#tooth bonding london

[chatfieldbraces]

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[mrmousetolliver]

Constant Lambert (1927) painted by Christopher Wood. Christopher "Kit" Wood was born in 1901 in Liverpool, England. At the age of 19, he was invited by the prestigious French art collector Alphonse Kann to move to Paris and study painting at the Academie Julian. With Kanns introductions, Wood met Chilean diplomat Antonio de Gandarillas. Although Gandarillas was married and fourteen years Woods senior, they soon became a couple and began living together. As well as providing financial support, Gandarillas introduced Wood to Picasso, Georges Auric and Jean Cocteau, and to the use of opium. His relationship with Gandarillas lasted through out his life in spite of the fact that Wood had several romantic relations with both men and woman, and at one point was engaged to heiress Meraud Guinness.

Woods artistic style was post-impressionism and primitivism. He created several set designs for the Ballet Russes, although they weren't used. Throughout the 1920's he split his time between France and England. and had several successful shows. In April 1929, Wood held a solo exhibition at Tooth's Gallery in Bond Street, London where he met Lucy Wertheim, a British gallery owner,  at a private view. She purchased a picture and soon became one of his biggest supporters, buying up his work. In May 1930, Wood held an unsuccessful showing and started showing signs of mental illness, including threatening his own life. On August 21, 1930 Wood in preparation for a new show at Wertheims Gallery, traveled to Salisbury to have lunch with his mother and sister and to show them his new paintings. After the meeting, Christopher Wood threw himself under a train and died. While there is no specific reason why he killed himself at that time, speculation is that his opium addiction was causing paranoid delusions and he suspected he was being followed. In deference to his mothers wishes, his death was reported as an accident.

[jobrker]

small canonical details in sweeney todd:

i've been obsessed with this musical for far too long. i will likely be making a second post. enjoy.

lucy could have married up. whether this is due to her family being better off than benjamin or just because she was beautiful, the line in poor thing, "had her chance for the moon on a string" implies that she could have married better than she had. someone who could "afford" to buy her the moon.

lovett's first name is nellie. this comes from a line of dialogue before not while i'm around where she says, "sit here by your aunt nellie like a good boy and look at your lovely muffler."

lovett has an aunt named nettie. nettie lived near the sea and lovett would visit her as a child, explaining her desire to move there. we do not know if aunt nettie is still alive or not.

mr. lovett's first name was albert. he developed gout and possibly passed away due to complications with it.

toby is implied to be an alcoholic. he grew up in a workhouse and he claims that is what they gave to the children.

catholicism was extremely controversial in england during the victorian era. it was just becoming legal in the 1840s. so the fact that pirelli mentions shaving the pope probably isn't very impressive to the crowd of londoners. pirelli, being irish, was probably catholic himself which explains why he brags about it.

during the competition scene between todd and pirelli in the 1970 bond play, todd uses anthony during the tooth-pulling segment and yanks out one of his molars. anthony immediately forgives him, being the good boy he is.

pirelli sees a tailor. this may imply that he makes enough swindling people into buying his elixir that he can afford such an expense whereas a lot of people of his background likely couldn't.

saint dustan's church is what's actually at the address of 186 fleet street. in a string of pearls, the tunnels underneath are used. this explains the bells we hear throughout the show, before not while i'm around and johanna (quartet) and this is the church anthony plans on bringing johanna to in order to marry her.

johanna was a year old when benjamin was sent away.

turpin works at the old bailey. this courthouse has since been destroyed (due to a fire). the "old bailey" was actually a nickname for it because of it the street it was on. it was actually called the central criminal court. it was renamed in 1834. todd was in australia by that point so he likely doesn't know the new name.

lucy sewed, as most victorian women/housewives did.

anthony is from plymouth, a (then) fishing town in south-eastern england.

lovett is uneasy at the idea of discussing what goes on in asylums when todd and anthony begin forming a plan to get johanna back. potentially, this has to do with lucy and knowing her fate.

lovett mentions visiting aunt nettie and the seaside during the august bank holiday. however, this bank holiday wasn't established until 1871. sweeney todd takes place in 1846.

despite knowing that lucy had been prostituting herself, todd still calls her virtuous in his last moments.

todd has some knowledge of engineering and construction since he was able to turn his barber chair from just a chair to one that connects to a chute and can send customers to the bakehouse. he would have to make that chute himself. he possibly learned this from his time in australia.

lovett adopts a few birds between act one and two. they are in a cage outside of the pie shop for customers to enjoy. she also has a garden out there.

act one takes place in august.

[acesw]

UTTU Part 2: The Flash Gathering

Part 1: The Magazine is here ! Read it beforehand to have more context on UTTU.

Now, this post will be simply just be a more in-depth explanation of UTTU's Flash Gathering, and final reflection about UTTU in general.

Unlike in the previous post, this post will look into the events and involved characters more to further expand on what we see in this event below the surface level. The information in this post is subject to change.

[Spoilers for the storyline in both events!]

Flash Gathering

*UTTU Flash Gathering, a reading salon held regularly by UTTU Magazine.

UTTU’s Flash Gathering is an event where they host a mass reading for their FLASH magazine and card collection sales. Described by Melania in 1.1, they’re essentially a club that has piqued the interest of the arcanist world, adding that “They have no fixed venue, nor a fixed theme.The only thing that remains unchanged is the numerous interesting books it provides and the great rewards.”

Now, how the event starts varies between 1.1 and 1.2, and I’ll be briefly explaining how it goes down for both.

1.1: Trophy of Past Glory

In London, newsboys holding UTTU’s FLASH:FAME magazines spread out across the city, appearing and disappearing for certain moments to hand out the magazines. With enough magazines, one can get into the UTTU Market and read the UTTU:FLASH magazines. Diggers and Pickles are given FLASH:FAME magazines and Melania barely misses them and loses an opportunity to find the market location. But, Pickles has another magazine and this allows the three to go to the market.

1.2: Night Visit to the Lake

Horropedia, Blonney, and Jessica (and also Vertin who gets dragged along, Tooth Fairy accompanies them) are given invitation cards to the UTTU market situated in Green Lake Campsite, in which they all head to for a night.

[Flash Journal] and FLASH:FAME

The Flash Gathering has two different sections: The Market and the Retails. The UTTU Market holds many of the good rewards and their [Flash Journal], while the UTTU Retails holds the FLASH:FAME magazines and greatly rewards people for reading them, even challenging them to read more magazines (i.e. “Intensive reading”).

The Flash Journal and the FAME magazines are a compilation of stories in relation to the themes regarding the event, such as stories of football in 1.1, and a collection of horror stories in 1.2. It seems that the characters stay around the market area casually while reading through their books, whose physical forms have similar properties to their main magazine. The way they get their rewards is simply proving that they read the book through arcane wits/wisdom.

For both events, they capture a moment of the characters enjoying the gathering by having new realizations and bonding through shared interests formed in this event. With the Rimet Cup trio, they all respectively learn a lot about football, art (in a philosophical approach thanks to Diggers), and unity through sportsmanship. While for the Green Lake cast, Blonney and Horropedia bond for their love for horror as Vertin helps Jessica reenact one of the stories that they read, with the intent to scare them for the fun of it.

All in all, the Flash Gathering really ties together the themes of the event’s story and how the relationships between each of them play out once they find time to gather in a special place such as this.

Here you can find the recorded and compiled storylines of both events here:

Trophy of Past Glory

Night Visit to Green Lake

---

Other Information and Reflection

Other information about UTTU

-UTTU has an office/headquarters situated in an unknown place in the world. It seems that they are immune to the Storm like how the Foundation/Manus/etc. are.

-As mentioned earlier, Pandora Wilson is the main writer and reporter for the profiles of the arcanists in our playable roster. She has the most knowledge about our arcanists (besides Vertin) and will seem to continue releasing articles about them as more characters join

-They act accordingly to the events that are present and find ways to host more than one Flash Gathering (which I think is the case since as we know Mor Pankh and Rimet Cup are happening almost simultaneously)

-Vertin doesn’t have an article in UTTU; Which to me is a bit strange because we don’t know enough about her. But then again, we are playing as her. Whether or not she would have an article doesn’t matter anyway since we are watching her own story through her eyes. If she did, she might be just simply not bothered to take a look at it.

Final Remarks

This is all the information I have on UTTU so far, and I plan to add to this when more information about them comes out. I find UTTU to be a really interesting organization and I hope we learn more about them as we catch up to our CN siblings, haha. They're very passionate about their work and strive to share the stories of the arcanists around the world, and I think that's already quite inspiring in of itself.

[l0velyrand0m]

Old Soul - The First Avenger

Chapter four of thirteen, i hope you enjoy. There's been a lot more interest on here than on wattpad and its kind of funny. But i appreciate all the notes and reblogs nonetheless, i'm glad theres a few people who don't think my writing sucks!

As Always: chapter one is pinned on my blog, and the full story can be found on wattpad.

Eliza watched as they took another syringe of Steve's blood. He was obviously annoyed, and Eliza knew he never much liked blood.

"Think you got enough?" he chided, getting incresingly more ticked off with every needle they stuck in his arm.

"Any hope of reproducing a program is locked in your genetic code," Peggy shook her head. "And without Doctor Erskine, it could take years."

Eliza cast her gaze downward at the mention of Erskine. He'd been killed only hours ago because of a HYDRA agent infiltrating the observation room. Steve chased him down and he killed himself with a cyanide tooth.

"He deserved more than this," Steve said sadly.

"If it could only work once, he'd be proud it was you," Peggy assured him, which elicited a smile from Steve.

"Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers," Senator Brandt says, coming into the room, mildly angry.

"Great. Why don't we start on how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?" Phillips turned to Stark, who was working in the submarine the HYDRA agent attempted to escape in before Steve caught him and he met his demise. "What have we got here?"

"Speaking modestly, I'm the best mechanical engineer in this country. But I don't know what's inside this thing or how it works," Howard explains. "We're not even close to this technology."

"Then who is?" Brandt questions him, his patience for the man running thin.

"HYDRA. I'm sure you've been reading our briefings," Phillips says.

"I'm on a number of committees, Colonel."

"HYDRA is the Nazi deep science division," Eliza tells him.

Peggy nodded. "It's led by Johann Schmidt. But I'm sure he has much bigger ambitions."

"HYDRA is practically a cult. They worship Schmidt," Phillips adds. "They think he's invincible."

"So what are you gonna do about it?" Brandt asks.

"Spoke to the President this morning. As of today the SSR is being retasked."

"Colonel?"

"We're taking the fight to HYDRA. Pack your bags, Agent Carter. You too, Stark. You're flying to London tonight."

"Sir, if you're going after Schmidt, I want in," Steve tells Phillips. Eliza's eyes widened. As if the serum working wasn't enough shock.

"You're unstable..." Eliza muttered, knowing he wouldn't listen. "You're not in the condition to-"

"You're an experiment." Phillips looked from Eliza to Steve. "You're going to Alamogordo."

"The serum worked."

"I asked for an army and all I got was you," Phillips said flatly. "You are not enough."

•••

Eliza was dying of boredom watching Captain America march around recording a commercial for selling bonds.

Bonds buy bullets, bullets kill Nazis, bing bang boom, you're an American hero.

She thought this was all a bit much. She was bored out of her mind without Peggy to talk to, or Howard to stand there looking busy. But instead, she followed around her brother, who sold bonds as girls in indecent outfits - if you could even call them that - strolled around him.

It was sickeningly boring.

"The Star-Spangled Man With a Plan", or as the song repeatedly called him, "Captain America", was Steve's new job. Paired with an idiotic costume and ridiculous lyrics to a theme song to sell bonds, this couldn't get any more humiliating.

And all Eliza had to do was sit back and make sure Steve didn't die or something. Which was easier said than done when all he did was run around. However, seemingly without breaking a sweat.

This serum was ridiculously intuitive, and Eliza was learning more about it every day from the various books and journals that Erskine had kept on it.

His cells were regenerating at an incredible rate to constantly heal him. It made him stronger, faster. The serum amplified everything about him.

And at the same time she was learning more about Johann Schmidt, and how his serum worked.

The serum enhanced every aspect of yourself. Good becomes great, but bad becomes worse. Johann had bad intentions. Someone who only knew power couldn't respect it. But someone like Steve, who had nothing, respected the power and held it with a righteous fist.

In short - both men were now indestructible. And that was terrifying.

•••

Eliza had been flown to Italy with Steve for a performance. However, a returning infantry required a lot of medical attention, and she was requested to help.

Suddenly her brother and Peggy Carter ran into the infirmary tent.

"Well, if it isn't the star-spangled man with a plan," Phillips greeted Steve in annoyance. "And what is your plan today?"

Eliza drew her attention away from the gauze she had finished wrapping around a man's leg to snoop her way into the conversation.

"I need the casualty list from Azzano," Steve requests.

"What's on the list from Azzano?" Eliza quietly asked Peggy, slightly scaring her.

"Christ, Elizabeth," Peggy breathed. "It's the one-o-seventh. He flipped out and ran over here."

"Wait, what?"

"I just need one name. Sergeant James Barnes from the hundred and seventh."

Eliza's heart dropped to her stomach.

Phillips glared and pointed a finger at Peggy. "You and I are gonna have a comversation later that you won't enjoy."

"Please just tell me if he's alive, sir. B-A-R-"

"I can spell." Phillips stopped him, and briefly sifted through some of his papers. "I've signed more of these condolence letters today than I would care to count. But that name does sound familiar. I'm sorry."

Eliza didn't believe it. Phillips didn't even look. There's no way to know for sure.

"What about the others?" Steve asks. "Are you planning a rescue mission?"

"Yeah! It's called winning the war."

"But if you know where they are, why not at least..."

"They're thirty miles behind the line," Phillips explains. "Through the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save. But I don't expect you to understand that, because you're just a chorus girl."

"I think I understand just fine."

"Well then understand it somewhere else," Phillips says. "If I read the posters correctly, you've got somewhere to be in thirty minutes."

Phillips walks away, and Steve starts analyzing a map showing where the men are. "Yes, sir. I do."

Eliza narrowed her eyes at him and sighed. "I can't believe I actually agree with you."

Steve starts walking towards his tent, Peggy and Eliza following behind him. He starts throwing stuff into a bag as soon as he gets there.

"What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?" Peggy asks him.

"If that's what it takes."

""You heard the Colonel, your friend is most likely dead."

"You don't know that," Eliza shrugged.

"Even so, he's devising a strategy. If he detects-"

"By the time he's done that, it could be too late!" Steve says sternly. He walks out to a Jeep and throws his bag in. "You told me you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean that?"

"Every word."

"Then you gotta let me go."

"I can do more than that."

•••

"The HYDRA camp is in Krausberg. Tucked between these two mountain ranges, it's a factory of some kind," Peggy informs Steve.

"We should be able to drop you right on the doorstep," Howard tells him.

Stark was currently piloting the plane that Peggy, Steve and Eliza all sat on, flying to the HYDRA camp that Steve believed Bucky and the rest of the one-o-seventh captives to be in.

"Just get me as close as you can," Steve tells them. "You know, you three are gonna get in a lot of trouble back at the lab."

"And you're not?" Eliza asks him sarcastically.

"Where I'm going, if anybody yells at me, I can just shoot 'em."

"They will undoubtedly shoot back," Eliza scoffs.

"Miss Rogers, if we're not in too much of a hurry I thought we could stop off in Lucerne for a late-night fondue?"

Peggy looks awkwardly over at Steve, who looks at Howard with a stern expression. "Stark's the best civilian pilot I've ever seen. He's mad enough to brave this airspace, we're lucky to have him."

Steve looked to Eliza, holding the same expression as he did to Howard. "So are you two..? Do you..? Fondue?"

Eliza got up and walked towards Howard's spot at the cockpit, desperate to leave that exchange.

"This is your transponder," Peggy says, handing Steve a small device. "Activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you."

"Are you sure this thing works?" Steve questions, looking to Eliza and Howard.

"It's been tested more than you, pal."

Suddenly the plane shakes. "Hey, we're being shot at," Eliza muses sarcastically.

"Really? Didn't notice." Howard mumbles back to her.

"Get back here! We're taking you all the way in!"

Eliza whipped around to see her brother ready to jump out of the plane. "Steven Grant Rogers-"

"As soon as I'm free, you turn this thing around and get the hell out of here!"

"You can't give me orders, I'm your sister!"

"To hell I can't! I'm a Captain!"

Steve looks at his sister with a smile and jumps out of the plane.

"If he lives through this, I'll kill him myself."

[sarcasticsciencefictionwriter]

So many interesting titles!!

Can you tell me something about Swapped Powers or Girls Night please?😊

Thank you!!! I'll tell you about both, because why not? XD

Snippets will be under the cut.

Swapped Powers

The premise of this is that Helen and John gained each other's powers from the Source Blood. (My imagination was not large enough to think that maybe all of the Five 'swapped' powers) So, Helen is the one that was effected by the parasite and became the Ripper. It follows John and Helen through the years, John building the Sanctuary Network from Helen's vision and raising Ashley.

Girls' Night

A fluff piece post-canon, in which Helen, Ashley, Abby, Kate, and Erika take a night on the surface just to hang out and bond. Lots of feels from Helen's point of view, because they're all close and she's never had that with so many other women at the same time. (Minor Teslen, but I don't plan on Nikola actually being in the fic).

___

Snippets:

Swapped Powers (Slapping this on as a warning, because this is directly before forceful removal of Ashley's embryo)

-

The house was a Sanctuary, but it was not a safe place tonight. It was a dwelling place of madness. Regret. Sorrow. Grief. Determination.

John struggled to hold on to Helen as she fought tooth and nail against him and Nikola, the two that had been tasked with holding on to her. He was taller and stronger and Nikola was a vampire, but a mad, desperate woman was matching them. They needed to make sure that she did not best them.

"No! Let go of me! Let go of me!" Helen cried, voice rising.

Her arm slipped out of John's grasp and she swung for Nikola. He barely managed to catch her again.

"You need to keep her still." James instructed.

John looked at his best friend, thinking it was rather obvious, but no mood to fight. Nikola grunted and they managed to force Helen to her knees. John was fighting not to look at her and saw James falter.

Gregory took the lead. There was grief in the man's eyes as he approached his daughter, rag in hand. John met his gaze, his emotions mirrored in the other man's gaze.

"Father." Helen begged, looking at Gregory with wide, distressed eyes. "Do not let them do this. Please. It is not theirs to do."

"I am sorry, sweetheart."

The man cradled his daughter's head in one hand and firmly pressed the rag with the specialized mixture over her mouth and nose. Helen fought it even then, but the fight started to go out of her.

Her body sagged and John was able to hold her easily for the first time since they had administered the first drug.

Gregory removed the rag and stared down at his daughter.

"I'll need your help, James."

"I am staying with her." John said stubbornly.

Now that Helen was unconscious, he was able to lift her into his arms. Nikola released her and allowed him to do so.

"No." Gregory said.

John clenched his jaw, staring him down. Helen's head was nestled against his chest, like it had been on so many different occasions. He wanted to hang on to her. Change his mind about what they were going to do. But it was something that they had to do, no matter what. It was too late for them to turn back now.

Helen herself had made certain of that.

"Son." Gregory said, voice softening.

John looked at Gregory then, because the other man had never addressed him in such a tone before and it was jarring compared to the violence of what had just happened. ____

Girls' Night

In all her years, Helen had never had so many women on her personal Sanctuary team. Currently, not counting Helen herself, there were four. She rounded it out at five. With five women and three engagements among them, Kate had declared that they needed to celebrate.

So here they were, sitting in a booth in a rather rowdy London pub, drinking together. Helen had been reluctant to join in. It didn't seem like she belonged in the group. They were all younger than she was, all within a decade of each other. But they had insisted, so she had relented, because, honestly, it was nice to spend time with them.

Helen sat on one end, sipping a glass of red wine. Abby had a glass as well. Kate and Ashley, who had quickly bonded, both had beers. Erica was sipping a glass of cranberry juice.

Helen was glad to see that Erica was doing well, responding to the treatment to slow down the pregnancy to a level where she could handle it. A long pregnancy wasn't what any woman would have wanted in the best of circumstances, but Erica was handling it well. She was healthy and smiling and finally starting to show.

Helen knew that she had a special interest in the pregnancy, because Henry was her son, and the child was her grandchild.

The thought warmed Helen from the inside out, more so than any alcohol she could have chosen to consume this evening.

[blackmarket-playlists]

Here are fantastic bands under the radar from the UK with great new songs (2024 only):

In alphabetical order - and all in one playlist with great VANITAS from Birmingham on the cover - :

• 7eventh Sea (Nottingham) - 1,548 monthly listeners.

• ALYRIS (Taunton) - 551 monthly listeners. Female fronted*.

• Apathy UK (South West England) – 689 monthly listeners

• Arimea (Oxford) - 1,702 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Assurance (Birmingham) - 1,527 monthly listeners.

• Athelas (Devon) - 53 monthly listeners

• Azure Sky (Norwich) - 123 monthly listeners

• Bansith (Sheffield) - 1,888 monthly listeners.

• Blank Atlas (Bristol) - 1,091 monthly listeners.

• CELAVI (Bangor, North-Wales) - 2,808 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Cober Mouth (Bristol) - 1,982 monthly listeners.

• Collapse The Void (South Wales) - 181 monthly listeners.

• Conspire Against (Southcoast) - 40 monthly listeners

• Copehill Down (South Wales) - 122 monthly listeners.

• Cruelty (UK) – 488 monthly listeners

• Deference (Southampton) - 483 monthly listeners.

• Dekaytah (North West England) – 272 monthly listeners

• Dreadhound (London/ Newcastle) - 119 monthly listeners.

• Drip Fed Empire (Bristol) - 416 monthly listeners

• DURENDAL (Leicester) – 1,538 monthly listeners.

• Dwelled (Manchester) - 82 monthly listeners

• Elysian Divide (London) - 63 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Ending Everything (London) – 772 monthly listeners.

• Enquire Within (Southeast London/ Kent) - 507 monthly listeners

• Era's End (Staffordshire) - 235 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• From Tyranny (Glasgow) - 105 monthly listeners.

• Godeth (Leeds) – 267 monthly listeners

• Hell Can Wait (Brighton) - 1,031 monthly listeners.

• Helldown (Swansea, Wales) - 486 monthly listeners.

• INDEVTH (UK) - 2,496 monthly listeners

• Kilonova (Newcastle Upon Tyne) - 142 monthly listeners. Female-fronted

• Kinzoku (Brighton) - 123 monthly listeners.

• Long Goodbye (Durham) – 1,435 monthly listeners.

• Lost To Light (Derby) - 490 monthly listeners.

• Mastiff (Kingston-upon-Hull) - 2,416 monthly listeners.

• Maziac (London) - 462 monthly listeners.

• Meet Your Maker (Midlands) – 4,396 monthly listeners

• Neon Rituals (Leeds) - 793 monthly listeners.

• Perpetual Paradox (London) - 371 monthly listeners.

• Pulse (UK) - 2,595 monthly listeners

• sensor.red (UK) – 289 monthly listeners

• Simbulis (Derby) - 1,525 monthly listeners.

• Sixth Wonder (Glasgow) - 2,357 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Stitched (Black Country) – 1,330 monthly listeners

• Tacoma View (Essex) - 62 monthly listeners.

• Temple Guard (UK) – 1,604 monthly listeners.

• The Mechanist (Yorkshire) - 467 monthly listeners.

• Thylacine (West Midlands) - 89 monthly listeners.

• TILLY KINGSTON (Lichfield) - 1,310 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Tooth & Dagger (Birmingham) - 713 monthly listeners.

• Tragedy Struck First (Kent) – 213 monthly listeners

• Trauma Bond (London) – 638 monthly listeners.

• Vanitas (Birmingham) - 2,984 monthly listeners. Female-fronted.

• Ventures (Manchester) - 310 monthly listeners.

• Vices (Preston) - 441 monthly listeners.

• Waterlines (North West/ Yorkshire) - 1,422 monthly listeners

• Where Memories May Riot (Central Scotland) - 132 monthly listeners.

• Where Oceans Burn (Manchester) – 3,127 monthly listeners

• Within Reach (London) – 1,585 monthly listeners

• Wolve Don’t Sleep (Nottingham) – 222 monthly listeners

• Yo Titan (Midlands) - 890 monthly listeners.

• Zero One (Edingburg, Scotland) - 517 monthly listeners.

(*Female fronted is not a genre, I know, but mentioned, for the listeners who like to hear female fronted voices in this mostly male dominated metalcore genre.)

[jaspermorgan]

˚⋆𓇼˚｡ 𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑬𝑫 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹 @pabloalaalatoa

— AURORA’S CANDY PARLOUR ; EARLY AFTERNOON

Jasper had always joked that his sweet tooth had come from needing to replenish the energy he burnt so quickly during the day. It started off back when he was acting, always rushing around on set and staying awake for most of the day, but now it was more to do with rushing around the hotel to see that everything was functioning as it should be. So it was lucky for Jasper that he developed a bond with Pablo, the local candy shop owner, and found himself frequenting the place a little too often.

Jasper had developed his love for American confectionary when he lived in New York City and ever since then he’d not been able to shake his cravings for salt water taffy, Twizzlers, and anything grape flavoured. But he did miss the more traditional sweets of home. He vowed that next time he was in London he was going to bring back some old favourites and show his staff what they were missing across the pond.

“Pablo!” Jasper exclaimed jovially as he entered Aurora’s Candy Parlour and approached the counter. “How are you, my friend? I’ve been salivating on the way here just imagining those sour candies I got last time I was here. I didn’t think I’d like them as much as I did. The apple flavoured ones were to die for.”

[1997thebracket]

Round 1B

Picasso’s Tete de Femme Stolen: £650,000 gone in the span of 35 seconds– what would you imagine that moment looks like? Surely it doesn’t feature a ponytailed art student fleeing by cab with one of the most historically significant artists of the century tucked beneath his arm like a grad paper. In March of 1997, a man in his late 20s to early 30s called a cab from the Hilton Hotel to the Lefevre Gallery in London, asking the car to please wait for him outside while he “dashed inside.” He would enter the gallery, inquire to an assistant about the value of Pablo Picasso's Tête de Femme, and promptly reveal a shotgun to her. The assistant, Jacquie Cartwright, said that he asked her to pull the painting off the wall for him, to which she replied “If you want it, get it yourself.” (Snaps for Jacquie, y’all.) The thief indeed awkwardly pulled the painting down and, pursued by another young gallery assistant and two nearby waiters, ran through the crowded London street with the painting underarm and fled in the very same cab. The cab driver took him to Wimbledon at gunpoint and received a £10 tip for his troubles. While this was not the only art theft in 1997, nor the only Picasso theft in history (in fact, Picasso is the world’s most stolen artist) such heists tend to involve more secrecy and finesse, not long-barreled shotguns or nearby wait staff pursuing on foot; it is the sheer drama of the affair that lands this moment a place in history.

Austin Powers: Let’s keep this bracket groovy, baby! Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a spy spoof film released in 1997, written by and starring Mike Myers and featuring Elizabeth Hurley, as well as known names in the spy movie business Michael York and Robert Wagner. It was the first introduction of the titular icon-to-be Austin Powers, a free-loving secret agent who was cryogenically frozen in the 1960s, returned to us in all his velvet-suited snaggle-toothed glory in the ‘90s to face his nemesis once more. Parodying James Bond and copycat spy films as well as '60s pop culture, the movie would spawn two sequels and novelizations all sharing a similar sense for fashion, gags, and Austin’s recognizable catchphrases. As completely goofy as the film and its legacy is, critics were mostly favorable, with the New York Times writing "The film's greatest asset is its gentle tone: rejecting the smug cynicism of Naked Gun-style parodies, it never loses the earnest naiveté of the psychedelic era." (This is presumably an embarrassing typo: it’s shagadelic, Yorkie baby!)

[ollieofthebeholder]

to find promise of peace (and the solace of rest): a TMA fanfic

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Chapter 89: July 2017

[CLICK]

JON

Statement of Jonathan Sims, head archivist of the Magnus Institute, London, regarding the upcoming…um…operation. Twelfth July, 2017. Recording taken direct from subject.

I-I wanted to get some thoughts down before, um, everything. We all should. I’ll, I’ll mention it to them.

[Deep breath] Martin is home. That…that seems like the most important place to start, honestly. Martin is home. He’s home and he’s safe and…I-I know he feels the trip was a waste of time, that he didn’t learn anything of substance, but he did. Tim’s right, we could never have just gone up to Great Yarmouth and staked out the House of Wax until it looked like things were ready. We have to know. And thanks to Martin, we do. Three days after Orsinov got the skin…or, well, after she called in all her…minions, but I-I rather suspect those are one and the same. She wouldn’t have waited long.

Forty-eight hours. Give or take.

We have a plan. It’s…I don’t know if it’s a good plan, but it’s a plan, and we have it. And it should work. Martin and Melanie and…they picked it over with a fine-toothed comb, and they say it should work. Myself, Daisy, Martin, Melanie or Tim—I’m not sure which right now—and Basira, we’ll be heading up to Great Yarmouth either late tomorrow or early morning the day after, while Sasha and…whoever the other one is stay behind. Gertrude’s notes were very clear. Unless the ritual is underway, anything we do can be easily repaired. But if we time it right, it’ll be centuries, maybe more, before they can try it again. Of course, if we time it wrong…

Daisy has been pretty clear that she thinks her best chance of success is to go in alone, and honestly, I struggle to disagree with her. [sigh] Martin didn’t, though. I don’t know what surprised me more, that he simply told her he was going with or that she didn’t argue. They seem to have come to some kind of…uneasy truce. I think they both have the same feeling, that they need to see it through, and that they need to protect the rest of us. They’re planning on it just being the two of them going, or at least going in.

That—that isn’t happening. Martin isn’t going without me. I, I can’t let him out of my sight, not for that. I just got him back, I—

I don’t care if this is an official record. I don’t care who listens to this outside the Archives. I will say it and I will not deny it. I need him to be safe, and I need to know he’s safe, and the only way I can do that is to go in there with him. So. I’m going. Whether he wants me to or not.

I think Basira feels the same way. About Daisy, I mean. Or at least about letting Daisy go without her. Seeing what they’ve seen, doing what they’ve done…it’s a hell of a bond. I would know. Even if it’s not romantic for them, it’s the same bond Martin and I have. The same bond Martin and Melanie have, too, so she’ll likely be coming along as well. We’ve already discussed it, the rest of us, and we’re in agreement. They’re not going alone.

…

There’s something different about him. I, I can’t put my finger on it. It’s not anything physical. He still looks the same, feels the same, [heh] smells the same. He’s still the same person he’s always been, the same man I—I fell in love with. But there’s a…a confidence? No, that isn’t right. But there’s something. It’s like it’s lurking just under the surface, something I can’t explain, something I can’t reach. Something happened to him while he was gone. All right, yes, I know that’s an understatement. Of course ‘something happened to him’. He was kidnapped, for God’s sake, he was stabbed and nearly died and—I almost lost him. And I never would have known…

[SMALL, STIFLED SOB]

[SNIFF]

B-but it, it’s more than that. I wouldn’t say he came back different, but he came back…with something different, maybe? There’s something I don’t understand. Something he hasn’t said.

There will be time. After. When it’s all said and done. When we get back…we’ll have all the time in the world. I can ask him then, and…and he’ll tell me. I know he will. I trust him.

I love him.

If this is my final message…let it be that.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

BASIRA

Um. Statement of Basira Hussain, twelfth July, 2017, at the request of Jonathan Sims.

I’m not sure why I’m here. I mean, I understand how I got to this point. Just a series of decisions until, yep, this is my life now! But I don’t know why. Does that make sense?

I don’t…I don’t really want to be here. I shouldn’t be here. Martin’s never said anything, but I know he’s disappointed, maybe a little annoyed, that I came back after he told me not to. And he was right, I should have stayed away. But I—I couldn’t abandon Daisy. I couldn’t just give up on her. And the only way I could think of to find her was to come to the Magnus Institute, and now I’m a goddamned hostage. At least I don’t really have it as bad as the others. It’s amazing how much you can ignore when you’ve got your nose in a book.

I’m, I’m trying not to resent the way they’re treating Daisy. I know they don’t understand her. But—they’re not afraid of Martin. I mean, yes, okay, completely different abilities, and he was a librarian, not a cop. But she did what she had to do to survive, just like him. Just like their…other friend. It’s not her fault that what she needs looks scarier to other people. And it’s not like it’s all bad. The things she does have stopped some very dangerous people. And why shouldn’t she enjoy what she needs to sustain herself sometimes? It’s like those dieters who think that if food tastes good, it can’t be healthy. She’s allowed to get some pleasure in it when she can.

…

Martin gets it better, I suppose. Since, you know, he’s the same way she is, especially now. Not hard to see they’re on the same level or whatever. He at least hasn’t been outright hostile to her. She seems about as friendly with him as she ever did anyone else on the force. Dunno if I’d call them friends, but at least they’re standing on the same side, and I think they’ll turn their backs on each other. Daisy doesn’t do that for many people.

I know they don’t see it, but Daisy’s true blue. You always know where you stand with her. I never doubted she had my back in the field when I took the lead, even if I didn’t do it very often. I owe it to her to have her back here.

So yeah, that’s why I’m going. I don’t trust anyone else to care if she comes back alive. Even her, really. She’ll be looking to get the job done, not protect herself. She’ll need someone spotting her, and that someone is going to be me.

It’s nice to have one thing certain in all this. One damned thing I can control.

[DEEP BREATH, SLOW EXHALE]

Maybe that’s why I’m here. Not just to back Daisy up, but these guys get so…bogged down in details. It’s not just not seeing the forest for the trees. They can’t even see where the trail is. Me, I can at least think in a straight line. Control. Balance. Something steady.

I dunno. Maybe I’m overthinking it, too. Maybe there is no reason I’m here. Or maybe why I need to be here is…further out. Maybe I don’t need to be here right now, but if I’m not here now, I won’t be later. I don’t know.

I guess we’ll find out.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

SASHA

Sasha James, archival assistant at The Magnus Institute, London, recording statement…hm…let’s see if I can get this right…0171207…dash…C? Hope we’re dividing these up by letters, otherwise I’ve just fucked up the system. [Slightly nervous giggle] Statement taken direct from subject.

I wish I wasn’t staying. I’m not going to lie. I wish there was a way we could do this without me—without anyone—having to stay back. But someone needs to stay, and I’m not going to be any use in setting bombs, so it’s going to be me.

It should probably be Jon and Tim who stay, let’s be honest. They’ve both been Marked by the Stranger—Tim really, really deeply, and Jon…well, at least, I’m assuming he’s been Marked. Not like any of us have asked Martin to take another Look since that first night, so I could be wrong. Anyway, what if that means Orsinov and her minions come looking for them? Or worse, what if the Marks are so powerful they get drawn into the Unknowing whether they want to or not?

God, choosing to participate is bad enough. Being killed to be used is worse. But being drawn into it, knowing what walking in will do and not being able to stop…even if by some miracle they survived that, they’d never be over it.

Well. I mean. If we don’t stop it, the world’s going to end, too, so there’s that.

I’m scared. I—oh, I didn’t mean to say that. I really don’t want that to be my last words. ‘Here lies Sasha James. She was scared all the time.’ It’s not true, I mean…I’m not scared all the time. But this does scare me. Partly because it’s the Stranger, and, well, it’s our opposite, right? I can only imagine how much we’d all be punished in a world made for it. Partly because it almost killed me once. The Not-Them was definitely after me, and the only reason I’m alive is because I didn’t go near the table that night in Artifact Storage. Partly—mostly—I’m scared for the others.

I mean, what I’m doing, it’s not exactly dangerous. I’m not going to die doing it. Probably. Most likely. It’s the others who are likely to be killed or—unmade, maybe. If things go wrong for me, I probably won’t lose anything but a paycheck or two, at most.

…

I don’t want Melanie to go. I know that’s stupid. Martin will look after her—he’d die before he let her get hurt, or Jon. But I just…I feel better when I know where she is, and that she’s okay. She keeps going off and doing stupid, dangerous shit with Tim and Jon and it’s just—

No. No, I need to be honest. That’s why we’re doing this, right? It’s not that she’s doing dangerous stuff with them. It’s that she’s doing it without me. I want to be there with her. I mean, we worked pretty well together when I went up to Great Yarmouth with her and Tim that time to stake the place out, and [heh] that impromptu make-out session we did to stop the random beat cop from getting suspicious was pretty fun, too.

Yeesh, this is pathetic. And I’m doing it on an official recording. Oh, my God, Martin is going to sk—he’s going to hit the ceiling if he listens to this. So’s Jon…well, maybe not Jon. I bet he spent his fair share of this tape mooning over Martin, too.

Okay. Get it together, Sasha. Make your statement, face your fears.

So. Yeah. I’m afraid something is going to happen to the others. I’m afraid something is going to happen to Melanie in particular, and I’m afraid that something is going to go wrong and the first I’ll know of it is when the world goes weird around me.

I mean, weirder than normal.

And I don’t know what I can do about it. Other than hold up my end of the plan and hope theirs goes well, too.

[DOOR OPENING]

MELANIE

Sasha?

SASHA

Hm?

MELANIE

Elias wants to see us. All of us.

SASHA

Right now?

MELANIE

Yeah. Says it can’t wait.

SASHA

Okay. Coming.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

MELANIE

Melanie King, twelfth of July, 2017, 11:37pm.

Yeah, I took it home to do this, what are you going to do about it? Maybe I wanted to be able to set proper wards. Maybe I don’t want anyone listening in.

I can’t believe Martin actually thought I would stay back. I can’t believe he considered it for even a second. Has he not figured out by now that every single time one of us goes off on our own, something goes horribly wrong? I mean, even when we’re together, things go bad. I’ve thought about making a statement about the Mermaid Inn, just so I stop having the fucking nightmares about it again.

On the whole, I preferred the ones about Aldershot, even if I did have to suffer through knowing Jon was watching, the bastard. I know it wasn’t his fault, but damn it, it just made me so…angry. [Sigh] Still not sure if that was because he was watching like it was a goddamned show or because I knew he didn’t know I knew he was there. After we got to be friends, I guess what made me the angriest was that I knew it was hurting him almost as much as it hurt me, but I couldn’t stop what I was doing and I couldn’t even step out of the patterns of the dreaming far enough to let him know I knew he was there. It just reminded me that I had no control over everything, and I hate that.

I’m angry a lot. I always have been. I feel like I’ve always been fighting. Having brothers like Martin and Gerry especially meant that—not that I had to fight them, but I had to fight for them. Martin would always try to make himself nonthreatening and Gerry would find the spaces in between to slip through, but I never wanted to do that. No one makes space for people like us. You’ve got to elbow the comfortable idiots out of the way and then claw your way up with gritted teeth. I know it sounds stupid to call starting a ghost hunting show a fight, but it was. Tooth and nail. And I did it, and I won. And then it all fell apart, and I can’t even find the point when it did. But I’m still fighting. New package, same patterns. Elias—God, what an asshole. I just want to rip his—

[CAT MEWS]

No, not you, baby. No, Mummy’s busy right now—okay, fine, fine, you can stay. Ow—Jesus, not the claws. There, settle down and be good now.

[PURRING UNDERSCORES THE REST OF THE STATEMENT]

God, when did I start losing the parts of myself that weren’t anger?

When was the last time I teased one of my brothers, or said something that wasn’t either neutral or meant to hurt? I’m not mad at them. Well, maybe a little bit at Martin for trying to be all…white knight, loose cannon, lone wolf type. He doesn’t have to do this alone, and he shouldn’t, and he fucking knows that, but he’s still trying.

I, I hate that. And I hate Mum for doing that to him, for making him think it doesn’t matter if he dies as long as the people around him survive. Not even just the people he cares about, the people he doesn’t even know. Can’t he see that saving the world isn’t going to mean anything to the rest of us if we lose him in the process? If he dies, I will get Gerry to bring him back again just so I can fucking kill him myself.

Losing Gerry like we did is what spelled the end of Ghost Hunt UK. I know that now. I was just so angry and I didn’t have anyone to be angry at, because it was just stupid bad genetics and our usual rotten luck that killed him, so I was angry at the whole universe. It’s why I stayed away from Martin—so I wouldn’t take it out on him—but that just meant I took it out on everyone else I came into contact with, and I know that’s a big part of why we started struggling after that. I’m afraid that will happen again, and—the Archives are different. We, we can’t quit. We’re trapped there, and if we get angry and start falling apart, we’ll just be…trapped with people who hate us, and who we hate, and that’s just going to be miserable for everyone.

But it’s more than that. Tim and Jon, they’re, they’re my brothers, and it’s nothing to do with them being with Gerry and Martin. Jon was my brother before Martin even admitted he was falling for him, and I think Tim would have been, eventually, even if he and Gerry weren’t making the beast with two backs.

I don’t want to lose my family. And I especially don’t want it to be my fault.

[DEEP BREATH]

So Martin is not going to die, and I am going to know who to blame if he gets hurt, and I will direct my anger at the appropriate people if the time comes.

And it looks like if all else fails, I can just cuddle up with you on my chest and I’ll be relaxed in no time.

Heh. Cats. I should’ve got one years ago. They’re better than Prozac.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

DAISY

I don’t know what you want from me.

And whatever it is, you’re not getting it.

…

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

ARCHIVIST

Statement of Martin Blackwood…[sigh] the Archivist, in advance of departure for Great Yarmouth. Recorded direct from subject, thirteenth July, 2017. Statement begins.

Everything’s set. We’re leaving in the morning, before sunrise. Daisy left a few minutes ago to “borrow” one of the disused Breekon and Hope vans so we can blend in a little better around the House of Wax, and once she’s sure it’s running properly, she’ll let us all know. Then we’ll meet up here at the Institute and make our way up. I definitely prefer rail travel, but, well, we can’t exactly do that with fifty pounds of plastic explosives in tow. Not without a permit, anyway.

I’m…not surprised, honestly, that the others insisted on coming along. Bit annoyed, but not surprised. If it were the other way around, I wouldn’t want to let Jon out of my sight, either. It’s just…I need them to be safe. And going into the House of Wax is about as far from safe as you can get without coming back in the other direction.

I suppose I should be glad. I mean, at least if they’re with us, I can watch them. I’ll know where they are, and that they’re safe. But I’m worried. The Stranger is—well, unpredictable. Elias wasn’t wrong about that. There’s every chance they’ll be where we don’t expect, do what we haven’t prepared for. It’s not the Web, sure, but it can still lure you in. And I haven’t forgotten that it was Jon trying to smack a spider that caused him to knock the hole in his office wall and let the Corruption out, or that one bit Sasha to tell her where the manual release for the fire suppression system was. Pretty sure there were a few lurking in that shack in the swamp, too. The Web is interested, I’m pretty sure, and if it teams up with the Stranger, God help us.

I’m not just worried. I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I’m going to lose my sister and the man I love to something that very nearly killed me once already and is the antithesis of everything we are, and I’m afraid that I’m going to be so focused on protecting them that I forget to protect Basira and Daisy, and I’m afraid that I’m going to be so distracted by all four of them that I forget to protect myself. And I’m afraid, terribly afraid, that if the Stranger gets hold of me the others will try to rescue me instead of disrupting the ritual. I refuse to be the reason the world ends.

I’m—I’m going to have to talk with Daisy. Again. She’s—[small laugh] fucking terrifying, but she’s also strong and no-nonsense. I trust her. I am putting that on the official record: I trust her. And I am trusting that if it all goes to shit, if I somehow get captured, she won’t waste time trying to get me out, and she won’t let Jon or Melanie waste time or energy on that either. If something happens to me, she needs to get them out, whether they want to go or not.

She will. I know she will.

…

I’ve, I’ve been thinking about a television show I loved when I was a kid. Used to borrow the tapes from the library when I could, too—haven’t watched it in ages, but it’s one of those shows that sticks with you, you know? I’ve had a few lines from it bouncing around my head these last couple days. Everything from Mr. Garibaldi saying that “if we lose, there is no ‘then what’, and if we win, what next” to Kosh saying “the avalanche has already started; it is too late for the pebbles to vote” to that doctor on Downbelow saying “I did the necessary thing. That is not always the same as the right thing.” [Bitter laugh] You know, all kinds of cheerful things like that.

But there are a couple more I keep…coming back to, when things start getting dark. One is Ivanova’s speech at the end of the very last episode, when she talks about what the station meant, and the other, um, was from the third season finale. And, um…maybe it’s not exactly the most professional thing in the world, but…just in case, for posterity, I’m going to try to remember it, exactly the way he said it.

[DEEP BREATH]

[FAINT, GENTLE STATIC]

“There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.”

[STATIC FADES]

We can’t give up. We have to keep hope.

We’ve got this.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

TIM

Let the record show that I am only doing this because Jon and Martin both asked me. I fucking hate these things. Maybe a little less knowing that it…well, helped Martin while he was gone, but still. Whatever you are, I think you’re a nosy bastard and I would normally never tell you any of this. But it’s important to them, so…fine.

They’re leaving soon. The others. Well…I mean, “soon,” I don’t know exactly when. It’s, um, it’s late. We stayed at the office later than usual, waiting for Daisy to get back with the van, but then Martin got in touch with her and said she was having trouble. Um, something about the fuel injector? I don’t know, I’m not a car guy. Whatever it is, she said it was going to take longer than she thought, so Martin told us all to go home and try to get some rest. They’ll call when they’re leaving. And when that happens, I guess I’ll be going back to the Institute.

I, I have to see them go. I can’t—I need to know they’re leaving. I know that sounds stupid. Intellectually, I know they’re leaving. Like, there’s no doubt about that. But…I need to see it. I need to watch them walk away—or drive away, whatever—and know that they’re going, and where they’re going.

I didn’t get that with Danny. He was there, and then I woke up the next morning, and he was gone. It was luck—good or bad, who knows—that I even figured out where he went. And I’m—I’m pretty sure he was long gone by the time I got there. What I saw, what I thought—it, it wasn’t Danny. Just a costume, really, or a—a sham over a prop. Like gluing the spine of an old book to a block of wood to save a space on the shelf, but when you pull it down, there’s nothing really there.

I keep trying to remember what the last thing I said to him was. When was the last time I told him I loved him? I mean, he knew, right? He had to. But did I tell him? Did I actually say it, or did I just fuss at him for being an idiot, try to calm him down, and go to bed when nothing worked? It…wasn’t like when we were little. This wasn’t him waking up crying from a dream and me wiping his eyes and making him cocoa and talking him back to reality. It happened, and there was nothing I could have done about that.

I could have tried harder, though.

My earliest memory is of my dad lifting me up so I can see into the crib, showing me this tiny red spud with a shock of black hair sticking up all over the place, and telling me that I have a responsibility now. And then he woke up and just looked at me, and—and the minute I met his eyes, big blue eyes full of wonder and awe, I knew I’d do anything for him. Looking after him was never a burden, you know? It was just a thing I did. [Small laugh] Maybe it would’ve been different if I’d had to, like if we’d had shitty home lives like Martin and Jon and Sasha did, but no, just my little brother tagging along and me making sure he was okay until he was big enough to handle himself, and it was good.

And then there was something he actually needed me to protect him from. And I didn’t.

That’s why I’m staying back. Melanie needs to go, she needs to be there for her brother. And Jon…well, Jon really doesn’t need to go, actually. I think Elias said he needed to stay behind knowing that he wouldn’t, and knowing that Martin wouldn’t fight him too hard, so if something awful does happen and Jon…um, gets hurt…Martin will spiral into guilt, and probably be easier to manipulate into doing something really goddamn stupid under the guise of protecting the rest of us. Basira won’t be any help, so if anyone is staying to help Sasha, it’s going to be me.

Which, hey. At least I get to take this case of the mean reds out on something.

[Sigh] Good luck, everyone. Bring the house down. I’ll be waiting for you when you get home.

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

GERRY

Never talked to one of these before. Gertrude barely let me near them, and I didn’t put my statement on tape when I first got back. Didn’t need to, really, they were all there, and we weren’t sure back then if anyone else was listening to them. Can’t risk the Supreme Bastard knowing I’m alive, after all. Well [bitter laugh], for a given value of alive, anyway.

But if this goes right, he won’t have a chance to find out, so…I might as well get my thoughts on the record, too.

Tim…he’s, uh, he’s sleeping. I managed to convince him to lie down after he finished his part of the tape, and for all he claimed he wasn’t tired, he’s snoring right now with his head in my lap. Going to try not to wake him up. Me, I haven’t slept since Martin got home. I can’t risk it. Every time I start thinking about sleeping…well, that’s when I’m at my most vulnerable, I guess. That’s when the flashbacks come on. They might not always be bad, but, uh, [nervous laugh] I don’t want to run the risk that I’m going to either relive something inconvenient in my life or go through someone else’s near death experience that leads to me seeing all the flaws in this plan or worrying too much about everyone dying, so, no. I can sleep when it’s all over.

I’m going. Tomorrow. Martin doesn’t know that—neither does Melanie, come to think of it—but I am. They’re probably both going to throw a wobbly and try to talk me out of it, but come on. It’s like the biggest Leitner we’ve ever tried to burn. They need me there.

That’s what I plan to tell them, anyway. And it’s the truth. Part of the truth. Really, though, it’s that I need to protect them. I—I can’t let them go into a dangerous situation without me, not when I’m able to go with them. Even apart from the usual…this, this thing I can do, I can see if they’re about to die and…well, prevent it by not touching them. I don’t even have to know the details of how they’re going to die. I just have to not poke the death point.

Martin can probably use another pair of eyes watching everyone’s back, too. He told me about his new…position. God, I hope he gets a raise out of it too…anyway, he’s now officially responsible for the others instead of just feeling responsible for them, so he’s going to be even more anxious about them on top of being anxious about stopping the Unknowing. And I can’t die—probably—so I’m as good a bodyguard as anyone.

Besides that. I promised Tim that if there’s—if anything goes really wrong, if there’s someone there who’s…I won’t let them suffer. I, I can reap…souls, I guess, without them being on the cusp of dying. I try not to, because those [sigh] are more substantial than the already-dying ones and I don’t want to get addicted to that, but it’s a thing I can do. So if there are people there that are…trapped, between living and dying, caught in a cycle of perpetual undeath as they await the Dance…I should be able to, um, pull them to one side.

Probably not the side they’d prefer, but—

[BUZZING]

[MIDI VERSION OF OPERATIC ARIA BEGINS PLAYING]

What—oh, really, Tim?

TIM

Huh? Wha?

GERRY

I get why your ringtone for Martin is an aria, but does it have to be from I Pagliacci?

TIM

I don’t know anything about operas, okay? I just grabbed something at random.

[RINGING AND BUZZING STOPS]

Hey, Marto. What’s up?

…

I’ll be right there.

…

The fuck I don’t. I’m on my way, okay?

…Yeah, see you soon.

They’re getting ready to go.

GERRY

It’s two in the goddamn morning.

TIM

Traffic will probably be better.

[GERRY SIGHS]

GERRY

Right. I’ll meet them at the north end of Brompton.

TIM

I’ll tell them.

…Be careful, okay?

GERRY

I will. I promise.

[KISS]

[CLICK]

———

[CLICK]

ARCHIVIST

Right, we’re getting ready to leave now. Tim brought this back with him when he came to say—to wish us luck, and I asked everyone to give me a second before I go out to join them.

I’m locking this in Tim’s desk drawer so it doesn’t accidentally get used…somehow. If we don’t come back, o-or we come back wrong, or different, this might be the only record of us, and I want it safe.

If you’re listening to this, and you’re not on this tape…find Tim and Sasha. Timothy Stoker and Sasha James. They should be around the Archives somewhere, and they’ll explain everything you need to know. There’s a Polaroid taped to the back of this—make sure they match. They’ll, they’ll be able to explain that, too.

If you are on this tape, and you’re listening to this because…well, because one of us didn’t come back…I’m sorry. I am. I’m sorry that this is the last recording you have of whoever…i-it’s probably, no, definitely me. I’m not losing them, and I will give my last breath to protect them, so if you’re listening to hear someone’s voice, it’s probably mine.

But if you’re able to listen, that means it was worth it.

[CLICK]

[smilecliniclondon]

Smile Clinic London offers affordable prices on composite bonding all over London. For more information about the treatment please feel free to visit us. We possess the necessary expertise and experience to resolve your problem. Our track record in handling this type of cases is simply excellent. 

[alisondentaldesign]

Enhance Your Smile with Composite Bonding: A Comprehensive Guide by Garden Dental and Implant Clinic in London

In the bustling metropolis of London, where style and sophistication converge, Garden Dental and Implant Clinic stands as a beacon of excellence in dental care. Renowned for their commitment to innovation and patient-centred care, they offer a wide range of services to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Among these transformative treatments, composite bonding emerges as a popular choice for individuals seeking to enhance the appearance of their teeth with natural-looking results.

Understanding Composite Bonding:

Composite bonding, also known as dental bonding or cosmetic bonding, is a versatile and minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure. It involves applying a tooth-coloured composite resin material to the surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. Whether you're dealing with chipped, cracked, discoloured, or misshapen teeth, composite bonding offers a simple yet effective solution to enhance your smile.

The Garden Dental and Implant Clinic Difference:

Located in the heart of London, Garden Dental and Implant Clinic is renowned for its dedication to excellence in dental care. Led by a team of experienced professionals, they combine state-of-the-art technology with personalized attention to deliver outstanding results tailored to each patient's unique needs and desires.

Personalized Consultation:

Your journey towards a more beautiful smile begins with a comprehensive consultation at Garden Dental and Implant Clinic. During this initial appointment, their skilled dental professionals will take the time to listen to your concerns, assess your oral health, and discuss your treatment options in detail. Whether you're interested in composite bonding or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, they will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that aligns with your goals and budget.

Artistry and Precision:

At Garden Dental and Implant Clinic, they understand that achieving natural-looking results requires both artistry and precision. Their talented dental team possesses the skill and expertise to seamlessly blend the composite resin with your natural teeth, creating a flawless, harmonious smile that enhances your overall facial aesthetics.

Minimally Invasive Treatment:

One of the key advantages of composite bonding is its minimally invasive nature. Unlike other cosmetic procedures that may require extensive tooth preparation, bonding typically involves minimal removal of enamel, preserving the integrity of your natural teeth. This means less discomfort, faster recovery, and immediate results – allowing you to enjoy your stunning new smile without delay.

Long-lasting Results:

With proper care and maintenance, composite bonding can provide long-lasting results that withstand the test of time. By practicing good oral hygiene habits and avoiding habits like nail-biting and chewing on hard objects, you can help prolong the lifespan of your bonded teeth and enjoy your beautiful smile for years to come.

In the vibrant city of London, Garden Dental and Implant Clinic stands as a trusted destination for individuals seeking to enhance their smiles with composite bonding. With a commitment to excellence, artistry, and patient satisfaction, they are dedicated to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. If you're ready to transform your smile and boost your confidence, schedule a consultation with Garden Dental and Implant Clinic today – because your radiant new smile awaits.

Garden Dental and Implant Clinic

610 Finchley Rd, London, NW11 7RX

020 8455 3310

info@gardendental.com

[crazyvik97rpg]

For the rest of the evening, Sebastian felt so much better all thanks to William. He had a long, warm bath, he was well fed with delicious food and even dessert too. When he went to bed that night, he of course still was anxious but...he looked at it all a bit differently then. William would be there with him tomorrow and he could just...count on him. He was beyond grateful that he had him.

The next day at school was pretty much normal again - everyone bought the excuse of Sebastian being gone for an emergency wisdom tooth appointment. Needless to say, Alan got highly suspicious though during lunch, as Sebastian basically ate as if nothing happened and...well, truth be told, now it didn't seem like the best excuse after all. But nobody else noticed and basically nobody spoke about it anymore anyway. Molly was having lunch with them in the cafeteria and spoke about her first days of teaching so far, about her students and asking this and that. It was pleasant - even though Sebastian's anxiety rose with each hour passing. Molly always chatted him up happily and he engaged of course - she was sweet and they could bond a little over shared interests.

It was only around half past 2 when Sebastian had his last class. Everything was discussed with the principal of course. They needed about an hour to get to London (not as long if William would speed a little again...) and their appointment was at 4. Sebastian came to school by car today so they could also just leave right away. He met William in the faculty room - Sebastian's mood was honestly...mixed.

"Hey. ...Are we ready to go?"

For I have sinned...

The principal cleared his throat, eyes scanning the notes that he had wrote down before this meeting. It already lasted an hour, and the teachers gathered in the faculty room were becoming restless and bored. But indeed there were some things to discuss, with the concert that the senior class was supposed to perform at the end of the semester, and with recent staff changes. 

William glanced down at his watch, sighing softly. His class was starting in 15 minutes, so at least, whether the meeting will be done soon or not, he will get to excuse himself. He looked out of the window, his mind wandering. Principal’s voice turned into white noise in the background. It was a pleasant day, late summer. But William was looking forward to a slightly cooler weather. Wearing all black could really be bothersome at times. 

“And lastly, I am pleased to announce that we have finally found replacement for the violin teacher. Dear Mr Tanaka, may he rest in peace, was with us for so many years that I’ve been concerned we won’t be able to find someone as good as to fill this position.” the principal spoke. “But Mr… Michaelis, was highly recommended to me, and he indeed has impressive references. He will be starting this week, so please welcome him warmly once he will arrive. Ah yes… about that. He will arrive today at noon, I need someone to pick him up from the train station and bring over for the tour around the school. Any volunteers?” 

William was barely listening, and definitely not paying much attention. He glanced at his watch again, and saw that it was time to leave, as his class was about to start. He raised his hand to excuse himself, and little did he know, he just volunteered.

“Father William! Excellent!” the principal exclaimed. “Just don’t be late, the train arrives at noon.”

“Train…?” William questioned, raising his brow. He had a feeling he was missing something…

***

Right after the meeting, William had to run for the class, so he had little time to clarify what exactly he had volunteered for. He was a piano teacher in this Music Academy, but also he served as a priest in local church. Well respected, and rather liked. So when he later found out it was about the new violin teacher, he didn’t refuse. Who, other than himself, would be a better choice to introduce a newcome to their community?

So even though he raised his hand by accident, he accepted this fate.

After classes, at noon, William took a taxi and drove to the train station, to pick up their new teacher. Wearing black trousers, and a black shirt with a thin tie, was absolutely dreadful in this weather, so William quickly found shelter under the roof of the station platform, that provided some shade.

The train had just arrived. William had no idea how Mr Michaelis looked like, but he figured he will just look for someone carrying a violin case with them. 

He was in for a bit surprise.

@crazyvik97

[jungkookandyugyeomwhores]

The Latest Advances in Dental Restoration Available in London

The latest advances in dental restoration available in London offer cutting-edge solutions for tooth repair and replacement. Innovations like 3D-printed dental crowns, minimally invasive implant procedures, and advanced materials such as zirconia for implants provide enhanced durability and aesthetics. Laser dentistry and guided surgeries ensure precision and quicker recovery times. With these advancements, London dental clinics are offering patients more comfortable, efficient, and long-lasting restorations, transforming both the function and appearance of their smiles.

The Latest Advances in Dental Restoration Available in London 3D-Printed Crowns and Bridges

In the world of dental restoration London 3D-printing technology has revolutionised how dental crowns and bridges are made. Unlike traditional methods, 3D-printed crowns offer higher precision and customization, ensuring a perfect fit for each patient. This technology significantly reduces the time it takes to create dental prosthetics, providing same-day solutions for tooth restoration, improving both aesthetics and functionality.

Minimally Invasive Implant Techniques in Dental Restoration London 

Advances in dental implant procedures in London focus on minimal invasiveness. These techniques involve less drilling and faster healing times, reducing discomfort for patients. Innovations such as guided implant surgery allow dentists to precisely plan and place implants, making Dental restoration London more efficient and effective, with a lower risk of complications.

A Game-Changer in Dental Restoration London As A Durable, in Zirconia Implants 

Zirconia is gaining popularity in dental restoration London  as a durable, biocompatible material. These implants are metal-free, making them a great option for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities. Zirconia offers a natural appearance while being strong enough to withstand chewing forces, making it an ideal choice for long-lasting tooth restoration.

Laser Dentistry in Dental Restoration London for Precise Results 

Laser technology has become an integral part of dental restoration London. Lasers allow for highly precise treatments with less bleeding, swelling, and post-treatment discomfort. Whether used for gum contouring, cavity preparation, or implant placement, laser dentistry provides patients with a more comfortable experience and quicker recovery times.

Guided Surgery in Dental Restoration London in Advanced Imaging Technologies  

Guided surgery has dramatically improved the accuracy of dental restoration London procedures, particularly in implant placement. By using advanced imaging technologies like CBCT scans and digital planning software, dentists can map out the exact placement of implants before surgery. This ensures that implants are placed optimally, reducing the risk of complications and improving overall treatment outcomes.

Digital Smile Design in Dental Restoration London  

One of the most exciting advancements in **dental restoration London** is Digital Smile Design (DSD). DSD uses digital software to create a virtual model of a patient’s smile, allowing them to see the potential results of their dental restoration before any work is done. This helps patients visualise their future smile, ensuring greater satisfaction with the final result.

Advanced Composite Materials in Dental Restoration London 

Composite materials used in Dental restoration London  have also improved significantly. These materials are now stronger and more durable, mimicking the natural colour and texture of teeth. Whether used for fillings, veneers, or bonding, these advanced composites allow for longer-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing results, making dental restorations virtually invisible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the latest advances in dental restoration in London  have transformed the field, offering patients more precise, effective, and aesthetically pleasing solutions. From 3D-printed crowns and zirconia implants to laser dentistry and guided surgery, these innovations reduce recovery time, enhance comfort, and provide long-lasting results. Minimally invasive techniques and the use of advanced materials have also made dental procedures safer and more efficient. The incorporation of digital smile design allows patients to visualise their new smiles before treatment, ensuring satisfaction with the final results. As technology continues to evolve, dental restoration in London remains at the cutting edge of modern dental care, providing world-class solutions for patients.

[oral-health-care-canada]

Why Teeth Implants Might Be the Right Choice for You: A London Perspective

When it comes to restoring your smile after losing one or more teeth, dental implants stand out as one of the most effective and durable solutions. If you're searching for a "teeth implants dentist near me in London”, understanding the benefits and process of getting dental implants is essential. This article explores why dental implants might be the right choice for you and how to find the best services in your area.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from biocompatible materials like titanium. They are surgically placed into the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for a replacement tooth or crown. Over time, the implant fuses with the bone, creating a strong and permanent bond. This fusion process, known as osseointegration, ensures that the dental implant functions just like a natural tooth.

The Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants

Restored Functionality: One of the most significant advantages of dental implants is their ability to restore full functionality to your mouth. Unlike dentures, which can slip or cause discomfort, implants allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. They act just like your natural teeth, meaning you can enjoy your favorite foods without worry.

Long-Lasting Solution: Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. This durability makes them a cost-effective option in the long run, as they eliminate the need for frequent replacements or adjustments.

Improved Oral Health: When you opt for dental implants, your surrounding teeth remain intact. Unlike traditional bridges, which require the reduction of adjacent teeth, implants preserve your natural tooth structure. Additionally, implants help stimulate bone growth, preventing the jawbone deterioration that can occur with missing teeth.

Enhanced Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They are custom-made to match the color and shape of your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural appearance. This can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to smile freely.

Finding a Reliable Teeth Implants Dentist Near Me in London

If you're considering dental implants, it's crucial to find a qualified and experienced dentist who specializes in this procedure. Start by searching for a "teeth implants dentist near me" and look for clinics with positive reviews, experienced professionals, and a track record of successful implant procedures.

The Tooth Corner in London is a reputable choice for those seeking dental implant services. With a team of skilled dentists and state-of-the-art technology, they offer personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Their commitment to patient satisfaction and high-quality results makes them a trusted option for dental implants.

What to Expect During the Dental Implant Process

The process of getting dental implants typically involves several stages, each designed to ensure the best possible outcome:

Consultation and Examination: During your initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and determine if you're a suitable candidate for dental implants. This may involve taking X-rays and 3D images to assess the condition of your jawbone and surrounding teeth.

Implant Placement: The next step is the surgical placement of the implant into your jawbone. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring minimal discomfort. After placement, the implant will need time to fuse with the bone, a process that can take several months.

Abutment and Crown Placement: Once the implant has fully integrated with the bone, an abutment is attached to the implant. This serves as the connection between the implant and the replacement tooth. Finally, a custom-made crown is placed on top of the abutment, completing the restoration.

Emergency Dentist Services Near Me: Why It's Important to Be Prepared

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and knowing where to turn for immediate care is essential. Whether you experience a sudden toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or any other urgent dental issue, having access to reliable "emergency dentist services near me" is crucial.

The Tooth Corner in Wingham offers comprehensive emergency dental services, ensuring that you receive prompt and effective treatment when you need it most. Their team is equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies, providing you with peace of mind and relief from pain.

Dental implants are an excellent choice for anyone looking to restore their smile with a permanent, natural-looking solution. If you're considering this option, finding a qualified "teeth implants dentist near me" in London is the first step towards a healthier, more confident smile. Additionally, being prepared with access to emergency dentist services in your area ensures that you're covered in case of unexpected dental issues. With the right care and expertise, you can enjoy the benefits of dental implants for years to come.

[houseofspells369]

Tired of generic tourist traps? Dive into the wonder of fun things to do in London Diagon Alley at House of Spells, a hidden gem for Harry Potter fans. This immersive shop isn't just about souvenirs; it's a portal to the wizarding world.

Find your perfect wand: Experience the thrill of wielding a handcrafted marvel and forge a mystical bond. Potion enthusiasts will delight in safe-to-use ingredients, bubbling cauldrons, and vials for brewing magical concoctions at home.

Satisfy your sweet tooth: House of Spells stocks all your favourite treats from the books, from Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans to delectable Chocolate Frogs.

A Place for All Magic Lovers: Whether you're a die-hard Potterhead or just starting your magical journey, House of Spells London is open to all. The meticulously crafted space transports you into a movie set with its detailed decor and a thoughtfully curated range of merchandise. It's more than just a shopping experience; it's an invitation to be a part of the magic.

Take a Piece of Magic Home: Every item, from wands and potion ingredients to sweet treats, becomes a unique keepsake. Here, you can genuinely take the magic with you.

Interactive Adventures Await: House of Spells offers interactive adventures and themed events for those who crave deeper immersion. Each visit is a chance to discover something new and thrilling, making your experience truly magical.

Don't Miss Out! Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, House of Spells London is a must-visit. It's your chance to explore and connect with the magic of the Harry Potter series unforgettably.