#the country’s beloved dictators <3

[shippersonfire]

lucy gray and coriolanus would both be the princess diana of panem and that’s why they’d be the most salient political power couple in north american history

[russetfoxfur]

mcyt is NOT beating the criminal allegations

- mumbo did season eight which. ah. produced the wonderful quote: "My parents are still alive... but that can be changed."

- cub eats people

- bad is a cannibal. this is different from eating people, according to my irl. do i want to know

- fit was on 2b2t

- wilbur blew up a country and killed a buncha people

- phil blew up that country too (apparently)

- scar. ah. scar did monopoly mountain and things went downhill from there

- dont even get me started on gem. she started the whole secret life apocalypse. she killed etho at least sixteen times. she is on tumblr which means tango is scared of her AS HE SHOULD BE

- sausage had that whole esmp s1 evil thing. classifying this as sausage because i watched an episode of gem's where he appeared and nothing else and don't actually watch esmp except through osmosis

- didnt joe hills kill a bunch of dogs in s7

- etho ALSO kills people but BADLY (scar boogie kill)

- dream

- *eyeing zedaph's chamber suspiciously* this violates AT LEAST one scientific law or something

- grian. grian my beloved. why are you like this

- jaiden decimated the environment of teyvat

- see lizzie is like her husband. unhinged. shes just bad at surviving so no one gets to see it

- jimmy is like lizzie but more popular for it

- tango is a war criminal but he also makes funny sounds while he commits crimes so i think that negates the whole crimes thing

- while we're at it. all the lifers are criminals EXCEPT SKIZZ EXCEPT SKIZZ EXCEPT SKIZZ

- xisuma boils chicken and eats kiwi skin. worst offense on this list by far

- gem gets a second place on this list because why not. she deserves it

- bdubs bites ankles. probably

- martyn brought the watchers to the life smp which is bad in and of itself. also the Assigned Criminal At Life Series thing

- cherrifire gets an honorary spot on this list mostly because she SHOULD be able to bite ankles. due to aforementioned martyn

anyways please tag w other crimes our blorbos have commited. cheers <3

EDIT: I will be adding more crimes now

- keralis was a capitalist in s7 who bought. rotten flesh. for 128 diamonds. truly exemplifying a billionaire there. dont worry dont worry. hes not a capitalist anymore....but he was once

- pearl poisons people and then has her dogs bite you. reasonable

- cleo does arson. she also kills people. but she does this a lot so it also negates the crimes

- don't mess with forgelabs

- ren has become a dictator at least twice. likes bloodshed. also treebark counts for all the anguish it causes everyone. also also ACALS (assigned criminal at life series)

ALSO if anyone is going to yell at me for fit being on 2b2t. i do not watch him. he is only here because my mcyt irls go insane about him. like all the time. in fact i don't watch qsmp or dsmp but theyre popular enough i know a bit about them. <3

[dreamauri]

♪ — 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 max verstappen x fem! reader (fluff) “. . . time goes by. days come and go. but your love will always be there.”

☆★ ty guys for all the support <3 inspired by the movie: kimi no na wa // also but like . . . medieval Max Verstappen *bite lip* ━━━━

( main master list | more of max verstappen ) ( tag list | requests )

"I love her with my soul, in case my mind forgets or my heart stops."

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

1456

"Do you believe we could ever find a way, Y/N?" Max inquired, his eyes filled with longing and uncertainty. In the grand estate of Duke Verstappen, your heart was entangled in a forbidden love with his son, Max Verstappen. As the sun set upon the lavish gardens, you found solace in the shadows, seeking stolen moments with Max.

You sighed softly, your fingers lightly touching his hand. "I cannot foresee the future, my lord. But as long as we remain devoted, we shall face it together."

Your love blossomed in fleeting glances shared during formal gatherings. One evening, during a summer ball, Max managed to escape the crowd and found you alone, tending to the garden. "May I have the honour of a dance?" he asked with a charming smile.

Your cheeks flushed, cautious of prying eyes. "But, my lord, we mustn't risk exposure."

Max drew you close, whispering gently, "Let them speculate, I care not for the judgment of others. My heart belongs to you, and I shall not allow convention to dictate my feelings."

As the seasons changed, rumours swirled, and the Duke's suspicions grew. One fateful night, you were summoned to the Duke's study, where he stood sternly before you. "What is the nature of your relationship with my son?" he demanded.

Your heart raced, knowing you could not deceive the Duke. "We love each other deeply, Your Grace. But our hearts know the divide of social standing." The Duke's eyes glinted with anger. "You dare defy the order of this household?" "I beg your pardon, Your Grace," you whispered, tears welling in your eyes.

The Duke's judgment was swift and unyielding. "You are dismissed from this estate. Leave at once, and never return."

As you departed, Max arrived, desperate to reach you, but it was too late. He fell to his knees, heartbroken and lost. "Y/N, forgive me," he cried out into the cold night.

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

1915

"I'll come back to you, Y/N," he whispered, his voice filled with determination. "I promise, we'll be together again, no matter what."

You stood on the bustling platform of the train station, the soft rumble of the approaching train making your heart race. Your hands trembled as you clutched the letter Max had written to you, his words etched in ink and love.

Max, your beloved, was about to board the train to join the battlefront. His duty to his country weighed heavily on his shoulders, and though he tried to remain stoic, you could see the flicker of fear in his eyes. He held you close, his strong arms enveloping you in a warm embrace.

Your heart ached, the uncertainty of war gnawing at your soul. "Please, Max, be safe," you pleaded, your voice barely above a whisper.

He cupped your face gently, wiping away the tears that spilled from your eyes. "I'll carry you in my heart every step of the way," he said, his voice unwavering. "Just know that I love you, and nothing can change that."

As the train's whistle sounded, signalling its impending departure, Max leaned in and kissed you. The world around you blurred as tears streamed down your cheeks. "I love you, Y/N," he said softly before boarding the train.

You watched helplessly as the train pulled away, carrying your heart and soul with it. The ache in your chest intensified, and you knew that from this moment on, every day would be a battle of its own – a battle against distance, fear, and the uncertainty of war.

"Max!" You called running after the train. "Ik houd van je!" [i love you] You called reaching your hand to him. The blond held your hand tightly, leaning out and giving you one last kiss. "Ik houd van je." [i love you] You repeated, feeling his hands slip from yours as you watched him disappear.

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

2023

"Did you see? Max's on pole again!" You heard distant chatter as you leaned against the moving trains window, dragging your pencil to create shapes in your sketch book. Looking out the window you sighed you saw another train on a parallel track go the opposite way.

As you continued to sketch the view in front of you, your eyes caught a certain blew ones. Holding deep eye contact, you felt familiar tug in your heart. Leaning your hand on the glass with furrowed eye brows, the man copied your actions, a hint of desperation on his face.

When you got the chance, you were bolting, running in your uncomfortable shoes to where the train the certain stranger would arrive at. Pulling yourself up the stairs, you looked around deck uncertain.

Why were you running? Why did your body move on it's own? Who was he? What is this feeling?

Your hopes died down once you realized the train had left before you arrived. A deep sigh emitting from your mouth as you felt your chest empty and ache. The loud noise of the opposite side train muffled your ears as you pulled out your sketch book, flipping to the page of where you'd seen the man before and etched the dream into your book.

"Back to the real world." You mumbled to yourself watching as the other train leave. What you did not expected was to see the ma you were searching for standing on the other side. Your breath stuck in your throat you looked at him, taking a step forward.

"What's your name?" You could hear him ask.

[homoeroticbetrayal]

Iconic Homoerotic Betrayal: Round 3

Poll Directory

Context:

Judas/Jesus

Summary by Clock

Judas sold Jesus to the Romans for 13 pieces of silver. He signaled the Romans and marked out Jesus amongst the disciples with a kiss. (He could have just pointed and said "that's Jesus" but he decided to kiss Jesus one last time.) He later hung himself, the 13 pieces of silver laid unspent by his feet.

Lelouch/Suzaku

Summary by Anonymous Contributor

szll is already iconic but I'm just going to list all their betrayals (and perceived betrayals) as a refresher:

(first, for context, one thing you gotta understand is lelouch, leader of the rebellion who believes ends justify the means, is also the discarded prince of the empire he's fighting against. suzaku, rising knight of the empire who believes means have to justify the ends, is the son and killer of the prime minister of the country being oppressed. this is PEAK narrative foils and enemies-to-lovers recipe right there.)

- lelouch and nunnally were sent to japan as political hostages. britannia takes over japan quickly after and lelouch, knowing how much japan means to suzaku, promises to destroy britannia. suzaku should be angry at britannia! lelouch will free them!! except years later he learns that suzaku is now WORKING for the empire? he's becoming a KNIGHT for the empire, betraying his own country and their shared hatred for britannia. what the fuck, what happened to principles, suzaku? this is lelouch's first (perceived) betrayal.

- lelouch (accidentally) kills euphemia, the only princess who's trying to make peace with the japanese, the princess that suzaku is knight of, the princess suzaku LOVES and lelouch adores. now yes, this was an accident, but lelouch ROLLS WITH IT and lets suzaku and the rest of the world believe that it was intentional, thus fully driving that knife deep. he never tells suzaku this was an accident. this is suzaku's most painful betrayal.

- suzaku finds out lelouch is zero, leader of the rebellion, and turns him in to his evil dad, emperor of the empire, in exchange for becoming a knight of round (the highest military status). now if you count akito the exiled as canon, this also means sending lelouch to be BRAINWASHED into serving the empire as a master tactician before R2 happens. suzaku monitors him all throughout, watching lelouch destroy nations and praise the empire against his own principles.

this is just season one of code geass. this doesn't even touch how suzaku is also forced to betray his own loyalties/principles sometimes whenever the "live" geass that lelouch condemns him with acts up. how suzaku would monitor lelouch and keep deceiving him that rolo is his beloved sibling, not nunnally. etc etc.

AND YET despite all of this, code geass culminates with them SWEARING LOYALTY to each other, with lelouch becoming the demon emperor and suzaku becoming his right-hand man, the knight of zero. lelouch becomes a tyrant that suzaku is destined to kill. lelouch brings peace to the world but will never be able to live in it. he will always be remembered as the dictator, the scourge of the world. suzaku atones for all his sins by being reduced to a heroic symbol, by being punished to kill his best friend and never becoming suzaku the person ever again. with the "live" geass, he is cursed to never die, never to escape, always bearing both of their sins -- the eternal punishment he has been seeking. and by killing lelouch, he is able to avenge euphemia in the end, and bring the peace all three of them desired.

code geass is a hot mess but there is poetry in their betrayals. they are thematically bound to live this tragedy, and that is why they are iconic. the ending of code geass is well-known and highly regarded as one of the most iconic endings ever, and it can only ever be so because it stands on the love and loss and betrayals of suzaku and lelouch.

See other descriptions of Suzalulu

[imperiuswrecked]

How do you think Doom's dictatorship should be portrayed? I'm personally always very uncomfortable when writers try to go the "benevolent autocrat" route, and after making online friends with an F4 fan whose parents and extended family actually suffered under such a regime (and who is imo rightfully furious whenever writers try to depict Doom's rule as being actually good or "worth it"), in addition to everything going on in Eastern Europe right now and the alarming rise in nationalist and authoritarian-leaning politics/politicians/ parties/voters all over the world, I'm admittedly even more critical of that depiction. It just seems incredibly irresponsible, disingenuous to how real-life human hierarchies/economies/politics/psychology actually work, and disrespectful to the past, present, and future victims of these regimes. (Not to mention the fact that Lee/Kirby, two Jewish WWII vets, were pretty explicitly satirizing the very concept of "benevolent dictatorship" with Doom in their original F4 run, and being Doom's two daddies, they'd probably know best.)

But that's just my opinion, and I'm curious to what extent (if any) that you agree with me, as a fellow Doom connoisseur. Thanks, and I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and blessed rest of your week. <3

Thanks and I hope you and yours are healthy and safe as well ❤️

While I don't personally know the other F4 fans you speak of, or what the full context is around their feelings for Doom, I do understand why they and you might be uncomfortable with characters like this and that's fine since you don't have to like characters, and if they want to be mad at writers for portraying Doom that way then that's their right but I don't agree with them. I'd personally rather Doom be a benevolent autocrat than the writers try to inject hilter dictatorship into Doom's character/imagery. I find that very disturbing for a character like Victor to be subjected to, because Nazism isn't something I take lightly and definitely feel it's inappropriate for a character with Victor's background to ever be linked with.

I'm gonna put this really simply; it's fiction. Doom can be a benevolent autrocrat, be beloved by his people, have little children throwing flowers in his path, and be a villain to the Fantastic Four at the same time and be depicted as a good thing for the Latverian people because it's fiction.

There's a time and place for discussion when it comes to how fiction affects real life, but it doesn't work in Doom's case because showing Doom in this light does not mean any writer endorses an autocratic ruler nor will have an impact in Real Life because there is no such thing as a real life benevolent dictator who gives his country and people free healthcare, education, safety, security, prosperity, and the freedom to worship whom they please/live their lives in return for their complete obedience and being unable to critize Doom's rule. It's literally never happened in real life. There is no such thing as a good government in the entire world, because there will always be a time or government or leader who has harmed their people or other people in all manner of ways. There is not one single country in the whole world that gives equal rights to every citizen, doesn't harm people either physically or through their laws/government system, and provides everything every single person needs with justice and fairness.

You say it's disrespectful for writers to portray Victor in this way but disrespectful to whom? Disrespectful to people who suffered under real life dictatorships? They don't have to like the character or agree with the writer, but I've already established that a fictional character/story doesn't take precedence over real life suffering and I hope people understand there is a line of separation between enjoying fiction that has flaws/isn't good/has darker elements vs real life. As readers it's our responsibility to determine what we can and cannot handle in fiction.

Disrespectful to the characters? Latveria is fictional, the characters are all fictional, if we take into context the history of Latveria in the 616 and look at Victor through the eyes of the citizens of Latveria, both Romani and non Romani citzens, then to them Victor is a hero, he led a rebellion and resistance against the rich and powerful ruling royal class of Latveria who were absolutely horrible to their citizens.

If we are continuing in the context of the 616 universe, "how could Doom's people love him/look up to him even though he's set on world domination" then you have to acknowledge first that world domination isn't feasible in the real world at all, that's a non issue, and second that Doom wasn't created out of thin air, he didn't wake up one day and go "well I'm gonna take over my country and then the world" He was built from the oppression and crimes against himself and his people by the ruling class of Latveria. Kirby and Lee's origin for Victor isn't one of a tyrannical overlord deciding he's in charge, it's the story of a boy outcast from the main society because of his background, oppressed by the government/ruling class, orphaned as a child, and hellbent on gaining power because of his circumstances.

If you feel Victor is satire then that's your interpretation but I personally feel that silver age villainy is an era comic readers have outgrown and shouldn't apply to today's character, because by that logic then Magneto would still be seen as an allegory for mutant supremacy because that's how Kirby and Lee portrayed him, but instead over time he was transformed into a character who's past suffering had a righteous (if flawed at times) cause. Both Doom and Magneto were made in the same era but while Victor's past was laid out from day one, Erik's past was created so much later.

Just like the Mafia Boss with the Heart of Gold, who is a totally bad guy but he protects his people/loved ones is a fictional and very popular trope, it's unrealistic in the real world because Mafia/Mob/Crime bosses make their living doing things/crimes that hurt others.

Anyways I think it's a non-issue that Victor is portrayed as a benevolent autocrat. I think it's interesting to have him be portrayed as such because it fits into his characterization of him believing that all people who don't have his level of intelligence are beneath him and he must treated as children or sheep he must herd and care for. It fits with his ego being so large that he believes that him being in charge is the only path forward. It's a great way to study the character too because Victor is very fascinating to me.

[raz-writes-the-thing]

extremely late to the pair up thingy but in case you'll feel like doing it again sometime:

1. the first time I tried to write a book I was six and couldn't reliably write readable letters yet, so I dictated it to my mother. the whole thing quickly failed because she criticised the "book" content in ways that offended me lol

2. I treat the coffee maker I got for my eighteenth birthday like a beloved family pet (I do also have a dog)

3. I have always been oddly chill about both my sexuality and gender despite growing up in a pretty homophobic country and environment. the first time I got a crush on anyone was a male fictional character and then my first irl crush was a girl when I was like 11 and I was like oh so I'm into both girls and boys!! cool!! I wasn't worried or confused at all despite the fact that I didn't even know the word bisexual existed, had never seen any gay rep and the only time I'd heard about homosexuality was in the same breath with pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. When the cleric in my church said being gay is wrong I just stopped going to church. My reaction to finding out nonbinary people existed went: "omg that's so cool and relatable I wish that was me but unfortunately it's impossible to have two different types of queer :(((" -> "oh wait great news!!!" and now I'm fully out to all my irl friends and my mother (she was homophobic abt it but is mostly used to me now) + out as pan to my father and grandma. I permanently have both a pan and an enby pin on my school backpack. I have "crossdressed" in very public places on uncountable occasions. this level of idgaf is especially baffling to me because I am a coward when it comes to literally everything else

- 🌒

okay, first up- look at us twins go (i also figured out i was bi bc one day i was watching orange is the new black and then saw Nicki- my wife- w Lorna and i was like "would i date a girl? yes? oh okay im bi" and that was the end of it. same w my gender i was like "do i like being referred to as a he? yes? oh okay im gf nice") but anyway onto your pairing...

i would pair you with... River from DW

River is a ray of sunshine. She knows just what to say to keep you in high spirits, and she knows when to let you feel. She claims to be a cat person but the way she treats your dog has you a little unsure. She's non-judging and happy to refer to you however you please whenever you please. When you introduce her as your partner she always melts for you.

(She will also refer to your coffee machine as her adopted child and treat it as such).

[garland-on-thy-brow]

The Death of Caesar (La morte di Cesare) - Gaetano Sertor 1788, translated by me.

Previous scene.

ACT I.

SCENE 3.

Porcia, Albinus, and Cassius; then Brutus.

Porcia. Did you hear that felonious reasoning?

Albinus. What a vile Roman!

Cassius. What a worthless citizen!

Porcia. Cassius, our liberty is in your hands. Rome is sold to Caesar, and all he needs to become her tyrant is one single step.

Cassius. But he is not yet where he aspires to be. Within these walls, there still remain some true Romans, and one great strike can accomplish a thousand things; but I cannot venture without Brutus. He, with his reason, his austere authority, with that unknown light that shines in his face and makes him the master of other souls, must inspire strength and resolve in all.

Albinus. Here he is.

Cassius. Brutus, are you a Roman?

Brutus. Am I!

Cassius. Do you love your country?

Brutus. More than myself.

Cassius. Then your duty commands you to save it. One single day can determine its fate. There is no other recourse than to slay the dictator: He imposes the servile yoke on us, the liberty is extinguished.

Brutus. For liberty, I am ready to give all my blood. But our case requires more mature consideration. I cannot imagine Caesar a villain to such a degree, and perhaps his life is more useful to Rome than his death.

Cassius. How?

Albinus. Why?

Cassius. What good can be expected from him?

Brutus. Rome is torn and exhausted by civil wars. The populace and the Fathers are eternally at war: one wants to preserve its rights unharmed; the others desire to enjoy their honours and comfort without disturbance. If he who skillfully governs the common people and the Senate, holding them in balance, is slain, to what tempests would Rome not be exposed?

Albinus. What do I hear!

Porcia. My husband, and this is the pledge of love you give me! Is this how you avenge Cato? No, you love me not, if my suffering moves you so little.

Cassius. Brutus, you are a Roman, Junius' descendant, and you are defending a tyrant?

Brutus. Until now I see in Julius none else but a citizen, a hero, a friend, a Father, and my benefactor. Him I defend, and I am not ashamed of it; but do not fear, for I keep guard, I observe everything, and it is not so easy to deceive me. If his heart changes even a little; if I discover even a shadow of tyrannical spirit in him, I shall have no need for your wrath to inspire me. You shall see whether I have in my breast the heart of Brutus the avenger of old, whether, severe defender of our country and its laws, I can… But such an event is far from us, at least I hope so. (aria) Ah my beloved wife, do not say that I do not love you: being faithful to your beautiful heart is my happiness! If there is a soul so guilty that it aspires to betray its country, I will know, and not even Heaven can steal it away from my wrath. (exit)

Original text under the read more.

[Link to the original on archive.org.]

[powerpolyculeshowdown]

Seeing the cheating/bot comments and I NEED everyone to know that in the Season 3 finale of Leverage, the team literally steals the presidential election of a small European country. I mean, they stole it from a dictator who funds criminal organizations to give to someone who will uphold democracy, but it is very much a thing they did. Also that is one of the most emotionially backstory-ing arcs (Eliot and his SUPER SECRET PAST HE NEVER TALKS ABOUT MY BELOVED).

(also just because we the fans would not steal this poll does NOT mean the OT3 wouldn't. Hardison would hack Tumblr HQ itself to make his preferred sci-fi media win)

i can excuse stealing from the rich but i draw the line at cheating at tumblr polls wtf hardison???? /j

[lesmislettersdaily]

Four And Four

Volume 1: Fantine; Book 3: In The Year 1817; Chapter 3: Four And Four

It is hard nowadays to picture to one’s self what a pleasure-trip of students and grisettes to the country was like, forty-five years ago. The suburbs of Paris are no longer the same; the physiognomy of what may be called circumparisian life has changed completely in the last half-century; where there was the cuckoo, there is the railway car; where there was a tender-boat, there is now the steamboat; people speak of Fécamp nowadays as they spoke of Saint-Cloud in those days. The Paris of 1862 is a city which has France for its outskirts.

The four couples conscientiously went through with all the country follies possible at that time. The vacation was beginning, and it was a warm, bright, summer day. On the preceding day, Favourite, the only one who knew how to write, had written the following to Tholomyès in the name of the four: “It is a good hour to emerge from happiness.” That is why they rose at five o’clock in the morning. Then they went to Saint-Cloud by the coach, looked at the dry cascade and exclaimed, “This must be very beautiful when there is water!” They breakfasted at the Tête-Noir, where Castaing had not yet been; they treated themselves to a game of ring-throwing under the quincunx of trees of the grand fountain; they ascended Diogenes’ lantern, they gambled for macaroons at the roulette establishment of the Pont de Sèvres, picked bouquets at Pateaux, bought reed-pipes at Neuilly, ate apple tarts everywhere, and were perfectly happy.

The young girls rustled and chatted like warblers escaped from their cage. It was a perfect delirium. From time to time they bestowed little taps on the young men. Matutinal intoxication of life! adorable years! the wings of the dragonfly quiver. Oh, whoever you may be, do you not remember? Have you rambled through the brushwood, holding aside the branches, on account of the charming head which is coming on behind you? Have you slid, laughing, down a slope all wet with rain, with a beloved woman holding your hand, and crying, “Ah, my new boots! what a state they are in!”

Let us say at once that that merry obstacle, a shower, was lacking in the case of this good-humored party, although Favourite had said as they set out, with a magisterial and maternal tone, “The slugs are crawling in the paths,—a sign of rain, children.”

All four were madly pretty. A good old classic poet, then famous, a good fellow who had an Éléonore, M. le Chevalier de Labouisse, as he strolled that day beneath the chestnut-trees of Saint-Cloud, saw them pass about ten o’clock in the morning, and exclaimed, “There is one too many of them,” as he thought of the Graces. Favourite, Blachevelle’s friend, the one aged three and twenty, the old one, ran on in front under the great green boughs, jumped the ditches, stalked distractedly over bushes, and presided over this merry-making with the spirit of a young female faun. Zéphine and Dahlia, whom chance had made beautiful in such a way that they set each off when they were together, and completed each other, never left each other, more from an instinct of coquetry than from friendship, and clinging to each other, they assumed English poses; the first keepsakes had just made their appearance, melancholy was dawning for women, as later on, Byronism dawned for men; and the hair of the tender sex began to droop dolefully. Zéphine and Dahlia had their hair dressed in rolls. Listolier and Fameuil, who were engaged in discussing their professors, explained to Fantine the difference that existed between M. Delvincourt and M. Blondeau.

Blachevelle seemed to have been created expressly to carry Favourite’s single-bordered, imitation India shawl of Ternaux’s manufacture, on his arm on Sundays.

Tholomyès followed, dominating the group. He was very gay, but one felt the force of government in him; there was dictation in his joviality; his principal ornament was a pair of trousers of elephant-leg pattern of nankeen, with straps of braided copper wire; he carried a stout rattan worth two hundred francs in his hand, and, as he treated himself to everything, a strange thing called a cigar in his mouth. Nothing was sacred to him; he smoked.

“That Tholomyès is astounding!” said the others, with veneration. “What trousers! What energy!”

As for Fantine, she was a joy to behold. Her splendid teeth had evidently received an office from God,—laughter. She preferred to carry her little hat of sewed straw, with its long white strings, in her hand rather than on her head. Her thick blond hair, which was inclined to wave, and which easily uncoiled, and which it was necessary to fasten up incessantly, seemed made for the flight of Galatea under the willows. Her rosy lips babbled enchantingly. The corners of her mouth voluptuously turned up, as in the antique masks of Erigone, had an air of encouraging the audacious; but her long, shadowy lashes drooped discreetly over the jollity of the lower part of the face as though to call a halt. There was something indescribably harmonious and striking about her entire dress. She wore a gown of mauve barège, little reddish brown buskins, whose ribbons traced an X on her fine, white, open-worked stockings, and that sort of muslin spencer, a Marseilles invention, whose name, canezou, a corruption of the words quinze août, pronounced after the fashion of the Canebière, signifies fine weather, heat, and midday. The three others, less timid, as we have already said, wore low-necked dresses without disguise, which in summer, beneath flower-adorned hats, are very graceful and enticing; but by the side of these audacious outfits, blond Fantine’s canezou, with its transparencies, its indiscretion, and its reticence, concealing and displaying at one and the same time, seemed an alluring godsend of decency, and the famous Court of Love, presided over by the Vicomtesse de Cette, with the sea-green eyes, would, perhaps, have awarded the prize for coquetry to this canezou, in the contest for the prize of modesty. The most ingenious is, at times, the wisest. This does happen.

Brilliant of face, delicate of profile, with eyes of a deep blue, heavy lids, feet arched and small, wrists and ankles admirably formed, a white skin which, here and there allowed the azure branching of the veins to be seen, joy, a cheek that was young and fresh, the robust throat of the Juno of Ægina, a strong and supple nape of the neck, shoulders modelled as though by Coustou, with a voluptuous dimple in the middle, visible through the muslin; a gayety cooled by dreaminess; sculptural and exquisite—such was Fantine; and beneath these feminine adornments and these ribbons one could divine a statue, and in that statue a soul.

Fantine was beautiful, without being too conscious of it. Those rare dreamers, mysterious priests of the beautiful who silently confront everything with perfection, would have caught a glimpse in this little working-woman, through the transparency of her Parisian grace, of the ancient sacred euphony. This daughter of the shadows was thoroughbred. She was beautiful in the two ways—style and rhythm. Style is the form of the ideal; rhythm is its movement.

We have said that Fantine was joy; she was also modesty.

To an observer who studied her attentively, that which breathed from her athwart all the intoxication of her age, the season, and her love affair, was an invincible expression of reserve and modesty. She remained a little astonished. This chaste astonishment is the shade of difference which separates Psyche from Venus. Fantine had the long, white, fine fingers of the vestal virgin who stirs the ashes of the sacred fire with a golden pin. Although she would have refused nothing to Tholomyès, as we shall have more than ample opportunity to see, her face in repose was supremely virginal; a sort of serious and almost austere dignity suddenly overwhelmed her at certain times, and there was nothing more singular and disturbing than to see gayety become so suddenly extinct there, and meditation succeed to cheerfulness without any transition state. This sudden and sometimes severely accentuated gravity resembled the disdain of a goddess. Her brow, her nose, her chin, presented that equilibrium of outline which is quite distinct from equilibrium of proportion, and from which harmony of countenance results; in the very characteristic interval which separates the base of the nose from the upper lip, she had that imperceptible and charming fold, a mysterious sign of chastity, which makes Barberousse fall in love with a Diana found in the treasures of Iconia.

Love is a fault; so be it. Fantine was innocence floating high over fault.

[steveezekiel]

GOD'S DISCIPLINE AND THE REASONS FOR IT 2

5 WITH my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I CAN GIVE THESE THINGS OF MINE TO ANYONE I CHOOSE. 6 Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control." Jeremiah 27:5,6 (NLT)

When God said put your neck under the yoke of someone or something, He has a plan of changing or transforming your life through the process.

God must have seen that the path you are toeing would lead you no where and would be contrary to His plans for your life, before giving such an instruction.

Your mistake or foolish act would be seen or discovered when you obeyed such an instruction of putting your neck under a particular yoke.

In most cases, God might not tell a believer what or where he or she has gone wrong but only give the person a yoke to put his or her neck under. WHEN such a thing is done by God, asking you to put your neck under a yoke, It means you had missed it somewhere. He may not tell you that you had missed it, but asking you to put your neck under a particular yoke means you had missed it—He is not happy or agree with some things you are doing.

There are two sides or ways to It: a. If you submissively obeyed, put your neck under the said yoke, He would cause your eyes open to see where you have missed it; and guide you how to right your wrong. b. If you disagreed to put your neck under the yoke, that is when you would see the other side of Him; His Anger or annoyance and severe punishment. As it did happen to the Israelites.

A genuine Believer who has a good relationship with God would not be left rotten, to himself or herself, to live according to the dictates of the flesh.

God wants a person or people that would be a model, or a pattern, or a sample to the whole world, of how He wanted those who are His to be: 2 YOU are our EPISTLE written in our hearts, KNOWN AND READ BY ALL MEN; 3 CLEARLY YOU ARE AN EPISTLE OF CHRIST, MINISTERED BY US, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, NOT ON TABLETS OF STONE BUT [written] ON TABLETS OF FLESH, that is, OF THE HEART" (2 Corinthians 3:2,3 NKJV).

If someone had given his or her life to Christ Jesus, God wanted such to live according to the principles of the Kingdom—the Bible. IT means a Believer's life is a written epistle through which the people of the world could learn about God.

As God adopted the Israelites as His (Romans 9:4), He likewise had adopted everyone who comes to Him through Jesus Christ as His (Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).

God is preparing us, the Believers, for a place (John 14:2,3); New Jerusalem, a future Kingdom of His, where Jesus Christ would rule and reign (1 Corinthians 15:27,28; Philippians 3:20,21; Revelation 21:1-4).

If you would want to reign with God in His eternal Kingdom, you have to abide by the principles given through His Word, the Bible, to live with by those who are His, whilst on the earth.

The future Kingdom being talked about is for those who's names are written or found in the Book of life: "NOTHING EVIL WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER [the new Jerusalem], NOR ANYONE WHO PRACTICES SHAMEFUL IDOLATRY AND DISHONESTY—BUT ONLY THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE" (Revelation 21:27 NKJV).

There is a place for those who accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord and live their lives on earth according to His Word (John 14:2,3; 15:14; 17:24).

You cannot afford to live like the people of the world If you claimed that you belong to Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Peter 2:11).

You should always remember that you, as a Believer, are a sojourner, a resident alien, on the Earth; thus, abstain from the evil system and practices of the world: 11 BELOVED, I beg you as SOJOURNERS AND PILGRIMS, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL, 12 HAVING your CONDUCT HONOURABLE among the GENTILES, that when they speak against you as evildoers, THEY MAY, BY YOUR GOOD WORKS which they OBSERVE, GLORIFY GOD IN THE DAY OF VISITATION" (1 Peter 2:11,12 NKJV).

If you forget who you are, that you are a candidate of the heavenly Kingdom, the Eternal Kingdom of God; you would begin to soil your garment with Sins.

Let heaven be your focus. Cooperate with God and let Him work on you to be the person He wanted you to be (Colossians 3:1,2).

Let God discipline and correct you, and do whatever the needful in your life to be a good representative of His Kingdom on Earth: 1 IF then you WERE RAISED with CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is, SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. 2 SET your MIND on THINGS ABOVE, NOT on THINGS on THE EARTH. 3 FOR you died, And YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. 4 WHEN CHRIST WHO IS OUR LIFE APPEARS, THEN YOU ALSO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY" (Colossians 3:1-4 (NKJV)

You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Should there be any ailment in your body, I declare your healing now in Jesus' name.

Whatever in your body, working against your health and wellness, such is rebuked and rooted up in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Peace!

[lindajenni]

aug 22

prime the pump if you must

"he who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." john 7:38

i know in our modern times most of us are unfamiliar with pumping water and how wells work. you would have to have a little water saved and use it to pour into the pump to "prime" it and then pump like crazy to get the water flowing. if you stopped pumping the water would quit flowing.

that's the standard type of well, the one that needs priming and pumping. there is another kind of well called an artesian well. it is dug deep and locates a source of water surrounded by non-permeable rock. this forces pressure and ensures the water has no where to go but up.

there are too many followers of Christ like that first well. they are pretty shallow, and to get them to serve God, you have to prime the pump and then continue to pump and pump and pump. then there are those who have dug their well deep and tapped into the "river of life." their lives overflow with His fullness.

the surrounding rock - Jesus, will pressure us to keep the "upward flow" continuous, but it will also serve as a protection surrounding us and keep the impurities from seeping in. "beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you." 1 pet 4:12

some want to be served, while those filled with His fullness want to serve. i know many aren't old enough to remember president john f. kennedy who was assassinated, but he was famous for the following statement. "ask not what your country can do for you. ask what you can do for your country."

our Lord Jesus has already done everything He needed to do for us. now is our time to do what we may for Him and His glory. we can only do that if we have dug deep and tapped into that "river of living waters." only then will it be Christ working in us, constantly flowing in that upward direction.

"God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." rom 12:3 He has given all enough water to prime the pump and get it flowing. we need to keep pumping for it to continue. this is a must for those shallow diggers. then there are those thirsty enough to dig deeper still.

none of us can "work" for our salvation. "it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." eph 2:8-9 the work we do is for His glory and can only be done by getting the "me" out of the way and being willing and obedient.

this is the spending of our talents. this is the harvest our Master is seeking on His return. if we have tapped into the sweet spot, the flow upward will become as natural as breathing. "abide in Me, and I in you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." john 15:4 the fruit, the harvest is determined by the root. "even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" matt 7:17

prime the pump if you must, but keep digging and you will find yourself in that well of fullness. you know what the laws of the universe dictate then - there's no where to go but up. that's exactly where we're headed and there's not a power on earth that can keep us down. even so, make it soon Lord Jesus!

[buggybuggs]

i had a sudden brain worm about my girl ashe click if you want to be infodumped on my beloved axolotl girl along with the history of monstrin lore

when i first made her character all i knew was that i wanted her to be a snob because shes a prince and shes a royal pain in the ass but omg now shes so much more.

in monstrin lore, the monstrin came from an uknown pocket in the earth's mantle, and they only left from their home in the atomic age due to nuclear threat. A crack somewhere along the equator formed where the first monstrin came from (probably underwater, but idk yet) and some country's government (idk which yet, but i know it has to be in the northern hemisphere for lore) tried to stop these "demons" by using a type of bomb to kill them from the inside out. This bomb however released a thick toxic gas. All the monstrin were forced to escape their homes to the surface, and all hell came loose because fun fact - monstrin are more threatening that humans.

monstrin society took over human society , but that toxic gas bomb did more than just harm the mantle-world. the gas created a toxic ring around the earth's equator, "permanently" separating travel between the two hemispheres. monstrin overcame this however because about 1/3 of the monstrin population was sea bearing and could simply swim under this border. (the other two main cultures of monstrin kind are the mantle-dwellers and the surface-dwellers) the sea monstrin became a natural ruling class due to this, and set up an undersea kingdom in the northern hemisphere (northern for revenge against the humans that destroyed their home). Monstrin came to despise humans due to the forced "relocation", undersea were even MORE mad though because of the pollution the waters had taken from humans.

ANYWAY that takes us to the royal family. The Nabratan family. Most of the family is still underdeveloped, but i can still articulate some of the fun lore. First, we have the main ruler, The Empress of Monstrin. This is Ashe's mother, and she serves as a figurehead of monstrin kind. She's strict, and picks favorites among her four children, going back and forth between which one she holds in high favor. we don't know who the heir will be due to her quickly changing nature. She doesn't actually say or dictate much in the political sphere, that's her children's duty. The three children in the kingdom usually all gather as "the royal court" to discuss any necessary changes that might need to be made for monstrin kind.

First, we have the eldest sister. She's quiet like her mother, but oversees a plethora of development in monstrin cities and infrastructure. She's seen investing in many companies that aim for making life more streamline, easier, along with making efforts to free monstrin left behind in the mantle of the earth. She has a strong love for history, her home famous for having the largest evergrowing library the world has seen, and she often makes public appearances with her mother and older, wiser monstrin. She's also known for going to different cities on traditional monstrin holidays, teaching younger generations about the mantle-world, and the fight for monstrin kind.

Second, we have the only brother. His upbringing is known to many monstrin due to his twin absorbing much of the nutrients in utero, making him very weak when he was born. Many headlines would talk about his progress in the hospital, the procedures needed to be done, but he came so far now that the only off thing about him is that he is slightly skinnier than his sisters. He's a bit of a star, a hit on social media and being on magazine covers as a part time model. He's always a smiling face when he's seen in public, and his reputation is stellar. In court, he sheds light on civil unrest and is always seen as a voice of the people.

Lastly, we have the youngest sister. Living a bit more of a spoiled and lavish lifestyle, we always see her in the finest styles, makeup always perfect (and waterproof), but she's also always seen with children in magazines. She helps out with various cases of homelessness, donating extreme amounts to charities, and is seen very positively by the public. She tries to spread her lavish lifestyle to many, very frequently seen giving lavish gifts to others, and has never failed to take everything just a step further. In court, she's amazing with the way she's able to handle finances of the people, knowing what should and shouldn't be invested in, and keeps the economy afloat.

However, in the Nabratan family, there's an outsider. The brother's twin, and the only one to take the last name of the father of the family - Liviazan. That child is Ashenbrau. Born with a severe cleft pallet, she was vilified by the media due to being the one to cause her brother to grow up poorly. After her brother made the headlines, her name became obscure. They already had "the wise, the kind, and the wealthy", so there was no room for her. She was beloved by her father due to her having freckles and curly hair just like him, unlike all her siblings. One day, after an argument with her mother about her keeping her father's last name, she left the undersea world. Her obscurity made it easy for her to go unrecognized without her royal garb and crown on, and she moved in with another group of monstrin.

In this new home, she slowly became accustomed to the peace forming between human and monstrin cultures. There was a dog monstrin from Siberia, adopting parts of the language into her own, a mantle-born monstrin who adored humans and went to school to study their culture, a frog monstrin from the southern hemisphere who openly hated the royals due to their hatred of human-monstrin relationships, there was even a human that moved in, a human she fell in love with. Slowly, she learned that a world of humans and monstrin together was what brought her true happiness.

Ashe would eventually trip with her now many lovers, which was the other 8 monstrin and humans she lived with, and would have an epiphany. She could wed her first human lover, and come back to her family, making a stern stance on human-monstrin peace, and they couldn't harm her and her wife due to the legal bond they had. She would start an uprising, a union against the royals, and bring peace to all!!

that's when Sam, the 1st human she met, 2nd she fell for, suggested she call it the Collectivist Union of Monsters, saying that monsters would include her despicable family. Ashe loved this idea, and when she came back to her family, cameras pointed at her, she spoke of her soon to be human wife, and for supporting the Collectivist Union of Monsters.

however she used the acronym of the movement's name first.

and after this realization, Ashe claimed she only had 7 lovers, and gave Sam a smack in the face.

[motziedapul]

#KulayRosasAngBukas

If you've seen this hashtag around, feel free to support it! It's the beginning of Campaign Season in the Philippines and everyone is hopeful for the future. Here's why.

In the Philippines, we've been under horrific, anti-human rights, murderous leadership for the past 6 years.

You all know Rodrigo "I will be Hitler and Drug Addicts will be Jews" Duterte. You know he ran a drug war that killed over 30,000 people in Extra Judicial Killings. That we know of.

That was what we had for the longest time. And he mishandled the pandemic as badly as you'd think for someone who hates human rights.

But then there's Leni Robredo.

She's our Vice President. The admin has been trying to push her out for 6 years because she's an actual good leader.

She's a grassroots lawyer, she's ALWAYS there in person during calamities, she's been running independent pandemic relief, she has 0 record of corruption, the Commission of Audit has been marking her office one of the most reliable in the entire government for the entirety of her Vice Presidency.

She. Is. Amazing. And she's running for President!

"Kulay Rosas Ang Bukas" stands for "The colour pink is the future", because pink is her campaign colour. Many people, including perhaps artists you follow on social media, have been showing their support for her campaign.

Now Motzie, you ask, if she's so beloved, why is everyone going so hard on campaigning for her?

Excellent question.

Enter, BBM or Bongbong Marcos.

SON OF A DICTATOR, LITERALLY HAS A "COURT CASES" SECTION ON WIKIPEDIA, IS USING THE BILLIONS OF PESOS HIS FATHER STOLE FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO FUND HIS CAMPAIGN AND AN ARMY OF INTERNET TROLLS

He also consistently denies, alongside his family, the egregiousness of the long dictatorship and Martial Law his father (and unofficially, his mother) ran for years.

And he's running for President. The absolute clown is paying big money to erase the crimes of his family and his own harmful actions. His mother is pushing it possibly because she was CONVICTED in 2018 and still hasn't been imprisoned, and having a President for a son could keep her out of jail.

I won't stay too long on this criminal idiot. He doesn't deserve attention. The point is that he's paid, with the people's money, to run campaigns to LIE to the people.

And the reason everyone pushes so hard for Leni to win is so that the Marcoses, the family of dictators who stole billions from the Philippines, will lose.

And the reason we want Leni to win is because she's actually a good leader.

I can't list EVERYTHING she's done, but here's a summary:

Was on the ground for multiple calamities in the Philippines to aid people

Was running pandemic aid consistently better than the actual Philippine government under Duterte, which tried on multiple occasions to push her out

BBM has been holding a grudge on her for years for "stealing" the Vice Presidency from him when he tried this back in 2016

Even if it's not healthy to place ALL your hopes and dreams onto one person, she's very clearly interested in making the country better, in contrast with Marcos.

If you see all the love for our Pink Presidential Candidate floating around, feel free to support it for the hope of a better future for the Philippines.

And if you want to do your own research, feel free to!

But here's a quick glossary of additional terms for context:

1) Rosas = Pink (Filipino), also Rose (Filipino)

2) Kakampink = a play on the word Kakampi (Ally) but with "pink" in the word

3) LeniKiko2022 = I can't speak much on Kiko Pangilinan, the VP candidate campaigning with Leni. All I can say is that in the Philippines you can vote for Presidents and VPs separately. Kiko was her candidate pick. I need to do more research before I can safely say anything about Kiko, but they're definitely campaigning together!

Let me know if you have any questions or want to add anything!

[petersasteria]

Giving Up The Crown - Peter Parker

Parker || Main || Taglist

Requested? Nah. 870 words Aged up!Peter

* * * *

"How are you feeling?" Peter asked as he looked at you through the mirror in your dressing room. He stood behind you and put his hands on your shoulders, lightly massaging it. You took a deep breath and looked up at him with a small smile, "I'm alright. It's just a bittersweet moment. That's all."

"That's true, but you're letting another person fulfill their dreams. Besides, just because you don't have the crown anymore, doesn't mean that you have to stop helping the world."

"You're right." You looked at your reflection and nodded.

"No one will forget what you did and you'll always be Ms. Universe in my eyes." Peter said sweetly and you giggled.

"Thank you, Pete."

He leaned down and kissed your cheek, making your worries go away. "Well, I'll go back to my seat now. Good luck." Peter said before leaving.

You looked at yourself in the mirror as you stood up from your chair, smoothing down your red dress. It wasn't wrinkled, but you liked the feeling of the material. Before you knew it, you were being called on stage for your final walk as Miss Universe.

You took a deep breath before walking on stage with a big smile on your face as you waved at everybody. The place was packed and you could see Peter with your friends and family and you waved at them too. Then, as if your final walk wasn't emotional enough, your voice over for the final walk started playing.

"Growing up, I saw different people at their lowest and I've always wanted to do something about it. Our generation is so powerful that we, as a society, remove the stereotypes and stigma, especially for women. I believe that women can do more and be more than what society dictates them to be. I wanted my year to inspire young girls; to be who they want to be without anyone telling them otherwise. I used my voice and platform for the good from helping the homeless to providing education for the youth, especially to those who are unable to go to school."

"Thank you to: my parents who have been very supportive of me since day one, my mentors, the Miss Universe organization, to my friends, to my outstanding team, and to Peter who always kept me grounded and on track. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

"And to my beloved country, this has been a wild ride and I am forever honored to be your Miss Universe. You inspire me and give me hope all the time. Thank you so so much!"

"Last, but not the least, thank you God. I lift everything up to you as I close this chapter of my life with a grateful heart."

"To all the dreamers, all your dreams are valid and in your journey to fulfill your dreams, you are in control."

You walked to the center of the stage and waved again, trying not to cry. The crowd erupted into cheers and it made you smile.

"Y/N Y/L/N, everybody!" The host said and you walked to where you're supposed to stand as they announced the winners.

The top 3 ladies, Ms. Haiti, Ms. Romania, and Ms. Vietnam, stood in the middle with their hands together. You were admittedly nervous for them, but you know that whoever will be in your place is going to do a great job.

"The second runner-up is..." The host looked at their card and said, "Ms. Haiti!"

You smiled and clapped as Ms. Haiti received a bouquet of flowers and a sash was put on her.

The lights dimmed and you knew they were going to announce the new Miss Universe now. Your heart was beating fast and you were just as eager as everyone else.

"One of you is about to become our new Miss Universe. If for any reason the winner is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take her place. Good luck to you both." The host said.

Then there was a long pause. You could hear a few people shouting the names of Ms. Romania and Ms. Vietnam as they stood facing each other and holding hands.

"The new Miss Universe is..." The host said as they opened the card to reveal the winner. "Vietnam!" The host announced excitedly as the crowd cheered.

You all clapped for Ms. Vietnam and the lights were all bright again. The bouquet was handed to her and one of the staff members handed you your crown to give to Ms. Vietnam.

Once Ms. Vietnam was all sashed up, you walked to her with a big smile on your face as you put the crown on her head.

"Congratulations!" You squealed excitedly. She turns to you with a grateful smile, "Thank you! You're my inspiration."

Your heart warmed and you pulled her in for a quick hug before the host announced that she shall now do her first walk as Miss Universe. You stayed where you are and you had a proud look on your face. This chapter of your life may be closed, but you are excited for what the next chapter of your life awaits you.

* * * *

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @blueleatherbag @cocoamoonmalfoy @thatforgottenangel @parkerpeter24 @slutforsr @givebuckyhisplumsnow @buckys-little-hoe @runawayolives @chewymoustachio @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @yourstrulyamour @beverlythrillz @pearce14 @juliediggory @yaya4302 @alexx-stancati @rumplebutterbaby @dummiesshort @spideyspeaches @moonlight-onyx @marvelsimps @angelsgrxzer @dreamy-clousds @bora-world @hunnybunimdun @supred12 @more-like-reyna @caitsymichelle13 @aayaissaa @oliviabren03 @wannabemobwife

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @holland-styles @trustfundparker @alinastarkrovs @felicityparkers @hufflepuffprincess24 @tommysparker @justasmisunderstoodasloki @quaksonhehe @call-me-baby-gir1 @itstaskeen @theonly1outof-a-billion @lost-in-the-stars03 @justafangirlduh @piscesparker @speedymaximoff @miraclesoflove @lexirv @blairscott @getbywithasmile @pqrkerr @lavender-writer @blackbat2020 @hoodpankow @bi-lmg @emmastarz @moonchild-s-blog

[interlagosed]

my country just elected a dictator’s son to the highest office. still processing my emotions for the horror that’s bound to come, but let me just say that revolucion now holds so much more meaning to than it already has, considering my country’s history. revolucion is now a piece of my soul, like a democratic horcrux. thank you one again for your opus.

I think I know what country you're talking about. I'm sorry, anon. I thought after your previous premier, and how absolutely awful he was, things might have been different but...I saw someone describing it as "authoritarian nostalgia" and unfortunately, my own country has shown that tendency itself. I know how difficult it is to tolerate. I can barely read news from my own country because it hurts the most.

Sending you love and strength. I'm so glad I could help in some way. <3 Take good care of yourself, beloved.

[scotianostra]

On May 21st 1650, James Graham, Earl of Montrose, was executed in Edinburgh.

James Graham is one of the guys who pops up most in my posts throughout the year thanks to him winning  a series of battles in 1644-45, against much larger forces, these were

  Battle of Tippermuir; 1st September 1644. Battle of Aberdeen, (Justice Mills); 13th September 1644. Battle of Inverlochy; 2nd of February 1645. Battle of Auldearn; 9th of May 1645. Battle of Alford; 2nd of July 1645. Battle of Kilsyth; 15th of August 1645.

As well as the skirmishes at Fyvie Castle and retreat from Dundee. It wasn't all wins though and Montrose was of course savagely defeated at Philiphaugh on 13th September 1645, it was less a battle more a massacre more after the battle than during it. Indeed these were times of horrors but not once did Montrose retaliate against his Covenant prisoners. The same could not be said of the Covenanters, but they used the excuse of doing God's work, James Graham, who started as a Covenanter took up the cause of the Charles I and the Stewart monarchy.

  After Philiphaugh a year of guerrilla warfare ensued, which was relatively ineffective but it kept his army in action which was vital to Montrose. This year was to end in September 1646 when Charles, himself a prisoner by then, ordered Montrose to lay down his arms and disband his army. This he did, reluctantly at Blairgowrie in Perthshire, and he left the country on the 3rd of September in disguise just as he had entered it just 2 years earlier. James Graham, the 1st Marquis of Montrose was 34 years of age.

James Graham remained in exile for 3 years until March 1650. By this time King Charles had been executed, and Montrose pledged his allegiance to the new King Charles II.

  What Montrose didn't know was that Charles II was playing both sides against each other by both, negotiating with the Covenanters  at Breda at this time but at the same time he was encouraging Montrose to undertake a new campaign, he was in fact sending Montrose to his death and he knew it.

  There are letters extant bought over by the king's messenger Sir William Fleming which dictate that if Montrose has been successful he, was to deliver a message condemning the Covenanter leader, Argyll and his minions, if however Montrose had been defeated he was to pass a letter to the Parliament disowning Montrose completely and avowing that he, the King knew nothing of Montrose's designs. Such were the times.

  We last heard of him after he was defeated at the battle of Carbisdale on April the 27th 1650.   It was the start of one of the most tragic passages of Scottish history. Having stumbled upon Ardvreck Castle 2 days after the battle then owned by Neil Mcleod of Assynt, and assuming he was relatively safe where he was, he rested. When he awoke he was taken up stairs and immediately arrested by Major General Holbourn. All Montrose said when taken away was "Sir, I do as you bid", and he knew what fate awaited him. Throughout this he acted with dignity and bravery the likes of Scotland had not seen since the likes of Wallace and Bruce.

  In the Highlands, the name of Neil MacLeod is thus forever associated with treachery. The bard Iain Lom would write:

You are a stripped branch of the perfumed apple tree without  fruit or honour or comeliness, ever engaged in murdering one another you are the leavings of  sword thrusts and dirks. The death should be about you, despicable one, for you have sinfully sold the truth for Leith meal, most of which had gone sour.

After being paraded through the towns of Scotland on the journey south Montrose was arrived at the in Edinburgh where he was met by the City Magistrates. Mounted on a cart, with his hands tied so as to be unable to protect himself, the people were urged to pelt him with stones and rubbish. Thankfully this did not happen and so sweet was his carriage that even the women who had been paid to stone and abuse him were moved to tears upon observing his unfortunate predicament.

  The next day these same women were roundly rebuked from the pulpits for not taking the opportunity to revile and abuse him. As the cart made its way up the Royal Mile it was 

stopped adjacent to Argyll’s lodging of Moray House where the wedding of Lord Lorne and Lady Jean Gordon was in progress. As the party stood on the balcony and made ready to mock him, Montrose sensed what was afoot and defiantly turned his face towards them. Argyll stood at the back of the group shielded by a curtain, when it was wryly observed that even then he was unable to stand and look Montrose directly in the eye. Lady Gordon was heard to laugh aloud at Montrose whereupon an English gentleman in the crowd shouted to her that it should be she who should be in the cart for her adulteries.

In one version of this story I have read that someone from the balcony urinated on The Marquess as the cart sat there, I’m not sure if this is true though. As he had already been proclaimed a traitor James Graham did not get a trial, he was even denied, what was seen as an honourable death by beheading, he was hung, like a common criminal at the Tolbooth n the Royal Mile, he went to his death defiantly, maintaining his adherence to the Covenant. He also went stylishly, dressed in a black suit, a scarlet coat with silver trimmings, and a beaver hat.the last words of this loyal and highly principled man were:

“God have mercy on this afflicted land”,

His beloved Scotland.

It wasn’t good enough to merely kill him though, his head was placed on a spike on the Royal Mile, his limbs distributed to other Scottish burghs, and his torso buried near the Burghmuir loch, now The Meadows, this was a warning to others perceived as traitors.

For royalists, Montrose became a symbol of loyalty and a martyr for their cause. After the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, they took revenge on their enemies in various ways, including the trial and execution of the Marquis of Argyll in May 1661. Meanwhile, a grisly piece of theatre was carefully stage-managed to emphasise the king’s power and authority, and the undoing of the covenanting regime’s acts.

  In January 1661, six ‘grave makers’ were paid £18 Scots for ‘raising’ the corpse. There were actually two bodies, for the remains of Sir William Hay of Dalgety, executed along with Montrose, were retrieved at the same time. A Robert Johnstone was paid £3 for showing the burial place, where the exhumation took place by torchlight. Surgeons washed the bones, wrapped them in cloth, and placed them in coffins. The coffins were covered with ‘two best velvet mortcloths’, for which John Kniblo, a local merchant, was paid £24, including ‘drink money’, a customary additional payment for work.

Montrose’s heart was missing, having been removed by sympathisers in 1650, embalmed and kept safe. (Much later, the heart went missing and was lost.) The accounts also show that 100 planks (‘daills’) were made into scaffolding and a stage ‘for the trumpeters for the down taking of my lord Marques head’ from the spike on the Tolbooth.

  After the coffin containing Montrose’s remains lay in state at Holyrood Abbey for eight weeks, a magnificent funeral took place on 11 May 1661. His remains were buried in St Giles. They were disturbed by later alterations, but after Queen Victoria expressed astonishment in 1886 on seeing a simple slab inscribed ‘Montrose 1661’, the place was marked more formally.

If you ever visit The High Kirk of Edinburgh, commonly known as St Giles, more often than not you will see a floral tribute on his tomb, such is the regard he is still held in.