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howtofightwrite · 9 months

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Speaking of martial competence, do you have any examples of characters that are actually written with this in mind?

Loads. Some actually even make good on that.

So, there's different kinds of martial competence. There are characters who are proficient in combat directly, there are well written strategists, there are characters who excel at military leadership, and when they're written well, you can actuallylearn some things from them.

I'm going to give some examples, and at least one cautionary example.

For, just, raw combat prowess, I still go back to Robert E. Howard's Conan short stories. It's easy to meme on the character, especially 90 years after the fact, with the cultural persona that's grown around him, but Howard's original writing is excellent. The character would not have survived Howard's early (and, frankly, tragic) death if it was just the one note gag you might expect, if your only exposure to the character was through cultural osmosis and the films.

Howard's fight scenes were shockingly well written. To the point that it is still absolutely worth reading if you want to write a fantasy fighter.

For strategists, three characters come to mind, but only two are literary, and all are Science Fiction.

Grand Admiral Thrawn is probably one of the best villains Star Wars has ever produced, it's part of why he's one of the few characters that's migrated from the original EU to the Disney era. My personal take is, as a character, he's lost a lot over the years, but the original incarnation from the early 90s novels is a very solid model for a strategist. Particularly in how he takes time to understand his opponents while looking for potential weak points to exploit.

His practice of studying a culture's art to understand their psychology might sound a bit goofy, but the concept does have a real basis. (At least, until it metastasized into a superpower, in later adaptations of the character.) Being able to psychologically assess your foe is an incredibly valuable element of strategy, and one that you probably want to consider when you're writing a character who is supposed to be a “strategic genius.”

When writing fiction, you want to consider all of your characters as if they were people, rather than as hollow, plastic toys. And, yes, the obnoxious villain who knows exactly what your heroes will do because of authorial fiat is going to be a more compelling character than the ambulatory goldfish villain who exists as a prelude for your heroes showing off how badass you think they are.

Granted, even in Heir to the EmpireThrawn was already drawing strategic insights that strained credibility, but understanding your foe is an element of strategic thinking that is often forgotten in literature. So, even as a villain in a tie-in novel (we're not done with tie-in fiction yet), he is worth looking at. At least when written by Timothy Zhan, Thrawn was a well written character, and even if he bordered on a Mary Sue at times, he escaped a lot of that stigma by justifying his competence.

It's also probably worth mentioning in passing that he's one of the few Imperial leaders in Star Wars who isn't also criminally incompetent.

The non-literary example of a strategist would be John Sheridan from Babylon 5. Unlike Thrawn, Sheridan's main strategic focus is on situational exploitation. A little of that comes from his knowledge of enemy procedures and psychology, but at lot of it comes from a rather ruthless approach to technical limitations. An alien race is using technology that blocks human targeting systems? Set up a nuclear mine and then send out a fake distress single to lure them in. Need to deal with a significantly larger, more dangerous ship? Lure them into a gas giant and and let the planet's gravity well drag them past crush depth. Bruce Boxleitner's performance helped sell the character, but Sheridan is a really solid science fiction strategist, who really exemplifies how technical limitations can have enormous strategic considerations.

I'm not citing Sheridan as an excellent example of a leader per se,it's certainly there, but it is harder to unpack from Boxleitner's performance. It does have some good payoffs much later in the series when he starts making some orders that cause his subordinates to sit up and stop what they're doing. And that is a consistent theme even back to his introduction, but, it's a tangible consequence to an intangible cause.

The last example is a negative example, both for strategy and leadership. And, as much as it pains me to say this, at least Orson Scott Card understood that Ender was a bad leader. At least in the original novel. To be blunt, Ender is a mediocre strategist at best. His highlights in the book involve, “inventing armor,” and creative movement in micrograv. That's setting the bar exceptionally low, and while it is reasonably within the range of what you could expect from a pre-teen, that's not much of a justification.

Again, I'm not a fan of Card, and I'm reallynot recommending Ender's Gameto anyone. However, if I didn't mention it, you know there'd be a reblog going for twelve hundred words about how Andrew Wiggin is the best strategist in literature, which, yeah, no.

Do you want a goofy, tie-in fiction, literary suggestion for the best leader in sci-fi? Too bad, because I'm pretty sure Ciaphas Cain is not that person. The Ciaphas Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell are unusual as leadership recommendations, because of how much Cain internally processes the social manipulation involved in military leadership. He's not a great leader, but he is exceptionallygood at explaining to the reader how he's creating that illusion to motivate the soldiers around him. In fairness, some of that is an intrinsic character flaw, he is incredibly insecure, and desperately trying to hide that fact. And the difference between being a great leader, and effectively creating a comprehensive illusion of a great leader is: There is no difference. As a serious complement, it is one of the few times I've seen an author treat leadership as an actual skill, and not simply an extension of a character's charisma. Which is why I'm singling this one out. It might sound like a joke inclusion initially, and the books are quite funny in a Warhammer 40k kind of way, but there is quite a bit of value to be had.

-Starke

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#writing advice #writing reference #writing tips #how to fight write #starke answers #Babylon 5 #Grand Admiral Thrawn #Ciaphas Cain

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aeor-is-for-reccing · 8 months

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Hidden Gems: A Shadowgast Rec List

This week, we have our recurring hidden gem list! Look under the cut for twelve great fics that have 150 kudos or less, and don't forget to kudos or comment if you like them!

Falling by CookiePirate51 (1805, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In an alternate universe where the trip to Aeor between Caleb and Essek never happens, and they find their way to one another, anyway.

Reccer says: It's extremely sweet and atmospheric

The Legend of Widogast Manor by royalgreen (6620, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Essek is seeking magic and finds a mysterious manor, with an even more mysterious inhabitant

Reccer says: Two people in a secluded gothic manor, everyone's got secrets, and it's very sexy

Mirror Mirror by grassandcitrus (72276, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

After destroying the T-dock in the ruins of Aeor, Caleb and Essek are transported into an alternate timeline where Bren never broke and the Mighty Nein never met. Now they have to reassemble their friends inorder to get back home while also avoiding their alternate evil selves and navigate their complicated feelings for each other.

Reccer says: It gives a great insight as to what could have been if the M9 never came together. I love it and thinks it's very underated.

Lichtenberg Figures by Twistmalchik (1599, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Male Pregnancy, No one is actively pregnant in the fic, but past pregnancy is alluded to.

Caleb helps Essek find a way to relieve the ache in his chest after their daughter begins weaning.

Reccer says: I liked it!

mother/tongue by anxietiefling (1624, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek play with their daughters and speak to them in their first languages

Reccer says: It's beautiful, and has so many feelings about language, comprehension, loss, and migration.

the lovliest lies of all by royalgreen (1026, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

How do you rescue someone who doesn't want to be rescued? Essek doesn't know, but he's going to try.

Reccer says: It's very spooky and atmospheric and poetic and haunting

the hole in the stone by MinnesotaBruja (13243, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Death of a Pet

Essek takes a position as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island after Cognouza. During that time, he writes letters to Caleb.

Reccer says: The yearning is top tier and the ending is so sweet. It's an incredible story.

Dancing Cheek to Cheek by soot_and_salt (3871, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Ballroom dancing AU. Enough said

Reccer says: Sweet and full of yearning. A whirlwind little romance with Essek's arrogance and weariness colouring every interaction with Caleb. It's just so swoon worthy and the ending had me melting. Also nails that liminal hotel feeling.

foreign diplomacy by stygius (1087, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

The Shadowhand helps Bren Aldric Ermendrud dispose of his master.

Reccer says: Scourger AU! Killing Ikithon has never been this sexy... very fun to see the dance of mistrust and attraction between Bren and Essek here! there's a sequel too

castle-temp red wine by 06151126 (12759, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Part of a flawless and fascinating F1 racing AU, Essek invites Caleb to a fancy den dinner where everything falls apart

Reccer says: I don't know anything about F1 but this fic is so insanely compelling! The characterizations are perfect, the tension is thick, and I'm dying to see what happens next. If you like intricate, realistic AUs, definitely give this one a try!

when the cat’s away by Anonymous (3192, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Under negotiated scene, Getting caught

Caleb catches Essek in a bit of comprimising position when he comes home early.

Reccer says: It's a complicated situation for Essek and Caleb that is written in such a intriguing and engaging way! The dynamics are so well done. (Also it's very hot.)

in the heart of every galaxy by boynamedhela (1809, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb gets a series of gifts that feel more like threats.

Reccer says: It is very sweet take on cultural differences.

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast.

Check out the previous Hidden Gem Recs Lists here [1] [2] [3]

Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we'll have a list of humorous fics!

#Critical Role #critical role fan fiction #cr fic recs #shadowgast #caleb widogast #essek thelyss #fan fiction rec list

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ckret2 · 5 months

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@bluefrostyy said: How did bills eye moved from his corner to his center XD

That's a terrific question I actually have a serious answer to!

So for context this comment was left on a post with this image:

About the writing system used in Bill's home dimension. I also illustrate him with an eye on his corner in other posts about his home dimension.

Small diversion: I actually do also occasionally illustrate him with an eye on the inside of his body to represent "psychic" perception (that is: the ability to see the third dimension)—

—as in his home dimension, having an "eyeball on the inside of your body"/inner eye is a non-literal visual metaphor for psychic powers (equivalent to how humans use the phrase "third eye").

But that's just supposed to be a visual metaphor to represent him looking at the third dimension; in reality his eye's in the corner where it belongs. Diversion over!

So I've mentioned recently that one of the consequences of living in a 2D universe is that to someone looking in from "above," a shape's perimeter is their outside/skin, and their internal organs are all on the inside of their shape—completely open and visible to the third dimension. (This is backed up in the original Flatland novel, where the main character Square mentions the visiting Sphere touching his "insides" because the sphere can reach it through the third dimension.) So if you were looking down on Bill's dimension you'd see this, exposed organs and all:

(just an illustrative example of the concept, I don't actually think their guts look LIKE THAT.)

Which means that for Bill to become the Bill we know today, at some point after he left the second dimension, he got skin or armor or an exoskeleton "over" and "under" his body to hide & protect his guts from being poked in the third dimension.

All of which is to say: since leaving the second dimension, Bill's had to make some SERIOUS surgical alterations to his body to accommodate living in the third dimension. Covering his guts is just one of MANY changes he continuously made over the eons since burning his universe.

Relocating his eye from a corner to the center of his body is just another thing he's had to do to adjust to 3D existence. An eye on one corner that's designed primarily to see in a thin horizontal line and that requires him to hover horizontally to see isn't as useful as an eye on the "inside" of his body that faces flat out toward the world and allows him to hover vertically. The new position WOULD look grotesque to a normal shape from his own dimension... but, hey, they've been extinct in the wild for a trillion years, so who cares.

For my writing needs I don't think the exact mechanism by which it was done is relevant. (Surgery by another shape doctor who'd moved to the third dimension? Snapped his fingers and did it himself automatically because he has godlike power? Slowly migrated as his body adjusted itself over time to accommodate his needs, the same way humans' muscle structures or bones can gradually change in response to how they live their lives but extended over billions of years?) What matters is: it was done deliberately, in response to living in the third dimension, because that's where he needed his eye to be.

The other survivors from his dimension—Kryptos, Hectorgon, Amorphous Shape—also have eyes in the middle of their bodies and also started off with eyes on their corners. (Hectorgon appears to have a mouth instead of an eye, but as Bill showed us in the penthouse scene those are the same organ for his species. Kryptos kept his eye in the original place, but it IS now forward facing, and he added a mouth in the middle of his body like the others.)

I think Bill was an early adopter of the new eye position: because being stupidly OP means it was easier for him; because he's not afraid of looking like a freak to his peers; and because since childhood a large part of his identity has been being "psychic"/"having an inner eye" so the idea of making that literal came naturally to him, it's making him a freak in a way that also highlights what makes him special.

#bill cipher #headcanons #about my writing #bill goldilocks cipher #bluefrostyy

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sarroora · 15 days

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Sarroora's Art and Fanfiction Update

I feel really guilty guys for being so late updating you all on what I’ve been doing art and writing-wise!

I don't want to come across as making excuses, but I admit I’m very, very preoccupied with the collapsing economy in my country - as we’re literally free-falling from what you’d call middle class…

Case in point, our pound has dropped 47.60 to 1 USD. This will only slip further down into catastrophic inflation if no major reforms are made.

And then there’s the genocide happening right next door to our neighbors in Palestine literally kilometers away.

This all really affects your work, mental state and priorities.

Anyway, here’s a summary of A)the projects I've been working on, and B)what I’m getting back into slowly:

Projects I’ve been working on the past months:

I got a spot at a bazaar in early March, at a university. It was a lotta work but a very good experience. I was so touched by the students’ feedback on my designs - they genuinely liked most of them. The stickers and sketchbooks were especially popular

Illustration, patterns and and design for stationery and general-use items e.g Notebooks, sketchbooks, mugs, keychains, coasters, stickers, etc. Some of the manufacturing I have to delegate to the professionals with the machines necessary. Other stuff I’m finally beginning to do myself to save cost. Like stickers and sketchbooks. However, I’m making veeery small quantities, coz I’m not selling much. Everyone is struggling financially

Once I’ve figured out international shipping, I might be able to offer great pricing, especially if you have a good currency. A 28-page, A5 80gsm blank sketchbook may end up costing around $1.5-$2, which I hear is much cheaper than say, buying it from a general stationery store in the US

However the trick is to figure out how to make shipping cheap so that it’s worth it!

On a fanfiction-related note, I’ve begun writing Chapter 3 of the sequel of my Detroit: Become Human fanfic, The Only Truth that Sticks. FINALLY. I've missed writing it so much. The working title (so far) is A Graveyard of Connors. Consider that a hint.

Cleaning up a few things in my Top Cat fanfic, Cats Gangs and Leaders, and migrating it slowly to AO3.

Other Stuff I’m resuming:

Drafting Chapter 12 of CGaL. This image I posted last week was a hint

Sketches/concept art for some scenes from CGaL

The polls winner illustration (Donald Duck)

The 3 Cabs 2024 redraw (redrawing one of my 2018 sketches)

Wednesday Addams (a Jenna portrait)

That’s the stuff on the top of the list. There’s more but for later.

#sarroora art #fandom #top cat #don gato #hanna barbera #archive of our own #ao3 #detroit become human #rk800 connor #the three caballeros #ducktales #duckverse #CGaL #hank anderson #elijah kamski #markus rk200

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writingcold · 23 days

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Hello! Welcome to Chapter 6 of CD&FE.

Pairing: Jake X Female Reader

Summary: This is an AU that starts with the release of GVF’s first EP, Black Smoke Rising, and follows along life paths over the course of twenty plus years. So… It’s just messy. Fortunately, it’s also kind of a shorty as far as length goes.

Content warnings: Uncomfortable moments in adult relationships, but smut free.

Word Count: approx. 4.4K

I am so thankful for @edgingthedarkness and @takenbythemadness. But you all better know that by now, but I’ve said it with every damn posting how brilliant they are.

CD&FE, Part 6.1: Her POV

To say that I had gotten comfortable in my relationship with Frankie was an understatement. I felt like we were flourishing. I began to slowly migrate from my office into our home, working one and two days a week away from the office. No one died. No projects failed. Fancy that. I was able to distance myself and yet still get the job done. Life was good. I couldn’t lie about that.

I had gotten a call from my friend Maurice Flanders from Chicago who owned several galleries. I had been handling his accounts for years, but he reached out on this one in particular as it would be a rushed job. He had a show fall through, but found an up and coming artist that had agreed to a limited run on short notice. Of course, I’d never leave him in a bind and agreed to step in right away to handle the advertising for the event, and all of the main graphic needs for the opening night. I didn’t think of the person until well after I had hung up and a few days had gone by. The featured artist would be Clara. His Clara.

Echoes of times and interludes with Jake haunted me from time to time. Stray thoughts lingered longer than they should have. Bits and fragments of dreams would wash a tide across me when I felt weak. Always at my fringe, I could feel Jake’s presence. I could be dicing up vegetables for dinner, or have a song coming on across my feed, or hell, sitting and talking with friends, and all of the emotions of loss of him would come roaring back only to stop short and fizzle out. I supposed that was because it ended how it did. This lingering uncertainty of ‘maybe’. I felt like a corner of me longed for him still.

We were two weeks from the event when Maurice called me personally to check in and to invite me down - after all, it had been ages since we had been together in person. I knew there would be many current clients in attendance. It would be smart for me to be there. Frank was willing to take the weekend trip, so it was a go. Although, part of me was hesitant. Would Jake be there? How was I going to handle seeing him - in person after all this time?

We flew down a few days early to take in the museums and the jazz and blues scene of the city. Frank kept his distance when I needed to work, but he was more than happy to entertain himself. The opening was Saturday night and we were ready to go. It wasn’t like we had to be glamorous, but to say my man looked hot as sin would not be lying. He held me close as we approached the gallery. My stomach did a little flop as I realized that I was looking right at Clara when we walked in before the actual opening. Maurice was lovely, wrapping me up and welcoming us in.

I silently sloshed through emotions whilst keeping my professional appearance while weaving through the introduction to Clara. She gushed over our work - impressed that it was all completed on such a short timeline but so beautifully. She walked me and Frankie around showing us some of her more recent works. All of my internal organs were twisting with fury as I caught glimpses of love and Jake and their time together. I held tight to Frank’s hand, but all the while, my brain was conjuring venom towards the very unaware Clara.

My eyes were darting around when the doors officially opened. He was nowhere to be found. I picked out Jake’s parents right away. They were fawning over Clara, but their son was completely absent. I could see the glint of frustration in the woman’s eyes as they were talking. I dug myself deeper into the gallery. It wasn’t like any of that scene was my business.

I spent the better part of two hours connecting with clients and meeting potential new ones. Frank was my stalwart spirit, smiling and looking incredibly handsome. He seemed totally relaxed in his easy self that just seemed to draw people in instantly. Our last forty minutes was spent with Maurice in a cozy corner going over new contacts that he wanted to share for our valiant effort and success together.

As we started to say our goodbyes, I took note that Jake still was not in attendance. My heart squeezed a bit. I’m unsure if it was because he was not in attendance, or if there was a personal issue that was lingering behind the pretty woman’s smile. A small portrait towards the front caught my eyes and held it as we meandered towards the door. It was Jake, but his face was down, the brim of a hat covering most of his features. I felt removed. I had no right feeling this way, but my whole focus seemed to be parked on a man that I had not physically seen in six years. Six. And he still commanded my thoughts like we had just parted the day before.

The rest of summer rolled through quietly. Frank had been gone a few weeks due to conferences, to which I took advantage to catch up with friends. Patrick and Sidney took most of that time, but I so enjoyed our time together. In October, I found myself in Paris, accompanying Frank for one of his academic conferences. While he was buried in work, I was gracing the balcony of a beautiful little room, sipping coffee and soaking in the ancient city around me. Our evenings were our own. We walked everywhere until we couldn’t walk any more. We laughed over food and cried over art. I wanted more time. Always more time, but life was calling us back.

By December, I had somehow discovered that the bulk of my work week was spent in my pjs in my home office. And I didn’t feel bad about it. Christmas brought around news I didn’t expect.

“You’re procreating?” I asked, unable to hide the shrill note in my tone.

Patrick and Sid were sitting with huge smiles before me. “Aunt Y/n has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Pat said finally, letting me fully digest the moment.

It was unreal to think that my oldest friend was going to be a father. But they were happy. Beyond it, actually. The babies would arrive in the summer - fraternal twins no less. I was secretly planning on buying every obnoxiously loud, bright, annoying toy possible to fill their lives with such joy. Pat deserved a little more chaos in his life, right?

Spring arrived with a definite bang. We seemed to go from ice and wind and ten foot high drifts of snow to green overnight. I had come home from a client dinner party to find the apartment quiet. I went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water, discovering that Frankie was out on the deck. The faint glow of a cigarette rested between his fingers, while a glass was nestled into the palm of his other hand. It was an odd sight. Frank didn’t smoke unless his mind was troubled.

I walked out onto the deck and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was quick to crush the smoke, but I had seen it was not just the one he had imbibed in. He had been outside for quite some time.

“How was your meeting?” he asked as he turned to welcome me proper.

“Good. I would say we landed another solid client.” I allowed myself to be wrapped up in his dense frame and scent. There was an air of removal that I did not understand. “Something must have happened, huh? Tough day?”

He hummed as he let me go. “Actually, something that I wasn’t expecting came up.”

I frowned when he paused. His whole aura seemed shifted. He was holding back. I frowned all the more as he lit another cigarette and leaned away from me. My gut blazed with a stab of anxiety. I was left wishing I would’ve poured something harder than the water.

“I’ve been invited to teach in Paris,” he said, his voice void of what made him sound like himself. It was weird.

I could see that he was happy about it, but he wasn’t allowing himself to be. I must’ve flashed an expression that he didn’t like. He turned away from me, with his face turned to the sky. “Are you not happy about this?”

“I am actually really fucking happy about it,” he muttered, his voice full of an edge.

“But-”

He let out a long stream of smoke after lighting up another cigarette. “I’ve been out here for hours trying to guess how you would answer my question if I asked you to come with me. However, I think I already have my answer.”

“That’s not fair,” I whispered.

“Would you go?”

It was like I was going a hundred miles an hour and someone just threw my ass into park without the benefit of hitting the breaks. My insides felt like they were liquefying as he seemed to fight himself from looking at me. I knew what he was asking. I had heard this question in a different, unspoken form before. And the answer was the same.

“Frank,” I hiccuped.

“It’s all right. I get it,” he said, voice hushed. “I need some time out here. Alone. Please.”

My jaw softened as I felt all those liquid guts swirl just under my skin. I felt like I was going to throw up as I pushed my way back into the apartment. My legs were declaring a mutiny as I tried to climb the stairs. I found myself melting onto the fourth step. I was in a ball while the man I had made a life with for the better part of six years was hurt outside.

I went to bed alone and I woke up alone. Frank was not in the apartment when I padded down the stairs. The knot that had strangled my innards the night before was limp from bleeding out. I was too tired to search for a note. I was sure eventually, we’d discuss the situation. I wanted to say I’d go with him. I wanted to say that I would be able to leave my work behind. But in truth - I just couldn’t.

I sat curled on the couch, waiting for him to come home. I saw a text from Pat, but I couldn’t find it in me to pay attention beyond who it was from. The parallel was not lost on me as I looked around my home - our home. It was true that I was slowly creating distance from my work, but by street blocks only. To completely leave it behind? Wasn’t that what he was silently asking of me?

It wasn’t until early evening that Frank returned. He looked hollow as he set his keys down on the table. I felt gutted as he sat down next to me. I threaded my fingers into his, but made no move closer to him. It was like a division was already between us. It hurt to breathe the same air, let alone be in the same space.

“I can’t say ‘no’ to this, Y/n,” he said quietly. “I refuse to be that guy to tell you to quit your job. I just don’t know where that leaves us.”

I tucked my chin to my chest. All the love, all the life was slipping away like a threadbare scarf. I hated this. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. And yet, I couldn’t force my mouth to wrap around the words that I needed to speak.

“Distance doesn’t work for me,” he whispered. “I’m a jealous man, if I was being honest.”

“And if I’m not ready-” My words dried up in my throat, crackling like brittle paper.

“I’m not ready, either,” he replied, tightening his hold on my hand. “Could you leave your company behind? Honest. As honest as you can be.”

No matter how much I wanted to say ‘yes, I can leave’, I just knew it was wrong. I looked at him as my eyes filled and spilled across my cheeks. I shook my head ‘no’ as my throat refused to function through the emotions.

“Didn’t think so,” he whispered.

I fell into him as I couldn’t hold back my tears. He made no move to hide his own. We mourned together. We found comfort in each other’s touch. It was like we knew it was the end.

CD&FE, part 6.2: Jake’s POV

“It’s been coming for a while, Jake,” Clara said, after I finally got her to sit down at the dining room table.

“Really? I thought everything was just fine,” I said, not trying to hide the bitterness from my tone.

She puffed out her cheeks with a hard breath. “Come on. Surely you don’t think everything has been all right?”

“Enlighten me.”

I was mad. I was mad more at myself. She did not seem to really want to answer. But that was Clara. I wanted to know. I wanted honesty. She wanted to hide from conflict. If she wanted out, I was not going to stop her, however I needed to know what the hell I did wrong.

“Chicago wasn’t my only show you missed,” she said quietly. She shook her head. “No. I shouldn’t say it that way. It was my choice to be on tour with you. I loved traveling with you.”

“But.”

She squirmed in her seat. I did not like making her feel uncomfortable, but I felt like I could at least understand. “I turned down two galleries this past year because they conflicted with the tour. I turned down working with others last year because they conflicted with the tour. When Chicago came around, and I saw it fit between shows, I thought maybe you would see my passion was as strong as yours. Perhaps it would be a way for you to see that I was as good-”

“Fuck,” I whispered against the anger that flooded my system. “You can’t put that on me. Just because you chose not to take an opportunity…?”

Clara slapped the table and jumped from her chair. I followed her as she fled to the bedroom. This was her pattern. Run. Run from any kind of conflict and let it fester until it was a hundred more times hurtful as it became a torrent flooding out of her.

“Talk to me! How can you think I felt your work was ‘not good’? I’m just as excited as you are that this is getting somewhere for you,” I said, fighting to keep my tone from hitting a harsh line.

“Really? Could’ve fooled me,” she grumbled, coming to a stop. “I have followed you around this planet with you for years, Jake. On tour, you take no notice of how I struggle to keep up. I need more time in these spaces. I need more time to create. But it’s like you have blinders on and it’s always only about the tour. Only about your work and never about anyone else.”

“It’s kind of what I do. My job. I can’t apologize for working to keep us to the level that we are. Many people depend on me, on us, to live on. It’s more than just about me. If I don’t do a good job, if we aren’t out there, families are affected.”

She rolled her eyes. “And you don’t really think about the effects on your own family.”

“We’re all working our asses off-”

“I wasn’t talking about your brothers, Jake! Me! Your family that you won’t marry?”

I stopped moving. Clara threw her hands up out of frustration and proceeded to stomp back into the bedroom. A tiny fraction of me did not want to pursue the argument. It whispered to let it go. Let her go.

“That can’t be it,” I found myself saying out loud. She scoffed as I walked into the bedroom after her.

“What - a commitment? I’m fucking human, Jake.”

I felt my brows pinch as I watched her wrestle her bags from the bed only to grab another empty suitcase and fling it open. “I-”

“I want it. I have wanted all of this. All of you. Don’t you see that?”

The corners of my mouth turned down. She was throwing her clothes into the case without consideration. It was then I realized that her ring was gone. That little whisper was rising in volume, but still not sharp enough for me to listen.

“What I see is someone who doesn’t trust me enough to let me go on tour without her,” I said, unable to really recognize the flatness of my own voice.

The laugh that slithered from her mouth made me cringe. “Trust? Fuck yeah, I don’t trust you. I see how others are out there. Leaving their wives at home so they can fuck anyone that comes across their plate! Fuck that.”

“That’s not me,” I whispered. “You’d know that if you gave me the chance.”

She started to say something but stopped. She dropped the clothes from her hands and took a step back. “Still doesn’t change the fact that you do not want to marry me.”

I nodded. She was right. I may have at one point thought that marriage in my profession was impossible, but that wasn’t totally it. I believed if I made a commitment, I didn’t need anyone else’s approval, a little paper, or any other archaic belief to say that I am with someone. That voice had gone from a whisper, to nearly a full voice, was now shouting at me.

“I’m sorry you thought you had to live around me,” I said, retreating back to the doorway. “That was never the case.”

“It was always the case, whether you realized it or not. I was given a schedule and felt like I had to live by it. I put myself in that schedule where I could.”

“That was your lack of faith in me, Clara. That’s not something I can fix.”

I walked away, allowing her to finish collecting her things. So much of this house was her. So much of the life within it was her. Was I sad about it? Yeah. It hurt like a fucking punch to my chest. But it was done.

I poured myself a whiskey and wandered out to the patio with my phone in hand. I called Josh, only to be sent to voicemail. Dick. I called Mom, but then forgot the folks were on a flight home. My brain was formulating plans. I listened to the rambling playing of the neighbor kids and the distant practice of someone on a piano. I must’ve been out there no more than an hour before I heard Clara behind me.

“I called an Uber. I’ll stay with my friends for a few weeks to figure this out.”

Her voice was void of warmth. There was nothing to figure out. It was just done.

“I leave on Monday,” I replied, looking up at her. “I’ll be gone for two weeks. If you want, you can clear out while I’m gone.”

“Wow,” she sighed. “I say done and you mean it. Kinda cold, Jake.”

I shook my head. “I cannot be with someone who has no faith in me, and cannot trust me. I will not be with someone who thinks so little of my commitment. You shouldn’t want to be with me if I make you live by my schedule. Or think that I am holding you from what you love. Those are some pretty big stopping points.”

She sighed. “I suppose you are right.”

I heard her leave, but did not watch. I reached for my phone and began an attempt to text my twin, but he was strangely radio silent. I realized in the silence, that I had not gone to actually see Clara’s showing postings. For that I was a real prick. I opened up the socials and got to her professional page. She looked happy in the first picture - she stood in the middle of the small gallery with her works all around her. I scrolled through the pictures slowly, taking in each shot of the paintings I knew well. Each one seemed to look different under the lighting, but they were all here.

I stormed through the first dozen or so before I stopped. At the edge of the frame was a familiar face. Y/n was standing with a small group, all wrapped up in her professional armor and disarming smile. I frowned for a moment. I started scrolling down and looking at the actual description and noticed a small ‘thank you’ note that included the owner of the gallery, the management team and… oh hell. Y/n had personally taken care of all the advertising and graphics within the gallery. I went back to the picture and stared. It was like all the hurt, all the guilt was paused.

I wondered if she knew who Clara was. I wondered if she was aware of our connection. Surely she had seen my post about Clara. Oh… fuck. Did Clara know? Surely not. A knot of anxiety twisted through my chest forcing me to stand up and fly into the house, phone clutched tightly in my palm. I was spooked. I was realizing that the last day was beginning to filter through. The final moments especially - I hadn’t even said goodbye. Who does that?

I decided to give her the space she asked for, going out on the next stretch before reaching back out to her. When I returned home, it was an empty house. She had taken all of her things, her artwork, the pieces that she had wanted to be in our shared space. I texted her that I was back, knowing that the last part was to get the keys. I made a nice dinner of all her favorites, along with her choice of wine. I had flowers delivered that reminded me of our time in Rome a few years back. It wasn’t meant to be romantic, but I’m sure that was what it looked like when I finished getting everything ready.

She smiled when I invited her inside. Her eyes latched onto the table and started to shake her head with excuses to leave.

“Just come and talk with me.”

I took her purse and set it to the side as she reluctantly walked past me. “Jake, I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”

“Just talk,” I promised, waving her towards the table.

I poured a glass of wine while she sat down. I took a drink of my beer before pulling serving dishes out of the warming oven. I plated up and joined her.

“I know I’m springing this on you, but,” I started, setting down her food before her, “I just thought it would make this a little easier.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “It looks delicious.”

We picked at our food, and it was silent. It was not what I was hoping for in the slightest, but it was a start.

“Have you been staying with Grace and Tucker?” I asked, hoping to break the ice.

“I haven’t left Nashville, if that’s what you’re searching for, Jake,” she answered.

I ate the hard tone and tried to let it go. Sitting back in my chair, I wiped the corners of my mouth. “I’m not looking for a fight, Clara.”

“Then what is all of this? A grand send off?”

I rolled my eyes. “If that’s what you want to call it, fine. I just want to part as friends. We were such good friends towards each other - why leave it with all that hurt out there?”

“Pretty one sided friends, if you ask me.”

My eyes rolled closed. I sucked in a long, slow breath. “I saw the pictures from Chicago - on your socials. Mom shared a few more as well. No matter how you think of me, I am proud of you. It was wrong of me to miss it.”

She set her glass down and finally made eye contact. “Why didn’t you want to be there?”

“Who said I didn’t want to be there? I made every attempt to get there. I won’t be an ass and blame the weather, but… I really am sorry I missed it,” I replied honestly. “You know how I am when we’re out there. If I don’t focus on what I’m supposed to be doing-”

“You were supposed to buy that ticket and be with me.”

I frowned. “And I am upset with myself over it, Clara.”

“Sure you are.”

“Of course I am. It was my mistake, but it showed us that you are to move in this other direction,” I said, tapping my fingers on the table softly. “I’m sorry I made you feel like you had to follow me, Clara. It was never my intent to keep you from your art.”

She flashed a sad little smile. “I didn’t mean to make it sound like I didn’t trust you. I was scared. I saw what happens out there. It’s not pretty.”

“It’s very easy to get caught up,” I admitted, keeping my voice level. “It hurt that you wouldn’t allow me to try, at least. At least prove that I could be faithful to us. There are more on the road that can be faithful than not.”

She nodded. “I’m not sorry for our time together, Jake.”

“Neither am I,” I whispered as she touched my hand.

Closure. It was not stomping away in anger. It was not lighting my days on fire just to show her what kind of man I could be. It was quiet and reverent of our time together. I hugged her goodbye and it felt good to watch her walk away knowing that she was going to be just fine without me. What more, I knew I was going to be just fine without her.

So, I’m unsure if I want to break our final part, part 7, into the three postings, with a fourth posting for the epilogue, or to post 7.1 with 7.2, and have 7.3 with the epilogue. 🤔 I’m leaning towards having two more posts after today’s, instead of four.

I’ve had quite a few new people join the taglist. However, if you are one of those who do not participate and post, it’s hard to tag you. I’m sorry. I’ve tried, but tagging in posts is shoddy as it is, so if you are not getting the notification that I’ve posted, but you’re on the taglist? It’s just the world that our tumblr is. I’m trying though - I’m trying to get these tags to work! Promise

I do have a tag list here, or you can just let me know in a reply to add you.

@lvnterninthenight @doodle417 @luverleaver @jakesgrapejuice @fictional-duchess @milkgemini @positivegvfthings @songbirds-sweet @gretavanbitches @gardensgatedaisy @babyhoneygvfarchive @myownparadise96 @josh-iamyour-mama @starcatcherc @loveisonaroll @jakesstarlight @reesetrippingthelight @builtby-gvf @ignite-my-fire @wetkleenex-gvf @gold-mines-melting @starsasone @mysticalstarcatcher @montenegroisr @takenbythemadness @way-to-go-lad @cal-a-bungaa @thewritingbeforesunrise @leftjudgeempathsuitcase @brokenbells11 @imborrowedshesblue @vanfleeter

#jake gvf #jake kiszka #greta van fleet #gvf #cd&fe #greta van fleet fan fiction #gvf fanfiction #jake kiszka smut #jake kiszka fan fiction #greta van fleet fanfic #greta van fleet AU #jake kiszka AU

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anonymousewrites · 8 months

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One Hell of a Love (Book 1) Chapter Four

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon! Reader

Chapter Four: One Hell of a Case

Summary: Ciel is ordered by the Queen to investigate the killings of Jack the Ripper.

“There are just too many people in London,” grumbled Ciel as he left the carriage and Sebastian opened the door to his city estate.

“It is due to the social seasons, where the upper classes migrate from manor houses in the countryside to their townhouses in London,” said Sebastian with a patient (not) smile.

“I guess even the rich get bored of their estates,” remarked (Y/N).

“Seasons, huh?” Ciel tsked as he walked upstairs. “The carefree slackers.”

“It could be a change of pace,” said (Y/N).

Sebastian nodded. “Those four aren’t accompanying us, so we should be able to enjoy some peace and quiet.”

“Peace and quiet, huh?” muttered Ciel.

Sebastian opened the door to the sitting room, and that dream was crushed. Lau and Madame Red were already making a mess as they tore up the room in search of tea and treats. Sebastian smiled awkwardly, (Y/N) deadpanned, and an irk mark appeared on Ciel.

“Madame Red! Lau! Why are you here?!” cried Ciel.

“My, you’re early,” said Madame Red cheerfully. Grell excitedly jumped up from behind the couch as he realized (Y/N) and Sebastian were there.

“Since you have, it must mean…” began Lau.

“The Queen’s Guard Dog is on the move, then?” finished Madame Red.

Ciel sighed. “Sebastian, (Y/N), prepare some tea to settle those two down. I’ll explain then.”

Once Lau and Madame Red were happily fed and watered, Ciel addressed them. “Yesterday, at Whitechapel, another prostitute was murdered. It wasn’t just your average murder; it was bizarrely vicious.”

In my opinion, inhuman, thought (Y/N). They were hoping it was just a human, though, since they had firsthand knowledge of such vicious humans and mortals were much easier to deal with than other supernatural beings.

“The victim this time, a Miss Mary Nichols, was cut down by a special kind of blade that sliced her up completely, unhindered by any resistance,” continued Ciel. “Scotland Yard and the newspaper reports are calling the killer ‘Jack the Ripper.’ ”

I got a nickname, once, thought (Y/N). Well, my contract did, but it was really me. “Black Widow” for her husbands continuing to die… (Y/N) smirked. Not my fault none of them realized respecting women was an easy way to stay alive.

“Jack the Ripper, huh?” asked Lau.

“The reason I hurried to London was to confirm the situation,” said Ciel.

Lau smirked. “Do you have the guts to visit the crime scene?”

“What do you mean by that?” questioned Ciel.

“The darkness and the scent of evil that now seep through that place will call out to those of the same breed and eat into them,” said Lau. “If you set foot into that place, it’s possible that you will be engulfed by the madness. Are you prepared for that, Earl Phantomhive?”

“I came here to avenge her distress,” said Ciel, eyes set with determination. “Don’t ask unnecessary questions.”

“That’s excellent. Those are good eyes,” said Lau.

Ciel didn’t flinch.

“Is something wrong?” asked the detective as Sebastian, (Y/N), and Ciel stepped forward through the crowd to see the crime scene. “This isn’t the sort of place good little boys and girls come to. Hurry along back home.”

“Where’s the victim’s corpse?” questioned Ciel.

“Corpse? What on earth are you talking about?” demanded the detective.

“Abberline,” said the head investigator. He addressed Ciel. “What did you come here for, Lord Phantomhive?”

“Is he an acquaintance of yours, sir?” asked Abberline.

“I am here to clean up the mess being made by dawdling hounds. Sir Arthur Randall.” Ciel held up his letter with the Queen’s stamp. “It looks like there aren’t any significant leads, yet.”

“Scotland Yard are taking care of this incident,” said Abberline. “Don’t stick your nose in where it’s not wanted.”

“Fine by me. Let’s go, Sebastian, (Y/N),” said Ciel.

“Yes, my Lord,” said Sebastian.

“Yes, sir,” said (Y/N).

“What are you going to do?” asked Madame Red, following Ciel. She, Lau, and Grell had, like puppies, followed Ciel to the crime scene.

“Asking him would be the best option,” said Ciel.

Him? thought (Y/N) curiously.

“Earl, you can’t mean…” Lau trailed off.

“It’s just as you suspect,” said Ciel, stopping before a shop.

(Y/N) glanced up at the sign, which read “Undertaker.” Their nose twitched, and they smirked. The smell of death was everywhere.

“So, where are we?” asked Lau brightly.

“You looked like you knew what was going on a minute ago!” shouted Madame Red.

“This is the undertaking establishment of one of the Young Master’s acquaintances,” explained Sebastian.

Ah, an informant, thought (Y/N). They opened the door, and the group filed inside.

“Are you here, Undertaker?” asked Ciel.

Silence in the dark room, just a bunch of dark coffins lying in the room.

“I thought you would drop by sooner or later…” said an amused, scratchy voice. “Welcome…Earl…” A standing coffin opened, and a man in all black, even a floppy top hat, peered out. He had a wide grin that accentuated his stitch-like scars as his silver hair framed his face. “Have you finally decided to get your own, custom casket?”

Lau and Madame Red stared in shocked horror at the strange man, and poor Grell had fallen to the ground at the ghostlike man’s appearance. (Y/N)’s nose twitched. Undertaker smelled even more like death than his shop. His gaze passed over the group, his grin growing with each person before finishing on (Y/N).

“As if anyone would come to do that,” said Ciel. “Today, we’re—”

Undertaker put a finger to Ciel’s face. “You don’t have to say it. I understand completely. That particular guest is in an unfit state to be seen by those from the world of light.”

The shadows around (Y/N) and Sebastian shifted in disagreement.

“I made her all pretty, you know?” remarked Undertaker eagerly.

“I want to hear more about that,” said Ciel.

“I see, so being an undertaker is just your cover,” said Lau. “How much is your information?”

“I don’t have the slightest use for the Queen’s legal tender!” declared Undertaker energetically. “Now, Earl, give me that. Bestow the finest laughs upon me! Then, I shall tell you whatever you want!”

“Strange man…” said (Y/N).

“Yes…” sighed Sebastian.

“Leave it to me!” declared Lau. “I was known as the Grinning New Year Tiger of Shanghai. Behold my true nature!” He smiled brightly. “The bed fled!”

Everyone blinked. That had made no sense.

“I suppose there’s no helping it,” said Madame Red grimly, stepping forward. “This Madame Red, known as the flower of social gatherings, will let you in on her top-secret gossip! So, on my dear friend’s birthday, her beau got her the biggest [CENSORED] that had veins going up the [CENSORED] and she got such a good [CENSORED] out of it that we all wanted a turn to [CENSORED].”

Sebastian had smartly covered Ciel’s ears during Madame’s Red’s speech. He nodded to (Y/N), who grabbed a roll of gauze and promptly wrapped it around Madame Red and Lau’s mouths to keep them from continuing to speak.

“Well, then, the only one left is the Earl! Last time, I lost, but I won’t this time!” said Undertaker, giggling.

Ciel narrowed his eyes. He didn’t have a joke. He glanced at (Y/N) and Sebastian.

(Y/N) shrugged. “I’m more mischief-maker than comedian.”

Sebastian stepped forward. “Everyone, please step outside. Under no circumstances are you to peek inside.”

No one disobeyed, even (Y/N), who was extremely curious about what Sebastian was planning. In quiet confusion, the group stood outside of the Undertaker’s shop.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Deranged cackles echoed from inside the shop. The Undertaker sign above the door smashed to the ground from the force of the laughter.

The door opened, and Sebastian smiled at everyone. “Do come in now. I believe he’ll be willing to tell us everything we need to know now.”

“I have seen Utopia!” giggled Undertaker, slumped over a coffin.

Sebastian just dragged Undertaker up so he could finally give them the information they needed. “Do please tell us what we want to know.”

Undertaker sighed. “If you insist…Recently, I’ve been seeing something every-so-often—‘customers’ who have a little missing.”

“A little missing?” asked Madame Red.

“Yes, a little missing. Like a uterus,” said Undertaker.

(Y/N)’s nose twitched.

“It was a pretty harsh splatter, but her uterus alone was precisely cut out,” said Undertaker.

“While it may not have been a largely populated street, would it not be difficult for an amateur to perform such a precise task there in the pitch black?” questioned Sebastian.

“You’re quite a sharp one, Mr. Butler. I thought the exact same thing,” said Undertaker.

He raised a nail to (Y/N)’s neck and drew it across. Their eyes darted down to peer at his fingers, mere centimeters from touching (Y/N)’s skin. Their lip curled distastefully at the idea. Sebastian’s eyes followed Undertaker’s movements, slightly narrowing. The strange man had never been a threat, but Sebastian knew (Y/N) wouldn’t hesitate to snap his wrist if he actually touched them.

“First, to cut the prey’s neck,” continued Undertaker, “then to cut here—” his other hand drew across (Y/N)’s lower abdomen “—to steal what’s important.” He straightened. “He’ll kill again. He’s the type that won’t stop until someone stops him. Can you stop him, Noble of Darkness, Earl Phantomhive?”

“I swear on my family’s crest, those who dirty Her Majesty’s garden will be dispatched without exception, whatever it takes,” said Ciel evenly.

“That story narrowed it down quite a bit,” said Sebastian once they were all back in the carriage.

(Y/N) nodded. “The individual has to have expertise in the medical field, they can’t have an alibi for the night, and since they must still have the stolen organs, someone involved with rituals, sects, or trafficking.” Plenty for Sebastian and them to get on with.

“Just how does that narrow it down?” cried Madame Red. “Dissections are something that any doctor—even I—can do.”

Yes, you could, thought (Y/N). You’re not off the suspect list.

“Summer is almost at an end, too,” said Madame Red. “In two more days, when the season ends, all the nobles will return home with the personal doctors they brought with them.”

“Well, then, we’ll just investigate until then,” said Sebastian with a smirk.

“What?” asked Lau.

“It is only natural for a butler of the Phantomhives to be able to do that,” said Sebastian. “I will draw up a list of suspects immediately and go through everyone on it.”

Madame Red and Lau stared. Ciel smirked. (Y/N) smiled.

“Have fun,” they said as if this was a normal occurrence.

Sebastian opened the door of the moving carriage and bowed to the group. “Well, then, if you’ll excuse me.” He let go of the door and disappeared out of view.

“The carriage is going at full pelt!” cried Madame Red.

“If Sebastian says he’ll do something, he will,” said (Y/N), smiling. “He’ll get the job done.”

“We should just take afternoon tea and wait,” said Ciel.

The group walked up the stairs to Ciel’s townhouse, and (Y/N) opened the door. They were unsurprised to find Sebastian standing at attention. Ciel just sighed at the drama Sebastian caused amongst the others.

“Welcome back,” said Sebastian, bowing. “I have been awaiting your arrival. The preparations for afternoon tea have been made.”

“You…why are you here?!” cried Madame Red in shock.

“I finished the business I was attending to, so I returned ahead of you,” said Sebastian with a smile.

“You already drew up the list?” gasped Madame Red.

“Of course he did,” said (Y/N).

“Yes, and I then went and directly questioned them all,” said Sebastian, holding up a scroll of statements.

Madame Red scoffed. “Sebastian, that’s a little too far-fetched for anyone to—”

(Y/N) saw Sebastian flourish the scroll. I still remember him telling me dramatics were unnecessary.

“Earl Bailey’s doctor, Richard Oswald, was with friends at the Whitehouse pub. He has an alibi and no occult connections,” began Sebastian, proudly showing off his prowess. “The surgeon of the Royal London Central Hospital, Madame Haywhite, was talking to Boey at Steep Line, and thus has an alibi. No connection to anything occult.” Grell’s eyes widened in amazement, and (Y/N) nodded along with Sebastian with a smirk at everyone’s amazement. “The personal doctor of the Chambers household, William Samset, attended the Howard family party and therefore has an alibi. No connection to anything occult. That concludes my research. I have narrowed those who fit the conditions down to a single person.”

“Are you really just a simple butler?” commented Madame Red. “You’re not from Military Intelligence or something, are you?”

“No, he’s just one hell of a butler,” said (Y/N), smirking at Sebastian as they took his line.

Sebastian glanced at (Y/N) before a smirk of his own appeared. They caught on quick.

Both their smirks quickly fell as they remembered it was their attachment to the other that caused them to pay so much attention. (Ironically, they were thinking along the same lines, too).

“Who’s the suspect?” questioned Ciel.

“Alastair Chamber, of the Druitt Viscount family,” said Sebastian. “He received his degree in medicine at university but has undertaken no work. He seems to have held many parties at his home. However, behind the scenes, he invites those whom he is especially close to secret parties.”

“There is a rumor going around that he is involved with black magic,” said Madame Red.

“It has been said that ritualistic events go on at these secret parties and prostitutes are made into living sacrifices,” said Lau.

(Y/N)’s eyes flashed. If Druitt was guilty, they would enjoy watching him fall.

“Tomorrow is the last party of the season,” said Ciel. “That is our only chance. The only question is how to catch him.”

Madame Red brightened. “Oh! You can wear a dress!”

Everyone deadpanned.

“Excuse me?!” cried Ciel, turning red at the idea.

“Lord Druitt likes anything in a skirt!” said Madame Red, continuing on without a care in the world. “He wouldn’t know you’re a Phantomhive, and you’d be able to get right up there with him! You could go as my niece, and Sebastian could be your tutor.”

“Why the hell would I be your niece?!” cried Ciel.

“Because, dear, I’ve always wanted a girl!” chirped Madame Red. She whirled on (Y/N), who straightened in alarm. “And you! Druitt would eat you up! And I’ve wanted to see you in a proper dress for a while. If you look that darling in a maid’s uniform, a proper ballgown would be simply fantastic! Druitt wouldn’t resist you and Ciel!”

(Y/N)’s nose twitched, and they smiled awkwardly as Madame Red advanced on them. “If you have the Young Master, surely I’m not needed…”

“I think it is an excellent idea to have more than one person to catch the Viscount,” said Sebastian with a devilishly “innocent” smile.

(Y/N) looked at him, “affronted” at the “betrayal.” Their eyes panned to Madame Red, whose eyes gleamed excitedly at the prospect of dressing them up. Damn.

Taglist:

@technikerin23

@im-making-an-effort

@izzieg3987

@jinxxangel13

@alexpangender

@otomyoli

@neenieweenie

#one hell of a love #x reader #x gn reader #gn reader #x nb reader #nb reader #demon reader #demon!reader #sebastian x demon!reader #sebastian x reader #black butler sebastian #sebastian michaelis #sebastian michaelis x reader #black butler x reader #black butler fic #black butler ciel #black butler #kuroshitsuji x reader #kuroshitsuji

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hotvintagepoll · 1 month

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Propaganda

Xia Meng, also known as Hsia Moog or Miranda Yang (Sunrise, Bride Hunter)—For those who are familiar with Hong Kong's early cinema, Xia Meng is THE leading woman of an era, the earliest "silver-screen goddess", "The Great Beauty" and "Audrey Hepburn of the East". Xia Meng starred in 38 films in her 17-year career, and famously had rarely any flops, from her first film at the age of 18 to her last at the age of 35. She was a rare all-round actress in Mandarin-language films, acting, singing, and dancing with an enchanting ease in films of diverse genres, from contemporary drama to period operas. She was regarded as the "crown princess" among the "Three Princesses of the Great Wall", the iconic leading stars of the Great Wall Movie Enterprises, which was Hong Kong's leading left-wing studio in the 1950s-60s. At the time, Hong Kong cinema had only just taken off, but Xia Meng's influence had already spread out to China, Singapore, etc. Overseas Chinese-language magazines and newspapers often featured her on their covers. The famous HK wuxia novelist Jin Yong had such a huge crush on her that he made up a whole fake identity as a nobody-screenwriter to join the Great Wall studio just so he can write scripts for her. He famously said, "No one has really seen how beautiful Xi Shi (one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China) is, I think she should be just like Xia Meng to live up to her name." In 1980, she returned to the HK film industry by forming the Bluebird Movie Enterprises. As a producer with a heart for the community, she wanted to make a film on the Vietnam War and the many Vietnam War refugees migrating to Hong Kong. She approached director Ann Hui and produced the debut film Boat People (1982), a globally successful movie and landmark feature for Hong Kong New Wave, which won several awards including the best picture and best director in the second Hong Kong Film Award. Years later, Ann Hui looked back on her collaboration with Xia Meng, "I'm very grateful to her for allowing me to make what is probably the best film I've ever made in my life."

Susan Strasberg (Stage Struck, The Cobweb)— In Stage Struck (1958) she performs Annabel Lee and the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet and there are no words for how mesmerizing she is while doing it (I wish I could find a clip of it to show you!)

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Xia Meng:

#susan strasberg #Xia Meng #hotvintagepoll #fuck that old woman #ladies 2

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digitalnewberry · 3 months

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The Great Migration & "The Negro in the city" lantern slides, 1922?

Women at dressmaking class, St. Mark's Church, Chicago, 1922?

This set of lantern slides documents the daily life of African Americans during the early years of the Great Migration from the rural American South, as well as outreach activities conducted by the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) to assist them with finding work and social services. The first slides show scenes of Black sharecroppers picking cotton and processing sugar. Other slides show African Americans at work in northern cities.

A majority of the slides show African American Methodist Episcopal church buildings in cities, such as Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as well as community houses run by the MEC. Other slides show African Americans engaged in job training, such as sewing and dressmaking, and in worship and recreational activities. More information from the Newberry catalog

Congregants at morning service, East Calgary Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1922?

In “The Great Migration, Reconsidered,” scholars Dr. Lionel Kimble, Dr. Courtney Pierre Joseph, and Dr. Matthew Cressler examine the complex legacy of this period.

youtube

Dr. Joseph notes that many Black families did not stay in the original city they arrived in, but continued to move around the country. “Black people are migratory and they move a lot to where best suits their needs and desires… Voting with your feet, being able to go where your voice can be heard.” These lantern slides show us an early snapshot of the Great Migration across the nation, some people on their first stop of many, with images of labor, family, and hope.

View "The Negro in the city" lantern slides

Browse all of Newberry Digital Collections

#newberry library #great migration #lantern slides #black history #libraries #archives #collection stories #chicago

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bcacstuff · 4 months

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The History of The Christmas Tree

The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was already a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews.

Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god and that winter came every year because the sun god had become sick and weak. They celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the sun god would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the sun god was strong and summer would return.

The Egyptians filled their homes with green palms and papyrus reeds, which symbolized for them the triumph of life over death. Early Romans marked the solstice with a feast called Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon, farms and orchards would be green and fruitful. To mark the occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs.

Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of everlasting life. The Vikings in Scandinavia honored the evergreen mistletoe for its role in the death of the Balder, a god of light.

Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the Devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime. It survived further in the custom, also observed in Germany, of placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house during the midwinter holidays.

A lot of myths surround the origins of Christmas trees, thus making the source of the modern Christmas tree open to debate. However, many believe that it originated in Germany. It is claimed that in Germany about 723 the English missionary St. Boniface encountered pagans preparing a sacrifice at an oak tree dedicated to the god Thor (Donar). Boniface took an ax to the tree, and, when not struck down by their god, he proclaimed to the awed pagans that a nearby evergreen was their “holy tree.” Other sources report that a fir grew on the site of the fallen oak.

But the real origins of Christmas trees appear to be rooted in present-day Germany during the Middle Ages. Evergreen trees became part of Christian rites in Germany and in the Middle Ages “paradise trees” began to appear there. Meant to represent the Garden of Eden, these evergreen trees were hung with apples and displayed in homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve.

A tree of knowledge was represented by an evergreen fir with apples tied to its branches. Documentation reports of trees decorated with wool thread, straw, apples, nuts and pretzels. In 1419, a guild in Freiburg put up a tree decorated with apples, flour-paste wafers, tinsel and gingerbread.

It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. According to a common version of the story, walking home one winter evening, Luther was awed by the stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.

Martin Luther and his family on Christmas Eve in Germany from a 19th-century print published in Leipzig, Germany Hulton Archive//Getty Images

The oldest Christmas tree market is thought to have been located just over the southwestern German border in Strasbourg in Alsace (which was back then part of the Rhineland, now in present-day France), where unadorned Christmas trees were sold during the 17th century as Weihnachtsbaum, German for Christmas tree. The “first decorated indoor tree” was recorded in 1605, in Strasbourg, decorated with roses, apples, wafers and other sweets. By the 19th century, Christmas trees were a firmly established tradition in Germany.

As Germans migrated, they took Christmas trees to other countries, notably England. There, in the 1790s, Charlotte, the German-born wife of King George III, had trees decorated for the holiday.

Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first records of Christmas trees being cut for display comes from the 1820s in Pennsylvania’s German community, although trees may have been a tradition there even earlier. As early as 1747, Moravian Germans in Pennsylvania had a community tree in the form of a wooden pyramid decorated with candles. But, as late as the 1840s, Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.

It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. New England’s first Puritan leaders viewed Christmas celebrations as unholy. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance, penalizing any frivolity.

In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the influx of German and Irish immigrants in the 19th century undermined the Puritan legacy.

However, it was a German-born prince, Albert, and his wife, Britain’s Queen Victoria, who popularized the tradition among the British. The couple made Christmas trees a prominent part of the holiday’s festivities, and in 1848 an illustration of the royal family around a decorated tree appeared in a London newspaper. Christmas trees soon became common in English homes.

Illustrations of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their children gathered around their Christmas tree helped popularize this tradition in the U.S.Getty Images

It wasn’t until the 1820s that Christmas began gaining popularity in America, and the country’s first Christmas tree reportedly was displayed in the 1830s. The Christmas tree’s popularity spread with the help of the influential magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book, which in 1850 published the 1848 illustration of the British royals, though the depiction of the family was altered to appear American.

Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. This and other efforts helped make Christmas trees popular in the United States by the 1870s.

By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while many German Americans continued to use apples, nuts and marzipan cookies. Stringed popcorn was added to trees' decoration after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts.

Thomas Edison’s assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares, having a Christmas tree in the home became a tradition in countries all over the world and integrated in many cultures.

Sources: Britannica, History Channel, Time Magazine

#christmas #christmas tree #history #christmas decoration #christmas eve #december 24 #paradise tree #adam and eve

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lcandothisallday · 2 years

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Advice - Jack Harlow x f!reader

You met Jack about a year ago at one of Druski’s get together. Instantly he could tell that it wasn’t your scene at all. You were reserved and sat on the stairs next to him which prompted the both of you to start talking and eventually become friends.

Now, it was the first week of May and Jack had all but begged you to accompany him to Louisville for his album release party and the upcoming derby.

You stood around the kitchen island next to Jack in his childhood home while the both of you spoke to his mom who was checking up on the dinner. “Are you sure you don’t need any help Mrs. Harlow?”

Maggie shook her head almost instantly as she shut the oven door and smiled sweetly at you. “No I’m perfectly fine! And please—call me Maggie,” she mused.

“The food looks and smells really good,” you breathe out to Jack. The curly haired boy grins, “yeah—you gotta try this dip,” he mused, taking a pita chip and dipping it in before holding it up to your lips, urging you to taste it. Your cheeks heat up as you open your mouth to take a bite.

All the while, Maggie watches her son feed you with an amused smile and a twinkle in her eyes.

“That’s delicious,” you hum, licking your lips and reaching for a napkin. “Your mom is quite the cook,” you giggle.

“Don’t I know it,” Maggie mused with a wink your way.

Dinner goes by smoothly and incredibly well in your humble opinion. You sat next to Jack and opposite his parents which gave his mom a front row seat to how the both of you interacted with one another which safe to say made her ship the both of you hard despite you and him being just friends. After all is cleaned up, his family migrated to the living room area to hang out.

About an hour in, you get a text from Urban which causes you to turn to Jack-reaching for his hand for his attention. “Hey—is it fine if I leave a bit early? Urban wants me to meet his older sister before she leaves town tomorrow morning?”

Jack nods in understanding. “Yeah. Is he gonna pick you up?” he asks in concern, knowing that it’s dark outside and he didn’t want you to walk there alone. “Cos I can drive you if—”

“Yeah he said he can pick me up,” you confirm. “Thanks for offering though,” you smile, already getting up. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” you say, giving him a hug and a kiss to his cheek before you bid his family a proper goodbye.

After you left, his family dispersed, going off to do their own things which left him and his mom alone in the living room. She looked at Jack with an amused smirk. “So you and Y/N…just friends right?”

Jack’s face began to warm up as he shrugged, anxiously playing with his ring. “Um yeah.”

“And you don’t want it to be anything more?” she asked. Jack paused a second to contemplate before he shrugged again. “I don’t know mom. I don’t really understand my feelings towards her you know?”

Maggie nodded in understanding, but wanting her son to elaborate. “Well how do you feel about being around her?”

“It’s different than being around other girls that’s for sure. I know she isn’t using me and that she genuinely likes being around me for me. She makes me feel calm too—it’s weird. Like I can do anything if she’s around. She’s not judgmental,” he explained.

Maggie raised a brow at her son before she let out a laugh. “Sweetheart-why haven’t you asked her out yet? It’s obvious you like her.”

Once again, Jack’s face heated up as he licked his lips. “Ma-she can do sooo much better. I don’t even know if she likes me like that or not,” he scoffed, shaking his head. “She’s literally perfect. I’m sure every guy she’s ever met has fallen for her too,” he groaned.

Maggie looked at Jack sympathetically, not really knowing how else to help. She knew her son’s reputation with women and while she didn’t want the possibility of seeing you get hurt, she also wanted Jack to be happy.

“Have you seen her smile?” Jack spoke up almost randomly in the silence, a faint smile on his lips as he turned to face his mom. His mom let out a chuckle as she nodded. “Yes. She’s quite beautiful.”

Jack grinned as he hummed. “Yeah she is,” he mused, his cheeks now tinted pink.

“Jack, honey…I think you might be in love with her,” Maggie spoke softly. “And if today showed anything-I think she might have feelings for you too.”

Jack scoffed as he shook his head. “You’re basing it off of the first night you met her? How do you know she’s not acting the same with Urban and his family right now?” he pointed out. “I’m telling you mama-that’s just how she is with everyone.”

“All the more reason why you should tell her how you feel before someone else does,” Maggie deadpanned, telling him the hard truth. “But trust me, my motherly intuition says she feels the same…she’s probably worried because she doesn’t feel like she’s your type,” she pointed out.

Jack bit his lip before he raised a brow. “You think?”

Maggie shrugged. “Well I mean-based on what you told me about how you two met and seeing her personality…she’s nothing like the other girls you’ve been with. She’s not a…what’s the word…a thot?”

Jack’s eyes widened as he tried his best to contain his laughter. “You’re something else ma,” he laughed, shaking his head.

All night, Maggie’s words played over and over in Jack’s head. He was indeed in love with you. It was as plain and simple as that and his heart was aching at the thought of not being able to be with you in the way that he craved.

All day until he saw you he was anxious. Both for his album release and because he was determined to tell you his feelings that night.

When you arrived to the venue where he held the release party and walked up to him, his breath got caught in his throat. Jack thought you looked absolutely beautiful with your hair down and wearing a simple, yet very flattering dress. You greet him with a hug and a kiss to his cheek, pulling away with a grin. You didn’t fail to notice that his hands stayed lingering against the small of your back which undeniably caused your cheeks to heat up. “Are you ready for the release, J?” you ask him, looking up at him through your long lashes.

“Born ready baby.”

You let out a playful scoff and a small laugh. “Okay then hotshot,” you hum, before your eyes scanned your surroundings. “I think I’m gonna go say hi to Urb--”

Jack furrowed his brows and quickly caught your hand before you walked off. “No...stay with me,” he said softly. “It’s my night,” he pouted. You can’t help but giggle softly as you nod, “okay,” you reassure, not letting go of his hand, instead, fully intertwining your fingers with his, causing Jack’s heart to skip a beat at the action.

“You know,” Jack began, licking his lips nervously. “My mom really likes you,” he breathed out.

The confession causes you to grin. “I really like your mom too. She’s so sweet,” you compliment back.

“She um...she thought we were together at one point,” Jack chuckled, his free hand scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Oh.”

Taking in a deep breath of courage, Jack turns to face you better. “Do you um...have you ever thought of us like that?” he ended up asking.

Your brows furrow in slight confusion, “like...being together?” you ask for clarification. Jack nods and your cheeks warm up instantly. “Well I mean,” you shrug, face heating up more so if possible. “I’m sure every girl has.”

Jack shook his head as he took hold of both your hands, giving them a squeeze. “I’m not talking about any girl--I’m talkin’ about you?”

“Obviously yeah,” you confess timidly.

Jack couldn’t help but smirk. “Why obviously?” he egged on.

You shrug. “I don’t know...I guess I like the way you make me feel and you’re nice to me and-and you’re handsome...why wouldn’t I?” you breath out. “So yeah I’ve thought about it before but we’re friends and I wouldn’t ever risk that.”

“What if I want to risk it?” Jack asked, holding his breath out of fear of rejection.

A smirk falls on your lips as you look up at the curly haired by with a glimmer in your eyes. “Then I think you should kiss me,” you say confidently. Jack didn't hesitate and almost like he was desperate (which he sorta was), dipped his head down and pressed his lips to yours. His hands snaked up to cup your cheeks, deepening the kiss with everything he had in him.

“Fucking finally bro!” Urban exclaimed, causing you and Jack to pull apart abruptly, both of your face’s heating up. Urban smirked before he let out a laugh and points at Jack. “Your mom’s gonna be so excited when she finds out.”

(maggie and urban are bffs😤)

#jack harlow #jack harlow concepts #jack harlow x reader #jack harlow imagine #jack harlow blurb #jack harlow imagines #jack harlow fluff #jack harlow request #jack harlow blurbs

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pencil-peach · 6 months

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G Witch Onscreen Text: Episode 11

This is part TWELVE!!! Of my attempt to transcribe and discuss all the onscreen text in G Witch (and also just to talk about things I think are cool.) We have reached Episode 11: The Witches from Earth.

<<Click here to go back to Episode 10!

I have to hide..! (Under the cut)

So before we start, I had forgotten to mention something rather important in the last episode, that being that in the final scene with Prospera and Delling, we get a look at Quiet Zero (Or perhaps, the components that were being stored at Plant Quetta.)

We can see that the progress of this component is at 89%, almost completely finished. Bel comments later when she confronts Prospera that Aerial wouldn't need a permet score of 8 to complete Delling's original plans for Quiet Zero, and we can see that here, considering the machine is almost done.

Prospera also just outright gives Delling Aerial's Permet Score 6 data, telling him that with it, Quiet Zero can proceed to its final stage. I think it's really important to remember that the attack on Plant Quetta was not something Prospera had expected, especially with it having been done with Lfrith models. Her original plan was probably just to have Aerial reach Permet 8 and then just like. Kill Delling and take over Quiet Zero. (Maybe torture him a little. For fun.)

But the existence of the Lfrith models threw a wrench in that plan. A majority of her actions in season 2 were done in order to locate and destroy the source of the Lfriths, because the existence of an army of Gundams was a threat to Quiet Zero.

Anyway, speaking of the Lfriths, did you know that the show's OP changes slightly depending on what's happening in the story?

At the start of the show, this scene has Delling appear, and he fades out into Prospera.

But starting with episode 7's OP, shadowy images of Ur and Thorn appear behind Delling, and then disappear before Prospera fades in.

And in Episode 11 - 12, the scene is completely different, showing clearer images of Ur and Thorn, with Sophie and Norea appearing in front of them, turning to the camera.

Also, did you notice that the Ur and Thorn are color coded to Sophie and Norea, but backwards? Ur is colored like Norea, but is piloted by Sophie. Thorn is colored like Sophie, but piloted by Norea.

You'll have to excuse me, I'll probably be spending a lot of time talking about non text stuff as this episode is actually incredibly light on text...

In the opening scenes where the Earth House kids have just reached Plant Quetta, you can see Miorine silently moving away from everybody in both of these shots. Since our perspective is with Suletta for a majority of their conflict, we don't get to see a lot of Miorine's side, but I think it shows in these little moments. She doesn't understand why Suletta is acting so strange and it's frustrating her, so she's just avoiding her and hoping she sorts herself out.

A lot of their behavior in this episode is reminiscent of what they were like before they'd met each other.

Norea is sketching Thorn's face. Damn she's really good...I tried to draw Aerial one time and I got so mad I had to go bed early.

It's an understated thing but it's truly sad to me that Guel is nearly killed trying to defend the honor of his father's company in this scene, not knowing that his father was the one who provided them to the Dawn of Fold.

TEXT: T.S. - TO - D.O.F SYNC MAIN CONTROL SYSTEM MIGRATION: COMPLETED

This is the display shown on the monitor of the DOF member who hacks into its systems.

My best guesses as to the meaning of the acronym are: TERMINAL SYSTEM TO DAWN OF FOLD SYNC TRANSPORT SHIP TO DAWN OF FOLD SYNC TS might also stand for the name of the ship, which we don't know.

We get a look at the Earth House Space Ship's Map Data here, aptly titled EARTH HOUSE SPACE SHIP It's got everything. Two Cargo Unloading hatches, one at the Fore and Aft of the ship, 8 Mobile Suit Hatches across the middle, an Airlock, a Cieling Hatch, and a Bridge..! So cool...

I really love this scene where Nika and Miorine are talking about Suletta. I love how Miorine is just mostly confused the whole time. Cause she really just doesn't understand.

When Miorine says she'll send Suletta a video about Aerial, Nika asks why she can't tell her herself. And she replies, "Why?" Like, "Why would I do that? There's something bugging her, and she doesn't want to talk, so I'll just send her a video about it instead."

And when Nika asks her what happened between her and Suletta, she says "Don't say it like I did wrong." Like she probably didn't even assume there was a problem between them to begin with. In her mind she didn't DO anything, so what issue could there possibly be if nothing happened?

"Not everyone can be like you, Miorine." Nika concludes, and Miorine just says, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Miorine's never really met anybody like Suletta before. When she has a problem, she'll make it clear when she does. She's completely confident, and not afraid to stand up for herself, but Suletta isn't like that. At her worst, she can be frustratingly timid and scared, and won't say if she has a problem so as to not make any trouble for people. There are 5 days between the end of Episode 10 and the start of episode 11, and that whole time Suletta was probably acting really weird and avoidant, and Miorine probably just assumed if she needed something, she'd tell her. So she just left her alone.

That's why their eventual collision is so nice. They're communicating their needs.

I think it's really nice how Kenanji gained weight because it's been 20 years since Vanadis and it's treated as completely fine. Like yeah people tease him for it or are surprised when they see him but it's not presented by the story itself as like, a fall from grace or him letting himself go. He's still a strong and capable pilot, and he's still fully confident in himself. He just got fat. It happens !

(Also the delivery of the workers on "CAPTAIN KENANJI?!!?!" is another one of my favorite comedic line deliveries in the show.)

We also see in this scene where Jeturk's plant patrol fleet (Wormblood) are during the incident. They're heading towards the moon.

The completely emotionless way Prospera delivers this line haunts my fucking dreams. What's she thinking here? What is it about Suletta and the rest of GUND-ARM finally bringing to fruition Cardo Nabo's dream that fills her with such apathy? Such disdain? Is she bitter that it's the daughter of her family's killer that's bringing that dream to reality? Is it a constant reminder of the path she didn't, couldn't take? Is it the fact that the technology that could have saved her daughter's life wasn't allowed to be pursued until it was far too late?

Is she having to reckon with the infinitesimally small doubt remaining in her mind that maybe, just maybe, she did the wrong thing?

When Suletta calls Prospera on the phone, she tells her where they are, and that Suletta should come to see them. When Suletta starts running away from Miorine, she runs in the direction of C Block, towards her mother. (We know this because the rest of the Earth House students, which is where she started, aren't in C block when it gets disconnected from the rest of the plant.)

You should rewatch this scene and see how many times Miorine eats shit on a wall. Also this is one of my all time favorite Miorine frames. She is a kind of creature here.

TEXT: (Monitor) ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM CAMOFLAUGE SYSTEM OPERATIONAL

(Notebook)BIOINFO: IDENTIFIED PMET LINK: CONNECTED DESULTOR

Here we see the cloaking program Olcott, Bessie, and Gristan used to get close to Plant Quetta.

We also see what the Info on an unregistered Mobile Suit looks like, only displaying the status of the pilot and the MS.

Here we get a look at the control room for the plant. It's got a cool hologram...

The Desultors also launch COMP-JAM-PODS, which disables all normal comms within a wide area, and is why the DOF switch to a hopping transmission after launching them.

Here we see in the hallways that there are STRICTLY ENFORCED SPEED LIMITS (of 15b) within the hallways of Plant Quetta. (At least in C block.)

But when the Emergency Starts, all the signs change to EMERGENCY B1, with a reminder to PLEASE CHECK YOUR REGISTERED DEVICES, presumably for the B1 emergency procedures.

TEXT: EMERGENCY PLEASE EVACUATE EMERGENCY B1 OUT OF SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK UNAVAILABLE TARGET AREA: Throughout PLANT QUETTA ACTION REQUESTED: Please put on suit and take shelter immediately. EVACUATION GUIDANCE: Please refer to faculty map below for locations of emergency evacuation suits and designated shelters for each block. C BLOCK MAP PLANT QUETTA Safety Control Center

The emergency alert sent out by the safety control center to everyone in the plant.

When Sophie and Norea prepare to disconnect C Block from the rest of the plant, the command prompt that appears on the monitor is C-BLOCK PLANT QUETTA PURGE.

Also, it goes without saying, but the Monitor UI and cockpit layout of Ur and Thorn are nearly identical to that of the base Lfrith models, complete with the real time Monitoring System updates on the lefthand side of the screen.

That's all for now! Wow...next episode will be the end of the first season...we've really come a long way haven't we..?

I...I'm glad we made this journey together....it means a lot to me that you've stuck with me for so long....(blushing a little)

Unfortunately I have reached the dreaded image limit...so I have no gift to share...forgive me....

Click here to go to Episode 12...if you want..>>

O--Or you could..go to the Masterpost...!

#g witch #gundam the witch from mercury

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lololollywrites · 5 months

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20 questions for fic writers

Thank you for the tag, @discordantwords!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? I have 10 as of now (7 for Sherlock and 3 for Harry Potter, though the HP fics were either begun or completed in 2012 (first posted on ff.net)... in other words, before I knew about JK's raging transphobia. I finally finished a HP WIP in 2020 that I had abandoned years ago, after my resulting disillusionment, because I decided that my work didn't deserve to be in vain. I'm so glad I did!

2. What's your total A03 word count? 168,333

3. What fandoms do you write for? On AO3, just BBC Sherlock and HP, though I have Smallville, Supernatural, and even a Gilmore Girls fic on my ff.net account (the earliest of them written in 2006) that I will NOT be linking here. 😂

4. What are your top five fics by kudos? (Since I've only been posting Sherlock fics on AO3 since September 2021, there's not a ton of variation between these):

The Waning of Withdrawal

Of Sweat, Sociopathy, Scars, and Secrets

Never Been Better

Pressure Points

Genius is a Star Whose Light (is Soon to Sink in Endless Night); I think I may change the title soon since it's so unwieldy)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? Yes! Mainly because I love when authors reply to mine - it acknowledges my gratitude and can open a line of communication. Plus, I just get so excited by every single comment notification that I need to squee and send hearts to the sender.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? None of my Sherlock fics have angsty endings, though that was my original goal for Never Been Better. It originally ended with Chapter 1, but I added two more chapters upon popular demand to fix things. :) It's a classic Sherlock-leaves-John's-wedding-early fic, so I'd intended to explore what may have happened within canon as sort of a missing scene/character exploration. Ultimately, however, I decided to throw a bone to poor Sherlock and disregard canon events.

However, my Harry Potter fic The Burn of the Phoenix, which I migrated to AO3 in 2020 after it's huge reception on ff.net back in 2012 (it's a 13k-word oneshot with 273 reviews and 951 favorites, though I'd definitely not write it the same way today), is definitely angsty. The end is hopeful, but ultimately... I killed Harry Potter. So. 😂 The ending, as it doesn't miraculously entail Harry coming back to life, can certainly be considered angsty as well. The entire fic is from Dudley's perspective as he learns of Harry's death (an alternate version of canon) and attends his funeral.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? As described above, all of my fics have happy endings! Though I'd say the one that's most unabashedly happy with minimal lingering pain and turmoil is Cold Inside. Genius comes close, but Sherlock is horrifically injured even despite happy news that comes in the last chapter so there's still an uphill battle ahead.

8. Do you get hate on fics? No, though I did get a very direct comment on The Waning of Withdrawal - the first time I ever wrote smut - that said the following (the "At all" was particularly harsh):

"I loved the fic and the way you formed everything with the comforting,and the understanding,the guilt and stuff and angst in the main part of the fic but I'm not a huge fan of how much detail went into their love part and stuff.. Not saying it's bad! I'm sure some people absolutely love it but I'm personally not a huge fan of the sex scene. At all."

(Luckily, two other commenters jumped in to my defense!) It seems innocuous enough, but I'd included an A/N that said it was my first time writing a love scene, despite it being brief, so "please go easy on me". The rating and tags were appropriate, too, so it seemed a bit out of the blue. That one little comment knocked my confidence for a while and made it impossible for me to re-read the fic without cringing.

9. Do you write smut? Just two of my Sherlock fics so far are rated E for smut. The Waning of Withdrawal, as described above, and Cold Inside, which has a lengthy sex scene in Chapter 4. It was so much harder than I thought to write - there's nothing quite like meticulously editing writing comprised of graphic depictions of anal sex, haha.

10. Do you write crossovers? No, nor do I usually enjoy them. I really admire the creativity, but tend to prefer fics that are plausible and in-canon; it's just a preference (with exceptions, of course!) That being said, crossovers that could happen between comparable universes - such as Sherlock and Hannibal - really appeal to me in theory.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I'm aware.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? No, but I'd be so thrilled!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? No, nor do I have a beta. I'm sure it could improve my work, but I feel horrifically self conscious during any editing process that involves another person. It's something I need to work on!

14. What's your all-time favourite ship? Sherlock & John and Arthur & Merlin are pretty neck-in-neck. I don't have many Merlin bookmarks, as it was my prior obsession before Sherlock, but I've been delving more into the Merlin fandom lately. Writing for it just seems harder for me - accounting for historical accuracy (though the show isn't historically accurate at all, it's just an entirely different universe) and the bounds of Merlin's magic would be tricky. Maybe one day.

15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? HAHAHAHAHA so... I did use to write more than one fic at once, waaaay back in the day, but have long since learned my lesson. I refuse to have true WIPs anymore - I only develop one idea at a time - and don't even publish a story until it's complete or almost complete (and fully outlined). Why? Well, there's one WIP I will NEVER finish. It's a Supernatural fic on ff.net with 6 chapters (out of a planned minimum of 10), first published in March of 2007 and last updated in February of 2008. Ooops.

It most recently received a review in 2015, which reads as follows: "WOW! ...update any time soon?...PLEASE...k"

Yeah. So. Never again for me.

16. What are your writing strengths? Based on the comments I receive, I think my strengths are characterization and dialogue. Oddly enough, these are two of my insecurities, but I think that my hyperfixation on both (knowing that I need to consciously work on them) has led to vast improvement.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? I often have a difficult time coming up with the initial premise, and am not nearly as creative as many of the writers out there I admire. Ideas usually come without me trying - such as late at night or in the shower - so I jot them down whenever that happens. That's all that seems to work for me. FTH was great in that it took a bit of the burden off and allowed me to elicit prompts from bidders instead.

I also struggle to weave incredibly complex stories. I don't think I'll ever be one of those writers who can write 100k-plus fics full of twists and turns. My plots tend to be more narrow, focused, and immediate.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic? As cool as this is - and I may be able to do this with Spanish, as it was my university minor - I wouldn't want dialogue to read as clunky or unnatural to a native speaker or to impede the flow of the prose (I'd want to add translations when possible in parentheses so as not to discourage readers who are not bilingual, unless the dialogue is short and can be translated in an end note).

In Genius, I have excerpts here and there in Serbian, but I ultimately use English to express longer Serbian dialogue (between <brackets> rather than "quotation marks" to indicate the difference in language being spoken and with the acknowledgement that translations are never 1-1. For me, this also helped preserve Sherlock's personality and ensure it could shine through.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Smallville! Way back in 2006. It was terrible; I killed Clark in an alternate version of S5's Hidden. I'm not sure what used to be the appeal of character death to me. You'd never catch me writing it now.

20. Favourite fic you've ever written? It's hard to choose, but I have two answers for different reasons. The fic I'm most proud of writing is Genius. I worked SO, SO hard on the story outline, plot, and the symbolism and clues thrown in throughout. It's my longest and most complex story so far at 51K words, too.

The story I believe to be my best is Never Been Better; specifically, its first chapter. I don't think I've since written a more in-character version of Sherlock or a starker portrayal of his emotions.

I also have a huge soft spot for my Harry Potter fic The Truth at Last, which is the first fic I ever posted to AO3. It marks a huge improvement in my writing from when I first started it in 2012, as I was able to return to it in 2019/20 with a more mature perspective.

I'll tag anyone who hasn't yet been tagged and would like to join! (Sorry for the lack of creativity there - I'm always afraid I'll forget someone).

#20 questions for fic writers #my fics #AO3

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