#is that one of the ravens that lives at the tower of London

[battle-of-the-birds]

Common Raven

The common raven is a very smart bird. They have even been found to be drawn to gunshot sounds, as they know hunters will often kill animals. People have always been fascinated by ravens, and in London it’s said that if the ravens of London tower ever leave the whole British empire will crumble! They’re also seen as tricksters in Pacific Northwest Native American tribes. In one myth, they are told to have brought fire to people by stealing the sun. Learn More! Much More

Secretary Bird

With big, voluptuous eyelashes, the Secretary Bird lives in Africa. They are known for their long legs, used to strike down snakes, lizards, insects, and other small creatures. Although we often think of them as eating mainly snakes, that is not actually a large part of their diet. It consists mainly of insects. They will strike with 5 times their own body weight, and will sometimes hunt in small groups. Learn More!

(Common Raven photo by Yeray Seminaro) (Secretary Bird photo by Shailesh Pinto)

#bird battle #round seven #birds #polls #common raven #raven #secretarybird #secretary bird #semifinals

[that-bwitch]

london boy

am I in my lover era? probably, but am I ashamed? no, not really. but just a warning, I won't even try to commit to posting this often. literally just a burst of inspiration (and taylor swift).

london boy by taylor swift as inspiration sirius x muggle!reader warning: prolly nothing, it's just fluff wc: 2,2k

From your very childhood up to your late teens your parents really liked bringing you to London with them from time to time. It was a truly beautiful city to be a tourist in. You’d been there so often that you felt like some sort of an expert. You could recite the history of any major landmark, just point at, say, the Tower, and one could hear a whole lecture from you about the fortress, the prison, the ravens, all the good stuff. You got cocky at times, thinking you could easily become a tour guide. Your friends back in your hometown rolled their eyes every time you even mentioned London, and the level of your excitement grew every single day throughout the month before you finally moved there.

Turned out, London wasn’t so great to live in. At least that’s what you thought on your first day, when you paid thrice the price you expected to pay for the cab taking you from the airport to the hotel. Then, the hunt for a rental began. The hotel started to get expensive day by day and soon enough you really lost your spirits. You didn’t have enough money to pay for a room and a real estate agent, so you resorted to looking through tons and tons of newspapers, hoping that an advertisement of a one-bedroom would at some point catch your eye. It wasn’t working as well as you expected, so one gloomy rainy afternoon you found yourself just walking through a random neighbourhood looking at houses and thinking that cooking some hot soup on your own stove sounded really nice at the moment. You realized that your exterior was pretty miserable for someone who couldn’t hold in an excited shriek right after buying a ticket to London last month. As if to confirm your assumptions, a sudden laughter disrupted the cacophony of raindrops hitting the ground and wind howling between the branches of nearby trees.

Oh, god.

“You aren’t from ‘round here, right?”

A motorcycle rolled from behind you along the roadway. You continued on your way, thinking it was just some creep who noticed your vulnerable state and decided to, well, be a creep.

“Hey, hey, ma’am, you don’t have an umbrella and I do. Pretty sure I win.”

“Ma’am? Really?”

You stopped at last to see who had the audacity to just ride up to you like you were their longtime friend.

“Bet that’s what you think us Brits talk like, foreign girl.”

The rider took off his helmet and you saw what was probably the best sight you had a pleasure to witness in the entirety of London. The young man was truly divine: his dark hair barely reached his shoulders and was a bit messy from the helmet; he had a stubble that was too short to be called a beard yet, but it was getting there; when he smiled, you could see small dimples forming on his cheeks. You felt stupid staring at him like that but couldn’t help it at all. With his stunning looks, the obvious accent you immediately took notice of sounded even more charming.

“Alright, not a talker, I see.”

The man stood up from his vehicle, pulled out a kickstand so that it wouldn’t just roll down the street and walked up to you, pulling up the collar of his leather jacket to shield his face from the rain.

“You said you had an umbrella.”

Kind of stupid of you to say, but you couldn’t really make up anything else that wouldn’t give out your infatuation.

“Just like that, huh? Could at least ask my name, you know.”

He didn’t wait for your response, holding his hand out to you.

“Sirius.”

You shook his hand, although yours was already pretty numb from the cold, and introduced yourself as well. You had to say something at that point because you started to look weirder and weirder by the second.

“That’s… an interesting name.”

Oh, come on. This is all you have?

“Bit rude, darling. What did you think it was?”

“Like… Matthew?”

The man laughed, just like you heard him laughing minutes ago. He wasn’t taunting you, no, on the contrary – he was rather amused by your mild naivety.

“Oh shit, do I look like a Matthew? I’m gutted, I have to say.”

You couldn’t help chuckling at his words. The rain didn’t feel so bad anymore, now that you had someone to share it with.

“Hop on. I have to get you to a pub, or else you’ll turn into a bloody icicle.”

He helped you get on his bike and soon you were riding straight through the streets of London with your hands wrapped around Sirius’ body. You felt it was a wee bit inappropriate for someone you met, like, five minutes ago, but you couldn’t say you didn’t like it. What is more, you expected raindrops to become some small annoying mosquitoes who would relentlessly bite your face during the ride but surprisingly, it didn’t happen. It almost felt like you actually had an invisible umbrella above you, because you glanced at a sleeve of your coat and it had become much drier than it was before.

The pub Sirius took you to looked like one of those places you saw on TV when the setting was supposed to be the UK. Lots of wooden furniture around, lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling and emitting warm and rather dim light. In the corner you saw an old record player with a small TV on top of it. You saw it as a symbol of modernity overtaking the old school, which epitomized London itself, but decided not to voice your thoughts in order not to appear as a nerd.

“Fancy a beer?” Sirius asked, leading you to a large counter.

In your mind you would much prefer some tea to warm yourself up, but the stranger was already too kind for you to make any extra demands of him. So, you just nodded and let him have free reign over the type of beer for you.

“We come here with my mates sometimes,” Sirius explained, having made an order while you made yourself comfortable on a bar stool.

“That’s nice.” You felt a bit awkward and out of place, but Sirius didn’t seem like the shady type, so you felt more comfortable with him than you would have likely felt with anyone else. “Do you watch rugby here?” You gestured towards the TV.

 “I mean, if it’s on…” Sirius tried but failed to hide a chuckle. “That’s what the rest of the world thinks of us English lads, huh? That we hang at pubs and watch rugby all day?”

“To be fair, you took me to a pub.” You felt slightly embarrassed but attempted not to show it.

“That much’s true.”

You took a small sip out of a glass mug of beer placed in front of you. It wasn’t that bad, to be honest – a bit too bitter for your personal taste, but you could see yourself finishing the whole thing.

“Is this a British thing, beer in the afternoon?” you asked, looking at a huge grandfather clock behind the bar and remembering that it was, in fact, only midday.

“I guess, but I’ve always thought of it as a me thing.”

You held your mug in front of your face so that Sirius wouldn’t notice a huge smile forming on your face. You found everything about him irresistibly attractive – his voice, his mannerisms, his whole presence was alluring in a very authentic kind of way. It was obvious that in front of you he wasn’t pretending, he was just being himself.

“How did you know I wasn’t from here?” You finally had the courage to ask the question that had been pestering you for a while.

“Oh, it’s obvious,” Sirius replied, taking a swig of his beer. “You can always tell, it’s just how us Londoners are wired.”

You couldn’t really retort.

“Are you on holiday, or…?” Sirius went silent, letting you fill in the gap.

“I moved here a week ago,” you explained, feeling a very annoyed expression taking over your face. “Been trying to find an apartment but no luck so far.”

Sirius frowned a bit, thinking about something.

“I reckon I could help you, darling,” he finally told you with a playful smirk on his face. “I’d have to ask you for something in return though.”

“Oh, sure, I’ll pay!”

And you were ready to, because you had heard from someone that word of mouth was actually the best way to find an apartment on a budget these days. It’s just that you didn’t have this mouth before.

Sirius just grinned in response.

“Hey, that’s on me.”

He stopped your hand as it was reaching into your purse to take out your wallet and pay for your beer.

“Really?”

“Well, I dragged you here, so it’s only fair.”

Afterwards you stepped out of the pub to see daylight again. Fortunately, you discovered that it stopped raining and the sky was of a much lighter gray than before. Sirius caught up to you and stretched out his arm, wrapping it around your shoulder. You didn’t mind at all but were still quite stunned because, well, a teenager in you woke up and started internally screaming from this handsome stranger’s closeness.

“A nice weather we have here, darling. Which is super convenient as I don’t prefer driving drunk.”

Sirius looked like someone who would gladly drive drunk, you thought, but instead simply asked about the bike.

“A friend will take it,” he gave you a rather nonchalant reply, already headed somewhere to your left, with your hand now in his. “Come on, London doesn’t wait.”

“What if I have plans?” you tried to retort but your feet still carried you after Sirius and you weren’t going to stop them.

“Really? You just moved here, can’t find a flat and you have plans? Don’t believe it.” Sirius didn’t leave any room for objections as he was absolutely right. “Come o-o-on, darling, I know you want it.”

And for god’s sake, you did.

—

“So… Is this the part of the day when we say goodbye?”

All of a sudden you felt a wave of sadness coming over you. This day turned out to be truly magical and the last thing you wished for was for it to end. Sirius showed you everything, and you meant everything. He had his ways around the city that you would never even think to take, but they worked wonders, almost like some kind of portals transporting you from one place to another (but of course, it was just Sirius). Soon you could take pride in having explored pretty much all the central boroughs from inside and out. You, once again, had a very tourist-y experience of eating fish and chips in Hyde Park, and Sirius showed you an amazing little Chinese place where you promptly had dinner. You couldn’t have been thankful enough when he told you he would take it upon himself to look for an apartment – sorry, a flat – for you, but when you tried to give him some cash, he adamantly refused, so you were left wondering what he meant when he said he would ask for something in return. But most of all, you couldn’t really understand why he would do anything for you at all.

“I guess it is…” you mumbled, wishing with your whole heart you were wrong. But it was late, the sun hid behind the horizon hours ago and your eyes became increasingly more and more itchy.

“Well, we’re meeting tomorrow, so… Not so bad, huh?”

Sirius didn’t seem tired in the slightest, so you decided to just fire away and ask the question that had been swirling in your mind for the whole day.

“Why are you doing all this?”

“What do you mean?” Sirius raised his eyebrow and, judging by the look on his face, thought you were making a joke.

“I mean, you saw me on the street and just… took me under your wing, I guess. I wouldn’t have all this experience without you, London boy. And this apartment thing… It’s too generous. You don’t have to.”

“I know I don’t have to.” Sirius had the widest smile on his face. It was captivating and you didn’t even notice how you started smiling yourself. “But I want to, that’s it, darling. I really, really want to.”

His hands kept yours warm while he spoke. You had a sudden urge to do something you might or might not have regretted in the future. You stepped closer to Sirius, getting up on your toes and pecking his cheek ever so slightly, as if you were afraid to scare him away. Then you leaned away, staring at his face with worry in your eyes. Sirius slowly ran his fingers along his skin, where your lips just were, like he couldn’t believe what happened. Then, much to your surprise, he got closer and before you could realize it, your lips met his. They were a bit chapped, but the pleasure they brought you couldn’t have possibly belonged on planet Earth.

“I fancy you, foreign girl.”

Sirius pulled back and looked deep into your eyes. His gaze was so tender that you understood that from now on, London wouldn’t be such a bad place to live.

#sirius black x reader #sirius black x fem!reader #sirius black x y/n #sirius black x you #sirius black fanfiction #sirius black imagine #the marauders #the marauders era

[delta-pavonis]

'allo! may i have a bit of Friend Like Me? ;)

Absolutely! I have posted some of this before, but once again Tumblr's search function is failing me and apparently I can't organize my own tags for shit so... This is Matthew + Hob used to be partners in crime (literally) and Hob may or may not have started the crew from Leverage. 😂

100% G-rated fluff over here.

Hob has to do this every few decades otherwise he would be up to his eyeballs in storage units. It isn't fun, but neither is having too many moving parts to keep track of and potentially getting caught by another asshat with a hard-on for immortality. 

What was that quote he had read? "No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style." 

Not to mention the myriad other enemies he had accumulated via his network of grifters, hitters, and hackers. 

(What? The current state of technological advancements meant that Hob needed to get better at tracking and erasing his digital presence back in the late nineties. Was it his fault that while he was living in the States he had accidentally amassed a highly skilled group of "criminals" who were all connected to him like spokes to the hub on a carriage wheel? And that it turned out that they were, as a team, really great at liberating funds and removing items from billionaire idiots who didn't need a fraction of their accumulated wealth and power? That they did it so well that Hob had to fake his own death earlier than expected to get out from under a particularly angry arms dealer? Was that really all because of him?)

(Yes. Yes it was.)

Yeah, anyway, Hob didn't leave the house without at least one blade on his person anymore. 

This is why, when Hob is interrupted by a large black mass swerving into his storage unit through the crack in the door that should be far too small to admit such a creature, he pulls the nearest throwing knife (he was crouching, so he went for the one concealed in a sheath on the outside ankle of his black leather chelseas), clocks the intruder's movement in his peripheral vision, and wings it directly at them. It hits the wall with a satisfying kthud, which is promptly followed by a very avian squawking.

"FUCKING CAWCHRIST MY DUDE WAS THAT A KNIFE!?! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS, THE IDES OF FUCKING MARCH?!"

That voice! Hob's head snaps up to see a sizable black bird falling in a tumble. It hits the concrete floor with a sound not unlike a briefcase hitting pavement from a story up (what? It is a very distinctive sound), leaving three large feathers tacked into the wall by the knife.

"Fuck me sideways that HURTS. Note to self, birds no likey losing butt feathers." The bird (A raven? Like this is the bloody Tower of London?) walks out from around a cardboard box with a bit of a waddle in its step, trying to look back at his tail while he moves. "I guess the Boss didn't tell you I was coming then?"

Hob sits back on his heels. That voice is still hauntingly familiar. But he would damned well remember meeting a talking bird. "Well, perhaps if you told me who your Boss is..."

The raven leaps a solid four feet into the air with a screech. He lands on top of a small writing desk, scrabbles against the smooth surface to balance himself, and then looks down at Hob with one glass-black eye. "I can't believe... no fucking way... Robbie? Is that you? Didn't you die in 2017?"

"Mattie?!" Hob's ass hits the cool floor as he is blown back by the revelation. "Didn't you die in 2020?"

Matthew Cable had been one of Hob's favorite grifters. Not because he was absolutely perfect at his job (oh no, Mattie had fucked up spectacularly more times then Hob’s blood pressure wants to recall), but because they had quickly become "let's get absolutely toasted and MST3K bad horror movies while we bitch about our love lives" buddies. Hob had missed Mattie immediately upon his own faked death and had mourned when he heard, through various channels he still kept an ear to, that Mattie had died in his sleep not too long ago.

"Yeah, but when I died I was given, like, a choice? Apparently the King of Dreams needed a new Raven and I decided to give it a go. Sounded much more interesting to work for him than actual death. There must be some mistake because I was sent here with a message for Hhh..." Mattie freezes.

"Dream sent you?" Hob tilts his head in interest. This was the Matthew he had often mentioned? A raven that carried his messages? Hob had been jealous over a bird?! (Oh Christ, how embarrassing.)

"Wait... what the fuck are you doing in Hob GaaaaAAHHHH!" Mattie the Raven starts hopping around frantically. "YOU ARE NOT JUST IN HOB GADLING'S STORAGE UNIT. YOU ARE HOB GADLING! FRIEND OF THE LORD MORPHEUS, KING OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES!"

Hob can't help his laughter. "Oh, he told you I was his friend, did he?" That Dream had called him friend to someone else shouldn't feel as good as it did. Hob tamps that useless bit of emotion down hard. (No good can come of that, better to put it away.) "Only took him six centuries to get there, stubborn wanker that he is." He fails to keep the fondness from his voice. 

"Christ you have no idea how much of a wanker sometimes..." Mattie shuffles his feathers. "Look, I gotta know the story here, man. How did you meet the King of Dreams?"

Hob stands, brushing off his jeans. "That... is a rather long story." He considers for a minute, barely that, rubbing at the back of his neck, before coming to a decision. "Look, it isn't like I get my close friends back from the dead every day... how about we head back to my flat, pull up something ridiculous like Slenderman, and I will fill you in on my story? Like old times?"

Mattie flaps over and lands on Hob's shoulder. "Hells to the yes. Especially if we can find out if ravens respond to THC. Shit, you ever get more of that Amnesia shit the team picked up in Amsterdam during that art heist job?"

Hob's belly laugh echoes in the small room. "I think I still have some squirreled away from my last trip to the continent." 

He locks the storage unit behind them. All the spring cleaning can happen another day. 

___________________________________

They did not, upon making it back to Hob’s flat above The New Inn, actually end up watching their intended horror movie. Instead, as they were flipping through options, they stumbled upon the live-action remake of Aladdin and Mattie had been so damned adamant that he wanted to see it while high that Hob had allowed the deviation from their established pattern. 

“That bird is a fucking useless sidekick. I will show you how to do it!” Matthew stands, wobbles, and falls off where he had been balanced on the arm of Hob’s couch.

Hob cackles, slouching back into the cushions. “Well, that’s your answer to the question about birds and THC, innit?” 

Matthew flapped his way up onto the space next to Hob. “Hey, I am still getting used to this stupid body without any fucking thumbs.” 

“Fair enough.” He shrugs, sinking even further back and letting the movie drift into the background, a gentle blanket of familiar songs. “So I can feel you trying to not ask questions. Ask away, Mattie. I owe you that much, at least.”

“Fucking right you do, faking your death like that caw.” The raven shakes his head. “Where even to start… Oh! I got it! When and how did you meet the King of Dreams and Nightmares? That must have been a trip and a half.”

The memory makes Hob even warmer and he feels himself grinning as he looks at the ceiling. “I was drinking with my pals at a tavern, the White Horse, in the year of our lord thirteen hundred and eighty nine…”

“Wait. The fuck? You are…” Mattie clearly stops to count for a blink, “almost seven hundred years old?”

“That I am, now let me finish… I rather loudly proclaimed that I had decided not to die. Just wasn’t going to fucking do it. And that was when he approached the table,” Hob closes his eyes, the swooping feeling of seeing Dream for the first time still razor sharp in his memory. Should he tell Mattie? Well, he had never been dishonest with the man before, no reason to start now. So Hob let all his emotional walls down. “And I swear to God, Mattie, it was like seeing a meteor shower for the first time. It was like discovering a second moon. I was absolutely dumbstruck by the beauty of this cocky young Lordling, all standing before me like he owned half the country. Looked it too, with that giant fucking ruby around his neck and his fine clothing.” Hob shakes his head, grin widening. “He offered me a deal. If I wanted unending life, then I could come back to that tavern on the same day at the same time one hundred years hence and tell him of my experiences of life so long-lasting. And here I am.” When Mattie doesn't immediately respond, Hob opens his eyes and turns his head. “What?”

The raven was studying him intently. When he spoke it was carefully metered and very much not in jest. “Robbie. I might be a bird now, but I would know that expression on your face anywhere. Do you… Are you…”

He didn’t need to put words to it, Hob knew exactly what his friend meant. He shrugged. “Aye, I probably am. But you have to understand, Mattie, he has been the only constant in my whole long life. Hundreds of relationships. Thousands of friendships. Centuries of life. And he was my only anchor.” Hob lets himself drift on that thought for a moment before coming back. “Did you know that I didn’t know his name until a few months ago when he showed up at the New Inn?”

“What?! What kind of asshole doesn’t give his – oh, wait, this is Dream I am talking about, isn’t it…”

Hob laughs. “You are very correct. Dream’s stubbornness is only surpassed by his beauty.”

“Wow. You’ve got it bad.”

“Most likely.” Hob inclines his head. “But I am happy with whatever type of relationship he is capable of with me."

The raven whistles. "Got it baaaad."

____________________________

And so it happens that Hob and Mattie are stonedly bickering over if Will Smith’s portrayal of the Genie was a good homage or a bad mockery (all while A Whole New World starts up in the background) when the King of Dreams and Nightmares steps out of nothingness and into Hob’s living room.

“Matthew! You were told to deliver a message, not spend an entire day-”

Hob cuts Dream off with an overdramatic, “OoooOOOOoooh, Mattie, you are in trooooouble.” Dream’s stern face snaps to Hob’s and he slaps a hand over his mouth while he giggles none-too-loudly, “OooooOOOh, now I am in trooooouble.”

That makes Mattie burst into giggles and let it be known that the giggle of a raven is not actually a pleasant sound to take in.

So it makes Hob laugh harder.

Then he sees Dream’s absolutely bewildered expression.

And that makes Hob laugh even harder.

Sobbing as he laughs, collapsed to the floor (having initially fallen clear off the couch in surprise at Dream’s entrance), clutching his belly, Hob can’t even bring himself to worry that Dream might actually be angry with him. Fuck, Hob just got Mattie back. This is fucking great.

Hob wipes at his face as his hysterics subside, trying to keep his voice steady as he addresses Dream from his place on the floor. “I’m sorry, m’love, I didn’t mean to patronize you, I just-” He cuts himself off when he sees, for the first time, a petal-pink blush color his Stranger’s cheeks.

“You called him your love!” Mattie cackles. Hob feels himself blush now, too. That was a slip. That shouldn’t have happened. (Ah, bollocks.) “You are so in for it now. The Boss hates pet names! Once I tried to call him Lord Mew-mew because he was acting like a wet fucking cat and-”

“Enough.” Dream waves his hand to his Raven and the bird is immediately silenced. “Matthew, leave us. I am not asking.”

“Aww, maannn.” Mattie shakes himself off and seems to become shockingly sober with just a ruffle of feathers. “Roger that, Boss. See you back at home.” Then he nods to Hob. “We should do this again sometime.” 

Before Hob can respond Mattie has taken wing and flown out a window that definitely was not open a moment ago. When he looks back up it is to have Dream’s hand in front of his face, gently offering to help him stand. Hob takes it, if only for the excuse to touch his Stranger’s skin for the first time. (His touch is cool, his fingers long and uncalloused, his skin smooth. Hob memorizes every sensation greedily.)

Dream seems to realize this once Hob is on his feet because the blush deepens slightly and he retracts his hand with a jerky motion. 

“I am sorry if I offended you, Dream.” Hob takes a step to the side and tries to catch his friend’s eye. Dream keeps purposefully looking away. “It is just a silly human endearment. I am rather high on some excellent weed and I didn’t mean-”

“Ah.” Dream interrupts and Hob’s jaw clicks shut. Dream is still not looking at him and so Hob can see the way the muscles in his jaw flex with tension. “Just a silly endearment. You did not mean it.” 

Something fiery swoops inside Hob. Dream has never acted like this. Never avoided Hob’s eyes. Never interrupted him. And all because Hob had accidentally called him love.

See, thing is, Hob does mean it. More than he has words for. But never did he think… Dream couldn’t possibly. Fuck. Hob is too high to think clearly about this.

Hob steps into Dream’s line of sight, forces the slightly taller anthropomorphic personification to meet his eyes. Why it comes out a whisper when Hob speaks he will never know. “Dream. Do you want me to mean it? Do you want me to call you,” he hesitates for a moment because this could ruin everything. (But look at him! Look at the hurt in his expression, the tension in his shoulders. He does not hide it well, now that Hob knows what to look for - thanks, Sophie.) “my love?”

It is answer enough to see Dream’s pupils dilate and his nostrils flare. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck. 

He is shaking when he goes to take Dream’s hand, brings it up to press a kiss to those beautiful fingers. “If I am reading this wrong then please please let’s just chalk it up to the THC and pretend this never happened. But…” Hob takes the last step in and now they are almost chest-to-chest, “I thought you would have figured it out after 1689… you are my guiding star. It is you who I wait decades for. You who I hope to impress with my experiences. You who I have yearned to touch with every fiber of my being for literal centuries.” Dream is blinking wide eyes at him now, confusion and surprise and hope all written there. “And if your friendship is all I can have, then so be it. But, Dream. If I had three wishes I would spend them all just to be able to call you love.”

#Pavonis writes #Dreamling #Leverage AU

[darthstitch]

Professor Cryptid Wet Cat

Look, Professor Gadling being a secret immortal cryptid has already reached peak meme status. The Gdoc is a rabbit hole to get lost in on a rainy day.

But Professor Murphy? Hooo boy. The students are just getting started.

Nobody calls Professor Murphy by his given name of "Thomas." Like, you could try, but he's not going to respond to you, as if the name was just something tacked on for the sake of appearances.

One of the class overheard Professor G calling Professor Murphy "Dream." Now, everyone initially thought that it was just another adorable pet name (there's a running list of them in the Gdoc). But then another student who had been getting drinks at the New Inn had overheard this sweet little boy calling him "Uncle Dream." Go figure.

Here's the thing, though, "Murphy" is an Irish name but there isn't a trace of the Gaelic's music in his accent, proper RP that it normally is. Unless you're an Irish student and suddenly, there's the lilt and the sweetness of the Goídelc in his voice when he talks to you, echoes of the tales of the Children of Lir and Cu Chulainn, best heard as the bards sung them.

The language thing doesn't stop there. Professor Murphy seems to inexplicably know every language ever spoken, happily chatting away in a mix of Tagalog and English with the Filipino students, Welsh with the kids from Wales, French and Italian and Polish and Russian and Swahili and Igbo - circumnavigating the globe as neatly as you please without losing any stride. And then, going back in time, as it were, straight to Middle English.

6. Middle English, as everyone knew, was the language Professor Gadling tended to slip into from time to time and there was something unbearably sweet about how Professor G would refer to his husband as myne owne hertis rote, only for Professor Murphy to answer with my heart's gleam and that lovely little smile. But one hadn't lived until they heard both Professors absently talk to each other in Middle English as if they'd been born speaking that language and had temporarily forgotten that they were already in the 21st century.

7. Suspicions about Professor Murphy being a vampire abounded, until they had all seen him walking in sunlight, with Matthew the Raven on his shoulder. Then it became rumors about Murphy being a Twilight-variant of vampire because he literally glowed in the sun. And had so obviously sent poor Professor Gadling dot exe crashing at the sight.

8. This conversation also happened:

"Who is Edward Cullen and why would he sparkle? And why would all of you be Bella Swan?"

All of the students look at each other. And then:

"I will fong the first person who explains Twilight to poor Professor Murphy, I swear to Christ, I will fong you."

"Perhaps I should ask Matthew."

"Caw! Nevermore!"

9. One of Professor Gadling's classes had taken a trip to the Tower of London and Professor Murphy had just tagged along, much to his husband's delight. Every. Single. Raven. from the Tower had just converged on Murphy as if he were their long lost King or something, cuddling close, cawing in delight. Matthew was so obviously, adorably jealous at the whole thing and somebody could've sworn they heard a distinctly American voice holler: "HEY CLAWS OFF YOU ASSHOLES. GET YOUR OWN DREAM KING!"

10. Sometimes, the students could swear up and down that Matthew the Raven could really, truly, talk. Professor Murphy and his raven have often been seen sitting together, often with Murphy apparently showing the bird something on his smart phone or tablet, deep in discussion with him. Everyone tried very hard not to think about this too deeply, especially since Murphy would often return to the classroom with a better understanding of current jokes and memes once he'd had a "conversation" with Matthew.

11.

"Darling, why do you have a plushie of .... good lord, is this Cthulhu?"

"A gift from my students, my love. We had a rather engrossing lecture on Lovecraft the other day."

"Oh. Oh no. Don't tell me you had the same sort of thing going with him as you did with bloody Shaxbert!"

A huff. "Certainly not. Such a small-minded young man, utterly arrogant - though he did have potential. I thought to teach him a lesson by showing him how insignificant he truly was in the infinite vastness of the universe. His mind almost broke from it."

"Ah. And where does Cthulhu come into this?"

"Lovecraft had a horror of marine creatures, specifically those of the class Cephalopoda. I often took the form of this creature in my nightmare aspect. The wings were an inspired touch, I believe. He was near out of his mind with terror - some of my finest work."

"Of course you were bloody Cthulhu, why am I not surprised? My adorable little eldritch abomination..."

"Hob Gadling, there is nothing adorable about me -- a;dkjf;adlkfja;dlkf!"

12. Rose Walker's first novel Into the Night was a best seller and readers everywhere rejoiced when they heard it would become a series. Readers also fell in love with the enigmatic King of Dreams, the antagonist in Ms. Walker's book. Thus, the second novel in the series, The Prince of Stories, was eagerly awaited by many. Once again, the same mysterious voice actor did the audiobook, which quickly climbed to the top of the charts in all the platforms of its release. But what drove Professor Murphy's students into a tizzy was Ms. Walker's dedication: "For Uncle Dream, our Prince of Stories" and the following exchange:

"Professor Murphy, we didn't know you were a fan of Rose Walker."

A proud smile. "My niece has quite the story to tell. I've been looking forward to reading her next book."

"You're Rose Walker's Uncle Dream?!"

-end-

Am I writing more of what I started in this POST - yes, yes, I am.

Do you guys want to see a more complete version of the first story? It's in AO3.

#dreamling #dream of the endless #hob gadling #professor dream #professor gadling #professor mysterious and professor wet cat #i crack what i want #did i just write myself into another happy AU #yes yes i did #shhh nobody tell neil

[lilac-ravenclaw]

Hello! With finishing Hogwarts Legacy recently, I wanted to draw my mc, Raven Fawlty. Used Procreate to draw her, and I'm super happy with how she turned out. ✨🌙

More of my art on instagram, @artof.ravnbee and on DeviantArt @artof-ravnbee ! Thanks everyone🦅

General Info

Name: Raven Fawlty - { reason for her name for me } “Ravens” often represents ancient wisdom, transformation and intelligence. The name “Raven” means “dark haired or wise”. “Fawlty”… honestly this was a gimmick at first. As I love the show, Fawlty Towers with John Cleese. Ran in the 70s, with only a handful of episodes, but it was hilarious and it was the first name I could think of when creating my character.

Birthday: January 29, 1874 { The Raven was published in 1845 }

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Sex/Gender: Female { she/her }

Ethnicity: Latina and English

House: Ravenclaw

Wand:

Stalk: Dark Brown

Wood type: Willow

Core type: Unicorn Hair

Flexibility: Reasonably Supply

Wand Length: 12”

Handle: Checkerboard - Blue

Patronus: Black Bear

The Black Bear is known for their adaptability and resourcefulness. Others will see her as a fierce opponent who will protect herself and those close to her. Only those close to her will know of that softer side she usually keeps hidden away.

Physical Appearance

Eye color: Violet

Skin color: Tan/light brown, with olive undertones.

Hair: Long length and black, usually worn in a braid.

Height: 5’1” (155cm)

Weight: 110lbs (49kg)

Body type: Hourglass

Birthmarks: small mole on the face, left cheek

Fashion style: Loves wearing a comfortable trouser, but will still wear a button up blouse and a skirt. Doesn’t care for the traditional school robe, but favors a nice blazer/jacket when needed.

Accessories: Pierced ears for small earrings.

History

Place of birth: Somewhere in the UK

Childhood: Grew up in orphanage in London. Doesn’t know who her parents are, or her real name. She has a love for literature and took the name “Raven” after Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, The Raven. The orphanage she resided in was very strict and had a harsh living environment. The caretaker was mean to the children, much like a Miss Hannigan from the show Annie. So much so, that is how Raven acquired her last name “Fawlty”. A homonym for “faulty”, meaning of faults, inadequate, or wrong. (Which is also why the show, Fawlty Towers, got its name too.) Unknowingly to be a future Ravenclaw, took the insult of a name as a challenge to succeed and learn all she could and be the best version of herself.

Family history: Her father originally from South America and went to Castelobruxo, a wizarding school in Brazil. Being from the heart of the Amazon rain forest, he had a profound love for magical creatures. Which is where Raven gets her love for magical creatures as well. He had traveled all over the world and eventually made his way to Europe where he met Raven’s mother, was also traveling abroad as well. She had also attending Hogwarts in her youth, being a former Ravenclaw too. She loved astronomy and literature. It is unknown what happened to her parents, tho in my head canon they have since passed. **Keep in mind, Raven herself doesn’t know this. I just wanted to write this down to know where she gets her personality and interests come from ☺️**

Notable events/milestones: Raven always knew somehow.. she was different. Though, according to the wizarding world’s standards, it took a little longer for her powers to emerge. Even small things would happen here and there, without her realizing what had happen and that she was the cause of such strange occurrences. Until one day when the orphan keeper (the person who runs the orphanage) was “disciplining” one of the children and Raven stepped in to protect them and that enough was enough. She had forced a large shelf to fall over onto the orphan keeper… it was as if what she was thinking became a reality. Afraid of what would happen, Raven ran away, seeking shelter where she could. As Professor Fig was assigned the task of giving Raven her letter and bringing her to Hogwarts, it still took no time at all for Professor Fig to find Raven even though she was missing from the orphanage. She was hesitant at first but overall wasn’t scared at all, and actually was relieved to know there were others like her. A whole world like her just waiting to be apart of and that was the happiest day in her life.

Other notes: She had studied with Professor Fig for the duration of the summer before starting at Hogwarts. Having only gained her powers after the school year had finished. He had become the first father figure to Raven.

Psychological Traits

Personality type: INFP (Mediator) is a personality type with the introverted, intuitive, feeling and prospecting traits. These rare personality types tend to be quiet, open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do.

Personality traits: intelligent, witty, adventurous, warm, courageous, emotionally intuitive, and quick-thinker

Introvert/Extrovert: Sometimes both. Loves to be around her close friends, but doesn’t mind spending time alone reading a good book or flying on her broom.

Hobbies: Star-gazing, tending to the magical beasts in the Vivarium, and literature.

Loves: All the creatures in her Vivarium, and flying on her broom.

Morals/Virtues: Values being compassionate and always being there for her friends/loved ones at a moment’s notice. Tries to do right by them and stand by their side when times are tough. She knows what it feels like to be alone in certain situations and doesn’t want her friends to go through the same thing.

Phobias/Fears: Being trapped in a “cage” and being forgotten.

Relationships

Love Interest: Sebastian Sallow… From the very beginning she felt like there was some sort of connection, but was a bit too oblivious to see it at first. He’s very charming and almost flirtatious with other girls, so figured she wasn’t any different. Sometimes she will catch him sneaking a glance in her direction during class, while studying in the Library or at mealtimes in the Great Hall. It was so easy to stand by him and help him find a cure for his sister without even a second thought. It may have been foolish, but Raven knows what it’s like to have no support when at your lowest. To feel like all hope is lost. She can understand losing your parents at a young age.

Parents: Deceased, Names Unknown

Grandparents: Unknown, Names Unknown

Best friends: Poppy Sweeting and Natsai Onai

Friends: Ominis Gaunt, Garreth Weasley, Amit Thakker, and Imelda Reyes

Rivals: Leander Prewett, not in a bad way. It's mostly a friendly competition when playing Summoner's Court.

Enemies: Peeves the Poltergeist, damn him for catching them in the Library!

Clubs: Crossed Wands and Summoner’s Court

If you’ve made it this far then thank you so much for reading. Hope you enjoyed learning about my MC✨💙

#hogwarts legacy #portkey games #hogwarts legacy mc #ravenclaw #ancient magic #hogwarts legacy fanart #procreate #digital drawing #ipad pro #character design #character sheet #character art

[spiderversegf]

sjs: my new plushie I texted you about & I went to the tower of london today and they have ravens that live there???? there are 6 that live there and I saw all 6!!! (Two of them are named Hugnin and Munin after Odin’s from the Norse pantheon which was very fun for me to learn). There was even one on the stairwell leading up to an exhibit that was just watching everyone go by and talking to us lol. According to my friend’s mom it was Poppy and she’s the youngest one. Here are some photos:

needless to say ravens have made it onto my approved birds list

this is cool as hell i love it 🫶🏾

#small joys saturday #🍓

[akechi-stole-my-heart]

goro akechi, crow

In the past several months I've read several books about crows and ravens and learned quite a bit about the mythology and symbolism of the crow in cultures around the world, as well as the behavior and understanding of crows in modern society, so I thought I'd share a few of the most notable parallels I found to Akechi's character.

This is a myth that I suspect a lot of people already know but was entirely new to me when I read about it. In short, there is a legend in England that when the ravens leave the Tower of London the British monarchy will fall. The British go so far as to clip the wings of the ravens that live in the Tower of London to keep this prophecy from coming true. I'm not sure if this parallel to Akechi was done purposefully, but nonetheless, it does call back to his story. Akechi is the Raven in Shido's Tower. When he left the tower by killing Shido's puppet and sacrificing himself for the Thieves, Shido's rule ended soon after as a direct consequence.

Crows are known in the modern day for representing death and destruction, but their portrayal in myth is far from so one-note. Crows are portrayed with reverence, and are just as often seen as positive figures as negative ones. They're often noble creatures that represent hope and rebellion just as much as they do death and chaos. They are very often tied to the sun, with the shine of their black feathers and rule during the day (often contrasted with owls of the night) used symbolically in myth to point out their dualistic nature. In Japanese mythology, the crow is a messenger of the goddess of the sun.

As an extension of the previous point, there are a lot of myths throughout the world that tell stories about how ravens were originally white, but were turned black for whatever reason--usually, as a curse or a punishment. There are so many variations of this myth, but one example is the tale of the raven and Apollo. Apollo, the Greek god associated with the sun, fell in love with the nymph Coronis, but Coronis was unfaithful to him. The white raven delivered this news to him, and in his anger, Apollo burned the raven's wings, turning it black.

Crows are often tricksters and rebels in myths. They're intelligent creatures that can fool even the gods.

Crows are often figures of fate, foretelling the deaths of others. Fate is a strong motif/theme of Persona 5, as Akira is running from his own fate of death throughout the story, and escapes it by opposing Yaldabaoth and rebelling against tyranny. Meanwhile, Akechi dies because he fails to escape his own fate set forth by Yaldabaoth. However, crows are often seen as above death, having near eternal lifespans or even being immortal altogether--perhaps a hint that Akechi may have survived after all.

Crows are the servants of Odin in Norse mythology, aiding him in the battlefield along with wolves. Odin is the ruler of the gods and eventually becomes the enemy of Loki when he brings Ragnarok, so in the context of Akechi's story, he may be seen as a parallel to Shido.

And, as additional reasons why Akechi should have been in Strikers, crows are known for working together with wolves, helping them find dead animals to eat and sharing in the spoils of their kills. (Zenkichi's code name is Wolf.) Also, Pandora is sometimes portrayed with a crow on her shoulder as a symbol of hope for the future. (Pandora is Sophia's true Persona.)

As for the science of crows, they are crafty and intelligent creatures, among the most intelligent of all animals other than humans, even surpassing apes in many areas. They're mischievous and known for being troublemakers. Crows mate for life and are known as being very sociable creatures. Even the lonesome raven will often have companions.

Who is stronger than hope? Death. Who is stronger than the will? Death. Stronger than love? Death. Stronger than life? Death.

But who is stronger than Death? Me, evidently. Pass, Crow.

-"Examination at the Womb-Door" by Ted Hughes

#sera posts #goro akechi #akechi goro #p5 #p5s spoilers

[calf-cover]

I have one bizarre observation in the back of my mind.

In the tale "And So The Crows Laughed", Alagadda had a close connection with the Brothers of Death. And at the end it was said that the Brothers would watch over Alagadda and the Hunged King until the end of time. And as we remember, crows are their eyes, and Brothers themselves appear in the form of pitch black birds.

And so… The Janus Gate in the SCP-2264 article is located in the Tower of London. Do you know what it is famous for? There are the tame ravens that have been living there for generations! These are special - it is the symbol of the British Empire, and legend has it that with the death of the last raven, the monarchy will fall.

Most likely, this is just a funny coincidence and the author has never thought of such a reference to either the tale or the ravens of the Tower of London. But it's still a good ground for headcannons and just a very interesting detail.

Birbs rule the world!

#scp 2264 #Alagadda #scp alagadda #SCP Foundation #random stuff #scp headcanons #Random fact - did you know that crows can play snowballs and sliding down the snow on different objects? #Seriously they use the lids from cans as a sled #and make snowballs with their paws and then try to take them away from each other #crows are the best creatures in the world

[farchanter]

Christopher Skaife: The Ravenmaster

To catch and capture a[n escaped] raven in full view of the public is a tricky business and to be avoided if at all possible, since it requires not only a cool head and steady nerves but quite a bit of luck. My first piece of advice to anyone finding themselves in such a predicament would be to stay cool and to pretend you have total control of the situation, which you most certainly do not. Like it or not, you're about to become a star on YouTube.

(picture: ravens Munin and Jubilee II, taken during my 2017 trip to the Tower of London)

Tradition holds that there must be no fewer than six ravens kept at the Tower of London, or else the British throne will fall. Of course, for all of their intelligence and capability, it wouldn't be reasonable to expect a population of ravens to survive in the Tower all on their own. Enter the man with one of the most unique jobs in the entire world: yeoman warder Christopher Skaife— the ravenmaster.

As the person most responsible for the most famous collection of corvids in the entire world, Skaife is in the singular position to share the stories of these remarkable animals. His respect and love for both ravens as a species and also these specific birds as highly intelligent individuals drips from every page. As the yeoman warders live within the Tower, Skaife is also able to give us a look into the inner workings of one of the most recognizable (yet still secretive) tourist destinations on the planet.

The Ravenmaster is very loosely structured as a day in the life of Christopher Skaife, beginning with the dawn checks on the ravens and ending with shepherding them back into their enclosure. The narrative meanders throughout, however, exploring Skaife's stories about caring for the ravens, their mischiefs, their astonishing primate-level cognition, Skaife's own history, his mistakes, his successes, his dreams, and the curiosities one of the world's most famous castles has accumulated over its long history.

Like a lot of the best nonfiction work, Skaife is the teller of stories you simply cannot find anywhere else. His willingness to approach his vaunted job— quite literally his place in a mythology— with candor is vital to what makes The Ravenmaster succeed. For instance, he quite readily acknowledges the key story of the ravens— that they are an ancient augur of the health of the monarchy— cannot be attested to before the late 19th century.

And, listen: I grew up outside of Philadelphia. I took multiple field trips to the Betsy Ross House. I fully understand how the story around a thing can become more important than whether or not the story is literally true. But I really appreciate how Skaife is willing to approach these stories with objectivity, even if that might undermine his very title.

We are fortunate that, for as much as Skaife is a professional animal caretaker, he is just as much a professional storyteller. The warders are responsible for leading tours of the Tower, something they take quite seriously. If I were to level one criticism, it's that the written structure of the jokes, stories, and even the larger flow of the book feel a little off. Once I realized, however, that this is an adaptation of Skaife's tour story, it made much more sense. If you imagine that you're hearing this story as he leads you through the both literally and metaphorically layered history of the Tower of London, that's the best form of The Ravenmaster. You don't, in fact, actually need to imagine it: there exists an audiobook version, narrated by Skaife himself. I would encourage you to check it out.

I read this book because I love corvids. Every spring and summer, there is a colony of blue jays who take up nesting in my neighborhood, and they've come to know me by sight. It is a wonderful feeling when a corvid likes you— or, at least, has you pegged for a sucker. For that reason, I thought I might close with Skaife's advice for how he came to fall in love with ravens:

If you are in any way interested in birds, and yet like me just a few years ago you don't know where to start, I suggest studying a particular bird: don't try to learn about every species all at once. Pick a bird you love, or which fascinates you in some way. It doesn't matter which one: a goose, a swan, a sparrow, a hawk. Learning about birds, like learning anything else, is all about patience and persistence and just doing the little things right, again and again. Get to know your bird. Attend to their peculiar traits and the shape of them, their flight, their song, the way they walk. Study their talons, their feathers, their tails. Look into their eyes.

If you'll excuse me, I've got some homework to do about blue jays.

#completion list #books #completed #todo #review #christopher skaife #the ravenmaster #nonfiction #birds #ravens #the tower of london #corvids #tower of london #history

[plantfeed]

welcome to marina, JUDE DEMPSEY ( cis man, he/him) ! they are a TWENTY-FIVE year old who has lived on the island for TWO MONTHS. word on the street is they’re currently living in TOWER HILL and works as a FREELANCE VIDEOGRAPHER / LOCATION SCOUT ON FILM & TV SETS. everyone also says they look a lot like ARON PIPER. what do you think? — NORA, 27, she/her, GMT.

here is the pinterest for jude. here’s a jude musings tag. this vine radiates jude energy.  so does this.  this video is very jude. u can find everythin i have abt him under the cut. 

as a warning this is the most british character i've ever played so a lot of this will probably be largely unintelligible to anyone outside the gulf stream bt thats ok im used to ppl not understanding a word im saying xx

stats.

NAME:   jude dempsey. AGE:   twenty-five. GENDER & PRONOUNS:    cis man, he/him. OCCUPATION:  says he’s an early-career filmmaker and he has done a few music videos but mostly he just creates videography content for ladbible and vice’s social media. also a location scout on film n tv sets.  ARCHETYPES: the anarchist. the cheeky chappy. the going-nowhere-fast. the aimless. the hostile. the charity case. the juvenile delinquent. ZODIAC: saggitarius sun, scorpio moon, pisces rising. HEIGHT:  6′1 with hair, 6′0 without RESIDENCY: tower hill. previously rochdale, greater manchester. occasionally london. came to marina to work on a film a few months back n when the job ended he jst ended up staying. TATTOOS: covered in them. for a few years when he was in high school, his sister aoife was thinking about becoming a tattoo artist and he was her walking canvas. after seeing how some of jude’s tats turned out, she decided against them, but they’re all super special to him. FACECLAIM:   arón piper.

POSITIVE TRAITS.   spirited ,  rambunctious ,  witty , well - intentioned ( most of the time ),  passionate , decisive , physically affectionate ,  a loyal friend , assertive .

NEGATIVE TRAITS.   foolhardy ,  grumpy ,  paradoxical ,  rude , stupid ,  jealous , obsessive , struggles to admit when he’s wrong ,  over confident ( and for what ? )  lacks the ability to self-reflect .

LIKES.  banter ,  tk maxx ,  footie with the lads ,  spending all day in spoons ,   cheap lager , cat-calling workmen as a power play ,  saying  ‘ oh, crumbs ’  when shit goes down ,  playing fifa on xbox ,  hoodies that say ‘ supreme ’  and  ‘ anti - social social club ’ ,  the beastie boys ,  break - dancing ,  knowing the guy in the corner - shop and his whole family by name ,   knock - off adidas ,  pitt bull terriers ,  energy drinks ,  M.I.L.Fs ,  shooting hoops after school with a crate full of tinnies , absolutely dousing himself in CK one before a big night on the town ,  bingeing the real housewives ,  having a block list as long as your arm ,  taylor swift , saying  “ that’s your girlfriend ”  to his mates about the weirdest looking people you see on the street ,  walking into a club with a fit bird on your arm knowing that you’ll probably get sucked off in the loos ,  making his one night stand a full english ,  sleight of hand magic tricks , always being covered in scabs , paddington 2 , making the spotify playlist for pre-drinks , doing the duck face or biting his tongue in selfies . 

aesthetics.

blood stains on a cigarette rizzla, a jovial whistle as you tend to a full english breakfast ( eggs served sunny-side up ), jamming screwdrivers into the tag around your ankle to sneak out of the house to boiler room dj sets, a stick-and-poke tattoo spelling ‘ACAB’ across your knuckles that you got at a house party while tripping on ket,  a ‘no ball games’ sign used as one goal post & a tracksuit jumper used as the other one, rugby socks and porno mags stuffed beneath a single bed still laundered with spiderman bed sheets.

character references.

Ronan (The Raven Cycle), Daniel Dessario (Freaks & Geeks), Lip Gallagher (Shameless), Mercutio (Romeo & Juliet), Connell (Normal People), Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), Eggsy (Kingsman), whatever Channing Tatum’s character is called (Step Up), Kurtan (This Country), Pete Davidson’s character in Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

bullet point summary of jude

tw drugs and a life of crime

jude is peak dark fruits twitter, massive “u fooking wot mate???” football hooligan britpop love island lad, appears quite jack-the-lad, but also just massive softie once you chisel your way passed the six layers of reinforced concrete barrier beneath his adidas shell suit

self-declared ‘bad boy’ who mums can’t help but love and sadly yes in the past he has fucked a girlfriend’s mum :/

massive dark fruits brit pop, crossbody bum bag, novelty sunglasses geezer. marcus rashford fanboy. probably has a slit in his eyebrow and has definitely shaved go faster racing stripes into his hair before.

b4 coming 2 marina he was bopping about between london and manchester bcos he works freelance as a location scout n a runner on film sets. he does videography stuff for magazines frm time to time too. came to marina bcos a film was shooting there, ended up staying. i think we'll go w that.

has always had strong women in his life so loves it when a girl could kick his ass. loves his mum so much, has 2 sisters he adores, n thinks his dad's a p.o.s, n is like. u know what. women are really excellent. maybe i shd return their tinder messages

bt then finds it hard to commit bcos,...... theres so many opportunities doesn't wnna shut himself off location wise job wise relationship wise. but usually he’s quite good at communicating that and not being a total dick to women

having said that he is a bit of a bastard if im honest but is fully aware of it and his new years resolution would be to not leave girls on red even if it’s just a ‘haha’

worms have 4 hearts but no one to love cos their gross. that’s jude. he’s a mattress on the floor no bedframe guy :/

impulsive guy who jumps from thing to thing (parkour).

he actually does do parkour tho n as a kid on house arrest he used to make stupid youtube videos of him doing parkour and him breakdancing in his garden. hate it here

literally cant stop stealing things. may or may not include other ppls partners.

white boy who thinks he can rap. always rolling ciggies in the smoking area of the local dive bar that plays arctic monkeys and stone roses and has a stupid tiny hat that all those skateboarders wear and always has a chain around his neck and loads of rings and is tryna chat up the barmaid so he can stay after they close and fuck her from behind while she counts whats in the tills :/

tells ppl he rides a motorbike but its..... a fucking vespa..... get the fuck out of here w ur gay yearning n silenzio bruno.....

'straight' white guy with massive homoerotic struggles for his mates but its just boys being boys. lads being lads. mate what are you being weird about it for. 

if he had longer to grown and evolve i wld probs want him to overcome his toxic masculine internalised homophobia n be with a guy bt alas. we cant have everything.

his usual type is someone fun loving and carefree whos here for a good time and not for a long time bt thats bcos he avoids commitment and has a deep-rooted fear of not being enough. 

jude's quite a passionate and obsessive person which is why he usually tries to keep romance and sex separate with sex as a very casual no feelings, we're not friends, kinda thing bcos i think he can just become completely possessed by some1 n willing to do anything fr them n frankly..... it scares him.

despite putting out such a fuckboy persona he actually wants someone to find him worthy of love and be willing 2 put in the time.

the last rp i played him in was a love island rp. he fingered someone on his first day then cheated on them like 2 days later (bt technically they weren't even coupled up n the initial fingering was kind of cheating) and ended up proposing to his new gf in the finale. went in there for the jet-2 holiday and money to buy his mum a house n then fell head over dick in love and was super intense the whole way through bt kinda funny. not decided if im keeping love island in his backstory bt probably wont as its in mimi's and this island isn't big enough for two ex love island contestants

loves to dance. loves 100 gecs and king gizzard and the lizard wizard bt very into hip hop and 00s grime too. can still breakdance a bit. george sampson from britain’s got talent was his hero in secondary school

background / bio stuff

—  twenty-five. cis-male. he / him. bisexual bt in denial. has a million different piercings and tattoos and broken so many bones. he was originally based on the tarot card the fool (which represents spontaneity, impulsivity, new beginnings, improvising, leaps of faith or lack of direction, poor judgement, chaos and stupidity depending on which way up it is). i have a full bio for him but i wrote it when i was like 14 and frankly its embarrassing so ur just getting bullet points (n tbh they are long as fuck…. so…..) xx 

— born in rochdale, raised in manchester. his family ran the market stool that sells knock-off adidas trainers fake rollex watches (u kno the one. or is this just a british thing?) so he worked on that quite a lot as a kid, this little 10 year old boy in a bucket hat and a tracksuit shouting from his market stool. all of his childhood birthday parties were at the local boozer so the parents could get pissed while the kids ran around throwing pool balls at each other. 

— there wasn’t much stability in his childhood. they were constantly being chucked out of whatever flat they were renting. one of his goals for coming on love island is to win a lot of money so he can buy his mum a house bcos he’s fed up of seeing her live in absolute shitholes.

—  he was in and out the care system as well as juvenile detention a lot as a kid for petty crimes like larcency, public indecency, trespassing, graffiti. his mum was the most non-maternal mum ever and basically ran their home like an oliver twist workhouse bt he still loved her. came from a family of miscreants who were often in trouble with the law and as a result social services got involved and he was tossed about different foster families like a hot potato but he kept running back to his mum (mama's boy).

— this is really sad but i think a lot of the reason why he committed petty crimes was because when he was in the juvenile detention centre there was structure, and people checking in on him to make sure he hadn’t vanished, and he got regular meals, and he was kind of lacking those things at home…. the fridge was always empty, no one cared if he was in his room or out on the streets causing trouble…. in juvie he got a sense of family as fucked up as that sounds….. it’s also where he learned to fight 

— very working class roots, proud of this fact, and fucking hates the rich. is the type to grafiti a house in the posh neighbourhoods and cut their telephone wires with pliers because why not, they can just get their butler to fix it.  people at school would call his family  “ne’er-do-wells”, and as a result he spent most of his youth causing havoc on the streets because it was the only kind of identity he knew so he might as well live up to it. his brothers worked at the fun fairs and carnivals in the summer months. jude used to rollerblade around and steal candy flosses from the pier and rig the slot machines so that they’d spill out loads of coins for him. the archetypal lock-picking chaotic neutral rogue type.

 — constantly undermines his own intelligence and doesn’t really trust that he’s actually clever, despite the fact that he could have done well in school if he’d tried (and wasn’t constantly having to parent his younger siblings because as soon as the older ones reached 16 they were out of that house and into the world). he knows that people will see him and just assume he’s a dumb idiot so he’s kind of in a place where he makes people think that before they can even assume it, because that way he feels in control. is constantly saying he can’t read but in fact!! he can read. it just takes him a bit longer cos the words move around on the page he’s got dyslexia 

— never finished school. got a bus to london at sixteen years old with a skateboard, his best mate, a jar full of pennies and a digital camera. they couch surfed for ages and were in a lot of dodgy situations until jude got pretty involved in the industrial skate scene. then they just slept on sk8rbois sofas and in their dirty basements for a while until they had enough money to rent a flat. also super into parkour. when he wasn’t freerunning himself he took videos of the others n he built up a small following on youtube.

—  now works as a freelance photographer / content creator for VICE and other online journals. involved in a lot of zines. it’s a lot of effort and not much money so he also works as a runner on tv sets when ever tv or film shoots locally. he also does bar shifts here and there when he’s had a massive piss up and spent £100 buying shots and needs to get some money in before pay day. basically a jack-of-all-trades with 5 different jobs that he swaps like interchangeable hats and doesn’t correctly fill out his tax returns for.

— has been hopping around place to place since he left school at 16. doesn’t really consider anywhere home, but rather the feeling of cracking the top off an ice cold bottle of beer and slapping ur mates on the thighs. he would go back home to his parents house but honestly his dad is never there and his mum is p much a liability and always drunk and even tho he loves her loads the hero pedestal he put her on as a kid is kinda gone now and he just cant be bothered to deal with it any more, plus all his siblings have moved out now. 

headcanons.

— despite being lacking in maturity, jude’s kind of like, a caring if somewhat grumpy father figure. because his parents were never really around and him n his siblings had to look out for each other, he likes to make sure everyone’s eaten, and is always the first to offer up his bed or sofa if someone needs a place to stay. he climbs trees to help injured birds and has a rescue staffie with three legs, as well as two stray cats he’s loosely adopted because they always seemed hungry, and now he’s called them smokey n bandit. he likes animals more than people. 

— very physically fit. wants to run fast so he can overtake the bourgeoise when the zombies come. sporty soft jock himbo type and was always better with his body than he was with words. he’s learned to say more by not speaking. loves basketball. loves football n rugby. loves being in the gym mostly so he can watch hot gymshark influencer girls do their squats.

— was massively into parkour as a kid. now a freerunner and freelance photographer. is one of those guys u see nowadays on instagram who climb to the top of a really high building in their fuckin sneakers to do an ig story of new york from like, 100ft up and get paid by vice to do it. he started doing shit like that when he was like 15 because UNILAD or s/t saw one of his instagram videos of him up this building taking shots on his go-pro n were like hey we can use this

 — relationship wise, he tends to pine after one person for ages and fuck a load of people to get over them and not really treat the people very well who he fucks along the way in his process of coping with someone not wanting him back. can get a bit obsessive. a bit intense. a typical scorpio moon that way. if he’s all-in on you he’s loyal as fuck but it takes a lot for him to go all in. enjoys the will-they-won’t they and the thrill of the chase more than he enjoys being in a relationship.

— kind of an amalgamation of daniel dessario and nick andopolis in freaks and geeks. obsessed with dad rock and can play electric guitar but is pretty bad at it. is that one friend who’s always like “tame impala are so much better than the stone roses man. talking heads were the fucking bomb, you weren’t there, you don’t know david byrne like i do” etc etc pop culture references. also really into dad rock and fuckin loves parquet courts.

— chews the inside of his cheek when he’s nervous or irritated. it’s a tick he’s had since youth, almost a way of biting his tongue. it used to give him terrible mouth ulcers. he’s also heavily avoidant when it comes to dealing with anything not chill n usually runs from it or gets blackout drunk. he definitely uses binge drinking as a coping mechanism.

— can be difficult to talk to and finds communicating what he actually feels hard at times like usually it'll come out as a different emotion. ppl in prev rps have said he's autistic bt idk if he is i dnt wanna diagnose without knowing enough.

— though his blood can easily boil, he’s not quick to resort to violence. he prefers to either run from it or clumsily attempt being a peacemaker. he’ll only usually end up fighting accidentally, literally that tommy shelby gif like STOP FIGHTING NO FUCKING FIGHTING and two seconds later he’s throwing a punch.

— but apart from that, he’s pretty solid. may appear to be a ‘lads lad’ but is actually a fucking sweetheart. some character inspos are connell from normal people, daniel dessario, eggsy from kingsman, soren from the dragon prince, lip from shameless, dionysus god of wine and ecstasy, channing tatum’s character in step up and sokka in A:TLA.

 — an angry boi but also a soft boi beneath the angry boi. has a heart of gold deep down but was always getting dragged into dodgy shit as a kid because he came from a rough family and never learned any better. reminds me a lot of fezco in euphoria because he’s dumb and rough around the edges bt he’s also well-intentioned and cld be a decent person but is v much a victim of his circumstances. like yeah he’s physically assaulted several police officers and committed a heinous amount of vandalism and shoplifts something almost every time he enters a shop but he’s trying every day to be better  🥺👉👈 .

WANTED PLOTS.

— fellow filmmakers who maybe also worked on the film he came here to shoot and hooked him up with another job in the area. he's now freelancing doing videography so anyone who needs video work done or advertisements hit me up.

— also considering making him a school janitor if he runs out of work n he would just jump onto the trollies and wheel about until he ends up spilling floor gel everywhere

— someone teach him to surf because we don't have any beaches or water at all for that matter in england

— sexy toxic evil flings. only been here 2 months so sadly cant do ex girlfriend or childhood sweetheart or best friends at school but cld have hooked up w ppl in the first week and ghosted thinking he'd only be there a little while but now he's got a flat and quite likes the island and isn't in a hurry to leave because all thats waiting for him back home is heartbreak.

— actually his sister aoife married an american and had a baby with him and moved away from home so MAYBE actually his sister and his sisters partner live in marina and that's why he's stayed here longer n cld be a way for him to kno ppl. so ppl cld know his sister or her partner maybe. they are very very earthy airy fairy campfire songs reiki healing spiritual retreat in the woods type ppl (nothin like jude) n probs run breathwork classes etc. maybe i make a wanted connection

— honestly brotps. i want so many brotps, if ur character is lad behaviour at all, then hook me up they could be best mates. alternatively they could just really see too much of themselves in each other and not get on spicy.

— skate gang he does parkour, freerunning and skateboarding so would hang around parks where they have shit he can jump off

— anything and everything. honestly please bombard me with messages, i’m in the discord (nora / plantfeed), or you can im me, i’m slow to message but once we get the ball rolling i promise it’ll be a hoot ok pce and love x

#marina:intro #this one's also sickeningly long bt. shoot me.

[aegor-bamfsteel]

If you could plan a tour of the kingdoms but only could see one place per region, where would you go? I'm not 100% decided but TBH I'm going to Highgarden over Oldtown, so I'm going to the Wall and then the giant weirwood to fix my fear of birds and heights bc that could only happen in a fantasy land lol. Maybe we enjoy Casterly Rock and then nick some stuff as a souvenir too lol

Due to my dislike of large cities, I definitely agree with Highgarden over Oldtown. But I’d recommend Blackmont over the giant weirwood, because the ravens are proven to be warg animals for Bl00draven and spy on us, so you’re right to be afraid of them; the vultures are warg animals of House Blackmont (antiestablishment raiders) who apparently carry children away, which is much less frightening than a magical surveillance state (that also carried children away, but in a less stylish manner). I’m also a lousy thief, and you lose your hand for trying to snatch from the Lord (unless the lord is Tywin, in which case you get hanged), so I’m gonna have to stay far away from you to avoid getting framed in your heist.

The North: White Harbor. Specifically when the seals are in nursing season and rest on Seal Rock. If you’ve seen baby harp seals you will understand

Iron Islands: pass. All right, probably Harlaw. They’re the largest, wealthiest island, seem the most welcoming to “greenlanders”, and are famous for their shaggy ponies (pretty sure they’re based off of Shetland ponies)

The Vale: pass. This is the least interesting of the Kingdoms for me. If I had to choose, it’s a toss up between Witch Isle (sounds like a tourist trap, but an interesting one) or Wickenden (I took a class in candle making once, and I live in a smelly area, so scented candles could be useful). If I’m going to the Vale straight from the Iron Islands, I’m probably islanded out and would go to Wickenden

Riverlands: pretty much the opposite of the Vale, where there’s many places I’d like to go to. Pennytree seems like it has a lot of interesting history and is close to some castles/villages I’d like to look at

Westerlands: Lannisport. Forget what I said about big cities, as this is the only known place in Westeros with an actual public menagerie/zoo. According to Tyrion, there was even an elephant there, though she died when he was young (reminds me of the elephant at the Tower of London). Medieval exotic animal care was appalling, but since Westeros is fictional and GRRM didn’t say it was particularly bad, I’m going to pretend the animals are treated humanely. There are also probably lions at the menagerie, another interesting animal

Crownlands: probably Driftmark. I don’t like the corrupt capital and its scheming suburbs, Crackclaw Point doesn’t like outsiders, Dragonstone is a monument to the Targs and its ruins aren’t even that old, plus it’s ugly, the other areas aren’t well developed, so Driftmark wins by default. If I knew where Blackfyre keep was, I’d go there. But I have a weakness for Roman-era ruins (it was satisfying to eat an olive under the arch of Titus and remind myself that I’m here and the Flavians are long dead) and there’s decent accommodations in Hull. Just make it a short trip before I get dragon sick.

The Reach: I guess you’re right. Robert Baratheon sold me on Highgarden with “fruits so ripe they explode in your mouth-melons, peaches, fireplums, you've never tasted such sweetness”. I love picking fruits and drinking fruit juice, though I rarely get the chance. Just as long as no one arrests me for plant stealing

The Stormlands: Weeping Town. The south coast of the Cape Wrath has heavily fortified but probably now abandoned castles due its closeness with Dorne, good roads that connect prosperous fishing villages, and the town itself has 3 inns and some history. Davos probably lives around there so I can say hi

Dorne: Spottswood. I want to see if Santagar really stables his sand steeds in his own hall. There’s also a possibility of leopards in the woods (or a history of them) judging by the Santagar sigil. Plus it’s near the Planky Town, and I’m interested in hearing the POV of some of the Greenblood Orphans about their history

#ask #asoiaf #opinions #westeros

[sticksstonesbonespoems]

The Tower of London

The Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, French, Germans and all the “nationalities” that make up the people soup of London have been joined by the civilizations that soup colonized. It is a wondrous, multi-cultural city. Smack dab in the middle is a fortress that started as a medieval palace and became infamous for executions. The central building was erected by William the Conqueror who is responsible for making the English at least partly French even if they will not admit it as England and France became the Cain and Abel of Western Europe for centuries.

Power, monarchy and human weakness fed war and cruelty. Edward the first taxed the Jewish population higher than anyone else to pay for the construction of towers. Then he kicked them all out of England. The one room dedicated to devices of torture has boards glibly stating that there was not nearly as much torture as you would think. Oh no. There were only 81 cases of state-sanctioned torture. Mmmm hmmm. Who are you trying to kid? That statement should not be allowed to assuage any guilt felt by the largest purveyor of medieval hijinks and abject colonization. There is a quaint little pub across the street from the Tower called the Hung, Drawn. And Quartered. Own it England.

There are some things that have not evolved well. In the 50 or so years since my last visit, the ravens of the tower are now kept locked up. When I was a child, they free-roamed the grounds when tourists were there. Men just cannot be trusted.

Also, not one of us avoids death. Life is for living.

Haman

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.”

Esther 7:10

“The loveliest lynchee was our Lord.”

Gwendolyn Brooks

Haman, good provider, brought his own rope.

Arranged with care his own unique reward.

He was risen higher in public death

Than he dared hope to rise in public life,

High as the best carpenters of the realm

Could build, high as the best gallows makers

He could afford to hire could lofty reach.

He twists slowly, slowly, at his rope’s end,

Turning slowly, his gaze could see for miles

Around now if still his eyes could see,

Turning slowly, could scan the capital,

The ways and and avenues that lead to power,

Turning slowly, South, East, North, West, search for

The junction where it all went somehow wrong.

Always and only he had expected

Simple justice: just what he had coming,

Had served his king, had shirked no drudging task,

Kept his desk clean, filed reports on time,

Learned decorum proper to high command—

Whose wife to flirt with and whom to avoid,

How to carve the roast, when to chill the wine,

How to serve up what the king wants to hear

At conference, and serve it up sincere.

Order, protocol, rank, degree, respect—

He knew his place and merely asked that those

Below know theirs; he wasn’t asking much:

The easy bow, the bending of the knee

To rank, acknowledging the earned degree.

His wife at first had thought his ravings odd,

A petty agnostic fret; his friends

Had humored him and failed to understand

His point that so much more than wounded pride

Was on the line, that the whole nation reeled

When one small wretched Jew refused to kneel.

If order, rank, and rule were not for all,

None would have them—the gutted state would fall.

The king, poor blind mindless amorous fool,

Must be saved from himself like it or not,

The state pushed back from the brink of chaos:

Blot out a people to save a nation,

Encourage a race for civilization.

The sentimental sops might call it cruel,

But realists would cautiously applaud:

And see him clear: a man doing the job

That years of public life had trained him for.

He liked to think that the years had prepared

Him precisely to meet this Jewish threat:

A moment to shine high in the klieg lights

Of all the focusing historians.

The man who knew his job and got it done.

Let the klieg lights of time affix him now

Twisting, slowly, slowly, at his rope’s end.

See him now in the bright harsh light of time

As man the butt of all ironic jokes,

Prickled on his own barbed wire, blown to hell

By his own bombs, gassed in the seclusion

Of his own chambers, and asking always

Only for what he has coming to him

And always, always, always getting it.

Man twists, slowly, slowly, at his rope’s end.

Turning slowly, scanning North, East, South, West:

History’s avenues all lead to death.

The light winks, the bands play, the boots march on.

Man dances absurd at the end of his rope.

For life is gala lynching party

Where every swinger brings his own rope:

It’s bring your own rope and reap your reward.

Except once: that grim party crashed by Him,

Intruding, who brought no rope of His own,

But borrowing man’s He stole the scene

And died, took what wasn’t coming to Him.

Look on Him, scene stealer, on His hilltop,

Changing the rules, muddling simple justice

With mercy, redemption, something called grace,

And cheating man of his hard earned reward:

Man’s antic rope’s end dance eclipsed at last

By the still shadow high on Golgotha.

E.W. Oldenburg 1936 - 1974

[bookmovieaddictee]

The Midnight Mayor (Matthew Swift #2) by Kate Griffin

It's said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, then the Tower will crumble and the kingdom will fall. Resurrected sorcerer Matthew Swift is about to discover that this isn't so far from the truth. . .

One by one, the protective magical wards that guard the city are falling: the London Wall defiled with cryptic graffiti, the ravens found dead at the Tower, the London Stone destroyed. This is not good news. This array of supernatural defenses -- a mix of international tourist attractions and forgotten urban legends -- formed a formidable magical shield, one that could protect London from the greatest threat it has ever known. But what could be so dangerous as to threaten an entire city?

Against his better judgment, Matthew Swift is about to find out. And if he's lucky, he might just live long enough to do something about it . . .

📖📖📖📖📖

The question of the day is, does it count as a plot twist when the plot twist is what's been said all along? Is that vague enough to count as a spoiler?

Firstly, let me preface this: if you are a reader who did not enjoy the first book's overwritten purple prose, you will not enjoy this story. Kate Griffin's in her groove now.

Ain't shit finna stop her now, not even a llama potion. She's just doing her own thing, defying all the rules of good writing. Hemingway rolls in his grave, I'm sure, because somehow she managed to improve on this haphazard style; the writing and descriptions are a lot less repetitive than they were in a Madness of Angels.

Writing style aside, this book can be summed up in a few words: it ain't safe. Literally no one is safe.

Nothing works twice, and everything that might have saved them before is no-selled by the antagonist, the Death of Cities.

And Matthew is just awful. I'm not sure how a protagonist can be equal parts craven, homicidal, merciful, selfish, and brave (see what I did there? ehehehe...). He literally throws every single person he knows under the bus, threatens every ally he has into cooperation with death (and wastes life senselessly), and leaves a trail of bodies and destruction wherever he goes. Not to mention everyone thinks he killed everyone Bakker's Shadow killed. I'm not surprised every faction out there yearns for his destruction. How is a person who's favorite way of asking nicely is "I'll fucking kill you!" such a fucking punk? Goddamn, I've never read a protagonist who was simultaneously so good at eliminating his allies while failing to kill his enemies.

Moreover, I'm not sure how he can irritate me this much and I still be so damned hooked I'm sitting there with my face glued to the pages, my mind on the story even when I'm supposed to be making my living.

Everyone in this story is morally detestable. There are no heroes here, and yet, despite the maniacal narration and POV, there's some sympathy for every perspective. I do enjoy all the side characters more than Blue Electric Angels and Co. Sometimes I wonder what women the author knows irl that every single female character in this story is such a miserable bitch though. Maybe it's her living out her 'fuck politesse' fantasy. Maybe it's the lack of sun in Europe that leaches the last bit of kindness from their hearts. /s

If you follow my blog at all then you know I fucking love Oda. She's literally my favorite character. There's something about her homicidal zealotry with a cause that gets me gay for her every time. Bang. Bang. Bang.

My favorite psycho bitch-- and Matthew's too, considering how many times she bails his ass out with a gun where magic won't do. (At least he pays her back with something other than a gruesome demise.) Not to mention, consequences~ gets me going every damn time. That and the subtle character development that's alluded to that just sets the speculative pistons pumping into overtime.

If we're following the trend of the series, if she dies next book, I don't know if I'll finish the series. Such a copout to kill every single character I start to love. Two will be two damn many. I ought to make sure I check this out in a physical copy, so I can chuck it out the window when I am inevitably infuriated, and not destroy my expensive e-reader.

But then...large print.

***

What with the club scenes, sneakerhead wayward youth, and guns and suits, I had this song on my headphones on repeat while reading this 😁

#dec 2022 #book review #book recommendation #matthew swift #kate griffin #catherine webb #genre: urban fantasy #genre: fiction #genre: adult #Youtube

[eelec-knife-fish-kwami]

Vincent Malloy is seven years old He’s always polite and does what he’s told For a boy his age, he’s considerate and nice But he wants to be just like Vincent Price He doesn’tmind living with his sister, dog and cats Though he’d rather share a home with spiders and bats There he could reflect on the horrors he’s invented And wander dark hallways, alone and tormented Vincent is nice when his aunt comes to see him But imagines dipping her in wax for his wax museum He likes to experiment on his dog Abercrombie In the hopes of creating a horrible zombie So he and his horrible zombie dog Could go searching for victims in the London fog His thoughts, though, aren’t only of ghoulish crimes He likes to paint and read to pass some of the times While other kids read books like Go, Jane, Go! Vincent’s favourite author is Edgar Allen Poe One night, while reading a gruesome tale He read a passage that made him turn pale Such horrible news he could not survive For his beautiful wife had been buried alive! He dug out her grave to make sure she was dead Unaware that her grave was his mother’s flower bed His mother sent Vincent off to his room He knew he’d been banished to the tower of doom Where he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life Alone with the portrait of his beautiful wife While alone and insane encased in his tomb Vincent’s mother burst suddenly into the room She said: “If you want to, you can go out and play It’s sunny outside, and a beautiful day” Vincent tried to talk, but he just couldn’t speak The years of isolation had made him quite weak So he took out some paper and scrawled with a pen: “I am possessed by this house, and can never leave it again” His mother said: “You’re not possessed, and you’re not almost dead These games that you play are all in your head You’re not Vincent Price, you’re Vincent Malloy You’re not tormented or insane, you’re just a young boy You’re seven years old and you are my son I want you to get outside and have some real fun.” Her anger now spent, she walked out through the hall And while Vincent backed slowly against the wall The room started to swell, to shiver and creak His horrid insanity had reached its peak He saw Abercrombie, his zombie slave And heard his wife call from beyond the grave She spoke from her coffin and made ghoulish demands While, through cracking walls, reached skeleton hands Every horror in his life that had crept through his dreams Swept his mad laughter to terrified screams! To escape the madness, he reached for the door But fell limp and lifeless down on the floor His voice was soft and very slow As he quoted The Raven from Edgar Allen Poe: “and my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted? Nevermore…”

I didn’t understand any of that and I’m not sure I want to.

[toweroflondontour]

Crown jewels tower of London

A Journey To Remember: Must-See Attractions In Tower Of London

If you're looking for a historical and cultural adventure in London, you can take advantage of the Tower of London. This iconic fortress has been a royal palace, a prison, a zoo, and a treasury over the centuries.

Every step within this iconic landmark will transport you back in time, from centuries-old structures to the priceless Crown Jewels. Let's delve into the captivating sights that make this tour an experience of a lifetime

The Tower's Mighty Walls:

As you approach the Tower of London, its commanding presence immediately captures your attention.

Encircled by imposing stone walls, this fortress exudes an air of grandeur. The walls, standing steadfast for nearly a millennium, have witnessed pivotal moments in English history.

Running your hands along their weathered surface, you can almost feel the weight of the centuries-old stories etched into their very fabric.

The White Tower:

Dominating the Tower's landscape, the White Tower stands tall as an emblem of strength and power.

Explore its chambers and galleries, where exhibitions showcase many historical artifacts. From medieval armor to royal weaponry, the White Tower offers a captivating glimpse into the past.

The Crown Jewels:

Prepare to be dazzled as you look at one of the world's most spectacular collections of regalia. Housed within the Jewel House, the Crown Jewels London tells a story of luxury and tradition.

Marvel at the breathtaking crowns, scepters, and orbs, adorned with precious gemstones that have witnessed coronations, royal weddings, and historical events. This dazzling display of the Crown Jewels Tower of London highlights the tour.

The Medieval Palace:

Immerse yourself in the medieval world as you wander through the rooms of the Tower's Medieval Palace.

The recreated royal residence provides a fascinating insight into the lives of kings, queens, and their courtiers.

From the opulent King's Bedchamber to the atmospheric Chapel of St. John, each space transports you to a bygone era.

Admire the intricate tapestries, marvel at the architectural details, and imagine the echoes of history that resonate within these walls.

The Tower Ravens:

No visit to the Tower of London would be complete without encountering its legendary residents, the ravens.

These majestic birds, steeped in myth and superstition, have been part of the Tower's folklore for centuries.

It is said that if the ravens were to leave, the Tower would crumble, and a great disaster would befall the kingdom.

Witnessing these enigmatic creatures adds an exquisite touch to your Tower of London experience.

The Tower Mint:

Adding to the attraction of the Tower of London, the Tower Mint stands as a testament to England's long-standing tradition of coinage.

Step into the world of numismatics as you explore the historic Mint where coins were once struck.

Discover the intricacies of the coin-making process and witness the craftsmanship behind currency creation.

With its fascinating exhibitions and interactive displays, the Tower Mint provides a unique perspective on the nation's economic history.

Conclusion:

As our journey through the Tower of London ends, we hope you have been captivated by the rich history, architectural marvels, and iconic sights this tour offers.

The Tower of London stands as a symbol of endurance and resilience, an enduring witness to the triumphs and tribulations of the past.

By getting into its fascinating past, you have embarked on a journey of discovery, leaving with memories that will last a lifetime.

Check out our website to get more information about Tower of London official!

[paddingtoncourt]

What goes on in the Tower of London?

Located on the banks of the river Thames, a short tube or taxi ride from the various types of accommodation in Paddington London, sits the Tower of London. Architecturally impressive, with a plethora of stories to tell and a diverse history which is both regal and full of gore, the Tower of London is now one of the most popular attractions in the whole of London.

But what is there to see and do when you get there, and is the Tower worth the trek from your Paddington London hotel?

The Tower of London as an attraction

With guided tours available and plenty of history to learn about, the Tower of London can offer anything from a stopping point for an hour or two, to a full day out for the whole family. Make sure that you take in specific points including the White Tower, Traitor’s Gate, and the execution green where Anne Boleyn was famously beheaded on the orders of King Henry VIII.

A guided tour will also tell you stories such as that of the Princes in the Tower, the history and use of the Tower as a fortress during the wars, and how prominent the Tower has been as a prison throughout its history.

The ravens

The ravens are said to protect both the crown and the tower itself, and as such there are now six ravens who live in captivity in and around the Tower of London’s site. Despite being built on superstition, the ravens are an aspect of the Tower’s history that many visitors find interesting.

The Crown jewels

The royal family and the plethora of royal connections across London drive many of the top and budget London hotels to offer deals and special offers all year round – celebrating anniversaries, weddings, births, and more.

The presence of the crown jewels inside the Tower of London combines the history of the site with the regal grandeur of the royal family – with visitors from all around the world booking tickets and queueing to file past and see the jewels for themselves from behind their thick glass case.

The outside space

We probably don’t need to tell you how glorious the setting of the Tower of London is – with its views over the river Thames and proximity to Tower Bridge making it one of the most centrally located, accessible attractions in the city. Beyond its location, the Tower of London plays host to an outside display of flowers which is referred to as the Superbloom display – with millions of flower seeds being sown in the dried moat which surrounds the attraction, budding and blooming throughout the spring and summer months.

Colourful and vibrant in its display, this floral attraction is enough to draw visitors from all walks of life – even those who don’t fancy a day of history, guts, and gore.

Whatever your itinerary, make sure you add the Tower of London to your plans for the day – researching the best form of transport from the Park Grand Paddington Court, whether on foot or by taxi or tube.

#Park Grand Paddington Court #London hotels to offer deals and special offers #Paddington London hotel #accommodation in Paddington London