#the world according to humphrey

[your-fave-is-forklift-certified]

Humphrey from The World According to Humphrey series is Forklift Certified!

[fandomsareforlife]

Also before you ask, yes these are all books that I was obsessed with as a kid.

[mthevlamister]

okay so like

I just remembered the Magic Treehouse book where they go back to Ancient--I think it was Greece? I can't remember super well, but I do remember Annie wanting to participate in the games/play [whatever event was occurring], and her just getting shut down bc she's a girl and there is no equal rights yet; she dresses up as a guy, gets caught, and she and Jack have to haul ass back to their magical treehouse, bc she's about to be killed for this.

Was that real???

Also, on that note: was The World According to Humphrey real??? No one ever talks about that.

[your-fave-is-just-a-lil-guy]

HUMPRHEY FROM THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HUMPRHEY IS AN EVIL LITTLE GUY BUT A LITTLE GUY NON THE LESS

Humphrey from The World According To Humphrey is just a little guy!

[youremyheaven]

vedic astro observations pt 3

in my previous post i had mentioned how some of the most famous mistresses/concubines/courtesans/women involved in adultery in real life or played such roles on screen often have Pushya or Punarvasu placements. here i'll be providing more example<3

Meena Kumari often played the "Other Woman" in her movies and here she is in her most famous role, playing a courtesan. She has Pushya sun and mercury

Elisabeth Moss plays a concubine in her most well known role in The Handmaiden. she has Pushya sun & mercury

Nicole Kidman played a courtesan in the iconic movie Moulin Rouge. She has punarvasu mercury atmakaraka and Pushya jupiter

Zhang Ziyi's most well known roles involve her playing a courtesan (Memoirs of a Geisha, House of Flying Daggers etc). She has Punarvasu moon

Bina Rai played the legendary courtesan Anarkali in the film of the same name in her most well known role. She has Punarvasu sun, Pushya mercury and jupiter

Hema Malini, Pushya rising was the real life mistress of her now husband Dharmendra. She also played a courtesan in the movie Sharafat

Rani Mukerji had an affair with the much married film producer Aditya Chopra which led to him separating from his wife. Rani has Mars in Punarvasu as her atmakaraka. She also has mercury and venus in Revati, which according to Claire Nakti is a nakshatra that features prominently in the charts of many "home wreckers".

Zeenat Aman had an affair with Sanjay Khan while he was married. The two even got married but things ended really poorly for Zeenat

(i dont want to mention it but you can google it). Zeenat is Punarvasu moon.

Lara Dutta and tennis icon, Mahesh Bhupathi started seeing each other when he was still married to his now ex-wife. Lara has Pushya moon and mars.

Sarika and Kamal Hassan had an affair while he was still married to Vani Ganapathy, leading to their split. Sarika has Mars in Punarvasu as her amatyakaraka. Her birth time is unconfirmed so she's either Ardra or Punarvasu moon

in a similar vein, Shilpa Shetty first started seeing Raj Kundra when he was still married to his first wife. She has Venus in Pushya darakaraka and Saturn in Punarvasu as her atmakaraka. She's also Rohini sun, another nakshatra that crops up often in the charts of women who are considered "home wreckers"

Pushya rising, Julia Roberts met her now husband when he was still married to someone else. Her most famous role to this date is that of a sex worker.

Lauren Bacall has Pushya venus & rising and met her husband Humphrey Bogart while he was still married to another woman

this is more of a speculation but JLo and Marc Anthony got married 5 months after he divorced his first wife, which implies that JLo and Marc probably started seeing each other when he was still married. Jennifer Lopez has Pushya moon

in an older post, i had mentioned how prostitutes in cinema are often played by Ketu natives and i think its interesting how different types of sex worker esque roles are played by different actors. prostitution is a very unglamorous, unrefined and morally frowned upon profession; Ketu is a shadow planet entirely separate from the material world where "morality" is created and enforced, thus it makes sense why these natives are chosen to play these roles, especially in gritty thrillers set in the underbelly of a big city (very Ketuvian). Ketu is in itself a malefic and associated with paradoxical concepts of apathy, impermanence but also liberation and salvation.

however, when courtesans or concubines are portrayed on screen, they are presented as extremely refined, polished and feminine creatures. historically, they were always educated, cultured, diversely talented and enjoyed a good position in the king's court.

they often acted as counsels, and were known for their refinement. such roles in cinema often seem to be played by Pushya or Punarvasu natives in cinema. i had already observed how cancer is the most feminine sign and how cancer women often play the "dream girl" or "trophy wife" in cinema and i would say this is an extension of that; their hyperfeminine mannerisms and persona make them highly desirable to men and courtesans and concubines are required to maintain themselves to a high degree of femininity in manner, appearance and conduct. it only makes sense that cancer girls, specifically Pushya (the height of femininity) and Punarvasu girls are chosen, repeatedly for these roles.

in most movies where a sex worker plays the protagonist, the main theme often tends to be about salvation/redemption. she's perhaps the whore with a heart of gold , the dichotomy between her character and her "immoral" life is explored. the Ketuvian roles explore these themes in the context of a dark, grungy, seedy brothel set in the underbelly of a big bad city whereas the Cancerian ones explore these in the context of a palace or a highly refined upper class setting where manners & conduct are subject to refinement. Ketu represents the shadow and Cancer ruled by the moon shows the light, although like yin and yang, there's good in the bad and bad in the good thoroughly interwoven into each other and impossible to separate.

2. in my personal observation, pisces rashi (0-3 degrees purvabhadrapada, uttarabhadrapada and revati) and bharani nakshatra endows a native with acting ability. these placements are present in the charts of some of the most talented actors in the history of cinema. obviously, one could have other placements and still be good actors.

Meryl Goddamn Streep is a Bharani moon

Saoirse Ronan is Revati sun, Bharani moon & venus with mercury and mars in UBP

Timothee Chalamet has Purvabhadrapada moon (2 degrees pisces) and Ketu in Revati. love him or hate him, gotta admit that the boy can act 🤷🏼‍♀️

Smita Patil, the iconic and prolific indian actress had Revati rising

Shabana Azmi is also Revati rising

again, love her or hate her, you have to admit Rani Mukerji is a terrific actor. She has UBP sun & ketu with mercury and venus in Revati

Heath Ledger is Revati sun & rising with mercury conjunct mars in Purvabhadrapada (2 degrees pisces)

Gary Oldman is UBP sun with moon and mercury in Revati

Robert Downey Jr is Revati stellium (sun, mercury and venus) with Bharani moon

Rooney Mara has UBP stellium (moon, mercury and venus)

Charlie Chaplin had venus in bharani atmakaraka, revati mercury amatyakaraka and mars in bharani

Spencer Tracy, Revati sun, UBP mercury conjunct mars

Buster Keaton, the screen legend and absolute GOAT had Revati moon

Clint Eastwood has mercury and venus in Bharani

Marlon Brando had Revati sun & moon

2 time Oscar winner and 10 time nominee, Bette Davis had Revati sun

pisces rashi, being a water sign gives the natives a certain emotional depth that gives them the ability to completely embody a character in the most convincing manner. being the final rashi, it encapsulates all the lessons of all the previous rashis and makes these natives possess an innate and inexplicable wisdom without first hand experience, thereby enabling them to portray a diverse range of characters convincingly.

bharani nakshatra's deity is lord yama and the nakshatra itself is associated with death. to be a good actor is to both subject your own self to a metaphorical death in order to birth the character within you and project it externally.

[deadpresidents]

Is there any truth to the 1980 October surprise theory?

The New York Times published a story earlier this year where Ben Barnes -- a Republican supporter of Reagan's in 1980 who had once served as Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and protege of former Texas Governor John Connally -- confirmed that the Reagan campaign absolutely encouraged Iran not to release the American embassy hostages before the election because Reagan would give the Iranians a better deal if he was elected President. Barnes admitted that he was present as Connally passed that message around while on a trip to the Middle East in order to get word to the Iranians. It's not exactly a smoking gun because virtually everyone seemingly involved in implementing the October Surprise is dead other than Barnes, but it's a weird thing for Barnes to lie about 45 years later, especially considering how close his relationship was with Governor Connally. Plus, we know that there were shady contacts between people in the Reagan Administration and Iran because of the Iran-Contra scandal.

I think there is definitely some truth to the theory, but I also believe that the Iranians were more than happy to spite President Carter by not releasing the hostages until literally the moment Reagan took the oath of office. The Iranians were still furious with the Carter Administration for letting the Shah come to the United States for medical treatment after he was forced to leave Iran as the Iranian Revolution exploded and Ayatollah Khomeini returned to become Supreme Leader. Carter had also helped broker the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, which also infuriated Iran and much of the Islamic world. Plus, Carter had ordered Operation Eagle Claw -- the failed attempt to rescue the hostages by force -- and that was seen as an act of war. So, the Ayatollah and leaders of Revolutionary Iran had no love lost for President Carter and weren't interested in doing him any favors before he left office.

The October Surprise that many people overlook is the one which took place in 1968 shortly before the Nixon vs. Humphrey election. When it looked like there might be some progress made in peace talks to bring the Vietnam War to a close, Nixon and his advisers got word to the South Vietnamese to hold off on working toward peace until Nixon was elected and could give them better terms. It was such an egregious act that LBJ actually told people around him that he felt Nixon had committed treason and that he had the blood of American soldiers on his hands for sabotaging peace talks. We even have the tapes of LBJ's phone calls after finding out about Nixon's actions where President Johnson straight-up says, "This is Treason!"

[humornaut]

Sunny's Smoothie Situation

Hey all! Two posts in one day, wow! This is actually more of a quick follow-up to my post about Sunny and cooking, but I decided to put it as it's own post since it's more related to food in general. Slight Omori Spoilers ahead?

I briefly mentioned it in that post, but there is something interesting going on with the smoothies that you can find within Headspace.

(We're going to not include the Dino Smoothie, as the Dino snacks are kind of in a class of their own and "Dino" isn't a flavor.

So based on the descriptions, something that is immediately obvious is that these are not organized by how much Sunny likes each individual flavor, as if it was, it'd probably have Berry at the bottom, then Banana, followed by Strawberry, then Mango, and finally Melon.

In addition, they aren't organized by healthiness, either, as the Berry Smoothie would be at the top if that were the case.

So how are they organized? Well, they appear to be organized by Basil's preferences.

Basil says in the Birthday Memory:

and then, regarding Bananas:

Obviously, we don't have a full rundown of Basil's fruit preferences, but I think these being the two that are put at the top and bottom is enough to assume that that is the order that Sunny's mind went with here.

However, the fun smoothie facts don't end there. Meet Budgirl:

There are nine of these little fellas all in one area. Off the rip, they take the form of a tulip with it's color changed to match Basil's flower charm. It has a face that resembles a face that Sunny makes several times in the photo album, and it makes a "meowing" sound sometimes when you interact with it. It's the same audio as when Claus or Mewo meow.

More importantly, whenever you interact with the central one, there is a 20% chance that you will receive a Mango, Berry, Melon, or Strawberry Smoothie. This is also the only repeatable and reliable way to get Strawberry Smoothies, as they are the only smoothie that cannot be purchased anywhere, so it's either this or going with the 2% chance you get from fighting Strawberry Short Snakes.

I just think it's a little adorable that this even exists, a pink version of the flower Basil associated with Sunny, which dispenses smoothies excluding Basil's least favorite flavor, and which is the only way to reliably get the smoothie that his most favorite flavor!

As one last aside, Sunny does appear to know that that tofu can be used in the making of smoothies, according to the chef mole...

And what really ties all this together in a real way is that despite never really appearing in the real world, blenders appear often in key areas of Headspace (and even in a version of Sunny's kitchen in Black Space!) The Blender weapon for Hero is one that's easily missed while getting chased by Experiment 667 in Humphrey, and is in the same area as the "Heart String" charm, which makes the wearer happy (like the Daisy and Wedding Ring, no less).

What I'm getting at is Sunny likely used his book about tofu to learn how to make smoothies with or for his best friend Basil. Heck, the ingredients you are collecting for Hero are linked to Basil already, and use tofu sprites!

[thatgordongirl]

I find it interesting what kind of functions the ghosts get to keep, and the ones they don’t. Kitty threw up, which according to Robin is an isolated event, so either none of the others have weak stomachs or it’s part of Kitty’s death. They don’t have pulses and don’t feel pain sometimes, Humphrey was hurt by Thomas’ knee, but not when he fell from the roof, and the ghosts physically fighting seemed to only hurt for a moment. They can still go to the toilet, and still feel the urge, but they can’t physically empty anything permanently. Their powers link to interacting with the world, but they don’t all have powers, so either some just can’t, or they haven’t discovered it yet.

I mean, the powers are linked to their deaths, but they either require a great deal of exertion (Julian and Robin) or are completely out of the person’s control (Mary, Fanny and kind of Jemima? She can’t stop them hearing her) so perhaps the others just haven’t exerted themselves enough to find out their power, or they haven’t been in a circumstance where it would be unknowingly utilised. Cue the intro that shows all their powers, Captain’s in a mirror with an opened drawer and Pat has an arrow shoot through the air. I think Pat might have some auditory power, maybe either the sound of a shooting arrow or the sound of it hitting a target. Captain I’m not sure, feel free to use this post to speculate

[une-sanz-pluis]

The Preface of Catherine de Valois's will

The last will of queen Katherine, made unto her sovereign lord, her son, upon her departing out of this world. Right high and mighty prince, and my full [re]doubted lord, and full entirely beloved son, in due humble wise, with full hearty natural blessing, I commend me to your highness. To the which please to be certified, that before the silent and fearful conclusion of this long, grievous malady, in the which I have been long, and yet am, troubled and vexed by the visitation of God (to whom be thanking and laud in all his gifts), I purpose, by the grace of God, and under your succour, protection, and comfort (in whom only, among all other earthly, stands all my trust), to ordain and dispose of my testament, both for my soul and my body.

And I trust fully, and am right sure that, among all creatures earthly, ye best may, and will best tender and favour my will, in ordaining for my soul and body, in seeing that my debts be paid and my servants guerdoned, and in tender and favourable fulfilling of mine intent. Wherefore, tenderly I beseech you, by the reverence of God, and upon my full, hearty blessing, that to my perpetual comfort and health of soul and body, of your abundant and special grace (in full remedy of all means that in any wise may anneantise [annihilate] or deface the effect of my last purpose and intent) grant, at my humble prayer and request, to be my executor; and to depute and assign such persons to be under you of your servants, or of mine, or of both, as it shall like you to choose them, which I remit fully to your disposition and election. Beseeching you, also, at the reverence of our Lord God and the full entire blessing of me your mother, that, this done, ye tenderly and benignly grant my supplication and request, contained particularly in the articles ensuing. And if tender audience and favourable assent shall be given by so benign and merciful a lord and son to such a mother, being in [at] so piteous point of so grievous a malady, I remit to your full, high, wise, and noble discretion, and to the conscience of every creature that knoweth the laws of God and of nature, that if the mother should have more favour than a strange person, I remit [refer or appeal] to the same.

Taken from: Agnes Strickland, Lives of the Queens of England, vol. 2 (G. Barrie & Son, 1902)

---

Notes:

This is the only translation of Catherine's will I have found - Stickland states that she believes this is the first time it was published and all references to her will lead back here. Strickland is a notoriously unreliable historian but given the amount of times her translation is cited, it seems likely that it is reliable.

The Latin original is published in A Collection of All the Wills Now Known to be Extant of the Kings and Queens of England, Princes and Princesses of Wales, and every branch of the Blood Royal from the Reign of William the Conqueror, to that of Henry the Seventh Exclusive (1780).

Her will makes no mention of Owen or their Tudor children; Strickland, in full dramatic mode, claimsany reference to Catherine's second family may be found in the "in the dark hints to her son of acting 'according to his noble discretion and her intents'", though the direction for an executor to act according to their own discretion seems to have been fairly standard.

Strickland suggests that Catherine likely passed on her intentions for her Tudor children to Henry which Katherine J. Lewis expands to include Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and Cardinal Henry Beaufort.

Lewis notes that "medieval wills often express only part of an individual's plans for their property and are heavily inflected by devotional concerns. Thus, the omission of Katherine's second family is not anomalous."

Catherine's will focuses on the payments of her debts, bequests for her servants and provisions for her soul.

Stickland included another line from the will, in which Catherine declares her soul “shall pass as naked, as desolate, and as willing to be scourged, as the poorest soul God ever formed.”

[calyxthenerd]

What are your thoughts on Humphrey x Meeshell ?

Lots of long walks on the beach and she convinces him to swim with her because “the coral reefs just look so pretty this time of year!” (She thinks they’re pretty all year round)

She teaches how to use a hairbrush just so he can brush out her hair (he loves how fluffy it is and how it always smells like the ocean)

Sometimes when they’re by the cliffside near the water, stargazing, he looks up (he’s usually looking at her fascinated face) and thanks whatever is out there to have blessed him with such a wonderful girl

She always pushes him to try new things, like dragon riding, cooking, walking through the enchanted forest and climbing the trees, going up to the roof to watch the sunrise, when everything is still and quiet, and “you can just feel the world waking up” according to Meeshell (that last one takes a few months and some very gentle coaching)

They join a group of volunteers to pick up trash at a nearby polluted beach every weekend (of course it wouldn’t be complete without a little activism sprinkled in)

[natequarter]

given that humphrey frequently gets stuck in random places for extended periods of time, it's likely that his knowledge of the modern world does not in the slightest accord with the rest of the ghosts, who have proper freedom of movement. being stuck on heather button's desk far too many times has given him an intimate knowledge of how to mimic a phone call and a lot of incorrect facts about whales (heather was an avid fan of moby dick), but he's never heard of origami. also, who's this “shakespeare” dude? sounds french

[whocookedthelastsupper]

Employers did not simply develop the beauty backlash because they wanted office decoration. It evolved out of fear. That fear, from the point of view of the power structure, is firmly grounded. The beauty backlash is indeed absolutely necessary for the power structure's survival.

Women work hard—twice as hard as men.

All over the world, and for longer than records have been kept, that has been true. Historian Rosalind Miles points out that in prehistoric societies, "the labours of early women were exacting, incessant, varied and hard. If a catalogue of primitive labour were made, women would be found doing five things where men did one." In modern tribal societies, she adds, "working unceasingly during the daylight hours, women regularly produce as much as eighty per cent of the tribe's total food intake, on a daily basis... male members were and are doing only one-fifth of the work necessary for the group to survive, while the other four-fifths is carried out entirely by women." In seventeenth-century England the Duchess of Newcastle wrote that women "labour like beasts." Before the Industrial Revolution, "no work was too hard, no labour too strenuous, to exclude them." During nineteenth-century exploitation of the factory system, "women were universally worked harder ... and paid less" than men, "employers everywhere agreeing that women were 'more easily induced to undergo severe bodily fatigue than men.'" Today the "primitive" five to one ratio of women's work to men's has declined to a "civilized" two to one. That ratio is fixed and international. According to the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs: "While women represent 50 percent of the world population, they perform nearly two-thirds of all working hours, receive only one-tenth of the world income and own less than 1 percent of world property." The "Report of the World Conference for the United Nations Decade for Women" agrees: When housework is accounted for, “women around the world end up working twice as many hours as men."

The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women, by Naomi Wolf

[tamsinbeybey-she-no-porcupine]

2023 Character Wrap

Top 9 characters for the year.

1.) Major Anthony P. Havers-BBC Ghosts

aka my soft boy.

(Surprise the self-proclaimed Havers lunatic loves Havers 😉) Just know this man stole my heart in 2021 in under 4 minutes (the microexpressions fml) and this year it was my highlight to see him again. He's kind, protects the man he loves from ridicule, has a boyish grin and a cheeky streak. He likes dancing. He fell for his beau because he was attracted to his kindness. He's been through it and continues to go through it 😢Also PSC answered my question about him and I'm still screaming about it to this day🥺💖

2. The Captain -BBC Ghosts

aka my creaky boy.

He is silly, kind, gay and autistic, a dad, sometimes bitchy and one of my most beloved characters ever. Also so gorgeous and a little bit pathetic. I adore him with all my heart and soul. Blorbo from my shows.

3. Thraxus Boorman -Willow 2022

Sarcastic, great fighter, loyal, kind but he'll jump of cliffs to deny that (literally), the funniest character of 2023 and an absolute iconic bi disaster. He's a classic rogue, as is his absolute badass girlfriend.

4.) Joe Pritchard -The light in the hall

aka Joe, babes

Such a brilliant character, somehow really dark and mysterious but ultimate kicked puppy vibes. He'll keep you (and himself) guessing until the end if he really killed someone. He has amnesia due to traums. I really wasn't sure until the end if he did it or not. Amazing character. My Boy needs 1 million hugs.

5.) Graydon Hastur-Willow 2022

aka Graydon, babes aka Prince of darkness

A prince who loves learning esp. languages, very, very dark past, kind, loving, just some guy in love, easily corrupted but he's fighting it. and as it turns out he has a gift for magic. The sweetest love confession ever.

6. Barbara Parker/Sophie Straw-Funny woman

Gorgeous, hilariously funny, smart, sweet, standing up for what she believes in and makes her way in an industry that only treasures her because of her looks. But she makes them see how brilliant her brain is.

7. Sir Humphrey Bone -BBC Ghosts

aka Humphrey my goldhaas

Awkward, kind and odd. He deserves all the love in the world and to be seen and loved for who he is. This year he's getting revenge on those who ignore/mistreat him and I am here for it. Boy is not the best listener though.

8. Lord Adam Quinn -A kind of spark

aka my pretty evil princess

He is legit evil okay. But idgaf. Great villain and his modern day equivalent makes me weak in the knees. Portrayal wise he is also a small amount of ridiculous and I love that.

9. Robin the caveman - BBC ghosts

aka my chaos gremlin

Kind, wise, chaotic little gremlin also sometimes more the family dog than anything else. Loves space. Utterly hilarious and tragic at the same time. His worst trait is incest according to him. I love him so much I'm gonna get a tattoo that's just about him.

To be fair I have a plethora of beloved characters that rotate in my brain 24/7 but these nine were either new or in special focus this year. Ghosts hyperfixation is at it's absolute peak, I was barely able to watch anything else. Also I watched some things that didn't leave me with a favourite character 🤷🏻‍♀️However honourable mention has to be Allan from Barbie.

I'm tagging @hollow-ghost-fire , @unusual-ly ,@ineffablelunatic , @tonightwedance and @realismreading

[kaiserrreich]

Happy 99th Birthday to Jimmy Carter! ❤️🎂

James Earl Carter Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975, and as a Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1967.

source of bio

10 Facts about Jimmy Carter:

"1. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, young James Earl Carter Jr. was the first person on his father’s side of his family to graduate from high school.

2. Carter entered Annapolis during World War II. The future President graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in 1946, and he and his new wife, Rosalynn, moved frequently as his Navy assignments changed.

3. Carter gave up his military career to save the family peanut farm. And as a parent, Carter became involved in local politics when he served on an education board.

4. He supported civil rights, which hurt his early political career in Georgia. After a poor showing the 1966 governor’s race, Carter adopted a more centrist image, and he won the election in 1970. He became known as a budget cutter while in office.

5. Carter was a “dark horse” presidential candidate in 1976. The future President was tied for 12th in early polling, well behind former Alabama Governor George Wallace and former nominee Hubert Humphrey. He used his image as a Washington outsider to defeat Gerald Ford in the general election.

6. The Carter presidency was a study in contradictions. President Carter played a key role in the Camp David peace accords, but he also struggled with Congress and the media. The Iranian Hostage crisis proved to be a significant factor in his 1980 loss to Ronald Reagan.

7. Carter’s legacy grew after the 1980 loss. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote there are no second acts in American lives, but Carter’s public career after the White House is an exception.

8. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center, which has played an active role in human rights and disease prevention issues globally. The Carters helped publicize Habitat for Humanity, also.

9. Carter received his Nobel Prize in 2002. He received the award "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

10. Harry Truman was Carter’s favorite President. Carter told The Guardian in 2011 that he admired Truman for not trying to profit off his presidency."

source for facts

[beardedmrbean]

A Minnesota man has been arrested in connection to a homicide case five months after a model was found stuffed in a fridge in a Los Angeles apartment last year.

Maleesa Mooney, 31, was murdered inside her apartment last September and was found with her wrists and ankles bound and a gag around her face. Her cause of death was labelled in an autopsy report as “homicidal violence.”

Magnus Daniel Humphrey, 41, who is on probation for federal narcotics offences, was taken into custody at his Minnesota home on an unrelated federal warrant, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.

Police said Humphrey is the “suspect responsible for the murder of Maleesa Mooney” and have filed murder charges against him.

Humphrey has waived extradition and will be transported back to Los Angeles to face charges, police added.

It is not yet clear what led investigators to connect Mr Humphrey with this case.

Mooney was found dead on 12 September in her apartment on the 200 block of South Figueroa Street after her family requested a police welfare check.

When Mooney’s body was discovered by responding officers, she was found “wedged inside the refrigerator,” with blood pooled on the floor outside of it, the autopsy report, obtained by KTLA, said.

The horrific details from the scene do not end there, however, as the autopsy report also said the model’s wrists and ankles were bound, tied to each other behind her back with a mix of various electrical cords.

An article of clothing was also fashioned to make an “apparent gag” which was stuffed in her mouth,” the report said.

She also had blunt force injuries, such as lacerations, abrasions and contusions, found on her face, head, back and upper left arm, the report said, according to KABC.

However, the injuries she received from blunt force trauma “are generally not considered acutely life-threatening on their own,” but they do acknowledge it was likely she was involved in a physical altercation before she died.

A toxicology test also found traces of cocaine use, but the role of alcohol or drugs in her death “is uncertain.”

Mooney’s sister, Jourdin Pauline, previously told People that at the time of her death, Mooney was two months pregnant.

Mooney’s death was previously reported alongside the death of another LA model, 32-year-old Nichole Coats, who was also found dead in her apartment.

At the time, the similarities between the two deaths, happening to two LA modes, both similar ages, and both in their apartments, made people, including Coats’ family members, suspicious that the cases could be connected.

However, police said in September that there was no evidence that the two cases were linked.

Coats’ death was ruled by the medical examiner as an accident due to “cocaine and ethanol toxicity.”

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

[youdontjustgiveup]

August: Chapter 8

( ao3 | ff )

Previous Chapters: [link]

Pairing: Chuck x Blair

Word Count: 3.9k

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: None

---------------------------- The sun rose high in the sky, its relentless rays beating down on the Hamptons with incessant force. The air shimmered with the searing heat, as if the world itself had been thrown into a furnace. Even the ocean, usually a source of cool relief, seemed to lap lazily at the shore, as if exhausted by the oppressive hot weather. 

On this scorching day, two best friends sought refuge on white sun loungers strategically placed beneath the covered porch of their summer retreat, from which they could gaze upon the sparkling swimming pool, its waters glimmering in the sun. Blair wore a white floral swimsuit embellished with saffron and myrtle green flowers, while Serena was attired in a cotton candy ribbed bralette bikini that accentuated her curves perfectly. In spite of the heat, both allowed their hair to cascade down. A small table stood between them, decorated with an array of fashion magazines, bottles of sunscreen, and the two mimosas they were indulging in. 

Blair took a slow sip of her drink. In the day following Serena’s revelation, the air had remained fraught, to say the least. Blair could see that Serena was making an effort, but it felt like she was trying way too hard to win back Blair’s trust. The constant smile on her face and her relentless enthusiasm were exhausting. It was as if she was walking on eggshells around her, parading a happiness that no one felt. 

Nate, the elephant in the room, was deliberately avoided to prevent the fragile equilibrium from shattering.

Since that fateful day, the quartet hadn’t found themselves in the same place at the same time. Blair flatly refused to talk to Nate, and Serena was avoiding him at all costs. The only person who maintained a semblance of normalcy was Chuck, although even he seemed unsure of how to navigate the dynamics among the group. So, Nate and Chuck had gone their separate ways, while the two girls tried to rebuild what had been broken. 

It was difficult for Blair to reconcile the image of Serena, the friend who had been her confidante through thick and thin, who had wiped away her tears and persistently tried to help mend her broken relationship and self-esteem, with the person who had kissed her boyfriend and, to some extent, harbored feelings for him—feelings that, according to Serena, were now firmly relegated to the past.

What role did Humphrey play in all this? Did Serena truly love him, or was it another one of her lies? Her obvious distress after breaking up with the Brooklyn peasant left Blair wondering whether it was the end of the relationship that hurt the most, or the irrevocable unraveling of the truth. 

Her innermost instincts screamed at her to be cynical about human nature, yet this was Serena, her dearest friend. Despite Serena’s history of lies and betrayal, Blair knew Serena as well as Serena knew her. Blair had promised herself she would try. She guessed she’d have to try a lot harder. 

She could not, however, promise not to resent her for a very long time. 

“So, what do you want to do tonight? Should we go out?” Serena asked with enthusiasm. “A girls’ night out, a break from the boys for once.” 

“In this sweltering heat? Do you want us to melt away or something?”

“It’ll cool down in a couple of hours. Come on, Blair.”

“I’m not in the mood for a night out. But you can go.”

“Alone? I need my best friend with me. We could go out, have a few drinks, dance until our feet hurt, and maybe even cross paths with some cute boys,” Serena suggested in a playful tone. 

Blair raised an eyebrow. Serena, catching Blair’s reaction, quickly averted her gaze. 

“Okay, okay. Then, how about a movie? One of Audrey’s classics,” Serena suggested, trying to salvage their plans.

“I don’t know, Serena.”

“Please, give me something here,” Serena pleaded, her voice filled with eagerness.

“Alright.”

“Yay!”

Blair took another sip of her mimosa, her glass nearly empty, and fully reclined herself into the lounger. Her fingers gracefully traced the stem, swirling the remaining liquid over and over again.

“Can I ask you something?” Blair shifted the topic.

What else was a farce between them? The question wouldn’t leave her mind. 

“Yes, of course. Ask away,” Serena replied, her tone open and inviting.  

“The night of the party… when you were crying in your room. Was it real? What you told me. Do you genuinely love Dan, or was it merely a distraction from… well, you know who.”

Serena gazed at the horizon, her eyes unwavering. “You need to say his name, Blair. I don’t know if we can survive this if you don’t.” 

“It’s still too soon.”

“It’ll never be the right time.”

Her friend was right. Blair could delay it indefinitely, finding countless excuses to remain within the whirlwind, hidden in the eye of the hurricane, seemingly at peace. But she couldn’t stay there forever. She needed to move on. There was no hope for them if she didn’t. But how?

Serena carried on, her voice steady. “As for your question,” she began, “it was a distraction… until it wasn’t. As much as I loathe him at this moment, I can’t deny that I love him. Still, everything I told you that night was true. You’re the reason I want to be here. You know I love you.”

Blair released a sigh she hadn’t realized she was holding and finally relaxed.

“In that case, I can only pity you. I can’t imagine anything more agonizing than being in love with Dan Humphrey of all people.” 

Serena smiled.

“Can I ask you something?” Serena reciprocated Blair’s earlier question. It was her turn. 

“Yes.” 

“Has anything happened with Chuck?” 

Blair cleared her throat, caught off guard by Serena’s question. “What? No,” her voice wavered noticeably, and she started to laugh nervously, attempting to deflect her friend. “Why are you asking me that?”

Serena regarded her with a knowing smile. “I was just curious.”

“Why? Did he say something?”

“No. He did not.” Serena’s eyes held a glimmer of mischief. “I saw the two of you sneaking in early the other morning. Let’s just say you weren’t looking your best.” 

“Well, thank you.”

“Don’t be upset. I’m not judging you. In fact, I’m glad you spent that awful night with him.”

“We didn’t spend the night together.”

Serena cocked her head to the side, a doubtful look on her face. “Is that so?”

“Alright. We did,” Blair finally admitted, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. She had tried not to dwell on that night, which had begun as one of the worst, but ended as one of the best. The memory came rushing back—the roar of the motorcycle, the exhilarating rush of speed, the wind against her face, her hands on Chuck’s chest, her body pressed closely to his. Blair’s blood rushed to her cheeks as she relived the moment. “But we didn’t sleep together or anything like that,” she clarified, her words slipping out before she could think of the implication.

Her best friend looked at Blair for a moment, her expression a mixture of amusement and intrigue. “Why would you say that?”

“Don’t be absurd. It’s just that… I know how your mind works, always jumping to conclusions. I wanted to set the record straight before you started imagining things.”

Before Serena had a chance to say anything else, Blair stood up, grabbed the white and blue towel that was neatly draped over the back of her lounger, and continued in a brisk tone. “Well, that’s settled then. I’m going for a dip in the pool. You can join me if you like, but I need to cool off.” 

Leaving her towel at the edge of the pool, Blair welcomed the cool, refreshing embrace of the water as it enveloped her body. It washed away not only the day’s oppressive heat but also her lingering memories. Within minutes, Serena followed in Blair’s footsteps.

Blair waded into the crystal clear water, searching for a spot where she could stand comfortably without having to fight for her life to stay afloat. She subtly adjusted her posture, unconsciously fidgeting with the straps of her swimsuit. An uncertain smile tugged at Blair’s lips as Serena approached, but it faded almost as swiftly as it had appeared. The way Serena moved, with absolute confidence, was nothing short of mesmerizing. The vibrant Hamptons sunlight played on her skin, giving it a soft glow. At that moment, she could easily pass for a model. 

Serena stood tall at the pool’s edge, her endless legs accentuating her graceful figure, when Chuck came into view. 

“Ladies,” he greeted them, his voice carrying a hint of charm. 

He wore red and white floral swim shorts that complemented his striped tank top, and a fashionable pair of sunglasses added a touch of style. Exuding a laid-back vibe, he casually draped his arm around Serena’s shoulder, and she responded with an exaggerated sigh, playfully feigning annoyance.

Though Blair would never admit it, much less to herself, she had missed Chuck’s presence. His banter, his sordid remarks and his effortless company had left a void in her over the past few days. Besides, the summer look suited him perfectly. 

“Don’t tell me you’re actually considering taking a dip this time,” Serena teased Chuck, fully aware of his penchant for staying dry. Whether it was the pool or the sea, Chuck usually preferred to remain on the sidelines, never allowing the water to touch him. 

He lowered his sunglasses with a teasing glint in his eye, winking at Serena. “They say even the best of us have our aquatic epiphanies eventually, right?”

Serena chuckled softly at his remark. 

Blair, standing alone in the water while her friends looked like a couple out of a magazine, held on to her elbows. The comparisons between them were inevitable. Uncomfortably exposed, especially in the presence of Serena and her innate grace, all Blair wished for was for her friend to join her in the water and bridge the gap.

“Weren’t you with your friend?” Blair asked Chuck. 

“I’d pick your company over anyone else’s, Waldorf,” he said, shifting his attention to her. “He wanted us to join his buddies for a game of basketball. I mean, who breaks a sweat in this scorching weather? If he’s trying to do me in, I’d prefer to go out in style, not drenched like a pig in soggy sports gear,” Chuck explained. 

“Much less without that scarf of yours.”

“You know me too well.” Chuck removed his arm from Serena, allowing her to join Blair. He, however, sat on the edge, with his feet and part of his legs dipped in the water, not even bothering to remove his tank top.

After a while of inconsequential chatter between the three of them, Chuck still hadn’t moved, his eyes hidden behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses. Relaxed and leaning back, he supported the weight of his body in his hands. What was he waiting for? Blair inched closer, each slow step revealing more of her skin until she was standing in front of him. The water had receded to just below her waist.

“Waldorf… Don’t.”

“Oh, yes.”

Their eyes locked in a silent exchange, a clandestine language that only the two of them understood. Blair could almost hear the unspoken challenge passing between them, like distant thunder rumbling on the horizon.

“Don’t be such a child and come in. How was it? You had your life-changing epiphany, didn’t you?”

“Let me ease into it.”

Blair’s lips curved into a sly smile as she continued to close the distance between them. “How much time do you need? Must I remind you of that dreadful helmet incident the other day? My hair still hasn’t fully recovered.”

His head moved slowly up and down, tracing the smooth, delicate contours of her body, while a deep, guttural groan ignited a fiery rush of ecstasy in Blair. Her heart pounded wildly; she knew she should put an end to this intoxicating dance. The taste of regained power, however, proved far too thrilling to give up. 

“Poor you,” he retorted as Blair halted between his legs. Chuck raised a hand, as if to keep her at bay. “Stop. Keep your little hands away from me.”

“What’s your problem? Just come in.”

“I don’t want to.”

Blair leaned in even closer, her voice a sultry, whispered challenge. “The great Chuck Bass, afraid of water.”

An intense magnetism was pulling them closer. 

“I’m not afraid of anything.” 

Closer. 

Their bodies were mere inches apart. Blair could feel the electricity crackling between them, a magnetic force that left a tingling trail on her skin, as if every nerve ending was awake and yearning.

“Prove it.” Blair dared, standing on her tiptoes, unsure of the true meaning behind the words. 

As the tension between them reached its zenith, Serena cleared her throat, causing Chuck to scramble to his feet with a quick, almost frenetic movement. He discarded his sunglasses and tank top, and then made his way into the pool.

Blair stood there for what felt like forever, breathless. What the hell. 

Without warning, Chuck approached from behind, his strong arms wrapping around Blair. With a mischievous gleam in his eye, he lifted her off her feet. Then, in one swift movement, he playfully dunked her into the cool, refreshing water. 

Blair, momentarily disoriented, resurfaced with a dramatic splash, her wet hair clinging to her face as she blinked away water. Laughter echoed around the pool as Chuck watched her with a mischievous grin, his earlier reluctance to enter the water now forgotten. Blair’s initial shock transformed into infectious laughter, and she playfully splashed Chuck, turning the spontaneous dunking into a lively water brawl.

“You’ll regret this one day,” Blair cautioned while lightly poking his chest with her finger.

“There are so many things to atone for when it comes to you, darling. And you were the one who came after me like a bulldog. I’m only defending myself.”

Serena, still watching, joined in the laughter at their playful exchange.

“Chuck!” Nate’s voice cut through the air, echoing from inside the house. He stepped onto the porch, instantly shattering the spell that had enveloped the three friends moments before. 

In that brief, fragile silence, everything changed. The water, which had moments ago cradled Blair in its cool, welcoming embrace, now felt icy and unforgiving. The laughter that had so recently graced the atmosphere hung in the air, forgotten. Blair involuntarily shivered, not from the water’s temperature, but from an abrupt awareness that she was no longer wrapped in the cloak of their private universe.

Nate’s eyes remained fixed on her. On her, and on Chuck. A storm of emotions raged behind his irises—surprise, confusion, and perhaps a hint of something more. 

Chuck, as if guided by some unwritten rule, subtly distanced himself from Blair. 

“Chuck, where did you put the basketball? I can’t find it anywhere,” Nate inquired, offering no formalities to the girls.

“I thought you had it in your room.” 

Nate’s brows furrowed in response. “No, it’s not there.”

“You might want to check the game room where you spend like ninety percent of your time. I don’t know. I’m not your maid, and I don’t maintain an inventory of your belongings,” Chuck replied, a sharp edge to his voice as he crossed his arms. 

Serena, who had risen from the water like a naiad ascending from the depths, momentarily drew Nate’s attention like a moth to a flame. Droplets of water clung to her form, each one sparkling like liquid diamonds. 

“Hey, Serena,” Nate greeted Serena, his previous inquiry now a distant memory.

Blair’s heart sank, and the urge to cover herself returned with a vengeance. How had she ever thought she stood a chance against someone like Serena van der Woodsen? It seemed utterly delusional.

“Stop it.” Chuck’s voice cut through her thoughts like a lifeline.

“What?”

“Whatever you are thinking right now, put a stop to it.” 

“And what, exactly, do you think I’m thinking, Chuck?”

“There’s nothing about her that you should envy.”

Chuck was feeding her white lies, trying to appease her insecurities. It was a well-meaning attempt, but there was no way she could accept it as the truth. The way Nate was looking at Serena in that very moment was irrefutable proof of that. 

As Blair attempted to make her way towards the edge of the pool, Chuck’s hand darted through the water, clasping hers. He looked deeply into her eyes, his gaze resolute, and said with quiet sincerity, “Trust me.”

What if he was right? The idea swirled in her mind, flickering like a fragile ember. But, no, it couldn’t possibly be. 

“And you’re not going anywhere,” Chuck insisted with a playful grin, “You got me in here, and now you’re not going to leave me all by myself.”

Blair, with a melodramatic shiver, replied, “I’m freezing.”

Seeing through her dramatics, Chuck pulled her into deeper waters. At this depth, he could touch the pool’s bottom while she couldn’t, giving him the upper hand.

She struggled to free her hand from his grasp, her laughter bubbling up again. “No, no, no,” Blair protested. “Not again.”

Just as she was about to go under yet again, Nate’s voice pierced the air, reminding her of his presence and leaving her in an awkward, frozen state. Blair clung to Chuck, her arm wrapped around his neck, desperately trying to stay afloat as his arm encircled her waist. Every point of contact between them crackled with tension under the intense scrutiny of her ex-boyfriend.

First Serena, now Nate. The universe seemed hell-bent on getting its message across.

“Guys,” Nate repeated. “I’m heading out.”

Who the fuck cared. 

Nate seemed reluctant to leave them alone, his actions at odds with his words. Meanwhile, Serena was nowhere to be found. Where had she gone? Without a word, Chuck released Blair, swimming to the pool’s edge and nimbly pulling himself out. His back muscles flexed as he stepped out, nonchalantly reaching for her towel, a fleeting mischievous glint in his eye.

Leaning in, he whispered something to Nate. Blair, still partially submerged in the pool, watched as her friend and ex-boyfriend exchanged hushed words. Then, Nate left with a nod, leaving the two of them alone. 

Finally. 

Blair emerged from the refreshing pool, a slight shiver running through her despite the relentless heat. That bastard had snatched her towel without her permission—no way she was going to hand it over willingly—and now it was all soaked and used. Gross. The concept of sharing towels like a bag of chips struck her as utterly distasteful, a sentiment reserved for those with a questionable sense of hygiene or those hailing from Brooklyn. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

“Bass, bring me another towel,” Blair demanded. “Quick.”

With a sly grin, Chuck playfully opened his arms, as if inviting her to share her—now his—towel. “Don’t you want this one?”

No, she most certainly did not. 

“I’m not about to dry myself with a damp towel, let alone one that you’ve already used. It’s repulsive.”

“I must admit, your disdain is almost endearing.”

“Endearing isn’t the word I’d use.”

“You didn’t complain nearly as much when we slept together at the beach.” 

There it was again, that infuriating moment destined to haunt her forever.

“Fine, fine. I’ll fetch you a fresh, untainted towel,” Chuck conceded with a smirk. 

Blair accepted the towel Chuck offered and began to dry herself. Chuck, in turn, held out her phone to her. He must have picked it up on his way back to get the clean garment.

“Looks like someone’s been desperately trying to get in touch with you,” he remarked.

Blair laid out her pristine towel on the grass and took a seat. Chuck, with a playful smirk, joined her while a mock expression of disgust crossed her face.

“Don’t be such a princess.”

The messages on her phone unfolded like chapters in a drama. Serena’s plans to return for the Hepburn movie later, Nelly’s invitation to a party tomorrow. “One for the ages,” it claimed. Blair scoffed at the notion. The girl had never thrown a worthwhile party in her life. However, as she scanned further, the weight of five missed calls from her mother and one blunt message caught her off guard: “What a disappointment you really are.”

Even in the Hamptons paradise, news of her and Nate had spread like wildfire. The Upper East Side’s gossip mill never stopped turning.

“Is something wrong?” Chuck asked.

Blair sighed. “No. Serena disappeared until this evening.”

Chuck nodded thoughtfully. “Surprising.”

“And Nelly Yuki is throwing a party tomorrow.”

“Are we going?” Chuck asked, his eyes fixed on Blair. 

“Do you need my permission now?”

“Parties are pretty dull without you, Waldorf.”

Blair, ever the skeptic, arched an eyebrow. “Flatterer.”

Chuck chuckled softly. “Why do you always think I’m trying to flatter you? For the millionth time, I’m just speaking the truth.”

Blair’s expression softened as she looked at him. “Let me doubt that.”

Chuck leaned closer. “Is there anything else?”

Blair hesitated for a moment, grappling with the painful reality of her recent breakup and the collateral damage it inflicted on her mother’s meticulously crafted plans for her future. The weight of shattered expectations and fractured dreams bore down on her once more. After a moment’s pause, she shook her head.

“Liar.”

“It’s just… It seems my mother has found out about Nate,” Blair confessed. 

“Shit.”

“Yeah. Shit.”  

“Do you plan...” His words wavered, as if delicately testing the waters, reluctant to fully voice his thoughts. “Do you plan to get back together with him?”

“What? No,” Blair asserted, her resolve firm.

If any doubts had dared to persist, what had just transpired between Nate and her best friend ruthlessly hammered the final nail into the coffin of their exhausting relationship, confirming all of Blair’s fears and validating the resolutions she had etched into her heart. The bond they once shared was now fractured beyond the hope of repair, and no amount of pleading from Nate could mend the irreparable damage. The fantasy was broken, the dreams of her childhood destroyed.

Blair was determined not to play the role of the other woman in her own relationship, refusing to settle for the meager crumbs of affection just to preserve some ridiculous ideal of what the world expected her to be. She craved more, demanded more—a partner who would stand with her in the fiery pits of hell, a boy who would choose her unconditionally and without hesitation. Someone like…

“Do you think he wants to get back together?” Blair blurted out.

“I don’t think—I know he’s pining for a reunion. So, if you want him, there he is, free of charge. Consider it a gift, beautifully wrapped with a bow.”

“Plus, a Serena accessory included,” she scoffed, “No thanks, I’ll pass.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! What’s with all these questions? Do you want me to go back with him?”

“That has nothing to do with me.”

“Answer the question, Chuck.”

Silence hung in the air, a palpable tension weaving its way through the conversation. Chuck avoided her gaze, looking everywhere but at her. 

“Do you?” Blair pressed. 

“No.”