#my Lady Durham

[artcalledky]

Can’t have free will, If you’ve been influenced Deep Forest And Christine All our times My drunk after barracks drinking Let’s shower after PT Make love before formation 9am I’ll drive For lunch let’s go to What that’s on menu also for the ride back My Christine All out shared times In reciting in my head Harmonies & melodies In the pale moonlight Our words discussed together capturing What are thoughts were Can’t have free will Influenced by deep forest Christine Crystal clear channeling My lady Durham Smoke free Sing are selves across an album No free will We loved in our share times Are days a view Are days a view Are days a view Are days a view Are days a view Are days a view

[meadow-dusk]

before International Women's Day was over I wanted to put together a little tribute to my favorite women in music. These ladies' voices have shaped my life and helped me discover the sound of my own!

Cass Elliot | Dusty Springfield | Grace Slick |Janis Joplin | Joni Mitchell | Judith Durham | Judy Collins | Julie Andrews | Karen Carpenter | Mary Hopkin | Petula Clark | Ronnie Spector

[theweepingangelofcas]

Eat The Rich, Feed Them to the Cats - Moriarty Bros x Reader

Anyone else in the USA having a crisis? Me too! Let's all maladaptive daydream together that our sweet dear Sherlock boys are with us, on our side.

Title is inspired by a fav nonprofit cat shelter of mine, Wonky Hearts Animal Haven. Please go check them out. They have stories that are truly so heartwarming and uplifting, it's a great distraction.

(No, I do not believe all men are bad. I myself have a male fiance whom I love and trust very much. But the election has left me feeling helpless and scared, as though my rights or my body don't matter. I'm writing this to vent. I respect if your political opinions are different than me, but I ask that you do not attack me in the comments, my dm's, etc)

******************

William Moriarty

You two had been together for years now, since you two were teenagers. You've shared everything. Hopes, dreams, ideals... So when he saw someone try to harass you simply because of your gender? That won't do.

"Oi! Pretty broad!"

The random man's words did little to phase you. You didn't even speed up your footsteps. But your dear William stopped in his tracks.

Oh, yes, that's right. No one had ever been stupid enough to cat call you with him around before.

"Y/N..." his gaze had turned to the man, unblinking, "Did you not hear what that man just so crudely yelled at you?"

You shrugged, stopping in your tracks to try and let him catch up to you. He didn't dare move.

"It's nothing, William. Happens all the time to us ladies."

If you didn't know better, you'd say his eye just twitched.

"Is that so? And here I was, thinking it was mostly noblemen who were the rotten part of our society."

He smiled then. Like his mind wasn't 100% alongside you anymore.

His cane left the ground, being weilded in both hands almost like a baseball bat.

Or, more accurately, perhaps he was holding it like a mace.

It was safe to say, no man went within a few dozen meters of you for quite some time after that. After all, you always had your dear William with you now.

Louis Moriarty

Oh, did you think William would be protective?

Ha!

Louis is SO MUCH WORSE

To be completely fair, he was already practically a guard dog for both you and William. You had been engaged to him for a few months, and each passing day he just wanted to spend more time by your side.

This was how he found out how truly awful some men could be.

You two had boarded a train back to Durham, coming back from a lunch date together. You two had managed to score a semi-private spot in the lunch car, meaning that he could hold you without too much fuss from the rest of society. One hand was in yours, the other wrapped around your waist. You had both ordered drinks, his a sophisticated Earl Grey tea, yours a refreshing seltzer water. That was when your waiter came back up to you both.

"Sir, I know this is quite uncouth of me to say, but the gentleman a few seats down won't stop staring at your lady friend there." He gestured to you, specifically your chest, and you seemed to shrink into your seat instantly.

Louis scowled, "Thank you for informing me. You're dismissed, good sir."

The waiter stepped away, and Louis's grip on you got tighter.

"It's fine, darling. You mustn't fret." You tried to comfort him, but his scowl only deepened.

"I will fret." He turned his head, catching eyes with a man a few booths down. He did, indeed, seem to be staring at you. "And I'm going to teach him to respect others, or die trying."

You saw Louis stand, and approach the man in a terrifying calmness. He shook his hand, and gestured for him to follow him.

If you happened to see a person-shaped figure get thrown out of the train that day, no one has to know.

Albert Moriarty

He understands deep, seething rage. He dealt with it much when he was younger. So he understands that the best way to deal with it, is to take care of it yourself.

Normally, women weren't allowed into a prestigious college. But Albert, with his power and wealth, managed to convince the school that having one woman among its ranks wouldn't hurt. Hence, you being halfway through a science and medicine degree. Albert supported you all the way through. Your husband truly was a lovely, understanding man.

"It was fascinating, my love!" Your eyes lit up as you opened your textbook to that day's lesson, "We learned about the chambers of the heart, and all the illnesses and diseases that can correlate to it's health. Isn't that so cool!"

His smile widened at seeing you happy, "It certainly is, my dear. Do go on, teach me more about it."

You nodded, eyes bright, about to keep talking before-

"I'm sure anything is fascinating to a woman. But can she even understand it? Why, she should be at home, not trying to educate herself on something she could never possibly understand."

A man had approached you both. His smug grin was enough to dampen your joy immediately.

Albert blinked, his expression blank, before turning his head back to you, "My dear, would you like my walking stick, or do you want to use your textbook? After all, this fine gentleman seems in need of an anatomy lesson."

Your grin came back, "Your walking stick, please. I'd rather not get my favorite chapter dirty."

The man's eyes flew open as you took the wooden cane from Albert, weilding it more like a weapon than an aid.

"Now," The excitement in your expression was back, "I'll give you an anatomy lesson as I break all of your bones in alphabetical order."

[yandere-wishes]

⋆ Anomaly ⋆

❤Summary: Reader is an anomaly. A noblewoman of foreign descent. She doesn't belong here. But oh how she wishes to burn the world down just like William.

❤Author's note: A little something for Ana (@yandere-romanticaa) I hope you enjoy it!!

❤Warnings: Reader is traumatized, Yandere behavior, killing and blood, cryptic. I swear I know how math works…I've just been slaking this summer.

There are equations written over your skin. Complex formulas he's yet to solve. Exponents and variables freckle your body, scattered shards that try to tell him something, whispering the world's secrets every time he kisses your hand. You are an anomaly he thinks. Face full of cracks where the stars seep through. You're a mistake in the universe. A perfect doll misplaced. You are something, William is almost sure of it.

At heart, William is and always will be a mathematician. It just so happens that crime and math follow the same principles. Both require diligence and practice. Carefully throughout plans of how one must approach such a conundrum. One may call it a formula or a modus operandi or anything else as jejune. But in the end, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

And yet to Moriarty, you are an equation that refuses to be solved. An enigma he's desperately sought to unravel since your first meeting.

William notices something odd as you stroll down an exquisite exemplar of the golden ratio. Something the lord of crime can't fully place. You're akin to a puzzle missing far too many pieces to properly depict its picture. Maybe it's the setting he ponders as he watches you take careful steps in heeled shoes. Maybe it's the music from the ballroom or the meaningless prattle of the aristocrats that robs your form of all logic. Something is amiss with you and he's frantic to find out what it is.

William introduces himself when you reach the bottom of the staircase. He's never been one to show primary interest in the ladies. Rather he waits in the faint glow of the moonlight until someone approces him. Maybe it's the need to distinguish himself from the other aristocrats, maybe it's the repulsion for their customs and manners that refrains him from ever commencing idle chatter. Yet with you, a girl he's never met before, he finds it fitting to say hello first. To talk, about nothing and everything in the same breath. He mentions his admiration for the staircase in passing. Never expecting you to latch on to the words and morph them into the divine proportion. "My father was a mathematical enthusiast, he's passed that on to me as well." Your words slip into his veins like a narcotic, like the melody of an ancient tune lost to time.

William smiles, easy and bright like the melting rays of the desert sun. "Quite the coincidence, I'm a mathematics professor at Durham University". There's a giggle that bleeds from your rose-tainted lips. Reverberating in the chambers of his heart. "A toast then" you propose "to the lethal magnificence of calculation"

You click your champagne glass against his, as something feral festers within the young nobleman.

It's only days later when he's replaying that night in his head as he sips his afternoon tea. That he realizes your champagne glass was empty that whole time. How strange he pondered, wondering if he'd even seen you touch a single intoxicant all evening.

Four days and three sleepless nights later William finds himself tracing the letters of your name with tender adoration. As if he's engraving prayers upon his bones. He needs to see you again as desperately as he needs to breathe. The letter he writes is aloof, meticulous. Prying on your curiosity, hoping you'll take the bait. One miserable day later Louis delivers a letter bathed in your fragrance. Informing the lord Moriarty of your acceptance of his invitation for tea. William folds the letter with the leniency of a biologist regulating their slides. Tucking it away within his breast pocket.

You wear red when you oblige his invitation. An odd red, one that breaks his perception of the color. It's too vibrant yet too opaque. He's beginning to wonder if everything about you is an irregularity. When he ushers the conversation to your garment you merely laugh and brush it off as having belonged to your mother. There's something wrong with that reply as if the universe weeps at your every word. William watches astonished as if he's been told a secret lost to time.

It becomes a habit, an obsession, an addiction really. Tea thrice a week with the woman who plagues his dreams. He lets his cover slip between sips of tea. Permitting you glances into his dark affairs. There's a moment that breaks the norm. A bizarre instance when you ask him to spare no detail in recounting how a poor tormented man murdered the marquess that raped his wife. William stops the proclean cup mere millimeters from his lips. His voice dies in his throat as his mind races to find an appropriate way to tell a lady such a bloody tale. For a second reality slips away.

Reality has a tendency to slip away unnoticed when he's with you.

You weave William tales of foreign lands that sound like they belong in children's fairytales. You tell him about heroes who've done the impossible and kings whose hearts are as pure as the summer skies.

Something about you reverberates in his subconscious. Oh, how he wishes to engulf you, to pick apart your flesh revealing all those dainty secrets you keep in your pretty little chest.

He asks how you know of such utopic lands. You smile. "Because I once lived there"

One day, as Louis serves black tea with rose petals, you bring up a rather peculiar request. "Permit me to assist you in your quest for equality lord Moriarty." William's beginning to believe he's going mad when he hears you. Albit it may as well be expected. Any sane noble lady would have run away many times over. Yet you remain. Forever poised in your adorned seat. Now more than ever William wishes he knew what you truly are. "I want to help you", you plead. "Allow me to aid you in burning this world down and starting anew". He shouldn't have accepted, he shouldn't have nobbed. He shouldn't have left his seat to trace the side of your face with more love than he knew he possessed.

Sometimes, William wonders if something is haunting you, an apparition nesting within the depths of your heart. He ponders what could drive a brilliant mind such as yours to crave the blood of the rich. You once told him about a heritage disrespected. A legacy buried under sand and water lilies. He's yet to find the true meaning behind those words. Does that make you a threat or an ally? Can either be exalted to a lover?

Moriarty promises you the world. Promise you revenge. He's not sure if he too will burn away in your vendetta. Yet he's willing to take the risk if he can hold you close after every murder case.

"I've tried to kick the habit of strolling around the cemeteries at night. Yet I must admit I rather enjoy this." William smiles at your twisted words as he leads the way. If everything has goes as planned -which is most often the case- then the two of you should be prepared for quite the spectacle. A certain Count - who had shown more interest in you than Moriarty could permit- would be getting knifed by his butler whose life he had ruined. A whole new meaning to the term 'the butler did it'. Quite comedic from William's perspective.

You lean on a withering oak tree, hidden by London's thick fog. William stands by your side, the personification of a grim reaper. You watch the play begin, the cobblestone stage illuminated by the blood-red moon. The confrontation, the knife being thrust into the rich vermin's heart. Again and Again and Again. The butler screams into the bloodstained night. His words quelled by his sobs and screams of agony from his dying tormentor. You only catch half of his reasoning, half of his allegations. And yet that is more than enough to comprehend his motive. You sympathize with the poor man, one whose scars mirror your own.

William's scarlet gaze befalls you, as the performance nears its end.

You pick at your nails in a manner that William finds a little too adorable.

You are an anomaly masquerading as a human. Depression lays heavy over your bones as stardust gathers in the corners of your eyes.

You pray to the creator of the moon, pray for a place long since destroyed.

"I've yet to find someone who truly understands me," you say as the two of you begin the journey back to the Moriarty estate.

"Then we share the same burden, my lady," William says, stopping in his tracks.

He lays a firm hand on your shoulder pulling you backwards into his embrace. Somewhere in the distance, three crows consecrate you with their blessings. Willian's hands rest heavy on your sides. He holds you like a little boy holds his father's arithmatic books. Full of care, full of wonder. "What are you" he whispers into your ear. Leaving a playfully hard bite to the shell. His lips trace yours like one traces a treasure map. Trying to unearth all the riches of the world. "My anomaly" he mutters before he finally commits.

When Moriarty kisses you the whole world melts away.

There's an intriguing lightheadedness that follows. As if the stars themselves have exploded within you. You wonder if basking in his presence will mend your tattered heart.

"My precious little anomaly"

Tag list: @elvyshiarieko @himerurun @latolover @aru-nightmare @guidingstarsstuff @myfancollections

[celticcrossanon]

Hello Celta, Long time no see. I hope all is well.

I’m writing to bring you some juicy gossip from 1. Bookworm2 on YouTube, 2. a jailing of a sugar, and 3. lady C will be unmasking ugly after all and 4. Meghan regrets telling kids she’s the most bullied.

Bookworm does have some far reaching long term contacts at the palace and elsewhere in the US., truly people in the know. When you publish my ask I will attach her latest video. Allegedly Archwell, is rumoured to be under investigation by the Feds and IRS. There’s the matter of the missing millions from Archwell, and failure to declare it. BUT BUT BUT there’s also the matter of the Harkles, Meghan in particular uttering death threats across state lines, as part of an FBI cyber bullying investigation. This latter charge relates to the extreme bullying and harassment Catherine underwent during her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Catherine allegedly received some really nasty death threats while she was secluded from the public, at the height of the ‘Wheres Kate’ psychodrama online. Remember William went to visit M15 and it was publicized everywhere?? Two card readers, Mad World Tarot included, did a reading that showed the 3 of pentacles card, involvement through a third party. I wonder if they were able to trace the financial angle ie payment from Archwell. Or one of the third party, ie the death threat poster, probably squealed about his motivation and bosses. MWT saw William’s energy behind this. They truly thought online threats were untraceable. Consequences people consequences.

Avid Gardener and Trevor Coult on YouTube has the woman accused of trying to bomb Buckingham Palace brought up on charges against them. She made the threat on Twitter brazenly and openly. She’s also issued death threats to Avid and her husband and had bullied Trevor out of his charity job and home. She’s been named in the press as Diane Durham, 62, and she’s an immense sugar. Stupid woman pleaded not guilty after first admitting everything. It moves on to the high court for sentencing. I think the police are concurrently investigating the YouTube harassment claims. She stands to lose her house to Trevor in damages. I have no sympathy. Consequences people consequences.

On a related topic Lady C will most likely take go fund me to court because of the illegal reopening of her money raising drive for Mr thomas Markle Snr. She alleges that someone with connections had go fund me reopen the fundraiser after it was closed as per her contract with them, and called the newspaper to accuse her of fraud, all within the space of a few days. First she threatened the newspaper with a lawsuit if they ran the story, and then she threatened go fund me after they tried to brush her off, by telling her they couldn’t identify the member of staff of go fund me due to privacy reasons. She’s not having it AT ALL. And will see them in court. She strongly hints that she suspects Meghan and Harry are behind it, again through third parties. They want to damage her reputation and get her off YouTube. I think they mistakenly identified Lady C as a pushover. Don’t they anything about her life? lol. Consequences people consequences.

There’s also a threat by the UK bullied staff to be released from their NDAs to speak on camera about Meghan’s Bullying Report buried by the Queen. This, after she went to some girls charity last week. and claimed to be the most bullied person in the world. I bet she’s regretting that now. Consequences people consequences.

They both must be sweating bullets. No wonder Harry is nowhere to be seen. I hear a rumour he’s either in Australia to harass his father, or he’s in the UK hoping to be named counsellor of State while dear old pop is away. Harry is so dumb, all he cares about are the perks of the BRF and never about the consequences of his actions. He’s thicker than a brick.

There you go. It’s quite a lot, and I hope sooner rather than later they face justice in some form or another.

Hi AnonymousRetired,

All is very well with me, thank you for asking.

Thank you as well for sending in such a lot of lovely gossip. It looks like things are starting to move against the Harkles. Like you, I hope that all the perpetrators face justice, and sooner rather than later.

Videos referred to in the gossip (I hope these are the right ones): Note: I still need the ones from Lady C

Bookworm 2

Avid Gardener

Trevor Coult MC

Mad World Tarot

[moriartyluver]

Hello love! I was wondering if I can request angst with comfort/fluff where William’s wife who comes from a noble family and is really confident, (if you’ve watched Modern Family than basically the same personality as Gloria) but one day William and her meet a working class, down to earth, nerdy woman and William finds the woman interesting and doesn’t realize the woman is into him and his wife is just panicking on the inside because she’s worried he’s gonna find the woman more interesting than her and than for the next few weeks the woman visits the manor to talk to William and for those weeks William notices how his wife is really emotionally and physically distant and just seems really upset but she refuses to tell him why because of her high ego (comfort/fluff ending though please!<3)

A/N: I listened to “the other woman” by Lana Del Rey while listening to this 😭. Honestly the reader is so me because my ego is so big that I can’t communicate my feelings lol. Thank you for your request, anon! I’ve decided to name the other lady “Agatha” so I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone by using that but it’s the only one I could really think of

Characters: William James Moriarty x fem! reader

Prompt: (too lazy to write it out) above^^

Format: oneshot

Genre: angst to fluff

Warnings: reader is female, reader is William’s wife, established relationships, mentions of cheating/adultery, mentions of divorce, reader is a bit of a bitch lol, reader has a big ego, kinda longer than usual, reader has William’s last name , mentions of being punished by God, the other woman is really annoying, some characters are a bit OOC. NOT PROOFREAD SO THERE MAY BE SOME GRAMMATICAL AND SPELLING MISTAKES

When William first met you, you were half expecting him to hate your guts. You knew that he had strong views of equality between classes, genders, races etc. so it was u likely that out of all the people he could love, it would be you.

Your parents raised you to be the best of the best. They would constantly be praising you for your intelligence, which they managed to even get you into university to enhance, your looks, which were praised by all the people you would meet, your personality, your humour, your kindness (despite feeling like you were the most unkind person in the world sometimes) and of course, your strong and independent personality.

Nobody would ever dare to talk down to you because you were a woman, and if they did, they wouldn’t even attempt to again because of how much they feared you.

Evidently, all the praise and achievements you received while you grew up did make you a bit…self centred and somewhat egotistical. It wasn’t like you would go out of your way to tell people “hey I think I’m better than you and you suck so you should just go die!” But instead you always tried your best to be a kind and loving person, despite your sometimes overly confident personality.

When you and William had gotten engaged, which was a surprise to some but others described you to be a power couple, you felt something in your heart soften. You were still equally confident, but there was just something about that beautiful man that calmed your souls so much.

You also were involved in the works of the “Lord of crime” and most of the team admired your strategic thinking and often thought of you as the second in command to William. You would sometimes get into petty arguments with Sebastian and Fred and Louis were a bit scared of you but they all loved you all the same.

So when another woman came into the picture, it didn’t take long for your friends to realise that something was terribly wrong.

You and William ended up meeting a woman who requested your services but strangely enough, she hadn’t asked you to kill anyone. She had only asked for an opportunity to study at Durham University, where William would teach mathematics and you would often visit, the rest of the staff knew you well, and accompany him.

Something about the woman, who you now knew as “Agatha” irritated you. Perhaps it was the way she spoke so much but in such an annoying voice where she prolonged the bed of her sentences.

You noticed that she barely said a word to you but she did think it was appropriate for her to keeping talking about mathematical nonsense, which you understood but you couldn’t help but find that she would keep using incorrect terms or mispronouncing them so frequently.

It was obvious that she was working class and that didn’t seem to annoy you that much but her subtle jabs at noble women, (which you understood, could be very annoying as you had to surround yourself with them almost your entire life) felt ever so slightly targeted at you.

Neither William or Agatha could tell you were rolling you eyes at the latter or muttering something under your breath, and eventually you just got so tired of it all that you lied that you were feeling incredibly ill so you and William could leave earlier.

It didn’t take a genius to realise that William was certainly interested in the woman and you feared it was the same way he was interested in you, or even worse, he was more interested in her than in you.

You were so used to people telling you how truly marvellous you were your entire life but for some reason, you now felt terribly insecure. It was as if that woman had something that you did not. She was fairly down to earth and that was something you struggled with. Sure you could be empathetic but with your confidence, it was difficult to act like she did.

The following weeks, Agatha had the nerve to come by the Moriarty manor and attempt to talk to William. You knew she only wanted to talk to your husband because whenever you would open the door with a glare and then a fake smile shortly after, she would begin stuttering, something that had always been unfamiliar to you as you were great when speaking to others even a large audience, and then turn away when she found out that william wasn’t home. It would often go like this:

Knock knock, The door went.

‘It’s her again, isn’t it? That’s the third time this week..’ you would sigh as you walked to the door. You knew if Louis or anyone else would come to the door, they would invite Agatha to sit down and just wait for william while they let her have some tea. The door swung open and indeed, there she was in all her messy glory.

Your eyes would narrow and turn into a cold glare. It would stay that way for a few seconds while a shiver ran down her spine. You really could be as terrifying as people described “Hello there, Adelaide!” Your cold gaze shifted to a soft smile.

Strangely enough, Adelaide was a name more common in noble women than in working class women. This wasn’t intentional, you just couldn’t remember her as anything but ‘the husband stealer’

“A-Ah, hello there Lady (last name)!” That would just annoy you more.

“Please do not use my maiden name. You may refer to me as Lady (name) Moriarty.” You would tell her with a terrifying smile. “Are you looking for my husband ;Lord Moriarty?”

“I- uh, yes! Is Wi- I mean Lord Moriarty, at home?” Was she seriously calling him by his first name?

“He’s out at the university. I was just going to drop his lunch off for him, he seemed to have forgotten it. If you would like to pass something on, I wouldn’t mind taking a note of anything.” You gestured to the lunchbox in your hand

“N-No-I’ll come by another time! Good bye Lady Moriarty..!!” And then she would run off.

This kept going on for weeks and you reloaded that you were starting to avoid going out, in fear she may meet up with your husband behind your back. You were equally as capable of getting her into Durham university as William was yet she never felt the need to tell you anything.

She was sooo into him and William couldn’t even notice. Or maybe he did? Maybe while you were gone, they would have secret meetings in your absence and she would be flirting with him the entire time and maybe even try to-

Even now, you knew you were being paranoid. William wasn’t one to commit adultery. You knew this, and yet you couldn’t help but stand outside the office door while she and William would converse, just to make sure nothing bad happened. You would never allow the door to be locked in case she would try something.

Sometimes Louis would witness you pressing your ear to the door as he would come to deliver tea to the two. He wasn’t one that was experienced in the world of love, but he could tell you were definitely feeling jealous. Everyone in the manor could feel it.

Albert would joke about you following Agatha to see if she was married to anyone, just so you could alert a potential husband that she was probably intending on divorcing him, (alas, that woman was obviously not even courting anyone.) and Moran would make a few jokes about your obvious jealously.

They would all tell you that you were being paranoid and there wasn’t anything to worry about, but you just couldn’t help but feel sick whenever you came home to see that woman was talking to William in the lounge, on the seat you would sit at.

Eventually you just gave up. You, (name) (last name) Moriarty, had given up.

You couldn’t handle the subtle dirty looks she would give you when you entered the room, or the jokes about you that you would overhear her tell her friends and she was starting to become more bold with her affection to William.

If you were really to lose your beloved husband to that woman, the least you could do for yourself was desensitise yourself to a divorce. You wouldn’t talk to William during this time and if you did, it would just be essential things, such as “a letter came for you today” or “Agatha passed on a message”

At night , you would either completely turn your back to William and shake off his hands from your waist while you lay in bed, or sometimes you would just choose to stay with a friend or your parents, who became terribly worried for your well-being, for the night.

At dinner, you would request that food would be brought to your room (you would tell Louis you were busy and just working on a plan but he wouldn’t buy it for a second. Still, he felt as though he couldn’t say anything because you had chosen to become distant with the others as well as your husband) or you wouldn’t eat at all.

Whenever William would try to talk to you, you gave him short responses and he noticed you didn’t even refer to him with nicknames or anything of the sort. Just his full name.

The manor had become increasingly quiet as you grew more distant. There were no longer arguments between you and Moran and the little giggles as you gossiped with James or you spitting fun facts about flowers with Fred. It felt as if you had died.

That’s when it finally clicked in William. You were upset and he had no idea why.

Communication had always been a slight issue in your marriage. Both you and Liam felt like you couldn’t convey your feelings with one another out of the fear you may be seen as week. You had an incredibly large ego when it came to other people’s perceptions of you and William didn’t like worrying others with his woes.

So when William tried to ask you what was wrong, over and over again, you wouldn’t say anything. You’d only give him a blank stare and internally start yelling at him. How could he not notice why you were upset?! It was obvious that that woman had taken him away from you!

William felt as though he was being punished for something terrible by God himself. He would wake up and feel the warmth of your body had disappeared from beside him. He would eat dinner without the sound of your voice talking to him about whatever seems to interest you that evening. He would go to balls and parties just to notice you didn’t even turn up.

His own mother and father in law couldn’t tell him what was wrong. They had gotten the impression that he had left their own wonderful daughter for some average working class lady and your father would refuse to talk to him while your mother would only look at him somewhat sympathetically but wouldn’t tell him a thing either.

Now noticing that you were starting to leave his life, Agatha had started to turn up at the manor more often and for longer periods of time too.

The others noticed this. She wouldn’t get warm greetings from Moran and James or be gifted a flower occasionally by Fred. Even Louis wouldn’t take the nicest tea up for the two of them anymore and it was quite obvious that the other were disappointed with William for not recognising the problem despite being a genius and had all grown to dislike Agatha more than you did. You told them all personally to not bother being unkind towards William because of this (not like they were planning on it) so they didn’t even tell William anything either out of fear they may start getting upset with him.

William was almost entirely clueless until one day came the time that Agatha would visit for the last time.

They had both been sat in William’s office, talking about various academic subjects while drinking tea. William didn’t feel as happy talking to the girl with the mental torture of not having you around anymore, so he felt a little less enthusiastic than usual. Agatha continued talking to William, getting more affectionate with him until eventually, she decided to tell him how she felt.

“Will,” She said “I think I have feelings for you, I have for a long time…it’s just I never had the opportunity to tell you with your wife being around all the time. Now that’s she’s gone-“

That’s when it finally hit him. You were upset with him because you thought that there was something going on between both him and Agatha, even though she was at least 5 years younger that him and not as nearly as perfect as you were.

“I apologise, Miss Jones, but I don’t feel the same way,” Agatha was stunned. How could he not have felt the same way when his wife was finally out of the picture? “And please do not talk about Lady Moriarty like that. I’m asking you to leave as soon as you can.”

She picked up her things and left for good. As she stormed out with a few tears welling up in her eyes and slamming the door, the Moriarty Manor was finally at rest. A couple of smiles threatened to form on both Moran’s and Bonde’s faces while Louis sighed a sigh of relief.

If it were possible to feel more guilty than he already did, then that is how William felt at that moment. How could he not have noticed? How could he have been so foolish? Of course you didn’t want to talk to him, he couldn’t blame you in the slightest.

You were barely ever around anymore, usually at a friends house or your parent’s. You had even been planning on leaving to stay with your parents for good that night but had to come back and pack your things. You had arrived to do so just as Agatha was leaving, and noticed the tears in her eyes while she glared at you in annoyance. What on earth had occurred here?

When you opened the door, everyone greeted you with a smile while you stood in confusion. Were they trying to humiliate you further?

You tried to brush it off and went to your bedroom to go and get all your remaining things before leaving for good. You eventually came across a photograph that had been taken at your wedding with William. He was looking at you so lovingly and you seemed so happy to be marrying a man like him. That’s when the tears just started flowing and they continued to flow until you were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

“(Name)?”

You turned your head to face the entrance to your shared bedroom. There stood the tall blonde man from the photograph.

“William?”

He couldn’t hold back anymore. He knelt down and cupped your cheeks in his hands then pressed his lips against yours in a heated kiss. Just when you thought things couldn’t get more confusing.

His tears mixed with yours as you kissed him back, unaware of what sparked his affection but melting into it anyways. After a few seconds or so, you pulled away, so much more confused than when you entered the place you once called home.

“I understand if you never forgive me, my love, but I’m terribly sorry for how I’ve been treating you as of late,” he told you as you opened your mouth to speak “I promise you, nothing had ever gone on between her and I. I’ve only ever had feelings for you-“

He was interrupted by you kissing him once more then pulling away with a melancholy smile.

“I believe you, darling,” you said “I think it was partially my fault for allowing my ego to stop me from informing you of my own worries.”

“So you won’t be leaving us then?” You chuckled at this. You certainly missed how needy and clingy he could be in the privacy of your own bedroom, and nobody would ever see just how affectionate he was. He held you in his arms, waiting for a response.

“I won’t be leaving you any time soon, pretty boy,” you kissed his pink cheeks “even if I were a ghost, I’d stay by you till the end of time.”

[whatjanewore]

Love and Literature from the Olympic Opening Ceremonies

I got so excited when I saw the costuming in this segment! It reminded me of a very specific and thrilling fashion moment in the spring of 1991 when I found this awesome L-O-V-E shirt in a boutique in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Then, a few months later on the way home to the U.S., we stopped in Amsterdam and I discovered that bold bright 60's wow fashion had landed and everyone's muse was Lady Miss Kier! And I did really feel that groove in my heart! I bought the colorful leggings and black patent daisy buckle belt you see in the picture and wore it on the plane. I'm so happy I still have this photo. I was about to turn 24, and between the LOVE shirt and the Amsterdam experience, it really was a fashion rebirth for me.

Photos by King on July 30 at H20, Durham NC

2024 outfit:

Cap: Bandolino, from a shoe store in San Francisco, 2009?

Earrings: H&M long ago

Shirt: boutique in Freetown, Sierra Leone 1991

Skirt: blackmilkclothing.com, Poshmark

Leggings: resale shop in Sacramento, 2012

Booties: 9west.com a few years ago

[fancyfeathers]

@luckycharm1 asked a question

Hello! I’m pretty bad when it comes to tumblr etiquette since i do not understand how it completely works, but I hope its alright to send you this 😭 Regarding your previous post I wonder what would happen if the intelligent daughter ended up escaping and not get caught for a while. Like what would her plan be and how in the end would have William found her (or have trouble finding her since she probably would come up with a better escape plan than moriarty brothers darlings lol) I also just wanted to thank you for writing these stories bc this definitely brought back my Moriarty the patriot obsession 😭🩷

Ah you are so sweet, thank you! It is completely alright, I adore questions like this because it gets the gears in my head turning ❤️💕

This little girl knows enough about her parents history that she knows exactly what to do. During her walks through town, she had seen a house that leaves their bicycles against the side of their house and while she knows stealing is wrong but she doesn’t have much of a choice because if she sneaks on the train her father could easily have someone like Sebastian or James meet her at the station in London and that is exactly where she needs to go.

On bike it would take her at least three days, maybe four, to get to London. Traveling through the countryside it is harder for anyone to find her especially when they don’t know what she is trying to do. Luckily she does not have to steal anymore than she already has because she has memorized a book about edible plants, sure it does not taste good to the little girl, but it is what she has to do. Sleeping is the hardest bit, laying on the earth and using her coat as a blanket while she just wants to be with her mother and sister, but she can’t see them, not now anyway.

When she arrives in London, she immediately asks for directions from a stranger, which gets a weird look from the man but answers anyway. She is off once again, making her way through the London streets, avoiding any place she thinks anyone she knows may be. She props her stolen bicycle against the building and walks ups the stairs leading to the door and knocks, and a surprised blonde man answers, he was clearly startled by the sight of this child.

“M-may I help you, young lady? Are you lost?”

“No sir, this is the right address, correct?”

She hold a piece of paper up to the man for him to see. The man’s eyes widen with surprise even more so that this child was here.

“Y-yes, this is the right address.”

“Wonderful, judging by your expression you must be Dr. Watson.”

“Yes, I am and you must be the most intelligent child I have met.”

The little girl giggles at the compliment as the doctor handed the piece of paper back to her.

“Thank you, I wish I could stay to chat but I am afraid I do not really have time. Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?”

“Yes, um… please come inside.”

The doctor leads her upstairs to the flat and has to interrupt a conversation between Miss Hudson and the detective. Soon enough the residents of Baker Street find themselves sitting down with this little girl, having a conversation on the level of adults. She explains how she got there, biking all the way from Durham and then the question of why comes from the doctor and before the little girl can answer, Sherlock does.

“Because she wants to be my assistant, but why she wants to is the question.”

“Because my father is the Lord of Crime. I received my father’s intelligence but have the face of my mother, and I know she does not want to be with him and I want to figure out a way out for her… I-I won’t tell you my father’s identity if you don’t want to know, but please I want to help her.”

There is a shocked silence from around the table, except from the detective as he listens to her explanation. No one knows what to do, Miss Hudson would not have the heart to send her back to her family and neither would to two gentlemen, but surely they cannot expect this child to handle dangerous work that Sherlock deals with-

“Alright, seems like I have a new assistant.”

It would not take long for her father to find out where she is after that, living at Baker Street with the three adults. She put him in a stalemate, if he goes to claim custody of her, he will be exposed but he cannot let her continue down this road…

What to do?

[transthadymacdermot]

image in the middle my art, all others except for that of the belfast 14th july celebrations from pinterest

WIP Reintro: Red and Riotous Light

Status: seven morbillionth draft

Genre: historical fiction, gothic horror

Content warnings: gore, death, cannibalism, place & time typical bigotry, &c

The year is 1796 and the island of Ireland, once considered peaceable, is awash with sedition. In Belfast, the arrival of a mysterious Englishwoman whose defection to the French makes her a target of both curiosity and suspicion brings with her tidings of a prospective deal between a local United Irish cell and the French government: guns, and ammunition, sold at a premium price, delivered by a French ship. The only problem? The ship is arriving at the opposite side of the country, and these would-be insurgents need it where they are -- and the French said nothing about transport. Additionally, the committee seems to have had a suspicious number of brushes with authority lately. More than they used to. Hopefully someone isn't getting cold feet...

Meanwhile, in the isolated townland of Áth Síomóin, the arrival of a hapless new schoolmaster sparks the powder-keg the two sides of the area's sectarian divide have long been sitting on and leads, inadvertently, to the death of a Catholic of some consequence -- and, crucially, does not lead to the punishment of his killer. The resulting crackdown on Defender activity, facilitated by the arrival of another English visitor, is to be expected at first. However, as the situation deteriorates, it becomes clear that local agrarian resistance leaders have neither intent nor indeed means to capitulate, and all sides begin to adopt increasingly extreme measures in an attempt to win the seemingly endless feud. And there's also something off about some of the local children -- hearing voices, saying funny things. It can't be good for them, after all. All this bloodshed.

Ask to be +/- from the taglist + main characters under the cut

William Hughes Rearden - an extremely driven and neurotic member of the Belfast United Irishmen hellbent on getting French arms for his men. he/him

Lady Maria Whittaker - an English reformer who defected to the French; Rearden's close friend. Her mission is to arm the UI and she doesn't care what she has to do to accomplish it. she/her; first name pronounced "mariah"

Seamus "Seamy" Breen - a small, unhappy Irish Catholic boy who, after he witnesses the death of a schoolmate, develops the ability to speak to the dead. he/him; nickname pronounced "shaymie"

Eoin O'Donnell - a womanising Defender leader in Áth Síomóin who has decided that he will also be taking and using some of these French arms, actually. he/him; first name pronounced "owen"

Sarah Connolly - a nihilistic Catholic peasant woman trapped in an unhappy relationship with an abusive boyfriend, who knows much more than she lets on. she/her

Edward "Lazarus" McClure - the loyalist owner of a rural inn who has lately betrayed his principles for a Catholic boyfriend who he seems disturbingly devoted to. he/him

Elizabeth "Eliza" Durham - the heiress to the fortune of an Anglo-Irish landowning family who runs her family's estate like it's the navy and suffers little dissent. she/her

Anthony Franklin - an actor, committed abolitionist, philosophy enthusiast, and London Corresponding Society delegate originally from the West Indies. he/him

Charles Nathaniel Maurice Irving-Hamilton, Lord Drenning - a foppish English soldier brought over by Eliza to help quell agrarian disturbances. Really really bad at his job. he/him

Eleanor "Ellie" Gage - a waif of uncertain background who lives with the Presbyterian minister in a neighbouring townland and works unofficially for the local regiment. she/her

[commonguttersnipe]

Spam & Sensibility- A Jane Austen x Monty Python

Summary: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good humour, must be in want of a social life. That couldn’t be truer for the male denizens of Wainscoting in the shire of Durham, whose anguished hearts longed for companionship. The Python Gentlemen's Club’s obsession with intimacy was partly to secure a fortune, but mainly because they couldn’t stand each other’s presence. All handsome yet slightly deranged, the village’s women were told to stay far away from the loonies, for their sake and their family name, though most ignored their parents’ warnings as a man with good humour is an irresistible one. They occupied a singular abode, a once-neglected cottage, pleasantly hidden among the large oaks, with each of the six gentlemen ardently aspiring to the honourable state of matrimony…

It was a damp, early morning when Miss Constanza, with a spirit decidedly out of sorts, did raise her skirts and vacate her domicile, vowing in her heart never to return. Behind her trailed a figure tall and shadowy, whose visage bore the marks of both vexation and a resigned acceptance of her determined departure.

He pursued her with a fervour, as she retreated to the desolate moors, his sable coat fluttering dramatically in the brisk wind. The heaths, imbued with an icy chill and shrouded in a cloak of mist, afforded no difficulty in discerning her figure, clad as she was in a gown of a most delicate duck-egg blue, its hem besmirched and saturated by the unrelenting embrace of the yielding mud.

"Constanza, my dearest! Pray, what is the occasion for your early departure, and in such a flurry?" The man inquired, his chest heaving. Constanza, with a graceful twirl, found her golden tresses unravelling in the playful breeze.

"I must implore you, Mr. Cleese, to remove yourself entirely from my sight henceforth!" She then emitted a sound not unlike that of a distressed rodent. Mr. Cleese appeared as though he had been unceremoniously struck by a kipper.

"Pray tell, why dost thou inflict such anguish upon me? We, dear lady, are the very toast of society!"

Constanza uttered a laugh tinged with bitterness. "If we are indeed the toast, then verily, we are but charred remnants!"

She, with a swift elevation of her skirts, resumed her promenade, whilst Mr. Cleese, with an air of ardent pursuit, lamented, "Am I not possessed of height? Of comeliness? Of a wit most intelligent?"

Constanza, pausing in her stride, turned on her heel with a decisive stamp, exclaiming, "You are excessively contrary, sir! And not merely rude, but patently unfeeling!"

"Only when it provokes mirth," he responded.

Constanza secured her straw bonnet firmly beneath her chin, declaring with an air of resolute disdain, "I cannot bring myself to entertain an attachment for one so disagreeable. You should seek a woman of more unpleasant disposition to wed." With a heavy heart, she inhaled deeply, allowing a sorrowful sigh to escape her lips. "You have utterly banished merriment from my existence, Mr Cleese; I find myself at a loss for laughter."

Utterly miserable, she turned from him. Mr. Cleese, paralyzed by the tears that ran down his pallid cheeks, did not pursue her retreat.

~

The remaining gentlemen of The Python Club had taken their seats for the morning repast, which comprised of a single egg, a modest slice of ham, and a rather generous portion of opium.

Master Chapman sat at the head of the table, his delicate fingers idly toying with his eyepatch, while he indulged in the voluptuous embrace of tobacco smoke. He was possessed of a most peculiar habit, frequently emitting inaudible murmurs as he indulged in his reflections. His soft lips, perpetually wrapped around the pipe, bore an expression that verged upon a melancholy smirk.

Beside him occupied Mr. Idle, a most foolish man, whose ardour for the pleasures of the flesh was overtaken only by his fervent affection for the pursuit of money.

Upon the very table sat the American Mr. Gilliam, still lingering in a reverie brought about by his recent sojourn in Paris. His hair bore the unkempt wildness of an artist, while his eyes, it must be said, appeared to only seek out lewdness.

The amicable Mr. Jones made his entrance into the dining room, accompanied by his esteemed friend, the Reverend Palin. The former possessed a cherubic figure and handsome features, his pleasing Welsh lilt complementing his somewhat self-satisfied smile; while the latter, of a slightly taller stature, exhibited gentle brown eyes and lips perpetually moist, often revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his pink tongue, which seemed to implore to be tasted.

They took their seats at the table and commenced the delightful task of breaking open their egg yolks. The gentlemen's voices meandered in a pleasing murmur, for this morning, like so many others, promised little to distinguish it from the commonplace... until, rather abruptly, Mr. Cleese entered the chamber, his elongated visage marred by a most alarming scowl.

“Pray, might there be any among us inclined to patronize a brothel?” He inquired, his smile tinged with an air of displeasure. Mr. Chapman, with great eagerness, raised his hand… then swiftly withdrew it upon seeing the rather disapproving looks of his fellow gentlemen.

“What brought this on?” enquired the Reverend Palin, his cheeks betraying a rosy hue at the very utterance of a brothel.

Mr. Cleese, with a shake of his head, clearly terrified of being overtaken by tears once more, confessed with a sigh, "I do yearn for the companionship of a lady—a true paragon of womanhood. One who is not only endowed with beauty and kindness, but makes one's hours pleasurable."

Mr. Idle emitted a hearty laugh. "Pray, do we not all wish to partake in such folly?"

Silence.

Mr. Jones, in a tone scarcely more than a whisper, expressed, "Today marks the occasion of the Summer ball at the girls' finishing school. Indeed, all the young ladies have now reached the age of maturity..."

Mr Gilliam piped up “Pray, may I inquire if they are all of the tender age of one-and-twenty?”

Mr Jones nodded.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

Tonight was the night they would find a wife.

[scotianostra]

Coldingham Priory was founded on 21st June 1098.

Coldingham Priory was a house of Benedictine monks. It lies on the south-east coast of Scotland, in the village of Coldingham, Berwickshire. Coldingham Priory was founded in the reign of David I of Scotland, although his older brother and predecessor King Edgar of Scotland had granted the land of Coldingham to the Church of Durham in 1098 so he gets the official credit for founding it and a church was constructed by him and presented in 1100.

The first prior of Coldingham is on record by the year 1147, although it is likely that the foundation was much earlier. The earlier Columban Abbey founded by St. Æbbe sometime circa 640 AD. Although the monastery was largely destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in 1648, there are still extant remains of the priory. The choir of which forms the present parish church of Coldingham, and is serviced by the Church of Scotland. The model shows how extensive the abbey was in Medieval times, although for me it lacks the grandiose that the border abbeys at Dryburgh, Melrose and Kelso have.

Having said that I the reconstruction doesn’t do it justice, as you can see in the ruinous 18th century drawing they have not incorporated the tower in the model, a shocking omission in my opinion.

The choir is a substantial rectangular building with a fine interior, now used as the parish church. The nave was a massive building with aisles and filled much of what is now the graveyard but is mostly gone, and there was a large tower, rising to 90 foot over the crossing. Some of the domestic buildings are very ruinous but have been cleared and landscaped, and carved fragments and gravestones are on display as well as a transept arch.

As with all the border towns an abbeys it had a turbulent history, the priory was sacked in 1216, 1419 and 1542 by the English, besieged by the Scots in 1544, then attacked again by the English. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here in 1566. An ‘abbey place’ is mentioned in 1621, presumably a residence in the priory, but much of the building was damaged by Cromwell’s forces in 1648 (or 1650) after a two-day siege with cannon. The large central tower collapsed in the middle of the 18th century.

The lands of the priory had gone to the Homes after the Reformation, then to the Stewarts, then later to the Homes again, while the choir of the priory was (and is) used as the parish church (Priory Church).

The grand tower collapsed in 1770, apparently revealing the cadaver of a lady who had been sealed up in the walls, and the remains of the church were renovated in the 1850s and 1950s. There are many interesting memorials in the extensive graveyard and pleasant walks around the scenic village. There is a fine beach at Coldingham Bay.

I don't think you get the sheer scale of the Priory until you see something like Andrew Sparatts mock up gif of how it could have looked, as in the animation.

There’s a great timeline of the abbey here

https://www.coldinghamparish.co.uk/.../COLDINGHAM-PRIORY...

[juniaships]

*sits in chair and looks at the camera* So you made an OC for a childhood show...

I've been back on my nostalgia shit and now i made a self insert for - of all things - tommy the choo choo. She's for both it and Shining Time Station, since i tend to mix the 2 together in my headcanons.

So the story is I planned on visiting my sister in Durham but end up boarding the wrong train to shining time valley. While staying there I met its cast, including a certain magical blond. This may after TATMR, or could be different events from the canon. But I start to fall in love with the cozy town and its history. That and Im the only other adult besides stacey and Burnett who can see the conductors. Eventually i do visit my sister but come back to visit as kuch as I can. Finally i decided to quit my job and move in at the local motel to work in bookkeeping.

After I help stop PT Boomer and his gang from stealing Lady, and further adventures, I end up joining Shining Time full time as a conductor/guardian.

Now I have several designs: one of them is green and Im called the Green conductor, as a refernce to the line "green for glory" and the cut song "Girl in Green." I want to form something of a trip with the conductor cousins (blue) and stacey (red).

Other outfit is a maroon-pink get up inspired by Lady. I also carry a sword because im the brawler. Yes I do like figthing. No i do not need to see a therapist. And since I have a connection to Lady I want to stick to a victorian theme, like by day i dress up to talk to visitors about the history of the valley and Lady's creation. Third outfit is a mix of the two.

[doublydaring]

Ron what are your top 10 favorites movies ever made

This is not a definitive list I love too many movies too much but here is a sampling:

1. Head - self explantory

2. Bull Durham - the greatest baseball movie ever made. even if you don't know anything about baseball you will love this movie. it will lovingly teach you all you need to know which is that baseball is sex and sex is baseball. Susan Surandon and Kevin Kostner mildly kinky sex with heavy saxophone. Wear garters to pitch better. The beauty of the minor leagues.

3. Benny and Joon - this movie is just... delightful. It knows exactly when to take itself seriously and when to be whimsical. Being something of a Joon myself I formed an emotional connection to these characters at a young age when I originally saw this story as a wonderful musical premiere that unfortunately never went anywhere. I still mourn those songs. Benny Joon and Sam are adorable and the conflict makes sense and I like everybody in this movie. Ugh. So perfect and sweet.

4. Maurice - E. M. FORSTER. I will always be a room with a view girly but this movie is better sorry. The movie that annoying gay people asking for happy ending would like if they understood the concept of class conflict. So good so wonderful. Alec Scudder you will always be famous.

5. My Cousin Vinny - Italian Americans, Jews, the south, what could go wrong? One of the funniest movies of all time and one of the sexiest movies of all time. Marisa Tomei perhaps I am not a homosexual. Ralph Macchio. Fucking stunning. A film that doesn't need to be as gorgeous as it is but serves and slays at every turn. Thee courtroom comedy.

6. Army of Darkness - I can't watch scary movies luckily this movie isn't scary. I love hot men doing dumb shit, I love king arthur, I love Sam Raimi, I love boiiiiiinnnngggg sound effect. This movie is EPIC. Smart stupid fun.

7. Parting Glances - Steve Buscemi gay AIDS comedy 1986. No one has seen this movie because I don't think it got a wide theatrical release its one of those movies I am lucky to know about because my parents went and saw every independent movie released from 1984-2002 at our local art theater (RIP). This movie is sweet and thoughtful and hysterical. One of my moms favorites one of my favorites. Dump him, fall in love with your best friend.

8. Arsenic and Old Lace - I have to have at least one extremely old thing on here (honorable mention to bringing up baby). This movie is fucking hilllarrrious. Jonathon Brewster and Dr. Herman Einstein are the greatest homoerotic villain duo of all time. Carey Grant for God's sake!!!! A horribly dark comedy about the two sweetest old ladies you ever did meet.

9. The Lost World: Jurassic Park - what if Jurrassic Park starred Dr. Ian Malcolm. Are you stupid? Jurassic Park is a perfect film but this one is My Favorite. The power of gymnastics can ward off a dinosaur.

10. Pacific Rim - the characters in this movie blow all its peers out of the water. Raleigh Becket? Mako Mori???? Stacker Pentecost? Newt Geizler? Helllooooo. Dr. Herman. Gottlieb. What if an action movie was good? I can't believe no one had thought of that until now? Not a kaiju guy sorry. Not a Jaeger guy. Just a freaky little characters guy and boy does this move have them.

Soooo many more: Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Pride and Prejudice, Lancelot of the Lake, The Sting, Slap Shot, Barefoot in the Park, Excalibur, Re-Animator 1&2, Evil Dead 2, Bill and Ted, To Wong Foo, Repo Man, I could go on forever.... I love the movies.....

[jabbage]

What are the top 5 most middle class things that have ever happened to you?

Ooooooh good question... now I'm going to do the most British thing ever and preface it with a short essay providing half my life story, out of a sense of denial.

Both sides of my family are staunchly working class, as far back as I can find records. They were farm labourers and dock workers and hopped in and out of workhouses. My mum worked housekeeping and cleaning jobs, and my Dad managed to snag a white collar job in a factory out of school (because he's really clever).

But then two complications -

My Dad became a clergyman. This meant that we got to live in nice houses owned by the church he worked for, sometimes in quite affluent areas. We didn't have much money, but still.

2. I managed to get into Oxford University with a gazillion bursaries tied to my parent's low income. I then used the bursary money to fund doing a master's degree, and now I work in academia.

So, am I middle class? I'm begrudgingly realising that I might be? Except if I am I feel like middle class people shouldn't be constantly worrying that their now-retired parents can't afford to switch the heating on, or whether they'll ever live in their own home. And it's alienated me from my extended family, who have jumped to the conclusion that I think I'm better than them.

Anyway, the top 5 most middle class things that have ever happened to me.

One

Last year I got invited to an anniversary meal at my Oxford college, called a gaudy. I nearly didn't go because my time at uni was not very happy and I don't remember some of my contemporaries fondly, but then I figured that if I go, next time I read Dorthy L Sayers excellent book "Gaudy Night," I will have better brain-pictures. So, the setting, for your own brain-pictures:

Latin grace was sung before the meal, which comprised of salmon confit, followed by venison, followed by black forest gateau, followed by fruit and chocolates and port.

I was sat next to a nice middle aged man with an OBE. When he asked me "So, what do you do?" I decided not to say the job which *actually* pays my bills, but to reply with my evening job: that I make comics. I felt like this was a fun thing to say in a room full of people who Work In The City etc etc.

Except it turned out that he runs one of the UK's biggest comic arts festivals. He offered me free tickets. He offered to put me in touch with publishers. He offered to introduce me to significant people.

And I was like.... oh. Is this how it happens? Like, you're in an Oxford college and you just RUN INTO a posh bloke who Knows People and that's how you finally get a book deal???

Anyway I went to the festival. They had a panel on a yacht. And talked to people, or rather had people talk over me. So many times they'd ask me a question, and then interrupt before I'd given my answer. And I dislike schmoozing SO MUCH.

So uh, yeah, no book deal ;D YET

Two

One time I was wearing my college scarf while I was walking around Durham, and I ended up meeting a very cute elderly couple who went to the same college forty-five years earlier (well, the husband did, the wife wouldn't have been allowed.) They invited my to a dinner party at their house, which turned out to be a very cute little town-house by the river with five stories.

At the time I was doing my Master's degree, and they became kind of surrogate parents who I could call in on for a free hot meal and good conversation. But it was entirely sparked by "going to the same college at Oxford" which is very ew.

Three

Idk there was just this one time I was coming home on the train from having seen the Royal Shakespeare Company's latest production of Much Ado About Nothing and I stopped off somewhere to get sushi and I spent the whole time staring at a wall thinking "What have I become?"

Getting tickets to the ballet from a colleague slots into this catagory, I think.

Four

One time I was asked to open a village fete because the local lady of the manor couldn't make it.

Why me? Apparently "local clergyman's daughter" and "went to Oxford" and "draws silly pictures sometimes" was enough to make me a local celebrity.

I got to give a little speech and judge some cakes and everything.

Five

One time I got invited to a dinner party at CS Lewis' house, the Kilns, and I met his lovely secretary Walter Hooper. I remember being shown around and having a deep impulse to check the backs of all the wardrobes.

When I first went in it was through a door that led straight into his bedroom, and I was told that I could take my coat off and just toss it on the bed. No sooner had I done so than my guide mused, "CS Lewis died in that bed."

So I guess I own a coat that has been on the bed where CS Lewis died, is that middle class?!! Idk

[jerzwriter]

All in the Past

AU Mini-Series Part 1 of 3

This started as a request from @angelasscribbles for ONE scene. Three parts later... I decided to make this a follow-up and alternate ending to one of my favorite short, angsty AUs, Unblemished, because we needed more angst. All three parts will be posted today.

Series Summary: Tobias & Casey were friends turned lovers whose different dreams led them to become friends once again. Two years after their painful breakup, Casey has moved on. Tobias is in town to attend his friend and one-time love's wedding, with his new girlfriend on his arm. It's just the wedding of an old friend, or, is it?

Part 1 Summary: Tobias and Meghan leave Boston to attend Casey's wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina. It's a little getaway, a happy trip to see his two friends get hitched. But prewedding events lead to unexpected and uninvited emotions coming to the surface. Tobias gets a cold shoulder from Sienna, and their frank conversation leaves more questions than answers.

Book: Open Heart (Post Series)

Characters/Pairings: Casey MacTavish (F!MC) x M!OC, Tobias Carrick x F!OC, Sienna Trinh

Rating: Teen

Words: 2,700

Series Masterlist

Tobias x Casey Masterlist | OH Masterlist | Full Masterlist

Ladies and gentlemen, we have touched down at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where it is 80 degrees, and conditions are bright and sunny. We thank you for flying Transit Airlines and wish you the best with whatever brings you to the area. 

"Sir?" A woman gently nudged Tobias's arm when he didn't reply. "Sir... I'm sorry, but I need to get...."

"Oh, of course," Tobias apologized, jumping from his seat to allow the woman through.

He was usually the first to get off a flight, but today, he found himself lost in his thoughts, and he still hadn't found his way back as he reached into the overhead compartment to grab his bag. All it took was an arm looping around his waist to snap him back into the present. The petite, red-haired beauty's smile lit up the cabin as she held him tight; she was as happy as he was pensive.

"I missed you," she beamed. "You were such a gentleman agreeing to give that mom your seat so she could sit with her child, but I have a warning for you."

"Oh yeah," he grinned. "What’s that?”

“If we’re ever on a flight longer than two hours, you’re prohibited from doing that. I need you near me... deal?”

“I’ll tell you what. If we’re ever on a flight longer than two hours, I’ll spring for first class, so it’s not an issue.”

“Hmmm, I could handle that,” Meghan smiled.

“Good,” he smiled, taking her hand. “Now, let’s get off this plane.”

~~~~~

He couldn’t describe his mood if he tried. Melancholy was too sad;  wistful may be more fitting, though neither truly worked. He was happy, he reminded himself. More importantly, Casey was happy, too. It had been over two years since that cold Boston night when they tearfully said goodbye. Fast friends from the start, they eventually turned into much more. When different goals ended their dreams of “forever,” they were heartbroken and said goodbye, foolishly believing it was where their story ended. People don’t always see the invisible string that binds souls that are meant to be connected, and when Casey’s phone rang three months later, not answering was never a consideration. They started as friends, and perhaps that’s where they were meant to be. That’s what they were now. Friends. Good friends.

“Welcome to the Umstead Hotel,” an overexuberant young woman smiled. “What name is your reservation under?”

“Uh... Carrick. Dr. Tobias Carrick.”

“I have you right here! You’re in town for the MacTavish-Duncan wedding?”

“That’s right,” he nodded.

“Wonderful! The couple is hosting a cocktail reception for their out-of-town guests in the lounge at six.”

“That’s so sweet!” Meghan gushed, taking hold of Tobias’s arm. “We’re going, right?”   

“Of course,” he smiled with some apprehension. “As long as I get in a nap... that early flight wiped me out more than I thought it would.”

“Fine, old man,” Meghan laughed as they entered the elevator, her head firmly on his shoulder.

He was just tired. He told himself. Besides, it was normal to feel emotional when a good friend was married. And Casey was among his best. It all made sense. Perfect sense.  

~~~~~

The evening found him at the bar alone, anxiously twirling his old-fashioned in his hand. They had only been in their room fifteen minutes when Meghan realized she left her shoes in Boston. She was in an Uber on her way to the North Hills Mall in minutes, leaving Tobias to his nap. She promised she’d be back by six, but Tobias knew her well enough to know if shoe shopping was involved... he’d be lucky if she returned by ten.  

He noticed a small group of wedding guests mingling toward the back of the lounge but didn’t recognize any faces. The normally social doctor wasn’t in the mood for small talk, so he stayed put. He didn’t want to come at all, but hurting Casey’s feelings wasn’t something he was willing to do. Now, it looked like she was a no-show for her own party, so he made a decision. He had already waited the requisite twenty minutes; he was finishing this drink and then making a beeline back to his room. But as he raised the glass to his lips, he heard her voice. It didn’t matter how much time had passed, he’d know it anywhere.

“Hello, stranger!”

They were just friends now, nothing more. So why did he feel his heart flutter? His signature smirk was firmly in place before turning to greet her. A natural defense mechanism to keep the butterflies at bay. But when his eyes fell upon her, all pretense disappeared. 

How did she only become more beautiful? Etheral is how he’d describe her. Blonde hair pulled into a whispy updo, with delicate off-white flowers pinned to hold it in place. Her matching silk dress gracefully skimmed over every curve that he knew so well, and her smile. That smile had melted his heart and pulled him out of more bad days than he dared to count. And after all the years he’d known her, after all they had been through, it still rendered him speechless. Noticing his silence was lasting too long, he jumped from his bar stool to embrace her. A brilliant grin hid the war of emotions battling inside him.

“Stranger indeed! I haven’t heard from you in a while, kid. I was beginning to think you rescinded my invitation.”

“As if!” Casey laughed. “It hasn’t been that long. You try managing a busy career, a publishing deadline, and planning a wedding for two hundred of your nearest and dearest. See how much time you’d have to chat.”  

“Casey... do you ever see me in that position?” He asked wryly.

He swore he saw her smile falter, and a bit of her effervescence was gone. But why would it be? She was happy. It must have been one old-fashioned too many.   

“No,” she spoke softly. “I guess I don’t.”

“You look stunning,” he smiled. “How do you plan to outdo this on your big day?”

“Stop,” she said with a playful slap on his arm. “I’m immune to your flattery by now, don’t you know?”

They both laughed nervously as his eyes roamed the room. Still, no sight of Meghan, and someone else was missing, too.

“Where’s Craig? I haven’t heard from him either. I was going to see if we could shoot some hoops before the wedding.”

“He got called into an emergency surgery,” she shrugged. “The glamourous life of doctors. And where is Mandy? You said you were bringing a plus one. I assumed she’d be joining you.”

“Mandy? It’s Meghan,” he chuckled. “Mandy and I broke up some time ago.”  

“Oh, sorry. It’s hard to keep up with you. So, where is your latest and greatest?”

“She had to run to the mall for a few things. But she’ll be back soon.”

“Good,” Casey smiled politely. “I can’t wait to meet her. How long have you two...” She raised her hands, visibly checking herself. Her cheeks red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business...”

“It’s OK,” Tobias laughed, reassuringly touching her elbow, then dropping it when the gesture took both by surprise. “It’s not a state secret. Only a few months... don’t worry... we’re not headed down the alter anytime soon.”

Casey let out a wry laugh, and her words came out more curtly than intended. “I didn’t expect you would be.”

“Yeah,” Tobias muttered, gulping down the remains of his drink. “Walking down aisles isn’t exactly my thing. Is it?”

“Well, it was your excuse for ending things with me,” she replied with her arms crossed. “But you never know. Sometimes people change.”

Casey felt her stomach drop. What if he had changed? Accepting that Tobias was generally opposed to marriage was one thing, but if he ever took that step, she’d have to admit that marriage wasn’t the issue... she was, and that was too painful to imagine. She began to perspire, and was filled with worry. This wasn’t the reaction she should be having when her wedding was just over a day away. Her eyes darted around the room, desperate for a reason to escape.

“Well, I should mingle with the other guest,” she settled on. “Without Craig here, it’s double duty for me. But you and Meghan will be at brunch tomorrow morning, right?”

He hadn’t been aware there was a brunch. And since laying eyes on Casey, attending more wedding events was the last thing he wanted to do, but he detected the hint of pleading in her voice.

“Do you want me there?” he asked softly.

Casey nodded effusively. “I do.”

“Then I’ll be there,” he assured. “We both will.”

~~~~~

Brunch was... awkward. Tobias was sure Casey thought seating them together was a good idea, but she probably didn’t know how long Sienna Trinh could hold a grudge. And with Sienna’s plus one coming down with the flu, Tobias, Meghan, and Sienna made for an awkward trio.

Casey viewed their breakup as mutual, but Siennna saw things differently. Tobias was a stupid man who let his commitment issues ruin a wonderful thing, leaving her friend heartbroken. He hoped more than two years passing and Casey marrying someone else would have changed Sienna’s opinion of him, but all indications said otherwise. Sienna picked at her stack of blueberry pancakes as they all struggled to make small talk. Perhaps they could talk shop?

“So, Meghan, you’re at Edenbrook, too? What department do you work in?”

“I’m a paralegal. I work with the CEO.”

“Oh,” Sienna smiled politely, that didn’t work. After more uncomfortable silence, Meghan made the next attempt.

“I’m really looking forward to the wedding. The venue they selected is just beautiful! I’ve seen it on some wedding shows but never thought I’d get to attend a wedding there.”

Sienna held back a laugh. “I can understand that. I mean... because we live in Boston, and you know... you’re with Tobias.”

Losing patience, Tobias tossed his linen napkin on the table. “And what’s that supposed to mean, Si?”

“Just that you avoid weddings like the plague. I was shocked to hear you were coming.”

“It’s Casey’s wedding,” he smiled tersely. “Do you think I’d miss it?”

“I guess the answer’s no,” Sienna smiled smugly.

“You know, I’m going to run to the ladies' room,” Meghan announced. 

Sienna wiped her lip, “I’ll join you.”

“No,” Meghan insisted. “I need a moment away from this cold war, and if you both care about Casey as much as you profess to, maybe you should work out whatever... this... is before her wedding day. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Tobias and Sienna sat slack-jawed momentarily, then a slight smile formed on his lips. 

“I guess I deserved that,” Sienna stated. “Meghan seems lovely, and no matter my feelings toward you, I shouldn’t have made her uncomfortable. I owe her an apology.”

“Maybe what we owe her is doing what she asked us to do,” he replied. “Sienna... what exactly is your problem with me? I know people can be bitter about their best friend’s exes, but Casey and I are good friends. If we put the past in the past, why can’t you?”

Sienna shut her eyes, warring over how much she should or should not say.

“It’s different,” she started cautiously. “I got to see the extent of the damage after the two of you fell apart. Whose apartment do you think she ended up at that last night in Boston? Who do you think she sat on the phone listening to her cry all night after she moved? I know you were hurting after things ended, but I experienced her pain. You were spared that.”

“Sienna, breakups are painful. You know that! And no, I didn’t see her immediate aftermath because we felt not contacting each other for a while would be for the best. But I was living through my own personal hell. It was hard on both of us.”

“Then why’d you do it? Tobias? All she wanted was a future with you... You’re the one who said it wasn’t possible!”

“We wanted different futures. Hers included a wedding... just like this one... a house in the suburbs, two kids, and a dog. I never wanted that and didn’t want to promise her something I couldn’t guarantee. Don’t you think I had wished I could? I could put you on the phone with my best friend. Kerry would tell you how wrong it was for Casey to want that life more than she wanted me... but you’re both wrong. We made a choice together, and it was painful as fuck. But, Si, it wasn’t my fault.”

“I guess,” Sienna sighed. “It’s just hard to see you both throw something so special, so rare away. It’s two years later and still hard to see.”

“I understand, but... Casey was dating Craig six months later, and she’s marrying him tomorrow. She and I are friends, hell, Craig and I are friends... so why are we even discussing this?”

“Because I’m her best friend... and I know how someone should be acting before they get married... and I still don’t see that in Casey.”

“What... what are you talking about....”

“She’s happy, sure... to a degree... but I’ve seen her when she was truly happy, and this seems like a facsimile.”

“Sienna,” he stalled, “She’s busy planning this weekend and under a lot of stress, but I’ve been around them. She loves Craig.”

“I know she does,” Sienna replied. “But she was in love with you.”

Tobias sat in stunned silence when he noticed Craig mingling with guests across the way. Looking for any excuse to evade the topic, he spat, “There’s Craig, uh... I’ve been looking for him... wanted to see him before the wedding, but he seems a little evasive...”

“Of course he has. Don’t you realize? Tobias, you’re the one who got away. You’re her best friend... other than me... that is. Do you think he needs a reminder before he says his I dos?”  

“I... I thought coming here was the right thing to do... I just wanted to... to be here for them... and to see...”

“To see what?”

“To see she really moved on. To really... let her go.”

“Right,” Sienna smiled. “But you’re over her. I’m glad we talked, T. I think my bitterness toward you is just my overprotectiveness of Casey. I love her. But I can be a bit of a momma bear.”

“No shit!” he said with a half-smile as Sienna narrowed her eyes at him.

“I’m trying to make amends. Shut up before I change my mind. Truce?”

“Of course. How could I be mad at you for being protective of Casey.”

“I know,” Sienna smiled, pushing away from the table. “Do me a favor. Just lay low until the wedding. Be there to support her, then go live your life and let Casey move on with hers. We have to trust that she made this decision knowing what’s right for her, and... we should both respect that.”

“I never intended to do anything but.”

“Good.” Sienna looked up and saw Meghan approaching the table. “I owe you an apology and want to thank you. This talk was overdue, and I promise. We’ll be grown-ups from now on.”

“Hey, I was being a grown-up,” Tobias protested.

“Tobias, is this the hill you want to die on?” Sienna snapped back.

“Continue...” he grinned.  

Sienna extended her hand. “It was very nice meeting you.”

“It’s lovely meeting you, too,” Meghan agreed. “Maybe we can get coffee back in Boston?”

“Sure, I’d like that. Tobias, I like her... be good to her.”

Tobias slipped his hand into Meghans and smiled. “That’s my intention. Thanks, Sienna.”

After Sienna walked away, Tobias turned to Meghan and thanked her for forcing them to talk. “You’re pretty special, you know. that?”

“I do,” she smiled sweetly. “But let's go back to our room because now it’s our turn to talk.”

"About?"

"About why we're at this wedding..."

"Meg," Tobias sighed. "We're here to see my friend... my friends... get married. Nothing more."

"Good, then it won't be an issue to have a quick talk about it...right?"

He let out a soft sigh. It was the last thing he wanted, but he knew better than to think Meghan would let it go.

"Right," he stood up, extending his hand to her. "Lead the way."

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @choicesjuly2023challenge - Fairytale

[hayleylovesjessica]

Because my partner was off from work today, her birthday was Friday last week, and she saw a pretty dress online at Anne Taylor that she wanted, we had an adventure today. First, we went to the nice mall here in Durham to go to the Anne Taylor store to see if they had her dress. They had it in two sizes, but neither was quite right. One of the ladies at the store called the Anne Taylor location at the nice mall in Raleigh, which did have her size, so we drove out there. My partner was initially resistant, especially since she could simply order the dress online (especially now that she knew which size to order), but I told her that sometimes it's okay to go for instant gratification. So, we made the trek to Raleigh, and between the clearance price and an Anne Taylor coupon that we got in the mail, this lovely $160 green tweed dress ended up costing only around $40, which is less than it would have been online. Whoo-hoo! I'm glad that I nudged her into making the drive to the other mall in Raleigh -- we saved money, and it was fun quality time together.