#look i'm trying to drum up some drama here! help me out

[arcane-hotties]

With 12 hours to go only FIFTEEN votes separate Viktor and Ekko, it's still anyone's to win!

Hottest Arcane Character Polls

This poll is not part of the tournament, but does that make it any less meaningful? I don't think so. Reblog for sample size.

(so this is the final we *would have gotten* if there hadn't been that last-minute Vander surge. let's make this count)

Viktor vs. Ekko

[shepherds-of-haven]

Me: omg I love the SoH ROs so much all I wanna do is daydream about them

Me, daydreaming about them: what if they almost died... What if they're bleeding out... What if the MC is bleeding out...

Unfortunately they're all blorbos now, which means I want them to suffer (affectionate)

Which brings the question, in a near death situation, which one of the ROs goes for a dramatic one liner and which one tries to actually say something meaningful?

Blade: he isn't one for drama so I feel like he just wouldn't really think, "i'm dying so this may be my last chance to say something," and would just be like "you... need to get out of here..." (always thinking of the other person), but if he did think he was dying, he'd try to say something meaningful!

Trouble: I don't think Trouble thinks he can be killed for real so he'd probably not even notice the severity of his own wounds, like "I'm fine, stop fussing over me and help [someone else wounded] or get after the enemy or etc.!!!" Not necessarily being nobly selfless like Blade, just sort of not aware how close he is to death and so isn't thinking about it/taking it seriously

Tallys: if she actually thinks she has a real shot of dying, she's staying calm and composed for the other person's sake and is going to fade away with quiet dignity, but she's definitely going to exchange some of the most heartfelt, gut-wrenching, meaningful words anyone's ever heard in their life on her hypothetical deathbed

Shery: I think she'd be sort of panicking and hysterical and trying to think of something meaningful to say, but it'd probably come off as menial, like "Make sure to look after Caine, and... please look after my plants..." Like frantically trying to go down a checklist and sort of being confused and panicky rather than having the wherewithal to actually say what she'd want to say in that kind of situation!

Riel: he'd be extremely calm and would be dishing out instructions on how it's going to go down and what's going to happen next. Basically getting his affairs in order in an efficient and tidy way as he's like literally bleeding out lol, by his composure alone you wouldn't think he was wounded! Basically the exact opposite of Shery, and it would only be in the final few moments of consciousness that he could stop being totally "logical" and he'd get quiet and be like, oh. this could actually be the end. In which case he'd try to sneak in something heartfelt and striking and poignant, but he'd probably have expended all his energy on the first part and would lose consciousness halfway through, so no one would know what he was going to say, and he "wouldn't remember" when he woke up lol

Chase: I think it really depends on the situation... he's been in so many near-death scenarios that he's gotten out of perfectly fine that it's a bit hum-drum for him now, so if it's a simple matter of "oh no i've been shot and i'm bleeding out" he'd probably go for the quip or the dramatic one-liner purely to put the people around him at ease or get them to crack a smile, but if it's like a "oh I'm already dead and there's no way anyone's going to save me except by literal intervention of the gods", maybe he'd say something more meaningful?? It really depends on who's with him and how lucid he is, though!

Red: he'd try to be bracing and good-hearted about it so as to not worry anyone or sabotage himself while he's down (he's of the mindset that if you embrace/accept death too preemptively, you're more likely to die, whereas if you act like it's going to be fine, there's a higher chance that, like, placebo effect will somehow help you pull through), so he'd be like, "Don't worry, haha, I've had worse..." *is bleeding out from a gut shot* "YOU HAVE??" "Well, no, but it hardly hurts..." I think if he genuinely thought it was too late for him, he'd say something meaningful, but it would take a lot for him to get to that point lol

Ayla: I feel like she'd just be pissed and not accepting the gravity of the situation, like, "Why are you all looking at me like that, I'm fine??? Blood replaces itself, you are being dramatic" So she probably wouldn't "waste time" on being sentimental when she can just WILL herself to get better, but if it got to the point where she thinks it's genuinely over, she'd abruptly get scared, emotional, tearful, and she'd probably choke out something vulnerable, like "I don't want to go like this..."

Briony: I think she'd be in shock and would behave similarly to Shery where she would just be saying whatever was racing through her mind, so it could possibly be meaningful and vulnerable, like "I always wanted to... [x]" or it could be somewhat nonsensical or brushing the whole thing off, like "It's just a scratch, I just need to rest, make sure that so-and-so is seen to because I saw that they were limping..." (thinking she's just going to pass out now)

Lavinet: I think she'd be very noble and dignified and graceful in near-death, like she'd arrange herself very beautifully and would be lying there in some infirmary bed with her hair spread out across the pillow as so-and-so clutches her hand and weeps and she murmurs to them to not to worry and tells them "her last words" in a delivery and meaningfulness straight from a dramatic novel

Halek: I think the first time he'd say something so flippant and stupid, like "Holy shit, getting shot is such a pain" -> 😵 (passes out) and if he had the luck of waking up again he'd be like "oh my god those could have been my last words" and he'd take it more seriously the next time and try to think of something more meaningful beforehand lol

[altocat]

Oh no honey, you got it all wrong. Genesis living in my head rent-free is NOT ironic at all. They all do, even the bad guys like Sephiroth and Hojo. I like them as fictional characters.

You not remembering me IS ironic. I can tell you we used to talk off anon before you decided to be rude to me and you wouldn't know which one of those people you were being rude to was me. That shy kitty cat act is ridiculous.

Tell those other anons that send nastier asks I say hello. I wonder if they are in a similar boat. You asked for assumptions about your person, I sent some honest ones and you freaked out. You should have specified you only accept compliments.

I'm more confused than anything now. Especially considering I currently have my entire chat history open and I can't find whatever it is you're referencing. Would be helpful if I actually knew who you were so we could settle this like actual adults instead of you hiding behind Anon making stuff up for shits n giggles.

Look, I'll level with you here. I always own up to any mistakes I make, whether that's having a bad take on characters or if I unintentionally spark some miscommunication. I don't do conflict. I don't do trolling. I don't look to ever intentionally hurt people's feelings regardless of whether we agree or disagree on things. When I'm attacked on my own blog unprompted, I defend myself. But I'm extremely self-critical and I always try to put my best foot forward. I'm not existing here to drum up drama or spark controversy. I just write about characters. I don't really engage with the wider community. I have maybe 2-4 other users I talk to on a weekly basis other than people sending asks or specific questions.

So with all that said, I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about when you say "we used to talk". Like I genuinely don't. And if you want to refresh me then PLEASE, by all means DM me. I encourage you, in fact. I promise I won't out you. We can clear the air in private without having a stupid slap fight over something as inconsequential as fictional characters.

Unless, of course, this is still just trolling. In which case lol guess that's on me for making an effort. But I'll feel better for it afterwards, I suppose.

[libraford]

gods as someone that was raised in several churches (mom minister so I got all the shitty behind the scenes drama starting at like 4yo and never really believed beyond general agnostic-ish feelings. which apparently is a super common trend for pastor/minister kids to nope tf out of the church asap) the 'forcing you to be The Right Christian™ Or You Don't Deserve™™ Charity' thing hits hard. especially when I psych myself out of asking for help because I'm constantly remembering how openly hostile some of those places are to even poor christian people using their services.

like one particular church (the "open and affirming" one that threw the only trans woman out of the 20 person congregation because the old white guy treasurer learned she was trans after like 8 years and suddenly didn't want to look at her, or "worse", hear her sing) had a monthly meal for the (very poor neighborhood) community. they'd make everyone pray to God for 20 minutes before letting anyone touch even a slice of bread, but lock them out of the sanctuary during church hours because they were, I wish I was joking and that this wasn't a direct quote, "dirty homeless looters". you had to pray correctly to get food but don't you dare sully the churches doorstep trying to attend worship. meanwhile the church people organizing it are going off about how dare these people be standing in line for food instead of attending church as Real Good Christians Should.

🙃

That's fucking frightening and unfortunately I have my own similar stories.

Tw for racism, homophobia, anti-Muslim, and just... really bad stereotypes.

One of the reasons I started walking away from the church (there's a couple reasons) was at our summer mission trip (yes, I know.) In previous years, we had kept local: deep cleaning the homeless shelter, renovating the local Latino advocacy building, soup kitchen stuff. But one of the (more wealthy) girls in our group wanted to try doing a mission abroad.

Best we could do is Toronto.

We signed up with a shelter there and they gave us some tasks. The shelter REALLY played up how bad it was in this part of town- the gang violence, the culture of sin, the regressive way the men treat women in their home country.

So like... I'm from America. I've been to Chicago. Not to compare but like... hmm..

So during the introduction to how terrible it is in Toronto (...?) Our ambassador takes us through parts of town to show us what it's like to be homeless there. It was a very somber thing. We were given a small amount of money and we were to pretend it was all we had. Try to survive on a few coins.

We take our tour. Remember that this is supposed to scare us.

She takes us to an area where we hear drums. We hide behind a building. "You hear those drums? This is a homeless village. Young people come here seeking community, but you will be turned away if you cannot provide a service for them. They will only use your body for so long."

So... I'd been to drum circles before. And this was very much a drum circle. Like sure these people were a little crunchy, but it was pretty clear to me that these guys were just cutting loose after the day of work.

She takes us to the red light district.

"This is the red light district," she says. "This is where all the homosexuals come. You see that there are many young people here who are attracted to the high life. But you will see: the older men will always come looking for the younger one's to manipulate and that's how many homeless people become prostitutes."

I, a half-in-half-out of the closet lesbian, for the first time in my life, saw two happy gay men arm in arm and it was moving for me. I saw people having a good time. I'd already figured out she was full of shit. Now I was mad.

So we get back to the church we're staying at and I'm already having second thoughts about this visit to Canada. She tells us that our mission this week is to tutor some Somali kids in English and math.

... I feel... oncoming dread.

They didn't give us a lesson,plan or anything. Were supposed to just help them learn where they're stuck in their lessons. And then on Friday we'll have a trip to the museum of science and industry.

I was the only one in our group that had ever encountered a Muslim to know that Friday was their holy day. And that was when I realized that it was a conversion tactic. I asked her about it like... 'is Friday really a good time to do that?' And she was like 'well, it's the last day you'll be here and we want to celebrate don't we?'

And I was livid, but I was in a different country with a bunch of people who believed this woman's lies. And I didn't say anything to my friends because I was already kind of an outcast there, no one was going to believe me.

So I held my tongue, but from then on I lost a lot of respect for Christian-run charities and even now I'll always be looking for their angle.

[roleplayshmolplay]

Queer Spooky Season RP Search

Hello hello! I have a spooky season idea I'm hoping to jump into with someone!

About Me:

I'm a 30nb queer who has been roleplaying for a long time.

I only write queer relationships. I'm sorry. I'm not straight, so I don't enjoy writing straight pairings either.

I prefer roleplaying over discord, but I'm open to PMs here too.

For word range, I typically prefer staying around the discord character limit as I can respond more frequently. But I have some partners where we only post paragraph/post and I have some partners where we're writing a novel/post, so I welcome all!

I love to chat & plot with my partners.

I can often respond daily or multiple times a day, but sometimes I will go a few days in between if life gets chaotic.

I will never pressure you for posts. Take ten minutes, take a month.

I'm happy to go more lighthearted & fun with some drama/action built in, or I'm happy to go full on dark, twisted & crazy.

I'm hard to trigger, but let me know your limits!

Plot Idea:

Because it's spooky season, I have an intense craving to drum up some horror & supernatural elements! I've got a few ways that this can play out in mind!

Set in a sleepy little town where everyone knows everyone, a group of friends dared each other to stay in a haunted house when they were teenagers. Yet (as expected) things went terribly wrong and four of the friends were found dead at the hands of a killer (human or otherwise) that crashed the party. Flash forward to years later where My Character has opened up an apothecary that sells magic supplies. To the non-believers, he comes off as the 'town crazy' who never got past the trauma from his past. To those who know that magic and the supernatural is real, his store is the source for all your needs. Little does he know that the killer has returned to finish what they started all those years ago.

This can play out in multiple ways depending on what type of character you'd like to play:

Your Character is another surviving member of the friend group, but he got out of town the first chance he got and never looked back. At least not until he started to have visions of his dead friends saying that the killer is back.

Your Character is the original killer (whether human or otherwise) and pursues a twisted relationship with MC.

Your Character is the ghost of one of the friends who has been trying for years without success to catch MC's attention and finally breaks through now that the killer is back.

Your Character is the new target of the original killer and comes to MC to try and understand how to save themselves.

Your Character is a demon MC summoned to help protect him against the returning killer.

Your Character is new to town and has no idea the trouble he's about to get pulled into when he meets MC.

Your Character is anything else you can think of!

If this sounds interesting, interact with this post or send me a message!

[bookishtheaterlover7]

The world does not revolve around Chris. He does not have private people follow him around 24/< for hair , makeup and styling. STOP thinking he's Carmen Sandiago. Hes not the Dr. He doesnt have a Tardis where he can juat pop up in diffrent coutries

🗑 messed up big we saw neither of thise rings were hers as multiple celebs have gone on Re cord how it words with borrowed jewlery so they wouldnt be putting things on there that didnt below. Theres been half a dozen rumors olthey are each flying back and forth and here and there and it statted immediately after Bookie and her friend exposed the video Jus and 🗑 posted. Immediately after it got traction rumors started and rumors will continue to clean up the mess.

No one knows when a video is made. I do pagesnts and not pageants have narional winners do holiday shoots all in one day. Evwry single holiday we made a video for and did photos with specific clothes and changes of make up here and there. He couldve filmed the video right after the auction was over or he couldve done it last weekend. It doesnt matter. And yea you cant deny that is a weird yellow gold color.

STOP trying to drum up drama

Oh and p.s. if youre going to post thing fro lm soxial at leaat be smart enough to see what is or isnt enabled on his profile right now

But lets STOP looking for drama take the quiet and enjoy sweater season. Aldo atop trying to figure out where he is based off when things are posted. Chris has said hes a night own and up late so fans probably expect things to be put up late. Or maybe* gasp* soemone forgot to post it so they did it quick or maybe well maybes can go on fkrever ok so stop reading into everything it will not onlt drive you nuts but everyone else.

The fansom should be an escape not oh god what new drama could i encounter if i say hi to friends

Well said, An🫶n, and seriously, go off!!!

And I agree... All of this back and forth is truly a pain for all. Not everything has to be broken down. I'm honestly waiting for photos or video to analyze.

And it's true, about the thing about the Fandom being some sort of escape. I came and joined for the happy fun times, I only stumbled into this because somebody got me curious. Now, I'm here, and we finally have the chance to enjoy the Fandom without Albitch and her merry band of thick faced racists making some form of drama one way or another.

I'm sorry! But I will fight but only if bullshit is around. It helps me with whatever is going on in my personal life. But the analysis of when he posts or where he's flown to and where, I'll listen but doesn't mean I'm going to overcomplicate my life trying to figure out WTF is going on somewhere over the rainbow.

This is definitely not good bye. Not by a long shot. This is a I need to take time for myself, and enjoy life while I'm not preoccupied in/with someone else's drama.

But either when I finish those fics I promised, or if something big happens, I will be back...

And final message for trolls and Team Real just waiting to pounce...

See you soon...

[i-rate-horse-games]

You should rate horse isle 3, It’s fucking wild.

agreed. agreed. agreed.

first of all, i was only able to stomach about an hour of this game, and as such this review is really just my personal experience & missing most of the game!

this is what horse isle 1 looks like

this is what horse isle 2 looks like

this is horse isle 3.

when i logged into horse isle 3 for the first time i was greeted with randomly dumped in some player built town with bad 8 bit music and traps set that punted my helpless virtual body into a sand flat with absolutely nothing there. just a low poly inescapable sand flat. i tried to ask for help in the global chat and was given instructions as to how to Start the Tutorial, as it doesn't start automatically and isn't super obvious, but then i couldn't say thank you because i had run out of the tokens needed to speak in global?? and then i got stuck in the tutorial because I needed to pick up a stick, and it was just infinite sand flat in every direction.

my goal was to find the trans train enthusiasts from the legends, but instead i got picked up by a town of middle aged moms who offered me free stuff. i accepted but then remembered the mission & also that i would likely not be playing much longer. then unaccepted. this was uncomfortable for everyone

the overworld reminds me of the low poly worlds game developers make when learning unity for the first time. not a horrible thing, but would be better if the gameplay were really good to make up for it or something. however i have no idea if the gameplay is really good! i never found any jumping competitions! i spent so little time online that my rental fully tacked horse never expired, but I did catch a few others and try riding them bareback and that is SLOW. traditional! i played horse isle 2 for a few minutes and it was just about as slow. i like the horse catching mechanic! it was fun getting the hang of it.

nothing is straightforward, so i had to google how you buy tack in this game. apparently you have to go to a player town and find a sign, click on it, and buy tack from there. but finding the sign was pretty rough for me. having only played an hour, every piece of furniture looked the same. i failed this mission.

i hear one of the main draws of this game is the silly horse breeding mechanics. i did not experience this firsthand, but ive seen some silly looking horses, so my complements do go there.

the soundtrack is pretty good! the badlands ost is groovy! the alpine ost is dramatic and ambient! black sands has a nice cello and some very dramatic drums! i'm listening to the ost here and it all seems pretty nice! a lot of this is perfect to study to! i'm jamming!

i rate this game 2 stars out of 5!

★★☆☆☆

the stars are for good soundtrack and big online open world! points deducted for the unwelcoming design, transphobia and homophobia of the developers & the drama about their rules and etc, and the fact that if you pet your horse they will make purring sounds!

next games to come will likely be 3ds games! feel free to submit horse games for me to try to '"'review'"' for funzies!

edit: here's part 2

[kimyoonmiauthor]

Blind using a design without understanding where it comes from is the point here. You should credit the people you took the design from when you make something.

And no, That's not Gustav Freytag's Pyramid. Look on his page 115 of Dies Techniks des Dramas.

I'm saying, don't plagiarize and credit your sources. The flat sides is NOT Gustav Freytag. One should read people's treaties before assuming that's their work.

Using someone's design and work without understanding the how and why isn't exactly media literacy, but understanding the how and why of Gustav Freytag and reading his theory will help you understand that he was a royal AH. And it did influence his treaties very significantly, including his Christianity, which he drums on constantly and he equating it to male experience of sex quite explicitly. (You also have to put up with a lot of racism too, reading his thing)

What I'm drumming on is media literacy which includes checking your sources. Don't blind take things without understanding how and why of them.

Understanding that the original diagrams were meant to shut out women means that one should deeply consider that and rework it, think through it.

Understanding that Hero's Journey has taken fire for not being women-centric enough, makes you think harder about the influence of Joseph Campbell and if he really was universal, or if he made it up without doing the footwork to make sure.

What I'm saying is that by crediting, doing the analysis, actually reading the theses of the people involved, you will have a better foundation to make up your own diagram rather than blindly copy-pasting and give other authors the language and vocabulary to also do the same. I did the work of reading all the way through Gustav Freytag. I did the work of reading through what the Hero's Journey actually says and the sexism inherent in it. (I did draw the correct fully sexist version of the diagram on my blog, because skipping the sexism isn't an option for me) I also dug for the so-called more Feminist version. But also managed to show it had the same issues as the first.)

Blind quoting writing advice without understanding why does everyone a disservice. Granted, it's a long tradition coming, with Gustav Freytag making up things for his treaties by getting Shakespeare and Aristotle wrong, but still, I think it's better to actually read the treaties before blindly taking it.

You have in there the other authors I listed. But because you didn't do the reading, you don't know that you do.

The foundation of the diagram was meant to shut out PoCs and women. But in blind taking advice and not examining it, there is no way to transform the intentions of the base of the diagram.

And really, it's meant to be from the first, an exaltation of male experience of sex and Christianity.

BTW, Polti, who didn't contribute did try to counter this which is rather obvious if you read Freytag's entire treaties and then read Polti in full. Both books are free online.

I'm putting the design into context. It wasn't yours. It was influenced by Gustav Freytag, but the legs and angle of the design were not Freytag's, and from your defense you definitely didn't read the original treaties of either of the men you quoted.

BTW, some of the work that went into the current "Freytag's diagram" which is BTW, wrong, is still under copyright. This specific diagram I'm pretty sure from looking at the candidate authors is probably still under copyright protection. Freytag's Pyramid is not.

Works published after 1923, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication.

The flat, up, half down, is not Freytag. I've narrowed the field now to about 1921-1970's. But the figures I think are most likely are from 1951 publication, making it not in public domain, in all likelihood. They will expire in 2046.

Freytag did NOT argue for conflict and it wasn't Joseph Campbell's idea. So that technically came from neither of them. Read their original treaties. (With the sexism, racism, and mild queerphobia) I listed all of the figures you need to find it, because I did do the reading and work. But I'm far from advocating anyone should read my blog only and people should do the reading on how the diagram was created over time.

Understand that the triangle framework ABSOLUTELY was meant to be Christian forward and meant to argue against women. So then it's step two–how to do you make this, and really think about it, so it's not about sex and Christianity from 19th century forward white male (generally not queer) thinkers being AHs to everyone else? You can't run away from the intentions of the original authors and not think about transformation.

The flat edges, not either of them. The half up half down, I'm tracing the author for. The person who invented the conflict narrative, the person who listed what the climax is, the person who made the flat edges, the person who coined inciting incident, the people who dragged it further into academia, the people who made it into books and plays... I've done my best to list all of those I can find.

So absolutely doesn't use only those two authors. Don't take the cliffnotes and do the work and make sure to credit those you took from. If you don't know, then you should check. If people did that in the first place, then I wouldn't have been crying half the time trying to find figures to fill out who did what in this absolute monster.

Plot Organizer Template

A while ago I was digging around online, looking for a detailed plot organizer but didn't find anything that looked useful. I ended up making my own and included other segments I think are useful.

Use it however you find it useful. Let me know if something doesn't make sense or is confusing, or ignore it. I'd love to explain why I included something or clear other things up. For me, I print it out and write on it, but one could also write on it digitally. Whatever works!

Please don't claim it as your own - I would like credit. (tag/@ me or link back to this post). Here's an alternative link to the image on my Google Drive.

[downtonabbeyrevisited]

Season Two Episode Four

A 1918 timestamp ushers us into one of Downton’s more slow moving episodes where three parts painful banality has been mixed with one part life-or-death peril.

Providing more interesting political and cultural conflict than WW1 (at least at Downton) is Isobel’s ongoing grating at Cora’s very soul. Cora has had the temerity to ensure that the staff don’t collapse on their feet and has done something with the linen that I can’t quite fathom which, of course, Isobel takes as a slight upon her medical knowledge. Isobel makes the fatal error of calling Cora’s bluff threatening to ‘seek some other place’ if she is not appreciated at Downton. Major Clarkson also takes sides with Cora and Isobel now has no choice but to throw herself and her messiah complex upon the Red Cross in Northern France. I am sure they will be thrilled. 

With Isobel’s departure, Moseley and Mrs Bird find themselves at a loss having deep cleaned the house and moaned about their employer’s eating habits. Turns out that one thing they forgot to do was deploy any semblance of a security system as a random man with a drama school limp wanders into the house looking for food. In a manner that would make the current Conservative front bench recoil with horror, Mrs Bird starts up a soup kitchen out of her own (presumably rather small) pocket. In her latest attempt to not do her job, Mrs Patmore drags Daisy out for some fresh air and in the process uncovers this particular bit of well meaning but financially unsustainable charity. Mrs Patmore scales up the operation, creating a “special storage area” to squirrel away surplus from the army’s stock, which O’Brien conveniently overhears (but to be honest, it’s not that much of a coincidence. I imagine most of the kitchen heard it considering that Mrs Patmore practically yelled it). In an effort to try and inject a bit of actual drama into this episode, O’Brien reports this to Mrs Hughes but (un)fortunately, Mrs Hughes could not care less. But after watching the world’s most appalling secret handover of goods in the village, O’Brien rallies and this time is successful in bringing Cora to the nefariously compassionate Bird-Patmore coalition. To absolutely everyone’s surprise (viewers included) Cora orders food to be taken from the house stock rather than army and with all the over-confidence of a consultant sets about re-arranging tables and streamlining the workflow. 

Feeling much less charitable than Mrs Bird, Moseley heads to the Abbey and attempts to make himself indispensable and reach the dizzying heights of ‘Valet to the Earl of Grantham’. But not long after the peels of laughter that such a notion invites have died down, Bates returns and takes Mr Molesley’s shoehorn which one can’t help but think is emblematic of something. The return of Mr Bates is, naturally, a painfully protracted process that involves key protagonists not talking to each other, Thomas smoking on a wall, and the obligatory invocation of Kamal Pamuk. Robert invites Bates back to help him through the ‘veil of shadow’ and as such I was intrigued to learn that he is a World of Warcraft devotee. Bates reappearance downstairs also allows for the return of two other key Downton Abbey tropes: Anna and (John)Bates having a heart to heart under the cover of darkness, and Thomas and O’Brien’s irrational loathing/scapegoating of Britain’s most infuriatingly lovelorn character (outside of Thomas Thorne) to resume with aplomb. 

Less happy to be within the confines of the Abbey is Edith who continues to signal that all of this is really a bit beneath her (certain elements quite literally). Ever the teacher’s pet, Mr Molesley reports the sighting of an Officer by the maid’s staircase to Mrs Hughes who hears that there have been lots of rumours on the timeline tonight and comes out to say that she does not live in a sack. Unfortunately, Major Bryant does not live in one but definitely frequents one and, as such, it is of course Ethel is dismissed. As she rapidly packs all her belongings, Anna pleas to Mrs Hughes on her behalf confirming that she is indeed the friend we all want but probably don’t deserve. But Mrs Hughes can’t get rid of her that easily as Edith (and passenger) skulk back to liven up the end of the episode with news of an oncoming baby *Eastenders drums intensify*. 

Talking of undeserving relationships, Sybil and Branson receive more air-time than usual, providing the latter the opportunity to demonstrate that at times he really can be a muppet. And a slightly malevolent one at that. Sybil is firmly under the cosh this week with Violet making thinly veiled references to inappropriate alliances and Mary asking probing questions whilst she tries to get on with her job. Mary thinks that she has spotted her sister and Branson having some kind of romantic exchange but in reality, all that she has seen from afar is Branson telling Sybil that she is in love with him which when you think about it, is all kinds of awful and hardly the basis for a healthy relationship. After a long walk through the grounds where I am half expecting Branson to appear on a horse Willoughby-style, Sybil eventually caves and confesses to Mary that she doesn’t know if she likes Branson despite his eminently creepy voice over. Sybil then relays her sororal confidence and rather than taking this as an opportunity to ingratiate himself, Branson for whatever reason attempts to coerce Sybil into a relationship but not before he belittles her job. Sybil looks rightfully outraged as some equally emotionally manipulative strings wail in the background in an attempt to try and make us think that anything that has just happened was evenly slightly dreamy. 

Threaded through this glacially paced episode has been the looming threat of a both a concert and the death of Matthew and (to a much lesser extent because that is how class works) William. In an effort to break the monotony of walking around the exact same bit of French trench (see previous re-caps for further details), William and Matthew take to wandering across some largely unadulterated land and into the path of some nonchalant Germans. Daisy’s lack of (presumably fawning) letters from William starts off a chain of enquiry which confirms that the War Office has declared Matthew and William missing enabling Mary to once again deploy her signature move: weeping into her gloves. But only one hand this time because she needs to keep a bit of composure for the show must go on! Apparently. Following some abysmal piano playing (I grew up in an appallingly musical household and we all had to endure the torture of other people at the early stages of learning an instrument. It was of course blissful when we got good but, heck, I was thrown straight back to the horror of it all with that ‘accompaniment’ and had an odd sort of stress response which I won’t describe here), Mary and Edith do a rendition of If You Were the Only Girl (In the World) as everyone looks on stony-faced before participating in the millenia’s most morose sing-a-long. With a very good sense of drama, Matthew and (to a much lesser extent) William make their return. Matthew takes his place at Mary’s side and joins in the signing to what is now presumably quite a bewildered audience. Ah, Downton. 

Romantic declaration of the moment 

Violet raises reasonable concerns about Richard Carlisle but Mary is more interested in expanding her real estate portfolio and agrees to throw her lot in with a fiscal agreement disguised as a marriage. Upon his ‘miraculous’ return, Matthew gives the union his blessing on the condition that Richard remains deserving. Not that he ever really was. But the sentiment is what matters here and what is more loving* than putting another’s presumed happiness before your own.

*there are actually a lot of other more loving things but in the interest of formatting, we’re going to sweep those under a very large rug for now. 

Expressive eyebrow of the week 

Rather than training as a nurse or being actually pretty useful in a convalescent home, Mary’s contribution to the war effort is being amicable with Edith. Violet declares that she has now “seen everything” as the spirit of Mrs Adelman moves on. 

Wait, what? 

“I wish we had a man” Presented without comment 

“If I am not appreciated here, I will seek some other place” Yes. PLEASE. 

“What must he do to persuade you he is in love with Lavinia? Open his chest and carve her name on his heart” No, Mary. Matthew merely needs to carve her name with a compass on his forehead to prove that… 

“I hate the word ‘missing’. It leaves so much room for optimism.” Robert is a bit emotionally weird isn’t he? 

“We haven't kissed or anything. I don't think we've shaken hands. I'm not even sure if I like him like that. He says I do, but I'm still not sure.” And lo, another red flag is raised. But because Branson is Downton’s version of a Bolshevik, both Mary and Sybil view this not as a warning about the boy’s behaviour but rather a symbol of his political leanings and such signals are duly ignored.

“He always seems a romantic figure to me” Daisy Robinson writes fanfic. Pass it on. 

“Sometimes in war, one can make friendships that aren't quite…appropriate. And can be awkward, you know, later on. I mean, we've all done it.” Once again, Violet, tell us more! 

Bates says that he has returned to “Downton at war” which sounds like a lucrative exhibition name if I ever did hear one. 

Despite Mary’s most valiant efforts, no musical performance had ever gone out to such an impassive audience until Rosalind came along 

Matthew of course is used to a much better quality sing-, sorry, song-a-long 

[say-narry]

No relationship

Note: English isn't my first language. Hope you all like it, I just imagine these two men together and Harry having jealous over me. Please, give me your opinion with a reblog, fav or a note in my askbox :)

Pairings: Harry Styles!famous x Reader x Chris Evans!Biology teacher

warnings: mentions of sex, jealous, alchoolic drink.

talk with me | masterlist

I thought that casual sex would never work out for me, since I had closed principles on the subject, but Harry made me totally change my perception about it.

At the height of need, we would go somewhere private, usually my apartment, have sex, and that was it. We'd drink some wine and talk about small things, as if nothing had happened and that was fine with me, really.

When something started to come up, I would try to remember Harry's words.

"You know, this is never going to be anything more, is it?" He was lying on my couch, after talking about a couple of friends who were like this and ended up getting married last weekend.

"Yes, Harry... It's just a comment, I'm not going to put a ring on your finger and even sign a marriage certificate with your name on it..." I rolled my eyes, I simply couldn't say anything and he would put the deal on the agenda.

So when he was off me, I just enjoyed the ecstasy of the orgasm and went on with life. And then, life brought me Chris.

The nice guy with the divine high spirits that I met at the supermarket. He helped me carry some boxes that I had picked up to pack clothes for donation, between conversations and sample muscles, we exchanged numbers and extended our conversation.

Unconsciously, I pushed Harry to the background, but I reached the point that just sex wasn't enough, I wanted someone to be more than that, something that Harry emphasized he wouldn't give me. Ever.

"Are you sure your friends won't mind?" Chris commented as soon as he intertwined our fingers when we entered the bar.

There weren't many people, I was comfortable with the amount of people, whenever it was possible, but obligatory once a month, Harry, me and our friends gathered here to chat, it was the happy hour of our squad.

"No way, they will like you..."

We walked over to the usual huge table we used and I could see Harry's smile fade immediately when he saw my hand in Chris'.

"Good evening, everybody! This is Chris, the guy from the supermarket I told you about!" I winked and everyone at the table waved, except for the lovely Styles.

We pulled out two chairs and sat down, I was in the middle, Harry to my right, and Chris to my left.

"But then Chris, you do what?" Jay asked while stirring his drink with a straw.

"I'm biology teacher." His cheeks flushed and we could see the astonishment on everyone's faces.

"In my time, teachers weren't so muscular..." Peter commented and we all laughed.

"Check it out, girl! He knows a lot about evolution and reproduction!" Jay winked and gave a mischievous smile.

"Oh, shut up!" I covered my face with my hands and the others laughed.

Two hours later...

"Go! Go! Go, go, go! Go!" Chris was drinking a 1 liter mug of beer in dispute with Adam and we were shouting around.

Chris ended up winning and started laughing, looking at me and I pulled him in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Harry, Y/n... Get two more glasses each, I want revenge!" Adam slammed the glass on the table and Chris applauded, accepting the challenge.

I nodded positively and we went to the counter.

"Kate, four more, please!" I asked the familiar bartender, who gave me a positive finger sign and started to fill the four mugs.

"Eh... uh..." Harry drummed his fingers on the counter, catching my attention. "He's funny..."

I slapped my palms on the counter and looked up at him.

I'd only known Harry a short time, but his internal cheek-biting, nose-frowning, and hair-stirring antics were a sign that he was uncomfortable about something.

"He's amazing!" I sighed, watching Chris from afar, who was chatting animatedly with the guys. "We're talkin about one week I think and it seems like we've known each other for years, he's smart, he's kind, he's engrossing..."

"I'm not interested, Y/N." Harry, who was leaning sideways on the counter before, straightened his posture and stepped closer "I thought there was something, uh... uh... between us... I think..."

I raised my eyebrow, wanting to laugh at that.

"Is this a prank?" I turned, coming face to face with Harry.

"What?" He also grimaced, and now I could see his pupils dilated.

"I thought there was something between us..." I imitated his accent "Harry, it was just sex."

"Was it? Have I been passed over?" Harry bent the arm that wasn't on the counter and put it around his own waist, in a satisfied pose.

"You've never even been in front." I took a deep breath, already tired of that drama. "You pointed it out to me more times than I could count, if I had even commented to you on the subject of 'relationship'..." I made quotation marks with my fingers "You were already cutting me off. We got into this by consent, you imposed the only rule and I followed it, so anyway, I was free to move on and look for something more solid."

Kate handed us the mugs and ran our digital receipts through the scanner and handed them back to us.

I grabbed the two handles of the mugs and Harry stopped me, holding out his hands for me to take mine away.

"At first it was just something temporary, a relief... My life has always been a roller coaster and you know it, but I've been thinking about us..."

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.

"And?"

He frowned again, taking a breath and narrowing the space between us even more.

"And that I would like to have something more with you, y/n, a relationship maybe, a wedding ring and a piece of paper with our names on it like you said that time. I know there is a lot in this, but I would like to try."

"Don't you think it's a little late for that?" I urged him and pointed my head to Chris, who was still laughing and talking with the others.

"He's just another one, Y/n, let's be honest... I've known you longer and more... deeply... " A mischievous smile escaped his lips and I wanted to roll my eyes.

"He, among as many as you, didn't reject me several times, don't make me jealous at this point..." I turned quickly and picked up the two mugs "You wanted this, Harry, and I accepted it, so bear the consequences and a toast to something we had!"

I lifted one of the mugs and took a sip of the drink, walking back to the guys, leaving Harry alone, as he always wanted.

[cannibal-witchh]

Painting Heisenberg's Nails

Karl Heisenberg x Reader

(The hands belong to the beautiful Mads Mikkelsen 🖤)

Written by cannibal_witchh

Contains: Fluff, A little sexual context, A little explicit language, and definitely cringe

Notes: This is more in regards to my hand fetish, I am highly attracted to hands with rings, nail polish, and veins...so I decided to write a cringey story! It's extremely short but I wanted something a little different then just fucking.

"Seriously, doll?", he let out an exagerrated sigh, walking around his littered study room with his hands behind his head. "Please!", you begged, spinning in his desk chair, fidgeting with a metal trinket he had gifted you. It was a metal flower, it was coarse and rough in texture but you loved it. It was just like him and of course, him making it made it hold a greater importance to you.

"N-O, no! Can you imagine if the other lords saw me?", he shook his head with a grin, walking towards you, placing both his hands flat on your thighs and leaning towards you. You put your face right infront of his, nearly standing up to match his height. "Please, Karl!", you pleaded, pushing out your lower lip to pout. " Real mature. The many decades of being single and the one time I decide to be with anyone, I pick someone younger who whines.", he laughed, giving your thighs a tight squeeze. His glasses began to slide down his bridge, and he brought his hand up to pull them up to the top of his head. You always enjoyed when he did that, his spectacles would grab a few front hairs back and it would show more of his charming face. Anytime he did something with his hair you found it very attractive as a matter of fact.

"But you like it,", you smiled pecking him on the tip of his nose with a kiss. "Yes, yes I do.", he chuckled with a wide toothy grin. " Sooo...please?", you shot your last shot with your request and you witnessed the Lord Heisenberg release another heavy sigh. "Fine. Geez, there, aren't I a nice boyfriend?", he teased rolling his eyes at you.

A few moments had passed and the two of you had sat at his table. It was trashed with crumpled up papers and old scraps of old metal, you were used to the mess at this point so it didn't particularly trigger you. "Let's get this over with, princess.", Heisenberg peeled his gloves off revealing well sculpted aged hands. Veins webbing along his hand, wrists and fingers. Scars decorating all around them, and a large onyx ring and silver ring resting above two of his knuckles. You didn't see his hands often, he was always handling metal and he preferred to miminize as much damage to himself as he could. For a moment you admired his large masculine hands, before looking at him. " Ok, just relax or whatever it is you old guys do.", you winked shaking the nail polish paint bottle. " This old guy stares at his cute little buttercup.", he propped his head up in the palm of one hand, and slipped his other onto your's. He flashed a wink and smiled as his cigar bobbed between his teeth.

You unscrewed the nail polish cap and began painting black onto his nails. He made an obnoxious gagging sound and began fanning the aroma away from his long nose. " Smells like ass!", he complained pulling his cigar away from his lips. " And your cigars don't?", you raised an eyebrow, now moving to paint his ring finger, the finger that had the large onyx ring on it.

"Such a wild buttercup,", he grinned taking in another puff of his cigar. " You really do hang out too much with me. You get more and more fiesty everyday. And a big smart ass.", he exhaled grey clouds as they swirled and danced infront of you. The smell didn't agitate you much, you had been with him long enough that his smoking addiction was a regular everyday thing.

You were now finished with the first coat on his hand and he pulled it close to examine. " Hmm..the things, I seriously do for you.." He teased freeing his other hand to allow you to begin on. " You are such a drama queen.", you darted your eyes at him, dipping the brush back in the bottle for more paint.

" So why black?"

"It's hot."

He rolled his eyes at you once more and began to levitate a dagger in the air beside him. It spun and flipped all around to keep him entertained. Suddenly, he brought the dagger to trace your inner thigh, sending goosebumps along your leg. " Bad! Wait until this is dry...then we can.", you demanded swatting the knife away from your innermost thigh. " Can't even give me something to entertain myself with. Such a cruel women.", he whined throwing his head back to let out a bored groan. " Seriously Karl, you can get some afterwards.",, you finished his ring finger, delicately stroking any missing spots of black paint.

"Oh, what a wicked princess!", he dramatized continuing his complaints while pulling his cigar back in for a puff. "Almost done...", you muttered focusing heavily on creating smooth paint strokes. Heisenberg continued watching you for a moment then looked at his newly painted nails with an uncertain expression. "Ok, I'm going to do the second coat and then I'll be done.", you lightly smiled at your impatient boyfriend. He didn't seem to say anything, instead now he was occupied with making more knives float. He seriously was a child, it had not been that long and he was acting like this had been hours of sitting.

After a couple of minutes, you completed the second coat and the relief in his eyes was made apparent. " Do you like it, buttercup?", he drummed his finger tips on the table, drawing attention to his freshly colored nails. Although, it was tacky still, you let him have his fun. " Yes, I sure do.", you twisted the cap of the nail polish back on and moved it to the side. " Now, just be careful with you nails....now you can finally get it, old man.", you smiled widely leaning in to kiss him. A couple kisses were exchanged and you could feel he had a large grin on his face.

"HEISENBERG!" a voice rumbled.

The kissing ceased and the two of you drew your heads to the noise. It was Alcina, trying to squeeze through the door. It was not really often she was in Heisenberg's home, so this was a very bizarre occasion. She finally squeezed in and stood as tall as she could stand in his room. She stood out with how flawless and well dressed she was.

She sniffed the air, " Ah, seriously? Having Y/N painting your nails? ", she began to let out a wild chuckle laughing at his dark nails. " And this is who Mother Miranda had at one point entrusted with Y/N Y/L/N. And you are out here playing dress up now.", she continued to bellow.

"Shut your mouth and get out, super sized bitch! We are about to fuck! Now go!", his eyes glanced over at his recliner chair and you shook your head. Alcina noticed too and tried to control another large howl of laughter.

"You really are an old man.", you sighed knowing very well how serious he was about kicking the foot rest up and fucking you on that stupid old recliner chair.

"Oh fine, ta ta! Adleast pick somewhere more tasteful then that. After your pitiful few seconds of fornication...please call, we have matters to discuss.", she addressed coldly exiting the building.

After a few minutes, he looked over at you with his cigar between his teeth and still wearing a smile. " Now get on that chair.", he smiled as you couldn't help but laugh. "Whatever, Lord Heisenberg.", you sarcastically replied as you moved over to this old recliner chair.

[trixcuomo]

Real housewives of Kalimdor

Aggra: So ladies, *she looks around, clears her throat before her gruff orcish voice resumes* are we gonna talk about it, or what?

Sylvanas: *tosses silver hair, red-eyed banshee glare* I don't understand why I have to be here at this dinner.

Tyrande: You don't understand? You. Seriously, you don't understand. *sneers at the Goblin woman seated next to her*

Boss Mida: Hey, I may be Horde, but I'm out of this.

Jaina: It's because you burned the fucking tree, Sylvanas. Of course we're going to have a big drama dinner about you. And you bombed my private island--

Sylvanas: 'My private island?' I thought Theramore Isle was a military stronghold. Not some personal party island with a mage tower you use to summon your boy toys over.

Trixany: *laughs* Oh my--

Tyrande: You, Trixany Cuomo. You stay out of this! This is your fault, too.

Trixany: What? How??

Tyrande: Because this is your freaking show. Sylvanas was only acting out because she wanted a spot on this show. Suddenly, bam. Next thing you know, there's a massive war crime happening in Kalimdor no one can ignore, and what are the producers gonna do? Not invite her to come on set? And then we're all supposed to have dinner together, pretend like we get along.

Trixany: I had nothing to do with that. She was my warchief, that's all.

Aggra: You could have warned us.

Trixany: That's rich, considering you were married to the warchief who set us all up with Garrosh. And there was no warning whatsoever on that, was there, Aggra?

Aggra: *gasps, clutches the warbeads around her neck*

Boss Mida: Ok but Trix. Me and my assets? We didn't like getting no warning the factions were going to shit. For like, three expansions.

Aggra: *blinks* What? Three??

Boss Mida: Sylvanas has a contract to be on this show for three expansions. *counts on her stubby Goblin fingers* That's like what? BfA, Shadowlands and then also Dragonflight.

Tyrande: What the--I killed Nathanos in the Shadowlands. I reaped him for his crimes! Then I told Sylvanas to go to the Maw and fix all this crap she caused. But because of her contract, Sylvanas is staying on this show???

Sylvanas: Thanks for that, by the way. Killing my boyfiend in this expansion when I spared your husband in the previous one. *bored, drums boney fingers on the table*

Tyrande: Spared? Malfurion?? Are you kidding me with this--you invited Saurfang to take his head, to kill him.

Sylvanas: I never said that. I would never say that. If I ever had a problem with any of you ladies, I swear I would tell you! You're like my sisters.

*silence*

Jaina: Yeah, try again Sylvanas cause that ain't sayin' much.

Sylvanas: Just because the Malfurion thing was in that cinenatic--have you ever used Blender? Anyone can make a cinematic.

Boss Mida: Oh my gold, Sylvanas. STOP. LYING.

Jaina: Ok so. That wasn't a fan-made machinima Sylvanas, that was the official Warcraft cinematic. Everyone saw it, inside the game, while they were playing. But you're saying it never happened.

Sylvanas: No! It didn't. Look I'm just... I'm Forsaken, my people are Undead. As a nation, we... *she tears up* we're just going through so much right now.

Jaina: Like also bombing Gilneas into the ground? You have a problem with mass-murder, Sylvanas!

Sylvanas: *sobs even louder*

Trixany: Shh, you guys. I think that's what Sylvanas has been trying to say... *emotional hip hop music plays, all the glamorous women of different races and creeds seated around the table together look tearful* She's saying it not just to us, but to the world. Sylvanas has an addiction, she needs help--

Tyrande: Oh shut up, Trixany! Sylvanas does not need our sympathy. Sylvanas is not even from Kalimdor, nor is she a house wife. Nor are you, nor half of the women here! This whole Warcraft reality show has just been about torturing us hasn't it??!

Trixany: Ummm I'm not sure where you heard the words 'Warcraft' and 'reality show' and thought it wasn't going to be like that? I mean.

Boss Mida: This whole thing has been a painful meme since 2004. We love it, but. We also kinda love to hate it. *sips her champagne*

Trixany: Exactly.

Tyrande: *throws her chair at Sylvanas*

[the-coffee-story]

Coffee - The Plague Doctor's Revenge

Chapter 11 - Back on the Motorway Bridge

"So how exactly do you plan to find him?", Thasfield asked when they were standing on the top floor of the parking lot ten minutes later. An icy wind was blowing around the trio. Coffee shivered.

Violet nodded, smiled, then took a deep breath. "We, uh, have no idea."

"Oh, wonderful," Sean mumbled and Violet glared at him.

"Hey Cof," she suddenly said, turning to him. His head jolted up. "Hm?"

"What's the best hiding places in Graytown if you're trying not to be spotted?"

"Hmm." He furrowed his brows, trying to find the words. Then he realized Thasfield wasn't fluent in sign language anyway and grabbed his phone from his pocket.

"I'd say the motorway bridge, it's a good spot to look across the city without being seen. On the other hand I left some stuff up there, so I'm not sure whether anyone would stay for long. Depends on how willing he is to risk meeting someone else."

Violet narrowed her pretty green eyes. "So you suggest we search there?"

Coffee shrugged his narrow shoulders.

"At least that's where I stayed most of the time while the whole drama happened."

Violet suddenly got flustered and started running a hand through her curls in embarrassment. "Oh my God. You heard us, right?"

Coffee felt himself flushing red when he remembered hearing her and Franklin exchanging meaningless little flirts a few months ago, words she'd meant to say to him, not his brother. "Uh-huh."

Violet groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry."

"Uhm." Thasfield cleared his throat. "Can we get back on topic?"

"Right. Sorry." Violet blew her hair out of her face. "Motorway bridge."

***

"So you hid here for...what was it? A couple months?", Thasfield asked while they were climbing up a narrow metal ladder to the grating of the bridge. Coffee nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Doesn't look very comfortable."

He shrugged his shoulders and reached out to the dusty grating.

"Sorry, I forgot you can't talk right now."

Coffee giggled and waved it off. Then he climbed through the hole in the grating.

Thasfield's square face grew worried when he saw the hole. "I...well, I'm not sure whether I'll fit through-"

"Come on, even Doc did," Violet's throaty voice came from the darkness behind him. She was barely visible in the shadows save for the glint of her eyes.

"Have you seen him?!", Thasfield countered. "He's a stick!"

"Yeah, one that is 6'8 long!"

"Alright, alright." He sighed. Coffee held his hand out and Thasfield took it.

The catwalk was narrow and dusty. Cobwebs clung to the concrete around them while Coffee led the others through the labyrinth. Their only source of light was the city across the river and more than once he could hear a metallic clunk when one of them bumped into a pipe followed by cussing.

"I hate spiders," Thasfield mumbled after running face forward into the third web of the night. He spat over the dusty railing of the catwalk. "Bah! Disgusting!"

"Yeah, I doubt your coat will still be black once we get out of here," Violet commented in a whisper. Her smirk was audible.

Coffee gently ducked when he noticed a freshly torn web in front of them. He raised his hand to signal a stop.

"What is it?", Violet asked.

He pointed at the web.

"Someone was here," Thasfield whispered.

"It's fresh," Coffee signed. "Whoever passed through is still here."

Suddenly they heard a shuffle from the dark catwalk in front of them. Coffee jumped.

"Against the wall, quick!", Thasfield hissed.

They lined up against the cold concrete, side by side, having no idea what was going to happen next. Coffee's heartbeat was drumming in his ears, so loud that a part of him feared the Plague Doctor might hear him.

Then a sound echoed through the labyrinth of steel and concrete. A quiet wince of pain. Coffee glanced over to the others.

"He's hurt," he signed. Violet nodded. Her green eyes shimmered in the dark. Her breath was forming clouds around her. One of her hands was clutching her belly in fear.

Suddenly a silhouette appeared in the darkness of the corridor. They could hear irregular footsteps coming closer. He walks with a limp, Coffee thought. In his mind he counted through every strategy of self defense he could use if necessary, then realized the only thing that gave him a realistic chance in case the plan went wrong was a quick escape Spiderman-style. Even then, his experiences had proven that the Plague Doctor was just as good as him. The only thing he could hope for was that everything would go well.

The Plague Doctor turned his head a little and the lights of the city reflected in the tinted glass of his mask, making it look like his eyes were glowing red.

Coffee's hand slid into Violet's and she gently squeezed it.

And suddenly the stranger turned his head and stared directly at them.

Coffee's eyes widened and he felt the blood draining from his face. Violet's pulse was hammering in his hand and he could hear Thasfield's breath racing. The metal beneath his feet seemed to bend and the world felt like it was spiraling out of control. He realized he was about to faint and angrily bit his lip to keep himself conscious.

The Plague Doctor was frozen still.

Both parties spent at least a minute staring at each other, unable to move, paralyzed by terror.

"Please don't hurt me...!", the Plague Doctor finally whispered. His voice was surprisingly soft, with a velvety German accent.

Violet blinked. "I...yeah, I was about to say the same."

"Oh." He tilted his head in confusion. "You're... you're not here to...?"

"Nope." That was Thasfield. "Actually we came here to check whether you need any help."

"Oh." He looked a little overwhelmed. "I...okay, this is awkward." He nervously laughed. "Uh...tschuldigung, I mean, sorry, I...wasn't expecting anyone here-"

Violet waved it off. "No, we have to apologize, we scared you."

"Who are you?", the Plague Doctor asked.

"We're private investigators," Thasfield explained. He was surprisingly calm. Then again, as a former serial killer he was probably used to stuff like this. "I'm Sean, here's Violet and Coffee."

Coffee waved and smiled shakily.

"Uh...hallo." The Plague Doctor nervously brushed a black curl out of his face. His silky hair reached his knees. From up close Coffee could see a few silver strands in it.

"What's your name?", Thasfield asked.

He hesitated.

"Keine Ahnung, erm...can I trust you?"

Violet shrugged her shoulders. "That's your decision, really."

He hesitated.

"My name is Wilhelm Wisper."

***

He'd gone through hell. He didn't say it out loud but it was apparent. The limp, the missing arm, the fact that the mask stayed on told them more than words.

Wilhelm told them everything. They'd had a fight. She'd thrown a burning candle at him. His sleeve had caught fire. She'd fled.

"What are you gonna do now?"

Coffee handed his phone to Wilhelm, who quickly read through the message.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Keine Ahnung. Wait until there's some evidence against Eugenia, then strike and try to prove it was her fault. And in the meantime I'll stay here, I guess."

"Our co-worker Doc Tilch is coming back from Scotland this evening with evidence," Thasfield quietly said. "Perhaps we'll find something."

"Thank you."

"You could come with us," Violet suggested.

Wilhelm flinched a little. "I... I'm not sure whether that'd be good."

"Uh...do you have a phone then?"

"Ja. I mean...yes." He dug through the pockets of his dusty black jacket and took out a black Samsung with a shattered display.

"Can I get your phone number so we can call you if something new happens?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Klar."

[bi-makes-pie]

"I'm her best enemy" Playlist [ PART ONE - Songs 1 to 30]

Click READ MORE to see the whole list

1. Nemeses (feat. John Roderick) – Jonathan Coulton I mostly see this as being in the Master’s POV.

“Could it be that you need me To keep you out, to run you faster Promise me you'll let me be The one, the worst of all your enemies”

2. Crazy – Burn the Ballroom 12 to Missy. This one is quite cute. He does calls her mad, but we all know the Doctor isn’t exactly the perfect picture of sanity either.

“She had problems with my love connections So she bought me bullets and she made corrections (…) I'd say crazy, doll, but you've got something different I'd say complicated but that's your kind of rhythm I'd say lost and you'd say love

But you're crazy not to see That you're crazy just like me...”

3. Silence – Citizen Shade This kinda makes me picture the Doctor trying to give in and settle down with the Master (any version) while dealing with the inner conflict that they’re far too cruel for their taste.

“I found peace in your violence Can't tell me there's no point in trying I'm at one, and I've been silent for too long”

4. Dangerous Man - Little Dume This alternates between the Doctor’s POV and the Master’s. But you can also interpret it as being 100% about any version of the Doctor, since they do have a dark side.

“Every bone in my body's bad Fire's burning, the skies are turning black They say I'm a dangerous man” “Can you hear the storm's a coming I'm a silver in the lining There's a spark in me They say I'm a dangerous man Better run fast as you can Don't you look back”

5. Under Covers – LeRiche A bittersweet song about two people who had this precious friendship and love for each other, and about how distance can keep it all bottled up but once they give it a chance, they immediately go right back to the start. Just fits them very well, if you picture a happy ending to their relationship.

“I don't know why you're looking for a friend I'm right by your side But out here from a distance You won't look me in the eyes Without your love, I think I could die Then you let me in, we go back to beginnings When we were just friends hanging out on the ceiling We'll laugh about love and how we felt for one another And I love the way we make up under covers”

6. The Scientist – Coldplay A song about longing to make things right again and with little analogies involving science? I mean…

“Nobody said it was easy It's such a shame for us to part Nobody said it was easy No one ever said it would be this hard Oh, take me back to the start”

7. Renegades – X Ambassadors The “They actually stole a TARDIS and ran away together from Gallirey” AU we need so much

“Run away with me Lost souls and reverie Running wild and running free Two kids, you and me And I say Hey, hey hey hey Living like we're renegades”

8. Love is War – American Young I like how cute this song is and yet there is a bit of a dark twist. Fits them.

“Sometimes love is all that can save us Sometimes love can kill a man Yeah sometimes love is a soft touch Or a pistol in your hand Sometimes love is a white flag (...) Sometimes a cannon ball But it's worth fighting for Baby, sometimes love is war”

9. Bury a friend – Billie Eilish (Cover by Pomplamoose) Master’s POV. Can apply to any of their regenerations but I think of Simm!Master the most, since Ten tends to run towards him rather than walk away from him.

“What do you want from me? Why don't you run from me? What are you wondering? What do you know? Why aren't you scared of me? Why do you care for me? When we all fall asleep, where do we go?”

10. Come as you are – Nirvana (Cover by Imaginary Future) Best Enemies, everyone. Master’s POV again.

“Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy (…) And I swear that I don't have a gun No, I don't have a gun”

11. Turn – The Wombats Academy!Era, Doctor’s POV. Theta (Doctor) clearly has a crush on Koschei (Master) and they’re both love being chaotic together. 

“I like the way your brain works, I like the way you try To run with the wolf pack when your legs are tired I like the way you turn me inside and out I like the way you turn I like the way your brain works Baby, it's the crazy I like I think I saw the world turn in your eyes”

12. Run – Snow Patrol Master’s POV if he was ever able to be honest about his feelings. Some parts can easily be read as the Doctor’s POV too.

“You've been the only thing that's right In all I've done And I can barely look at you But every single time I do I know we'll make it anywhere Away from here”

13. Maps - The Front Bottoms The Doctor’s POV as their relationship deteriorates after the Academy and he plans to steal the TARDIS and leave Gallifrey and his friend behind. I had to help myself from quoting the whole song because IT REALLY FITS SO WELL.

“There is a map in my room, on the wall of my room And I've got big, big plans (…) You say 'I hate you', you mean it And 'I love you' sounds fake It's taken me so long to figure that out I used to love the taste, I would do anything for it Now I would do anything to get the taste out of my mouth (…) "And what about your friends, Don't you love them enough to stay?" And I say, "If I don't leave now, Then I will never get away." Let me be a blue raft on the blue sea, I'll blend right in”

14. Old College – The Mountain Goats This fits the tiresome, sad, manipulative and draining part of their relationship.

“The warning signs have all been bright and garish Far too great in number to ignore (…) Our love has never had a leg to stand on From the aspirins to the cross-tops to the Elavils 

But I will walk down to the end with you If you will come all the way down with me”

15. Like a Staring Contest – The Future Kings of Nowhere Covers the end of their friendship and start of the new enemies dynamic. 

“I'm so tired of open warfare When the point of this was to be best of friends (…) When you fall in love as hard And recklessly as you and I do It seems that the final act should have The same intensity as the first scene”

16. Poison and Wine – The Civil Wars Reminds me of 12 and Missy but before Series 10. 

“You only know what I want you to I know everything you don't want me to Oh your mouth is poison, your mouth is wine You think your dreams are the same as mine Oh I don't love you but I always will” 

17. Genesis 30:3 – The Mountain Goats The mentions of a past relationship and the following lines followed by drums really make me picture this as Simm!Master and Ten getting a happy but bittersweet ending.

“For several hours we lay there, last ones of our kind Harder days coming, maybe I don't mind Sounds kind of dumb when I say it, but it's true I would do anything for you”

 18. Blood Under The Bridge – Frightened Rabbit Could literally be any version, but I picture Dhawan!Master and 13 making amends here, mostly because he might be crazy and frenetic but behind that façade he’s clearly way more tired than she ever will be.

“And it's alright, it's alright It's just blood under the bridge And I'm too tired to fight And you're sick of feeling sick And so am I It's alright It's just blood under the bridge”

19. Even Though Our Love is Doomed – Garbage  Missy’s POV. You can interpret this like her train of thoughts and reflections starting from early Vault days to the last time we see her on-screen. Reluctance, guilt and then the resolution.

“Come a little bit closer I need to understand Why we kill the things we love the most (…) Can you love me for what I've become Love me for what I Said that I would not become 'Cause they don't burn like I do (…) And even though our love is doomed And even though we're all messed up You're the only thing worth fighting for” You're the only thing worth dying for” 

20. Starlight – Muse 12 and Missy during the episodes World Enough and Time and The Doctor Falls.

“Now I'll never let you go If you promised not to fade away Never fade away Our hopes and expectations Black holes and revelations” 

21. Control – Halsey This screams Missy to me, especially since she literally incorporates the character of the evil nanny in her book (The Missy Chronicles) and in Big Finish’s audio dramas.

“I'm bigger than my body I'm colder than this home I'm meaner than my demons I'm bigger than these bones

And all the kids cried out, "Please stop, you're scaring me" I can't help this awful energy God damn right, you should be scared of me Who is in control?”

 22. Enemy – Woodlock End of Academy!Era. Yet another song which reminds me about their early fighting days and the end of their friendship.

This is where it begins At the start of an end I could no longer pretend No more, you walked out the door You’re my enemy

23. Why Can't We Be Friends? – The Academic The title says it all. The lyrics also mention how the relationship is always turning into something new, so I had to associate with the longest friends to lovers to enemies we’ve ever seen on television.

“This world is pointless If you're not here This world is pointless If we're not self-destructing love And it falls and it breaks and it turns into something new And it falls and it breaks and it turns into something” 

24. Wish That You Were Here – Florence + The Machine Doctor’s POV, in the days when he regrets leaving Gallifrey for a couple of seconds before turning to occupy his with something else. Because he knows that even if he went back, things aren’t the same and everyone has changed – including him.

“And I never minded being on my own Then something broke in me and I wanted to go home To be where you are But even closer to you, you seem so very far

And it's beautiful but there's that tug in the sight I must stop time traveling, you're always on my mind”

 25. No Light, No Light – Florence + The Machine This one makes me picture the first moment the Doctor realized his friend had changed too much and had to choose between his own feelings and standing for what’s right. This happens A LOT in the show, but I imagine realizing that for the first time was the hardest.

“But would you leave me If I told you what I've done And would you leave me If I told you what I've become No light, no light in your bright blue eyes I never knew daylight could be so violent A revelation in the light of day”

26. Dancing with the Devil – Wolf Gang This alternates between the Master’s POV and the Doctor’s POV. 

“If you're the chosen one How does it feel to be loved by no one? If you're the number one Where do you run to? Can you hide behind the sun? You say that there's no oxygen again You're forcing down the lies but you always get your way Something tells me that this was all arranged You tricked me once again” 

27. Skeleton Park – Kasador Master’s POV. “You know, back in the day, I'd burn an entire city to the ground just to see the pretty shapes the smoke made” (Missy, in The Lie of the Land, Series 10, Episode 8)

“When the house is on fire Air fills my lungs I satisfy desire From watching all you run Yeah the house is on fire Hear the sirens scream My hands hold the lighter It fits so naturally”

28. Elastic Heart – Longfellow What I love the most about the Doctor (all versions) is how they keep fighting for what is right despite their own feelings being hurt or despite how much it may cause them pain. I love what this character represents, and those lyrics reminds me so much of them. 

“Oh why can I not conquer love? And I might have thought that we were one Wanted to fight this war without weapons And I wanted it, I wanted it bad But there were so many red flags (…) Yeah, let's be clear, I'll trust no one You did not break in here I'm still fighting for peace”

 29. Bite Back – The All-American Rejects “You think you've broken me? You'll have to try harder than that” (The Doctor, in The Timeless Children Series 12, Episode 10). Same unbreakable side of the Doctor, but this time she definitively resents it a little more than usual. 

“You couldn't break me in the end And such a freedom I enjoy When you're deaf to the sounds you trust If that was all you've got, my friend Then set yourself to disappoint” 

30. No Children – The Mountain Goats Listen to me here: this covers the whole “They were married way before they started to hate each other back on Gallifrey” fan theory.

“I am drowning There is no sign of land You are coming down with me Hand in unlovable hand”

[ PART TWO TO BE ADDED SOON ]

[aboutlouishofmann]

A Life Devoted To Music

[Original interview here which is already in English. I'm just testing. All images curtesy of cinema.de]

FRIDAY, 7/5/2019

A LIFE DEVOTED TO MUSIC

In PRÉLUDE Louis Hofmann plays a talented pianist.

Rising star Louis Hofmann has often been seen at FILMFEST MÜNCHEN — for example, in the tender coming-of-age drama CENTER OF MY WORLD. By now, Hofmann is well-known all over Germany thanks to the captivating mystery series DARK. This makes us all the more delighted that this up-and-coming actor is returning to Munich this year with not one, but two exciting films. In PRÉLUDE, he plays a talented musician who experiences the downside of being an artist; and he also has a role in THE WHITE CROW, about Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. We met the amiable actor at the world premiere of PRÉLUDE and asked him about his own experiences as an artist and how life in the spotlight affects a person.

In PRÉLUDE, you play an aspiring pianist named David, a freshman at a conservatory who's under pressure from the beginning. What was it about this story that caught your interest?

In 2015, I was invited to a casting for PRÉLUDE. I think I'd read only a small blurb about it, but it won me over right away and I knew I absolutely had to play this part. I don't know whether I'd already seen WHIPLASH. I grew up around lots of music and have an affinity to it — and probably a fascination with sadness as well. I thought if the script fulfills the promise of that little blurb, I've got to be a part of things. Then I went to the first casting with director Sabrina Sarabi and we simply got along very well and I noticed that she does very fine work.

When did you finally shoot the film?

Two years ago. It was hard to get all the money that was necessary. It is just a small film, after all. I'm still glad that we made it even though we didn't have much money. Being so close on set was also great. On the first day of shooting, there were maybe 15 of us on the set. It took some getting used to, because I'd just come from DARK, where we'd had 100 to 150 people. That was our own little microcosm, and working with such a small team was something I enjoyed to the fullest.

Is that something you generally prefer: a smaller scale?

No. I just prefer good material.

What does good material consist of?

That's the question. There are only the standard responses: well-developed characters, a nice development of the role, a story that's exciting, not one that's narrated. David is somebody I can identify with to a good extent. He's sensitive. He has this great ambition that I carry within myself. When he does something, he jumps in wholeheartedly. That's also the approach I take to my own work. That's why I understood him right away.

You mentioned that music has always been very important to you. Do you play an instrument?

I played violin for a year, because my brother played violin. I stopped pretty soon after that. Then, at age eight or nine, I began to play the drums. I did that for eight years.

Do you still play?

I stopped when I moved from Cologne to Berlin. I didn't have a drum set there, nor did I have the infrastructure: a place to rehearse and so on. I didn't take it up again until this year. I rediscovered how awesome it is and how much I'd missed it — how I'd totally been caught up in the piano as well. I used to be able to play chords or three-finger accompaniment. Classical pieces, though, were pretty foreign to me. I somehow put in a lot of effort with a teacher, without being able to read music. We did it with videos. I think it helped me a little to be able to play the drums. But to learn a new instrument and suddenly understand how it works and to be familiar with the keyboard and to get into the groove when playing: that really did a lot for me. In addition, it was just extremely good preparation for the part. It made the character accessible to me, which is something I hadn't really expected.

How long did you practice?

After I got the role, we did two years of workshops. In the end, we had two-hour lessons, five days a week for three months, and then two to four more hours a day of practice.

That's a lot.

You're right. But it's great. At first it's so difficult. The first two weeks were so rough: you're really just searching for the notes; your fingers don't understand it all just yet. You feel like a dyslexic on the piano, just so amateurish. And suddenly after two or three weeks, your fingers start doing what they should. You follow the instrument, and it's simply awesome.

Are you still doing it?

Unfortunately not. No, because I can't read music and because I'd noticed that I get bored easily because I only ever play the same pieces. My roommates and I have a piano, and I play it sometimes, but not like before.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Mainly indie rock, indie pop, alternative. Sometimes soul classics, chansons, or jazz hip-hop.

Can you name two or three artists?

Two or three artists I can name... Somehow that's always pretty hard to do. Right now I'm really looking forward to the new Dope Lemon album that's coming out soon. As for indie pop, Bon Iver is one of my heroes. Parcels is great. I could go on forever. Music is a really important part of my life. I just immerse myself in it and discover new artists. It's a lot of fun.

There's this gotcha question that I once picked up from a job interview: If you were a song, what song would you be? That is, a song that describes you very well.

I have no idea. I think the songs we listen to speak to only part of ourselves. The first song I thought of is "8 (Circle)" by Bon Iver. But that's just my melancholy side. It wouldn't describe me completely, because I also have a non-melancholy side, a very happy side, that I wouldn't be doing justice to.

Now that you've had a brief look at the life of a musician, even indirectly, what would you say is similar to or different from the life of an actor?

The pressure is what they have in common. The expectations one has of oneself. The competition. Although I have to say we're a generation, I think, who fight more alongside each other than against each other. For a pianist, it's a more individual fight than for an actor, because as an actor you normally don't perform alone.

In the film, David has to put his personal life on the back burner in order to get somewhere as a musician. Since you said that you enjoy immersing yourself, to what extent do you find yourself having to put your personal life on the back burner?

Since the work always comes in phases, you only have to do that in phases. And then I do that. In recent years, I've also learned that you can't completely separate the two — that the project phases should intersect more with the phases of free time. I've always felt that I've completely forgone personal life while working, up until the end of shooting. At some point, I no longer thought that was a good thing. In this line of work, you have to watch out, otherwise you'll start thinking of the year only in terms of blocks of time. I've resolved to be aware of this for more than a whole year again. Theater actors can probably do that a lot better, because they have regular work. They're able to balance their personal lives and their work more easily. That's a small obstacle that a film actor has to overcome at some point.

Let's assume you have free time. What do you do to unwind after work?

I had a hard time of that in Berlin. But this year, I went back to some old hobbies, like the drums. Also skateboarding, climbing, bouldering, and so on, to find balance. It's just about doing something that no one judges and where there's no output. Where you're not forced to deliver output. Because all you do when playing is give, give, give. You learn something, too, of course, and it gives you something back. But it's very relaxing to just do something that no one is appraising.

And where you're not being watched.

That, too, yes.

How often does it happen nowadays that you're recognized out on the street?

Sometimes. Occasionally. There are days when nothing happens, and other days when it happens several times. It also depends on whether I'm in a bar or another place where people gather.

Imagine that for some reason you had to do something other than act.

What would I do?

Exactly.

Hm. That's difficult.

Did you always want to be an actor, or were there alternatives?

A soccer player, of course. I definitely wanted to be a soccer player. When I finished high school, I was also very interested in psychology — and art. But I don't believe that I'd study art or psychology, even though I was still saying that two or three years ago. I also have a lot of fun working behind the camera, and I've been a set manager for short films. I enjoy organizing a set in the extreme, because I also have experience in how these things work. I'd probably still prefer to stay in the world of film and then maybe try to develop material or help to see it realized.

So you could also imagine directing and scriptwriting?

Probably not scriptwriting. I'm more the kind of person who reads the script and says, "Oh, that's what happens. I think it'd be great if this and that also happened." I don't think I could write a story myself. I have a lot of respect for those who can.

What else are you up to next?

On Monday, we started filming the third season of DARK, so I'll just do that for now. That'll probably take another six months. After that, we'll be done. The series was planned as a trilogy from the beginning, so the story will conclude with the third season.

That's all from me. In closing, do you have any more comments you'd like to make about your film?

I think Sabrina is very talented, and I'm very proud of this film and hope that people will see it.

[bobasheebaby]

Babymoon- Lucky Number 7?: Crimson Rain chapter 9

Pairing: Bastien x Liza; Buttons

Word count: 1,299

Warnings: Liza’s nerves, fluff

Summary: Bastien takes Liza to the beach to try to help her relax. (Takes place mid September when Liza is 7.5 months pregnant.)

A/N: thanks @sirbeepsalot for being a sounding board and putting up with me. After you’ve all been thoroughly destroyed by both Beeps and I today with dark deliciousness here is your weekly dose of healing fluff. Now to work on next weeks but MoE is demanding dark Liam. Oh boy.

Series warnings: talks of pregnancy loss, fear of pregnancy loss, anxiety, depression. Set within Crimson Rain but pulling the major pregnancy drama from the main series. All the fluff and angst with minimal mobster drama.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I own my OC’s, the rest I’m simply borrowing from PB for a bit.

Liza frowned into the bathroom mirror as she finished styling her black locks, her hand gently grazing the top of her bump. Can’t wait until you’re born and I can go back to bright colors. She smiled as Bastien’s arms slipped around her waist, hands gently cupping her stomach. He rested his chin on her shoulder, steely grey eyes locking on hazel in the mirror. “I have a surprise for you.”

Liza laughed shaking her head. “What’s with you and your surprises?” She turned in his embrace, her hands resting on his shoulders, her large bump keeping her from pulling him too close. “Care to tell me what it is?”

“I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“If you expect me to drag my big as a house self out of this house for an extended period of time you need to tell me what the surprise is.”

Bastien chuckled at her adorable pout. “First, you’re not ‘as big as a house’, you’re gorgeous.” Liza rolled her hazel eyes. “Second, I planned on making you wait a little bit, but I always planned on telling you.” He kissed her nose making her giggle.

“Then tell me.”

Bastien ran his hands around her waist, placing them on her stomach. “I was thinking, since we didn’t really get a honeymoon and I know you’ve been stressed over this pregnancy that I’d take you to the beach so you can relax.”

Liza’s face broke out into a broad smile. “Just you and me?” He nodded. “Can we bring Butt?” Buttons trotted into the bathroom bumping Liza’s leg with his nose at the call of his name.

“If that will make you happy.”

“It would, thank you.” She pressed her lips to his in a sweet kiss. “Come on Butt, we gotta get ready for the beach!”

*

Liza rolled down the windows of the car as they neared the salt marshes. She inhaled a deep breath of the salty ocean air, feeling some of her anxiousness slipping away just with that one breath of ocean air. Buttons whined from his restrained position in the backseat. “Okay Butt, I’ll roll down your window too.” Buttons happily stretched his neck as close to the window as possible. He sniffed the air, his tail happily beating the leather seats like a drum. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply once more, peace washing over her. Thump. Thump. Thump. Liza giggled as the kicks kept time with Buttons tail hitting the seat. “Someone likes the salt air. Sage is kicking up a storm over here.”

Bastien quickly glanced over at Liza, her head leaning back against the headrest, eyes still closed, her hand resting on her bump. He pulled his eyes off of her back to the road before them, smiling as he saw the worry wash away from her features. “Maybe she’s just dancing to the music Butt is making with his tail.”

Liza laughed, the sound lighter and more free than it sounded in months as it filtered through the air. “Maybe. I still think she likes the ocean.”

“Well we can bring her next year.”

“I’d like that. Her and Butt playing in the sand. It’d be nice.”

She’s making plans. Bastien reached his hand over  giving hers a soft squeeze. He debated if he should mention it.

“I’m still scared.” Her soft voice broke through his thoughts. “I’m just trying to be cautiously optimistic.” She opened her eyes, turning her head to look at him. “I’m still terrified something will happen in the eleventh hour, but I’m trying to not let that fear swallow me up alive, I’m trying to let it go.” She squeezed his hand back. “Just the salt air is helping, so thank you.”

“I’m glad.” He gave her hand one last squeeze before drawing his hand back to the steering wheel.

Liza drew her gaze back to the window, watching the different beach houses as they whirled past. Soon they pulled up to a small bungalow nestled close to the sea. “It’s not that far a walk down to the water from here, I didn’t want anything to be too overwhelming for you.”

She reached out taking hold of his hand. “It’s perfect.” Buttons whined from the back seat. “Okay Butt, we’ll let you out to stretch your legs and go potty.”

*

Liza stared out at the water, the surf gently breaking over her feet, hair fanning out behind her in the breeze. She slowly closed her eyes, tilting her face up towards the fading sun. Just a few hours at the beach, and she already felt so much of the anxiety she felt melting away. The beach really is my happy place. Smile graced her lips as she heard Buttons barking as he bounded down the beach. He circled her legs, happily splashing in the surf. “Thank you for this. I don’t know how you knew I needed it.”

“How’d you know I was here?”

“Buttons, I knew you wouldn’t let him wander out too far on his own.”

“Very true.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling his face into her neck. “So you’re enjoying yourself.”

“Yes. But I have one complaint.”

“Hmmm, and what’s that?”

“I can’t bend down to collect shells.” Bastien threw his head back as he let out a loud laugh. “Hey, it’s not funny! You know how much I like beachcombing!”

*

Liza leaned back in her beach chair, allowing the peace to wash over her as she listened to the waves lap at the beach and felt the sun's rays beat down on her exposed skin. She wiggled her toes in the sand as she tugged her top down ensuring her round belly was covered. She raised her head, lowering her sunglasses, raking her eyes over Bastien’s sculpted torso as he walked over. “Good idea, show those off while you still can.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your abs, they’re ridiculous, in the best way possible, but I mean…” She carefully studied his taut stomach. “Yup, already lost an ab.” She carefully counted again. “Maybe two.”

“Yea okay.” Bastien replied shaking his head at her silliness. At least she’s feeling more relaxed.

“No, I’m serious! You lost one right here.” She gently poked his stomach with her finger. “You’re totally getting your dad bod.”

Bastien laughed as he plopped in the sand next to her.

“Hey watch it!” She brushed sand off her legs.

“That was already there and you know it.”

“Sure. Just like you really know you’re getting a dad bod.”

“I am not. I'm glad you’re enjoying yourself though.”

“I am. This was a great idea.” She leaned back closing her eyes.

*

Liza and Bastien walked barefoot down the beach hand in hand, Buttons running at their feet, happily bouncing in the sand, sand flying up and battering their legs. “He seems to like the beach as much as you.”

Liza smiled, her eyes scanning the abandoned beach. “It is my happy place.” Her free hand ran over her bump. “She’s a lot more active too. Maybe it’s because I’m a bit calmer, or maybe it’s her happy place too.”

Bastien stopped walking, pulling her to face him. He brushed the hair back from her face. “You going to be okay when we get home?”

“I think I’ll be okay. I mean I’m still scared, I will be until I hold her in my arms, but I always have an incredibly thoughtful husband who made me a beach in a jar to take home with only the shells that I deemed perfect.”

“Oh? And who would that be?”

Liza smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling as her eyes sparkled. “You, you big goof!” She took a deep breath as she looked around one last time. “Okay. Let’s go home.”

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