#when she called and did her ��katherine. you have to be here on the 10th” i literally sobbed in my bed for the rest of the day 😍😍😍 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

samantha-thewinchester · 3 years ago

Text

We Pulled A Barry Allen, Bloody Hell.

|| Hope's Point of View ||

I shoot up, gasping for breath and immedately looking at my surroundings.

We're in Mystic Falls. The big oak tree to be exact... I remember it from when Lizzie had the Oni in her and was slowly going insane. "Good times". I continue to look around, before realizing how dark it is. Is it night time? School was just happening. What the hell made us pass out? I stand up, embers floating around all three of us.

I walk towards Lizzie and Josie, and see if their awake. At my touch Lizzie startles awake, hand rushing up to her chest as she looks at me.

"Hope! You gave me a damn heart attack!" She is taking deep breaths, calming down, before looking around. "Wait, where are we?"

"We are in the park, in the middle of town Lizzie. Now, stop hitting me and help me wake your sister."

Lizzie reluctanly stood up, and walk over to her sisters sleeping body. We wake Josie up, who was by far less startled. As soon as Josie stands up, we hear a scream.

That was suddenly cut off.

"Fuck..." I whisper, before taking off towards the source of the scream, Lizzie and Josie running right after me.

We slowly approach the source, we found two-probably dead-bodies. One male and One female. One was on top of the hood of the car and the other was a bit further down the road. Both with two teeth marks in their necks.

The teeth marks of a vampire.

"Crap..." Josies says.

"When can I get these mudy clothes off?"

"Lizzie!" Me and Josie shout.

|| 2 hours later ||

We walked to the old mill, figuring that the old mill would be a safe enough place to sleep for a while. I take watch first so I watch as the two sleep. I hear movement in the distance, so with one last look back at the girls, I walk towards the movement to see what it was.

I see a man with raven hair and a blue ring on his finger.

"Who the hell are you?" The raven haired man asks.

"The better question is who the hell are you and what the hell are you doing out here."

"Oh, you know. Just walking around. Looking for a bite to eat. Maybe a place to stay for the night. Where are you staying"

"Tell me your name and then we can talk, Raven Boy."

"If you must know, my name is Damon. Damon Salvatore."

"Like the founding family?"

"Yep. Exactly like them. Your turn girly. Whats your name?"

"Hope."

"What a cliche name. I mean Hope?"

"Quiet, Raven Damon."

"Hey! I give the nicknames!"

"Would you rather me call you "vampire"?"

That makes him stop dead in his tracks. He isn't doing anything but looking straight at me. All the humor drained from his face.

"What... in the hell... did you just say to me?"

"I said that you were a vampire. I mean come on, in all black, walking around at night. The night we- I found two dead bodys with two holes, bite marks, in the necks, drained of blood."

"Who are you? No wait. What, the hell are you?"

He takes a few steps towards me, glaring. I bring my hand up and start to give him an anuerysm. He grips his head in pain.

"Witch Bitch... good to know."

"Now, are you so sure you want to eat me?" Hold up... He said his name was Damon. Damon Salvatore. Meaning the very human, married, with children, Damon. Salvatore.

"What day is it?"

"Sebtember 10th. 2009. Why, don't you know your dates Hopey?"

Think Hope, think. You've read his brother's journels. You should know what's happening now. This was just a little bit before Dad came to town. I've read these journels a million times...

Katherine Pierce.

Damon Salvatore is in love with her. He think she's in the tomb. He's going to try and get her out... I can use that to my advantage.

"Not the point. So are you going to kill me , or would you rather have my help to get the love of your life Katherine out?"

"How the fucking hell do you know about that?"

"Did you forget that I'm a witch, or are you just an idiot?"

"Alright fine. I'll make you a deal. I won't kill you, and you help me find Kathrine. Deal?"

"Only if you don't kill my friends either."

"You have friends. Shocker."

"A least I have more then you. Deal or no deal?"

"Deal Hopey. Are your friends by chance witches, or warlocks I don't descrimiate, too?"

"Why?"

"We need all the help we can get." Oh, so he doesn't believe I could do it myself. Rude.

"Yeah. Their witches."

"Great. Now, where are we sleeping?"

After I look into the back of my head because of how hard I rolled my eyes, I gathered the strength to reply. "Follow me. It's not the best, but it's the best we could do on the sort notice we had."

"What did you just magically apper in town?"

"Something like that."

"Ok. Cryptic girl. Anything else?"

" We are all underage girls. Lay a hand on anyone of us we will kill you ."

"I won't unless they want me to."

"No, you won't at all, because then I will kill you." I warn, giving him a sweet smile.

We just continue to walk in silence. When we get to the mill, I raise my hand and put a finger over my lips. He just rolls his eyes.

What is it about him that makes me want to kick him in the face? Or drop him off a building? Or just kill him?

We quietly walk inside, finding Josie sitting there by her sister, who was still sleeping soundly.

"Hey Jo... This is Damon Salvatore..." I whisper to her.

"What? How did you find him? Why did you bring him here? Why-" To quickly cut her off, I put a hand over her mouth.

"So. You both know who I am now, who are your friends Hopey?"

"Friends." was all I said.

I walk over to wake Lizzie up. Again, she didn't want to wake up. Again, she started attacking me with her eyes closed.

"Lizzie. Up. Please."

She grumbles, slowly sitting up and rubbing her eyes to wake up. When she see Damon her eyes widened.

"Quiet" I whisper to her. "I'll explain later."

"What are you two whispering about? You know it isn't polite."

"Shut up."

"Well then, I can see you don't have a house, unless you try and convince me this run down mill is a home. And your minors, I remember you telling me that for a fact Hopey, so shouldn't your asses be in school?"

"Yeah, but we don't have transcripts or anything so we can't go. And we don't have any damn money for a house or apartment." Lizzie states, just staring at Damon in confusion.

"Well ladies, that the beautie of compulsion. I can have you in school and get you a house by the morning. As long, of course, you follow up on your part of the deal."

"Wow. Thanks." I say, rolling my eyes for the fifth time today.

|| The Next Day ||

I slowly open my eyes, feeling comfy and warm in a bed. I really should thank Damon.

But will I?

Nope! But, compulsion is now my new favorite thing. And this bed is so damn soft, I could never leave.

Unfortuantely, I already hear Lizzie and Josie up downstairs so, slowly I get up. I get dress in a new outfit Damon had kindly gotten us as well.

Damon had also kindley gotten us backpack and school supplies, I can already see some humanity left in Damon even he suppositly turn it off. I guess Stefan's journels were right.

I slowly walk downstairs, seeing the girls just eating fruit at the counter. I grab an apple and look at them.

"Well, we should get to school, shouldn't we?" I suggest, eating a few more bites.

"Ladies first." Lizzie says, standing up and walking out the door. I hear Jo laugh as I shake my head, before we follow her outside.

As soon as we got to the school, we saw the Elena Gilbert and The Bonnie Bennett standing in front of the office. I snuck a peack inside and saw The Stefan Salvatore. Then I herad Elena and Bonnie start to talk with my werewolf hearing, me and the girls just standing by a locker..

"Hold up. Who's this?" Bonnie asks.

"All I see is back." Elena responds.

"It's a hot back."

They stand there watching for a minute, then Bonnie decides to speak up.

"I'm sensing Seattle, and he plays the guitar."

Elena scoffs. "You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?"

"Pretty much"

"What are they saying?!" Lizzie says, snapping me out of my consentration to listen to them.

"Shut up, I'm trying to listen."

Thats when I spot Jeremey Gilbert heading into the boys bathroom after a kid had told him, "Jermey, good batch man."

"I'll be right back" Elena says and follow Jeremy into the bathroom.

After Elena left Bonnie mumbled "Please be hot." at Stefan.

"What did your mom see in these people?" I ask sarcastrically.

"What happened?!" Lizzie demands.

"Okay, yes, I want to know too--" Josie agrees.

"Well, first Elena and Bonnie made comments about Stefan and how he was hot. Then, Elena went after her brother because someone told him he made good drugs and such."

"Okay, yeah, I agree with you." Lizzie says, Josie laughing beside her.

"Quiet, both of you. We have to get our schedules." Josies says, getting us to focus again.

"Yeah, sorry."

We walk into the office, talking to the lady at the desk to get our schedules. We all only have one class together each. History with the infamous Mr. Tanner. Again, I remember him from Stefan's journels. Yay. This will be so fun. We go about our days until it is finally time for lunch. Then we all sit down at the table together and start to talk about a game plan and what the hell happened.

"So where are we. I mean our mom's like 17 and our dad hasen't even moved to town yet." Josie spoke first, writing things down in a notebook.

"Last night, I asked Damon what date it was, because he is a vampire and we know for a fact that isn't the case because he took the cure to be with Elena, and now have kids. So , you know, I thought about how shitty our lives are and it clicked, so I asked him what the date was. He replied that it was 2009. That means time travel. And we're probably the Barry Allens of this story. But, also, let's not Nora ourselves out of existance."

"And that wasn't even the craziest thing to happen last night."

"What happened Lizze?" Josie asked worry evident in her voice. I look over at Lizzie too, watching her face which only shows horror.

"I got mud on my awesome outfit! I would never do that!"

"What the hell Lizzie! We're in fucking 2009 and all you can think about is the fact that your outfit had mud on it?" I stare at her, debating hurting her, as I grit my teeth. I mean we fucking time traveled and she only cares about her damn outfit! What the hell kinda person is that?

"Yeah, well maybe some of us don't usually have as big of damn problems as you!"

"Alright! Enough! Stop fighting please, and just head to class."

|| A little while later || Mr. Tanner's class ||

We were all heading for the same classroom. I still was determined not to talk to Lizzie so when we bump into each other trying to get through the door, we just glare at each other. Josie walks ahead of us and opens the door, walking in first.

"Ahh, more little devils for this period. And you three are?"

"I'm Josie, and my sister's are Hope and Lizzie." Josie speaks up.

"Would you happen to have a last name, girls?"

"Marshall." I quickly say, cutting off Lizzie who tried to speak before me.

"Marshall. Alright Marshalls, sit down in empty seats."

We all head to three diffrent seats. But knowing my luck, I got put closer to Lizzie then I would like at this time.

"Marshall?" Lizzie whispers over to me, eye still showing anger.

"Yeah, that way, when our familys move to town we won't be asked about our names."

"Isn't it still your mom's name?"

"Yeah, but it's more likely to be a coincidence then if we were Mikaelson's or Saltzman's. It's a more common last name."

"Fine."

After that Stefan Salvatore walks into the class room. He, surprisly didn't get as many questions from Mr. Tanner as we did. He just walked to his seat without any questions. Lucky.

Then Mr. Tanner started to drone on about the civil war. I would enjoy learning about this, but with everything going on, I'm not so intrested. That and I already learned everything there is to know about this. Thats why it helps to have a 1,000 year old family.

"Once our home state of Virgina joined the Confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amout of tension within the state People in Virginia's northwest region had diffrent ideals than those for the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863--" Time to ignore him and think about my problems instead.

Ha, maybe this won't be as different from the Salvatore school as I thought.

I start to look around the room, trying to find out more. Stefan's journels only had his point of view. This way, I can learn more about... everything. I looked over at the famous Elena Gilbert, who was looking at the other famous Stefan Salavtore. He also looked at her. What a damn 'Love at first sight' story this is.

Thats when Bonnie takes out her phone, and starts to type something into it. Not too long after, Elena's phone goes off. So Bonnie was texting her. How fun. How the hell would you even work one of those phones. I'm guessing that they started to gosip about Stefan Salvatore. I swear, it's like this is a damn TV show version of Twilight. At least for the 'love at first sight' aspect. Vampires, thank god, don't sparkle.

After a lot more of civil war talk, and the bell rings. At that we all get up and head to the next class. And then the rest of the day goes by like any normal school day. Or what would be a normal school day if I didn't have to sit through classes with people that we were taught at school about and was owned and taught us about all of this. Isn't awkward at all.

When the final bell rings, I run out of the room to find Lizzie and Josie who are by their lockers. I grab them and start walking away. Lucky for me, I don't have to stop at my locker so I just start dragging them home. I ignore the fact that Lizzie is complaining the whole way, as I was planning her death in my head instead of paying attention.

When we get there I sit them down on the couch.

"Alright. We need a game plan. We are Fre-emies to Damon. We help him, he helps us. We are going to high school, with your mom and her friends, and that's about it. Now that we recaped, we need to talk about what we have to do."

"How about, we look into ways to time travel, that might actually work and are real, while also looking for monsters that might have the ability to time travel. Maybe find Malivore and see if it is spiting out any monsters now?" Josie suggests.

"That sounds great. We can search the library during our free periods." I say.

"Sounds great. Now I'm going to go anywhere else. Like literally anywhere else." Lizzie says before walking out.

"Lizzie we need more of a plan--"

"And I need a break. Bye-bye!" Lizzie tells me, walking up the stairs of the house and disapearing from view.

I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. "So, Jo, what do you want to do?"

"How about we go to the grill? Get the milkshake you always like. What was it?"

"Peanut-Butter Blast with whip cream on the bottom."

"Yeah! Thats it. Lets go. Lizzie can have some time to herself, and we could get delicious milkshakes."

|| At Mystic Grill ||

Me and Josie were sitting down at a table, just chatting about random things as we wait to order.

Our waitress, as luck would have it, would be Vicki Donovan.

"What would you guys like to drink?"

"We will have two Peant-Butter Blasts with whip cream on the bottom." Josie says.

"Coming right up."

"Was that who I think it was?" Josie whispers over, while watching Vicki who just brought drinks over to Matt, her brother, Donovan and Tyler Woofwood, sorry Lockwood.

"Yeah. The Vicki Donovan. Doesn't she die in a few days?"

"Yeah. Damon kill's her I'm pretty sure."

"No, it was Stefan to save Elena's life. I remember reading about it in his journal. Stake through the heart. I feel bad for her... Although, Damon does kill her to turn her."

Still watching Vicki we see Jeremy walk over and start talking to her. Not long after that conversation finishes, Caroline and Bonnie walk in. I point them out to Josie, and start listening into their conversation. It helped that they were talking so loud. I mean they are acting ike their on a TV show.

"His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with his uncle at the old Salvatore Boarding house. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, and his favorite color is blue."

"You got all that in one day?" Bonnie replies.

"Oh, please, I got that between third and fourth period. We're planning a June Wedding." Hah, they did have a June wedding. To bad, he also died the same day.

At that Caroline walks off, Bonnie following a few minutes later.

Then after that there was just gossip, so we stopped eavesdropping.

"June wedding huh." I say to Josie, laughing a little.

"Shhhhhhh. We don't wanna talk about that."

"But she just predicted what would happen in the future. It's kinda funny."

"No because Stefan dies the same day!"

"You don't think I know that? That wasn't what was funny. Don't worry."

After that we sat there talking and drinking our shakes. Vicki came back a little later and we got some fries. That when I heard Matt Donovan say something that peaked my intrest so I pointed over to them and I started listening in again, using my werewolf hearing.

"How's Elena doing?" Matt asks. Poor love sick teenage boy.

"Her mom and dad died. How do you think?" Bonnie points out to Matt.

"She's putting on a good face but it's only been four months."

"Has she said anything about me?" Poor, poor forever human, Matt Donovan.

"Oh, no. So not getting in the middle. You can pick up the phone and call her."

"I feel weird calling her. She broke up with me."

"Give it more time, Matt."

"What's happening?" Jo asks me.

"Matt Donovan is love sick over Elena and Bonnie isn't getting in the middle of it."

And again, with perfect timing, Elena and Stefan walk into the Grill. I swear they were on a TV show.

Everyone turns around and looks at them when they walk into the Grill.

"More time, huh?" Poor Matt. He never stood a chance with the girl when Stefan moved to town, especially when Stefan's brother followed.

After that Matt stands up and walks away from Bonnie and toward the couple of the hour, Stefan and Elena.

"Hey, I'm Matt, nice to meet you."

"Hi. Stefan." He says while they shake hands.

"Hey."

That wasn't awkward at all. The two of them (Elena and Stefan) walk over to where Caroline and Bonnie were.

"So, you were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline asks.

"Mm-hmm. And moved when I was still young." If by young you mean before you were over a hundred, then yeah. I'd agree.

"Parents?" Bonnie asked.

"My parents passed away." Didn't he kill his dad? And his mother is alive in a prison world? I mean he thought she was dead, but still. Passed away doesn't even begin to explain it.

"I'm sorry." Elena says. "Any siblings?"

"None that I talk to." I forgot how bad of brothers they were at this point. "I live with my uncle."

"So, Stefan, if you're new you don't know about the party tomorrow." Wow. I can't ever see Headmistress Caroline as a partier.

"It's a back to school thing at The Falls." Bonnie adds.

"Are you going?" Stefan asks Elena. Wow. This really was a 'love at first sight' thing. To much for my liking. What is this, a TV show?

"Of course she is." Bonnie replies for Elena. What a good friend.

Lizzie than walks into the grill and comes to sit at our table.

"There is nothing to do in this town. I miss The Salvatore school."

"Don't we all." Josie responds.

"So, I heard that there was a party. It's a back to school thing-"

At that I cut Lizzie off.

"We know."

"Ok, well great. We're all going. Because it's the only thing to do in this town. And no Hope, your coming too."

I just sigh and 'lay' down in my seat. This was going to be a long night. Scratch that. A long time before we get home.

|| The Next Day, At School, In History||

"The battle of willow creek took place right qat te end of the war in our very own Mystic falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Ms. Bennett?"

"Um... A lot? I'm not sure. Like a whole lot.

"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your rmbrddrd jock stereotype?"

"It's ok, Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it."

"Hmm. Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?"

"I'm sorry, I-- I don't know."

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reason, Elena, but the personal excuses ended with summer break." I inhale quickly, trying not to light something on fire.

"Four months isn't enough time for someone to grieve. Get your head out of your ass, and let someone who lost not one, but two people on the same day, deal with it." I glare at him. Four months is definetly not enough time to get better after one lose, let alone two. I should know, I lost three within... a month? Two?

After I went on my little rant I heard a few cheers while Mr. Tanner glares right back at me. Then Stefan speaks up.

"There were 346 casualties, unless you're counting local civilians."

"That's correct. Mister...?"

"Salvatore."

"Salavtore. Any relation to the original settlers here in Mystic Falls?"

"Distant."

"Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle."

"Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church,believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts. Mr. Tanner."

Before he even finishes the whole class is pretty much chuckling about him showing up the teacher.

All Mr. Tanner could say to that was an "Hmm."

Good for you Stefan.

|| Later at the party ||

All three of us arive at the party, Lizzie the most excited. Everyone was already there, because we arrived a little late, so we just grabed a beer and started our separate ways. I start walking toward a tree stump on the ground by the entrence. We see Stefan start to walk up to the party. He's looking around for someone, probably Elena.

Before he walks away though he notices me.

"Hey, your the girl who stood up for Elena right?"

"Wouldn't exactly call it standing up for her, as I was sitting down, but yeah... My name's Hope."

"Stefan. I just wanted to say that I thought what you did was really cool. You know standin-- sitting for Elena." He smiles, before sitting down next to me.

"Well, I mean she only lost her parents four months ago. He was speaking like it was ten years ago. I know I wasn't over my parents deaths four months later."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. My parents died a while ago too."

"I'm sorry for your loss then."

"You too..." We sit there in a comfortable silence for a little while, Stefan looking around the party. Not too long later, he spots Elena, or probably listens for her, and finds her with Bonnie.

"Go on Lover-Boy. Go get your dream girl."

"I wasn't- I-"

"Go! You don't want to miss her."

With that he looks over at me, smiles, before standing up and walking over to her. Josie comes and sits next to me.

"Was that you talking to him?"

I noded, smiling at her.

"Cool. I only meet him a few times and I don't remember most of them, so you meet a walking Legend. Awesome."

We both look up and see Stefan and Caroline talking.

"You wanna do more eavesdropping?" I suggest.

"No, no, no. We shouldn't." Jo says, but I smirk at her, standing up and walking towards the two, hearing on.

"Hey! You made it!"

"I did."

"Well let's get you a drink."

"Well, I'm--"

"Oh, come on."

After they walk off, I look around and spot Lizzie. I look over at Jo and motion towards her sister, before slowly walking over to her.

"Hey, you ok?"

"Yep." She says before walking off.

"What's up with her?" I mouth to Josie, Josie just shrugging.

|| Josie's POV ||

I walk over toward Lizzie who is sitting down on the ground, her head inbetween her knees. Even over the loud music from the party, you could hear sniffles.

"Hey Liz. You ok?"

"Yup. Just fine."

"Wanna tell me what's wrong?"

"No."

"Lizzieeeeeeeeeeeee..." I say walking over to sit down next to her, criss cross apple sauce.

"No Jo. Not now."

"Lizzieeeeeeeeeeeee..." I say again.

"Jo, you can't help me."

"Sometime's talking about it helps."

"No Jo."

"Lizzie, you know you can tell me anything right? I will know how you feel. I've felt it before too."

"Do you know how I feel Jo? What this feeling is like? I feel like I'm going to go screw things up. I saw mom a lot today, and I wanted to go talk with her, but I was so scared that I would do something wrong, and mess up any chances I have to talk to her. And that's the best thing of all the downsides. I could have made it so we were never born!" She says tears streaming down her face.

"I could have made it so you were never born." She whispers.

"Oh, Lizzie..." I hug her from here she sits on the ground. "It's ok. You won't screw things up."

"You don't know that."

"I do. I trust you. And I know you have so much more potential to do good, and that you could go up and talk to mom and become her favorite person, even without her knowing that your her daughter. And that she won't love anyone more when she does."

"Thanks Jo." She sniffles, hugging me tighter.

|| Meanwhile || Hope's POV ||

I was walking around the party, beer in hand, when I hears Caroline, Matt, and Bonnie talking, while they look up on the bridge where Elena and Stefan are. Caroline spots me and runs over to me, grabing my hand to stop me from moving.

"Hey your one of the new girls right?"

"Yeah. That would be me."

"You're Hope, right? I'm Caroline. You seem to be all alone, which is no way to spend a party. Want to hang out with me and my friends?"

"I- um- I wouldn't-" Before I could even finish the sentence, she grabs my arm and brings me over to her friends, and I decide not to complain or anything. Easiest way to easedrop, be around the people. I feel like a spy.

"Hey Matt! Bonnie! This is Hope. She's one of the new girls!" Caroline introduces me, as I just smile at the two.

"Oh! Cool! Your in our History class right?" Bonnie asks.

"Yeah, she is because she gave Tanner that sass comment about Elena. That was awesome by the way. Not a lot of people would stand up for someone like that." Matt says before I could respond to Bonnie.

"Thanks. I just never like when teachers think that they are more important than what is going on in the kids life. They could be having a really hard time, and not able to do most of the stuff they ask. And four months isn't enough time to grieve."

"Wow. You must be, like, a really good person." Caroline says.

"That is definitely debatable..." I laugh to myself, looking down at my beer.

After that we have just a bunch of chit-chat and small talk until after long Matt walks off, the Caroline. And... I can see she walked over to Stefan.

"That's not going to go well." I mumble

"Definitely not." Bonnie adds.

After a while, Caroline walked back over and immedately started to complain about the interaction with Stefan, saying how guys never go for her, but she gets cut off when Jeremy and Elena come running up from the woods, with Vicki in Jermey's hands. With a bite mark on her kneck.

The bite mark of a vampire.

Stefan quickly rushes a way, before the police show up.

And, eventually, the police show up with an ambulence for Vicki. Matt get's in the back with her, not wanting to leave his sister's side. I look around for Lizzie and Josie and I find them still sitting where Lizzie walked off to before. I look at them and they look at me, all three sharing the knowing look.

I'm heading with Caroline and Bonnie to the grill to get some coffee and wait for news on Vicki, trying to see if us being here changes anything.

Me, Bonnie, and Caroline get to the grill and I use the 'new' phone Damon got me and attempted to text the twins, with a little help from Bonnie who thankfully didn't ask as to why I didn't know how to use the phone.

|| A little while later || At the Grill ||

Me, Bonnie, and Caroline all are still at the grill in silence, sipping on our drinks every now and then, when I see Lizzie and Josie walk in. They grab a table by us and I just stare at the and try to comunicate without words, when Bonnie speaks up, and snaps me out of my consentration.

"Are you sober yet?"

"No"

"Keep drinking. I gotta get you home. I gotta get Hope home. I gotta get me home."

"Why didn't he go for me? You know, how come the guys that I want never want me?"

"I'm not touching that." Bonnie says, Caroline looking at me.

"Oh, nope not talking about that." I quickly say, Caroline looking frustrated.

"I'm inappropriate. I always say the wrong thing. And Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try! An he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard, and i'm never the one ."

"It's not a competition, Caroline." Bonnie and I say at the same time, both trying to help Caroline.

"Yeah, it is."

At that we all just go back to sitting in silence. A little while later Bonnie had to go, and I gollowed soon after meeting Josie outside.

"Hey Jo. Where's Lizzie?"

"She'll be out in a minute."

|| Lizzie's POV ||

I look over where Mom was sitting. I see her send a small-- Nevermind. A big smile towards Damon Salvatore. Before they could even start talking, I sat down at Mom's table.

"Caroline, just because you don't get all the guys, doesn't mean your a failure. It just means not everything is working out for you. And if a guy turns you down, then he's the one with a problem. Not you. Your one of the best people there is out there. And if they can't see that, screw them. Most guy's are douches anyway." I say before I walk off towards Jo and Hope.

That felt really good. I got to talk to her... A teenage mom. I got to help her, or at least attempt to help her as she has many times before for me a Jo. Let's just hope that, you know, me and Josie are still born...

#Hope Mikaelson #Elizabeth Saltzman #Josette Saltzman #Lizzie Saltzman #Josie Saltzman #Josie and Lizzie #Lizzie and Josie #Hope and Josie #Lizzie and Hope #Hope and Lizzie #Joise and Hope #Legacies Aren't Legacies Anymore #LALA #Legacies Aren't Legacies Anymore We Pulled A Barry Allen Bloody Hell

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forcharms · 3 years ago

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𝔹𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕞

♡ ( katherine mcnamara, she/her, 22) - is that BLOOM seeking shelter in mystic falls ? i heard that SHE is from THE WINX CLUB. they’re usually known as ALTRUISTIC & IMPULSIVE. people often associate A PAST KEPT HIDDEN FROM YOU FOR PROTECTION, DAYDREAMING OF FAR OFF PLACES, A BUNNY ALWAYS AT YOUR SIDE, & A FIRE BURNING BOTH FIGURATIVELY AND METAPHORICALLY when they look at you. whispers around the town say that they DO NOT remember who they are.

biography

bloom was raised to believe one thing and in reality it was a whole other thing. which is quite like her life in mystic falls as well, given she has no memories of her past. bloom was raised by people who she thought were her real parents, but were actually just adoptive parents. she didn’t find this out until she was in her mid teens, though. she eventually did find out the truth and learned that she was from a completely different place--with completely different parents, and had an older sister too. but everything was different because bloom found out she was a fairy, and not what she had believed herself to be her entire life up until that moment. it was a hard adjustment for her, but it also felt like one of the easiest things to do. until it came time to learn things and she felt like juggling everything was a bit much and she wanted to know more about her own family and the world she was from--she wanted to know everything that she possibly could. but it was all a little too soon. in this life, bloom believes she was raised by a family who loved her dearly and raised her in town. she’s always known this place and has never known anything else. though she’s always had questions about other things, she’s never really felt the need to answer them or go looking for answers having felt comfortable here.

statistics

age: twenty-two

also called: princess bloom, fairy of dragon fire, dark bloom

species: fairy

sibling(s): daphne

occupation: receptionist @ rec center

fandom: bloom is from the winx club tv series and is taken from the end of season two of the show when she is saved from being dark bloom.

factoids

she has a pet rabbit named kiko

her birthday is december 10th

her favorite colors are purple and red

read more on her wiki pages here, here, & here.

#mhqsintro #❥ bloom: speaks #❥ bloom: photographs #❥ bloom: musings #❥ bloom: aesthetics #❥ bloom: canon #❥ bloom: relations

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have-each-others-six · 4 years ago

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time will tell, she’ll see us through (pt. two)

hi again!

so, it’s come to my attention that some people would like to be added to a tag list for this story, so if you are one of those people let me know!

thank you :)

part one

***

She wakes up with a start, and she’s drooling, legs thrown across her bed at strange angles with her sheets tangled everywhere, and there’s a teddy bear carefully placed in her arms, likely put there by the girl watching her at the foot of the bed.

“Are you awake?” Katherine asks softly, her legs pulled against her chest as she sits against the bedframe, eyes alight with concern.

“Yeah, ‘m awake,” Cathy mumbles, rubbing her eyes. “Thank you for the teddy bear, Kit,” she says, stretching and giving the girl a shaky smile, trying to convince her that she’s all right, but Katherine is the most perceptive person she knows and she sees right through Cathy’s façade.

“Did you have the dream again?” the younger girl asks quietly, familiar with Catherine’s recurring nightmare. “You were talking in your sleep.”

“Yeah,” Catherine murmurs, the image of Kat’s headless body flashing through her mind and sending a horrible chill down her spine. The other details of the dream become stark in her mind with the memory, and something occurs to her. “It was different this time, though.”

“How was it different?” Katherine asks, and Cathy lifts up an arm to let the girl know she can curl up next to her before she responds. She knows that Kit always does better with these things when she’s tucked under someone’s arm, usually Jane’s, but sometimes Cathy’s, too. She shifts over in bed, allowing space for Katherine to join her, and the girl climbs in next to her, enjoying the warmth of the heavy blankets in the cold morning and snuggling closer.

Katherine is patiently waiting for Cathy’s explanation, propping her head up on her arm and letting her tangled hair fall around her face, so Cathy takes a breath and begins.

“It was like it always is,” she starts, sighing. “I was in the castle and I was sitting with all of you and you started to die one by one, but this time-”-Anne’s face, quirked with confusion, all recognition gone at the sound of Aragon’s name-

“This time?” Katherine prompts softly, looking up at her, and Cathy takes a shivery breath, trying to banish the image from her head.

“This time, as soon as one of us died, everyone forgot about them but me. It was like they’d never existed at all. Anne’s head fell off in front of everyone and nobody even blinked… you all just kept talking, no matter what I said or did. And then I was alone, and… and I started to forget. I forgot Catherine, and Jane, and I even forgot you,” she says quietly, looking back over at the girl inches away from her. “It was horrible. I woke up and had no idea where I was.”

“What do you think caused it?” Katherine asks. “I mean, the change in the dream?”

“I lost my manuscript,” Cathy whispers, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying, the ache at the thought of the only true historical account of her family’s lives reappearing like a heavy stone in her chest, and Katherine shivers, trying to be discreet, but the motion rustles the sheets. “I’m sorry, Kit. I’m going to find it, I promise I will.”

Katherine’s silent, and Cathy curses herself. She knows that the manuscript means so much to Katherine, knows that it’ll be one of the only historical accounts of what really happened to her that doesn’t call her as a minx or a whore or some other label that reduces her to nothing but a body to attract men.

“Is… is the publishing company going to be angry?” Katherine asks quietly, referring to the publisher that Cathy had made a deal with to create her novel. “Do you think they’ll still want you to write more for them?”

Cathy swallows. She hadn’t really thought about that yet. The publishing company she’d made a deal with a few weeks into their first run of shows through the agent that had approached her had offered her a contract once her manuscript was finished, maybe for a biographical series if she found that she had more to say.

She can’t lose this chance. In her old life, she never even had the opportunity to say what she was really thinking, but now she’s found the way to give voices to all the silenced, the power to write down everything as it really happened, and if she doesn’t retrieve her manuscript she’ll have to find it all over again. Her memories will become tarnished, unreliable, and they don’t know how long they have in these new lives so she might never be able to write it all out again.

The awful, stabbing hysteria of panic returns, and Cathy tries to keep her voice measured and gentle when she speaks to Katherine.

“I’m going to get up now, all right?” she asks gently. “Catherine and I are going out to look for my manuscript- I might’ve left it at the theater or something.”

Katherine’s brow quirks with some unnameable emotion, but as soon as it appears it’s gone. “You put it in your bag, didn’t you?” she asks curiously.

“I thought I did, but it’s clearly not here, so I must not have,” Cathy says wearily, and she slips out from under the covers and around Katherine, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and stretching.

Katherine sits up, yawning, some pink strands of hair sticking up on her head. “Well, good luck,” she offers, giving Cathy a half-smile, and Cathy kisses the girl’s forehead before going into the kitchen.

There’s a lingering worry in her head about Katherine and what she’d said.

She tells herself it’s just leftover paranoia.

“We’re eating on the move,” she tells Aragon quickly, who’s just finishing up prepping some pancakes and humming an old waltz.

“We- what?” Aragon says, startled, taking in Cathy’s disheveled appearance for only a moment before she leaves the kitchen. “Darling, don’t you want to wake up a bit first?”

“Can’t wait,” Cathy calls out in a rush from the other room, tossing some things in a small backpack and retrieving the last page of her manuscript from upstairs- the one she was working on last night, the only one she has. She sprints back down into the kitchen, skidding to a stop and shoving a handful of blueberries into her mouth.

“I was using those,” Aragon chides, lightly whacking Cathy’s hand with her spatula. “And why are you so eager to go right now? We made a deal last night,” she says sternly, crossing her arms and definitely getting flour on her clothes. “You eat breakfast, and then I drive you to the theater and the coffee shop.”

“We have to go now,” Cathy pleads desperately, and her voice cracks. She clears her throat before speaking again, trying to keep her tone sounding even and careful and not like she’s close to dissolving into tears. “I… I was thinking, last night. About the manuscript. We need to find it now.”

Aragon puts down her spatula and tilts her head, soft eyes considering her goddaughter.

“Okay. Breakfast to go it is,” she says simply, reaching out and running a thumb over Cathy’s cheek gently to catch some leftover long-dried tears from last night. “I don’t want you to spiral, though. If you ever feel overwhelmed or anxious out there, just tell me, okay?”

“I will,” Cathy says, leaning a little into the touch before she steps back, bouncing on her toes anxiously as Aragon preps to-go packs of pancakes and strawberries, her face completely serious in the way it gets when she’s focused on a task.

“We’re ready, dear,” Aragon prompts gently, holding out a container with breakfast in it, recognizing the spacey look of anxiety in Cathy’s eyes. “Come on, we can check the coffee shop first.”

“Where are you two headed?” Jane asks from the living room as Cathy pulls her coat on, putting aside the novel she’s reading, and at Cathy’s worried glance thrown her way Aragon’s the one who responds.

“We need to head to the grocery store,” Aragon says, focusing on putting on her gloves and her hat so she doesn’t give away that she’s lying. “Breakfast is ready, it’s on the table.”

“Sounds good,” Jane says with a nod, but when Cathy turns a little too sharply and stumbles Jane’s brow quirks with concern. “Cathy, are you all right, love?”

“Fine,” Cathy replies, a little too quickly. “Fine, I’m fine.”

She dashes out the door before she caves and tells Jane everything and causes that sad little furrow in her brow, and when Jane looks after her with concern and then back to Aragon, Aragon just shakes her head at the woman and mouths not right now.

She follows Cathy outside, leaving a confused and worried Jane in the house, and when she gets in the car the girl is chewing on her lip and picking at her fingers.

“What if we can’t find it?” she says all in a rush. “What if we’re doing all of this for nothing- what if it’s just gone?”

“Then we’ll deal with it,” Aragon says firmly, trying to be confident for Cathy. “We’ll look at what we do have and go from there. But for right now, we have two possible places it could be, and we’re going to go and look for it. Okay?”

“Okay,” Cathy says faintly, and Aragon sets the car in drive and pulls out onto the street, a determined set to her jaw as she hands Cathy her breakfast and instructs her wordlessly to eat by pointing at the pancakes.

“Which coffee shop was it?” she asks.

“The one up on 10th,” Cathy replies quietly, and as Aragon gets onto the main road she looks over at the woman, looking scared and much smaller than she normally does as she fidgets with the fork in the food, the zipper on her jacket, anything to distract her mind away from the suffocating possibility that her manuscript is gone forever.

Aragon doesn’t say anything, but she reaches across the console and squeezes Cathy’s hand, and Cathy tries to smile, squeezing back weakly before pulling the last page out of her pocket and smoothing it over her pant leg as if trying to reassure herself that it’s still there.

The rest of the ride passes in silence, and when they pull up to the curb in front of the coffee shop it’s relatively busy. The crowd gathered by the counter for the early morning rush sets Cathy’s heart pounding in her chest, but Aragon catches her eye, breathing in and out slowly and hoping the girl will follow her example.

“We’re just going to go in and go to your table. If it’s not there, we’ll walk up to the counter, and ask if they’ve seen your manuscript,” Aragon explains, knowing it’s important to outline the steps for Cathy beforehand. “If they say no, we’ll check the theater. It will be okay,” she reiterates, speaking sincerely.

Cathy nods. “Let’s… let’s go in,” she says, trying to be brave, and Aragon nods with her.

“I’ll be right behind you, darling.”

***

tag list: @thenicestnonbinary

#six the musical #six #six the musical fanfiction #six the musical fanfic #time will tell she'll see us through #did someone say more cathy angst? well it's happening #AND EVEN MORE TO FOLLOW #catherine of aragon #anne boleyn #jane seymour #anna of cleves #katherine howard #catherine parr

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catalinaroleplay · 4 years ago

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Gender & Pronouns: Cis male, he/him

Date of Birth: June 10th, 1988 (32)

Place of Birth: Catalina Island, California

Neighborhood: Ventura

Length of Residency: Native

Occupation: CEO of Kennedy Enterprises

Face Claim: Theo James

BIOGRAPHY

TRIGGERS: Death, Cheating, Child Neglect.

To be born a Kennedy on Catalina Island was the greatest privilege or so little James Edward Kennedy has been told ever since he could listen, over and over again. Surely it had its perks, but the constant pressure to become and be the perfect son Edward and Katherine always wanted, was always there, even when he was just a little boy. The weight lifted slightly when his little brother Marcus was born four years after him and once more when the Kennedys had their last child, a daughter they’d call Elizabeth. Now the siblings all received the same amount of attention, which was the best thing to happen to a seven-year-old boy, who finally felt like the child he actually was. At least when there was time to play and be a kid in the midst of piano lessons, learning how to eat food the proper way and the after school private tutoring.

When it was time for school, the Kennedys weren’t surprised that James easily became the smartest kid in his class. With the amount of money spent on only the best tutors and speech therapists, it was the least he could’ve achieved. Not only did he have the brain, but James also showed an equal interest in being active and participate in school sports. Given his nature, he tried to do and learn everything at once, wanted to be good at everything at the same time and it even worked… for a while. Soccer on Mondays, swimming on Tuesdays and football on Thursdays and Fridays. His whole schedule was packed with the things he enjoyed to do and as long as he was happy, his parents had nothing to worry about. Honestly, they didn’t have to worry about their oldest much at all, at least not until he began attending high school.

Ironically, James decided his education was worth more than being active in that many different sports, as soon as he started high school. Well, his parents decided it was time he picked out one and focus more of his time on his studies. Almost naturally but also reluctantly, he picked football, knowing he would be able to make the most out of it. With this, his structured daily routine changed and with a lot more time on his hands, James had a lot more free time to explore life as a high schooler; and it was nothing like the kids of his parents’ friends always described it to be. He wasn’t bullied by other students, he was actually quite popular as soon as he started playing football for the school’s team. Popularity came and so came the girls, up until James met the one who’d change his no-girlfriend rule. While it was known that none of her relationships lasted very long and he was foolish to believe she would stick around for longer with him, he still tried. But trying doesn’t mean it actually worked out. To be honest, dating her was exhausting and for someone like him, way too much drama. Their liaison lasted for six months before it came to an end and he swore, he’d focus on other, more important things.

His mother was devastated by the news, knowing his now ex-girlfriend came from a ‘good’ family just like theirs. When James eventually started dating again, Katherine made it clear that it wouldn’t work out for them. A Kennedy dating anybody who wasn’t hand-picked by her was considered a tragedy amongst the family, who all instantly took Katherine’s side. Whenever he tried going out with someone he liked, his mom found a way for their relationship to end and after a while, James just stopped dating altogether. It wasn’t like he needed to be in relationships to get girls… his popularity helped heaps, but he wasn’t happy with the arrangement. Katherine Kennedy wasn’t someone you’d like to mess with. She had influence where other people didn’t even realize you could have any sort of say over. So when his ex-girlfriend, the one he’d been glad to be separated from, stood on his doorstep, James knew to never question his mothers pull again. Too exhausted to continue trying to defy his mother, he gave in and began dating her again.

Time went by and although he wished for it to be different, James realized he’d probably never fall head over heels in love with the beauty that was his girlfriend. Graduating from high school a year sooner than his girlfriend it was, thankfully, time to say goodbye. The family business had always been his grandfather’s greatest accomplishment and something he was and could be, terribly proud of; it was the natural thing to follow his dad’s footsteps and go to Yale. He began filling his schedule with school activities to his best abilities, picking up tutoring for other students and joining the football team there as well. Anything to avoid coming home. It didn’t seem like his girlfriend at home was missing him terribly either. Still, to fulfil his mother’s wishes, James proposed right after her graduation, going against everything he believed and ignoring how wrong it actually was. Even with the distance, Katherine wouldn’t let the relationship fail a second time. He doesn’t know how he did it, but after graduation from Yale in his mid-twenties, they got married.

Soon after and without a honeymoon, the couple left for Barcelona, where some relatives were managing the Kennedy Resort. James found his way around quickly and did his job well. Surely his father pushed him to do better from time to time, but he knew what it meant to be disciplined. To be honest, James liked spending his time in the office or anywhere within the resort more than at home. When his grandfather passed, James barely had the time to grieve the loss: his new responsibilities basically started right away. He never stayed in one place for longer than two weeks at most and if he did, something had gone terribly wrong. The fact that James didn’t have time for his wife anymore, didn’t bother him at all. Their conversations became even less and with his training completely done for, James was now fully involved and invested in the business. He has no idea when, but somewhere along the line, the calls, texts and visits eventually stopped altogether, and yet, the news of her infidelity reached him quick.

Building an empire: that’s what James was supposed to do. A cheating wife, who frankly wasn’t after more than his money, didn’t fit into the plan anymore. His grandfather had always supported the idea of putting the business first and there wouldn’t be a Kennedy legacy without Harold Kennedy’s wise decisions. The decision to divorce his wife was one James didn’t even have to think about, while every other angle and detail needed to be thought through to a T. James quickly realized that his work was now his entire life.

It took James years to feel settled enough to come back home to Catalina. Jetsetting had long lost its appeal and now he longed for nothing more than to have one place he could call home. With his ex-wife now out of the picture, the move back home was an easy decision. Finding someone who’d do the dirty work from now on was equally easy: being the CEO of the Kennedy Enterprise gave him more opportunities to finally be who he wanted to be. Nonetheless, there was always more work. Here on Catalina Island, there was the Casino, the first-ever opened Kennedy Resort and a couple of other business and real estate pieces James had to manage. At the same time, coming home feels like a vacation from his usual busy life.

PERSONALITY

Positive: Confident | Driven | Independent

Negative: Impulsive | Restless | Workaholic

James Kennedy is portrayed by Nessa.

#nessa

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queenmarytudor · 6 years ago

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Mary Tudor during the reign of Anne Boleyn - Part Two 1535

I had to split the post in half again, because I wanted to keep the letters. I was going to just post quotes but they don’t do the whole letter justice, and they’re pretty illuminating about how the writers are feeling.

1535

c.1st January - Mary is told that, by virtue of the statue lately passed, after the holy days she must “renounce her title and take the oath, and that on pain of her life she must not call herself Princess or her mother Queen, but that if ever she does she will be sent to the Tower.”

c.2nd February – At Greenwich, Mary is reported as “dangerously ill”.

c.8th February - The king tells Chapuys to send one or two of his physicians to Mary along with his own, to “preserve his honour and avoid all suspicion.” He is “as much grieved at her sickness as any father could be for his daughter.”, reporting Mary’s illness as “very serious, mentioning specially some accident thereof.”

Chapuys petitions him to send Margaret Pole, Mary’s “second mother” to care for and comfort her, but Henry refuses. He says if Mary had been under her care she would have died, and Anne Shelton “is an expert lady even in such female complaints”.

Anne Shelton weeps constantly at Mary’s illness, as William Butts has told her as of late there is a common report in London that she has poisoned Mary.

Chapuys reports that some members of the Privy Council were “not ashamed” to tell him that since men could find no remedy for matters between Charles V and Henry VIII “God would open a door by taking the said Princess”.

It is later reported “it is only her usual illness, and hitherto it does not appear that she has drunk or eaten too much”.

? - The physicians visit Mary and are “unanimously of opinion that the Princess's illness was caused by distress and sorrow, which at this moment could be very easily cured if she were put in some place where she could take pleasure and have exercise; otherwise, remaining where she was, she would be in great danger of her life.”

Chapuys’s servants visit every day to see how she is. Their appearance make Mary be treated better. Mary is so strictly guarded Chapuys can “scarcely communicate to her anything.”

He suggests whether she would like to be beyond the sea. She replies she desires nothing else.

c.9th February – Mary is let blood by William Butts, the royal physician.

? - Mary writes to Chapuys begging him to get Charles V to request Henry place her with her mother.

? - Mary sends 2 people to beg Chapuys to continue sending servants as they cause her to be better respected. She hears the people around her “desire her death, by which they say the world would be at peace, and they discharged of the pain and trouble they have had about her.”

12th February – Katherine of Aragon writes to Eustace Chapuys to ask him to intercede with the King on her behalf and let her look after Mary.

My physician has informed me partly of my daughter's illness, giving me hope of her improved health; but as I know her infirmity lasts so long, and I see he is slow to visit her (although for some days he could not, as I was so ill myself), I have great suspicion as to the cause. So because it appears to me that what I ask is just and for the service of God, I beg you will speak to his Highness, and desire him on my behalf to do such a charity as to send his daughter and mine where I am; because treating her with my own hands, and by the advice both of other physicians and of my own, if God please to take her from this world my heart will rest satisfied; otherwise in great pain. You shall say also to his Highness that there is no need of any other person but myself to nurse her; that I will put her in my own bed where I sleep, and will watch her when needful. I have recourse to you, knowing that there is no one in this kingdom who dare say to the King my lord that which I desire you to say; and I pray God reward you for the diligence that you will make.

? - Henry sends 60/80 ducats to Mary?

2nd March? - Cromwell has “obtained permission of the King that the Princess should be placed in some house near her mother for the convenience of the physician and apothecary.”

? - Both Mary and Katherine long to know where Mary is to reside.

6th March - The King moves Mary to a house “25 or 30 miles from the place where the Queen is lodged.”

14th March – Mary is very ill with her “usual illness” until the 16th.

? - Mary is anxious that Charles V “would somehow intimate to those here [his] displeasure at her detention in the hands of her enemies, and that if anything happened amiss it could only be imputed to her ill treatment.”

She begs daily to Chapuys to write of it to Charles V.

18th March - Chapuys requests Cromwell to send someone to see her, and intercede with the king to do the same.

19th March – Henry goes to Greenwich about 2pm where he remains until the middle of the 20th. He does not see Mary. He enquires to Anne Shelton about Mary’s health. His physician William Butts tells the king her illness is dangerous if not seen to in time. Henry gets angry and tells Butts he is not loyal to him, and he said it only because of Mary’s desire to see her mother.

Anne Shelton passes on a message to Mary from her father, stating that “he has no worse enemy in the world than her, and that she was the cause of mischief to the greater number of Christian princes, and the King declared publicly that her conduct was calculated to encourage conspiracy against him.”

Chapuys’s servants are allowed to come but not enter the house for fears Mary may be carried off.

23rd March – Mary is better, and plans escape with Chapuys.

Elizabeth goes to Hunsdon.

c.1st April? – Mary remains 10 or 12 days at Greenwich behind Elizabeth.

Henry sends another 60/80 ducats.

Mary sends desperate letters to Chapuys about leaving Greenwich, as her sudden departure to Eltham breaks off the escape plans.

When moving to Eltham she wants to go on horseback, but this is refused because 3 of Chapuys’s servants are mounted to accompany her. She travels in a velvet covered litter with Anne Shelton. It is “by far the most honourable that she had had since her misfortunes.”

5th April – Chapuys writes to Granvelle “If I were to tell you the messages she sent me at her leaving Greenwich, and again this morning, you could not refrain from tears.”

Mary urges Chapuys through his servants that, for the love of God he must “contrive to remove her from the danger which is otherwise inevitable.”

Mary has planned out the escape thoroughly; she knows where she is now there is no means of saving her by night, but as soon as it is fine weather, she “would go out walking to see what arrangement could be made to come upon her by surprise in the daytime.”

It should appear as little as possible that it was by her consent “for the sake of her own honour, and to less irritate her father.”

15th April – Mary has a relapse of illness. She does not cease to think of means to escape. She has a long conversation with one of Chapuys’s men about it, begging him to think urgently over the matter otherwise she considered herself lost, knowing they want to kill her.

Cromwell tells Chapuys it is Mary who has “created the difficulty and troubled matters, and that if it pleased God ——. He did not dare to say more, but it was quite clear what he wished.”

Mary has been refused to visit the nearest neighbourhood [Eltham], and been unable to plan how she could get away, day or night.

25th April – Mary has recovered from her illness. The King sent, at Chapuys’s request, the royal physician.

8th May - After visiting Mary, Chapuys’s servant reports that “she thinks of nothing else than how it [escaping] may be done, her desire for it increasing every day.”

Monks were executed on the 4th of May for refusing to swear the oath, and Anne Shelton “has been continually telling her to take warning by their fate.”

5th June – There are rumours that the French insist Mary is to marry their Dauphin.

16th June – Mary sends word to Chapuys that “the King loves his concubine now more than ever he did.” This has "considerably increased the Princess' fears, especially seeing how long the remedy is in coming.”

? - After the execution of Bishop Fisher, one of her and her mother’s chief supporters, May fears her father may proceed to further violence.

30th June - Mary is informed on good authority that it is feared there would soon be war with France.

c.11th July - After the execution of Thomas More, another of their supporters, on the 6th July, Mary is in “great fear and perplexity”, and is constantly asking Chapuys for her removal.

Mary requests Chapuys to ask Cromwell if she can be placed with her mother.

25th July – Anne Shelton tells Chapuys’s messenger that in future no one will get admittance to Mary.

? – Strangers are forbidden to approach Mary, and an armed watch is kept around the house and nearest sea ports for fear the French will carry her away.

3rd August – Mary is now residing where the royal hunting is taking place [Greenwich?]. Chapuys is invited on the hunt, but tells William Fitzwilliam and others “I would not attend the hunting unless I first obtained permission for myself to visit the Princess, who is residing in the neighbourhood of the Royal park, or send my servants to her.”

Mary is “tired of waiting” to know the answer, so Chapuys writes to find out. He is still unable to send his men to check upon her.

They are not allowed to meet.

10th August - Mary is well and continually prays for Charles V’s prosperity.

12th August – Mary writes secretly to her cousin, Queen Mary of Hungary:

Cannot express the joy and comfort she has received from her kind letters; which, together with what the Imperial ambassador has told her, enable her to live in hope. Begs a continuance of her compassion in these melancholy circumstances, and that she will pardon the delay and insufficiency of her thanks, which could only be fully expressed by a more eloquent spirit than her own. Written in haste and fear, 12 Aug.

25th August – Mary has been suffering from a bad cold for the past fortnight, not helped by being refused permission to communicate with Chapuys by word or writing.

6th September – Mary fears a return of her ordinary complaint, which she dreads, in the coming winter.

c.13th September – Mary has been visited by the King and Queen’s physicians. She is well, but the physicians “doubt that this winter she may relapse into a worse condition than ever; and, as she detests all medicines, they see no other remedy except that she should be placed somewhere where she can have recreation, as she would with the Queen her mother, or elsewhere, without being in the servitude and captivity in which they are.”

? – Mary reportedly says many times that the Dauphin is her husband, that she had no hope but in him, and her father could not refuse him because the marriage had been made with the consent of the two Kings.

When Anne Shelton and others present inform Mary that the Dauphin has married the Emperor’s daughter she answers she does not believe it, for he could not have two wives and he could not ignore her being his wife.

Mary says she knows well the rumour that circulates to take him from her, and thus make her give up her right.

c.3rd? October – Mary is removed from Greenwich to Eltham. On the way, “a great troop of citizens wives and others, unknown to their husbands, presented themselves before her weeping and crying that she was Princess.”

The most noble, “constantly persisting in their opinion”, are placed in the Tower.

c.10th? October – The French ambassadors visit Eltham, where Elizabeth and Mary are staying. There is a quarrel between Mary and Anne Shelton, resulting in Mary being put “almost by force” into her chamber so she would not speak to them.

It was apparently “impossible to appease and confine her to her chamber”, until she was told the king had commanded her not to show herself while they were there.

The Bishop of Tarbes later tells Chapuys that all the windows in her chambers were shut, but Chapuys does not believe this.

Chapuys thinks Mary must have followed his instructions and advice she requested he give her. He had told her to “show her filial obedience, and avoid, at the same time, all occasion of provoking her father's anger, [keep] aloof and [remain] indoors, playing on the spinet.”

He states that “even if she had been inclined to act otherwise, I presume that her modesty would have prevented her from placing herself behind a glass window where she could be seen.”

c.October – Mary writes the following letter to Eustace Chapuys, urging Charles V to invade England –

Monsieur l'Ambassadeur.

Although I am sure that, prompted by His innate virtue, goodness, and magnanimity, His Majesty has had due regard for the many and singular services which you, Chapuys, have, and are continually rendering him, yet I should feel it as one of the greatest mishaps of my sad fortune, were I not allowed time and opportunity to acknowledge those which for a considerable length of time you have rendered to the Queen, my mother, and to myself. Now more than ever those services on your part are urgently required, considering the miserable plight and wretched condition of affairs in this country, which is such that unless His Majesty, the Emperor, for the service of God, the welfare and repose of Christendom, as well as the honor of the King, my father, takes pity on these poor afflicted creatures, all and everything will go to total ruin, and be irretrievably lost. For the Emperor to apply a prompt remedy, as I hope and trust he will, it is necessary that he should be well and minutely informed of the state of affairs in this country. And although I suppose, nay believe as certain, that you have hitherto done good offices in that respect, yet, considering that His Majesty has for a long time back been occupied in that very glorious and no less holy and necessary undertaking of Tunis, and may not perhaps have acquired the information needful respecting the nature, weight, importance, and dangerous position of affairs in this country; as moreover it is not easy to convey by ciphered letters an exact and minute account of the whole, I would dare ask this favour of you,—that you dispatch forthwith one of your men, an able one and possessing such information, to the Emperor, and inform him of the whole, and beg him, in the name of the Queen, my mother, and mine, for the honour of God, and the considerations above mentioned, to take this matter in hand, and provide a remedy for the affairs of this country.

The work itself will be highly acceptable in the eyes of God, and no less glory will be gained by it than by the conquest of Tunis, or even that of Africa; begging you in the meantime not to forget to solicit permission for me to live with my mother, or else obtain leave for her to come, or send her people to visit me. I should very much wish to write to His Majesty in my own hand, but not knowing how to thank him in due measure for what he has already done for the Queen, my mother, or for myself, and, on the other hand, fearing lest those who are constantly watching me should get hold of the letter, I have hitherto been unable to accomplish my wish, though I find some consolation and comfort in the idea that you yourself will supply the want, and do and say in my name what is proper and fit.

Signed: Marye, princesse.

1st November – Mary is told “to annoy her” that the King of Tunis’s [Suleiman the Magnificent] admiral Barbarossa has retaken Goletta, Bona and the rest, thus rendering Charles V’s recent victory mentioned in her letter pointless.

30th December – Mary again asks Chapuys to ask the King for permission to visit her mother. Henry refuses.

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scribeofmorpheus · 6 years ago

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As Fate Would Have It Part 10 (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Catch Up Here!

A/N: Okay guys, so it's here. The big One-Oh! (which coincidentally is being published on the 10th of March -which is also Bucky’s birthday! Fate is a tricky thing) For this chapter, I wanted to do something special. But also, I'm still doing the before Endgame race with myself because I want to get to a good climax with this story before April! Which is not very far away. *Gulp!* Anyway, here it is! I hope you enjoy it. Ask to be added to Tags!

Remember: Reader’s alias is Helen Rushman but everyone calls you Elle! You are also an agent with the Red Room (Black Widow’s) who is acting as a double agent within Hydra.

Words: 3782

Warnings: This chapter is hella long. Like when I was editing it I was also surprised by the word count. LOL! Some angst, a lot of fast-paced scene jumping and a bit of steam towards the end... Which means!!! The next Chapter is going to be the smutty chapter! Also, sorry I haven’t proofed I want to write the next chapter quickly!!!

Tuesday Morning.

You had made sure to dress up in your more flattering clothes today. Your make-up a little more glamour than usual. You made sure to buy a magazine about with a headline to do with the upcoming Expo. When you got to work you noticed the security had been doubled and employees were now required to show their ID at the main desk. It wasn't surprising, what was surprising was that there had been no news about the break-in yesterday.

"Morning, Elle," Agnes greeted you as you boarded the elevator.

"Morning Agnes."

"What's with all the security, all of a sudden?"

The elevator had filled up with several other women and men including Kathy. She gave you a knowing look before pretending to not eavesdrop.

"Beats me," you lied. In the corner of your eye, you noticed Kathy's lip curl upwards.

When the elevator stopped at your floor, you, Kathy and a few others got off. You made your way to your desk, unpacking your magazine and displaying it in a very obvious place before heading over to the kitchen to make two cups of coffee. Once you were done, you took both cups, placing one on the far edge of your desk while drinking from the other as you read the magazine -making it seem rather obvious by having it cover half your face.

"Sir, I really think you ought to consider reporting what happened to the authorities," a muscled man in a black suit and tie urged Howard. "The security breach--"

"Security. Which is exactly what I'm paying you for. Making sure there isn't a security breach. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an office to stare blankly out of, Old Boy." Howard slapped the muscley man on the shoulder like they were best pals. Tim, the aforementioned man, simply held in an exasperated breath and walked out of the office space.

Howard walked down towards his office, glancing over at you, he noticed the magazine you were reading, he visibly stalled for a moment. "Ugh… Helen, can I have some coffee sent to my office?" He asked in a low lilt.

Before he could walk away, you stood from your seat and grabbed the coffee cup you had placed by the edge earlier replied in a sonorous voice, "Already done, Mr Stark." You gave him a charming smile as you handed him the cup of hot coffee.

"Well, I do say, if you keep anticipating my needs before me I'll be forced to give you a raise," he smirked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Then I suppose I ought to do just that," you answered back harmlessly. Stark seemed slightly caught off guard by your oddly flirty mood today. "Anticipate your needs, that is." You picked up the magazine and sat back down at your desk. Flipping the pages absentmindedly as Stark walked to his office, every now and then stealing a glance at you through the window.

A few hours later, a call came through. It was one of Howard's countless number of dates. She was all giddy and you could practically sense her blushing through the telephone cords. You rolled your eyes, swooning was never a good look on anyone. But then again, maybe you were bitter for another reason. One reason in particular.

"So, tell Howie I'd love to go with him to the Gala," she chuckled like a love-struck puppy.

You held back a sigh, "I'll pass the message along." You ended the call and gathered up all the files you had finished sorting through. You knocked on Stark's door.

"Come in."

"Here are the files you had me sort through," you placed them on his desk. "Sir, if you don't mind my asking. What's with all the increased security today?"

"Oh," he smiled, "Don't let that trouble your pretty head. Probably a disgruntled employee trying to steal Stark secrets. Wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. Innovation is a lucrative business, that's why you should never keep your secrets lying about for anyone to find."

You pretended not to have a clue as to what he was saying, pursing your lips out like you were struggling with keeping a single train of thought.

"Ah, it's no worry," Starks waved his hand around dismissively. "Any messages?"

Ah, he was expecting a callback, "No, none sir. Will that be all?"

"Yes, that will be all."

You turned around to leave, making sure not to rush out too quick in case...

"Helen," Stark stood from his desk.

"Sir?"

"I gathered from your reading material that you're interested in the Expo."

"Indeed I am. The 'world of tomorrow' is too thrilling an idea to not be." You flipped your hair to the side.

��"Ah, see there's a Gala coming up this Saturday. And the most eligible bachelor, like myself, can't be seen without a dame on his arm, such as yourself. Would you like to accompany me?"

You walked over to him, slow and suggestive, "On one condition."

"Name it."

"It will remain a strictly casual, friendly outing."

Stark laughed low, "It's a deal then. Pick you up Saturday."

Later that Day

"Report," Yelena demanded. Her cigarette stained tips rolling an unlit cigarette. This time Yelena had a tape recorder in place of a notepad and pen. The air was cold and damp, a draft kept creeping in through the ajar container door. In the distance, you heard faint sounds of trains moving past.

"Hydra made contact. Turns out they have another agent in Stark's employ. I think she's there to keep an eye on me too."

"Who is she?"

"She goes by the name Katherine. I don't have a last name."

"What's the mission?"

"Stark got a letter from the SSR. Apparently, he's meeting with a big shot within that organisation this Saturday. She wants me to record their session using a listening device."

Yelena cocked a brow your way, lighting her cigarette finally as she sunk into her chair, "Did you bring it with you?"

"To a highly clandestine meeting with my handler who's not a Hydra agent?" You asked rhetorically. "No. I did not."

"Mind the attitude, tovarich," Yelena warned. After sucking in two long puffs, she continued, "If this meeting is important enough for a Hydra operative to break their cover keeping an eye on you, then this could finally lead us to Erskine's research. Do as they say and report back to us after."

As you stood up to leave, Yelena whispered to you with a hint of concern in her voice, "Tovarich, if Hydra had an agent keeping an eye on you, it means they don't trust you. Be careful."

You were stunned, momentarily, but regained your composure when you remembered who you were talking to, "It wouldn't be the first time." You left the train car with no other words spoken. The faint smell of smoke still lingering on your coat.

Wednesday

"Come on, Buck. It'll be fun. Dancing, music, a chance to get out of your apartment!" Steve urged his best friend who was laying down on his couch in his slacks and a vest. Steve busied himself with trying to clean up the place a bit. Putting dishes in the sink and tossing any clothes laying about in the hamper. "When was the last time you went out?"

"The last time I let you talk me into doing something…" he retorted, not needing to finish his sentence.

"Yeah, but you never actually talked to Elle. It could have been a misunderstanding."

"He kissed her Steve!"

"On the lips?"

"N- No… but that's not the point."

"Then what is?"

Bucky sat up from the couch, "She broke up with me! And then when I see her after three weeks she's letting her boss give her a non-platonic kiss on the cheek!"

"Oh, Buck. You're jumping to conclusions. And even if that were true, wouldn't you want to know, beyond a doubt, how she felt. You know, before you leave for--"

Bucky chucked a pillow at Steve, "Why do you have to be such a good guy all the time. Why can't you just brood around my apartment like I'm doing?" he asked rhetorically.

"Because if both of us start brooding, we'll never leave this apartment." Steve picked up the pillow Bucky had thrown and used all his strength to playfully hit Bucky back.

"Ough!" Bucky exaggerated.

"Come on. Dancing. Music. A night out. You need it." Steve urged his friend, bringing over a cup of burnt coffee.

"When?" Bucky asked as he sipped at the bitter liquid.

"Friday," Steve said with a smile.

Bucky simply nodded, "Wipe that smug smile off your face. Guess we're going out."

When Steve got to his apartment he made sure the first thing he did was call Sally and let her know everything was in place. Steve prayed them playing matchmaker wouldn't backfire on them.

Friday

You had spent most of your week in a rebuttal battle of flirting with Howard. To say it had been taken more of your energy than you'd have like would be an understatement. In a way, you were glad you had agreed to go out with Sally tonight.

You looked in the mirror to see if your outfit complemented your lipstick -you chose rouge. You wore a red dress with a black lace pattern over the satin red and black pumps. You chose to wear lacey fingerless gloves and a small necklace.

"Hey, darlin' you almost ready?" Sally asked from your doorway, her hands fitting in a pair of large fake pearls. "Red?"

"What's wrong with red?" You shot back defensively.

Sally smirked coyly as though she was a mastermind checking all the boxes in her to-do list, "Nothin' it's just… The blue dress is perfect for dancin'. It twirls around you like magic!" She said excitedly.

You bit your lip to keep from smiling, "Alright I'll try on the blue one."

A few minutes later you called Sally back into the room and she gasped like it was the first time she'd seen the dress, "It's absolutely gorgeous. Give us a spin!"

You twirled round and as though the dress was a part of you, it flowed around you in cascades. The material breezing across your knees. You giggled like a teen.

"I suppose this will do."

"Come on then Hun. Let's go before we miss the bus!" Sally linked your arms together and rushed you out of the apartment.

***

Bucky kept running his hands through his fingers, whether it was nerves or just him not being out for a while, he couldn't tell, but he promised Steve he'd stop his brooding and have a fun night out. The Stork Club was filled with people, young and old. Somewhere by the bar cheering with friends while others were at the far end dancing to the live band. Bucky had almost missed the lively atmosphere of places like this. But every time he thought of going out and dancing with some broad, she'd always have the same face and the same laugh. She would always be Elle and it drove him crazy.

He couldn't close his eyes without seeing her face. Even now, in this club, hidden amongst the crowd, he saw her. She looked beautiful as always, the blue dress complementing her figure in a cool aura. She looked like a breath of fresh air amidst all the ladies wearing brighter reds and yellows and greens. He saw her rouge coloured lips and could almost taste their kiss atop the Ferris-Wheel in Coney Island. He could almost remember the exact thoughts he had as the sun set. That was the moment. Maybe if he had told her how he truly felt… Maybe if he had fought harder and not been the gentleman afraid of keeping her from her future. Maybe…

Then she disappeared as though she was never there as the crowd of dancing people grew in number.

Bucky closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, he was convinced he was starting to hallucinate her now. "I'm going to go to the bar. I need a drink." He told Steve.

"Don't get lost," his friend teased.

"A whiskey, neat," he asked the bartender.

"Buy a girl a drink?" A woman's voice spoke beside him. Bucky turned to look at her. She was beautiful he couldn't deny, and the way she looked at him… he was almost tempted to buy her that drink but he knew it would simply be an excuse to forget about Elle and that he'd regret it the next day.

"Sorry, Doll. Some other time," he gave her a weak smile, her lips turned downwards, she was disappointed but he didn't care. He downed his drink and went back to find Steve.

***

You walked away from the dancing crowd, feeling the heat in your cheeks. You needed to catch your breath. Sally followed after you, giggling with warmth. You'd be lying if you said this wasn't exactly what you needed. Then you saw someone familiar on the far end of the room.

"Steve!" You shouted in surprise as you saw your little friend alone in a corner. "What are you doing here?" You marched over with Sally still on your heel.

"Uh… Elle, hey! Um, this is a surprise..." Steve fidgeted about.

Without warning, you wrapped your arms around him with a big smile on your face. You didn't realise how much you'd missed him in the last month.

"Wait, if you're here, does that mean--" before you could finish your question you heard that oh-so-familiar voice speak behind you.

"Elle?"

Your breath got caught in your throat and your muscles felt petrified. You were frozen there.

"Bucky..." you whispered too low for anyone to hear.

"Oh my, now this is quite the coincidence. All four of us at the same club. Must be fate!" Sally chimed in from behind you. She quickly grabbed Steve's arms -who looked a little apologetic- and rushed him to the bar. "Steve, how about we get a drink. Catch up. I'm absolutely parched!"

Sally dragged him away as she mouthed an insincere "Sorry," before winking and disappearing.

After a few breaths, you finally had the courage to turn around and meet Bucky's eyes. When you looked into his beautiful blues again for the first time in a month it felt as though you'd been knocked off your feet. You'd almost forgotten how easy it was for him to make your heart race and your cheeks flush. How easy it was for him to turn your steeled conviction into a brittle wall made of plaster.

It was as though time stopped. Everything melted away and all you could focus on was the man standing in front of you.

Bucky snapped his fingers, putting on cool airs in an effort to break the silence, "I should have known Steve was up to something. Usually, I'm the one nagging him to go out." He gave an awkward smile as he rubbed the nape of his neck.

You laughed awkwardly not wanting to fall back into the silence, "Tell me about it. I should be able to smell Sal's devious plans a mile away by now. I guess I've just been too preoccupied with work."

Bucky's head snapped up at the mention of work. His jaw clenched for the briefest moment. It was his tell. "How is it. Your new job?"

"Honestly, I miss the Dinner. I miss Hal constantly nagging Annie and Sally mothering everyone…" You wanted to say I miss you but you stopped yourself. "Working for an obnoxious genius can be quite draining."

"You seemed pretty chummy to me," Bucky blurted out. He cursed at himself, seemingly regretting his words, but it was too late, you heard him.

What do you mean?" You looked at him, puzzled by his comment. Then it hit you. The pink flowers, Sally's odd behaviour. The setup. "The flowers, they were from you."

"You got them?" Bucky's tone relaying his shock. "But I never gave them to you..."

"I saw from my desk. I assumed one of the secretaries threw them out. I guess they reminded me of the peach tree flowers at the picnic."

Bucky's eyes lit up then, "I thought the same thing." He smiled, genuinely and it made your heart flutter.

"Why did you throw them out?" You placed a hand on his forearm. Bucky looked down at the contact longingly.

"I saw you. And Stark. You seemed… close."

You laughed, something about the idea of you and Stark being together tickled your funny-bone. Maybe it was the irony of the fact getting close to Stark was part of your mission. Or, perhaps, it was because Bucky thought Howard could replace him. If Bucky knew how you truly felt around him, he'd understand how absurd that thought was.

"Howard's known for being a harmless flirt. He cares more for his work than anything. I don't think he'd know what to do I he ever got into a real relationship."

Bucky took a step closer to you, "So then… you and him?"

You smiled, taking the other step forward, "Strictly professional. I promise."

Bucky smirked, the look of an idea crossing his mind glistening through his eyes, "Well since we're here." He held out his hand. "The band is playing our song, Doll."

There it was, that charm and charisma you'd been craving for so long. The special way he called you 'Doll'. His smile and his outstretched hand. A part of you screamed to stay away, to spare him from any dangers or heartbreak that had convinced you to end things a month ago. But you were tired of being that cautious, good little soldier. For once, you saw what it was you wanted. What you craved with every nerve and cell. And for once, you weren't going to deny it. After all, it was just a dance. One, harmless, short dance.

Your lips turned upwards, your eyes glued to his. "I'd love to."

Bucky took your hand and twirled you towards him. Over his shoulder, you saw Sally bounding and bouncing about, no doubt proud of her intervening. Steve also seemed quite pleased with himself.

When the band played something slow, you rested your ear on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. With each beat, you felt joy begin to build within your own heart. All night you'd had this large smile that refused to subside -and so did Bucky.

The two of you stumbled out of the crowd of dancing bodies and headed towards the back exit in need of cool air. The band's lively music, still audible from the amber coloured alleyway. You lifted your head and took a deep breath, condensation forming when you breathed out.

"God, I missed this," You admitted to Bucky as you blew at a strand of hair that had come undone from its pin. On instinct, Bucky tucked it behind your ear, but as soon as he realised what he did -touch you as though you were still familiar with each other- he cleared his throat and bit his lower lip. "Sorry, a force of habit."

Before you could stop yourself you blurted out, "I've missed you, Buck."

Bucky placed one hand around your cheek, the other around the small of your back. He held your gaze for a moment, as though looking for any indication you didn't like where this was going, you didn't give any such signs. He leaned in and you closed in the distance. And after what felt like an age stretching out forever, his lips met yours and the two of you were lip-locked in a passionate embrace. Lost in the heat of the moment, you leaned into his touch. Your hands folded across his back, a moan escaping your lips as he guided your body towards a wall, pinning you there while one hand moved achingly slowly from your waist to your thigh. His grip was greedy and a little rough causing you to quiver, he could feel your body shake against his chest making him deepen your kiss even more. You let out a second moan when he suddenly stopped.

"Why did you stop?" You asked with deeply flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

Bucky's thumb graced your cheek as if trying to make sure you were real, you tilted your head against his hand, letting him know you were with him in this moment. "Do you have any idea what effect you have on me?" There was a tinge of pain hidden in those words, it made you rush to cup his cheeks and reassure him.

He clasped both your hands, "I just, I need to say this."

You had a feeling that whatever it was he was about to say, it had the power to change things forever. You swallowed hard, almost afraid of what he was about to say, but you owed him this much.

"Okay," you whispered softly.

"Before you, I had never really felt anything close to what I feel when I'm around you. I felt… I feel invincible, like I can do anything! I never imagined it could feel like this, being with someone. But then, I had to let you go, because I was convinced I couldn't be the one to hold you back from your new job, from your new future. But… I hate that I didn't fight for you. I hate that I decided to take the high road. You drive me crazy, Elle…"

You flinched when he called you Elle. More than anything you wanted him to call you by your real name. You wanted to be completely transparent with him.

"I want you back," he kissed your knuckles before letting them go. He brought his hand back to your face, his eyes boring deep into your soul you felt like you couldn't breathe as long as they were on you. "I need you back."

"James Buchanan Barnes… I never stopped being yours. You had me at 'Hello'." You kissed him again this time it was less greed and passion. It was tender and soft. It was a silent I love you.

The vibrations of Bucky's laugh travelled through the kiss making your knees buckle.

"Want to get out of here?" He asked with an extended hand.

You placed your hand in his, "Lead the way."

As you walked away from the club, rain clouds began to form and in no time, the smell of rain filled the air with promise.

Part 11 is Here!

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under-the-lake · 6 years ago

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It Has To Be You - Fantastic Beasts The Second: What we know (or don’t) so far

WARNING: SPOILERS (writing this 9-10th August 2018)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - The Crimes of Grindelwald, Second Film of the five-film franchise, coming out 16th November 2018… already there! Can’t wait, to be honest. However, there’s some clues that have been dropped by the Wizarding Community online and that can allow us some kind of anticipatory excitement. Here’s a sort of summary, along with some personal thoughts and dug out information, because why bother only summarize when you can actually think?

Let’s start with the trailers, shall we?

Teaser trailer from Pottermore (PM - posted 13th March 2018): https://www.pottermore.com/news/watch-the-first-trailer-for-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald

Second official trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlCKOG9ut8g

Short ID

Warner Bros., Heyday Films, 2018, directed by David Yates, screenplay by Joanne K. Rowling, music by James N. Howard.

Setting: London, Hogwarts, Cliffs of Dover, Muggle and Wizarding Paris (we get to see the local equivalent of Diagon Alley - entrance via a statue), New York, (maybe Godric’s Hollow?), 1927, plus at least Hogwarts in the early 1900s.

Main Characters: Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), The Niffler, Pickett, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), Tina and Queenie Goldstein (Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol), Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) and his Obscurus.

Secondary Characters: Leta Lestrange (Zoë Krawitz), Nicolas Flamel (Brontis Jodorowski), Seraphina Piquery (Carmen Ejogo), Theseus Scamander (Newt’s brother, Callum Turner), Maledictus (Claudia Kim), Skender (owner of the Circus Arcanus, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), Abernathy (a Macusa supervisor, Kevin Guthrie), Vinda Rosier (Poppy Corby-Tuech), Spielman (Wolf Roth), Bunty (Newt’s assistant, Victoria Yeates), Torquil Travers (Derek Riddell), Arnold Guzman (Cornell S. John), Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam), Eulalie Hicks (Jessica Williams), Mrs Lestrange (Sabine Crossen), Laurena Kama (Isaura Barbé-Brown), Credence’s Aunt (Linda Santiago).

Rough plot outlines:

The series ranges from 1926 to 1945, when Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald and Tom Riddle graduated from Hogwarts. See… there’s no end to evil, only keeping it at bay.

The story of The Crimes of Grindelwald is set just after the first film. If you remember well, in 1926, Newt was in New York apparently buying an Appaloosa Puffskein and unofficially releasing his Thunderbird back in Arizona. He gets into trouble because of a 21-year old Obscurial, Credence Barebone, and is condemned to death along with his friend Porpentina Goldstein, by Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) supervisor Percival Graves. Miss Goldstein was at the time a dismissed Auror from MACUSA - she was investigating the New Salem Philanthropic Society - NSPS - against the orders of her superiors. They escape, along with Tina’s sister Queenie and a No-Maj (US word for Muggle), Jacob Kowalski. The group eventually confronts Percival Graves in the Subway tunnel, and in front of Seraphina Picquery (head of MACUSA) and her crew, they uncover Gellert Grindelwald under the traits of Graves. Grindelwald is taken into custody. Kowalski is Obliviated, along with apparently all the Muggles in New York, by some weird rain that raised a lot of questions, the Thunderbird flies to Arizona and Newt returns to the UK.

In 1927, Newt’s book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, has been published, Grindelwald has escaped MACUSA and is gathering followers. He wants to expose the Magical Community, and advocates Wizard supremacy over Muggles. Sounds familiar. Newt is sent to Paris by Dumbledore to track down the Dark Wizard, and the Ministry of Magic people don’t seem exactly ecstatic about that. Credence has survived and is becoming more powerful, apparently siding with a mysterious cursed woman called Maledictus who works for a non less mysterious circus called Arcanus. We can imagine that Tina, reinstated Auror for MACUSA, has been sent to track Grindelwald, and she and Newt meet again, together with Queenie and Jacob.

Apparently, from the trailers, we’ll be back at Hogwarts during Newt’s school years but also later.

What Has Been Disclosed So Far

‘Following the declassification of certain secret documents kept at the Ministry of Magic, the wizarding world has recently learned a little more about the creation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I am not yet in a position to tell the full story of my activities during the two decades that Gellert Grindelwald terrorised the wizarding world. As more documents become declassified over the coming years, I will be freer to speak openly about my role in that dark period of our history.

[...]

It is true that I was the first ever person to capture Gellert Grindelwald and also true that Albus Dumbledore was something more than a schoolteacher to me. More than this I cannot say without fear of breaching the Official Magical Secrets Act or, more importantly, the confidences that Dumbledore, most private of men, place in me.’

(Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2017, pp. x and xii)

A poster made by MinaLima for the Comic Con of San Diego this year reveals a lot (see picture below): People (Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Credence and Maledictus, Leta and Theseus), locations (Hogwarts, London, Paris), a Thestral-driven carriage, the Deathly Hallows and a Snake...

To start with, Grindelwald is free. That was pretty obvious though. It looks like Seraphina Picquery’s cells and measures of protection weren’t enough. In the trailer Grindelwald is seen in a thestral-drawn carriage (I thought the only tame ones were at Hogwarts, and only after Hagrid tamed them, so way later), wands pointing at him. The two men driving the carriage look like back-dressed Willy Wonkas :P and the carriage is followed by two people on broomsticks. What happened? Grindelwald is still with long hair and beard so when does this take place?

Once free, Grindelwald is making his point to a big crowd, trying to convince them to follow him. His inner wish is of course wizard supremacy over Muggles and other non-magical beings like Squibs. His ‘official’ version is that wizards shouldn’t be in hiding. He’s seen working with a woman holding a skull, who is Vinda Rosier (another ancestor to Death Eater Evan Rosier? Even the first names sound similar).

Grindelwald has his own logo, apparently, that looks like two letters ‘G’ put back to back, and that actually resemble a distorted swastika…. (see zoomed picture above). Well, the film takes place during one of the darkest periods of European history, namely the one during which rough extreme dictatorships rose... We don’t see it in the trailer (or I’m really blind), but we can assume that Grindelwald has already stolen the Elder Wand from Gregorovitch. The crew made Dumbledore’s first wand similar to the Elder one, though, as seen on a tweeted picture.. I am not sure if I like it yet.

A second major news is that we’re going back to Hogwarts, on two distinct occurences in time, it seems. The first is 1927, while what seems like a delegation of the Ministry of Magic (MoM - that has a different logo then, more in the fashion of the times) comes to confront Dumbledore about his use of Newt Scamander on a mission in Paris. It makes sense to think they are MoM people because among them is Theseus Scamander, Newt’s brother, who is Head of the Auror Office at the time. Along with him on the MoM team is a bloke called Travers. Rings a bell? His family tree has a Death Eater on it, later in the 20th century. The lines from the trailer are the following:

MoM Official: ‘There’s a rumour that Newt Scamander is headed to Paris. I know that he’s working under your orders. What do you have to say for yourself, Dumbledore?’

Dumbledore: ‘Well, if you ever had the pleasure to teach him, you’d know Newt is not a great follower of orders.’

However, Dumbledore and Newt have a meeting that has to be secret (since it’s shot on the roof of St Paul’s cathedral, London), and that tends to back up the idea that Newt is working ‘for’ Dumbledore. Moreover, Newt owes Dumbledore, who made a strong case for Newt not to be expelled from Hogwarts, as we learnt in the first film.

The second occasion on which we visit Hogwarts is during Newt’s school years as a Hufflepuff boy there. Maybe we’ll have more details about his relationship with Leta Lestrange. We know he loved her, and shared her passion for creatures. When one of Leta’s experiments with a Jarvey went wrong, Newt took the blame to prevent her from being expelled. Dumbledore defended Newt, and we don’t know if the expulsion finally took place or not. However, Newt could keep his wand, which would tend to back up the theory according to which he could stay at Hogwarts and graduate. What also backs up this theory is the fact that he’s been working for the MoM, which wouldn’t have hired someone without top grades in N.E.W.T.s so... yeh. Not expelled, I believe. We also know that later, Leta fell for Newt’s brother Theseus and got engaged to him.

One of the trailer scenes pictures Newt taking over a Boggart. The film crew placed the same cupboard in the DADA classroom as in the Prisoner of Azkaban film, which is all right given the period, I mean on an antiques point of view. Why assume that Boggarts would be hidden in the same cupboard, though? Moreover, who is teaching DADA but Dumbledore. That doesn’t make sense at all. That being said, Newt’s Boggart is funny: a desk full of in-trays and papers (see picture above). Because his worst fear is to be made to work in an office (that’s what he says in the trailer).

To stay with Newt a bit longer, do you remember how he did not have a Wand Permit for the USA? Well, his travelling troubles seem to have no end. From some official documents, we can see that his MoM Travel Permit is pending, because ‘subject uncooperative and evasive on reasons for last trip’. If it had only been a trip to collect data for his book he would not have been evasive or uncooperative…. (picture below)

Among the latest news, we learn that Newt wanted to go back to New York once his book was launched. He didn’t seek celebrity, he wanted to find Tina. Unfortunately for his introvert self, his book is a success. Redmayne says ‘Newt has been grounded in London and unable to leave.’ (Buzzfeed, 10.8.2018). In the same post we learn that Newt has a basement to his London apartment, that Rowling intended as a creature hospital. It is actually an extension of Newt’s suitcase, and is apparently bottomless. The entrance is…. You’ll never guess…. Via a cupboard under the stairs! I’m NOT taking the mickey.

Something unexpected, maybe is the appearance of a well-known prop. The trailer shows lights being sucked from street lamps. That can mean only one thing: Dumbledore had already invented the Deluminator (aka Put-Outer) in 1927. Who’s using it though? The shadows won’t yet reveal the answer. Is the use Ron Weasley put it to going to be displayed too?

Another point that has been fantasised about is Credence. Credence has survived the blasting in the Subway tunnel, and is now more powerful and seems more angry than ever. At one point in the first trailer, he is in the circus and frees some kind of creatures from a glass ball, or so it looks like at least. He’s also seen intensely looking at the posters advertising the circus….

From one fishy character to another… Who is Maledictus? She is Credence’s companion as it appears. She is said to bear a blood curse that transforms her into a beast, and that she’s one of the attractions of the Circus Arcanus, owned by Skender, currently on tour in Paris. One of the posters says ‘Snake Girl’... and Maledictus means ‘cursed’ but also ‘ill spoken’. We also know that the Circus was on tour in New York late 1926, and left only at the beginning of January 1927 to cross the Pond to France. Hm….. could Credence and Maledictus have met before? Or is it a new acquaintance? Why would Credence be in Paris otherwise?

The most unexpected visit to the film might be that of Nicolas Flamel. It makes sense since he lives in Paris (or does he still? We know from the Dumbledore Frog Card from 1991 that he lives in Devon), but I wonder what is going to be his role. He meets Jacob, that’s sure, from the trailer. Will he be meeting Dumbledore? Some kind of alchemical discussion could be really nice, and offer a rest in the probably action-packed-CGI-ed film. It appears from pictures that Newt will at some point hold an alchemical symbol, which, if I remember well, is that of gold. It’s a circle with a dot in the middle. What significance to this? Link with the Hallows? Or the Philosopher’s Stone?

Another point is that there’s a hint, on Pottermore, that the film will show us younger versions of the main characters. Does that mean yet another flashback? Apparently. That fits the fact that we are to see Newt at school, in the early 1900s, but it also says that there is going to be a younger Grindelwald. Would that mean that maybe we could have a glimpse of that visit he payed to his great-aunt Bagshot in Godric’s Hollow the summer after Dumbledore graduated?

Let’s move to Creatures: the series is called Fantastic Beasts, after all. Pickett is back, and the Niffler. There’s all sorts of other creatures. In the trailer, Newt is seen riding an underwater creature. What could it be? A water dragon (he’s been training dragons for WW1, after all), a Kelpie (but it would likely eat him)? There’s also some sort of weird bird I’d say is an Augurey, and Thestrals. That bird appears to be sort of controversial in its determination: I mean that some people think it’s a Fwooper. Well, according to Scamander, in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the book, of course, Fwoopers are brightly coloured, which this bird is not. As a pet, it would be quite dangerous to have one, since it’s cry drives one mad. Moreover, It doesn’t match Rowling’s illustration for it at all. The bird from the trailer does, however, match the description of an Auguery a bit more: a vulture-like creature (all right it has feathers on its head, vultures, as scavengers, don’t), blueish grey, used as a home weather-forecaster.

Ok this kills me: there are going to be BABY NIFFLERS! FantasticBeasts retweeted a post about that and here’s the picture in there.

This is not a joke, There are really baby Nifflers. There are four different colours actually, as published by PM today 10th August. One adult Niffler was already some kind of a Weasley twin.... what about FOUR?

Here they are:

And HA another of their tweets lists creatures. And the bird IS an Augurey, but there is also indeed a Kelpie (wondering why, and how Newt is going to escape). The weird thing walking in the streets at some point in the trailer is called a Zouwu, that seems, from what I saw on Twitter, to be a Chinese creature. In the trailer, there’s also a weird-looking crumpled-antlered stag/elk-like creature, that some people refer to as a Leucrotta, but the usual description doesn’t fit here, some think it might be a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. There’s no description matching the beast in Newt’s book, unfortunately.

That’s what I’ve dug out so far. There is new info coming out all the time, and I probably have missed some. If that’s the case, please comment under the text :)

Paris, London, New York and the Wizarding World in 1927: Short Description (more after the film is launched)

I wanted to do a tiny bit of research on 1927 in Paris and London, mostly, and have a more deeper go after having seen the film, to put things more into context.

As The Crimes of Grindelwald set in 1927 directly follows Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, set in 1926 New York, there’s not much point into dwelling into what New York looked like at that time. There are a couple of papers on this blog about that:

http://under-the-lake.tumblr.com/post/157988584836/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-the-film (first deeper impressions after the first film, mainly deeling with Speakeasies and Immigration Rules)

http://under-the-lake.tumblr.com/post/158268815626/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-the-film (first deeper impressions part 2: laws and death penalty)

http://under-the-lake.tumblr.com/post/159376016836/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-the-film (first deeper impressions part 3: the NSPS and Credence)

http://under-the-lake.tumblr.com/post/153419399321/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-first (Very first Impressions)

Paris in 1927

President of France at the time: Gaston Doumergue (1924-1931)

Here’s an 8-minute video of Paris in 1927. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QDmzfyqNJM It shows really how life was in the streets.

Among the artistic life of the 1920s in Paris were people like the Missouri-born Josephine Baker, who was spotted in New-York in 1925 by French producers who were looking for an all-black cast for their Parisian Revue Nègre. Josephine was chosen and she moved to the French capital in the same year. She was one of the stars of the nightlife there from then on (see picture above). She was not the only foreign artist to set quarters in Paris. They came from the USA but also from the whole of Europe, mainly the East and South: Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Spain. The whole neighbourhood of Montmartre, with its Moulin Rouge and Bateau-Lavoir, and that of Montparnasse and the Quartier Latin, were exploding with modern artists from poets to painters and composers, trying things, often living on nothing, often collaborating, often also hating each other in peace. The 1925 Exposition of Decorative Arts had also launched the period of Art Deco. The Expo hosted works by artists like Lalique or Le Corbusier.

It was also the period of weird circuses. Fêtes foraines were travelling fun fairs with carrousels and other attractions, but also with displays of ‘monsters’ or other ‘unusual’ creatures, including humans. Famously, of course, bearded women and elephant men, or dwarves, were showed to the public. Audience were attracted via posters and even music, like barrel organ music, that could be heard up to 3 km (1.8 miles) around. From what the trailer of The Crimes of Grindelwald shows, the Circus Arcanus is exactly along those lines. The name itself should be enough for us to know that something fishy is coming, ‘arcanus’ meaning ‘mysterious’ or ‘secret’ in Latin. Plus there are snakes and that evil cloak-holding being on the poster.... and that phrase, Le musée des curiosités vivantes (the museum of living oddities, like a live curiosity shop). According to Wikia, the Circus was in New York for a fortnight in late 1926 and travelled to Paris, France, in early January 1927…

London in 1927

King: George V (reigned 1910-1936)

PM: Stanley Baldwin

There is footage from London in 1927, and Simon Smith has replicated the shots in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kml92pPjx0

In 1927 the UK was recovering from the General Strike of 1926. The lower class had lost for many reasons, and the majority of the population was in a worse state then than before the strike.

The posh London society youngsters were known as the Bright Young Things. They were offspring of those who had gone through WW1 and were either fighting their parents’ values or taking life at face value, living carpe diem because of the war that had slaughtered so many young people. Maybe, for the young women, it was a way of showing their newly born independance. Maybe the reason was a mix of all. At any rate, it was a time of party, alcohol, drugs, freedom, jazz and a feeling of fighting the establishment. That latter was expressed, among other things, by the full acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships, which were, at the time, banned by the British laws.

Among them were people like photographer Cecil Beaton (see pic by him above), who is partly responsible for starting the cult of celebrity in the UK, via his portraying of the Bright Young Things. Since they were children of rich families, they had also connections with tabloids and could use them to spread their image, which they did. By the start of the 1930s, unemployment, Wall Street Black Thursday and global unhappiness were getting people bored by the growing excesses of that group.

On the cultural side, BBC (British Broadcasting Company) was created in 1927 (it was really founded in 1922 but was granted a Royal Charter in 1927). Authors who published in this year were among others Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf and P. G. Wodehouse.

The Wizarding World in 1927-ish

In February 1927, Gellert Grindelwald, notorious Pureblood supremacist, makes an escape from MACUSA prisons in New York, while a month later, in March, Jacob opens his bakery, thanks to Newt’s Occamy Egg shells (Fantastic Beasts Screenplay, scene 123). Newt is doing well too, his book being published somewhere between January and March. The launch is set on 19th March 1927 at Flourish & Blotts, Diagon Alley, London.

By December, Seraphina Picquery has made the Thunderbird a protected species. She has instituted a Protective Order on it (While in the Muggle world Theodore Roosevelt had made Pelican Island a protected area in 1903, and the first protected list of species was used in 1918 jointly by Canada and the USA).

Dumbledore has been writing for Transfiguration Today for a year in 1927.

A French Ministry of Magic? Well, if the USA have their MACUSA and the UK have the MoM, why not a French Ministry. At any rate, the trailer gives us a glimpse of a glass dome with constellations and creature names written in pseudo-French: Le Niffleur, Hippocampe, Le Nundu, Le Doxy…. (there is even a typo because ‘centaur’ in French takes an ‘e’ at the end). I cannot vouch for this being the building of the French Ministry, but at least we know there is one, mentioned by J. K. Rowling in her writing about Beauxbâtons Academy on Pottermore. In French it is called Le Ministère des Affaires Magiques de France, which translates into ‘French Ministry for Magic Affairs’. According to Wikia, it was founded in 1790 during the French Revolution, and has ‘Incanté, Envoûté, Conjuré’ as a motto, which would translate into ‘Cast, Bewitched, Conjured’. The latest news from today tell us that the entrance is via one of the multiple public drinking fountains scattered all over Paris, called Wallace fountains. How can people enter via such a thing, search me. In London, you could either use Apparition, or the Visitor’s Entrance in the telephone box that you could actually enter, or later the public loo that you could get flushed in. The French thing is a fountain. Are people going to be suck via the plumbing after shrinking themselves or something? What about the Statute of Secrecy??

I must acknowledge that I hadn’t thought about Voldemort when I started this piece of writing. However, since Grindelwald’s defeat is followed by Voldemort’s rise to power, it must be considered. Merope Gaunt eloped with Tom Riddle Sr. in 1925-1926, and Tom Riddle Jr. was born on 31st December 1926 at Wool’s Orphanage, London, after his father left Merope, probably due to her stopping to feed him on Love Potion. So if we put two and two together, Tom Riddle Jr. had a nice model to worship when he was at school...

UK Minister for Magic: Hector Fawley (1925-1939)

US President of MACUSA: Seraphina Picquery (1903-1928)

French Ministre des Affaires Magiques: Unknown yet

Grindelwald and the Deathly Hallows: Dusting Our Memories

According to Rowling in her writings for PM, Gellert Grindelwald was born somewhere around 1883, somewhere on planet Earth. However, he was sent to Durmstrang Institute, that is located somewhere in northern Norway or Sweden (according to J. K. Rowling, see report of her reading GoF). He was ‘as ‘precociously brilliant as Dumbledore’ (Deathly Hallows, ch. Eighteen). Grindelwald was expelled when he was sixteen. The official reason is that he was making ‘twisted experiments’. They must have been really nasty if he was expelled from a school that favours Dark Magic.

Grindelwald knew about the Deathly Hallows and believed they would give him limitless power once united. He stole the Elder Wand from Gregorovitch the wandmaker. He wanted the other two Hallows, the Resurrection Stone and the Invisibility Cloak, badly. We don’t know if he wanted to be Master of Death or just have power, but he was obsessed with overruling the Muggle world and put the non-magic people in their rightful place. He engraved the Hallows sign on one of the Durmstrang walls. Later Dumbledore draw it on the front page of his copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

How lucky then that Grindelwald’s great-aunt, Bathilda Bagshot, happened to live in Godric’s Hollow, which, apart from being the Potters’ and the Dumbledores’ family village, was the place where the Peverells had lived. Ignotus Peverell and his two brothers are said to be the Three Brothers of the tale, and thus the first owners of the Hallows.

After being expelled, Grindelwald went to visit his great-aunt. How very convenient… and there was Dumbledore, having to spend his summer looking after his family instead of taking his Grand Tour of the Wizarding World with Elphias Dodge. Bathilda introduced the two men, and it was like a bubble of fresh air to Dumbledore, according to Rowling. The two became inseparable, writing to each other about Wizard domination over Muggles for the Greater Good (that’s what Dumbledore thought) when they couldn’t talk about it. The relationship lasted two short months. Albus was besotted and that cast a gloom on his family, because he would not fulfill his obligations. His brother Aberforth eventually reacted, and the result was a three-way duel and Ariana’s, their sister, death. Needless to say, Grindelwald vanished. (Deathly Hallows, chapter Eighteen).

He travelled through Europe, gathering followers, and tracking down the Elder Wand, the easiest Hallow to trace, due to its bloody history. Apparently, he avoided Britain.

Europe having probably given out what it could, Grindelwald crossed the Atlantic and hired himself as MACUSA Auror Percival Graves. I guess he had heard about Obscuri and about Credence, because why go exactly there otherwise. Credence would be a wonderful weapon of destruction if he learnt to control his powers. Pottermore says that Grindelwald discovered Credence later, but I can’t think of any other reason for someone to go to the USA while the wizarding community there was so much more restrained than in Europe, and hopes of bringing it to the light were therefore so much smaller. Using an Obscurial to wreak havoc and thus expose the community would be a huge blow for his enemies. And of course we know that Grindelwald was already tracking down the Hallows, and knew of their existence, as proven by the necklace he gives Credence in the first film. Actually, I just read that according to Rowling, Grindelwald is a Seer… and had a vision about Credence’s immense power (see tweet).

During his stay in the USA, Grindelwald was discovered by Newt Scamander, and captured and imprisoned by MACUSA. Not for long, though. That’s what the second film is telling us.

Questions Raised by the Trailers and the Written Info

Some of these questions, together with the fact that since Rowling wrote the screenplays herself, make things that were canon from the Harry Potter series and Fantastic Beasts collide….

- Now were we hoodwinked in the first film? I mean drawn into thinking that Newt is an innocent Magizoologist, trying to gather information for his book? Was he actually already on a mission to track down Grindelwald? Because honestly, that’s what he does in the end. Nothing about collecting stuff for his book. Setting Frank the Thunderbird free seems like a nice cover story.

- If he was indeed on ‘innocent’ business in New York, then why are MoM officials monitoring his movements, and why is his current MoM travel authorization pending? Why are MoM officials coming to Dumbledore to inquire about Newt? Or are they actually investigating Dumbledore? And remember, MACUSA was already tracking Newt from the start of the first film...

- What are Queenie and Jacob doing in Europe? If Tina is probably on MACUSA duties or tailing Credence because she’s still on the NSPS trail, I can’t imagine why a baker would leave his flourishing new business and why a witch like Queenie would leave her makeup and brushes to travel to Europe.

- Who’s that bloke with long white hair and beard levitated by apparently officials in some kind of prison?

- Is Maledictus the Snake Lady? If she is, it would be clever for her to hide her curse in a circus, given the intolerance of the age for differences of any kind. Some rumours actually have it that she would become Nagini...

- How did Credence survive? And after recovering, did he join the circus? Otherwise it doesn’t make much sense that he’s in Paris, right? Nor that he knows Maledictus.

- From research done by SuperCarlinBrothers, Credence is related to Corvus Lestrange and is half-brother to Leta Lestrange, Corvus having had offspring by two women. It’s all here in their video, time 7.27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3ChukSDGRU

Now how did Credence end up in the care of Marylou Barebone in the first place, please?? Or is that name a fake one?

- That family tree bears the name of Laurena Kama, a black witch. The film cast says that there’s going to be a character there called Yusuf Kama, played by William Nadylam. Family? And we know from cast that Credence has an aunt...

- And now we’re talking about Credence and his family tree... what about Modesty? Is she going to appear some time in this film or the next ones? What’s the point of developing her character so much in the first film if she has no role to play in the story later?

- Tina looks dark. ‘We’ll all have to pick our side’.... ? And it appears like she feels the urge to look after Credence… and maybe she’s a bit jealous of Bunty, Newt’s assistant, who in turn might be a bit infatuated with Newt, from what Redmayne says.

- WHY the bloody hell is Dumbledore teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA)???? That is so not canon. He’s a Transfiguration teacher. By 1927 he had been writing regularly for Transfiguration Today for a year. He was never mentioned as a DADA teacher, and it sounds really wrong. I know some people argue that DADA didn’t exist then, and that maybe Care of Magical Creatures was merged with it, as well as Transfiguration, but that doesn’t make any sense. Dark Wizards have always existed, and bad curses, hexes, jinxes, and dangerous creatures, if not dark ones. It makes no sense to ‘invent’ DADA just because Voldy was on the loose, or after Grindy was sent to Nurmengard.

- What’s that orb the woman next to Grindelwald is holding in her hand? Looks like either a Crystal Ball or a big version of a Prophecy. That last would be ruled out since it is too big to be one, but again, tampering with canon stuff seems to be the fashion. Unless, since everything seems to happen in Paris, it is a French Prophecy. Actually, new theory: from pics where you can see the two protagonists from the front, it seems Vinda is actually holding a skull with glowing orange eyes.

- Who’s the woman walking with the three thestralish cats? I found out she’s called Melusine…. That could open a lot of speculation.

- What’s Grindelwald saying to Dumbledore in the Mirror of Erised? And why does Dumbledore see Grindelwald in the Mirror in the first place? While actually at the end of the HP books, it is hinted that he’d be seeing his family… If the deepest desire of his heart were to see Grindelwald finished, then the latter wouldn’t be alive in there.

- Why always ‘it has to be you’? Same with Harry Potter and Severus Snape. Reminds me of Lord of the Ring, where people with the Rings of Power (that is Galadriel, Gandalf and Elrond) can’t take over Sauron and it has to be a Hobbit. Or David and Goliath. Oh wells. Always puppets played by experienced puppeteers.

- Last but not least. Why is Jacob working with wizards? Is he a descendant of wizards himself? I’ve been giving this some thought myself, but haven’t had time to work out all the connections. HOWEVER, there IS a theory that he’d be a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff, and it’s really interesting how the blokes who thought this came to that conclusion. It would explain, for instance, why Jacob has not been totally Obliviated by that rain that was destined for Muggles only (he makes pastries in the shape of all the animals he saw in Newt’s case, for instance). If you are curious about this theory, check this video by SuperCarlinBrothers : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT7i4Lu55pg (for details about disagreements on some names used in the video, check the comments under it :P ) There’s further evidence to be read in the comments below the video, because one of the people mentioned a Quentin Kowalski playing Quidditch for the USA in 2014, which would mean there are Kowalskis in the wizarding world, maybe a descendent of Jacob?

- Ok not last. I just rewatched the trailer and here comes one more question: HOW COME those people can just APPARATE on the bridge at Hogwarts??? I thought you couldn’t Apparate on the premises. At least according to Hermione, Severus and Hogwarts: A History. However, it is possible that those protection measures were put on later than 1927. On the other hand, Rowling says, on PM, that the castle and ground have always been protected by Anti-Apparition charms…

Of course, more info will be released the closer we get the the launch, on 16th November. We will see if any of those theories are confirmed, any questions answered… - can’t wait!

Meanwhile, as all these questions, all these thoughts, are obviously only assumptions and ramblings of my own mind, sometimes backed up by others, sometimes not, feel very free and very welcome to discuss any point you might feel worth it! Either in the comment thread under the article, or on our facebook page!

Happy anticipation to everyone!

Sources

https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/beauxbatons-academy-of-magic

https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/durmstrang-institute

https://www.pottermore.com/features/gellert-grindelwald-the-story-so-far

https://www.pottermore.com/news/watch-the-first-trailer-for-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald

https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-hogwarts-express

https://www.pottermore.com/news/introducing-the-baby-nifflers-in-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald

http://www.redhotjazz.com/josephinebaker.html

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Bright-Young-Things/

https://fromthebygone.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/the-bright-young-things-captured-by-cecil-beaton-1920s/

Full Credits currently available: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4123430/fullcredits

Latest update, 10th August 2018: https://www.buzzfeed.com/eleanorbate/fantastic-beasts-crimes-of-grindelwald-set-secrets?utm_term=.cvKd2rJEw#.gnnJo7gP0

J. K. Rowling reading Goblet of Fire report: http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/1209-hpfgu-scruton.html

Scamander, N. (2017). Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Bloomsbury Publishing, London, in association with Obscurus Books, Diagon Alley, London.

Rowling, J. K., (1999). Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Bloomsbury, London.

Rowling, J. K., (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Bloomsbury, London.

Rowling, J. K., (2007). The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Bloomsbury, London

Rowling, J. K., (2016). Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - The Original Screenplay. Bloomsbury, London.

#fantastic beasts and where to find them #the crimes of grindelwald #j. k. rowling #hogwarts #Albus Dumbledore #newt scamander #gellert grindelwald #what do we know so far #1927 #credence barebone #wizardingworld #film theory #Harry Potter #fantasticbeasts theories #louhi

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hallhub6-blog · 6 years ago

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The Hotel Willard (aka Churchill) - 252 West 76th Street

By the turn of the last century architect Ralph S. Townsend had designed a wide variety of buildings--small flats, private homes and hotels (including the elegant Savoy Hotel on Fifth Avenue). In 1902 he began work on an "apartment hotel" for developer Alexander McDowell on West 76th Street between Broadway and West End Avenue.

Called the Hotel Willard, the 10-story structure was completed in 1903. Faced in limestone and red brick, Townsend turned, not unexpectedly, to the Beaux Arts style, especially fashionable in apartments and hotels at the time. A three story base of rusticated stone featured a bracketed balconette above the centered entrance. Two smaller versions made their appearance at the fourth floor, fronting stone-framed openings with effusive pediments. A pair of three-story angled bays sat upon ornately carved bowls. Townsend frosted the facade with swags and festoons, lions' heads, and leafy stone brackets. The mansard roof wore an ornate copper crown.

An early postcard reveals the stunning views that guests enjoyed above the still mostly low-level structures. Close inspection reveals that the ninth floor cornice once had railings--originally a balcony.

The Hotel Willard offered accommodations to both permanent and transient guests. They had their choice of either two rooms and a bath, or four rooms and two baths. Transient rooms, or course, were furnished. McDowell leased the Willard to hotelier Arthur T. Hardy, whose opening advertisement in November 1903 called it "The finest apartment hotel of the West End."

The ad boasted "The apartments are luxuriously furnished. The rooms are large and sunny, and command extensive views of the Hudson from the upper floors." Both permanent and transient tenants took their meals in the Willard's dining room, "conducted both on the American and European plans."

Annual leases were offered at $600 for the two-room apartments, and $1,600 for the larger suites. (The rents were not cheap--the more expensive equaling about $3,400 per month today.) The weekly rates for the unfurnished rooms were between $16 to $22 for the smaller suits, depending on the floor or view; and $40 to $50 for the larger.

An advertisement a month after the opening listed only one apartment still available. Hardy noted "Cuisine and Service Calculated to Please the Most Fastidious" and promised that the "appointments and conveniences not excelled by any hotel on the West Side."

While the Hotel Willard did not offer the sprawling apartments of some other buildings, it nevertheless drew an upscale clientele. Among the first to move in was Dr. Frederick S. Howard, a retired dentist and vice-president of the Fourteenth Street Bank. The 61-year old was a charter member of the Colonial Club, the Upper West Side's exclusive men's social club. Shockingly, only about two weeks after the Willard opened, he suffered a fatal heart attack in his apartment.

Arthur T. Hardy carefully chose his service staff. He was especially impressed with the refined demeanor of 25-year old applicant Agnes Pemberton. Although he suspected she came from "a better family than her position would imply," he hired her as a chambermaid, hoping she would be a good influence on the other staff members.

Agnes started work on New Year's Day, 1904. The New-York Tribune noted "She had a large quantity of clothing of fine material, most of it several seasons old. Her manners were above reproach, and, although she did it faithfully, her work seemed foreign to her nature." Agnes "held aloof from the other servants," but was friendly nonetheless.

Beginning the first week of April there were clues that Agnes was unhappy. One day a maid admired her silk shirtwaist. Agnes told her "I am going to leave all of my clothing to you girls when I go." Servants later recalled that "she frequently commented on the easiest manner of death when reading stories of suicides in the newspapers."

On April 6 a wedding took place in the house directly across the street. A few of the maids watched while the carriages came and went. After it was over, Agnes said flatly, "Well, God bless them; I suppose they are happy now." The New-York Tribune remarked "There was just the suspicion of a tear in her eye as she turned away, with the remark that she was going to her room."

Servants lived in the 10th floor mansard. As she had indicated, Agnes went to her room. It overlooked the back of the building, above the two-story extension where a stained glass dome illuminated the hotel's offices. Half an hour later a porter named James was at work cleaning the dome when Agnes's body smashed onto it and landed at his side.

On April 7 the New-York Tribune reported "several guests whose rooms faced on the courtyard saw Miss Pemberton's body falling through the air. It turned only once." A clerk who heard the crash and ran to the second floor found the dazed porter "sitting on the dome and staring wildly at the form of the young woman."

The New York Times quoted Coroner Jackson. "I am very anxious to learn the actual identify of he young woman, for I firmly believe that she came from an excellent family. From what I can learn, she was too dainty and refined for her position." But her true identity was never discovered. Investigators could find no trace of relatives. As she had promised, her clothing and the $70 in her purse--around $2,000 today--were distributed among the other servants.

Although theatrical people were not welcomed in many parts of the city, such was not the case on the Upper West Side. The Hotel Willard became home to several. Among them was actress Maude Harrison, an early resident.

Maude Harrison was a favorite of American audiences for decades. from the collection of the New York Public Library

Maude was a New York City native, born in 1854. She had long been popular with audiences and had created the part of Mrs. Brown in Bronson Howard's long-running 1878 play The Banker's Daughter. For years she was a member of A. M. Palmer's Union Square Theatre Company and had played opposite stars like Richard Mansfield.

After a semi-retirement, Maude returned to the stage as a vaudeville actress in 1905. In April 1907 the 53-year old actress mentioned to other guests that she had not been feeling well for several days. A Christian Scientist, she refused to consult a doctor. Then, on the morning of April 28 a maid found her unconscious on the floor of her apartment. She died that afternoon without ever regaining consciousness.

Another well-known name in the theater living here at the time was Alice Nielsen along with her husband, Benjamin Nentwig. An actress and singer, Alice's rise to fame was the stuff of fable. As a child in Kansas City she sang on the street corner. Wealthy meat packer Jakob Dold invited her to sing at his daughter's birthday party. Dold was so pleased he sent her to the White House to represent Missouri at a musicale. By 1900 at the age of 28 she was America's biggest box office draw.

Alice Nielsen - from the collection of the New York Public Library

In January 1911 two well dressed women checked into Suite 44. The names they used were aliases. They were, in fact, the notorious Poillon sisters, Katherine and Charlotte, who first attracted attention when Katherine sued W. Gould Brokaw for $250,000 for breach of promise in 1905. She received a settlement of $17,500 (almost half a million today); then claimed she received only a fraction and sued her lawyers for $11,500.

Later they had a man arrested claiming he was spying on them for attorney Carl Fischer-Hansen. And then, according to the New-York Tribune "they had a fight in City Hall Park with three lawyers, one of whom had pushed a suit against Katherine for a department store claim of $800."

The pair continued to appear in newspapers. In March 1906 the Hotel Barstow tried to evict them for non payment. The management turned off their electricity, but they burned candles. An elevator boy claimed Charlotte punched him in the ribs and the jaw. Their bad reputations grew as they moved from one residence hotel to another, never paying rent. In February 1908 five hotels--the Bristol, the St. Francis, and Albany, the King Edward, and the Grenoble--filed suit against the women. They were sent to Blackwell's Island for three months "for trying to beat hotel bills."

Three weeks after the sisters checked into Hotel Willard, Arthur Hardy realized their true identity and asked them to vacate. But they were slow to do so. He appeared before Magistrate Herbert on February 6 saying "I have two guests in my house. I understand they are the Poillon sisters. They have promised me to get out, but I want to know what to do if they don't carry out their promise."

The judge told him "Well, if you don't want a guest in your house, you should put him out by force."

Charlotte Poillon the New-York Tribune, April 2, 1915 (copyright expired)

Katherine Poillon. The sisters appeared refined and well-bred but were notorious scam artists. The Evening World, July 24 1903 (copyright expired)

A reporter from the New-York Tribune immediately telephoned Suite 44 to get the sisters' reaction. Charlotte reminded him that "the laying on of hands" constituted assault and said "Now, do you think the manager of this very exclusive hotel would try to come up here and put my sister and myself out by force--and say, even if he tried, it do you think he'd get away with it?"

Hardy again asked the women to leave. They promised both to go and to pay their bill. Then they again delayed their departure. And then again. Finally, a policeman was called to escort the deadbeat guests out. He was successful, but was sued by the Poillon sisters who charged he "had unlawfully entered their rooms at the Hotel Willard."

The Hotel Willard continued to appear in society columns as its well-to-do residents held benefit teas, wedding breakfasts, and announced engagements. In 1918, during a brutal cold wave, Mrs. James Selvin, Jr.'s name appeared in print for a far different reason. On January 5 the New-York Tribune ran the headline "100,000 Thrown Out Of Work by Cold Wave," and reported that record low temperature had forced hundreds of loft buildings to shut down after being "deprived successively of heat, of water and finally of power."

A day earlier Mayor Hyland had announced that Mrs. Selvin, along with three other well-to-do women "had volunteered to raise a fund of $50,000 for the purchase and distribution of coal to the poor of the city."

Among the more celebrated tenants two yeas later were Dorothy and Eddie Parker. Dorothy Parker had by now achieved national renown as a drama critic; her husband was a broker. They were no longer getting along. As a matter of fact, Dorothy lived in apartment 834 and Eddie in 704. Not long after the couple appeared in the February 1920 census records as living here, they moved to No. 57 West 57th Street. Their marriage did not survive much longer.

Vacationers in the summer months understandably preferred the seashore or mountains to the heat of the city. In in June 1921 Hardy advertised "Special Summer Rates" of $2.50 and up for a single room and bath, and $5 and up for a "parlor, bedroom & bath." (The more expensive rate would equal about $60 a night today.)

James Slevin, Jr. and his wife were still in the building at the time. And Mrs. Slevin was still involved in charitable causes. On February 14 that year the European Relief Council held a benefit in the Hotel Bilmore "to save the lives of 3,500,000 children in central and eastern Europe," according to the New-York Tribune. Stage and opera stars performed and luncheon was served. The newspaper announced that tickets could be obtained from Mrs. Slevin.

Anna Mildred Traitel, the daughter of Nathan E. Franklin and his wife, the former Ada Keller, returned to live with her parents in the fall of 1921. Known as Mildred, she had been educated at exclusive Semple School for Girls, but eloped in 1913 with David S. Traitel, the head of Traitel Marble Company. The couple seemed to have a stories marriage, dividing their time between their New York apartment on East 54th Street and their Belle Harbor summer home.

But the 19-year old bride had quickly realized her mistake. On their honeymoon Traitel became drunk and physically abusive and the behavior continued. Over the years he "repeatedly" held a gun to her head, and struck her. Mildred endured eight years of abuse before filing for separation and temporarily moving into the Franklins' Hotel Willard apartment.

The Franklin family experienced tragedy in the 1940 after Nathan was scheduled to undergo an operation. He was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital on February 27. The 69-year old was excessively apprehensive about the procedure. At 7:00 on the night of March 1 he jumped to his death from the window of his hospital room.

In the meantime, a colorful resident of the Willard was "Uncle Robert" Spero, a manufacturer of willow ware. He and his wife, the former Ray Maibrun, were married in 1893. With no children of their own, the couple began hosting large parties for underprivileged children in 1919. Little by little their charitable outreach extended other overlooked groups, like aged women. Robert Spero established the unofficial Parents' Day.

The New York Times reported on May 14, 1923 that Spero held a Mothers' Day celebration for "900 woman inmates of the Home for the Aged on Welfare Island." In addition, all the children in the hospital wards on the island were brought into the assembly hall with the elderly widows "where Spero distributed 2,000 packages of animal crackers, 2000 lollypops [sic] and 1000 flags."

Spero refused to take donations for his parties, paying all expenses personally. His devotion to the children led him to found the SOS, or "Stay On Sidewalk," program, aimed at reducing traffic accidents involving children. He additionally started a children's radio program and organized his own group of child entertainers.

The Speros maintained a summer house in Deal, New Jersey. Finally in November 1939 they left the Willard and moved there permanently. Ray died there a few months later. Robert lived on until December 13, 1948.

The Hotel Willard was the scene of a large bridge tournament on the night of October 19, 1932. Sometime after midnight, while 40 persons played in the dining room, two armed robbers entered the lobby. One forced the night clerk, Edgar Simmons, into the office while the other stood guard. When a female guest walked in, he greeted her graciously, handed her her mail and room key and said goodnight.

In the meantime, the other gunman was trying to force Simmons to open the safe. The clerk insisted he did not know the combination. The thug finally gave up. The pair took $80, $42 of which came from Simmons' pockets, and shoved him into the elevator. They ordered the operator to take it up and warned both not to come back down. The New York Times said "The bridge players learned of the robbery when the police arrived."

The only manager the Hotel Willard ever had hard, Arthur T. Hardy retired in 1936 after 33 years service. Before long the property was taken over by the Bank for Savings which made renovations. In announcing on September 3, 1941 that the 252 West Seventy-sixth Street Management Corporation had leased the building for 10 years, The New York Times remarked "Recently modernized by the bank, the hostelry contains 126 rooms and two stores." Included in the changes was the building's name. It was now known as the Hotel Churchill.

The following year the bank sold the property to the Seventy-sixth Street Hotel Corporation (most likely a reorganization of the lessor). The new owners quickly remodeled the building into seven apartments per floor above the ground level.

Uncharacteristically, the building never experienced a significant downturn as did so many of the turn of the century apartment buildings, especially following the onset of the Depression. Typical of the tenants in the newly-renovated Hotel Churchill was James Wilson Wenman and his wife, the former Carrie Byrd. Now retired, Wenman had been a member of the Cotton Exchange and sat on its board of governors for 40 years.

There would be two more renovations. In 1952 a penthouse level "with three hotel rooms" was added; and a 1960 makeover resulted in six apartments per floor, and now just one in the penthouse. The restoration of the facade brought the building back to its 1903 appearance when it was touted as "the finest apartment hotel on the West End."

photographs by the author

Source: http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-hotel-willard-aka-churchill-252.html

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caveartfair · 6 years ago

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Billionaire Tom Hill Shares the Stories behind Five Beloved Works in His New Museum

Portrait of Tom Hill by M. Sharkey Studio. Courtesy of M. Sharkey Studio.

On an abnormally warm morning this week, art collector J. Tomilson Hill was standing in the Hill Art Foundation, the brand new, two-story, 6,400-square-foot private museum in a building right beside the High Line in Manhattan’s Chelsea art district. The billionaire hedge fund manager, who goes by Tom, was sporting one of his typically snazzy tailored suits and slicked-back hair, and was beaming, clearly in thrall with the classy new digs for his trove of masterpieces.

“We wanted it to feel like almost a home—we didn’t want it to feel like a gallery, per se,” Hill said standing at the center of the space, which opens to the public Saturday. “You can sit here and have a conversation. It’s not a gallery. It’s the antithesis of a commercial space.”

Installation view of Christopher Wool, Untitiled, 1993, at “Maybe Maybe Not: Christopher Wool and the Hill Collection,” at the Hill Art Foundation. © Christopher Wool. Photo by Matthew Herrmann. Courtesy of the Hill Art Foundation.

Hill has spent his entire career in what could be called the most commercial space: Wall Street. After earning a mention in the classic business book Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco (1989) for his role in the bidding war for RJR Nabisco in the 1980s, he took over Blackstone’s hedge fund division in 2000, and soon made it the number-one shop of its kind, with $53 billion in assets by 2013. At that point, Hill had more than $500 million in Blackstone stock—Forbes currently puts his net worth at $1.5 billion—and his tenacity as a collector of modern and contemporary art is legendary. Over the course of decades, he has built up holdings of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Cy Twombly, and Francis Bacon, as well as Old Master paintings, Renaissance bronzes, and rare religious objects.

But now that he’s handed over the reins to Blackstone’s hedge fund, he plans to spend a lot of time at his foundation’s headquarters in the Getty, a new building on the corner of West 24th Street and 10th Avenue designed by Peter Marino in his trademark, sleek, black-and-white style. The location is unbeatable. Through the foundation’s floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw tourists on the High Line close enough to get a clear view of its inaugural show, “Maybe Maybe Not,” a grouping of works by Christopher Wool—all pulled from the Hill Collection, apart some new photographs lent by the artist—along with a simpatico Robert Gober sculpture and a Giuseppe Piamontini bronze of Prince Ferdinando di Cosimo III on a bucking horse, which looks sensational among the abstract paintings.

Hill and his wife, Janine, have been collecting work by Wool for decades—they staged the artist’s first show in Asia last March—and are still making major purchases. One of the most jaw-dropping works in the show is an untitled, 10-foot-tall, enamel-on-linen treasure purchased just last March at Sotheby’s in London, with dealer Andrew Fabricant emerging as the winning bidder on Hill’s behalf with an offer of £9.1 million, or £10.4 million ($14.5 million) with fees.

Installation view of Christopher Wool, Untitled, 2007, and Untitled, 2015, at “Maybe Maybe Not: Christopher Wool and the Hill Collection,” at the Hill Art Foundation. © Christopher Wool. Photo by Matthew Herrmann. Courtesy of the Hill Art Foundation.

Hill plans to have a new show at the foundation about every six months. And now that he’s stepped away from Blackstone, he’s ready to focus full-time on programming for the Hill Art Foundation, which he runs alongside director Sarah Needham. It will have free admission and be open five days a week, a non-commercial counterpart to the mega-galleries increasingly dominating the Chelsea landscape—nearby blocks will soon be home to new museum-sized complexes for Pace, Hauser & Wirth, and David Zwirner. Hill’s foundation will also have space for educational programming; he is on the board of a Catholic middle school in East Harlem, and plans to have the students come down on field trips.

“It’s fun because we get to do whatever we want,” Hill said. “We’re already thinking about the next show. We have another 80 of our Wools that at some point we have to show, but we’re going to give Christopher a rest for a while.”

Speaking with Hill, it’s immediately clear just how much thought and passion he puts into into each and every purchase. On the occasion of this weekend’s grand opening, Hill picked five works from “Maybe Maybe Not: Christopher Wool and the Hill Collection” and discussed how he acquired them and why they’re important to him.

Christopher Wool, Untitled (SPOKESMAN) (1989)

Untitled, 1989. Christopher Wool Hill Art Foundation

“I’ll never forget the Richard Armstrong line from when we started out early to collect Christopher,” Hill began. “I said, ‘Richard, how did you understand in the late 1980s and early ’90s just how important Christopher Wool is?’ And Richard said, ‘I’ve studied abstraction, and what Jackson Pollock started, Christopher Wool is ending—with an exclamation point.’ [Wool] is very much in the tradition of abstract painting. Even a nine-letter painting like that, it’s how the words array, how they line up. It’s an abstraction, you see the paint dripping down. We have another nine-letter painting, called Untitled (PRANKSTER) (1989), [that] we showed in Hong Kong. But this one—I first saw this in the drawing form, and then a friend of mine bought it, and I saw this painting in her house. And with art, if you’re patient, often things come your way, and so it was about two years ago, Lawrence Luhring calls me up and says, ‘Tom, that painting, if you want it….’ and I said, ‘Okay!’” “That’s a long time to wait,” I observed. “It’s a particularly long time to wait,” Hill continued, “because I bought my first nine-letter painting a long time ago, and the difference in the price was, wow! But sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.”

Christopher Wool, Untitled (2007)

“This was in the Guggenheim Museum’s retrospective [in 2013–14], and it was up the ramp, and after the retrospective, I found that it was owned by [Benedikt] Taschen,” Hill said. “Taschen has a history of buying great works and doing major catalogues, and then sometimes deciding to part with them. So when this came up for auction at Sotheby’s, I got it, and a friend of mine was the underbidder—he lost out, but he ended up buying the next one that came up, also at Sotheby’s. He has about six Christopher Wools. What you find is, there’s almost a community among the museum people, including the curators like Katherine Brinson and Richard Armstrong, including Neil Benezra. I remember I was on the board of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden when the Hirshhorn bought its first Wool, and it was Neil Benezra, who was the deputy director and now runs SFMOMA, who said, ‘We are buying this picture.’ That was 1995, ’96. Benezra pounded the table.…Anyway, this painting, sometimes you get fixated about a work, but if you’re patient, sometimes good things happen.”

Christopher Wool, Untitled (2015)

“This was in the Bushwick show at Luhring Augustine,” Hill recalled. “Christopher wanted to keep this painting. I talked to Roland [Augustine] and Lawrence [Luhring], and they said, ‘He tends to keep one painting from each show, and it’s this one’—but that’s the one painting I wanted! But he did sell it. And I said, ‘Christopher, what inspired you around this painting?’ And he said he gets a lot of inspiration from music, and not just film, but also experimental films. And he said, ‘There’s this scene in [the 1990 film] Goodfellas,’ and I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘Yeah, there’s a scene in Goodfellas where the guy that they thought was dead was in the trunk of the car, and they go to his mother’s house and she’s cooking an Italian meal and in the middle of the meal they hear thumping—because the guy’s not dead, they didn’t finish him off. And during the meal there’s a black cat, and he’s walking back and forth.’ And Christopher said, ‘In this, I’m thinking about convergence, and not necessarily a cat, but about things coming from different angles, and surprises. And in the movie, they go and put a bullet in the guy’s head and then they go on!’ And this is a completely new direction for Christopher, and what you’re gonna see at Corbett vs. Dempsey in Chicago (where a Wool exhibition opens on Friday) carries on with a lot of Rorschach blots. And this was, as you know, prominent in Hong Kong, it was the first thing that you saw. Christopher wanted it there.”

Robert Gober, X Pipe Playpen (2013–14)

Installation view of Robert Gober, X Pipe Playpen, for “Maybe Maybe Not: Christopher Wool and the Hill Collection,” at the Hill Art Foundation. © Robert Gober. Photo by Matthew Herrmann. © Hill Art Foundation.

“I asked Christopher, because we have a lot of Robert Gober’s work, and so I said, ‘How would you feel about having Gober?’ He said, ‘Oh, you know, I’ve collaborated with him extensively,’ and so he said, ‘Yeah!’ But he got to choose which work, and so it’s the first thing you saw on the left—and it was the first thing you saw at the Museum of Modern Art’s Gober retrospective. I saw it at the Museum of Modern Art, and it was owned by Bob, it was in his own personal collection. We collect in the bronze area a lot of crucifixions, we have a lot of Old Master paintings with crucifixions. My wife is a devoted Catholic, I converted. And we have a grandson, so there’s the concept of a playpen. And then the pipes running through it, you have a prison. And at the edges of the pipes you have flesh because it’s curved, like skin. To me, it’s just very moving.”

Christopher Wool, three monotypes over photogravure, all untitled (2014)

“These usually are in East Hampton, right in our bedroom,” Hill explained. “Christopher said, ‘I want those,’ so I said, ‘Okay, you got ‘em!’ But I can’t wait to get them back to East Hampton.”

from Artsy News

#Artsy News

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