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dd122004dd · 2 years

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The Moon and the Star

Y/N Cavendish is a member of nobility while her soulmate Ryan Clarke is a commoner. Will they ever be able to be together or will their different stations keep them apart?

P.S. I personally think that this has been one of my best works yet.

Warnings: Hints of suicide, angst with a happy ending.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The ancient grandfather clock in the main hall ticked as the hours dragged on. The clock struck midnight, echoing through the empty halls of the mansion.

The Cavendish household’s windows shimmered in the moon light, making the hallways almost glow in the dark as the light bounced of the marble tiles.

The Cavendish family was a powerful family in the empire, the Duke of Arbittror was the head of the fine family. The duke, Armedius and his wife Andromeda were not soulmates, they were arranged together by their parents in order to strengthen an alliance between the two houses. Armedius had found his soulmate long before his parents had arranged his marriage to Andromeda, but due to her low social standing, his parents had come up with the arrangement.

Oh, how it broke his soulmate’s heart to see her beloved wedded to another. She couldn’t bear to see the one fated to be with her in the arms of another. Some people said she took the easy way out but most pitied the unfortunate pair, destined to be together yet pulled apart by human hands.

Armedius was shattered. The death of his soulmate left him completely numb. The years without his soulmate made him cold and jaded, thinking of nothing but duty and the progression of the family’s fortune.

Andromeda, on the other hand could be considered infinitely lucky. She had never met her soulmate. Some would consider her lucky, others cursed but she was simply content. She saw how soulmates were broken apart so viciously by an aristocracy which craved wealth, power and connections. In the world of the aristocracy she could be considered the luckiest of them all.

Her husband and her had four children through out their marriage. Two sons and twin daughters. Her sons Afton and Arken were formidable young men with good heads on their shoulders. They had both been married for quite some time, now. Both finding happiness in their soulmates. It was a rare occurrence that an aristocrat married their soulmate yet Afton and Arken had found their matches within their own social circle. Afton’s wife was previously a viscountess, while Arken’s wife had been a noble lady from a low-standing family but their pairing was not as scandalous as a noble marrying a commoner.

Her twin daughters and the apples of her eye, Y/N and Hope. Y/N was older than Hope by almost fifteen minutes and never failed to remind the latter of the same. And although they were twins, their appearance and demeanor made people almost think that they were siblings instead of twins.

Y/N being the oldest one was more modest and law-abiding while Hope was seemingly carefree, always described as a breath of fresh air by every one who met the young lady. She was the beloved daughter of the duke of Arbittror, the only one who could make him smile, while her older sister was considered as the reserved one, the one who was so stern that she made three governesses flee.

Y/N was perhaps as proper as they came, yet it seemed that fate intended to spice up her monotonous life.

She was lying in her chambers, the inhabitants of the large mansion were dead to the world and the staff had blown out the last candle long ago.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The rhythmic tapping sounds on her window awoke her from her slumber. She woke up, annoyance thrumming through her veins. She yanked her balcony doors open, storming towards the edge before glaring at the person who dared to ruin her rest.

Her annoyance quickly evaporated once she saw who the culprit was.

“My love, I have missed you.” She said, breathlessly as the longing in her chest grew. He was so close, yet just beyond her reach.

“I have missed you as well, beloved. I wish to hold you in my arms once more. My arms have been empty without you and my soul has been longing for your presence.” He said, with a tinge of pain in his voice.

“Give me but a moment, my love. I shall come down.” She said as she slowly climbed down from her balcony. Her feet moving to the familiar bricks that jutted out of the mansion’s structure, providing her with a make-shift ladder that aided her in her escape.

She reached the youth with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. It had been months since she last saw him.

The moment she touched the youth it was as if both their burdens were lifted. Their souls felt lighter and the dull pain in their chests was nothing more than a distant dream. They sighed in contentment, their arms wrapped around each other, their foreheads pressed against one another’s.

“I’m home, my love.” His voice fluttered through her ears.

“I have waited so long for you. I had begun to think the worst.” She replied.

“Don’t you dare leave me again.”

“Never.”

In the Past:

Ryan had always thought that he’d amount to nothing. With no mother and a father who wanted nothing to do with him, he raised himself, clawing his way through life, doing everything he could to survive. That was until he met her.

He could remember the moment their eyes met as if it was simply a few minutes ago. He was working as a merchant’s apprentice, he was in charge of deliveries but recently they had been short-staffed so he himself had to deliver their precious goods to their customers.

He was at the last house of the day, the Cavendish estate, when he saw her.

She was dressed in navy blue, her hair pulled back into a simple braid that fell to her waist. She was engrossed in a book while climbing down the stairs. After a few moments, she paused on the stairs, reading a few lines before sharply closing the book in frustration.

Perhaps her favorite character died, perhaps the book stated a contradictory opinion, of that he did not know. All he knew was that in that singular moment, the woman on the stairs was a fire-y goddess and the moment their eyes met, it felt like he was being consumed by her dark gaze, his entire body was tingling with excitement and his soul felt at ease. He could almost swear he felt fireworks exploding around him.

It felt like an eternity before both were broken out of their gaze by the butler rushing into the room and taking the package from the young man. He was then promptly sent away after being paid, not even getting a chance to introduce himself to his soul bonded.

His nights were spent tossing and turning, his dreams haunted by the mysterious beauty on the mansion’s steps. Her eyes, her hair, her hands. Hours spent fantasizing on what she’d be like, how she’d sound, how she’d feel against his yearning chest. His heart cried for her and his soul ached in her absence.

Even during his waking hours she refused to leave him, in every person he came across all he saw was her. In the rare moments that he was not haunted by her, he spent time cursing fate and any deity who would listen for pairing him, a low born commoner with a lady from a noble background, he knew that their love could never be, that they were cursed yet he craved another meeting, another chance to be with her, even if it was to watch her from a distance.

That opportunity came sooner rather than later, in a most unexpected form. His brother, Landon had somehow secured a job as a waiter in the Cavendish estate’s annual ball that kicked off the beginning of the social season. His brother knew of his plights and his longing to see the mate he never got to know, so he agreed to let his brother in through one of the countless back entrances so that he may get a chance to interact with his soul bonded.

This year’s theme was a masquerade ball, themed ‘the moon and stars’. It was a play on the classic ‘sun and moon’ comparison that usually depicted soul-bonds which were opposite to each other. This ball was often hosted in the hopes that the aristocracy could find their soulmates among the plethora of guests. For this reason it was one of the most well attended events of the social season.

The ball room was decorated in blue, silver and white with chandeliers reflecting the warm glow of the white candles adorning the room. The refreshments, too followed a similar color scheme, all plated on silver trays.

Every one was required to wear a mask, including the staff. Now, individuals could either bring their own masks or the masks could be provided for them by the host, but almost everyone opted for a disguise that complimented their outfits.

He was eager for the opportunity to see his soulmate but did not want to dishonor her by wearing clothes that betrayed his status, so he borrowed clothes from his employer, promising to give them back without damage, and found a mask with a dark blue background and faux diamonds on it to imitate stars.

The older twin sighed in frustration. It was their second season out in society and she did not enjoy the prospect of dressing up in tight, itchy dresses with her hair tightly pinned to her head in complex hair styles. She dreaded having to listen to countless noble men drawling on about topics that did not interest her in the slightest. Once, a man spoke right at her for half an hour without asking for her opinion or even picking up on her attempts to escape the man’s company!

She sighed, retreating back into her mind while staring at the mirror. In that moment she was not there, trapped in her gilded cage, bound by responsibilities and duty. In her mind, she was free to be whoever she wanted to be, to love whomever she wanted to love. She often thought about him, her soulmate.

The man who captured her soul with a single look. His beautiful brown eyes reminded her of rich chocolate, the swirling warmth in her chest it evoked whenever she ate it. His curly hair was hidden by his hat that day, but she could see soft tufts springing forth from around his hat, she often imagined what it’d feel like to caress those soft curls but those dreams of hers were shattered, he was a commoner and she was the daughter of a duke.

Fate was sometimes quite cruel. People craved to meet their soulmates, yet fate dangled her soulmate in front of her like a shining treasure before snatching him away.

She looked back at the mirror with a blank mournful stare before sliding on her silk gloves and putting on a fake smile as she joined her family at the top of the stairs.

The ballroom down below was filled with women wearing beautiful blue, white, silver and even gold gowns, each one glittering like the stars with their lavish jewels, but no one dared to wear a fully white dress as that would be too close to a wedding dress, well almost all except her, Y/N.

She wore a white dress, embellished with lace and diamonds with a tiny tiara on her head, depicting her status. Her sister on the other hand, was dressed in a beautiful navy blue gown with white diamonds on it. It looked as if a goddess had crafted her dress out of the night sky.

The ball had commenced after her father finished his speech. Countless men crowded her sister, begging for a dance, while some asked the older twin for a dance she declined, as she was not feeling up for it.

Just then another man approached her. She looked up, just about to decline his invitation when she gazed into his eyes. It was him! Her soulmate! His chocolate eyes melted her icy gaze. His mask covered the top half of his face, creating a beautiful contrast between his pale skin and navy blue mask.

His seductive lips curved into a grin, his palm opened towards her, wordlessly asking for a dance.

She knew in that moment if she accepted his dance she would be consumed by his chocolate eyes and seductive smile, but it was as if her body decided for her, her hand clasped his, accepting his invitation.

In that moment, it was as if both their souls came alive. In that moment, they were one.

They waltzed together, the space between their bodies, electrified with want.

“Are you not going to speak to me, my fated bride?”

“Are you not going to speak to me, my fated groom?”

“What is your name?” she asked, wanting to know the name of her soulmate.

“I am Ryan, milady. Mr. Ryan Clarke, and you?”

“I am Lady Y/N Cavendish, first daughter of of the duke of Arbittror, but you already knew that, didn’t you, Ryan?”

His name felt right in her mouth, like it was made for her to say it. He could listen to her say his name for an eternity for the syllables of such a simple name seemed to become a symphony.

“I did, Y/N...You look stunning.”

“Thank you, you look quite charming as well. It seems like I’m the moon and you’re the star in the night sky, constantly shimmering whether the moon is present or not. People adore the stars, not many pay attention to the moon.”

“How can you say that, beloved? In grief or strife, one often looks at the moon. Lovers gaze at the moon’s pale face longingly, hoping for a chance to reunite with their beloveds. The moon is a comforting presence to everyone, for why would anyone look at a measly star in the presence of the moon?”

“What would humanity look to in the absence of the moon, if not for the star to guide them? Was it not the stars that guided lost, weary travelers and aided them to safety? A star may be one in a million but each star has a purpose and a place in the sky.”

“Just like the moon has a purpose and place in the sky, my Luna. The moon is the enthroned goddess around which the shines simply shimmer, hoping that one day, the moon might simply cast her gaze at them.”

“Is that what you are, a star hoping for a gaze from the goddess?”

“I’m merely a dim star hoping to catch the gaze of the goddess, hoping to enthrall her so much so that she’ll never look at anyone else.”

“You’re a star that shines so brightly on your own, why would you want the moon, the one whose mantle of light was bestowed upon her by the sun?”

“I want the moon because without her, I am simply a star but in her presence, the universe seems brighter.”

Saying that, the dance came to a close and the couple slowly bowed to each other, unwilling to let go yet forced to part.

Her sister inquired about the gentleman who seemingly caught her sister’s eye.

“So, who was he? The man you danced with?”

“Hm? Oh, I don’t know his name, I forgot to ask.”

“Do you think you’ll meet again?”

“No.”

“Hm. A pity, then. You’d make a handsome couple.”

“Forget about me, tell me how was your night?”

That night at the ball was unforgettable for both the ton as well as the secret soulmates. That night led to countless meetings under the moonlit boughs of the Cavendish estate.

The couple spent countless hours in each other’s company, spending as much time together before life tore them apart.

The time to depart came sooner rather than later, Ryan wanted to be worthy of his bride, he wanted to be more than simply a merchant’s apprentice, he wanted to be able to give her the luxuries she was used to, so he set out on a journey to build his fortune.

In the Present:

Y/N had awoken in her bed, after being reunited with her soulmate, with a smile on her face. It had been a joyous occasion and his entrepreneurial endeavor was a success. He had established contacts overseas and within the country, finally able to trade and build a small fortune. Ryan felt that if business went well, then soon enough he would be able to buy them a large house, which his soulmate could call her own, along with that art studio that she’d always wanted and the big library with twirling arches that she often spoke about. He felt that soon, he’d be able to ask for his precious moon’s hand.

Things seemed like they were finally looking up.

It was the morning after their reunion and Y/N seemed lighter, happier. She spoke joyfully with her siblings in the drawing room, even going so far as to play with her little nieces and nephews.

After a while the butler walked in, informing her that her father wished to speak to her in his office.

He father, Armedius Anthony Cavendish the Duke of Arbittror was an intimidating man. He was stubborn and always got his way, no matter what. He was a cold man, though people claimed that he’d once been warm and joyful but he never showed that side of him to anyone other than his youngest daughter, Hope.

His imposing figure sat at his desk in his large leather chair that was eerily similar to a throne. He barely glanced at her when she entered the room and silently motioned for her to sit.

“Y/N.”

“Yes, father?”

“This is your second season in society and I have noticed that you have had almost no suitors this season. You also do not seem to be interested in a match so I have taken it upon myself to find a man of suitable stature for you.”

“Wh-What?”

“Lord Bentley, the Duke of Nordstrom has taken a particular interest in you, and asked me for you hand in marriage. I have agreed to the arrangement as it will strengthen our family’s ties.”

“Do I not get a say in who I have to marry?”

“Y/N, as far as I’m concerned you have no suitors and no one you are interested in, so this match is a blessing that arrived on a silver platter. It is your duty to marry for the family. So, do you object to the match?”

“I-uh-I”

“Excellent, since you have no objections, I shall send Lord Bentley your acceptance. The wedding shall take place in two months.”

And just like that her entire world shattered.

After the ‘discussion’ with her father Y/N promptly locked herself in her room. Her hopes and dreams had been shattered and now she could no longer be with her soulmate.

She laid in bed, arms wrapped around herself, her heart hurting as tears soaked into her pillow. She shuddered at the prospect of letting go of her beloved, the thought alone felt as though she was stabbing herself in her heart.

The Cavendish family was worried about Y/N. One moment she was on top of the world and the next she was locked in her room. Andromeda tried to get her daughter to open the door but to no avail, so she stormed into her husband’s office.

Andromeda was not a particularly bellicose person but when it came down to it, she would defend her children with her life, and she knew for a fact that somehow, something her husband said had hurt her oldest daughter, deeply.

Her husband was startled at her barging into his office but after some pricking and prodding, he disclosed what he had told Y/N.

Hope was the only one with a key to Y/N’s room, so she entered the room to find her sobbing bitterly on the bed. She rushed to comfort her sister, taking a seat on the bed before her sister launched her arms around her.

She’d never seen her older sister so vulnerable. She was always the strong one, the one who’d defended her against everyone, ranging from creepy suitors to the little gossips of society.

Eventually her sobs slowed down and Hope finally asked the dreaded question.

“What’s wrong, Y/N?”

“I-I couldn’t say no. Pa-He arranged a m-match f-for me. Bu-But I found my m-mate and now I-I’ll have to leave h-him. Hope, I CAN’T. P-Please. N-No.”

Her confession surprised Hope. Of all the things she was expecting, this was not one of them.

“Who is he? Do we know him?”

“N-No. He’s a commoner. Ryan Clarke. He-He has a small fortune a-and was p-planning to propose in a few months. B-But now it will not be possible.”

“Don’t worry, sister. I will talk to papa about this. You will have your soulmate.”

Hope entered her father’s office and told him to retract his acceptance of Y/N’s match but he told her that a gentleman never retracts his word. They argued back and forth on the issue, Hope disclosed Y/N’s secret yet their father still wouldn’t budge.

Their screaming match reached it’s climax when Hope yelled out in fury,

“SHE’S YOUR DAUGHTER! SHE’S LITERALLY GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING YOU WENT THROUGH YEARS AGO AND INSTEAD OF BEING COMPASSIONATE YOU’RE TEARING TWO SOULMATES APART. JUST LIKE YOUR PARENTS DID!”

At this, both of them stilled. Armedius was shocked to hear the words pouring out of his beloved daughter’s mouth.

Silence rang through the room and Hope took the chance to leave her father to his thoughts.

His eyes were suddenly opened to what was happening before him. Was he truly like his parents? He still remembered the feeling of numbness that spread throughout his body when he was permanently separated from his soulmate, it was a feeling that he’d never wish on his worst enemies, and he was subjecting his daughter to the same pain.

After careful consideration he summoned his daughter to his office.

Weakly, Y/N walked towards her father’s office, wondering what he would say to her now.

He was still sitting at his desk and told her to take a seat.

“I want to meet the man who has captured your heart.”

She was taken aback at that. How did he know- Hope.

She simply nodded her consent and when she turned to leave her father’s voice stopped her.

“I never meant to hurt you, to make you go through what I went through all those years ago.”

In that moment, the father and daughter were closer to each other than they had ever been in years.

Ryan had been nervous to meet Y/N’s father, but the meeting went rather smoothly and soon, with Lord Cavendish’s he proposed to his beloved.

The ring was in the shape of a crescent moon with two sapphires on either side of the in-laid crescent.

Their marriage was the talk of the ton, for decades to come. Their wedding ceremony was rather simple, yet elegant. But they were happy with each other and that was all that mattered.

On the inside of her wedding band were the words ‘My moon’ and the words ‘My Star’ were engraved on his.

Her matron of honor was her sister, Hope while his best man was his brother, Landon, who turned out to be soulmates. This was certainly surprising but a welcome surprise, none the less.

After the wedding reception was over, Ryan and Y/N retired to their little estate that Ryan was able to purchase with his own money.

He carried his new bride over the threshold before retiring to their bedchambers.

In the chambers they grinned at each other. Finally able to hold each other without worrying about being caught.

They now belonged to each other.

Always and Forever.

#ryan clarke x reader #Ryan Clarke #ryan clarke fluff #ryan+clarke+x+reader #Ryan Clarke angst #Legacies #legacies x reader #legacies reader insert #x reader legacies #masquerade ball #mask #masquerade au #masquerade #soulmate #soulmate au #Ryan Clarke Soulmate #soulbond #Ryan Clarke Medieval Au

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agentianlegend · 3 years

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Now nominated for the 2021 Irondad Creator Awards! Voting is open now! (Category 16 😉)

Chapters: 8/? 

Fandom: Danny Phantom, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Spider-Man - All Media Types, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Captain America (Movies) 

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences 

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply 

Characters: Danny Fenton, Danny Fenton’s Parents, Maddie Fenton, Jack Fenton, Jazz Fenton, Sam Manson, Tucker Foley, Peter Parker, May Parker (Spider-Man), Tony Stark, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Ned Leeds

 Additional Tags: Mystery, High School, Conspiracy, Bonding, Sibling Bonding, Family, Humor, Drama, Confusion, New York City, Queens, Irondad

Summary: When the Fentons relocate for a year-long contract, Danny Fenton and Peter Parker find themselves at the heart of a secretive power struggle in an increasingly supernatural world. For the Avengers and the world’s sake, the demons in their shadows must be conquered.

From the author that brought you the Danny Phantom-Young Justice crossover universe of “Recognized.” Rated T for themes, occasional language and action, though as a whole it could probably pass for General Audiences.

——

A huge thank you to my beta team! It was all hands on deck for this chapter, and everyone helped finesse a different aspect of the chapter, which is why I love collaborating with each and every one of you. :) Not all of y’all are on Tumblr but @whats-up-everybody @dp-marvel94 @arken-99 and @tytach sure are.

——

Start from the beginning at AO3! | Start from the Beginning at FFn!

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pariswasawoman · 4 years

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Gerda Marie Fredrikke Wegener (née Gottlieb; 15 March 1886 – 28 July 1940) was a Danish illustrator and painter. Wegener is known for her fashion illustrations and later her paintings that pushed the boundaries of gender and love of her time. These works were classified as "lesbian erotica" at times and many were inspired by her spouse, the transgender woman Lili Elbe. Wegener employed these works in the styles of Art Nouveau and later Art Deco.

Gottlieb was born in Hammlev, Denmark, in a conservative family. She had three siblings but was the only child to live to adulthood. She enjoyed art at a young age and began training. Her family moved to Hobro and later she moved to Copenhagen to pursue her education at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Wegener's work was often of confident and elegant woman performing a variety of activities in either a Renaissance inspired style, Art Nouveau or Art Deco style. The images tended to show women posing or participating in artistic endeavors such as theatre, literature, and dance. Later on in France, Wegener created work showing women displaying seductive power or engaging in sexual activities. This risqué art was considered "lesbian erotica" and published in illicit art books. Along with shifting how women are represented in art, Wegener also challenged gender and sex identity roles in her work. She did this in small ways, such as drawing men with slender bodies and soft lines, or by painting her transgender partner, Lili Elbe.

Her career as an artist began to mobilize after graduating from the Academy in 1907 and 1908 when she made appearances in the Politiken newspaper. She then was the center of a controversy called the Peasant Painter Dispute after one of her 1906 works, Portrait of Ellen von Kohl, was rejected from the exhibitions of Den frie Udstilling and Charlottenborg due to the style of the piece. This piece caused concerns of Italian Renaissance plagiarism and split opinions of it showing a weak individual or an elegant beautiful woman. Gottlieb never got involved in the debate. The portrait was displayed by the Winkel and Magnussen's art dealership and received attention that boosted her career as an artist.

Wegener won two sketching competitions in the Politiken newspaper. She was known for her illustrations created for advertisements and was also a portrait painter. She did art in Paris, but was less successful in Denmark, where people found her work very different and strange as it often portrayed her husband as a woman.

In 1912, Wegener and her partner, Lili Elbe, moved to Paris, France. In Paris, Wegener began to push the boundaries in her artwork by creating more provocative paintings of women engaged in sexual activities and seductive positions. She often painted herself with Lili Elbe or Lili alone either portrayed as a man or a woman. Her work gained her attention and she was able to throw parties and experience notorious fame. Along with this, her work in the fashion industry took off as she illustrated for magazines such as Fantasio, Vogue, and La Vie Parisienne. Her illustrations were used in a wide range of platforms from beauty advertisements to political anti-German images in the Le Matin and the La Baïonnette during World War II. In 1925, she won two gold medals and a bronze one for her artwork in competition at the very famous 1925 World Fair in Paris. She befriended Ulla Poulsen (1905–2001), a Danish ballerina, who became a frequent model for her paintings. She and her spouse were also close friends with artist Rudolph Tegner and his wife Elna.

She met fellow artist Lili Elbe – then known as Einar Wegener – at art school. They married in 1904, when Gerda was 18 and Lili was 22. They travelled through Italy and France, eventually settling in Paris in 1912. The couple immersed themselves in the Bohemian lifestyle of the time, befriending many artists, dancers and other figures from the artistic world, often attending carnivals and other public festivals.

During this time Elbe began to wear female clothing, and adopted her female name and persona, becoming Gerda Wegener's favourite model, in paintings of beautiful women with haunting almond-shaped eyes dressed in chic fashions. In 1913, the art world was shocked when they learned that the model who had inspired her depictions of petite femmes fatales was in fact her husband.

As Elbe adopted her female identity, Gerda Wegener commonly introduced her as Einar Wegener's cousin when she was dressed in female attire. In 1930 Elbe underwent one of the first sex reassignment surgeries. As Danish law at the time did not recognize marriage between two women, their marriage was annulled in October 1930 by King Christian X. Elbe died in 1931 from complications of the surgery.

In 1931, Wegener married Italian officer, aviator, and diplomat Major Fernando Porta and moved with him to Morocco. She divorced Porta in 1936 and returned to Denmark in 1938 for unknown reasons. She held her last exhibition in 1939, but by this time, her artwork was out of style as the simpler Functionalism had become more popular in the 1930s. She had no children, lived by herself in relative obscurity, and began to drink heavily. She faced financial instability and kept an income by selling hand-painted postcards.

She died on July 28, 1940, in Frederiksberg, Denmark, shortly after Nazi Germany invaded the country. Her small estate was auctioned, and there was only a small obituary printed in the local paper.

Over the years, beginning with the literary success of a book about Elbe's and her lives together, and further with the release of a movie based on the book, the story of the couple gained a cult following in Denmark and around the world. Their artwork has been rediscovered, and exhibited and auctioned with success. A special exhibition of Gerda Wegener's was on display at the Arken Museum of Modern Art until January 2017, followed by a travelling exhibit of her art shown around the world.

The Danish Girl, David Ebershoff's 2000 novel about them was an international best-seller and was translated into a dozen languages. Gerda Wegener is portrayed by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander in the 2015 film The Danish Girl, also starring British actor Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe. The film received some criticism for obscuring the actual story of a historical trans person and omitting certain facts and for being based on a fictional book that does not tell the true story of Einar and Gerda Wegener. The topic of Gerda Wegener's own sexuality, which she never talked about publicly, is not mentioned in the film or book.

(source: Wikipedia)

#gerda wegener

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wazafam · 3 years

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In a world filled with complex politics, formidable Grisha, and the oppressive Shadow Fold, only the smartest individuals can hope to survive and achieve their goals. Shadow and Bone consist of many intelligent characters. Some are stronger due to their street smarts while others are stronger with their book smarts.

RELATED: Shadow and Bone: 10 Key Questions Answered In Season 1

None of the main characters are unintelligent, but some are inevitably smarter than others. The events of Shadow and Bone force the characters into perilous situations that force them to adapt and respond, often with nothing but their wits.

10 Matthias Helvar

As a Fjerdan man, Matthias has been taught to hate and fear all Grisha and to believe in a strict social hierarchy for men and women. Even though his interactions with Nina challenge the prejudices that have been ingrained in him since he was a child, it still takes Matthias a while to warm up to her and to prioritize his own feelings and his own perspective over what he's been taught to believe.

When Nina accuses Matthias of being a slaver, Matthias doesn't understand that she did this to save his life. He believes she has been playing a cruel joke on him this whole time, even though all his experiences with her indicate otherwise.

9 Mal Oretsev

Unwavering in his courage and the loyalty he shows toward those he cares about, Mal is an amazing friend and ally to have. He is also chivalrous and always stands up for what he believes in.

While these are desirable traits for a friend or ally, Mal is not always the most intelligent. He bravely rushes into situations to save the day, but he often rushes in without any strategy and without considering the consequences. This leads to Mal nearly dying on numerous occasions throughout the show's first season.

8 Nina Zenik

Before she is kidnapped, Nina went on a mission for the Darkling, where she figured out that the Conductor/Arken Visser was the one smuggling Grisha out of the Little Palace. After being kidnapped and surviving a shipwreck, Nina does genuinely fall in love with Matthias, but she is also savvy enough to play to his strengths in their quest for survival.

RELATED: Shadow and Bone: 10 Differences Between The Show and The Books

When Fedyor and the other Grisha try to take Matthias, Nina can think on her feet and come up with a plan that will save him. While accusing Matthias of being a slaver saves him at that moment, Nina learns that her plan may not work so well in the long run. She learns that Matthias will be sent to a prison where he will rot for at least a year or two before Nina can drop the charges when his trial goes to court.

7 Jesper Fahey

Jesper is highly intelligent. This is made evident in his first scene when he deduces that a patron at the Crow Club is gambling with counterfeit coins. Unfortunately, though, Jesper often lets unwise impulses guide his actions.

An example of this is when he is given money to purchase 20 pounds of alabaster coal for the Conductor to ferry Jesper, Inej, and Kaz across the Fold for their heist. Jesper catches sight of some gambling on his way to get the coal and he gambles away all the money. He ends up having to steal the coal--although he only gets 16 pounds of it--and is chased by an angry mob, all of which brings unnecessary danger to the heist.

6 Alina Starkov

Even before she is revealed to be the Sun Summoner, Alina shows her intelligence through her expert mapmaking skills. As the Sun Summoner, Alina gradually becomes more introspective, which allows her to unlock her abilities and to begin tapping into her full potential. She also begins to understand others--such as the Darkling--on a deep level, which is integral to ultimately freeing herself from his control.

What holds Alina back from being one of the most intelligent characters is how others can deceive her. Genya fools Alina into thinking she is simply her friend and Tailor. It is not until much later that Alina realizes Genya was a spy for the Darkling all along. Alina is also blind to the Darkling's true nature and is taken in by his lies. It is only until Baghra spells out the truth for her that Alina sees through the Darkling's deceptions.

5 The Conductor

The Conductor is the only one smart enough to develop and profit from a precise process that illegally allows people through the Fold on his ferries. He is also adept at reading other people's personalities and group dynamics. He does this with the Crows and this is how he knows that Jesper will need a goat for comfort when they cross the Fold.

After they cross the Fold, the Conductor is also the one who becomes friendly with the leader of a traveling entertainment troupe who has been invited to the Winter Fete. He engineers a mishap so the troupe needs the Crows' talents, thus giving them their way into the Little Palace.

The Conductor's intelligence is not infallible, though. After they infiltrate the Little Palace, the Conductor believes that he is being sent to kidnap Alina. He is unable to deduce that Kaz is sending him after a decoy while Kaz and Inej are the ones going after the real Alina. If the Conductor is the most intelligent character, he would know that Kaz would never entrust the newest member of the group to go after Alina alone.

4 Genya Safin

From the Sun Summoner to the king and queen of Ravka, Genya can deceive both powerful Grisha and powerful politicians. She wins Alina's trust and uses this to share sensitive information with the Darkling. Acting as the queen's servant from a young age, Genya also wins the queen's trust.

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Genya takes advantage of this by lethally poisoning the king, who had been abusing her from a young age. Genya did this for herself but also as part of the Darkling's larger plan. It isn't until after this that Alina finally realizes that Genya was a spy for the Darkling all along.

3 Inej Ghafa

Inej's many talents make her an invaluable asset for pulling off any kind of job. She has learned to be stealthy, how to use knives like no other, and how to stitch herself up after being severely injured. Even though she is not a Grisha, Inej is also able to outsmart and defeat the Inferni siblings when she goes against them.

Her eventual refusal to abduct Alina is another sign of her intelligence. It is not only her faith that causes her to abandon the job to kidnap Alina, but she is smart enough to recognize that doing so would be a grievous mistake on numerous levels.

2 The Darkling

For hundreds of years, the Darkling has taken on countless identities and successfully manipulated countless individuals and complex political situations. He is cunning enough to change things so Grisha will be in a position of power and authority in Ravka, instead of being persecuted and hunted.

In the present day of Shadow and Bone, he manipulates countless individuals and even the Fold itself to achieve his goals. The only thing that holds the Darkling back from being the smartest character is how he seeks to control Alina as he turns his most valuable ally into an enemy, who outsmarts him.

1 Kaz Brekker

Kaz is Shadow and Bone's smartest character because of his ability to successfully adapt during seemingly impossible situations. When given mere hours to figure out how to cross the Fold, Kaz figures it out. He is the brains behind the heist to infiltrate the Little Palace and kidnap the Sun Summoner. When confronted by the formidable Darkling, Kaz figures out a way to escape unscathed.

What makes Kaz even smarter than the Darkling is his ability to believe in the people he cares about, even when this means compromising his own desires. In the end, his respect and love for Inej and Jesper are stronger than his greed, and the Crows are better off for it.

NEXT: 10 Most Powerful Shadow and Bone Characters, Ranked

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