#patrick lau

[every-ciel-phantomhive]

[theghostofcarloskeith]

"Runaway" - Ladytron x The Longest Nite (1998, dir. Patrick Yau/Johnnie To)

[ultrameganicolaokay]

Conan the Barbarian #1 by Jim Zub, Roberto de la Torre and José Villarrubia. Cover by Dan Panosian. Variant covers by (2) de la Torre, (3) Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau, (4) Patrick Zircher (after Barry Windsor-Smith), (5) Mike Mignola and (6) E.M. Gist. Out in July.

"ROBERT E. HOWARD'S LEGENDARY CONAN IS BACK IN A NEW TALE OF BRAVERY AND HEROISM! CONAN THE BARBARIAN FCBD EDITION LEADS INTO THE DEBUT ISSUE! Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary CONAN returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will CONAN and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?"

[doverstardoodles]

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Stitch and Ani fancanon!

[stitchandani]

Doverstar time to celebrate Christianity being brought to Ireland

[batbabydamian]

DC September 2024 Solicitations - Comics Featuring Damian! 🦇

THE BOY WONDER #5 of 5

9/4/24

Written by Juni Ba

Art and Cover by Juni Ba

Variant Cover: Lea Murawiec

The Robins have united to battle their way out of the stronghold of the Demon’s Head, but Damian cutting his family ties to Ra’s al Ghul isn’t just a matter of punching his way through ninjas. Could this fairy tale possibly have a happy ending? Or is the story of Damian Wayne an inescapable tragedy?

TRINITY SPECIAL: WORLD’S FINEST

9/4/24 

Written by Tom King

Art by Belen Ortega

Cover by Daniel Sampere

Variant covers: Belen Ortega, Chrissie Zullo (1:25), Saowee (1:50)

The world’s finest heroes of tomorrow are back for more! The daughter of Wonder Woman and the Super Sons return for more stories filled with laughs, action and awe-inspiring adventure. Can Lizzie survive Darkseid and his terrifying math? Will an innocent trip to the past for homework change the future? Are Damian and Jon’s barks worse than their bite? Find out in this collection of the latest back-up stories from the hit WONDER WOMAN series!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #13

9/11/24

Written by Joshua Williamson

Art by Juan Ferreyra

Cover by Simone Di Meo

Variant covers: Travis Mercer, Christian Ward (1:25)

Batman, Robin, and Bane must escape Dinosaur Island. But they are not alone! A dangerous presence has taken over and won’t let anyone leave the island alive! Can the father and son dynamic duo return to Gotham or will this be their last adventure together?!

DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #2

9/11/24

Written by Matthew Rosenburg

Art and cover by Otto Schmidt

Variant Covers: Daniele Di Nicuolo (1:25), Caspar Wijngaard, Lucio Parrillo

The peace between vampires and heroes is wearing thin. Lois Lane will try and negotiate a way to maintain a truce, but with Damian’s relentless attacks on the vampire queen and her armies, the only thing that might be able to bring them together is a…Miracle.

*Bruno Redondo Variant Cover C appearance + chance of interior feature

NIGHTWING #118

9/18/24

Written by Tom Taylor

Art and cover by Bruno Redondo

Variant Covers: Bruno Redondo, Jamal Campbell, Tirso, Nicola Scott, Serg Acuna (1:25)

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the streets of Blüdhaven as we bid a heartfelt farewell to the dynamic duo of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo in the epic conclusion to their award-winning run. With Nightwing’s fear of heights overcome, he returns to Blüdhaven for one final face-off with Heartless and Tony Zucco. It’s the battle you’ve all been waiting for! And if we’ve learned anything from Nightwing these last couple of years, we know he never has to do it alone. One thing’s for certain though: Blüdhaven will never be the same after this!

WONDER WOMAN #13

9/18/24

Written by Tom King

Art and Cover by Tony S. Daniel

Variant Covers: Gleb Melnikov (1:25), Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, Phil Jimenez, Nicola Scott

ABSOLUTE POWER TIE-IN! Gamorra found! Wonder Woman and Robin have finally located Amanda Waller’s super jail holding the powerless heroes they once fought alongside. Can the new dynamic duo break them out before they become trapped themselves? An undercover ally may hold the key to everything!

ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN BY PATRICK GLEASON: THE DELUXE EDITION

11/5/24

Written by Patrick Gleason and Ray Fawkes

Art by Patrick Gleason, Scott Mcdaniel, Mick Gray, and others

Cover by Patrick Gleason

Damian Wayne died. But like most members of the al Ghul family, he didn’t stay dead. Now that he’s back and done some soul-searching, Damian has decided he has a lot to make up for—but he won’t have to do it alone. With a young assassin named Nobody and a gargantuan dragon bat named Goliath in tow, Damian’s year of atonement will take him across the globe and reunite him with friends, foes, and his own complicated family as he seeks to prove to everyone—himself, especially—that he is a worthy member of the Bat-Family. This deluxe edition features a brand-new cover by writer/artist Patrick Gleason, development sketches, and tons more behind-the-scenes material! Collecting DC Sneak Peek: Robin: Son of Batman #1, and Robin: Son of Batman #1-13.

[medievalandfantasymelee]

Submissions are closed but many of our noble and worthy Contenders still need Propaganda to aid them...

Of our 294 Entrants, the following 27 have had no text propaganda submitted

Amarendra Baahubali [Prabhas], Baahubali Series (2015-2017)

Arondir [Ismael Cruz Córdova], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Asbjörn [Tom Hopper], Northmen: A Viking Saga (2014)

Balian de Ibelin [Orlando Bloom], Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Bjørn Ironside [Alexander Ludwig], Vikings (2013-2020)

Sir Bowen [Dennis Quaid], Dragonheart (1996)

Elrond Half-elven [Robert Aramayo], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Geoffrey Chaucer [Pier Paolo Pasolini], The Canterbury Tales (1972)

King Henry VIII [Ray Winstone], Henry VIII (2003)

Isildur, Son of Elendil [Maxim Baldry], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Prince Jingim [Remy Hii], Marco Polo (2014)

Kai [Michael Gothard], Arthur of the Britons (1972, 1973)

Sir Lancelot [Richard Gere], First Knight (1995)

Merlin [Nicol Williamson], Excalibur (1981)

“The Mute” [John Bernthal], Pilgrimage (2017)

“One-Eye” [Mads Mikkelsen], Valhalla Rising (2009)

Sir Percival [Tom Hopper], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Pero Tovar [Pedro Pascal], The Great Wall (2016)

Ragnar Lothbrook [Travis Fimmel], Vikings (2013-2020)

Richard III [Benedict Cumberbatch], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016)

Robin Hood [Tom Riley], Doctor Who: “The Robot of Sherwood” (2014)

“The Sherriff of Nottingham” [Alan Wheatley], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1959)

“The Sherriff of Nottingham” [Peter Cushing], The Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)

Syrio Forel [Miltos Yerolemou], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Tormund Giantsbane [Kristofer Hivju], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Ubbe [Jordan Patrick Smith], Vikings (2013-2020)

Wil Ohmsford [Austin Butler], Shannara Chronicles (2016)

The following 63 DO have text propaganda, but only consisting of a single sentence, (or propaganda that contains spoilers) and could use a bit more...

Aguilar de Nerha [Michael Fassbender], Assassin's Creed (2016)

Allan-A-Dale [Joe Armstrong], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Sultan Alauddin [Ranver Singh], Padmavaat (2018)

Amleth [Alexander Skarsgård], The Northman (2022)

Arman [Matevy Lykov], I Am Dragon (2015)

King Arthur [Graham Chapman], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Asneez [Isaac Hayes], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Ash Williams [Bruce Campbell], Army of Darkness (1992)

Azog the Defiler [Manu Bennett], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Ser Barristan Selmy [Ian McIlhinney], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert [Sam Neill], Ivanhoe (1982)

Carlos I [Álvaro Cervantes], Carlos Rey Emperador (2015-2016)

Cesare Borgia [Mark Ryder], Borgia: Faith and Fear (2011-2014)

Charles Brandon [Henry Cavill], The Tudors (2007-2010)

Chu Hun [Peter Ho], Double World (2020)

Connor MacLeod [Christopher Lambert], Highlander (1986)

Prince Dastan [Jake Gyllenhaal], Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Dong Yilong [Henry Lau], Double World (2020)

Eamon Valda [Abdul Salis], The Wheel of Time (2021-)

Sir Elyan [Adetomiwa Edun], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Forge Fitzwilliam [Hugh Grant], Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Galavant [Joshua Sasse], Galavant (2015-2016)

Galessin, Duke of Orkney [Alexis Hénon], Kaamelott (2004-2009)

Gandalf [Ian McKellan], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Geralt z Rivii [Michał Żebrowski], The Witcher (2002)

Gimli, Son of Gloin [John Rhys-Davies], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Prince Hamlet [Christopher Plummer], Hamlet at Elsinore (1964)

King Henry V Plantagenet [Kenneth Branagh], Henry V (1989)

Prince Humperdink [Chris Sarandon], The Princess Bride (1987)

Ivanhoe [Anthony Andrews], Ivanhoe (1982)

Jack [Tom Cruise], Legend (1985)

Ser Jaime Lannister [Nikolaj Coster-Waldau], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Jaskier [Joey Batey], The Witcher (2019-)

Little John [Eric Allan Kramer], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Prince John [Richard Lewis], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Sir Lancelot [Luc Simon], Lancelot du Lac (1974)

Sir Lancelot [Santiago Cabrera], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Loial [Hammed Animashaun], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

Matrim “Mat” Cauthon [Donal Finn], The Wheel of Time (2022)

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck [Dominic Monaghan], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Mikoláš Kozlík [František Velecký], Marketa Lazarová (1967)

Murtagh Morzansson [Garrett Hedlund], Eragon (2002)

Niankoro [Issiaka Kane], Yeelen (1987)

Niccolo Machiavelli [Thibaut Evrard], Borgia: Faith and Fear (2011-2014)

Phillippe Gaston [Matthew Broderick], Ladyhawke (1985)

“The Player” [Richard Dreyfuss], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1990)

Rand al’Thor [Josha Stradowski], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

Richard II Plantagenet [Ben Whishaw], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016)

Robin Hood [Kevin Costner], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Robin Hood [Jonas Armstrong], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Rodrigo Borgia [Jeremy Irons], The Borgias (2011-2013)

Rollo [Clive Standen], Vikings (2013-2020)

Roose Bolton [Michael McElhatton], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Saruman [Christopher Lee], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Sid [Luke Youngblood], Galavant (2015-2016)

“Taunting French Guard” [John Cleese], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

King Theoden, Son of Thengel [Bernard Hill], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Thierry of Janville [Jean-Claude Drouot], Thierry la Fronde (1963-1966)

Sir Thomas Grey [Nigel Terry], Covington Cross (1992)

Trumpkin [Peter Dinklage], The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Vlad III Dracula [Luke Evans], Dracula Untold (2014)

Wat [Alan Tudyk], A Knight’s Tale (2001)

Wen Kexing [Gong Jun], Word of Honor (2021

And the following 57 have had fewer than 3 pictures submitted as visual propaganda

Prince Aemond Targaryen [Ewan Mitchell], House of the Dragon (2022-)

Ahmad [Mahesh Jadu], Marco Polo (2014)

Shah Ala ad Daula [Olivier Martinez], The Physician (2013)

Alessandro Farnese [Diarmuid Noyes], Borgia (2011-2014)

Amarendra Baahubali [Prabhas], Baahubali (2015-2017)

Amleth [Alexander Skarsgård], The Northman (2022)

Arman [Matvey Lykov], I Am Dragon (2015)

Arthur Pendragon [Oliver Tobias], Arthur of the Britons (1972-1973)

King Arthur [Sean Connery], First Knight (1995)

Sir Bowen [Dennis Quaid], Dragonheart (1996)

Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert [Sam Neill], Ivanhoe (1982)

Carlos I [Álvaro Cervantes], Carlos Rey Emperador (2015-2016)

King Caspian X [Samuel West], BBC’s Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989)

Cesare Borgia [Mark Ryder], Borgia (2011-2014)

Prince Charmont [Hugh Dancy], Ella Enchanted (2004)

Chu Hun [Peter Ho], Double World (2020)

Connor MacLeod [Christopher Lambert], Highlander (1986)

Dong Yilong [Henry Lau], Double World (2020)

Fjölnir [Claes Bang], The Northman (2022)

Francesco de Pazzi [Matteo Martari], Medici (2016-2019)

Geoffrey Chaucer [Pier Paolo Pasolini], The Canterbury Tales (1972)

Gest [Jakob Þór Einarsson], Hrafninn flýgur (1984)

Gimli, Son of Gloin [John Rhys-Davies], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

King Henry II [Peter O’Toole], The Lion in Winter (1968)

Hugh Beringar [Sean Pertwee], Cadfael (1994-1998)

Prince Jingim [Remy Hii], Marco Polo (2014)

Little John [Nicol Williamson], Robin and Marian (1976)

Kai [Michael Gothard], Arthur of the Britons (1972, 1973)

Sir Lancelot [Richard Gere], First Knight (1995)

Lurtz [Lawrence Makoare], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck [Dominic Monaghan], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Merlin [Nicol Williamson], Excalibur (1981)

Much [Sam Troughton], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Murtagh Morzansson [Garrett Hedlund], Eragon (2002)

Niankoro [Issiaka Kane], Yeelen (1987)

Niccolo Machiavelli [Thibaut Evrard], Borgia: Faith and Fear (2011-2014)

“The Player” [Richard Dreyfuss], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1990)

Podrick Payne [Daniel Portman], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Rilk [Jesse Lee Keeter] JourneyQuest (2010)

Robert the Bruce [Chris Pine], Outlaw King (2018)

Robin Longstride [Russell Crowe], Robin Hood (2010)

Saburo Naotora Ichimonji [Ryu Daisuke], Ran (1985)

Sid [Luke Youngblood], Galavant (2015-2016)

Sihtric Kjartansson [Arnas Fedaravicius], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)

Syrio Forel [Miltos Yerolemou], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

“Taunting French Guard” [John Cleese], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Thierry of Janville [Jean-Claude Drouot], Thierry la Fronde (1963-1966)

Sir Thomas Grey [Nigel Terry], Covington Cross (1992)

Thraxus Boorman [Amar Chadha-Patel], Willow (2022]

Sir Tristan [Kingsley Ben-Adir], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Uglúk [Nathaniel Lees], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

“Unnamed Elf Escort” (Alias: “Figwit”), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Wen Kexing [Gong Jun], Word of Honor (2021

Wil Ohmsford [Austin Butler], The Shannara Chronicles (2016)

Will Scarlett [Patrick Knowles], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Will Scarlett [Christian Slater], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Willow Ufgood [Warwick Davis], Willow (1988, 2022)

[edenityy]

( chapter twenty-one ! )

"Mr. Phelps!"

Only the sound of crackling thunder can be heard throughout the room when the body of Patrick Phelps is discovered, a third round of wide eyes and stances of discomfort wash over the guests. This has been the third dead body to be discovered within two days. Paired with the fact that none of them can just up and leave due to the weather, it causes tension to fester.

Arthur, seemingly feeling brave, is the closest one to the body. Nearly everyone else has almost backed themselves against the walls, but the wordsmith crouches beside the body to get a closer look.

"Rigor mortis is already setting in. So he's been dead for a while," says Arthur with a shake of his head.

Standing in the doorway, Grimsby shields Irene from the body. "Are we having some kind of nightmare?" he asks.

'Oh, that would be wonderful.. My dreams have always been strange. Perhaps this is just a long one?' Beside Ciel, Leah stands between him and Anna. The feeling of discomfort overcomes her, and she uses her hands to cling onto them, hoping to feel a semblance of comfort. The girl can only wish to disappear from the situation.

"He doesn't have any external injuries like the other two though.." Arthur points out while searching Phelps' body before his eyes widen in shock when he lifts the collar of his shirt. "There's a wound on his neck like he was stabbed by something! It might be from a needle-like object that was used to inject a poison."

Ciel lets out a noise of question before his eyes begin to drift past a short wall, falling upon the sight of Lau and Ran Mao ransacking his closet full of clothes, hats, and shoes.

"Wow, the Earl sure lives in a nice room~" Lau muses, sifting through the numerous different coats the younger boy owns. Crouched down beside him, Ran Mao carefully places hats on her head as she stares blankly at the floor.

Eye twitching in shock and annoyance, Ciel can already feel his irritation growing. "Don't just search people's rooms as you please!" he yells.

The pair ignore Ciel's words of protest in favor of examining a piece of fabric, earning a smirk from Lau. "You held on to the clothes I gave you~ Did you wear them?" Ran Mao wears the hat Ciel wore when he attended Viscount Druitt's ball, holding up the garment for Lau to see.

"Listen when people are talking!" the earl's voice is nearly a shout when he is ignored, striking even more annoyance within him.

Peering past her fiancé's shoulder, Leah perks up at the sight of Lau and Ran Mao going through Ciel's items. Having lost her will to care in the moment and hoping to feel normal, she shifts and begins walking over to the pair. However, her interest in joining in on the run is short-lived when Ciel grabs ahold of her upper arm, preventing her from moving any further.

"Don't get involved with those two.. No shame," Ciel complains with a mutter, gently guiding Leah back to her original spot while trying to ignore the small pout sitting on her cherry-tinted lips.

Before Leah can find it in her to complain, the sound of Arthur's voice draws her attention. "It also resembles a kind of bite mark, but.."

"A bite mark in the neck.." Irene speaks up, holding a hand towards her heart. "It sounds just like Carmilla."

Ciel hums in acknowledgment. "By Carmilla, you mean Le Fanu's 'The Vampire Carmilla'?" he asks, though his voice lacks much tone or emotion.

With a nod, Irene grips her arm a bit tighter. "Yes. Do you know it?"

Turning her head, Leah looks up at Ciel with a tilt of her head, furrowing her brows to show her confusion. Initially, the Earl can't understand why his fiancé is staring at him, thinking this is her being strange again. But his eyes widen a tad bit moments later, mouthing the words 'a book' and earning a faint nod from the girl. 'I'll have to read that one..'

"You're saying this guy's been killed by a vampire?! Don't be ridiculous!" Woodley shouts, directing his words towards Irene. "You can't say that kind of occult and unscientific nonsense in the nineteenth century!"

Ciel crosses his arms with a shrug, looking unimpressed. "Unscientific, huh.. I guess you could say that."

"Two thirty-eight."

Both Leah and Ciel perk up at the sudden voice cutting through the protests of the others, wandering over to Arthur, who is holding a square-shaped clock in his hands. The glass covering the clock part of the item is shattered and leaves the hands stuck in place, showing the time it broke. Two thirty-eight.

"That's the clock I keep at my bedside, isn't it?" asks Ciel, peering down at the kneeling wordsmith.

With a nod, Arthur places the clock upright on the bedside table. "I guess it probably fell when he was writhing in pain.. It's broken."

Examining the clock as well, Leah tilts her head to get a better view of the details. For half a second, her face lights up at the sight, thinking the item is quite cute.

She turns her head towards Anna, who stands in the doorway, blocking the trio from seeing the dress Ciel wore to Viscount Druitt's ball. "Anna, why don't I have a clock at my bedside?" she questions, beginning to want one.

"You never asked, Mistress," the maid replies. "And you would realize that we wake you up earlier than you request.."

Leah's face contorts weirdly. "What?"

"We wake you up earlier than you would like. You never notice, but if you had a clock, you would," Anna shifts on her feet, preparing for her master to yell at her.

However, the maid feels a sense of surprise when no sound comes from Leah's mouth but a small 'oh.' Leah can't find it in her to care about being woken up early, as she typically only does when she is awoken in a foul mood.

"Well, I would like one," Leah fiddles with her fingers, noting the lack of gloves on her hands.

Anna gives a small nod in response. "That can be arranged."

A comfortable silence falls upon the maid and lady, neither having anything else to say. Both of them have a memory that is quite good, so Leah hardly has any doubts that Anna will fail to remember when they return home. Even if Anna doesn't manage to remember, there is a good chance Leah will and will spend hours bothering her father.

"Leah?"

The sound of her name rings out in her ears, flicking her eyes over to Ciel, who politely passes by Anna in the doorway. His head is turned back towards her, his eyes never leaving her own.

"We are going to the drawing room for tea," he says, realizing she hadn't been paying attention to anything he or Arthur had said in the past minute.

Perking up at the mention of a potential moment to sit down and relax or talk Ciel's ear off, Leah gives a small nod. She motions for Anna to follow her as well but prioritizes latching onto Ciel's arm, determined not to acknowledge that she's walking across the room where someone died. Regardless, a pastry does sound enticing after skipping her meal.

— ౨ৎ —

Gathered around a table, the guests are seated on plush sofas as they reach for cups of tea or pastries on plates. Although she anticipated sitting near Ciel, Leah sits at the opposite end of the table beside Ran Mao, Charles to her right at the other end of the table. Her eyes twitch every so often when she hears his incessant chewing, quietly sipping on her cup.

"Well then, we've eaten dessert, so let's sort things out," Charles chirps, crumbs on his cheeks as he finishes up chewing. "First of all, Lord Siemens. His death was around ten past one this morning. The only one who doesn't have an alibi is Earl Phantomhive. Next is the butler.. His time of death is unknown. Finally, Mr. Phelps. His death was thirty-eight minutes past two this morning.. Am I correct?"

Everyone pays attention closely as the times of deaths are recounted, causing a slight tension in some around the table.

Arthur is the only one to chime in. "No, the butler's corpse was found first, but who was actually killed first is still unknown."

With a nod, Charles agrees as he places a finger to his chin, seemingly in thought as he goes back over the words he said.

"From their condition, we know that a few hours had passed between them being killed and our finding them," says Arthur, using a pen to point at what he's written in a book. "At this stage, me and the Earl, who were chained to the bed til morning, have an alibi."

Charles leans back in his chair with a huff, nearly hitting his foot against the table. He doesn't seem to notice the glares of annoyance Leah sends in his direction, though that is most likely because she softens her face before he can even get the chance to turn his head.

Pulling a cup of tea away from his lips, Ciel responds to Arthur's words with a nod. "Me and the wordsmith got into bed and were chained to it at around two o'clock. Just before then, Sebastian said he had already guided Mr. Phelps to his room. And Mr. Phelps was killed at two thirty-eight."

"So, who saw Mr. Butler last?" asks Lau.

"That would probably be us, but," a bead of sweat drips down Arthur's cheek, "not only was it dark, but the clock was rather far away, so I can't tell you the exact time.."

A short string of silence falls upon the guests, everyone feeling uncertain. The amount of new information being fed to them in so little time is enough to jumble anyone's brain.

"Ah!" Finnian calls out suddenly, raising his arm high. "We saw Mr. Sebastian in the middle of the night!"

Meyrin begins to nod along, standing a little behind the energetic blond with Bardroy at her side."M-Me too!"

"At what time was it?" asks Bardoy, arms crossed over his chest.

"Hmmm.. I'm certain it was around two fifty," replies Finnian, trying to recount the night's events.

Arthur places down a few more notes in his book. On the other end of the conversation, Leah silently gossips in Ran Mao's ears even though she seems focused on the topic at hand. She knows that Ran Mao is listening, even if she doesn't show it, so she continues to talk away, ignoring any strange glances thrown her way.

"So this means Sebastian was killed last," Arthur lifts his pen from the paper. "What did he want?" he asks Bardroy.

"He came to me to confirm the food stock, and he gave me these instructions on cleaning the hearths," Bardroy moves his hands as he speaks. "He asked me to.. take care of a delivery.. owl?"

Everyone perks up at the mention of something so odd, though it is most prevalent on the faces of the chef and Ciel.

"An owl?" asks Ciel, shifting his head to pay closer attention.

Bardroy looks down. "As opposed to pigeons, owls can fly through a storm. It's just like him to think of everything."

Turning her body around, Leah glances at Anna, who stands a bit farther away from the Phantomhive servants. Her gaze is trained on Bardroy as he speaks, but she primarily focuses on her master, which is why she's so quick to notice the look on her face.

"Mistress?" she asks.

"You can just own owls?" Leah tilts her head, her face displaying a look of want.

A sigh leaves the maid, knowing what the girl wants to ask. The only response Anna gives her is a firm shake of the head. Not to say that one cannot own an owl, but more so to deny the inevitable request of asking to have one.

Leah gives a small pout, also understanding the meaning of Anna's silent no. Growing up as the daughter of a wealthy marquess, there's no doubt that she's spoiled. But she knows better than to cause a scene in front of this many people, especially after what she did to Georg Von Siemens.

"He might have sent a letter to the police," says Arthur, drawing Leah's attention.

Ciel shrugs in response, also trying to think of what could have been the contents of Sebastian's letter. "Seeing as the telephone wouldn't connect in a storm like this, I guess so."

"However, if Sebastian was the last to be killed, the story becomes more complex," Arthur glances over his notes and doesn't seem to notice the look Charles casts to the side. "The only ones who could lock the Earl's room would be Mr. Phelps himself, who was in the room, or Sebastian, who had the key. Which means that Sebastian being the killer is the most likely scenario, but Sebastian was killed."

Picking up a cup of tea, Lau decides to chime in from his spot on the couch. "So maybe.. the butler joined up with someone, and together they committed the murders, but then, afterward, they quarreled over the rewards the job would bring, and finally he was silenced?" he suggests, quick with his thoughts.

Ciel leans his head on his hand, casting a glance at Leah, who listens intently to Lau's words while simultaneously running a finger over the fabric of her dress. "It's not unthinkable. In that case, the probability of the killer being someone who would gain from their deaths seems high."

"So it would seem~ Money makes the world go round," Lau muses, causing Woodley's face to darken. "Mr. Phelps was the heir to Blue Star Line, a major company in the marine transportation business. He was a little weak-willed but had enough skill to be entrusted with the foreign trade branch and recently even expanded the business to the Asian region."

Those in the room recall Phelps and the behavior he exhibited throughout the night. It can certainly be a surprise at first glance that he holds such a high title, given that he was quite timid and unsure of himself. But Ciel doesn't seem to care much for Lau's words, laying his eyes upon him.

"Lau," Ciel speaks, catching the man's attention as he points a finger in his direction. "He was your business rival."

A smirk grows on Lau's face at the words, lifting the cup of tea in his hands to his lips. "Well, I guess that's true."

"Furthermore, you walk around carrying a needle in those dragging sleeves of yours, do you not?" Ciel's accusatory finger doesn't budge from its place, though he appears nonchalant despite the weight of his words.

The room goes silent. No one can find the words for what to say when the Earl's words reach their ears. Even Leah is silent, instead sending a side glance in Lau's direction while moving half an inch away in her seat.

"What?"

"Yes, I am carrying one," Lau smirks and retrieves a needle hidden within his sleeve, holding it in between his fingers. "It's used in oriental medicine, though."

"What?!"

The room, previously silent, now erupts in shouts and screams. Leah has now gotten up entirely in favor of standing beside Anna, thinking of a possible escape route in the chance that Lau truly is a killer. 'I suppose I could just throw myself out of a window?'

"Y.. You killed Phelps!" yells Woodley.

Beside him, Grimsby points a finger at Lau. "You bastard! You searched the Earl's room just now, didn't you? Are you sure you weren't just destroying evidence?!" his voice carries throughout the room.

"Oh, my~" Lau shrugs his shoulders and brings his arms up, hands drowning in his sleeves. "Aren't you being a bit too rash about this? How do you think I could make a locked room murder from that far off walk-in-closet? There's no door going outside there, and even though we're Chinese, it's not like we can just pass through ventilation shafts or something."

Envisioning Ciel's bedroom and the way Phelps was found, the guests listen to Lau's explanation.

"And I have an alibi for the time Lord Siemens was murdered anyway," he states, forcing everyone to recall how Lau was drinking with Woodley and Ran Mao. "But the Earl is such a bully~ You don't need to take revenge on me now, you know?"

"Do I really need to hear that from you, who suggested confinement?" Ciel deadpans with Arthur. "Well, in any case, there's no one who could have killed all three, even if they teamed up with Sebastian. I was just teasing you," he takes a long sip of tea.

Arthur is quick to perk up at Ciel's words, peering down into his book. "That's true."

Watching as the wordsmith bends over to begin ferociously scribbling, Irene's brows knit in worry. "What are you talking about?"

The sound of a pen moving back and forth on the paper is all that can be heard for a long few moments, everyone watching Arthur in quiet suspense. He quickly makes a chart full of the names of all the guests, including the dead ones and their times of death.

"If I put it in a simple chart.." Arthur holds up with piece of paper for all to see. "It'd look like this. The only one who could have killed Lord Siemens at ten last one was Earl Phantomhive. The only one who could have killed Mr. Phelps at two thirty-eight was Sebastian. And anyone but me or the Earl could have killed Sebastian at ten to three. So, even if they worked with Sebastian, it's impossible that a single person could have caused this string of murders!"

Woodley's hands clench, and his face becomes agitated. "If it's impossible to do alone, then the people who came as a pair are the criminals!" he proclaims with sweat dripping down his forehead.

Equally as irritated and angered, Grimsby stands abruptly. "Are you kidding me?! On top of being trapped in here, I'm being treated as a criminal?!"

"Grimsby, calm down!" Irene calls out, wrapping her arms around his hips.

Backed up in their little corner, Leah and Anna eye the situation uncomfortably. The high tensions and severe anger dripping off of guests is unsettling, especially for the two of them. The likelihood of one of the men attacking them is low, but neither is necessarily strong enough to fight back if that small chance happens.

However, the Barrett subtly appears somewhat entertained by the idea of Woodley losing his composure. She can't voice that thought in case she draws suspicion to herself, but knowing a man who irritates her is lashing out and making himself seem like a likely culprit makes a smile threaten to break out on her face.

Leah leans down to position her lips beside Anna's ears. "I am inclined to believe some of these people are going mad.." she whispers lowly.

"Who wouldn't?" Anna retaliates. "We are stuck here with a potential murderer, and no one knows who it is for sure."

Eyes focusing on Ciel's face, Leah drowns out the sounds of Woodley beginning to shout and bang his fists on the table. "Do you think.. I killed Sebastian?" her voice trembles, recalling the secret Anna wishes she never revealed.

"No!" the sound of Anna's voice raises a bit too high, almost drawing attention away from Woodley's ongoing outburst. "It's impossible, Mistress. I woke up periodically throughout the night, you hardly moved."

Giving a hasty nod, Leah goes silent. She begins to bite her lips and pick at her manicured fingertips, taking a deep breath as she situates her focus onto Woodley, who is somehow still yelling. 'I want to forget all of this..' her thoughts echo in her head as though they are trying to claw their way out.

But as much as she may wish, it simply isn't possible to escape the chambers she calls her mind. So, to ease the neverending noise that plagues her waking moments, she tunes in on the current topic at hand.

"I'm going home!" the man is quick to swivel around the sofa and point a finger at Arthur. "Like I'd let myself be killed!"

"Please wait! It's impossible in this storm!" Arthur rises from his seat in an attempt to follow Woodley and prevent him from leaving, piquing the interest of Leah. "You should stay here to avoid suspicion as—"

Arthur's words are cut off by the sound of a harsh slap echoing throughout the room, Woodley's left hand connecting harshly to his cheek. It's near deafening and causing a string of gasps amongst the women, though almost everyone settles on wide eyes. Leah, naturally a gossipmonger, leans in a bit closer to hear more.

"I don't take orders from a mere doctor!" Woodley's voice is loud as he sends Arthur flying back until he hits the table, breaking cups and plates as well as colliding with Lau and Ran Mao's ankles.

"Woodley. The one who's telling you to sit down is me," cup and saucer in hand, Ciel's face is dark as he glares at the huffing man, "so sit down already."

Face contouring in utter anger and irritation, Woodley begins to charge for Ciel's seated form. "Don't order me around!" he shouts at the top of his lungs, hand tightly clenched in an attempt to collide with the boy's face.

"Earl!"

"Ciel!"

The room fills with yells of surprise from the guests, but they go up a volume when Tanaka suddenly interferes. Grabbing Woodley by the arm, Tanaka faintly twists it before using the leverage to slam the man into the ground, propping a knee on his back for extra measures. While Ciel appears unfazed, everyone else stares on in shock.

Leah, unwilling to stand idly any longer, runs straight for Ciel's seat with surprising ease for the shoes adoring her feet. She leans down to try and look at his face, worry written all over hers.

"Ciel, are you alright?!" she asks with uncertainty, her voice louder than she typically allows it to be.

Taking another sip of his tea, Ciel gives a firm nod. "I am quite alright," he ignores the words Tanaka directs at Woodley in favor of glancing into his fiancé's eyes, noting a small sparkle and a hint of emotion swirling within them.

The Barrett is incapable of protesting to get a better look or more reassurance due to Ciel reluctantly shifting his attention to the man on the floor. Woodley's expression is of pain and a bruised ego, something Leah can't deny that she enjoys seeing when it comes to men.

"Mister Woodley. You'll obey our orders then?" Ciel's words receive nothing in return from the man, though he can hear a faint giggle in his right ear from a voice he's all too familiar with. "Well then. Currently, the only one who really couldn't have been the culprit is Mr. Wordsmith. I think it'd be safest and fairest to put Mr. Wordsmith in charge of deciding our actions from now on."

"Me?!" exclaims Arthur in surprise as he points a finger at himself, a bruise noticeable on his cheek from Woodley's blow.

Ciel places his cup down on the saucer, brushing past Leah to set it on the table. His expression holds one of annoyance and exhaustion, unlike his betrothed, who now seems wide awake after the violent dilemma.

"Yes," he lets out a puff of air. "I don't really want a criminal prowling around in my manor."

The guests begin to discuss amongst themselves, everyone surprisingly coming to an agreement that Arthur should be placed in charge. Even Leah, who typically likes to stir fights, seems to be fine with it.

But there is one thing she isn't so quick to push aside.

"Would you still love me if I was a criminal?" asks Leah, directing her question towards Ciel.

Furrowing his brows, Ciel glances up in confusion and mild strangeness. "What?"

"Would you still love me if I was a criminal?" Leah repeats her question. "Would you still marry me, or would you have me killed?"

Ciel is quick to begin sharply shaking his head, refusing to answer the question or entertain her antics any further. He knows that the questions are both a trap and something he finds utterly ridiculous. Though, he does find himself pondering in the back of his mind.

"Then it's decided. There's plenty of time until the storm dies down anyway," he swallows a lump in his throat, now casting his eyes upon Arthur to ignore the pouting Leah, who stares holes into the back of his head.

Leaning back in his chair, Ciel brings his hands up and intertwines them. He rests his head on his hands and flashes a final smile at the wordsmith,

"Let's thoroughly corner this criminal."

[dailylesliec]

[TRANSLATION] Art and Piece Issue 16 - Stanley Kwan about Leslie Cheung

“Seeing Leslie with my own eyes made me realise there really are some guys in this world who are truly beautiful.”

BORN ELEGANT AND FLAMBOYANT TO THE END

Stanley Kwan - Director of "Rouge"

I am Stanley Kwan. I directed the film “Rouge, " where Gor- gor and Mui Jeh (Anita) starred. I really miss having these old friends around - just watching their movies or listening to their music brings all the memories back. Leslie and Anita both had their Unique Elegance and were a perfect match for Rouge. I saw Leslie’s most beautiful side, and at the same time bore witness to the trembling of his two hands.

I first worked with Gor-gor in “Nomad” directed by Patrick Tam. I was the assistant director. Seeing Leslie with my own eyes made me realise there really are some guys in this world who are truly beautiful. I was initially not attached to “Rouge” - Golden Harvest had initially set Terry Tong as the director and even the cast had been finalised, with the actors being Anita, Adam Cheng, Andy Lau and Cherie Chung. But the script took too much time, and Director Tong had other projects to attend to. Excluding Anita, the whole cast left one by one as well, and I took over the film. I thought long and hard about who could play Master Twelve. At the time Ekin Cheng was just starting out. After seeing him work with Lawrence Ng, I wondered if I should cast Lawrence for the role. Ah Mui saw me struggling and suggested, “What if I tell Mr Ho (TN: the film producer & founder of Golden Harvest) that I’ll do a movie for Cinema City in exchange for Leslie doing this film?”

Leslie was very creative. As an example, he and Anita were really close, so in a scene where they were smoking opium, he put his hand on her chest. He knew she wouldn’t object or say anything, and she too thought that was what the scene needed. I could feel the tacit understanding between the two of them - it was easy to see working on “Rouge”, and I found that they didn’t even need to discuss much. In 2001, I began work on a film titled “Scenery Against the Light”. Both Leslie and Anita expressed their interest in the story and contents of the film, but I’ve never been efficient in working on scripts. By 2002 when I reached out to both of them again, they both had their own issues even before the script was ready. I was shocked.

I usually saw Leslie on occasions where a few of us were doing a gathering at his house or an event arranged by Florence, but we’d always talk. We had a lot in common to talk about, not necessarily deeply personal things like family, but we talked a lot about our personal feelings and thoughts about living, including our careers: Leslie also “suffered” a lot to get to where he was in his career. The first time I found out about his hands trembling was at a dinner gathering too. Originally, “Lust, Caution” was going to be directed by Edward Yang instead of Ang Lee. He thought Leslie was really suitable for the role, so I arranged a dinner gathering for him in late 2002.

The dinner was very casual and we kept talking even after the meal had ended. Leslie tucked his hands under his thighs. His whole body was trembling. He was paying attention, but his attentiveness... it was almost like he was in a trance. After Director Yang left, I asked Leslie why he was so nervous. Leslie said he wasn’t scared of Edward Yang, but I still saw his shaking hands. He never explained why.

That incident is nowhere near my most unforgettable memory of Leslie though. The most vivid picture in my mind is the scene in “Rouge” where he turns around and smiles after walking up the stairs. When I watched the playback, a voice behind me suddenly asked, “Really pretty, right?” Before I turned around, I could already tell it was Leslie’s voice. It really was very pretty - that elegant, playful feeling was really something else. He was brilliant.

His brilliance remains unchanged even throughout these 20 years. Be it Leslie or Anita, fans are still willing to see them as friends. I, too, don’t think they’re that far from us. It’s just like they went abroad to study, to live, to spend their days. When the 4K restored version of “Rouge” was broadcast in cinemas earlier, I went to go watch it again. It really feels like I didn’t film the movie thirty-something years ago. It’s like I was still filming last week.

Translated by me (@dailylesliec on Twitter/Tumblr), do not repost without credit. If you like this translation, consider following me or buying me a Ko-fi. For the formatted PDF version of this article, click here.

[bestmusicalworldcup]

Concord Theatricals Recordings will release a live album of My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, which played London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year.

The album releases May 31st on streaming and CD and features 42 tracks (the full tracklist is in the article).

The concert starred Audra McDonald, Marisha Wallace, Daniel Dae Kim, Patrick Wilson, Aaron Tveit, Julian Ovenden, Maria Friedman, Michael Ball, Lucy St. Louis, and Joanna Ampil, along with Anna-Jane Casey, Lily Kerhoas, Jonny Labey, and Jordan Shaw.

The concert also featured Jade Albertsen, Alex Louize Bird, Matthew Caputo, Dan Cooke, Barry Drummond, Harry Francis, Matt Gibson, Bethany Huckle, Brenda Newhouse, Emily Ann Potter, Sophie Pourret, Stephen Quildan, and Rachel Wang-Hei Lau.

[emcgoverns]

elizabeth mcgovern as lady marguerite blakeney (with richard e grant as sir percy blakeney) in season 1, episode 2 of “the scarlet pimpernel” (1999) | 🎥: patrick lau

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Which black butler characters do you think would prefer a dominant s/o?

*eyes all the ones who want dominant* c'mere babies- XD

Who prefers a more dominant/authoritative S/O: Arthur, Conny, Edgar, Finny, Joanne, Lizzie, Mey Rin, Othello, Patrick, Ran Mao, Sascha, Snake, Soma, Thomas, Triplets

Who prefers a more submissive/supportive S/O: Aleister, Ash, Astre, Bravat, Claude, Clayton, Derrick, Diedrich, Grell, Grey, Herman, Lau, Maurice, Peter, Sebastian

Who would be fine with either/would prefer a S/O who has both traits in equal or almost equal measure: Agni, Alan, Alois, Anne, Bard, Cheslock, Ciel, Dagger, Drossel, Edward, Eric, Freckles, Gregory, Hannah, John, Joker, Jumbo, Lawrence, Nina, Phipps, Ronald, Rudger, Undertaker, Wendy, William, Wolfram

[imbeelingwithit]

this years halloween party a the usual place ~ 🎃💀🌕🕸️👻🦇

the usual suspects in this years party 😌 in order — Lucas (Chucky), Lau (Wendy Torrance), Haein (Samara Morgan), Alexis (Coraline), Solomon (Sweeney Todd), Atcher (Patrick Bateman), Oliver (Jigsaw), Jack (Jack Skellington & Rocco (Zero) ~ 🤍✨

[clinchcoverenthusiast]

I kicked off my birthday month by rereading Pacts and Predicaments after recommending it on a particular subreddit and it had been a minute since I'd revisited one of my favorite kinky couples. Several books I'd been waiting for came out in March, so it was a great reading month. Favorites this month were Black AF History, The Fractured Dark, James, The Other Side of Disappearing, and There's Always This Year. I own Pacts and Predicaments and Black AF History, which I listened to on Libby. I also listened to There's Always This Year on Libby because I love when Hanif narrates his own books. Everything else was from either Hoopla or Libby.  

Pacts and Predicaments - Jo Henny Wolf

The One in My Heart - Sherry Thomas

The Night Eaters, Book 2: Her Little Reapers - Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda* **

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1, #2, #3 - Patrick Horvath

Meegan (Loose Ends #3) - Rebekah Weatherspoon**

The Sitcom Star (Chu's Restaurant #1) - Jackie Lau* **

Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America - Michael Harriot* **

The Reluctant Hearththrob (Chu's Restaurant #2) - Jackie Lau* **

The Fractured Dark (The Devoured Worlds #2) - Megan E. O'Keefe

Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange* **

The Ones Who Got Away (The Ones Who Got Away #1) - Roni Loren

Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane #9) - Elizabeth Hoyt

James - Percival Everett* **

Chef's Kiss (Chef's Kiss #1) - TJ Alexander

Chef's Choice (Chef's Kiss #2) - TJ Alexander

The Other Side of Disappearing - Kate Clayborn

Sunflowers - Keezy Young

There's Always This Year - Hanif Abdurraqib* **

* = author(s) of color

** = main character(s) of color

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Elliott's Team + Nate's Squad!

Pts pts @randomestfandoms-ocs look at the babies!

Look at the pretty secondary characters in True Colors!

Also, please please tell me if I should add them to the new masterlist I'm making.

Elliott's Dance Team (+ their teacher)

Hannah Gloss - joins the Team in season one

FC: Olivia Holt

Midge Beryl - also Cheerio at McKinley

FC: Grace Van Dien

Gigi Collier - Crawford Country Day's student; her and Duncan are dating btw

FC: Odeya Rush

Laurel "Lau" Reed - the baby of the Team

FC: Milly Alcock

Charlie Fenlon - Rosamund's nephew

FC: Owen Patrick Joyner

Duncan Dayrell - also football player at McKinley; him and Gigi are dating btw

FC: Eli Brown

Louis Aster - Dalton Academy's student

FC: Jordan Fisher

Rosamund Gaulett - the teacher of the Team; like a second mother to all of them

FC: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Nate's Italian Squad

Elisabetta "Betta" Guidi - the baby of the Squad

FC: Ciara Bravo

Davide Bernardi - Lucia's twin brother

FC: Lorenzo Zurzolo

Francesco Moretto - has a thing for Nate's sister Cami lol

FC: Gavin Leatherwood

Lucia Bernardi - Davide's twin sister

FC: Talia Ryder

[byneddiedingo]

Leslie Cheung and Maggie Cheung in Days of Being Wild (Wong Kar-Wai, 1990)

Cast: Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau, Rebecca Pan, Jacky Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Screenplay: Jeffrey Lau, Wong Kar-Wai. Cinematography: Christopher Doyle. Production design: William Chang. Film editing: Kai Kit-Wai, Patrick Tam. Music: Terry Chan.