#set in the switzerland era

[piratekane]

The church is flickering candles, glittering stained glass windows, and dark mahogany pews. Beatrice enters quietly, staying to the shadowed corners. There’s a familiar peace here that takes a moment to adjust to. Her life is full of noise now - the good, glorious noise of Ava’s laugh and Ava’s singing and the rush of the people in the bar as they spin around Ava, always their center.

These days, Ava is Beatrice’s center.

But the church is quiet, the ghost of the organ lingering slightly. She can imagine its notes as it plays the day’s hymn. The midday sun is high in the air and Father Paul has probably retired to his quarters. That’s okay. She wants an audience directly with God.

She genuflects at the end of the pew and slides across its smooth wood, worn down by the people who attend daily mass. Beatrice can see them streaming from the church’s grand doors where she sits at the bar and there are moments where she wishes to be with them. But her faith is quieter now, more for just herself. She prays each night, Ava silent as Beatrice makes her way through her prayers. And there are mornings when she slips into a pew for a few minutes, head bowed as she goes through her invocations. 

She slips onto her knees, the kneeler soft and cushioned. Her elbows rest on the pew, her hands pressed together and her forehead touching her fingers, her thumbs just under her lips. She exhales in a slow stream of air and lets her mind settle, pulling it away from the kaleidoscope of Ava turning over in her head. She focuses on a dim white light glowing brighter and brighter as it fades into a honeyed golden hue that feels like it warms her cheeks.

She tries to blink it away but the image - a halo - stays there. A reminder that Ava is slowly weaving her way into Beatrice’s faith like a line stitched into her skin. She doesn’t fight it for long and lets it wash over her instead. She breathes it in and lets it settle in her chest and wonders if this is what Ava feels when it comes to life inside of her.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,” she starts, voice quiet and just for her. She blinks await the rest of the words, confession on her lips. “Our Father.”

Forgive me, for I have sinned. I don’t know how much more I can confess. 

Beatrice lets her eyes close, sinking forward further into her steepled hands. I know my mission. I know what is expected of me. But I didn’t expect her. An image of Ava comes into her mind, that halo emanating behind her. I didn’t expect-

“Beatrice,” a warm voice says. She blinks her eyes open as the light fades away and looks up at Father Paul. He has a kind smile. “What brings you here?”

She wets her lips. His eyes make her feel like she can speak free of judgement. “Confession, Father.”

He steps back and gestures at the confessional. “I’d be more than happy to hear your confession.”

Beatrice follows him to the booth, sliding into its shadows as she hears him do the same. She kneels again, eyes adjusting to the lack of light. He clears his throat softly before he speaks.

“What can I do for you, child?”

She inhales slowly. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ten days since my last confession.” She worries her fingernail against her thumb, picking at her skin before she speaks again. “I fear I am going against God.”

He’s quiet, letting the words settle over them. “And why do you feel this way?”

Why? she asks herself. “I have been tasked with something. Something important, bigger than me.” The next words sit on the tip of her tongue. She hasn’t spoken them out loud before. But it's been weighing heavy on her conscious these last few days. “But each day that passes, I find myself wanting to ignore this duty I’ve been given.”

“Duty is a word that means many things.” He shifts behind the partition, his voice closer. “What is really troubling you, child?”

Her heart skips in her chest. “I fear my obligations have shifted. That they belong to someone else now.” 

He hums thoughtfully, almost as if he expected her answer. “And your obligations were to God?”

“Yes.” 

Yes, because she took her vows. Yes, because she swore to Mother Superion. But… yes. Ava is the Halo-bearer. She was gifted God’s strongest weapon.

“God is made up of many things, Beatrice. His people are one of them. Is this person your allegiance now lies with one of His people?”

She hesitates. “Her faith is… wavering.” Because Ava has faith in people, not God’s spirit. Because Ava’s faith in people makes her feel holy.

He hums again. “I have always believed that love is at the core of faith. It is our love for God that makes us faithful to Him. It is our love for people that inspires our faith in them. Without this faith, this belief in their goodness, we would be adrift in the darkness of this world. Faith is light, guiding us along our path. Is your path clear?”

No. No, because the way has never been less clear.

Yes. Yes, because Ava is a match burning in the darkness, leading her to the light.

“You were unprepared for this shift in faith,” he guesses, taking in her hesitant silence. “You didn’t count on God’s ability to grant others his Light.”

“I didn’t count on being happy,” she admits.

“And you are happy.”

Yes, because she wakes up each day with a warmth that settles deeply in her chest. Yes, because Ava smiles at her over a soda and lime and Beatrice finds that her belief only deepens. Yes, because Ava always reaches for her hand at night, lacing their fingers together in the dark, and Beatrice has never felt closer to God.

But she doesn’t tell him that. She keeps that in her mind. She hasn’t told Ava yet. God knows, for He knows all that lies in her heart, but Ava deserves to hear how happy she is before Father Paul or Hans or Fergus and Leesa and Enza. Her silence is enough for Father Paul to know the answer, though. And he hums again. She hears Amazing Grace in the tune.

When he does speak, his voice is as quiet as the thoughts in her head are loud. “Your penance is to be happy, Beatrice.”

She opens her eyes. “But Father-”

“You seem to be punishing yourself enough for this,” he interrupts. “And God does not like to see his people suffer. He is an understanding God. His love for His Son and His people have always fueled his faith. Why should your love, your allegiance, your happiness, contribute any less to his faith than another?” He shifts behind the screen, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Beatrice, be happy.”

She wants to be. She wants it more than she’s wanted anything in her life. More than her parents’ love. More than acceptance. More than understanding. She wants happiness.

She wants it with Ava.

By the time she leaves the confessional, the church is empty again, Father Paul disappearing as quietly as he arrived. She adjusts to the light streaming in through the stained glass windows after a moment and then takes a deep breath as she lingers at the end of a pew.

Her penance is to be happy; to go back into the world and stop punishing herself for feeling like she is. It’s an unusual penance -  far from the Our Fathers and the Hail Marys Father Vincent was so fond of. But it feels like the hardest atonement she’s ever been given.

She drifts through the church as the thought churns in her mind: be happy, be happy, be happy. The midday sunlight is blinding when she steps out onto the street. She blinks, feeling disoriented for a moment before someone calls her name.

Ava, standing on the sidewalk with their grocery bag on her shoulder and a smile on her face, the one she has when Beatrice does something unexpected. She smiles, the golden light of the sun against her bare shoulders, and waves happily. Ava is always so free with her happiness, charmed by strangers and the small flowers she buys from the florist on her way home. Ava strives to be happy; strives to make Beatrice happy as well.

Be happy, she thinks. Ava calls her name again and stands on her side of the street, bouncing on her toes as she waits for Beatrice to come closer. She takes the first step off the steps leading to the church’s heavy doors and Ava’s smile grows impossibly wider on her face, warming Beatrice as if the Halo was buried in her own skin.

Be happy, she thinks. 

She crosses the street towards Ava.

[chekovsphaser]

Saw a post about stamps so I went through my stamp collection again. God I need more stamps. I only have 34 pages.....

[epersonae]

five fic friday

So generally speaking I don't include PWP in these posts, but in honor of Zaddy Day, I remembered this absolutely wild piece from JUNE 2022:

"when men like me come around," my daddy said, "shoot" (E (obvs), 4622) by @sharkiegorath, thank you for seeing the potential then.

and four more not on that theme, altho I am apparently in my canon-era era as a reader:

Making Space (G, 1594) - a sweet little post-canon vignette, I was lucky enough to beta read this one

Underwater Sunbeams (M, 8731) - set between 2x4 and 2x5, getting back to the boat and doing a little talking it through

Switzerland (M, 9515) by @oatmilktruther - I cried. Post-canon Stede working on some issues, getting loved. BIG cw for eating disorders, but also so much tenderness.

i loved my friend (T, 1629) by @unadulteratedkr - oh boy I cried even more, like I'm tearing up now just thinking about it. Stede POV set during 2x3, yeah THAT part of 2x3.

[hyacintheros]

Brand New City

5. Taunt

|| (Marauders Era Characters x Fem!Reader)

Series Masterlist Previous Chapter

Pairing: Marauders Era Characters x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Rude James

Word Count: 1.1k

P.S: So basically, I burnt out LOLL, I will be trying to post more frequently though c:

“Petunia! Look at my snowman!” A brightly redheaded girl calls out, her nose and cheeks kissed with the winter air. She pulls her elder sister to a newly built snowman, its ice blobs adorned by a carrot the girl had borrowed from the kitchen. Petunia laughs at it, all wonky and lopsided, yet still having its own charm, being that her sister made it.

Their cousin pops out from the snow, covered in it and giggling at her snow angel. “You have to try this out, guys!” Lily and Petunia join her on the snowy hill, throwing snowballs and sharing hot chocolate from their packed thermos.

Walking to the black lake, she sighs deeply, remembering the last time she saw her cousin Petunia, seeing the anger and jealousy in her eyes when it was revealed that she would also be attending Hogwarts, along with Lily. How cruel Merlin had been to her, Petunia had thought.

She sets a thermos of hot chocolate down on the blanket, one charmed against water and to provide warmth. Propping herself against a snow-covered tree, the girl pulls out a sketchbook, taking in her view for a moment. Finally, her eyes set upon a large tree next to the lake, a few students throwing lumps of snow at each other.

She starts off with the background first, wanting to capture the environment around her. The barely frozen lake, the grass covered in a blanket of snow, trees shaking off their coats of snow onto students below.

“That's really pretty.. I like what you did with the tree on the left,” the boy sits down next to her gently, his dirty blonde hair getting in the way of his eyes. “Thank you, Peter! I just can't seem to work out the lake, how do I show that it's ice now?” Peter thinks about this for a moment, pondering on what ice could be represented with.

“What about ice-skating? Put a pair of people skating on it, so then it'll register as ice in your head!” Peter looks over the lake, making a note to ask his friends later to go out for a little skate. “That's brilliant, Peter!” He breaks out into a flushed stare, not quite sure how to respond, nor where to look.

Before he can conjure up a reply, a remarkable head of red appears. “Y/N, Peter, come quickly!” Lily pulls Peter up while the girl goes to pack her things, concerned at the distress in Lily’s voice. “What's happened?” Peter asks as Lily walks briskly, urging them to follow.

“Remus.. he's fallen ill, James said he was in the infirmary!” Her cousin hurries, worry in her tone. Peter looks nervous at this, still following along. “Are you sure? We should bring him something..” Y/N says, worried about her friend.

Lily stops to think for a moment, what could they possibly bring to make Remus feel better? The group had never seen the boy sick before, so they couldn't reference another incident. Though, one thing that could always cheer Remus up was always a bar of chocolate.

Chocolate was like Remus’ girlfriend at this point. Always in his hands, on his lips, sometimes found on his bed! But the three of them didn't know his favourite. To them, it never looked like Remus carried a specific bar of chocolate around, he'd typically buy whatever was on sale or he'd buy the big box of unwanted ones that wouldn't sell.

Thus, he never carried one specific brand or flavour, they were always mixed and matched. In the end, his friends went back to Y/N's dorm to retrieve a chocolate bar her parents had sent. A Lindt dark chocolate bar they had bought specifically when they were in Switzerland on travel.

Now with the Holy Grail in hand, they march to the infirmary, in hopes to check on the boy's well-being. “D'you think maybe it got too cold? The weather has been crazy lately..” Peter asks the girls, trying to find the cause of his friend's illness.

The trio strolled into the infirmary, trying not to disturb the other students who are also here for some form of illness. They spot Remus at the furthest end of the room, surrounded by James and Sirius.

“Rem! Goodness, what's happened?” Lily calls out as they approach the boy. Remus, upon hearing Lily, sits up quickly, he's not supposed to be up at all. James and Sirius try to push him down, telling him to worry about his health.

He looks sheepishly at Lily, then Y/N, Peter had already known as they were roommates. “It's not bad, really! I was out studying in the grass when this huge dog just came at me..” he says to the girls, praying that they'll believe him.

Ever the doting friend, Y/N grabs a washcloth from the table next to him, placing it in the bowl of water and wiping his face gently. “How do you feel, Remus?” She asks quietly, not wanting to make too much noise in case he had a headache.

James puffs, obviously annoyed by the girl even being here, but he doesn't want to make a scene- for Remus’ sake.

Remus melts into her touch, feeling butterflies on his skin from her gentle movements. “I'm alright.. Dog came from nowhere” she nods sympathetically.

Lily pulls the treats from Y/N's pocket, placing it into the injured boy's hands. “We heard chocolate helps when you're feeling unwell. Eat, you'll feel better” Lily teases, something Remus always does when others don't feel well.

He laughs at this, amused and touched by the bar of chocolate, thanking the girls and Peter. He thinks back to the full moon last night, it wasn't as bad as it usually was, and he's grateful for it. Though, he did scare poor Peter when stumbling back into bed.

James, ever the bitter person, but he could never act like that in front of Lily, he tries to be subtle about it. “I think there are a few too many people here, we should start clearing up.” He says, looking at Y/N.

She gets the message, not wanting to fight. So she pats Remus’ head and says goodbye to her friends, telling Remus to get better. Y/N debates on going back to her common room or to the lake again. On one hand, she'd like to be all warm and cosy while reading a little book. But on the other, she's still got that drawing to finish.

Ultimately, she decides on packing a little sandwich from the Great Hall and going back to the lake. She still had her little blanket and thermos, kept it in her bag with her. For a moment, she just lays on the warmed blanket, watching little snowflakes fall. Christmas is coming soon, she missed her family dearly.

[hockeyandhrsepwr]

Montreal

Je t'aime series

F1 driver reader x hockey player bf

When the Montreal GP & Eastern Conference finals fall on the same weekend, certain worlds collide….

The insta edit

Notes: Takes place in 2024 so everyone is a year older - reader is an 01 baby so 23 & all the hockey guys are playing for their respective NHL teams. (For plot purposes, Montreal is the second last race before the summer break - still takes place in mid-June though) Danny, Mick & Seb are still on the grid because I say so & I’m trying not to have a breakdown over Seb being gone gone. 

For Formula 1 driver y/n l/n, this weekend marks her return home as we head to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. We sat down with the championship leader to talk about what that means for her.

Thanks so much for talking to us today Y/n. How excited are you to be back home in Montreal? 

I’m pretty pumped. It’s always nice to be back and have so much of my family be able to come. The track is always a special one to race on & I’ve had a few good races here before, so hopefully this weekend will add to that. The little break after means I can spend a few days here before heading into Silverstone so that’s nice. 

Any exciting plans for those few days?

Definitely catch a hockey game! It’s hard to watch games live with the travelling & living in Monaco, so while I’m here I’m definitely going to get to the Bell Centre. It worked out really well that the Habs are playing on Sunday night & it’s such an exciting game, with it being Game 7 in the conference finals. Montreal fans are absolutely incredible so hopefully the boys can bring this one home! The city’s going to be pretty wild on Sunday, and hopefully I can add to the excitement with a win here too!

I never would have known there was a game this weekend. It’s not like there’s stuff all over the city. Hopefully they can win it at home! Actually, speaking of hockey, your dad played, correct?

Yeah, so he played pro in the US and then Switzerland and Germany. So, I spent about 8 years over there before moving back here permanently, and then when I was about 14, moved back over for racing. but Montreal is definitely home. 

Did you ever consider hockey or were you always set on the formula, single seater series? And how did you settle on motorsport?

So, I played hockey growing up but once I hit 12ish I had to choose since both were getting more competitive and there wasn’t enough time. I would’ve loved to go pro in either, but F1 is where my heart is. I still play whenever I can though. Lance & I like to try finding rinks when we travel and have a little battle. I’m currently 4 wins up, just fyi. Or whenever I visit my best friend, we go out & have some fun, even though that’s not often. I’m not beating him unfortunately but it’s pretty hard to beat a pro when he’s working on his skills constantly and I’m playing maybe 20 times a year. As kids though I could whoop him. The decision for karting/single seater over hockey was hard, but I’d been hooked since I sat in my first kart. I think part of it was being able to travel all over racing & just experience so many cool things. And with Formula 1, there’s 20 spots, right? So, if you make it as a driver, you’re one of the top in the world. With hockey there are so many incredible female players already, and as we know not many in motorsport. I wanted to be able to inspire young girls in sports as well. I think I made the right decision for me. 

 My dad was a big F1 fan, so I’d been watching races basically since birth. We were living in Germany during the Schumacher era, so everyone was really into it and that definitely helped ha-ha. It’s kind of crazy that I ended up going through all the feeder series with Mick in the end & we obviously became good friends when his dad was one of the main reasons I started racing. And having him show up to watch races was insane! But yeah, once I sat in my first kart I was hooked! If three year old me who had that Schumacher Ferrari merch could see me now ha-ha. 

Ah the Schumacher era, that’s how so many people got interested. And your best friend is a hockey player? I don’t know if that’s ever come up, so can I ask about that? 

Ah so actually, our dads played together in Switzerland & bonded over being from Montreal, so once my parents moved to Germany, about two years after I was born, they still visited each other. The two of us spent a lot of time together as kids during those visits, especially playing hockey. We moved back a few years before his family, but they were always around in the summer & we stayed pretty close. We’re apart a lot but were both living our dreams so its pretty special when we can get together. he’s one of my favourite people so shoutout to Thomas. You’ll probably see him in the paddock this weekend since he’s around here somewhere. 

That’s such a great story! What team does he play for, and for anyone who’s maybe looking at which team to support, who would you recommend?

So he plays for San Jose, the Sharks, but I’m a Canadiens girl all the way. You can’t grow up in Montreal and not get support them. We’re having a great season, so fingers crossed for Sunday! But I do support the Sharks, definitely my favourite Western team, no bias here ha-ha. I’ve met a lot of great guys through Thom too who play, so I do try and keep up with their teams, but Habs all the way baby!

Alright, there you have it folks. Y/N thanks for sitting down with us, good luck this weekend! I’m sure we’ll see you soon!

You shake Natalie’s hand & thank her for having you. Exiting the media pen, you start making your way back towards the Ferrari garage, waving at Lewis when an arm’s thrown around you shoulder.

“Ready for Sunday’s game?” Lance says, “Time to kick some Devil ass and then get the cup.” 

“Yeah, I just have a race to win first” you stick your tongue out at him as he punches you in the arm. 

“Your boy toy coming today?” You roll your eyes “yes he has a pass, so he’ll be around somewhere. There’s a bunch of them coming. Not sure when though…”

“YO MCQUEEN!” you hear from down the lane. “There it is” you shrug off Lance & speed up as Thomas comes running at you. Damn he’s quick. You meet in the middle and grab him in a hug. “tu m’as manque” (I’ve missed you) he whispers in your ear, squeezing the life out of you. It’s been a while since you’ve seen each other, mid-January at least. When you were still on break and made it to a game of his where you hung out for a week before heading back across to Italy for training. You talk almost every day though

“Missed you too Bords. It’s been too long. Congrats on your run though. You guys played really well.” It sucked that the Sharks got knocked out in round 2, but they had a good team. Next year they’ll have it. His phone starts ringing and he pulls it out.

“Ah shit, the idiots are lost.’ He rolls his eyes as you laugh.

“They’re at the Ferrari garage. We should probably go before they end up breaking stuff” We start off towards Ferrari, when Lance catches up to us. “Hey man, how’s it going?” The two have met before, when you were all kids in Montreal. They catch up as you walk over, when you notice a bit of a crowd. You nudge Thomas

“Those yours?” and point towards the commotion. You get there & see a few familiar faces. You run over to give Thomas’s sister a hug before turning to the hockey players gathered. You count five, but there may be more floating around. Thomas had 10 passes altogether. 

“Sup boys” you give Brendan, Matty & Owen a hug, then do your handshake with Truss. You visited Michigan a few times when Bordy was there, so you got close with his roommates & friends. You managed to stay pretty off the radar since F1 isn’t as popular in the US, so you got some of that college experience that you missed out on. Plus, he’s brought you to the Hughes Lake house a couple of times so you got to know a bunch of the other idiots there. 

“Y/n you traitor!” Lance calls from somewhere behind me. “What did I do?” You yell in indignation as someone spins you around to see Jack Hughes making his way towards you. “Ah Fuck off Lance, we all know he has no chance!” Cheers from people around tells you that there’s quite a few Canadiens fans in the paddock right now.

“Hell yeah they don’t” You see Cole behind him along with Luke Hughes & Phil. 

“Is this everyone?” They nod “okay, come with me. Lance, I’ll see you later.” You lead the crew of hockey players into the Ferrari garage, taking them up to the hospitality area. “As nice as it is to see you all, why are all of you here?”

“Osheaga (Music festival – it usually happens in August but for the plot it’s happening in June) was last weekend, so we all just stayed, especially once Bordy told us he could get tickets. And we’re going to the game on Sunday” Briss pipes up. 

“Yeah, I know nothing about F1 But it looks pretty cool so I’m excited” Luke says. You gasp, the blasphemy.

“How much time have we spent together Hughesy, and you still know nothing? I’m wounded” Dramatically you hold your hand to your chest. Your phone starts going off, your timer that your trainer set going off as Charles approaches you. He beckons you since he has the same reminder.

“Alright boys, I’ll see you later, but I’ve got practice. Ask any of the lovely workers here if you need a hand with anything. Peace out” You walk off with Charles, making your way further into the motorhome. Once you get to your driver room you start your usual routine. About 20 minutes in, as soft knock on the door interrupts you “babe? You free?” 

You open the door & pull your boyfriend in. ‘“God, I missed you.” You press your lips to his, savouring the kiss. “ the minute I can I’m taking you out properly. I don’t care where, but we’re going out. Hopefully with something to celebrate” You wrap your arms around him and nod “sounds good. When are you leaving?” “Monday early afternoon” he pouts and he’s so cute you just have to kiss him again.

“Two more weeks then I’m all yours for the summer.”

“Deal. Now get back to it.” He slaps your ass and you continue your usual routine with the occasional commentary from him. He slips out a few minutes before you leave, heading down to the garage for practice. 

Two successful practice sessions later, you’re done for the day. You’re chatting with Charles when Thom finds you. You introduce him around since he hasn’t met many of the boys, just Lance & Mick. The other hockey boys have left but you make your way back to the hotel. As much as you’d love to stay at home, it’s a little further out so you stay at the hotel with the rest of the crew. Once you enter, you spot a crowd exiting the restaurant. Ah, apparently the Devils are staying here.

You whistle, “damn, who let some losers in?” As others laugh. Jack flips you off, but someone else comes running over

“y/n/n!!” Nico hugs you. You knew each other as kids, his dad being involved for the team yours had played for. Whenever your family would visit the Bordeleau’s, you’d see him. You & T would bug him lots since there weren’t many kids to hang around with. “Can you introduce me to Sebastian Vettel?” He whispers in your ear. “Get out of here” you push him away. 

The rest of the team us standing there, mouths open. “Sup McQueen” Luke waves. You’re going to kill Thomas for that nickname, but you wave back before dragging Thomas towards the elevator. You’ve got catching up to do & he knows that tomorrow you’ll be in race mode & not want any distractions.

“Where are the rest of the boys staying?” You ask him. Obviously, Jack & Luke with the team here, but he tells you that the rest of them managed to get 2 rooms in this hotel, so they’re close by. “My parents offered to let us stay with them, but we’ve been pretty rowdy so I thought this would be better.” 

A few hours later you need to get ready & go to bed so you’re in top form for quali tomorrow, so Thomas heads to the room he’s sharing, wishing you luck beforehand. He knows that tomorrow you won’t want to see anyone until after qualifiers. You’re almost done your routine when Ring. A soft smile takes over you face. He always calls before he goes to bed, just to say good night. You do same & most of the time you miss each other so you have lots of cute voicemails saved on your phone. 

“Hey superstar. This whole being in the same time zone thing makes it a little bit easier hey?” He chuckles “yeah babe, it definitely does. Hang on” you hear some shuffling on his end and then a door open. “Roommates kick you out?” you laugh as he huffs, “I don’t want to disturb them so I’m going to the conference room so I can facetime. How are you feeling for tomorrow?” The request pops up & you see him sitting in one of the rooms. 

“Pretty confident. It’s a good car & it’s nice that everyone was able to come so I’d love to get a win for them. Think you’ll be able to sneak out tomorrow night?”

“Are you sure? I know how much you need your routine. I don’t want to mess anything up for you.”

“No, I want cuddles” you pout “and you know I sleep better when I’m next to you” you can hear the smile in his voice as he says “I’ll see what I can do. Now you’ve gotta go to bed so you can kick butt tomorrow. I love you & I’ll be watching.” He blows a kiss. “Love you too. Tomorrow night, okay?”

“Yep, I’m all yours. Ill text you before you go out tomorrow since I know I’m not going to see you. But you’re gonna kill it.” You lay down on the bed and just look at him.

“God you’re cute. I still can’t believe you’re mine.” He blushes, like he always does when you complement him.

“You better believe it. nearly four years in and I’m never letting you go.” Damn it now you’re blushing. “Okay Casanova, I really should go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you” you blow a kiss & hang up because you know from experience that you’ll just go back and forth for the next hour otherwise. 

Saturday

You wake up fired up & ready to go. Moving quickly, you and Charles meet up & drive to the circuit. There’s a lot more people here today which you love. You go through practice & then it’s time for qualifiers. Q1 & 2 go smoothly, with you landing in the top five, but you want that pole position. It’s so much sweeter especially with this being your home race. As Q3 gets underway, that’s what you’re aiming for. Unfortunately, it’s only P2, but at least its only Charles in front. You know you can get ahead of him with the right strategy.

Meeting up with Thom & the crew at the hotel, you grab a quick dinner in the restaurant. You stop by the front desk & grab an extra key, slipping it onto your boyfriend’s pocket when you’re giving all the guys hugs. After about an hour you have to excuse yourself for a team meeting, and 2 hours later you finally make it back to your room.

You’ve just closed the door & are turning around when “BOO!” & you jump a foot in the air. 

“Putain! Jesus Christ you fucker.” Your heart is racing a million miles as you take in the sight before you. Jack has half his body still in the bathroom but has fully on the floor, just about crying from laughter. “That’s not why I gave you the key, connard.” You say as you help him up. “I ha-ha couldn’t ha help myself.” He dissolves into another fit of giggles. You move towards the bed as he comes up behind you. Arms around your waist as he buries his head in your neck. 

“This is harder than I thought” “I know, let’s just get through this weekend. A couple weeks then well be back at the lake with everyone who knows & we can do this every night.” He places a kiss at the junction of your neck.

“Promise?” you turn your head and give him a kiss. “Promise. Well talk about next season too. I’m sick of not seeing you for months.” He nods.

“you’re coming to the game tomorrow, right?” “Do you even have to ask?”

“Okay smartass, but will you root for me?” He sounds a bit sad as I turn in his arms. “I want you to win, I really do.”

“Oh yeah, not your precious Habs?”

“Wow. The sarcasm is strong with this one. I want both of you to win, but since that’s not possible, I’d say I have a slight interest in Jersey winning the cup.” “Only slight, eh?” he tickles my sides.

“I know how hard you’ve worked so yeah. As much as it pains me to say, and if you tell anyone else, I’ll kill you, but I do hope you win. If only so we both get one this weekend.” 

You kiss him again before pulling him into the bathroom & running the bath. It’s your regular night before race routine, made much sweeter by him being there. “I don’t know if I ever told you, but Thomas was my favourite person that summer.” He mumbles into your hair as you sit in the tub. 

“The one we met?” “Yeah, when he brought you to the lake house for a few weeks.”

Now your confused. You tilt your head back & raise an eyebrow “when you barely said four sentences to me?” he grins sheepishly.

“I was intimidated. You were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen & you drove fast cars for a living. It took me a whole year to gain the confidence to ask you out the next summer. And then you didn’t even show up with him! I was this close to asking for your number when you turned up a week later.”

“Aw, well I’m glad you manned up.” He sticks his tongue out. “I can’t believe that was five years ago. We were babies”

“Yep and now you’re stuck with me.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way”. 

(They meet when they’re 18, but he doesn’t ask her out till 19 & now they’re 23) 

You both get out & go about your night routine with some additional commentary from Jack. When you finally settle into bed, he wraps his arms around you from behind, pulling you to his chest.

“je t’aime” He whispers and a smile creeps onto your face like it does every time he uses his limited French. “je t’aime aussi.” You whisper back as you snuggle back into him.  

Sunday Morning. 

You wake to a kiss pressed on your cheek. “I’ve got to get back to my room before the team meeting. I won’t see you before the game but go kick some ass. I love you & we’ll be celebrating tonight” Jack whispers in your ear before pressing a kiss to your lips and leaving. About a half hour later your alarm goes off & you start your pre-race routine.  Thomas stops by to wish you luck before you head to the track with Charles & your trainer. Ten minutes before you need to head to the garage your phone pings. It’s a picture of Jack & Luke with the caption ‘good luck!!!’ 

You smile before heading out to get into your gear. Soon it’s time to line up on the grid & you hop in. 

You settle in, ready to go as the countdown starts & the lights go. 

“It’s lights out & away we go here in beautiful Montreal!”

59 laps in you sneak past Charles, an early stop strategy paying off in your favour as ten laps later you take the win. After pulling your car in behind the first-place stand, you jump out & soak in the noise. Cheers from fans and your team ring out, as you spot one person in particular.

Hopping off the car, you run over to the barriers and grab Thomas in a hug. It’s the first F1 race you’ve won with him there, so you know he’s excited. After letting him go you hug your engineers & team before being pulled into a quick interview with Natalie. 

“Y/n, that was a beauty of a win, how are you feeling? What’s it like to win it at home?”

“Oh my god, amazing! Winning any day is an incredible feeling but to do it here, in front of my city, friends & family is so much sweeter!” 

“Anything to say to the fans here today? Or for anyone watching?”

“Mom, I did it!! You told me I’d win here one day & here we are. To my team at Ferrari, Merci! Superstar, merci d’etre ici ce weekend. Votre soutien signifie la monde et je t’aime. Montreal, ca c’est pour vous, et ALLEZ LES CANADIENS!” 

Cheers go up from all around as you just take it in. 

After the podium ceremony, you make your way back to the hotel to change since you’re soaked in champagne. Opening the door to you room, you spot a box at the end of the bed & a bouquet of lilies on the bedside table. You smile as you make your way over & see a note on the box 

Knew you could do it babe! Here’s a little something that I hope you wear tonight. See you on the ice ;)  xxx J

“I swear, if he put a Devils jersey in here..” you trail off as you see just that, but also a gorgeous lingerie set in the same bright red underneath. “that cheeky shit”, there’s a pair of new red converse in there too.

Putting the set on, you take a picture before finishing getting dressed & send it off to Jack, making a face. ‘Good Luck babe'. Then you finish getting ready & head down. 

You meet the boys in the lobby & make your way to the Bell Centre. Outside, you meet your mum, who’s brought you one of your old Canadiens jerseys since you didn’t have one on you. You pull it on over the hoodie & make you way in. Someone on the marketing team meets you inside. After your interview aired yesterday when you mentioned going to the game, they contacted your team to ask if you’d like to do the ceremonial puck drop, which duh you would. You split up with the rest of them and follow the guy. You’ll meet up with Bordy & his sister at your seats, but you won’t see the rest of the guys until later. You wait, chatting to various workers as warmups happen and finally its time for you to go out.

Making your way to the tunnel, you hear PK, who’s on the ice

“We have a special guest for you all tonight! She’s back in town, she goes fast and she won today, it’s your favourite race car driver Y/N L/N!!! 

You walk out on the carpet, waving at the crowd. “Well y/n, were glad to have you here to get us going here at the Bell Centre. But first, we have a little present for you. Your very own Canadiens jersey!” He holds up a jersey with my last name & racing number on the back.

“Oh my god that’s so cool. Suck it Lance, you’re not so special anymore!” you know he’s laughing from wherever he is in the arena. You take it & the puck he’s holding out. 

“Let’s get the captains please.” Pk says as Nico & Nick skate towards you and get in position for the photo.

“Nick, kick their ass.” You say to the Canadiens captain before posing and then walking off the ice. Someone shows you to your seat, where you find Thomas & Jade. The energy in the arena is absolutely electric as the anthem singing comes to an end and the crowd cheers. Thomas passes you a beer, as someone taps you on the shoulder. 

“Sorry, but would I be able to get a picture?” a young girl sitting behind you. You oblige & tell her you’ll get a better one during the intermission before sitting back down as the game starts. 

The Canadiens take an early lead with a beauty of a goal scored halfway through the period. The games intense with lots of back and forth between the goals. The Devils manage to knock one in with just a minute to go and then its intermission. You send Thomas off for snacks while you take a few photos & sign some stuff and before you know it it’s time for period two. No one scores for a while, but there’s quite a few penalties being called as the game gets a little rougher.

The second period ends still tied 1 all. You & Thomas chat about summer while you wait for the third. You’re planning on going to the lake house and you know he’ll be there at some point, but he’s staying here in Montreal for a bit first. You grab a couple more beers before the buzzer sounds and were off for the final period. Canadiens score a minute in, then Jersey gets one.

Back and forth again, shot after shot on each net with no more success. The whole crowds on their feet, cheering & screaming for Montreal as the minutes count down.

“Mon dieux its going to be OT” you whisper as the final minute hits. The crowds are practically silent as the seconds tick. Ten seconds left and all of a sudden Jack gets the puck, making a breakaway to the Canadiens net.

Go, Go, Go!!! you’re screaming internally as the defense rush after him, but not fast enough. He shoots and it flies past the goalie’s shoulder. The crowd explodes with boos & angry yells, but you’re smiling.

Thomas nudges you “he’ll be happy about that"

“Yeah, he will” you say back, a soft smile on your face as the final buzzer sounds and the Devils all celebrate on the ice. The fans are none too happy but there’s nothing you can do. You take out your phone & text jack.

That was amazing superstar!! I’m so so proud of you. I’m going out with the boys, but I’ll see you later<3 text me whenever you guys are done if I’m not back. 

“let’s get out of here” you turn to Thomas, knowing that Jack’ll be caught up for a few hours with team celebrations & media stuff. “Mick texted a while ago, a couple of them are downtown so let’s go celebrate your win” he says.

A pit stop back at the hotel to drop off jerseys & make sure you have all the boys then you’re making your way downtown to one of your favourite clubs. The drinks are flowing, drivers & hockey players are all around and lots of dancing means that a few hours pass in the blink of an eye.

About 3 hours in, you check your phone and see a message from Jack.

Got about 20 minutes left then I’m heading back. I’ll be in your room. See you in a bit xx

Looking around, you spot Thomas & Charles and make your way towards them. They’re chattering in French, but you butt in.

“Hey boys, I’m heading out in 10” Turns out most people are pretty done for the night, & you end up having a big group heading back. You all grab a couple of cabs back, and as you make your way through the lobby, you spot a piano in the corner.

“Ooh!!” say, making your way over to it & sitting down. “Is it okay if I play?” you ask one of the workers who nods. The boys follow you and stand next to the piano, staring at you. Except for Thomas. He knows that you can’t play for shit, all those lessons you took as a child being absolutely useless, so he’s laughing.

You crack your fingers and start playing la vie en rose absolutely terribly. The boys laugh as you stand up & bow. “Merci, merci! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sexy man waiting for me” you wink before heading to the elevator & making your way to the room. He’s not there you, so you get undressed so he can see the gift he left for you. 

The door opens a few minutes later. “Hey champ” you drawl as he comes into view.

“oh, fuck me” “I plan to” you respond jokingly. He pulls off his shoes & shirt before jumping into the bed next to you. 

“You did it,” the smile on his face is absolutely massive “I did it. We’re going to the finals. Holy fuck” 

The two of you lay there, lazily making out & cuddling until you fall asleep, too worn out for more. The next morning brings sad goodbyes with promises of more in a few weeks time. 

F1 GOSSIP

Alright folks, we all know that Y/n L/n has been romantically linked to former F2 teammate Mick, who she sort of grew up with, and Charles Leclerc, her current teammate, for a while now. The Mick theory is more likely, as we’ve seen. I’ll show the evidence that has been collected here. But this weekend, a new player entered. Thomas Bordeleau, another childhood friend of Y/n & a pro hockey player, was in and around the paddock. Now we didn’t really know about this connection until an interview that y/n herself did on Friday, where she called him ‘one of her favourite people’. Apparently, we weren’t looking hard enough. Obviously, we had to do some digging, and the team here are starting to think that he may be the real deal when it comes to y/n’s heart. Let’s break it down.

Childhood friends – we found some photos from y/n’s early karting days, both in Europe and Canada. Know who makes an appearance in a few of them? Thomas. Now there aren’t too many pictures of them as teenagers, as it appears he lived in the US & obviously y/n had moved back to Europe for racing. However, we were able to find this picture, of Y/n at a hockey game with one of his jerseys on. 

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Thomas attended the University of Michigan and based on a video out of the paddock Friday, y/n knows a few of his college teammates. So, we did some more digging and found that y/n visited Michigan no less than six times over the 2 years he was there. And if that’s not convincing, take a look at these photos we dug up. Tell me that the way the two of them are looking at each other doesn’t scream in love (Photos of the two at various different parties looking cozy). Flirty comments left on posts, photos from friends that show the two cuddling or laying on top of each other, years of appearances in the back of each other’s photos, and a few references to a boyfriend in y/ns comments by close friends. All of these point towards the two of them being together, but the most damming evidence came out of Montreal. Lance Stroll was overheard asking y/n about her ‘boy toy coming’ mere seconds before Bordeleau made his appearance.

On Sunday, Y/n fought her way to a first place, and once she exited the car ran over to him at the barriers, practically flinging herself at him for a hug. Not two minutes later, when talking to a reporter she was saying thank you to the fans, and let this slip in French “superstar, thanks for being here this weekend. It means the world to me & I love you so much.” Now who speaks French & was there this weekend? Her best friend.

But that’s not all!! They made their way to the Montreal Canadiens game on Sunday night, where they lost in the final seconds. Several other players who appear to be friends of Bordeleaus & some of the guys who were playing in the game attended, however they watched from one of the boxes. y/n and Thomas, on the other hand, were smack dab in the centre of the action, accompanied only by his sister. Photos from the official sports accounts & fans were all over social media showing the two very close, joking around & cheering passionately for their home team. They were then seen out partying in the city with some of the other drivers and hockey players. I don’t know about all of you, but I’m pretty convinced. This isn’t what we were expecting, but it actually seems the most plausible. What are your thoughts?

 

Xx

[swiftieinbrazil]

The Eras Tour fun fact: evermore is the 6th album to be completely performed at The Eras Tour. 1989 (Taylor's Version), Speak Now (Taylor's Version), Midnights, folklore and Taylor Swift (debut) also have been completely performed. 'tis the damn season and tolerate it were on the setlist until March 2024 shows, while willow, marjorie and champagne problems remain on the setlist. no body, no crime was performed with HAIM on the nights they supported the show. The rest of the songs were performed at the Surprise Songs Set:

2023

cowboy like me (with Marcus Mumford) - Las Vegas, NV, USA (March 25)

coney island - Atlanta, GA, USA (April 28)

gold rush - Philadelphia, PA, USA (May 12)

evermore - Cincinnati, OH, USA (June 30) 

ivy (with Aaron Dessner) - Cincinnati, OH, USA (July 1)

dorothea - Kansas City, MO, USA (July 8)

right where you left me (with Aaron Dessner) - Santa Clara, CA, USA (July 28)

it's time to go - São Paulo, Brazil (Nov 26)

2024

long story short - Singapore, SG (Mar 3)

closure - Zürich, Switzerland (July 10)

happiness - Hamburg, Germany (July 23)

[nonreplicakitties]

nonreplicakitties’ non replica masterpost!

linked below the cut are the tags to all the productions i have covered, along with a little summary!

Thunerseespiele 2017

this production was set in an abandoned amusement park and was performed at an outdoor stage built over the water of Lake Thun, Switzerland. it featured new costumes with a cybergoth aesthetic. this productions’ Tugger also rode around on a motorcycle!

Italian Tour 2009

this production featured masks and costume design inspired by commedia dell’arte! while not the first production in Italy, it was the first to be performed in Italian. this productions’ Skimbleshanks uses a shopping cart for his train prop!

Tampere 2017

this production was directed by Georg Malvius, who has been vocal about his dislike for the original CATS. the show features a rat as the silent “narrator,” describing his dream of becoming a cat. it also features especially unique wigs, looking much closer to human hairstyles than cat fur!

Australia Circus Tent Tour (1999)

this production was performed inside a giant CATS-themed circus tent, and included many circus elements, including trapeze, tumbling, and ball balancing. it used mostly replica-style costumes, although several cats got new wigs. this productions’ Mungojerrie took on the role of a circus captain and would direct the other performers in their circus feats!

Opera Populaire 2017

this production, set in an abandoned train station, took on a steampunk aesthetic with unique and intricate costumes! notably, this productions’ Mistoffelees is played by a woman!

Tecklenberg 2015

this production was performed at an open-air theater, and was also circus-themed! it featured brightly-colored costumes that accentuated the theme, as well as brand-new stunts. this productions’ Mistoffelees danced on aerial silks, and its Macavity was a fire-breather!

Macskák Budapest 1983

this was the third production of CATS ever performed internationally! it took place in an abandoned theater and featured new costumes and swing characters. while it opened in 1983, it has continued to play on certain dates to this day. in this production, Grizabella ascends to the Heaviside Layer on a giant chandelier!

Brno 2013

this production stands out because the characters are intended not to be cats, but humans, participating at a masquerade ball in a nightclub. this productions’ Grizabella is reborn as a kitten, played by an actual cat!

Perth/Mandurah 2019

this production featured new, neon-colored costumes with intricate psychedelic patterns. reportedly, it also included aerial silks and roller skates. this productions’ Skimbleshanks number featured a Thomas the Tank Engine inflatable costume!

Lahti 2007

this production featured new brightly colored ‘space-age’ costumes and made several changes to the characters and plot. some of the most notable are that Munkustrap and Rumpleteazer were in a relationship, and that Jennyanydots was played by a man!

Lahti 2016

this production, performed on the same stage as Lahti’s 2007 production, mainly featured circus performers exhibiting stunts such as acrobatics, aerial silks, and cyr wheel. notably, this productions’ costumes don’t resemble cats!

Kilworth House 2019

this production is set in a WWII-era bombed out London Underground station. the costumes represent many different walks of life from that era, including boy scouts, evacuating children, and glamour girls, creating a mix of human- and cat-like features. interestingly, this profuctions’ Coricopat and Tantomile are portrayed as children!

Warsaw 2004

in this production, the word Jellicle is translated to Dachowiec, which literally means “rooftop cat,” but is best translated as “alley cat.” fittingly, this production is set on the rooftops of Poland. it featured all-new costumes and choreography, as well as several new ensemble characters!

Gothenburg 2006 / Cirkus Stockholm 2009

this production was set in an abandoned amusement park and featured unique costumes, reportedly inspired by anime. the costumes and sets originally used in Gothenburg were reused for the Cirkus Stockholm production, which saw a return of many Gothenburg actors!

Helsinki 1986

this production featured new costumes and a large ensemble of named chorus cats, alongside swings. many changes were made to characters, for instance Bustopher Jones became a full character, Coricopat was female, and Growltiger and Griddlebone were played by different characters!

Oslo 1985

while the costumes in this production look quite different than current replica designs, they were actually created by London production costume designers, and were the standard London costumes at that time. the most unique aspect of this production is that Jemima doesn’t sing with Grizabella in Memory, rather it’s Grizabella’s younger self!

Oslo 2009

this production appears to be set in an abandoned warehouse or factory, and featured brand new costumes. this productions’ Tugger has an electric guitar which he apparently plays in his number!

Ullensaker 2016

this production was still set in a junkyard, with oversized appliances such as an oven and refrigerator making up the set. it featured all new costumes and wigs, and its Grizabella was played by drag queen Geir Ove Bredesen!

Melbourne 2020

this production, taking place in a decrepit music hall, is set in the 1930s, when T. S. Eliot would have been writing his works. it takes on a very distinct ‘flapper’ aesthetic with all-new costumes and choreography!

NQOMT 2019

this production was set in a post-apocalyptic London, featuring a set overgrown with moss and vines. the all-new costumes are described as “waste-lander,” as they are “made of things the Cats have collected through their life, as though they’re wearing their memories.”

Harvest Rain 2014

this was the largest production of CATS ever performed, with a cast of over 800, each dressed in their own unique costume (even the orchestra)! the show was staged in a convention centre, with a raised center platform for the main performers with the ensemble dancing around it.

SALT 2018

this production featured all-new costumes and makeup, as well as new wigs that seem to be created out of yarn!

Blue Bird Theater 2016

this production quite a bit shorter than the original show, with several songs cut or reordered. it takes several liberties with the story, the largest of which comes during the Macavity fight, where Macavity appears to kill Sillabub, with the story diverging somewhat from there.

Firehouse Theatre 2019

this production, featuring new costume designs, incorporated modern dance styles into its choreography! some costume elements, wigs especially, seemed to be changed and updated over the course of the show. this production also held cat adoption services before each Saturday show!

BMMS 2014

this production seemed to be set within a clock tower, and included steampunk-style costumes and theming. it had a large cast of over 80 performers, ranging from adults to teens and children!

Festival Players 2018

this production was set in a speakeasy during the prohibition era, with all-new 1920s-style costumes. it reportedly featured a female Macavity, Mungojerrie, and Skimbleshanks!

New Zealand Tour 2019

this production was reimagined as a “darker, more sensual” version of the show, inspired by post-earthquake Christchurch and set within an abandoned Victorian theatre. fittingly, the costumes are also redesigned to be darker and quite unique!

Pilsen 2014

this production seems to be focused more on costumes, giving each character a unique and detailed costume with pops of color. the set, however, is kept rather minimal, relying mainly on neon lighting and simple set pieces.

MAČKY 2016

this production is set in an abandoned department store in the London suburbs, with many cats dressed in the store’s apparel. it opened in April of 2016 and still seems to be playing today. notably, this productions’ Jemima seems to be played by two actresses, an adult for the dancing scenes and a child for her singing lines!

CRT 2012

this production was set in the back alley behind an abandoned theatre, making use of old props and stage lights for set dressing. it also featured all-new costumes, including some very fluffy legwarmers!

Mexico 2013/2018

this production leans slightly more replica, but the costume designs are reimagined as much more colorful than standard productions, with bold makeup and bright colors. it originally ran in 2013, but was revived in 2018 and played over 400 shows throughout its tour!

Abbey Musical Theatre 2007

this production was set in an abandoned carnival, with the costumes fittingly taking on a “dark circus” style, with detailed, over-the-top designs!

Ostrava 2018

this production is set on the rooftops of London, with new and colorful costumes! it opened in 2018 and is still being performed today. this peoductions’ Old Deuteronomy watches over the ball from his seat in a satellite dish!

Footlight Productions 2008

this production featured an all-new, brightly colored set and new costumes with a distinct blocky aesthetic. this productions’ version of the jellicle moon set piece was designed as a giant cat face!

Chorzów 2022

this production uses the same translation as Warsaw, calling the jellicles “roof cats!” it features unique and bright costumes with bold colors. it also has some character changes, such as Tantomile being male and Mungojerrie being played by a woman (although the lyrics still refer to him as male)!

Theatre by the Sea 2013

this production’s costuming leaned more towards replica, but has its own distinct flair! brightly colored neon lights seemed to be a main feature, lighting the stage with purples and pinks.

Paramount Theatre 2014

this production featured a unique set and some new choreography, but what stands out the most are the costumes! with all-new designs, these costumes feature intricate patterns, bedazzlements, and detailing. this productions’ Jennyanydots wears a Union Jack dress for her tap number!

Il Sistina 2022

this production was set in Rome, with the set being constructed out of oversized works of art, statues, and archeological finds, with the Colosseum in the background. it also featured new choreo and new, very fluffy costumes!

Wichita 2023

this production was set in an abandoned amusement park, the production crew actually using old signage from the defunct theme park Joyland to create the set! the costumes, while replica-leaning, are distinct as well, with their own flair. this productions’ Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer have bags of popcorn and cotton candy as their stolen goods!

Theatr Clwyd 2022

this production seemed to be take place in a high school setting, with human clothes based on different teenage and teacher aesthetics, while still retaining cat-like makeup and wigs! Mungo and Rumple were classic 80s teens, Jenny had a Ms. Frizzle-eque look, and Bombalurina had a punk aesthetic, just to name a few!

ArtsEd 2021

this production took on a vintage aesthetic, with the all-new costumes drawing inspiration from many different eras, including a classic ballerina outfit for Victoria and a puffy babydoll dress for Electra!

Luisenburg 2016

this production was described by the director as “a celebration of the diversity and character of each individual.” fittingly, it featured new costumes representing many walks of life, such as a punk Mistoffelees, Jenny in a victorian gown, and lederhosen-clad Mungo and Rumple!

[prairiesongserial]

24.1

“Did you know that the Bernina Express stayed in continual operation post-event?” Vanya whistled appreciatively. “It says here that the Bernina only took a week off for the end of the world–and that was just for regular scheduled maintenance.”

Yuri did not look up from the time table. The strap of his large, heavy bag dug into his shoulder.

“Listen– ‘sheltered by the Alps, operations were virtually unaffected by the cataclysmic event that ushered forth a new era for humanity.’” Vanya tapped the page of his brochure emphatically.

“I read the materials as well,” Yuri said. According to the time table, their train would be arriving in five minutes. He and Vanya would disembark in Switzerland three stops later. It would be a tight turn-around. Board at Karlsruhe, make contact, disembark at Basel with Herr Hennig. Not impossible, just tight.

“That’s a surprising turn of phrase for a tourist guide,” Vanya continued. “Don’t you think?”

“What is?” asked Yuri. He turned away from the time table, lending Vanya a little more of his attention. Vanya also carried a large, awkwardly proportioned bag over his shoulder, but despite the fact that he was half Yuri’s size, the weight didn’t appear to affect him.

“‘Ushered forth a new era for humanity,’” Vanya repeated. “What kind of tone does that set for the honeymooners?”

Yuri’s lip twitched.

“What? Is it your blood sugar? Do you want to sit down?”

“No,” Yuri said. “I do not want to sit down.”

Their train arrived at the station precisely on time. It was not the cherry-red Bernina Express, and it would not be looping majestically through the Swiss Alps. It was the Göttingen to Milan Economy Line. The exterior of the train was dingy, once-impressive chrome. The only view from the windows would be of radioactive Rhineland.

Vanya folded his brochure and slipped it into the front of his waistcoat. He waited right at the edge of the tracks for the train to slow to a stop. The rush of air tugged at the edges of Yuri’s coat.

The train finally came to a stop. Through pure luck, the doors lined up perfectly with where Vanya was standing.

“Our seats are in Car 7,” Yuri said. He ducked to fit through the train doors, careful of the extra height added by his luggage. Vanya was already making his way down the aisle to the next car. He touched everything he passed–the backs of seats, the overhead luggage racks.

“This is why you are always sick,” Yuri said.

Vanya ignored him. He carefully navigated the narrow passage between train cars, his luggage catching in the doorframe. He fixed it before Yuri could catch up and do it for him. The train split off into a lower and upper level at this juncture; Vanya continued down to the lower level.

“I was thinking about our cover story,” Vanya said. He spoke in Russian, even though Car 10 was empty. The rings he wore chimed discordantly against the overhead racks as he touched each one.

“And?”

Vanya glanced over his shoulder at the passage into Car 9. He was smiling. Yuri couldn’t see his mouth from this angle, but there was a pink, crescent-shaped scar on his cheek. When Vanya smiled, the scar changed shape also.

Yuri frowned at him. “What?”

“Well,” Vanya said, “I was just thinking about the Bernina Express and the scenic Alps.”

“Ski trip,” Yuri said. Their luggage could be confused for skis. If Vanya really wanted a cover story, that was a serviceable one. There was no need for a cover story. In three stops they would disembark in Basel with Herr Hennig.

“Honeymoon,” Vanya countered. He glanced over his shoulder again as they crossed through Car 9. The scattered commuters with their newspapers would not be interested in this conversation, but Yuri still pressed his lips into a firm line and maintained silence.

The passage between Cars 9 and 8 had a telephone and a toilet. A family blocked Vanya and Yuri’s path. A grandmother stood with the door to the toilet propped open, helping her young grandson with the bathroom. A slightly older child took advantage of her distraction to take the telephone receiver off the hook and wrap himself up in the cord. A third child stood squarely in the middle of the narrow passage, blinking up at Vanya.

“Excuse me, little child,” Vanya said in German.

The grandmother spoke in aggrieved Polish as she closed the door to the toilet on the youngest and pulled the child blocking the way to the side. She asked the child wrapped in the telephone cord if he had cabbage for brains.

Car 8 was nearly full. There were two other families with children and a number of young couples. A blend of languages was being spoken. Yuri could pick out none of it. On one side of the car, a toddler was crying and kicking his feet against the seat in front of him. On the other, a pink-faced girl with her hair pulled back into a ponytail whispered into her beau’s ear and laughed when he pinched her side in reply.

Vanya slowed to a stop in front of them. Yuri noticed the wedding rings on the couples’ fingers, and saw where Vanya was going. He considered faking a health emergency, but Vanya would become insufferable.

“You are on your honeymoon?” Vanya said in German. “Congratulations to you. Us too, we are just married.”

The girl blinked up at him in surprise. The boy split a suspicious look between Vanya and Yuri. His gaze flicked back and forth between their faces. People did that. The scar under Vanya’s left eye had a twin under Yuri’s right, just visible under his sunglasses. The boy’s gaze traveled down to their clothes. The gray suits did not give the impression of marital bliss.

“We are staying at the Villa Principe,” Vanya boasted. “It has hosted diplomats from twelve countries, isn’t that marvelous? There are bullet holes in one wall in the East Wing. Where are you staying?”

“Vanya, I am feeling tired,” Yuri said in Russian.

“Bye-bye, nice to meet you,” Vanya said, waggling his fingers at the couple. He continued ahead, checking twice to see that Yuri was right behind him. He switched back to Russian. “Give me your bag to carry if you are tired. Here, pass it up.”

“I’m fine,” Yuri said. “Find our seats.”

Vanya passed into Car 7. He continued to fret about Yuri’s health.

“Is it a migraine?” he asked. “The sun is too bright on this side of the car. I’ll ask to switch our tickets.”

“I’m fine, Vanya.”

Vanya stopped near the back of the car. He stowed his luggage not in the overhead rack, but in the extra seat they had purchased for the purpose. He reached for Yuri’s bag as well, and gracefully maneuvered the awkwardly shaped parcel into the seat.

“Sit on the other side of the car,” Vanya said, switching to German again. “Look, the sun is not strong over there. Sit, close your eyes for a minute, I will ask the stewardess for a glass of water.”

Yuri would have argued, but the switch to German gave him pause. He sat where Vanya wanted him and watched as Vanya went back up to the front of the car. Two men sat there, chatting away in German. 

The man sitting in the window seat wore a blue suit ten years out of fashion, but he was young, so maybe it was handed down. It was in good shape, though–maybe he just had bad taste in suits. His wristwatch and shoes were matching brown leather. These were new, or very well cared-for. 

The man in the aisle seat wore a gold wristwatch, red leather brogues, a white suit, and a red paisley scarf. He talked with his hands as he chatted in German worse than Vanya’s. The man in the blue suit had a scruffy look–he needed a shave and a haircut. Comparatively, the man in the red brogues might have stepped out of a salon directly onto the Göttingen to Milan Economy Line. In the luggage rack overhead were two briefcases, one silver chrome, the other leather.

Yuri crossed his arms over his chest and scowled as if he had a headache, just as the two men twisted in their seats to look back at him. Vanya had stopped to ask if they had seen a stewardess pass through; he loudly explained Yuri’s migraine to them.

When the two men turned around, Yuri got a good look at their faces. The man in the window seat was Herr Hennig. The man in the aisle seat was either robbing Hennig or flirting with him. Either way, he wasn’t supposed to be there.

Vanya prolonged the conversation for an uncomfortably long time, asking the men if they had ever traveled to Switzerland before, how long they were staying, and whether it was for business or pleasure. Every answer from the man in the red brogues was a smoothly delivered lie. Herr Hennig told the truth. He confirmed what Yuri and Vanya’s intelligence had already gathered, that Herr Hennig was on his way to Milan where he’d been invited to present at a conference.

“Oh? What is your field?” Vanya asked. “May I ask?”

“Automobiles,” said Hennig.

“You make cars?” Vanya made himself comfortable, leaning against the backs of the seats in the row in front of Hennig and the other man. “Sports cars?”

“Er, not really,” Hennig said with a shy laugh. “Only the engines.”

“So modest!” his friend exclaimed. “What’s a car without an engine?”

The conversation continued for a few minutes longer on the subject of cars. Vanya was playing dumb; he asked Hennig what a V-type engine was. If this went on much longer, Yuri thought he might trigger a real headache from the tension of second-hand embarrassment. The pained sound Yuri made was tiny, but somehow Vanya heard him over the dull roar of the train.

“Some newlywed I am,” Vanya said. “I forgot my husband. It was nice talking to you gentlemen.”

“There’s a dining car upstairs if you don’t want to wait for the stewardess,” Hennig said. 

Vanya thanked him and headed back to sit with Yuri.

“What do you think?” Vanya asked in Russian. When Yuri didn’t answer, he pinched his arm. “Are you really sick? I thought you were lying about the migraine.”

“I never said anything about having a migraine.”

“Should I call you Blessed Matrona? You’re always trying to suffer in silence. That’s why you need me around. What do you think?”

“Red brogues is in the way.”

“Really in the way,” Vanya agreed.

epilogue 23 || 24.2

[mermaidandthedrunks]

I Believe in Things We Cannot See (Ava/Beatrice)

Title: I Believe in Things We Cannot See

Fandom: Warrior Nun

Characters/Pairings: Ava/Beatrice

Summary: Ava has a nightmare; Beatrice has an emotion. Set in during the Switzerland Era.

Rating: T

Word Count: 2K

[theyareweird]

Vampire Knight Is Set In Germany

Vampire Knight is a Japanese manga series written by Matsuri Hino. The manga series contains a total of nineteen volumes and was later given its own anime adaption with two seasons. Because of this, many fans assume Vampire Knight is set in Japan, like most anime series. However, this doesn't mean the franchise has to be based on Japan simply because it was created by a Japanese woman. The true setting of this vampiric world is set in a European country.

Time Period

During the recent events in the series, when it's not a flashback, it would most likely be somewhere between the mid nineties and mid two-thousands. There's no traces of modern day technology like smartphones or tablets. Instead, students have flip cellphones.

Most of the time, people are walking everywhere they go. If characters need to travel, but walking would physically be too much, they would take a horse-drawn carriage. On rare occasions, characters have to drive from wherever they are to reach the town. From there, they're expected to walk, even when getting to the school. (Season 1, Episode 7). A motor vehicle would likely be used if characters are traveling extremely long distances, as it would allow them to travel faster. Meanwhile, a horse-drawn carriage would aquire food, water and rest for the animals on a long trip. Thus, it could take a full day or days to complete. In fact, Cross Academy has stables for their horses. Due to this, it makes sense the setting takes place in Europe as certain cities and towns have laws prohibiting the use of motor vehicles to preserve the air and land. This is especially the case in more smaller, isolated civilizations.

The Landscape

The species of the trees are Pine and Fir. In her flashback, Yuki describes the landscape as a snowy tundra. Japan doesn't have tundras. It also doesn't have these specific evergreen trees, at least not in the multitude to where the town and school appear isolated by them. Secluded wooded, northern areas are common in certain European countries. Some examples include: Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, etc. Due to this, towns and cities can be a ways apart from each other. Specifically, miles. Some neighborhoods can be miles away from the nearest school or hospital too.

The Architecture

Cross Academy's exterior strongly resembles a cathedral rather than a modern educational institution building. The classroom layout is quite similar to a lecture hall. Meanwhile, all Japanese schools are set on one template, sliding doors with single desks.

The town appears to be a rural European area. Specifically, a pre-modern Germany or some Nordic town. The architecture of the buildings seem to have more of a western world design. Occasionally, there are also ruins. The ruins are likely from the middle ages or the Renaissance period than the feudal era of Japan. In some shots, the town looks to be located somewhere in the northern UK.

Vampire Population

There are too many vampires in one location. In Japan, if vampires were this widely known, the country would have found out by now. This is because Japan is an archipelago. Meanwhile, a large Western European country could conceal a small population of vampires among a widely human populated area. Thus, most of the characters have to be European.

Character Designs

With the exception of Shizuka Hio being Japanese, the remaining vampires are European. This is because most of the characters have light coloured hair and light coloured eyes. In fact, dark hair seems to be rare. Looking at the age of the vampire race in the series, vampires have been around longer than Japan's history as a country. Pureblood vampires would have one ancestry decent, such as English or French. The Aristocrat noble vampires would have more than one ancestry decent. The physical traits of commonly having blond hair and blue eyes suggest German decent is common. Although many of the names are Japanese, it could be the fault of the author for not taking into account how she set the characters in a European-like setting.

In conclusion, the main setting of Vampire Knight is set in an Eastern European or Nordic country. Nothing indicates the setting is Japan. Considering the general physical location, along with many of the character's traits and characteristics, it's likely set in Germany.

[spann-stann]

Setting Blurb Map: Viceroyalty of Eurmerica

CorpEmp Macrocommunities:

Anglia et Cambria - Contains England, Wales, and the "Reconstructed Strathclyde" region of southern Scotland.

Arkassouri - A small Macrocommunity made up of Arkansas and. Missouri.

Benelux - A united Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Less weed under Imperial rule.

Calizona - California (sans it largest three cities but most consider that an improvement), Arizona (with bits of New Mexico).

Cascadia - British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Once an anti-Imperial stronghold, now used to house veterans.

Deseret - Utah, with bits of its neighbors.

Dixica - Deep South and bits of Georgia, the Texans and Virginians cemented their alliance by conquering this area.

Eurmerican Arctic - Alaska, Yukon, NW Territory, Nunavut, and Greenland make up the homeland for the Eskaleut speaking peoples.

Gaelia - Ireland, Isle of Mann, Scotland (minus Strathclyde).

Germania - Germany, Austria, German Switzerland, Liechtenstein (plus bits of Poland and Czechia).

Grand State of Virginia - A reunited Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and the Carolinas. Virginia was the first Warlord-era state to ally with Texas.

Greater Quebec - Quebec, bits of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ibero-Atlantic Islands - Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira.

Laurentia - The Rust Belt plus New Jersey.

New England - New England, the Maritime provinces, and eastern New York state. Another anti-Imperial bastion turned into veteran colonia.

Scandinavia - Denmark, Norway and Sweden (minus territory given to Eurasia's FennoSapmi).

Texan Tribal Federation - Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The homeland of CorpEmp's Rotthey dynasty.

The Plains - The American Midwestern states, and Canada's prairie provinces.

The West Latins - France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The Nouvelle Droite movement sought to reestablish the Roman Empire following WWIII. They managed to take the western half by the creation of CorpEmp.

Transappalachia - Kentucky and Tennessee. A Virginian vassal.

Non-Imperial Polities:

The Cordons Sanitaire - Berlin, Bremen, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, and San Diego. These metropolitan areas were walled off and then used as "dumping grounds" for anyone that didn't want to be a part of CorpEmp. Rival political factions fight for control over each Cordon, but CorpEmp never allows them to have enough control to become a threat.

Green Consensus - Long Island. Eco-Socialists managed to takeover this Cordon Sanitaire during the War of 2100.

United Markets - Nevada, Seattle, and Vancouver. The Vegas casinos bribed the Texans to not invade their state, and MicroBucks were allowed to govern their own Cordon after Portland was given the Carthage treatment.

World Congress of Freedom - Iceland, San Francisco, Svalbard. These Cordons managed to get their shit together and wage war against CorpEmp in 2100 and force the CorpEmp into recognizing their legitimacy.

Macrocommunities with high Reserve presence - The Plains, Laurentia, Deseret.

Macrocommunitites with high Common Prosperity Coalition activity - Laurentia, Calizona, Anglia et Cambria, Benelux, West Latins.

[sanguinaryrot]

for the OC asks: 16, 17, and 25 for Otto and/or bennett!!

thank u !!!!!! my guilty pleasure......my own ocs...........

16. do they have any pets? what do they call their pets?

i hadnt ever considered them having pets but i think Bennett is the type to feed stray cats. I think he could sit eerily still for eerily long, wide-eyed with a treat in his hand waiting for a cat to approach him and gain their trust. I think he does this a lot but i think its a habit he picked up in his Divorce Era in the late 40s early 50s

If Otto had a pet he would probably have a highly expensive and perhaps illegal tortoise that he bought in the 80s. He stands at the turtle's enclosure smiling with his hands clasped behind his back. Bennett has no idea whats so charming about it. His name is something stupid like Lunchbox.

17. how did they spend their summers/free time as a child

Bennett was a really weird little girl and felt really alienated from his peers. I dont imagine he had a lot of friends. He probably had dolls and tea sets and perhaps had a badminton racket but i imagine him as particularly fascinated with a lake near his family's home. i think he would watch as the fish swam around and would throw rocks in watch the ripples and i think he would put his feet in the shallows and i think he would pick flowers that grew by the waterside. As he got older i think he would journal by it and enjoy the solitude.

As for Otto I have still yet to do any research on Switzerland in the 18th century cause im a #FakeFan so idk what children were doing in the 1710-1730s besides like dying in mines FAKE FAN FAKE FAN FAKE FAN

25. how good/bad is their hearing? what about their eyesight?

as vampires they both have excellent eyesight and hearing :3

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2001: How they qualified

Relegation will continue until morale improves. That would appear to be the EBU's mantra in 2001. There are now so many countries wanting to participate that seven countries got relegated.

Not France and Spain, even though the EBU's complex table of worthiness suggested that both weren't of sufficient merit. Instead Belgium and Austria were out alongside Switzerland, Finland (sob), Cyprus, Romania and North Macedonia. Losing several of the better national finals with one swipe of the auditors pen.

In their place come Slovenia, Portugal, Poland, Lithuania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and returning to the fold after two years, Greece. With Cyprus's relegation though, this would be the third consecutive year that Greece and Cyprus were not able to give each other twelves points in the scoring.

There is one slight change to the rules this year, and although this is still in the 100% televote era of Eurovision, three countries have been given permission to mix their vote 50/50 between televoting and a national jury. These are Croatia (with Dora being very big on juries), Malta and Greece. I'd have to guess that Greece returning and the introduction of this voting experiment might be linked.

There were also three jury only countries who had telecommunicative problems running a televote (or at least said they did). This was a 100% televote final in name only.

Again the broadcasters decided largely not to brave choosing themselves and offered a whole range of national finals. As in 2000 only three countries internally selected songs and singers, while everyone else held a national final with not a single song selection final among them. We welcome back a competitive Festival da Canção as well as EMA, BH Eurosong and Eurovizijos Atranka. Israel also brought back Kdam and Greece set up Ellinik��s Telikós with a new shorter and simpler format to choose their song.

As usual I've included all the Sanremo entries in my considerations. This year North Macedonia also held a traditional Skopje Fest all 20 songs of which are up on YouTube.

FdC had 50 songs in it, as RTP decided to take it out on the road around Portugal. Several other finals also expanded their entry, taking the total number of songs either selected or entering national finals this year is 323. Up a whole 49 songs on 2000, the largest field since 1996.

The big question is whether the grand experiment of 2000 would continue or would the chastening results of that lead to more changes in the way broadcasters were approaching Eurovision. Let's see...

[blueiscoool]

Roman-era Tomb Scattered with Magical 'Dead Nails' Found in Turkey

A 2,000-year-old tomb discovered in Turkey was sprinkled with "dead nails" and sealed off with bricks and plaster, likely to "shield the living from the dead."

In ancient Roman times, people may have feared the "restless dead," according to the discovery of a cremation tomb sprinkled with intentionally bent nails and sealed not only with two dozen bricks but also a layer of plaster, a new study finds.

The unusual grave, found at the site of Sagalassos  in southwestern Turkey and dating to A.D. 100-150, had 41 bent and twisted nails scattered along the edges of its cremation pyre, 24 bricks that had been meticulously placed on the still-smoldering pyre, and a layer of lime plaster on top of that. The individual — an adult male — was cremated and buried in the same place, an unusual practice in Roman times, according to the study, published Feb. 21 in the journal Antiquity.

"The burial was closed off with not one, not two, but three different ways that can be understood as attempts to shield the living from the dead — or the other way around," study first author Johan Claeys), an archaeologist at Catholic University Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium, said in an email. Although each of these practices is known from Roman-era cemeteries — cremation in place, coverings of tiles or plaster, and the occasional bent nail — the combination of the three has not been seen before and implies a fear of the "restless dead," he said.

The archaeological site of Sagalassos was occupied from the fifth century B.C. to the 13th century A.D. and boasts numerous examples of Roman-era architecture, including a theater and a bath complex. Following its abandonment, vegetation quickly overgrew the city, preserving it.

As part of the Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project, burials in the outskirts of the town were excavated and studied, including the "non-normative cremation." Typically, Roman-era cremations involved a funeral pyre followed by the collection of the cremains, which were put in an urn and then buried in a grave or placed in a mausoleum. The Sagalassos cremation, however, was performed in place, which the researchers could tell from the anatomical positioning of the remaining bones.

Even more unusual was the contrast between the grave goods and the closure of the tomb. The archaeologists discovered typical funeral items — fragments of a woven basket, remains of food, a coin, and ceramic and glass vessels. "It seems clear that the deceased was buried with all appropriate aplomb," Claeys said. "It seems likely that was the suitable way of parting with a loved one at the time."

Marco Milella, a research fellow in the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Bern in Switzerland who was not involved in this study, said in an email that "I tend to agree with their conclusion" about the bent nails, which Milella said are frequently found in Western European cemeteries dating to the first to second centuries A.D. "The sealing of the remains is also interesting and tantalizing given its possible association with the deposition of nails," Milella noted. "Fear of the dead is a possibility, as well as amulets to protect the dead — or both, perhaps."

Claeys thinks that the man in this strange cremation grave was likely buried by his next of kin in a ceremony that would have taken days to prepare and carry out. The set of beliefs that encouraged people at Sagalassos to bury this man in an unconventional way are best understood as a form of magic, or an act intended to have specific effects because of a supernatural connection. It is possible that his odd burial was made to counteract an unusual or unnatural death; however, the researchers found no evidence of trauma or disease on the bones. Unfortunately, even though the "magic cremation" overlaps in time with other graves, Claeys said that "it cannot be established with certainty whether or not any family members were buried nearby," as DNA is usually destroyed by high temperatures in ancient cremations.

"Regardless of whether the cause of [the man's] death was traumatic, mysterious or potentially the result of a contagious illness or punishment," the researchers concluded in the study, it appears to have left "the living fearful of the deceased's return."

By Kristina Killgrove.

[thecousinsdangereux]

so... is there any chance we'll be seeing avatrice fics from you in the near future? 👀👀👀love your rwby fics btw!!

There is a 100% chance that I have already started writing Avatrice fic and there is a 98% chance that I will post it at some point in the near future. I'm just like. Man! I have to!!! I just feel feral!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm shaking the cage!!!!!! hfjkshajfklhsld

But anyway.... Yes. I am working with a group of pals to write a series of interconnected one-shots set in the Switzerland Era of gay pining and almost kisses. We have a Google Doc and everything, so it's very official. (If you like RWBY, you will definitely recognize some of the names of the folks maybe joining in!)

Thanks for the sweet ask <3

[swiftieinbrazil]

The Eras Tour fun fact: Taylor Swift (debut) is the 5th album to be completely performed at The Eras Tour. 1989 (Taylor's Version), Speak Now (Taylor's Version), Midnights and folklore also have been completely performed. Taylor Swift is the only album without any songs on the setlist, so all of the songs were performed at the Surprise Songs Set:

2023

Tim McGraw - Glendale, AZ, USA (March 17)

Our Song - Las Vegas, NV, USA (March 24)

A Place In This World - Houston, TX, USA (April 22)

Cold as You - Houston, TX, USA (April 23)

Teardrops On My Guitar - Nashville, TN, USA (May 5)

Should've Said No - Foxborough, MA, USA (May 19)

Invisible - Foxborough, MA, USA (May 20)

I'm Only Me When I'm With You - Cincinnati, OH, USA (June 30)

Picture To Burn - Denver, CO, USA (July 14)

Tied Together With A Smile - Seattle, WA, US (July 23)

Stay Beautiful - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Nov 17)

2024

The Outside - Tokyo, Japan (Feb 9)

Mary's Song (Oh My My My)- Amsterdam, Netherlands (July 6)

A Perfectly Good Heart - Zürich, Switzerland (July 10)

Ps: these were the dates when Taylor performed these songs for the first time at the Surprise Songs Set. After that, some songs have been already repeated.