#king Cole riot

[cottonkhaleesi]

@bookbunny9

Absolutely.

You ever have someone rave over a yarn and internalise it until it becomes your “gold standard” before you’ve even tried it out? That’s what happened to me with malabrigo. I was told it was the softest, the most beautiful; expensive because it was the best.

So I bought two skeins. Sure, they’re nice looking, and sure, the yarn itself is very even.

But whilst doing this project I’ve found the dyeing is only surface deep; the project is dark blue but as soon as one splits a strand, (as one is likely to do accidentally whilst cabling) a shock of white breaks through. This can be a feature, but also if this is the result of tea kettle dyeing, then I’m not impressed.

Secondly, whilst knitting just one (unsuccessful) sock, I’ve discovered three breakages. These are sudden, held together by a single minuscule thread, and don’t look like natural breakages, they look very clean cut, like someone went to cut the yarn here but did not do a thorough job.

All in all, I’ve used softer, I’ve found prettier, and for cheaper.

Malabrigo rant over, now I want to be positive and ask y’all about your tested and true gold standard yarns? What are your absolute favourites to work with and why? What makes them the best? What are their outstanding features?

I guess I’ll go first:

King Cole riot. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you want something with a halo that is also a gradient yarn, can go in the washing machine and tumble dryer on low heats, has wool content for extra warmth, and don’t mind single ply, you want riot.

The gradients are super fantastic, they say it’s a dk but it runs slightly thin (maybe more a 6 ply in reality) and it also comes in chunky. The halo is short and soft and fuzzy, and I have to stop myself from using riot for everything.

[falllpoutboy]

the ritualistic humiliation of alicent this season was absolutely disgusting and the show constantly needed to remind us that she is the character we should root against all the time and never feel bad for her, everyone else gets a pass because they’re a slave to fate, apparently, but not her. nearly every single plot point this season regarding her is swiftly followed by a punishment, whether literally or narratively.

she starts this season by having clandestine consensual sex with criston cole her sworn sword. they are so bad at being clandestine that otto and larys have clearly suspected something is going on with them. after being stood up by her, larys then replaces her regular lady’s maids with some from his staff so that they can spy and report back to him which makes alicent uncomfortable enough to send them away. that’s punishment #1

she and criston are having sex when b&c happens and are interrupted by helaena and jaehaera running in. but remember, jaehaerys was not the original target of b&c, and the mastermind behind it, daemon is redeemed by the end of this season, so alicent is so much of a POS hypocrite that while she too busy having sex with the LC of the kingsguard, her grandson dies on HER watch. and as much as i loved alicole, i really hate that the writers used their relationship to seemingly punish the characters when they literally haven’t done anything wrong. and now helaena knows about the affair too. punishment #2

alicent is confronted by rhaenyra at the sept of baelor, who lets slip that she heard viserys push for aegon to be king as his last words to her. but oh no, silly alicent, rhaenyra is here to tell you about the song of ice and fire, this stupid prophecy that has been passed from Targaeryen king to heir for generations now. how would alicent have known about it when she is neither king nor heir? doesn’t matter, she’s stupid for believing his words to be literal and stupid for playing a part in crowning her son. punishment #3

alicent takes moon tea, as an abortifacient or as a late contraceptive, we’ll never know! but the very act of taking moon tea is now perceived by grand maester orwylle, who now also has reason to suspect queen alicent has been having an affair. punishment #4

bitter and disillusioned with herself for not knowing about a stupid fucking prophecy nobody told her about and letting her horrible son aegon be crowned (even though the council was planning on installing him anyways), alicent talks down to aegon by reminding him he’ll never be as good of a king as his father (L O L) and he should do nothing. such a rousing speech leads to aegon getting drunk, flying out into battle on his dragon and getting maimed because of it. why did you say such mean things alicent? now look what you did. punishment #5

back at the small council, alicent advocates for herself to be regent with only one person there to agree with her, grand maester orwylle but not even her lover and closest confidant advocates for her. the son she is scared of the most becomes regent instead. silly alicent, don’t you know you will never be respected in a room full of men? how do you like misogyny, something you have apparently never personally experienced until this day, now? punishment #6

alicent goes to the sept of baelor to pray with helaena when a riot mob happens and is forced to retreat. this mob is apparently so righteously angry at not having enough food, they throw fish in her face with such good aim and call her the queen of fishes, alicent trips and falls for leaving helaena behind momentarily, and she also receives a bloody gash on her arm before barely escaping with her life and helaena. oh alicent, didn’t you know that the blockade of ships that carries food into the city which has been enforced by rhaenyra and corlys has actually been your fault the entire time?? punishment #7

back at the small council, alicent confronts aemond and is relieved by her duty on there by him. maybe its because she brings up a theory that he is now avenging the bullying he went through when he was young, which one could argue happened on her watch, is why she gets the boot. oh well, there goes any little ruling power and say in the war effort she had left. punishment #8

alicent sees off her brother ser gwayne who makes mention that their father otto kept her closer to him than gwayne because she was his favored child. Oh! so because alicent was otto’s favorite, it doesn’t really matter that he sold her into marriage and marital rape at age 14 last season. why would you ever want to be otto hightower’s favorite child? punishment #9

alicent also asks about daeron, with gwayne saying how unlike to aegon and aemond he is because he was raised away from them in Oldtown and not by her.. she even says this and gwayne dissuades her of that opinion but honestly, once alluded to that alicent is a bad mom, it’s just her biased brother claiming otherwise. punishment #10

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Hi! Could I request an Aemond X reader with prompt #11? Maybe something where people break into Kings Landing and Aemond finds his way to reader to protect them?

11. ''Stay with me.''

It's a bit short, but more would have been unnecessary

my taglists are here + you can send requests here at any time

—

Cloak over his silver hair, the tall prince waved his way through the angry smallfolk. A fortnight ago, the gates had been closed, preventing anyone from leaving the capital. But now, led by their hunger, they started forcing the gates of the Red Keep and rioting against the crown. They could be seen trying to trespass the gates, but the gold cloaks were on watch and brutal in their response.

When Aemond was informed of the severity of the situation, he began to worry for your safety.  

‘’My prince, what are you doing here?’’ you said, surprised to see him knocking on your door. 

Aemond kept his head down, not wishing to get recognized by other people. He should have taken Cole with him for protection. If the smallfolk saw him, things could get ugly. And he didn’t take his sword with him, only a dagger as it was easier to conceal. 

‘’Taking you to the Keep. The city has become too dangerous. You must come with me.’’ His single eye looked up at you, begging you to come with. 

You bit your lip, hesitating. You were part of the smallfolk. This was your home. 

But you couldn’t deny that danger had been more prevalent these past days. People were fighting for meat, their livestock taken by the crown to feed their dragons. Neighbors were stealing from each other and robbing fishermen. You’ve seen people fight over one golden coin. 

Aemond was right. It wasn’t safe anymore. 

You opened the door wider, letting him in. 

It was strange to see a prince in your small apartment. It had the bare minimum to live: a kitchenette, a small wardrobe, and a bed. He must find it cramped and dirty compared to his chambers. His bathing chamber was probably bigger than your whole home. 

‘’Pardon me for the unmade bed, my Prince. Had I known you would be coming, I would have cleaned before your arrival,’’ you said, embarrassed by the clutter.

Aemond shook his head. ‘’There’s no need to apologize. Please gather your things to bring with you. We must get back to the Keep rapidly.’’

He watched as you packed your things in an old flour bag. Mostly clothes and small jewelry. You made sure to grab the scarf your mother used to wear, the only piece you had left of her. 

When you were finished, you tied your bag and said goodbye to your apartment. You had been living there since working at Madam Sylvi’s pleasure house when you were five and ten.  

‘’Ready?’’ Aemond asked. 

You nodded. 

Before heading out, he took a peek outside your window, which revealed chaos. People were shouting, running about, and a few fires had started. The city was in panic.

The journey back to the Keep won’t be easy, but you trusted Aemond to take you there safely. 

He took your hand firmly in his, feeling a protective instinct towards you. ‘’Stay with me. We must not get separated.’’

—

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[entitled-fangirl]

Chance. (P3)

Aemond Targaryen x reader; Aegon x Wife!reader

Summary: the people grow restless with no king. The reader is determined to find out Aemond's motives.

A/n: A short little chapter to get us to Sunday when the next episode releases!

Part 1, 2, 4

Masterlist

...........................................................

"Ser Hightower!" Y/n called out as she walked down the stairs to the courtyard. 

Gwayne looked away from Alicent, immediately moving his attention to her, "My queen. How may I be of assistance?"

"I wondered if, time permitting, we may speak?"

Alicent tilted her head, eyeing the girl closely. 

Gwayne nodded. "Even if time does not permit, I shan't leave the queen wanting. I am yours."

Alicent noted the smile that grazed her brother's face. She huffed and walked off, not bothering with a goodbye. 

Y/n sighed, "You were at the battle, fighting valiantly, I assume."

He nodded and spoke with his usual soft voice, "Indeed, I was."

"What happened?"

His head tilted and a curious look came to his eye, "I'm lost, I'm afraid.  Ask me plainly, my queen. I don't keep secrets, you know."

She looked over to Alicent and Cole speaking across the courtyard before looking back to the male Hightower. "Who truly harmed Aegon?"

His brows furrowed and he looked away for a moment, "I didn't get a look at it. I was too concerned with the fighting on the ground."

She sighed and nodded, "I had figured you would have been."

"You suspect foul play?"

She shrugged, "It's all foul play, ser."

He let out a soft chuckle, "You're right in that." He shifted his body weight in thought, "I know you're not looking for allies-"

"-I am, actually."

His brows furrowed again. "Ah. Well, I am not much, but I will be your eyes in the bannermen if you wish."

She smiled, "I'd like that very much, ser. I thank you, as does the crown."

"Your thanks is enough."

…

"You're really to go?" She asked with a frown. 

Aemond smirked, "I am needed to win this battle. Vhagar listens to no one else."

She sighed, "Aegon is furious with you, you know."

He shrugged, "So be it. I care not what he thinks anymore."

"That's your king, Aemond. Be careful with who you speak such things to."

"I am," he stated. "I'm speaking it to you, am I not?"

Her cheeks flushed, "Just don't get injured. Please. I wouldn't be able to sleep well at night if you did."

He grinned, "Promise."

…

"My queen, we must leave now!"

Her head shot up, "What? What's happened?"

…

"They mock me!" He growled.

"My love, they do not."

Aegon scoffed, "My brother and my hand makes plans without me. They do not ask me of anything."

"They mean it in good favor-"

"-What is good favor if it is not from your king!?"

She rubbed her forehead softly, "Perhaps let this one go, and reconvene when the battle is won."

"You've have me just let this go?"

"Drink some wine. Take a bath. Go see a whore. I dunno, Aegon."

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, "I'm a lousy king, aren't I?"

"You're doing just fine."

"Why doesn't it feel like it then?"

She paused, unsure of what to say. 

Alicent walked in, and Y/n stood. She kissed Aegon's forehead, "Give it thought, my love. You're as fearsome as any of them."

She moved past Alicent with a glare.

…

"GET THE WOMEN TO THE WHEELHOUSE!"

Alicent grabbed Helaena's hand, helping drag her down the stairs. 

Y/n joined them not long after, leaving from a different door.

Surrounded by guards, the three were dragged through the rioting crowd, occasionally grabbed by the people.

"Tis the queen of fishes!"

Something was thrown, smacking Alicent in the face. She gasped, but was ushered further on.

Alicent's iron grip made her not lose Helaena, but Y/n was quickly lost. 

She disappeared in the crowd, pushed left and right in panic. 

She felt someone grab her chin and pull her forward. "You'll sleep with anyone with a crown, won't you, pretty girl?" The voice sneered. 

She whined out, closing her eyes as if it would will it away. 

Hands moved everywhere, one tugging at her dress, tearing it from her shoulder with a loud rip. 

Hot tears ran down her face, not stopping even when a guard found her again and pushed the others away. He paused for just a moment to access her, "My queen!"

Only then did she see the guard's wide eyes and a white hot pain moved to her cheek. 

She reached up, her fingers coming back with bright red blood. 

Black clouded her vision. 

..................................................

part 4

taglist: @p45510n4f4shi0n, @darktrashsoulbear, @vieenr0se, @pez-unicorn, @marlenees-world, @thatbabydeer

[foxymitts]

You ‘octopi’ my thoughts (octopus hat) - Free Knitting Pattern

My sister wanted an octopus hat, so I created her one!

As you can see, this carnivorous octopus has only left a skull behind…

Materials -4mm circular needles -4mm double-pointed needles -Stitch marker -Main colour yarn (100g DK, shown here in King Cole Riot DK, colour way ‘Cool’) -Contrast colour yarn (about 20g DK, shown here in some unlabeled light yellow) -Tapestry/yarn needle for seaming -Small amount of stuffing for eyeballs and octopus body

Abbreviations St(s) = Stitch(es) CO = Cast on K = knit P = purl Inc = Increase by your preferred method K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together P2tog = Purl 2 stitches together MB = Make Bobble – K stitch in contrast colour, turn, increase st to 3 sts, turn, K3tog, slide back onto left needle, K in main colour

Pattern notes The hat, tentacles and ‘body’ is worked in seed stitch. This is a stitch where there first row is worked as K1P1, the following row is worked as P1K1, essentially you K your P stitches and P your K stitches to create a tightly woven reversible bumpy fabric. (Google it for tutorials etc)

Throughout the pattern you will have to increase and decrease the number of stitches. Try to increase/decrease in the K1P1 pattern as best you can – you will end up with two K/P sts next to each other, but that fine, in the next increase/decrease you will be back to K1P1 the whole way round.

Gauge 6sts by 6 rows per inch in seed stitch

Tentacles (top side) make 8 For the tentacles, you work each tentacle flat and then cut the yarn at the end and leave sts on a spare needle to be used for the bottom edge of the hat.

CO3sts in main colour and work in seed stitch 1-4 – seed stitch 5 – Inc 1 at at beginning of row, keeping pattern correct, continue in seed stitch (4sts) 6-12 – seed stitch 13 – As row 5 (5sts) 14-24 – seed stitch 25 – As row 5 (6sts) 26-40 – seed stitch 41 – As row 5 (7sts) 42-60 – seed stitch 61 – As row 5 (8sts) 62-86 – seed stitch

Tentacles (bottom side) make 8 For these tentacles, you work each tentacle flat and then BO the yarn at the end. You can chose to knit these pieces separate to the main colour tentacles and sew them together at the end, as I have, or work the two pieces together using intersia to change colours. Up to you guys!

CO3sts in contrast colour, work in stockinette stitch (K row followed by P row) starting with a K row. 1-2 – stockinette 3 – K1, MB, K1 4 – P row 5 – Inc 1 at at beginning of row, K to end (4sts) 6 – P row 7 – K2, MB, K1 8-10- stockinette 11 – K2, MB, K1 12 – P row 13 – As row 5 (5sts) 14 – P row 15 – K1, MB, K1, MB, K1 16-18 – stockinette Repeat last 4 rows once more 23 – K1, MB, K1, MB, K1 24 – P row 25 – As row 5 (6sts) 26 – P row 27 – K1, MB, K2, MB, K1 28-30 – stockinette Repeat last four rows 2 more times 39 – K1, MB, K2, MB, K1 40 – purl 41 – As row 5 (7sts) 42 – K1, MB, K3, MB, K1 43-46 – stockinette Repeat last four rows 3 more times 59 – 42 – K1, MB, K3, MB, K1 60 – P row 61 – As row 5 (8sts) 62 – P row 63 – K1, MB, K4, MB, K1 64-66 – stockinette Repeat last four rows 5 more times (86 rows in total) BO all sts

Hat In main colour, CO 39sts, working in seed stitch, work across the 8 sts on each of the 8 tentacles (64sts) that were left on the spare needle. Join in the round, careful not to twist sts. 103sts. Work in seed stitch until work measures 5cm from the CO edge. Decrease 2 sts evenly across hat (I decreased sts 1&2, 52&53) to give 101 sts. Now decrease for the crown: Dec row: *work 8 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (91sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 7 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (81sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 6 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (71sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 5 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (61sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 4 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (51sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 3 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (41sts) Work 2 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 2 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (31sts) Work 1 rows seed stitch. Dec row: *work 1 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (21sts) Dec row: *K/P2tog* to last at, K/P1. (11sts) Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

‘Body’ In main colour, CO 71sts, join in the round careful not to twist sts. 1 – K 1 row 2 – *K6, inc1* to last st, K/P1. (81sts) 3-8 – work in seed stitch 9 – *work 7 sts in seed st, inc1* to last st, K/P1. (91sts) 10-20 – work in seed stitch 21 *work 7 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (81sts) 22-25 – work in seed stitch 26 – *work 6 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (71sts) 27-30 – Work in seed stitch 31 – *work 5 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (61sts) 32-35 – Work in seed stitch 36 – *work 4 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (51sts) 37-38 – Work inseed stitch 39 – *work 3 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (41sts) 40-41 – Work in seed stitch. 42 – *work 2 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (31sts) 43 – Work in seed stitch. 44 – *work 1 sts in seed st, K/P2tog* to last st, K/P1. (21sts) 45 – Work in seed stitch. 46 – *K/P2tog* to last at, K/P1. (11sts) Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Eyeballs (make 2) In contrast colour, CO3 sts and divide across 3 dpns, work in the round. 1 – Inc every st (6sts) 2 – K 3 – *Inc1, K1* to end (9sts) 4-6 – K Stuff eyeball lightly 7 – *K1, K2tog* to end (6sts) 8 – *K2tog* to end (3sts)

Eyelids (make 2) In main colour, CO12sts and work flat. 1-10 – work in seed stitch. BO all sts.

Assembly Sew tentacle bottom sides underneath the tentacle top sides (see photo), making sure to pull thread tight to encourage the tentacles to curl. Sew octopus body onto the back of the hat, I lined up the CO edge of the body at the start of the decreases, then pulled and tacked a few of the body sts onto the top of the crown to emphasise the bulb like shape. Stuff very lightly, again to emphasis it’s shape. Attach eyeballs to hat (use photo as a guide) then partially cover these with the eyelids (again see photo).

Wear and enjoy!

Pattern copyright of foxymitts.co.uk

[imperatorcaesaraugustus]

Daemon and Alys, Aemond and Helaena: Loyalty, Recklessness, and Fate

(this is one section of my House of the Dragon Season 2 Review)

Daemon and Aemond’s stories both deal with similar themes in this season. Both have questionable loyalties to their monarch, seeking their own power instead. Both are determined to act, sometimes in ways which are ill-advised. And both have stories that engage in some way with fate and prophecy and visions, though far more so with Daemon. We will focus on Daemon’s story first.

            Daemon starts this season attempting to rule in Rhaenyra’s absence, eager to take action during this pivotal time, but he is rebuffed by those such as Rhaenys who do not cede authority to him. Searching for a means to act, Daemon seizes upon the opportunity afforded by the capture of Mysaria in order to orchestrate what is known in the books as the Blood and Cheese incident (Blood being the name used for the guard and Cheese being the name used for the rat catcher). When Rhaenyra confronts him about this, he flies to Harrenhal, both so he may have the freedom to do the things he views as necessary and so he may claim some authority for himself in Rhaenyra’s absence. Once at Harrenhal, Daemon attempts to recruit the Riverlords for his army, but faces resistance from all save the Blackwoods. Frustrated with the lack of progress, Daemon tasks Lord Blackwood with harassing the smallfolk in order to encourage the Brackens to comply, a tactic which backfires massively as the other Riverlords turn firmly against him in response. Because of his shortsighted actions, Daemon is forced to execute Lord Blackwood, who had been his most loyal follower in the Riverlands, in order to gain the support of Lord Grover Tully and the rest of the Riverlords.

            While at Harrenhal, Daemon is tormented with visions. The visions confront Daemon with the consequences of his actions and the futility of his quest for personal power, slowly driving him mad. These visions are closely tied to the character of Alys Rivers, a mysterious healer/witch who interacts regularly with Daemon, repeatedly emphasizing to him that he is only a part of the greater whole. It is only once Daemon begins to accept this and seeks Alys’ help that she kills Oscar Tully, placing the Riverlands in the hands of a lord capable of taking action with whom Daemon can negotiate. In the final episode, Alys shows Daemon visions from the weirwood, and knowledge of what may come leads to Daemon abandoning his ambitions in order to loyally serve Rhaenyra.

            Aemond spends most of this season in King’s Landing. When he returns at the start of the season, he is confronted about his reckless actions leading to Luke’s death at the end of season one, but he shows no regret. Once on Aegon’s small council, he shows no respect for his brother’s authority as king, undermining him in the open by contradicting him in the small council and undermining him in private by making secret plans with Criston Cole. And then, at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, when Aemond’s tendency to keep Aegon out of his plans leads to Aegon joining the battle, Aemond takes the opportunity to remove his brother from power, burning him near fatally.

            Once he is named regent, Aemond pays no heed to the council he receives from figures such as Alicent and Larys, confident that he himself knows what the best course of action is. He dismisses concerns over the attitudes of the smallfolk until they begin rioting in the streets, then sends the men Aegon appointed as Kingsguard to the Wall for starting said riots. Aemond also has a tendency to act recklessly. He makes plans to attack Harrenhal, leaving King’s Landing vulnerable without Vhagar. Upon learning about Rhaenyra’s new dragonriders he burns Sharp Point in a rage and attempts to force Helaena into flying into battle with him.

            Helaena’s story has been a difficult one this season. She first looses her son Jahaerys in retaliation for Aemond’s actions, then suffers through a traumatizing funeral procession and a trip to the sept that escalates into a riot. She has been shown to have prophetic visions throughout the show so far, though other characters never seem to recognize them as such, and in the final episode she is seen when Daemon journeys into the weirwood in a scene that may be interpreted as her already being present within that world of visions. She then, in response to Aemond confronting her a second time, speaks of his fate in a way much more definitive than any of her other prophetic sayings so far. Aemond decides to continue with his course of action in contrast with Daemon, who changed his behavior when presented with visions of the future.

            With this aspect of the narrative laid out, the question becomes whether or not it was executed well. Many have complained that Daemon’s storyline in Harrenhal drags on too long. I personally always found his scenes enjoyable, but I recognize that not much progress is made in his story for a long time. Alys Rivers makes for a very interesting character, and her interactions with Daemon are fun to watch. Other characters in Daemon’s story, such as Simon Strong and Grover Tully, are also very entertaining, and of course Matt Smith is giving an excellent performance. Aemond, meanwhile, serves mostly to drive other characters’ stories through most of the season, being an obstacle for both Aegon and Alicent to overcome. This I take no issue with, as the aspects of his story that I am discussing here mostly serve as a parallel that accentuates the Daemon storyline. Both stories up to the first episode were, in my opinion, good, with Daemon’s being a bit drawn out in a way that others grew tired of but I did not.

            As for the final episode, I have more mixed feelings. First, let’s quickly address Helaena in the last episode (Helaena earlier in the season will be talked about a bit more in the Brutality of War section of this review). A charitable reading of the shift in the nature of her prophecies would be that perhaps, after all she has suffered this season, her connection to her gift has strengthened, the grief causing her to see the future more clearly. A less charitable reading would be that her prophecies become much less cryptic and much more specific out of nowhere. It is, to me, a moot point, because of what I will now discuss regarding my opinions on the inclusion of prophecy in this show.

            I am not a massive fan of prophecy, conceptually, in any franchise. It doesn’t necessarily ruin my enjoyment, but it never enhances it. This is even more the case in a prequel, where prophecy serves primarily to remind the audience of the original work rather than to motivate the actions of the characters. And the fact that much of the prophecy in House of the Dragon calls back specifically to the conflict which occurred towards the end of Game of Thrones is, I think, an unfortunate choice given the quality of those final seasons. But broadly speaking, the idea that the characters are approaching a set fate is not one I typically find compelling. The idea that Daemon was convinced to change his ways by a vision of the white walkers rather than by his conversations with his dead brother is a disappointment to me. I will, once again, offer a charitable reading, where the only reason Daemon reacted this way was because of all the earlier visions, a reading potentially supported by Aemond’s differing reaction to Helaena, but it doesn’t much matter. Not everything needs to tie back to the white walkers, and I really would prefer if it didn’t.

[thephantomcasebook]

Do you think Criston and Alicent have feelings for each other or was it just sex? Emily Carey said once that young Alicent was in love with Criston, but I'm not sure about the adult version of Alicent because Olivia sometimes plays as ambiguous. I wouldn't want their romantic relationship to be one-sided, because most likely Criston in love with her

Yes, I legitimately think that Criston and Alicent absolutely love one another, 1,000%

Alicent has been in love with Criston Cole since she was 14 years old and she has never stopped. Criston has been in love with her for eighteen years. We saw in 1x09 that the love is fucking electric and if you've ever read the script that describe their feelings as very much romantic and not sexual.

The ugly truth is that Condal and Hess fucked around for months and missed the production deadlines. By the time that Production got underway the writer's strike hit and Condal and Hess went back to America and so did GRRM. And since a lot of Season 2 was being written on the fly due to delays and scripts not being done they hired a ghost showrunner that didn't know anything about HOTD or F&B. So he, stupidly, relied on the actors to steer the characters this season.

To quote Alicent.

"Condal's intentions died with him."

The idea of the actors and actresses steering the production can be a good idea if you have a veteran cast of seasoned actors. The Showrunner for "The Crown" could trust his cast in "The Crown" because they had templates and historical figures to base their performances on. They also had a mostly mature cast of very talented actors.

HOTD does not have a mature cast. They have elite level actors that cannot be trusted with plotting their own character arcs, cause some of them have really - REALLY - bad instincts.

Alicent, right now, is being played the way Olivia Cooke wants to play Alicent without any supervision from the actual Showrunner. She doesn't want to be in a love story, she doesn't want to be the matriarch of the Greens, she wants to be this angry, petulant, woman-child who hates her children and acts like a teenager. These are the actions of a woman trapped in preputial adolescence not the mother of a four children who ruled a realm for eight years.

I will almost guarantee you that in Season 3 we will a completely different Alicent when Condal reasserts himself, getting Alicent back on track the way she was supposed to be acted, not letting Olivia Cooke run riot with her immature power fantasies because she was given too much control over the character development.

Alicent is reportedly going to Harrenhal with Criston and Aemond this season on campaign. So it looks like Alicent will not be at King's Landing at its fall. So, we'll get a little bit more Alicole in Season 3.

[starkdirewolflove]

House of the Dragon

Rhaenyra is venting to Mysaria about her council and the white worm has a plan to help Rhaenyra by turning the smallfolk against the Hightowers and Cole. She knows they will see the dragons head as an ill omen and they will need food. Rhaenyra is comforting Baela and sharing stories about Rhaenys, she wants Baela to give Corlys the hand of the queen badge.

Hugh Hammer’s wife wants to escape the city while their daughter still has a chance to survive. Alicent is having a tough time at the council, she wants to be regent but everyone turns against her and chooses Aemond as prince regent as Aegon’s heir. He immediately takes charge and orders the gates barred and the rat catchers cut down. A riot almost breaks out while the gold cloaks stop the crowds from leaving. Alicent confronts Cole and he thinks he’s sparing her from making hard decisions, he has PTSD after Rooks Rest and Alicent seems to be going off him.

Jace makes a bargain with the Freys to give them Harrenhal for bending the knee. Daemon is working on getting Harrenhal repaired and dreaming about banging his mother (🤢). He wants to rule as king himself and to hell with Rhaenyra. Alys Rivers is fucking with his head still.

[queercomesthesun]

Okay so Aziraphale's playlist has an easter egg where the first letter of the lyrics of each song spells ineffable.

My predictions for Crowley's:

1) Good old fashioned lover boy, Queen

2) Dreams, Fleetwood Mac

3) Angel please, Ra Ra Riot

4) Starlight, Muse

5) Funny how love is, Queen

6) Open Your eyes, Snow patrol

7) From Eden , Hozier

8) Love of my life, Queen

9) Everyday, Buddy Holly

OR (less likely but would be hilarious):

1) Hey Lover, The daughters of eve

2) Unforgettable, Nat King cole

3) Killer queen, Queen

4) From Eden, Hozier

5) Open Your eyes, Snow patrol

6) Dreams, Fleetwood Mac

7) All I have to do is dream, the Everly brothers

8) pale blue eyes, velvet underground

[fandomfourever]

I just had my first Squid Game/Inhun dream last night. It was a little all over the place but the end caught my attention the most. Also If you know nothing about the original Charmed show, then this post will be very confusing.

So in this dream, the riot got bigger and ended up outside. Except outside was in San Francisco and also everyone ended up fighting in the Charmed house, complete with the Charmed Ones, Leo, and Cole lol

Gi-hun, Hyun-ju, and Dae-ho were kinda circling through the house avoiding being shot by the guards. At the same time the characters from Charmed were wandering through doing their own thing like none of this was happening (dreams are weird).

HOWEVER, at one point, Phoebe was sitting on the stairs talking to Cole and badmouthing Balthazar (my dream appeared to be setting this before she knew they were the same). But then, Phoebe changed into Gi-hun and Cole into In-ho/Young-il, and it was Gi-hun complaining about the Front Man while Young-il was trying not to take offence.

And that was it. It took me a minute after I woke up to figure out where the heck that came from, as I haven't seen Charmed in forever and I hadn't been thinking about it. But you know, the Cole/Phoebe thing is very similar to Inhun in certain ways. And there's that aspect of Inhun either ending up like Phoebe and Human!Cole, or going dark like Demon King Cole and Demon Queen Phoebe.

Here's hoping we get a happier ending for Inhun than them, though lol

[just-some-user-hunny]

Hellooo! Your House of the dragon-bastard!reader drabbles got me thinking of a scenario (not a request, just a rambling of my nonsense)

What if bastard!reader this time is actually Rhaenyra’s and Daemon’s daughter. Like, maybe Laenor went away for like war or something, or they just couldn’t have kids, and Daemon meets Rhaenyra again. They do the dance with no pants, and boom, Rhaenyra’s preggo (reader is still a bastard, just a fully Targaryen bastard)

Time passes and she gets her first and last daughter, Daemon gets exiled (because he’s always getting exiled). Viserys is overjoyed that his beloved daughter gifted him a granddaughter, Corlys and Rhaenys become doting grandparents to bastard!reader (because everyone is playing it off as Laenor’s baby), bastard!reader gets a dragon egg, is raised with a dragon in their cradle and all those traditional Targaryen traditions

Rhaenyra tries to keep bastard!reader away from Ser Crispy Cole, who has convinced himself that bastard!reader is his child, because he is delulu (you can play around with the timeline) and Ser Harwin being the loving man he is, then starts beefing with Ser Crispy Cole. I mean, Ser Harwin has Rhaenyra and her daughter, of course he’ll enjoy the angry look on Ser Crispy Cole’s face. Meanwhile Laenor is just vibing with Rhaenyra’s/his daughter (in his heart)

Daemon only hears these rumors through the grapevine, but becomes growingly suspicious due to the timeline. He doesn’t really cope well with being exiled, so he’s off getting drunk and doing his Daemon activities, not really in the mind to play detective

One day bastard!reader gets kidnapped (maybe by an opposing house or just someone they’re at war with) and is held as a hostage. Viserys is losing his shit, ordering everyone to look for bastard!reader, Rhaenyra becomes an inconsolable wreck due to her poor baby being stolen from her, Laenor going out on Seasmoke to search for bastard!reader in a panic, the people of King’s landing running around like a stampede, everyone just losing their shit

Maybe Alicent for once actually feels bad for Rhaenyra, Alicent might’ve had suspicions about the readers parentage due to Daemon visiting and Laenor being away. But it’s not like bastard!reader had actually done anything to her specifically, and she could maybe sympathize due to her own protectiveness over Heleana

Daemon might hunt the kidnappers down, and as soon as he sees bastard!reader he realizes that it’s his baby

I’m not sure if he would return bastard!reader and declare that she’s his (causing even more drama, due to everyone thinking Laenor was the father), if Rhaenyra would become even more protective of reader if he did, if Alicent would actually like bastard!reader since she can’t prove she’s a bastard (no offense to the strong boys) if she would see reader as a threat to her own children’s claim to the throne, would Daemon try to keep reader with him for as long as possible, etc.

(Bonus/semi scenario where it’s not a kidnapping, maybe just a riot and bastard!reader gets swept away in the chaos, hits her head and gets amnesia, just going full Anastasia, gets taken in by someone in the countryside, said person is blind so they can’t see that’s it’s the Targaryen princess. Reader then works for them in exchange for a place to live, only for them to maybe get Jack Torrence death, then Daemon finding them living on the streets, realizing it’s actually bastard!reader and takes them with him. Maybe bastard!reader doesn’t understand due to being so young, or maybe is more okay with being taken in by people. Only for bastard!reader to go back to Kings landing, not remembering anything and has to build up their relationship with them again. Maybe bastard!reader gets scared of their now grown hatchling dragon that they had as a baby)

Idk, this is pretty much just a rambling that your writing inspired. Seriously, your writing is scrumptious, I gobble that shit up like a five course meal! Love your work, stay healthy!! ❤️

Ah I'm so glad you like my hotd stuff!! I had so much fun writing for it! :3 <3

Yessss I love hearing people's ideas and rambles!! Keep em coming I love 💕

[blackhistorychatgpt]

Black History 365 guide - development brainstorm

Prompt: Please act as an expert in Black History. With the attack on DEI and Black history, I would like to create a study guide about Black history. Every month I want to highlight important events in Black History. I want to highlight also important individuals each month. Please provide me a version of the guide for March. Please also provide me image prompts that I can use with chatgpt or midjourney for this study guide

Claude.ai

Black History Study Guide: March

Historical Events

March 2, 1807: Congress Passes Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves

The U.S. Congress passed an act prohibiting the importation of slaves into the United States, though the practice of slavery continued within the country until the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment.

March 3, 1865: Freedmen's Bureau Established

Congress established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, commonly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, to provide assistance to formerly enslaved people during Reconstruction.

March 6, 1857: Dred Scott Decision

The Supreme Court ruled in Dred Scott v. Sandford that African Americans were not U.S. citizens and had no right to sue in federal court, effectively denying citizenship to all Black people and declaring the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

March 7, 1965: Bloody Sunday

Civil rights activists attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to protest discriminatory voting practices. They were met with brutal violence from state troopers and local police at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

March 10, 1913: Harriet Tubman Day

Harriet Tubman died on this date. Many states now recognize March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day to honor her work as an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad.

March 25, 1965: Selma to Montgomery March

After two failed attempts, civil rights protesters successfully completed the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery under federal protection, culminating in Dr. King's "How Long, Not Long" speech.

March 29, 1968: Kerner Commission Report

The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission) released its report examining the causes of the 1967 race riots, famously concluding that America was "moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal."

Notable Individuals

Bayard Rustin (March 17, 1912 - August 24, 1987)

Civil rights activist, chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, and advocate for nonviolent resistance. As an openly gay Black man, Rustin faced discrimination on multiple fronts but remained dedicated to advancing equality throughout his life.

Dorothy Height (March 24, 1912 - April 20, 2010)

A prominent civil rights and women's rights activist who served as president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years. Height worked alongside civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and was a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (March 8, 1831 - March 9, 1895)

The first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from the New England Female Medical College in 1864. She published "A Book of Medical Discourses" in 1883, one of the first medical texts by an African American.

Ida Rebecca Cummings (March 17, 1867 - July 19, 1958)

Educator, community activist, and suffragist who founded the Colored Fresh Air and Empty Stocking Circle to provide charitable assistance to children in Baltimore, Maryland. She was also the first Black woman appointed to the Board of Managers of the Maryland Industrial School for Girls.

Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 - February 15, 1965)

Groundbreaking musician and the first African American to host a national television show. His smooth voice and jazz piano skills made him one of the most successful and influential performers of his era.

Virgil Abloh (September 30, 1980 - November 28, 2021)

Though not born in March, Abloh made history in March 2018 when he was appointed as the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear collection, representing a significant breakthrough for Black representation in high fashion.

Educational Activities

Research Project: Have students research and present on the impact of the Selma to Montgomery March on the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Document Analysis: Examine excerpts from the Kerner Commission Report and discuss its findings in relation to contemporary racial issues.

Timeline Creation: Create a visual timeline of the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting March events.

Biography Exploration: Assign students to write biographical sketches of notable figures born in March, focusing on their contributions to Black history.

Artistic Expression: Create artwork inspired by the themes of resilience and perseverance demonstrated during the Selma to Montgomery March.

Discussion Questions

How did the Dred Scott decision contribute to increasing tensions that eventually led to the Civil War?

In what ways did the Freedmen's Bureau succeed or fail in its mission to assist formerly enslaved people?

How did the events of Bloody Sunday affect public opinion about the Civil Rights Movement?

What role did Bayard Rustin play in shaping nonviolent resistance strategies during the Civil Rights Movement?

How did Dorothy Height's work at the intersection of women's rights and civil rights shape both movements?

Resources for Further Study

"At the Dark End of the Street" by Danielle L. McGuire

"Walking with the Wind" by John Lewis

"The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson

"Parting the Waters" by Taylor Branch

"When They Call You a Terrorist" by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele

National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis, TN)

The Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Montgomery, AL)

Commemorative Days in March

Women's History Month: Opportunity to highlight Black women's contributions to American history

March 10: Harriet Tubman Day

March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery

ChatGPT:

Here's a Black History Study Guide for March, featuring key historical events, significant figures, and image prompts you can use with ChatGPT or MidJourney.

Black History Study Guide – March

Key Historical Events in March

1. The Selma to Montgomery Marches (March 7, 9, and 21-25, 1965)

Also known as "Bloody Sunday," the first march on March 7 saw John Lewis and other activists brutally attacked by Alabama state troopers.

The second march on March 9 was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., turning back in a tactical move.

The third march (March 21-25) successfully reached Montgomery, culminating in a speech by Dr. King.

This led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

2. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 – Personal Liberty Laws Strengthened (March 1843)

In March 1843, Massachusetts passed stronger personal liberty laws in response to the Fugitive Slave Act, preventing state officials from assisting in the capture of enslaved people.

This reflected Northern resistance and laid the groundwork for abolitionist activism.

3. The First Issue of "The North Star" (March 16, 1847)

Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved person and leading abolitionist, published The North Star to advocate for the abolition of slavery and equal rights for all.

4. The Establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau (March 3, 1865)

The Freedmen’s Bureau was created to help formerly enslaved people transition to freedom by providing food, housing, education, and medical care.

5. The Dred Scott Decision (March 6, 1857)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Black people were not citizens and had no legal rights.

This decision inflamed abolitionist efforts and contributed to tensions leading to the Civil War.

6. The Death of Harriet Tubman (March 10, 1913)

Harriet Tubman, the legendary Underground Railroad conductor and Union spy, passed away.

Her legacy continues as a symbol of resistance and freedom.

Important Figures to Highlight in March

1. Harriet Tubman (1822 – March 10, 1913)

Led over 300 enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Served as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Advocated for women’s rights and later established a home for the elderly.

2. Fannie Lou Hamer (1917 – March 14, 1977)

Civil rights leader who co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.

Famous for her speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention: "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Fought for Black voting rights despite brutal opposition.

3. Dr. Ralph Bunche (1904 – March 9, 1971)

First African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize (1950).

Key diplomat in the United Nations, instrumental in mediating peace in the Middle East.

4. Marian Anderson (1897 – 1993)

Famous contralto singer who broke racial barriers.

In 1939, after being denied access to perform at Constitution Hall, she gave a historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial, attended by 75,000 people.

5. Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – 1965)

Jazz pianist and one of the first African American entertainers to have a national television show.

Helped break barriers in the music industry.

Image Prompts for ChatGPT or MidJourney

1. Selma to Montgomery March (1965)

"A powerful and emotional scene depicting thousands of civil rights activists marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. John Lewis leads the marchers, arms linked, as they face a line of state troopers in riot gear. The atmosphere is tense, with the sun casting long shadows on the pavement."

2. Harriet Tubman Leading Escaped Slaves

"A dramatic night scene with Harriet Tubman leading a group of formerly enslaved people through a dense forest. She holds a lantern in one hand and gestures for silence with the other. The North Star shines brightly in the sky as they move toward freedom."

3. Fannie Lou Hamer Speaking at the 1964 Democratic Convention

"A passionate Fannie Lou Hamer stands at a podium, speaking to a large crowd at the Democratic National Convention. Her expression is one of determination and power, with TV cameras capturing the moment. The audience includes activists and political leaders, some shocked, others nodding in agreement."

4. The Dred Scott Decision Courtroom (1857)

"A historic courtroom scene in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1857. A somber Dred Scott stands before the justices, with his wife Harriet beside him. The justices, dressed in traditional robes, look down from their bench. The tension in the air is palpable as abolitionist lawyers present their arguments."

5. Marian Anderson’s Lincoln Memorial Concert (1939)

"A majestic open-air concert at the Lincoln Memorial, where Marian Anderson, dressed in an elegant gown, sings to a crowd of 75,000 people. The Lincoln statue looms in the background, and the audience includes a diverse mix of people, inspired by her powerful voice."

Study Questions & Discussion Prompts

How did the Selma to Montgomery marches impact the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

What role did the Freedmen’s Bureau play in helping formerly enslaved people transition to freedom?

How did the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case contribute to the Civil War?

How did Harriet Tubman’s contributions extend beyond the Underground Railroad?

Why was Fannie Lou Hamer’s testimony at the 1964 Democratic Convention so impactful?

How did Marian Anderson’s concert at the Lincoln Memorial challenge segregation in the arts?

This guide serves as a foundational piece for understanding key moments and figures in Black history for March. I can help you refine the format or create interactive elements for community engagement. Would you like to add activities or further expand on any section?

Prompt: For this monthly study guide can you suggest other things that I can put in the study guide for each month (ie. youtube videos)

Claude.ai:

Adding multimedia resources will definitely enhance your study guide! Here are additional elements you could include for each month:

Multimedia Elements for Monthly Black History Study Guides

1. YouTube Videos/Documentaries

Historical footage from archives like the Civil Rights Digital Library

TED Talks by contemporary Black scholars and activists

PBS documentaries (many available free online) like "Eyes on the Prize"

University lectures on specific historical topics

Interviews with historical figures or their descendants

2. Podcasts

Episodes from series like "Uncivil," "1619," or "Code Switch" that align with the month's themes

Oral histories from StoryCorps or the Library of Congress collections

University podcast series on Black history topics

3. Virtual Museum Tours

Links to specific collections at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Virtual exhibits from local Black history museums

Google Arts & Culture collections focused on Black history

4. Music Playlists

Songs from the era being studied (spirituals, jazz, freedom songs, etc.)

Music by artists born in that month

Protest music related to historical movements highlighted that month

5. Interactive Maps

Migration patterns of Black Americans

Historical sites related to the month's topics

Civil Rights Movement landmarks

6. Primary Source Documents

Scanned letters, speeches, or newspaper articles

Photographs from historical archives

Court decisions or legislation

7. Lesson Plans/Activities

Age-appropriate activities for different grade levels

Writing prompts or reflection questions

Art projects inspired by featured artists or events

8. Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Experiences

Links to VR experiences like "Traveling While Black" or "I Am A Man"

AR apps that bring historical photographs to life

9. Social Media Accounts to Follow

Historians specializing in the month's topics

Museums and educational organizations

Black history preservation projects

10. Community Engagement Ideas

Local events related to the month's themes

Service projects inspired by historical figures

Interview questions for community elders

For March specifically, you might add:

YouTube Videos:

Footage of the Selma to Montgomery March

Documentary clips about Bayard Rustin

Interviews with John Lewis about Bloody Sunday

Musical performances by Nat King Cole

Podcasts:

Episodes discussing the Kerner Commission findings and their relevance today

Stories about Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler's pioneering medical work

Interactive Elements:

A virtual tour of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

A playlist of freedom songs sung during the Selma marches

Would you like me to develop any of these suggestions in more detail for your March guide?

ChatGPT:

Absolutely! To make your Black History Monthly Study Guide more engaging and comprehensive, consider adding the following elements for each month:

1. Recommended YouTube Videos

Documentaries & Biographies: Clips or full-length features on historical figures and events.

TED Talks & Interviews: Scholars and activists discussing Black history, culture, and social justice.

Reenactments & Storytelling: Visual retellings of key moments in Black history.

Musical & Artistic Tributes: Songs, poetry, and performances honoring Black historical figures.

2. Book Recommendations

Feature one or two books related to the monthly theme (e.g., Harriet Tubman’s biography for March).

Include children’s books for younger readers.

3. Podcasts & Audio Content

Recommend podcast episodes about Black history.

Include oral histories or recordings of key speeches.

4. Discussion Questions & Reflection Prompts

Offer questions to spark personal or group discussions.

Encourage self-reflection or journal writing.

5. Interactive Activities

Quizzes & Trivia Games on key historical moments.

Creative Writing Prompts (e.g., “Write a letter to Harriet Tubman”).

Community Challenge: Encourage followers to share what they learned.

6. Historical Timeline Infographic

A simple visual representation of the month’s events.

7. Virtual or In-Person Events

Share details of local Black history tours, museum exhibits, lectures, or community discussions.

8. Social Media Challenge

Encourage people to post reflections using a hashtag.

Example: #BlackHistoryChallenge: Share a historical fact that surprised you this month!

Would you like help curating specific YouTube videos or book lists for upcoming months?

[duchess-of-oldtown]

House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episode 3 thoughts

Just clarifying, these are my own thoughts, you don't like them, don't bother telling me so. Also, I'm not a book purist, I like adaptions taking putting their own spin on things - if it makes sense to do so. So, here were my thoughts. Obvs, this post is dark and full of spoilers.

I like the Bracken-Blackwood thing. I like the injection of a little bit of history but also like pettiness.

Jace, get out of your mother's ear. Can you even tell which one is Arryk or Erryk?

Rhaenys giving us slay as usual. Eve Best really gets the greatest lines.

I really like Criston Cole's squire. I don't know, he reminds me of Pod.

Criston pulling that managers face right there. We've all been on both sides of that.

Ironrod, they could never make me hate you. Master of Shade

Tyland stop bullying the Grand Master.

Harrenhal is giving all these guys a hard on. It's not even that nice a castle (before yall come for me, I know it's importance)

Aemond teasing Aegon at the Council, that younger sibling grin

Mysaria's gown looks so comfy. Her scenes are alright, better than before

Rhaenyra vs Mysaria has to get away from the whole Daemon thing. That vibe is still there and it gives me two exes sniping at one another.

I get Rhaena's annoyance but it's also an opportunity.

The Harrenhal scenes were perfect. The ambience, the setting it's all *chef kiss*.

I hate the whole Prince Consort vs King thing. For one, it's completely against etiquette and the rules but also in the book, Daemon never needed to be King, he was supporting his Queen.

There's Alys.

Daemon "I'm claiming harrenhal". Yes, girl we see

Simon I give you this castle, also dinner is on the table, it's not great but it's good" Strong, you were the best thing in this episide. " Also, this exchange feels written by George RR Martin.

Grover Tully is getting it tonight

Daemon defending an ill lord paramount's abilities, he's thinking of Viserys

Gwayne Hightower, you're giving me Harry Hardying had a baby with Alfie Allen vibes

Cole's hair... I don't know how to feel.

Alicole doing the whole courtly love shit, as if Cole wasn't on his knees that morning. She pegs him, Your Honour

I need whiter Kingsguard Cloaks.

If they fucking mansplain, ridicule or correct Rhaenyra one more time, I fucking Harrenhal them. Who the fuck are these men?

Rhaenys, eating as usual, mic drop

Rhaenys and Corlys, I know they're setting us up for what happens, but *mournful screaming*. She's standing on a little crate 😭 Corlys beefing with baby Joffrey. Corlys grabbing his lady's hips while talking about heirs is my new roman empire

Let me see Stormcloud and Tyraxes

I wanted a little more conflict with Baela and Rhaena. But Baela assuring her is top tier.

Joffrey with his mummy 😭😭😭 Jace too. It's the last time Rhaenyra will see Viserys.

Helaena's speech, I think I know what's about to happen there. The families of the rat catchers + that riot. Also Helaena isn't forgiving Alicent for Cole, she's forgiving her for the war

Aegon looks so lil in his armour.

DID THEY SAY THE ARMOUR WAS VALYRIAN STEEL? MOTHERFUCKERS

Kingslanders partying as only Kingslanders can

Ulf the White's scenes are good but Baelon the Brave? You want me to believe that Baelon the Brave cheated on Alyssa?

I did not need to see Aemond's dick. Aemond you should be out committing atrocities not getting it wet

FUCK HIM UP MOONDANCER, FUCK HIM UP

Also Baela the trees are flammable.

Daemon take Dark Sister out of there it's too damp for her

YOUNG RHAENYRA - this is how guest stars should appear, with no warning and with the actors swearing they aren't ever coming back.

Also, Alys is American?

Rhaenyra slaying in her Septa Unella cos play. I wonder whether that's the same wimple

I loved the Rhaenyra and Alicent exchange but it was still such a dumb idea. This exchange is heartbreaking, there are parts that feel sitcomy and I love it.

Rhaenyra's lil face when she thought Viserys changed his mind

Alicent's lil... "oh Aegon the Conqueror... '

Over all 9/10

[seething-river]

4 Star Book Reads for 2024

As promised, here are the 4 star books I read in 2024.

Will I be doing 3 star or below?

No.

Why? Because people don’t see three star ratings as still good, still enjoyable except that’s what it means. It was a perfectly enjoyable read in the moment, but its edges blend with something else I read or it’s not something I’ll necessarily carry with me into the future.

And why won’t I do 1 or 2 star reads?

Because I’m mean.

When I start realizing I don’t like I book I read, my editor brain kicks in before common sense does. Common sense would tell me to stop reading because life’s too short to waste on bad literature. Instead, my brain tries to fix it and I edit those books like I edit my own.

Anyways, 4 star books didn’t necessarily make me feel a strong emotion like 5 star books did but nonetheless were great fun and I recommend them generally as fun, though they may have spelling errors, plot holes, or other issues.

CW for you minors: I read smut so some of these books are 18+ and I don’t always remember which are which so…ask your parents, I guess.

Ruthless Vows - Rebecca Ross

Kingdom of Villains - Ella Fields (18+)

A King So Cold - Ella Fields (18+)

Lord of Embers - CN Crawford (18+)

These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan

Garden of Serpents - CN Crawford (18+)

These Twisted Bonds - Lexi Ryan

Frost - CN Crawford (18+)

Ambrosia - CN Crawford (18+)

Nettle and Bone - T Kingfisher

The Seventh Bride - T Kingfisher

Fallen - CN Crawford (18+)

All Systems Red - Martha Wells

Artificial Condition - Martha Wells

The Plot Whisperer - Martha Alderson (non-fiction)

The Clockwork Boys - T Kingfisher

Swordheart - T Kingfisher

Heat of the Everflame* - Penn Cole

Ensnared - Tiffany Roberts (18+)

Spellmaker - Charlie Holmberg (honestly adorable)

Daughter of the Moon Goddess - Sue Lynn Tan (alllllllllmost 5 stars)

Lord of Gold and Glory - Lisette Marshall

Ruins of Sea and Souls - Lisette Marshall

Queens of Mist and Madness - Lisette Marshall

Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan (again, almost 5 stars)

Mist and Shadow - Jenna Wolfheart

What Moves the Dead - T Kingfisher

A Gathering of Shadows - VE Schwab

What Feasts at Night - T Kingfisher

The Foxglove King - Hannah Witten

The Hemlock Queen - Hannah Witten

Viscous - VE Schwab

Paladin’s Hope - T Kingfisher

Paladin’s Faith - T Kingfisher

A Soul to Keep - Opal Reyne (18+)

This Savage Song - VE Schwab

A Soul to Guide - Opal Reyne (18+)

A Soul to Steal - Opal Reyne (18+)

Luxuria - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Gula - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Avarita - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Invidia - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Run Riot - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Silver Bullet - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Dare Not - Collette Rhodes (18+)

Our Dark Duet - VE Schwab

Storm of Paine - Opal Reyne (18+)

Under Darkened Skies - HE Bauman

The Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

The Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare

Reign and Ruin - JD Evans (18+? - I honestly don’t remember but probably)

Storm and Shield - JD Evens (18+?)

Phantasma - Kaylie Smith (18+)

Ink - Alice Broadway

A Door in the Dark - Scott Reignten

A Whisper in the Walls - Scott Reignten

Juniper Unraveling - Keri Lake (18+)

The Enchanter’s Blood - JA Stowe (18+)

City of Brass - SA Chakraborty

Ira - Collette Rhodes (18+)

The Book that Broke the World - Mark Lawrence

The Kingdom of Copper - SA Chakraborty

American Rule - Jared Yates Sexton (non-fiction)

Pawn of the Cruel Princess - Rebecca F Kenney (18+)

Jailer to the Death God - Rebecca F Kenney (18+)

Theif of Silver and Souls - Eva Chase (18+)

Game of Death and Desire - Eva Chase (18+)

The Light Fantastic - Terry Pratchett

Acedia - Collette Rhodes (18+)

The Ten Percent Solution - Ken Rand (non-fiction)

Slayer of the Pirate Lord - Rebecca F Kenney (18+) *The final book of the series was supposed to be published in May and never was, the series is currently unfinished and each book ends on a cliffhanger

[blowflyfag]

WOW MAGAZINE : march 2000 vol. 1 Issue 11

Dudleys are Duds

The Dudley Boyz went from ECW tag champs to WWF tag chumps

The Dudley Boyz are an odd sight. They wear tie-dyed T-shirts and glasses that make them look more like classroom nerds than wrestling ring bullies.

D-Von Dudley’s attire consists of short, black overalls over his T-shirt. Buh Buh Ray Dudley’s shirt goes untucked, leaving little to be imagined around the midsection. His Confederate flag bandana adds yet another dimension to a team that appears to be a collection of opposites. 

Despite their unconventional appearance, The Dudelys have failed to stand out since jumping to the World Wrestling Federation from Extreme Championship Wrestling in August 1999.

[Curtis Hughes takes out D-Von and Buh Buh Ray with a double clothesline.]

Dudleys’ WWF debut

The eight-time ECW world tag team champions and popular heels debuted on Smackdown Sept. 2, 1999 with a reputation for excelling in hardcore matches. That night, D-Von and Buh Buh Ray Dudley [real names: Devon Hughes and Mark Lomonica, respectively] looked like they were picking up where they left off in ECW.

During a match between Edge and Christian and The Acolytes, The Dudleys walked down the ramp carrying two-by-fours and started swinging. Commentators Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler played into the situation, wondering aloud who these two outsiders were and from where these men had come.

Edge and Christian and The Acolytes stood outside the ring staring blankly at the two wrestlers who had just caused a double disqualification. Unfortunately for The Dudley’s and the WWF, many fans were doing the same, and many still are.

Dudley job squad

In the months since the Smackdown debut, the WWF and The Dudleys have not been able to turn the duo’s ECW success into WWF glory. While the team chalked up a few victories in late 1999 (including beating Kurt Angle and Steve Blackman on the Dec. 9 Smackdown and Kane and X-Pac on the Oct. 28 Smackdown), The Dudley’s have been relegated largely to jobbing to more established tag teams including The Acolytes, The Hardy Boyz and the team of Edge and Christian.

While in WCW, D-Von and Buh Buh Ray Dudley were part of the federation’s most despised group. Along with Spike and Sign Guy Dudley, The Dudley Boyz developed a reputation for cutting biting promos and inciting near riots with their disparaging remarks toward fans.

D-Von and Buh Buh Ray Dudley had instant chemistry. Their Dudley Death Drop (3-D) tandem move - where the opponent is punished in a combination of a back body drop and a version of the diamond cutter - became a fear-inspiring finisher. Toward the end of their ECW run, the Dudleys added a twist on the 3-D by putting opponents through flaming tables

[Buh Buh Ray Dudley (above) and D-Von Dudley]

The Dudleys’ popularity and teamwork raised the eyebrows of WWF officials. So did another ECW move that forced WWF to react.

Just weeks before The Dudleys left, ECW signed a contract with TTN that gave the federation its first national, cable television deal. Until that point, ECW had limited exposure. Live shows were performed in smaller venues in front of rowdier, hardcore fans. Since ECW’s existing syndicated television show was difficult t o find on some cable systems, many casual wrestling fans did not know the federation existed.

WWF raids competition

The WWF had seen enough from ECW to know that a third major wrestling federation could be developing. The easiest way for the WWF to make sure ECW didn’t make too big of a splash was to raid the roster of talent, no matter how obscure the performers may have been on a national level.

The Dudleys got caught in the middle. The WWF offered Hughes and Lomonica a substantial raise and told them they would be worked into storylines immediately. The WWF didn't need another tag team. It just wanted to make sure ECW didn't have its top one as it went national on TNN.

“I wish they wouldn't have left,” Tazz wrote about The Dudley Boyz on his Web site (www.tazmission.com) on Aug 4. “But business is business, and they deserve it. They are the hardest working tag team I have ever seen in my 13 years in the business.”

‘The Dudleys came in and not a lot of people knew who they were.’

-anonymous WWF tag team wrestler

Turn Dudleys loose

While the money might be good, The Dudleys are going to need to work overtime to make their WWF run a success. In the current WWF tag team structure, the Dudleys have yet to find a niche. Because of their bigger size, they don’t work well with high-flyers like Edge and CHristyian or The Hardys, two young teams the WWF is pushing.

The Dudleys need to be set loose. They have yet to reclaim ECW-like glory on the microphone because the WWF hasn’t allowed them to. In his first few months in the WWF, Buh Buh Ray revived his old stuttering gimmick from ECW, but he earned few laughs and little legitimate heat. The two haven’t had an extended interview and only recently were they involved in angles with the top tag teams. 

“The Dudleys came in and not a lot of people knew who they were,” said a WWF tag team wrestler who asked to remain anonymous. “At that time, ECW was still only a common name to a handful of wrestling fans. They didn’t have a lot of time to develop their characters because they were thrown right in there. Here, you normally have to pay your dues. The WWF is far, and I think if (The Dudleys) keep going along with what they're told, there will be good things to come for them.”

[Buh Buh Ray’s stuttering gimmick re-emerged when he joined the WWF.]

[craftyintentions]

King Cole Riot Yarn! Witch Hat Crochet Pattern now available!!!

You can find it here on my website: https://shop.craftyintentions.com/b/c7f0b

Here on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/witch-hat-32

Or here on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1579123079/witch-hat-crochet-pattern-by-crafty

Hat made by Lauren Lewis, modelled by Lauren Lewis, photographed by Lauren Lewis, photo edited by Lauren Lewis.