#sake knightley

[curiousb]

The DBU Alumni Newsletter: Volume I

Welcome to the first edition of the De Bourgh University alumni newsletter, where we catch up with all our recent graduates, as they take their first steps in the world beyond academia!

Engaged couple Martha and James have moved back to Merybury, to take up residence at the Knightley family home.

~ Scorpio  8 / 7 / 5 / 2 / 7

~ Animal Lover / Bookworm / Coward / Absent-minded / Vegetarian

~ OTH: Nature

~ Favourite colour(s): Turquoise / Orange

~ Aspiration: Knowledge / Family

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Animal Lover / +Mechanical / -Rebellious

~ Major: Mathematics (3.6)

~ LTW: Have 6 Grandchildren

Almost as soon as the young couple move in, there's a sad loss to endure - of family pet Tiger.

But this animal-loving family have since opened their home to former stray Sake.

~ Scorpio 6 / 3 / 7 / 6 / 7

~ Athletic / Brave / Loner / Night Owl / Frugal

~ OTH: Tinkering

~ Favourite Colour(s): Blue

~ Aspiration: Fortune / Knowledge

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Adventurous / +Reserved / -Daydreamer

~ Major: Economics (4.0)

~ LTW: Have $100,000 Mansion

Marmaduke has moved in with his older brother Ambrose, to share a rented apartment in Merybury, while he looks for the right opportunity to exercise his business acumen.

He's already winning new friends and influencing people.

~ Gemini 4 / 7 / 9 / 1 / 3

~ Genius / No Sense of Humour / Dog Person / Diva / Ambitious

~ OTH: Sport

~ Favourite Colour(s): Primaries

~ Aspiration: Fortune / Romance

~ Turn-ons / -offs: +Athletic / +Serious / -Rebellious

~ Major: Biology (3.7)

~ LTW: Own a Top Business

Also returning to the family home is William. Although he's a Literature graduate, he's decided that he would really like to follow in the footsteps of his mother Fanny, by pursuing a career in Natural Science, which will mean dedicating himself to many years of further study. He's also still considering what the future might hold for his relationship with fiancée Keziah.

~ Cancer 7 / 3 / 6 / 4 / 9

~ Coward / Shy / Natural Cook / Eco-friendly / Avant Garde

~ OTH: Cuisine

~ Favourite Colour(s): Mauve

~ Aspiration: Family / Knowledge

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Reserved / +Tidy / -Infamous

~ Major: Literature (3.1)

~ LTW: Become Ecological Guru (Literature is going to be a big help with that 🙄 - yet another example of the Maxis criteria for rolling a Want to study a particular Major making no sense!)

Former family pet Boo puts in regular appearances, to remind them that nothing is really gone forever - not in this world anyway.

Over in Sanditon, Keziah is dismayed by the light fixtures in her rented studio apartment, and I'm dismayed by her postgraduate attire.

With her signature look re-established, she too is reflecting on the current status of her relationship with William, and hoping that they can move beyond a certain unfortunate misunderstanding.

~ Pisces 3 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 6

~ Absent-minded / Rebellious / Eco-friendly / Brooding / Avant Garde

~ OTH: Film & Literature

~ Favourite Colour(s): Orange / Blue

~ Aspiration: Knowledge / Pleasure

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Reserved / +Unique / -Fitness

~ Major: Mathematics (3.7)

LTW: Job Hopper

And finally, for this edition, we catch up with Marmaduke and Ambrose's sister Olivia. Although the Military has decided that it's not a good match for her unique talents...

...she and boyfriend Elliot have a much happier event to report. We're sure that this dynamic young couple are set to take Merybury by storm!

Olivia's adult stats:

~ Scorpio 4 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 1

~ Ambitious / Vehicle Enthusiast / Handy / Mean-spirited / Workaholic

~ OTH: Tinkering

~ Favourite Colour(s): Burgundy

~ Aspiration: Fortune / Knowledge

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Occult / +Serious / -Daydreamer

~ Major: Biology (3.9)

~ LTW: Earn $100,000

Elliot's adult stats:

~ Pisces 8 / 5 / 10 / 6 / 3

~ Grumpy / Virtuoso / Born Performer / Workaholic / Anxious

~ OTH: Music & Dance

~ Favourite Colour(s): Black

~ Aspiration: Fortune / Knowledge

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Cultured / +Serious / -Daydreamer

~ Major: Economics (3.7)

~ LTW: Become Criminal Mastermind

[whenthegoldrays]

And if we ever get another Sense & Sensibility adaptation, can we cast an actual 35-year-old to play Brandon?

[knightley-gambit]

“better if you don’t, it wouldn’t be a good game otherwise”

“Speaking of which, you don’t have do go yet, do ya? what about a game? right here, right now!”

[ *> Horace is trying to not look as excited as he feels about the possibility of playing a game of Chess with Simeon. he’s failing miserably. ]

[ *> He’s controlling himself enough to just barely withhold himself from shaking in excitement. ]

{BEFORE KNIGHTLEY'S DEATH; AT A PRISON VISIT}

"Hey, Knightley. I, um, got you a gift I thought you'd like."

-- Simon Keyes !!! (@people-can-be-tamed)

" no way,, really?

i will, what’d you bring? "

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

04/25/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Guz, Samba, Con; Vico Ortiz; Nathan Foad; David Fane; Wendy Andersen; Watch Parties; Fan Spotlight; Pixel Art; Cast Cards; Love Notes; Daily Darby, Today's Taika

= Guz, Samba, and Surprise Guest Con! =

So many pictures from Guz Khan's show on the 24th! Samba also did stand up to introduce Guz, and Con just so happened to show up for support!

Img Srcs: Samba's IG, Con's IG

= Vico Ortiz =

Another episode of DateMyAbuelitaFirst is out! Checkout the Podcast here

Img Src: Date My Abuelita First's IG

= Nathan Foad =

More Nathan, today it's goofy Nathan

Img Src: Nathan Foad's IG Stories

== David Fane ==

Our favorite Kevin, David Fane made an appearance with some friends, and as a fun bonus Oscar Knightley was there as well!

Img Src: Robby Magasiva's IG

== Wendy Andersen ==

Our Red Flag Crew Member Wendy has found some Kittens at her current place of work and they are going to be adopted by MOTAT! (Museum of Transport and Technology) I can't get over how many of our cast & crew keep finding so many cats!

Img Src: @WendyWings Twitter

== Watch Parties ==

Friday April 26 is the last day for the Short Poppies Watch Party this week! Episodes 6, 7, 8 are on the docket! 3:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm ET, 11:30 pm BST You can watch short poppies on your own on Amazon Prime Video, or if you want to stream with a group you can join us on the Rhys Darby Faction Discord. Hit me up for a link on @gentlebeardsbarngrill on tumblr, or @aspirantabby42 on twitter.

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Cast Cards =

Our sweet, ever present with more cards crewmate @melvisik has brought us the "Spanish Captain who Stede and Ed tricked with their nifty lighthouse fuckery. 'Has vuelto a ganar, Barbanegra!' "

Img & Quote Src: @melvisik's Twitter

== Pixel Art ==

Our darling crewmate @blueberreads is at it again! They've animated one of the most iconic scenes from S2! Watch it with the music here on their tumblr!

== Love Notes ==

Hey Lovelies, I'm late again, but I'm kinda glad today. Do you know why? Well, because sometimes there are only so many things we can do in a day. Sometimes all we can do is get up in the morning, and feed ourselves, and the rest of the day is a bust.

Sometimes all we do is work, and we can't remember to drink water or take our pills. Sometimes we can do a lot! Sometimes we can do all the things.

So just remember, whatever YOU did today is enough, okay? You're making progress, bit by bit in whatever you're dealing with right now, and it doesn't have to happen all at once. Look at what you did today, and be proud of yourself because you made a huge, or a tiny step forward, and that is STILL A STEP FORWARD, and you can be proud of yourself for that.

One of the hardest things that I struggle with is that I have started to understand my own boundaries, and my own limits-- and sometimes other people don't respect those (none of you, don't worry). There's going to be people in this life, sometimes people close to you, who are supposed to be supportive, but they're dealing with their own struggles and sometimes try to push you past your boundaries for their own sake.

This is just a gentle reminder, that even if THEY tell you that you/what you're doing isn't good enough, that's absolutely NOT true, okay lovelies? You are doing enough. You are going at your own pace, and that is perfectly acceptable, and absolutely necessary for you to keep going.

Don't destroy yourself for their piece of mind. You deserve better than that. Go at your own pace. You're doing great. Be proud of yourself-- I'm proud of you. Hope you all have a wonderful Friday/Early Saturday Lovelies. Take care okay?

== Daily Darby / Today's Taika ==

I'm in an Uproar mood with the digital going live in the US. Gifs courtesy of @bizarrelittlemew and @soapbubbles511!

[bethanydelleman]

Something that just occurred to me about Mr Knightley is, how ridiculously good his timing is. What do you think might Emma's reaction have been had he confessed to her earlier?

I think it took the chance of losing Mr. Knightley to make Emma really appreciate how much she loved him. Everything that has happened over the year accumulates into making Emma feel at her lowest:

The evening of this day was very long, and melancholy, at Hartfield. The weather added what it could of gloom. A cold stormy rain set in, and nothing of July appeared but in the trees and shrubs, which the wind was despoiling, and the length of the day, which only made such cruel sights the longer visible.

The weather affected Mr. Woodhouse, and he could only be kept tolerably comfortable by almost ceaseless attention on his daughter’s side, and by exertions which had never cost her half so much before. It reminded her of their first forlorn tête-à-tête, on the evening of Mrs. Weston’s wedding-day; but Mr. Knightley had walked in then, soon after tea, and dissipated every melancholy fancy. Alas! such delightful proofs of Hartfield’s attraction, as those sort of visits conveyed, might shortly be over. The picture which she had then drawn of the privations of the approaching winter, had proved erroneous; no friends had deserted them, no pleasures had been lost.—But her present forebodings she feared would experience no similar contradiction. The prospect before her now, was threatening to a degree that could not be entirely dispelled—that might not be even partially brightened. If all took place that might take place among the circle of her friends, Hartfield must be comparatively deserted; and she left to cheer her father with the spirits only of ruined happiness. The child to be born at Randalls must be a tie there even dearer than herself; and Mrs. Weston’s heart and time would be occupied by it. They should lose her; and, probably, in great measure, her husband also.—Frank Churchill would return among them no more; and Miss Fairfax, it was reasonable to suppose, would soon cease to belong to Highbury. They would be married, and settled either at or near Enscombe. All that were good would be withdrawn; and if to these losses, the loss of Donwell were to be added, what would remain of cheerful or of rational society within their reach? Mr. Knightley to be no longer coming there for his evening comfort!—No longer walking in at all hours, as if ever willing to change his own home for their’s!—How was it to be endured? And if he were to be lost to them for Harriet’s sake; if he were to be thought of hereafter, as finding in Harriet’s society all that he wanted; if Harriet were to be the chosen, the first, the dearest, the friend, the wife to whom he looked for all the best blessings of existence; what could be increasing Emma’s wretchedness but the reflection never far distant from her mind, that it had been all her own work?

That said, I think that the proposal still would have gone fairly well, but Emma might have declined at first only to warm up to the idea. The thinking that happens afterwards (she cannot marry because of her father) would have probably happened at the moment. Mr. Knightley would have come to the same conclusion, that he needs to move in, and then they would have married.

But for peak romance, yes the timing was necessary and perfect.

[payte]

Suddenly, Drizella leapt from her chair, squealing loudly at her computer screen. 

Donna: Watcher’s sake, Drizella! What’s gotten into you? 

Drizella: I can’t believe it! Henry Knightley has cordially invited our family to the charity gala he and his father are throwing! 

Donna: Oh my Watcher! Well, of course, our status in San Myshuno must have led the mayor’s son to realize how beneficial our presence must be. And just wait until he lays his eyes on my beautiful daughters! His attention won’t be on donations for long…

[crazedhatesoul]

who: kirby and teddy @lxvenderhxzehv

kirby hasn’t slept at the commune in a few days, they’d go to change their clothes then disappear off to a vacant house to be alone for the night to try and process their feelings and thoughts on just everything really. they were at least showing up to the ren faire still, mostly to show their face and prove they were still alive but as they were walking around they spotted teddy and knightley talking and immediately assumed that he was spilling their secrets to him.

realistically kirby knew knightley wouldn’t actually do that and it was just their anxiety talking but in a sense it helped because it made them realize they don’t want teddy to hear it from someone else. he waited though, mostly to be polite, until knightley looked like he was about to walk away when kirby came up between the two and grabbed teddy by the wrist and started dragging him away. “need to borrow him, thanks!” they didn’t let go of him until they were in a more secluded area where there was little to no people before finally turning to look at teddy and took a deep breath.

“look, i don’t know what knightley told you but this has been bothering me for days now and if i don’t say it now or first i’m going to combust and that won’t be fun for anyone, especially me. for fucks sake i like you teddy and i don’t know if you like me and if you don’t and you do like zarina then that’s fine but i just need to know at this point so i can just feel the hurt without second guessing myself and move on and go back to how things were between us before i caught feelings because i’m losing my mind not knowing anymore.”

[rusakkowrites]

THAT SCENE for Not Quite So Trifling please :)

Yay, thanks for asking! This is a fic I particularly enjoy talking about. <3

That scene in Not Quite So Trifling is the part where Mr Knightley tries to convince Emma that his disability makes it impossible for them to marry. I was thinking about the way neither Mr Knightley nor Emma seems to see the age difference as much of a problem in canon and about the role that his physical fitness plays there. Austen makes it very clear that he's "a man in his prime" - we see him walking and riding rather than using his carriage, and in the ball scene at the Crown, Emma thinks about how vigorous and fit he looks compared with the older men around him. It's very different from the way, say, Marianne Dashwood views Colonel Brandon.

So what would happen if Mr Knightley wasn't as confident - what if he was temporarily weakened by illness or even permanently disabled? Would that change how he viewed his chances as a suitor? If he found out that Emma loved him, would he (considering the prejudices of the time) think that she'd be better off with another man? Wouldn't it be fun to write a scene where he's trying to sacrifice his happiness for Emma's sake but she's not having it...?

And that's how I ended up writing this fic. :D

[tortoisesshells]

TOP 5 AUSTEN MEN. SPILL THE TEA

listen. we all, when we examine our hearts, know that the answer is Jane Austen's Number One Wife Guy, Admiral Croft. But in the interests of giving the rest of them a chance...

(1) Henry Tilney. There is a length of linen across my lap as I type this: he understands muslin, my dear. He's willing to entertain anything, even the ridiculous, for the sake of conversation; he's a devoted brother, even if he's hesitant to challenge his father.

(2) Frederick Wentworth. Who amongst us has not been reduced to a gaping open wound of all our past romantic mistakes and failures by The Letter?

(3) Colonel Fitzwilliam. I just think he's neat, and have a deep-seated appreciation of Colonel Fitzwilliam/Lizzie Bennet as an Austen Rarepair.

(4) Colonel Brandon. Perhaps it's insufferably culturally Catholic of me, but that man does suffer, and how. There's nothing so compelling as a person who's clearly considered giving it all up, but still wearily going forward. Consistently considerate and respectful, not only of Marianne, but of the Dashwoods on the whole. Also, I am at a point in my life that flannel waistcoats seem ideal.

(5) George Knightley. Austen's patron saint of being so very annoyed by the workaday human experience of having a crush. same, my guy.

[doctorknightley]

WHO: Eagan (@endlessreruns) and Knightley SUMMARY: Knightley breaks the news to Eagan about Howl and they react as well as can be expected. TW: Violence, panic attacks, child abandonment mention

Knightley had rolled his sleeves off, having gotten most of the water off his arms but he still had a few red splotches scattered on them. He'd debated stopping by the clinic to get some ointment from Zarina, but the pain was manageable and he needed to talk to Eagan. Knocking on her door he ran a hand through his hair, "Hello, the pain medication still working well?" he asked when she opened the door.

"oh yeah it's-" Eagan paused as she caught a look at the red splotches "did you need some of that stuff Z made for that?" she asked as she stepped aside for him to come in. There was plenty to spare.

Knightley had been watching the way Eagan move, about to ask how they were feeling before pausing. "I wouldn't say no if you still had some," he said following them in. "I did need to speak to you, if you have a minute. I had a…chat with Howl today."

"oh that fuck? What about?" Eagan asked curiously as she moved to grab the jar from where they'd been storing it. "Here" she said upon her return and holding it out for him to take. There was still some, but it was clear plenty had been used already.

Knightley took the jar with a grateful nod, using barely enough to cover the marks mostly to keep others from worrying. He was looking at his arms as he spoke, "You. I asked what happened to his face and he had a whole rant against you," he said glancing up at her. "And your mother," he added, "Even called you a quote little bitch wolf." There's not many but looking at Eagan he can see the similarities gauging their reaction.

Eagan didn't care much that Howl had ranted about her. She didn't care much when anyone did, but then Knightley mentioned he'd said something about their mother again and her fingers curled into her palms creating a fist and a half down at her sides. The next bit of information caught her by surprise though. "Where would he get that from?"

While he hadn't felt particularly guilty for what he'd done, Knightley felt more satisfied based on Eagan's reaction. By now he might as well be direct with it, for both their sakes. "From being there when you were born considering he's your father…well biologically that is," he said, "He confirmed it when I realized and confronted him."

"No" Eagan shook her head. "I know who my biological or whatever dad is and he's dead. Has been for over twenty years"

Knightley briefly grimaces, "He said he signed his rights away," he said keeping voice even, "That he was called about you twice." He'd thought it over on the way, once for Eagan's parents and another for their grandparents more than likely.

"no" Eagan shook her head once again. "No, no, no. That's - " a hand moved to push up through her hair. "no"

Ah there's the guilt, Knightley thinks idly. "You said it felt like he knew you..," trailing off, debating what to say for a moment, "Look biology aside, this just explains his comments, but it doesn't mean he has any claim over you or that you have to acknowledge him at all."

Eagan shook her head again, this time not saying anything as she began pacing some about the room. It was followed by a sudden scream, an almost guttural "Fuuuuuuuuuuuck" as her fist connected with the closest wall. Again and again and again.

If he was anyone else, Knightley might have jumped when she screamed. The grimace is back when he notes which hand they're using to punch. Moving over to them, he knows he should grab her but she doesn't like touch 90% percent of the time. Instead putting his own hand on the wall to catch their fist, wincing more from the feel of liquid in his hand, knows they've likely started bleeding. "Eagan…," he wants to ask them to talk but that's unhelpful so instead opts to say they only thing he can offer right now, "I shoved him down a flight of stairs."

Eagan clenched her jaw as a punch landed, hitting against flesh instead of the solidness of the wall. "is he dead?" The words come out before she can even register them

Knightley bit back a sigh and slowly shook his head. "No he's not…I wouldn't have done that without your knowledge," he admits, "Do you want him to be?"

"I don't know." Eagan wasn't sure what she wanted or even what she was feeling. Not really. It was all just so much at once. "what did I do?" they asked running her hand through her hair again, getting some blood in the brunette strands. "what did - why didn't - why didn't he wan-" Eagan had been shaking her head as she spoke but didn't finish.

"Little Wolf," Knightley said softly, partly to get their focus back and partly because he needs to have that back. The brief flash of anger is there over Howl trying to have even that small bit of control over Eagan. "From what you've told me, you couldn't have been more than a baby. You didn't do anything, he's the one who left," his tone firm as he looks at her, "He's the one who missed out."

The use of the nickname brings her attention back to Knightley. "Then why did he fucking care enough to do this?" Eagan asked, gesturing to her face. It's not the only physical evidence of whatever Howl had against her, but it is the most visible.

"I don't know, he seemed impulsive and petty," Knightley replied. Looking at her face has his hands twitch at his sides, slowly curling into fists. "Most things we'd have to ask him, which if that's what you want we can arrange. I'm just not sure you'll like any answer he gives."

Impulsive and petty. Both traits Eagan had inherited to varying degrees. The man owed her answers. Not just for her but for her mom, but at the same time Eagan didn't want to see this man again if they could help it. For a moment nothing was said again, as she went back to pacing frustratingly, and eventually grabbed hold of an empty glass that hadn't made its way back to the kitchen and chucking it at the wall opposite of Knightley, watching as it smashed and shattered against the wall.

Knightley stayed silent watching them pace back and forth through the kitchen and living room. He'd moved to grab a first aid kit from a kitchen cabinet, glancing back when the glass hit the wall. His eyes flickered down to the glass on the floor before back at Eagan. Going back to the kitchen he came back out and held out another glass towards her.

Eagan didn't even hesitate to take the second glass and repeat the motion. Throwing it at the same wall, this time letting out another frustrated cry. One to rival the one that had been released before she'd begun punching the wall.

There was a small part of Knightley that almost wishes he hadn't told them. Wondering if Eagan would have been better off living in ignorance. "Do you want Mo here tonight or should I have him over?" he questioned keeping his tone even, one of them needed to stay level headed.

"yes. No. Ye- I don't - " Eagan shook her head, her chest starting to move up and down in a rapid manner as she felt her chest start to tighten and her hand moved up to grab at her shirt. "I can- I can't-" Eagan inhaled a sharp, struggled breath.

As much as he wasn't sure, Knightley moved closer, putting a hand lightly on her arm. "Take a breath and hold it," he said making his own breathing more obvious, "You're not alone with this, I'm only leaving if you ask me to."

Eagan did as Knightley said, taking a deep breath and then holding it there. Repeating the way the other was breathing. "I'll - I'll be fine" she said slowly between breaths. "You don't. have to stay"

"I might not have to," Knightley replied still keeping his breathing obvious. "But I want to," he said earnestly, letting out a small sigh he moved his hand to the back of Eagan's neck. Brushing his thumb along their hair, "Like I said, not leaving you alone little wolf. You're still one of my priorities."

"I shouldn't be this way, right?" Eagan asked looking at Knightley "about this. About him. I shouldn't care. He didnt. Doesnt. Why should I?"

Knightley was still brushing their hair, waiting for them to pull back if they needed to. "Because as much as we want want to act indifferent, we all want approval," he said, hesitating before giving a small shrug. "You're aware of what my uncle tried to do…I shouldn't miss him, but there are days where I do…You can care and hate him at the same time."

Eagan swallowed. Not wanting to think that she wanted his approval. Before now she hadn't even known that the man they thought was their biological father wasn't. Before the day at the art festival hadn't known Howl even existed. "Do I look like him?" She asked after a moment

For a brief second Knightley thought about how much Jaiden had asked the same thing. Tilting his head and looking at her, he slowly shook his head. "If you want my honest opinion, you have a similar jawline and nose shape, but overall I'd say no. I never met her but I assume you take more after your mother, which I'm grateful for."

"can you fix those? I know if you break your nose it doesn't always look the same after."

Knightley blinked before giving their neck a squeeze. "To be fair you might've broken his, and if you didn't I have no qualms over changing his nose shape over yours."

"Really?" Eagan asked, there's a slight laugh in her voice as she did. "Good he deserves it."

A grin tugged at Knightley's lips and he dropped his hand off them, shaking his head with an amused huff. "He was also complaining about it," he said, "Not sure the fall down the stairs was any help with that."

She smiled as another slight laugh came out. Eagan took in a deep breath and then released "sorry about all this. For being like this" she apologized

Knightley tilted his head again brow furrowing, his eyes flickered to the kitchen then back to them. "As much as I enjoy our talks of microwaves and babies, I do also just enjoy your company," letting out his own slow breath, "I don't like seeing you upset or hurt, if I'm able to do anything to help when that happens, I want to."

"You don't have to, but can you stay til Mo gets back?" Eagan asked after a moment. Her eyes then went to the floor where the broken glass was "I should probably clean that up too, huh?"

"I can do that," Knightley agreed before also glancing at the glass. "How about you sit for a second, just let me get it this time, alright?"

"oh umm yeah okay" Eagan nodded "there's a broom and pan in the food closet in the kitchen"

Knightley managed to keep the surprise off his face when they agreed, letting them sit before going about cleaning the glass. "Sure you'll be fine with just Mo tonight?"

"yeah I'll be fine" Eagan nodded "you really don't need to worry about me so much, Knightley"

Knightley was dusting off their hands and tilted his head at them. "To be honest I'm not use to worrying about someone the way I do about you, if I'm ever being overbearing about it just let me know."

Eagan gave a nod to let him know that she understood and that she would let him know if and when that occurred. "If you're hungry there's some stuff in the kitchen that you can just eat without having to cook or whatever"

Knightley gave his own nod and even if they hadn't asked for anything as well, still made food for them both to eat while they waited for Mo to come home after work.

[callofthxvoid]

WHO: Zarina Knightley and Quill Harker

SUMMARY: After his conversation with Karma, Quill talks to a different blonde from his past. AKA: Zarina has an entire conversation in Arabic with a former customer.

Speaking with Karma had overall gone about as well as could be expected. Though QUILL had spotted another blonde he had wanted to speak with. Taking a seat next to her, he set his hands in his lap idly drumming his thumbs against his own hands. "You know I never took you for the maternal type," he said in Arabic, it was a lot smoother than when they were in college, "I do have to thank you for the suggestion, we did in fact gain many clients from that side of the world over the years." While she'd been an easy access for party drugs for his friends, he'd also found her opinions and suggestions tended to almost always be correct. Errors were usually on the listening parties fault rather than on her judgement even. "To be frank I was more surprised to see you're still alive. Though I do feel a little foolish having underestimated you like that."

Just because ZARINA was busy holding baby Jasmine did not mean that she was not paying attention to her surroundings. She had clocked Quill coming to sit next to her long before he actually did. As usual, seeing someone from her past appear in Huntsville was wholly unwelcome, but it was simply another thing she would have to handle. "I'm not," she replied, also in Arabic. It was effortless, as if she had been speaking the language every single day; even though it had, in fact, been almost two years since she had used it regularly. She adjusted Jasmine in her arms before looking over at him. "Your Arabic has improved significantly. It has no effect on my life personally, but I can appreciate when someone makes the correct decision to take my advice." She glanced back down at the baby in her arms. "By that, I assume you are referencing the fate of my parents. I do not blame you for your conclusions. It means only that the staging worked as intended."

QUILL was looking at the baby in her arms, an image he still found a bit difficult to wrap his head around. Then again it been almost two years, and he was now stuck in a town that he couldn't leave, the world was a strange place. He hummed before nodding his head, "I wouldn't say I mourned you but I did think it was unfortunate to lose someone of your capabilities. You left quite the vacancy, I had to find about 4 different sources for what you provided. The quality left much to be desired." His eyes flickered to the baby again when she started babbling giving a small wave with his fingers when she looked at him. "Speaking of, your role as a pharmacist is purely above board here I take it?"

A small, nearly imperceptible smile tugged at ZARINA's lips in response, but she kept her eyes on the baby. "Unfortunately, not everyone can be me," she replied coolly, despite the protective instinct she immediately felt when Jasmine squawked happily and waved back at him. It was one thing to have a former customer and acquaintance approach her. It was an entirely different thing to get her godchildren involved. She looked back up at him. "And yes, my role as a pharmacist is purely above board. I am, as you likely already know, married to a doctor." She paused. "You are unlikely to find the selection and quality you are accustomed to here in town. However, it would be prudent of you to befriend the younger crowd at the commune. Any product worth having tends to make its way there eventually."

QUILL huffed a laugh and shook his head, "Unfortunately," he agreed. He didn't know the full details of the family she's been linked to, had never searched for them. It was better for both their sakes really, it made the relationship they had in college a more favorable one. He let out a sigh, "I assumed as much, now to find 4 new sources to replace you again," there was a half hearted grin at the quip. If he's honest marriage is less surprising, he'd consider it once for them considering a partnership would have had benefits for both of them, there would have been no real love between them but that was a luxury he highly doubted he'd have ever had to begin with. "He's handsome, not a bad choice for someone to link yourself with in this town," he mused out loud giving her a brief nod at the suggestion, making a mental note to do so after the event.

ZARINA gave him a brief nod back. She had offered him the suggestion to be helpful, just as she had offered him genuinely good advice in the past; and just like back then, she had her own reasons for doing it. Not everything that she said or did had ulterior motives. But when speaking to people like Quill? It was rare that it didn't. "He is handsome," she agreed, readjusting her hold on baby Jasmine. "He is also intelligent, capable, and efficient, but that is not why I married him. I married him out of love." She returned her gaze to Quill. "I am glad to see that the years have not dulled your conversational skills. This has, as always, been an enlightening exchange. But I am done speaking to you now."

QUILL had felt someone's gaze on them and turned seeing the man in question, turning back to Zarina with raised brows, for a second he briefly wondered if she was making another joke. More than surprised by the sincerity of her tone, and making a vague noise of agreement. For most people finding out she was capable of something like that might have been reassuring, for him it just made him more hyperaware to be mindful of where their conversations went and what lines now existed compared to their prior lives. "Understood, enjoy the festivities, like you said this was enlightening," he agreed standing back up and not the least bit offended by being dismissed. It was something he'd always appreciated the directness, giving her a brief nod and waving once more to the small baby before taking his leave.

[whenthegoldrays]

Ahhhhh!! Elly I did not 🙈🙈 i know you love Darcy and also I love @/bethanydelleman's blog and all of their posts. It was about a lot of opinions I had seen before (and 1 reply that's it) but another post sometime back with knightley too and I just wanted to show some love to my boy darcy (and also us girls who love loser awkward men). And of course I adore Henry Tilney, nothing against him or Mr. Knightley 💖💖💖 (also saw an instagram post about one of the books trending and they described Darcy as nothing too much+ a grump so hehe).

I probably messed up with the way I worded it sorry, ily <3

Djshsgs no worries 🤭 But I like how you worded it! And it does get tiring to see people putting down Darcy for the sake of being “different” like I saw this post of ttpd predictions and it said that “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” is about to call out all the Pride and Prejudice fangirls like,,, 🤨 where in the book do we see Lizzy thinking she can fix Darcy? Both of them are just living their own lives and Darcy fixes himself because he actively listens to Lizzy’s opinion of him.

So no worries, I fully understand, though I admit that sometimes it’s fun to pick on Darcy justttt a little 🤏🏼🤣

[saemi-the-dreamer]

For the ask meme, Emma /Knightley from Jane Austen's Emma or you'd rather/ if you haven't read Emma, Elinor/Edward from Sense and Sensibility) and Damon Gant/Manfred von Karma from Ace Attorney?

Thanks for asking! 💕

Emma /Knightley

Ship It? Yes!

What made you ship it?

I admit that I wasn't especially rooting/shipping them while I read the book the first time, even if I didn't hate it! I was re-reading it after watching the 1996 series (that and the 1996 TV movie are the only adaptations I've watched entirely) and the ship seemed more natural years later. It's been a while, so I'm sorry for not being able to go into too much detail. Still, something I really love about how these two are portrayed is how the two can be honest and call each other out when needed (thinking about the "Badly done, Emma!" scene) without having the other overreacting or turning into a huge, unnecessary drama, on the contrary, they stop and think about their own behaviour. It's so important, especially in Emma, the heroine gets a pass for a good half of the story, nobody except Knightley argues with her, so for all this time she doesn't take him as seriously as she should, and is even smug when she sees that Harriet followed her advice whereas Robert didn't listen to Knightley's (which wasn't even the point of Knightley's frustration btw).

I guess that I like the dynamic where an overconfident character gets paired up with another who doesn't hesitate to call them on their bullshit, and who is their equal? xD Plus, I recall that Knightley's confession was very poignant... I need to re-read it!!

What are your favourite things about the ship?

Since Emma is not my favourite Jane Austen story, and I only learnt to really appreciate it later and I require re-read it, I can't say for sure. I'd say that I really like how the two have known each other forever - literally, Knightley held Emma in his arms when she was a baby! Talk about a "slow burn"! It's interesting to imagine how the two went through so many stages of life together, saw each other grow and mature, how the way they looked at one another shifted, and how their feelings changed and they could hardly help it. There's something quite natural in this that I like.

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

The age gap isn't that bad, especially in context! Or more unpopular I guess: the story didn't need to be "modernised" for today's audience (looking at the 2020 adaptation). For fuck's sake, can't people just accept that things were different back then?! And still be able to say "I'm letting it slide because of context, it's fictional and it works here (❤️) but I wouldn't accept it in real life.". I don't like that they made Knightley younger, and changed the dynamic with Emma that much (from what I've seen), it was unnecessary and just to cater to some holier-than-thous. They could have kept an older Knightley and added some scenes to show his softer, more vulnerable side.

---------------------------------------------------

Gant/Manfred

Ship It? Yes!

What made you ship it?

The fandom made me! 😂

After finishing the first Ace Attorney (the version with "Rise from the Ashes" of course) I went and browsed the internet to find some art and fanfics, and then I discovered the Kink Meme. It's there that I've stumbled upon the pairing. There was also some pretty fanart of them, younger, investigating together. I started to really like the idea of them being both old colleagues (and lovers, having a torrid affair in Gant's office 🤣).

What are your favourite things about the ship?

The potential for two dynamics:

A) an "evil" power couple, with the two just being unapologetic, ambitious, ruthless men. And these two keep bickering like an old couple, and it's a mess of arguments and make-up sex, the two manically laughing as they tempered evidence, etc. (okay, I know I'm going overbroad here, I'm kidding! xD )

B) "We're both disillusioned by a corrupted system, at first we really wanted to make it honestly, then we started getting our hands dirty and now we can't go back or stop. We're colleagues, partners in crime, weird friends... sometimes lovers. We're both messed up, but we don't care anymore, as long as we achieve our goals and have each other."

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Since I mostly low-key ship them and haven't found that many stories about them, I don't think I have one? Otherwise, it's more an unpopular opinion about each one of them, not the pairing?

I'd say that I don't believe either of them ever sexually harassed or "seduced" Miles......................... 😒

[melodymidway]

Jane Austen's novels will never be 'unrelatable' because the grumpy smart introvert and my spirit animal, Mr. John Knightley, is literally here:

'(...) here are we setting forward to spend five dull hours in another man's house, with nothing to say or to hear that was not said and heard yesterday, and may not be said and heard again to-morrow. Going in dismal weather, to return probably in worse; -- four horses and four servants taken out for nothing but to convey five idle, shivering creatures into colder rooms and worse company than they might have had at home.' - Chapter 13

John Knightley only was in mute astonishment. That a man who might have spent his evening quietly at home after a day of business in London, should set off again, and walk half-a-mile to another man's house, for the sake of being in mixed company till bed-time, of finishing his day in the efforts of civility and the noise of numbers, was a circumstance to strike him deeply. - Chapter 35

[the-fangirl-diaries]

111 Thoughts I Had While Watching: The Edge of Love (2008)

 Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, and oh, would you look at that. 

Keira can sing? 

1940s? London Blitz? Based on a true story? Tissues on hand. 

Childhood friends to lovers sounds like a good plot. 

Smoking is bad for you, kids. Don’t do it. 

Wait, he’s married and a dad? This will be interesting. 

Tommy Shelby? Ariana What are you doing here? 

Man, the handkerchief line was smooooooth! 

Vera giving Caitlin her number? They were definitely flirting. 

Getting serious Moulin Rouge vibes with the coloured spotlights. 

Tommy do be smitten like a lovesick kitten and I love it. 

LOOK AT THAT SMILE, I’M IN LOVE! 

“When he looks at me, and I look at him!” ~ Vera, maybe. 

His name’s William. 

THEM FLIRTING, AGH! 

Imagine having a good drink and then the earth shakes. 

“They all melt at the sight of a uniform.” VERA, I AM A PUDDLE! 

He’s walking her home? Where can I find me a gentleman like that? 

“A sad poem about a 100 year old man. Great.” ~ Caitlin, definitely. 

Caitlin loves Dylan, Dylan loves Vera, Vera loves Dylan, Will loves Vera. 

Not a love triangle, a love rectangle?  

Cillian, when will you do ASMR with that voice? 

Vera and Caitlin reading in bed together. They’re in love, Your Honour. 

Caitlin if all you’re good for is nurturing his talent, break up with him! 

Another air raid? 

Stopping a street fight without violence? Will, marry me already. 

Again, don’t smoke kids. Unless you’re a movie character. 

CILLIAN SINGS? WHAT? HOW THE -- HOW DID I NOT KNOW? 

“Dylan, Caitlin, I’m right there. Why are you --” ~ Vera, definitely. 

Vera, if you don’t dance with William, then move over, let me have him! 

The way he comforts her after the air raid? WHERE ARE MY TISSUES? 

“You have a raindrop running down your cheek, like a tear.” I CAN’T! 

“No word of mine will ever hurt you.” WILLIAM, I BEG YOU TO STOP! 

They’re doing the spicy time now and I’m crying. Thanks. 

NO, MOTHER, I AM NOT OKAY! 

“That should be me.” ~ Dylan, maybe. 

Dylan, enough, she’s in love with someone else, okay?! 

“Don’t write poems for me anymore?” Caitlin dump his sorry butt. 

Vera.....why are you looking at Dylan like that? Sus. 

William’s been posted? No!!! 

NOT WILLIAM BEING ADORABLE!!!! 

Dylan and Vera were childhood lovers. See, I was right! 

Why shouldn’t she tell William about it? 

Two girls, chillin’ in a tub, five feet apart, cause they’re not gay. 

Happy music time. 

“FOR OLD TIMES SAKE, EH? WHY’D YOU KISS HER?” ~ William. 

And now they’re singing together in Welsh. A love song, I guess? 

Oh, I know where this is going and I don’t like it. 

The way Caitlin tried to cheer William up. Awwww. 

“Love me, love me, say that you love me,” ~ William, maybe. 

All he’s asking is for honesty, girl! 

You can’t even tell him you love him? HE’S GOING OFF TO WAR! 

Why did I half expect her to shout “I love you” before he got on the plane? 

He’s so poetic even in his letters. 

Oh, no. She’s got the sicky icky which means she’s pregnant. 

She doesn’t want the baby, and yet -- hold on! 

A nurse telling Vera not to scream and Caitlin telling her off. ICONIC! 

A birth and an arm amputation? What an.... interesting parallel. 

Imma just skip over this part because it’s sad and a bit graphic. 

Okay, now she’s in Wales writing a letter telling William to come home. 

“It’s not what I married you for?” GIRL, WHAT? 

I JUST WANNA GIVE HIM A HUG!!! *sniffles* 

Wait, Dylan’s got a new woman? I’m not surprised, just disappointed. 

“If you were a man, I’d fancy you.” ~ Caitlin. 

YES, CAITLIN, GET HIM!!!! 

You sleep with other women because you’re a poet? WHAT? 

I write poetry and I don’t have a partner, but if I did, I wouldn’t CHEAT! 

You know what, you and Vera deserve each other. I’m done with this. 

See? Even the patrons at the bar know something’s up with them. 

Who’s looking after the kids while Caitlin’s on her bike? 

Don’t drink and bike, okay? 

Just friends, huh, Vera? Why’d you kiss him on your wedding day, then? 

He can’t even play with his kid? That’s sad. 

Flushing the poem down the toilet? Not what I expected but good on you. 

LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU MADE HER CRY!!! 

Now you’re taking a bath together? What’s William gonna think, huh? 

Poor boy is shell-shocked. 

I thought you said you were going to tell him you love him. 

He can’t even hold or look at his child because he knows the truth. 

Now he’s broke because you spent all his money. 

See? Told you he’d find out. 

Wait, what’s the child’s name? Rowatt? That’s a new one for the books. 

I already have a bad feeling about this Anita person. 

IT WASN’T THE BRITISH WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES!? WHAT?! 

Will had to watch a soldier’s arm be amputated! 

Dylan, you’re friends with these people!?

You have the AUDACITY to LAUGH while he’s having a breakdown? 

She’s just antagonizing him at this point. *sips water.* 

I shouldn’t say it’s okay that he slapped her, but SHE HAD IT COMIN’! 

William, whatever you’re thinking about doing, don’t. 

Going to your wife’s boyfriend’s house with a weapon.... Oh, no. 

You weren’t aiming for anyone, but still, not the best idea, love. 

He told Caitlin what happened. 

Aww, he’s sad because there’s a bruise on Vera’s cheek.  

And because he scared Caitlin’s son and doesn’t like the screaming. 

COME ON VERA, MAKE A SMART CHOICE FOR ONCE! 

Thank you. I am this close *spreads arms out* to forgiving you. 

Okay, this moment with William and his son? I’m crying again, darn it!!! 

“Lashes like feathers, like yours.” WILLIAM! MY HEART CAN’T TAKE IT!  

Not surprising the police are involved after the incident. 

See? Caitlin wonder’s if the kid is Dylan’s, too. 

“You’re my friend.” SAYS THE GIRL WHO SLEPT WITH BESTIE’S MAN?

Asbestos walls? Aren’t they dangerous nowadays? 

“Scratch my head, Cat.” No, Dylan. Kiss my- Oh, look a rainbow! 

How was he supposed to know the walls were poorly built? 

If you can’t live without him, why’d you cheat on him, then? 

“It’s my firm belief that he tried to murder me.....” 

FORGET DEEP BREATHS, I’M SCREAMING INTO MY PILLOW. 

Wait! No evidence of murder? Yay, I guess? 

NO, NOT A HAPPY CAITLIN AND VERA MONTAGE OF THE PAST? 

Everyone made peace with each other. That’s nice. 

I was half expecting a sad ending, but I’m so glad it wasn’t. Also, no, I didn’t cry a hundred times, what are you talking about?! 

[firecaptainphoenix]

Ashes

I could hear the signs calling out from the bottom of the fireI am like a torch flickering in the wind as the saying goes

About: Jay wakes up and Phoenix gets the news of how things are looking for her. TW: injury tw, memory loss tw, death mention tw

It's been a long night, people groaning and moaning in pain at the station. They'd moved who had been able to be moved to the clinic overnight, for some it was also those willing. He's grateful for Knightley spending the night, as much as he wanted to send Jay over to the clinic, being away from the station was a non-starter. That and having her as well as Dodger in one place made him feel better.

He'd crashed hard in the chair next to his daughter's cot, head resting on Dodger’s shoulder. Exhaustion and stress had taken its toll, both physical and mental. Celia’s little brother’s face still flashed in his head, how broken they had looked sitting next to their partner. 

He hates what it reminds him of, hates how it had made him feel, grateful for the curtain giving some sense of privacy while he and Dodger sat with Jay. When he wakes up he grunts, more than likely to old now to be passing out in random chairs, even with Dodger to sleep on. 

Despite his best efforts it seems Dodger had also slipped into sleep, he knew he'd been awake most of the night. Gently talking Phoenix back to sleep each time he jerked awake. The image of being too late for Jay firing through his mind every time. Leaning over he pressed a light kiss to the other man’s forehead taking off his jacket to make him a makeshift pillow. 

Hearing rustling he's quick to turn when he sees Jay stirring with a groan. “Hey Jaybird, take it easy, you took a good hit to the old noggin,” he said grabbing his water bottle and holding it up for her. 

It's about half an hour for her to be fully coherent after some water. Dodger going to the house to grab her a change of clothes, Phoenix had caught the way her brow furrowed when they kissed before he left. He shrugged it off figuring she was still worried about him and Dodger from earlier. 

He pulls the curtain back seeing that a few people are also getting ready to head home or being reassessed for discharge or if they need to now go to the clinic. Spotting Felipe who'd been sleeping against Mo he motions for him to come over. 

The boy doesn't hesitate doing his best not to sprint through the people walking about. When Jay sees him she visibly brightens before Phoenix can't see her over Felipe hugging her gently. The relief is short lived; he'd been glancing away when Felipe kissed her, opting to give them their moment when he hears Jay make a noise of surprise. 

Her face is bright red, Phoenix's brow furrowing as he looks at her. It's not like she's never kissed Felipe in front of him, hell she's usually the one initiating. Still she looks both stunned and confused, stuttering as she asks what he's doing. 

Phoenix feels dread building in his chest, it must show on his face because when he catches Knightley’s gaze the man is rushing over. He's at Jay’s side giving her a reassessment, asking her a few questions here and there. 

“Do you remember what you dressed up as for the festival?”

“Yeah I went as Supergirl and Dad went as Clark Kent with a Superman shirt underneath.”

That's wrong. That had been last year's costume, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Doing his best to keep his face neutral both for her sakes and Felipe’s who looked ready to be sick. 

“Do you know who I am?” He hears Knightley ask. 

“A doctor?” 

“Jay…” Felipe trails off rubbing at the back of his neck, “Come on…That's Knightley you-”

“I’m Doctor Knightley, but you can just call me Knightley. It's nice to meet you Jay,” Knightley said, cutting off Felipe and briefly shaking Jay’s hand. “I actually help his uncle, I've been giving him more medical training.”

Jay had been glancing at Felipe, the confusion still there before she's looking back at Knightley. Slowly nodding none of what he says seems to be sparking any recognition. “Once I get back on my feet, could I come? Most of what I got came from junior rangers and the fire station. Never hurts to learn more, right?”

“Of course, always more than welcome to,” it's only the fact he's learned how to smile that keeps Knightley from grimacing. They've had this talk before, had it at Celia's house when Mo had brought him by for a family dinner. She'd been more eager than Mo even, and now this. 

He's worked emergencies before, and had barely reacted to it all. Even now he's still fairly fine all things considered, able to compartmentalize. Still, with this, now he understands when people would scream that things weren't fair. 

It's a few more questions and another check up before Knightley is asking to speak to Phoenix alone while Felipe stays with Jay. 

“How bad?” The first words out of Phoenix's mouth as he does his best not to openly stare at his daughter. 

“She has a concussion, memory loss isn't uncommon with this. She'll also likely need some physical therapy for the arm, that glass was in there deep.” 

Phoenix rubs his mouth, nodding as the other man speaks before swallowing, “She'll get it back though, like it'll come back?”

Knightley wants to be optimistic, wants to not just for Phoenix but for Jay. “I don't want to give you a false promise, it is likely it'll come back slowly. She could wake up tomorrow with it all back or it could take a few months.”

Nodding Phoenix spares a glance at Jay seeing the way she's trying to talk to Felipe. Though they both seem to be avoiding meeting the other's gaze. 

“Is this my fault? If I had done something different would…” trailing off he shrugs and shakes his head glancing away. He'd asked the question without thinking and now he's almost afraid of the answer. 

“It was an earthquake, I doubt there's anything you could have done,” it's not often Knightley feels like he said the wrong thing, but he notices how Phoenix clenches his jaw. 

“Yeah. Heard that before,” Phoenix knows he sounds bitter, and maybe he is. At one point will he and his daughter get a damn break already? It was bad enough that she got hurt. But with an earthquake of all things, it feels like God is openly laughing in his face.   

Knightley hesitates, briefly glancing at Jay, “She's alive and stable, that's better than most.” He's been trying not to think about how declaring a young blonde woman dead made him feel, dragging Xander away from Minnie. Then going on to treat Jay, another young blonde, shaking his head to force that line of thought away again. 

Phoenix grimaced and slowly nodded, “Yeah you're right… Just fuck this town is just…”

“You want something to blame, even if it's you, but that's not going to do you any good,” running a hand through his hair Knightley shrugged, “She's going to be relying on you a lot. Based on her answers I'd say she's lost about a year’s worth of memories. It would be best to keep her with people she knew during that time and slowly reintroduce anyone new. Overwhelming her with too much information could send her into a panic.” 

Phoenix was nodding, gripping his wrist in his hand, he would have fidgeted with the necklace he usually wore. But that had been given to Jay something else he'd likely have to explain. “Fuck… Dodger he moved in… what do I?...” He's trailing off again, finding it harder to speak and hating himself for it.

“She knew Dodger a year ago, that wouldn't be a bad place to start,” Knightley offered him. 

Letting out a sigh of relief he nodded again, glancing at Jay then back at Knightley. He hates what he's about to ask but his options are limited. “Listen I know you're the commune doctor, but you wouldn't be opposed to a house call for her. I mean I'll pay you obviously.” 

Knightley blinked in surprise, “I'm not opposed to it, but isn't your brother a doctor as well?”

“Yeah but our other brother is already banged up good and under his care. Don't need him worrying about every Romero you know? Also a year ago she was still nervous to ask Hawk for anything, scared of bugging him cause he got an important job or whatever. His daughter also works at the clinic and fucking hell that's another thing.” 

“You know when I said don't overwhelm her with information that applies to you too. Just take it one day at a time, and I'll swing by to check on her.” 

The rest of the talk is just plans for when to meet up as well as who would be good to leave Jay alone with to catch her up. Waiving him off and by the time Phoenix is back with Jay, Felipe has gone back to his uncle who Knightley is also with, going over Eagan’s care. 

His brow furrowed when he noticed Jay tapping on her legs. “You feeling alright Jaybird?” 

Glancing up she shrugs tapping idly again, “I don't know, before he left Felipe was tapping on the bed. I'm trying to figure it out. It's not Morse code like you taught me, I feel like I remember. But it's just letters I think..”

Knock code. God it had been annoying but he's never been more grateful to see her tapping away. “Oh yeah what letters do you think it is?” 

“Um…” her cheeks flush red again and she glanced away, hands still tapping, “I think it's I-L-Y but that's probably not right. I'll just ask him about it later.”