#this is based of the court circular

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in April 2023

03/04 In Glamorgan, Wales Princess Anne carried out the following engagements;

As Patron of the Royal College of Midwives, visited Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil. 👶

As President of Carers Trust, visited Bridgend Carers Centre, Bridgend. 🩼

As Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, opened St Donat’s Bay Station, United World Colleges Atlantic College, St Donat’s, followed by a Reception at St Donat’s Castle, Llantwit Manor. 🚤

04/04 In Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Princess Anne carried out the following engagements;

As Patron of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, HRH dedicated the Norton Worcestershire Regiment Group, in Norton. 🌲

As President of Carers Trust, HRH visited Crossroads Care Gloucestershire, at Daglingworth Village Hall, Daglingworth. 🩺

Opened Eastwood Park Limited’s Training Centre, Falfield, Wotton-Under-Edge. 👩‍🎓

Visited Wickwar Town Hall, Wickwar, Wotton-Under-Edge 🏫

09/04 unofficial Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, attended the Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Also in attendance were King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, James, Earl of Wessex, Peter Phillips, Zara, Mike, Mia and Lena Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto. 🐣

~~🐣 Easter break 🐣~~

17/04 Princess Anne carried out the following engagements in Kelso, Scotland;

Visited Kelso Racecourse for their Bicentenary Race Day and met Grand National ‘23 winner Corach Rambler.

Afterwards HRH attended a Reception for Carers at the Racecourse. 🥂

18/04 Princess Anne carried out the following engagements in the Scottish Highlands;

Opened the Life Sciences Innovation Centre at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness Campus. 🧑‍🎓

Visited the Lochaber Rural Education Trust in Torlundy, Fort William.✏️

Opened the new Corpach Marina, Caledonian Canal, Corpach in Fort William. 🚤

19/04 As Patron of the Spinal Injuries Association, Princess Anne attended a Reception at Hoare Memorial Hall in Westminster, London. 🩼

Later as President of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, accompanied by Sir Tim, HRH attended the President’s Lecture and Dinner. 👨‍🏫

20/04 The Princess Royal, held an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️

As Patron of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, attended the Spring Conference. 💊

21/04 Attended HMS Raleigh’s Phase One Training Passing Out Parade in Cornwall 🫡

22/04 Princess Anne and Sir Tim attended the Women’s Six Nations Scotland v Ireland games in Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇹🏉

25/04 Princess Anne carried out the following engagements in Northern Ireland;

As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited their charity shop in Ballycastle as they were celebrating celebrating their 10th birthday of opening. 🎂

As Patron of the National Museum of The Royal Navy, opened HMS Caroline museum, after restoration of HMS Caroline and the Pumphouse in Alexandra Dock, Belfast. ⛴️

26/04 Princess Anne as Patron of the Whitley Fund for Nature, accompanied by Sir Tim, attended the Whitley Awards Ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society, Kensington. 🦋🌳

27/04 Princess Anne carried out several engagements in London;

As Patron of Livability, attended a ‘Changes for the Future’ Forum. 🏘️

As Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, HRH opened the brand new National Support Centre and attended a Sea Cadet Forum. 🌊

The Princess Royal, As Patron of the Learning and Work Institute, attended an ‘Art for the People’ Forum. 🖼️

As President of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences, held a Dinner at St. James’s Palace for the Commonwealth Study Conferences Canada’s President’s Council and the Study Conference 2023. 🍽️

28/04 unofficial As the brand new President of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Trust Sir Tim visited one of the stations and met various volunteers of the railway, had a look around the Signalbox and Carriage & Wagon at Winchcombe in Gloucestershire. 🚂

Total official engagements for Anne in April: 29

2023 total so far: 171

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in April: 3

2023 total so far: 41

[mavisthemae]

A side thing I really, really enjoy about the Murderbot universe is its lawyers.

For one thing, Martha Wells refers to "corporate solicitors", not "attorneys" nor "counsel". In one book (can't remember which), Pin-Lee refers to her General Counsel which is the apex of in-house practice.

Pin-Lee is close to perfectly written, she is strategic, sharp as a razor, pugnacious and ever so slightly too aggressive for everyone else's comfort, of course is a workaholic and is almost always up to her eyeballs in documents and drafting.

In Fugitive Telemetry, the second that Mensah even suggests displeasure at Indah Pin-Lee has begun her legal research, is preparing to advise and is champing at the bit to draw up a legal fireball. And she is not happy when the tack changes, but of course takes instructions and backs down. (I myself have never hissed when the opportunity to really go someone evaporates, but I have certainly felt it.)

And Pin-Lee is much more than a brain on legs. She cares very strongly about and for her team: in Exit Strategy she's well aware how dangerous a situation she, Ratthi and Gurathin are in, tries (not well admittedly) to buoy the others up and is sensibly cautious when Murderbot approaches her. When Murderbot returns to Preservation Space she's the one who makes sure that not only does it know it's free to leave again if it wants but that it has the means to do so (with the hard currency and fake IDs). She swears, drinks, parties and loves watching gruesome I-told-you-so media about hostile fauna.

She's sized up Murderbot and totally runs rings around it in her own domain - one of the funniest things for me in Network Effect (besides "no hugging") was the revelation that she'd written its contract with PresAux so as to try and keep it safe from itself. To its outrage.

The court system is never explained (with no apparent government, how are Corporate Rim judges appointed and their decisions enforced? Is there any appeal system? My guess would be that it's essentially treaty-based with each participating polity enacting the necessary legislation and the corporations entering into some behemoth multipartite Deed the breach of which brings the wrath of all the counterparties raining down...but that's circular, because - I'll stop myself here on the basis that very few lawyers will be reading this!) I'll buy it though as equivalent to the tech hand-waving. It's something that doesn't get explained because Murderbot doesn't need to know or care about the details for it and the story to get the benefit.

Pin-Lee, my unexpected sci-fi hero!

[paceprompting]

the sigil

written for ‘"And the truth?"’ wc: 500 # | merlin x arthur pendragon | rated: g | cw: non archive warnings apply | tags: pre-relationship, admission of feelings (sort of), banter, based on 4x01 deleted scene

@merlinmicrofic

Merlin knew what the sigil meant.  

He hadn’t told Arthur. Well, truly, he hadn’t quite realized over the fact that Arthur had just handed over a noble sigil to Merlin like he actually meant something more than a manservant.

Then it hit.

The sigil was his mother’s.

And practically a marriage proposal.

Merlin hadn’t said a word after Arthur had handed it over to him, running his bare thumbs over the metal. He stared at it, the campfire’s flames crackling in the silence. Arthur waited beside him, but with Merlin’s silence, he gave a solemn nod and walked away.

He hadn’t told Arthur he knew what it was, and now he’d taken it as a refusal. Ridiculous prat.

“Arthur, wait.”

He’d stopped, from the sounds of his boots scuffing the dirt and leaves. Merlin swallowed hard, still staring at the sigil.

“Why did you give this to me?” he asked, voice carrying into the flames.

This time, Arthur was the one who went quiet.

After his whole speech, and for all his talk about taking the noble path with his own sacrifice—Arthur couldn’t say a single word about the one decision that would change the course of both their lives. Of the kingdom.

Merlin had proven his devotion to Arthur since the day they’d met, as much as the prat hadn’t deserved it then. And Arthur wasn’t the same selfish, hard-headed prince that he’d been, but old habits didn’t disappear overnight.

They were both stubborn.

But Merlin hadn’t put his heart into Arthur’s hand.

There was a soft clink of Arthur’s armor as he shifted, and he answered, “Because you’re a good friend.”

He turned away from the fire toward Arthur, mouth set into a thin line, jaw tightened.

“And the truth?”

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and lowered his chin to avoid Merlin’s gaze.

“Arthur.”

“Because, of anyone, you should have it,” Arthur snapped, eyes blazing as they reflected the firelight at Merlin. His glanced at the sigil, voice quieting. “I want you to take it. Please.”

Merlin tightened his hand around the circular sigil. “And if we live, after this?”

After a monster that was more likely to kill them both by the morning.

“The question will still stand,” Arthur said. Resolute. No room for maneuvering.

Merlin was adept at making room.

“What question?” he asked slyly, rising to his feet. “You haven’t asked me anything.”

The sigil had been the question, they both knew that. But where nobles spoke in metaphoric gestures and symbolic courting, Merlin had still been a commoner longer than a manservant. And if Arthur wanted him, they’d have to meet somewhere in the middle.

“Merlin,” Arthur sighed, biting his lip as Merlin strode toward him.

He stopped when Arthur’s breath caught, a hairsbreadth between them. He raised the sigil in his hand, holding it between them.

Arthur glanced at it, and then to Merlin. He leaned forward, almost as though he might…well. But he didn’t. He waited.

“Ask me,” Merlin said.

[snarky-art]

Variations for Land and Sea Androsi clothing

These are the main ones. There are more variations for the Androsians that live on the islands on the planet but I figured I’d just do the main ones that would be seen the most on my rewrite.

Used Niobe and her father as the models for the Land variations since there are more differences in traditionally feminine and masculine clothing whereas for Sea Androsi clothing it’s all pretty homogeneous so I just used Aisha.

There is a type of gender binary present on Andros but it’s loose and anyone can wear anything regardless but the appearance of the clothing is typically used as an indicator of the wearer’s gender.

This one ended up being way more detailed than the other traditional wear for the other home worlds than, but more stuff just kept coming to me while I was drawing and who am I to deny the muses even if my wrists hurt😭

What the writing on the pages say below the cut!

First chunk of images are based on Land Androsi variations

First 2 images:

Furthest Inland Variants:

- loose clothing

- lots of geometric print

- big earrings

- flat shoes

- neckwear typical at all times

- head decor typically worked into hair

- Further inland variant has little change between traditionally femme and traditionally masc

- traditionally masc looks emphasize earrings over necklaces

General Land variations outside of furthest inland are next

On 3rd image:

- beadwork

- rectangular cloth cuts

- chunky beaded pieces

- barefoot common

- layered

- circular shaped headwear

- arm and leg pieces

4th image has no text, just an example of a more traditionally masc styled outfit following that general criteria

5th image:

- more animal hide on traditionally masc looks due to tradition from the past where heteronormative relationships were expected. Women would hunt and bring pelt to men to show they can provide. Beadwork more common on traditionally femme looks as gifts from men to show they can provide too.

- topless with large chest/neck adornment common style for everyone

6th image:

- animal hide used mostly for accent pieces in traditionally femme pieces with more beadwork present

The last on the Land Androsi variations are examples of Courtwear

7th image:

- overall, traditionally masc looks have more wrap around cloth and less pattern work

8th image:

- more beadwork, less metal overall for Land Androsi mainly due to less ore deposits being located further inland. Resulted in fashion proffering it more as smaller accent wear.

- more angular shapes more common on Land Androsi clothes

- circle gems/beads present on Land and Sea Androsi wear

- tear shape gems almost exclusively on Sea Androsi

About the diamond symbol with the circle and tear shape in the middle:

- an older symbol still used where the diamond represents the land surrounding the sea, which is the circle with the tear drop in the middle to emphasize that. For those on land, that is their whole world so they used to view it as the land encompassing the sea with land as the main body in the planet.

Sea Androsi variants next!

9th image:

-an example of a simpler look

- more shells common in this kind of look

- still more metals than Land Androsi variants typically, but less than other wealthier Sea Androsi looks. Hair is still usually very elaborate though as is present through all Sea Androsi styles

- symbol for the moons with the metal ring representing the bigger of the 2 moons and the empty space in it to represent the 2nd smaller moon.

Fun fact about it not featured on the page: sometimes the piece is one solid coin with a line etched into it so the same shape is present. Usually only Sea Androsi with more money have that though or there’s a few in a family handed down through the generations.

10th image:

- example of a more typical wealthier/court look

- lots of metal work

- pearls in abundance

- open shoulders

11th image:

General info:

- shells

- jewelwork

- more embroidery

- flowing cloth

- Earth equivalent of silks

- more detailed cloth printings and more pattern work

- ores and metals more common due to larger deposits of it surrounding shorelines

- almost always barefoot

- veils attached to headwear commonly

- lots of hanging head accessory pieces

- pattern work usually with softer line work

Additional info on this specific outfit:

- example of a wealthier look

- hat wear more common for wealthier outfits with veils/headscarves common of all classes though

12th image:

- example of a more Land/Sea “fusion” fit

- usually only reserved for the heirs and some of their advisors who are to act as an example on how to carry “both causes” equally

13th image:

- custom wear made of spindly metal work with pearls and jewels current fashion trend in court

- neck and arm work for this style is considered more masculine

14th image:

- corset style considered more feminine

- more she’ll motifs present in this style typically as well

[caesarhamato22]

Hey, love. Donkey Kong simp here! I love him unironically, and I would like to request headcanons and/or a fic based on reader being a Queen from another kingdom and how their relationship would be.

Things I'd like if you included:

Courting

Telling his family

kids? if they ever have any?

Basically fluffy shit and a little spice!

Please and thank you! Happy writing!

Hello!!

I, too, love him unironically, and it would be a pleasure to write this request for you, @autistic-solar-fandom <3

His Queen

Donkey Kong X Queen!Reader

Oh. my. god. This one is so long.

Summary: Donkey Kong meets you, a Queen from another kingdom, and is head over heels for her royal highness.

Warnings: Language. NSFW at the end.

~

Meeting

• Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and DK were exploring other parts of their world with their karts, mainly since Mario and Luigi were still pretty new to the place.

• And with Bowser being gone?

• Literally the perfect time to go for a little wander.

• DK originally wasn't going to go, but he couldn't resist annoying Mario. He would playfully criticise the way Mario would try to flirt with Peach, and Toad would immediately interrupt by saying Mario was doing a great job.

• Luigi would try to hide his laughter while Mario looked at him, unimpressed.

• While all this was happening, Peach just lightly blushed.

• She couldn't lie.

• She liked the short, red plumber.

• The group came up to a kingdom that Peach knew well. It was your kingdom!

• It was an elegant sight. Citizens of all different species were greeting everyone they saw. Some danced, some sang, it was clear that everyone loved their home.

• And in the middle of all the houses and people, stood a grand castle. It was decorated with your favourite colours and ornaments.

• While being heavily fortified, it was a welcoming sight.

• The group tried to take everything in, but there was just too much to see.

• Peach led them towards the castle down the same path she had taken multiple times before.

• Once at the castle doors, the guards stood strong, about as tall as Donkey Kong was on his knuckles.

• They recognised Princess Peach and bowed respectfully before letting the group through the doors.

• The interior was even more magnificent than the exterior. There were stained glass windows of you and the rulers before you.

• Peach pointed at the one of you, "that's Queen (Y/N), the current ruler of (Kingdom Name)."

• The one thing the group noticed about your window was you were by yourself, while the other windows had the previous royal couples on them.

• The couples stood side by side while you stood proudly with your signature weapon in hand.

• Before they knew it, the group had reached the throne room. Your throne was decorated accordingly to match the rest of your home.

• In the centre of the room was a circular display of all the kingdoms. You looked over it, your back facing the group. When you heard footsteps, you turned and smiled brightly at the sight of your friend.

• You and Peach reunited with a hug while everyone else took in your appearance.

• Whether you were wearing a dress, or a suit (or both!), you looked powerful with your weapon in it's designated place on your person.

• Mario, Luigi and Toad watched you with admiration, ready to show their respect with a bow.

• But Donkey Kong?

• He couldn't move.

• His eyes were wide and his body was still. He could barely focus on his breathing.

• And the worst part was... Mario noticed this.

• "Looking a little bit stiff there, pal."

• "Mario. Shut the fuck up."

• Peach introduced you to her friends and they loved you. You were so welcoming and kind, almost the same as Princess Peach. However, they did notice you were a little more reserved and serious.

• You gave them a quick tour of the castle and pointed out sections of the kingdom.

• Everyone admired each thing that you pointed out.

• Meanwhile, DK was admiring you.

• While the others took in the scenery, his eyes kept focusing back on you.

• And he didn't notice that you were doing the same.

• When you noticed his eyes were on you, you stuttered before looking away.

• You tried to hide it, and you did pretty well.

• If it wasn't for Peach seeing right through you.

• You would glance at DK when he wasn't looking.

• On occasion, you would take a quick look at his arms.

• That was a mistake.

• Now you couldn't think straight.

• After the tour, the group went their own way to explore further, and they eventually went home.

• Before they left, they thanked you for a wonderful time and you smiled warmly.

• DK thanked you personally while the others were heading towards their karts.

• He held your hand and gently touched his forehead to the top of it.

• "I was nice meeting you."

• DK never really had a way with words when it came to formalities. Sure, he was pretty good at playfully flirting, everybody knew that.

• But he couldn't really speak to a Queen the same way he yelled out to his fans.

• Yet, you still blushed at his simple statement.

• "It was lovely meeting you too."

• Your voice was like silk to him. He practically melted right there.

• And he knew he would be back.

• And you did too.

Meeting Again

• DK pretty much memorised the way to your kingdom by taking mental notes on his way back home.

• He couldn't stop thinking about you. And your kingdom, to be honest.

• There was something so comforting about it, and about you.

• So, a few days after his first visit with his friends, he chose to go back by himself.

• The second time travelling to your kingdom didn't seem nearly as long as the previous time.

• Once he reached the doors, the guards stopped him.

• Without Princess Peach there, he didn't have authority to just waltz on into the castle.

• After he asked (very nicely, in fact), they walked him to the throne room, which was where you were, sitting in your grand chair.

• He smiled and his eyes beamed.

• Why was he so excited? So eager to see you? Why had the thought of you stayed in his mind for days?

• You saw him, your eyes widened. It seemed you were having the same dilemma.

• It was him! The person you couldn't keep your eyes off during he and his friends visit!

• But why was he here? Was there urgent news? Had Bowser escaped from his tiny prison?

• "Donkey Kong? What are you doing here?" You truly wanted to know.

• His name... you said his name! You remembered his name!

• "Well, I uh... I'm here because..."

• He was frozen. He was fumbling over his words. How was he fumbling over his words?!

• You saw his discomfort and asked the guards to leave.

• That seemed to relax DK. Was he nervous? You guessed that might be it.

• He exhaled once he noticed it was just you two.

• "I actually don't know."

• Well, then.

• "I guess I... you seemed cool so I wanted to see you again."

• Sure.

• He travelled alllllll this way because he thought you were "cool".

• Yet, you took it as a compliment. You weren't going to judge him for his reasoning. You were just happy to see him, if you were honest.

• "I'm glad I made a good first impression." You laughed.

• He scratched his neck with a anxious smile.

• "Care to take a walk?" You suggested getting out of the castle, or at least out of the throne room, thinking it would put him at ease.

• He immediately accepted your invitation.

• As you walked, he told you about his kingdom while you told him about yours.

• You explained your duties while he explained his fathers.

• Although you were around same age, how were you a Queen while he was a Prince?

• How long had you been Queen? How long had he been the champion of the Jungle Kingdom arena?

• What was it like being adored by your subjects, while he was adored by fans?

• Countless questions, so many answers, non-stop talking.

• Your conversation had started out a little awkward, but you two quickly became comfortable in each others company.

• The biggest thing DK took note of was how quickly your speech and body language changed. You seemed much more relaxed after leaving the castle and embracing the nature around you. You spoke so fluently, so elegantly, so passionately.

• DK could listen for hours.

• And for hours, he did.

• Time flew and before you knew it, a couple hours had gone by.

• He knew he had to go, and you knew too.

• Before parting, he presented the same gesture he gave you the first time you met: his forehead to the top of your hand.

• Except this time, he added a small kiss on your hand.

• Heat rushed to your face.

• And he was gone.

• These surprise visits continued. Each time, it was in your kingdom. DK had insisted.

• Then there were letters.

• Then there were gifts.

• And eventually, during a day where you spent the visit in your room, you sat on your bed, reading a book, while he laid on your floor, staring at the ceiling.

• "I think I like you."

• What the fuck.

• No warning. Just like that.

• You looked down at him, his eyes still observing the ceiling.

• He didn't feel the need to hide it anymore. His heart had been beating so fast it had started to hurt. He had to tell you.

• You ever so slightly smiled when he glanced at you, unsure of your reaction.

• "I think I like you too."

Dating

• In the early stages of your relationship, all your dates were in your kingdom, or somewhere near by.

• Picnics, kart rides, relaxing in your room, and anything that gave you alone time were the main types of dates you had with DK.

• Kart rides were one of his top favourites.

• They were either you two using your own karts, or you shared his.

• When you're using your own karts, it's always a race.

• There's no worries, no responsibilities, just peace.

• When you're sharing his kart, it's always a simple drive with your head on his arm/shoulder.

• Sometimes you like to stand up and hold his kart for balance. You're surprisingly good at stabilising yourself, even at such quick speeds.

• The first time you did this, DK almost had a full panic attack and practically begged you to come down. You promised him you'd be fine, and you were.

• But that didn't stop his secret worrying.

• He knew you were capable. He just cares a lot <3

• After the first couple months of you officially dating, you asked if you could visit his home.

• But DK was hesitant.

• Not because he was ashamed, no, not at all! In fact, he was excited to show you off, whenever that would be.

• It was mostly because he didn't know how his father would react.

• A kong and a human?

• It was rather an odd combination, you had to admit.

• But you assured him if his dad didn't approve of you, you would leave immediately. No hard feelings, whatsoever.

• It took a little convincing, but he eventually agreed.

• He first wanted to tell his friends, mostly Peach.

• They had noticed he went on "trips" more often after he had met you.

• Peach was the one who guessed that he was visiting you, so she wasn't all that surprised when he confided in her.

• She was surprised, however, when he told her you two were a couple.

• DK didn't know what reaction he would get from her, but he definitely didn't think it would be squealing.

• Thank GOD no one was around to hear.

• Specifically Mario.

• DK actually kept Peach updated on how your relationship was going.

• She gave him advice on what you liked to do <3

• On your first date in the Jungle Kingdom, DK obviously had to give you a tour.

• At first, he didn't show any signs of PDA, so you didn't initiate any.

• Until he eventually went "fuck it" and put his arm around your shoulder to give you a kiss on your cheek.

• He introduced you to Diddy Kong and his dad, Cranky Kong {more details in the next section} and once you became familiar with them, Donkey Kong's nerves vanished.

• Afterwards, it seemed silly to him on how anxious he was.

• You told him you understood how he felt and gave him a light peck.

• Holy. Shit.

• He's so glad he brought you to his home.

• Now you can hang out here too??

• Any of your dates in the Jungle Kingdom consisted of more kart racing, and even exploring the massive garage where all the karts are built.

• DK actually helped you build your very own kart to keep in his kingdom :)

• He made sure the guards in his home knew of your importance.

• Importance being your status of "Queen" and status of "Donkey Kong's Girlfriend".

• He made sure you were treated as well as how you were treated at home.

• Once everyone he wanted to tell knew about you, he had no shame with giving you love in every possible place.

• In your kingdom, the amount of PDA he gave you was up to you.

• But in his kingdom?

• He wanted EVERYONE to know.

Meeting His Father

• Cranky Kong wasn't a fan in the beginning.

• A human with a kong?

• And with you being a Queen, no less. There wouldn't be any time for you two to hang out anyways, would there?

• Until DK told him you had actually been dating two months prior to telling him.

• Cranky Kong was both baffled and disappointed.

• The father and son actually got into an argument about you.

• Neither of them knew you were standing in the doorway, eavesdropping.

• You walked up to them, mid-argument.

• They both quietened and watched you.

• DK looked at you worriedly. He didn't want you to be yelled at or insulted by his grumpy dad.

• Cranky kept his angry expression.

• "Sir. I don't want to be the reason your family falls apart."

• Cranky's gaze softened.

• "It was a pleasure meeting you. And it was such a joy meeting your son."

• The way you spoke so formally yet with such emotion.

• "Thank you for opening your kingdom to me for this time." You curtsied/bowed and squeezed DK's hand before turning to leave.

• Cranky's hardened expression dropped.

• You were so respectful, so understanding, so calm.

• So... not like Donkey Kong.

• DK froze as you left. You seem to have that effect on him.

• He turned to his dad. So much hurt, written so clear on his face.

• Cranky looked at him, then to your disappearing form, then back to his son.

• "Go get her."

• DK raced to bring you back to the room.

• Just from that small, stressful interaction, Cranky Kong was impressed.

• You impressed the King.

• ...And now you're besties <333

Kids?

• It was never really DK's goal to have kids.

• He never really thought about it.

• In a way, he already had a kid. Diddy Kong was a menace.

• (Speaking of, Diddy immediately liked you)!

• But if you ever did become pregnant, DK would tell you the decision was ultimately yours.

• If you kept the child, he would be the BEST dad.

• He would want his kid to have fun every second of the day.

• He would constantly fall asleep with the child on his chest and snore very, very loudly. Yet, the kid would stay asleep.

• Expect two sets of eyes staring at you in the morning.

• If you didn't keep the child, DK would love you just the same.

• All he needed was you.

• You being happy and healthy is all he could wish for.

• You would spend the rest of your days with just him.

• Going on adventures, ruling over the two kingdoms, side by side.

Marriage

• You chose where the wedding was.

• DK's kingdom? It was during the day.

• The wedding was huge.

• It was more of a party.

• Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, everyone you invited had come.

• His fans went absolutely crazy.

• The first time they found out he had a girlfriend, the entire kingdom wanted to know more about you.

• When they found out you were a Queen from another kingdom, they wanted to know even more about you.

• In a nice way.

• Where was your kingdom? What did it look like?

• Although you were a Queen, you acted no different to how you were without the crown.

• You were so kind, so soft, and your presence was silencing everywhere you went.

• In a good way :)

• Although you weren't considered weak, you were still smaller than the Kongs, so it seemed everyone was careful around you.

• The citizens loved you, the guards protected you, and DK assured you they would've acted the exact same way even if you weren't royalty.

• Now, if the wedding took place in your kingdom, the ceremony would go a little differently.

• It was peaceful, less rowdy, and during the early night.

• Your entire kingdom came to celebrate.

• After making your marriage official, you and DK strolled through the friendly crowds.

• People let you two walk pass and you greeted anyone who wanted to congratulate your marriage.

• It was a different experience for DK.

• Although this was a huge change in your life, and for your kingdom, no one swarmed you.

• It removed any anxiety he had felt and he enjoyed he whole night, just looking at you.

• Doesn't matter where the wedding was, his eyes were only on you.

• He was so proud.

• "Yep. That's my wife."

• He told everyone he met.

• You looked like a goddess. He genuinely thought he was dreaming at times.

• How in the world did this gorilla get so lucky?

SFW Oneshot

The sun was just about to set while you and Donkey Kong were on a drive. This was one of the times where he drove while you relaxed in his lap.

You felt so content with the wind in your face and DK's hand resting on your hip.

Your eyes had been closed for a while with a small smile on your face. You felt the temperature drop just slightly and you blinked and noticed the sun was almost halfway down.

You chose to stand on DK's kart, just next to where he sat, like you always did.

Taking in a deep breathe while holding on tightly so you wouldn't fall, you admired the view as DK kept the kart steady. A small bump in the road approached you and DK casually wrapped his arm around your leg and held your thigh to give you extra balance.

You looked down and smiled at him. He cared about you so much and he showed it through these small gestures. It was his instinct to protect you at any given moment, even if he didn't notice what he was doing.

With one hand, you ran it through his hair, as a thanks. He leaned into your touch and relaxed his head on the side of your thigh that he was holding on to.

These were definitely one of your favourite moments with your dearly beloved.

NSFW

• It was hard at first (no pun intended) to have any private time.

• You had a lot of responsibilities in your kingdom and sometimes you were too tired after a full day of royal duties.

• If it was in your kingdom, it was in your room.

• You had to be quiet a lot of the time because of the staff who worked in the castle.

• But!

• You had a trick up your sleeve.

• You had a much smaller cottage hidden in the forest near the village. It was a place you often went to take a break from being Queen.

• It also turned into a common place for you a DK ;)

• His favourite thing was when you let your royal persona drop.

• When you weren't being serious, you allowed yourself to have all the fun you wanted.

• DK was a huge fan of using his hands.

• I mean... have you seen them?

• Edging you with his fingers before switching to his tongue was a common trick he used on you.

• You thought he'd become predictable.

• No.

• Somehow, it always took you by surprise.

• You loved riding him while his hands caressed your body.

• He loved when you took control, and you loved when he took control.

• Sharing is caring <3

• A more intimate position you two loved was you sitting in his lap, facing him.

• Sure, under the covers he may have been fucking you to the point your legs would shake, but your bodies were so close, so connected.

• Whether you maintained eye contact, made out passionately, or he was giving you hickeys all over your neck, you were so in love with him.

• Every time you two would have alone time, it was always fun.

• Never serious.

• And never boring.

~

Hello again! I apologise if this was a bit too long, but I didn't want to leave anything out :)

I hope you liked it @autistic-solar-fandom !

I'm currently writing a longer NSFW oneshot which will be posted in the next couple days. See you then!

[the-jewel-catalogue]

Monthly Jewels: May || Emerald

The Godman Necklace

In 1965, a pair of elderly sisters, the Godmans, approached Buckingham Palace and told them that they had a piece of jewelry that the Queen might be interested in. According to Leslie Field in The Queen’s Jewels, they believed that a diamond and emerald necklace that they’d inherited from their father, British Museum trustee Frederick McCann Godman, had connections to Empress Joséphine of France.

The palace did a bit of digging about the Godmans’ necklace, and unfortunately, it was determined that the piece didn’t come from Empress Joséphine or the Leuchtenbergs at all. Regardless, it’s an extremely beautiful nineteenth-century necklace, and the sisters asked if the Queen would still like to have the piece. It’s rare that the royals accept such extravagant gifts from the public, but as in the case of the Queen Mother and the Greville inheritance, this time the Queen accepted.

~ The Court Jeweller

The necklace which is a delicate ornamental work in platinum, is encrusted with diamonds and emeralds. The design used on the necklace is based on symmetrical flower motifs, a style that was common for jewelry crafting throughout the 19th century, a naturalistic style that used the “language of flowers.”

The thick circular band of the necklace is encrusted with diamond baguettes interspersed with round brilliant-cut diamonds. Seven floral motifs arise from the lower side of this band, which take the form of seven pendants. The largest of this floral pendant is situated along the median line of the necklace, and is encrusted with two large emeralds, a rectangular-shaped smaller emerald at the base, and an elongated oval or drop-shaped emerald in the center of the pendant, which is the largest emerald in the necklace.

[princessanneftw]

Hardest working royals of 2023 revealed

Princess Anne tops list with more than 450 engagements with the King also increasing his time spent at public events

Patrick Sawer, Senior News Reporter and Hannah Furness, Royal Editor for The Telegraph

Princess Anne was the hardest working royal this year, carrying out 457 engagements as she lent steadfast support to her brother in his role as monarch.

The King was ranked in second place, having taken part in 425 royal engagements, while his brother the Duke of Edinburgh was third, with 297 engagements.

The Queen was fourth with 233 royal engagements and the Duchess of Edinburgh fifth with 219.

An analysis by The Telegraph of public events and official meetings based on entries published in the Court Circular showed that the Princess Royal continued to be the most industrious member of the family.

Princess Anne and the King were among members of the Royal family to increase their workload over the past year, after taking on many of the duties and engagements previously conducted by the late Queen Elizabeth.

A separate analysis last year by Reboot SEO company showed that Princess Anne carried out 214 royal engagements, while the King took part in 181.

In a typical average week this year, Princess Anne undertook between 12 and 14 engagements.

Her busiest month was February, when the Princess Royal undertook 57 engagements, which included trips to Australia and New Zealand.

Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator and former editor of The International Who’s Who said: “Anne is one of the best advertisements for the Royal family because she is hardworking, she is dedicated and she is popular because people look at the way she handles things and they like it.

“The public see Anne as someone who is grounded, I think the institution does need her very much.”

The King’s workload over the past 12 months included a state visit to France in September as well as his own Coronation on May 6.

Some of his busiest days have involved back-to-back meetings at Buckingham Palace with ambassadors and other dignitaries and politicians, while the King has also undertaken numerous smaller-scale engagements in the community, visiting local projects and businesses.

Typical of this was his visit to the Broke Not Broken charity in Kinross in September, where he viewed its food bank store, and vegetable garden and met volunteers and members of staff, before visiting an art exhibition and a day centre.

The Court Circular shows that over the past 12 months both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Gloucester carried out 172 royal engagements each.

The Princess of Wales undertook 128 and the Duchess of Gloucester 111. The Duke of Kent carried out 69 engagements.

An analysis of the number and type of royal engagements raises questions about the future of the monarchy, with the Prince and Princess of Wales taking a very different approach to that of the older generation.

The majority of day-to-day engagements are now carried out by those well into or approaching retirement age, with the Duchess of Edinburgh now 58 and the Duke of Edinburgh turning 60 next year.

The Waleses have deliberately chosen to focus on fewer patronages, hoping to use their power to shine a light on issues close to their hearts to make a bigger difference.

Traditionalists have raised questions over who will pick up the numerous daily visits around the country in the newly slimmed down monarchy with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex departed and the children of the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Duke of Edinburgh not working members of the family.

Dickie Arbiter, the royal commentator who was press spokesman for Queen Elizabeth from 1988 until 2000, said Princess Anne provided invaluable support to the King.

“She just gets on with it, often carrying out multiple engagements in one day,” he said.

“Of course much of what the King does is behind the scenes, in meetings and going through his red boxes, which doesn’t warrant a mention in the Court Circular.”

Mr Arbiter added: “Anne is a tremendous support to the King. He bounces ideas off her. For an ageing monarchy they are doing pretty well.”

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in July 2023

01/07 Princess Anne accompanied by Sir Tim, opened the 30th Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy Harbour. ⛴️

03/07 As Chancellor of Harper Adams University, visited the University’s Future Farm, Edgmond and met the 2023 Marshal Papworth Foundation Scholars. 👩‍🎓

As Patron, Scottish Fisheries Museum’s Reaper Appeal visited the Scottish Fisheries Museum in St. Ayles, Anstruther. 🎣

04/07 Visited Strathcarron Hospice, Denny. 👩‍⚕️

As Colonel-in-Chief of the Intelligence Corps, attended a 5 Military Intelligence Battalion Training Night at the Army Reserve Centre, Edinburgh. 💂

05/07 As part of Holyrood week in Edinburgh, Princess Anne carried out the following engagements;

Opened the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, at NHS Lothian as part of #NHS75 celebrations. 🧸

Opened King’s Buildings Nucleus Building at the University of Edinburgh. 👩‍🎓

Launched WETWHEELS EDINBURGH Accessible Boat at Port Edgar Marina. 🦽🛥️

Attended a Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria for Eric Liddell 100 programme. 🍽️

06/07 As President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, attended the Textile Institute World Conference at the University of Huddersfield. 🪡

Opened Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Maternity Theatre at Bradford Royal Infirmary.🤰

As Colonel of The Blues and Royals, with Sir Tim, took the salute at the Household Division Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade. 🫡

07/07 Attended a Charity Polo Day at Cirencester Park Polo Club for the Spinal Injuries Association 🐎

11/07 Visited Flintshire Adult Day Care Centre, Hwb Cyfle in Queensferry, Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

HRH, as the new Patron of BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) visited their Headquarters at Marford Mill, Wrexham, Wales. 🦡

12/07 Visited St Helena’s Nursing Campus at the University of Derby in Chesterfield. 👩‍⚕️

Opened Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Department. 🏥

Attended a Reception at Rolls-Royce Learning and Development Centre for the Motor Neurone Association. 🚘

13/07 Sir Tim represented the Princess Royal at a service of thanksgiving for the life of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce at Westminster Abbey. ⚓️

Princess Anne opened the King’s Arch at Government House, visited the Tortoise Takeover Trail at Gorey Castle and subsequently opened the Tortoise Tunnel at Jersey Zoo. 🇯🇪🐢

Princess Anne with Sir Tim, later attended the Royal Academy of Engineering Annual Awards Dinner at the Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, London. 🏆

14/07 Opened the new Southampton Citizens Advice Bureau and visited DP World Shipping Container Terminal. ⛴️

15/07 As Colonel-in-Chief of the Intelligence Corps, attended their Annual Corps Day at Chicksands. 🪖

18/07 Princess Anne and Sir Tim carried out the following engagements in Kent;

Opened a new affordable housing development at Bartlett Close, Staple, Canterbury, followed by a Reception at Staple Village Hall. 🏡

Visited St James’s Cemetery in Dover in her role as Patron of the Remembrance Trust 🫡

Visited Folkestone National Coastguard Institution Station in Folkestone to mark its 25th Anniversary, followed by a Reception at Folkestone Yacht and Motorboat Club. 🚨

19/07 In South Wales, visited Barry Citizens Advice Bureaux in her role of Patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and later visited HM Prison Cardiff in her role of Patron of the Butler Trust. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

20/07 Joined the ship’s company of HMS Albion and visited Clyde Marina near Glasgow, Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

21/07 Princess Anne and Sir Tim attended a Dinner at the Royal Ocean Racing Club Clubhouse, to celebrate the 50th Edition of the Fastnet Race in Cowes, Isle of Wight. 🛥️

27/07 Attended the Tall Ships Races Captains’ Dinner at Lerwick Town Hall, Lerwick, Shetland Islands. 👨‍✈️🍽️

28/07 Visited ships in Lerwick Harbour taking part in the Tall Ships Races. 🚢🏁

29/07 With Sir Tim, attended the King George Day at Ascot Racecourse. 🏆🐎

30/07 Princess Anne and Sir Tim visited Cowes, Isle of Wight for Cowes Week and carried out the following engagements;

Viewed Cowes Week Racing and met Squadron Staff at the Royal Yacht Squadron. 🛥️

Visited HMS Tyne and The Royal Navy Stand. ⛴️

Attended a Church Service at Holy Trinity Church. ⛪️

Attended a Reception for Members, Racing Crews, Flag Officers and Sailing Associates at the Royal Yacht Squadron. 🥂

Total official engagements for Anne in July: 42

2023 total so far: 304

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in July: 14

2023 total so far: 70

[bleachbleachbleach]

[Bleach 080]

Things I Love Thinking in Circles About

How big, area-wise, the Seireitei is

What regular Gotei work looks like when we're not looking

What did the early bird VCs do the entire time they were sitting around in Conference Room 2 waiting for people to show up?

--

1. How big, area-wise, the Seireitei is

According to Yoruichi, walking from one gate to the next would take 10 days, which initially makes the Seireitei seem really damn big. The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan has a population of 120,000 people. If we're meant to believe that there are 6000 shinigami (citation: Ooetsu?), I find it difficult to believe that the Seireitei's population would be much larger than 120k, if that. (Personally, I proceed as though it's a lot less than that.) Like the Seireitei, Ann Arbor is also circular, ringed not by a Seireimon but a necklace of Interstates, but it's only like 10 miles across. It really wouldn't take that long to walk 1/4 of the way around its rim.

You'd have to walk around a quarter of the entire country of Spain for it to take 10 days:

Obviously Google is not taking into account tired feet or needing to like, sleep, with this estimate, but STILL. The Seireitei is not the size of SPAIN.

A) Let's say it would really take 10 days. This gate-to-gate trek might need to take terrain into account (which Google sometimes does and often doesn't lol). The area Ichigo et al ended up in seemed pretty civ where the gate matches up with Junrinan, but maybe a shade north and the terrain is much more difficult!

B) Let's say it really would not take 10 days. Yoruichi might have been exaggerating, because she doesn't want to walk to another damn gate and also it's not as though there aren't also shinigami waiting at...the other gates... So she nips that in the bud and directs her party's attentions elsewhere.

Or maybe she knows that even this close to the Seireitei, in Rukongai time gonna wime, and space-time are not going to exist in a constant relationship with each other.

C) Let's say Matsumoto's "half-day" comment probably isn't about geography, either. Half a day would make the Seireitei approximately the size of like, Indianapolis? (population 882k, area 368 sq. miles/950 sq. km) if we were basing it purely on area. But also, shunpou?? So I really feel like the "length of time it would take people to arrive"half day" comment is less a function of physical distance and more about the fact that they're all busy and have tasks they'd need to extricate themselves from before they started walking/running/sauntering/gamboling over.

Which leads me to--

2. What regular Gotei work looks like when we're not looking

I think we've seen enough evidence that the way the Gotei has built itself does not lend itself well to rapid response. Their response to the ryoka invasion was not particularly rapid, nor organized. Their response to AIZEN'S MURDER was nearly non-existent. Winter War prep was also kind of rough, and I guess TYBW 1 was kind of a surprise attack, but I think my point still stands that it's just not their forte. I think part of this is because the Gotei is legitimately just kind of bad at being functional; we all know this. They all know this. I think the other part is that rapid response is very, very hard.

Given that they are heavenly court guards, you'd think rapid response to potential threats would be more of a priority, but you could say that about a lot of real-life things that, in reality, do not work that way (and perhaps cannot, in the absence of radical reinvention). To use a near universal example, see Exhibit C: COVID responses lol. Even outside of that very particular example, I'm part of a direct action organization and even though it's relatively small and its politics are activist-minded, rapid response is still very, very hard.

I just love thinking about, okay, where are the Gotei bottlenecks, what's the red tape, where's the sludge in the workings, where to the capacities fall through, what jobs haven't been invented that they really need, what jobs exist that really shouldn't, how much is logistical, how much is political, how much is cultural, how much is personal? *this is my bulletproof kiiiiiiink*

If it's going to take 4-12 hours to get all the officers in one place, it makes me think that yes, the alarms are going off, but it's a rapid response priority only for those who were assigned to quadrant 6 or whatever. Yes, this meeting call went out, but the threat is not yet at a level where you need to drop everything and haul ass. It's serious, but not more serious than the rippling consequences of ignoring the essential tasks you were already engaged in that are really going to fuck things up in domino-like ways if you don't do them right now.

For Ichigo et al, rescuing Rukia is Priority #1. For the Gotei, the ryoka invasion is this major world event that slammed on top of their already-full calendars of other shit they're supposed to do today. Big meeting? That's great, but it's going to have to wait or else a whole deployment's going to ship out late, the payroll office is going to close before those forms get signed, and Z isn't going to have the Y report that's required in order to start the X project.

3. What did the early bird VCs do the entire time they were sitting around in Conference Room 2 waiting for people to show up?

The meeting was called to address Ichimaru's behavior in dealing (or not dealing) with the ryoka, so we can assume it was called relatively quickly after Yamamoto got wind of that. Renji just took Rukia to Fancy Prison, but it doesn't seem like there's yet been dissemination of an official report, because he doesn't actually know if Ichigo got killed by Ichimaru or not. But the meeting is still going on when the ryoka invade successfully via The Sky.

In the interim, Ichigo et al hung out with the denizens of Junrinan, met Ganju, walked out to bumfuck to find Kuukaku's house, got introduced to the cannon and the cannonballs, practiced with the cannonballs, ate dinner, gained proficiency with the cannonballs, and blasted themselves through the sky.

Which makes it seem like the VCs who got there early literally did have to wait around for half a day before everyone showed up. Keep in mind THEIR MEETING DID NOT EVEN HAVE AN AGENDA. They were just supposed to stage in Conference Room 2!

So what did they do? Did they bring any work with them? Did they shoot the shit for six hours? Play games? Nap?

...Orgy?

(Orgy.)

[lifeofpriya]

Could you write ,,giving you a massage,, with Jack please?

we're getting close to the finish line, y'all! we got a few more from the jack weekend 👍🏼

Cozy Night In

wc: 2.1k

You stand in the doorway, watching the rain tap dance on the cobblestone street. The sound is rhythmic, almost soothing. Inside, the scent of rosemary and thyme fills the air from the simmering pot of stew on the stove. You've been waiting for Jack to come back from his grueling practice. His footsteps echo through the hall, a familiar pattern of exhaustion and accomplishment.

Jack enters the room, his face a canvas of sweat and determination. His eyes lock onto yours, a silent plea for relief from the ache in his back. You nod, understanding his unspoken request. He's been pushing himself harder than ever lately, striving to climb the ranks in the tennis world. The towel slung around his neck is a stark contrast to the vibrant hazel of his eyes, which seem to have lost some of their usual sparkle.

"How was it today?" you ask, keeping your voice low, not wanting to shatter the quiet solitude that follows his intense sessions.

Jack's smile is weary but sincere. "Tough," he says, his shoulders dropping with the weight of his gear. "Trot had me running drills, really working on my backhand."

You guide him to the couch, gently taking his bag. "Let me help with that," you offer, placing it aside. His eyes light up in appreciation as he sighs, feeling the warmth of the room embrace him. The crackling fireplace adds a soft glow to the space, casting shadows that dance on the walls.

Jack winces as he lowers himself onto the plush cushions. His muscles are tight, a testament to the hours spent on the court. You move closer, your fingertips grazing his damp hair. "Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere," he groans with a chuckle, "but mostly here." He points to a spot between his shoulder blades. You nod, knowing this is a common complaint after a day of relentless training.

"Dinner is almost ready," you say, moving to the kitchen, "but afterwards, I'll give you a proper massage."

Jack nods gratefully, his eyes closing as he inhales the savory aroma of the stew. The anticipation of relief is almost palpable. As you stir the pot, you consider the array of essential oils you have waiting. The calming scent of lavender might help him unwind, or perhaps the invigorating scent of peppermint to soothe the muscles.

Dinner is a quiet affair, the crackling fire and occasional clink of silverware against ceramic the only sounds breaking the silence. You both savor the meal, Jack devouring the stew with a hunger that comes from pushing his body to its limits. His eyes never leave yours, filled with gratitude for the simple comforts of home.

After dinner, you lead Jack to your shared bedroom, dimming the lights to create a serene atmosphere. "I'll go get the massage oil," you murmured under your breath, "just get comfortable."

Jack nodded his head and discarded his damp shirt, revealing the tapestry of muscles beneath. He laid face down on the bed, the sheets cool against his flushed skin. The room was bathed in a soft, golden light from the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow across the space.

You return with a bottle of almond-scented massage oil, the cap already loosened. You warm a generous amount in your palms, feeling the slickness of it as you rub them together. The scent fills the air, mixing with the faint remnants of his sweat and the lingering aroma of dinner.

"This might be cold," you warn, placing your hands on his back. His skin jumps at the sudden chill, but he relaxes almost immediately as you begin to work the oil into his muscles. Your thumbs press into the knots, applying firm, even pressure. You can feel the tension in his body start to dissolve, like sand slipping through your fingers.

You start at the base of his neck, working in slow, circular motions. His breathing deepens, and his body sags into the mattress. With each stroke, you feel the tautness of his muscles give way to your touch. You've learned his body's language over the months you've been together, the silent cues that indicate pain or pleasure, the spots that need extra attention.

The rain outside has turned into a gentle patter, the rhythm of the drops a soothing backdrop to the focused quiet of the room. You move down to his shoulders, applying more pressure, feeling the knots protest before they loosen. Jack lets out a sigh that's part relief, part contentment.

You glide your hands down his spine, spreading the warmth of the oil and your touch along the way. His breath hitches when you hit a particularly tight spot, but he remains still, trusting in your ability to bring him relief. Your thumbs dig in, kneading the tight muscles until they start to unravel. His skin is slick with the oil, making it easier to glide over the contours of his back.

As you work, Jack's breathing evens out, his body melting into the bed. The rain outside has become a soothing lullaby, complementing the rhythmic motions of your hands. You switch to long strokes, going from the base of his spine to the tips of his shoulders, feeling the tension dissipate with each pass. His back is a landscape of ridges and valleys, each one telling the story of the day's exertion.

You pause for a moment, taking in the scene. The warm light, the soft sounds of Jack's breathing, the scent of the massage oil blending with the rain-soaked air. It's a moment of quiet intimacy that you cherish, a reminder of why you're here, taking care of him. You resume your ministrations, applying gentle pressure to the small of his back, where the tension often hides.

"Does it hurt anywhere else?" you ask, your voice a soft whisper in the stillness.

Jack mumbles something unintelligible, his body now boneless under your touch. You interpret it as an invitation to continue. You glide your hands over his lower back, feeling the tension coil like a spring beneath your fingertips. With precision, you work on the tight muscles around his spine, the sound of his breathing guiding your movements.

As the minutes tick by, Jack's body relaxes further, the tightness in his muscles giving way to your persistent efforts. His legs twitch slightly, a sign that the tension is slowly seeping out of him. You switch to using your elbows, applying deeper pressure to the muscles along his spine, feeling the knots slowly dissolve.

The rain outside has become a gentle hum, the rhythm of the drops syncing with the rhythm of your movements. You can almost feel the stress of the day being washed away along with the rain. The room is warm and cozy, a cocoon of comfort for the both of you.

Jack's breathing slows, his body fully surrendering to the massage. You know he's close to falling asleep, but you want to ensure every inch of his back is attended to. You move down to his lower back, where the muscles are often the most neglected. Your hands glide over the contours, pressing firmly into the knots that remain. His legs twitch slightly in response, but he doesn't protest.

"Did that hurt, babe?" you ask, pausing as Jack's body tenses for a brief moment.

"A bit," he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep.

You apologize, but he waves it off with a lazy hand. "It's okay," he murmurs, his breathing already evening out again. You decide to be more cautious, using the flats of your palms to soothe the remaining tension in his lower back. The warmth of your hands seeps into his skin, and you can feel the last vestiges of his day's exertion slowly releasing.

As you continue to massage, Jack's body relaxes even further, his breaths deepening into the steady rhythm of sleep. You switch to lighter strokes, not wanting to disturb him. The tension in the room has shifted from one of pain and fatigue to one of peace and contentment. You take a moment to appreciate the feeling of his muscles relaxing beneath your touch, the trust he has in you to care for him.

The room is filled with the comforting scent of the massage oil, mingling with the faint aroma of rain that seeps through the windows. You can hear the distant sound of a car driving by, the wipers a metronome in the night. The warm lights sent softly glowed, sending a flicker of light across Jack's relaxed features. His forehead is smooth, no longer creased with pain.

You take a step back, admiring your handiwork. His body, once a battleground of tension, is now a canvas of tranquility. You gently squeeze his shoulder. "I'm all done now," you murmur.

Jack stirs, his eyes fluttering open. He turns his head to look at you, a sleepy smile gracing his lips. "Thanks," he whispers, his voice hoarse from the exertion of the day.

"You're welcome," you reply, your own smile mirroring his. "How do you feel?"

Jack stretches his arms over his head, arching his back. "So much better," he says, the tension in his voice replaced with a hint of satisfaction. "You have magic hands."

You laugh softly, the sound like a melody in the quiet room. "No magic, just a bit of TLC," you reply, taking the towel you've warmed and placing it over his lower back. The heat seeps into his skin, a gentle warmth that adds to his relaxation.

Jack groans in contentment as the warmth spreads, his eyes closing again. You take the opportunity to admire the defined muscles of his back, the way his body has transformed under the rigorous training regime. Each ridge and curve tells the story of his dedication, his passion for the sport that consumes his life. You feel a swell of pride, knowing that you're part of his support system, the one who helps him recover after each grueling day.

You lean down, placing a gentle kiss on his shoulder blade. "You should get some rest," you murmur, your breath fanning over his skin.

Jack nods, his eyes still closed. "Yeah," he agrees, his voice a rumble of satisfaction. "But don't go anywhere, okay?"

You sit on the edge of the bed, your hand resting on his back, feeling the rise and fall of his breaths. "I'm not going anywhere," you promise, stroking his skin lightly. The rain outside has turned into a steady pitter-patter, the sound of it a gentle lullaby.

Jack's eyes remain closed, his body fully relaxed under the warmth of the towel and your lingering touch. He rolls over onto his side, his eyes fluttering open to meet yours. The exhaustion has lifted, replaced by a softness that makes him look younger than his 22 years. "Thank you," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

You lean in closer, your foreheads touching. "It's nothing," you reply, feeling the warmth of his breath against your skin.

Jack's hand reaches up, cupping your cheek. "It's not nothing," he says, his eyes searching yours. "You always know what I need, even when I don't."

You blush, your heart swelling with affection. "It's just what we do for each other," you reply, your voice a whisper.

Jack nods, his eyes never leaving yours. He takes a deep breath, the tension in his body replaced by a newfound ease. "I'm lucky to have you," he says, his voice earnest.

You smile, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "And I'm lucky to have you too," you reply, your hand resting on his chest. His heart beats steadily beneath your palm, a rhythm that matches the calming patter of the rain.

Jack's grip on your cheek tightens for a moment before he leans in and kisses you, a soft press of his lips that speaks volumes. The kiss is a gentle reminder of the connection you share, the unspoken understanding that goes beyond words.

Breaking away, he pulls you closer, wrapping his arm around your waist. "Stay with me," he whispers, his eyes pleading. You nod, curling up beside him, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. The bed shifts as he gets more comfortable, his arm pulling you tighter against him.

You lay there for a moment, listening to the rain, feeling his heartbeat against your chest. His breathing evens out, and you know he's close to sleep. But before he drifts off, he speaks again, his voice a soft rumble in the quiet. "I love you."

The words hang in the air, warm and tender, wrapping around you like a blanket. You lean in closer, pressing your nose to his neck, inhaling the scent of sweat and shampoo that is uniquely him. "I love you too," you murmur, your voice barely audible.

[mclarensangel]

Chapter 7- The Move

Authors note- I am so sorry it has been taking me so long to write, every time I sat down to write, I just had writer's block and nothing was working. However, I am on holiday in France right now, and the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and I finally found inspiration. This isn't a long chapter but I hope you all enjoy it.

total word count: 2.4k

warnings:

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, bullying, loneliness, anxiety, money problems, mentions of how other people view characters body

message me if you feel I need more warnings or if you would like to be a proofreader!

As soon as the words came out of your mother's mouth, the smile on Namjoons face changed from one of nervousness to one of genuine happiness. Taking a step back from your family, Namjoon moves to talk to the audience. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologise for what just happened. Let us move on to the next event! I sincerely hope that you enjoy the music and food! Please, enjoy yourselves!” he speaks, his hands moving to clasp together as he finishes his sentence. The crowd stays where they are, still reeling from the events that have already happened this evening. 

You turn your head to make brief eye contact with Namjoon, to find that he was already looking at you. He takes a step towards you and offers his arm to you. Smiling brightly at the man, you try to place your arm in his as elegantly as possible, knowing that the court is watching you. Once your arms are connected, Namjoon smiles down at you. His smile passed on words that his mouth couldn’t say at present.

You look behind you to see where your mother was, to find Yoongi offering her arm to your mother. Your siblings had been a part of the crowd and they would not be joining you for the dinner, which weirdly made you feel a little less nervous, as they wouldn’t be able to tell embarrassing stories of you growing up to the man you were about to marry. 

The walk to the separate room where the dinner would be held took about a minute. The large group of you meander down halls and through some doors before arriving at the final place. Inside the room was a table in a circular shape. There was one large throne-like chair similar to the one that was in the hall at the top of the table from where you were standing. To the left of that chair was another chair that almost looked like one of the throne room chairs. And to the right of that large throne-like chair were two more slightly decorated chairs. The other six chairs were decorated with the titles of the men who would be sitting there spread evenly around the circle. Namjoon led you to the chair to the right of the large chair. He pulled the chair out, making you blush, as it was very uncommon for a king to do this for anyone. Once you were sat, he did the same for your mother and then his own before sitting down. Looking around you, you noticed that everyone was smiling. You took this moment to look at what everyone was wearing, only having the chance to see what the King, the Queen Dowager, Yoongi and your mother had been wearing. The boys were all wearing various shades of red and white. The colour complements their skin brilliantly underneath the lamplight. It made their eyes shine even brighter than they already were. Taking in a deep breath you allow yourself to feel happy and content at this moment. You felt free and able to finally breathe. 

Moments, after you were all sat down, the doors opened and two lines of servants filed into the room, some holding food, some holding drinks, some had cups and some had cutlery. Before your very eyes, the things in their hands were set out in their perfect positions, cups were filled as well as plates and hearts were opened, as the conversation began. 

Namjoon manages to sneakily move his chair as close to you as he can without making the other boys jealous, which he knows will lead to the young ones play fighting, and who knows how that’ll end. Catching your eyes, he leans closer to you, and you lean closer to him. He speaks in a quiet tone, the smile showing in his eyes and on his lips. “Thank you for accepting my proposal, I promise I will make you the happiest woman alive, as you have made me and my boys- I mean men, the last few weeks” he speaks. 

“My king, do not fear, I know of the relationship between you and the boys- I mean men” you copy, making him laugh before you continue “I have come to love each and every one of you and I would be honoured to join your family”. The smile on Namjoon’s face when you tell him this, makes his smile larger, and a blush fall from his ears to his cheeks. Namjoon takes your hand before speaking again “Well if that’s the case then I can’t wait to marry you, and 50 days can’t come soon enough, Nae salang/Sarang”. Seconds later, he lets go of your hand before standing up to address the people in the room. 

Firstly, he turns to the servants “Thank you for your work, you may go and enjoy the party, this can all be cleared up tomorrow, tonight we celebrate.” Then he turns to the people at the table, clasping his cup, he brings it to the air “And to my family, let us celebrate a union of two families, let us celebrate love in all its forms and let us celebrate our blessings. To celebrating!” he says, lifting his glass every so slightly higher at the end of his statement. 

“To celebrating!” everyone yells in unison, with their classes similarly raised in the air to the kings. Once everyone has yelled out, Namjoon sits down, and the conversations re-begin. Memories are shared between people, laughter is heard and love is shared. In that room, love and happiness were evident for even a blind man to see and feel. 

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The next day you woke up to a knock at your door. It was Hwasa waking you up. 

“Good morning your majesty,” she tells you “You have a busy day today, we must get you bathed and dressed”. 

“Please do not call me ‘Your Majesty’” you giggle to Hwasa, “you’ll give me an ego,” you tell her with a wink. She laughs alongside you, before taking your hand and bringing you back into the bathing room. “Today's bath will be shorter as you have a very busy day, I will come back and collect you when it is time, do you need anything else ma’am?” she asks. You smile and shake your head, excited to enjoy your bath no matter how long you would be in it. 

Stepping into the bath, you allow yourself to feel the warmth surrounding your body, the muscles that were tense from anxiety the past few days slowly releasing and making your body feel at ease. You dip your head into the bath, allowing your hair to enjoy the water as well. The bath is exactly what you needed this morning, and you were relieved that it was able to be added to your busy schedule. 

Around 15 minutes later, Hwasa walks back into the room, holding a long cloth that would dry you and a silken red robe with dragons embroidered into it. “The king and his men had this made for you. They had them make it as soon as you agreed to be the royal bride” she tells you. This information brings a smile to your face, and once your cloth is tied around you, you reach out for the robe, wanting to feel it in your hands. You place the robe delicately around your shoulders as you follow Hwasa out of the room, and into where you dressed each day. On your way, however, you noticed that all of your stuff had been placed into boxes. 

“Why is my stuff in boxes? I thought I was to stay…” your voice trembles, anxiety hitting you like a brick wall.

“Do not worry” Hwasa reassures, “you are staying, you are just being moved to a different courtyard closer to the king and his men, it is tradition. You will be transferred from the emerald apartment to the cherry blossom courtyard, which is on the other side of the cherry blossom garden. Oh, a letter has arrived for you today by the way!” 

“A letter? Who from?” you ask as Hwasa hands you the letter. You pull the wax away from the envelope and open it up. 

Her future royal highness, y/n, 

This letter was written to you regarding the royal engagement. It is a formal proposal letter. Please enjoy you’re new homing in the Cherry Blossom Garden. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact any of us. 

Sincerely, 

King Kim Namjoon 

And the boys

You giggled at the little addition at the bottom of the letter added by your boys, it made you even more sure that you were making the right decision. Folding the letter back up, you place it, along with the envelope on the dressing table near you. 

“Well then, I guess we had better get ready so we can see this new venue.” you grinned at her. 

Hwasa brings you over to the dressing table which still remained, sitting beautifully in front of two doors that would slide open. Realising this was your last day here, you decided to be bold and ask the woman, who had quickly become your friend, to open those doors whilst you had your hair and makeup done. She agreed but notified you that you must get dressed first, turning her hand towards the cotton figurine that stood in the doorway near your bedroom. Looking over at the hanbok you noticed the colour, it was a deep red colour, similar to the one you wore to the dinner the other day. And similar to the other, you noticed a gold band along the bottom of the skirt. Looking closer at it you noticed that it had been embroidered with both the seal of the dragon, one of royalty, and the seal of your house, tigers. Your heart lept with warmth and love at the thoughtfulness of your boys. A part of you felt weird calling them your boys when you haven’t had more than a crush before in your life. But in the same way, you have never felt more loved in your life. With a smile, you turned to Hwasa and stood to allow her to help you get ready. 

Once you were dressed, minus your gomusin and beoseon, you sat down and looked at yourself in the mirror as Hwasa opened the doors allowing the light to flood into the room. Feeling the warmth on your face, you felt at peace for the first time in a very long time. Hwasa and Hyo-Seong quickly moved on to applying your makeup and hair. The makeup was applied with a sense of regality that hadn't quite been there in the past times your makeup was done. Next was your hair, pulled in different directions and braided before being placed into an updo. Two matching hair pins are slid into the final hair-do, making it perfect. It still felt unreal to look at yourself in the mirror as your hair was done by two of the king’s servants. A sudden anxiety hit you as you realised you were to become the royal bride in less than 2 months. Noticing the anxious look on your face, Hwasa places a gentle hand on your shoulder, offering you a kind but small smile. 

“Your mother should be here soon, she was staying in the azurite apartment, but she will also be moving to the cherry blossom courtyard to stay with you until the wedding.” 

As soon as the words fell from her lips, the anxiety that was building in your heart melted away till there was barely any left. Hwasa smiled at your now relaxed face, before picking up your makeup and opening the bits she needed. 

“Now… let's do your makeup so we can go and see your new residence” Hyo-Seong smiled at the two of you. 

After a few minutes, your makeup was done and you stood from your seat, you took one last look at the view from where you had been sat before turning towards the door and putting on your beoseon and gomusin. Hwasa and Hyo-Seong each took a door and opened it, allowing you to exit from the apartment you had spent the last two weeks in for the final time. To your surprise, Yoongi and Namjoon were waiting outside, surrounded by some of their guards, whose faces you had come to recognise but had yet been unable to put a name to. Noticing that the doors had opened up, Namjoon and Yoongi looked up, seeing you. The smiles on their faces brought a smile to your own. 

Namjoon steps towards you, followed closely by the older but shorter man. The younger man reaches you within a few steps and greets you with a bow. The cat-like man followed his suit. Standing to full height once again, Namjoon grins at you. 

“Good morning my queen, I take it you know where you are to move to today?” he asked, the grin just as wide at the end of his question as it was at the beginning. Pretending that you didn’t know, you let the grin that was on your face fall. 

“Are you sending me home your Highness?” You asked with mock sadness on your face. Namjoon’s smile fell instantly, as did the man smile behind him. 

“NO!” He yelled, moving towards you, before pausing. “I'm sorry, I mean… I mean no you are not being sent home” he spoke in a calmer tone. You took a step closer to the man before speaking again. 

“Hmm,” you sighed, taking another step forward. “Well then…” you carried on, slipping your smaller hand into his much larger one. “I guess you’ll just have to guide me to wherever I am to be moved to today” you finished with a smile. Relief instantly flooded the men before you’s faces. Namjoons smile returned to his face, as he turned to Yoongi, “It looks like we have another prankster on our hands, don’t tell the maknaes, we need this one on our side.” Yoongi replied with a small nod of his head and a gorgeous smirk, agreeing with what the man before him had said, secretly planning pranks the two of you could do in his head. Namjoon grips your hand in his and turns towards the pathway that would take you to the cherry blossom courtyard. 

“Let us go, my queen” he spoke quietly into your ear.

Series taglist:

@skyys-universe @angel-121 @queen-in-the-shadows @iwishididntexist @hair1997 @unqiuecutieprincess @agusfree @treetops68 @sbromp @explorewithd @zmbo97 @maetyun @sgnsgssy @feedthefandoms995 @hajimaoppaa @emu007 @silverrr-spooon @el-insomnio-no-es-divertido @scentisterror @hey-syia @insert-a-creative-url-right-here @uniquelyabnormallyoriginal @poesreddeath @thedarkwinterrose @yoongiigolden @zae007live @namjinieesope @iamhereforbts

permanent tag list: @ewok7attack @marc-ella

[aliciameade]

Darkness at Dawn - Ch. 3

Title: Darkness at Dawn Author: aliciameade Rating: M/E Pairing: Stephanie Smothers/Emily Nelson Summary: Even Bonnie & Clyde met their fate eventually.

Set five years after "Baby."

Also on AO3

The next several days are spent circling one another in the rec yard, Stephanie keeping her distance, Emily staring her down. It’s an act, one Stephanie knows Emily is directing, and she needs to patiently await her cue.

It’s a Sunday afternoon, she thinks, when there’s an uproar in the cellblock. She doesn’t bother rushing to her door’s tiny window to look. She’s too short anyway, and her cellmates wouldn’t let her have a glimpse even if she asked. She’s familiar with the noise though: it’s the welcoming committee of prisoners welcoming a new resident to their section. She’s heard it often, though this “celebration” is especially boisterous and is accompanied by a lot of shouted chatter.

One of her cellmates makes a comment about needing to watch her back.

The next morning at breakfast, Stephanie walks to her usual table with her tray. She’s managed to befriend (she uses the term loosely) a handful of women who all tend to keep to themselves. Two of them are pregnant.

“Hey, baby.”

She slows her pace, looking for the voice to see she’s walked past Emily sitting at the table that’s always occupied by many of the most intimidating, violent inmates of her block. They make eye contact.

“Yeah, I’m talking to you. You speak English? Looks like it.”

She pauses, fingers tapping the sides of her plastic tray. “Uh, yeah.”

“You’re cute. Come here.”

She turns slowly, not exactly sure what Emily’s up to, but she’s buzzing with the opportunity to finally do more than exchange glances. Emily’s holding court, eight or nine other women sitting around the circular table. She makes a sharp comment and they all shuffle until there’s a space next to her.

“Sit with me.”

Stephanie spares a glance at her usual table, its residents watching with rapt attention and fear. It feels a bit like Regina George inviting Cady Heron to join The Plastics’ table in Mean Girls if it had been a prison and not a high school cafeteria.

The women sitting at Emily’s table are also staring and exchanging glances with one another but no comments are made until she fits herself in the space made vacant for her. It’s a narrow spot and she’s grateful for it. Her hip presses into Emily’s, their upper arms grazing. She bumps her foot against Emily’s under the table. She hasn’t felt Emily’s warmth in weeks, has barely heard her voice…taken in the scent that she carries, even here, in the dank, odiferous prison that grants inmates two showers per week. She’s still wearing her hair in a pair of braids, and Stephanie considers braiding her own hair later. It would certainly help with the lack of traditional grooming options.

“What’s your name, baby?” Emily asks as she looks down at her from her height. She’s wearing the same smile Stephanie remembers from the first day they ever spent together, Emily catching her dancing to a French tune in her house. It’s a smile of amusement that reaches her eyes, but one very much laced with danger, or maybe predation, her sharp, straight teeth that have pressed into so much of Stephanie’s flesh over the years on display now.

“Uh…” Stephanie shifts and glances at the women staring at her, everyone waiting for what she’ll say or do. She’d been booked under her given name, and she’d shared it with her cellmates because using a false name in prison, even with other prisoners, seemed unwise.

“It’s Stephanie, right? I know everyone here.”

“Yes,” she answers as she tentatively picks up the unappetizing sandwich from her tray to take a well-observed bite of it. The action garners a strange round of whispers and she wonders if, based on the untouched food on the other women’s trays, she was meant to ask permission. From whom? From Emily?

Emily waves off her response and picks up her sandwich, the rest of the table relaxing a bit and following suit. “I’m going to call you ‘baby.’ You can call me Emily.” 

Stephanie hides her smile in another bite.

Emily rattles off a list of names of the other women at the table as an introduction; some of the names Stephanie already knows from overhearing conversations, others are new to her. They are the women she’s pointedly avoided, their reputations and auras far too menacing.

Emily’s aura, however, is in control of their audience, but they’re starting to lose interest in the lack of action and start to fall into conversation with one another.

“Anyone get to you yet?” 

Stephanie slows her chewing of her terrible sandwich which has a good chance of disagreeing with her stomach later. The question is a double entendre. Emily wants to know if anyone’s made Stephanie their pet yet. If she’s someone’s girlfriend, voluntary or otherwise.

And Stephanie also recognizes that, unsurprisingly as she has managed to do in every scenario, Emily has already claimed a position of power. It’s the first time the thought crosses her mind that maybe Emily, before knowing they would find each other, had claimed a girlfriend or two of her own as a way to assert dominance over the women of her last block. The thought makes her sick, or maybe it’s the sandwich, and she drops it to her tray.

She struggles to keep her eyes down, the natural inclination to look at the person talking to her, especially her wife, is a challenging one. She shakes her head, and she feels Emily’s hand on her back, rubbing it seductively in front of the entire room, and Stephanie can sense everyone taking notice.

“Good.” For a brief moment, her fingertips even slip under the edge of Stephanie’s too-large thread-bare brown sweater and it makes her whole body jump.

She hopes the watchful eyes interpret it as fear that the inmate running things has just laid claim to her as opposed to the arousal of having not been with Emily in months coursing through her. She swallows hard and does nothing else but press her knee against Emily’s under the table.

“Listen up,” Emily suddenly barks, in Greek, and the entire mess hall takes notice. “Anyone touches Baby, you die. This one’s mine.”

A murmur rolls through the hundred or so women sitting at tables like their own until a few of them wolf-whistle and a chorus of hoots, hollers, obscenities, and table-pounding breaks out. It results in the guards, heretofore paying them little mind as meals were a mutually agreed-upon neutral zone (everyone needed to eat, and if a fight broke out, all would go hungry), shouting and stalking threateningly through the rows of tables until everyone settles down.

The distraction lets Stephanie better settle at the table, dropping one hand first to her lap while she picks at the bread on her tray with the other, before briefly sneaking it over to squeeze Emily’s thigh. There are so many people around the table that she knows no one can see what’s happening beneath it, obscured by everyone’s legs, but she doesn’t risk more than that. She does her best to look aggrieved at being claimed, but she’s confident her cheeks are pink.

“Fuck this slop,” Emily announces, first shoving her tray away, then standing up from the table. She looks down at Stephanie and gives a jerk of her head and Stephanie reads it like the command it is and stands as well. She watches with awe as one of the women at the table takes both their trays and first divvy up their leftovers and then racks their trays for them. “Let’s go. Mama needs some attention.”

She strides toward the room’s exit; the only place inmates are allowed when they finish eating is to return to their cells, and very few have done so. Stephanie follows closely, still feeling eyes on her as snide, inappropriate comments are made within earshot about how physically injured she’s about to become. They leave the mess hall, past guards who are engaged in conversation, into their cell block. They pass Stephanie’s empty cell and continue down the corridor lined with heavy metal doors that, for now, sit open and unlocked.

When they reach Emily’s cell, she’s pulled into it and hears the door close behind her, though it doesn’t lock. A guard will be by within the hour to do that.

“Oh, my God, I missed you,” she says, almost crying as she rushes into Emily’s arms. She’s caught and held close, then lifted so her legs can wrap instinctually around Emily’s waist. They’re kissing like the first time they’d made love, sloppy passion on Emily’s designer couch in her million-dollar house. Now, it’s sloppy passion on Emily’s thin-mattressed bunk where they land, Stephanie astride Emily’s hips.

“I missed you, too, baby,” Emily says between kisses, her tongue claiming and reclaiming Stephanie’s mouth as they grab hastily at each other. She’s moving quickly and while Stephanie has no idea how much time they have, she has a suspicion that if Emily’s cell door is closed, her cellmates know to wait until they’re allowed to return. 

She’s okay with quick, though, and moans when Emily’s hand finds her bare breast under her sweater and the other easily moves into her pants, and underwear that she’s grateful Emily can’t see, to slide her fingers into Stephanie.

“Fuck,” she breathes into Emily’s mouth, hips riding Emily hard and fast. It’s only been a couple of months, but it's been full of anxiety, stress, unknowns, and loneliness and sex had been the last thing on her mind until Emily threw a basketball at her head. But now she’s starved, ravenous, and she can’t manage to keep their mouths connected. She’s moving too much and lets her head fall next to Emily’s, moaning and begging in her ear as Emily fucks her in a prison cell.

“Come for me, baby,” Emily purrs in her ear and she does, heat and wetness rushing through her as she cries out, Emily’s hand abandoning her breasts to wrap around Stephanie’s back and pull her in closer, lips and tongue reaching her ear and jaw and neck.

It ends with a sob and Stephanie’s fully crying when it’s eased enough to lift her head. She ignores the tears as she kisses Emily, still riding her fingers as she adjusts her position so she can reach between them and push her hand down Emily’s sweatpants to find her soaked and swollen. She circles her clit in the way she’s long-known turns Emily into a writhing mess.

It works, and Emily’s cursing and begging, and the metal frame of the bunk they’re in is starting to screech against the floor with their thrusting, and Stephanie’s all but forgotten their reality. She slides her fingers lower to push inside Emily to feel her trembling from within and presses the heel of her hand into her clit, her hips riding Emily’s hard, working to fuck each other at the same pace.

It’s messy and desperate and Emily bites her neck as they come together, hard enough that Stephanie knows she’ll leave a noticeable mark for everyone to see. That she’s been claimed.

When it’s over, they’re breathing hard, tangled together, still dressed though Stephanie’s pants have worked their way as low as her stance allows. She feels Emily’s heart racing beneath her fingertips, fingertips that are resting over Emily’s breast. They kiss lazily. Languidly. Lost in the haze of reunion and release until the echo of voices starts growing louder as inmates begin to return.

“What are we going to do?” she says between kisses as she starts to come back to herself and take stock of the situation. 

Emily’s smiling up at her. “Anything we want. I run this place.”

She huffs and sits up, still astride Emily’s waist, though Emily’s fingers are between her lips rather than inside Stephanie. It’s distracting, but not quite enough. “This place is prison, Em.”

“I know,” she says after drawing her fingers from between her lips with a pop!. “And now I own the sweetest snatch in this godforsaken place.”

Stephanie jostles Emily beneath her, even if she’s flattered. “Be serious. What are we going to do? Detective Summerville showed up when they took me to the hospital after I fainted. He knows—”

“Thinks he knows,” Emily interrupts. “That man really has a thing for you.”

“—yes, thinks he knows what we did. Or, at least he has a pretty good idea of what he thinks we did. He said because we forged our everything, we aren’t legally married, and that’s going to negate our spousal privilege in court, my adopting Nicky is null, and Em, they cleared Sean and released him and Summerville contacted him. I have no idea where Miles is, if he’s with Helen, or if they’ve put him in a foster home. I assume Sean has Nicky by now.”

Emily sobers quickly and sits up. “He did what?”

“He said he called Sean to tell him they found us. We were still missing persons. He said Sean was already flying here, and my attorney still hasn’t contacted me. Have you heard from yours?”

“Not since we were transferred. She said it might take a while, but we have a plan.”

“What’s the plan?”

Emily’s about to answer when she closes her mouth. “We aren’t married.”

“I know that, please don’t remind me.”

“We can’t protect each other. They could try to get one of us to incriminate the other. Or both. It’s better if we don’t talk about it.”

“Em, I would never—” she rushes, framing Emily’s face with her hands.

“I know.” Emily’s voice is low and quiet. “I know that. Let me do this. Let me protect you. This is all my fault anyway.”

“Hey, no.” Stephanie leans in and kisses her. The voices in the corridor are loud now, and she can hear them right outside their door. Emily’s cellmates are waiting to be allowed in, she assumes. “Don’t rewrite history. I chose this. I chose you.”

Emily kisses her at the statement and they get lost in it for a moment before a buzzer sounds; it’s a warning to get back to your assigned cell before they’re locked. She’s seen what happens to those who miss the headcount while bunking up with someone else, or just choosing to be a troublemaker.

Or rather, she hasn’t seen it. They disappear. For days. They return bruised and beaten, or not at all.

“Trust me,” Emily says, kissing her urgently at their clock ticking down. “Do you trust me?”

“Always.”

Emily kisses her as they clamber off the bunk, her hand reaching to push her cell door open, but stops just short as they kiss. Stephanie knows they’re being watched; there’s no way they’re not, standing right in front of the small window in the door as they are. She’s barely tall enough to peer out of her own cell door, but Emily’s sure to be fully in frame even if she has to lean down. There’s whistling and shouting and Emily finally takes a step back and Stephanie can see her slipping into her boss persona. 

“What did you do to make them all respect you this way?”

Emily shrugs and tries to tidy Stephanie’s mussed hair and crooked sweater. “Told them I killed my sister.”

“Imagine if they knew it was little ol’ me,” she says with a laugh. “Can’t believe I’m the boss’s bitch now,” she says with one last kiss to Emily’s lips. “You’re hot when you’re the alpha.”

“Oh, baby,” Emily says as she swings the cell door open to a chorus of cheers and vulgar gestures, “I’m always the alpha.”

[cerenemuxse]

Persistence

EoSR but Monster Engines - Edward x James

Summer 1952 (Post - Old Iron)

CW/TW: Unwanted advances (unwanted courting)

Old Iron - Season 2 Episode 5

Word Count: 259

Charlie Sands speaks with Fred Quill about James.

~

“You better keep an eye on your engine.”

Fred perked up. “Pardon?”

“James, Quill,” replied Charlie, gesturing at the scarlet tender iron horse, who circled the cerulean tender iron horse. The latter looked tense, hissing and baring his sharp teeth. “He won't leave Edward alone.”

“Well, what do you want me to do? Interfere? Charlie, you know better than I that it's dangerous for anyone to get involved with this.”

“Could you at least talk to James about it?” huffed Charlie out of concern for his own engine. 

When the red monster engine started his game a few weeks ago, the crews believed he wanted to play with Edward. Nothing harmless.

It wasn’t until James’ crew brought it up at the Steamworks one day that they knew what was actually going on.

James was trying to court the smaller creature, using a common tactic that usually didn’t end well. Edward ignored James, though it had only led to more trouble recently.

Courting was not common amongst these odd creatures. They liked having company but were so fixated on their work that they usually didn’t seek anything more.

Usually.

Such weird beings they were.

With a heavy sigh, Fred relented. “Fine, I will. Just know that I can't guarantee that James will leave him alone.”

“That's all that we ask-”

Edward let out a loud squawk, followed by an eerie hiss. The ruckus caught the attention of both drivers.

Oh dear, they thought as they watched the two iron horses begin to crawl in a circular motion, ready to fight.

~

Henry, the second-to-last iron horse to be picking fights, was in the yard so he came in and put a stop to it before it even happened. :D

Crew were very lucky that time.

The tactic mentioned has the tendency to make the other feel unequal or like prey. They don't like that.

That bit about the courting was based on pandas because i feel like this behavior makes more sense when it comes to their environment?

that sudden rush of creativity came back so I'm POUNDING away at my keyboards as of posting this, writing down whatever the fuck I got. Slowly carving at my WIPs and I got ANOTHER story ready to go. This was in the works since earlier this month when i overhauled my sub-AU (again)

also, yes another 2x5 thing because fuck yeah. I'll write other ships, i swear- just not right now .3. mostly because i'm lacking ideas for them :"D

[bbs-backlog-challenge]

Fin or Bin: Shining Resonance Refrain

My whole life, I've craved a certain… something. I've never quite been able to put words to it, and I lack many of the skills required to make it myself, so my search goes on. A music-based story where music is magic and the songs happen in-universe and have a specific impact on the story. A good example of something that comes close is Gitaroo Man, which I have played to death and love to bits, but it's not quite hitting that intangible sweet spot that eludes description.

I saw the Steam page for Shining Resonance and wondered if it might be The One, with its clear focus on music as a theme and the repeated showings of the characters standing in a circle playing their instruments to do battle. And early on, I was hopeful, as Diva Magica Kirika whips out her longbow which is also a harp (possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life and I want one) and enters musical battle with the villainous Princess Excella, who is also very very cool and uses a flute-spear to control dragons. Like, damn, right?

Sadly the musical connection is only skin-deep. I had been hoping for perhaps attacks being timed with the background music making them more powerful, or a quick rhythm-action sequence to cast spells, but it is instead most similar to the Tales Of series. Overworld monsters collide with you, a battle begins, you mash attacks at them until they die, and move on. Even those circular jam sessions in the trailer are no more than mini cutscenes with no interaction that grant a slew of passive bonuses for a short duration after they are completed.

I didn't find what I was looking for here. But what I did find was a passable-to-decent RPG with some honestly very likeable characters and like-to-hateable villains and great voice acting. Cutscenes mostly play out in visual novel style, actions implied rather than shown, which is somewhat a shame.

Fin or Bin:

There's a delightful nostalgic bite to these cheesy, cheap, naff Gamecube/Wii era RPGs (this one originally on PS3), and I am eating. I'd give it a 6/10 on the cheesecake rating; Sonia's boob-window armour is very distracting for all the wrong reasons, but these kinda games often go the weird harem route with all the girls falling in love with MC (except the one who thinks he's s-stupid…!), and that doesn't seem to be happening here- though that might be because MC-du-jour Yuma is the saddest wet cat of a man you've ever seen and couldn't court a chatbot. But mostly, I want to Finish this to find out what the heck is going on with Excella, a villain so cool they put her on the storepage box art instead of any of the protags!

(Steam)

[possumsandprose]

Elriel Part 2: Love Language

Hey all,

Back atcha with more fanfiction. This one is pretty short, but I love it. I'm definitely most excited for Solstice, and I hope y'all are looking forward to all the fanfiction still to come. Hope you enjoy my take on Elain and Azriel's language of love.

TW: None

Word count: 1.2K

Azriel walked in, tired and grumpy. He had just finished a mission, which usually meant he would make a beeline straight for bed, and sleep until his shadows reminded him that he had responsibilities, and the cycle would repeat. As he entered his room at the townhouse, a strange scent came to him. Jasmine and honey. Elain lived in the townhouse too, he knew, however why had she been in his room? And then he looked to his desk, and amidst all the paperwork and stationery, he saw it.

It was a single white lily flower. It was gorgeous, and seemed almost to glow. And it bore her scent strongly. She must have left it there while he was away. He knew that she had been growing lilies out in the garden, and he had listened to her talk about them for hours on end. And although he didn't care about flowers, there was something about talking with Elain that just made him at complete ease. Around her, his shadows seemed to fade, sensing that there was no danger or darkness present, because Elain's mere existence drove away whatever evil or misery was nearby. He picked up the lily, and found a small note tied to the stem. Come and meet me in the archway. It was in Elain's elegant handwriting, and based on the dampness of the ink, she had written it not all that long ago. He knew the archway she was referring to, a lovely thing at the entrance of the garden that was covered in roses.

Elain had worked hard to get it that way, Az was sure, and maintained it very well. He looked out of his window and saw it, the gorgeous crimson flowers amidst the sea of dark green leaves. Behind it was a circular walkway, paved with little stepping stones. Benches surrounded it, and in the middle was an ornate fountain, with sky blue water flowing from the statue of a naiad in the centre. And there, hurrying along the path, past the columns covered in wisteria and bushels of hydrangeas, was Elain, wearing a pale pink dress with a white cardigan over top. She reached the fountain, and sat at the edge. She waits for you, his shadows whispered in his ear, she wishes to speak with you. Do not leave her waiting.

Az knew better than to mess up this chance he'd been given, either by the gods or the Mother or whoever dwelt up in the clouds. He winnowed out onto the lawn, and walked briskly towards her. As she sensed his arrival, she looked up, and smiled at him, shifting over so he could take a seat. Az was shocked. Why was she being so nice to him, after what had happened on Solstice? He took a seat next to her, albeit tentatively.

"Hello Elain. How have you been?" He asked politely, hoping she didn't notice his shadows were now playing in her hair and in the folds of her dress, deliberately ignoring his commands to return for the first time ever.

"I've been well. The garden has kept me busy, as well as all the wonderful things here in life. Nyx has been growing, I've learned new recipes, new things to craft, and I've even taken up weaving as of late. But that's not why I wanted you to come. I wanted to...to speak with you. And to give you these." Elain held out a small bouquet of gorgeous white lilies, just like the one he'd received on his desk.

"I know what happened on Solstice, Rhys told Feyre and she told me. I do not hold it against you. And the lilies have been blooming wonderfully as of late, so I thought...I thought you might like them, they're a nice spot of colour, and I know they're very popular in the Night Court and-" she was rambling now, Azriel assumed out of nerves, and he did something he never in a million years thought he would do. He leaned forward and shut her up with a kiss.

He pulled back quickly, worried she might not have wanted it, that he had ruined whatever olive branch she had been extending to him.

"Elain, I-" he began, wondering what he could possibly say. But he didn't need to. Elain leaned forward and kissed him back. Azriel decided that if he died right there, right then, he would die a happy male, because he had kissed Elain Archeron. He had had his fair share of lovers over the centuries, some whom he'd enjoyed more than others, but all paled in comparison to her. Even his long-standing crush on Mor was nothing on what he felt for her. She slid onto his lap, and they kissed for seconds, minutes, hours, days, Az had no idea, it all seemed a blur. All he knew was that he could never get enough of her, of kissing her, of loving her.

Eventually she pulled back, panting slightly, lips red and swollen from kisses.

"I love you Azriel," she said, "and that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to tell you that I chose you, I choose you, I will forever choose you, and, if you will have me, I wish to be with you."

Az was sure he must have been dreaming. His heart hadn't sang that much since the first time he'd flown 500 years ago. But it was real, the woman he loved was here, sitting on his lap, saying that she wanted him.

"Yes. I love you too, very much so. I choose you, if you will have me," he said, earning a beaming smile from Elain, and he decided that he would die to make her smile like that again. He set his hand down, and they brushed the lilies.

"These lilies...do they have a special meaning to you?" he asked, because something about her gift seemed like a special language of love, even beyond her willingness to give the thing she'd spent so long growing.

"Yes. Back when mama was alive and we were still all together, my father used to bring my mother lilies at least once a week. It was the flower they had at their wedding, and he used to bring them to her as a sign of their love. I always thought it was very touching."

"Indeed, that is...so very, very special. I'm honoured you would share this with me." And he was. It meant the world to him that she'd shared this personal aspect about herself, carrying on this tradition. That night, when Elain had retired for the night and he was back in his chambers, curled into bed, he looked at the delicate white blossoms, illuminated in the moonlight from the window, and smiled. He slept better than he ever had before, now that he had a token of Elain's love to keep him company.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this! It's one of my personal headcanons that Elain will give Azriel her favourite flower if their book becomes canon. Also, shoutout to my bestie, I won't tag you for privacy's sake but you know who you are, for the inspiration on the lily idea.

Please like or comment if you enjoyed, and have a wonderful time celebrating our favourite seer and shadowsinger!

Taglist:

@elriel-month

[coochiequeens]

Another TIM using his gender identity for a reduced sentence for a sexual offense. Something that happens a lot for something that TRAs say never happens.

By Anna Slatz February 7, 2024

A trans-identified male in Kentucky has reached a plea deal after being charged with sexually abusing a baby and will avoid prison so long as he meets certain conditions. Maria Childers, a former daycare worker, hired a prominent trans activist lawyer to represent him in the sickening case.

As previously reported by Reduxx, Childers was arrested in February of 2023 after the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) received an anonymous tip detailing an alleged incident of abuse that had occurred in November of 2022 at Explore Learning Academy. The tip, reportedly written by one of Childers’ co-workers, accused him of making inappropriate comments towards an infant while changing the child’s diaper, and touching the baby inappropriately.

Reduxx has now obtained court records detailing the full complaint against Childers, which showed that he was accused of both physical and sexual abuse while employed at the daycare.

Following the receipt of the initial anonymous complaint, a DCBS case worker and a police officer from the Paducah Police Department went to the daycare on February 8, 2023, to interview witnesses. After speaking to a number of staff, they were able to corroborate the anonymous report.

Maria Childers. Photo Source: FACEBOOK

According to witness testimony, a co-worker had asked Childers for assistance in changing an infant’s diaper. While Childers was cleaning the baby’s genitals, the co-worker noticed that the infant appeared to be in distress and asked Childers if he was hurting the baby. She then witnessed Childers rub the infant’s genitals in a “circular motion,” while saying “that was her clit area and she likes it. It just made her day.”

While Childers was reported to management at the Academy, he was only given a “write up.” Police later learned that Childers had also been accused by other co-workers of leaving the children in high chairs for “hours” without care.

After being taken to the police station for questioning, Childers initially claimed he had not changed the infant’s diaper at all. He later admitted to having done so after an officer presented him with evidence in the form of a text that he had sent to the daycare’s director confirming the baby’s diaper had been changed. He then tried to deny he had ever said anything inappropriate, but admitted he often said things that were “taken out of context.”

Childers was placed under arrest and charged with one count of 1st Degree Sexual Abuse of a Victim Under 12 and three counts of 1st Degree Criminal Abuse of a Child Under 12. He was then booked at the McCracken County Jail.

There has been some confusion over the spelling of his last name, with the courts, police, and his social feeds having different spellings alternating between “Childers” and “Childres.” The Kentucky Court of Justice has his name spelled “Childres,” but his own signature and defense documents read “Childers.”

While Childers was initially marked as a “male” by both police and the jail, internal documents obtained by Reduxx reveal that his recorded sex was later switched to “female” by the McCracken County Jail.

Childers’ Facility Admission Report.

Court records show that just one month after being booked on the felony charges, Childers privately retained trans activist lawyer Madison LeachMadison Leach to represent him.

Leach, a male who began identifying as a “woman” seven years ago, was the first openly transgender candidate to seek public office in western Kentucky when he ran as a Democrat for the Calloway County attorney seat. Leach recently threatened to leave Kentucky over Senate Bill 150, which would make it optional for public school teachers to use a student’s preferred pronouns.

After some negotiation with the court, the motion was ultimately approved, and Childers’ bond was reduced from $100,000 to $5,000 surety. The bond conditions included no contact with children and to remain away from the daycare where he had been employed. Childers was released from custody in January of 2024.

On January 29, 2024, Childers struck an apparent deal with prosecutors. In exchange for a guilty plea, his charge of 1st Degree Sexual Abuse of a Victim Under 12 was amended to Class A Misdemeanor Sexual Misconduct, and the remaining abuse charges were dropped.

Judge Joseph Roark handed Childers a 12-month penalty, but withheld sentencing and imposed a conditional discharge for 6 months.

If Childers abides by the conditions set by the court during the 6-month period, he will not serve any prison time at all, and may not even receive a criminal record.