#Olivia Birch

[mushramoo]

Minecraft storymode is so cringefail it becomes babygirl liek. it may have the worst writing I’ve ever seen but gay rep and minecraft mod lore lets gooooo

#also ivor is my autistic scrimblo he just wants to be gay in peace #IM A NINJA JESSE!! kill me id die for him #yes I am watching RTGame’s series again #jack and nurm being boyfriends #Jesse and Lukas being boyfriends #ivor and Soren or Jesse? #petra and Olivia? ALL GAY #telltale stumbled into the best shitty game ever #feel free to send me asks I’m hyperfixations #minecraft #minecraft story mode #birch rambles

[forfoxessake]

February (2023)

A good month over all, I spent half of it travelling abroad and still managed to come across good things with the time that I had. 

I saw 5 movies this month, finished reading 2 books (I’m currently reading 7 and I’m listening to a radioplay).   I just noticed that I have yet to go to the cinema this year, but I want to fix that as soon as possible.

Ghost World (2001) - I somehow missed out on this film while growing up, I do get why it wasnt so easily available, there’s some difficult subjects in there, but I think my teenage self would have found something important here. And I miss Thora Birch 

Tuesday (2015) - “Aftersun” Charlotte Wells is just as brilliant in a ten-minute short and I don't know why I'm surprised.

Apollo: Missions to the Moon (2019) -  I like all things space and I love documentaries, and even the whole moon race thing, but this was not a great one.

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) - I like Daisy Edgar-Jones a lot and she deserved better than this film that just slowly goes nowhere. 

Unpregnant (2020) -  Two girls who used to be close friends reconnect on a road trip where the goal is an abortion. It's not your usual coming-of-age story but it's an important one that needs to be represented just as much as anything else. Haley and Barbie do a great job of having enough chemistry to carry us on this emotional but also fun-crazy-political ride.

...

Dial A for Aunties by   Jesse Q. Sutanto - I have a feeling that some books from the romance contemporary genre are writen as if people are expecting it to become a rom-com movie. Some of the plot is clearly meant to be watched, not read, and it makes it boring, which was really sad in this since the first 100 pages are really interesting and different from the usual. 

Twelfth Night -  William Shakespeare - I have been following an youtuber Shakespeare challenge and now that we are almost over I don’t think I want to keep it up, it’s been fun, specially when so many plot points are easily reconizable from inumerals references in every media ever since, but it’s also been a while since I was hooked by one of his plays, peharps the best is behind us now. 

...

I finished What We do In The Shadows - season 04, it was absolutely perfect, not a single episode out of place, it left me wanting more and I love that they always manage to keep the plot in focus and move the story fowards.

I’m still halfway through Andor, I’m moving slow, it’s an universe I love and I like that it’s more serious and complex than anything else in Star Wars but I’m having a hard time focusing on it.

Doom Patrol is another one I’m moving slowly, still 6 more episodes until the end of the 1st season, and I’m truly enjoying it, the characters, the crazy plots and this universe that is so funny sometimes that I can’t believe this is not bigger. 

...

Albums

Turnstile - Glow On has been a favorite this month, they didn’t win a Grammy but they were my favorite out of all the nominees this year. 

Songs 

Tragician - Frank Iero and The Cellabration - the album version and this acoustic perfomance on the link that I wish was an official recording too.

#february #2023 #blog #movies #tv shows #music #Rachel Lee Goldenberg #female directors #Charlotte Wells #Daisy Edgar-Jones #Haley Lu Richardson #Barbie Ferreira #Olivia Newman #Where the Crawdads Sing #unpregnant #ghost world #Thora Birch #Scarlett Johansson #What We do In The Shadows #Andor #Star Wars #Doom Patrol #Frank Iero and The Cellabration #Turnstile #Frank Iero #brendan fraser

[oliviarosaline]

Amanita section Validae

I found this gorgeous, lemon yellow amanita mushroom in a healthy bottomland forest surrounded by pin oaks, river birches, and American elms.

July 26th, 2023

Arnold, Jefferson County, Missouri, USA

Olivia R. Myers

@oliviarosaline

#mycology #Amanita Sect. Validae #amanita mushrooms #amanita #nature #woods #naturecore #forest floor #fairycore #missouri #cottagecore #ozarks #the ozarks #forest #mushrooms #fungi #wild fungi #wild mushrooms #bottomland woods #naturalist #mushroomcore #yellow mushrooms #mushroom photography #nature photography #fungi photography #exploring the woods #mushroom #toadstool

[pkmn-go-to-the-polls]

WELCOME ONE AND ALL to the ultimate pokemon human character tournament!! more than 300 humans from across the franchise will enter, but only one can be crowned victorious!!

(youll almost certainly need to zoom in on the image to see all of the matchups LMAO, even still tumblr crunched the image a bit so i can post zoomed-in portions if ppl are having a hard time reading it)

at the time of posting, first-round matchups have already started with:

Ramos vs Cyrus vs Mai vs Professor Birch

Skyla vs Cassidy vs Olivia vs Hugh vs Lance

new matchups will be posted on a queue at least once a day. good luck and have fun!!!!

#pokemon #polls

[it-happened-one-fic]

500 Followers Playlist Starter Pack: The Twisted Wonderland Version!

Thank you so much!!! I'm afraid I don't have time to do a full event (Christmas and all that jazz) but I did want to say thank you to everyone so I came up with this! I have a habit of listening to music while writing so I used few songs (I aimed for four each but didn't always make it) from my playlists to form sort of a starter pack under the cut! Again, thank you so much!!!

(NOTE: The links go to Youtube)

Genshin Impact Playlist Starter Pack

Riddle Rosehearts: 

New Rules - Dua Lipa 

Come Along - Pentatonix 

Oh No! - MARINA 

Black Roses - Charli XCX (includes cursing) 

Trey Clover:

Sugar Sugar - The Archies 

Gambling Man - The Overtones

Home - Philip Philips 

Honey Bee - Blake Shelton 

Cater Diamond:

The Tracks of My Tears - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles  

Call Me - Blondie 

Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris (feat. Florence Welch)  

Dance the Night - Dua Lipa 

Ace Trappola:

Troublemaker - Olly Murs (feat. Flo Rida) 

Jessie’s Girl - Rick Springfield 

I Think We’re Alone Now - Tiffany 

Fire Alarm - Castlecomer 

Deuce Spade:

Waiting for a Star to Fall - Boy Meets Girl

Somebody to You - The Vamps

Hey Look Ma’ I Made It - Panic! at the Disco

Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

Leona Kingscholar:

Send Them Off! - Bastille

Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea - Fall Out Boy

We Don’t Have to Dance - Andy Black

Power Over Me - Dermot Kennedy

Ruggie Bucchi

Roll To Me - Del Amitri

Two Princes - Spin Doctors

The Way I Are - Timbaland, Keri Hilson, & D.O.E

Follow Me - Uncle Kracker

Jack Howl

Silver Night - The Rasmus

I Really Like You - Carly Rae Jepsen

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx

I Will Never Let You Down - Rita Ora

Azul Ashengrotto:

Material Girl - Madonna

Stay With Me - Sam Smith

I’d Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley

Diamonds - Sam Smith

Jade Leech:

Curses - The Crane Wives

She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5

Staring At You - Diane Birch

Break the Ice - Britney Spears

Floyd Leech

Out of My League - Fitz and the Tantrums

Bad Word - Panicland

Rag Doll - Aerosmith

I Was Made For Dancin’ - Leif Garrett

Kalim Al-Asim

Golden - Harry Styles

Budapest - George Ezra

Boogie Shoes - KC & The Sunshine Band

I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue

Jamil Viper:

Can’t Remember to Forget You - Shakira & Rihanna

Power & Control - MARINA

Just One Yesterday - Fall Out Boy & Foxes

Move Your Body - Sia

Vil Schoenheit:

You Make Me Feel - Cobra Starship (feat. Sabi)

Vogue - Madonna

Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

Pretty in Pain - Diane Birch

Rook Hunt:

The Look of Love, Pt. 1 - ABC

Come To My Window - Melissa Etheridge

I Will Follow Him - Peggy March

Happy Together - The Turtles

Epel Felmier:

Bad Reputation - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (cursing)

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner

So What - P!nk (cursing)

Idia Shroud:

Something About Us - Daft Punk

Come Inside of My Heart - IV of Spades

He’s So Shy - The Pointer Sisters

Heavy In Your Arms - Florence and the Machine

Ortho Shroud:

Electric Angel - Hatsune Miku

One More Time - Daft Punk

Malleus Draconia:

I Found - Amber Run

Deeper than the Night - Olivia Newton John

Disturbia - Rihanna

Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

Lilia Vanrouge:

I Love the Nightlife (Disco Round) - Alicia Bridges

Raise Your Glass - P!nk

Saturn - Sleeping at Last

We are Family - Sister Sledge

Silver:

Fireflies - Owl City

(They Long To Be) Close To You - Carpenters

When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krauss & Union Station

Son Of Man - Phil Collins (From Disney's Tarzan)

Sebek Zigvolt:

The Glory of Love - Peter Cetera

Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Shout - Tears for Fears 

#Twisted wonderland #500 followers! #Playlists #Riddle rosehearts #Trey clover #Cater diamond #Ace Trappola #Deuce Spade #Leona Kingscholar #Ruggie Bucchi #Jack Howl #Azul ashengrotto #Jade Leech #Floyd leech #Kalim Al-Asim #Jamil Viper #Vil schoenheit #Rook hunt #Epel felmier #Idia shroud #Ortho shroud #Malleus Draconia #Lilia vanrouge #Silver #Sebek Zigvolt #Songs

[doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou]

Rita fic please

Maybe being friends with Alex and hiding that your in a relationship with Rita. And rita feeling ashamed that the reader hasn’t told Alex. Reader and Rita having an argument and then you spill the beans after work to Alex and her being like birch I knew. Going back to the apartment and apologising. Please. :)

I Know

> rita calhoun x fem!reader

> requested? yes!

> content/warnings: mentions if alcoholic drinks, language, A being smug, ooc R

> a/n: the case mentioned is from idk 😭 i just finished watching Ocean's 8 and that's the first name i thought of

Leaning against her desk, you peered at the papers Alex was reading. “Is that the Ocean's case?”

Alex looked up from the paper and hummed, putting it down. “Yeah, you got anything on the lead?”

Shrugging and sitting on the edge of Alex's desk, you purse your lips. “Nada. The witness won't tell me anything.”

“What about Liv?”

“Won't tell Liv anything either.”

Alex let out a whistle and pouted her lips. “So this case... is going to go down the drain because the witness wants to keep their mouth shut?”

“That sums it up.” You sighed and jumped off the desk.

“Well...” Alex glanced at her watch and outside the window. “The sun's out. Let's go.” She stood up and got her blazer then dragged you out of her office.

Stumbling with your steps, you struggled with keeping up with Alex's steps. “Woah! Slow down!”

And Alex did slow down, but she gripped your wrist tighter. “Where are we going anyways?” Now it was your turn to pull Alex towards your desk.

Nodding towards Fin and Carisi, you pushed Alex to sit on your chair, you started to organize the papers on your desk. Stashing whatever needs to be stashed inside your desk cabinet and locking it.

Noticing your rushed movements, Olivia, who was leading Rita out the room, raised her eyebrows. “What's got you in a rush?” Olivia asked as she leaned her hips on Carisi's desk.

Biting your lips, you looked at Alex to let her know she should answer for you. “I'm taking her out. She needs to get laid.” Alex shrugged and relaxed in your chair. “She can't get anything from the witness if she's always stiff.”

Fin and Carisi gave each other a glance and then looked at Rita, who started to turn red. “And your answer is getting her laid? In a bar?” asked Olivia as she, too, glanced at Rita.

“I'll get her drunk in a bar, and then have her get laid in someone's bed somewhere along the area. If that isn't clear for you, I'll happily explain it again, with more clear details.” Alex stood up and dusted the invisible dust from her blazer and grabbed your wrist.

Giving Rita an apologetic glance, you waved goodbye to them, letting Alex drag you out of the precinct.

Turning towards Rita, Olivia bit her lips and gave the lawyer a pat on the shoulder. “Might want to talk to her soon.” Fin and Carisi nodded in agreement. “Who knows, Alex might really get Y/N laid tonight. You gotta call her or somethin'.”

Nodding her head, Rita exhaled and walked out the precinct.

---

“Come on!” Alex shrugged off her blazer and dragged you out of her car.

“You know, for a lawyer I never expected you to do this!” you raised your voice once you and Alex entered the bar.

“It's a Sunday tomorrow! Might as well have fun!” You let Alex lead the way towards the bartender.

“Two whiskeys, on the rocks, thanks.” Alex let out a sigh and looked at you. “The last time I was with you in a bar was college!” She shook your shoulder and let out a laugh.

Shaking your head, you laughed with her and sighed. “Yeah it was. I missed going to girls' night with you!”

After a minute, your drinks were placed in front of you. Downing the drink in one sitting, Alex gave you a smirk and slammed a fist on the table. “Chug! Chug! Chug!” With this, you snorted and coughed.

“Calm down Alex! I'm drinking whiskey, not beer!” You put your glass down and pushed her gently.

With Alex quiet and looking around the area, your phone suddenly rang. Your eyes widened at the caller's name and downed your drink. “I gotta take this, I'll be back.” You didn't give Alex time to reply and left towards the restroom.

Sliding your fingers up, you answered Rita's call. “Hey, baby.” You answered breathlessly.

“Are you done fucking some woman there?”

“What?”

You heard Rita sigh and the sound of water running in the background. “Just come home. If you aren't sober enough, I'll send someone.”

“Of course, I'll just tell Ale–” you didn't get to finish your sentence once Rita dropped the call. Sighing, you leaned against the sink and stared at your reflection.

“What's with her?”

---

Bidding Alex goodbye, you tucked your palms in your coat pockets and sighed. “Let's get this over with.”

Once you were in front of your apartment door, you opened it and stepped inside. You were greeted with Rita sitting on the living room couch and drinking her favorite wine.

You tossed your keys aside and stepped out of your shoes, then walked towards Rita. “Ten minutes. Must be a new record.” She checked her watch and gave a mocking chuckle.

Pursing your lips, you plopped down next to Rita and took her hands in yours. “Talk to me, seriously, please.”

“Please don't touch me. I don't know whose vagina your fingers were inside of.” Rita rolled her eyes and slid away from you.

You let out a scoff and laughed. “God, do you really think I let Alex pimp me out to some chick in a bar?”

Shaking her head in anger, Rita snapped her head to look at you. “I don't know! Maybe? With the way this relationship is, I do!”

You were about to say something but Rita interrupted you. “Please don't say anything. I'm done with being a secret!”

“Who said you were a secret? Rita, all of my colleagues know about us!"

Rita nodded and pointed at you. “Everyone except your so-called best friend, Y/N! You know when we started this relationship I thought that Alex would be the first one to know! And now it's been a year and she still doesn't know!”

“It's different with Alex.” you leaned back and focused your gaze on the wine bottle in front of you.

“How is it different? She's your family, Y/N! She's the only family you let me know of! It would be nice for me to meet the friend slash sister that my girlfriend keeps on telling me! And not just as a lawyer I need to talk to every damn day because of a case!” At this point, Rita was pacing in front of you and waving her hands whilst talking. The defense attorney was shaking in all of her pent up anger, towards you and towards your relationship.

“Please, calm down, Rita.” you stood up and tried to touch her but she took a step back before you could.

“Calm down?! You know what! Fuck this.” Rita gave you a glare and left.

Closing your eyes, you let her leave. You knew talking to Rita would do nothing to favor you tonight, so you decided to sleep on the couch.

---

“You are fucked.” You jumped once Alex dropped a folder on your desk. You've been dosing and waking up every ten minutes because of your hangover. As someone who has low tolerance for alcohol, you made a mental note of not going with Alex to a bar.

“What? Why?” You blinked and gave Alex a sleepy look.

“Ocean spilled everything to Rita. Now they're giving me motions and deals, which are really tempting to take but I respect my client's dignity.”

Alex sat on the edge of your desk. “But enough about that, Olivia is taking care of getting everything from the victim.”

“Why'd you leave early last night? I mean a few minutes since you left a girl went up to me and asked for–”

“Alex, I have a girlfriend.” You interrupted Alex. She gave you a shit-eating grin but decided to act innocently.

“Well, breakup with her! It's that easy!” Your eyes widened at Alex's words. But it wasn't only you that heard it, Rita and Olivia were discussing something and heard Alex's complete statement.

Glancing at Rita and Olivia, you stood up and leaned towards Alex. “Rita is my girlfriend.”

With your words, Alex leaned forward, your faces inches apart and whispered. “I know.” Then she left.

---

Opening the door to your apartment, you were attacked by one of Rita's hugs. “I'm sorry!” She tightened her embrace.

You shook your head and gave her a smile, although she couldn't see it. “I'm the one who should say sorry. I'm sorry for keeping you a secret to Alex.”

Rita pulled away and gave you a kiss on the cheek making you laugh. “Turns out she already knew.”

#svu x reader #rita calhoun #rita calhoun x reader #l&o svu

[the-wales-5]

"Crazy for this girl" (Chapter 4)

November was shaping up to be a tiring time for everyone owing to next month's Martinmas semester exams. Aware of it William wanted to organise a party in October, to help everyone relax but also to make up for the few parties he had missed. He revealed his plans to a circle of friends he had gotten over the last few weeks while they were sitting in the dining hall.

“Will it be a costume party?!” Laura asked

“No, but I was thinking of a themed one, and the most popular thing these days is Harry Potter as I reckon so might be it” William said

“Sounds great, it’s a pity I am unable to be in two places simultaneously” Catherine sighed

“Why?” her friend Olivia Bleasdale asked.

“People from Rupert’s course are organising something on the same day, and he already confirmed our attendance. It is all planned weeks in advance. I'm sorry”

“A lawyers party full of snobbism instead of a Harry Potter themed one, that sounds fun” Fergus laughed sarcastically. Kate took a sip of orange juice “This is not my fault that he planned something, right?” She shrugged off.

Laura looked at William at the same moment as she asked “Is your girlfriend coming?”.

The prince had been meeting Carley Massy-Birch, and their relationship was well-known amongst his friends.

“She hasn't given me a direct reply yet, but I think she'll be there” he replied “Anyway, would 7 pm be the right time for a start?”

“Yes, but only if you want us to be drunk as hell by 9pm, Wills. Make it 8 pm at least” Fergus replied

“That way you’ll be drunk as hell by 10 pm” Catherine said, wanting to have revenge on him for his recent remarks about her boyfriend. Everyone burst into laughter.

“Stop making him feel embarrassed. Boyd knows the reality. He'll be drunk yet before the party starts” Olivia said, and that caused yet another wave of laughs.

“You can help me to write down the list of attendees” William said then

“But this is not a royal gathering, Wales”

The prince laughed and rolled his eyes in a playful way. “I just want to make sure that everyone who attends the party knows to address me as Steve. For security reasons. Stop teasing me and give me a pen instead”

“I haven't got one. They'll address you as Mr ‘writing names down without our consent’? Be careful. We may all boycott your social event before it even begins” Fergus joked again.

“I was about to write yours right now, but it looks like you are the first to be crossed out instead” William chuckled, got hit on the elbow from his friend, and then finally noted down several names on the paper with Catherine’s pen.

~

“Are you busy or going somewhere in particular now?” William asked her as soon as the rest of their friends left the table.

Middleton looked at the phone and noticed no response from Rupert to a text message that was sent by her yet in the morning.

“I thought that we could finally talk about the Raleigh expedition. For some reason, we had no time for that before”

“Some reason being endless hours of lectures” Catherine remarked, and William looked down, awaiting her final reply, assuming that it would be a negative one.

“Yes, sure. We can talk about it now” Catherine replied within seconds as she switched her phone off at the same time. “Share your experience first. You were there before me, right?” She smiled a little.

As it turned out, the Chile gap year was just the first of many topics they touched upon in a conversation that lasted for almost two hours until they decided to return to their rooms.

“It was so nice to talk and to think about something more than our classes, Kate”

“That was nice for me too," she said as she stared at William, who was slowly going upstairs to his room.

“I hope we'll continue this discussion soon” William said and vanished from Middleton's view. He smiled with his eyes closed, thinking how those few hours were so far one of the best times at St Andrews for him. “I need to give her that pen back finally” William thought when he noticed it in his pocket and slowly turned back. Right at that same time, Catherine saw Rupert on the other side of the hall. She was about to ask why he had been ignoring her text messages and felt ready to argue when she realised that he hid a huge bouquet of red roses behind himself and apologised for his behaviour. Catherine smiled and slowly kissed him on the lips. William had been staring at the scene between the two of them from a distance until Middleton closed her door.

*

“Do we really have to attend that party?” Kate asked her boyfriend while they were on a walk moments later.

“You had no objection to that before. Why do you ask now?” Rupert frowned a little

“Can’t you call it off and for once go somewhere with me?”

“I am often going out with you, Katie”

“I want to have fun yet before exams, not listen to boring conversations between you and other guys wearing a tie even though they're just 24!” she replied, a little bit louder

“Katie, stay calm, please. Now, all you show is that you are simply over-dramatic. Don't you remember? Raisin Weekend and foam fight had taken place not so long ago, and it was fun, wasn't it?”

“Indeed. The thing is, I just want you to think it all over, Rupert” she said, getting lost in her thoughts. She then simply carried on walking and looking at the early evening's sky from time to time.

***

Chapter 5

#royal fanfiction #crazy for this girl #chapter 4 #st andrews university themed stories #prince william #catherine middleton #2000s #st andrews university #fife #st salvator's hall #st andrews #scotland #kate x william #♡ #stories #text post #tags

[astreiants-archive]

a sapphic lit primer 🌸

also known as, an opportunity to insist you read my favourites

if you’ve ever found yourself wanting to read more sapphic books, but not quite sure where to start, let this be the post for you! if you’re looking for even more sapphic books, i hope you find something in here too.

there are a few books on here i’ve not read, that i wanted to include to raise awareness of them, more than anything. those are marked by *. as such, you will probably also see a fair few more well known books and authors missed off (but i promise i know about them!).

this is not meant to be at all exhaustive! it’s a collection of sapphic books that i’ve read and would rec, meaning there are still tons more out there. & you can find some of those more at @sapphicreadsdb​, readsrainbow (which i co-run with @tenderpotter), sapphiclitbot on twitter & my list of every sapphic book i’ve read.

as ever, this was meant to be a relatively short post. haha.

(i promise i did put links on this post, but for some reason those aren’t working on the blog page. dashboard version seems fine, i think.)

🌼  middle grade

🌻  contemporary

hurricane child by kacen callender

in the role of brie hutchens... by nicole melleby

hazel hill is gonna win this one by maggie horne

candidly cline by kathryn ormsbee

how to become a planet by nicole melleby

proud of me by sarah hagger-holt

the science of being angry by nicole melleby

middletown by sarah moon

p.s. i miss you by jen petro-roy*

almost flying by jake maia arlow*

in the key of us by mariama j lockington*

kenzie kickstarts a team by kit rosewater & sophie escabasse*

⚔️  fantasy

the strangeworlds travel agency by ld lapinski

the tea dragon society by kay o’neill*

📜  historical

tell no tales by sam maggs & kendra wells*

⁉️  mystery/thriller

goldie vance by hope larson

pepper’s rules for secret sleuthing by briana mcdonald

drew leclair gets a clue by katryn bury*

🦇  paranormal/horror

artie and the wolf moon by olivia stephens

🧪  science fiction

our sister, again by sophie cameron

🌼  young adult

🌻  contemporary

we are okay by nina lacour

this is what it feels like by rebecca barrow

the gay girl’s guide to ruining prom by siera maley

the liar’s guide to the night sky by brianna r. shrum

i kissed shara wheeler by casey mcquiston

the flywheel by erin gough

amelia westlake by erin gough

how to make a wish by ashley herring blake

taking flight by siera maley

like water by rebecca podos

don’t date rosa santos by nina moreno

all the invisible things by orlagh collins

orpheus girl by brynne rebele-henry

the henna wars by adiba jaigirdar

you should see me in a crown by leah johnson

love and other natural disasters by misa sugiura

rise to the sun by leah johnson

epically earnest by molly horan

if you still recognise me by cynthia so

truth be told by sue divin

thieves by lucie bryon

ask the passengers by a. s. king

starting from here by lisa jenn bigelow

annie on my mind by nancy garden

laura dean keeps breaking up with me by mariko tamaki

the stars and the blackness between them by junauda petrus

the last true poets of the sea by julia drake

i kissed alice by anna birch

fiebre tropical by juliana delgado lopera

melt my heart by bethany rutter

laurel everywhere by erin moynihan

every body looking by candace iloh

something certain, maybe by sara barnard

⚔️  fantasy

a dark and hollow star by ashley shuttleworth

the scapegracers by h. a. clarke

girl, serpent, thorn by melissa bashardoust

down comes the night by allison saft

engelsfors by mats strandberg & sara b. elfgren

summer of salt by katrina leno

from dust, a flame by rebecca podos

spellbook of the lost and found by moïra fowley-doyle

girls made of snow and glass by melissa bashardoust

out of the blue by sophie cameron

witch, cat & cobb by j. k. pendragon

girls of paper and fire by natasha ngan

the afterward by e. k. johnston

the never tilting world by rin chupeco

the midnight lie by marie rutkoski

the dark tide by alicia jasinska

the midnight girls by alicia jasinska

sweet & bitter magic by adrienne tooley

wench by maxine kaplan

way of the argosi by sebastian de castell

ash by malinda lo

the raven and the reindeer by t. kingfisher

the last magician by lisa maxwell

shatter the sky by rebecca kim wells

we set the dark on fire by tehlor kay mejia

queen of coin and whispers by helen corcoran

ghost wood song by erica waters

these feathered flames by alexandra overy

the bone spindle by leslie vedder

into the crooked place by alexandra christo

edie in between by laura sibson

crier’s war by nina varela

the winter duke by claire bartlett

sofi and the bone song by adrienne tooley*

girls at the edge of the world by laura brooke robson*

dauntless by elisa a. bonnin*

📜  historical

dangerous remedy by kat dunn

forgive me if i’ve told you this before by karelia stetz-waters

the pearl thief by elizabeth wein

heavy vinyl by carly usdin & nina vakueva

valiant ladies by melissa grey*

a curse of roses by diana pinguicha*

⁉️  mystery/thriller

far from you by tess sharpe

the girls i’ve been by tess sharpe

people like us by dana mele

summer’s edge by dana mele

the truth about keeping secrets by savannah brown

i hope you’re listening by tom ryan

eight pieces of silva by patrice lawrence

bad things happen here by rebecca barrow

the things we don’t see by savannah brown

the hollow inside by brooke lauren davis

throwaway girls by andrea contos

you’re next by kylie schachte

a lesson in vengeance by victoria lee

the sullivan sisters by kathryn ormsbee

cold by mariko tamaki

the killing code by ellie marney*

rules for vanishing by kate alice marshall*

🦇  paranormal/horror

the dead and the dark by courtney gould

to break a covenant by alison ames

shallow graves by kali wallace

wilder girls by rory power

afterlove by tanya byrne

house of hollow by krystal sutherland

specter inspectors by bowen mccurdy

burn down, rise up by vincent tirado

hollow by shannon watters & branden boyer-white

missing, presumed dead by emma berquist

perfectly preventable deaths by deirdre sullivan*

the dark beneath the ice by amelinda bérubé*

ghost walk by kay solo*

🧪  science fiction

joyride by jackson lanzing & collin kelly

crownchasers by rebecca coffindaffer

the good luck girls by charlotte nicole davis

cosmoknights by hannah templer

jane, unlimited by kristin cashore*

🌼  adult

🌻  contemporary

summer of the cicadas by chelsea catherine

take a hint, dani brown by talia hibbert

in the event of love by courtney kae

night tide by anna burke

beautiful world, where are you by sally rooney

spell heaven and other stories by toni mirosevich

far from home by lorelie brown

once ghosted, twice shy by alyssa cole

spindrift by anna burke

cow girl by kirsty eyre

the split by laura kay

tell me everything by laura kay

everyone in this room will someday be dead by emily austin

transcendent kingdom by yaa gyasi

the fat lady sings by jacqueline roy

conversations with friends by sally rooney

flamingo by rachel elliott

the wrong end of the telescope by rabih alameddine

a map of home by randa jarrar

mostly dead things by kristen arnett

patsy by nicole dennis-benn

little fish by casey plett

undone by bryce oakley

satisfaction guaranteed by karelia stetz-waters

tack & jibe by lilah suzanne

all at sea by cheyenne blue

i kissed a girl by jennet alexander

january embers by hildred billings

the simple answer by lily seabrooke

under the rainbow by celia laskey

the world cannot give by tara isabella burton

la bastarda by trifonia melibea obono

the one hundred years of lenni and margot by marianne cronin

all are welcome by liz parker

the romance recipe by ruby barrett

disoriental by négar djavadi*

the thirty names of night by zeyn joukhadar*

bastard out of carolina by dorothy allison*

among other things, i’ve taken up smoking by aoibheann sweeney*

marriage of a thousand lies by s. j. sindu*

honey girl by morgan rogers*

too much lip by melissa lucashenko*

delilah green doesn’t care by ashley herring blake*

the secret lives of church ladies by deesha philyaw*

the barrens by kurt & ellie johnson*

28 questions by indyana schneider*

there are more things by yara rodrigues fowler*

⚔️  fantasy

the unbroken by c. l. clark

the jasmine throne by tasha suri

wild and wicked things by francesca may

the true queen by zen cho

isola by brenden fletcher

the impossible contract by k. a. doore

foundryside by robert jackson bennett

the traitor baru cormorant by seth dickinson

the empress of salt and fortune by nghi vo

the bone shard daughter by andrea stewart

blackheart knights by laure eve

the velocity of revolution by marshall ryan maresca

the gracekeepers by kirsty logan

in the vanishers’ palace by aliette de bodard

the priory of the orange tree by samantha shannon

thorn by anna burke

penhallow amid passing things by iona datt sharma

sing the four quarters by tanya huff

city of lies by sam hawke

moontangled by stephanie burgis

burning roses by s. l. huang

a master of djinn by p. djèlí clark

ashes of the sun by django wexler

fireheart tiger by aliette de bodard

bestiary by k-ming chang

the black coast by mike brooks

night flowers shirking from the light of the sun by li xing

the councillor by e. j. beaton

silverglass by j. f. rivkin

water horse by melissa scott

high times in the low parliament by kelly robson

into the broken lands by tanya huff

the fire opal mechanism by fran wilde

among thieves by m. j. kuhn

the factory witches of lowell by c. s. malerich

the forever sea by joshua phillip johnson

the final strife by saara el-arifi

brother red by adrian selby

the winged histories by sofia samatar

the vanished queen by lisbeth campbell*

the northern girl by elizabeth a. lynn*

the bladed faith by david dalglish*

the worthy by anna k. moss*

📜  historical

the wicked cometh by laura carlin

the pull of the stars by emma donoghue

she who became the sun by shelley parker-chan

infamous by lex croucher

devotion by hannah kent

under the udala trees by chinelo okparanta

after the wedding by courtney milan

heathen by natasha alterici

mrs martin’s incomparable adventure by courtney milan

the night watch by sarah waters

tell it to the bees by fiona shaw

kept animals by kate milliken

a lady’s desire by lily maxton

the ophelia girls by jane healey

that green eyed girl by julie owen moylan

the perks of loving a wallflower by erica ridley

the companion by e. e. ottoman

her countess to cherish by jane walsh

paris, 7a.m. by liza wieland*

mademoiselle revolution by zoe sivak*

dark earth by rebecca stott*

⁉️  mystery/thriller

dirt town by hayley scrivenor

the lighthouse by fran dorricott

after the eclipse by fran dorricott

the final child by fran dorricott

proper english by k. j. charles

the last place you look by kristen lepionka

the better liar by tanen jones

fortune favors the dead by stephen spotswood

real easy by marie rutkoski

the best bad things by katrina carrasco

the case of the good-for-nothing girlfriend by mabel maney

the kill club by wendy heard

bury the lede by gaby dunn

beloved poison by e. s. thomson

the lady upstairs by halley sutton

ash mountain by helen fitzgerald

last call at the nightingale by katharine schellman

return to blackwater house by vikki patis

payback by charlotte mills*

a reason to kill by eve zaremba*

the heard by andrea bartz*

snare by lilja sigurðardóttir*

amateur city by katherine v. forrest*

the savage kind by john copenhaver*

the dime by kathleen kent*

the verifiers by jane pek*

🦇  paranormal/horror

abbott by saladin ahmed

the animals at lockwood manor by jane healey

black water sister by zen cho

hearts in the hard ground by g. v. anderson

they drown our daughters by katrina monroe

meddling kids by edgar cantero

yellow jessamine by caitlin starling

our wives under the sea by julia armfield

briefly, a delicious life by nell stevens

dead woman’s pond by elle e. ire

tripping arcadia by kit mayquist*

🧪  science fiction

a memory called empire by arkady martine

this is how you lose the time war by max gladstone & amal el-mohtar

the unspoken name by a. k. larkwood

the space between worlds by micaiah johnson

dead space by kali wallace

the quantum thief by hannu rajaniemi

ninefox gambit by yoon ha lee

ancillary justice by ann leckie

motor crush by brenden fletcher & cameron stewart

unconquerable sun by kate elliott

compass rose by anna burke

a big ship at the end of the universe by alex white

the light brigade by kameron hurley

empress of forever by max gladstone

the doors of eden by adrian tchaikovsky

seven of infinities by aliette de bodard

hard reboot by django wexler

last exit by max gladstone

sisters of the vast black by lina rather

gods, monsters, and the lucky peach by kelly robson

so happy for you by celia laskey

battle of the linguist mages by scotto moore

bluebird by ciel pierlot

an ancient peace by tanya huff

god’s war by kameron hurley*

barbary station by r. e. stearns*

this will kill that by danielle l. roux*

valkyrie by meg ludwa*

night sky mine by melissa scott*

the stars undying by emery robin*

🌼  poetry

if not, winter by sappho, trans. by anne carson

floating, brilliant, gone by franny choi

evohe by cristina peri rossi

bestiary by donika kelly

soft science by franny choi

rummage by ife-chudeni a. oputa

the world keeps ending and the world goes on by franny choi

bone by yrsa daley-ward

dream work by mary oliver

living as a lesbian by cheryl clarke*

womanslaughter by pat parker*

oral tradition by jewelle l. gómez*

the black unicorn by audre lorde*

hermetic definition by h.d.*

#sapphic lit #wlw books #sapphic books #wlw lit #sapphiclitnet #book recs #recs: lgbt #.txt

[bensonnstabler]

i was tagged by the lovely @fourteenthofaugust (omg tysm i was literally discussing tumblr nostalgia today with my psychologist) and to tag 9 people i wish to get to know better!

last song: does the audio book of the lost hero (heroes of olympus) count as a song?

currently watching: hate to be cliche on my svu-themed main but svu 1.0 because apparently my brain short circuits at anything new

three ships: elliot x olivia obviously, tbh there's not really any others i ship on the same level. idk daniel craig's 007 and ben wishaw's Q is definitely up there, percabeth is also having a resurgence for other obvious reasons

favorite color: dark forest green

currently consuming: water lmao, though my mum did just decorate an IKEA heart-shaped cookie for me for valentines <3

first ship: j*hnlock

relationship status: in a loving long term relationship x

last movie: saltburn, which needless to say slapped

currently working on: svu 1.0 gif ideas now i finally have 1080p svu clips at my disposal

tagging (with zero pressure!): @icarusjarvis @daddydoddsjr @wildflowerswildhorses @by-the-broken-silver-birch @sassbewitchedmyass @leatvshows @franloveseo @omgmayerbeth @somuchwhatever

#tag games #aboutbensonnstabler #ty for indulging said tumblr nostalgia

[beardedmrbean]

CONWAY, N.H. — (AP) — Bakery owner Sean Young was thrilled when high school art students covered the big blank wall over his doorway last spring with a painting of the sun shining over a mountain range made of sprinkle-covered chocolate and strawberry donuts, a blueberry muffin, a cinnamon roll and other pastries.

The display got rave reviews, and Young looked forward to collaborating with the school on more mural projects at his roadside bakery in Conway, New Hampshire.

Then the town zoning board got involved, deciding that the pastry painting was not so much art as advertising, and so could not remain as is because of its size. Faced with modifying or removing the mural, or possibly dealing with fines and criminal charges, Young sued, saying the town is violating his freedom of speech rights.

The painting could stay right where it is if it showed actual mountains, instead of pastries suggesting mountains, or if the building wasn’t a bakery.

“They said it would be art elsewhere,” Young told The Associated Press in an interview. “It’s just not art here.”

“The town should not have the right to police art,” he said.

The controversy has residents of this town of 10,000 grappling with big questions about creativity and liberty as it tries to preserve its rural character. Like other White Mountain communities that draw skiers, nature lovers and shoppers, Conway is under development pressure, making the sign dispute fraught with worries that any concession to commerce could change what they hold dear.

Many — including the zoning board members — applauded the students' colorful work, but said rules must be followed, even if they're old and outdated. At about 90 square feet (8.6 square meters), the mural is four times bigger than the sign code allows.

Following a longstanding democratic tradition of New England town meetings, residents deliberated how to define a sign before ultimately voting down changes last week. The local newspaper said the proposed wording wasn't clear. Ultimately, a judge may have to resolve what remains an open debate in town.

“Those kids put their heart in it,” retiree Steve Downing said. He thinks the painting should stay.

“Everyone has to comply with the ordinance," said Charlie Birch, a former U.S. Forest Service worker. "And even though it was done by the students, which was well done, and I give them a lot of credit for it ... if you have the ordinance, ‘One for all,’ that’s where we are. You can’t really make any exceptions, otherwise everybody else will want the exception.”

Art teacher Olivia Benish, who worked with three students on the project, apologized to the board in September for not doing "due diligence" to make sure the mural would comply. She didn't respond to requests for an interview. But she told the board members that there has to be a way to give students the opportunity to create positive public works of art "without upsetting the law and the powers that be," according to the town minutes.

The lawsuit Young filed in January argues that the town is unconstitutionally discriminating against him. He asked a judge to prevent the town from enforcing its sign code.

And now other businesses have been drawn into the controversy.

Long before the pastry painting was installed, the town had allowed other murals at a local shopping center, but in December the town found that three of those artworks are, indeed, signs that violate size limits. They go before the zoning board on Wednesday.

Young, who is being represented by the Virginia-based Institute for Justice, asked for $1 in damages. Meanwhile, he’s selling T-shirts as a high school art department fundraiser, saying “This is Art” with the artwork on the front, and “This is a Sign” of a roadside “Leavitt’s Country Bakery” sign on the back.

“As Conway officials have confirmed, the town does not consider a painting to be a “sign” if it does not convey what town officials perceive to be a commercial message,” the lawsuit says. “But the town’s perception is that any mural depicting anything related to a business is a ‘sign.’ This is governmental discrimination based on the content of the speech" and the speaker's identity, it said.

The lawsuit says the town's sign definition is "incredibly broad," with no mention of murals in the code: A sign in Conway is "any device, fixture, placard, structure or attachment thereto that uses color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of any person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public, whether commercial or noncommercial."

Board member Luigi Bartolomeo said he thinks the pastry painting is art, not advertising. He read the definition out loud at the board's meeting in August, and said he agrees with a local attorney who called it "unconstitutionally vague."

“I think it’s a very badly written piece of code here,” said Bartolomeo, who recently retired. But Board Chairperson John Colbath said the board has to work with the ordinance, which was approved by voters, and that there is a process to change that.

“If they had done a seasonal mural on the wall — covered bridges and sunflowers and what have you — and it did not represent what your business is in, then it would be more likely to be a well-respected piece of art and not construed as a sign,” Colbath said at the August meeting.

He said to Young, “I understand the art thing — and you look and you see a mountain — but the general public sees donuts on the front of the bakery.”

“I think most of the people said it’s art,” Young responded.

In its denial of Young's appeals, the board concluded that the bakery won't be negatively affected without the display.

“This supposed distinction between murals and signs shouldn’t matter,” attorney Betsy Sanz of the Institute said in a news release. “After all, nothing in the First Amendment distinguishes between art and commercial signs — or commercial speech of any kind.”

The town and Young agreed in February to pause court proceedings — and any potential fines or charges — pending a vote on a revised definition that would allow the painting to stay. But it failed in last week's elections, with 805 to 750 voting against it, according to the town clerk's office. The judge now wants to hear from both sides by May 10.

“We’re ready to keep going,” Young said.

Town Manager John Eastman declined an interview, referring questions to town lawyer Jason Dennis, who said he would soon meet with town officials to discuss next steps.

The Conway Daily Sun offered its analysis in an editorial last week: "Voters smartly concluded that the proposed new definition of signs would only further complicate enforcement. That said, it is not a stretch to conjecture that most voters are fine with the murals at Leavitt's Country Bakery and Settlers Green. We suggest the town figure out a way to back off enforcement until a clearer definition can be written, one that accommodates 'art.'"

#nunyas news #sigh

[richincolor]

A Summer Setting for a Summer Read

A friend sent me a twitter thread asking about books set in summer and I thought...what a fantastic post that could be. We often talk about "summer reads" but what about books that are set during summer? Books that capture that magical time of "freedom" and beating the heat. A time when anything seems possible.  Take a look at these books that have mysteries to solve, new relationships to explore, and lives forever changed.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Perry Firekeeper-Birch was ready for her Summer of Slack but instead, after a fender bender that was entirely not her fault, she’s stuck working to pay back her Auntie Daunis for repairs to the Jeep.

Thankfully she has the other outcasts of the summer program, Team Misfit Toys, and even her twin sister Pauline. Together they ace obstacle courses, plan vigils for missing women in the community, and make sure summer doesn’t feel so lost after all.

But when she attends a meeting at a local university, Perry learns about the “Warrior Girl”, an ancestor whose bones and knife are stored in the museum archives, and everything changes. Perry has to return Warrior Girl to her tribe. Determined to help, she learns all she can about NAGPRA, the federal law that allows tribes to request the return of ancestral remains and sacred items. The university has been using legal loopholes to hold onto Warrior Girl and twelve other Anishinaabe ancestors’ remains, and Perry and the Misfits won’t let it go on any longer.

Using all of their skills and resources, the Misfits realize a heist is the only way to bring back the stolen artifacts and remains for good. But there is more to this repatriation than meets the eye as more women disappear and Pauline’s perfectionism takes a turn for the worse. As secrets and mysteries unfurl, Perry and the Misfits must fight to find a way to make things right – for the ancestors and for their community. 

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo

Aria Tang West was looking forward to a summer on Martha's Vineyard with her best friends--one last round of sand and sun before college. But after a graduation party goes wrong, Aria's parents exile her to California to stay with her grandmother, artist Joan West. Aria expects boredom, but what she finds is Steph Nichols, her grandmother's gardener. Soon, Aria is second-guessing who she is and what she wants to be, and a summer that once seemed lost becomes unforgettable--for Aria, her family, and the working-class queer community Steph introduces her to. It's the kind of summer that changes a life forever. 

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

 In 1910, the Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they're not supposed to.

There is Olivia , the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married. . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it's with her sister's suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen's brother, John. But Olivia's best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can't seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

The first book in a breathless new series, The Davenports offers a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked, while delivering a totally escapist, swoon-worthy read. Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson and his family, it's the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love. 

Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender

Lark Winters wants to be a writer, and for now that means posting on their social media accounts––anything to build their platform. When former best friend Kasim accidentally posts a thread on Lark's Twitter declaring his love for a secret, unrequited crush, Lark's tweets are suddenly the talk of the school—and beyond. To protect Kasim, Lark decides to take the fall, pretending they accidentally posted the thread in reference to another classmate. It seems like a great idea: Lark gets closer to their crush, Kasim keeps his privacy, and Lark's social media stats explode. But living a lie takes a toll—as does the judgment of thousands of Internet strangers. Lark tries their best to be perfect at all costs, but nothing seems good enough for the anonymous hordes––or for Kasim, who is growing closer to Lark, just like it used to be between them . . .

In the end, Lark must embrace their right to their messy emotions and learn how to be in love. 

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon

 Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks…

A first meeting.

Long-time friends.

Bitter exes.

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight. 

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

 When eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents send her from Ohio to Taiwan to study Mandarin for the summer, she finds herself thrust among the very over-achieving kids her parents have always wanted her to be, including Rick Woo, the Yale-bound prodigy profiled in the Chinese newspapers since they were nine—and her parents’ yardstick for her never-measuring-up life.

Unbeknownst to her parents, however, the program is actually an infamous teen meet-market nicknamed Loveboat, where the kids are more into clubbing than calligraphy and drinking snake-blood sake than touring sacred shrines.

Free for the first time, Ever sets out to break all her parents’ uber-strict rules—but how far can she go before she breaks her own heart?   

#weneeddiversebooks #summer reading #Book list

[readtilyoudie]

Looking about, she saw they had stopped just on the other side of the clump of birches. To her left, about fifteen meters away, sat another target completely blocked from view from the other guests by the collage of trees. 

She turned, meeting his suddenly serious expression with a suspicious one of her own. “You must forgive my directness, but as I’m sure you are aware of the reputation of the Devine men, and seeing as how the chaperones are taking tea your sister at the castle presently...d-do you mean to seduce me?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He took a step closer, leaving only enough space for the tube of arrows between them, the bow being held at his side. A cool gust of wind sifted through them, sending his clean soapy scent and a hint of leather in her direction. 

“I--I mean, we are rather separated from the rest of the group,” she said, trembling a bit.

He tilted his head in an assessing manner, examining her with such a charming grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, she fought the urge to smile back and bask in his attention.

Good Lord, why will he not say something?

He leaned forward a tough, as if about to indulge her of a wicked secret. “Do you want me to?”

She threw a hand to her throat. “Of course not!”

“I though I should inquire. You looked almost hopeful,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I certainly did not!” She swallowed, secretly worrying that she had looked pitifully expectant. 

-  At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker

#romance wednesday #book quote #at the bride hunt ball #olivia parker #devine and friends #gabriel devine #madelyn haywood #historical romance #regency romance #romance #quote #quotes #booklr #bookblr

[the-wales-5]

"Crazy for this girl" (Chapter 8)

Rupert was considering two options: attend the party where his girlfriend was or show up to the one organised by his friends without Catherine. He felt that the former would make him look stupid and possessive, and he did not want that, while not attending the other altogether would humiliate him.

Middleton deliberately ignored text messages he sent. Her thoughts, for the first time in weeks, were not occupied with what things she could do to make others happy, and consequently, she was enjoying herself more than ever. At one point, she almost tripped while dancing with one of her friends, but it didn’t make her feel angry or embarrassed as it would if she were around Rupert’s companions instead.

*

William still not felt eniterly alright after his breakup with Carley Massy-Birch but decided to enjoy the evening he organised himself. Though, almost all of the girls outside of his ‘group’ were trying to get his attention. There was one who was way too annoying, and the prince had no idea how to get rid of her anymore, feeling more and more annoyed by each passing minute with that girl in his presence. Catherine saw this situation across the room. She blinked a few times and then slowly approached him, putting her hand around him and then sipping on a drink.

The prince looked at that young woman standing in front of him, saying “Sorry, I have a girlfriend”

“I thought you had just broken up with someone” she scoffed and walked away.

“Thank you” William mouthed and smiled at his friend. Kate chuckled lightly and took a step away from him, feeling shy all of a sudden “Do not thank me” she said and wanted to rejoin Olivia on the dancefloor when William said “If I may, I’d like to thank you for this rescue. Do you want a drink?”

“Oh, no. I mean.. I am already after one and a half, and it’s not going to end well if I get another one” she giggled

“Well, I get it totally. Then, would you like to dance?”

“Aren’t you sick of all women right now?” she asked and laughed, signs of shyness fading.

William slowly extended his hand toward her “You can say ‘no’ of course”.

“I am here after abandoning a strict plan to attend a gathering of future lawyers, and by doing so, I am probably risking my reputation in the eyes of Rupert's circle of friends. Why would I say no?” she laughed and put her hand on top of William's. He hid his smile after noticing blush on her face.

Shortly afterwards, they began to dance. Middleton felt even more relaxed than before. All of her problems basically faded as she was laughing with Oliver and the rest of friends. However, it was Prince William who made her laugh the most with his silly jokes.

*

Unlike his girlfriend, Finch came back to his room very early, feeling embarrassed by her escape at the last moment and irritated to hear constant questions from his friends such as “Where is your girlfriend”. He was thanking his self-consciousness for not deciding to tell them about the real reason, but to lie about her abrupt illness she caught in the morning.

*

“I am impressed a little, you know” William told Kate in the middle of a conversation about something entirely different as they were sitting by the bar, taking a break from dancing

“By what?” she inquired with confusion

“You basically ran away from your plans”

“Not mine” she rolled her eyes “If it were up to me, I’d never attend such a meeting”

“Why not? Don’t you like to talk about murder cases while sipping on a mojito?”

Catherine burst out laughing, for about the hundredth time that night.

“Do you think he is angry now?” William asked

“Well, he did send me some text messages so you can consider that as attitude of someone angry” she replied “I wish I could see his facial expression after he returned to that room and did not see me there”

“It is good that you decided to do it. That girl would never leave me alone if not for your comment”

“That was stupid, though. I should have never said something like that, specifically in the aftermath of your breakup with Carley”

“It is not true” William replied “It was our mutual decision to end things, and it was that girl who should consider not approaching me and flirting if she knew about my split. It seems like she was well-informed after all, and you were just kind enough to save me from that embarrassing moment of flirt”

“I think you are overreacting” Yet another genuine laugh escaped Middeton’s lips.

William chuckled a little, but instead of saying something, he had been looking at Kate for a few seconds.

“What’s the matter?’ she asked after noticing that stare of his

“Nothing” he smiled and then ordered another glass of whiskey for himself, while Catherine had been taken away back to the dancefloor by Fergus.

*

As she was leaving the castle to get some fresh air outside in the middle of the night, she could not believe that she was almost ready to miss such a nice occasion for her boyfriend and his “snobby gathering”.

Laura followed her, saying “It’s so good that you decided to join. It wouldn't have been the same without you, and I am sure I'm not the only one thinking that”

“Rupert definitely is not amongst that group”

“Oh stop, please” Laura said and rolled her eyes “He is not here, and I see you are happy anyway. This is a sign”

“Everything is a sign. Unfortunately for you, Finch is that kind of a person who does not believe in heavenly signs. He only believes in law!” Catherine said louder, and then took another sip from a wine glass in her hand

It was proven now that after one more drink that Middleton swore to avoid earlier, she herself was making fun of everything, including clothes she was about to wear a few hours earlier and even Rupert.

Despite the alcohol amount in her blood, she was fully aware that there would be comments from some people or that someone would share it with Finch, but she did not care. All she wanted was to have fun that evening, and that ‘mission’ had been achieved successfully.

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