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lady-plantagenet · 3 years

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♦▼ for clarence and ☼☯ for anthony woodville!

Asked via the Headcanon Meme: https://lady-plantagenet.tumblr.com/post/634584063141920769/headcanon-meme. Thank you darling! X (at least I sprinkled a bit of history in all this).

George Duke of Clarence

♦ - quirks/hobbies headcanon

- One Hobby/Quirk headcanon -

According to household accounts and information about his education, George knew how to play the harp and the lute. I headcanon him as continuing with those hobbies well into his adulthood. I don’t know if it’s maybe the fact that George had far less presence in the battlefield than his brothers - only Barnet and Tewksbury he actually fought in and his troops are never on the main battle charts which indicates they were not the most important, he was given the largest retinue to lead to France but as we know, there was rather more talking than bloodshed there ahasjd. Or if it’s maybe the fact that his actions and phrases denote an unusually emotional man... but I always saw him as rather sensitive and that also reflecting in his hobbies. I also headcanon him as being rather particular with his clothing (exposed to great finery since the age of 12), and so relished spending hours badgering his tailor over the smallest details regarding colours, designs, patterns etc. At some points even Isabel gets a headache ahashj.

He also had great taste for elaborate architecture (historically, there were many designs he had in mind and renovations for Tutbury and Warwick castle, to make them less fortressy and more palatial but died before they could be completed), so I think that links. As for the harp and lute, I headcanon him as having great proefficiency in them but not interested in showing that off and so just playing when in his own homes and heard by very few people there. Not because he was modest or something (quite the contrary) but because he did not like to do anything competitively because he did not like being seen as bested by others, or worse being seen to fail because well.. pride and self-importance. He never participated in jousting for example, because he knew he could not handle the shame if he were beaten by the likes of Richard Woodville or Anthony or the score of prominent jousters. Also as a typical aristocrat, he never saw the point of having to ‘prove’ his gifts, nor work at them enough to be truly talented.

▼ - childhood headcanon

I’ve had this discussion at some point with a mutual about when George left Ireland, I think the conclusion was that he may have very well stayed there quite a bit, at least maybe until Richard III was born in Fotheringhay in 1452, or even later (for his own protection or as an enduring symbol of his father’s importance there and piece between Earls Ormond and Desmond, as his baptism was all about uniting those two godfathers). I have to look deeper into this but the truth is next to nothing is known of George’s life pre-1460.

I see his sister Margaret being with him until 1452 or so (I think Ashdowne-Hill put the possibility that Margaret accompanied their mother to Ireland), and treating him as her baby as four + year olds have been known to do, creating the link. But while she returned to England (most likely), he would stay there for a one more year or so, with the occasional visits from the godfathers for goodwill. And goodness, both James Butler 5th earl Ormond & Wiltshire and Thomas FitzGerald 7th Earl Desmond had something of a similar spirit to their godson: always up for a gallantry whether that be rebellion (a contemporary saying something similar regarding gallantry about pre-1469 George - I think it was Crowland), reputed handsomeness (with some vanity):

“Gregory records, at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455, Wiltshire "fought mainly with the heels, for he was frightened of losing his beauty" ahahaha idk why gives me some Clarence vibes

or personalities that attracted support, eager patrons. With the facts of an absent real father this headcanon, just sort of clicks whether it has any bearing in reality (yet I recall an Irish castle where he spent his early years in being mentioned, but forgot the name). I also headcanon him as having spent a part of his infant years with James FitzGerald around, though, he may have been a couple years older (birthdate not given). As they were god brothers and both from Yorkist families, of course this is the same James that gets executed under Edward’s name in 1467 (godfather Ormond gets executed after the battle of Towton). In addition to him, many other companions that were relatives and nephews of his godfathers I suppose would have been selected as the 5/6 year olds’ companions. I headcanon George as charming them all, leading to him being remembered fondly by the Irish because though records of his going there in his adult life contradict each other, he seemed to have left an impression somehow. Of course, all this attention and preening has contributed to his deluded self-image as a very very important man. I also headcanon him as picking up quite a bit of the native tongue, but like most young children, what is quickly learned is quickly forgotten.

Anthony Earl Rivers

☼ - appearance headcanon

When it comes to my story, I’m tempted to make him the ‘golden-haired’ knight that he tends to get depicted in fiction because thematically it drives home the whole George/Anthony foil thing we spoke about and intend to hint at.

But for me, this will always be my mental image of Anthony. With a very kind yet clever looking face, like in here. I also always headcanoned him as heavily resembling his sister, perhaps, because of their strong sibling bond (this depiction capture that too with the heart-shaped face, small thin nose, round eyes and cheekbones (come to think of it also the mouth) .

Like in his contemporary depiction [Him presenting the Dictes and Saying of the Philosophers] I see him as having a warm brown eyes and light brown hair, but with a twinge of auburn (whereas Elizabeth Woodville is more full on red-gold). Because of his keeping with a hair-shirt underneath, I tend to see him as rather thin and tall (nearer to Edward and Margaret’s height than Richard or George’s).

࿊ - likes/dislikes headcanon

- Likes - (aside from what we know: philosophy, poetry, literature, religion, tournaments)

As a result of: That bit in one of his works where he (with great wit and subtlety) calls Plato out for his misogyny, him being a reader of Christine de Pizan (the only man at that time who I can recall), his strong relationship with his mother, sister and friendship with Margaret of Burgundy... I’ve headcanoned him as having a deeper appreciation and ‘like’ (more like respect) for womenhood than most of the others. And with an interest in the discourse that must have been going on post-De Pizan and Joan of Arc.

I also have this weird headcanon of him getting an insane fascination with Wales, the people, the Celtic remnants in its folklore - that is, once he establishes there with his nephew. And tried to absorb as much of it as possible. Particularly because he strikes me as one who though a great appreciator of beauty, is more attached to the natural, less ornate rather than the florid and goldeness of the london courts. As he was a well-traveled man this isn’t so far-fetched I suppose. I also headcanon him as a massive fan of Arthuriana (he did after all have all the features of chivalry) and would see himself as a Merlin to Prince Edward’s Arthur.

- Dislikes - (aside from war apparently)

I always saw him as taking a profound dislike to Edward’s debauchery later in his reign, especially, when it pertained infidelity to his sister. As somewhat of a stoic (not to say emotionless or robotic), he obviously did not say anything about it, but the disillusionment welled up in him, and he would find any excuse to not have to deal with it. By the time it came to leave for his guardianship, he was grateful for not having to see it. Of course, there remains mutual respect between him and Edward, during his pilgrimage I headcanon him as praying for Edward’s soul and for him to be guided back.

I always headcanoned him as never quite clicking with his wife. For some unknown reason e.g. perhaps she was a bit ignorant, dull or cold? We know very little about that marriage and it was quite brief nonetheless. There were no children and we never hear of them ever being in the same place, or references to mourning etc. Of course, since marriage is a sacrament and a way to connect with god, he feels a bit regretful about it, only in later life to realise, that some men are like Gawain, better suited to bachelorhood. But while respectful of women, few attain to his marianistic expectations (partly stemming from the image his sister projects). Overall, a dislike for this sort of inner-conflict.

#🍷❤️#to everyone: this meme is still open ☺️☺️#and here you have it somehow I ended up writing you a novel #can you tell how much I feel the need to write something #masters apps and schoolwork begone #george of clarence #anthony woodville #I profusely apologise #I’ll add the read more function tommorow #and grammar check

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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 4 years

Text

Blue Eyes Part 3

Summary: After the Garrison is shot up, the youngest Shelby daughter finds a new home in London. She strips herself of her last name and tries to live a peaceful life far away from her brothers’ chaos in Birmingham. But fate leads her right back into it after she runs into Alfie Solomons.

Part 3: Ella attends the wedding of Tommy and Grace.

Ella remembered always wanting to be a princess. As a young girl, her head was filled with stories of fantastic adventures. Her brothers spooked her with stories of dragons and a lady that played cards with the devil. Polly wove yarns of fairies and princesses. She decided, after careful consideration, she would be a princess who was also a knight. Why should she limit herself? She could rule the land and slay dragons. And of course, Ella found that she didn’t like being dressed up as a princess. Her Sunday clothes were itchy and stiff. Polly would scold her if she returned home with scuffed shoes and torn stockings. But a girl couldn’t ride a horse with a skirt, not properly anyway. She wouldn’t sit sidesaddle and let her brothers win races because she was slipping right off her pony.

As she grew, she learned to appreciate dresses. They had their time and place. Tommy’s wedding was that time and place. But what would she wear to a wedding that was in such strange circumstances? She was sure her brother was trying to promote their family as a little higher end than from where they began. Especially because Ada had said Grace came from a military family. Figuring Polly would know best, Ella packed a few of her finer dresses and left London with Ada.

~~~~~~~~

“El!” Arthur’s loud voice boomed across the front lawn. The boys were arriving back from a ride. Her eldest brother quickly dismounted and tossed the reins at a young stable hand. He jogged to embrace his younger sister, hoisting her up and spinning around about as he used to when she was much smaller.

John and Finn followed close behind him, each getting their chance to greet her. Ella was nothing but smiles as she reunited with them. Sometimes it was hard to know how much you’ve missed someone until you’ve seen them again. And when she saw her brothers, her heart ached painfully.

“Look at you! All grown up now.” Arthur shook his head in disbelief. “Feels like you’ve been gone for ages. Swear you've gotten taller s'well.”

“It’s only been a few years, Arthur.” She reminded him gently. Her blue eyes wandered over his shoulder to see Tommy lagging behind his brothers. His hands were in his overcoat pockets as he looked on. “Are you going to just stand there?” She asked. “I haven’t been able to properly congratulate you.”

“’Fraid you weren’t coming.” He approached her. Indeed, Tommy had called Ada a few times over the month to confirm that Ella was still going to attend the wedding. He was anxious to see his sister and hope they would be able to mend some wounds of their relationship. Not having her in their life was strange. There was always a gap in the family with Ella's absence.

“I wouldn’t miss your wedding, pral.” She smiled and went to hug him.

Tommy felt relieved that he could finally hug her again. “How’s London treating you?”

“Good.” She smiled but a brief thought about Alfie Solomons poked at her. She wasn’t going to tell Tommy that she’d met him the day before his wedding, or ever. But she was hoping to get some more information from her brothers if she could.

“Want you to come meet Grace and Charlie. You need to meet your cousin, Michael, as well.” Tommy was eager for her to meet his new family. He was hoping she and Grace got along. Perhaps the wedding would give her a reason to return to Birmingham.

The chatted idly as they walked to the massive house. “I can see you’re doing very well for yourself,” Ella noted. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine being at such a house. It was a kind of house that lords and ladies lived in, not Shelbys. But it appeared that Tommy was trying to change that perception of the family name.

“There’s always room for you to be apart of the company. You could be very useful. Michael and Polly are working on making the firm legitimate.” He informed her, hoping it would impress her and make her feel safer in Birmingham.

“I dunno, Tom.” She said with a shrug. After agreeing to attend the wedding, she used the month to think through her relationship with her family. Part of her wanted to return to the people she loved more than anything. But she was afraid of getting herself into another scenario like the Garrison four years earlier.

“Think about it, aye?” He said gently and held open the front doors of Arrow House for his sister.

Ella nodded. “I will.” She promised and stepped inside.

“Look who’s here,” A soft Irish voice floated down from the stairs. Grace came down with Charlie in her arms. She smiled warmly when she saw Tommy's sister. “We’re so glad you’re here, Ella.”

The Shelby girl smiled. “It’s nice to see you again, Grace. And this must be my nephew.” Ella cooed.

The young boy giggled and reached out for her. “Go ahead, love.” Grace handed Charlie to her to hold.

“Oh, he’s precious.” Ella murmured. “Yes, you are.”

Tommy chuckled. “He’s a rascal, that’s what he is.” He slipped off his coat and cap. “I’m sure you’ll get to see how he is when he’s cranky.”

“That’s okay, he probably gets it from you, Tommy.”

Grace smiled and nodded. “That’s what I said.”

“Guess London hasn’t changed you that much.” Tommy rolled his eyes and touched her shoulder. “Polly and Michael will be in the study I think if you'd like to see them now.”

Ella gave Charlie back to Grace and followed her brother down the hall. “Did you find her daughter too?” She remembered brief memories of her cousins. She was very young but she remembered hearing about them being ripped away from Polly. They all thought it was nearly impossible to find the children again until Tommy gained such connections.

“I found out she passed away,” Tommy answered quietly. “Pol’s handled it well though. Think she’s glad Michael’s back.”

“That’s a shame.”

When they entered, Polly stood in surprise and rushed to hug her niece. “Thank God you’re well.” The older woman touched her cheeks to make sure she looked healthy.

Ella bit her lip and felt a little teary. Polly was practically her mother and the years away from her had been tough on the young woman. “I’ve missed you, Pol.”

“We’ve all missed you too.” Her forehead creased and she sighed softly. “But I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Ella saw the other person in the room stand up. “And you must be Michael, it’s been a very long time since I've seen you.” She smiled and took in the young man who seemed like he had thoroughly embraced the Shelby lifestyle. He was well dressed and holding a cigarette.

He nodded. “You're Ella, I don’t remember much but it’s very nice to meet you again. I've heard a lot about you.”

Polly looked proud of her son. “He’s a big help in the company, very clever.” She boasted.

“Then you really are Polly’s son.” Ella laughed softly. "Grey's are very clever."

“Come sit and tell me what you’ve been doing in London.” Her aunt ushered her over to the couch. “Tommy, I’m sure you’ve got things to do for the wedding.”

“Well, as far as I know, I just need to get dressed and make it to the church.” Tommy reached into his coat for a cigarette. “But I’ll let you all catch up.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“Fucking uniforms,” John grumbled.

Ella laughed softly and shook her head. She glanced across the aisle to Grace’s side of the family. The men had faces like stone and the women looked highly displeased with their surroundings. “I’m sure Tommy told you to be on your best behavior, John boy. Can't be violent at Tommy's wedding.”

Her brother muttered a few curses under his breath. “Also fucking told me they wouldn’t be in uniforms.”

“Try to ignore them, they'll only try to rile you up." She drew his attention away from the men. "Listen, have you heard much about a man named Alfie Solomons? From Camden Town?” Ella asked, trying to sound as casual as she could so she didn’t raise any alarms.

John wrinkled his nose. It was hard to mention the name without garnering some type of reaction. The Shelbys normally had a bad reaction. “The fuck do you know about him?”

“John!” Esme hissed and smacked her husband’s arm. “We’re in fucking church, don’t swear. Giving a bad example to the kids.”

Ella giggled but her brother looked suspicious that she had brought up the Jewish gangster’s name. Before he could ask anything else, the organ music began, announcing Grace's arrival.

~~~~~~~~~~

“No fucking fighting!” Tommy shouted after repeating himself many times in the kitchen. The Blinders all around him, grumbling and muttering about how unfair he was being.

“Tom.” John adjusted the pick in his mouth.

“What? Are you seriously asking a question?” His older brother asked, turning to him. “You can’t possibly be confused about what I’m saying.” Finn and Isaiah snickered at the comment.

“No, it’s ‘bout Ella.” He clarified.

Tommy looked concerned. His shoulders slumped slightly and he worried she had already left. Maybe he’d pushed the issue of her returning to Birmingham too much. “What about her?”

“In the church, she was asking about Alfie Solomons.”

“What?” Arthur demanded sharply. “What the fuck do you mean she’s asking ‘bout him?”

John just shrugged. “I dunno, she didn’t tell me why.”

Tommy paced a few steps and took a puff of his cigarette. “Fuck.” He muttered under his breath and dragged a hand over his face. “Just…don’t mention it again to her. I’ll take care of it.” He really didn’t want to discuss Alfie on his wedding day and he certainly didn’t want to know how his baby sister knew about him.

“Don’t want Alfie fucking Solomons sniffing 'round her.” Arthur snarled. "If he does he'll regret it."

“She might’ve just heard his name before.” Finn offered.

Tommy shook his head. “Just drop it.” He ordered. “I don’t want to hear you bring it up ‘round her again.”

`~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a few hours into the reception, Ella wandered off. She found the stables after a bit of roaming around the grounds. As she inhaled the familiar scent of horses, she realized she was much more comfortable there instead of in the lavish Arrow House. She came across a beautiful dapple-gray horse; a large gelding that certainly would’ve caught her attention as a young girl. She would never tire of braiding the horse’s silver mane and tail, brushing its coat until it gleamed in the sun.

“You’re a beauty, aren’t you?” She let the horse sniff her hand before stroking his soft muzzle. “Maybe Tommy’ll let me take you out for a spin tomorrow.” It’d been a while since she’d ridden. She missed the horses at her uncle’s yard. She missed far more than she could even count. She sighed and stroked the horse’s cheek. “He’ll probably make me agree to come back to Birmingham though.”

The horse snorted softly in reply. He sniffed her shawl for any treats, his tail swishing, and ears perked.

“Thought I noticed you missing.”

Ella glanced over to see Tommy walking into the stables. “Getting a bit rowdy for me. I don't think I could listen to another one of John's jokes. I forgot how fucking awful they were."

Tommy chuckled and nodded. “Well, it’ll only get rowdier, the boys are coming to race.” He warned her.

She nodded. “Okay, I’ll go back inside then.” She had a feeling her brothers wouldn’t let her stick around and watch the race. In fact, she had a feeling they were going to fix it just to get one over on the cavalry. So she made her way to the barn door.

“Before you go.” Tommy reached out and grabbed her arm as she went to pass by him in the stable aisle. “You need to explain why you brought up Alfie Solomons to John.”

“Alfie Solomons?” Ella raised an eyebrow. “I don’t…”

“John told me you were asking about him in the church.” Tommy interrupted so she knew he wasn’t about to let her pull the wool over his eyes.

“Oh,” Ella shrugged and tried to remain aloof about the subject. “Amelia might’ve mentioned the name to me. Have I told you about Amelia? She’s got all sorts of stories ‘bout London.” Technically, her best friend was the one who told her about the gangster. But Tommy didn’t need to know that was only after Ella had seen the man in person.

“Why would she bring him up?” Tommy’s icy blue eyes studied her expression. He was usually very good at telling when someone was flat out lying to him. But it was hard to distinguish when Ella had mastered the art of lying like a Shelby. Be evasive, answer questions with other questions, omit details, and stay cool, calm, and collected. Plus, Tommy had a weak spot for her sister; he never assumed she was lying, unlike other people he encountered in his line of work.

“She’s always got a story to tell.” Ella made sure to maintain enough eye contact so he didn’t grow more suspicious.

Tommy let the cigarette in his fingers burn in the air for a moment. The smoke curled around his hand and disappeared out of the barn door into the dark night. “You should tell her it’s wise to avoid talking ‘bout that man.” He said firmly. “You don’t want to be connected to him even in passing.”

“How do you know him?” Ella turned the spotlight back on her brother, hopefully, to acquire information John didn’t give her earlier.

“We’ve crossed paths before.” He admitted. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

Ella tilted her head to the side. “Do I have to worry about him finding out I’m a Shelby?” Of course, she didn’t think Alfie would be able to connect the dots just with a brief meeting.

“Doesn’t matter, because you won’t be going near him,” Tommy replied with a stern look. “You keep away from Camden Town and the Jews there. They all answer to him as far as I know.”

“You’ve changed, Tommy.” His sister noted quietly. “You’ve seen more things…done more things since I’ve been ‘round.”

He took a drag of his cigarette to avoid the question for a moment. “You said you didn’t want to be part of it, don’t think that’s something you have to worry about.”

“I’m your fucking sister, I can worry about you,” Ella replied, irked by his cold demeanor towards her when business was being spoken about. Back in Small Heath, when she was still just a teenager, he’d often tell her with a proud smile that they were moving up in the world. He’d promise her horses, luxuries, a new home, and when she was old enough, a car. Now he was acting like she had no right to even inquire about his well-being. “Tom, you used to tell me everything.” She furrowed her eyebrows. “You didn’t even tell me you had Charlie.”

He didn’t look at her for a long while. “You told me you didn’t want anything to do with Shelby Company Limited.” He echoed himself. “You went off to London and I didn’t hear from you, El. M’too busy to keep track of someone who’s gone and done a runner.”

“I didn’t run,” Ella argued, her temper was beginning to bubble up in her stomach, moving to her chest and throat. “Can you blame me for what I did?”

Tommy shrugged and finished his cigarette. “You were keen to tell me you could make your own choices. I can’t blame you.”

Angry tears stung Ella’s blue eyes. “Arthur and John were happy to see me. Polly understood my choice. Ada supports me in London. You’re the only one who’s still acting like a fucking brat!”

Tommy’s jaw clenched. “Don’t speak to me like that.” He retorted fiercely and pointed at her. “You’ve no right to come in and pretend we’ve abandoned you when you decided to leave.” His face clouded over with anger. “Now either you’re apart of this fucking family and you put up with what the rest of us put up with, or you go back to London and pretend we all don’t exist. You can’t have it both ways, Ella. You’re not a child anymore.”

Ella balled her hands into fists. Her Traveler instincts kicked in, the days she spent in the meadows outside Small Heath. The boys she had to beat up to prove she was a Shelby. The time she broke an older boy’s nose because he was running his mouth about their family.

“Gypsies.” He taunted. “Gonna read my fortune? Pick me pockets?”

It took both her older brothers to wrench her off the boy who dared make fun of her and her family. Now Tommy was questioning her, questioning the decision she made. Maybe she was wrong and being a hypocrite, but she was far too upset to think rationally.

“Everyone talks about the curse on the Shelbys. Our fucking cursed family. It’s you. It’s you, Tommy! You’re the fucking curse!” She shouted and caused a few horses to stir in their stalls nearby. “You’ve poisoned this family and continue to do whatever you want, without giving a fuck what the rest of us think.”

Tommy stood straight in front of her, not interrupting or moving away. He stood like a soldier, braced against her venomous words.

“You can fuck your wedding. Fuck your company. Fuck your indifference.” Ella spat and turned on her heel to leave the stables.

A group of men was staggering across the lawns, gearing up for the race they were about to fix.

“Where’ya going, Ellie?” John’s voice boomed across the grounds. He grabbed her by the shoulder. “Come watch the race! We’re gonna show those uniforms how s’done!”

“Fuck your big mouth!” Ella shouted at him and jerked away from his touch. "You're just a fucking little messenger to Tommy, aren't you?!"

Arthur looked concerned at her sudden outburst. He thought everything had been going well with the return of his younger sister. But now she was glaring daggers at the group of Blinders. “El?”

“Fuck this whole bloody cursed family!” She continued ranting on her way back to Arrow House. She promptly grabbed her things and took Ada’s car back to London without telling anyone she’d left.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ella was stewing for a week after the wedding. Her family members, minus Tommy, had been trying to reach out to her. But she ignored all their calls and letters. Ada visited her home a few times but Ella turned her away.

She felt snubbed by Tommy who was once her closest confidante and friend. When they had nothing, she had Tommy to rely on. He'd comfort her if she was picked on by kids her age. He'd keep her company when she felt lonely after the death of their mother. He was more than just a brother, he was a support system.

At night, she stayed up staring at the ceiling. Her mind raced and kept her awake for hours. Maybe she’d been wrong for leaving the family, but she was terrified. Tommy couldn’t appreciate how scared she was. He was unafraid of death. She almost thought she had gained the confidence and strength to return to Birmingham, but not after that debacle in the stables.

Ella would toss and turn, thinking about what Tommy had to say. The way he’d spoken to her like she was nothing more than a stranger. How could he be so cold? If he was so twisted about everything else then maybe he was dead wrong about Alfie Solomons.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next time Ella saw Alfie, she’d wandered close to the edge of Camden Town. She decided it was most likely an indirect middle finger to her brother who had warned her to stay away. Tommy didn't choose where she could go anymore. If he didn't want her in the family, then she could go anywhere in London.

“You on your own?”

Ella was walking down a strip of stores when she heard his voice. She turned and felt a spark of intrigue.

He stood just as he had in the club. Broad shoulders, exaggerated frame, and militant stance. This time, he had a large bullmastiff with him.

“My friend was busy,” Ella answered with a faint smile. “Is that your dog?”

He moved a little closer to her. The gangster had been happy to spot her piercing blue eyes in the crowd of shoppers and wanderers. Ever since the night at the club, Alfie had been unable to get her face out of his head. It was highly unusual for him to think twice about a woman he came in contact with. He hardly had the time to think about something so trivial as a chance encounter. Relationships were agonizingly complicated and his life was complex enough. He worked too much and lived too brutally for a woman to handle, or so he thought.

But there was something about this woman that he couldn’t overlook. Beyond her blue eyes that were as hypnotic as they were alluring, there was something else. She wasn’t like anyone he passed by in the street. A keen eye could see she held secrets and a substantial past.

And Alfie couldn’t help but appreciate the way she looked at him. It was so strange because she didn’t look at him the way others did. Not with hatred, like his enemies, not with malice, like his foes, and not with fear, like the rest of the population who knew his name. No, she looked at him like a person, nothing more, nothing less. Just a man. Not a man shrouded in myth and stories. Just a man.

“Yeah, this is Cyril, s’a real softie.” He said. "Likes attention, he does."

Ella smiled. She’d grown up closer to horses but as a child, she bonded with a few of the hounds they used for hunting or protection. Dogs and horses were similar in nature. You had to gain their trust, and when you did, they would be loyal to you until the ends of the Earth. “He is handsome.” She said and reached out to stroke the dog’s ears. His tail began to wag fiercely and his droopy face almost resembled a sad smile. He was a massive dog, his shoulder meeting her hips. He was nearly the size of a little Shetland pony but appeared to be just as Alfie had described him. He gratefully let her pet him, his head tilting to lean into her touch and his eyes closing contently.

“You got a story, love?” Alfie asked out of the blue. He acted like it was a natural question between people who were near strangers.

Ella glanced up from Cyril. “A story?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Well, I s'ppose everyone has a story, Mr. Solomons.”

“Call me Alfie.” He corrected her with a gentleness that contradicted his appearance. He didn't address her with the harsh tone he took towards the bartender and club owner the first night they met.

“Alfie.”

The gangster didn’t know how he could be so affected by the way someone said his name. But the way she spoke his name was unbearable. She said it with a smile and a small nod. Her blue eyes shone in the sun that was starting to break away from the gloomy clouds. Alfie’s heart made itself known by beating heavy in his chest.

“What’s your story, Alfie?” She turned the question back on him.

He chuckled and ran a hand over his beard. “S’quite a long one.” He warned. "Not sure you'll want to stick around, yeah, to hear all the details."

“Mine's long too. But I'm sure yours is much more exciting than mine is.”

“Well then, right, can’t spend all day standing here telling our stories, aye? Guess I’ll have to take you out to dinner so we have enough time.” He stated coolly.

Surprise marked Ella’s face. Inner warning bells chimed off but she shooed them away. The man seemed sweet and she had spent enough time around dangerous men to know that she could handle them. Her brothers had prepared her for that. If her brothers could get away with the things they did, then who were they to speak poorly about Alfie? Resigned and partially rebellious, Ella nodded. “I’d like that.” She replied gently.

“Yeah?” It was Alfie’s turn to be surprised. What kind of delicate looking woman, who knew who he was, agreed to dinner with him? Thoroughly in disbelief, he nodded a few times too many. “Right, well…this Friday I’ve got some time.”

“I’m free on Friday.”

“Friday then. We’ll meet here.” He decided. “I know a nice place ‘round here for dinner.”

“That sounds lovely.” A week was more than enough time to edit her brothers out of her life story.

Permanent Tag: @papa-geralt-of-cirilla @giftofdreams

Tag list: @deaflikehawkeye @octaviareina

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fgodestinyawakenings · 5 years

Note

Congrats on getting Jalter~! If you're still taking top 5 requests, can you do Top 5 servant pair or groups? Something like Resistance Trio (Geronimo-Billy-Robin) or couples (Brynhildr-Sigurd).

Thanks! And thanks again for your asks as catalyst that brought her home ^^;

I’ll split your request into two since I’m doing both of them, so no worries!

Couples

Sigurd x Brynhildr

Like everyone, I’ll admit that I also assume that Sigurd would be one who would constantly run away and avoiding Brynhildr from not only what happened in their history, but also her current given Yandere side

But after Gotterdamung lostbelt came out… His interaction with her already won my heart!

It got even amusing with his 2nd skills often used a proof of his strong love to her against her Yandere side

DAMN IT, I’LL BRING HOME YOUR WIFE SOON ONE WAY OR ANOTHER SIGURD!!

Amakusa x Semiramis & Cu Chulainn x Scathach

Definitely thanks to Apocrypha, they are still on my list after both also appearing in FGO too

The fact even in their dialogue shows they still remember what happened in Apocrypha despite Semiramis denying it’s meant for her other self in that world

Damn it I’m reminded at the saltiness of seeing someone pulling both Semiramis and Amakusa home together ARRRRRGH OTL

And it’s hilarious in some fan art with Semiramis FGO version denying so hard about their relationship while Amakusa is totally okay with it XD

For Cu x Scathach… I actually don’t mind either their relationship being mentor-student or something more… Given their historical past together or so

I like seeing them together, which my one and only complain for America Singularity is why the fuck they didn’t add at least Caster Cu in so that he could reunite with his teacher! That’s a fucking wasted potential since you do technically summoned him after clearing Fuyuki. But nope, he totally never existed even in Solomon Singularity

Bless the writer that did Part 1 Summer 2018… Thank you for adding dialogues between Scathach and Cu!

Mozart x Salieri & Rama x Sita

I’m definitely caught off guard at Salieri’s appearance in Lostbelt since no one expected him to appear

But damn… You can blame fan art and their dialogue about each other shipped them

And what even set sailed way harder is that one scene together in Anastasia lostbelt… I know in canon Amadeus once love Marie but those two has more feels than this!

Speaking of feels, Rama and Sita… Their whole entire backstory is literally screaming to be reunited again

I’m seriously waiting for LB4 to happen and hoping she’s the one who’s that Archer summoned under the crypter

Yet at the same time I don’t want to, which because… If Sita is under the Crypters, Rama will be summoned and sided with us hence… DAMN IT DW, GIVE THEM A HAPPY ENDING ALREADY!!!

Jeanne Alter x Sieg-kun

It’s definitely crack as far as the actual story goes since they got no dialogue for each other

I blame the one scene in Oniland where they were put together…

But, guess it’s a sort of potential that may or not happened between them?

Platonic Gilgamesh x Enkidu

I’m the only person who actually prefers their friendship instead of them being a romantic couple

For me I could relate to Gilgamesh a lot about having that one person whom will take that one role in your heart forever in life. And that person after they passed away, your heart and your soul swore no one can replace their existence

The feels in Babylonia really break my heart since I actually relate so much if I could find a chance similar to bring them even if it means trading my life

And fucking damn it! Caster Gilgamesh own dialogue brushed off at the reunion since he told himself he already lost his chance to speak to him once he took back the throne…

AND DW, WHAT ABOUT ENKIDU’S DIALOGUE WITH NORMAL ARCHER GILGAMESH?! VICE VERSA TOO! THOSE TWO SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE SOMETHING ABOUT EACH FROM FATE STRANGE/FAKE OR SOMETHING!!

So I’m really sorry if I don’t ship them romantic… I did once, but I blame myself after reading their actual history and falling in love with their friendship instead OTL

Groups by Singularity

Charlemagne Knights

I’m definitely the one who actually prefers this group of knights over the Knight of the Round Table especially after seeing their relationship as a whole in Camelot Singularity and Camelot/Zero

I’m a huge sucker for friendship that becomes your family you love, cherish and wanting to protect for life. A bond that can’t be tear apart and loyalty ties strongly between them

Especially maybe because the fact Charlemagne grieves for all his people specifically his nephew Roland in his death of his poem

Their interaction somehow just reminded me of how Gudas interacted with their Servants like a huge family instead of that stiff title of between Master-Servant & King-knights relationship

So I’m seriously hoping for the rest of the Charlemagne knights to appear for comedic chaos and maybe good dose of friendship fluff between them

Captain Drake’s crew

Literally the theme of family/friendship will always be on the list, especially if they are strong

Drake’s crew in particular especially even if they die or turned ghost, they still willingly followed their boss to the very end to Solomon Singularity to beat up the pillars

And Drake in turn is one of the best captain I’ve ever seen in taking care of men and treated them like one big crazy family in hunting for treasures

Hassan i-Sabbah

Not as crazy as the two above, but their loyalty to each other and the creed is really strong

Especially both hundred persona and cursed arm will do anything to free their youngest comrade, Serenity, out of the Lion King’s prison

And especially the one scene against King Hassan’s trial. Cursed Arm takes his role as their leader so seriously he begs willingly for their founder to take Serenity’s place to do the trial

Damn it, anyone who speaks ill about the Hassan, I’ll kill them personally! They are the best group I’ve seen in Camelot!

Three Goddess Alliance

Though there’s hardly any dialogue between each other, other than the starting, I actually like how they come to work together

Quetz who wants to protect humanity, pretended to be evil just so she could help Gorgon consumed by the hallucination that she’s Tiamat’s reincarnation

Eresh-chan whom everyone depicts as the evil goddess is actually the nicest one among them. Especially making souls in her realm comfortable and loving human life more than a certain spoiled and useless sister of hers

Gorgon definitely despite being the villian driving the first half, she still wins my heart especially her dialogue onwards about Quetz onee-san herself

And even despite being used by Tiamat and Kingu, she still really cares for the latter a lot. Perhaps they shared a lot in common…

Ozymandias & Nitocris

The one sibling duo team definitely wins in this list!

Nitocris’s strong loyalty and determination to protect & serve Ozymandias really had me admired her a lot, even turning to one of my favorite characters in Camelot

Ozymandias despite being Gilgamesh’s tyrannical level ruler, he’s actually also one of the best king to serve especially given he cares greatly for Nitocris like an older brother to his younger sister

Especially near end in Camelot complimenting and telling her to rest after the final blast of Ozymandias’s NP… Their interlude as well with more interaction brings more fluff too!

#melancholiaxiii #the shit I shit myself into #asks & answers #thanks for dropping the ask #and thanks again for your asks that brought home JAlter! ^^

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lion-of-casterlyrock · 6 years

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Jaime was the eldest of Tywin Lannister’s sons. The only son, if his father had any say in the matter. He had been a golden haired child, and he’d loved his mother just as much as Cersei and their father had. He’d only been four when she died, giving him his baby brother. He’d always been fond of him. When he’d been a child, Jaime had struggled with his reading and his writing. His father had made him sit for nearly four hours each night, trying to teach him. Tyrion learned to read as if he were learning to breathe. The two brothers were always close. But never as close as Jaime and Cersei. They laughed together, cried together, slept in the same bed some nights. Cersei had resented how she was treated by their father, receiving less attention than her brother. While he learned to use a sword and a lance, their father teaching him how to fight properly and read, Cersei was put to task learning to smile, and wave, and act the part of a good and loyal wife. But she never felt ill towards Jaime. Jaime could do no wrong in his sister’s eyes. They’d always been close. Always.

He didn’t remember when their relationship had become more physical. But he remembered that they’d both insisted there was nothing wrong with what they were doing/ The Targaryens had married brother to sister for hundreds...maybe thousands of years. How could what they being doing be so wrong? He’d fallen deeper than her. At first, it had just been experimenting, but soon became an intense, chaotic relationship. While Jaime cared deeply for his sister and loved her fiercely, Cersei only mildly returned the affection. She did love him, but more as a sibling than a lover. While Jaime was always faithful to her and never had another woman, Cersei continued to have interests in other men. He never asked how many others she had besides him.

Jaime joined the Kingsguard. He was a young man of only sixteen, the youngest ever to join the ranks of the White Cloaks. His vows kept him from claiming any lands. He would never marry or have children, something he’d decided against anyhow, when Cersei had decided that she would have no man but the prince. Their father had been furious. He’d had Jaime’s life planned. He was to marry Lysa Tully, the daughter of Hoster Tully, only a couple years older than him, and inherit rule of Casterly Rock. But Cersei was delighted. They’d be close.

But then she was rejected, and their father felt slighted, and life...fell apart. A supposed kidnapping, a war, so much death. He couldn’t remember ever seeing so much death before...And he’d killed the king. He’d never be Ser Jaime Lannister of Casterly Rock again. He was The Kingslayer. They whispered it behind his back, though it had been all they wanted, for someone to kill the Mad King and instill someone else in his place.

Cersei married the new King. Robert Baratheon. An alliance marriage that would secure the relationship between house Baratheon and Lannister. She told Jamie her wedding day had been the happiest of her life that night at the party. But the next morning, she was sour and bitter as she recounted her wedding night to him, when her new husband moaned the name “Lyanna” in her ear, as if it were her own. Jamie had watched her and remained a faithful knight, silent and strong as the couple welcome and mourned their first child. He’d been so tiny. He’d watched her struggle to force a marriage that had been crippled from the start, until the night she crept into his chambers, drunk on wine. And the relationship had picked itself right back up as if it had never ended. They fucked when they could in hidden places, making sure to never get caught. Jaime loved her, and she used him for a good ride. It wasn’t like he didn’t realize that she barely had half the feelings he did. He wasn’t stupid.

He’d ridden with her and the royal family to Winterfell after Jon Arryn’s death. They all greeted the Starks like old friends. More than once on the ride North, he’d heard Robert telling someone that he was going to wed his son that he’d finally gotten from Cersei to the oldest Stark girl. in the North, she was said to be a great beauty. When he’d gotten his helmet off and caught the eyes of the women in the courtyard, he’d realized that a great beauty in the north was very different from the South, or even the Westerlands. The girls up in the North were pale and hardy women, built for work and survival.

He hadn’t seen the Stark girl himself until the feast. He knew her by the color of her hair. Fiery red, and long. It caught the candle light perfectly. She was certainly a pretty girl, with a unique face. He’d never seen a woman who looked like her.

When they’d left, he rode ahead, his horse trotting past the carriage that the Stark girl rode in with the others. He’d slowed, resting his armored hand on the little sil of the window built into the carriage, careful not to catch the curtains that hid those inside from view. He’d lingered only a moment before riding ahead once more. He wanted nothing more than to return to king’s Landing. But of course, that was delayed by the damn children. The Hound killed a boy, Stark killed a wolf. His nephew got a little scar on his arm that he whined about. He felt bad for the girl...She didn’t deserve to be punished for something her sister and his nephew had caused.

He’d been flooded with relief when they finally arrived in King’s Landing. He waited to be sure that the carriage arrived safely, watching Lord Stark as he was summoned straight to the council. A smirk came to his lips as he watched him go. He slid from his horse, handing her off to one of the stable boys. There was to be a tourney in just a few days. There was always a tourney for new Hands or members of court, or anything that Robert could think of.

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cathygeha · 4 years

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REVIEW

Temper by Chantal Fernando

Knights of Fury #3

Looking for a tame biker romance without explicit violence? This book might be for you. It is NOT your typical biker romance but a rather sweet story of an ongoing annual request for a date when Temper rolls through town and that request has always been turned down by abbie...until...one day Temper comes into Abbie’s bar and says he might not ask her out this year, she decides that would NOT be good thing at all and so they do go out on their first date...finally.

The date is splendid till it is not and then her life changes dramatically. Given a chance to leave her town, state, controlling mother and a life that was not the one she chose she spreads her wings, meets new people. Does the tourist thing and gets to know Temper better.

Of course there is a bad guy to thwart, some surprises, twists and turns with the expected HEA.

What I liked:

* Temper: rugged, mature, commanding but with a tender heart

* Abbie: a woman who needs change and is willing to take a chance with Temper

* The Knights of Fury and their women

* Learning the back stories of both main characters

* The thwarting of the bad guy

* That there is a HEA for the two

* The potential for more stories in the series

What I didn’t like:

* The overly tame nature of this not so gritty MC romance

* The way Abbie moved from mouse to wannabe Wonder Woman

* Abbie’s mother

Did I like this book? Yes, as a romance

Did I like this book as an MC Romance? Not as much as others I have read

Would I read more in this series? Maybe

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Title: Temper

Author: Chantal Fernando

Series: Knights of Fury MC series, #3

Length: approx. 60,000 words (256 pages)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Imprint: Carina Press

eBook On-Sale: April 20, 2020

eBook ISBN & Price: 9781488054037, $4.99 USD

Book Description:

New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando returns to the Knights of Fury series with her most complicated hero yet. He may be the epitome of cool, but this MC president isn’t called Temper for nothing…

Every year, the hot, tatted biker comes into Abbie’s bar, orders whiskey and asks her out. Every year, Abbie turns him down. After all, dating a man that goes by Temper seems like a really bad idea, no matter how attracted she is to him.

But this year is different. Abbie’s different. Older, wiser and tired of being stuck behind the bar in a sleepy town. This year, she’s ready for whatever adventure the sexy but sweet biker has in store for her.

Or so she thinks…until an elegant candlelit dinner ends with a dead body.

Now Abbie finds herself on the ride of her life, whisked away to the big city in Temper’s protective custody. She should be scared, but—despite his nickname—it’s clear the last thing Temper would ever do is hurt a hair on her head. And when danger catches up with them, Abbie soon realizes that holding tight to her man while straddling a Harley may be the safest place of all.

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YCQPTBW

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temper-chantal-fernando/1133792899

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/temper/id1481346510

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/temper-13

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chantal_Fernando_Temper?id=e-WxDwAAQBAJ

EXCERPT

It’s been a while since I’ve seen [Temper], and he looks good. It’s like the man doesn’t age. He’s tall, strong, and kind of mean looking, but he’s been nothing but nice and respectful toward me. We kind of have a routine going every time we see each other. We chat, we flirt, he asks if he can buy me dinner, and I say no. He accepts that and leaves, until next time.

I don’t know why I always say no anymore. The first time was a combination of him being a biker and feeling so much older than me. But the age thing doesn’t bother me that much anymore. Truth is I’ve never said yes, to any man, to any date. I get asked out by people coming into the bar, but you don’t have to be experienced to know what they are really looking for, and it’s not a loving, long-lasting relationship. My experience is severely lacking, aside from prom and the mistake I made after it, and there’s no saving me now. I’m going to be a spinster. Hopefully Ivy will give me some nieces and nephews I can claim as my own.

Temper places money on the table, with a huge tip, like he always does. “Seriously? Who tips that much?”

His lip twitches. “You can take yourself out to a nice dinner with it, since I know you’re never going to let me take you out.”

“You giving up that easily?” I tease, giving him a flirtatious smile. I don’t know where this sudden boldness is coming from, other than the fact that I don’t want him to stop asking me out, and I’ve only just realized this.

I’ve never met another man like Temper, and I don’t think I ever will. I see how people treat him, avoid him, and make sure not to challenge him. Hell, my own mother warned me to be friendly with him, but never too friendly. He has this air of menace about him, but over the years I’ve also seen how he treats his MC brothers like family, and he’s always respectful, even to the people who work here. I’ve seen him vulnerable when he talked about his Prez… Hammer was his name, I think. He’s never rude, or arrogant—to me, anyway—and he’s always generous and polite. When he speaks to me, he always uses a humble, gentle tone, one that I’ve come to enjoy listening to. I know there is another side to him, and I can’t help but want to get to know that more.

“It only took a few years of rejection,” he jokes, lifting the whiskey glass to his lips. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him make a joke before.

“Maybe this was the year I was going to say yes,” I reply, clearing my throat. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I have the feeling like if I truly do want to take a chance and go on this date, it’s now or never. I’m stuck here, in the same job, doing the same thing every damn day, and I deserve to have a little fun and do something reckless for once in my life. I’ve always been the good girl, the trusted daughter, and the responsible older sister, taking care of my family as much as I can, since my dad has never been around. I know his name, Cohen Pierce, and that he lives in California somewhere. But he wanted, and still wants, nothing to do with me, and that’s fine. I’ve accepted that.

But what have I ever done for me? Other than college, which I had to drop out of anyway, I can’t think of one single thing.

Temper lowers his glass and studies me, brown eyes filled with surprise and suspicion. “You want to go on a date with me? Why now?”

Shrugging, I lower my eyes to the counter before returning them to him. “Time for me to live a little.”

Being safe hasn’t gotten me anywhere in life.

AUTHOR BIO

Chantal Fernando is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, the Cursed Raven Motorcycle Club series, and the Maybe series, along with several other novels. She lives in Western Australia, where she is working on her next book. Find her online at AuthorChantalFernando.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.

Connect with Chantal Fernando

Website: http://www.authorchantalfernando.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchantalfernando

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChantalFernando

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056719.Chantal_Fernando

AUTHOR Q&A

Your latest release, TEMPER, is the third book in the Knights of Fury series. What three words best describe TEMPER the novel?

Fate, alpha, suspense.

Now on to Temper the man. What is his most surprising quality?

His loyalty, and his protective side. He will do anything for those that he loves.

Abbie has been turning Temper down for the last five years. What prompts her to finally give him a chance?

Abbie gets tired of doing the same thing every day, and her life not working out the way she had once envisioned. She wants adventure and to take a chance, and Temper ends up being that chance.

What do you love most about Abbie?

Abbie is resilient, and she becomes stronger and stronger with each obstacle life throws at her.

What would you like readers to take away from Temper and Abbie’s story?

I want them to just enjoy the ride and to feel the love between the two main characters.

Where did the inspiration for the Knights of Fury series come from?

I actually had a dream about the first chapter of Saint, and the rest just flowed from there.

What do you love most about writing MC romances?

I love that there are no limitations and I can go wherever the characters take me.

What can readers expect from you next?

A spin off series, maybe? ;)

#Chantal Fernando #Knights of Fury 3 #NetGalley #Harlequin-Carina #HQN #HQN-Carina #MC Romance #Romance

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