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msfbgraves · 1 month

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Cobra Kai 2.0

Something that struck me about the new Cobra Kai versus the Cobra Kai in the films -

Nearly every Cobra Kai member they focus on in the series is underprivileged. Hawk is disabled. Miguel is a poor boy whose family are immigrants. Tory is a fatherless poor caretaker of a sick mother and younger brother. Kenny is a poor black kid picked on by a bunch of rich white kids. Yes, there's Parker, but did he ever get his own episode? Aisha is a bullied black kid, though she's rich (which got her booted off the show).

The Miyagi Do's are the rich ones, the stable ones (no one we know of among them, other than Robby, has much hardship to overcome). Beautiful dojo and everything.

But that wasn't what the films were selling! The Cobra Kais were a group of mostly white preppy rich kids ganging up on one new poor kid, who, to some people in that Encino club, might still have counted as not-quite-white (if Aly was born around 1966, her parents will have been born around 1930-1940, and to those people, Daniel LaRusso would have been called a swarthy wop, guinea or dago by some people they grew up with, if they're too polite to use such language by 1983). Daniel definitely takes pains not to seem other to his environment even in 2018.

Sorry, but if your message is: "Cobra Kais are people too", why can't you simply try to win sympathy for preppy white kids? Why make Johnny into a blue collar worker? Nothing in his background suggests that. Why not make him a divorced, washed up, bankrupted investment banker? Why have Eli not simply be the vaguely Jewish kid who has trouble making friends? Really, if your whole raison d'être is "shitty rich kids are people too", why are you making it so that your protagonists are always fighting the rich kids? Who... aren't even shitty? Who did Samantha LaRusso ever hurt? And maybe there's Anthony, but he's barely in the show for three seasons.

Teaching poor kids to fight dirty because life can do you dirty is borderline justified. But The Karate Kid was about rich kids being taught to fight dirty and then taking all their advantages out on poor kids, because might makes right. Johnny, with his bike, and his preppy clothes, laughing at Daniel who has to sneak in through the kitchen to see his uptown girl. Chozen, the strong henchman to his insanely rich uncle, ganging up on the poor foreign boy. Terry Silver, making business deals with career fighter Mike Barnes. Humanise that all you like - but we also see what that looks like in the films, and that's Aly. The rich girl who really likes this new sweet kid, and doesn't care his mother is probably too outspoken for her parents' liking, and doesn't care her girlfriends don't much care for him. Aly, who is nothing but polite to Mr. Miyagi (compare that to Terry Silver's openly racist taunts), and only breaks up with Daniel when he jumps to conclusions (once about the class difference, another time when he was openly jealous about her talking to other guys). Show why, as taught by Johny, Cobra Kai 2.0 is good for those kids, or indeed show Johnny figuring out why it isn't and trying to make a change.

Because a poor kid learning "No Mercy" because they're trying to survive in a world that is trying to crush them is a very different setup than teaching a rich kid with all advantages in the world how to go around and pick on people, which is what Kreese was doing. The closest we get to that in the show is Hawk. It indeed isn't pretty and his redemption is entirely rushed, but even Eli, vaguely Jewish kid with a scarred face and trouble understanding social cues, had it much harder than, say, Tommy, who simply liked to win fights with his friends, if that meant nearly beating a young Newark boy to death after a school dance.

#cobra kai #ck meta #The karate kid #tw racial slurs #class differences #tkk

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loserlovesattention · 1 year

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Blood of Fire Chapter Two Jacaerys Velaryon x Servant Reader

Summary: The day had been long and hard and lonely... So when the princes asked for a princess, how could you refuse?

Warnings: None

Pairing: Jacaerys Velaryon x Fem Reader

Chapter Two

The following weeks were a whirlwind of lessons, duties and exploring. All the excitement made you practically devour all your food when you ate, and rush through the corridors to get to your next activity. This rambunctious behavior earned you more than a few scoldings and extra chores. You couldn't help it- there was so much at Dragonstone to do and see and learn!

“Ladies do not run in the halls, scarf down their food like savages and especially squirm while standing!” Lady Jeyne lectured you.

“I'm sorry, my legs hurt!” You whined. “How much longer must I do this?”

“You will do this all night if you continue to shake!”

She must have seen the tears welling up in your eyes at her outburst. Her voice softened.

“Y/N, when you become an attendant, you are expected to stand for long hours at a time. How do you think it would make the princess feel to have her servants lounging around, while she must be on her feet all day?”

You nodded at that, desperately trying to blink away the tears that gathered in your eyes.

“Remember; keep your shoulders back.”

Shoulders back, stomach in and chin high, you thought.

“Don’t lock your knees! Standing at attention does not make you a statue, you must relax!”

You exhaled the breath you were holding, urging your muscles to release.

“Better, much better.”

Many minutes must have passed; when you glanced out of the window yet again, you found the sun had moved to setting over the horizon.

“Let us continue this tomorrow, you are dismissed.” Lady Jeyne relented.

You curtsied before you made your leave, anxious with anticipation.

You learned quickly that evenings were the best time of day. By then everyone's day time activities were winding down and a majority of the household had about an hour's worth of downtime. Some of the gentlemen ushers and stablehands would play cards in the servants cookhouse. A couple of washerwomen would attend the sept to pray. A majority of the maids returned to the maiden's chamber to sow and gossip. Even the Maester would emerge from his cell to keep long important discussions with Lady Jeyne. Your mother often enjoyed long walks around the castle with the older ladies, talking about nothing and everything.

Helyn and you found such activities tedious, forced to make your own sources of entertainment. On bleak rainy days, the two of you would find an unoccupied window seat to play with the few toys you possessed. Other days, the two of you played tag or hide and seek in the deep caverns located beneath the castle. But on clear sunny evenings such as this one, there was nothing more you loved best than climbing up to the rookery to watch the dragons.

Ever since the royal families' arrival, the dragons they owned had been kept in the pits just below the keep. And on glorious days like today, they were released to roam the island as much as they pleased. To lure the beasts back, the dragon keepers would leave out freshly slaughtered cows or goats-sometimes even live ones.

It was exhilarating to see the sun gleam off their scales as they ascended into the air. Even from a distance, you could feel the gusts of wind from their wings when they flew past. The orange light from their blasts of flame seemed to fill you with an overwhelming, powerful sensation, which you had never felt before.

When the dragons roughhoused, they would shriek boisterously- the large gold one especially. The smaller ones often fled from the fighting to perch on the lower roofs of the castle, or catnap in one of the courtyards.

From time to time either the prince or the princess would emerge to saddle their dragons themselves and vanish into the clouds.

Never together, you noticed. Well, mother had once told you married couples should spend some time apart. Otherwise they may tire of each other's presence. Perhaps dragonriding was something the two used to have some private time?

As of late, the two oldest princes have been spending more time training their own dragons. The younger commanded the smaller pale one, crested with crimson. While the elder commanded the larger green one, whose wings shined like bronze.

“Why don’t they ride them?” You wondered once. “If I had my own dragon, I would do nothing but spend all my days flying!”

“I don’t think they’re big enough to ride.” Helyn answered. “You have to wait until they can support your weight or else you may crush them.”

However, you were in no mood to visit the rookery today. Helyn had come down with a chill and was sentenced to bed rest, at least until the fever abated. Going alone just wouldn’t be the same.

Where have I not explored yet? You pondered.

A majority of your lessons took place in the unused chambers inside The Stone Drum-the massive tower on the West side of the fortress. It was fascinating to go there on stormy nights, to listen to the roaring waves and howling winds. Occasionally lightning would light the room bright as day, before the whole tower shook with thunder.

“You mustn't fear the storm Y/N,” You would remember, “Do you know where storms come from?” Storms are gifts from the Gods; to make us brave and strong. Sometimes you even liked to close your eyes and feel the vibrations all around you. This is what being inside a dragon must feel like…

Of course you had seen some parts of The Sea Dragon Tower, where the rookery was kept. But you were forbidden to enter The Maesters Chambers there, as well as The Royal Apartments where the princess resided. Helyn had taken you to the Tower Cells there once, only to find it empty and unmanned. Of course that hadn’t stopped you from playing jailor and prisoner there.

“Aegon's Garden is just outside The Windwym Tower,” Helyn had explained. “You can only get there through a long corridor called The Dragon's Tail. I’ll take you there when the weathers good enough.” Why wasn’t the weather good enough today? As far as you could tell today had been the warmest day of the year!

“Pardon me,” You asked one of the passing footmen. “I am still new to this keep. Could you please tell me where I may find The Dragon's Tail?” You made sure to bat your lashes at the end of your question. All the adults around here were fond of children, and practically bent over backwards when you played innocent.

“Of course, it is down these stairs, across the gallery and to your left.” He said, pointing.

“Thank you!” You bowed low, before scurrying away.

There were many levels inside Dragonstone, each with their own purpose and stories. Some parts held broad stone arches and columns. Others contained statues of basilisks, demons, griffins, hellhounds, manticores, and wyverns. To the most grand and ancient rooms, you found their doors set inside the mouths of stone dragons. Even the torches throughout the corridors and halls were held in dragon's claws. Very often you found yourself gazing at all the details embedded around you; lost in a world of wonder.

It’s all like a dream from which I hope never to wake!

Even The Dragon's Tail was furnished in the grandest manner; with rich tapestries and detailed oil paintings adorning the walls. In the very center on the left hand side hung the largest painting of all: a family portrait.

In the middle stood a tall, robust man with a square jaw, short pale blonde hair and a matching close cropped beard. He wore a richly colored velvet doublet, a matching cape and a steel circlet studded with large square shaped rubies. On his left side was a slightly older woman, with the same pale blonde hair piled in braids atop her head. Shockingly, she wore mans mail with a grand three headed dragon on the chest. She even clutched a sword like the man beside her, albeit a lighter more feminine sword to fit her smaller frame. Lounging in a chair on the other side was a more girlish, gentle beauty. Again, the same pale hair but she wore it long in curls cascading down her chest. Her silk dress hugged her curvaceous body lewdly, fine stacks of bracelets adorned her wrists, and around her neck she wore a string of the largest diamonds you had ever seen.

the conquerors, you knew instinctively. King Aegon and his sister queens: Visenya and… Rhaena? Rhaenys? You racked your brain to remember, but couldn’t find a clear answer.

As a child you loved playing Visenya in your games with the other children. Often getting into trouble for playing too hard, whacking so forcefully with your pitiful tree branch; imagining it to be a sword.

“Visenya was not like most women,” Mother used to tell you. “She was a great warrior, maybe even greater than her brother. She even wielded a Valyrian steel sword called…”

What had her sword been called? What was the name of the dragon she rode? It all seemed so distant now. It felt shameful- once you knew every detail about your idol, and now that you were face to face with her you couldn't recall a thing.

You gazed longfully at the painting one last time before you departed.

I wish I was born sooner, when you lived here. Would you have noticed me? Would we have been able to be friends?

Aegon's Garden looked nothing like how you expected. In all your fantasies, castle gardens were full of fountains, marble statues, large luscious trees and flowers that bloomed in the most vivid colors.

This garden was sparse and dark. There were no fountains or statues to be found. The trees were tall thin pines that casted long shadows. There was a cobblestone pathway, but instead of being lined with posies, it was smudged between towering thorny hedges.

It was no pretty paradise that reminded you of peaceful meadows. No, this reminded you of the scary stories your father would tell, of deep dark woods that hid wolves, bears and wild cats. It was fitting for Dragonstone, you supposed. An equally dark, strange and exotic place.

Cautiously, you followed the path deeper into the garden. This was a castle after all, surrounded by strong high walls; you had no wolves, bears or cats to fear here! The path winded left and right, between a mixture of pines, shrubs and thorn bushes before emerging onto a clearing. In the center of the clearing there appeared to be a small pond beneath a looming black dragon, which appeared to be carved from pure volcanic stone.

You kept your eyes on it as you moved closer. Was it volcanic rock? It was so black and shiny it must be-

“Ouch!”

You failed to notice the boot sticking out from under one of the bushes and fell sideways into the grass.

As soon as you did notice it, you reached forward to pull back a branch, revealing the person lying there. Who in the world hides inside a bush beside a busy path?

“Hey!”

It was a young boy, even younger than you. With a mop of curly hair and wide brown eyes-

“My prince? What are-”

“There you are! I found you!”

A few feet in front of you stood the eldest prince, expression wide and excited.

“Looks like I win again!”

Instantly, the younger prince jumped to his feet and out from the bush.

“That wasn’t fair! You didn’t even find me! I want to go again!”

“Does it even matter? I’ll still win anyways!”

As the boys continued to argue, you did your best to remove yourself from the situation. Backing away slowly, you went to return the way you came. Perhaps you can wait to explore the rest tomorrow with Helyn…

“Wait! Maid!”

Behind you was the eldest prince, trailed by his pouting brother.

You did your best to bow, remembering your lessons.

“My prince, please forgive me for intruding-”

“You may rise, there is nothing to forgive! In fact, there is something my brother and I mean to ask you.”

“Yes, my prince?”

“We’re starting a game of Come Into My Castle, and we need a princess to rescue…”

You had never heard of such a game, did they want you to find someone who did? Or…?

“What Jace means is, do you want to play with us?”

It was very tempting. The day had been lonely and uneventful without your friend, and you longed to play in a group like you had back home. But were you allowed to play with them even if they asked? Your mother or Lady Jeyne had never discussed it.

“You won’t get into trouble if that’s what you fear.”

You thought on it some more. Your one and only friend was gone for the time being. You were awfully bored. They had, in fact, approached you. They did say you wouldn't get into trouble…

“Okay! How do you play?”

~*~*~

“It’s not fair!” Prince Lucerys whined,“You’re bigger and stronger than me!”

“All is fair in love and war!” Prince Jacaerys whined back, mimicking his brother's high pitched voice.

It turned out Come Into My Castle was not a very amusing game. All you did was scream when Jacaerys dragged you away by the arm and hid you in one of the trees. Whenever Lucerys tried to save you, only to be chased off by his brother, you occasionally cried out; “Oh save me my prince!”

When the two switched places, Jacaerys as the hero and Lucerys as the villain, nearly the exact same thing would happen: Jacaeys would best his younger brother at every turn, until Lucerys gave in to his exhaustion. This time Jacaerys had come out on top yet again, pinning his younger brother to the ground until the poor boy's face was full of dirt.

You waited until the round was finished before you spoke.

“It appears I win again and the Lady is mine to keep!” Jacaerys roared, offering his hand to help you down at least. As the youngest in your family, it pained you to watch the youngest at the mercy of the oldest. Immediately you thought up a game that may help.

“Perhaps we should play something else?” You proposed.

“Such as?” Lucerys asked excitedly.

“Such as…” You reached down to undo your belt, before loosely fastening it around Jacaerys waist. “Capture!”

The two boys stared at you, clearly confused. Perhaps this was not a game the highlord's played?

“One player, Jacaerys, must wear this belt. He cannot take it off. It is our job to take it from him!” Lucerys seemed to perk up at that.

“So it is like tag!”

“Exactly! And so we are not just chasing Jacaerys until he is too tired to run…”

You looked around briefly before picking out the best landmarks. “The stone dragon and the backgate are safe. Jacaerys can place his hands on those two things and we cannot take the belt from him- as long as he is touching those two things.”

“And what is stopping me from just staying in the safe spots?” Jacaerys asked, skeptically.

“You can only stay there for, let’s do thirty seconds, so you can catch your breath. Once those thirty seconds are up the belt is ours to take!”

Lucerys was practically bouncing up and down with excitement, clearly thrilled to finally have a chance to best his brother.

“I still don’t know…” Jacaerys asked, perhaps sensing a threat to his winning streak.

“Please!” Lucerys begged, “It sounds fun! And besides you’re still faster than me.”

“And it’s not like you’re afraid to be beat by a girl, right my prince?” You chimed in as sweetly as you could, again batting your lashes.

Prince Jacaerys considered it for a moment, before nodding his head reluctantly.

“Alright.”

If only he knew.

Boys are much faster than girls, you knew. But comparatively you had more running experience. But you couldn’t flaunt it, not yet. You had to lure the prince into a false sense of security first, before you won the game fair and square.

So during the first few minutes, you always stayed two steps behind Jacaerys, with Lucerys trailing on your heels. To and fro it went, back and forth. When the prince's breathing grew more labored and his pace began to lag, you decided to pounce. As he circled around Lucerys, making a beeline for the dragon statue, you reached out snatching the belt clean from around his waist.

“Point!” You cried, triumphant.

Jacaerys appeared shocked, then determined.

“Okay, this time you wear the belt and we’ll see how well you do!”

Needless to say you lasted much longer than Jacaerys had, knowing the right time to zig zag, dip and dodge. You only relented when you noticed Lucerys still trying desperately to keep up. So it was to him which you gave the honor; winding around one of the trees and running right in the young boy's direction.

“I did it! I did it!” Lucerys called.

“Boys?”

You froze in your tracks. You recognized that clear sweet voice, even though you had heard it only once.

Sure enough standing above you on the lower balcony, just overlooking the garden, was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne herself- Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Had she been there this whole time?

You dropped to your knees instantly, silently praying to The Gods for mercy. Jacaerys had assured you were free from any trouble, but still. You had not thought to get her permission before agreeing. Was going behind her back treason?

“What are you doing?” She didn’t sound upset. In fact she sounded simply curious, or at least you had thought so.

“Just playing mother!” Jacaerys called up to her, “We should be done in a couple of minutes!”

She smiled at that, before glancing down at you, regarding you with careful violet eyes.

“And who is your friend?”

It hit you then, you hadn’t even bothered introducing yourself to them before you started playing. Of all the shameful stupid things-

“Y/N, your grace. The princes asked if I should like to play with them so I-”

She held her hand up to silence you.

“Very well. Make it quick, supper is almost ready.”

And in a quick flash of black brocade, the princess was gone.

“Told you it was fine.” Jacaerys said, grabbing the belt from Lucerys and fastening it around his waist again. “At Kings Landing our uncles never wanted to play games with us. Aegon was too busy chasing girls, and his brother was…Well...So we played with the serving children instead. Mother never minded.”

You sighed in relief, placing your hand over your racing heart.

“Oh good. I had thought-”

“Are we going to finish the game or not?” Jacaerys teased.

“Last I checked we still don’t have a clear winner!”

#jacaerys x reader #prince jacaerys #jacaerys velaryon #jacaerys strong #jacaerys valaryon x reader #self insert #fanfic #hotd #house of the dragon #servant reader #commoner reader #class differences #childhood friends #friends to lovers

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clemsfilmdiary · 3 months

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Saltburn (2023, Emerald Fennell)

1/21/24

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wangxianficrecs · 1 year

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light and sound by Anonymous

light and sound

by Anonymous

E, 37k, series, wangxain

Summary (Part One): “Baba,” A-Yuan is saying, tugging happily on his father’s hand. “Wei-laoshi is here!” “Yes, I see.” Lan Wangji dips his head in Wei Ying’s direction, then begins to gently steer A-Yuan back into the house. “Let’s step aside so that he may come in. Wei Ying, thank you for making time in your schedule.” “Oh, it was no trouble,” Wei Ying says, waving a hand. It was: he had to rearrange two lessons with other students. “Really, I’m happy to do it.” He realizes he’s still kneeling on the porch, and clambers to his feet. “Besides, money is exchanged for goods and services, right? It’s your money! There’s no need to thank me.” Lan Wangji blinks. “I suppose… Yes. That is one way of phrasing it.” (Or: Wei Ying gets a commission, a tutoring job, and a crush.)

Summary (Part Two): Lan Zhan had known, right from the start, that he was fucked. Wei Ying had blown into his life like a hurricane. He was messy and loud and opinionated, too much and all at once. He was talented and smart and witty and beautiful, and Lan Zhan wanted to drown in it. (Was it possible to drown in a person?) (Or: food as a metaphor for love, five times Wei Ying cooks for Lan Zhan, and one time Lan Zhan cooks for him.)

Mojo's comments: This was sweet, with the timeless and well-loved Harlequin plot of the young art tutor and the wealthy, remote, single parent. It goes just as you would hope!

modern setting, single parent lan wangji, kid fic, mutual pining, misunderstandings, light angst, angst with a happy ending, slow burn, strangers to lovers, getting together, happy ending, blow jobs, musician lan wangji, artist wei wuxian, self-esteem issues, class differences, first kiss, first time, self-worth issues, love confessions

part two: food as a metaphor for love, 5+1 things, soft, fluff, marriage proposal, harlequin, the wei wuxian can cook agenda

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

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heretherebedork · 1 year

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The way that Hai Yi is trying so hard to be romantic and sweet with Johnny and Johnny is practically going out of his way to misinterpret it because the fancy dinner is just too expensive for him and too much for him to understand the meaning behind it when all he can see are the dollar signs... Ooof, what an interesting class distinction, the way that money can change your thinking.

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kiss-your-eclipse · 2 years

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ok so from the teaser for episode 5 it looks like we're finally going to be diving into the class differences between akk and ayan and how much akk needs this school and the prefect club compared to ayan and to be honest i am vibrating w excitement i can already tell this episode is going to be monumental for the story

#the eclipse #the eclipse the series #akk #ayan #thai bl #class differences #i saw someone make a rlly good post about how ayan early on held his status over akk when akk came to his house for the first time #even if that wasn't his intention he definitely did do that #and it seems like next ep we're finally going to get some info on akk's background and motivations

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pollyssecretlibrary · 17 days

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"The Countess and the Commoner", by Matilda Madison

𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗯𝘆 the author 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 “𝗥𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀” 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 - 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

“ℐ 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒶 𝓋𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑒. ℐ 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉. ℐ 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈. 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”

My dear friends, never promise your partner on their deathbed that you will never fall in love again, even if you are totally sure that they are the love of your life.

When her husband Robert, earl de Marchand, was dying of a fever, Sarah promised him that she would never ever fall in love again. She would never remarry and she would keep the estate until their son grew up. Big mistake, because not three years later Sarah feels lonely, so lonely that she thinks of taking a lover, one with whom she would never fall in love. But fate never plays fair and precisely the one she chooses, handsome commoner Simon Archer, is precisely the one she will fall in love with, again.

Simon is someone’s son, a secret that will be unveiled later in the book, his mother left him and his older brother Jack, at a nunnery when he was a baby. Ever since then, both brothers have found their fortune in timber and other investments, they’re incredibly rich, but that will never allow them join the ton, nor they want to be one of them. But Simon is a family man at heart and he dreams of a wife and children by his side, therefore when Sarah tells him they no longer can be together because of the promise that binds her, he decides to look for a wife somewhere else. Even though he’s deeply, madly in love with Sarah.

Sarah is much like the dog in the manger, when she realizes that Simon intends to become engaged to some other woman, she’s suddenly upset, will she have the courage to be honest to herself and fight for the man she loves?

This and much more is what Matilda Madison has to offer us. The story starts at a slow pace, but it reaches a moment when everything becomes so exciting that I couldn’t, I wouldn’t stop reading. I think what engaged me in the story is the powerful feelings and sensations that both Simon and Sarah are feeling, the angst, the longing, the desperation, the little hope and the perseveration. Before they can be together one of them needs to realize what is really setting them apart. A promise to a dead man? Class differences? Family and friends? Fear of rumors and half-truths? All of those factors are cards on their table, is love the highest scoring card that will invalidate all others? I cannot answer to that question, you will need to read this compelling story, feel the same as Sarah and Simon feel and hope for the best. Be moved as I was moved, cry as I cried, laugh as I laughed, dream. Always, always dream.

#historical romance #romance novels #romance community #book review #romance readers #romancelandia #romance review #review #romance #Victorian Romance #Class differences #Forbidden Love #Secret Lovers #Matilda Madison

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suguruslut · 18 days

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Silver Spoon

by suguru_slut

part 7 of DC fanfics

fandom: Batman (All Media)

relationship: Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne

words: 7,690

tags: class differences, issues with food, cooking lessons, family dinners, developing relationships, robin!jason todd

summary:

Jason Todd went from shoplifting Pop-Tarts and scrounging for food in the garbage of Gotham to eating three homecooked meals every single day and being served tea in priceless porcelain cups. Jason gets that this change was for the better, but how much time will it take to convince his body that this is how normal people eat? How long does he have to "risk his life" sneaking snacks from the kitchen before he can make himself fully understand what Bruce said to him the first night Jason came to the manor?

"What's mine is yours, Jason."

Read it on AO3!!

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jlbriere · 1 year

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A pic I drew last year of my characters Gavin and Amira. I love them so much. 😭 He’s a technomage from an affluent family and she’s country girl alchemist. I was drawing a ton of mushy art last year, but this year I’m actually working on the stories. I think the last time I posted them together she was in her human form, but she has two forms that she (and other animal folk in my stories) shift between depending on magic use. They are decedents of cursed humans and are considered a sub-species of human. Gavin’s just a pureblood human, though.

#anaria #echo hunters #mushy fluff #romance #romantic #fox #class differences #sparkly dress #werefox #wintery #furry #sfw furry art #my ocs are my babies #oc #original characters #original character #fantasy #anthro art

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cinematicct · 1 year

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The Notebook (2004)

Based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, this romantic drama film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as poor country boy Noah Calhoun and wealthy city girl Allison “Allie" Hamilton, respectively, who meet and fall in love one summer in 1940s South Carolina.

The supporting cast includes: James Marsden as upper-class gentleman Lon Hammond, Jr., James Garner as a senior citizen named Duke, Gena Rowlands as a fellow nursing resident, Sam Shepard as Noah's widowed father Frank Calhoun and Joan Allen as Allie's prissy mother Anne Hamilton.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams convey a touching sense of charisma in a way that's become nothing but pure cinema magic. Ryan Gosling’s performance in this particular film has cemented his status as a Hollywood heartthrob, while Rachel McAdams’ appearance perfectly exemplifies a dainty Southern belle. What's more, the two leads even manage to really have a go at each since their characters would argue from time to time.

The story demonstrates the difference between the feeling of wanting to belong with someone and having to adhere to the strict expectations of Southern culture in the 20th century. Noah and Allie are two worlds apart, but together, they experience the joy and passion of a summer romance before they are swept away by the circumstances of war (World War II in that case) and social class differences. During that time, Noah wrote to Allie, only for her mother to intercept and hide the letters. To make matters even more complicated, Allie is engaged to Lon Hammond, Jr., whose family had come from old money. Meanwhile, Noah, upon returning home from his enlistment in the war, has spent most of his time renovating an abandoned (and recently purchased) plantation house he once dreamed of living in with Allie, hoping she might come back into his life.

The film divides the story into three segments: young love, rekindled love and committed love. The first segment depicts Noah and Allie’s first meeting and subsequent fling in their teens. The second segment features Noah and a newly engaged Allie reunited after several years in which they reminisce about their past. It is then afterwards that Allie is forced to decide whether to remain true to social norms or follow her heart. The third segment presents a nursing home in which the elderly man Duke reads the story of Noah and Allie’s love life from a notebook (which serves as the frame narrative of the film). At the same time, the tale is told to an elderly woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By the end, a shocking yet bittersweet truth is revealed.

One memorable scene in the movie shows Noah and Allie kissing in the pouring rain following a romantic boat ride on the lake. It happens when they both come to realize the love they shared hasn’t gone away despite being kept apart.

The film’s soundtrack includes the popular 1930s song “I’ll Be Seeing You”. It is first heard when Noah and Allie share a slow dance in the middle of a quiet street late at night. It is heard a second time after Duke finishes recounting the story.

Finally, the message of the movie (and novel) is that despite the restrictions of society, love cannot be severed. All that said (and if you don’t mind a few tugs at the heartstrings), I sincerely recommend this moving film to every literature fan.

#the notebook #the notebook 2004 #nicholas sparks #nick cassavetes #romantic drama #ryan gosling #noah calhoun #rachel mcadams #allie hamilton #young love #1940s #class differences

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llendrinall · 4 months

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Anyway, I have lots of complaints about the HP movies, but they can all be summarised by the Muggle-hating villains wearing posh muggle clothes.

#harry potter #hp movies #class differences #it's all about class

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loserlovesattention · 1 year

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Blood of Fire Chapter One Jacaerys Velaryon x Servant Reader

Summary: You begin your training as a chambermaid at the legendary fortress and ancient seat of house Targaryen, Dragonstone. It seems you’ve come just in time for the Princess Rhaenyra’s arrival.

Warnings: None

Pairing: Jacaerys Velaryon x Fem Reader

Chapter One

“You mustn't fear the storm Y/N,” Your mother would soothe. “Do you know where storms come from?” Your answer was always immediate. “From the Gods! To test our strength and make us stronger!” Your reward was always a light kiss or a sweet caress. “Yes, my darling. Storms are our gifts; they make us brave and strong! Those who live in the easy parts of the realm enjoy easy lives, true. They know nothing of the cold, of toil, of suffering. But when the great storm approaches, the storm to end all storms-”

“The dead will rise on its winds and we will be the only ones to greet them: swords in hand!” You finish. It was a measly little fable, to ease your anxiety and conquer your childish fears. These tales of greater storms that brought white walkers, grumpkins, snarks and ice dragons. At first the bedtime stories filled you with even more fear, dreading those monstrous beasts and wondering if you would ever live to see them come true. “You may, or you may not.” Your father would say, “But you must never ever fear them. If you fear them, you let them control you. Then you are dead before they’ve even had you. You will be strong and fight them, won't you?” You nodded. “With my own Valyrian steel sword! I will strike them down like Visenya Targaryen!”

Growing up in the shadow of Dragonstone, you knew all the tales of the legendary Targaryen family. They built and ruled Dragonstone first, afterall. Then they conquered The Seven Kingdoms, sired exceptional kings and rode the greatest beasts known to man! You were in awe of them, as well as envied them. Targaryens are closer to gods than men, you were told. They hold a power that no ordinary man can dream of possessing; dragons.

In your childhood imaginations, you visioned yourself having a dragon of your own. You would play riding one into battle, flying the vast open skies and unleashing fire upon all those terrible monsters from your bed time stories. Once you had told your father of your plan to climb the Dragonmont, and claim one of the wild dragons there for yourself. You had never seen him so fearful before.

“Swear to me by all the Gods you will never do such a thing!” His grip was hard and clammy where he held your shoulders. He shook you when you did not answer. “Promise me Y/N! We are not Targaryens! We cannot control them like they do! Those monsters will eat you alive! Promise me!” You promised, of course. But that did not stop you from playing your games and daydreaming what your very own dragon would be like. Often you liked to lay in the fields and watch the dragons fly above you. Owen, the neighboring farm boy, had told you there were six dragons who lived in the Dragonmont. There had to be one at least willing to let you ride them. Just once, then you could return home in time for supper. Mother and father would never know. It could be a sweet secret that you could dwell on for the rest of your days…

But like the mists that vanish in the daybreak, so too did these childhood fantasies fade. When you reached the age of eight, mother took you to work alongside her. “One day you will do as I do,” She explained. “It is best to learn when you are young. Then, you may be the greatest attendant Dragonstone has ever seen!” Attendant? You knew the true meaning behind the word and you had no desire to be a servant. “But I want to ride a dragon and wield a sword!” You cried. “To marry a prince and have his children to have dragons of their own!” There was a brief pause, before your mother cradled your face in her hands.

“I know what you want, but we are not Targaryens. We do not ride dragons, or wield swords or marry princes. We were born to serve the Targaryens. We ride mules, wield trays of food and marry in our station. The Gods made and shaped the Targaryens to rule, we were made and shaped to be ruled. That is the way of things.”

“No!” You wailed.

“Enough!” She wailed right back. “I will hear no more of this madness! You will do your duty and obey! If you do not follow, I will throw you out on the streets where you can beg for your food!” Needless to say, you sobbed through the journey from your hut up the mountain to the castle. By the time you arrived at the gates, you had shed all the tears you could muster and stopped resisting all commands.

“You will see.” Mother encouraged, “It is an honor to serve the highlords. You will take care of them, see to all of their needs, you may even see their dragons!” It was a sentiment that should have uplifted you, but instead it made you even sadder. I may see a dragon, but I will never pet one or feed one or give it commands… I will never fly.

When you dismounted in the yard, you were received by an older woman, nearly your grandmother's age before she had passed. Dressed all in black, with a hard lined face and gray hair immaculately arranged in a ceremonial headdress. She appeared stern and unsmiling. You did your best to curtsy like your mother showed you.

“You may rise child, I am merely a servant, not a noble lady.” She said emotionless and stone faced.

“Lady Jeyne, it is good to see you again.” Your mother said in a distant formal matter. Was this how everyone in the castle spoke?

“You've missed much in your absence, Anne. The Princess Rhaenyra has sent word to make haste, she and her family will be coming to claim her seat.” Your heart seemed to flutter with excitement at that. A princess? A real Targaryen princess was coming here? Perhaps that explained why everyone took little notice of your arrival, rushing to and fro.

“When?”

“They depart in three days time. The castle has hosted so few people, as you can see there are many things to be done.”

“Then it is good I brought my daughter to help. I thought it time she learned her duties.”

“Ah yes, your youngest if I am correct.”

The Lady reached forward to hold your chin-inspecting your disheveled, tear stained face. Her eyes were a pale purple color you had never seen before. They were as lovely as they were terrifying. It took all you had not to squirm under her gaze.

“What is your name child?”

“Y/N.”

“Very well Y/N, I am Jeyne Waters the Lady Steward of Dragonstone. Do you know what steward means?”

You shook your head nervously.

“It means I run the household of this castle. I keep track of our accounts, organize our affairs and most importantly; tell you what to do and you obey. Understand?”

You nod, eager for her to let you go.

“Do you have any idea what is expected of you here?”

“I-I-” You looked to your mother, who waved you on supportively.

“I will serve the highlords… See to all their needs?”

Finally, the Lady released her grip on you, seemingly satisfied by your answer.

“That is the gist of it, yes. But there are many duties you must perform if you are to fulfill the lord's needs. Cleaning, mending tears, building fires, stripping and making beds, washing and folding the laundry, serving their food and pouring their wine…”

~*~*~

You began your lessons at once. On the first day Lady Jeyne showed you how to scrub the floors, dust, sweep and build a small fire in an antechamber. On the second day you began learning how to properly carry a tray, bow, curtsy and address your betters. When the third day arrived your belongings were moved from the small closet where you slept, into the servants household.

“You will be here with nearly thirty other maids.” Lady Jeyne instructed. “Some who have occupied this castle their whole lives, and some who are just arriving with the princess. You will grow accustomed to them in time. But if I hear of any squabbling, stealing or backbiting I will not hesitate to punish you severely. Understand?”

You did not know what squabbling or backbiting meant, but you nodded anyway.

The maids chamber was a small, dark, cramped place, with beds stacked so close together they were practically on top of eachother. There were unlit oil lamps that hung from the low ceiling, and straw that covered the floor like a canopy. When Lady Jeyne saw you staring, she explained; “The straw is to conceal herbs that smell when you step on them. It serves to keep the pests away and emits a pleasant fragrance. As for the lanterns, they are not to be lit unless strictly needed! We must save on all our resources.”

Your bed was at the very back of the chamber, beside the stairwell that led to the kitchens. It was the smallest of all, with a space just below it to store your scrawny burlap sack. It was comfortable, you had to admit, far more comfortable than the mat you slept on back home. With an actual mattress, cozy patchwork blanket and a real feather pillow that made you think of resting your head on a cloud. “I love it. Thank you!” You told Lady Jeyne, remembering your manners. For a moment, a small smile graced her ever somber face, before she curtly nodded and returned to the business at hand.

“The princess should be arriving shortly. If you would like to greet them with the rest of the maidstaff. I would suggest you dress in your best uniform and join the welcoming party in the great hall. You are free to stay here if you are too exhausted from the days activities-”

“I'll join you.” You cut in excitedly. “I've always wanted to see a Targaryen!”

“Remember what I taught you. You will not speak to her, or anyone from the royal party, unless invited to. You must curtsy and keep your eyes down until she gives you leave to look upon her. Targaryens are blood of the dragon and they do not forgive a slight.”

“I remember, I'll behave I promise.”

“Very well. I will be in the great hall. I trust to see you there shortly.”

After you had arrived, Lady Jeyne had given you three uniforms made from the same roughspun wool. They were rather big on you, and had to be tied with a leather belt around your waist but you did not mind. They were the finest clothes you had ever owned, they even had buttons just above the elbow to hold up your sleeves! So you made quick work of slipping on your favorite- the one with a white collar- and tucked your hair into your matching white bonnet. Unfortunately, the servants had no shoes that fit your dainty feet, so you were stuck wearing the hand-me-down clogs you had arrived in. Oh well, your dresses were long enough to hide your feet, you highly doubted the princess would notice.

When you arrived at the great hall, you found the castle staff lined up neatly standing at attention. The serving men on one side of the room and the women on the other. You searched for your mother in the crowd, but it was hard to find her. She was a small woman after all, with common features, and with everyone dressed in matching uniforms it made your task even more difficult.

“Here,” One of the maids said to you. “You should stand up front so you can see the better.” You hesitated, what about mother? You hadn't seen her since your arrival three days ago. She would not just leave me here would she? The maid interrupted your thoughts by grabbing your hand and pulling you to her side. “Your Anne's daughter. Don't worry she told us all about you, youĺl be treated well here.” She assured you.

She was a tall slight girl, with brown eyes, ruddy cheeks and blonde hair that poked out from under her bonnet. You guessed she must have been between ten or one and ten- close to your age. “My name is Helyn.” She whispered to you.

“Y/N.” You whispered back.

“Have you claimed a bed in the maiden's chamber yet?”

“Yes, the small one by the kitchen stairs.”

“Lucky! In the mornings you wake to the most wonderful smells there. Mines towards the middle, crowded up next to the wall and-”

“Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne and The Lady of Dragonstone!” The herald boomed. The doors opened with such a flourish it nearly extinguished the torches that kept the room alight. At the very front of the arriving party stood the most beautiful woman you had ever seen; She stood tall and proud with a cascade of silver hair that ran down her back. Her gown was as black as night and seemed to shine like scales. She marched forward in even measured steps, knowing that the stones beneath her feet belonged to her and her alone. As she passed you, you remembered the protocol Jeyne had taught you. Deep curtsy, eyes low, don’t look don’t look don’t look.

“Ser Laenor Velaryon, rightful heir to Driftmark and prince consort to Princess Rhaenyra!” The herald called again, and you watched a pair of fine leather boots march past and down the aisle, determined to keep your eyes down. The deathly silence that filled the hall made you nervous, but Lady Jeyne had warned you things here would be much quieter here than your village.

“Prince Jacaerys, Prince Lucerys and Prince Joffrey!” The herald finished grandly, “Trueborn sons of Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor, rightful princes of the realm!” Oddly, only two pairs of shoes passed you, making you glance up out of curiosity.

There were two young boys, bedecked in fine doublets made from cloth of silver and sea green capes that trailed behind them. The elder stood with his shoulders back and chest out, clearly mimicking his mother. While the younger seemed to hunch over, cradling a bundle of blankets in his arms- a baby you realized. You averted your gaze again before anyone could notice.

When the royal family stood together at the front of the hall, before the dais, did the princess finally relieve your anticipation.

“You may all rise!” She announced in a clear ringing voice.

When you were able to look up, you gazed at them fully. Absorbing any and all details you could. One day I will tell my children about this, you thought, about the first time I saw a prince and princess. I will tell them all about her beauty, her proud husband, her children-

You stopped short when you noticed. The prince and princess had hair the color of pale moonlight, of a spider's web… Their sons did not.

On the contrary, Their sons had hair the color of soil after a storm. Of the chestnut bark that covered the trees. They were pale like their mother true… but that seemed to be the only trait that showed their relation.

Perhaps they get that from their fathers side? You wondered. You knew all the Targaryens had light hair, but you did not know the traits of house Velaryon. Besides, as a child you were told you took more after your fathers side than your mothers side. Looks can be a complicated thing, your father had explained to you once. “You take after my mother. Tessa takes after your mother, and Ben takes after your mothers father. You are the luckiest, my mother was a very handsome woman.”

“Your kindness and loyalty are much appreciated.” The princess continued, “I see that the Gods have truly blessed me with the most dutiful, discreet, and devoted staff I could ask for. I only pray that I prove to be worthy of your service.” she scanned over the room thoughtfully, seemingly taking measure of her new household. You thought her eyes had landed on you for a brief moment, but that could have been your overactive imagination.

“I will see to it that you all may look back on this time with pride. That you shall want for nothing, kept safe from all harm and serve most honorably. I swear this by the old Gods and the new!”

The hall erupted into applause, and you couldn't help but follow suit. She really is The Realms Delight, you thought. She is strong and proud and beautiful. She will be a worthy Queen someday. When the applause died down, and the princess dismissed you all. You waited to follow Helyn out.

“It seems you have an admirer.” She giggled in your ear. You turned to look over your shoulder to follow her gaze, only to meet the eyes of one of the princes standing by the dais. It was the elder one, whose name you could not recall. He looked to be the same age as you with a rather large nose and still a bit of baby fat clinging to his cheeks. When he noticed you looking he smiled shyly and waved. A burst of happiness erupted from your chest at that. So much so all your lessons on etiquette and courtesy were forgotten, and you waved right back.

You may not wield a sword, or ride a dragon. But at least you will not lack for friends.

#jacaerys x reader #prince jacaerys #jacaerys velaryon #jacaerys strong #jacaerys valaryon x reader #self insert #fanfic #hotd #servant reader #commoner reader #class differences #friends to lovers

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