#time for eleanor to show her quality

[atsadi-shenanigans]

THE CHAPTER I AM WORKING ON.

😈😈😈

I have been waiting the ENTIRE FIC for this bitch, and now MY TIME HAS COME.

[mathildeaquisexta]

But seriously, what did the people of medieval times listen to?

Let's answer this post :

The short answer is : the things they listened to were FAR MUCH WORSE than anything in our Spotify playlists.

The long answer is :

In the 12th century, southern France knew an exceptional cultural and linguistic wealth. It is in medieval Occitanie that the fin'amor took roots and these stories of courtly love inspired a whole literature of archetypal romances between a queen and a knight, of an inferior rank, who surpasses himself to reach the object of his desires while knowing his romantic goal to be vain and inaccessible. These stories advocating qualities of respect, honour and chastity were very popular at the court of the county of Toulouse.

These love stories were sometimes in the form of poems and always sung by musicians who mastered the local language, the langue d'oc: the troubadours. Very influential in the local nobility, the troubadours were allowed to take certain liberties that in other courts, further north in the country, would be offensive: for example, they could sing a melody proclaiming their love for the queen.

The Occitan ballad "A l'entrada del temps clar" (meaning "at the beginning of the warm season") was written and sung during the 12th century, supposedly in honour of the late Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. It tells the story of a "queen of April" or "queen of spring" who leaves the king, deemed too old, and prefers him a handsome young man. The song tells that the queen organizes festivities and invites the whole kingdom to dance and eventually a night of general debauchery.

Now, to the actual lyrics:

A l'entrada del temps clar, eya Per jòia recomençar, eya E per jelós irritar, eya Vòl la regina mostrar Qu'el' es si amorosa

In English:

At the beginning of warm weather, indeed To bring back joy, indeed And to anger the jealous, indeed The queen wants to show That she's in love

Who are "the jealous" here? If we stick to the theory saying that the song is about Eleanor, it’s probably the king of France and his court, particularly pious and austere (so not a very conducive place for celebrations and festivities). They struggled to understand and accept the queen’s strong character and the southern Occitan education she had received.

Moving on.

Lo reis i ven d'autra part, eya Per la dança destorbar, eya Que el es en cremetar, eya Que òm no li vòlh emblar La regin' aurilhosa [...] Mais per nïent lo vòl far, eya Qu'ela n'a sonh de vielhart, eya Mais d'un leugièr bachalar, eya Qui ben sapcha solaçar La dòmna saborosa

In English:

Furthermore, the king is coming, indeed To put an end to the dance, indeed Because he is afraid, indeed That another man would steal from him The Queen of April […] But his efforts were in vain, indeed As she doesn’t care about an old man, indeed But rather for an ardent young man, indeed Who knows how to satisfy The savoury lady

Here, the king is openly mocked and ridiculed: he disturbs the festivities and refuses to join it, he is reduced to his old age and his inability to satisfy his wife and nobody cares for him, preferring his more handsome and entertaining rival.

Qui donc la vezés dançar, eya E son gent còrs deportar, eya Ben pògra dir de vertat, eya Qu'el mont non aja sa par La regina joiosa

In English:

Anyone who sees her dance, indeed And show off her beautiful body, indeed Can say without lying, indeed That there is no equal in this world To the merry queen

Here, praise is made on the beauty of the queen but especially the beauty of her body, in a rather licentious way. As said earlier, it is a privilege that only troubadours of Occitanie can indulge without fearing repercussions.

Nonetheless, the King is not the only person that can be subject to critics and mock in medieval times. No one is untouchable, including the church.

"Ai vist lo lop" (I saw the wolf) is a popular song from the 13th century, also of Occitan origin. Here, animals are used to represent real-life people: the wolf is the king, the fox is the churchman and the hare is the tax collector. These three representatives of power are accused of being responsible for the misery of the people.

Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard, la lèbre Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard dancar Totei tres fasiàn lo torn de l’aubre [...] Fasiàn lo torn dau boisson folhat

In English:

I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare I saw the wolf, the fox dancing All three went around the tree I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare All three went around the tree They went around the leafy bush

Seen like this, the lyrics sound rather cryptic. But the next lyrics are extremely explicit:

Aqui triman tota l'annada Pèr se ganhar quauquei soùs Rèn que dins una mesada Ai vist lo lop, lo rainard, la lèbre Nos i fotèm tot pel cuol Ai vist lo lèbre, lo rainard, lo lop

In English:

Here we slave away all year To earn a few pennies And in a month I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare We have it in the ass (meaning that we have nothing left) I saw the hare, the fox, the wolf

And then everything becomes clear. People work hard and the few coins they receive go directly into taxes, first those of the king, then of the church, and other unjust taxes that existed at the time. The wolf, fox and hare will then waste this money on useless parties ("All three went around the tree") and orgies between themselves ("They went around the leafy bush").

So yeah... They definitely can handle your Spotify playlist lol.

[prettyboysinmyheart]

You’re my home | hughes!sister x Ollie Bearman au

“To me, a home is no longer just a place; it's you, my love.”

Name: Saige Eleanor Hughes

Nicknames: sai, aggie, and gigi

Birthday: June 23th, 2005

Age: 18

Zodiac: Aries

Birthplace: Manchester, New Hampshire

Height: 5’0

College: Boston college (will be taking a gap year to travel the world)

Major: Early Education

Family: The youngest and only daughter of Ellen and Jim Hughes. The younger sister of Quinn, Jack, and Luke.

Likes: keeping herself busy, babysitting, traveling, reading, Jewelry, staying in, listening to music, hugs and shopping

Dislikes: being told what to do, crying, the dark, overthinking and her brothers

Fun facts about saige:

✰ Saige spends her summers working as a camp counselor.

✰ she’s very close to Quinn

✰ favorite snacks are pita chips, fruit snacks, little bites (the ones with chocolate chips and chewy bars

✰ Saige’s favorite music artist is Luke combs, Sabrina carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Dan + Shay and Ariana Grande

✰ is very much a mommy’s girl

✰ needs to have an iced coffee every morning to feel awake

✰ love language is acts of service, physical touch and quality time

✰ doesn’t like interacting with her brother’s friends unless they’re a friend of quinn

✰ likes to keep her friend group small

✰ Saige loves to travel around the world with her Mom

✰ meet Ollie during a random trip to the UK

✰ ended up literally bumping into him at a restaurant

✰ Saige loves showing up to Quinn’s game in head to toe canucks gear

✰ for Jack and Luke’s game the most she’ll do is wear a devils hat and shows no emotion when shown on the Jumbotron

I really want this to be an interactive AU! Feel free to send any questions, blurbs, or your thoughts. I would absolutely love that!

[natalie-goodmn]

Next to Normal round 3 thoughts:

there’s a lot of things I noticed this time that I didn’t before but that’s just bc as a Natalie stan I must be looking at her the whole time

- I never noticed Gabe throwing Dan’s keys in Just Another Day before that’s SO funny

- I also finally saw Diana kiss Henry, she really WENT FOR IT

- is it just me or does the Wyndhams need to turn up their mics?? Maybe it’s just that I need it In My Ear Canal but I’ve noticed the singing is a bit quiet (I also didn’t notice this in Oklahoma)

- I love Gabe holding the microphones to Natalie and Dan during their I’m Alive dialogue. He might be a demon with the spirit of a dead two year old but he’s sooo silly :D

(this is getting long so more under the cut)

- something something Natalie playing her fake keyboard with the band’s piano behind her, something acting and pretending like she’s a normal person with a normal family

- I just realised that Gabe AND Natalie licks up Diana’s leg. Diversity win

- the parallels of Gabe and Diana reaching out to each other in Im Alive vs Natalie reaching down to her in Wish I Were Here (and maybe Catch Me I’m Falling) i feel sick,,,

- Gabe holding Diana in I Am the One like Henry’s holding Natalie, welcome back Freudian Gabe

- also the head kiss parallel with Gabe in Just Another Day and before he’s about to leave in I Dreamed a Dance

- the blood is so visceral but a part of me misses the bway staging too where they just walk off slowly and as dr madden talks abt Diana’s attempt. It’s basically the same thing but the reveal felt slower idk

- also man every time I miss the donmar staging of the one tiny bit where Dan’s going “Is this helping or? Di?” as Diana just walks off and back to the therapy chair. Idk it just felt like dissociation better to me, but I do like Ominous Circle Of Thinking

- I also love love love how they play the “I love you as much as I can” in this. They play it like a failed charm roll, and you really get everyone’s frustration and that she’s trying hard

- and then in Maybe when you see that Diana actually knows Natalie deeply bc she’s like her,,, hold on. Similarly, I love how the first person Natalie hugs in act two (I think?) is Diana instead of Henry. Me when the real story is between a mother and daughter (mamma Mia who)

- Diana rolling her eyes and mouthing ‘oh my fucking-‘ to Dan going “can you tell me what it is you’re afraid of” is maybe the best representation of anxiety and I’m not even kidding, MOOD Diana

- god I know it’s been in all the productions but I love how much agency Diana has, you rarely see it with mentally ill characters but she’s so funny and knows what she wants and I love her

- everyone’s said it, everyone knows it but JACK WOLFE god he’s amazing every time

- I’ve thought this both times, is it just me or when Gabe is silhouetted (I think with the music box) is his neck like inhumanly thin??? Like genuinely asking, I don’t think that’s Jack’s neck?? Is it?? Am I just misunderstanding human anatomy when someone wears a hoodie

- I’ve said it before but I Am the One reprise is one of the best scenes in musical theatre and it should end there. I’m a Light hater SORRY, I like the message a lot but it’s always felt like a studio note or something where they’ve been told that it has to be uplifting at the end or it’ll do badly and make everyone sad

- natalie,,, covering her ears and her big headphones. Autism. Also really love Eleanor’s portrayal of her anxiety. Instead of Jen’s anger, she has a hamster like anxiety quality to her (complimentary)

- also I swear I see no one talk about it WHEN GABE TOUCHED NATALIE’S HAND??? AND SHE NOTICES SOMETHING??? That’s new for this production right?? Theories???

- Natalie starting to tidy up Gabe’s toys,,, she’s breaking the cycle,, she’s the hope. And playing with them with Henry and showing him the bunny toy 😭

- I’ll say it. The “you’re like number one on my list of problems” doesn’t work that well if you don’t have Jen and Adam’s sarcasm. Too earnest. Banned.

- I’ve said a lot abt this Henry but I actually like this act 2! He plays him v desperate and anxious which I don’t think Adam does, it shows the stakes for act two. Also his arc UGH. From being a Dan parallel where he’s saying he’ll be perfect for her and that he wants who he knew and that he’ll stay anyway because he made a promise to,,, the dance and saying that he’ll stay bc he loves her and he doesn’t care if she goes crazy

- Also I think Natalie mouths ‘help me’ as she stops Henry from walking off in A Promise owwww

- also Henry apologising to the pianist after the recital (I think?) and picking up Natalie’s bag from the club 😭

[fideidefenswhore]

"By comparison with numerous ‘workshop’ versions, this rediscovered print from an apparently lost portrait of Anne Boleyn has every appearance of an authentic likeness, with its claim to represent Anne supported by Sir Roy Strong’s Tudor and Jacobean iconography and Eric Ives’s work in establishing a link between the portrait style and the gold and enamel image in the ‘Queen Elizabeth’s ring’, currently held by the Trustees of Chequers. Two copies of the print have so far emerged – one revealing the inscription near the top: ANNA BOLINA UXOR HVIII, perhaps added at a later date, and the other, of lesser quality, showing a little more of the shadowed background to the portrait and of the sitter’s wide black sleeves. It would not appear that the portrait is by Holbein. But in style and pose it does correspond closely to other contemporary female paintings by the German artist, Joos van Cleve, particularly his 1530 portrait of Eleanor, Queen of France (below).

[...] It is further significant that its sitter’s features, unlike those of other ‘workshop’ copies, bear close comparison with the Holbein ‘Anne Boleyn’ drawing in the British Museum, which has been and is still disputed as a likeness. With the ‘Van Cleve’ portrait reversed and the two images set side by side, the lines of forehead, cheek and chin appear virtually identical. The long, narrow jawline – also evident in portraits of Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth, and of her Howard and Carey relatives – is accentuated in the painting by the (invisibly narrow) ribbon which holds the French crépine head-dress in place. The shapes of the nose, mouth and brows, a little flattered in the painting, are essentially similar; while something indefinable in the expression of the dark eyes establishes a common likeness.

Moreover, there are good reasons for supposing that Van Cleve had the opportunity to paint Anne Boleyn in 1532. His well attested portrait of Henry VIII has been dated for the early 1530s and it has been suggested that Van Cleve came to England for the commission. According to the Royal Collection Trust, this portrait ‘may have been painted to commemorate his visit to Calais in 1532’. In fact, it is more likely that the King sat for the artist in Calais or Boulogne during the visit itself; and it follows that a portrait of Anne Boleyn by Van Cleve could also have been undertaken while she was there with him. It is known that Van Cleve was summoned to work at the French court by François I in the early 1530s, and the 32 days Henry and Anne spent in France in the autumn of 1532 would have allowed ample time for preliminary sketches, if not for completed portraits. The question of how a portrait of Anne Boleyn, sketched in 1532 and perhaps completed in time for her coronation in 1533, survived her disgrace and death in 1536, when other images of her were deliberately destroyed, might be explained by the fact that artists were frequently required to undertake multiple versions of royal portraits. Van Cleve was known for his ‘impressive studio organisation and collaboration’, and at least two versions of his portrait of Eleanor of France survive, wearing different costumes and jewellery. There are also two copies of Henry VIII’s portrait by Van Cleve, both of good quality, in the Royal Collection and that of Burghley House. If Anne Boleyn did sit for Van Cleve in Calais, one would expect official versions of the portrait to feature jewellery obtained for her from Katherine of Aragon in time for the French visit; (e.g. the jewelled cross with pendant pearl in Katherine’s miniature by Lucas Horenbout, and worn successively by Anne in her portrait medal of 1534, Queen Jane in the Whitehall Mural and by Catherine Parr in another Horenbout miniature.) Moreover, if the one surviving original portrait of Anne features a symbolically initialled ‘B’ pendant – with B being for Boleyn, rather than A for Anne – it was very possibly ordered by her father, Thomas Boleyn, for his portrait gallery at Hever, where a later copy hangs today. In similar circumstances, Edward Seymour commissioned his own portrait of his sister Jane. Nor is it hard to imagine a plausible chain of ownership for such a survival – from Thomas Boleyn’s death in 1539 – through Anna of Cleves, who gained Hever Castle and its contents as a part of her divorce settlement in 1541 – to her executor, Henry Fitzalan, who had charge of her effects on Anna’s death in 1557 – to his son-in-law, John, Baron Lumley, who inherited Fitzalan’s paintings in 1580 and included a likeness of Anne Boleyn in his inventory of 1590. It is known that Anna of Cleves personally occupied Hever Castle and would have been familiar with its paintings. If she had decided to sell a portrait of her disgraced predecessor by her countryman, Van Cleve – as a notable art collector, her friend Henry Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel would have been an obvious buyer. Alternatively, if she’d left the painting for his disposal as her executor, he’d surely have taken the opportunity to acquire it, having known Anne Boleyn personally and accompanied her to Calais in 1532. On Henry Fitzalan’s death, his art collection was merged with that of his son-in-law and heir, John, Baron Lumley, which a decade later certainly did include a portrait of Anne Boleyn. The fact that the portrait in the Lumley Inventory of 1590 is described as ‘full-length’ would not have made it unusual (Queens Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr were both painted full-length) or incompatible with other commissions for Joos van Cleve’s studio. We now know that the Lumley portrait was cut down at a later date; and if the rediscovered head-and-shoulders print is amalgamated with another three-quarter-length female portrait by Van Cleve (as below), some idea can be gained of how such a painting might originally have appeared."

[all-eyes-lead-to-the-truth]

All Eyes Lead to the Truth | Small Potatoes (4x20)

“Well, what do you want to talk about?” she asked, swirling her wine around in her glass.

Usually, when he did this, Eddie had to tread delicately on a path someone else had already laid before him. Sometimes it was a Herculean task to get to learn little details about the women he was pursuing because it would be stuff their husbands would never ask. 

But this was different. 

It didn’t take him long to realize he’d initially misread the situation when he saw them at the clinic. Based on the look Dana Scully shot him when he tried to hold her hand at the airport, he knew he was navigating territory Fox Mulder had yet to conquer.

It didn’t make any sense to him. Such a good-looking guy, an agent of the Federal Beurow of Investigation, couldn’t get with his hot, nerdy partner? When he was watching them earlier, they seemed so into each other, like they were two people living in their own little world. It was something he usually only saw with couples in love.

“Earlier, you uh- you said you’d be Eleanor Roosevelt if you could be someone else for a day. Why her?” 

“I thought you said it couldn’t be a dead person,” she teased, giving him a pointed look.

He shot her a soft smile. “I want to hear why you chose her though.”

That wasn’t even a lie, he really did. Eddie saw through the window the way Mulder’s face contorted into something akin to revulsion when she answered, presumably in response to the First Lady’s appearance. It was the same expression Amanda had when she talked about him. Yet Dana didn't seem to judge a book by its cover.

“Well,” she started, taking a deep breath. “I think she’s an admirable woman. She has a lot of beautiful qualities that I would love to embody.”

“She continued her husband’s work after he fell ill right? Motivated him to keep going when no one else would, even going so far as to take on some of the load herself despite the criticism she received?” For the first time, he was grateful one of the women from the clinic loved watching the History Channel.

She nodded, seemingly pleased. “They were a great team.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you already embody a lot of the First Lady’s admirable qualities.”

She looked caught off guard by the compliment, but recovered quickly, a dusting of color on her cheeks the only giveaway that his assessment had an effect on her.

“You never answered your own question,” she stated into the hollow round of her wine glass.

“Hmm?”

“Who would you be?”

A small exhale of laughter escaped through his nose before he could catch himself and it didn’t go unnoticed. “What?” she pried.

Eddie raised the glass to his lips and pretended to take a sip to buy time. Who wouldn’t he rather be? He wanted to be someone who was funny, someone smart, someone who was loved — but at the end of the day, he truly did want to be Eddie Van Blundht. He just wished other people would want that too.

Sure, he wasn’t attractive in the conventional sense and maybe he didn’t have a fancy job working at the Federal Beureaw of Investigation, but he wasn’t all bad.

Setting the glass back down, he remembered something he’d seen in Mulder’s apartment and it seemed as good of an answer as any. 

“Elvis,” he answered.

“Elvis?” she deadpanned, her amusement showing itself in a slight grin.

“Have you heard the voice on that man? And his moves?”

“I would just like to state for the record that you also chose a dead person,” she remarked.

He shrugged in mock surrender. “My love for the King goes beyond the grave. But what about you? What type of music are you into?”

“Oh, um,” she paused, contemplating her answer. “I’ve always been a fan of R&B. Dennis Edwards, Stevie Wonder, Al Wilson–”

“What about Al Green?”

“Of course,” she replied with an earnest grin. “I have all his albums.”

“You should put them on!” he encouraged.

“Now?”

“Why not?” he countered, pleased when she nodded her head in acquiescence and got up.

His eyes trailed over her form as she walked across the room and he felt the familiar coil of arousal twist in his gut. This was probably the most beautiful woman he’d spoken to in a long time, and he wanted this to go well.

While she was preoccupied, Eddie took the opportunity and leaned over to top up her wine, pretending to do the same to his untouched glass. It’s not that he wanted the women to be drunk by the time he made a move, he just found that it helped blur the lines between how they expected their husbands to be and what he would do for them. They were less likely to question why their husband's kiss felt different or why he was trying something new. It was just better this way.

He grimaced as droplets of wine fell onto the papers scattering the coffee table, and he looked back to make sure she was still preoccupied before snagging a couple of tissues and blotting the liquid. 

His attention was drawn to a legal pad sitting amongst the papers. In delicate, feminine scrawl, he made out the words “Doctor Appointment - Thursday at 8:30.” His confusion only deepened when he leaned over to throw the tissues in the waste bin and saw a few others stained a different shade of red. She didn’t look sick, but then again he knew better than anyone looks could be deceiving.

He quickly moved back into place when Al Green’s voice filled the room. “I haven’t played music like this in so long,” she admitted, walking back to him with a shy expression.

Suddenly he realized this might be easier than he thought. Maybe she needed this as much as he did.

Read the rest of All Eyes Lead to the Truth on Archive of Our Own!

@gaycrouton

[angevinyaoiz]

The Devil’s Crown (1978)

Not news to anyone who follows me lol, but for the folks who are now doing their seasonal The Lion in Winter watching and going “Wow I’m getting some real Succession Vibes from this weirdo family” Are you all aware that there is, indeed, a miniseries about the Plantagenets where Brian Cox indeed plays Henry II and does his own take on the famous bombastic patriarch dealing with Heir Drama…in 1978…

He’s so toxic and unhinged with lots of artistic license of course but there’s a lot of cool details from various texts included into his characterization, which I love. I especially appreciate the approach to stuff oike the Thomas Becket drama, which places it more in the historical context while still keeping in line with the homoerotic precedent. Jane Lapotaire’s Eleanor is brilliant too, and it’s great to see her as kind of the center of the story as it covers and develops over several years.

It’s available (in french) on Madelen but not really available officially on english platforms which is a shame, but you can find uploads various places if you dig around (or u can ask me… hehe)

The “style” of the show is very artistic and stylized stage-play esque, lots of not hiding the Artifice of the costumes and set, kind of in the vein of I, Claudius but kind of inspired by medieval manuscripts. Which isn’t everyone’s thing but i personally ADORE. A lot to nerd out about!

Also the toxic Dadson (x3) in it is unreal. As one of the only adaptions ever (besides Becket i think? And that one Dan Jones Goofy documentary with the reenactors) To feature Henry the Young King as a major character, they incorporate that kind of weird political/personal emotional dependency that ends up being a huge instigator of the conflict. they even do the cute dadson bed sharing at Chinon…(right before the BETRAYAL)

Anyways, I always feel like I should share… it’s tough for what’s practically a lost media bc its literally only in this Potato Quality, but for me the design and the strength of the actors and loving attention to lots of detail in the decisions made visually and storywise makes it really special to me, it’s just really neat to see! I love TLIW, but it’s also cool to see the longer version of the “story” of these figures and how it develops and changes over time, and also explores I think some of the more abuse and relational consequences over the years. It is a bit dated in its historical positions at times, like any media, but it holds together as a story well. Very strange show, very made with love, very problematically gay (for real)and incestuous (as we like it). Highly recommended to people who want a medieval experience that is both colorful and strange but also familiar…

[sailorgoon13]

Aurora Wilder

Basics:

Full Name: Aurora Wilder

Nickname: Rory

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: 22 September, 1873

Heritage: English

Blood Status: Pure Blood

Wand: Vine wood, Unicorn hair, 10 3/4", Flexible

Appearance:

Hair Color: Chestnut Brown

Eye Color: Bright blue with a ring of dark blue around her pupil

Skin Tone: Light olive

Height: 5'2"

Body Type: Petite. Slender

Style: Whimsical, Eclectic Earthy

Features: Soft freckles across her nose and cheeks, Expressive eyes, Messy curls, Kind smile, Wildflowers in her hair

Personality:

Traits: Intelligence, Curiosity, Compassion, Adventurous

Likes: Stargazing, Potions, Exploring, Quiet moments, Creating

Dislikes: Conflict, Injustice, Feeling Powerless, Loud and crowded spaces

Hobbies: Brewing potions, Gardening, Stargazing, Reading, Painting or Sculpting

Fears: Rejection, Not being enough, Loneliness

Family and Friends:

Father: Alexander Wilder

Respected wizard from an old and esteemed pure-blooded wizarding family.

Works as a magical historian, specializing in ancient magical artifacts and lost magical practices

Mother: Elenor Wilder

Known for her grace, intelligence, and strong sense of tradition.

Specializes in potion-making and has a keen interest in magical plants.

Friends: Has more 'acquaintances' than friends

Magic:

Special Abilities: Can wield an ancient form of magic

Boggart: Victor Rookwood

Patronus: Rabbit

Polyjuice: Soft, earthy hue with subtle flecks of green or brown swirling within. Herbal flavor with hints of chamomile and mint, would be slightly sweet, like honey. Silky texture, airy quality, almost like a mist or a gentle breeze.

Amortentia: Fresh rain, freshly cut herbs like basil and thyme, lavender and jasmine.

Backstory:

Rory Wilder's upbringing was a blend of magic, history, and natural wonder. As the only child of Eleanor and Alexander Wilder, she grew up surrounded by the enchanting world of wizardry and the beauty of the natural realm. From a young age, Rory showed a remarkable aptitude for potion-making and Herbology, skills she inherited from her mother, Eleanor, who was a talented witch with a deep knowledge of magical plants and their properties.

Eleanor spent countless hours with Rory in the family's greenhouse, teaching her daughter the art of potion-making and the secrets of herblore. Together, they brewed potions, tended to exotic plants, and explored the magical properties of various botanical specimens. Rory absorbed every lesson with eager enthusiasm, her curiosity and imagination ignited by her mother's guidance.

Meanwhile, Alexander, Rory's father, regaled her with tales of wizarding history and legend. He shared stories of brave witches and wizards who had shaped the course of magical history, inspiring Rory with tales of adventure and heroism. These stories sparked Rory's imagination and instilled in her a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of wizarding lore.

Despite the magical wonders of her upbringing, Rory often felt isolated and lonely. As an only child, she lacked siblings to share her adventures with, and her quirky and whimsical nature made it difficult for her to connect with her peers. She found solace in the natural world, spending hours wandering through the Forbidden Forest, collecting ingredients for potions, befriending magical creatures, and weaving flower crowns from the wild blooms she found along the way.

Rory's aversion to loud, crowded spaces and her need for solitude sometimes puzzled her classmates. She preferred to spend her free time exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of Hogwarts Castle, seeking out secluded spots where she could immerse herself in the tranquility of nature or simply curl up for a peaceful nap. Her unconventional habits and eccentricities earned her a reputation as the "quirky loner" among her peers, but Rory remained steadfast in her convictions, embracing her individuality with unwavering stubbornness.

Life at Hogwarts opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Rory, far beyond the sheltered confines of her childhood home. The challenges she faced and the adventures she embarked upon were unlike anything she had ever experienced before, pushing her to grow and evolve in ways she never imagined possible. With each passing day, Rory's love for magic, nature, and discovery only deepened, propelling her towards new heights of knowledge and understanding in the captivating world of witchcraft and wizardry.

Academics:

Best Subject: Potions

Favorite Subject: Astronomy

Favorite Professor: Garelick

Worst Subject: Runes

Least Favorite Subject: Transfiguration

Least Favorite Professor: Sharp

Student Life:

Dedicated and studious Ravenclaw

Her wanderlust leads her on countless adventures throughout Hogwarts and its surrounding grounds.

Her quirky and whimsical nature adds a touch of eccentricity to Hogwarts.

Can often be found atop the Astronomy Tower, gazing up at the stars and pondering the mysteries of the universe.

Template: @hazyange1s

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 1

Betty Hutton (1921-2007): Incendiary Blonde (1945) - Texas Guinan | The Stork Club (1945) - Judy Peabody | Red Hot and Blue (1949) - Eleanor Collier | Annie Get Your Gun (1950) - Annie Oakley | Let's Dance (1950) - Kitty McNeil

"She's literally Annie Oakley! Anything you can do she can do better! We love a diva who brings energy and comedy along with her singing and dancing chops." - anonymous

Vera-Ellen (1921-1981): On the Town (1949) - Ivy Smith | White Christmas (1954) - Judy Haynes | Call Me Madam (1953) - Princess Maria

"She’s so PRETTY and CAT-LIKE this little pixie FELINE QUALITY she is so tiny but her dancing is BIG" - anonymous

This is Round 1 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround1, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Betty Hutton:

Vera-Ellen:

"Not her most impressive number [video below] of all time, but I think it's very charming and shows off her tap and singing skills as well!" - anonymous

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous | Photos submitted by: @funnygirlthatbelle

[bonearenaofmyskull]

Hey! Curious if you're currently into any great shows. If so, mind sharing your recommendations? Always on the lookout for some good TV suggestions!

I imagine you've seen everything I have. I spend more time gaming. Not into anything great at the moment, but I can dig deep and see if I can remember what shows I've watched since Hannibal aired and give my opinions. I binge TV series with my mom who is in her 80's and has Parkinson's and macular degeneration and can't really do activities or read anymore, so I rewatched some old ones with her here largely to torture her with them, so they'll be in here also.

S-Tier (Winners)

My Brilliant Friend. Probably the best thing I've watched since Hannibal. If S4 is out I haven't seen it yet, no spoilers.

Better Call Saul. Possibly tied with My Beautiful Friend. Better than Breaking Bad. Much better ending. So good, no complaints. Nailed the ending. Did I mention the ending?

A-Tier (Runners-up)

Black Sails: God, there were some parts of this that were so gratuitous and tedious, especially early on, and I hated Eleanor Guthrie and not in the kind of way that means good things for a show. Some of the dialogue was just really on the nose too. This sounds like a lot of complaints, but the things it did well, it did SO WELL that it really does make up for the negatives. The acting was sooooo good and the Flint and Silver dynamic was AMAZING and the show looked great, and over all that, it really had something thoughtful to say, and that stays with you when it's over.

Stranger Things: Some parts of this show hit better than others, but I'm squarely in the bullseye of the target audience and get the vast majority of the references and nostalgia, and I love David Harbour. I appreciate their exploration of various types of horror, attempting a new style each season, and I like the charm and humor and cheese, and it's a show that knows its voice and its tone and commits fully to those things. It's trying to be a fun show and it is, and it wants to deal with real fears and real grief, and it does.

The Handmaid's Tale: Speaking of shows that are committed to their tone, this one definitely is that. It's too heavy and relentless for most people, I think, but I don't mind that at all. Parts of it do drag, but it has a lot of the same qualities (for good or bad) as Black Sails: great acting, powerful character dynamics, the things that it does well it does so well it makes up for the shortcomings, imo.

Breaking Bad: Famous show, not much to say here. Rewatched it recently and don't think it's as good as Better Call Saul, so I put it here.

B-Tier (Can't complain but will anyway)

Good Omens: Can't get into it, can't find anything particularly wrong with it. I'm into the ship. I guffaw out loud while watching it yet am thoroughly bored most of the time. Love Michael Sheen and David Tennant on screen together. I know the show can't be that all the time but I wish it was. Aziraphale ftw. I feel like people missed the point of the ending of the last season.

Mad Men: Show could give Seinfeld a run for its money in terms of being about nothing, but definitely had its charm. Watched it with my mom so her nostalgia and appreciation for how historically authentic it felt went a long way. Good performances. God, it could be boring sometimes though.

Vikings: This one was a lot like Black Sails for me. They had a bit of a struggle for a season or two but once going, they really got going. Many great acting performances and characters. Loved Ecbert and Ivar especially. Didn't have Toby Stephens and Luke Arnold, so you know...can't quite make that tier. And didn't have as much to say, or didn't say it as well, and it doesn't stay with you.

C-Tier (Can complain and will, but were good enough to stick with)

LOST

The X-Files

His Dark Materials

Downton Abbey

BBC Sherlock

Game of Thrones (I think most people have misdiagnosed this show's problems, but it sure did have them)

D-Tier (Tried but could NOT, though many people will like these...they were just Not For Me)

Bridgerton

Dark

The Good Place

The Gilded Age

Outlander

The Crown

Outer Range (what even the fuck with this show)

I tried to think of more shows I've watched in this time, but this about sums it up. But here are a couple YouTube channels I really like:

Beau of the Fifth Column

Bistro Huddy

[generic-whumperz]

OC in 3

Choose 3 pics to represent your OC

Oops, I got overly excited and made 10 three-picture collages

Omg thank you @mj-iza-writer for the tag! I am honored that I came to mind! 🥹

No pressure (& open to anyone interested!) tag: @rainydaywhump @eatyourdamnpears @clairelsonao3 @dresden-syndrome @lights-out-knives-out @snakebites-and-ink

| Aid Masterlist | Aid Character Sheet | Character Info

Soooo, I know I’m supposed only to pick three pics, but honestly, I simply cannot (I know, no surprise there). I have been wanting to do a vibe photo dump for The Aid (the Whumpee & title of the story) but have yet to do it (hello, my ever-expanding Pinterest boards), so I’ll take this chance to explore The Aid’s past phases he’s gone through (pre & post-Wyatt {Whumper #2}) and give some explanations because it’s a lot. However, I don’t know if explanations are necessary for this tag game, but I’m famously too much, so of course, I’m going to over-explain myself because of my crippling fear of being misunderstood!

Ironically, I call his time with Madame Eleanor (technical Whumper #1) his “Aid Era” because that’s when he becomes this character we are introduced to and currently know him as. Yet, this is the part of his life he is phasing out of. **Insert something-something about being haunted by your past.**

(In the current storyline, he is going through a succession of more changes, and his world is about to be turned upside down yet again, but I’ll hold off on showing those for now because they’re spoilers, and I have more than enough here!)

Starting from the top, here we goooo—

P.S. The people in these pics are not what the characters look like, this is simply vibes only!

Day 1

1. As soon as The Aid arrives at his new home, Madame Eleanor gets custom-made Gucci uniforms made for him that looks like this. This is his go-to everyday attire. (I spent too long looking at scrubs and hospitality uniforms on and off for over a month—tell me you like it and think it’s cool and sleek.)

2. He has a special built-in in his closet specifically for all his fancy, jewel-encrusted collars Madame Eleanor gifted him throughout the years, but this is what the facility's standard-issue collar looks like for his designation (Grand Servant: Domestic Aid).

3. His favorite Prada frames Madame Eleanor got him. (Wyatt later breaks them because he’s an asshole, leaving him straight up blind for several months).

Fancy Threads

Eleanor Sullivan was a Rich Bitch™️, so best believe she had her servant dressed to the 9s in designer fits when out and about or for Family events and the like. She may also put him in a butler uniform from time to time when they were hosting a party at their residence—which was often, Eleanor was known for her soirées. (To clarify, he’d still wear a collar even when dressed up, and all those attending knew who and what he was.)

The Host

He loved a good party just as much as Eleanor did! He likes serving and seeing people have fun and enjoy themselves (people-pleasing empath). He was known for his food displays and had a knack for creating a proper afternoon tea spread that garnered attention from all those present.

Speaking of Empath…

We can’t talk about him without bringing up his not-so-secret secret! Lil’ homie has a gang of abilities (telepathic empathy, hyper intuition, premonitions, and psychometry) just bubbling up inside him at all times. His relationship with himself and his sixth senses is complicated, to say the least—he finds them burdensome, yet he cannot function without them, despite how much he argues otherwise. It’s a whole thing, but for a certified Telepathic-Empath™️, he sure is dead inside (which only gets worse after Wyatt OFC).

*Sorry for the shitty upload quality of the Emotional Sponge, idk why it looks so bad!

Domestic Duties

Not only can he slap together the best charcuterie board you’ve ever seen and easily untangle Christmas lights, but he’s also a man who can cook, clean, and keep a house. What can’t he do?

Hobbies? Interests?

Don’t be ridiculous, he didn’t have time for leisure activities! But when he had some occasional downtime, he would spend an ungodly amount of it doing facials and grooming himself. He also loved to go to the spa with Madame Eleanor. As far as reading went, he wasn’t into novels, but he would occasionally peruse short-story myths and legends, old fables, or read picture books in funny voices to Eleanor’s grandchildren. Primarily, he’d like to read trashy magazines, comics, and cookbooks. But let’s be real, he considered cleaning, gossiping, and baking his primary hobbies.

RIP Madame Eleanor Sullivan

(She’s been dead for about a year and a half when they story picks up)

First and foremost—above everything else���The Aid was Eleanor Sullivan’s literal live-in medically trained caregiver, which is why she bought him in the first place. They had a very close relationship for five years, and he did everything for her. When she died, his world was shattered, and he took her death really hard. Wyatt was jealous of his Mother’s relationship with her servant from day one, which is where part of his animosity comes from. Quick note—Eleanor was a posh, vintage-Chanel-wearing Grandma and would never be caught dead wearing a bathrobe outside. Eleanor was Queen of being That Bitch.

Enter: Wyatt Sullivan

These pics are pretty tame all things considered, but after Eleanor’s death, The Aid is now in a World O’ Hurt and the subject of Wyatt’s drug-and-alcohol-fueled rage. The Aid went from a high-class servant loved by his Madame and respected by her friends, associates, and family (besides Wyatt) to a human punching bag overnight. The beef between these two runs deep and maybe Eleanor isn’t as innocent as she seems. Stick around and you’ll find out all the Sullivan family tea.

To: Wyatt

Just some memes directed towards Wyatt and The Aid being painfully aware of his shitty situation (I got too many of these and had to sprinkle some in).

Where We’re at Now…

Quite the fall from grace, wouldn’t you say? Our boy is currently bed-ridden and zombified while having the worst time imaginable. He’s drugged up, fucked up, and can’t move half of his body!

*This took me an embarrassing amount of time to assemble, but I went the extra mile because this doubles as a reference guide.

[flaretheidiot]

Y’know what? Screw it, I’mma finally post art here.

Here’s a line up of all my RTC + Legoland kid designs!!

I love them all dearly. Tall Penny/Jane, my beloved.

Headcanons under the cut!

Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg

-She/her

-Demisexual Omniromantic (female preference)

-Undiagnosed Autism + ADHD

-Constantly stims (her lil dances)

-Picks at skin or chews on nails when anxious

-Sleeps over at Constance’s so often that she has her own toothbrush there

-Learned social cues from reality TV

-Love-hate besties with Noel

-Sibling dynamic with Mischa

-Her parents legitimately suck I’m sorry

-Started eating lunch in the choir room with Constance and Ricky after almost biting Tammy in the cafeteria close to the events of Legoland

-No filter, says everything she thinks without realising if it might be rude

-(If all brought back) Is genuinely trying to be a better person, with the choirs’ help

-Love language is physical touch and words of affirmation

-Infodumps

Noel Gruber

-He/him

-Gay (canon)

-Autistic

-New Wave Cinema is his special interest

-Food problems (texture, taste, ect) make him rather picky

-Despises the smell of taco meat, but Taco Bell was the only place that hired him

-High metabolism

-Dad left Uranium after divorcing his mom when he was 5

-HARD pining for Mischa

-Writes nihilistic love poems in his free time (shows them to Mischa, Ezra and very occasionally Constance)

-Great at reading and using body language, but can exaggerate his facial expressions

-Has one very pampered ragdoll cat named Lola, whom Penny has practically fallen in love with

-Had a gut feeling/desire for Talia to be a catfish, and was low-key terrified for his life when he actually met her

-Started eating in the choir room soon after Ocean and Constance when a bully shoved his face into a plate of gooey mashed potatoes and triggered a meltdown

-Love language is quality time, words of affirmation and physical touch

-Loves physical pressure, owns a weighted blanket (sometimes uses Mischa tho)

Mischa Bachinski

-He/him (Trans man)

-Bisexual

-Dyscalculia

-Physically strongest of the kids (Jane/Penny is, surprisingly, a close second)

-Struggles with keeping his weight consistent

-His foster parents are pretty rich since their family owned the mines before they shut down, but they don’t share the wealth with him

-Will wear his binder for way too long if left unchecked

-Stealth, only Constance knew he was trans pre-accident

-Can get VERY dysphoric on his period

-Never brushes his hair

-Security guard at the mall’s movie theatre

-Regular at Blackwood Café

-The only choir member with his own car, carpools with Noel to the mall

-Is a lovesick puppy for Talia, but developing a thing for Noel (my man has two hands)

-He and Talia are a T4T couple

-Began eating in the choir room as soon as he found out that the others were

-Unspoken kinship with Ricky pre-accident, and low-key besties with Constance

-Does his own filming/editing for his YT music videos, though Talia sometimes helps polish things up

-(If they’re all brought back) he and the rest of the choir make music videos for all of their songs and post them to his YT channel, and they get pretty popular though a lot of people hate on Ocean for her song and Penny had to keep her face hidden because of her reputation

-Love language is words of affirmation and gift giving

Constance Eleanor Blackwood

-She/they (Trans Demigirl)

-Pansexual

-Autistic

-Gets very caught up in what others think of her

-Almost photographic memory

-Is the mom friend

-Has had to physically hold Ocean back from clawing Tammy’s hair out multiple times

-Transitioned at so young that almost everyone forgets that she’s trans, even Ocean or her own parents (the carney was okay with it, to her relief, but still a dick)

-The best baker of the kids, sometimes works as a waitress at the Blackwood Café in her free time

-They and her family live in an apartment above the café

-Has three younger brothers, two being twins at 6, and her baby brother being 2

-Sometimes babies Ezra out of habit

-Allowed to drive their parents’ minivan

-Played soccer as a kid, but quit

-Love language is gift giving and acts of service

-Penguin pebbles

Ricky Potts

-He/she/they (Transmasc Genderfluid)

-Bisexual

-ADHD + Autism

-Uses a Text-To-Speech app on his phone to communicate

-Mental echolalia

-Still needs crutches in the afterlife, but can move around more without getting worn out and has more strength to lift themself up

-He and Jane/Penny are platonic soulmates

-Read Warrior Cats as a kid

-Has seen CATS the Musical

-Savannah was her deadname, but he still liked it as a name and decided to save it for a character

-Has made characters based on all the other kids, usually with permission with the exception of Tammy, who he made into a villain

-Bonds with Ezra over their love for wrestling and shared creativity, occasionally joins in with his puppet shows

-Was the first to start eating in the choir room since she kept getting unintentionally pushed around in the cafeteria

-Love language is quality time and acts of service

-Infodumps and parallel plays

Jane Doe

-She/they/it/doll (Nonbinary)

-Lesbian

-Bipolar Disorder + Autism

-Struggles with tone, body language and forming connections

-Once asked if she could call Karnak “Dad” (he didn’t respond)

-Very similar to Penny, but more doll like in mannerisms

-Has brief memory sparks of important things in her life, but can’t recall details (remembered that they had a brother in TBOJD, its love for animals during her catchphrase, ect)

-Love language is physical touch, quality time and acts of service

-Penguin pebbles and parallel plays

Penny Lamb

-She/they/it (Nonbinary)

-Lesbian (in denial, Johnny was comphet x100)

-Bipolar Disorder (canon) + Autistic

-Also struggles with tone, body language and connections

-Easily overwhelmed by loud noises and flashing lights

-Semi-verbal, Ricky taught her how to use TTS on them and Ezra’s shared cellphone

-Writes 7UP what-ifs with Tammy

-(If all brought back) stole Virgil from the fair and keeps him in a nice big cage in their dorm after thoroughly researching rat care

-Ezra bought the doll (Dolly) for her with leftover drug money after they finished community service and it became a comfort item

-Likes to count Ocean, Ricky, Constance and/or Tammy’s freckles

-Was the first to die in the accident, having stood up in a panic while the rollercoaster was flying through the air because Dolly flew out of their hands and getting her head caught on some overhead track

-Had a HUGE growth spurt during puberty, was 6’0 during the events of Legoland

-(If all brought back) the others invited her to eat in the choir room with them after seeing it getting bullied on her way to the cafeteria

-Love language is physical touch, quality time and acts of service

-Penguin pebbles, parallel plays and infodumps

Ezra Lamb

-He/they (Nonbinary)

-Aroace

-ADHD (canon)

-Late puberty

-St. Cassian sent the Lamb siblings two girl uniforms for whatever reason, and they used Ezra’s to custom make what he wears now

-Noel, Mischa and Ricky are like older brothers to him

-Verbal echolalia

-If Penny’s there, they are never far away

-Their monkey puppet is his comfort item

-Jumpscares

-No personal space

-Forced to hang out with Tammy due to her being Penny’s “best friend” and plays some twisted-ass pranks on her (he also briefly stole her car once, but didn’t get very far)

-Has given Ocean death threats

-Gets piggybacks from Penny all the time

-(If all brought back) eats with Penny and the others in the choir room, no one could stop him even if they tried

-Annoying little shit/aff

-Love language is acts of service and gift giving

Tammy Edwards

-She/her

-Lesbian (very much in denial, a lot of Catholic Guilt™️)

-Undiagnosed Autism, but is unaware (Penny and Constance have their suspicions)

-Wears braces

-Deeply in love with Penny, but even deeper in comphet

-Lowkey scared of Ezra, but tolerates him because they’re her best friend’s little brother

-Academic rivals with Ocean, will most likely throw hands if left in a room together for too long

-Cringe/aff

-Father is a pastor, mother is absent

-Was gifted her dad’s old convertible for her sixteenth birthday, but she doesn’t know how to drive yet (she has failed her driver’s test many-a-times)

-Her dad is close with Mischa’s foster parents, but she generally tries to avoid Mischa

-Doesn’t have cable TV, watched low-quality niche religious cartoons growing up

-Hates velcro with all of her being

-Stims with her hands

-Was babysitting Ezra at the fair while Penny hung with the choir, and witnessed the accident

-(If all brought back) Penny invited her to eat in the choir room with her and the others, and she accepted, much to Ocean’s dismay (they glared at each other the entire time, and the only reason they didn’t lunge at one another is because Penny was there)

-Love language is gift giving, quality time and words of affirmation

-Penguin pebbles

[dancingsunflowers-ocs]

🦔 + Eleanor? <3

Thank you so much @rose-of-oz!! 💕 Gonna tag @ginger-grimm, @ginevrastilinski-ocs and @manyfandomocs 💕

If they celebrate the holidays. What do they do if they celebrate? And what do they do if not?: Eleanor does celebrate the holidays. She and her mother go round various houses on the Isle of the Lost, to show appreciation and kindness by bringing them food, warm clothes and hot drinks, whilst most villains and their children probably wouldn't appreciate the kindness or say thank you. The very few that did deeply admire the thought and effort Eleanor and her mother, the Enchantress, do for people.

If they died today and turned into a ghost, what would they do in the afterlife? Haunt their loved ones? Waste away?: If Eleanor died and turned into a ghost, she wouldn't haunt her loved ones or waste away, but she would find the afterlife quite fascinating, and she would go and see how certain things work, starting off with moving various random objects in the room, to see if anyone noticed those little changes.

Their favorite sitcom?: New Girl.

Their favorite Drama movie?: La La Land (2016).

Their current hyperfixation?: Reading self-help books.

Their favorite dish from when they were a child?: Eleanor's favorite dish would be the vegetable soup her mother used to make her when she was ill. Her mother would finely blend the vegetables together using her magic, with just a touch of seasoning with various spices and herbs, and a hint of garlic.

How they accesoirize: Eleanor isn't really one to accessorize, and is seen as one of the plainer girls out of the villain kids, but she will occasionally wear a hairband or a gold hairpiece in her hair when she goes to a party or a fancy event.

If they cry easily: Eleanor is quite an emotional person, and she would give you a look that would kill you, if anyone knew this. If someone would ask her "what's the matter?" she would just roll her eyes and reply: "Nothing, just hay fever".

What makes them feel secure: Kindness - she thinks that the qualities of being friendly, generous, and considerate go very well in her good books, and she really feels better every time she does an act of kindness.

If they could live in another country besides the one they were born in what would it be?: Eleanor would really like to live in England. She is fascinated with the history of the royal families from over the centuries and would especially love to see the historical places in London with her own eyes, such as The Tower of London and The British Museum.

[rexinasuperomnes]

31 Days of Dragon Age

from @thievinghippo's post

Oct 1: Introduce your Hero of Ferelden

Cordelia Cousland, second child on Teyrn Bryce Cousland and Teyrna Eleanor Cousland, loved her life in Highever.

Super long post under the cut

Cordelia was a little bit spoiled, used to getting her own way and taking risks knowing she could get away with it. She knew what to say to get out of trouble, so she frequently took advantage of that and got into trouble. She would travel where she liked with whom she liked and had a little bit of a reputation as a tease.

Family and Friends

She adored her older brother, Fergus, who encouraged her shenanigans even though he couldn't get away with as much, and he covered for her on several occasions. When Oriana joined the household, she and Cordelia didn't get along, but when Eleanor started talking about Cordelia finding a husband, Oriana was there to commiserate. Cordelia also showed Oriana that she didn't have to be perfect 100% of the time, and eventually, their dislike turned to respect which turned into friendship. When Oren was born, Cordelia immediately adored her nephew. She taught him how to sneak around the castle and steal treats from the larder and let him ride on her mabari, Barkspawn. She would also have taught him how to use a dagger, but Fergus asked her to wait until he was older.

Cordelia was definitely more of a daddy's girl, but she had a closer relationship with her mother. Bryce would forgive any transgression she made, more proud of her resourcefulness than upset that she did something wrong. Eleanor, while more at odds with Cordelia, spent a great deal of time with her, excited to have a daughter, and taught her all the necessary skills to be a lady: command, archery, and resource management.

She had a little bit of a crush on Ser Gilmore, and tried to seduce him a few times, but he always turned her down. He wasn't like the men and boys she could play around with; he was kind and he seemed to value her. He always seemed to know when she was up to something and was the only person who would reproach her about it. She honestly believed that, if she were allowed to marry as she pleased, she would eventually marry Gilmore and they would live on his family's bannorn together.

Events of the Prologue

When Duncan expressed interest in recruiting her, Cordelia would be lying if she said she never thought about it, but she would rather have continued on her current path: play around until she eventually found love and married a nobleman (Ser Gilmore PLEASE), manage and defend their lands, and maintain her quality of life. She had complete faith that her father, brother, and Arl Howe, with the rest of the Ferelden forces, would handle the Blight in the south and return soon enough.

Arl Howe's betrayal came as a complete shock. Cordelia watched as her entire world collapsed around her. Finding Oriana and Oren filled her with so much rage and despair that her soul was forever changed. Ser Gilmore's sacrifice to hold the main doors shattered the dreams she had of her future. When her parents stayed behind so she and Duncan could escape, that rage became a promise: Cordelia would be the one to take the light out of Rendon Howe's eyes. She had nothing left to live for, except to get revenge and find her brother.

The Blight

With a blank, uncertain future and no family to anchor her, Cordelia joined the Grey Wardens as her father had promised Duncan. She might as well excel at it. When Loghain abandoned Cailan and Cordelia saw her first battle against the darkspawn, she understood the importance of the Grey Wardens and found a new purpose - stopping the Blight and exacting justice on Ferelden's corrupt nobility.

While gathering allies and recruiting followers to help end the Blight, Cordelia never forgot her promise to kill Rendon Howe. She learned that Howe was working closely with Loghain, pushing the regent to lower depths than she had thought the Hero of River Dane capable. That most of Loghain's worst crimes were Howe's ideas did not excuse him, but it did whet Cordelia's hatred of Arl Howe to a fine point. When she finally confronted Howe in his estate, Alistair helped disable him so Cordelia could land the final blow. As she twisted the dagger in his chest, she whispered in his ear, "A Cousland always does their duty."

As she and Alistair worked together, they developed a close friendship, bound by their shared sense of loss and duty. Over time, Cordelia's sharp wit and Alistair's corny jokes deepened that bond and they fell in love. Underneath his insecurity and reluctance to lead, Cordelia could see that Alistair was a truly noble man. When she learned of his parentage, she was torn. Alistair obviously wanted nothing to do with the crown, and Cordelia was fairly certain she wanted Alistair to be in her future and she didn't want that much responsibility. But she knew Alistair would be a great king, and she knew Ferelden needed that more than she wanted to be unbound. When the time came to confront Loghain and decide Ferelden's political future, Cordelia worked to put Alistair on the throne with herself beside him.

When faced with the final battle and the revelation that a Grey Warden had to die to kill the archdemon, Cordelia immediately agreed to Morrigan's ritual, not willing to lose anyone else. What none of them realized was that Cordelia was already pregnant, and the ritual Morrigan performed actually attracted Urthemiel's soul into Cordelia's child. But that's a different story.

Unfortunately, I don't take many screenshots when I play games, so I just replayed part of the prologue to get these.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

The couple next door: A common mistake, the reality of fantasy is not as expected.

With all the efforts within its grasp to draw attention to this series, getting magazine covers, articles, interviews and previews, in the past weeks, The Couple Next Door is not an impressive series and generates a lot of hype for something unappealing and not fascinating.

The Couple Next Door: a camp export features, a stalker, corruption, weed, alcohol, crime, and couples cavorting like rabbits, but despite all, it’s not popping sexy, and of course diamonds [ was filmed in Belgium-Antwerp —the undisputed diamond capital of the world]. It's a copy of the Walter Presents Dutch thriller show Nieuwe Buren (2014) ('New Neighbours'/ ‘The Swingers’ in English) filmed in The Netherlands. There's even a Pete and Evie in that too.

It surprises you starting with a scene that tends to remind Outlander series. Evie runs barefoot in nightie through the woods, and Pete, Danny, and Becka run behind her. After this, we spend the next 6 hours reminiscing about the events that led up to this happening, and the interesting but confusing twists only come in the last 60 minutes.

But back to the beginning: Peter [Alfred Enoch] and Evie [Eleanor Tomlinson] are a cute couple indulging in a quieter suburban existence. Their new neighbours Becka [Jessica De Gouw] and Danny [Sam Heughan] just hug and kiss all the time. Becka’s a sexy yoga trainer and Danny’s a He-Man physique with a stubble chin in a tight white T-shirt on a motorcycle. And, also, he’s a policeman, albeit a bent one. He drinks and smokes weed. He gives the impression that he cavorts like a rabbit when he is not up to the task, even if they want to make him shine not everything is quality in this disturbingly surreal nightmare.

Danny (Sam Heughan) is a cop with troubles on his mind. (Image credit: Channel 4)

There Is No Such Thing as a palpable chemistry between SH/Danny and Eleanor/Evie. There’s no chemistry between them: chemistry is when the interactions with the other person just work well and feel very natural, or they allow their sexual/physical attraction to develop. Here, it is not the case: Eleanor/Evie and Alfie/Pete have more credible chemistry, than Eleanor and SH, and To almost no one's surprise, Alfred Enoch is a good actor. Becka/Jessica De Gouw surprises by playing the character of a liberal wife, but she prefers not to be fooled. If you look back at the 4 performances, SH’s performance is the weakest one. SH has a hard time not being JAMMF or himself in other roles--He is invisible in a role outside of OL.

SH plays a corrupt Yorkshire traffic cop who smokes joints and struggles with the Yorkshire accent [he can't hide his Scottish accent, he's not good with accents] and his well-known Outlander mannerisms as an experimental art style in this series. He is weird, wood, bland and seems very uncomfortable at times. Some highlighted SH's dancing on the beach, he is as tough as a Dutch clog, and he has no coordination. His permanent duty is just a pose. He takes short rides around this quiet neighbourhood on his BMW motorcycle and takes Evie [Eleanor Tomlinson] for a spin around the block, thinking he’s with her at the amusement park enjoying the rollercoaster ride.

Dries Vos was inspired by everything he saw in the past, taking this from this and that from that and mixing them imitating notable film moments. He hasn't created anything that has the feeling of David Lynch, director [distinguished by his surreal qualities] that seems dangerous throughout the show.

While the swinger is part of the drama, you don't expect to receive anything more than hot kissing hints, a hint of eyebrow movement, innuendoes all over the shop. It begins with a sad story that happens to one of the couples, then expands into a story dragged by many tentacles, a mix for the writer, who seems to be having the best time of his life, and then it's not a heavyweight drama. We follow Becka's stalker Alan who observes her with a telescope instead of a wide-angle camera evokes Alfred Hitchcock's “Rear Window”. Danny's murky corruption; Pete's puny sperm; Evie's religious parents and Evie's obsessive madness, who refuses to let the relationship end, which is similar to Glenn Close's obsession in the film “Fatal Attraction”. It is effectively a thick soap with a set of GCSE-level results.

It was not filmed in Leeds, a couple landscape opportunities, the village of Esholt famous for the popular Yorkshire television series 'Emmerdale Farm' and some scenes of Baildon Moor. The rest was filmed in Belgium [in the Flemish region] and on the great sandy beaches of the Belgian North Sea coast.

Photo channel4

The suburb was centred in the Netherlands, a nice American-style neighbourhood that is more like Los Angeles with palm trees than Leeds, so it was a good opportunity to please STARZ, who is part of the production, you never know what happens with SH’s American family, or at least we suppose it.

Thus, The Couple Next Door (Channel 4), is a cheesy drama that attempts to incorporate infertility, infidelity, morality, religion, crime and an ending set in the Belgian equivalent of Center Parcs despite pretending that it has a place in Leeds (UK). if you think is a sexy thriller, all of the events that occur take place on account of the characters' noting and believing, and to be honest, this is not their strong suit. The Plot goes no further. because it was Much Ado About Nothing. It does not appear to be all that it is.

#thecouplenextdoor #channel4

Just my thoughts 💭 after 5/6 hours, I still think the Dutch thriller Nieuwe Buren (2014) or ('New Neighbours/ ‘The Swingers 1” is a better version. You can also watch it on Channel 4.

[realcatalina]

Unknown lady with St. Elizabeth of Hungary- Part 2: No saint in sight

Please read first my post Unknown lady with St. Elizabeth of Hungary, if you haven't already, before continuing to read.

Bit of my ramble at first ...how we got to this point.

I love browsing through webpage of RKD(Netehrlands Institute for Art History). Wonderful source, some of it bit outdated, but showing you also old photographs of art, a large of amount of them were left to them by Max Jakob Friedländer, a German curator and art historian, specializing on Netherlandish art.

You better know him as guy who identified portrait of Catherine of Aragon by Sittow as her. But he not only studied the art, he also took high-quality photographs of them. And RKD allows you to look through the entire 'Friedlander project'. 137 pages, full of many photos. Finding something useful...takes time.

It's 100% worth it, even if HD pictures you can see have watermark...you can still see all the amazing details in this black and white photos.

With this one, I think it is obvious why we need to have talk, again:

Because clearly this painting is linked to painting on right, which I have discussed I in the postt called Unknown lady with St. Elizabeth of Hungary, where I expressed my doubts about it actually being Isabella of Austria, Queen of Denmark as was suggested.

(Because it looks nothing like her!)

Now, we have 2nd portrait of same woman, in same outfit, which seems to have been tiny bit changed from her portrait with the saint...and this might be the original portrait.

And this time we have to consider if it could be a child.

The artist(or rather workshop) Master of Female Half lenghts occasionally has issues with proportions...so it could be simply poor skill of artist. But we need to consider it at least. Even though size of hands would suggest adult imo.

Fashion-wise, it looks close to 1520s French fashion(possibly early 1530s), but not entirely accurate to France...i think.

And we have speculated in the post about the other painting...whetever or not it could be Scottish...because nobody knows truly how Scottish fashion looked...but we'd expect given the friendly relationships some level of similairity.

Could it be french fashion I simply didn't see before? ...Yes, I mean...lots of styles I can see in english tomb brasses, I don't know single portrait or ilumination with them...

And in other counrtries we don't have these tomb brasses. But we have tons surviving of paintings or sketches. But still no definitive answer...

So regarding my past theories:

posthumous Elizabeth of York..possible...but not that likely...less resemblence than before. Same with her daughter Mary.

Margaret? Well, she was good match before(fairly so)...

...And still is... despite the seemingly different shape of brows.(we had same problem with brows of Henry VII(her dad)

And if it indeed was Margaret...it'd explain how certain portraits got misidentified as her...because there is resemblence...

This one especialy, not just face, but outfit also.

But as i said we have to also consider possibility our mystery woman is a child or teen...in 1520s or ealry 1530s.

...So if we still went with possibility of relative of Elizabeth of York...(which it doesn't have to be!)

Then we have to consider Mary and Margaret's daughters also-Margaret Douglas, Eleanor and Francis Brandon...who were all raised in England...and this is not english fashion...

(You might think their portraits exclude the possibility...but how firmly they are identified as them?...Usually it's just speculation or based upon not so credible sources...)

However whomever it is...i think this painting has a pair.

At least the way she faces, and poses...would suggest it is the right side of two matching portraits.

Usually the woman is on right, and male(typically husband, less so brother) on left, they face each other.

And his portrait should have same metalic fabric before him, likely cloth of gold or silver.

So...if we find him, we might then have bigger chance of finding who the female is...

2nd option is that it could be set of siblings...and then they might all face same way...but once again, they should match...

We can probably not firmly get to bottom of who it is at the moment. But we know for sure 2 portraits of same person...so it should be somebody wealthy...

Here is link to what RKD has too say about it. But according to them public lastly seen it during exhibition in 1963.

(Later entries speak about black and white reproductions...Photo?Idk)

Hopefully one day we could see it again. Correctly labelled.

Tell me who you think it is.