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gefdreamsofthesea · 10 months

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On the Wheel of the Year being a mess

I thought I would elaborate on this outside of a single reply.

Obviously if you find meaning in the holidays (and many do) then continue to celebrate. I'm not trying to be like "no one observe the WotY anymore, I just think it's important to be honest about its history and implications.

The Wheel of the Year is neither ancient nor Celtic, of the eight festivals, most have Irish names, but at least three are Germanic (Ostara, Midsummer, Yule, and Lammas if referred to as such and not Lughnasad) no single culture celebrated all of them, and yet they are often presented as "ancient Celtic festivals".

In addition, despite claims that these festivals are ancient, the ways that Wiccans and other Pagans celebrate often bear no resemblance to how the same festivals are celebrated in their home countries. Beltaine is not a wild sex party, it's a fire festival concerned with protecting people and livestock. Ostara is probably made up, it's based on bad etymology (from Grimm) based on a single reference from a monk (Bede) who was like "this month is named for a goddess" and there's absolutely no evidence this goddess ever existed. The other holiday I'm suspicious of is Mabon, if only because we know the name for the festival came from Aidan Kelly. Individual holidays often get mashed together simply because they occur around the same time (Beltaine/May Day and Lughnasad/Lammas for instance) and treated as basically the same thing despite....being different holidays.

So my one issue with the Wheel is that it's taken festivals from multiple characters and run them through a blender, but there are lots of posts written on this already. I think it's also important to discuss the implications when we act as if the WotY is a universal "Pagan" calendar.

The Wheel of the Year really only makes sense if you're in certain parts of Europe (okay, the U.K.) and bits of North America with four distinct seasons. If you live in an area with two seasons, if you live in a desert climate, if you think I'm making stuff up when I talk about snow, heck, if you live in an area that doesn't herd sheep or grow wheat, parts of the Wheel of the Year will just not have any relevance to you. I complain every year that Imbolc is the most nonsensical holiday because where I live everything is still under five feet of snow and I am not thinking about spring or lambing season (as I do not own sheep). Yes I know "Oh it's anticipating spring!" Anticipate the snow I am throwing at you.

I also feel like there's such a focus on the Wheel that people think they *have* to observe it instead of whatever's going on in their local area, or traditions their ancestors might have observed. This is something I can understand because who wants to be alone celebrating Mârtişor when you could wait and celebrate Ostara with everyone?

I think where this becomes especially annoying is when you have folks who get pissed because they're celebrating Samhain and how dare you eat candy and have fun on my sacred holiday! Your ancestors are probably annoyed with you because you aren't giving them sweets. You might be celebrating a holiday that is actually quite old but how dare you do something different than they do on their frankenfestival!

Some food for thought on the subject is the book Walking the Tides by Nigel G. Pearson. It is a very British book talking specifically about the year in that part of the world, so while it might not be relevant to you, it does make some good points about observing nature, how folklore ties into celebrations, and the like. As I said, it's specific, but it's still interesting.

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nachosncheeze · 1 year

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Other 3x16 thoughts

Neat that when Zapata revealed she knows who dragonfly was, they reused the music from 3x01 when they were showing everyone had secrets and Zapata told Keaton the dragonfly wouldn't be a problem if they didn't find out.

The CIA had a busy "one year ago"! Black siting Cade AND turning Borden? wow

"And sandstorm is now extinct, which means Borden is no longer of any intelligence value to the FBI" what happened to "Sandstorm are forever prisoners" hmmmmmm? Fuck you Jacob Keaton.

I wonder about Weller's feelings about this whole thing. He knows that Remi's the one who recruited Borden, and Borden has turned, and he's like ARREST HIM NOW THE VILLAIN and consequences to the op be damned. And obviously Borden hurt Patty bad bad bad. But Cade tried to kill Jane right in front of him and he was not once not twice like LET'S CUT HIM A DEAL he's just got a bad wrap :( Whatever's going on in his brain must be wild lol

WELLER AND THE SAD BANANA (I will remember this in s4 when His Berlin Story Awaits, do they choose the art he stands next to on purpose? lol)

Every other thing I might wanna say is mostly about the contrast between how they treat Nigel vs Cade and how absolutely fucking loaded these two episodes have been for Jane and I already did that in other posts so.

#blindspot #blindspot 3x16 #blindspot thoughts #blindspot rewatch 2022 #blindspot rewatch #blindspot s3 spoilers

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mlmxreader · 1 month

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And look, even as a person who does really really enjoy Harry Potter (specifically the marauders and their era), every time I look at the HP fandom and these people are literally off their rocker and they ride this woman’s dick so GOD damn hard. These people legitimately are behaving like how the barbs are for Nicki Minaj and I promise it is SO mind-boggling. They act like JKR pays their bills or something and it’s wild.

As much as I enjoy HP/Marauders I will NEVER EVER be part of the HP fandom bc I just can’t fathom how people will worship JKR because if this is the direction humanity is progressing then we are all doomed. And I look at white women like her and im just trying to figure out like, when you fight for all of these right-winged policies, under no cornstarches will you be safe either because I can PROMISE you that these right-winged men will eventually turn you into tradwives because they view women as nothing more than a baby making machine and they only see you as an object who is supposed to “suck, fuck, and clean” because the way I hear nearly all of these right-winged men speak about women (the same women who fight for the same ideologies JKR believes, the same ideologies who were created by these men) is just diabolical and disgusting.

I am deeply concerned for the future of humanity it’s crazy

in terms of there even BEING a fandom for it, I think Miriam Margoyles said it perfectly when she stated: "I worry about Harry Potter fans. They should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago and it's for children. I think it's for children. But they get stuck in it and I do cameos and people say 'Oh we are having a Harry Potter-themed wedding' and I think 'gosh what's their first night of fun going to be. I can't even think about it."

like, these people 100% need to grow up. they're AS BAD as Disney adults - praising mediocrity and bigotry at EVERY FUCKING TURN solely bc their favourite kiddie film has a theme park or whatever the fuck.

yeah, and tbh, it's no mistake either; JKR claims to be a feminist (which is FUCKING LAUGHABLE) and yet aligns herself and even praises male nazis time and time again. and it's no mistake, she KNOWS that, what these men call a "biological woman" (which is also HER definition!), is just a baby machine. it's this 1950s ideal of a perfect housewife: submissive and quiet, satisfies every need for the husband, does everything in the house, is constantly shaved, skinny, white, abled and non-political. THAT'S what jkr is referring to when she says "biological women". she doesn't care abt the women in Sudan, Tigray, Congo, Armenia, Palestine, etc. she doesn't. she opens her mouth and talks abt things like periods, but has NEVER, NEVER spoken abt how people in Palestine need hygiene products. she has NEVER, NEVER spoken abt the people (esp the children) being raped in Congo. she has NEVER, NEVER spoken abt the displacement and violence against women in Armenia.

bc none of those women fit HER definition - they aren't white. they aren't "civilised" (read: christian and white). they aren't western. they aren't middle/upper class. they aren't abled. they aren't non-political. they don't FIT the ideal of a 1950s housewife that she is, and they never will. bc she does NOT care abt women, and never has or will.

JKR is just as bad as the men who she sides with, and when they eat her face, she'll kick and scream abt how "THE LEOPARDS ATE MY FACE!!!" like, yep. bc that's what you get for siding w the face eating leopard party, ma'am. the matter of the fact is, as much as she pretends NOT to be by using "progressive" buzzwords, JKR is just as bad as Nigel Farage. like 100%. and her writing & her films are mediocre AT BEST, too - it's EASY to move onto a different franchise, onto a different fantasy world that ISN'T just chock full of nazi bullshit; but her stans and HP stannies WON'T bc they, on one level of another, agree w her ideology. they AGREE w nazi rhetoric.

bc that's what it REALLY boils down to, tbh.

#asks #gayaristocrat

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quincywillows · 2 years

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THE FLATMATES AU 📦 An AMBITION universe created by Maggie and Ellie ( @jadenigel )

Sure, a performing arts high school sounds like a wild ride... but for anyone who has been to university -- any university -- they know that college is a rollercoaster all its own. That is the magic, misery, and mischief that attending Adams University will inevitably bring, no singing, dancing, or performing hallucinations required. And as anyone who has survived a housing situation knows, nothing can make or break your life experience more than who you get stuck living with for any stretch of time... put more simply, who your roommates might be (or your FLATMATES, as the kiwis and Brits say across the pond).

The rule of thumb is true as ever for Jade Beamon and Riley Matthews, both unassuming gals who find themselves sharing space with an interesting collection of characters (and their equally colorful cast of friends). All seven residents of suite 314 have their work cut out for them, facing challenges and adventures that range from coursework to chores-work to connections platonic or romantic... that is, if they can make it through the semester first!

To my dear pal Ellie: though it wasn’t my initial plan to make a gift for you as well this SS, I am so pleased I got the chance to! You mentioned on your list at the very bottom that you were open to “AU,” and I figured what better way to meet that suggestion than by bringing back a beloved AU we created together that is just begging to be resurrected... while sharing some fun music along the way! I love you so much friend, please enjoy this sonic journey through the world of FLATMATES... and perhaps it’ll give us the inspiration to jump back in come 2022! 💖🎀

Below, meet the seven residents of suite 314 by exploring a handful of the music you might hear when passing by their room... and bop along to the full Flatmates Aesthetic here! ✨

Jade Beamon ( 314, Room 1A ) 🎶 || Jade is the everyman who takes us into the world of suite 314, and suffice to say she is just trying to keep her head above water. Getting into the competitive and creative-intensive design program at Adams University was no easy feat, and she is determined not to mess it up. Still, she doesn’t want to entirely miss out on the social scene of her new school and even her new flat... even if she doesn’t totally get the vibes of some of her new flatmates. Do we need to have friends over every single day (Dylan)? On the flip side, isn’t it kind of rude to never come out of your room (Charlie)? And where the hell even is her own roommate, Maya Hart, who never seems to be around? Then there’s Nigel, the cute acting major who lives just across the suite... but no, no, Jade can’t get distracted. Friendship is just fine. Who has time for crushes, anyway...

Riley Matthews ( 314, Room 2A ) 🎶 || For Riley, university is going to be her fresh start. She wasn’t very popular in high school -- okay, she wasn’t popular at all -- but nobody knows her here at Adams, and she’s determined to spread her wings and blossom into the social butterfly she knows she can be. If that means that she has to be the one bringing everyone together, so be it... though might be easier said than done, since her flat is a bizarre amalgamation of personalities. Trying to win over her own roommate, Isadora, might be a challenge, since they seem blunt and busy and maybe far cooler than her... and she has to avoid getting spooked and sidetracked by Isa’s good friend, LJ, who is equal parts intimidating and unbelievably attractive.

Isadora De La Cruz ( 314, Room 2B ) 🎶 || Whatever socializing suitemate bullshit Riley and Dylan keep peddling, Isa doesn’t have time for it. They’ve got things to do, films to storyboard, stages to manage, and wasting any precious time trying to “bond” as a flat just seems like a waste of time considering a third of them seem to never be around, and the rest of them are so different, Isa doesn’t see how they could come together. Bonding with Riley seems hard enough, since she’s sweet and optimistic and had to have been the most popular girl in school wherever she came from. So what if part of it is that Isa has never been very good at making friends... whatever. They don’t care. It’s fine.

Dylan Orlando ( 314, Room 3A ) 🎶 || How the hell does Dylan Orlando already have friends? Seriously, he’s barely been here six hours, and already he’s bringing around new friends (some dudes named Dave and Nate -- loud dudes, Isa and Jade care to note) while the rest of the flat is still unpacking. He seems nice enough, social and friendly and keen to talk any time. About anything. But no one can seem to figure out what he’s studying -- even himself. And what’s the point of trying to be his friend when he clearly already has plenty to spare? Surely, he’s not worried about getting left behind... although Jade better watch out, because Dylan does appear to be strangely not busy and hanging around any time her new friend from design Asher comes around to study...

Nigel Chey ( 314, Room 3B ) 🎶 || If there’s one thing Nigel might have in common with Isa, it’s that he, too, is determined to focus on academics. He got into the prestigious acting program, and that’s his dream, so he isn’t going to let anything affect his chances to get everything out of the school he can. He has to be especially careful, since he’s on scholarship, and one misstep might send everything crumbling down... that makes rooming with Dylan Orlando tricky, because it’s nearly impossible to study lines and dig into plays when all his roommate wants to do is talk. He’s nice, and everything, but how is Nigel supposed to get anything done? Guess he’ll just go seek refuge in Jade’s room... she always lets him hang in there, she’s a good study partner, and Maya is never around anyway... he’s certainly not just ending up in there with her for any other reason...

Charlie Gardner ( 314, Room 4 ) 🎶 || If you saw Charlie, no you didn’t. Some of the flatmate friends don’t even believe he exists. It was no mistake that Charlie ended up with the single room -- it was a strategic survival instinct, because it gives him the perfect place to study and the best place to hide. It’s not that he doesn’t want to make friends, especially considering college is the first place he’s planning not to hide his sexuality, but how does anyone socialize and not make a complete embarrassment of themselves? I mean, he’s an education major. What’s he supposed to talk about? Lesson plans? No one wants to casually talk about English literature. And it’s a miracle if Charlie can even speak at all half the time, let alone when everyone else in his suite seems to be perfectly sociable and talkative and have it all under control. Who needs his input anyway... and God forbid they bring friends over, or even worse, cute friends, like Nigel’s new friend Zay... no, no, it’s better to hunker down and hide. No one probably even notices he’s gone.

Maya Hart ( 314, Room 1B ) 🎶 || Everyone’s all “where the hell is Maya?” As if it’s some big crime to not be lazing around the suite all day long. Sorry, Maya’s got places to be! People to see! She’s got big dreams, and she’s not wasting her scholarship-given spot in the music program. So if you don’t see her around, well, that’s your problem. She doesn’t have time to explain -- sorry, got a spot booked in the uni recording studio! Much love, muah, see you in three weeks! Maybe!

#aaagc #ambition #aaa secret santa #jadenigel #WOOOO LOVE YOU ELLIE <3 #**

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lailoken · 3 years

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‘Maids of the Meres’

“The name Mermaid derives from Old English mere, a pool or lake, and it formed the first part of mere-wif, 'mere-wife', the term still preserved in the East Anglian dialect. This is the term applied to Grendel’s Dam, or mother, a cannibalistic ogress who lived beneath a lake, described in the Anglo-Saxon classic Beowulf, which many scholars now think was originally written in East Anglia. Like the ogress, the merewives haunted the inland pools, pits and rivers of the inland areas, rather than the seashores, and were thought to pull in anyone who was foolish enough to lean too far over the water. The River Gipping in Suffolk was notorious for containing them, and James Bird (a local man born in Earl Stonham in 1788), wrote in a poem from 1837 about his boyhood in the area and his mother calling out to him;

‘Make haste and do your errand. Go not nigh

The River's brink, for there the mermaids lie.

Be home at five!’

The merewives however, mainly lived in pools and pits which, like the lake in Beowulf, were described as bottomless. There were the Meremaid Pits in Fornham All Saints and the well in the village of Rendlesham in the same county, and those in the surrounding districts, which were all reputed to contain meremaids. A correspondent to Robert Chambers Book of Days' (1863- 4), writing from Suffolk, informed him that meremaids abounded in the ponds and ditches of his locality; ‘I once asked a child what mermaids were, and he was ready with his answer at once, “Them nasty things what crome (hook) you into the water!”’

It is an old belief that marshland and fenland children were often born with webbed or partially webbed feet (and this is not uncommon in East Anglia in general, even today). Such children, and they were usually girls — so the old belief went – were usually beautiful and were said to be half meremaid and half ferisher; unless their bare feet were seen, they were impossible to tell from normal mortals. They loved to play near meres and dykes, but had a strong homicidal tendency and often tried to push their more normal companions into the pools and drown them. The Cambridgeshire poet J. R. Withers describes much local lore in his verses concerning the countryside around the village of Fordham; in his 1864 poem ‘The Pond in the Meadow', he writes;

‘And strange were the tales of the pond in the meadow,

And eager we listened with eyes opened wide,

To those tales often told by poor Mary the widow,

Who lived in a cottage the meadow beside.

Play not, my dear boys, near the pond in the meadow,

The mermaid is waiting to pull you beneath;

Climb not for a bird's nest, the bough it may sliver,

And the mermaid will drag you to darkness and death.’

Although sharing their name with the mermaid of classical and heraldic traditions, the merewife is a product of genuine, native tradition, rather than of learned lore. The bugbear that these creatures have become belies the traditional worth and use to which they were put by magical practitioners. As in many cases of native lore, they have been 'demonised' to hide their true value and worth, actually probably by the practitioners themselves, rather than the Church or Authorities. East Anglian magical lore asserts that, like many other openings into the earth, be they on solid ground or not, manmade or natural, they are entrances to the chthonic Other realms and may be entered and journeyed within by those of sufficient skill, knowledge and courage. Like all sorties of this kind, they are not without their dangers and the warnings given of the denizens of the deep may well reflect these actual perils, as well as to scare off dabblers and the merely curious. The merewives, being natives of this Other/ Underworld realm, were the guardians of the thresholds to these realms and the knowledge and powers that could be found and developed there. Contact with the merewives could bring about profound changes in the consciousness of the local magical practitioner, if they knew the right techniques, but could bring madness and death to those unprepared and unlearned. It was often to protect the unwary that the tales of danger were started, and to leave the land clear for the local witches to continue to develop their practices undisturbed. The merewife was emblematic of the rich depths of wisdom, magic and knowledge, stored in the Underworld and accessible to the magic-worker. They were and still are, a glyph for the information buried deep in the psyche of all individuals, which may come welling up under the right conditions.

As an adjunct to the tales of the meremaids, it is worth noting a more personal and individual tale of a water-dwelling creature, recorded by the previously mentioned Ralph of Coggeshall, around the turn of the 13th. Century. According to this chronicler, in the reign of King Henry II, some fishermen from the Suffolk coastal town of Orford were hauling in their nets one day when they found they had a most unusual catch. Described by Ralph as a hominem silvestrem ('wodewose' or wild man), the being was shaped exactly like a man and was completely nude but extremely hairy, 'in such abundance that it appeared dishevelled and shaggy; his beard particularly was thick and pine-like, and around his chest it was particularly hairy and shaggy.’ He was, however, almost completely bald. The fishermen took the man to the Castellan of Orford Castle, Bartholomew de Glanville, who took him in and fed him, initially treating him well. The wild man ate whatever food he was given, but much preferred raw meat and fish, which he would squeeze dry with his hands and consume with relish. He slept on a couch that was provided for him and was generally no trouble, except that he would not or could not speak, remaining quite dumb. The people in the castle did not know if he was human and wondered, it is if he could be an evil spirit inhabiting the body of a drowned sailor. Lacking any evidence from the wild man himself, they hung him up by his feet and tortured him to see if they could get him to speak, but this was apparently unsuccessful, so they desisted and tried another tack. They decided to take the man to mass to see if he was a Christian and whether the solemnity and dignity of the occasion would elicit any response from him. This however failed also, the creature apparently having no interest in the ceremony at all, remaining as mute as ever. The Castellan began to become bored after this, deeming there to be no fun in a 'pet' that only ate and slept. Accordingly, he ordered a portion of the river leading to the sea to be netted off and the creature to be placed therein. In this pen the wild man seemed perfectly happy and his captors began to lose their vigilance in guarding him. Eventually he broke out and swam off to sea, but remarkably, he later returned and stayed another two months, becoming very friendly with the local inhabitants. However, he finally swam away never to return, but the tale has persisted in the area ever since, leading to further stories of encounters with beings from the sea. This tale, and those before, go to show the deep importance, for East Anglians at least, of the desirable but dangerous need for contact with the beings of other realms and places; it almost seems like part of the psyche of the inhabitants of the area.”

—

The Devil’s Plantation:

East Anglian Lore, Witchcraft & Folk-Magic

Chapter 1: ‘The Living Landscape’

by Nigel G. Pearson

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hannigramficrecs · 3 years

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Newly Added Fics (11/01)

Here are all the fics I’ve added to my index this week! As usual, i’ve emboldened the fics I really liked and italicized the ones that are incomplete. Happy readings!

Our Stars are the Same by beforethedawn, ConstructFairytales, Destinyawakened [words: 42,578] — (AU)

Someone's moved into the old creepy, supposedly haunted, mansion down the way from Will Graham and his family. Will never expects to befriend the new family's son.

Moorings Built on Sand by beforethedawn, ConstructFairytales, Destinyawakened [words: 100,289] — (AU)

Will and his dad are moved to Germany for the foreseeable future and Will is surprised when he befriends a boy a few years older than him who seems to be mute.

Fix All My Broken Things by xstarxchaserx [words: 16,177] — (AU)

When Will is introduced to Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the psychiatrist is only supposed to be a client for him, just a couple of small repair jobs and nothing more. Will isn't prepared to fall headfirst into feelings, operas, and murder, but there's something lurking behind Hannibal's cool facade. When Will discovers it, his entire life will change.

I'll Will My Wild Eyes Bright by HigherMagic [words: 24,398] ] — (AU)

"You would do well to remember that people like you are best seen and not heard," Mason says sharply. "Our new friend is far less forgiving than I am, if the rumors are even half true." Will nods, and resists the urge to pet over his face and wipe Mason's scent away. "I want you to kill him, Will. Whatever it takes. Will you do it?" "Of course, Your Majesty," Will replies, nodding. "I am your humble servant."

The New Boy by TigerPrawn [words: 11,904] — (AU + Spacedogs)

(Hannigram + Spacedogs High School AU) Nigel recently moved to a new school after being kicked out of the last five he'd attended. He just wants to keep his head down and get through senior year so his parents will let him work in their profitable family business. When he's asked to play guide to another new student - strange little Adam Raki - he thinks he might have found help in passing his classes. If he can keep his mind on his studies around his new friend...

Alter by luvkurai [words: 25,230] [words: 25,230]— (A/B/O)

God, as is somewhat characteristic of such a vast and preoccupied being, has made a mistake in the classing of Will Graham. Will should have been born an omega—Hannibal’s perfect mate. Where god has failed, Hannibal will correct the error and perfect him.

Help Mommy by Kellyjelly [words: 19,825] — (Incest) + A/B/O)

Will was a single Omega, a survivor, a victim, a beauty, and every Alpha wanted Will. The best thing about Will was that he was Hannibal’s mother and Hannibal would give anything to fuck his mom.

Primed For Sin by Kellyjelly [words: 5,785] — (Incest) + A/B/O)

Hannibal never imagined that the love of his life would be his son, William Graham Lecter. And he certainly didn’t imagine that his son Will would be the creation of his own demons.

Papa by Prentice [words: 1,076] — (Incest)

There is a puddle of red beneath Will’s feet by the time he is home.

Papa Bear by strangestorys [words: 10,915] — (PWP)

Days pass, and Will becomes casually fixated on Hannibal’s newly stubbled face. The morning that he comes downstairs to find Hannibal making them coffee and bacon in only his drawstring pajama pants, he has to stop himself in the doorway to take in the sight.

Hurt by slashyrogue [words: 2,489] — (Spacedogs)

Adam and Nigel have been broken up for months when he starts to see Nigel's new boyfriend leaving every morning.

Bonded by slashyrogue [words: 1,994] — (Spacedogs)

There were many people who could tell you what it felt like to lose a mate, but very few who could tell you the pain of the loss when your mate was still alive. Nigel was now one of those unlucky few.

Strangers in the Night by Rising_Phoenix [words: 10,063] — (Spacedogs)

On his way home from a disastrous party, heartbroken Adam comes across an injured man who needs help...a night that will change both their lives...

Safe by slashyrogue [words: 968] — (Spacedogs)

A burglar breaks into the apartment and Nigel protects his Star.

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hms-chill · 3 years

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Hii! I see you've read RWRB (which means you obviously have impeccable taste) and was wondering if you could recommend any more LGBTQ+ books? Thank you!!

OH MY GOD I HAVE SO MANY!! It really depends on what genre you’re interested in and what you like; I’ll sort of try to break it down that way (and not just rec every gay book I’ve ever read lmao)

General fiction:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is about two Mexican boys growing up in El Paso in the late 1980s and the writing style is absolutely incredible. It was the first Gay Book(tm) I remember and I spent months of 2012-2013 trying to find a copy and it was 100% worth it.

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli. We know it, we love it, I wanted to include it anyway.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee is a historical fiction (leaning on fantasy) romp about a boy in the 18th century going on his grand tour with the best friend he’s in love with; the sequel stars his aro/ace sister. Bi lead, Black gay love interest, and a sequel about the importance of girl friendships.

I’m on page four of Gail Wilhelm’s Torchlight to Valhalla but I love the writing style and the fact that it’s a lesbian book from 1938 that apparently ends happily almost made me cry so there’s that.

anything by Virginia Woolf, but especially Orlando, which is a love letter to her girlfriend.

Soft Place to Fall by Ba Tortuga is a fun gay cowboy romance; it’s dumb and sappy and predictable and fantastic.

Sci-Fi / Fantasy

THIS IS WHERE I THRIVE this is my wheelhouse so sorry if I get carried away lol

anything by Sarah Gailey. Their Upright Women Wanted is about queer librarian spies in a futuristic wild west. The American Hippo series (River of Teeth and Taste of Marrow) is about queer hippo wranglers in an alternate 19th century. Magic for Liars is a murder mystery set in a magic school, perfect if you’re trying to ditch She Who Must Not Be Named but still want your fun magic school itch scratched.

Nottingham by Anna Burke is a lesbian retelling of Robin Hood; I’m still working through it but I’m pretty sure all the merry men are queer women and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas is absolutely fantastic; it’s got an entirely Latinx cast with a trans lead and a ghost love interest; 15/10 almost made me cry.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo has that casual queer rep that I absolutely adore. Like yeah sometimes you need a book about Being Queer but sometimes you also need a heist where the badass gunslinger casually goes “oh yeah not just girls” and steals a tank, you know?

This is very I’m A Child Of The Late 90s/ Early 2000s but Tamora Pierce was huge for me growing up. She clearly stuffed as many queer characters into her world as publishers would let her, and recently she’s confirmed fan theories about even more queerness (ace/aro characters, trans readings, etc) in her work.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness was published in 1969 and treats gender as a fluid thing; I haven’t read it yet but it’s on my bedside table and I’m very excited to get to it.

Poetry

all of it straight people don’t get poems

Badger Clark was a gay cowboy poet; I love his stuff so much. “The Westerner” made me absolutely feral and “Others” gutted me.

Wilfred Owen is best known for his work about WWI, but “Maundy Thursday” and “How Do I Love Thee” are absolutely incredible.

Whitman wrote poems about being gay and was one of the more iconic queer voices of the 19th century, at least in literary circles.

Byron was an icon and also incredibly queer.

Sappho is the iconic one; Anne Carson’s translation of her work (If Not, Winter) is fantastic and the one I’d personally recommend.

Classics

If you’re down to read between the lines do I have some books for you

Stoker was gay (and wrote thirsty letters to Whitman), and no one can convince me that Dracula is a straight book. Arthur and Quincey were dating thank you for coming to my TEDx talk.

The Iliad is long and complex but also Achilles and Patroclus wanted their ashes mixed when they died (fellas...)

anything by Wilde but especially A Portrait of Dorian Gray.

Les Miserables has a character who “admired, loved, and venerated” another man, and who “took great care not to believe in anything” but said other man (fellas...). There’s also an entire page about how the lead has never felt any form of love other than familial (fellas... is it aro to spend a whole page talking about how you’ve never loved anyone).

I haven’t read Moby Dick but I know there’s like three pages about how much the narrator loves his crewmate (fellas...)

Nonfiction

A lot of people are scared of nonfic but I’m gonna let you in on a secret: you don’t have to read the whole book. Pick and choose chapters that interest you, put it down for a year, whatever. Nonfic’ll be there for you.

Portrait of a Marriage by Nigel Nicolson is a look into his parents’ open relationship and his mother’s relationship with Virginia Woolf; it’s a gorgeous exploration of the various ways that love and marriage can be flexible and it changed how I look at relationships.

A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski is a good intro to queer history.

We Are Everywhere by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown is a great look at the Stonewall Era and the time after especially, and it’s full of incredible pictures. They also run @/lgbt_history on insta and 10/10 for that.

Love and Resistance: Out of the Closet and Into the Stonewall Era by Jason Baumann is fantastic too; it’s got pictures and short descriptions of what’s happening in them. Maybe not a first place, but if you know the general scope of the queer rights movement it’s a fantastic thing (or if you don’t and you’re ready to google lmao).

My Dear Boy or anything else by Rictor Norton is incredible. My Dear Boy is a collection of gay love letters; he’s also got books on queer culture in 18th century London and queering the Gothic. You can find a lot of his stuff online here and My Dear Boy specifically here.

If you want more/ something more specific, don’t hesitate!! I work in a library and I’m always finding new gay stuff and I love it.

#i wrote this in two sittings because i had a lot of ideas lmao #and i'm sure i'll come up with more soon #but i love talking about gay lit and i have so many recs #so if you want something more specific let me know #not fic #ask and answer #hannah's recs

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miss-kittys-magical-library · 3 years

Text

The Ides Of March

(A Darren Treacy x Jeanie Turner mini-series)

Prologue - Bad Romance

Word Count: 1815

Warnings: language, violence, murder, mention of sexual assault, angst

A/N: On Saint Patrick's Day, Darren and Jeanie start receiving ominous, cryptic text messages claiming to be from the future. Play the game; save Darren. Jeanie's rules are simple enough: If Dazz can catch her out in Dublin, he can have her any way and anywhere he wants. So how did a night of wild sex and whiskey lead to murder? *Spoilers for Love/Hate series 3*

Sequel to “The Sinner’s Prayer” Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

There are tiny moments that contain millions of choices we all make. It's not a choose your own adventure; there's not always time to think cohesively. Add in copious amounts of liquor and sex and a person may become impulsive. As Jeanie cocked the gun pointed in Nidge’s direction, she found herself in the middle of one of those flip-of-the-coin situations.

She followed every hint, every cryptic text from a burner phone that was meant to prevent this exact instant. But the vile leader of an IRA faction lay slowly dying from internal injuries at her feet. Siobhan, softly sobbing hid her face in Tommy’s shoulder. Darren, behind her, still held the keg by the handle. Nidge was the only one who could square up. He was pacing like a trapped animal, enraged and seething. Jeanie never faltered in her aim.

“We're done here, Delaney,” the words came out distorted. “Right now. This was a nice night. I saw a great concert. I drank loads of fucking liquor. I have had more sex in the last few hours than I have in the last few years. I literally got eaten out in a pub loo. I'm getting divorced, and if Trish was smart she'd get a divorce too.”

“Red-” Darren tried.

Jeanie spun on him, the gun pointed too close for either’s comfort. Darren’s eyes like a deer in headlights. “I'm not losing you. I'm not letting this life eat anymore of you. Siobhan already paid the price.”

“Just put the gun down please. I'm only trying t’put him out, love. Look at the bastard.”

“It's a butterfly effect, Dazz. You're already too much for them.” Tears threatened Jeanie’s eyes.

Darren put his hand on the muzzle of the gun cautiously and pointed it down to the floor. “What the fuck are ye talking about? Jeanie, you've been barking all night. Not that I don't appreciate the craic,” he smirked, “Or the shaggin’. The panic attack when we walked through the door earlier. How did ye know about Git?”

Jeanie fished in her cleavage for her mobile and tossed it to Darren. He opened it up and used his own for comparison. He studied the texts on both screens with confusion in his eyes.

“You've been getting them too, right?”

“But how?”

Only Darren and Jeanie existed right now. And the soft gurgling of Git as he drowned in his own blood. The choked crying of a young woman who had been assaulted. They were alone, but aware. So deeply aware of their situation.

“Oh please, can ye even fire a fucking gun?” Nidge’s voice broke through.

Jeanie whirled again, her arm around the side of Darren's friend. It was all fluid. Her arms moved with resistance like underwater. The gun aimed somewhere towards the back of the basement or front. No one was sure. It was just where she pointed the gun and pulled the trigger.

One by one dominos topped in a new pattern. Siobhan screamed, but the sound was deafening so her panic was muted. The gun kicked back causing Jeanie’s elbow to vibrate. Almost like someone checked her reflexes with a small hammer. A burst of concrete where the bullet hit a wall, and Darren dropped the keg with an even louder crash.

In Nidge’s terror, he went to flee from Jeanie's bullet . His entire weight landed on Git’s face. Nidge’s trainer came down with a sickening crunch like a knife in butter. Git’s face was the butter. The gurgle ceased.

The last domino fell. Jeanie dropped the weapon to her side and staggered backwards into Darren’s arms. He tried to take the gun but she jerked it away.

Instead he switched gears and mumbled nonsensical words of comfort. “I've got yous.” and “Jeanie, it'll be ok” She stared up at him as a tremble rolled through her. Darren put his hand on her face and sort of started fixing her hair. Then, with a turn of her head, Jeanie vomited absolutely everywhere.

“Lovely. Just fucking lovely,” Nidge said. “Typical Americans.”

Darren held Jeanie by the arms and bent to look her in the eye. “Alright, sweetheart? Nidge and Tommy and I have t’ take care of this. Why don't ye call Laura or Ewan, and have them come get the pair of ye. Siobhan too? Get her cleaned up and get some sleep. Crash at my gaff, ok?”

Jeanie was numb. Catatonic almost as Darren and Tommy formed a circle. Their heads literally together as they attempted a plan.

Jeanie straightened her back and made her way to Siobhan who held herself tightly. Like she was trying to fade into the background. She put her arms around the young woman who started with a jump but relaxed into Jeanie. The gun finally out of her hands and on the desk beside them.

“Here's what we're gonna do, ok? Do you want me to call Trish or Mary? You aren't gonna clean yourself or even pee. We're gonna take you to hospital. They'll clean you up and take samples. Then we can get you some tea and a warm shower and a nice bed. Dazz has a nice bed. Then I'll get Layton, and bring him to you. That sound good?”

Siobhan nodded softly in agreement, but her uncle wasn't having it. He shoved Darren and Tommy aside to bellow at the two women huddled in the corner together. His finger pointed in Jeanie’s face.

“She’s not gonna do a goddamn thing you say. You're gonna sit right here while Uncle Nidge and the boys clean up this bitch’s mess.”

There was not a single thought that went through Jeanie's head. Was this how Darren's brain was wired to live this lifestyle? Just react and pay for it later while you're trying to live until the next job.

But she was done, she knew that much. Done being left behind. Treated like she was the good little obedient housewife. Having men tell her what she can and can't do. Shut up, sit still and be a good girl. But open your legs. It was being done that caused her to hold the gun up again and point the barrel to Nidge's forehead.

“Darren doesn't work for you anymore, Nigel. Tommy, you can stay here or you can take care of your wife. No one owes him any loyalty.”

“Come on, I didn't mean bitch. We just have to fix it. Then you and Treacy can do whatever.”

Jeanie cocked the gun again until it clicked, “No. You can call Elmo or Fran. Can't call Aido can you? Seeing as you got him shot. Dazz gave you a lung, the love of his life, his sister and his fucking mind. He's not giving you or this bullshit anything else.”

“Red-”

Jeanie swung the gun on Darren without thinking. He flinched and ducked, But she kept her wits about her. She aimed the gun at Nidge once more.

“Dazz, take your shoes off,” she instructed.

“What?”

“You're standing in this cunt’s blood. Take your trainers off and leave them. Socks too, and stand behind me. Then text Ewan and tell him to meet us here with a car. We're going to your flat, then my hotel to pack our bags after we shower and set these clothes on fire. Then we are getting all of our money, our passports and our IDs. Say goodbye to Mary and the girls, and we are going away. Tibet. Phuket. Bali. I don't give a fuck, but we’re flying first class.”

Darren complied. Jeanie couldn't believe it. They shared a look. She couldn't tell if it was relief or the devil in his blazing green eyes, but she was emboldened by it as she bent to take off her own boots. Her focus on Nidge never faltered.

“Ewan said he'll be here in ten or so. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“I'm not above shooting this bastard in the head for you, Dazz. I'm not saying we are settling down and having babies and happily ever after or some shit. I'm saying I don't want you to die. If we have to run half way around the world to make that happen..” Jeanie's body started to quiver. The adrenaline was running out. “First I need a Bloody Mary and some French Toast.”

-------

Jeanie exhaled for the first time in nearly 24 hours. The exhaustion finally set in as she laid back in the ridiculous bed chair thing from“upper class.” She and Darren were beyond first class, they were elite now. Even if it was only for the twelve hours it took to get to Thailand.

She could see his far too short hair sticking out on the other side of the wall. She knew at one point he would sneak in to be with her if only for a little while. Jeanie made him look a bit nicer than his typical trainers and hoodies and denim. She was in a sundress herself. They both knew dressing up was not fitting in. Neither felt they fit in here.

“You good, Dazz?”

“I t’ink so. Still trying t’figure out how we went from shagging in coat rooms and back rooms and toilets to watching an IRA boss,” Darren raised his eyes, “to being on this plane. We have forty.. Enough money to live, maybe years where we're going.”

“You couldn't keep living that life, Darren. Nidge was off his fucking rocker, and everyone around him is gonna pay for it.”

“Rosie would've never done this, you know that right?” He looked plaintively over at Jeanie as she climbed up onto her knees.

“Her loss is my gain though. I know you love me, but I'm not sure about my own feelings. I do care about you alot. I'm probably a danger junkie, so we could end up bored of each other without the fear of being caught or you not having any jobs. Or you could wear colors and learn to meditate, and I'll get a pet monkey and cut all my hair off.”

“Don't ye dare!” Darren laughed. “I'll become a Buddhist, just don't cut that hair.” He twisted his fingers up in it before reaching up to kiss her sweetly. Just a hint of his tongue.

“Fine,” Jeanie rolled her eyes. “But I still want a monkey. We should get some sleep.”

They kissed one last time before she laid back down and closed her eyes. Jeanie knew Darren would be on his side when he would begin to dream. His hand tucked under his cheek and head, mouth slightly agape. She pictured it in her head as she drifted off herself.

“How DID we get here?” she thought before dreaming herself of a game that started in sex but ended in murder.

Tag list: @sean-falco @robertsheehanownsmyass @nightmonsters @super-unpredictable98 @elliethesuperfruitlover @slutforrobbiebro @frogs--are--bitches @forenschik @bisexualnathanyoung @sugdenyoung

#robert sheehan #darren treacy #love/hate #darren x jeanie #robert sheehan character fics

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slashyrogue · 4 years

Note

Spacedogs #15

15. “yeah, well, if you weren’t so drunk maybe i would.”

Nigel leaned against the brick, barely able to keep his head up, and stared up at the stars.

Gabi used to love the stars.

He could still hear the sound of her cello if he closed his eyes, and smell that sweet scent of rose in her perfume.

“Fucking bitch.”

The beer can in his hand spilled as he brought it up for a sip, head aching, and wondered if it would ever get any easier.

Tomorrow would be eight months since he’d signed the divorce papers and a year since he’d left home. What a sad fuck he’d been thinking she’d get sick of that greasy idiot Charlie by now.

A loud screech made his head throb and he moaned. “FUCK!”

“You really should keep the door open with a rock.”

Nigel gritted his teeth as he tried to stand, and turned ready to sock whatever stupid fucker thought tonight of all night’s was the time to fuck with him. But instead he paused, blinked, and stared wide eyed at the blue eyed angel in front of him.

“I didn’t know anyone was up here,” the angel said, frowning with what looked like a telescope in his hand, “But you really should keep the door open. It’s not safe.”

He smiled. “Thank you, Darling,” he slurred, “I will.”

The angel scrunched up his nose. “I don’t like nicknames.”

Nigel leaned forward only to fall right into the angel who quickly caught him. He stared up at the angel and every thought of Gabi seemed to wash away.

“No nicknames,” he said, “No nicknames for....”

“Adam,” he said, moving to lean Nigel against the very wall he’d gotten up from, “Adam Raki. I just moved in three days ago to 3R.”

“Mmm....”

“I’m...I’ll be over there.”

Adam eyed him warily and headed as far away as he could to set up the telescope. Nigel watched him, loving every movement, and imagining what he’d feel like under his fingers.

“Star,” he whispered, “Beautiful star.”

Adam turned. “You like stars?”

“Mmm,” Nigel smiled, “Love ‘em.”

The smile he got in return was enough for Nigel to try getting up again, though he stumbled a bit moving toward Adam. He sat back down again just beside him.

“Can I sit?”

“You’re drunk.”

“Maybe, but I want to be next to my Star.”

“Stars,” Adam said, sighing, “You’re not coherent enough to even finish a full sentence, Mister. I don’t think you can operate a....”

“Nigel.”

“What?”

“I’m Nigel,” he said, trying to stand up again only to fall right into Adam.

The two of them fell to the ground though Adam on his ass and Nigel right into his lap. He stared up at him, smiling still, and Adam blushed a pretty pink.

“I don’t like you, Nigel.”

He laughed. “You’re so cute, Star. So....I wanna kiss you.”

Adam blinked.

“I don’t kiss strangers.”

“Mmm....you’ll kiss me.”

“Yeah, well, if you weren’t so drunk maybe I would. I’ve never kissed a man before but I find men attractive. I think you’re attractive but you have very bad manners and drink too much.”

Nigel moved in closer still and Adam’s nose scrunched up again.

“You’re gorgeous, Adam. So....”

His vision started to blur as Adam frowned at him, and before he could even think everything went black.

Nigel woke up on some strange couch, the sun beaming in the window, and when he lifted his head he saw a blue eyed angel sitting on a stool eating cereal.

“You’re awake.”

Everything from last night keep roaring back at him and Nigel groaned.

“I’m sorry, Adam,” he sighed, standing, “I....”

“You wouldn’t move so I carried you down the stairs and you didn’t have any identification so I brought you here. I didn’t want to, but I did.”

He ran a hand over his face. “I got shit faced last night, I...I don’t normally get shit faced but...it was a bad night.”

“I thought so,” Adam said, “But...do you really like stars? Like you said?”

Nigel looked up from putting on his shoes. “What?”

Adam’s cheeks were just slightly pink and Nigel wanted to touch them with both hands. “You said you loved stars when you were drunk. Do you?”

“I do love stars.”

“Would you like to come look at them tonight? I don’t know very many people here since I moved and I....I hope you have better manners when you’re not drunk.”

Nigel nodded. “A little better, yes.”

“Then if you want to come and look with me tonight that’s fine. If you don’t let me know so I’m not waiting. I don’t like waiting for things that aren’t going to happen.”

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away, Star.”

He turned to undo the deadbolt, still smiling, and had the door opened when Adam spoke.

“I don’t like nicknames,” he said, making Nigel turn, “But it’s okay if you do. And if you want to try kissing me sometime in the future that might be okay too.”

Nigel licked his lips and grinned. “I await the time I’m allowed with bated breath. See you tonight, Star.”

“See you later, Nigel.”

The minute he closed the door Nigel head the lock reengage. He leaned against the door and sighed.

“The fucking love.”

#asks #prompts #spacedogs #Anonymous #my writing #not beta'd

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romanceromp · 3 years

Text

Okay, so I’ve been processing this amazing show, and everything about it for a couple of hours now. I’m going to try to put them into some sort of order, but it’s probably still going to be messy and yeah.... whatever. Gonna cut again, cause it’s going to be long.

Daphne:

I was not a Daphne fan in the book. I found her very disingenuous, and quite manipulative. She manipulated Simon so much to get him to marry her. And then the dubious consent scene when he was drunk was the nail in the coffin for her...

But, the show did a really good job of rehabbing her character from the book. I actually really liked her. I found that most of the decisions she made were based on the enormous pressure she felt to have a successful debut and the find a worthy husband. She was concerned about her family’s reputation, and setting up her younger sisters for when their time came. I never really thought about that pressure while reading the book.

Simon:

I didn’t like Simon in the book either. He was way too pig-headed, I hated that he basically abandoned Daphne, it was just all around terrible.

Rege brought such a warmth to Simon’s character. I really felt for him, and while he was still quite pigheaded, HE DID NOT ABANDON HIS WIFE. He still cared enough to stay with her. HUGE IMPROVEMENT ON THE BOOK. I just loved him. I can’t really put it into words. He was wonderful even when he was being a jerk.

Anthony:

I understand what they were doing with Anthony. Some may view it as character assasination, but I understand it completely. As Siena said, Anthony is lost. He’s trying to emulate what he thought his father would do in every situation, but he just got it so wrong every time. I truly did feel like he thought he was doing what was best, but he just wasn’t listening to his family, which he needed to. I loved the back and forth with Violet. I think by the end he had started to turn the corner, and would be more like book Anthony in caring for his families’ wants and wishes.

I didn’t hate the love story with Siena. To be honest, it makes more sense to me than the book story of why he didn’t want to love his wife. He had his heart broken, and his pride wounded. The normal reaction to that is to avoid love again (I’ve been there before, I wholly sympathize). But I don’t think he was truly in love with Siena, he was infatuated with her, and I think that he liked he could let down his “head of the family” guard that he always had up. He could be himself around her without being judged. I understand why he wanted to keep being with her.

It really did set him up perfectly for the next season where he will meet Kate and his whole world will turn upside down, and he will truly understand what REAL love is. I can’t wait to watch that happen.

Benedict:

I liked the introduction to Benedict’s artist storyline. I also REALLY enjoyed the introduction to Benedict not giving a FUCK about society’s standards. It all leads quite nicely to his love story with Sophie, the lady’s maid. 😊

I also REALLY loved the Benedict/Eloise scenes. I adored them. They are so similar, and I really loved that the show explored that and that they challenged each other. It was wonderful, and I look forward to seeing more of that in the later seasons.

Eloise:

I kinda loved Eloise’s obsession with Lady Whistledown and trying to figure out who it was. I honestly thought in the carriage scene with Benedict and Madame Delacroix that she figured out that it was Penelope, good misdirect there show. Claudia really gave such a wonderful performance. I CAN’T WAIT to see Phillip being super annoyed at her talking all the time. CAN’T WAIT.

The Peneloise friendship was so wonderful as well. I hated that little part when they were fighting, but of course, they were always there for one another when they needed it. I adored it.

Colin:

I’ve already mentioned on another post that I didn’t like the Marina storyline. But now, thinking about it, maybe it wasn’t that out of character for him? We all know he kind of makes snap judgments and just goes with it, as in when he decided he wanted to marry Penelope and just essentially ran in to ask for her mother’s blessing within 5 minutes of deciding.

I did appreciate him being a sensitive soul. He really is. He would honestly do anything to help someone he cared about.

I suppose the Marina storyline sets up the LW reveal in his and Penelope’s story, as it’s much harsher knowing that Penelope was the one to reveal Marina’s pregnancy publicly. It adds a level of drama that we didn’t have in the book. He was just jealous of Pen in the book, which was a bit weak in my opinion.

Also, I feel like we can still get the “what is love” conversation with Daphne in his book. I feel like based on this experience he could be confused about what love really is, if he thought he loved Marina, but was wrong. I just really loved that scene in the book, so I hope they keep it.

Penelope:

I ADORED PENELOPE. Except for when she was a jealous bitch and basically ruined her and her sister’s future by revealing Marina’s pregnancy. That was 100% out of character, as we know Penelope wouldn’t have done anything to ruin her family. They will definitely need to do some character rehabbing for that particular plot point in the future.

But seriously, Penelope’s heartbreak absolutely shattered me. Nicola played it SO WELL. She cried, I cried. It was hard to watch. And to be honest, at the end when she was crying after looking out the window, I thought she was crying because Colin was leaving, and I completely forgot that her father had just died. Lol. I honestly believe she was crying more for Colin than her father.

Anyways, Penelope still has my heart. I just wanted to hug her for 90% of her scenes. Don’t worry Pen, your time will come.

Violet:

Violet was wonderful. I also really loved that they had Daphne tell her how terrible it was that she didn’t give a proper birds and bees speech to her prior to her marriage. I think this sets up Violet to prepare the other girls better for their marriages.

I loved that she went toe-to-toe with Anthony a lot. He needed to be put in his place, a lot, and she did. It was wonderful.

She was just in general the matriarch that we all came to love in the books. I think she really grew as a mother over the season as well.

Other thoughts:

Nigel being the villain in the first half was shocking and such a departure from the books. Not sure I loved that choice.

Cressida’s hair crowns were wild, and distracting.

I LOVE QUEEN CHARLOTTE. I NEED A SPIN OFF LIKE YESTERDAY.

I’ve said this in another post, but Prince Friedrich’s storyline was unrealistic, and yes, I know it’s fantasy world, but it still was a reach, and wasted potential Daphne/Simon development time.

I loved seeing Sir Phillip and setting up that story. Are they going to make the twins older though? Are they going to move up Eloise’s story? So many questions remain from that plot point. Also, he is hot and can GET IT. Yum.

Lady Danbury was almost as regal as the Queen, and I LOVED her women’s only gambling party. It is 100% in character, and I wanted to go to that party. I also loved the mother role she took with Simon, and boy did he need her. I’m so glad she plays a role in each book, I need more of her.

Daphne’s speech at the end of the ball in the rain made me cry so much. It was beautiful. Phoebe did such a great job with it. I loved that both she and Simon got a monologue to explain how much they care and love one another, and that they were at different times.

Overall, I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I need season two ASAP. It’s going to suck waiting another year or more for it. I’m still fairly convinced we will see a season two. They just set up so much for future seasons, I don’t see why they wouldn’t continue the show.

#bridgerton #bridgerton spoilers #sorry this is so long #i have thoughts #and feelings

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yikesola · 5 years

Text

a definitive ranking and analysis of my top5 fav phan formsprings

this i love for a lot of the reasons i love their early tweets and their dailybooths and (of course) formsprings bc it was a clear beginning of things that would become a part of their repertoire for the next decade and yet here it was new and giggly and just as precious. teasing phil for his wild northern ways, upping his southland poshness, we see that constantly in their banter even into today and the best part is that whoever is making the joke is the one who gets the upper hand of course. here it’s dan bc sounding like the queen is obviously what quintessential british accents require right? but when phil does it, dan’s the uncultured one bc phil has all his slang (made up or otherwise) that dan is missing out on so thoroughly that he just has to take phil’s word for it (orrrr as a waffling that @ahappydnp and i were engaging in, he tries to ask kath or nigel if their son is full of shit and of course without missing a beat they back him up “oh yes, uggies, we use that all the time!”)

i also think it’s adorable when they point out things that make them different, since they of course have so many damn similarities. it’s nice-- it’s a good formspring!

this makes me feel things on many levels. on one hand this is an early example of people poking at them to find out exactly ~what~ dan and phil are to each other, and it’s early enough that it doesn’t quite feel like knives yet, but it’s clearly the beginning of a pattern that would continue and build and grow invasive and that’s :/

but, let’s focus on what i love about this formspring, bc there’s plenty to love! first this is a classic example of phil deflection (make em laugh, make em laugh, make em laaauuuugghhhhh!) and it works! he doesn’t have to say a goddamn thing that he doesn’t want to. privacy king! but also just what the joke he’s gone with implies: all of the above. they are, they always have been, everything to each other all at once. he loves dan and would date dan and is clearly already married to dan, and has to problem fondly laughing out an “i hate you” to dan. they just threw themselves into the deep end right from the beginning, as soon as it was clear what they meant to each other there was no holding back-- all of the above.

so much with so little ;__; it absolutely kills me! it’s just not even a question. i think there’s a few options people’s mind jump to with this kind of question and usually it’s achingly human like “grab the nearest person and smooch them” or “eat an entire thing that i’m allergic to and never get to enjoy” or the most tender example that dan gave which is “tell my mother/child/person that i love them”

but hey let’s think about that ,, what would that 30 second phone call look like?? is he calling to ask for help? phil is someone who wants to help, he’s someone who has helped dan many times before. is he calling because phil can at the very least calm him down? take away the panic? or is he calling because the thought of those final thirty seconds being spent with anyone but phil is just impossible? would he even tell phil he’s dying? would he just call to say something stupid, just to ensure the last thing he hears is phil’s laugh? it’s melodramatic and too much too soon but wow if dan doesn’t mean it when he says ringing phil is his first and last instinct, and god do i love that for them

there was never going to be any doubt that this is my top phil formspring! it’s just ,, wow can you believe phil invented tenderness? i sure can!

because let’s ponder for a moment what that means: dan smells like warm. he smells like comfort and safety and home. he smells not like something tangible, something bottled, something replicated. he smells like life and closeness and midnight whispers. phil, king of lateral thinking, didn’t say he smells like whatever deodorant middle class white boys were drenching themselves with in the early aughts. he didn’t say dan smelt like something out of their in-jokes (cherries, caramel macchiato) or even something simple but Nothing like “idk he smells fine, he smells good, he smells whatever”

no--

he smells like warm ;__;

it’s why small animals fall asleep the second they’re in his arms. it’s why cuddly tactile phil gravitates towards him. dan’s warmth radiates through him, out of his goddamn pores.

oof <3 ten years on and this one hurts so good! we give phil a lot of credit for his knight of wands prediction (and rightfully so) but this here hurts in a different way. the intentionality of it all-- that’s the plan, if dan has anything to say about it then yes, he and phil will be best friends forever. there is so much good meta about the different ways that both dan and phil approach the concept of fate, and when you think about what it takes for dan to sit there and say he doesn’t believe in soulmates but accepts that phil is his that’s like ...... that’s telling. but fate is something dan doesn’t think just happens-- as with everything in life, it has to be worked for. he and phil are compatible, but he had to work to get his attention in the first place. they had to work that first year to see each other when there was the length of the country in between them. they had to work to balance their careers with their private lives, they had to work at remaining a strong unit despite the stressors of the closet, they had to work to overcome various family tragedies, mental health struggles, and the wear and tear of daily life. it’s part of the plan, a plan where the details change all the time based on where they are in their careers or what their personal life goals are or whether they now have to adjust their travel schedule to the needs of their darling son Norman. but the barebones of the plan, the fact that it was, is, always has been and always will be, dan&phil vs the world? that’s been the plan from the beginning. top tier formspring-- unparalleled!

****

Meta for @phandomficfests Bingo Fest, prompt: formspring

#me talking

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lacking-hydration · 3 years

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Meeting Confusion | Drabble

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Dr. Channing stared at the door of his office with a look of confusion and worry spread across his face, as it began to drip with thick, black liquid, speckled with purples and blues. The sparkling sludge squeezed itself through the cracks of the door, slowly dripping towards the floor, until it had completely collected on the ground. Nigel kept his eyes fixated on the puddle, afraid to move. He took a careful step forward, before immediately retracting said step when the pile of sludge began to jitter and bubble. A portion of it began to slowly rise until it created a blobby obelisk that towered over the chairman, just barely scraping the ceiling. Two tendrils sluggishly extended from the shape, creating long, lanky, arms with sharp claws. The lower portion of the structure split into two, forming thin legs with wild, swirling tendrils at its feet. The top of the blob formed a head and neck, which split open, creating a wide and jagged grin. A spiraling crater drilled itself into its chest, traced by a glowing purple lining. Jittering scribbles appeared where it’s eyes should have been, those reminiscent of the frustrated scrawlings of a young child. The inhuman creature shook to life, and took a staggering step towards Nigel, who only stared at the monster in terror. The beast drew in a disgusting breath, before bellowing the words,

“Your face reads an expression of terror, Dr. Channing.” The creature’s voice horrified him. It was deep, bassy, yet articulate. It rang in his ears, shaking him to his core. “I hope I haven’t spoiled our partnership already, I’ve barely introduced myself.” It continued. It took another step forward.

“W-what-...” He nervously choked, “What are you?” The thing chuckled to itself, producing a gross, mucus-y, and vile sound, something akin to the sickly cough of a diseased toad.

“Well, the answer to that is simple, really, I am Confusion! The very manifestation of all of those foggy memories in your head. The knots in your stomach, The blank spaces in your mind. I feast on chaos. I breathe disorder. Your institution is overflowing with chaos, making it a perfect source of energy." Nigel backed up slowly as the creature approached him, and only began to panic more when he found himself backed up against the wall. "There is one small thing I'm going to need from you, though."

Before Nigel could ask the monster what it exactly meant, it grabbed him by the throat, making him let out a strained squeak as the thing lifted him a few feet off the ground, pressing him against the wall. Nigel gripped the slimy, clawed hand, desperately trying to pry himself from its grip.

"Don't try and struggle. You'll only make things more difficult, for the both of us." It said calmly.

"What-" Nigel gasped for air, "Do you..want from me?"

The creature let out a disgusting laugh, "You can't exactly expect me to roam around the institute looking like this, can you? I'm going to need your help. I need someone they'll trust. Someone they'll listen to. You'll be perfect." It said in a low voice, before beginning to shift. Its form started to melt, losing its shape. That's when Nigel realized what it was doing. The matter making up the beast slowly crept up Nigel's neck, snaking and spreading all over his upper body, before suddenly piercing his skin, closing in on him. He could feel the sludge tearing it's way through his skin, a feeling that slowly spread from his neck, all the way down to his feet, engulfing him in an unworldly amount of pain. He tried to scream in anguish, but he could only produce a pathetic, dry, nearly silent squeal. He was helpless, and the pain and lack of oxygen was making it harder for him to stay conscious. As he slowly drifted off, lethargically flailing at the creature in an attempt to loosen its grip, his head heavy, and vision cloudy, he stared into the scribbled eyes of the creature as it melted into him. Helpless. Unable to save himself from whatever was to come. All of the feeling in his body slowly began to slip away, paralyzing him. In his final moments of consciousness, Dr. Channing could only limply stare into the unforgiving eyes of the being, silently begging that he was only dreaming, that when he closed his eyes, he would wake up, that everything was going to be fine. He was going to be fine. Everything was going to be just fi

#cut him off mid sentence cause i got NO RESPECT #journey into imagination #dr. nigel channing #confusion #confusion!channing #drabble-ish #this is my first time writing one of these

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mean-scarlet-deceiver · 4 years

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L.N.E.R. #954 -> B.R. #68392

This engine, photographed here in the yards at 1960 (the same year it was withdrawn and scrapped), had a working life of 86 years, which is the longest I’ve come across “in the wild”—without special efforts at preservation or restoration and without major breaks in service.

It was built in 1873 as an N.E.R. 0-4-4T “Bogie Tank Passenger” and ran branch line passenger services for 46 years... what is already an above-average working life, judging by my L.N.E.R. Encyclopedia browsing.

But at that point a bunch of the “BTP”s were apparently like, “Oh, you’re giving away my current work? Fine. I mean, lame, but, whatever. So, what’s next? And don’t fucking say ‘scrap.’”

“... well, your frames are a goddamn miracle of sturdiness, so. We could rebuild you into our new J77 0-6-0 shunting class?”

“Cool. Let’s do it.”

No. 954 here may have logged the most years, but was not unique. Significant numbers of former-BTP J77s were in service over 70 years and maintained their turf in certain coalyards even against new diesel shunters for as long as their boilers could last.

(pic * history)

The BTPs (and, specifically, their wildly successful original frames) started life as “Fletcher engines.” Edward Fletcher became locomotive superintendent of the N.E.R. in 1854 and definitely seems like one of the least bastard-like of the various designers featured on the L.N.E.R. Encyclopedia, because he was forward-looking but not exactly a fanatic about standardization, and also because he (gasp) actually listened to feedback from crewmen and accommodated their requests.

(I gotta tell you, right now a slew of latter-day chief mechanical engineers are just staring in bafflement as they try to process this notion. Nigel Gresley not least of all tbh. Gresley would sometimes haul one of his new creations back in to re-do their cabs, but mostly because Scottish crews would just not. fucking. use. a new engine, no matter how desperately needed, if their cabs offered insufficient shelter from the weather. "Scottish crewmen still salty about re-grouping give their new L.N.E.R./B.R. overlords HELL" could have been another whole square on my L.N.E.R. Encyclopedia bingo card.)

“Fletcher engines” tend to crop up again and again on the Encyclopedia as being long-lasting and incredibly popular with their drivers—though, again, No. 68392 was almost certainly the last Fletcher engine at full service. (Two other J77s seem to have survived into 1961, one as a reserve/spare engine and on in stationary service.)

#real true railway stuff #i have been fangirling 954 for the past two months and it's time to fly my flag #finding some pics of it just by knocking about in random collections online Made. My. Day.

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shirbertshitposts · 4 years

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A wild plot theory...

Gilbert goes over to the Roses for dinner. He has the engagement ring in his pocket. He is planning on proposing after dinner. It just so happens that Nigel Rose has invited over one of his friends who works in the government. It is that guy who told Rachel about the Residential Schools (i forget this dudes name. Does he deserve the respect of us remembering his name? Not really, so whatever). Anyway this dude starts talking about his work and it gets rascist real fast and Nigel being a quintessential good ole boy is just nodding along but Gilbert is not here for it. He pushes back on this guy like the Mi’kmaq community I live near are amiable and I have traded with them before. Their medicine is more advanced than some western techniques and actually it was a Mi’kmaq medicine woman that inspired my interest in medical research. And then the others are just dismissive of this and Nigel makes a something like well you’ll learn much more advanced things at the Sorbonne and Gilbert looks very uncomfortable. He tries to look to winnie to back him up but she just says nothing and gives him a small smile. Then as if that wasn’t enough the guy says something like “ boy the way you’re talking i would think you’re one of the protestors we arrested this morning. Had to lock up an old man and young lady that were causing quite a disturbance. Ohhhhoo man let me tell ya that young lady had a temper as fiery as her hair. Didn’t get her nowhere though did it cause now she sitting in jail.” And Gilbert is just eyes wide in shock because there is a pretty good chance that this is Anne because if that isn’t the most Anne thing he has ever heard of. So he asks what jail they are being kept in and once the dude says. Gilbert just stands up rushes out an apology like sorry winnie i thought i could marry you but this would never work. Now if you’ll excuse i think i need to go bail the love of my life out of jail and then he runs out of the room.

Cut to Anne and Matthew just sitting in a local jail cell. Matthew is quietly sitting. Anne is pacing and mumbling angrily and frustrated about the whole situation then she sits down next to Matthew and puts her hands on her head and just sighs in frustration. While her head is still down she hears an officer walk up with the footsteps of someone else behind him and the officer stops in front of their cell to unlock it and says “here they are.” Then she hears “thank you” from a voice that is all too familiar. When she looks up she sees Gilbert. She is so shocked she says “What are you doing here?” And then he says “I think I should ask you the same question” eyebrows raised (parallel to the season 2 train car scene)

Then as they are walking away Anne says something like “what will your future in laws say when they hear about this?” But before Gilbert can reply Matthew comes over and says “Thank you Gilbert” then Gilbert turns back to Anne and is like “im not too concerned about that” then Anne pushes back and is like “really? the roses seem quite proper” and Gilbert has to be like “i broke it off with Winnie. It didn’t feel right” and then Anne just kind of slowly nodds her head in understanding.

#this just came to me and i thought i would share #i feel like anne is probably gonna get arrested someday for fighting the good fight and gilbert will have to bail her out #he wouldnt be mad though just proud #as always if someone wanted to take any part of this tangent and write a fic off it be my guest #awae spoilers #anne with an e spoilers #anne with an e #awae #awae theory #awae s3 #anne shirley cuthbert #gilbert blythe #shirbert #anne with an e season 3 #awae s3 spoilers #matthew cuthbert

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