#it drew me in so much and I wanted to seeeeee

[0idril0]

May I request based on the reblog about ‘new normal’ you just did a much later Nico & Clint, maybe Nico trying to do art again or school or cook or something and struggling ??

Nico’s head was pounding as he laid the last lines on the paper in front of him, teeth grinding as he forced his eyes to focus. For just a few more minutes.

Please.

“F-Fuckin’ finally...” he slammed the color pencil down, scrubbing his aching hand against his eyes until colors swirled behind the lids. The drawing was already imprinted in his head, a wolf head that he hoped resembled Clint’s, surrounded by a multitude of wild flowers. It was more frilly than what he usually did, he tended to gravitate towards reds and blacks and more forgiving mediums, working around the continued seizures and poor eyesight. But it felt important for what he was trying to portray.

His mate surrounded by softness and love in the form that Clint said looked beastly and terrifying.

He didn’t know when Clint had started to think of his wolf form that way, but he hoped it was before they had ever met. Clint had let slip more than a month before that he was scared of being around Sorina and Evans new baby, worried he might slip a little and scar the baby for life.

Nico had immediately told him that it was a ridiculous thought, but the doubt and hesitancy that colored his face when he’d turned back towards the the group of people gathered around the new bundle was enough to send a lance through Nico’s heart.

And the worst part was he didn’t know what to say. He’d never been good with words, and now with the brain damage, he was even worse. And there was only so many ways to kiss sense into a stubborn werewolf.

But maybe he could show him. Clint’s wolf had always been a source of comfort for him, his beautiful russet fur the softest pillow, the warmth he emitted a constant comfort when he’d been too emaciated to regulate his own body heat. A gentle crutch when Nico needed help but couldn’t tolerate human touch.

And the man himself had the biggest and kindest heart of anyone he’d ever met. The fact that Clint thought any part of him could be a danger to his niece was horrifying.

“Uuuuugh....” Nico scrubbed at his eyes again before scratching at his short beard, an attempt at hiding the scars that still spotted his cheeks from deep ulcers that had had difficulty healing. “It’s g-gonna have to do...”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, like it was going to help him focus at all, he scrutinized his work. Before Martin he would have said it was still a work in progress..... but now? It was one of the better things he’d done in a while. He’d moved away from realism when he’d been able to pick up a pencil again, the migraines hadn’t been worth the fight, and paint was more forgiving.

The color pencil was smudged at the corners, the lines shaky in areas where a crisp finish would have made the piece stand out, but the wolfs face was Clint’s, highlighted with yellows like he was basking in the sun, a delicate blue butterfly contrasting with his red fur and half lidded green eyes beautifully.

It was his mate. A giant, gentle, protector of a man that hadn’t moved for 20 minutes when that stupid butterfly had landed on him at last years Fourth of July party.

He felt his mouth twitch at the memory, pulling at some of the scars on his mouth and cheek. His Mate was ridiculous.

Nico could hear Clint’s rumbling snore from his drafting table, the wolf had been running in the woods for hours today and had returned a few hours ago soaking wet and panting. When he’d returned he’d stuck his head into the sunroom where Nico was, lupine grin smug as he’d tried to sneak around to see the drawing Nico had kept from him for over a month now.

Nico hadn’t been able to help his snicker when he’d shoved at his over sized head, scratching in the spot Clint loved as he did so, “Go dry-dry off, I’ll s-show you when I’m done.” Clint’s tail has wagged so hard Nico had been able to hear the thump through the cabin walls, but his wine was truly pitiful when he’d slunked out and flopped onto the porch to bask in the sunlight. The sunny happiness Nico could feel through their bond betrayed Clint’s attempt to guilt him into a sneak peak, and Nico hoped it would be worth it now.

Daniel’s cane was propped up against his desk and Nico rubbed a thumb over the silver handle as he picked it up, using the object just like Daniel had for years before he’d died. Nico had found it tucked in the back of the shop when he’d finally been able to return and had swapped for the heirloom as soon as he was able to ditch the walker.

The initial thunk against the hardwood has Clint’s ears twitching as he comes out, a high pitched yawn following it as Nico shuffled further onto the porch.

“H-h-hey Honeyb-b-bear....”

Clint rolled onto his back at Nico’s greeting, legs and paws stretching to full effect as Clint yawned loudly and rumbled his own wolfy greeting back, squinted eyes finding Nico as his tail swished against the hard wood. “Sugar..” Nico heard the echo in his head, and snickered around a grin at the nearly 300 lbs wolf at his feet. Clint’s tongue rolled out of his mouth in a lupine laugh and Nico couldn’t keep his own smile down, even as broken and ugly as he thought it was now.

“Come-onnn, y—ou goof, you wannned to see -this right?” Nico shook the paper in his hand, backing up like he was going to go inside.

Clint’s jaw snapped shut as his head whipped towards Nico, eyes wide in question now. Really??? Nico could read the question clear as day on his face and grinned. “I c-could change my mind...”

He made to take a step back and Clint whined, stretching, this time muscles and bones popping as he morphed back into his human form. Where there’d been a ridiculously large wolf now lay an extremely large, naked man, toned muscles stretched to full effect as he reached for Nico, making grabby hands as he whined again with his human throat.

“Babbbbbyyyyy.... come back??? Show me here??”

Clint’s teasing grin and wink did nothing to help the burning blush that was creeping across his face and neck, headache forgotten as he swallowed heavily at the sight in front of him.

“Fine-“ His voice came out a squeak, and he cleared his throat, scowling at Clint’s snort of laughter. “-Fine, you’ll have—help me s-stand up...”

Clint’s grumbling turned deeper as he turned towards Nico, grin mischievous, “Like I would pass up the opportunity to get my hands on you...”

Nico grinned at Clint’s joke, knowing the wolf wouldn’t touch him without his permission, skin heating at the thought of Clint’s hands against him today. He loved Clints hands, long solid fingers and thick padded palms that had sooth so much and given him so much pleasure in the past few years.

He groaned as he slid down to the porch, using the bannister and accepting Clint’s hand against the small of his back as support, knowing the werewolf’s strength would be more than enough to catch him even from the awkward angle. His hip protested bending and Clint’s thumb rubbed small circles into his back when he settled heavily on the porch.

“Fuuuuck....” he groaned loudly, careful to keep the drawing turned away from Clint’s prying eyes as he flopped dramatically onto Clint’s bare chest.

Clint grunted around a laugh as Nico landed, sun warmed arms wrapping around him as he maneuvered Nico closer. “Hi Sugar....” Clint nibbled on Nico’s neck and snuggled closer. “You finished that drawin’ you’ve been teasin’ me with??”

Nico smiled as he felt the nerves that had been fluttering in his stomach settle in Clint’s calm presence, and he brought his scarred hand up to tangle in Clint’s hair.

“T-told you, surprise.....” He leaned into the kiss in his cheek, grinning. “Hardly- surprise-you get to s-see it...”

Clint chuffed, and Nico could feel the grin spread across his mates face. “I know but I’m about to explode over here, lemme seeeeee-“ he squeezed Nico and rocked him, the fingers pressed into Nico’s skin vibrating with excitement.

Nico took a deep breath, turning to press a gentle kiss to Clint’s curved mouth. The wolf melted, kissing Nico back gently until he pulled away, his green, dilated eyes following Nico’s as he backed up.

“Love you.” Nico turned more, scratching at Clint’s scalp until the low rumble vibrated the chest he leaned on. “Wa-wha-wanted you to see, h-how....” Nico growled, words stuck in his throat, and Clint kissed against his jaw, mimicking a deep breath, and Nico followed suit, unclenching his jaw to continue. “S-so, I-I drew it.”

Nico flipped back, holding the drawing above them, against the blue sky, puffy clouds the perfect backdrop to the tranquil drawing. He heard Clint’s breath catch; rumble stilling as the wolf froze.

Slowly Clint lifted one of his hands from Nico’s stomach, the other keeping Nico pressed firmly against him. “Darlin’, what... what is this??”

Nico could hear the wetness in Clint’s voice, the thin wobble that meant the wolf was getting emotional.

“You-been strugglinn-since Elena was born, scared you’ll hurt her...” Nico swallowed, “but this.... Love, you wouldn’t budge... you’re gentle, an kind..... hate for y-you,-for fear to keep—y-you, from holding her, only t-thing I’ve gotten from being held—by you is love.”

Clint was trembling behind him and Nico bit his lip, doubt working its way back into his mind until Clint started to sit up, Clint’s body doing the work so Nico stayed glued to his chest, arm pulling Nico’s hips flush against his as he re maneuvered their legs. Clint had reburied his face into Nico’s hair, and he heard the wet snuffle as Clint took in his scent, his mates thick arms holding him close. “Darlin’.... I don’t..... I love you...thank you....”

Nico leaned back against Clint, setting the drawing aside so he could catch hold of one of Clint’s hands, the other tangled in the blonde hair as he rubbed a thumb along a delicate ear. “Love you t-too, Honeybear....”

Nico brought Clint’s hand up and kissed along the long digits, heart full as Clint wrapped him further into his arms. Knowing his mate had understood him.

#clinco #nico series #recovery #art #brain damage #stuttering #I’m sorry #it’s not really whump #but Nico is trying so hard #and Clint is his flirtatious self #nudity mention #no touch aversion #Nico’s getting better slowly #probably 4 years after #and I forgot how to do read more #oops

[shipmistress9]

Sex Toy Calendar: Day 1: Pink Little Vibrator

Fandom: HTTYD

Rating: E

Pairing: HiccupAstrid

Modern AU - Sex Toy Advent Calender - PWP

Summary: Hiccup and Astrid don’t care much for all these forced Christmas feelings during the last month of the year. But even though Astrid was already annoyed by seeing all the festive chocolates in the supermarkets in August, this year, she’s looking very forward to December. Because Hiccup got them a special advent calendar, and she can’t wait to open all those promising little boxes.

AN: This story might or might not have been inspired by RL elements.

Read on AO3

__________________________

"So, what's in it?"

Astrid all but pounced on Hiccup, trying to look over his bare shoulder at the small box in his hand. It was black and had 'one' written in shiny golden letters on its side. 

"I haven't opened it yet," came his amused reply. "It's or calendar, so I waited for you."

Astrid hummed, beaming. She’d hurried through her bathroom routine to get to this little box faster. 

Usually, she was annoyed by all the forced Christmas feelings everywhere, starting with the first festive chocolates back in August. But over the last three weeks or so, she’d waited with anticipation for December, 1st, bouncing with excitement. Of course, she and Hiccup could have opened the little boxes for their sex toy advent calendar earlier already… but that would have felt like cheating. 

“Do you want to open it?” Hiccup held the box up for her, amusement clear in his crooked grin and the way one of his eyebrows was raised. He knew just too well how impatient she could be.

“Oh, just get it open already, I wanna seeeeee~”

Laughing, Hiccup fumbled with the paperback flaps. With his nimble fingers, he was better suited for his anyway; Astrid would just have torn it open. 

About a minute later, Hiccup held up their first advent toy for her to see. 

“That’s almost… cute,” Astrid commented, smirking. 

It was a bright pink dildo of the size of her palm, maybe a little longer. One end had a slightly curved tip with a flat head and on the other end was a lid to screw it open, probably for a batterie. 

Hiccup chuckled. “Yeah, it’s not exactly the biggest vibrator we have.”

“It still might come in handy,” Astrid mused. She put a finger to her lips, thinking, then snatched the little vibe from his hand and darted off toward the kitchen. Rummaging through a drawer, she fished out a fitting batterie and then returned to her boyfriend, getting the vibe ready on her way. 

“So, what’s on your mind? You know we don’t have time to get too sidetracked, we both have work today.” Hiccup watched her curiously, his eyebrow still raised. 

“I know, I know. I’m just testing something.” 

She turned the lid a little further into the On position, her eyes widening as the little darling started to vibrate in her hand. For its size, it was surprisingly strong. 

Then, without a warning, she reached down and pressed the vibe to Hiccup’s groin. He groaned, his eyes fluttering shut in an instant, and one of his hands grabbed at her shoulder for stabilisation. His cock – already hard; he obviously hadn’t been as unaffected by their fun calendar as he’d pretended to be – twitched against her hand and the vibrating toy, and Astrid smirked when after a very short time a damp spot was forming at the front of his boxers. 

“Are you sure we don’t have time for anything before we need to get to work?”

Hiccup let out a needy whine at her words, making her chuckle. Sometimes, he was so easy to play. 

She dropped to her knees, pulling down his pyjama bottoms and boxers in one go, and took a moment to admire his fully erect cock. Flushed red and with the thick vein at the underside pulsing in anticipation, he was a delicious sight. Astrid flicked the head with her tongue as another drop of precome oozed from the tip. Then, before Hiccup could come up with any logical argument about time or work, she took him into her mouth and pushed forward until he was deep in her throat. 

Having schooled her gag reflex into submission, she greatly enjoyed doing this whenever she got the chance. The way Hiccup gasped in surprise no matter how often she did it was just so exhilarating. And how his hand landed on the back of her head, massaging her scalp and groaning as she massaged pleasure into his cock, it made head pool between her legs as well. 

Not in the mood to drag it out, Astrid brought the still vibrating new toy up to drag it along his balls and then teased at his hole. As expected, that drew a chocked noise from him, his fingers tightening in his hair. 

“Ah- Astrid! I… I’m gonna. Oh, FUCK!”

He cursed when Astrid didn’t slow down at his warning but instead doubled her efforts, bobbing her mouth and sucking hard until he let out a deep groan, spilling down her throat and his knees nearly buckling.

“See? There was enough time after all,” Astrid said with a smirk as she pulled his bottoms back up and got back to her feet. 

“You’re… unbelievable,” he muttered in return, still catching his breath. 

“You knew what you were in for.” 

Chuckling, Hiccup pulled her into a kiss, not deterred in the slightest by the taste of himself on her tongue. Astrid hummed happily, her arms around his neck to hold him close for a little bit longer. But as it turned out, he had no intentions of backing away. 

Astrid yelped as he pushed her back and up against a wall, the vibrator suddenly in his hand and pushing between her legs. She moaned as the flat tip pressed against her clit; even through the fabric of her underwear, the sensation was intense.

“Two can play this game, Milady.” 

Hiccup’s voice rumbled into her ear. This alone was sometimes enough to make her weak in the knees, but the way he worked the toy against her sensitive nerves and how his mouth ghosted along her neck… A shiver ran down her spine, and she clutched at Hiccup’s bare shoulders, her fingernails certainly leaving marks there. Without her help, her hips moved to rub herself further against his hand and the little vibe, moaning and cursing at the same time. 

And, oh, he wasn’t playing fair! His head moved further down, his nose brushing aside the loose fabric of her shirt, and then his teeth were at her collarbone, nibbling and… and…

She shrieked when he bit at her collarbone, her orgasm crashing through her out of nowhere. One of his hands landed on her waist, stabilising her and it was all that kept her upright when her legs all but gave in. 

When her mind was slowly clearing again, Hiccup was still leaning against her chest, chuckling quietly. Astrid was torn between shoving him off for making fun of her or dragging him back to their bedroom to forget about work and–

“Okay, I admit, we had enough time after all,” he said, straightening. He leaned in for a soft kiss but pulled back far too soon for Astrid’s taste. “But now, we really need to get going. Either way, at least this first window of our calendar was totally worth the anticipation.”

Ruefully accepting being something like a responsible adult, Astrid’s eyes wandered to where the other 23 boxes were waiting for them. “Agreed. And I can’t wait to see what awaits us tomorrow.”

__________________

AN: I wish I could say that I'm going to write a short like this for every day. But I can't promise that. We'll all just have to wait and see what my time and inspiration have to say. Either way, I hope you enjoyed this little tryst as much as Hiccup and Astrid did. ;)

* - . - * - . o O o . - * - . - *

If you want to support me you can buy me a coffee. I love coffee 😊 (Ko-Fi)

#Hiccstrid #fanfictionf #httyd #lemon #not for children #nsft #sex toy advent calendar

[mitsybubbles]

top 5 favorite works you've made. art, writing etc

oh!!!! :D hmmmm.... lets seeeeee (I’ll post the links to these) I don’t think I have a good enough Art to Writing ratio to do them both but I’ll put writing in an “honorable mention” thing 5. Professor Layton Outfit August Au

I LOVE professor layton and I really like the headcannon where Aurora was based off of Desmond’s Daughter because of Azran Tech stuff, and oh my gosh I didn’t intend to make an AU where Targent/the Enclave killed Miranda but that’s sort of what the idea in this outfit august one was and it hurts me. I dunno how much I’d explore it further but drawing Desmond, Descole and Aurora’s clothes again was a joy since it’s been over a year since I drew PL art.  4. Outfit August where I referenced Infinity Train I really liked being able to draw Arcade n’ Mira in casual outfits since I have a giant analysis/outfit study compilation stashed away for that very purpose. I was watching Infinity Train again in light of the new season and I was having trouble choosing the background so I was like “heeeyyy what if they were in the show?” so I ended up experimenting with backgrounds by basing it off of the wasteland the train travels in. It was a LOT of fun to mess around with colors. 3. Bear Trap Times with Arcade (TW: blood/injury) I really, really wanted to do a serious picture with Arcade’s beartrap accident soon after I started developing that concept but I haven’t gotten around to doing it until after I developed the scene a little in my brain. While the anatomy of it was a PAIN to do, I’m super happy with the end result and I love that plotline a lot. It hurts but there’s some interesting stuff to be explored with Arcade ^^. 2. Arcade in the dead money jumpsuit and a tanktop I just like how this Arcade looks lol. It’s been about a year since I started drawing him and it’s really great to see how much I’ve improved. Also he looks nice in that outfit, I love that aesthetic with the jumpsuit and tanktop.

1. Spirited Away reference with Arcade n’ Mira I drew this soon after watching Spirited Away with my mom. I was having a lot of troubles with anxiety at that time and I wanted to draw smth peaceful with Arcade n’ Mira. It was a lot of fun to design and to make the lights of the city n’ the night sky. I still look at this picture and feel a wave of peace when I look at it. It’s honestly one of my favorite Arcade n’ Mira pics. Honorable Mentions, writing edition: My favorite writings that I’ve done are chapter three of TYBtM and the one shot with River. I’m still pretty new to writing so I’m really proud of how much I’ve improved as of late. ^^

#thank you!!! #an ask!

[fletchlingfletcher]

Music

“So… how do we start? You aren’t going to make me do something foolish are you?” For a moment he gave her a severe look before the expression faltered and died. He couldn’t seem to bring himself to be suspicious.

                                              Press -----> HERE for some accompanying music

Corinne took a long, slow, deep breath. 

"I..do have a plan. Surprising, again, I know.." Her smile seemed to soften again, more natural and much less forced than before, particularly when he moved closer. She even found herself leaning over slightly. "And..that depends on your definition of foolish and who exactly you expect to consider that." As if realizing she'd been leaning, Corinne straightened up abruptly, actually hopping off the bed with an even more normal and relaxed smile and a hand extended out. 

"It'll be trial and error. Try a bunch of things and if none of those work, then try more. And you won't have to worry about looking 'foolish' because I intend to keep you to myself for all of this....I!! I mean..um..you know, it would...just be us so..nobody else would...you wouldn't have to..!!!! It'll be fine!! I know there's something we can find!!"

Miahtoux simply settled for looking at her with a very confused expression on his face. ‘Trial and error’ didn't really sound like a plan to him… sounded more like shots in the dark. But still… she seemed so… enthusiastic… so he sighed, and against his better judgement, gave her an encouraging (if small) smile. “Alright, alright.” He disappeared into the bathroom before returning with a jacket which he pulled on haphazardly. Trying his best not to wave his arms around too much.

“I guess… really this time… lead on?”

"You're..suuuuure you can't think of anything that you would..even..REMOTELY consider fun? That isn't work of any sort??"

“You mean besides reading and magic? Well… some of the time anyway… no, not really. I… I guess I’ve been too long… being……… restricted… in my activities… to really know or remember.” 

Restricted. Yeah that was the word he was going for. Why was he trying so hard? She knew what had happened to him. But… well… talking about it was a bad idea most of the time. He scrunched up his nose slightly trying to think back to when he was a child but… no… even then it had just been reading… there was singing of course… but he’d given that up a long time ago as well… 

“I… I really can’t think of anything……… this… isn’t helping is it?”

Corinne shook her head at him. No, it wasn't particularly helpful. It didn't give her much to go off of and left more than just a lot of possibilities, but she hadn't expected much else anyway, all things considered. She probably wouldn't have been trying to do this otherwise. Honestly, she couldn't help but to laugh a bit, which seemed mean as soon as it came out. 

"Sorry," she apologized, covering her mouth to hide her remaining grin. "It's..not really helpful, no, but it's alright! Let's seeeeee thouuuughh..." 

Corinne lifted her hand, tapping her chin as she paced in a small circle. "We could start with..games..? Cards? Dice? Or..art? Not much of a painter myself, but I can appreciate it! Don't uh..don't have paints though, so maybe just sketches? Probably want to avoid anything too physical, so I guess I can't ask if you'd like to climb a mountain. What about crafting? Woodworking can be calming and..interesting. There's always music too! Though I couldn't bring much but my lute with me...and the orchestrion. Can you play? Orrrr dance? Eh..that's a bit physical and I said we could avoid that.." Her rambling turned into mumbling eventually until she was just walking in circle chewing on the tip of her thumb.

Miahtoux grimaced at the idea of crafting. “I am very bad with tools… plus I just imagine my brother looking angry whenever I try things like that…” 

He perked up slightly at the mention of music before his face fell again. Remembering. 

“I don’t dance no… never could quite get the hang of it…” He tapped his foot a few times. Should he actually tell her that? It seemed daft considering all he had already told her but still… he sighed. “I… used to sing… quite a lot… seemed to be okay at it… not really at playing instruments though…” he shuffled awkwardly. Why was singing where he drew the line? Eventually he just sighed again, planting his chin firmly on his hand with a defeated expression.

Her attention was drawn to the fact that music seemed to catch his. She could definitely work with that! Even if it seemed..touchy at the moment. 

"You don't sing anymore then? That's alright, still plenty more to do with music!" Her smile was bright, hands swinging back to her sides, as she turned to retrieve an instrument from a drawer, unwrapping it from the clothes she'd apparently been using to cushion it. "Have you ever..tried to play? I could show you that!! Consider it a fair exchange- magic for music!!" 

There was soft laughter when Corinne returned, settling onto the sofa and strumming a chord. "I could teach you to dance too but I'm not sure if you'd like your toes stepped on. I'm not the best, just alright. And..dancing is better with a partner, so..not necessarily something you could...enjoy on your own!" Her fingers plucked a few more strings, no exact rhythm or melody to it, just notes.

“Oh, I tried to learn to play. Could never hold a song long enough on an instrument… always found it hard to… well… to get away from the rhythm I hear elsewhere…” He tapped his head but shrugged quickly. “Maybe I simply was never meant to play…” He slouched slightly, looking at the instrument in her hands. 

“I… I never intended to stop singing… but when everything started happening I just… stopped… it no longer seemed appropriate… given the circumstances everything else took precedent…” He sighed again. “Mo- … Ms Jhentu never used to play when she sung anyway… she would just… hold a tune all by herself… she had a calming voice too…” It was almost as if he was completely unaware his normal speaking voice had a kind of melody to it. Perhaps he simply didn’t notice it.

Corinne let her hand rest atop the instrument. "Maybe you tried the wrong instruments. Though..unfortunately this is all that I have that I could offer you. There's a really..really nice piano in my parents' home. I'm sure I'm out of practice with that though." She shrugged. "Or maybe you're really not meant to play." There was a twitch of her lips, a smile she was trying to hide as she looked down to her lap. "Just have someone play for you or with you. But...I won't beg you to sing. Though maybe someday I'll ask if it ever seems..more appropriate." Not paying attention, her fingers brushed the strings one more time as she shifted the lute in her lap, offering it over. 

"Doooo you..wanna try..again? We could start small, short, simple!"

He looked sullen, evidently thinking deeply about something. Eventually he shook himself out of his reverie. “Maybe one day when the time is right. But I doubt that day is today…” He sighed again, more deeply that ever before. 

“Who knows though. I may get enjoyment out of you playing…I mean… if you want to… I… I’m the last person who would force anything… I hope…”

"Someday..one day...I can work with that. Whenever you'd like to, whenever you can." She plucked a single string, the note high but soft, then shook her head again, the quietest laugh coming from her. 

"If you want me to play...tell me to play." Her gaze finally shifted back up, any sign of that smile gone now. "It's not force to say what you want. So...if YOU want...say it!"

Miahtoux gave her the barest hint of a smile. “Play then. I want to hear you play.” 

It shouldn’t have been a difficult request. But it seemed like saying if he wanted anything was always, for some reason or other, difficult for Miah. Still, he sat back on the Sofa, eyes closed so he could listen properly to what she was going to play. Maybe that way he could get lost in it to? Maybe find the desire he had so long ago to actually sing himself?

Her fingers on the neck adjusted a few times, her nose wrinkling in thought while trying to decide what to do and what to play. When she finally settled, her fingers brushed along the strings in one soft chord, then plucked at individual strings. It was a soft sound- light, airy, maybe a little quiet- something more soothing and slow rather than loud and exciting as Corinne herself was wont to be. Her fingers moved with practiced ease, to the point that she closed her own eyes at one point to just..play, maybe hum a little bit, just barely.

He nodded slightly when she started playing, each nod of his head following the rhythm perfectly. It seems he really had enjoyed music at one point, for he didn’t interrupt her. He just sat and listened, obviously appreciating the unhurried and calming melody. 

As the melody started to repeat itself, something changed in the room, almost like everything was stilling around them, aether pulling in and started to move in rhythm with her strumming. Whether it was her or him wasn’t quite apparent. But one thing was apparent. When Miah actually opened his mouth and started singing… he hadn’t been lying about being able to sing. What followed where note perfectly in pitch and tune with her strumming. The aether swaying with each one, so much so that the soothing melody could be felt down to one’s core. He still had his eyes closed though, listening to her for the cues. Although truth be told… looking at his face… it half seemed like he wasn’t even aware he was singing. Where he got the lyrics from were anyone’s guess.

Corinne struck a note just barely off intended, not for a lack of skill or just making a mistake, but in a bit of surprise. She'd only been humming thus far, no words, nothing to distract from the request to play. But music aside from her playing had begun to complement the melody. It took her a brief second of opening her eyes and glancing over to realize it wasn't just her imagination filling in lyrics and song, but what she discovered curled her lips into an ecstatic grin. There was a temptation to stop right then and there, pay compliments and release her excitement. But that...that didn't feel right. 

So for once Corinne stifled her outburst, returning her focus to her hands and the strings beneath them. It was pleasant, calming, more than just her instrumental playing but the singing along with it, having someone sing along with it! 

There wasn't a question of where the words came from, what had encouraged them or the fact alone that he was singing. There was just...music. For a while anyway, until the last of the notes was left to echo in a quiet room.

#ffxiv #ffxiv rp #ffxiv mateus #mateus rp #ffxiv screenshots #ffxiv writing #just one of my many songs on my corinne playlist #magic and music #this was like my top goal to achieve as a rp moment #not to me.not if it's you

[thedappleddragon]

exit 83 bootleg live reactions

because i already did it with the australian one

yaaaaay

good job jeremy actor

i wish i could see tho

aw the way his voice got soft when hesaid hero :D

also this is already a bop

wow rich wrote that really fast apperantly

a TINY nitpick (just because im used to the origional cast studio recording) jeremys actor could put in a touch more emotion. he’s not bad at all!!!! he’s good. just sayin

i wanna seeeeee

i take back me earlier comment about more emotion he’s great wow

holt sHIT when the croud screamed for michael?? honestly same

omg yayy we can see the set design! nice

i miss the scream before “im lstenin to marley”

awww my heart <3 he sounded so sympathetic with “how was class u look like ass whats wrong” he’s so sweet

boyf riends

“i hate this school” omg such an angry bab i love it

omg i love christine and her outfit is SO CUTE YES BITCH LONG SOCKS

whoever’s filming? same

oh my god my poor hEART HE’S SO SAD I LOVE IT

HOLY SHIT HE’S SO LONELY AND SAD I FEEL TERRIBLE

u can realy feel how alone he feels. just him singing and the soft piano and he blue lighting and noone on stage close to him? HOLY SHIT

HE’S SO PITIFUL I CANT HELP IT

o love how everyone slowly starts to dance again by first just kind of bouncing and then they turn around one by one? god i love whoever directed/choreographed this

oh he’s so nervous 

my bean <333

CHRISTIIIIINNEEEEE GOD I LOVE EVERY ITERATION OF HER 

im smiling like a doofus i love her and i cant get over how much i love her OUTFIT SHES SO CUTE

shes so bouncy and cute <333 god my weak gay heart

HOLY FUCK

there’s also a part of me that wants to do this

OBLOBLOBLBOBLBOBOBLBOBLO

I WAS NOT FUVKING PREPARED 

I WAS EXPECTING THE SCREAM

AND THE SHE SAYS “so i did it” SO MATTER-OF-FACT-LY 

GOD I LOVE HER

 “aw” honestly same

aw shes so cutesquirming in her chair from exitment

i stg i must hae ghostfilmed this because SAME

“our funds will be diverted to the frisby golf team” “YES” “omg jake”

ME

i feel like jake’s dialogue was kind of monotone and didnt have enough pauses

n the bathroom dialogue was kind of awkward with its pacing, but then again it could have been because of the audience talking. idk

SOAR BI

ITS FROM JAPAAAAAAN

but really rich’s actor is really good from what i can hear

AAAAA 2 PLAYER GAME honestly im not even mad that i cant see they sound amazing

the scamming realization is different but thats not a bad thing

i love michael

and i kind of like that they didnt lunge at every trumpet blare 

FUCKING HELL GOD DAMMI SHIT FUCK DAMN HOLY HELL WHY IIS MY SWEET BABY MICHAEL MELL DABBING MAKE IT STOP FUCKING SHIT LOL

LIKE ITS FUNNY IF HES DOING IRONICLY TO PISS OFF JEREMY (and that seems like a very michael thing to do) BUT ASDFGHJKKLQWEHRDFJGHVB

i am both enraged and laughing my ass off

also shit michael’s actor has a very nice lower vocal range

the legendary fall into the beanbags! yes!

oh my god theyre both such dorks <3

ok i couldnt see that well but apperantly the extras cleaning up the set were dressed as video game characters and omg? that’s genius 

um what’s going on with the drug dealer’s voice? are there 2 of them? is that their squip? i am confusion 

thats what makes it so... AWESOME 

aw... i really wanted to see the squip activate... or at least hear it... :(

HOLY SHIT THE SQUIP IS SUCH A GOOD SINGER

JEREMY asdfghjkl you’re so extra

i love how extra everyone is in this musical its gREAT

are they using a live band for the music? because the trumpet just fucked up

the squip is so EXTRA i wanna see himmmmm

also i just remembered the theory about hiw the trumper blare and the cutoff of the regge time beat was to simulate optic nerve blocking being turned on and it made me sad

but then i was unsad because i remebered how much of a fuckin BOP this whole musical is!!!

lol sarcastic play rehersal is great

in the “from a guy that id never be into” song (sorry i dont know the name) christine sounds less infatuated and more powerful. not sure i like it

lol jeremy’s crying lmao

its kind of funny how they solved the problem of not being able to portray that they were behind the school other than bird chirps and her blatently saying so

lol squip gay “just take me inside you”

oooOOOOOoooo rolling around on the floor? thats new

“extra circular activity” also its cute how he couldn hit that high note

WHY DOES JAKE SOUND LIKE FUCKING KERMIT THE FROG

I AM GOING TO KERMIT

AA I LOVE seeing michael so exited my good baby

wow really good lighting effects

“oh...” same 

“OH MY GOD” same just let me SEE

“i- ag- i drew it right!” lol holy shit

haha its funny watching the squip suffer

ooooooOOOOO THEYRE ROLLING OUT THE BATHTUB IM NOT REAY FOR ALL OF THESE EMOTIONS

that scream

the whole croud is ME aw-ing for michael

ok so u know how i like trans michael (what no im not stalling) what if trans michael is sitting in the bathroom and actually was on his peiod. oof

no imnot crying youre crying TT-TT

omg i completely forgot about all oft the siagogue between MITB and RSAFABDTH

wow all of the dancing in this is great

the squip is such a badass

also i jus noticed this is the first time he came down from his tower thing

OOOH and i assume all of the black figures resemble all of the squips he’s about to unleash upon the school? nice

i live for the squip’s “beep bop boop”s

seriously the squip is such a good villian 

i never really liked the pants song, but its not that bad

AAAAA I LOVE HOW THEY OPENED THE MIDSUMMER NIGHT WITH ZOMBIES thats so cute and cool

AWW Christine sounded do heartbroken :,( “what’s wrong with me now?” NOTHING SWEETIE I LOVE U <333

HOLY SHIT THIS IS SUPER GOOD

watching everyone get squipped is so much fun wow

“IIIIII NNNEEEEEEEEED MMOUUNTAIIIIINNN DEEEEEWWW REEEEEEEEEEED!!!!” lol oy cracks me up every time

MICHAEL MAKES AN ENTRANCE 

“give it to me!” “hey, wait! ......................no” “... but i need it D:>” holy shit i cant breathe

i dont think ive ever seen this banter n the middle of the play and im shitting myself laughing

*person filming is zooming in on michael and jeremy cuddling* me: big mood

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOH FUCK” BITCH IF THAT AINT ME

AAA THE SQUIPS DEATH WAS SO MUCH MORE DRAMATIC THAN I COULD HAVE EVER HOPED FOR HOLY SHIT

The girl filming while the squip dies: “no, not my daddy”

RICH MY LISPY BOY

im in awe

they’re all just bouncing up and down this is so cute

i always forget exactly how much i love this mudical but then i watch a booyleg and im sucked right back into bmc hell <3

awe man did u have to cut off right before the final note?

#bmc #exit 82 bmc #exit 82

[itsjulesharper]

So we have left Marchal with a knife in his chest… and of course, he pulls it out (noooo!) and yells for the guards. They take him to Claudine and she gets him on the table … business as usual, then. Will he live? “You are a very lucky man…. either your heart is not where it’s supposed to be, or you do not have one.” Marchal replies: “Let us hope it’s the former.” He tries to get up, she stops him, then he gasps to his guards to “find her”.

Stupid woman Madeleine is now running through the dark trees, and it is a very nice visual, with the two guards on horseback bearing down, Then they push her over into the ground and her time is most definitely up.

Next scene with a Bontemps/Louis walk-and-talk. Marchal is expected to make a full recovery and Louis is absolutely livid as he enters the dungeons/jail, delivers a stinging slap to Madeleine who is sat on a chair and looking dishevelled. “Do you really think-” Louis thunders out, “-that you could live in my palace and kill my minister and his wife without suffering the consequences?” (interesting Louis says ‘my palace’ and ‘my minister’ – his is king and everything is his. Is a nice touch). Madeleine is only concerned for her son: she does not want him punished. But Louis is angry: “Every day for the rest of his life, you son shall suffer the shame of knowing that his mother betrayed her king. Her country. And her family. ” Madeleine softly weeps as he goes on: “and as for you, you will be decapitated. In front of the entire court.” As he turns and strides out, Madeleine calls out ominously: “you are walking blindly towards an enemy you do not know. ” Louis pauses, slowly returns, and Madeleine is now looking a little possessed. “You have opened the door to him. And now he will destroy you.” Louis wants to know who it is, and Madeleine spit out: “have you any idea of the hell you have created here? Hundreds of nobles driven from their homes, forced to live in squalor, told how to behave, what to wear, what to eat!” She is wide-eyed and screeching now and Louis is all “give me a name” and they play the ‘come closer and I will tell you’ game, and when Louis is finally close enough, Madeleine hisses “Satan.”

CUE GLORIOUS INTRO MUSIC BY M83 – Outtro

Creeper Cassel

We are in church, for Sophie and Cassel’s wedding… an empty church except for two females. Poor, poor Sophie. Cassel kisses her on the cheek and she wants to make the best of it, putting on a brave face but we know what is to come. UGH.

The Chevalier enters Philippe’s rooms, rather tentatively and looking a bit worse for wear, as if he has actually been crying. Philippe gets dressed in front of a glorious mirror that I love and want and I squeed a bit as I noticed the porcelain in the background that could possibly have been this actual urn from the Orléans collection but enough of that because there is a scene happening and I HAVE ISSUES.

Philippe: She left at dawn. The Chevalier: (breezily) Oh dear. A disappointing wedding night. Philippe: Uneventful. The Chevalier: Good. (turns and surveys the table, takes a biscuit) I was worried you may have reached the early hours and decided some consummation was in order. Philippe: Look at the table (the chevalier does so, picks up a piece of paper) That is your clothes bill for the last month. The Chevalier: Yes, and…? Philippe: Fifteen pairs of new breeches. The Chevalier: (a bit huffy) How many times do I have to tell you, they are not clothes, they are costumes? They allow me to express my every mood and whim. Philippe: They also cost a fortune. The Chevalier: (curtly) Since when does that concern you? You’re one of the richest men in France and it’s never bothered you before. Philippe: (pauses) You are the apple of my eye but stop taking me for granted. MASSIVE KICKED PUPPY LOOK FROM THE CHEVALIER, SEEEEEE???

#Issue 1 and *historical note: Historical Chevalier was, in actual fact, in charge of Philippe’s household. Which meant he was the one doing the books. Philippe was the spendthrift, showering money on his mignons, buying clothes and jewels and dressing up in ‘costumes that expressed his every mood and whim’. I find it interesting* why the writers have completely role-reversed these two, with Philippe dark and brooding and concerned with money, and the Chevalier the light and fashion-conscious one, wanting his fancy clothing. Historically, he owned quite a bit, and gave a lot of it to his relatives – lands, abbeys, etc – and covered his niece’s dowry when she married. And the growth in these characters from Series 1 is a bit jarring, where we saw the Chevalier’s control over Philippe in Eps 1 – 3. Everything changed when Philippe returned from war.

*By ‘interesting’, I could mean annoying, frustrating, confusing and/or just plain wtf.

So now we see Liselotte walking with Sophie and it is lovely to see these two becoming friends. Sophie is so sweet and Liselotte so honest. They are good for each other. Liselotte says “in two words – total humiliation,” and we know she is talking about the non-smexytimes between her and Philippe during their bedding ceremony. “He showed no interest in me whatsoever. He said he found me unappealing to the eye, and he preferred men!” Sophie: “how awful for you. What will you do?” Liselotte replies: “A lot of horse riding.” Also…. “and I shall speak with him. I came here to bear children, not listen to my husband snoring like a schnauzer.” Sophie wishes she had her dilemma… “I hope my husband shows no interest in me. Whatsoever.”  They sail past Montespan’s little gossipy gathering, and Montespan cannot help but make a snide comment about her Highness’s frown and that she “passed a night of frustration rather than passion.” Tittering all around, as Scarron hurries over to tell Montespan to return to her rooms, that her daughter is unwell. The doctor has been summoned but Montespan still looks unimpressed: “what use will I be?” Scarron is taken aback – it is the king’s child. Montespan assures her that her ability to bear children is not what Louis loves about her, let alone look after them. Scarron pulls back and gives her a kind of ‘wat? but she is your child!’ kind of look, but Montespan just appears cool and haughty.

*historical note: We now fully see the face behind the mask that is Montespan. Her dislike of children, her single-mindedness focus on Louis, her subtle crushing of all in her way. The writers have been doing a great job of rounding out her character… but sadly, I feel they have ignored others. Scarron, for example. One of the things that drew Louis to her was her obvious respect and enjoyment of children. They bonded over that, and Scarron was allowed access to the king on the matters of his kids at all times. But we are not seeing at all how this bond is growing, how she is caring for the children and discussing them (because by now, there are ‘children’ – Montespan had two by the year 1670).  The timeline for all this is quite a bit screwed up for me, but obvs written to suit the fictional narrative.

Marchal is in the dungeons/prison and unlocks Gaston’s cell, telling him he’s free to go. Gaston limps after him, clearly not in a “I will sue! How dare you wrongfully imprison me!” mood. Yes, they found the murderer and the doors are flung open and two guards bring in Madeleine. “Mother!” Gaston gets out and for a second I was prepared for him to add “no, this is not right!” but then he says, “What have you done?” and I know he has totally got his mother’s measure. “I did it all for you, my love,” is her wide-eyed reply, but Gaston is disgusted. “You have destroyed our family. You have destroyed our reputation. You have DESTROYED ME!” And there we have it. Gaston, such a predictably self-centred creature. His mother wails as she is dragged away to a cell.

Louis is walking with Bomtemps into Montespan’s rooms. The child was showing signs of fever during the night and Claudine believes it is the pox. The baby cannot be removed from the palace as she is too weak, so Claudine will prepare a treatment for the pustules and something to lower the fever. All the windows must be closed. The palace must be fumigated. Versailles is build on swamp land and Claudine says “there is evidence that ailments such as this are transmitted through the ears and mouth.”

*historical note: nowadays we have vaccines for mostly everything. But in 17th century France, disease claimed an obscene number of lives, which is why everyone shagged like rabbits to pop out as many kids as possible. Fever, cuts, infection could develop into something more serious, for which there was no cure – syphilis, smallpox, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal problems, polio. The common cold could kill someone without immunity. Smallpox sadly wiped out much of Louis XIV’s children and grandchildren.

Montespan sweeps forward and claims that Louis is placing too much faith in “this doctor.” FFS, Claudine is standing RIGHT THERE. Louis, to his credit, comes back with, “this doctor saved my life and will save the life of our daughter.” He walks off with Bontemps and commands the palace be fumigated. It will become stifling and Louis commands Bontemps to tell Philippe he must go hunt with him.

Cue a montage of palace fumigating – fires being lit and smoke wafted through the rooms by scarf-covered servants. Smokey stairwells and nobles coughing their way through them and in salons.

You can’t sit with us.

Then we see Gaston all smartened up and limping into a salon, where Cassel cannot resist snarking: “My dear fellow, you seem lost. Is it the smoke?” Gaston, a shadow of his former self, says, “No. I’m- not lost.” Cassel goes in for the thrust: “Then if not lost, then not welcome. The door is behind you. And if you see your mother, do thank her for the gift.” As Gaston turns and shuffles off as dignified as possible, Cassel adds to his group: “Another reason to fumigate the palace,” and Gaston is f-u-r-i-o-u-s as everyone chortles and it is so VERY high school that it gives me horrible flashbacks. Gaston passes Thomas coming in and Cassel spots him, goes over to ask what he meant by his earlier comment re: his past. Thomas indicates he knows about Cassel’s plot against the king (in S1) and has enough evidence to send Cassel to the gallows. Some veiled threats follow, then Cassel finally asks what he wants, to which Thomas replies: “information…. the sort of information that only a minister to the king has access to.” He wants to know Louis’ plan of attack when he goes to war with Holland. What will Thomas do with this info? “Use it in my book, what else?” is the sarcastic reply. Uh-huh. Sure. Yeah.

He KISSED HER HAND!

Thomas then walks into the salon, kisses Sophie’s hand and everyone is all “OMGGG! Did he actually do that?” as he walks off. Cassel is furious but cannot think of what to do. Hilarious.

Bontemps goes to get Philippe, who is unimpressed with all the smoke. Her majesty’s daughter is sick. “And this is going to make her better?” Philippe asks. (I really enjoy every time Philippe opens his mouth – every word seems to be delivered with maximum dryness/sarcasm/haughtiness). Thomas lurks behind, Liselotte from the doorway. Philippe declines the hunting invite – he has an appointment with a poet. Liselotte steps into the hall – perhaps she might accompany his majesty? Whatever, Philippe is unconcerned, walking off with Thomas and stroking the man’s back in a friendly gesture. 😒

Sure enough, the next scene shows Louis and Liselotte descending stairs as she says things like “was his majesty aware that it is the female wild boar who rules the group?” and “the mating season lasts only a month and a half” (I guess it’s not mansplaining, as Louis is unaware of these things and he is actually enjoying it). #ThisIsNotMansplaining As they pass by, the nobles gasp and murmur “she has the king’s favour!” Louis oh-so-delicately segues into “talking of mating season….” and we know where this is going. But then Marchal appears, wanting to know how Louis wishes to proceed with interrogating a noblewoman. “Treat her how you would any other murderer,” is Louis’ short reply. Marchal looks stoic but I am not entirely convinced he doesn’t feel some faint distaste.

Now we are on the hunt and Liselotte looks glorious on her white horse and fetching habit, and I also WANT Louis’ gorgeous blue coat. She spots a boar, Louis says it would be “a trifle dangerous.” Pfffft Liselotte ain’t having none of that shit, and she is off. Louis swiftly follows. I love this interaction. *historical note:  Louis and Liselotte both had a love for the outdoors, riding and hunting and regularly shared that. Louis liked her candidness, which was free of the wiles and manipulations of court life.

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Back in the dungeon, with a beaten Madeleine strung up by a chain in the roof, sitting on a chair, and Marchal picks up a mallet, demanding to know where she acquired the poison. She shouts over the top of him that she wants to see her son. They both know she is condemned to die no matter what she says, and Marchal calmly says she has nothing to lose by telling him – her reply is equally calm. She has nothing to gain. If he lets her see her son, she will tell him what he wants to know.

I don’t care if you are trained and educated – I shag the king, therefore I know more than you.

And so to Montespan’s rooms, with Claudine and Scarron tending to the baby. Montespan only cares that if the baby lives, she will be blemished for life, earning her a bit of a look from both women. Of course, that means she will be put in a convent, and Claudine says, “you would deny your child a place at court because her skin is not perfect?” Well…. yes. Do they not know Montespan at all by now? “You do not know how the court works,” Montespan replies, as if explaining to an idiot. Oh, but Claudine does know: “beauty opens every door in the palace. Even the kings’.” Montespan walks over to her, gets in her face and asks slowly, “how would you know?” then goes to the window. The camera lingers on her face and she is quite emotional…. from the baby’s condition? From what Claudine has said? From the constant worry that the king’s head will be turned by another younger, prettier face? I think the latter two.

And now we have a scene where Philippe is teaching Thomas to dance and the Chevalier is creeping on them at the door, looking as sad and as worried as if he’d caught them in bed together. Then he steps in with a “oh” and Philippe says “I was just telling Thomas if he wants to dazzle the women at court, then he must learn how to dance.” And yeah, Thomas knows exactly what he is doing, being a spy and an agitator and all. “Well,” says the Chevalier. “I see I am surplus to your requirements.” and strolls through the antechamber.

Philippe: Where are you going? The Chevalier: (as he leaves) Elsewhere. Philippe: (sighs) Thomas: (innocently) did I upset your friend? Philippe: He’s just a little jealous. Thomas: Of me? Philippe: Of anyone that breathes.

So now the Chevalier stride into the salons and over to a gaming table, taking it out the only way he knows how. Five thousand on a card game. Oh, bother. He lost. Ten thousand now. Oh, dear. Lost again. “Please note that down. Ten thousand francs debited to the account of the duc d’Orléans.” The Chevalier smiles. “There is no greater pleasure than losing someone else’s money.”

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Let’s gamble….

with someone else’s money

Back with Liselotte and Louis, where Liselotte regales him with a hunting anecdote, to which Louis laughs and admits that she is “a breath of fresh air.” (OMG Louis you had sooo better not be flirting with her, I swear to God….) She smiles and replies, “Sire, my friends call me Liselotte.” But the nice moment is interrupted by the hounds, who have found something in a ditch and noooooooo we can tell by the ominous music that is it terrible. Louis rolls him over and JACQUES and I wanna hug Louis right now.

*weeps* I understand why they killed Jacques off: to slowly chip at Louis’ small circle of people he trusts. Rohan turned out to be a traitor. Henriette was poisoned. Now Jacques, to whom he went for honest, non-ass-kissing advice. To say that Louis is horrified, shocked, devastated is an understatement. And a huge turning point in his storyline. He is going to spiral downwards.

We are now back in Louis’ rooms, and he is on a chair looking melancholy, commanding a sole musician to play a moody cello piece again. Then we see Versailles and the changing of the guards, then Philippe face down in bed as the music still plays. Colbert wakes him, concerned. It’s the Chevalier de Lorraine. Is he hurt? Colbert: “Not exactly.” They walk into a deserted salon, where the Chevalier sleeps the sleep of a drunken man, face on a table. He has lost 400,000 francs and placed all of it on Philippe’s account. Philippe smiles tightly: Colbert does the same.

And now…. (deep breath, as I must get through this scene first)

Philippe’s doors fly open and the Chevalier stumbles through and slides across the floor, Philippe in a rage. Philippe: MY FUCKING MONEY! HOW DARE YOU! (points accusing finger) The Chevalier: (struggles up from the floor, says flippantly) Luck was against me. Philippe: It certainly is now. (slaps him) The Chevalier: (reels) You hit me. Philippe: Yes. And? The Chevalier: (headbutts Philippe) Philippe: (steps back, expression enraged as he clutches his cheek) The Chevalier: (suddenly gasps, realising what he’s just done, puts out his hands) I- I…. Philippe: (grabs the Chevalier by the throat and they slam into a wall) Four hundred thousand francs in two days! (wrestles him to the floor, hands still around his neck) That’s almost a third of my annual income! The Chevalier: (gasping and struggling) You’re hurting me! Philippe: Good! The Chevalier: (struggling still, chokes out) You’re killing me… Philippe: Even better!

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The Chevalier then puts up a hand to Philippe’s face to break his hold, more wrestling and gasping as Philippe gets him in a choke hold from behind, then the Chevalier bites Philippe’s arm and is free and hair and limbs are flying as the Chevalier grabs a candelabra and wields it, yelling “DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!”  They are both in a stalemate and panting, Philippe holding his bitten arm, the Chevalier brandishing the candelabra. Then Philippe stalks off and the Chevalier lowers his weapon, calls out a drunken, “HA! That’s right!” Then the unsheathing of a sword is heard and his expression drops as Philippe stalks back in with his rapier and holds it to the Chevalier’s face. Mucho panicking from the Chevalier…. and that is when the doors open and Liselotte sweeps in with a commanding, “STOP!” Philippe: This…. little shit gambled away half my fortune! The Chevalier: (distraught and practically crying, knocks away the sword with the candelabra) Is he good in bed, that little slut of yours? Did he get down on all fours like a sheep?? Philippe: YES! AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! The Chevalier: (rage face) LIAR! Liselotte: (calmly with hands on hips) will you two shut up? I’ve seen turkeys with more sense.

They both look at her, then each other, then with a massive LINE FACE Philippe lowers his sword. The Chevalier can’t resist a dig: “and just when I was winning,” thrusts the candelabra at Liselotte then storms out.

#Issue 2 – OMFGGGGGG. Okay, where do I start? First, what I liked. Just like in Series 1, we see the Chevalier start off so good in the first few eps, only to have him take a massive dive. I do not know if this is deliberate. I would be surprised if it wasn’t. But the downside to that is having your character appear wildly dramatic and not true to himself. He returned triumphant and adoring in Ep2. He and Philippe were a loving couple. The Chevalier seemed to have the upper hand emotionally, because Philippe admitted he missed him. But now, with drama being… well, dramatic, Philippe pays attention to another and the Chevalier goes into meltdown. And trust me, it will get worse.

Now to the historical comparison, which I simply cannot ignore even though I have said over and over I KNOW the show is not an historical account, it is a fictional dramatisation. And with this, it really is very much a soap opera. The scorned jealous lover, the screaming matches, the brandishing of weapons, the knock-down fight and slapping and biting…. All very theatrical. And not at all what the real Chevalier de Lorraine was about. He manipulated, he controlled. He played mind games and got what he wanted by being superior than everyone else. He was also a god-damn war hero, known for his bravery in battle. He was respected by his men. He had dignity and command and a ruthless air that scared the shit out of people who crossed him. And while I ADORE Evan and love watching him dominate and command every scene, I know this is not about him. It is about the writing. The writing that is turning the two men I love most in history into some kind of Kardashian drama in breeches. The real Chevalier would have extracted his revenge in some other calculating way, that would have had Philippe being the contrite one, making the first move and practically begging him to return.

*sigh* Okay. Moving on.

Louis is burying Jacques in solemn prayer, the coffin is lowered at a spot in the gardens and Louis peers into the grave, his expression blank, even though we know he is a little broken. Bontemps steps forward to stop him from falling in, and I am taken aback by his quietly offended, “get your hands off me.”

Bontemps and Marchal are now walking through the palace, discussing the suspects to Jacques’ death. Marchal is getting his Colombo-slash-Quincy on and is beginning to suspect Madeleine de Foix is not the only murderer. Apparently the palace death records have been showing a pattern – so far, over 40 have been premature or connected to a promotion or inheritance. Bontemps is stunned.

Now we are back in Louis’ chambers and he is being prepared for a shave. Lovely visuals here, with all the tools laid out and the blade being sharpened, close ups of Bontemps, then Louis, then Louis’ face being lathered up. In between this scene are cutscenes of another, with the nobles in confessional with Father Pascal, admitting to adultery, murder by poisoning….. and the blade gets closer to Louis’ throat, the barber’s hand shakes… Then Louis commands him to stop, throws everyone out. He is mucho stressed.

We are now with Father Pascal and the Queen, the latter of whom has become quite annoying and not at all like her historical self.. or indeed, like a queen. Sure, her historical counterpart was pious and no doubt secretly outraged at all the sinning going on around her, especially when her husband didn’t include her in that. But secret plotting to force everyone to be holier? Ugh. Sounds a lot like what goes on these days from certain countries. Father Pascal appears quite delighted the nobles are confessing all to him, and I am still not sure if he is a good guy or just one of those priests getting his jollies by living vicariously through all the confessing sinners. The queen is sceptical: “the palace will not be cleansed so easily. Confession is one thing – discovering the path of purity another.” The king is the key – if he choses to ‘remain in sin’ then most of the court will remain with him.

Pascale and Bossuet do a walk-and-talk in the gardens, with Pascal saying Louis must be told that the women are confessing to murder. Yet Bossuet says he fears Louis will not listen. WTF? Of course he will and I think Bossuet is full of shit. I don’t think Louis’s stubbornness will make him deaf to this information. Right, so Bossuet says he will speak to Louis… but Pascal doesn’t think that will work. Bossuet replies – a little unsure – “I will threaten him.” OKAY THEN. That’s totally gonna work. But hey, Pascal looks a bit evangelical and creepy and pleased so there is that.

Now they are in a golden room with Louis and Bontemps and there is a weird exchange that isn’t at all about the holy men telling Louis who has confessed to poisoning or murder, but more about how much of a sinner Louis is.

Louis: If they come to confession then at least they are pricked by conscience. Bossuet: Without the truth in the soul, it is mere hypocrisy. Louis: No. Hypocrisy is part of our being, we cannot tamper with nature. My people look to the church for spiritual guidance and well being. They look to me for security and happiness. I cannot make them good people. That is your job. Pascal: (butts in) Then his majesty will be refused communion at Easter. It is the king’s duty not to merely appear devout before his people but to BE devout.

Oh, dear. Louis slowly stands with restrained tension and Bossuet looks a bit nervous, his expression all ‘shit is about the hit the fan, noooo’ which increases as Louis turns to him and says softly: “you would carry through with such a threat?” Bossuet, put on the spot, looks at Pascal then vaguely nods and says “I would, sire.” Louis is cold and calm and that is dangerous: “You would question MY faith?” And then Pascal goes there, says his child is sick because of his union, unsanctified by God, and is surrounded by sickness. The palace may gleam on the outside but on the inside it is contaminated…… Louis walks to Bontemps, places a hand on his valet’s shoulder. “Remind me, who is this man?” Bontemps replies “father Pascal, confessor to her Majesty the queen.” And Louis walks slowly to Pascal, says, “and I wish…. NEVER TO SEE HIM AGAIN!” until he is shouting in the priest’s face and Pascal and Bossuet both bow and quickly exit. Go Louis. Getting his king on.

Now we are with the powder and herb dude (whom the credits tell me is called Big Fella), his attractive mignon partner and the Chevalier de Lorraine who is…. wait for it…. proposing to be a drug dealer for them, supplying the court with the powders and potions that are now banned. LOLWAT.

“I know every noble at court,” he says. “They have deep pockets and desires without limits. It is simply a question of getting the produce into the palace without being noticed.” He sniffs, like junkies snorting drugs are want to do, and tells the suppliers that he can get the drugs in via a delivery of silk, so the nobles purchase the material and also “something extra.” And he will take a 30% cut…. and as much produce as he requires.

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This place is disgusting, let me make it quick….

Iz gonna be your dealer, lulz

Let us recap. The Chevalier’s character to date has been a controlling, abusive, vain, elegant, haughty, unfaithful, jealous, contrite, seductive, manipulative, whiny, weak, traitorous and petty drunk. Who is now going to be drug dealing.

Just so I have that right.

#Issue 3. The Chevalier de Lorraine as a drug dealer. Get me out of here.

Oh, look. Thank Christ Louis is now talking war stuff. Something light and non-stressful to wrap my brain around. The English fleet will be in sight of the Dutch shores within a month (a-ha! Finally, a mention of time so I can orient myself!) and he wants his army on that border within two weeks. Louvois talks, telling Louis his commander Turenne has split the army and is ready to strike Holland’s allies. Condé (his other commander) will cross the Rhine within a week. And Liselotte’s father has reaffirmed his support of Louis. Cassel speaks up, and I don’t know whether it is just to shit-stir or out of genuine concern because he asks how loyal Palatine is. Louis reminds him the man’s daughter is married to Philippe. Cassel claps back with ‘well, you’re married to Spain and yeah, you’re at war with THEM, aren’t you?’ Louis’ ‘UGH, FFS you’re right but… UGH’ face is classic.

Now we are outside, on horses with Louis, Cassel and Louvois and they are checking out Philippe training with his soldiers, showing off charging and other war-related manoeuvres, plus a new invention called the bayonet. Philippe trots over on his horse, looking rather happy, and Louis, ugh, Louis can’t even muster a smile. “I thought you’d be pleased to see me,” says Philippe. To which Louis says, definitely-un-pleased, “I am.” *SIGH* Seriously, no wonder Philippe is always stomping about in a mood. Louis cannot even be happy that his brother is training HIS troops for HIS war and HIS glory. All he can say is ‘yeah, enough of war talk, what’s the sitch with impregnating your wife?’ Philippe, to his credit, doesn’t miss a beat: “My cannon succeeded in…. breeching the enemy’s defence. If that’s what you’re asking. Now, then, back to my point about strategy…” But Louis has what he came for, gives his brother a look, turns his horse and gallops off. Philippe just rolls his eyes and returns to his soldiers. Interesting that when he is out of earshot, Louis tells Louvois to order four times the amount of platoons with bayonets. Then Bontemps is seen galloping towards them (on a horse, otherwise that would be hilarious…. maybe they should do that. *pictures a galloping Bontemps* :D ) and Louis must come at once.

Louis is storming through Montespan’s rooms. They have to be patient and Louis enters the sick room, despite Montespan’s horror and fear of going into unclean air. Scarron and Claudine are attending the baby, with the fever greater now. Montespan says she should be bled, but Claudine says it will only weaken her. Good girl. It would shit me no end to have some rich noble mansplain my own job, one I’d spent years researching and working on. But Montespan won’t have it. She says her family doctor can be there before nightfall. Ugh. Montespan really hates anyone opposing her, doesn’t she? Louis takes Claudine aside and says firmly, “You cannot let this child die,” then leaves. Poor Claudine. How can you promise something like that? As he strides through a corridor, all angry and frustrated, the queen appears, sticks a finger in his face and hisses, “If you banish Father Pascal from court, you banish me. He stays at court or I return to Spain.” Then she sweeps off and Louis is left shocked, seething and clenching a fist, rage in every muscle as he angrily thumps the wall.

Okay, #Issue 4. The queen is being given way too much importance with everything. She has taken on the role of ‘pious savour of the court’ and this is so not what she was, historically speaking. She did not get involved in politics or demanded everyone become more God-fearing. Never would she have spoken like that to the king of France. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is done so Scarron can be put into a more favourable light. We all know from history that the queen dies, and that Scarron was the God-fearing pious one who eventually encourages Louis to put away his party boy ways.

Now we are back with William of Orange and he is having his portrait painted and talking of war. They will not lose, Amsterdam will not fall. De Witt (the dude who leads the government of Holland, not a king but a stadtholder, as the country is a republic) will be the one to fall and William will not stop the people from getting rid of the man who has been like a father to him. But his advisor says their intel from France indicates Louis has an army and is marching to war. Then De Witt walks in and is not impressed with William’s nonchalant response about war and a possible coup etc. He has William’s number, gets in his face and reminds the younger man that Holland is not a monarchy, and “you are not Louis. Do not try to be like him.” Ouch. Burn.

We’re back in a salon, where Louis is having his portrait painted, surrounded by nobles. Thomas reads some of his writings and suggests they include this enemy of which Louis has spoken. Louis educates him (and the audience) on the politics of Holland, then asks why he asks so many questions. Thomas briefly misses a beat: “man is defined by his foes, is he not, Sire?” Then we see him lurking through the dark corridors and handing over another message to a runner. But a soldier is passing by and he has to think quickly and hide before he is spotted.

Back in jail with Marchal, who brings Gaston to see his mother. She does not look well (as would no one, given her predicament). She grasps Gaston’s hand, saying she thinks about him as child, that it gets her through, and he appears to go to his knees to her. “he is a cruel man,” she hisses, indicating Marchal. “Your father died fighting in his service. And now he’s made of me a criminal and of you, an outcast.” Then Marchal stirs, paying more attention to their conversation as she frantically whispers to Gaston and touches his face, “you have to find her… she will help you… she is in the square.” Marchal opens the gate, says “That is enough,” and Madeleine pets Gaston again and he is dragged from the cell, giving her a final look and a solemn “farewell, Mother,” before he leaves. Then… eww, a bit gross as she removes a cloth-covered vial from an orifice and drinks it.

If I was your girlfriend, I’d never let you go….

We are back in the palace. The baby has died and Scarron is on her knees before the crib, praying. Montespan is at the window, looking gloomy. “I’m sorry,” Claudine says. Louis: “You promised.” No, she didn’t.  You can see all the thoughts running through Louis’ head, what the implications of the child’s death means, what he is feeling. Then he glances back to Claudine and says calmly, “you no longer work in the service of the king. I shall ensure you receive a royal stipend.” And Claudine…. she looks so sad and kind of pityingly, like she knows he has to blame someone and it must be her, but she is not God and as skilled as she is, she does not possess special powers to save this life. Her gaze drops and she quietly replies, “his majesty is generous,” packs up her kit , makes an awkward bow then leaves. Montespan tries to show sympathy, saying he did the right thing. Louis replies: “Did I? How do you know? Did our daughter die through the fault of the doctor? Through its own weakness? Or was it simply God’s will?” And for a second I think Montespan is gonna say something to ease his pain. Instead she says softly, “what does it matter, Sire? I will soon make you another one.” And he gives her such a ‘wtf woman?” look, then glances down to Scarron, who is still on her knees and praying and they exchange a look. Scarron’s face is kind of…. almost as if she is worshipful. Like she’s singing a typical angsty teenage song in her head that goes along the lines of “she is no good for you. If you were mine…..” It is a little odd, considering they have not had any screen time together that would indicate any kind of mutual interest or growing feelings. Liselotte and Louis have shared more conversation and smiles than Louis and Scarron. Louis silently walks out.

Now to the queen’s bedchamber where she reads in bed. Louis walks in and sits, and the queen is sorry for his loss. “Do you believe in divine punishment?” Louis asks. Yes, says the queen. But she also believes in divine forgiveness. He thanks her, and then she bids him a goodnight, saying his mistress will be waiting for him. “No,” he says calmly. “It is you I need tonight.” So… feeling guilt and the need to be closer to God = queen smexytimes.

*historical note. Despite Louis and his copious amount of sinning, he was a model of piety leading up to Easter, and chose not to visit his mistress/es during that time.

Ugh. You are all sinners.

We see a lovely night shot of Versailles and the Apollo fountain then Louis walks into a salon with the queen, everyone bows and is solemn, and Louis launches into one of those monologues he enjoys so much. “When you look at yourselves, what do you see? Beauty? Wit? Refinement? Intelligence? You are the cream of the French aristocracy and the envy of every court in Europe. Yet when I look at you, I see corruption. Darkness. Temptation. Greed. Murder.” He walks the room, delivering this speech, and we see the camera go to the queen and Pascal, to Philippe, Liselotte and the Chevalier. Louis turns and speaks more, as a figure covered in a black veil enters the salon. “There are two paths open to you. The path of punishment. Or the path of redemption. Redemption through light-” he smiles at the queen and walks towards her, takes her hand. “Through good. Through puri-” he pauses, spots the widow figure, and the veil slides back and we see Montespan in her theatrical glory, wearing a crucifix and looking outwardly repentant with tears in her eyes. Louis is stunned, and the queen angrily rips her hand from his and storms off (*historical note: NO. The real Marie-Thérèse would never have done this. If she could suffer her duty in silent dignity, when Louis forced her to share a carriage with his two mistresses, when everyone pointed and said ‘there go the three queens of France!’ then she could most certainly live through THIS.)

We are with Marchal and entering Claudine’s home, where she is drunk and asleep by the fire. He takes the bottle from her hands and picks her up. “Am I under arrest.” she mumbles. “I am putting you to bed,” is his reply and I haz the heart eyes for this sweet moment for them when she sighs softly, eyes still closed, and murmurs, “how can those hands, which have killed so many times, be so gentle?” He says nothing, just tucks her in and I got a little melty because FINALLY Marchal is getting to have a woman who matches him in intellect and strength and integrity. (Oh, don’t you dare get happy. ~ Future Self)

Now we are in Sophie’s bedchamber, she in a nightgown and looking so nervous and Cassel calls “are you ready?” AND NO I AM NOT because Sophie is so sweet and the writers are going all Game of Thrones, making the characters we love suffer the most awful things. Needless to say, Cassel slithers in, fully dressed, and creepily says “I could eat you up,” then ties her hands and there is a struggle and of course, he thinks it’s awesome and arousing and she knees him in the groin, he slaps her, throws her on the bed and rapes her. This is horrid but unsurprising because, you know, 17th century France. The next moment, we see Sophie’s feet, bloody and filthy, shuffling into Liselotte’s rooms and her nightdress is torn and she is bleeding and looking so lost and tiny and crying and so am I. She deserves SO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. First her horrible mother, then the builder dumped her, then Montespan introduced her to this creep, THEN this shit. Not to mention she is getting closer to Thomas which can only end in tragedy…. UGGGGH. Liselotte embraces her, comforts her but dammit I NEED A HUG TOO.

Next scene. Louis alone in a salon with the horse portrait, brooding in an armchair by the fire. Philippe enters. Philippe: Do you know what day it is today? (glances at an uninterested Louis) ’tis the anniversary of the day you took over as king. Do you remember what you said to me that night? Louis: (looking ‘meh���) Remind me. Philippe: You said, the secret is not just to be king. It is to be SEEN to be king. And that, my dear brother, is what you have forgotten. (walks slowly behind the chair as Louis appears to think) You have taken off your clothes and shown us your frailty. (places his hands on Louis’ shoulders) I suggest you put them back on. Louis: (long pause as he stands, carefully weighing the words) Thank you.

A brilliant scene, short and straight to the point, showing us a wealth of hidden depth in the brothers’ relationship. It tells us Philippe indeed has Louis’ back (was Philippe standing behind Louis’ chair a reference to Season 1’s “do you have my back?”) and is not afraid of speaking his mind, to give Louis a metaphorical kick in the breeches.

Next day, and Father Pascal slowly enters Montespan’s rooms to offer his condolences, pausing at the dead baby’s crib. He is startled by Montespan at the window and she goes off on a bit of a rant: “You think you can destroy the bond between the king and me, but we are stronger than any of your sermons.” He gently replies that she is a sinner, driven by the desires of the flesh, but Montespan is all ‘yeah, and so is everyone else and btw I see the way you go all heart eyes for the queen.’ Nup, the queen only shares his faith but Montespan will not be hearing that shit: “Your devotion is just a mask. Behind it, you are just like any other man.” And then she strides over and grabs his crotch, getting in his face and adding, “I wonder how the queen would react if I told her you placed a hand on me.” Pascal is keeping quite a straight face when Montespan says the queen is stupid and the king would believe her. “For now,” Pascal says quietly. “You continue to seduce him with your wit and wiles but the day will come when he sees you for who you really are. An empty husk of vanity and manipulation.” Montespan is quite a bit irritated with that assessment (the truth hurts, eh?) and storms off.

We follow Gaston into the village and into Agathe’s house. He hesitantly takes her hand when she offers it, and she says he came here for her help, to avenge his mother’s death. He says his mother’s not dead, tries to pull away, but she holds him fast and we see a shot of Madeleine dead and bleeding in her cell. Agathe: (forcefully) Yes. She is. (Gaston is silent, shocked, possibly a little creeped out) You want my help taking revenge on the man that killed her and ruined your life. (whispers) You want to destroy Versailles? (does no one see it was HIS MOTHER who ruined his life by poisoning Reynard??? Ugh. Idiots always blame someone else for their mistakes) Gaston: That’s not possible. Agathe: Everything is possible if you want it enough. Gaston: Why would you help me? Agathe: Because I want the same thing. Gaston: What do I have to do? Agathe: First of all convince the king to let you return to court. You will stop at nothing – bribery, corruption, murder, extortion. The king floods the palace with light. You will engulf it in darkness. Do you agree?

Gaston looks creepily happy and Agathe leans in for a slow brief kiss, then whispers,”Now. You belong to me.”

The scene fades. End of episode. Merci for reading!

Versailles Series 2 – Episode 4 – the one where Claudine gets canned So we have left Marchal with a knife in his chest... and of course, he pulls it out (noooo!) and yells for the guards.

#Alexander Vlahos #anna brewster #Elisa Lasowski #Evan Williams #George Blagden #George Webster #Louis XIV #maddison jaizani #Philippe d&039;Orleans #Pip Torrens #Stuart Bowman #Tygh Runyan #Versailles #Versailles tv series #William of Orange