#usa today puzzles | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hotluncheddie · 9 months ago

Text

Wherever you go, that’s where I am.

lovely @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx mentioned writing some more mid 20s, slightly softer body steve <3 so here is: Five times Eddie loves Steve’s body and one time Steve loves Eddie’s

wc: 3.5k | cw: none | rated: M | tags: established relationship, body worship, feral pining goblin eddie munson, chubby steve harrington, fluff, they're in love (so so so in love)

ao3

₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊

Eddie leaps back into the bed, mattress bouncing. He’s been hit with the post coital zoomies, which unfortunately go against Steve’s post nut ritual of passing the fuck out.

But Eddie doesn’t mind. Not when Steve looks so soft, all curled up, laying on his side.

Eddie cleans up, Steve teeters on the verge of sleep until Eddie’s finished and spoons him. It’s foolproof.

He nuzzles into Steve’s shoulder, kissing over the skin and down his back. He traces over the scars at Steve’s hip, just like his own. It still makes Eddie shiver when he thinks about it sometimes, him and his boyfriend, connected like that.

Eddie nuzzled in more and Steve lets out a sleepy groan. He’s so cute when he gets fucked boneless. Eddie would know, he’s the one that gets to do the fucking.

Letting his hands roam further Eddie sneaks around to Steve’s stomach, stroking the soft hairs of his happy trail and letting his fingers press into the slight pudge that sits there now. It feels nice, like his Steve, relaxed and happy and safe.

‘I like this’ Eddie says, giving the soft skin a squeeze.

Steve grunts. ‘Wha?’ Eddie thinks he says, Steve’s face is smushed into the pillow.

Eddie smiles, kisses his shoulder. ‘This.’ Eddie squeezes again, splaying his whole hand over it, pressing his fingers into the warm skin slightly.

Steve just grunts again, turns his head to lay on the pillow properly. ‘I’ll go for a run tomorrow.’ He says, voice still rough with impending sleep.

‘What?’ Eddie asks, because, huh? ‘Steve, I just said I like it.’ and Eddie scoots closer, tries to get a look at Steve’s face over his shoulder.

He seems to be puzzling something out in his head, eyebrows slightly furrowed over his closed eyelids. ‘Oh.’ He says softly. ‘Kay.’ And he shimmies back into Eddie more, face smoothing out.

Eddie squeezes him, tucking him up into his chest. ‘Yeah oh.’ He murmurs, kissing between Steve’s shoulder blades. ‘Silly.’ He adds fondly. Silly guy, how could he think Eddie sees him as anything other than the breathtaking, heavenly angel that he is?

Steve just grunts again, resting his hand over Eddie’s on his stomach and falling dead asleep. His soft snores filling the room.

Eddie resists the urge to bite his shoulder. Instead curling around him more and holding him as close as possible. Maybe they should talk about this at some point, why his mind went where it did.

Not right now though. right now Eddie just lets himself drift off, lulled by the steady breathing of his most favourite person.

Eddie is going to erect an alter. And build a shrine. And kneel before it to give thanks.

And it will all be dedicated to one, Bruce Springsteen.

Eddie will never ever, cross his heart, ever complain about Steve playing ‘Born in the USA’ multiple times in a row. He’ll even put it at the top of his all time album lists. He’ll do it. He will.

Because that album cover, that guy, those songs, inspired his Steve to look like that.

And Eddie has never been a winner. But he hit the fucking jackpot today. Every day. All the days Steve will still let Eddie have him.

The band had taken a trip into Chicago for some very exiting meetings. With Steve, angel that he is, offering to chauffeur so none of them would be too tired, and so they only had to spring for a hotel for one night instead of two.

During said meeting Steve had been entertaining himself. The latest that Eddie got out of had been the longest and most exiting, so he’s happy.

He’s maybe even happier though that Steve found such a productive way to entertain himself.

Because Eddie too, is entertained.

He’s waiting at Steve’s car, leaning against the front bumbler. And Steve, blessed, beautiful, jock that he is, had found the batting cages.

Eddie’s going to write a song about blue jeans. He’s going to send Brucy a letter of thanks for causing Steve to cut the sleeves off his old grey crew neck. He’s going to need to get his mouth on Steve’s dick ASAP if he intends on walking over with his baseball bat over his shoulder the way it is, hips swaying, smug little smirk on his face. Maybe Eddie just needs a lobotomy, it’s all a little too much.

Steve walks right past him, tapping him under the chin as he goes.

Eddie’s mouth was open, respectfully.

Then he hears the boot click open, and Eddie quickly scampers around to the back of the car.

Just in time to watch Steve bend over, putting the bat back, ass round and thick and filling up his jeans oh, so nicely.

Eddie might have to write a whole album about blue jeans actually. Especially these new ones, a size or so bigger since high school, more room to let the full force of Steve show to the world.

It’s just, there’s a certain level more bounce to it all now, and it makes Eddie kind of insane.

And, oh, yep, Steve’s arching his back, okay. He wants Eddie to die, yep, like, actually die, for real.

He’s not even really keeping up the rouse of pretending to be doing something. He’s just bent over with his back arched and his ass sticking out, shirt lifted just enough for Eddie to see the base of his spine.

He’s doing it knowing Eddie’s looking. Knowing they’re in public. Knowing Eddie’s looking but they’re in public so Eddie can’t do anything.

Menace. Brat. Evil. Evil. Evil.

‘Boys are at the diner down the street. Said we’d meet them there.’ Eddie says, monotone, rough and with herculean effort. They need to go. He can’t do any of the many things he wants to to Steve right now. So they should go, for Eddie’s heart and soul and sanity’s sake.

Eddie sighs, he really could look at this scene all day, but that would waste time, valuable, Steve and Eddie alone in the privacy of a room time. Which is sacred.

‘We’ll be home by tonight you know?’ Steve says, leaning on the now closed boot. He’s taking pity on Eddie but he still looks a little smug, which is annoyingly, all, also hot. ‘C’mon, I’ll keep my hand on your thigh on the drive to the diner, the way you like.’ Steve murmurs, coming up behind Eddie and pushing him lightly, steering him towards the car.

‘Home by tonight.’ Eddie parrots, his life line. He’ll be home by tonight, with Steve. Alone with just Steve, and he can do some of the many many things, whatever Steve will let him, whatever Steve wants.

‘You come here often?’ Steve asks, grin loose and sloppy, eyes lidded. One arm resting on the doorframe next to Eddie’s head. Steve’s staring at his lips.

Eddie smiles at him, tucks a lock of hair behind Steve’s ear. Cradling his cheek Eddie shakes Steves head slightly. ‘I do baby. I live here.’ And Steve giggles, tucks his head into Eddie’s neck, like this is the best news in the world.

They’ve just got in from the bar, Steve crowding into Eddie’s space as soon as he got the door locked. Robin found a girl, away for the night. Steve had a couple more than normal to drink.

Eddie can’t help but laugh along with him, kissing the side of his head and resting his hands on his hips to start walking them backwards towards their room. ‘C’mon big boy.’ He says, just to make Steve giggle more.

Steve lifts his head back up, smile still big and loose, eyes still lidded. ‘Dance with me?’ He asks, like Eddie can’t tell he’s twenty minutes away for being passed out in bed, his fruity drinks always making him crash eventually.

But Eddie can’t really say no to Steve, especially not when he’s like this, care free and blinding. When he’s beautifully alive.

Eddie takes a step back, takes Steve’s hand and twirls him. Steve stumbles slightly, laughing again.

With his arm up Eddie can see some of his soft hip and belly as his t-shirt lifts, can see that his jeans are unbuttoned. Which is not surprising since they’re practically painted on. Steve explained that he likes feeling Eddie up against him when they dance, likes the way Eddie’s eyes sharpen if someone looks a little too long. And oh, people look, it’s not just Eddie who notices how those jeans fit, how wonderful Steve always looks.

But Eddie’s the only one who gets to see Steve like this. Home at the end of the night. When Steve needs that extra room, when he lets his soft parts breathe a little better. When he relaxes fully.

That’s just for Eddie. And it’s the best part.

Eddie twirls Steve again and lets him fall back into his chest. Giggles dying out slowly and breath coming deeper and slower. Steve hums, squeezing Eddie’s middle and breathing in the skin behind his ear. Steve leaves kisses down Eddie’s neck, a little wet, making Eddie shiver. Steve hums and does it again. ‘Love you.’ He whispers, holding Eddie close.

Eddie squeezes back, his heart bursting. ‘Love you too baby.’ He says into Steve’s hair, into his bones, into all his soft wonderful edges. ‘Let me take my love to bed now, hm?’ He asks, dipping his hands into Steve’s back pockets, squeezing just to feel Steve tense and then relax against him.

Steve nods, still in Eddie’s neck. One last kiss and he’s moving. Pulling Eddie by the hand through to their room. Kicking off his shoes and falling onto the bed with Eddie on top of him. Steve’s eyes already closed, breath already slowing and deepening. Like he knows Eddie will take care of the rest of their clothes, knows Eddie will tuck the blanket up around him, will hold Steve close all night. Knows Eddie will take care of him

Because Eddie will. Always.

‘Looking good Munson.’ Steve says, jogging past Eddie, panting slightly, smacking Eddie on the ass. Making Eddie jolt and almost spill his coffee.

He was leaning against the car door, face hidden in his arms because he’s just had to watch his very hot boyfriend complete his weekly work out at the park. Running, push-ups, the whole horrible lot.

And its ass o’clock in the morning because Eddies vans broke and he needs a ride to work, but he wants his love to have hobbies and be happy and Steve can only get him there if Eddie came along to watch. So, really, Eddie can deal with the early morning but, he’s not sure if his dick can.

Because ass.

Ass, was right.

And hip. And thigh. And bicep. And back.

Steve is chugging his water, sweaty. His shirt is cropped, his shorts are short and he’s wearing a backwards baseball cap to keep his hair out of his face.

He’s even got tube socks pulled up over his hairy calf’s.

He looks like a spread from the magazine Eddie used to keep under his mattress. It was dog eared and kind of, maybe, a little bit.. Sticky.

And Steve knows about the magazine.

Steve knows what he’s doing to Eddie right now.

Eddie glares at him over his largest they own coffee cup. It’s so early and the shirts a little see through. The shorts dig in to the softness at his hips, cut so high Eddie can see the smooth skin of his inner thighs. He watches the muscle and slight chub move when Steve shifts on his feet.

Eddie walks up to him. Knocking his head between Steve’s beautiful, wonderful, hairy, sweaty pecs. Thud thud thud.

Eddie groans.

Why does his boyfriend have to be so stupidly, annoyingly hot right before work?

Eddie wordlessly follows Steve’s lead and gets back in the car. He glares at the amused smile on Steves face, but then Steve checks all around to make sure the park is still blessedly empty and kisses Eddie sweetly on the temple. Eddie sighs, mollified, he can get over it.

But then Steve puts his arm around the back of Eddie’s seat, swivelling to look out the back as he reverses. Eddie’s hit with his body heat and smell, all detergent and cologne mixed with sweat and musk and Steve.

His broad chest right by Eddie’s head, a peak of pink nipple through white cotton, the chain Eddie got him for Christmas dangling into his chest hair. He’s so capable and in control, practical and smart and…

Eddie back at square one. He can’t get over it actually. It’s early and Steve is being a brat dressing like that. Being so hot on purpose. It’s so mean.

‘You wanna stop for breakfast?’ Steve asks, voice light.

‘Yeh.’ Eddie grunts, voice small, hands shoved in his jacket.

‘What d’you want?’ and Eddie can hear the amused smile on Steves face again, his voice a little patronising.

But Eddie doesn’t care. ‘You.’ He whines, resisting the urge to straddle Steve’s thighs and wrap his arms around his middle and squeeze him. He’d be so warm, and sweaty and soft and strong and perfect.

They could just make out! Eddie could probably survive all day if he got a bit of tongue down his throat.

‘Well, I’m getting a breakfast sandwich.’ Steve says, switching to drive and Eddie just whines again, burying his head in his hands.

It’s a routine, Eddie doing this for Steve, to make sure his scars heal properly. They won’t ever fade fully but the ointment helps, the doctor said it would, and Eddie likes doing it. Sitting on the edge of the bed and having Steve stand between his thighs, shirt off before him. Eddie likes taking care of Steve like this. Likes that Steve lets him.

‘You’ve got a new one.’ Eddie says, running the cream over Steve’s skin.

Steve tenses, looks down at himself. ‘What?’ He asks, confused, a little stressed.

Eddie hushes him, leans forward and kisses the skin below his bellybutton lightly, before smearing the cream there too. ‘Shh. Here.’ He prods the stretch mark that travels over the softness that now covers Steve’s hip bone, his fingers pressing into the give.

Steve cranes his neck to look at it, squeezing the skin to inspect it. But he grips so hard, Eddie smacks his hand away gently. ‘Careful.’ He says. Petting over the redness Steve left. ‘That’s my sweetheart you're man handling there, show some respect.’ And he leans back to look up at Steves face.

His cheeks are red and he looks annoyed, brows furrowed and lips pursed in a pout. ‘What is it love?’ Eddie asks, resting his hands on Steve’s sides.

‘S’ugly’ Steve mumbles, moving his arms like he wants to cross them but Eddie shifts a little closer and Steve re routs to place them on Eddie’s shoulders with a sigh.

Eddie kisses his stomach again. Kisses the stretch mark, the scars that travel over his waist. Does the same to the other side. ‘Nah.’ Eddie disagrees softly. ‘You’re beautiful Steve, all your marks are.’ And Eddie kisses his favourite mole, the one that sits below his left pec. ‘But this one’s my new favourite part.’ And he rubs his thumb over the red lightning bold, looks at Steve again. His eyes wide and glassy, his mouth relaxed into the pretties little ‘o’.

‘Shows how much you’ve grown, how much you’ve healed. It’s all yours baby.’ And he watches Steve swallow, nod his head.

Eddie goes back to spreading the ointment over Steve’s skin, taking his time, and when he’s finished he lays Steve down, pushing him into the mattress, breathing him in. Promising over and over that he’s so beautiful, so strong and amazing. That Eddie loves him, always has and always will. Until Steve believes him. Until every inch of skin is covered in kisses and praise. Until he’s writhing and panting in the sheets. Eddie kissing his tears away, their lips meeting, salty and slick.

They fall asleep wrapped up in each other. Eddie almost fully drifted off but not before he feels a final, butterfly light peck on his throat. A little ‘thank you’ whispered into the skin. It’s so quiet he almost misses it. He pulls Steve closer, holds him tighter, and let's sleep take him.

On Sundays Steve makes breakfast. Or brunch, really, because they always sleep in. But breakfast food, late every Sunday morning.

He always wakes up first anyway. So he starts cooking while Eddie gets another hour or so of rest. It’s like he stacks them up, needs them to get him through the week. The extra on Sunday allowing him a hour or two leeway for late night Eddie Time after his shifts. Steve doesn’t mind, lets him sleep.

This week it’s french toast and scrabbled eggs, a little fruit, and, like every morning, coffee.

Steve hears the telltale thud of Eddie stumbling out of bed. Hears his footsteps travel from the bedroom to the bathroom, and finally into their little kitchen. Where he feels sleep warm arms wrap around his middle.

Steve smiles into the pan of eggs, Eddie resting his head between Steve’s shoulder blades and sighing. He always takes a long time to wake up, and he’s cute the whole time doing it.

When he’s had his fill of squeezing Steve, sleepy hands wandering around his torso, head nuzzling against the soft cotton of Steve’s t-shirt, Eddie goes to pore himself coffee. Fills it with milk and sugar before shuffling over the the kitchen table.

He sits in their creaky wooden chairs, huddled around his steaming mug, eyes bleary and hair a messy halo around his head. Eddie blinks his big brown cow eyes so slowly, staring at nothing.

Steve turns off the burners and watches the soft spring light fall over eddies shoulders, leaving patches of yellow over his bare skin. Warming the mottled pinks and reds. A patch of light over his thigh, a golden window on the flannel of his low slung pyjama pants.

his scars have healed well, even with all the grafting and scarring, the doctors managed to do enough to let him survive, let his body become what it is now. he’s stronger, looks healthier than he used to, all the physical therapy and three square meals a day gave him some more definition, more colour in his cheeks. but he’s still wiry, still pale and a little gangly, able to curl up into a ball or spread out and command a whole room.

He has new tattoos too, stretching over scar and skin. Painting him on the outside with all the wonder and creativity he has swirling in his head. They’re so a part of him, such a perfect addition. The pale tones of pink contrasted with patches of inky black.

Steve can’t believe it sometimes. That guy he saw in the lunch halls, the one he met in the upside down. Those awful months of Eddie in the hospital. To get to see him now, have him now, this Eddie Munson. His Eddie.

Steve just.

Steve can’t take it.

He steps over, cradling Eddie’s cheeks between his hands. looks down and his loves face. Awed that he gets to see Eddie like this, before all that energy hits him, before his fingers start tapping and his feet need to move, to run, to jump. Gets to see him soft, and quiet and slow. Gets to see his eyes bright and glassy and teary and tired. Gets to see the hunch of his shoulders around his coffee mug, and the curl of his toes against the linoleum. Gets him at his rockstar and his sniffles, at his post work rant and his pre weekend buzz.

He gets to see all of him. Hard and soft. Dark and light.

It’s magical.

‘I love you.’ Steve says, for the hundredth, thousandth time. Kissing Eddie on the lips for the millionth, trying to infuse him with everything Steve has, all the love, all the awe. Tries to put it all there in the kiss.

When he pulls away Eddie’s sleepy eyes look that little bit brighter, his cheekbones dusted pink. The way they do sometimes when Eddie says Steve gives him “too much attention”. Like Eddie forgets, forgets how much space he fills up in Steve’s brain, his memories, his daydreams. How he can’t look at the sky day or night without being reminded in some way of Eddie. ‘So pretty.’ Steve traces his thumbs over the flush, the tips of Eddie’s ears, fingers trailing over his jaw and scarred neck.

He kisses Eddie’s forehead and goes to plate the eggs, goes to finish their breakfast. Goes just so he can come back, hold Eddie’s hand, watch him wake up.

He hopes to every morning.

For as long as Eddie with let him.

₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊

tagging list: @pearynice @scoops-aboy86 @chickensinrainboots @cheesedoctor

also just bc i think you might enjoy: @babydollbaron @spectrum-spectre

title from the Maggie Rodger’s song ‘That’s where I am’ (it’s rly good u should listen to it)

#hotlunch #steddie #steve x eddie #my fic #chubby steve harrington #but only a little #but bigger than in the show #so i’m tagging it #bc it’s important to me #:)#this was fun and gooey to write #i hope it’s funny too lol

351 notes · View notes

makethemhoesmad · 8 months ago

Note

Sorry this took me a minute to officially get out and so sorry if it’s bad. This is my first time actually releasing my writing for anyone to read other than me. It’s also kinda short because 1) I only worked on it for around a weekish and the latest episode parts of the night 2) I really wanted to get at least the prologue out before the end of the week which I did so yay me! But honestly if you have any tips, critiques or recommendations for the next part I will really appreciate it!! Enjoy lovelys🫶

🪐

(this has also not been proof read or really edited once I officially finish part one I will probably re-do this I have just been busy and wanted to get this done. I’m also not 100% sure about the title so if you have a opinion on that lmk babe)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Take me home

prologue: Beginning of the end

Pairing: paige bueckers x Azzi fudd

Themes: promptly fluff

Warnings: none that i’m aware of!

June 26th 2018

(Paige’s pov)

It was the final week of the rounds for try-outs for team USA when we were split into two teams that we would be on this week. Some of the girls on my team I recognized from the previous try-out days.

There was one girl I didn't recognize, but she was pretty good from what i’ve seen. There wasn't any denying she was going to make the team. As I watched the girl walk over to the water table I had convinced myself to go and talk to her.

“Hey i’m paige” I extend my hand out giving the briefly smaller girl, who’s currently sliding on the jerseys we got during the beginning of try-outs.

"Oh" The girl slightly jumped. "Um sorry hi, Azzi" She smiled reaching her hand out to meet mine.

Her smile immediately lights up the room instantly causing me too return one to the slightly shorter girl. Once our hands meet the feeling of warmth they bring to my normally cold hands, and the instant feeling of comfort she brings me.

"-uh Paige?" Bringing me back from whatever I was a soft, and gentle voice calling out my name.

"Sorry, zoned out for a minute" I responded with a reassuring smile trying not to make it awkward. "But uh, Azzi like Jennifer Azzi?"

"Yeah, actually it is" Her comforting smile now bigger than before she explains while I just listen throwing in my thoughts here and there to keep our conversation afloat. But before I knew it, it had already been fifteen minutes and we were about to start practicing.

"-But uh fun fact! you’re the first person outside of my family to know where I got my name from" The now grinning girl confessed as we were walking to the baseline.

By the time we reached the other side of the court we then started running simple exercises and drills. Which had eventually got tiring enough before coach had finally ended today’s session.

"Okay ladies good practice, remember to get some rest and be prepared for tomorrow we will be splitting up starting tomorrow. And I believe that is all I have for you, you are dismissed" Coach explained for the following day officially ending practice.

Before leaving I caught up to the girl currently walking ahead of me before stopping her. "I think it's cool you know" I looked at the girl in front of me with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Your name. I think it's cool that you're named after someone that good" I couldn't help but smile at the girl before walking out of the arena in the hot summer air.

ahh! it’s finally out once again i’m sorry if it didn’t reach any expectations so please please let me know your thoughts and would appreciate your feedback! bye babe🫶

ong rhis is amazing

#🪐 anon #paige bueckers x azzi fudd

22 notes · View notes

roseate-felidae · 8 months ago

Text

My genuine domestic cat skull arrived yesterday!!!

I have been after a domestic cat skull for ages. But they were always either bobcat skulls, replicas, vet teaching specimens (very dear) or in USA (but not shippable).

I did find one in the UK though and they have the small premolar behind the canine. Which domestic cats have but bobcats don't.

Original owner said they were from a feral cat colony. They were sold on to pay for her cats diabetic vet bills.

Just removing the hot glue from jaw today.

In the display cabinet with some fossils, rabbits skulls, claws and teeth.

Also an old dragon ornament, hag stone, sea glass, bunny ornaments, blown glass lizard, dolphin and seahorse. A mini bunny puzzle, Anubis on "gold" plinth and Tim Burton easter bunny figure.

Gemstones are blue topaz, raw sapphire, mangonite, a meteorite, raw yellow topaz and amber with insect inclusion.

Some of my fossils close up. They are Cave bear metapodial, two Spinosaur teeth, mosasaur tooth, and mosasaur teeth in jaw peice. There is also a plastic replica of a velociraptor claw (the other fossils are genuine though). I also have two ammonites out of shot (one with nacre).

I also have a guinea pig skull and a diaphonised fetal rabbit head on another shelf.

Here are three of my skulls. Guinea pig on left, then two rabbits. Also bunny teeth. Older photo on windowsill, so no cat skull at the time.

Diaphonised fetal rabbit head

@themarginalthinker kitty skull :3

#cat skull #tw: bones #fossils #rabbit skull #vulture culture #my stuff

25 notes · View notes

detentiontrack · 3 months ago

Text

What if I stayed up all night and played every single crossword puzzle on usa today’s crossword archive

13 notes · View notes

romanovsmurdermystery · 2 months ago

Text

On the images: left - Anatoly Semenovich Fedyshkin and Olga Nikolaevna; right - the Grand Duchesses and officers of His Majesty's Own Convoy, Anatoly Fedushkin second from the left (on the floor)

Some time ago (30 January 2024) I wrote a post about the finding in #Essentuki (former part of Terskaya region which existed from 1860 to 1920 on the territory of the Russian Empire), now is part of Stavropol Krai, Russia.

The finding concerned some 9 photographs that depicted the Grand Duchesses and officers of His Own Majesty's Convoy (Escort) - a special unit of personal guards of the Emperor's Family.

At the time of that post I did not know how these #photographs ended up in Essentuki, but today I made another discovery that helped me piece together yet another part of the puzzle.

The photographs were in the possession of Anatoly Semenovich #Fedushkin - depicted sitting next to Olga Nikolaevna. These 9 photographs together with the photograph of the four Grand Duchesses signed by Tatyana Nikolaevna were sent to Essentuki on 7 April 1917 - the time of the Family's home arrest in Tsarskoe selo.

Anatoly Semenovich Fedushkin was a cossack who served since 1909 in His Own Majesty's Convoy. He also was a friend of the Grand Duchesses who called him 'Yuzik'.

Yuzik participated in the WWI and since 1 May 1917 was the commander of the 1st hundred in the Tersk Guards Division. It seems that the photographs were sent by Tatyana to him to Essentuki (Tersk region) while he was already there as the commander of the Tersk Guards Division of which it seems Tatyana Nikolaevna was aware.

While in 1918 the Grand Duchesses and their family were in Tobolsk and Yekaterinburg, Anatoly Fedushkin was an active participant in the Tersk Cossack Uprising as well as the White movement. Whether in this period Tayana or her sisters wrote any letters to him is not known.

However, in 1919 he was still in Tersk region, as in August 1919, he became an assistant to the commander of the Tersk Guards Cossack Division.

On 2 January, 1920, Anatoly Fedushkin was promoted to captain, and then to colonel, still while in Tersk.

Some time in 1920, he immigrated to the United States where he lived the rest of his life until his death on 31 August 1958.

Most likely, he kept the photographs and the letters, if any, from the Grand Duchesses with him until his immigration to the USA. However, it is not quite clear why he did not take the photographs with him when leaving Tersk. One of the theories is that he simply did not have time or an opportunity to do so and instead hid them in the villa in Essentuki where they were discovered a century later. It might also very well be that Yuzik was one of the contact people for the Family, and their communication did not stop with his immigrating to the USA.

On the images: left - the back side of the photo postcard signed by Tatyana Nikolaevna; the inscription says to Anatoly Fedushkin , T.S. (Tsarsko selo), 1917 7 April; on the right the Grand Duchesses and their signatures.

#romanovs #research #seraphima bogomolova #investigation #nicolas ii #evidence #murder mystery #photographs #OTMA

9 notes · View notes

puddleofpins · 10 months ago

Text

Why Catnap/Theodore worships the Prototype

This theory contains spoilers for Poppy Playtime Chapter 3. Buckle up, this post is not short. tw for mentions of abuse, many mentions of Christianity/Catholicism and its teachings, enforced religious (specifically Christianity) doctrine, mentions of fictional torture/punishment and inhumane experiments

I’ve seen a few people noticing Catnap/Theodore Grambell was…religious in his devotion to the Prototype, and asking why he’s like this. There’s some hints and pieces to put together that puzzle

1. Catnap uses many words/phrases associated with Christianity (and pretty much all of its branched off religions) to refer to the Prototype and what he means to him. Such as:

• “Salvation”- which means liberation/given freedom from suffering, sin, and evil (referring to the experiments being done on the children by the scientists) This word is used 114 times in the Old Testament of the Bible

• “Rejoice in Him” - Luke 1:47: “and my spirit rejoices in God my savior”

• “my somniferous flock” - referring to Jesus, the son of God, being a shepherd of sheep and also his disciples (yes this does imply Catnap sees himself as a higher being, but only after he is turned into Catnap)

2. Having a shrine to the Prototype, and holding his hands up in prayer/worship to him, like a priest or pastor (or now that I look at it, like Jesus is depicted in many statues)

3. Punishing “heretics” like Dogday, who don’t believe in Catnap’s belief that the Prototype is their savior (this honestly even resembles crucifixion {a punishment used against criminals in the time of the origins of Christianity} with Dogday being held up in a ✝️-like position)

But again, why does he do this? Theodore Grambell seems like a normal child up until then.

We gotta look at the location of Playtime Co.

Now, we haven’t yet been given an exact location, but in a poster in one of the prior chapters it says the Midwest, referring to the Midwestern region in America

doing a few google searches, I found this

Catholic churches, and (I’m assuming the orphanages they hosted) run on donations, and that’s why they are not taxed by the states that they’re in. Oftentimes these orphanages had extremely poor conditions because of low funding and in turn high rates of abuse and even death of the children.

Playtime Co. could’ve bought out countless Catholic orphanages with “donations” to the churches they’re connected to. This would’ve been extremely easy with the lack of regulations and the power of money

There aren’t anymore traditional orphanages in the states today, but 300 is not a number to scoff at. And I’m aware that orphanages in the USA were all closed by 1960, but Poppy was created in 1950. I believe that MOB Entertainment got wonky with the timeline for storytelling purposes because creating Living Sentient Toys in 1950 does not align with real life technological advancements.

What I’m getting at is: I believe Theodore Grambell and other orphans were bought from Catholic orphanages (not all of them of course, just a good chunk of the orphans). Either that, or Theodore was an orphan attending a Catholic school, who was then bought out by Playtime Co.

Think about it, at first, the Playcare must’ve been like heaven to little Theo, especially in comparison to the possible abuse he experienced due to being raised in a Catholic orphanage. Everything is colorful. The adults are so nice and caring, unlike those mean and strict nuns. There’s even toys who can talk and interact with them! All of their needs are provided for, and there’s even dedicated areas to play and have fun!

but then Theo probably starts to see the cracks in this oasis, this heaven:

• Playcare is literally underground and the children are not allowed to go outside

• Anytime one of the children experiences something horrific or abnormal because of a feature of Playcare/Playtime Co. (like Marie Payne who become Mommy Longlegs, or the mentioned “Kevin” in the third tape found in Ch.3) they’re never seen again

• The orphans being said “selected” by the doctors, instead of saying that they were adopted, in I believe the 4th tape

And definitely a lot of other signs I haven’t mentioned, because there must’ve been much more than just what’s been listed.

So Theo starts to get a little wary of what’s around him, a little less trusting of the adults who have been taking care of him and his fellow orphans. This place becomes a little less like heaven and a little more false.

but then he meets a friend!!!!

{insert the picture Theo drew of the Prototype under his bed, because I’m on mobile and have already hit the limit of 10 pictures per mobile post}

A friend that only interacts with him. A friend that is only seen by him, only heard by him, that disappears whenever anyone else comes around. A friend that people don’t believe is real. A friend that sees and hears everything. A friend that gives him little missions because that friend has deemed him worthy of them.

Do you know who that friend sounds like?

God. Or one of the angels sent by God.

THEN on one of these missions, Theodore accidentally gets hurt. He’s electrocuted and close to dying, but his friend who was watching over him saves him from death.

And even after Theo almost dies, he stills tries his hardest to complete these missions give to him by his friend. Because why wouldn’t he? This friend is so special. This friend saved his life because Theo almost died trying to complete the mission he gave him. This friend who is so knowing to the point of being “divine”. This friend who is so similar to the “God” that the nuns he spent his early days with talked about nonstop, he has to be Him.

This leads to Theo being found out and taken as a test subject himself, and subsequently being turned into Catnap; which meant going through horrific and painful experiments. Theo may interpret this as “punishment from following the words and teachings of his God” (definitely an equivalent of Jesus being tortured before his death on the cross), so he might consider himself a bit of a martyr.

Now Theo is no longer a little human boy. Theo is Catnap, and Catnap is much more powerful than humans. He became Catnap because he followed what his Lord told him to do. He was reborn as Catnap because he was such a devoted follower, and now he can complete his Lord’s work even better than he could as a human (literally paralleling Jesus being resurrected).

If we want to get even deeper into this theory and the Christianity parallels, look at Theo’s age and when Catnap was created. It says on the wiki that he was born in the 1980s, and he’s 7 at the time he’s introduced to Playtime Co, which means the year is now 1987. Catnap is made in 1990. That’s 3 years. Jesus after he was beaten, tortured, crucified, and killed, was sealed in a cave. It took 3 days for Jesus to resurrect.

So yeah, Theo was a kid from a Catholic orphanage that was bought out by Playtime Co., who was indoctrinated into Catholicism because he was taught it at such a young age. He’s freed from a hell of an orphanage, to be brought to a false heaven, which leads him to meet his God. That’s why Catnap acts the way he does.

#poppy playtime #poppy playtime chapter 3 #catnap #mob entertainment #the prototype #huggy wuggy #poppy playtime huggy #poppy playtime catnap #poppy playtime theory

30 notes · View notes

frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 2 months ago

Text

26th September >> Fr. Martin's Reflections/Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (Inc. Luke 9:7-9): ‘Who is this?’

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 9:7-9 'John? I beheaded him; so who is this?'

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

Gospel (USA) Luke 9:7-9 John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Reflections (11)

(i) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

It is said of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, at the end of today’s gospel reading that ‘he was anxious to see Jesus’. Why would a powerful ruler like Herod Antipas want to see a preacher and healer from a small village in Galilee? The gospel reading says that he was puzzled because of the various reports he was hearing about Jesus. He was asking himself, ‘Who is this?’ This is the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded in prison. According to Luke’s gospel from which we are reading, Herod did get to see Jesus on the eve of Jesus’ death by crucifixion. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to get his view on this troublesome prophet. According to Luke, Herod questioned him at some length but Jesus gave him no answer. So Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, putting an elegant robe on him in mockery and sent him back to Pilate. Herod’s curiosity about Jesus did not bring him to faith in Jesus. Yet, sometimes people’s curiosity about Jesus does bring them to faith. According to the gospel of John, Nicodemus’ curiosity about Jesus brought him to faith eventually. Even people of faith can be curious about Jesus and their curiosity can help to deepen their faith. There is much to be curious about when it comes to Jesus. The question, ‘Who is this?’ remains a valid one for believers. There is such a depth to Jesus that there is no limit to the questions we could ask in his regard. To believe is to see dimly, as Saint Paul says, and, as people of faith, we will always be trying to see more clearly until that heavenly moment when we will see the Lord face to face. More broadly, it is good to notice the questions that our faith gives rise to, questions about God, about Jesus, about the world. Exploring those questions can lead to a deepening of our faith, to a growth in our relationship with the Lord.

And/Or

(ii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospels different people are shown as reacting to Jesus in different ways. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, was tetrarch of Galilee during the public ministry of Jesus. He ruled Galilee on behalf of Rome. In this morning’s gospel reading Luke gives us a portrayal of the way Herod Antipas reacted to Jesus. Luke says that when Herod heard about all that was being done by Jesus he was puzzled. He was asking himself the question, ‘Who is this?’ As a result, he was anxious to see Jesus. In Luke’s gospel Herod finally did get to see Jesus. In the course of the passion of Jesus Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for a second opinion but Luke tells us that although Herod questioned him at great length, in the end Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Herod was curious about Jesus, but his curiosity did not lead to faith. Yet, there were other people in the gospels who were curious about Jesus and whose curiosity eventually led them to faith. Nathanael and Nicodemus come to mind. Even for people of faith, there is much to be curious about in regard to Jesus. The question of Herod Antipas, ‘Who is this?’ is a good question for us all. It is a question that keeps us searching for Jesus. We always need to be searchers in his regard because we can never know him fully in this life. As Saint Paul says, ‘now we see as in a mirror dimly’. We are all on a quest to know the Lord more clearly so as to love him more dearly and follow him more nearly.

And/Or

(iii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Herod Antipas who features in today’s gospel reading was tetrarch of Galilee. On one occasion in Luke’s gospel, Jesus refers to him as a ‘fox’. Pharisees had come up to Jesus and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you’, to which Jesus replied, ‘Go tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons today and tomorrow and on the third day I will finish my work’. Luke would suggest that Herod was in fact hostile to Jesus and that Jesus had very little regard for Herod. Given that Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, we would not expect him to be overly sympathetic to Jesus. When we hear in today’s gospel reading, therefore, that Herod was anxious to see Jesus, we suspect that he didn’t really want to see Jesus to learn from him or to be enlightened by him. It was more a case of a certain kind of curiosity about this unusual preacher and healer. Not everyone who was anxious to see Jesus wanted to see him for the right reasons. In John’s gospel, on the other hand, there is a story of certain Greeks who come to Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, and say to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’. Here indeed were true searchers who really wanted to come to know Jesus more fully so as to follow him more closely. They were responding to Jesus’ invitation to ‘Come and see’. We can all identify with those Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, who wanted to know him more deeply. That is one aspect of our baptismal calling. It is true that we will never know the Lord fully in this life. As Paul says, ‘now we see as in a mirror dimly’. However, we can keep on growing in our knowledge and love of the Lord until that day when we see him face to face. The Lord knows us thoroughly, as the shepherd knows his flock, and he invites us to know him as deeply as he knows us. As he remains in us, he calls on us to remain in him.

And/Or

(iv) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Herod mentioned in this morning’s gospel reading is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great; he was tetrarch of Galilee during the time of the public ministry of Jesus. Luke portrays him as curious about Jesus. He has heard about all that is being done by Jesus and he is puzzled. He asks himself, ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ He is anxious to see Jesus. That kind of curiosity and puzzlement about Jesus can be the beginning of faith for some people. Yet, even those who have been people of faith all their lives, and know a great deal about Jesus, will continue to be puzzled by him, will continue to ask that fundamental question, ‘Who is this?’ and will continue to want to see him more clearly. We never exhaust the mystery of Jesus on this side of eternity. As believers, we will always be seekers in his regard. We seek to know Jesus more fully, not only with our mind but also with our heart. In the words of Saint Richard, a thirteenth century bishop of Chichester, ‘may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day’.

And/Or

(v) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Herod mentioned in this morning’s gospel reading is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee on behalf of the Romans during the whole period of Jesus’ public ministry. He was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist. In this morning’s gospel, it is said of him that he was puzzled or perplexed by what he was hearing about Jesus of Nazareth and, as a result, he was anxious to see him. The short gospel reading we have just heard is from Luke and in Luke’s gospel Herod does get to see Jesus and to meet with him. In the course of Jesus’ passion, Pilate sends him off to Herod for questioning. Luke tells us that at the end of Herod’s interrogation he and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, and mocked him, putting an elegant robe on him for fun, before sending him back to Pilate. It seems that Herod’s curiosity about Jesus didn’t lead to faith in Jesus. Other people’s curiosity about Jesus did lead them to faith. Nicodemus and Zacchaeus come to mind. Curiosity, puzzlement, the desire to know more about Jesus, can be a good starting point for faith. Indeed, those of us who consider ourselves to be disciples of Jesus, people of faith, will often retain that sense of curiosity and puzzlement about him, that desire to know him better. Saint Paul, who met the risen Lord, could say, ‘I want to know Christ’. As the revelation of God in human form, Jesus is infinitely fascinating. He will always puzzle us; we will always be searching for him. It is in our searching that we find him more fully; it is in our desire to see him with the eyes of our heart and mind that we will come to know more completely.

And/Or

(vi) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospels curiosity can sometimes be the first step on the path to faith. The person of Nicodemus in John’s gospel comes to mind. He came to Jesus by night, under cover of darkness, because he was curious about him. At the end of John’s gospel he is found alongside Joseph of Arimathea, arranging a dignified burial for Jesus. Curiosity and the questions that arise from it can open us up to faith or to a deeper faith if we are already people of faith. In this morning’s short gospel reading, Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, is curious about Jesus. He is full of questions about this man Jesus on the basis of the reports he has heard about him. ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ Luke tells us in the gospel reading that Herod was anxious to see Jesus. It is only in Luke’s gospel that Herod does get to see Jesus. During the passion of Jesus, Pilate decided to send Jesus to Herod for an opinion, because Jesus was from Galilee, Herod’s territory. Herod got his wish to see Jesus. However, Luke tells us that Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him before sending him back to Pilate. In Herod’s case, curiosity did not lead to faith. The questions generated by our reason, on their own, do not bring us to faith. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. It is given to all but to receive this gift we need to become like little children, as Jesus said. We need to acknowledge our poverty before the Lord and entrust ourselves to the gift he is offering us, which is none other than the gift of himself. As Jesus states in the first beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’.

And/Or

(vii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s gospel reading we hear that people had various views about who Jesus was. The three views that are mentioned all have one thing in common. Jesus is considered a prophet of the past come back to life, whether that be John the Baptist who had been recently executed, or Elijah or some other ancient prophet. This must have been how many people saw Jesus, as a prophet in the line of the prophets of old. It is how Muslims and, many Jews, continue to see Jesus today. He is a great prophet. Luke, from whose gospel the reading is taken, would acknowledge that there is some truth in this understanding of Jesus. Jesus stands in the tradition of those prophets who proclaimed God’s word to God’s people. Yet, for Luke and for the early church as a whole, there is more to Jesus than just one more prophet from God. The question of Herod Antipas in this morning’s gospel reading, ‘Who is this that I hear such reports about?’ is a valid question. Shortly after this gospel passage Luke gives us his account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the course of which God says of Jesus, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen’. This had never been said of any prophet. Jesus had a more intimate relationship with God than any of the prophets before him. God was more fully and powerfully present in Jesus than in any of the previous prophets. It is because we believe that Jesus is God’s Son that we seek to listen even more attentively to his word and allow that word to shape our lives.

And/Or

(viii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes, from which our first reading is taken, seems to have a rather jaundiced view of life. He looks out upon the natural world and, rather than being inspired by its wonder, he says of it, in the words of our reading, ‘all things are wearisome’. All he sees in nature, and in life generally, is tiresome repetition, ‘there is nothing new under the sun’. In the gospel reading, Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, seems to look upon the life-giving ministry of Jesus and his disciples with somewhat jaundiced eyes. The reading says that Herod was puzzled by Jesus and was anxious to see him. That could suggest that there was a certain openness in Herod to Jesus. However, a few chapters later in this gospel of Luke, the Pharisees come to Jesus and warn him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you’, and, of course, Herod had already killed John the Baptist. Both readings invite us to reflect on how we see the world, how we see other people, how we see ourselves. Like the author of Ecclesiastes, are we prone to seeing wearisome monotony where, in reality, there is wonderful diversity; like Herod, are we prone to seeing a problem when, in reality, this is a moment of opportunity through which the Lord is calling out to us. How we see the world shapes who we are, how we behave, how we relate to others. We need to keep refining the eyes of our minds and hearts, so that we see the world with the Lord’s eyes, eyes that are attuned to the signs of life and creativity all around us.

And/Or

(ix) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s short gospel reading shows that Herod was puzzled by the reports he was hearing about Jesus. Other people were puzzled too, wondering if Jesus might be John the Baptist back from the dead, or if was Elijah or one of the ancient prophets come back to life. Herod’s puzzlement about Jesus finds expression in his question, ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ His puzzlement made him anxious to see Jesus, so that his curiosity might be satisfied. Jesus was puzzling to many of his contemporaries. There was something strikingly different about his presence and his ministry. There is a sense in which Jesus remains something of a puzzle today. Herod’s question, ‘Who is this?, is a question that we can all ask. Because Jesus was the revelation of God in human form, and God is ultimately mysterious, Jesus will always remain something of a mystery to us. We can never fully answer the question, ‘Who is this?, in this earthly life. We are always on a journey when it comes to Jesus. He knows us, as a shepherd knows his flock; he knows each of us by name. However, we do not know him as he knows us. Our sense of puzzlement about Jesus can be the driving force of the exciting journeying of coming to know him more fully, so as to follow him more closely and love him more dearly. As Saint Paul says, it is only beyond this earthly life that we will know the Lord fully, as we have been fully known by him. In the meantime, the Lord is always calling us to keep setting out on the journey of coming to know him more and more, not just with our mind but with our heart.

And/Or

(x) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The first reading today has a rather downbeat mood to it. The author wonders about the value of human work, asking, ‘For all his toil, his toil under the sun, what does man gain by it?’ He looks out on nature and rather than being inspired by it he just sees tiresome and repetitive motion, ‘all things are wearisome’. He looks out on all of life and concludes that there is nothing new to be found there, ‘what was, will be again’. For the author of this book, the Book of Ecclesiastes, life is a puzzle that doesn’t make much sense to him. Some people think this is a strange book to have made its way into the Bible. Yet, the outlook of this writer is true to the human condition. We may have all felt a little like this at some time in our lives, perhaps more so in these Covid times. There is much in life to be puzzled over, many questions that seem to defy rational answers. In the gospel reading, Herod is also puzzled, but the focus of his puzzlement is Jesus. His puzzlement about Jesus made him anxious to see Jesus. However, his puzzlement did not bring him to faith in Jesus. Later in Luke’s gospel, the Pharisees come to Jesus and say, ‘Herod wants to kill you’, and in Luke’s story of the passion of Jesus, Herod mocks Jesus before sending him back to Pilate who will seal Jesus’ fate. A questioning, puzzled spirit doesn’t always lead us to God. However, neither is honest questioning and puzzlement alien to deep faith. The author of the first reading, for all his scepticism, was a person of faith. He believed that God was at work in the world, even though he didn’t understand what God was doing. Believers in every age, including Jesus himself, have hurled the question ‘Why?’ at God. If we can open up our questioning, puzzled, spirit to the Lord in prayer, he will work through it to bring us closer to him.

And/Or

(xi) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

There is something in us that likes to solve a puzzle. Crosswords continue to be very popular with people. Board games based on solving puzzles continue to be purchased. Puzzles of this type tend to get solved eventually, even though it may take time and we may need help. There are other puzzles relating to the earth, the universe, the solar system that not even the greatest minds have managed to fully resolve as yet. Perhaps the most complex puzzle of all is the human person. We never get to know another fully, even after living in their company for many years. Jesus was more complex than any human being. He was, after all, God in human form. At the beginning of today’s gospel reading, we hear that Herod Antipas was puzzled by Jesus, having heard all that he was doing. Puzzlement about Jesus can be the beginning of a journey towards faith. Nicodemus was puzzled by Jesus and, by the end of the gospel, he was helping to ensure that Jesus had a dignified burial. Herod Antipas’ puzzlement did not lead him to faith. Later in the gospel of Luke, from which we are reading these weekdays, we are old that Herod was trying to kill him. Puzzlement about Jesus can lead to faith in him if it is accompanied by an openness to receive Jesus on Jesus’ own terms. If we seek to know Jesus as Jesus is rather than as we want him to be, our puzzlement will serve as a guiding light leading us to the Light of the World.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

7 notes · View notes