#Mosaic Monday

[arthistoryanimalia]

For #MosaicMonday + #NationalMothWeek:

House mosaics with nocturnal moth designs, 1230 Canavesegasse 6-8 Stg 5 & 6, Vienna, Austria. c. 1950.

#animals in art #mosaic #moth #Lepiodoptera in art #modern art #1950s #20th century art #architectural art #street art #European art #Austrian art #Mosaic Monday #National Moth Week #animal holiday

[donnodubus]

For Mosaic Monday, one of my favorite works is this unique depiction of Cupid as Winter, from the Chedworth Villa in Britain:

It shows an impish looking Cupid, bundled up in a Celtic hooded garment called the "birrus". His cloak flies behind Him in place of wings, as He darts off to some unknown mischief.

Note the Late Roman mosaic patterns here that would later develop into Medieval "Celtic knotwork".

Part of what draws me so much to this mosaic is its rare depiction of Celtic clothing, and the way Cupid got integrated into the local culture.

People often conceptualize a hard break between polytheist Antiquity and Christian Medieval times, or between "Roman" and "Celtic" cultures. But this art from Sub-Roman Britain (4th to 5th C.) challenges that dichotomy, showing a fascinating transition between the two, and a fusion of cultures and styles that would foreshadow Medieval Insular art.

I've been wanting to take a stab at pixel art, and I thought the adorable Cupid here looked almost straight out of an old video game like Zelda or something. I also figured, "what is a mosaic, but physical pixel art?" So I did my best to recreate it in pixel form!

I learned pretty quickly there are actually a lot of differences between mosaic and pixel art (lol), and I'm sure this could be improved on in a lot of ways, but it was a fun project anyways:

Photo credit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/chedworth-roman-villa/the-mosaic-floor-at-chedworth-roman-villa

#Mosaic Monday #Cupid #Winter #Celtic #Roman #knotwort #polytheism #antiquity #medieval #mosaic #pixel art #pixel

[butserancientfarm]

we're polishing our newest mosaic!

oiling a mosaic brings out the colour in the tesserae (aka mosaic tiles) and helps protect the materials. we don't know what the romans would have used, so we're using modern concrete oil. it's working a treat!

this mosaic was just laid this summer, and it was made using authentic roman techniques -- and even some real roman tesserae. we're really happy with how it turned out!

#roman #roman empire #history #mosaic #archaeology #experimental archaeology #mosaic monday #classics

[allthedesiredusernamesaretaken]

... mosaic ...

A spectacular googly-eyed octopus battles with a lobster on this 2.000 year-old Roman mosaic from Pompeii.

- Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples

📷 Alison Fisk

0 notesPost

#mosaic #monday mosaic #octopus #lobster #roman mosaic #pompeii

[slav-every-day]

#I got a 3 day extension on a paper due Friday #that I almost certainly could’ve completed literally tonight #but now it’s due Monday #so I spent my time teaching myself how to mosaic crochet #slav #slav every day #voltron #‘playin the system’ #she says using the system in the exact way it was designed to be used

[crochetcouch]

The time is near! We do a big Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale each year! TheCrochetCouch.com

#crochet #corner to corner #graphgan #the crochet couch #c2c #c2c crochet #c2cgraph #c2c graph #c2ccrochet #crochet pattern #mosaic #overlay mosaic #mosaic crochet #bobble stitch #baby afghan #cow print #black friday #cyber monday

[tfc2211]

Mood Mosaic Featuring The Ladybirds – Mood Mosaic (1967)

#Mood Mosaic Featuring The Ladybirds #Monday Monday

[hellioncat]

Mosaic Monday! Mushrooms

#Mosaic #Monday! #Mushrooms

[fakeplasticmusic]

Mosaic - Of Mice & Men

#mosaic #of mice and men #echo #metalcore #2021 #moody monday #alan ashby #Spotify

[the-great-british-blorbo-off]

The Great British Blorbo Off Begins Shortly....

Thanks everyone for waiting so patiently while I take my time sorting this all out! I'm pleased to announce that I've decided on everyone that will be in the tournament, and we will be starting next Monday (16th)! So, here's how it's going to work:

There are 128 characters overall, and I have split them into 4 brackets with two rounds each.

I will be posting 8 polls (1 round) a week, and will reblog them in the middle of the week and at the end of the week.

Once we get down to one character left from each bracket, they will go against each other in semifinals until only two are left.

Winner becomes the new queen of England <3

If anyone that submitted a character has a specific image of them they'd like me to use, feel free to send it over. If you've submitted a character from a book then I will just be using the front cover of the book they're from as their image, so let me know if there's a TV/film version or certain cover you'd like!

Brackets are below the cut! As always, feel free to send an ask if you're confused about anything :)

(Also let me know if there's any repeated characters or errors, had a few formatting issues before uploading so I apolgise if anything is messed up)

BRACKET 1:

Round 1:

Miss Jane Marple (Miss Marple) vs Lucy Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Austin Powers (Austin Powers) vs Jade (Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age)

Dudley (Street Fighter) vs Daisy Steiner (Spaced)

Danger Mouse (Danger Mouse) vs Lady Penelope (Thunderbirds)

Malcolm Reed (Star Trek: Enterprise) vs James Bond (James Bond)

Archie MacDonald (Monarch of the Glen) Vs Lemon (Bullet Train)

Edward Hyde (The Glass Scientists) Vs Maurice Moss (The IT Crowd)

David Ward (I Am In Eskew) Vs Arthur Dent (A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)

Round 2:

Gordon the Big Engine (Thomas and Friends) Vs Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin (Kingsman)

Walter Heath (The White Vault) Vs Rupert Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Skull (Lockwood and Co) Vs Jeremy Usborne (Peep Show)

Matthew Vandham (Xenoblade Chronicles 3) Vs Raihan (Pokemon Sword and Shield)

Diana Cavendish (Little Witch Academia) Vs Katherine 'Kitty' Higham (Ghosts)

Leo Fitz (Agents of Shield) Vs John Constantine (DC Comics)

Gnomeo (Gnomeo and Juliet) Vs Bertie Wooster (Jeeves and Wooster)

Jamie Fraser (Outlander) Vs Lexie McTavish (Monarch of the Glen)

BRACKET 2:

Round 1:

Jonathan Sims (The Magus Archives) Vs Laszlo Cravensworth (What We Do in the Shadows)

Nia (Xenoblade Chronicles 2) Vs Daisy (Downton Abbey)

Gwen Cooper (Torchwood) Vs Arthur Lester (Malevolent)

Robert (Genki Elementary Japanese) Vs Aled Last (Osemanverse)

Rose Tyler (Doctor Who) Vs Avril Bradley (Gosick)

Newt (The Maze Runner) Vs Jacob Frye (Assassin’s Creed Syndicate)

Captain Hastings (Hercule Poirot) Vs Lynda Day (Press Gang)

Amelia Hughes (Infinity Train) Vs Heathcliff (Limbus Company)

Round 2:

Alice Cartelet (Kin-iro Mosaic) Vs Billy Kane (Fatal Fury)

Ropafadzo "Ropa” Moyo (Edinburgh Nights) Vs Steve Fox (Tekken)

Alex Rider (Alex Rider) Vs Pietre Carvel/Arby (Utopia)

Professor Layton (Professor Layton Series) Vs Robert EO Speedwagon (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Bede (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Vs Ferb Fletcher (Phineas and Ferb)

Jessica Albert (Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King) Vs Dirk Gently (Dirk Gently’s Hollistic Detective Agency)

Jo Grant (Doctor Who) Vs Evelyn Carnahan (The Mummy)

The Last Constable (Fallen London) Vs Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)

BRACKET 3:

Round 1:

Tangerine (Bullet Train) Vs Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)

Red Guy (Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared) Vs Paddington (Paddington)

Cuno (Disco Elysium) Vs Luke Triton (Professor Layton Series)

Hobie Brown (Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse) Vs Robin Hood (English Folk Legend)

Mary Sera (Detective Conan) Vs Emma (Emma: A Victorian Romance)

Jay Cartwright (The Inbetweeners) Vs Shellington (Octonauts)

Noone (The Sound of Nightmares) Vs Matthew Crowley (Downton Abbey)

Balthazar Cavendish (Milo Murphy’s Law) Vs Cammy White (Street Fighter)

Round 2:

Horrid Henry (Horrid Henry) Vs Ivor the Engine (Ivor the Engine)

Tim Bisley (Spaced) Vs Ignis Scientia (Final Fantasy XV)

Axl Low (Guilty Gear) Vs Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Marnie (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Vs Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalkers)

Mason Greyback (Wizards of Waverly Place) Vs Clarice Bean (Clarice Bean)

Agatha Christie (Bungou Stray Dogs) Vs Gromit (Wallace and Gromit)

Lila Pitts (The Umbrella Academy) Vs Mina Harker (Dracula)

Kieren Walker (In the Flesh) Vs Thomas the Tank Engine (Thomas and Friends)

BRACKET 4:

Round 1:

Peppa Pig (Peppa Pig) Vs Martin K Blackwood (The Magnus Archives)

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) Vs Tahani Al-Jamil (The Good Place)

Alec Hardy (Broadchurch) Vs Thomas Nightingale (Rivers of London)

Hammer/Hannah (Fable 2) Vs Anthony Lockwood (Lockwood & Co)

Iris Wilson (The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles) Vs Miss Eliza Scarlet (Miss Scarlet and the Duke)

Karen Kujou (Kin-iro Mosaic) Vs Marrick Tremayne (The Bedlam Stacks)

The Ninth Doctor (Doctor Who) Vs Jonathan Harker (Dracula)

Alfred Pennyworth (Batman) Vs Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

Round 2:

Hugh Anthony Disward (The Mystic Archives of Dantalian) Vs Nathan Young (Misfits)

William "Duke" Wellington (Miss Scarlet and the Duke) Vs George (The Famous Five)

Jonathan Joestar (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) Vs Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Julian Bashir (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) Vs Tori Spring (Osemanverse)

Winston Smith (1984) Vs Strangelove (Metal Gear Solid)

Wheatley (Portal 2) Vs Herlock Sholmes (The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles)

Lucy Carlyle (Lockwood & Co) Vs Wallace (Wallace and Gromit)

Mr Blobby (Noel’s House Party) Vs Tracy Beaker (The Story of Tracy Beaker)

#polls #tournament poll #tournament bracket #uk #tournament #i'm not tagging every fandom but feel free to reblog and recruit your fellow fandomers

[natsumeweek]

Natsume Week Prompts Decided!

Hi everyone! We are super excited to announce the prompts for Natsume Week 2023, running from Monday the 3rd of July to Sunday the 9th in UTC+9 (Tokyo Time):

Monday 3rd July: Sun / Moon Tuesday 4th July: Keepsakes / New Meetings Wednesday 5th July: Kindness / Cruelty Thursday 6th July: Calling / Answering Friday 7th July: Healing / Forgiveness Saturday 8th July: Home / Travel (to your country*) Sunday 9th July: Handmade / Non-traditional Media**

*Only if you’re comfortable showing the characters travelling to your home country — otherwise, it’s up to your imagination.

**Crafting, knitting, scrapbooking, music, games, collage, mosaic, calligraphy — if you’re used to digital drawing, painting or writing, how about trying something new?

As always, interpret the prompts however you'd like and follow them as closely or loosely as you want! If you need a refresher on the rules they can be found here, or you can always send us an ask or message in the Natsume Week discord server.

We're looking forward to seeing your wonderful creations!

#natsumeweek #natsume yuujinchou #natsume's book of friends #natsume week #natsuyuu #natsuchou #nbof #prompts

[arthistoryanimalia]

It’s #MosaicMonday so time for yet another #animal piece from the 420 original 1906 Moravian tile #mosaics by Henry Chapman Mercer on the #Pennsylvania Capitol floor: 103. “LOCUST” which is actually a cicada - hope to hear the annual broods here soon! 😃

#animals in art #insects in art #insect #cicada #mosaic #Mosaic Monday #tilework #Pennsylvania art #20th century art #1900s #Henry Chapman Mercer #insects #arthropods #American art #Arts and Crafts Movement #Two for Tuesday #tile #Moravian Pottery and Tileworks #Pennsylvania Capitol #ceramics

[blueiskewl]

Remains of Ancient Roman Triumphal Arch Unearthed in Serbia

Braving bitter cold and wind, archaeologists in Serbia surveyed the site of an ancient Roman triumphal arch, one of only a handful in the Balkans, that dates back to the third century.

The triumphal arch was discovered in December at the site of Viminacium, a Roman city near the town of Kostolac, 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of Belgrade.

Miomir Korac, the leading archaeologist, said the discovery was made during excavation of the main street of Viminacium, the capital of the Roman province of Moesia.

“This is the first such triumphal arch in this area… It can be dated to the first decades of the third century AD,” Korac told Reuters on Monday.

Viminacium was a sprawling Roman city of 45,000 people with a hippodrome, fortifications, a forum, palace, temples, an amphitheatre, aqueducts, baths and workshops. It existed between the first and sixth centuries.

“When we found square foundational footprints made of massive limestone pieces… there was no doubt that this was a triumphal arch,” Korac said.

A fragment of a marble slab with letters reading “CAES/ANTO” suggested that the arch was dedicated to Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, known as Caracalla, who reigned from 198 to 217 AD.

It is believed that Caracalla was elevated to emperor in Viminacium, said Mladen Jovicic, an archaeologist.

“We are hoping to find more pieces… We have found one finely made pillar, beams, but we would like to find more from the inscription on the arch,” Jovicic said.

Excavations of Viminacium have been going on since 1882, but archaeologists estimate they have only scoured 5% of the site, which they say is 450 hectares — bigger than New York’s Central Park — and unusual in not being buried under a modern city.

Discoveries so far include two Roman ships, golden tiles, coins, jade sculptures, religious items, mosaics, frescos, weapons and remains of three mammoths.

#Remains of Ancient Roman Triumphal Arch Unearthed in Serbia #Viminacium #Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus #Caracalla #ancient city #ancient artifacts #archeology #archeolgst #history #history news #ancient history #ancient culture #ancient civilizations #roman history #roman empire #roman emperor

[allthedesiredusernamesaretaken]

... mosaic ...

Roman marble and limestone mosaic (2nd century BC, Ptolemaic Period), depicting a sitting dog. It was found in 1993, during the construction of the new Library of Alexandria, from Bibliotheca Alexandrina Site, El Shatby, Alexandria, Lower Egypt.

#mosaic #dog #sitting dog #library of alexandria #egypt #monday mosaic #roman #marble #limestone #el shatby

[coco-bean-1218]

Well-Behaved Women Never Make History

Prologue: Part Three: "Brains, Bravery, and now... Wings."

Chapter Soundtrack

Summary: Claire breaks some important news to her family.

A/N: Hi, everyone! Welcome to Prologue: Part Three: of Well-Behaved Women Never Make History! This is the final prologue part before the actual story takes place! I'm very excited about this one, and I hope you are too! As always, feel free to like, comment, and reblog.

Warnings: Swearing, Claire getting confrontational

Taglist: @whollyjoly @footprintsinthesxnd @panzershrike-pretz @xxluckystrike

Monday, January 5, 1942

Downtown district of Detroit, MI, USA

---

The January chill nipped at Claire’s cheeks as she hesitated on the snow-dusted sidewalk outside the recruitment building in Downtown Detroit. A mosaic of colorful signs emblazoned with military insignias adorned the facade, each vying for the attention of potential recruits. She adjusted her glasses and tucked a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear while absorbing the gravity of her surroundings.

"Army," "Navy," "Marines" – the words seemed to leap out from the posters, resonant with the call of duty and patriotism. Men, young and vibrant, streamed past her, their conversations a cacophony of hope and bravado. She drew in a deep breath, trying to still the fluttering in her chest.

With one last glance at the sky, now an expanse of solemn gray, she pushed open the door and stepped into the maw of the recruitment station.

Inside, the air buzzed with the energy of hundreds of young men, their voices merging into a symphony of determination. They clustered around tables where uniformed officers sat, clipboards at the ready. The clatter of typewriters punctuated the murmur of conversation, each keystroke a testament to the momentous decisions being made.

"Hey, watch it!" a recruit barked as Claire narrowly avoided bumping into him amidst the throng.

"Hey, I'm walking here!" she snapped back, her eyes darting around the vast room, "Fucking dumbass." Her heart hammered against her ribs; this was more overwhelming than any college exam hall.

Claire moved slowly through the space, her senses alert to every detail. She watched fingers grip pens with purpose, heard the scratch of signatures committing lives to service. Each step brought her deeper into the belly of the beast, the air thick with the scent of ink and anticipation.

She took another step, drawing closer to the heart of the station, to the precipice of her own journey. And somewhere amidst the clamor and the fervor, Claire began to find her footing, charting a course through the crowd toward the destiny of her choosing.

Claire's eyes swept over the sea of uniforms, her gaze landing on a poster that stood out from the rest, its bold letters calling to those brave enough to leap from the skies. "Join the Airborne," it beckoned, the image of a soldier descending from the heavens both terrifying and exhilarating.

"An additional fifty dollars in pay," she murmured to herself, fingertips grazing the edge of the poster. Her mind leapt to textbooks and lab fees; this could be the answer she'd been searching for—a way to fund her dream of medical school. The sum was significant, a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil of war.

With a determined step, Claire navigated through the throngs of eager recruits, each stride carrying her closer to the possibility of a future shaped by her own hands. As she sought the Army's station, a table draped in blue caught her eye, the acronym 'WACs' emblazoned across the banner.

"Women's Army Corps..." she read aloud, thumbing through a pamphlet that lay amongst a neat pile. The words within spoke of service and support, of roles unimagined by women just a generation prior. For a moment, her heart wavered, the path of a WAC presenting its own allure. 

"Could I really do this?" The thought hung heavy as she slipped the pamphlet into her pocket, a tangible reminder of choices yet to be made.

Her pursuit resumed, weaving between desks and dodging elbows until she found herself standing before a sign marked 'Army Enlistment.' She exhaled sharply, the weight of decision anchoring her to the spot, the pamphlet's presence in her coat a secret whisper of potential futures.

Each step was a silent conversation with herself, every heartbeat a question of courage, and with the pamphlet tucked close, Claire advanced toward her chosen battleground.

Claire's steps echoed against the marble floor, a cadence of resolve amidst the clamor. She halted at a long table adorned with crisp, official-looking documents and flags representing various military branches. Her gaze scanned the area, seeking the sign-up for the Airborne, when she was suddenly anchored by a familiar face.

"Peyton?" Claire's voice lifted in surprise, her eyes widened as they settled on her best friend standing behind the table.

"Claire!" Peyton squealed. The warmth in her brown eyes mirrored the joy dancing across her features. "What are you doing here?"

Claire leaned forward, palms pressing against the cool surface of the table. "I could ask you the same," she teased, but her laughter held an undercurrent of nerves. 

"Got myself a job," Peyton replied with a proud lift of her chin, "Helping Uncle Sam find his soldiers. And you? Don't tell me you came to wave the boys goodbye." The quirk of Peyton's eyebrow signaled she expected a more profound truth.

"I'm here to... I want to sign up for the Airborne," Claire said, her voice lower than she intended. She brushed a stray lock of brown hair behind her ear.

"Airborne?" Peyton's eyebrows shot up, a playful smirk teasing her lips. "My, aren't we the brave one?"

"Someone has to be," Claire retorted, though her heart thumped erratically at the reality of her words. Inside her coat, the WAC pamphlet felt like a secret confession of her hesitance.

Peyton reached beneath the table, sifting through papers with a purposeful intensity. "Well, if it's the sky you're aiming for, let me help you take flight." With a furtive glance around, she leaned closer, conspiratorially, "I'll snag you a form."

"Be careful," Claire warned softly as Peyton reached across the table, her fingers dancing swiftly over the stacked papers before procuring one of the coveted Airborne sign-up sheets.

"Come on," Peyton whispered, tucking the sheet under her arm. Together, they navigated through the swell of bodies, finding sanctuary in a quiet corner draped in shadows.

"Feels like plotting a secret mission," Claire joked, but her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the pen from Peyton. The weight of her decision pressed down upon her, each tick of the wall clock punctuating the urgency of the moment.

"Imagine, us girls changing the world," Peyton said, her voice a soft blend of wonder and conviction, "Seems like only yesterday we were both little girls wishing our fairy tale dreams."

"Changing our own worlds, at least," Claire replied, her smile tinged with the gravity of their unspoken dreams. She looked down at the form, each line a step closer to a future where fear mingled with hope, and the prospect of 50 extra dollars meant more than just money; it represented freedom, education, and a chance to make a difference.

"Are you ready for this?" Peyton asked, concern lacing her question.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Claire responded, her hand tightening around the pen. But in the sanctuary of her mind, she whispered a prayer for courage, for strength, and for the wisdom to choose the right path.

"Here, let's start with the easy stuff," Peyton said, pointing to the top of the form. "Name, date of birth, address..."

"Right." Claire filled in the blanks, her handwriting a neat script that belied the churn of her stomach. "I never pictured my twenties would look like this."

"Nobody did," Peyton agreed, leaning in to read over Claire's shoulder. "But we play the hand we're dealt. You've got a good one, Claire. Brains, bravery, and now... wings."

"Potentially," Claire mused, her gaze flitting to Peyton's own untouched sign-up sheet for the WACs. "It looks like we're both seeking some altitude."

"Seems so." Peyton's smile was a brief flash, her attention returning to Claire's form. "Next, they'll need your medical history. Any illnesses, surgeries..."

"Just wisdom teeth," Claire chuckled, checking the corresponding box. Her thoughts drifted again to the extra fifty dollars the poster promised, an amount that could put a dent in her medical school expenses—if the war didn't claim too much first.

"Emergency contact?" Peyton's voice cut through her reverie.

"Mom and Dad," Claire responded automatically, scribbling down her parents' details. Her heart clenched at the thought of their reaction; she hadn't even broached the subject with them yet.

"Alright, almost done," Peyton encouraged. "Just need your signature and—"

"Hope," Claire finished quietly, the pen hovering above the paper. She drew in a deep breath and signed her name with a flourish that felt more defiant than anything she'd ever done.

"Done." Claire set the pen down, her pulse racing as the realization of her commitment took hold.

"Then that's it," Peyton affirmed. "You're on your way, Claire."

"Thanks to you," Claire said, her gratitude genuine. She folded the form, the creases crisp under her fingers. "Now, let's get this turned in before I lose my nerve."

"Lead the way, soldier," Peyton said with a grin, and together, they stepped back into the fray, their bond a thread of certainty in an uncertain world.

Claire clutched the folded form in her hand as she glanced sideways at Peyton, who was busy scanning the room with an intensity that matched the gravity of their surroundings.

"Are you going to join the fight too?" Claire asked, her voice barely above a whisper, betraying a vulnerability she kept well-guarded.

Peyton turned toward her, her eyes holding a glint of resolve that seemed older than her eighteen years. "I’m considering the WACs," she admitted. "As a war journalist. Someone has to tell our stories, right?"

"Right." Claire nodded, pride swelling within her chest at the thought of her friend capturing the essence of these tumultuous times. "You'll be great at it."

"Thanks," Peyton said, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Now, let's get you officially signed up."

They approached the bustling table discreetly; Peyton’s movements were deft and quiet as she slid Claire's form amidst a stack of others. The act was so smooth it was as if the paper had sprouted wings and settled itself among its brethren. No one noticed, no heads turned—they were just two young women in a sea of anxious faces, all united by a common cause.

"Call me later?" Claire's heart thumped loudly, her mouth dry.

"Of course." Peyton's smile was a lifeline. "And Claire? Be safe."

"Always am," Claire replied with a wink she didn't quite feel. Then, with a quick, tight hug that carried the weight of unspoken fears and shared dreams, they parted.

Claire stepped outside into the brisk January air, pulling her coat tighter against the winter chill. She could still feel the echo of Peyton’s embrace as she hailed a cab. When the old yellow car pulled to the curb, she saw the driver through the rolled-down window, his cap slightly askew.

"Where to, miss?" he asked gruffly, the lines on his face deepened from years of squinting into the distance.

Claire told her address, her voice steady even as her hands trembled.

As the taxi lurched forward, Claire leaned back against the worn upholstery. The city passed by in a blur of gray and white, but all she could see was the future unfurling before her, uncertain yet fraught with possibility. She gripped the strap of her handbag, the texture suddenly grounding her racing thoughts. What would home look like when she returned? Would the familiar streets whisper tales of her courage or sing laments for her absence?

"Almost there," the driver announced, snapping Claire back to the present.

"Thank you," she murmured, her mind already drifting to the announcement she would soon make. The door to her life as she knew it was closing, and with every turn of the wheels, she felt a step closer to the woman she was destined to become.

The rhythmic clacking of the typewriter keys filled the kitchen, a syncopated counterpoint to the soft scratching of pen on paper. Claire stood in the doorway, her silhouette hesitating against the afternoon light that filtered through the lace curtains. She watched as her mother's fingers danced over the black and white keys, her concentration never wavering even as she reached for her coffee cup with her free hand. Her father, meanwhile, was hunched over a notebook, his furrowed brow casting shadows over the figures he diligently noted down.

"Mom, Dad," Claire's voice trembled slightly, betraying the nerves she fought so hard to conceal.

Her mother stopped typing mid-word, the carriage hanging in limbo. She looked up, "Claire, honey, you're back early. Is everything alright?" 

"Hey, kiddo." Her dad glanced up, a flicker of concern crossing his weathered face before he set his pen aside. "You look like you've got something on your mind."

In the brief pause that followed, Claire could hear her own heartbeat, a frantic drumline marching toward an inevitable revelation. She took a deep breath, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the faint trace of a candle, grounding her resolve.

"I ran into Peyton downtown," she began, the words spilling out more easily than she anticipated. The mention of her best friend always had a way of easing tension in the room. She moved closer, coming to rest against the edge of the kitchen table, her hands gripping the polished wood.

"Is that right?" her mom asked, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "And what's Miss Peyton up to these days?"

"She's working at the recruitment station," Claire said, watching as her parents exchanged a quick, unreadable glance. "Actually, I..." she paused, gathering the shards of courage that felt scattered within her chest.

"Actually, what, Claire?" her dad prompted, leaning back in his chair, his eyes kind and attentive.

Claire's glasses slipped slightly down her nose as she met their gazes, the world around her momentarily out of focus. She pushed them up with a resolute finger.

"I have an announcement to make," she stated, the words solidifying into reality the moment they passed her lips. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a caged bird yearning for the freedom of the skies, "I've decided to enlist. I joined the Airborne to be a combat medic."

Her father raised his eyebrows, "The Airborne?"

"You do know what that means, right?" her mother questioned in disbelief.

"Yes, I do," Claire said sternly, "And I also know that there's an additional 50 dollars in pay. That could go towards college and med school."

"Honey," her mother sighed, "Med school is expensive. That could cover a textbook, maybe two."

"Yes, I know," Claire kept her ground, "And you guys always say I need to be more mature and independent. Well, here's my chance, all while gaining medical experience. Imagine how that will look on med school applications."

Her mother crossed her arms, "Now, Claire, when we said more independent and more mature, we didn't mean jump out of a plane into a war zone."

"But, you guys have also told me to take risks, to stand up for myself and what I believe in, to not let people walk all over me. What is it that you always say, Mom? A well-behaved woman never makes history. That's what I'd be doing - making history!" 

Her father chuckled, "Man, when this one tries to make her case, she really makes it."

"And besides, I only applied. It doesn't mean they'll take me," Claire shrugged.

"How does it feel fighting with yourself," her father said to her mother, laughing.

Mrs. O'Connor glared at her husband, "Oh, hush."

Claire laughed at the teasing between her parents. They had said many times she was her mother's daughter.

"Can you imagine? She'll probably argue with her CO," her father said, shaking his head.

"Of course," Claire stated boldly, "You know me."

"Or argue with the enemy itself and they'd back down," her mother retorted.

Claire laughed, "That's the plan."

Her mother then leaned forward, her voice now gentle yet steady. "Claire, we've always encouraged you to follow your dreams, to forge your own path. And if this is what you truly want, then we support you wholeheartedly."

"You know we'll always have your back," her father chimed in.

The creak of the stairs announced Emma's arrival before she appeared, her eyes questioning as she took in the sight of their huddled assembly. She leaned against the doorway, her silhouette softened by the hall light spilling into the living room.

"Everything okay?" Emma asked, her gaze flicking between her parents' drawn faces and Claire's determined stance. 

"Yeah, I joined the Airborne to be a combat medic," Claire said nonchalantly.

Her sister stopped in her tracks, "Huh. Well, that's something you don't hear every day. Good for you." Emma smiled and patted Claire's shoulder. "If anyone can do it, it's you." She then shifted her gaze to their parents, who exchanged a glance and nodded in approval.

"Besides," Claire added with a mischievous grin, "Who knows? I might catch the eye of a handsome paratrooper who's just dying to break through these walls." She shot a knowing look at her mother, who laughed. 

Unbeknownst to Claire, a couple of thousand miles away, that young, handsome paratrooper was also breaking the news to his parents and siblings about his brave decision to join the Airborne.

#band of brothers #band of brothers oc #my first oc story #my ocs #well behaved women never make history #wbwnmh #easy company #hbo war #band of brothers fanfic #band of brothers x ofc #chuck grant x ofc #chuck grant #eugene roe #eugene roe x ofc #original female character #ofc

[magicianschallenges]

Magicians Settings Week: March 27 - April 2 2023

Let’s explore the wild & wonderful settings this fandom has given us! Each day will provide a choice of two settings to use as inspiration for fanworks.

DAY 1: Brakebills or a hedge safehouse (Monday, March 27th)

DAY 2: the Underworld or the Whitespire throne room (Tuesday, March 28th)

DAY 3: the Muntjac or Baba Yaga’s penthouse (Wednesday, March 29th)

DAY 4: the Neitherlands or the Library (Thursday, March 30th)

DAY 5: Antarctica or Ibiza (Friday, March 31st)

DAY 6: the cottage at the mosaic or Indiana (Saturday, April 1st)

DAY 7: free choice (Sunday, April 2nd)

How do I participate? There is no sign-up for this event; simply post your work to AO3 and add it to the  ✨Where The Magic Happens collection✨ or post on Tumblr and tag us in it. 

Do I have to write fic to participate? Not at all! All types of fanwork are highly encouraged. Draw a picture, make a playlist, record a podfic, manip some fun images, write some meta – all wonderful. There are no requirements for length/size, ship or lack of ship, genre, or rating, either. Just have fun with it! Although we offer two prompts per day, you can do as many prompts as you would like. If you want to do one prompt per day, cool! If you want to do one prompt the entire week, also cool! If you want to do all the prompts, super cool! It’s completely up to you.

This event is meant to be chill. Let’s explore all the weird and wild places in this universe! The prompts are there to get the plot bunnies hopping, not make you feel like you have to write something detailed about architecture or pay a ton of attention to geography. (Let’s be real - the writers never did!) A fic that simply takes place in the setting is fine! You can focus solely on the alternative prompts, too.

Looking for more inspiration about a particular setting? Check out our resources post!

We can’t wait to see what you make!

#the magicians #the magicians fanfiction #the magicians fanart #fanfiction event #magicianschallenges #magicianssettingsweek