I am prouder than I can even express because even if it is terrible, it is mine.

And I realized that In the end it was more than just an idea. It was that lost piece of me,trying desperately, to be seen.

To be me.

So, I'm just here to say-- you are always the right person to tell your story. And it really isn’t about how good it is, because the truth is, we write for us because—writing is us.

Anyway-- if you’re interested, here's a summary of that story:

After accidentally overhearing a conversation between Elizabeth Bennet and Charolette Lucas at the Netherfield ball, Darcy is forced to admit that he has made an embarrassing misjudgment. Elizabeth Bennet detests him. The trouble is, she might be the very person he needs most to help his sister out of her depression. Darcy must overcome his pride to ask a woman who does not even LIKE him to befriend his lonely sister, while Elizabeth must open her heart to a young woman in need.

Darcy and Elizabeth learn to know each other in broken pieces through letters sent to a mutually beloved girl.

Elizabeth Bennett and Georgiana Darcy become 'pen pals'.

Link to that story:

PC: Kilmit Sonian