#selkiesstories

[duxbelisarius]

I've been meaning to ask: what's your take on the Red Sowing? Good tactics and bad strategy? A sympton of the post Jaehaerys mindset?

It's one of the few things I think the Dance got right, initially at least; of course if you've got a surplus of dragons with no dragonriders, you would try to find riders for them.

'Good tactics; bad strategy' is probably how I'd put it; a complete failure to utilize the dragons en masse to the greatest effect, following the Gullet and the fall of KL. I'm spoiling future parts of my analysis here, but the dragons alone should have secured Rhaenyra's victory after the city was taken: Daemon, Nettles, Hugh and Ulf together could have solo'd Aemond in the Riverlands, and wiped out Daeron and the Hightower host (though my boy would have taken one or two of them with him). If it's true that Borros was afraid of the dragons and that's why he didn't intervene earlier, then Rhaenyra has three bachelor dragonriders (Ulf, Hugh, Addam) that she can send to marry his daughters and win his support, or threaten him with annihilation if need be.

Don't even get me started on Addam abandoning his father so that he can prove his loyalty to the woman who jailed his father, ordered his arrest and that of his friends, and is oppressing her own people, all so he can give his shounen protag speech to the Riverlords and supply George with his eighth deus ex machina of the story.

The dragonseeds were a cool idea that was ruined by George's 'munted' execution, to use the Australian term, and you could apply that to the dance as a whole: Interesting ideas, 'munted' execution.

[mejcinta]

I noticed you watched OTH so 1-who's your favorite pairing and 2-what do you think of Lucas?

Fun reveal. I was around 13 when I first watched the show. I have very little recollection of the plot points and was hoping to perhaps watch it with fresher, grown up eyes. 🤭

Anyway, the pairing that stood out to me was Hailey and Nate. The transformation the latter underwent from a brat of a bully to just the tenderest man, all thanks to Hailey anchoring him in reality, was touching for me, even as a kid.

I also absolutely love Lucas. But again, I don't clearly recall what he did wrong or what he did right. I will need a deeper dive to make up my mind on him, but I've never had many problems with him lmao. He's an okay guy, a humble protagonist...and his relationship with his mom was heartwarming to watch.

Thanks for asking. When I catch up with the show (I did not watch all seasons) I'll post my opinions here, because I know I'll have loads of them. 🔥🔥

[lemonhemlock]

My take on Jacemond is pretty simple- we actually saw Jace putting in a smidgen of effort into his responsibilities in learning Valyrian and there’s his going around saying he doesn’t care about what anyone thinks only to go from 0 to 100 at the first hint of being called a bastard 1/

Jace was also the one who brought the knife to the fight and attacked Aemond first; I feel like this is generally under-discussed because Luke took all the spotlight. But Aemond should also have beef with Jace - this is a little evidenced at the dinner table where Aemond is paired with Jace during the fight and Aegon is the one who gets to slam Luke.

Until the show runners inevitably ruin it I’m prepared to like Jace because he has the most potential to figuratively slap Rhaenyra with some uncomfortable truth + the implications of his potential of a relationship w/ Sara. Also he doesn’t seem to like Daemon- the enemy of my enemy is my friend- and all that 2/

Shipping aside-with the amount of fics that have an abused Green kid running off to Rhaenyra who then rescues Alicent from an abusive Otto which results in Alicent tearfully apologizing to Rhaenyra for everything & super Mom/sister Rhaenyra helps bad mother Alicent learn to relate to her children…- I just want ONE fic that has Jace trying his luck with Alicent bc she was once his mom’s BFF to rescue her from Daemon & Rhaenyra getting the learning curve treatment. (I don’t care if it’s a canon era or modern AU, it may actually work better as a modern AU but the point still stands) /3

I never actually considered Jace being the defector actually, that's how prevalent green defection is in fics. 😅

I'm still not super convinced how jacemond might actually work - like that anon said recently, albeit it was about lucemond, that it's just a lot of work to think up a believable dynamic for these two. Ultimately, I feel like there's nothing these two pairings have to offer that isn't already immediate and more satisfying in aegond.

[alicentsgf]

So that feast where everyone “exchange kisses and break bread” & Alicent and Rhaenyra wear each other’s colors and “make declarations of love” (totally different meaning in Medieval times but if you ship them go for it) it’s THAT dinner the one where Aemond toasts his three Strong nephews

yep aemond says pretty much word for word the same thing in the book so its definitely the show's interpretation of the event, right down to jace and helaena dancing and the fight at the end. tbh the only bits missing are the elements included in the book which serve to make rhaenyra and alicent somehow come across as even MORE gay for each other that night than they do in the show and that will never not be funny to me

[septembersghost]

Have you ever listened to Josh Groban? And if you did, what do you think?

this message made me giggle and also made me feel like i am failing to represent myself properly in some way if the answer to this isn't apparent! i know for sure i have some posts about the revival of sweeney in which he's currently starring on here, and i am SO proud of and happy for him achieving that dream!, but i definitely have not mentioned him enough? 😂 i've listened to josh literally since his debut in 2001. my mom heard him sing the prayer with celine (the version with andrea boccelli is one of her favorite songs), and that was it. in the summer of...2004? i did a little job for my mom's boss at the time (inputting data into spreadsheets because he thought a young person would be able to do it quickly/easily, and it would've been frustrating busywork for my mom, plus i got the bonus of watching their dachshund), and his wife gave me a copy of josh's sophomore album as a gift (also hayley westenra's debut). you raise me up was used as my high-school's graduation song (for reasons i still don't understand, but it was pretty). when i made playlists/fanmixes more often in the 2010s, you could guarantee i'd sneak a josh song in there. his music is a constant in our house (and a staple at the holidays). anyway, yes, i love him to bits and he has the voice of an angel and it's been fun following his career for such a long time!

[lemonhemlock]

the actual stays we saw indeed seemed alright to my amateur eyes (i'm no expert lol), so there's that, at least. as for lacing, i found this article that says that the lacing was done from the bottom up if helped by someone else, but if you were to do it yourself, you'd go about it from the top to the bottom

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story + Costumes

Queen Charlotte’s green & purple undergarments, white shift and blue & silver and orange & white dressing gowns in Season 01, Episode 02, 03 & 04.

// requested by @nasyanastya

[littlewomenpodcast]

Daniel Shealy As A Guest

I have most exciting news! one of my favorite Alcott scholars, Daniel Shealy is going to be a guest at the Little Women podcast.

He has written and edited tons and tons of books about Louisa May Alcott, such as Little Women abroad: Letters between Louisa and May Alcott, selected letters of Louisa May Alcott, the lost stories of Louisa May Alcott...

I also love his research because he is very pro-canon, pro-Bhaer and pro-amyxlaurie etc.

We are recording next January so if you guys have any questions for him you can leave them under this post or dm me here on Tumblr

Niina

@selkiesstories @heather-field @princesssarisa @fandomsarefamily1966 @thatscarletflycatcher @mysoftboybensolo @librarydame @rainbowmilk1996 @louisaalcotts @lmusicalmelodyl @the-other-art-blog

[sassyandclassy94]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you feel like).

Tagged by: MYSELF cause WHY the heck not DARNIT?! (No one else is gonna tag me anyway)

I’m gonna cheat and do two though because I’m literally working on two stories at a time right now.

“My guess is she’ll be happy to do anything as long as she’s with you.”

-the untitled Part two of my ‘He’s Progressed and She’s Impressed’ series (May or may NOT be Bobby giving his friend more positive words of encouragement)

She rasped as she brought her hands up to grab his hair and with groans of his own, he maintained his pace. 👀😉

-“I Feel Like Gold” - Part four of ‘He’s Progressed and She’s Impressed’ series (Like I said… things will be heating up for Don & Kate in part 4🥵)

Tags: (and please my fellow writers, no pressure) @solo-pitstop-vibes @redbone135 @selkiesstories @fictional-at-heart @ljf613 @swanfireprincessmydear @coneygoil and anyone else who follows me/is a mutual that writes and wants to do this

[hellsbellschime]

It is! Obviously GRRM does like reusing names so it's not surprising that two women from the Reach would have similar/the same name, but it is interesting either way.

I find it interesting that we find out who Alicent's mother is in hotd compared to the books where we still have no clue who she was. Episode 1 of this season had alicent lighting candles for the deceased and we find out her mother's name was Alyrie of House Florent. I wonder if GRRM had any input in that?

Yeah, it is interesting because it doesn't seem like necessary info, so it's surprising they added it in. Maybe GRRM had input or he just didn't care.

[duxbelisarius]

I have to ask: what’s your opinion on “F&B” is Green propaganda”? Because I read F&B and reread F&B and tracked all the primary accounts through Viserys reign and the Dance itself and I DON’T SEE IT

@navree has the right of it I think, in that Fire and Blood is a HISTORY, not propaganda. The in-world lore is that Gyldan began writing Fire and Blood late in the reign of Aerys II and continued into the reign of Robert, so he's definitely not writing it as Targaryen propaganda. As regards the Dance, no one emerges from that part of the narrative looking very good, and Gyldan goes out of his way to compare and contrast Septon Eustace, Maester Munkun and Mushroom to extract the most likely turn of events between them, when a propagandist for either faction would not have done so. As to whether it can be considered GREEN propaganda, absolutely not; two of the three sources that Gyldan uses are favourable to Rhaenyra (Munkun and Mushroom), albeit not always (eg. The Brothel Queens).

[mejcinta]

I’ve been dragging Rhaena’s costumes and wig a lot recently so as a palate cleanser which of Queen Charlotte’s gowns would you like to see Rhaena in?

Haha. I will have to actually finish watching QC so that I share my opinion. Let me see which one I will prefer...when I get there. 🤭🤭

[lemonhemlock]

I’m at the point where I feel that the only way to explain to SOME PEOPLE why Rhaenyra passing off her children as legitimate is to oversimplify it as her committing inheritance fraud with the children being both the crime and the evidence- she really did not do those kids any favors

come to think of it, inheritance fraud is a very good descriptor 💅

[heatherfield]

#they were my OTP before I knew what that was (via @selkiesstories)

Aogg reread and 🥰gilbert blythe🥰

[wounds-seen-and-unseen]

Augusnippets Day 2: Path of Comfort- Bathing/Hair Care

My entry for @augusnippets Day 2: Bathing/Hair Care (it is actually a bath ad a shave, but hey)

Set in this universe of mine, maybe @selkiesstories as well as @starlightasteria may like this snippet. It is set after Jaime loses his hand, approximately a day or two before he goes home. the muse ran away with me on this one. I meant it to be around 500 words, but it ended up being almost double that, sigh. (Word count: 972 words)

Taglist: @ba-bhump and @dreamer-in-sleep I do not think this needs many trigger warnings except of course, of Jame’s casual dismissal of himself.

Joanna, folding her son’s prized uniform shirts herself, halts at the distant crash. Although it did not sound like anything has broken, she nevertheless sets the shirt down carefully. Situated as they were in a makeshift hospital setting, such a sound could mean any manner of things. She heads in the vague direction of the sound, walking into one of the bathrooms, only to stop short.

An all too familiar golden head is bowed almost to the floor as he tries to regulate his breathing, his left hand scrabbling at the bathtub, right arm on the floor. She does not need explanations to understand what has happened.

The sight in front of her is self-explanatory. Her son is on his knees next to the slowly-filling bathtub, the loose dressing-gown he is wearing bunched up almost to his thighs as he tries to stand but falls back, biting down a sound of pain.

She knows her Jaime to be fiercely protective of his privacy. Shocked as she is, she knows she is quiet. Yet, he stiffens, turning his head towards her. His shoulders straighten, his face clearing into a smile in spite of the sheen in his eyes. “Hello, mama,” he says softly, affecting a casual demeanour. “I suppose I should learn my way around a bathtub as well. My apologies, I seem to be making quite a muddle of it, but I never was the cleverest Lannister.”

“Jaime,” she keeps her voice soft, allowing the earnestness to show. She knows how to reach her son, to break through the façade of humour he hides behind. “You know that you should still largely be in bed, little lionknight. Am I supposed to tell Cersei and Tyrion that you got hurt because you were being careless?”

The smile drops from his face. “Cers and Tyrry…they deserve to see their brother, mama. As he is in their memories. Not”- his left hand gestures to himself, head to toe. -“this mess.” “Jaime”- she intends to reassure him that they all love him for who he is, but he continues to speak. “I just…want to be me. Someone who is worthy of my family, as I was. Not an approximation of a homeless man. Not a burden.” He scoffs. “What a spectacular job I am doing of it. I can’t even take a bath on my own.”

She hates the loathing she sees in his eyes, yet is helpless to stop it. She tries nonetheless. “Jaime,” she repeats his name, “Would you think of me as a burden, if ever I need your help because I got hurt, or in my old age?” He is shaking his head before she completes her question, his curls fast becoming tousled. “No! Mama, how could you even think of…you are my mother. If you need my help, it would be my honour to aid you.” He grants himself another wry look. “As I am, I would be more of a hinderance than aid of any kind, but I will learn, if you need me.”

She cups his chin in her hands, bringing his eyes to the level of her own. “Then, surely, you would understand why I think of helping you as the honour it is and not a burden.” He swallows. “…thank you, mama.”

She smiles at him in return. “However, it is true, I do enjoy the sight of you as the dapper young rascal you usually are. I suppose a bath is in order. Lest your infamous manly pride be aroused, let me remind you, I have bathed you more times than you can count.”

He raises a brow. “I was a child then.” She keeps the smile on her face, laughter in her voice. “You are always my child, little lionknight.”

Thankfully, he raises no further objections as she shuts off the tap, loosening the ties on his dressing gown. She still has to work to keep the grief out of her face at the sight of barely healed wounds on his torso, the ribs that are still too easily seen. The knowledge of his gaze following her every movement, every minute change in her expression keeps her going, smile in place. She takes utmost care to be gentle as she washes his hair, the blond strands, shimmering almost like sunlight, softening as she works them through. He has been far too hurt, her little boy. She stops him when he scrubs too hard on his skin, turns away when he lowers his gaze, leaving him to his devices and getting a warm, fresh towel for him.

Steam is still rising off the dirtied bathwater when he emerges from the bathtub, her hand on his shoulder assuring her of his warm, steady presence. When he turns to face her, she has the razor ready.

She makes short work of the beard that hid too much of his beloved features, the smile on her face growing more genuine as his jaw clears of hair, and he begins to smile slightly, an echo of the dimple cheeked grin she so loves.

When she finishes, he dresses in his nightclothes, looking half a boy, as young as he is. More important than anything else is the slight smile that persists when he looks at himself in the mirror. “There we have it,” Joanna murmurs softly. “My handsome young man.” Hints of red tint his cheeks, but he moves closer to her. “Thank you, mama,” he says again, quiet, sincere. She just ruffles his hair, revelling at the trust in his half-lidded gaze.

“The young women will work themselves in a tizzy, you will see,” she replies. He grins. “That, if Cers does not bite off the head of any woman who dares look at me.”

They laugh as one, and for that moment, all is right in the world.

[ambidextrousarcher]

New Year wishes to all my mutuals and followers! Tagging some of you I remember @hum-suffer @humapkehaikaun @heyifinallyhaveablog @chaanv @chairoses @dragonwillow @starlightasteria @selkiesstories @ramzesfics @hinsaa-paramo-dharma @mitskiacoustic @stxrrynxghts @hindumyththoughts @vivid-daze @befuddled-calico-whump @spicy-honey222 @deadloverscity @herawell @paneerlajwanti @radhakawaii @harinishivaa @celestesinsight @m-an-u @racoonpaws @willkatfanfromasia @themorguepoet @enigma-the-mysterious @mizutaama (I’m sure I’m forgetting many🥺)

I am, as usual, busy with exams (finals this time 🥺🥺), but may 2024 be a year that’s a step ahead of the previous one in all things good for all of us! 💜🤞🏾🤞🏾

[thecardigangirl]

15 questions for 15 mutuals!

Tagged by @liliaenbaggins

1. Are you named after anyone?

No, not really, though my name is a little similar to my mother's.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Right about now.

3. Do you have kids?  

No.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I don't think so.

5. What sports do you play/have you played?

None except in P.E. class, which I'm not sure counts.

6. What's the first thing you notice about other people?

Their extroversion level.

7. What's your eye colour?  

Hazel.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?  

Happy endings.

9. Any special talents?

Not that I know of, though my sister thinks being able to bend the corners of my tongue is one, like Buttercup in that PPG episode where they discuss her special power, for those familiar with the show.

10. Where were you born?

Spain.

11. What are your hobbies?  

Listening to music, daydreaming, taking online quizzes, reading, Pinterest, making aesthetic moodboards occasionally.

12. Do you have any pets?  

No, I'm not really a fan of animals.

13. How tall are you?

5′6″ or around 167cm (borrowing your answer because I think I'm the same).

14. Favorite subject in school?

English, though I wouldn't say I really had a favorite.

15. Dream job?  

I don't really have one.

Tagging @chipmunkfanno1love @constanceblackwood-s @infjpaladin @selkiesstories @myfanfictiongarden @thatscarletflycatcher @ahobbitstale @danascullys @hafanforever @charitysplace @child-of-thekindlywest @frodoz @my-lady-galadriel @lady-stormbraver @belleoftheball91