#the man in the high castle season three is here

[simplyzeeka]

Episode 1. Season 1 (Pilot)

The Big Bang

Come follow me to luxury

Gold on the floors

And all over me

Warnings: MDNI!! Profanity, mentions of violence, adult themes, use of the n-word, use of the b-word, themes of infidelity

Summary: Not every princess lived in a castle. Terry learns this when he meets what he considers a celestial being in the dirtiest of places. Too enamored, he forgets about all his spoken promises to another.

"AND ACTION" 🎬

There's always a comfort that comes with having options, especially if every option benefits you. It didn't matter how miniscule the situation may be, having options just made it all the better.

A man like Terry was one that believed options to be a luxury. He wished he had that luxury when life struck a butcher knife to his heart and ordered him to walk like it didn't hurt. Maybe then, if he had options, he would've picked a butter knife instead. And maybe then, he wouldn't have needed to experience hell or high waters.

So it's understandable that he felt a tinge of discomfort when that luxury was taken away from him, maybe a little irritated. Here he stood, with two of his friends (dumb friends, might he add), first in line to enter what he would describe as the dingiest strip clubs he has ever seen, not that he’s seen many. Now, Terry has been in worse predicaments than this, he's been in places that looked way more… unsightly than this.

It was just the subtle air, a foreboding feeling that washes over him as he looked at the club doors, that made him think that he could have spent his bachelor party at home instead, by himself. Nothing appealing came from watching strippers dancing anyway… for him at least.

“So you tellin’ me you couldn't have picked a less shady place? Looks like it's bout to rain bullets here.”

Or maybe he was just paranoid. Three years of therapy could only do as much as you let it, and Terrence Richmond? Well, he didn't let it do much for him.

“I just wanna see some ass shake man, all them fancy strip clubs have the bitches with no ass. They not even pretty in the face.” Rome exaggerated, chewing the gun in his mouth so loudly, Terry had the right mind to knock him out.

“Nigga, you dense as fuck. This that shit that got you that STD.” Yosohn shook his head as he schooled Rome, not that Rome was open to listening.

Terry met Rome and Yosohn a year after moving to Georgia. Rome being the big mouth he was, got a little mouthy with Terry and almost got knocked out clean. Yosohn spoke on behalf of his friend, then weirdly, they became friends. Although they weren't the type of company he would normally surround himself with, they were great distractions when life didn't seem worth living. Them and his fiancé.

“Man, I ain't ever telling you shit. This why Ronda left yo ass. Let's get inside before I crash out on you, blowing my high.”

Yeah, amazing distractions.

It smelled better than expected really. While Terry expected a cacosmic mixture of perfumes, sweat and vomit. It smelled like sweet cherry liquor, only a little bit of sweat and it seemed every woman here used the same perfume because it smelled all the same to him.

The interior of the club was very… busy. Not a shocking resolution, it was a strip club. Just a little uncomfortable, the three men had to bump, push and wedge between drunk bodies to get to the small booth Rome booked.

“Man, look at all this. Tell me you don't want that Terry.” Rome tilted his head downwards as one girl, seemingly a dancer, walked past him. Terry just gives Rome a blank look, “You don't ever get tired of talkin’?”

Yosohn's shoulders shook, head thrown downwards. Rome was clearly the most talkative out of all three, and while Yosohn matched his energy sometimes, it got a little unbearable at times. But what made him laugh was how he shut up as Terry spoke to him, until this day, Rome doesn't dare cross a line with the large man.

“Fuck you laughin’ at? Bald-headed motherfucker. Yo beard patchy as fuck, go take some Minoxidil.” Terry couldn't help but laugh at that. Their banter is always something worth watching.

Raunchy music dripped from the speakers as dancers performed praise-worthy tricks on the poles at the main stage. With hands digging deep into his pockets, he bopped his head to the catchy beat of the music. Not his usual taste, but anything was better than standing there looking awkward.

Rome had long disappeared, Terry wasn't sure if it was the bar he went to, or perhaps he followed behind a dancer. “Let's get you a drink man, can't even act like you enjoying yourself.” Yosohn shook his head at how sad the man looked. “It's cause I'm not.” Terry retorted with a small chuckle, the first he's given since being away from his fiancé.

Alas after a few drinks, Terry has let a little loose. His teeth were on display more, his shoulders slack and his hands out of his pockets.

There were a few girls in the booth with them, Terry didn't care to entertain either of them though. Courtesy of the club, they sent them a bottle with knowledge of the occasion, and of course, that was thanks to Rome.

The DJ kept announcing the arrival of dancers on stage for solo performances. All which had patrons screaming and throwing money on the stage, painting it green with Benjamins. Clearly this was a generous crowd.

It wasn't until the music changed into something slow and sensual that his attention perked towards the stage. The lights have changed to warm,dim, orange, then queued the DJ. “Aight, y'all already know what time it is. Let's get into some slow seduction with one of your favourites… Indigo.”

Except this time the crowd was quiet. Not a single scream, just sublime silence. “Yo, what's this wack ass shit? We don't wanna hear this slow shit.” Silence that Rome had no problem breaking.

Terry couldn't help but internally agree, because this was a strip club. There was a specific aesthetic that strip clubs had, and slow wasn't one of them. The crowd wasn't silent in boredom though, they were attentive, staring directly at the stage. He notices how not a single phone was out, just wide eyes and anticipating smiles.

He wondered why until he registered the soft melody of Victoria Monét's “Big Boss” playing through the speakers, and there was Indigo.

A hand on the pole as she walked around it, before climbing up. A gold set was on her, glitter stuck to her skin. Just as the song recited. She resonated a bright star as she twirled on the pole with skill.

Her black tresses flowed around her in controlled movements. Her movements weren't as sharp, quick or as ‘sexy’ as the other dancers. Her movements were smooth, sensual and hypnotising. She didn't let the pole control her, instead the pole gave her every command and she obliged willingly.

Indigo wasn't dancing to seduce. She danced to engage, to captivate. She captured more than just her audience's eyes, she captured their hearts and their minds. She commanded everyone to silence. The small smile on her face as she danced made her all the more ethereal, there was no way on this damned earth that a beauty like that existed. Not when mundane people like himself existed. Was it possible to co-exist with such an entity? That much was unbeknownst to Terry.

She had taken so much of his attention, that he did not notice when her set was over. The party was back up again once everyone regained their composure, everyone except him because his friends had to shake him out of his trance.

“Yo Terry, you good bro? This nigga gone.” Yosohn laughed at Terry, but truthfully, he understood him. Indigo was a beauty yet to be reckoned with. It took him a while to shake out of it after watching the dancer perform.

“Now that's the kind of hoe you turn into a housewife.” Rome comments, still glancing at where Indigo had exited the stage.

“Aye Rome, Terry gone bruh.” Yosohn doubled over as he took a short video of Terry. Rome reached over and slightly smacked the big man out of it. And immediately, old Terry was back to mugging and grunting.

“Don't get fucked up.” He muttered to Rome, before glancing back to the stage again. “Oh hell no, bring her back on stage. Big ass attitude. I hope Amber cheating on yo ass.”

A drunk Yosohn was sliding off the sofa in laughter. Terry smacks his teeth before taking a sip of his whiskey. His mind was racing, eyes twitching as his leg began bouncing. He needed another fix of seeing Indigo and suddenly he understood the crowd, the silence. The need to capture that moment in its entirety, because Terry thought it was short… too short. *She just got on stage.*

“Who was that?” He asked, nobody in particular, as long as he would get an answer, he didn't care who it came from. “That's Indigo, she been dancing here for a couple years. Pretty as fuck, as you see. I think her-” Yosohn answers before Rome interrupts. “And greedy as fuck too, you forgot to add that.” Yosohn rolls his eyes, “She rejected him, don't mind him. Anyway, think her real name Senia or some shit like that.”

Terry hums, eyebrows twitching subtly. Now his mind was treading on dangerous territory, wanting to know how he could get to see her again, right now. “She do private dances?”

The mere question has Rome and Yosohn shocked. Terrence Richmond had lost all sense of composure at that moment, that he didn't care much about looking a little too invested.

“Huh? You tryna fuck up before your wedding day? Yeah no, let's bounce.” Yosohn shook his head, being the angel on Terry's one shoulder, and of course, Rome would play devil's advocate. “Bro what? Stop being lame, it's his last day single, one lil dance not gon hurt. Amber probably doin’ the same shit.” Rome waved his hand in dismissal. “He's not single dumb ass nigga.”

The two continued going back and forth, they didn't even notice Terry getting up. “Hey man, I was wondering if I could get a private dance.” He questioned the bouncer who stood near velvet curtains. The bouncer mugs Terry, “Nigga, do I look like a stripper to you? Fuck you asking me for?”

Terry sighs, how the fuck was he supposed to know who and what to ask. His thick brows furrow and his lips curl downwards before looking around. The bouncer sighs, the man was clearly new to this.

“Who you lookin’ for?” His ears perk, head whips in the bouncer's direction. Wasn't even the slightest bit embarrassed in his pursuit of finding her. “Indigo.”

The bouncer nodded with a hum, his request was very much understandable. Sticking his head in the curtains, he yells the stripper’s name. It wasn't long until she appeared again that Terry felt his heart skip a beat. The stage did not do her any justice, because even now under dim lights that made it hard to see, Indigo still looked jaw-dropping. “What’s up Nyx, who is this?”

Her southern accent was thick, the drawl did something to his chest that had him wondering if he had a heart condition. “He askin’ for a dance, baby.”

The dark-skinned beauty raised a perfectly trimmed brow in Terry’s direction. “Oh is that right?” she asked the man himself, and the smile on her face was enough to send him into cardiac arrest. “Yes ma’am.” Terry retorts with a smile of his own, close-lipped and gentle.

Eyes glazing across her features, Indigo laughs at his politeness. It wasn’t often she met someone as polite as him when asking for a dance. “It’s gon’ cost you.”, a declaration. Terry found that wooing more than anything, “That’s fine. I’m willing.”

They stare at one another for a while, while Indigo seemed to be sizing him up, Terry was tracing her face, pocketing the memory in a place where everything felt nostalgic, because Terry couldn't help but feel something familiar about her. A feeling he shook off because now he sounded stupid.

Indigo hums, that was also a response she didn’t hear often, but she wouldn’t dare complain. “I’ll keep that in mind, c’mon baby.”

"AND CUT" 🎬

Note: Not as long as I would have liked, but I also beat a record... so win some lose some?

Yosohn pronounced. Yo-shawn. I'm extra...

This will be an angsty series revolving around uncomfortable matters. Infidelity. Like I said in my last post, I do not condone it, and neither should anyone.

This is purely fiction.

Hope you enjoy this, I'm honestly really invested. That playlist I made is really doing what it's supposed to.

Playlist here if you're interested. Hope you enjoyed the first part.

Next episode

[livingdreams97]

Eloise Bridgerton - "The Prince" (Part 1)

Eloise Bridgerton x Male reader/oc

Summary: Two people who have never seen each other before, with the same need and desire to be free in different ways. What could come of that when both people meet each other?

Words: 3.983

NEXT

Masterlist

POV Narrator

In a castle located three hours from the center of London, two men are in a meeting and in a somewhat heated discussion. One of the men is in his late 40s, while the other much younger looking man is in his 23s.

XY: You will go to the palace with your aunt and you will participate in this year's social season.- declares the older of both.

XY2: You can't do this to me father.- denies the youngest . -You can't force me to look for a wife.- the son denies.

XY: I'm not forcing you to look for a wife, just to participate in the social season and look for someone to love.- he claims to his son. -You are twenty-three years old and  at your age, I was already married to your mother and already had your brother.- he reproached him, causing the young man to cross his arms.

Y/n: But I don't want to get married, I want to travel and see the world.- he comments getting up from the chair. -I want to get to know different cultures, learn languages and see places that most people can only dream of.- he says walking through the office.

XY: And you will.- he assures her calmly. -But once you find someone, you fall in love and get married.- he dictates, continuing with his writing.

Y/n: And who assures me of that, father.- he says passing his hand through his almond-blonde hair. -We both know that as soon as I get married, I'll have to take care of my wife and start producing heirs. When will I travel ? - he asks the older man.

XY: I assure you that you will travel.- he says looking back at his only living heir. -What do you think if we make a deal?- he offers leaving the pen in its container

Y/n: What deal?- he asks interested, sitting back in the dark blue suede chair in front of his father's desk.

XY: If you manage to fall in love and get married this season, you will be able to travel around the world for 6 months and I myself will pay for your travel expenses. In addition to that, I promise to give you a house, wherever you want as a wedding gift to you and your wife; without the need for you to generate heirs immediately.- the father offers and this captures the attention and interest of the child.

Y/n: But ... - He begins by meeting his father.

XY: You will have to be really in love, you will show me your love for her and your aunt has to give you the go-ahead.- he finishes speaking. -What do you say, do w have a deal? - he questions his son.

Y/n: Okay.- the youngest nods with a sigh, allowing the light curls on his head to bounce subtly and his father to notice it.

XY: So tomorrow morning you will go to the palace, where you will stay with your uncles and before leaving you will receive a haircut.- He points out his son's slightly long hair.

Y/n: Yes father.- accept tired. - Can I retire to my room now? - he asks and the father nods.

XY: Make sure you have all the clothes ready first thing in the morning.- he reminds him as the young man leaves the office.

And that's what happens the next day. After a haircut and loading the suitcases into the family's navy blue carriage. Father and son say goodbye with a hug, before the youngest gets on the carriage and it sets off towards the palace.

Dear readers,

Have you missed me? Because here I am once again, ready to talk and comment on the events of this new season.

While our respected high society was enjoying their country retreat once more, this author did only one thing: polish my art. Or should I say hatching my plans? No, even better. I was sharpening my knives even more and collecting information.

Apparently, a few hours after the debuts of this season, two luxurious-looking carriages have arrived at the palace and they were loaded with abundant luggage.

Could it be that the queen will host a debutant or debutante of the royal family this season, as she did  with her nephew Prince Friedrich of Prussia?

On the other hand, Queen Charlotte has once again done something unexpected and has renamed Edwina Sharma as the diamond this season. It will be that she is not happy with the failure of last season with her diamond, that she is trying to remedy the situation and regain her credibility when choosing the diamond of the season.

We also have the Bridgertons to congratulate, as the Viscount and Viscountess have just welcomed their first heir with open arms. And they will not only celebrate the birth of the little girl, but also the debut of two Bridgertons more. Will the matriarch of the family be capable of directing and helping three children at the same time in search of a partner?

It only remains to wait and see everything that this season has in store for us. What mysteries and secrets our high society hides that they do not want to be known.

Always yours,

Lady Whistledown.

POV YOU

I listen to what my aunt reads aloud as we eat dinner, watching disgust and anger fill every feature of her face. I look at my cousin Friedrich , who continues having dinner and not giving importance to what is being read .

Charlotte: How dare that woman question my ability to select, I am the one who created the idea of the diamond and I have not failed even once, until last season. - she grumbles, leaving the newspaper with force on the table.

Y/n:  Aunt, don't give importance to that gossip newspaper, they are not important and you are one of the most capable and intelligent women I know.- I assure her with a slight smile.

Charlotte: You will see my dear nephew Y/n, I appreciate your sincere and encouraging words.- she tells me with a small smile. -But if the people believe what this woman writes, my past successes don't matter, much less if it only reflects my only failure.- she explains and I frown at her annoyance.

Friederich: You are the queen, ignore it and the rest of the town will too.- he comments without much interest.

Charlotte: What I will do is use your presence, to relax the atmosphere and make sure that everything goes well.- she comments with confidence.

Friederich: And what do you plan to do with our presence?- questions with confusion, although I already understand it and I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to like the idea.

Charlotte: You are both here with the intention of finding a woman, therefore I can ensure that one of both of you ends up with my diamond and thus recover the full respect of the town.- she answers and I bite my lip.

Y/n: Aunt, you know that I respect you and that I never disagree with you.- I start a little unsure. -But I'm sure you know my father's opinion regarding marriage and that you only have to marry for love.- I remind her and see how she tries not to smile.

Charlotte: I know my dear Y/n.- she assures me with a certain tenderness in her eyes when she looks at me. -That is why I have decided that Friederich is the one who is interested in my diamond, maybe even something real will come out of this.- she says and I nod in gratitude.

It's not that I really want to marry for love, a few years ago I would be happy to find someone to fall in love with and marry.

But seven years ago my opinion changed and I have not wanted to fall in love and get married since then. When I was 13 years old, my brother had an accident riding a horse in a race and died. My mother went into anger and depression over the loss of her first child.

Two months after the loss of my brother, my mother could not continue and died of sadness. So only my father and I stayed.

I saw my father mourn the loss of my brother, trying to cheer up my mother in her depression and soon after also mourning the loss of my mother. I saw him suffer every day since my brother's death and for another year after my mother's death.

I saw how sad and broken he was when he lost the love of his life. The house was no longer the same, without my brother's laughter or absurd comments, everything felt silent. In addition to the fact that the warmth and happiness that my mother radiated had been replaced by the coldness of her lack.

That's why I stopped wanting to find someone to fall in love with and marry. Because I had seen what the loss of my mother did to my father and how it felt to lose two of the most important people in my life.

So at fourteen I decide to renege on marriage, preferring to remain single and not get close to another person in a sentimental way. But now there's my father's offer, and it's an offer I can't refuse.

I have always wanted to travel and see the world. But my father has never left me, saying that it was irresponsible to go on a trip and leave my chores behind. Although now that my father offers me 6 months of travel around the world, expenses paid and a house to be independent; I can't refuse the offer.

Especially when as soon as he could, my father sent me to university in Manchester and having finished my degree in natural sciences and its use in medicine, along with some medical courses; he wanted to enjoy traveling to find and study new plants as well.

But just because I accepted the offer doesn't mean I'm going to marry for love. But I will try to find a woman, who really does not want to get married; but do not want to stay single and be separated by society.

Friederich: If you think it's the best option, I agree to help her and meet the diamond of the season.- he accepts, causing her to let out a sigh.

Charlotte: Well, I hope you dress as well as possible, because in a few hours the guests will arrive and it's the first initiation dance.- she warns us seriously. -In this first dance I am the hostess and it will be your presentation.- she says and we both nod in agreement.

Friederich: I'll put on my best suit.- he nods puffing out his chest.

Charlotte: One last thing, Y/n Lady Danbury will take care of your introduction into society and will help you in the dances.- she tells me and I nod. -She has more experience and can better help you find a woman.- she explains with a loving smile.

Y/n: Thank you for thinking about my needs aunt.- I thank you with a smile.

Charlotte: I always will Y/n, besides that Lady Danbury is hosting another season at the Sharma and so it will be easier for Friederich and Edwina to get to know each other.- she explains to both of us.

Shortly after, we finish dinner and everyone heads to their rooms. I decide to wear black pants, with a morning suit of the same color with gold buttons and shiny black shoes.

I decide to wear a white shirt, with a navy morning suit and a white Byron tie. I look at myself in the mirror in my bedroom, making sure everything is in place and my hair is neat. ( He has the same hair as Theo , but with a little more curl.)

I grab the white gloves and leave the room after taking a deep breath. I descend the stairs, putting on my gloves and listening to the music from the ballroom in the background.

XY: Sir, Your Majesty requires your presence.- He warns me and I nod with a smile.

I follow the servant, entering the ballroom and immediately feeling the curious eyes of those present on me . I keep my gaze fixed, never taking it away from my aunt and the woman with the cane at her side.

Charlotte: Dear, how good that you have arrived.- she greets me with a smile. -You remember Lady Danbury right? - she asks pointing her head at the woman next to her.

Y/n: Of course I remember her aunt.- I nod with a smile. -It's a pleasure to see you again Lady Danbury.- I greeted taking her hand and leaving a polite kiss on the back of the hand. - You are as beautiful as six years ago.- I compliment her with education .

Lady Danbury was very close to my mother, so from time to time she always traveled to our house and paid us little visits. But after my mother died, her visits became shorter and less frequent.

Until after an argument with my father, because of how he was mourning and his way of focusing on work without showing me affection or support, it happened.

After that discussion, my father asked him to stop coming and that if he wanted to keep in touch with me he could only do so by letters; and so it has been for the past six years.

Danbury: As flattering as always prince Y/n.- smiles making me a bow. -It will be a pleasure to be your supervisor this season.- she assures me with a smile.

Y/n: The pleasure will be mine Lady Danbury.- I assure her politely. -It is said that her role in the Duke's marriage was crucial.- I comment and she smiles holding on to my arm.

Danbury: It was and now I'll get you a wife.- she tells me with certainty. -If you'll excuse us, Your Majesty, I have to expose this boy and introduce him to several possible debutantes.- she says goodbye to the queen and pulls my arm.

We start to walk around the room, while she talks to me about each newcomer we pass by and giving me her opinion about them.

From one moment to the next, she lets out a small exclamation of emotion and pulls our joined arms with a little more force.

Eloise's POV

I can't believe my mom dragged me into this for another year and even less after what happened last season. I very much doubt that any man wants to marry the woman who goes to the market alone and joins companies with radical political ideas.

After what Lady Whistledown wrote about me, or rather; what Penelope wrote, everyone looks at me badly and the scandal did not bring my family much good fortune.

But as much as I have refused, my mother has forced me to participate again for another year and this time telling me that I have to really try. She will even force me to have two complete dances, complete dances with someone other than my brothers or she will take away my books and all my liberties.

I haven't even managed to convince her, saying that she can't supervise Francesca, Colin and me at the same time; and that I would take work away from her by not showing up this season.

But nothing, she has not accepted and has put aside every reasoning I have given her for not making my debut.

And that brings us to this moment. To the first ball in the palace, where as soon as we have entered the door the eyes of almost all the guests are on us and the looks on me are not entirely positive.

Violet: Look there is Lady Danbury.- my mother comments with emotion, but I only look around and I meet the gaze of my old best friend.

I keep looking at her with all the resentment in the world, remembering all the damage she has done to my family and especially to me. I still can't believe that she is Lady Whistledown and was able to write that way about me: her best friend since childhood.

I pay attention to my mother again, when I feel how she pinches my arm and I complain, caressing the area.

Violet: And this is my other daughter Eloise Bridgerton .- introduces me and I look away from my now enemy, finding Lady Danbury with a boy by her side.

XY: A pleasure to meet you all, Lady Danbury often talks about you Lady Bridgerton and always in very high esteem.- He greets her by kissing the back of her hand, as with my sister and approaching to do the same with me.

Violet: I hope so.- she jokes with him.

I just watch as the unknown man gently takes my hand and brings it to his lips while staring into my eyes. After kissing my hand, he gives me a smile and politely lets go of my hand.

Danbury: From what I see, dear friend, this season we will both be very busy.- she comments to my mother and I looked at her with confusion . -You supervising your three children debuting and I supervising Edwina Sharma and Prince Y/n of Hannover here present.- she comments amused and I open my eyes, impressed in the most hidden way possible.

Violet: Oh, so you're going to debut too? - asks my impressed mother to the prince.

Y/n: That's the idea, my father thought that it's the right time to start looking for that special person so I can get married.- he answers with a perfect smile; iugh what a rage of a man.

Violet: It seems to me that your father is quite right, finding a special person to fall in love with and thus be able to get married takes time.- she comments and I can see a certain citric expression on his face, but it's barely perceptible and covers it very fine with a smile

Y/n: It's the same thing he says.- He nods agreeing.

Danbury: Why don't you invite Miss Eloise to a dance, dear.- she suggests and I want to deny it immediately, but I see the look my mother gives me.

Violet: I think it's a great idea.- she supports her friend with a huge smile.

Y/n: I suppose that if Miss Eloise accepts I won't have any problem dancing with her.- he assures looking at me with a small smile and extending his hand.

Violet: She doesn't have any problem, right daughter?- she asks me with a smile between her teeth.

Eloise: No, I would love to dance with you, my lord.- I assure him, bowing slightly and accepting his hand.

Y/n: Perfect, so if you'll excuse us, there's a dance floor and a dance waiting for us.- he tells those present with a kind smile and guides me towards the dance floor.

We were immediately on the dance floor, with one of his hands on my waist and the other connected to mine. While my free hand rests on his shoulder and a new song begins.

Eloise: I have to apologize in advance for stomping on you during the dance.- I repeat what my mother has dictated to me so many times before each dance.

Y/n: It's okay, not everything in this life tries to dance perfectly and in sync.- He downplays it by starting to move. -And tell me, is it your first season?- he asks while we dance and I count the steps.

Eloise: Don't talk or I'll get involved with the steps.- I order, looking down at my feet.

Y/n: It's easier to look at your dance partner than at your feet.- he assures me with a certain amused tone. -If you only look at your feet, you'll end up skipping a step and you won't be able to continue counting the steps.- he explains with evident experience.

Eloise: Perhaps the Prince of Hannover had problems with dancing.- I scoffed with a bit of venom.

Y/n: Well yes and I'm not ashamed of it.- he admits standing up. -The dances and some other points of the social events seem too banal and unnecessary for a day to day .- he explained and I looked at his eyes completely surprised.

Eloise: What? - I ask completely surprised, I would never imagine that someone from royalty, much less the queen's nephew, would think something like that about social events.

Y/n: The fact that i'm part of the royal family does not mean that i do not have my own ideas and that I agree with everything that is done in these events.- he comments without much interest. -Besides, the dances are supposed to meet and connect, which is absurd since there is nothing better than a conversation to get to know someone.- He defends his point of view and I couldn't agree more .

Eloise: Then why are you participating as a debutante and dancing with me right now? - I ask with a frown.

Y/n: I guess for the same reason as you.- he answer directly.

Eloise: And what do you know about my debut.- I say defensively.

Y/n: People like to talk, Miss Bridgerton, besides that your disgusted face and little interest in dancing are clear signs that you 're not making your debut for fun.- he explains and I purse my lips a bit annoyed for how fast he has read me; and for what he will have heard from me.

Eloise: What have you heard about me?- I ask him in a somewhat aggressive way.

Y/n: The dance is over.- he says separating from me . -It looks like we'll have to continue this conversation at another time, Miss Bridgerton .- he comments, leaving another kiss on the back of my hand and guiding me back to my mother. -I return your daughter Lady Bridgerton in one piece.- he tells my mother politely.

Violet: I thank you my lord.- she thanks him and the prince makes a small bow and walks away from us. -How was the dance with the prince? - she asks me excited.

Eloise: Incredible mother, dancing with the prince has been such a compliment, it has been a dream come true and now I can die in peace. - I exaggerate ironically and she looks at me challengingly.

Benedict: He seems like a nice guy.- he comments with our mother. -Besides, he's endured a whole dance with our sister and it doesn't look like he's complained about her stomping.- he comments amused, causing Colin to laugh and for me to hit him on the arm.

Eloise: I haven't stepped on it.- I deny immediately in my defense.

Colin: Yes, you have.- he assures me with confusion and amusement . -You've stepped on him like five times at least.- he points out and I open my eyes surprised at not having noticed.

Benedict: We were betting on how many more stomps the poor man would put up with.- he comments laughing with our brother.

Violet: Stop talking nonsense and laughing at your sister.- she tells them seriously. -Now Benedict, help your sister socialize and you Colin; you come with me.- she orders us.

Eloise: And Francesca? - I ask confused not seeing my little sister.

Violet: Your brother Anthony has offered to help her this season with me. - she tells me and I nod in understanding. -Now move all of you.- she says and after grabbing our brother's arm she disappears.

Benedict: Let's go around and discuss some of the ridiculous dresses and accessories of your competitors.- he mocks, offering me his arm and I delightedly grab it with mine.

Benedict is my favorite brother, because he always follows my jokes and he is the person with whom I feel most comfortable to talk about anything. I have always felt a greater connection with him than with any of my other siblings.

As we walk around the room, talking about some of the tacky dresses and hideous costumes of the other debutantes at the ball. I can't help replaying my conversation with the prince during the dance in my head, trying to figure out what he meant by his words and what he knows about me

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Of Monsters and Men

The Witcher Season 3

Chapter 1 - Shaerrawedd

Summery: Constantly on the run to protect Ciri’s life. You, Geralt, and Yennefer face deadly foes while trying to keep the peace between the three of you.

Warning: fighting, blood

Of Monsters and Men masterlist

They came for her again last night in the hills by the water. Before that, a few weeks past with some guards and a man with glasses. Some professor. All of them hired by that fire mage, Reince. The reason your traveling party hasn't been able to take a rest for longer then a week at a time.

You'd left Kaer Morhen a time ago with Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. Jaskier choosing to go his own way for awhile, concerned about his safety and wellbeing and all that. Understandable. So the four of you left, traveling with the intention of living somewhere for as long as Cirilla needed. A place where she could learn to fight and tune into her natural magical gifts.

Somewhere safe and comfortable. A home to grow and enjoy life for all that it is and can be. The place you'd help raise Ciri until she was strong enough, until she was ready to force Nilfgaard back into their den. Or become a Witcher like Geralt. Whatever her choice, she would be well prepared for it by then.

However, life refuses to make this easy for anyone. Men hunting you four always. Hiding and sneaking in the dark, a few in broad daylight, a couple on horseback. All have come to take her and kill you, Geralt, and Yennefer. All have failed. Yet these events have made Geralt all the more paranoid, more so then he's ever been.

You go through it a day at a time. Teaching Cirilla how to fight, how to hold a blade, how to survive. Yennefer teaches her magic and control of chaos. Geralt teaches her about herbs, monsters, and Witcher things. Together she's got wonderfully exceptional teachers. The best at what they do, the perfect guides for her.

You understand her urgency to grow and learn, but you also know running from place to place is wearing her out. If not now, later. She's bright and fearsome as a spring flower. She doesn't deserve to be hunted for her existence. You know all to well what that felt like, how it still feels. Hunted for what you are. Tracked ruthlessly for days on end.

This is no life for a young girl. Being on the run.

Your hand touches the rough bark of a tree as you press your body against the trunk. High up into the canopy of an evergreen, watching over the snow covered forest for any sign of a threat. The night is dark and the snow falls gently from all around you. Below is your companions camp. They're sleeping near the horses in their thick blankets and clothing. Ciri is wearing your cloak.

You can't feel the cold so your attire looks slightly out of place here. You look more prepared for the spring then this chilly winter weather. All in all, it bothers you not.

You scan the woods but see nothing of any concern. You're far enough north, you haven't seen another person in days. You stay in the tree, siting down with your back against the trunk this time. Letting your head rest pressed to the bark. The scent is an earthy one with remnants of home in the pines outside your mothers castle. There, you'd do the same as you are now. Sit and watch from a hidden point of view.

Circumstances greatly different.

Your mind wanders to the events that led you thus far in your journey since the banquet. That damned party. The place in Cintra where it all began, where destiny chose to push you on a new path. Oh so long ago. A far away memory.

Their tranquil breathing is a good sign that they're all sleep. Some nights you'd keep watch till the dark blue hour before dawn and Geralt would still be awake. Other times that would be Yennefer. Yes, your dear friend Yennefer. She is doing her best for Ciri. She is an immensely patient help to the girl. She is what Cirilla has needed for a long time.

You have been giving her a hard time anyways. You love her, you really do. She's your friend, you considered her your sister at one point due to your closeness and history. You've known one another a very long time. Longer then Geralt. Yet she had hurt you deeply.

Many moons ago she had taken whom you have grown to love and protect. The Cintran princess. Ciri. She had been tricked and deceived by Yennefer just as she did to you. All in the name of chaos. Granted, Yennefer couldn't give Ciri away when it came time for the act to be done. She did go forth with the plans to obtain the enchanted girl anyhow. And she did succeed. She took Ciri from you.

Though Geralt gives a word or two to the mage. You haven't been able to bring yourself to say anything at all. You still feel all too strange about it. Puts a bad taste in your mouth. Most notably, it's severed the trust you had built with her. You'd wished it never happened, and yet it did.

You wished there was no battle at Sodden, you wished that Yennefer never disappeared and lost her powers all at once, and you wished she never took Ciri from you. Those things cannot be undone and you understand this. Some acts are meant to happen for other things to take place. No matter if they hurt or not.

Things will be better, you know this in your heart.

Your scarlet eyes fall upon Geralt tucked warm in his dark cloak, body sleeping on a thick mat. The fire next to his head flickers with the breeze, embers glowing deep fiery colors. You can smell the burnt wood. You can smell him. An odor you could find in the largest of cities, no matter how far he went wandering. A strong man smell of earth and metal. A Witcher's scent.

Tomorrow you'll sleep in a bed. You're sure of it.

———

The day turned to gray storm clouds faster then you'd have liked, bringing wet icy-cold snow from the heavens. Every time you exhaled a puff of white was sure to follow. You could tell the winter chill was beginning to weigh heavy on the other two ladies by the time you all reached Yarpen's home.

The feisty foul mouthed dwarf you first met on the trip to kill that dragon. He welcomed you four nonetheless, though he made himself clear not to touch a thing. And that payment would be due for this unexpected arrival. He did remember you however, and he made it known to stay away from him. Joking of course. Well......you couldn't completely tell.

Fortunately he had room to spare. You, Geralt, and Ciri to one house. Yennefer to the other. You could tell she would have liked your distance to be within a few feet. And maybe a word or two. But you didn't look at her so she knew better then to join you three in the small house. You're not ready to share a conversation just yet.

A few nights passed after the first. You all finding your new home quiet suitable for the time. It's safe and warm. It's far from people and any towns. Secluded. Just how you'd prefer. Just how Geralt likes it. Just what Ciri needs.

You've talked it over with Geralt a few days back. To live here with Ciri and Yennefer until the girl is ready. Keep here through the seasons and let her grow in body and magic. Stay in this quiet place by the water and the pines. You'd like that, but you know Geralt too well.

—

The axe cuts through cold wood on the stand, two chunks of now smaller wood falls to either side. Geralt reaches down for another while you stand nearby with the letter Yennefer stuck to your door. You hold the parchment in your hand and begin. "Dear friends, we're so far off the map here that we may never leave again. Come to think of it, would that be such a bad thing? We'll continue magic lessons before the ice melts, I promise. But for now, perhaps the girl deserves a break. Perhaps you both and I do too. Your friend, Yennefer."

Geralt says nothing. You let the moment pass while he cuts another log in half. "Well?" You ask.

"Hmm?" Another log is cut.

You fold the paper, glancing over to Yennefer and Ciri ice skating together a short distance away. "You have nothing to speak of it?"

"She's trying." He grunts. Two more pieces of wood fall to the piles in the snow.

"I do agree this place is good for us, all of us. But I don't know about waiting too long for these lessons."

"She is still young."

You absentmindedly turn the paper in your hand. "So was I."

He cuts another chunk, then he gives you his full attention. "Her mother wasn't a vampire."

"But she was a queen. Just like my mother. She cannot waste time."

"She has us, do not forget that." His golden eyes shine bright with truth. "She is bound to us."

You watch the young girl smile and laugh with Yennefer, they're a sweet pair losing their footing on the slick ice. They're not very good with skates and yet they're enjoying themselves immensely. You can't help the small smile forming onto your features. "You're right. She has us and she needs laughter if she means to live to her eighteenth birthday."

"You should join them." He suggests with a kind grin.

You set your eyes back to Geralt, "Don't be ridiculous, I'd look a fool." His laughter is sweet as you kick a piece of wood, sending it sailing towards the forest. "Why don't you join them?" He holds up his axe and you flick a hand at him like you mean to swat him like a fly. "Oh shut up."

He smiles again, admiring you dearly.

———

The days pass and the snow stops falling yet it still sticks to the ground. Still keeping your boots wet and some feelings damp.

It may have taken awhile, but one evening Geralt let Yennefer in for dinner. She invited herself, but you could tell Ciri was glad to have her there, so you didn't mind. The time spent was not wasted and the meal was good, though you could not let yourself speak to her. At the end of the night all you gifted the mage was a simple good night and that was it. She smiled when she left. You looked to Geralt and he smiled at you. Giving your hand a squeeze.

A day later you said hello when passing her to hunt for deer in the woods. The next evening you invited her to dinner, well you sent Ciri to invite her. But Ciri told Yennefer you did....you were simply too busy to do it yourself. And now, much to Geralt's surprise, you're about to give Yennefer some extra wine.

You're not forgiving her, but you do miss talking to her. Geralt isn't exactly the best conversationalist of the group and Yarpen is more or less off-put by your presence. Ciri is kind but sometimes you merely want another adult woman to talk to. The horses don't care to listen. So Yennefer it is.

Your boots press into the snow covered earth as you grip the wine bottles handle. You're still uncertain of this decision but Geralt insisted it was the right choice. You are all Cirilla's parents in one way or another, so keeping ties strong should be important. You're still not sure if this is a good idea.

It's too late once you reach the thin wooden door. Just before your knuckles make impact with the wood, it opens. Surprising you, however you don't flinch. Long black hair and two exquisite lavender irises stare back at you. She smiles warmly. "Y/N." A soft, happy voice.

"Yenns." Her old nickname slips out before you can stop it.

Her smile never fades. "You need..."

"Wine." You finish. "I know you needed some more. So I brought you this." You stiffly hold up the large bottle for her to take.

"Oh?" She takes the unexpected gift. "Thank you. I did need some more."

You give a small nod, taking a step back as you mean to leave now. She's unsure of herself or what to say and you don't stick around to listen. You're halfway across the yard when she calls for you. Unlike other times, you stop and turn around.

She's still at the door with the wine bottle in her hand. "Maybe we could share this an evening?" Shaking the bottle to further promote the hopeful question. You can hear it slosh around from here, you can still smell it too. What a lovely scent. Reminds you of the vineyards in Rinde.

"Will there be dancing and music?" You jest.

She tilts her head knowingly, appreciating your light humor again. "It can be arranged."

She watches you flash a quick half grin before turning and continuing on your way. She has waited months for that, not sharing a few words with you has been almost as horrible as losing her magic. Perhaps she'll tell you that when the time is right.

———

Outdoors and crouched by the fire a short distance from the houses, you poke the burning embers with a stick as Yarpen pulls his wagon past you. His horse flicks it's tail as he shouts for it to stop. You stand and go to help unload, Geralt and Yarpen are already taking baskets off the cart by the time you reach them. Though it appears the dwarf is less satisfied with this haul.

"Wish I had more for ya, but the Squirrels hit Henselt's convoy." He says, standing on the porch, picking up a potato from a bag. "Look at these. Potatoes the size of gnome nuts."

The Squirrels, some band of thieves that keep bothering travelers.

Ciri and Yennefer join when you grab a leather bag of something smelling of old bread. "Did they attack your convoy as well?" Asks Geralt, setting a basket onto the porch.

Yarpen scoffs. "I'd like to see them fuckin' try it!" He states, leaning into the wagons side. "The elves' gripe is with the kings, not us. They're just trying to soften the North for the grand cock of Nilfgaard." He makes a little gesture with his thumb and pointer finger. Insinuating Nilfgaards cock is indeed tiny.

"Nilfgaard gave elves refuge, and now they're fighting on their behalf." Adds Yennefer while you walk past with a bag of apples, giving her one in the process. "Amazing what people will do when you give them a second chance." She muses, taking a bite to hide her smile.

Yarpen doesn't miss the subtleties. His brows furrow as he points between you two. "Hold on! You're talking to creepy eyes again?" You glare at him as he laughs. "Bout' time too. I was fearin' we'd never have Spring if you two lassies didn't lighten up. Reminds me, our Belleteyn festival is just down the valley." He turns his attention to Ciri. "You should come."

Ciri grins, excited at the thought. "I'd love to."

"Bad idea."

"It's not safe." Are promptly heard by Geralt and Yennefer just before you add. "Alright." In agreement to this lively spring gathering. A princess should have fun after all, shouldn't they?

The two of them look at you, surprised. Ciri appears rather elated. You shrug at the hesitation from the older ones. "No one's asked about her in months. Everyone will be in costume and we'll be there." They remain unconvinced. "We can handle ourselves."

"And...I was born on Belleteyn." Adds Ciri, looking between the three of you.

Yarpen grins mischievously. "Ah! You'd have had a shot at bein' May Queen. Except my niece's beard is comin' in nice and full this year. May be some competition. Hahaha..." His laughter is rapid and annoying with that accent of his, but you don't mind his enthusiasm. Geralt gives him a warning glance as he walks around him to pick up more stuff from the wagon.

"Just say yes, already!" Shouts Yarpen, irritated with Geralt's usual disapproval. "About time for a fuckin' thaw round here." He walks off to sort his things, no doubt fed up with the lack of adventure radiating off of your group.

Ciri approaches Geralt. "I promise I'll be safe." He sighs, taking his focus off of the wooden box he's about to grab from the wagon.

Taking out a bottle of wine from the box in your left arm, you casually flip it in your hand. "We may not have the grandest luck, but honestly with us so far out here. How bad can a Spring festival be?"

———

"I feel ridiculous in this thing."

Sat diligently in his chair, Geralt turns around to meet you in a rather beautiful dress. You stand there like a fish out of water in a green thing that makes you look like some sort of queen of the water nymphs. It is gorgeous and spring-like, but it is Yennefer's extra gown. Not quite your taste by any means.

Geralt keeps silent, too awe struck to speak a word, no less think to create one. He's never seen you in such color before. His golden eyes scan all over your dress, the way it sits on your body, the way it hugs in just the right places. He finally stands and approaches. His eyes are dazzling as he looks into yours. "You look lovely." He says softly. "So beautiful my dear Y/N."

Your irritations slink back with the sweet words. You can't help but reach up to hold his cheeks in your nimble hands. His strong ones resting on your hips. "Thank you. Though I may have neglected to realize I would need a dress for this thing."

He squeezes your hips. "Would you have me take it off you then?"

Heat immediately blossoms in your nether regions with his sly words, enticing question indeed. You rub your thumb over his lips. "Perhaps." You gift him a tender kiss. "When we return."

"Now let's get going shall we?" Geralt parts from you to open the door, he holds it for you and gives a slight nod of his head. "Your carriage is waiting my princess."

You step past him but not before running your finger across his broad chest. "Why thank you sir. Will you be with me all night?" Gerald chuckles as he follows you out the door.

"If you'll have me." He adds, playing along.

You smile deviously. "Wonderful. We're going to have a brilliant time."

———

It didn't take long until the lot of you had made it to the Belleteyn festival. It didn't take long for you all to get to comfortable and thus before you knew it, shit went south. The night was filled with fires and food and music. Joy and laughter and drunken spirits. Then in the maze, a place that was meant to be an enjoyable time with company. A place to get lost in for a little while and act silly as you tried to find the way out. It was fun.

Then you heard something. So faint, a movement on the earth. A rolling vibration, many legs, a mass of energy larger then anything that should have been at Belleteyn. Geralt didn't hear it. No one around you wandering the maze revealed any inclination of hearing this mysterious being. You knew it was alive and going somewhere.

Then you caught it's foul scent when the wind changed. Putrid and stinking like an insect left with a rotting corpse. Then the sound and the smell intertwined as it neared wherever it was in the maze. Yes, it had entered the maze. And no sooner did the name of the creature leave your lips did the terrified screams begin.

Geralt ran and so did you. Luckily Yennefer came to Ciri's aid faster then either of you could get there. Together, the Jackapace was defeated and no one from your company was wounded. But it hurt knowing what this meant, and so here you are now. A new plan settled and mapped. A different turn in your ongoing traveling protection team. One crafted by Ciri herself.

To lure Reince out of his hole. The fire mage who sent the Jackapace, the one who has been sending all those men after your group. After Cirilla. After you. He stole her Elder blood in Kaer Morhen and used it on the Jackapace, once they have a scent, they never stop hunting. Always a problem, always running and running and running.

You miss those days before all this. Before Ciri and Jaskier and when it was just you and Geralt traveling the Continent. Just you and your Witcher together. Old times. Good times they were.

Now you're being sent to the closest city over to bring back Jaskier, so he can help your merry band lure Reince out. You would greatly enjoy a week without this hiding and moving to just sleep in a tavern with Geralt. Oh how destiny has other plans for you.

———

Redania isn't so bad, well if not for the smell it really wouldn't be such a dull place in your eyes. Though you've never been fond of cities to begin with. Always terrible smells and loud noises, drunken folk and watchful guards. Too many people.

You walk past merchants selling their wares, children running with a dog, and others shopping in the streets. Men laugh loudly from a tavern on your right while a horse screams on your left when a fool smacks it's arse. Women hurry past you to get to where they're going. A boy almost runs into your legs, not looking as to where he's going. If there's one blessed thing about cities, people don't pay you any mind here.

You hunt for the Sandpiper. You know where he stays when he's not at the taverns or wooing ladies at the court. And if you're lucky, he won't be in the middle of entertaining that blonde woman again. What she sees in those bright blue eyes of his, you have not a clue. He's a bit too loquacious for your taste.

You still love him for his quirks anyway.

Past a man with a brown and yellow snake around his hand, you turn the corner and stop, your legs have brought you to a riveting sight to be seen. A woman with dark hair and plush deep red lips is, what it appears to be, threatening Jaskier. She's close to him and she reeks of magic. A mage. A man with reddish blonde hair stands off to her right, he wears royal clothing. Furs and red. They are undoubtedly Redanian figures of importance you're sure of that.

Unfortunately, you don't catch the conversation and just as you came, they leave him. You watch them walk off somewhere else, a few guards following dutifully behind. Not wasting a moment longer, you're behind Jaskier and holding up his lute that was on the ground for some reason. He doesn't hear a thing.

"Will you sing me a song for a few coins? It's all I have." You tease the distraught bard. He instantly recognizes your voice.

"Now this..." Jaskier turns around to see you at long last and by the looks of it, he's genuinely glad to see you. "Is a delightful surprise." He smiles blissfully, not even aware that his lute is in your hands. "Still ever so radiant, and terrifying and uh why...why are you here? Is Geralt here too? Ciri? You guys hunting something or just stopping by finally to hear me sing with my...oh right. My lute."

You give it a little strum. "Just me."

"Yes and though I am thrilled to see one of my very best of friends again. Whenever I see you and those magnificent ruby red eyes of yours. I know it means trouble." He points. "Or you've come to your little vampirey senses and realized I'm way more interesting then Geralt and a joy to hang around."

Plucking some cords, you share a fangy grin. One that is devilish and beautiful. "Oh how I've missed you. But no, not here to listen to your sweet voice nor protect your bum when that mouth of yours gives more then your coins do."

Jaskier laughs. "That's fair I suppose."

"Yes, but I do need you." You insist with a nudge to his shoulder.

Jaskier's face falls. "Oh no, no, no. What is it this time?"

•••

"Bait!" Exclaims Jaskier. "I rode for days with Y/N, mind you, to get here. Battling hunger, battling the elements, only to discover upon my arrival that I'm being used as..."

"Jaskier, me." Interrupts Ciri as she walks with her horse, Jaskier doing the same, you in between them. Notably without a horse to lead.

"...bait."

"I am the bait. Rience is after me." Adds Ciri matter-of-factly.

"Yes, which means he wants you alive, and me very much not alive. You see my anxiety?" He insists, loudly. Dramatic.

"We're not gonna let anything happen to you Jaskier." Says Geralt now as he and Yennefer ride near on their own horses. The three of you stop as they approach closer.

"I saved your arse once. I can do it again, Pankratz." Adds Yennefer as Jaskier casts his eyes on her doubtfully.

"You didn't save me..." He glances between you and Ciri. "She didn't save me. She.." You both begin to smile as his horse snorts at him. "She didn't! But seriously, you are gonna save me, right?"

"Of course, Jask." You pat him on the arm. "Have we not before?"

He scoffs. "Well, there's been moments. Moments where I've feared for my sweet lovely life."

"Seem fine to me." Whispers Ciri, holding back a grin.

"Ah, ah, ah! I may look it, yes. But the memories. The things I've seen because of them." Jaskier waves a hand at you and Geralt and Yennefer. "I should be more traumatized then I appear. I probably am really."

"Oh you little princess." You playfully start as Ciri begins to giggle with amusement. Jaskier just swats you away, poking at you until you move out of reach from him.

"Be gone woman!" Says Jaskier, still whipping his hand around. "Mean." He leans his head close to Ciri, trying real hard to whisper. "She may save your life but she won't save you from her insults." Ciri simply nods, holding back a laugh.

Rolling your eyes, you rest a hand on your hip. "I can hear that."

"Oh I know you can!" He shouts dramatically, enjoying your friendly squabble. "Maybe I wanted you to!"

You stick your tongue out at him. Jaskier does it back. You make your face contort a little to show off the more vampiric side of you. Jaskier hisses, pulling down the bottom eyelid of his left eye. Your skin begins to turn grey, irises glowing blood red and fiery orange near the pupils. Jaskier kicks a foot out like some drunken man attempting to brawl.

"Alright you two." Sternly breaks the voice of Geralt. You and Jaskier return to your composure. "We won't make Hagge by sunset." Geralt looks to his left, the landscape with its small hills, trees, and an old ruin. "We'll make camp here."

"Sleeping in the woods again?!" Complains Jaskier. "Honestly!"

—

Your party, consisting of your friends and Yarpen's, settle among the broken rock of the ruined tower. You all take your time to set up camp, built small fires for their warmth and let the horses feed. When curiosity takes the better of Cirilla, yourself, Geralt, and Yennefer follow her to the center of the ruins. A more quieter place from the others.

Here the ground is open dirt with little grass but in fair patches scattered about and near the rocks. Further is an unambiguous platform made of stone, a large statue of an elven woman in the center. Two sets of stairs lead on either side of her to another platform the same as the first. Around this, and this old courtyard of sorts, the walls are tall with open doorways of high arches leading further into the structure. You can feel the energy of this place, it's violence and pain.

You can almost smell the blood.

"What is this place?" Asks Ciri as she goes on ahead, captivated by its melancholy beauty.

"It's Shaerrawedd." Answers Geralt. He knows the story just as Yennefer and you do. Though you were alive on the Continent when it took place, they had yet to exist.

Your scarlet irises linger over the white roses growing in patches here, below rocks, and at the bottom of the weathered statue. "Tread lightly. This land is full of stories." Warns Yennefer, not wanting Ciri to touch something and risk a vision. The imagery would be a horrible sight, you know this just as they do.

Ciri approaches the stone platform, enchanted blue-green eyes bewitched by the flowers in such an odd place. "Never seen so many wild roses in one place. They're beautiful." She admits, stopping in front of the elven woman of stone.

The three of you stand to either side slightly behind her. You focus onto the moss crawling up the sides of the carved robes. "Their story, sadly, is not." You stop next to Ciri who looks up at you, your eyes never leaving the moss. "Aelirenn. A brave and inspiring elven warrior who thought she could defeat the humans. She was wrong."

Yennefer steps closer to the roses. "A rather condensed version of the story." Spoken with a tinge of bitterness. She is of elven blood so you understand.

"And what's yours, then?" Asks Ciri.

Yennefer turns to address the young girl. "After the Conjunction, humans arrived. The elves thought the humans were just a nuisance, like a plague of locusts or a drought. That they would die off in the blink of an elven eye. But the humans kept multiplying. And killing." Yennefer glances up at the statue. "Aelirenn knew the threat wasn't going away. So she rallied all of the young elves to fight, at Shaerrawedd."

"Sounds like she fought for what she believed in." Says Ciri, admiring the statue as well. "To protect her people."

Geralt rests an arm around her shoulders. "She did fight for what she believed in. She led those young and passionate elves to war. They revered this place. This is were they fought. They fought for her. And they died with her name on their lips and their honor and integrity intact. And in doing so, they condemned their species to annihilation. She led them all to their deaths." Geralt explaines, giving a remorseful sigh. "Neutrality. It won't get you a statue. But it'll certainly help in keeping you alive."

He gives her shoulders a comforting squeeze before releasing her and choosing to head back to camp. You can sense his unsettlement with this place the longer he lingers around. Yennefer stays a moment and then turns to leave as well, you doing the same. This is no place to sit and remember it's history.

———

The night arrives and you tuck in close to Geralt. There is not much to say with Ciri and Yennefer sleeping so near, a usual and necessary occurrence these past few months. The four of you can't seem to get away from one another for too long. Then again, the world hasn't quite let you. Ciri is much too important for you all to disperse and go your separate ways. A ridiculous thought really.

You can't complain with a white haired Witcher at your side and a heart beating only for you. He is moody, tranquil, and formidable. Yet he is gentle, soft-hearted, and deeply alluring. You would never trade him for all the gems and gold in the entire world. And at your origins, you are a princess. Daughter to the Vampire Queen, the first vampire in all of the Continent. A pure-blood vampire. One who was never turned, simply born as she is. A true terror. Your mother.

You haven't seen her in centuries.

Geralt pulls you close, his chest pressed to your back with his arm slung lazily over your waist. He's sleeping though his hand holds yours, a soft grip that remains with his unconsciousness. He holds you when he sleeps, you know this is the only time he fully relaxes. He knows you sleep light and would, and have, protected him when he slumbers. He knows he's safe now.

Your lips press to his fingers and you snuggle in closer, if that's even possible. You relax and listen to the careful thudding of his heartbeat. You can feel his chest rise and fall. Hear the expansion of his lungs, the contraction of the heart in his chest. At first when you began traveling with him, these human sounds would bother you. You'd close your eyes and smell the blood through the skin and hate yourself for the thoughts that would arise.

Then, as a new night would arrive, those thoughts of blood and natural hunger would disappear. Disappear until they were no more. Now you relish in the presence of Geralt and all his essence that keeps him alive and well. The vessel containing spirit. The soul of your beloved Witcher. Without him in your immortal life, even knowing this will not last, you wouldn't have ever changed meeting him.

So you sleep and wait for dawn.

—

When the first morning bird fluttered down from its perch on the thin branches above. Before it opened its throat to sing of the rising dawn, you woke. The rustle of feathers and the quick movement of its three pronged feet reached your ears in sleep. Your ears with their slight pointed look, the inherent characteristic of a vampire. No matter if you are half or not. Your mothers blood is far too powerful. By right you are a damphir, yet your blood gives you the strength of a pure-blood.

Not all attributes are a delight. The noise of the small bird is enough to keep you awake, granted more time spent held in the wee hours of the morning with Geralt is bliss. But when you find the pink of the sky readying to turn everything bright again. You cannot make yourself stay and lay docile when you know others hunt for your people. And you.

Silent as the winter snow falling from the heavens. You slip from Geralt's embrace and away from Ciri and Yennefer who continue to catch needed rest. You make not a sound as your legs take you throughout the camp, this is unintentional but you cannot help the gentleness of your footing.

You check on Jaskier who is fine. Then the dwarves still sleeping and the horses keeping watch. When your nose picks up the scent of smoke, are you following it to a small gathering of branches. Yarpen tending to it with a stick in his hand. You stand silently, observing his movements like a fox on a hillside. He remains unaware for a few minutes until your curiosity causes you to speak.

"Cold?" Your voice cuts through the morning chill though gentle it may be. Yarpen jumps like a startled dog, almost managing to throw his stick in the air.

"Well fuckin' gods ye tryin to kill meh?" He yells with a hand over his chest. "When in the great fuck did you get here?"

"Apologies. I did not mean to scare you."

Yarpen laughs merrily, shoulders relaxing as he takes a seat on the rock near him. "Ay, not many bastards can do that." He points the stick at you. "You're not like those silly old cats anyways. Odd bugger you are." He chuckles, resting the stick over his knees.

You glance at the ruins of Shaerrawedd. "Indeed." Voice soft and reflective.

Yarpen cannot tell if he's offended you or you're simply lost in thought, perhaps pondering a matter intuitively. He shrugs. "Eh, you ain't so bad if Imma be honest with ye. Just uh, guess I'm not so fond of those sharp toothed bloodsuckers from the north." He muses.

You let out a humored breath. "I respect you for your truth. But I trust you because Geralt does." You swiftly turn to leave but stop a moment to speak to him from over your shoulder, he's intrigued by this. "Thank you for your help." And with that said, Yarpen blinks, readying to speak though you have already gone. He jumps up looking this way and that but you're nowhere to be seen.

He sits again, contemplating your words.

In the stronghold of the ruins of Shaerrawedd, you stand below the towering statue of the elven warrior. A she-elf who died fighting for her people. You remember her. That name from so long ago, you remember when your mother told you about what the elves were doing. What happened here. You could only see it as unfortunate but brave, not that a whole species was condemned in one battle.

Your kind was here before them and the humans. Surely these beings were meant to rise and fall and change and evolve. That's what creatures do who can die easily. That's how their kind survives and thrives.

You are immortal and cannot die like them, so you can only watch and understand, your mother would explain. Vampires are meant to remain forever and protect their own, keep the world in a sort of balance.

Whatever that meant.

Footsteps sound from a short distance behind you, small and delicate, coming to the place where you stand. They have not entered into this ruin but you need not move from panic, it is Cirilla. You wait for the young princess to join you if she chooses. The wait is not long.

When she gingerly approaches to your right, you give the girl a nod of acknowledgment. "Out for a walk?" You ask. Ciri goes to take a seat on a broken chunk of the ruin.

"I had another dream." She answers softly.

You nod. "Dreams huh? No dream you bring to me is ever filled with sweet marshmallow bunnies. Was it a nightmare?"

"No, it wasn't frightening. Just couldn't sleep thinking about Aelirenn. And my grandmother." She explains as you go to sit next to her. "They lived centuries apart, but burned with the exact same mission. Wipe the other species off the Continent."

Ciri stands up, eyes set to the statue and the white roses crawling up it from below. "When I finally fell asleep, it came to me." She kneels down to touch the beautiful flowers. "If I can offer something different. A way forward that doesn't divide, but unites." She stands once more. "I'm part elf, I'm part human. I understand both because I am both, and that is my strength."

"I understand what you're saying. History, it..." You sigh. "...has a way of repeating itself. Even for the idealistic."

"You say Aelirenn's idealism is what led to the massacre of the young elves, but maybe if her elders had supported her instead of abandoning her, they could've won." Ciri glances at the statue. "Yennefer said they have a saying."

You reiterate that saying in perfect Eldar. "What has been need not always be." You speak in common tongue. "Yennefer told me the elven queen, Francesca, could offer more to her people."

"So could I." Adds Ciri, defiantly. "Geralt taught me how to fight. Just like Calanthe. Yen has been teaching me how to harness my powers. Like Mousesack. And you, Y/N, you've taught me how to weald a blade. Something I always wished to know. What if this is the reason destiny brought us together? Nenneke said I have the power to change the cycle of hatred. And I want to. To bring balance between kings and mages, and to align the Continent, instead of constantly putting parts against each other. Because I am sick and tired of destruction and loss."

Her eyes are close to filling with tears of great frustration and sadness. You quickly stand and go to her, resting your hands on her thin shoulders. Sincerity in your voice. "I don't doubt you, Ciri. I do doubt the world, though." Your sensitive ears prick with the sounds of many footsteps. Clang of metal and hushed voices in the distance. Ciri immediately picks up on your abrupt silence.

Her eyes grow with confusion. "Y/N what is it?" She quickly turns to the sounds of Geralt and Yennefer running into the grove. "What's happening?"

Geralt has his sword in hand. "They're here."

"I know." You reply, taking hold of Ciri's hand. She looks up at you. "Be brave, child. We'll be near." You slip from her fingers and silently walk into the shadowed parts of the ruin.

Yennefer and Geralt talk to Ciri a moment before joining you in your hiding spot. You keep still and listen, they watch your face for the sign that Rience and his men are here. The one you four have conspired to draw out, luring him to his death as you'd planned. Ciri completing her duty well as the bait.

You didn't think they'd arrive so soon, but he is a fire mage who can portal after all. And he's irritatingly clever when it comes to tracking what he so desperately wants. You have no choice but to keep quiet and wait for the right time.

From under the ruin archway to your left, behind the statue of Aelirenn saunters out the fire mage and his equally as appalling men. You can smell the stink of horse and ash on them. The scent of magic, putrid and rotten, coming from Rience's vessel.

Ciri snaps her head around at his decrepit voice. "Cirilla of Cintra. Alone at last. Well, not quite. I've brought some friends this time." Says Rience, moving in with swaggered steps.

They get close, surrounding her in a half circle, preparing to strike. You resist the urge to move and aid her. The men begin their assault yet they are met with great resistance by the princess. She wasn't trained by the best of Kaer Morhen for nothing. She fights them off the best she can until Yennefer leaves the hidden space near you. She knows Ciri cannot do this alone.

You and Geralt join her with swift destruction. Yennefer duels with Rience as yourself and Geralt kill his men easily. That is until a few moments later when Rience is able to get a handle on Ciri. He holds her against his chest, one arm around her neck and a dagger to her throat.

A war cry is heard as Yarpen's men and Jaskier follow suit. They bare their weapons and clash with the fearsome enemy. You knew they'd come just when they were so desperately needed. This rush of noise and new faces takes Rience off guard. But not you nor Ciri.

You're busy with two angry men to help her but no sooner is one of the men bleeding on the ground when Ciri races away. A strangely blackish portal behind them. Rience holding his nose, more pissed off then ever. You watch as he falls back in pain straight into his portal, it begins to close when Yennefer holds out her opened hand. She forces it to remain open.

Before you can run after the fire mage, Geralt races into the unknown after him. Leaving Yennefer to keep the portal open until he returns. You hope he returns.

You drive your blade into the throat of a screaming man, blood spatters everywhere as it slips gracefully out again. You run to Yennefer and Cirilla but halt, deciding not to follow Geralt. You hear something new that keeps you back on the battlefield.

You whip around just as a small army of elves race out to join in the battle. Who they are and why they're here are half a mystery. You can only assume they must be with those rouge elves of the queen. While the why can only be known as Ciri as it's source. Of course they're here for her. Everyone always is. All the time. How would this be any different?

Not putting into question their exact motive. You only know to protect your own.

Yennefer stays her ground. Ciri runs for cover and you swing your sword at an approaching elven man, ready to let it taste blood. He's tall with dark hair braided back, his eyes sting with anger as he runs to you with swift footing. His arm moves a sword in hand, following its masters command. The metal clashes with your block, sparks flying from the force.

He draws forth for another attack, this time his sword arrives with a pointed jut. He tried to simply stab you. The point is easily deflected off to the side. When his body pulls with it, you cut his arm off and finish him with a slash to his back. He falls instantly. Screaming out in pain, blood splattering everywhere.

Two more follow after him, however they attack you simultaneously and without much fear. Their attacks are precise and clean, aiming to go for your head. This tells you they know who protects the Cintran princess. It's not every day you face someone who knows how to properly kill a damphir. If there's no fire and no silver. A decapitation will do just fine.

To die without your head. Not how you plan to go out.

The two elves are skilled, more then Reince's men, and more then some of the elves you've fought before. This excites you. They thrash and throw their blades at you, stepping and moving out of your attacks. Their hearts beat heavily within their chests, you can smell the sweat off their brow. You waste no time in bringing them down, however.

Then it's time to move again. You're off on your feet dodging through the mess of men, elves, and dwarves. Swords and axes singing on the air, voices shouting, limbs moving and falling around you. You smell the spilt blood. You hear the strained breaths.

Your eyes spot Ciri amongst the carnage. She's perused by a blonde elf with short messy hair and another with long brown hair. Less unkept then the first. They chase her but the blonde is struck down by a lone arrow, his partner remains. You follow. No sooner has the elven man grabbed her shoulder, yelling, "I've got her! I've got her!" Have you sent your blade straight through his armored chest from behind.

Ciri gasps. The elven man makes a soft wheeze of pain, your sword retreats from his body and he falls to the side. You hear a heartbroken scream erupt from further away, a woman's voice. The voice of anguish. You pay this no mind and continue to protect the wanted Cintran girl until Geralt arrives from out of Yennefer's portal hold. Wonderfully unharmed.

——

A few days past.

The night is wet and dark above a cloudy sky. You wait outside a tavern in the damp street for Geralt. He's inside getting any information he can on the fire mage from whoever wishes to share. You, appearing rather unruly to some locals, decided to stay outside and give them peace of mind. It is simply natural for people to fear vampires. Same goes for a half-blood.

Footsteps sound his return. No sooner have you glanced up has Geralt reached Roach's side. Golden eyes quick to find you leaned up against the brick wall. He recognizes your thoughtful expression.

"Ciri will be fine." He assures you sweetly. "She is with Yennefer.....I know my love, I know your thoughts are heavy. But you know this must be done. Ciri needs to learn and we.." He walks over to take your hands in his. "..are hunting Rience for her. There is purpose in our departure from her. This is how we save her."

"We cannot know this." You whisper, frustrated on the matter. You hated to leave them.

Geralt's eyes soften. "My dear Y/N."

"I know, I know." You squeeze his hands. "I'm trying."

"I know you are." He grins, parting from you to return to the saddle of Roach. Your mind wanders for answers. You wonder if there was a better way to keep Ciri safe without you, Geralt, and Yennefer splitting up. But it's pointless, it's done with and you must track Rience now. With his death and with the discovery of whomever is puppeteering him. That could unlock the mystery of why Ciri is so desperately hunted by so many people.

For the time being, you stay by Geralt's side.

"Y/N." Speaks Geralt gently. Your attention falls to him and a piece of rolled up parchment he's opened. "Dear friends, I miss you both already. Or should I say, we miss you? Your friend, Yennefer. P.S., if Ciri decides Aretuza is not to her liking, I have my eyes set on our next home. A dollhouse on a squid farm." He reads, smiling at the last part of the letter.

You snort and snatch it from him, looking at the words yourself. They are in Yennefer's hand writing. The paper of her scent, a smidge of Ciri and horse. You shake your head, grinning anyhow.

"A squid farm? Not if I can help it."

—————

Authors note:

Alright kids this is the last season I’ll be writing for dear reader and Geralt. It’s been a time and a good one at that, but Henry is Geralt and without him it’s just not the same :( I do hope you all enjoy! I’ve tried to pack each episode in every chapter the best I can so I hope it works. There’s more to come!

[multifandom-aroace]

I was inspired by @briannaswords

It was so hard to choose a top three for ttpd

If I could choose more I would have said the black dog, i hate it here, cassandra, guilty as sin? and the manuscript (can you tell which album is my favourite lol)

[straightbaittournament]

only the option with the lowest percentage will be eliminated! propaganda under the cut (and more always welcome!):

ava silva and michael salvius:

They have some amusingly straightbaity scenes where Michael initially appears to be interested in Ava (meeting her in a bar, asking questions about her, pursuing her to get her to do things with him and inviting her to kick ass with him) but almost all of these scenes are explicitly for plot reasons or end up displaying the closeness of Ava and Beatrice (and Beatrice’s jealousy over Ava seemingly being interested in a man) instead. Michael and Ava develop a strong close relationship that feels more sibling-esque by the end of season 2 and also Michael straight up dies at the end of season 2 as well.

neo, mew, and shin:

Before the show aired there was all this speculation over who Neo (a boy) was going to choose, Mew (a girl) or Shin (a boy). A lot of people suspected that Neo and Mew would get together and even though the trailers seemed to imply that there was something between Neo and Shin, that it wouldn't end well for them. Turns out the show went a completely different direction and ended up with polyamory with all three dating each other. This song from the show released before the show came out and there's a lot of comments from people before the show came out trying to figure out who's going to end up together (with some people saying that they hope it'll be poly but are sure that it probably won't be) https://youtu.be/5w-nDbr2fxY And here's the famous kiss scene (there's no subs in this clip but the general vibe is that they're telling Shin (the shorter guy) that even the two of them have feelings for each other, they care about him too) https://youtu.be/Gr4fTrXqL8k https://64.media.tumblr.com/80a1b4441645c65825f221a42d2e88ed/36e07bb804d7de75-59/s540x810/bd1bb49d299d904c8ffe9a26b970caf9567eaae3.pnj

edward elric and winry rockbell:

literally in different dimensions by the end! they still have a lot of the hallmarks of "ohh endgame childhood best friends" or whatever but fma 2003 just said. naah. winry got the shortest end of the stick and i feel so bad for her!!! continuity specific straightbait. in every other universe they get married and have kids but screw you two specifically 🙏

hikaru hitachiin and haruhi fujioka:

Haruhi x Hikaru from ouran high school host club. Yes i know she technically gets together with another boy in the end, but there is something so Queer about this ship in particular. Their whole date episode is just screaming Not Straight. For both of them.

rowena macleod and sam winchester:

Their relationship was clearly going in that direction before the writers killed Rowena.

galo and aina (submitted as lio and galo):

Iirc, the whole time the audience was set up to believe that Galo will get together with a teammate named Aina (i might be completely wrong but i think she showed romantic interest in him). That's what usually happens, anyways. However, studio trigger turned that premise on its head with Galo's budding relationship with Lio. In order to save Lio, Galo kissed him. They kissed.

mako, korra, and asami:

it's that one meme where the guy ignores his girlfriend to check out another girl, only the two girls get to know each other and get together. S1/2 has love triangle drama between who Mako will be with (Korra or Asami). S3 no one is together but Korra and Asami become really close friends. S4 Korra and Asami are together. Mako is single. Like the only example of exes being good friends and Not getting back together, as well as giving the middle finger to heteronormative assumptions when after the love triangle is over, the two girls get together Shipping the two girls in a love triangle together but it actually happens

pat and ink:

Pat has a crush on Ink early on, and it seems possible at first that she may feel the same way. However, it is later revealed that she actually has a crush on his sister and is a lesbian. It's okay though because then Pat realizes he's in love with his childhood rival and they become wlw mlm solidarity! Everyone wins!

buffy driscoll and tj kippen:

in the show there's this thing were if a character looks back to someone while they're leaving it means they have a crush on them. so they had a scene were tj looked back towards were buffy was, but then it was revealed he was gay and in love with buffy's best friend who was standing right next to her in that scene enemies to friends were tj is redeem through the power of gay love towards buffy's best friend

alexa, liana, ian, and jeremy:

the Only barbie animated movie where the girl(s) do not end up with a guy. alexa & liana live together and enact a ton of romantic tropes together, the twin guys do flirt with them but then the girls are separated from them by... a magic rainbow. they do dance together at the end of the movie... before the girls leave to go live together again. wearing dresses that are literally the bi and lesbian pride flags. no joke. cottagecore wlw separated from potential male love interests by literal magic rainbow the gayest barbie movie

good luck everyone! now go vote!

[biblioklept-writes]

The Foreign Queen, Part 7 (Aemond Targaryen x Desi!Reader)

Summary: Aemond is entranced by your castle and intrigued by your court, hearing things about you that he finds hard to believe.

Word Count: 2.2K

Series Masterlist | HOTD Masterlist

Aemond was at a loss of words at the sights of your majestic castle - it was bright and full of windows that held natural illumination. He supposed you could do it - for Kalinga was far warmer than King’s Landing and had the breeze of the ocean. The outside walls were painted in a blinding white with golden rounded tops at the towers. It was only three stories high, but the walls were so tall he could barely make out the ceiling. His only eye pained the harder he focused.

Inside, the walls were so colourful it was a feast to his vision after the dark, dull stone walls of the Red Keep. You had personally shown him to his residence for the duration, and he had already been here for a night. He could look at the beach over the forest covering the castle from his window and he spotted a dark blot in the clear sky at a distance, assuming it was Vhagar. How could it not be?

Some servants who could speak some English were sent to serve him - they helped him with the bath and had him dressed in some traditional clothes - a soft cotton and silk hybrid suitable for the weather - they had told him. The servants spoke Hindi well, and he could understand parts of it - but they switched to a different language at times they didn’t want him to hear what they were saying. It was annoying him to no end - not having any clue what they were talking about. What if you had plotted to kill him? Not that she’d gain anything from me dying.

You visited him for breakfast, dressed in a golden garment - saree, you had said - and he thought you looked the most magnificent you ever had. An intricate golden crown glittered on your head, signifying your power. 

“I will have you meet my court today,” you told him, as he tried the spicy flat-rice you had called Poha, along with tempered buttermilk - it was so good he wanted to take barrels of it back to King’s Landing with him. “I will tell them that you do not speak Hindi, and I wish you don’t speak to the servants in Hindi.”

Aemond raised his brow, but said, “As you wish, my Queen.”

“Thank you,” You said. “One of my personal guards will come to fetch you for the court.” Then, eyeing him once again you added with a smile, “This sherwani-pyjama becomes you, if your hair was dark, you’d blend right in.”

“Your kind words flatter me, my Queen Y/N.” He said with a smile, bringing up the buttermilk glass to his mouth. “You look divine, per usual.” 

.

The throne room is immaculate, the floor a white marble with colourful mosaics on them. Unlike the Iron Throne, your throne is meant to be seated on, a large seat made of solid gold and decorated with jewels. Your face is set in a stern expression, and you look so different in your crown and throne, radiating hot power, very different from the quiet power he sensed from you in King’s Landing.

Your presence demands attention - not just the crown that does.

Aemond is seated on your left, just below the throne, a translator sits with him, translating every word being spoken. You hear pressing matters of the ruined rice crops this season, discussing with your ministers about tackling the food problem that may arise. Your council finally decides on reducing the castle supplies by a little, now that a large part of your soldiers and craftsmen were in Westeros. 

A man dressed in a dark red fully covered outfit entered. His face was covered entirely, save for his dark eyes being exposed. Aemond watched as you tensed a little at the man’s side, forcing yourself to stillness. 

“My Queen,” the man fell to the ground on one knee, sword on his upright knee and head bowed. “Long live the Queen,”

“You may rise,” You said, tension masked in easy charm. “What brings you here, spymaster?”

“My Queen,” He started, rising from the floor and standing upright with his hands behind his back. “The Emperor wishes to see your guest. He will bring guests with him - his wives and his sons.”

“Thank you spymaster,” You smiled, bringing your fingers together. “Is there anything else you would like to add?”

“No, my Queen.” The man said.

“You may leave then,” you dismissed him. Then more sternly, you said, “Minister Pattnaik, you must arrange for my father’s arrival and stay. Plan to keep them entertained until they leave. Minister Sarangi, you must have the pantry make more vegetables and meat than rice. Have them make the things so delectable, that they won’t notice the lack of rice.” 

“My Queen,” One of the women in your court rose to speak. “We have enough rice in our stock, and the rice from last year waiting to be unearthed. The people will have enough.” 

“You must understand that we cannot replenish our stocks this year, Minister Patel.” You said, seemingly holding everyone’s gaze at once. “We cannot expend freely now that we do not have crops. Also, Treasurer Gupta, I must ask you to lower the tax for the rice farmers. Will our coffers be able to take it?” 

“Some expenses will have to be cut down,” Another woman spoke, but her voice was deep and heavy like that of a man. “But I think we can do it with less taxes.”

“Good.” You said, nodding. You glance at him once, gaze telling more than words. “Now, I must introduce you to my guest - Prince Aemond Targaryen, our friend from Westeros. He is King Aegon’s brother and a skilled dragon rider and swordsman.” 

Aemond rose, looking everyone in the eyes, his lips pressed together. His lips curve slightly upwards when someone smiles at him and he notes the men and women sitting in your court - rajsabha - seeing a near equal number of men and women. It was strange for him to see so many finely dressed women taking part in decision making matters for the province, but he welcomed the change. His mother helped in running Westeros when Viserys was too ill, and now with Aegon on the throne - but Aemond knew history well enough that it wouldn’t be Alicent Hightower’s name that would go down as a king, only as the king’s wife and then the king’s mother.

“I am honoured by your introduction of me, my Queen.” He said, bowing in front of you. “Westeros and Kalinga will always be great friends.”

Aemond didn’t meddle in your court affairs much, but he did keep his ears open for any gossip that he heard, to get to know you and your motivations better. Thus far, he’d learned that you had the biggest network of spies in the empire and that you were infamous for your curious torture techniques. It was hard for him to believe that, considering your gentle manners and quiet acts back in Westeros - but as the Queen of Kalinga you were a totally different person. 

He spent a lot of time reading Hindi and learning your tongue now that he was in the castle, and would go out to the beach to see Vhagar every morning. Mansha, your sea serpent would occasionally meet him, but the three-headed beat did not seem interested in attacking him just yet. On the days the sun was mild, he would train during the afternoons, and on the hot days he would stick to sharpening his blades and tending to Vhagar’s hot scales. His old mate would frequently cool off in the sea, for her fires would be too much in the heat.

.

A couple of days had already passed when your father and his troupe arrived at your castle. You stood at the front, dressed in a heavy green lehenga, your ministers standing behind you. Aemond was a few feet off your left, looking straight ahead.

He is majestically dressed in the finest cotton blends - for it is too hot to adorn silks. Aemond is not particularly fond of the heat, but he does enjoy being able to shed some layers of clothing - he had never felt lighter in his life.

"Samrat Ravikirti is here!" The guard announced, and the crowd broke into loud cheers. Aemond looks over at you, standing still, reaching for the garland held out to you by the servant. The young servant boys and girls start showing the incoming crowd with fragrant flower petals of roses and marigolds. He had read about the cultural significance of the flowers - and the excessive grandeur your people cherished - he could see why now.

Everything there felt too colourful - the dark and sometimes suffocating walls of the Red Keep were devoid of such vibrant colours, only the Godswood came to a close comparison. With everyone dressed in their finest to impress the Emperor, it was a sight to behold. Your court painter stood above the entire crowd, immortalising this moment on his huge canvas.

Your father, the Emperor, was an imposing man - a tall man with a big moustache and a heavy gold crown on his head - there was no doubt left of him being the emperor or your father. It was obvious by the sight of him that he was your father, the similarities between the two of you being too much to be otherwise.

You gracefully bent over and touched your father’s feet, and the old man responded with something Aemond couldn’t comprehend and you rose back up, beaming with pride. “It is an honour to host you, Samrat,” you said. “Do come in, I hope you find the arrangements up to your taste.”

You and your father lead the walk back in, and the other courtiers follow behind in a neat line. He recognises some of your brothers and sisters - features similar enough to be closely related. There had been a lot of talk about the Emperor and his wives - the four daughters of the King of Kalinga that he married upon conquering the throne - all of them famed for their beauty with their magnificent dark hair and entrancing brown eyes. He was curious to see the Emperor’s Queens and wondered which one of his wives was your mother.

None of the Queens had stepped out of their palkis nor any of your brothers’ wives. The crowd dispersed and Aemond took a long route to his chambers poking around for any gossip that he could pick up. Gossip holds a pinch of truth, he’s learned from growing up in a court. Gossip could make and break people, he learned that too - albeit in a rather harsh manner. 

“I suppose these few days are going to be very taxing on the Queen,” He overhears a servant - she is dressed in other colours, probably coming along with your father’s troupe. “I bet 3 days before she snaps.

“Three is too long,” The other said. “It’s too long for her infamous wrath - the asurs would tremble in front of our spy queen. With her network of spies and informants, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had asurs on her team too.” [asur = demon]

In the couple of months that Aemond had known you, he had always seen you a calm and collected person who could be deadly if she wanted to. But here he heard things about he couldn't believe to be true.

Aemond had barely reached the relative comfort of his chambers when a servant rushed to him with a note signed by you.

Be ready for meeting my father before dinner. He might try to insult you in front of the court, try not to let yourself become a laughing stock.

.

Aemond did not let himself become a laughing stock. Your father, Samrat Ravikirti adamantly tried to pick at him for something with the one that started this all - Cerwyn Lannister acting as the translator for him. You sternly interrupted the blond bastard whenever he misspoke, and he shrunk back from your glare. Aemond was glad for your intervention, unable to mask his own fury.

“What will your marriage bring to Bharat that’s not already there?” Samrat asked. You are leaning back in your seat, looking almost bored.

“Dragons,” Aemond said. “Our children, your grandchildren will get dragons. All Targaryen children get dragons.”

“You can marry one of my other daughters for that then,” He argued. You stiffen in your seat on the Emperor’s right. “My grandchildren will get dragons either way.”

“Will that make me the King Consort?” Aemond asked with a polite smile. Seeing you lean back in your bored position, he knew he asked the right question.

Ravikirti narrowed his eyes, displeased but impressed. “You can marry my daughter then,” He reluctantly permitted. “But you’ll be handing fire breathing beasts to a woman known for her rage.”

And it was then Aemond wondered if it was worth getting tied to you - he couldn't help but be intrigued, he desperately wanted to see this rage that everyone was talking about.

Edit: I forgot to tag everyone I am so sorry it was like 2 am when I posted this </3

@km-ffluv @stargaryenx @faatxma @thenovelcarnival @afro-hispwriter @mynameisbaby9 @depressedperson88  @mrswhitethornbelikov

[findroleplay]

hey there, 20 year-old demigirl in search for a fandom roleplay! i have a few fandoms at the moment that i'm really into and would love to do a roleplay on them. mainly i am looking for ocxcc with double ups! i don't do playing a cc for your oc but not having the same thing in return. that being said i also don't mind if we both do completely different fandoms or the same one! note that some of these plots may down the line involve domestic/family so please be okay with that :). i am also okay with NSFW as long as it doesn't overtake the plot(s). i can play just about any character from these fandoms as well for your side. please check out my rules post pinned on my profile! moving on, here are the fandoms and characters from those fandoms i am looking for! - The Walking Dead (Daryl Dixon, Abraham Ford, Alden, Rick Grimes, Negan Smith, Ezekiel Sutton,  Michael Mercer, Magna) I just finished the final season of the show and i'm so hyperfixated on it!! I would love to do anything from the start of when they arrive at Alexandria all the way to Commonwealth - John Wick (John Wick loll) I recently watched the 4th movie and I am also super hyperfixated on the movies - Ouran High School Host Club (Kyoya Ootori) Literally my first anime that really got me into anime! I've been rewatching it again and absolutely fell in love with the show again. i don't mind if we do something following them in high school or move over to the characters in college. - Fruits Basket (Hatori Sohma, Shigure Sohma, Kazuma Sohma) Another anime I started rewatching and i'm absolutely in love with it again!! I'm looking for anything set in any part of the three seasons or even time prior to the first season :) - MCU (Bucky Barnes, Miles Morales, Dr. Stephen Strange, Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Frank Castle, Namor, Logan Howlett, Sam Wilson, Matt Murdock,) Honestly i fell out of Marvel some time ago because of all the shows and shit, but i'm trying to get myself back into it! I have yet to watch the new Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse but I've pretty much watched everything else. that's all for now! f like this and i will hopefully reach out to anyone that likes the post. (i will say my notifications for tumblr are all over the place so please be patient with me). thank you and have a great day/evening everyone!!

-

[cinning-at-midnight]

ATTENTION! SPOILERS FOR UNDER THE OAK TREE BOOK 7 UNDER THE BREAK...

LAST WARNING!

Read the whole e-book series (and support the Author Suji Kim) by reading the Manwa Webtoon series or purchasing the written books for download here:

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So, this most recently published web novel is the START of season 2, and emotions have been high.

Maxi takes an agreement from a high mage at the Mage Tower, which will allow her to essentially graduate a year early. She has high prowess in Earth and Water elements and receives an Earth rune for her assistance on an expedition.

Nobody at the Mage Tower knew of her title as Lady Calypse, that was, until the group of travelers made a pit stop in Anatol. With them, were the Temple Knights, assigned by the church to protect the mages, as they are treated like a marginalized group, as their abilities are much needed in all the kingdoms.

With her return to Anatol (albeit a brief one), she learns that Riftan has been called to another battlefield and is not home. Discouraged, Maxi finds that Riftan was keeping her letters to him over the last three years (and some prior) safely locked in a chest by the bed. She finds comfort and hope in this discovery, despite their long separation caused by the feud with her father.

What we know of their relationship thus far, has been conflict after conflict with emotional vulnerability being their weakest point, mutually. Riftan wants to protect and serve her, with her never lifting a finger or being at risk. Maxi wants to find herself outside of the prison walls that were her fathers' castle, and discover what her place truly is in life.

By matter of, again conflict, Maxi was forced into joining the Mage Tower and studying there for three years (potentially four), in order to protect Riftan from his own self-destruction.

Back to book 7, our couple finally reunites because Riftan gets word of Maxi's brief return, and learns that she's part of an expedition traveling through monster-ridden paths. Their first encounter leaves Maxi feeling iced out by Riftan's cold stare. She pines for him and serves him meals but he spends weeks giving her short gruff responses and ushering her to safety away from him.

When the book is reaching it's conclusion, the couple has not reconciled yet.

Do not despair!

Listen, I know Maxi needs growth because she's spent her whole life being shrunken inside of herself afraid to even speak. However, while she spent three years doing everything she could in order to allow herself growth and to protect the man she loves, Riftan spent three years locking his heart in a chest (the letters) and building up Anatol to be a large city popular for merchants. Great progress but it's not emotional or spiritual growth.

Now, at the end of our story, Maxi has given up chasing after the bull-headed Riftan. Stubborn as he was, she felt he did not earn her efforts and that if he was truly disinterested in her, she would stop embarrassing herself in front of the other mages (some of whom are her friends).

Riftan starts to notice the changes within her and begins looking after her more closely. Appearing from behind without so much as a word, draping a fur coat on her shoulders. Giving her his attention in ways that are protective and endearing... But are they necessarily the actions of a lover?

Great conflict is needed for great change to occur and I believe book 8 will be a page-turning story of battles and emotional growth and reconciliation. Better yet, compromise, from our most stubborn knight!

I know I am eagerly waiting to see what Suji Kim has up her sleeve for the continuation of the second season!

[beewantstotalk]

Hugo Awarded Books:

1. T.H.White - The Sword in The Stone(1939)(3/02/23)

2. A.E. van Vogt - Slan(1941)

3. Robert A. Heinlein - Beyond This Horizon(1943)(21/06/23)

4. Fritz Leiber - Conjure Wife(1944)(30/06/23)

5. Leigh Brackett - Shadow Over Mars(1945)(19/05/23)

6. Isaac Asimov - The Mule(1946)

7. Robert A. Heinlein - Farmer in The Sky(1951)(30/01/23)

8. Alfred Bester - The Demolished Man(1953)

9. Ray Bradbury - Fahrenheit 451(1954)

10. Mark Clifton - They'd Rather Be Right(1955)

11. Robert A. Heinlein - Double Star(1956)

12. Fritz Leiber - The Big Time(1958)

13. James Blish - A Case of Conscience(1959)

14. Robert A. Heinlein - Starship Troopers(1960)

15. Walter M. Miller, Jr. - A Canticle for Leibowitz(1961)

16. Robert A. Heinlein - Stranger in a Strange Land(1962)

17. Philip K. Dick - The Man in The High Castle(1963)

18. Clifford D. Simak - Here Gather the Stars(Way Station)(1964)

19. Fritz Leiber - The Wanderer(1965)

20. Frank Herbert - Dune(1966)

21. Robert A. Heinlein - The Moon is a Harsh Mistress(1967)

22. Roger Zelazny - Lord of Light(1968)

23. John Brunner - Stand on Zanzibar(1969)

24. Ursula K. Le Guin - The Left Hand of Darkness(1970)

25. Larry Niven - Ringworld(1971)

26. Philip José Farmer - To Your Scattered Bodies Go(1972)

27. Isaac Asimov - The Gods Themselves(1973)

28. Arthur C. Clarke - Rendezvous with Rama(1974)

29. Ursula K. Le Guin - The Dispossessed(1975)

30. Joe Haldeman - The Forever War(1976)

31. Kate Wilhelm - Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang(1977)

32. Frederik Pohl - Gateway(1978)

33. Vonda N. McIntyre - Dreamsnake(1979)

34. Arthur C. Clarke - The Fountains of Paradise(1980)

35. Joan D. Vinge - The Snow Queen(1981)

36. C. J. Cherryh - Downbelow Station(1982)

37. Isaac Asimov - Foundation's Edge(1983)

38. David Brin - Startide Rising(1984)

39. William Gibson - Neuromancer(1985)

40. Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game(1986)

41. Orson Scott Card - Speaker for the Dead(1987)

42. David Brin - The Uplift War(1988)

43. C. J. Cherryh - Cyteen(1989)

44. Dan Simmons - Hyperion(1990)

45. Lois McMaster Bujold - The Vor Game(1991)

46. Lois McMaster Bujold - Barrayar(1992)

47. Vernor Vinge - A Fire Upon the Deep(1993)

48. Connie Willis - Doomsday Book(1993)

49. Kim Stanley Robinson - Green Mars(1994)

50. Lois McMaster Bujold - Mirror Dance(1995)

51. Neal Stephenson - The Diamond Age(1996)

52. Kim Stanley Robinson - Blue Mars(1997)

53. Joe Haldeman - Forever Peace(1998)

54. Connie Willis - To Say Nothing to the Dog(1999)

55. Vernor Vinge - A Deepness in The Sky(2000)

56. J.K.Rowling - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2001)

57. Neil Gaiman - American Gods(2002)

58. Robert J. Sawyer - Hominids(2003)

59. Lois McMaster Bujold - Paladin of Souls(2004)

60. Susanna Clarke - Jonathan Strange and Mr.Norrell(2005)

61. Robert Charles Wilson - Spin(2006)

62. Vernor Vinge - Rainbows End(2007)

63. Michael Chabon - The Yiddish Policemen's Union(2008)

64. Neil Gaiman - The Graveyard Book(2009)

65. Paolo Bacigalupi - The Windup Girl(2010)

66. China Miéville - The City & the City(2010)

67. Connie Willis - Blackout/All Clear(2011)

68. Jo Walton - Among Others(2012)

69. John Skalzi - Redshirts(2013)

70. Ann Leckie - Ancillary Justice(2014)

71. Cixin Liu - The Three-Body Problem(2015)

72. N.K.Jemisin - The Fifth Season(2016)

73. N.K.Jemisin - The Obelisk Gate(2017)

74. N.K.Jemisin - The Stone Sky(2018)

75. Mary Robinette Kowal - The Calculating Stars(2019)

76. Arkady Martine - A Memory Called Empire(2020)

77. Martha Wells - Network Effect(2021)

78. Arkady Martine - A Desolation Called Peace(2022)

[itsalwayswellattheworldsend]

Chapter 5 - Ralph Cometh to Higham-on-the-Way

Text Audio

Synopsis:

Ralph visits St Mary’s at Higham-on-the-Way, celebrates the Eve of St John, and has another encounter with a mysterious stranger.

Summary:

"And if we stood over the high altar and looked east, ye would see more of such fires and many more; and all these bales are piled up and lighted by vassals and villeins of my lord Abbot: now to-night they are but mere Midsummer bale-fires; but doubt ye not that if there came war into the land each one of these bales would mean at least a half-score of stout men, archers and men-at-arms, all ready to serve their lord at all adventure."

Nothing more happened to Ralph until he came to the end of the hill country and saw Higham below him, overlooked by a white castle on a hill, and with a river running past it just as Clement had said. He could see the tops of three churches over the roofs of the houses, and above all of this was the Abbey Church, the gilded angels on its battlements shining in the sunlight.

So Ralph rode quickly down the hill as it was almost sunset and he did not know at what time the gates of the town would be closed. The road was steep and winding and it took him most of the hour before he reached the gates—which were open and would likely be for quite some time, as a huge crowd of people was coming and going, and this crowd also slowed his progress in approaching. The gate was strong and secure-looking, but he saw no guards and he rode into the town unquestioned. The people in the city were all dressed up and Ralph recalled that it was St John’s Eve and that there would be a feast happening.

Eventually, the street was so crowded that he could not ride any further, and as he sat there a monk was pressed up against his horse. The monk greeted him and said “By your weapons and gear you are a stranger in our town, Sir Knight?”

“I am,” said Ralph.

“And where are you going? Do you have friends or family here?” asked the monk.

“No, I’m looking for an inn where I can rent a room for the night.”

The monk shook his head. “Do you see all these people? It is a holiday and the midsummer after the hay season. You’d be lucky to find a place to stay outside of the abbey. But here, come with me and you’ll have the best lodgings, and you can meet our Prior, who loves to meet young knights like yourself. Here, the crowd is opening a little, I’ll lead you there by the shortest road.

Ralph did not object, and they made their way through the crowd and into the market square, which was large and clean and paved with stones. It was surrounded on three sides by tall houses, and on the fourth side by the Great Church, which made the houses seem small in comparison. Most of it was newly built, for the Abbott had picked up where his predecessor left off and pushed its construction forward, because he was a rich and generous man. It shined like dark gold under the evening sun, and its painted and gilded images were like jewels on it.

“Yes,” said the monk as he noted Ralph’s expression of wonder. “It is a good abbey and those who live there are happy.”

Then he led Ralph onward, turning aside through the square. Ralph saw many people there, but it was too large to be overly crowded by them. In the square there was a great pile of wood decorated with hanging flowers, and nearby was a stage with hangings and rich curtains on one side of it. Ralph asked what that was about and the monk told him that the wood was for the midsummer bonfire, and the stage for a shower afterwards. The monk led him on, taking him south beside the church and continuing until they reached the abbey gate. There, Ralph was greeted warmly and given the good treatment that was afforded to knights. Then he was taken into the guest hall, which was full of men of all kinds, and was led to a seat. Beside him sat an honorable lord, a vassal of St Mary’s. Then they were served a great meal: the meat and drink were all of the best, and the table setting was of equal quality. Around the walls of the hall, tapestries depicted the Pilgrimage of the Soul of Man.

Everyone Ralph spoke to—and he spoke with many people—were extremely courteous to him and he heard a great deal about the wealth of the lands of St Mary’s at Higham, and how it was flourishing, and about how powerful the Abbot was and how he worked to help people, wanting to be friendly with all. People also talked of turmoil and war in other lands, and praised the peace of Higham-on-the-Way.

Ralph listened to this and smiled, and thought how for some this might be the end of their journey, but for him peace and happiness were not enough. It was a richer land than Upmeads, but he was already used to peace and quiet and had set out not to find more of it, but to experience new things and to see what he might do with his strength and his luck.

So when the meal was over and the spiced wine had been served, the in the guest-hall began to thin and the monk who had brought Ralph here came to him and said:

“It would be good for you to go with the others who have left to see the Midsummer’s Eve in the square in honor of St John. Our town has put a great deal of work into it. Look, my son!”

He pointed to the windows and a bright fire sprung up as though a new day had been born out of the darkness of the summer night. The light coming in through the windows outshone that of the candles within. Ralph jumped and reached for his sword—which he had left with the chamberlain—but the monk said “Fear not, lord; there is no enemy in Higham: come now, or else we may be late for the show.”

So he led Ralph out into the square where there was a place for the monks and their guests to watch the shows, and it was so full of people, where before it had seemed to big to possibly be crowded.

There were rows of men in bright armor who kept the people in order, like the walls of a sheep pen, although they were not rough folk, but humble and courteous. So many were the torches and hanging braziers that the night was turned to day, and on the stage there were people dressed in bright and fanciful costumes, whose names and roles Ralph did not have time to ask.

Then the bells in the great tower of the church began to clash, and after a short time they had gotten into order and rang beautifully and in tune. And while they were ringing, the costumed people left the stage and a canvas painted like a rocky and caved mountainside was raised up behind it. Then onto the stage came one person dressed like a king, leading a young woman by the hand, and there also came a noble woman, richly dressed and wearing a crown. They both kissed the maiden and went away, leaving her to sit on a rock where she covered her face and wept with grief. And while Ralph wondered what this might mean, or why the maiden was sad, there came creeping amongst the rocks a dragon with a huge head and covered in scales that glittered in the torch-light. Ralph sprang up, worried that the dragon would devour the maiden, but the monk who sat with him pulled him down by the sleeve and laughed, saying “Sit still, lord! The champion has been provided!”

And so Ralph sat down, embarrassed, but he was on edge for some time still. And so as the maiden stood stunned before the dragon—who stared at her with its huge mouth open—there came a knight from a crevice in the rock wearing silver and a red cross, and he had a sword in his hand with which he attacked the dragon. There was a great battle between them, and the maiden knelt nearby with her hands clasped together.

Then Ralph knew that this play was of the battle between St George and the dragon, and so he sat quiet and still until the knight had cut off the dragon’s head and gone to the maiden to kiss and embrace her, and had shown her the grisly head. Then many people came onto the stage: the king and queen who were the maiden’s parents, and also a bishop dressed in fine vestments, and many knights with them. And they stood around St George and the maiden, and there were minstrels with them who began to play harps and fiddles, and some began to sing a beautiful song in honor of St George and the maiden he had rescued.

So when it was done, the monk said: “This play was put on by the armed men of our lord Abbot, who hold great devotion for St George, and he is their guardian and good lord. But now there will be other plays, of wild men and their feasting in the woods in the Golden Age of the world; and that is to be done by the scribes and artists. After that will be the pageant of St Agnes, done by the clothiers and weavers, of which there are many of great skill in this town. Although, you are a young man and have ridden far today most likely, and maybe you are too tired for that. It may be good for you to leave this crowd. Moreover, I had the idea that much of what is to come may be better viewed from the roof of the church, or maybe from the tower. Will you come with me, then?”

Ralph would rather have sat there and seen all the shows to their end—for they seemed quite good and able to engross the viewer—however, he was embarrassed to speak up and go against the ideas of his host who even now took him by the hand and led him through the crowd and west to the front of the church, where on the northside was a little door. So they went up a staircase inside a good way until they came to a gallery above the western door, and from there Ralph could have seen a long way if there were daylight, for it was higher than the tops of the tallest houses.

There they waited a time looking down on the square and its crowd, and the bells which had been ringing as they ascended now ceased for a while. But then there came great shouts and clamor from the folk below, and they could see men with torches approaching a pile of wood, and then all of a sudden a great fire sprung up, and all the people shouted together while the bells rang out again.

Then the monk pointed into the distance with his finger and said: “Look, fair lord, how fire speaks to fire along the tops of the hill country, and there in the little towns by the river!”

And indeed, Ralph saw similar fires appear out to the west, and the monk said: “And if we stood over the high altar and looked east, you would see many more such fires, and all these bonfires are piled up and lighted by vassals of my lord Abbot. Now, tonight they are Midsummer bonfires, but do not doubt that if war came to this land, each of these fires would mean at last ten strong men—archers and warriors—all ready to serve their lord in battle. The tyrants who live around our borders—who hate the church and seek to oppress the poor—know this well, and therefore we live in peace in these lands.”

Ralph listened, but said nothing, for amidst the shining fires and the shouts of the people and the clashing of bells above them, he could hardly think and he had no words to say. But the monk turned from the parapet and looked him in the face and said:

“You are a young man, and strong, and I think you are from good people. I think also that you have a lucky look about your eyes. Now I tell you that if you were to take service with my lord, you would not regret it. Yes, why shouldn’t you grow strong in his service and become his captain, which is a position worthy of even a king?”

Ralph looked at him but did not answer because he could not gather his thoughts at the moment. And the monk continued: “I ask that you think about it, young lord. And be sure that nowhere else will you find a better way of life, even if you a king’s son, for the children of my lord Abbot are such that none dare cross them, nor is any overlord as good as the Holy Church.”

“Yes,” said Ralph, “I’m sure what you say is true, yet I do not think I have come here to find a master.”

Said the monk: “No, but please do see the lord Abbot—which you can tomorrow—if you will.”

“I would have his blessing,” said Ralph.

“You shall have no less than that,” said the monk; “But look down there, for I see signs that my lord is coming forth now.”

Ralph looked down and saw the people parting to the left and right, and a path was made through the crowd, guarded by armed men and monks, and the sound of trumpets blared out over the noise of the people.

“If the lord Abbot is coming,” said Ralph,” I would ask for his blessing tonight before I sleep, so let us go right now so that I may kneel before him and receive his blessing with the rest of the people.”

“But, my lord, would you kneel among these citizens and peasants when you could see the Abbot in his own chambers, face to face with him?”

“Father,” said Ralph, “I am no great man, and I must leave early tomorrow, for I feel that the things here are too mighty and overwhelming for someone like me.”

“Well,” said the monk, “you might still come back later, so I won’t say anything else about it right now.”

So they went down and came back into the crowd, above which the bonfire flared high, making the summer night as bright as day. The monk helped Ralph through until they were on the front row of the people. They had not been there a minute before they heard the sound of the monks singing, and the Abbot came down the path and towards the gate. THen all the people went to their knees and thus waited for him. Right then Ralph felt someone pull at his sleeve, but that was not surprising in such a crowd, however he turned and looked to his left and saw kneeling beside him a tall knight, who wore a helmet on his head that covered all but the point of his chin. Then Ralph thought of that of that man of the leafless tree, and he looked to see what crest was on his tabard, but he wore only a loose frock of white linen over his chainmail. But, Ralph heard a voice in his ear say “The second time!” and at that he knew it was the same man, yet he could not lay a hand on him or speak to him, for the Abbot was then before them, dressed in gold and walking beneath a canopy of silk, with the miter upon his head and his bishop’s staff held before him, as if he had been the pope: for he was a very mighty lord.

Ralph looked at him as he passed by, blessing the people with his hand raised, and he saw that he was a tall, thin man, clean-shaven and narrow-faced, but not old—likely younger than fifty. Ralph caught his eye and he smiled on the young man so kindly that for a moment Ralph thought that he would stay at St Mary’s for a little while, for he thought that if his father or Nicholas were to hear that he was there, they would surely leave him alone.

Then the Abbot went on to his seat and sat down among the signs of his office, and the people stood again. But when Ralph looked for the man in the helmet he could not see him. Now when the Abbot sat down, men made a clear ring around the bonfire and twelve young men came out wearing goatskin and garlands of leaves and flowers around their waists. They had a wreath made of straw and hemp, embedded with pitch and sulfur. THey set fire to it, and then carried it around the bonfire twelve times. Then came twelve young women dressed like the young men were, and both groups drew near the fire (which was now burning low) and stood around it. They joined hands and danced around it, and fiddles played a folkish, happy song. Then they parted and each couple leapt backwards and forwards over the fire, and then when all had leapt, men came forward with buckets and threw water upon the dancers until it ran down them in streams. Then everyone came together again and the crowd trod the embers of the bonfire underfoot and scattered them throughout the square.

All during this, men were going around with pitchers of wine and ale and other good drinks, and everyone drank as much as he wanted and there was great joy among the people.

But now Ralph was very tired and he said: “Father, could you lead me out of this crowd and show me some place that I might sleep peacefully? I would thank you greatly.”

As he spoke, a great horn sounded over the square and the Abbot rose and blessed the people once more. Then the monk said:

“Come then, fair lord of the fields, now you will have the bed you desire.” And he laughed and drew Ralph out of the crowd and brought him back to the Abbey and into a fair little room, on the wall of which was a picture of St Christopher and St Julian, the lord and friend of travelers. Then he brought Ralph some spiced wine and wished him good night, and he left.

As Ralph undressed he thought about how he never would have imagined that one day could hold so much. He had see nso many strange things that surely his dreams would be full of them, for it seemed that even then he could see them while he was awake.

So he laid down in his bed and slept, and he dreamed that he was fishing in the deep parts of Upmeads Water, and he caught many fish but after a while, everything he caught was just gilded paper stuffed with wool, and at last even the water was gone and he was casting his line onto a dry road. Then he awoke and saw that it was daybreak, and he heard the church clock strike three, and he heard the thrushes singing their first song in the garden of the Priory. Then he rolled over and slept dreamlessly until he awoke in the bright, sunny morning.

Notes:

As I remember it (and without reading ahead to check my memory) this is sort of the last of the set-up chapters. After this is when the adventure truly starts, with Ralph meeting major characters, getting into (and out of) scrapes, and really finding his direction. If it’s not chapter 6, then definitely chapter 7.

Should have put this in my last chapter notes, but St John’s Eve is June 22.

I usually try to maintain Morris’ capitalization habits (excepting a few cases of all capitals), but I did capitalize “prior” here as a sort of middle-ground between leaving the word and changing it. A prior is the leader of a priory, which is a kind of abbey (I’ve looked up more detailed info before, but medieval Catholic church hierarchy gives me a headache). I capitalized it so the reader would recognize it as a noun and not confuse it with the adjective.

“The Pilgrimage of the Soul” is a medieval religious work.

According to tradition, St George was a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He is famous for a legend in which he defeats a dragon who is going to devour a princess that was offered up as a sacrifice. He is held in high esteem in England.

“Wild Men” were a medieval mythological group and common motif. They were hairy men who dwelled in the woods and lived free, natural, and wild lives (comparable to Satyrs). If you’ve read the Lord of the Rings, the Púkel-men follow this tradition.

I never much liked this chapter, and I like it perhaps even less now. It’s fine but it’s very long and isn’t very adventurous. But I assure you there’s some drama in the next chapter, and it won’t take me nearly as long to finish as this one did!

Map:

[destinationsomeplace]

Unique Places to Visit in Italy: Our Top 10 Favourites

The world, as we all know, has changed in recent years and so has tourism, many people no longer feel comfortable joining the throngs of holidaymakers that have previously swamped the Italian hotspots on the streets of Venice, Florence and Rome.  Many travellers now want to leave the crowds behind and find the more unique places to visit in Italy that the majority of tourists have not yet discovered.  Italy like all the countries of the world have these in abundance, so lets seek out some of the unique places to visit in Italy. Although a few of the places mentioned here are not often on the ‘usual’ tourists itinerary, some do get busy in the summer months such as Tropea and, now Matera (partially thanks to a recent James Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ filming there), so it might be prudent to visit these places out of the ‘high’ seasons to avoid the crowds.This post may contain affiliate links to things like hotels, tours or products.  These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you and help keep the lights on at Destination Someplace.

Fountain in Trento

Hidden gems of Italy North of Rome:  Unique Places to Visit in Italy

- TrentoThe capital of the Trentino–Alto Adige region, Trento offers a plethora of Italian cultural delights without the crowds, so making it perfect destination for a weekend visit.  Without the grime, dust and crowds of many of the tourist cities of Italy, Trento’s cobbled streets offer a great opportunity to explore this little-known jewel of a town, with its many galleries, outside frescoes, beautiful main piazza and  impressive cathedral.  You can also take in a visit to the equally impressive Buonconsiglio Castle.  All in all a town with a lot to offer mixed in with a laid back vibe. - Camogli, LiguriaThis former fishing town is a secret alternative to its more touristy neighbours of Porto Fino and Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, with its colourful houses and relaxed atmosphere.  Situated in the Golfo Paradiso, on the Riviera di Levante It retains the feel of its fishing heritage, but still has all the necessities for the discerning visitor, including numerous excellent seafood restaurants  and  the impressive Cenobio Dei Dogi hotel, which although a little pricey could add some ’old world’ glamour to your stay. - Valsugana (or the Sugana valley), TrentinoAlpine forests, mountains and numerous crystal clear lakes that pepper this region offer a wide range of activities to suite the most discerning of out-door types.   Activities in this area are focused in the hills and lakes, and include climbing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking,  sailing, windsurfing along with Spa retreats (such as in Levico).  The region’s major lakes are Lake Levico and  Lake Caldonazzo, and these tend to be the man focus of water sports in the area. - Mantua (Mantova in Italian), LombardyThis is a another great city, just stuffed to the gills with art and architectural wonders – when you visit, you’ll want to keep it your own special secret, because hordes of tourists who would surely descend if they knew how great it was. Encrusted like a diamond brooch the city is surrounded on three sides by pretty emerald lakes.  The town itself is dominated by grand architecture, including the Ducal Palce which boosts over 600 rooms, adored with beautiful frescos and great art, which might even have the Vatican jealously looking over its shoulder. Also worth  visits while here are the Teatro Bibliena, where a few weeks after it official opening December 1769 a 13 year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played to rapturous applause, and the Te Palace (nestled in the suburbs), both hidden gems within this hidden gem.  Also while here remember to partake of some Lambrusco which is produced here and in the nearby region of Emilia Romagna. - Gardens of Bomarzo: the Park of MonstersThe Gardens of Bomarzo, located in northern Lazio also known as the Sacred Wood and more locally as The Park of Monsters due to the abundance of statues and carvings of mythical creatures that inhabit the park. Created in the 16th century in a  wooded valley bottom directly beneath the castle of Orsini, the forested park covers 3-hectares and features many buildings inspired by classical architecture but with a bizarre twist, such as the Leaning House, which warps the rules of perspective and disorients your senses. The park is a perfect location If you want to spend a day in nature while losing yourself in a amazing  labyrinth of ancient surprises. - Orta San Giulio, PiedmontLocated on the shores of Lake Orta, the colourful town of Orta San Giulio certainly sparkles as one of the prettiest gems in Piedmont.  With it relaxed atmosphere it is the perfect place to take an aperitivo in in one of the cool café bars dotted around the piazzas and gardens, then later take a stroll up to the lake front to watch the lights appear on the nearby island of San Giulio as the sun descends.

One of the mythical beasts in the Gardens of Bomarzo

Getting to Italy

By Air: You can get to all the main Italian airports  easily from the UK, plus other locations within Europe as well as international flights across the globe.  I would recommend using Skyscanner to find flights into Italy and if you are flexible when you go/return use the ‘search by month’ tool to find the most economical flights.By Train: Access to Italy is also easy by train from many European hubs, and also much more eco-friendly than flying, certainly an option if you have the time.  Check out trains to Italy here.By Bus: Of course, you can also reach Italy by bus, but I wouldn't recommend it for very long transits unless of course you are a tight budget (as it is usually the cheapest option).  I would recommend Flixbus, which is a company based in Germany, but serves the vast majority of mainland Europe including Italy.

The Island of San Giulio

Hidden gems of Italy South of Rome:  Unique Places to Visit in Italy

- Tropea, CalabriaCalabria, much like its mirror region of Puglia on the other side Italian peninsula, is a land of azure waters and sandy beaches and offers great value when compared to the tourist hotspots of Rome and Florence etc.  (like most of the South of Italy). It can get busy though, especially in the peak of summer when it attracts Italian tourists from all over Italy, so book accommodation early if you plan to visit in peak season.  It’s a great town, featuring the famous Santa dell’Islo church, which perches on a great rock and overlooks the beach.  The 12th-century cathedral and fortified old town further add to the spender of this lovely spot. - Martina Franca, PugliaA little Puglian gem, this town is a few minutes down the road from Alberobello (famous for its conical ‘Trulli’ houses), but with far fewer tourists. It is a labyrinth of brilliant white buildings, pretty piazzas and little restaurants.  This Baroque hilltop town makes a good base for exploring the area. - Castelmezzano, BasilicataThis stunning Italian gem, nestled 900 metres above sea level in the peaks of the Dolmiti Lucane is certainly worth the trip if you are visiting the little-known region of Basilicata.  Visually stunning, the area around the town offers many walks and trails for the avid hiker, and for adrenaline junkies there is a high-speed zip line, called Il Volo dell’Angelo  (The Angel Flight) that connects it to the nearby village of Pietrapertosa. - Matera, BasilicataMatera, after being awarded a European Capital of Culture in 2019, is a little more well-know now than some of it’s contemporaries on this list, it is, however still worth a visit.  This ancient settlement once consisted almost entirely of cave-like dwellings carved into the rock known as the Sassi (in the oldest part of the town), but the story of Matera is one blighted by disease and poverty to such an extent that the town’s population was evacuated in 1952 and the Sassi were abandoned until the 1980s.  Since then the town has benefited from investment and is now a beautiful historical highlight of any visit to this area.  Beware, although the old cave dwellings were some of the poorest in Italy, the new resurgence of this town now means that accommodation in the town can be priced high, especially if you want to stay in one of the former cave dwellings.I hope our selection has whet your appetite for exploring the less touristy areas of Italy, but visit soon as they won’t stay off the tourist radar too long.https://youtu.be/9iIO3qG1E_0

Getting around Italy

There are lots of transport options when seeking out the unique places to visit in Italy, but how you decide to travel depends on where you want to go, what you want to see and how difficult some places might be to reach from your entry point (such as one of the main airports). Here are all the main options. By Bus: Italy's regional bus services are generally reliable and timely, and using local services will allow you to get to some of the more out of the way places on our list.  However, they can be slow and you could need to change several times.  Flixbus also offer many routes across Italy to major towns so these are also worth considering.By Train:  The train network in Italy is extensive, usually on time and fast, especially between the major hubs. The issue with trying to do everything on the trains in Italy, is that it may be more difficult to get to the more out of the way places.  So you may need to combine bus and train if you want to get around using public transport.Rent a car:  This is your most flexible option if you want to explore further afield.  Obviously driving will allow you to get to all the places on our list on your own schedule.  AutoEurope are our first port of call when looking for car rental in Italy. 

Stunning Tropea RESOURCES - ITALY Accommodation:  Booking.comActivities: ViatorFlights: SkyscannerTrains: Rail EuropeBus: FlixBusCar Hire: AutoEuropeVisit our resources page for more useful info.

Staying Safe

Crime levels are generally low in Italy, but in many of the major cities petty theft and pickpocketing does happen especially in crowded tourist spots or busy public transport.  So keep your valuables safe and out of sight.If you have an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.Of course, the key thing is to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage to protect against, cancellations, theft, illness etc.  For this, we use and recommend using  Staysure - specialists in over 50's travel insurance, as we have always found them fair and easy to deal with.    Read the full article

[pinkmirth]

marley, my love! i appreciate the tag ❤︎ putting reiner thrice is the realest thing i’ve seen all day

1) reiner fucking braun! hubby takes first place!!! hes got a heart of gold, his tits are perfect, and he ate down in the finale back in november! he’s been on my mind for three years straight now and i doubt he’s leaving anytime soon . . .

2) getō suguru! my love, my muse, my pretty little princess. his hairs flawless and his eyes are dreamy, no wonder he’s up here so high. i dream of kissing him every. single. day! did i ever mention how much i love his diabolical smile? aww he’s plotting >.<

3) adrian ‘alucard’ tepes! my favorite vampire of the year! he’s the prettiest man i’ve ever laid eyes on, and his voice? pure honey. that castle of his seems real lonely . . . basically, he needs a wife and i’m up for the task

4) gojou satoru babyyyy! i adore this little antic-pulling bitch. he’s occasionally (always) unbearable but it makes me wanna ride him ngl. he put my emotions on a wild ride last year for a multitude of reasons (SEPTEMBER FUCKING 20TH)

5) hate to say it but . . fushiguro toji . . . yes the putrid smelly murderous one. but who am i to deny that his scar is hot and those boobs of his are amazing?

6) jin kazama! love me a morally gray man with mama and daddy issues. he’s actually got a new game coming up later this month and i cant wait to stare at bare chest for every second of it ! oops i mean . . understand tekken’s lore!

7) richter belmont! saw him for twenty seconds of the castlevania: nocturne trailer and instantly fell for his pretty boy looks & sharp mouth >.<

8-9) itadori yuuji / sukuna ryoumen! see, it would just be unfair to add that fucking devil s*kuna without including my darling baby yuuji. so i pick both of themmm! i’m more of a yuu girl, but ryoumen kinda climbed up my ranks during season two . . . only a little bit though!!!

no pressure tags! ⸻ @pwncez @arachine @chrollohearttags @kkyaka @blushfwul @bunicate @omniapod @fierydiamond @daisynik7 @dancingwithdeities @tired-biscuit @kingkonoha @gojoest-main @honeybleed @ramonathinks + anybody else who’d like to join! ❤︎

putting this in its own post bc long -

2023 CHARACTER WRAPPED

thank u @ricecrispiebirb for tagging! I present 9 characters I loved in 2023

1-3: reiner. yes he takes up 3 spaces I will not be taking questions

4: jeanbo horseface kirschtein

5. ezekiel jaeger I remain hateful of how highly you place and yet……….here u are

6. onyankopon giant balls I LOVE u

7. choso…….my little emo wet kitten man

8. satoru gojo, the strongest, the most petulant, the most beautiful

9. geto suguru babe what happened. I still love u tho

no ob tagging @pisspope @fromriches-tosin @oxygenbefore1775 @marenalee @nanamikentoseyebags @strawberrystepmom @pinkmirth @forest-hashira and anyone else who’d like!

[writerleo86]

Terravenger - Season 5: Part Two - Episode 458 [End of the Pugioh City Arc] (Do Not Copy)

    Standing at the other side of the sacred island were the remaining three agents. And another warrior called Sirius stood behind the group.

    The leader Dime had asked "Is everything ready?"

    The eldest agent called Shade stepped forward and reported in a soft voice "The preparations have been fulfilled. I can begin when ready."

    And Dime responded "Permission has been granted, Mr. Shade. You may start."

    "Do it already Old Man!" hollered Kross. "Open the gate already! I'm getting very hungry!"

    "Steady Ms. Kross," Dime informed her. "We will be able to enter the island successfully. And you may be the one to finish Him off."

    Kross gave out a roaring laugh and cheered "Alright! Now you're talking!"

    First, the elder Shade lowered his black eyeglasses with the fingers from his right hand. A gloomy blue force had glowed from his white eyes until he fired a long ray of blue energy onto the large field of invisible wind that guarded the island.

    Dime soon told the silent Sirius "Inform the Boss that we will infiltrate the castle shortly."

    And Sirius vanished into thin air.

    Hidden behind a large cloud high in the skies of Pugioh was the observing empath called Alexis Sanyo.

    Alexis had on black eyeliner, dark-purple shadow on the top of each eye, and dark-purple lipstick. She wore a burgundy outfit that had long leggings of the same color and long brown sleeves. She also wore a pair of black gloves and short black boots. The top of her curly brown hair was tied into a long high tail while the bottom parts were down. And her golden MAF badge was placed on the front left side of the chest area.

    She remained above as she watched the three agents tried to break into the island.

    And the emotionless seer implied "So, you have awakened the Wrathful from his imprisonment."

    She closed her soft purple eyes and thought to herself "What has He planned for this sudden event, Goran?"

Terravenger -- Season 5: Part Two -- Episode 458: The Pugioh City Arc -- Foresight

    In the large and cold throne room of Erodios Castle, the lord of the castle named Devin Elken had listened to the news that was said by Lieutenant Victoria Sidney as he stood before his large dark-red chair. And the group remained standing at the center of the room.

    Then Devin responded "Mayne the Wrathful. He has returned to kill me. But I will not die so easily."

    The worried Paige stepped forward as she claimed "We will not let Mayne Jarnsaxa even touch you. We of the united Midas and Golden Bay will protect you. We will give our lives to keep you from Mayne's reach."

    Devin placed his hands together after folding his arms behind him.

    And the emotionless knight ordered "Lieutenant Sidney! Bring the rest of your team here to the castle. We must ready everyone for their next attack."

    "Very well," Victoria told him. "But our media will remain in the city and continue to tend to the wounded."

    "Of course," said Devin. "I will send some from my army there to protect your remaining media."

    The crazed Duo shook his head and yelled "And we'll stay here and guard ya till then!"

    "Also," informed Devin. "You will also bring another to be guarded in my care."

    "Another?" questioned Paige.

    Devin told her "I order that your cousin is brought here. She must be protected as well."

    "How do you know about my cousin?" asked Paige.

    Duo cried "What's goin' on? How does this guy know about Hope?"

    A worried Silvan lowered his head and informed Paige "Devin must have had a vision."

    The emotionless Devin lowered his head and commanded "Bring Paige's cousin to Erodios immediately."

    After that, the young lord walked from his chair and left the room.

    "Damn!" claimed Jinx. "That guy's rude!"

    And Victoria implied "He may indeed have received visions that are meant for the future. We must take heed to Lord Elken's words."

    A few minutes later, the old man known as Shade continued to unlock the invisible barrier that surrounded the entire land around Erodios Castle. The other two agents -- Dime and Kross -- stood by him as Shade tried to destroy the barrier using the ray of cold blue energy that was shot from the old man's eyes. That was until the barrier suddenly vanished.

    "Did you do it?" questioned the vicious Kross. "Was that bubble destroyed?"

    And the calm Dime had asked his teammate "Did you finally get rid of the barrier, Mr. Shade?"

    Shade lifted his eyeglasses back to his eyes and answered "No. It was not my doing. I needed more time. The barrier was simply turned off."

    Suddenly, a familiar individual floated from the top of the large castle. And the three agents found the person immediately.

    "Well look who it is!" reported Kross. "Our target must have come out to play with us!"

    The lord Devin Elken slowly rose his hands as bolts of white lightning began striking from the dark clouds in the sky.

    "Lightning Release!" called Devin. "Forcing Cry of Zeus!"

    More bolts started striking down while Devin pointed his right finger at the trio of villains below. Then more of the powerful bolts fell around the villains.

    "What the hell?" cried Kross. "He's attacking us!"

    The trio stood their ground as more bolts struck toward each of them. Meanwhile, a small army of guards dressed in silver armor hurried from the island to the grassy grounds of Pugioh. The fearless lieutenant Victoria was present at the center of the army along with Jinx, Keira, and Shawn.

    Kross quickly turned her head and spotted the enemies hurrying off.

    "Ah hell no!" She roared. "This is a distraction!"

    First, Kross pounced with a high back-flip. The vicious woman landed at the front of the army as she held the long blade of her katana in front of her with her right hand.

    "Not so fast!" She told her enemies.

    And the crazed Kross responded "I'll lure the Target out in the open by slashing the throats of his comrades!"

    Many of the guards faced the wicked woman as the others including Victoria and her team continued on.

    "Don't leave!" yelled Kross. "Come back and fight me!"

    After the last of the vicious bolts fell, the cold Devin flew down as the invisible barrier returned around the land.

    The worried Dime looked around as he cried "This was a diversion after all!"

    "Those bastards!" roared Kross. "Fools! Cowards!"

    And Dime responded "Kross and I will go after the mice that escaped their hole."

    Then he ordered the elder "You will continued to break through the hold that is around the castle. And you will let us know once the barrier is dealt with."

    Shade shook his head and responded "I will do what I can."

    Sitting on the great chair at the end of the throne room was the impatient Duo as another soldier -- Jonny Griffin -- remained standing at the other side of the room.

    Duo looked up at the ceiling as he said "This sucks. I coulda helped the Lord with them bad guys."

    Jonny stood with his arms folded and his head lowered as Duo yelled "Damn! This totally sucks!"

    In the middle of the dark hallway that had lit candles attached to the walls, the maiden Paige stood with her arms folded while her head leaned to her left side.

    A familiar male voice soon called "You miss him."

    Paige quickly turned around and spotted the knight Devin walking toward her.

    "You were once my brother's good friend," implied Devin. "You of all have every right to mourn."

    After she shook her head, Paige lowered her head and responded.

    "I have cared deeply for both Drake and your father. The light of my soul temporarily diminished once I was told of their deaths."

    Paige stared at Devin and told him "But I also learned that the both of them had fought bravely for what they believed in. I remember that Drake wanted to fight for not only his nation, but for those dear to him."

    Devin shook his head and informed her "I am indeed the last of the Elken clan. All my brethren had fallen due to various deaths."

    A sad Paige lowered her head and implied "You must have been quite lonely since their deaths. I can only imagine your sorrow."

    "And then my visions arrived," claimed Devin. "I discovered that I had the gift of Foresight once I had my second vision, and this was of the same I have seen since before you all had arrived."

    Paige thought to herself for a moment.

    And the young maiden asked "This vision? Does it have to do with either Duo or my cousin?"

    Devin turned away from her and responded "The both of them -- your teammate, and your cousin."

Devin's thoughts:

On a cliff near the top of a large mountain which was somewhere at the burning Mafic Isle, the two individuals -- Duo Storms and Hope McCormack -- had backed toward the end.

    After that, the knight faced Paige once again.

    He described "Both your cousin and teammate. The setting was on the top of the largest mountain at the Mafic Isle. My vision ended once they had fallen off the ledge."

    The maiden Paige grew very shock as she continued facing Devin.

    "This is an event yet to come," reported Devin. "That is why I have made certain that your mate Duo remained here in the castle. And your cousin will hopefully be found."

    Then Paige calmed herself and said "You are performing greatly to keep this vision from starting."

    Suddenly, pain came from his head which made Devin fall to one knee on the ground.

    "What has happened?" cried Paige.

    And Devin faced forward.

Devin's vision:

On the cliff that was at the top of a large mountain which was somewhere at the burning Mafic Isle, the two individuals revealed as Duo Storms and Hope McCormack had backed toward the cliff as they were confronted by another person.

The person had said in a calm male voice "Surely neither of you were thinking of leaving here."

And this person finally revealed themselves from the shadows of the large pits. It was the mysterious agent known as Goran. He wore an outfit consisting of a long-sleeved black shirt with a dark-purple tie around his fine collar and a pair of black dress-pants. And he had on a pair of shiny black boots.

"The both of you," continued Goran. "You have nowhere else to go. Yet you wish to flee from our kind hospitality."

    Paige slowly helped him up as a frightened Devin had watched the rest of his vision.

Devin's vision:

Goran continued to walk toward them until both Duo and Hope had fallen off the cliff. The frightened pair continued to fall toward the molten lava below as Hope yelled out "DUO!"

    After he was on his feet, Devin felt his forehead with his left hand as he faced the worried girl Paige.

    "What has happened?" asked Paige. "Was it your vision once again?"

    Devin answered by slowly shaking his head and told her "But I did witness another layer of the vision. This was something that I had seen for the very first time."

    Suddenly, Paige spotted another person standing before them at the other side of the dark hall.

    Paige soon cried "By the gods!"

    The new individual was revealed as the seer Alexis Sanyo who stood before them with a strong face.

    "Devin Elken," said a calm Alexis. "The last of his family. He has so much to share with us."

[nothingunrealistic]

ffwdl has posted an analysis of the season 7 trailer, and who would i be if i didn’t offer my own meta-analysis thereof?

We did not write any episode recaps in Season 6 since this blog is not about Billions but about Damian Lewis’ work. And now that he is back, we are thrilled to resume our weekly Billions recaps and analysis!

i hope you’re ready to show up in my review roundups again!

The final season sees the Prince Capital CEO Mike Prince kicking off his presidential campaign with his on-again, off-again wife Andy by his side. Does she know that her husband had a casual one night stand with Rian, an employee, after a party at his place?

she absolutely knows that prince slept with someone else, if not all the details. they had a conversation about it on screen in 6x11. here it is, in case anyone else has forgotten:

ANDY: You and I, we can’t embarrass each other. When we’re apart, if we need to slake our appetites… PRINCE: No embarrassment. Everything locked down. ANDY: It is, or it will be? PRINCE: Don’t ask that. Why ask that? You left. I called. You couldn’t come. You know what that results in.

(also, i’m obligated to point out that it was more than one night. three, in fact.)

But why would Chuck agree to such an alliance? Well, because he knows about Prince’s dirty laundry, and Prince may help Chuck regain his seat as the state AG on the condition that he keeps silent and, who knows, if he becomes the President, he will need an Attorney General he trusts 🙂

chuck is not going to be the state AG again. we clearly see him returning to the us attorney’s office and sitting at his old desk. they’re not even trying to hide that part.

After all, as the young man, a new character who is probably Prince’s campaign manager, is saying in the trailer:

“Everything you do now matters in a way that it didn’t before. Chuck Rhoades is paying attention.”

*probably* prince’s campaign manager, you say? well, i guess there’s no way to know for sure. it’s not like there was a press release about this exact actor playing a “a high priced, high power political consultant” this season. we’ll just have to wait and see!

We see Wendy, Wags, and Taylor arriving at an amazing castle and we hear Taylor telling their former boss “if it happens, the consequences are so great.”

TOO great. taylor tells axe that “the consequences if it happens are TOO great.” taylor is not jazzed about the consequences.

Besides, Wendy knows about Axe’s past and what he could do to women in his life – from lying to Lara when it was convenient to  him to destroying Rebecca’s business when he got paranoid about her intentions.

let’s remember this sentence for later.

And I admit my fantasy about the series finale is for Wendy and Chuck to get back together and the show ending exactly like it started… with Wendy peeing on Chuck 🙂 How fun would that be?

any ending in which wendy & chuck get back together sounds godawful.

Having mentioned Chuck, what has he been up to?

[…] We see, in the final season trailer, picketers with signs saying “Defend Chuck Rhoades” and “Champion of the Truth.” And it seems Chuck is returning to the State AG office with applause from his colleagues. Could it be that Prince helps him to re-take his seat as State AG?

that is the us attorney’s office! not the state AG’s office! it was in every single episode of the first three seasons and if you watched as closely as you claimed then you should know the difference! you even put the picture right there!

So, is Chuck really working with Dave to bring down Prince or is he working with Prince to take Dave’s AG seat? Or is he pretending he is working with Prince to bring down Dave but he is actually working with Dave to bring down Prince? We hear Dave saying “you do have your eye on something” to Chuck in the trailer… could it be that he has his eye on her seat? 🙂

HE IS NOT GOING TO BE TAKING THE STATE AG’S SEAT BECAUSE HE’S CLEARLY RETURNING TO THE US ATTORNEY’S SEAT AND THE STATE AG IS AN ELECTED POSITION ANYWAY!!! AUGH!!!

If Chuck is determined to bring Prince down, then one man he would want on his side is definitely Bobby.

well, if season 7 is about chuck and axe’s “game of one-upmanship” like the new synopsis suggests, that’s unlikely. (to be fair, i don’t think that synopsis was available until after this article was posted.)

But after what Prince did to Chuck, don’t you think he should be missing Axe? Because whatever Axe might have done to beat Chuck in his own game, he never tried to remove his foe from public office.

“god, i miss the guy who caused me to lose 27 million dollars and also my wife. at least he never got me fired.” — no one, ever

Chuck visiting prison in the trailer raises a question: Bryan and Dr. Gilbert? I put my money on the latter and I have my reasons for it 🙂

finally, some decent analysis. i’d also noticed chuck visiting a prison in the trailer and figured it was for either connerty or dr. gilbert, but i hadn’t seen this trailer photo before. and it might be that dr. gilbert’s prison sentence is up:

DR. GILBERT: You’re right. I did it. I let Donnie die. He was a terminal case. I withheld treatment. To fund my research. CHUCK: I believe you. And I find myself rooting for you. But we both know you belong in jail. Five years. No trial. Just a plea.

this was in 3x07, which is set in 2017; if season 7 is set in 2022, that matches up with a five-year sentence. (or, if you’re going by airdate, it would be 2018 and 2023, which still matches.)

And Chuck Senior, who has got a second chance in life after he received one of Danny Margolis’ kidneys, seems to be back to his naughty ways. I am dying to know what he has done to be in the  company of wind breakers!

also pictured but totally ignored: chuck’s son kevin walking right alongside senior! the better question is where they're going together.

And more importantly, UNLIKE Chuck Rhoades and Mike Prince, who claims to be doing what he does in the name of justice and who claims to be a monster from Monsters, Inc. respectively; Axe has always been honest about who he is. He has never pretended to be a Robin Hood or a Mother Teresa.

season 1 establishes very clearly that axe’s pre-canon reputation was that of a brave 9/11 survivor and hugely generous philanthropist and spends a lot of screen time tearing that down. he spent a long time being dishonest about who he was.

And while he destroyed quite a few lives and businesses, UNLIKE Chuck and Prince, who threw their loved ones under the bus to maximize their own benefits, Axe has never hurt anyone close to his heart.

remember earlier when you mentioned him lying to lara and destroying rebecca’s business? did you forget, or are you just arguing that they weren’t close to his heart? (and if it’s the latter, have you also forgotten about all the times he hurt wendy?)

And, UNLIKE Chuck Rhoades and Mike Prince, Axe has not pretended he is taking his every step within the boundaries of law.

do you really want me to list every instance of axe insisting he wouldn’t and hasn’t broken the law and pointing out that chuck could never make any legal charges stick to him? let’s just stick to the pilot:

AXE: The press acts like information’s a dirty word. Everyone has access to the information. We just know how to analyze it better. You answer me one. When did it become a crime to succeed in this country?

[blackscifimatters]

on The Hate U Give movie

“It was good for what it was, but it wasn’t all that.” - Sister Act  2

I had high expectations on the way to the theatre. The critics were raving and the book was pretty good. People were talking about Oscars. Then the movie started and my second note was “I don’t think this movie is for me.” The first note was “There is no way this little girl grows up to look like Amandla.” Really, if you are going to cast light-skinned as a teen then cast light-skinned as a child. Even the girl in the title animation is darker than Amandla. But Amandla’s casting makes sense. I will expand on this, give me a moment.

This movie has a message and it gets preachy. The different-from-the-book ending was trying too hard to get the message across and it could have gone a much better way. The powerful moments came off as comical. In my head, after every dramatic monologue I heard “Message!” (Don’t be a Menace). And during that hairbrush scene at school, she was a step away from yelling “Ooga Booga Booga!”. They were going for threatening and it is just funny.

Russel Hornsby and Regina Hall work really well as an on-screen couple. I wish Regina’s character was expanded on beyond Black Mama. I loved how they portrayed Iesha because they took away a lot of her ain’t shit-ness from the book and humanized her throughout the movie; she was funny. And Kenya was amazing. I was surprised at how much of a carefree Black girl she was because I expected the movie to make her the absolute antithesis of Starr and demonize her. Her reaction to Khalil’s mother on TV broke my heart.There needed to be more Seven. When he was on screen, he was amazing and I am going to have to re-read Native Son because he is in the upcoming movie version. TJ Wright as Sekani is forgettable until the end. Common is in this movie as the voice of cops. And Anthony Mackie as King doesn’t work for me because King needed to look a bit older.

A handful of characters from the book were cut or downgraded. I am angry that Maya’s character was so modified and that her minorities-in-solidarity relationship with Starr was cut. Sabrina Carpenter played “white girl with one black friend” well. KJ Apa looked thirty and sickly pale. I hated that black card scene.

On Amandla: While I was not blown away by her performance, this is her best role to date and I look forward to seeing her evolve. That being said,  I could not stand the voice-overs because not only were they not needed until the climax but also because Amandla’s blackcent was so annoying. When I heard it in the trailer, I wasn’t going to see the movie just based on that. I will say she has gotten over her mumbles but her line delivery was very cringey at points. Plus... I said it in my The Darkest Minds review that there was going to be a lot of deep voice acting in this movie and I was not wrong. It was just funny by the end.

Do I still think Starr should have been played by a dark-skinned or at least browner Black actress? Yes. It would have changed the movie’s tone but brought more authenticity to the role. But here’s the thing, having a light-skinned, biracial actress play Starr is just a reflection of our current state of black activism. Who is the media’s go to person as one of the loudest voices against Black injustice? A light-skinned, biracial man. Who does the media hold up as the voice of Black girls? A black identifying, biracial girl. Yeah, they identify as black but unlike monoracial Black people, they will always have that other half to lean on, to benefit from while also benefiting from identifying as Black. That other half makes them a safe black, and this movie calls out the idea of being a non-threatening black person (I can’t remember the actual term used) and it would have had more impact if Starr wasn’t light-skinned, aka default safe Black.

Am I happy I saw this movie? Yes. We are going through an interesting chapter in black girl representation. 

Should you go see it? Yes. The movie is trying to be something for a target audience I am not a part of. Maybe you are the one they are trying to reach.

[straightbaittournament]

only the option with the least votes will be eliminated! everyone else moves on the round 3. propaganda under the cut (and more always welcome!):

ava silva and michael salvius:

They have some amusingly straightbaity scenes where Michael initially appears to be interested in Ava (meeting her in a bar, asking questions about her, pursuing her to get her to do things with him and inviting her to kick ass with him) but almost all of these scenes are explicitly for plot reasons or end up displaying the closeness of Ava and Beatrice (and Beatrice’s jealousy over Ava seemingly being interested in a man) instead. Michael and Ava develop a strong close relationship that feels more sibling-esque by the end of season 2 and also Michael straight up dies at the end of season 2 as well.

neo, mew, and shin:

Before the show aired there was all this speculation over who Neo (a boy) was going to choose, Mew (a girl) or Shin (a boy). A lot of people suspected that Neo and Mew would get together and even though the trailers seemed to imply that there was something between Neo and Shin, that it wouldn't end well for them. Turns out the show went a completely different direction and ended up with polyamory with all three dating each other. This song from the show released before the show came out and there's a lot of comments trying to figure out who's going to end up together (with some people saying that they hope it'll be poly but are sure that it probably won't be) https://youtu.be/5w-nDbr2fxY And here's the famous kiss scene (there's no subs in this clip but the general vibe is that they're telling Shin (the shorter guy) that even the two of them have feelings for each other, they care about him too) https://youtu.be/Gr4fTrXqL8k https://64.media.tumblr.com/80a1b4441645c65825f221a42d2e88ed/36e07bb804d7de75-59/s540x810/bd1bb49d299d904c8ffe9a26b970caf9567eaae3.pnj

edward elric and winry rockbell:

literally in different dimensions by the end! they still have a lot of the hallmarks of "ohh endgame childhood best friends" or whatever but fma 2003 just said. naah. winry got the shortest end of the stick and i feel so bad for her!!! continuity specific straightbait. in every other universe they get married and have kids but screw you two specifically 🙏

hikaru hitachiin and haruhi fujioka:

Haruhi x Hikaru from ouran high school host club. Yes i know she technically gets together with another boy in the end, but there is something so Queer about this ship in particular. Their whole date episode is just screaming Not Straight. For both of them.

rowena macleod and sam winchester:

Their relationship was clearly going in that direction before the writers killed Rowena.

galo and aina (submitted as lio and galo):

Iirc, the whole time the audience was set up to believe that Galo will get together with a teammate named Aina (i might be completely wrong but i think she showed romantic interest in him). That's what usually happens, anyways. However, studio trigger turned that premise on its head with Galo's budding relationship with Lio. In order to save Lio, Galo kissed him. They kissed.

mako, korra, and asami:

it's that one meme where the guy ignores his girlfriend to check out another girl, only the two girls get to know each other and get together. S1/2 has love triangle drama between who Mako will be with (Korra or Asami). S3 no one is together but Korra and Asami become really close friends. S4 Korra and Asami are together. Mako is single. Like the only example of exes being good friends and Not getting back together, as well as giving the middle finger to heteronormative assumptions when after the love triangle is over, the two girls get together Shipping the two girls in a love triangle together but it actually happens

pat and ink:

Pat has a crush on Ink early on, and it seems possible at first that she may feel the same way. However, it is later revealed that she actually has a crush on his sister and is a lesbian. It's okay though because then Pat realizes he's in love with his childhood rival and they become wlw mlm solidarity! Everyone wins!

alexa, liana, ian, and jeremy:

the Only barbie animated movie where the girl(s) do not end up with a guy. alexa & liana live together and enact a ton of romantic tropes together, the twin guys do flirt with them but then the girls are separated from them by... a magic rainbow. they do dance together at the end of the movie... before the girls leave to go live together again. wearing dresses that are literally the bi and lesbian pride flags. no joke. cottagecore wlw separated from potential male love interests by literal magic rainbow the gayest barbie movie

good luck everyone! now go vote!