#goldsmithing must be a lot of fun

[naturalblue22]

this treasure of the ancients blog i follow is constantly raising my standards for jewelry

#and grainne morton of course #goldsmithing must be a lot of fun

[blackestnight]

HANAMI HAGANE

Nicknames: 'Hana-chan,' but attempt to use at your own risk.

Nameday: 31st sun of the 2nd astral moon (March 30th). ...I forgot her nameday again. Sorry miss Hagane.

Race: Au Ra Raen

Gender: Meh. She doesn't have strong enough feelings about her own gender identity to bother putting a label to it; most people default to 'she/her' pronouns when addressing her and she's fine with that, although she does object to being addressed as 'Lady ___' or other such courtesy titles—if someone must address her by a title, she prefers 'Ser.' Demigirl, if I were to ascribe modern language.

Orientation: Meh, with an added sprinkle of Not Your Damn Business if She's Not Trying to Fuck You. Her 'dating' history, sparse as it is, mostly consists of women, as does her metaphorical (and much more prodigious) little black book. She thinks of herself as not prone to romance, and a lot of her prior entanglements have been one-night stands or FWB arrangements. Romantic interest is much rarer for her than sexual attraction, and only tends to come after a long period of mutual trust and friendship. Again, using modern terminology, demi-romantic bisexual (with a slight lean towards women—her husband makes fun of her when she sees a giant, hot lady and her brain stops working).

Profession: Adventurer, goldsmith, part-time consultant with Garlond Ironworks (occasionally as an engineer, mostly as a sentient crash test dummy), nominally still the schoolmaster of Crown Gemworks.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

Hair: Dark reddish-brown, very fine and straight. Usually featuring some amount of pink dye, a holdover from when she was a teenager and her mother dyed her hair for her; it's an unofficial Hagane family tradition/bonding ritual. These days she usually keeps it trimmed to about the length of her chin, but for most of her adulthood she wore it down to her lower back.

Eyes: Green (although historically people have been confused on this point). (Is the confusion mostly the result of my being color blind? Yes.) Her limbal rings are a very bright, pale blue, which throws people off and gives her a delightfully creepy glow-in-the-dark look.

Skin: Warm brown. She probably has an impressive farmer's tan.

Tattoos/Scars: Her most notable scars are on her right forearm (a strangely sigil-like pattern of lines and circles stretching from wrist to elbow that appear to be raised and warped veins, the result of voidsent intervention in her final fight against Zenos in Ultima Thule); her lower torso (a diagonal line from her hip to the bottom of her ribcage, also from Zenos during the assault on Rhaglr's Reach); the back of her right thigh (from a drunken misadventure on a roof in her early twenties); and of course her left horn, which was severed (again by Zenos, or rather Elidibus in Zenos's body in the Ghimlyt Dark) and replaced by a hardsilver prosthesis. While some people assume her iconic face paint is a tattoo, she actually doesn't have any because she's scared of needles. She will not admit to being scared of needles.

FAMILY

Parents: Shomi Hagane is the matriarch of the Hagane clan, a family of samurai who have been serving the lords of Doma almost since its founding. She was raised in Monzen in her family home, and remained there until shortly before the Garlean invasion of Doma, when she begged then-king Kaien for leave to take her wife and young children to the countryside, safely out of reach of the imperial forces. Kaien thanked her for her service and allowed her to flee, thus ending over three centuries of Hagane service to the Rijin line. Maki Sunwalker (née Urabito) is the oldest child of a merchant family from northern Yanxia, though she was disowned as a teenager when she left her family to study the ways of the shinobi in Shinobi-no-Sato. She worked actively as an assassin and spy in service to Doma until the invasion; after Doma's fall she officially retired to become a farmer, though her 'errands' would occasionally take her to Garlean strongholds for days at a time and leave her knives suspiciously bloody.

Siblings: Hanami is the second of five children and the oldest surviving Hagane child; her older brother Akinaga died in the failed uprising at Monzen. Her younger brother Haruki has long been considered her partner in crime and currently splits his time between adventuring and working with the guard of the Doman Enclave. Her two youngest siblings are twins, Itomi and Naonaka; both were conscripted into the Garlean army after the uprising and sent to Ala Mhigo, where Itomi was promoted to Decurion and Naonaka worked as a healer. After their return to Doma, Naonaka moved to the fishing hamlet of Isari and Itomi left for Kugane; neither are currently on speaking terms with Hanami, though Naonaka has made overtures toward his brother and mothers.

Grandparents: None worth mentioning. Shomi's parents were killed during the first failed Garlean invasion, when she was three years old; she was raised by the collective efforts of several other noble families in Monzen, including the Daito family (as a result Gosetsu sometimes jokes that he's Hanami's honorary grandfather). Maki's family disowned her as a teenager and she hasn't had contact with them in almost fifty years.

Others: Hanami has a nephew, Munehise, who is the light of her life. Mune's biological mother isn't in the picture, and Hanami helped Haruki raise him until she left for Eorzea; since her return to Yanxia during Stormblood she's less involved in his day-to-day life, since she's adventuring, but she's still solidly in the 'favorite auntie' slot. (Mune won't say it out loud—the one time he tried is the only time he's ever seen Hanami genuinely upset—but he thinks of her as more of a mother figure than his actual mom.)

She has a bevy of cousins, including Kotone and Honoka (c/o @windupnamazu) and, semi-reluctantly, a brother-in-law (A'dewah on loan from @fistsoflightning). (She loves A'dewah because Haruki loves him. This does not necessarily mean she likes him.) Hanami's moms are also serial adopters, so as soon as Ninira (@nuclearanomaly) and Estinien got within fifty feet of the Hagane household they were trapped.

Hanami inherited the adopting addiction, and legally she's Rielle's ward (after a trial following the murder of Ystride de Caulignont). She also considers herself responsible for Ryne and Gaia, but in more of a hard-ass aunt way. She takes frequent trips to the First to continue their training as baby tanks.

She married Aymeric shortly before the start of Endwalker and has reached a tentative accord with his elderly cat, Mandragora, who recognizes a fellow grouchy predator when she sees one. Mandragora would take much more kindly to any half-elezen half-au ra kiddies, though...

SKILLS

Abilities: Master martialist, specializing in greatswords but having recently taken up polearms (specifically scythes). Practitioner of the dark arts as taught in the tradition of Ishgard's Dark Knights, and an (somewhat fumbling) initiate in voidsent summoning. Metalworking, with her most extensive training being in goldsmithing, though she takes on several other projects including quite a bit of engineering with the Ironworks. She was also raised on a farm and trained as a botanist, so her green thumb is nothing to sneeze at, though she mostly gardens for sustenance rather than for pleasure or aesthetics.

Hobbies: Hiking, sketching (mostly landscapes and technical drawing), riding her bikes, scaring the shit out of Ishgardian priests.

TRAITS

Most positive trait: Constancy. Hanami is loyal and unwavering—once she's named you an ally or chosen a course of action, that's set in stone. She says exactly what she means and does exactly what she says.

Worst negative trait: Stubbornness, perhaps as the natural flip-side of her positive trait. Her mind is near-impossible to change once it's been made up; she's reluctant to listen to arguments or accept help when she thinks she's better working on her own.

LIKES

Colours: Black, red, green, blue. Mostly jewel tones.

Smells: Campfire smoke, river water, morning mist, blooming honeysuckle, hot metal, clean cotton.

Textures: Fresh sheets, cool grass, calloused hands, polished leather.

Drinks: Tea (hot), fruit juice (cold), the occasional tiny sip of whiskey.

OTHER DETAILS

Smokes: Occasionally, although she prefers fogweed to tobacco. She's been known to pass a joint around with some of the other Scions in their downtime.

Drinks: Not anymore. She drank recreationally through her young adulthood, and developed alcoholic tendencies shortly after Operation Archon, in response to the stress of the Doman refugees arriving in Mor Dhona. She very abruptly swore herself to sobriety midway through the Crystal Tower expedition; speculation says there was some kind of incident that prompted the change, although the only people who seem to have any idea of what happened are Cid Garlond and G'raha Tia, and neither of them are talking. Thancred has been her recovery buddy ever since.

Drugs: See above if you count fantasy weed as a drug? She does not tolerate soporifics well at all and actively avoids them, although rumors in Ul'dah say she has some sort of...history with the Alacran, who are infamous for peddling somnus. She used to dabble with various hallucinogens when she was younger but had given them up by the time she left Doma.

Mount Issuance: She has an ancient issuance for a Maelstrom chocobo rotting in a drawer somewhere, but she can't stand the smell of horsebirds so she never used it. She has a burgeoning collection of motorcycles courtesy of Garlond Ironworks, including a custom one-of-a-kind combat bike, and she probably also has a horse back in Yanxia but this game won't give us normal ass horse models. If she's not able to use her bikes or ride a horse or a falcon she prefers walking.

Been Arrested: Twice. They say you can still find pieces of her sword embedded in the wall of the Tribunal. Attempt at your own risk.

tagged by @gatheredfates!

tagging @aethernoise @kukurubean @nuclearanomaly @nophicas-ward and YOU!

#oc: hanami hagane #final fantasy xiv #character meme #ty sea!!!! #long post

[alexhornefan]

In Conversation with Alex Horne

Hello Alex! First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us ahead of the Horne Section’s tour and the release of Taskmaster Champion of Champions.

You studied Classics at Cambridge University, did you know straight away that comedy was what you wanted to do, or did you have an alternative career path in mind?

I’m still not sure it’s what I want to do – I’m going on a wood carving course next year – in fact, I don’t think you ever really need to be sure. After Cambridge I did a postgraduate Broadcast Journalism course at Goldsmiths. At that point I was pretty sure I wanted to be a journalist… Comedy should happen by accident, I think, not a career decision.

How did you get onto the comedy scene?

I always liked comedy and thought there was a chance I might be funny when I made my family laugh on a car journey to Taunton in 1987. At school I made two guys laugh just before my A-levels. So whilst at university I did a couple of spots at the Footlights open mic nights then booked 5 minutes in a new acts club in London. When I got three laughs there, I was hooked. I booked more spots, eventually bagged an agent who made sure I got paid (often double figures) for future spots, and just 12 years later, I was a full time comedian.

Did you/ have you ever suffered from stage fright and, if so, how did you overcome it?

I did the semi-final of So You Think You’re Funny in 1999 and was so nervous I vomited twenty seconds before going on stage. It was such a bad way to start a gig, I never did it again. Gradually the fright subsides. Now I see the stage as my safe place. You’ve just got to keep on doing it.

You obviously started out as a stand-up comic; did the formation of the Horne Section seem like a natural progression or was it the result of a sudden epiphany that this type of music and comedy would work well together on stage?

It was, like most things, luck. Stand up was going ok. Their jazz careers were going ok. We booked a slot at the Fringe for a laugh and bang! It worked immediately and we’ve not looked back. So, no plan, but the willingness to do something different and potentially awful and embarrassing.

How much of the show is scripted and how much is improvised?

A very hefty chunk is improvised. It’s crucial to the show; if we are having a good time, the audience, we hope, will have a good time. So every night I make the band do things that they’ve never done before with no warning. I think it’s clear from the performance that these bits aren’t rehearsed, but if not, people must think it’s a very strange show.

Do you prefer collaborating and touring with other people as opposed to on your own? Do you have a solo tour planned for the future?

Good question – right now, I’m only performing with the band. It’s always fun; if it goes well we share the fun, if it goes badly, we share the pain. But one day I’m sure I’ll do something else by myself. It can be lonely though. But equally, getting five musicians to the same place at the same time can be a nightmare. So it’s that age-old choice, have a nightmare or be lonely?

I have to ask about Taskmaster because, and I think I speak for everyone, it is the highlight of the televisual year. Why do you think Taskmaster has been such a hit and how long do you foresee the format lasting for?

Ah, that’s very kind. Thank you. Personally, it’s just a lot of fun to make because we are asking great comedians to do silly things, without any prep or pressure (except for the pressure of the game, obviously). The tasks themselves come from a comedian’s brain so the contestants trust that they won’t be compromised, and then everything else comes from them; we get to see what these funny brains come up with, it’s all real, and the competitiveness is genuine. That, I realise, is a sprawling answer. The other thing is that Greg Davies is a very, very funny man and it’s an honour and a pleasure to sit next to him with my little iPad.

Do you have a favourite task that you’ve set for the contestants?

“Impress this Mayor. You have twenty minutes. Your time starts now.” I love that task and I love that mayor and I love that Joe Wilkinson brought him 42 Calippos and 8 cans of strong lager.

There is going to be a US version of Taskmaster, so is there a noticeable difference between the ways that the British comics compared to the US comics approach the tasks?

There really isn’t, which was a massive relief. It’s still the same principle; five funny people doing their best to do pointless but doable things. Sometimes they were brilliant, often they were idiotic, always, I hope, they were entertaining.

Source

#Alex Horne #Interview

[dublin-music-school]

Music School in Dublin

Benefits of learning music

There is something special about musicians: sensitivity, capacity for work, communication, listening... But then, is a musician born or made? The musician is forged day by day since childhood, like the goldsmith works the metal, like the craftsman elaborates a work of art with endless hours of work and putting his heart and his tenacity at the helm of the long journey.

Our infants spend a lot of time in classes of all kinds, but few of the disciplines they learn will be as complete as music. No wonder there are centers dedicated to teaching all aspects of it: musical language, group music, instrument, chorus, harmony, composition... The maximum benefit is obtained by learning an instrument for at least six years, which is the time necessary to consider someone a 'musician' (Zhang, Susino, McPherson, & Schubert, 2020). However, before the age of 7 or 8, it is more positive to stimulate them by exposing them to all kinds of fun, emotional, meaningful and participatory musical experiences, than to start formally playing an instrument.

By M.ª Ángeles Manresa Molins

Pianist and teacher at the Professional Conservatory of Music of Elche, author of the books La actuación musical and Cómo motivar para aprender con éxito un instrumento.

Music is not just another extracurricular activity.

According to Maria Montessori, the sensitive period of the senses, among which is hearing, extends from 0 to 6 years. It is like a window that opens wide in the child's brain to easily let in many stimuli. That is why we must take advantage of it to let music of various styles and different formats: musical stories, choral music, orchestral, various instruments, jazz, Baroque, pop, Classical ... The only condition is that it is of quality, timeless music, proof of the passage of time.

English, judo, dance, painting, theater, soccer, computer, chess, tutoring... or music. There are so many disciplines to choose from today when looking for extracurricular activities to complete our children's education that it is easy to get lost in the maelstrom of activities and impossible schedules. In addition, the social trend of the moment drags us to make us see normal what is not, that is, a children's agenda crammed with classes and travel. Continue here Dublin Music School

[friendly-neighbourhood-librarian]

The Magician's Diary - C. J. Archer

Book four of the series finds Matt and India one step closer to fixing Matt's magical watch and saving his life. They have one piece of the puzzle; now they must track down a diary belonging to a deceased doctor magician that contains a crucial spell. But the man was killed almost thirty years ago, the case was never solved, and the diary is likely in the hands of the killer. A decades-old cold case will be the toughest they have had yet.

This series gets more and more interesting with every book! There's a lot going on. When I saw how long the series was, I was worried the main plot would drag on overly long, but so far that has not been the case! Our main band of characters are fun in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, and some of the antagonists are so awful I want to punch them in the face, so it's extremely satisfying when they occasionally get punched in the face!

Glass and Steele series: The Watchmaker's Daughter | The Mapmaker's Apprentice | The Apothecary's Poison | The Magician's Diary | The Convent's Secret | The Ink Master's Silence | The Cheater's Game | The Prisoner's Key | The Imposter's Inheritance | The Kidnapper's Accomplice | The Toymaker's Curse | The Spy Master's Scheme | The Goldsmith's Conspiracy

#the magician's diary #c.j. archer #glass and steele series #fiction #historical fiction #fantasy #mystery #bookrecs

[merrill05mahler]

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[natromanxoff]

Queen live at Bingley Hall in Stafford, UK - May 6, 1978 (Part -2)

Photos were taken by Anthony Mallan.

Fan Stories

“As I write this I can't believe it is over 24 years since my first ever Queen gig. I was 15 years old and had looked forward to this day ever since I had first heard Bohemian Rhapsody 3 years earlier. Before that song Queen had just been another pop/rock group but BoRhap was the song which for me would set them apart from all others, the song that began my addiction for this band's music - an addiction which continues to this day. I had an hour long bus ride to Stafford and then had to walk to the Bingley Hall which was about 2 miles out of town. I remember while walking a couple of stretched limos passed I couldn't see inside because the windows were blacked out but I knew that it was the members of Queen in those cars and that added to the excitement. I arrived at the venue and joined the queue to get in. I was quite early but there were still a few hundred people in front of me. I bought a Black T shirt with the News of The World robot on the front and the words Spring Tour '78 and a program, both of which I still have although the T shirt is well worn. I was also treated to a young lady a bit drunk I think, taking her T Shirt off and running around half naked, quite sensational for a 15 year old lad. We were let into the hall at about 7pm and I found myself fairly near the front it was all standing and I was quite small so I was pleased to see the stage was set quite high which meant I would have an excellent view. The stage set for this tour was the famous crown and as I looked in awe at its size. I can remember wondering how they would get it to lift off the stage? I can't remember the time but probably an hour or so after I had got into the hall the lights went out and a mechanical whining noise started this was followed very quickly by white lights from the stage, smoke and then the drum beat of We Will Rock You with the song breaking straight into the chorus. Suddenly on a platform in the middle of the front row of the crowd Brian May appeared playing the "Rock You" guitar riff. I remember the feeling of joy and awe, I am sure I must have pinched myself to make sure this was really happening. After an explosion they burst into the fast version of "Rock You" and I saw Freddie for the first time. He was wearing shiney leather trousers, jacket & cap and running around the stage like a madman. It's far too long ago for me to remember every detail of the show but I do remember Freddie toasting us with champagne and at the end of '39 Roger threw his tamborine into the crowd and I had it for a split second before dropping it, I stood no chance really. The songs which I remember most from this gig were the ones which after this tour they were never to play live again: "White Man" & "Prophets Song" both were played either side of Brian's guitar solo and I can clearly remember Freddie performing vocal gymnastics during the middle section of "Prophets Song". The concert ended with a Rock n Roll medley. I remember right at the end of God Save The Queen we all started singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", then the lights were on and it was over. In a lot of respects it seems so long ago but as I am thinking of it now, parts of it are as clear as yesterday.”  - Kevin Ruscoe

“It was fun reading Kevin's story about going to see Queen at Stafford Bingley Hall in 1978. This was the first concert I had ever been to (talk about starting at the top). When the lights went down and Brian started with the dynamic We Will Rock You strumming, I was captured. A couple of years ealier I had purchased Night At The Opera for a girl I fancied at work. I took it to give her and before I could present her with it she showed me that she had just brought the album herself. So much for my Night At The Opera with her! So, I had to go home, take a cold shower, and listen to music. Because it was the only album I had, I played it and played it and I discovered a world I never knew existed. Music up to that point was something that was on the radio. That night seemed to open a new and exciting world me. Not as exciting as I had been planning with her but exciting none the less. My biggest memory of the Stafford concert was when Freddie gets us to sing along with him. Whenever I heard the Live Killers album, it would take me back to that moment at Stafford when I found out what I wanted to do with my life. I write now, plays and musicals, some successful, some not. Thanks Queen for my reason to live.”  - Robert

“Memory's a funny thing... and I wish to heck that I had a better one. How come I can remember useless things I don't want to know, like the winner of the first Big Brother programme, but can't remember stuff which would be far more useful... like how to order beer in any language, my bank account number... or the exact setlist of my first ever rock concert, Queen at Stafford's Bingley Hall in May 1978? Sitting down to type up this review I did a quick search on the net but only came up with a partial setlist which ends about two thirds of the way through. Very frustrating. So really this isn't a review, it can't be, but it's more a hazy recollection of just what it felt like to be a 15-year-old boy at his very first rock show. First off I remember getting the ticket. "Harvey Goldsmith presents A Night With Queen" printed in green (tickets for the Sunday night gig were printed in blue) and the price, L3.50 - laughably cheap now. I can't remember how long it was before the gig that I got the ticket but I do know that the waiting for the day of the gig was unbearable. But eventually that day arrived. Another reason it sticks in my mind is that it was the day of the FA Cup final (Arsenal beat Ipswich Town) and it was the first time I'd not sat glued to the TV from 12pm for all the build-up and the big match itself. If it had been my team, Manchester City, it might have been a different story, but I went up to Bingley Hall mid-afternoon, with a friend called Mark Butters, to join the queue and get as good a standing spot as possible. For those of you who don't know, Bingley Hall is a 10,000-plus capacity shed (a giant cowshed, really), at the County Showground just outside Stafford, and owned by the Staffordshire Agricultural Society. Before the NEC and other purpose-built venues came along, gigs at this venue (which on other occasions were filled with agricultural displays or animal pens) were a big deal, on a par with Wembley Arena and the like. Others to have played there include Abba, Black Sabbath, Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Saxon, Yes and Rush. I remember my Mum being worried sick about me going to the gig. Worried about the size of the crowd. Worried about the music volume. Worried about drugs. She was particularly worried that I was wearing a Thin Lizzy badge on my denim jacket and might get beaten up by some aggressive Queen fan who took exception to any other band. I had to persuade her that rock fans were not quite so tribal as football fans. I also remember standing fairly close to the glass-fronted doors in the queue and the physical, painful ache of anticipation. What came next is a blur - the doors finally being opened, the crush as we made our way through and our tickets were examined, the further crush by the merchandise stall (I got myself a big, square programme, which I've still got). Then I made my way into the crowd, jockeying for a position as near to the front as possible. The gig was all-standing and as showtime got closer the build-up of pressure was astonishing. I was pretty central, but there was constant swaying from left to right, if you lifted your legs you wouldn't fall, just be carried along with this sea of rock fans. Finally the wait is over (yes, I know I've changed tense, it just suits my recollections better). The lights go down. The roar of the crowd is unbelievably loud. But what comes next is even louder. As we strain to see what's going on the air is filled with a mechanical sound, the giant lighting rig (Queen's famed crown set-up) is lifting into the air in a sea of smoke. We Will Rock You explodes into the air. It's all light and smoke and noise... and suddenly there's Brian May, playing that guitar, just feet away from me. The spotlights fall on John Deacon and Roger Taylor behind his gigantic drumkit. Just one thing left now. Freddie. And he appears out of nowhere, Freddie Mercury, prancing and preening around the stage, soaking up the adulation, singing his guts out, clad in shiny black PVC. Call me innocent or naive, but back then I didn't really know about the whole gay/camp fetish thing... he just looked like the superstar he was. For the next two hours or so I am transported to a whole new place. We get the rockers (Brighton Rock, We Are The Champions, Now I'm Here, a pre-release It's Late, I'm In Love With My Car), the pop-orientated stuff (Killer Queen, Spread Your Wings, Somebody To Love, You're My Best Friend) and a superb acoustic section, featuring Love Of My Life and its amazing crowd singalong and '39, during which a string breaks on Brian May's guitar but he carries on regardless, note perfect to my ears. Oh, and we get Bohemian Rhapsody too. It's still only a couple of years old at this point, and although obviously something incredibly special is still making it's way up the ladder to immortality to stand alongside the likes of Stairway To Heaven. Anyway, it's bloody brilliant. Queen leave the stage for the opera section, enabling them to make another grand entrance in lights, smoke and pyrotechnics for the rock-out - a masterstroke! According to Kevin Ruscoe's review of this gig at the superb www.queenconcerts.com site we also got White Man and The Prophet's Song, but I have no recollection of that at all. Nonetheless it still sticks in my mind as one of the greatest gigs I have even seen over the past 28 years, and as one of the greatest events of my life. Like Kevin, I remember singing You'll Never Walk Alone at the end of God Save The Queen, a football terrace salute to a rock phenomenon. What a night!”  - Ian Harvey (April 28, 2006)

Part-1

#queen #queen band #roger taylor #freddie mercury #brian may #john deacon #queen concerts

[ibijau]

Worst engagement AU // on AO3

Jin Zixuan, without meaning to, seems to have acquired a friend.

Out of everything they learn in the Cloud Recesses, Jin Zixuan finds etiquette lessons to be the most useless. He knows how to conduct himself. Unlike some people, his parents made sure to properly educate him even before he came to this place. In fact, early on he wrote to his mother so she would request that he be excused from etiquette lessons. She answered that since he is so wise already, she expects him to have perfect grades in that subject, or else. 

With that threat still in mind, Jin Zixuan pays extra attention to the lecture today, never once looking away from Lan Qiren. This is helped by the fact that there's nobody to pester him today, since Nie Huaisang is sitting near Jiang Cheng at the moment. Good for him. Jin Zixuan doesn't want to deal with him anyway, not after being stood up yesterday. 

Not that Jin Zixuan cares about that. He never actually agreed when Nie Huaisang announced he'd be dropping by the Jin cabin after his much reviled weekly meeting with Lan Xichen. In fact, Jin Zixuan explicitly told the other boy not to bother. And so, Nie Huaisang didn't come. Which is good. It's about time Nie Huaisang learned to respect boundaries.

Too bad boundaries make for boring days. 

The morning lecture drags on and on and on. Jin Zixuan thinks he can see movement coming from the direction where Nie Huaisang is sitting, and he's almost sure he hears his name called out once in a loud whisper, but he ignores that. He's not this desperate for attention, and some people here are serious, diligent students. 

When finally they are freed for lunch, Jin Zixuan doesn't even have time to rise up before Nie Huaisang flops onto his desk with a pout. 

"Jin-xiong, didn't you see me waving at you earlier?" 

"I didn't. I was listening to Master Lan." 

"Liar," Nie Huaisang accuses with a grin, stretching like a cat over the desk. "I watched you, you were almost falling asleep. Jin-xiong, are you angry at me for yesterday? It's not my fault you know, stuff happened. I'll tell you about it while we go to lunch. I am so cross at Lan Xichen!" 

"You always are," Jin Zixuan retorts. "Isn't this your day with Jiang gongzi anyway?" 

It's not a formal arrangement, but usually Nie Huaisang alternates between spending time with Jiang Cheng on one day, and pestering Jin Zixuan the other. Yesterday should have been Jin Zixuan's day, so today ought to be Jiang Cheng's. It's not a bad system, though it reminds Jin Zixuan of home in ways he doesn't quite like. 

Nie Huaisang shrugs and fiddles with his fan, glaring at Jiang Cheng who is leaving with the other boys of his sect. 

"Since there's a test coming, he said he wants to study," he grumbles. "Grades don't even really matter! I swear, he's too serious. And I have no intention to be serious whatsoever, so I'm going to stay with you this afternoon. You're not planning on studying, right?" 

"Maybe I am." 

"Then I'll have to convince you otherwise," Nie Huaisang retorts, grabbing Jin Zixuan's arm by the elbow and pulling him up as he rises. 

Resistance is futile. Nie Huaisang is surprisingly strong, even though he's shorter than anyone in their class. Jin Zixuan tries to at least get his arm back, in vain. They are still elbow to elbow as they start walking toward the dining halls. 

"So, did it go badly with Lan Xichen yesterday?" Jin Zixuan asks, even though he knows that he's exposing himself to a three hours lecture on everything that's hateful about Lan Xichen. He's not concerned about what might have pushed Nie Huaisang to cancel their plans without warning, just… curious.

"I don't even want to talk about it," Nie Huaisang sighs. "He was almost nice at first, you know. I mean, actually nice, like a real person. He smiled!" 

"Isn't he always smiling?" 

"A real smile! A human smile, like he was happy to chat! And I almost had fun!" 

"How dreadful," Jin Zixuan mutters, rolling his eyes. "You, having fun with your own fiancé. I can't imagine what that's like."

"Watch what you say," Nie Huaisang warns. 

Jin Zixuan grimaces and nods. It has been made clear to him that he's allowed to complain about his now dropped engagement in general, but cannot say anything against Jiang Yanli personally. Nie Huaisang is rarely serious, but Jin Zixuan has a feeling that for this, he would be. 

"So we were very nearly having fun," Nie Huaisang resumes as they get close to the dining halls. "But then I tried to help him paint something, and so I took his hand, and I swear, you’d think a worm had fallen on his hand. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more disgusted. Can you believe that? I know he doesn’t like me, but that was rude.”

“Did he say he was disgusted?”

“Oh, you should have seen his face. No doubt possible. What else could it have been, anyway?”

Jin Zixuan doesn’t answer right away. What else, indeed?

Last time Jin Zixuan visited Lotus Piers with his mother, Jiang Yanli noticed a scratch on his hand, from sparring a little too intensely with her little brother. It was nothing big, but she’d seen it anyway and, as if it had been the most natural thing in the world, she had taken his hand to inspect it and offered to clean it. Her fingers had been gentle, and her voice soothing, and she’d seemed genuinely worried for him, so of course Jin Zixuan had panicked. He had pushed her away, saying something about his cultivation being more than good enough that such a small wound didn’t matter to him like it would have mattered to her. His tone must have been really bad because she had cried, and then her idiot brothers had run to the rescue, and everything had been such a huge mess that Jin Zixuan had come out of it more convinced than ever that he hated that whole family.

All because Jiang Yanli was nice to him, and he never knew how to handle that.

He wonders if Lan Xichen too is the sort to panic. It doesn’t seem likely, everyone always praises his calm, but honestly Jin Zixuan has heard the same thing said about himself. He knows the worth of people's praises of an influential young master.

“Maybe he likes you and was secretly flustered,” Jin Zixuan hazards.

Without surprise, Nie Huaisang starts laughing at the suggestion, a little too loud for the dining halls which they’ve just reached. It attracts the attention of a few Lans, including Lan Xichen himself who stares at them with a blank face. Since he has a sense of propriety, unlike some people, Jin Zixuan tries to free himself from Nie Huaisang’s hold. It still doesn’t work. Nie Huaisang keeps him close, which probably should annoy him more than it does, and pulls him toward some empty seats. Only then does Nie Huaisang finally let go of his elbow.

“I miss eating real food,” Nie Huaisang says, pouting at their meal of rice, boiled vegetables, and bitter soup.

“Sometimes I think I’m forgetting the taste of meat,” Jin Zixuan agrees, poking at the cabbage in his bowl before making an effort and eating it. 

It’s exactly as tasteless as he expected. He’s used to the rich, heavy foods of Carp Tower, and these few months in the Cloud Recesses have been a torture.

“We should go to Gusu one afternoon,” Nie Huaisang suggests, making no effort to eat anything. No wonder he’s so small if he’d rather starve than swallow something he doesn’t like. “It’s been a while, and if we fly, we can be there for dinner and still get back before curfew.”

“Don’t you hate flying?”

“I do. But for a chance to eat something that actually has a taste, I’d even crawl,” Nie Huaisang mutters. “I miss the food from home. Our cook makes that soup in winter, it’s the best thing ever. It’s just so good, there are no words. You’ll see when you come visit.”

“Who said I’d come?” Jin Zixuan protests.

Nie Huaisang laughs, still too loud for this place, and forces himself to bite a piece of mushroom.

“Of course you’ll come, and we’ll have a ton of fun. Qinghe is the best place in the world, and we have the best food in the world, you’ll love it. And Carp Tower isn’t very far, it’d be easy. Jiang Cheng has promised already that he’ll come with Wei Wuxian, and they’re much further away. If they can come, so can you.”

“Telling me they’ll be there does not make it very appealing,” Jin Zuxian points out.

“I’m not stupid, I won’t let you come at the same time. Not until I’ve gotten all of you to get along,” Nie Huaisang threatens.

At least, it feels like a threat to Jin Zixuan. He doesn’t think Nie Huaisang could manage that, because Jin Zixuan believes the Jiang boys are two horrid little beasts with no respect who need to have manners beaten into them, while they’ve made it clear they're convinced he’s stuck up and boring. There’s just no common ground to be found.

Then again, not long ago Jin Zixuan wouldn’t have thought he’d ever have common ground with Nie Huaisang either.

“I’ll have to see if my father allows it,” Jin Zixuan conceded. “If he does, I might visit you.”

“And if he doesn’t, then I’ll be the one coming to Carp Tower,” Nie Huaisang retorts. “I bet there’s a lot of fun to be had there too.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

“I’m inviting myself. Come on, Jin-xiong. I’m the funniest person you know. Of course you’ll want to see me again after this. Who else can you chat with? Jin Zixun?”

Jin Zixuan huffs in disdain at the idea. His cousin is a tolerable companion for Night Hunts, and because they’re so closely related they’ve always spent a lot of time together, but they only mildly get along. If they had any other choice of friends, Jin Zixuan is sure they’d have fallen apart long ago.

They might, now that Jin Zixuan does have someone whose company he does enjoy, even if he’s reluctant to admit as much. And if Nie Huaisang comes, they can visit bookstores to hunt for poetry, peruse his home's vast library and gardens, or go visit the goldsmiths and cloth merchants of Lanling.

It’s not an unpleasant thought.

Maybe Jin Zixuan will write to his father, asking both to be allowed to visit Qinghe and to have a guest now and then. Or better yet, he’ll write to his mother, since she’s the one who is most likely to spare a moment to give him that permission. Stern as she is, his mother would certainly be happy to hear he’s made a friend.

#xisang #worst engagement au #jau writes #listen jzx is a tsundere through and through even about having friends #mdzs #yes jc and jzx are divorced parents sharing a child but if you ask them they dont want the child anyway lol

[anastassiyav]

Games and Play - Definition.

Games and Play - Definition.

  This Journal will be kept for the Approaches to play class at Goldsmith University.

First lecture starting with a discussion about what defines Games and Play.

A first definition that usually comes to someone’s mind is something along the lines of “doing something for fun”, but after a very quick analysis it’s evident that a definition like that is simply not true and doesn’t cover the complexity of play at all.

Starting from the fact that there are lots of things that can be done for fun, for example, hobbies, such as cross stitching or gardening, but I hardly think that anyone would classify that as a game (unless you are playing a farming/gardening game?).

Another counter point of describing games as an act of having fun would be a an observation that people experience a far wide array of emotions from playing games – anxiety, sadness, frustration, anger. Does that really sound fun? I would say no.

I personally am a very laggard kind of gamer, playing very rarely, and mostly the same game year after year. Think, Sims4 and Candy Crush on the underground. However my boyfriend and his flatmate are both quite avid games and one thing that I observed while spending time in their house, is how different they spend time, playing virtually the same game. My boyfriend cusses and shouts at his monitor, while his flatmate laughs loudly and for hours. Yet somehow both are enjoying themselves.  So as a conclusion, calling play and act of fun is simply not good enough.

What is play then?

During the lecture our lecturer shared his own definition, “A game is a system capable to generate emotions through agency in a ritual space.”, however he himself shared that that was challenged, by, I believe, an accountant who said he can define himself doing excel spreadsheets as a playing a game, by that definition. Man’s opinion was judged during the class, but I personally think he can describe his work as play, if he conditions himself that way, similar in a way how lots of people turn chores in a game. Sort of like, how fast can I water those parsnips? Or you have to wash the iron the carpet in perfect straight lines, or you lose. Or don’t step on the edges of the pavement tiles during a very boring commute.

I suppose my own definition of play would be heavily based on a book by Roger Caillois called Man, Play and Games.

He thinks that a play has 6 common characteristics:

·         It is free, or not obligatory.

·         It is separate (from the routine of life), occupying its own time and space.

·         It is uncertain, so that the results of play cannot be pre-determined and so that the player's initiative is involved.

·         It is unproductive in that it creates no wealth and ends as it begins.

·         It is governed by rules that suspend ordinary laws and behaviours and that must be followed by players.

·         It involves make-believe that confirms for players the existence of imagined realities that may be set against 'real life'.

I mostly agree with those; however some of those can be challenged, of course, for example that a game is not an obligatory.

I had, many times, been made to play dodge ball in my school, although I had no desire to do so. The option for non playing was basically failing the class. However it was still an act of play. I was certainly not attacked by a bunch of teens, right?

I can agree about unproductively and I certainly enjoy that aspect of games, that is something so wonderful, that people engage in it without the need to produce as result, as opposite to some hobbies for example (finished product), however that can also be not true, as many gamers enjoy finishing storylines, which will end the game not where it began, and for example, what about gambling games?

However the book further goes into the theory of play and also classifies and distinguish certain acts of play and games.

  “Caillois argues that we can understand the complexity of games by referring to four play forms and two types of play (ludus and paidia):

Agon, or competition. E.g. Chess is an almost purely agonistic game.

Alea, or chance. E.g. Playing a slot machine is an almost purely aleatory game.

Mimicry, or mimesis, or role playing.

Ilinx (Greek for "whirlpool"), or vertigo, in the sense of altering perception, dizziness, disorder, or loss-of-control. E.g. taking hallucinogens, riding roller coasters, children spinning until they fall down.”

  Those can be mixed and combined between themselves.

I really enjoy those classification, because it goes in so much depth at defining play – for example Mimicry is not so much bout role playing, but about suspending disbelief while being in a comfort of known that something is not real – which can be applied to activities such as watching a film. We are watching lord of the rings, for example, knowing that this is not real, those are actors, and those things are not real, however we are, for duration of the film, are accepting that space in the way its presented and that in that space, there is magic and Orlando bloom is actually a blonde elf guy, therefore we are engaging in play. Same goes for video games, like Call of Duty – you are not actually at war, yet you engage in a war like role playing activity.

Dancing for example can be a play too, llinx activity according to the book, but if you are dancing in, let’s says, in a nutcracker ballet, it would be an act of mimicry, both for viewer and the dancer.

I know that probably not a lot of people in the game industry and in our class will agree with definition, but I am going to stand by it.

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

*LGBTQIA+ Historical Romance Novels w/Cowboys, Ranchers, and People of the Frontier and Old West (Includes Fantasy, Steampunk, and Horror offerings this time.)

A River of Time by Dale Chase

- It's 1895 when Luke Straily returns to Gunnison, Colorado, after a twelve-year absence and reluctantly heads to the cattle ranch owned by Jack Hinch, the only man he’s ever loved. Looking to make amends for an intolerable act, Luke hires on at the ranch, but Jack makes it perfectly clear he's unable to forgive or forget just yet. It'll take everything in Luke's power to set things right with the man he wronged and placed in jeopardy before he ran away, but he aims to earn back Jack's trust no matter the personal cost.  Complicating matters, though, is ranch foreman Tim Dutcher, who’s been enjoying a sexual relationship with the handsome rancher during the intervening years and thoroughly resents Luke's intrusion. As Luke and Jack gradually rebuild their severed friendship and renew their former passion,  jealousy flares, leading to a volatile confrontation. Can the men settle matters without any shots being fired?

Devil’s Paw by Dale Chase

- Lloyd Lasky is a seasoned operative for the Whitlock Detective Agency in Denver that often infiltrates outlaw gangs in order to thwart stagecoach robberies. When he’s assigned to infiltrate the Bonner Gang based in Devil’s Paw, Arizona Territory, he’s unprepared for the personal ambush his heart suffers over gang member Frank Metty. Taking up sex with Frank, Lloyd convinces himself that doing so is part of his job in solidifying his place in the gang and learning of their plans. But as time passes, Lloyd not only starts to care for the younger man, but jealousy also rears its ugly head when it becomes clear the gang leader, Merle Bonner, also has a sexual claim on Frank. When the line between self-indulgence and detective work blurs to the point where Lloyd considers not only breaking agency rules but breaking the law, will he be able to ignore his ever-growing sexual desires and successfully complete his dangerous mission?

Untamed by Anna Cowen (Gender queer MC!)

- Outspoken and opinionated, Katherine Sutherland is ill at ease amongst the fine ladies of Regency London. She is more familiar with farmers and her blunt opinions and rough manners offend polite society. Yet when she hears the scandalous rumours involving her sister and the   seductive Duke of Darlington, the fiercely loyal Katherine vows to save her sister's marriage - whatever the cost.

Intrigued by  Katherine's interference in his affairs, the manipulative Duke is soon fascinated. He engages in a daring deception and follows her back to her country home. Here, their intense connection shocks them both. But the Duke's games have dangerous consequences, and the potential to throw both their lives into chaos...

Stealing West by Jamie Craig (Stealing series #2)

- Leon Stroud is wanted for robbery and a murder he didn’t commit. On the run to California with his partner-in-crime, Kenneth, he spots the relentless bounty hunter, Thomas Grady, on the train. The only way to protect Kenneth is to create a distraction, and that’s what Leon does when he flees the train at the top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He forces Thomas to chase him, but nothing can prepare him for what it means to be caught. Thomas Grady always gets his man, and Leon Stroud is no exception to that rule. But almost from the moment Thomas touches Leon, he wants the outlaw for something besides his bounty. Driven by desire he doesn’t understand, Thomas repeatedly claims Leon’s body on the long journey from Soda Springs to San Francisco—and Leon only begs for more. An even bigger threat, with a larger bounty, could be the very thing they need to drive them together...or tear them apart.

Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton (Longer review on this site, but suffice to say the cover and description don’t do this novel justice. Robby is as smart as a whip, Trace is a cinnamon roll, and this novel has a lot of tender moments surrounding the MCs as well as the Crabtree family.)

- Being a fugitive in the old west shouldn’t be this much fun. The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run--all the way to Santa Fe. When he still hasn't ditched his pursuers, he disguises himself as a mail order bride he meets on the wagon train. Caught between gangsters that want to kill him, and the crazy, uncouth family of his "intended", Robby's only ally is a lazy sheriff who sees exactly who Robby is -- and can't resist him. Trace Crabtree took the job as sheriff of Flat Bottom because there was never a thing going on. And then Robby Riverton showed up. Disguised as a woman. And betrothed to Trace’s brother. If that wasn’t complication enough, Trace had to find the man as appealing as blueberry pie. He urges Robby to stay undercover until the danger has passed. But a few weeks of having Robby-Rowena at the ranch, and the Crabtree family will never be the same again. Damn, what a kerfuffle. If only Trace can get rid of the fugitive while hanging on to his own stupid heart. 

The Bibliophile by Drew Marvin Fraye (This was a pleasant surprise of a novel, with multiple examples of healthy LGBT relationships. The author did some good research surrounding the treatment of native tribes and health practices of the time. The May/December relationships are sweet, and not one-sided.)

- Nathanial Goldsmith is the only son of the richest man in the Idaho territory, Jessum Goldsmith, the Silver Baron of the Western Lands, as he is called in all the newspapers. But life in the late nineteenth-century American West weaves no magic spell for Nathanial, who longs for the academic worlds his father has forced him to leave behind. To toughen him up, Nathanial’s father has indentured him to a ranchman, Cayuse Jem, a large, raw-boned, taciturn man Nathanial’s father believes will help teach his son to “become a man.” Cut off from his books and the life he has always known, Nathanial is not only forced to co-exist with Cayuse Jem, but to truly get to know him. In doing so, Nathanial discovers there is more to this silent horseman than meets the eye. And, in the process, Nathanial also learns a few things about life, about human nature, and about the differences in being a man and a boy…  

A Place to Call Their Own by Dean Frech

- Frank Greerson and Gregory Young have been discharged from the Army and are headed to their childhood homes. They both defied their parents in 1861 when they joined the Army. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union of the United States of America, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Once they find their claim, they encounter common obstacles to life on the Kansas Prairie in 1866:  Native Americans, tornadoes, wild animals, and weather. When a prairie fire destroys their crops and takes their neighbor’s lives, Frank and Gregory are instructed to find their young son’s aunt. Faced with leaving a destroyed claim, the railroad coming through their land, and dwindling funds, Frank and Gregory must decide whether to leave the place they have worked hard to make their own or fulfill their friends' dying wishes.

Looking for Trouble by Misha Horne

- A trip across the country just might lead to a trip over a cowboy’s knee… Trouble seems to follow Jesse Morgan. No matter how many times he tries to clean up his act, drinking and fighting and picking pockets are about the only things that make him feel good. All he wants when he boards a train headed for Nevada is a fresh start. He might not even know where it is on a map, but nobody knows him there. He just needs a little change, a little adventure, a chance to shake off the dark cloud he seems to be stuck under. What he doesn’t expect is to meet Will Kaplan. A tall, handsome cowboy with a chiseled jaw who pulls him out of a jam five minutes after he steps off the train. He’s ever met anyone like the no nonsense stranger who offers him a temporary place to stay. Will might be stern and have a lot of strict rules, but he’s patient and fair, and he makes Jesse crave things he’s never thought about. Makes him want to cause trouble, just to see what might happen. Will makes him want to do all kinds of things that are definitely a bad idea. Will Kaplan couldn’t care less about people. Everyone he was ever close to is long gone, and he’s perfectly happy on his farm with his animals and just enough to get by— alone. He only heads into town when he has to, and sure never expected to come back home with a mouthy stranger who seems dead set on driving him crazy. Will doesn’t need a farmhand. He definitely doesn’t need one who’s stubborn and reckless and has an ugly temper, even if he’s sexy as hell. Just because Jesse is good company when he isn’t being irritating doesn’t mean Will is interested in having another person in his life for more than a week or two. Excitement and disruption are not things he’s fond of. Just like he’s not fond of this sassy, sullen city boy who seems determined to cause trouble, almost like he’s begging for a firm hand…

Gunslinger’s Lullaby by Jovana (MMF, Bisexual MC!)

- Easy McClure is a hot-headed little spitfire named after her father’s favorite saloon girl. When her father is killed in a range war, she inherits his ranch. Alone now, and facing the responsibility of taking care of a large spread, she packs away her bloomers and corsets and wears tight jeans with a six-gun strapped to her hip. One day, a bleeding cowboy rides up to her house with a bullet in his shoulder. By the time she learns he’s a notorious gunslinger, his whole gang arrives. She has never seen such hot, sexy cowboys in her life, and has a problem resisting their advances. As time passes, she is slowly drawn to them and puts her better judgment aside, surrendering to their steamy seduction. Then the day comes for them to leave. That’s when she must admit she’s in love with each one and faces a painful dilemma -- can her love tame all four men, or will they forever be a group of hard-riding gunslingers dodging bullets and running from the law?

Finding Forgiveness by Ari McKay

- Boston in 1888 is quite urbane, but unfortunately for Gil Porter, that isn’t the same thing as being understanding. When his sexuality is exposed by the scandalous suicide of his lover, Gil is exiled to the small town of Mercy, Texas, by his domineering father, George, who believes life on Vernon Porter's ranch will cure Gil of his “unnatural” desires. Grieving and ashamed, Gil is determined to keep his distance from everyone until he can return home. To his surprise, he finds acceptance at Bent Oak Ranch, especially from Matt Grayson, the handsome son of the ranch foreman. Knowing he must fight his attraction to Matt, Gil courts a local girl, but an unexpected encounter with Matt leads to his discovery of Matt’s feelings for him. Torn between Matt and his desire to be “normal," between returning to his old life and building a new one in Texas, Gil is faced with a choice—appeasing his father or becoming the man Matt knows he can be.

Heart of Stone by Ari McKay

- Stone Harrison never knew he had an aunt; he certainly never expected her to bequeath him one of the largest spreads in central Nevada. But something about Copper Lake Ranch and its foreman, Luke Reynolds, speaks to him, offering a chance for the home he’s never really had.Luke wants Stone to succeed as a rancher and put the legacy of his shiftless father behind him, but he’d also like Stone to share his bed. Unfortunately, Stone is convinced that the world is a harsh place that will never accept two men sharing their lives. Much to Luke’s dismay, he refuses to risk Luke’s life despite the intense attraction they share.The tension between them escalates when a series of calamities strikes Copper Lake. An unexpected and unwelcome visit from Stone’s dandified cousin, James, only makes things worse. Stone’s ability to run the ranch comes into question, but the threat of losing it means less to Stone than the threat to Luke’s life. Stone will do anything it takes to protect the man he loves—even if it makes him a murderer.

Carnival Cowboy by Dale Madison (Trans MC!)

- At the end of a bloody trail, Johnny Redd finds an incredible secret. While struggling with a bullet in his chest, he crawls along the ground until he finds himself surrounded by a maze of quaint carnival tarps. Inside is a world of color, costumes, false hair, nails, eyelashes -- and a man who dresses like a woman. It’s a world of trickery, deception, and lies. Johnny makes it just inside the tent when his strength fails and he faints dead away. When he awakes, he’s reminded of the bizarre reality that surrounds him. It’s that he learns he has been taken care of by a man – er. woman -- by the name of Frenchy Starr. The name rolls from the tongue of this fallen angel, this princess of darkness, this twilight queen. She’s a mystery, a dangerously beautiful mystery, and Johnny slowly becomes ensnared in the trap which she sets. After one night of incredible love, a jealous fan shoots Frenchy. Thinking her dead, Johnny’s heart is broken and he leaves in search of something to fill the hole she left in his heart. Enter Kit Dalton.

The Redemption of Nathaniel Bane by RL Merrill (Novella from The Banes of Lake’s Crossing series, but can be read as standalone.) (Native American MC!)

- In 1860, Nathaniel Bane and his brothers dug deep into the earth on a mission from God, searching for a cache of silver to help fund their new religious civilization. What they found altered them forever and set off a chain of events that changed the course of Nevada's history. Nearly twenty years later, the constant hunger and restlessness has made Nathaniel desperate for relief. A chance encounter in the desert and a meeting with an incredibly powerful holy man will set Nathaniel on a path to redemption—a journey filled with love, blood, and revenge. Will Nathaniel find peace with his soul’s mate, or is he destined to walk the earth alone?

Cowboy Dreams by Terry O’Reilly

- Store clerk Chadwick Algood dreams of leaving his small New England town and becoming Chad Armstrong, a cowboy living a life of adventure in the Wild West. However, Chad is the sole support of his widowed mother and younger sister, so knows his cowboy dreams may never be realized. Chad’s life is turned upside down when Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show comes to town and Chad meets Bo Miller, a roustabout with hopes and dreams of his own. A relationship quickly develops which deepens the young store clerk’s longing for his dream for a new life. Eventually, news from England sends Chad’s mother and sister across the Atlantic. Chad decides to stay in the US. Traveling from town to town in search of Bo and the Wild West show, Chad meets ranch owner Leon Scruggs in a bathhouse and feels an instant connection with the hot cowboy. Which cowboy dream will Chad choose? Or will fate choose for him?

Grow Wild by KM Penemue (f/f!)

- Josie has been drifting from town to town for years, surviving on whatever work she can find. When she rolls into Rio Plato, however, it's not work she's hunting, but an old enemy. Dahlia Wheeler owns the Sentimental Lady saloon and brothel, where Josie stays. But though Josie feels the pull between her and Dahlia, she refuses to get involved and risk dragging Dahlia into her plans for revenge and the aimless life she leads—assuming she doesn't wind up with a noose around her neck.

A Cowboy’s Heart by JM Synder

- Ranch hand Tommy Prout thinks he's in love ... with his boss, Hal Bolstrum. Problem is, Hal's engaged to be married to the ranch owner's daughter and, though he knows of Tommy's crush, he sees it as nothing more than harmless affection. When payday rolls around and the other cowboys want to ride into town to check out the girls at the Wildhorse saloon, Tommy tags along to throw off any suspicion anyone might have about his feelings for his boss. He sure as hell doesn't want to spend his money on any of the soiled doves the town has to offer. At the bar he meets Lila, an enterprising young working girl who takes a liking to him. When Tommy says he wants to be left alone, Lila suggests he rest in her room -- with the promise they don't have to actually do anything. But Lila isn't like the others, and when she discovers Tommy is more scared of her than attracted to her feminine charms, she lets him in on a little secret. Lila's real name is Stephen Marsh. He lives as a woman, moving from saloon to saloon, pleasing men for money. He loves men and enjoys his work, and what others don't know about what's under his skirt doesn't bother him. In all his years on the prairie, he's never met someone quite like Tommy. When he discovers Tommy is sweet on Hal, he suggests teaching the cowboy just how to please a man. He doesn't mean to lose his heart to Tommy in the process. With "Lila" in his life, Tommy begins to dream of someone softer than Hal, someone pretty when dolled up but still man enough where it counts. Someone like Lila. As his feelings deepen, can he use Lila's own teachings to win the heart he really loves?

On the Trail to Moonlight Gulch by Shelter Somerset

- It’s 1886, and Chicago is booming, but for nineteen-year-old Torsten Pilkvist, American-born son of Swedish immigrants, it’s not big enough. After tragically losing a rare love, Tory immerses himself in the pages of a Wild West mail-order bride magazine, where he stumbles on the advertisement of frontiersman and Civil War veteran Franklin Ausmus. Torsten and Franklin begin an innocent correspondence—or as innocent as it can be, considering Torsten keeps his true gender hidden. But when his parents discover the letters, Tory is forced out on his own. With nowhere else to go, he boards a train for the Black Hills and Franklin’s homestead, Moonlight Gulch.Franklin figures Tory for a drifter, but he’s lonely after ten years of living in the backcountry alone, and his “girl” in Chicago has mysteriously stopped writing, so he hires Tory on as his ranch hand. Franklin and Tory grow closer while defending the land from outlaws who want the untapped gold in Franklin’s creek, but then Franklin learns Tory’s true identity and banishes Tory from his sight. Will their lives be forever tattered, or will Torsten—overhearing a desperate last-ditch scheme to snatch Franklin’s gold—be able to save Moonlight Gulch and his final shot at love?

Eden Springs by Ada Marie Soto

- In the boomtown of Eden Springs, someone is spilling the blood of children. Desperate, the sheriff calls in ex-Union scout Aaron Byrne to stop them. For the lawman for hire, it's just another job-until he meets Jonah Mann, the town's Oxford-trained astronomer-cum-schoolteacher. Aaron never stays in one place for long, but a few stolen glances from the eccentric professor begin to test his resolve to move along once the job is done. Now a telescope, a whorehouse bathtub, and a cup of Chinese tea could change Aaron's own stars forever. A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

Bitter Springs by Laura Stone (POC MC!)

- In 1870s Texas, Renaldo Valle Santos, the youngest son of a large and traditional family, has been sent to train with Henry “Hank” Burnett, a freed slave and talented mesteñero—or horse-catcher—so he may continue the family horse trade. Bitter Springs is a sweeping epic that takes themes from traditional Mexican literature and Old Westerns to tell the story of a man coming into his own and realizing his destiny lies in the wild open spaces with the man who loves him, far from expectations of society.

The Dino Rancher’s Winter Bride by Eloise Sumner (f/f!)

- Eleanor Fields is from a well-to-do big-city family that’s looking to expand its industry out West. Looking to make connections, her father arranges her to be married to Jacob Hammond of Vanwell Ranches.After years of work, Jesse Vanwell has just won back her family home, the Vanwell estate, from the vile Jacob Hammond. But taking his assets comes with a surprise – a city bride.Jesse’s got no need for a wife, but Eleanor doesn’t want to be sent back to her family. A storm is brewing on the horizon, as is the threat of Jacob Hammond returning to reclaim what he lost.

To Hell You Ride by Julia Talbot

- Big Roy is a hard-rock miner with a not-so-secret love for the theater, so when he hears a new troupe of actors are coming to the Telluride Opera House to put on a Shakespeare play, he saddles his mule and makes the trek into town to see it. The play doesn’t disappoint, but the beautiful lead actor, Edward Clancy, certainly does. Clancy is rude and arrogant, and Roy figures he’d never have a chance with such a man. He’s wrong, because Clancy needs some entertainment himself, being stuck in a hellish mining town for the long, snowy winter. Come spring, though, Clancy knows he’s going to want to move on, and he thinks Roy will be easy to forget. Then tragedy hits, and Clancy has to rethink his entire life. Can these two strike gold?

Home Before Sundown by Tinnean

- George Pettigrew and his papa must leave the California rancho they'd lived on since his birth. They end up in New York City, where Papa marries and George gets a new beloved mama. George also meets Frank and Bart who become fast friends, and in Bart's case, even more.The start of the Civil War leaves George the man of the family, but although he’s found a job, it’s difficult to pay the ever-increasing rent. Then Papa dies at Appomattox and Mama falls ill.After Mama dies, her father takes George’s siblings. When George learns his younger sister is being abused, he rescues the three children. But will dressing his sisters as boys and himself as a woman be enough of a disguise to keep them safe until they can reach the valley he’s dreamed of? Will Bart leave behind his own family and go with the man he loves?

A Hard Ride Home by Emory Vargas

- It’s hard enough returning to his birthplace to replace a dead man as sheriff. The last thing Emmett needs is to find himself smitten with Jesse, the whore he arrests almost immediately upon arrival. Especially since Jesse works for his half-sister and at her thoroughly disreputable saloon. But being smitten with a whore is only the beginning of Emmett’s troubles. Silver Creek is a town full of secrets and people too terrified to talk. Why does Emmett’s father, the mayor of Silver Creek, have such a strong hold on the town—and on Jesse?

A Little Sin by Sionnach Wintergreen (Just finished this one the other day, and it’s such an intelligent read. Having lived in the area where this takes place, I can say Wintergreen was totally accurate with her details involving the treatment of “racism, homophobia, and sexism“. The mystery portion is solid, and a WOC is shown as bright and appreciated by Garland and Avery.)

- Sheriff Avery O’Rourke has tried to obey his strict Christian faith and lead a “normal” life. In 1923 in a rural East Texas town, “normal” means heterosexual. A cholera outbreak has made Avery a young widower, so he is married to his job. When a murder investigation forces him to confront his truth, will he finally be able to accept being gay?

Veterinarian Garland Sands has returned from Europe to take over his father’s practice. Struggling with shellshock (PTSD) and heartbroken by the suicide of his French lover, he resigns himself to a quiet, solitary life as a country vet. But the murder of the town doctor brings the sheriff to Garland’s doorstep looking for help with the investigation. Seeing Avery awakens dormant feelings. Can he love a man who hates what he is?

This isn’t the lavish 1920s of The Great Gatsby. This is the flip side of that coin—rural East Texas. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. No flappers. In 1923, the timber barons have left and racism, homophobia, and sexism thrive.

A Little Sin is a realistic mystery with unlikely heroes and a timeless romance between lovers caught in a world where their love is forbidden. This book contains steamy sex scenes and is intended for adults only.

Interested in some Fantasy, Steampunk Western or Horror with your Western by some of your favorite historical romance writers? Try these reads below the cut...

The Devil’s Land collection from @lessthanthreepress includes more traditional historical novels, fantasy, and steampunk offerings in frontier areas that are real (US, Australia, etc) and fictional.

Bushrangers series by Jack Byrne

- Having long ago lost his wife and children, cattleman Jim Kelly works the family farm in the harsh 1800s Australian outback, most days wondering why he bothers. That question is foremost in his mind when a venomous snake takes him by surprise. Another surprise comes when a skilled doctor is in the vicinity to save his life. But the third, and biggest, surprise for Jim is falling hard and fast for that man. Life on the lam is tough, and bushranger Mark Turner simply wants to maintain his freedom as long as he's able. Unfortunately, being a doctor, his conscience won't let him leave a snakebite victim to die. Before he thinks about the consequences of his humanitarian actions, he's both saved Jim and become smitten with him. But considering how Mark's past could negatively impact any possibility of a future, maybe falling in love wasn't such a great idea after all.  

Venom Valley series (Cowboys & Vampires, Stakes & Spurs, Blood & Stone) by Hank Edwards

- In the frontier town of Belkin’s Pass, as a vampire quietly feeds on the local saloon girls and their customers, a tragedy teaches resident Josh Stanton he has the ability to raise the dead. Knowing he is now a wanted man, Josh flees into the arid plains of Venom Valley.

Dex Wells, the town deputy and Josh’s best friend, catches up with Josh. During the confrontation, both men realize their friendship is truly something deeper, and Dex has to decide if he’s a man of the law, or a man in love.As Josh and Dex ponder a viable course of action, the vampire circles ever closer, drawn by Josh’s power and gathering his forces against them.

Once Upon a Time in the Weird West by Jamie Fessenden, Andrew Q. Gordon, Jana Denardo, Kim Fielding, Shira Anthony, Tali Spencer, Venona Keyes, Lex Chase, C.S. Poe, Nicole Kimberling, Ginn Hale, Astrid Amara, Langley Hyde                           

- This isn’t the same old Wild West. The usual suspects are all present: cowboys, outlaws, and sheriffs. There’s plenty of dust, tumbleweeds, horses, and cattle on the range, but there are also magical gems, automatons, elementals, airships… even dinosaurs and genetically modified insects. Roaming among the buffalo and coyotes, you’ll encounter skinwalkers, mad engineers, mythical beings cloaked in darkness, and lovers who stay true to their oaths… even beyond the grave. On this frontier are those at the mercy of their own elaborate devices as well as men whose control of time and space provides a present-day vision of the West. There might even be a dragon hidden amongst the ghost towns and wagon trains.If you like your Westerns with a splash of magic, a touch of steampunk, and plenty of passionate romance between men, these genre-bending tales will exceed expectations. Hold on to your hats, cowboys and cowgirls. The West is about to get weird, and you’re in for a hell of a ride.

Brought Forth by Josie Finch (I know MPREG isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but this was an engaging novel with lessons on family and acceptance.)

- Henry Merrill escaped the abusive family from his childhood and has built a life as the kindhearted handyman for the small town of Ashford in the 1880’s. Henry has every intention of living his life alone, serving the town he considers home. But an angel named Cory-Elle has other plans for Henry. With a soul that needs to be brought to earth, Cory-Elle gives Henry the opportunity to raise the family he never imagined he would have. Dr. Lawrence Turner has a bad reputation in Ashford for attending to poor patients who cannot pay him and for being the only physician the town has ever seen make house calls to the local brothel. So when a young man claiming an angel has made him pregnant arrives in his office, Dr. Turner is not surprised. Despite his disbelief, Lawrence has few things to lose in tending to Henry—though Lawrence never counted on his heart being one of those things. With the help of the doctor’s assistant Ben Lockhart and a saloon woman named Lily Mae Pepperidge, Henry and Lawrence must challenge everything they thought they knew about faith and family. Together they encounter pain, joy, sorrow, and pleasure. But among it all, they discover love. Standalone. HEA. Mpreg (Male Pregnancy) is a primary theme.

The Serpent and the Angel by MD Grimm (The Shifters Book #8)

- In the year 1866, Sheriff Tobias Goldstein guards a small mining town in the Colorado territory with a cold and merciless hand. A rare rattlesnake shifter, he lives by a code and expecting others to do the same has kept the peace—until a nameless stranger wanders into town. Intrigued by the lone man, Tobias names him Angel Smith, and sensing he’s trustworthy, he deputizes Angel.

A guardian at heart, golden eagle shifter Angel protects the townspeople, but his dedication is to an ancient scroll capable of great destruction. For generations, Angel’s family protected the artifact with their lives. Now something has returned to hunt down the scroll. Forced to leave his tribe, Angel enjoys the quiet he’s found with Tobias, who hides a warm heart under his aloof exterior. Angel knows the quiet will not last and fears the battle on the horizon. But with Tobias at his back, Angel might stand a chance against his enemies.

Wild Wild Hex by Jordan L Hawk (Hexworld 3.5)

- After weeks spent tracking down the gentleman bandit Rafael, Hexas Ranger Enoch Bright finally has the outlaw in his sights. He doesn’t expect to find out Rafael is his familiar.

When Enoch runs afoul of the murderous Bone Gang, he and Rafael strike a deal to take down the gang together. As lawman and outlaw work together, Enoch soon realizes the next thing the gentleman bandit steals will be his heart.

The Mechanical Chrysanthemums by Felicitas Ivey (POC MC!)

- Hachisuka Narihiro is a pilot in the Shogun’s elite unit of musha-ki, robotic armor automated by steam and magic for the defense of Nippon in a slowly modernizing 19th Century, when he’s requested to help with political negotiations. Compromises are difficult, with American Admiral Perry determined to open Japan to the West but only on his terms. Like most Western leaders, the admiral is unaware of the advances the Japanese have made with steam and thinks Nippon is an isolated and backward nation. Narihiro’s uncle, the twelfth Tokugawa Shogun, believes Narihiro is the best man for the duty. Despite his extensive training, plans might not go as well as expected.With the American delegation comes closeted former Pennsylvania Dutch farmer, Maarten Zook, a shy translator who catches Narihiro’s interest. As negotiations stall, the Japanese are left with few options to convince America that Nippon is its equal. Japan is ready to open its borders, but a show of force may be needed, and that force may destroy the budding relationship between Narihiro and Maarten.

Heartaches & Hoofbeats by Maz Maddox

- Like all centaur shifters, Sheriff Calhoun is the epitome of honor. He protects his small town of Stallion Ridge and its people from any threat large or small.When word comes in that the notorious Iron Bandits are making a play for a train in his territory he’s both livid and invigorated. If anyone can bring these thieves to justice it’s him and his crew.What he did not expect was having a charming, whiskey-eyed outlaw dumped in his lap that challenged everything he thought he knew.

Honey From the Lion by Jackie North

- Soulmates across time. A love that was meant to be.In present day, Laurie, tired of corporate life, takes a much-needed vacation at Farthingdale Dude Ranch.The very first night a freak blizzard combined with a powerful meteor shower takes Laurie back to the year 1891. When he wakes up in a snowbank, his only refuge is an isolated cabin inhabited by the gruff, grouchy John Henton, who only wants to be left alone. His sense of duty prevails, however, and he takes Laurie under his care, teaching him how to survive on the wild frontier. As winter approaches, Laurie's normal fun-loving manner make it difficult for him to connect with John, but in spite of John's old-fashioned ways, the chemistry between them grows. Sparks fly as the blizzard rages outside the cabin. Can two men from different worlds and different times find happiness together?

Song of Oestend series by Marie Sexton

- Symbols have power…Aren Montrell has heard tales of the Oestend wraiths – mysterious creatures which come in the night and kill anyone who’s not indoors. Aren’s never had reason to believe the stories, but when he takes a job as a bookkeeper on the BarChi, a dusty cattle ranch on the remote Oestend prairie, he soon learns that the wraiths are real. Aren suddenly finds himself living in a supposedly haunted house and depending on wards and generators to protect him from unseen things in the night. As if that’s not enough, he has to deal with a crotchety old blind woman, face “cows” that look like nothing he’s ever seen before, and try to ignore the fact that he’s apparently the most eligible bachelor around.Aren also finds himself the one and only confidante of Deacon, the BarChi’s burly foreman. Deacon runs the BarChi with an iron fist and is obviously relieved to finally have somebody he can talk to. As their relationship grows, Aren learns there’s more to Deacon and the BarChi than he’d anticipated. Deacon seems determined to deny both his Oestend heritage and any claim he may have to the BarChi ranch, but if Aren is to survive the perils of Oestend, he’ll have to convince Deacon to stop running from the past and finally claim everything that’s his.

Brothers of the Zodiac: Earth by Maxwell Thomas

- Stories of the three Earth signs, Virgo, Capricorn, and Taurus

Virgo: Needles has just lost his brother, and goes to the florist that pays the Outfit for protection. But when he goes to collect money from him for the Outfit, he realizes that the florist is not as gentle as he seems.

Capricorn Jack Casement has two months to find his heir because the Lady Ishtar finds him wanting. Will the man he chooses be his lover or his heir?

Taurus For the third time Isaiah has been kicked in the ribs and realizes he needs a ranch-hand. What he gets is something much more.

Cast From the Earth by Leandra Vane (Frontier zombies, but mainly a wonderful metaphor for social acceptance for LGBT persons and persons with disabilities as well as important concepts on what a family truly is. MMF poly relationship and FF relationship.)

- An epidemic that turns men into monsters has seized the nation. At first the disease only spreads in cities but soon cannibals are roaming the prairie, threatening the quiet little towns of the late 19th Century heartland. At an isolated poor farm in rural America, Sara Warren has survived a tumultuous life of loss and an accident that leaves her with one leg – but she is hopeless of any other future until a woman named Cordelia arrives at the farm and changes Sara's life forever. Along with Dan, a man who can't hear and Grace, a young woman who is more concerned with her sewing needles than people, they face the oncoming apocalypse with their wits and their bare hands. When it seems like all is lost, a man from Sara's past named Jack returns to her life and they all realize the only way to survive is together. A story of romance, violence, sex, and the wild prairie that proves broken bodies still feel pleasure and broken souls can find love – even at the end of the world.

Jack Wolfe by Kay Walker

- Henry Dalton is sent across the country by train to the western town of Woolridge in order to investigate the werewolf problem they’re having during the monthly moon cycle. The townsfolk are not forthcoming with information, making it difficult for Henry to solve the case. Even more distracting is Jack, a handsome older lycanthrope. Known for his rebellious youth, Jack has settled down into life and routine in Woolridge, working as the local blacksmith. He assures Henry he’s no longer trying to stir up trouble, that those days are long gone. Henry must attempt to ignore the spark between them, the indication of their potential to become mates, which is rare because Henry is human. Henry remains professional and focuses on his job, but each meeting with Jack adds to the draw, and Henry isn’t sure how much longer he’ll be able to resist. A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."

*“Homos on the Range” How gay was the West?

NOVEMBER 1, 2005 by JANA BOMMERSBACH

#historical romance #lgbt romance #queer romance #bisexual romance #m/m romance #f/f romance #lesbian romance

[forsaken-melodies]

Do the whole list I dare you

“Oh you just had to go and dare me didn’t you? Very well. You want a peek inside my head darling you have it.”

BY THE FATES this took forever. *snicker* I hope you find out what you were looking for! And remember, I’ll do this thing for ANY of my boys, if asked. NSFW is, of course, below the cut. I take no responsibility of you reading something you aught not, given that I have warned you!

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

J’areth is heavy on cuddling. When he is with a partner he trusts enough to not simply quickie and run, the man is all about taking care of one another’s comfort after the fact, be it a nice soak and a nap, a small meal while clad in naught but the tousled sheets. He is as affectionate as one would expect of a solitary partner, to each and every one of his lovers, without fail.

B = Body part (Their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Now that is difficult. A well made form is as good as a well written song to J’areth, and it doesn’t matter the verse, he likes them all! However if he had to pick, hes rather fond of lips, a well built jaw, masculine or feminine, and a throat he can nibble while the deed is done. He is a bit nippy when things get going after all!

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… I’m a disgusting person)

When it comes to cream the catte has copious amounts of it, but never fear, he does his very best not to waste a single drop. Buried within his partner is where he finds his peak, unless otherwise asked. However if he must make a mess, he will insist that it gets cleaned up.. one way or another. This goes for his partner’s release as well, though depending on the flavor, he may insist on a bath in the tub instead, so make certain your diet is pleasing!!

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Secrets? What are those? Sweetie if you ask him he’s bound to tell you about anything he likes, he has very little true shame in the way of sex. (Though he has been known to be shy with those he harbors deep seated feelings for.) From toys to positions, top, bottom, switch, you name it, you ask, and he will give you a rather definitive answer of yes or no.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

He has led a very… interesting… life up until this point. His first excursions to Ul’dah landed him in the debt of a particular Lalafel’s cronies… and he was forced to pay it off any way he could. Young then, he gained quite a bit of experience in the subject, early on it was forced, but he learned, survived, and then, thanks to the kindness and compassion of a very few souls, broke away from that life. Now, He simply does as such because he -enjoys- it. And he gets to pick WHO and WHEN… and he can say no. Something he never had the luxury of before. Experience? He has plenty, and he bets he can show you areas that you didn’t even know you HAD to gain pleasure from.

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual)

Positions depend upon the partner, relative size, gender, how rough or gentle they want it. Absolute favorites? Face to face, either laying down or sitting up, so that he can hold his partner, and often lavish them with kisses and nibbles. However if he is with a more.. dominant.. partner, never let it be said he didn’t enjoy being pinned against a wall or the bed and ravished until he can barely walk! 

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

That entirely depends on his partner and their pleasure. If they are more relaxed, there may be some soft joking or taunting, a light bought of wrestling. 

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

His body hair is near non-existant save for a little darkened trail leading down from his navel to his nethers. Below the belt, it is well trimmed, shaped and everything is kept as velvet - soft as his fur or the hair on his head, and yes, everything is that ebony black, tinged with navy blue. Yes, my dears. that color is -natural-.

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…) 

This goes along with G. If they are more the romantic type, he can do that too, seriousness and silver tongued, singing his partner’s praises past little kisses. He lives to please, and will often cater his responses to his partner. HOWEVER, if it is someone he cares for, he will be more likely to be romantic, more-so than outright -sexual- with his actions. Massage, cuddling, sweet nothings and the like.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

Masturbation? Yes. Often. Boy is insatiable. So much of his emotion is based upon -touch- that touching is often something he does to calm himself from a rough day, or even simply when he’s lonely, and none of his lovers are available. He will often picture one, or more often than not, more than one of them, sharing his bed and his form. If he is feeling -particularly- needy, he may combine one of his many toys with the act to enhance his daydreams.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Well, that’s a long list Lets go with simple things. He’s a biter. He uses his claws. He will attempt to be careful if asked, but when you are with this one expect to go home with a few ‘love marks’. He adores being able to make his partners growl, groan, moan or generally make a LOT of noise. His ears are sensitive, and his hearing extremely acute, and the reverberations of such noises during the act enhance it for him. He has been known to ‘play’ as someone’s affectionate pet, however he is just as eager to be the one holding the leash. Be forewarned, boy’s a switch.

L = Location (Favorite places to do the do)

Bed, bath and beyond? Seriously. Whether at home or somewhere in the wilds, he is equally happy. Partner have a kink for getting it on where they may get caught? J’areth would be more than happy to play into that role, just warn him ahead of time so he wears the right pants! In all fairness, where-ever his partner or partners are most comfortable tends to be his venue of choice. 

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

Teasing, sexual tension, foreplay. He LOVES getting all worked up and taking a tumble when he can’t hardly think straight. But he is equally fond of a slow build up, and can even enjoy imparting experience on those of lesser knowledge.

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Honestly? No underage. That should be a given, in this day and age. Nothing to do with scat, nothing to do with vomit. There may be -mild- bloodletting from claws, or teeth, but NO gore, vore, or otherwise nasty things like that. Past these things, Ask. The worst that will happen is he will give you a funny look and tell you no if he doesn’t like the idea. He’s very open about communication, really.

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

Oh now that? THAT is a big favorite. He loves it. Giving, receiving? He’s all around fond of using that tongue of his to his partner’s absolute pleasure. He is quite skilled, and being a bard by class, one can just imagine what he can do, given the chance. (Oh, and a hint for male partners? No gag reflex, and he can purr while he goes down on you. Interested?)

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

That one depends on how worked up the two of you are before hand. He has been known to go a bit overboard with the foreplay, to  the tune of a really rough tumble wherever he and his partner fell, however he is equally at home taking HOURS pleasing one another. (and yes, he -can- last that long. Can you?)

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

He’s been more than known to have a few of these. It can help relieve stress, bond, quickly with a busy partner, and when someone nearby is in heat, well. You can expect a fast rutting from the poor lad, so driven out of his senses by the scent. Don’t worry though, if that is the case, and you wanted something longer? Give him about a half an hour and he’ll be ready to go again, and this time, take his time doing it.

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

You want to go at it in the middle of hostile territory? At the top of a tree, dangling over the branches? Sure, sounds fun! You just got this new swing from the leather worker and want to try it out? Game. Whips are a no go but the occasional spanking from a crop? Sure. Basically, along the lines of communication again. You want something from the catte, you gotta tell him. He’ll normally be game to try anything once, but if you don’t ask, you’re likely to get told to do it yourself!

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

As mentioned in previous questions, Hours. His longest session to date has been six hours but he is more than willing to test that limit. (and no, that wasn’t solid sex all the way through, lest you worry about friction rashes and the like.) As far as how -often- in a setting can he go at it? He’s got about four -good sized- releases in him before it becomes a bit too sensitive to be touched.. or looked at. Frequency? as previously stated, give him about a half an hour in between to catch his breath, and maybe cuddle a bit, and he will be ready to go again.

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

Yes. He has a variable box from the goldsmith, leather worker, and other shops. (along with several different scented lubes from an alchemist friend. Cause safety after all.) Between various sized plugs, cages, phallus’s, crops, blindfolds, bindings, Even a few strap ons for the more adventurous femme fatals. He’s a kinky boy. He’s certainly used many on himself, and is more than happy to use them on partners!

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Oh explicitly. He LOVES driving his partner up a wall, and down the other side with -wanting- him so bad they can barely speak the words. Rarely is it fair, often its dirty whispers or the subtle touch in public, where  they cannot react to it, to drive them insane by the time they are alone.

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

He purrs, he mewls, he yowls. He groans sweet nothings and praises the fates for bringing his partner to him. He is -very- vocal. (and you might want to make sure if you don’t want to be heard, the room is soundproofed, or tell him he -has- to be quiet. Fair warning, gags may be necessary.)

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

Since joining his current free company, he has actually cut -back- on the random encounters. More so than not he has been spending his time either with his chosen lovers, or with close companions. It’s not that he won’t accept other advances, however when he has attempted to ‘find some strange’ in the past few weeks, They’ve all been engaged, and that rather killed his mood.

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

He is fairly average for a man standing at roughly 5′9″.He is 1.8 inches in Diameter, 5.5 inches flaccid, 8.5 inches erect. It is circumcised, kept immaculately clean, a slightly darker tan than the rest of his body, especially when aroused. He has a small steel ring through the frenum, which shines a bright sapphire blue. His scrotum is of average size as well, and holds fairly close to his form, is smooth, with a light dusting of hair, clearly kept as trimmed and clean as that which rests above his length.

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

May as well be a rabbit or a randy teenager. The man’s sex drive is through the roof. Aroused at the drop of a hat, though keep in mind that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s -hard-. It might not -show- just how dirty his thoughts are, but believe me, they are.

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

After the first go? No chance. Pulling an all nightter? by the end of it hes curled up like a content kitten who’s had all the fish and cream he could desire, ready for nothing more than a good snuggle and to purr his partner to sleep as he snoozes. 

@garlean-nonsense Thank you for the ask/dare. Hope you found out what you wanted to know! *wink*@ellwelune you said you were curious about the ask settup. You should totally do it too!

#garlean-nonsense

[fierce-little-miana]

Hello^^ As threatened here I am with my pile of questions regarding the Color Ask! Sooooo here we go: Crimson, Amber, Olive, Brunswick, Denim, Ghost, Shadow, Black and Onyx for my problematic fave Bassel; Rose, Amber, Jumpsuit, Emerald, Peacock, Ash for my girl Saran; Coral, Coconut, Sepia, Hickory, Penny for my not-so-secret absolute favourite Sichilde and Ink for the whole cast! :D

For spoilery reason they will answer these questions as they are at the beginning of the story so the view of the characters on some questions might be different by the end of the story. But this is what they become, not what they are/were. So let’s start with who they are (so we might understand who they become)

Also people lie, to us and to themselves ;)

Bassel:

Crimson - Have you ever been in war? If so, describe how it impacted you

I have never personally been in a war. I have had the chance to be a third party witness to other’s wars and to speak directly with officiers. It is interesting and distracting; seeing men panicked and taking bad or out-of character decision for situations they more than often created. I have a particular affection for leaders capable to remember who they are and what they are supposed to do in a war and who do not shift the blame. They are not numerous.

I have however been implicated in two coups. It would be a euphemism to say that the first one completely changed my life and the second one, which was butchered, cemented those changes. I wish people who have no business dealing with power stayed away from it.

Amber - Do you wield any sort of superpower? If so, what is it?

Well technically I am perfectly normal for someone of my family but I guess this uses humans as reference? Well let’s just say that I am particularly found of flying, that I have a pretty good health, and that fire is a part of me.

Olive - What is your Greek personality type? (sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, or melancholic)

What is a greek personality type? It sounds interesting.

(Note from Avit: He tends toward sanguine)

Brunswick - Are you a person who is often jealous? what makes you jealous most often? 

What is there to be jealous about? I am sometimes resentful of the freedom granted to others but this is a hardly jealousy. I a more than ready to share something or someone that I love if this is the only way to make sure that I can still have them.

Denim - What is your fashion style?

I have pretty expensive taste. I like rich and dark fabrics with complicated embroidery. I also love high quality thin leather. I am not overly found of fur though. A bit as a decoration can be nice but I don’t see the point in more. While I love clothes that are structured they must still be confortable to move with.

Ghost- Are you easily scared? What scares you the most? 

No I am not. I don’t think there are things that scares me particularly. However there are things that anger me.

Shadow - What is your biggest regret? 

Regrets are for things you are responsible of. I do not make choices that lead me to regrets.

Black - What is the darkest thing you’ve ever done? 

There was a time with Alpaïs… No this was an accident. 

Onyx - What are your nightmares most often about? 

Having to stay stuck on the ground in Vicis. Who would want that?

Saran

Rose - Would you consider yourself a romantic person?

If you are asking me if I am the type of person who would die of anguish on a desert moor, the answer is no. If you are asking me if I am type of person who would stupidly ruin their life in a duel, the answer is no. If you are asking me if I would built my entire life around notion such as true love, the answer is still no.

Amber - Do you wield any sort of superpower? If so, what is it?

I have absolutely no power or capacities that are out of the ordinary. None. And the people telling you that I am a too lucky for not being a bit of a witch are obviously sore losers and there is no truth in their allegations.   

Jumpsuit - Have you ever been arrested/ in trouble with authority?

I tend to avoid being noticed negatively by the authority even if I am not very convinced by how most of its representatives wield power and I will discuss it but not with anyone.

I have insulted the entire ruling council or Arcem, but in my defense I was already in trouble and they were making the situation worse.

Emerald - If you could be immortal, would you want to be? 

What would be the point of being immortal? I have nothing to accomplish that I can’t accomplish in my life-time and I do not want to be alone forever. 

Peacock - Are you a more flashy person, or do you like to blend in?

To be perfectly honest I do not tend to blend in, but I don’t really have control on that, there aren’t a lot of people whose family is from the Horde of the Blue Wolf in Écre. However I am not a flashy person either. I might be a bit to outspoken sometimes though.  

Ash - Is there something or someone from your past that you miss? 

My father and my mother.

Sichilde

Coral - Do you have a strong moral code? What are some moral things that you feel strongly about?

I think everyone should tend toward being moral. For me the core of morality is respect and I try to respect others, social expectations and decency. It makes everyone’s life easier, isn’t it?

Coconut - What would be your ideal vacation? 

I wouldn’t leave someone else to shoulder my duties and I have to be here for my father but a quiet place with a chosen like-minded people does sounds nice.

Sepia - Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?

I love music, playing the luth and singing. I try to write my own songs but most of the time I just put already existing story in music. I wish more artists would come to Vicis so I could learn new things from them but it is complicated. 

I enjoy embroidery too but I tend to get bored with it after some time. 

Hickory - How smart are you? Would you consider yourself more book smart or street smart?

I am not bad at navigating the court I think, but I must be lacking when it comes to reading certain people. I enjoy learning things and I try to know everything someone of my rank should strive to know but I would not pretend to the name of erudite.

Penny - If you could make a substantial living doing anything, what would you do?

I would enjoy being a court musician, of teaching music to people passionated by it, but of course it is no what I am supposed to be.

and for the all cast!

Ink - write your autobiography in one sentence 

Bassel: I am  Bassel Derkomaï Prince of Arcem, last member of the most noble line in the world, but don’t hesitate to talk to me about things I don’t know about.

Saran: I am the daughter of Bat-Erdene and Doria and I intend to become one the best goldsmith of Écre and all the West to honor their memory.  

Rémi: I come from Clerveille and I have had the chance that my mother did everything for me and that Sir Roland tutored me.

Sichilde: I am the daughter of Monseigneur Fergal, Marechal of Arcem, and a member of the Derkomaï court.

Avit: I am the Chancellor of Vicis, and please to do not think the words of his Eminency Bassel Derkomaï are an invitation to make him lose his time, or make me lose mine.

Robert: I happen to be the most promising knight and best looking one in Clerveille, I also try my best to make Rémi have a bit a fun sometimes.

Kénaël: I am supposed to deal with mostly incompetent guards and soldiers while being in a delicate cross-authority situation and my best friend is the most insufferable person on earth and my prince.

Césari: I am just a man out to right the wrongs, and by that I mean using all the means imaginable to right the wrongs done to my rights.

#of gold shadows and ashes #d'or d'ombres et de cendres #saran #bassel #rémi #sichilde #avit #bassel stops being insufferable #also do you feel how modesty was wired in sichilde's brain? #because this girls isn't allowed to be proud of herself

[theletterspage]

Max Porter, our Bath correspondent, in conversation with The Letters Page

(Illustration: Natasha Nayee)

The arrival of Max Porter’s letter for The Letters Page, Vol 3, was one of the highlights of our editorial year, featuring as it did a correspondence with John Berger and an enthusiastic endorsement of fraternal hugs. We caught up with him again recently, and asked him to tell us about his new book; he told us about much more besides. 

Words by Kyle Brown, MA student in Creative Writing at the University of Nottingham. Illustration by Natasha Nayee, BA student in English at the University of Nottingham and Artist-in-Residence with The Letters Page.

‘Sorry for any typos, I was writing while being shouted at by small children,’ Max Porter tells me, via email, shortly after sending a charitably detailed response to my interview questions, with, I must note, no typos. 

He immediately strikes me as intelligent, passionate, and modest, especially regarding his 2015 breakthrough debut novel, Grief is the Thing with Feathers, for which he received the International Dylan Thomas Prize and The Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Award, as well as being short-listed for The Guardian First Book Award and the Goldsmiths Prize. The novel tells a story of grief and recovery, following the character of Dad – a Ted Hughes scholar in mourning – his two sons, and Crow, who appears one day to offer his own unique brand of therapy, combining a Mary Poppins-like job description with several other literary devices: ‘[Crow is] kids’ books and joke books and fables and all the good stuff smashed together, and up he flies.’ Like Crow, the form and structure of Porter’s book is also an amalgamation of fable, family drama, poem, folklore, and much more, combining traditional storytelling with contemporary approaches to form in literature. Porter describes the novel as ‘a love letter to the hybrid form.’ 

There is also something particularly English about the book. Perhaps the relationship between Dad and his sons, the latter based on himself and his brother, and his own sons. Perhaps it is Dad’s introverted nature in handling sensitive issues. Or perhaps it is Crow: foul-mouthed, nanny, healer, trickster, demon-slayer, baby-sitter, crow, with his glib but highly caring attachment to Dad and his sons. Crow is by-and-large, one of the most interesting characters I have ever read. However, Porter merely agrees that the book is English: ‘painfully so, I think.’ 

Born in 1981, in High Wycombe, Max Porter lived and worked in London for many years, before moving to Bath with his wife and three children. His introduction into the literary world was not traditional. He studied a bachelor’s degree in Art History at Courtauld Institute of Art, London, which he called, ‘a very strange place,’ and remarked that he wasn’t especially happy at this time. This changed once he started his master’s degree, in Psychoanalysis and Feminism: ‘I wrote about a very Crow-like performance artist called Paul McCarthy, and that was a brilliant year. My mind was blown time and time again by some of the books I found in that library.’ 

Perhaps this was the moment of birth for Porter’s love of books and literature, as although it wasn’t until his mid-thirties that Grief is the Thing with Feathers was published, he has spent his career around books and literature, holding more behind-the-scenes roles. Initially, working in a bookshop, opening two branches of Daunt Books in London. ‘I loved it. Bookselling is wonderful. I met great people and read a lot. I read insane amounts.’ 

After ‘doing some reading for publishers’ and ‘sitting on a few panels about translated literature,’ he applied for the role of editorial director for Granta Books and Portobello Books, joining the team in 2012. ‘They took a punt on me,’ he tells me, adding, ‘Bookselling is good training for publishing. Both jobs are about the hand-sell.’ 

It was during this time that the foundations for his first novel began to take form. He would write poems and bits of prose, create drawings and music – both of which he says are part of his creative process and influential to him. ‘I was always writing, but with no serious intent. I’d started a few fables, some short pieces about siblings and memory. Doing it for love, and for fun. When I landed on the structure for Grief, I knew it was something I was taking more seriously, something I’d probably want to show people.’ He developed the smaller ideas into longer work, while working during the days and being a parent the rest of the time: ‘This was all in the evenings, after work, and when the kids were in bed; sort of a secret project.’ He tells me he didn’t think about it being published while he was writing; how to a large degree it was still for the love and enjoyment of the craft, as well as a calming distraction from his more editorial work. 

After publication, the book had almost instant success, which Porter took in what I imagine to be his usual cool and considered manner: ‘Praise is tricky, and not always good to listen to. You have to take it with a pinch of salt. Just as you would hostility.’ 

In addition to its initial success, the novel was adapted for theatre in 2018 by Irish playwright, Enda Walsh, (Once, 2012 – after the 2007 award-winning film; Lazarus, 2016 – music and lyrics by David Bowie) for the London theatre company, Complicité, and starring Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders, The Dark Knight Trilogy) as Dad. 

‘I loved Enda’s adaptation. He just used the text as it is, which was very flattering. And he made some lovely and profoundly well-thought-through decisions about how to portray Dad and Crow. It was a very interesting experience for me. They welcomed me in, they used my ideas, we played and fiddled with the piece and I think the result is amazing. Different to the book but singing the same song.’ 

2018 also brought the announcement of his second novel as well as the end to his stint at Granta and Portobello Books, stating, ‘It’s become too much for me, hence my leaving this year. It’s very hard to focus, to dig deep and grow as a writer, when you’re juggling dozens of other people’s books, and the thousands of accompanying emails.’ But the writer still has great affection for the publishing world, telling of his appreciation for the ‘joy of being in the middle of it all,’ aiding writings, seeing the entire process through; covers, bindings, the finishes. ‘The day to day making of books, I’ll miss that.’ 

Porter’s second novel, Lanny, is an extension of his debut’s love letter to the hybrid form. ‘It’s got some characteristics in common with Grief; a mythic character, short sections, some prose poetry, conventional narrative removed/redacted, etc. but it’s got much more of a story, and some pace, even some plot!’ 

Set in a small village sixty miles outside London, the novel tells the tale of an urban legend told by the local school children, known as ‘Dead Papa Toothwort,’ and his mysterious interest in the mischievous and enchanting boy of a family new to the village. 

If Grief is the Thing with Feathers addresses, well, grief, Lanny proposes a balm to perhaps one of the aptest of issues, our contemporary political angst. ‘We’ve all been run by maniacs. Time trundles on, and none of us survive it.’ It is in this subject that Porter’s timely binding of the historic and the contemporary finds its perfect companion - ‘I’m obsessed with the past.’ Having a great appreciation for the radical Olde English poets, the fables, the great dramas, and folklore; Porter believes that, as an individual and a society, we can’t have any healthy forward progression until we have learnt to properly appreciate what has come before us. ‘In folklore we find our richest, most radical heritage, and our best nature.’ 

So, what does the future hold for Max Porter? I doubt he will go without interests to stimulate his creativity, and knowing his career history, his love of literature and literary publishing could lead him down any number of paths. ‘I guess I’ll be working in and around publishing in some form. I’m keen to do more literacy and outreach. I’m sitting on boards and that sort of thing, so, I’ll see how the new book goes and play it by ear.’ Needless to say, I believe this author has a fruitful future ahead of him, and I am excited to see where his ambitious, form and genre merging ideas, so rich in emotion and life, will lead him next.

Max Porter’s letter appears in The Letters Page, Vol 3, which is still just about available to purchase here.

[guiltyzombies]

I decided to write a story about how I think my boyfriend and my character met in Final Fantasy. So here is what I wrote~

The Curse of a Crow

Valindra finally had made it to the rich area of Ul’dah. It was known for its vast array of markets, and the bumbling merchants doing almost anything to sell their wares. However, on the flip side, Ul’dah was also known for the poor, barely struggling to make ends meet begging for the slightest drop in prices, or even begging for free rotting food. Merchants tended not to pay them too much attention. They were focused on the gold clinging in coin purses that adventures kept tightly to their sides. That was the true music to their ears, or horns as some people had. Ul’dah’s air was hot and sticky, something the Au’Ra didn’t favor much, but she was told this was the place to go if she needed any sort of wares. So she decided it was time to venture here and seeing what the place had to offer. It was very different from her life in the Ruby Sea and Ishgard. Life under the sea was quiet, only a few hundred Raen Au’Ra living there and life in Ishgard, while bustling with life and poverty, all sounds were soaked up by the constant fall of snow.

Valindra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she had found her way to the outskirts of the merchant scene, and it was quite overwhelming to the sheltered lady. There was some shouting between hagglers, people raging to get the lowest bargain possible. Others were giggling with friends over items they were coming across. Some looming figures with threatening faces watched over people they suspected who might steal at any moment. Each stall had their specific wares, ranging from gorgeous outfits decorated with the finest jewels miners and goldsmiths could mend, to weapons made from items from the gods, to every day wares, like meats, furs and skins, and potions. It was a lot to take in, but Valindra was buzzing with excitement to explore. She slowly made her way down the streets, holding her coin purse tight in her hands. The Au’Ra was on a mission for potions, and maybe some jewelry if her pouch allowed it. But she was new to adventuring, and sadly, the coins were too few for now. Luckily, Val had received some help from her fellow guildmates, who offered her a  new home with open arms, but even then, she felt guilty accepting their hard earned coin as her own.

She made her way down the street of stores, attempting to the best of her ability to avoid being bumped into. Vendors screamed at her to try and catch her attention, they noticed the red satin coin purse her pale hands clung onto so desperately. The Au’Ra walked farther into the market, before something caught her eye. It wasn’t a ware per say, but a merchant who was dressed in a gorgeous garb. She found herself drawn to the embroidery detail and the rich purple of the fabric. The man wearing the clothing was an Au’Ra like herself. But he was from the other clan, known as Xalea. Unlike her ivory colored horns, his were a deep blue almost black, as well as the scales that traced along his body. Valindra blushed, quickly looking away from the man. She had just noticed she had been staring so intensely at him. He clearly must have noticed her gaze, because he was looking right at her. He waved her over, trying to grab her attention. Unknown to Valindra, this merchant was Crow, a member of the guild she had just joined. Of course being busy adventurers, Valindra hadn’t met all the guild members quite yet. She had only met the few who hung around their estate, meaning Crow had slipped through her grasp. Crow, however, had heard of the new traveler who had just joined up with them And here he thought, he could at least have some fun with her. Being a trickster was all he was about after all.

Valindra hesitated for a moment, before deciding to head over. She was embarrassed at her hard stare and had hoped the man hadn’t taken it as an interest in him. She was only interested in the fine outfit that he was wearing, but mostly in the detail of the embroidery. On her way over to the stall, the adventurer happened to notice he was selling just what she was looking for, different vials of medicines and mixtures.  

“Why hello there, Miss. Intense Eyes,” his voice sounded over the crowd. It was a deep voice, with a sly undertone, but with something quite relaxing to it, “Is there something I could help you with? Other than selling my body to you of course.” He added with a wink. Valindra’s face flushed as her cheeks grew red and hot.

“I’m not interested in your body, Sir,” She replied haughtily, “Rather the embroidery on your garb.”

He stuck his arm out forward allowing her to take a look. She grabbed the edge of the cloth taking a closer look at the beautiful craftsmanship that lie before her. Crow took it as a chance to toy with the Au’Ra further. He took her hand and placed a delicate kiss on it. She looked up at him shocked, and drew back her hand quickly. Was this some weird tactic that these people of Ul’dah used to get customers to buy their wares, Valindra had thought to herself. Crow couldn’t help but let out a laugh at her reaction.

“I’m sorry Miss, you just look sooo easy to toy with.” The merchant rested his head on his hands taking a good look at her.  She was fairly attractive he noted, with her pale lavender eyes, and the ivory scales almost blending in with her skin. “Now how can I actually help you?”

“You can start by giving me a proper service and not toying with me.”

“Well when you put it like that,” He smirked.

She shot him a glare, “Not like that!” She stomped her foot and pouted her lips. “I mean your potions. I need a salve, for healing wounds and such.”

Crow’s face turned serious as he began rummaging through his products that promoted healing. As an alchemist, all of his products were made by his own hands, something he took pride in. He pulled out some vials of a green ointment and handed them to his client so she could get a look at it herself.

“This is the one that probably has the best and most efficient healing properties.”

Valindra looked at the vial, taking in its rich green color. She didn’t know much about potions actually, so she decided to take his word for it.

“How much for it?”

“For a beauty like you? 50 Gil.”

“You manage to actually make Gil that way? Giving discounts to all the beautiful women who come by,” She questioned him with a sly smile.

“Fine, then for full  price 150 Gil.”

Why did I have to open my mouth. I should have taken the deal and left, Valindra thought to herself. She emptied out her coin person, taking out 150 shiny Gil. Her heart hurt, as of now she only really had 300 Gil to begin with. She did have some saved, but not quite enough yet. Valindra handed him the gold, clearly not wanting to give that much up. Crow took only 50 Gil handing her back the rest.

“I told you, beautiful Au’Ras get a discount. An extra discount if they are a guild member,” He smiled at her forcing her to take back the extra Gil she had tried to fork over.

“Guild member?”

He nodded, “You’re Valindra aren’t you?”

“But how did you know?”

Crow extended his hand out to her again but this time for a handshake and an introduction, “I’m Crow, from the same guild you are. I would say sorry for teasing you, but I’m really not. You just look like such an easy target.”

Valindra glared and grabbed his hand, “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I guess afterall it really isn’t.”

She took her purchased vial and walked away heated. How dare he make a fool of her! The nerve of this man! Valindra heard him shout over the crowd, “I really do hope I get the pleasure of running into you again!” She turned back to glance at him and he just sent her a wink. Valindra blushed, turning back around and headed as fast as she could back to the main area of Ul’dah where it was far more quiet and less crowded. That fateful day was how the two met, and how Valindra began to suffer the curse of a crow.

#writing #Final Fantasy 14 #Final Fantasy XIV

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

MAMMA MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN (2018)

Starring Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper, Cher, Andy Garcia, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine, Hugh Skinner, Celia Imrie, Omid Djalili, Gerard Monaco, Anna Antoniades, Panos Mouzourakis, Maria Vacratsis, Naoko Mori, Togo Igawa, Anastasia Hille, Susanne Barklund, Jonathan Goldsmith and Meryl Streep.

Screenplay by Ol Parker.

Directed by Ol Parker.

Distributed by Universal Pictures. 114 minutes. Rated PG-13.

When I first started seeing the trailers for the second Mamma Mia movie, scored by the classic song “Dancing Queen,” I must admit I was a little puzzled. See, the first Mamma Mia movie, which was very loosely based on the hit stage musical – arguably the first of the “jukebox” musicals to become a true smash – took all its music from songbook of 1970s international superstars ABBA.

However, almost all of ABBA’s biggest hits – including “Dancing Queen” – were used in the first Mamma Mia. Were they going to make a second musical film where they just sing the same songs over again? Or were they going to take a deeper dive into the ABBA songbook – which is pretty massive and full of wonderful music, granted – and make a musical out of lesser-known ABBA tunes and hope that the audience will flock in to see a bunch of songs they may not know?

Turns out that Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again compromised and staked out the middle ground. They do new versions of several of the bigger hits or more well-known tracks that also appeared in the first film. But, they also did mine deeper into the ABBA catalogue and pull out some unused gems, including my favorite ABBA song ever, “Angeleyes,” as well as other slightly overlooked minor hits and album tracks like “When I Kissed the Teacher,” “Andante, Andante,” “I Wonder” and “I’ve Been Waiting for You.” It’s a nice mix, enough of the obvious hits to get the casual fans on board and a fine sampling of lesser-known tracks, most of which are deserving of the exposure.

So musically, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again is pretty spectacular. Perhaps even better than the first film, because this time around they actually hired new actors for their singing ability, rather than their acting ability. And they severely cut down on Pierce Brosnan’s vocals, which can only help. (Sorry, Pierce, I love you as an actor, but dude, you really cannot sing.)

However, really, is there any reason for a second Mamma Mia movie; particularly since the star of the first film, Meryl Streep, despite being front and center in the promotion of the new film, only has a cameo role in the second movie?

Turns out that, yeah, there kind of is. Even though like the first film, Mamma Mia 2 is kind of cheesy and often a little stupid, it’s still a lot of fun… also like the original.

I won’t explain why Meryl’s character isn’t there most of the film – that would be kind of a spoiler, even though it is revealed rather early on – but her character of Donna pretty much suffuses the entire story.

Actually, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again basically intertwines two separate-but-connected plots. In the present day – ten years after the action of the first film – Donna’s beloved daughter Sophie is reopening her mother’s gorgeous Greek hotel and invites her three “fathers” from the first film, friends and pretty much everyone to the grand re-opening. Pretty much everyone but her singing star grandma (Cher), who has a history of not showing up when she is needed.

There a parallel track of flashbacks in the movie, introducing us to Donna as a recent university graduate – played as a young woman by Lily James. In these scenes, we see the genesis of her friendship, her music career, the young men who became her long-lost lovers in the original film, and most importantly her discovery of a passion for her new home in Greece.

James does an amazing job of bringing young Donna to life – giving her a lust for life and a sweet passion for everything going on around her. She is a force of nature and makes the past scenes enjoyable just on the strength of her personality. And, unlike so many actors in the original film, she can really sing.

In the present, Amanda Seyfried’s Sophie has changed from bright-eyed young innocent to a strong, upstanding woman – much like her mother. Seyfried is mostly able to carry the film (together with James, of course). The others from the original film are obviously having a hoot – Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård are old friends who are in on the joke and having a little party.

And as befits a diva, Cher shows up late, but in style, and she takes control.

You would not believe the dubious plot coincidence that the writers toss in just so that they can get Cher to sing “Fernando.” And for the record, while she does the chorus well, Cher’s voice is a little too deep to pull off the verses of the song. However, she completely nails her part of “Super Trouper.”

By the time Meryl Streep shows up for her bit, you’re all in.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again is a sweet and fun musical, and sometimes surprisingly bittersweet. Like the original, it is inessential, but if you enjoyed the first film you will lap this one up. In fact, in many ways the second go-around is even better than the first.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2018 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: July 20, 2018.

#Mamma Mia Here We Go Again #2018 #Movie Review #Amanda Seyfried #Jay S. Jacobs

[ffxivakyi]

Ninth Sun of the Fourth Umbral Moon

Book, I do not understand people. 

Went and hunted a turtle, it was all full mean an stuff. The adventurers that were there were, mean and aggressive. For the most part I ignored them, kinda expected them to get stomped by mean turtle. I do not know of some code adventures live by, they are sell swords like everyone else. Just without a reputation to be a free company. So whatever, they can sit there and watch the carcass rot if their pride is to great to take the meat.   The hard part is, things are changing in the Den. To be a leader you must be confident, you have to be soooo confident that others can take some from you, and believe in you. Believe in everything you say, even if you tell them there is a good chance of death. They will believe in you and the confidence you have, and then fight against the odds. You will never find a leader of a successful clan, or group who lacks this. Strength, true strength, can only be found within, it can not be traded, or given. It is up to you to find that, because I can not find it, or buy it for you. What does this mean.. Well Book, I am doing more hunting alone.

Well... not that night, Papa knew I got nothing from the kill, because his darkness nomed it all. He is trying to teach me how to handle my anger. How to move it and squish it and make angry little abyss cloud people out of it. Book I wanted to do it and show him I am strong like he is, make him happy with me. It.. did not work so well, an I got frustrated. He says he would be happy with me no matter what, that he will always be proud of me.

So next night, yea umm, Book. I am sticking two days on one page. Mostly because some days needs all pages some days need fewer.

I made a new friend today. Irma Gerd.. hay Book her name is super fun to say. So anyways.. I went to Glass house and ran into her, she was just staring at her clothing like someone had drawn sad faces all over it. I asked her, an she was like.. I do not think I like this color any more. Book, I am not very good with Gil.. I kinda spent a lot of it. So I went to the markets and found her colors that would make her green eyes shine. I found the perfect doublet, blue as the sky, with gold filigree, and a earthy brown accents. Then from there I got carried away, two pants one fancy one plain, two boots one light leather one heavy leather, an bunch of gloves, and a red necklace to match her goggles.

She tried stuff on and, her face lit up like I found her long lost nutkin. I am glad she is very happy, that I could help her be ‘reborn’. I see it more like shedding old skin, like dragons do. One day you see one all dull its scales lacking any real shine. Then you see it again some time later and they shedded all the old ones off, showing a new vibrant colors. Just like she did, shining so bright and happy. In evening Faysal an I went out to help some, they were looking for a smuggler from that cult Kega is after. Once the chatting was done… Oh book, if I ever need people to be sneaky.. I am just gonna send like one sneaky kind an one shadow kind to watch their back. Seeing the group wander the streets of city like lost kittens is... not really good. Once we found out what we were doing, I decided we will go check out goldsmith. With my Moon on my arm, I can try to use my Warpaint to get close, an he knows what shinies are not in the right place. It payed off, I got them talking and he spotted the jewelry was not as it should be. To me the stone they are smuggling reminds me of a moon opal, I would not have been able to tell that it was not right. We caught the cultist and got the crystal of… doom... I finally got to speak to Faysal afters, talk about my Mother’s appearance. It appears Mila have been taking him on scouting missions. She is a Seer, and the way she is acting, he is pretty sure his prey will be striking soon. I feel that anger, that famished vengeance, in my chest. I want his clan to suffer for what they had done to him. We had spoken, and have decided. Any of his prey who stand before us, without fear of death, is prey. To accept death and believe in what you are about to die for, means they are to.. There is so few words in scratch, It is hard for me to find the right one… means they are pledged to the clan. This will separate out the kits from the Prey. It will allow those who think such can be saved, to save them. I do not wish for people to turn on us, so if they believe they can save those, we will not interfere.

#FFXIV Screenshots #ffxiv balmung #ffxiv rp #ffxiv ic jurnal #akyhi tyme #draxthious tyme #kegashiyo thoth #irma gerd #faysal amatu #Mila yamki #scarlet bloom