#the edinburgh costumes are my favorites

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes shots from Good Omens Season Two Crowley and Aziraphale in Edinburgh

[pommedepersephone]

Buck up, Hamlet! or how Aziraphale and Crowley's blocking helps communicate the evolution of their relationship

Can we talk about the blocking?

Specifically, I have been rewatching S1E3, one of my favorites. I love how the development of the relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley is shown through these little vignettes. There have been some great explorations of the costuming and dialogue, but what always strikes me is the BLOCKING. The way their placement and movements add such depth and tell the story of living as a queer person, having to communicate in coded language.

Through the episode, we get 4500 years of history - Eden, Mesopotamia, Golgatha, Rome and Wessex - to see Aziraphale and Crowley standing on their opposite sides. Aziraphale always on the right, Crowley always on the left. But after the Arrangement, their blocking changes drastically and becomes much more fluid and nuanced. Each scene after this is distinct but the scenes in at the Globe and the Bastille have the most development, and I find myself rewatching them A LOT. Here is what I see. 

All the World's a Stage

This is the first meeting we see that isn’t a chance encounter, though the two try to stage it as such. It takes place in a theatre - and they are acting, playing their roles as demon and angel. Even the humans are complicit in this performance, with Shakespeare stepping in to address the two "in your roles as the audience." Oh, delicious.

But once it's been firmly established for anyone watching that they AREN'T friends, they DON'T know each other (cough cough) the following moves are clearly choreographed and have been played out many times before. Crowley sashays to the right, opening the dance, and Aziraphale accepts the invitation to dance with: “What do you want?” 

“Why ever would you insinuate that I might possibly want something?” Crowley is just playing his role as cheeky demon offering up a temptation - but his position to the right of Aziraphale speaks to the fact that they are both very complicit in this performance.

“You are up to no good.”  “Obviously. And you are up to good, I take it? Lots of good deeds?” Just standard character establishment, here.

“No rest for the, well, good." Ah, this line, the inversion of the well known idiom. Because the line between good and evil (and between angel and demon) maybe aren't so distinct, and Aziraphale acknowledges this with his words. We are moving into negotiations now. "I have to be in Edinburgh at the end of the week. A couple of blessings to do, and a minor miracle to perform. Apparently, I have to ride a horse.”

“Ah hard on the buttocks, horses. Major design flaw, if you ask me. I’m meant to be headed to Edinburgh too this week. Tempting a clan leader to steal some cattle.” The way Crowley moves AROUND Aziraphale here, intimate but also careful, watching for his reactions.

“Doesn’t sound like hard work.” Said with a little sideways look, because Aziraphale can see where this is going. And he's open to suggestion temptation.

“That was why I thought we should… well, bit of a waste of effort. Both of us going all the way to Scotland.”

“You cannot actually be suggesting what I infer you are implying?” A little bit of pretense, because Aziraphale has to pretend to be tempted, right?

Crowley presses. “Which is?” Because he is willing to play the part of tempting demon, but only if it is clear this is a farce, that this is indeed mutually agreeable. He is making sure they are doing the same dance.

"That one of us goes to Edinburgh and does... both. The blessing and the tempting."

Yes, they are doing the same dance, and what is left is the formality of concluding the dance - a moment of Aziraphale expressing his concern for Crowley, the coin toss - they both know how it ends. It's a ritual, an act of give and take.

But if it were ONLY the Arrangement, a simple quid pro quo, it would have ended there. It doesn't. Instead, the two offer each other a more intimate exchange - "It'd take a miracle to get people to come and see Hamlet."

Aziraphale doesn't even have to ask with words, just a look, and Crowley happily agrees. That is the final part of the dance, a small acknowledgement that this isn't just about making their jobs easier.

A Free Man in Paris

Paris is something else. This is a HUGE step beyond making sure that audiences like a show your angel is particularly fond of. This is a stolen dangerous moment, an OUTRAGEOUS flirtation that takes place outside of time, conducted in clear view of others but beyond their understanding. Isn’t that how their entire relationship is now conducted, hidden in plain view and so clearly affectionate? 

And look, Aziraphale is BITCHY in this scene. Peak That Bitch. He's just purchased a bookshop, he's creating a very permanent place for himself here on earth - Aziraphale is feeling quite proud of himself. In fact, he's preening a bit that he has figured out how to exist, even in some small limited way, as himself within the confines of the system of Heaven. Buuuut he may have gone just a bit too far, and gotten himself in a spot of trouble. He has landed in a prison, threatened with "death" and stuck because he's already gotten a warning about being frivolous with his miracles. Oh jolly good that Crowley is here to save the day!

There is something raw being communicated here here, where both Aziraphale and Crowley are presenting themselves to the world in ways that are dangerous. Aziraphale's reaction tells us that Crowley's look is doing things to him, but also in a way that it is NOT socially appropriate. Aziraphale may have showed up in all the trappings of an English aristocrat, but here is Crowley as a French royal sympathizer. NEITHER of these are safe choices in the middle of a revolution. The costuming is so critical to fully appreciating this scene, so check out the amazing clothing overview with @cobragardens.

When Crowley arrives and stops time, he and Aziraphale find themselves situated facing one another, but angled so they aren’t facing straight on. Interestingly, from Crowley’s perspective, he is where he is supposed to be - the left of Aziraphale. But Aziraphale, from his perspective, is also to the left of Crowley. It was Aziraphale after all who initiated this situation, who put himself in danger by being too… Aziraphale. It’s dangerous to be yourself when you don’t fit into heteronormative social expectations, isn’t it? Still, the two keep up a very flirtatious banter as they discuss the situation, and Crowley maintains his very-intentionally-unbothered sitting position up until Aziraphale goes too far and thanks him for coming to his rescue.

While Crowley is also flirting with danger in the way he is dressed, he also didn't just pop over for a nibble dressed this way. And whatever he might have been up to was interrupted so he could rescue Aziraphale from the consequences of his own reckless authenticity. After removing the chains, Crowley pushes Aziraphale to reconsider his honest expression of himself in this exact place and time - for the sake of survival.

Aziraphale, willing to risk himself alone, rather quickly adopts a more acceptable appearance when it might impact Crowley. It is only after Aziraphale is safely disguised and returned to his proper place to the right of Crowley, ONLY then does Crowley restart time. They can go enjoy lunch now, with the proper precautions and masks in place.

For these two particular human-coded occult beings, this is also such an honest moment. They both showed up damn authentically - Aziraphale so fabulously ostentatious, focused on chasing down some pleasure (in this crepes) and Crowley wrapped in a clear protest against the current violence. Just as Aziraphale indicated with his "Oh good LORD" as he looked the demon up and down with obvious thirst, Crowley's request to Aziraphale to change his appearance and mask better is done in such a way that affirms that Crowley LIKES who Aziraphale is without the mask.

The scene is so playful on the surface, the body language and dialogue flirtatious. It's something so familiar to the queer experience, making light of the absolute danger that we must sometimes navigate just to exist. The more I watch it, the more obsessed I become.

A Spot of Bodysnatchin'

It is worth remembering that we didn't get this scene in S1.

I am going to go through it soon, because again they dance back and forth beautifully in this minisode, but suffice to say we all know... it didn't end well for Crowley.

No Walk in the Park

The moment in St. James Park is brief, and it wasn't until S2 and the meeting at Edinburgh that we got the full context for this meeting. But even without this, we can clearly see that things are weighing heavily on Crowley. The scene in the Bastille took place in a prison, with the threat of execution over their heads. The juxtaposition of this conversation taking place in a park - a place that is not only NOT inherently dangerous but looks lovely and welcoming - only highlights the change in Crowley's attitude. He still attempts to be playful, but he's afraid. Look at that paper, it's a bit crumpled, he's been carrying it around for a while.

They are firmly entrenched on their assigned sides for the entire conversation, both very stiff. It feels uncomfortable to watch. When Aziraphale refuses his request, and indicates whatever is between them is just "fraternizing" with the enemy, we get a glimpse of how fearful Crowley really is. In none of these flashbacks has Crowley ever spoken to Aziraphale with the anger we see here. When they part in anger, it feels wrong.

Take Me to Church

So there is a long break between meetings now. But then, ah, the church. The place Aziraphale realizes his feelings. (Look, if Michael says this is where Aziraphale realized he'd fallen in love, I am not here to argue.) What I love is that again we see Crowley and Aziraphale swapping sides. Crowley is here to save his wayward angel, AGAIN. Despite feeling the ill effects of walking on consecrated ground, Crowley is here to save his angel and defeat Nazis. It's definitely not remotely evil intentions.

It isn't like the Bastille, but some of the parallels exist - Aziraphale failing to grasp the risks of his actions. And the silliness of his little dance coupled with just how deadly serious this situation is harks back to their flirtations in the prison.

Crowley is to the right of Aziraphale from the time he arrives until the bomb drops. Then in the rubble, with the danger past, we see them on their assigned sides again. UNTIL Crowley hands Aziraphale the books he saved with a "little demonic miracle of my own." He then crosses Aziraphale, and we see the look of absolute adoration as the angel watches him walk away to the right.

Sweeeeeet baby Jesus, baby girl has it BAD.

Always Crashing in the Same Car

This extremely heartbreaking scene has been dissected, chewed over, breaking our little hearts with it's sharp pieces.

But it is purposeful that this scene took place in the Bentley. Being in the car is symbolic because Aziraphale is here making an offering to Crowley, in his space, something that he Aziraphale feels is WRONG which is highlighted by his placement to the left of Crowley. He is scared, acting against all his own desires, but he does it anyway because he cares for Crowley. It's simple, powerful placement. Need to hurt more? Yeah, thought so. Take a deeper look at the dialogue with @zionworkzs.

[ofmdrecaps]

08/12-13/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; David Jenkins; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Vico Ortiz; Kristian Nairn; Samba Schutte; Leslie Jones; Dominic Burgess; Alex Sherman; WBD News Articles; Fan Spotlight: Cast Cards; Our Flag Means Fanfiction; Never Left Podcast; Love Notes; Today's Taika Tuesday;

== David Jenkins ==

Chaos Dad has certainly been living up to his name! He's been keeping the fandom busy with reposting lovely artwork from our crew, and responding to various ponderings!

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

He even confirmed some Evelyn/Mary Theories made by our dear friend @patchworkpiratebear!

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

== Rhys Darby ==

Some more shots of Edinburgh Fringe!

Source: TheWeeReview Instagram

== Taika Waititi ==

Just a quick vid of Taika out in Ibiza a couple weeks back!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taika Ora (Fan Page) (@taika_ora)

Source: Taika_Ora's Instagram

Also-- 3 years ago Aug 13th, Free Guy came out! So folks are celebrating the anniversary!

Source: Instagram

== Vico Ortiz ==

Vico has been posting lots of pics lately-- but recently shared that Aug 12 was their 2 year anniversary with Jack!

Source: Vico Ortiz Instagram

In other news, Vico will be honored with the Coyote Courage Award a the 1st Annual 29 Queer Film Festival! Thank you to @adoptourcrew for highlighting this amazing honor for Vico!

Here's the Article:

Source: Adopt Our Crew Instagram

Vico is asking for some feedback! You can send it to them on their Instagram Story!

Source: Vico Ortiz' Instagram Stories

== Leslie Jones ==

Leslie met Sha'Carri Richardson!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leslie Jones (@lesdogggg)

Source: Leslie's Instagram

== Samba Schutte ==

Samba's back in Holland!

Source: Samba's Instagram

== Kristian Nairn ==

The new Audo Drama Podcast -- Dungeon Masters with Kristian is finally out! Check it out wherever you love to listen!

Source: Dungeon Masters Spotify

== Alex Sherman ==

#AssTonight has been extended to #AssTomorrow and #AssForever!

Source: Alex Shermans' Instagram

And if you didn't love Alex enough, he's been a camp counselor for the "Experience Camps", which is a non-profit that helps transform the lives of grieving kids through summer camp programs and year round initiatives!

Source: ItsAshlyPerez' Instagram

== Dominic Burgess ==

Dominic is out at the new Alien Premiere!

Source: Dominic's Twitter

== WBD News ==

More Articles on WBD and the tanking stocks!

Source: Never Left Podcast Twitter

Source: Never Left Podcast Twitter

Source: Never Left Podcast Twitter

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Cast Cards =

More cast cards tonight from the wonderful @melvisik! You just keep bringing more and more of our lovely crew to light! Thank you hon! First up is Kian F, and Marcin K! They are unspecified but Mel thinks they're Action Talent found via ofmd-crew.com!

The next up almost needs no introduction, she's our fabulous Costume Designer for S2, Gypsy Taylor!!

And last but not least, you probably recognize her from all her BTS, Set Dresser, Lindsey Cantrell!

Source: @melvisik's Twitter

= Our Flag Means Fanfiction =

New Epitizer from Our Flag Means FanFiction! Ready by Cheesecake3! Check them out here!

Source: Our Flag Means Fanfiction Instagram

OFMFanfiction needs your help! Help them pick a new sign off slogan! Reach out to them on their instagram!

Source: Our Flag Means Fanfiction Instagram

= Never Left Podcast =

New episode of Never Left Podcast! Part 3 of Motifs! Check them out on your favorite listening platform!

Source: Never Left Podcast Instagram

== Love Notes ==

Hey there lovelies, another busy couple of days. My son starts kindergarten tomorrow! Boy how time flies, huh? I feel like I was pregnant like last month, and here he is grown up and 5 years old, and off to school. Do you remember those days? I remember my first day of kindergarten. I'm 38 years old, and that's still a day I remember. I remember the brown wall with the pink buttlerflies of my classroom, and the desks I'd never seen before. I remember being scared...wondering why I was in a new place I didn't recognize, but I remember having such a great time too. I remember counting to 25, and reading Berenstain Bears books, and making friends and I don't remember a lot of other days from that year, but I remember that one. It's amazing what little things in life we remember, even 30+ years later. Remember to take a moment to smile and enjoy things even when they're a bit scary lovelies. Sometimes they turn out to be wonderful memories. I hope you're all staying healthy <3 Just some quick love notes tonight-- the first from our Pirate queen, and the second from the darling TheLatestKate <3

Source: Ruibo Qian's Instagram

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @thelatestkate

== Today's Taika Tuesday ==

In honor of this Taika Tuesday which falls on the 3rd anniversary of Free Guy, have some Antwan <3 Gif courtesy of the lovely @neverswungonswingingstars

[bowtiepastabitch]

Let's Talk Costuming: It'd take a miracle to get anyone to see Hamlet

Huzzah huzzah, we return to the Renaissance for part two! You can click here to see my analysis of Aziraphale's costume through the lens of Elizabethan sumptuary laws, aka our angel is a bit of a fop and we love him for it. As a reminder (or if you don't feel like reading the other at all) we're towards the end of the Elizabethan period, around 1599-1601, and England is protestant now!

Guys I absolutely love these costumes. Chronologically, this is the first time we get to see Crowley being stylish. I mean you could count Bildaddy as being... something, but I'm not sure I'd I would not consider it to be vogue or on trend. It is, as I pointed out for Az, highly indicative of his building an identity on and appreciation for Earth.

Silhouette-wise, he's pretty on the nose, and he continues to follow the trends to some degree for many centuries up until around Y2K. He's learning to blend in with the humans and properly enjoy what they bring to the table: clothes, wine, plays, et cetera.

He's not particularly ostentatious, especially standing next to Aziraphale, but his costume speaks more to a quiet luxury. Black, for example, was a very expensive color to dye things, and the buttons and leather accents betray some level of fashion sense.

( The Royal Progress Of Queen Elizabeth I, 1740)

I think one of my favorite things about this costume is the way they took all these elements of the period and then just had them... in black. Even the little ribbon garters on the stockings! It's one of his rare outfits that's entirely and exclusively black and I love that for him. There's a variety of materials, leather detailing and buttons for example, giving the garments a lot of texture and detail nonetheless (and keeping him from looking like a black void on camera). From the first season, this is one of my favorite fits.

According to this article, these costumes are actually borrowed from the Globe's costume archives! Which makes a lot of sense looking at them, they're very elaborate and theatrical, plus I just have a soft spot for costume collections and things that have been worn for multiple productions over time and the way it ties theatre and people and artsists together. Plus, look at those shoes!!!

As per usual, the two costumes compliment each other beautifully. Their historic costumes highlight their narrative foiling of each other in a slightly different way than their modern ones do. Most notably here, at the Bastille, and in Edinburgh, their clothing has a lot to say, were they human, about both social and economic class. We see Crowley demonstrating a significantly higher level of class awareness than Aziraphale, both in their dialogue (virtues of poverty) and in their dress (Aziraphale showing up to revolutionary era Paris in full aristocratic style). Here, in the Elizabethan era, Crowley blends in much better than his angelic counterpart (see again my analysis of Aziraphale's costume in this scene).They really don't look, to your average human unaware, like they belong together. If they weren't staring at each other with puppy dog eyes, it might would be rather believable that they're not friends.

(Portrait of Sir Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, circa 1613-1614)

I also found this incredibly slutty portrait while I was researching for this post, which bears similarities to Aziraphale's dress, so I figured y'all might enjoy seeing it.

For further reading: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1577/clothes-in-the-elizabethan-era/

Please note that I did write all of this intermittently over several days, and though I've done my best to proofread I'm rather tired so if it's not perfect just look the other way

[namuneulbo]

week one hundred and three

i totally forgot to post last week... and now it's been a week so uh... i have very valid reason to have forgotten ab posting though actually! i met my best friend, n. weve been internet friends for six and a half years. since february 2017. we met for the first time :( ill do a little list of the highlights of the thursday-sunday being there although everything was so fun and i still cant believe it actually happened. i love her sm.

us not finding each other at the airport.

mcds after they picked me up.

sleeping in her bed.

seeing her room in real life, its so cute and tiny and cosy.

fnaf movie! it was sm fun!

met m and e!

her family being such kind souls TT

went to a gay lounge in halloween costumes (i was patrick bateman!).

SEEING FALL OUT BOY IN GLASGOW AND WE GOT SUCH GOOD SPOTS AND WE WERE SO CLOSE TO PETE MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT OUT 8-BALL SONG WAS YOUNG VOLCANOES BUT ITS FINE I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE SEEING MY FAVORITE BAND WITH MY BFF!!!

visited edinburgh on sunday and it was so pretty!

maki and ramen!

sotw: fall out boy - headfirst slide into cooperstown on a bad bet

[thewaywardmoon]

Work got really busy for a bit. Now that things are less frantic, here are some more UK trip plans:

Starting from where I left off, I’ll be leaving Edinburgh for London, taking the LNER express from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross. I actually sprung for first class on this part of the trip, largely because I needed to eat on the train, and that was the easiest way to do it. In LNER first class, food and drinks are included in the price of the ticket, and that ended up being more cost effective than ordering food in economy (or trying to grab something after the train arrives).

(LNER first class cabin via Wikimedia Commons. I’m in one of the single seats with tiny table on the left side.)

Once I arrive at Kings Cross, I need to hustle down to Tower Hill to check into my hotel. I’m staying at CitizenM Tower of London for the last third of my trip. CitizenM is sort of a pragmatic choice on my part, as I have what is effectively a membership with them that gives me a discount on the room and a bunch of other little perks (good views, late checkout, free hot drinks, etc.). Also I know what to expect with CitizenM, as their rooms are all fairly similar no matter where you are. They’re uniformly clean and comfortable, the bed is huge, and they have gigantic windows, which are great for sitting in bed and staring out of while you drink your morning coffee.

(A typical CitizenM room as shown on their website.)

The reason I have to rush is because I’m going to an immersive theater show called The Burnt City that evening. The Burnt City is by Punchdrunk, the same company that does Sleep No More, and is an elaborate, pervasive show where you wander through highly detailed interactive sets (going through drawers, reading diaries, crawling through wardrobes like you’re on your way to Narnia, etc.), and come across various performers in the midst of dancing, acting or some other type of storytelling. It’s kind of hard to describe if you’ve never done it, but I loved Sleep No More in New York, and The Burnt City is supposed to be Greek mythology-themed, and inspired by the Trojan war--which is a bit of an obsession of mine--so I had to go.

(A character--the Oracle, I think?--in part of the the Trojan section of The Burnt City.)

I won’t have time to grab dinner, so I’m hoping to gorge myself on the train to tide me over until after the show. After The Burnt City, I go back to CitizenM and pass out before doing it all again the next day.

Okay, well not all of it, but I am going The Burnt City twice. I’m getting ahead of myself, though...

My first full day in London, I’m sleeping in, then starting with the Fashion and Textile Museum, which is just across the river. I’m also grabbing tea at The Ivy near Tower Bridge. I figured, since I was in London, I should go to a formal tea at least once. Also, The Ivy’s tea spread should be large enough to stave off any hunger, since I’m going back to The Burnt City a second time. 

(The Ivy at Tower Bridge from Trip Advisor.)

Obviously, being a costumer, the Fashion and Textile Museum is right up my alley. I believe they’re doing an exhibition on pattern design while I’ll be there, which is maybe not that interesting to everyone, but is fascinating to me. Fashion exhibits are some of my favorite things to explore in museums, so I knew I had to stop by the Fashion and Textile Museum while I was in London.

(The Fashion and Textile Museum from their website.)

Once again, this is getting kind of long, so I’ll make another post with plans for my next two days in London.

[marvelettesassemblenow]

MARVEL MASTERLIST

DRABBLES | FLUFFTOBER 2022

Through the phone | OS | Steve only knew you through the phone. And when he decided one day to sent you flowers as a thanks for your help his friends decided they would help him out a little bit

Distracted | OS | Steve is reckless on missions – especially those when you are supposed to guide him through

Losing Composure | OS | Losing a bet with Bucky you had to wear a USO girl costume to deliver something to Steve. Steve lost his composure and suddenly things went awkward

Steve, Duke & You | OS | Steve literally stole your dog when you moved into the compound and these two connected. The pictures you got when you were on a mission just added to the jealousy you felt towards your own dog.

In Another Lifetime | OS | Soulmate AU - When you bought a box at a flea market you would have never guessed that it belonged to someone close to Captain America. And why was it that you suddenly knew so much about the things inside – and about Captain America?

Coffee Cottage & Our Cabin | TwoShot | Modern AU - Owning your own coffee shop in a small town was great. Until you finally needed to replace the furniture. Bucky told you about his best friend who could help you out. Steve who was grumpy when you first saw him turned out to be one of the nicest (and most beautiful) people you’ve met.

Captain America's #1 Fan | OS | Steve is embarrassed that you were wearing Captain America merchandise, but his friends are more than eager to add more to your collection.

Colour my heart | OS | Steve picked up an old hobby – and it might helped that he was looking forward to see the woman selling the art supplies 

Kiss the cook | OS | You decided to go to a cooking class because you were tired of always eating take out. Two men catch your attention when it turns out they don’t know what to do either. Too bad they’re already a couple, because Steve has caught your attention. But are they really? 

Deck the Halls | OS | You were helping out at a children hospital and when the Avengers came over to surprise the kids Captain America was a little bit distracted – by you. 

Always been you | OS| Modern AU - When Steve and you see each other again after years apart the question is – will you get a second chance at love? 

Wrong Number | OS | When Steve texted the wrong number, he started a friendship with you. Most of your talks are about your Corgi Bella, but then you find out who Steve really is 

Under my Umberella | OS | On your vacation in Edinburgh you spot a lonely man sitting in the rain on a bench. You decide to give him a hot beverage 

Which Avenger are you destined to date? | OS | When Natasha found out about the Quiz which showed which Avenger you should date, the Avengers decided they all should take the test and go on these dates.

Your Touch | OS - FAN FAVORITE | Bucky hadn’t been long at the compound when he noticed that others sought you out to calm down. So slowly he started too and had to figure out his feelings for you

The Keychain | OS | When you asked your best friend Steve if Bucky would have liked you if you had known them before the war you didn’t know that you’d find out. Because Bucky was still alive and Steve would bring his friend back home, where you would gave anything to make him feel welcome.

Lost Words | OS | Soulmate AU - A few people spotted soulmate marks on their arms which would change each year with a clue to your soulmate. Your words were unusual and not happy at all. You weren’t sure if you would meet your soulmate at all. And what if the person who might be your soulmate lost his arm and you don’t have a proof that he is indeed your soulmate?

Favorite Neighbor | OS | After an awkward first meeting with your new neighbors, you quickly became friends with Sam, Steve and Bucky and helped each other out. But after a while everyone is fed up with you and Bucky pinning after each other.

Bucky, Alpine & You | OS | You didn’t realize that getting in a relationship with Bucky meant getting in one with his cat too.

New in Town | Mini-Series | Modern AU - Being new in town isn’t always easy. Being new in a small town is worse and the first thing you heard is to beware of a biker gang. And suddenly you befriend the gang – which isn’t really a gang but a group of friends that are more than welcoming to you. And next to new friends you might also find love. [COMPLETE]

The Riddle | OS | Soulmate AU - Things you lose start to appear at your soulmates side – most of the time if they’re in need of it. Easy, right? It would be if the existence of Soulmates were still common knowledge. And so you and Bucky can’t figure out who plays this prank on you and why the both of you lose stuff all the time. 

Happy Holidays from The Avengers Family | OS | When you get sad because all the Christmas cards arrive, Bucky decides to do something to cheer you up and get you in the holiday spirit too! 

An old Memory | OS | Because of an accident with time travel you found yourself back in time and find a younger Bucky and Steve – but will you find your way back home? 

The Swan Princess | OS | Fairytale AU based on the movie The Swan Princess – Bucky and you hate each other! Your kingdoms hope for a marriage between the two of you, but each summer you have to spend with in each others presence makes it worse – until his friends start to befriend you and he realizes you have more in common than he thought. But when he was ready to finally accept his feelings a curse hit you. 

The Date | OS | You tried a dating app where you met with someone without having seen a picture before – and you had a date with one of the most beautiful man

Miscommunication | OS| You were a retired Shield Agent and enjoyed the quiet life. Steve Rogers came over to your house to lay down and suddenly he almost moved in with Bucky Barnes. But it seemed like not all three of you were on the same page where your relationship stands.

A Love Like Ours | OS | 40s fic: Steve, Bucky and you – there was barely a moment when the three of you weren’t together. A friendship like that was rare and you were all looking out for each other. But with ups came downs and then Bucky had to leave for the war – and Steve followed.  

Just friends, right? | OS | You are in love with your best friend. Clint is in love with his best friend. And Natasha has to see both of her friends being in love with each other, but they don’t act on it.

Sam introducing you to everyone | OS | It's finally time to meet the team and you wondered why it took Sam so long to introduce you

My Harry Potter Masterlist is here

[bamfdaddio]

X-Men Unabridged: Proteus

The X-Men, those beautiful mutants that have sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them, are a cultural juggernaut with a long, tangled history. We’ve been untangling that history for a while, but sometimes, you really want a more in-depth look. Interested? Then read the (un)Abridged X-Men!

(X-Men 125 - 128) - by Chris Claremont and John Byrne

Fun* fact: this particular issue is the oldest comic I physically own.

* for a given value of fun

Something sinister lurks on Muir Isle…

This arc is very much set up like a horror movie. It starts out as a regular X-Men narrative, where Claremont is weaving along several plot threads. We check in with the X-Men in Westchester, we check in with Magneto who has retreated to Asteroid M and we even check in with Xavier in space, who finally learns more about the true scope of the Phoenix and its nature. Finally, we’ve got Jean stationed at Muir Isle, where Moira is investigating the sheer scope of her powers. (She has realized how strong Jean truly is; akin to a god. Her theory is that Jean’s recent power dampening is the result of her human mind trying to cope with her massive power level.) It’s about as everyday as it gets for the X-Men, but, well…

I always thought Jean molecularly restructured her own outfit into the Phoenix-costume whenever she needed to change, but here, she just… wills it away? Also, why did you need an outfit change for this, anyway? Does the costume simply appear whenever she exerts too much of her powers, like an angry forehead vein? So many questions. (X-Men 126)

Other residents at Muir are Polaris, Havok and the Multiple Man, all of them blissfully unaware that something skulks about in the shadows: the remains of an unfortunate captain, whose body has been taken over by something… other.

But someone else is skulking around in the shadows, too. Jean isn’t aware of it, but a familiar stranger is manipulating her from the sidelines.

I’ve been gaslighting a cosmic force, ask me how! (X-Men 126)

1979 marks the first appearance of the Hellfire Club, though we only meet one member for now: Jason Wyngarde. (Maybe all of this could have been avoided if he’d had a Barbie doll to dress up in black lace as a child, but alas.) ‘Jason’ is a pseudonym and though most people these days know that he’s a familiar villain from the X-Men’s past, the reveal of his true identity will follow later.

Meanwhile, Beast finally gets off his ass to check on the Xavier mansion, even though the X-Men must have been tripping intruder alarms for months now. Still, we do get this sweet moment out of it:

Of course she’s going to be surprised at the sheer amount of plot contrivances that were thrown up to keep all y’all apart for a full year. (X-Men 126)

Beast knows that Jean went to Muir, so Scott immediately goes for the phone. Lorna picks up, but during the call she starts screaming, leaning heavily into the horror genre. She fends off the withering remains of the captain, so instead, ‘Mutant X’ jumps into a duplicate of Jamie Madrox and promptly flees to the mainland on a boat.

Guuurl, that body is snatched. (X-Men 126)

The X-Men (sans Beast) hit Muir Isle, where Moira debriefs them. Moira reveals who Mutant X is: his name is Kevin MacTaggart, her son, who has the terrifying power to warp reality. Because his power is so vast, he burns through bodies at an alarming rate. He can only be contained - or killed - by inorganic metal. In an effort to contain him (and, presumably, help him at some point), Moira locked him in a metal cell. He was kept there, alone, for god knows how long, until Magneto accidentally freed him. They know he escaped the island and, because of his parasitic need for fresh host bodies, Moira posits that he’ll be heading for a big city.

Kevin - who dubs himself Proteus - racks up an impressive body count in the country side, killing 7 people in total. (6 people and 1 dupe? Eh.) He’s a terrific villain, because he’s powerful, has a well-defined weakness and, even though it’s not impossible to emphasize with him -- isolation tends to drive people mad -- the way he discards his victims is truly chilling.

The X-Men chase after him, Wolverine picking up the scent. When Proteus tries to claim him, Logan’s adamantium skeleton repels him. In response, he unspools reality.

I’ve had this trip. I think they call this strain Dragon’s Dynamite. (X-Men 126)

Storm intervenes, but Proteus leaves Nightcrawler and especially Wolverine rattled. Logan’s heightened senses root him in reality more than most, and when Proteus uses his powers, everything is just screaming wrong at him. But nobody is safe: little Kevin MacTaggart turns gravity against Ororo, taking her out as well.

He tries to claim Storm, but Moira repels him, sniping at him from afar. Proteus fears (metal) bullets, knowing they can kill him. When Cyclops realizes Moira’s shooting to kill, he intervenes - X-Men don’t kill, after all. Moira knocks him out with her gun, but Kevin escapes in the confusion. Moira finally realizes where her son is headed, while the X-Men regroup.

In Edinburgh, Moira pays Joe MacTaggart a visit - her husband, Kevin’s father.

The MacTaggarts are definitely in the running for the Xavier/Marko-award for Fucked Up Family Dynamics. (X-Men 127)

There’s a calculating coldness to Moira’s character that I’ve never responded well to, but I like how Claremont fills in the blanks here. It’s part unhappiness, part a deep frustration with her inability to help her own son. I wonder how Kevin was a child, before his mutant gene activated: was he a sweet boy, or one with a cruel streak? Did she fear what he might become?

There’s a few gaps in Claremont’s narrative, but Hickman has drawn on this very well, I think: the Moira X in HoXPoX is equally calculating, equally cold. But how can she not be? How often has she raised Kevin? How often has she had to kill him? How many times has she watched these people, these X-Men, die?

Anyway, Moira’s warning is as effective as anger management therapy for Sabretooth, because Kevin comes by Joe’s office a little while later and snuffs out his dad. Phoenix hears Joe screaming telepathically across the moors, allowing the X-Men to pinpoint him. Claremont also makes sure to show that Jean’s power is steadily growing:

Polaris be like: “No, no, I’m carrying my own emotionally stunted Summers boy, thank you.” (X-Men 127)

Proteus takes Moira hostage as the X-Men confront him. They fight.

Ordinarily, I don’t pay a lot of attention to the fight scenes, because recapping those usually boils down to “Cyclops conks Magneto in the helmet” or “Wolverine snikts Pyro in the gas tank”, but this one is truly great. John Byrne delivers some excellent work, showcasing the scope of Proteus’ powers through his art, his panelling. Don’t just take my word for it:

I love how trippy all of this is. Pivoting gravity, changing an optic beam into flowers… Sure, Proteus might be a callous and cruel SoB, but he’s also one imaginative motherfucker. (X-Men 127)

One by one, Proteus manages to distract or take out the X-Men, either by endangering passers-by, encasing them in amber (Storm) or burying them alive (Banshee). One of my favorite details is how afraid they all are: especially Wolverine and Nightcrawler hesitate before jumping into the fray. For them, this villain is truly beyond their scope.

In the end, it’s Phoenix who manages to drive him back, outside of the center of Edinburg and up an old castle, where there are fewer civilians to threaten. There, on the ramparts, it’s Colossus who makes the final stand: he destroys Proteus’ physical body and realizes that right now, there’s only one thing they can do to stop him. All it will cost is Piotr’s innocence.

Showcasing an ancient Japanese truth: Psychic Pok��mon are weak to Steel attacks. (X-Men 128)

Proteus scatters to the winds and the X-Men emerge victorious, though Moira has lost both her son and her husband after this ordeal. Moreover, I think this is the first villain that the X-Men explicitly kill, simply because they have no other options left. This marks the first time that their ideal of mutant rehabilitation fails. What’s worse is that Kevin MacTaggart was essentially nothing more than a supremely screwed up boy who got access to way too much power way too quickly.

I wonder if it would have turned out differently had Xavier been there. (I also wonder if it’s a coincidence that this takes place right before the Dark Phoenix saga.)

I think this might be Claremont’s best arc yet, heightened by John Byrne’s excellent art. Chris deftly mixes horror, action and his usual soap opera elements, serving one cohesive narrative that (for once) doesn’t leave much hanging. Proteus is an excellent villain whose powers work visually (pay attention, MCU) and whose entire being touches on one of the same aspects as Krakoa: can and should every mutant fit into any sort of normal society?

If you have someone who’s interested in vintage X-Men and you want to recommend something that doesn’t require a confusing explanation of all the necessary backstory (and perhaps a crude sketch of the Summers and/or Lensherr family tree), I would recommend this arc.

And the rest, as they say, is Hellfire. 1980 is gonna be a doozy.

[morethanaprincess-a]

I know this is quite a bit of time after I posted this meme, but I wanted to respond to all of the kind comments I received on the positivity meme when I really needed some last week! So I thought I’d save it for a Munday post, complete with pet tax beneath the cut. Mundays are better with pet tax, right?

@electricea

Thank you so much for your compliments, Jassi! I adore writing with you too, it’s so much fun coming up with new AUs for Ryuji and Sonia (and expanding on our established verses as well). You’re such a positive and encouraging person in the tumblr RPC and I’m pretty sure your dash agrees. Here’s to more IC adventures and me sending you ramen related news and saying “we’re working this into a thread, right? Right??”

Does Ryuji have the ramen pool float/raft already? Because that needs to happen.

@cadcnce

So uh, on a scale of 1-10 how mad will you be if I get a draft back to Eira by mid-week? To be fair, it’s not the same day please don’t point that gun at me

Joking (about what will likely happen on my dash) aside, I love writing with you and your many muses too! Bonus that we have plenty in common too, including being Old Muns with Old Mun Problems. Like roleplaying before tumblr and the fact that pogs are a bottle/milk cap game (I think I had close to 100 of them as an elementary school student, before I said I wanted beanie babies instead).

In short, I have so much fun both writing IC and just chatting about fandom and life OOC. Though the more I keep looking at Las Vegas-related things for RP research I’m just “Well, now I want to go and not gamble at all but do everything else.”

But I’ll finish with this: I do try to put my happiness first, and for me that’s when I’m writing every day and have a consistently-running queue. This is partly due to how organized I am about my work and my hobbies, and partly due to content creation and social media being a large part of my professional life. It’s not that tumblr RP is work, it’s that I can’t help but approach it, in a way, in a professional sense, taking in algorithms, patterns, activity, etc. into consideration. I look at a variety of statistics tumblr provides on my blog and often make judgement calls about content I post here that way.

It’s super nerdy and I know it. I also just can’t help it because it’s ingrained in me at this point: content planning, creation, calendars, analytics, etc. Pain for me is disorganization, a queue that isn’t updated, or answering asks/taking on more threads when I have replies I could write. 

@despairfiles​

Excuse me, every hour is Sin loving hours! Thank you so much for your encouraging feedback. You’re absolutely right: I’m definitely someone who likes to develop complex, long-term interactions over a variety of interesting situations. I know that can be frustrating sometimes with queued replies and wall-of-text replies, but it really is fun for me to show so much of a scene: the setting, the dialogue, the action, the thoughts and feelings. I tend to come up with most of my headcanons through threads at this point, too.

And I’m always going to say ‘challenge accepted’ when it comes to writing new stuff with Hajime and Shirou. If you feel compelled to bring Hajime back at some point I’m always here to write with you, and there’s so much story to tell with Sonia and Shirou too. I actually have a plot idea development for one of our verses on that front, I just haven’t put it into words yet!

Oh, and of course: Chatting OOC with you is one of the best parts of my day! Politics, spilling tea, me bemoaning that England lost Euro 2020 (the rest of the world doesn’t agree with me and I know it), you sharing your adorable dogs and wine sodas (I’m going to find the wine soda here. Somewhere.), agreeing that Lord El-Melloi II is a SNACC even if the fandom doesn’t agree with us, I adore it all. 

Seriously though I love him he is A++++ husbando material. This is where Sonia and I differ: she loves Shirou and I’m here just “He’s a professor who barely adults and realizes it is, indeed, a crisis when your favorite tearoom is closed. Husband material right here.”

@phantasmalcalamity​

Thank you so, so much for your compliments regarding my Sonia portrayal! That’s really nice of you! I’m not sure that my version is perfect by any means as plenty of people offer different takes on her, but I’m so glad you enjoy writing with her! Our Sonia/Gundham threads have been such a joy to write so far and I hope to continue and do more of them (without adding too much to your plate of course. I’m hoping you start feeling better, first and foremost!). You’re also wonderful to chat with OOC and I love seeing your costumes when you share them. It’s so cool having RP partners who are also cosplayers because you understand that unique struggle of “do I write drafts or do I work on costumes for upcoming con/event?”

I’m trying to balance both but it’s been interesting. Definitely after the fall cons/events I should have some more photoshoot stuff to share. I miss cons and photoshoots so much!

And as promised, some pet/life photo tax underneath the cut!

One of the two usual views I have when writing drafts/shitposting/chatting with you all on discord. Princess Molly received a new bed recently, befitting her royal status. She’s judging the quality of my drafts and wondering when she will be given pets.

And the other view I usually have while on tumblr. I’m missing Paris (and London. And Edinburgh. Let’s just put missing the U.K. and France in general here) quite a lot. I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to go back (probably whenever I go on my honeymoon), so I’m having a small taste of it at home. My family’s going next month, but work wouldn’t give me the time off to join them. 

The Laduree Marie Antoinette tea is my favorite version of the MA tea, and with shipping so expensive, it made sense to grab some macarons to go with it. 

I just miss Europe so much right now. Most of my off-tumblr friends are trying to plan trips to Japan next year, and I’m over here just “I actually miss Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle.”

[virtualrenfaire2020]

Virtual Ren Faire 2020 Calendar

We have activities and themed days, plus we’ve compiled a bunch of livestreams from some fantastic performers to enjoy during our Faire. The calendar is updated daily, so stay tuned for more events!

Saturday, March 28

Opening day!

Join us on Opening Day for a day of faire activities. Share photos, videos, and stories relating to your ren faire experience! 

Submissions will be open starting today for the Costume Contest!

O.W.L. Fest - 7:30 AM PDT

An all-day series of concerts with a wizardly theme. A new artist is live every half hour until 7:00 PM, so tune in anytime! Don’t forget to refresh the page between concerts to listen to the latest stream. The current lineup is: Tonks and the Aurors, Lauren Fairweather, Ashley Hamel, Hawthorn & Holly, Grace Kendall, Kalysta Flame, Pussycat Dolores, The Purebloods, Flitwick and the Charmers, Losing Lara, Muggle Snuggle, Percy and the Prefects, Ludo Bagman and the Trash, Draco and the Malfoys, The Mudbloods, The Lovegoods, Alas Earwax!, The Blibbering Humdingers, Abby Ritter, The Swedish Shortsnouts, Kirstyn Hippe, POTTÖRHEAD, The Arkadian, Karl-Johan, and Toucan Dubh.

Check out the Facebook livestream concerts here.

Ye Banished Privateers Virtual Release Party - 11:00 AM PDT.

“Let’s party like it’s 1720! Borders are closing, people are being forced to shut their doors. Our global world is growing smaller, but Ye Banished Privateers believes in staying connected through the crisis. On march 28th we were planning to throw a big release party for our new album Hostis Humani Generis in our home town Umeå, Sweden, which naturally had to be cancelled due to the corona pandemic. Instead we’ll be hosting a live streamed event, at 19.00 cet 28/3 that will be worthy of an official release concert. We want to try and make this something special and grand . . . let’s stand together in all safe ways possible.”

Check out the Youtube livestream concert here.

Pub Crawl - 1:30 PM PDT. 

We’ll be hosting a BYOB pub crawl. Keep an eye out for the tag vrf2020 pub crawl for more info. Please follow local drinking laws and drink responsibly!

Cyrus Pynn (The Swordsman) - 2:00 PM PDT.

“I am a self taught professional sword swallower who perfected the art at the Coney Island Sideshow School, where I learned to present it in an entertaining and classy manner. Since then I have pushed the limit with this dangerous feat as I have traveled across the United States performing with Carnivals, Festivals and Variety Shows . . . Demonstrating the world's most dangerous stunt in an entertaining, classy manner featuring comedy, audience interaction and, of course, death defiance! ‘Down the Hatch without a Scratch!’“

Check out the Facebook livestream show here.

Andrea Beaton - 4:30 PM PDT.

“Andrea grew up in a musical family in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  Both the Beaton and MacMaster sides of her family are well known and respected as some of Cape Breton's finest musicians, dancers and composers. She has made 6 solo CDs, a duo album with her father Kinnon, and published 3 books of tunes.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

The CRAIC Show - 5:00 PM PDT.

“The CRAIC Show is an intense & wildly entertaining act, made up of five international travelers who, in 1541AD, were banded together on an ancient battlefield. This unique merging of music from far away lands brings a sound that is unlike any other . . .  Ever-changing and constantly blending styles, The CRAIC Show is always bringing a fresh, high energy blend of World Medieval Music to a modern audience.” 

Check out the Facebook livestream concert here.

Erin Rae - 7:00 PM PDT.

“Gifted with a unique ability to fuse musical genres and influences to craft songs that feel fresh and wholly her own, with her new album Putting On Airs, Erin Rae has thrown down a direct challenge to the stereotype of what a Southern singer should be. Both lyrically and sonically, she strikes a fiercely independent chord, proudly releasing a deeply personal record that reflects her own upbringing in Tennessee, including the prejudices and injustices that she witnessed as a child that continue to impact her life to this day. According to Rae, ‘this album was born out of a need to do some healing work in my personal life, in order to address some fears and patterns of mine to allow my true feelings to come to the surface.’”

Check out the Instagram livestream concert here.

Sunday, March 29

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Alistair McCulloch - 11:30 AM PDT.

“Alistair is one of Scotland's best known fiddle performers and teachers.  His trio features Aaron Jones of Old Blind Dogs, and former Capercaillie whistle wizard Marc Duff. Alistair has taught a generation of rising stars at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Linda McRae - 1:00 PM PDT.

“Linda’s love of Canadian, American and British music early on in her career resulted in multiple band configurations from roots-rock to punk to folk . . . When Linda steps onto a concert stage, into a recording studio, workshop or mentoring session, there is an effortless passion, a love of what she does and a connection with fans and friendships built and treasured. A multi-instrumentalist Linda works tirelessly as a touring singing songwriter, performing at premiere venues across Canada, the US and Europe while turning out new works.”

Check out the Facebook livestream concert here.

The Glow Bubble Show (Meadow Perry) - 4:00 PM PDT.

“Meadow Perry is a Philadelphia based Magician, Bubble Artist and Actress. Known for her beloved children's character, Meadowlark the Faerie, Meadow has been performing in various genres from the stage to private events for over 15 years. The Bubble Magic of Meadow Perry is a show that takes the visual art of bubbles, theatrical storytelling, enchanting magic, thrilling music, & a touch of sophistication to create a unique and entertaining show that has been described as ‘A mesmerizing, spellbounding experience! Charming and interesting, Meadow takes the rules of bubbles outside the box!’”

Check out the Instagram livestream show here.

Monday, March 30

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Merchants’ Monday

Show our wonderful shops some extra love today!

Shannon Lay - 12:00 PM PDT.

“There is an entire sub-genre of poetry devoted to rivers and their persistent, meditative flow . . . For transcendent folk-pop artist Shannon Lay, the river is all of the above: It’s the metaphor driving her latest album, the exquisitely uplifting August (Sub Pop Records, out August, 23rd)—which doubles as an aural baptism renewing her purpose for making music. ‘I always picture music as this river. Everyone’s throwing things into this river, it’s a place you can go to and feed off of that energy,’ she says, ‘and feel nourished by the fact that so many people are feeling what you’re feeling. It’s this beautiful exchange.’”

Check out the Instagram livestream concert here.

Jesse Linder, Bard - 5:00 PM PDT.

“. . .'Singer of Songs, Teller of Tales.’ Jesse performs as a solo artist and as a member of 3 Pints Gone, and has been a member of Separated at Birth, CrossRogues, and Tippler's Way. Jesse sings at Renaisance faires, American reenactments, Irish pubs, and coffeehouses throughout the Midwest. He currently has three solo CDs and five group CDs in print.”

Check out the Facebook livestream concert here.

Steven Greenman - 6:00 PM PDT.

“Steven has worked with some of the world’s leading klezmer ensembles, is a founding member of Cleveland’s East European ensemble Harmonia, and has been a guest soloist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, performing his own arrangements of gypsy and klezmer music.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Tuesday, March 31

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Time Travel Tuesday

Share your favorite photos and costumes from any time period, from Ancient Greece to 2265. After all, in quarantine, time all feels a little wibbly wobbly!

Jonathan Cannon - 5:30 PM PDT.

“Jonathan has studied klezmer, Romanian, Celtic, and American fiddling, performs regularly, with award-winning Boston klezmer band Ezekiel’s Wheels, and for contra dances.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Wednesday, April 1

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Anne-Mari Kivimäki & Palomylly - 10:00 AM PDT.

“Anne-Mari Kivimäki & Palomylly is an impressive sound mix with stories, archive recordings, jouhikko, double bass, vocals and accordion. Kivimäki’s music has a hypnotic pulse and it’s made for the love of old stories. Kivimäki has gathered her Palomylly band from the musicians on her successful Lakkautettu Kylä (A Closed-Down Village) album.”

Check out the Facebook livestream concert here.

Troy MacGillivray with Sabra MacGillivray - 4:30 PM PDT.

“Troy is a brilliant fiddler, pianist and stepdancer from Nova Scotia.  He’s been featured at many festivals including Celtic Connections in Scotland, East Coast Music Awards, Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, the Barbados Celtic Festival and the Edinburgh Fiddle Festival.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Thursday, April 2

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Cookie Segelstein with Josh Horowitz - 10:00 AM PDT.

“Founder of Veretski Pass, and fiddler with many other top klezmer bands, Cookie has taught workshops round the world, and has been featured in an ABC documentary and a film starring Robert DeNiro.  Josh founded the band Budowitz and has played with Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Theodore Bikel, and accompanied Itzhak Perlman on PBS.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Oshima Brothers - 3:00 PM PDT.

“Raised in a musical family in rural Maine, the brothers have honed a harmony-rich blend of contemporary folk and acoustic pop. On stage, Sean and Jamie create a surprisingly full sound with dynamic vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, octave bass, loops, and percussion. The brothers live in Maine but are often on the road performing, producing music videos, and dancing.”

Check out the Facebook livestream concert here.

Friday, April 3

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest!

Furry Friends Friday

Ever dressed your pet up for the faire? Show us your photos and costume ideas! Or show us your faire-themed fursuit. You do you.

Let’s Get Traditional (The Minstrel Rav’n) - 4:00 PM PDT.

“The Minstrel Rav'n travels the lands Telling Songs and Singing Stories about Taverns, Pirates and Elven Lasses. Songs of Adventure, Drinking... and things a bit on the Naughty Side!”

Check out the Facebook livestream here.

HST (Ed, Lilly & Neil Pearlman) - 4:30 PM PDT.

“HST (Highland Soles Trio) is 3/5 of a family band, with dancer Laura Scott and Jesse on whistle. HST has toured the US and Scotland with new and old tunes in the Scottish tradition.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Saturday, April 4

Gráinne Brady - 12:30 PM PDT.

“Gráinne is an Irish fiddle player from County Cavan in Ireland and currently based in Glasgow where she leads sessions and plays with Top Floor Taivers, string group The Routes Quartet, and Gaeilge/Gàidhlig supergroup LAS.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Pub Crawl - 1:30 PM PDT.

We’ll be hosting a BYOB pub crawl. Keep an eye out for the tag vrf2020 pub crawl for more info. Please follow local drinking laws and drink responsibly!

Costume Contest Judging - 6:00 PM PDT.

Submissions remain open for the Costume Contest until 6:00. Winners will be chosen between 6:00 and 7:00 PDT.

Sunday, April 5

Jenna Reid - 11:30 AM PDT.

“Jenna is a member of the great fiddle bands Blazin' Fiddles, and RANT.  Born & bred in Shetland, she learned fiddle from the late Willie Hunter. Following her music degree, Jenna performed with Dóchas and Deaf Shepherd before joining her current bands.”

Check out the Zoom livestream concert here.

Closing Day

We’re sad to see you go, but we hope to catch you at an IRL faire next season!

[passivenovember]

tagged by @thursday-knight ! Thank you bb <3

Relationship status: So very single & so very gay

favorite color: It changes all the time. I wear a lot of black, my favorite right now is blue, but like. A very specific shade of periwinkle that glows lavender in the light. (can u tell I’m a theatre major)

three favorite foods: fajita nachos and C A K E (not ass, the frosted kind)

song stuck in my head: your woman-white town

last song i listened to: you make loving fun-fleetwood mac

last film i watched: Addams Family Values. It’s one of my depression films :P

last tv show i watched: King of the Hill

favorite characters: Billy “banned for life,” Hargrove, Steve “More is good” Harrington, Lazzlo Cravensworth, 

favorite books: Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead - Frank Meeink ; The Day I Ate Whatever I wanted - Elizabeth Berg ; If I Had My Life to Live Over, I’d Pick More Daisies - Sandra Martz ; Crush - Richard Siken

sweet, savory or spicy food: I eat things. Several things, all the things.

last thing i googled: “how to be a good friend for someone who has autism”

time: 12:33 pm.

pets: Olive is my cat. Alex, my roommate, affectionately calls her “gremlin,” because she’s a fucking mess

dream trip: I lived in Edinburgh for a while, and I’d love to move back. Currently I want to visit France but I need to learn some of the language first. 

anything you want/one thing on your bucket list: to work in a museum, live out my night at the museum fantasies. Also design the costumes & be in a reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

favorite festival(s) you celebrate: Never been to sundance but i’d love to go.

tagging: (not required to do this, you’re never required to do this) @prettyboyporter @inkedplume @madseawitch @cherrydreamer @hartigays

[svankmajerbaby]

i was tagged by @punkenglishnerd - thank you very much, and i’m sorry for being so late!!!

🎃 Pumpkin: Favourite season? spring, because it’s my birthday... and usually the first days of spring are rainy, but then it’s sunny and not very hot yet, so i can dress in layers but i can still bask in the sunshine. i really like autumn too, because while at first it’s too hot to do anything, when it starts to cool down it’s a delight

👻 Ghost: Do you get scared easily? it really depends... for some reason gore doesn’t faze me much, and i’ve become kind of desensitized to a lot of typical horror stuff. but i’m terrified of r*pe scenes, they leave me very nervous and in general a lot of realistic horror, like abuse, torture and the like, gets me very anxious and stressed... i don’t know if i’d call that fear exactly, but if it does, then yeah, i’m a scaredy cat :^/

🎃 Candy Corn: What’s your favourite kind of candy? dark chocolate!! i love really bitter chocolate, or chocolate covered peanuts -that’s what i used to ask for when i went out with my family to the cinema

👻 Vampire: What is your favourite supernatural creature? any sort of manmade creature!!! i really like automata, frankenstein monsters, golems, creepy dolls... but i also love the concept and the symbolism of ghosts and haunted houses......

🎃 Witch: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? i really don’t know... there’s so much i’d like to do... i’d love to be able to speak any language, but i think it’s not really a superpower? since this is halloween themed, i’d have to say telekinesis (matilda was one of my favorite childhood books) and being able to shrink. i’d love to be small as a mouse and wander around the house

👻 Trick or treat: What was your favourite Halloween costume? i dressed as a witch several times!! we don’t celebrate halloween here in argentina, but still there were some birthdays or club parties which were kind of a replacement halloween celebration?? once i went as candy-skull-frida kahlo, and i still think that was my most complex costume... but i really loved dressing up as a witch when i was little, with my green and black striped socks and my witch hat and my long sleeved black top >:^)

🎃 Black cat: Are you superstitious? nah

👻 Ouija Board: If you could change your name, what would you change it to? i used to hate my name casandra, because everyone was called camila or martina or daniela or more “normal” names, and i thought mine was weird... but i still wanted to stand out, so i pretended my second name was miranda, for some reason?? and for some time i was convinced i should change my name to miranda. but after a few years ive grown to like my name, even if i think it does sound kinda pretentious (my parents gave it to me, so its not my fault!!). i’ve also grown to like the other name they would have given me, bruna, which at first i hated but now i kinda love?? maybe i’d change it to that. but i like my name, currently

🎃 Graveyard: Do you know any good scary stories? hmmm the only one that’s like, a scary story, is one i was obsessed with, that was in a book at my school library -i think it’s pretty well known -about the girl with the green ribbon tied around her neck, who has a boyfriend that asks her why she wears it, and she doesn’t say, until she’s in her deathbed and she tells him he can take her ribbon off and he does and the girl’s head falls off. that story lived in my head 24/7, along with actual short stories like the black cat, the telltale heart, the oval portrait, the masque of the red death... i considered metamorphosis by franz kafka a horror story, too, so i guess i’ll add it here. oh, i know!!!!!! one that i think a lot of people don’t know about. the feather pillow, by horacio quiroga. a young couple move to the countryside, and while the husband is away at work, the woman stay at home all the time. the woman falls ill, and the doctor tells her to stay in bed and rest. she gets worse and worse, and withers away. her husband worries but doesn’t know what is going on. the woman finally dies, and when the maid is about to clean the sheets, she notices that the pillow is extremely heavy. and then -she and the husband and the doctor realize -there was a tick, a blood-sucking bug inside the pillow, a typical goose tick that, when given time, can drain a whole person of all their blood it’s better the way the author wrote it, i think i’m selling it short

👻 Skeleton: Have you ever broken a bone? no, i never did anything that could lead to that {:^) when i was younger i climbed trees and played in parks and stuff, but i never played any sports that could make me break a bone... i did break my knee or something?? i can’t remember, but my knee was sort of displaced during a school camping trip in which i got out of the shower and slipped badly

🎃 Werewolf: What is your favourite urban legend? oooooo there’s a bunch from the local high-class cemetery, the Recoleta Cemetery (though i can’t remember any of them very well), where there’s a lot of great urban legends, most of them from the nineteenth or early twentieth century, like one of two star crossed lovers -a young woman who fell for a french soldier visiting argentina -and when he died in the battlefield, she died as well and haunts her grave ever since... or, well, the famous ones like whatever happened to evita’s corpse, which is kind of squicky but still sort of morbidly fascinating??

👻 Horror flick: Do you like scary movies? Boy Do I. i love frankenstein (1931), crimson peak (2015), corpse bride (2005), blood tea and red string (2006), cat people (1942), abominable dr phibes (1970), gaslight (1944), institute benjamenta (1995), little otik (2000), little shop of horrors (1986), picnic at hanging rock (1975), carrie (2013), a girl walks home alone at night (2014), the magic toyshop (1987), faust (1926), mildred pierce (1945), the devil’s backbone (2001), sleepy hollow (1999), the raven (1963), the fly (1958), cronos (1993), the man who laughs (1928), the babadook (2014), whatever happened to baby jane (1962), the cabinet of dr caligari (1920), aaaaand.... the night of the hunter (1955)

🎃 Haunted house: Would you prefer to live in the city or the country? city all the way. i need cinemas, and libraries, and theaters!!!!

👻 Zombie: Do you think that you could survive a zombie apocalypse? oh, no... i’d probably try to kill myself so i can keep myself from being bitten and hurting other people

🎃 Cauldron: What kind of potion would you make if you had the opportunity? some sort of health potion? i wish people didn’t die of perfectly preventable or curable diseases...

👻 Full moon: Do you prefer nighttime or daytime? daytime, particularly the afternoon

🎃 Corn maze:  What is your favourite autumn activity? eating, basically; last autumn i spent it baking, i think. i can’t remember, by this point... we don’t have any particular “autumn traditions”, i think...

👻 Broomstick: What exciting places have you travelled to? i really enjoyed istanbul, with all the cats and the beautiful architecture, i’d like to go back ;_; but i also loved prague a lot, we went in winter and it was all snowy and lit at night and it was such a beautiful place... portugal was a surprise, i liked it a lot more than i expected!!! i miss edinburgh a lot, too, even if it’s a bit too stuffy for me, i still liked it.... and berlin, i think i was in berlin for too short a time. i loved the cinema museum so much, and everyone was so nice, and the city has so much fascinating history... and i also miss athens -again, i was surprised, and i spent very little time there, but everything, the ruins, the modern city, the people, everything was gorgeous and wonderful... and dublin!!!!! dublin was amazing!! i’ve travelled a lot. i want to keep travelling. this year my family and i were supposed to go to russia, and i’m still kinda eager to go.

thank you so much for tagging me!!!!!! and sorry again for taking so long... i’m tagging (only if you want to do it!) @saumenschliesel, @flowerb-0y, @jacobaco, @majorabbey, @thatqueerweirdo, @sbongebob, @buffoello, and whoever else would like to do it!! i really enjoyed answering these asks :^)

[downoperatically]

GINA BECK - Christine Appreciation

For my second Christine appreciation post I want to talk about my favorite Christine: Gina Beck!

Gina Beck played Christine on West End from 2008 - 2010. During that time she played opposite of multiple well-known Phantoms- John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo, and David Shannon.

In a post on Phantom’s website, she says that her first time seeing the show live was in 2000 when it was on tour in Edinburgh during her time in college. She said that her favorite scene was the boat scene, and her favorite costume was the blue “Wishing” dress (not scene here- obviously, in this photo, she is wearing the Aminta dress).

In my personal opinion Gina Beck brought a lot of emotion to her performance as Christine, which I loved. Not only is her singing phenomenal but she brings so much emotion to the role acting-wise.

(Info from thephantomoftheopera.com and ginabeck.co.uk, photo by the theater’s house photographer)

[dopescotlandwarrior]

The Dancer-Chapter Eight

                      A special thanks to @statell​ for your wisdom and help

Previous chapters on AO3

Chapter Eight

Jamie crossed the yard in front of his little house in seconds, came through the door filled with excitement, and what he saw stopped him dead in his tracks. Pretty feet were crossed at the ankle on top of the kitchen table. As he got closer, the ankles appeared, connected to long legs and the hem of a black dress, or shirt, midway up the thigh. A large cookbook was held open in front of her face and she lowered it and smiled at him.

He held the flowers out to her, and she squealed with delight jumping out of her chair spinning around smelling the beautiful flowers.

“Jamie, I have never seen a bouquet so beautiful.”

Once the flowers were in water, she kicked a small booster toward him and stood on it. She was slightly above his eye level, arms around his neck, lips parted millimeters from his, she thanked him for the lovely flowers.

“Did it earn me a kiss from a beautiful girl then?”

She could feel his warm hands sliding up her legs and she pressed her lips to his and felt the magic like the fourth of July. Jamie’s hands continued upward, and he pressed his palms around her globes and then ran his finger under the elastic lace of her thong.

Claire forced herself to stop kissing and stood still before stepping down so she didn’t fall.

She lowered herself at the table and reached for silk stockings that she gently pulled up her legs while Jamie was immobile, watching her. Reaching behind her chair she set high heeled straps on the floor and put them on. Jamie was still standing in the middle of the kitchen, watching, not wanting to miss a single movement.

He noticed finally her hair was pulled up reminding him of a movie, but he couldn’t think of the name. Long pieces swooped down around her face.

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

“What?”

“Yer hair”

“Yes, that movie made this hairstyle famous. In truth, it is the easiest updo ever created. Even so, you can’t touch it if that’s what you had in mind.”

“Why canna I touch it?”

“We have reservations all over the city tonight Jamie. Do you want to shower and change? The limo is coming in twenty minutes.”

“Why Sassenach?”

“Jamie, did you know that your oven and stovetop do not work?”

Jamie was running his eyes down her silk-clad legs licking his lips, “Why would I know that?”

“First stop is 21 where we taste the best whisky in the world. Then to Bordon Castle for Filet Mignon. Anything you want to do in between or after, just say so.”

He looked at this wonderful spontaneous girl and felt her contagious excitement.

“May I ask the occasion lass?”

“My birthday, times eleven.”

Jamie looked horrified he forgot her birthday, but he looked into her eyes and grinned walking toward her as she backed up.

“Yer birthday is March 19th lass. Suppose ye try again.”

Claire was laughing and tried to run around him after he backed her into a corner. He caught her and pulled her to a chair and on to his lap. He ran a hand down her kicking leg and waited.

“I was orphaned at five years old, both parents died in a car crash. The only family I had was my Uncle Lamb who I never met. He took charge of me and we spent the next eleven years in jungles, deserts, remote islands, anywhere his work took him. He was an archeologist and I grew up among tribal people mostly. He brought me to Edinburgh when I was sixteen and enrolled me in school. He was very ill but never told me. One night he handed me a fat bag of gold and said happy birthday for the eleven years I never bought you a present.”

Jamie was shaking inside listening to Claire’s truth. She seemed at peace with what happened, but his heart broke for her.

“He told me to spend the money doing something I would remember forever.” She looked in Jamie’s eyes and smiled, “this is it.”

Jamie was speechless and honored she would choose him as the memory she would never forget.

“Lass, I…”

“It was a long time ago Jamie. Lamb lives in my heart now and he would be impressed with how I planned this night. As a party favor, I will grant you three wishes tonight. Whatever you want, whenever you want it.”

“Can I see mo chridhe? Lift yer dress, show your world to me, as the Americans say.”

Claire stood up and her legs seemed a mile long with her high heels and very short dress. She pinched the sides of the dress and raised it an inch at a time while Jamie watched with rapt attention. Once he had seen the lace tops of the stockings and the tiny thong, she dropped the dress and looked at her watch.

“Ten minutes.”

It was like Jamie finally understood the potential fun in the night ahead and he dashed for the shower. I want to play with you tonight Sassenach, he thought, scanning his clothes for the right everything. He pulled out a white shirt made by the best tailor in England. A Christmas gift from the Board one year. Twenty-five measurements and exquisite fabric created a form-fitting garment that accentuated his muscular frame and flat stomach. He had saved it for a special occasion like celebrating eleven birthdays with an incredible girl.

Claire looked at her date and almost fainted. He looked like he just stepped off a GQ magazine cover. His hair was combed back on the sides, Slacks that hugged his butt and that shirt was absolutely the best she had ever seen. Even his shoes were shiny. She took his sport coat and held it out for him breathing in his incredible smell.

The limo driver looked at the two of them smiling and laughing with each other as they approached. He held the door for them and drove to the first destination. They talked together on the first leg of the trip and the driver was happy to oblige their every wish after that.

Coming back to the limo Jamie handed the driver a flask and said it was fifty-year-old whisky and just a taste. The driver was thrilled.

Dinner was in a converted castle on the second floor. They had a dark table outside where the castle army once stood with bow and arrow ready to kill invaders as they approached. The candlelight along the walls and near the table was soft and made Claire’s skin glow. She looked at Jamie’s beautiful eyes and felt like the luckiest girl alive tonight.

They talked about every subject under the sun because conversation with the other was fun and stimulating. Claire dabbed her lips and exhaled with contentment. Jamie watched her Bambi eyes invite him to love her and his body answered yes, definitely. When her stocking foot pressed into his crotch he nearly shot straight out of his chair. Her eyes were telling him a story that he could not look away from until he had a raging erection he feared would alter his gate.

After dinner they walked the formal grounds of the castle, cuddling and giggling until Jamie could not stand it anymore. He had to kiss her. Pulling her behind a hedge he claimed her mouth and ran his hand up her leg to touch her thong.

“Yer beautiful Claire, so beautiful.”

“So are you, Jamie, it makes my heart hurt sometimes when I look at you.”

He kissed her deeply and then pulled her back to the limo handing a napkin full of goodies to the driver who asked for their next stop. Jamie noticed black glass now separated the front and back of the limo. He started a sentence that died midway through when he looked at Claire.

“Sassenach, I’d follow ye right off a cliff lookin at me that way.”

He pulled her mouth to his, kissing her deeply, hearing her moan. He reached for the phone and asked for a continuous ride until further notice.

When his lips touched Claire’s, he knew they would blaze trails for the rest of their lives, finding the highest peaks, seeing the broadest landscapes. Life with Claire would be extraordinary. When he pulled the long zipper down her back the dress seemed to just fall off her, and she laid back on the limo seat naked except for her lace thong, stockings, and heels.

“Take it off.”

“No.”

Jamie’s eyebrow shot up.

“Do you want to use one of your wishes?”

“Aye”

He burned the image in his mind of Claire naked with sexy stockings and stiletto heels. It was the sexiest thing he had ever seen, and they gave each other the most erotic ride of their lives.

With clothes back on and hair fixed again, Jamie called the driver and requested home. He tipped the driver fifty dollars and asked for his card. The driver watched Claire’s figure in the short tight dress, long legs, and high heels with Jamie’s hand caressing her globes as they walked away. It became his go-to image of success for many years.

Claire packed up her car and called Jamie on her way out of Glasgow the next day. She promised to be at Lallybroch for the weekend and closed her eyes listening to his voice. This was her magic month when someone would love her just as she was. It was like a dream come true so far. She warned herself that it would end in two weeks. Jamie will have had time to fall in love with her making him most receptive to her truth. He had not said he loved her, but she felt his love in every kiss, every touch, and gaze.

The closer she got to Edinburgh the more she felt like the dancer. Her mind filled with lessons with Madu, Omar’s health, costume changes needed, aerial moves added to her routines. When she opened the front door, she was the dancer.

Geillis joined Claire for dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant and they talked non-stop through drinks, main course, and dessert. Claire looked at her last bite of Italian ice and heard someone nearby laugh and call her the Greek dancer. She looked up in horror at the finger pointing directly at her and the sneering, ugly drunk it was attached to.

The blood drained out of Claire’s face as Geillis pulled her to her feet pushing her toward the door to the outside. Once Claire was in the car Geillis locked her in and ran back to pay. Geillis found the offensive man drinking with his friends and she shocked him by putting her face an inch from his.

“I am calling for emergency help because you just accosted my friend. I’ll give a perfect description of ye, fat, ugly and drunk. Good luck with that.”

The men were stunned for about thirty seconds before they almost knocked the table over trying to leave.

Claire sat in the dark car feeling very exposed and scared. She did not figure this into the equation of her life as a dancer and certainly not in her life with Jamie. What if it was Jamie she was with tonight? Geillis jumped in the car and looked at her white-faced friend.

“What if I had been with Jamie when that happened?”

Geillis looked sharply at Claire and studied her for a minute.

“What if it had Claire? It would move the timeline up by two weeks. Right? Dinna get too comfortable in your denial Claire, it willna change the fact that you are the belly dancer that made him crazy with lust and ye took thousands of dollars from him in the process.”

Claire turned her head away from Geillis and cried as quietly as possible. She expected Geillis to apologize but it never came, and Claire suddenly felt completely alone.

Claire sighed with relief when she did not see Madu on the couch or in the refrigerator. She sat on the couch looking at the ceiling, feeling hot tears roll down the side of her face. Why was there no joy anymore without Jamie, she wondered?

The vibration in her pocket meant she had to pull her phone out of her pocket and say hello. It was too much effort tonight. She would call Madu in the morning. It buzzed again; it must be Geillis finally realizing she was mean tonight. The third time it vibrated she grabbed it, irritated, and looked at the screen.

“Jamie.”

“Did I catch ye gettin out of the shower Sassenach?”

“No. How are you?”

“Lonely.”

“How can I help, you know I would do anything for you.”

“Come to Glasgow. Stay with me, Claire.”

She was quiet for a full minute waiting for him to laugh or make light of her living with him, but he didn’t.

“I would love to stay with you for a while Jamie.”

“Can ye get away tomorrow lass? I could use yer help with somethin I’m buildin. Say yes mo chridhe so I can fall asleep tonight.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see ye tomorrow love, sleep tight.”

“Goodnight handsome.”

By noon, Claire had packed her clothes for an extended stay with Jamie which took all of twenty minutes. Madu came to bug her for the afternoon and hung his head like a neglected puppy until Claire told him to make himself at home.

Madu had been sleeping at his cousin's studio since coming to America and it must have been quite lonely for him. He packed her car and pulled her to the couch.

“Claire, this will make the breakup worse for you. Why fall so deep for a man who will cast you aside when he knows the truth?”

The hair on her neck stood up and she wanted to lash out at him, tell him to mind his own business, but she got control of that first impulse and looked at his concerned face.

“Maybe I keep him in Glasgow until he is promoted to London or Germany, so he never has to know I’m the dancer. It could happen Madu.”

“The truth wants to be told, it will come out. When it does, you call Madu, I come to get you, okay?”

“She kissed his cheek, “please don’t wreck the house.”

Claire dropped her groceries on the kitchen table and her eyes went wide at the new stove in the kitchen. It was brand new and just waiting for her to roast, bake, sauté, and fry to her heart's content. In the bedroom, there were new side tables with a lamp on each and a stack of hardbound best sellers. The top drawer of the sink vanity was pulled out with a bouquet of flowers set inside. A note with a down arrow pointing at the drawers below said, “all for you.” She wondered how he could do all this in two days.

She looked at her watch and grabbed her purse. There was plenty of time to get more groceries now that she had an oven.

Jamie could smell food cooking from his truck, and he smiled his excitement. The first hot meal in this place and it smelled like Italian heaven. The door opened to a dozen candles around the room all glowing with soft light and the beautiful voice of Enya filled the room.

Claire stood at the sink running carrots and green onions under cold water and humming along with the music. Jamie just looked for a minute. Her short cotton dress was inches from her core the peasant top hung off one shoulder. She could feel his heat behind her and turned her brilliant white smile on him as he lifted her to the counter, pressing her legs apart to move in for a hungry kiss that lasted five minutes.

Jamie carried her to the couch and found a comfortable position between her legs so they could kiss and whisper and build the heat. Claire fed her man with a happy heart, so thankful that he wanted her there and so anxious to fill his home with lovely touches just for him.

After dinner, Jamie led Claire outside and around to the back of the house where stairs were newly built leading to the roof. She bounced up stepping onto a flat roof that was hidden from the front of the house. Behind them were fields and wildland for miles. Claire touched a large box and looked at Jamie.

“What’s this?”

“That is what I need yer help with Sassenach. It’s plenty early we can start now if yer not too tired.”

Jamie pulled wood pieces of various sized out of the box, bags of bolts and screws, and a booklet of instructions that he handed to Claire. He flipped a light switch that flooded the workspace with light and for the next two hours, they worked together building a double lounge frame and pulling a weather tolerant, high-density mattress from the second large box.

Claire was over the moon with their secret spot under the stars. She stretched out on the lounge and held her hand out to Jamie who accepted her invitation to kiss. The night was so dark they couldn’t see each other, and the light was too bright above them.

“I need to take your clothes off and kiss you right here,” she said, “and here, suck a bit here, and run my tongue from here to here. Can we take this inside so I can do all those things?” She smiled at Jamie who clearly agreed, and they left their rooftop hideaway for another day.

A whisky and a hot shower left them breathless and they spent the next hour lavishing physical love on the other.

“Sassenach, I’m a trustworthy man and I have deep feelings for ye. I will be whatever ye need me to be for as long as ye let me. Goodnight angel.”

When he pulled her close and said that in the dark, Claire heard him say I love you and she snuggled into his chest and closed her eyes.

In the days that followed when Claire served a perfect roast beef, put a baggie of homemade cookies in his briefcase, and chased after him in the morning so she could kiss him one more time, Jamie heard I love you. As the third week came to a close, Claire was the happiest she had ever been in her life. She actually could not have anticipated or hoped for this much happiness because she never knew it existed. Each day of the fourth week was a roller coaster of blissful happiness and soul-killing sadness. The two moods would bounce back and forth as Claire could think of nothing else but telling Jamie the truth.

They had spent the previous weekend at Lallybroch with Jenny who had pulled Claire into a close friendship, reinforced by daily phone calls and giggling promises to get together for lunch or a movie. Her growing friendship with Jenny helped Claire overcome the gaping hole left by Geillis, not seen since the night at the Italian restaurant. It was traumatic for both of them, but she never thought Geillis was that thin-skinned.

To Jamie, Claire was everywhere, and he was intoxicated with happiness after nine years of living alone. He had a secret of his own, one that would join the volumes of classic love stories, if there had been a writer close by to hear it.

Claire cuddled into his arms sighing with pleasure from food, whisky, and gorgeous blue eyes. The Oasis, so named when Claire installed Kontiki torches, a small refrigerator, and a table that had Whisky and glasses. She made it beautiful and Jamie was always delighted to spend the evening up there, holding her, talking, or making love.

“Have ye considered living in another country mo chridhe? Like Germany perhaps? Would ye live with me in Germany, Sassenach?” He cupped her cheek and looked at her like she held the entire world in her eyes. “I love ye, like my da loved my mam. I canna measure the time ye’ve been in my life because ye���ve always been there. As a lad, daydreaming about my future, as a man so lonely for a soulmate, and every moment in between, ye were there. The first time ye gave me yer body I wanted to weep with relief and I almost asked ye where ye been all these years? I’ve been waitin for ye. It’s why I can love ye so deeply after a short time together and I have to ask ye, lass, do ye feel the same?”

He studied her face as her eyes filled with tears. He saw the heartbreak and loneliness of her life, her isolation, and fear from the years living alone. What made him laugh with joy was the unmistakable love she had for him. It pushed his heart into his throat and he kissed her soundly, hugging as tightly as he dared.

“Lass, dinna cry, dinna cry for love ye canna lose. I will love ye for the rest of yer life, come what may. So take a breath and tell me ye love me for all time. If I live in yer heart already, like ye do mine, I was meant to love ye and ye to love me.”

He kissed her breathless and whispered, “tell me ye love me lass.”

“I love you Jamie, more than I ever thought possible. I love you.”

Between each kiss, she said it again, or he did until the kisses did not stop and they could no longer speak.

Claire was unable to stop the bliss of the last few days with Jamie. He talked about their future and she pretended it was real until he left for work and she fell apart. On Sunday evening, after dinner and making love at the Oasis, she led him inside by the hand and asked him to sit with her at the table.

“I love you, Jamie, with every ounce of my soul. I must tell you about something I have kept from you. Her tears were flowing. I would trade ten years of my life not to tell you, but I can no longer keep this from you. John and Geillis are the only people that know. I want to start this story when my bookstore closed because you built a huge new store on my street and put me out of business.”

“I didn’t make much money but enough to pay rent and eat. Knowing I was losing the store made me so afraid. No parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, no one to help me. I searched for a job doing anything, but no one would hire me. I was desperate.”

“Stop Claire, yer breakin my heart, so stop, please. I dinna care to know, how is that? Let’s just move on from here. If ye robbed a bank, who cares? If ye…I, I canna think what could be so terrible right now because I just want ye to stop hurtin so bad. It doesna matter lass.” He was pleading with her because he never suspected she could deceive him the way she had. She continued.

“When we came to Edinburgh, my uncle taught at university and I went to public school. The girls were so mean to me and I just wanted to die. I saw some bullies coming down the street one day, so I slipped into the first door I found to hide from them. It was a dance studio and the owner was very nice. She offered me lessons if I helped her after school. She taught me for six years and gave me comfort when my uncle died. It was the only thing I knew how to do besides sell books.”

Claire completely broke down and Jamie pulled her from her seat and held her close, rocking her from side to side, speaking his low Gaelic voice. When she could breathe again, she sat down quickly desperate to finish the story and be done with this, whatever happened.

“I had no money, my rent was late, and I would be homeless soon. My instructor got me an interview to dance as an entertainer and the sweetest man in the world gave me a job …belly dancing at his restaurant. I am a belly dancer Jamie. I am the belly dancer you came to see so many times, the dancer you made love to in the dressing room.”

“I am so sorry for the deception.”

“I hated you at first and blamed you for my problems. I would dance for you and then ignore your request to speak with me. Until we had coffee, and I wasn’t mad at you anymore. We spent more time together after that and I fell in love with you. When you had to move, to build the new store, I thought you would be gone forever, that is when I let you into the dressing room. My heart was breaking, and I had to feel you touch me just once.”

“That’s it.”

Jamie’s face had lost all color and he shook his head side to side as if that would make all this vanish. He stood up and paced in the kitchen, looking closely at Claire, then back to the pacing.

“Why tell me now?”

“I have to go back to work tomorrow, my month of vacation is over.”

“Why tell me now?” He repeated.

“I love you Jamie and wanted to spend as much time with you as possible. To live my dream of someone loving me for me.”

“Why not tell me the first night I watched ye dance?”

“Because she isn’t me. That job was a means to survive, that's all.”

“I offered ye the manager job in Edinburgh, why didn’t you take it?”

“I didn’t trust you yet and couldn’t put my fate in your hands again.”

Her voice was so low he could hardly hear her. Jamie watched her body shake from head to toe and he felt no desire to comfort her. Now that he knew, he could clearly see the dancer was Claire.

“Did ye mean to make me love ye so completely before ye told me the truth?”

Claire was sobbing uncontrollably but nodded her head.

“Yer a cruel and selfish woman then. Months of lies, probably snickering behind my back and when I say I love ye, a bomb is dropped in my happiness. I dinna know ye at all Claire but for the heartache I will suffer for yer selfishness I can honestly say I dinna deserve it. I never meant to hurt ye with the bookstore and looked high and low for ye to make sure ye were alright. I would have found ye a decent job if ye let me know what was happening to ye.”

“Why belly dancing Claire. It doesna suit ye personality or was that a lie as well. Yes, I can see it was. No wonder ye changed so much with yer makeover. Ye were goin back to who ye were. It's a twisted game ye played on me.”

“Jamie walked to Claire and pulled her face up to look at him. Someday, when my heartbreak heals, I hope to forgive ye.”

With that, he walked to his bedroom and closed the door, closed her out, closed his heart, and closed any hope she had of forgiveness. Claire cried until she was exhausted. Never had alone in the world felt so catastrophically bad. At four o’clock in the morning, she stumbled to her car with the possessions she could find without going into his bedroom. She cried as she drove home pulling over twice when she was out of control with her sobbing.

Rain was coming down in Edinburgh when she parked her car and she stumbled into her house dripping wet. She sat in the dark and sobbed. Madu came out of the bedroom hearing her heartbreak and he held her and cried too.

Jamie laid awake all night, hearing her cry and hearing her leave. Every five minutes he would remember something else she lied about as the layers of deception grew. Several times he sat up holding his chest feeling like a heart attack was coming and forced himself to calm down and breathe slowly.

When the sun came up, he drove to work doing his best to get lost in the madness and problems with the building. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he left and drove to Edinburgh to see John. Jamie was sure he would drop his own bombs of truth, but he had to know.

Madu made Claire some tea and sat on the floor at her feet, ready to fetch whatever she needed. She finally dispatched him to retrieve her costumes just to have a little quiet time. She laid in her bed and closed her eyes but all she saw was Jamie, in love with her and then furious with her. She got up and turned the music on in her studio. Looking at her reflection in the mirrors she was disgusted at her slumped shoulders and puffy red face.

“Hold your retched head up you conniving, lying bitch. He sent you back to where you belong so deal with it. How could you ever think you could stay with him? You are a fucking dancer you pathetic fool, so dance for your supper! Dance for your rent! Dance for your sanity and your very life! Dance!” She screamed.

[votsalot]

tagged by @queentoad​ <3

🎃 Pumpkin: Favourite season?

I like them all for their respective things! I like summer the most because I am literally allergic to cold weather. But in the spring I like watching everything melt and turn green, in the summer I like to go outside (lmao), in the fall I like all the seasonal flavors and all the trees that change, and in the winter I like the energy surrounding December.

👻 Ghost: Do you get scared easily?

I don’t like jump scares but I have a high stamina for other kinds of things. In terms of real physical things that can scare me, spiders. In the adult-fear sense - losing control of things. This past year has been. A ringer.

🎃 Candy Corn: What’s your favourite kind of candy? 

Raspberry and chocolate together, sour things generally! I got some sour gummi bears in a Halloween pack and they’re my favorite right now.

👻 Vampire: What is your favourite supernatural creature? 

Ghosts. I like the stories associated with them.

🎃 Witch: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? 

I would like to be able to shapeshift.

👻 Trick or treat: What was your favourite Halloween costume? 

My favorite Halloween costume was when my parents dressed me up like baby Simba. It had a little bonnet shaped like Simba’s face, and a tail, and it was the best thing I’d ever experienced in my four years of life.

🎃 Black cat: Are you superstitious? 

It depends on what it is.

👻 Ouija Board: If you could change your name, what would you change it to? 

If I were to change my name, I’d probably go by my middle name. But personally I like all the parts of my full name. They all have the same number of letters and share the same third letter, so if I changed my name it’d have to fit lmao.

🎃 Graveyard: Do you know any good scary stories?

I’m reading a really good book with my partner called Her Body and Other Parties ( @queentoad​ there’s a retelling of the green ribbon story in there you might be interested in) and it’s good so far. We haven’t read it in a while because the last one we read was about a pandemic that destroyed the world and it felt a little too real hhhhhhhhh.

But I used to live in a mildly haunted house, according to my mom. Nothing wild happened but she swears there were ghosts there. I was too young to remember.

👻 Skeleton: Have you ever broken a bone? 

I’ve broken my right wrist twice - once from falling down the stairs, and another time from jumping from the top of a slide. I thought it would be a good tag strategy. In high school I sprained my ankle so badly I passed out because I..........jumped off the top of stair landing because I......thought it would be a good cat-catching strategy. We call that a through line. 

🎃 Werewolf: What is your favourite urban legend?

My favorite urban legend is the one we made up as a class in third grade. There were trails in the woods behind our elementary school and we used to be able to go on them during recess (used to being the operative word). These woods were close to residential houses but to 8-year-olds, it was the wilderness. Long story short, someone heard a chainsaw revving and then boom! We were all convinced there was a killer stalking everyone who used the trail. Did this stop us using the trail. This all came to head when my teacher told one of the boys in my class to bring a scary mask to school and hide on the trail, and then he convinced some of the students from our class to go explore it. I don’t know what happened because I had to sit at the punishment wall for getting a bad grade on a spelling test or something, but I watched all of them come running out the woods with the other kid chasing them. We weren’t allowed back on the trails after that, thanks for nothing Mr. K.

👻 Horror flick: Do you like scary movies? 

Yes! I have a very special place in my heart for horror-comedy movies especially.

🎃 Haunted house: Would you prefer to live in the city or the country? 

City over country all the time.

👻 Zombie: Do you think that you could survive a zombie apocalypse?

Nope! That one post about wrapping yourself up in all the cashmere you own and dying in bed during the zombie apocalypse is what I envision for myself, but without the cashmere because I don’t own any.

🎃 Cauldron: What kind of potion would you make if you had the opportunity? 

Potion of no more periods. One-and-done. Boom. No health coverage necessary.

👻 Full moon: Do you prefer nighttime or daytime? 

Early morning when the sun is up, and the evening when the sun is setting.

🎃 Corn maze:  What is your favourite autumn activity? 

My favorite autumn activity is all the stuff with apples and pumpkins. And going to orchards, watching scary movies.

👻 Broomstick: What exciting places have you travelled to? 

I loved going to Edinburgh, I loved the weather and the architecture. We also got to go to Loch Ness, which was incredible. Dresden was also beautiful, and bright. Berlin was very modish and had excellent kebab. I’m going to remember Munich until I die. I got to visit Tuscania in Viterbo, Lazio Italy because we had a friend who was studying abroad there at the same time we were travelling - they filmed parts of the 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet there. Her boyfriend gave us a midnight ghost tour 👀 She was also taking a cooking class and her professor invited us to dinner at her restaurant/resort...honestly it was like living in someone else’s life. We went to France, spent a week in Barcelona. We wound up in Amsterdam on King’s Day completely by coincidence and it was the coolest experience. If I was going to pick two places to go back to, it’d be Edinburgh and Amsterdam. I regret not going to see Highclere Castle when I had the chance, because I was literally living 20 minutes away from it for four months. I can’t believe I told myself I didn’t really care about it that much. I also regret not making time to go to Ireland.

My sister also got first-class trip to Disney World in high school. It was probably a $15,000-$20,000 dollar experience and we would NEVER be able to do that unless she’d wished for it.

tagging @kiahexploration and anyone else who is interested <3

[bee-kathony]

Donuts, Drives, and Dinnertime | Sam & Cait AU

a/n: inspired by this picture of Sam and Caitriona at dinner after work, I love when they hang out sort of personally. thanks @raelovesoutlander for the help! 

The past week had been hectic. In all honesty, the past couple of weeks had been a lot to handle. With multiple trips to London, and filming in between, Sam and Cait were both spent. On Sunday, Caitriona had to be on set early in the morning to film a new scene Diana had written. Unfortunately that meant she would be going into work alone — without Sam. But, it was a scene set in the 1960’s which meant one more time to wear Claire’s iconic clothes and don the driving glasses she wore.

Meanwhile, Sam stayed behind in London to work on a few new business projects. He also needed to sign scripts for the Omaze campaign donors. Sam and Caitriona weren’t one of those couples that needed to spend every second together. Especially since they worked together practically every day. But it didn’t make the time and days apart any easier. They were each other’s calm centers.

Tuesday rolled around, and finally, a day off. Well, not exactly a day off. They were filming south of Edinburgh tomorrow and they needed to be at location tonight. It was a two hour drive and they would be there for the remainder of the weekend. Sam and Caitriona decided to drive themselves.

“Should we pick up something to eat on the drive?” Caitriona asked, putting her overnight bag into the back of their Audi.

“It’s only two hours, but if you want,” Sam smiled, sliding into the driver’s seat. He’d gotten in from London just yesterday afternoon. Spending hours in the car with Caitriona after a busy couple of days was just what Sam needed.

Pulling out her phone to check nearby food options, she found a donut shop. “Tantrum Donuts? It’s just a few minutes drive down the road, unless of course you’re staying away from sweets again?”

“I don’t think one donut will be bad,” Sam shrugged. “I’ll leave the other eleven for you,” he laughed.

“You make me sound like a pig,” Caitriona squinted her eyes at him as she buckled into the seat.

“You know I’d be eating at least six donuts with you if I weren’t trying to get back into marathon shape,” Sam said and reached for Caitriona’s hand across the dash. “Which reminds me, I really should go for a run later or something, my schedule has been so out of sorts.”

“I’ll come running with you,” Caitriona said and when Sam looked over at her, surprised she started to laugh. “Just kidding. One marathon was enough for me. I think it’ll be a few more years before I attempt another.”

“But you did so well the last time, babe,” Sam squeezed her hand. “I’m still really proud of you for that, you know?”

Blushing, as she always did when Sam complimented her, she squeezed his hand back. “I know. Just like I’m proud of you for signing up for another. You really are the energizer bunny.”

They drove down a few streets, ending up at the donut shop Caitriona had found.

“I’ll just pop in and pick up a dozen? Too many?” She asked, but not waiting to hear the answer before she closed the door and went inside.

The building was really cool, and she’d never seen it before. They had so many different flavors, it was hard to choose, but she picked out some she liked and a few she knew Sam would enjoy.

“That place is bloody amazing,” Caitriona said and opened the box for him to look. “You would not believe the smell.”

“Alright, maybe two,” Sam laughed and reached for a chocolate frosted donut, pulling out onto the street.

During the car journey, they were mostly quiet, enjoying each other’s company. It wasn’t often that they had a chance to drive long distances together. Caitriona was in charge of the music, switching between her favorite bands and then to classical music which Sam said put him to sleep.

“Should we stop by your mum’s house when we head back to Glasgow on Thursday?” Caitriona asked. “It’s on the way right?”

“Yeah it is,” Sam nodded. “I’ll call her tonight and see if she’s free to meet up, she’d love to see you. She was gutted she missed you at the Stirling graduation.”

Sighing, Caitriona let her head fall back on the headrest. She had to work on the day Sam was receiving his first honorary doctorate. But, that didn’t stop her from keeping the livestream up on set and making sure to see him honored.

“I know, I can’t believe I couldn’t leave for a few hours. But someone’s gotta keep the show running,” she poked her tongue out at him and he grinned.

“How’d your filming go on Sunday?” Sam asked. “I forgot to ask you.”

“It went well,” Caitriona nodded and reached at her feet for the donut box, picking up half a donut she had started earlier. “I do love wearing those costumes, and God, the cars! They’re so cool.”

“Alright, alright,” Sam chuckled and glanced over at her.

“I mean,” Caitriona swallowed. “It was horrible and not fun at all.”

Smirking, Sam moved one hand to settle on her thigh. “But really? It was okay?”

“Oh yeah, the scene will be great. It was sort of weird to be filming those kind of scenes, almost like I was back on season three,” she said.

“When we were apart,” Sam made a frowning face and Caitriona reached up to pinch his cheek.

“Yes, exactly,” she laughed.

Another hour in the car later and they’d finally arrived near where they’d be filming. They would be filming some scenes at the Manderston House and they need to be up early.

“Do you want to go for dinner in,” Sam checked his watch, “Thirty minutes or so?”

“Sure,” Caitriona said, following Sam as he walked into the hotel. It was a small charming place.

“I might try and go for a run later, that is if I’m not too full,” he rubbed his hand over his stomach. Caitriona shamelessly admired him as he stood at the check-in desk. He worked so hard on his body, and she got to reap those benefits.

When they reached their room, they both went into unpacking mode. Only staying for a few nights meant light packing, since they’d be on set most of the time in costume. After changing out of their car clothes and into something not so casual, they both headed out for dinner.

They settled on a restaurant across from their hotel, not wanting to venture out too far.

“How are you holding up?” Caitriona asked him once their food arrived. “It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I know you haven’t really had any time to stop.”

Sam took a big bite of his vegetarian pot pie, a bit of comfort food. “Suppose I’m just stressed and a wee bit tired.”

“Wee bit,” Caitriona smiled softly. “I’m sorry about the Henley festival too,” she said, looking down at her plate. “And about that photo we had to take.”

It had nearly been a disaster. Caitriona and Sam were going to go alone, but then she got word that she had to bring a plus one.

“It’s alright, just for looks,” Sam took another bite. “Managed to spend all night with you anyway,” he said and reached for her hand across the table.

“I just know it stresses you out,” Caitriona said. “Him… being there.”

“We can’t really do anything about it, babe,” Sam stroked her palm with his thumb. “But I appreciate your concern. I do, and,” he smirked. “I know how you can make it up to me later.”

“Is that so?” Caitriona matched his smirk.

They finished dinner and headed back to their room. Sam ended up laying down on their bed and falling asleep. But, he woke forty minutes later, hair messy and eyes puffy.

Yawning, he sat up and looked over at Cait. She was laying beside him, reading a book, her glasses perched on the end of her nose.

“You look so studious,” he smiled.

“I didn’t want to wake you, so I thought reading would be quiet,” she smiled and leaned over to kiss him, running her hand through his hair. It had been growing longer, which she loved — something to hold onto.

“What time is it?” He asked, looking around the room for a clock.

“Almost nine,” she answered.

“Jesus,” he ran his hand over his face. “I really do need to go for a run, I’ve been aching to get out and do something.”

“Go now, the sun’s not set yet,” Caitriona nudged his leg. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

Knowing she was right, Sam got up and changed into a blue long sleeve shirt and a pair of shorts. A quick run would be just the sort of thing to get him out of his fog.

“I’ll be back soon, shouldna be a long run,” he said and kissed Cait on her forehead as he left.

Whenever he was tired, or drowsy after lovemaking, his accent always sounded thicker. It was like music to Caitriona’s ears.

While he was out on his run, Caitriona decided to hop in the shower.

She loved being on location and getting to stay somewhere new. Of course, she missed Eddie and her own bed, but it was nice every now and then to get away. Stepping into the shower, she sighed as the water ran over her body, washing away the day. She didn’t bother washing her hair, since it would be hidden under a wig tomorrow.

Lathering up her arms, she rubbed the soap all over her body — down over her stomach and back up over her breasts. She hoped Sam wasn’t too tired after his run, normally he came back energetic and sometimes even aroused.

Caitriona turned off the water, and stepped out into the bathroom. She reached for a white fluffy towel and wrapped it around her body, tucking it in the front so she could use her arms. If Sam was full of energy when she came back, there certainly would be no need for clothes, so she kept her towel on and went back to sit on the bed.

He’d been gone for fifteen minutes, and he said it would just be a quick run. Having nothing else to do, Caitriona grabbed her phone and flicked through her socials. Once she had checked and liked a few photos, she heard her stomach growl.

“I’ll burn this off later,” Caitriona said as she stood up and grabbed a blue icing covered donut from the box.

Just as she went to sit down on the bed, the door opened and Sam walked in. He was covered in sweat, and he laid his phone and keys down on the table.

“Have a good run?” She said through a mouthful of donut.

“Aye,” he grinned, still breathing heavily. “I drove a bit down by the water and ran, twas beautiful. I’m really glad I went and did it.”

“Well, good!” Caitriona grinned and Sam laughed, noticing her teeth were covered in blue frosting.

“You’ve got a little something there,” Sam pointed to her mouth and came to stand in front of her.

Caitriona could smell him. That primal scent of musk and salty sweat. Her face was eye level with his crotch and she thought she saw the slightest bulge. She went to take another bite of the donut, but Sam grabbed it out of her hand.

“You weren’t going to eat this whole thing by yourself were you?” He asked and took a bite. As he did, a glob of bright blue frosting dropped onto her thigh.

“I just showered!” She complained.

“I can see that,” Sam said and set the donut aside. She was about to wipe it off with her finger, but suddenly Sam was getting onto his knees before her. His hand went to her thigh, gripping it firmly.

“I’ll clean it up, babe,” Sam said softly.

Caitriona could still see the light sheen of sweat on his forehead and through his shirt. She watched as Sam bent his head and then his tongue was on her, flat and wet, licking up the frosting. Shivering, Caitriona fell back onto her elbows.

He pushed the towel further up her legs, licking and nibbling her inner thigh as he went. The frosting was long gone, but he wasn’t stopping. Caitriona ran one hand through his hair, gripping onto the back of his neck. He took one long swipe from middle thigh to her groin, earning a quiet whimper from Cait.

Covering her mouth with the back of her hand, Caitriona bit down gently on the skin as he  began to part her legs.

“No,” Sam said and pulled her hand away. “I want to hear ye.”

“We’re in a hotel,” she chuckled.

“So,” he shrugged. “Let them hear.”

Reaching up, Sam pulled at the tuck of her towel and it came undone, falling back onto the bed. His hand cupped her breast, kneading and flicking her nipple with the pad of his thumb. He hadn’t even touched her where she needed him most, but she felt fit to explode.

Sam grabbed her waist and pulled her to the bed, lifting both her legs to rest over her shoulders. She was about to say something, but was silenced whenever his tongue touched her pussy. He was holding her against this mouth, not letting her even move her hips.

“God,” she moaned and flexed her legs, her heels hitting his back.

A chuckle came from his chest, and he moved one hand to open her lips, finding her clit with his tongue and sucking on it.

“Fuck,” Caitriona cursed, and grabbed onto his head. His head was bobbing — moving quickly against her and she already felt swollen. One long digit eased into her and she cried out, her body jerking involuntarily.

“That’s it,” Sam said from between her legs. His grip tightened on her thighs and he began move her body against his face. Hot puffs of air touched her skin between every lick and she knew he probably couldn't breathe — not that he seemed to mind.

Caitriona started to grind against him, her hips lifting off the bed as he held her up to his mouth. His tongue flicked out on her clit, causing her to groan. The sound of her, the taste of her — it was driving him mad. One hand left her thigh and when Cait opened her eyes to look at him, she saw he was now gripping his cock, slowly pumping it back and forth.

The sight of him between her legs, taking pleasure from her was all it took to send her convulsing around his tongue and fingers.

“Oh fuck,” she moaned, her body trembling.

He didn’t wait long before pushing her back onto the bed. His shorts were already in the process of falling down his legs and he stepped out of them, reaching behind him to pull off his shirt. As he moved on top of her, Caitriona’s hands came up, running over his sweat soaked chest.

“I do always like it after you come back from a run,” she commented, biting her bottom lip.

“There’s something about seeing you covered in sweat,” her hand moved down over his stomach and finally wrapped around his hard cock.

Sam groaned, his eyes briefly shutting. He had both hands on either side of her head, holding himself up above her. Beneath him was a gorgeous woman, her eyes locked on his and her hand gripping him in only a way she knew how.

“I want you to fuck me, Sam,” she said, emphasis on the fuck.

“I recall ye said ye would make up the Henley festival, no?” He grinned and rolled over onto his back, pulling her to straddle him. His hands were on her waist, pushing her down against his length.

Caitriona began to gently rock her hips, not taking him inside of her yet, but rubbing her pussy over him. Even his cock was sweaty, and she reached between them, squeezing his balls in her hand, and watching as his face screwed up in pleasure.

He liked to watch her ride him, holding her hips and thrusting up into her. Her breasts bouncing and her face contorting in the most delicious ways.

Slowly, Sam slid his hand up and over her stomach, then cupped one breast, squeezing it as she moved her hips. She likes for him to be rough sometimes and so he squeezes hard, pulling on her nipple.

With one hand on his chest and the other between their bodies, Caitriona takes hold of his cock and sinks down onto it. They both simultaneously moan, a feeling of relief washing over them. Caitriona begins to rock because she can’t help it, the feeling of his cock touching her so deeply she can’t think straight.

Sam moved both hands on her ass to help move her, grinding her down on his cock. It’s almost too much — to see her lose all abandon, to lose all senses as she gyrates her hips. He loves watching her come undone, loves being the reason for it.

“Faster,” she begged and that’s when Sam leaned up and grabbed her, turning and pushing her back flat on the bed and thrust into her, making her cry out. Her leg wraps around his hip and then he’s fucking her balanced on one arm. His hand moved between their bodies, massaging her pussy as he slides into her.

He doesn’t know how much longer he can last, and he can feel his balls tightening. He lowers his body, trying not to crush her as he closes his mouth over hers. The kiss is hungry, wet and desperate. Caitriona practically claws at his back, anchoring herself to him.

The bed is moving with every thrust, but he’s not even worried about being quiet. He only wants to see and feel her come around his cock. With every bit of self-control in him, Sam pulls out until just the tip is inside of her. She barely notices before he slams back into her, jolting her body.

Sam kissed her again, their tongues meeting in the middle and then she’s bites down on his bottom lip, close to drawing blood as her body trembles underneath him.

“Shit, shit, shit,” she mumbled and she comes with her whole body, the sound of her moans filling the room. Sam thrust into her one more time, feeling her pussy clench around him and then he comes, fast and hard.

Rolling onto his side, he slipped out of Caitriona, one arm still laying across her stomach. He hadn’t even been breathing this hard after his run earlier.

“I think I’ll need another shower,” Caitriona said and looks over at him, laughing. “You’ve got a bit of blue frosting in your hair.”

“Oh do I?” Sam sighed and reached up, touching it. “I wonder how that got there?”

Caitriona snuggled up close to him, pulling his arm around her and they laid there, feeling safe in each other’s warmth. At some point they fell asleep, only waking hours later to both of their alarms going off.

++++++

The next day was work as normal, filming scenes, waiting for the next shot. Every now and then before the director would call for rolling, Sam and Cait would exchange a look and burst into a fit of giggles. They knew everyone around them hated them for it, always laughing like children.

Once work was over, they changed into comfy clothes and headed in search for something to eat. They found a small pub called Atelier and went in, looking for good food and a few drinks.

“Want to do a cheese board?” Caitriona asked, looking over the menu. She was starving, and they hadn’t eaten too much on set.

“Sure, looks good. Dinna have to drive tonight, so I’ll get some gin too,” he smiled. Sam reached his hand over the table, interlacing his fingers with Cait’s.

“Excuse me?” Came a voice from behind them and Sam nearly jumped, letting go of Cait’s hand. They both looked over to see a man and a woman, holding a phone. “We’re such big fans of the show, would you mind taking a photo with us?”

“Of course!” Sam smiled. “It’s so lovely to meet you, are you from around here?”

“Aye, we live just around the corner, just came from a work meetin’, I canna believe we ran into ye both!” The woman smiled and then they posed for the picture. They all talked for a little bit before parting ways and Sam and Cait went back to their table.

“Well, shit,” Caitriona said under her breath.

Sam laughed and sighed. “We can’t hide forever, Caitriona.”

“I know that,” she said and ran her hand back through her hair. “Any chance they’ll just keep that picture to themselves?”

“Not a chance, Balfe,” Sam grinned. “Let people have their fun, it’s just dinner, aye?”

Caitriona smirked and reached for his hand, squeezing it again. “Sure, just two friends out for dinner after work.”