#what about the museums and the palace?????

[mishkakagehishka]

And the fact that emperor Diocletian's favourite holiday destination has to remind tourists not to piss on the palace walls. I fucking hate what party tourism did to us

[sforzesco]

decimus wanted to wind cassius up a bit just to see how he would snap

uhhh. what else. you know!! caesar was collecting (and discarding) a new generation of romans, operating a new kind of roman imperium. political manipulation. "good" governance. conspiracies are forming in reply.

the collage art is all public domain/open access stuff from the met collections!

[wispstalk]

ok u know what? Objectively correct ranking of skyrim's cities is coming out of the drafts. Listed from best to worst.

1. SOLITUDE: no one should be surprised by this. this is a list for real city lovers, and solitude has all the shit a city is supposed to have.

2. WHITERUN: same deal as above. palace is pretty sick but it's not perched on an enormous rock arch over a harbor, so points deducted.

3. MARKARTH: now we're venturing into controversy. If you don't like Markarth, you're a wimp. "wehh there's a demon house wehhhh I saw someone get murdered and had to slaughter my way out of prison" skill issue. I'm gawking at waterfalls and feats of ancient civil engineering, I'm eating delicious mystery meat at a food cart, I'm buying a badass dog, I'm ingratiating myself to the local crime family, I'm breaking into the temple so a drunk can crank off to a statue, I'm secure in the best-fortified city in the province. I am having a GREAT time in Markarth. Get on my level and by "my level" I mean six flights of stairs.

4. RIFTEN: Extremely cool layout and great location. Would be ranked higher if guys stopped fighting guards and random citizens to the death over a stolen candlestick. I figure after a while you just get used to that and stop caring.

5. WINDHELM: none of you rubes can appreciate architecture. Also, do YOU live somewhere that you can beat a racist's ass without the cops getting mad at you? Do tell

6. FALKREATH: it's fine.

7. MORTHAL: this is where you see the integrity of my infallible judgments, because personally I think Bog Is Best, but I have taken its small size and shit economy into consideration.

8. WINTERHOLD: in shambles, and probably super boring if you're not a wizard, but I could have a decent time poking around in dangerous condemned buildings and failing to impress Faralda.

9. DAWNSTAR: Awful climate, broke-ass museum, unimpressive port, Jarl is a dick, host to a murder cult torture hole, nightmare plague, miserable mine with child labor. Only redeeming feature is one guy and the nightmare plague is kinda his fault.

I was right about daedra-fucking and I'm right about this. Disagree with me in the tags at your peril

[urstruly-ghst]

do you think i have forgotten? - leona kingscholar and malleus draconia

in which you two were separated for too long (inspired by about you by the 1975 and astronomy by conan gray <3)

authors note: happy new years! for the new year, im giving sadness!

cw: a bit suggestive (its implied something happened)

leona kingscholar

being someone to leona was easier than you expect, he's a big softie at heart. you learned that quite quickly when you first step foot into the palace. you were simply a visitor, but that wasn't what leona thought.

it was idiotic, you think looking back at it now, that you thought this romance would last. the blossoming friendship you harbored changed the very same night when each rendezvous turned almost vulgar.

laying down on the bed of the prince of afterglow savannah was not what you expected, but, it felt too good to let go. turns out, you were right. because he left for night raven on the same night something happened. you were upset, understandably so, how dare he leave you after the whispered promises of passion? you both never kept contact after.

but you were bold to assume he never would find you. each break, each time he can escape, he's looking for you back to the corner he met you. for many years, you were gone. but on one faithful night, just as he was about to lose hope, you appeared glowing even more.

"can't you forget me already?" you say in a hushed voice as you glare at him. leona shook his head laughing at your suggestion, as if he could ever forget you.

he placed his hands on your waist as he looked at you with such emotion, it made you question if he was really leona. your glare softened up as he breathed in your scent.

"i would never. do you really think i have forgotten our promises?" leona asked. he then sighed in relief as your arms wrapped around him too, he thanked every star for this moment. this time, he won't be idiotic enough to leave without knowing how to contact you.

"besides, night raven can't compare to the few nights we had"

"leona!" you hit him as he smirked while laughing. not noticing how his tail wrapped around you, to make sure you'd never leave again.

malleus draconia

how you met him was something you'll never forget. it was at a random museum and that one gargoyle you saw intrigued you, it had such detail you never saw possible for such a small gargoyle. that was when a horned fae appeared behind you.

you also remembered how you refused to give him your name, suspecting some sort of scam, but that never hindered him or you. that trip had so much memories without ever knowing who he truly was. for malleus, it was a dream, someone who shared the same interests and no fear.

but, it was also during this time, something bloomed. each day, you kept coming back to that gargoyle. and each time, malleus appears. it was like this for nearly 2 months, but those months of friendship and long talks turned intimate, not one of you can tell how it started. but it all ended the same, you leaving without telling who were you.

for a while, malleus pined for you. but pining wasn't meant to stop him from going to night raven. he knew he can't just leave this memory behind, but his hands were tied. he left an enchantment on the gargoyle, hoping you'd know now who he is. and when break arrived, you were there smiling.

"malleus draconia, huh?" you say as you were looking at him. you should've known from the get-go that he was no ordinary someone. he smiled and nodded, you sigh and give a him a look.

"you're not mad?" he asked as he reached out to you, you giggle and shook your head. malleus relaxed and guided you to the place you mostly spend your "dates" with. usually, you two would chatter nonstop, but it was now quiet.

malleus felt anxious but before he spoke, you looked at him, eyes filled with hurt, "i thought you forgot about me"

and that sent malleus in a spiral. how dare you think he'd toss you away that easily? do you think of him so low? he reached out for you and looked a bit mad.

"do you think i would just forget the days and nights where you made me feel like im not to be feared? do you think, just because i am malleus draconia, i could abandon you without second thought? do you dare to think i forgot about you?" he said passionately and grabbed both of your hands before declaring

"not a single night where you haven't passed my thoughts. my dear, you have managed to bewitch me, without even having to lift a finger. just say you'll be mine, and..." malleus stared hesitantly before you smile and hum.

"i was yours the moment you saw me"

[emporium]

Behind the Meme: Complaint Tablet to Ea-nasir

In 1953, explorer Sir Leonard Woolley discovered and acquired the tablet from what is believed to be the ruins of Ea-nasir's home while on an expedition to the city of Ur. Several other similar tablets complaining about poor copper quality were also recovered, suggesting Ea-nasir frequently sent his customers poor-quality goods. The tablet is currently held at the British Museum.

A few of the most viral Tumblr posts about this meme: https://probablybadrpgideas.tumblr.com/post/171826102481/your-players-are-faced-with-an-ancient-sumerian https://brightwanderer.tumblr.com/post/645195882465230848/ea-nasir-is-that-you

Translation of the tablet:

Tell Ea-nasir: Nanni sends the following message:

When you came, you said to me as follows : "I will give Gimil-Sin (when he comes) fine quality copper ingots." You left then but you did not do what you promised me. You put ingots which were not good before my messenger (Sit-Sin) and said: "If you want to take them, take them; if you do not want to take them, go away!"

What do you take me for, that you treat somebody like me with such contempt? I have sent as messengers gentlemen like ourselves to collect the bag with my money (deposited with you) but you have treated me with contempt by sending them back to me empty-handed several times, and that through enemy territory. Is there anyone among the merchants who trade with Telmun who has treated me in this way? You alone treat my messenger with contempt! On account of that one (trifling) mina of silver which I owe(?) you, you feel free to speak in such a way, while I have given to the palace on your behalf 1,080 pounds of copper, and umi-abum has likewise given 1,080 pounds of copper, apart from what we both have had written on a sealed tablet to be kept in the temple of Samas.

How have you treated me for that copper? You have withheld my money bag from me in enemy territory; it is now up to you to restore (my money) to me in full.

Take cognizance that (from now on) I will not accept here any copper from you that is not of fine quality. I shall (from now on) select and take the ingots individually in my own yard, and I shall exercise against you my right of rejection because you have treated me with contempt.

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/complaint-tablet-to-ea-nasir

[greeniegaes]

JiuYuan au

Basically when SY goes into pidw SJ switches bodies with him! Cool fine whatever right? Not long into it they both discover they can see each other in their dream realms, which have collided into one.

At first it’s SJ being like “damn bro, you live like this?” And SY being like “damn bro, isn’t the sect so much nicer when you’re not being a cunt?”

Basically bickering until they realize the other isn’t that bad. SJ reads the webnovel and is like “this is fucking awful.” And SY just bonds over shitting on it.

As they talk and bond over a few years they start to actually kinda like each other like “wow maybe this guy isn’t awful *all* the time” and they get into a truce telling each other about their original worlds and stuff.

One day SJ is looking at old swords and finds Xin Mo, which shouldn’t be possible? Oh well, it is! And being the Rich Boy TM he is he just buys it from whatever museum or collector has it.

After a bit of discussion SY is like “what if you brought my body here and we swapped back to our originals?” And SJ is so game, he misses cultivation no matter how cool the modern world is.

So during the Jin Lan city arc they figure out how to swap bodies, SY immediately going into his but SJ accidentally getting stuck and being in a coma. Eventually when he wakes up he’s like “shit, why am I here…. Why am I naked?” And he escapes from Huan Hua palace only to get caught up in the fighting between CQS and Binghe’s people.

And Shen Yuan ex machina(+Xin Mo) come to take him away!

Obviously SQH is confused (that looks like the mushroom body but it’s not and he doesn’t know why it looks like that elusive third son of the shens) and LBH is even more confused because “hey now! That’s my sword! Why are there two?” And in the confusion SY fuses both the Xin Mos, purifies LBH, and gets the fuck out of there with SJ on his waist.

YQY: Shidi?! What’s going on, where are you going

LQG: If that man can control the demon sword he can’t be good, what are you doing!?!

SJ; this is my husband now

SY: we did not discuss that but sure (may as well because our consciousnesses are linked)

SQH never figured out what’s going on, JiuYuan go off and have a happy life on a tea farm and hunting monsters.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

may 2024 twst manga updates~

***This includes spoilers for the Episode of Savanaclaw, Episode of Octavinelle, and the 4koma!***

AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH LILIA SILVER AND SEBEK LOOK SO GOOD HERE 🤡 I love how Silver and Sebek are constantly shown flanking Lilia, it really enhances the bodyguard/knight vibes! Every time Lilia appears, he always looks like he's having so much fun. Lil' guy is living it up in every panel! Especially when he appears upside down to spook Ruggie.

efbiuSIUBDBYypvfW9wpWD THIS SHOT IS SO GOOD??????? ?I'M LIVING FOR CATER MAKING SILVER AND SEBEK LOOK LIGHTLY UNCOMFORTABLE AS HE HANGS ON THEM.............. .... . . . . ....... .. .... .. . . . . .. ..

Ruggie's despair is delicious 🤤 He's thinking about all the events that led up to this point and about how that will now all go to waste. Now that I think about it and I have the visual right in front of me... That's the same thing Leona felt every time he got knocked down for his efforts. The parallels, man...

Well, fellas... Looks like it's probably Overblot Leona time next chapter. A detail I love here is that, from Leona's perspective, all the faces of his dorm members are sorta blotted out... which is interesting seeing as how it was stated that Mrs. Rosehearts' face was intentionally blotted since she is considered the source of Riddle's trauma + the light novel tells us that Leona fears seeing hope and desperation for a better future in others because it might motivate him to try again, thus prompting another failure or rejection... 😭

Palace servants: Young master Leona's magical power is so strong, it's scary!! Leona: Damn, they don't understand me! They judge me before they even get to know me. If I were the older brother, they wouldn't be saying this stuff. Also Leona: [see image above]

MALEWIFE MODE RUGGIE????? 😭 What a contrast to the Ruggie in the Episode of Savanaclaw who is really going through it…

Love the detail of Yuuta and Grim helping out with chores in the background! It shows that they’re trying to pull their weight while they stay over.

Babe, wake up... New Yuuta and Leona reaction images just dropped from the Episode of Octainvelle... (I am Yuuta whenever new TWST content drops and my non-Twstie friends are Leona whenever they're listening to me blab nonstop about the updates--)

Yuuta once again proves to be my favorite of the current Yuu iterations 🫶 He’s just so sweet and hopeful!

We actually get to see the class photo!! Although the resolution here is very grainy. I'm really hoping that we get to see a close-up after Azul's OB!! I'm dying to see what he looked like as a kid!

fbhlavfuoeqy8vevif;fa fai THIS CHAPTER REALLY MADE ME LIKE ACE?????? ??? ? ?? ? It's probably because he gives the same flawless liar (even though the acting is sooo overexaggerated) energy as Jade in book 4. There's a really fun scene where he's distracting the Atlantica Museum guards and really hamming it up. He looks so cute while he's being (fake) upset yet so enthusiastic!!

This was my favorite part!! Ace excitedly talks about how he's always been interested in merfolk since he was little (lie) and how he saved up all his money to come to this museum (also a lie)... THEN BRO HAS THE AUDACITY TO POSE LIKE THIS AND TALK ABOUT WANTING TO BE A PART OF THAT WORLD????? ?? ???? ? ?? ? ?? ARIEL WHO>?????? ?? ??? ?? ? ?I o NLY KNOW TRAPPOLA NOW

One of the 4koma this month is about Octavinelle going on a camping trip! Azul wants to study the stars for money-making ideas/inspiration.

When talking about auroras, they're reminded of the Diasomnia students and think about making an aurora-colored drink to sell to them. The Octatrio also star-gaze and talk about aliens + selling octopus to them. They discuss the idea of filling a space suit with water and fish to they can walk in space too.

The other 4koma is about Trey brushing the mouths of his mandrake (as they have no teeth but dirt). He insists that everyone should have a clean oral cavity.

You can even tell which mandrake is Trey’s because it has a bunch of toothbrushes stuck in its pot 🪥

Jamil was planning on using his own mandrake to make an ancient remedy for relieving toothache. Trey is uh… interested… and attempts to test out the healing toothpaste for himself (Jamil of course stops him).

Trey… you’re the most NORMAL one, why are you like this OTL

[akirathedramaqueen]

The bias is not always conscious

And that's the case with Stolas. That's it, that's basically the post, so you can count it as your tl;dr, but let me elaborate. :)

(A little gratitude note! Sorry @tealvenetianmask, I failed being concise here, but I thank you for encouraging me to put it all together :3 I also thank you for our conversations about Stolas and about museums in particular which heavily contributed to it)

I think there's some misunderstanding when people get offended by the suggestion that Stolas acts classist/racist. It seems that people assume we’re implying he is malicious and intentional with it, but the actual problem is that he doesn't think.

S2EP2, Seeing Stars, 1:29

The problematic behavior we're discussing is reflexive and internalized. Stolas was raised in an environment where the lower demon class is looked down upon, and while he believes he expresses nothing but deep respect for Blitzø and treats him as an equal…

Goodnight, Blitzø. S1EP7, Ozzie's, 14:50

And while you can see from this bow that this intention is sincere, which is both wonderful and fascinating—he preserved this profound gesture ever since he was a kid, despite being actively discouraged from doing so!...

[Stolas]: I'm Stolas! It's nice... Ouch! [Paimon]: Don't bow to that one! He bows to us! Idiot! S2EP1, The Circus, 7:40

He was still raised in privilege and influenced by the narratives around him. For him, it's acceptable because that's what he was taught is fine. It's part of his everyday speech, and he never actually asks Blitzø, or anyone else, how they feel about the literally belittling nicknames (like literally—do you notice how often he uses the word "little" when referring to imps?).

I mean... there's a lot, okay? I'm just going to pull out some examples off the top of my head. All of them are from Season 1, and I'll explain why later.

I was hoping you brave little imps would accompany us! S1EP2, Loo Loo Land, 5:15

Ugh, that's better... Where's Blitzy? He's my knight in shining armor, not you, littler ones! S1EP2, Loo Loo Land, 13:22

And it [grimoire] isn't supposed to be lent out to itty-bitty imps like yourself. S1EP5, The Harvest Moon Festival, 0:30

Greetings, tiny Wrath Ring imps! S1EP5, The Harvest Moon Festival, 8:22

[Stolas, in the background]: Who dares threaten my little impish plaything? S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 18:20

How the fuck did you get caught by humans? Are you little creatures not being careful up here? S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 19:38

He also takes pride in being part of Ars Goetia. That pride seeps into his mind whether he wants it to or not. He lives in a huge palace, never worries about money, can arrange a seat in a club that’s always booked out, and gets admitted to a hospital immediately, while hellhounds wait five years for a Hellbies shot.

Being part of the Goetia family is rather valuable, you know. S1EP2, Loo Loo Land, 4:39

Most of these examples come from Season 1 because, after the disastrous Ozzie’s date, Stolas begins to unconsciously cut back on this language. He seems to sense that something is wrong, though he doesn’t fully understand why. However, he is acutely aware of the problems with the transaction and the unfair dynamics it creates, and he is serious about putting Blitzø on equal ground by providing him with the means to run his business independently of Stolas.

And still, he maintains full control over the conversation during the Full Moon meeting, immediately dismisses Blitzø after one mistake, and throws him out. He continues to impose his narrative on Blitzø and…

I don't look down on you! How many times do I— When have I ever?! S2EP9, Apology Tour, 2:45

When have you ever indeed, Stolas? You literally look down on Blitzø saying that. This moment illustrates the problem clearly. He isn’t lying when he says he doesn’t look down on Blitzø because he genuinely believes he doesn’t.

Despite all said, Stolas is making a tremendous effort and is progressing, and he is far ahead of Stella, who is openly classist/racist and very conscious of her biases. So I believe—no, I know—he will get there one day. But not today.

This is something I take quite seriously, and I think people need to understand how dangerous this subtlety can be, as it happens all the time in real life too.

How often do you ask yourself why medical research groups are predominantly represented by white, cis, upper-middle-class males, and how this affects the efficiency of treatments suggested in these studies for everyone else—women, people of color, non-binary folks, and those who struggle financially?

How often do you visit museums and see art created by wealthy aristocrats who defined what constitutes 'fine art,' while 'folk art'—often created by marginalized communities—is overlooked and lost to time?

I could elaborate further on how deep and cruel this bias is, but I’ll stop here. I just ask you to consider why you might get offended when someone points out Stolas's subtle bigotry and why you might downplay it compared to the loud, aggressive Blitzø, whose anger and avoidant issues are obvious.

Just sit with it.

[uniquexusposts]

The politician's daughter (3)

Main characters: James Beaufort x reader Genre: fanfiction, fluff, TV show  Word count: 2973 Requested by: @marjoriesemente

Summary: What will happen when you put the rich against the rich and suffer the one in between?

Click here to go to part 2

“Wait!” James said when he saw a maid walking up the front door. The woman stopped walking and looked questionable at James. “I will get this. It’s okay,” he smiled and jogged to the front door. Through the glass, he saw Y/N stepping out of a car, looking bewildered as she glanced around. Her eyes met his, and she raised an eyebrow in surprise. James opened the door. “Hey, welcome,” he said and stepped inside. 

“Hi,” Y/N replied and stepped inside. “Long time no see,” she smirked, looking around the hall. 

“How have you been?” James went along. “We need to catch up, I suppose.” He squinted his eyes, but cheekily smiled. He invited her to the living room. 

“Hmm-hmm,” she hummed and playfully gave him a nudge. She stopped walking when they stood in the living room. “Holy shi…” Y/N mumbled and turned around to have a complete look at the living room and entrance. “This is like Buckingham Palace. At least, that's what I think it looks like,” she added. “Or Windsor Castle. A royal residence.”

His eyes were resting on her face. A grin came on his face. “That is… too much?” He crossed his arms in front of his chest. 

Y/N turned around and rolled her eyes. “Not everyone is that rich. It’s a compliment, though.”

James chuckled. "I'll take it as one," he said, uncrossing his arms and motioning for her to follow him. "Come on, let’s get started on that project.”James led Y/N through the grand corridors of his home, their footsteps echoing softly on the marble floors. They paused in the kitchen, where the gleam of stainless steel appliances contrasted with the warm wooden cabinetry. James grabbed a couple of bottles of sparkling water and a plate of assorted snacks.

"You have people who work here, right?" Y/N asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"That's right," James replied cautiously, unsure of her reaction.

An impressed look crossed her face. "Hah," she mumbled. "Just interested." They resumed their walk, heading up the sweeping staircase, Y/N's eyes darting around, taking in every detail; the intricate railings, the family portraits lining the walls, the luxurious carpet beneath their feet. "It's like walking through a museum," she remarked, her voice a mix of awe and amusement. “Sorry, I am just impressed.”

“I noticed,” he smiled. 

They reached the first floor and entered a room: James’s bedroom. The room was spacious, with large windows allowing natural light to flood. Y/N placed her bag against the enormous wooden desk across from his bed. This room smelled like him. A small smile came on her face. 

James set the snacks and drinks on the desk and motioned for Y/N to take a seat. "Alright, let's dive back into the project.”

They settled in, opening their laptops and notebooks. Their ideas flowed more freely as they brainstormed, the initial awkwardness dissipating. They discussed their concept for ‘Sub Coffee’ in detail, planning the marketing strategies, target demographics, and potential partnerships. At some point, they were designing the logo and deciding their corporate identity. They moved from the desk to the floor, laying out some designs and ideas. Y/N was sitting against his bed, and James was lying on his side next to her. 

“I don’t see it anymore,” Y/N mumbled and threw her notebook next to her. “You picked out a logo.” She sighed and let her head lean on the bed. 

James, lying on his side, propped his head up with one hand and glanced at the scattered designs. He picked up one of the logos they’d sketched. “How about this one? Simple, clean, and it gets the point across.”

Y/N lifted her head and looked at the design he was holding. “It’s decent,” she admitted, a small smile on her lips. “Maybe we could refine it and add some colour or texture.”

James nodded. “Yeah, that could work. But it’s not wow.”

“We need that wow factor.”

At that moment, there were three knocks on the door. The door flew open, and Lydia stepped into the room. “James…” She didn’t know he had someone over. Especially not the politician’s daughter. “Oh.”

He looked over his shoulder. “Lydia.”

A warm smile came on Y/N’s face. “Hey.”

Lydia’s eyes shot from James to Y/N, and back to James. It was a weird couple to see together, and she had no idea what it meant. She blinked several times, clearly trying to process the scene before her. “Hey, Y/N,” she said, her voice tinged with curiosity. “I didn’t know you were here.” It wasn’t like Lydia didn’t like Y/N, but Y/N was an attention seeker. She had a name. She was in the middle. It was kinda like there was a battle going on between them: Y/L/N versus Beaufort. 

James sat up. “We’re working on a project.”

“The company project?”

“Yes.” 

“The deadline was Friday evening,” Lydia mentioned. 

Y/N’s smile dropped, and her eyes shot to James. James’ jaw dropped, and he looked at Y/N. 

“But the presentations are tomorrow,” James said while looking at Y/N. The corners of his lips curled up, mirroring Y/N’s smile. 

Lydia nodded slowly, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Yes, but the deadline to submit everything was Friday evening. I guess you two missed it?”

The two on the floor began to laugh about their failed planning. 

“Y/N is new at school. They probably will condone it this time,” James confidently said. 

“Yes, but James is not new. Be prepared for the worst,” Lydia smiled. “Anyway, I am going to the golf club. See you later. And good luck,” she said and walked away. 

Y/N and James exchanged a glance, their laughter subsiding as the reality of their situation set in. "We really messed up," Y/N said, a mix of amusement and frustration in her voice.

James shook his head, still smiling. "We'll figure it out. We have to.”

Just seconds after Lydia left, the door opened again. This time it was a maid. Y/N eyes shot to James, not knowing how to act. James showed an emotionless smile. It was shocking to Y/N how quickly James could switch between his own personality and a business personality. Or his act. 

“Mary,” he greeted the young girl. 

Y/N wondered how old she was. Maybe their age. How did she end up here? 

“Mr Beaufort, Miss Y/L/N,” the girl nodded. “Mr Y/L/N has arrived and is here to pick up Miss Y/L/N.” 

A thin line appeared between Y/N’s eyebrows, and she looked confused. “My father?” How did he know that she was here? She didn’t tell her mum or brother about it. “How… What… Huh?” 

“He is waiting in the car for you,” the maid mentioned. 

“Oh. Okay. Thank you,” Y/N politely smiled. The maid left the room. “What is my father doing here? I wasn’t supposed to see him for another week. And now he has time?” Y/N mumbled to herself and sighed. She looked at James, who didn’t answer her rhetorical questions. “I am afraid we must finish it alone, at home.”

“Sure, that’s not an issue. We’re almost done anyway. Only the corporate identity. I will work on it and send it to you,” he offered. 

“Really?” 

He nodded. “You were the brain behind all of this. Now it’s my turn to put it on paper.”

Was this the same James Beaufort I met last week? A grateful smile came on her face. “Thanks.” She got up and collected her own stuff. “Do you take everything with you to school tomorrow? Or do I need to bring something, too?” 

“I’ve got it covered,” he said, his tone reassuring. “Just bring yourself. We’ll nail this presentation.”

Y/N nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and curiosity. “Okay, thanks, James. I appreciate it.”

James gave her a small smile. “No problem. See you tomorrow.”

Y/N turned to leave but hesitated momentarily, glancing back at him. “You know, you’re not as much of an asshole as I thought.”

James chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Thanks, I guess.” He was holding some papers in his hands. “You are not as much of a bitch as I thought.” 

An amusing smile came on her face, and she shook her head. As Y/N went downstairs, her mind was a whirl of thoughts. She still couldn’t quite wrap her head around that her father was here, unannounced. The maid’s announcement had thrown her off balance, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

* * *

The following day, Y/N arrived in a sleek black car at school, and the family chauffeur opened the door for her. She stepped out with an air of confidence and a stern expression. Dressed in a tailored blazer and heels, her demeanour was unmistakably authoritative. She thanked the chauffeur with a curt nod and walked towards the school entrance.

As she moved through the hallways, students parted to make way for her, sensing the change in her presence. Her eyes were focused straight ahead, ignoring the whispers and glances that followed her. She rounded a corner and nearly bumped into James, who was on his way to class.

A soft smile came on his face. “Y/N,” he said. “Good morning. Are you ready for the presentation?”

Y/N avoided his eyes without breaking stride, but her expression was cold and distant. “Excuse me,” she said icily, not acknowledging his question. She brushed past him and continued down the hall.

James stood there, momentarily stunned by her demeanour. The warmth and fun they had shared while working on the project seemed to have changed overnight. Confused, he watched her retreating figure, trying to make sense of the sudden change. He turned to his friends, who all looked impressed and bewildered. Cyril somehow looked amused. James raised his arms and looked as confused as them. 

Y/N entered the classroom, her posture straight and her face set in a mask of willpower. She sat and began setting up her materials for the presentation, her movements precise and deliberate. James entered shortly after, his expression still reflecting the shock of their brief encounter. He placed beside her, trying to focus on the task at hand.

The class settled in, and the teacher called for the presentations to begin. Y/N and James were first. They stood at the front of the class, their professional demeanour masking any personal tension. The synergy they had developed while working on the project was evident as they went through their slides. Their presentation was polished, and their ideas were well-articulated. Despite the cold shoulder, Y/N had given James earlier, their professional collaboration was flawless.

When they finished, the class erupted in applause. The teacher nodded approvingly. “Excellent work, both of you. Your proposal is innovative and well-thought-out. You’ve set a high bar for the rest of the class. However, you did not upload your documents on time. An explanation?”

“Regrettably, we experienced a delay in uploading the documents due to unforeseen challenges in delivering the results at that time,” James answered. "Y/N was unfamiliar with the process as it was her first time working on this project.”

“My apologies for that,” Y/N went along. 

The teacher nodded slowly. “Since it is your first project and your third week at this school, it’s fine for now. But the next time, there will be consequences.”

Y/N and James returned to their seats, the tension between them palpable. James couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had hoped that the presentation would help bridge the gap that had suddenly appeared between them.

As the class moved on to the next presentation, James leaned over to Y/N and whispered, “What happened? Why are you acting like this?”

Y/N kept looking in front of her, her expression unreadable. “It’s nothing, James. Let’s just focus on the project.”

He nodded slowly, knowing that pressing her further would be pointless. Business partners… James changed the look on his face to authoritative. She wanted to be a business partner, and then they would be business partners and nothing more. 

As the day went on, James resolved to find out what had caused the shift and, if possible, to mend whatever had gone wrong. He opened up to her, and they shared some jokes and laughed a lot. She took advantage of his weakness. There was a reason why James was extremely selective about picking his friends or partners. He let go of that once, and he was shown the exact reason why he was that selective. 

The day's last class ended, and Y/N was the first to leave the classroom, even leaving Amelia behind. James quickly grabbed his stuff and followed Y/N. He had to talk properly to her. He quickened his pace and grabbed her arm when he was close enough. “Don’t,” he mumbled, and she was trying to snatch her arm back. James led her to an empty classroom and closed the door behind him. “What was that?” 

Y/N sighed, walked to a table, and sat down. She crossed her legs. Her face straightened, not looking forward to talking to him. “What was what?” 

James took a deep breath, trying to control his frustration. “You know exactly what I mean,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Yesterday, we were working together just fine. We had a good time, even. Then today, you act like I don’t exist and give me the cold shoulder. What’s going on?”

Y/N rolled her eyes, her expression remaining impassive. “James, don’t make a big deal out of this. We finished our project. It’s done. That’s all there is to it.”

“So… You used me.”

“I did not use you.” 

“Hah,” he breathed and nodded. He stepped to her, noticing she didn’t care to look him in the eyes. “Why…” The word sounded harsh between his lips because he didn’t understand her behaviour. He saw her eyes flutter because of his town. “Why are you ignoring me then? Acting like I’m your business partner that you can’t stand but must work together.” James kept looking at her; her eyes had a mixture of frustration and something else he couldn't quite place. Yet she still wouldn’t look at him. 

“James, it’s not like that,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me,” James challenged, stepping even closer. “I want to understand.”

Y/N sighed, crossing her arms defensively. “Because it’s easier this way. It’s easier to keep you at a distance. Yesterday was… it was a mistake.”

James shook his head, a pained expression on his face. “So you’re just going to shut me out? Pretend like we didn’t connect?”

“We didn’t connect,” Y/N said sharply. “We worked on a project. That’s all it was.”

“That’s not true,” James insisted. “We talked. We laughed. I saw a side of you that you don’t show to anyone else. And now you’re acting like it never happened.”

Y/N looked away, her jaw tightening. “Because it can’t happen, James. My life is complicated. I don’t have room for...”

“For what? For friends?” James interrupted; his voice was harsh.

For a moment, she broke character. Her eyes softened, and her shoulders hung low. She looked down, hoping she could blink the forming tears away. “I am not allowed to be friends with you,” she whispered. “Not even be project partners.” She slowly looked up. And for the first time today, their gaze met. 

“What do you mean?” James’ eyes shot from her right to left eye. The entire time, it was an act. And he fell for it. “How are we not allowed to be even project partners?” 

She was fighting between her own emotions and her father’s values. “Because of your scandals,” she mouthed. “I can’t be seen by you because it will damage my father’s reputation.” The words rolled over her lips like her father instructed her to. It wasn’t her words. 

James’ lips parted. “What?” He stepped a few steps back. “But your father literally wears our suits and compliments them during a public appearance. He is a loyal customer of Beaufort. He is literally wearing Beaufort, he is Beaufort.”

Even her father prepared her for this sentence. Her lip started to tremble, and her blood was boiling and freezing simultaneously. She sniffed. “I don’t want to do this, James,” she said, not following the script. “But I have to pick my father’s side-“

“Sure. No problem. It was a nice project, Y/N. Hopefully, we will get a good grade because I will never work with you again. Good afternoon.” 

James turned on his heel and stormed out of the classroom, leaving Y/N standing there, feeling a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She wanted to call out to him, explain, and apologise, but the words caught in her throat. Every word she said didn’t make sense to her, and it was a mess. She had betrayed James and herself, all to be forced to protect her father's reputation.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she realised the depth of the mess she had created. She had lost a friend, maybe even more than that, all because she was forced to be loyal to her father. It was either that or her life would be ruined. 

Money is power, and power is ego; ego is arrogance—even when it comes to your own family. 

Taglist: @crashingwavesofeuphoria @maryvibess

[mothandpidgeon]

Sing a Song of Sixpence (Joel Miller's Christmas Vacation)

Moth's Masterlist // follow @mothandpidgeon-updates and turn on notifications to stay updated with my fics!

rating: G (fluff)

summary: Sarah requests a special trip over Christmas vacation. Joel does whatever it takes to make her wishes come true.

contents: fluff, 90s nostalgia, colonial america?

wc: 1.2k

a/n: Happy holidays to my Secret Santa, @whocaresstillthelouvre! Surprise but not really. Mallory, i knew we were going to be friends when you told me how much you love Colonial Williamsburg. I couldn't believe I found someone that overlapped in so many of my little niches. So when you told me that I was your secret Santa, I knew your fic was going to be about your favorite place. Thank you for being such a great friend, supporting me and my writing, and being my stoner buddy. I hope you enjoy your gift!

Thank you @schnarfer and @moonlitbirdie for giving this a once over! Dividers by @/saradika-graphics

Sarah clutches her doll as she skips down the red brick sidewalk.

Joel hadn’t realized just how expensive a toy could be until he shelled out the $86 to buy it. Sarah had begged and begged before he gave in and got it for her. “Felicity Doll” had been on every wish list, the American Girl catalogue left open on the kitchen table for two whole years. Sarah read and re-read not only the Felicity series but Addy, Kiersten, and Samantha, too, the paperback books creased and dog eared. This was no passing fad, not a fleeting interest, and so Joel saved up and surprised her with an American Girl doll of her very own for her birthday. 

She knew what was in the tall, rectangular box before she’d even unwrapped the damn thing, screeching and running around the living room in celebration. Sarah loved the doll, taking it everywhere with her, tucking it in bed beside her. Best money Joel had ever spent.

Except Felicity had a plethora of accessories and outfits, furniture and accouterments that all cost a handsome sum. More catalogues came, glossy pages with marker drawn circles around Felicity’s tea set and writing desk and pony. (“The doll has a pony?” “It’s in the books, Daddy!”) There were cookbooks and paper dolls and Sarah-sized colonial dresses that she desperately needed. It seemed that Joel was personally bankrolling the Pleasant Company.

And now he’d agreed to bring Sarah to Colonial Williamsburg. He really hadn’t had the heart to say no to her when she ask that they take a family trip there over winter break though he knew it would cost him an arm and a leg. 

“Wouldn’t you rather go to Disney World?” Tommy asked.

Joel shot him a look. Disney would’ve cost three times as much but it wasn’t about the money. He was proud of his little girl for being a bookworm, choosing museums and butter churns over roller coasters and Minnie Mouse. 

“It’s where Felicity’s from,” she insisted. 

Sarah leads Joel by the hand down Duke of Gloucester Street. The quaint little houses are all decorated for the season– around each doorway is an evergreen garlands accented with fat, red bows. There’s a chill in the air. He hadn’t considered the weather in Virginia when he’d planned this vacation. Sarah doesn’t seem to notice, excitedly pointing out the carolers on the corner and the horse drawn carriage conveying tourists down the sandy street. 

Sarah devours every little detail, listening with eyes like saucers as the interpreters dressed in old fashioned costumes drone on about milliners and beeswax candles. 

Joel’s mind just keeps slipping back to the fact that he and Tommy aren’t working right now. A whole week with no income.That’s going to hurt when the credit card bill comes in.

”D’you think they ever sniped a redcoat with one of those?” Tommy asks on a tour of the Governor’s Palace, nodding towards one of the many guns hanging on the ceiling.

Sarah shushes him.

”Hey,”Joel whispers to his brother. “Remind me when we’re back at the motel, I’ve got to call and get those tiles ordered for the duplex project.”

”C’mon man. You’re thinking about work now?” Tommy complains.

”Can’t lose another day. Order it now, it’ll be waiting for us when we’re back,” Joel explains. 

“Daddy! You’re not listening!” Sarah hisses.

“Sorry, babygirl,” he says, squeezing her hand in his.

He tries to pay attention, he really does. Joel’s never had much of a mind for history. Dates and places and stuffy old men. The buildings are interesting, at least. He amuses himself wondering what it would be like to build a house like they did in the olden days. A rough saw and a chisel and his bare hands. Like a pioneer on the homestead.

There’s a gift shop at the end of the tour. Of course. Joel lets out a sigh of resignation. Sarah knows better than to ask but she’s eyeing a tin whistle and a book about ghost sightings. 

“Pick one,” Joel offers, hoping she goes for the book. The last thing he needs is Tommy’s yammering and the squeal of Yankee Doodle for the rest of the trip.

Her brown eyes move between the two souvenirs, lips twisted in thought. 

“Shit. I’ll buy you both if your Dad’ll wear this,” Tommy says with a laugh. He’s holding up a little felt tricorn hat meant for elementary school kids.

”Really?” Sarah asks, all bright and giggling. 

Joel glowers.

Dinner is a fifteen dollar hamburger at one of the historical taverns. Sarah’s doll gets its own seat at the table, a paper napkin tucked into the collar of its dress. Joel’s able to pawn the hat off on Sarah but not before Tommy got a photo on his disposable camera. 

“That’s going on the fridge,” he chuckles. 

As Joel pays the bill (noting the price of Tommy’s three beers), there’s a rumble of drums. 

“What’s that?” Tommy asks, craning his neck towards the window. 

“The militia’s coming through,” the waitress says, clearing the dish from Sarah’s ice cream sundae (the historical accuracy of which is questionable). “They’ll march in for the fireworks.”

“Fireworks!” Sarah gasps. 

Joel sighs. He’s exhausted, out all day in the cold wrangling his brother and his daughter. His knees are aching and he’s ready to call it a day and go back to the motel. But Sarah is practically bouncing in her seat. 

Joel bundles himself up once again and the trio join the crowd that lines the street. A fife and drum corps in their scarlet uniforms march past followed by an officer on horseback. The sun has long set and the air nips at Joel’s throat. He wishes he had a scarf, could probably pick one up in yet another gift shop but it would surely cost a small fortune. He hopes these fireworks will be over soon so he can put his feet up. 

The little town looks quite festive in the night. Candles glow in every window and the street lamps cast a warm light over the tourists. A massive evergreen on the Palace Green twinkled with modern lights but it only adds to the atmosphere. 

Without warning, the first firework shoots into the sky, its bang makes Tommy jump. It bursts into a shower of silver. The other spectators cheer and more fireworks follow— red and blue, green and gold. 

Sarah’s gloved hand wraps around Joel’s. Her face is turned up to the sky, illuminated by the colorful fireworks. Her eyes round with wonder, sparkling pink and white from the cascade of sparks above. 

She’s having the time of her life. And she deserves it. Sarah’s a good kid. Polite, studious, thoughtful. Joel’s always been proud of her though he has no idea how she turned out so sweet considering he and Tommy have been the ones that raised her. This is what it’s all for, he reminds himself. The hard work and long hours, the never ending stress of bills for things he can’t afford. It’s all for her. 

She turns to find Joel watching her, his heart swollen in his chest. 

“Thanks, Daddy,” she says. She squeezes his hand and pulls her doll close to her chest.  

That thing was worth every penny. 

Happy holidays to everyone! Special shout out to the tent pitchers and all of my moots but also to anyone that's read my fics this year. Thank you for your support.

[blueiscoool]

Ancient Assyrian Deity Statue Uncovered in Iraq

In a recent announcement from the The Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), archaeologists have successfully unearthed a remarkable ancient Assyrian deity statue known as a “lamassu” in Kursbad, Iraq.

A lamassu is a special Assyrian guardian deity, usually portrayed as a mix of human, bird, and either cow or lion features. These unique beings typically have a human-like head, a body resembling that of a bull or lion, and bird-like wings.

Guardian Lamassu sculptures in Assyria

In ancient Assyria, they often crafted pairs of lamassu sculptures and placed them at the entrances of palaces. These imposing figures faced both the streets and the inner courtyards.

What’s unique about these sculptures is that they were carved in high relief. When you look at them head-on, they seem still, but from the side, they appear to be in motion.

While we often see winged figures in the low-relief decorations inside rooms, lamassu were not commonly found as large figures in these spaces. However, they occasionally appeared in narrative reliefs. In these depictions, they seemed to take on the role of protectors for the Assyrians.

Ancient Assyrian deity statue in Iraq was discovered and then reburied

This discovery took place during their excavations at the 6th gate, situated in the western part of the ancient city of Khursbad.

Khursbad was originally built as a brand-new capital city by the Assyrian king Sargon II. He started this ambitious project shortly after he became king in 721 BC.

However, after Sargon II’s reign, his son and successor, Sennacherib, decided to shift the capital to Nineveh. This move left the construction of Khursbad unfinished, making it a fascinating historical puzzle.

As per the press release, the statue was originally discovered in 1992, when a team of Iraqi archaeologists stumbled upon the Assyrian deity statue. After the initial discovery of the lamassu, its head was unfortunately stolen in 1995. However, it was later recovered and is now safely preserved in the Iraqi Museum.

The main body of the Assyrian deity, was reburied to protect the statue and the surrounding architectural remains, a decision that likely saved it from destruction by ISIS, which systematically looted and destroyed the remains of Khursbad.

Collaboration between Iraqi and French archaeologists

In a remarkable collaborative effort between Iraqi and French archaeologists, Professor Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani has spearheaded a mission that recently re-excavated the lamassu. This event marks the first time in thirty years that this ancient wonder has been unveiled to the world.

As stated by Dr. Layth Majid Hussein, the Chairman of the General Body for Archaeology and Heritage, the team is presently evaluating the condition of the lamassu to chart their forthcoming actions.

By Nisha Zahid.

[blackhistorystoryteller]

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEAD OF OBA

THE BENIN KINGDOM

THE LOOTED TREASURES BY THE BRITISH EMPIRE

BLACK HISTORY IS DEEPER THAN SLAVE TRADE

The head sculptures of the Oba of Benin, also known as the Benin Bronzes, are a collection of intricate bronze and brass sculptures created by the Edo people of Nigeria. These sculptures typically depict the reigning Oba (king) of the Benin Empire and were produced over several centuries, with some dating back to the 13th century.

They are renowned for their artistic and historical significance, representing the cultural heritage and power of the Benin Kingdom. These sculptures often portray the Oba wearing coral beaded regalia, symbolizing his divine status and authority.

Many of these artifacts were taken from Benin during the late 19th century by British colonial forces, and they are now scattered in museums and private collections worldwide. There have been ongoing discussions and negotiations regarding their repatriation to Nigeria to restore their cultural heritage.

The head sculptures of the Oba of Benin remain a testament to the rich artistic and historical legacy of the Edo people and the Benin Kingdom.

HOW THE BRITISH STOLE FROM THE EDO TRIBE

1. British Punitive Expedition: In 1897, a British expedition, led by British officials and soldiers, was sent to the Benin Kingdom (in what is now Nigeria) with the stated objective of punishing the Oba of Benin, Oba Ovonramwen, for resisting British influence and trade in the region.

2. Sacking of the Royal Palace: During the expedition, the British forces entered the royal palace in Benin City, where many of these intricate bronze and brass sculptures were housed. The palace was looted, and numerous artifacts, including the Benin Bronzes, were taken.

3. Confiscation and Dispersal: The looted artifacts were then confiscated by the British authorities and later distributed to various individuals, museums, and institutions. Many of these artworks ended up in European museums and private collections.

The theft of the Benin Bronzes remains a contentious issue, as these artworks are considered cultural treasures of the Edo people and Nigeria as a whole. There have been ongoing discussions and demands for the repatriation of these artifacts to Nigeria, which has gained momentum in recent years as part of broader efforts to address historical injustices related to colonial-era looting.

The head sculptures of the Oba of Benin, like many traditional African artworks, hold deep symbolic significance within the context of the Benin Kingdom and its culture. Here are some of the key symbols and meanings associated with these sculptures:

1. Royal Authority: The Oba's head sculptures symbolize the authority and divine status of the reigning monarch, who was regarded as a sacred figure in Benin society. The elaborate regalia, such as coral beads and headdresses, worn by the Oba in these sculptures signifies his royal and spiritual power.

2. Ancestral Connections: The sculptures often depict the Oba with distinctive facial scarification patterns and detailed facial features. These features can represent specific ancestors or dynastic connections, emphasizing the Oba's lineage and connection to past rulers.

3. Historical Record: The sculptures also serve as historical records, documenting the appearance and regalia of the Oba during their reigns. This provides valuable insights into the history and evolution of the Benin Kingdom over the centuries.

4. Spiritual Protection: Some sculptures may incorporate elements like beads and cowrie shells, which were believed to have protective and spiritual qualities. These elements were worn by the Oba not only for their aesthetic value but also for their symbolic protection.

5. Cultural Identity: Beyond their specific symbolic meanings, the head sculptures are integral to the cultural identity of the Edo people and the Benin Kingdom. They represent the rich artistic traditions and heritage of the kingdom and its rulers.

It's important to note that the symbolism of these sculptures is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the Benin Kingdom, and their interpretation can vary among different individuals and communities.

[poptod]

Omg yay!!! Ik u already have to many for him I hope ur not tired of him yet 😭

Aukmenrah x gn reader where reader is a new part of an exhibit (I was thinking like Pompeii or roman/greek like along those timelines but ill leave it up to u :)) and while Larry is showing them around they meet up with Auk who explains the tablet but while trying to understand him, reader is just looking at him like he hung the stars and Auk starts to get flustered. It's like that between them for a while, like a school crush, and Larry makes it a mission to eventually get them together and becomes Auk's wing man <3

Notes: amazingly no, i am not tired of our dearest ahk but you have GOT to tell me why you spell Ahkmenrah's name like that </3 i made the reader from the islamic golden age since that's what i'm writing about in my book. hope thats satisfactory! WC: 2k

+

It was startling, your first awakening––you were one of few exhibits who immediately realized something was not quite right with your existence. For you, it was because you had no memories. You were not a copy of some great historical figure or the remnants of a skeleton; you were a wax doll, there only to demonstrate the clothes of the time.

The nightguard, standing in front of you as the sun set and you shimmered into living, offered you a hand to help you down from your pedestal.

"My name's Larry. Larry Daley," he said. "Welcome to the museum."

"Mā? 'Ayna ana?"

A long sigh and grimace ran through him. He put his hands on his hips, muttered something to himself, then said something to you, beckoning you along. You glanced around––the shining floors and tall ceilings, the myriad of creatures and humans in the long hall. You decided it would be best to listen, even if you didn't know what he wanted.

"Okay…" he mumbled beneath his breath. he then, in a rather thick accent, introduced himself in your language. "I am Larry Daley."

"Uhuh," you said, lifting your chin. "I…"

You frowned. You weren't sure what your name was. Another hint that something was seriously wrong.

"I don't know my name," you said, but he seemed not to understand you.

He took you through the halls and large rooms of what appeared to be a palace with many treasures on display. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be able to speak your language, and so all of Larry's explanations fell on deaf ears. After a rather long walk through a section filled with crystals and minerals, you circled back round to the main part of the building, with its warmly coloured walls and decorated arches.

Rising up to the second floor, you turned down a hall filled with what you recognized as ancient Egyptian artifacts. You stopped in front of a few showcases, tilting your head curiously to the side as your eyes scanned blankly over the informational plaques, unable to identify the language.

Larry pulled you along.

Tumbling over your feet, you barely caught sight of the giant, moving jackal statues staring you down before you were in the next room, bathed in a dim, golden light. Distracted by the multitude of hieroglyphs around you––the art and mystery of which was a fascination of your time––you payed little attention to the quiet conversation Larry was holding with another person. Eventually you turned around, peeked over Larry's shoulder, and stopped dead in your tracks.

His beauty was a near perfect image of the ancient Pharaonic carvings. Your heart sped tenfold as you gawked at him––his khol-lined pale eyes, his soft lips stretched into a smile, the revelation of his tanned waist revealed between tresses of sewn gold. It was rather inappropriate, you knew, but somehow you couldn't stop yourself.

His eyes shifted and fell on you. You stiffened.

A keen smile creeped across his face, eyes narrowing. He said something, something you couldn't understand, and Larry replied in conversation. You attempted to hide a little further behind Larry's shoulder, but the nightguard stepped to the side and revealed you in your entirety.

You froze, then tucked your hands behind your back, straightening your posture.

"So, you are new," the Pharaoh said, lifting his chin in your direction.

You perked up. He knew your language.

"Yes, I am. You know how to speak Arabic?"

"I know many languages, fortunately for Larry," he said with a teasing lilt, glancing to Larry. "He says you don't know your name. Is that true?"

"I suppose so," you said quietly. "Do you know why that is?"

"I believe I do, if you'll lend me the time to explain," he said, offering a hand. You slowly, reluctantly, took it. "I am the Pharaoh Ahkmenrah, from many thousands of years before your time. And you are from some thousand years before this time."

He proceeded to explain the magic of his tablet, which you would've never believed without having been a product of it yourself––something which took you a long while to realize and come to terms with. Though, perhaps, you might've understood faster and more thoroughly if you had been paying attention. Instead, most of your mind was caught up in staring at Ahkmenrah and absorbing his beauty.

"The tablet was – was…" Ahk paused, his face flushing as he glanced between you and the tablet on the wall. "… was, um, constructed by my," he cleared his throat, "father… millenia ago."

You stared.

"It is, um, powered by Iah, the moon, which - which is why…" he chuckled weakly, eyes shining, "… why it only, uh, activates during the night."

Beside you, Larry crossed his arms, a soft huff leaving his chest. You continued to stare.

"Do you… have any questions?" He asked, tugging at his bejewelled collar.

"I don't think so," you said slowly.

"Well, um, if you do," he said, stepping forward and placing a hand on your back to guide you down the hall, "I better answer them tomorrow night. The sun will rise soon, and it is best if we all return to our places. Otherwise the general populace will discover our nature and I am sure it would be better kept a secret. People tend to become scared when confronted with that which they do not understand. Yes?"

You nodded vaguely, still looking up at him. He glanced down at you, his face still darkened by a warm blush, and immediately looked up ahead once more, avoiding your pointed gaze.

Larry led you the rest of your way back to your exhibit, which was filled with inner architecture and room design of the typical Islamic household of your time. You stepped back up into your place, smoothed down your many layers of clothing, and faded back out of living.

During the nights, you occupied your time by watching the Pharaoh. Few others knew how to speak to you, and try as Larry might to learn Arabic, his pronunciation was poor at best and his understanding rather weak. Your own English was coming along slowly. Yet despite the fact that Ahk was one of the only people you could communicate with, you found it difficult to interact with him. Most thought escaped your mind and you found yourself entranced by the majesty with which he held himself, even if it was dampened by his nervous blushing. You relinquished yourself to watching from afar.

You sighed, legs dangling over the edge of the balcony as you watched the party on the floor below. Ahk was an identifiable streak of gold amongst the costumes and exhibits, and Larry, the opposite of him who blended in, stood beside him. They were conversing quietly, with muted hand gestures as they stood to the side of the action.

Then, between words, Larry pointed up at you.

Your eyes widened and you quickly withdrew your legs from between the bannister poles, stood, and hurried away.

Your exhibit was rather small; just a single presentation in a hall detailing middle eastern culture. Out of all the artefacts on display, you were the only one to animate at night, which made the hall a rather lonely and silent one. You sat on your low couch, far more ornate than you figured you deserved as a nameless thing, and stared at your hands.

It was inappropriate, your behaviour––gawking after someone. Your emotions on the matter were beyond confusing. Traditionally, being Muslim, your curiosity in the Pharaoh could not extend beyond scholastic. After all, he was a polytheist. But his Gods were real, just as real as your God. His Gods brought you to life. You wondered as you stared blankly down if a blank, nameless wax doll could even have a religion.

At least Ahkmenrah was a real person.

Quiet footsteps began to echo, swirling round the empty halls and growing slowly louder. You noticed it faintly and hoped you blended in to the intricately woven carpets and carved wood facades.

Alas, the footsteps stopped in front of you, and as you looked up you found the Pharaoh standing in front of you, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

"May I join you?" He asked, gesturing to the raised platform.

You nodded. He smiled in return, and took a seat beside you.

"Your exhibit is much nicer than mine. Well-made furniture… though it is as quiet as mine," he said, chuckling softly.

You shrugged, tucking your hands between your knees.

"Yours is nice," you said quietly.

He nodded vaguely, and the two of you stewed in an awkward silence for a moment. Ahk's eyes wandered about, then finally settled on you, long eyelashes accentuating his makeup.

"How are you enjoying your time here?" He asked, turning towards you. "You've kept mostly to yourself."

"Well, there's not much to say to most people," you mumbled. "They do try, which is nice. But it's not the same. And I feel… different to the others."

"Different?" He repeated. "How is that?"

"I have a vague idea of my culture, but no actual memories. I know you and Larry gave me a name but it's not even from my own culture," you said. "So… it doesn't have anything to do with the others. Just my own troubles."

"I'm afraid I don't know many Persian names. I… had hoped the name I chose would be suitable," he said.

You couldn't help the smile on your face, as bashful as it was. A blush crept up your cheeks. You had no idea what the name meant, but the fact that he had taken the time to name you something––that your only identity was related to him––fuelled something warm and comforting within you.

"It's a nice name," you said, "even if I do not know what it means."

"Um, well…" he trailed off, his face growing ever redder, "it's… rather embarrassing, actually."

He lowered his head, scratching at the back of his neck subtly. You quirked your head to the side.

"You gave me an embarrassing name?" You asked, raising a brow.

"No, not at all," he said quickly, meeting your eye. "I suppose it's really only embarrassing for me that I am the one who gave you the name, because it is… it is a rather sentimental name."

"Sentimental?" You chuckled. "What do you mean by that?"

He fell silent, his mouth opening and closing as he seemed to debate whether or not to tell you. His eyes darted here and there, but eventually settled on you, and as his hands gripped his skirt tightly he offered you a diffident smile.

"Well, Meri… if you do truly wish to know… your name means 'love', in my language."

Your eyes widened as slowly as your realization. Ahkmenrah, unfortunately not privy to your thoughts, melted in his seat and began to stammer some excuse.

"I didn't mean it in any – any bad way, which is to say, I wanted you to feel welcome, and you…"

He pursed his lips, sucking in a sharp breath.

"… you have so much love in your eyes," he finally said, his voice quiet and diminutive.

You had thought just a minute ago that you couldn't get any warmer––that you had reached the full extent of your embarrassment, absorbed wholly in your own flustered cocoon of thoughts. You hadn't imagined your admiration of him was so overwhelming so as to be visible. When you finally recognized the sensations in your body once more, you realized your mouth was hanging open.

"I hope I haven't offended you," he said quietly.

"No, not at all," you said, reaching forward to place a hand on his. "Actually, I was hoping I didn't disturb you with my, um.. staring."

"Not at all," he replied with a smile, intertwining your fingers with his. "I find it quite endearing. Even as a Pharaoh, though being much admired, none would dare gaze upon me with such obvious… well, adoration. It's something I enjoy about being in this time. Less fear of expression."

You nodded and hummed, your smile sweet on your lips.

"So you don't mind it then?" You asked, looking up with glowing eyes.

"I would prefer you talk to me rather than just stare, but… I suppose… even desiring your company in greater intimacy… I could 'make do' with watching you from afar in return," he said, a coy smile on his face.

You blushed, looking down at your hands together on his lap.

"I will… do my best to talk to you more," you said.

"I appreciate the effort, my love," he said, and lifted your hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on your palm.

[hvaneyflowers]

Christmas Vacation! *********************

Pierre Gasly x femreader!

You and Pierre go on your first Christmas vacation together, but unexpectedly, you lose Pierre in the city.

yourusername

liked by pierregasly, f1wags, charles_leclerc, and 30.000 more.

tagged: pierregasly

yourusername: London at Christmas is just magical!

view all 100 comments.

username1: favorite couple in my favorite city!

username5: you look so cute together! please, never break up!

username3: would you take Pierre to your hometown?

username12: SO CUTE!!!!

username9: I need a photo of Pierre and y/n at Buckingham Palace ASAP!

username4: I swear, you're the cutest couple in the whole world!

username6: YES!! MY PARENTS!!!

pierregasly: love you!❤️

yourusername: love you, too! ❤️

username90: Power couple!

username7: best couple!

username8: love you!!!

username29: beautiful as always!

liked by pierregasly

pierregasly

liked by lewishamilton, charles_leclerc, and 500.000 more.

tagged: yourusername

pierregasly: Have you seen this woman? She's short and has brown long hair. Also, she responds to the name y/n, and she can be a little angry. I lost her at the city's market... but I found this cool friend!😎

view all 400 comments.

username1: Not Pierre posting on Instagram but answering y/n's texts!

username8: he's a dead man.

username2: Not Pierre taking a photo with Lewi's wax figure and y/n freaking out 'cause she can't find him😂

username4: that's why they're the best couple!

lewishamilton: not tag?

lewishamilton: 🧍‍♂️

username3: LEWIS COMMENTING!!

username5: yep, Pierre's dead. Lewis and y/n will kill him.

username10: 'not tag?' - lewis hamilton.

username71: Pierre committed a crime. He must pay for it.

yourusername: PIERRE GASLY!!! I WILL KILL YOU!!!

username8: what have I said? He's dead. username6: 100% confirm. username34: Pierre, run! pierregasly: 🙀🏃

liked by yourusername

************************************************************************

"PIERRE GASLY, I WILL KILL YOU!" you screamed while opening the door of your hotel room.

You were angry at Pierre and Lord, he will be dead. You both were shopping at the city's market when you got distracted for only one second, and Pierre disappeared. You searched and searched for almost two hours, but you didn't find him. You also sent him texts and called him many times but without a response. You were so pissed off. This is beyond a joke! You were desperately looking for him, and he was in the wax museum taking photos with Lewis! You'll kill him without a doubt.

"Honey... how are you?" he asked with a nervous smile.

"I hate you!" you told him, falling on the bed.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to happen, but while you were distracted by that salesman, I got distracted too by a baby goat," he explained, sitting by your side.

"A goat?" you asked him.

"Yes. It was the cutest goat I've ever seen. Look, I took a photo," he said happily while showing you the photo.

"I can't believe it. I freaked out because you got distracted by a goat?" you said in disbelief.

"It was a cute goat!" he tried to defend himself.

"Alright. It was a cute goat," you rolled your eyes. "But, why didn't you answer my texts and calls? Do you have any idea of how worried I was? I almost have a heart attack!"

He gave you a little smile and hugged you. You relaxed in his arms and started exhaling his smell. Thank God for putting him in your way. You loved him more than anything in the world.

"I'm so sorry, mon amour, but my cell phone died after my photos in the wax museum. I know I should've called or texted you, but I was so happy to see everything that I completely forgot about you. I'm so sorry, it won't happen again. It's a promise." he kissed your forehead.

"I forget you, baby. I love you, too. I was so scared to lose you." you said rubbing your nose against his cheek.

"Let me make up to you. We'll have fun tonight," he gave you one of his smiles that tells you you won't sleep.

"Merry Christmas, lover of goats!" you laughed while pulling him near your body.

"Merry Christmas, my future killer." he kissed you.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

National Portrait Gallery, London

Queen Elizabeth I

I was surprised by how small this portrait was because in all the photos I've seen of it...it's huge. I found out later that this is a miniature reproduction of the bigger, famous portrait. Kinda like a souvenir version. But just look at the detailing in that frame!

Queen Victoria

The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, 1913 - King George V, Queen Mary, Prince Edward, and Princess Mary

King George VI

When I look at this portrait (the link has a better quality image), all I see is Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.

Queen Elizabeth II and Spark, 1986 to commemorate her 60th birthday

Prince Philip

What I love about this photo is the reflections of The Queen, William, and Harry in the glass. Physically, it gives you a sense of how they've set up the gallery. But metaphorically, it felt very "let's sit back and admire the view" of his legacy - longest-reigning consort to the longest-reigning monarch and grandfather of the future.

Too bad Harry is such a disappointment.

Diana, 1981 - painted during her engagement to Charles.

What I find really interesting about this portrait is her hidden left hand, which means no sapphire engagement ring in the portrait. Almost kind of prophetic in a way of how her life played out.

William and Harry

Interestingly, there were no portraits of Charles or Camilla on display at the time.

The portrait of Kate also was not on display. I did ask a docent where the portrait was and it hadn't been displayed in some time. It sounded like the gallery was sensitive to the criticism of the painting even though Kate didn't mind it. (Also, fun fact - if you go to the painting's webpage, which is linked above, and enable the cookies, you can see the reference photos that the painter took of Kate to do her portrait.)

This is a statue of George Washington. I forget which museum he's outside of, but because the real George had never traveled outside of the United States or has ever stepped foot on foreign soil, the city of London actually bought dirt and grass from Virginia to plant under his statue in homage to his never having stepped foot on foreign soil. It was such a small gesture to have done but really meaningful.

[bookofthegear]

You head north, because…because you feel like it, that’s why. The corridor is what you are coming to think of as Labyrinth Standard Concrete. You reach a doorway on your left and it continues on.

Looking through the doorway, you see a room so tall that the ceiling is lost in shadow. In the center is an absolutely amazing spiral staircase. It is the sort of staircase that Art Nouveau sculptors dream about when they have been hitting the absinthe a little too hard.

For one thing, each step appears to be made of a single piece of ivory, and where they found tusks six feet long and two feet wide, you couldn’t begin to guess. There are round gemstones the size of quail eggs inset into the ivory steps, and rubies the size of chicken eggs studding the central pillar, surrounded by mother-of-pearl settings. The outer railing is more curved ivory carved in a delicate spiral, worked with gold filigree, set with even more gems, and stained a remarkable shade of shell-pink.

The whole thing gives you the impression that the creator had both a limitless budget and absolutely no concept of restraint. It’s…okay, yeah, arguably it’s tasteless, but that’s probably because it’s sitting in a weird little concrete room. It would look fine in a palace. Or the British Museum, once they’d looted said palace.

Given the distinct lack of treasure in this place so far, your gob is pretty thoroughly smacked.

When you finally tear your eyes from the staircase, you see a rickety iron ladder affixed to the wall and what looks like a stone with a plaque on it in front of the first step.